Stables
Many rows of wooden stalls fill this room, more than enough for the ponies who
come to the Iron Hills. On the westward wall large troughs of hay and oats are
kept filled, so than no animal here need ever go hungry. Several younger
dwarves being watched by the stablemaster offer services to wash and feed
horses, and even heal them if they are sick.
Contents:
Dani
Dwarven Warder Wagon
Dwarven Travel Camp (Buhr Mahrling Group)
Lord Bifur's Wagon
Wagon
Dwarven Battle Wagons
Daemir's Weapons Cart
Obvious exits:
Archway to the East leads to Entrance Concourse.
As you leave the stables, the ground beneath you changes from soft dirt and hay
to stone.
Entrance Concourse
The main road you are travelling upon is truly a piece of Dwarven
craftsmanship. Smoothly and evenly paved, it takes you deep into the fiery
heart of the Iron Hills. Measuring about fifteen paces wide and a ceiling
perhaps two-thirds that, the soft breeze which blows through this space reminds
all of the surface which is nearby.
Kilon
A stout, stealthy Khazad stands here. His features are smooth and flawless. His
long dark beard falls down the front of his torso and is tucked tidily into his
belt. His eyes are a dull grey color and are barely above his rounded nose. His
tunic and pants, of the finest black, and barely visible under the shadowy
cloak that lies upon his body.
Gumbart bows at the unknown dwarf and continues on his way, seemingly in a
hurry.
You take off on the road to the north.
Grand Foyer
This great hall is given to the Kings and Heroes of dwarven tradition. Great
pillars carved in their images line the hall. Carefully carved by dwarven
craftsmen, each pillar has taken years of work and toil. A great many torches
and chandeliers shed their light on this magnificent example of the ability for
stonework by the Dwarves.
A fair number of people walk along, mostly the citizens of The Iron Hills, on
their way somewhere else in the large halls.
You step eastwards out of the grand foyer and out onto Commerce Way.
Commerce Way, East
This road running from the Grand Foyer towards Iron Way seems to be much like
many of the other passageways of the Iron Hills. The walls and ceiling are
worked smooth, and the floor is cobbled. There are no side passages or doorways
from this area, only the east-west passage. The walls are decorated with murals
and tapestries depicting the lives of dwarven leaders of the recent past.
Although not as busy as many of the concourses of the Iron Hills, there are
still quite a few dwarves bustling through.
You step through the archway from Commerce Way into the Guard Post and feel the
watchful eyes of the guards look you over carefully.
Guard Post - Commerce Way East
This spacious, well lit room is another intersection of the dwarven travel
network. Carvings on the walls and pillars show the many different aspects of
dwarven life. A great chandelier and torches light the area showing off the
artwork around you.
Obvious exits:
West leads to Commerce Way, East.
Stairs to Upper Level, Stairs to Lower Level, and Doorway to the North
You travel up the stairs.
Guard Post - Gror's Way East
This is one of the main guard posts of Emyn Engrin. Two guards stand here in
gilded mail, at attention with keen halberds and grim-looking axes tucked into
their belts. The area is immaculate and well lit.
Obvious exits:
West leads to Gror's Way, East.
Stairs to Main Level
You head down the stairs to the lower level.
Guard Post - Commerce Way East
This spacious, well lit room is another intersection of the dwarven travel
network. Carvings on the walls and pillars show the many different aspects of
dwarven life. A great chandelier and torches light the area showing off the
artwork around you.
Obvious exits:
West leads to Commerce Way, East.
Stairs to Upper Level, Stairs to Lower Level, and Doorway to the North
You step out of the post under the watchful eyes of the guardsmen, and onto
Commerce Way.
Commerce Way, East
This road running from the Grand Foyer towards Iron Way seems to be much like
many of the other passageways of the Iron Hills. The walls and ceiling are
worked smooth, and the floor is cobbled. There are no side passages or doorways
from this area, only the east-west passage. The walls are decorated with murals
and tapestries depicting the lives of dwarven leaders of the recent past.
Although not as busy as many of the concourses of the Iron Hills, there are
still quite a few dwarves bustling through.
You step through the archway from Commerce Way into the Grand Foyer.
Grand Foyer
This great hall is given to the Kings and Heroes of dwarven tradition. Great
pillars carved in their images line the hall. Carefully carved by dwarven
craftsmen, each pillar has taken years of work and toil. A great many torches
and chandeliers shed their light on this magnificent example of the ability for
stonework by the Dwarves.
A fair number of people walk along, mostly the citizens of The Iron Hills, on
their way somewhere else in the large halls.
Obvious exits:
East leads to Commerce Way, East.
West leads to Commerce Way, West.
Archway to the South leads to Entrance Concourse.
Doorway to the North
You pass through the archway to the south.
Entrance Concourse
The main road you are travelling upon is truly a piece of Dwarven
craftsmanship. Smoothly and evenly paved, it takes you deep into the fiery
heart of the Iron Hills. Measuring about fifteen paces wide and a ceiling
perhaps two-thirds that, the soft breeze which blows through this space reminds
all of the surface which is nearby.
Contents:
Kilon
Obvious exits:
Archway to the West leads to Stables.
North leads to Grand Foyer.
Large Double Door leads to Gatehouse.
Gumbart looks around, anxiously, searching for something.
Gumbart cries, "Wahh! I'm lost in The Iron Hills!! What
am I doing here!?"
Gumbart says, "Anybody in the Iron Hills who wants to RP
with Gumbart? I want to find out IC what I am doing in the Iron Hills and
wether the camp will continue back towards Erebor."
Bofa arrives from the north.
Bofa has arrived.
Bofa passes through the open doors to the south.
Bofa has left.
Bofa arrives from the great foyer.
Bofa has arrived.
Bofa
You see a middle-aged Dwarf Maiden standing proudly at a few inches over four
feet. Very neat in appearance with long hair, as black as her eyes, is held
back by two long braids. Scattered through the braids are many small gems. Her
beard is only a slight shade lighter than her hair and is tightly braided and
tucked under her cloak. Dressed in all black; a warm wool cloak over a surcoat,
tunic, pants, and shined black boots - each piece of clothing looking orderly
at all times. On her cloak she proudly displays two brooches; one brooch
depicting a pair of crossed axes with red hafts indicating her position among
the ranks of the Baruk Nala and the other shows the crest of the Clan
Farizhald. The only other jewelry you can see is a ring on the
fourth stubby finger of the right hand. Always strapped to this Khazad's back
is a large double bladed Battle Axe, its haft inlaid with colorful jewels
varying in shape and size. This dwarf can usually be found enjoying a finely
crafted pipe.
Gumbart turns around, back towards the great foyer and nearly bumps into the
new arrival. He steps back and bows, "Excuse me, dear cousin! I am lost, here.
Can you help me? I arrived recently with a group of dwarves from Buhr
Mahrling."
Khelin arrives from the north.
Khelin has arrived.
Gumbart wipes the sweat from his brows, again. Hastily, he bows again towards
the dwarf maiden and adds, "My apologies, I am a merchant from Erebor, Gumbart,
son of Oibart."
Bofa stands quitely near Dani brushing her down and humming to herself. She
seems uncharacteristically in fairly good spirits. Her attention is taken away
from the pony as she hears the voice that she does not recognize. Taking a step
closer to the dwarf she looks him over from head to two and snickers "Lost ya
say? Well ya be in tha Iron Hills!"
Gumbart grins and says, "Unfortunately, that is true! However, I expected the
group of dwarves I was travelling with to continue on towards Mt. Erebor.
However, all of the dwarves seem to be residents of the Iron Hills. They left
and day after day I come down to the stables to find somebody who is in charge,
and no luck. It is as if everybody just evaporated."
Bofa nods and chuckles "Well, I'm not sure where ya were when Toran headed back
to the Mountain but ya should have gone with him. Noone I know roun' here is
headed that way neither." Bofa stands quite amused before the dwarf rubbing her
hands together trying to warm them then extending one to Gumbart "Forgive me, I
am Bofa, Daughter of Bolan and a proud Warder of Emyn Engrin once again." She
sighs deeply before continuing "I just moved back from the Mountain as a matter
of fact."
Gumbart hesitates before shaking the hand, then bows anyway, "At your service.
What a pleasant surprise to find a cousin from Mt. Erebor! I have spent the
last weeks surrounded by fellow dwarves from the Iron Hills and Easterlings.
When did you arrive here?" A pleased, brown-toothed grin spreads over his face;
the wrinkles seem to swallow his eyes. "You are also new in these caves, then?"
Bofa gets a twinkle in her eye and a large grin comes to her face as she says
to Gumbart "Ahh Cousin, let me clear that up. I was born and raised in these
Hills. I was transferred into the Baruk Narag by Lord Kloi where I remained for
about 6 months..." she pauses a moment and hangs her head. Her grin is replaced
by a grimace and she continues "I returned recently to care for my father who
has taken ill."
Gumbart's grin drops. Disappointed, he says, "Ah. Well. At least you got to see
our fabulous halls. And I'm sorry to hear about you father. Is it a passing
illness?" After a pause, he continues, "On the other hand, that surely means
you know you way around. Maybe you could help me find somebody travelling to
Erebor? Perhaps you could introduce me to your merchant guild, so that I might
find some aquaintances from my trip to Buhr Mahrling."
Wandering in from the stables, the Senior Acolyte looks around and sees Bofa
and begins to approach her. He sees the Ereborian merchant and smiles. "So have
we interogated our captive yet?" He lets a mischievious grin cross his face as
he looks over to the warder.
Bofa nodding to the merchant she says "Aye, I'm sure if ya visit the tavern,
ye'll find some merchants soon 'nuff. As for anyone headin to the Mountain?"
Bofa shakes her head in dismay "Can't think of anyone headin that way...ya
should've joined Toran. He rushed back pretty quick." Hearing the Senior
Acolyte enter, Bofa turns her head to him and smirks "Akh, not yet...but I hope
ta be there when we do."
Relieved, Gumbart turns towards the new arrival. "Khelin, at last a face I
know!" He grins at Bofa, "Your help is much appreciated! Already you have found
me somebody I know." He turns back to Khelin, "I haven't seen you in the last
few days. With all the exitement it seems that my party left without me. Now I
am here in the Iron Hills with no way to get back home, it seems."
Grinning at Gumbart, "Well that is one mess ye've got yerself into. I apologize
though. I am not heading back to Erebor soon and I cannot help ye." He chuckles
slightly and turns back to the warder, "As do I wish to be there. We may get
vital information on how to remove the evil bandits from the Buhr Mahrling
area."
Gumbart perks his ears as the prisoner is mentioned a second time. "Hm, what
prisoner are you two talking about? Not that human we met on the way back
here?"
Turning back to Gumbart, Khelin smiles, "'We met'? She attacked a Royal Guard
and her friends attacked the High Priest, me, and a Steward of the 'Hills. I do
believe that is a highly punishable offense. Taking on two humans with swift
blades is not what I would call fun." A look of anger dashes across his face.
Bofa shoves her hands inside her cloak to try to warm them. Looking between
Khelin and Gumbart, Bofa remains silent until Khelin speaks of the attack.
Turning to Gumbart she nods in agreement "Ahh, serious offense indeed. I
however was not there at the time and have not been fully informed of the
situation. She has been placed in a cell until the Stewards can interrogate
her..." letting out a chuckle she adds "hopefully she'll be cooperative without
having to be forced."
Gumbart is relieved. "Ah, I was thinking of somebody else. You must forgive me,
half way through the trip I caught a fever and the rest of the days I passed in
a daze. I have but recently recovered to find that I was left behind. I guess I
missed this prisoner we caught. Do you suspect her to be part of a larger party
of bandits?" An angry glitter comes to his eyes as he says these last words.
Bofa nods to Gumbart "Aye, that's what we hope to find out but it is our
belief. Sorry to hear ya missed the excitement..." she pauses to take a deep
breath and release it then continues "I wish I had been there." Clapping her
hands together her mood suddenly changes "So, do ya plan to stay and visit for
a few more days or ya gonna head out sooner?"
Gumbart laughs, "I won't be travelling to Erebor on my own, I think. I shall
find some people to go with me. While I'm here, I might as well trade for a few
interesting things I could take along..."
Bofa slaps Gumbart on the back and laughs "Aye, good idea Master Gumbart! I may
even take ya meself if I'm feelin generous. Unfortunately I won't be leaving
the Hills until this issue with the prisoner is settled...which I pray to Mahal
won't take long. But I am planning on returning to Lake Town soon and shall
pass the Lonely Mountain along the way. Yer welcome ta tag along if ya can
wait."
Smiling at the two, Khelin laughs, "So neither of ye saw the battle eh? Tis a
shame. I coulda used some help." And looks to the merchant, "Aye, trading would
be a good way to keep busy. Just don't get yerself robbed in the bit." He winks
to the trader.
Gumbart winces at her slap but beams as he hears Bofa's words. "That would be a
great idea. I'm staying at the local tavern, drop me a note when you are
leaving." He rubs his belly, "While we are at it, I'm getting hungry. Will you
join me for lunch?"
Bofa steps over to Dani and replaces all her equipment. Stepping out of the
stall, she secures the lock and motions over to one of the stable hands "Make
sure she is reshod properly, I'll return tomorrow to check them." Walking back
over to Gumbart, Bofa says "Well Master Gumbart, your invitation sounds grand,
but I must report for guard duty...must keep our prisoner safe ya know." As she
says this her laughter fills the air. "But perhaps another time." Nodding to
him and then turning to Khelin to do the same, Bofa walks from the tavern
whistling to herself.
The senior acolyte smiles to the two, "I must also be going. The Earless Elf is
just to the north is a great pub but they have not any rooms for sleepin'." He
motions towards the north." He turns north towards the temple and waves, "Mahal
bless you in everything you do."
Gumbart sighs and waves at the two departing dwarves.
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