speedygogo:
I wanted to contribute to the word of Hashut webzine because I love it. So I wrote a story about chaos dwarfs specifically for the webzine. While thinking about how the story should best be told, I decided on writing it from an elite dwarf ranger’s perspective. It is long, so I’m going to post in in three parts. I would appreciate any and all feeback about it.
Enjoy-Luis A. Lopez jr :hat off
Ps: I wrote Willmark about submitting this but you didn’t write me back. Write me back.
The Desecrated Forge
by
Luis A. Lopez Jr.
Part one:
Cold almost lifeless hands forced Filli Ironbrow deeper into the bowels of the mine. The Black Gromil shackles that bound the dwarven Ranger slowly sapped his strength, making each step he took progressively more difficult. His captors, the bastard son�?Ts of traitorous kin quickly took notice of Filli�?Ts plight.
�?oWhat�?Ts the matter son of Grungi, too hot in here for ya?�?� One of the chaos Dwarf guards tauntingly said before backhanding Filli with his gauntlet covered hand.
The force of the blow sent Filli to ground in a ruined heap. It hurt much more that it should have. Filli looked spitefully at his tormentor and was able to catch a glimpse of his gauntlet. The dark runes that ornamentally covered it glowed fiery power and crackled like freshly fried bacon but reeked of foul smelling sulfur.
�?oFew have witnessed the true power of Dawi Zharr. You are one of the privileged few but you will see more, so much more. The Daemonsmith has big plans for you son of Grungi.�?�
Filli spat at the feet of the guard and received an iron boot to his chest for his trouble. This time it didn�?Tt hurt as much as the runic gauntlet. The other chaos Dwarf guard fretted impatiently taping his foot to the ground. He was bigger and older than his comrade. Filli deduced his age by the guard�?Ts longer beard.
Much like the tradition of the Dwarf clans from which Filli came, it seemed that the chaos Dwarf elders had the longest beard lengths. It was a sign of age and wisdom that commanded respect. The elder guard grabbed Filli with his ham sized hand and hoisted him effortlessly back to his feet.
�?oEnough rest Dawi! Back on your feet. You�?Tve got an appointment with Hashut and he doesn�?Tt like to be kept waiting.�?� He mockingly said to Filli.
Filli felt a lump in his throat and struggled to clear it. The Dwarf Ranger did not want to discover what terrible fate awaited him. Like a man being led to the gallows, Filli had no choice but to move onwards to his doom.
That thought caused Filli to think about the Slayer cult. It was not uncommon for a Dwarf to see out his death. It fact it was a perfectly honorable alternative to living a life of oathbroken shame. Had Filli known how his scouting mission would turn out, he would not have hesitated to take the slayer oath and dye his hair orange in the Slayer tradition. It was too late for that now but Filli resolved that he could face his doom with the same courage as his kin.
Filli reminisced over the events that led him to his current predicament. His predicament began with a day that was like any other one in the Dwarven hold of Karak Ok-Grund. Filli awoke and was enjoying a fine breakfast made by his wife when a heavy handed knock interrupted his meal. Filli arose and opened the door.
An old Dwarf stood before him. His beard was long and whitened signs of great age and status. The elder wore fine dark brown robes inlaid with gold heraldry. Right away Filli recognized him as a senor member of the prospecting guild.
�?oTo what do I owe the pleasure of this visitation?�?� Filli asked cordially with a small bow of his head in respect.
The elder Dwarf didn�?Tt immediately answer back but instead squinted his eyes in concentration, as if he were studying Filli in the same way he might evaluate an unearthed ore.
�?oI am the Chief Guildmaster Norn Blackhammer of Karak Ok-Grund�?Ts Mining Guild. You may address me as Guildmaster Blackhammer. Filli Ironbrow, you are hereby ordered to search for the missing mining group in the black hills led by prospector Borik Goldring.�?� The elder Dwarf finally said as he unrolled a scroll for Filli to see.
The scroll was heavily inlaid with intricate decorative runes and bore the seal of Lo-wi Foeslayer the King of Karak Ok-Grund. The matter had to be of the utmost importance and Filli invited the Guildmaster into his home that they may discuss the details of the summons.
�?oYour cooperation in this matter is much appreciated beardling and you will be rewarded handsomely for your efforts.�?� The elder Dwarf stated matter of factly as he plopped down into a chair at Filli�?Ts breakfast table.
Like everything else in Dwarf society a summons was a binding contract to which both parties had limited power to negotiate the terms. Filli felt uneasy by the mandate, knowing that unquestioning agreement to the summons could doom him. Often in the initial drafts, summons had absolutely no forgiveness for failure. The mandates of these initial drafts were also nigh impossible to meet. Filli thought is best to wait for the best moment to petition for an acceptance of failure clause. It wasn�?Tt that Filli didn�?Tt have faith in his abilities but he had seen far too many of his kin force into the Slayer Cult because of failing to follow the royal summons.
�?oYoung Miss, I�?Td like three eggs but with the yolks unbroken and two slices of toast with jam and a glass of Bugman�?Ts, if you please.�?� Guildmaster Blackhammer dictated to Filli�?Ts wife.
Had the Dwarf been any one else, Filli would have taken great offense to his bluntness but to have a long beard of such stature in his home was a great honor to Filli. He could tell by the gleam in his wife�?Ts eye that she shared in his pride
.
�?oNow where were we, ah yes the King�?Ts mandate, Filli you have heard of Gromril haven�?Tt you?�?� The Guildmaster asked.
�?oWith all respect sir, what sensible Dwarf hasn�?Tt heard of it? It is the finest of metals from which the best of armor and weapons are forged. It is quite rare and extremely valuable.�?� Filli answered.
�?oQuite right and well put young master Filli. Now what if I were to tell you that there exists an ore even more valuable. What would you say to that?�?�
�?oI�?Td say that it wasn�?Tt possible, with all respect sir.�?�
�?oAh but it is Filli. Such an ore indeed exists. It is a type of Gromril called Gomri, only it is twice as strong and is capable of holding the power of several Master Runes upon it. Some of our miners discovered a small deposit of it just a few miles south east of here. For obvious reasons, the Gomri�?Ts excavation was kept secret. However, we have lost contact with Prospector Goldring�?Ts mining group. This is where you come in Filli. I am told that you and your group of Rangers can find a white boar�?Ts hair in mountain range. We need you to find Goldring and recover any Gomri he may have excavated.�?� The Guildmaster said.
Now that he had heard what exactly he was being summoned to do Filli began to petition for a clause that would allow for failure. He wasn�?Tt sure he would need it but it was good to have just in case. Filli thought the best way to get the clause in was to be modest about his ability.
�?oGuildmaster, I �?~m not that good of a Ranger. It�?Ts true; I�?Tm the best woodsman in Karak Ok-Grund. But if this ore is as valuable as you say, I can nigh afford to fail in this task and facilitate the economic decline of our hold. Its too heft of a burden to place on my modest shoulders.�?�
The ploy was working. Filli could tell by the look in Guildmaster Blackhammer�?Ts eyes. The old grey bearded Dwarf stared at his with a haughty sense of respect. Blackhammer unfurled the scroll and began to scribble an amendment clause for acceptable and honorable failure. Filli�?Ts ploy had worked.
�?oEnough of that Lad! You will do this. You have no choice, besides you will be rewarded handsomely. Karak Ok-Grund has a lot to gain if you succeed. You�?Tre our best hope lad. We�?Tre not asking for miracles here. Just do your best. There now exists a clause in your summons that allows you an honorable failure in this matter. You need not worry about taking the Slayer take oath. However, Filli it is in your best interest to succeed with this errand. Success entitles you to some of the wealth King Foeslayer stands to gain.�?� The Guildmaster assertively stated.
Filli felt relieved by the Blackhammer�?Ts response. Many Dwarf�?Ts found themselves regretting their lack of prudence in such matters. Fortunately for Filli, he was keenly aware of the bartering nature Dwarfs instinctively brought into every element of their lives and was able to
Without further discussion Filli signed his oath of agreement to undertake the task. It wasn�?Tt like Filli had much of a choice in accepting the summons to begin with. Refusing the King�?Ts summons would instantly make him a social outcast. At least this way, Filli managed to not promise the impossible and only stood to gain from this venture, something any sensible Dwarf would do.
�?oYou are wise beyond your years beardling and most hospitable also. I look forward to your report Master Filli. I am quite confident you will be successful.�?� The Guildmaster said as he left Filli�?Ts home. He left a small coin of blood gold, an extremely valuable metal on Filli�?Ts table.
Filli�?Ts eyes widened at the gesture and his jaw dropped. The coin was easily worth more than his entire house or neighborhood for than matter. Filli resolved to succeed in both recovering the Gomri and finding out what happened to Prospector Goldring.
He picked up the ruby coin and examined it. It was beautiful. The blood gold had a ruby metallic sheen that reflected light like a fine diamond.
�?oWhy would Blackhammer leave something so valuable? No sensible Dwarf would do such a thing. The contract!�?� Filli thought to himself.
Filli rushed over to his copy of the contract, looking for fine print and he found a clause.
�?~Upon acceptance of payment for services, I Filli Ironbrow hereby pledge to not to return to Karak Ok-Grund until I have recovered exactly 2.7 ounces of Gomri. Refusal of said payment shall be considered a grave insult to which Filli Ironbrow shall be immediately stripped of his honor and considered an Oathbreaker.�?T
The Guildmaster had swindled him. It was respectfully done though. Filli�?Ts family now had enough wealth to be taken care of for the next several hundred years with or without his success. His group of Rangers were also relieved of his burden of commitment.
Filli explained the summons to his wife and she hugged him and cried. His son was too small to understand so Filli didn�?Tt bother telling him he might never see him again. Filli packed his things and sent out summons for his Rangers and remembered he had heard about Gomri before. His great grandfather had told him about it. Just before Filli left his home he looked up Gomri in his family library.
Part Two:
Filli met with his group of Rangers later that morning, all of whom were younger Dwarfs of two hundred years of age or less like Filli. The gathered in the central meeting halls before venturing out of the hold into the wilds. Filli explained their mission details there.
Grobil Hammerhand was the most excited of the group of eight Dwarfs and said: �?oThis incredible Filli! It like we won the lottery. We�?Tre going to be set for life.�?�
�?oBut what if we fail? What then? What if the Gomri is just a rumor and a cave in killed �?~ol Goldring? We�?Tre left chasing banshees and get to return home as oathbreakers. That�?Tll be just great.�?� Olaf Svenson grumbled.
�?oThere will be no such fate for us Olaf. I have a copy of the summons and spoke with the mining Guildmaster personally. We only stand to gain from this. Not will we be considered heroes who honorably answered our King�?Ts call, we will be rich when we succeed in our task.�?� Filli said before falling into quiet introspection.
�?oI see a catch in your eyes Filli. I know there�?Ts got to be one, so let us know what it is.�?� Olaf petitioned.
�?oWell, my gut tells me there is something wrong about all of this. I don�?Tt think we�?Tve been told everything.�?�
�?oWhat more is there to tell Filli? All we got to do is find some lost miner and the Gomri.�?� Said Grobril.
�?oWhen the Guildmaster told me about Gomri I did not know what it was but then I remembered had I heard about it before. My grandfather was a miner, you know. Gomri is a rare ore the Dawi Zharr prize,�?� Filli answered.
The group froze, shocked by Filli�?Ts words. It was like he had set off a blasting charge in the midst of them. A sense of dutiful grimness set over the group and any remnant of previous happiness disappeared. The Rangers set to the task at hand and marched in silence to Goldring�?Ts last know excavation site.
The Dawi Zharr or Chaos Dwarfs were an abomination to all of Dwarf kind. They forsook the Dwarven Ancestor Gods, Grungi, Valaya and Grimnir and worshiped the father of darkness, Hashut. The mere mention of Dawi Zharr was the gravest of insults to a Dwarf, a debased lot of self serving heathens, who cared little for Dwarven virtue. To make matters worse these foul inbreed relative kept part of the same name that the true Dwarfs indentified themselves with, Dawi.
Filli�?Ts Rangers were exceptionally skilled woodsmen even by Elf standards. Part of the success of Filli Ironbrow�?Ts Rangers lay in their use stealth and camouflage. Unlike other Dwarf Rangers Filli�?Ts troupe tried to become part of the woods and not just move through it. As a result, Filli�?Ts Rangers navigated the forests with the skill of Halfling woodsmen. Often they were able to infiltrate an area without nearby occupants being aware they were there, such was the case when the arrived at the excavation site.
In typically Dwarf fashion; the mine entrance had been disguised to look like a well of a house in the country side. Filli and his Rangers crept up hidden in the nearby trees and waited. Not wanting to give themselves away the Rangers communicated in mimicked animal sounds and noises. When they spoke to each other it sounded like nothing more than the everyday noise of the forest.
�?oI don�?Tt see any one. Why don�?Tt we go take a closer look?�?� Grobril said in a language sounding like a scampering mouse.
�?oNo, we wait. Something doesn�?Tt feel right.�?� Filli replied in rustling leaf sounds.
Filli was distressed by the country house�?Ts ominous doors and windows. The wood it was made of seemed unnatural, as if it had been somehow tainted. The wood was darker than any he had ever seen and had unnatural gnarled irregularities to it. So the Rangers waited and waited, until the entire day had passed and the sun began to set.
�?oFilli don�?Tt you think we have waited enough? Let�?Ts go in and get a closer look.�?� Grobril said once again in mouse scamper.
�?oWait just a bit more.�?� Filli replied in leaf rustle.
Suddenly, in the distance a rumbling could be heard and it grew uncomfortably louder. Something was drawing closer to the house. Filli made a hand gesture. All communication in the Ranger group would now be in silent hands signals. The Rangers dug in and further camouflaged themselves so that they were now nearly invisible as they readied their crossbows.
Soon the distinctive footsteps of both beast and Dwarfs could be heard but there was also another even more uncomfortable noise amidst them, Goblins. Part of the training Filli put his Rangers through involved recognizing the sounds of different races footsteps. Although the Rangers tried to avoid open conflicts when possible, armed engagements were inevitable. Filli had learned long ago that precise ambush style attacks not only saved lives but were also more effective.
The mere thought of Dwarfs and Goblins marching together enraged Filli. He bit down hard on his bottom lip until a steady trickle of blood flowed into his mouth. Filli quickly surveyed his Rangers and could see that his fellows were just as upset as he was. Soon the Rangers eyes confirmed what their ears had already told them.
The road leading to the cottage was suddenly alive with chaotic activity, as several hobgoblins scuttled into view. Walking spasticly but with some caution, two large groups of heavily hobgoblins each approached. They took great care to damage as much of their surroundings as possible, cutting down trees and knocking things over whenever possible. One of them had a torch and casually lit a nearby field of grain ablaze.
Hobgoblins were a particularly nasty breed of goblin, renowned for their deceitfulness. It was rumored that they sold others of their kind into slavery. Yet, regardless of the breed of Goblin the Dwarfs maintained a deep hatred of them all.
�?oGlad we didn�?Tt hide there.�?� Olaf snickered in sign language.
�?oStay ready!�?� Filli signed back.
Filli appreciated Olaf but hoped that his friend wouldn�?Tt let his emotions get the best of him. Even since Olaf�?Ts father had been killed by a Goblin, he had been far too trigger happy when it came to dealing with them. Filli needed time to get an appraisal of their enemies�?T strength before deciding if attacking would be a good course of action.
Almost undetected, a group of six Hobgoblins on giant wolves came through the forest right where Filli and his Rangers were hiding. Had the Rangers been more like the average Dwarf kind they would have been discovered. Filli�?Ts Rangers remained motionless, relying on their camouflage to conceal them.
The huge slavering wolves sniffed around the area but didn�?Tt discover any of the Dwarfs hiding in the foliage. The scent masking techniques the unit used paid off. Unable to find anything the wolf riders dashed toward the cottage grounds and circled the property, as if searching for an expected ambush.
�?oLooks like someone told them we were coming.�?� Grobril signed.
�?oIt certainly seems that way.�?� Filli agreed.
Once content that the area was secure the hobgoblins and their wolf rider kin ranked up in formation and one of the pulled a horn out and blew it. The sour note loudly echoed throughout the entire area cause nearby birds to take flight.
A savage looking beast lurched forward from the road whence the hobgoblins came. It looked like the stuff of nightmares, made of living molten metal and stood almost as large as the cottage next to the mine. Decorative brass etching in the fashion of the Dark Gods covered the monstrous behemoth�?Ts red hot hide and a pair of bull-like horns adorned its head. The ground hissed and burned where it placed its massive hooves. Molten spittle dripped from the beast�?Ts mouth as it looked at the Hobgoblins with murderous intentions.
Huge black chains tied the beast to some sort of equally large carriage. It too was covered with foul runic inscriptions. However, the carriage lacked the Daemonic life of the beast that pulled it. The carriage stopped just short of the Hobgoblins and by the mine�?Ts entrance. The proximity of the beast almost induced a state of panic in the Hobgoblins who readied themselves for flight but held their formations for the moment.
The carriage door opened and a shackled Dwarf was forcibly expelled from it. An almost naked and severely bruised Dwarf hit the ground hard. The daemonic bull beast jerked hard in the fallen Dwarf�?Ts direction but its yoke and chain kept it from getting to him. Black smoke flared from the beasts red hot nostrils. Then laughter resonated from the carriage as four heavily armored Dwarfs sized creatures emerged from the carriage. From a distance they could be easily mistaken for common Dwarfs but now that they had come so close, their identity was unmistakable. They were Dawi Zharr.
Part Three:
�?oGoldbrick you have lied to us. Where are the Rangers you said that Blackhammer would send?�?� One of the Dawi Zharr asked the fallen Dwarf.
Goldbrick struggled to his knees. His was faced busted and broken; his once proud long beard was now nearly plucked out. He had been beaten so badly that he didn�?Tt look like a Dwarf anymore but rather a ruined lump of flesh.
�?oI�?�I thought he would send someone after us because of the Gomri�?Ts value. I thought he would…�?� Goldbrick pleaded.
The prospector�?Ts sentence was cut off by a heavy iron boot to the chest that hurled the prospector back to the ground. This time Goldbrick didn�?Tt get back up. He lay in a fetal position coughing up blood.
�?oFilli we can�?Tt just stand by and watch this our honor demands that we act.�?� Olaf demanded in sign.
�?oYou�?Tre right Olaf we do need to act but we also need to send word to King Foeslayer. Nori and Grobril will stay with me. We will create the diversion. Olaf you will notify King Foeslayer of this treachery. The rest of you will protect Olaf with you lives. We cannot fail in this task.�?� Filli signed grimly.
The troupe all nodded in solemn agreement and returned their attention to the drama unfolding before them. Olaf wanted to stay and fight, reluctantly agreeing to the orders. Goldring had been bound with ropes to a long iron stake by several of the hobgoblins.
�?oGoldring now you will learn of Hashut�?Ts price for failure.�?� One of the Dawi Zharr said as his fellow Chaos Dwarfs began chanting in an arcane language.
The Daemonic bull shifted into a sitting position and the magma-like energy empowering it dissipated, as the beast�?Ts jaw dropped leaving its maw wide open. Goldbrick had a sense of what was going to happen next and began to squirm with newfound vigor. Hobgoblins grabbed both ends of the iron stake and carefully brought the prospector toward the Bulls gaping mouth.
�?oNow!�?� Filli cried as he stood up.
The Rangers unleashed a volley of arrows from their crossbows. The Hobgoblins were caught totally off guard and several fell dead to the ground. Filli unsheathed his axe and ran toward Goldbrick. Olaf and Grobril followed him.
The four Dawi Zharr retreated behind the carriage and began to bark orders to the confused Hobgoblins. The wolf riders were the first to respond. The snarling lupine devils quickly closed on the shorter legged Dwarfs. Fill and his comrades stopped and braced themselves for the inevitable impact. The remaining Rangers continue to provide cover fire as they withdrew.
Filli gripped his axe tightly as the wolves came into melee range. The foul minions of the Chaos Dwarfs move impossibly fast in a blur of fur and fangs. One of the wolves leapt a Filli, with its jaws aimed at his throat.
Filli swung his axe in an upward motion catching the wolf in its chest as it crashed into him. The force of the impact knocked Filli over but the Dwarf�?Ts blow had been forceful enough to split the wolf�?Ts head in half. Blood spurted in a crimson shower from the canine�?Ts head, as the beast collapsed on top of its rider. The hobgoblin squirmed in panic to free himself from beneath his mount but could not do so before Filli was upon him.
One swift blow from Filli�?Ts ax ended the miserable creature�?Ts misery. Olaf and Grobril were doing equally well. Between them two more wolf riders had fallen. The graphic deaths of their comrades sent the rest of the unit into a panic and the remaining Hobgoblin wolf riders sprinted away.
By this time, the Hobgoblins on foot had closed in on the Dwarfs. Before the Rangers could attach they were surrounded in a sea of Hobgoblins. Attacks came from every conceivable angle. Luckily, for the Dwarfs their armor protected them well.
The hobgoblins were feeble by Dwarf standards and their weapons poorly made. Their assault remind Filli of being attacked by children. However, what the Hobgoblins lacked in strength of arms they made up for in sheer ferocity and cunning. Filli, Grobril and Olaf found themselves bleeding from numerous small wounds before they could even react.
The three Dwarfs struck, swinging their axes back at the seething mass of green flesh. Their axes hit home lopping limbs cleanly off, cutting through several Hobgoblins with each stroke. Despite their horrific losses, these Hobgoblins fought on as if possessed. Clawing scratching and even biting in vain at the Rangers�?T Gromril armor.
When the Hobgoblin�?Ts ranks were nearly depleted Filli could see why they were fighting so hard. The Daemonic bull had awoken and devoured the wolf riders that fled away earlier. The beast now raced towards the three Dwarfs
.
The bull was heading right for Nori. Filli tried to call off a warning to him but it was to late. The Daemonic bit seized Nori in its jaws an bit down on him. Nori�?Ts flesh fizzled like melting butter on frying pan. The beast hungrily dismembered and devoured the poor Dwarf in greedy bites and in doing so was invigorated with even more molten life.
Filli enraged by the sight of his friend falling, fought as if possessed himself. Killing at least four hobgoblins with every swing of his axe. Grobril also fought with renewed vigor. Unfortunately for the hobgoblins, the beast of Hashut didn�?Tt count them as allies and began to devour them. They fell into disarray and fled leaving Filli and Grobril alone on the battlefield with the beast.
Strangely, the bull paused and stared at the Dwarfs with its flaming yellow eyes. Filli felt his nerve start to break but then remembered his fallen friend and stood firm. Grobril lost his nerve and ran in horror. Filli didn�?Tt look back at Grobril and never saw him cut down by the rallying Hobgoblins who repeatedly stabbed him in the back, long after life had left the Dwarf.
Long dormant runes on Filli�?Ts axe began to glow with ancient power. That power began to flow into to Filli�?Ts body, giving him strength. With a mighty battle cry Filli charged the beast of Hashut, swinging his axe wildly like a Dwarven Slayer. The beast was caught off guard by the attack and struggled to regain its footing. It snarled and snorted, lunging its bulk and snapping its jaws in retaliation. However, it was in vain.
Filli was master of the Daemonic Bull of Hashut this day. His axe bit into the bull�?Ts molten hide again and again. Each blow tore away chucks of daemonic metal leaving gaping wounds from which the beast�?Ts molten blood seeped away. The souls that the bull had devoured briefly appeared in ethereal vapor as the escaped their incarcerator.
The Daemon�?Ts mass work against it. It turned trying to get bearings on Filli but was unable to outmaneuver the small, runicly enhanced Dwarf at such close quarters. The beast lunged, only to have both its forelegs cleft off in a single axe swing. It fell to the ground, struggling to stand, as Filli moved in for the kill.
The Dwarf Ranger held his axe high about his head and cried: �?oFor Olaf and for Grungi!�?�
Filli�?Ts axe dropped on the beast neck with explosive force decapitating it. The sheer energy of the blow threw Filli high into the air causing him to land next to Goldring. Filli was completely spent and was rapidly fading into unconsciousness. Ornate iron boot waddled towards him. Filli looked up only to see the blurred forms of the Dawi Zharr hovering by him. Filli struggled to move but could not.
�?oAll blessings to Hashut. It seems we have found a worthy sacrifice after all.�?� One of the Dawi Zharr exclaimed.
Hobgoblin reinforcements arrived. The foul creatures bound Filli, throwing him with Goldring into the carriage. Filli blacked out. His consciousness fading into utter and complete darkness.
Part four hasn’t been written yet. If I get alot of feedback and see a desire int the Chaos Dwarf community I will finish it soon otherwise it may take a couple of months before I’m able to post the dramatic conclusion.
-Luis