Campaign Chronicles

09 Newkolt 349 AC Arthur, Agnes, Granite, Phineas, Altan, and Davaa gather at the entry tunnel to the Deep Shale Hold. Dozens of dwarves had gathered to make their farewells and offer good luck when Talan came sauntering up the tunnel with Fargain, a pack slung over one shoulder. Granite looks at the Kagonesti. "What are you about, Talan?" He asks, confused by the elf's appearance. "While you guide Arthur and his lady to the Cape of Nordmaar, I will be plotting a course to the Lastgaard Moutains," came the smooth reply. The dwarf jabbed a finger at him. "You are not walking to Southern Ergoth by yourself." Talan seemed confused, "Why not? I walked all of the way here by myself." The elf continued as though explaining something obvious. "You said you would not commit to moving the clan on my word alone. So I shall gather more evidence." Granite looked upward as if asking the gods for patience. Then he lowered his gaze to the el...

04 Newkolt 349 AC Harvek’s memorial was held in the Hall of Ancestors, a vast chamber carved from black granite veined with silver. All two hundred of the clan's dwarves attend. Granite’s cousin, Fargain, officiated the ceremony. Harvek Ironthane's armor,  battered and torn by umber hulk claws, had been cleaned but not repaired. It rested atop a stone coffin. His warhammer had been laid across his chest. Shard Thornwallen, commander of the militia, spoke, " Harvek Ironthane died where every dwarf hopes to die. With steel in hand and his kin behind him. The ranks of the honored dead welcome him." Brunna Ironthane approached the bier carrying a heavy stoneware mug. S he filled the mug from a cask of dark ale and set it beside her brother, kissed his head, and whispered, "Save me a seat," before stepping aside. One by one, every dwarf in the hold approached Harvek’s casket. A miner placed a small iron chisel. A brewer left a polished tankard. A smith laid ...

03 Newkolt 349 AC Davaa carefully lifts Harvek’s body across his shoulders with quiet reverence, despite his injuries. Arthur helps Altan to his feet. The archer winces immediately. "There is not a single part of this that I don’t hate." "When we return, I will use whatever magic is available to me to continue mending your wounds," Agnes tells him. Granite nods, "May the stone remain above you and guide your road upward." His eyes drift to Harvek. "When the rest of us return to the surface, I will speak with his family." Then the two wounded Khurs begin the slow journey back toward the surface, disappearing gradually into the distant glow of quarry lanterns behind them while carrying Harvek home. The group watches them go until the darkness swallows them completely. Phineas takes up his Don't-Stub-My-Toe-in-the-Dark-astor and points it down the tunnel. A perfectly circular shaft roughly forty feet wide descends straight down into blac...

  03 Newkolt 349 AC Granite leads the group through the second half of the Cactus Forest. At times, progress is slow with the group having to dismount and lead Nightrend and the camels through spots where the path narrows dramatically. But the land changes once the group emerges from the narrow trails that wind through the towering succulents. Ahead, the land becomes less sand dunes and brush to exposed stone and jagged outcroppings as the group leaves Khur behind. Granite's focus seems to change. His eyes linger on formations of stone, his fingers trace exposed rock as if he is reading by touch. The open desert gives way to fallen rock, wide cracks, sinkholes leading down into the dark earth. The road snakes back and forth around all of these, in places, stone bridges - obviously built by dwarves and worn down over time - span the larger gaps. Phineas breaks the silence first, peering over the edge of one of the nearer drops. “So this is the Delving,” he says quietly. “Feels li...