Featuring (all Erebor Khazad except where noted): Belin, Bavor, Klendin (Ered Luin Khazad)

Longbeard Den (#9755)
Firelit, this comfortable chamber above the Longbeard Tavern holds many amenities for the casual guest of The Mountain. While the light is perpetually dim and there is a faint haze of wood-smoke in the room, it seems rather large, perhaps big enough to comfortably hold a number of dwarf-sized sofas, easy chairs, and small tables. While the room is primarily used for relaxation away from the hubbub of the common room below, a large table in the center of the chamber for games and meetings is still available. Stately doors of mahogany and walnut at each quadrant of the chamber lead to private salons.
Contents:
Bavor (IC Khazad), Ori (IC Khazad), Belin (IC Khazad), and Mountains of Moria Puzzle (IC Puzzle Object)
Obvious exits:
West leads to Dain's Way.
Down leads to Longbeard Tavern.

***** Erebor Time & Weather Service ******************************************
** Real time is: Tue May 15 12:56:34 2001, GMT -8 **
Elendor time is: Early Night (2100) on Sterday, 19 April 3023. In the outer world's overcast Spring sky, The full moon rides among the sky like a gleaming ship.
****************************************** Erebor Time & Weather Service *****

Bavor (#25001)
This individual is a short, stocky figure by human standards at just over four feet in height and about one-fourth that size in width, making him either a short man, a tall hobbit, or a dwarf. Yes, a dwarf: that seems logical, given his dimensions, as well as his beard (rather long, it would seem, reaching just down to waist, forked in the middle and braided from there down). And his eyes... rather dull, of a greyish hue. As for this person's hair, it is either a light brown or a dark blonde, being the same shade as his beard, and straight, falling down to just below his ears. His nose is wide, the bottom of which being partially obscured by a bushy brown (or blonde...) moustache, beneath which being a full pair of lips, beneath which being a beard-covered chin. His skin is a ruddy brownish-red hue.

As for the attire worn by this dwarven figure, they consist of what would be a greyish-green knee-length tunic with sleeves down to the elbows and a rather simple-looking leather belt (the buckle isn't too bad, though... it's just iron, but it's very well-made, reflecting light nicely) supporting it. A portion of his legs are visible above a pair of large leather boots.

Belin (#29836)
Before you is what appears to be a male dwarf. He seems to be of average dwarven height, at almost four and one half feet. He has dark hair that only reveals itself to be brown under closer inspection. He has a beard that is of the same color as his hair, but is worn in many braids tucked into his belt. Worn withing the braids of his beard is a crimson ribbon that bears a small badge of the Baruk Zirak. His torso is covered by a wool shirt of a light brown material. Atop the woolen shirt is a surcoat of fine material of a light green color which is cinched by a thick belt of black dyed leather. Over top that is worn a dark green cloak of fine make that hangs to halfway down his boots. Upon the cloak is worn a brooch of gold fastened into the symbol of the Clan Bundazanul. His legs are covered by a pair of black pants which are tucked into the tops of the well broken in boots.

Klendin (#28918)
A brawny khazad in his late sixties, standing nearly four-and-a half feet tall. He has the energetic, hard-muscled body of a young Khazad and a short blue-black beard, but his eyes are haunted by the past, giving him a look much older than his 69 years. He is dressed in worn woolen clothing with a once-white hood which is now yellowed with dust. On his cloak is a faded image of an intricate helm surmounted by a dragonshead that a dwarf might recognize as a picture of the Dragon-helm of Dorlomin, a symbol of clan Azundelbur. Around his neck hangs a silver chain of small links wrought like intertwined leaves, set with a large, light-green jade.

~~~

A fire crackles in the hearth and gives the room above the Longbeard Tavern a comfortable light and feel to all of those that relax in its midsts. Dwarves from the mountain and perhaps a few travellers sit around the room for a more quiet atmostphere than the noisier room below. Perhaps a business meeting outside of the working hours or even to plan a trip to some distant land... Different persons come for different reasons.

On a comfortable chair of just the right height and stuffing rests Belin nearly sprawled out his beard in something of a disarray with small strands of hair sticking out from different parts. His clothes are wrinkled but not dirty and even look as through they were recently thrown on. In his ink-stained hand is a clasped a mug from which he occationally takes a sip while he simply sits and half-watches the room around him.

Through the great archway out of the Longbeard Den the voices and footfalls of some Khazad can be heard though night has fallen, and some still pass in and out of the establishment and down into the tavern below. One such dwarf entering the den is Bavor, strolling in slowly, stroking his beard thoughtfully. He walks into the quiet room, looks around, nods politely to those he knows, and goes on toward the door to the tavern.

A few of the dwarves in the room return Bavor's nods, though a few more then that notice his entrance. Belin's eyes track the new dwarf's movement towards the tavern. A crackle from the fire place draws his attention as one of the dwarves near the hearth places another log on the fire, and a cloud of sparks travel up the chimney and to whereever their path takes them. One of these unfortuate paths leads into the room, where most of the floating sparks burn up before landing but some, like this one, float about and occationally cause mischief. This spark is on a path where it dances around before landing upon the hand of an unwary patron...

Muttering to himself as the cracking and sputtering of burning wood, the new entry shakes his head ruefully. "Fools should be more careful next time... hmph." And as the cloud of sparks flutters about the Den, Bavor's head shakes all the more. After a moment of watching the log-burners with baleful eyes, the dwarf continues toward the door.

But... after some three, four steps the beardling sighs and shrugs, turning aside to take a place at a vacant chair, lowering himself carefully into a dwarf-sized seat of hardwood and feather padding. With a sigh of what could be frustration, relief, or sleepiness, he closes his eyes and crosses his arms over his beard and chest.

The singed dwarf jerks back his hand with a quick yelp of surprise and quickly flaps the offended limb as he tries to rid himself of the stinging sensation. Satisfied that the pain is adadquatly reduced to ignoreable, he glares over at the newly arrived dwarf and mutters something to his the others near him who look over glance over with nods. Belin watches all this wtih hidden emotion, but not without intrest. With a smile to himself he leans over towards Bavor and says in a lowered voice, "I'd not bother with them, they've been irritable all night... They should to below to the tavern, they'd fit better there."

Eyes fluttering as he sits up in his chair, Bavor turns and looks up at Belin, and gives a customary nod and grunt. "Aye, I tend to agree. Ought to let good, honest dwarves relax... after all, that's what this place was built for." He grumbles again under his breath. After a moment and a snort in the general direction of the fire, Bavor closes his eyes and slumps back into his seat.

Heavy dwarven footfalls can be heard brielfy outside as Klending enters the room, his black eyes darting about before he heads toward one of the chairs, nodding ot the other khazads present. He takes a seat and asks, in a very rasping voice like a harsh whisper, "How er you?" to the two dwarves seated away from the fire.

A smile crosses the mostly relaxed face of Belin, "I can't say I've been working much lately. I just feel like I'm getting lazy." He makes a sarcastic laugh to himself and turns to look over the room, but at nothing in particular. He whispers quietly to himself as he lets his eyes drift over the semi-crowded room. A brief nod to the newly arrived Khazad and a short reply, "I'm doing well, yourself?" more filled with politeness then any true sense of meaning.

"Fine, thank you, kind sir; I should hope you are in good condition, yourself." He turns his head and glances at the newcomer. "Well, I can't say I've seen you before... might you be a visitor, or have we just never crossed paths in the Dwarflaw?"

Belin doesn't look at Bavor as he responds, "We've never crossed paths, I think. I was in the service of Lord Jorin before his troubles and when not working there, I was serving with the Baruk Zirak. But being promoted and my hird being disbanded I've been not doing as much as I'd like." He sighs as he spills his trouble and then smiles tightly, "I apologize, I don't even know your name and I've burdened you." With a look and a bowof his head, "Belin son of Bakin, at your service."

Bavor nods to Belin. "Aye, I see; though I'll admit I was speaking to the newcomer. A pleasure to meet you; I am Bavor Ljomi's son, of Clan Barazin. I am a miner by trade, and occasionally a stone-shaper in the employ of Clan Bundazanul. A pleasure, again, to meet you."

"My apologizes again, cousin," Belin replies, "I was only paying half attention and had only heard you speak." A chuckle escapes him as does a sigh, "Though your trade would explain why I didn't recognize you, I've no true dealings with many miners. I come from the Clan Bundazanul, we work wood not stone." He draws a sip from the mug that still rests in his hands and leans back his head to close his eyes for a moment.

"Yes," replies Bavor. "It's more of a private thing than anything else... I was asked to teach a few younglings of the Clan how to properly carve and shape stone. Volunteer work, for the most part." He looks over at the fireplace, and snorts. "Looks as those fools have settled down... perhaps now we'll have some more peace in here."

Klendin meanwhile has sunk deep into his chair, slowly moving toward sleep..then suddenly he jerks upright again, "Huh wha..." he rasps, glancing about, then settles into the chair again. However the words from the other two dwarves do reach his ears. "Wish I could shape wood and stone...an ironsmith myself" he says.

With a glance towards the restless dwarves near the fireplace, Belin smiles and nods, "Aye, it looks as though they have. For now." His eyes move from the hearth to those nearer to him as he continues, "Teaching them how to shape stone, eh? I've never had the chance to learn... I've learned a little about working with wood, and even something about metal work, but never stone-work. Perhaps I should spend a little time near the mines..." He nods towards Klendin, "A fine trade, but I think you will find that wood work is quite a bit different from metalwork, if what I've seen is true."

Braldor arrives from Dain's Way.
Braldor has arrived.

Bavor nods to Belin. "Aye... I'm not the best of masons, but I do what I can." Then he turns and addresses Klendin. "Well, then, I don't believe I've caught your name? You don't look very familiar... are you a visitor, perhaps?"

Braldor enters the Longbeard Den, happy to be out of the hubbub of the tavern. After a good day's work, all he wants is a little peace and to relax. He notices a knot of dwarves sitting together, apparently discussing among themselves. With them is a stranger Braldor has not seen, mayhap a newcomer to Erebor. He also notices Belin and Jormun are in the group. Quietly, Braldor makes his way to a nearby table and sits.