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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8076784" data-attributes="member: 7015827">At the outer entry gates, the dwarven defender guards saluted and recognized them as “the friends of Helrud” – apparently the dwarf scout had come through two hours earlier and his news about the dragon hoard had spread quickly, causing an uproar. At the inner gates, the party interrupted the guards talking about how much gold could be in the hoard. Darrow was recognized as the bearer of Haelgrim and his return was acknowledged with thanks. Darrow gave a polite bow in return, then saluted the guards as he and his companions entered the Ironhelm citadel, with Aerikoth and Shanni deep in discussion regarding their previous treatment by the clan.As usual, Clan Greeter Rumnaher was on hand in the entry chamber to welcome them. Following a cheery greeting, he informed them that their return had been anticipated, after Helrud’s news about their find. Rumnaher said that the dwarf scout was barely coherent at first, but eventually got across that they had found a dragon hoard on clan territory. Darrow acknowledged this, mentioning that there was more gold than they could cart off, which Rumnaher exclaimed was great news for the clan. Dermot disingenuously professed not to know where the clan’s borders were, but he provisionally accepted what Helrud said. Rumnaher explained that things were still a little confused at the moment, but he expected the Prince would wish to call an audience about the matter.The Clan Greeter mentioned their guest quarters were still available and invited them to have a drink or three at the tavern. At Rahnee’s suggestion, however, as soon as they had entered the citadel proper, Darrow led the others towards the temple to speak with High Priest Iskar. Everyone they passed in the halls seemed to be talking about gold and the finding of the dragon hoard. They encountered Iskar at the temple and confirmed to him that there was in fact a dragon hoard found, minus the dragon. Darrow pulled out a red metallic dragonscale to show the priest and told him that there was enough gold to swim in. Iskar, shaking his head at the novelty of the situation, asked them for the true tale, given the confusion and wild rumors circulating within the clan. (As a priest and clan elder, no doubt Iskar over the decades - centuries? - has at times heard very different versions of the same events from his charges. Even with divine magic it can be difficult to sort the facts, since people may truly believe different things, especially whenever personal credit or blame is involved. --R)Darrow took the lead in explaining what they had discovered – the ruins, the caverns below, what they interpreted as signs of a red and a white dragon fighting and dying, and the grey rock-like creatures they had fought. Somewhat reluctantly in Dermot and Shanni’s case, the party acknowledged Helrud’s role in finding the place. Iskar remarked that the old Clan stories of the red dragon Edallisufanxar, “The Burning Blaze”, had mentioned nothing about its death - just that it had disappeared one day, never to return. Shanni and Dermot made reference to the presence of a “bloody great skeleton” with red dragon scales around it, a sign that it was in fact dead, also pointing out that the clan had not known how to reach the location to confirm its death.After Iskar asked if anything but the rock-like creatures had been encountered, Darrow and Aerikoth explained about the iron golem - now cut to pieces by Haelgrim - eliciting a gasp of wonder from the dwarf priest. Dermot also mentioned the “ice walker” that he said had guarded the white dragon’s bones. Iskar then inquired about other items found, as Helrud had shown off a pair of boots from the hoard. Darrow said that he had picked up a pair of boots himself and the others had acquired a few swords and such. Rahnee said that the hoard had been surprisingly light in magic items, armor, gems and other items she had heard were collected by dragons, although she speculated that this one may simply have preferred gold. (I confess that I cannot make up my mind whether Rahnee was intentionally lowballing the dwarven clan about the valuable magic items they found - which would be consistent with my own past experiences in similar sorts of dealings - or if whatever tales of dragon hoards she read as a girl actually did lead to greater expectations. --R)The high priest stated that their story complemented Helrud’s, which he was glad to hear. He explained that his joy at the find was tempered by what it could lead to for those who held Abbathor dear in their heart, referring to the dwarven god of greed and wealth. After making that observation, Iskar excused himself, saying that he had to go to the Council; he asked the adventurers to remain as the clan’s guests, until a proper audience could be called for them. As he departed the temple, the high priest clapped Darrow on the shoulder, telling him it was well done, bearing Haelgrim in a great victory for the clan. (As my predecessor "R" alluded to above, the dwarven high priest showed great wisdom in asking insightful questions and listening first to everyone's version of events, rather than accepting Helrud's - or the adventurers' - words simply at face value. For example, both Dermot and Shanni's perspectives seemed colored by their recent less-than-friendly treatment at the hands of Toran Goldfinder, which is not surprising. It is also human nature to see what you do as important, and what role others play as less so, when there is a great success at hand - especially when its benefits have yet to be reaped. Furthermore, the ugliness of greed can obscure even a noble heart at times. What shall be the outcome here, I wonder? --C)</blockquote>

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