Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

The Age of Magic is ended, Bhall, the Goddess of Fire, has succumbed to the whispers of Agares and fallen into Hell. Her worshipers and creations driven mad, and fire, which has been a powerful ally to man, has turned against him. Each good god was charged with the opposition of an evil god. Bhall was responsible for balancing Mulcarn, the God of Winter. Finding himself unopposed Mulcarn has broken The Compact and moved into Creation.

Creation was on the verge of another open war between the gods, that which they had outlawed with The Compact. To keep that from happening a deal was struck and the gods agreed that one god would enter Creation to challenge Mulcarn. That was Sucellus, the God of Nature. The two gods battled across the face of Creation, entire civilizations still recovering from the Burning Skies that marked the fall of Bhall were destroyed by their power. In the end Sucellus was killed and Mulcarn remained.

The Eternal Winter has begun...
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Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:03 am

"Dwarven officers were tireless in battle, moving up and down the lines to rally their troops and boost morale."
- Fallen Empires, vol IV


The Last Summer has come and gone, and may never come again. It is a discouraging thought, but one that must be put out of ones mind if one is to survive. Neigh over fifty years ago Bhall, the Goddess of Fire, fell from the sky and destroyed what was once the thriving and prosperous city state of Braduk. Ninety five percent of its people were killed in that instant when the Goddess struck the earth, their souls sucked into Hell along with the Goddess as she traveled through the earth into the depths below where Agares the Black, the God of Night rules. Only a handful of refugees survived the cataclysm that rent open a hole between the planes. Two small settlements outside the blast radius survived, Peptin in the south and Falcon's Hollow in the north. However the Braduk people are a strong and determined folk and even near ground zero some survived, those survivors are the unfortunate ones.

After Bhall's fall Mulcarn, the God of Winter, moved into Creation and was followed by the champion of the gods Sucellus, the God of Nature. Their battle ravaged the lands west of Patria where the Doviello and the Amurites dwell. In the end Sucellus was slain by Mulcarn and the far reaching effects of his death have yet to truly been seen. Each year the winters have grown harsher and the summers shorter and shorter as Mulcarn's influence is felt. With the fading seasons comes a shortage of harvests, a freezing of the northern reaches and the mountains, and the ever present growing threat of The Frostlings, agents of Mulcarn himself.

The lands of the Kilmor, the dwarven people, things are particularly difficult. The once wild and scattered Ember Clans, orcish and goblinoid factions, have been united under a strong leader and wage a war against their hated foe that is going on 5 years now. The mountain tops have been freezing and not thawing for years, and the alpine glaciers there push ever downwards causing the Kilmor no end of trouble with their surface side holdings. To make matters worse demons from The Burning Pit have from time to time joined the Orcs in attacking their strong holds and politics and greed keep the dwarven people from facing their threats as a united people.

Winter is coming, and the dwarves will not escape it even buried in the mountains and if they are not careful they may find their underground homes are nothing but a frozen coffin.
Welcome to the dwarf thread! I'll be posting one more, so just hang in there.
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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:15 am

** Rockmaw Run, Late August, Ten Minutes Before Midnight ** "<Dwarven> Alright I'll go over the plan one more time for those of you in the back row." Shouting now into the darkness of the small dwarven fort's courtyard is Captain Dorak Goldspike. He's a short (even for a dwarf) red bearded officer draped in thick ringmail armor. In one hand he holds a small iron rimmed buckler, in the other he holds a gilded minotaur horn. Off his belt dangles both a small war pike and a heavy repeating crossbow. His iron shod boot crush the gravel under his feet. Arrayed before him is the entire keep's warrior population, some two dozen veteran soldiers both grim and stout. "This here is Brother Torrak and Brother Torias. They are on a mission of great importance to the entire people of Kilmorph." He motions at the two bald headed dwarves standing next to him in front of the collected garrison. "Our job is to see to it that they make The Run." He hands back a writ of travel to one of the twins, not that he can tell the difference having finished reading it for a third time.

The Run, or more accurately The Rockmaw Run, is a ten mile stretch of twisting winding rocky terrain that cuts through the eastern tip of the dwarven mountains. The area was recently taken by the Blackbanner Clan of the Ember Clans, one of the most brutal and vicious of the orcish factions. No one even bothers talking about the Pit Hounds that have also moved into the region feasting on the carnage of the Dwarf-Orc war because the Blackbanner are far worse foes. The Twin's mission will lead them down and through The Run. "Platinum Platoon you are to hold the west flank, Gold Platoon the east. I want scouts from the Quicksilver Platoon running out in front of these two the whole way, you are to run interference. The Barring Mor bodyguards will remain with their charges. The rest of you are coming with me to stir up some trouble and draw some attention away from The Run. Get set men, we make the Run at Midnight!"

The gathered dwarves all bang their weapons on their shields once and shout out, "Kazah'd!" a classic dwarf war cry. The troops begin at once to break up so they can take their positions along the dwarf held terrain of The Run.

Captain Dorak turns to Torias and Torrak, "Well, let's hope your superiors in the Kilani Yur are right about this Droskar's Crag place as a resting spot for one of these untainted shards of the Heart of Bhall, because a lot of good dwarves are about to die to see you safely beyond our boarders." He looks at the twins expecting a reply.

Silent standing nearby are two Barring Mor Templars, bodyguards sent from the churches to assit as well. They are the strong silent types and remain in the background doing their duty without word or complaint.
Welcome Wulf and Grimbold! Here we go, let's get a nice intro post from both of you on appearances, and such and let the fun begin.
In the search for a shard of Heart of Bhall strong divination magics were used by your order's clerics and they determined that one untainted shard might rest "In the Dark Smith's Crucible". After extensive research into ancient and taboo dwarven lore you two discovered that the Dark Smith was a reference to Droskar a long forgotten dwarven religious figure (See Dwarf Brainstorming Thread). A god an angel a devil an avatar, no one can say what he was, but his worship was outlawed after his followers attempted a blood coup against the king some 1000 years ago. You research also turned up that long ago during the height of the Age of Magic the dwarves had explored further regions and settled small outposts and monasteries in other mountain ranges, and the worship of Droskar reached those locations as well. Now, your mission (since you are the ones that figured it all out) is to find one of the ancient dwarven holdings where Droskar's influence once reigned. All seers and oracles have pointed you to the northeast, to a small region on the far side of the Pit. You have a vague map, and have been escorted to the boarder of the dwarven homes and are about to embark on your journey to save your people!
Last edited by Vardaen on Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Eanwulf » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:09 am

A bitter chill hangs heavy in the evening air as the moon lies all but hidden amongst the starless sky. A dwarven warrior-monk of no particularly great renown, one Torrak Runefist, stands attentively beside his twinned brother, Torias. Whilst those that surround the two brothers seems to be clad in the heavier garb most commonly found amongst those wishing to don their earliest of winter trappings, Brother Torrak does not.

Instead, the diligent warrior stands proudly before his kinsmen wearing nothing more than simple woolen breeches and a pair of common sandals. Torrak's rugged, muscular body appears to withstand the elements quite easily and the numerous runes and tattoos that adorn it provides onlookers with a living testimony as to the teachings and affairs of the dwarf's order - the Kulani Yur. Each tattoo obviously carries with it its own story to tell, and appears to be the most heavily concentrated upon the dwarf's hands, wrists, and forearms. Every symbol, every glyph has been meticulously crafted and secretly serves as an alleged blessing from the Crafter and appears to be rather startling against the dwarf's otherwise bare-skinned and clean-shaven frame.

Torrak's half-naked form stands rigid and motionless during the Captain's speech. The bronze-skinned muscular dwarf listens on intently, his rune-faced visage never wavering from the crowd of dwarven onlookers that surrounds him. Have courage brave soldiers Torrak thinks to himself as he listens The Crafter's Hand shall guide Us. Once the cadre of soldiers has begun to disperse, Torrak turns his head ever so slightly towards the good Captain as he makes his inquiry.

Realizing that it would probably be best if he were to answer rather than his brother - his beloved brother's reply most likely taking half a day or so to complete - Torrak eventually replies with the following in a most solemn tone. "Fear not Commander, for if the Superiors of our Order say that one of the Tears of the Fallen Goddess shall be found through the Rockmaw, then by the Crafter it shall be..." "I only pray," Torrak then adds quite grimly, "that the losses of our clansmen will not be great, and our efforts, a success."
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Torrak Runefist

Will go ahead and pause here so that Grimbold can make his introduction and add whatever he wishes to, etc.
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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Grimbold » Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:53 pm

Torias looks very much like his twin brother, strange runic tattos all over his face and forehead. Some runes also form circles around his eyes. He is shifting uneasily in his heavy armor. With his waraxe and battle axe in his belt, he looks very warlike, but in fact, he has only had the basic training given to all dwarfs and it has been some years since he has actually needed to use them in battle. He takes the paper back and gazes at it again through steel-brimmed glasses. He hopes he has not made a mistake in his research, committing so many dwarfs to unnecessary death, but he has gone through the thread of evidence a dozen times and it all points to the same place. But perhaps he has missed some crucial detail? If so, this is definitely not the time to talk about his doubts.

He removes his glasses again and takes on the air of dignity expected of a priest of the Kilany Yur. "Blessed be the Crafter." he just says.
I was away over Christmas and will be only able to post once in a while until after New Year. Sorry for the delay.

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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:55 pm

The short Captain Dorak nods with a grunt at both of the shaved twins, "Then lets not wait any more, the longer we do the less chance you have to make the run before, well nevermind before what. You know the plan, have you any further questions?" He scratches his beard and puts a hand on his dented metal helm hanging on his belt. Scooping the armor piece up he puts it on his head with astrong pat of his hand, his face virtually vanishes under the wide nose piece and heavy side chops of the armored helm.
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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Eanwulf » Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:43 pm

"No sir," replies Torrak calmly to Captain Dorak, "I have no further questions. The plan seems sound enough and our fates have already been molded by the Crafter's hands."

A grim and focused look falls upon the muscular dwarf's face as he glances over ever so slightly at his still-addled sibling. After a moment or two Torrak then adds, "I do believe that both of us are ready, aren't we brother? If you would be so kind as to lead the way good Captain...we are ready to follow."

As Torrak clasps his wooden quarterstaff tightly in one hand and proceeds to follow the Captain's led, the stalwart young monk can not help but think to himself...

Crafter help us brother, I fear that you have spent far too much of your time being held prisoner behind book and paper. The path ahead of us appears to be a bloody one and I shall not have you falling down by my side just quite yet...
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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:26 am

"Good. Here, these won't help you in your battles, or provide you any protections against evil, but they will remind you of home and what you are fighting for." He hands Torrak a small burlap pouch. Inside Torrak spys maybe a dozen Ironbloom Mushrooms. The mushrooms grow in the mines of the dwarven holds and are cultivated for the finest dwarven tables. They might not provide the two with any real benefit, but they are a favored meal by all dwarves and will certainly bolster Torrak and Torrias' moral once they are away from home. The mushrooms are only good for a few days, maybe five at the most before they turn sour and chalky and become not fit to eat.
Updated Torrak's sheet.

Any day in which you've had 2 or more mushrooms with your meals I'll grant you a +1 morale bonus vs any fear/charm saving throw.
"Let's go then." The captain leads the way down from the courtyard to the gates of the fort, and calls up to the gatehouse. The huge iron gate is raised up high enough for you to pass under, behind and around troops are moving out into the Rockmaw into position. Scouts are already racing down The Run, and the two silent bodyguards with the pair are drawing their heavy axes, and doning shields. "Now then, go that way, as fast as you can, and don't stop until you find green flat lands, you'll know you are out of the Rockmaw Run as the stone will fade, and you'll see the last remains of some ancient statues as you exit the Run. Good luck, Crafters Blessing on you both."
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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Grimbold » Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:12 pm

Torias has bound his shield to his back as well as his other equipment. Torias puts away his glasses - he only needs them to study small writing - and looks about with keen eyes. He offers a quick prayer to the Crafter and throws a glance at Torrak and then nods. When both are ready, he runs before his brother, keeping his eyes open for trouble, ready to draw his long-unused axe once again.

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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Eanwulf » Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:07 am

Torrak takes the bag of mushrooms and thanks Captain Dorak for the gesture. The muscular dwarf then readies himself to head out the gate. As the first of the dwarven guards begins to exit through the half-opened gates, Torrak quickly turns towards his brother and exclaims sternly, "Stick close to me brother, and try not to get separated!"

A grim look of concern quickly falls over Torrak's face as he realizes that it may very well be possible that his brother has spent too much time within the cloistered halls of the monastery's library.

"If by some chance you do manage to lose sight of me," the dwarf quickly adds, "just find one of our bodyguards and keep running to the end of the tunnel and await my arrival. I will be along shortly!

Having said his final peace, Torrak clenches his quarterstaff tightly and awaits his turn to dash through the gates, remembering each and every step the good Captain has told him to take.

"Good luck to you brother," Torrak states lovingly as he crosses the dwarven threshold, "Crafter's blessings upon you and I shall see you at the end of the run..."
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Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:01 pm

Two twins exit the gate, and find themselves out in the mountain pass, Rockmaw Run looms before him. The sky is black above, and the rocks are dark and foreboding. The craggy stone reach over the narrow Run like twisted fingers of bone trying to claw at anyone that dares pass them. The sound of moving dwarves in the slopes above the pass can be heard; Gold and Silver Platoons are already into position or are finishing getting there.

The four dwarves take one last look at the dwarven stronghold and then burst into a run. The grade of the Run is downwards, always down the mountain side, down toward the low lands of the world outside the dwarfholds. Racing ahead of the group a few scouts have already hurried forward, and behind the twins the two bodyguards tromp and charge like armored elephants in their heavy mail without a word of encouragement or complaint.

The stone beneath your feet is dusty, covered in leaves and pebbles and other such bits and pieces of debris found in the outside weather atop a mountain. There too is frost, a thin layer of frost is growing on the stones, early for this time of year, but at this elevation it's not unheard of, especially not lately.

The quartet of dwarves charges down the path their feet pounding on the ground in a pattern not unlike the beating of drums in some dwarven symphony. For ten minutes the group races head long down the Run and you begin to wonder what the fuss was all about as the only danger is that of tripping.

Then the howls and screams begin. The echoes up the canyon roar into the ears of Torrak and Torias. There must be a hundred Orcs and Goblins up ahead. Shadowy forms are spotted in the rocky highlands above the Run. Then the twang of arrows, the clatter of rocks, and the clash of swords on shields thunders down the mountain. The noise is deafening.

Then a rock the size of a boar's skull bounces on the trail right in front of Torrak. The nimble dwarf jumps over the rock and keeps on running. Arrows whiz through the air, and the guard behind you grunts as he's struck with a shot to his shoulder. The shaft sticks out of the dwarf's armor rubbing and grinding deeper and deeper with each step down the mountain.

"Kazah'd!" The war cry of the dwarf platoon that moved into position clamors over the din of the screaming Ember Clans. The Gold Platoon crashes into the forces on your right flank, and the whizzing of arrows slows for a moment.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
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