Durgis Rock V2.1

After a few more days traveling with Basion we reached Durgis Rock. I would like to say something nice about Basion, but spending time with him was about as exciting as pulling out nose hairs in the dark.

At the gates we were challenged by a comical dwarf that Basion called Snurry. He had a leather helm that was about four sizes too big and it kept sliding down his face. He challenged us as soon as we neared the gate. Basion, told him who he was, but he demanded to know the password, which he gave him. Then he asked me and I said I don't know. Basion told him again he was escorting me to the Dor'thain to be interviewed. Snurry didn't want to let us in, for fear I was an orc spy. A big surly important looking dwarf came to our rescue. When Basion seen him, he called out, "Cort thank the mountain stones, this damn fool, offal of an ort won't let us pass."

Upon seeing Cort, Snurry snapped to attention and his helmet slipped over his eyes. Cort sighed and I started laughing which brought looks of disapproval from all three of them, this made me laugh even more. Cort ordered me to be brought to the Great Hall immediately, so that I could be deemed unworthy of the hardy folks of the Rock and escorted back out the the gates.

Basion led me through a dreary looking village that looked only partially inhabited. I was still giggling uncontrollably, when we reached the Great Hall. Inside I was ushered into a large room where I was told to wait by Basion. Then he left me alone. I stood there for as long as I could, but I couldn't just wait, I had to explore some. I found a few "hidden" doors, that I would make sure to remember. I also found something very odd, it was quite exquisite in it's workmanship. It was made of leather, with gold gilt, and had many leaves that could be turned. Inside these leaves there was many squiggly lines and beautiful pictures. I was pretty sure this was a book, but I had never seen one before and I was so entranced by it's beauty that I didn't see the group of dwarfs come in.

One yelled at me in some language that sounded like rocks being crushed, I knew this wasn't good. I smiled at them and said this is beautiful I am just admiring the craftsmanship. A different dwarf said that BOOK belongs to the Dor'Thain and not to be touched by the likes of you. I noticed the dwarf that seemed to be in charge, was watching all of this as if he was a sheppard trying to decided which ort to be slaughtered. I jumped up on the table, and said as politely as I could, "catch me if you can." I jumped over the nearest dwarf's head, did a somersault over to where I had seen the hidden doors and made a run for it. I only got about ten feet in when I realized there was no place to go. It was just a big closet. I heard a big laugh and a warm voice that said come out, they won't hurt you. As I slinked out of the closet, the other dwarfs are trying to hide their smiles as well. The leader says, "I am Wooden, the Dor'Thain of Durgis Rock, I am pretty sure you aren't spy." At that the whole group burst into laughter. I had to join in with them, because it was pretty damn funny.

After the moment wore off and it was pretty clear that I was in good place Wooden said that I was to go with Dornar and he would interview me to find out what I could do to earn my keep in Durgis. I thanked him with a big hug, which surprised him. He quietly said he knew my story from the gnomes and said I would be safe with him. I thanked him again, by taking one of his buttons as a keep sake. Here begins the legend of the Button Bandit.

Dornar took me to an office space and asked me a lot of questions, that mainly made me scratch my head. What it came down to is that I knew orts and leather, I didn't tell them about my other "skills". He suggested I meet Vidar a local ort herder and see if I can make some kind of arrangement with him. Dornar took me to an Inn called the Mountain Goat where he said I could stay for the night and he would come and fetch me in the morning so I can hopefully make my way in the world. It reminded me of what my Uncle Swacg would say. I choked back a tear and thanked him. I don't remember anything until the next morning when I woke up to a heavenly smell.