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RHUNRIKKI STROLLAR (Warhammer Fantasy Golden Age Dwarf Runelord Quest)

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Discord.

On Thread Etiquette:
I'm not going to weigh in on the logic of either side's arguments, but I will ask that everyone read over what they write and really consider if the words they used are polite and won't be inflammatory intentionally or not. You cant account for people's tolerances perfectly but at least try to say your piece without saying things that can be easily construed as overly dismissive of the other side of the argument, thank you.

Please endeavour to be cordial. :^)
 
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Personally I'd say lets pick either the colony forts or Skaudardrengi. I don't see a need to improve his official stance on Khazagar. Let it stand on its own and any scandals not tarnish the honor of the high king (if they happen).
 
I want to delay the attack so we can being in the giant super weapon that we have been working on. Let those anti-us forces chew on that!
 
I'm inclined to use the favor on Skaud. Storms a coming, time to 6ap send it. Full steam ahead!

Also, Whitebeard's like "I won't intervene as long as you don't rock the boat." Meanwhile, we're over here trying to figure out the order of operations to get the largest table flip possible with windsight.
 
mmgaballah said:
Sort of wandering about the adamant emperor dragon gronti , how is it going to fly ? Cause I don't see the rune of flight anywhere
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Adamant is lighter than gromril. We're going with the rule of cool that says if it weighs the same as a dragon, and moves like a dragon, it can fly like one. Potentially it can do that off of adamant's light weight alone. If not, we already have the rune of featherweight planned to reduce it's weight enough it will definitely be in the ballpark range of a dragon.
 
LaggPlaguedDuke said:
I'm inclined to use the favor on Skaud. Storms a coming, time to 6ap send it. Full steam ahead!

Also, Whitebeard's like "I won't intervene as long as you don't rock the boat." Meanwhile, we're over here trying to figure out the order of operations to get the largest table flip possible with windsight.
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Well too be fair there, the tableflipping is entirely within the Runelord House. Still not leaking out of the guild.
 
LaggPlaguedDuke said:
Adamant is lighter than gromril. We're going with the rule of cool that says if it weighs the same as a dragon, and moves like a dragon, it can fly like one. Potentially it can do that off of adamant's light weight alone. If not, we already have the rune of featherweight planned to reduce it's weight enough it will definitely be in the ballpark range of a dragon.
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I am pretty confident that the flight mechanics of dragons are like 70% that they are extremely magical creatures and 30% that they have wings
 
soulcake said:
If you had to be painfully, brutally honest with your work and ambition then you must ask just how important Windsight is.

The knowledge of the Winds, the understanding of how they behave and how Runes manipulate that? Priceless, revolutionary, and unquestionably paradigm defying.

Yet the Rune that lets you discover it?

Arguable that every Runesmith needs it, especially with the caveat that you need to have an unused eyesocket to use the damn thing.

Tried three eyes, using it in conjunction with the Eye of the Ancestors.

...politely put, it needed workshopping.

Its not a stance you make lightly, but in the years since you have lived with your new Eye it is an argument you should face. The Winds are not measurable in the way that an engineer can calculate the tolerances and mechanics of a Grudge Thrower, but they are consistent enough in their strange behavior that patterns can form and be generally depended upon. With a good enough understanding of those, a Runesmith could honestly imagine what was happening with enough consistency for something like the Windsight Eye to not be necessary. Course the Eye was necessary to get that knowledge, but if you knew? You can see a Runesmith not needing it.

But there is one area the Rune of Windsight is nearly indispensable.

Discovering new Runes.

Before you solved Durin's Consternation a Runesmith was a craftsman who built a contraption that itself created art. A contraption that they could not see the inner workings of and had to rely solely on the final output to determine what changes need be made.

Now?

Before you had Windsight, finding a Master Rune of Waking that worked with Gronti on the scale of Skaudardrengi would normally be a series of dozens, likely hundreds of trials to eliminate false starts, testing and narrowing down which strikings and in what orders worked to find the right path forward before then pursuing that path to its logical endpoint.

The Rune of Windsight cuts that tedious task down to a fraction of the time it once took.

Not the physical aspect of creating the Rune in question, or in seeing how that magic works with the Rune itself. But in eliminating the guesswork and minimizing the amount of testing that actually needed to be done. When you can see how the Magic of a Rune moves during the striking, the proportion of the Winds allowed in by your Stilling Field and the reagents burning away, a sufficiently meticulous and observant Runesmith can note which striking method and or reagents produce the mix of Winds which gives them the result they want. There was no guesswork, there was now proof, and with proof you had certainty.

And with certainty? Came Skill.
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Windsight is insanely useful it's not necessary but it's a waste not to be using it.

soulcake said:
Could a Runesmith do the same without it? Aye, look at Vragni, the tosser, but they needed centuries of near constant creation and experimenting with Variants to build a mental library.

This?

You just needed working eyes and a basic level of critical thinking.

A Rune was a Rune after all, and if you do it right then by Thungni its the same damn Rune.

So the work of decades is now the labor of years.

Glorious.
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The sheer amount of time saved is insane and it leans into Snorri's productivity.

soulcake said:
The variant you settled upon came at double the cost in reagents, and was sized appropriately. Moreover, the Rule of Form limited it to surfaces of truly ludicrous proportions even by the standards of a Gronti-Duraz. A beautiful bastard of a Rune that straddled the line between something you put on a building and what you would on a siege engine.

But in exchange?

Power.

Enough to move such a titanic thing reliably and smoothly. Feeding it enough magic was its own problem of course, but you can be certain the magic it was being fed was as efficient as you could make it.
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HAHAHAAHHAAH. UNLITED POWAAAAA.

soulcake said:
"I'll be taking Svina on as an apprentice when she comes of age, if her father's so inclined. I see no harm in it," Karstah admits casually before humming in thought, "Do you reckon I'll have to fight Elder Dolgi?"

You grumble, trying to ignore the growing high pitched squeal behind you.

"She could be lacking the Gift, Karstah."

"Nonsense, heard you murmuring about Svina's talent to yourself after dinner once," Karstah responded dismissively before blinking, "Hmm. Maybe I'm more out of it than I thought. Normally I would've kept that to myself. Wonder if I'll have to fight Elder Dolgi…"

You pinch the bridge of your nose.

"Let's go see Ylva, you damn fool girl. Svina stop squealing like a squirrel and help your Elder! Hurry now!"

Better to ignore the grim realization that you'll be stuck with dealing with Svina much longer than you hoped.

Bah.
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Karstah knows what's up.

soulcake said:
Snorri Jollsson is a few decades shy of becoming a Journeyman.

But even now he knows the first stop of many budding Journeymen from Kraka Drakk is here in the Hall of the Gift Giver.

In Khazagar.

His father grunts, and Snorri hurries after him.

Dawi and Brana walk and/or fly in sizable throngs, bodies moving less like individuals and more like the water in a river. His father weaves through it easily, but Snorri is not quite so skilled. Bumping and hypervigilant of those around him and the creation in his arms.

They're supposed to meet Grim Fulgorsson, the young Ranger from Clan Farwalker, at the Trogg-khaz. His commission, within the box being carried in his arms, was one of Snorri's. The cost and scope of the commission was handled by his father and the Grim's parents, but the details of the work, and most everything else was between him and Grim.
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I really love seeing how much of an impact Khazagar.

soulcake said:
"Young Snorri," the Ancestor nods his way before grunting at father indecipherably. Young man.

Father grunts back, equally incomprehensible. "Elder."

Snorri stands quietly as the two descend into a discussion entirely through grunts and other unintelligible noises. "How's Fjolla?"

"Uncle, uncle," Svina says, poking his elbow. "Well, why's the young one with you?"

"Aye Svina?" he whispers, turning to look at Skarri's eldest, "what have you gotten up to now?""Karstah's decided to take on a few students of her own ya see."

"Did you hear?" she asks, staring up at him wide-eyed and grinning. The grumbling of their elders fading into the background noise of Khazagar as Snorri tilts his head. "Aye?"

"Hear what niece?" Snorri humours, adjusting the box in his hands and drawing Svina's eye."Three."

"Elder Karstah is taking me on as her apprentice one day!" she says, grinning widely at him, "I'm gonna learn from her and make hammers!""Hmm, I suppose three Drakk make it a familiar enough challenge. That one's one of 'em but what of the other two?"

"Aye now?" he responds, genuinely surprised, "You're to be her first student then?""Bah. Alma Almasdottir—"

"Ah, no," Svinna admits, "there's two others that're supposed to start before me. Winterhearths; one's a Southern Winterhearth and the other's a strange Northern Winterhearth, 'pperantly." "A good name."

Snorri's eyes widen and he takes that news in. Three apprentices as a first time Master? Well if it had to be anyone it would be Elder Karstah, he muses. "Well if I see them I'll be sure to offer my condolences, being stuck with you for a few decades will be a pain I won't wish on anyone.""—don't you start too. Name aside, she's got a good head on those shoulders at the very least, perhaps a bit too starry-eyed but there's a good head there from what Karstah's observed."

Svina's smile is all teeth, before she blinks and suddenly asks "Uncle, uncle I almost forgot! Where are you and Grand-uncle Joll going?""And the third?."

"Trogg-Khaz," Snorri answers, moving the box further out of reach from Svinna's curious little mitts, "Oy none of that now, this is for someone else Svina, 'sa commission you see, one of my first.""One Yorri Oldorsson, a strange lad who likes to keep to himself and goes off on his own every so often."

"Is it a hammer?" she wonders, staring at the box with renewed interest."Sounds familiar…"

"Nai, an axe actually," he answers."Somehow he's the least egregious, there were a trio—"

"Bleh! They've got shoddy taste," she grumbles, interest fading faster than a winter's sun.
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There's a whole ass grumble conversation happening in the background.

soulcake said:
But even his usually stoic mien can be broken.

When Karstah Snorrisdottir approaches him and his folks about becoming her apprentice—

—well, pardon him if his brows raise just a smidge.

After lady Karstah leaves, her offer accepted as quickly as she made it, his parents turn and ask him how he feels.

"Feeling grand," Yorri says, just a smidge of something positive in his otherwise unflappable calm.
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Good for Yorri.

soulcake said:
Every Runesmith had a Rune or seven to deal with spells and wizards, it was the second most foundational purpose of the Guild in truth. Fascinating bit of history in their development there if one cared to look too. Spellbreaking was first, and the various derivatives propagated from the Runesmiths who discovered them to their apprentices and Clans. That's the case for almost all Runes of course, but the derivatives of Spellbreaking had a bit of a political and social component to them. Not in terms of spurning other derivatives use entirely, but there were tendencies and preferences that largely correlated to the Hold or Clan the Runesmith came from; Izril with Spellbreaking, Azul with Spelleating, and Varn with Spellburning for example.

But that sort of idle thinking was better saved for when you weren't speaking with a colleague.

Learning the Rune of Spellburning wasn't a difficult task, and to her credit Honestheart wasn't a half terrible teacher.

Speaking of which, you return your attention to the other Runesmith as Master Honestheart accepts the vessel of reagents with a gruff nod and a firm handshake.

"Use it well Lord Klausson," she says, a quiet grin stretched across features not used to the expression, "You'll be the ruin of their machinations, I'm sure of it…been centuries since I destroyed that damnable statue, but I can imagine its screeching all the same."

"I'll take your word for it Honestheart," you reply, face unflinching at the reminder of her ordeal.

She chuckles ominously.

"Our word is our honour after all," Skalla agrees.
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Runesmiths are the Dawi solution to magic which is a role they fulfill well.

soulcake said:
Two old dwarfs walk through Khazagar, unbothered and completely inconspicuous among the throng of bodies crowding her halls.

Both have hair white as snow. One's beard flows freely, a streak of unnatural silver running through it while the other has part of his bound into three long braids, held by golden bands of immaculate craftsmanship.

Both wear fine red cloaks. One from his wife and the other from his Mother.

Both are named Snorri. One is the owner and creator of the very grounds they walk. A dwarf beloved or reviled for his near mythical productivity and penchant for strange deeds. A Living Ancestor, whose deeds have made him a near universally revered figure among the Dawi of the Far North.

The other is Snorri Whitebeard.
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Both of the Snorri are big deals but Snorri Whitebeard needs no explanation for why he's important.

soulcake said:
The day Whitebeard arrived you and he forgo with the formalities normally expected. Instead spending several hours walking through Khazagar, him observing and asking the occasional question while you follow just behind and answer them (while also quietly filing away the fact that his soul was larger than he was, a ghostly shell that it had dull golden veins running through it into the part of your mind you reserve for mysteries not worth the hassle of investigating.). Your path took you through the outer gates and the Grozurbaz. Making your way into the Grand Gallery and doing a clockwise circuit through Khazagar's individual segments. Of all the parts of your work, it comes to no surprise that he spends the most time within the Ror-khaz and library, to see what has become of your vision when you first displayed it and the reality after seven decades out in the field.
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Well that's very very interesting and likely why the whole ghost dawi thing is possible.

soulcake said:
The fact that there even is an inspection was one thing, a lesser dwarf may take it as an insult but you at least understood the necessity there. But this? His actions—well it's hard to see it as anything less than suspicion. You know why of course, you can even agree with the rationale, but emotions are not rational. You try to tell yourself that the High King could have been far more insulting. A notice, by the Underearth an advance notice at all, was more polite than simply dropping in unannounced. An official visit would cement his position and official words in a way that could not be dismissed either, the very fact that he even told you about his little misdirection…

You understand.

Even if it still rankles.

The inspection ends with you and the High King in your Workshop, taking measured sips of ale over a table in a room warded with Runes that ensure your privacy.

"You have done as you said you would," he acknowledges, grunting noncommittally, "Still, I wonder if you expected their response."

Izril, Brynduraz and Ornsmotek.

"It's a possibility that I had theorized may happen, and I'm certainly not complaining. Better than being exiled by the Guild," you admit.

The High King stares at you, scrutinizing, before he grumbles.

"This is Rhunki business at the end of the day, and I'll only poke my head in if it grows beyond Rhunki business."

You blink.

"Don't look surprised lad. The nature of the argument has changed, perhaps even the stakes. But if it wasn't you, it would be something else. I won't repeat your own history to you, but much the same tone arose when many of Izril's clans left to go to Brynduraz, and again when Everpeak was raised. So aye, unless you go stirring the pot I'll leave it be."
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Whitebeard is awesome.

soulcake said:
"You don't trust the boy," he states simply, tone not accusing.

"I do not know him, my King, nor do I know how much you know," you clarify.

Whitebeard hums, the stare easing off as he takes a sip from his mug.

"Do you know what Malekith said when he first met me? Offered a polite greeting at first, but as he spoke he seemed to note that many of my Thanes did not speak the Elgi tongue fluently and assumed I was no different," the High King explains, lost in memories, "Started to make insinuations, about the might of our armies and the quality of or craft that we could not break the Fimir after all that time. Subtle work, the kind of talk he believed would pass over our heads due to our supposedly poor grasp of Eltharin."

Well.

Well.

Whitebeard cracks a grin at your frown, "Should have seen his face when I started speaking. Ha! Been an age and a half since someone that wasn't one of my brothers had the Steel to throw a jab at me. Repaid the insult in kind of course, and had the lad eat proverbial crow in front of his peers as an appropriate lesson. He never made that mistake again."

High King Whitebeard trails off as he reminisces before continuing.

"I looked at the prince and I saw a boy, Lord Klausson." He looks at an icon of Valaya hanging above your hearth. "Impetuous, young and with great potential, but untested and in need of guidance. Like all children are I suppose. Especially for one so burdened by the legacy and expectations of his bloodline. A situation I have some familiarity with, and I admit engendered some sympathy. I'm not blind either of course, both to Malekith's position among his people and the secondary motivations behind his plan. My own contacts say much the same as you, and even if I was blind to the background it's hard not to notice when you've spent decades waging war together. I like to think I have his measure well enough. Stubborn and vain lad that he is, I have still done my best to offer him wisdom and guide him down the right path."

He turns to you, ancient eyes boring into your mismatched orbs.

"Your warning is heeded, and I will keep it in mind. Nevertheless, just as you deemed the Brana worth the risk of being granted Runecraft. So I too deem the lad and his kin at least worth the effort of courtesy. Time will tell if the Elgi prove true an ally as the Branakroki, but I shall extend my hand in good faith to them. Give them that chance. No prospector knows if his estimate is right until he starts digging after all, even my Father. If these mages you spoke of prove to be a threat, if the Elgi on the whole are not trustworthy, then it shall be a lesson and I will bear that shame."

And that is that.
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So Whitebeard is like I know he's a ambitious little shit but I swear he's a good kid. Thing is that Whitebeard is completely right at this point.

soulcake said:
The land around Anvil of the Earth has been transformed.

A massive box of a building now covers the Anvil site itself, tastefully and wonderfully decorated of course, but you cannot deny its nature. Leading to it is an appropriately wide and flat road of well paved stone, incorporating the natural mineral formations by using their patterns as the basis for the mortar work such that it seamlessly blends in with the pools of multi-colored liquid surrounding everything. Tall poles of treated and Runed metal line the path, lighting the way with hexagonal toppers made of Quartz.

The door of the facility is tall and wide, the supporting pillars on either side of the entrance depict two snarling Wyrms holding the central bar aloft.

Inside the Giantworks as you've come to call it, the floor around the anvil's immediate has been lowered and turned into storage space. Meanwhile the ceiling above employs large pulleys attached to a crosshatch of rails and gears that a Master Engineer would have never dared try without Runes to ensure the components were both perfectly made and able to resist the stresses involved.
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Well that's very interesting.

soulcake said:
- [Late 500] Hail daughter of Thungni, may Angkra Vanyasdottir rest eternal among kith and kin in the Halls of Stoic Gazul. Feast unbroken daughter, and walk into the Underearth with head held high and back straight. Break open the casks, drink heartily, and honour her memory ye Dawi of good conscience. Let it be known that by the last will and testament of the Runelord, as carried out by her living kin, that Clan Thungnisson shall pay to have the eateries and taverns of Karaz-a-Karak provide meals for all folk freely for a tenday. Let the people feast and drink and be merry, remember her life and strive to uphold her example!
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F in the chat. But props to her getting rest.

soulcake said:
- Whitebeard's letter.
You know now that Snorri Whitebeard was, in general, aware of the circumstances behind Malekith's plan and the company he keeps. You have given him greater detail at the very least. As for Khazagar itself, he has no serious complaints and officially makes it known you are keeping to your oaths still. Otherwise he is keeping out of it unless the Guild's internal politics become a threat to the Karaz Ankor. He has an eye on what these competing institutions and will visit them in time, but it has ever been the nature of his Brother's children to feud and splinter. All that has changed is the medium and perhaps the scope.
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Man knows the score.

soulcake said:
- +2 Progress to [Power] Runes Trait[7/?], new totals: [9/?]
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I'm interested in getting that trait.

Critian Caceorte said:
Sad that Angra was never able to see Durin's Consternation defeated, but at least she will rest in peace.
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That's the main sad thing there.

Axel Fones said:
BREAKING NEWS FAST MASS PRODUCTION DWARF GETS EVEN FASTER
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HE CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH THIS!!!!

EVA-Saiyajin said:
The High King is a pretty cool cat isn't he?
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He's awesome.

KingCrimson1081 said:
Personally I want the support for the new holds post war because that seems like the Snorri thing to do and accidentally make people feel more indebted to him.
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I really love that bit it's always fun to see.

LaggPlaguedDuke said:
I'm inclined to use the favor on Skaud. Storms a coming, time to 6ap send it. Full steam ahead!

Also, Whitebeard's like "I won't intervene as long as you don't rock the boat." Meanwhile, we're over here trying to figure out the order of operations to get the largest table flip possible with windsight.
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I mean it's still Runesmith business but yeah it's totally flipping the whole ass boat.
 
[ ] [Whitebeard:] Aid after the war. The Valayans plan to settle the Northern mountain range, repurpose some of the string of forts built over the war into proper Holds. Lend aid to that endeavor.

I'm just gonna put it here
 
It's funny how Malekith in this less, simplified version of their first meeting compared to Haley's book, still tried to insult the Dawi based on his perception of them not understanding him.
 
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