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Shadows of Malboria (The Chronicle of Kurgish -updtd 11/09/05)
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<blockquote data-quote="Sir Brennen" data-source="post: 2033547" data-attributes="member: 553"><p><span style="color: SandyBrown">This tale is based on the current campaign (at the time of this writing) that I am playing in, run by Kid Charlemagne, entitled “Shadows of Malboria”. More information about his campaign world, CrystalMarch, can be found on his boards <a href="http://www.crystalmarch.com/forum/index.php" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"></span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown">In the game, I play the Kurgish “Cutter” Barrowsteel, a dwarf with a mission. This story is told from his perspective, and might be considered a little dwarf-centric <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> Sometimes events which happened to other party members might be told a little out of sequence, or not at all, because of this first-person point of view. For my fellow players who may not be getting as much spotlight time in this telling of the campaign as they deserve, all I can say is, if you’re going to do something interesting, make sure the dwarf is around <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"></span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"><span style="color: Wheat"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown">First, here are a couple of the relevant events from the world’s history as they relate to Kurgish and his ancestors:</span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"></span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"><strong><span style="color: Wheat">498:</span></strong> The 700-year-old dwarven Kingdom of Spyria splits into pieces. Rysia absorbs a part of the kingdom, and two new dwarven realms are eventually formed: Virisia (498) and Istyria (554) </span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"><strong><span style="color: Wheat">670:</span></strong> Dwarven Kingdom of Virisia is laid waste and enslaved by a powerful dragon called Mahafren, who takes residence in its greatest city and demands tribute and service from its new subjects. This continues to the present day. </span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"><strong><span style="color: Wheat">998:</span></strong> Present Day</span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown"></span></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown">And here is Kurgish’s background story presented to the DM:</span></p><p></p><p>Though the god Corvus may hold the keys to the lands of the dead, family legends hold that it was a Barrowsteel dwarf who fashioned the locks. Whether there is any truth to that or not, the Barrowsteel family has been in the service of the goddess Galerra, judge of the dead, for countless generations. They have been architects of great tombs, and craftsmen of the weapons and armor, gold trinkets and bejeweled treasures taken by many heroes on their journey into the afterlife. Often they have served as guardians of important burial sites, or bailiffs to the priests of Galerra. As soon as they learn to speak, Barrowsteel children are taught proper respect for the dead, and the prayers to offer for brethren fallen in battle.</p><p></p><p>After the fracturing of the kingdom of Spyria, most of the Barrowsteel family gathered under the banner of newly formed Virisia. Later generations believe the family was seduced by promises of great reward from the ruling clans of the new country, if they used their skills to honor the heroes of Virisia. Indeed, the tombs and monuments crafted over the next generation were some of the grandest ever seen in dwarven history, though many felt there were warriors more deserving of such memorials. This hubris was also decried as one of the reasons Virisia fell before the great dragon, Mahafren.</p><p></p><p>Now, for over two hundred years, the dragon's avarice has reached even into the sacred sites, stripping the best works of the Barrowsteels' from the great crypts. Most of the family who remain work to keep any unplundered burial sites guarded and hidden. This is their atonement. This is the re-dedication and continuation of their sacred duty to Galerra.</p><p></p><p>For Kurgish Barrowsteel, however, this simply isn't enough. Inspired by tales of his grandfather, who died battling against the dragon’s machinations, Kurgish believes the only true way to honor the dead of Virisia is to take back the land from Mahafren, and reconsecrate the tombs built by his ancestors. </p><p></p><p>Kurgish fell in with a group of like-minded young dwarves. He even became a blood brother with the warrior Giri, after they had saved each other's lives on different occasions. For over a year, their band concentrated on harassing those who collected tribute for the dragon. Kurgish was often admonished by his father, Lahir, that such actions would bring the wrath of Mahafren's minions down on their families, but Kurgish did not relent.</p><p></p><p>He and his fellows concentrated for several months on a mercenary named Tivero, who's band of men specialized in plundering smaller dwarven gravesites for what trinkets they could find. Kurgish suspected Tivero to be touched of dragon blood himself. Even though they knew they could not face the more experienced men directly, the daring dwarves snuck in to sabotage their wagons, steal their food or gold coin payments, and hinder them in any way possible. </p><p></p><p>During a raid on the graverobber's campsite, Tivero’s men captured Giri. The young dwarf did not betray his friends, but the clan symbols Giri so proudly wore gave Tivero enough to enact a little revenge. Soon, in the middle of the night, agents of the dragon turned Giri's village into a bonfire of bodies on the mountainside.</p><p></p><p>Demoralized, the young dwarven raiders disbanded, with Kurgish still uncertain about Giri's fate. He now understood the danger his father had warned him about, but his father would no longer speak to him.</p><p></p><p>Kurgish was not yet ready to give up. Now he saw he needed to work from without, to find resources that would not put his friends or family at risk. And it would take gold, lots of it, to find the things he needed to carry on the fight. </p><p></p><p>The human lands near Malboria were in need of mercenaries during their petty conflicts; someone of his skills should be able to make his fortune there. And perhaps even adventurous allies willing to help him in his ultimate quest. Kurgish knew it might take a while, even years, but that was why the gods gave dwarves such long lives. And the dragon certainly wasn't going anywhere...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Sir Brennen, post: 2033547, member: 553"] [COLOR=SandyBrown]This tale is based on the current campaign (at the time of this writing) that I am playing in, run by Kid Charlemagne, entitled “Shadows of Malboria”. More information about his campaign world, CrystalMarch, can be found on his boards [URL=http://www.crystalmarch.com/forum/index.php]here[/URL]. In the game, I play the Kurgish “Cutter” Barrowsteel, a dwarf with a mission. This story is told from his perspective, and might be considered a little dwarf-centric ;) Sometimes events which happened to other party members might be told a little out of sequence, or not at all, because of this first-person point of view. For my fellow players who may not be getting as much spotlight time in this telling of the campaign as they deserve, all I can say is, if you’re going to do something interesting, make sure the dwarf is around :D [COLOR=Wheat][B]Background[/B][/COLOR] First, here are a couple of the relevant events from the world’s history as they relate to Kurgish and his ancestors: [B][COLOR=Wheat]498:[/COLOR][/B] The 700-year-old dwarven Kingdom of Spyria splits into pieces. Rysia absorbs a part of the kingdom, and two new dwarven realms are eventually formed: Virisia (498) and Istyria (554) [B][COLOR=Wheat]670:[/COLOR][/B] Dwarven Kingdom of Virisia is laid waste and enslaved by a powerful dragon called Mahafren, who takes residence in its greatest city and demands tribute and service from its new subjects. This continues to the present day. [B][COLOR=Wheat]998:[/COLOR][/B] Present Day And here is Kurgish’s background story presented to the DM:[/COLOR] Though the god Corvus may hold the keys to the lands of the dead, family legends hold that it was a Barrowsteel dwarf who fashioned the locks. Whether there is any truth to that or not, the Barrowsteel family has been in the service of the goddess Galerra, judge of the dead, for countless generations. They have been architects of great tombs, and craftsmen of the weapons and armor, gold trinkets and bejeweled treasures taken by many heroes on their journey into the afterlife. Often they have served as guardians of important burial sites, or bailiffs to the priests of Galerra. As soon as they learn to speak, Barrowsteel children are taught proper respect for the dead, and the prayers to offer for brethren fallen in battle. After the fracturing of the kingdom of Spyria, most of the Barrowsteel family gathered under the banner of newly formed Virisia. Later generations believe the family was seduced by promises of great reward from the ruling clans of the new country, if they used their skills to honor the heroes of Virisia. Indeed, the tombs and monuments crafted over the next generation were some of the grandest ever seen in dwarven history, though many felt there were warriors more deserving of such memorials. This hubris was also decried as one of the reasons Virisia fell before the great dragon, Mahafren. Now, for over two hundred years, the dragon's avarice has reached even into the sacred sites, stripping the best works of the Barrowsteels' from the great crypts. Most of the family who remain work to keep any unplundered burial sites guarded and hidden. This is their atonement. This is the re-dedication and continuation of their sacred duty to Galerra. For Kurgish Barrowsteel, however, this simply isn't enough. Inspired by tales of his grandfather, who died battling against the dragon’s machinations, Kurgish believes the only true way to honor the dead of Virisia is to take back the land from Mahafren, and reconsecrate the tombs built by his ancestors. Kurgish fell in with a group of like-minded young dwarves. He even became a blood brother with the warrior Giri, after they had saved each other's lives on different occasions. For over a year, their band concentrated on harassing those who collected tribute for the dragon. Kurgish was often admonished by his father, Lahir, that such actions would bring the wrath of Mahafren's minions down on their families, but Kurgish did not relent. He and his fellows concentrated for several months on a mercenary named Tivero, who's band of men specialized in plundering smaller dwarven gravesites for what trinkets they could find. Kurgish suspected Tivero to be touched of dragon blood himself. Even though they knew they could not face the more experienced men directly, the daring dwarves snuck in to sabotage their wagons, steal their food or gold coin payments, and hinder them in any way possible. During a raid on the graverobber's campsite, Tivero’s men captured Giri. The young dwarf did not betray his friends, but the clan symbols Giri so proudly wore gave Tivero enough to enact a little revenge. Soon, in the middle of the night, agents of the dragon turned Giri's village into a bonfire of bodies on the mountainside. Demoralized, the young dwarven raiders disbanded, with Kurgish still uncertain about Giri's fate. He now understood the danger his father had warned him about, but his father would no longer speak to him. Kurgish was not yet ready to give up. Now he saw he needed to work from without, to find resources that would not put his friends or family at risk. And it would take gold, lots of it, to find the things he needed to carry on the fight. The human lands near Malboria were in need of mercenaries during their petty conflicts; someone of his skills should be able to make his fortune there. And perhaps even adventurous allies willing to help him in his ultimate quest. Kurgish knew it might take a while, even years, but that was why the gods gave dwarves such long lives. And the dragon certainly wasn't going anywhere... [/QUOTE]
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