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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TheYeti1775" data-source="post: 2280885" data-attributes="member: 20914">Greffan and the Battle of Dun BericRY 139 Gal the 4th Early Morning“DIG,” as the whip cracks across the back of a Kobold slave, who had dropped to a knee from exhaustion.  The beat of the drums were picking up their pace.  Overseers were cracking their whips punishing any and all who they thought could put forth more effort.“Massster, Massster,” a runner goblin screeched running at full speed to the largest of the Dwem overseeing the digging.Curling his whip back, “What is it?” with an impatient attitude of a superior race.Cowering in terror of the large Dwem, “Master, Master Durdik sayss come quick.”“Take me to him worm,” Tonod wondered what Durdik would need to talk to him about, they had discussed all the plans the night before.  Everything was ahead of schedule last night.  Impatiently pushing the goblin along with the butt of the whip, the thirty-minute walk seemed like an eternity winding through the tunnels.As he entered one of the newer map rooms, he saw Durdik huddled over his maps and charts.  “What is it now, Durdik?  We discussed everything last night…”Interrupting Tonod, “They are digging a tunnel.”“What a counter tunnel, let them we will att…”“NO, not a counter-tunnel.  Look at the map and see.”  Durdik then cleared all the overlays showing the main map of the Dwem tunnels.  Pulling one of the rice paper overlays out, “This is where they have dug through and their most likely path.”It only took a second for Tonod’s trained eye to spot what had spooked Durdik, “RUNNER, GET ME A RUNNER NOW,” he screamed at the goblin.  The goblin stumbled over itself to get out of the room.“I’ve already issued the order for the Dwem to retreat back into safety regions.  Do I order the others back.”“How long do we have till collapse?”  The disbelief showing in Tonod’s questioning, why did they go along that path, right through a majority of the core supports for the city above.  Only a fool for an engineer would do that or a mad man.“Only an hour or two, plenty of time for our people to get to safety.  That’s why I had the goblin boy bring you here.”RY 139 Gal the 3rd Late EveningGreffan bounded up the steps as best as he could in the plate armor, moving around in the plate was burdensome at times, but well worth it.  His armor enchanted by the Heroes of the Marshes.  Lord Tobias presented it to him, saying Master Burne enchanted it himself.  Lord Tobias had called the armor ‘Quietvision’, under the night sky or in the depths the wearer could move silent as a mouse and see as the Dwarves did.Greffan had used the armor to great effect over the past few months, leading many patrols into the Underdark.  His exploits earning him rank faster than he could imagine, now he was at a point without title he could go no further.  The nobles would ensure that.The Earl of Dun Beric had ordered a tunnel be dug into the deep, for his own army to march into the depths and fight the Dwem down below.  Master Burne had called him a fool to his face, in front of the whole court.  When that happened, the Earl attempted to have Magnus arrested.  The first guard to step forward still to this day, cannot use his withered right arm.  Greffan wanted to side with Magnus and speak up as well, but his promise to the mage earlier in the year prevented him from such.RY 139 Amm the 23rd At Dinner (A Vow)Wiping his face with the napkin, “Another fine meal my lady.”  Magnus rubbing his belly, “I think the only thing I could fit now, would be some of that delicious cobbler I smelled earlier.”  His boyish charm showing through to Greffan’s mother.  “Well, Master Burne, it is still cooling.  Why don’t you and Greffan go on outside and talk while Myra and I clean up,” as she gestured to a bottle she had left on the table.“If you weren’t taken already lady, I would sweep you up for myself,” with a gracious bow and smile.“O’ your too much, Magnus.  Now you two go talk, I know that’s why you’re here anyways.” Politely nodding his head and swiftly grabbing the brandy bottle, Magnus moved to join Greffan out on the porch.  Patting Greffen’s shoulder as he moved to take the chair across from him.  “Greffan, this is going to sound weird but I must ask.”  Pausing to make sure he had Greffan’s full attention.“Are you a loyal Rhelmsmen?”“Yes, do you doubt….,” obliviously disturbed by the question.“No, no, I mean do you believe that Rhelm is more important than any one of us.”“I guess so,” shrugging in the way all youths do.“I need you to be my man in Dun Beric, no one is to know about this.  You are even to appear against me from time to time.  I only ask that you answer my questions, and side with me when I ask of it.  From time to time, I will appear to have gone mad.”  Pausing with a sigh, “while it may be true, you have to believe I know what I’m doing.”“I can do that, Magnus, you have my word.”“Good, now on to happier subjects.  Have you asked her yet?”  Magnus inquired.“No, I’m planning on tonight during our walk to the stream.,” with a slow stammer.“Let me know the date, I will be there.”RY 139 Gal the 4th Early Morning – Late EveningAs Greffan finished off the last of his rounds, he stepped into one of the towers along the battlements.  Grabbing himself and another man some of the coffee being brewed, he nodded to his men.  All good ones he told himself, just as he had told Magnus.  The mage always was checking his unit out for some reason, but never telling what he was looking for.The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, the men started to relax upon seeing the sun.  The Dwem very rarely ever attacked while the sun was up.  Then just as Captain Greffan went to hand the warm mug to his long time friend, screams reached them from within the city.As the men turned towards the source, they then heard the sound of hard stone breaking, the ground breaking.  That’s when the first tower to fall onto itself, radiating out from that point more building began collapsing towards it.  Within seconds nothing could be seen from the rising dust cloud, only the screams and collapsing buildings could be heard.  Greffan did not know how long he stood there in shock of the destruction, he only barely registered his friend beside him asking for orders for the men.  Then like he had been slapped coming to his senses, “Quarter guard on the walls, watch for attacks on surface.  In three’s search parties, one on guard.  I need three runners, each wall same orders, unless we find a senior commander.  Go do it now.”One of the war mages on duty, summoned an Air Elemental to help clear the dust in the air, Greffan could not believe the destruction before him, it had taken a good hour for the dust to settle even with the help of the elemental.  Nothing remained from the interior of the inner walls, nothing but a hole full of rubble.  As his group of ten men made their way towards the castle proper rubble that’s when the attack occurred.Dwem burst from a corridor in the side of the hole, many firing crossbows blindly as they entered the sunlight.  Those guards that could let loose with their crossbows as they charged to meet the Dwem.  Greffan’s group was closest to the opening, forming his men into a wedge and leading a charge against them.  With a force of about hundred forming at his group’s stand, Greffan’s men held their ground slowly taking it back inch by inch.  Their years of training together in formation, paid it’s weight in Andoricc’s that day, the men held their formations keeping them tight even as some of their number fell.  The few remaining Priests and Wizards fell directly into combat support roles, in all with only a thousand men total including the surviving civilians survived that day.  Bodies were strewn everywhere, as the guards attempted to put together a hasty outpost, in the center of what was once their city, overlooking the Dwem’s retreat route.  Greffan then gave the order to half on half off, with all being drawn into service.  He then asked the remaining Morduk Priests to bless the site , to help control any possibly rising as undead creatures, then passing the order to burn all bodies as we didn’t have the manpower to proper perform the ceremonies.</blockquote>

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