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Message: <blockquote data-quote="arwink" data-source="post: 1181099" data-attributes="member: 2292">The first thing they notice about Thorbeck is the giant cast-iron doors that block the entry between the dwarven kingdom and the surface world.  Ogath hails the guards as they approach, and within seconds a booming drum echoes from the far side of the portal.  Chains creak ominously as the gates creak open.  Halgo watches the gates mechanisms with admiration.“Old,” he comments, “But still functional.  Easily a dozen or so improvements that could be made”“The Surface Gates are the oldest untouched craftsmanship in the city,” Ogath explains.  “We barely come to the surface world anymore, and the gnolls have been little more than an irritant, so our defenses are focused more heavily on the entrances below ground.”The second thing everyone notices about Thorbeck is the heat.  The tunnel that Ogath and his patrol lead them through is several hundred feet long, and everyone is sweating by the time they reach the far end.  Moisture seems to hang thick in the air, and sweat is beading on everyone's lip.  Yip is the first to shed the heavy cloaks and snow gear he’s worn since they left Borr, but everyone quickly follows suit.  Even Ogath and his men set aside their heavier garments and make do with simple toga’s worn over their metal breastplates and tunics.  As they march down the tunnel, the group can make out the sound of smith-work and machinery echoing through the stone.  Yip can even feel the tremors in the ground beneath his paws.  The sound of moisture dripping from the ceiling serves as a subtle counterpoint to the distant echos.Then the tunnel opens out onto the dwarven city, and the third thing everyone notices is the downward curve towards a lake of lava, and the orange light the magma casts over the city.  Thorbeck is built over the central core of an active volcano, the magma several hundred feet below the city level but still visible from their vantage point at the very edge of the cities downward curve.  There are huge gears set around the centre of the city, with metal plates facing inwards, but the bulk of the city seems to be a stone-carved hemisphere of houses that leads to a drop towards boiling stone.  Hundred of feet over their heat the volcano opens onto the sky, but the sunlight is filtered through a haze of mist as the falling snows of Borr hit the rising heat from the magma.  For a few moments, everyone looks in awe.“Behold the Upper City of Thorbeck,” Ogath says proudly.  The style of the city is familiar, with the architecture similar to that used in Petrev.  The real difference is in the constant presence of stone, rather than the use of wood and thatch to create buildings.  Ogath leads them through the heart of the city, past small crowds of dwarves that stare and point at the odd assembly that follow the native wizard.  Blarth and Halgo, in particular, are the focus of many comments – Blarth for his race, and Halgo for his habit of wearing his beard in a short goatee.  Halgo makes note of the small number of non-dwarves among the crowd - occasional kobolds and goblins that wander freely, as well as more militant humanoid races such as hobgoblins and bugbears.  Several of these creatures seem to be trading casks of fungi for dwarven weapons.“You will meet directly with the Thanes,” Ogath explains as they walk.  “A runner was sent ahead to gather them together, and the offer you bear is important enough that all the Council must be gathered together to hear it.  I would suggest that you put some thought into how you wish to be presented – the clan thanes in particular will be adamant that you have a strong linage to back up your position.”Ogath pauses for a moment, his face slightly uncomfortable.  “In many ways, your presence is going to force their hand.  The council has debated for nearly a year about contacting your settlement.  Although Kivak has been eager to establish contact, he’s been opposed by the clan thanes.”They have crossed the open-air city before Ogath pauses in front of another tunnel entrance.“The Chamber of the Thanes is above,” he states.  “It will be a short climb, but you may wish to rest before hand.  In the past, other races have had trouble with the steepness of the climb.”“We be fine,” Blarth announces.  “Blarth tough.”“As you wish,” Ogath announces.  The climb is steep, a twisting staircase of a tunnel that almost has Yip scrambling up on all fours.  Geoffrey and Blarth are forced to stoop slightly due to the height of the ceiling, and they stumble occasionally as they follow the twisting formation.  Eventually, after nearly twenty minute of silent climbing, they find themselves in an opulently appointed lounge with huge mithril doors set at the far end.  A quartet of grim-faced guards stands at the ready, Ugrosh held at rigid attention, and the Stone Crown standard of Thorbeck is emblazoned on both panels.“I go to report,” Ogath announces.  “It may take some time.  There are couches and water here, should you wish to refresh yourselves.  One of the guards will call you when it is time.”</blockquote>

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