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!"


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