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Author Topic: Axodeth Stonecutter  (Read 599 times)

stragen

Axodeth Stonecutter
« on: November 30, 2008, 10:49:10 pm »
The Halls of King Rory Rockfist bustled with activity.  In the years since the Warlord Varka entered the embrace of Vorax the Blood Gate had prospered.  Since that day two changes had come to the halls. The Triqueta of Gates now hovered above the Kings Throne and a life size statue of Warlord Varka Cleaveson had been placed on display in the massive throne room.

A group of young warriors and novice priests spotted Jacrum kneeling before the Statue of Varka Cleaveson.

“’Annur Jacrum!  Tell us a tale of der Warlord.  Der one when he sank a ship with a single punched!” called one of the group.

“Nay! Tell us a tale of der Defender and Maiden Argali” called another, this request was followed by a wolf-whistle.

Jacrum turned and faced the group.  “I’ll tell ye a tale, der tale of der last stand of Axodeth Stonecutter.”  

The young dwarves gathered and sat down on the polished granite floor while Jacrum told the tale in the dwarven tongue.

To die in battle is to die in service of Vorax.  Every warrior of Vorax knows this.  In his youth Axodeth Stonecutter had been an adventurer and miner.  In the days before the skies had turned dark he had made his fortune selling weapons and armour.  Using this money he bought a fine house in the remote town of Hlint in the land of Mistone.  In that land there was not a goblin that did not fear when the Axodeth went mining.  When the dark times came Axodeth kept himself to his house and lived in comfort raising his foster kin and the families who came to stay with him.  For decades he was content to listen to the tales of adventure from the young kin.  Even when the sky turned light again Axodeth rarely ventured far from his comfortable home.

Then came a time when he heard the call of Vorax and the need to do battle again in worship of our god.  He arranged to meet with me in Leringard through an old friend of my family.  He wanted to seek adventure and see all that had changed in Layonara.  I agreed and we sailed to Hurm.  Our plan was to head to Dalanthar and then into the Thunderpeak mountains.

As we headed out of Hurm we were attacked by Elven Bandits.  I swear I saw dust come flying off his axe the first time Axodeth swung it.  But after he pulled it out of the body of the Elf it shone with blood and fire.

We stopped briefly in Dalanthar for supplies and continued to the crossroads.  Then we headed into the Western range of the Thunderpeaks.  

This land is full of Bandits:  Half-Orcs, Goblins, Halflings and even the traitorous Deep Dwarves.  We found a bandit lair and fought our way in, determined to rid the land of as much of their evil kind as possible.  Axodeth quickly returned to his youthful vigour.  I was astonished to see the bald-headed old dwarf match and surpass my skill with the Axe.  Together we were unstoppable, we plunged deep into their stronghold.  Axodeth spitting on the corpse of ever Deep Dwarf he killed.  Having dispatched their leaders in an epic battle we headed out with the name of Vorax on our lips and in our hearts.

It was on the way out that we were ambushed.  A halberd wielding Half-Orc, a Dark Dwarf with a massive great axe, a Goblin archer, another Goblin with two swords, and a Halfling rogue fell upon our backs.  The battle was swift and deadly.  Within a blink of an eye the Orc, the Dark Dwarf, the Halfling and one of the Goblins were lying dead at Axodeth’s feet.  As I dispatched the last goblin I saw that Axodeth was mortally wounded.  Cut to ribbons by the hideous wounds inflicted by his enemies. I swore he was already dead, yet as I knelt to pray by his body I heard his voice whisper.

“Vorax is that ye?”

I know the answer.  Vorax was with him then as he was through all the battles that day.  This is how a true warrior lives and dies, with Vorax in their hearts.  I carried his body to the Temple of Vorax in the Runic Clan Halls.  There his body now rests.  Axodeth knew his time had come, and he faced death as a true warrior of Vorax without fear, choosing his time and place to fight.  Remember and honour his name in your hearts for all time.