The Branding

[HaberdasherofDoom]

Gloublin kneels in front of his master..light cast across them as all eyes stare wondering what punishment would befall the talkative Gnome. His eyes downcast searching the floor noting the notches in the deep wood as he hears his master draw a blade. It shimmers in the semi darkness, moving forward with intent.. a slight cast of light glinting off its newly cleaned blade.

His master approaches taking the sharpened blade to the side of the gnomes head, slowly drawing across it. The gleaming fine steel dagger glints with malice in the semi light as it pierces his surprisingly light skin, slowly drawing blood as a tattoo of ownership and pride is drawn within the side of his head. The gnome winces slightly as it pierces his flesh, his master taking his time... small spittle flecked lips repeating the mantra "Pain is the price, price is the pain." over and over again as the gnome's dark eyes widen and unfocus as if in a trance ignoring the pain to the best of his ability.

Dark blood flows freely out of the newly made furrow dripping down the side of his head and spattering the floor below. A nearby minotaur snorts in amusement eyes slitting as the scent of blood assails its nostrils... no other patron takes much notice aside from the fact that the deep gnome makes no move other then to turn for his master to perform a simailar porcedure on the other side.

Time slows as the deep gnome holds himself steady a mix of fear and pride swelling his little chest as it begins to sink in that he is being claimed and marked as worthy. The master takes a bag of warm ash and with a heated spoon rubs the ash in the recent marking to make them more permanent. With pride the deep gnome feels himself grow stronger as the realization that he is worthy enough of his master's mark and guidance.

The master then speaks to him.. "This cycle dos has a name that Usstan has chosen.... this is..." The voice continues naming him a drow word, respect even at his lowly status is still respect and the deep gnome trembles slightly as his new name is taken gladly. His master's eyes gleem with thoughts only he knows as he looks upon his servant. "Rise. Udos go now."

The hustle of Gloria's has resumed the bull still scenting the blood upon the air goes back to his drink. The Shieldbreaker smirks. The dark kissed wonder.

Just another cycle in the life.

[HaberdasherofDoom]

The small gnome creeps about the stonespears gathering things for his growth, return on investment he calls it. A dark one or dark kissed one passes by, semi light gleaming off of his dual wielded red weaponry. He stalks like a predator, small leather clad feet barely leaving a mark, face crumpled as if a smile has never crossed the wicked features.

Never being one for the quiet type the gnome states "Alluve Dark One" as he is leaving. The dark elf whirls, red eyes growing wide with menace... mouth open in a snarl of disgust he locks on to the small gnome. Gloublin thinks odds in the back of his mind.. dark one has the expression of small female roth when rutting with unknown male... odd.

Curses flow like rain, spittle and hate out of the dark one's mouth. They speak of butchering of language and how dare the gnome speak of such things to him. Threatening that if he would do it again.. he would soil his blades with the gnome's blood.

As the dark elf spews forth this degree of hate filled spite, the gnome is again struck with the idea of a frustrated small bug in a drinking tin making chirping noises as it rails against the world it its small squeeky voice.

The gnome again attempts to have conversation with the dark elf, the dark elf suddenly strikes drawing twin blades across his chest, the little gnomes life blood splattering across the floor in dual arcs of stupidity. Stunned by the rapidity of the attack the gnome simply looks quirking his brow in wonderment almost bleeding out wondering how to handle a drow with such anger towards the world in general.

He makes the attempt to tell the drow that his master has required it of him to try to speak the higher tongue, but for him to require him not to.. would be to go against the masters wishes.

The dark elf doesn’t care and speaks two words.. that sound odd. Sounds like a name, but must mean more? He cuts the gnomes hand as a reminder of his desire to meet his master. The dark elf stalks off.. shoving the Gnome out of the way his parade of malice, spite and useless wailing against the dark continues.

The gnome then gets out his healing kit, stitches up the wound as best as able at looks at his fine work. "It will heal well, hardly able to see anything." Moving his little hand from side to side he wonders at the work.

The dark one approaches and the little gnome makes haste to exit the area while mumbling to himself. "Why does dark one be so mad...and disrespectful of master's property for spite?" He continues walking mumbling... "well at least usstan learns a new word in Drow tongue. Might explain dark one's anger as well...but curious why his mother would name him small useless penis. Maybe not all parents are bwiel ones. But, would certainly explain his anger...”

[HaberdasherofDoom]

His little roth hide clad feet crept ever closer. Stupid Stonespears and their twisted bodies.. standing there guarding against things. Going to sneak right passed the little Gnome thinks to himself. Way of shadow is best way... his boots make hardly a sound as he moves into the treasure room. Rusted doors creek open on broken hinges metal peeling back from ages of disuse and neglect. Bookshelves and other furniture lay near rotting as spores and must assails his little nose.

He shakes his head in disbelief wondering why they would misuse their property. Glad master is smarter than this and makes good use of his prperty... return on investment is paramount. He creeps past the guards their breath smelling of rotten meat exhaled through blackened destroyed teeth. Turning the corner he spies a body in the grey, dry dust below.

Master... he hisses out in a snakelike whisper. He appraoches the body gently not believing it to be true. His small hands placed on the dark skin come away wet and sticky as the tinge of iron fills the air. How can this be he whispers. Must have been treachery.. other underdarker take master, for stupid golbins never could.

He approached him... sliding his hands under his masters body. Tugging on the master.. he heard a strange sucking, crackling noise and the body didn’t budge. The little gnome tried with all his might again.. grip slipping his body catapults over his master crashing into a pile of rocks and tools the cacophony of sound obvious for all to hear.

Freezing, upside down the little gnome peers out of blurry half closed and dust clotted eyes at the entrance. He blinks once, twice nothing comes... guess goblins attacked by stupid monster. Bwiel.. leave Zenkyorl alone.

Shifting his body he creeps over to his master, slowly trying to move him. Finally sitting down next to his fallen form. Boredom begins to take hold. The gnome mumbles to himself a bit.. then further bordom sets in and he finds himself holding the masters hands. In his best master's voice..taking his master's hand as some sort of puppet he makes it talk while he speaks. "Well Zenkyorl .. what do dos have to say for himself?" Speaking to the hand.. "Well master dos obviously tripped and fell on a goblin's blade many times, many, many times.. old master told usstan not to run with small thing made for cutting.. maybe dos should listen?" Makes smacking noises as the dead hand feigns slapping the small gnome. "Bad gnome... no rothe gizzard soup for dos!!" The gnome frowns "Apologies master.. stupid beast had foot firmly up servant's arse...Usstan feels non-bwiel will help."

The strange underdark play continues as the gnome talks to the hand pretending his master's voice...passing the time in the hopes his master's body will eventually be able to be peeled away and brought back from wherever his soul now resides.

If it could be seen goblins huddle around looking in the door watching the strange comical play making no effort to kill the small gnome for whatever fate has befallen him is far worse then a poke in the eye with a sharp goblin stick.

[HaberdasherofDoom]

He blinks away the heat and ash it clings to him like dirt to a licked lollipop behind the couch. Daring to utter a suppressed cough the little gnome continues forward, his small feet prints making a barely noticeable impression in the ash as wave upon wave of heat assails him.

He comes upon a door warped and blasted by pressures and temperatures it was never meant to withstand, the gnome.. puts his skin to the metal gingerly. Hot to the touch he can feel his own skin sizzle as he grabs hold of it.. repeating the mantra "Pain is the Price, Price is the Pain." With a slight burnt cooking smell he opens the door with a barely audible creak. He moves through swiftly yet silently moving around the strange lizards and odd tall men with a turban and funny jingly pants.

The beast stirs uncomfortable, but he feeds it gently and with soothing words continues. The path slopes downward.. strange pillars with head etched runes go up and down its surface. He wonders and marvels at this unknown work as he continues downward. A light and guttural chanting can be heard from ahead.. thoughts of his mission his desire appeals to him as he continues into the structure before him.


To be continue... ///it was a heck of a trek.. going to speak to it.