The Dwarf-Drow War
-------------------------------------

A new problem... By: Jhaelryna

   The Yochol, a handmaiden of Lloth, stood over the
Valsharess and continued to speak. "The plan is failing. The
accursed dwarves are stubborn, and resistant to our magics. In
the fullness of time, perhaps this method of attack will work.
But you do not have that luxury of time. As it stands now,
Axepeak will still be a threat to your plans." Valsharess
Jhaelryna stood quietly and brooded on this latest development.
Curse those stunted dwarves. Their digging and tunneling under
the Mountain was not a direct threat. But it was a threat none
the less. She had worked for some time on a way to undermine
the dwarves, to slowly corrupt them. But the recent orders of
the Spider Queen had moved up her timetable somewhat. She
quickly came to a decision. "I shall continue as planned. Our
original plans shall proceed. I cannot, however, guarantee the
destruction of the dwarves by the time we need...but they can
certainly be...distracted." Understanding the Valsharess'
intent, the Yochol nodded and disappeared. Jhaelryna cackled
evilly as she wrote her orders. The dwarves would be
distracted, most certainly. And it would prove interesting
indeed.

    Durhelm Stonehew wiped the sweat from his brow and set down
his pick. A rich vein! He made a quick note on a crumpled
parchment, then stuffed the parchment back into his miner's
coveralls. If this vein of silver was as rich as he thought,
then the dwarves would profit much this season. He heard
several buzzing and whizzing sounds, and felt a few sharp stings
on his neck and back. "Blasted moss-keetos!!" he thought. His
vision swam, and as he fell into unconsciousness he wondered
just what mosquitoes were doing a thousand feet underground.
The dwarven patrol found him early the next day. He was
stripped naked and chained to an outcropping of rock. His skin
had been flayed off, layer by p1ainful layer. Blood lay in a
pool at his feet. "By Moradin!!" cried the patrol leader as he
ran to the tortured dwarf's side. Durhelm lifted his head,
tears in his eyes, and tried to speak. Shaking off his revusion
at the bloodied and beaten face, the patrol leader whispered
"Who wer th' devils wot dun this to ye, lad?" Durhelm moaned a
few unintelligable sounds and then slumped into unconsciousness.
The leader turned from the poor dwarf, and barked "Don' ye jes
stand ther, lads! Free him, and we best be gettin' 'im to th'
clan 'ealers. One o' ye gives him an 'ealing draught ta steady
'im." The soldiers scrambled to aid their wounded comrade. "Why
did he nae speak?" asked a soldier as he gently lowered his
friend to the ground. The patrol leader spun around angrily.
"Becaus' they cut out 'is tongue!" he yelled, "I swear by
Moradin tha' I repay those wot dun this seventyfold!!". His
words echoed down the dark passageways of the mines. A short
distance away, a dark form noted the goings on, and silently
slipped back to report that the mission was proceeding as
planned.
-----------------------------------Dark times upon us.... By:
Nystramo

Nystramo looked down at the unconscious Tigguhr, a feeling of
dread filling him. "Beldarak," he had said before passing out.
Treachery.

He motioned for the gaurds to take him someplace safe. "I wants
two kuldar on 'im a' all times," he ordered. Events were taking
a turn, and not for the better. He could smell it in the rock.

"Nys." A voice behind him interrupted his thoughts. He turned
and saw Dwyvyrn, a bleak look on his face. More bad news, he
thought. "Comes wi' me, Nys. It be Durhelm."

*****

The chief of Clan Axepeak watched in silence as the healers
worked feverishly on the miner. Durhelm's agony was evident, but
true to his heritage he didn't cry out. A cleric of Moradin
prayed over him, both to aid in the healing and to alert the god
to the possibility of a new arrival. Some of his skin had grown
back, and the beginning of a new tongue was forming. Nystramo
forced himself to watch it all.

One of the healers approached him. "We done our bes', Olor Kuld.
We kinna be savin' 'im." Nystramo nodded and approached the
dying dwarf.

Durnhelm looked up at his chief, knowing full well his fate.
With difficulty, he spoke. "I be on my way, chief." Nystramo
nodded. It was not the way of dwarves to insult honored comrades
with comforting lies. "It be too slow," the dwarf continued.
"Nae... nae tha way I wants it." Nystramo looked over to one of
the healers, who nodded. Death was assured, but it would be long
and painful. "Do me tha... tha honor.... Olor Kuld." Nystramo
nodded once more and drew Rorn Norogh, his fearsome axe. "I
makes it quick, samman. Serves Moradin a' well a' ya ha' served
tha clan." Durnhelm nodded, managed a gruesome smile, and the
axe fell.

*****

"I gots a job fer ya," Nystramo told Dwyvyrn in his office. "I
needs ta ken wha' 'appened down there." Dwyvyrn nodded,
expecting the assignment. "Picks yer team and finds who done
this."

"Who ya thinks, Nys?" Dwyvyrn asked, though he had his own ideas.

"Drow er duergar, I be thinkin'. Both be cruel enou' fer this."

"Wha' 'bouts tha ITB?" Dwyvyrn didn't really believe this
possibility, but thought it should be mentioned.

"Nae." Nys shook his head. "Nae down this deep, an' I'm thinkin'
they'd be leavin' a sign ta tells us it wa' them. This' be
reekin' o' tha Underdark. Find outs, kin, an' whoever it be, I
wants one alive."

Dwy nodded and left to choose his hunting party, knowing full
well that they might never see the halls of Lonely Mountain
again.

*****

"Bonie!" Nys barked after Dwyvyrn left. The lass, still shaken
from seeing Durnhelm as he was carried up from the mines,
entered the room.

"Aye, Olor Kuld?"

"Summons tha Council o' Elders. Tells 'em we be meetin' in tha
war room a' noon. We gots plans to make."

She nodded and ran off to fulfill her duties, wondering if she
would be allowed the luxury of finding happiness with Delfthand
after all.
-----------------------------------Deception By: Jhaelryna

   The drow soldiers put aside their normal weapons, and
instead armed themselves with warhammers and battleaxes. They
laughed and joked amongst themselves as they entered the slave
pens. A group of duergar slaves huddled in the corner, warily
watching the drow advance upon them. "It's time that you served
Lloth, filthy creatures." said the Captain of the drow. "You
will play a most fitting part in a little drama..."

    Moving purposefully through the mines, the three man
dwarven patrol kept a wary watch for anything unusual. Without
warning, the dwarves were engulfed in inky blackness. "Drow!!"
cried the veteran who was leading the patrol,"Stand firm, lads!"
Within a split second, the drow were upon them. The dwarves
lashed out blindly with their weapons as they attempted to
retreat clear of the magical darkness. The drow, trained in
blind fighting, knifed and slashed at the retreating dwarves.
As the veteran at last exited the blackness, he found to his
dismay that his comrades were not as lucky as he. He grimly set
his weapon and launched himself at the first drow to emerge from
the darkness spell. "That'll teach ye, ye blasted elfies!" he
cried as his axe disembowled his dark opponent. "Who be next?"

    When the battle was over the three unfortunate dwarves lay
slain upon the tunnel floor. The drow had arranged the hacked
bodies of a dozen duergar around them. Admiring his handiwork,
the Captain of the drow finished placing the last corpse. A
scene of great carnage. Even a detailed examination of the
bodies would probably indicate that they had slain each other in
mortal combat. He was sure that he would be commended for his
actions. He had lost only one soldier, with 2 others being
seriously wounded. The last dwarf had proved to be a
challenging foe, he thought. An evil smile crept across his
face as he thought of things to come. He intended to fulfil his
orders to the letter. Within a few short weeks, the foolish
dwarves would be chasing shadows under the Mountain. He barked
a quick command to his men. The drow warband left the bloody
remains behind them, pausing only to make sure that they left no
discernable trail as they left.
-----------------------------------The Ironpeak Warrior.... By:
KAGIS

Kagis Ironpeak was no stranger to battle. In fact, he craved
it... not the little encounters that were so common in these
parts... but the big, knock down, drag out fights that pitt
dwarf against all manner of fearce monster. Scratching his
slightly peppered beard, Kagis thought about the recent attacks
from the underdark, "Somethin' 'ere don' seem righ'. All
raports seems ta implicate dem durn drow, but now we's find a
patrol dat looks li' it be taken ou' by duergar. Rust and
Tarnish!" Letting out a puff, "dat does it, I guess dere be
nuttin ta do essept go down dere an' find out what befallen me
kin."

The battle-worn dwarf pounds across his small room in the Lonely
Mounten, and approaches a large leather-bound chest. The chest
is only slightly smaller than Kagis himself, made of mithrill
steel and inlaid with silver. Kagis slides the chest into the
center of the room, grunting under the weight. Reaching in his
belt pouch, the dwarf draws out a golden key and inserts it in
the locked chest. With a twist of the key, the chest unlocks.

Kagis slowly, almost reverently, opens the chest's lid to peer
down inside. "Come ta pappa me precious Kuldarau (The Great
Axe)." Kagis reaches in the chest and pulls out the large
battle axe. Running his hands over the weapon, Kagis breaths a
deep sigh, remembering when his father passed the clan's weapon
down to him. Kuldarau is centuries old and was forged of
Mithrill and Nature's Magic by the first clan lord of the
Ironpeak clan.

Kagis hefts the Great Axe in one hand with a familiarity that
speaks volumes of battles in bygone times. "Now we be seein'
who dare attack me new clan sammans."

Reaching back in the huge chest, Kagis retrieves a few more
items. Tefflairn a hand-held crossbow of dwarven make that
would shame those used by the drow. Kagis straps Tefflairn to
his heavy leather belt, and retrieves a quarrel of magic bolts
(a gift from a human paladin). Next, Barakalagh his stout
shield. Finally, Kagis pulls out a small golden ring engraved
with runes. Placing the ring of regeneration on his finger and
hefting Kuldarau, Kagis leaves his delve heading for the lower
delves of Lonely Mountain.

His Iron-studded boots clomp resoundingly on the stone floors as
Kagis steps into the grand meeting hall. Spotting Nystramo
sitting in a corner speaking with Bonnielass, Kagis waves an
armored hand at the Olor Kuld. "Greetin's kin!" Kagis calls
out.

Both Nys and Bonnie waive back. Bonnie nods to Nys then leaves
on some errand, leaving the two warriors alone. "Wha' be
bringin' ye from yer battle field ta da Morndin Kagis?"
"I heard 'bout da attacks from da underdark. I cannae stand da
thouht dat some wily dark elfies or those slagg duergar migh' be
killin' me kin. So's 'ere I be..." Kagis pauses and then grins
at Nys... "I be knowin' ya Nys... yer nae 'bout ta let dese
attacks ta go unavenged. Ye be goin' ta send a warrior group
down dere an' I be valunterrin' ta go."
-----------------------------------The Underdark... By:
SUNDERFIST

   Sunderfist knew the Underdark well....he knew its perils as
well as its beauty. He knew how to blend in with the
surroundings, to become virtually invisible, to speak to the
rocks and earth. But most of all, in his homeland of the
Underdark, he was able to utilize the little known Svirfneblin
power to summon creatures from the Elemental Plane of Earth.
Perhaps he could even enlist the aid of his people if they
passed close enough to his city! He knew he could help the
dwarves....after all they had shown much kindness in accepting
him, a total stranger, into their halls. Now all he had to do
was convince Dywyvrn to allow a gnome on his quest
team...."Hmm," he thought, "No small feat there!"....
    ------------------------------------More bad news.... By:
 Nystramo

Nystramo examined the scene of the most recent carnage
personally. With him we HiuFang Li and Patroc1us. Dwyvyrn was
off preparing his hunting party, and Nys had sent Starkadh to
search some less reputable avenues of information. Moradinson,
having only recently assumed the title of Rrin Kuld, was still
searching for a dwarf to replace him as 1st of the Gaurd. Hence,
he was needed to organize the mount's defenses in this time of
trouble.

"Duergar," Patroc1us spat. "I kenned we ha nae seen tha las' o'
tha greyskins."

"So it would appear," HiuFang mused, scratching his chin. He was
examining the bodies closely, making small questioning noises
now and then. "Wha' ya be thinkin', kin?" Nystramo asked.

HiuFang shrugged. "Well, my king, it certainly does appear that
our kin and the duergar locked forces. The wounds indeed match
the weapons here. Still, I must be truthful. I have some nagging
questions."

"Aye?" Nystramo asked. "So asks 'em an' be ou' wi' it."
"The duergar here are a scrawny lot, even for their kind. I
would suspect that this was the first battle they had seen in
some time. Note that they do have some scars, but the scars one
would recieve in battle are all very old. The rest are either
from this particular battle, or are not battle scars at all. I
would say they were more in keeping with whips, and perhaps even
a snake bite or two."

"Whips, eh? Ya sayin' they wa' slaves?" Nystramo thought for a
moment. "Escaped slaves, mebbe? Fr'm some goblin er 'obgoblin
camp?" It never occurred to him to think that they had escaped
from the drow. Nobody escaped from the drow, except in death.

HiuFang nodded. "Yes, my king, that is certainly a possibility.
Still, the snake bites make me wonder...." His voice trailed
off, lost in thought.

Patroc1us spoke up, his scowl even more severe than usual.
"Pfagh! Wha' I wants ta ken is 'ow thi' scrawny lot bested our
kin!" He pointed to one of the fallen dwarves, who still held a
mighty axe in his grasp. "Goran be one o' our stoutest kuldar.
E'en Dwyvyrn too' a sparrin' match wi' 'im seriously. I nae sees
'im bein' felled by a few scrawny greyskins."

"Magix?" Nystramo asked.

Both HiuFang and Patroc1us shrugged. "I cannot say, my king. We
do not have enough information. I believe we have surmised all
that we are able, at the moment."

Nystramo nodded. "Aye, we be gainin' nothin' more 'ere. We
doubles tha patrols fer now. I wants six kuldar on every outin',
an' a cleric be accompanyin' 'em. If'n they be bringin' magix ta
bear on us, lets be seein' wha' a bi' o' Moradin's power kin do
fer us."

The three elders of the clan made their way back to the upper
halls, each lost in thought. Dark times, indeed, and there was
no sign that they would be improving any time soon.
   ------------------------------------Poor Kitty By: D1AMOND

D1AMOND stepped out of Nys' work room in time to see Tigguhr
peel the bucket off of his head and fall to the floor in pain.
Even though the lad could be an irritant and feeling more than a
bit guilty as she watched him twitch on the floor, D1 ran in
concern to help the now unconcious Tigguhr. Nystramo was
already leaning over Tig when D1 arrived at his side. "Is he
alright?" she asked Nys shakily.

Distracted by the fallen lads last words and the smell of foul
magic, Nys had not noticed D1's appearance until she had spoke
to him. The tremor in her voice and the way she didn't look him
in the eye when she spoke did not escape his notice. Taking
hold of her chin and turning it towards him, Nys forced D1 to
look him in the eye. After looking her in the eyes searchingly
for a few seconds, Nys asked, "Ye ken somthin' 'bout this, don't
ye lass?"

D1 nodded and preceeded to tell Nys how she, out of anger
towards Tig, hit him over the head and locked him in her cellar.
The bucket, she explained, was used to subdue him when he had
tried to escape a few days later. She continued, "Tha lads bin
in me cellar fer nigh on a week an' I fears tha' his condition
be me doin'."

At any other time Nys would have found D1's behavior amusing,
but he knew that more was happening here than a few days locked
in a cellar. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder to comfort
her, Nys said, "There be more at werk here, lass, than tha' lads
being locked in a cellar fer a week wit nae a ale to drink. Any
dwarf would be hard pressed indeed to be in such dier
circumstances, but I thin' there be some dark magic involved
here," then went on to explain what Tigguhr had said to him.

As Nystramo called for some guard's to take Tig away, D1 looked
down in concern at the wounds Tig had caused himself while
pulling the bucket from his head. Putting her hand on Nys' arm
to stop him as he commanded Tig's removal, D1 asked, "At least
let me look after his wounds, Nys. Mayhap I cin git him ta
talks more sense when he wakes up."

Nys looks at the limp body being hauled away between two guards,
and nods to D1AMOND. She reaches up, gives him a quick kiss on
the cheek and says, "Thankyee," then runs off after the guards.
           ------------------------------------Another
card is played... By: Jhaelryna

   "Keep movin, ya lazy dogs!" yelled Gunklob as he waved his
falchion menacingly. The goblin chieftan was anxious to get
started on his war of conquest. He looked over to his side,
where Gaglug the shaman was rummiging through a bag of
foul-smelling herbs. The chieftan had little respect for
shaman, "Too crazy, if ya asks me" he said to himself. "Wot?"
said the guard passing next to him. Gunklob bashed his weapon
into the side of the guard's head, and snarled "Keep yer nose
whar it belongs!". Making certain to keep his thoughts to
himself this time, the goblin leader thought about the course of
events that had brought him to this place. He and his tribe
had been approached by a party of drow, seeking to parlay.
Gunklob was no fool, and he knew that the sneaky spider-kissers
never asked politely for anything, much less for anything from
goblins. None the less, he listened to what they had to say.
They offered him a chance for glory that he could not refuse.
He was given a golden opportunity to strike at his hated
enemies, the dwarves. The drow provided him with provisions,
weapons, and most importantly, detailed maps of the lowest
levels of the dwarven stronghold. They promised Gunklob that
they would assist him in battle, and would allow him to rule the
Mountain after the dwarves were driven from it. It was an
opportunity they could not pass up. The very next day, his
tribe was moving through the underground passages towards the
dwarves. The chieftan cast another annoyed glance towards
Gaglug. The drow had given Gunklob his magical falchion to aid
in the battle, and had given something to the shaman as well.
But Gaglug had hidden it away, tucked in some secret pocket of
his. Every once in a while, Gunklob was able to catch a
fleeting glimpse of the shiny object, but the shaman jealously
guarded his treasure. The chieftan figured that he could search
the shaman's possessions while he slept, but dismissed the idea.
He had no desire to get any closer to the smelly shaman than he
had to. The other goblins laughed at Gaglug, and claimed that
the mere stench of the shaman would stun a dwarf at 10 paces.
Holding his nose as a breeze passed over the goblin horde, the
chieftan figured that their guess was fairly accurate. He shook
his head, and turned his thoughts back to the conquest to come,
and he thought of the glories he would win. He did not know
that the drow had no intention of aiding his attack, and he had
no way of knowing that the map he was given was false. The map
showed the location of the dwarven stronghold well enough, but
all of the interior details were invented by the imagination of
the drow Captain. The drow cared not at all for the fate of the
goblins. Once the goblins reached the dwarven holding, the drow
plan would have succeeded. The Captain cared not whether the
goblins had a chance against the dwarves. All that mattered was
to get them there. The goblin band marched on. Fifteen
score warriors, all intent upon war with their ancient enemy.
Battle would soon be met under the mountain.
-----------------------------------The plan in motion By:
Jhaelryna

    The drow Captain listened to the reports of his scouts, and
was pleased. The dwarves had reacted as planned. The dwarven
patrols had been increased in number and strength. Soon they
expected the dwarves to come down into the Underdark, hunting
those that slew their kin. The drow prepared to withdraw his
small force of a dozen soldiers. The small contingent of drow
could not confront the power of the dwarves, now that it was
awakened. But they would continue to leave enticing clues as
they went. They prepared counterfeit duergar campsites to be
discovered, and left duergar food remains and marks of passing
for the patrols to find. The bullheaded dwarves would
predictibly be drawn after them, away from the prepared defenses
of the Mountain. Then, the outermost patrols would be surprised
and overrun by the several hundred goblins now marching towards
the unsuspecting dwarves. The Captain chuckled to himself.
Even the strong patrols of the dwarves had little chance against
such weight of numbers. The losses of more patrols would
further enrage the dwarves, and they would march out in strength
to destroy the goblins utterly. And that is what the drow were
counting on.
-----------------------------------Hidden Weapon By: D1AMOND

D1AMOND followed the guards to Tigguhr's room and watched as
they placed him onto his bed. She nodded to the guards as they
turned to set their watch by Tig's door. Remembering Nys' words
about foul magic, D1 stopped one of the lads and asked him to
fetch a healer. Tigguhr did a world of hurt to himself, nothing
bad enough for a healer, but she wanted a cleric type about to
see if they could maybe detect any magic on the unconcious lad.

With the guards set, D1 went about cleaning the hardened cobbler
from what was left of Tig's hair and beard. Then she cleaned
and dressed the bare patches were Tig had torn out his hair. As
she was taking off his soiled shirt, she felt something hard
hidden underneath, close to his chest. Under his clothing she
found a small crossbow and bolt. D1amond had seen many weapons
in her life, but this was like no crossbow she had ever seen.

Making sure that the lad was comfortable, D1 went to show the
crossbow to Nystramo. As she was leaving, she felt it important
to tell the guards, "Makes sure ye watches 'im closey, and nae
be trustin' a werd he says. When 'e wakes, please send werd ta
tha chief er me."
------

D1 was leaning over Nystramo's seated shoulder when Starkadh
entered the work room. She looked up with a smile, but then
noticed the serious set to both Nys' and Stark's faces. D1
studied Stark as he stood before his chief and received his
orders. She watched as his features grew harder and harder with
each of Nys' words and his fists clinched tighter and tighter.
The way he held himself, D1 almosts expected Stark to spit in
Nys' face and tell him to take a flying leap, but he nodded and
agreed to gather as much information he could. She continued to
watch him carefully as he turned to leave. Stark glanced at her
while leaving. D1, who was expecting Stark's usual wink, almost
gasped when she saw instead a glare of hatred.

Dropping her hand from Nystramo's shoulder, D1 started to go
after Stark, but then she heard Nys exclaim as he found symbols
etched inside of the crossbow he was once again examining.
"Drow!" He almost shouted, and startled D1AMOND from her
thoughts. She'd have to talk to Stark later, she thought, and
turned her attention back to Nystramo.
-----------------------------------Into the Underdark By:
Dwyvyrn

Dwyvyrn chose his hunting party carefully. When news of Durhelm
Stonehew's torture had filtered through the clan, every dwarf
capable of hefting an axe was eager to head out and avenge his
death. Their enthusiasm cooled considerably when word of
Goran's patrol came back. All three of those dwarves had been
seasoned fighters. All three were dead.

Still, many kin sought danger and asked to be a member of the
expedition. Even the deep-gnome Sunderfist had approached him
about joining up. While Dwyvyrn had originally scoffed at this
notion, he warmed up to it after a bit of thought. As the party
ventured deeper into the passages under Lonely Mountain, the
surface dwarves would become less familiar with their
surroundings. In contrast, the svirfneblin would be entering
areas much better known to him, and his knowledge of the
Underdark could prove critical to the party's survival.

In the end, Dwyvyrn selected four warriors to accompany him and
the deep-gnome on their journey. In addition a priestess,
Gilgina, would accompany the group. She was one of the clan's
most potent healers and a competent fighter as well. If there
was one common trait found in the party members, it was that
none of them had any family here in Lonely Mountain. Dwyvyrn
fully expected that the party would return to the clan halls
with fewer members than it departed with, if it returned at all.

Dwyvyrn hurriedly strode into the training hall where the party
had gathered, after attending a last-minute meeting of the clan
elders. Although the elders were in agreement that the duergar
did not seem to be the only ones behind this assault, they were
unsure what other races might be involved. While it was possible
that one of the surface races had forced the duergar to aid
them, this did not concern the council too greatly. All of the
dwarven warriors were adept at combatting their perennial
surface foes such as goblins, orcs, gnolls, and giants. Indeed,
since the duergar infiltrations had ceased many months ago, the
only combat the dwarven patrols had seen was on the surface (In
fact, subterranean patrols had been held in such low regard of
late that dwarven warriors actively sought places on the surface
patrols, where the chance of finding action was much greater).
If the expedition should happen to encounter one of these races,
the dwarves would hold a decided advantage in underground combat
techniques.

What concerned the council of elders was the much more likely
chance that one of the races of the underdark was aiding the
duergar. Only the drow and the illithids had the power
necessary to gain the cooperation of the dark dwarves, either
willingly or unwillingly. Few of Axepeak's warriors had any
battle experience against either of these races. To compensate
for this, a quick training session was conducted to refresh the
fighters in tactics used when fighting these foes. First they
practiced blindfighting to combat the darkness used by the drow.
Although the dwarves did not expect to match the expertise of
the dark elves in this tactic, they would at least be able to
perform an organized retreat to a place where they could set up
a proper defense. Next, they worked on summoning dwarven
battle-rage, the best defense they had against the mental
attacks of the mind-flayers.

As he watched a blindfolded Sunderfist struggle to fend off
attacks, Dwyvyrn momentarily questioned his decision to allow
the svirfneblin to join the group. He realized however, that
the deep-gnome's ability to summon elemental beings represented
perhaps their best chance of surviving an attack from either
drow or illithids. In that way he served them better than the
most powerful dwarven warrior.
When their practice was complete, the group packed up their
weapons, rations, and supplies. Once all was in order, they
slowly filed out and headed toward the gate that separated the
clan halls from the lower caverns. As the recently-doubled
guard moved methodically to unbar and open the gate, Nystramo
came down to wish each member of the expedition luck.
Approaching Dwyvyrn, he clapped him squarely on the shoulders
and managed a weak smile. "Findar, samman" were his only words.
Dwy returned the smile, determined to show nothing but
confidence to his party. "Aye, Olor Kuld. We'll finds out wots
be goin' on down under da Mount."

With that, the seven stout warriors descended into the lower
caves. As the sound of the gate shutting behind them echoed
down the passage, Dwy couldn't help but wonder if he would ever
again hoist an ale inside the granite halls of Clan Axepeak...
          ------------------------------------The Captain
broods By: Jhaelryna

    "Farewell" was all the drow Captain said to his wounded
men, and then he turned away. Severely wounded by the
unexpected ferocity of the dwarven veteran, the two wounded drow
had become a detriment to the rest of the group. Drow were a
practical people, and those that could not contribute anything
were disposed of. Of friendship and of mercy, the drow knew
nothing. The Captain heard weapons being drawn, and soon the
labored breathing of the two wounded men had stopped forever.
The other soldiers methodically stripped the bodies of all
valuables and weapons, then tossed the bodies over the side of a
fissure. Some monster in the Underdark would feed well today,
thought the Captain. The Captain sat upon a rock, and
berated himself for the useless waste of his men. He felt no
loyalty or grief for them, for they were simple pawns and easily
replaced. What gnawed at him was the fact that he had lost
three soldiers, and had killed only three dwarves. An even
exchange was unacceptable, and he knew that he would have to
answer serious questions about his command when he returned to
the drow city. Why had he been so foolish? He should have
sprung an ambush upon the dwarven patrol. He should have felled
them with poisoned bolts and been done with it. But in his
pride, he ordered his men to melee the dwarves. Nothing could
be done about it now, however. He needed to focus on the tasks
before him. To dwell further on his mistakes would only serve
to distract him from his responsibilities. He scribbled a
coded message onto a piece of parchment, and gave it to the
messenger. "Take this back immediately", he commanded briskly.
The drow messenger promptly saluted, and began his trek back to
the drow city. "I'll not underestimate you again, foul
dwarves" muttered the Captain, "Not again."
-----------------------------------From bad to worse.... By:
Nystramo

Nystramo looked at the small hand crossbow with a furrowed brow.
Drow. At the very least he could be certain they were behind
Tigguhr's bizarre behavior. And the attacks? All signs pointed
to the duergar. Further patrols had revealed campsites that had
clearly been used by the greyskins. Still, the timing could
hardly be a coincidence. He shuddered as he considered the
possiblities. An alliance between the two races? Not out of the
question, he knew. Both had a hatred for dwarves, and it was not
unknown for the two to work together to eliminate a common foe.
Of course, Nystramo knew full well that the drow always made
certain to come out on top after such alliances, but that was
small comfort now.

"Thin's dinna be lookin' goo', does they lad?" D1amond asked
with concern. Never had she seen Nys so worried, and she had to
admit, it frightened her a bit. The chief was not one to be
easily spooked.

Nys shook his head. "Nae lass, it dinna," he answered, still
staring at the crossbow. No, things were'nt looking good at all.
             ------------------------------------Dreams,
Truths, Beliefs By: Tigguhr

 Two stout dwarven guards stood vigilance over Tigguhr as he lay
on a stone slab in a holding cell deep within the Mount.
Dreaming, he sweated and rocked, chafing against the bindings
that held him. Once Nystramo saw the Drow crossbow that D1 had
recovered off the young dwarf's body, extra precautions were
needed, thus the bindings. Tigguhr dreamed of the drow
priestess and his mission to assassinate the Rorn Gor....

"...so he returns as chief does he? Fine! The half folk grow in
number like never before, polluting the surface and underground
both. Prosperous now under his guidance? Ha! Use this sleep
poison and then call me, Speck! I will torture him for all
eternity. Then, perhaps the pirate will become head of the
stinking foul dwarves. Perhaps the pirate...yes.."

Tigguhr awoke with a shudder. Senses and feelings flooded into
him at once: Burning on his face and head, bindings bit at his
legs and hands, guards watched him attentively. In a distance,
a babe cried. He felt an emptiness across his chest...THE BOW
WAS GONE! "I must have done the deed then," his mind screamed.
"I'm prisoner...I ha' kilt the chief! Tha kin ha' bound me 'n
taked me beard!"

The babe continued to cry, getting louder, cutting out all
thought from Tigguhr's mind. He focused on the sound, little
but so loud, and helpless. No doubt one of the many dwarven
couples had a new child, but what hope was there with no chief?.
Anguish and remorse filled him, he could barely take a breath
(and at that moment he shook off the drow spells, but he did not
know it). "Tha whelp...." moaned Tigguhr.

 "I ha' kilt tha chief a' the beckonin' o' a drow priestess!" he
exclaimed. The guards looked at each other and one ran out off
the room. Moments later, the lady D1 came into the room with a
cleric and the guard. "Dear lass!" shouted Tigguhr. "I ha'
caused nae end o trouble fer ye an' now I ha' kilt tha chief! It
be dark magic o' the drow. In yer cellar she cames ta me! I ha'
pullt tha trigger! They wanted tha chief ou' tha way 'cause tha
kin gittin too prospress! I foughts wi' all me soul, but I
kinna..."

D1 looked on the young dwarf with pity, realizing that some of
the exuberance of Tigguhr would be gone forever when he was
healed and learned the truth. "Healer, puts tha lad ta sleeps.
He be needin tha rest, an' now we knows tha truth. I guess it be
time ta move tha shop eh?. Drow priestess be poppin in my
cellar???" The cleric slept the young dwarf. He detected no
magic on Tigguhr now, so he ordered the bindings removed. The
lad posed no threat now and he would rest better without the
straps around his limbs.
-----------------------------------Gaglug's plan By: Gaglug

   Humming an off-key tune, Gaglug the goblin shaman rooted
deeply in his bag of foul-smelling herbs. "Aha!" he cried, as
he drew a fistful of the rotting plants out of the sack. The
goblin cooks near him winced as Gaglug tossed the handful of
herbs into the stewing pot. Gaglug then began to shout and
prance around the bubbling stew. The other goblins stepped back
to avoid being inadvertantly struck by the wildly flailing
shaman. "Mak-uk lob gitty ur splut!!" shouted the shaman in
glee, "Bakk tor nuk kam-del rik-ta dak!" The appalled cooks
looked on as Gaglug began to froth at the mouth. "KEKK BAL
ROK-TOK SHUM IKKY DIT!!!" Another handful of herbs splashed
into the goblin's dinner. The crazed shaman's dancing reached a
fever pitch. His flailing limbs blurred as he spun around the
bubbling stew. "AAAAIIIIEEEEE WOKKA!!!!" he shouted
triumphantly, and spat an immense glob of saliva into the
simmering kettle. Too stunned to speak, the other goblins gaped
at their insane shaman. Puzzled by their stares, Gaglub
explained "Majik makes goblins strong! Kills many dwarfses!".
Still not convinced, the cooks brought out a bowl, scooped the
now-rancid stew into it, and held it out to Gaglug. The shaman
grabbed the bowl without hesitation and downed it in a single
gulp. Half of the stew spilled down his face and on to his
well-stained robes and furs, but he swallowed a good deal of the
sickening slop. The cooks peered at him for several long
moments, and when he did not fall over dead from the foul stew,
pronounced the food fit to eat. Gaglug watched his men...for he
thought of them as HIS men...eat the stew. What did that stupid
chieftan know of leading troops? The shaman knew that he would
be able whip the goblin horde into a frenzy within the next
several days. He knew that the cheiftan would still get the
credit for the great victory, though. But perhaps...perhaps the
chieftan would get killed by the dwarves. Yes, that could
certainly happen...if it wasn't for the fact that the chieftan
led from the rear. But a stray bolt or weapon might catch the
chief unawares. Gaglug grinned as he began to formulate a plan.
He was lost deep in thought as the goblin horde ate the
stew...the stew that had begun to affect them mentally. Within
days, the horde would be his to command!
-----------------------------------A whirl of information....
By: Nystramo

Nystramo looked in frustration at the gnome in front of him.

"Many big feet! Yes yes! One... one... one... lots!!" he was
saying. "I sees and smells! And I tells! Yes yes! Warn
under-over of bad unders! Sparklies!!"

"Aye lad, ye done goo' by Axepeak," Nystramo replied, and tossed
the gnome a bag of gems. Grinning, jumping, and bowing, the odd
gnome took his leave.

It had taken some time, but the gnome had finally gotten the
warning across to the chief. Goblins, and many of them, were
marching on the Lonely Mountain. Nys had no idea how many, but
best to be prepared for the worst.
He shouted out to Mergaroth, who was on herald's duty at the
moment. The grunt entered quickly. "Aye, Nys? Wha' ya be
needin', eh?"

"Finds Moradinson an' tells 'em I needs 'em an' I needs 'em an
hour ago." Mergaroth nodded and set of to find the Rrin Kuld.

"Goblins, duergar, drow...." Nystramo muttered. "All o' tha
Underdark be movin' agin' us it be seemin'."

He looked up as Mergaroth entered, Moradinson just behind. "Ach,
tha' wa quick," Nys observed. "Now sees if'n ya kin finds
HiuFang. Tell 'em I needs somethin' done, an' I kinna thin' o' a
better Kuldar fer tha job." Mergaroth ran off once again,
wondering if heralds were always kept this busy.

"Aye, Nys?" Moradinson asked. "Wha' be so urgent, eh?"

"Goblins," the Olor Kuld replied. "An' lots o' 'em. Marchin' on
tha mount, by all reports."

Moradinson grimaced. "Dwy ha' a'ready lef' wi' 'is team. There
only be four."

Nystramo nodded. "Aye, I ken. Sends a runner af'er 'em an' tells
'em go nae further. I needs ya ta organize a war party, an' does
it double quick. We needs it big an' we needs it now. I nae ken
'ow many goblins there be, so we plays it safe. An' sends a few
priests, a' well. Ya'll be leadin' 'em yerself, Morad. We kinna
affords ta be takin' chances. I wants tha bes' Kuldar in thi'
war party, startin' wi' ye."

Moradinson nodded. "Aye, Nys. We be leavin' yes'erday." With
that he set off, already running through the names of the clan
Kuldar in his head.

Nystramo took a quick ale break, thinking. So much happening so
quickly, and none of it good. To add to his distraction, D1amond
had set off on some mysterious personal business. He shook his
head. No time to worry about that now.

Where the blazes was Mergaroth with HiuFang?
-----------------------------------Nystramo's Summons By:
HiuFang Li

 Mergaroth the dwarf, grumbling in slight impatience, knocked
with gentle vigor on the Dun Gor's stout iron-bound door. "Dun
Gor.. HiuFan'?" he grunted, hoping he did not catch the
silken-clad dwarf at the wrong time. Placing his ear close to
the edge of the door, Mergaroth strained to hear any sound of
activity within the room. After a few silent moments, he heard a
voice.. but not one coming from the other side of the door.

 "What is it that you wish of me, good brother?" whispered a
muffled voice from behind him. Whirling about in sudden
surprise, he saw a figure swathed in black, two narrow eyes
glittering in the dim shadows. "Clanggedin!! I.. is tha' ye, Dun
Gor?" ejaculated the dwarf. Pulling down a raven-black mask of
cloth about his face, the figure uttered in a more familiar
voice, "Have no fear, friend.. 'tis I, HiuFang." Peering at the
dark garb and the lengthy hair bound behind the Dun Gor's head,
Mergaroth sputtered, "Now wha' wou' all THA' be in aid of?! Ye
plannin' ta be someone's shadow?! Well, ne'ermin' all tha'.. the
Chief be lookin' for ye in 'is chambers."

 With a frown and a nod, HiuFang turns down the carven hallway,
moving swiftly. "'ey, wait for me!" Mergaroth calls after him,
running down the hall. But the Dun Gor seems to have melted into
the dim-lit halls, naught but the a whiff of jasmine to betray
his previous presence..
-----------------------------------A stinky passage.... By:
Darugh

(Two days prior to Nystramos meeting with a gnome)

Deep in the myriad caverns and tunnels under the great crage of
Lonely Mountain, a small creature peers intently at a large
outcropping of glittering emrald. The roaring sound of the
great underground river, drowns out the sharp ringing sounds of
the gnomes hammer and drill. This is the fabled source of the
magestic Neverwinter River, heated by still glowing hart of the
quiescent volcano...Lonely Mountain.

A large nodule of emmrald breaks from the main outcropping and
falls to the ground, with a bark of delight, the Gnome, Darugh
Dundergem grasps it up quickly and peers intently at the green
glowing hart of the raw gem. The heart of the gems glows
brightly to the small gnomes infravision.

"Yes, Yes, Yes!!", Darugh, hopping around in a circle swinging
his arms about vigerously chants to himself over the roar of
moveing water. His hobnailed boots strike sparks as they react
with the traces of flint in the floor and his whirling dervish
dance of glee.

"Good! best! better! not bad!! Yes! No, yup!! yup! yup!! It
is..It is.. I know, I do, I dooo!!", the dancing gnome chatters
to himself, as he pauses his whirl to take up his hammer and
drill again. Muttering to himself. "Many,
many...one,one...LOTS!! Sparkleys!! Har!!", Before again
begining his drilling of the rich outcropping, he lovingly hugs
the large outcropping of emmrald stone.

His knobby features...a moment ago..screwed up with glee at his
rich find...calmed suddenly as his ear rested against the stone
outcropping of emmrald crystal. Lifting his ear from the
stone.. he listens carefully to the roar of the river passing
thru this small cavern. Placing his ear again against the
emmrald crystal.. he screws his face into a frown..and mutters..
"Bad, bad, ungood, yup..yup..It is." as he listens to the
rhythmic thump of many feet passing.

He quickly stuffs his many tools into a clever leather belt at
his waste. Then carfully putting the large raw emmrald into his
leather satchel. He listens once again to the crystal
outcropping. Nodding to himself he pauses to make a mark on a
piece of light leather, then he slips into a side passage, in
search of the sound.

Darugh peers down at the still glowing traces of heat marking
the floor of the passage from a smallish side tunnel. It is
quite evident even to the not very intelligent gnome that many
creatures hand just recently passed this way... And in the
Deeps, even Darugh knows that its better to know what is around
you than let it sneek up and eat you.

The small gnome peeks into the passage, left and right, and
sniffs the air, he makes a foul face as a pungent aroma assaults
his olfactory sense. Uglys! big foot under uglies! and lots
too!! He thinks to himself, as a fit of gagging takes him.
After a moment, his stomach tires of the dry heaving, and
settles to its fate...a dull ache.

The heat traces are dimmer to his dark sight, to the left and
brighter to the right...running back up the side passage thirty
feet or so, the gnome takes a deep breath then runs back to the
intersection and turns left. Holding his breath and following
the fading traces of the passing horde.
-----------------------------------One..one..one... WOW! Lots!!
By: Darugh

Darugh holding his breath did not have far to go up the passage,
at the first leftward bend it opened up into a large cavern.
Just outside the cavern he bowled into a pair of goblin sentrys,
all three went down in a tumble of flailing limbs and weapons.

His breath woofed out of him as he slammed into the sentries,
and fell into a tumble with the two, big flat footed green
skinned goblins. Darugh, found himself sitting on top of one
goblins chest, looking down into its uglie face.

"WOW!!!" he exclaimed down at the goblin whose compainion was
squirming under them both, "See you, me......Yuk!, PEE-U!!,
Uglie under stinky!!" holding his nose and caughing he jumped to
his feet quickly, standing on the goblins face, he peered into
the chamber behond.... where the goblin horde milled about at
camp. "WOW, WOW, looket!", pumping his legs up and down
furiously as he trys to count the assembled goblins. "ONE, ONe,
one...LOTS!!" about that time, the goblin, his face torn and
mashed by the vigorous gnome, rolled out from under the prancing
lilliputian.

Tumbling onto his back, Darugh hits hard, the air woofing out of
him again "OOPH!"

Gasping for breath, Darugh crawls away from the goblins and
climbs to his feet. The goblins now have taken this opertunity
to gain thier big flat feet also, and scramble to gather thier
weapons. They bend over at the same time and soundly rap thier
heads together. Stumbling back and cursing each other.

By now the clatter of arms and curses have attracted the notice
of some of the goblin horde. Several see the gnome standing
looking wide eyed into the cavern and roar the alarm.

Desideing that its time to go, Darugh, runs off down the passage
back the way he came with the goblins hot on his heels.

The goblins chase the gnome all the way back to the cavern with
the river running thru it. Darugh skids to a halt near the edge
his hobnails strikeing sparks. Then turns back to see,
one,one.one....lots!! of goblins boiling into the small chamber.
Squeezing his eyes closed and pinching his nose shut, Darugh
jumps into the river..and is washed away with the fast moving
water...........

Spitting up water, and caughing, a soggy gnome climbs out of the
Neverwinter River in the east central portion of the Neverwinter
woods. Lieing on his back drawing in great gasps of air, the
battered and brused gnome..mutters. "WOW"
-----------------------------------Sparklys!! and a smelly
pipe.. By: Darugh

(Later in the Dwarven Stronghold..Darugh meets with Nystramo)

Darugh, after standing still for two minutes, was ready to
exsplode.. why couldnt dwarves understand the simplest things?
Taking a deep breath, the gnome tried again to make it as simple
as possible for the granite headed under-overs. Running circles
around Nystramo to emphasize, his point, he launched once again
into his tale about finding a large sparkly, the emmrald crystal
telling him a secret, the smelly passage, how many pebbles where
dislogged in the same passage, what he thought of smelly
passages, holding his breath, how Darugh was known for being
able to hold his breath longer than any other gnome back home,
his home never smelled bad, did Nystramo know the neverwinter
river was warmed by his own forges?, how loud the river was if
you put your head in it?, has Nystramo ever sat on a big footed
uglie under's chest?, it smells worst then it looks...... lots
of uglie unders under the mount, swiming in a underground river
is hard, you have to hold your breath a lonng time, did he know
darugh could hold his breath longer than any other gnome back
home?... he could!! Draugh holds his breath to prove it.........

Darugh shuffled back and forth around and around, throwing up
his arms for emphisis, and jumping up and down at the good
parts. Till finally the underover got the idea.

Darugh peered into the pouch, "WOW!! one, one, one,.... LOTS a
sparklys!".

......Later as Nystramo sat at an ale break he reachs into his
belt pouch for his pipe, only to find it missing. After
ferously searching his person and desk, he remembers something
the gnome said as he was leaveing.... "WOW whats this!?"
        ------------------------------------Scouting Party
discovers goblins By: KAGIS

Kagis, stood quietly listening to the rythmic vibrations humming
through the stone all around him. Dwyvern and the rest of the
scouting party waited less than 100 yards behind the grizzled
veteran. He furrowed his brow in thought, allowing the stone to
speak to him. "Well over 10 score of hum'noids... marchin'...
righ' a' us... Damn!"

Kagis heaved himself up from leaning against the stone and raced
back to the rest of the group.

Rounding the corner Kagis nearly bowled over a concerned Dwyvern
tapping his foot impatiently. "Ach! I be sorry Dyvern, buh I
wa' listenin' ta da stone, and by me own reconin' deres a' leas'
200 hum'noids marchin' right for us... down dis very corridor!"

"Wha?!" bellowed Dwyvern.

At this point one of the other scouts came into the room from a
side passage and reported. "Dwyvern, over 300 goblin marchin'
righ' fer us.. an' tha mount righ' affer us."

"Goblin?!" The assembled dwarves all asked as one.

I nod my agreement to the assesment, "Yep. Nae drow'd be makin'
dis much noise, and the critters aren't makin' enough noise ta
be duergar. Only a hand full o' odders coul' be so bold or
stupid... an' goblins be da stupedes'."

Dwyvern rubbed his chin in thought, looking over the assembled
dwarves in his scouting party. Except for Kagis, they were all
young and eager for battle... especially if they could fight
goblins. Kagis was eager too, but for different reasons... his
were much more personal. There was an entire clan (Ironpeak) he
needed to avenge for their wrongfull deaths 12 seasons gone by
now. As Dwyvern thinks over his options, Kagis pipes up.

"I sees only one opshcion fer us. Dere's only a handfull o' us
'ere and we nae be goin' ta fight da smelly buggars an' win by
ourselfs. We still a full day o' hard marchin' from da mount.
I thinks wes should send a message back ta da mount, and da res'
o' us busy ourselfs by playin' hide an' seek wit da goblins." I
hold up a hand to stall any comments, "We ken dese 'ere tunnels
better den anyone. If'n we werk tagether and coord'nate, an'
hit dere front scouts, den gets away 'fore da whole bunch come
affer us, we migh' slow 'em down an give more time for Nys ta
prepare da defenses. What's ya say Dwyvern?"

I turn to allow Dwyvern ta decide, done saying my peace.
     ------------------------------------The Lost Patrol is
Found... By: Dwyvyrn

Dwyvyrn chafed inwardly as his small band continued to move
slowly through the seemingly endless twisting caves that
extended down into the underdark below Lonely Mountain. For
three days they had been searching every inch of these caves,
looking for some hint of the duergar forces which had slain
their clansmen. On the first day they had found the remnants of
a few duergar campsites, and thought themselves on the trail of
the foul dark dwarves. As they travelled further into the
Underdark however, the signs of duergar presence had slowly
disappeared, leaving them to wonder whether the group of
greyskins that attacked the Axepeak patrol had acted alone.

But why would a group of only a dozen or so duergar assault a
stronghold of over 100 dwarves? Perhaps they were the last
remnants of Clan Crakskull, which had vowed to take Lonely
Mountain from the Axepeak dwarves or to die trying? No, Dwyvyrn
thought, they weren't Crakskull. This was fairly evident in
that none of the equipment found on the dead duergar or in any
of the abandoned campsites depicted the familiar skull-splitting
pick which was the symbol of that clan. Strangely, what Dwyvyrn
found more convincing was that none of the duergar bodies showed
anything faintly resembling the fierce pride that a Crakskull
displayed, even in death.

Dwyvyrn shook his head to clear his thoughts. There had been
far too much time for thinking on this journey. His small
hunting party had turned into little more than a mapping
expedition. The group was running low on supplies and would
have to turn back in the next day or so, with only a detailed
map of the caves beneath Lonely Mountain to show for their
efforts. A long sigh of frustration escaped his lips as Dwyvyrn
reflected on his ill luck. He had been certain this trip would
bring him many glorious battles, or at the very least a glorious
death. The gods seemed intent on denying him even that small
measure of satisfaction.

Just as he was beginning to resign himself to his fate, events
took a sudden turn. Kagis came rushing back from his forward
scouting position and told of several hundred humanoids in front
of the party, heading in the direction of Lonely Mountain.
Another scout soon returned from his post and confirmed the
report. A buzz of excitement encircled the dwarves as they
began readying weapons and laying plans. Dwyvyrn listened
intently as Kagis set forth his idea of random, quick strikes
intended to attrite the enemy forces and slow their advance
toward the Axepeak halls. Although intrigued by the plan, his
one point of concern was ensuring that the messenger sent back
to Lonely Mountain arrived safely.

His mind was eased as he set his eyes on Sunderfist. The deep
gnome had shown throughout the expedition that he could travel
faster and with more stealth than any of the dwarves. More than
once in the past few days Dwyvyrn had jumped at the sound of a
rock speaking to him, only to turn and see the svirfneblin no
more than three feet away. Sunderfist would have no problem
avoiding any enemy scouts, and if he happened to encounter a
cave fisher or any of the other dangerous inhabitants of the
Underdark, he could summon an elemental to battle the creature
while he made his escape.

As he was giving final instructions to Sunderfist before sending
him back to Lonely Mountain, a startled cry filled the small
cavern. The dwarven party turned to see a single goblin at one
of the entrance passages, a look of shock frozen on his face.
The goblin quickly recovered from his surprise and turned to
flee, but before he got even one step Gilgina's hammer struck
him squarely in the back of the head and he fell into a
motionless heap. The priestess quickly recovered her weapon and
dragged the goblin's body into an alcove. An air of tension
filled the room as the dwarves quietly searched the nearby
passages for any sign of additional foes. Finding none, Dwyvyrn
sent the deep gnome back to the Axepeak halls, and gathered the
remaining dwarves around him.
-----------------------------------A plan is put into action...
By: Dwyvyrn

Dwyvyrn carefully explained the plan. They would split into two
squads of three dwarves each. Dwyvyrn, the priestess Gilgina,
and Nalvor, the youngest of the warriors would form one squad.
Kagis would lead the other two warriors as the second squad.
The squads would operate independently of each other, sticking
to the side passages and avoiding the main body of goblins. As
the dwarven squads prepared to separate, Dwyvyrn pulled Kagis
aside for a final word.

"I ken ye be lookin' fer revenge agin' da goblins lad," Dwyvyrn
spoke, "bu' dinnae lets it clouds ye 'ead an' makes ye does
somethin' brash. I'm sure'n ye'd be 'appy to takes da lot of
'em strait on, bu' I be 'oldin' ye responsuhble fer dem two
lads." Here Dwyvyrn pointed to the two warriors Kagis would be
leading. "Dinnae gets dem killed jes' to extracks revenge.
Keeps yeselves alive an' da clan wi' helps ye to get vengeance."

With that, the two dwarves joined their respective squads.
Gilgina handed Kagis a pouch containing her healing herbs and
balms. Dwyvyrn's squad would rely on her supernatural healing
abilities. As the dwarven warriors whispered calls of "Findar
Torst!" and "Raugh Ar Dun!" to their departing comrades, the two
squads melted into the black recesses of the Underdark.
       ------------------------------------A dangerous
mission... By: Nystramo

"You wished to see me, my king?"

Nystramo nearly leaped out of his chair at hearing HiuFang Li's
voice. "Ach, Hiu, I dinna 'ear ya enters." To this HiuFang
responded only with an enigmatic smile. Nystramo shifted in his
seat, somewhat uncomfortable. While he liked and respected the
unusual dwarf, Nystramo found his mannerisms disconcerting, and
he never particularly cared for being called "king." Still, he
understood the dwarves unusual code demanded such formalities,
and he accepted them for his sake.

Nystramo frowned then, noting Hiu's unusual garb. The black
cloth clung to the dwarf, who was not quite as stocky as his
other kin. His hair was done up in a pony-tail, another unusual
affectation for a dwarf. "Ya be plannin' somethin', Hiu?"
Nystramo asked. Before Hiu could answer, Nystramo continued.
"Well'n, l gots somethin' ya may wants to consider 'afore ya
'eads out, eh?"

HiuFang raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Indeed, my king? And
what might that be?"

"We gots evidence tha drow be involved in tha attacks on tha
mount. We be needin' ta ken wha' be goin' on, wha' they be
plannin'. It be some trickery, I nae doubts." He grinned at Hiu,
then. "An' who be better'n ye a' sneaksin' abouts an' findin'
secrets, eh, kin?"

He leaned back, waiting for Hiu's reply.
-----------------------------------The Preporations.... By:
KAGIS

I tie the pouch containing Gilgina's herbs and balms to my belt.
"Less be 'opin' we wont be needin' any of dis stuff."

With that said, I turned to my two dwarven kinsmen. Kelvan and
Dedrac are stout middle aged dwarven warriors much like myself,
with a strong sense of what's right and what's wrong. Kelvan
carries a strong broad sword and a sturdy crossbow. Dedrac
prefers a massive war hammer and also carries a crossbow. These
aren't your average crossbows, but Clan Axepeak crossbows
specially fitted with a "rapid-fire" trigger. A small lever
placed slightly under the trigger bar allowed the wielder to
quickly re-cock the crossbow with the flick of the wrist. Also,
a long thin box containing 10 spare bolts sits underneath the
firing bar. Inside the box carefully callibrated srings
provides just the right amount of pressure so that a new bolt
is pushed up when the swing lever re-cocks the weapon. In close
range combat; in tight quarters the weapon was devistating. I
grinned. "Dis gonna be fun!"

Without anything further to add we set off. I talked quietly to
my two kin while we traveled as fast as possible. "I gots me an
idea. Now goblin nae be 'ticularly bright fellas, but dese nae
stupid neider. De knows juss 'nough 'bout battle tactics to
know nae ta let yer enemy behind ya." I grin broadly. "I know
exactly where ta hits em firs'."

We take one of the smaller passages, knowing that the larger
force of goblins wouldn't be using it. The passage takes us
past the goblin hoard and re-merges with the main corridor less
than 50 yards behind the rear guard. I scan the area. There
are three other side passages that lead off from the main
corridor, all of them small enough to force single file
movement. I quickly have Kelvan and Dedrac examin two of the
passages while I check out the third.

A few minutes later we gather back together in the main
corridor. "What's down da firs' passage Kelvan?"

"It runs 'bout 30 yars den ends in a small room strewn wit
rubble."

"And da second passage, Dedrac?"

"Pretty much da same ting." the kinsman responds.

"Goo'. Da third passage opens up back on dis tunnel 'bout 100
yard back. So we have ta come back to da original passage."
I remove my pack, fish through it until I find what I'm looking
for. I pull out a beat-up old cloak, and some old crossbow
bolts. I tear of some of the cloak and place a strip near the
first passage that leads to a dead end. I then place the old
bolts near the entrance, and scuff up the ground with my boots,
so that it looks like some folk ran through it. After finishing
my misdirection, I replace my pack, heft my axe in one hand and
my crossbow in the other. I grin at my two kinsmen as we begin
marching to catch up to the goblin rear guard. I can hear
Kelvan wisper softly, "Dis gonna be fun..."
-----------------------------------The Attack.... By: KAGIS

A short time later I bring my two kinsmen to a halt and sniff
the air. My nose wrinkles in disgust. "De are close now. So
da time fer silence begins." Kelvan and Dedrac nod in
understanding.

"Ok, we hit da rear guard, kill some goblins den backtrack to da
original side passage; da one dat don't end in a dead end. One
more ting, be sure dat a few o' dem gets away to tell da odders
dat da dwarves are behind 'em. I wants 'em ta know we are here."

Again they nod in agreement.

With that said, we move quietly up behind the goblin rear guard.
As we round a corner I can see the outlines of goblins ahead in
the dark. There looks to be at least a score of the smelly
beasts. And, as usual, they aren't paying very much attention
to watching the rear of the group. I lift my crossbow, aim and
fire. "Thunk!" I catch on right in the base of the scull. It
drops with almost perfect silence.

An instant later, my two kinsmen open fire, launching one bolt
after another into the rear ranks of the goblins. One, Two,
Three fall within seconds. The remaining turn and stare in
surprise. One of the goblins squints back down the corridor at
us and then yells... "Dwarfs!!!"

Another volley of crossbows slams into the goblins... two more
down. The squinting goblin grabs one of his fellows and points
down the corridor to the main body of goblins. "Go! Tell!" he
screams at the scared youngling. The messenger takes off, while
the last of the rear guard turns and charges.

One last volley... three more down.
I then let go of my crossbow knowing it will hang from the cord
on my belt, and heft my axe. Kelvan and Dedrac follow suit, and
we hit the rushing goblins... now less than ten.

Axe swings... blade slams home, a hammer crushes a scull.
Pitifull swings of clubs follow, then the Axe, Blade, Hammer
combination goes again. In less time than it took for the ten
goblins to charge us, they now lay dead or dieing at our feet.

"Ok! Dat was fun kin! Now lets get goin' 'fore reinforcements
arrive."

Me and my assault squad head back for the side passage, taking
extra special care not to leave any tracks at the entrance when
we go through it.

After moving at full speed all the way back to the original
cavern where Dwyvyrn and I parted company, we stop and catch our
breath. Then, in silence we select another passage and head
down it. This time I can hear both Kelvan and Dedrac whisper to
each other, "Dis gonna be fun!"
-----------------------------------Nystramo's Order By: HiuFang
Li

 "An infiltration of the Drow Temple?"

 Gazing upon Nystramo's solemn brow, HiuFang realized the
gravity of the present situation. In the next moment, the
raven-haired dwarf had no doubt what his decision was.

 "For the Clan, my king, I will go on to do as you request,"
uttered the Dun Gor with a strong conviction. Bowing rigidly,
HiuFang pulled a dark mask over his face, allowing none but
glittering eyes to show. Turning quickly about, he started out
of Nystramo's chamber..
-----------------------------------Re:Nystramo's Order By:
Nystramo

As HiuFang was leaving, Nystramo called out to him.

"Hiu, be careful, eh? Dinna takes on more'n a dwarf be able. I
dinna wants ya secretin' yerself in tha temple in tha middle o'
a high holy," he said with a wink. "Jes' finds ou' wha' ya be
able, an' dinna gits yerself killt. I kinna affords ta loses ya."
HiuFang nodded and took his leave. As he watched him go,
Nystramo couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. How many of his
kin would he send to their deaths before this ended. "Too many,"
he thought, and began laying plans for the clan's next move.
        ------------------------------------A Lad Awakens
By: Tigguhr

Asleep on a stone slab in a holding cell deep within the Mount,
Tigguhr slept off the Healer's spell. In his sleep, the drow
priestess again came to him. Unable to come physically through
the magical barriers of the Mount, she invaded Tigguhr's dreams.
"So, Speck! You broke my spells did you?" she hissed Appearing
as a bodiless head with spiders crawling all over, including in
and out of her mouth, the drow priestess was indeed young
Tigguhr's worst nightmare.

"I told you that if you failed me, your whole pathetic clan
would suffer. Ha! Or should I say the will suffer more! Nystramo
lives and your clan grows, but not for long. So many new young
specks...how your little bunch grows. I wonder how all these new
specks can fight and defend their homes." The image slowly
faded from Tigguhr's mind and he began to wake up. But just
before the image was gone, the vile woman chortled, "I wonder
indeed if all these new specks are as they seem? HA HA HA
HA....."

Tigguhr woke up in a puddle of sweat on the stone slab. He sat
bolt upright and noticed immediately that he was not bound but
the dwarven guards, his kin, remained vigilant. "Samman..lads,
eh who be Rorn Gor now? I be needin ta speak wi' tha chief."

"Nystramo is a' corse! Ya indeed ar daft, lad!" bellowed one of
the guards.

"Kinna bee, Kinna bee.....He survived tha attack, he nae be
poisoned?"

"Ya nae kilt da chief lad! Ya past ou in that throne room 'n
that vile rat plunker ya wus holdin be in tha hands o' the chief
now. Drowie magic suren be nasty!"

Tigguhr's nearly bald face broke into a huge smile. "HAR DEE
DOO!" But his exuberance was short lived as the words of the
drow priestess echoed in his mind "...clan will suffer
more...new specks, not as they seem..."
"Spys! Amongst tha kin!" Tigguhr yelled. The guards eyed each
other incredulously. Another silly stunt probably, but they had
their orders. They grabbed Tigguhr and began the trek up from
the holding cell to the throne room. Let the chief decide if
the lad made any sense, they thought.
-----------------------------------Goblins, etc. By: Jhaelryna

    Frowning at the reports, Gunklob the goblin chieftan spat
on the ground. Within the last several hours, more than a dozen
goblins had fallen to their adversaries. "Bah! Dem dwarfses
be payin fer dis, I be finkin!" Gunklob sat down and pulled out
the map that the drow had prepared for him. The chieftan peered
carefully at the parchment and compared the map with the reports
of the missing scouts. Gunklob was clever for a goblin, and
soon he had a working plan of action. He hooted in glee, and
summoned his henchmen. "Da dwarfses be down here in wee groups.
Dey probly be lookin fer more miffril and jools. We gots ta
sweep tha dwarfs afore they gets bak to da other dwarfses. We
sweeps out heres and heres" He pointed to the map, and the
other goblins crowded in to peer at the paper. Gunklob
indicated several key locations on their map. "We takes dese
inntrasekshuns here and here and here. Den da dwarfses be in
pocketses. Dey caint get back ta dere friends or get tagether
ta defends emmselfs! We den skweese da pocketses whar da dwarfs
be at. Dey won' be gettin bak ta dere frends. " Several of
the bosses understood the plan, and nodded their heads eagerly.
Several others stared blankly at the map, attempting to
comprehend their leader's plan. "Goh!! Ya stoopid gits!!" swore
Gunklob, "We be surroundin da dwarfses! Then we be skwooshin
dere 'eads!!" Even the most dim goblin could understand THAT
plan, and soon all of the chiefs of the goblins were preparing
their bands to move out and sieze the critical intersections.
The deployment of the goblin horde was costing them time.
Crucial time that the dwarven city needed to prepare. Every
minute that the patrols delayed the goblins was another precious
minute that Nystramo so desperately needed in order to mobilize
the dwarves of Clan Axepeak.

   Now that he knew the dwarves were near, Gunklob took the
time to check his weapons and armor. His suit of armor was
handed down from chieftan to cheiftan. In a long forgotten war,
his ancestor Baktor the Wild lead a successful war against a
dwarven city. Among the war booty that Baktor captured was the
suit of mithril armor...taken from the body of the dead dwarven
king. That armor saved Baktor and his descendants time and time
again. "Me lukky armer" cooed Guklob as he ran his hands over
the mail. Gunklob was so entranced with his armor, that he
failed to notice the subtle change that was coming over his
falchion. The chieftan had no way of knowing what his weapon's
potentials were. The drow that had given it to him simply told
him that it was special, and very magical. The nearness of the
dwarves had begun to awaken the falchion after centuries of
sleep. Direblood the dwarf-slayer began to become aware again.
It sensed it's enemies, and began to glow a dull red. Hungry
for blood, the sentient weapon waited patiently for its wielder
to draw it.
-----------------------------------Rrindabal By: HiuFang Li

 Filling his lungs with the whispering air of the Neverwinter
Woods, HiuFang Li glanced at the silvery moon which hung like a
lantern in the dusky sky overhead. Letting loose a soft sigh, he
took his first step down the steep of the Lonely Mountain,
looming, iron-grey doors standing massively behind him. Shooting
a glance back at the doors, he signalled to the stiff dwarves
standing sentinel in the shrubbery flanking the doors. A final
nod, and he glided further down the path, to be engulfed by
leafy giants.

  Peering at the dancing lights flickering through the greasy
window pane, the darkly-clad dwarf floated past the swinging
doors of the tavern. Beady little eyes turned to stare at the
figure, which stepped noiselessly through the mess of tables,
stools, and stoutly-built limbs. The small crowd was inundated
with pointed caps, spectacles, and longish beards.

"Lookie, lookie, a g-ghost, ghost!" gibbered one small voice.
"Not a ghost, a Drow, Drow elfy!!" shrieked another, poking the
figure's black clothing, and shrinking back. "No no no no, you
idiots.. no ghost, no Drow, too short. Hahaha! It's a dwarf!"
yelled the last voice, a little too close to the dwarf's ear.

  Swatting away the prodding fingers, the dwarf bellowed, "Ha,
you rascals! Of course.. 'tis I, HiuFang Li!!" Pulling away the
tight cloth about his face, HiuFang scanned the tavern, looking
from astonished faces, to laughing faces, to sullen faces. With
eyes sparkling, he worded carefully, "I have an offer available
for every one of you, my clever cousins.."

 Fingering the strings of a leathern jewel-bag he withdrew from
a small pocket, he continued to scan the chamber with a funny
gleam in his eye.
"And which one of you knows of the Temple of Lloth?"
   ------------------------------------Defending the Mount
By: Baldar Hmr

The sounds of a door closing and footsteps walking up to the
throne roused Nystramo out of his deep thought. He was taken
aback by the sight before him. Baldar stood before the Rrin Gor,
dressed as the Chief had never seen him before. Gone was the
standard studded leather armor and breeches of a gateguard's
attire. Baldar's plate armor shone brightly, clearly having been
polished to an almost mirrorlike sheen. Not ordinary Plate,
either. Nystramo looked the Grunt over from top to bottom. His
head was encased in a open-faced helm, with a 4-inch metal spike
topping. The entire suit bristled with spikes at the elbows and
knees, and the forearm bracers had some sort of long
stilleto-blade embedded in them, for rending and tearing. "Aye
Rrin Gor, dis nae be designed fer stealth or fer sneaking up on
an enemy unawares." "Dis be a suit for a Dwarven Battlerager ta
fite for da life o' his Clan". "I ken I is still a grunt and nae
a full Kuldmordin, but I asks ye for a postin' on the vanguard
of our army. Chief, I has lived wot little o' me free life wit
dis Clan, and I ken wot its like ta be a slave o' dem
Spider-kissers. Ifn dey is involved with dis goblin horde
marchin' on da mount, ye ken be suren they nae be far behind. I
'as me nae taerin, no hearth ta return ta, so I asks ye ta let
me take tha place o' one dat does." "I has sworn an oath of
vengence agin' da darklins fer wot dey dun to me, and I wants a
chance ta pays 'em back. I promise ye, If'n ye gives me tha
order ta hold my position when tha hordes come chargin' on us,
I'll nae retreat. I 'as no fonder wish den ta meet me raugh
surrounded by a score o' dead darklins." Baldar went down on
one knee before the Rrin Gor, and awaited his response...
         ------------------------------------Re:Defending the
Mount By: Nystramo

Nystramo considered Baldar's request carefully. True, the lad
was not yet Kuldmorndin, but there was no doubting his courage
or conviction. Who was he to refuse such a brave request?

"Baldar, I kinna says nae ta ye. Finds Moradinson an' tells 'em
ta fin' a place fer ye in tha fron' gaurd."

As Baldar nodded and turned to go, Nystramo had one final thing
to say.

"If'n we be seein' battle in the mount, lad, I ken I kin be
countin' on ye. Ma' yer kin proud."
-----------------------------------Returning Home By: D1AMOND

After several days of searching, D1amond walked away from yet
another dead end. She was starting to lose what little patience
she had left. Her search for Starkadh had led her from dive to
dive, from one suspicious barmaid to another. All of whom had
not seen or heard from Stark for months, but were able to direct
D1 to try yet another inn or tavern farther away.

Sitting down on the front stoop of the latest inn, D1 rested her
chin in her hands and looked out over the town that was now Port
LLast Harbor. It had grown much since the great change in the
realms, but it had not developed nicely. Instead of well built
homes and shops, there were shanties and small merchandise
stands. There were obvious attempts to clean things up in other
sections of the harbor, but this part of the docks was
attracting the less than respectable types. Which didn't bother
D1amond either way, a profit was a profit after all.

With a sigh of frustration, she started making her way home to
the Mount. This was taking too long, and although she knew that
something was wrong with Stark, she couldn't stay away from her
responsibilities back home any longer. There were boxes and
belongings to unpack in her new digs, not to mention the new
shop in RRindabal. Then there was Tigguhr to check up on, and
papers piling up unfiled in Nystramo's office. The thought of
Nystramo brought a warm smile to her face, but her eyes were
full of concern. D1 had time to think over all the happenings
at the Mount lately, and she was beginning to worry for
Nystramo. If someone was going to go to all the trouble to set
up an assassination on Nys once, then they would probably try it
again and that caused D1 great concern.

Nystramo was a smart man and a great leader, like it or not,
surely he had thought of this too by now and posted a guard
around himself or at least some type of added protection. This
was the first thing she would see to once she returned to the
Mount, if she had to guard Nys around the clock personally. D1's
smile grew wider, that idea definitely had merit.

D1amond mentally chastised herself, this was no time to be
thinking of romance when her kin were being killed and more
could be even now facing the enemy head on. Angry at those
that had killed her kin and the thought of a good battle made
D1amond walk faster as she made her way back home.
  ------------------------------------Re:Clan Axepeak Crest
By: Nystramo

Nystramo put down the hammer and admired the handiwork, both his
own and Starkadh's. (Like it or not, the zander was more skilled
with a hammer and chisel than he himself would ever be.) The new
Axepeak Crest hanging behind his desk, chiseled into an enormous
slab of granite, was the final touch to his new office. No
denying it now, this was his office, his position, his
reponsibility.

And what a time to be thrust back into command. Duergar,
goblins, and drow attacking the mount. Maybe. It had been quiet
recently, but Nystramo knew better than to be complacent.
Runners had informed him that Dwyvrn's patrol was harrying the
goblin patrol, slowing their progress considerably, and even now
reinforcements were being made ready to meet the horde head on.

Even with this, things were quiet. The kuldar had been selected,
provisions stored, and the mount prepared for siege, should it
come to that. He had even drilled the kin for the one measure
that all hoped to avoid, but would be enacted should the need
arise: collapsing all of the tunnels leading into the mount,
both from above and below. Only a select few knew this was even
possible, and even fewer knew how it was to be accomplished, if
ever. He had discussed it with Dwyvyrn, HiuFang Li, Moradinson,
and Patroc1us. All agreed that now was not the time to make such
a decision, but everyone also agreed that they should be ready,
just in case. Drow were not a race to be taken lightly.

He dreaded this decision, not the least because he knew that it
was his responsibility alone. Gruff as his kin were toward
humans and elves, many of the clan, including himself, had ties
to the outside world, and restoring the collapsed tunnels would
be a chore requiring years to complete. Still, he thought with a
slight grin, more than a few darklings would be taken out by the
falling rock.

His work done for the day (he had saved hanging the crest for
last, as a reward for himself), he stepped out of his office,
planning on spending an hour or so in the common room with his
kin. He frowned slightly as his personal gaurds, recently
doubled, fell in line behind him. He didn't like the precaution,
but Moradinson had insisted, and he couldn't fault the wisdom of
it. Now was not the time for Axepeak to lose its chief to an
assassin's dart.
As he walked he caught a glimpse of Rrindabal through an open
tunnel. The settlement's rapid growth amazed him still. Even
now, at this late hour, it was teeming with the activity of
dwarves, gnomes, and halflings. Another responsibility, he
thought, but not one he grudged. He was not one of those dwarves
who shunned the outside world. He knew the continued vitality of
his clan depended on Neverwinter and its surrounding towns, for
reasons of trade and socialization both. The infusion of new
ideas and the constant competition kept his kin hard at work,
and gave them someone to curse over their forges. Being an
aggressive race, dwarves needed competition to thrive. Without
competition there was stagnation or, worse, infighting.

Nystramo's grin widened, and he decided that perhaps the common
room could wait for a bit. He had heard that a certain gnome had
created a new variety of ale, one that was popular among the
kin. Perhaps it was time for the chief to get a taste.
     ------------------------------------A small scirmish....
By: KAGIS

The goblin hoard continued it slow approach to the mount, slowed
dramatically by "magik dwarvs who pop up outta nowhere, den
disappear affer killin us," I'd overheard a goblin sentry
complain a few minutes ago.

I was leaning behind a large boulder that hid me from the
sentry's inspection but also allowed me to get close enough to
overhear any conversation. It was a fairly small cavern, with
many openings leading to twisting and confusing side passages.
I had told Kelvan and Dedrac to stay back in the escape tunnel
with their "axebows" ready. There's never telling when a goblin
might have a stroke of genius and decide to look around a little
(for a goblin sentry that would be a stroke of genius!).

There were three sentries in the room and just in the past few
minutes they'd gotten down to their prefered method of
"watching"... playing games of bones and dice. "Finally," I
thought to myself, "I was starting to think I couldn't even
count on goblins to get bored anymore." I silently loaded my
hand-held crossbow with a poisoned bolt and set aside two extra
bolts for quick reloading. Three goblins aren't much to worry
about, but I couldn't afford to get bogged down in hand-to-hand,
so my little hummer would have to do the job for me. Just in
case things got ugly, Kuldarau, my axe rested easily against my
leg, hanging on a leather cord from a hook on my belt.
I let the goblins play some more bones before making my move;
letting the goblins just get to the point where they were almost
fighting over who was winning. "Good," I thought, "this should
be easy."

Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I quickly (but smothly)
turned around the boulder, aimed and fired. Almost before the
bolt left my crossbow, my other hand was reloading the second
bolt. "Thunk!" The first bolt hit home. Aim.... fire....
"Thunk!" The second bolt hit home and two goblins fell dead.
The third goblin looked at me with fear in his eyes and quickly
tossed the dice at my face... "Twang!" The third bolt missed,
shattering on the wall behind the goblin.

"Damn ya, ya stinker!" I bellowed... "Naw ya gots me mad."
Letting the hand crossbow swing down to its place on my belt, I
hefted Kuldarau and moved in on the goblin.

The goblin quickly grabbed his long sword and moved to meet me.
"Where ye get yer pig sticker," I asked calmly as we exchanged
parries and blocks. The goblin grinned, obviously proud of his
weapon... "gets it from da dark ones we dids." I blocked a
feable thrust; forcing his sword out wide and low. "Tanks fer da
info," I grinned as my axe cleaved the gobling in two on the
backswing.

I reached down and retrieved the goblins shiny mithril
longsword. "Hmmpff... maybe dis be some o' da proof da elders
are lookin' fer. Nae goblin be making anything with mithril,
and only da drow prefer dese elfy longswords." I quickly
strapped the longsword and it's sheath to my back and trotted
back to where Kelvan and Dedrac were waiting for me.

"Common!" I said when I met up with the two dwarves, "our werk
be done in dat room... time at move on." As we navigated the
twisted caverns and tunnels, taking care not to leave any
tracks, I wondered if I'd get the chance to give the sword to
the counsel of elders as evidence or not. The goblins were
getting tougher to goad into easy battles, and they were
starting to actively hunt Dwyvyrn's and my groups. "I 'ope Nys
and da odders 'urry it up... donnae tink we can keep dis up much
longer." Kelvan and Dedrac just nodded in agreement.
     ------------------------------------Welcome Home Tackle
By: D1AMOND
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhk, D1 said as she cleared her throat of road
dust. She had been traveling most of the day and had just
crested the hill that revealed the growing town of Rrindabal.
Standing on the hill top, she surveyed the town of crafts people
and traders with satisfaction. Having the shop here close to
her kin was going to be a definite improvement over the dreary
town of Berun, although she would miss some of her old neighbors.

Readjusting the strap on her pack, D1 set off through town to
check on the construction of her and Emmy's new shop. They had
enjoyed planning out the new shop's design. They pretty much
agreed on everything except D1 had wanted bars in front of the
shop windows (Tigguhr proofing) and Emmy was still pouting over
the rose bush they had left in front of the old shop.

Stopping outside the shop, D1 critically looked things over. If
everything has gone according to plans, the construction should
almost be completed. "You'd think they'd have a bloody door on
this thin' by now. Humph, contractors!" She stepped through
the gaping hole where the door belonged and glanced around the
inside of the shop. Emmy had special ordered granite counter
tops and a tap from MoradinSon. Those were in place, along with
the new work benches and tables and the glass cabinet to display
the lasses finer works. "At least tha insides be 'bout
finished," she said with a proud smile. "We'll have ta invite
mam and pap up here ta see's it."

Leaving the shop behind, D1 set off for the Mount. As she was
walking through the main entrance, she saw Nystramo with a
passel of body guards surrounding him, making his way from the
other end of the tunnel. They greeted each other with a hug and
quick kiss and D1 asks teasingly, "Whut, ye post a sentry ta run
an tells ya when I got back?" As she was talking, one of the
guards behind Nystramo looked around quickly . D1 glanced in
the same direction in time to see a dagger flying towards
Nystramo's back. Moving instinctively, she tackles Nystramo to
the ground. Actions which proved not to be necessary as the
diligent guard quickly throws out his shield and blocks the
flight of the sailing dagger.

Looking angrily down at Nystramo, who was pinned underneath her,
D1 asks, "This been happening much to ye since I been away?"
          ------------------------------------Freedom to
bondage By: Jaggged

Hand over hand. Concentrate. One foot in front of the other.
Another passage of darkness. More monsters to flee. Caverns,
cliffs, ledges. Finds small nook in the rocks. Listens
intently, all quiet. Rest, blessed rest.

Jumping awake. What's that noise?! Dwarves? A patrol. Wicked
sneer crosses face. Without second thought, draws dagger.
Slowly and silently peers out from rocks. Just two. Theirs
backs are turned.

-------

The two battle ready dwarves stand patiently at their posts.
With a loud "OOOPH", one falls forward. His comrade looks down
to see a small figure trying to embed a mithral dagger into his
fallen friends back. The comrade easily bashes the figure from
his kin and it falls to the ground motionless.

"Wha' was that?"

The comrade bends to look at the figure. "Gordul! It be a lil
duergar lass."

"It dead?"

"No' yet." The comrade lifts his axe and makes to kill the
duergar.

"Wait" Whispers a small voice. "I hav' information about the
attacks, if you don'na kill me." She opens her eyes and stares
frankly into those of her enemy.

The comrade stays his weapon. "Tell us then lass"

"If I tell you wha' I know, you will then slay me. No. I will
tell yur chief."

"Go 'head an' kill her kin, duergar only ken how ta lie. She
jus' tryin' ta save her hide."

Sneering at the guard on the ground. "That may be truth slug,
but then you'd never know if you were to kill me."

Comrade, the smarter of the two, bent down and picked up the odd
dagger the lass had wielded. It was hand made and had a razor
sharp edge. "Nice dagger." He used it to cut some of his rope.
He put the dagger into his belt and tied up the duergar. "We'll
takes her ta tha chief when our watch be up."
------------------------------------A little visitor.... By:
Nystramo

Nystramo frowned from atop his throne.He frequently frowned on
the throne, both because he felt he should and because he simply
disliked having to sit on a throne in the first place. He much
preferred his office, with its more comfortable chair and
welcome removal from ceremony. He hated ceremony.

His frowned deepened as he saw two of the mount's gaurds
approaching with a small prisoner between them. It became an
absolute grimace when he saw the prisoner to be a duergar.
Young, to be sure, and a female, but a duergar none the less.

"Why ya be bringin' a greyskin 'afore me tha' still be able ta
kick?" he asked with a growl.

"Well'n, chief, tha slag be sayin' she ken somethin' o' tha
attacks on tha mount. We thots it bes' ta brings 'er ta ya, jes'
in case," the senior gaurd replied, not at all put off by his
chief's gruff manner. One of the things Nystramo liked about
leading dwarves was that they weren't thin skinned.

The chief nodded. "Aye, ya done well." He turned his fierce gaze
on the small duergar lass. "Speaks, slag. Tell me why I shou'
nae guts ya where ya stands." His tone made it clear that the
threat was not made in jest. Every bit of hatred Nystramo felt
for the duergar dripped from his words, and there was more
hatred there than could be held by the Sea of Swords. Every
instinct told him to behead her here and now, without waiting
for an answer; a good answer might nescessitate sparing her
life, a thought he did not relish. Still, he knew, he was chief,
and he had his responsibilities. If it would help save his clan,
he would listen.

So he waited.
-----------------------------------Negociations By: Jaggged

Dragged about by the guards, tha duergar growled and thought to
herself. I get free of the drow ta be taken captive by the
gully dwarfs. Now I'm bein' taken before a chief to tell him
things I have no real proof of. Maybe I get a chance to slit
his throat? A little voice in the back of her head accused her.
Yeah rite, you canna' even stab a surprised guard in back an'
now yur thinkin' of killing their chief. You've been in a cell
too long.

Jaggged was dragged up before Nystramo without even realizing it
because she was so busy arguing with herself. His gruff voice
startled her and she stared up into his eyes. Ach! If looks
coul' kill. She thought to herself. Knowing she had to do
something drastic to convince this king, Jaggged turned to the
guard beside her and calmly said.

"Rip off me shirt."

Disgusted by her suggestion, the guard just stared at her.

"I no' comin' on ta ya, ya slagged orcbreath! Turn me around
an' rip off me shirt, so yur chief has proof of me werds! Me
hands be tied, I canna' do it meself."

The guard hesitated and looked up at his leader, who nodded for
him to proceed. The tattered and threadbare shirt was easily
ripped off. Those present in the throne room were witness to
one of the most grotesque examples of abuse and neglect they'd
ever seen. Jaggged's back was deformed with whip scares. There
were places where huge chucks of her back were crudely cut out,
probably when untended wounds had started to fester with
gangrene.

As people gaped, she explained. "These are my only proof that
tha information I has to give ya be truth an' that I'm no'
allied with those I bring information about. I has lived in
tha drow slave pits fer ten yers now. Thanks to me dagger, I
have recently escaped. I has spent most of me years attendin'
to the captain of the guards, who found great pleasure whipping
an' raping me." With cold eyes she continued, "The captain
thought me so ignorant that I could no' understand his language,
and I let him keep believing so. Even though I learnt their
language fairly quick."

She stopped her speech and looked up at the king. "Do you
understand were I'm leading?"

Nystramo nodded, "Tha captain said somethin I mite wants ta
hear?"

Jaggged sneered and nodded. "Yur pretty smart for a gully
dwarf, guess that's why they made you king."
"Yur life be in me hands lass, ye best start talkin'" He said,
red with anger.

"First we negotiate. Me life an' me dagger for the
information."
-----------------------------------Freedom By: Jaggged

"That was easy enuff" Jaggged stood up from where the guards
had throw her outside the gates of the mountain trading village
and brushed herself off. "I got me a new shirt in the deal too"
She sneered as she remembered the kings disgust with her nudity.
He had motioned for someone to bring her a shirt and she guessed
she got the nearest unworn shirt. "Nice silk, altho abit large."

Not caring at all for the darklins that had enslaved her and
killed all of her family, she had told all she had learned about
their plans against the dwarves. How they had hired the goblin
horde that was marching against the mountain stronghold. How
they had used her own kin to fight against a dwarven patrol to
throw the dwarves off of the darklin's trail. Their desires and
plans to destroy the dwarfs from NW and take the mountain's
caves and caverns for their own.

The king had nodded and listened to all the Jaggged had said,
then much as he hated to, he had released her. She looked
forward to meeting him again, outside of his ring of guards and
the protection of his mountain. As she thought about that
meeting she fingered the blade of her dagger, the guard had
grudgingly given back to her.

"Now off to see if there be any duergar left alive in
Neverwinter. Maybe I can find me some mushroom ale in tha
process." Jaggged sneered happily as she walked freely away.
          ------------------------------------Re:Freedom
By: Nystramo

Nystramo watched the duergar lass leave with a mixture of relief
and disgust. He was happy to see her leave; he was just sorry
that she was still breathing on the way out.

Still, she had provided some valuable information.
Unsurprisingly, the drow were behind all of the attacks his kin
had recently suffered, and it seemed Lonely Mountain itself was
their goal; or, at least, one of their goals. One could never be
certain with the darklings.
Valuable as the information was, he didn't feel the need to
change anything at present. Moradinson was doing a thorough job
of fortifying the mount's defenses, and he had sent a runner
some time ago warning Dwyvyrn's patrol of the suspected drow
activity; hopefully HiuFang Li would turn up something in his
recconasaince of the drow near the Neverwinter region.

This was the worst part of being chief; waiting. He wanted
nothing more than to take an active hand in the war, but he knew
it was out of the question. Besides, he was certain his gaurds
would sooner tie him to his bed than let him take the fight to
the darklings personally.

It was a lot easier before Moradin got involved, he thought.
         ------------------------------------The battle
renewed... By: KAGIS

Silence echoed off the stone walls. Somewhere in the distance,
an underground pool splashed as one of the underdarks creatures
slithered into it. Kagis leaned over two torn forms, tears
streaming down his checks and disappearing into his salt and
pepper beard.

Kagis reached down and closed the still stairing eyes of Kelvan
and Dedrac, his two scout companions. Steeling himself to the
pain, Kagis reached into his pack and withdrew a mallet and
chisel. Searching the wall for smooth section and finding one,
Kagis quickly sets chisel to stone and lets his mallet fall.

Working quickly Kagis carves a gravestone for his two fallen
comrads. But also it serves as warning, letting any who come
into these delves that clan Axepeak lives here and will
tollerate no intrusions. The gravestone reads, "Here fell two
Axepeak warriors, who fought and killed over two score goblins
before they layed down their lives in defense of their homes.
Beware any who enter these halls."

Kagis finished carving the Axepeak symbol in the stone, took a
deep breath and shuddered in silent rage. After several minutes
Kagis regains his composure and begins gathering his gear. The
mallet and chisel go back in his pack, which is quickly tossed
over this shoulders to rest comfortably on his back.

"How," he asks no one in particular, "how in the abyss didda
group o' goblin' numberin' over 40 get behind me scouts? It jus
donnae make sense. We was doin' our normal ting, I went after a
few sentries while me two scouts guarded me escape. Comes ta
tink o' it dose goblin sentries died awfully easy... even fer
goblin.... hmmm." The puzzled dwarf thinks about the events
over again.

I Left Kelvan and Dedrac back a ways where it's supposed to be
safer. I sneak forward, kill a few goblin sentries... and sneak
back. Only when I get back I find this... this... carnage.
::sigh:: At least Kelvan and Dedrac killed 40 of the buggers...
they died well.

Kagis ends his musings, cursing the goblin hoard that marched
toward his home. Hefting his massive axe on one hand, the dwarf
bellows out, "Naw ye gots me mad!"

With that said, Kagis takes off racing down the corridors,
heading for the front of the goblin hoard... "nuff sneakin'
'round, time ta rumble..." the angry dwarf mutters to himself...
a grim smile on his bearded face. Not for the first time or the
last Kagis missed hearing his comrads everpresent words... "dis
gonna be fun."
-----------------------------------War under the Mountain By:
Dwyvyrn

Dwyvyrn winced as a loose pebble skidded along the floor of the
passage he and his two companions were following. They were
trying to remain as quiet as possible, but speed was essential
at this point. For the past week they had been sticking to
small side tunnels, darting in with furtive attacks against any
goblins who fell behind or wandered too far from the main group.
They had felled just over a score of goblins in these raids,
never more than three in any one attack.

Dwyvyrn had concentrated his group's attacks on the rear of the
goblin army, correctly guessing that it would be the most
disorganized section. Although the success of their raids was
evident in the form of beefed-up patrols and increased alertness
shown by the goblins, they were not sufficiently slowing the
progress of the goblin horde. Dwyvyrn decided to shift his
attacks to the front of the goblin legion to create more caution
in the advancing army, and to take out some of the
better-trained and equipped goblins in the lead group.

This was the reason for their present haste. The quarry of
inter-connected side passages they were using died out a short
way ahead. They would need to enter the main tunnel and advance
several hundred yards to reach a side passage that led to
another burrow of tunnels. Dwyvyrn wanted to get through the
main tunnel and into the side tunnels before the goblin horde
passed by. If they waited for the goblin army to pass by before
moving into this new set of tunnels, they would have little
chance to move up and attack the vanguard of the goblin force
before the advancing army reached Lonely Mountain.

At last the trio of dwarves came to the concourse with the main
tunnel. Dwyvyrn carefully inched forward and looked back down
the cavernous passage. He saw nothing, but his ears pricked up
as he caught the unmistakable sounds of a large group of
creatures advancing toward them. Dwyvyrn turned and gave a hand
signal that brought his companions Nalvor and Gilgina from out
of the shadows.

"The foul goblins be right near," he whispered to them, "We
makes all haste fer da next set o' tunnels." With that, the
three dwarves filed silently into the main tunnel, just as the
lead members of the goblin army rounded a bend and came into
view fifty yards behind them!

The dwarves broke into a run as an alarm was raised throughout
the goblin masses. Soon the sound behind them rose to a dull
roar as hundreds of goblins picked up the pursuit. The shrill
yip of goblin war-cries echoed off the cavern halls as the
battle-hungry vanguard of the goblin forces eagerly chased after
them.

Dwyvyrn turned to his two companions and yelled his plan as
loudly as he could. "We runs down to da entranse to da nex'
burrow o' side tunnels!" he screamed, hoping his kin could hear
him above the din created by the goblins. "We'll loses mos' of
'em in da maze o' passages, an' kills wotsever of 'em finds us.
Dey'll calls off da pursuit once dey gets split up an' starts
findin' a bunch o' dead goblins about!"

Dwyvyrn looked to see if his kin understood his plan. They
nodded their agreement as they ran onwards, but then their eyes
widened and they came to a halt as they stared down the corridor
ahead of them. Dwyvyrn stopped as well and faced back down the
passage to see what his kin were staring at. His heart sank as
he saw a goblin advance party, a dozen strong, hurrying down the
passage to meet them.

Dwyvyrn hesitated as he considered their course of action. He
was sure that he and his companions could defeat the goblin
party, but not before the goblin horde descended upon them from
the rear.

The goblin advance party did not hesitate. These were the
best-trained and most bloodthirsty of Gunklob's army. Upon
hearing the alarm raised behind them, they had immediately
turned and headed back toward the main body of the force, hoping
to get in on any combat that might ensue. As soon as they saw
the trio of dwarves barreling down the passage toward them, they
unleashed a volley of crossbow bolts at the group. Although the
dwarves managed to block most of the bolts that flew toward
them, one slipped past their defenses and imbedded itself deep
into Nalvor's left thigh.

Nalvor's cry of pain shook Dwyvyrn from his stupor. Shoving
Gilgina toward a side passage, he grabbed the stumbling Nalvor
and dragged the dwarf along behind him. "We runs!" he shouted
to the priestess as he followed her into the tunnel. The
goblins were right on their heels, but slowed a bit as they
filed into the narrow passage.

Dwyvyrn's mind spun as he helped the badly limping Nalvor down
the corridor. At least he had all the goblins behind him, he
thought. If they were lucky they might be able to outpace the
horde in the tight confines of the side passage. Luck did not
seem to be with the dwarves however, for even with Dwyvyrn's
help the wounded Nalvor often slammed into the walls as he
lurched down the corridor. Soon the sounds of the goblin
pursuit grew nearer.

As the dwarves neared the end of one fairly long and straight
section of the passage, Dwyvyrn felt as well as heard the impact
as another crossbow bolt found a seam in the back of Nalvor's
armor. As they rounded a bend in the passage Dwyvyrn stole a
glance at his dwarven companion. The young warrior's face was
contorted in a grimace of pain. Blood trickled from his nose
and mouth, and a bright red gout of phlegm and blood spewed
forth as he let forth a rasping cough.

Seeing his kin's grave condition, Dwyvyrn changed his plan.
"Holds, lass!" he shouted up to Gilgina ahead of him. As she
stopped and turned he pushed Nalvor toward her. "Tends to da
lad. I'll holds off da goblins." Gilgina caught the pale
warrior and immediately began to work on his injuries. Dwyvyrn
turned and readied his axe for the coming fray.
The goblins descended on him rapidly. The first was cut down as
it rounded the bend, the head falling one way and body the other
as its momentum carried it on past the dwarven warrior. The
second managed to stop in front of Dwyvyrn, but that only made
the fatal strike that much easier for the dwarf. The remainder
of the goblins drew their weapons and advanced on the Axepeak
fighter. The narrow passage allowed only two at a time to
confront Dwyvyrn, who maintained a defensive stance, parrying
the blows of his opponents until he found an opening, then
striking quickly with his axe. One solid hit was usually
enough to dispatch a goblin, but it mattered little here, for as
soon as one fell another closed and took its place.

Dwyvyrn began to sing, belting forth a battlesong to Clangeddin
in order to raise his own spirits and counter the war cries of
the goblins. He worked methodically, conserving his energy as
he waded slowly through the goblin advance party. As he worked
on his tenth kill, his spirits sank as he saw more goblins
filling the passage. The main army had followed them in as well.

Dwyvyrn continued to fight bravely, finishing off the last of
the advance party and squaring off with the first of the goblin
regulars. Although he had only suffered a few minor scrapes so
far, and despite the fact that these goblins were not as skilled
as his first dozen opponents, Dwyvyrn was tiring rapidly. He
knew that it would only be a matter of time before the vast
numbers of the goblin army eventually got the better of him.
This only steeled his resolve, and he raised his voice in song
again, determined take as many goblins with him to the afterlife
as he possibly could.

With a mighty swing Dwyvyrn swept aside the two goblins in front
of him, smashing them both against the wall. As they crumpled
to the ground, Dwyvyrn looked up and noticed the remaining
goblins had backed off a few paces. Although puzzled by their
action, he appreciated the chance to catch his breath, and
stopped his song momentarily as he leaned on his axe. It was
then that he noticed the goblins had stopped their usual
disorganized howls and war-cries, and now spoke one word in
unison. "Gunklob! Gunklob! Gunklob!" The chant filled the
tiny confines of the tunnel, and although at first Dwyvyrn
didn't know what the word meant, he soon found out as a
mithril-plated warrior broke through the front rank of goblins.

--------
Gunklob the goblin chieftan moved slowly forward, all the while
cursing Gaglug the shaman. It was Gaglug who had started the
troops chanting his name, crying that the gods had foretold
their chief would strike down the dwarves. Once the chant had
been taken up by his army, he had no choice but to move forward
to where the fighting was taking place. He didn't hurry, hoping
that by the time he arrived at the fray the dwarves would be
dead or--even better--severely injured, allowing him to strike
the final blow and fulfill Gaglug's "prophecy". Instead he now
faced a fearsome and nearly unscathed dwarven warrior, but with
his army chanting his name behind him, there could be no turning
around. As he closed to melee the dwarf, he thought again of
the derisive leer he had seen on Gaglug's face, and vowed to
deal with the shaman later--if he survived.

--------

Dwyvyrn surveyed the warrior that came forward to meet him. He
was large for a goblin, and the suit of mithril he wore--made to
fit a dwarf--was by no means too big for him. Dwyvyrn seethed
inwardly at the thought of a goblin wearing dwarven mail, but
that anger was tempered by caution as he realized he would have
to place his attacks carefully to penetrate the dwarven armor.
In his right hand, the goblin bore a curved blade of fine
manufacture, but certainly not a dwarven weapon. It glowed dull
red in his grasp, and the intensity of the glow increased as the
goblin advanced. A magic blade, Dwyvyrn knew, but little did he
realize just how powerful a weapon it was.

Dwyvyrn smiled inwardly as he hefted his axe to face the warrior
he knew must be the goblin chieftan. He reasoned that if he
could defeat this one, the goblins might fall to fighting among
themselves in a struggle for power. Surely none of them would be
too eager to face him once they saw their leader dead at his
feet. Refreshed by the renewed possibility that he and his kin
might live through this, Dwyvyrn again took up his battle-song
and prepared for the fight.

Gunklob swung first, not with the wild arcing motion that many
of the goblins had shown, but with a calculated thrust that
showed he was a seasoned fighter. Dwyvyrn noted this, and
deftly blocked the blow with his shield. For several minutes the
fight continued, each fighter testing the other's defenses with
none scoring a good hit. Then Gunklob attacked with a move he
had used previously, one that left him open briefly for a
counterattack. Dwyvyrn recognized this and quickly brought his
axe around, grinning as he anticipated the feel of his axe
penetrating a seam in the goblin's armor and biting into its
flesh.

His grin changed to a look of surprise as he felt the shock of
the goblin's blade stopping the swing of his axe. The goblin
had reversed the blade's motion and brought it back up to meet
Dwyvyrn's blow in a blur, faster than any swordsman he had ever
seen. Then Dwyvyrn glanced quickly at the face of his opponent
and saw the goblin was gaping in surprise as well!

For nearly a second they stood frozen, Dwyvyrn's axe poised mere
inches from the goblin's neck as it pressed against the flat of
the goblin's blade. Then the goblin seemed to recover and swept
Dwyvyrn's axe away, raking his falchion across the dwarf's
knuckles in the process. Dwyvyrn bellowed in pain as a burning
sensation spread over his hand. Although the blade had done
little more than take some skin off his knuckles, his entire
hand burned as if he had stuck it in a forge, and was slowly
beginning to go numb.

Dwyvyrn looked down at the goblin's blade to see if it was
coated with poison or some other substance he hadn't noticed
earlier. His eyes widened when he saw that the falchion was now
pulsing with a bright red glow. The goblin chieftan seemed
taken aback by this as well, and paused as he examined the
glowing weapon in his hand. Dwyvyrn jumped at this unexpected
opening, unleashing an attack that would surely separate the
goblin's head from his shoulders. He watched with growing
horror as once again the blade moved blindingly fast to deflect
Dwyvyrn's blow--without any perceiveable inclination on the
goblin's part!

Now the falchion seemed to be acting completely on it's own,
attacking and parrying while the goblin stared in amazement.
Gunklob did all he could just to hold on to the weapon, then
gained confidence as he saw the falchion would not let Dwyvyrn's
axe near him. He grinned as he pressed forward, beginning to
put his own strength behind the weapon's blows.

Dwyvyrn had switched to a completely defensive posture, parrying
wildly as the falchion came at him with ever increasing speed.
His right arm was almost completely numb below the elbow, and
Dwyvyrn felt the best he could manage would be a wild swing with
his axe. But a wild swing wouldn't penetrate mithril armor.
Dwyvyrn felt the adrenalin drain from his body as he began to
fully comprehend that he could not win this fight. His
movements began to slow as the lengthy battle wore down his
endurance. His shield arm began to drop and the glowing
falchion swooped in from above, biting deeply into his left
shoulder. Dwyvyrn howled as a blinding flash of pain enveloped
him. A burning sensation filled his chest and ran down his left
arm. His breathing came in short gasps as fire seemed to fill
his lungs.

Dwyvyrn struggled to steady his vision and regain a defensive
stance. His left arm was now going numb as well, and it took
all his concentration to keep his shield in front of him and
focus on his opponent. The whirling blade continued to come at
him, and it was not long before Dwyvyrn stumbled and the
falchion sank into his right flank.

Dwyvyrn let forth a piercing scream of rage mixed with terror as
yet again fire seemed to course through his body. His eyes
welled with tears as he doubled over in pain. Dwyvyrn
realized--almost subconsciously--that the next blow would kill
him. A desparate yearning for life filled him, and gave him a
final burst of energy. In a wild fit of panic, he sprung up and
backed away from the goblin as he swung his axe with all the
might his numb right hand would allow. He swung not at his
opponent, but at the low ceiling of rock that hung over them.
Again and again he bashed the butt of his axe up against the
overhanging stone, backing away all the time.

A low rumble grew in the passage as first small chunks of rock
fell into the passageway, then larger boulders crashed down into
the tunnel. Dwyvyrn continued to pound away at the rock
overhead, until finally a great thunder resounded through the
passage as the roof of the tunnel before him collapsed. Dwyvyrn
dove backwards, coughing uncontrollably as fine dust filled the
tunnel and choked his already labored breathing. He looked up
momentarily and saw two legs before him, then something heavy
struck him on the head and everything turned to blackness.

--------

Gunklob sneered as the tunnel collapsed in front of him. The
dwarf's hasty retreat had taken him by surprise, and by the time
he had recovered the dwarf was well away. The falchion had
urged him forward--nearly pulling him along behind it, but
Gunklob saw the roof of the tunnel weakening and wisely decided
pursuit would only bring him death.

Gunklob turned away as the collapsing tunnel sent forth a cloud
of dust into the passage. Although he was angry that he had not
been able to finish off the dwarf, the fight had still gone much
better than he had hoped. He had gotten the best of a dwarven
fighter who had felled almost a score of his toughest warriors,
in plain view of his own army. There would be no goblin that
would challenge his authority now! In addition, he had
discovered that the falchion the drow had given him held powers
he hadn't even guessed at. Perhaps best of all was the scowl
that came across Gaglug's face when the shaman saw that the
chief was still alive. A sly grin spread over Gunklob's face as
he led his army back onto the path toward Lonely Mountain, now
only about a day's march away.

--------

Dwyvyrn's head throbbed as he gradually drifted back into
consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Gilgina
kneeling over him, a look of concern on her face.

"Well'n, it seems Moradin ha'e decided to lets ye live anodder
day," the priestess teased, "tho methinks he mites takes me in
da process." Gilgina sat down heavily next to him as Dwyvyrn
painfully raised himself to a sitting position. Her skin was
pale and her brow covered in cold sweat. Obviously the work of
healing him had taxed her power greatly.

"Thankee, lass." Dwyvyrn croaked, able to manage little else
with his ragged breathing. Then he thought of his other
companion. "Nalvor's a'rite?" he spit out before a fit of
coughing overtook him.

"Aye" she replied, nodding in the direction of the young
warrior. "He'll lives, tho' he'll needs rest jus' like ye."
Gilgina paused a moment, then added, "an' me as well'n!" She
shut her eyes and rested her head back against the wall of the
tunnel.

Dwyvyrn frowned and started to rise, bracing against the wall as
a wave of dizziness washed over him. "We has nae time to rest,
lass." he scolded as he waited for the dizziness to pass, "The
goblins'll be diggin' thru to here in nae time!"
Gilgina opened her eyes and shot him a stern look. "The goblins
is nae diggin' thru to 'ere, ye jargh fool! It'd takes 'em
almos' a week to clear dat cave-in! Ye hears enne sounds o'
diggin', lad? Odder'n da poundin' in ye 'ead, me means!"
Gilgina smiled as she closed her eyes again.

Dwyvyrn paused a moment as his head cleared and realized there
in fact were no sounds coming from beyond the collapsed section
of tunnel. "Er..mebbe ye is rite lass," he said, then turned
and began walking futher into the tunnel. Although the burning
sensation had left him, a numbness still pervaded his whole
being, and he had to concentrate on each motion to make his
muscles obey.

He stepped gingerly over the sleeping Nalvor, and continued
slowly down the tunnel. "Hrmf!" he muttered, more to himself
than anyone, "An' wots if'n da goblins comes at us from behind?
We shou' has someone guardin' dis passage!"

"We nae has to werry o' dat!" came Gilgina's smug reply.
Scowling and grumbling--albeit more quietly now-- Dwyvyrn
continued down the corridor at his measured pace. As he rounded
a turn in the twisting passage, he saw the reason for Gilgina's
confidence. Ten feet ahead, the tunnel came to an abrupt end.
           ------------------------------------A sacrifice
is made By: KAGIS

Kagis trudged along the main shaft leading away from the guild's
home. He moved quietly except for the constant
"thud...thud...thud..." rythm of his steel toed boots pounding
the stony corridor. He carried his massive axe in his left
hand, and his axepeak special crossbow in his right hand. A
silver and gold ring gleamed dully on his right hand. Tears
continued to poor down his cheeks as he advanced toward the
forward ranks of the goblin hoard. His two scout companions
were dead, and for almost 30 days they had harrassed and
hammered the goblin hoard without any word from the Mount.

Now the goblin hoard was less than a day's march from the lower
levels of Axepeak delves, Kagis had heard nothing from Dwyvyrn
and his patrol in days, and Kagis was mad. Not just mad... but
practically seething with anger. "How dare dese mis'rable
stinkers come to our home! Damn ta da abyss da 'ccursed spider
kissers who sent dem! By da will of Moradin himself, I be
sendin' evry last one ta hell ta spend deir days wit' da spider
kissers!" The string of curses continued without pause.
Kagis knew he was making a lot of noise, but he didn't care
anymore. Glancing down at the ring on his finger Kagis grinned a
bemused smile. "Ye ain' gonna let me lie down an' die are ya?"
It was his fathers ring, a special ring forged by the hand of
Moradin himself some said. All Kagis knew was that the ring
healed any wound he ever got in battle, so Kagis never entered
battle without wearing it. Whether Kagis' words were ment for
the ring or the long dead ghost of his father was uncertain.

Kagis rounded a corner and spotted the goblin's forward scouts.
The corridor was wide were they gathered no more than 50 paces
away, but quickly tappered to less than 6 feet wide were Kagis
now stood, with a wicked grin on his face. Not wasting any
time, Kagis yelled out, "Com' an' get me ye werthless, lazy,
lizard lovin', spider kissin', my momma wa' a Kobold, gruntin',
smellin' slags!!!" Seeing a lone dwarf standing before them,
Kagis didn't need to tell them twice. The goblins charged,
gleafully calling out taunts and battle cries of their own.

Kagis calmly propped his battle axe against his hip, raised the
crossbow and began firing. "Twang!" The first goblin reach up
to grab the bolt stiking out of his throat, gurgled in pain and
then fell face down. His goblin comrads didn't even slow down.

Kagis flipped the crossbow forward with his right hand, holding
onto the swing lever and let the swinging crossbow recock
itself. Another bolt was ready... aim... "Twang!" Another
goblin fell, a bolt lodged in one eye. Three more times Kagis
cocked and fired the crossbow, felling three more goblins.
Finally, Kagis tossed the crossbow at the lead goblin and swung
his massive battle axe up into his strong hand. With a twist of
his left shoulder, Kagis brought his shield around from his back
gripping it tightly in his off hand.

The first pair of goblins finally reached the enraged dwarf.
Two goblins were quickly brought down by the deadly axe. The
other goblins were heedless of their brethren, trampling over
the bodies of dead goblins trying to reach the mad dwarf. Kagis
was swinging his axe from side to side, ignoring the small but
stinging cuts he received from the goblin's own jabs. His
shoulders heaved as he plowed the axe clean through a goblin's
body, stopping its swing only when the blade bit into the stone
wall. Kagis bunched his shoulders again, reversing the axe and
bringing it back accross in another might swing, rending another
goblin as it completed it's swing to dig into the other wall.
The mad dwarfs fierce axe became a blendor, slicing through
goblin bodies with ease. Reveling in the battle before him,
Kagis began to sign... chanting a battle song to Moradin at the
top of his lungs.

Goblin bodies quickly pilled up at the mad dwarf's feet. Only
when the other goblins could not longer climb over the pile did
they stop attacking the dwarf. Kagis laughed loudly, almost
hysterically. He could see more and more goblins pile into the
corridor, indicating that the entire goblin hoard had finally
arrived. The rows of goblins parted and a massive goblin gilded
in mithril armor stepped forward. He called out in hauty
common, "come ou' an' play little dwarfy."

Kagis responded, "bah! Ye come over me pile and see what's I
gots fer ya, ya weakling!" Kagis was banking on goblin's fear of
weakness, to force the chief over the pile in an attack. But it
never happened. Instead, the chief made a swishing motion with
one of his armored hands, and dozens of "twangs" rang out. Most
of the bolts hit the goblin pile, turning it into a gory mess.
But a few flew over the pile and slammed hard into Kagis shield.
The shield held. "Comman! Ye can do better dan dat!" Kagis
called out.

The goblins archers stopped firing as a particularly dirty and
smelly goblin came forward chanting. The shaman touched each of
the archer's crossbows. After completing the spell, the archers
fired again. More of the bolts hit Kagis mithril shield,
clanging loudly. The bolts hit with such force, Kagis could
hardly keep on his feet. "By Moradin!" he gasped, "dese be
tough bolt slingers." Suddenly a bolt slipped past Kagis shield
and tore through his armored left shoulder. Pain errupted in
his brain, and Kagis groaned. Looking down at his shoulder Kagis
could see the gaping whole where the bolt has passed clean
through him. Stubbornly, Kagis held the shield in front of him,
grimacing in pain.

Again another volley of enchanted bolts slammed into his shield.
One burst through the shield, lodging itself in Kagis left
forearm pinning the limb to the shield. "Arg!" Kagis bellowed
in pain. The dwarf almost fell over backwards, but again sheer
stubborness kept him standing. Kagis stared at the goblin
chieftan through pain clouded eyes. "It gonna take more dan yer
silly bolts to stop me," Kagis spit out through clenched teeth.

"Fine," was the only response from the chieftan. With another
wave of his hand an elite troop of goblins came forward through
the goblin ranks. Each goblin was a huge brute, armored from
head to toe in mithril plate. Only their beedy little eyes
shown through slits in their armored suits. Each one carried a
shield and an massive hammer. The elite force formed into tight
ranks, three abreast and marched toward Kagis with precision.

"uh oh," Kagis finally allowed to himself that perhaps this
wasn't such a good idea. The tightly packed armored goblins
increased their pace, marching faster but still holding
formation. Kagis could see that the formation would be a very
tight fit to get through the 6 foot wide section he was standing
in, so he hefted his axe in his good hand allowing his ruined
arm to hand useless at his side and bellowed at the top of his
lungs... "FOR AXEPEAK!!!!" An instant later a tremendous "CRACK"
thundered as the armored goblins hit the blocked section of
corridor.

Kagis swung wildly, his axe cleaving large chunks of goblin,
even through the mithril armor. But the end was inevitable.
The goblin's powerful hammers slammed down on Kagis with such
force, that he quickly fell to his knees. Kagis continued to
swing, and proudly noted that he'd actually killed one of the
armored goblins. But another quickly took it's place, and the
hammering continued. Kagis last thoughts went out to his clan
before darkness closed in on him.

The armored goblin column marched through the breached section
of corridor and trampled the dead dwarf beneath their steel
boots. The goblin army continued right after the armored wedge,
trampling the sceen beneath their feet. After the last goblin
passed by, not much remained. Goblin bodies lay torn and
dismembered, piled high around the dead form of Kagis Ironpeak,
his axe still clutched tightly in his right hand, his father's
ring wrapped around his left hand pinned underneath a torn and
battered shield and a smile on his lips. Kagis has died well.
A small ripple tugged at Kagis left eye, but it was most likely
one last muscle spasm.
-----------------------------------The ante is upped By:
Jhaelryna

    Valsharess Jhaelryna quietly went through the reports on
her desk. News from the patrol captain indicated that the
goblin horde was making better progress than was anticipated.
The dwarves were caught unprepared for the ferocity of the
attacks, and their outer patrols had been neutralised.   The
drow queen quietly reflected on the goings on. Her primary
objective had been fulfilled. The drow Running had been a great
success. The only ones that could have interfered with those
plans were the dwarves. Advance warning from the Mountain could
have spoiled the entire raid. The dwarves were focussed
entirely upon the perceived threat, and the drow were able to
emerge undetected from the Underdark to slay and to destroy in
the name of the Spider Queen. She had meant for the goblins
to be a mere distraction, and they served their purpose
well...but what now? Originally, she intended for them to
die...taking as many Axepeak warriors down with them as they
could. But now...now it seemed that the goblin horde actually
posed a significant threat to the Mountain. Chuckling, she
studied the reports further. The dwarves had spent too long in
peace. After the Crakskul threat faded, the foolish dwarves let
their defenses weaken. They pursued money and trade with the
surface dwellers. They grew rich and fat. Now they would pay
dearly for their lack of vigilance. The question now was
what to do. Did she allow the wheels she had set in motion to
keep turning, or was it time to up the ante? She rubbed her
chin thoughtfully for several moments, then made her decision.
She wrote quickly upon a parchment, then sealed it. Snapping
her fingers, she summoned her messenger. "Deliver this to the
faern immediately" she commanded. "Yes, Valsharess." "Tell him
that I do not appreciate delays. He is to leave in one hour."

    Within an hour, a score of seasoned drow warriors marched
from the city of Rilauven to reinforce the scouts under the
mountain. In the midst of the soldiers went a dark, cloaked
figure.
-----------------------------------Preparin' fer battle By:
D1AMOND 2

D1amond went to the local stable and rented a cart with 4 stout
ponies. She drove the cart to Mataga's and had Baldar Hmr help
her family into the cart. Emmrald, her papy and Morad sang
loudly as she hauled them all back to the Mount.

She got Emmy and Sardkuld to their beds and made a strong pot of
coffee for Morad as he doused himself in a ice cold bath to get
is senses about him. Her and Emmy had planned out what to do
with the shop in case the Mount came under seige, so D1amond
quickly cleaned out the display cases and packed up the shop.
She loaded the shop contents into the cart and drove it to the
Mount where she stowed them in a storage room near her and
Emmy's digs. Then she took the cart back out to Rrindabal and
paid to have it returned to NW.

Making her way to her room, she donned her newly polished
armor, recleaned her weapons and made her way to the main hall.
Other kin were gathering as well, dressed for battle and
awaiting to be assigned their duties. D1amond said a quick
prayer to the gods that Morad was able to snap outta it and
perform his duties. He had looked pretty peekid when she had
left him in his rooms.

One of the kin started to quietly sing a dwarven battle song and
others joined in adding harmonies. D1amond sang as well
preparing her heart to protect her home. . . .
------------------------------------Gaglug and Gunklob By:
Gaglug

    "Shum ballallah ikka mokka tai! Zim bam okka tam rogadub
kai!" hooted Gaglug as he capered around the bonfire, flinging
handfuls of putrid herbs into the giant pot. Gunklob did his
best to ignore the gibbering shaman, but to no avail. Gunklob
watched the shaman for a while. In fact, thought the chieftan,
it just might be unwise to ignore the shaman's actions. Just
several days ago, the other goblins would have attempted to keep
as far away from the insane Gaglug as was possible. Now Gaglug
had several dozen soldiers participating in his nightly
festivities, all prancing and dancing around the giant cooking
pot(causing great stress and strain on the goblin chefs, who
were as often as not, trampled underfoot by the cavorting mob).
When the goblins entered combat with the dwarven defenders,
Gaglug was able to whip the band into a screeching frenzy.
The goblin chieftan grabbed the closest guard and throttled him,
yelling and spitting in his face. "How ken dat skinny smelly
git gets da crew all upsited? Bah! Musta be da darkelfun
sparkly dat dey gives 'im! I knowd it alls along! Dem skanky
elfy gits maked da deals wif Gaglug ta gives 'im me warband."
Gunklob tossed the frightened guard into the wall and sat down.
The frightened guard scurried away as Gunklob continued to talk
to himself. "We be deelin' wif ya, ya stinky scrag. Firstem
offs, me 'leet gards won' be eatin' any more o' dat rancid stew
dat ye cooks up. Den, we figgers out da way ta gets ye outta da
way, we does."

   While the main goblin army slept, Gaglug sat awake and
brooded on his plans. "Der stub'rn slag cain't die wif dat
majiky sword dat da drowses gived him", he mumbled. "Why did da
elfys gives Gunklob da nifty swords and only gives Gaglug da
pretty sparkly?" "But boss, ya sed dat de sparkly wud win yas
da battle 'gainst da dwarfses." "Quiet, ya git" grumbled the
shaman as he backhanded his lieutenant across the face, "Caint
ye sees dat I be finkin?" The drow had told Gaglug where,
when, and how he was to use his sparkly. They also told him that
it was very dangerous, and very powerful, and that he could use
it only once. That simply wasnt fair, thought the shaman.
Gunklob got a shiny sword that made him invincible against the
dwarves. He got to use it again and again. But Gaglug only
could use his present once. Not fair!! "Bah!! I gots it!!
Dem skinny elfs wants to gets Gaglug outta da way fer Gunklob!
He always had its in fer me, but I be too smarts fer em! Dat
snively chieftan gonna find out dat da sneaky tricksies kin go
bof ways!" "But boss, whatcha gonna do 'bout his glowysword?
It be..." "Quiet, ya git" commanded Gaglug, as he struck his
lieutenant again. "Dincha see dat da glowysword only be glowy
round dwarfses? Round goblinfolk, it be a normal sword. Sos I
bets we cud jest gos up ta da chief and lop his 'ead off, quiet
like, and takes 'is glowysword. Den I'd be gettin bof da
sparkly and da glowysword. Da mob wud follows me ta glory! Now
alls we gots ta do is figger out how ta gets da chief outta da
way, we does..."

            -----------------------------------Preparing
for the coming storm.. By: Nystramo

Nystramo raised his head and listened. Singing. Deep, sonorous
voices raised in song. Dwarven voices. A song of battle. He
smiled and took up his axe, making his way for the main hall.

He entered to see scores of his kin preparing their weapons and
armor for battle, singing one of the ancient war songs.

"We march off bearing shield and axe To defend our halls of
stone. We'll sacrifice all to keep it safe Our lives, our blood,
our bone."

Without a word Nystramo joined in the preperations. He sat next
to D1amond with a smile and polished the head of Rorn Norogh,
adding his own booming voice to the chorus. She smiled back as
she worked on her own weapon. Many of the kin, heartened to see
their chief among them, strengthened their own signing. This in
turn attracted more kin who joined in as well, with equal vigor.
Soon it seemed that every dwarf was not on assigned duty was in
the hall, all singing with the strength only dwarves preparing
for war can muster. Lonely Mountain itself seemed to vibrate
with the power of the song. Nystramo chanced to look to the
eastern wall of the hall, where the Axepeak Crest was carved
into the rock from floor to ceiling. There he saw Mysalla, his
grandmother and avatar of Moradin, singing along with the rest
of his kin. Just behind her, he thought he saw the giant image
of an ancient, but still vigorous, bare chested dwarf holding an
immense hammer. It too seemed to be singing.
-----------------------------------Introspection By: Tigguhr

At Mataga's Tigguhr, among others, noted the chief leaving with
a disgusted look on his face. 'Its the war' he thought to
himself. 'An whut has ye done about it yerself lad?' Tigguhr
fingered the amulet he was given to signify his Kuldmordin
status. 'Ya's done nuthin but fer thins yerself. Ya nae be
opnin a shop if thar be no Mount left tha's fer sure. It be time
ta do fer tha Kin! Now git a move on Tigg afore ya end up as tha
gully dwarf whut Morad always calls ya.'

Tigguhr paid for his last ale and exited Mataga's. Arriving at
the mount some time later, he spent some time in the main hall,
preparing his equipment and singing with the kin. Afterwards,
he trailed Nys out of the hall. He found a few other dwarves
waiting to see the Chief. Maybe had been at Mataga's and no
doubt went through the same introspection.

When his turn finally came he stepped into Nytramo's presence
with a tentative bounce. Nys looked up from his desk with a
minor scowl, which Tigguhr knew he deserved. "Chief I ken wha
yer thinkin' an ya be rite. I be kuldmordin an I shou' be
helpin out whi preparations fer war. Whi tha rank come tha
responsi, eh responsi, oh, er tha duties."

Nys's features softened slightly, "'Bout time ya started
contributin lad. Glad ya figgured it out." Tigguhr brightened.
"Tha trouble be cheif, wha cin I do. I dinna wants ta gits in
tha way o the elders whut doin tha big jobs. Whut I cin do, is
nae opens me shop, an start ta stockpile me homegrowed in tha
mount, incase we be besieged. An' I cin digs a tunnel from Me
garden ta tha mount, so's we can git to it. It be so secluded
nae darklin'll find it.

"An, I ken a few tricks 'n traps frum tha jungle which cin work
in tha tunnels. I be happy ta shows em ta tha kin in charge of
defense. I dinna need nae special duties tho. Coral Joe be
hankerin' fer some action. I be tha happies' o lads if I simply
fite next ta me kin."
Nystramo stared the peculiar young dwarf. Tigguhr was a bit
slow on the uptake, and had a penchant for getting into trouble,
but he was eager. Good in a fight, maybe he did possess a few
skills that could be put to use. Unsure, the chief scratched his
head trying to come up with an answer.
-----------------------------------Children of The Earthen Sky
By: MoradinSon

"Arrogant fool!"

Storm MoradinSon fumed to himself.

"Ye had nae business a goin off on such foolishness wit th' war
so well nigh!"

Ignoring the comforts of his bed and bath he doused himself once
again in the icy runoff water that filled his forges quenching
trough. Wearily he looked up to the everburning forge of his
workshop. For as long as he could recall that forge had been
more to him than a simple workplace. It had been his worship,
his private heaven where his finest and greatest accomplishments
were achieved. He knew that his father and his father's father
had worked that forge before him and that for four human
lifetimes he himself had labored at it nearly every day of his
life. Yet the surface of the anvil was not marred at all, rather
it was mirrored with a well used gleam and like a silvered
stream of molten mithral it shone back at Storm his own image.
The anvil image was backlit by the redwhite glow of the
forgefire and it seemed to Storm to be changing before his eyes.
He blinked away the water which ran down from his unbraided hair
and into his face and he ran one massive hand back from his
forehead to clear the runnels of wet cold which streamed into
his eyes. The image in the mirrored anvil looked back at him
with clean, grey, unblinking eyes yet those eyes were not his
own. The dwarf in the anvil beckoned to him. " Poppy?" Morad
croaked in a small tired voice The dwarf in the anvil gestured
toward the forge and the bellows began to pump methdically. The
redwhite coals became pink then blue then pure white as the
fire's heat became blindingly hot. Storm MoradinSon nodded and
stepped toward the glowing forge. He felt himself warmed, he
felt himself forged and remade he felt his lifesong within him
and recalled his purpose and lifequest. As strong and alive as
he had ever been in his long life he stepped from his place of
worship to his maker, Moradin the Soul Forger reminded him that
his very reason for creation was to be dwarven and to defend all
things dwarven. In a Rythmic harmony to the mighty war hymn
ringing in the halls of the Lonely Mount, Storm MoradinSon sang
a mighty song that spoke of the heritage and responsiblity of
being a Child of Moradin.

The Forger's hand is ever nigh To the children born neath
earthen sky Mount as deep As sky is high Belongs to those He
forged to keep

The anvil, hammer, mithral vein The blows of Forger hark to rain
Down upon the virgin steel Children formed as evil's bane Knee's
which ere to the Forger kneel

Strength and honor laid to geas Within these souls he forged the
key To how the mountains live and die The Forgers pledge is
given thee You children born neath earthen sky

Honor keep the kingdom given Halls of mount must naer be riven
Live and fight and forge and die As Children of the Earthen sky

Clad in the finest mithral armor and bearing forth his weapons
the revitalized Storm Moradinson went forth to battle.
     ------------------------------------What to do with a
Bouncer? By: Nystramo

Nys blinked one more time at the odd orange clad dwarf, bouncing
slightly before his desk. In truth, he he was never quite sure
what to make of Tigguhr, ever since their first awkward
encounter. On the one hand he seemed a bit, well... daft; on the
other he was a stout kuldar, and had surprisingly shown enough
initiative and organization to earn his Kuldmorndin. The chief
had had more than a few doubts that the bouncer (as most of the
clan had taken to calling him) would make it.

And here he was offering up his service to aid in the war. Not
that Nys was surprised at the request; he knew Tigguhr was an
enthusiastic dwarf, and he knew he cared deeply for the clan. He
wasn't surprised; he just didn't know what to do with him. The
bouncer's main skill seemed to be... gardening.

Fortunately, Tigguhr gave him an answer. "Traps?" the chief
asked, raising an eyebrow.

Tigguhr's bouncing increased and he smiled excitedly. "Aye,
chiefy! I ken a few traps I be bettin' e'en Moradinson nae 'as
seen yet! We strings up a few gobs! Whizz! Bang! Har De Doo! It
be almos' a' much fun a' trippin' drow!!"

Nys chuckled despite himself. Odd or not, Tigguhr could always
bring a smile to his face. "Alri' den, bouncer. Off wi' ya ta
sees tha Rrin Kuld. Shows 'em what ya gots." His smile widened
as he watched Tigguhr bounce off with one more "Har De Doo!" of
victory.
-----------------------------------Fun Ways ta Kill Tha Enemy
By: Tigguhr

 Tigguhr beamed as he bounced out of the chief's office, then he
halted abruptly as he realized he would have to present his
tricks and traps to Moradinson.

 Recently Tig and Morad had swung weapons together in the woods
(draggin a couple a ganglies along) and the bouncer had great
respect for Morad. But he was still very intimidated. Morad
had a lot of responsibilities and would probably want no further
distractions from the war. Tigguhr knew his ideas had better be
good.....

Off he went to his little corner of the mount to scratch out a
few diagrams.
-----------------------------------A Dream Begins.... By: KAGIS

I feel a tight pressure in my chest, and think the pain is going
crush me. I trying to take a deep breath, but no air comes.
Silence prevails. Somewhere nearby someone is pounding... it
sounds like a drum beat... "thump-thump..."

Finally, I open my eyes and for a brief moment panic siezes my
heart... I can't see! After an agonizingly long moment my
vision clears... "whew." Glancing around I notice I am laying on
a pile of hay in the corner of stone-heued room.

"thump-thump..."

In the center of the room stands a large stone forge, hand pump
bellows lean against the base. Around the rim of the thick
stone forge, a variety of tools are hung with care. Several
different sized hammers, tongs, clamps... all neaty arranged. A
shiny new mithril anvil stands near the forge, and next to the
anvil a bucket of cool water sits. In another corner of the
room, a wooden table is piled high with other implements and
tools I recognized. It dawns on me, although I don't know how I
know it, that this is a blacksmith's workroom.
"thump-thump..."

"Wall naw... dis be 'bout righ'." I say, as I strugle to my
feet. Everything seems awkward, different somehow; but I can't
put my finger on it. I look down at my hands as if they belong
to someone else. Both hands end in short, almost stubby
fingers... the hands are covered in scars. "Funny... I nae
remember me 'ands lookin' like dis." One my left hand, on the
third finger from the thumb, rests a gold and silver ring. It's
a thick band, with intricate carvings along it's length. For
some reason I feel like I should recognize it, but I don't.

"thump-thump..."

I take a deep breath, but even breathing seems out of place here
in this room. I walk around the room, scratch my beard... "Wha'
tha?" I look down... "Well naw, I donnae 'member 'avin' nae
beard." It's long, a rich shade of brown but peppered here and
there with shoots of white. "Guess I be older dan I 'member
too."

I walk over to the bucket and peer in it's depth... my
reflection stares back at me, but I might as well be looking at
a stranger. From somewhere in the back of my mind, I realize
I'm a dwarf... but again that seems out of place to me somehow.
With a growing sense of dread, I realize.... "Who am I... I nae
'member me own name."

"thump-thump..."

I sigh deeply with frustration, "Well, I be a dwarf... dats fer
certin. I guess I should start making tings with dis nice
forge." I move over to the work table, select a nice long bar
of iron and walk back over to the glowing forge. Placing the
iron rod in the center of the coals, I take the billows and
begin pumping air through the coals making them hotter. Heat
radiates from the forge, filling me with warmth as I realized I
must have been freezing until just now. Finally, something
feels right.

"thump-thump..."

"thump-thump..."

I've been working for countless hours making all maner of items.
One I recognize as a long thin sword. The table is now piled
high with finished goods, but I don't really remember making
them all. Daggers, a lance tip, the head of a war hammer, a
small axe made for throwing, steel bolts for a crossbow... the
list goes on. I look down at the large axe blade I'm currently
hammering to a fine edge. I hesitate... "Who am I? An' why am
I makin' all dese weapons?"

"thump-thump..."

"You be a dwarf," a deep voice sounds from behind me. I whirl
around and find myself stairing eye to eye with another dwarf.
I can tell that he's no ordinary dwarf. His eyes are coal
black, shinning with a deep twinkle. His hair and beard are the
deepest shade of red, reminding me of the forge I labor over.
He stands a full head taller than me, his body covered with
powerfully corded muscles. I feel a sense of reverence... of
awe... but I don't know why.

"thump-thump..."

"Who be ye?" I ask suspiciously, "an' how ye gets in me
forge-room?"

"That's nae 'portant," he answers. "What be 'portant is dat ye
donnae belong 'ere... nae yet anyway." A smile wrinkles his
face, and I realize the dwarf before me must be ancient, but he
still seems so young!

"Who am I? What be me name? I donnae 'member." I ask
desperate for answers.

His smile seems to lessen slightly at my questions. "I cannae
answer yer queschions. but what I can tells ya is dis. Ye
donnae belong 'ere in me realm... ye are needed by yer clan for
dey be facin' a dire fate. You must go back an' finish yer life
with them." He holds up a calloused hand to prevent a stream of
more questions I desperately need to ask. "Before ye can go
back, ye must 'member who you are. Nae jus' yer name, but the
very essense o' yer being. Finish makin' yer axe... make it
strong... make it solid... but finish makin' it. It be written
dat da makin' of your axe, will remake yer soul. An' yer new
axe shall be known as 'Fulcrum.' And nae at thing will stop
it's swing."

I looked down at the axe I still held in the forge. "Fulcrum,"
I whispered to it... "yes... Fulcrum." I looked up to thank the
stranger, but he was gone. I scratched my head in confusion.
Wondering again what my name is.

"thump-thump..."

"thump-thump..."

Has it been days, hours, weeks? I don't know... All my
concentration... all my heart... and desire has been in
hammering, heating, hammering, and finishing Fulcrum. My hammer
raises and falls in a tireless rythm of my own.. matching the
odd drum beat.

"thump-thump...clang-clang..."

I realize that my throat is soar from whispering..."Wha? Wha'
'ave I been sayin' all dis time?" I can't remember. I know
they are words I've never heard before, but I'm no longer
worried about them, because I know Fulcrum is finished. I plung
the massive axe into the bucket of cold water. Steam rises for
several minutes, hising.

"thump...." The drum beat stops suddenly. "I... I am...
Kagis." The memories... everything hits me like a thunderclap.
My ears ring, my eyes begin watering... and world goes dark on
me.

I awake and realize I'm back in the corridor where I had died.
My head swims with confusion. Looking down I see the holes in
my armor and shield, but my wounds are healed fully. My
father's axe lay neatly on top of a wooden case. In my hand
rests Fulcrum... my axe... my soul. I see the ring on my left
hand, and remember. "Me papies ring o' r'gen'ration." I stand
and walk over to the wooden case. Opening it, my eyes go wide
with wonder at all the weapons piled within it. "Dese mus' be
da odder weapons I made." I carefully strap my father's axe to
my back, close and lock the case, and heft it onto my left
shoulders.

With Fulcrum in my right hand I begin the trek to reach my
clansmen. I hope I'm not too late to help in the coming battle
against the goblin hoard. Somewhere in the back of my mind I
realize that something very wierd happened while I was dead...
but I stubbornly refused to think about it. "Dere be more
'portant tings ta werry 'bouts righ' naw. Nae time ta tink
'bout silly dreams."

I head off at a trot, taking a side passage to skirt the goblin
hoard, and reach the Axepeak halls before them.
 ------------------------------------A New Dark is Dawning By:
ZYXOS

::: The Valsharess had offered the blessings of Lloth to the
Drow Warriors and Mages being sent off to reinforce the
captain.... she watched as they marched past her with blood in
their eyes and death in their hearts ::::: she could not help
but feel pride in the growth of Rilauven and the glory brought
to Lloth under her guidance.... then as she was turning to
reenter her throne room her gaze fell upon and stopped at a
darkened figure still remaining at the back of the royal "Parade
Ground":::

::: the "stance" of the male identified him as one of only 2
males that could be so insolent.. even in just their posture....
and the livery and armor of the Faern identified him immediately
:::: she muttered to herself.... "Curse that insolent Zorak...
if any more other than ZYXOS calls him Jabbuk we will ALL
welcome the Abyss as relief"....

::: only raising an eyebrow at him was enough to summon ZYXOS
into her presence ::::

"So... Jabbuk Faern... after all this time you finally seek out
your past Ilharess for some reason I hesitate to ask"... the
cold voice of Jhaelryna cut through the still darkness....

::: As the Dark One went to a knee before her, Jhaelryna could
not help but smile at her memories of their firey meeting and
the "stories" of the two of them that circulated within the
temple. ZYXOS was known for his curt nods... <damn that
Zorak>.. to the females of the temple... but without hesitation
he knelt to his former Ilharess... now Valsharess ::::

::: his deep voice resonated through the darkness ::::

"You send children to do the work of warriors, my Queen.... and
never have you called upon me since your ascension to thy
rightful place of power. I come to thee now... to again state
my desire to serve our Goddess with my life and my blood. These
dimunative children of Moradin have met the goblins.... they
have met the captain of your guard... and they are about to meet
some of thy vaunted shock troops........"

::: ZYXOS stood and the Valsharess noted the deepening blood red
in his eyes... and the strength of his stance... and she was
almost afraid of the outcome these precursers normally foretold
:::::

"BUT.... they have yet to meet the Dark One of the Drow..... I
come now to seek thy approval to move against these gully
dwellers in the manner of my Jabbuk... unaided and without
hesitation or quarter..... :::ZYXOS' stance widened... and he
held his right hand on-high towards the dias of the Queen ::::
"all for the glory of Lloth and the Valsharess Jhaelryna I !!!!"
::::during these last words the Obsidion Dagger of Lloth sprang
from ZYXOS' boot to his right hand and glowed with a darkening
red fire... a dagger Jhaelryna had often heard of... but few who
saw it lived to recount of it's presence :::::

::: with a sly smirk Jhaelryna continued to stare at the Jabbuk
Faenr before her... wondering what she might be about to once
again unleash upon the realms::::
-----------------------------------Whot tha....... By: Niord

After meeting with his kin one last time, Niord had a feeling of
emptyness. Memories....memories of his
past....pleasure....pain...family....death....

The visions were to strong.......

Niord woke to find himself in the woods. But it was wrong
somehow..... The sky was red, there was no sun, and he felt a
presence..... He quickly whirled around, readying his axe as he
did so. Standing before him....an image of his wife....long
dead...and still loved more than life. He reached for her, only
to pass through the image. Sadness overcomes Niord, and he
falls to his knees wailing.....

In his mind....a voice emerges. It is the soft caressing voice
of his long dead wife. She soothes his thoughts. He stops his
grief and slumps on the ground.

"Niord....it be time ye were fergitin o' me......I be long
dead, an I kinnae come back....."

"But I kinnae ferget...me love....me life..."
"Ye mus' lad...ye has ah new 'ome now. Ye has kin...an they be
needin ya. Now...if'n ye loves me amuch as ye were always
sayin...ye will ferget me an git to ye kin."

"I kinnae ferget...."

Niords mind blurrs........he awakes in the middle of the
woods... "Whot be goin oh 'ere?" He reaches up and feels warm
tears on his cheeks....but can't figure why they are there. No
one is around...... He sits back trying to remember......but
there is no memories to be had. His mind wanders to his (new?)
kin. Remembering meeting them....their flashy ways, battle
prowess, kinship..... Niord knows something is missing from
him.....but what he cannot place.

A sudden wave of anger passes him. Images of giants and
dragons....and a burning hate for them. "Enuf o' wastin time, I
gots ta git ta tha mount"

About a days walk from the mount he stops in horror. Obvious
signs of a massive goblin army are here.....going straight for
the mount. Without hesitation he picks up his
pace....running....and having an overwelming fear of loosing his
kin.....ans somewhere....knows it has happened before.
      ------------------------------------More trouble on the
horizon By: Jhaelryna

    "Very well, Zyxos. You have my leave to operate against
the dwarves. Your tasks are to be as follows: You are to
collect as much information as possible about the defenses of
the Mountain. This includes the physical defenses, and those
that are planning and coordinating the security of the
Underhalls. This information will be returned to the Academy
for review. You are not to directly engage the dwarves in
combat. You can, however, dispose of targets of opportunity.
Lone patrols, and such." Valsharess Jhaelryna continued
speaking quickly and quietly. "You are to watch the goblin
attack and look for weaknesses amongst the dwarves. If
possible, you are to use the chaos and disruption of the attack
to infiltrate the Mount. If you are able to gain entry, you are
to locate and eliminate these targets." The queen wrote a
number of names on a small parchment, and handed it to Zyxos.
As she turned to leave, she smirked. "By the way, Dark One, my
soldiers have their own orders. They do not necessarily
coincide with yours. Consider yourself to be alone on your
mission". Robe flowing out behind her, the Valsharess left
Zyxos kneeling alone in the courtyard.
-----------------------------------Jungle Tricks 1 By: Tigguhr

Moradinson strolled with Emmrald through the ornamentals in
Tigguhr's garden. Eyes locked on each other, they nearly both
tripped over a low table blocking the path. Tigguhr, sitting at
a small stool, was as surprised as the couple. The jungle dwarf
let out a loud "WHAAA" and fell backwards into a pile of
compost. Papers flew everywhere.

Standing up, his black and orange skin now quite soiled, he
greeted his kin. "Me apologies kin, I whar workin' on me traps!
Helps yerself ta a nibble er a posie if ya likes. Oh 'n Morad,
tha chief sayed I shou' shows ya me traps wha' I learnt in tha
jungle. It cin waits a bit tho, seeins how ya gots some
strollin' time with tha lass."

Moradinson gave a sideways look to Emmy. "As if I dinna has
'nuf ta deals with..." thought Morad. "Well'n lad, if Nystramo
sayed, then ya meets me in tha main hall first thing in tha
morn. An' ya gits a wash first-ye smells like a gully dwarf!"
Tigguhr jumped to attention and snapped a salute and the couple
strolled off.
-----------------------------------Jungle Tricks 2 By: Tigguhr

In the morning, Tigguhr, freshly washed, showed up in the main
hall with several baskets of meats, bread, roasted vegetables
and a small keg of Special. He emptied the contents onto a table
where Moradinson sat waiting, but he set one basket to the side.
"Warnin' ya kin-dinna eats frum tha basket. Ya sees why in a
bit." Morad let out a satisfied grunt, tucked in to the
breakfast, and motioned the bouncer to begin talking. So
Tigguhr, nervous and hoping to impress, began his little
presentation.

"Ya gots ta ken tha enemy. Which I ken ya do. But wha do we
ken?" Tigguhr asked rhetorically. "Drowie floats. Drowie
detects traps whi magix. Drowie ha' lots of protectie spells.
Soes, ya gats ta have traps whut cin be set off by tha kin,
traps whut nae look like traps, an' double traps. Gits em riled
up, kills a bunch, makes em waste thur foul magix rite?" He
then layed out a series of eight diagrams detailing his ideas.
            ------------------------------------Jungle
Tricks 3 By: Tigguhr

Moradinson ate his breakfast and looked carefully at what
Tigguhr presented. Each diagram was titled across the top.
Tigguhr took Moradinson through each in turn .....

DOUBLE TROUBLE. Slightly obvious pit trap right in front of a
second shallow pit, sand filled that matches and appears to be
floor, contains fine mesh connected via string to poisonous gas
canisters in cieling. Step on mesh, pulls string, opens poison
container.

GITS THA FLOATERS-INVERSE PIT. Fine wire trip wires on floor
walls and ceiling releases floor stone slab which crashes up via
springs.

PORKEYPINES. Dozens of holes bored in wall. Greased Manticore
spines inserted.Grease makes it air tight. Moss conceals holes.
Spine filled wall is backed by passage. Stone slab cut from
passage wall, hollowed out to create air space. Slab is greased
on edges then replaced to form air tight seal. Kin fires all
spines from safety of adjecent passage by slamming into slab,
using forced air to fill hallway with spines.

FAKE TREASURE. Fake treasure out of normal metals, gold plate
and cheap gems-many magic looking items.. Contact poison covers
treasure. Poison plants from garden.
-----------------------------------Jungle Tricks 4 By: Tigguhr

Tigguhr continued showing his designs as Morad munched. The
final diagrams showed:

HOLY ROLLER, DROW VARIATION. Build steam roller vehicle, big
stone wheels, long chains attached to wheels. Good for clearin a
path. Drow might Dim Door behind roller, so build an archer
platform on back.

FUNNY FUNNEL TUNNEL. Narrow the tunnels in crucial places to
size of one kin. Ffalse walls farther back in hallway allow kin
to attack jammed up intruders from behind.

TEARS OF A DROW. Noxious pepper pots from garden are thrown or
fired with sling, explodes, causing nausea and watery eyes in
small radius (Tigguhr opened the extra basket to reveal numerous
little red round peppers).

MAGIC ROCK SHOCKER. Magnetized rocks that on contact they sets
off a dispel magic spell. Line tha approach corriders with
them. The diagram showed rocks jumping up from the ground to
attach themselves to the metal of drow weapons or armor.

Tigguhr finished by saying, "Now I dinna ken 'ow tha clan feeled
abou' usin' magic an' poison fer trappin bu' whi' tha Mount
itself at stake, I dinna want to......." Morad finished looking
at the diagrams and looked at the bouncer. Tigguhr's voice
trailed off. He became silent, nervously bouncing in front of
the elder, hoping that his ideas could help.
-----------------------------------The Approach By: ZYXOS

::: As Jhaelryna turned to leave she used her powers as a
Yathtallar of Lloth and read the mind of ZYXOS :::: "As if I
would prefer it any other way, my Queen... LLOTH TLU MALLA" :::::

:::Jhaelryna shook her head and grinned... she had forgotten how
exilerating this Dark One could be ::::

:::ZYXOS trailed the Drow Shock Troops as they made their way
towards the delves of the Dwarves. Several times the scouts and
patrols seemed to sense that someone was about... but they could
never find nor see him :::

He would begin his work as he reached the area of the fighting
between the goblins and the dwarves... and... as his Valsharess
had suggested... infiltrate the underrealms of the Dwarves to
see what he could see..... and do.....
-----------------------------------Kagis Returns... By: KAGIS

The dwarven guards stood vigilent as they monitored the handfull
of tunnels leading from the underdark into Clan Axepeak's
delves. Moradinson has ordered regular shift changes to keep
the warriors fresh in case the goblin hoard attacked at any
moment. The guards watched the tunnels with wary eyes. One
guard assigned to a rather small side tunnel called out a spot.
The guard captain trotted over to the side tunnel to see what
the commotion was about. He got to the tunnel just as Kagis
stumbled out of it. The exhausted dwarf stumbled into view,
carrying a large wooden case on his back and an incredible axe
in his fighting hand. His armor was cut and torn in ways that
suggested wounds no one should have survived; but somehow Kagis
had. "Kagis! Wha' dis be 'bout?" the captain asked.

Kagis's eyes shifted in a crazy manner and his jerky motions
worried the captain. When Kagis didn't respond immediately, the
captain grabbed the struggling dwarf by the shoulders, steadied
him, and staired him in the eye. "Kagis! Come 'round now. I
says, wha' be goin' on? Where da rest o' ye scoutin' group and
Dwyvyrn? Wha...."

Kagis seemed to suddenly snap back from wherever his crazed mind
had been wandering. "Nae time fer dat now goo' cappy. Is gots
ta sees da Chief!"

Without another word Kagis hefted the case onto his back,
adjusted his hold on the axe and continued on; heading for the
where the war headquarters was located in the main hall.

After he left, the guard captain looked around at this troups
and called out, "Loo' alive now! Da goblin coul' show dere ugly
faces any time now!"
-----------------------------------Report of Scouting mission...
By: KAGIS

Nystramo sat at a stout table set up in the war room. Piles of
paper covered every spot, reporting on the advancing goblin
hoard and the dwarven defensive preparations. He was currently
studying the last scout report to come in... it was two days old
and the scout had spotted the goblin goard less than a day away
from the Mount when he'd sent the report. Scratching his chin
Nystramo pondered the odd manner of attack, "I wonders wha' dem
goblin be up to... wha' are dey waitin' fer?"

Just then a commotion outside the room caught his attention.
"Guard! Wha' be all dat noise fer? Are da goblin attackin'?"
Nystramo asked almost hopefully. He didn't like this waiting,
and the more he waiting the more nervous he was getting.

"Nae da goblins Chief..." the guard called back... "Kagis ha'
return'd an' 'nsists on speakin' whit ye." Nystramo could
believe it... "Wha' are ye waitin' fer guard? Send 'em in now!"
The guard stepped aside and Kagis stepped into view, clutching a
massive axe in his right hand, and carrying what looked like a
chest on his back.

Kagis nodded his head at Nystramo, and then launched into a
quick but thurough explanation of how Dwyvyrn and his scouting
parties had attacked the goblin hoard. Nystramo was disturbed
to hear that Kagis hadn't heard from Dwyvyrn for several days
and had lost his two scoutmates, but what disturbed Nystramo
more was Kagis' explanation of the goblin elite hammer warriors.
Finally Kagis finished his tale explaining that he must of
'blacked out and the goblins just didn't check to see if he was
still alive after the last battle.' Judging from the cuts and
dents in Kagis' armor Nystramo didn't believe for a minute that
Kagis had "blacked out," but now wasn't the time for such
debates.

Nystramo looked Kagis over, noticing that the stubborn warrior
looked more dead than alive, but only asked, "Whas in da box?"

Kagis grinned, "special weapons ta use 'gainst dem goblin
hammers." Kagis placed the case on the ground, and openned the
lid. Stacked inside were dozens of mithril swords, axes, and
hammers. In addition, five special Axepeak crossbows and what
looked to be over 100 mithril bolts lay inside the case. The
crossbows were not made from carved oak (as most of the Axebows
were), these were made entirely of mithril steel. "As I figure
it, dese Axebows and bolts shou' pu' a bolt clean through stone
thicker dan I be tall." Kagis added noticing Nystramo carefully
examining one. If anything Kagis was underestimating the punch
these weapons would have in close quarters. Nystramo nodded his
approval.

Kagis turned to leave, his report finished but Nystramo reached
out and grabbed Kagis by the shoulder. "Hold on dere lad. Dem
cuts in yer armor... dey loo' perty bad. Wha' happen' ou'
dere?" Kagis looked down and Nystramo could see his eyes water
slightly. Kagis finally answered, "I dinnae tink I cans answer
yer ques'chion Nys. I dinnae think I really ken wha' happen to
me..." Kagis sighed, "I nae even sure I wants ta ken."

Without another word Kagis left Nystramo to go change into his
spare suit of armor, get a few mugs of Axepeak Special to
restore his energy and head where Kagis expected the toughest
fighting to be. In front.
-----------------------------------Re:Report of Scouting
mission... By: Nystramo

Nystramo watched Kagis leave, still uncertain of what to make of
the Kuldar's tale. He wondered, but not for long. There was work
to do.

He gestured to the case of weapons and addressed one of the
gaurd. "See tha' these weapons gits distributed. I wants ever'
unit ta has some o' dem in their ranks. An' gives each o' The
Ten first pick o' weapons, 'cept fer tha Axebows. Finds our five
bes' shooters an' gives 'em each one an' a score o' tha bolts."
The gaurd nodded and he and another kuldar carried the cache of
weapons to the forces.

Nystramo fingered Rorn Norogh's blade and grinned. It would be a
grand battle.
-----------------------------------Into the Mount By: Niord

    I gathers me senses an starts inta tha mount. Discarded
stuff an dead bodies be 'ere an thar. I keeps goin, fallerin
tha main trail tha gobblies left. Me mind be almos' gone....a
million thoughts at ah time. I ne'er took meself fer ah
psyco......

     I starts findin signs o' fierce battle. I clutches tha
amulet on me neck...funny....I naer noticed tha befur...... I
finds ah pile o' bodies, an ah dwarven shield w' lotsa 'oles in
it. I nae recognizes it, but I nae sees a body o' un me kin
'ere. I goes ah li'le further, an I finds crosses an names
scribed in tha wall. I reads tha names, an me heart pains, fer
I ken these two brave lads......

    I comes ta ah spot whar tha main army turned, an then
comed back. I goes doon....it be goin ta anudder set o' side
tunnles. I 'ears noises..... I flattens against tha wall, an
sees 4 gobblies commin oot o' tha tunnel. I sees ah shield in
un o' thar 'ands....I ken whos it be....it be Dwy's shield.....

    I acts withoot thinkin.....screamin like ah
berzerker....chargin swingin me axe. I takes 'em by surprize,
an cleaves tha shield 'older in halfs, frum tha top doon. Tha
udders readies thar weapons, but I nae cares. I charges agin, I
nae cares if'n I gits kilt. I rams un inta tha wall, an spits
anudder w' me axe. Tha udder un 'its me frum behind an pierces
me armor. I feels tha pain but nae cares. I finishes tha
gobblie under me shield, an tha udder 'its me agin in tha sames
spot. It goes thru me armor, an I screams in rage an pain. I
clutches me side an whirls on tha gobblie, but it gots away. I
rips off ah piece o' gobblie armor an puts it in tha hole in
mine ta stops tha blood, picks up Dwys shield, an goes.....

    I comes ta ah pile o' gobblies, an ah cavein aftur it. I
nae sees any dwarvie bodies, soes I figures they be buried under
tha piles. I ken tha Dwy be below tha pile....un o' tha first
kin tha findid me an tooks me in. I gots ta gives 'im ah
propper burien. Soes I starts ta dig. I nae gits far, an me
rage goes oot. I clutches tha amulet w' me bloody 'and, an I
feels sumfin wierd 'appinen. Me strength....it be commin
back....an greater.... I picks up me axe an starts swingin,
cuttin thru boulder after boulder, an I nae tires. Me axe
swings faster an faster.....I be clearin tha pile gud now. I nae
ken 'ow long I be swingin....I nae gits tired......I jes keeps
swingin, nae seein any bodies. Me hopes git beddur, an I goes.

    'boot 24 hours aftur I starts, I comes across ah gobblie
body crushed in tha cavein. I lets oot ah sarcastic
laugh....knowin tha Dwy got ah least un mores befur he gots it.
I keeps diggin.....nae noticen me sanity slippin away. Finally,
tha pile starts givin way. I puts doon me axe, an drops ta tha
floor in exhaustion, nae noticen it befur I puts it doon. I
forces meself ta gits up. I pulls more stones away, an thar it
be! I gots an opinen ta tha udder side! I sticks me 'ead thru,
an barely pulls back befur an axe 'its whar me neck were. Frum
inside I 'ears ah voice...weak....."Comes on in ye gobblies, ye
nae gonna takes me wioot ah fit!" Me eyes widen, I calls "Dwy?
Tha be you Dwy?" I 'ears ah voice agin....."Niord? Is tha you
lad!"

    I finds me last bit o' energy an widens tha 'ole. I be
stickin 'alf way in an Dwy runs up an hugs tha air oota me.
Aftur 'e lets go an asks lotsa questions I nae has tha answers
for, 'e 'elps me in. I stands up, an offers 'im 'is shield. He
looks ah it, an ah me, then takes it. Thank ye lad.....I naer
fergits this. I looks ah tha udders an greets em. Las' I
remember was sayin 'allo, then e'erthin goes black as I feel
meself 'itten tha ground.......
-----------------------------------The Darkness Descends By:
ZYXOS

::: The approach to the Mount had gone well, with no encounters
forcing ZYXOS to give away his presence. He had started
following one dwarf that seemed to have lost his mind in some
fight. Finally, after killing 3 Goblins just for a shield, the
dwarf seemed intent upon burying himself in a pile of rubble.
Then... for the first time... ZYXOS saw the dwarf possessed a
magical amulet hanging around his neck. ZYXOS knew of the
Dwarven dislike for magic... and the amulet seem to be a
surprise to the Dwarf himself. ZYXOS noted the discovery for
his record... "Dwarves appear to be using limited magic or
magical impliments.... must increase vigilence when patrolling
or doing battle".

Giving the magical impliment a wide berth, ZYXOS continued on
into the tunnels. He happened upon a fight between some of the
Goblin Hammer Corps and a small patrol of dwarves ::: watching
carefully, it was obvious that the Dwarven Patrol was more than
a match for the Goblins... but they were taking horrible wounds
and losing many of their number. However, it was obvious that
the preferred Dwarven fighting style was to put everything into
the "obvious" battle, even if it meant losing most of their
force.

Finally one of the Dwarves had been able to subdue that last of
the goblins... and with a large chest on his back was making his
way shakily towards the Underhalls of the Mount:::: pulling the
cloak of darkness tighter about him, ZYXOS followed closely on
the heels of the struggling Dwarf ::::

::: As the pair approached the perimeter of the UnderHalls of
AxePeak, the dwarf was challanged by a sentry ::: it was
interesting to note that they did not fire if they even
"thought" the approaching figure might be a fellow dwarf ::: and
then with a cursory pass through, the Dwarf was allowed to make
his way on through the defensive perimeter just because he said
it was important ::: even Dwarven Clerics were not present to
assure there was nothing amiss.... such as a cloaked Drow
Warrior :::::

:::: splitting off from the struggling Dwarf, ZYXOS made his way
into the outer tunnels of the Dwarven UnderHalls watching for
traps and patrols :::: finally he spotted the beginnings of a
trap that he recognized in both form and function :::: as he was
studying the trap and noting its location on his map the 2
dwarves working on the trap approached :::: "Sur'n it be
impor'ant ta get dis done so Tigghur kin show it ta
Moradinson... bu' ye wou' t'ink dey wou' give us time fer a few
ales w'out us havin' ta sneak off ta get 'um ourselves".. :::
the two had obviously been taking a break and were now quite
relaxed ::::

::: ZYXOS moved quickly and silently taking advantage of the
laxness of the two workers.... his boot knife drank deeply of
the blood from the larger of the workers as it silently slit the
dwarf's throat ::: the other dwarf looked on in horrid amazement
as his companion's throat seemed to open of it's own accord and
the blood spilt down the front of his armor ::: and the look
turned to one of shock as the fully armed and armored Drow Faern
seemed to materialize from thin air in front of him ::: the deep
blood red eyes were the last site the Dwarf saw before the
Fireball slammed him to the floor and ended his life in a living
hell of flame and pain ::::

<chuckling to himself ZYXOS moved off again>... "let's see them
figure out how goblins came up with magic like that"......

:::ZYXOS' movements were precise and it was apparent he was
searching for someone or something specific as he made his way
gradually inward within the defensive ring of the Dwarven
UnderHalls :::

" So, little one... where are you now? There is one more card
to be played that even you are not aware of........"
    ------------------------------------The Darkness Descends
By: Nystramo

It was the most disturbing news yet. Two more kin dead....
killed WITHIN the outer perimeter of Lonely Mountain. Nystramo
looked over the scene of the killings. There was a lot of blood,
all of it dwarven.

"Blast," he muttered. One of the kuldar had his throat slit,
apparently without a struggle. The other had been burned to
death. The charred area suggested a fireball. "Magix."

The assembled dwarves looked at each other with concern. It was
obvious no goblin was responsible for this. It was inconcievable
that one could slip past the pickets, sneak up on two dwarven
warriors, slit one's throat and kill the other with a fireball
without losing a drop of it's own blood. Besides, Nystramo had
never even heard of a gobin skilled enough in magic to even cast
a simple sleep spell.

There was only one other possibility worth considering. There
was a drow, or a few drow, inside the perimeter.

"Gits Moradinson! Now!" he barked to the nearest dwarf. Startled
by his chief's unusually brusque command, the kuldar ran off to
find the Rrin Kuld as quickly as he could.

He considered for a moment before giving his next order. Clearly
their couldn't be more than a handful of drow within the
perimeter right now, if even that many. This particular killing
indicated no more than two or three of them. Even one drow,
though a very skilled one, could have managed it.

"Puts out a call to all tha kin," he told another kuldar. "I
wants all kin wha' kin be found in tha nex' three hours inside
tha mount. In three hours, we be closin' tha gates. An' puts tha
call out to tha priests. I wan' them scourin' tha mount fer any
signs o' foul magix."

The dwarf nodded and ran off, knowing that Nystramo didn't mean
the standard gates that allowed entrance and egress from the
mount. He meant the REAL gates - huge stone slabs that needed a
dozen kuldar just to open and close. It was a serious move. It
meant the chief thought the mount was in immediate danger. It
was second only to the final sealing of the mountain, a decision
reserved for a truly desperate situation.

Nystramo remained at the site, worrying. Why were the drow
striking now, before the goblins had played their hand? Why
announce their presence with an attack that accomplished nothing
else but draw attention to them? He was missing something.

He shook his head and hoped Moradinson would be able to shed
some light on the situation.
-----------------------------------Har dee Uh ooh.... By:
Tigguhr

Tigguhr heard of the slayings and began working even faster.
Morad had approved a couple of designs for test, but now the
bouncer (who knew they would work) now decided to go ahead and
complete the one he was working on as if it would be deployed
for real and immediately.

Alone in a side corridor, he worked in the darkness. As he bend
over some bamboo rods and netting, he suddenly got a sensation
that he hadn't felt in some weeks. Staying in a crouch and
turning quickly, he spied a blackness moving toward him, that
got significantly lighter as it approached. A dark form
materialized in front of him and grinned wickedly.

"Oh oh! Nae agin!" cried the bouncer, as he went for his axe
Coral Joe...
-----------------------------------Re:The darkness decends.. By:
 Baldar Hmr

::Baldar had just arrived at the stonewerks, as requested by the
StoneMaster,Moradinson, and was waiting for Morad to arrive when
one of the chief's guards ran into the quarry. 'Quick like,
where tha 'ell is Storm, Baldy?', asked the guard in a gruff
fashion. 'Hmph!..I dinnae ken where he be, I be waiting fer 'im
meself!..Why is you so werked up?',answered Baldar. 'Gordul!',
exclaimed the guard,' It done started! The chief dun ordered the
gates sealed in three hours! All the kin is ta git inside tha
Mount by then!!.Two kin dun be found dead in tha Outer
perimeter, and it 'pears ta be magix, maybe Drow!!'
'Sandstone!',muttered Baldar, 'Well kin, best tha we goes off
and checks with Emmy and D1 ta see ifn' they ken where Storm be
at.' ::A scowl crossed the young Kuldmordin's face as the two
ran off in search of the sisters'::
-----------------------------------The Eastern Underhalls 1 By:
MoradinSon

"Yer sure?"

"Aye Rrin Kuld" Breathed the ghostly herald.

Storm MoradinSon stood in his planning chamber before a stone
table covered with runes and pieces of engraved stone that would
be indecipherable to any but a dwarf. He was conversing with an
ancestral guardian, a dwarf who, in life, had been so dedicated
to the protection of the mount that he continued his vigil even
beyond the boundaries of death.

"Ragin" Storm addressed the shade respectfully. "I be honored
that ye has shown yerself ta me an I be shaken at th' same time
tha' we be in a danger fierce enow ta bring ye inta view in this
livin world. I will strike a weapon upon Moradin's forge in yer
honor fer givin yer aid to us now"

The translucent dwarven warrior nodded his head in recognition
of Storm's words and began vanishing from sight.

"I will always be an guardian of the Mount. Always."

The Ancestor's final word lingered behind in certain promise as
the ghostly image vanished from view.

MoradinSon moved a few cryptic stones about the surface of his
table. He turned to one wall of the room upon which was engraved
a layout of one of the underhall levels. Beneath the mural was a
bank of stone rods which extended in various lengths from the
face of the wall. Each rod had a series of runes upon it.
Moradinson faced the wall and studied it carefully before
murmuring a quiet word in the ancient tongue of the house of
Durin. He intoned it precisely as Nystramo's venerated mother
had taught him. He then withdrew two of the rods from the wall.
The rods slid smoothly from their sockets.

Far below in the deepest levels of the underhalls, although not
yet within the citadel's gates, Zyxos moved in the dancing
shadows of the flames which burned in the sconces of the hall.
The drow had not yet penetrated deep within the mount and the
hall he traversed well not well used. Many of the walls appeared
to be natural in origin and the flagged floor had enough shallow
pools of standing water to make it clear that the dwarven work
crews didn't pass this way often. still, it was the path by
which the goblin army would approach and it would serve better
than most mused the drow faern. Suddenly the faern heard a
click. A click so soft and distant that few other beings would
have had any chance of hearing it. At the same instant every
torch in the down sloping hall went out.

"Foolish little men." Thought Zyxos. "Such darkness will slow
the goblin hordes little and me not at all".

Zyxos continued more confidently now that there was no need to
flit from shadow to shadow. Downward toward the inner halls of
the mountains underbelly he continued until he came to an abrupt
dead-end. A glyph covered wall arose blocking the chamber.
Although the wall was so well fit that no seam could be
discerned Zyxos was certain that this wall was newly placed. He
was tempted to cast a spell upon the wall to rend it from its
place but something about the runes held him from doing so. He
was unsure what effect they would evoke but he was certain that
they were magical in nature. The dwarves were poor in most magic
and they held what magic they could wield close to home but
they walked closer to their gods than most folk and even a drow
had to think twice before risking tripping dwarven runes and
traps.

A mile back upslope the goblin front ranks had entered the same
tunnel down which Zyxos now found himself. The tunnels torchlit
mouth beckoned the horde in. Thirty or more goblins had entered
the tunnel when the mighty slab of stone dropped into place
sealing it completely and pulping the three hapless goblins
unfortunate enough to be caught beneath it.
     The tunnel

_____________________________________________
zyxos__________________1mile_____________goblins
 ------------------------------------Eastern underhalls 2 By:
MoradinSon
Zyxos heard the goblins screams echo from behind him and his
well honed instincts screamed to him. Trap! He took a deep
breath and realized that he felt weak. It was then he heard the
faint hiss. He looked about intently and listened. Several tense
moments later he traced the sound to one of the doused torches.
Upon close examination it became clear that many of the torches
were not wood but metal. The hollow metal torches were making
the faint hissing noise. Realization dawned upon the oxygen
starved drow. Swiftly as he could travel he began running back
up the tunnel. Back the way he had come.

The squad of goblins who had been trapped on the inside of the
stone slab pummeled its polished surface to no avail. Two
torches continued to burn here at the top of the sloping tunnel.
Beyond the radius of those two burning beacons the tunnel
extended downward into a stygian darkness. The spooked goblins
aimed their bows and crossbows down the cheerless tunnel and
began to inch forward. The gasping drow faern charged up the
tunnel. His lungs and brain screamed for air. He turned a bend
and saw the goblins advance scouts just as they saw him. The
goblins startled at the sight of the drow and a few of them even
let their bolts fly in startled reflex. Zyxos charged past them
heedless. Onward, upward toward the door into this accursed
tunnel. He knew that the tunnel behind him was filling up with
natural gas.

"Those accursed little men will pay for this" he panted. He was
as angry as he could remember ever being. The dwarven trap had
surprised him in its elegance and he cursed his own foolishness
for failing to regard the dwarven defenses as highly as he
should have. He rounded the final corner as the goblins pressed
themselves against the walls and struggled for breath around
him. They were too concerned for their own pitiful life to
attempt to stop or accost him. One lone goblin sergeant, leading
from the rear as is the goblin way, tried to grab the Dark One's
arm as he ran past but Zyxos pulled his sword , beheaded the
fool and re sheathed his sword all without breaking stride. The
drow knew his only hope was the door he had come in by. The long
run and the lack of air was telling on his consciousness. He
could swear he saw lights before his eyes as the door swam into
view. Two baleful dancing lights like the eyes of some huge
subterranean beast standing guard over the door. The closed,
huge, glyphed door. "No!" screamed the drow.

He found time to attempt on swift spell before the natural gas
rising from the tunnel below finally filled the tunnel and
reached the torches at its mouth.

All over Neverwinter the rumbling was felt. On the terrace of
Striders tavern in Neverwinter Aziza, Stilicho, Rome, Krostasha
and a host of others saw the towering gout of flame vent itself
from the vicinity of Lonely Mountain. Beneath and within the
mount there were several small cave-ins as the mount shook from
the blast. Within the well designed halls of the mount the
injuries were few as some dwarfs stumbled or fell at the
unexpected shaking. Outside of the mounts structured halls
cave-ins were common and many goblins died as whole sections of
unsupported cavern collapsed upon them.
-----------------------------------Eastern Underhalls Collapsed
By: MoradinSon

Nystramo charged into the Rrin Kulds Defense Chamber.

"Whut has ye dun lad? We ha jus heard tha' Dwyv an his patrol
still be alive an out thar. I only hopes ye knew whut ye were
doin. Tis one thing fer kin ta die neath swords an another ta
die from a kinsdwarfs trap!"

Storm MoradinSon nodded grimly.

"Aye Chief, twere desperate measures ta be sure an no dwarf will
ever wish harder fer me kin's survival nor regrets it more if
they be killed. Thar were drow within the mount's underhalls an
that were the surest trap i had in that section o' th' halls. It
had ta be done an may th' forger have mercy on me soul if me kin
has died in me sealin off the eastern approach. I recomends we
makes D1amond 2nd axe effective immediatly. We will needs
someone who takes no nonsense ta fill in till we knows abouts
Dwyv.

Nystramo saw clearly the anguish on Storm's face.

"Well'n ye said ye had laid traps but good gods lad! Dont ye
ever do anythin on a smaller scale?"

Nystramo grasped Storm's shoulder in a reassuring gesture.

"I am sure ye did whut ye thought best lad. I will sends out
patrols ta survey the damage an search fer any drow or goblins
whut might ha' escaped. Meanwhile we keeps the eastern approach
completely sealed an lay more traps an gaurds. Whut has ye
planned if they comes at us from the other directions?"
     ------------------------------------The Darkness
Deepens By: ZYXOS

:::: as Zyxos ran back up the tunnel fighting for his life
against the gas he continued his mission as required...
continuing to note the trap type... the ease of spotting it by
looking for metal torches... but most of all... using his senses
to note the small spot of magical essence... dwarfish runes it
appeared.... deep within the mountain ::::

"Blocked... the accursed door is blocked!!".... ::: ZYXOS ran
headlong into the blocking stone at the mouth of the tunnel ::::

:::: realizing his chance to escape was only due to the
mechanical slow nature of the Dwarven traps.... ZYXOS stretched
out his senses for the one he sought :::: finally sensing him
hard a work deeper into the underhalls of the dwarven mount
::::: with a shimmering glimmer... the form of ZYXOS faded from
sight ::::

::: the Dim Door spell carried ZYXOS within a short range of the
dwarf working so industriously on his trap.... but far enough
away to not yet be sensed :::

::: ZYXOS quickly entered into his notes the way in which the
doors of the Mount were sealed... noting to find out if there
was a further means of sealing the stones themselves:::::: also
noting the method, type, and ways to spot the most recent deadly
trap ::: and finally noting that the Dwarves were indeed further
into the use of magic than believed and then locating that
"spot" on his map... most likely a control room for traps and
the war plans of the Dwarves ::::

::: ZYXOS began walking towards the young dwarf working on his
trap.... allowing the Cloak of Darkness to open as he approached
::::

::: Tigguhr looked up ::::: HAR DEE UH OH........... was all he
got out before the blood red eyes of ZYXOS again energized the
control spell buried deep within Tigguhr for just such an
occasion ::::

Tigguhr stopped as he reached for his axe and was kneeling
absolutely still... with a blank look on his face... as it
stared into the eyes of the Drow Jabbuk Faern.
"Tigguhr.....", ZYXOS spoke the control phrase.... "the Queen
has further need of your services, young one."

In a whispered voice Tigguhr responded... "..... the....
queen....."

"You will continue your work on the traps, Tigguhr.... but each
evening at this time, you will meet me back here on this spot
and report to me of your progress. You will also bring me the
plans and details of the traps you have devised, as well as all
information you may gain on the "control room" I have now become
aware of through the attempt on my life. And, Dwarf, I would
know of any further means of sealing this mount other than the
great stones rolled into place."

"as... the... queen... commands", Tigguhr responded.

"You will remember none of our meetings, Dwarf.... and will have
no visible signs of the spell now upon thee. Each evening at
the appointed time the spell will reactivate and you will come
to me here......".... ::::: ZYXOS faded from sight as the cloak
of darkness was pulled about him ::::

:::Tigguhr shook his head briefly while snatching up his war axe
:::: "'n wha' in the name of the seven hells do ye su'pose dat
cou' ha' been?".... ::: as he remembered the shadow he thought
he had seen.

"Well... nae time ta worry 'bout dat... gots ta complete dis
trap 'n show it ta Morad...."

"..... 'n mebbe I kin get a look in dat war room o' 'is....",
::::: Tigguhr seemed to mumble for a second with a dullness
buried deep within his eyes.....................
  ------------------------------------As the Mount
Rumbles.......cont. By: D1AMOND 2

D1amond had felt the rumbling and braced herself as the the
Mount shook and she saw various loose rock fall around her. She
took it upon herself to check on the women that were watching
the children of the Mount that had been rounded up and kept in
the inner part of the underground city for safe keeping. "Safe
keeping, bah! Keeps them outta the way I say." She grumbled
after she had checked on the whining crying mass of children and
the frazzled women watching over them. "Thankyee gods, that I
be a fite'n' lass and nae a nanny."

D1 went searching for Nystramo, helping people clear small
cave-ins as she went. She finally found him in the war room
looking over maps and charts scattered all over the table.
"So's ye be alrite then lad?" She said, glaring at Nystramo
with her hands on her hips. "I be fine too." She stated
matter-of-factly, then continued, "Whu' happened?"

"Ach! Morad broke tha Mount!" Nystramo said with a wide grin.
"But I thin' he got the goblins. He just sent some scouts out
to check."

"And the drow?"

Nys frowns, "Nae sure if we got it."

"And your body guards?" D1amond looked around for the guards
that had been assigned to protect the chief.

Nystramo tried not to look guilty, "Ach! I must o' lost um in
all tha excitement."

Taking up vigil at the entrance to the war room, D1 said, "Then,
since there be drow about, I guess ye be stuck wit me as yer
guard till they returns."
-----------------------------------Pawn 1 By: Tigguhr

Tigguhr bounced into the great hall chamber and quickly checked
his step. Didn't want the kin to think he wasn't taking the war
seriously, so he only bounced a little. Explosions, intruders,
traps to be set and sprung-- it was all very exciting. The
possibility of drow invading was terrifying and exhilarating at
the same time. He spied D1 waiting near the main doorway to the
hall (probably keeping watch-she's setting a good example
thought Tigg) and went over to say hello.

"Aye 'allo lad. 'Tis scary an 'xcitin a' tha same time tis
true. Dinna wan' it ta 'appen, bu' if tha darklins gonna come,
we cin bash sum skulls an learn em a lesson." D1 radiated
confidence, which always inspired the younger dwarf. Even
though her betrothed had the weight of the world on his
shoulders, D1 was not so self absorbed that she couldn't give an
encouraging word.

"I fer one cin nae wait lass. Long ha' I thought abou ways ta
kill tha darklins since they tried ta pazess me whi' thar magix!
I be rite proud tha Morad thought 'nuf o' me idears ta include a
couple. Gots ta go werks on em lass. Sees ya soon.! Har dee
Doo!"

D1 watched Tigguhr depart with only a slight bounce. The
minimally exuberant Tigguhr reminded her that she saw the lad
when he was possessed previously. She wondered just exactly how
the bouncer would react the next time he saw a drow. A quiet
reminder to both Moradinson and Nystramo about Tigguhr would be
prudent, she thought.
-----------------------------------Pawn 2 By: Tigguhr

Tigguhr was back out in the access tunnel working on his trap
not long after. He was a bit frustrated, since Morad hadn't
really let him in on much. Same story this morning. Meet in the
main hall, get your assignment, don't see Morad the rest of the
day. Tigguhr had no idea where he went all day. Nor did he have
any idea which of his traps were going to be used or where,
except the one he was currently working on. "Needs ta ken basis
lad, first rule o' war. Ya gits over ta tha fifth lower access
tunnel an sets up one o' yer spiney blasters. Sees ya in tha
morn." ------------------

Hours later, Using his bare hands Tigguhr spread pig grease onto
the stone slab and slid it into place, forming an air tight
seal. The trap was complete. Just then, and the dark form of a
drow began to materialize. Tigguhr stood up and lost his
balance, slipping on a blob of pig grease he'd accidently
dropped on the floor. He fell forward, bumping into Zyxos as he
solidified, smearing pig grease on the drow's finery. "Clumsy
Speck!" be barked. Tigguhr, hearing the trigger word, fell under
the drow spell immediately. "Vendrambuie...thar...darklin...."
Tigguhr, saw that his dark master was filthy. He attempted to
scrape grease off Zyxos but only made it worse.

Greasy and growling, Zyxos began questioning the enchanted
dwarf. The bouncer dutifully responded to the drow, but all he
could explain this day was the one spine trap that he had just
completed. Zyxos, frustrated by the minimal information he got,
reinforced the magic in Tigguhr with special emphasis behind
getting closer to the dwarven leaders to learn more about the
defenses. "Hopefully this will prove more fruitful tomorrow,"
he grimaced. He spun around and faded out almost slipping on the
pig grease.
-----------------------------------Rest and Blessings... By:
KAGIS

Kagis sat before a raised alter in his private quarters in a
corner of the mount. Like the dwarf, his room was spartan.
Except for an old carved stone slab behind the alter that
depicted his father's clan simbol, no one would have been able
to know this was Kagis room. He preferred things simple.

Kagis sat before the alter dedicated to Moradin. Fulcrum, The
Axe, lay on top of the stone alter. It was the only fitting
place for the weapon. Kagis had never been a particularly
religious dwarf, but he knew that the coming battles would mean
many would die.

So, not sure exactly where to begin, Kagis tried performing some
simple blessings to Moradin he remembered from his childhood.
It didn't seem like it was enough so Kagis began improvising.
Eventually his prayers became a rambling diatribe about the
virtues of the earth and stone, going on at great length about
the reverence due when molding iron into steel. Kagis went on
and on, reciting all his knowledge on The Beginning, when
dwarves were first made by the hand of the Soulforger. Finally,
mercifully, Kagis slumped over in exhaution, laying his head
against the cool stone alter.

Had Kagis been awake, he would have seen Fulcrum begin glowing a
soft bluish color. Next to Fulcrum the candles suddenly hissed
out as if they'd been emerged in some ice water. The blue glow
slowly changed to such faintness that only the most careful
inspection would give its magical glow away.

For the first time in over twenty years, since his father's clan
had been whiped out by the Zhentarim and their goblin hoards,
Kagis Ironpeak son of Lord Bendric Ironpeak, slept in peace.
         ------------------------------------Re:As the
Mount Rumbles.......co By: Nystramo

Nystramo couldn't help but smile when D1amond took up her gaurd
with a grunt and a huff. He knew she wouldn't be happy when he
dismissed his gaurds, but they're strength was needed elsewhere.
Besides, trying to get around the mount quickly surrounded by
ten heavily armed kuldar had proved to be almost impossible.

Watching D1's scowl, however, he knew this was not the time to
explain this to her, nor that if he wasn't safe in the heart of
Lonely Mountain, a few kuldar would not likely save him. He made
with do with a shrug, a concilatory smile, and a "Sorry, lass.
Ya ken 'ow confusin' it be ri' now."

"Hrmph," she replied. "It gits a blasted si' more confusin' if'n
ye gits yerself kilt, lad." After a moments thought she added,
"An', jes' in case ya ha' nae thots o' it a'ready, keeps yer eye
on Tigg. We ken there be a darklin' abouts, an' ya ken he been
magixed by 'em once a'ready."

This thought gave Nystramo pause. In truth, he hadn't considered
that. On the one hand, he didn't want to do anything to make the
bouncer think he didn't have any faith in him. On the other,
some precautions were definitely in order.

"A'rite, lass, I posts four gaurds on me door. Two in, two out.
They keeps a close eye on any tha' enters ta sees me. Tha' be
enou fer ya?"

D1 considered a moment, then nodded. The chief barked out the
command to the nearest messenger, who ran off to find the Ten.

D1 opened her mouth to say something further, but stopped when
the noise started.

It started low, as a distant rumbling, then gathered in
strength. It reached its peak, ending with a resounding crash.
The silence that followed could only be described as oppressive
as every dwarf in the mountain stopped what they were doing to
listen. No words were exchanged. None were needed. Everyone knew
what had happened.

Lonely Mountain was sealed.
-----------------------------------A Conversation By: D1AMOND 2

D1amond waited for Nystramo's replacement guards to arrive.
From his maps and diagrams, Nystramo pointed out to her the
tunnels that had been collapsed and some of the traps that
Moradinson had laid. The guards arrived, D1 kissed Nystramo on
the cheek and left him to his work. As she was leaving, she
glared sternly at the attending guards, "Anythin happens ta him
an' ye answers ta me, ya here?" The guards straightened and
nodded curtly.

As D1amond left the war room, she looked around and spotted
Baldar Hmr hurrying across the main hall. "BALDAR!" D1amond
yelled at the top of her lungs with the angriest voice she could
muster. The lad stopped dead in his tracks and D1 could see him
flinch.

"Aye lass?" Baldar turned and asked, rubbing his head in
remembrance of the last time she had gotten angry at him.

She walked up to him grinning widely, "Jus' tryin' to gets your
attention lad." He smiled back tentatively. D1 continued, "Ye
ken wher Tig be, lad?"

Baldy shrugged, "Guess he still be out setting traps lass."

"Ye ken where he be settin'?"

After Baldar told her exactly where Tigguhr was, D1 went back to
her rooms. She unbuckled her armor and put it away, along with
her shield. Reaching into a stone chest, she pulled out a box
and removed a pair of mithral bracers and fastened them around
her wrist. She removed her steel toed battle boots and replaced
the with some softened suede boots that pulled up past her
knees. Inside the top of the boots there was enough room for
her to place various scrolls and a dagger. She strapped her
sword back on and went to find Tigguhr.

Not having any duties assigned to her after waiting around for a
week, D1 was feeling a bit useless and in the way, so she took
it upon herself to keep an eye on Tigguhr. Quietly she made her
way down the tunnel were Tig was supposed to be working. As she
got closer she heard Tigguhr talking. Anyone who had spent
anytime around Tigguhr knew that this was not unusual, the lad
was always talking to himself. She was about to step around the
corner and give the lad her greetings when she heard an
unfamiliar voice. She listened quietly as the voice spoke in a
strange tongue, magix obviously. Then, speaking in common again
it directed Tigguhr to get close to the leaders and get better
information. She smiled to herself as the voice stated,
"Hopefully this will prove more fruitful tomorrow."

All was quiet, and D1 slowly peered around the bend in the
tunnel to see Tigguhr covered with grease and staring blankly at
a wall. "Poor lad, "she whispered quietly. Remembering the
words that were spoken to Tig, D1amond gathered that the drow
(had to be a drow) would come to Tigguhr again for information
tomorrow. Using this information she formed a plan, then she
went to snap Tig out of it.
-----------------------------------Darkness Spreading By: ZYXOS
:: the hot mineral spring at one of the deepest points in the
dwarven underhalls ZYXOS had scouted had been a welcome
discovery for many reasons... but especially now :::

::: the armor and livery had been carefully cleaned and lay on
the rock next to the spring... ZYXOS reclined in the spring
having cleaned the grease from himself and now allowing the heat
to relax his strained muscles and frayed nerves ::::

"Running for your life in an explosive environment, avoiding
dwarven patrols, and now having to dart and dodge from those
accursed Dwarven Clerics is not what one would expect from these
armored tree-stumps. I would prefer a simple attack with life
or death hanging in the obvious balance any day... but one must
follow the directives of the Queen."

 :::jotting in his notebook resting on the ledge next to the
pool, ZYXOS described the unknown cunning of the Dwarven Clerics
coupled with their well known Dwarven tenacity... luckily their
magic was more rune and potion based which somewhat limited it's
effective range, but it was no less effective than Elven magic
if you allowed yourself to be caught within that range.. and the
bull headedness of the Dwarves made up for the limited range....
for they knew the tunnels and the passages of their mount much
better than an invader and could manuver far more effectively :::

"Iblith!".. ZYXOS exclaimed disgustedly as he reread his entry
regarding the "room" he though he had found. Now that the
Dwarven Clerics were in full swing, whenever he had a moment to
work his detect magic spells he kept finding "hot spots" all
over the mountain.... so he scratched through the notation
regarding the "vaunted war room" as just another short cleric at
work.

::: the location and description of Tigguhr's recently finished
trap was placed in the book as well as his instructions to
Tigguhr to try to get closer to the Dwarven leaders for more
specific information regarding plans for the defense of the
mount :::::

>>> the rumbling began as a slow ominous sound within the ground
itself... the water in the pool began to ripple as the sound
built in intensity... and finally the resounding crash sounded
throughout the mount... followed by the most deafening silence
ZYXOS had experienced outside the underdark<<<
"So... that is the mount being sealed..... truly an ominous
sound and definately a definitive step"....

:::however, the note that ZYXOS placed in his book dealt not
with entry into the mount .... but with how escape to the
surface was now cut off.............. :::::::::::::

"I must find out how I can make sure that escape route to the
surface is _permanently_ cut off," ZYXOS chuckled and commented
to no one in particular. :::as the comment was made, ZYXOS' eyes
were drawn to the long crack in the lower wall of the small
cavern that ran from the ceiling to the floor... and through
which a slight breeze seem to blow.... a breeze carrying the
warmth of the Underdark :::::

:::ZYXOS stepped from the heated water and began using some
cloth he had found discarded near the Dwarven living areas to
towel his muscular body dry ::: as he slowly dressed he began to
feel the seperation from his own people he had volunteered upon
himself and began to wonder if he would ever see another female
again other than the Dwarven Females running around in their
armor... some of them even bearded. :::::
-----------------------------------Fire in the sky!! WOW!! By:
Darugh

I small leather clad gnome..Darted out the door of the Grocery
Shop, on the east side of Rrindabal. The dwarven grocer hot on
the gnomes heels, shouted angreely and waved a large gord
threatenly over his head.

As the gnome turns up the street the ground seems to jump under
his feet, knocking him sprawling on his back the apples
'borrowed' from the grocery shop scattered about him. His eyes
widen, as a burst of flame exausts from the peak of the ancient
volcanoe.

"WOW!! Big, large..HUGE wump!!", exclaimed Darugh lying on his
back in the street.

Squirming excitedly on the ground his arms and legs pumping..The
small gnome chants.."Wow..see..go..leave..by..find
it..Ya,ya,ya!!!" Rolls onto his feet and charges off down the
street, zig zagging toward the entrance gates to the dwarven
stronghold. The apples forgotten.
The gnome had noticed the heavly armored dwarves coming and
going in great numbers from the great gates.. and many of the
Overunders where in a bad mood of late in the dwarven
settlement. But Darugh, didnt mind..overunders where always
grumpy. But he kept his distance from the heavly armored guards
at the gates..and along the main roads. Armored overunders
werent much fun anyway..and Darugh wasnt in mind to be wumped.
Metaled overunders where hard wumpers!

But now!! The gnome thought excitedly..Big blow puffer and
ground wumpers coming from the mountain!..He wanted to see what
made such a racket..with thoughts of glitter sparkleys and fire
puffers, the rambunctious gnome approched the inner gates to the
Mount.
-----------------------------------Wagons, rumors and a leg of
pork By: Darugh

Darugh skidded to a halt as he turned a corner and came in view
of the great gate leading into The Mount. Three companys of
heavly armored and armed dwarves where arrayed outside the gates.

"Wow,wow...Lookit!", The gnome his eyes wide, stood pumping his
legs in excitement.

Lots of overunders..hard wumpers! he thought and rubbed a bruse
on his shoulder that had long ago faded. Looking on as the
guards carefully checked a wagon load of berrels being hauled by
a team of short dwarven ponys. Darugh grinned to
himself..Yup,yup..yep!! lots ..many..holebunchs of stuff was
going on here!! Excited and wanting to get a look in one of the
berrels.. the gnome scurryed over to the next wagon in line..and
climbed onto the back.

.........

"'ail! Fender", The captian of the gate guard bellowed in
greeting to the second wagons driver as he pulled forward to the
checkpoint.

"Thudul!, Calun." Fender Oakcart offered up in greeting. From
his perch on the wagons bench, as he hauled back on the reins
bringing the team of ponys to a stop.

"This grim times indeed's Fender..whot ya be bring'n in this
day?", Asked Calun Copperhelm as he patted the near pony on its
speckled flank.
"Grim indeed..Goblins, darklins and all manner o' murmelings
go'n on in town..Buts 'ere I be ta due me duties.. Tha calls
comes fur grain an supplies, I nae shurks me duties ta the
Mount. Im bring'n in 20 berrels o' wheat an 20 berrels o'
salted pork.", Fender leaned one elbow onto his knee, and the
bench seat of the wagon creaked with the shift of his weight.
"Thar be talk o' the Chief seal'n the Mount, in the lower
valley, many o' the farmers an herders is gett'n conserned. Ya
seals yeself in the Mountain an whot o' us 'ere in the valley?
Sur'n thar nae weight ta such rumors?"

Calun, shifted his feet uncomfortably, "Aye, Fender..that be the
word..An it holds the weight o' Iron. It does, Things be grim
indeed. Moradinson fired one o' the lower tunnels. As Im sur'n I
dinna fail to notice."

"Aye, who could miss such a deed. Still, sealing the Mount!?",
surely Nystramo nae be think'n ta leaves us in the valley cuts
off?", Fender shifted his weight forward again,"Ya know as well
as I that the herders will nae leave thar stock an thar digs in
the valley"

"Im nae privey ta whot the chief has in minds..But I knows thar
was warn'ns afor the lower tunnels was fired..Darklings in the
lower halls. That be pruff nuff o' the dangers. Darklin's in
the halls..nae any'un safe..nae wonder the chief be think'n o'
seal'n the Mount."

"Darklings!! By the Shards!", exclaimed Fender with a curse,
sitting back ruffly, flicking the reins in his surprise, the
ponys shifted forward adbruptly, causing the wagon to lurch.
"Ach!! wowa! thar!!", called Fender, bringing the team under
control. "I 'as ta agrees, Darklins be cause fur cautions..but
sur'n we in the valley nae gunna ken ta the seal'n o' the
gates.", "Now'n..lets me unloads me wagon an gets back an
spreads the werd..Sur'n some o' the herd'rs be lik'n ta gets
thar young'n under the peak afor the gates be sealed."

"Aye..That they would.", agreed Calun, waving his childhood
friend and his load forward into the Great Gate.

......................

In amoung the 40 berrels a gnome sat contently munching on a leg
of pork.
-----------------------------------Dark times indeed.... By:
Nystramo

After the sealing of the mount, Nystramo knew he needed to leave
his office and be among his people for a time. It was a tense
time for all, and they needed the inspiration of their chief.

As he made his rounds, exhchaning greetings and answering
questions, he came upon a small knot of the valley dwarves.
Herders and farmers, he knew the sealing was of great concern to
them. Many, he noted, had chosen to remain outside rather than
be sealed within the mount.

"Sonn ultok, kin," he greeted them.

"Sonn ultok, chief," one of their number replied. The farmer
paused a moment, a look of concern on his face. Soon, however,
he decided to speak his mind. "Chief, I nae gots ta tells ya
tha' many o' us in tha valley nae ken ta yer decision ta seals
tha mount. Wha' abouts those o' us wha' decided ta stays wi'
their 'erds an' flocks? An' who be takin' care o' tha farms o'
thems o' us wha' cames inta tha mount?" The farmer, clearly
uncomfortable with the idea of questioning the chief's decision,
never the less stood his ground awaiting an answer.

Nystramo nodded sombery. "Aye, kin, I ken well thi' be a
'ardship fer ye an' yers, an' it be a step I nae likes ta be
takin'. Still, we gots dark times upon us. Darklin's be loose in
tha mount, kin, an' they 'as a'ready struck down kin."

This news was greeted with a stunned silence. Drow! In the mount
itself! Nystramo continued. "As fer yer farms an' those wha'
decided ta stays outside, I kin tells ya they nae be lef' alone.
I sents word ta Nasher afore closin' tha gate. Ya kin be sure'n
he'll nae leaves 'em hangin'." The assembeled farmers, sheperds
and herdsman nodded. Nasher had always been a staunch ally of
Clan Axepeak, and commanded the largest army in the region. It
was no replacement for the protection of Clan Axepeak, but it
would do. Still, they couldn't help but feel concern for the
friends and family who had opted to remain outside.

"Well'n, chief, I ken it wa' nae a easy decision fer ya," the
farmer replied. "Ya nae be plannin' on doin' tha final sealin',
does ya?" He wasn't a stone worker, but any dwarf could tell the
sealing of the mount was only a temporary measure, though how
temporary was unclear. The stone gates that covered all of the
entrances, both above and below ground, were massive to be sure,
but could still be removed at any time. The final sealing
involved collapsing the various tunnels that these gates opened
into. This measure, if it was ever taken, would completely close
off Lonely Mountain from all contact for years to come; possibly
decades.

Nystramo shook his head and smiled. "Nae kin, it 'as nae come ta
that yet. Our clerics be searchin' out tha darklin's e'en now,
an' we 'as doubled tha patrols. Again. We gits through this, an'
we gits ya back ta yer farms soon a' possible."

This news was met with sighs of relief. As the chief turned to
go, he returned his attention to the farmer who spoke for the
valley dwarves. "Wha' be yer name, kin?"

The farmer stood a bit straighter, surprised by the question.
"Fender, chief. Fender Oakcart." Nystramo smiled. "Findar torst,
Fender. Lets me ken if'n yer people needs anythin'." Fender
nodded and smiled back. The smile turned to a slight frown when
he thought he heard some yelling amongst his berrels of oat and
pork. He could have sworn he heard a high pitched voice shouting
"Glitter sparklies! Fire puffers! Where? Where? Lots!"
     ------------------------------------Mine Tailings By:
MoradinSon

Many months ago Janan Rockears had returned from his day at the
mines with a small bag of treasure. It was not the treasure of
gold or silver or mithral but rather it was the treasure of a
good prank about to be played. He went to his favorite Tavern in
the mount, "The Rampant Mule", where he and his usual cronies
were wont to go a drinking of an evening. He carefully his small
bag of treasure beneath his shirt. His considerable girth made
the bag bulge conspicuously.

"Janan!" A bright and cheerful female dwarf came running
towards him, arms outstretched.

"Ach! Nae!" Janan tried to sputter but he was too late. The lass
embraced his firmly (as dwarven lasses are wont to do). In doing
so the press of the two dwarven bodies crushed the small bag
beneath Janan's shirt.

There was a small "puff" sound as the air in the bag forced the
bags powdery contents up and out of the bag's mouth.
Those standing close by recognized the small cloud of dust that
began to form around Janan and the bar emptied in moments.

Janan began peeling his clothes off, heedless of who might see
him, as the patrons of the bar stood outside (they had, of
course, had the forethought to carry a keg and their mugs with
them) and laughed uproariously.

Janan ran screaming from the bar towards the icy sluice of
mountain runoff that fed the Undermounts resevoir.

A few moents later , the attractive( and confused), lass who had
hugged Janan began to squirm.

And scratch

And roll on the ground.

Soon she too had peeled off her clothes and run screaming toward
the resevoir. Followed by the appreciative hoots and laughter of
the bars patrons.

"Ol' Janan found hiself a bagful o' Itchy Tailins peers like.
The Slag brung um here ta sprinkle down outr collars nae doubts"
Laughed Hamer AnvilHard to his jocular companions.

"Aye", One answered " The lad'l be itchin fer days, hope he has
nae had a hot bath lately 'r it'll be weeks o' itchin an
scratchin"

The barkeep picked up the discarded clothing carefully with a
broomstick. All of the clothing the rags used to mop the room,
and the remnants of the bag were deposited in an alley.

Months later, a lone ,greasy drow picked up the rags on his way
to a long hot bath. After a relaxing soak he Zyxos picked up the
cloths and used them to towel himself dry before wandering off
to search the mount further. The microscopic mine tailings,
which bring such violent itch attacks, began to sink deep into
his open pores.
-----------------------------------Mystery Theatre 1 By: Tigguhr

Tigguhr regained his normal consciousness when ZYXOS departed.
He blinked hard to remove an inexplicable blurring in his eyes.
He reached up to rub them, stopping just short of putting pig
grease in his eyes. He then remembered what he was doing.
"Werkin so 'ard I musta felled a sleep on tha Job! Morad nae be
liken that!" the jungle dwarf said aloud. He bounced up and
nearly lost his footing on the smears of pig grease on the
floor.

He steadied himself with a bend of the knees and a look to the
floor. It was then that he noticed an odd looking set of
footprints in the grease smear. The footprint didn't look like a
dwarven war boot. The footprints lead off down the corridor a
few paces then stopped. Something walked by, then well, didn't
walk any further.

Just then D1 came around the corner, without battle gear,
dressed for stealthy movement. He noted her leather shoes and
only half thought about the fact that the strange footprints
might be D1's. Tigguhr found the lass charming and an
inspiration, despite her gruff exterior, so he quickly forgot
about footprints, and said hello. "Har dee Doo lass! Fer certain
ya gots more important thin's ta be doin than sneakin' up on me?"

"Sneakin? Me? Nae lad, I jus' doin a little eh, ah 'spection for
Nys. Aye tha' be it. How be this trap? Ya finished?" Tigguhr
was odd, some called him daft, but he wasn't stupid. He sensed
that D1 was up to something. He heard about a drow loose in the
mount before duty call in the morning. He had no idea that he
was under ZYXOS's spells, so he quickly wondered if the drow had
gotten to D1, just as a drow had charmed Tigguhr not to long
ago. On his off hours Tigguhr decided that he would don his own
thieving grab, and check up on the lass.

"Aye lass, tha trap be finished 'n I be parched, bit o ale I be
thinkin!"Tigguhr pointed back up the tunnel towards the main
halls. D1, not ready to confront or intervene just yet,
accompanied the bouncer back, without any further questions.
         ------------------------------------Mystery Th. 2
By: Tigguhr

Later that night, Tigguhr put on his own stealthy garb, and set
out from his cave. He was growing more and more frustrated that
he wasn't included in discussions regarding defensive plans.
Each day he was assigned to build one trap. His unfulfilled
desire to be involved in strategy, pumped artificially by the
drow magic, forced him into action. He had to find out
something!

Slipping through the main hall unnoticed in the shadows beyond
the torch light, he made his way towards the Chief's office. He
was thinking more than watching where he was going and bouncing
a little to fast, so he went right by the office and found
himself outside the war room. The guards were present, but the
door was ajar slightly. Just before the guards shooed him away,
he overheard Morad say, "a double set pit in front o' tha gas
corridors. Drowies pass tha pit nae trouble first time, sets
off tha gas, 'n any one o' tha jarghed darklins what flee then
sets off tha pit..."

A timer went off in his subconscious, and he trundled off,
heading back to the fifth lower access tunnel for his report to
ZYXOS. An annoying buzzing in the a back of his mind kept saying
"footprints" but he kept it in the back of his mind for now.
         ------------------------------------Follering By:
D1AMOND 2

D1amond had an enjoyable ale with Tigguhr and they parted ways.
At least that's what Tigguhr thought. D1 followed him back to
his digs and set herself up to secretly guard his door. Later
that evening she was roused as she watched him sneak from his
quarters. She tip-toed after the bouncing sneak and watched him
as he listened outside the war room. By the excited look in his
eyes, she could tell that he had overheard some valuable
information. "I'll be a kolbold, if he's tellin tha darklin
abouts it," she whispered as she followed Tig and formed a plan.

She quietly called out to him as they left the main part of the
city. He turned and frowned, "D1amond?"

"Aye lad it be me," she winked and sauntered up to him. "Mind
if'n I joins ya on yer lil stroll. Nys be busy again and I'm
lonely." She grabbed his arm and snuggled up close to him.

Looking the lass in the eye, Tig knew that she was up to
something. "Tha drow gots her!" He thought to himself and tried
to pull his arm away.

Before he knew what happened D1amond had twisted his arm up
behind his back and pushed up hard on it whenever he tried to
struggle free. She leaned forward and said, "Sorry lad" Then
he felt a hard blow to the back of his head. Not hard enough to
knock him unconscious, but enough to stun him while she tied him
up and gagged him. She dragged him to a side tunnel and quickly
left.             ------------------------------------A
Fite By: D1AMOND 2
The dwarven lass didn't have to wait long before a dark figure
appeared in the tunnel before her. D1's hope had been to
surprise the dark elf and hopefully take him captive. She
slowly peered around the rock to find the drow pointedly looking
in her direction. Then he spoke, "I thought my foolish charge
had come early with some urgent information, but I find a little
lass in hiding instead. Planning on ambushing me all alone
small one?"

D1 quickly sat back down behind the rock and cursed under her
breath. "A fite it be then," she whispered and she pulled a
scroll out of her boot. Knowing that drows prefer to fight with
magic instead of steel, she cast a globe spell on herself and
stood up behind the rock. This giving her partial cover.
"Greetins darklin. Yes I had hoped to surprise ya, but now I
sees we gets ta have a lil fite." D1amond smiled at the drow
who was leaning casually against the far wall.

"Indeed?," stated the drow as he pushed away from the wall and
took a fighting stance, an evil grin crossing his face. "This
should prove to be entertaining." he stood there confidently.
"I'll even let you take the first shot." Seeing her holding
nothing but a broadsword he had expected her to close with him
and melee.

"Well, never let anyone say you were nae polite, ya trespassing
spider kisser." D1 quickly whipped another scroll out of her
boot and read it. As she pointed her finger at the surprised
drow, a lightening bolt shot from her fingers and hit the drow
square in the chest, bounced off the wall behind him, hit him
again from behind and D1 had to dodge behind the rock to keep
from getting hit herself.

She scrambled to her feet to see the darklin cast a protective
spell on himself and advance towards her. Grabbing a hand full
of spines, D1 took aim to throw but the drow was already too
close, so she pulled her sword once again. Smiling wickedly
down at the dwarf, his red eyes burning with anger, he began to
cast a spell. A ball of fire filled the tunnel. When the smoke
cleared, D1amond stood grinning up at the astonished drow and
swung her blade, which he deftly dodged.

"Seems I took you for granted pudgy one," the drow said and cast
another spell.
-----------------------------------A Fite2
By: D1AMOND 2

"Nae pudgy, ye gangly finger wagglin slag, just stocky." D1
spoke as she stood and resisted the affects of the spell cast.
She knew that, with all his spells the drow was at a definite
advantage, so she had to hurt him quick. To throw him off and
too hopefully get some divine help, D1amond started singing a
dwarven battle song at the top of her lungs. The drow jumped as
she began bellowing and that was a good enough surprise to knock
him off guard, so she launched herself at him with a tackle. As
she pushed forward and the drow swung his arms about wildly to
keep his balance, D1amond's foot landed in a metal bucket that
had been slightly hidden behind a small pile of rocks.

"Shards!" she cursed as her foot was caught in the bucket in
mid-stride. As she stumbled forward, she managed to shake the
bucket off, only to find out too late that her foot was covered
with pig grease. "Ach! Curse you Tigguhr!" she hollered, as her
momentum carried her forward and she tripped onto her greased
foot. As she stepped with her slippery foot her feet slipped
out from under her and she slammed backwards onto the stone
ground, bashing her head against the pile of rocks that had hid
the dreaded bucket.

As D1amond lay dazed on the ground, thinking of all the ways to
torture Tigguhr the drow quickly stepped over and cast a hold
spell. Which, must to her disgust, took hold. He quickly bound
and gagged her, picked her up and stepped through some kind of
dimensional door.

D1amond looked around to find herself at some hot springs. The
darklin sat her down and patted her head. "You be a good little
captive and stay out of trouble till I get back." With that he
stepped back though the wall and was gone.
-----------------------------------The Pattern of Little Feet
By: Tigguhr

"Trussed up n tossed ta tha floor like a sack a seed!" Tigguhr
thought, grimacing from the rising bump on his head. It was
painful, but the smack on the back of the head brought a few
things forward in his mind that were long overdue.

First he thought about D1amond. He knew it wasn't for real, but
Har dee doo, that one fleeting moment when she snuggled up to
him made him tingle. "Tha lass be sumpthin else," he said
through his gag, so it came out "Hag ath ee uh uh ell!"
Although his male ego was slightly bruised by D1's ability to
fell him so quickly, he allowed himself finally to admit that
he was totally enamored with her. "Tha chief be a lucky dwarf,
an' I be honorable. So's I never says a thing. Wish she ha' a
sis...oh well...a long lost sis? Ah well, mebe tha lasses has
daughters one day...jus' think how ole Nys or Morad be likin' me
as a son-in-law." But substitutes were just that, he felt.

Second, he thought about shoes. As D1 sped away, he could not
help but notice that she had the daintiest, tiniest feet he had
ever seen on a dwarf. They were adorable and the leather thief
slippers were quite becoming. Tough as granite she was, but the
feet of a dancer. No way those feet were the foot prints he saw
in the grease. Tha drow!

Fear, determination and painful realization filled Tigguhr.
"Dinna falls asleep in tha tunnel ya jarged gully
dwarf...darklin gots ya agin." He chewed up the gag and
swallowed it. For the second time since joining the clan,
Tigguhr feared that he had betrayed his kin and it looked like
D1 was off to stop the drow. It looked like she was off to
fight Tigguhr's battle. Breaking free of the vestigial drow
magic, Tigguhr summoned all his strength and broke his bonds
wiith a snap. "Drowie wans me eh?" He loosened his axe, Coral
Joe. "Comon Joe...lets gos ta see how much 'e wants me!"

Tigguhr sped off towards the appointed meeting place, ready
finally to be a hero, or die trying.
-----------------------------------True Darkness Revealed By:
ZYXOS

::::: as soon as ZYXOS had left the female in the cavern and
returned to the main tunnel he sensed that something was amiss
::::

:::: the magical tie to his dwarven agent had been severed...
searching the magical ties as he might it was obvious that the
small one was now free of the spell :::

"So small one... you are free... and quite obviously you will
wish to discover what has been happening to you....."

::: Di's eyes widened in surprise as the Drow reentered the
cavern so soon after having left it ::: she ceased her struggles
to free herself and lay there watching as the Drow moved about
the cavern obviously packing some things away and preparing for
something:::

:::Zyxos made some final notes in his book regarding his
continuing surprise at the prevelence of magic among the
dwarves... not only with their clerics but with the ones that
were obviously trained thieves :::: the the book and several of
the charts and maps were all placed into a pack:::: He finished
out some maps dealing with the routes he had found within the
Dwarven underhalls ::::

::: Di watched with some fascination as ZYXOS moved to the
limits of her vision around a large rock and seemed to be facing
a solid wall cracked from the top to the bottom ::: after a
moment, ZYXOS turned and he was no longer holding the pack ::::

::: Next ZYXOS began strange mystical chanting ::: having
battled the drow on several occasions in the past, Di
immediately recognized the summoning spells and preparation
spells of a Drow preparing for battle and began to become
concerned for what must be going on ::::

::: ZYXOS seemed to shimmer as prayers and blessings to and from
his evil goddess were offered, cast, and received :::: ZYXOS
very being seemed to become darker and more ominous... his eyes
began to deepen into a blood red and shimmered with an evil fire
that was almost painful to even gaze upon :::: the cavern itself
began to darken as corners deepened with evil magic and globes
of darkness filled areas where traps could obviously be sprung
on the unwary :::: then with an evil laugh and incantation the
room was filled with mirror images of the Drow Faern each one
taking a different location and posture including one standing
menacingly over her :::: and then to her amazedment the final
preparation spell was cast and Di watched as the real ZYXOS
faded from sight behind a spell of invisibility ::::

Di began muttering prayers to her god that the one about to
enter the evil filled room was a cleric... or at least a thief
with a supply of scrolls... for they were about to face a Drow
that only the Dwarven legends spoke of.... Di realized this was
not one of the hot headed young fighters that the Dwarves so
often encountered and had to deal with... this was one of the
ancients... an elder Drow Wizard of horrible power.....

"Oh Moradin..." her prayer began... but was suddenly silenced as
she heard approaching footsteps outside the
cavern......................
-----------------------------------An End to Darkness <1> From:
ZYXOS

::: Tigguhr came storming around the edge of the opening of the
carvern with blood in his eye and his Axe in his hand :::

"ACH!!"... was the only exclimation from the burley dwarf as he
suddenly beheld the hot springs cavern with darkened areas, some
squirming bundle over by a big rock... and above all... more
drow than he had ever seen in one place.

::: a quick roll to the side using the pommel of his great axe
as a fulcrum to his roll brought him near enough to the first
drow for a throw.... the axe whistled through the air and seemed
to cleve the drow in half.... but all that was heard was a "POP"
and the entire Drow was gone :::

"de jargh drowie be usin' mirrors it wou' seem", Tigg muttered
to himself and made a quick dash to retreive his axe and go into
another defensive stance in the middle of the room. ::: looking
quickly about the room his gaze fell upon the bundle by the rock
at the foot of another Drow... and the drow seemed to be quite
protective of it.....

"Har! so ye got's sump'n ye be want'n ta pertects, does ye?"...
and with another roll and dash the young Dwarf found himself
across the bundle from the Drow ::: his axe was quickly raised
to strike the bundle when the fireball struck him in the back
and knocked him across the bundle shattering the mirror image
that had been standing above it :::

::: the searing flames had warmed his armor to an extreme
temperature.... and the hair on the back of his head and his
beard were singed, but the dwarf stood and stared across the
cavern at the globes of darkness... one of them obviously held
the drow :::: but to be sure Tigguhr began his well known
bouncing and started bounding off the walls of the cavern
shattering mirror images as he careened about the cavern :::
"HAR DEE DOO!"

::: he hurtled towards the last of the images but his triumphant
yell was stopped short as he bounded off the solid figure... the
Drow was outside his globe of darkness!!:::: a quick swing of
his axe drew blood on the leg of the Drow and with a muttered
phrase ZYXOS drove a magic missle into Tigguhr's chest...
partially penetrating his armor and knocking the wind from him
:::: ZYXOS's hammer was raised on high and brought down in a
sweeping arch towards Tigg's head... but the dwarf blocked it
with his shield and rolled to his feet drawing deep breaths into
his lungs to regain his senses::::

::: a quick heal spell had stopped the blood from ZYXOS's leg,
but the drow had been slowed ::: a quick spell dropped another
globe of darkness about the Drow and the Dwarf but each was used
to operating in the darkness of the underground ::: Tigg closed
with the point where he felt the Drow should be and swung his
axe... he felt it connect with a magical shield and then felt
the Drow Hammer pounding into his shield ::: preferring to get
his orientation again Tigguhr backed carefully from the Globe of
Darkness ::: as he backed into the light of the cavern, his eyes
again fell upon the bundle by the rock ::: obviously something
the Drow wanted... so perhaps an item to draw ZYXOS's attention
:::

:: As Tigg bounded over to the bundle and raised his axe high,
the Drow stepped from the Globe of Darkness and smirked ::: "So
little one.. you think it means that much to me... go ahead...
drive your axe into it." the Drow taunted. With a growl Tigguhr
started to bring his great axe down when suddenly..... THE
BUNDLE SQUIRMED. ::: shocked by the movement Tigguhr tried to
stay his swing but only caused the path of the axe to change and
cut into the bottom of the bag ::: with a female shreik, the bag
was opened and a cut put into the leg of Diamond :::

:::: Tigguhr was beside himself when he heard the scream and
recognized the now unconceiled boots ::: he quickly ripped the
rest of the bag away, releasing the lass he cared for, and he
tore a portion from his shirt and bound the wound to her leg :::

"ye bliter'n kobolt lov'n bounc'n....." Di had started to tear
into the lad when she realized not only was she free, but they
both had to deal with the Drow now.....

Di laid a quick kiss on the cheek of the Dwarf to sooth his
suddenly deflated eagerness... and jumping to her feet pulling
scrolls and dagger said .. "C'mon lad... we got's ourselves a
Drowie ta defeats..."

As the pair stared around the room, it was again suddenly filled
with images of the Drow... but with a mutter, Di used one of her
precious scrolls against the images and one of the globes of
darkness... the images disappeared and the globe was gone... but
now there were only 2 globes of darkness the drow could be in.
From one of the globes came a hurtling fireball which Tigguhr
quickly deflected by throwing his shield in front of the lass
and himself, but it almost broke his arm in doing so.... with a
quick healing scroll, Di healed Tigg's arm but it was still not
up to what it should be and would not work as well as would be
needed if they were to have to fight for long......

::: quickly waving her wand, Di hurtled a Magic Missile into the
globe from where the Fireball had come but heard it hit the back
wall of the cavern.... and just as amazingly, the Drow seemed to
materialize across the cavern from his globe of darkness....

"HAR!! ye sneaky darklin' longear... so ye be use'n dim doors...
well... it nae be 'nuff ta stops us dwarves"...

Tigguhr immediately bounded across the room towards the Drow,
but in the next instant Di was horrified to see a Spell of
Slaying spring from ZYXOS fingers.... luckily, Tigguhr's natural
resistance to magic saved him... but the damage done was
horrible to behold, as tufts of hair and skin were struck from
the shoulder and shield arm of Tigg.

ZYXOS stepped up to the staggered Tigg and began a Cause
Critical, which Di knew in his weakened condition, Tigg would
not withstand... so she did the only thing she could do quickly
and threw her dagger at the Drow... the small dagger buried
itself in the shoulder of ZYXOS... and although the damage was
not great, it interuppted his spell and allowed Tigguhr to again
gain his feet... with the damaged shield arm holding his shield
before him.

ZYXOS quickly rattled off a spell of holding, and even he was
startled when the battleraging Dwarf was held in place... but
with a quick chuckle, ZYXOS spun and was upon Di before she
could react. Without her armor, Di had to move quickly and
dodge as best she could to avoid the hammer ZYXOS now weilded as
a trained Sargtlin... as well as the spells he threw at her.
This entire time, Tigguhr stared on in horror unable to move and
assist the one he held dear in his heart.... as Di was pummeled
back towards the back of the cavern.

A quick slash from another of her daggers had almost hamstrung
the Drow, but instead had only inflicted a deep bleeding gash in
his lower leg... he had countered with an overhead smash of his
hammer which almost broke the knife arm of Di... and only her
strong dwarfen body had allowed her to take the blow on her
upraised arm and saved herself from having her skull fractured.
Her next lunge carried her dagger past the defense of the Drow
and allowed her to open a small cut in his side... but a Cause
Critical suddenly sprung forth and knocked her back against the
cavern wall, very near the crack in the wall that ZYXOS had been
so interested in.

Tigguhr's eyes opened wide as Di's defenses seemingly began to
give way... but it was then he noticed... his eyes HAD
widened... the hold spell was being thrown off... if by no other
effert than his dwarven stubborness and his overwhelming desire
to assist Di.

Using 2 daggers now, Di tore a chunk from ZYXOS' leg but a quick
magic missile spell from ZYXOS tore into the shoulder and upper
chest of Di... and although she had tried to get a defensive
shield up the missile had still laid open her shoulder and torn
away much more of the light shirt she wore than the maiden dwarf
preferred. It was this sudden exposing of the body of Di that
tore the primal roar from Tigguhr's lips and the hold spell was
thrown completely away from him......

"NAE!!! Nae mor'n Drowie spells shall I endure.... Nae more
shall ye threaten this love of me..... me chief's!!! NAE
MORE!!" ::: and with all the strength remaining in his body he
hurled the Great Axe in an overhand throw......

:: had it not been for the fast reflexes of the Drow, ZYXOS's
head would have been severed from his shoulders... but even with
his quick move the axe still buried itself deep into the back
right shoulder of the Drow causing him to curse in pain :::
with his right arm all but useless, the outcome of a fight
against 2 Dwarves was more than obvious....

ZYXOS muttered a quick incantation... and before the startled
eyes of Di and Tigguhr, he seemed to thin and pass through the
crack in the back wall of the cavern... as they both stumbled to
the crack they could hear ZYXOS picking up the pack with all his
notes and making his way deeper into the darkness into which
they tried to stare....

A hot breeze coming from the crack told Di what they had
found..... "the underdark" she muttered..... then quickly turned
to Tigguhr and caught him as he was about to fall. The only
concern in the young warrior's mind was using the tattered
remains of his cloak and trying to cover the exposed Di from any
prying eyes, even his own.......................
========================================================== Re:
End of the Darkness From: D1AMOND 2

With cloak safely wrapped around her, D1 slowly helped Tigguhr
back to the main caverns. It was late at night now and much of
the Mount slept. They got as far as the main hall before they
lost their strength to walk. Both sitting down together, D1
took a deep breath and yelled at the top of her lungs. "CLERIC!
We needs a healer here!" Then her head slumped over onto Tig's
shoulder from the effort.
========================================================== A
Lurking in the Dark From: HiuFang Li

 Nothingness pervaded these lightless tunnels.

 Once or twice, a hideous creature of some sort skittered or
slithered across the warm, dark rock that covered these chaotic
chambers; but otherwise, all was silence and darkness.
Lifelesness. How could life exist? These were the corridors that
the sun's rays never touched, that the cool breath of the gods
of the air never wandered in. Only the cloaked shade of Death
could dwell here.

 The Underdark.

 But even the silence is broken, at times. As it is now...

 A soft panting, the sound of dull heartbeats... suddenly,
these subtle noises invade, echo, beat upon the dark rock. And
then voices.

 "NoNoNo.. I told you, you stupid dwarf!! I told you it was the
other tunnel.. if you had listened, we would be safe at home by
now," sobs a small voice, "Boohoohoo.. WHY? Why did I ever come
with you, anyway? Ah, the gold. Surely no amount of gold can be
worth this!!" After a short moment, a deeper, richer voice
echoes in response. "Good cousin, we must keep our minds on the
path. If we cannot be joyful and glad that we still live, we may
as well die here in these accursed tunnels. Come now, we
continue.."

 After this exchange, the noises of climbing and scrambling
across gravel and rock become apparent. The first voice jabbers
on, but the second seems silent from this point. If an eye might
see so deep within the earth, in these dark tunnels where voices
dance about the walls, it would witness quite a curious sight.
For here, two figures struggle through the deep, one speaking
loudly, another forging on, patient, silent.

 In the darkness, a dwarf and a gnome strive to return to their
home... on the surface. It has been many days since they have
seen the surface: the dwarf, dressed in blackened garb that lies
rather tattered and worn across his shoulders, but wearing an
ebon mask about his bearded face; and the gnome, pointed hat
smashed to a crumpled mass sitting on his balding head, clothes
torn and soiled to rags. "We must make haste, good cousin
Yngelb.. to the Mount with our news!" the dwarf often mutters.
"By all the gods of Faerun, we shall never see the light of
day.. oh my aching body!" replies the one named Yngelb. "You
rascal! For many days have I heaved you 'pon my back. I carry
you, and yet you complain! Not another word, lest I leave you in
the dust.."

Silence punctuates these last words, and the two weary ones
continue on their journey through this hell that is the
Underdark...
===============================================================
Little Lancelot From: Tigguhr

Every inch of his body hurt. His arms hung by his sides as he
leaned against the wall of the cavern. His head lolled to the
side, contacting D1's head, which was on his shoulder. She had
passed out and Tigguhr was about one half a breath away from
passing out again. But honor and loyalty to his chief demanded
on last heroic act.

Tigguhr half hoped that the foul drow magic might have
irradicated certain feelings. The spells took a toll on his
body, but unfortunately, his mind and his heart were intact. So
he shut those troublesome feelings away again, gently moved D1
off his shoulder and shifted just a hand breadth away. He leaned
a little more away from the chief's betrothed and passed out
before he hit the floor.
===============================================================
=
Kagis returns to scouting.... From: KAGIS

Kagis looked down the dark tunnel leading away from Axepeak
halls. Fulcrum rested easily over his right shoulder. He wore
a new set of armor and a new shield. He'd gotten them from the
clan armories to replace his family mithril until it could be
mended. Sedaric, the watch captain looked sideways at the
battle garbed dwarf. He couldn't help but chuckle slightly...
here was a dwarf who'd barely stumbled past this same guard
captain only a few days ago, now standing tall and proud - ready
for action. There was something different about Kagis, almost a
presense of power. Sedaric shook his head, "Ya shur ye be
headin' back ou' dere alone?"

Kagis looked at Sedaric and smiled, "I be a scout an' a warrior
goo' cappy. My place be ou' dere." Sedaric frowned slightly,
but Kagis quickly added, "dinnae worry. I gots me pappy's ring,
Fulcrum, and..." Kagis patted a thick scroll case at his belt,
"I gots some s'prises fer any darklin's I runs inta." Kagis
mentally reminded himself of his Axebow and mithril bolts;
adding, "nae ta menschion me bolt flinger."

Sedaric didn't look much happier about sending out another
dwarf, the last two scouts hadn't returned at all. "Welp, as
long as da chief done says it be ok, den I guess I gots ta let
ya lose." Sedaric patted Kagis on the back. "Goo' luck lad...
an' may Moradin strike yer blows true."

Kagis smiled back, then headed into the dark passage. He didn't
have the nerve to tell the captain that Nys didn't know about
this scouting expedition.

It didn't take long for the scout's senses to pick up the signs.
A scuff mark here, a boot imprint in some mud there. "Yep dere
wa' a' leas' one darklin' here nae long ago." After some time
searching the side passages, Kagis found the tracks more easily
and began his hunt. He followed the darklin' to a small room
with a natural spring in it. There were obvious signs of
battle, which made Kagis immediately worried. There was only
one other set of prints leading into the room, but two sets
leaving and neither was the from the drow.

A pair of sacks are found.... From: KAGIS

Kagis examined the room more carefully. He could still smell
the magic radiating from the stone. "Loo' like da fight done
end none too long ago." Kagis decided that the drow must have
used magic to leave the room without making any tracks. What
worried the scout was the obvious limp one of the dwarves who'd
left had. The slender soft footprints seemed familiar, but he
could quite place it. "I bes' make sure me kin be ok."

With that thought Kagis began following the tracks leading away
from the room. Within a few hundred paces he found them,
slumped together like a pair of grain sacks. Kagis nelt next to
them and checked for breathing. They were both alive, so Kagis
took the time to light a torch. After lighting the torch his
breath left his lungs in surprise. "Sandstone! Wha' da heck is
Tig and Di doin' ou' 'ere?" Kagis reached over to shake Tig.
"Bouncer! Wake up Bouncer!" Tig only grunted and rolled over.

"Grrrr. Dis is nae place ta curls up an' rest." Kagis sighed,
"ah well, dere's gonna be da abyss ta pay when Nys realizes Di's
missin'." Kagis checked both dwarves carefully. They showed
numerous signs of exposure and several serious wounds, mostly
from magical attacks. "Gone drow huntin' did ya?" Kagis
mumbled to himself while he worked.

Kagis was no healer, but he knew a trick or two about bandages
and the sort, to keep out infection. Working quickly the dwarf
soon had both Tig and Di bandaged up well enough for travel.
Pulling a potion out of his pouch Kagis quickly drank it down
ignoring the horrible taste. Immediately Kagis felt his
strength grow by immeasurable factors. Looping Fulcrum on his
belt, Kagis tossed his shield so it hung across his back and
bent down to pick up his two fallen kin. Dwarves were stout
creatures that were quite solid. Even with the potion of
strength Kagis stuggled a little to position each dwarf on a
shoulder. They weren't far from Axepeak halls so Kagis just
made the best of it.

Soon, Kagis stumbled through another defense picket carrying his
two kin. After signaling to the guard, a warrior rushed over to
relieve Kagis of Tig while Kagis switched Di so he carried her
more comfortably. Kagis looked at this watch captain, "Well?
Call fer a cleric ta meets us at da plannin' room. An' someone
go get Nys... tells 'em ta meets us dere." Kagis and the guard
quickly trot to the center cavern, and placed Di and Tig on cots
inside the plannin' room. Shortly after a cleric entered
quietly and began administering potions and salves to the two
wounded, and still soundly sleeping dwarves.

Kagis dismissed the guard telling him to get back with his kin
at the defense post, crossed his arms over his chest, leaned
against the door jam and watched the cleric while waiting for
Nys to storm into the room any moment.
Kagis Ironpeak Axepeak BattleScout
===============================================================
=
Subj: And he is gone...and returns. From: Niord

Niord woke with a shudder. At first he thought it was just him,
but then he felt the ground shudder, and with a sudden violence,
the mount felt as if it were rising off of it's ages old
foundation! He saw Dwy and the others across the tunnel from
him. The roof above them cracked, and was about to collapse on
them! Niord sprang to his feet, bringing his axe up as he did
so. He stood over the tired group, forcing the hilt of his axe
into the ground between them with a mighty heave. Quickly he
put his shield over the axeblade, just as the roof caved in.
His last thoughts were of his kin, and that he hoped he had done
enough to save them.

Not under the shield with the others, as there was not enough
room, the cavein from Moradinsons trap hit Niord with full
force. He was crushed, and the death was quick. His kin did
not notice the faint glow and slight settling of the area Niord
was buried in....

Niords mind was grey. He knew not this place, but somehow it
felt framiliar. An image appeared before him, and he did not
recognize it as his dead wife. The image smiled at him, told him
it was not his time, and in a blinding flash, was gone. His
mind went black...

He awoke and found himself sitting up. There were three week
kin about him, and he knew them, from where he new not, but he
knew them. His kin, axepeak, home. Dwy's eyes widened with
horror. Niord looked questioningly at him. "Whot be wrong lad?"
"I..I..I jes saws ye dies! Ye ken nae bees 'ere!!" "Whot ye
talkin lad? Ye jes nae feels gud, I fixes ya..."

He reaches into a scroll pouch that now hangs by his side. He
never noticed it before, but it felt right somehow. It was well
stocked. Looking at the paper and muttering a few words, his
kin seemed to revitalize themselves. Pulling forth another
scroll, he again muttered strange words and the cavern began
putting itself together. The stone rose to where it was
supposed to be, and mended itself. The tunnel was quickly
cleared.
All 3 kin looked at him, there eyes almost popping out of their
heads. Niord passed it off as trauma, picked up his axe and
shield, and readies his kin. "Cammon lads, we gots ta helps our
kin!" They were obviously dazzed, but they did as he ordered,
and soon they were heading back up the tunnel and heading
towards the goblins, and the rest of their kin.

Niord ignored their stares, and led the way, so as to not let
them disturb him. He did not notice the mysterious amulet was
gone. He did not notice he was younger, nor that he was
suddenly able to use scrolls. And above all, he did not notice
his past, and his dreams, as they were now gone forever. A new
life, a new begining. Somewhere deep within him he felt a
burning hate for giants, and even looked forward to a dragon
hunt. But for now, his kin needen him, and he was finally sane.

Niord Thunderstrike

OOC: Har! I even managed to work my "forced" reroll into it
(host decided my char tasted good and ate it ;/)
==============================================================
You knew it was going to be ugly From: Nystramo

Nystramo bulled his way into the planning room, almost knocking
down the two gaurds at the door who barely stumbled out of his
way. Behind him, his assigned gaurds tried desperately to keep
around him as was their assignment. Unfortunately for them, the
chief was not in a cooperative mood.

"Wha' in tha slagged nine 'ells 'appened!?"

Kagis winced involuntarily. Steeling himself, he reminded
himself that he knew from the start that this wasn't going to be
easy. "Well'n, chief, seems D1amond an' tha bouncer gots a bit
scraped up. A darklin' we thinks. Tha 'ealers gots 'em mos'ly
patched up, tho', an' they be restin' easy."

Nystramo fumed silently for a full minute. Kagis watched him
uneasily, hoping the chief didn't think to ask who found them,
or how. Now would not be the time to discuss his unauthorized
scouting mission.

The chief paced and tried to calm himself. Tried, but failed.
Again! It almost happened AGAIN! His taerin had come within a
hair's breath of dying at the hands of his enemy. And he had
known nothing about it until it was all over. It fell to another
kin to find her and rescue her, and then tell him about it. All
while he pored over maps and battle plans and trap designs like
some slagged librarian, not standing by her side in battle as he
should have been. As any real dwarf would.

He glared at Kagis and barked, "I wants ye ta finds out 'ow this
'appened. 'ow did D1 an' tha bouncer evade tha sentry net, 'ow
did a battle rage in tha mount itself wi' naebody kennin' it,
an' jes' where tha blazes di' tha darklin' git ta!? I wants
answers an' I wants 'em yesterday! Ya unnerstands!? An' if I nae
gets 'em dere'll be some sorry kin, ya kin depends on it!!"

Kagis gulped, nodded and ran off to see if there were any
answers to be found. In the planning room, Nystramo looked at
the sleeping form of his taerin and swore this would never
happen again.
==============================================================
Undermount Scout ... From: KAGIS

I scrambled to get out of Nys's fuming gaze; glad that the
enraged dwarf hadn't asked how the two were found and by whom.
"I be a lucky scout." As for finding out more information I
thought, "Whal now, who better dan me ta finds ou' more
infermaschion?" Nodding. "Yep it make sense. Di and Tig
aren't likely ta wakes u' anytime soon, and da only odder person
who could shed ligh' on dis mys'try is da drow who gone an hurt
me kin."

Scratching my head I look down as I notice strips of cloth
bunched up in a corner, "Whats am I doin' 'ere?" I'm standing
in one of the side corridors that is seldom used. It's dark and
dirty but the scraps of cloth seem familiar. I reach down and
examine them out of habbit. "Undermount scoutin' be a tough
habit ta quit once it gets in me blood." I lift the rags and
sniff them. ::sniff, sniff:: "Hmmm... If I didn't know any
better I'd say dis smelt like dat speschial per'fume me chief
gave Di as a gift. Dese mus' be some o' her clothin'" I notice
they've been torn into long strips and then ripped in half. One
a large wad of cloth I can make out the slight stains of
moisture and it smells more of ale than perfume. "hmmm...A gag,
dis must've been." Taking an empty pouch from my belt I
carefully place the rags inside and retie the pouch.

I examine the thin layer of dust and dirt in the alley. There's
two sets of boot prints, one is slender and made form soft
leather boots, the other from standard steel-toed battle boots
all dwarven warriors prefer. "Even dem bouncin' type." The
slender prints leave the alley alone first, while what I guess
are Tig's footprints remain behind. "Di done waylayed da poor
lad an' done tied 'em up eh? I be gonna hafta re'members nae ta
gets da lass mad at me."

I follow the slender boot prints until I loose them in the main
hall of the mount amidst the myriad other tracks and markings
left behind by a clan preparing for war. It doesn't matter much
because I can tell from the direction the prints were headed
Diamond had been heading for Southeast exit of the mount near
where Moradinson had collapsed the eastern main tunnel.

"Curious.... down righ' currus."

I moved quickly to the Southeast gaurd post and find the post
manned by no less than ten dwarven guards. The captain
approached me, "Findar Toarst kin." After examining the well
cleaned rock ground and giving up on finding any tracks, I turn
to the guard captain. "Goo' day ta ya cappy. I be 'ere on
business fer da chief. I be thinkin' I'll be headin' ou' thru'
dis 'ere guard post. Buts I gots some queschions fer ya firs'."

The captain readily agrees, "ask away Underscout."

"Has dere been a guard change in da past 20 cycles?"

"Sure ha'. But I be here fer da past 30 cycles. Us cappy's
gots ta put in extra cycles on watch ya know."

I grin remembering a time when I performed the role of a gate
captain. "Goo' lad. Now, does ya rem'mber anyone else exitin'
thru' dis 'ere gate?"

"Only da bouncer, he came thru' here abouts 24 cycles past, bu'
I figered he jus' be goin' ou' ta sets anodder o' his traps."
The captain frowned slightly, "I does rem'mber da bouncer wasn't
bouncin' as mu' as usual... he seemed almos' upset 'bout
sometin'."

I smile, "Thankee cappy. Ya's doin' a righ' fine job. Now when
yer shift changes be sure an' get plenty of rest."

"Ya knows it Underscout. An' goo' luck ta ya ou' dere... I hear
dere be darklin's and gobbo's crawlin' all over da place."
I turned and passed through the guard post moving quietly and
quickly into the dark tunnel beyond. I recognized this tunnel
as leading close to the room with a natural spring in it. There
should be a tunnel up ahead that branches off and meets the
tunnel where I found Diamond and Tig. I move quickly through
the tunnel, barely avoiding one of Tig's nature traps. Only a
few grease smudges give it away. "Whew... dat Tig's gonna be
bouncin' righ' happy like when dem gobbos start settin' dese
tings off."

Within a few short minutes I'm back in the room where I
originally noticed signs of battle. The signs are still evident,
but this time I'm looking for more information. After searching
for a few moments, I sit down with my back to the sprint facing
one of the walls. The heat from the magical battle has died
down more, and I'm able to sense the variation in natural rock
heat on the walls. With the hot spring behind me and out of my
vision, I notice an odd fault line running the length of the
wall in front of me. It's about three hands wide and just tall
enough for a sneaky elf to scrape through. "Well I'll be... I
bets dat sneaky darklin' done squeezed thru' dat crack and went
into da underdark. Sandstone! Why didn't I catch dis 'fore?"
I scratch my beard as I peer through the whole. "Ahh well
nothin' ta does 'bout it now. I best go inform da chief an' den
come back an' see if'n I can catch dat sneaky darklin'."

I turn to head back and report.

Kagis Ironpeak Axepeak Undermount Scout
=============================================================
Nae ta werry lad From: D1AMOND 2

D1amond awoke to Nystramo's fuming. She cracked open an eye and
watched as he reemed Kagis for answers. As Kagis was leaving,
Nystramo turned back towards D1, and she quickly closed her eyes
again. Best not to face him in this mood, she thought.

Tied up and laying under a sack, she had had plenty of time to
think. Maybe she hadn't been too wise trying to take on the
darklin herself. Maybe she should have reported to Nystramo
when she found Tigguhr meeting with the darklin. Maybe she had
been a bit steamed when her suggestion about watching Tigguhr
had been ignored and that made her make wrong decisions. Maybe
standing around with battle armor on for a week with nothing to
do had made her a bit bored.
It was done and in the past now. Nothing she could do to change
what she had done. At least her and Tigguhr were alive and the
darklin was chased from the Mount. They saw the route of his
escape, so they could seal it. It all turned out well enough,
now that it was over. Just a goblin horde to face now.

She started to doze off again, when she felt Nystramo sit down
beside her and take her hand in his. She cracked open an eye
again. There he sat with such a look on his face. Concern,
fear, anger and determination were in his eyes and his jaw was
set firmly. Wanting to do something to ease his mind, she half
sat up, startling him, and gently touched the frown on his
forehead, "Such a face Taerin. It be o'er. The darklin has
left, me and Tigguhr be healin, nae need to look so worried."

Before she knew it, Nystramo reached over and pulled her into
his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her with the
fiercest bear hug she had ever received.
===============================================================
=
A mild dressing down From: Nystramo

Nystramo finally released his hold on D1amond; his taerin; his
anchor. Without her, he knew, he would still be a slave to the
black moods that had almost engulfed him. Were he to lose her,
there would be no saving him a second time.

"Blast ye, lass, wha' was ya thinkin'?" he asked, not ungently.
Just seeing her awake and alert was enough to push back the
tides of rage he had been feeling. For now.

"Hrmph! I wa' thinkin' ta gits rid o' tha darklin' tha' wa'
plaguin' tha mount!" she answered with her usual fire.

The chief opened his mouth to respond, but cut himself off. He
wanted to tell D1amond to not go running headfirst into trouble
without thinking. He wanted to tell her not to leave the
confiines of the mount without telling him. He wanted to tell
her to stop doing things that could get her killed.

One look at her defiant look, however, reminded him that he
couldn't ask these things of her. Not because she would refuse
(which she would); not because he didn't want to argue with her
(what dwarven couple DIDN'T argue?); but because her fire, her
determination, and her need to contribute in any battle were
part what she was. They made her D1amond, and it was D1amond he
had fallen in love with, not some weak kneed long ear that
jumped at shadows.

"Ach, lass, I jes' wishes ya wou' be a bi' more careful when ya
dives inta battle," he finally said. "I means, darklin's nae be
gobbos. Ya takes 'em serious!"

D1 nodded. "Aye, lad, I ken tha'. I be more wary o' tha drowies
in tha future. I promises." The twinkle in her eye, however,
told Nys that part of her had thrilled to every second of the
battle. In spite of himself, he found a smile growing on his
face.

"Ach, wha' I be goin' ta does wi' ya?" he asked in mock
exasperation. "Well'n, if ya be determined ta gits yerself inta
scrapes anyways, I guess I mi' a' well makes sure ya gots some
backup when it 'appens."

"Wha' ya means, lad?" his taerin asked.

"Hrmph. I means reports ta Moradinson when ya be rested an'
ready fer duty. I be needin' ta raplace a few o' The Ten wha' be
busy on o'er duties. Storm'll be seein' if'n ya be up ta it."
D1's snort told him what she thought of being "tested", but he
only grinned in response. "This way, a' leas', I kin keeps me
eye on ye."

D1 grinned back and kissed him on the cheek. "An' I on ye,
taerin." Still exhausted from her ordeal, she lay back down on
his lap and fell asleep.
===============================================================
=
The moment of truth approaches From: Jhaelryna

The drow captain cursed quietly as he read the orders from the
Queen. He had been relieved of command! After all his hard work
and careful planning, he was now to hand over control of the
patrol to this faern. Such was life in service to the Dark
Queen. The captain stood, squared his shoulders, and bowed to
the dark figure. "The patrol is in your hands, Jabbuk."

"That is not necessary, Captain. You will retain command over
your men. You know them best. They are yours. I am simply
here to fulfill the plans of the Valsharess. I will instruct
you as to our operational plans immediately."
"As you see fit, sir". "Then let us begin. There is no time to
lose"

****************************

   The drow soldiers moved unobserved to their planned
positions. They camouflaged themselves and waited. Waited for
the remnants of the goblin army and the dwarves to finally meet
in pitched battle.

****************************

    The battered goblin army had finally reached the Mountain.
Its numbers had been decimated by the guerilla warfare of the
dwarven patrols, and by the fiendish traps laid by the dwarves.
The force that remained was still sizeable, however. Nystramo
hoped that the outer defenses had pared down enough of the
gobbos' strength. The inevitable had finally come. The goblins
were at the gates. Now was the time when the dwarves would have
to stand shoulder to shoulder, and fight for their home.

****************************

    The goblin horde screeched in frenzied ecstasy as they
finally bashed their way through the initial outer defenses of
the Mountain. A battleline of armored dwarves stood impassively
in the hallway as the green tide swept towards them. Within
seconds, the first major engagement of the war had begun.
Screams of dying goblins and dwarves filled the dark tunnels as
the two ancient enemies grappled with each other yet again.

    "Somebody get Storm! Dem goblins gots tru da tun'ls
somehows! We gots ta get reinforcements here rite quick! Hold
steady, lads! We gots ta hold at all costs!" The dwarven
veteran began to sing a song of battle at the top of his lungs.
Soon, the entire dwarven line was singing in unison, smashing
goblin bodies with every note. When a soldier inevitably fell
to the wicked blades of the goblins, his surviving comrades
increased the volume of their song, and quickened the tempo of
their blows. But the weight of the goblin army was too much,
and the outnumbered dwarves were inexorably forced backwards....

Valsharess Jhaelryna GM, TOL
===============================================================
=
The powers are awakened From: Gaglug
Gaglug's mind whirled with the immense power of the goblin army.
His manipulation and control over the goblins was complete. The
raw, insane emotions of the goblin army was feeding the power of
the Shaman. The army itself was a giant psychic battery, a
immense power source that Gaglug could tap. Gibbering madly,
Gaglug lost control for a split second, and a random bolt of
magical energy shot from the shaman's head. The massive bolt
blew a large hole in a nearby wall (killing several goblins
unfortunate enough to be standing nearby). "MINE IS THE
POWER!!!" hooted the deranged shaman. Gaglug looked around for
Gunklob, but the goblin chieftan was nowhere to be found. Gaglug
immediately set out to find the chieftan. Magical energy
crackling visibly around him, the shaman moved through the horde
towards the front of the army.

Gunklob found himself in an uncomfortable situation. He had
planned to lead this assault from his usual position...the rear.
But somehow, he was near the front lines. How had that
happened? He resolved to move to a safer location, and turned
around, then froze. The chieftan's hand moved involuntarily to
the hilt of his sword. As his fingers touched the pommel,
Gunklob's eyes glazed over. He threw his head back and let out
an unearthly roar.

"I SHALL FEAST ON THE SOULS OF MANY DWARVES THIS DAY!!!! FOR I
AM THE KIN-SLAYER, AND THE KING-EATER. I HAVE SLAIN A THOUSAND
DWARVES, AND MY HUNGER IS UNABATED. LOOK UPON ME, DWARVES,
AND TREMBLE! I AM H'RATHN'GON, BORN OF THE ABYSS."

Gunklob drew the sword and held it over his head. In that
moment, Gunklob vainly tried to resist possession by the sword,
but it was too late. H'rathn'gon, dwarvenslayer, had fully
awakened.

Mighty Gaglug, Dwarf-Ripper and Troll-Eater Shaman of the
Goblins
===============================================================
=
The storm that has broken... From: Nystramo

D1amond woke with a start on Nystramo's lap. She smiled up at
her taerin, but the smile turned quickly to a frown when she saw
the look on his face. He looked at her and said simply, "It's
started."
She nodded and stood. With the practiced ease and efficiency of
a kuldar she donned her armor and weapons, which had been
thoughtfully brought to the planning room for her. She noticed
Tigguhr was also awake and ready for battle, as were Baldar Hmr
and the rest of The Ten.

Noticing her look, Nys said "Almos' all," with a frown. Dwyvyrn
had still not returned. The First of The Ten remainded missing.
As he took up Rorn Norogh, he couldn't help but feel a sense of
doom at the lack. One of his oldest friends and most formidable
kuldar, the chief hated the idea of going into battle without
him. Dwyvyrn's ready pike and unwavering courage always gave him
a sense of confidence. Now, when he needed him most, the captain
was nowhere to be found.

But, there was no time for morbid thoughts now. "Ya ready kin?"
The Ten all nodded grimly. "D1, ye be tha captain now. Keeps yer
kuldar on their toes." D1 nodded once again. One look in her
eyes almost made Nys feel sorry for any goblin that came face to
face with her. Almost.

"Alri' den. We goes ta battle." He jogged out of the planning
room, Rorn Norogh at the ready and glowing with a golden light.
He could almost feel its thirst for the goblin blood. As soon as
he was out the door The Ten formed a running circle around him.
For the first time he noted the kuldar that had replaced Dwyvyrn
to fill out The Ten for the battle; Dorgan, a sturdy kuldar and
a veteran of the orc wars. When he noticed the chief looking his
way he grinned and tipped his morning star in salute. "Raugh ar
dun, Olor Kuld." Nystramo laughed and replied, "Raugh ar dun,
samman." Privately he thought, death from below, to be sure, but
for who, and how many?

*****

They came upon the fringes of the battle quickly. The Ten
quickly cut through any goblins they came upon. They battled
with the practiced ease of Kuldmorndin, their attacks and
parries in perfect harmony. Not a single enemy got even close to
the chief. As they got nearer the center, however, it became
more and more difficult to hold off the massive tide of goblins.
Their weapons whirled, thrust and parried in a deadly dance so
swift Nystramo made no attempt to follow them. Besides, his
attention was demanded elsewhere.

In the center of each knot of dwarven kuldar was a captain, also
protected by a knot of veteran warriors. Each one kept an eye on
their chief, looking for the signals they had all comitted to
memory so they could communicate in battle. Looking toward one
such squad which was being hard pressed on all side, Nys
gestured toward the captain and gave the signal for an ordered
withdrawal. The captain nodded and barked out "Kuldar! Rear!" As
one the warriors reversed their direction in the blink of an
eye. Caught off balance, many goblins stumbled and were quickly
cut down by the retreating dwarves. The captain had his eye on a
good defensive positition near the inner gates and steared his
kuldar in that direction. Nystramo nodded in satisfaction and
turned his attention elsewhere.

Around him and his gaurd the battle raged. Suddenly, a voice
boomed out, filling the caverns with an unnatural intensity.

"I SHALL FEAST ON THE SOULS OF MANY DWARVES THIS DAY!!!! FOR I
AM THE KIN-SLAYER, AND THE KING-EATER. I HAVE SLAIN A THOUSAND
DWARVES, AND MY HUNGER IS UNABATED. LOOK UPON ME, DWARVES,
AND TREMBLE! I AM H'RATHN'GON, BORN OF THE ABYSS."

Nystramo felt his kin waver, ever so slightly. There was no
rout, no panic, no sudden call to retreat; these were dwarven
kuldar after all, no weak kneed tree huggers or ganglies. Still,
he could feel the slight hesitation that meant his kin were
beginning to know fear. It would have been imperceptible to any
but a dwarf, but it was enough to mean trouble for his forces.
He felt it himself.
===============================================================
=
The storm that has broken (2) From: Nystramo

The power radiated from in from of the goblin lines, dark and
menacing. It gnawed at the souls of his kuldar, and at his own.
Whatever or whoever this H'rathn'gon was, it had to be stopped.
The goblins were in a frenzy now, the dark power giving them
strength and fire. The already embattled dwarves fought bravely,
but their numbers were beginning to fall alarmingly. The tide of
battle was turning against them.

Nystramo ordered The Ten in the direction of the power, and they
cut a swath through the goblin forces in their way; D1amond
whirling her blade with a ruthless efficiency, all the while
muttering oaths and curses at the enemy; Tigguhr,
incomprhensibly bouncing while maintaining his position in the
circle, shouting a gleeful "HAR DE DOO!" with every goblin that
fell before him; Baldar maintaining a grim silence as he quickly
dispatched any goblins that would dare try and approach his
chief; Dorgan bashing in skull after skull with his morning
star, singing a dwarven battle song, bellowing it with all of
his considerable dwarven might.

Nystramo, heartened by Dorgan's song, took it up himself. His
voice boomed in the caverns, a counterpoint to H'rathn'gon's
vile boasting. Soon, all of The Ten were singing. Within moments
all of the kuldar in the cavern were singing, every dwarf in
unison with his brothers and sisters. The song gave the dwarves
courage and strength. Just as importantly, it gave them rhythym.
Dwarven weapons cut, thrust and parried in time with the song.
Every kuldar knew instinctively what his shield mate was going
to do and timed his own actions accordingly. Ferocity was
replaced with a deadly and fearsome efficiency. The dwarves
fought as one, singing all the while.

The goblins, who just seconds before had been in a frenzy for
dwarf blood, faltered. The power of the dwarven song overwhelmed
them, pounded into their brains. They didn't know what to make
of this magical song that gave their enemies such power. The,
suddenly, horribly, the song became even louder.

Nystramo grinned as Moradinson and his forces smashed into the
battle like a wave, all of his kuldar singing in unison. The
goblins began to buckle in spite of their still superior
numbers. A cowardly lot, they didn't have the stones to face an
army of dwarves, all singing and battling together as a single
kuldar.

Finally, The Ten neared the source of the power. Nystramo's eyes
widened as he saw the goblin chieftan. He huge beyond all of
Nys's expectations of a goblin, and he held aloft a glowing
sword that the chief could feel thirsting for dwarven blood.
Rorn Norogh's own golden glow brightened in response. These two
weapons would do battle this day, he knew.

In a line in front of the goblin chieftan were what remained of
the Hammer Warriors. Nystramo recognized them from the reports
his scouts had given him. Huge, formidably armed and armored,
they could be nothing else. There were a dozen of them, charging
toward The Ten in well drilled formation. Nystramo shook his
head in amazement. Well drilled goblins. It was almost too alien
a thought for his mind to accept. "RAUGH AR DUN!" he shouted,
and The Ten surged forward to meet them.
*****

Gunklob turned, feeling the presence of the other weapon and
hearing the dwarven war cry. His eyes filled with rage as he saw
the golden axe held aloft by the dwarven chief. He felt the
blade urging him forward to slay his enemy, and he advanced.
Ahead of him, his Hammer Warriors closed on the dwarven chief's
personal gaurd. With them out of the way, Gunklob could face the
dwarf chief personally, as he wanted.

In the back of his mind, the goblin in Gunklob shouted and
struggled. Leading a battle from the front? Seeking personal
combat with the dwarven chief? Who had a powerful magical weapon
of his own?? He cursed the drow for their "gift", but struggle
as he might he couldn't weaken the sword's control over him. He
watched in a combination of excitement and dismay as his Hammer
Warriors clashed with the dwarven chief's gaurd....
===============================================================
=
And Darkness Is Found From: Niord

They had been walking for some time now. The small scouting
party had heard echos of battle through the mount. Only four of
them, but all kin would help. They had quickly picked up speed,
running as fast as their small legs could carry them, towards
the battle.

Drinking potions and reading from scrolls, I prepared myself for
the comming battle. My speed and strength increased, and I
quickly outpaced my kin. I could see the battle now. There it
was. In the middle, some huge goblins in armor of fine
construct were fighting the Ten. The two forces collided with
such power I could feel the shockwave. And there was the chief,
and the goblin chief, and much to my surprize, the goblin was
advancing toward Nystramo.

I entered the antichamber before the inner hall where the battle
was being pushed to. The darkness and evil in the air was so
heavy, I suddenly stopped cold. I looked around, and there were
drow! A whole squad of drow! But they paid me no attention,
intent on the battle ahead, waiting for their moment to strike.
I silently thanked Moradin for the detect invis scroll that had
been in my pouch. I looked around, till I saw the drow I
wanted, the evil eminating so strong from him it had to be one
of their feared Jabbuks. I acted as if I were going to charge
into battle, pulled out a scroll, and with a cry of "Fer
Moradin, and fer me kin!!" I read from the scroll and saw a
flash upon the Jabbuk. His sirprize was warming to my heart.
My cry momentarily stopped the battle ahead, as all eyes turned
back, all song stopped. The drow looked at me in amazement as
he started muttering, but nothing happened! My scroll had
worked, the drow had the intellegence of the cave walls!

No time for gloating, I quickly pull out another scroll, axe in
one hand, shield over my back, reading. The Ten had used the
distraction well, and the goblin Hammer Warriors lay smitten
before them. Reading from the scroll, I pointed a finger at
another drow, nothing! I felt the raw energy of a magic missile
slam into my back, thank Moradin my shield took most of the
blow. A curse of Gordul! as I fell forward, another magic
missile tore into my shoulder, and I dropped the scroll in a
scream of agony. Dwyvyrn and the others were almost there now,
my heart raced, I screamed NAE KIN, NAE COMES! for I knew the
drow would kill them quickly, and they would never know. I saw
a drow turn toward them, a fire starting in between his hands.
Nae! Nae! On my knees, I drop my axe, my left arm hanging
useless. I pull one more scroll, hold it toward the cieling as
I read it, then close my eyes tight as the paper disappears, and
a blinding flash fills the chamber, the screams of suddenly
blinded drow all around..

NIord Thunderstrike
===============================================================
=
Dis Nae Bees Gud From: Niord

Slowly I look around.....what have I done? All cohesion between
units are broke. Dwarf, goblin, and drow wander around
aimlessly, bumping into each other, not being able to see. What
a mess, everyone is mixed into everyone else! I spot members of
the Ten, seems the Hammer Warriors really tore them up, alot
more than I had figured. What worried me more is I didn't see
either of the chiefs. Quickly I look for the Jabbuk. There he
is...what is he doing? The Jabbuk looks at me, then swallows a
vile of black liquid, I swear it was alive! He smiled at me; my
heart sunk. I picked up my axe, just as a pillar of flame shot
out from the Jabbuks hand. It hit me in the chest, I felt ribs
breaking. It seemed an eternity before I hit the wall 30 feet
behind me, the impact cutting off my howl of pain. What was in
that vile? He negated my scroll. The tought went through my
head over and over again.
Vision was returning to everyone. The looks of surprize as they
found themselves amongst the enemy in melee momentarely froze
all. Dwarf, goblin, and drow looked at each other stupidly,
before raising their weapons and going at it. Quickly the
sounds of battle rose to new peaks........
===============================================================
=
The Report From: ZYXOS

::: ZYXOS was once again before his Queen ::: Jhaelryna sat upon
her ebony throne, surrounded by the heads of the 3 schools of
the University and her closest advisers :::

::: From his kneeling position, ZYXOS offered forth the books,
drawings, maps, and diagrams :::

"My Queen, I present you and the University with the information
you charged me bring before you. There are maps of the upper
and lower tunnels of the Underhalls of the Dwarves, drawings of
the workings of many of the traps that will be used, locations
of the known traps, and my notes regarding the fighting style of
the Dwarves. I ask thee to please pay special attention to what
I feel to be the foremost of my findings... the Dwarves are
using magic in much greater quantities than I have seen before.
Their clerics are growing in numbers and their thieves have
become quite proficient in fighting with magic. We cannot
underestimate their ability to mount a magical defense as well
as magical attack.

The Dwarves still seem to put all they have into the first
battle... with limited reserves held back.

Their traps are as deadly as we have ever heard and many may die
in passing them.

Most importantly, I have mapped several ways into the lower
levels of the underhalls from the underdark itself. If used
properly, with the goblins and your shock troops fighting at the
mountain entrance, this might give you a second front which
could trap the dwarves with their escape blocked not only by
your troops, but by the very sealed doors of the Mount itself."

ZYXOS remained kneeling as the University and the Queen
discussed the materials he had brought to them......
ZYXOS Rilynt'tar Dark One of the Drow Jabbuk Faern Rilynt'tar
===============================================================
=
Chaos reigns ..... From: KAGIS

As a scout I've always taken my duty of gathering information as
paramount. So I spent a good bit of time examining the fisure
where the drow had obviously disappeared through. It wasn't
wide enough for me to get through without the aid of magic, and
none of the scrolls I currently carried would be much help. I
had been prepared for battle, not movement. "Har! Dat 'bout
does it. I cannae very well go bashin' through dis whole. I
best be gettin' back ta da mount fer when da fightin' starts."

Just to take a quick check, I went through my scrolls. Most of
them were geared for fighting drow one on one, but I had a few
mass damage scrolls that would look rather spectacular;
especially if dozens of goblin were stuck in the middle of it.

Replacing the scroll case carefully on my belt and hefting
Fulcrum I headed back toward the mount. It wasn't long before I
began to hear the tell-tale sounds of battle ahead. This was no
scirmish, there was just too much noise. Above the din of
battle I heard a sound that made my heart leap within my chest.
Nothing I'd ever heard in my days ever held the joy of hearing
the entire clan singing as one.

I would've gladly joined my voice to my kins', but that would
not be possible. I was behind enemy lines... that much was
obvious. I didn't wish to be discovered right away so I took
out one of my many scrolls and began casting a few spells to
keep myself well hidden. "Firs' a spell ta makes me faster dan
lightnin'." I took out one of my mithril crossbow bolts and
placed in on the ground a good distance away. Casting my second
spell only took a heartbeat. Finally I finished my third spell
which made me disappear from sight.

Grinning from ear to ear, although no one would've been able to
see me anyway, I walked quickly to pick up the enspelled bolt
and place it in my Axebow. I noticed that I couldn't hear any
more signs of battle, but that didn't worry me... it ment my
enspelled bolt was working like just like it should.

I rounded the corner in the cavern and nearly fell over as a
bright flash blinded me briefly. I recovered quickly though and
noticed several drow standing almost in a circle around me! A
young dwarf I'd never met before stood before me rubbing his
eyes painfully, the tattered remains of a scroll crumpled at his
feet. Three of the drow near me quickly began to recite spells
but stopped immediately when they realized they couldn't hear
themselves speaking. They immediately began signing to each
other in their wierd sign-speak hand language. I would've loved
to know what they were saying, but there just wasn't time for
that now. "De gonna fig'er ou' soon 'nuff dat young dwarf
dinnae cast nae silence," I thought to myself.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the goblin hammer troops
engage the Ten and Nystramo. All I could do was mouth a silent
prayer to them, and then I set to action. One of the drow
outside the current range of my bolt was beginning to move his
hands in an odd weave. He had placed his back against a stone
wall and his concentration was complete. So it was that he
didn't even realize why his spell hadn't worked until he looked
down and saw a mithril bolt stick through his left shoulder,
pinning him to the stone wall. He called out an oath, as a
dwarf appeared out of nowhere in the center of his fellow drow
troops but realized that he could no longer hear his own voice.

I laugh a hearty chuckle (glad to be able to speak again), and
began firing bolt after bolt from my Axebow into the temporarly
confused ranks of drow warriors. Two bolt sent one drow to his
knees. He quickly fell over never to rise again.

But these were seasoned drow warriors, and they reacted quickly.
Two lunged at me; knocking me to my feet and sending my axebow
flying through the air. "Arghh! Ya durn pointy ears!" I
twisted and flailed my mailed fists connect with a drow nose
sending him backwards through the air.

The second warrior was stronger than the first, and his longer
reach was making it difficult to get an advantage over him. We
rolled and tumbled on the ground. I was glad we weren't near
the goblin hoard or we would've both been trampled to death. I
twisted and shoved with my feet against his chest. His hands
were locked on my shoulders like a vice and instead of sailing
through the air as I'd intended the drow flipped in the air,
landing on his back with his hand still gripping my shoulders.
I heard a telling "Uumfffff!" and the drow's grip relaxed a
little. I twisted hard to my side, rolling away from the drow
and the open floor toward the relative safety of the nearest
cavern wall. As I rolled Fulcrum, my axe, found it's way into
my hand.
Kagis Ironpeak Axepeak Undermount Scout
===============================================================
=
Reinforcements From: MoradinSon

Storm was an experienced goblin fighter. Many times he had
driven so-called goblin hordes from threatening dwarven citadels
and encampments. Never before had he seen the like of this
massive grouping of the vile little creatures. Indeed he had
believed it to be impossible for such a number of the chaotic
little monsters to abide each others company long enough to be a
true threat.

His scouts had reported thousands of goblins dead in the tunnels
from the deadly traps the Clan had set but there was still an
army of at least two thousand battle crazed goblins pressing the
attack. Clan Axepeak was a small clan but an active one.
Although the numbers of goblins were unusual, Storm had no doubt
that the hundreds of battle hardened Axepeak trops could handle
them. He turned to his 2nd as the two armies closed. "We be th'
designated reinforcements, we waits here in this gate till Nys
calls or the battle gits desperate."

The battle got desperate far sooner than any one suspected.
Storm joined in the song and his trident and net began a deadly
harvest as his troop of reinforcements hit wavering goblins.

"Cuts of the main tunnels lads, push forward!"

The fresh troops cut the goblin horde in two. A goodly number of
the goblins were surrounding a well armed grouping of hammer
armed goblins that were assaulting Nystramo and the Ten. Even
more impressive than a well armed squad of goblins was the
insanely huge goblin who was fighting stroke for stroke with
Nystramo himself.

"Holds the line lads" MoradinSon Bellowed. "We caint lets the
horde reinforce them hammer wielders!"

Morad heard an insane cackle and felt the hair on the nape of
his neck rise as he saw the fierce glee with which the goblin
chief fought the Olor Kuld. Worse yet. Another wave of goblins
crashed against the bulwark of Storm's troops trying to reach
the goblin king and the Ten. The goblins fought like maniacs,
some even frothing at the mouth in rage as they attacked. Storm
noticed that some of the goblins that had been cut off from the
main force by his troops charge were begining to look as if they
werent too crazy about being where they were, yet the goblins in
the main force were rabid in thier ferocity. It was then that
Storm saw the capering goblin shaman. The shaman danced about
exhorting his troops as fire and sparks flew from his eyes and
fingertips.

"This nae bodes well" He muttered between the gutting of his
10th and 11th goblins
==============================================================

Thunder and lightening.... From: Nystramo

When they clashed, the underhalls shook. The Ten and the goblin
Hammer Warriors battled with a skill and a ferocity that gave
everyone nearby pause. Never had the hardened Axepeak veterans
expected to meet such a challenge from mere goblins. It was
unthinkable.

Nystramo watched the battle in stunned amazement. D1amond,
Baldar Hamr, Tigguhr, Dorgan and the rest of The Ten, battling
for their lives and the life of their chief, every trick of
battle they had ever learned was being played for this fight.
D1amond battled with the ferocity of a cornered lioness, still
managing to fit in an expletive or two between verses as she
sang the battle hymn that had been taken up by the entire clan.
Tigguhr managed to mystify his opponent with his bizarre
bouncing fighting style, but not enough to gain a clear edge
yet. Baldar simply relied on sheer dwarven determination to
carry him through. Dorgan's face was almost expressionless as he
measured every arc and every parry of his morning star quickly
but correctly. Amazingly, however, the goblins were holding
their own. They were so well coordinated, Nys almost began to
doubt they WERE goblins. Surely the little tunnel creepers
didn't have this kind of skill in them?

His attention was momentarily drawn to a jumping, gibbering
goblin on the fringe of the battle. He was too far away to hear,
but he was clearly shouting something at the goblin hoard. By
his look he was a shaman, and whatever magic he was working had
whipped the goblins back into a frenzy. He needed to be dealt
with, and the chief was too far away and too occupied to take
care of it.

Nys quickly caught Moradinson's eye and made a few quick hand
signals. Moradinson nodded, having already noted the shaman. One
way or another, he would make sure the goblins no longer had
their magic to help them.

Nys returned his attention to his own situation, satisfied that
his Rrin Kuld would take care of his end. The Ten were beginning
to tire. The sheer size and number of the Hammer Warriors was
beginning to tell. Dorgan finally found an opening and smashed
one of the goblins in the face with his morning star, felling
him on the spot. He barely had time to grin, however, when a
fresh one took its place. Still, The Ten had drawn first blood,
and they took heart from that. The dwarves fought back with a
renewed intensity, once again gaining a temporary edge.

Nys caught a flicker of movement to his right, and barely got
his axe up in time to block the glowing white sword that had
nearly cleaved his skull. Sparks flew as the two ancient magical
weapons met. Both combatants were momentarily blinded by the
flash. When Nys's vision clearead, he looked up at the grinning
goblin chief who had somehow slipped between the embattled Ten.
"Now, dwarf, I kill you and drink your soul," he growled in
Common.

"Hrmph, we sees, gobbo," Nys replied, and the battle began in
earnest.
===============================================================
=
Answered Prayer? From: Splendarr

The battle line moved back and forth. She watched from an
alcove off of the main hall where she was guarding the clerics
as they healed wounded that had been dragged this way. At
present the battle line was moved forward and the kin she
guarded were behind enemy lines, so she hid back in the small
cave out of sight.

Her view of the main battle was not spoiled though, and she
watched jealously as the mighty Axepeak warriors and the chief
bravely fought and sang at the top of their lungs. She itched
to run forward and join in the battle, but she dutifully
remained at her post.

I hates missin a good fight. Splendarr grumped.

Moradin must of heard her discontent, because at that moment a
number of goblins grew too frightened to fight and ran blindly
in her direction. She grinned as they saw the alcove and made
to come hide in it. It didn't matter that there were over 15
goblins heading her way, she stood forward and braced herself to
defend her charges. Luckily the cave opening was only small
enough to allow 2 goblins at a time, but they relentlessly
pushed forward. More out of a determination to hide than wanting
to fight.

She joyfully swung her beautiful new ax back and forth in a
methodical rhythm, slicing goblin after shrieking goblin. Her
face grew disappointed as the last of the monsters turned too
run from her and she neatly cut its retreating head off.
Keeping on eye on the entrance she quickly leaned down and wiped
the green blood from her weapon. Something moved in front of
her and she quickly looked up. A tall dark form stood just out
of weapons reach. It was too slender to be a dwarf and too tall
to be a goblin. Splendarr readied her ax and continued to
examine the strange creature.

Further back in the alcove someone moved a torch and a light
struck the creature before her. A slender male elf, but with
dark skin and white hair. It dawned on her as she looked into
the blood red eyes of her enemy and the subject of many spooky
stories she was told as a child, a DROW! She swallowed hard and
didn't let the fear she felt in the pit of her stomach show in
her face. Drow were magic users, she knew she couldn't let it
get a spell off, so she rushed straight for it ax ready. It
quickly dodged her swings as it weaved it's hands and chanted
ominous sounding words. Magic instantly shot from its
fingertips and hit her hard causing her to stumble backwards.
Splendarr grimaced in pain and came at it again, this time
flinging spines with each step. One of the spines managed to
ruin the drow's next spell, but it began casting again as she
closed with it. She swung and hit the drow squarely, only to be
knocked back again by a shield of fire that protected it.

Ach! I nae know how longs I can holds this one back, kin. She
hollered to the healers in the cave.

She looked at the conjuring drow and saw a ball of fire forming
between its hands. That spell she had to stop or the wounded in
the alcove would be even more seriously injured or killed. She
ran forward again throwing spines with all of her might, hopeing
to stop the spell. She yelled a prayer as she ran forward.

I'll never complains about nae bein in a good fight again,
Moradin, just help me out of this! Please? (tbc)
===============================================================
=
Looks, Thar Behind Ye! From: Tigguhr

Tigguhr felled another foe. With each one that died, the third
of the ten felt that he was slowly redeeming himself. He had
caused enough trouble. Time to earn his keep, he thought.. His
unique form of battle raging confused his foes-they had no idea
where to swing since the bouncer seemed to hop from one spot to
the next with nervous energy unmatched. "Har Dee Doo, Joe! Le's
gits annuder," he cried. One eye on the foes, one ear listening
closely for commands, the bouncer redeemed himself over and over.

He sang along with his kin:

Stone and steel, Mountain thunder, til our foes be torn asunder.
Rise ye kin! Rise ye kin!

Slash yer ax Slam yer shield Fight on 'til tha vile ones yield.
Rise ye kin! Rise ye kin!

Facing off now with a Hammer Warrior Tigguhr pulled every trick
he could think of. Allowing his normally random bouncing to
become repetitive, he tried to lull the Warrior. When he
thought the warrior had seen the pattern, he jumped to the
opposite side, hoping for surprise. The Warrior stayed right
with him, banging the bouncer on the head hard. "Thankee Emmy!"
he barked as his helm absorbed the impact.

The warrior bellowed in common, "Foolish little one!"

Tigguhr absorbed another blow with his shield. The shield
slammed against his breastplate, crunching his arm, but it gave
him the opportunity to grasp a length of coiled cord he kept
tucked between armor plates. The coiled length had a stone
attached to one end. Holding the stone in his shield hand, he
parried the next blow with all his might, sending his foe's
weapon out of reach just long enough to pivot on his heel, swing
out his shield arm and toss the stone over the head of the
Warrior.

The Warrior, aware that the dwarves were employing magic more
than ever, paused for a split second to consider the completely
harmless twine and stone above his head. Tigguhr bounced at the
opportunity and swung low. But the Warrior was quick to recover
from the simple ploy, parrying most of the low blow, though the
dwarf had drawn first blood.

"Ya nae as dumb as ya looks ya goobie gobbo!" he taunted. The
Warrior kept his disciplined cool, slamming hard down towards
the dwarf's head. Tigguhr parried the blow, desperately raising
his shield. The Warrior quickly took a second swipe at the
Bouncer's exposed mid-section. Tigguhr didn't quite bounce out
of the way fast enough, taking the blow in the side of the
ribcage. His breastplate held, but the force of the blow
cracked a few ribs.

 "Ye be a challenge ya dirt chewing son o a sea slug!" Tigguhr
taunted, hoping his energy would hold out. Either that or he
was going to have to come up with the trick to end all tricks.
Taking note of the Warriors skill, Tigguhr doubted any trick
would have much effect. He gripped Coral Joe tighter. He swung
Coral Joe harder....
===============================================================
=
Dwarven War Hymn From: MoradinSon

DEATH FROM BELOW Dwarven war hymn heard in the battle of the
Underhalls

We sing the song Of the underhalls Of warriors strong When duty
calls Our goblin foes straight down we'll MOW Shout louder lads
   ***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of dwarven king Of warriors strong His praises
sing The goblin foe shall suffer WOE Shout louder lads
***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of battles won Of warriors strong When duty
done Who'll lift thier ales and clammor HO! Shout louder lads
 ***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of fallen kin Of warriors strong Who die and
grin In the face of death and as they go Shout louder lads
***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song of brethren lost Of warriors strong Who pay the
cost That we may sing as free dwarfs SO Shout louder lads
***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of dwarven host Of warriors strong Their might
to boast Our legions march forth, heel and TOE Shout louder lads
    ***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of mountain stone Of warriors strong Who
defend the throne Of the Olor Kuld King NYSTRAMO Shout louder
lads     ***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of Nystramo's ten Of warriors strong As a
hundred men Their enemies fall dead row by ROW Shout louder lads
   ***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song of Lonely Mount Of warriors strong In might
past count No goblin horde will say us NO Shout louder lads
***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of hearth and home Of warriors strong No more
to roam In battlefield with axe and bow Shout louder lads
***DEATH FROM BELOW***

We sing the song Of victory Of warriors strong Of Axepeak we
Will fight the fight and slay the foe Shout louder lads
***DEATH FROM BELOW***
===============================================================
=
Re:Dwarven War Hymn From: Tigguhr

Tigguhr banged his helm with his mailed fist. "been singin tha
wrong tune, Tha be me trubble!"

He listened to the others singing and slowly picked up the
proper words. Slamming his ax into the Warrior, he found renewed
strength from the song.
===============================================================
=
The queen is angered From: Jhaelryna

Valsharess Jhaelryna looked up from the detailed reports arrayed
in front of her. "You have done well, Zyxos. I am most pleased
with you. I agree that your plan of a second front of attack
could destroy the dwarves. I shall contact the patrol with their
new orders..." The Queen sent her awareness out to the patrol,
seeking mental contact with the wizard in command. As soon as
she connected with him mentally, her mind was assaulted with
chaotic images of death and conflict.

"Faern? What in Lloth's name is going on?" queried Jhaelryna.
The response was fragmented and disjointed.
"Patrol....discovered...no easy way out...will contact you...no
time to chat with you..."

The wizard severed the telepathic contact with his Queen,
leaving Jhaelryna sputtering angrily. "Unbelievable!!! What
gall! He shall pay dearly for his impudence and his failure!"
Knocking a table to the floor, she strode about the room
screaming. "This shall be the last time he fails the temple!"
She spun on her heels and pointed an accusing finger at the
Jabbress d'Arach Tinilith. "Your brother walks a fine line,
Jabbress. You would do well to instruct him to follow the
narrow path. I shall teach him a lesson in humility! As of
this point I relieve Zor'ak from his command. Never again shall
he lead other drow." Turning to Zyxos, she continued. "Faern,
you are now given command of the expeditionary force. Make all
speed to the Mountain and attempt to salvage what you can of the
situation. Relieve Zor'ak of command, and send him to me. He
shall answer for his incompetance. Go now."

Valsharess Jhaelryna GM, TOL
===============================================================
=
Enter Zor'ak... From: Zorak

The drow wizard parried the goblin's attack easily, knocking the
club from the foul creature's grasp. Almost as an afterthought,
he drove his sword deep into the goblin's chest while he
attempted to make sense of the situation around him. All those
around him were still partially blinded from the blast. The
blinding flash actually gave the drow an advantage. All drow
warriors were trained in blind fighting. Fighting blind is
their preferred method of attack, and they practice their skills
intensively.

He could hear the screams of dying goblins and dwarves all
around him. Barking out his commands, Zor'ak ordered his patrol
to form up and to attempt to withdraw from the whirling melee.
He felt the touch of the Valsharess' mind as she began to query
him about his progress. Grumbling at her ill-timed intrusion,
the Faern responded "...no time to chat with you...", as he
abruptly severed mental contact with the Queen. He had the
safety of his patrol to think about, there was no time to get in
a discussion with the Valsharess.

Most of the patrol formed up around him, and they began to fight
their way through the goblin and dwarven lines to relative
safety.

Zor'ak Alur Faern
===============================================================
=
The Stormtroopers From: MoradinSon

Storm MoradinSon's troops were a welcome aid to Nystramo and the
Ten. The charge of MoradinSon's brigade of reinforcements had
cut off the majority of the goblin horde from the goblin king
and his hammer armed shock troops. The goblins that were
separated from the horde and it's gibbering shaman were visibly
less anxious to do battle with the well armed and armored
dwarven warriors.

Although Morad's "Stormtroopers" , as he liked to call them, had
given Nystramo a greater chance for survival, the move was not
without cost. The Stormtroop was now caught in a melee
crossfire. Struggling mightily to decimate the troops they had
cut off while maintaining the bulwark between the main goblin
horde and the gates of the Mount's Underhalls.

Ironfist, Baldar Hmr, Element, Erov and Ninnyhammer had worked
beside Morad for the past weeks as the Rrin Kuld has striven to
prepare the mount for the present siege. After so much hard
work ,sweat, toil and worry, the dwarves had vowed to defend one
anothers' backs from harm. Morad had regretted having to appoint
Baldar to the Ten but Nystramo's safety was more important than
the comfort Baldar's ready axe would have provided to Storm and
Storm felt that much the better for knowing that Baldar would
fight to the end, if need be, for Nys's sake. Baldar was the
only one of his Stonewerks employees who was not now fighting by
his side. Although Storm had tried to maintain his gruff
exterior he had been moved by his fellow dwarfs loyalty.

"We fights harder ta pertecks the Kuldar whut signs the
paychecks" Ninny had told him with a grin as the he and the
others had demanded to be posted in Storms command. "Besides I
nae has had a chance ta wins a wager wit ye yet"

"Hrmph " Storm had replied " Winnin this war will nae makes that
any more likely"

Now Storm, Erov, Iron, Element and Ninny and a few others made
up the center of the Stormtroop battle line. From time to time
they could not help but glance toward the battle raging around
Nystramo and the Ten. When they did they could see Baldar
swinging and singing along with the rest of the dwarven army and
it was a comfort to know he had not yet fallen even under the
heavy blows being rained down on his shield by the huge goblin
who faced him. It was clear to Storm that the goblin shaman who
was exhorting his troops on was the key to the battle. The
goblins that had been cut off from the shaman's sight and who
could not hear him over the sound of the Dwarven war hymn were
beginning to rout with the exception of those heavily armed
troops who surrounded the battle between the two kings.

Singing louder than ever before he urged his troops on. Between
shouts of "DEATH FROM BELOW " and punctuating the impalement his
next goblin he began to grind his teeth and strike himself upon
his helm with the butt of his trident. He could feel the
berzerker rage begin to take hold. His eyes focused on the
shaman and his wrath rose until he could hold it back no longer.

Heedless of the torrent of goblin bodies that stood between
himself and the Shaman he began to push forward. It began as a
single dwarven whirlwind. A deadly trident wielding, berserk
dervish of a dwarf. The bond that had been forged between the
stoneworking dwarves and their leader was a strong one and as
they saw him rage and push forward, the rage became infectious.
The dwarven berserk is a deadly thing and rare. All the more awe
inspiring to behold as it became a wave that consumed the
Stormtroops one by one as they all began to go just a little
mad. Soon the magically crazed goblins began to yield to the
equally enraged dwarves.
===============================================================
=

Re:The queen is angered From: ZYXOS

::: ZYXOS bowed as the Queen gave her commands.... even had she
not mentioned the name or the relationship to St1leto there
would have been little doubt in ZYXOS's mind whom she was
referring to:::

::: thinking to himself::: ".. .ahhh... Jabbuk... it has been
awhile since I have seen you, but you haven't changed I see....
<g>". ::: ZYXOS remembered the metal link between Zorak and his
sister and wondered if even now he was aware of what was going
on and the impending arrival of ZYXOS:::::
"As you command, my Valsharess.....", ZYXOS replied as he
completed his bow.

::: backing from the room and then turning on his heel, ZYXOS
hurried from the Royal Fortress and into the still, dark,
warmness of the Underdark ::::

"Well, Jabbuk, let's see what I can do to assist you and follow
the Queen's commands as well..."

If anyone had noticed his passing, they might have been
surprised to see that ZYXOS was not heading towards the normal
passages to the Surface from Rilauven... but rather was heading
into side tunnels.... tunnels from which he had most recently
emerged carrying his notes and his maps.

Then again... anyone who really knew the Jabbuk Faern had long
since stopped being surprised at whatever his actions might
be..............

ZYXOS Rilynt'tar Dark One of the Drow Jabbuk Faern Rilynt'tar
===============================================================
=
Fightin' From: D1AMOND 2

D1amond could see Morad and his troops move forward, with
relief. Although this battle had been fought for only a hour,
it seemed like days to her tiring arms. Seeing the Storm troops
making ground heartened her and she began to fight with renewed
vigor. The hammer troops were the most persistent goblins she
had ever encountered, but she had noticed Nystramo's nod at the
shaman and gathered that he was the reason for the goblin's lack
of fear.

The fight between the huge goblin leader and her taerin was
impressive and, given other circumstances, she would have
enjoyed watching. But this was no sparring contest, no seats to
sit and watch and make wagers, this was the real thing, life and
death. With everything in her she fought at Nystramo's side and
protected him from any of the other attacking goblins. He had
his hands full with the leader. She shouted words of
encouragement to the other ten and a order or two when she felt
it necessary. They were a tight group and needed little in the
way of orders once the battle had begun.

The fighting grew more and more intense. The battle song that
had rung through the halls had faltered a little as the dwarfs
were concentrating more and more on the swings of the tiring
arms. Refusing to give in to the fatigue that wanted to
overcome her, D1amond took a deep breath and started bellowing
forth a new battle hymn with renewed strength startling the
hammer fighter before her. She quickly took advantage of the
off guard monster and impaled it with her sword. The others in
the ten followed her example and once again a song of battle and
praise filled the under halls of the Lonely Mount.
===============================================================
=
The Battle From: Nystramo

The goblin chieftan was huge. Nystramo had seen him from a
distance, but seeing him up close in personal combat was another
thing entirely. He smiled grimly and thought, "Sure'n it's nae
the firs' time I done battle wi' a big enemy, eh?" Indeed, the
dwarven chief, like most of his kin, had found his small stature
to be to his advantage in most fights. The big folk just weren't
used to fighting someone who's head didn't reach above their
chests, while dwarves were constantly fighting opponents that
towered over them. He rebalanced his axe and grunted, "Lets see
wha' ya gots o'er den a fancy blade, eh gobbo?"

The goblin leered and replied, "I will drink your soul, Chief of
Axepeak." Nystramo barely had time to think that this was a
highly unusual thing for a goblin of any size to say when the
white, flaming sword flew towards his skull. He quickly dodged
to the side, deftly bringing Rorn Norogh up to counter and
deflect the goblins sword. "Lots quicker'n I 'spected," he
thought.

Both combatants traded minor attacks, feeling out each other's
defenses. Nystramo was surprised by the goblin's speed and skill
with the blade; he knew most goblins preferred spears and clubs,
weapons that required little training to use properly. The
goblin chieftan (Gunklob, judging by the shouts of the
surrounding goblins) handled the sword like a master bladesman,
however; as skillfully as he had seen some tree huggers fight
with them. He frowned a let loose a flurry of slices and cuts
that would have left most opponents dazzled. Gunklob parried
them all effortlessly; without, it seemed, thinking.

Nystramo hung back a bit then, allowing Gunklob to go on the
offensive. The chieftan leered again and lunged forward.
Nystramo parried it easily. Another attack, another simple
parry. The goblin's attacks were quick and strong, but not
especially skillful. He realized he had been taken aback by his
seemingly miraculous parries; he hadn't had a chance to note
that the goblin's attacks were mediocre at best. He frowned and
backed off a bit more, deciding to change tactics.

Suddenly, Nystramo charged forward, axe held high for a downward
cut. Predictably, Gunklob held his sword higher for the expected
parry. At the last second Nys tucked and rolled, sweeping his
axe toward the goblin's knees. He grinned, thinking how many of
his taller enemies had fallen for this rather simple, if
difficult to execute, maneuver. So, it was understandable when
the dwarven chief was momentarily stunned as the flashing white
blade easily parried his attack, leaving him in a very
vulnerable position.

Fortunately, Gunklob was equally surprised by the incredible
parry. Nystramo had time to regain his feet, but not enough to
prepare his defense properly. The expected counter attack came,
and he was barely able to deflect the blade from his chest. The
sword slid along the flat of the axeblade, slicing a gash in
Nystramo's left side. He screamed as the fire seared his skin
and coursed through his veins.

Around him, he just barely sensed a faltering in The Ten as they
heard their chief's agony. Unfortunately for the goblin Hammer
Warriors, this faltering was quickly followed by a renewed fury.
D1amond, in particular, fought as one possesed by a demon,
driving the goblin she was engaged with to assume a more
defensive stance than he liked.

Nystramo grimaced, eyeing the blade. The fire in his blood
abated, but the dull throbbing at his side continued. He once
again relaxed his aggressive stance, allowing Gunklob to take
the initiative again. Once again the attacks were easily
deflected. Nys made a few experimental attacks himself, eyeing
the goblin's defense more carefully. He noted that when Gunklob
parried, he didn't shift his posture to compensate as any
trained warrior does. The only part of his body involved in the
parries was his sword arm. His stance remained aggressive,
almost as his arm was doing all the thinking when the need for
defense arose. His arm... or his sword.

"Magix," Nys muttered, and spit.

He grimaced as pain shot through his side once again, the wound
bleeding freely. "Gots ta finish thi' soon," he thought. He
wasn't yet weakened by the wound, but soon he would be. He
needed to get through that sword somehow, and quickly.

He made a few more quick attacks, each one easily countered by
the magical blade. Gunklob's grin widened as the blood flowed
from the dwarven chief. Soon, he thought, he woud finish the
pesky stuntie. Then he could take the sparkly golden axe all for
himself. The chieftan laughed, thinking that even Gaglug
couldn't stand in his way after today.

Nystramo became more cautious, now that he was fully aware of
the nature of his enemy. Clearly the blade was magicked to parry
any attack against it's wielder. He was certain that no matter
how skillfully he tried to evade the blade with his axe, he
would not be able to wound the goblin. "Hrmph, lets be seein'
'ow tha gobbo blade 'andles two attacks a' once, eh?"

What most dwarven enemies fail to realize when battling the
stout kuldar was that all dwarves carry with them two formidable
weapons at all times; their feet. Dwarven shoes are
traditionally shod with iron to withstand the rigors of constant
mining deep in the bowels of the earth. Thus, they are very
heavy. Another consquence of this is that dwarven legs are
incredibly strong. Anyone who has ever been kicked by a dwarf
learns to respect dwarven feet.

So it was that Gunklob and his mystical weapon did not recognize
the Nystramo's feet as a threat. When Rorn Norogh sliced the air
on the way to Gunklob's chest, the sword quickly interposed
itself. What it could not do, no matter what magic had been
instilled in it, was get in the way of Nystramo's iron shod foot
as it simultaneously connected with Gunklob's knee. Gunklob's
scream was gratifying, to say the least.

Nystramo had been hoping to shatter the knee, effectively ending
the fight. What he had not counted on was Gunklob's magical
armor. The goblin's knee had been badly hurt, but not shattered.
Still, Gunklob was slowed now, limping. Nystramo had found his
weakness.

Gunklob growled visciously, wisely holding his ground. He knew
he couldn't bring the attack to the dwarven chief now. He was
too slow and clumsly with his wounded knee. He needed to stay on
the defensive. If he knew anything about dwarves, and he knew a
thing or two, he knew that the chief would not settle for a
stalemate. He would go for the kill. Besides, the dwarf was
bleeding even more now. He couldn't stay conscious forever in
this condition. So, Gunklob would let the sword protect him from
the dwarf's axe, while he kept an eye on everything else.
Especially the feet.

Nys moved back as well, gauging Gunklob's stance. The goblin was
more careful now, wary for another trick. Experimentally, Nys
grabbed a handful of spines from his pouch and threw them at
Gunklob. The sword cut them all from the air effortlessly.
"Hrmph. So mu' fer tha' idea." Still, the need to end this fight
was becoming more and more pressing. Nys could feel the blood
pooling inside his armor, and he was beginning to feel week.

Summoning every ounce of strength, he went for a last, desperate
attempt. He charged forward, his shield before him, bellowing
"DEATH FROM BELOW!" Gunklob, realizing what the dwarf was hoping
for, and that is magical sword probably couldn't help him if a
furious, charging dwarf slammed into him shield first, tried
desperately to scurry out of the way. His knee betrayed him,
however, and he stumbled and fell over in the attempt.
Ironically, this was probably the best move he could have made.

Nystramo's momentum was too great to stop. He saw, too late,
that there was not a solid wall of goblin in front of him, but a
large lump of goblin instead. He stumbled over the prone goblin
just as Gunklob was attempting to regain his feet. Nystramo
could still have recovered more quickly and gained the
advantage, since he had two intact knees, except for the rock
that managed to connect with his head as he went down.

Nys's helmet and thick skull absorbed most of the impact, but
not enough to keep him from being dazed. His grip on Rorn Norogh
weakened, and the axe slipped from his fingers. He had no idea
where his shield had gotten to. He was defenseless. Even his
feet were in no position to help him.

He rolled over weakly, and looked up at the blurry image of
Gunklob, probably leering but he couldn't tell for sure. The
sword however, wicked, white and cruel, was impossible to miss.

"Now, dwarf, you will feel the pain of my fire in your gut. Your
screams will echoe in your halls, and you kin will be
slaughtered one by one. Die knowing you failed miserably." The
laugh was loud and booming, and echoed inside of Nystramo's
skull. He growled and spit, not replying in any other way,
waiting for the sword to fall.
===============================================================
=
Answered Prayer From: Splendarr

Splendarr ran towards the casting drow, praying with every step.
Half way through its spell, its concentration broke and it began
to back away from the charging dwarf. Not wanting to leave her
post, Splendarr stopped her charge as the drow quickly faded
into the shadows of the hall beyond her.

Breathing hard, she thanked Moradin for saving her hide and went
back into the alcove to have herself healed a bit, while she
kept a wary eye on the small caverns entrance. She could see
that the battle line was moving back her way, as Morad and his
troops had whipped themselves into a frenzy and were slicing
through the goblins. She knew that more goblins would try to
hide in the healing alcove so she found a recently healed
soldier and they stood guard over the entrance, easily cutting
down the random terrorized fleeing goblin.

The battle looked to be going well, but in the back of her mind
she still wondered about the drow, and if it had reinforcements.
She hoped that there weren't too many of those vile creatures
loose in the mount.
===============================================================
=
Gaglug strikes! From: Gaglug

   Gunklob raised H'rathn'gon high, preparing to end
Nystramo's life. Suddenly, a fiery blast of magic struck Gunklob
squarely in the back, blasting a large hole clear through the
goblin cheiftan. The huge goblin swayed for a moment, and then
crumpled in a heap. An unearthy shriek eminated from the
demonsword as it fell to the ground, powerless without a
wielder. "ME!!! I BE DA CHIEF NOW!!" crowed Gaglug after
the successful assassination of his chieftan. Bringing out a
small glowing sphere, he continued, "I holds da sparkly and soon
I holds da glowysword!". Gaglug advanced to where H'rathn'gon
lay lifeless upon the stone. Before he could reach the sword,
he was seized yet again by a uncontrollable gout of magic. Light
and smoke eminated from the shaman's eyes as the wild magic
sought release. Gaglug trembled and shreiked as the channeled
energy burst from his body. Unfortunately, the magical
discharge struck Gaglug's "sparkly", knocking it from his hand.
The effect was immediate. A thunderous explosion shook the
caverns as the drow artifact activated. A large section of
floor disappeared suddenly, dropping dwarf and goblin alike into
the murky depths of the pit. Smoke and fire billowed out of the
pit, and a foul blackness seemed to flow from the evil place.
Strangely, all fighting stopped for a moment as all the
combatants turned to see what was happening. The unearthly
quiet was broken when a huge clawed hand reached out of the pit
and slammed into the stone floor. The massive claw gripped the
stone as if it was mere clay. In that instant, all semblance of
order disappeared as terrified drow, dwarves, and goblins
attempted to flee from the emerging demon.

Mighty Gaglug, Dwarf-Ripper and Troll-Eater Shaman of the
Goblins
===============================================================
=
The danger to us all.... From: Zorak

    "She is mad!" thought Zor'ak as he witnessed the opening of
the pit, "This will destroy us all!". The drow wizard stood
strangely impassive as all those around him, friend and foe
alike, fled from the emerging demon. Several other smaller forms
emerged from the pit, and began to look around while the huge
monster finally pulled itself into this plane. "Tanar'ri"
thought the drow wizard, as he subconsciously began to classify
the monsters by species and subspecies. Zor'ak cursed under
his breath. "Damn Jhaelryna and her insane schemes! To open a
gate to the abyss is madness!" Zor'ak knew that the gate could
not be easily controlled. Oh yes, it would indeed wipe out the
dwarves eventually. They would not be able to hold back the
tide of demons forever. But what then? The foul creatures would
expand from the gate in ever-widening circles. Soon the entire
surface realm could be threatened...and eventually the drow city
itself would feel the effects of this gateway to the lower
planes.     The pit rumbled, then increased in diameter by
several feet. Concerned, Zor'ak examined the gateway with his
magical senses. As the wizard examined the gate, his eyes
filled with horror. It was unstable! That fool shaman was to
blame! His wild magic had made the entire gate extremely
unstable! It was not a gateway as much as it was a rift. And
the rift was widening! It would continue to widen, sucking
everthing off of this plane, and depositing it in the abyss.
All their lives were in danger! A disaster of this magnitude
could potentially destroy all of Neverwinter. The dwarves would
be the first to die, but all the other races would soon follow.
The realms as they existed would just disappear. "DAMN YOU
VALSHARESS!!!" screamed Zor'ak as he ran towards the rift. The
Tanar'ri at the pit sensed the powerful wizard's approach, and
turned to face him. As the faern closed the distance, his mind
worked feverishly on his options. He knew what he had to do.
It was all up to him. Few in the realms had the knowledge and
the experience to do what he was attempting. The other drow with
him were useless. Mere fighters. It requires wizardly skill to
attempt to seal an interdimensional rift....

Zor'ak Alur Faern
===============================================================
=
Re:The danger to us all.... From: KAGIS

I finished my roll across the ground near a crevase in the rock
wall. Gathering myself quickly I launched forward and turned so
I'd hidden myself in the crevase watching patiently for the
battle to settle down around me. It was chaos, the drow warriors
faught dwarves and goblins alike. Goblins ran in all directions
some attempting to flee, some attempting to... well, I'm not
certain what most of them were trying.

I watched MoradinSon's troop restore some semblance of order to
the scene before me and quickly turned my attention back at my
cheif. Nystramo faught like I've never seen anyone fight
before. Pride swelled within my bones and I couldn't hold back
a laugh when Nys's feet caught the gobling chieftan by surprise.
I still carried Fulcrum in my strong arm and had a few scrolls
left, but it was too chaotic to risk casting fireballs in the
melee. Suddenly things went back to the previous state of chaos.
The goblin shaman had killed the goblin chieftan, Nys lay
wounded and dazed on the ground and some sort of magical portal
began opening.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the drow Jabbak moving toward
the portal. By the look in his eye I could tell he ment to close
it. That was good considering I started seeing very strange
creatures stepping from the portal. "Ahhh Sandstone, nae more
meanies! When dis gonna stop?" I watched the creatures and new
they were pure evil. Suddenly I felt a presense... somewhere...
I looked down. Fulcrum, the Axe was vibrating in my hand. "Wha'
be dis?" I watched one of the creatures reach forward with long
taloned arm and crush a goblin in one hand while the talons of
it's other hand sliced clean through a dwarven warrior.
"Moradin's blood! Nae silly lookin' freak o' nature's gonne be
hurtin' me kin!" I raced forward slicing my way through any
goblins foolish enough to get in my way. Fulcrum's visbrations
became stronger as I neared the creature. "I guess dis be wha'
ye were men' ta do," I wispered to my axe.

The tall creature launched one arm almost lazily at me, Fulcrum
cut deeply into before it got close. As Fulcrum cleaved the
creature's arm it began to glow. "So, ya's can 'urt jus' like
da res' o' us." I taunted. The monster roared out in pain.
And then the attacks came so fast I could barely see them. My
arms stung with pain as I moved to block each blow; the attacks
vibrating my very bones with their ferocity. "Maybe dis wasn'
suc' a goo' idea afterall."

Kagis Undermount Scout
===============================================================
=
Re:Gaglug strikes! From: Tigguhr

HAR DEE uh oh.....
===============================================================
=
Demon, drow, and an evil weapon From: Niord

Niord slowly regained his senses. His body spasmed from the
sudden realization of agonizing pain. Slowly he reached into
his pouch, and pulled out a flask. He sipped the bitter
contents slowly, feeling a little better with each swallow.
Tossing aside the empty, he withdrew another flask and downed it
all in one gulp. His arm was still of no use, but the pain was
deadened, and the blood no longer flowed from wounds.

He slowly stood up, and almost fell over as his head pounded.
Throwing the flask at a drow, and missing by a mile, he picked
up his axe and started wandering aimlessly. Cutting down a few
goblins with wildly swung blows, he continued to stumble
forward, almost tripping over a dazed dwarf on the ground.
Niord stared at him, and in a few seconds his vision cleared
enough to notice the chief. He instinktivly ducked as a bolt of
lightning hit the wall beside him. I whirled around, and there
stood a crazed goblin, with currents coursing the entirety of
it's body. It looked at me, and then at a glowing sword on the
floor. The goblin charged for the sword, and without thinking,
I did so also. I swung my axe in a staggered arc, aiming at the
goblin. As I charged, a rock snagged my foot....uh oh. My
swing missed the startled goblin by mere inches, and instead hit
the sword on the floor, sending it through the air. The goblin
was running before I hit the floor.

I lay in agony, watching the blade on it's violent flight
through the air. Then I noticed the crevace, the demon, and the
drow charging both. This was truely a sight to see. The sword,
seemingly of it's own will, was trying to stop in mid air, like
it was afraid of the hole in the ground. The drow was casting
magix on the demon, with seemingly no effect. The little
minnions all around were tearing goblins, drow, and kin apart.
I got up and ran to where I saw a scout despiratly defending
himself from one of the demons, the thought that we were all
going to die today passing through my mind again and
gain..........
===============================================================
=
Savin' The Chief From: D1AMOND 2

D1amond saw Nystramo fall in his battle with the goblin chief
and her heart stopped. Relief washed over her as her taerin's
closest threat, the goblin chief, was slain by one of his own.
Her heart started beating again twice as fast as her warriors
instinct took over. She ordered the ten to surround their chief
and quickly bent to check his health. He was unconscious, but
she had seen him take that shot to his side and saw the blood
leaking from his armor.

She ordered the ten to make a path from the battle as she and
Baldar Hmr carried the chief. As they were about to pull away,
there was a loud flash of magic, followed by cries of terror.
Not far behind them, a large pit had opened in the floor and
dwarf and goblins alike plummeted to their death.

The ten had only the protection of the chief on their minds so
they continued to slowly fight their way from the battle and,
gladly, away from the nasty looking dark hole forming in the
ground. Once the large dark creature clawed its way from the
pit, the battle was all but forgotten as the goblins ran in
every direction. Some dwarves lost heart as well, but many had
the presence of mind to stand and fight, easily slaying the
fleeing monsters. This made the tens progress faster, as they
didn't have to fight as hard to get their chief to safety.

They made their way safely from the battle area and was ushered
to a healing area by the quiet, but concerned Splendarr. The
ten secured the area as D1amond and Baldar laid Nystramo down
for the healers to attend to.
The healers looked grim as they worked on their injured chief,
and D1amond sat beside Nystramo, holding his hand and speaking
softly. The battle outside was forgotten as Nystramo's health
was seen to.
===============================================================
=
The Tiger Emerges From: HiuFang Li

 "At long last...!!"

 Gellkirk the farmer snapped his head up nervously at the sound
of the voice, which seemed to come from the very earth which he
worked. Eyes trained upon a large clump of bushes not lying far
from where he stood, the farmer gripped the large scythe he
held, sensing danger. Who in Faerun would come to his little
plot of land on the outskirts of Neverwinter? the farmer thought
worriedly.

 "Quick! Drop me, you stupid dwarf, let me go! I must get home
as swiftly as possible.."

 Gellkirk jumped at this new voice, which was much more
high-strung and rapid than the first one. Losing his fear
slightly, he stepped lightly toward the clump, more in curiosity
than anything else.

 Suddenly, a violent rustling shook the branches of growth, and
a funny little man was unceremoniously hurled from the
concealing leaves. "'Tis well, 'tis well.. you have done your
work. Go, go back to your home," a deeper, richer voice rumbled
from within the bushes. The farmer could not help cracking a
smile at the sight of the little man, who, judging from the
crumpled, pointed hat on his head, the bent and cracked
spectacles on his nose, and the dirt-stained rumpled beard
falling from his chin, was a very bedraggled and dirty gnome.

 Scrambling to his feet in a frenzied fashion, the gnome,
hardly noticing the human who stood half-gawking, half-smiling
at him, quickly took off in the direction of Neverwinter,
muttering expletives as he went along. At this moment, more
movement shook the nearby bushes, and another figure emerged
from the leaves. His jaw dropping, Gellkirk saw an even stranger
sight before him.

 It was obviously a dwarf, the cascading beard and stunted, yet
well-muscled frame telling of his race. However, that was not
what surprised the farmer. The strangest thing of all was the
dwarf's appearance: a subtle smile painted on the little
warrior's lips, he dusted off his very queerly-dressed body.
Swathed tightly in raven-black cloth which matched the color of
his beard, various little knots and tight folds marked the
strange garb; however, one could see the effects of the
wear-and-tear of hard travels on the clothing, as holes and
alarmingly large tears lay wide open all over the cloth. A few
blood-tinted bandages also lay wrapped about some of the dwarf's
limbs, and a short, black scabbard housing a sword could barely
be seen bound to the warrior's back.

 With little more than a furtive wink, the dwarf turned away
from the farmer's gaze, and sped off in the direction of
Neverwinter, the duskiness of twilight painting wierd figures on
the dwarf's quickly-disappearing form. He was soon gone without
a sound.

 Finally daring to blink, Gellkirk the farmer shook his head
hard, as if trying to wake up from a dream. Ambling over to the
clump of bushes from which the two emerged from, he parted the
foliage in curiosity, trying to deduce from where the two had
materialized. He received his answer after some moments of
searching, as he stared into the pitch-blackness of the small
entrance to a cavern. Stagnant drafts of wind, eerily warm,
drifted from the yawning mouth, hinting at what might be lurking
within....
===============================================================
=
Final blow...... From: KAGIS

My arms burn with pain and exhaustion. The creature's clawed
hands move with near blinding speed; snapping tight attacks off
in rapid succession. I can tell that even the enchantment of
Fulcrum will not hold the creature back for long.

Suddenly five goblins ran screaming smack into the creature.
The goblins were looking the other way over their shoulders at
the troop of dwarves charging them. The unfortunate goblins
didn't have time to realize their horrible fate until the
monsters claws clamped around two of the goblins; crushing the
life from their bodies and leaving terrible mangled corpes where
5 goblins had just stood moments before.

I didn't waste my chance. Pulling out one of the few scrolls I
had left, I quickly called out the mystical symbols needed to
complete the spell. I felt it's effect immediately... Fulcrum
felt lighter in my hands, and everything around me seemed to be
moving much slower. As the monster gored the last goblin I
gulped the contents of one of two potions I carried on my belt
in a speedy movement. I immediately felt my muscles bulg and
tighten. I smiled knowing that I now possessed the strength of
one of my kins most hated foes, a Stone Giant. My smile was
grim however, because I knew that this only gave me a slightly
better chance of living long enough for the drow to complete his
spells or whatever it was he was doing. I hope it's something
big enough to stop this and the other monsters that have already
stepped through the growing portal.

With that last hope and muttered prayer to Moradin for strength
I turned back to face off with the monster again. It's evil
malevelant eyes fixed on me and there was a glimmer of amused
recognition in their black depths. I gulped down my fear and
tryed to move at the speed I had been moving at earlier. If I
can trick the monster into thinking I was still on the defensive
and then suprise it I might land a few lucky blows....

The attacks came fast. I intentionally countered slowly,
blocking each attack at the absolute last moment. Using my
enhanced speed allowed me to watch my opponent more closely.
It's attacks were blindingly fast and cunning, but it made no
attempt at all to defend itself. The creature obviously thought
it's tough hide and chitinous plating was impervious to our
weapons. It stood three times my own height and most of it's
attacks were simple downward slashes and hammers, trying to
pound me into the ground. I supressed a shudder that ran
through my spine when I envisioned what the outcome of a
successful hammering or slashing would do to me.

Fulcrum pratically hums in my hands, the closer I get to the
monster the more the axe vibrates. I already know the axe would
harm the creature, so arming myself with knowledge of the
monster's strengths and weaknesses I switched battle tactics.

Instead of trying to stop each blow, I began stepping slightly
to one side and angling Fulcrum so the attack would hit
Fulcrum's flat side and then slide off to the side. The attacks
were coming so fast that the monster didn't even realize I'd
changed my defense until it had already gouged massive chuncks
in the rock floor. Still the monster rained blow after blow
down, succeeding only in diging massive furrows to either side
of me. If anything the attacks were coming faster now. A
thought occured to me, "Dis fella only payin' attenschion ta
smashin' me...." If I could just move fast enough and time it
right. I got down on one knee, holding Fulcrum over my head as
if I was tiring. Gathering my legs underneath me, I readied for
the right moment. The attacks came on "slash... gouge...
hammer... gouge...slash...gouge..... hammer...boom!" The last
attack land right on top of where I stood, leaving a tremendous
crater in the groud.

Only I no longer stood there. The monster's arm was so large
that it couldn't see around it to watch my movements as I sprang
forward. I'd used the monster's own arm to concel my mad spring
forward landing in a roll underneath the monster's very feet.
Leaping to my feet I turned and brought Fulcrum around in a
mighty swing. There was a sickening popping noise as Fulcrum
connected with the monster's upper thigh. The swing seemed to
slow down as Fulcrum cut through muscle and tendon, but I only
bunched my tired muscles and gritted my teeth, putting
everything I had into that swing. Suddenly Fulcrum burst through
the monster's leg cutting it clean in two and continued on to
the other leg. The other leg gave more easily and the monster
toppled over on it's face... claws flailing to each side as it
roared in pain.

I dizily crawled onto it's back and marched along it's odd spine
to the base of it's neck. Hefting Fulcrum in both hands I spat
at the monster, "Dis'll teach ya ta come play in our backyard."
Down came Fulcrum.

There was a loud crack followed by a tremendous roar. Light
blinded my eyes as I felt Fulcrum leave my hands. There was a
sense of floating... and it sounded like a little waterfall was
nearby. As my eyes cleared I realized with a sinking feeling
that I was actually flying through the air. Resisting the urge
to wave to my kin along the ground looking up at me in
bewilderment I focused my attention of the ground where the
monster had fallen. Not much was left, just some smoldering
bits and pieces of fetid gore. Among the gore lay Fulcrum, now
dull and lustless. A crack ran along the blade of the axe
forever ruining the mighty weapon. "Tis a shame," I mumbled and
then I hit the ground. "crash!" I thought every bone in my
body must be broken, the pain was almost unbearable. My last
thoughts before darkness fell over me was, 'how amazing it is to
fly the entire length of the cavern back to where MoradinSon's
troop were busily killing goblins... wonder if anyone will find
me?' And then darkness fell down around me choaking off my
thoughts.

Kagis Undermount Scout
===============================================================
=
Into the Valley of Death.... From: ZYXOS

:::: ZYXOS made his way back thorugh the tunnels of the
underdark... avoiding anyone or thing that might slow his return
:::: he had his orders from the queen... but it was his Jabbuk
he was going to relieve of his command... what had Zorak gotten
himself into this time :::::

:::: his physical being seemed to thin and passed through the
small crevice in the wall... and upon rematerializing ZYXOS
found himself once again beside the natural hot springs in the
underhalls of Lonely Mount ::::

:::: with the cloak of darkness about him ZYXOS began to make
his way to the main halls where already he could hear the sounds
of battle, the howls of the goblins, the singing of the dwarves,
the screams of the dying, and........... ::::RUMBLE:::::::

::: for a moment ZYXOS almost lost his footing as the mountain
itself seemed to shake :::

::: ZYXOS stretched forth his senses to locate his Jabbuk... but
the Faern's magical probing discovered something much bigger...
and much worse ::::: finally arriving behind the dwarven lines
ZYXOS pulled up short and stared with a mixture of horror and
amazement..... a portal to the Abyss.... and ....
"Tanar'ri!!".... ZYXOS muttered in amazement... and then he saw
Zorak....

::: the Alur Faern was charging the portal by himself... but
then ZYXOS realized... the others were only fighters... only he
was there to support his Jabbuk as a Faern ::::

:::Dwarves and Goblins alike were startled as the Fireballs
began to land among them.. killing all in the way.... exploding
in firey, burning infernos... leaving none standing that were
near :::::

::: ZYXOS dim doored himself as close to his Jabbuk as he
dared... not wanting to interfere with whatever Zorak had
planned or might be starting... but beginning his own spells to
support Zorak :::::

::: the Drow Sargtlin were startled to see another Jabbuk Faern
appear in their midsts... and noting the look in ZYXOS' eyes
they redoubled their efforts to keep the dwarves and goblins
alike away from Zorak ::::

::: Zorak noted the approaching Dwarves but had to concentrate
on his spells against the demon and the portal ::: for only the
briefest of moments he was startled as he sensed the presence
first... then the barrage of Magic Missiles and Fireballs flew
past him and scattered the approaching group of Dwarves to ashes
::::

::: chuckling without looking back the Alur Faern established
metal contact with his one time apprentice :::: "Welcome,
ZYXOS... about time you decided to get out and earn your keep,
young one..."

::: ZYXOS could only laugh aloud.... once again hearing the
humor of his Jabbuk ::: the laughter resounded throughout the
Halls.... and the two Jabbuk Faerns of the Drow began their
assault on the Demon and Rift, leaving the boring hand to hand
fighting to the Drow Warriors now surrounding them :::::

ZYXOS Rilynt'tar Dark One of the Drow Jabbuk Faern Rilynt'tar
===============================================================
=
The fight at the pit From: Zorak

   More demons were clawing their way from the pits with every
passing minute. But now that the major Tanar'ri was
"distracted" by the insane leaping dwarf, and now that Zyxos
stood beside him, Zor'ak actually began to feel as if events
might actually be in hand. "I must stop more Tanar'ri from
crossing" mumbled the drow. He raised his arms, and began the
arcane incantations that would give him power over the portal.
"Yoth nul huy'nar al'hrrythbar!" he shouted over the din of
battle. The pit rumbled, and a eerie moan issued from its
depths as the drow fought for dominion over the pit. Zyxos
and the other drow soldiers formed a protective semicircle
around Zor'ak, as the ancient wizard stood on the very precipice
of hell itself. Flashing blades and sizzling magic kept dwarf,
goblin, and demon alike away from the Faern's task.
   Storm spotted the contingent of drow in front of the pit.
Looking closely, he saw the darkrobed drow wizard gesticulating
wildly. What was he doing? Of course! He was summoning
another great demon! "By Moradin's beard I has had enow
fingerwagglin fer one day. I wont stands fer more!" he spat, and
he led his soldiers directly towards the drow. Another dwarven
veteren piped up "We has gots ta stop dem darkun elfies from
callin up anoder demon! Have at 'em, lads! Show 'em a taste o'
dwarven steel!".

   Spotting the group of dwarves on an intercept course (how
could they move so quickly, he wondered), Zyxos barked out
commands to his men. The drow soldiers deployed to stop the mad
charge of the dwarves.

    Zor'ak finally gained some measure of control over the
rift. He had managed to disconnect the other end of the portal,
so no further demons could pass through. Now all he had to do
was seal off this end...

    Dwarf and drow crashed together in a swirl of blades.
Moradinson charged the leader of the drow, ready to skewer the
elf with his trident. Zyxos, seeing the dwarf coming, had a
unpleasant surprise ready. A gout of flame shot from the drow's
hands and struck Morad fully in the chest. Howling in pain,
Storm rolled to the side, his beard smoking and burning. Another
dwarf stepped up to Zyxos and engaged him in hand to hand
combat. Storm shook his head to clear his thoughts, and looked
around. There was his opportunity! Zyxos had been distracted
by the other dwarf's attacks, and there was a break in the drow
line. Quick as lightning, Morad was on his feet and diving
through the line of drow. "Enow fingerwagglin, darklin!" he
cried as he cast his net over Zor'ak.

   "Almost...almost..." thought Zor'ak. The pit rumbled and
belched, and had by now stopped gouting fire and steam. Then
his spellcasting was rudely broken by the casting of the dwarven
net. "Nooooooo" screamed Zor'ak, "Nooooooooo!!!!!!" He felt
his control over the rift weaken, then fail. The rift became
completely unstable, connecting up randomly with the outer
planes. Instead of fighting his assailant, Zor'ak put the last
of his energy in a vain attempt to seal this end of the rift...

    Storm stabbed the entrapped drow viciously with his
trident. The drow buckled and fell to his knees, but still
persisted in his spellcasting. "I duz ye a favor now Ye old
festerin boil ta me kin! Ye likes Demons do ye? Go Joins um!"
shouted Moradinson as he used the leverage granted by the
trident and the net to attempt to toss the drow into the pit.
The wizard shouted something in Common at the dwarf, but Morad
heard none of it. Morad gave one last effort "Off ye goes!",
and put his full force into the blow. Morad's momentum was
unstoppable. Both the drow and the dwarf pitched over into the
rumbling pit, and disappeared from sight in its depths. The
rift shook and rumbled, then began to close slowly.

Zor'ak Alur Faern
===============================================================
=
The Bounce That Roared From: Tigguhr

With Dwyvrn missing D1 was in charge of the ten, which made
Tigguhr second. Now the bouncer would be the last to question
D1's fortitude or command of a situation, but protecting the
chief took on an entirely different meaning when it was your
betrothed. She has the look of the momma tiger, thought Tigguhr.
The jungle dwarf guessed that it would be the place of a number
two to suggest a couple of things.

"Whi respec' Lass, I sugges' a outer an inner perimeter ta
guards tha chief, I takes tha outer, ye takes tha inner, puttin
tha bes' nearest 'im until he waked up." D1 assented, "Haves at
it lad, bu' nae too far away. Stays whar I cin sees ya." Tigguhr
then suggested further, "We sets up a tha doorway, soes ye cin
see us, an tha kin can sees us too." The tiger eyed lass nodded.

Tigguhr motioned for two of the remaining ten to join him.
Setting up within view of the battle and D1, he realized that
the last thing the kin saw was a fallen leader being carted off.
Now, the very denizens of hell were in the mount. There was
total mayhem and then Moradinson and a vile drow plummeted into
a huge rift. Commanded to go no further, Tigguhr non-the-less
saw that the kin needed rallying. He needed to let the kin know
that the chief was alive and would fight again!

 He had to get their attention by calling to them, but how to
make them hear above the din of the battle? How could he get
them to pay attention just for the briefest moment to hear a
rallying cry? He could think of only one way. Tigguhr called
upon an old jungle skill of his forefathers, one that he hoped
to never use for fear that it might make him seem strange to the
others in his adopted clan.
Tigguhr cleared his throat, sucked in a huge volume of air and
bellowed out a huge, "RRROOOAAAAAAARRRRRR!," like that of the
great jungle cats. "Kin! Be knowin' tha yer chief nae fallin ta
any darklin er gobbo this or any day! Fights on ta clears tha
mount o this scum!"
===============================================================
=
Nae So Fas' Thar Stormy! From: Emmrald

Stuck during most of the battle tending to the little ones,
Emmrald heard like everyone else the splitting stone that shook
the Mount and heralded the arrival of the demons. Even this
didn't sway her from her duty to protect the tiniest of the kin.
But then she felt an overpowering feeling that something was
terribly, terribly wrong, and her Taerin was involved. "Time ta
stop bein' tha nursemaid! Sandstone! I shou' be next ta tha lad!"

Running from the nursery, axe in hand, she barrelled through the
back of the dwarven ranks and through a few unlucky goblins.
She got as close to the rift as possible, grabbed the nearest
kin and said, "Did he go down thar?" The battered and bloodied
dwarf had a resigned look on his face, "Aye lass, afraid so."

Emmy hollered down the hole, "Ya nae gittin ou' a the weddin tha
way lad!" She then called for a rope, which she tied to the
heaviest kin she could find. She then tossed the other end of
the rope down the hole. "Gits up here lad and dinna drop me
ring!"
===============================================================
=
I misses anythin'? From: Nystramo

He was back in the stone cavern of many months ago, where
Mysalla first told him of his destiny. "Hrmph!" he muttered.
"Nae agin. I thots I done me bit, eh?"

"Har! Nae likely, lad!" he heard behind him. Without bothering
to turn he barked, "Blast ye, Mysalla, ya alas gots ta sneaks up
on me!?"

His long dead grandmother hopped off of her boulder and
approached him. He turned, just in time to see her wink. "Heh.
Comes wi' tha territory, lad. We nae gots mu' time, so I makes
it quick. Yer kin be in dire need o' ye. Tha darklin's ha'
summoned a whole mess o' trouble in yer mount, an' they needs ya
ta inspires 'em. So wakes up and an' gits goin' wi' tha
inspirin'!"

Before he could respond, the cave was already fading away......

***** Dimly, he heard the crack of stone, the din of battle,
the.... roar of a jungle cat? Shaking his head, Nystramo awoke
to the face of D1amond at his side, watching him with concern.
He managed a smile and whispered, "Heh, seems we be reversed
now, eh taerin?" He added a wink for good measure. D1 grinned
back and kissed his forehead, saying "Hrmph! Enou' o' yer
lollygaggin' abouts, lad. Fixes me some dinner!"

A loud "HAR!" escaped the chief before he could stop it, causing
his side to flair up in pain. The nearby cleric clucked over
him, casting another healing spell. "Enou' o' that, chief. Ya
nae be in any condition ta be merry!"

Nys chuckled and propped himself up against the stone wall. The
Ten that were standing nearby all sighed in relief to see their
chief awake and alert, if not exactly bursting with energy.
Nystramo nodded to the cleric, "Aye, lad, I dinna thin' I be
battlin' anymore giant gobbos fer another few minutes, a' leas'.
Now, tells me whats I missed."

Suddenly, everybody was looking grim. D1 summed it up for him as
well as she was able. "Tha darklin's ha' summoned a demon throu'
a 'uge crack. Kagis wa' battlin' it, an' puttin' up a heroic
struggle, bu' now he be down. Storm went af'er it too, an' he
tumbled down inta tha hole wi' it. I'm sure'n some o' tha kin be
thinkin' ya dead. Lad, it be chaos ou' there."

Grimly, Nys propped himself up. Leaning on Rorn Norogh for
support, he went to the mouth of the alcove and looked out. He
managed a grin for The Ten gaurding the outer perimeter, but
only a quick one. D1's summary had been an understatement. Tiny
wars raged all over the cavern. Kin were battling drow, goblins,
and minor demons everywhere. All coordination had been lost with
the release of the major demon and the seeming loss of their
chief and Rrin Kuld. Mysalla was right. They needed a rallying
point. Unfortunately, Nys barely had the strength to stand. How
could he bring order to this mass of confusion?

Turning back, he saw everyone looking to him for an answer. He
had none. The best he could manage was a whispered, "Gordul."
===============================================================
=
Despirate situations From: Niord

As I run forward, many things happen at once. Stupid goblins, I
fell three of them, barily breaking stride. Well, the
undermount scout had the demon, don't ask how, and I could see
the smile on his face as he flew through the air, before he
connected with the cave wall. Luckly, there was a nice pile of
goblin bodies under it, so at least the fall wasn't to bad. But
I knew that the wall was less than forgiving, and now another
Kin was down for the duration.

I saw ol' Storm charge forward with his band. A good fight with
the drow they had, and I smiled as Storm got the better of the
drow that was opening the pit. Then they fell in, and I felt a
scream rip my throat as I saw him tumble into that hole. The
dwarves with Storm faltered, and the drow managed to drive them
back.

Then a roar. A loud roar. I looked back, and there was Tigg.
I kinda stared at him for a sec, then looked up. Uh oh....
"LOOKS OOT KIN!!!" Yes, Tigguhr got our attention, more so than
needed. He started a partial cave in. I was busy dodging for
my life, rage when I saw a kin get crushed under a huge boulder.
Glee when a stalagtite impaled a demon. Drow, Goblin, and Dwarf
ran for the tunnels and caverns for safety. I saw Emmy and
another dwarf charge forward to the hole, with Emmy going into
it?!?!?! The sudden dropping chunks did not cause nearly as
much damage as the fire from the pit did, but it broke the
remaining resolve in all out there, save for one Drow, who was
still waggleing his fingers.

I ran at him, ready to skewer him, but I noticed his
concentration, and also the hole in the ground was closing.
Could the darkie actually be trying to CLOSE the hole they
made??? I will probably never forgive myself for what I did
next, but a huge rock was falling, would have landed right on
his head, but I finished my charge, and with a mighty swing, my
axe connected with the rock over Zyxos's head, the shrieking of
steel and stone meeting, and the stone finally gave away, half
of it falling to either side of the drow. My ears rang, but I
was slightly amused at the look the drow gave me before
continuing his spells.

A howl cut short. I looked at the pit. The demons either had
retreated down the hole or were smashed by falling rocks. That
is when I saw the dwarf crushed under the rock, the one that was
holding Emmy. I ran forward, the rope was breaking, falling
down the hole! I dropped my axe, needing my only good arm to
grab the rope. I dove for it, seeming like an eternity. Got
it! >SNAP< It broke, and I found myself sliding towards the
hole! Quick, had to think quick. I rolled forward, letting the
rope wrap around me. Tying it tight around my waist, just as I
reached the edge. Nothing to grab hold of....I started falling
into the hole. By Morad, massive root in the ground. I grabbed
it desperatly, wrapping my arm around it, gritting my teeth, and
pryaing to Morad for all the strength I would need. That is
when I saw the sword finally fall down the hole.....and what I
thought was the faint echo of a scream from down below a few
seconds later......
===============================================================
=
Mom always said-Nae in tha house From: Tigguhr

Tigguhr was shocked at the effect of his roar. "Ya dun gone an'
caused trouble agin, lad," he thought. "Nae wunders mamma nae
let's me practice roarin' inside!" The bouncer grew very
concerned at kin being hurt by the falling rock. It appeared
that a few had been crushed. Hopefully things weren't as bad as
they appeared. Regardless, he stuck to his post. No one was
getting to the chief.

Tigguhr glanced over his shoulder at Nystramo, looking for a new
inspiration. He was standing! But he sure wasn't saying much....
===============================================================
=
Har...'ow I gits 'ere From: Niord

Morad's trap, spells flying everywhere, hellfire and quakes, no
wonder the dang roof was falling. And how the heck did I get
here? I found a ledge to get footing on, so now I was anchoring
the rope. Still got my arm wrapped on the root. I am a mere
foot from the opening, not far at all. Oh boy. Now what?
Someone has to go down and find out what is happening. The
rocks have stopped falling.....

Well, I did the only logical thing...."Sumun gits o'er 'ere an
'elps!"
===============================================================
=
The Darkness Withdraws From: ZYXOS
::: Grappling with the accursed dwarf had taken just long enough
to allow the breech in the lines ::: slamming his hammer upon
the shield of the dwarf was enough of a distraction that the
magic missle from ZYXOS' incantation tore into the chest of the
dwarf and threw him back into his comrades ::: spinning back to
the Rift, ZYXOS was horrified to see that Zorak had not only
been impaled on the trident of a charging dwarf but they were
both pitching into the rift and disappearing from sight :::::

ZYXOS received a last mental link with Zorak instructing him to
start closing the rift from the surface for he was disconnecting
the rift from below... Zorak and the dwarf would be trapped on
another plane... but no further demons would be able to escape
the Abyss as the surface rift was sealed.

The battle had degenerated into many small skirmishes,
individuals doing whatever they could to protect themselves...
attack the nearest enemy... or figure out what was going on.
::: casting the spells Zorak had advised him of, ZYXOS began to
feel a give in the rift... and it slowly began to close ::: he
tried to ignore the female dwarf yelling down the hole..
.another roaring like a wounded Hookhorror in the Underdark....
still another yelling about something called a Nystramo :::

::: his primary concern became the dwarf now running at him with
axe held high... but he could not stop his casting now... Zorak
might have given his life to allow this one opportunity to save
the Material Plane from the disaster now awaiting to befall it
:::

::: the rift continued to close as the remaining Drow Sargtlin
did what they could to keep the dwarves and goblins alike away
from their one remaining Faern, but that one dwarf had gotten
through ::::

******* C R A C K*********

::: suddenly stones fell to either side of ZYXOS and he glanced
at the dwarf staring at him with half surprise and half
uncertainty :::: he had saved ZYXOS from a falling stone ::::
the blood red eyes narrowed questioningly... wondering if the
Dwarves actually were smart enough to have seen what he was
doing ::: but quickly going back to his concentration on the
rift ::::
:::: the Dwarf then hurtled past him... running for the female
yelling down the rift, but now in danger of falling in herself
::: and the rift continued to close :::: the dwarf almost
reached her when when the ropes began to give way.. now both
were in danger of plummeting into the rift... but the rift
continued to close ::::

::: it seemed that the sounds of battle began to fade..... the
dwarves were beginning to rush to assist those that were in
danger of going into the rift ::: the goblins were still trying
to fight but without leadership were denerating into a mindless
mass of fear and pain ::: a few though were trying to stop the
rift from closing.. .wanting to retreive the sword ::: the Drow
Warriors were quickly killing any goblin that tried to reach
ZYXOS as he continued his incantations... and the rift continued
to close ::::

::: the dwarf had secured a hold on a massive root.... and was
desperately tyring to reach the female :::: THE ROOT GAVE WAY!!
:::: the two of them started tumblig toward the rift.... ******
CARRRUMMMPPPPPP ******** :::: the rift closed and the two
dwarves went rolling over the now sealed and secured stone ::::::

::: ZYXOS fell to his knees in exhaustion :::: the infuriated
goblins rushed towards him :::: a flurry of deadly handheld
poisoned cross bow bolts from the Drow Warriors cut them down
::: one Sargtlin rushed to ZYXOS and assisted him to his
feet.... there were dead Dwarves, Drow, and Goblins strewn about
the cavern... but it was obvious the remaining Drow were now
greatly outnumbered, discovered, and exhausted :::::

The Darkness Withdraws From: ZYXOS

::: ZYXOS fell to his knees in exhaustion :::: the infuriated
goblins rushed towards him :::: a flurry of deadly handheld
poisoned cross bow bolts from the Drow Warriors cut them down
::: one Sargtlin rushed to ZYXOS and assisted him to his
feet.... there were dead Dwarves, Drow, and Goblins strewn about
the cavern... but it was obvious the remaining Drow were now
greatly outnumbered, discovered, and exhausted :::::

::: with the few heal spells still remaining, ZYXOS quickly
brought the remaining Drow back to the point they could defend
themselves and begin their withdrawl ::::

:::Globes of darkness suddenly fell over the Dwarven Troops
cutting off the goblin army from the few remaining Hammer
Corps.... another fell over the opening to the small alcove
where the Dwarven Chief had appeared... and a final one fell
over the path of retreat back to the Hot Spring Cavern deep in
the Dwarven underhalls ::::

::: taking their commands from the Jabbuk Faern in the intricate
Drow sign language, the Drow warriors began an ordrely move
through the globe of darkness ::: there were a few Dwarves and
many goblins trying to block their way... but most were avoided
and a few descimated by the magic and weapons of the Drow now
intent upon returning for their report to the Queen :::: Zorak
had greatly underestimated the resourcefulness of the Dwarves...
but he had saved the Underdark from the potential threat of the
InterPlanier Rift::::

::: the move was steady... and finally the Drow found themselves
in the open tunnels of the Dwarven Underhalls and quickly made
their way to the Hot Springs ::: without hesitating the warriors
made for the crack in the stone wall.. and as each approached
ZYXOS' magic moved them through the crack and into the Underdark
::::

::: finally on their home ground... the Drow formed up and began
the journey back to Rilauven...... but ahead was seen a
messenger.... specifically seeking the Jabbuk
ZYXOS:::::::::::::::::::::

<signed for the final time as> ZYXOS Rilynt'tar Dark One of the
Drow Jabbuk Faern Rilynt'tar
===============================================================
=

What the 'Ell? From: DoozerVee

Duzerentin Vendemir - late of the city/mountain Andamon and the
Dragonspine Mountains - trudged endlessly through the UnderDark,
as he had for the last three months. His keen darkvision swept
continuously along the walls and ceilings of the passage he was
currently transiting, noting every shadowed crevice, ledge and
overhang. His mind was operating on two levels - only a small
alert portion was on the dark, silent world about him. The
majority of his cosciousness continued a months-old diatribe
directed at his father. "Aye, ye c'n call me younglin all ye
wish, but ye canna forget that th' Sovereign was makin' tracks
on th' Glory Road when he were but a bare-chinned tyke o' 44! I
be as doughty and able as he e'er were, an' more years under me
belt te boot! I'll be showin' th' folk back home, mark me
words! Soon's I reach Waterdeep, I'll be hitchin' a ride on th'
first 'jammer off'n Toril, an' then stand by, fer th' Spheres'll
be fearin' th' name DoozerVee, an' no mistake!! Why, when I
makes me fortune I'll - " DoozerVee's internal dialogue was
rudely interrupted by a quaking in the tunnel around him.
Chunks of the elemental rock which composed the halls of the
UnderDark fell about him as he struggled to keep his feet. The
tremor passed as quickly as it had come, but the young dwarf's
hackles raised in its wake as a sudden gust of air brought a
hint of a scent which chilled him to the bone. "What the 'Ell?
Me nose's tellin' me Daemonkin're about! " His heart began
pounding.

DoozerVee tried to calm his racing heart and quell the memories
of the Devilqueen Tiamat's attack on Andamon two years before.
He forced himself to confront the problem at hand. Now the
sounds of battle could be discerned from several of the black
tunnels surrounding him. Unearthly cries, screams and the
unmistakeable sound of dwarven-forged steel echoed about him.
Dwarf-kin! "If'n Dwarves be battlin' Daemonkin, then they'll be
needin' every blade they c'n muster!" Without another thought he
charged toward the mouth of a tunnel from which issued the
loudest clangor. He had been running for only a few moments
when a terrible roar again shook the very bones of the earth
around him. Almost immediately the first Unhumans tore up the
passage toward him. With a thrill of fear and excitement he
took his stance and readied his axe. The goblins however took
no more notice of him than they would a stalagmite in the center
of the tunnel, parting around him like a river of stinking
flesh. DoozerVee was astounded, but if they were going to
ignore him, he was going to get on to the REAL battle - with the
demons! Gripping the axe he had "borrowed" from his tyrant
Paater, he forged ahead.
===============================================================
=
BANZAI!!! From: DoozerVee

   The sight that greeted the young dwarf's eyes was a scene
from the lowest pits of Hell; bodies of dwarves were
interspersed with those of goblins and creatures he recognized
instantly as drow elves. Shattered rock still fell
intermittently from above in the cavern, which was lit with a
pulsing red glow. Knots of fighting were scattered about, and
the stench of Daemonkind hung heavy in the heated air. As
DoozerVee watched, the glow diminished and the cavern shook once
more as the deep crunch of grinding rock echoed.        For a
moment, it seemed as if everything stopped, and a n eerie
silence fell; then, the hue and cry of battle rung out once
more. Duzerentin cast about for a place to throw himself into
the fray, or some beleaguered dwarf in need of help.
Suddenly, a hand grasped his shoulder and a voice rang in his
ear, speaking Dwarven with a peculiar accent. "Fash, boy, dinna
stand there like a gawky-eyed chile! Picks yersel' some goblins
er darklins an' lay en out! Th' chief's nae dead, an' we has te
clear out these halls ere they become like rats an' vanish in
tha woodwark!" The armored dwarf didn't wait for a reply, but
waded gleefully into a melee with three terrified goblins.
DoozerVee shrugged and followed, firmly gripping his axe.
===============================================================
=
Gaglug's retreat From: Gaglug

    The goblin army had completely disintegrated. There were
still pockets of fighting goblins, but all order had been lost.
Gaglug vainly waved his arms, attempting to use his powers.
Unfortunately for the shaman, the psychic energy that was
feeding him had disappeared. The energy came from the united
minds of the goblin horde. Now that the horde had been
dissolved, so had the shaman's powers. Realizing that all was
lost, Gaglug took to his heels along with the rest of his
comrades. The crazed shaman disappeared back into the deep
tunnels. Mumbling and talking to himself, he began his
plotting. He would rebuild the goblin army, oh yes. He would
once again wield the mighty power. It was rightfully his. He
would be back. And next time, he would be better prepared.

Mighty Gaglug, Dwarf-Ripper and Troll-Eater Shaman of the
Goblins
===============================================================
=
...falling... From: Zorak

    Time seemed to stretch out into an indeterminate blur. As
he fell, Zor'ak sensed that Zyxos was indeed finishing his work.
The rift would be closed. The threat to the Underdark had been
removed. The drow and the dwarf continued their falling.
The ancient wizard could only wonder where they would end up.
In the confusion, Zor'ak had re-aligned the rift. But to where?
In his haste, the wounded drow had attempted to connect the
interplanar rift with another world on the Prime Material...but
had he succeeded? They would soon find out....

Zor'ak Alur Faern
===============================================================
=
Tired! Nae! From: Tigguhr

Tigguhr looked around the battle field, drow retreating, kin
toppled over, gobbo heads rollin' around loose.

It got very quiet (for a change!) "Ya all be tuckered ou' after
tha battle so's ya nae got anythin ta says?? Suren ya dinna
wants tha bouncer ta be fillin' tha gap do ya know? Thar only
be trouble! Ya dinna wants me comin up whi a new plot twist do
ya?"

(can't help it-two days without a post? Oh well, we all gotta
recharge sometime!)

Tigguhr 3rd o' tha 10 Jungle Dwarf Gap Filler
===============================================================
=
The Fog of Battle Lifts... From: DoozerVee

The young dwarf gazed about the cavern at the carnage and felt a
sense of bitter disappointment, mixed with a dash of relief. It
appeared that the battle was over; goblins were still scurrying
into the shadows, but the only Dark elves left were dead ones,
and there were no signs of the Daemonkin that had surely been
here only moments ago. A hand gripped his shoulder and turned
him about. A grizzled dwarven face peered at him through the
disordered red locks hanging in its eyes. "Well, lad, yer not
from tha Peak, then, are ya?" A hint of suspicion crept into
his face and he gripped his axe tighter. "Ye'd best be splainin
yersel', or by th beard o th' Forger, I'll be cleavin' yer from
crown ta toes!"

   DoozerVee spoke hastily, hands up in a sign of peace.
"Beggin' yer pardon, lordship but I was travellin th' Darkways
an' heard the sound o' battle, an' could hear th' ring o steel
forged by th' People, so I bethought meself te throw in wi' ye,
fer good or ill. I means no harm, an' crave only yer patience
wi' me, who is but a stranger t'yer lands."

  The warrior relaxed a bit, then spoke softly. "Aye, laddie,
enow o' me brethren lie still as stone in this here Doomcave,
so's I be right glad ta welcome ya t' the Lonely Peak. I be
Tigguhr, Kuldmorndin o' Clan Axepeak, an' temp'rary Warchief, as
well, it seems. Would 'twere more peaceable circumstance I
could greet ya in, but ye takes what ye gets I guess. Come wi'
me laddie, an' watch me back whilst I makes da rounds o' the
wounded. We ken observe formal stuff later."         Heart beating
hard, DoozerVee followed the grizzled, weary veteran as he began
the sad task of tallying the grim results of the day's carnage.
===============================================================
=
The End of The Beginning From: Nystramo

Nystramo stood watching it all. The drow forces withdrawing and
making their escape, the last remnants of the goblin force being
cut down as they ran, the rest of the minor demons either being
destroyed or disappearing into the shadows for the time being.
Amazingly, it was all coming to an end.

Every now and then, it seemed, Tigguhr would look his way for
direction. Oddly enough, though, Nys saw that there was nothing
to direct. Everything was being taken care of. His kin
understood mopping up very well indeed. And it was a good thing,
too. Nys was in no condition to lead right now.

His side still ached from his battle with the goblin chieftan,
and his mind reeled from what he had seen. He still had trouble
accepting it. Moradinson, plunging into the gaping hole with the
drow.... and the hole closing behind him. Storm was gone.

Storm was gone. And Dwyvyrn was still missing. And HiuFang Li
had not returned from his mission into the Underdark, and
nothing had been heard from him either. And Starkadh had left
the mount ages ago, and nobody had any idea where he had gone
(but it certainly wasn't where Nys had asked him to go, it
seemed). And Patroc1us was off on yet another mysterious
journey. And Heese simply wasn't herself when the Scowler was
away.

"Gordul," he muttered as he surveyed the cavern. Dead kin lay
everwhere, and the count of the wounded was staggering.
Shattered stonework littered the floor, and he was certain that
most of the mount would need to be repaired in one way or
another. (Baldar Hmr, it seemed, was going to be leaving his
apprenticeship earlier than he had expected, with Moradinson
gone.) Victory not withstanding, Clan Axepeak had met with a
disaster of tremendous proportions. Rebuilding would not be an
easy task.

"An' I be alone ta see over it," he said. A hand touched his
shoulder, then. He turned to see D1amond looking at him with a
serious expression. "Ya nae be alone, lad. Ya has ne'er been
alone, an' ya ne'er will be."

He looked from his taerin, to the remainder of The Ten standing
around him (not quite ten now, he thought grimly), to the faces
of all of his kin already hard at work to repair what had been
damaged. No, he thought, he wasn't alone. Nobody was alone in
Lonely Mountain. Ever.

"Gordul," he swore again. But this time he said it with a touch
of wonder.
===============================================================
=
The pains of war... From: KAGIS

A tough thick hand seems to materialize out from underneath a
pile of rubble. After several moments of clearing away debre,
Kagis stumbles from the pile.

"Har!" Clutching my side in pain I realize that several ribs,
and at least my left arm are broken. "Durn beast done deals
som' nasty blows." I manage to walk over to the spot where the
beast fell, and retrieved Fulcrum. A long rent flawed it's once
shiny blade. I pick up the axe in my right hand, and whisper to
it, "Ya done well Fulcrum." Thinking that perhaps the blade
might one day be reforged I stumbled back over toward the fore
of the cavern where Nys stands with Di at his side.

Nys raises an eyebrow at my staggering approach, "Lad... shoul'
ye be up an' 'bout?"

Di just clucked at me as she shook her head.

"It's nae pro'lem chief..." I wince as the pain in my side
throbs. Lifting up my left hand in my right, I nod toward the
ring still wrapped warmly around my finger. "Me Axe been torn,
and me family armor's nae more. But I still gots me papy's ring
o' re'gen'ration. Give me a few days ta racoop... recooop...
err.. rest, an' I'll be back ta me old self."

Nys smiles, "Take yer time lad, there'll be plenty of work for
ya when yer ready and fit."
Through the pain, I stand tall, nod my head to Di and then
salute Nys, my chief. Then turning I stagger back to my room to
rest and wait for the ring to finish my healing.

Kagis Undermount Scout
===============================================================
=
Time for a breath From: Niord

Niord lay there on the ground where the crevace was only moments
before. He was so intent on maintaining a hold on the rope he
didn't notice Emmrald come back up it. She lay there, out of
breath, and the pain of losing Storm clearly evident. There is
nothing I can do for her ;(

I survey the cavern. It is enough to make a grown dwarf want to
cry. Dead goblins, drow, and kin lay all over. Some places,
the bodies are two and three high. The number of wounded is
staggering, and even the proudest of us have suffered their
losses. After everything else...it is to much to bear. I
silently lay back and let the comforting darkness of
unconsioiusness overtake me...

Niord Thunderstrike
===============================================================
=
Pellera?? Pel???!!! From: Kheldoar

::: there had been nothing heroic in his actions....there were
no great stories to be told.... he was but a warrior and had
done a warrior's duty :::

Kheldoar was battered and bruised.... there was blood on his
armor... whether his or drow or goblin, no one could be
sure....the ebony shield of his Pap had been battered and
dented, but it had done it's job and he was still alive.

Anyone watching him would see that he seemed to wander
aimlessly... but his eyes were scanning every crevice and nook
in the great hall.... he used his fork to move the dead bodies
where they were piled on top of each other... occasionally a
wounded kin was found and a healer was summoned.

There was no spring to his step as one normally saw... he could
have been bleeding beneith his armor.. but there was no sign of
it as Kheldoar continued what seemed to be and endless quest and
searching in the great hall and surrounding caverns.

Finally he moved past D1 and Nys close enough that they could
see a vacant look in Khel's eyes as he wandered.... and he was
mumbling ..... a lost and lonely mumble....

Upon seeing the female form standing beside his chief... Khel
hesitated only slightly to look at the female Dwarf there... and
there was only a moment of hope in his eyes......

"Pel ?"........ :::but it was his Chief's lass... and she
cared for him and he was holding her::::

D1and Nys looked at Kheldoar.... and understood as only a female
and male in love, and caring for each other could
understand..... and they saw the vacant look return to
Kheldoar's eyes as he turned to continue his lost and lonely
search ::::: "Pellera?" was the plaintive cry they heard coming
from his
lips.............................................................
 ........
===============================================================
=
Aftermath From: D1AMOND 2

D1amond stood with Nystramo as the battle came to an end. Kin
were busy uncovering bodies and tending to the wounded. The
dead were quietly carried to a small cavern off to the side of
the battle site and moans and cries of grief could be heard
echoing from that direction. The occasional scream of terror
could be heard when the search party rooted out another hiding
goblin and did away with it.

With each passing minute, Nystramo leaned heavier and heavier on
D1's supporting arm. Seeing that all of the real threats were
gone, she quietly whispered to her taerin, "If'n ye'll nae lay
down an' rest, at least ye cin sits down."

Too tired to speak, Nys nodded. D1 asked a passing lad to bring
the chief a chair to sit in. The lad quickly brought back a
chair and D1 helped Nys sit, and made sure he was comfortable.
Handing him an ale, she squatted down in front of the chair and
asked, "Ye ok fer now me lad?" ::nod:: "I has ta go an' find me
sis. Ye understands if'n I nae stands by yer side fer a bit?"
"I understands, me lass, yer sister be needin' ye rite now too."

Giving him a quick kiss, D1 stood again and charged the ten that
still stood nearby to take care of him. She scanned the room
and saw that Emmy was still standing in the same spot, stareing
at the ground. D1 made her way over to her grieving sister and
wrapped her arm around her shoulder.

Emmrald was muttering and apparantly in shock. "Gettin' married
next week. Had ta gets yerself burried." D1 tried to pull her
away from the spot where the rift had closed, but Emmrald
stubbornly refused to be moved and continued to talk to the
ground.

D1 grabbed each side of Emmy's face and turned it so that Em was
looking into her eyes. "Ye needs ta rest, sis. Don't be
thin'in tha' a large rift inta tha abyss itself'll put a stop ta
yer taerin. He too stubborn ta die tha' easy."

Emmrald's haunted eyes looked back at her sister's. D1amond
pulled her sister into her arms and gave her a long gentle hug,
then slowly guided her back across the room.
===============================================================
=
Aftermath From: DoozerVee

Duzerentin felt a horrible chill run down his spine. The sense
of deja vu was so overwhelming he almost fell to his knees: The
devastation was almost exactly what had happened to his
homeland, the glorious mountain/city Andamon; the only thing
missing was the bodies of human and elven defenders mixed in
with those of the dwarves, and the signs of dragon attacks.
Even the grief of the two females nearby staring at the ground
where the chasm had been was dreadfully familiar. His father
had gazed at the pile of rubble which had taken his mother in
just such a manner. He knew that at least a few of the warriors
of this clan had vanished into the maw of the earth which had
been open here so short a while before - much the same as
Captain Mistknell's fiancee had been kidnapped from the Great
Library by the minions of Tiamat. His hatred of Daemonkin grew
by leaps and bounds as he gazed once more on the havoc the
denizens of the Lower Planes were wont to wreak on the hapless
citizens this one. Suddenly a howl built up and exploded from
his lips, ringing stridently from the walls of the cavern. "BY
THE BEARDS OF THOR AND REORX, I'LL NOT SUFFER DAEMONKIN
T'BREATHE TH' AIR O' MY HOME PLANE NO MORE!! IF'N E'ER YE COME
NEAR ME, SPAWN O' HELL, I'LL BE HANDIN' YE YER HEADS AS MEMENTOS
O' YER MEETIN' WI' ME!!" Shaking with emotion, DoozerVee sank
to his knees as the dwarves nearby gazed at him in shock.
Overcome by grief - old and new, owned and shared - he was past
caring.
===============================================================
=
More aftermath From: Emmrald

As D1amond slowly, gently guided her sister across the cavern,
she felt Emmrald suddenly turn and break out of her comforting
embrace. Sobbing, Emmy beat her axe against the stone floor
where the chasm had opened.

"Open up, ye filthy demons! I wants me Taerin! Ye cin nae
keeps me frum him!", she screamed, striking again and again
until sparks and chips of stone flew around her. She continued
chopping at the stone and yelling until she dropped to her knees
exhausted. When her rage subsided (and her axe lost most of its
edge), D1amond put a hand on Emmrald's shoulder. Emmy looked up
at her sister with tear-filled green eyes. "I gots ta git me
Taerin back, Sis, I gots ta.."

D1amond sighed heavily as she put her arm around her sister and
guided her once more back to their kin. "Ye will, Emmy, ye
will" she whispered, "It wou' take more'n a pack o' demons ta
keeps tha' stubborn lad down thar."
===============================================================
=
Subj: Standin Firm (sorta) Date: 95-04-11 22:04:00 EDT From:
Tigguhr

There were no more foes to fell, so tha bouncer stopped still.
Looking left and then right he saw far fewer than ten and not
many officers left. Still, he had his duty. Looking over to
where the rift had been, he saw the two sisters grieving and
consoling each other. He saw the chief slumped in his chair,
but with a grim, determined, almost heartened look in his eyes.

Tigguhr hauled himself over to stand next to the chair that Nys
sat in. He took up his post once again. With honor and
dignity, he guarded his chief.
===============================================================
=
The Lost Patrol Returns From: Dwyvyrn
(Subtitled: Jeb Stuart arrives at Gettysburg)

Gilgina glanced sidelong at Dwyvyrn as the two dwarves raced
along with the young fighter Nalvor toward a large cavern where
they knew their kin must be battling the goblin army. Her eyes
narrowed slightly as she considered the change that had come
over Dwyvyrn recently. After the fight with the goblin
chieftan, their subsequent rescue by Niord, and the collapse of
the tunnels beneath the Mount, Dwyvyrn had seemed in a daze.
Since then had led them on a wandering ramble through the now
somewhat random series of tunnels that led back to the halls of
the clan. Frequently he had turned in the wrong direction, only
to mutter, "Hmmm..rite ye is lass," when Gilgina pointed out the
correct path to him.

That had all changed now. As the stench of the goblin armies
increased, so too did Dwyvyrn's energy. He began to increase
their pace, and decide more quickly and positively as to the
correct route to take in pursuit of the goblin armies. His
return to form was complete the moment they saw the first goblin
running down the corridor toward them. Dwyvyrn's axe was out in
a heartbeat and he charged the foul creature, cutting it cleanly
in two before it even had a chance to scream. They had been
running at a full sprint ever since, pausing only momentarily to
slay any goblins who had the bad fortune of choosing this tunnel
to flee from the epic battle with Clan Axepeak in the cavern
ahead.

Dwyvyrn and his companions ran untiringly, possessed by the urge
to get into the fray alongside the members of their clan. So
possessed were they that they failed to notice the slippery
goblin shaman who ducked silently into the shadows of a small
alcove as the battle-hungry dwarves lumbered by.

At last they rounded a bend and the entrance to the cavern came
into view. The shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying
assaulted their ears, and the putrid odor of something not of
this plane assaulted their noses, but nothing could possibly
have prepared them for the sight that assaulted their eyes as
they came to the small ledge where the passage opened up into
the cavern.

 The battle was over, that much was clear. However, the carnage
that remained was almost unfathomable. Dwyvyrn skidded to a
stop as he looked out over the cavern. Everywhere he turned,
the floor of the vast underground cave was covered by
bodies--goblin bodies, dwarven bodies, drow bodies, even the
bodies of otherworldly creatures littered the stone bottom of
the cavern. The whole surface seemed to writhe as the many
dwarves and goblins who were down but not quite dead struggled
to find help or perhaps to just get clear of the battle. Amidst
this squirming mass walked several small groups of dwarves,
tending to the wounded kin and finishing off any goblins who
still breathed.

Dwyvyrn recovered from his initial shock as an armed group of
five dwarves clambered up toward the tunnel behind him,
obviously intending to chase down any fleeing goblins. "This
tunnel be clear lads, heads o'er dat way," Dwyvyrn said as he
waved the kin toward the next passage branching off from the
cavern. He then turned to his two kin, who were still gaping at
the scene before them, and said, "Let's heads down dere an' see
wots we can does, kin."

The three dwarves began carefully picking their way down toward
the area where the main battle had taken place. They paused
momentarily as they heard a rasping voice choke out, "Dwy, be
dat ye lad?" Turning, they saw a dwarf tucked into a crevice
high along the cavern wall.

"Thorug!" Dwyvyrn called, immediately recognizing the
battlerager he had fought beside so many times. He scrambled up
to get beside his kin, with Gilgina and Nalvor following close
behind. They immediately saw the grave condition the
battlerager was in. His left leg was completely severed, and
the rest of his body was twisted oddly and wedged into the niche
in the cavern wall. Gilgina set to work right away tending the
wounds, and Dwyvyrn reached down to carefully remove the
battlerager's helmet.

"Wots happened to ye, kin?" a shocked Nalvor asked, only to be
silenced by a withering scowl from Dwyvyrn.

Thorug managed a weak "Har!" before a coughing fit overtook him.
 Once that passed, he began to quietly recount the events that
brought him to this spot. "I charged one o' dem foul demonspawn,
bu' da critter scooped me up wi' its mangy paws. Da jargh thin'
bit me leg off!" The dwarf paused for a moment and chuckled,
then continued. " I s'pose da creature nae liked da way me
tasted, cuz'n he threw da res' o' me up 'ere."

Dwyvyrn looked down at his samman and forced a smile onto his
face. He clasped a hand on Thorug's shoulder (since it was
about the only part of the battlerager's body that seemed
relatively unscathed) and said, "Well'n kin, dinnae werries
yeself. Gilgina 'ere wi' has ye up an' fitin' agin' in nae
time." He hoped to Moradin that his words sounded more
confident than he felt.

"Nae kin," Thorug responded, "I nae thinks so. Me hears
Clangeddin callin' an' he be tellin' me I has fought me las'
battle." Here Thorug's features took on a calmer set, and
despite the obvious pain he was in the smile that came to his
lips was sincere as he looked up into Dwyvyrn's eyes. "Bu' wots
a battle it were, Dwy! Me wishes ye cou' ha'e seen it.
Goblins, dark elfies, an' e'en dem creatures from da bowels of'n
odder planes! A gran' battle indeed, wots wi' be sung of fer
ages to come. Aye, a fine battle....Ye shou' ha'e been
dere...." Here Thorugs voice trailed off, and the ragged
heaving of his chest turned to stilled silence.

"Nae speaks li' dat, kin!" Dwyvyrn urged, shaking the
battlerager's shoulder gently in a futile attempt to revive him.
Dwyvyrn began shaking more violently, but then felt Gilgina's
hand close over his to stop him. He looked up at the priestess,
but she only shook her head and looked down dejectedly. As
Gilgina removed her hand from Dwyvyrn's to close Thorug's eyes
for the last time, Dwyvyrn rose and slowly started walking away.
Gilgina and Nalvor busied themselves removing Thorug's body from
the crevice and so did not notice Dwyvyrn as he wandered off
onto the battlefield.

Dwyvyrn trudged along as if in a daze, his eyes unfocused as he
picked his way among the dead and dying. Several kin called out
as they recognized him, but he took no notice as he continued to
make slow progress toward the far side of the cavern and
passages which led to the clan halls. His ears were filled with
the dying words of his kin:

"Ye shou' ha'e been dere...... Ye shou' ha'e been dere......
 Ye shou' ha'e been dere...... Ye shou' ha'e been dere......"

Dwyvyrn Clan Axepeak
===============================================================
=
Aftermath: Baldar's POV.. From: Baldar Hmr

Baldar looked about the area with a mixture of shock and suprise
on his face. Never had the young dwarven warrior been in such a
fierce battle. Bodies were stacked like cordwood and blood ran
like rivers in the dwarven Hall. As he surveyed the carnage, the
enormity of the situation threatened to overwhelm him, and he
simply sat down on the floor with a dull 'thud'. This had been
no jovial outing with his kin, laughing and singing, whilst
slaying whatever dark denizens they came across in the realms.
This had been WAR, a WAR TO THE DEATH, and both sides had paid
the price. Only half of the Ten still breathed, as far as Baldar
could see; and scores of dwarven regulars lay still on the
battlefield. He glanced over to one side and saw Emmrald,
grief-stricken, clawing at the spot where Storm had vanished
into the rift with the Drow wizard. Diamond, her sister,was
comforting her as best she could, but even she had a faraway,
vacant stare in her eyes. Baldar's heart was gladdened thou, to
see Nystramo sitting in a chair near the edge of the main
battlefield. 'At least I did me job, and helped keep tha Chief
alive', thought the young warrior. 'Wot tha 'ell I gunna do
now?', thought Baldar, as he mused on the fact that his mentor,
Storm Moradinson, was missing. Baldar gave a silent prayer to
Moradin to keep watch over the Dwarven Hero, wherever he wound
up. Looking up from his thoughts, Baldar spied Dwyvryn
entering the main chambers and rose to meet with the First Axe
and ask for his orders...
===============================================================
=
Get's ta Bed! From: D1AMOND 2

D1amond consoled her grieving sister as they made their way from
the battle site. D1 knew her sister needed some clerical
tending, so she took her to the small alcove tha' was now almost
filled with wounded. She noticed Splendarr helping one of the
clerics and called out to her.

"Splendar lass, cin ye comes an' give me a hand wit me sis. She
be in shock and sick wit grief. Mayhap we cin find her a
blanket and some ale."

Splendarr looked at Emmrald with compassion, "Alright lass, we
have a room set up further back for the recoverin'. I'll takes
your sister back there and sits with her if'n ye like?" The
question was directed at Emmrald.

The thought of an ale or twenty got Emmy's attention and she
agreed to let Splendarr help her to the recover'n cavern.
With here sister taken care of for now, D1 went back out to
where Nys was sitting, to find Dwyvyrn talking quietly to his
chief. Ignoring that the two were having a conversation, she
grabbed Dwyvyrn and gave him a big hug. To which, of course, he
said, "Ach! Nae lass!" and started squirming, but with a grin on
his face.

"It be so good ta see's ye alive lad," D1amond said with a grin,
thrilled tha one less of her kin was dead. She held him and
arms length and looked him over. "How ye holdin' up lad?"

His grin fell from his face, "Fisically, I be fit enuff, but me
heart be sick ta nae have bin here fer tha battle and ta see's
such lose."

D1amond looked grim and quickly wiped a tear from her eye. She
looked over at Tigguhr, who was standing near by and yelled,
"Don't just stand there lad! Can't ye see tha' these two nae has
any ale?!" Tigguhr jumped at D1's words, then bounced off to
get some ale.

D1 looked from Nystramo to Dwyvyrn, then to Nys again. "It
seems, me lad, ye has two choices here." Both of the lads
looked confused, so D1 continued to explain, "Ye cin let's
Dwyvyrn takes command o thing fer a bit, whilst we git ye ta yer
bed fer some restin' and recoverin'. Er, Dwy cin still takes
charge o' thin's and I cin stands here an' wait fer ye ta pass
out from injury an' exhaustion. Then has ye dragged back ta yer
bed. Whut'll it be me taerin?"
===============================================================
=
Even kings must sleep From: Nystramo

Nys was overjoyed when Dwyvyrn approached him, alive and well.
Finally, a bright spot in this darkest of days! After a warm and
enthusiastic reunion, they fell to talking. After a few moments,
Nys understood the haunted look in the eyes of one of his oldest
friends.

"I shou' ha been 'ere, Nys," he growled. "I shou' ha' been
battlin' a' yer side!"

"Ye did wha' ye could, Dwy. Nae one cou' ha' done more, an' it
seems ya did yer share o' damage ta 'em afore they gots ta us.
Tha' may ha' made tha diff'rence 'tween victr'y an' defeat." The
words were sincere, but he knew they were scant comfort to the
First of The Ten. His role was to battle at his chief's side,
and he was not able to do that when the time came. Nys knew it
could not have been avoided; even Dwyvyrn knew it could not have
been avoided, he was sure. Unfortunately, knowledge was a weak
defense against a gnawing conscience.

A voice interrupted them. "Chief! It be Dorgan." Nys and Dwy
turned to see the body of the newest of The Ten being carried
respectfully by several kin. His armor was shredded in places,
and his morning star broken at the haft. Nys remembered the
grimly efficient warrior as he cut his way through goblins and
stood his ground firmly in battle with the Hammer Warriors. Nys
could scarcely believe he was dead. "Fell ta a demon, Olor
Kuld," one kuldar informed him. "Tha beast wa' tryin' ta get ta
ya, I thinks. Dorgan took 'em down ta saves ya, bu' gave 'imself
ta does it."

Another kin added, "Aye chief. He done Tha Ten proud."

Dwyvern's head snapped up at that. "Tha Ten? When di' Dorgan
becomes one o' Tha Ten?" he demanded.

Nys paused a moment, but knew he had to tell Dwyvyrn the truth.
He respected his friend too much to do otherwise. "He wa' takin'
yer place, lad," he replied quietly. Never before had he had
such difficulty answering a question.

Dwyvyrn seemed about to say something, but then D1amond appeared
from nowhere and buried the First Axe in a powerful hug. When
she suggested that Nys take a break for a bit and put Dwyvyrn in
charge, he felt the weariness overcome him and agreed.

"Aye lass. There nae be any I'd be trustin' more wi' me kin than
Dwy."
===============================================================
=
===============================================================
=
In Thanks From: Nystramo

The End.... for now *** OOC

I'd like to thank everyone who jumped in and got involved with
the story of the war between The Temple of Lolth and Clan
Axepeak. It clearly isn't over yet (you don't think Moradinson
is going to STAY down there, do you? ;D), but it is the end of
the beginning. Call it an overture. ;)

First of, my sincerest thanks to Jhaelryna for agreeing to help
out with the story. Clearly, this could never have happened
without her participation. Also, thanks to Zyxos and Zorak, a
creative pair of drow if ever I met any.

Thanks to Dwyvyrn, Moradinson, D1amond 2, Emmrald, Tigguhr,
Baldar Hmr, Niord and KAGIS for their excellent additions to the
story as it unfolded. There were many other authors, of course,
but these were the most regular contributors (even if Dwy did
contribute himself right out of it. ;D)

Finally, thanks to all of the other authors. I can't name all of
you (since there were so many), but every one of you added to
the story as a whole.

Congratulations, also, to all involved for one of the best
stories ever to grace the boards of NWN. Now, who's going to
volunteer to compile it into one file? ;)

Nystramo Axepeak Olor Kuld Rorn Gor (GM) Clan Axepeak
===============================================================
=
Subj: Thanks Date: 95-04-11 23:03:02 EDT From: Jhaelryna

OOC - I thank Nys and Clan Axepeak for inviting me to
participate in the RP. The story grew and changed quite a bit
(at the outset, noone expected a war), and it's been a fun ride
ever since, to say the least!!

    The TOL's mission is written in our charter. We are here
to enhance the roleplay in the realms. I hope that our
involvement in your story added to the excitement and the
interest of the epic tale. Hopefully, the loose ends and thread
from this story will flourish and grow, and spark even more
great stories. Moradinson fell in the rift with Zorak, Gaglug
is still creeping around, Hiufang's return is upcoming (and he
bears secrets!!!), demons are now skulking about in the depths
of the Mountain, heroes have come forth from the ranks of the
Clan, and a multitude of other storylines exist as well.

   Best wishes and congratulations to all who participated,
and all who have dutifully read the volumes of writing! It's
been a BIG story, to say the least.
   Next time, you dwarves can come and visit us in the TOL
folder. Deal?;>

Valsharess Jhaelryna GM, TOL