Winning Vote: said:
[X] [Warding:] Left.
[Blows against the wearer cause the struck area to become increasingly resistant against that type of damage]
━<><><>< 472 A.P. ><><><>━
Testing had shown what each Rune had done, but now the question of which one was correct remained.
You read over the first few lines on the plaque quietly again, the words hanging heavily in your mind.
After all, how could they
not?
Karaz-Kazak-Rhun on its own was already a prize for the ages, but from what you can infer it seems like Thungni intends whoever claims it to also be the frontrunner for the title of His heir. A title that has, officially at least, remained in contention ever since Durin's death. Mostly on account of Thungni's reticence to discuss the subject with anyone else. In lieu of an official declaration the Guild had defaulted to unofficially recognizing the next eldest of Thungni's line, transferring the title to their sibling upon their death rather than their own heir
because of the ambiguity of the situation.
And now, here in front of you, was an answer to that question.
But much as it boggles your mind to simply push such Guild defining considerations aside, you must.
Because the Trial is not yet done, and there is no guarantee that you will claim the Hammer just yet.
So you return your attention to the rest of the plaque's contents.
Taking the Gronti's earlier words into consideration with the plaque, it isn't an outlandish notion to believe that the final two Trials are being mentioned here in some way as well. After all, everything before this moment has been a multifaceted and obtuse mix of separate different statements. The final three words, given their own lines, stand out in particular.
Resist. Overcome. Endure.
What Rune best embodied that? Was it even referring to just one Rune? Perhaps it was both and several other explanations before it.
It feels like an age before you come to a decision.
You tentatively reach for the leftmost ingot and pull it from its resting spot.
"Those born from Stone," could only mean the Dawi of course, and of the three Runes, you reckon that it was the most accurate. Your folk did not need the Stone to endure, for all that it did help, nor did you believe you were all so limited, metaphorically speaking, as the other Rune. Perhaps there was just a
smidge of bias leaking through, but the Dawi only grew more mighty with age, wiser with every battle, and like the metal you shaped, hardened after every blow endured.
For a moment you simply hold the ingot there, some part of you wondering if there was going to be some great clarion horn to tell you if you chose correctly or not.
But there is only silence, and the lingering quiet of your own thoughts to accompany you.
Putting the ingot away into one your belt pouches, you nod at Karstah.
"Come along then, we've two Trials left. And I've found myself growing sick of riddles and games."
━<><><><==><><><>━
They spend almost an hour talking, sparring with half truths and carefully bargained aid but eventually Kazador and his company leave Lady Hearth Hands and her allies behind, walking into the Trial with sure, purposeful strides.
As they trek deeper into the cave, far enough that none outside can hear, Gorm speaks to him.
"Kaz' we both know she was stalling us on the Gift Giver's behalf. Why did you let her?"
"You sure he isn't just sweet on that woman?"
"That woman's
married, and we all know who Kaz has his eye on Thungur," Gorm banters back.
"Better odds with a married woman than her! Ha!"
Kazador doesn't reply immediately, letting the others get their licks and comments in while he's looking at the tunnels with a critical eye for any sign of trouble. Eventually however he turns to look at his friends, the action making them stop to look at him expectantly.
"She was, and I did," Kazador admits, "But its better to be safe than sorry. She held back a great deal, but she's no Rhunki. A casual offhand comment or two is more than enough to start building a picture," he explains, returning to his staring.
"You risk losing out on that hammer," Gorm points out, garnering several other noises of agreement.
He nods.
"I may very well have, but taking the time to talk to the Kvinn won't tip the scales one way or the other. They departed two months ago Gorm, but Lady Ylva's testimony spoke only of a fraction of that time passing, no more than half a month. She's a former Valkyrie guard, and why even try lying about that besides? More damningly the state of their supplies suggested similarly, there was nowhere near the amount of build up and disturbance from more than a few days worth of roughing it out here too. I'll bet you my shiniest beard ring that there's more to it than them being fastidious about their campsite."
Gorm goes quiet at that revelation, but Thykk barrels on and asks the question everyone else no doubt wonders.
"Then why are we here Kazador, if not for that Hammer?"
"Losing out on the Hammer is a shame, but even if we do? Well, this is an entire complex built by Thungni himself, apparently using Runes of such potency as to injure dozens of the Gift Giver's Hearth Guard, Living Ancestors one and all. Just outside we've firsthand evidence that Thungni has somehow affected the speed of time within an enclosed space, imagine what's
within."
He pauses, letting the others ruminate on that thought before he turns around fully to give them all a grim smile.
"So I'll console myself with picking this place apart and learning every scrap of knowledge that I can."
━<><><><==><><><>━
The tunnel connecting to the next Trial is, as the Dragon implied, much shorter than the others before it; the two of you only have to walk for half a minute before coming to the entrance of the next Trial.
You stare at the Rune above the entryway more out of habit at this point, meanwhile your mind is already considering the dozens of possible challenges that Thungni could put you through. The last chamber held no such trial, only a choice, but that may not mean anything at all.
Foolish to believe, but you've faced monsters innumerable, certain death, and failure without flinching over the course of your life. There aren't many things that can terrify you at this point you reckon, but that sort of statement only invites reprisal from the world so you keep it to yourself and keep your mouth shut.
With nothing you're willing to say, you nod at your heir and nod at the door.
The two of you walk in, and again, a plaque and three Runed ingots are there to greet you.
Another nod at your heir later, the two of you walk closer to read what Thungni has inscribed.
To claim the Hammer is to know Truth.
To know Truth is to spurn Falsehood.
To spurn Falsehood is to know Falsehood.
To know Falsehood is to understand the Self.
Resist.
Overcome.
Endure.
Create the:
Combo, Dawi: [Rune of Wordly Warding, This Choice, What comes last]
Pick 1
[ ] [
Courage:] Left
[The wearer has increased bravery. They become generally aware of spells and items being used to negatively impact their mental state.]
[ ] [
Courage:] Center
[The wearer's physical abilities rise in proportion to the level of natural and artificial fear they feel/are subjected to, up to double their natural peak]
[ ] [
Courage:] Right
[The wearer has increased bravery. Casting the Rune renders the caster and nearby allies fearless for ten minutes but they are subjected to the fear they would have otherwise felt after the fact]
Previously Chosen:
Rune of Wordly Warding: [Blows against the wearer cause the struck area to become increasingly resistant against that type of damage]
━<><><>< Khazalid Trivia ><><><>━
Kvinn - Lady
Rhunki - Runesmith
━<><><><==><><><>━
There will be a three-hour long moratorium for discussion.
AN: There was a lot more to this update, but I decided to remove it. This entire thing fought me hard I must admit, I wrote and rewrote it maybe 4 times before I settled on this. Im not
happy, but Im refusing to get stuck in a rut. Sometimes it just be how it be. Its very short, and I apologize for that. Please don't forget to C&C :^L
