King Battlehammer looks concerned. "This situation is more grave than I anticipated, if this Amorsopheus fellow is involved."

“It is unlikely to be the Lord of the Hells himself. He troubles himself with far more important matters. It is likely a devilish servant of his, or perhaps members of a cult that revere him. If it were a projection of Asmodeus, we would know by now, and if were him in the flesh, we would already be dead, along with most of the continent.’’ 

"Yes. Evil dwarves. Grey skin and white hair. Small then big. Here then nowhere. I have seen this." Brixo says solemnly. 

Battlehammer groans. "Bless me beard. Angerhobo and now duergar. It doesn't get much worse than this." He shakes his head. "I suggest ye get geared up. The expedition leaves within the hour. Gravel!" He shouts again, and the dwarf stumbles into view once more. "Introduce these fine adventurers to Rhubble."

The dwarf bows. "If you'll follow this way, please." He says, turning to you.

Inquiry follows behind curiously

As does Brixo, but not before he pats Bruenor on the shoulder.

Several dwarven guards lurch forward at this unprecedented move on Brixo's part, but the king laughs and waves them off. "Good luck, man of earth." He says.

Chazrael chuckles as he begins to leave. "Gravel and Rubble," he mutters, amused at the names dwarves pick for their kin. 

Cori salutes to the dwarf king once more. "Thank you for talking with us King Battlehammer! We'll return victorious!" She walks off with the rest, with a bit of pep in her step.

Wazzok seems thoroughly perplexed by all this demon talk, but eventually shrugs and follows the party, taking one last opportunity to bow before King Battlehammer. 

The dwarf leads you out of the throne room and into a small antechamber. Several dwarves are gathered around a stone table, arguing over a stained map. A dwarf with a deep red beard and a glass eye glances up as you enter. "And what's this lot doing here then, eh?" He grunts. Gravel explains and the red-bearded dwarf sizes you up with his one good eye. "What skills can you lot offer to the expedition?" He inquires.

Wazzok goes through her customary long-winded introduction of all of her companions before flexing her bare arms and going into an explanation of her own skill set.

Gruumsh's way is the way of war, and I have the strength to defeat any enemy, but I also learned the way of stealth and subtlety from my time growing up in the city with my mother. While you and your ilk may detest them, the Orcish gods still heed my call, and can provide us with their blessings and guidance in our quest. 

"Nice to meet you folk! I spent a while as a guard in Neverwinter. Learned a lot from them. Been travelling a bit too since leaving, so picked up a few tricks since then. Know how to beat stuff up and raise morale. Can carry a bit of stuff too, if you need. Not really good at all the magical stuff really, but we seem to have that covered, eh? Sometimes you need someone who can just stab some things."

Chazrael crosses his arms. "I can shoot a bow, track and generally kill things, but that's all you need to know. I can also cast some spells and fix things." 

Inquiry shrugs. “I dabble in the arcane arts. I’m relatively inexperienced, but I learned under Master Albrick himself. I also have a fair knowlegde of the creature that the shrine we head towards is devoted to. I’m sure that you can find a use for me.”

"Brixo has many magic. I am good friend with rock and stone. I can make animals." he seems quite impressed with himself.

[OoC]: My post frequency takes a big dip at weekends, where I may only be able to get one post out per day. Just assume that Brixo is happily accompanying the party and trying to assimilate the different way that they make conversation. If anybody uses idioms or metaphors, he is greatly confused and dwells on them for a few hours.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, I'm sure." The dwarf, whom Gravel addresses as Rhubble, mutters as he rolls up the map. "Let's get this over with."

Rhubble, accompanied by several other dwarves, leads the way out of Gauntlgrym Keep and down a steep set of carved stone steps into the depths of Gauntlgrym. The air temperature steadily rises as you get closer to the Great Forge, and then drops when you descend into the mines. The air is stale and foul, and the mines are silent as death.

The dwarves carry lanterns for the convenience of those not blessed with inherent darkvision, and the shadows press in on all sides, threatening to devour the small group. You progress ever deeper into the mines, and you soon lose all sense of direction in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels. Rhubble suddenly lets out a shout of terror. Suspended upside-down from the ceiling by rusted iron chains are two dead dwarves, mutilated beyond recognition.

As the group begins their descent, Inquiry casts Mage Armor on herself as an extra assurance. When she hears Rhubble scream from around the corner of the tunnel, she braces herself for the worst and then pushes forward towards his voice. She ends her journey at his side and inspects the corpses silently. 

Is there any sort of pattern to the mutilation that she might recognize? Basically, was this a ritualistic killing?

Chazrael draws his bow and knocks an arrow as he follows Inquiry and stares at the corpses. "We should take off their heads immediately." 

Wazzok sets her shield down and starts to look for a way to get the dwarves down.

The dead should be honored and respected, not mutilated and dismembered. This... is wrong.