Hell yes. Read it. I recommend the novel "Guards, Guards!" first, it introduces things so well. In the meantime...
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The mountainhomes
The men were gather around the table, once again shrouded in darkness.
One said “what went wrong?”
One said “The elf. That bastard elf stopped it with his pathetic magic.”
One said “what now?”
One said “nothing. There’s nothing we can do. Damn it all! This was meant to be the triumphant rise of a nation ruled by its people, not its monarcy.” The figure spat the word out, as if it was foul in his mouth “that’s shot to hell now. Damn it”
One said “fear not.” This caused a stir among the assembled group.
One said “what do you mean?”
One said “the King… The king is becoming paranoid. I spoke with him today. He accused me of being a goblin, disguised. Me. As if they had the subtlety. He is being spooked by shadows. He may be going mad.”
One said “Oh? Well, this could be useful. Gentlemen, the meeting is adjourned. I must ponder this. We must all ponder this.”
There was a scraping of chairs as they stood.
The campsite of the 2nd Royal Spears and the 11th Royal Swords
They had returned to the camp. The next day they were to move to the base of the mountain and begin preparations for a permanent site. Tonight, they drank to their lost comrades or rather, to forget them. Kogan and Bardbeard were gathered around the fire, talking about trivial matters.
“So, what’s the deal with Oldbeard?” asked Kogan. Bardbeard smiled.
“Nobody can remember when he enlisted. He’s been a staple of the royal swords for years. Fought in the original goblin wars.”
“And was he always like he is now?”
“Well, no one can remember when he wasn’t. It’s funny” mused Bardbeard “He hasn’t been any more than a sniper for all these years. He must really like it as a grunt, no matter how much he complains.”
“That’s about right” said a figure, sitting down next to them. Both jumped. Bardbeard studied the figure in the firelight. He smiled.
“Barbarossa! How the Hell did you get here?” he exclaimed. Barbarossa smiled back.
“Came in with the new reinforcements” he explained “leg healed up a few days ago.”
“New reinforcements?” Inquired Kogan, but his question was answered for him. A figure swaggered into the camp and instantly, every dwarf stopped and looked round. Dwarves had an unnerving instinct for gold and this dwarf seemed to be plated in it. He swaggered into the low light from the camp fires, looked around and roared out.
“I need a Gods damned drink!” The dwarves all roared appreciation. Some knew who he was and roared even louder. He moved to a campfire, sat down and started chatting with the other dwarves. Kogan, Bardbeard and Barbarossa looked round and resumed chatting.
“Who the hell was that?” asked Kogan.
“That’s Olon “Workerdrone” Irongloves, captain of the 31st Royal Axes. He doesn’t actually have gold armour, its plated. Maybe two, three centimetres thick, over the top of steel. He’s a big one for theatrics.”
“Axes? We’re getting a gore squad assigned to us?” Gore squad was the military moniker for axe companies, which were always small and filled with the strongest, most insane dwarves ever to wield an axe. They were small because they were always assigned to other companies, as assault teams, used to clear the way, establish a beachhead or just cutting the hell out of anything stupid enough to get in the way. Hence the term “gore squad”
“Yeah. Nobody knows why the captains called Workerdrone and no one’s been stupid enough to ask. He’s probably insane. Who better for the captain of a gore squad, huh?” chuckled Barbarossa “Incidentally, we have two new recruits. Hey! You two!” he motioned at two dwarves, who detached themselves from their respective groups and trotted over.
“Why don’t you lads introduce yourselves? Kogan here is CO for the 2nd and Bardbeard is my acting second. I run the 11th”
“Hey sir” one saluted “I’m Kain” he had an mace slung over his shoulder. Kogan indicated his armour.
“Impressive getup there lad.”
“Thank you sir!” said Kain “Crafted it me-self. Some of it’s goblin” The armour was made of bone. Kogan turned to the next one.
“Name?”
“Bromrek, sir! Part of the 31st. Axes or nothing sir.”
“Good lad, that's true” said Kogan “thanks lads, you can head off.”
The dwarves saluted and moved off. The three dwarves when back to chatting for a few more minutes before a shadow fell over them. They looked up at a towering figure, wearing a black fur coat and a fedora, also black, with a backpack slung over his shoulder. A human?
“I heard you were starting an outpost in a few days. Mind if I tag along? I’m an experienced fighter and I’ve learned a thing or two about trading.”
The dwarves were speechless for a time before Barbarossa broke the silence.
“How the hell did you find us, human? I wasn’t aware that this expedition was common knowledge.” The human smiled.
“you’d be surprised at what become common knowledge once a few trinkets change hands. Anyway, I have the potential to be an asset to you and I’m sick to death of this war and wish to help end it. Will you allow me to tag along?”
The three were silent for a time, before seeming to reach an unspoken agreement. Barbarossa nodded.
“Why the Hell not, you might be useful. You said you had some fighting experience?”
“Yes” nodded the human “I was a caravan guard for a time. I use this.” He drew an enormous scimitar.
“Great Gods above!” exclaimed Bardbeard “that’s a monster!”
“Aye” smiled the human “I’m Walter, by the way.”
Barbarossa nodded, then noticed something, glinting in the firelight.
“Were did you get that bracer? It’s magnificent.”
Walter looked at it.
“Found it on the corpse of a poor dwarven child, at a looted fortress. Godsdamned goblins. I took this from her corpse, to ensure she would not be forgotten. It keeps my aim steady. It’s called Dalithsarek as far as I could make out. That’s dwarven, is it not?”
“Aye, for ‘The Riddled Echo’” Said Barbarossa, still staring at the bracer. It a platinum gauntlet, studded with platinum and iron. It was engraved with the image of a fairy.
“I’ve heard of this” gasped Kogan “Gods, creating wondrous artefacts via mortals. It’s absolutely astonishing”
Walter sat down next to them, still towering over them. It had been an interesting night.
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Topic: To venture north, into Hell: Othtar Noloc, world at war (Read 106404 times)