Snookums and the Final Frontier

Once it became clear that the world was ending, Snookums had a choice to make: fight to the bitter end, or try to save his family and all they had built over the ages.

Ever the pragmatist, he let reason and cold logic lead him back to his ancestral Hold to warn the Stoneheart Council and help them prepare to survive the inevitable apocalypse.

Ever the compassionate, he couldn't help but feel he had abandoned his friends in their darkest hour.

News of his arrival spread quickly through Stoneheart Hold, and the Council sent for him almost immediately. He took a deep breath and arranged his thoughts before pushing on the perfectly balanced mithral doors and approaching the semicircle of intricately wrought golden desks.

He cleared his throat and addressed the Council: “Khaz-Graakh” (lit. Chief Engineers. The most formal of Dwarven greetings)

“Son, there is no need or time to stand on formality here” said the leftmost Dwarf with a kindly smile.

“Thank you Father. I bring dire news. The Demon Lord Orcus will collapse reality and destroy us all very soon. We must make preparations to leave the plane!”

Once he started, Snookums’ story rushed out. There were some questions and a lot of concerned whispering between the councillors before he stumbled to a halt, holding back the tears that had been threatening to overwhelm him for days.

“Very well, we shall begin to coordinate the Companies and prepare the evacuation of the Valley. Thank you for bringing us this warning, Son of Grak.”

“What can I do to help?”

“What you’ve been doing all along. The Great Downward needs a Stoneheart to lead them, and without you the Demon Lord shall surely prevail.”

“But my Chief, what can one dwarf do?”

“What one dwarf always does. Uphold the honour of the dwarven people and protect the Valley.”

“You mean…?”

“Yes, Son. The best way for you to serve the Clan is to return to your friends and fight this evil.”

One Councillor, who had stayed silent until now cleared his throat and spoke up: “I think you should come with me, Snookums..”

Snookums looked at his father, who nodded. He followed the other dwarf out of the chamber and through a series of rough-hewn stone corridors. His innate sense of direction told him they were going deeper into the mountain that he had ever gone before. They came to a halt in front of the heaviest set of doors Snookums had ever seen.

“This is the family vault. Only I hold the key, and only I can give you permission to enter. Take whatever you need. The treasure of ages is worthless to us without a plane to appreciate it on.”

The old dwarf opened the door and stepped aside. Snookums picked a lit torch off the nearby wall and entered the vault alone. Torchlight reflected back at him from piles of gems, mountains of metal ingots and racks of weapons and armour. The vault extended into the dark distance, further than he could see.

Snookums wandered for hours through the vault, trying on armour and feeling the heft of several ancient weapons. He found his way to a small forge, and was surprised to find it lit. The warmth around the forge was comforting. He set down the plate armour he had been carrying on a bench, and looked around, wondering how he would fit it himself.

“Can I help you?” A soft voice, edged with the hardest steel, startled Snookums.

“What? Who are you? The Council said I would be alone here!”

“I’m just the caretaker. Let me see that breastplate…”

“Oh..” Snookums’ confusion vanished as he got swept up helping the mysterious dwarf adjust the straps and buckles of the ancient dwarven armour.

“Now you’ll be needing a weapon to fight demons...” said the dwarf, picking through a rack of hammers. “Here, I think this will suit your needs nicely.”

Snookums felt the power flow through him as he held the warhammer and admired the lovingly carved runes. He found that he could understand the mystical runes, and as he read them, the various powers of the hammer were made known to him. His confidence started to grow, and he felt the faintest hope that he might survive the coming fight.

“Hmmm, what’s missing? A shield, to protect us all! The kindly old dwarf turned to another bench and picked up a new-looking iron shield. “Here’s one I just finished working on, I think it’ll serve the purpose.”

Holding the shield in his other hand, Snookums felt the mystical powers amplify within his body, fortifying his soul and bringing a grin to his face.

The caretaker broke the silence after a few moments. “Perfect… I do believe you are as prepared as you can be. Do you feel ready?”

“I think so. I’m carrying the weapons and armour of my ancestors. The will of the clan is behind me. Dwerfater himself couldn’t improve my lot.“

“Really?” he said, with a twinkle in his eye. “Then I guess we should get you on your way…”

“Yes. Thank you for the help.. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

The twinkle in the old dwarf’s eye caught Snookums’ attention again. As he reached out towards Snookums, the twinkle turned into a glow, and the dwarf’s eyes flashed golden.

Snookums felt his guts suddenly drop through his feet, as the room vanished. A blur of white and a metallic taste overloaded his senses, and he fell to his knees, squeezing his eyes shut to stop his head spinning.

“Snooks??!” cried Agamemnon.