Kalderin Tharnhammer's page

Kalderin frowns, Perhaps they were sent after your particular group by something. How many of you were there?

He looks around at the gathered dwarves, We do not know this area well, but we do have time. I won't speak for my friends here, but I suspect that we'd be willing to help. Can these things be tracked?

He hesitates a moment, running the phrase through his head, and responds in gnomish, My name is Kalderin, by the way. My apologies for my...weak, no...rusty, Gnomish. It has been a long time.

If this is a trick, it is a good one. Either way, making an ally here would go a long way to help ally ourselves with these gnomish cousins. Worth the risk, I think.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Svirfneblin are technically under Knowledge (Local) not Dungeoneering. They're humanoids. (Though they do sound like oozes.) ;)

Find us an Ox that can see in the dark and you've got yourself a few customers. At any rate, you have us at a disadvantage...

He pauses and steps forward slightly, nodding down to indicate the crossbow. With a serious expression, he says,

You seem to recognize us as enemies, but we don't know you.

He pauses for a moment and breaks into a wide grin with a hearty chuckle.

Kalderin steps around Reginald's wagon to get a better look and narrows his eyes.

Hold a moment.

His axe drops from his shoulder as he looks around.

This doesn't feel right.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Fine by me.

Kalderin smiles, All roads led to Dammerhall, Nurin. From there they went...everywhere. Some say they used giant worms to carve out the tunnels. Others say they had gnomish and drow slaves polish the roads with brushes. All the tales sound far-fetched to me. My guess is that it took a long time, and that dwarves carved it like they carve anything else. With patience and hard work.

He nods down the road. At least this road should make the going a little quicker. Hopefully the rest of the way is as well maintained.

Kalderin shrugs, There's nothing to be done for it either way. Seven dwarves in the dark, regardless of armor, would have been safer. But I suppose that's why we're so many.

In any case, I can provide some light for the oxen. Did anyone else bring something to light the way?

Joking aside, Kalderin responds, Where we're going, these oxen will need plenty of light. Hopefully it won't attract too much attention.

While his tone makes light of the situation, there is worry in his eyes.

Kalderin shoulders his pack, Looks like we're all here. Let's head on out before it gets much later. We've got a long way to go.

Everyone have everything they need?

With a glance over his shoulder to the packed wagon, We come bearing gifts. Of food, mostly. He hops down with a smile. Only waiting on a few, I see.

To be clear, I don't think it's that big a deal. Just one of those things that makes the bean counter in my squeamish. It's a pretty irrational feeling, and I'm aware of this.

And like Pravic, I'm also willing to throw in my starting gold (and edited my ic post to reflect this.)

I'm not sure how comfortable I am with taking oxen, wagons, *and* provisions (along with, what I assume are the gifts we'll be giving the deep gnomes) for "free" when they should really be taken out of our starting gold (as a representation of what each of us has available to us before the game starts). It's not all that expensive, but it still costs something to someone.

But, with that said, if the GM is cool with it, then it's fine by me. And I'm happy to roll with it given it's the direction we went. ;)

Kalderin quietly follows the old dwarf, not saying a word and trying to stay out of the way as much as possible. He looks very uncomfortable as the wagon is loaded.

Are you sure your family can afford to give us all of this? I'd rather not leave with a debt, but I didn't bring enough to cover even a small amount. He rests his hand on his belt. After a moment he takes off a small belt pouch and hands it to Eugin. Don't say no. I insist. We can't put this kind of burden on your House alone. And besides, it's next to nothing compared to your expense. He hands the other dwarf 30gp.

As the oxen and wagon roll out, Where we are going it will be dangerous. I only hope we can keep these beasts calm when we face what's down there. I'm not sure this is a good idea to travel with so much, but I suppose we'll just have to do what we can.

Agreeing with Grimdahl, And even if we find a way in sister, we might not like what's left to us.

He chuckles, Humans might at that, but unlike them, we won't forget about that friendship before our children even grow whiskers.

Kalderin nods at the old dwarf.

I'll go with you. I don't know this town, and I expect you know everything there is to know about it. And everything I have is here with me already, so I won't need to pack.

He frowns slightly as he shoulders his gear, Unfortunately I didn't bring a whole lot of gold. But I'd be happy to put what I have towards these gifts you have in mind.

Just wanted to confirm that we started with average starting gold, correct? Not max. So any purchases we make now are going to be pretty...minor.

Do not blame the Council for being fearful. In two hundred years no dwarf has succeeded. They are wise to not waste more lives. It is the Dwarven way. Pragmatic. Solid. Patient.

He looks around the room slowly, Luckily for us, we're not quite so wise as they. We're young, he pauses and smiles slightly at Reginald, mostly.

And we're bold. What else is there but to build a better future for our people? They will do their part and wisely protect the hardworking dwarves that carry on. And we will do ours, and brave the deep places that have been lost to us for centuries.

He nods slightly at Bali's recommendation. We shouldn't take too long to leave. Even if none of us talk, this gathering alone will have drawn attention. We could discuss it along the way once we gather our gear. In my experience, plans never survive running into trouble, but a good plan never hurt a Dwarf.

I've never met a Svirfneblin, though if they're anything like their cousins, I'm sure we'll be in fine company. Are there any that know the way to this...Fasturvault?

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

I know of no stories of this Zaraketh either. Perhaps this is a good sign. He ends with a chuckle.

There are many stories of secret entrances into Dammerhall, each one more fanciful than the last. But Magnar Tharnhammer didn't strike me as a Dwarf that would fall for such tall stories. If he said there was an entrance, it must be true.

The dwarf stands and looks at the others around the room.

I'd be honored.

What am I doing here? I recognize these others from Magnar's funeral, but what do we have in common?

Kalderin nods and gives a smile as he takes a small amount of cheese and bread. He's not especially hungry, but he doesn't want to appear ungrateful.

With a good-natured chuckle he responds, I've heard many tales of Dammerhall. But I am always happy to hear more. Especially from such a Dwarf as yourself. Most of my stories come from rogues and scoundrels. They can spin a fine tale, very entertaining, but not enlightening.

He takes a bit out of his crust of bread and swallows, Though I suppose that depends on what sort of enlightenment you're looking for.

On the note of "dual" rulership, I'm not quite sure that works in an all dwarven campaign. I'm certainly fine with some characters being non-traditionalist, and my own character isn't mindlessly traditional, but he is a dwarf. If we're willing to do something completely new, there's really be no point to playing dwarves, why not play standard kingmaker?

Not to say it isn't a cool idea, I just liked the idea of playing a party of dwarves *because* they're traditional. (And if we were playing the drow version of Throne of Night I would be all about two thrones for the added complications!)

Ingrid, do you have someone in mind that Edrukk was related to, or how he was related to the family?

Igmar patrolling beneath Summermount seems like it'd tie in well with Ingrid's backstory. Maybe their families know one another? Perhaps Igmar was a friend of Edrukk or Ingrid (or, given their age difference, maybe a brother/sister was/is a friend?)

I'm always leery of secrets that come out later in a game. Players tend to view them differently (especially when they're only discussed in a limited forum, like an internet thread) and when they come out it's built up in both minds differently. Sometimes this gets interesting, more often than not, it's not as cool as it first sounded and both players are disappointed with how their stories have changed.

But, I certainly love the idea that he's the descendant of the brother that was killed. (I mean, I did write that hoping that Azarex would have killed *someone's* relative!)

My impression was that the Tharnhammer line isn't all that narrow and that there may or may not be quite a few more out there. As in, Azarex and the brother weren't the only two of the line. And may not even have been in the direct line. Just being Tharnhammers that survived the fall and felt the need to keep the dwarven kingdom together (one with an iron fist and the other happening to oppose him and failing this time.) But there may be other places where Tharnhammers went and eventually took control peaceably, and still have power. Magnar being one of them, obviously. For example, my character's father, despite being mostly a disgrace, still "rules" a small town. He's terrible at it, and the town isn't that successful, but such is the state that the dwarven kingdom has fallen to. The bottom line being that most surviving Tharnhammers these days have as much claim on a throne as any other (it has been 200 years after all). Which lets there be a little fun tension and a lot of flexibility in how things work out in the game.

As to having Reginald as a former teacher, I think Kalderin is too far removed from this specific area to have gotten such tutelage. The dwarven "nation" is pretty scattered and I picture his family having gone out of it's way to stay away from the large settlements. But, given Reginald's age I'd expect that he taught both of Kalderin's parents and uncles/aunts.

Edit: Oh, I almost forgot. On the note of Pravic being younger and more idealistic, I think it would be tough to beat Kalderin in this area. At the very least Kalderin will give him a run for his gold. They're only a decade removed from one another, and Kalderin, while he tries to pretend otherwise, is a romantic and as big an optimist as you'll find.

I've made tokens for us. Not much, but they have our image and name on each.

Clicky

Awesome.

Kalderin is a pretty typical caster bard stat-wise. He'll have most knowledge skills eventually covered to a decent degree, and a bunch of social skills. Unfortunately, because of how Versatile Performance works, he won't have diplomacy at all until 2nd level. (I'm really upset that they *still* haven't fixed that after saying they would years ago. IT's such a simple fix, and yet...)

As for combat, with a group this large, and almost all non-casters, Inspire Courage is going to be ridiculously good. He's not the best fighter around (obviously), but he'll be bringing a lot of support. His skills lie more in giving orders and coordinating than in actual hitting. Along with a little bit of healing (since we're missing anything resembling a healer.) He's also stealthier and more acrobatic than the average dwarf, which may come in handy.

That's everyone.

Reposting the list here for ease of reference:

Pravic Stoneblood - Paladin (Stonelord)
Igmar Thornstone - Ranger (Deep Walker)
Grimdahl Tharnhammer - Druid (Earth Domain, Cave subdomain)
Reginald T'jener - Wizard (Conjuror)
Ingrid the Tarnished - Warpriest
Kalderin Tharnhammer - Bard
Bali Tharnhammer - Fighter (Two-handed Fighter)

Hello! Checking in!

Kalderin chuckles as he hears the fire in Pravic's voice. And I am the one you disparage for dreaming? He lets out a hearty laugh to show that there is not a hard feeling to be found on this day.

There is a reason we Dwarves do not move very fast. Some say it is our short legs... He winks at Pravic, But I say it is because we are always looking back. Every step we take honors our ancestors, and our past. And we are always looking forward. Every action we take is for the future of our kind. It is not easy thing to do with only two eyes.

We are not like these other races that live in the moment. Fleeting. We are Dwarves. We are forever. The past and the future. Magnar saw to that with his actions, as we aspire to do every day.

He raises his mug, For the past. For Magnar. It is his night and his memory that we are here. For the future that we all build. And I say again... He turns to Pravic, For Dreams. Not fleeting whims, like that of a human. But the Dreams of a Dwarf.

As he talks he makes his way back to the kegs and refills his mug. Seems like some of us need a bit more ale. Maybe some a bit less. Another hearty laugh. Either way, this is the best funeral I've attended in a long time.

As the songs are sung and the stories are told, Kalderin circles the edge of the gathering. Finally deciding that he should probably find a seat. Smiling as he passes Thorin Tharnhammer's table, The gates of Dammerhall. I'll drink to that. To Magnar. To Dammerhall. And to Dreams. He raises his mug briefly and then tosses it back.

Kalderin raises his mug again and calls out, with a deep voice:

I did not know Magnar Tharnhammer personally, only his legend. But the stories of him must be true. Before me stands so many honorable and distinguished Dwarves. Only a truly great Dwarf could command so much respect. I toast to Magnar Tharnshammer, what he did for our People, and for the future that he has built.

With that he finishes his mug of ale and steps back to get more, listening to the songs and stories.

It actually looks like there's far more competition for the melee fighter role than for Divine Caster. Warpriests are more like Paladins than clerics, are they not? (Or at least fill that role in the party, while doing some clerical duties) And Paladins are melee (with the occasional ranged) that technically also cast divine spells. I haven't looked at everyone's character sheet *that* closely, but it appears we have a ton of fighters (and I'd include the Magus in that as well). That isn't bad really. In a larg-ish party of dwarves, I'd expect that many would be fighters of one sort or another.

I'm surprised we have no ranged fighter yet. (Or at least my cursory overview of other people's sheets haven't revealed one.) That's a role that I would think would be very useful. Though I understand why it's not too popular in a group of Dwarves.

Kalderin was surprised to have gotten the invitation. Had he known Magnar better, he wouldn't have been. He had met the old Dwarf only once, when he was very young. His family didn't often come to these gatherings anymore. When he was a child, his father had tried to attend as many as possible. Funerals, weddings, what have you. Anything where he could attract attention, and perhaps find an opportunity. But over the years he became disillusioned and discouraged. And after Kalderin's mother passed, there was no one to continue to push his father.

They, of course, had heard Magnar was ill. Even so removed, he was, after all, still family. And so news of his passing was not surprising. His father was uninterested in attending, as could be expected. Kalderin, however, may not have known Magnar, but he had heard of him. And he couldn't allow his own household to dishonor such a distinguished member of the family or such an honored dwarf.

I'm late. The funeral has already started.

The latecomer steps into the hall to whispers. While his hair is slightly lighter, auburn, like his mother's, he is the striking image of his father, and grandfather before him.

My grandfather killed many who are kin to those in this hall. Probably one of the many reasons why Father has decided not to attend. We Dwarves tend not to forget such things.

The whispers die down after the Dwarf passes and attentions turn back to the call for stories and song. He walks quickly and purposefully and takes an ale. Kalderin raises it and toasts, quietly, then turns back to watch the proceedings.

When will I ever get a chance to play a dwarven bard! Here's my application. I'll start in the funeral thread either tonight or early tomorrow.