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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 278
(2/16/03 12:28 pm)
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Re: Big City
Madragar is impatient to meet the Ghurugil, for there lies his goal of safety for his beloved Vala. He walks at the fore, his staff rhythmically striking the packed earth as he goes, his (unloaded!) crossbow bouncing between his shoulder blades in concert with the movements of the staff.
Madragar is ready to get where they are going.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1058
(2/16/03 1:03 pm)
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Re: Big City
Ruig marches down a wide thoroughfare that runs from the Citadel south and west. The crowds moving up and down the street are a chaotic mix of herders, craftsmen, laborers, soldiers, and a multitude of common folk whose profession is less than obvious. A collection of stables, armorers, weaponsmiths and less specific trading posts compete with what appears to be an equal number of noisy taverns and brothels. With the afternoon sun in their faces the group can barely see what is in front of them, and the throng seems endless.
The street is clogged with armed men moving this way and that, some even bivouacked along the dozens of narrow alleyways that disappear into darkness to the north and south. The whole town has an air of impending violence. Not once, but twice the group must squeeze past a crowd gathered around a brawl that had suddenly erupted in the middle of the street.
Ruig leads on, apparently heading for the far southwestern corner of the town. The main thoroughfare slowly fades into an array of increasingly narrow side streets which are mercifully less crowded. Moving into the shadow of the western wall, the group finally comes upon a cluster of stone structures with high peaked roofs. These buildings seem much older, and bear a level of craftsmanship that far exceeds that of most other structures in the town.
Ruig marches up to the wide iron-shod doors of the main hall where another dwarf stands watch. This guard is unusually short for a dwarf, but seems to make up for it with his tremendous girth. Clad in a knee length chainmail hauberk and leaning on a wide bladed glaive, the watchman looks like a steel apple propped beside a fence post.
"Ghel vas, Vhraalam," Ruig calls out.
The guard smile broadly and meets Ruig with his hand outstreached.
"Ghel hrul, Ruig."
The two dwarves shake hands vigorously, their faces split with immense grins.
"This is Vhraalam, son of Boahur," Ruig declares before introducing each of the companions in turn.
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 333
(2/16/03 1:50 pm)
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Re: Big City
Draxim is perhaps a bit over-eager, shaking the guards hand like a politician and greeting him in their native tounge. "Well met Vhraalam, Well met"
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Halle Dunn
Atan Finith Ring
Posts: 293
(2/16/03 5:51 pm)
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Re: Big City
Atan repeats the dwarven greeting, trying to mimic the correct inflections, "Ghel vas, Vhraalam." He smiles as if proud of his minor acheivement, oblivious of whether he pronounced it correctly or not.
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Meneloss
Meneloss Erednim
Posts: 359
(2/16/03 10:01 pm)
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Re: Big City
Meneloss bows and greets the dwarf Vhraalam in simple Moagari "I am honored to come to the Hall of the Ghurugil."
He steps aside to allow the others of the motely party to pay their respects to the steel apple.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1060
(2/16/03 10:57 pm)
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Re: Big City
Vhraalam shakes the hand of each traveller in turn. His greeting is warm and spoken through a white toothed grin nearly buried beneath the black shrubbery of his beard.
"You are welcome here, and are not entirely unexpected."
The dwarf turns on his heel without offering any explanation of his comment, grabs his glaive and pushes open the iron-shod doors of the hall. Once inside of the shadowy chamber he taps the butt of his weapon on the hard wood floor and bellows.
"Master Ruig, son of Hralvalad, and guests."
The hall beyond the door is lit only by a single massive fireplace on the far western wall some forty feet away. From their position outside the group can see nothing but a few stout shapes clustered around it.
"Let them enter, door warden," answers one of the shadows beside the fire.
"At your service, hall warden," Vhraalam replies, then taps his glaive on the floor once more.
Ruig marches into the lodge with the rest of the group at his heels. The hall is simply magnificent. Stout oaken columns stand in perfectly symmetrical lines, each intricately carved and decorated with enough bronze and silver that one might think the whole place was armored. Any spot on the perfect stone walls that is not covered by an enormous yet splendid tapestry is hidden by either a battle worn shield or the gleam of unsheathed steel. Tables are scattered about the place in no particular order, each made of more well used oak, and looking eminently comfortable for a dwarf.
This is the sort of place that even Draxim has never seen, but has always heard of. The Ghurugil appear to be a very old and wealthy group and their hall has been lovingly designed, adorned, redesigned, adorned again, and so on for decades. The place is thick with tradition, and the patient craftsmanship that is the soul of every dwarf, though many do not ever fully realize it.
The group wanders into the center of the room and find it difficult not to simply gape at their surroundings. Conversation in the hall bears with it an indefinable importance and weight, as if each word were being written down in a giant tome to be locked away forever, or consumed hungrily by later generations.
Ruig makes a short bow to the three much older dwarves approaching from the roaring fireplace. One is very old indeed, his beard entirely white, and walks with the help of a twisted iron cane. The other two aren't quite as old as this one and have the look of craftsmen. One is even wearing a leather apron stained with forge soot.
The old dwarf walks slowly up to Ruig and places a hand on the priest's shoulder. His voice is high for a dwarf and bears just the slightest tremulousness.
"Ah, good... good, you have come back. A bit late, so I'm told." The old dwarf looks past Ruig and winks at the Vala. "And who are these folk? I am Savud, the hall warden... well, at least for today."
Ruig makes the introductions, but Savud hurries him through it. The old dwarf is still shaking Atan's hand when he turns to one of his companions and bids him fetch something to drink for "these parched folk."
"I insist you drop your packs right where you are and sit. What do you drink, eh? Wine? We have some good ale, but not the best. That won't come for a few weeks yet. Please rest yourselves. Speak, or stay silent as you will, but I can't promise I won't ask any questions."
Savud heaves himself into one of the leather cushioned chairs and lays his heavy cane on the table.
Edited by: Jubilex at: 2/16/03 7:59:40 pm
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 334
(2/16/03 11:46 pm)
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Re: Big City
Draxim drops his pack and sits right where he is. "Hall Warden, I have always heard tales of the beauty that is the height of dwarven craftsmanship, but to hear about a thing and to experience it is different. This place is ... just incredible. Now I begin to get a more complete picture of my freind and savior Ruig son of Hralvalad. I say savior because that he is. I was an aimless ruffian when he found me, but he taught me something of the true faith of Urox and he gave my life purpose. I have never been so contended or so ...completed. " As words begin to fail him he starts gesticulating to try to get his point across. He then thinks that might be irreverent so he stops and simply says, "Thank You for sending him to me, though you most likely never intended it, I am in your debt." He bows his head slightly, then nods, satisfied.
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Meneloss
Meneloss Erednim
Posts: 360
(2/17/03 8:35 am)
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The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
Meneloss lays his pack and bundle of armor down. Feeling completely safe here, he also removes his sword and lays it with his other possessions. He looks about in the gloom of the firelight with amazement. Such splendour he has never seen. "Master Hall Warden, I thank you for your hospitality. For my part, an ale would be most appreciated. May I ask how you have been expecting Ruig to arrive with guests?"
Meneloss sits at one of the low Dwarven tables.
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 282
(2/17/03 8:47 am)
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Will wonders never cease
"The second child of Yelm is balanced with the patience of an artist. Hall Warden, my name is Sangraal of Dobrug, disciple of Yelm the Bringer." he introduces himself with as firm a voice and poise he can muster. Discarding his pack against one of the massive wooden beams Sangraal reaches out an touches the gilding that adorns much of the pillars.
"It is with awe and veneration that I gaze upon such illustrious works of craftmanship." Sangraal bows in deference to Savud.
[Diplomacy +3]
Edited by: yucatanyeti at: 2/17/03 5:48:05 am
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1061
(2/17/03 8:58 am)
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Re: The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
"Not my debt, Draxim, nor the Ghurugil," Savud explains. "If Urox has chosen you then praise the Storm Bull, and stay true to his teachings."
The old dwarf looks toward a wide doorway leading from the hall on one side of the fireplace.
"Ah, very good. Llovas has returned." A red haired dwarf in a deep green tunic emerges from the doorway bearing an immense wooden tray on which are heaped clay jugs, bottles and silver mugs. He sets them down on the table, seizes one of the mugs and fills it full of mahogany colored wine before setting it before Vala with a slight bow. Llovas then fills a mug for himself and settles into a chair beside Savud.
Savud shrugs at Meneloss' question. "I expected Ruig because Boahur told me to expect him. He hears things, you see, from far away. Not like we hear, but the rocks of the earth have their own language. They speak to him, though I cannot fathom it."
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1062
(2/17/03 9:01 am)
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Re: The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
Savud returns the bow, though it is barely more than a nod from the old dwarf's reclined position.
"It is a pleasure to see a warrior of the sun god again. There are few in Raven's Gate these days and I fear we may be worse for their absence. The Storm Bull is strong, yes, but Yelm is our guide."
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Halle Dunn
Atan Finith Ring
Posts: 294
(2/17/03 9:55 am)
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Re: The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
After shaking Savuds hand, "An ale would be perfect. Thank you Savud." Atan removes his pack and quiver, dropping them behind the seat he has chosen next to Meneloss.
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 279
(2/17/03 12:01 pm)
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Re: The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
Impressed, and conscious of the request he must make of them, Madragar obeys and drops his pack where he stands, though he makes a neat bundle of it and Vala's gear.
"I am Madragar, scion of Edrigan," he says with a bow, "and honored to be in your great hall, dwarven masters. Kindly allow me to present Vala, who is dear to me above all things."
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 335
(2/17/03 12:42 pm)
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Re: The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
Draxim gives Meneloss a sideways look, and then also selects some wine, though he would prefer the ale. "Alas Meneloss, our wager will be delayed in the repaying."
After settling beck in he says," I would stay true to the storm bull's teachings, yet I feel I know only a little. In these times though, it seems that action is more needed than study, and so far Yelm has guided me on the path of action, fighting chaos wherever it rears its mishapen, putrescent head."
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mikedobbs
Yimris
Posts: 130
(2/17/03 1:41 pm)
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Re: The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
Yimris declines any offer of alcohol and tries to make himself inconspicuous while he listens to what is going on around him.
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 283
(2/17/03 2:26 pm)
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The Great Hall of the Ghurugil
Sangraal brightens at Draxims comment. It being, in a round about way, a compliment to Sangraal. He is not seeking conversion of his fellow party members but he is glad to hear the teachings of the Sun falls not upon deaf ears.
Edited by: yucatanyeti at: 2/17/03 12:07:52 pm
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 284
(2/17/03 3:18 pm)
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Coming war?
Sangraal waits till most have introduced themselves and taken of the spirits provided by Llovas. Rising to his feet he places his drink upon a small ornate table.
"I apoligize Hall Warden if I break protocol as I mean no disrespect to this great hall and all who reside under its roof. Your streets are lined with thoughs bearing the grim trappings of war on body and mind. The Broo have risen from their dens in large numbers this harvest, and word of the fall of Old Kurlew weighes heavily on our minds." Sangraal pauses to catch his breath.
"We seek knowledge."
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1063
(2/17/03 3:58 pm)
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Re: Coming war?
Savud and Llovas smile as each introduction is made, and offer warm greetings of their own to welcome the travellers to the lodge. Llovas leans back in his chair and sips his wine, satisfied to let his older colleague do the talking.
The old dwarf reaches beyond his cane as it rests on the table and pours himself an ale from a massive clay jug. Taking a moment to savor the first draught, he regards Sangraal.
"We all seek knowledge, young one. It is the key to many things... wealth, opportunity, security and most of all, survival. I think you have as much to share as the Ghurugil. For you have come from the north, have you not? That is what I am told. You heard the unnatural thunder that rolled down from the mountains four nights ago. We all heard it, but as yet there is no answer to that riddle."
Savud, his gleaming blue eyes set in skin not quite as pale as his flowing hair, gold rings tapping the side of his silver mug, takes a pull at his ale and ponders.
"Yes, there is more to learn, but perhaps we should wait for tonight and the feast to come, for we always feast when there are guests."
Edited by: Jubilex at: 2/17/03 1:23:32 pm
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 336
(2/17/03 4:46 pm)
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Coming feast?
Draxim's eyes glow at the thought of the magnificent fest sure to come and involuntarily he begins to salivate. The thought of good food brings his mind back to thoughts of Grugni and her magnificent pumpkin bread, and he mumbles a silent prayer to Urox for her continued well being.
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Meneloss
Meneloss Erednim
Posts: 361
(2/17/03 10:39 pm)
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Re: Coming feast?
Meneloss gives thanks to Savud: "I've eaten only some dried fruits and nuts, some old hard bread, and with nothing but water to drink for two days. I thank you for this feast! What I know I will gladly share with the Ghurugil. Together we may make some sense of these recent events and dangerous portents of the future."
The elf raises his mug to the venerable Dwarf and says :To our hosts: The mighty Ghurugil!" Then Meneloss drinks a hearty draught from his mug.
Edited by: Meneloss at: 2/17/03 7:41:40 pm
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