A Dwarven Family Heirloom

Anno 515 after the rising of the great sun.

While tidying up a bit, Warfd stumbles over a golden key in an old oak tree again. This key has been passed on in his family for generations. But there is a problem: Nobody knows the purpose of this dwarfen family heirloom!

Since Warfd is a pretty curious dwarf, the question which lock it would open just doesn’t let go of him…

Later that day Warfd hears a loud knock on his door. Irritated he opens the door, just to find the Wizard Arundul on his threshold. What an unexpected guest! Of course he invites the wizard in, eager to find out why Arundul came to visit him so surprisingly. Luckily Warfd always is prepared for guests. So he served Arundul food and drink to recover from his long trip to Elandor.

Fed up and refreshed by a cold beer Arundul tells Warfd that he found the ancient Book of Knowledge. It revealed something very interesting: The purpose of the old golden key – the dwarven family heirloom!

It seems to fit to a door deep in the winding cave system of the black mountains. “Finally!” the dwarf shouts out in great excitement.

Instantly Warfd tells his cousin Ivaldun about the news. Exited both of them began to pack their stuff and sharpen their blades. You never know which dangers lurk around every corner these days…

Luckily Warfd and Ivaldun are both great fighters. Arunduls powerful witchcraft will indeed be helpful too. He is just as eager to find out what’s behind this mysterious door as the dwarven friends are and therefore accompanies them on their journey.

A few days later the three companions reach the black mountains and find the entrance to the caves straight away. A corridor extends in front of them. It’s so dark that they can identify no more than the first six feet. Screeching bats fly towards them. Deep down the corridor they hear strange gurgling noises and a warm wind hits them. What could that be?

Tense the three friends light their torches, take a deep breath and step into the unknown.

After wandering through the maze of corridors for quite a while Warfd, Ivaldun and Arundul suddenly see a reddish light in the distance. Warily they step closer. A giant lava cave extends in front of them. In the middle of the cave a narrow path over a stone bridge leads to the other side of the lake. Warfds heart begins to bump. “There! Do you see that door on the other side of the bridge?!“.

Suddenly a loud rumble reaches their ears from the right. “You won’t get my treasure!” the creature roars. With a raised club a giant runs towards the companions. Fast they all pull out their weapons only to find themselves in the middle of a bitter fight. The giant is a serious opponent. It doesn’t look good for the comrades in arms. 

After a while angrily Arunduls cries a spell and suddenly a huge liana winds out of the top of his stick and shoots in the direction of the giant. Vigorous the liana winds around both of the giants’ large feet. With a jolt Arundul pulls on his stick and the giant stumbles and falls to the ground with a loud thud. The two dwarfs seize the opportunity immediately and with united forces, the friends defeat the giant.

After defeating the giant, Warfd Ivaldun and Arundul feel relieved. Carefully they make their way over the stonebridge to the other side. Arriving at the huge door, Warfd puts the key into the rusty lock with shaking hands. Excited, he takes a last look at Ivaldun and turns the key around resolutely.

In front of them lies… an empty room! Irritated, the companions look around. They expected a giant treasure of sparkling gold. Disappointed, they enter the room. “There!” Arundul suddenly shouts out.

Hardly visible in a corner, Warfd discovers an inconspicuous, dusty chest. Straight he runs over to the chest and tries to open it. After a while, the lid opens with a loud creak and the old family treasure lies in front of him: A bar of legendary Ruthenium and a palm-sized rare Red Diamond.

Who would have known that Ruthenium and a Red Diamond slumbers in a cave deep down the black mountains!? What a treasure — what a dignified dwarven family heirloom!

Back home, Ivaldun straight begins forging the rare precious metal with the help of Arundul and the book. The blacksmith is thrilled to bits. He always thought the metal Ruthenium would only exist in old sagas and stories. Finding it and now being able to process it by hand is incredible. What unique material!

Warfd enthusiastically examines his new ax. He carefully tries a few blows through the air and finally splits a large block of wood in two. It lies perfectly in the hand and he feels the power and uniqueness of this weapon.

The red diamond is set into the ax its pommel. “I cast a spell on the gem. It is for calm ax guidance!” says Arundul with a smile. “Thank you my friend! The ax shall be named “Protector of the Kingdom!” Warfd answers solemnly. 

And that’s how the dwarf Warfd got his legendary axe.

-The End-

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