Post by The Dungeon Master on Feb 10, 2018 10:37:55 GMT -6
The priest looked worried as he hurriedly moved to the Hilt, the throne room of Dagunhold. Named for the piece of a sword that takes the most skill in making, the Hilt was an audience hall like many others except where trophys or statues of previous kings would be on display, here there were great statues of swords that rested upon pedestals of disks that looked like the gears from some enormous mill or dwarven machine. Each sword was unique in appearance and all had inscriptions upon the front of the pedestal that supported it. The names read like a history lesson in warfare: "Tempest", "Grumdir", and "Talon" were there, but the two newest additions seemed to draw everyone's attention who took the walk from the entry towards the Pommel, as the emperor's throne was called.
"Hadmeil" and "Malabyss" were not the traditionally straight blades but were wavy from hilt to tip, as if molded in running water or by a drunken smith. The priest looked briefly then stopped and waited to be recognized by the emperor's wisemen.
Slag motioned for the priest to speak. "My emperor, I bring urgent news from General Dakon." He paused and waited to be allowed to continue.
The emperor nodded and flipped his right hand slightly, indicating he would allow more.
"Pyronamous had died." Again he waited and again he was given permission to continue. "A dwarf by the name of Captain Jarrick Darkbeard killed him in combat on the shores of Hard Bay. The local authorities arrested the dwarf but did not hold him long as there was no witness nor was there any body."
Slag asked, "Then how does Dakon know if Pyronamous is dead? Perhaps he fled. I know Jarrick personally and he is not some new dwarf to the world. He was there when Brintannicus fell and Termagaunt was stranded. I saw all of this." Turning to the emperor Slag continued, "I would proceed with caution my emperor. Jarrick has never shown contempt for you in the past. He let you live when you were most vulnerable. His last known whereabouts were protecting our southern coast from lawless pirates. Would it not be possible Pyronamous chose unwisely?"
The sword emperor replied in a measured tone. "Who is more valuable to the crown? Pyronamous or Jarrick?" He then looked at Goramas. "Which one?"
Goramas replied, "The victor, for he he still has potential. The dead have none."
"Take this message back or cast a spell or whatever it is you do priest. Inform Dakon I want Jarrick tested. I want to see where his loyalties lay. I can see how his decisions might be self serving which I may allow depending on the law and extenuating circumstances. If his loyalties lie with Greyhawk we can always remove him by sending the other three elemental knights."
Suddenly smiling, the emperor said "Or we could have Dakon try to turn Jarrick the way most dwarves are turned, their lust for something material. It is in their nature, it is who and what makes them so-'dwarfy'.
The emperor then said with a tone of finality, " At last, something interesting. You have my attention, Jarrick."
"Hadmeil" and "Malabyss" were not the traditionally straight blades but were wavy from hilt to tip, as if molded in running water or by a drunken smith. The priest looked briefly then stopped and waited to be recognized by the emperor's wisemen.
Slag motioned for the priest to speak. "My emperor, I bring urgent news from General Dakon." He paused and waited to be allowed to continue.
The emperor nodded and flipped his right hand slightly, indicating he would allow more.
"Pyronamous had died." Again he waited and again he was given permission to continue. "A dwarf by the name of Captain Jarrick Darkbeard killed him in combat on the shores of Hard Bay. The local authorities arrested the dwarf but did not hold him long as there was no witness nor was there any body."
Slag asked, "Then how does Dakon know if Pyronamous is dead? Perhaps he fled. I know Jarrick personally and he is not some new dwarf to the world. He was there when Brintannicus fell and Termagaunt was stranded. I saw all of this." Turning to the emperor Slag continued, "I would proceed with caution my emperor. Jarrick has never shown contempt for you in the past. He let you live when you were most vulnerable. His last known whereabouts were protecting our southern coast from lawless pirates. Would it not be possible Pyronamous chose unwisely?"
The sword emperor replied in a measured tone. "Who is more valuable to the crown? Pyronamous or Jarrick?" He then looked at Goramas. "Which one?"
Goramas replied, "The victor, for he he still has potential. The dead have none."
"Take this message back or cast a spell or whatever it is you do priest. Inform Dakon I want Jarrick tested. I want to see where his loyalties lay. I can see how his decisions might be self serving which I may allow depending on the law and extenuating circumstances. If his loyalties lie with Greyhawk we can always remove him by sending the other three elemental knights."
Suddenly smiling, the emperor said "Or we could have Dakon try to turn Jarrick the way most dwarves are turned, their lust for something material. It is in their nature, it is who and what makes them so-'dwarfy'.
The emperor then said with a tone of finality, " At last, something interesting. You have my attention, Jarrick."