The Dwarf's Tale

[Ebannon]

PART I

An toothy grin spreads across the dwarf's face. "Well lad, I hope I haven't lightened your coin purse too gravely, but a dwarf never turns down a free drink."
The grin subsides to a warm smile as the dwarf, sets down another empty mug, wiping foam away with the back of a mailed hand.
"You've kept your end of the bargain, and so will I -- you buy the ale and I tell the tale, and I have a fine one to tell at that!"
"This be a tale of the great Derrodohnyx Shalemallus, the founder of our clan; a tale told to me by my father and his father before him of how old 'Onyx (as he was known to you tall folk) became blooded to an elder Wyrm..."

"It was many lifetimes ago, even for us dwarves, that 'Onyx lead those that would become the first of my clan into the northern Kor mountains to carve out a new and magnificent home under the earth. Four years they wandered amongst the crags, weathering the seasons and beasts, searching for what they might make their home. In the fourth year they discovered a mountain with veins of smooth rock, black like water on a moonless night. A mountain warmed by the fiery blood of the earth, and protected from the biting snows of winter. My ancestors named the mountain Magnukar... The Black Hearth, and 'Onyx declared that the search for a home was over. In the next decades, skilled dwarven laborers built the great halls and thick gates of our clan hall, Derrothurnin. The first of many generations were born under ts high stone , and the halls began to fill with life. At last the Shalemallus clan had a home."

"Seasons passed, tinges of white began to creep into 'Onyx black beard, and Derrothurnin, despite its isolation, thrived under the wise guidance of its great founder. However, my ancestors were to discover that they were not quite as isolated as they had once thought."

The dwarf pauses as the barmaid clears the table, and sets down fresh mugs.
The wide grin appears again, "Thank ya, lass!"
Draining the mug, the dwarf turns back to you, and you notice for the first time that odd light that dances and plays in the dwarf's eyes like fire reflected on a black mirror.

"With the prosperity of Derrothurnin, the halls had to be expanded, and new tunnels were dug deep into the heart of Magnukar. It was one of these tunnels that came upon a vast set of caverns under the base of our clan home. Uneasy at this new discovery, 'Onyx set a band of our finest into the caverns to explore its secrets and charged them to return and tell the clan of what lie beneath our home. The scouts never returned."

The dwarf tips back another large swallow from his mug, and his features harden.

"It was soon thereafter that the first of the raids occurred. From the depths of the caverns came elves... ELVES mind you, living under the mountain! Not like the fair elves of this land, they had dark skin, and even darker hearts. The unwary were killed, taken as thralls.. or worse. But the Shalemalluses are not mewing kittens, we fought back, and as time passed an uneasy border established, dividing Magnukar between dwarf and elf. The two races stood at a stalemate for years; minor skirmishes keeping peace ever out of reach....
...and then the dragon came."

The dwarf, leans back in his chair, obviously enjoying his role as tale teller, and looks at you his eyes shimmering again with that strange firelight.

"She was a beast of legend, a creature the like that even the oldest of my kin cannot claim to have seen. She was carried on wings of deep crimson that eclipsed the sky when she took flight and armored in layers of scale each hard as mithril red as fresh blood. Deadly sharp spires of bone jutted from her joints and down the length of her back, each black and glassy like the stones of Magnukar itself... And it was a she mind you, for as our scouts learned, she settled at the top of our mountain, attracted by the Black Hearth's glowing warmth and gave birth to a glistening clutch of wyrmspawn-eggs."

The dwarf drains the remainder of his mug and continues...

"In this great beast the enemies below saw their chance to break the stalemate. They sent their stealthiest through secret tunnels to the fiery crater at the top of Magnakur and secreted away the great Wyrm's brood back to the underdark, leaving behind a crippled dwarven thrall. From the sounds of hatred and rage that echoed from above my clansman's head it can only be imagined what horror the creature must have done to that poor soul left behind. The beasts fury turned to the gates of Derrothurnin, as she searched for her lost children, but my clansman are renown even among dwarves for their skill at stonecraft -- the gates shook to their foundations but held fast."

The strange look passes over the dwarf's face, and his dark eyebrows raise apologetically.
"' 'Scuse me for a moment lad, I've got to return some of this ale..."
The dwarf winks at you and walks a wavering path outside the door of the inn. After a moment you catch the sounds of an argument outside the walls of the inn, the dwarf's loud voice muffled, but distinct can be heard...

"Wh- well how was I to know?!?"
...
"Oh, and I suppose you've never pi-"
...
"FIFTY COIN!?! I'm not paying tha-"
...
"Fine, ya ugly bugger, take yer fine and I hope ya choke on it!"

The dwarf storms back in the door, visibly red in the face.
Cursing under his breath you hear, " human cities bah... if there wasn't so much water in this ale this wouldn't be a problem in the first place."

"So where was I? Oh yes, so there the Shalemalluses were, trapped between a dragon's fury on one side, and the dark elves below..."

Part II

You hear the the wood groan as the dwarf settles the considerable weight of his broad, heavily armored frame onto the barstool, ready to continue the tale.

"The dwarfs of Derrothurnin held for weeks pinned between a terror known only from legend, and the cruel guile of the dark elves. The screams of the first dwarves foolhardy enough to leave the protection of the clan hall were enough to make apparent to 'Onyx that the dragon would never relent until she saw the dwarves rendered and their charred remains scattered to the winds-- after all, what are the passing of years to a dragon? And so, 'Onyx set his clansmen to action: the warriors to fortify the lower border against the dark elves, the craftsmen to the smithies, and the stonecutters to the main hall.

Months passed and the Shalemallus clan grew steadily weaker. As those wounded by elven border raids were pulled back the stock of healthy reserves dwindled. Unable to venture outside the gates, the food stores depleted. The clan grew lean and desperate for supplies."

The reappearance of the dwarf's smile startles you, and with mild embarrassment you realize a look of concern has crept unconsciously to your face.
"Now, don't fret lad," the dwarf chuckles, "ol 'Onyx had a plan you see."

"Remember, the Shalemalluses had been busy: widening the great hall, turning every available scrap of ore into chain and gear, in short turning their home into a trap large enough to snare the great beast perched above their heads. And so, as the lean months carried on, and it seemed as if the clan could hold out no more 'Onyx ordered that the great gates of Derrothurnin be thrown open."

The dwarf turns to call to the barmaid, eliciting another groan from the stool.
"Oi! 'scuse me Love, could you bring me another mug of this hog-wash... er... horse-water... well whatever its called one for me, and another for me friend here."
The dwarf furrows his brow, purses his lips, and nods as if a matter of great importance has just been decided then resumes the tale.

"The grinding of the heavy gates being raised was met by the the airy sound of immense wings taking flight. The dwarves of Derrothurnin waited beyond the great hall watching the shadow of the Wyrm as it circled above deciding what to make of this new happening. The months had done naught but harden the hatred the beast held for those that had taken her children, and when the Shalemalluses bellowed forth a battlecry, the dragon, blinded by rage dove through the wide gates and into the great hall."

"Then, CRASH!!! ..."

You jump as the dwarf smashes his fist into the table, sending empty mugs rattling to the floor. Master Roggins casts a perturbed look at your table, but the dwarf seems not to notice.

"... stone counterweights fell as the dwarves' trap was sprung! Rough stone blocks thick as houses sealed off the dragon from further entrance. Almost in unison the gates of Derrothurnin swung shut, trapping the serpent in the great hall. She lashed and fumed, and raked her black claws against the rock of Magnakur. The stones of the hall glowed orange from the heat of her dragon fire, but above her fury could be heard a mighty voice..."

"Hear this monster! I am Derrodohynx of the Shalemallus clan! You have brought death and darkness to my people, but here in the halls of Derrothurnin you have met your end! Look above you and know that I speak the truth!"

The bar instantly quiets and, the dwarfs face sinks from beaming pride to a dark shade of crimson, as he realizes he has shouted these last words with unselfconscious bravado imagining himself as the legendary dwarf in his tale. All the eyes in the inn fall to your table with a mixture of barely contained bemusement and annoyance.

"Erm... uh.. wh-where was I..." stutters the dwarf.

[Ebannon]

Note:

This story is my attempt to give some backstory to Ebannon Shalemallus, my character in Dasaria, a dwarven red dragon disciple... while its going to be far fetched its almost going to HAVE to be to explain how a dwarf ended up with a dragon blood line. (Anything I come up despite being ludicrous with will be infinitely more plausible then a red dragon mating with a shield dwarf)

[ChikenKannon]

I'm enjoying this thuroughly (sp) and am looking forward to seeing how it actually came to fruition.

[Ebannon]

EDIT: Going to keep these all in the 1st post...

[ChikenKannon]

Oh comon! I can't be the only one who loves this! More! MOAR! MOAAAARR!!

[Wumpus Slayer]

Awesome story! Please do continue.

[Grayle]

Nice.

I'm enjoying your dwarfs enthusiastic nature, Ebannon. Do continue.

[Ron]

Very good.. I enjoy reading these..

[blackheart]

Very enjoyable, thank you.

[Ebannon]

I used to think this story was a little far fetched for the campaign... but lately a subterrean race stealing a dragon egg and a dwarf being tasked by the dragon to get it back seems oddly more plausible.

[Nemesis]

This is a REALLY good read!! Keep it coming.