 Final Blow... By: KAGIS My arms burn with pain and exhaustion. The creature's clawed hands move with near blinding speed; snapping tight attacks off in rapid succession. I can tell that even the enchantment of Fulcrum will not hold the creature back for long. Suddenly five goblins ran screaming smack into the creature. The goblins were looking the other way over their shoulders at the troop of dwarves charging them. The unfortunate goblins didn't have time to realize their horrible fate until the monsters claws clamped around two of the goblins; crushing the life from their bodies and leaving terrible mangled corpes where 5 goblins had just stood moments before. I didn't waste my chance. Pulling out one of the few scrolls I had left, I quickly called out the mystical symbols needed to complete the spell. I felt it's effect immediately... Fulcrum felt lighter in my hands, and everything around me seemed to be moving much slower. As the monster gored the last goblin I gulped the contents of one of two potions I carried on my belt in a speedy movement. I immediately felt my muscles bulg and tighten. I smiled knowing that I now possessed the strength of one of my kins most hated foes, a Stone Giant. My smile was grim however, because I knew that this only gave me a slightly better chance of living long enough for the drow to complete his spells or whatever it was he was doing. I hope it's something big enough to stop this and the other monsters that have already stepped through the growing portal. With that last hope and muttered prayer to Moradin for strength I turned back to face off with the monster again. It's evil malevelant eyes fixed on me and there was a glimmer of amused recognition in their black depths. I gulped down my fear and tryed to move at the speed I had been moving at earlier. If I can trick the monster into thinking I was still on the defensive and then suprise it I might land a few lucky blows.... The attacks came fast. I intentionally countered slowly, blocking each attack at the absolute last moment. Using my enhanced speed allowed me to watch my opponent more closely. It's attacks were blindingly fast and cunning, but it made no attempt at all to defend itself. The creature obviously thought it's tough hide and chitinous plating was impervious to our weapons. It stood three times my own height and most of it's attacks were simple downward slashes and hammers, trying to pound me into the ground. I supressed a shudder that ran through my spine when I envisioned what the outcome of a successful hammering or slashing would do to me. Fulcrum pratically hums in my hands, the closer I get to the monster the more the axe vibrates. I already know the axe would harm the creature, so arming myself with knowledge of the monster's strengths and weaknesses I switched battle tactics. Instead of trying to stop each blow, I began stepping slightly to one side and angling Fulcrum so the attack would hit Fulcrum's flat side and then slide off to the side. The attacks were coming so fast that the monster didn't even realize I'd changed my defense until it had already gouged massive chuncks in the rock floor. Still the monster rained blow after blow down, succeeding only in diging massive furrows to either side of me. If anything the attacks were coming faster now. A thought occured to me, "Dis fella only payin' attenschion ta smashin' me...." If I could just move fast enough and time it right. I got down on one knee, holding Fulcrum over my head as if I was tiring. Gathering my legs underneath me, I readied for the right moment. The attacks came on "slash... gouge... hammer... gouge...slash...gouge.... hammer...boom!" The last attack land right on top of where I stood, leaving a tremendous crater in the groud. Only I no longer stood there. The monster's arm was so large that it couldn't see around it to watch my movements as I sprang forward. I'd used the monster's own arm to concel my mad spring forward landing in a roll underneath the monster's very feet. Leaping to my feet I turned and brought Fulcrum around in a mighty swing. There was a sickening popping noise as Fulcrum connected with the monster's upper thigh. The swing seemed to slow down as Fulcrum cut through muscle and tendon, but I only bunched my tired muscles and gritted my teeth, putting everything I had into that swing. Suddenly Fulcrum burst through the monster's leg cutting it clean in two and continued on to the other leg. The other leg gave more easily and the monster toppled over on it's face... claws flailing to each side as it roared in pain. I dizily crawled onto it's back and marched along it's odd spine to the base of it's neck. Hefting Fulcrum in both hands I spat at the monster, "Dis'll teach ya ta come play in our backyard." Down came Fulcrum. There was a loud crack followed by a tremendous roar. Light blinded my eyes as I felt Fulcrum leave my hands. There was a sense of floating... and it sounded like a little waterfall was nearby. As my eyes cleared I realized with a sinking feeling that I was actually flying through the air. Resisting the urge to wave to my kin along the ground looking up at me in bewilderment I focused my attention of the ground where the monster had fallen. Not much was left, just some smoldering bits and pieces of fetid gore. Among the gore lay Fulcrum, now dull and lustless. A crack ran along the blade of the axe forever ruining the mighty weapon. "Tis a shame," I mumbled and then I hit the ground. "crash!" I thought every bone in my body must be broken, the pain was almost unbearable. My last thoughts before darkness fell over me was, 'how amazing it is to fly the entire length of the cavern back to where MoradinSon's troop were busily killing goblins... wonder if anyone will find me?' And then darkness fell down around me choaking off my thoughts. Kagis Undermount Scout Into the Valley of Death... By: ZYXOS :::: ZYXOS made his way back thorugh the tunnels of the underdark... avoiding anyone or thing that might slow his return :::: he had his orders from the queen... but it was his Jabbuk he was going to relieve of his command... what had Zorak gotten himself into this time ::::: :::: his physical being seemed to thin and passed through the small crevice in the wall... and upon rematerializing ZYXOS found himself once again beside the natural hot springs in the underhalls of Lonely Mount :::: :::: with the cloak of darkness about him ZYXOS began to make his way to the main halls where already he could hear the sounds of battle, the howls of the goblins, the singing of the dwarves, the screams of the dying, and.... ::::RUMBLE::::::: ::: for a moment ZYXOS almost lost his footing as the mountain itself seemed to shake ::: ::: ZYXOS stretched forth his senses to locate his Jabbuk... but the Faern's magical probing discovered something much bigger... and much worse ::::: finally arriving behind the dwarven lines ZYXOS pulled up short and stared with a mixture of horror and amazement.... a portal to the Abyss.... and .... "Tanar'ri!!".... ZYXOS muttered in amazement... and then he saw Zorak.... ::: the Alur Faern was charging the portal by himself... but then ZYXOS realized... the others were only fighters... only he was there to support his Jabbuk as a Faern :::: :::Dwarves and Goblins alike were startled as the Fireballs began to land among them.. killing all in the way.... exploding in firey, burning infernos... leaving none standing that were near ::::: ::: ZYXOS dim doored himself as close to his Jabbuk as he dared... not wanting to interfere with whatever Zorak had planned or might be starting... but beginning his own spells to support Zorak ::::: ::: the Drow Sargtlin were startled to see another Jabbuk Faern appear in their midsts... and noting the look in ZYXOS' eyes they redoubled their efforts to keep the dwarves and goblins alike away from Zorak :::: ::: Zorak noted the approaching Dwarves but had to concentrate on his spells against the demon and the portal ::: for only the briefest of moments he was startled as he sensed the presence first... then the barrage of Magic Missiles and Fireballs flew past him and scattered the approaching group of Dwarves to ashes :::: ::: chuckling without looking back the Alur Faern established metal contact with his one time apprentice :::: "Welcome, ZYXOS... about time you decided to get out and earn your keep, young one..." ::: ZYXOS could only laugh aloud.... once again hearing the humor of his Jabbuk ::: the laughter resounded throughout the Halls.... and the two Jabbuk Faerns of the Drow began their assault on the Demon and Rift, leaving the boring hand to hand fighting to the Drow Warriors now surrounding them ::::: ZYXOS Rilynt'tar Dark One of the Drow Jabbuk Faern Rilynt'tar The Fight at the Pit By: Zorak More demons were clawing their way from the pits with every passing minute. But now that the major Tanar'ri was "distracted" by the insane leaping dwarf, and now that Zyxos stood beside him, Zor'ak actually began to feel as if events might actually be in hand. "I must stop more Tanar'ri from crossing" mumbled the drow. He raised his arms, and began the arcane incantations that would give him power over the portal. "Yoth nul huy'nar al'hrrythbar!" he shouted over the din of battle. The pit rumbled, and a eerie moan issued from its depths as the drow fought for dominion over the pit. Zyxos and the other drow soldiers formed a protective semicircle around Zor'ak, as the ancient wizard stood on the very precipice of hell itself. Flashing blades and sizzling magic kept dwarf, goblin, and demon alike away from the Faern's task. Storm spotted the contingent of drow in front of the pit. Looking closely, he saw the darkrobed drow wizard gesticulating wildly. What was he doing? Of course! He was summoning another great demon! "By Moradin's beard I has had enow fingerwagglin fer one day. I wont stands fer more!" he spat, and he led his soldiers directly towards the drow. Another dwarven veteren piped up "We has gots ta stop dem darkun elfies from callin up anoder demon! Have at 'em, lads! Show 'em a taste o' dwarven steel!". Spotting the group of dwarves on an intercept course (how could they move so quickly, he wondered), Zyxos barked out commands to his men. The drow soldiers deployed to stop the mad charge of the dwarves. Zor'ak finally gained some measure of control over the rift. He had managed to disconnect the other end of the portal, so no further demons could pass through. Now all he had to do was seal off this end... Dwarf and drow crashed together in a swirl of blades. Moradinson charged the leader of the drow, ready to skewer the elf with his trident. Zyxos, seeing the dwarf coming, had a unpleasant surprise ready. A gout of flame shot from the drow's hands and struck Morad fully in the chest. Howling in pain, Storm rolled to the side, his beard smoking and burning. Another dwarf stepped up to Zyxos and engaged him in hand to hand combat. Storm shook his head to clear his thoughts, and looked around. There was his opportunity! Zyxos had been distracted by the other dwarf's attacks, and there was a break in the drow line. Quick as lightning, Morad was on his feet and diving through the line of drow. "Enow fingerwagglin, darklin!" he cried as he cast his net over Zor'ak. "Almost...almost..." thought Zor'ak. The pit rumbled and belched, and had by now stopped gouting fire and steam. Then his spellcasting was rudely broken by the casting of the dwarven net. "Nooooooo" screamed Zor'ak, "Nooooooooo!!!!!!" He felt his control over the rift weaken, then fail. The rift became completely unstable, connecting up randomly with the outer planes. Instead of fighting his assailant, Zor'ak put the last of his energy in a vain attempt to seal this end of the rift... Storm stabbed the entrapped drow viciously with his trident. The drow buckled and fell to his knees, but still persisted in his spellcasting. "I duz ye a favor now Ye old festerin boil ta me kin! Ye likes Demons do ye? Go Joins um!" shouted Moradinson as he used the leverage granted by the trident and the net to attempt to toss the drow into the pit. The wizard shouted something in Common at the dwarf, but Morad heard none of it. Morad gave one last effort "Off ye goes!", and put his full force into the blow. Morad's momentum was unstoppable. Both the drow and the dwarf pitched over into the rumbling pit, and disappeared from sight in its depths. The rift shook and rumbled, then began to close slowly. Zor'ak Alur Faern The Bounce That Roared By: Tigguhr With Dwyvrn missing D1 was in charge of the ten, which made Tigguhr second. Now the bouncer would be the last to question D1's fortitude or command of a situation, but protecting the chief took on an entirely different meaning when it was your betrothed. She has the look of the momma tiger, thought Tigguhr. The jungle dwarf guessed that it would be the place of a number two to suggest a couple of things. "Whi respec' Lass, I sugges' a outer an inner perimeter ta guards tha chief, I takes tha outer, ye takes tha inner, puttin tha bes' nearest 'im until he waked up." D1 assented, "Haves at it lad, bu' nae too far away. Stays whar I cin sees ya." Tigguhr then suggested further, "We sets up a tha doorway, soes ye cin see us, an tha kin can sees us too." The tiger eyed lass nodded. Tigguhr motioned for two of the remaining ten to join him. Setting up within view of the battle and D1, he realized that the last thing the kin saw was a fallen leader being carted off. Now, the very denizens of hell were in the mount. There was total mayhem and then Moradinson and a vile drow plummeted into a huge rift. Commanded to go no further, Tigguhr non-the-less saw that the kin needed rallying. He needed to let the kin know that the chief was alive and would fight again! He had to get their attention by calling to them, but how to make them hear above the din of the battle? How could he get them to pay attention just for the briefest moment to hear a rallying cry? He could think of only one way. Tigguhr called upon an old jungle skill of his forefathers, one that he hoped to never use for fear that it might make him seem strange to the others in his adopted clan. Tigguhr cleared his throat, sucked in a huge volume of air and bellowed out a huge, "RRROOOAAAAAAARRRRRR!," like that of the great jungle cats. "Kin! Be knowin' tha yer chief nae fallin ta any darklin er gobbo this or any day! Fights on ta clears tha mount o this scum!" Nae So Fas' Thar Stormy! By: Emmrald Stuck during most of the battle tending to the little ones, Emmrald heard like everyone else the splitting stone that shook the Mount and heralded the arrival of the demons. Even this didn't sway her from her duty to protect the tiniest of the kin. But then she felt an overpowering feeling that something was terribly, terribly wrong, and her Taerin was involved. "Time ta stop bein' tha nursemaid! Sandstone! I shou' be next ta tha lad!" Running from the nursery, axe in hand, she barrelled through the back of the dwarven ranks and through a few unlucky goblins. She got as close to the rift as possible, grabbed the nearest kin and said, "Did he go down thar?" The battered and bloodied dwarf had a resigned look on his face, "Aye lass, afraid so." Emmy hollered down the hole, "Ya nae gittin ou' a the weddin tha way lad!" She then called for a rope, which she tied to the heaviest kin she could find. She then tossed the other end of the rope down the hole. "Gits up here lad and dinna drop me ring!" I Misses Anythin'? By: Nystramo He was back in the stone cavern of many months ago, where Mysalla first told him of his destiny. "Hrmph!" he muttered. "Nae agin. I thots I done me bit, eh?" "Har! Nae likely, lad!" he heard behind him. Without bothering to turn he barked, "Blast ye, Mysalla, ya alas gots ta sneaks up on me!?" His long dead grandmother hopped off of her boulder and approached him. He turned, just in time to see her wink. "Heh. Comes wi' tha territory, lad. We nae gots mu' time, so I makes it quick. Yer kin be in dire need o' ye. Tha darklin's ha' summoned a whole mess o' trouble in yer mount, an' they needs ya ta inspires 'em. So wakes up and an' gits goin' wi' tha inspirin'!" Before he could respond, the cave was already fading away.... Dimly, he heard the crack of stone, the din of battle, the.... roar of a jungle cat? Shaking his head, Nystramo awoke to the face of D1amond at his side, watching him with concern. He managed a smile and whispered, "Heh, seems we be reversed now, eh taerin?" He added a wink for good measure. D1 grinned back and kissed his forehead, saying "Hrmph! Enou' o' yer lollygaggin' abouts, lad. Fixes me some dinner!" A loud "HAR!" escaped the chief before he could stop it, causing his side to flair up in pain. The nearby cleric clucked over him, casting another healing spell. "Enou' o' that, chief. Ya nae be in any condition ta be merry!" Nys chuckled and propped himself up against the stone wall. The Ten that were standing nearby all sighed in relief to see their chief awake and alert, if not exactly bursting with energy. Nystramo nodded to the cleric, "Aye, lad, I dinna thin' I be battlin' anymore giant gobbos fer another few minutes, a' leas'. Now, tells me whats I missed." Suddenly, everybody was looking grim. D1 summed it up for him as well as she was able. "Tha darklin's ha' summoned a demon throu' a 'uge crack. Kagis wa' battlin' it, an' puttin' up a heroic struggle, bu' now he be down. Storm went af'er it too, an' he tumbled down inta tha hole wi' it. I'm sure'n some o' tha kin be thinkin' ya dead. Lad, it be chaos ou' there." Grimly, Nys propped himself up. Leaning on Rorn Norogh for support, he went to the mouth of the alcove and looked out. He managed a grin for The Ten gaurding the outer perimeter, but only a quick one. D1's summary had been an understatement. Tiny wars raged all over the cavern. Kin were battling drow, goblins, and minor demons everywhere. All coordination had been lost with the release of the major demon and the seeming loss of their chief and Rrin Kuld. Mysalla was right. They needed a rallying point. Unfortunately, Nys barely had the strength to stand. How could he bring order to this mass of confusion? Turning back, he saw everyone looking to him for an answer. He had none. The best he could manage was a whispered, "Gordul." Desperate Situations By: Niord As I run forward, many things happen at once. Stupid goblins, I fell three of them, barily breaking stride. Well, the undermount scout had the demon, don't ask how, and I could see the smile on his face as he flew through the air, before he connected with the cave wall. Luckly, there was a nice pile of goblin bodies under it, so at least the fall wasn't to bad. But I knew that the wall was less than forgiving, and now another Kin was down for the duration. I saw ol' Storm charge forward with his band. A good fight with the drow they had, and I smiled as Storm got the better of the drow that was opening the pit. Then they fell in, and I felt a scream rip my throat as I saw him tumble into that hole. The dwarves with Storm faltered, and the drow managed to drive them back. Then a roar. A loud roar. I looked back, and there was Tigg. I kinda stared at him for a sec, then looked up. Uh oh.... "LOOKS OOT KIN!!!" Yes, Tigguhr got our attention, more so than needed. He started a partial cave in. I was busy dodging for my life, rage when I saw a kin get crushed under a huge boulder. Glee when a stalagtite impaled a demon. Drow, Goblin, and Dwarf ran for the tunnels and caverns for safety. I saw Emmy and another dwarf charge forward to the hole, with Emmy going into it?!?!?! The sudden dropping chunks did not cause nearly as much damage as the fire from the pit did, but it broke the remaining resolve in all out there, save for one Drow, who was still waggleing his fingers. I ran at him, ready to skewer him, but I noticed his concentration, and also the hole in the ground was closing. Could the darkie actually be trying to CLOSE the hole they made??? I will probably never forgive myself for what I did next, but a huge rock was falling, would have landed right on his head, but I finished my charge, and with a mighty swing, my axe connected with the rock over Zyxos's head, the shrieking of steel and stone meeting, and the stone finally gave away, half of it falling to either side of the drow. My ears rang, but I was slightly amused at the look the drow gave me before continuing his spells. A howl cut short. I looked at the pit. The demons either had retreated down the hole or were smashed by falling rocks. That is when I saw the dwarf crushed under the rock, the one that was holding Emmy. I ran forward, the rope was breaking, falling down the hole! I dropped my axe, needing my only good arm to grab the rope. I dove for it, seeming like an eternity. Got it! >SNAP< It broke, and I found myself sliding towards the hole! Quick, had to think quick. I rolled forward, letting the rope wrap around me. Tying it tight around my waist, just as I reached the edge. Nothing to grab hold of....I started falling into the hole. By Morad, massive root in the ground. I grabbed it desperatly, wrapping my arm around it, gritting my teeth, and pryaing to Morad for all the strength I would need. That is when I saw the sword finally fall down the hole....and what I thought was the faint echo of a scream from down below a few seconds later.... Mom Always Said- 'Nae in tha House' By: Tigguhr Tigguhr was shocked at the effect of his roar. "Ya dun gone an' caused trouble agin, lad," he thought. "Nae wunders mamma nae let's me practice roarin' inside!" The bouncer grew very concerned at kin being hurt by the falling rock. It appeared that a few had been crushed. Hopefully things weren't as bad as they appeared. Regardless, he stuck to his post. No one was getting to the chief. Tigguhr glanced over his shoulder at Nystramo, looking for a new inspiration. He was standing! But he sure wasn't saying much.... Har...'Ow I Gits 'Ere? By: Niord Morad's trap, spells flying everywhere, hellfire and quakes, no wonder the dang roof was falling. And how the heck did I get here? I found a ledge to get footing on, so now I was anchoring the rope. Still got my arm wrapped on the root. I am a mere foot from the opening, not far at all. Oh boy. Now what? Someone has to go down and find out what is happening. The rocks have stopped falling.... Well, I did the only logical thing...."Sumun gits o'er 'ere an 'elps!" The Darkness Withdraws (1) By: ZYXOS ::: Grappling with the accursed dwarf had taken just long enough to allow the breech in the lines ::: slamming his hammer upon the shield of the dwarf was enough of a distraction that the magic missle from ZYXOS' incantation tore into the chest of the dwarf and threw him back into his comrades ::: spinning back to the Rift, ZYXOS was horrified to see that Zorak had not only been impaled on the trident of a charging dwarf but they were both pitching into the rift and disappearing from sight ::::: ZYXOS received a last mental link with Zorak instructing him to start closing the rift from the surface for he was disconnecting the rift from below... Zorak and the dwarf would be trapped on another plane... but no further demons would be able to escape the Abyss as the surface rift was sealed. The battle had degenerated into many small skirmishes, individuals doing whatever they could to protect themselves... attack the nearest enemy... or figure out what was going on. ::: casting the spells Zorak had advised him of, ZYXOS began to feel a give in the rift... and it slowly began to close ::: he tried to ignore the female dwarf yelling down the hole.. .another roaring like a wounded Hookhorror in the Underdark.... still another yelling about something called a Nystramo ::: ::: his primary concern became the dwarf now running at him with axe held high... but he could not stop his casting now... Zorak might have given his life to allow this one opportunity to save the Material Plane from the disaster now awaiting to befall it ::: ::: the rift continued to close as the remaining Drow Sargtlin did what they could to keep the dwarves and goblins alike away from their one remaining Faern, but that one dwarf had gotten through :::: ***C R A C K*** ::: suddenly stones fell to either side of ZYXOS and he glanced at the dwarf staring at him with half surprise and half uncertainty :::: he had saved ZYXOS from a falling stone :::: the blood red eyes narrowed questioningly... wondering if the Dwarves actually were smart enough to have seen what he was doing ::: but quickly going back to his concentration on the rift :::: :::: the Dwarf then hurtled past him... running for the female yelling down the rift, but now in danger of falling in herself ::: and the rift continued to close :::: the dwarf almost reached her when when the ropes began to give way.. now both were in danger of plummeting into the rift... but the rift continued to close :::: ::: it seemed that the sounds of battle began to fade.... the dwarves were beginning to rush to assist those that were in danger of going into the rift ::: the goblins were still trying to fight but without leadership were denerating into a mindless mass of fear and pain ::: a few though were trying to stop the rift from closing.. .wanting to retreive the sword ::: the Drow Warriors were quickly killing any goblin that tried to reach ZYXOS as he continued his incantations... and the rift continued to close :::: ::: the dwarf had secured a hold on a massive root.... and was desperately tyring to reach the female :::: THE ROOT GAVE WAY!! :::: the two of them started tumblig toward the rift.... ***** CARRRUMMMPPPPPP ***** :::: the rift closed and the two dwarves went rolling over the now sealed and secured stone :::::: ::: ZYXOS fell to his knees in exhaustion :::: the infuriated goblins rushed towards him :::: a flurry of deadly handheld poisoned cross bow bolts from the Drow Warriors cut them down ::: one Sargtlin rushed to ZYXOS and assisted him to his feet.... there were dead Dwarves, Drow, and Goblins strewn about the cavern... but it was obvious the remaining Drow were now greatly outnumbered, discovered, and exhausted ::::: The Darkness Withdraws (2) By: ZYXOS ::: ZYXOS fell to his knees in exhaustion :::: the infuriated goblins rushed towards him :::: a flurry of deadly handheld poisoned cross bow bolts from the Drow Warriors cut them down ::: one Sargtlin rushed to ZYXOS and assisted him to his feet.... there were dead Dwarves, Drow, and Goblins strewn about the cavern... but it was obvious the remaining Drow were now greatly outnumbered, discovered, and exhausted ::::: ::: with the few heal spells still remaining, ZYXOS quickly brought the remaining Drow back to the point they could defend themselves and begin their withdrawl :::: :::Globes of darkness suddenly fell over the Dwarven Troops cutting off the goblin army from the few remaining Hammer Corps.... another fell over the opening to the small alcove where the Dwarven Chief had appeared... and a final one fell over the path of retreat back to the Hot Spring Cavern deep in the Dwarven underhalls :::: ::: taking their commands from the Jabbuk Faern in the intricate Drow sign language, the Drow warriors began an ordrely move through the globe of darkness ::: there were a few Dwarves and many goblins trying to block their way... but most were avoided and a few descimated by the magic and weapons of the Drow now intent upon returning for their report to the Queen :::: Zorak had greatly underestimated the resourcefulness of the Dwarves... but he had saved the Underdark from the potential threat of the InterPlanier Rift:::: ::: the move was steady... and finally the Drow found themselves in the open tunnels of the Dwarven Underhalls and quickly made their way to the Hot Springs ::: without hesitating the warriors made for the crack in the stone wall.. and as each approached ZYXOS' magic moved them through the crack and into the Underdark :::: ::: finally on their home ground... the Drow formed up and began the journey back to Rilauven.... but ahead was seen a messenger.... specifically seeking the Jabbuk ZYXOS::::::::::::::::::::: What the 'Ell? By: DoozerVee Duzerentin Vendemir - late of the city/mountain Andamon and the Dragonspine Mountains - trudged endlessly through the UnderDark, as he had for the last three months. His keen darkvision swept continuously along the walls and ceilings of the passage he was currently transiting, noting every shadowed crevice, ledge and overhang. His mind was operating on two levels - only a small alert portion was on the dark, silent world about him. The majority of his cosciousness continued a months-old diatribe directed at his father. "Aye, ye c'n call me younglin all ye wish, but ye canna forget that th' Sovereign was makin' tracks on th' Glory Road when he were but a bare-chinned tyke o' 44! I be as doughty and able as he e'er were, an' more years under me belt te boot! I'll be showin' th' folk back home, mark me words! Soon's I reach Waterdeep, I'll be hitchin' a ride on th' first 'jammer off'n Toril, an' then stand by, fer th' Spheres'll be fearin' th' name DoozerVee, an' no mistake!! Why, when I makes me fortune I'll - " DoozerVee's internal dialogue was rudely interrupted by a quaking in the tunnel around him. Chunks of the elemental rock which composed the halls of the UnderDark fell about him as he struggled to keep his feet. The tremor passed as quickly as it had come, but the young dwarf's hackles raised in its wake as a sudden gust of air brought a hint of a scent which chilled him to the bone. "What the 'Ell? Me nose's tellin' me Daemonkin're about! " His heart began pounding. DoozerVee tried to calm his racing heart and quell the memories of the Devilqueen Tiamat's attack on Andamon two years before. He forced himself to confront the problem at hand. Now the sounds of battle could be discerned from several of the black tunnels surrounding him. Unearthly cries, screams and the unmistakeable sound of dwarven-forged steel echoed about him. Dwarf-kin! "If'n Dwarves be battlin' Daemonkin, then they'll be needin' every blade they c'n muster!" Without another thought he charged toward the mouth of a tunnel from which issued the loudest clangor. He had been running for only a few moments when a terrible roar again shook the very bones of the earth around him. Almost immediately the first Unhumans tore up the passage toward him. With a thrill of fear and excitement he took his stance and readied his axe. The goblins however took no more notice of him than they would a stalagmite in the center of the tunnel, parting around him like a river of stinking flesh. DoozerVee was astounded, but if they were going to ignore him, he was going to get on to the REAL battle - with the demons! Gripping the axe he had "borrowed" from his tyrant Paater, he forged ahead.
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