The Eyes Beneath The Mountain

[raphel_gray]

Rumors begin to circulate amongst the people of Barak Runedar and beyond. Of activity upon the frozen mountainous isle. Memories harking back to the Winter War of many years past, perhaps awoken by the whispers of increased sightings of roaming bands of Orcs. Of the blue skinned creatures being sighted outside of their frigid forest, and even bodies of them discovered high up in the mountains. Those whom pass through the region would perhaps notice larger bands of the menace patroling the forests and lowlands, and of the sounds of industry, trees being felled and worked echoing about the snowy terrain. Finally, passing traders have spoken of a number of Longships, near the northern coast of the island, beyond the usual scale of the Northmen who dwell and fish those waters.

[A Majestic Dwarf]

The Kings eyes swept the fronteir from his vantage point from one of the northern port watchtowers, a favoured haunt of his from all his time in the hold. It offered a good view, and sometimes being able to see the world around you was all that mattered. Whurak was an old hand at this. He knew that war was coming, he could sense the storm on the horizon. Every time the orcs had attempted to take the hold or solidify their hold on their land they had felled more trees than usual. The Rumours of Orcs and Frost giants was worrying, but nothing new. This storm had played out in many different ways over the years, different tactics, different attempts, but each time there had been but a single outcome, the storm had broken upon the shields of the Dwarves. The Dwarven king trusted the shields of his kin, even more than he trusted the walls around the port in which he now stood, and he turned his eyes to the men gathering in the open space in the port below.

Two formations stood below him, One of Militia, one of Hearthguard. The Hearthguard already stood at attention, and as the Kings eyes swept over them he knew them all. Veterans all, of the Winter War, of the Arcanum War, of the countless frontier skirmishes that Barak Runedar had fought over the years. The Militia however, were a more unknown quantity. Many of the faces he knew, others were fresh faced youths, untested and unknowing of the ways of war and they chatted quietly amongst themselves. There was work to be done. As the formation noticed the King's gaze silence eventually fell and they too stood at attention.

"Right lads, Listen up!" The Dwarven king called out to his men, mostly looking to the Militia forces rather than the hearthguard. They knew what he was about to say, they were his army, and they knew him well. "Many o' ye may of heard, many o' ye may not. The Orc filth in the wilds, the Giants of the mountain; They be gathering, an we all know what happens when they do that. Soon they will be on tha march, an we will be on tha march ta meet em. We've beaten em before, and we will do it again, and we will beat em every time. Know why? Because we Samman, we work together, as one. We look out for our clansmen, we look out for our brothers to the left an to the right of us, we listen to orders from above, an by working as a cohesive unit, or shields form a wall stronger than any O stone, an our axes reap our foes like wheat before tha farmers scythe. But it requires work. So ye an I? We got work to do."

"SHIELDWALL!" He called after a moment, letting his little speech sink in. There was an explosion of motion, a clanking of shields and the shouting of officers as they relayed his command to their men. The Hearthguard, were like a well oiled machine, sliding into formation with a well practised ease. The Miltia however, were are little slower. They were not professional soldiers, they practiced with arms once or twice a week, and their training in formation was more rudimentary. Whurak climbed down the tower and walked the front of the shieldwall, inspecting it. He Reached out and shook a few of the shields, nodding with satisfaction before he spotted a weakpoint in the Militia's lines. A young dwarf stood by his father in the militia line and his sheild was not properly interlocked with those of his shield brothers. Whurak paused, before him and without ceremony or warning gave the young dwarves shield a swift and sudden barge of the shoulder, sending the young dwarf sprawling falling into those who made up the rank before him. Lying in the snow, he looked up at the King, bewildered perhaps afraid, only to see the King reaching down to help him up. A few swift pointers afterwards, he had them form up again.

It was going to be a long day....

[raphel_gray]

Those whom approach Barak Runedar over the next few days, find it strange. In a sense, of purpetual night. As off in the distance the mountain of Grumdek Murr, spews ash and soot high into the sky above the isle. The resultant frozen temperatures causing even the most hardened of the Dwarven and Human inhabitants to shiver. Something, has awoken the mountain, and reminded those who visit or dwell, that this island is one of fire as well as ice.

[Freaxxshow]

The Riptide - A large brig sailing under black flag - Docks at Barak Runedars harbor and its Crew spends a day or two resting and drinking in the Dwarven city, their tabs paid by Commodore Sykes.

Those talking to the crew may hear about them having "Dealt with a problem" for Barak, but they keep details to themselves no matter how drunk they get..

[Yimmi]

Certain chultan ranger has been a more common sight lately around the dwarven kingdom, keeping himself outside the walls most of the time and heading towards the wilderness and the mountain peak. Screams of orcs can be heard from the distance... also the howl of an uncommon beast for this lands can be heard just before the screms of the orcs begin. Those who venture to the snowed lands might find several corpses of orcs laying on the snow, dead and with arrows in key parts where their armour offer less cover and some where clawed and mauled. For those who have a keener eye for traking they might come to the conclusion that most of the orc groups have been ambushed and at least two attackers where involved.

After some days the ranger returns to the keep, sometimes carrying the head of the leaders of the warbands he can find, shows them to the guards and departs to the wilds again. Some of the guards might report that some reptilian creature joins him in the distance, before disappearing out of sight... Another night draws near and yet again the screams of the orcs can be heard.

[TheFish]

A Elven woman can be seen wandering around Barak Runedar, going deep within the frozen wastes. Dwarves on a quiet night can hear thunderous roars of a female woman breaking through the quiet night air, screams of giants, ice hulks and various other creatures seem to follow shortly after. Every so often, this pirate of the riptide, who was seen drinking at the city with them, brings back various massive animal hides, carcasses or horns, giving them to the city for "supplies". Around her neck was the glittering symbol of Selune, a holy symbol made from silver. Those who speak with her find her kind, and rather understanding of the dwarves traditions. When the riptide leaves after a few days, she oddly stays behind, wandering the wastes, the mountains and tunnels, seemingly searching for something.

[raphel_gray]

The Dwarves of Barak Runedar held a bittersweet and somber moment this day, as the long thought dead, Mithril guard, the guard of the King, returned to Barak Runedar. Dwarves were greeted by tearful loved ones, and consoled those of whom did not return to life. King Thunderhammer and Daern Greyhelm, accompanied by individuals described as Elwyn Sabel, Dante Adams, Richard Cole, and Vinny Shortwick accompanied the remains of those whom fell and could not be restored to life. Though a feast day had been marked for two days time, some small gatherings occured that evening, barrels tapped and meat cooked throughout the hold. Though a somber mood filled the hearts of many, many many more were filled with joy for the return of their kin.

[Yimmi]

The chultan ranger is still seen around outside the walls, his journeys to the wild frequent and bloody as orcs corpses pile under the snow. This time it seems he collaborates with the local raiders and rangers to scout the mountain and keep his eyes open for possible threats. Those who see him leaving into the peaks might realize that a reptilian creature, heavily warded to stand the cold, joins him in every hunting trip.

When not in the wilds his tent can be seen just outside the walls near the docks, if allowed to, otherwise he moves it just outside the range to not disturb the laws and ways of the dwarven people but not too into the wilds.

[Dicey13]

*The pungent smell of death and rot would fill the air surrounding Barak Runedar, a malevolent orcish whisper travels the land. Reports begin flooding in of increased orc activity in the region, frost giants have been spotted coming down from the mountains and even sightings of undead humans and orcs are being reported. Those visiting Brogenstein over the next few days would see the dwarves mobilizing, increased defensive measures seem to be initiated. Rumors stir among the Citadel of the absence of the King, who was due to return from a diplomatic mission to Mithral Hall. The absence of the King and the rising threat growing outside the walls causing unrest amongst the dwarven army as they prepare for what is coming warning all that pass through not to wander the wilds alone if at all. Those venturing out regardless would feel it, that eerie sense that something is lingering, waiting for the right moment...*

[Dicey13]

*Emissaries are dispatched to all those allied to Barak Runedar, the Queen is to make an announcement in a week's time and all those able to come are encouraged to do so she is also calling for aid from all dwarven kin and allies alike in an important mission.*

// Will be held Sunday, May 2nd @ 3:00pm EST scheduled to last two maybe three hours. Dwarves, allies to the Dwarves and any wishing to aid are more then welcome!

[TheFish]

A large white owl could be seen soring above Barak Runedar's sky before fluttering next to one of these said diplomats. Around him was a harness built specifically to hold letters in a scroll tube. Around his neck was a glimmering silver symbol to Selune. He chirped and offered the diplomat his letter, before fluttering off. The letter seems to be a confirmation of the riptide being there on Sunday to help Runedar with their "Mission." However, it is not signed by Olivia Skyes, but a "Captain Isania Grasping-Vine."

[Dicey13]

*Allies and Dwarves gathered outside the Citadel, the dwarven forces mobilizing as the Queen herself, donned in her own battle armor attire. She came bearing sad news however as it was announced that the King Whurak Thunderhammer never returned from his diplomatic business and that all attempts to locate him have failed. If that were not enough she also bore news of an army of orcs, frost giants, and undead orcs were spotted moving towards the Citadel. The Allies and Dwarves along with the Queen herself, all marched against the invading force. The fought hard and felled many orcs and Frost Giants alike, running the undead in to the ground as they made their valiant push to hold back the orc army. They manage to push them back to the forest where they encountered a gangly sickly looking orc spouting words of the downfall of the dwarves. After defeating the orc it was revealed he was a powerful cleric to the god of Yurtrus. The Dwarves and their allies returned to the Citadel, victorious in their defense, though all knew this was not the end, the orcs would be back...*

[Dicey13]

*Those that visit the great Dwarven Citadel will notice the army mobilizing, defenses being strengthened and soldiers drilling. The Queen herself can be seen walking the ranks and inspecting the fortifications before heading to a group of dwarven messenger where she hands them each a rolled up and sealed parchment. The messengers were quick to depart heading to the known allies of the Dwarves, delivering their call for aid in the defense of Barak Runedar. The messages would call for any that were willing to aid in the defense of the Dwarven hold to report to the gates within the coming days. To the North the barbarians of Setersborg prepare for battle, strengthening their defenses and sharpening their axes, a few dwarven soldiers can be seen piling in to the Barbarian camp and nearby dwarven tower. To the east the rumblings in the forest near where the orcs cave lay can be heard. Those scouting or venturing that way would notice an increase in orc activity, sounds of heavy movement within the forest can be heard and even reports of frost giants roaming the area. A fight was coming, it was just a matter of when.*

//Will be wrapping this up next Sunday June 6th around the Dwarf meeting time 11am EST (Maybe a bit later depending on how things go). It will likely last a bit as this is a big fight. All dwarves, friends, allies or any wanting to help are welcome to come.

[Dicey13]

*the orcish war drums sounded outside of the great dwarven Citadel. The siege soon underway as rocks from the trebuchets started flying, smashing against the dwarven walls and crushing a few of the defenders. Soon a battering ram was at the north gate, though it never got a chance to do anything as the defending force was quick to be rid of it. The defending force then went on the offense as the formed a counter attack, the main force advancing on the orc army pushing them back as a surprise force of barbarians, led by an old friend Hallvard, attacked the orc force from the rear. After a vicious battle with the orc army their leader was slain, the remaining orcs scattering running for their cave. After the battle the fallen were gathered and those that could be raised were those that were unable to return were prepared for a proper burial as befitting a warrior. One thing is for certain, the orcs won't be attacking again any time soon*

[Frozen-ass]

*a band of the heroes who aided the defense, led by 2 sun elfs went to make sure after the battle a proper finish was given. They pushed trough to clear out any remaining force trough the caves, and even trough the portal in their stronghold. Where after slaying what they could find, made the ruins in the deep dark even more ruins.*