In the Caves of the Svirfneblin
Ice-blue is the commonest eye color amongst the svirfneblin and in the dusty tomes of the deep gnomes it is sometimes referred to as the sapphire inheritance. Legends say that that the First Gnome, Callarduran Deephands was shaped by Tasa from the gems deep within the earth and that he in turn formed the svirfneblin from the purest of sapphires. Those who lack the ice-blue color are thought to have other bloodlines mixed into their heritage, though Carmeneren’s folk had no knowledge of any gnomes formed from emerald, jet, or ruby.
Ice-blue eyes looked upon the two shroud-wrapped corpses laid out about the cold, stone floor. One of the bundles was large and had clanked when laid carefully upon the floor, the other was smaller though still larger than any of the gnomes.
The scouts had preceeded the news of course, but Carmeneren had already known. The earth sang to those who heard and the most recent song was of cleansing and death. The trolls were reduced and the sacred caves were less befouled than before, but the cost had been high. ’Though not as high as I thought it most likely would have been.’ Reflected the aged priestess. The Topknots may have been the smaller group but they were the most dangerous and now they are dead; no doubt feed for the Slaverer’s.’ Given the solemn moment, the priestess did not let her disgust appear upon her face lest she make an unforgiveable offense to the three that stood nearby.
The two…humans (’Such a strange word.’) had borne their companions here within their portable shelter. The smaller one, even smaller than the gnomes, looked anxiously between the corpses and Carmeneren. She was…rather had been soul-linked to the sorceress. Now bereft of the link the cat was hesitant and unsure.
The reward had been good and the sacrifice had been borne by those other than her clan for once. But sure as stone was solid, the gnomes would not be able to enjoy the reward unless they were prepared to make their own sacrifice – and there were still the Slaverer’s to deal with as well as the other creatures.
Carmeneren looked up to the smallest human, the friendly one who had learned the true language so readily. “On behalf of my people and the spirits of the stone, thank you. That you would risk…and pay so much on behalf of my people honors us greatly. True you risked as much for the information we can provide, but even there your trust honors us.”
The little gnome-woman took a deep breath. “I will speak to the stones on your behalf and ask that Callarduran intercede with the Soul-Taker. If the Soul-Taker agrees and if your friends have no pressing duties in the next incarnation, I will use what powers the stones grant to restore their lives.”
At Carmeneren’s words Kestral visibly relaxed and she quietly translated to for Ashimar and Sarah; the cat stopped her nervous pawing of the rock floor.
“Further.” Whispered Carmeneren, then catching herself she spoke louder. “Further, I will sacrifice our clan’s only two sacred sapphires, that your friends will remain undiminished in the journey back to their mortal frames*. I will do the last though only upon the condition that you agree to remove the group of troglodytes that have moved into the caves between the Topknots and the Slaverer’s.”
Kestral translated quickly and then she and Ashimar discussed it. Carmeneren caught the tone. “These are the clan’s only two sapphires and represent our link to Callarduran himself. Understand I only offer them because the troglodytes currently inhabit the most sacred cave in that complex. The troglodytes hide there in fear of the trolls, though the trolls cannot stand their stench and leave them alone. In and of themselves the reptiles are far weaker than the trolls though and my people could drive them out eventually; however we would likely suffer our own costs so I make this sacrifice now.” She looked between the two humans. “What say you?”
Kestral and Ashimar discussed it a bit more and then Kestral knelt down to speak with Carmeneren directly. “We accept.” She said simply.
Carmeneren nodded. “In the morning I will speak to the stones. Presuming they wish to, I will call back the sorceress first and then your warrior-friend on the following day as the magics are taxing.
Three weeks pass on the surface of the earth, though it is hard to tell the passage of days when so far below ground. True to her word Carmeneren speaks to the stones and asks Callarduran to intercede with the Soul-Taker on her behalf. Evidently he does, for first Jallarzi makes the passage back followed by Kellron on the next day.
Neither spoke of their experience while dead, though some folk who have made the journey before say that the Soul-Taker is a pleasant enough woman. Perhaps neither Kellron nor Jallarzi remembered or perhaps the experience was too personal.
Regardless, the four young folk were fore-warned of their foes and their terrible rending strength as well as their weakness to fire. The svirfneblin gladly hosted the foursome while they prepared and aided where they could.
Jallarzi asked for a workshop and was shown to a dusty cave filled with web covered vials and alembics. The former owner, Torvoglen was no more but surely would have allowed her to use his alchemical lab. The svirfneblin gladly provided the young woman with all the supplies she wished to purchase and then she went to work.
Ashimar spent his first few days in mediation and contemplated the events of the recent past. Realization came hard to him as he realized that he had stretched their line until it had been too weak to hold. Showing that he was a true son of Sarath he faced the truth head on and did not flinch. In a meeting with Carmeneren Ashimar sold his precious enchanted boots. In return the gnomes took Ashimar’s armor and added further strengthening enchantments and provided him with a handful of potions. Both sides were satisfied.**
As for Kellron, he spent his time in prayer and fasting, dealing with whatever he had learned while he was dead.
And Kestral? Kestral made a point of being everywhere, doing her level best to meet every gnome and make the entire community her friend. In every sense of the word it could be said Kestral succeeded.***
-------------------------
*I used power components to turn a resurrection into a true resurrection. Sadly I lost DM points here as I succumbed to guilt at killing Kellron and Jallarzi. Rather than reveling in the kills I focused on the mistaken use of rend damange in place of the troll’s normal claw damage. Still not only did I learn not to make that mistake again but I taught the players that their characters could die in this game.
**Let me say here that I was impressed with Wynterwolf’s decision. He called me a few days after the game and we talked about what had happened. He voluntarily offered up the boots. I’d like to say I’d make the same decision, but truth to tell I’m not sure I would even have thought of it.
***It went something like this:
"All right, let's roll to see how the gnomes like you in general. Individuals may view you differently, but this is for general purposes."
"Natural 20! Plus twelve makes 32."
"Hmph."
Ice-blue is the commonest eye color amongst the svirfneblin and in the dusty tomes of the deep gnomes it is sometimes referred to as the sapphire inheritance. Legends say that that the First Gnome, Callarduran Deephands was shaped by Tasa from the gems deep within the earth and that he in turn formed the svirfneblin from the purest of sapphires. Those who lack the ice-blue color are thought to have other bloodlines mixed into their heritage, though Carmeneren’s folk had no knowledge of any gnomes formed from emerald, jet, or ruby.
Ice-blue eyes looked upon the two shroud-wrapped corpses laid out about the cold, stone floor. One of the bundles was large and had clanked when laid carefully upon the floor, the other was smaller though still larger than any of the gnomes.
The scouts had preceeded the news of course, but Carmeneren had already known. The earth sang to those who heard and the most recent song was of cleansing and death. The trolls were reduced and the sacred caves were less befouled than before, but the cost had been high. ’Though not as high as I thought it most likely would have been.’ Reflected the aged priestess. The Topknots may have been the smaller group but they were the most dangerous and now they are dead; no doubt feed for the Slaverer’s.’ Given the solemn moment, the priestess did not let her disgust appear upon her face lest she make an unforgiveable offense to the three that stood nearby.
The two…humans (’Such a strange word.’) had borne their companions here within their portable shelter. The smaller one, even smaller than the gnomes, looked anxiously between the corpses and Carmeneren. She was…rather had been soul-linked to the sorceress. Now bereft of the link the cat was hesitant and unsure.
The reward had been good and the sacrifice had been borne by those other than her clan for once. But sure as stone was solid, the gnomes would not be able to enjoy the reward unless they were prepared to make their own sacrifice – and there were still the Slaverer’s to deal with as well as the other creatures.
Carmeneren looked up to the smallest human, the friendly one who had learned the true language so readily. “On behalf of my people and the spirits of the stone, thank you. That you would risk…and pay so much on behalf of my people honors us greatly. True you risked as much for the information we can provide, but even there your trust honors us.”
The little gnome-woman took a deep breath. “I will speak to the stones on your behalf and ask that Callarduran intercede with the Soul-Taker. If the Soul-Taker agrees and if your friends have no pressing duties in the next incarnation, I will use what powers the stones grant to restore their lives.”
At Carmeneren’s words Kestral visibly relaxed and she quietly translated to for Ashimar and Sarah; the cat stopped her nervous pawing of the rock floor.
“Further.” Whispered Carmeneren, then catching herself she spoke louder. “Further, I will sacrifice our clan’s only two sacred sapphires, that your friends will remain undiminished in the journey back to their mortal frames*. I will do the last though only upon the condition that you agree to remove the group of troglodytes that have moved into the caves between the Topknots and the Slaverer’s.”
Kestral translated quickly and then she and Ashimar discussed it. Carmeneren caught the tone. “These are the clan’s only two sapphires and represent our link to Callarduran himself. Understand I only offer them because the troglodytes currently inhabit the most sacred cave in that complex. The troglodytes hide there in fear of the trolls, though the trolls cannot stand their stench and leave them alone. In and of themselves the reptiles are far weaker than the trolls though and my people could drive them out eventually; however we would likely suffer our own costs so I make this sacrifice now.” She looked between the two humans. “What say you?”
Kestral and Ashimar discussed it a bit more and then Kestral knelt down to speak with Carmeneren directly. “We accept.” She said simply.
Carmeneren nodded. “In the morning I will speak to the stones. Presuming they wish to, I will call back the sorceress first and then your warrior-friend on the following day as the magics are taxing.
Three weeks pass on the surface of the earth, though it is hard to tell the passage of days when so far below ground. True to her word Carmeneren speaks to the stones and asks Callarduran to intercede with the Soul-Taker on her behalf. Evidently he does, for first Jallarzi makes the passage back followed by Kellron on the next day.
Neither spoke of their experience while dead, though some folk who have made the journey before say that the Soul-Taker is a pleasant enough woman. Perhaps neither Kellron nor Jallarzi remembered or perhaps the experience was too personal.
Regardless, the four young folk were fore-warned of their foes and their terrible rending strength as well as their weakness to fire. The svirfneblin gladly hosted the foursome while they prepared and aided where they could.
Jallarzi asked for a workshop and was shown to a dusty cave filled with web covered vials and alembics. The former owner, Torvoglen was no more but surely would have allowed her to use his alchemical lab. The svirfneblin gladly provided the young woman with all the supplies she wished to purchase and then she went to work.
Ashimar spent his first few days in mediation and contemplated the events of the recent past. Realization came hard to him as he realized that he had stretched their line until it had been too weak to hold. Showing that he was a true son of Sarath he faced the truth head on and did not flinch. In a meeting with Carmeneren Ashimar sold his precious enchanted boots. In return the gnomes took Ashimar’s armor and added further strengthening enchantments and provided him with a handful of potions. Both sides were satisfied.**
As for Kellron, he spent his time in prayer and fasting, dealing with whatever he had learned while he was dead.
And Kestral? Kestral made a point of being everywhere, doing her level best to meet every gnome and make the entire community her friend. In every sense of the word it could be said Kestral succeeded.***
-------------------------
*I used power components to turn a resurrection into a true resurrection. Sadly I lost DM points here as I succumbed to guilt at killing Kellron and Jallarzi. Rather than reveling in the kills I focused on the mistaken use of rend damange in place of the troll’s normal claw damage. Still not only did I learn not to make that mistake again but I taught the players that their characters could die in this game.
**Let me say here that I was impressed with Wynterwolf’s decision. He called me a few days after the game and we talked about what had happened. He voluntarily offered up the boots. I’d like to say I’d make the same decision, but truth to tell I’m not sure I would even have thought of it.
***It went something like this:
"All right, let's roll to see how the gnomes like you in general. Individuals may view you differently, but this is for general purposes."
"Natural 20! Plus twelve makes 32."
"Hmph."
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