"Aye, best as I can be. Bründir Halfshield, I usually stand fer th' miners, but I suppose it's ev'ryone else now, too." The dwarf takes Ulgar's hand in greeting, "What ye saw was just a piece of what we went through. Sheercleft's in a bad way."
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Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Uglar looks Bründir up and down with a slow nod of understanding.
"Follow me. Ye to speak with the Rhunki."
The ranger leads the group of visitors off and up through the streets of the hold. Like most Dwarven settlements, the exterior of Khaz a Grungron is built in tiers up the side of the mountain. The slope towards the heart of the hold is steep, but manageable. The architecture is blocky and angular, with many octagonal shapes and trim in copper, bronze or gold. At first there are only a few civilians on the streets, hurrying about their business. However, the deeper into the hold the group travels, the more it seems like a normal village, far removed from the battle before its walls.
Near the top of the village, a large, ornate gate leads inside the mountain, flanked by guards in shining ceremonial armour. Uglar leads the way through a maze of passages until he arrives outside a heavy metal door engraved with columns of glowing Dwarven runes. He knocks sharply and a nasal voice replies in Dwarven.
"Enter."
The door swings open to reveal an aged Dwarf with a thick white beard stood over an anvil. Much like the door, the anvil is engraved with Dwarven runes around its edges.
"Master Kragshield," Uglar begins, briefly bending the knee to the venerable Dwarf. "I bring before you Bründir Halfshield and his companions from Sheercleft. The warned our hold of the impending Goblin attack and bring news from the south."
The Rhunki looks past Uglar, inspecting each of his visitors with beady dark eyes.
As usual, Vark openly marvels at the wondrous setting, an expression that only deeps the further they go. He stands near Bründir, still holding his spear in his hands as if it were a staff, clutching it like a security blanket. As the wizened dwarf speaks, Vark can't help but respond to the curious assumption. "R-ruby? What ruby?" he mumbles, looking to the others to see how they respond.
"The Trove Lord's beacon," Master Kragshield explains patiently. "Generations ago, Spangelhelm sealed it beneath our halls. For more than a millennium it has lain dormant - until now. For the last score of nights its fell light has welled up from the depths with the setting of the sun. It beats like a heart within the mountain."
Despite himself, Bründir smiles at the old dwarf, "Don' know why our kind always think people know us already. Ye talk like we've grown up with this ruby thing all our lives. Why's all this so important? I get the bit about glowin' gems from my great-great-great-grandpa's time, but what else?"
Valen throws a worried glance between the two. Obviously this artifact held great importance, and his battered dwarf's description was practically ridicule, "I apologize for him, Sir. He is not himself-"
"Quiet, tin-man, I know what I said." Bründir gives a stern glance over his shoulder before returning his smile to the elder. The motion of his head sent waves of agony through his face and head, but he held his smile as best as he could.
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Thurston, strangely enough, keeps quiet during their descend in the dwarven city. When the ruby is mentioned he replies.
”As my friend said we don’t know of any ruby “ he looks at Jex looking for confirmation “but why we would come here for something that’s yours? We came to help against the goblins. Do you think the goblins want the ruby?”
Aiden listens to the conversation from the rear of the group. The Trove Lord...that's the dwarven god of...what? He couldn't remember. He like the dwarf -- Bründir. He wasn't afraid to state what was on his mind, even in the presence of a high-ranking official.
This is certainly going to be interesting, Aiden thinks to himself.
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Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Aiden Olrikson | Human | Tempest Domain Cleric of Thor
"Why, young Norscan?" The Rhunki retorts. "Why, because the same power dwells within your half-blood friend here. Can you not see the ruby sparkle in his eyes? Spangelhelm's reasons for entrusting the beacon to us have been lost to the ages - or perhaps they were deliberately obscured. It matters not. The ruby has remained sealed and dormant in the guardianship of the Rhunki of Khaz a Gungron for generations, but now something has stirred it from its slumber. It wakes. It calls and, whether you knew it or not, you have answered."
Vark’s mouth drops open at the revelation, as well as at being so blatantly called out. “Uhm... R-r-rhunki... do you know any more about this power? Is it something we should answer? Or... should we put it back to sleep?”
Jex too is uncharacteristically quiet. He opens his mouth several times to speak but shuts it again promptly each time. He gives a sideways look at Vark and his lip starts to turn into a smile before once again he falls silent. Simply nodding at Thurston's assertion.
Master Kragshield solemnly shakes his head at Vark's question.
"The beacon must leave Khaz a Grungron, or I fear it will tear the mountain apart in its search for its master. It calls to him as it has called to you. Perhaps it will also heed your voice."
Thurston, slow but steady, is begining to understand.
He speaks to his companions.
"If we get that ruby perhaps that... " he looks towards Master Krajshield, trying not to reveal too much, without any success " ... thing, you know who, that went free came to us freely? That would be very... conveniant don't you think firends? "
Vark looks a bit out of his depths at the ‘heed your voice’ comment, suddenly realizing that the power and connection he now wields might come with some sort of responsibility. But the young mage resolves himself at Thurston’s words, and he turns back to the elder dwarf. “We should go there now then. Or- well I- I’d like to go, as soon as we can. Please.”
"Did Spanglehelm not lock this away for a reason? Do we not risk handing even more power back to those who he trapped? This seems like a risky play and we no nothing of the odds or consequences." Jex jumps in now, no longer looking to jest or wind up, but some genuine concern in his eyes." We don't know the nature of what we already released, let alone releasing another, or handing more power to the existing one."
“I agree with Jex. First time we acted with rush. It’s weird for me to be saying this but I advice caution. That ruby y could give more power to those we don’t want to have it. “ he turns to the dwarf “Why do you say it will tear the mountain apart? Has it displayed destructive power?”
As if on cue, there's a distant rumble and the walls begin to shake and glow a dull red. The Rhunki glances up as a shower of dust motes falls from the ceiling. However, after a few moments the pulse of vermilion energy passes and all is still once more.
"She wakes early today - normally we hear nothing until moonrise. Undoubtedly, she is responding your presence," he adds, fixing Vark with his gaze. "The beacon cannot remain here. It refuses to remain here. I am told that Sheercleft seeks an alliance? Help us in this and Khaz a Grungron will be in your debt. You must venture into the Ungdrin and enter the vault. When you find the ruby, you will know what to do. You, who wields its power, have been brought to us for a reason, just as your own thread in the weave of fate has brought you to this moment."
Master Kragshield's eyes survey the rest of the group. All of them battle-worn and weary.
"Rest a while. Gather your strength. Khaz a Grungron's halls are open to you all, but I implore you, for your own sake, for all of our sakes do not seek to evade your destiny. Rest and, when you are ready, seek the mountain's heart."
Jex nods at Thurston before looking back to the dwarf. "Yes, we should certainly help with this. We do have experience in these things after all. You haven't had some wizards arrive offering services I hope?"
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
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Thurson nods to Aiden. "You will be welcome... " he says to him before joining the others.
PbP Character: A few ;)
"Aye, best as I can be. Bründir Halfshield, I usually stand fer th' miners, but I suppose it's ev'ryone else now, too." The dwarf takes Ulgar's hand in greeting, "What ye saw was just a piece of what we went through. Sheercleft's in a bad way."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Uglar looks Bründir up and down with a slow nod of understanding.
"Follow me. Ye to speak with the Rhunki."
The ranger leads the group of visitors off and up through the streets of the hold. Like most Dwarven settlements, the exterior of Khaz a Grungron is built in tiers up the side of the mountain. The slope towards the heart of the hold is steep, but manageable. The architecture is blocky and angular, with many octagonal shapes and trim in copper, bronze or gold. At first there are only a few civilians on the streets, hurrying about their business. However, the deeper into the hold the group travels, the more it seems like a normal village, far removed from the battle before its walls.
Near the top of the village, a large, ornate gate leads inside the mountain, flanked by guards in shining ceremonial armour. Uglar leads the way through a maze of passages until he arrives outside a heavy metal door engraved with columns of glowing Dwarven runes. He knocks sharply and a nasal voice replies in Dwarven.
"Enter."
The door swings open to reveal an aged Dwarf with a thick white beard stood over an anvil. Much like the door, the anvil is engraved with Dwarven runes around its edges.
"Master Kragshield," Uglar begins, briefly bending the knee to the venerable Dwarf. "I bring before you Bründir Halfshield and his companions from Sheercleft. The warned our hold of the impending Goblin attack and bring news from the south."
The Rhunki looks past Uglar, inspecting each of his visitors with beady dark eyes.
"You are here for the ruby," he muses knowingly.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
As usual, Vark openly marvels at the wondrous setting, an expression that only deeps the further they go. He stands near Bründir, still holding his spear in his hands as if it were a staff, clutching it like a security blanket. As the wizened dwarf speaks, Vark can't help but respond to the curious assumption. "R-ruby? What ruby?" he mumbles, looking to the others to see how they respond.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"The Trove Lord's beacon," Master Kragshield explains patiently. "Generations ago, Spangelhelm sealed it beneath our halls. For more than a millennium it has lain dormant - until now. For the last score of nights its fell light has welled up from the depths with the setting of the sun. It beats like a heart within the mountain."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Despite himself, Bründir smiles at the old dwarf, "Don' know why our kind always think people know us already. Ye talk like we've grown up with this ruby thing all our lives. Why's all this so important? I get the bit about glowin' gems from my great-great-great-grandpa's time, but what else?"
Valen throws a worried glance between the two. Obviously this artifact held great importance, and his battered dwarf's description was practically ridicule, "I apologize for him, Sir. He is not himself-"
"Quiet, tin-man, I know what I said." Bründir gives a stern glance over his shoulder before returning his smile to the elder. The motion of his head sent waves of agony through his face and head, but he held his smile as best as he could.
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Thurston, strangely enough, keeps quiet during their descend in the dwarven city.
When the ruby is mentioned he replies.
”As my friend said we don’t know of any ruby “ he looks at Jex looking for confirmation “but why we would come here for something that’s yours? We came to help against the goblins. Do you think the goblins want the ruby?”
PbP Character: A few ;)
Aiden listens to the conversation from the rear of the group. The Trove Lord...that's the dwarven god of...what? He couldn't remember. He like the dwarf -- Bründir. He wasn't afraid to state what was on his mind, even in the presence of a high-ranking official.
This is certainly going to be interesting, Aiden thinks to himself.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Aiden Olrikson | Human | Tempest Domain Cleric of Thor
"Why, young Norscan?" The Rhunki retorts. "Why, because the same power dwells within your half-blood friend here. Can you not see the ruby sparkle in his eyes? Spangelhelm's reasons for entrusting the beacon to us have been lost to the ages - or perhaps they were deliberately obscured. It matters not. The ruby has remained sealed and dormant in the guardianship of the Rhunki of Khaz a Gungron for generations, but now something has stirred it from its slumber. It wakes. It calls and, whether you knew it or not, you have answered."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Vark’s mouth drops open at the revelation, as well as at being so blatantly called out. “Uhm... R-r-rhunki... do you know any more about this power? Is it something we should answer? Or... should we put it back to sleep?”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Jex too is uncharacteristically quiet. He opens his mouth several times to speak but shuts it again promptly each time. He gives a sideways look at Vark and his lip starts to turn into a smile before once again he falls silent. Simply nodding at Thurston's assertion.
Master Kragshield solemnly shakes his head at Vark's question.
"The beacon must leave Khaz a Grungron, or I fear it will tear the mountain apart in its search for its master. It calls to him as it has called to you. Perhaps it will also heed your voice."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Thurston, slow but steady, is begining to understand.
He speaks to his companions.
"If we get that ruby perhaps that... " he looks towards Master Krajshield, trying not to reveal too much, without any success " ... thing, you know who, that went free came to us freely? That would be very... conveniant don't you think firends? "
PbP Character: A few ;)
Vark looks a bit out of his depths at the ‘heed your voice’ comment, suddenly realizing that the power and connection he now wields might come with some sort of responsibility. But the young mage resolves himself at Thurston’s words, and he turns back to the elder dwarf. “We should go there now then. Or- well I- I’d like to go, as soon as we can. Please.”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"Did Spanglehelm not lock this away for a reason? Do we not risk handing even more power back to those who he trapped? This seems like a risky play and we no nothing of the odds or consequences." Jex jumps in now, no longer looking to jest or wind up, but some genuine concern in his eyes." We don't know the nature of what we already released, let alone releasing another, or handing more power to the existing one."
“I agree with Jex. First time we acted with rush. It’s weird for me to be saying this but I advice caution. That ruby y could give more power to those we don’t want to have it. “ he turns to the dwarf “Why do you say it will tear the mountain apart? Has it displayed destructive power?”
PbP Character: A few ;)
As if on cue, there's a distant rumble and the walls begin to shake and glow a dull red. The Rhunki glances up as a shower of dust motes falls from the ceiling. However, after a few moments the pulse of vermilion energy passes and all is still once more.
"She wakes early today - normally we hear nothing until moonrise. Undoubtedly, she is responding your presence," he adds, fixing Vark with his gaze. "The beacon cannot remain here. It refuses to remain here. I am told that Sheercleft seeks an alliance? Help us in this and Khaz a Grungron will be in your debt. You must venture into the Ungdrin and enter the vault. When you find the ruby, you will know what to do. You, who wields its power, have been brought to us for a reason, just as your own thread in the weave of fate has brought you to this moment."
Master Kragshield's eyes survey the rest of the group. All of them battle-worn and weary.
"Rest a while. Gather your strength. Khaz a Grungron's halls are open to you all, but I implore you, for your own sake, for all of our sakes do not seek to evade your destiny. Rest and, when you are ready, seek the mountain's heart."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Thurston looks up and he just nods to the old dwarf words.
”Please forgive me. I didn’t understand the measure of your problem. We will help you in any way we can.”
He looks to Jex with a “we need to talk” glance
PbP Character: A few ;)
Jex nods at Thurston before looking back to the dwarf. "Yes, we should certainly help with this. We do have experience in these things after all. You haven't had some wizards arrive offering services I hope?"
Bründir's hand clenches Dumdrengi's hilt, and a heat resonates in response. At least we're thinkin' th' same, he ponders, what else can ye tell me?
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero