The Discovery

We escaped the ziggurat and flew north, further into the Chaos Wastes. A day or so later, we see the peak of what appears to be a single mountain. Upon closer inspection, this peak is a tiered Dwarven stronghold in the middle of the Chaos Wastes. It is, Karag Dun. As we approach, something is off. Our intel was this area was taken by the Chaos hordes, yet, they are outside the walled city, appearing to lay siege to it. The city seems abandoned. Nobody outside any of the tiers. No Defenses. Yet, the hordes are not entering. What could possibly be inside that is keeping them at bay?!
 
Why would they lay siege to their captured city?
 
As we arrive on the airship, Spirit of Grunye, we approach some of the upper tiers. Lowering lines, we climb down and enter the city. Varak accompanies us to assist us in navigation and interpretation of any Dwarven writings or symbols and to help recognize the artifact. We enter through a hallway, and the darkness is oppressive. Varak talks about the sound of dripping water. Dwarven lore says when a throne falls, the walls weep. The walls are more then weeping. They are scared and Abyssal Graffiti is everywhere.
 
I read the graffiti to see if I can glean any helpful information. The only real common thread is something called The Terror. We notice camps with extinguished fires. These are not centuries old, they are recent. We are not alone..... Large pillars carved into the shapes of the old history of the kings are defaced. Not just graffiti, the faces of the kings have been scraped, chipped, removed. You cannot recognize who the lineage represents because of the physical damage. You can almost feel the hatred for the Dwarves in the treatment of this place.
 
We delve further in and Varak points out a barricade. Rusted shields, weapons, scattered bones. Varak notices that these were not warriors, they were fathers, sons, not trained in battle. The last stand against a relentless enemy.
 
Further in, we find the heart any Dwarven city. The forges, but they are not completely cold. I investigate what is keeping them lit. A small burning, not a bellowing fire to melt ore. My experience with the Hells tells me, these flames are Abyssal in nature, demonic. Demons are keeping the forge alive, but why? Do they fuel defenses? If so, why are they fueling defenses to keep the Chaos Horde at bay? Nothing is making sense.
 
We push further and find another recent camp. Very recent. Kemurial activates magic to see if he can feel evil nearby. A Paladins Barometer. I step behind him so as to not cloud his compass. I would definitely trigger his alarm if he faced me. More writings talking about the return of "The Terror". Who or what is the Terror.
 
We hear growling, the pitter patter of feet approaching. Rory takes up a defensive position at a corner up ahead, Varak backs into the darkness taking a defensive stance. He is not really a seasoned fighter. Friar Karl and Freya take up protective positions of Varak while Kemuiral and I are go between. Suddenly, hounds are on top of a wall and charging Rory. Not just any hounds, Hell Hounds. These are brutal pack animals that can also breathe fire.
 
The initial battle is not difficult. We are able to defeat the 5 or 6 dogs with minimal damage. Right as the last one falls, more jump to the wall. There has to be 10-12 of them. All looking down on us. As we prepare for the onslaught of fire, A war cry y is yelled, KARAG!!!! the definitive sound of a volley of arrows hitting the dogs killing them, followed by the yell DUN!!!!!!! Unsure of what just happened, we wait. Moments later 2 Dwarves are on top of the wall.
 
The two dwarves are well armed. Their weapons are covered in Runes. They look emaciated, thin, starving. But the question is running through our heads. DWARVES?!?!?!?! Their parlay is not friendly. In fact they believe us to be demons in humanoid form. Varak is brought forth for diplomacy.
 
We talk for a bit. The lead Dwarf, Hargrim, says Karag Dun fell 20 years ago. Our party is dumbfounded. Varak tells Hargrim, no, it fell 200 years ago. We are led through many mazes of halls. The lead dwarf, disarming traps as we move. Kemurial takes out a piece of chalk and starts marking a path. The 2nd , Torvald, sees him and asks he not show the enemy where we go. Kemurial apologizes but I cannot help turn and give him a look of disgust. We are at these peoples mercy, and need their trust, and yet, here he is violating that trust. Another mistake. I wonder when he makes the one that costs all of our lives.
 
Hargrim explains most of their kin are gone, no longer having enough of a force for headlong battle, they have been using guerilla warfare. I comment on their effective implementation of the practice, further concluding, this must be why the forces outside have not entered. Their effectiveness has not done much to the army's size, but their morale is definitely effected. He thanks me for the observation as we are brought before the King, Thangrim Firebeard.
 
Thangrim asks why we are here. Varak explains that he is a descendant of his father who was sent to get help But that was 100's of years ago. Thangrim insists it has only been 20. The Kings Runemaster explains the magical disruption by chaos magic must have impacted time itself. Varak further details that an Artifact, The Axe of the Rune Masters was found. Thangrim bows his head. He talks of a mission his son, Prince Morag, took upon himself. He took the axe and went on a mission to get help. He must have died alone and in failure, fore he would never give up the axe others. A gasp is audible from the guards with a whisper, The Prophecy!. I step forward, Prince Morag did not die in vain. He brought the axe to dwarves and help is here. He succeeded and may very well saved the rest of your clan.
 
Thangrim looks up to me, his face shows appreciation. He then dismisses us. His demeanor taking on an ominous foreboding. We are escorted and get some needed rest. We ask about this prophecy and what is the Terror? The news is not good!
 
The Terror is a towering demon carrying a sword and a whip of fire. I immediately recognize the description. A Balor. A Greater Demon who leads demon army's from the Hells. The story goes, the kind used the artifact The Hammer of Fate to defeat the Demon 20 years ago. Unfortunately, you cannot kill planar creatures when they are not on their plane. Upon death, Demons are sent back to Hell and cannot return for 99 years. Even though it has been 20 Years in Karag Dun, The Terror has had 200 years outside the temporal disjunction to heal and return. The prophecy talks of when the axe is returned to the Dwarves, the Thangrim Firebeards bloodline of the king will end.
 
The following morning, we are again brought before the King. His demeanor has not changed. As we are talking, alarms are raised, a messenger bursts into the room. Your highness, The Terror is here!!! HE IS AT THE GATES!! I step forward and address the King once more
 
You are at war, and soldier die in war, but the result must be to win the war. You are the leader, it is time to lead, it is time to WIN! You have help, let us send this demon back to hell and free your people!!!!! I then quietly ask, if this prophecy fulfills, is there anything you wish me to communicate to others, if I survive.
 
Thangrim says, Save my people, Save our history, save our home.
 
A voice comes booming down the hall. The Terror screams
 
"Thangrim Firebeard, I am here to end your bloodline!!!!"