The Eleventh Champion Volume Two

[Dreek 1633]

Again did a candle light flicker across the darkened dwarven halls, carried by a lone figure. Drynn made his way slowly over to the halls of history, ready to submit his second volume. Entering the library, Drynn gave a curt nod to a clerk, handing him the volume as well as offering a short explanation, “Et beh da second volume en meh autobyographeh, ah ‘ope ye cun enteh et intu da librareh as well”.

 

The Eleventh Champion Volume Two

 

 

Within a calming, serene clearing did a dwarf sit. His legs crossed, and his eyes closed, slowly breathing the air in and out. All was at peace, composed and calm again. The fires of war had been washed from his mind, and he had gained the peace and composure needed to pursue life once again. Up he came, and out he walked. Drynn of Clan Ireheart slowly made his way back to the city. Upon entry, he took his steps carefully, ensuring that all was in it’s rightful place. Taking his time with reorganizing his belongings, he soon finished and departed from the manor, headed for the stables. Nodding at Ioannis as he entered, he  made his way over to his fine stallion, ‘Hauclir’. Rubbing him over with a finely made brush, Drynn took in the environment. A bustling city with little effects of war prevalent, and a population of hearty citizens growing by the day. Smiling, Drynn patted Hauclir before exiting the stables to meet with his cousin Bastion.

 

As he arrived back in the Ireheart Manor, his eyes rested upon two figures, those of Bastion Ireheart and Balek Irongut. Giving the both of them a hearty ‘ello, Drynn took his place at their meeting table, ears perked up for what they were discussing. Without need however, the two of them turned to Drynn and informed him of his recent promotion. He was to assist Bastion in representing Clan Ireheart in the Grand Kingdom’s Senate. Overjoyed, Drynn reached across the table to shake both of their hands, expressing his eagerness and joy for the task at hand. Soon after, Balek took his leave, allowing Drynn and Bastion to retreat deeper into the manor, with a plan to discuss the future of the clan.

 

Weeks passed, with little excitement to offer, beyond the occasional skirmishes with Orenian forces however. Drynn began to look deeper into the practice of writing, writing down stories of both his own exploits and those of his father. Extensive research on the latter allowed Drynn access to the deeper nooks and crannies of the Dwedmer library. He would sit for hours upon hours within the library, showing him a window into the past.

 

A Window into the Past

 

Spoiler

 

His father had grown up in the shelter of Kal’Mugdor, protected by his father’s name and reputation. He and his brother, Igor, rarely ventured out into Dwarven society, giving them more time to train amongst themselves. Little was known about the brotherhood until their reveal by Kjell in the lands of Elysium. Onto the stage, Dreek and his brother Igor quickly did the trials of the Irehearts, joining the next generation of Clan Ireheart’s fighters. Dreek proved himself to be the one amongst them that could do almost anything, yet he would excel in nothing. A jack of all trades. He climbed the ranks of the legion, showing off his above average fighting skills, paired with an average amount of leadership.

 

Then, he fell. Dreek was a great champion, engulfed in the harsh ocean of controversy. He could not struggle out of it before being reprimanded by the Grand Kingdom. Then, the Dwarf almost disappeared. He had seemed to disappear almost completely from the kingdom, some say he took a pilgrimage to the shrines up North. Others reply that he joined his father Kjell in the northern mountains, trying his hand at Dragon slaying. Later on, many learned that he did a great deal of thinking while he was out in the frigid wilderness. His effect and his legacy, those who lived in the Grand Kingdom would remember him as nothing but a corrupted lord and grand marshall. He knew that he had to leave something better for his descendants to be proud of.

 

Dreek returned, coming the the Grand Kingdom’s time of need. A time of war had engulfed the kingdom, it was on the offensive against the Empire of Oren, the whole of Anthos at it’s back. Yet, the Empire had already crushed the largest coalition of races Anthos had ever seen. Dreek began his war machine production once again, assisting in rallying the troops and leading them to battle. Slowly, skirmishes were won, commanders such as Dreek and Igor shined during the conflict. Only battles seemed to be the issue. Luckily for the Coalition however, the Exodus occurred. More than half of the Empire’s leaders left and just over a third of their army departed. It seemed inevitable that the coalition would win now. Dreek looked kindly upon these days, the glory days of the Grand Kingdom, during the days of Anthos at least. He could not predict what was to come.

 

 

 

A harsh wind  blew over the polluted marshlands. Two castles stood side by side, with a few men scattered around them. A deed was held in the hand of one of these men. Drynn stood opposite from him, smiling warmly at his comrades. Passing the deed to Drynn, the assembled figures departed, leaving the stout dwarf alone in the harsh night. Taking a moment to look at the night sky, Drynn made his way into the castle previously owned by the Horde of Dunamis. Moving around the castle, he began to take an inventory of the castle’s possessions. After a few hours of work, he seemed to be satisfied with his account. Finding his way to a bedroom, Drynn plopped down on the expensive bed, drifting off into a deep sleep.

 

The following day, Drynn called in the Clan and the Legion’s officers, allowing them to go through the castle’s inventory, taking any standard issue armor and weapons for the Legion and the war effort. As the legion made their way out of the castle, Drynn beckoned Bastion and Tagrim over to the meeting hall, sitting the both of them down to discuss what they would do with the castle. Almost immediately, they agreed to Drynn’s original idea, keep it. Quickly the two Dwarves began outfitting the castle with the banner of Clan Ireheart, and switching out many of the older decorations with newer ones. They had nearly finished when the sun was beginning to disappear under the hills to the west. Frowning, Drynn informed Bastion that he would stay in the castle until it was finished. Days passed, and after an Elven week the castle was fully outfitted for a Dwarf.

 

The Fires of War, Quenched.

 

Spoiler

 

An air of joy filled the Dwarven capital as Grand King Balek stepped out onto the square, flanked by Drynn and Ioannis in King’s Guard attire. Standing up straight Balek addressed his kinsmen, explaining that the end of the conflict that had killed almost a generation of Dwarves was at last over. The Senate had approved a treaty to enter the Kingdom into a period of recovery, with a diplomatic policy run on pacifism. In response, Drynn noted that a few Dwarves looked a bit angry, some even grumbling in disent. Grinning though, Drynn looked around at the majority, those happy at the end of the war. Continuing on, Balek mentioned that the kingdom had removed forced conscription, and would work to promote the aspect of Kingdom guilds. Acknowledging that the guilds had become under-funded during the times of constant war, Drynn listened as Balek reiterated the intent to issue reforms and provide possible benefits for those in the guilds. Soon after, the speech came to an end, leaving the gathered Dwarves to roam about the square and the Dancing Igor, drinking to their hearts content. After stripping down to everyday wear, Drynn joined Bastion in the Dancing Igor, drinking alongside the other Irehearts. Long into the night did the partying last, many a dwarf slowly heading over to their halls to rest for the next few days. In the early hours of morning did Drynn and Bastion wobble back to their Manor. Several days passed, Drynn sleeping off his exhaustion and drunken stupor, only waking up three Elven days after the speech, with a headache like none other.

 

He could not rest for long however, as a private meeting was called between himself and Balek. Still groggy and with a pounded head, Drynn slowly pieced together what Balek was saying. The Kingdom was out of funds, and still owed the Empire of Oren a sum of 30,000 minas. On an instinct, Drynn lazily wrote a check for 36,000 minas to the Grand Kingdom of Urguan. In response, Balek seemed to be elated. Giving him a hearty clap on the back, Balek allowed Drynn to return to his rest, informing him to tell Bastion that he was needed. Entering into the Ireheart manor, Drynn gave a short quip to Bastion, carrying Balek's message, before simply falling into his cushioned bed.

 

Weeks passed, and Dwarves began to filter back into the Grand Kingdom at an increased rate. Clans Ireheart and Grandaxe seemed to swell in numbers again, Drynn and Bastion leading hunting parties into the mountains with the new blood. Festivities littered the city more and more, with the guilds beginning their path of recovery, and the Kingdom slowly building up it’s treasury again. Drynn returned home to the Ireheart Manor one day, with a large surprise for the Clan. He had received the banner for the Clan that he had commissioned. A snowy mountain, with a rising sun, beaming with the colors of Clan ireheart behind it, all placed on the Kingdom’s hearty orange. Overjoyed, Bastion brought Fimlin Grandaxe in, passing him a small sum of minas to reproduce the banners so that they could spread it over the manor, clan hall, and fortress. Leaving him to it, the cousins went out to the tavern together, reveling in their new found freedom to enjoy themselves.

 

 

 

 

A swift cold air whipped around the high snowy peaks, the star’s twinkling light descending down onto the lone Dwarven figure perched atop them. Drynn sneezed, thoroughly annoyed that he had been forced to serve guard duty on one of the most frigid peaks. Grumbling a bit, Drynn watched as the wolves ran together down in the valley, howling at intervals to communicate. Noting their hunting patterns, Drynn took the time to write more, giving life to some of his fictional stories. After a few minutes of writing, Drynn felt a brush of fur and felt the touch of hot air brush against his neck. Instinctively he rolled to his side, unsheathing his dagger and placing it in front of him. Chuckling to himself, his tensed frame relaxed quickly. It was a wolf pup, separated from it’s pack. It’s head cocked to the side, giving him an inquisitive look. Motioning it over, the pup slowly crossed over to Drynn, giving his outstretched hand a quick bite, leaving no marks. Bringing it closer, Drynn patted it’s head, deciding to adopt it.

 

The next morning, Drynn made his trek down the mountain, meeting up with his newfound friend. at the bottom of it’s peak. Ever so slowly did the two make their way into the Halls of the Capital. Greeted with odd stares, Drynn brought his friend into the manor, presenting it to Bastion. Offering him a respectful nod, Bastion retold the story of the Ireheart Dire wolves, stating that perhaps this pup was a bit too large for it’s age. Grinning to themselves, the two cousins founded a place for the pup to sleep. Pleased with his find, Drynn returned to the square, ready to hear Balek’s announcement. Finding out that the Grand King’s coronation was to be within the Elven week, Drynn quickly strode back to the manor, entering his room to begin preparing his gift.

 

[James 425]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.