If the rumors are true, The Famous Palisade, a defiant but long-ailing dwarven civilization, has been dealt a final, debilitating blow at Gemclod by its many enemies. The fortress of Gemclod, once populated by hundreds of dwarves, fell victim to coordinated invasions, ambushes, and, according to some more creative stories, a multitude of horrific beasts from the depths. Though the king of The Famous Palisade still lives, his acquiescence is near-assured at this point. The Arrogant Ones claim another vassal, and the remaining dwarves grow weaker.
I am Zasit Hardywall, a dwarf of The Exalted Tomb. With the fall of Gemclod, we become the last true civilization of dwarves, and we are a well-named people. Long have we dwelled in the shadows of the world, shamefully avoiding the aggression of the arrogant ones as civilization after civilization fell to their strength. Even with the act of defiance shown by Gemclod, our leaders will not change their ways. I fear our peaceful, modest mountainhomes will someday become the last resting place of dwarfkind. So I must set off alone, to search the fabled Gemclod, to find some dwarf or relic or artifact that might convince my brothers and sisters to rise from our stone sanctuaries and support our scattered brethren. Perhaps one of the dwarves of legend, Hero Minty, Warrior Enzer, Great Marksdwarf Repelex, Founder Markus, Elder Leperfish, Praetor Vox, or some other still lives.
In my depths, I fear it is a hopeless cause. Nevertheless, I will do my best. For The Exalted Tomb, for The Famous Palisade, For Gemclod.
This is a map of The Famous Palisade. The red X represents the closest approximation I have of Gemclod's location.
Here is a map of our lands, as they are. Many of the Exalted Tomb's holdings are painfully distant from the mountains, and partially occupied by other, more numerous races. I will delve no deeper into this shame.
The path to Gemclod seems clear. I will travel north, sheltering in whatever towns I come across, hopefully human, but if it comes to it, I will rest with the Arrogant Ones. Though they have disdain for all dwarves, my markings identify me as a citizen of The Exalted Tomb, and so they will likely show me the minimal hospitality they tend to provide to their "allies;" At least, until I show my true colors.
What follows is an accounting of my skills and inventory. I have some limited non-combat training as a speardwarf and my personal weapon and shield, though I was unable to acquire any real armor for my journey. An armored dwarf would draw further unwanted attention, so maybe it is for the best. Though I have limited rations, I should be able to provide for myself well enough along the way by hunting.
As I make ready to leave from the edge of one of our lowland villages, I am approached by one of our "resident" Arrogant Ones. he attempts to dissuade me from leaving, but I am not intimidated. I must waste no more time.
The weather is good. I depart today
