Arundel
Intro
--- Prologue -
Durnath, the old dwarven kingdom ---
Upon defeating the last liche,
everything gets quiet for a brief moment. Then a dwarf approaches
Wren and her friends.
"We are greatful for your assistance. Without your help I
doubt we would have been able to defeat those creatures."
"I am Daurin, King of Durnath ... what is left of it
..."
"We are in a desperate situation. Many of my people have
been killed and captured by the dreadful forces you just
witnessed."
"This is our last resort, I fear. I don't know how much
longer we can hold out before everything is lost."
"There is a way...", an old dwarf with long greyish
beard comes up to the king.
"This is Kor-Dur, my late father's advisor", Daurin
says, introducing the old dwarf with a proud smile.
"Daurin, I remember an old legend I heard when I was young
...". The old dwarf hesitates for a moment ...
"Let's see if I can recall it ... hmmm ... yes ... this
might be our only chance to stop the invaders ... Somewhere in
the mountain ... very long ago ... Durnath, the mountain spirit
built his home." Kor-Dur hesitates again but continues ...
"Maybe, somehow, we can gain help from Durnath and destroy
the undead forces that now invade us."
Astonishment and hope fills the dwarves' eyes as more dwarven
fighters gather closer to listen to Kor-Dur.
"Set out guards! Report back to me immediately if you see
any undead", Daurin commands to his officers. "We are
returning to the village."
A few battle experienced dwarves are assigned as guards and Wren,
her party and the Dwarves start walking further into the dark,
scarsely lit corridors of Durnath.
"Come, we need to talk in private", Daurin explains and
leads the way for an hour, deeper and deeper into the mountain,
finally reaching a small village made up by worried dwarves who
not long ago had to abandon their homes because of the sudden
undead invasion.
--- At the
same time far away ---
There it
stood, Mogaruith, The Dark Citadel, a gigantic fortress made out
of black stone. Around it, a huge black city rested in an area of
lifeless volcanic plain. From far and nearby mines, loads of
black cargo arrived and was used as fuel for the countless
workshops producing weapons and arms. So much black, sulphurous
smoke did they release, that the whole area was dark and no
normal daylight could be seen. So terrible was the air, that no
living creatures could stand it more than a few years.
The whole area was a display of gloom and horror to every living
creature. Here resided no living creatures apart from the
multitude of miserable and dying slaves who had to work as labour
in this darkest of dark places.
In the huge, chilly throne-room of Mogaruith, a messenger arrives
to convey news to Dakoth. The messenger is clad in a black robe
and has bony hands which he extends in a deep bow in front of
Dakoth who is sitting on his throne.
"Ssireh, reports of an elf opening the gate to Durnath have
been confirmed by our advanced scouts inside the halls of the
mountain. We know who she is and where she came from", the
messenger wheezes. Then he briefly reports about Wren and all
information the spies have gathered about her home village.
"Destroy that village and spare no one!" Hissing
furiously, Dakoth whispers "They will pay for their aid in
letting the elf getting away ..."
"Wait, on second thoughts, bring the villagers here - we
need more labourers in the mines", Dakoth redirects the
messenger and laughs hollowly, in fondness of his new plan.
"Now begone, I have assault plans to finish!"
--- Back to
the Mountain ---
During
the long walk down the narrow tunnels of Durnath's hastedly and
lately built tunnels you (Wren) start to worry about your friends
(- that is the human friends; Eldur, Giljath and Fenor are elves
like you and they will be alright even down here).
Ivil, and Filundrus are unusually quiet and seem very uneasy.
However, they have become tougher from the experiences of Dead
Forest. Ariel and Kara are calm and observe the surroundings
carefully, almost as if looking for new species of plants and
herbs. Arathor is as always in your vicinity, being protective
and alert to any physical dangers that might threaten you. You
sense that he is very attached to you but that is not an
immediate problem. However, Tuvinel doesn't seem well at all and
she is almost in tears. You realize that you have to talk to her
and find out what is happening to her. Eldur, Giljath and Fenor
have also noticed her state and give you their silent support.
You ask Daurin to halt the march a while and let you rest. He
looks a bit surprised and a little annoyed but accedes to your
request.
You take Tuvinel aside and ask her in your friendly manner, with
your melodic elvish accent:
"I see great pain in your eyes, please tell me what is
making you feel this way." Tuvinel tries to hold herself
together and to be strong but her emotions are too hard to
control and she bursts into tears.
"It f-feels as if my mind and soul are being ripped apart
and drained", she sobs and shivers violently ... I don't
know why this is happening to me and I can't stand it any
longer."
Tuvinel cries with pain and you see that her emotional condition
is very distressed.
"When did all this start", you ask mildly and hold her
hands to settle her down a little.
"I ... I don't know", she squeaks and cries to your
shoulder.
"Is it because we are in these tunnels?" you ask
gently.
"No, I've experienced it before, but only briefly and never
so intensely", Tuvinel sobs.
"Maybe it is connected with the magic you are using",
you say and look into her anguished eyes. Before Tuvinel can
collect herself to answer, Giljath comes up to you, saying:
"I think you are right, Wren. It is likely the using of
magic that is causing this state of chaos in her mind. I have
studied these things and it seems as if there is a huge emotional
boost of power and confidence when the magic users are successful
in manipulating the energies involved in the magic-using.
However, there is a dangerous reaction as well. To simplify it as
much as possible, it is kind of like a huge wave. As the wave
comes in to the shores and you are on top of it and are swept
forward along its direction it is great. But afterwards it is
easy to get caught in the strong underwater currents. I guess
this is why many magic users eventually go mad. They simply can't
handle the enormous emotional stress that magic has on the
user".
"What can we do to help Tuvinel", you ask trying to
comfort her.
"First, she may not use any magic at all but since she is in
a very distressed state already, we need to put her mind at ease.
I know of some methods to make her sleep but I it won't cure her,
only delay her worsening condition. Maybe there are herbs ... I
am not sure", Giljath adds.
Eldur and Fenor come up to you accompanied by Ariel and Kara. You
continue comforting poor Tuvinel as Giljath explains the
situation to Ariel and Kara, and asks if there might be any herbs
or so that might help relieve the pain until you can reach
Arundel, where Tuvinel probably has the best chances of getting
help.
Unfortunately they haven't come across the appropriate
ingredients for such a medicine in Deep Swamps, but there might
be some fungi in this subterranian environment that could have
the same properties as the medicine they are referring to.
At any rate, they will be searching for fungi and ask around
among the dwarves when you reach the dwarven settlement.
Giljath asks you to go and ask Daurin to prepare a stretcher for
Tuvinel. He will put Tuvinel to sleep. Giljath then sits down on
the ground with Tuvinel and places his fingers around her
temples. He talks to her slowly and comforting ...
Daurin
is not amused by the situation!
"By Moradin's hammer, what is happening! How are ye supposed
to be of any help if ye aren't even well. Can't you leave the
humans and continue? They shouldn't be here anyway!"
"Don't overreact, dear dwarf. That would be pointless",
you reply.
"Aye, you're an elf if I ever saw one. Always rambling about
harmony and calmness 'til the ears come off. Verily, you will do
the undead a favour if ye bring the humans along - don't try to
deny that cause that's the Truth!", Daurin snarls.
You shake your head at his comment and say:
" We can't turn our backs on the needing, that would be to
show disrespect to Life. For now, I would be most grateful if we
could help each other and not argue."
"I am not argu ... Ah, what's the point discussing with an
elf - you don't listen anyway!", Daurin mutters.
You give him a warm friendly smile.
"I knew it!! You elves always respond with a smile like that
and then you think the conversation has been won by you! 'Tis so
aggrevating!" Daurin finishes. However, after a while of
muttering in the dwarven language he arranges a stretcher to be
brought to the now sleeping Tuvinel and you all continue the
march to the dwarven settlement.
An hour later, you finally reach the small dwarven refuge. It
mainly consists of small cottages in a tremendously large cavern.
The cottages surround a large tent building with dwarven
standards in front of it, set up on mithril pikes. Daurin leaves
the rest of the group and signs to you to follow him into the
tent.
Meanwhile Kor-Dur makes arrangements for the rest of the party.
The interior of the tent is spartan, with the exception of a very
decorated throne of some black material. Daurin makes his way to
the throne and sits down. You sit down on a cushion facing the
throne.
Dauring clears his throat:
"Now, then. As you have witnessed, terrible undead invaders
have taken us completely by surprise, aided by High Undead Lords
wielding powerful magicks and raising the undead as they fall for
the mighty blows of our axes. We have been forced to retreat and
regroup here at the very edges of Durnath".
You sit in silence, urging him to continue.
"It started merely a winter ago. Some of our miners returned
home one day, reporting strange sounds in a newly built tunnel
(- Offmap - this map only covers a part of Durnath). They were
not taken seriously and the next day they didn't return from
work. That very night our Rune Lord, Kor-Dur had a vision where
the Mountain Spirit told him that cursed spirits were amassing
and preparing an assault and that actions had to be taken
immediately or the kingdom would be destroyed. I was a fool for
not listening to him. We've lived here for so long and not since
the days of our first king, Kalin, has there been a war, except
for scirmishes with various scavengers and other dwellers in this
mountain. I was certain that Kor-Dur referred to such things and
I felt sure they could not pose a threat to our well equipped
forces. Durnath has developed much since the days of Kalin and
there are more tribes of dwarven kin living in other parts of the
mountain. We don't usually communicate very much, but just as a
precaution to honour the wisdom of Kor-Dur, I dispatched a group
of messengers to the other tribes to hear if something seemed
wrong. They have yet to return ...", Daurin says sadly.
"Shortly thereafter more miners went missing and the runners
looking for them also didn't return.
"Then the assault came and we scrambled to arms but were no
match for the High Undead Lords and their abilities".
"So, what can you do for us? You showed us how to defeat the
undead despite their overwhelming strength. I think this
seriously crippled them as they were launching a decisive attack
just as we were sealing the final tunnel leading to the Halls -
at least the final known tunnel".
"I will try to find the means to defeat the undead. But I
would be grateful for any assistance", you answer.
"Well, I wish you luck - you'll need it. As for assistance I
can only offer you two of our veteran miners. They are familiar
with Durnath and very capable. At the moment they are on guard
duty, so go to them and see what you can do. I will not expect
any miracles, though. I only believe in you out of respect to
Kor-Dur who seems to put a lot of faith in you. Now prepare for
the mission and may Durnath be with you!"
[Back to
the map ...]