A Legend Unearthed
<This letter unwraps with a thumb sized perfectly round black pearl nestled in the tube of paper>
Greetings from the dark heart of the mountain fastness of Kor Vokos, my most honored mother. I hope this letter finds you well, and please accept this small token of my love and devotion.
As I last wrote we strived against the giants of fire and were able in the end to bring them low. In the aftermath of conflict, Nicolos wasted no time in calling for water to quest the gold and bronze hunk of metal the giants were doing something with. He very much reminds me of the cats at the wharf when the fishwives start to filet the days catch, tossing the scraps to their waiting mouths. I would have sworn any moment he would start to dance; such was his excitement. Not far away our hunter Silenos and lady Thalia set about collecting the bounty Sparta placed on all giant kind, ears were taken as token and proof.
It was during these efforts the captive of the giants approached the companions, asking if we would like to visit their city of Kor Vokos. At first the companions were concerned about the various tasks set before them and getting them done as quickly as possible. It didn’t take much to see the shock and disappointment on the dwarven visages. A manic Nicolos assured them we would be most honored to come, as he wished to learn more of their smithcraft. The other companions relented starting to share in Nicolos’s excitement. What caught my attention is they had said no overlander had been there in over 1,000 years. That would make any small craft, trinket or good highly valuable due to its rarity. One must live, mustn’t one.
As we started packing to traverse the wilds, several things happened. First was that Lady Thalia started to converse with the small lizards that Lady Alexandra called Kobolds. These creatures inferred that they were captured while in service to some sort of Dragon. They behave like kittens, and I suspected at the time they exaggerated in a similar fashion. A few moments later Silenos gave proof that perhaps I was mistaken. Amongst the remains of the leader of the fire giants, he found a glimmering pearlescent scale. This scale was easily as big as my hip, which makes it a large scale indeed. When showing it to Nicolos, who is the companion’s expert of smith worthy materials, I was able to overhear it was big enough to be perhaps made into some sort of shield. He also in turn had him look at that vile axe he took from the site of the staked sacrifices. Nicolos recognized it as an axe devoted to Ares, one that would provide some divine influence on combat. He was also able to say that Silenos wasn’t cursed ad we feared. It was about that time Thalia and her new friends approached and discussions returned to the large scale. The endearing creatures were introduced as Alu, Gox, and Gecky. They also firmly declared the scale not to be draconic. Sadly, they did it with all the believability of a kitten with a bit of tail sticking out of its mouth, claiming it knew not where to find the mouse. At least it confirmed the origin. Owing to shared captivity, Thalia’s adoption and basic kindness, the dwarves also elected to bring the Kobolds along on our journey.
It turns out that while Silenos knows the mountains well, the dwarves know them as if they were their own homes. We were led to paths wedged into rock chimneys that we would have never otherwise spotted and sure as sunset, we arrived outside a semi-underground cavern. I say semi as there were a few gaps allowing natural light to pierce the caverns, but the bulk of it lay in fire light splendor. I’ve had opportunity to see some impressive sights, few match the majesty of the buildings wrought by these dwarves. I don’t think even the splendors you described of the Temples of Karnak measure up. The great door was an impressive sight, a massive bas-relief of Vulcan, the dwarvern adaptation of Hephaestus. Everywhere were items with ornate carvings, geometric patterns, worked gemstones, and metallic gilt. The central fortress looked siege proof, and that’s where we eventually headed.
Our guide was the rescued dwarf, Klatis. He led us into the city through the artisan quarter to what could only be the royal quarter. The guards were decked out with axes, hammers, thick shields, and most importantly this armor made of overlapping plate, almost like a scarab in its hard shell. Some of the nobility (for I can only assume them to be such), wore impressively intricate plaited beards with polished gemstones worked into them. We were eventually stopped by a royal guard whose name I think was Embrus. He seemed quite disapproving, but eventually relented ushering us to see the dwarven king. Introductions abound as does a multiple person recounting of the saving of Klatis and his associates, but some general information from the outside world as well. The king seemed reluctant to believe, and some of his court were down right dismissive. They are even going so far as to examine some of the captured ears Silenos and Thalia took. One of the dwarven princes Heberos spoke up and not long after we were escorted to a fine place to stay which was well appointed. The nobles wanted to speak and debate some and we were to wait.
Not knowing how long it would be, Nicolos couldn’t wait any longer, and eagerly set out to find the smiths of this dwarven home. Ouroboros quickly volunteered to go with him as well. Once they’d left, I took the liberty to slip out a second story window to do some exploring of my own. That eventually led me to the market, where the profusion of stones was amazing. I took a few samples against future need. That’s where I found the black pearl contained in this missive. I hope it serves you well. Not long after I returned home to one of the most impressive sights of transformation I’ve ever seen. Apparently, the Lady Thalia coaxed manners and a semblance of patience from the erstwhile kobolds. They were playing some sort of board game.
Not long after my own return, Silenos also returned, apparently on a mission of his own. Lady Alex indicated we had missed the prince’s return, and he was going to speak with us in the morning. Several others are headed to a tavern for the evening, I on the other hand am writing you while I have a chance and am. Before I headed out, I noted that Nicolos had fashioned quite an impressive shield of that dragon’s scale for good Silenos. It was wonderful to behold.
Good night mother mine, I remain as always your devoted son.
Gyasi