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Even the stink of orcs and the refuse they left behind can not lessen the splendor of Highhelm. Once the capitol of the Five Kings Mountains with over 40,000 dwarves calling it home, Highhelm is still an impressive sight to behold. Nearly everything in the Sky Citadel, quite possibly the only one currently in Dwarven hands, has a hue of gold. Even the water from the Great Goldpan river, which runs right beneath Highhelm sparkles with gold dust. The craftsmanship, architecture and engineering of those dwarves who built the Sky Citadel some thousands of years ago is still evident to this day.
Today is the first morning that one of the Stout Folk have woke to see the morning sun in Highhelm in over 200 years. Of equal importance, this is the first morning in over 200 years that any of the clans, once under the rule of Ordrik the Vile, have woken above ground. Were that this were the end of the story as opposed to the beginning, but alas, it is not meant to be. High King Bruagh the Tenacious, of Clan Fellhammer, having been crowned less than two weeks already, has watched his army dwindle from over 5,000 proud warriors, to just under 2,000. Besieged on all sides by an Orc Empire rumored to number at just over 1 Million. The odds not quite fair... even by the Stout Folks standards.
But, Alas, there is still hope, though just a glimpse and fleeting at that. For the Sky Citadel is a truly remarkable, and defensible stronghold. Food is plentiful enough, with the pigs and goats from bellow ground, used for waste management as well as meat, milk and cheese. They are also used to fertilize the Ironbloom Mushrooms, which makes up the bulk of the Stout Folks diet as Ironblooms can be made into porridge, mash, and other filling meals. Although rarely cooked and eaten, chickens are also found below ground as a source of eggs. And of course their is ale enough to keep everyone hydrated for years.
And finally their are the Legends. Passed down from generation to generation, are stories of weapons and armor, once wielded by Paragons of Dwarven Might. Of Dwarves, who were the epitome of what the Stout Folk strive to become themselves. The Legends as they were passed down, usually mentioned not the location of said Artifact. But one Legend was different. One Legend, told of Risca the Stalwart, of Clan Stormbringer, and his Waraxe. Legend says that when the Orc horde invaded the first Sky Citadel, Koldukar, Risca and his axe Heimelron slew over 1000 Orcs before being mortally wounded. Before he fell, Risca caused the Orcs to falter, long enough to escort many of his comrades out of Koldukar. However, it seems that the reason Heimelron has yet to be found, is because it lies in the ruins of Droskar's Crag.
Today the six of you set forth, setting out on your mission given to you by your King. First, find Heimelron where the others have failed and return it to it's people. Second, find any surface dwarfs possible and tell them that Highhelm is occupied once again, yet under siege. Third, kill as many orcs possible without endangering the success of your first two objectives. Although High King Bruagh spoke to each of you individually last night, one thing he mentioned to each of your remained the same. "Stone Endures."
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The six of you, as well as Ulfen, Captain of the Home Guard are bent around a small table looking at a map of the area. "Seems to be ya's only gots two options. Wun. Go out of the Citadel and overland, and hopes ya's stay hidden enough to not get kilt by them stinkin' orcs." Ulfen spits as he says the last word, his face wrinkled in disgust. "Tuu, ya take the tunnels we fought our way out've, then go into the deep road, fightin' ya's ways through them Duergar, then come out into da surface, and hopes ya dun run inta to many of them stinkin' orcs." This time Ulfen spits as he says both orc and Duergar. It's obvious neither option sounds too promising. But hell, Bruagh never said it would be easy.