To the root

[Anastasia]

You thus watch as he works. He works with minimal aid and you can see why. He weaves magic into it from the beginning - rather than enchanting it once it's finished, he's working it into the armor from the start.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa takes note and tries to learn the technique herself!

[Anastasia]

Give me an Intelligence check here, +2 bonus.

[Iron Dragoon]

Int:

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+19 : 4 + 19, total 23[/blockquote]

[Anastasia]

You study it and gather notes. It's enough to have an idea of how to pursue it in the future, you think.

[Iron Dragoon]

"If I wanted to learn that technique, formally, what would be required? Queen's approval?"

[Anastasia]

"The Queen," Is Bayellen's agreement as he works, amid the harmony of pounding hammers and quenching hot steel.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods slowly, "Well, I'll be meeting with her later. I'll ask then. In the mean time, would you be interested in collaborating on this project? Or another?"

[Anastasia]

The dwarf-ant turns to you and away from his work one moment as it heats over the flames. "You are Queen's friend. I will work with you on a project."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, I don't want to stop you from completing this if you need to have it finished first. If you do, then we can simply work on something later."

[Anastasia]

"It shall wait." Bayellen says without the slightest hesitation, "Queen's will is our will."

Emily hms, "You're so loyal to her. But why?"

Castel clears his throat, stepping forward. "Without Queen, we would never have had a chance to exist. Without Queen, we would be forgotten for all times. Without Queen, we are nothing. The ones that she calls friends, the Reynes, are ones we will defend to the death. The ones that she also calls friends, the two of you, we shall afford every honor and answer every request that we can."

[Iron Dragoon]

To Emily, Alyssa sends, There's a bit of telepathy at work here. They're all connected, so it's a sort of hive mind, albeit at what looks to be a subconscious level. They're loyal to her because their minds are, to a degree, part of hers.

[Anastasia]

Oh! That's fascinating. Well, in a sense that's the relationship between any deity and worshiper, but it seems much more direct in this situation.

[Iron Dragoon]

 Indeed, but it fits with their theme.

[Anastasia]

Queen's lucky to have people who love her so. The same way people love my Moms.