Elgappa — Roleplayer Guild

"No!" 

Leth, Murins Grandson, had held himself in the background, yet now he stepped forward. His hair was still in a deep red, and his eyes were young and filled with fire. Dwarfs lived far longer then men, almost as long as elves, and in the eyes of his uncles Leth might be barley considered an adult at all. Yet little did he cared for their opinion in that matter. He had been called out warden by his rangers, and Murin had accepted him in this Rank. 

"I have been in this halls many times before! For my father lies not far from here! He died the same way, my beloved Grandfather Murin did! Killed by the wicked Goblins!"

He slowly stepped towards the grave, resting his hand on it, before turning back around, a flash of fury in his eyes, as he focused on Dourhorn. Taking another breath, he could feel how is palms shivered, as he knew that there was no going back. This was a final decision, and he had to live with the consequences that would follow. He had considered to simply remain a dutiful warden, and keep himself out of the conflict that seemed inevitable. But inside him was a desire for more, then just to content with what he had. He owned it to himself, and to this wife to strive for more! And he owned it to the valley, to save it from the clutches of an incapable cripple.  

"My Grandmother called us a pack, so be it! Dourhorn, i call you the runt of it! The Clan of Longstrider will never bow to your will, Cripple!"  

Leth step were slow, yet he moved towards his oldest uncle, his eyes narrowed. "For when my father died i descended into the darkness, swearing not to return until i had wiped out the beasts that had killed my father! And so i did..." He stepped closer and his face was only a few inches away of Dourhorn. Leth would not blink, nor flinch, as the next words were only whispered. His eyes had a sudden coldness, just as cold as the winter of the valley. "So where is your armor, where is your shield and where is your axe? Or do you want to read goblins to death?"

Leth eyes moved towards Hornfel, and a displeased look moved into them. He hadnt expect him to declare himself so soon, but he would need to react to his declaration. "I respect you, uncle! And i hold your words in high regard! But you are making a mistake! The Runt is not fit to lead! That you support him speaks for your honor, and your regard to our traditions of inheritance, yet..." Leth slowly stepped away from Dourhorn, yet kept him faced. "...i will rather shave my beard, bury my axe and live with humans, then to have Dourhorn as our leader! For he will never achieve justice for my grandfather!"

With that said, he turned around, facing his uncle Agrim. From all the dwarfs in this room, he had the highest hopes for his support. Knowing him to be a warrior like himself, he also counted on his bound to his father. If there was one dwarf in his room, that Leth could see ruling the Valley, other then him, then it was his uncle.  "The Clan of Longstrider, Warden of the Valley, declares its support for the second born of Murin, or his rightful heir! Uncle, who was the first to see the light of this world! You, or my father?"

Longstrider Clan

Leth "Goblin-Bane" Longstrider 

Born as the only Child of Ragnar "The Longstrider", who was the second son of Lord Master Muin, few would ever assumed that Leth would lead a whole fraction of his grandfathers kin, and nobody would have dreamed about him raising a claim to the position as Lord of the valley! But Murins Grandson now leads the Clan Longstrider, as the youngest Clan leader that any dwarf in the Valley ever had heard of.  

Leth took the punch, yet his face showed his sadness, for Agrim always had been his favorite uncle. "May you always Travel on secure paths, uncle!" With soft round cheeks, and not a single hair on them, Leth had to fight his tears, but wouldn't dishonor him by crying like a little girl. 

Ragnar himself was a simple dwarf, with little ambition, but great loyalty to his father and brothers, taking on the position as Warden of the Valley, leading his folk to protect it, on the surface and below. As soon as Leth could muster his first beard, he had joined his fathers Rangers, and wandered the endless roads of the valley, the area around it and the vast darkness below it. Killing his first Goblin before coming of age, Leth soon was renown as a great warrior among the folk of Muin. 

When his father, Ragnars, died at the hand of the Goblins of the Black-Nose Tribe, Leth was struck with grief, and mad with anger. For Three years, Leth and his warband, had vanished into the dark, before ascending once more, with the caves of the Black-Noses turned into silent graves for the greenskins. Taking on his fathers position as Clan-Leader, Leth "Goblin-Death", now leads the folk of Longstrider, and continues to follow his old mans duties, by protecting the Valley from all its enemies...be it within, or without!

Ragnar had wished his grave to be as simple as every other Rangers who had fallen in battle. A simple stone coffin, with his name carved into it, his axe laying on top of it. Leth was known to spend much time mourning his father, even after his bloody revenge. He had changed much from the soft young boy, to a true merciless warrior and finally to the new Warden. As the doors to the hall of the dead were pushed open once more, Leth turned around. His uncle had returned!

Clan History: Few enemies are more hated then the wicked Goblins, yet they are not the only bane of the dwarfs in this valley! Be it Orcs,Goblins, Hill-men Barbarians, or the terrors that lurk in the vast darkness of the caves below, they all lust for the riches, the blood, or even the very souls of the dwarfs of this valley! 
Yet, the best defense against such terrors lies in attacking them, and for this very task Ragnars and his folk were chosen to wander the Valley, the land around it and the paths below it! 
Against all odds, the Clan grew in size and power, and even could establish some limited trade in supplies and information's, with Human Trappers and Elven Rangers outside the Valley. Yet their main focus lays on defending the Valley and scouting for any danger that may approach it! 

Other relevant characters:
-Kregoc Irontooth: Holding the Rank of "First Ranger" Kregoc is the oldest and most experienced Veteran of the whole Clan. Second only to Leth, he has taken the position as his right hand, and most trusted Adviser. 
A grim, scared Veteran, Kregoc duties have shifted to a more administrative duty. Also the Marshall of the Clan, he is in charge of overseeing training of fresh recruits, who eagerly open their ears, when the old Veteran shares his wisdom.  

-Brodic and Trakec Flintcloak: Leth has no siblings, yet if he ever would call somebody brothers, it would be the twins Brodic and Trakec. Growing up with them in his fathers hall and later becoming part of his unit of rangers, there was no time in Leths life, where he couldn't count on his two brothers-in-arms!
Brodic is a giant, at least for a dwarf, and is said to hold the strength of an bear, while his younger brother Trakec is a sly fox of a dwarf, with an brilliant tactical mind. Both also paid a price in blood, as Brodric lost his tongue to a goblin knife, and Trakec his leg to the bite of a Hillmen axe.    

-Xara Karrak Xe´Resh: An exotic beauty, coming from a far away land, Xara was a strange guest in the halls of the Longstrider clan. Claiming to be the sole surviving child of a lost dwarven kingdom she was granted a right to stay, under the condition that she would work her share. 
This decision by Kregoc Irontooth, was quickly revoked as Leth had returned form a long patrol outside the valley. Falling for her the moment he lay eyes on her, he claimed that it was unjust to let a princess, for such a beauty surely had to be of noble blood! 
Sparing no expenses, Leth would go to great lengths to court her, and soon would take her as his wife. A cunning, if not sly woman, some claim her to be the source of Leths ambition to become lord of the Valley.

Location of the clan: 
The clan claims the land at center of the Western Border, near the small lake. 
Population of the clan: 
-1175

Main settlement(s) and  economical activities of the clan:
-Waystone Hold: A fortress that is mostly carved into the mountain, Waystone Hold is the heart of the Longstrider Clan. With its gates cleverly hidden from searching eyes, and carefully layed out traps and murder-holes, it can be easily defended from enemies. 
With the years Waystone Hold has been expended further and further into the mountain and below, and some would rather call it a town, rather then a Fortress, as many non-militant members of the clan have settled down in its halls, and following peaceful businesses inside and outside the wall. The fortress has also been build on a warm spring, keeping it warm even in the coldest winter, and making the inhabitants the cleanest dwarfs in the whole valley. 

-Last light: Deep below the valley, in a cave lightened by glowing Fungus, lays the small town of Last light. Originally founded as an outpost, for the exploration of the far depth, and for prospectors to rest, it has experienced quite a growth in size, as many honorable discharged Rangers were granted mining rights in the depths they had spend most of their life exploring. Farming fungus and algae, it also has become a pragmatical farming post during the winter.       

A common saying of this clan is:" We are rich in Iron and blood, not gold!" There is much truth to this statement, as the economy of the clan is mainly based on supplying its actions to protect the Valley. Under the leadership of Ragnar the clan was completely reliant on the support of other clans, yet Leth has changed this as soon as he came into office. Reducing the military, and placing many of his older rangers in Reserve, he could reach some level of self-substance. Granting land and mining rights to Veterans, the Longstrider clan was able to build up his own reserves in Food and ores. Yet the Western Border is cold, and its land is barren and even with its trade with outsiders, the clan is constantly only a harsh winter away from Hunger and Poverty. 
 
Military forces of the clan:
120 Rangers: The core of the clans forces, these lightly armored Dwarfs patrol the valley and scout for its dangers. Forgoing the typical dwarven ways of war, they mostly stalk their prey, and strike when its guard is down. Armed with crossbows, bows and hand-weapons (swords, axes and Hammers), and little to no armor.  
60 Warriors: A steady core of warriors holds the Waystone fortress. Clad in Heavy armor, and armed with might Axes and Hammers, they guard the Stronghold against all intruders.

The Waystone Reserve: All firstborn sons must serve some time as Rangers, so was the law that Ragnar proclaimed, and even his own son wouldn't receive an exception from this rule. Yet mostly this time is not longer then a year, and after it the rangers are placed in the reserve, allowed to return to their farms and mines. Then there are the old Veterans, who were granted land on their own, as a reward for their service. Both are called upon in times of dire need. 
      
How much does your clan respect the Gods and the old traditions?
After years out of the warmth of the Waystone Hold, and with painful memories of fallen brothers-in-arms, many Rangers find relieve in the faith of the gods. Almost each outpost has a shrine of the Gods, and many are devote in their prayers. Pragmatic (at least for a dwarf) Longstriders folk are respecting the old ways, and its teachings, yet out of necessity, many of the old ways of war had to be abandoned. "Honor is a luxury that we have to sacrifice, lads!"  Ragnars Quote is still seen as a grim acceptance for "dishonorable" acts, like ambushes, the use of poison, and use of psychological warfare to strike fear into the hearts of the enemies.  
 
What justifies your claim for the lordship of the Valley?
"While other clan leaders had buried their noses in Books, Leth Longstrider has fought in the shield wall! While others had counted their coins, Leth Longstrider had lead ambushes against the enemies of his people! While others had warmth and shelter, he had to wither the storm and cold with us, his shield-brothers! While others have left our beloved Valley, Leth has spend his life protecting it!  And while other leaders are arguing about an "rightful" heir, Lord Master Muin lays still unavenged! ENOUGH I SAY! This Valley needs a warrior to lead it, and nothing else! And if Leth Longstrider is one thing then it is a bloody warrior, lads!  " Kregoc Irontooth, addressing his rangers in the Ale-hall  This is the creed that Leth uses to strengthen his, questionable, claim to the Valley, as who would better fitting to wage an full scale war of revenge against the goblins then he himself? But this is only the half truth. Something has awoken inside Leth, and the ambition he harbors inside his heart grows every single day. If nothing should change his heart, said ambition and desire will surely consume him, yet the price would be costly, and most likely bloody.  

Quote one thing that makes your clan special among the others.
The grim Rangers of the Longstrider Clan have protected the Valley since it was settled by the kin of Murin. Its people are stubborn and hardy folk, who will never back down from their duty, or this Valley. They are warriors, who place their duty above all else, be it honor or wealth. But most of all, they are wanderer, who know the Valley better then anyone else does! There is no tree, no stone and no cave they wouldn't recognize from their travels.

-Clan Reverent: Back when Ragnar had lead the clan of Longstrider, the relationship between the clans were far warmer. As a devoted dwarf, with great honor, the former Warden had seen the potential of his older brother, even with his shortcomings. Yet Ragnar is dead, and Leth make no secret that he sees Dourhorn unfit to lead. In the Council of Murin, the Warden and the Councilor seldom shared an opinion, and arguments broke out over the slightest provocation. Yet, many rangers pass through the west pass, and after months outside the valley, they welcome the warmth and hospitality they offer to the protectors of the Valley.   

-Clan Hornfel: Being the economical weakest clan in the Valley, the folk of Longstrider would often be the first to starve, if it werent from the Support of Hornfel. Generous donations, exception from taxes and excellent trade deals have greatly improved the relationship between both clans. A clan seldomly known for luxuries, Murin now has regular orders from Leth for elven Silk, wine and poetry, and a polite, yet firm demand to ask no questions! Seeing his uncle as a good trader and leader of a clan, he dismisses any of his claims to become new Lord-Master. "A trader should keep on counting coins, rather then raising his head to far up!" Giving not much about rumors, he still takes a great dislike in the presence of Yulia!

-Clan Bright Shield: Above all other dwarfs, there is nobody that stands higher in Leths respect then Agrim does. With that in mind it is of little surprise that in the eyes of the Longstrider clan, the folk of Bright Shield is almost seen as kin. Respecting them as fellow warriors, there is a friendly rivalry between the Rangers of Longstrider and the Host of Bright Shield. With Leth raising a claim to the title of Lord-Master, he will most likely offer Agrim the title of Warden in return for his support, and his voucher that Ragnar was the secondborn son of Murin, making Leth his rightful heir, if one would dismiss Dourhorn!

-Clan Orin: Leth and his people greatly dislikes the Clan of Orin, and the opinion is most likely shared, yet little is know about their folk. Isolationist and territorial, there have been already conflicts between the Rangers of Longstrider and the forces of Orin before the death of Lord-Master Murin, conflicts that only need a spark to ignite once more. On a personal level, Leth has little love for his uncle Orin, and openly oposed him most of the time in the council. Another cause for bad blood was when he insulted his wife Harpheart as "A hag with the face of an goblins and a heart of a spider! Like a mad dog, one rather should put her down, then bed her!" and still denies an apology.

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