Go to the wedding
The dwarven woman leads you on a confusing path through a blacksmith's forge, down a ladder, and along a tunnel before popping out inside a hall with a vaulted ceiling painted dark blue with stars that sparkle in the reflected light of candles and lanterns. Flowers adorn the walls and the head table heaves with a centrepiece of roses and ivy. A dwarf thrusts a mug into your hand and leads you to a table. Before you know it you're surrounded by laughing faces that already know your name and are soon to know your entire family history.
The hours pass unnoticed and the celebration grows ever more raucous.
"Song, Song!" the chorus begins to chant as all eyes turn expectantly to you.
Grom appears at your shoulder and whispers in your ear, "I should've warned you. It's customary for guests at one of our weddings to give a song. Doesn't have to be anything grand, just as long as it gets feet tapping and brings a tear to the eye."
Your mind goes blank as you get to your feet. The ale has gone to your head and every song you've ever heard all sounds the same but the dwarves hush as you open your mouth. 1d4
Roll a 1
Roll a 2
Roll a 3
Roll a 4
The tension grows as you struggle to find the words. A childhood song crosses your lips only to abandon you. An older dwarf scowls and calls for someone else to take over. You're invited to sit down but then you hear a tune unlike any you've ever heard. It comes to you through the ground rising up your legs and words spring from your mouth.
You weave a tale of forests and mountains and a journey to the sea, to those that we have lost in the hope that one day we will see them again. The song is short but the silence when you stop is long. More than a few are crying, their tears falling to untouched drinks.
A proud woman at the head table gets up and crosses the hall to stand before you. She has a club of gnarled wood silvered with age and adorned with runic scripts and intricate carvings.
"You honour us with your gift and the memory of a journey that brought us all here. We left our burrows in The Blue Mountains never to see our loved ones again but for a moment there we all felt the promise that we'll see them again. Take this as a gift and may it keep you from harm." The woman hands you the club and then embraces you.
The party carries on with many approaching to ask you about the song but the words have vanished from your mind. Grom suggests it's time to leave and asks for directions to the temple. An old greybeard points you in the right direction and wishes you good fortune.
Smashed
Roll a 2
The only song you remember is one you heard on the boat over. The sailors would sing it when the captain was below decks. You're not sure of the meaning of all the words but the tune was catchy enough.
Faces turn red as you reach the chorus but some of the dwarves are laughing and pounding the tables while the other half stare daggers at you. Grom grabs your arm before you can finish and hauls you from the room.
Heart of darkness
Roll a 3
Your singing is so terrible that it sets all the stray dogs howling and has the wedding guests covering their ears. A shaggy-haired dog as large as a pony bounds into the room and lets out an ear-shattering howl. People hide under the tables as it runs around stealing food from people's plates and sticking its tongue in their mugs.
Lost in your song you let out a warbling note and the dog pounces on you before licking your face. You get a look at its collar and see the words 'Sparky, the Chains Pub' etched on a metal tag.
"I know the Chains, damn good pub," Grom says as he hauls the dog off you. "Probably a reward if you return him."
The bride's mother loses her temper and orders you and the dog to leave and only to come back if you promise not to sing again. Grom snags a bit of food and you all leave under a cloud of shame with the dog attached to your side.
Follow the dog
Roll a 4
Your singing fails to get feet tapping nor brings a tear to the eye of anyone in the room but it serves and when you finish they all clap politely, all except the groom who jumps onto his chair and starts cheering. Embarrassed faces turn to see him waving and smiling in your direction. It's clear to all that your words managed to ignite at least one fire.
The bride's mother eyeballs you and a few of the tougher-looking dwarves get to their feet and start moving in your direction. Despite your protestations, it's clear you're in trouble.
"What'd you go and do that for?" Grom hisses as he drags you from the room. "They think you put a spell on him. This won't end well. I hope you can run."
You want to go back but Grom shakes his head. "We'll be lucky if we get out of the Slab without getting clobbered. Tour's over."
You run with Grom all the way back to the Trado Bridge pursued all the way by an angry group of dwarves but they stop at the door, content to see that you've left.
"I won't be going back in there any time soon. I still owe you a tour though. Want to see the Axe and Clever? It's a pub but it has a nice selection of sausages."
You accept Grom's offer and set off down the other side of the bridge.
Parent Plot
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