Kingdom of Kraak Helzak Role Play (IC)

[mrieder79]

As soon as Durin's guard shift is over at the north gate of Gullykin, he can be seen running toward the coast south of candlekeep, muttering something about "clearin' out th' damned baggers so ah kin git t' diggin!"

[mrieder79]

Viscious hissing followed by a the dull metallic thud of steel entering flesh echoes against the cliffs south of candlekeep. A few moments later, a stout dwarf pushes through a stand of saplings into the open with a heavy dire badger slung over his shoulder. Grumbling about the "damned baggers" he deposits it next to his campfire with a heavy thud, then begins the arduous task of cleaning and skinning the beast. To his back is the collapsed entrance to the old Ironfaar clanhold. The weeds and moss that have begun to grow on the dirt covering the entrance have been cleared and a small pit has been excavated. There are dark splotches in the dirt by the pit where foolish badgers sought an easy meal, only to be bludgeoned by Durin's heavy mining pick. Durin's eyelids droop and his shoulder slump as he dozes off while cutting the beasts hide from its tough back cords. The constant strain of guard duty at gullykin and attempting to reach the tunnels of his youth was beginning to show on the burly dwarf's face. Lines could be seen branching out from his eyes like cracks in stone and his usually full cheeks were becoming thin and angular. His head dropped a little further and then jerked up suddenly as he awoke again.

"Aye... cannae be doin' tha! Ah'll be findin meself in a bagger belly ifn' ah do!"

Durin stood, moved to his water skin, and splashed cold water in his face. Revitalized, he returned to the work of skinning the badger casting sidelong glances at his tunnel all the while. He knew he would soon need timbers and iron spikes to build bracings and trusses for the small tunnel, and for that he would need gold. At the thought he turned to the line of beetle shells and badger skins drying by his fire. Soon he would have enough to take to the farmlands or even the city docks for bartering and selling. Failing that, he could always return to exploring the many dark holes along the sword coast with the hopes of finding treasure. This was a less sure and more dangerous road than his current endeavor, but if it came to that, he would brave the unknown. He was determined to see his home again, and to drive the dark userpers from the place.

His head slumped, then jerked again. He punched himself in the leg to wake himself up, then returned to skinning the badger, his face a mask of determination.

[mrieder79]

A young dwarven runner arrives in the king's audience chamber. He is barely able to deliver his message between breaths.

"Sire, we... we are needed! The Black Orcs... have... laid seige to Doron Amar and are planning a final assault! They have asked for our assistance!"


///Currently there are two events:
///Thursday night at 2000 Eastern Standard Time, and also one on Saturday, I don't know what the time is.

///Dwarves can report to Durin Ironfaar, the liason between En Dharasha Everae and Kraak Helzak. If I'm not online, just say that Durin sent you.

[mrieder79]

Durin woke up on the cold floor of the keep of the Order of the Silver Rose. He looked about, shook his head, then collected his various effects and exited the edifice. He moved purposefully toward the Friendly Arms Inn to purchase supplies and some empty glass containers. When the shopkeep inquired as to what a dwarven warrior would want with empty glass alchemical bottles, Durin answered with a quick grin and two words.

"Giant Dung."

The shopkeep was left scratching his head as the stout dwarf left his shop, chuckling. The new recruits would be in for a challenge this day!

Durin's determined stride soon brings him to a campsite. Four of his kin sit about a fire drinking ale and frying bacon in a skillet.

"Oi lads! Be ye ready fer yer testin?"

The dwarfs stood as one and answered in the affirmative with a goodly number of oaths and bodily noises thrown in for good measure. Durin smiled. It was good to have more of his kin about - eased the lonliness.

"Aye lads, good. Well ye've got a choice afore ye. Ye get two trial. Ye choose one an' ah choose th' other. Ye kin choos th' trial of th' hunter, th' trial of th' warrior, th' trial of th' gatherer, or th' trial of th' diplomat. Now... whadder ye be choosin?"

Durin waits patiently as his kin consider their options.

[mrieder79]

Four figures strode through the blizzard, bent against the wind. Lhadian Forkbeard, Sirka Ironfaar, Fade Druhan, and Durin Ironfaar trudged forward toward their goal. An icy blue structure of great stone blocks loomed before them. Movement flickered in the distance and a blast of ice and sleet pelte the dwarves.

"Wiiizerd! Gittem lads!"

The four dwarves charged the guards of the fortress and began hacking and slashing, roling and dodging among the treetrunk-like legs of the mammoth frost giants. The dwarves cut hamstrings and smashed kneecaps in their fury. They were not unscathed. Many times they were thrown to the snow by mighty blows from the giants' fists and hammers, but each time they sprung to their feet and darted back at the beasts. After a few minutes the conflict was over and the massive bodies of the guards lay sprawled on the ground ,the snow already beginning to cover their bluish skin.

Sirka prayed to the dwarven gods and the myriad of wounds the giants inflicted on the group healed quickly and completely. A few wordless nods and the four headed for the door, then into the darkness beyond.

The dwarves were surprised, impressed even, at the fine giant craftmanship, though their pride would never let them utter such sentiments aloud. The great hall was immense with a vaulted ceiling reaching up and out of sight and massive pillars cunningly carved and inlaid with reliefs and runes. Halls spread out in every direction - empty halls.

"Oi... where they all be?" Lhadian tugged at his forked beard, the hallmark of his clan, as he looked about.

"Heh.. guess we be scarin' em all away lads! Ohooohoohooo!" Durin's harsh laughter echoed through the empty halls. He shrugged and started off down the nearest corridor.

"Mebbe th' giants be havin ale!" Fade mused as he finished off the drink in his flask and looked sorrowfully at the empty container.

"Aye, imagine th' size o' th' kegs lads! Ohoohoohooo!"

"Ah'd still be drinkin it all!" Boasted Lhadian.

The dwarves laughed uproariously despite their surroundings. Their mirth soon drew the ire of the keep's inhabitants as a trio of warriors charged at them, brandishing immense axes and hammers. Waiting until the last minute, the four dwarves scattered about the feet of the brutes then reformed their fighting wedge on the other side, each landing blows on the back of the giants' legs and feet. An axe severed a heel cord and one giant stumbled to it's knees. Durin and Lhadian were upon it in the blink of an eye, timing their blows to land on the beasts neck and head simultaneously. The great giant stiffened, then fell lifeles to the floor. The remaining two giants were more cautious then. They worked in unison just as the dwarves did. Both sides landed heavy blows on their opponents, but eventually with the healing magics of Sirka, the dwarves overcame the giants. Laying them low with mighty axe strokes.

Turning from the three corpses, the dwarves noted an immense door which was opened a few feet. Fade cut straight for it.

"Treasure lads! Ah kin smell it!"

"WAIT LAD!"

Durin cried out a warning as he glimpsed several giants and what appeared to be a serpentine tail in the room beyond. The warning came too late and Fade slumped to the floor as powerful magics stunned him and caused a whilrwind of light and smoke to appear in the chamber. The three remaining dwarves charged fearlessly into the fray.

As Durin crossed the threshold of the door even his unshakable spirit sunk. Before him lay four massive and heavily armed guards, a great winged beast he could only suppose was a dragon, and the largest giant he had ever seen. It was easily a head taller than the others and its steps thundered as its ironshod boots sent tremors through the heavy stone of the floor. Lhadian and Sirka headed directly for the biggest giant and Durin veered toward the winged creatures. The fighting was intense and fierce the blood of giant, serpent, and dwarf mixed freely on the floor in great pools. Sirka called great divine magic down to heal the four dwarves again and again, bringing them back from wounds that were mortal. It was a stalemate for many minutes with each side landing and receiving blows, but no clear advantage being gained. Finally, the serpent lunged at Durin, miscalculating the agility of the stout dwarf. Durin rolled under the creature's maw and brought the point of his axe up under it's chin, using the beast's momentum to drive it deeply into it's neck. The beast roared, then trembled. It began to spin wildly and even swept two of the giants from their feet, momentarily disabling them and allowing the other three dwarves to dispatch them. The serpents convulsions eventually became spasmodic heaves, then quivers, then it lay still.

Durin turned his attention to the large giant. Working together, the four dwarves began to wound the behemoth. Blood soon covered its legs and boots from dozens of wounds, yet it showed no sign of pain or tiring.

After landing a brutal blow on it's shin, Fade shouted. "Tisn't going down lads! Whadderwe do?"

At that moment, one of the giant guards landed a blow directly on Sirka's helm, dropping him to the floor. Seein his kin wounded and one down, Durin began to yell.

"Run lads! Ruuuuuuun!"

During loosed a flurry of blows so fierce that even the massive giant withdrew a few steps. The reprieve allowed fade to grab Sirka under the arms and pull him behind the dead serpent, where he tended his wounds with enchanted salves and bandages, reviving him. Lhadian redoubled his efforts, refusing to flee the field of battle. The two dwarves worked together, trading blows with the great giant, but were soon surrounded by the other two guards. Seeing their kin hard pressed, Fade leapt utop the fallen serpent, and pulled the revived, but still wounded and limping, Sirka with him. The two each waited until the giants were in range and leapt through the air, swinging their axes in great overhead arcs. The axes connected with a crack as of ice splitting. The larger of the two guards fell awkwardly into the other, pinning him momentarily. Lhadian seized the moment and hacked at the disabled giant's throat, ending his struggles.

The four dwarves then surrounded the immense giant. Taking hideous wounds, Durin and Lhadian were near exhaustion when the giant raised its axe overhead and froze. The four dwarves stopped their movement and watched, breathlessly, as the weight of the axe carried the giant over backwards. He fell with a resounding crash followed by silence broken only by the heavy breathing of the four dwarves.

"We.... we did it lads!" Durin leaned heavily on his axe.

"Aye.. ye did good Ironfaar, ye did good." Lhadian clapped him on the shoulder.

Fade was silent as he tended to Sirka's wounds. After several tense minutes the tough priest roused.

"Oi.. did ye find their ale yet lads?"

The three dwarves roared with laughter and relief. Soon Sirka was on his feet and the four searched the room. They pillaged the king's treasury and took the gold, dividing it evenly among them. Durin put his share in a separate pouch, pledged for the construction of the new Kraak Helzak clanhome in the Troll Claw Hills.

Exhausted but victorious, the four dwarves made their way out of the keep without incident and fought their way back to the town of Nashkell where they boasted of their exploits over far, far too many rounds of ale. It was in the wee hours of the morning that the kind bartender laid four woolen blankets over the snoring dwarves sprawled on the tavern floor.

[mrieder79]

The four initiates stood outside the Friendly Arm Inn before Durin Ironfaar. They shuffled and look about as they were presented with their choices.

"Ye kin be choosin th' trial of th' warrior, th' trial of th' hunter, th' trial of th' gatherer or th' trial of th' diplomat. Whichun ye be choosin, lads?"

Jibar Batstix was the first to respond. "Th' trial of th' warrior o' carse!"

The others nodded in agreement. Durin smiled approvingly. "Very well lad. Then ah be choosin' yer other trial, and that be th' trial of th' diplomat! Ohooohooohohooo!"

The others looked uncertain about what Durin could mean by diplomacy, but they soon forgot about it as Durin began walking quickly to the south.

"C'mon lads. We got lots o' ground t' be coverin!"

Azric Redaxe, a veteran dwarf warrior, and Pate, an archer and fried of Durin's came along to watch and assist in the initiation ritual. The journey south was uneventful. A small group of misguided goblins attempted to ambush the company of adventuers but were soon dropped by Pates arrows and the dwarves' mighty axes.

They arrived in the mining town of Naskel after several days of walking. At the town gates, Durin turned to the group.

"Initiates step forward!"

Jibar Batstix, Grukar, Tordak, and Glatilian stepped forward. Durin produced four glass jars from his pack and offered one to each of the recruits. They took them with puzzled expressions. In the background Pate, who knew Durin well, chuckled.

"I think I know where this is going!"

"Now look lads. We be doin' yer test in th' giant hills. Ahm expectin each of ye t' be killin a giant on yer own. Pate, Azrak, and Ah be helpin t' make sure th' buggars nae be gangin up on ye. Once ye've killed yer giant, ye go and find a big, fresh, steamy mound o' giant shiite an put it in yer jar, then stopper it. Ye'll see why later."

Durin concluded his speech with a low chuckle. Pate was laughing out loud and Azrak was smiling and nodding.

"Aye... this be a right proper initiation lads! Right proper!"

The company made their way through the quite streets, beyond the iron mine, and to the massive gate leading to the wilderness beyond. The cold wind howled down from the cloudpeaks and the sound of wild creatures could be heard in the distance. The four initiates looked to Durin, who nodded, and then they all proceeded through the gate.

Tordak was quick to notice the track of a giant.

"Here we be lads! Here we be!" He grinned and moved quickly in the steps of the great creature, noting the signs of its passing. The rest of the group followed behind, but at a respectable distance as this was to be Tordak's kill. The dwarf rounded a bend and came to a small rock outcropping. The dwarf fell to his belly and crawled around, shielding himself behind the stone. Peering to the side, he saw the great beast picking its nose with a sizeable tree branch.

"Oi! Whadderye diggin for up there ye big ugly?"

The giant nearly drove the branch into its own brain as it jumped in surprise. It turned to see Tordak standing and on the edge of hysterics at the sight of the giant looking down at him with a tree branch lodged firmly in it's nose. He quit laughing soon enough as the giant reached for a dwarf-sized boulder and hurled it at him. A quick step and roll moved Tordak out of harms way and the boulder shattered on the stone outcropping. The giant followed soon after, swinging a crude club. Tordak moved in and around the stone outcropping, using the spires as shields against the blow. Again and again the giant swung his heavy club, failing to hit the dodging dwarf each time. Minutes passed and the giants swings came more slowly and more predictably.

Watching from several furlongs away, Durin nodded approvingly.

"See how he tires th' big dolt, lads? That be th' smart way t' be doin it. Let th' giant beat himself, then ye finnish 'em."

Indeed, that is what Tordak did. The giant swung again in his predictable fashion, but this time the dwarf did not roll to the side. Instead he darted forward quickly and severed the giant's left hamstring with a mighty backhand stroke. The giant howld and fell to the ground, losing his grip on his club. Seizing the moment, Tordak doubled back and with a mighty two-handed swing, brought his axe down upon the giant's neck, ending its struggles.

Shouts of approval and congradulations erupted from the group.

"Aye! Good bashin lad! That be th' way!"

Gnarled hands clapped Tordak on the shoulder and Pate nodded, acknowledging the dwarf's fighting prowess.

"Jibar. Ye be next lad."

The dwarf stepped to the front of the formation and they continued their trek. Barely an hour had passed before they heard the sounds of fighting in the distance. Glances and nods were exchanged and the company ran cautiously toward the sounds. They moved in unison each member of the party covering the flank of the other. Pate moved from shadow to shadow, watching for any beast that may try to surprise the group.

They came upon a clearing to find a giant standing over a humanoid figure on the ground. Without hesitating, Jibar charged. There was no cover for him to use, so he was forced to use his axe and shield to attempt to deflect the blows of the great behemoth. As he fought, Durin and Azrak drug the figure to safety. The human was badly wounded but not dead. Tordak applied healing poutrices to his wounds and with the help of Glatilian he carried the unconscious figure back toward Nashkel. Durin and Azrak noted with approval the actions of the two Dwarves, for they had elected to save the human and forefit the remainder of their initiation rites. Durin decided that when he again saw them, they would be givin another chance at initiation, if they desired it.

The human tended to, the three remaining members of the group turned their attention back to the battle. Hard pressed by the giant's mighty blows, Jibar worked his way around to the ground which had been slickened by the blood of the fallen human. Jibar appeared to stumble momentarily, clutching at his side. The giant lunged toward him, meaning to finish the dwarf. At the last minute Jibar rolled to the side. When the giant tried to follow, his right foot slipped on the slick ground and he fell heavily onto his shoulder. Jibar was on the brute in an instant, swinging wildly with two hands. The blows were born of determination and will and soon the giant lay still.

Cries went up from the party, but not of congradulations.

"Look out lad!"

Jibar turned to see a massive brute with a spiked club raised overhead, ready to strike. Something whistled through the air over the exhausted dwarfs head and struk the giant in the right armpit, lodging there. The giant's right arm dropped limply to it's side, the nerves having been severed and Jibar was able to dodge the club as it fell loudly to one side.

Grukar charged then, empty handed after throwing his waraxe at the giant. He hit the giant in the knees, causing him to stumble and fall to one knee. Thinking quickly, Jibar threw his own axe to Grukar.

"Grukar! Axe!"

Without looking, the burly dwarf caught the axe in mid stride and raised it high over his head. The giant moved more quickly than Grukar had expected and a quick swipe of his uninjured arm threw Grukar to the ground a dozen feet away. The hearty dwarf rolled to absorb the blow and stood again, waiting, taunting the giant with leering gestures. The gian howled and charged. Expecting a trick, the giant stopped at the last minute and reached low, expecting to catch the dwarf in mid roll. Grukar, however, was not there. The dwarf had worked himself into a maddened frenzy and had charged straight toward the beast. With strength bolstered by his fury, he cleaved his axe deep into the beasts left leg, nearly severing the knee. The beast lurched sideways and fell awkwardly, catching himself with his left arm. The giant's right side was exposed and its limp right arm was unable to block the blows that Grukar rained down upon it. Soon this giant was laying still near the other.

"Good wark lads! Good wark!" Durin veritably howled with glee at the performance of the young dwarven warriors.

"Cmon lads. Lets be gettin ye back to town."

Azrak motioned with his head as he spoke, gesturing toward Nashkel.

"Ohooohoohoo! Nae so fast me kin! Nae so fast! We got one more bit o' business t' be doin!" As he laughed, Durin motioned toward the empty glass jars in each of the initiate's packs.

"Got t' be gittin' our special sauce!"

Pate grinned and the other dwarves shrugged and the company continued on in search of fresh giant dung. With the large population of giants, it did not take the company long to come across an ample mound of the desired substance. Even the surly dwarves were a little daunted by the smell as they used sticks to shovel the disgusting material into the bottles and quickly stopper them and return them to their packs before heading back toward Nashkel and then the Friendly Arm Inn.

A week later found the company standing before the darkness of the Wood of Sharp Teeth. Durin addressed the initiates again.

"Now lads. We be ready for th' trial of th' diplomat. Ye see, there be a stinkin orc tribe what be livin in a cave in th' wood here. And there be one orc in particular that ah be knowing of what be in need of a good bit of dwarven diplomacy. He be a wizzerd of sorts and be thinkin that he be pretty smart. Ahm thinking he needs t' be brought down a few notches lads."

Durin grinned and raised a jar of the giant dung. The dung had been fermenting in the jar for the entire trip from Nashkell. Durin had instructed the group to leave it in the sun for maximum effect. Jibar had uncorked one of the bottles curiously, but replaced it after nearly gagging from the smell. Pate caught a whiff and did not eat for the rest of the day.

"Dwarven diplomacy lads."

Grins and chuckles spread as the idea became clear to them.

"Whad ye be doin is to go in th' cave. Find this wizzerd orc and let him have it!"

He demonstrated a throwing motion with the jar. Pate ducked behind a tree just in case, never fully trusting the Durin and his constant pranks.

"Its shiite throwin time lads!" Jibar headed off into the wood and the rest followed, Chuckling to themselves.

They made it to the cave unhindered. The orcs were out on a hunting party, apparently, as many tracks could be seen leading deeper into the wood. Entering the cave, the Dwarves quickly made their way through the tight passages, at home underground. The dwarves moved quickly, their keen sense of direction leading them. Left, right, right, left. They turned and moved quikcly, forcin Pate to hurry just to keep them in sight. Six more turn and then a pale purple light could be seen around a bend in a tunnel up ahead.

"Here it be lads. Just like ah told ye! Now ye know what t' do! Go! go! go!"

Grinning and hooting like animals, the dwarves, followed by Pate, leapt into the chamber. An orc dressed in robes, with bizarre items braided into its hair looked up from a cauldron. Shock turned to sickness when the first of the vials of giant dung exploded on the stone beneath its feet. Fetid green feces flew everywhere, coating the walls and the orc alike. The orc began to shake, then heave and vomit convulsively. The smell completely overpowering even his primitive sensibilities. The dwarves howled and pointed, nearly falling over each other in delight. Their mirth finally subsided sufficiently to allow Pate to convince them to leave before the rest of the clan returned. They left the unfortunate orc shaman wallowing on the ground, dazed and unwell.

A day of travel brought them back to the gates of the inn.

"Well lads. Ye did it. Ye be one of us now. Yer part of Kraak Helzak."

The two dwarves looked at each other proudly and took the ceremonial vows of loyalty to the king. Durin clapped them on the shoulder and the four retired to the inn for a long night of drinking, tale-telling, and laughing.

[mrieder79]

The war over, the dwarves of Kraak Helzak returned to the north and to their newly claimed territory in the troll claw hills. The scouts and a few groups of warriors arrived first to push back the trolls that had moved into the area in their absence. The small contingent of guards and sentinels rejoiced to see their kin return.

Work would now continue on their new clanhome. The dwarves would have a home once again.

Work parties were formed and warbands organized. Durin Ironfaar, Guruk, Jibar Batstix, Torrdak, Brunhilda, and a human named Pate made their way among the crags and rocks of the hills. Their goal was to push back the trolls and gather hides for sale to the inhabitants of Baldurs Gate and the surrounding cities. They were not disappointed. They encountered several bands of trolls which soon fell to the prowess of the group. They returned late in the day, laden with the hides of trolls. Their kin nodded and smiled in approval, noting the names of the warriors who had accomplished such deeds.

[Maverick 40]

An old and gray bearded dwarf could be seen walking the streets of Baldur's Gate. Wasn't long before someone mentioned rumors of a clan called Kraak Helzak in the Elfsong pub.

"Pups!", he exclaims, then spits on the floor and pounds back his ale.

[mrieder79]

Bonds have again been strengthened between the dwarven clan of Kraak Helzak and the elven tribe of En Dharasha Everae. It came to the attention of Durin Ironfaar that two guards, Guruk and Torrrdak, failed to report for their guard positions. Knowing them to be reliable and capable warriors, he inquired into the matter and soon learned that the pair was last seen heading north to the Boarskyr Bridge several days before.

Durin set out immediately. On the way, he enlisted the help of a young elven tracker and a priestess of the tribe, Amarven. They soon followed the trail to a forbidding cave near the high moors. The scout was forced to return to the En Dharasha camp as he had pressing matters, leaving only Durin and Amarven. The elven priestess called upon the powers of the Seldaring which warded and empowered the pair. Blazing with divine power, they disappeared into the inky darkness of the fell corridors.

Beasts of darkness and magic assaulted them at every turn. Durin and Amarven wrought destruction among them, protected by Amarven's powerful wards and bolstered by her spells. They drove deep within the hills to a great cavern and were surrounded by a horde of trolls and whirling creatrues of wind and energy. They struck blow after blow until the cave was filled with syrupy green ichor. As their last foe fell to the ground, Durin's keen dwarven eyes penetrated the darkness and saw, propped in a corner, two lifeless bodies. He rushed to them and confirmed their identity - Grukar and Torrrdak. He wondered at their ability to explore so deeply, but did not voice his surprise. Instead he yelled back to Amarven.

"OI! This be them lass. Let's be gittin' th' lads t' safety!"

They pressed onward with weapons at the ready, but they were unopposed and soon they saw the late afternoon light filtering in an abandoned mineshaft. They managed to haul the intert dwarves and themselves through the narrow passage and out into the light. Wasting no time, Amarven again called upon her gods and a light encased the fallen. Tense minutes passed, but when the light abated, the two Dwarves gasped for breath and opened their eyes. They looked about unseeing and soon fell into a deep sleep, snoring loudly.

Durin chuckled with relief and quickly crafted a crude travois from nearby deadfall. With the help of Amarven, the bizarre procession began its long treck back to the fortress of the dwarves.

[mrieder79]

The bulk of the dwarven forces having returned, regular patrols have resumed in the Troll Claw hills. The dwarves systematically push the trolls back to their caves and mark areas rich in ore and game. Most importantly, the sounds of cutting and shifting rock has resumed from the new clanhold. Work on Kraak Helzak has resumed.

[mrieder79]

Two new initiates to the clan of Kraak Helzak prepares for his rites of passage. Durin Ironfaar is to administer them. Durin makes it known to clan members and close friends of the dwarves that they are welcome to participate in the initiation.

///Wednesday night at 2000 eastern standard time.

[mrieder79]

After braving the wood of sharp teeth, then engaging in some dwarven "diplomacy" with the orc shaman and chief, four new dwarves have proven themselves worthy of the dwarven kingdom of Kraak Helzak: Telinus Axegrinder, Lhadian Forkbeard, Bruthek, Olaf Greenleaf.

[Assad]

Kelburn Ironfaar arrives at the construction site of the new stronghold after being away for many months. As he walks around he greets many of his old friends and seems excited about the progress that is being made. After resting for a day due to his long journey, he is seen leaving with a group of dwarves to patrol for trolls in the area.

[Assad]

After a few days of not being seen, Kelburn and the dwarves he left with return to the construction site with a massive troll head. One of the dwarves steps forward and drops the head on the ground.

"Chief of one of da tribes! We got 'em on der heels!"

A cheer goes up among those gathered while Kelburn smiles quietly, his fingers running along the blade of his gilded dragon ax.

[mrieder79]

A large gathering of dwarves descends upon the Friendly Arm Inn for a meeting. Bentley and his cooks are hard-pressed to satiate their seemingly endless appetite for meat and ale. Other patrons may have heard mention of work on the new northern clanhold and multiple references to "bashing", "ale", and "pickled orc feet".