In the mountains of Icerim stood the Stormblade Keep. Its lord was Thagus Stormblade. He was a honorable warrior and loving father. He believed that a dwarf was foundation for life. Dwarves are what keep the world from falling into the abyss. Due to this belief  he created  the Dwarven Vows. These vows are what every dwarf should live by and imitate. The list grew more and more by the years. His kingdom was at peace. He had son named Midas who also had a son named Dorn. Dorns mother passed away at an early age for unknown reasons. Midas  was  to take his fathers place as lord when Thagus passed on. Midas had an adviser and close friend  named  Kreck Steelslayer. Kreck planted the seed of deceit and treachery in Midas ear and plotted against Lord Thagus. Kreck spoke lies to  Midas on how Thagus had his wife murdered for not bedding with him. For several years Kreck  worked on Midas. Feeding the fire and twisting Lord Thagus's words. Unknowing to Kreck, Midas kept a journal of all that was said between then in case they were found out he could move the treachery all to Kreck. Kreck finally  convienced  Midas to attack and kill his father and take his place as lord of the keep. It was a great battle between father and son but to the young the glory of the battle went. As Midas stood over his fathers body at that time had he realized what he had done. He wept for his father and begged Krom for forgiveness. At that point was when he felt the dagger peice his heart. As he turned to see where it had come from he saw the evil smile across Krecks face as he brought done his battle axe taking Midas head. As the guards came in Kreck told the story of how Midas crazy for power attacked his father and killed him.

Kreck then told them  "For the honor of our lord I avenged his death."

At that moment  Lord Thagus gasped for air. Kreck kneeled next to Lord Thagus and said " My Lord I am here."

          Lord Thagus Spoke softly " Forgive Midas. Do not tell Dorn of his fathers actions. It would destroy him.  Watch over Dorn so he may bring honor to the Stormblade name and guide our people."  at that moment Thagus was one with Krom.

          Kreck stood up and glared at the guards in the room." None of you heard or saw anthing this day!" he hissed. " I am the new Lord and this begins the Steelslayer Dynasty!"

          The four guards kneeled as the fifth stood and said " What of Dorn Stormblade my lord. What if he learns the truth?"

          "Simply. I will kill him." Kreck simply stated.

          The news of losing his father and grandfather in the same day tore Dorns heart apart. Then when Kreck told him that Lord Thagus dying words were that Kreck was to  become lord of the keep, becuase Dorn was not worthy for what his father had done. 

     When the news of what happened was released and what  Lord Thagus had told Kreck with his dying breath.  Sadness reached  thru out the keep. Dorn kept to himself in his Grandfathers room. He searched the room for anything that could explain what happened. Afterwards he moved to his father's room. That's when he found his father's journal. He spent the following week reading it and learning much about how dark his father was, and this  when he found out about the coconspirator to his grandfather's title. Dorn was furious.  He stormed into Krecks quarters and threw the at him.

      "You Bastard! youset my father up." Dorn yelled. " You turn my own father against his own."

      "You are such a fool. Now I will have to kill you since you know the truth." Kreck grinned evily

      They fought hard and Dorn score several good hits, But Kreck was a far better warrior being trained that way.  Seeing that he was out skilled Dorn grabbed his fathers journal burst out the door. He ran down the hallway as he heard Kreck yell.  

      "Your clan name is disgrace on this keep. if it was not for I,  Kreck Steelslayer  slaying your father after he killed his own.Begone and never return here or i shall have your head." the dwarven lord Bellowed.

     The truth will beknow to our people Kreck! Dorn thought to himself. Stormbaled keep will be returned to my family someday, but not to day. Dorn fled thru the sewers and into the caves that connected them. He made himelf a home a good distance away that way when he was ready to return he would do so and avenge his family name.

           Dorn after that learned to survive in the mountains. He explorered the caves learning the secrets they held.He discovered a path through the mountains.His training he kept on top of. He also followed the orcs of the mountains learning a little of their language and spying on them. He was happy for a time being but felt all alone.

      It had about 10 years past since his exile when Dorn came across William Matheson. Poor lad was freezing to death when he happened across him.  Dorn carried the lad  back to his cave that was his home brought him back from the brink off death. While William was recovering he listened to the boys quest to save his village. The evils of the this lich king reminded him of his own family. William was tasked to travel to find a great cleric to aid his people. There was a fire in the lads eyes that Dorn recognized. The same he had for avenging his family. At that very moment he decided it was time to find his place and make change to the world. He joined young Williams cause. Dorn took the time to help William progress on the path of the warrior and hone his skills. William was a natural warrior.  Everything seem to come of ease. Dorn knows that if he ever wanted anyone by his side it would be Willaim. He is a true friend and brother.

     After being with William awhile. He learned much of him. alot for the letters he wrote back to his family. Dorn would sometimes think of his father and grandfather. He missed them both and hated  how they were both turned against each other. Dorn decided that  he would start  writting in his fathers journal of his journies. Atleast then his father would know what he was doing. 

Adventures as of late:

Dear Father 

          . I can hear the others rummaging through the crate we liberated from those disgusting goblins and their strange master.  For the life of me I can't understand why any intelligent or sensible creature would align or associate with goblins.  It could be worse. it could have been Halflings. William is jumping for joy for some reason. probably found a woman in the crate knowing him. I'll write more later.

                                                                                                                                                                               Dorn

Dear Father 

        Well its much later than I expected I would be writing. We are all currently on a boat heading to rescue some people who were ship wrecked like us on the island. Turns out  just after we attained the crate with all kinds of treasure. We headed back to the ramshackle  village of castaways. As we arrived it was under attack by some Human dressed in white robes , and my guess his army of followers. They had locked most of the castaways in large cages. Well William being who he is wasn't going to allow this to continue. So he tried(and i am using the word"tried" loosely) to sneak around to get close enough to make a direct attack on the leader. Well either he sounded like a drunken Dragon in a wizards study or these guards could hear a mouse fart from 200 yards away. They immediately went after him. So I charge in to give some sorta distraction for him but alas we were out numbered and it didn't look good. So next thing we know we are all locked up in a cage with other cast aways and the Leader started questioning William over some scroll and stick. Well William lied to him and claimed not to know where it was and I was tempted to remind him of Dwarven vow #11:  Lying is the first step to the path of thievery. but thought better to keep my mouth shut. So during all this that crazy ranger managed to elude the rest of the guards until his luck ran out. The guards dragged him to the center of the camp where the leader questioned him. Harmattan spat in his face. That brought a smile to this old dwarf's face. He did pay the price with a beating. They then searched him and found what the were looking for. as this is all going on they are lifting the cages into an airship(Ok I hate boats. But airships are a whole new demon. William had better knock me out  before trying to get me on one of those gnomish contraptions.) So after they get what they want they lower our cage and let us go but keep the other two cages on the airship. So now that brings us to where we are now. Heading south on a ship to rescue the other castaways. By Krom i hope we find a tavern soon, I need some ale. I'll write more later on if we live through this.

                                                                                          Dorn

Dear Father, 

         Well its a few days and we found ourselves waste deep in blood and death. Well at least I did. We had made our way into a base outside of the city on the Island which turns out to be a Tiamat Temple. They have been taking people and turning them into these abominations called Dark Rangers. So we get down to the bottom and kill the main priestess and helped free the slaves from the Consortium. So this is where things get interesting. They had this Steam train and yes I mean HAD. We used to it get away from the temple but it went straight into to town. So we stopped it midway and got everyone off. Then we set it to go full speed into town where it crashed. So now we are wanted by the Consortium for crimes against them. We spoke with a halfling named Milo who was a shipping merchant who got us to a Privateer town on another island.

Dear Father,

     I know its been long since I have wrote.  William and I have made our way near his home.  Home.  Don't remember what its like to call someplace home anymore. The cave in Icerim mountains was the closest thing since...well you know. Anyway, we have been staying in an that has good ale and soft beds. William awoke me this morning to the new of Rowan being imprisoned by the town guards. Apparently the lad got involved with an ale wench from from a tavern in the seeder part of town. some how all he remembers is drinking ale then waking up in jail. He seemed poisoned by something though. Talking but no making any sense. William was very concerned. We sought out the aid a cleric named Brahma Tarmikos. Brahma agreed to help and we made our way back to Rowan.  The Cleric worked his divine skills and managed to bring Rowan out of his stooper. He also convince the guards to let him go due the fact there wasn't enough evidence to hold him. Brahma joined us to search for the girl named Gwenn that seemed to start all of this with Rowan. We ended up outside of Darkspire mountains where we were attacked by a troll. We bested the beast. Then made our way in. As we traveled thru the cave we came across chasm as the trail spiraled around we came across some writting on the wall that turned out to be a trap. Made us start glowing with purple fire. "Fairy Fire" is what William called it.. Not long after he said that was when we were attacked. Half drow and half spider looking creatures. Ugly creatures, the worked explosive arrows around us trying to knock us into the chasm below. I dropped my crossbow and lost it for good. We managed to get away thru a tunnel. We came across a  Stalactite large enough to be an upside down mountain which turned out to be the famous  Darkspire college.

Dear Father,

     I have managed to find some free time to speak with you. We have been staying at the Darkspire College learning what we can of the Lich plaguing William's homeland. As soon as we free WIlliam's land I intend on returning to Stormblade keep and righting the wrong done to our family. It seems everytime I think of what was done and Maybe I should have stayed and fought to the death just to regain your honor. I have read thru your journal. I will do my best not to fail you again.

Dear Father,

     We have set out on a task for the college. We are currently trying to locate a gnome mage thats from the school. Also we have picked up two new companions a ranger named Joshua and a Half Orc whos name I can barely say let alone spell it so we'll call him Gutrip between us.. It is strange traveling with Gutrip. Most of the time we have found ourselves on the wrong side of any weapon and spilling their blood. He seems to be strong drinker though nearly drank me under the table but thank Krom for a dwarven stomach.

Dwarven Vows

#1: Lets all work together for a peaceful world

#2: Never abandon someone in need

#3:

#4: Don't depend on others, walk on your own two feet

#5:

#6:

#7: Goodness and love will always win

#8:

#9:

#10: Play hard, play often

#11: Lying is the first step on the path to thievery

#12:

#13:

#14: Even a small star shines in darkness

#15: Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality

#16: You can do anything if you try

#18: It is better to deceive than be deceived

#55: A bad workman blames his tool

#59: The deeper the wound, the more important to overcome

#61: Don't make promises you can't keep

#73: A sword is only as good as the swordsmen

#75: From the moment you are born, everyone has a right to live

#77: Just because logic is sound, doesn't mean it is right

#86: Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die

#116: Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive

#123: A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory