mnemenoi
06-07-2009, 12:07 PM
A cold morning wind cuts through the vale that holds the battlements and massive stone doors marking the Drakonom’s fortification, known as Illethkeep. It stands in a perpetual state of awareness, dwarven sharpshooters and military units in a perpetual state of patrolling. The sounds of training can be heard within some of the interior areas and the occasional small boulder being jettisoned into a nearby ridge suggests the engineers are scheduled again today.
Very few dwell her that are not involved directly with the Drakonom. Only the small and nearly extinct church of Vergadain, god of trading, dwelt within the outpost. It had long ago fallen into near obscurity when the dwarves withdrew from the outside world. Only a single clan had maintained their faith, keeping the church alive with what meager parishioners as they could manage. Now that the stead had reopened they were growing in size, looking forward to the trade that was certain to come.
The fortifications were spotted with dwarves going about their predetermined affairs, seeing to their specific duties in a rote manner. The clang of steel and the occasional smashing boulder being the sole sounds in the valley. Well past the massive stone doors was a large and well crafted tunnel from which one could reach Uerythtar proper. It lie some distance under the mountain and discounting a few random vents on the peaks it was the only way from the surface into or out of the stead itself.
High upon one of the crenelated stone fortifications sat a sharpshooter, scanning the distance. Of all the dwarven branches, they had the best sight and could notice something from miles into the distance. Very little came and went in these mounts, it was easy to become complacent and assume they alone dwelled within these unforgiving mountains. They were aware that orcish and goblinoid tribes did call this place home, but they were scattered and disorganized, presenting no real threat. Giants occasionally did emerge and twice they had seen an immense dragin in the distance. It was far away and little could be determined, other then it had an immense size and they hoped that it had found a far better hunting ground elsewhere.
Delana Jundeth stood here for days upon end, serving her stead in what they asked of her. She was one of the best with her crossbow and anyone that knew of the sharpshooters had heard her name. She sat scanning the distance, her eyes looking for anything out of the ordinary. It was then that she noticed the cart and driver. A skinner and delivery man, Dwdal had been sent to deliver supplies to the outpost and watchtower that was located on a nearby peak. He had left Illeth yesterday morning and was not expected back for another day at least. Seeing him on the horizon and seeing the speed he was driving his team of mules suggested that something was wrong. He never travelled at night, nor had any reason to actually drive his mules beyond a crawl in the dangerous mountains and graveled path that lead to the outpost. In the back of your head you knew immediately something was wrong, you had no idea what it was, but something told you that this was different. It would be hours before he made it to Illethkeep proper, but you knew your duties. You begin to signal your superior letting him know that something is wrong....
Very few dwell her that are not involved directly with the Drakonom. Only the small and nearly extinct church of Vergadain, god of trading, dwelt within the outpost. It had long ago fallen into near obscurity when the dwarves withdrew from the outside world. Only a single clan had maintained their faith, keeping the church alive with what meager parishioners as they could manage. Now that the stead had reopened they were growing in size, looking forward to the trade that was certain to come.
The fortifications were spotted with dwarves going about their predetermined affairs, seeing to their specific duties in a rote manner. The clang of steel and the occasional smashing boulder being the sole sounds in the valley. Well past the massive stone doors was a large and well crafted tunnel from which one could reach Uerythtar proper. It lie some distance under the mountain and discounting a few random vents on the peaks it was the only way from the surface into or out of the stead itself.
High upon one of the crenelated stone fortifications sat a sharpshooter, scanning the distance. Of all the dwarven branches, they had the best sight and could notice something from miles into the distance. Very little came and went in these mounts, it was easy to become complacent and assume they alone dwelled within these unforgiving mountains. They were aware that orcish and goblinoid tribes did call this place home, but they were scattered and disorganized, presenting no real threat. Giants occasionally did emerge and twice they had seen an immense dragin in the distance. It was far away and little could be determined, other then it had an immense size and they hoped that it had found a far better hunting ground elsewhere.
Delana Jundeth stood here for days upon end, serving her stead in what they asked of her. She was one of the best with her crossbow and anyone that knew of the sharpshooters had heard her name. She sat scanning the distance, her eyes looking for anything out of the ordinary. It was then that she noticed the cart and driver. A skinner and delivery man, Dwdal had been sent to deliver supplies to the outpost and watchtower that was located on a nearby peak. He had left Illeth yesterday morning and was not expected back for another day at least. Seeing him on the horizon and seeing the speed he was driving his team of mules suggested that something was wrong. He never travelled at night, nor had any reason to actually drive his mules beyond a crawl in the dangerous mountains and graveled path that lead to the outpost. In the back of your head you knew immediately something was wrong, you had no idea what it was, but something told you that this was different. It would be hours before he made it to Illethkeep proper, but you knew your duties. You begin to signal your superior letting him know that something is wrong....