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Hon stumbles through the caravan detritus, "Kragg. Kragg. Which of this bumps in the road is AhAA! There you are. Hey brutha, halp a dwarf out! The rum is wearing off, Mr.Sun due to reintroduce his vindictive self soonly to mine eyes and heck if your moaning and grunting isn't disturbing me. Wake up." Hon sits down clumsily, jostling and poking Kragg with a burnt out firestick. "I gotta sleep too. Your turn."
He rolls away just as Kragg shows signs of waking up violently. Standing up, no, sitting down, no, crawling away to the wagon. He clambers up the side and loses balance or perhaps surrenders to gravity as majority of his body is on the inside.
Here brother Honlet me help you to a more comfortable ride. Nice and soft and comfortable is just waht you need.With that Kragg will lift him up and place him on top of the covered caravan where the sun will hit him fully. If necessary, After Hon falls unconscious from the drink, Kragg will tie him there so he can't escape the sun, I mean won't fall off.
As soon as the humans find out Hon is tied at the top of the wagon they get quite irate. "Hon is a great fellow, dwarven royalty, and should be leading your group" is stated and echoed by the human guards. They throw down their weapons and gloves after getting Hon back down. They are ready for some fisticuffs to appease their ire-- "Hon is a natural leader, he is being disrespected out of jealousy and envy for his talents."
Only intercession by the caravan master prevents a scene. It is clear disrespecting Hon could be perilous in this caravan.
The carvan travels through fertile farmland that is unplanted for the winter-- the land is quite flat and the temperature chilly but much warmer than in the mountains.
Approaching the city the caravan master updates you: "This city was originally Garrison number 3, and is now called Garrison. Other names have been tried, but Garrison always returns as they name. After the human government devolved into multiple local governments, the huge army stationed at Garrison was not needed anymore. It is large, but not as large as it was when it had to keep the entire province in line."
The carvan master presents his papers at the Southern Gate (4 gates to the city for each cardinal direction). You are hustled through the gate and enter a city that can be best described as utilitarian. Block building made of stone slabs and rectancular wooden beams dominate with little decoration. It appears to be a military installation converted to a city of over thousands of city blocks. To dwarves living underground it is quite impressive. People are constantly moving along the pedestrian ways, and the caravan is given many looks as the group moves past.
You arrive in front of a large warehouse where the caravan is to unload goods. A lone dwarf stands in front and seems to be expecting you.
"What brings ya out ta this place my brother?"
Brask gives the dwarf a warm smile and holds his arm out in greeting.
The dwarf before you is a hard, well muscled dwarf who you know has seen battle before. He has deep set eyes with fiery red hair and beard. He wears a glistening silvery breastplate and has a dwarven war axe on his back. A symbol of an anvil on fire identifies him of a follower of Angradd, the aggresive brother of Torag. While he takes Brask's hand in greeting, there is no smiles from him.
"And if not, another tankard soon to follow"
The dwarf looks at Brask and looks over the caravan, "I've been waiting for you, brother. I am Nar Redgrave, honored Warmaster of Angradd and wielder of fire.
I am tasked in passing judgment on the one called Durnak. One of three fates awaits him, forgiveness and reinstatement, exiled and never heard from again, or death. After that decision has been made, our paths will merge and we will be moving on together. Now lets get inside the warehouse. I'll need a full briefing, both from you and from Durnak."
With that the doors to the warehouse open and Nar turns and walks inside.
Kib merely sneers at the human guards and glares at their Dwarven patsy. That he obviously much closer with the humans than those of his own blood and kin justgoes to show what a pitiful kind of dwarf he is, in the Gnome's eyes at least.
Despite himself, Kibibble is more than a little impresed by the human city of Garrison. He had not known that the humans were capable of such feats of engineering and planning such as this. Still though, it is with no little relief when he lays eyes on the new dwarf, Nar. 'Nowthere stands a true dwarf!' he thinks to himself 'No smiles and all business when we're surrounded by these wretched [i]humans. He enters the warehouse just behind brask, looking forward to seeing some justice done to the traitor, Durnik.
Brask's face darkens at the reminder of that treachery.
"Right, best be gettin' this over with."
Brask follows Nar into the warehouse. He keeps his eyes and ears sharp.
A stout dwarf that is strong and hearty is irate as he is escorted into the sole office in the warehouse. His dress is cold weather gear over pajamas with beer mugs on them. He is left unrestrained by rope around his feet preventing him from doing anything but a shuffle, and around his arms keeping his hands together. As the caravan enters two humans begin to start paperwork as another human goes to get some day laborers to unload the wagons.
Brask, Nar, and Durnak are in an office, but the walls are not very thick. So the immediate bellows of the dwarf are probably heard outside. The dwarf begins to point his stubby finger six inches from Brasks face (even with rope around his arms), "It is your actions that need to be justified. I am keeping you from ruining what is left of our dwarven heritage. Pimping yourselves out as caravan guards to human traders is just one example of your incompetence. You are not fit to judge me."
Recognizing the import of the appearance of Nar, he smiles. "Your opinion is probably the one that matters. Don't let this ranger influence your decision. Plus he and the humans conspired to steal all of my gear."
Nar stares hard at Durnak, "My opinion does matter and you will be wise to remember that. It is important that our dwarven traditions are revered and respected. Levying a charge as you just have, you better be able to back that up.
Now, how did they conspire to steal your gear?"
To Brask ,"He charges you with a most heinous crimes, including conspiring to steal your gear and I would say most obviously violence against him. How say you on these charges and what transpired"
In regards to the human guards and Hon. Aww, just playing a pratical joke. I suppose you never did that to a friend who drank too much? If not, you guys need to live a little. The cords weren't too tight to injure and as soon as the sun woke him up I'd've let him down. This is how we treat our friends. If I wanted to be cruel I would have just kept him awake everytime I did my rounds.
The city proves to be quite an eye opener for Kragg. The humans have done well since the treachery and slow fall of the dwarves. Good utilitarian buildings without wasted space or materials. Grudgingly, Kragg nods his head at the workmanship and planning. When the caravan enters the warehouse, Kragg will oversee the unloading of the Dwarves supplies into a corner of the room, Once that is done, Kragg will station himself to where he can hear the commotion in the small room yet keep watch on the human guards from the caravan as well as the dwarven supplies. If not able to do all 3 then the supplies and guards are the top priorities.
Brask's face reddens, going from a little pink to almost puce. Gritting teeth can be heard as the ranger trembles from rage. It takes several seconds, but he finally manages to calm himself and his complexion returns to almost normal before Brask begins to speak. He ignores any and all interruptions from Durnak as he delivers his brief in a calm even voice.
"Guess I'd better start at the beginning. Our group arrived at tha village that we normally trade with for supplies several days ago. We found a caravan gettin' ready to head ta tha city for trade. I thought it best to travel together so I asked if they needed some more guards. I thought it best ta have more eyes lookin' for trouble even if they be eyes o' humans. A couple o' days out we found that a group o' twenty horsemen were followin' tha caravan. Suspectin' 'em ta be bandits, Kragg, Magnum, an' I scouted their camp at night. I decided that attackin' 'em then an' there with our full strength was best. I left Kragg and Magnum ta watch the camp while I went ta fetch e'erone else. We split up into two teams. Kragg, Magnum, and Kibibblepep circled around tha camp and attempted to lure tha guards away while the rest o' us would sneak in an eliminate tha threat. Tha guards managed ta see through our ruse, so I ordered my group ta form up inna wedge an' join with Kragg's group. Hon an' I provided support by keepin' tha humans busy. After about a half minute o' combat, three dwarves ran into tha fray. This one," Brask nods his head to Durnak, "Managed ta get himself laid out by Kragg. After that tha humans asked for a truce. I gave them my terms. They would not be seen followin' us or they would be considered bandits an' treated as such. We took tha three dwarves into custody. Accordin' ta tha human leader an' tha other two dwarves, they hired tha humans ta take some items our team had retrieved from tha vault near tha barbarian tribe we went ta on our last excursion. Tha worst this one has endured is bein' bound, bein' knocked out by Ninni, a gnome brawler, fer flappin' his gums about how we betrayed our kin, despite bein' bound, an' recieving tha moniker o' 'Humpty-Dumbass' from me."
Brask sighs and looks Nar dead in the eye.
"Tha group that this one was with took his gear, as well as tha other's gear, ta make up for lost men an' payment. I did not intend ta steal anythin' an' as far as I can tell, all I did was execute my duty as a guard. I am many things, but a thief is not among 'em."
Nar nods at Brask words and turns to Durnak, "I see no fault in Brask's words. In fact I commend him on a well executed battle.
Now you charge him with, how did you say, 'pimping himself to humans' yet you yourself were pimped. Pray tell, what were your intentions with Brask's group that needed a large group of humans?"
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Having unloaded the gear from the caravan wagon, dropping his stuff also into the pile. Keeping his armor, cloak and ice dagger, belt pouches and pocket money, he thanks his human buddies with a well-earned thump on the back. "Lets be off and show me the sights, gentlemen. I'll finish up the stops with caravan until you guys are let loose. " He touches his helm in a mock salute to Kragg, indicatng who he'll be trailing. Turning away he says to the guards, "Hey, did I ever tell you the one about the Dwarf, the Human and the Elf who entered the bar...? "
Editted: Sure, get a decent roll now. Well, I ain't complaining.
The following words are loud and heard by everyone in the warehouse.
Durnak splutters, "I know my rights, outside of the clan I can only be judged by a consensus between a representative of the king and a designated member of the clergy." It is then he realizes his predicament as he glances at the two dwarves and he pauses a second.
"Where is Thograt, the previous leader? You switched priests on me. At the first council meeting Thograt was leader, that priest would have judged me true. Now this ranger deposes Thograt and hopes another will find me guilty. The king may be even be behind this."
Durnak continues, "We did follow your group with humans I hired. They worked for me, not the other way around. We were going to confront your group when the time was right about the journal and the hammer which you should not have. Brask ambushed us, and, as far as he knew at the time, he was ambushing us first."
He looks to Nar, "You need to agree on revoking my clan status too. Let me back in and you will be rewarded. You don't want to be on the wrong side of me."
Kragg sees Hon's salute but stoically remains impassionate and does not return any gestures. I just hope the poor schmuck doesn't get himself killed. At least until we have a chance at getting that dagger back... so we can sell it to raise him.
perception that I forgot earlier if it matters +2 if human
While Durnak is talking, Brask calmly retrieves his axe from it's place on his back. He makes no threatening movements, but right as Durnak begins his threat, Brask lets the butt of the axe hit the floor with a resounding crack.
"Now that I have your attention, Thograt is back at the keep we cleared on our last excursion trying to keep the Barbarians from burning it to the ground. He gave command to me at the end of that fight. I didn't want it when Rock offered it too me, and I didn't want it when Thograt offered it to me either, but I am a dwarf. When I'm ordered to lead, I lead, my feelings be damned."
Brask puts his axe away.
"I will not deny that we struck first, but if you would listen instead of trying to puff up your own ego, you would know that I thought we were being followed by bandits."
Durnak continues, "We did follow your group with humans I hired. They worked for me, not the other way around. We were going to confront your group when the time was right about the journal and the hammer which you should not have. Brask ambushed us, and, as far as he knew at the time, he was ambushing us first."
He looks to Nar, "You need to agree on revoking my clan status too. Let me back in and you will be rewarded. You don't want to be on the wrong side of me."
"Brask, what is this about a journal and hammer? "
Brask looks from Durnak to Nar. His cold eyes soften just a bit.
"The details will have to wait, but basically that keep we cleared out had a vault in it. Kragg and I almost died trying to open it, but Magrim intervened and saved us. Inside was a treasure hoard fit for a dragon. Among the treasures was a journal and a hammer. The journal was gifted to Hon and the hammer was gifted to Magnum. From what Magrim told us the hammer turns its weilder into a dwarf over a year."
Brask glances back at Durnak, his eyes becoming bits of flint again.
"I have said my piece. I'm sure we are both interested in seeing if this one only spouts threats and bribes in the same breath or if he can actually tell why and how he hired a score of horsemen."
Oblivious to nearly everything else going on around him, Kib, standing just below the room the three dwarves debate in, concentrates on trying to hear every word. Several times already it is all he can do to stop himself from piping up and venturing an opinion or fact here or there. Or else just run up and punch Durnik in the nose.
Durnak gets even more irate, "You would allow our race to be tainted by letting a human become a dwarf? That shows you have lost touch with your roots. You have gone native in your short time among the humans. And as much as your gang drinks, I am surprised you claim to only have seen Magrim. Was Torag sick and couldn't come? I hired the horseman to help convince you to make the right choice and give up that journal and the hammer stolen from the last king of the Traditional Old School dwarves. The hammer is stolen property."
Durnak crosses his arms, "I am done talking--I am dwarf and proud."
The human caravan workers invite Khazad, Kragg, Hon, Magnum, and Kib to come with them to the local soldier bar for some fun.
"Come with us to the battered shield. They have this jousting game on a beam over the water that is great fun to watch. The soldiers play for drinks and money."
The human caravan master hands Khazad a dwarven dispatch in a scroll tube. "I think it is time, the priest has arrived."
"You are an idiot and a fool! You claim that I have lost touch with my roots. That I am a thief! You have insinuated that I! AM! NO! DWARF! You just said that you hired a score of humans to convince us to give you two artifacts that you did not retrieve, that you did not even aid in retrieving! I have heard you, with my own ears, try to bribe and then threaten a priest in the same breath! Is this the way dwarves are supposed to treat each other? Is this the way of our people? If it is then we deserve the ruin that has been descending upon us!"
For the first time in since entering the warehouse, Brask let's his rage color his voice. The full fury of his roaring speech leaves the ranger's nostrils flaring with each snarling breath. His voice takes on an icy edge when he speaks again.
"I have no interest in killing my kin. I never shot at you or your two companions, but if this is how you treat a fellow dwarf, with lies and threats, then maybe it is you who is tainting our people. And maybe it is time for that taint to be cut out."
Nar watches it all then takes a deep breath and says to Brask, "Brask, coll of with a walk and give us a moment alone if you will, then will will decide his fate."
Once Brask leaves, Nar says to Durnak quietly so as to not be overheard
Nar will ask Durnak, "Doing right by our people is what I am concerned with. You say helping you would net me a reward. What would that reward be? And if help you by reinstating you, then what about the journal and hammer?"
A large burly dwarf enters the office carrying the dwarven banner of the hammer and anvil. He looks at Durnak and tosses a silver medalion on the floor that depicts an old dwarf on a throne and a single inscription underneath in dwarven that translates: Dwarf and pure or dwarf and dead.
"I am no longer in your club; I stand with Brask. I am going to drink with the humans if they will have me."
He turns around and leaves.
"Right, sorry."
Brask walks out of the office and then out of the warehouse. He finds a secluded corner and props himself up in it as he sits down.
"Nay, it's not e'en tha promise o' a fight that leads, is it Brask? Ya love the smell o' road, tha feel o' rocks ne'er 'fore trod 'neath yer boots, and tha sting o' tha icy win' slappin' ya in yer face."
For the first time since ambushing the company of horsemen, Brask smiles, then laughs.
"That's what's wrong with me. I haven't been blazin' me own trail."
With that Brask joins Kragg in the warehouse. His mood much improved.
Khazad welcomes the workers' invitation, but when he reads the note handed to him, the smile wanes from his face. He addresses the rest of his companions.
"You go; it looks like I'll have to delay a bit. But I feel like I'll make up for it in double drinks once I catch up with you in The Battered Shield."
He then stands by the warehouse and leans on the wall. Once Brask comes out, Khazad's heart jumps, but he tries to not let his worries come out as he casually addreses Brask:
"Aye, I hear you, brother. Splitting orc skulls is what gives us dwarves purpose. Splitting our own skulls doesn't seem right, eh?"
Dwarven to Brask: Well if you're askin' me, we are off the map already just by bein here. As to where you want to blaze trails, unfortunately that is for Rock or you to decide. For myself, this place makes my skin crawl. Too many humans and not enough dwarves. But then again Hon is more human than most and Magnum is more dwarf than most. There's both on both sides. Just not used to it is all. How's it going with Humpty in there?
Brask shakes his head then smiles again.
"When we get back ta Rock, I'm gonna see about goin' on a li'l mappin' trip. Should be fun, don't ya think?"
"I got sent outta tha room after losin' me temper. Somethin' 'bout that one gets under me skin, an' it seems there may be politics involved, an' I 'ate politics."
Brasks smile wanes, but his voice is cheery again when he starts talking once more.
"I think that may be part o' our problem. We, as a people, 'ave lost our fire, our spirit. We want tha glory o' tha old days, but I'm startin' ta think tha glory o' the old days is long since rotted away. Our people need a new focus, a new drive. We need ta find somethin' worth 'avin' and reach for it."
Kib, small as he is, continues to try and remain out of easy sight and continue to listen to the conversation between Nar and Durnik. He's not exactly hiding, just being small and unobtrusive. To make it look less obvious, he pulls out his tools and begins to quietly tinker with something.
Durnak speaks softly to Nar,
Durnak speaks in his loud voice, "Brask and his band have the dark owl logos on their equipment now. We cannot have the legacy of this thief and traitor continue. This Dark Owl began this progressive 'learn others ways' movement and was branded a traitor. I no longer claim the hammer and journal at this time -- only my right to be a clan member."
Nar comes out of the office. Looking at the gnome hes says, "Could you watch him for a moment?"
He moves over to Durnak and says, "He tried to tempt me with riches and power instead of trying to convince me he was right. In his own words places himself in opposition to Rock and claims his leadership is critical. I also believe if he chooses to no longer claim the items, it is because he is desperate to survive. I have made up my mind on his fate from his words. What say you with this new information?"
Brask looks up at Nar's arrival. He listens intently and shakes his head when Nar begins with how Durnak tried to tempt the priest.
"I 'eard 'im when 'e started talkin' 'bout Dark Owl an' 'ow 'e 'only' wants ta be a clan member."
Brask heaves a heavy sigh, and stands.
"I say Magnum is more a dwarf than that one. Ne'er thought I'd have ta do this, but I say Durnak's punishment is either death or banishment. If 'is actions before didn't prove that he is no dwarf, 'is actions now 'ave."
The ranger looks Nar in the eye and speaks softly to him in Dwarven.
"There aren't enough of our people left for this kind of infighting. I don't want to kill another dwarf, despite his actions towards me and my own, but I don't want him to come around and hurt or even kill some of these lads. And there are other...signs that point to trouble ahead."
"if I were a follower of Torag, I would most likely urge exile for he may still serve our people in some way. But I am not, I follow Angradd, and we believe enemies need to be defeated and eliminated. Rock will have problems with that one if he is alive, for me if he is allowed to live I feel he will take our people down a dark road. I believe in preserving our traditions and heritage, but we also must grow.
If you choose exile, I will agree. But now you know where I stand."
"He has proven himself to be willing to kill his kin. He may claim differently, but one does not hire a score of trained horsemen to help 'persuade' someone else. After hearing your feelings, I am afraid I have to agree."
It's obvious the decision is weighing heavily on the ranger. He looks around to see where everyone is and gives a sigh.
"How are we to proceed? Have you any orders on how to carry out the execution? I doubt the humans would appreciate us beheading him in the town square."
"Gladly" Kibibblepep answers. He then steps up the stairs and stands in the doorway, arms crossed and glaring at the traitor in the happy face pyjamas.
"Gladly" Kibibblepep answers. He then steps up the stairs and stands in the doorway, arms crossed and glaring at the traitor in the happy face pyjamas.
While he fingers are thus hidden, he prepares to use one of his sorcerous abilities, should Durnik try to make a break for it.
Although not part of the conversation between Brask and NAr, Kragg is present and will chime in once only. I know neither of you need my in put, but when we met, I was the one that used lethal force first on im. He just tripped me. I suppose when I got up he tried to use lethal forse but failed. Wanted the story straight before anythin happened. If it wasn't for his opposition to Rock and his own self-hypocrisy, I'd say exile. However, I'd mentioned this to Brask earlier, but I got the feelin' that Magrim is pissed at these dwarves. I felt this so strongly I's half-way to drawin me axe. I had to leave before I did somethin wrong before they were put to trial.
It is a 10 minute walk to the famous Battered Shield. On the border of the merchant and military districts, the Battered Shield is the gathering place for caravan guards and garrison soldiers bored with waiting for something 'bad' to happen. The Battered shield is a converted three story warehouse with the serious drinking and fun occuring in the huge common room with 40' high ceilings. The place comfortably seats 500, but on rowdy evenings like tonight, about 1000 are packed in. A few windows are open and the ventilation is amazingly done with an arrangement of wood-burning stoves.
The singular attraction is the single narrow beam 20' high over a huge pool of water. Your escorts explain to you how it works. Contestants mount a ladder to a platform and grab padded quarterstaffs and advance towards each other to try and be the first to knock the other off the narrow beam into a pit of water. Tournaments are held every evening and there is cage where wagers can be made on the bouts.
Hon, Big Mug, Magnum, and five of the caravan guards arrive. Although the dwarves get a few looks their way, it seems most of them are due to the fact that dwarves are rare here. The shorter lifespans of human and their adaptable nature seem to dull the political separation of the communities. In the company of humans and wearing armor, the dwarves fit in well in this working soldier bar.
Back in the warehouse the tension escalates as Kib watches the prisoner while Nar and Brask confer with Kragg and Khazad closeby. The decision is not going well for the prisoner.
Khazad draws his axe and leans heavily on it, his face grim. He lets out a deep sigh.
"I was trained to protect my own kin, not to draw steel against them. But I am a soldier, and I must obey Rock's orders. Rock has told me that I am the hand, which is guided by the head" - he looks at Brask, "and the heart" - he looks at Nar. "The die is cast, and I will do the deed."
There is a feeling of peace that I do not attribute solely to myself in this matter. Perhaps it is Magrim's feelings or that all of us are agreed in one accord. Which it exactly is I do not know. Every chance has been given yet he stlll belittles us and seeks to further himself at every opportunity. I will stand behind the choice of Brask.
Nar gives Khazad a nod of approval at his words
Keep me apprised of the emotions and desires lest they turn dark and horrific.
At the next opportunity, I would like to cast an augury to see if Kragg following his intincts and emotions that aren't his would bring good or bad results.
Brask looks from Khazad to Kragg and gives them each a sad smile.
"I doubt there's a finer group of comrades and friends a dwarf can find. Let us get this dark business over with. I'll hand down the judgement if Nar finds that agreeable."
Perhaps for the first time since the start of adventure, Khazad looks shy. "Just one thing - is it going to... happen... here and now? Or somewhere outside the city walls?"
"Lead the way, I will back up up to keep the formality in accordance to our traditions"