Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 1355" data-attributes="member: 11">Session #15 (part II)Ralem, 15th of Syet - 564 H.E.The next morning the party was blind-folded again and continued their march. The day was blustery and the refreshing warmth of the sun breaking through the clouds and trees was infrequent. The walked on and on, at the slow pace of the previous day. Martin remained in contact with Thomas who was still following their trail. At what they guessed was midday they stopped to eat, being handed slightly stale bread with slices of cheese on them. “Is it much further?” asked Martin. “We are almost there,” said one of the gnomes. “You mentioned that the interim chief was away, how long will was have to wait for his return?” Kazrack inquired. “Oh, not long at all,” Captain Fistandlus Ironhammer said. They got up and marched for another hour, and then were stopped and turned clockwise a few times, and their marching order was readjusted and then they continued. The sun was so low by the time they were told to halt, that through their blindfolds almost no light came through. Around them, the party could hear the hushed tones of scores and scores of voices. “You may remove your blindfolds,” the Captain said. The party found themselves amid four hills situated in a diamond shape around them. The hills were scored with paths, stairways, doors, passageways and tiny round windows. Snow was deep in many places, but had been carefully cleared from paths and doorways. But of course, what the party immediately noticed was that these paths and doorways and the greenway they stood on was filled with more gnomes than any of them had ever seen in their entire lives. “Ah nevah sin sa many gnomes!” Chance said with a gasp. The gnomes were dressed in woolen clothing died in bright yellows, greens, reds and orange. Many wore knitted long stocking caps and had white mustaches and an occasional beard beneath their prodigious noses. “Cousins!” the Captain announced. “These are our new guests. They will be staying in our guest quarters with Distil. Please make them feel at home.” He turned to the party, “Please step forward and introduce yourselves one by one, so that my people may know who you are.” Martin stepped forward, “I am Martin the Green, Alumnus of the Academy of Wizardry.” “Hello Martin!” the crowd of gnomes replied friendlily. “Me name’s Chahnce,” Chance said. “Hello Chance!” the crowd said, and Chance smiled broadly, filled with a welcome feeling. Jana, Jeremy and Beorth took their turns, and when Kazrack announced his name the cheering “hello” had a few voices saying so in dwarven littered in the crowd. Finally, Ratchis stepped forward and said, “I am Ratchis of Nephthys.” “Oooooooh, It talks,” the gnome community said as one, and then after an awkward pause said, “Hi, Ratchis!” “Obenhammer, Ashkenbach, take them to the guest quarters and tell your uncle I will come to see him shortly,” the Captain ordered two of his men. Martin called to Thomas in his mind, “Are you near?” “Yes, I met some moles. They told me which way to go. Boy, do they talk in a funny accent,” Thomas replied. The two gnomes led the party up a narrow path that led to an arched doorway in the middle of the right hillside. Beyond the door was a low hallway of bare earth (about 7 feet high), they were led (Obenhammer in front, Ashkenbach in the back) past a bunch of smaller doors that lined the hallway to the left and right, and into a large round area that looked like a combination kitchen and common room. “Uncle Distil!” Obenhammer called. A small door opened n the opposite side of this room and out came an older gnome with a long pointy white beard, but nearly bald on the top of his head. He wore gray clothing which was at odds with what most of the other gnomes wore, and his particularly large nose was riddled with swollen blood vessels. “Uncle Distil, these are new guests that we and Fistle, I mean, Captain Fistandlus brought in when we were looking for … well, you know who we were looking for,” Obenhammer said. “Thank you, Obie,” Distil said, and then he turned to the party. “Welcome, Welcome! It is good to have more guests. I want you to make yourselves at home. I’ll show you to your rooms, and then while you make yourselves comfortable, I’ll rustle us up some dinner. We don’t have a lot of room, so it will be two to a room, if you don’t mind. My name is Distilbowden by the way.”He led them back down the hall and the party took rooms. Martin and Ratchis took one room, Ratchis noted that the doors had latches on the outside that looked like they could be used to padlock the doors shut, though there were no locks. “The bed might be too small for you,” Distil said to Ratchis. “But we can get a bigger bed built for you while you are here.” “Um,” Martin interrupted. “How long do you expect for us to be here?” “Oh, not long,” Distil replied. “Oh, my…uh, friend, a squirrel might come around looking for me. I wanted to make sure he’d be let in and not hurt,” Martin said. “Oh, you are a friend of the animals? We wouldn’t hurt a squirrel. You can speak his language?” Distil said. “Kind of,” Martin replied. Jana and Chance took another room together. “I am feeling kind of tired,” Chance said through a yawn. He looked at Jana “What about a nap?” Jana giggled and nodded. They went into their room and closed the door. Jeremy and Beorth took the last room Distil made available to them. Their gnomish host turned to Kazrack, I assumed you’d want to bunk up with one of your kinfolk we have as a guest here as well. He stays in a room beyond the common area. Distil led Kazrack though another door and down a hallway similar to the one where his companions’ rooms were. He knocked on a room door and a black haired dwarf with a long beard streaked with white answered the door. “Belear, one of your kin has come to be our guest. I am going to have him stay with you, if that is okay,” said Distil. Belear nodded silently. Kazrack had to close him mouth. “Belear Gritchkar?” "Kazrack Delver. I was expecting you. The runestones told me your name. You have traveled far," Belear said. “Come in.” Kazrack entered the room, and Distil left to prepare dinner. "I am glad to find you at last Father,” Kazrack said solemnly. “Ever since I met your brother, Bardolph Gritchkar (13)  I have sought your wisdom. Ever since leaving Verdun I have had a growing sense of being a hammer without an anvil... I have trouble with the group I travel with as well as why I am here in Derome - Delem to begin with. It seems to me that if I follow the ways of our people than I will be betraying my people. I need counsel Wise One." Belear looked right into Kazrack’s eyes, “This is a grave thing you say, but before I protest I would like to hear why you say this. But I will tell you that at this point you are neither hammer, not anvil - you are but a hot piece of metal, shapeless and ready to be pounded into something for the first time in your life. Or you can avoid the hammer and become but just another piece of slag.” “While in Verdun I was given the choice of fighting, and possibly dying, in a human war I neither believed in or, in my opinion, was obligated by law to participate in. At the time it seemed I was given the choice of becoming an outlaw or joining a band setting out to slay a dragon terrorizing the countryside. While it was true that the county was ruled by humans who had stolen the land from dwarves I reasoned that slaying the dragon would be the lesser of two evils as the people in the country rarely have anything to do with what their rulers decide. As I traveled through this land I decided that most of these people wouldn't care if they owed allegiance to a Dwarven King or a human one and thus I had even more reason to search for our lost King. So I felt I was doing the right thing clearing the land of a Dragon, helping innocents and making the land a better more stable place for a future Dwarven King to rule. Since then, however, I have encountered these Human kingdoms and if any are good it is only in comparison to the others. I'm not even sure a Dragon exists and since I'm sure there is a Land rightfully owned by Dwarves but instead held by the undead. (14)  I am drawn south...And if the Dragon exists I am only making the position of what I view as an usurper more stable and thus more difficult to deal with when our King returns.” Kazrack took a deep breath. “Adding to this is the sense that I don't belong in the group I have traveled with until now. One amongst them betrayed us and while I was willing to forgive (thinking it an error in judgment not likely to be made again) I wanted the group as a whole to swear an oath of fealty one to the others. I felt it appropriate thinking codifying ones thoughts would effect later action. I was rebuked harshly by the entire group, which stunned me as I expected resistance only from those I expected needed the help of an Oath. One refused out of fear of a conflict between their God's ways and the oath. I respect this being devote myself, but quite frankly I feel this was only an excuse as most would request the oath be worded to avoid conflict or, as I would, just assume that one's oaths made to one's god or family supersedes any other oath. The others refused saying an oath would be meaningless - which I disagree with - but if they believe it true than they refused to do a small act which would make another happy - something they should have been willing to do for a friend - and if they did believe it to have meaning than they both lied and refused because they feared to be bound by an oath. Why should I travel with a group fearful of swearing to be faithful to each other?” Belear remained silent. Kazrack continued, “So I have two compelling reasons not to continue on this present quest but feel that to turn south to deal with the undead lands would be the right thing to do for our people but would be betraying the teachings of Hodenar (15)  I know I have rambled... help me Father: how do I stay true to our ways?” Belear was silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke, "You think too much. Your thoughts are too much in the future, and even too much in the present, and not in the past - in the history of our people where all wisdom sits." He sat and invited Kazrack to join him in a stone chair at his side. "I know of no dragon. And if you speak of the land of the Bzontra, once called Elgaard and other names - it lies to the east, not the south – and obviously you know nothing of that Black Land – or else you would not speak of it as if it were a kitchen to be cleaned. As for you companions, I know nothing of them and cannot comment about them specifically - but if one has truly betrayed you then he is not your friend and cannot be trusted – people should be judged on their actions - better an oath unspoken and good actions done, than an oath spoken and broken. Rune-throwers know words should never be spoken lightly, for in them is power. Was it not the mere word of Moradin that stuck against the raw ore of reality like a hammer would and made the world?" Belear was silent again for a time. "But all of this is moot. This is not what matters. What matters is your devotion to the gods. Are you ready to prove this? Are you ready to serve your people, or will you allow all these petty things to distract you and serve only yourself?" “I have acted as I have always with the good of my people in mind and will always continue to do so – I have sought your wisdom to learn how best to do this. And since I respect your wisdom how should I speak of this land to the east? It is a land taken away from it's people and should be freed. I know not how to go about doing so but in time I will learn and then I will act on what I learn.” Kazrack paused looking for words. “I recognize the power of an oath which is why I wanted one made. I think words influence action - as proved by Moradin's making of the world - and bad actions are often the result of no forethought. A man with a hot temper is more likely to control his temper if he vows to do so. I feel everyone in my group has good intentions but may act improperly unless they have an oath to remind them. But I see the wisdom you try to give me - I cannot control them but can only control myself. But I need more wisdom to do so - can I learn that from you? It is especially important if you say there is no dragon you know of. I am ready to learn if you are ready to teach.” Belear stood and let out a long low breath. He turned back towards the younger dwarf, "I am ready to show you how to reach for wisdom. But are you truly ready to learn? I said I know of no dragon. Does that mean there is no dragon? I sense much impatience in you, Kazrack. Now, it is my turn to tell you of oaths. The oath you make in devoting yourself to Moradin and the others of the dwarven pantheon is not one lightly made. Your own desire, your own opinion mean nothing in comparison. They will forever be second to this. Are you ready for this? Forget all other oaths for now. None should matter as much to you as what is immediately before you. Forget all other lands now, all that should matter is the earth beneath your feet." Kazrack did not hesitate, “I have already sworn to devote my life to the will of the Gods. I am ready to learn from you how best to do that and will swear to it.” Belear and Kazrack locked wrists and shook in the way of the dwarven tradition. There was a knock on the door. “Dinner’s ready,” said Distil through the door. --------- They ate at a low table in the common area. Another blonde gnome joined them, along with Obenhammer and Ashkenbach. The new gnome introduced himself as Briandel, “It’s an elvish name.” The ate in silence for a while, eating the roasted mushrooms dipped in a spicy black sauce, with a bread that was so soft and smooth it didn’t need any butter, and a tasty grain paste. They also had a side of roasted beetles, which not everyone partook of. After dinner they sipped kafka  (16) and Martin posed a question, “How long do you think it will be until the Interim Chieftain is back so we can speak to him? You see I left some kind of important stuff back in Summit, and I need to get it.” “Oh, he only went off to do some errand or something , very hush, hush, he’ll be back pretty soon,” Distilbowden replied. “What did you leave behind?” “Uh, my spellbook,” Martin replied, dejectedly. “Ooh, you are wizard?” Briandel said with great enthusiasm. “What can you do?” Martin pulled a piece of wool from his pocket and spoke an arcane word with a gesture and a huge butterfly, with a three-foot wingspan and bright yellow wings with blue spots hovered over the table. “That’s nice, I can make one too,” Briandel said, and with a word and a gesture a similar butterfly hovered beside the first and then roared like a lion. “Oh, I would like to do that,” Martin said, looking happy for a moment. “Maybe my brother and I can teach you, and you can teach us some good spells. We’ll talk about it soon, but now it is time to go to the public house,” Briandel said. “You guys coming?” The party looked to Distil, except for Kazrack who looked to Belear. “Of course, you are our guests, our home is your home and what is a fine evening without a trip to the public house?” Distil said. “You go ahead. I gotta clean up here and I’ll catch up with you.” Belear spoke to Kazrack, “Go ahead and enjoy the evening with your companions, it is said ‘warriors that cannot drink together should not kill together’. Tomorrow, your training begins.” The companions began to file out, but Ratchis hung behind helping Distil dump plates and bowls into a large wash bin. “I wanted ask you, you keep calling your leader the ‘interim chief’, where is the real chief?” “Oh, he’s away visiting the elves,” said Distil, matter-of-factly. “Trying to get their help in terms of what to do about the humans.” “The elves? Which elves?” “Don’t know.” “And where is the interim chief?” Ratchis asked, “No one knows. Off on personal business with his brothers, whatever that is,” Distil replied. “And you said he will not be gone long, how long is that?” Ratchis continued with his questions. “Oh not too long at all.” “Can you give me an estimate?” “Oh, he’ll be back by the end of winter at the longest, I’m sure. Not more than a blink of time,” Distil said dropping soap flakes in the water. Ratchis thanked him and jogged out to catch up with the others. ----- The public house was directly across from the door in the hill the party was staying at. It was a one of the few actual buildings in the place, but was still built into the hill side, and had a large wooden patio in front for lounging with one’s drink. The place had such a low ceiling that Ratchis did not even try to go in. It was thick with gnomes in various states of drunkenness, and many were singing a long complicated fugue-like song in their language that went in rounds. The walls were inset with dozens of casks of beer and ale that were labeled with various runes. There was no barkeep, but only a pile of mugs which anyone could take from and help themselves to any of the varieties available. Askenbach went in and got a mug of beet for Ratchis, who sat himself down on the cold patio. Jeremy went in and looked confusedly, mug in hand, at all the casks. A young gnome tugged on his sleeve and pointed to a cask way of his own reach. “That one is really good,” the gnomes said. “Pumpkin ale. Could you get me some? I can’t reach.” Jeremy helped the gnome and got some of his own and found it to be delicious. He topped his mug off again and went outside to sit with the others. Kazrack got what the gnomes called a “Black Beer”, and sat near some of the singing gnomes and tried to join in, but could not get the right tone and cadence of the song, and his normally deep rich bass, sounded off-time and out of tune whenever the song came round to his group. The gnomes all stopped and laughed, pointing at the dwarf, good-naturedly. Kazrack joined the others outside as some gnome drunkenly raised his mug in the air and said, “To our new guests!” “To our new guests!” all the gnomes cried, and the party smiled and drank. A gnome began tune on a squeeze box and the singing began a new, and suddenly benches, table and chairs were moved out of the center of the public house, and dancing began. Chance and Jana sat together on one side of the patio and Jeremy came to sit next to them. Kazrack sat by Ratchis. Martin sat by himself. “Where’s Beorth?” Ratchis asked. “He stayed behind to pray and meditate,” the dwarf replied. Jeremy frowned as Chance and Jana made eyes at each other, but suddenly Chance sat bolt upright and cocked his head. “Duh ya har that?” Jana got a mischievous, flirty look in her eye and smiled, “Why yes. I think we should do something about that…” She moved to stand and go back to their room. “I knew you’d understand,” Chance said hopping to his feet and kissing Jana on the forehead and then he ducked his head and ran into the public house. “Don’t wait up for me!” In a back corner, they could see him joining a game of dice. The gnomes seemed to be playing for small bright gems. Jeremy laughed and Jana shrugged her shoulders. A female gnome walked up to them. She had wispy gray hair in a bun and had cute round blushing cheeks. “Um, excuse me?” the gnome said, coming up to Jana. “But are you a girl-human?” Jana was a bit taken aback, “Um…yeah.” “Oh, no disrespect intended. I just never seen one before and I was curious what they’d look like if they were as ugly as human men, but you are kind of pretty, except for the nose thing…” “Oh, I wouldn’t judge all human women based on her. There are a lot of better looking ones,” added Jeremy. “Oh, whatever!” Jana said. “Don’t worry,” the gnome girl said to Jana. “I know some make-up tips that will help extenuate your nose. My name is Gidda. Come find me soon and I’ll show you how.” Jana smiled. The party had one more drink, and then Ratchis announced, “Let’s go back to our quarters where we can talk in private. I have something to tell you all.” So the party went back towards their rooms. Jana tried to signal Chance, but someone had put the dice in his hand and it was as if nothing else existed. “Leave him to his fun. We can get more accomplished with him there anyway,” said Kazrack. As the crossed the greenway, Thomas came barreling up Martin’s leg and onto his shoulder. “Oh, I am so glad to see you, Thomas,” said Martin to the squirrel in his mind. “But you sure did take a long time.” “Sorry, but I never been on my own in the woods before. It was scary, but kind of fun,” replied Thomas. “Here is a nut,” Martin fed him a hazelnut. “The ones I had in the woods were fresher,” Thomas said with a slight hint of disgust. Without warning, Martin cuffed Thomas across the snout. Everyone stopped their walked and just looked at Martin. Thomas paused and looked deep into Martin’s eyes and then leapt off his shoulder and disappeared into some nearby trees. “Thomas! Come back! I’m sorry,” Martin cried aloud and then remembered to think it towards his familiar. “I am just under stress and worried. I didn’t mean it.” But Thomas did not reply. The party gathered in Ratchis and Martin’s room, and took spots around the place. Jeremy went and got Beorth. Martin hung his head. “Well, I thought this would be as good a time to tell you as any. Actually, I have two things to tell you. I have already told Kazrack and Beorth the first one, which is I have reason to believe that the King of Gothanius plans to sell all of us dragon-hunters into slavery.” Martin’s head came bolt up, “What?” “That is why I originally agreed to join Crumb and you guys, to see that that would not happen,” Ratchis replied. “What’s the other thing?” Jeremy asked.Ratchis told him.End of Session #15--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes:(13) Kazrack met Bardolph Gritchkar in Session #10, Part I.(14) Kazrack is referring to the land of Verdaise, east of the Little Kingdoms and lost to powerful undead over a thousand years ago.(15) Hodenar is the dwarven god of trade, travel and music.(16) Kafka is a coffee like beverage made from steeped subterranean mushrooms. It is common to dwarves and gnomes.</blockquote>

Verification