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[NUKE9.13]

"May death bring you forgiveness, beast!"

The burning sword is thrust into what will for the sake of argument be called the 'torso' of the revenant. The fire burns brightly- the revenant's eyes (all of them) swell, then explode as its blood boils and bursts into flame. The Warrior puts his boot on the thing's chest and pulls out his sword, even as its body begins to crumble into ashes.
Around him, the battle rages. The townsfolk were weak and outnumbered, but the Warriors had been passing through in strength, and stood by the militia against the rampaging revenants. A dozen Warriors, in various shades of armour, all wreathed in flames, their dark blades passing through the chaotic firmament of the revenants like hot knives through butter.

This; this is what they joined for. To stand against evil. They had wandered without purpose before, but now- chaotic invaders in vast numbers- this was their destiny; to fight, and fight, and fight- so that others may live in peace.

The Warriors of Fire stand along mankind against the Revenants; they seek them out, slay them, sabotage their efforts.


"Rodents of unusual size, you say? Stealing food and supplies? Well, I suppose we can look into that."

These tales were not uncommon. They had heard tales like them a lot more often, recently. But it was hard to track down the truth behind them. The Murr, people called them. Rumour would have them live under the ground, scavenging from human settlements.
But this was a notable case. The residents of this poor mining town claimed to have found an entrance into a warren of one of these beasts, and had called in the Warriors to deal with it.
Now, the Warriors were trained not to judge hastily. But dark beasts scurrying beneath the earth, stealing food and supplies- that sounded pretty bad. They would see if they could find these Murr, and they would try to talk with them, understand them- but they would go armed, and ready for battle.
The tunnels were small. Too large to be those of regular animals, but too small for a man to walk through. So the Warriors brought shovels and pickaxes and hacked away at the earthen walls, trying to find the core of this stinking warren.

The Warriors of Fire investigate a Murr burrow. They are not looking for a fight- but they might find one by accident.

A second task is given to some. A force is assembled; two dozen Warriors, in darkest armour, of fiercest blood, whose blades burn with the hottest fires. They travel fast, to the tower formally known as Dafon's, now the home of the wizard Kinban. They assemble in ranks, unsheathe their blades, and knock heavily on the tower's door.

The Warrior who knocked on the door looks around, then knocks again. Perhaps Kinban did not hear the first time.

The Warriors of Fire visit Kinban's Tower in force.

[Ghazkull]

The sounds of Picks and Shovels had resounded since days through the burrow. They were getting closer. The Human-Things had mostly gone out fo their way. And they had only taken the refuse...as was customary. But these strange new Human-Things were different. They wore bright armors and strange weapons. He tried to keep his Fear Glands closed, tried to think of the numbers of his hive. Yet still they were few. Pickgut has only recently established this one after he had unearthed many of the strange glowing weapons at a battlefield. Maybe the Strange Man-Things were there because of him? Because what he had taken from their dead? Could they know? OF course! he stared at his longsword (in human terms a dagger) that he had crafted out of the armor from a slain Man-Thing.

He didnt know how but he somehow managed to keep the Fear Gland closed and instead, chirped furiously. The ragtag group of two score Murr were looking up. Their emotions were ranging from utter fear to stubborn hope. the digging was now growing nearer. They must soon break through into the main chamber. It had been the meeting and trading place of the almost small Murr Hive. They had brought the children and women deeper into the storage caves and a messenger had been sent two days ago through the Underguts. But Skarnshive, the main-hive in this area, was 3 days away.

Form a Double Row Brother-Brothers. Hold them back as long as possible!

he took his position as a leader directly in the midst of the half black and half furless little group. The warmth of the surrounding Murr gave him reassuring feeling and immediately his Musk Glands  squinted out a strong Odor drowning out the Strong Sickening Odor of Fear. Instinctively the other Murr squirted a similiar smell. He took a deep breath,  Adrenaline was now pumping through his body and his tail was forming complex patterns.

Suddenly Light broke through. Almost immediately the Murr were slowly advancing towards the opening, in a somewhat rag-tag phalanx-formation, although they made no effort to attack the Man-Things they barred the entrance to the Plaza (in human terms it was about the size of a normal human house). Loud Chirping erupted as soon as the first of them could be seen, and the strong odor of fear came back. A single one of the mUrr broke his ranks , squirting fear like there was no tomorrow, but at least the rest stood firm although brought of the balance by the deserter.

The bird like chirping was now increasing in volume as the sun broke through the opening and blinded the already confused and frightened Murr...

[NUKE9.13]

We worked for several days at the site. We encountered several small tunnels and chambers, but none of the beats which carved them. We did find several pieces of rubbish, probably taken from the village above. Several of the tunnels seemed to lead inwards, probably towards the heart of the burrow. A fierce stench wafted up through these; and occasionally a chirping noise could be heard; so we pressed on.
Eventually we reached the central chamber. When my pickaxe breached its wall, there arose a stench the likes of which I have never smelt before, and hope never to smell again. The chirping, which had been loud before, now reached a painful level, and we stumbled in confusion, disorientated by both the smell and the noise. When we regained our senses, we got our first glimpse of the vermin. A crawling mass of them occupied the chamber. It seems that the tales are true; the beasts resembled naked rats, but stood- yes, stood- more than half a meter tall, in something resembling an organised formation. They were clearly aggressive; I could see it in their eyes, in their posture- and that infernal chirping.
Some had armed themselves with bits of scrap metal, from which they had crafted makeshift weapons. I think one of them had what looked like a bone dagger, possibly made from the armour of a fellow Warrior. They advanced on us, menacingly. One of their number clearly did not agree with this policy of aggression, and overcame his fellow's aggressive nature to retreat- a wise creature, proof that they are not all bad.
However, it seemed obvious that the beasts were looking for a fight. We drew our blades, and with a word, summoned their flames. We were outnumbered, and I had no doubt that the beasts had great skill with their weapons- a difficult fight, this would be.

I spoke to them, a plea for peaceful negotiation. I do not know if they understand the common tongue, but surely my gestures would make my meaning clear. Though I doubted they had any interest in peace.

[adwarf]

The First Earth King slid from shadow to shadow until it could finally see the coming battle about to rage between the creatures known as the Murr, and the Humans known as the Warriors of Fire. Both were great warriors, and both fought with great strength, and ability. He stood in the shadows hidden by the magic of the earth around him he went unnoticed by all, but the leader of the Murr, and the leader of the Warriors of Fire.

What they saw was a being of solid earth with an almost crown like protrusion of jewels, and obsidian coming from the top of his head. On his back was strapped a sword the size of an average man, and nearly twice the width of the Murr. Yet seeing the coming battle the creature continued to watch, and the earth around it seemed to bend out of the beings way, and despite the height of the chamber the being stood a good nine feet tall, and it stood straight.

[Ghazkull]

((OOC: adwarf there is currently no battle going on? Oo))

Once the flames erupted, the same happened with the panic. The shrieks reached even higher levels, beyond human hearing.

Nopelts, go rescue the women and children. Take them to Skarnshive. We will hold them

more than half of the Murr broke their rank and ran for the Storage Caves. Staying were only the long-time comrades of Pickgut, all Blackpelts, like himself. They were better armed than the rest had been. Armors of Bones, weapons of scrap iron gave them some sort of a bit uniformity. One of the Man-Things suddenly stepped forward. His barbaric growls seemed threatening, although his gestures showed something completely else. He seemed to express himself in a strange way. The Gestures were ungainly, and showed that he didn't use them often, these babarians seemed to not even know how to talk. It's gestures were simple, like those of a newborn, yet they had some kind of clearness to them. Pickgut left the ranks, ignoring the protests of his kin.

When he was sure that the Man-Thing wouldn't kill him immediately, he took a broad posture, trying to look imposing.

Leave-Leave now Man-Things! You are invading our homes! Go back to the Strangelight! Leave Womb to us!

 a colourful array of gestures, tail-swings, ear movement and squirting of his Musk-Glands, should have clarified his position...from the strange faces they made he guessed that they still hadn't understood.

He slammed his Longsword((OOC: of that Metal your guys use))  into the ground before him, where it swang around forth and back with a high note, and to finalize his gesture he pointed at the exit of the tunnel the Man-Things had digged, he hoped that this was clear enough to show them that they should leave their homes...
 

[NUKE9.13]

Perhaps I misunderstood the beasts, for I could of sworn that when we lit our swords, half of them fled.
After I finished talking, one of them- the largest, probably the leader- stepped forwards.
It proceeded to dance at me.
It then stabbed its little dagger ((OOC: The Warriors of Fire use weapons made from dragonbone, and armour made from dragonscale. They most emphatically do not use Ardanium.)) into the ground, and pointed back the way we had come. 

Ah; it wished for us to leave.

All at once it dawned on me what we had done. We had carved a path through the homes of these creatures, broken into their village, and drawn swords when they were clearly terrified. I knelt down and wept; for I had acted out of ignorance, and done a great evil. I bowed before the rat, and humbly begged forgiveness. I motioned for my fellows to do the same.

[micelus]

On the surface, the gods were at war. His eyes and ears had told him of Revenants, of Warrriors of Flame, and even rumours of mole-people. In all of this, Carathun had decided not to intervene, his followers would do as they did. They would continue their teaching and their searching for the artifacts...
---------------
In the cavern,  Carathun felt the strange stone, and tried to pull it out from the cavern floor...

[Riccto]

Snik decided this conflict wasnt he style, He had objects to search for and many intresting things had been heard coming from Vas'us. Including a nest of Dragons. Dragons of all things, How wonderful! He waved his adieu as he stepped out of the cave and then with one hop he found himself seven leagues in the air, he calmly then took another step and another headed towards Vas'us. He discovered that seven leagues often worked the best for not crashing into things while remaining economical, going over seven seemed wasteful and lead to some crashes while less seemed just useless. Within a few hours he had arrived within Vas'Us.

There he took a short rest and headed below to the rocky catacombs where the Dragons made their nests. He made them no harm, dropping his blade and walking forward carefully towards the Dragons as they displayed mixed emotions although there was a slight consensus for incinerating him on the spot.
"This isnt working" He mumbled to himself as he rested his hands on his head "Wait..Heres an Idea"
He focused and unraveled one of the spells that dampened the "Strench" of Divine Magic on himself, This put the Dragons slightly at ease , enough so that he could shift his spell into a telepathic one, a symbol on his hand arranged it self into a musical note that he spoke into, Explaining himself a researcher and a seeker of knowledge that means the Dragons no harm.

Attempt to Develop Rapport with the Dragons living below Vas'Us, Study them and if he gains their trust attempt taming and riding one

[Ghazkull]

the strange beings now kneeled before the Murr. Although the Murr were agape they knew how to use this chance. When the Warriors of FIre would next look up they would see that the Murr and all their belongings had vanished  except for the dragonbone dagger left before him.

The Murr vanished deeper into their tunnels and left through the Underguts, taking with them everything they owned, towrads Skirnshive. The Dragonbone Dagger however had been left....for what reason is yet to be shown...

[adwarf]

Th Earth King walked forth, and let his magic fade, so that all the Warriors of Fire could see him. The Earth King plunged his hand deep into his chest seemed to disappear as he reached within. As he felt what he sought he pulled it forth, and held it out to the lead warrior. The Warrior's minds filled with a kind, and gently voice as it said 'Do not worry I mean no harm. I wish only to give you a gift. This stone shall show you that these beasts mean no harm. They simply take from the dead what any man has a right to. They do this to survive, and the do not seek battle. Now I must go mortal, but I leave you with a warning. Do not strike at the Murr unless truly necessary for if you ever enter their Den without permission again, then you shall die."

With that the Earth King turned, and walked into the dirt wall appearing thousands of miles away standing beside his creator, Kain.

[NUKE9.13]

The beasts fled as our faces were pressed into the dirt; truly, they were gently creatures.
They left behind a bone dagger. On closer inspection, it proved to be one of our own weapons, cleverly adapted to fit their little paws. The creatures ingenuity with salvaging was clear; but given the small amounts and poor quality of the human artefacts we found in the burrow, I would say that they intended no malice with their actions- they merely sought to support themselves with the refuse of those above them.

At this point, I was aproached by a man of stone. It spoke in a tongue that I recognised as divine; understandable by all creatures. It tried to offer me a cursed stone, but I struck it down, knowing well our creed that we "take not the minerals of the gods in our hands, for more harm than good shall they do". It threatened me, and explained the obvious- that these creatures were merely scavengers. Yes, this was a divine creature. Dull as the rock from which it was carved.
It left, radiating arrogance.

I and my comrades explained the nature of the Murr to the villagers, and encouraged them to repair the Murr's burrow; wooden walls replaced the dirt which we had carved away, and in so far as we could we repaired the broken holes and tunnels. We did leave a man-sized tunnel leading from the surface to the central chamber, as that the Murr might one day converse with Humans as equals, and trade with them, rather than steal their garbage.

To conclude my report:
The Murr, though strange in appearance, and of both a foul stench and sound, are not creatures of evil such as the revenants, or the fallen dragons. They appear to be scavengers, no worse than an orphan stealing bread for sustenance. I suspect they are of at least some intelligence, and as such, it may occur that some of their number should descend into evil. However, I recommend re-education when possible.
I also recommend encouraging dialogue- in so far as such a thing is possible- between the Murr and Humans, and promoting understanding between the two races.
I recommend looking into the Man of Stone, for I fear he may be a creature of divine ignorance, who could cause evil much as our mistress caused evil in the dragons."

"I see. Well, that was a most interesting tale. I shall have the Speakers ask the goddess about the man of stone, as well as the Murr. You may go, brother"

"My thanks, dark-scales"

The Warriors set out to encourage conversation and trade between the Murr and Humanity.

The Warriors also search the world (in addition to the continued search for the treasurehunt's treasure) for rumours of a Man or Men of Stone (Earth Kings)

Nora, upon hearing her Warrior's concerns, takes it upon herself to address Kain;

"Might you be the one responsible for the [Man of Stone/Earth King] which walks the world, rock-[person]?"

[Dsarker]

It was in the early light of day that I strode into the village. The Warriors of Fire had been seen here, and I'd been bound by my friend, left dying after one of their 'interventions', to seek them, and do battle in his name.

But even as I entered the village, I knew they had left. After a few minutes of eavesdropping, I found out their reason to be here. The Murr, a race like no other, were here. Unlike the Northern beings, they sought not war. Unlike the Men, they did not make from whole cloth. And unlike the Dragons, they had not been cursed.

I found the entrance to their burrow, and snuck in. The experience of life in Murr'beg had taught me well, and I knew at least the rudiments of the Murr tongue. I took from my pouch a small figure, and laid it on the ground in front of me.

In their tongue, I said loudly "Greetings from the manling to the Murr. From the city of Murr'beg do I come, and I bring a gift to the Murr."

[adwarf]

"That is indeed my creation Sister Fire, but it is not alone. There are seven of these beings who walk the earth, and they each are mine. They answer only to me, and do what I have ordered, but I have also given them freedom to do as they see fit. Is there a problem with Kelv'iera (Son of Earth), the Earth King you speak of Sister Fire?" Kain asked as he looked up a the Goddes from his throne.

[NUKE9.13]

"One of my Warriors reports that [Kelv] offered him a shard of Ardanium, and threatened him.
Perhaps you should explain to your Earth-Kings that the Warriors of Fire do not take orders from anyone but their own morality. Even I serve merely as an advisor to them. Threats and Ardanium are not the tools of good creatures, [Kain]"

((I realise the stone was not Ardanium, but the Warrior's word for Ardanium is God-Mineral, so they cannot express the difference between the two))

[dragnar]

While the other gods reacted to the accidental war that had been sparked, the tentacled god of the sea drew forth a blindingly bright object from the cavern floor, a broken pillar or light with chains connecting it to all the others. It was impossible to look directly at the stone for long, and all who dared try were forced to look away with nothing but a single glyph of some kind burnt into their vision. A loud cackling came from the middle of the room as it was wrested from the earth, the voice of the strange man who had called them there filling the room once more.

"Aha, so you have found it, gods of sea and knowledge. I think I'm willing to call this one a tie, give you each an answer. I'll even throw in a freebie: That thing you just pulled up? Don't mess with it too much. It's pretty close to unbreakable, but if you did manage it... well, you don't want to know what would happen."