A Land Far Away

((A rather long and high minded tale of the spiritual progression of Nari Grimstone. This event took place several weeks ago, but it's been a while to get it together. Was thinking of adding a picture to it, could someone tell me how to do that?))


The huge doors swung open with a mighty creak and Nari stepped inside. A great hall stretched before him, lit by a golden shimmer emanating from many candelabra and hanging lamps, reflecting from burnished arms and armour and bejeweled mosaics of the Hammer and Anvil of Moradin. A deep sonorous chant wound it's way among the sturdy pillars and all the way up to the vaulted ceiling, filling the entire chamber with solemnnity. Clerics of Moradin stood still in worship, or moved about along the walls.

Not as grand a Soul Forge as the one in glorious Adbar, but certainly the greatest one he'd seen this far south. Nari wondered to himself that he'd never heard of a place of such grandeur on his wanderings. Then again, considering the nature of this place, that was no surprise.

"This way". Granite motioned to the younger dwarf and started walking down the aisle. Nari started from his musings and followed the grizzled warrior. They walked reverently through the hall, stepping aside for a venerable Sonnlinar who went past them with a preoccupied air. Up ahead there was a big altar, with a great hammer floating above it, emanating a bright glow and a low humming sound. On the floor in front of it was inlaid, in gold, mithril and precious stones, the Hammer and Anvil. The altar was incised with runes and symbols. This was truly the heart of Glen.

Granite and Nari kneeled and started praying, their reverence and gratitude going up to the All Father. When piety had thus been served, they rose, and noticed a tall, heavily built dwarf, in golden armour, with a red mantle, a great horned helm, and a long, bristling white beard, standing to one side of the altar, watching them. He nodded to Granite and walked over.

"Well met, Fenar Berik" Granite bowed deep. Nari bowed as well and then stood silently by the two elder dwarves. They exchanged greetings, and spoke of the Glory of Moradin and his blessings to his children of the stone. Then the Fenar looked at Nari with a question to Granite about his younger companion.

"This be Nari, of Citadel Adbar, He wishes ta join tha ranks o' tha Battle father." Granite gestured to Nari, who felt a tingle of excitement to be noticed by the High Priest of Moradin, in this temple which had been the spiritual goal of his long journey.

"Moradin knows we can always use another axe." The priest's deep bass voice rung with benevolent authority. "Be ye ready ta serve Tha Lord of Tha Twin Axes, with yer soul as well as yer strength?"

"Aye, I would wish ta be worthy o' such an honour", Nari replied and bowed again.

"Then come this way, both o' ye". The priest turned and walked across the hall to an ornate door on his right, which he opened. He led them down a passage, lit by torches that illuminated marvellous friezes depicting the myths of the Morndinsamman. Nari followed the other two feeling awed and excited, knowing that a new chapter of his life was soon to begin. They came to a hallway with another door, with the symbols of the crossed axes on it, wrought in precious metals. The priest swung it open and motioned them inside.

It was a surpisingly stark and bare room, after the tumultous grandeur of the Great Hall. A low, vaulted ceiling arched over a floor of dark and light flagstones, with the symbols of the Twin Axes again leading up to the altar. A few benches, some axes and shields on the walls, and that was it. It was fitting to the stern warrior spirit of Clangeddin.

Granite went up and prayed at the runed altar. He, being a sworn Holy Warrior of Clangeddin, was obivously well aquainted with this place, and Nari waited respectfully for him to finish his orisons. Granite stood after a while, and returned to the priest. Nari walked up to the altar and fell on his knees, holding his hands out before him.

"Oh lord Clangeddin, Wielder o' The Twin Axes, Giant Bane, Protector o' Dwarven Kin! I come ta lay me axe at Thy feet. If Thou findest me worthy, grant me tha power ta serve Thy commands as Thou seest fit!" He closed his eyes and the candles on the altar made red and golden swirls behind his eyelids. They seemed to move in a rhythmic pattern and slowly coalesced into the shape of two crossed battle axes. The vision grew, and he now saw a white bearded dwarf with a horned helmet who was actually holding the crossed axes before him. His deep, ancient eyes were like wells of an immeasurable depth, and he looked right into Nari's soul.

Nari became aware of what the Avatar was seeing. Thoughts, emotions, and images of the past few months fleeted by in his imagination. The arrival at Shadowdale. The various good people he had met there, and accompanied on adventures to guard the land and rid it of evil. Tuo, the elf clad in green, one of the first who had welcomed him, child of the wilds, who had followed him into battle with the goblins, and saved his life when the tribal shaman had called down the power of his gods over him. Jonas, the selfless healer. Vastiani, the careful stalker. Brennus, the itinerant Sembian sorceror, who had wandered far and wide with him through the dales. Sylvia, the woman with the embittered speech and signs of a painful past in her young face. Pu'Quagie, the sarcastic Gold Elf with great magical powers and a mind that could cut through anything. Arlom the magic user and Kenshi, the warrior in armour from distant lands, members of the traveling party called "The Hand".

And the two members of the Guard of Glen, stalwart kinsmen, proven warriors, steadfast and resilient. Sergeant Gilim Graybreaker, a warrior of many seasons, with a strong and hearty soul, exhibiting both the scars and wisdom of many battles fought and conquered. And Corporal Granite Stonejaw, the Sworn Holy Warrior of Clangeddin, with the gravity of his calling and his unfaltering steps as he led Nari to Glen Village, the goal of his journey.

From all of these Nari had learned something. They had stood by him in the hours of his testing, the proving ground where his courage and skill had been weighed and measured. They had shown him the path and the means. They had aslo provided the opportunity for the final test, where Nari proved his loyalty by offering up his life to save those of his companions.

All of this passed through Nari's mind, and he knew his actions were being judged. After a long while, it all blurred and then coalesced into the symbol of the crossed axes again, shining brighter than ever. He felt a great sense of both profundity and relief, and he knew he had been accepted. Slowly he rose, and stood for a while, facing the altar. Behind him he heard the priest and Granite conversing. He began to pick out words, such as "troubles on the road", "drow", and "giants". He turned and walked up to them. They looked at him with bright eyes.

"Well, seems another axe has joined tha ranks o' the Alagor. Show me yer axe." said the priest. Nari held up his notched battle axe and the priest eyed it sceptically, rubbing his jaw. "I think I will have ta make ye a new one."

Well done. Great to see Nari's story begin to unfold in your narrative. Looking forward to reading (and partaking) more.

Finally I discovered Imageshack. Here something I put together depicting the above story:

And here the last moments of the Chief of the Black Tooth Orcs.

VERY nice, TwinAxes. You've got a great talent there; hope this is just the beginning of your artistic chronicles.

Thanks! There'll be more.

Holy crap, that's awesome! Picture's definitely worth a thousand words.

Also, four on one on the chief... I like those odds!

Wow, nice You did end up getting that axe replaced, right? I completely forgot about it when I didn't see you on for a while. Drawings like those make me wish I could have continued my SD stuff, heh.

Who was there when that chief fell? Can't remember if you were with the Hand of Curna and the Lathanderite Paladin, or if that was another time.

Wow! Great drawings!!!

Thanks all!

Yes Ronan, that's the Lathanderite with his mace in the foreground. Brennus was there, and Kevan, as well as The Hand. I can't remember the name of the woman with the bow, but she was the one who finished off the chief. What a slaughterhouse it was though!

Brimsar helped me out with the axe.

A test of a True Heart

"Hail to ye, elven! Clangeddin smiles upon our meeting." Nari beamed as he clasped the hand of the the green clad, dark skinned elf.

"Bright Sun to you, Mountain Blood". The slanted eyes twinkled as the taller elf shook Nari's hand and nodded. Tuo seemed different, somehow. It had been many months since the two had last parted ways, that cloudy night of the owlbear hunt. Now Nari had an odd sense of something he couldn't put his finger on. "Have your steps led you well?", the elf asked.

"Clangeddin has guided them. As ye can see," Nari slapped the insignia of the Glen Guard on his burnished spaulder, "I have joined tha Glen Guard. I now serve that town. And work closely with it's allies." Nari gestured to the guards who leaned lazily against Ashabenford's South Gate, chewing on straws and yawning.

Tuo laughed. "And where are you going in such a hurry?"

"As it happens, I have an errand that requires tha light o' day. An' that may not last me long enough, I fear. I have ta make a trek across tha Dale. Ifn' ye wish, ye may join me an' we shall talk as we go." Nari looked at Tuo with raised eyebrows.

"Yes, why not? I wouldn't mind treading soft grass instead muddy streets and pig's droppings for a bit."

***

The great gate swung shut behind them, with a dull, ominous creak. The odd pair wandered along the well trodden Moonsea Ride, while the green, rolling landscape stretched out before them. Far to the south and west the dark haze of the Cormanthor bounded the horizon.

"A large group o' kobolds have been spotted", Nari explained. "We go ta find their lair."

"Are we eyes or do we bare our teeth?" Tuo said with a feral hint in his voice.

"I've been told not to engage them." Nari replied. Tuo just nodded silently.

They passed some copses and the sign that marked the road to the Abbey of the Golden Sheaf. Half an hour later they reached the farm that Captain Shendean had mentioned.

"From here we go south", Nari said. They left the road and started across the great plain that was only bounded by the Cormanthor many miles away. The tall grass seemed to part for the light step of the elf, while Nari often had to swing his axe to clear the undergrowth that snagged at his feet.

The sun was well in the west when they reached the forest edge. It leaned over them from the rocky slopes ahead. The strange evening calls of woodland birds echoed from within the trees. The setting sun was still hot, and as they stopped, they could hear crickets all around.

They followed the trees to the east until they reached a ledge, from which they could see the plain stretching on before them. Realising there was no camp to be found they turned back, and darkness began to fall as they passed the point where they had been standing an hour ago. They kept on as the light grew dimmer, until it was quite dark. Nari blinked as his night vision awoke. Suddenly they could make out ahead of them a great bank, fifteen feet high, and at least a hundred yards wide, with a tunnel passing through it just ahead of them. They stopped in their tracks.

The light of several fires twinkled in the opening, and they could hear yelps and hoarse voices faintly from within. Tendrils of smoke rose from many places. It was the kobold's camp, and it was large indeed.

"This is it", Nari muttered as he pulled his helm from his pack and slid it over his head. "We must get closer ta try ta gauge their numbers." His voice sounded hollow from inside the great dwarven battle helm. "I shall call on Clangeddin ta guard us." Nari held up his hands and chanted quietly. A faint glow enveloped Tuo and faded, and then Nari too.

Tuo nodded slowly and readied his spear and shield. Axe in hand, shield before him, Nari slowly moved towards the entrance, with Tuo following quietly. There was no movement in the tunnel, but as they reached it they could see the camp fires blink as small dark shapes flitted across them. Nari could feel his pulse quicken and gripping his axe tighter he entered the tunnel. Putting his feet down gingerly he stopped and flinched as he slipped on a stone, causing his shield to hit his cuisse, with a slight clank. They stood still, but nothing happened. Nari inched towards the opening ahead, and standing just within it, gazed out on the kobold war camp.

They saw many large tents with fires around them, that blinked as figures passed before them. Great siege engines huddled in a dark mass across the open field. Many kobolds were there. Some seemed to be standing guard, surveying the camp with their crossbows cocked. Nari counted at least twenty within his field of vision, but there were obviously many times that number in this camp. He looked over at Tuo and they nodded silently at each other.

Suddenly a shrill cry burst out just in front of them and several kobolds rushed into the tunnel, swords drawn. Nari parried a blow with his shield and just had time to step aside as a kobold lunged at him with his serrated blade. Nari brought his axe down on its head and it fell sprawling onto the ground. Many more swarmed in and the furious melee separated the two adventurers. Nari hewed with a cold fury, parrying blows and cutting down his enemies. Most of their blades couldn't penetrate the sturdy dwarven platemail. As the last kobold fell, he found himself on the camp side of the tunnel. About his feet lay half a dozen kobolds, and several were charging towards him. Wild cries pierced the night.

He just had time to see Tuo withdraw his spear from a kobold when dull twangs were heard and crossbow bolts started whizzing around them, thudding into the rock. One hit his shield with great force, another one grazed his leg, bruising it badly and denting the steel. Tuo cried out as a bolt passed under his armpit, tearing through the flesh. Next second a new wave of attackers were on top of them. This fight was almost more desperate and furious than the first. Nari and Tuo hacked and thrusted, kobolds fell around them and began forming a gory heap. All the while the crossbows kept firing. Some of the bolts found a mark. Nari felt his energy beginning to wane, and called on Clangeddin to aid him. New strength flowed through his limbs, and the kobolds fell back a second time before his onslaught.

"They be too many! We must fall back!" he gasped, breathing heavily and tasting blood in his mouth.

He looked over his shoulder and saw Tuo propped against the wall, sliding down, his hand gripping a bolt lodged in his side. His eyes were wide open and his face pale and drawn. Bolts were still flying at them, but Nari ran toward shim, held up his hands, and called on Clangeddin to staunch the wound. Holy energy passed through his hands and enveloped the bloody bolt, causing it to fall out and the wound to close.

Tuo seemed to recover and staggered towards the tunnel opening, but was hit again, this time below the shoulder, and fell forwards. Nari stumbled over the corpses and was struck by a bolt that hit him in the chest. He looked down and saw it sticking out of the breastplate. At least an inch of the tip had penetrated the steel, and he felt the blood starting to soak his gambeson. His knees gave way. He crawled over the mangled bodies to Tuo, and turned him over. The elf's face was blood spattered, and his eyes were closed.

"Save...yourself..." the elf wispered. He coughed and blood erupted from his mouth.

"I shall not abandon ye ta these scum, friend." Nari said with effort, but at that moment his vision darkened and he felt himself falling.

The cries and noise faded and he seemed to be floating down a deep chasm. It was impossible to determine at what speed he was descending. Maybe he fell like a stone, or maybe a feather. He saw faces. Mother. Father. And all his family, all the long line of ancestors he had been told of. Finally a stout figure emerged, a great white-bearded dwarf with a horned helmet, arms crossed, each hand holding an axe. His deep, glinting black eyes looked at him, and the light emanating from them filled Nari's soul. He was told what to do.

He felt a surge within him, and opened his eyes. In the dark around him kobolds stood, their swords pointing at him. One held his aloft above him. Just as the point was brought down towards him, he clenched his fingers around what he knew to be his axe, and deflected the blow. With a roar he rolled over and slammed the side of the axehead into the kobold's face, and it fell. With a yelp the other scattered, and Nari clambered to his feet and ran through the tunnel. This was not the day for this Alaghar to meet his Lord.

He stumbled into the darkness, and ran. As he ran, he felt pain in his chest. Sharp pain, from the wound, but also a dull kind of pain. After a good distance was between him and the camp, he turned, gasping, and fell on his knees. Resting on his shield, he raised his axe and spoke in dwarven.

"Farewell, Tuo elven, friend to dwarves and warrior of the woods. May Clangeddin guard yer soul, and yer woodland Gods take ye ta their halls. Ye shall nay be forgotten, an' I hope ta be tha one ta avenge of yer death."

***

Nari eventually made it back to Ashabenford and reported to the Riders about the large camp. Returning to Glen, he glumly spent many evenings at The Hearth, with a series of tankards as his only companions. Soon he was called on for a mission that would take him to distant lands. He did not find out about the haggard wild elf that one day stumbled back to Ashabenford.

Now THAT is what I call scouting . Nice writing, TwinAxe, and great RPing, as always. Lucky for both of us, fate somehow saw us through.

Well written TA. I like the characters, the sense of place...makes me want to make my way back to SD.

Wow.....

Great writting and great Illustrations...Those black tooths were a ..*deleted explative here*

btw Ryanns the chick with the bow.... simply amazing

Can't wait to hear more

Thanks for the kind words! Here's an illustration of the kobold event.