Crater Creator

2. An Unlikely Friend

I was informed that there was a commotion at the Light-Headed Elf today. A Dwarf by the name of Nalak Spiritsmasher is said to be the nastiest and most aggressive patron that has ever come to Gwasgow. He came into the Light—Headed Elf and drank all the ale. No Gnome can go near him because of the war hammer, he "claims" he killed someone by the name of Chipolaux. When I walked in, the bartender pointed at the dwarf and told me ready my bow. Instead, I was foolish enough actually ask this drunken Dwarf who Chipolaux was, because it is obvious he drank too much ale, so he is making stuff up. Half slurring, half mumbling he said, "Chipolaux was a dark warlock who lived deep, deep in Rushock Bog. When travelers venture into his bog, he would portray whatever the traveler most desired, mostly women. He would call them into his home, which was nothing but an old, rotten tree. Once he lures them in, he strips them of their weapons and then sucks the life from their very body, so he may continue to live." The Dwarf said as he chugged down the rest of the keg.

I wanted to get on this Dwarf's good side. I politely asked, "So how did you manage to kill this vile warlock and why were you near the bog in the first place?"

The Dwarf continued, "Ah, I was getting to that. Anyway, I was coming from Erred Luann where I was abandoned by my confounded prince. Oh ai, he left me as if I was an animal, left to rot. We were up there mining and we stumbled upon a small room. The walls were made of ancient Dwarven metal. The light shined through the hole showing that in the center of the room a small green obsidian ball that rested on a golden pedestal. On the side of the ball that was in Dwarven writing, "Crater Creator." We thought it must be an explosive device, more powerful than the TNT Dwarves use to mine. What I think is Gimrak is going to try and blow up Vontüll." Nalak eyed me at this point. "Your dull glare tells me I need to point out that Vontüll is the largest of all the Dwarven cities; home to the Dwarven King.

"Gimrak was the heir to the throne, and upon his great discovery, though he had earned his right to succeed his father. King Bulhig said he was not mature enough to take the throne. This enraged Gimrak; he threatened his father, threw a fit, and made a mess of himself. The King said that Gimrak was to leave Vontüll until he returns with a better attitude. Gimrak left Vontüll in a huff. King Bulhig, our father, though we had different mothers, assigned me to protect Gimrak even though he was disappointed and embarrassed; he still loves his son. Even as the king tasked me with protecting the hotheaded prince, I vowed to myself to stop him should he attempt to dethrone my king. As a royal defender, because my mother was not the queen, I would die for my King Bulhig.

"So I came stomping through the bog to look for my stealthy prince when I thought I saw him with the green ball near the rotten tree. I yelled, "You sneaky son of a toad, get or here right now or I'll come over there and gut you like a pumpkin!" He was laughing and smiling, then he said, "Come over here, friend. Come and help me carry this ball." I rushed him faster than lightning could strike and stared at him with a look fiercer than the legendary Basilisk. I started shouting, "I not going to allow you to murder thousands of Dwarves just for your revenge." My 'prince' was shocked with fear; he bolted away. As I stalked my princes' doppelganger, he became so focused on me, that he was cornered and I killed him. I was so relieved I was able to kill him before he got out of my sight, but then I became so I was enraged to find it was a coward warlock, not my traitorous prince. I looked up to see that I have stumbled upon a small town, your town. I thought he must be there, and if he is not, well, I need a few drinks to help me comprehend the situation. I also can prove to you that I'm not drunk by doing this..." He stood up, kicked his chair away, and stacked ten empty kegs on his shoulders, then broke a table with his head. He threw a pouch of gems at the bartender. This was a sign that he is not drunk. I know this because this is not the first Dwarf to drink at this bar.