Omith Reforged

[Fid 566]

 

 

When harpers and warrior-poets sing the tales and epics manifold of the grand citadel Kal’Omith, there is scarce doubt that all goodly Dwarves will weep to hear the ruin which befell her when the kinslayers came. Omithiel’s name she bore, this stalwart bastion; capital of Kingdom and gem of Dwarvendom … and yet cast down  and besmirched was she by the dishonour of rebellion ‘gainst rightful King. By faithless dwarves for whom her name and meaning bore little import was she stripped and neglected, and at their passing left to fall into decay and abandonment.

 

Fie! Would that it was so, and naught more! Alas, for it is known that ill-deeds beget evil, and thus by kinslaying, the greatest crime of all, was begotten a great evil indeed.

 

For in the black pits and caves of the Deep Roads dark things dwell, and finding beloved Omith abandoned they issued forth and built their twisted homes there, defiling much that was once beautiful and revered. The city was given over to darkness; thrown down were the statues and stonework, broken the seals and crypts. The gates were shut to the world, and evil such festered within that even the natural world beyond marked its coming and despaired.

 

Yet even in these black days there were Dwarves of courage and repute, who stood loyal and free beside the Grand King Gror Ireheart in fair Tal’Azmar. The Great Clans gathered to him, and to relieve their capital the King and his Legion did march forth across the far lands to retake it, though they knew the pitch of battle was a treacherous one. This great host of armoured Dwarves, grim and determined, crossed the desert and came to the lands twixt Mountain and Sea where the gate of Kal'Omith stands.

 

And there upon the field they beheld a far multitudinous mass of goblin-men, and where lesser Dwarves would have quailed, they steeled their hearts and raised their shining weapons proud. A charge was sounded, and like the waves of a mighty sea the Legion and its allies battered forth. A fight akin to none that has been seen in recent years was had, then, and many a Dwarf wreathed himself in heroism upon that day, or met an end in glorious battle for King and Dwarvendom. Casting the Goblins down to all sides the heroic warriors breached the gate and fought their way, hard-pressed, into the dark hole which was once their capital.

 

For twain long years the Dwarves of the Grand Kingdom gave desperate battle to goblin hordes, their once-mighty Omith in defilement and ruin about their heels. The caverns rang with brash clamour of steel and iron, and stank of death- the dying cries of many a good and honest Dwarf lay heavy upon that air. But for all this tragedy there was glory also, and made feared was the name of the Legion once more. When the last goblin fell dead the Dwarves let forth a roar such that it shook the land, for Omith once again was theirs.

 

For many months the noble dwed toiled in the black pit which had once been Kal’Omith, and the hammers of the smiths and masons fell akin to ringing bells throughout. They rebuilt their guildhalls and their homes, and raised anew the statues and crypts of honour which were greatly revered. And afore many years had passed, anew Kal’Omith shone; the star in the crown of Dwarvendom, and capital of the mighty, resurgent Grand Kingdom of Urguan.

 

- An Excerpt from Tales of Axios, Volume IV

 

 

 

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In many cities across Axios the following missive is pinned, its message simple and written upon parchment with golden ink. Those who would be awake at such a time would note that they are put there by stocky, green-hooded figures in the small hours of the morning.

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Denizens of the Isles,

Noble Peoples of Axios,

 

It is the purpose of this missive to announce that the gates of the great City of Kal’Omith are to be opened, so that she may shine brightly once again in her rightful place as Capital of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, and Seat of the Grand King Gror Ireheart. May his beard grow ever longer, and never fall out.

 

Herein are shops manifold, and homes for all who need them- be they dwed or otherwise. Let it be known that all are welcome within our city who bear peaceful purpose, for the halls of the Dwarves bear wealth aplenty and ample fiscal opportunity for those with the motivation to seize it. Herein also are many great architectures to behold for the discerning tourist, for the Temple of the Brathmordakin is remade, and renewed to past glory is the Obsidian Throne.

 

Put to print by Lodbairn Emberhorn,

by Order of His Majesty the Grand King, Gror Ireheart

[Jordan1921 373]

Hogarth smiles as he writes up documents in his new room; happy to be back in the city of Kal'omith. 

[Zacho 2177]

The mists clung heavy and deep to the dark boughs of the forest, cloaking the slow progression of the stout rider along the ridges and foothills of the Grand Kingdom. About the young beardling’s stocky shoulders a dark green cloak draped, and upon his head a helm sat heavy- but most notable of all was his roundshield, which bore upon it a golden rams-head on its field of verdure. A silver-white goat he rode, with curling horns akin to that upon the shield, and carrying him it leapt nimbly along the treacherous pathways of which other beasts would balk.

At last these two came to the great stairs of Omith, and turning his eyes to behold the city the dwed breathed a sigh of relief, for his journey had been long and arduous indeed. The goat’s cloven hoof stamped once, impatient, and the dwarf broke his reverie to canter forth along the gravelly steps. He raised a gauntlet to hail the two great statues to either side, and entered the city thusly to find his father- for though his return had been long awaited, he bore upon his shoulders news of a terrible and tragic nature.

So returned Hodfair II Emberhorn, son of Lodbairn, to the fold of Dwarves.

[JEEGK 1367]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.