The Danger with Dwarves
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Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the dwarven Hold has shut it's gates to any and all outsiders. Visitors and merchants alike will have to go elsewhere for business and are not told how long they must go without selling or buying wares from the dwarven community. The entrances of the Hold have been heavily fortified and grim faces suspiciously greet anyone who would approach their gates. The guards rudely turn everyone away and are quick to point a loaded ballista at those foolish enough to demand entry. Although there have been no serious altercations so far, tensions are certainly running high around Aura Runedar.
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_Once again, the sound of war echoed up from the deep mines of Aura Runedar. Proud dwarves shouting the respected names of their fore fathers and homes marched fearlessly into battle, causing an uproar deep beneath the surface. The battle raged on for hours before a series of several dozen explosions suddenly detonated one after another collapsing the very surface directly over the mines. Dirt, rocks, and splintered trees seemed to bounce into the air before falling deep into the earth, leaving behind a huge crater filled with rubble.
Soon after, the Council of Moradin emerged from their gates covered in blood and dust,. Accompanied by their surface allies, they took their positions on the battlements above the Hold's entrance as Norwick's defenders, now well aware of the danger, watched on in horror and anticipation.
A few dwarves manned a specially modified ballista as the other council member readied their axes at the edge of the crater, taunting their enemy. Before long, a raspy but intelligent voice rose up to answer the dwarves and filled the hearts of the townsfolk full of dread. Then a great mass of flesh appeared from the deep darkness of the crater. The sight of a monstrous beholder sent screams of terror throughout the town of Norwick and its assault on the dwarven defenders was merciless. The dwarves fought the creature the best they could, until an order was shouted and the dwarves retreated from the monstrosity as fast as they could._
Click
A huge shimmering bolt fired from the ballista and plunged directly into the Beholder's horrible eye. An explosion of many colored flames erupted from the impact catching many of the defenders, blinding the onlookers and sending a heat wave across Norwick and the Nars Pass, along with tiny bits of Beholder gore.
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The familiar sound of war rang out across Norwick, only this time the citizens of the town we're not the ones in immediate danger. Armor clashing against weapons, war cries, and death rattles constantly echoed from dwarven hold between huge crashes of stone. The battle raged on for several hours before finally dying down, putting the town on full alert and leaving their defenses completely bewildered. Rumors of an assault on the dwarven hold were confirmed when cart loads of strange, stocky corpses with pale skin and bulbous milky white eyes were hauled from the gates of Aura Runedar, and brought up to the surface where they were lit on fire in a mass grave.
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Raryldor avails himself to the dwarves in their preparations, offering his prowess and tactical experience to their efforts.
((I will be travelling to Pennsylvania for the coming week, so Raryldor will stay with them for as long as they need him.))
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@4316a2225a=Hekatoncheires:
Raryldor approaches the Hold and asks the speak with Beourn. He is patient, even if a ballista is pointed at him.
Perhaps surprisingly to some, the heavy stone gates of Aura Runedar crack open just wide enough for the elf to step through, and quickly shut once more behind him. The Hold itself is a buzz of activity. The sound of bustling dwarves constantly working wood and stone ring out from within its gates. Very few dwarves ever leave, only the Council members and those making frequent supply runs to the lumber mill and Gemli's shop are seen on the surface. One would think that the dwarves within are preparing for something major, which has sparked a number of rumors, including an old favorite of a dwarven coup on Norwick's leaders. Perhaps it is just construction or perhaps something is happening below the surface that the dwarves seem to be aware of. As of yet, no one is able to say for sure.
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Raryldor approaches the Hold and asks the speak with Beourn. He is patient, even if a ballista is pointed at him.
