The Stonehelm Clan

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

*Spoken, and written, in Dwarven.*

Days roll by, and we look back, to remember our ancestors. Those great and terrible beards whose actions were swallowed up in history by the tales of heroes, yet whose lives shaped ours as we know them.

Kin, I stand here to tell you the tales of our Clan, and foremost, I think, is the tale of that last dwarf who survived the destruction of Roldem and threw off the confusion and lies that trapped him in his youth.

His name was Cutter, and he was scarred.

In my hand, I hold the journal he kept, which saw battle, death, and a fair number of bloodstains... And saw, too, the expansion of our clan from one member... To all those who stand here before me today. We are still small, but honored is our first ancestor; that dwarf who was at once the end of his Clan and the beginning.

Last of his blood Kin, he found himself, barely in his forties, as the head of his Clan, with a past of pain and misdeed behind him. Bloodstone, and the terror he wrought, were long since dead, but new menaces watched over Layonara... Milara, Dark Elf, wizard, and former general of Sinthar Bloodstone, still held sway over the vast majority of Alindor, and Lord Rael ruled Prantz and the Rael kingdom with an adamantine fist. Dragons' wings beat the sky.

In this world was Cutter Stonehelm thrust, with no Clan to protect him, and only the Father of Battle's teachings to guide him.

No fanciful words of this old bard can tell his story in greater candor than Cutter's own... Though there are parts of the tale he left out.

Listen, and hear our clan's beginnings...

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

Varka Cleaveson.

I met with him today. In Port Hempstead, where I was going for supplies, I just came across him at the fountains. He pushed a few humans and a point-ear out of the way to make room for me... And I asked who he was. When he told me, I couldn't believe it, but knew it was true.

I'd never thought that Vorax would give me so great a gift.

Varka Cleaveson, Warlord of Bloody Gate and the Unified Clans. For years, I've struggled with the idea that my Clan will die with me, that the destruction of Tilmar was the end of Stonehelm. But in Varka there was something more.

I'm the only one of my Clan alive. That makes me the Clan head, able to enter into agreements, settle disputes, and even declare war.

But what I did was join the Alliance.

Varka accepted Clan Stonehelm into the Unified Clans, and I assumed my duties as both Clan head and militiaman. No call to battle has been brought yet, but many things have prompted reports. While my Clan is still gone other than me, the sense of Kinship is very good.

There is a woman, or a girl, named Milly. She's a mage, and her head seems full of cotton, but she's pretty. I still can't decide if I want to court her. She seems obsessed with her magic tricks. I don't understand it.

A point-ear named Khuren committed an act of black murder before my eyes. Johan, a furrier in Hlint, wanted a special pelt for his masterwork. He asked us to get it for him. We did, but when we brought it back, the point-ear turned into a bear, and slew the old man.

Johan was so happy and thankful to him for bringing the pelt, too.

After killing him, the point-ear destroyed the pelt, making the bear's death worthless. I hope the other point-eared treehuggers aren't as mad.

Now, I collect the furrier's work, and I hope to have one of his original brown bearskin cloaks soon. Many of the Dragoncalled wear them still.

The mad point-ear is wanted for murder. I should have killed him when I first saw him, and his giant-blooded friend.

I pray that Vorax will give me the strength to deal justice when I find Khuren. The point-ear must pay.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

I spent many hours on this letter. I pray it will achieve something.

-----

*This letter is in two parts; the first, written in Dwarven, is markedly more eloquent. The second, in Common, is more simple and to-the-point. Enclosed is a letter, marked with a panther print.*
 
 //Italics, for these purposes, mean Dwarven.//
 
 High Druid of Mistone, a letter of grave importance.
 
My name is Cutter, Clan head of Clan Stonehelm, member of the Unified Clans under Varka Cleaveson and King Rory Rockfist. I send this letter with a heavy heart and stirred blood, in response to the black murder of Johan of Hlint.Johan was a furrier, and, in his business, was second-handedly responsible for the deaths of many, many creatures. The skins of each, he put to good use, making works that, into his career, are works of art, and sold these to support himself and his family the only way he knew how. Hundreds of other furriers and tanners make their livings this way every day.
 
 Johan was near his death, and had a last request, to be filled by a group of hunters. I was a part of this group. Johan wanted the pelt of the Golden Bear, a magical, rare animal that is born once in a decade. With it, he would make his masterwork, the greatest art he had ever produced.
 
An elf named Khuren, a Druid, decided this should not happen.
 
I am told he went to the Raven of Wolfswood Forest to tell him of this. Raven told him that it would aid nature for us to take the Golden Bear, because the hunters and trappers that came from all Layonara would not leave if it lived. Through challenges, we took the bear and its pelt, and returned to Hlint.Johan was very happy. His gratitude was great, and he offered us the last things he would ever make, as well as a payment in True. But Khuren, in the sight of guards, us, and commonfolk - even children! -, turned into a bear himself, and slew Johan in cold blood, and then destroyed the pelt of the Golden Bear, making its death even more of a waste.
 
I am shamed that I could not prevent this, but I ask you to prevent this madelf from murdering again. He has said no other would stop him but the Druidic Council.
 
I fear for the lives of other furriers, hunters, and loggers who this elf would see as no better than Johan, and mourn the death of an innocent man.
 
Bring this elf to justice.
 
------------------
 
High Druid of Mistone, a very important letter.
 
My name is Cutter, head of Clan Stonehelm, member of the Unified Clans under Varka Cleaveson and King Rory Rockfist. I write this sadly, about the black murder of Johan of Hlint.
 
Johan, a furrier, was responsible for many animal deaths. These animals' skins were used well, to even be art in his career. Hundreds of other furriers do the same every day.
 
Johan had a last request. He wanted the pelt of the Golden Bear, rare and born once a decade. With it, he would make his masterwork.
 
An elf named Khuren decided this should not happen.
 
The elf went to Raven of the Wolfswood Forest to tell him. Raven told him we should take the bear, because the other hunters would not leave if not. We took the bear, and went back to Hlint.
 
Johan was happy, and gave us his wares and True. But Khuren, in front of everyone - even children! - turned into a bear and killed him, and then destroyed the pelt, wasting its death.
 
I am sorry I could not stop him, but ask you to stop him from murdering again. He said noone other than the Druidic Council would.
 
I fear for the lives of many hunters, trappers, and loggers, and mourn an innocent man's death.
 
Bring this elf to justice.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

After a long and hard day's slaughtering vermin and traitors...

Cutter Stonehelm: Vorax keep ye.
Ellis Kyudo: Ha! Aye, aye. *She runs off.*
Cutter Stonehelm: Ah need a drink, an' den we kin 'ead wheree'er ye t'ink bes'.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Aye lad, Oi beh needin' ter rest too nauw.
Cutter Stonehelm: Well, aye, den, ser.
Cutter Stonehelm: It be an honor travelin' wit' ye.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Eht is the same wit' yer.
Cutter Stonehelm: *He bows deeply.* Ah'm 'umbled an' 'onored.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Dunnae beh, lad.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Yer bring great glory ter Vorax, lad.
Cutter Stonehelm: *After a few moments of humbled silence...* K'azrg our'.
Thoran Stormcleaver: *He walks up to him*
Thoran Stormcleaver: When da toime comes lad, yer beh doing a great service to der Fadder of Battle.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Yer toime will come... See?
Cutter Stonehelm: *He looks out through the slot in his helm, and slowly nods.* When it do, Ah'll give all Ah have.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Dat be da spirit, lad.
Cutter Stonehelm: Me clan be jes' me, but... Ah hope tae bring its name tae glory.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Dat beh what eht's all about, lad.
Cutter Stonehelm: *His voice betrays the grin under his helm.* Jes' got tae foind me a good lass, an' Stonehelm'll be grand again.
Thoran Stormcleaver: *He laughs* Yer keep yer moind focused, lad!
Cutter Stonehelm: *He laughs, nodding.* Aye. Vorax be wit' ye as always, Pries'. Ah'm 'eaded fer room an' res'.
Cutter Stonehelm: May'ap get dis armor dry 'fore it rusts.
Thoran Stormcleaver: Aye.