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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Idabrius" data-source="post: 4263381" data-attributes="member: 67832">Dwarves, as described in the letters of Eitri Konig Greetings again, Master Oren,I have composed this letter for your use exclusively when traveling in lands claimed by my people. I know that your trade has not often taken you to such places but, as I promised I shall teach you how to make the best deals with the dwarves and to recieve from them the finest gold you'll ever work.A brief history lessonI believe that if you take the time to read over this first portion of my letters you will come to a greater understanding of my people. This is but the first of many things I will do to repay your great kindnesses to me.Our written records descend back into antiquity. Each settlement of the Graewys contains a treasure trove of history. As each settlment is autonomous in these dark days of this world, each also bears its own history back to the decline of the great kingdom of my people in times that have long since vanished.The earliest records we have speak of the Dragons. Those great semi-mythical creatures were common in those days. This is even before the giants came up from the lower lands, and we were friendly with the giants. No, no, these records speak of the limitless empire of Abzu and its northern sattelites. We did not wish to fall beneath the dragonic yoke like so many others had. Unlike the other peoples who were captured and brought to heel, we had a great advantage -- our elders, even in those vanished days, knew the secrets of working metal. The dragons and their priests, the dragon-kin, did not. They came at us from the sky and on the earth, but metal learned them their place.The giants came to take the world from Dranonic talons. The imperial aspirations of Abzu subsided into the florid jungles of the deep south, and the few remaining outposts in the north dwindled and faded away. That was our era of peace and prosperity. There were those, truth be told, who went south in that time. They are now known as the Issek; these dark-skinned desert-dwellers are our cousins and kin, though their customs are strange to us.The graewys who stayed gathered together; though some remained in their isolated homesteads, most came to the call of the great kings and we built ourselves a kingdom. Its precise location is lost to us now, perhaps somewhere far north in the Riggsland; I cannot say. But we built it and there we collected all our knowledge in a great vault, and as the song goes, three good towers were builded there.That time came to an end with the Draconic invasions. The lingering strongholds of dragon-thralled men made the ancient land of my people a target for their incessant wars, their greed for the secrets of metal-crafting driving them. They burned our towers and they stole our secrets. From that day forth, our people were disperesed in a diaspora across the north.A typical settlementNow then, Master Oren, I shall describe to you the archetypical settlement of the Graewys. Understanding the taboos and the strictures which keep our society together will also assist you in your dealings with my people.All the homes of the graewys begin with a temple and a town center. These are nearly always built upon hilltops to ensure a good command of the countryside. The temples are conescrated to the Earthfather, Eri. The rest of the town center is dedicated to the elders and the master metal-crafters. This place is kept hidden from the prying eyes of outsiders, for beneath the temple lies the vault in which the histories, secrets, and methods of that settlement are stored. The graewys do not much like outsiders prying about business they have no reason to know. We are a secretive people; we are still the only people in the middle world who can forge orichalcum and adamantium. No others know this because we have kept it close and secret. If there is one overarching thing I can tell you, Oren, it is that you should not ever pry into the secret affairs of the graewys. Doing so would do more harm to your reputation and more to quash any notion of buying ore or tools from my people than you can imagine.From the top of the hill the town-center commands a good tactical view of the countryside. Even some graewys cannot penetrate to the heart of that sacred compound, to the vault. Beyond the town-center are the fields, several miles of them. Most artisans live just outside the sanctified heart of the community, and it is there that you will find the best markets. Further out are the farmers, who cultivate the earth in a radius of several miles. Beyond that is the great graewys outwall, which you will encounter first in your travels.The only way into the settlement will be through a heavily defended orichalcum door, usually stronger than the wall itself. Entrance through this gate is normally unrestricted in times of peace, and a smaller door-within-the-door often stands open. This miniature portal is closed at sunset, however, to keep wanderers and bandits out.When you go to speak at the markets my people will likely put you up with one of the farmers or artisans. Oftentimes, they will try to find you lodgings with someone who is of the same craft that you are. You may spend several days haggling with the merchants. While you are there you may notice your host moves with relative ease amongst the houses of others -- almost supernatural ease. This is because the entire settlement has likely been undermined with tunnels. These are dug for two reasons. The first: the outwall could easily be mined out from beneath but, since there are tunnels there already, the graewys could easily fight back miners. The second is tied to our history with the dragons; in times of war, they would swoop down upon our people, no matter our defenses. The tunnels allow us to fight back against enemies who can control the very skies themselves.Foriegn MerchantsMy people find use for many old and crumbling things. To acquire such ancient materials, we have recourse to speaking with many otherwise unwholesome peoples. Cheif amongst these are the goblins, the ruin-rats who scour the wreckage of fallen kingdoms and empires for goods to sell. You may, upon arriving in the marketplace of a graewys community, discover a gaggle of goblins selling various knicknacks and gizmos. My advice is to steer clear of them.The graewys have been dealing with goblins for centuries, but men have always seemed hestitant to do so. While my people know their secrets, yours have never taken the time. While you may not get a price that is as low from my people, they will not cheat you like the goblins might.A final word for youI cannot thank you enough, Master Oren. If it is true, as your people seem to believe, that the graewys have some power to bless or to curse, then let your goldsmithy be the finest in all of Cantorhill. In all the north!I hope to see you again, but even if I never do, at least this letter will have been of some use to you.Your friend Eitri Konig penned this.</blockquote>

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