The Greed of Dwarves
Chapter I
A gentle wind swept through the lands of the Blackbeards as caravans and carriages slowly made their way towards the mountains. The road was wide and well-kept, for the dwarves were crafty folk and take great pride in their exceptional infrastructure. On the mountaintops, snow could be seen glistening and dressing the peaks in a beautiful curtain. Truly, nature was as astounding and beautiful as ever on this chilly but clear winter's morning. But the travellers on the road didn't come to see the wildlife. In the distance, the mountains parted and upon their walls were statues of such size one wondered how many hundreds of years it would take anyone to carve such magnificence out of stone.
Great dwarven heads, clad in helmets and with great big beards that entwined with the mountainwalls decorated the sides of the mountains. And in the middle, a massive gate carved out of the very mountain itself stood, declaring it's grandeur to any and all a traveller to gaze upon it. Not only was it a beauty and feat in craftsmanship and stonemasonry, but also showed off the military might of the dwarves, for countless murder-holes and arrow-slots adorned the walls and even the mountains on either side. Just as much as this great city of dwarvenkind was a welcoming sight and comforting to behold to friends was it able to strike fear into any enemy and dishearten any army who would dare challange the might of Dulrum.
On both sides of the road, mighty pine trees reached far into the sky, clad in powdered snow and given light by the rising sun. This day was a day of days, the people were saying all around. From all over the continent, man, dwarf and elf alike had travelled to attend the grand coronation of Prince Durm II Blackbeard, now to become King Durm II Blackbeard. Not only was the coronation in combination with the funeral and memorial of the late King Dulrum IV Blackbeard, but it was also a grand feast unlike any in recent history. All the nations and races of the continent had been invited, except for the mortal enemies of all such as the brutish Ogres, the savage Goblins and the rather reclusive Orcs. Although it would be unfair to call the Orcs 'mortal enemies of all', they are just as absent from the feast and coronation. Also worth mentioning is that not all the nations invited are on friendly terms with each other, although they are all rather good friends with the dwarves of Dulrum. As such, the soon-to-be King has already seen to it that all embassies and hearth-homes that are to host the representatives of each nation be well protected and accomodated. No incident may plague this feast. No rivalry shall poison the festivities. At least for this week, rivals shall have to put their dislike for one-another aside.
Even the elves of Aeglos have been invited, and as such one of the greatest and most well-armed convoys headed to the capital this day is the Woodland King's own escort. But enough of the Elf-King, for as much as he is an important figure in this world his part to play in this tale is rather minor...
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Hours later, Lucía stands amid the markets and carnivals of Dulrum's main town squares. She had never seen this many people before. She didn't even know there were this many people in the entire world put together. Truly, this is a magnificence to be alive to behold. All around her, merchants and entertainers of every race, culture and nationality are either trying to show her something awestriking or attempting to sell her their wares.
Gorim had seen many feasts and carnivals and the like in his days, especially being a noble among the dwarves of Dulrum, but nothing had he ever imagined would be quite like this. Everywhere he saw opportunities, a chance to show his worth or test his luck among gamblers and game-hosts. Resisting the temptation, he gazed from his current locale around the grand square. He had been here many times, and found the black stone familiar always. But today was different. The massive pillars that held up the mighty roof above their heads were clad in banners of different colors, flags of grandeur and splendor were hoised all around him from different tents, huts or carved houses. Mighty torches, braziers and flares roared around them, either on the ground, on the pillars or on the very livingquarters that seemed to go on endlessly through the halls and walls around them. It was as bright as day, despite the gloom of the shady parts where light rarely hits. The streets were many and mazelike, but Gorim could find his way through them easily. He recognized his own banner, the banner of house Dace, on one of the pillars. He never doubted that his family would take the opportunity to show their importance and privilege.
Yet not everyone that made their way through the crowd were pleasure-seekers or fortune-finders. Not all looked upon the massive crowds with glee and wonder. Phae'Ox had a mission, he knew that now. In his dream, the light had called to him and told him that the time had come to take up arms once again. Although he did not know why, his path eventually led him to here, this very day, of the grand coronation of Dulrum's next King. The towering Lares made his way through the crowd with his clunky armor on and massive sword sheathed. Determined but slow, he walked the streets surrounding the square and eventually through the square itself. People around him gave him odd glances, but none the less showed him respect and ducked out of the way when he came walking, slowly. None of them would be able to budge him anyway if they tried.
The City Guard were many and vigilant this day, and many of them had taken an extra eye to the big knight until they realized that he was a Lares of a Knightly Order. Few had ever heard of a Lares Knight that was not one of honor, respect and relative ... Harmony. They left him to his business, seeing as there were no enemies for the Knight to exact retribution upon.
In an opposite fashion of the Knight, another was rather unnoticed at first but later on grew to be more carefully watched by the few City Guardsmen who had actually seen him. The fighter, Jax'Ildan, of half-elf half-human descent was walking the streets of an outlook above the city square. Less people were out here at this time, for most had either gone to the market or were doing other daily business. The few who indeed crossed his path were those who had either got lost or were a city guardsman patrolling.
He didn't pay them any mind, and they didn't pay him none either at first. But his shady appearance and rough scar made him look like quite the rascal, and a few wondered if he was here looking for trouble.
Of course, he wasn't. At least not conventionally. He was here by a purpose and he would see it through. He wasn't sure how, or when, but in time he would exact his revenge.
While the festivities had begun, they were going to last all week. And the coronation itself wasn't going to take place until the next day. Many take the time to celebrate during the day and mourn the late King later on into the night, if they indeed mourn his passing. Meanwhile, any character of any sort may choose to pass his or her time as they will in the city. You may visit the tavern, the local shrines (most of the Gods of Good and Neutrality have their own shrines throughout the city), the brothel if that's your deal, browse through the markets or try your luck at exploring the backstreets where few souls now venture. Perhaps seeking out people in need of good deeds is your thing?
Stats
(info):
Current testing health-template: STR + END + 1d6
Your current wealth was based upon your background. Refered to as "Gold", the coins aren't actually golden but rather made of copper and zinc. For reference you can buy a loaf of bread for 2 Gold, a complete ration for 5 and a room at a shoddy tavern or inn for 10-15, nothing else included. A meal at a tavern usually goes for 5-7 gold. A good sword for 100 and above. Most enemies will yield some coins when looted, determined either by level, dice or a static number.
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