The following chronicles a part of one of the more famous quests of a mighty dwarf that once lived in Norska. Though he passed over a millenium ago, his legend lives on…

“21st of Buckmont, 18,506 Anno Drannorae.”

“Once again my feet lack the familiar feel of earth and stone. Once again my dreams dictate my direction, and I’m off with a group of strangers towards Russ – towards North. Once again the wind, sea, and sun dance upon my face, and my eyes fix to the lost city, to the fallen Holdfast, to the Eastern Mountains. It has now been twenty years since I first dreamt of these places… and I remember them like it was yesterday. My visions get stronger, and I can feel the tension in my bones. I hope, no, I know, that this is where I’m meant to be. They didn’t understand, but my fate has been decided the day I picked up the shield and armor – the day I met him.”

“We sail for a few days with favorable winds, or so the crew tells me. I know enough to stand out of their way, and I take this time to practice with my axe and soak in Thoraín’s blessings high in the sky. We have a brief skirmish with would-be pirates, but our captain fired his guns once or twice and scared them away. And like that we reach our first stop – a smaller town by the name of Hamelin. It is mostly a restocking port, though there is enough trade here to satisfy a common merchant. I take this opportunity to set my feet on the ground, and examine the workings of my Ruus cousins. Their craft is magnificent: swords, shields, axes, you name it – each done with a true master’s hand. I doubt these humans appreciate my race’s dedication & skill, but such is the way of the world. They have coins, and that’s enough ‘appreciation’ I guess.”

“The captain seems to have run into an old friend of his – a fellow pirate/privateer known as Captain Ramius. They banter for a bit, we have a pleasant supper with him, and they exchange stories. I took this opportunity to learn about my odd dwarfen companion – Raethe. Law of Cordiality had been satisfied, and now it was time for proper introductions. To my surprise, he refused to speak of his clan or origins. I don’t know much about his kind – the ‘savage’ dwarfs of Ruus so to speak, though I can’t imagine them being too different from our Norska barbarians. It is odd he hides his true self. It is… undwarfen. I could see anger flicker in his deformed eyes. I can see he’s been… touched. It does not shock me as it would others, for I have seen my share of it. I don’t know what to think of him. But he travels where I travel, as does the outlander, and the captain of our ship. So long as they stay out of my way, we’ll get along just fine. I’m a fairly easy going dwarf and it takes a lot to anger me, but nobody better get in the way of my quest, or they will suffer the same fate those goblins did in Karak Ild twenty years ago.”

“Next day we resume our journey and head towards Odessa, a large port and outpost for the Russ dwarfes. It is high summer, and the ships are now coming with dwarfen wares frequently. I can’t wait to see my cousins. I can’t wait to see the old world. It takes us five days, and again we have good winds, and no trouble on the water. On the fifth day we reach the city, and it is large, by human standards. Captain Deigo takes some unusual precautions here, as if expecting trouble, and if I’m not mistaken he might have even locked up his niece from venturing within. Not my business and I do not interfere with his affairs.”

“Again, the feel of earth & stone – old stone, brings a smile on my face. This time I head out wearing armor instead of tunic, though such precaution among cousin dwarfs may be excessive. I head straight for the gem cutter’s center, and soon enough I find it. My cousins do not seem to appreciate my presence; until they find out I’m selling gems, not buying. I take this opportunity to learn about the ‘fallen’ Karak. Many take offense to that, as they should by dwarfen custom, but I need to know, and though it pains me to ask, I eventually find a dwarf willing (and greedy) enough to learn all I need to learn. He tells me about a fallen Holdfast that apparently some madman is trying to reclaim. That is a very strange thing indeed. We trade, and having enough coin to conduct all the necessary affairs, I conclude my business.”

“I know Captain Diego doesn’t want us to take much time in the city, but I cannot skip this chance to visit the Temple of Thoraín – I know there’s one here, and sure enough, after asking a few dwarfs I find it in the center of town. I sit there for a few hours. I chose a perfect spot – right where the sun comes through the window and warms my face and hands. I sit there, loosing myself in the moment, paying homage and giving thanks to our gods. I dream there, fading in-and-out of consciousness, hearing cheering voices in the Halls of Thoraín, and seeing the smiling faces of ancient dwarfs. I do not know why they talk to me. I do not know what Thoraín has in store for me. But I look forward to it. I leave a gem on the altar and head out.”

“Eventually all dehydrated and sweaty I make my way back to the ship. The crew eyes me with suspicion, undoubtedly hearing the distinct sound of gold coming from the box I carry. But pirates as they are, they can clearly see my axe, and I doubt many would like to taste its business end. Eventually my other companions return from the city too. I presume they too took this opportunity to learn of our destination. I look forward to hearing what they have learnt, and sharing what I know. Maybe together we can piece together enough information to get me to where I need to go. And as the ship’s sails fill and the water begins to move, I fix my eyes North-East once again…”