The Aftermath of Boulder Dam

Ombra, Callista and Dundas, accompanied by the young dwarf ranger Eyvind withdraw from their bloody skirmish at Boulder Dam.

Bruised and battered they stagger doggedly on to a camp several miles away, carrying the unconscious Callista.

As they roll exhausted into their blankets, Eyvind says to Dundas "Dont worry about a thing, I saw everything and help is on its way." Nursing his broken nose Dundas rests his back against a tree. As Ombra collapses into a restless sleep he sees other shadowy dwarf figures moving stealthily on the edge of the campsite.

Ombra wakes early the next morning. His head is pounding and he feels like he has not slept. Yet he no longer feels demoralized, instead he feels a strange inspiration. With sudden purpose, he sets about doing his best to care for his injured comrades

A company of a dozen or so dwarfs are in camp. Most are sleeping still but four are on watch. Ombra notes that they are armed with crossbow and axe for the most part.

He looks at the unconscious Callista and smiles ruefully at the memory of the young mage calling forth shooting stars and magic darts to crash down on their enemies. She is in a serious state, the wound she received from the charging orc has resulted in a very serious head wound. With a determined air Ombra sets about changing her bandages.

Dundas is woken by Ombra an hour or so later and together they set about doing what they can for Dundas' injuries. By the time the sun has been up for an hour the camp is astir with dwarf activity. One dwarf ranger has taken charge of the large boar and is baking large chunks of it underground in a makeshift smokeless camp oven. Another older dwarf with white whiskers and gnarled fingers by the name of Thorgrm has cut away the boar tusks and spends the majority of the day whittling them with a carving knife.

By mid morning our party see some familiar faces. Dusty and travel worn that party of dwarf silver miners enter camp. Dundas can tell they have marched all night. With typical dwarf stoicism and complete disregard for the cares of the road they confer with Eyvind briefly while taking a meal on their feet. Then, before half an hour passes they are gone again, accompanied by several Dwarf rangers including Eyvind.

Focused on recovery Dundas and Ombra set about the business of healing themselves and Callista. They are joined soon after mid day by a austere looking dwarf dressed in fine purple cloth underneath his travel cloak

He introduces himself as Malric and he says he is a Rune priest. Dedicated to the Dwarf goddess Valaya. He specializes in healing and magical enchantment. He offers his assistance in caring for the injured Callista. Gratefully the adventurers accept.

By evening Callista has recovered consciousness. She is severely concussed and her vision is swimming but she is alive. She is able to take some broth and a little boar meat with the others.

Dwarfs have been coming and going all day. Finally just as the sun is about to set. Eyvind returns with the miners. Dundas notes that a few are missing. He sits with the Grey Wolf companions and tells them of the events of the day.

"Well my friends" he says. "A fine business you have started here." His wrinkled complexion wrinkles even further with amusement. He turns to Dundas. "So now young beardling, when I spied you on the road and when you tried to win me with that ridiculous smile of yours, I admit, I didn't think much of you. Dressed up like a dwarf clan warrior but with your Reiklander ways.... However, that business at the dam... the way you charged in and bowled over that orc! The way the two of you took down that boar!" Eyvind takes a moment to gnaw on the pork bone in his hands as if reaching a deeper appreciation for how it came to be there.

It seems that the dam has been collapsed by the miners and that much of the greenskin horde has been flooded and washed away. On top of this the miners managed to jimmy loose several of the boulders on the cliff and roll them done amidst the greenskins. Much damage and chaos has been caused. Eyvind warns that the threat is still there. The overall result is that of a bee sting, nothing more. Still thanks to our three adventurers and their unlikely dwarf associates, some time has been bought. The old ranger Thorgrm estimates several days or maybe a week before the orc warbosses restore order.

With gruff gestures Thorgrm passes a small item to Callista and to Dundas. To Callista he gifts a finely crafted ivory staff hilt. There is a dwarf rune on it. Thorgrim explains that it means "Dwarf-Friend" To Dundas he gifts an ivory charm fashioned in the shape of a hand with a coin in it's palm. He claps the younger dwarf on the shoulder and without any further word leaves to his bedroll.

As the old dwarf withdraws, Eyvind glances at the adventurers and says. "In the morning you should head west. The greenskins have been delayed but they will be on the march soon enough. Whatever your business is to the west you should attend to it." His countenance deepens, as if to say he know's full well what our party has in store for them. He then withdraws to his own blankets.

Malric is the last to leave the fire. He talks at some length with Callista about magical matters but can see that she is struggling with her injuries and eventually he too withdraws. Before he does so he points to Ombra and says. "That salve you have, use it tomorrow to help reduce the severity of your companions injuries." He then turns finally to Callista and says. "Take heart young maid, you are a dwarf friend now. But I think you were a true friend of one dwarf before. I know of him. I have seen him in my runecrafting. Danger threatens him, he is mixed up in things beyond his control." He sighs with frustration. "That's all I know"


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OMBRA'S NIGHTMARES

The first night

Ombra walks through a shadowy world of unreality. He sees himself being dragged to safety by the armoured figure of Karl Jacobs at Redbark. He then sees himself stabbing Jacobs in the throat....He sees a beautiful woman, white blond hair blowing, She smiles then she snarls, she says his name.

"I have a gift for you Ombra. I can set aside your doubts....Before he can think things through Ombra nods in acceptance."

Ombra's spend's the next day in a surreal state... In terms of game mechanics he has acquired the 'inspired' condition, the opposite of his previous 'demoralised' conditon. The demoralised condition is not gone but it has no affect while Ombra is inspired.

The Inspired condition grants a fortune dice to every test Ombra makes. Along with this Ombra wakes with two (2) stress each morning due to his nightmares and restless sleep.

The second night

Ombra walks through the same shadowy world. Except this time there is no Jacobs. Instead Callista and Dundas are with him.

"She" is there again. "Well now Ombra, how do you like my gift?"

Ombra hesitates and turns to his companions.

What advice do shadowy dream Callista and Dundas have to give?