Paying My Respects, A Dwarf’s Journey - by Yngvi of the Longbeards

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Aethereal
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Paying My Respects, A Dwarf’s Journey - by Yngvi of the Longbeards

Postby Aethereal » Sat Jun 18, 2022 2:07 pm

It has been a long voyage, and even longer journey but I have set foot upon the blessed earth once more. Here in this city of man, that they call Sarshel. I’ve been chummy enough with one of the longshanks abord the ship to have his name and he’s been of decent company, serving at least as a familiar face amongst strangers in a strange land. He calls himself Arthauld, though I now realise I always tend to pronounce it as ‘Arthnauld,’ eh, not like he could speak a single word of Khuzdul, so he’d best just deal with it. And deal with it he does, good with the bow and of a wit that keeps travelling amusing. Aye, that’ll earn his keep and my company for now.

I’ve made it clear my intent, and it seems we’ve an accord. My first order of business is to get myself properly outfitted. I had to leave the regalia behind when I boarded the first vessel and luckily, I’ve not needed it, until now. If I am to make a proper appearance before the Kingdom of Earthfast, I shall need to be presentable, but also capable of making the journey their on my own – that is, without needing armed escort. A dwarf is his own entourage, and that is why I was chosen for this vital mission. To prove myself, to pay my respects, and to represent the glory of the Longbeards.

So, it begins in the Dockyards. Filled with the horrid scent of fish and the sea but so too opportunity. Trade is abound, and taxes have been both appraised and diligently voided, though I see no clear indication of the Khazad of the Earthfast yet and this I say again, having delved further into the districts of the city. Why do they not hold embassy here? No matter. It is most likely that the war has demanded the presence of all khazad back within the fortress. Perhaps this lack of presence is also an explanation for the sorry state of maintenance that has befallen this city, however. Because prospecting the prices of rentals has proven to show that there are places advertised well above their value, which when evidence is given to the contrary results in very sizeable discount.

Not that it matters, I have not the slightest intention of staying here. It is all just a means to appraise local customs and trading techniques. I surely shan’t be caught unawares for when these things matter – if anyone’s getting the better deal, it’s going to be me. Even if it did matter, there are actual risks in inhabiting the places surveyed so far which outweigh any kind of benefit offered, first amongst them being neighbours of the worst kind: giant sized vermin and ne’er-do-wells liable to cause trouble and get into trouble.

I have also noted that the city guard seem to be very lax when it comes to things outside ‘their jurisdiction,’ they seem disinclined to involve themselves in affairs they’ve not directly witnessed. File a report this, file a report that. I have a suspicion even the reports are being neglected.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Tomorrow is another day. There’s more to see, and more to do. Funds to raise, and a proper suit of armour to pursue.

Aethereal
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Re: Paying My Respects, A Dwarf’s Journey - by Yngvi of the Longbeards

Postby Aethereal » Fri Jun 24, 2022 11:42 am

With a new dawn comes new opportunities. So it was that I have come across another longshanks hailing from distant lands. This one, by all accounts, from the opposite end of the continent, the Moonshae Isles. He goes by the name of Adelroth from some obscure place called Corsydd – though we’ve not spoken of it, his journey must have been at least four-fold that of my own in both distance and time. Seems our mutual contact, Arthauld, told him about me and so after a brief interview I have extended unto him the very same pact afforded to Arthauld. One of mutual assistance and association - win-win, as if the man survived such a long journey, he should possess topside knowledge equivalent to my own stonecunning.

So, in place of the other longshanks, who by all accounts has gone into the wilds and very possibly become an unmarked gravestone, I opted to complete the survey of the Dockyards with this one instead. He’s very keen on venery, the word, more than the thing, though possibly the thing as well – because taking offence to everything and calling it venery of some kind is its own obsession. Nevertheless, secret connections between districts of the city have been uncovered as well as passages leading outside of it. It was in such a passage that we encountered what for legal reasons is best referred to as a ‘mutual acquaintance’ who bestowed upon us a share of their ‘earnings’ in return for, ‘escort’ and promises of goodwill. Indeed, by all accounts, we rescued this mutual acquaintance from a very delicate situation involving silks of a certain kind, and an infestation of another. Personally, I’d have wanted a bigger share, something to help me along towards accomplishing my first order of business here, but all things considered, a glimpse into this other side of business may have value in the long-term. If for no other reason, it shall help complete my understanding of all factors affecting trade within this city.

Oh yes, Adelroth swore his share to the temple, apparently swayed by the Mother’s words of charity and duties of faith and whatnot. I should also note that this Mother Kelda has in turn offered whatever aid she may to each of us in our respective quests – which is a boon I shan’t forget. Some manner of divine lore or divestment may well be called for when I move toward the Earthfast. With enough of the dockyards sized up, prospecting continued into the central square of the city, then into the southern temple district, but after that led outside the city gates. Whilst all that was seen within the walls of Sarshel has shown many threats, weaknesses, and opportunities (which in their own way may be converted into strengths under the right conditions) I am certain there is at least one other district of the city that has been completely overlooked and should be marked for future visitation.

Outside the walls, there is an establishment of merit, the Swordhall, where mercenaries and adventuring types may be contracted. The hall itself is also open to public use for training and even respite. Otherwise there are farmlands reaching out all the way to a small village named Outentown. It was out towards this area that we ended our expedition for the day after a bit of spelunking. Nothing special to note except that there are various vermin and critters about the nooks and crannies not visited frequently enough by industry, let alone civilisation.

Free of the longshanks, I decided to delve a bit deeper. And it was here that I came upon my very first lead towards understanding and connecting with the Khazad of the region. Was it some kind of trade network here, once upon a time with the humans, perhaps? Or was there a sprawling metropolis beneath the very feet of the longshanks, an extension of the Kingdom of Earthfast beyond its great fortification in the mountains in its glory days? Certainly, it had to be from the glory days, because all that is left is the signature of their presence, bereft now of kin in the flesh. A shame, but even these ancient passageways are in better condition than some of the humans’ infrastructure. Though I will recognise that such statements may be overly harsh judge of these frontiersfolk – I don’t entirely understand their situation. But I do know war, and planar incursion. Not specifically daemons, but the Rift is not without its own plagues. It is more a statement of the so-called individuality of the human. They don’t care for what is ‘theirs’, they only care about what is only theirs alone. They let all that they cannot grasp in a single hand rot, so long as what is in hand is secured. Folly, but a folly that makes it oh so easy and lucrative to trade with them.

Thus, the potential for profitability here is near limitless. The trouble is, why is the Khazad presence so utterly sequestered? Maybe that too, is an advantage. Specifically, for me.

Aethereal
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Re: Paying My Respects, A Dwarf’s Journey - by Yngvi of the Longbeards

Postby Aethereal » Fri Jun 24, 2022 2:59 pm

It’s been some time since I last saw Adelroth, and even longer since I saw the other longshanks with whom I’ve formed a pact of mutual interest. However, I recall the direction the former suggested we travel next. He mentioned a settlement by the name of Raelgar, and I in my inquiries, had learned enough to know it would be along the east coast heading south. I personally couldn’t care less for the coast or the water, certainly had enough of it all just getting here in the first place, but the man has made himself scarce. What am I to do with a pact at risk of going fallow? We’ve already had to iron out his unseemly words besmirching my honour and dignity, most importantly in earshot of those with whom I am building trade relations – an unforgivable liability such things would make of this accord, boding ill for us both. It was he after all who chose to donate coin to a local wench for playing tour guide, and it was our ‘mutual acquaintance’ whose words spoke of the ‘venery’ of bedding the priestess, not mine! There is definitely a guilty conscience at play within that one’s head, whether he wants to admit to it or not.

In any case, there is a mutuality not just of interest but of a shared quest and the semblance of honour with which we pursue our goals. The potential in the long-term outweighs trivial differences. As in time, greatness itself may be grasped, and justice done to the dignity of our pursuits. Adelroth seeks a lord-liege unto whom he may offer his service, and my mission in honouring the fallen is perhaps not so different at its core from the distaste (and horror) he displays when viewing those who have met their demise in the most unforgiving of ways. There is a respect there (or desire to not become so worthless a corpse). An appreciation for life. Though the Ironlord Torg earned his name and that of his clan rightfully through accomplishment and victory. The same cannot be said of the unnamed man who died on the privy, left to rot and be et by vermin. Talk about a shitshow.

So, I decided, in this case, that I will uphold my side of the bargain and make sure the fellow has not met an untimely demise. Southwards I walked, passing through a graveyard left barely attended, along a coastal trade route long since abandoned to the depredations of banditry (notably, I believe, in favour of the ‘Royal Road’). It should have been my first clue as to the nature of this ‘settlement’ of Raelgar, truly. For as I arrived before the gates of that place, noting parts of the wall missing, it was already apparent that it too had long since been left to ruin. How in the blasted halls of possibility Adelroth figured this was a place worth visiting is beyond any sane rationale I can uncover. However, it is that same inexplicable structure of nigh impossibility that led to the greatest of fortunes. A link in the chains of reality that proves the forefathers have yet a sense of humour as they watch us from Dwarfhome.

Because it was there, by the edge of ruin, in a strange cottage facing the water, populated by deranged fisherman, that I encountered at last, Khazad. A major breakthrough, one that would prove to be of great promise. As it was not just any Khazad, I encountered, but Kharaz'ar of Earthfast¸ messenger to the lands of men by the coast, and his companion, Volataine ud kha Sapphiretoe, lay-sworn of the Faenor. Most importantly, Kharaz’ar explained his warnings and call for aid fell upon deaf ears and offered the opportunity to assist with his diplomatic efforts. Perfect. There could not be any more ideal an avenue through which I might approach the Earthfast proper than this. It is truly as if it were all orchestrated by the divine will of the Morndinsamman.

I joined then my kin at last, upon journeys long and far eastwards from our position along the human lands, all the way to Dilpur and then even the old capital of these Impilturans, Filur. All the while we put an end to the menaces plaguing both the surface and the upper tunnels of the regions we traversed. We were as a cleansing scourge of dwarven power. A force to be reckoned with. And of course, where there is industry, there is profit. I move along my goal and share in this prosperity with kin, forging bonds that I should see last many an age. A proper suit of armour I am yet to be furnished with, but now I have moved so much closer to upholding the name and honour of the Longbeards. I shall not only accomplish my mission, I shall forge ties to strengthen the bonds of Khazad.


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