Runes of Tharim

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Unlike his clumsy and poor common grammar, language he only ever learned to speak. Tharim’s memo is written in flowing and quite decent dwarvish. It is a heavy book bound in leather cover. He keeps it in a small locked iron case along with a quill and some ink. It is always at his posession, though hidden among his other belongings. He tends to write in it when he feels so and in no particular order.



Entry I

“It has been so long, so long last time I gazed on the rugged peaks of Galena, hear the hammering in its mighty halls and behold the precious gifts of metal and jewels Dumathoin blesses her with. Years of travel wear me off, more than anything I wish to see my kin again. Feel my pickaxe strike the rock and reveal yet another silver vein, while we sing a merry song that would be more precious than thousand diamonds for my ears now. Such a simple existence, and I so miss it now. I would rate those years priceless. I mined and worked most of my life and to think how long it felt back then. This years, out of those tunnels and furnaces, feel so much longer. Ten years since I left my home… Ten years. I turn 78 this year, if I have been counting right, and I only wander how long I will keep this hopeless search up. How I curse those days for my arrogance, when I swore on my own blood and Glandeggin that I would avenge her death. How I miss you Gilbera, dear wife. I still wake during the night to the nightmare and sight of you on my arms, when the warriors brought your body from that failed journey. You were dead and cold, the fiery spark of life on your eyes dimmed forever. Your dance was like Sharindlar herself, and no finer gemcutter have I seen in my life. Now only thing I have to remember you by, is this amulet and my memories. I wear it all the time and never take it off, just so you know and like I promised. I only hope this long years does not get any longer, so I could one day see you again, finally, in the Dwarfhome.

But oath is oath, and as true Hillsafar I keep the promise. Now matter what a curse it may feel like. I can still feel the anger and confident I had back then. How I shouted at the whole clan how I would kill them all. See to their end, no matter what end might be mine and to hunt them down even to the very ending of the planes. Such strong words and I gave a seal of blood for Glandeggin. They all looked at me, silent, knowing what I just did and I knew what I did, at the time it seemed so right and it still does. Had I only known it was to be my last time to see my kin and friends. I still remember the words spoken to me by the council at the Gates: "Do not return until you have fullfilled you words Tharim. Only then can you return or you will live forever in shame. Hillsafars are dwarves of their words, even if those prove what they thought them would not." I remember being very humbeled to gain the attention of whole council to myself, and perhaps there was a sense of pride in me on that moment, but shame... Shame that is what this all is. All this years and no trace and no track. No nothing, but emptiness. I spent days on the sight where they were ambushed and slaughtered. I found nothing. The snow covered all the tracks, there was no survivors, and no one had a sight of the attacker. I traveled to my kin in the Bloodstone Mines, but no Orothiar had information on the events. They were only interested in the gargo of bloodstone that was to be deliver with the caravan to them. I hope that they eventually got it, so that even the purpose of that journey was fullfilled. I spent months on the wilds and Galenas rough mountainside. It was all cold and I fought countless goblins and orcs. I was certain they were responsible or the half-breed orcs North, but I found no evidence, only more death and dispair. Finally my heart and spirit was crumbeled and I gave up and left. I have been beaten many many times in my life, but that was the only defeat I couldn't almost bare. Tharim Hillsafar was only to remain in my heart from that day I passed the border of Vaasa. I was to be known as Thraim Straybeard and I set on the lands on my search and ready to go even across the planes if I have to for my goal and revenge.

I have traveled through many lands, and the journies have had their mark on me. Even one point I was almost forgetting my dwarf alphabet. I was so shocked when I though of a word and could not write it down, I bought this pages. I haven't used them much, but perhaps now it is time. Countless battles have hardened me. Oh how my old teacher back at home halls would jump in joy with me and my axe now. He always thought of me warrior, and perhaps I have the trait, though it came with a cost when I lost my right eye in Cormyr. The pain, I can remember the pain as it was stitch closed in the field... I cannot write it in words, it was so unbearable.
And now the coast of the sea has stopped my way and search and we'll see if this dwarf turns around or keeps going."

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Entry II

"Scum... All scum. It seems this cursed coast is filled with petty pickpockets and bandits. I have been robbed at least two times by some idiot Hins. Hal-Orcs run wild at cities, seen even a few fullblood ones. This humans are imbeciles allowing such filth in their cities. I respect their law, so I will try to not fight in them. Even I have my limits at times. It is human law and I don't give nothing for breaking it if some orc comes to and talks to me like that one yesterday. Damned bandits are everywhere. As I understand it the Flaming Fist should be patrolling the roads. They are doing miserable job at that, but then again what can a human do right. Met a few good warriors among them yes with some sense in their heads, but they are in the minority for sure. One human even challenged me to a drinking contest. Said he once outdrank a dwarf. He must have battle a gnome, because as proper dwarf I am, he did not stand a chance. Earned good hunderd gold too.

At least I have some dwarves to live with. Ironfaars have proven good allies and faithfull friends. All I expect from a stand up dwarves. This trouble with the chieftan is troubling and I have yet to meet him in person. If I ever get such honor, but first this have to be solved. I have looked everywhere for clues or hints. So far I'm at loss. This things are beyond me, so I have placed my faith in Glandeggin and prayfor him to spare Korgoth of this maddness. The dwarves in the corridors are silent and ale is drank with a sad song. It seem the Ironfaars will have to refer to humans or someone else. The clericy cannot cure him it seems. Even the Sonnlinors don't know what to do. We have talked about this with few dwarves and opinions vary. Fognar mentioned there something about that Candelkeep. I suppose it might be the only way, still I would place any dwarf in the hands of some wizards. Since when they have done any good to anybody, but their greedy selfs. Perhaps the knights of Radiant Heart might know something. Suppose this is their field of experties. If I had to chooce from the two, I would turn on the Radiants. At least they might keep their word and promises, but I'm sure Captain Gullykan knows what to do."

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Entry III

"The situation with Korgoth remains intact. Some humans have already given their advice and aid on the matter I hear. So it comes to that at last. I trust in the wisdom of this decisions of Ironfaar. Suffice to say, it is not my place to judge them on their actions. I'm not one of their clan.
I, on the other hand, feel certain familiar urge and calling in my heart again. Something I have not felt since my brief time in the human land of Cormyr. I have seen the giant kind behind the walls of Nashkel. Fight them various times. The endless waves of this ancient enemy makes blood boil in my veins. My heart pulses with anger for the very excistance of them. Their endless and mindless waves clash to the wall build by my borthers. How the human warriors fight to defend the town they recently fought back from the cursed invaders, along with some brave or perhaps stupid enough adventures. I have walked in the Cloud peaks and seen the giants there that lurk on the cold pass or their freezing fortress. The cold only brought memories of home back to my mind. It remains the only good thing I found up there for myself. All this fuels my faith in the Twin-axe and now it seems this wandering dwarf has to do his duty for the second time. I call this what I feel a start fot the The Days of Vengeacefull Axe. I'm not exactly sure what the right name is, but the name doesn't matter. A wandering follower of Silverbeard knows the time when it calls. A dangerous period of time in any traveling dwarf way, it is a strike of feeling when a stout sees his enemy doing his foul deeds in numbers. Soon I will take and stock my supplies and head in solitude among the giantkin and slay as many as I can. Should I come down there alive is a sign of Glandeggin being my side. Should I not... I will take my place in the dwarfhome along with my beloved Gilbera... Gilbera how I miss you so now. Makes my thoughts divided. Perhaps a failure in this would not be such a bad thing... Curses! Brace yourself Tharim and bare not such thoughts.
The wound and cost of the last call still remind me today. It was glorious I admit, though the payment for it was heavy. The cursed hobgoblin took my eye. What a berserk it was... I don't even remember half of the battle behind my bloodthirsty eyes. I slew them in numbers and would have died was it not for the human priests that had followed me in their curiosity. I only remember the gauntlet symbol on their chest and I have seen it before. I was able to see it then when they treated my dire wounds. Otherwise they covered it with their cloaks and didn't show it to me. It is one of the few time I have given a promise to a human, and they asked nothing in turn for saving my life. I was humbeled and confused at that moment. I would have never expected such act from any tall one for a dwarf. At that moment I admited that there is honor in some humans, a valuable and hard learned lesson perhaps. My other eye remains sharper than ever, and I'm not about to loose it. I will hymn the tunes, give my prayers to Glandeggin and strike a blow on his enemies."

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Entry IV

"Soon it is time. I will take my time and self and smite Glandeggins enemies to the very core. I have prepared and I'm as ready as I can be. It is time to finish that what is to come. I have prayed and I'm confident, but even during my prayer my thought wanders to you Gilbera, beloved wife. I find it hard to focus sometimes. It all is so hard every damn day. I feel like a hollow vessel that keeps going for unreachable destination. I sometimes find myself just staring at the fire in the hall of my kin, my hand holding the seal of our eternal union around my neck. Ale left untouched a few times, thought I make sure none of Ironfaar sees it, as I only memorize the golden times I had back home with you and my true friends and kin. Gems... Precious and sparkling gifts of Dumathoin. Little things only use to make it worse. They always reminded me of your fathers chambers, fine forges and you with the ever glimmering stones in different colors and shapes. How you shaped them with such skill and the magnificent items they were attached to. The greatest of your work hanging around my neck and it's counterpart in your cold and silent tomb. I use to sell all gemstones of any worth as quickly as possible or just leave them behind as I found them with a bitter grunt, but recently it is not so. Instead the more I have them the more they warm my hallow heart. I feel like I need them all. Their shape and shine remind me of you. Perhaps tonight is not time for Lord of the Twin-axe. Tonight I look to my old patron, The Silent Keeper, with a warm thoughts instead of golden yet painful memories that I use to shape in the past hailing your name in my mind and prayer."