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League of Assassins - Conclusion
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 880040" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Game #14 - 5/04/03</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Chapter 44, “The Dwarves of Highforge”, July 10th, 1:00 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Serita is concerned at the dinner is just a few hours from then, and there are still a great many guest groups who they have not yet met. She is also concerned about the “most powerful fighter” clue, and decides that the clue could refer to members of the dwarven army from Highforge, who only Hiroshi had met. She decides to go visit them, being joined by both Timothy and Lothar, a tall dark-skinned member of their ship’s crew. Lothar is mute, and communicates via his own hang gesture language, which both Serita and Timothy know. </p><p></p><p>They soon arrive at the Pick & Runestone, a well constructed stone building in a section of the city comprised of engineers and construction workers. The building is surrounded by two groups comprised of ten dwarves and two ogres, in two groups of six with each group having distinctly different military-style uniforms. Serita explains in the Dwarven Language who they are, and that they wish to see the leaders from Highforge. She then states a greeting to one of the ogre troops in the Ogrish language. He gives her a puzzled look, and then says in Dwarven that he did not understand what she said. She apologizes, saying that she had just assumed that he would know Ogrish. He answers again in dwarvish, stating “I am sorry. My family has resided in Fort Burin for over 20 generations, and have lost many of the traditions of our native race in that time.” She offers another apology, saying that it was wrong for her to jump to conclusions. She adds that her group makes it a point to not hold racist views, and that their ship’s crew includes members of both the lizardman and bugbear races.”</p><p></p><p>They are soon escorted inside and soon joined by the six visiting dignitaries who will be attending the auction, two pairs of which are wearing the different military uniforms. The group is led by King Brothamund IV of Highforge, who then introduces his dwarven Treasurer Gecur Goldsmith. Next he introduces from Fort Drundarr a dwarf named General Hartin Bronzshield and the halfling, Colonel Pellin Bayberry. He then introduces the ogre, General Trelcart of Fort Burin and his dwarven associate, Colonel Brimdi Strongsword. Timothy signals his companions that all of their auras, including that of the ogre, indicate lawful good alignment. </p><p></p><p>King Brothamund IV explains how he and his companions are actually from three separate but adjacent dwarven Kingdoms. His own Highforge Kingdom was founded 5,600 years ago by dwarves that had come from Moutaingate, two days ride to the east, which had been nearly destroyed in a war against giants. Fort Drundarr and Fort Burin were established as military outposts near the giant territories, to act as the first defense of the new Kingdom. Conflict with the giants continued which escalated into an all-our war some 3,800 years ago. It was then that an unlikely alliance was formed with an army of nearly 2,000 ogres, who were also enemies of the giants, which led to Highforge decimating their opponents. Following the Giant Wars the King of Highforge chose to reduce the size of his expensive army by 75%. The Commanders of both forts strongly objected to this, at which time the Highforge King chose to grant both forts their independence, each becoming a city state pledged to mutual military assistance. </p><p></p><p>General Trelcart continues the story, stating that “The first King of Fort Burin decided to maintain his army, but had no way to pay for it. His solution was to declare war on the mountains, using the borrowed Pendant of Kouvz’d to locate the veins of precious metals. With a continued alliance with the ogres they were extremely successful, due in part to the strict military discipline applied to the mining operations. The wealth has required us to maintain a formidable fighting force, as they would otherwise become a target for invaders. We of the orgrish race continue to comprise about a quarter of the population of Fort Burin. The many millennia of living in affluence and good health has had the effect of doubling the average natural lifespan of my race. Duty time for the troops is evenly divided between mining details and fighter training. All able bodied men are required to serve in the military, and many women of both races also serve.” </p><p></p><p>General Bronzeshield of Fort Drundarr continues, stating “Fort Drundarr was initially faced with the same economic hardship as its Fort Burin counterpart , but lacked mountains with precious metals to mine and the only forests and fertile soils were to the east all belonged to Highforge. The land north and west were still populated remaining bands of giants, so reducing the size of the military was not a viable option. The King saw the invasion and conquest of the giant lands as the solution to his economic woes. The other two dwarven Kingdoms felt that our King was stirring up a hornet’s nest, and were further angered when many of their best soldiers resigned to join the Fort Drundarr Army in order to fight giants. Highforge and Fort Burin ceased all contact with Fort Drundarr because of that” King Brothamund interjects “That rift was caused as much by your own King’s stubbornness than anything else. Bronzeshield replies “Okay, fine, let’s not get into that debate again.” </p><p></p><p>He continues “This led to little reward, as the giants had very little wealth to speak of, and their lands were rocky and barren. Cut off from its dwarven neighbors, the kingdom fell deep into poverty. For the next two generations the soldiers often went without any pay, and the city itself barely struggled to survive. That changed when the army finally reached Grey Dragon Lake and the fertile valley surrounding it, the site of an epic dwarven battle 1,500 years earlier. The land had been originally settled by the Bayberry Clan of halflings, but the giants had forced them out . The halflings had remained refugees, struggling to stay alive in the mountainous regions a short distance to the south.” Serita interjects “And you formed an alliance with these halflings?” </p><p></p><p>Colonel Bayberry picks up the story, “Yes, our clan had domesticated the Stardoo, a local animal that resembles a cross between a mountain goat and antelope, which we used as mounts. They could travel quickly over rough terrain, so we acted as scouts, gathering detailed information about the enemy, and working as couriers for the military regiments. The giants were defeated, and the City of Grey Dragon Lake has now grown to be the second largest community in the Fort Drundarr Kingdom. Bayberry scouts and couriers remain a key part of every Fort Drundarr military unit.” Serita says “I have heard of the Stardoo, but have never seen one. I would love an opportunity to do so.” Colonel Bayberry says “Then join me after the meal, we have several with us in stables here at the inn.” </p><p></p><p>King Brothamund says “Over a millennia ago Fort Drundarr reunified with the other two Kingdoms. At that ceremony Fort Drundarr present their most precious artifact as a gift to the Highforge King, namely the Axe of Drundarr. It was unfortunately lost around 225 years ago by my predecessor in a mountain climbing accident. We thought it was still lost near the summit of Mount Roundtop, until we heard that it was here and to be auctioned off. Also in the auction is the Maul of Moradin, which had been used by a dwarven hero from Kouvz’d at the final battle at Mountaingate. The final item of interest to us is the Kouvz’d Pendant, which we would like to return to them.” </p><p></p><p>Serita tells them about the ILA, which they state they are already aware of, which is part of the reason they brought a large number of troops. She then tells them of the clue regarding the strongest fighter. This leads to a debate between the army officers as to which of them is the strongest, which they resolve through arm wresting contests that the ogre emerges the winner of. Following the meal the party heads out the stables, where Serita spends a short while looking at the seven Stardoo mounts. </p><p></p><p><em>[Note: More detail on these three lands and the elvan lands of Silvanost, Mengale and Brondani, can be found at the following Plots & Places thread titled “Kingdoms of the Elves and Dwarves”:</em> <a href="http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31874" target="_blank">http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31874</a></p><p><em>This particular thread is available to both <strong> Players & Readers </strong>]</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 880040, member: 8530"] [b]Game #14 - 5/04/03[/b] [B]Chapter 44, “The Dwarves of Highforge”, July 10th, 1:00 P.M.[/B] Serita is concerned at the dinner is just a few hours from then, and there are still a great many guest groups who they have not yet met. She is also concerned about the “most powerful fighter” clue, and decides that the clue could refer to members of the dwarven army from Highforge, who only Hiroshi had met. She decides to go visit them, being joined by both Timothy and Lothar, a tall dark-skinned member of their ship’s crew. Lothar is mute, and communicates via his own hang gesture language, which both Serita and Timothy know. They soon arrive at the Pick & Runestone, a well constructed stone building in a section of the city comprised of engineers and construction workers. The building is surrounded by two groups comprised of ten dwarves and two ogres, in two groups of six with each group having distinctly different military-style uniforms. Serita explains in the Dwarven Language who they are, and that they wish to see the leaders from Highforge. She then states a greeting to one of the ogre troops in the Ogrish language. He gives her a puzzled look, and then says in Dwarven that he did not understand what she said. She apologizes, saying that she had just assumed that he would know Ogrish. He answers again in dwarvish, stating “I am sorry. My family has resided in Fort Burin for over 20 generations, and have lost many of the traditions of our native race in that time.” She offers another apology, saying that it was wrong for her to jump to conclusions. She adds that her group makes it a point to not hold racist views, and that their ship’s crew includes members of both the lizardman and bugbear races.” They are soon escorted inside and soon joined by the six visiting dignitaries who will be attending the auction, two pairs of which are wearing the different military uniforms. The group is led by King Brothamund IV of Highforge, who then introduces his dwarven Treasurer Gecur Goldsmith. Next he introduces from Fort Drundarr a dwarf named General Hartin Bronzshield and the halfling, Colonel Pellin Bayberry. He then introduces the ogre, General Trelcart of Fort Burin and his dwarven associate, Colonel Brimdi Strongsword. Timothy signals his companions that all of their auras, including that of the ogre, indicate lawful good alignment. King Brothamund IV explains how he and his companions are actually from three separate but adjacent dwarven Kingdoms. His own Highforge Kingdom was founded 5,600 years ago by dwarves that had come from Moutaingate, two days ride to the east, which had been nearly destroyed in a war against giants. Fort Drundarr and Fort Burin were established as military outposts near the giant territories, to act as the first defense of the new Kingdom. Conflict with the giants continued which escalated into an all-our war some 3,800 years ago. It was then that an unlikely alliance was formed with an army of nearly 2,000 ogres, who were also enemies of the giants, which led to Highforge decimating their opponents. Following the Giant Wars the King of Highforge chose to reduce the size of his expensive army by 75%. The Commanders of both forts strongly objected to this, at which time the Highforge King chose to grant both forts their independence, each becoming a city state pledged to mutual military assistance. General Trelcart continues the story, stating that “The first King of Fort Burin decided to maintain his army, but had no way to pay for it. His solution was to declare war on the mountains, using the borrowed Pendant of Kouvz’d to locate the veins of precious metals. With a continued alliance with the ogres they were extremely successful, due in part to the strict military discipline applied to the mining operations. The wealth has required us to maintain a formidable fighting force, as they would otherwise become a target for invaders. We of the orgrish race continue to comprise about a quarter of the population of Fort Burin. The many millennia of living in affluence and good health has had the effect of doubling the average natural lifespan of my race. Duty time for the troops is evenly divided between mining details and fighter training. All able bodied men are required to serve in the military, and many women of both races also serve.” General Bronzeshield of Fort Drundarr continues, stating “Fort Drundarr was initially faced with the same economic hardship as its Fort Burin counterpart , but lacked mountains with precious metals to mine and the only forests and fertile soils were to the east all belonged to Highforge. The land north and west were still populated remaining bands of giants, so reducing the size of the military was not a viable option. The King saw the invasion and conquest of the giant lands as the solution to his economic woes. The other two dwarven Kingdoms felt that our King was stirring up a hornet’s nest, and were further angered when many of their best soldiers resigned to join the Fort Drundarr Army in order to fight giants. Highforge and Fort Burin ceased all contact with Fort Drundarr because of that” King Brothamund interjects “That rift was caused as much by your own King’s stubbornness than anything else. Bronzeshield replies “Okay, fine, let’s not get into that debate again.” He continues “This led to little reward, as the giants had very little wealth to speak of, and their lands were rocky and barren. Cut off from its dwarven neighbors, the kingdom fell deep into poverty. For the next two generations the soldiers often went without any pay, and the city itself barely struggled to survive. That changed when the army finally reached Grey Dragon Lake and the fertile valley surrounding it, the site of an epic dwarven battle 1,500 years earlier. The land had been originally settled by the Bayberry Clan of halflings, but the giants had forced them out . The halflings had remained refugees, struggling to stay alive in the mountainous regions a short distance to the south.” Serita interjects “And you formed an alliance with these halflings?” Colonel Bayberry picks up the story, “Yes, our clan had domesticated the Stardoo, a local animal that resembles a cross between a mountain goat and antelope, which we used as mounts. They could travel quickly over rough terrain, so we acted as scouts, gathering detailed information about the enemy, and working as couriers for the military regiments. The giants were defeated, and the City of Grey Dragon Lake has now grown to be the second largest community in the Fort Drundarr Kingdom. Bayberry scouts and couriers remain a key part of every Fort Drundarr military unit.” Serita says “I have heard of the Stardoo, but have never seen one. I would love an opportunity to do so.” Colonel Bayberry says “Then join me after the meal, we have several with us in stables here at the inn.” King Brothamund says “Over a millennia ago Fort Drundarr reunified with the other two Kingdoms. At that ceremony Fort Drundarr present their most precious artifact as a gift to the Highforge King, namely the Axe of Drundarr. It was unfortunately lost around 225 years ago by my predecessor in a mountain climbing accident. We thought it was still lost near the summit of Mount Roundtop, until we heard that it was here and to be auctioned off. Also in the auction is the Maul of Moradin, which had been used by a dwarven hero from Kouvz’d at the final battle at Mountaingate. The final item of interest to us is the Kouvz’d Pendant, which we would like to return to them.” Serita tells them about the ILA, which they state they are already aware of, which is part of the reason they brought a large number of troops. She then tells them of the clue regarding the strongest fighter. This leads to a debate between the army officers as to which of them is the strongest, which they resolve through arm wresting contests that the ogre emerges the winner of. Following the meal the party heads out the stables, where Serita spends a short while looking at the seven Stardoo mounts. [I][Note: More detail on these three lands and the elvan lands of Silvanost, Mengale and Brondani, can be found at the following Plots & Places thread titled “Kingdoms of the Elves and Dwarves”:[/I] [url]http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31874[/url] [I]This particular thread is available to both [B] Players & Readers [/B]][/I] [/QUOTE]
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