Blood and Bone
by Buul Hammerhandler

“Bah! It’s too damn cold out! Someone gimme an ale!” Brenick shouted over the roaring wind, as the party of 4 stout dwarves came up over the hill in a region known as Dagnors Cauldron. The party had been traveling in this region for 2 or so weeks trying to beat back the Orcish raids that were occurring on the nearby settlements.

Brenick, the oldest and wisest of the group was a trained Warrior and friend to all. He carried an Axe that was forged from the mightiest smithy in all of Kaladim, and could cleave an Orcs skull as if it were butter and his armor could repel a blow with the strength of 10 shields.

Piledriver, a dwarf who had chosen the road of a priestly knight also was a member of the group. Not quite as old and wise as Brenick, but he was a master of banishing the Undead and releasing their lost souls from an eternity of loneliness. He wore a suit of armor that resembled the blackness of hell. The armor was believed to keep the wearer protected from certain beings and entities of Norrath, he also liked the look. He wielded a mighty sword that was handed down from him by a member of their clan, a fellow Paladin named Trovar Forgemaster. Rumors spread that the sword was forged in Brell’s halls and cast into the world of Norrath to help balance the powers of good and evil and keep the evil gods from taking complete control. No one had ever seen the magic being released from the sword but it did demand a certain respect for the perfect weight and look.

Buul, a portly dwarf, had learned from an early age the art of Healing and casting magical spells on people so that they were given special powers. He wielded a mace that was given to him by a mighty Cleric in a Temple far, far away. His boots, also forged in that Temple gave him magical resistances and protection from evil. His father had been a Cleric who was slain in battle by the evil god Inoruuk and Buul had sworn revenge. It is said that the Cleric’s powers come directly from Brell himself and are all-powerful.

Last but not least there is Dairitor. Also a Paladin of Brell he had learned his skills from Piledriver. He had served as an apprentice to Pile and had just recently been given the title of Knighthood. His axe was his prize for completing a quest given to him in the halls of Kaladim and it was mighty indeed. He was known for the sacrifices he made for those he loved and lived to serve. He would constantly risk everything for his Thane and King. A brave lad he was.

“Bah! Stop yer winin ye hair brained elf! Ye remind me of ma daughter back home!” Piledriver spouted back at Brenick. The rain was harder now and the 4 dwarves were tired and weary. They needed a place to rest before they continued their long journey back to Kaladim, where they would re-supply and get a few nights rest.

“In here lads! I think we can rest here fer tha night!” they heard Buul shout as he poked his head out of a cave that was strangely well constructed. They all pushed and shoved until they were all comfortably inside the cave. Dairitor took out a torch and lit it, dazzled by the way in which this cave was constructed. Brenick and Pile both sensing something out of the ordinary took out their blades and peered down the empty hallway. Dair was quick to do the same and then Buul began to pray to Brell for his magical abilities. He also took out his mace.

The dwarves, not stupid, didn’t want to spend the night in a potentially dangerous tunnel so they began to slowly move down the cave with Bren and Pile leading the way. Dair handed the torch to Buul, and fell in behind to take up the rear and form a kind of protection for Buul who would need concentration to cast his spells. They came into what they thought was a cavern and all gasped at the stench that was coming from it.

“Wait lads, we’re gonna need more light fer this, lemme summon some.” Buul said stopping the group and putting away the torch.

“Aye, I hope yer all ready fer a fight lads, ive not smelled this stench before.” Brenick said as Buul summoned up the magical light that almost lit the whole cavern.

“Wot in tha hell is that!” Dair shouted as they all gazed upon an undead beast that none of them had ever seen before.

“I dunno lad, but I’m not fer likin it. I’m thinkin me blade is gonna have some fun tonight!’ Pile said as a grin came onto his face.

They all began to prepare them selves fer a charge but before they could Buul spouted up “Wait lads, wot if theres more of’ em?”

“Bah! There all goin back ta hell anyways lad, me Axe will make sure’ o that!” Brenick shouted as he and the others charged at the beast. The zombie stood, then at the last minute whirled to meet the on comers. Raising its arm and hoping the blow will take out one of the attackers it gave a roar but before it could bring the arm down it was taken off by Brenicks mighty Axe. At that very instant Piles sword plunged into the beasts chest and it gave a rasping cry that was answered by 3 more of the beasts!

Dair, the only one who wasn’t tied up, turned to face the others coming in. The stench was overwhelming and all the dwarves could see the skin falling off the bones of the decaying beasts. 2 of the zombies came at Dair and the third went after Buul who was quietly praying to Brell for his spells. Dair, no novice to fighting gave a mighty battle cry “HAMMERS HIGH!” before he lopped the head off of one of the beasts.

“Duck!” Pile shouted as the descending zombies arm flew high as Dair rolled to the side of it and managed to embed his axe in the Beasts hip. When the creature felt the blow it cried out and brought its heavy, mace like arms down on Dairs back, knocking the wind out of him. Then Pile sliced the beast in half with a mighty blow. Brenick charging the one heading for Buul never got the chance to touch it for Buul was also the master of Undead.

“To hell and beyond with ye, beast of darkness!” Buul shouted as a light arced out of the sky and turned the Zombie to dust.

“Nice work lads” Brenick stated as the party re grouped and prepared to venture deeper into the cavern.

“Hey lads, look wot I found” Dair shouted from the corner. They all hurried over to him.

“Estate Of Unrest.” Dair said reading the inscription on the wall.

“Bah! It’s ours now lads! I’m claimin it fer tha Dwarves o’ Tha Hammer!” Brenick shouted, proud that they had discovered such a place. For hours they ventured out side the compound, ridding it of its undead inhabitants.

Then, once they were certain it was clear of zombies and other vile beasts they ventured inside the old mansion. After finding and battling many other beasts they made it to the very bottom floor of the mansion. It housed the ugliest and most powerful of all the beasts, a gigantic darkboned skeleton with 20 smaller ones surrounding it, stood in the center of the room.

“Ive been expecting you beasts of light! You have freed many of my children and for that you will pay.” it said in a raspy voice.

“Bah! I’m fer thinkin its aboot time ye found yer arse a new home mate! This’nes ours now! And as fer payin, Im not much fer payin yer type. Id rather kill ya!” Brenick shouted at the creature.

Instantly all the surrounding skeletons began to close on the party. The nearest ones about 20 yards away, the dwarves braced for the attack. They all had minor scratches and bruises, Pile even had a slash on his arm but Buul was working on that. Soon they were all like new thanks to Brell’s disciple.

The first group of 4 skeletons came in fast. Brenicks axe cleaving two in one blow while Pile and Dair finished up the others.

“Lads,” Brenick looked up with a grim expression on his face, “These ones got weapons” The others looked at each other with grim faces, knowing that 16 against 4 wasn’t a fair fight, even if they were skeletons. But all these dwarves were raised in the Halls of Kaladim under the training of their Clan Thane, Olbin Mudderswump, one of the mightiest dwarves alive. They all realized they could not run now, and wouldn’t have even if they could have so they did the only thing they could, charged.

“HAMMERS HIGH!” they all shouted and plunged into the mass of bone and blade. Their blood flowed freely and Buul worked his hardest to keep them all in good health, but he was running out of strength. Brenick took a cut to the shoulder but he winced away the pain and continued to shatter the bones. Dair, getting separated from Pile and Bren found him self surrounded by 7 or so Skeletons. He laid waste to the first 2 but before he could come around for another attack a rusty blade descended upon his head.

He closed his eyes with a few last words to Brell and expected the blade to greet him, but there was only the sound of metal on metal and he looked up to see Buul’s grimacing face and his mace keeping the sword at bay.

“Get yer arse up mate! Ye think I be lettin ye get cleaved that easily? Olbin would hand me my arse on a platter!” Buul shouted through clenching teeth as a second sword plunged into his side. “BUUL!” Dair shouted and crushed the skull of the Skeleton holding that sword. Buul fell limply to the ground as Dair, enraged by his friends injury finished the other skeletons in a fury of flying metal and bone. Brenick and Piledriver finished up the last few skeletons and rushed over to Buul. Dair had propped him up against the wall and was working fast to stem the bleeding.

They were all distracted by a door opening and a snarl coming from inside. They stepped away from Buul and prepared themselves again for a tough fight. Another snarl came from inside the door and the Giant Skeleton summoned forth a beast from the darkness.

“A Werebat!” Brenick shouted! He had heard Olbin talk about them and how it is better if they never encounter one. The Beast charged straight for Brenick and he brought up his Axe to parry but the sheer force of the beast knocked him to the ground. Dair and Pile both rushed over with their blades held high but when they descended, instead of finding the beasts soft hide they clanged against its claws as it whirled about and deflected both the blows with a single swipe.

“Lord Brell!” Pile shouted astonished by the beast’s astonishing speed. Brenick returned to his feet and they formed a semi circle around the Werebat. They battled with the creature for half an hour and finally they were able to defeat it, using Dair as a form of bait.

Dair was instructed to turn his back to the beast and make like he was running, Pile was suppose to be right beside him and Bren would follow after the chasing beast. Once the beast raised its arm to take Dair, Pile would bring his axe down on the beasts arm right before it hit Dair, to throw it off balance then Brenick would finish it off from behind. Timing was everything or else the beast’s claws would surely take away Dairs very life. Everything went well until the Brenicks Axe came down and the beast whirled to meet it.

But the second the beasts claws and Brenicks Axe met, the stout Dwarf, being the quick and witty dwarf that he is dropped one hand down to his waist, pulled out a dagger plunging it deep into the beasts throat. A gurgling, rasping snarl came from the beast’s mouth before Dairitors axe fell on its head and drained the life out of it.

After that battle they all rushed over to Buul, who they found sitting and smiling up at them.

“Thank Brell lads.”, he said with a grin and they all turned to face the Giant Skeleton that came charging in at them.

Brenick was again the first to absorb the blow, a strike that would have felled most Dwarves, save the ones that were trained in The Hammer. The shock of the blow sent him whirling away also taking the consciousness from his body. Pile rushed straight at the Skele with his Sword raised above his head. “Hammers High!” he screamed. The swing was deflected by the skele but Dairs blow clipped its hip and the monstrosity turned with a mighty swipe, knocking Dair aside. The amazing strength of this beaste was that of a hundred dwarves and could easily crush one.

Buul having already healed Brenick, who was charging back in, began to work on Dairs wounds, a broken rib and collar bone. Dair was wincing in pain but new he must fight on.

At that moment, the mighty undead creature picked up Brenick and hurled him against a wall, taking the life from his body.

“NOO!” Pile cried as he charged back in. The skele attempted to pick up Pile but lost a few fingers in the process. Dair, who was fully healed rushed back at the skele and was instantly frozen as the beast turned and used some of its powerful magic given to him by Innoruuk himself. The spells sucked the life out of Dair and dropped his body limply to the ground.

“NOOOO!” Pile screamed again, enraged by the deaths of his two friends.

Buul was working frantically to resurrect his 2 lost friends but only a Cleric of the highest power could do such a thing.

“BRELL, IF EVER YOU HELP ME LET IT BE NOW!” he called out and at that moment he touched Brenick with his hands and watched a glow of light come up from the ground and slowly turn his body back into a living being.

Pile, charging at the skele with his sword raised high, was picked up and was being crushed by the fell beast. Buul and Brenick heard the brave Dwarves' ribs begin to crack.

“BAH!” Pile began to shout but at that instant a glow began to emit its self from his body and his Sword began to radiate. As if his hand was being controlled by Brell himself he raised the Sword up and brought it down on the beasts skull. Lightening arced out of the sky and there was a loud crack of thunder combined with the crack of the beast’s skull. The sword embedded its self inside the skull and a strong light began to shine out of it. The skele began to shake and Pile began to scream as the Skull shattered into a million tiny pieces.

The bone body fell clattering to the ground while Buul, just having resurrected Dair, stood with Brenick and stared in astonishment at what they had just seen.

Pile got up and looking down at his blade smiled and said, “Lads, Trovar can kiss me arse but Im keepin this blade!” They all began to laugh as they headed out of the room.

After a good night sleep they headed back to Kaladim. As they rounded the bend they saw their entire clan gathered out side of Kaladim.

“Ello lads!” Olbin their Thane shouted and the rest began to do the same.

“Ello mates!” the weary group spouted back.

As the party recounted their experience in Unrest the clan listened in amazement. Even King Kazon was impressed by the story.

Olbin, Trovar, Grimcrag, Kissiria, Ihulk, Wulfhere, Thibbledorf, Thori and of course Donrique were led down into Unrest and made the claim official.

After claiming the Estate of Unrest for the Hammer, Piledriver decided he ought to name his blade, “I shall call you Ghoulbane!” he shouted raising the blade above his head.

“Aye, tis a good name mate” Olbin said.

“Bah! Im not fer likin blades meself” Buul spouted.

Smacking Buul on the back of his head Thibbledorf said, “Shush yer mouth ye block head!”

The 4 dwarves fought like one that night. They fought like warrior poets, they fought like Dwarves.

Buul Hammerhandler