Mortvell's Needle

_{Article 2089 of Queen Elsbeth's Archives, housed in the second library (in the west wing) of Palestone Castle, Red Fern.
Author: Gerdelai, scholar.
Last update: shortly before tea time on St. Grilkin's Day, Year 555.}
No-one knows where the obelisk came from. There have been numerous theories, obviously, and each of those theories has its firm believers, but for just over one thousand years, no-one has been really sure what Mortvell's Needle was or what it was supposed to do. All we know is that it lurks in the trollish settlement of Wormgrave Barrow¹, within the fourth circle of Venari.
This article (penned by the acclaimed gnomish scholar, Gerdelai) will present each of these theories, the history of Mortvell's Needle, and give an update on the obelisk's current state. At this point in time, the author has not yet visited Wormgrave Barrow, and the article has been pulled together from various letters from the author's cousin. Said cousin has trollish acquaintance who hails from Wormgrave Barrow (named Utulgruff), and who has been surprisingly forthcoming in sharing details about their settlement's history, even if he does to appear to be madder than a box of frogs (the troll, that is. Not the cousin.). Further articles about this place will be added to the collection in due course.

A thousand years the obelisk had stood in the settlement’s centre. Now it is cut clean in half, as if a giant sword had been swung.

Above is the quote that first alerted our attention to the obelisk. The letter will be included in full at the end of this article.

History

We call it Mortvell's Needle, but the trolls do not recognise our gods, and therefore have no interest in Mortvell. According to Utulgruff, the trolls call it "Arstomp". This roughly translates to "nightmare marker". We are unsure on if they believe this to be a good or bad thing. Trolls are a strange people, and one never knows how much evil lurks within them.
According to a combination of documents and anecdotal evidence, Mortvell's Needle has stood in Wormgrave Barrow for at least one thousand years, if not longer. From what we can ascertain, it was definitely standing when dragons ruled Venari.
From all accounts, it is an interesting monument to look upon, but until recent developments, it did not seem to pose a security risk, despite the theories floating around about its purpose.

Location

As stated, the obelisk stands in the trollish settlement of Wormgrave Barrow, although, this is not the name the trolls give the place. I'm unable to read my dear cousin's writing, so we have to work with the gnomish translation (which was, fortunately, just about decipherable).
Wormgrave Barrow is in the fourth circle of Venari, which - as you no doubt know - makes it considerably more dangerous than Red Fern (in the outer, seventh circle). It's for this reason that I have not yet visited it personally.

The Theories

The Trolls' Theory

As the obelisk is situated in trollish terrority, the trolls have claimed it as their own. However, the markings on the obelisk - or "Arstomp" - are completely different to trollish script, so it seems somewhat unlikely that their ancestors had been the ones to erect it. Judging by the quality of the work, this scholar believes it to be gnomish in construction.
According to legend, the Arstomp marks the place where the abyss (or Abyssus, for those of us who follow the gods) will burst out of the earth and claim Venari as its own, burning the land with its deadly plaguefire.
The trolls leave sacrifices at the Arstomp's base at various points throughout the seasons. While Utulgruff was forthcoming about sharing some information, they neglected to mention what the aim of these sacrifices were. This scholar has determined that they are to either hold the Abyssus prophesy at bay, or - most worryingly - to encourage the prophesy to take place. The fact that the troll has confirmed that these sacrifices were usually gnomes or humans, perhaps suggests the latter. As a result, her Royal Highness, Queen Elsbeth is looking to increase her power and take on this new threat.

The Weapon Theory

Another theory is that Mortvell's Needle was intended as a weapon to bring down either a dragon or a titan-sized demon. Some reddish/brown stains on its tip add some credence to this theory.

The Gnomish Theory

Meanwhile, my people have two different theories of their own. Owing to the obelisk's construction, both theories agree that it was made by skilled gnomish hands.

Theory One - Gnomes were the original settlers of Wormgrave Barrow and it was invaded by trolls. Before the invasion, the gnomes erected the obelisk to honour their dead and appease Mortvell. Given the monuments in other areas of Venari, this theory does feel like it contains at least an element of truth.

Theory Two - When the trolls invaded Wormgrave Barrow, they enslaved the gnomes and forced them to create the obelisk. This could have been to honour the trollish dead, or it could be tied ot the trollish theory mentioned above.

Current Situation - The Letter

This brings us to Mortvell's Needle's current situation and the reason for this hastily written article. Below is the letter received from my cousin. It should be noted that there were some blood splatters on the parchment, but I'm not overly concerned about that as this cousin is prone to nosebleeds. His words seem panicked, but he is known for his flights of fancy. Last month, I received a letter from him letting me know that the world was going to end because he'd observed two bees flying backwards. And before that, he prophesied the end of days because he'd forgotten to drink his cup of tea. Having said that, I've received no further correspondence from him. With that in mind, I will recommend that a party is sent to investigate.

Dearest Gerdelai,
I hope this letter finds you well - with ale in your belly and fire in your heart! I have dire news. I can only hope that my heart still beats once this letter finds you.
I'm writing this letter from the basement of a trollish drinking establishment of UNREADABLE (or Wormgrave Barrow as you know it). I call it an "establishment" as the word "tavern" would conjure images in your head that are nothing like the reality. Even though it's chaotic, I like it a lot, and Utulgruff has made me feel most welcome.
I don't wish to be dramatic, but I fear I have to be. And 'fear' is a very apt word here.
I hope you'll be able to follow what I'm about to tell you, and I hope you'll be able to read my handwriting. I only have a short amount of time to write this letter, so I am feeling rushed and under pressure.
It started just after dawn. Every morning, the trolls gather around Arstomp Mortvell's Needle and chant some trollish words. Watching this has become part of my daily routine, but today felt different. There was a strange feeling in the air - something like anticipation. I can't put my finger on why I felt that way, but it was unmistakable.
The chants continued as normal, but I swear they were using different words. They were words Utulgruff hasn't yet taught me, and their use made me feel uneasy. Up until now, I've been made to feel like part of the clan, but this morning I felt like an outsider. I guess that's exactly what I am, and to think anything else was a foolish delusion.
When the chanting was over, Utulgruff put a hand on my shoulder. This was comforting... to a point. When the others all turned to look at me, I felt like my old friend had singled me out for something. I was about to put some questions towards the old chap when something terribly strange happened.
Arstomp Mortvell's Needle started to shake. A loud rumbling rolled around the settlement, and vibrations churned my stomach (which was full of breakfast). The trolls reacted to this in a variety of ways. Some - quite rightly - looked scared. Others were pleased. Some looked at the obelisk with joy and excitement on their faces. Personally, I felt fear. This was not the work of anything good or godly. Well, at least not a good god.
Maybe a trollish god.
For the first time I'm starting to doubt if coming here was such a good idea. What will a trollish god do to a gnome?
If a trollish god can destroy an obelisk with ease, destroying a gnome will be nothing. It will be less than swatting a fly to such a being...
Anyway, I digress. I have to get back to the event in the order it happened. I still can't believe it. A thousand years the obelisk had stood in the settlement’s centre. Now it is cut clean in half, as if a giant sword had been swung. Smoke swirled from the surface in black tendrils.
Whatever sliced it - giant invisible sword or not - also cut through a troll who had been standing too close. That troll had been good to me, and was well-liked by many. One moment he was there... the next... he was in two parts. His sticky blood still clings to my face. I think there's some in my hair. His entrails steamed in the morning air. Did you know troll blood is purple? Of course you did. You're a scholar. You know such things. I hadn't realised. The purple stains on my skin and clothes serve as a reminder not only to that troll's mortality, but to my own. What will become of me in this place?
I ask this again, as the trolls did not seem concerned by their neighbour's death. In fairness, they were still focused on Mortvell's Needle as, at that point, the smoke I mentioned had begun to swirl out of it. I do hope they were just distracted. It unnerves me to think they will not mourn their friend. Is life really that cheap to them? What of my life? Why did they all look towards me?
I am to be swatted like a fly, aren't I? I just know it.
The smoke... by the gods, the smoke... it was otherworldly. It reeked of sulphur, and when it coated my tongue I could taste evil. Evil the likes of which I've never known. It felt like that evil smoke was looking for something. It felt like they were looking for me. I'm convinced I was being hunted. This swatted fly is done for, but that taste tells me I'm not alone. Venari will fall. 
The smoke wrapped around me, but it was gentle in its caress. It explored my face and body. I feel like it knows me inside and out. It knows my thoughts. Knows where I've been. Its learning. Everything I know, I feel it now knows too. My desire to learn about this world may have put this world in danger. Evil now knows Venari's strengths and weaknesses, I'm sure of it.
Run, Gerdelai. Run somewhere safe. Although, I fear I do not know where is safe for flies like us. Maybe we should align ourselves to a new master and see if the trollish god will spare us. I feel hopeless. I don't know what I'm saying. I meant no treason with that statement. I've crossed it out. There, it's like it never happened. I never wrote it nor thought it. I would never turn on Queen Elsbeth. You know that, don't you? Not that it matters... she can't execute me if I'm dead.
Once the smoke had released me, Utulgruff guided me to the drinking establishment. He told me to wait and to remain calm. I agreed, but instantly found somewhere to hide. I don't know if I can trust him. I thought we were friends, but I can sense a change. Perhaps I am only just now seeing the truth and everything up until this point had been the lie. Was I being used since the moment I set foot here?
The messenger pigeon I whistled for has now arrived. The trolls have no interest in pigeons, so with luck it should escape this place unharmed.
I pray I'm just being paranoid. I hope I'm wrong about what is to come.
I can hear the trolls outside. I think they're about to come in.
I must go.

Your beloved cousin,
H

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic

¹This is our translation of the name. The original trollish was difficult to decipher in the letters.