Lore Quest: Axe of Dorogath
From Istaria Lexica
| Quest type: | Lore |
| From NPC(s): | Gulnor the Elder, Gulnor the Elder |
| Locations: | Aughundell, Aughundell |
| Previous quest(s): | Dralnok's Doom (Chapter 2): The Hammer of Kings |
| View this quest in the Quest Tree | |
| Item(s) required to start, progress or finish the quest: |
|---|
| none. |
Gulnor the Elder's Tale is one of the founding of Aughundell and the Father of the Dwarven people, Grenaden.
Quest text[edit]
Listen to Gulnor's Tale
You wish to hear more of the history of my people, do you? Remember the ancient days, the tales of old, and we shall all be the wiser for it. My tale begins long ago before the Humans rebelled against their Draconic masters, before the Elves planted their sacred forest, even before the founding of this great city in which you now stand. Have a seat, and listen.
- <continue>
Ages ago, before the founding of Aughundell, Grenaden, father of the Dwarves, wandered the lands of Western Aradoth alone. He sought a place for his people to live and flourish. One day, as he was climbing a hill, he saw a star fall onto a mountain to the north. A mighty explosion shook the ground and he was knocked off his feet and down to the foot of the hill by a great rush of air and heat.
- <continue>
He climbed back to the top of the hill and from there he could see that the mountain was wreathed in smoke and numerous fires burned along its flanks. The land at the foot of the mountain was broken and shattered, its surface marred with many fissures and ravines. As he picked his way through these hazards he glanced down into the depths and there, through the smoke, he could see the glint of metallic ore and precious gemstones.
- <continue>
Despite the lure of precious metals and gems, his gaze was inexorably drawn to the top of the mountain and the pull of curiosity drew his upwards. Climbing the peak he found a great, smoldering wound around a large metallic stone unlike anything he had ever set eyes on before.
- <continue>
He gathered the stones into his arms, grimacing at the heat, and descended back to the foot of the mountain. There near a cave and a small stream, that would in time become known as Aughundell, he set up a camp and his anvil and began to forge the star-metal into a great, double-bladed axe.
- <continue>
Years passed and the camp that Grenaden founded grew into a thriving community. Its people mined the mountain and surrounding hills, for they were rich in metals and gemstones, many exposed by the breaking of the land. The mountain became known as Tum'dehr, which roughly translated means 'Mountain-Father'. It is still called that among my people, though in recent years it has become known by its more common name, Mount Grenaden.
- <continue>
There was peace for many years and the people of Grenaden flourished as he had hoped, but sadly it was not to last. Rumors whispered of great, winged demons that circled the mountains to the northwest and those Dwarves who ventured there seldom returned.
- <continue>
Confrontation was inevitable, however, for eventually everyone knew that these winged-demons would find the people of Grenaden. One day scouts sighted one of these demons perched atop the mountain, high above the town. It seemed to watch them and for days it, or others like it, would be there... always watching.
- <continue>
Contrary to what you may think, Dwarves are not, by nature, warlike people. We prefer peace so that we may mine and forge and prosper. We will, however, defend our territory and what we believe is ours. The continued presence of these demons caused suspicion and even anger amongst Grenaden's people to grow.
- <continue>
Eventually, a war party led by Grenaden himself was organized and scaled the mountain. Seeing the might of the Dwarves, the demon fled east and the pursuit was on. Wielding his mighty axe, Grenade and his warriors finally engaged the beast on top of a tall hill to the east of Aughundell. It was there that Grenaden himself was slain and his war party scattered by its fiery wrath.
- <continue>
Beaten, but not broken, Grenade's son, Grathmar, took up his father's axe and resumed the chase. He and the remaining warriors eventually engaged in a great battle that was as fierce as it was long, for the demon put up a great fight; it's great claws and fiery breath slew many brave Dwarves that day.
- <continue>
Eventually, the beast succumbed to its wounds, the final blow dealt by Grathmar himself wielding the axe made of star-metal his father had forged. From that day forth the axe became known as 'Thom-Dorogath' which means the Axe of Demons. It has been a symbol of the Iron Guard and the ferocity of the Dwarven spirit for more than two millennia.
- <continue>
And that is the end of this tale, <player>. What do you think? Did you recognize the winged-demons of the tale? They were in fact ancient Dragons! Today they are our friends, our allies, but centuries ago they were feared and hunted. Quite the turn of events, wouldn't you say?
Steps[edit]
- Listen to Gulnor's Tale
