An end of an era

[D3F4LT 1026]

 

-= Hefrumm =-

 

"Deep in the woods where shadows weave,
The forest dwarves their dreams conceive.
They carved their halls from oak n' stone,
Their hearts with power’s seed were sown.

 

“A bough of gold, a gem of green,
This forest yields a wealth unseen!”
So spoke the chieftain, eyes alight,
Consumed by greed’s unyielding blight.

 

“Fell trees, strip vines, the land lay bare!
No glade too sacred, none to spare!
Let roots be torn n' rivers tamed,
For power alone shall keep us famed!”

 

The axes rang through vale n' verdure,
While whispers stirred beyond their murder.
A voice arose from groves unknown,
Where ancient spirits guard their throne.

 

“Beware, O kin, the price you claim,
For greed shall set your souls aflame.
No crown of bark nor gilded hand
Can tame the wrath of forest’s land.”

 

But dwarves, with pride, ignored the plea,
And felled the woods from tree to tree.
Till one by one, the leaves turned black,
And roots rose up to claw them back.

 

The first to fall, the chieftain proud,
Whose greed became his leafy shroud.
The crown he wore of woven vine,
Turned sharp n' pierced, a cursed design.

 

The axemen cried, yet found no path,
For woods had grown to hem their wrath.
They swung their blades, yet all in vain,
Bound evermore in roots' domain.

 

And thus, my kin, this tale retells,
How dwarves, once free, to curses fell.
For power sought what none could keep,
And greed awoke the forest’s sleep.

 

So when you tread through shaded halls,
And hear the groaning timber’s calls,
Remember well what greed has wrought,
And cherish all the forest sought."

 

 

To My Kin of Urguan and My Fellow Forest Dwarves,

 

When I returned to the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, I did so as a sinner. My former clan lord, Hodfair III Emberhorn, betrayed our clan and committed countless sins, even winning the favor of Khorvad himself.

In my anger and despair, I took his life—my own brother and clan lord. But my actions, though born of justice in my heart, were not mine to take. It is the clergy’s duty to judge sinners, not mine. Because of this, my clan chose exile, leaving the Kingdom behind.

 

When I returned, I confessed my sins as a forest dwarf to the clergy and stood trial before the council of Urguan. There, I faced the King’s Justice. He had every right to kill me or cast me back into exile. Yet he chose mercy, sparing my life and offering me the chance to atone for my wrongs.

 

Now, I dedicate myself to redemption, to repay the grace I was shown and to rebuild the bonds I broke. May my actions speak louder than my words as I strive to earn back the trust of my kin and my Kingdom.

 

My contribution to the Kingdom was the fleet I procured for the dwarven navy and my commitment to building a port capable of housing an Armada. For this, I was honored with the position of Admiral of the Crown.

When news of Hefrumm's state reached me, I felt a deep sorrow, for the village I once knew no longer reflected the ideals of our forebears. Under my brother, Ordvair Emberhorn, the sixth High Chief of Hefrumm, we lived simpler lives, guided by the wisdom of staying apart from the chaos of politics.

 

That way of life has been replaced by a lust for power and privilege. Hefrumm grew bloated with authority, receiving rights and exemptions that distanced it from the Grand Kingdom, acting as if it were a separate entity—a separate nation. My kin, we must remember that we are the descendants of the Elder Clan of Treebeard, the son of Urguan Silverbeard himself. What right do we have to claim more than any citizen of Urguan, our shared homeland?

 

I no longer recognized Hefrumm for what it once was. It fell into decay, not just in stone but in spirit. When the Grand King sought my counsel on the matter, I spoke plainly: "Let it be disbanded." Yes, it was I, a fellow Forest Dwarf, who hammered the last nail into the coffin of Hefrumm—not the Grand King you so often curse.

I no longer saw Hefrumm as a village of kin, but as an obstacle to the unity of the Kingdom. There can be no Hefrumm unless it is rebuilt on the foundation of Urguan Silverbeard, the father of us all. Only then can it truly reflect the spirit of its people and honor our shared legacy.

 

Signed

Nagorain Emberhorn

Admiral of Urguan

Theyn of Clan Emberhorn

Lord of Nogrod

 

[Jihnyny 5233]

 

 

 

_________________________________

 

Hefjhor, the pilgrim on a foretold journey, spoke his truth; he was the one who had warned his fellow dwarves of the dangers in the green, of the peril the tall dwarves had promised. He had warned his kin, his lord, but his words fell on deaf ears. No one had listened.

 

Now, amidst the towering trees and great peaks of Aevos, he sits in silent prayer. Deep in contemplation, he communes with the ancient Brathmordakin, offering worship and honing his skills.

 

For every tree that falls, another rises.

 

[Hrokaz 631]

The Kharajyr God-King laughed at this missive, having already signed an agreement to provide Hefrumm with land. “Seems they didn’t let everyone know about the land…”

[lemonke 6014]

"It is amusing how two people can change the entire world and its view." Mused a hag in a cave upon hearing the news. She'd prepare herself for a ritual to bring a soldier of  Khorvad back to life.

[Epicethan4 948]

Morroick Starbreaker offers a firm nod upon reading the missive. "Foine work, Admiral, may Yemekar beh with yeh."