- Pronouns
- He/Him
Slimy_Froggy
Patron
(Credits to I am Wake for the picture)
Fantastic
Dwarves
and where
to
find them
By Kublai Kull
There was a time when, only on a very cold bitter winter's night, you could spot a single solemn Dwarf at a corner of a pub in a random town.
Only then it was too cold in the mountains for that Dwarf. Then the poorest Dwarves would make their way down to warm up at a free fire in a half empty pub.
A time when a Dwarf was rarely ever seen, unless it was a way for him to earn a big amount of radiants in a single job.
But these times have gone now. Dwarves have risen from their cold, scattered, isolated homes and joined forces to create a warm home to all Dwarves.
They slowly start to welcome other races into their town, now that it has become the source of their pride, instead of something to be ashamed of.
Khárûz-Korum, the Dwarven capital, by the effort of many Dwarves has become a hearth in the cold.
A place of laughter, of proud craftsmanship and strong family bonds that stretch beyond blood.
This book was written, so that anyone who wishes to seek out the Dwarves for their skill, trade, advice, or friendly conversations may find them.
Let's face it, the Dwarves that finally pulled it off, after decades of falling Dwarven houses, are pretty fantastic...
Fantastic Dwarves and where to find them.
Khárûz-Korum, home to all of the fantastic Dwarves is so big, that it takes a guide to find the Dwarf you are looking for. This is that guide.
Let us start in the warehouse. Many a time you can find a snoozing Dwarf in one of the crates, popping his head out in confusion, not realizing he is back from a trip at sea.
One of such Dwarves is Grimly Stonesack. If you believe the stereotypes about Dwarves to be true for every Dwarf you meet, you are wrong.
But the stereotypes you've heard about their appearance are exactly what Grimli looks like. He is a silly and unorganized Dwarf.
Often running to do something on the other side of Khárûz-Korum, but forgetting what he came to do once he arrives there.
Yet, if you ever need something done, you can count on Grimli to do the labor without delay.
Walking on from the warehouse, you can take the stairs up to the ice-ridge. This icy pathway is the result of an aquifer, a layer of water within the mountain.
The water has frozen where the rock meets the air. This layer of ice has exactly the thickness of the type of rock within the mountain that has enough cracks to transport
water. This ice layer is thus not a choice, but nature forcing itself upon the Dwarves, who know just how to deal with it.
Walking down the ice-layer, you can enter The Wet Beard inn. The top floor of the inn houses a bath, where you are most likely to find Khárûz Kublai, the king.
Among his own kin, he is simply known as Kublai. He bathes a lot, because he works a lot.
His first profession was carpenter and although he is now king, he still has a craving to create, like every Dwarf should.
Kublai was one of the three who founded Khárûz-Korum and during a meeting of all Dwarves of Altera under Korog's divine presence, they voted unanimously for him to
become king of all Dwarves. He isn't the brightest Dwarf, but he makes up for that with flair, a good joke, and a keen eye.
He is skilled with an axe in battle as well as in lumbering. He is often referred to as the people's king among his kin, but displays noble behavior when he is among foreigners
that have not been allied to the Dwarves since the start of his reign.
Moving from the inn, standing on the ice ridge, one could spy the market down below.
Making our way down, we can hear the transactioning of coins and heavy bags of gems, coal and rare stone types.
Here, at the edge of the market, you will find the Miner's Guild. The head of the guild is Borgrus Greatbane.
A young red-haired Dwarf with an insatiable enthusiasm for mining.
He was one of the first to stand on Khárûz-Korum's doorstep to aid the founders in the creation of this mighty and proud capital.
He supplied thirty percent of all stone bricks by himself, while the other seventy percent was supplied by a large work-force.
Borgrus will smile kindly on you if you bring him some delicious food, and frowns on you if you take Korog's name in vain.
A religious Dwarf, he is sure Korog smiles on his everyday work in the mine.
Walking out of the miner's guild, you can no longer ignore the pull of the Dwarven Castle that hangs above you, as if it is made up of giant stalactites.
Or perhaps an Elven castle that has been flipped upside down and made of much rougher bricks. This castle glimmers in the fire-light.
Thousands of large emeralds, embedded in the stone, give a green glow on the pathways that cross from stalactite to stalactite and light your way as you walk up the narrow
staircase and reach the castle's gates. The castle is a maze for those who do not know it, but this guide will help you find the fantastic Dwarves you are looking for.
From the gate, you walk straight and on your right you find a double doorway leading to the room of Korog's chosen: Thôrdil Bárùmur.
His home is in Aeroch Rimtar, the holy Dwarven city where most of Korog's divine presence has taken place.
But with a knock on the door, perhaps he'll come out and have a chat.
Thôrdil is revered by many Dwarves, he translates Korog's will directly to the Dwarven king and his people and claims to have spoken to Korog himself!
He is a master smith, forging items and weaponry beyond any quality you've ever seen before.
He is a very old Dwarf, who has been near more kings than just Khárûz Kull, but not as old as the next Dwarf we'll discuss.
Moving on along this path, we take a right turn and end up in Gromm Brownbeard's office.
Another founder of Khárûz-Korum and the founder of Writah-Hidèon Co. This Dwarf has seen the times of Holy King Hrothgar, way back in time.
He was the one who brought the first few Dwarves together and inspired them to join him on a quest that would end in the creation of Khárûz-Korum.
The Dwarven capital, roughly translating to the king's mountain. His passion and memories of the former Dwarven Glory sparked the fires in every Dwarf he met.
He serves Khárûz Kull as advisor and the king refers to him as 'The Mouth of The King', since he does most of the talking and diplomatic missions across the lands.
This ancient Dwarf has brought allies to the kingdom and documented every meeting the king has had.
Moving down from Gromm's office, straight down again and then left, we find ourselves in the training hall.
This is your best bet to find the Frostpeak clan, keeping fit and on top of things.
The Frostpeaks are the warriors among the Dwarves and have an even shorter fuse and a worse temper than what you'd normally expect from a Dwarf.
Her you'll find Kris and Kristoff, an inseparable duo. Kris served the former king Erik Stoneshield and Kristoff is Erik's direct descendant.
It is best to approach them respectfully and be sure to honor them with compliments about their fighting.
You do not want to anger these two life-long friends. If you got the time, stand and watch them for a while.
Then you will understand why the Dwarves are such a formidable ally if ever you should find yourself in need of a fighting force.
These are the Seven Dwarf lords of Khárûz-Korum. Each as worthy as the other.
They are loyal to their friends, strong allies, with a wrath that would shake the very foundations of Altera should they ever be wronged.
May the days of the seven be long and prosperous and may their axes of honor forever keep evil at bay!
Publishing Information
Published by Writah-Hidéòn Co.
Townsday, 27th of Floodlock, PC2293
Author: Khárûz Kublai Kull
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For nostalgia's sake, a vanilla book copied to the forums
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In order of appearance:
Puzlas as Grimli Stonesack
Bartooliinii as Kublai Kull
Seth_Jenkins as Borgrus Greatbane
Jazzper as Thôrdil Bárùmur
I am Wake as Gromm Brownbeard
Luam as Kris Linkoln
BoredBrit as Kristoff Stoneshield
Credits to this picture to Jazzper
