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Badly wounded and shaken by your encounter with the Dragon, you stumble up another stairwell. Before collapsing in heap on the floor. You lie there for hours, trying to find the strength to get up, when you hear voices and footsteps. Cursing your rotten luck, you claw your way back up onto your feet and draw your weapon.
"By my bleeding ancestors! I'm telling you I heard sometin!"
"Aye, I be telling yah that ye be a blocked headed turnip. There ain't nought down there, besides the great beastie," replies a gruff voice.
Recognizing the familiar accent of Dwarves, you wonder what they could be doing down here? When eight Dwarves wearing white armbands, armored in black plate armor that shine dully in the light, their shields strapped to their backs and Warhammers in hand; round the corner. Too tired to move, you prepare yourself to at least go down fighting, when the Dwarves spot you, and stare at you in astonished wonder. The leader of this small unit of Dwarves, a stoutly built Dwarf with steel blues eyes and a short black beard flecked with white hairs demands loudly, "How in the blazes did ye get up 'ere stranger?"
Finding no reason not to tell them. You explain to them your journey through the City of Ironfield, your encounter with the Dark Mages and of the Dragon loose about the dungeon. By the end of your tale, most of the Dwarves are gaping at you in open-mouthed wonder. When the voice you heard earlier pipes up. "Dinna I tell ye I heard sometin." The Dwarven Commander scowls angrily at the much younger Dwarf to shut him up, before returning his attention back to you.
"If your story be true stranger, and by the looks of you i'd say it is. We'd surely welcome you among our company."
Liking the idea of being escorted by some solid Dwarven warriors, you readily agree to travel with them for a time. Together you turn down passageway, which Argven says is the quickest way back to their Stronghold Stonefold. And along the way Argven, and his younger brother Durgen the youngest Dwarven warrior in their party after tending to your wounds (+10 Health Points), regale you with tales of their adventures on the surface, and once they learn of your intent to join the army mustering to battle the feral Dwarves that have invaded the City of Torfiol. You learn that more than a dozen mercenary companies hired by the Dwarven Lord to recapture the City have perished in the City, along with several Dwarven battalions around two thousand four hundred strong.
Having faced feral Dwarves in battle and won fairly easily, you ask them how can that be? How could Dwarves lose so many warriors to these creatures? The Dwarves give each other knowing looks, before they explain to you that these feral Dwarves have somehow fallen under the control of the Ancients. Feral Dwarves that have lived for thousands of years gaining untold abilities that allow them to hunt in the darkness. These creatures dangerous beyond measure, can tolerate sunlight and are devilishly cunning. Their also much larger and stronger than a common feral Dwarf.
Hmmm maybe heading to the City of Torfiol is not such a great idea after all. You've acquired plenty of gold, and other valuable items. Why not call it quits and return home? However leaving now, and returning home without hearing what the Dwarven Lord has to offer, seems such a waste. Argven seeing your eyes sparkling with excitement at the possibility of more treasure, lets out a loud hearty laugh and slaps you on the back. "You're warrior after me own heart. Come, let us set up camp for the night and be on our way in the mornin'." Argven leads you through one more tunnel, before exiting through a rusted iron gate, where you enter a large cavern, filled with glowing green fungus and stalagmites. Glad to finally be out of the City of Ironfield, you let out a heavy sigh, while the Dwarves setup camp in between some stalagmites on a flat rocky surface and get to work building a fire.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Not sure how the Dwarves can tell, if it's morning on not. You rest your back up against a solid looking stalagmite, and watch Durgen cook some meat using a frying pan. Mouth watering at the delicious scent of meat roasting in it's own juices, you lick your lips and lean forward. Durgen feeling the intensity of your stare, gives you a gap toothed grin and flips the roasted meat in your direction. And like a starving wolf, you leap for the meat and catch it in your hands. The hot juices burn your fingers, but you don't care. You give the meat a few blows to cool it down and start biting into it. Gods it tasted amazing, if it were not for your burning mouth and tongue,you would have devoured the whole thing down in a single bite (+5 Health Points.)
Minutes later after everyone has eaten a meal, the Dwarves settle down for the night. And to thank them for their hospitality, you offer to take first watch. Argven raises his eyebrow at that, but nods his head in acceptance of the idea. In the silence of the cavern you look out at the glowing fungus that looks quite beautiful in the gloom of cavern, when you hear something. Drawing your weapon, you move to investigate.
When you feel eyes upon you back, you turn around slowly and see dozens of red eyes peering out at you from the darkness.
3. Do you retreat back to the fire luring in the feral Dwarves into attacking the sleeping Dwarves, then slip away to watch the fight, before returning to loot their corpses?
Careful to not make any sudden moves you cautiously retreat back to the fire, where the Dwarves lay sleeping. Then back away to hide in amongst stalagmites. The feral dwarves their red eyes glittering in the darkness, sweep forward to rip into the sleeping Dwarves, who cry out in surprise. Before Argven quickly rallies his surviving warriors, un-slings his round shield and draws his Warhammer to battle the creatures. Blood sprays into the air and warriors are torn to pieces, as Dwarves unable to reach Argven are dragged away into the darkness. Bloodied and bleeding, the Dwarves fight on, taking more casualties, until all that remain are four warriors.
As the battle rages on, without any further casualties. Your beginning to wonder if these feral dwarves might need some help finishing off these Dwarven warriors, when a large pack of feral dwarves burst up out of the ground from beneath them to tear at their feet and rip apart their thin line. The battle hardened warriors shocked by the turn of events, fight valiantly to stave off the blood-crazed creatures, but even their skill is no match for the dozens of powerful claws that strike at them from all sides.
Within minutes the last Dwarven warrior has fallen to the cavern's floor to be devoured by the feral dwarves that dig into their flesh. You wait hiding in shadows, until all the feral dwarves have had their fill and disappeared, before slipping out to search their bodies.
Battle Results
None
Loot
You find a golden pin on what remains of Argven's body worth 50 gold pieces. A Warhammer that allows you ends battles faster -1 damage, and a badly damaged round shield that adds +1 resilience. You also collect thirty three feral Dwarf ears worth 165 gold pieces at the Stronghold. To your disappointment the Dwarves black plated armor is too badly damaged by claw marks to take with you.
Quest Completed