The inkings of Durim Runeheart, formerly of Everlund

[EnialusMeliamne]

//Page 1:// If'n ye're enterin' the halls of me mind laid bare here, ye must've found me corpse or ye're a mighty fine sneak. Either way, there's nothin' to be done about it, but I'd ask ye to return it to me all the same, whether I'm worm food or otherwise. Ye've my thanks, and if'n ye're the sneaky sort, I'd ask ye to repent yer ways. If I'm dead, well, I'm guessin' ye'll know what to do with me soulless husk.

[EnialusMeliamne]

//Page 2//: It'd be first day of the Hammer, the Year of the Saddle, 1345. This'd be the third in as many volumes of journals I've kept along the way...

*The first few years of writings within the journal detail mundane facts of insignificant value, save for a few passages of note. As the reader peruses the pages, they may see entries detailing failed attempts at smithing under his father's guiding hand, and entries detailing his thoughts and concerns on an increase in demihuman raids along the lower reaches of the Nether Mountains, and along the Everlund Pass. The concerns and urgency increasingly become reflected in his writings over time, and a deep and abiding desire to help remedy the problems reach a high water mark in his writings at the end of 1348*

*The entry made on the 1st day of Tarsahk, 1349 details his entry into the service of The Army of the Vale, and the first six weeks of entries beyond that detail his thoughts on his initial training, mostly lamenting a lack of ale and a noticeable increase in his own fortitude and strength. Beyond those six weeks, several entries made over the next year and a half detail his reverence and reflections on serving under the Company Sergeant, an Alaghor of Clangeddin Silverbeard, Garn Anvilstrike, as well as his growing command of the language instruction provided by Garn in the form of Orcish, Goblin and Jotun.*

*Interspersed within the pages are entries concerning the pushing back of the demihumans raiding along the Nether Mountains and the Everlund Pass, which consisted of skirmishes involving orcs, goblins and giants. Additionally, there are many entries lamenting the boredom of mundane sentry duty at the Dwarfbridge. One obscure, entry reads simply, "Rith Ua...". The next several pages detail personal reconstructive efforts in the town of Everlund.*

*In the latter pages of the journal, the reader would notice a degree of wanderlust creeping into the journal entries, finally culminating in the settlement of his service contract to the Army of The Vale on Highharvest, 1351.*

*An entry from two days later details his reflections on the departure from Everlund and his farewells to his parents, his former Sergeant and many of his comrades from within his company of the Army of the Vale (those not on watch).*



OOC UPDATE: a individual has reached out to me re: Everlund history and back story relative to their toons history. I am working with them to update Durim's backstory to not conflict with their individual canon. More to follow...WIP

[EnialusMeliamne]

//Reserved for Work In Progress detailing travels from Everlund to Baldur's Gate.//

*A few pages of entry detail mundane entries about caravan travel, the local flora and fauna that the caravan is passing, and an uneventful arrival at Yartar.*

*The next entry details a story of ambush by a pair of ruffians in a back alley in Yartar, and subsequent healing of wounds Durim attained in the fight, by a cleric of Tymora from the Happy Halls of Fortuitous Happenings. The entry details that one of Durim's wounds was caused by a vampiric short sword wielded by one of the ruffians, and only the luck of an arriving Guard from the Shield Tower helped sway the fight enough to save Durim from further harm. There are several passages posted discussing daily goings on, within the town of Yartar. The reader would be well in assuming that Durim spent a few weeks there.*

*Another entry discusses the daily routine of boat travel down the River Dessarin. There are several entries, and the reader would be well in assuming that Durim spent at least 4 days, and probably more, traveling on a boat*

*The last several entries detail travel along the Coast Way, beginning near the Ardeep Forest and ending near Baldur's Gate. There are several entries detailing attempts to raid the caravan, which were easily thwarted by Durim and other armed members of the caravan. Of note, in the last entry, Durim writes of a significant disdain for the ruffians who've been attacking the caravan*

[EnialusMeliamne]

Seems that sign on the board in the Gate 'tis leadin' somewhere after all. One o' the Darius' left me a note in response, sayin' to ask fer one of them. I'll be doin' that fer certain, the next time I'm in the Harbor District.

If'n the lot of them're like the las, I think workin' fer them wouldn't be half bad. That's assumin' they'll hire me in the first place though. Considerin' that times're tough fer me and findin' work here in the Gate, I think I'd better spruce up me beard, shine the armor and boots. Not much can be done fer me ugly face though. 'Sagood thing that bein' pretty doesn't impact the swingin' of me axe.

*The dwarf seated near the camp fire outside of Baldur's Gate laughs in a thundering manner, then closes the journal situated on his lap. He then places his quill down on the book, carefully placing the tip outward and away from the center of the book. He then stoppers the inkwell, then begins stowing the items in his satchel. He then migrates to a tent, immediately behind and to the left of the fire, and enters through the flap, sealing it behind him.

[EnialusMeliamne]

*A letter and small parcel sent via normal caravan correspondence to Garn Anvilstrike, Company Sergeant, Everlund, Army of the Vale.*

Garn,
I'm lettin' ye know I've settled here in Baldur's Gate, or at least I am fer a time anyway. The trek here took longer that I thought it would, though no long term harm came me way.

I'm findin' that caravan work is hard to come by, so I'm doin' odd jobs here and there, and raisin' axe against the bandit lot in these here parts, of which there're a surprisin' number.

I've one potential job prospect that I'm lookin' into within the next day or so, that bein' to meet with the Darius Company. Ye ever hear of it in yer travels? Heard oh'them through a bard las here in these parts who fought like a true dwarven skald!

Here's somethin' of a bit of interest, that ye might find interestin'. The bloody Zhents wormed their way into a trade deal w/the Gate! Can ye be believin' that? Dastardly lot, they are, and I’m not fer trustin’ that it will end up benefitin’ the Gate folk.

Anyway, I'm needin' to be writin' the Runeheart's. I hope the letter finds ye well and in good health. May The Sentinel guide yer shield and The Giantkiller guide yer axe.

Your shield brother,
Durim

Oh...do ye mind sendin' an official copy of me discharge papers? I've enclosed 150 golf pieces in the parcel. 10 pieces should cover the costs. If ye don't mind passin' on the remaining lot to the Runeheart's, that'd be appreciated.

[EnialusMeliamne]

A note is left at the upstairs bar at the Minstrel's Muse, written in barely legible common. It is addressed to Luke Darius, but left bare and visible to anyone curious enough to look.

Luke,
As we were discussin' at the bar, here's the list ye requested. I'm savin' me spare gold fer payment in kind, and I'm fer knowin' ye'll give me a fair price. I'll be keepin' the request humble fer the time, since me personal stash is modest, at best. That, and I'm fer earnin' me keep, and I've nary done that fer Darius Holding just yet.

As mentioned at the bar, no drinker enchantments nor poison. I've me own personal honor tah keep, and I'll leave it at that. Maybe I'll be sharin' the why of that over a tankard sometime, but not here, in this note.

- Me armor is quite stout, and fits me well. I'll be keepin' it fer now, unless I run into some finer dwarven craftsmanship.
- Me shield is of the first circle of magic, or so the mage in Sorcerous Sundries indicated.
- Me personal axe is of dwarven craftsmanship, and is also of the first circle of magic. No poison, no drinker enchantments.
- Me cloak is special to me, and reminds me of home, not to mention keepin' me warm. I'll be keepin' it, though if ye're knowin' a mage who can enhance it, I'll raise coin fer that too.
- I don't have any beholden attachments to me boots, gloves, or helmet though, so if'n ye've any of note that're exceedin' what I have, I'm willin' ta pay.

Thanks be to ye, and I'll be seein' ye all very soon. If'n ye be seein' Wendy afore I do, please pass on me regards fer the aid an introductions to the work opportunity. Again, I'm fer owin' her.

Durim Runeheart

[EnialusMeliamne]

The sea's not somethin' I thought I'd be seeking as me form of relaxin', but the durndest forms of solitude can come yer way when ye've an open mind. Opens up a way o' raisin' money too, which is always welcome. Had the idea to be tryin' it due to me meetin' with the Darius Holding folk, who've been kind enough to be hirin' me on. Figured since they mentioned fishin', I'd try me hand at it afore we were doin' it together. It's not somethin' me hand took naturally to, but the workin' at it has been payin' off. The coin jingles just fine too.

///I added a couple of skill points to Survival on Durim's character sheet (Recent level-up), role-played as his fishing practice having a bit of a pay-off in capability.///

[EnialusMeliamne]

Slingin' drinks can be irritatin' work when ye're askin' some folk wha they're wantin', and they ignore yer arse. But, the party was large, and the overall work not as 'ard as crackin ogre skulls, that's for sure. I'm willin tah be doin' it again. 'Asides, no one seemed to be causin' a commotion, which is a fine respite from the road, that's fer sure. I get the impression that the sun elf doesn't care for dwarves though. I'll be needin' tah mind my tongue 'round her.

[EnialusMeliamne]

I ran into a lad, Samir, near the Inn, and entered a contract with him, though fer a share o' the loot and not gold, seein' as how he nary had any to his name. He's handy to be havin' around, since he knows 'is way around a lock. Not bad in a fight either, and he learns fast. I admit to not knowin' a bunch about the lad, but the grave robbin' just isn't fer me. I figure he probably thinks it's fast coin. It's his soul...who're I tah judge. Asides that, though, I admit to likin' the lad.

I kept his arse outta an early grave though, so me job was done well. Maybe he'll be gettin' on wit' the Bladestone, which is somethin' I should probably be doin' meself.

[EnialusMeliamne]

*A note left w/Jack Darius, for Luke Darius, who was in the midst of a conversation with a visitor to the Minstrel Muse when Durim walked in.*

Luke,
I'm beginnin' to think that If'n I'm goin' to be of better use tah the Holding Company, I'm gonna be needin' to be doin' better at trainin' me own skills, ye might say. Do you mind passin' on me interest to the Bladestone lot? Seems I miss havin' a sergeant around to keep me axe and shield werkin' together like.

Durim

P.S. Yer conversation seemed important, so I figured it'd be best to keep meself outta it. Me silence wasn't meant to be a slight to ye, or yer visitor. I hope ye find yerself well and in good fortune.

[EnialusMeliamne]

*A note is left under the downstairs door in the Minstrel's Muse*

Lads,
I'll be away fer a wee bit, and didn't want ye to be thinkin' that it was a permanent arrangement. I've got to be settlin' something away from the Gate, up near Yartar at the Lady of Luck's Happy Halls of Fortuitous Happenings. Had a las save me life there, and I've now enough coin to be payin' her back fer the healin' and puttin' me up fer a while. Sure'n, I could be sendin' er the coin another way, but her healin' work, as well as the lodgin' deserves a personal appearance tah be payin' er off.
Anyway, I figure'd ye should know. I'll be seein' ye as soon as I can.

Durim


///Real life anniversary trip this coming weekend, and migration to a new PC, once it arrives in a few days. My MacBook Air will go back to doing MacBook Air things, instead of trying to emulate a PC gaming rig. ///