Burdock takes the conversation in stride, sitting closer to the Coterie leader as, if nothing else, he is a fellow dwarf. "Your lot fought hard like true warriors. Tis a shame you don't battle for better reasons than coin."
"I would graciously accept some healing as well; I spent all my magics in battle and Sven manages to bypass my dwarven steel."
The coterie leader looks sideways at him.
"Hrmf.....it's coin we're in need of to supply our families. You've seen the poorer parts of the city. It's them who need it more than the rich do.
Seeing as the amount of coin in the sack was somewhat more than the 600 he owed us, i hold to my word, fellow dwarf. I and my comrades, as i can't speak for the entirety of the coterie, could do you a favor in the future. Just leave the city guards out of it, don't worry of finding us, as there's eyes throughout the city if need be."
....
"Pity i can't bring home the body of the other one, it's still on the ship. What is up with northlanders and portals?"
Bjärn: "Powerful magics, leader dwarf, powerful magics. Magics exclusive to the Irissen lands."
Sivar first casts cure moderate wounds on himself and then he walks over to Burdock and casts cure light wounds on him.
"Here father let me, I still have some healing magics left"
Thorn takes some kinship in the northern mans gift and nods in accordance. " S-Sven reminded m-me of what I w-wish to be. O-Of my father's strength. M-My axe bit into him thrice y-yet his still stood e-even as I fell m-multiple times. Y-You might not say he t-take pity b-but I felt it. P-Perhaps it was b-because of my blood. I n-never knew t-too many other U-Ulfen besides t-the few in my group. H-He did not use magic, w-what does it take to become that strong? "
Bjärn smiles with a reassuring frown.
"While his ancestry is a sure part of it, train hard and fight with honor and bravery.
To the ulfen people, it's death or victory, not ever giving up.
There's honor to be had in both, but living has more appeal. The more battles you fight, the more hardy and determined one becomes."
He looks to where the portal was.
"Which is more than i can say of Irissen witch maidens, tch."
The coterie leader puts his gloved hand on Father Burdock's shoulder.
"While we would normally enjoy a bigger bounty from a raid, we have no use for magic wands or picture frames. Fight well, fellow dwarf, know not all 'thugs', as you'd call us, are as low as a rat's ass." He smirks.
He turns to the two surviving coterie dwarfs:
"Come on lads, we're going back." No sooner said then done, they disappear into the alleys.
Thorn feels the ice creep up slowly into his wounds and he bites back the odd feeling by accepted the gesture nonetheless feeling somewhat better but tired as well.
" B-But I have had no such luck. A-An ally who cannot fight well without b-being on the ground is n-no ally they are a d-drain. I d-do not know what you saw but t-this has become normal f-for me. And t-thus I endanger my comrades. There must be m-more. My weakness allowed a f-friend to die, allies to fall, enemies to escape. "
"Some of the best warriors suffered such misfortune in the beginning, yet grew into excellent fighters. Don't worry too much just yet.
Keep vigilant, and in the future it will be your enemy to fall and grovel before you....if they still live that is."
" I know of no such w-warriors. I k-know of Villains w-with such mindsets.. T-they often got by with the sacrifice of their allies. B-but if you say. I must complete a t-task or die. The latter seems d-daunting. "
"Sleep sounds great, anyone know of a good inn around here that is nice an secure in case Elsa's friends come calling again"
"We can get assistance from either the guard or the temple, I'm sure."
Burdock then turns to Thorn. "Don't worry much, lad. My best contribution to our previous battle was undoing some rigging.", the dwarf looking at his squat legs. "These things are not built for speed after all!"
A rest first then.
, to the docks' closest inn: The Iron Waves.
---------------
Opening the door, chatter and laughter of sailors and Merchants on break comes to your ears. The barkeeper is polishing some tankards when you enter.
"Aha, thought i'd see you again some time.
A room, a meal, or both? 3 gold for the latter."
Sivar stops at hearing the price and whispers to Burdock "3 gold?? we could almost buy a banquet with that"
The barkeep bursts into a short laughter.
"Bahaha! Oh...gets them almost every time, the look on the faces or the eyes. No, elf, 5 silvers is the price for the both together."
Sivar then looks at the barkeep.. what race is he?
"Thankyou good sir, seems I have learned two lessons today, ware the humour and hearing of dwarves"
"Don't mention it, now, still interested in the meal and room for the night?"
"Of course, how could I refuse a host who has taught me so much"
Sivar hands over the money and yhen finds himself a seat
After you have all have a seat, the dwarf takes your order, returning within a little 15 minutes.
"Here you go."
Some tables away some dwarves are chatting about things other than sailing, the dwarven women of the city or the comparing of tavern ale.
#1 "..nae, that expedition of recent, into the darklands, it doesn't sit well with me. I mean sure, it's good to find our people's treasures, but it seems weird, you know?"
#2 "Aye, i know what you mean, being from broke to properly funded over night. Someone's either a fool or greatly interested, and i'll bet it ain't someone from the city."
Tucking into his meal Sivar can't help but hear the goings on around him
"It is good to rest and enjoy a good meal.", the dwarf trying his best to cheer up the party for the next day's venture.
Sivar attempts to make small talk by repeating tidbits of info he hears throughout the bar.
Both dwarves from the table overhear Sivar saying some of the same words.
They turn their sights to your table. After a nod, the two of them stand up and come near your table.
"We couldn' help but hear your speaking of a darklands expedition.
Are you somehow a funding party? As no dwarf has been funding them as of late."
"Well not funding but we are always on the lookout for opportunities, what information have you on darklands expeditions friend?
Sivar motions to the inkeep for two drinks and points to the dwarves
One of the dwarves lights a small pipe, then waves out the match.
"That's mighty kind of you, elf. I don't believe i've yet met an elf who'd drink with a dwarf, much less be the one buying."
The other one awaits the drinks the barkeep brings you.
"Well, here's one to you then.", he slightly raises his tankard in a greeting way.
1# "Anyway, recently a quartet of dwarves, under leadership of Karn Orc-hammer, has been doing some ventures into the darklands. He was seemingly enamored with the idea of becoming the prospector of current day, aiming to do so by excavation and - or, recovering dwarven items and treasures left behind in our old cities.
By old, we're talking pre-dating our people's exodus to the surface. That's several hundreds of years. He made a presentation of it all, about 'soon we will see our ancestors' lost treasures'."
2# "Tch...but he took along a scholar/jewel crafter and a young member of the clergy. Hardly material to survive dangerous things."
1# "Them brothers, the Orc-hammers, got themselves a small general supplies store further up towards the center of Janderhoff's underground part of the city. Can't miss it, a big sign with a dwarven hammer coming onto an orc's head."
Thorn sat watching the wood grain on the table only giving cursory glances at individuals talking and relaying information between each other. His eyes themselves were dull and distant as if searching far past the beings in the immediate area to some far of place unseen.
His faith was not questioned but either lacking or otherwise. He had performed worse and worse; caused unforeseen issues and memories of terrible times. What must he do to never return to that time? How would he complete his task if he cannot even see himself through nary an important battle? Fighting from the ground without the proper skills to do so.
The delve underground was the next move and there would likely be more deadly than a simple frost=born wolfin warrior and his compatriots. unknown threats from times new and likely very old.
Thorn ponders on many a thing; solemnly watching. Constantly doubting.
"Actually, we're heading out on an expedition ourselves. It's for personal reasons.", Burdock's eyes glancing at Thorn. "But, there's always good duty to rid our caves of duegar, lest they become entrenched and pose a larger threat to the city."
Hearing the info, Burdock nods. "Perhaps meeting with them would be worthwhile. If nothing else, more numbers will improve our safety, especially since we'll need to bring light for the journey.", the dwarf priest looking at the non-dwarfs with knowing smile.
#1 "An expedition yourselves? Label me curious, care to share the general gist?"
#2 "The duegar? Our brethren down below guard the caves and tunnels vigilantly, of what do you speak that could pose a threat to the city?"
"We're on the hunt of components necessary to return his friend to the living.", Burdock looking at Thorn and not going into other further details.
"They may carry the necessary components, so thus the need to strike at them. And any attack that disrupts the actions of our foes is of benefit to the city. The hard part will the fact that we'll need a light source, thus ruining any chance of stealth."
The dwarves nod in agreement.
"True words, true words. Them duegar see further in the darkness than we do."
Unless there's further questions, the duo have little to share aside from stories and would otherwise get back to their own business.
The sun's gone down and the streets are emptying, as night befalls Janderhoff.
---------------------------------
The following morning you find the tavern mildly populated with other patrons. The smell of bread and porridge comes from the oven and cauldron behind the bar.
Thorn simply prays as per usual but doesnt look anyone in the eye. He stares out into the abyss.
With no business in mind, you follow Father Burdock to Janderhoff's underground part. Though a shorter people than humans and elves, the sight of what they achieved underground is amazing. Greathalls and hall ways form a large metropolitan network, amassing together into one
great cavern hall.
You receive quite a few looks, as non dwarves usually stick to the surface.
Arriving at the commercial district, it takes a little, but not much, effort to spot the sign of a hammer bashing the head of an orc.
Entering, you see a duo of dwarves polishing tools and arranging miscelaneous items on shelves.
The eldest looking turns his head from the arranging.
"Ah, visitors, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
The dwarf then puts his hands in his sides.
"Well don't just stand like a possum awaiting its food, speak up."
"Sorry, was admiring the well-made tools. I am Father Burdock, servant of Torag. My party and I heard you are running an expedition towards the Darklands. We would like to join you."
The attention of the youngest is now as well diverted from his tasks.
Eldest: "Really? I don't know who told you, but that is great news, great news. Are you interested in archaeological finds, or is the call of adventure pulling you towards the dark depths?"
Sivar sort of stiffens and almost goes into a trance like state before intoning.
"The call of the dark depths is that of a challenge most dire and battle heeds that call and bids me to slake its thirst"
"Aye, this is for adventure and need. Particularly from a diamond off of one of the duegar. Thus, the venture would be mutually beneficial if you were to have us."
"Is...your friend feeling alright??"
The dwarf strokes his beard at Father Burdock's words and lets out a soft whistle.
"An ambitious goal, to put it mildly.
Regardless, that is entirely at your own risk. We aim to scout out the older tunnels that we believe may lead to outskirts of our ancestors' cities. From there, explore from the base camp we will set up."
The younger dwarf makes a motion with a finger, to draw attention.
"However we are still expecting a delivery of some special equipment. It will at least be more than 3 weeks before we could depart."
"We can say a month, likely. That would give you some time to prepare whatever you wish yourselves. So hopefully, you don't mind waiting."
Thorn twitches at the sound of such a long wait but at the same time understands preparedness is needed for such a task. He nods to the man of which he is not much taller than.
" I-In three weeks time w-will you have a summons? Or w-will we be expected to come on our own? I-I do not mind either b-but I assume there will be a sizable c-company. The D-Darklands are dangerous. T-though we need s-something important w-we have secured a way to prolong the need f-for now thankfully. Y-Your consideration is appreciated. "
The solemn man gave a bow to the Elder Dwarf.
"Don't worry. Just tell me what inn you are at, one of us can pop by on our daily break.
If you're talking hired help, we prefer to keep as small as possible. The more there are, the more likely we'll be spotted. If you are coming along, it saves us expenses we can then use for other things.
I reckon a group of 4 or 5. That'd bring the total to 14 people."