CharlestheDwarf

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════ ᚨ ᚠᚢᚾᛖᚱᚨᛚ ᛏᛟ ᚦᛖ ᛒᚱᚨᚢᛖ YOTH BRATHMORDAKIN NA YOTH URGUAN ᛁᛟᚦ ᛒᚱᚨᚦᛗᛟᚱᛞᚨᚲᛁᚾ ᚾᚨ ᛁᛟᚦ ᚢᚱᚷᚢᚨᚾ 14th of Anbella’s Grace ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════ A Tragic Ending Brought too Early ᚨ ᛏᚱᚨᚷᛁᚲ ᛖᚾᛞᛁᛜ ᛒᚱᛟᚢᚷᚺᛏ ᛏᛟᛟ ᛖᚱᛚᛁ ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════ [!] Missives, both personal and public, find themselves being passed around the various realms of Aevos. "This missive is for any upon the continent who call Clan Silverbraid 'friend', or otherwise." "It is with heavy hand, heart, and thought that I write. For many years I have enjoyed the companionship of those I have loved, from both kith and kin that I have weathered both storm and hail against. However, few of those that I have come to know, save for my own children, have approached the love that I have come to know in the presence of my beloved." "Unfortunately, it seems as though I must spend the rest of my time in this world without her. Dark hands claimed her life but a stones week ago upon the road to Haense, with her choosing to stand and fight so that our daughter could escape to safety. She is survived by myself and four children, as well as her adoptive father, Sigrun Stonehammer." "To this, I ask all that have known her - us - to attend the upcoming funerary service marked at the bottom of this page, even if you might not share in our belief of the Brathmordakin. Or, failing that, I ask that you might join in setting a lit candle upon the roadside within the caverns leading up to Kal'Kladian." "Join me in honouring the life of Danika Silverbraid-Goldhand." ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Signed, Thurgrim ‘Angrimsson’ Silverbraid Son of Angrim, Son of Ongrim, Son of Svardin, Son of Delric, Son of Elie, Daughter of Chaecus, Son of Herot, Son of Thrain, Son of Bogrin, Son of Urguan Clanfather of the Silverbraids, Reckoner of the Guild of Reckoners, Grand Tanner, Truth Seeker

The Silverbraid home remained dark, silent, and dimly lit. Gone were the days that passed in mirthful warmth, evenings spent around the dining table sharing stories and lessons, hushed talks in times of need and support. Instead, what replaced it was the coldness of a broken home. A family that had its heart violently ripped from its chest, and stamped upon the ground. Thurgrim lay across the large bed in his room, swollen and darkened eyes boring holes against the ceiling. Rain had drizzled outside, and all the dwed could feel in that moment was how empty everything felt. The meaningfulness of every motion, every glance, every desire within his heart had been snuffed out as readily as that of a candle having burnt too low. It was as though the very want to exist had become troublesome to consider... And yet, there was little else for him to do besides carry on. For his clan. His daughters. The most recent promise that had been made to his wife. He reached out across the opposite side of the bed, grasping for something within the darkness that all but a vain hope told him would not be there. All that was found was an empty mess of curled sheets, and an agonizingly familiar scent that he knew would only fade with time. Nothing he ever felt until this point in his life could compare to this new reality of his. This truly was... Suffering

Somewhere in Numendil, a dwarf shudders as his eyes pass over the riddle. "Even 'en his death 'e still managed t'haunt me with 'es shite..." He would mumble, "Though... perhaps this 'es an opportunity given unto meh by Yemekar 'imself?" The Dwarflord hummed, drawing a hand across his beard. "Et might be time fer th' Red Lich t'pay fer his longstanding grudge against th' Silverbraids - Fer moi maiming..."

Thurgrim sat amongst the low-hanging boughs of fruit trees in Numendil, quietly whittling away at what was meant to be a pipe between his hands as A pile of shavings had grown ever larger at his feet. Distant cutting rays flicked across his fingers from behind as he stared down at the roughly hewn object, the amber light of a setting sun drawing a rich and warm color from the unfinished project wherever it touched... He did not know Raug very well, nor for very long. He held a general disdain for the vast majority of Uruk-kind, typically being amenable at best for most and friendly to only a very select few. Not that such a perspective of the race was rare- Most dwarves held at least one of the descendant races in contempt for one reason or another, and he had good enough reason to given his past history with them. Yet, Raug attended his wedding as a member of Danika's party when it came about. He asked that Thurgrim consider him a friend well before that, despite only having just recently met the Olog. He brought Mirt, a child who'd been the unfortunate subject of a potentially fatal misunderstanding, to him because he trusted that Thurgrim could find a solution. Even at such an unreasonable request as protecting his family from an individual he'd not known of, not seen, not questioned the actions of himself; He'd accepted without even a moment of consideration. ----- Thurgrims whittling had ceased, the pile of shavings at his feet having been drawn up and cast from Numenóst by a westerly wind. Slips of his own marginally tamed red-colored mane drew out before him, followed by the fluttering of flown leaves. His attention had drawn to the distant twilight of oncoming night, drawing a barrier across the horizon as though an approaching storm. His lips thinned as somber thoughts began to dredge their fingers through the back of his mind, thoughts that he'd done well to go great efforts in casting off as long as he could. "... How cruel a joke, tae be blessed with a long life an' have tae watch folk pass around yeh." The dwarf lowly surmised to himself, resigning the pipe to set limply between his fingers, the knife discarded as its partner became little more than a sensory object to be rolled about in its creators hands. He could not help but think of the others; Jorvin, Eriantiel, the Reinhardts, Camulos, Elentiren, and more- Furthermore, he could do little more than add Raug to the worryingly growing number of dead within his mind. Nor could he cast off the pestilent idea that so many might come to pass before him, a large number to old age or some other untimely fatalistic end. Then, for a brief moment, a memory of a decades old conversation with Jorvin flickered past his mind. An advisement to harden his heart against the world, and the naive defiance that had come to define those first few decades that he resided within Urguan. And now, so many years later, that decision had grown into and intolerably dreadful thing before him. Is this something he could've prepared for? Did he make the wrong decision?

"Brathmordakin be damned-" A certain dwarf pinched the bridge of his nose before winging the parchment across his desk. "Ah thought we finished thes th' first time around 'en the Covenant War!"

___________ Thurgrim held a grim countenance as his eyes bore into the contract before him, his lips tightening against each other as he felt the crackling energies lift his hair on end as his pen drew to a close upon his signature, the magic finding its hold upon his soul. Faint candlelight flickered upon the light green hues in his eyes as they turned up to meet the man, vaguely illuminating something private and unseen within. A flicker of... fear? Uncertainty? Then an expression of iron. "... Ah swore an oath t'meet these 'Kavgar'-" He spat the word in his own dwarvish tongue, "-where ever they might rise decades ago. Ah've not broken that oath, an' ah'm nae keen t'start doing so now as they rise an' threaten this world." A hand had drawn up against the side of his face, fingers lightly tracing the scars from his encounter with the, now permanently deceased, 'Red Lich' and his minions so long ago. A scowl brought itself to bear. "Ah'm not about t'let history repeat itself. Not fer anyone, least of all my children."

Meanwhile, Thurgrim had, quite literally, been in the midst of penning a notice of voluntary abdication from the throne as most goals he'd held at the beginning of his kingship had been achieved, or were well underway. He'd snort, and toss an eyeroll at the announcement. "Soh much fer their 'confidence'. Hafta go outta their way t'insult me with forceful abdication after ah'd already been preparing t'step down." He then quickly drew out a ream of paper, already penning out the dwarf he'd had in-mind for his own vote.

"Did they ever think t'look in my home?" Thurgrim murmured, grumbling in mild frustration as he scanned one of the posters. "Ah well- Shite'll get sorted soon anyhow. Only a month're so left."

"NAE-! Go left yeh wazzock!" Thurgrim had shouted to a nearby dwarf, the Grand King having opted to set foot into the Workforce Hall and assist the local craftsmen with some of their more mundane work. It had always helped him think to do so, to busy himself with day-to-day tasks or the matter of handling a craft himself. His hands worked at the air, catching the attention of the distracted swing-pulley operator. He'd grimace, face twisting and contorting as the wound in his back ached from his directional gesticulations. It had been months since the assumed Azdrazi sympathizer had made his attempt at assassinating him, and though freshly pink scarflesh covered the near-fatal gouge, it had continued to ache. Or was it something else? The condemnations of his once closely trusted cousin rang well within his mind, alongside the mind churning declarations he'd so grimly made in the following diplomatic meeting soon after. Was it the wound, or the memories surrounding them that troubled him? The rulers eyes fell upon the wrought iron contraption that had just been released from a nearby pully, a great anchoring mechanism that had been part of some grand new ballistae design. His lips thinned in private, traitorous thought - 'Will this be enough?' - His head swivelled again, now looking beyond the pillar that stood between him and the main chamber of Kal'Kladian, the City of Shields. A city that, now, stood unsure in its stance on what its future might unfold beneath a blackened sky. The realm of Armakak had been besieged, and drakes had begun to wake. He knew little of the War of the Heavens and what transpired himself. Only that one god had perished and another had risen in his place. One far more eager to bend his will over that of the descendants, and one that seemed to be far more dangerous now that little stood between him and the rest of Aevos. A single thought arose to answer his own question, given as little more than a whisper... "... Nae." There had to be more that he could do.

Year 167 of the Second Era 07/02/2024 ISSUED BY: THE OBSIDIAN THRONE ᛏᚺᛖ ᚷᚱᚨᚾᛞ ᚷᚱᚨᛈᛖ ᚨᛚᛚᛁᚨᚾᚲᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚷᚱᚨᚾᛞ ᚷᚱᚨᛈᛖ ᚨᛚᛚᛁᚨᚾᚲᛖ YOTH BRATHMORDAKIN NA YOTH URGUAN ᛁᛟᚦ ᛒᚱᚨᚦᛗᛟᚱᛞᚨᚲᛁᚾ ᚾᚨ ᛁᛟᚦ ᚢᚱᚷᚢᚨᚾ Preamble The Grand Kingdom of Urguan and the Principality of Celia’nor, hereinafter known as the Signatories, to establish stronger bonds and friendship amongst themselves, hereby issue the following Article I: Sovereignty The Signatories hereby acknowledge each other's claims and sovereignty to the lands they respectively hold within their jurisdiction. The Signatories agree to respect and acknowledge each other's laws, culture, as well as religion when inside each other's jurisdiction in their respective lands. They both recognize that citizens and occupants are subject to the laws in effect during visitation. The Signatories hereby agree that free passage of civilians between each other nations is to be granted. Article II: Defense The Signatories agree that no military action will be taken against any of their listed counterparts by any of their forces; this includes vassals and all endorsed factions under their jurisdiction. The Signatories will enforce a partnership between their domains and will not incite conflict among themselves or their allied forces. The Signatories pledge that they are willing to aid each other militarily if they are threatened. Should the nature of a conflict - in this case whether it is defensive or offensive - come into question or be unclear according to the assent’s agreed definition, both Signatories pledge to hold a summit in order to deliberate on a decision. They pledge to adhere to the consensus. Article III: Trade The Signatories shall be given privileged exchange of resources, goods, and economic commodities amongst their nations. The Signatories shall promise one another a tax-free stall to sell their wares. The Signatories pledge to take part in cultural exchanges between the nations’ citizens in order to broaden understanding in both domains. Texts, scrolls, knowledge, and scholars may be traded in such exchanges. Article IV: Darkspawn The Signatories agree to share their knowledge of any and all Darkspawn they may confront. They promise to lend any and all available resources to assist them in their fight against Darkspawn. They pledge to work together in the pursuit of this mutual goal. The Signatories agree to share their knowledge of any and all Azdrazi and Dragon-like entities they may confront. They promise to lend any and all available resources to assist them in their stance against Dragon-kin. They pledge to work together in the pursuit of this mutual goal. Article V: Duration This pact shall be in effect for twelve Saint’s Weeks. After the duration expires, the Signatories may reconvene to renew or renegotiate a new treaty. Both parties agree that if the pact is violated, then both parties shall host an immediate meeting together to attempt to resolve the issue. Signed, ᛏᚺᚢᚱᚷᚱᛁᛗ ×ᚨᛜᚱᛁᛗᛊᛊᛟᚾ× ᛊᛁᛚᚢᛖᚱᛒᚱᚨᛁᛞ Grand King Thurgrim ‘Angrimsson’ Silverbraid Son of Angrim, Son of Ongrim, Son of Svardin, Son of Delric, Son of Elie, Daughter of Chaecus, Son of Herot, Son of Thrain, Son of Bogrin, Son of Urguan, Grand King of Urguan, Lord of the Silverbraids, Reckoner of the Guild of Reckoners, Grand Tanner, Truth Seeker Her Excellency, the Honourable Princess Royarch, Illyria Ibarellan, The Prophesied, The Reclaimer and Phoenix of the Principality of Celia’nor

(Image generated through Bing AI) [!] Rumors begin to spread from city to city of the dwarves in the west, each bringing wildly differing claims. A host of dwarves had been spotted marching toward Numendil? The Grand King was engaging one of his own subjects in combat? His steed had been discovered by an Adunian farmer munching on grass in a nearby field! - A missive appears on nearby noticeboards soon after the circulation of these gossips. "To any and all who call dwarves 'friend', I write this to spread word of recent happenings within the further reaches of Aevos, particularly, and especially, on that of recent happenings among the dwarves and the rumors that have begun to slowly make their way east... They are all correct. I have been scarred by an attempt that has been made upon my life, an attempt that had very nearly been successful if not for the very timely intervention of our allies. Some of my kin might speculate that this be the work of the elves, who we so often hold issue against, or that it may even be the work of disgruntled 'Umri' nations wishing to quash the dwarves. Instead, I am harrowed by the fact that this was an act carried out by a dwarf. One of Urguan's Folk that I may only suspect had grown heavily sympathetic to the Azdrazi given my conversation prior to his assault, and the circumstances that lay around it. Unfortunately I am unable to confirm if such is fact, as the assassin lies dead. Should anyone possess knowledge of such plots, it is requested that they respond with message to the Obsidian Throne. I would also ask that neighboring nations carefully monitor their citizenry as Azdromoths influence may reach further than initially expected, given the potential of at least one dwarf having fallen into his clutches." Signed, Grand King Thurgrim ‘Angrimsson’ Silverbraid Son of Angrim, Son of Ongrim, Son of Svardin, Son of Delric, Son of Elie, Daughter of Chaecus, Son of Herot, Son of Thrain, Son of Bogrin, Son of Urguan, Grand King of Urguan, Lord of the Silverbraids, Reckoner of the Guild of Reckoners, Grand Tanner, Truth Seeker

GRAND KING THURGRIM SILVERBRAID squints at the invitation bound for Urguan, reading and re-reading its designated recipient. Then, looks to the dwarf courier at his side. "... Are we receivin' letters from nearly three decades ago?" The courier shrugs.

Rather than nerfing, buffing, and reworking either armor or ranged weapons as separate entities... why not do both? Take the current idea and implement it, and then have lighter tiers of armor assist with making the use of ranged weapons more effective. IE:) Heavy armor requires the standard 3 to attack and 3 to maintain due to increased difficulty of upward shoulder movement beyond a level plane as well as the general hindrance of bulkier armor. Longbows and Arbalests should remain as 4 emotes. Medium armor uses the change as is, with 3 emotes for the first attack and 2 follow-up emotes for every attack after. Longbows and Arbalests are 4 emotes to start and 3 to maintain for damage piercing properties. Light armor functions as Medium armor does, but may use Longbows and Arbalests at the rate of 3 emotes. I feel like this generally gives lighter armor sets more precedent, where Medium armor pushes versatility and light armor rewards ranged fighting styles in exchange for being so vulnerable. It should also be specified that moving should require one to start the firing process over again, which means you'd have to have the longer emote attack first before continung.

Grand King Thurgrim Silverbraid sighed, running a hand across his brow at the missive that Tuzic had written and sent out across the kingdom. If it wasn't Gashadokuro, it was the elves, if it wasn't the elves, it had been thefts within the city, if not thefts, then vampires. The list goes on. "Ah wish he'd at least bring 'et up to me in person 'afore resortin' to a public cry fer action. Et's nae like ah'm against receivin' his issues an' concerns." The page was laid aside, the Dwarf King instead reaching out to draw up a metallic quill and begin writing. It was time that the letter from Kaethul received a response.

8th of Belka’s Embrace IRL DATE ISSUED BY: THE OBSIDIAN THRONE ᚷᚱᚨᚾᛞ ᚲᛟᚱᛟᚾᚨᛏᛟᚾ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚱᛟᛁᚨᛚ ᚹᛖᛞᛞᛁᛜ ᚷᚱᚨᚾᛞ ᚲᛟᚱᛟᚾᚨᛏᛟᚾ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚱᛟᛁᚨᛚ ᚹᛖᛞᛞᛁᛜ YOTH BRATHMORDAKIN NA YOTH URGUAN ᛁᛟᚦ ᛒᚱᚨᚦᛗᛟᚱᛞᚨᚲᛁᚾ ᚾᚨ ᛁᛟᚦ ᚢᚱᚷᚢᚨᚾ The Coronation of Thurgrim Silverbraid! A Union of Silver and Gold! ᚦᛖ ᚲᛟᚱᛟᚾᚨᛏᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᚦᚢᚱᚷᚱᛁᛗ ᛊᛁᛚᚢᛖᚱᛒᚱᚨᛁᛞ ᚨ ᚢᚾᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᛊᛁᛚᚢᛖᚱ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚷᛟᛚᛞ [!] Letters are penned to be sent across Aevos, and missives find themselves nailed upon lightposts and notice boards in foreign lands. “A new GRAND KING has been elected within the halls of Urguan! By majority vote THURGRIM SILVERBRAID has been determined as the next successor of the royal crown, a coronation that is to be marked by the fourth stone-year anniversary of the founding of the Fourth Grand Kingdom of Urguan, as well as the settlement of the new capital city of Kal’Kladian - The City of Shields!” “It is further announced that the king-to-be shall be wed to DANIKA IREHEART-GOLDHAND upon the completion of his coronation, the two having professed themselves to one another before the Obsidian Throne!” “All are welcome within the halls of Urguan’s Folk, save for those servants of Iblees, the Harrower, or whichever other fiends stalk the realms with intentions of harming descendant kind. Seating arrangements shall be determined by the number of expected recipients of personal invitation, as well as any who might send letters of their attendance ahead of time.” “Narvak oz Urguan!” Personal Invitations Her Royal Majesty, Tar-Caraneth Arthalion of Numendil @AstriaS His Royal Majesty, King-Consort Peter von Stroheim of Numendil @HugoAntero Princess Eriantiel Arthalion, Princess of Númenost and Lady of Aran-în-Eryn @beetle Ser Caliene of House Seregon of Numendil @Demented_Delila Leon Barclay and Alfred Barclay, the Princes of Reinmar @BuilderBagel @Gandhi Shugo Kato Oijin of Koyo-Kuni @Reckless Banzai Screamer House von Theonus of Petra @Tremerus House Reinhardt of Petra @Hom House Astoran of Petra @ColdestPepsi Dwarf Lord Jorvin Kazrinsson @SimplySeo Belekar Kazarathson @TN_TURKEY Dwarf Lord Grimni Goldhand @BoredBrit Dwarf Lord Sigrun Stonehammer @xMuted Dwarf Lady Charsi Doomforged @Drak3 Svardin Grandaxe @Pepto Pandora the Traveler @AndrewTech Dasyra Formal Invitations All Clans of Urguan and its citizens therewithin His Royal Majesty, King Cyris Collingwood of the Halfings and his citizenry @Hearth His Royal Majesty, Ivan VIII of Hanseti-Ruska and his citizenry @indiana105 Her Royal Majesty, Queen Catherine of Petra and her citizenry @Zaerie Her Royal Majesty, Queen Sybille of Balian and her citizenry @HIGH_FIRE His Apostolic Majesty, King John of Aaun and his citizenry @Ramon His Royal Majesty, Illthrak Ibarellan of Celia'nor @Moping Signed, Thurgrim Silverbraid Grand King of Urugan, Lord of the Silverbraids, Reckoner of the Guild of Reckoners, Grand Tanner, Truth Seeker