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The sounds of steel on steel echo through the dark passages,
competing with screams of anger and pain. In the midst of the din, a
lone dwarven warrior stands in the darkened passage, weapon drawn and
waiting for the fighting and death to reach him. The passage bears the
signs of great age and exceptional craftsmanship, with beautiful
mosaics and intricate rune patterns covering every surface. It appears
to be more a shrine then a thoroughfare. As the warrior waits, the
sounds of battle grow closer. At the far end of the passage another
dwarf, obviously wounded, hurries toward the warrior. The wounded dwarf calls to the warrior “Eaden, the gate is lost, we
couldn’t hold it. The trolls broke the barriers and hordes of orcs
poured through. There were too many to stop!” Eaden’s gaze does not waver, scanning the far end of the passage for
the first sign of the invaders. “Melgand, go back to hold and tell them
that I have sealed the north passage.” Melgand looks up, concern in his eyes. “Eaden, no, I will stay and seal the passage.” A small smile appears on Eaden’s face. “I thank you my friend, but
mine is the duty to protect the north passage and the hold. I have been
entrusted by mighty Dorogin with the words of power.” Melgand takes Eagen’s arm, “then I will stand with you.” “No my friend, you must bring word to the hold and I would ask a
great favor. My son will soon be of age to stand in defense of the
hold. I want him to wield the weapon of his family.” Eagen hands his
Urutuk to his wounded friend. “I will do this for you and train him as my own son. He will know of your deeds and the honor you bring to our clan.” “Quickly now, you have to clear the passage before I speak the words.” As Melgand disappears down the passage a lumbering form fills the
end of the passage; a massive cave troll covered in blood. Behind it,
dozens of orcs beat their weapons on their shields and advance slowly,
cautiously toward Eagen. The dwarf drops to his knees and starts a
prayer to the spirit of the rock, mighty Dorogin. As the troll and the
orcs advance, the runes carved into the walls and ceilings begin to
glow. A noise far louder than that of the orcs fills the passage, the
voice of Dorogin has arrived. The orcs scream and try to cover their
ears as the whole mountain seems to shake. Where the runes covered the
walls and ceilings, fissures form as if the rock is being torn apart by
giant claws. In moments tons of rock collapse, sealing the passage and
burying the Eagen and the orcs together in an eternal tomb.
The Voice of Dorogin is a tremendously powerful series of runes the
when activated creates a series of localized earthquakes (see
earthquake spell). The runes are carved along natural fault lines in
the rock to ensure the earthquake spells will seal a passage. The runes
are used as a last line of defense to protect a hold when its outer
defenses have fallen. The rune is usually activated by a command word
in the form of a prayer to Dorogin, the great spirit of the mountain.
The dwarves believe the rumbling of the ground is Dorogin speaking to
his chosen people.