[PK] Just Another Civilian

[blackhand7 368]

[PK] Just Another Civilian

 

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The day began as a good one. Ak’ar rose early and had a mug of ale at the tavern, as any good dwarf should. Then he had a couple more, as any good dwarf should.

 

He swung his pickaxe in the mines, attended a meeting, surveyed his notes, and then- on nothing but a whim- he decided to go to the Imperial Protectorate of Caurost. 

 

Little did he know how fatal of a mistake it was. 

 

A passing Kurai Kuni Marine let him hitch a ride, and before long, the orc’s mighty steed had brought both to the elvish princedom. To the squadron of imperial knights that waited in the town square.

 

The knights were demanding four volunteers from the city's elves to come with them.

 

“Will it result in the death of these volunteers?” an elf asked.

 

The chief of the Protectors of Caurosts' response was but two words. An order to his men: “Seize them.”

 

The true test of character is not what one does when they have nothing to lose. A rich man may give a crust of bread to a beggar, and hunger naught for it. A mighty lord may give a hut to a peasant, and care not, for they will still sleep in a castle come the night. A group of knight in shining armor may defend a noble lady from a lone brigand, and suffer no wounds in her defense.

 

No, dear reader. The true test of goodness is not what you do when you have everything but what you do when you have nothing. When you are a dwarf with no weapons, in commoners clothes, staring down a squadron of imperial knights, wielding weapons of carberrum and boomsteel. 

 

Ak’ar did not pass this test. As the knights surged forward, he stayed silent. Unfortunately for him, he was not the only dwarf in the square. Two others had joined him, one his kinsmen.

And that dwarf had a heart of gold. 

 

“Now now lads, nae need tae get dramatic ere.” the other Jewelbeard spoke. 

 

“Sir Redgar,” their leader proclaimed, “Kill that dwarf.”

 

Ak’ar finally intervened. He reminded the leader of the friendship between their peoples, the fine people he had met in the Orenian capital. He apologized for any offence caused. Some of the knights protested their orders, but when the time came, they still followed them.

 

“WHY DO THESE DWARVES STILL BREATHE!” - “SLAY THEM ALL!” their commander roared. And Ak’ar, bearing no weapon and wearing naught but cloth, was cut in two by the knight's axe.

 

“Yeh cannae fight teh whole world, imperial. Yeh cannae kill teh whole world, nae matter how hard yeh try” what was left of Ak’ar sputtered. 

 

“The Empire will reign eternal. Die knowing you meant nothing in its ascension.”

 

“T-ats wot evereh empire sa--”

 

The knight’s axe claimed the final word. 

 

Spoiler

Thank you to @King_Kunukfor helping me with formatting, and to everyone who interacted with Ak'ar during his life!

 

Edited December 21, 2025 by blackhand7

[Yeetboy0206 1574]

Spoiler

Didn't even know this guy, but just from reading this WHAT A LAD! o7

 

[Slorbin 2932]

Spoiler

 

[PanicZealot 648]

The High Preceptor wept before the shrine of Dungrimm, praying that the dwarven soul be led to Khaz'A'Dentrumm.
"tiwaz garaz dwedohin.  Sar dungrimm ival othok ulro aarak anar."
A soul was lost...and a battle was soon to begin.

[D3F4LT 1026]

"This will change noffin"Nagorain would proclaim as he went to the pantheon of the Brathmordakin to pray for the brave dwarf.

[Werew0lf 24180]

The Emperor woke up to the news, scratching his chin briefly. He does not seem upset, nor does he feel enraged — there is no feeling regarding the matter, in truth.

 

Hadrian prepares a gift basket for the King of Urguan. There is a small note attached: “Whoops, my bad.” 

[Medvekoma 2073]

A young Mali'ker locked her tower-home's door shut as she pondered. Behind her,  a furnace gleamed with a crucible full of unrefined chunks of ferrum. Each piece, each bit mined from dwarven soil. The embers, the coal gleaming underneath - spoils of Urguan, fairly claimed from Dwarves who've allowed her into the workforce, and whose quotas in exchange she ensured she meticulously filled every year.

 

A dwarf, slain at the gates of Cauróst. Almost in sight of her home, down the avenue...

 

She hoisted up the crucible with a pair of oversized leather gauntlets. Previously drenched in water, the heat nevertheless left steam hissing as she began to pour the contents into moulds. Some of the ferrum slipped from the crucible's funnel and formed droplets of calcifying iron in the stony forge. She did not notice the mistake.

 

"I fought by their side. They are good people. They wouldn't hesistate to form a line between the world and certain death, axes and hammers pummeling at the horrors clawing on Azuras."

 

Thoughts swirled in her head. The description of the events, how they unfolded.

 

It could have been me.

 

The realisation put prior days, events and gossip into perspective - though she remained unconvinced. Besides her forge, a series of parchments wre splayed out on a table, describing her travels to Norland, describing a tale of the Empire far sifferent to what's occurred in Cauróst... again.

 

She would have to talk to the dwarves of Urguan. And she shouldn't arrive empty handed. No, she will leave something more in her workforce coffers.

[ArgentEra 459]

The musin king continues to stand over hot burners as he soaked bandages, disinfecting them for  the future. His hands trembled with rage and exhaustion, having gotten no sleep, memories of the world war he had seen in his youth fresh in his mind once again.

"So soon... Weh knew somethin' would happen - tha' the peace would beh brief." The living doll by his side nudged him, trying to draw him from grim thoughts. 

Thoughts lingered not only on those who fell, the horror he felt at the act, but also upon two individuals in question.
Young.
Spirited.
With eyes wide with a desire for adventure.

Ones he had hoped would NEVER need to live through such conflict.

"We need tae be prepared... We will nae lose the wee ones."

[DancingZebra267 1626]

Rhorgvar heard word of the fallen dwarf, yet no tears came. He knew Dungrimm had guided the dwed’s spirit to Khaz'az'Dentrumm, as was the fate of all who fell with honor.

[Lumipire 110]

"May he be lifted in the great halls of his fathers, in whose mighty company he shall now not be ashamed." Bade the flower-crowned elf, inclining his head in deep respect.

Then his voice softened, and a gentler mirth returned to his eyes. "To honor him, I shall do as he would have wished: drink a stout ale in good company, and drink a second stout ale in further good company!"