Deepmountain Campaign

Deepmountain Campaign

Heavy is the weight upon the shoulders of a dwarfen clan when its identity is lost. What does a noble creature look like when it is burdened with their ancestor's failures? One would just need to look upon the struggling faces, slumped shoulders, and turned down heads of the folks living in Trailsend. Using the word living may not be the correct usage, however any other verbiage soars from my mind like a raven upon the fleeting winds. Yet upon the lost and uninspired there is nowhere except upward. So this brings me to the narrative I spin before you; one which I hope does justice to those whom lives are given in search for the glimmer of hope near the end of this epic story.

Their journey starts on a run of the mill day among the portable clans of the known dwarfen families. Being at the winter campsite called Trailsend the clans enjoy a long break from their year round travels. The safety of the sea shore climate protects them from the raging winters found further inland yet, leaves them vulnerable to the dangers from the Sea of Broken Ice. This is the lot of those who dwell in this small community and they are aware of it.

From the swirling fog banks that littered the outskirts of the natural harbor at Trailsend a creaking ship emerged. Rolling gently with the incoming tide the large sailed vessel approached the shore. As the dwarfen warriors throughout the settlement shouted out alarms, the human sailors stood at ease upon the deck of the vessel. Soon a signal was given for parley between the two groups. To the watchmen of the clans it was apparent the sea vessel bore the scars of battle and storm damage.

From the ship a group of emissaries were brought ashore to meet the elders of the clan. The ruling council of longbeards soon broke trade agreements with the ships captain and in the process the ship was given safe harbor. Sworn that no harm should become them while ported at Trailsend the two groups began a mutual business of trading goods. The dwarf supplied craftsmen's and lumber to fix the sea torn ship. The ships captain paid in coin. All went well until the rumors started.

While none of the craftsmen were allowed bellow deck some said they heard strange noises. It was spoken lightly that the ship was in fact a slave ship. Yet no proof could be found.

This talk sat not well upon the ears of a shortbeard who fancied himself a knight of the dwarfen people. Some said this young dwarf was not right in the head for none knew of any knightly orders among the clans. However this young dwarf called Nalbir Stringorge spent his life spouting off the glories he planned to do for the honor of his clan and people. He could not fathom that a ship sat in his people's harbor that could be carrying enslaved people. Nalbir intended to do something about it, so he gathered some friends he frequented with at the drinking tent and put forth a plan.

Among his friends whom he shared the warm dwarfen mugs with was a visiting human from the southern hamlet of Brokenwagonwheelford. This human a cleric of a heretic god was training with the Blind Elder in the rare talent of the alchemical arts. When asked, (which was not often from the dwarf populace) Nicholas Bakerson would prophesize that he was a follower of the sun deity named Pelor. While not of the church of Moradin it is thought by the priory at Trailsend that the deity Pelor was virtuous and tolerable.

This could not be said about the dwarfen drinking acquaintances that sat with Nalbir. Both were youngbeards, one whom dared to show a clean shaven face among his people the other never seen without a frothy mug in his hand.

Named at birth as Dwolyed Fargrin but known to all as "knuckles" sat the hellion with no beard, no shirt, and well avoided bare fisted tavern fighter. When asked about his beard he would shout, "I am grow'n it when me and mine have a stone hearth to sit me feet affront of"! The other unsavory youngbeard could be found daily waking up off the dirt flooring of the drinking tent to begin his breakfast of half finished and discarded mugs of ale. When asked and sober enough to respond he would state his name as Bolfrim, but of no clan would he claim. These were the outcasts among the populace and while they are the bottom of the barrel they were the ones who sought to do something which their hearts spoke was the right thing to do.

The friends in spirits soon set about with numerous plans. With the help of Nicholas the schemers gained admittance aboard the ship under the coverage of administering healing aid to the crew. Among the crew they found an unlucky soul suffering from a plethora of ailments that needed to be rushed off to bed rest. After bribing the First Mate the sailor Niles was rushed toward the ancient wagon of the Blind Elder. There he was prodded and poked until healed. That's when the group pounced on the bewildered older seaman asking question after question.

However not until the promise of coin and the guarantee of safety would Niles talk. That's when the four friends learned of the truth regarding the ship. The ship sustained damage from an unnatural storm that caused severe destruction and forced the slave ship east toward land. Only by luck did the Captain find the small natural harbor and set anchor. At first light he piloted the ship deeper into the harbor for repairs and saw the dwarfen community. While most the crew signed on as sailors they had no idea that the ship was partaking in smuggling and slavery. An agreement was struck with Niles. For an equal share of the loot retrieved from the ship he would give them information on the layout and personnel of the slave ship. The small group agreed.

When the four approached the Blind Elder for council on their newly gained information they were surprised to see an elder human with a flowing white beard sitting in the darkness behind her campfire. He sat comfortable while smoking an elegant black pipe and watched what unfolded. After a short discussion the group was reminded that the ship was granted safety while in harbor, and any disturbance of that decree would be a breach of dwarfen law. The punishment ranged from banishment to death for unlawful acts against the councils decrees. With this news hanging over the youngbeards the friends pondered their next move.

That very night they snuck aboard the ship, sort of. First the four beat up the human guards on the dock and stole a dwarfen barge and dingy. But not before they sunk the two other small boats tied off at the stone dock. Not being the stealthy sort the four tried to approach the ship unseen or unheard. That did not work and soon realized this when from the deck of the ship a ballista bolt shot forth and impacted with the body of Knuckles. Lead by Nalbir they surged forward up the side of the ship not knowing the sailors slept there during the night. Soon the four found themselves up against four armed sailors and 12 sleepy crewmen. Even against those odds the friends prevailed, yet the cleric spent most his magic in the fight. Doubting their ability to continue on without the healing aid of Nicholas they pondered their next move. Should they run toward the shore or push on? They chose forward like heroes of old.

Breaking into the captains' cabin on the top deck the four fought against a trio of watch dogs. Slaying the beasts they soon sat about rummaging through the many items found in the ships cabin, one in particular was a letter from a man called Vigor. This letter was written to Captain Demetrious. After battering open an iron chest and avoiding the trap on the lock the group managed to recover some newly purchased potions with the sigil of healing stamped on the stoppers. Knuckles availed him self of an exquisite sailor outfit more fit for a noble's ball room than the rolling sea deck of a ship.

Preceding downward into the hull of the ship the small group fought or surprised their way into each room. Trying to take prisoners along the way they soon discovered the strength of Knuckles when he was asked to knock unconscious a resistant sailor. Unfortunately by the way the mans skull caved in by the pulled punch it was evident that the sailor did not survive. However in the storage hold the landlubbers found an unexpected allied named Geoff. Geoff was being punished by the captain and decided to exchange information for his freedom. They all agreed and continued their exploration of the slave ship. After an frightening in the ships jakes the group of adventures found a trap door leading below to the bottom hull.

Their the drinking buddies fought the last remaining armed guards and was able to free 100 well feed prisoners. It was unusual because when the friends investigated later on it was found that the slaves were being feed and treated better than the crew.

Among the captives was a young human dressed in the clothing of a warmer climate. With a strange accent he identified himself as Fajer Zimar and once resided in the city referred to as Oasis Harbor. He told others that this was the furthest point west of the Sea of Sand. As a debt to be paid off for his freedom Fajer agreed to help the small party.

Searching the ship the group did not locate Captain Demetrious, his first mate Pete' or a strange robed figure that they heard was last seen with the two anywhere on the vessel. With further investigation with the help of Geoff they discovered that the landing parties of slavers were also gone. That's when some one thought about the two smaller boats they scuttled at the docks.

The adventurers decided to arm the former slaves and set a watch on the ship. They rested the night in hopes that the Captain and his men would return before daylight.

With the dawn of the new day and the ovation that Nicholas gave to his deity it was apparent that the Captain and his slaving party were not returning.

Traveling to shore the newly expanded group was met by the captain of the watch an older dwarf named Dorn. After a exchange of words the party was placed in detainment and escorted to the Blind Elders Wagon while runners were sent to inform the council of the youngbeads action upon the ship.

Left with the Elder it was soon found that there had been a disturbance upon the hillside in one of the ancient crypts. Thinking what that disturbance could be the new friends decided to seek out the crypt and find out who had opened the stone doors to it.

They proceeded toward the hillside knowing that entering the sacred area of the crypt was against dwarfen law. During the short trek the adventurers stumbled upon a patrol of warriors who were charged with keeping a watch upon the violated tomb. Nalbir pleaded with them to allow his group into the crypt. The young dwarf in charge of the warriors was sympathetic with their goal, however he told them his watch was under order to arrest anyone they saw entering or leaving the crypt. Jarand Thokas the dwarf watch leader ordered his men to turn toward the sea as the five adventures advanced up the hill.

At the entrance to the dwarfen crypt the party deciphered hidden in among the stonework doorway the given name of an ancient hero called Werurlagg. Nalbir believed it to be an ancestor of his. Finding the brass push plate the group opened the stone door. The large entry slid down into the earth allowing them to walk across its top into the crypt.

As the proceeded forward into the hallway they were met by a flurry of thrown daggers, many meeting their mark. After a brief and dangerous battle the hallway was clear.

Taking the lead the southerner Fajer searched the way for deadly traps. Opening a second set of doors Fajer detected a floor switch when he steeped on it. He found himself pinned to the wall by a stone slab. Not the least of his problems, as two more slavers stepped from the shadows throwing daggers into the soft flesh of Fajer's tanned skin.

The rest of the group was able to free Fajer and kill the two human pirates. With the room cleared they soon found two stone doors to bypass. After a search of the room and a discovery of an electrified tile set of dwarfen letters the friends were able to figure out the opening mechanism for the doors.

Following the dust disturbed passageway the group stumbled upon a large sack sitting before a charnel room. Among a sea of bones jutted upward a basalt alter, and upon this dais sat a multi glowing caped crystal. Illuminating the room in a rainbow of color failed to hide the many bones scattered upon the crypts floor. Catching movement in the bag the companions discovered a gagged and bound Gnome. With the realization by Fajer that this Gnome was a prisoner on the slave ship introductions were introduced. Renfas the gnome soon convinced the group to include him in their further adventures. Pushing into the charnel room the group was assaulted by undead bursting up from the bone piles. With the help of the cleric of Pelor the battle was won. Following their path the group soon entered a long chamber were they encountered Captain Demetrious, his first mate Pete', and a robbed figure who soon began to sling spells. After an onslaught of combat and a few heroes falling the three evil doers either bled out on the floor or surrendered. Soon their prisoner was identified as a mercenary mage from the Crookedstaff family of Two Oaks. He shared information about the captain and the fact that there was a secret door on a near by section of the wall. The friends soon discovered the door and entered.

With the discovery of an ancient burial chamber on the other side of the secret door the group moved on. Confronted inside the chamber by a ghostly figure of a venerable long beard the group soon found some answers regarding the dwarfen lost kingdom known as Norgirn. With the ancestral blessing the dwarf Nalbir was gifted the ancient set of dragon armor and weapons found in side the sarcophagus. Finding a second door out of the chamber the group fought their way clear of the crypt. After breathing in the fresh air the friends were soon escorted to the council auditorium buy guards where they waited impatiently for their fate at the hands of their elders.

The young adventures meet the council of Longbeards and with the intervention of the Blind Elder they were exiled instead of put to death for breaking dwarfen law. However Nalbir made it clear he was to start on his search for their missing kingdom. With 24 hours before the group had to part they enjoyed their time with family and friends. Upon departure on the Dwarfen Ale Maid, the newly renamed slave ship, the town turned out and bequeathed gifts upon the local heroes. The council in their wisdom assigned ten dwarfen warriors to the ship under Captain Bolfrim. The new friends set out to sea for further adventure. First stop Brokenwagonwheelford.

During the day long journey the group arrived at the opening of West Harbor, however the light house was dark. Determining that to safely enter port they needed to restore the light house to operating status, the adventurers rowed ashore. The group noticed much wreckage floating in the water and even discovered a floating body. With further investigation the dead body was identified as a commoner of Brokenwagonwheelford. The group reached the dock and was surprised to see an intact Northman Long ship. As they approached the tower they were assaulted by undead, which were soon vanquished by the might of Pelor, channeled through Nicholas. The fellowship soon saw that the light house was of dwarfen construction; with further inspection they deciphered the name Dareganarr above the door. Inside the group fought Northmen and rats the size of dogs before reaching the ladder to the light source. However Nalbir fell after climbing the 70? foot ladder and fell on one of his party members. The other did not live. The top was eventually reached and the group found a crystal hollowed globe removed from a strange pedestal. When the object was placed upon the unnatural small portal it focused the light once again restoring the lighthouse. When the group left they heard strange sounds from the ground floor. Upon further inspection the group found a secret supply room where they found prisoners of the Northmen. These were survivors of Brokenwagonwheelford. Among them was the dying mentor of Nicholas, named Eoghan. Nicholas made a promise to his teacher to help the people of Brokenwagonwheelford. The fellowship returned to their ship where they rested and set sail for the docks at first light.