Entrance to Dargis (Dwarves and Halflings Only) (all pc's must post here first)

[Firebird]

The city of Dwarves and Halflings, Dargis, is only accessible through one gate, which is guarded by a squad of dwarves dressed in black uniforms, covered with chainmail, which is made of the strongest steel available, dwarven steel. The locked gate is only opened when there is a dwarf or halfling wanting to enter. All must have their papers in order, for no known thiefs, murderers or con men are allowed. If you have commited any crime in the Empire and are known to be on the run, even a dwarf or halfling is jailed immediately in the dungeon set aside for criminals in Zerdargia.

The gate itself is made of heavy steel and can only be opened by a key from the inside. The fence surrounding the entrance is made of 4 foot thick rock walls with steel spikes set in the top. Should anyone try to scale the walls, they would be impaled by the 6 foot high steel stakes.

Should you gain admittance to the interior, you will find six uniformed dwarves in chain mail, including two who are guarding the wooden cage which will lower you into the depths of the city. They will confiscate your weapons and store them in a cabinet against one wall.

[Coulter Minith]

Timestamp: The First Brightening, in the Month of Pontius, in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.

The sights and smells of Zerdargia filled the young dwarfen warrior’s heart and soul with emotion too strong to describe in words. Although having recently spent a considerable amount of time in another heavily dwarfen populated city, Primus Gaudeo, Coulter Minith could not help feeling that although Primus Gaudeo was his clan’s ancestral home, Zerdargia held a special place in the hearts and minds of every dwarf. For it was from this ancient city where the dwarf kings of old had ruled the ancient dwarfen Kingdom of Dargis, and as such every single dwarf within the borders of the Empire could trace his/her linage back to this ancient and noble city.

However welcoming the sights and smells of Zerdargia were to the four-foot tall bearded dwarf, Coulter Minith could not help thinking that he wanted…needed something more, something that only the dwarfen race could appreciate. Therefore like every dwarf when this feeling come upon them, which you could call homesickness, Coulter Minith needed to feel the comfort and safety that only being around his own race and a mug or two of dwarfen ale could bring.

Therefore with a firm objective in mind, and the memories of good old fashion dwarfen ale upon his mind and lips, the young dwarfen adventurer quickly makes the short journey through the narrow streets of Zerdargia heading towards the entrance to the underground dwarfen city of Dargis. Upon reaching the only known entrance to this underground city Coulter Minith would show all the necessary items, and give all the necessary information to gain entrance to underground City of Dargis.

While these items where being checked, the black-bearded dwarf would turn to the closest dwarfen guard and make a few enquires about the rumours and news of Dargis. ‘May ye goblet never run dry, and serale kinsmen. What news of the underground, I hope that Cetheron has continued to smile upon ye city’s gold and ale?’

[Firebird]

The surley guard noticed a dwarven male coming towards him, no doubt wanting admittance to Dargis. He had had a bad day, first his captain had chewed him out in a fracas that almost came to blows, about being late for guard duty and secondly, he had a terrible hangover. He never got one from dwarven ale, but last night he had gone into Zerdargia on the behest of his girlfriend and drank some sissy concoction she had wanted him to try. He checked Coulter's visa. He hadn't heard of any dwarf by his name on the run, and was ready to notify the guards inside to open the gate. He reached for the bell to sound the signal which changed everyday. Then the stout dwarf spoke to him:

May ye goblet never run dry, and serale kinsmen. What news of the underground, I hope that Cetheron has continued to smile upon ye city’s gold and ale?

Who you be! he growled, what is your business here! He took his spear and blocked Coulter's way. To himself he thought, is this a fortune seeking person, after all con men were always trying to pilfer money from the hard working miners. Mostly they were sly halflings, but ...

[Coulter Minith]

The manner and tone of his gate guarding kinsmen was anything but pleasing to the ears of the young black-bearded dwarf, whom had crossed numerous miles of wilderness in order to spend the cold winter months with his underground brethren. Having himself on numerous occasions guarded a few gates in his time enrolled within the Daltina Armed Forces, Coulter Minith knew what a boring and tedious task guarding a gate was, talking to travelling strangers brightening in brightening out.

At any other city within the borders of the Empire, with any other race found within the borders of the Empire, the worldly experienced dwarfen adventurer would probably have taken issue with the unnecessarily hoarse manner of the dwarfen gatekeeper. However, Coulter Minith was coming ‘home’ to his people, and the young dwarf warrior wanted nor needed the trouble auguring with a guardian of Dargis would bring. Therefore with his own experiences guarding gates to draw upon, the young Laird of Clan Minith was willing to look the other way in favour of a quick and unhurried entrance into the dark deeps of the underground.

However, although the former dwarfen soldier wanted no trouble with his fellow dwarfs, being a member of a warrior race with the blood of countless warriors flowing through his granite like veins, Coulter Minith wouldn’t let an insult, no matter how small, to his reputation go unanswered. Therefore if the dwarfen gate keeper happened to take the time to look upon his dwarfen kinsmen he would numerous little things that would inform him of the growing anger of his brethren.

The gate keeping dwarf would see that the face of the younger dwarf was totally unemotional like a grey cliff face facing the crashing of the tides. He would see the right-hand of the angry dwarf still unknown to him tighten around the hilt of a short-sword sheathed to his belt on his left hand side. He would see the left boot of Coulter Minith being dragged backward to better balance his body in the event of a fight. Waiting a few second for his experienced opponent to notices these small trivial movement, Coulter Minith would state in a low unemotional rumbling voice these words.

‘Aye bee Coulter Minith’ the fact that he didn’t name his clan would make it apparent to the guarding dwarf that before him stood a blood kinsmen to the Laird of Clan Minith, or perhaps even the Laird himself of that clan. ‘Me business here is me own…drink, the company of me kinsmen is all me after.’

[Firebird]

Coulter Minth, you say, aww, well now that's a different story, the guard said, I remember you, you ain't been seen around these parts for ,,, he seemed genuinely flustered. Ugh, ok you can go through. He drew back his spear and rang the bell. In a few minutes Coulter saw the huge iron gate move. The guard ushered him in. Inside Coulter saw two more guards. The one of his right, asked gruffly, "Yer weapons .. sticking out his hand. Two other guards stood in a large cage, with long thick ropes which seemed to reach to the bottom of the shaft. It was the only way in or out of Dargis, and noone got on the cage until they relinquished their weapons.

After giving the guards the weapons, which were stored in a large cabinet, The guards motioned him into the cage. Slowly they lowered it into the depths of the underground city. The cage came to a stop about 100 feet underground. The gate to the cage was opened and before him he saw a large corridor lighted with hanging lamps. At the end of the hallway, Coulter would see e underground city. There were stores, taverns, hotels and any business you could imagine. The center of the city, had fountains which had large statues of dwarven heros, one notably on horseback. Everywhere he looked there were bright lanterns and gas lights illuminating the avenues. Dwarves and halflings walked or rushed about, depending on where they were going.

[Coulter Minith]

It felt a bit unusual to be so unarmed while outside, or in this case underground, in the presence of unknown strangers without the reassuring weight and feel of his numerous weapons, both seen and unseen, upon his dwarfen body. For nearly the whole of the past six eras, Coulter Minith could easily count upon the fingers of his callous hand the number of times in which he had been so unarmed, without even his trusty bone-handled dagger, sheathed in his left boot, in case of emergencies.

Never the less this uneasy feeling the black-bearded dwarfen warrior was feeling about being unarmed was totally unnecessary given his current situation. Here Coulter Minith was not in some dangerous hellhole of a city like Malice surrounded by enemies, but underground in the former capital of the Dwarfen Kingdom of Dargis surrounded by his kinsmen and brethren; both of whom would defend his life as surely as Coulter Minith would defend them.

The four-foot tall worldly beyond his eras dwarf could even see the reasoning behind unarming every citizen entering the underground city. Like any city with a large dwarfen population to contend with, Dargis was famous within the dwarfen community for its down-to-earth atmosphere and its ale. However, this naturally causes a few endless problems for the local government. Like any true warrior race within the world of Aelyria, the dwarfen race like to fight, a lot, and when not fighting some ancient ancestral enemy like orcs and/or elves, a dwarf would probably be having an argument or two with a fellow dwarf about everything and anything.

The combination of dwarfs and ale were in many ways like the combination of dynamite and a fuse; truly deadly. Therefore the elders of Dargis had decided wisely not to place a match, weapons, in the mix as well and allow dwarfs to go around armed within the streets of Dargis. With the knowledge that everyone, hopefully, was unarmed as he was Coulter Minith headed into the darkness of Dargis looking for a place to stay.

[Oinos Grapesmasher]

Late Aperitus, Spring, Era XV, PF

Oinos approached the gate to Dargis. All those guards and a locked heavy steel gate came as a bit of a surprise. The wall was impressive as well. He ambled over to the nearest guard, took out his visa and presented it, "Serale, I'm Oinos Grapesmasher, Winemaker and Beekeeper. I have a place not far from here and come to buy supplies.

"You folks sure do have a secure set-up here. I doubt that anyone gets through unless you let let them."

He then waited to be passed or go through what procedures they might have. This sure was different than strolling into Natura with no gate, no wall, no guards and nobody caring if you entered.

[Firebird]

Oinos

The guards on duty that day were feeling good, annual bonuses had just been paid and the Spring air felt good on their pale faces, winter was finally over and Springtime in the mountains was beautiful. But the seriousness of their job was apparent, Dargis was a closed city to all but a few, and the Reds took their jobs seriously. The wealth of the city must not fall prey to any but those whose rightful place was within the hierarchy of the ancient clans of the City.

As Oinos approached the guards stood alert. One guard took Oinos Visa, the other looked him over for weapons. "Be ye armed, Grapesmasher. If this is yer first visit to yer ancestors' homeland, be ye notified that visitors cannot handle weapons of any sort. Your weapons will be confiscated inside."

[Oinos Grapesmasher]

It amused Oinos when the guard asked him if he was armed. He pointed to the proverbial rusty dagger and said, "Not sure if anyone would call this a weapon, but that's all I've got. This is indeed my first visit to my ancesters' homeland but I'm already settled down here, out near the Ranger Hall, so I wouldn't call myself a visitor. If somebody needs to confiscate this old rusty dagger, then they can do it with my blessing. I don't rightly know why I've kept it. Would it make me less dangerous if I just dropped it on the ground right here? I never knew it to be so complicated just to go to a shop and buy some things. If all this is making too much trouble for you, I can just go to Zerdargia and buy what I need over there."

[Firebird]

Onios

The guard took one look at his dagger and laughed, "That can opener a weapon," still laughing he pulled the bell and slowly the huge reinforced door opened. "He ain't got no weapon," he said to the guards inside. The guards allowed Onios entry then escorted him to the lift. The lift was large enough to hold a loaded wagon and six horses, but Onios had it all to himself and as he was lowered into the darkness he could see armed guards stationed at every corner with lanterns. The shaft was dark as pitch and Onios could see nothing but reinforced dirt walls until at last the lift settled down on solid ground again 100 feet below. Onios was escorted off the lift, upon looking around he saw a huge city laid out before him, the beauty of which could only be described as awesome.

[Oinos Grapesmasher]

Oinos grinned when the guard agreed that the rusty old dagger was not really a weapon. Of course, he expected that a Dwarf would be reasonable, that was the nature of the race. He followed his escort to the lift after the huge reinforced door slowly opened. The lift was plenty big enough and Onios had it all to himself. As the lift descended there was not much to see. It was dark but there were armed guards stationed at every corner with lanterns. After going down for about 100 feet, he was escorted off the lift, upon looking around he saw a huge city laid out before him, the beauty of which could only be described as awesome. This was much more than he expected. Having favored life in the forests for most of his life, Oinos was quite surprised to see a formidable city undergrouind. He walked along in search of what would be the Merchant District.

[Milo L'Evienne]

Late Optia in the Spring of Era XV

It was a single dwarven woman who approached, or rather as good as waddled towards the gates on her own, she’d been brought that far…dropped off a ways down the path more specifically by an eccentric old mage dressed in colorful robes and his white hair jutting at odd angles from beneath a raspberry beret. The old grandmother of a dwarf had looked forward to her errand on behalf of His Royal Highness of course but faced with a long bumpy road in a carriage, she’d opted for Gwygwin’s offer of quick transportation.

She was a fetching example as dwarven women went, uncommonly fetching more than one old coot of a dwarf in the palace had remarked, aged with half a dozen children and grandchildren thrice more, but still as lively as ever. She was as round as she was tall and her beard was a thick and curling one, lovingly kept and scattered with strands of silver and it rested neatly atop an uncommonly large bosom. Her eyebrows were thick and her cheeks rosy, her eyes keen and it was clear that as the overseer of Himself’s domain outside his offices in the palace, nothing got past the old woman and woe be to him or her that thought otherwise. She was a gruff old woman but she’d a heart as big and kind as there ever was, it was bluff as much as anything for it took a shrewd individual to keep a forum full of officials, soldiers, nobles, not to mention Himself and his Rosemen in line.

It wasn’t often the old woman was the one carrying messages here or there, in fact unheard of but in this instance she’d asked, advised, and Himself had happily conceded to her wishes. It had been too long since visiting her homeland and outside of having a chat with the recipient of her visit, she was keen to reconnect a bit with what never truly had left her. She was dressed in a leather skirt that brushed the top of her boots and a leather vest too over her shirt, all in all it showed off her fine and substantial figure without so much as intending it too. But when one was as round as one was tall, it was a foregone conclusion that it would.

She had her papers and identification in order of course and upon reaching the gates, she’d present them to whoever asked, and there’d be a flash of a white smile from between the gap in her curling beard for though it had been a while, the place certainly had the look and feel of home. ”M’ name is Ada Stromb,” she declared to whoever cared to ask her business. ”I’m th’ personal Adjutant of Himse…His Royal Highness, and I’m here t’ d’liver a letter on his b’half t’ th’ Kaldrarim Palace, an’ a friendly greetin’ t’ Laird Greyholme b'sides if 'e's available.”

[Firebird]

The guards saw the old woman come hobbling down the road and instantly the young Red sprang to her side. Grannies were especially favored in Dargis, indeed in the dwarfen culture and this old woman, whose cheerful countenance belied her love for Dargis, was very welcome within its gates.

"If ye'll jest give me yer papers, mam, we'll open the gate up so ye can pass." Upon seeing she was from the Prince's own staff, and upon being told that she was on her way to Kaldrarim Palace to meet with Laird Greyholme, he said stoically, "Madam I will personally escort ye to the Palace meself."

Sgt. Coppersmith was on the gates that day also, and overheard the exchange between the two. Quickly he dispatched his aide to get Darith Coppersmith, and have him meet adjutent Ada Stromb at the Palace. Laird Darith Coppersmith coveted the Kingship just as much as Laird Greyholme did and felt he had more right than the others to assume the Throne. No meeting between the adjutent and Laird Greyholme alone would do. No, his Laird had to be involved also.

As the Reds parted to let Ada through onto the lift, the aide jumped on it too before its descent into the deep recesses of the earth to the underground home of the dwarfen race, Dargis.

[Milo L'Evienne]

When the young Red hopped to in order to help her along, Mrs. Stromb graced him with a matronly smile, her dark eyes beaming with pleasure. Better manners by far, she observed, than some of those upstart youngsters in their ruffled collars and buckled shoes off in the halls of the palace in Prime. Why some of them never even thought to take their hats off in the presence of a lady. ”Why thank ye lad,” she said to him as he escorted her the remainder of the way to the gates and offered his escort to the Palace, ”now aren’t ye a dear thing.” This declared as she climbed aboard the lift and moved aside to accommodate another hopping on board.

Downwards though they went, her contented smile remained, she might’ve lived amongst humans and others for many an era, with the Prince since he was a poorly paid Public Defender back then but one simply never forgot. ”I should tell ye that ‘is Royal Highness fancies a personal visit come th’ beginning of Summer, he'd intended as much during his previous visit to th' province earlier this season but was called back t' Prime by news of his lady's death...Bless her, such a dear thing she was and always a kind word. And those poor wee children..." she added with a shake of her head.

"But when he talked of sendin’ a greetin’ and a message of his intentions t' come…well I advised him that as his senior I’d be pleased t’ pay a visit first on his b'half an’ speak t’ th’ Lairds of his intentions. I’m surely pleased he agreed,” she added and drew a deep, appreciative breath of the earthy scent surrounding her, a far cry from the floral scented parlors in the palace in Prime.