My first submission to this guild was a Dwarven Defender build, and it is only fitting that my last build bookends the first with another Defender. After this, I retire to the role of heckler and will fade into the hazy fog of Forum mythology. Life to you, my brothers and sisters, and everlasting glory!
The Hearth Guard
Fighter8/CoT10/Dwarven Defender22 Dwarf Alignment: Any Lawful Playable 1-40, PvM
Str16 (28) Int13 Wis8 Dex13 Con18 (22) Chr6
1 Fighter, Blooded, Weapon Focus 2 Fighter, Knockdown 3 Fighter, Blindfighting 4 Fighter, WS, Str17 5 Fighter 6 Fighter, Dodge, Toughness 7 Fighter 8 CoT1, Str18 9 CoT2, Improved Knockdown, Improved Crit 10 DwD1 11 DwD2 12 DwD3, Improved Initiative, Str19 13 DwD4 14 DwD5 15 DwD6, Mobility 16 DwD7, Str20 17 DwD8 18 DwD9, Spring Attack 19 DwD10 20 CoT3, Con19 21 CoT4, Great Con I, Epic Weapon Focus 22 Fighter8, Epic Weapon Specialization 23 CoT5 24 CoT6, ESF: Spot, Epic DamageReduction I, Con 21 25 DwD11 26 DwD12 27 DwD13, Great Str I 28 DwD14, Epic DamageReduction II, Str22 29 DwD15 30 DwD16, Great Str II 31 DwD17 32 DwD18, Epic DamageReduction III, Str24 33 CoT7, Great Str III 34 CoT8, Epic Prowess 35 CoT9 36 CoT10, Great Str IV, Superior Initiative, Str27 37 DwD19 38 DwD20 39 DwD21, Great Str V 40 DwD22, Armor Skin, Con22 _____ AB: 43/38/33/28 AC w/ Full Plate: 26 Hit Points: 724 Initiative: +15 Damage Reduction: 24/-
Advantages vs. Dwarven Wall: --Better Damage; +5 more base damage --Quicker: +15 Initiative vs. Wall's +1 --Higher Saves: Fort +3, Will +2, Reflex +4 --Higher AB: 43 vs 41 --Blindfighting, Improved Knockdown -- 54 Spot Skill to aid against Stealthers
Disadvantages vs. Dwarven Wall --Only 54 less Hit Points --6 less Damage Reduction ______
"He's waking up—Jaleen, he's waking up!"
The Dwarf's eyes fluttered for a moment, and then snapped open, his pupils slowly contracting as they adjusted to the torch-lit interior. "Where am I?" he asked. "Shh, you are in the refuge of the Arandiri," said a voice as soft as silk. Above him was the most beautiul creature he had ever seen. Pale, delicate and sensuous, the elf's platinum hair cascaded around her face and shoulders while she tenderly dabbed a damp cloth across his brow. And then she smiled, "but a more important question is, 'Who are you?'" "Who am I?" and he paused, his eyes searching the surroundings as if for some possible clue. He appeared to be in some sort of cavern, natural in formation. All around him were scores of elven women and children, some huddled very close together, and he could see the unmistakable look of fear in their eyes. A pall of doom hung above them, and many of them wept openly. He looked back up at the elf maiden who still smiled gently at him. "I—I—don't remember," he said. "Where I am? What is this place? Why are these people in fear?" "I am Jaleen, Daughter Princess of the Arandiri. We found you ten days ago in the wreckage of a ship that crashed upon our shores. You were the only survivor. In fact, you were the only person we found in all the wreckage. We found no signs of the crew. We took you in and I cared for you and tended to your injuries, but--" and then a shadow crossed her face. "But?" "But it seems fate has a sense of irony. You survived the sea and shipwreck only to share and witness our doom." "Thou speaketh in riddles, fair lady." "The Morg-Kelzi have come." "Morg-Kelzi?" "Yes, it means Black Reavers, and they have gathered again, as they do every hundred years. The Morg-Kelzi are a fell and wicked people who dwell in the dark jungles to the South. Once a century they gather, and then launch devastating attacks upon our people—raiding, pillaging, destroying everything in their path. Before them they drive a wedge of fear, and behind them they leave only desolation. Not even plants are spared of their cruelty, for they burn everything, and plow the earth, and till it with salt and their malevolence. Each time we have been able to withstand their onslaughts, but this time is different. This time they are greater in number than ever we have seen before, and they are led by a Demon, some Beast of the Ancient World, that goes before their horde like a pestilence, and who has slain our people's greatest champions. Even now the last remaining warriors of my people battle these foes outside this refuge. We have barricaded ourselves in here, as this is the last remaining sanctuary." She paused and gestured around her. "These are the last of my people, and soon it will be as if we never have been. So you see, my Dwarf with no Memory, fate spared you only in jest. For now you share our fate, and in a few hours--" she stopped, and her eyes, moist with tears, looked to the elven children clinging to their mothers.
"I'm sorry," she said turning back to the Dwarf. "I must not let them see me despair. They have been through so much, my people. We are all that remain." "Thou art kind to have sheltered me, in this thy darkest hour," and the Dwarf reached a gnarled hand and gripped hers in his. And she could not help but notice the strength in his limbs, the cords of muscle and sinew knotted in his arms, the thick shoulders which were like slabs of granite. And there upon his left shoulder was a strange marking, a brand of some sort that had been burned upon his flesh. "What does this mean?" she asked as she reached out to touch it. And immediately the Dwarf gritted his teeth and snarled in pain. A flood of scalding memories washed across him, and every sinew in his body strained, his knuckles whitenened, and the cords on his neck went taut.
And then the moment was gone, and the Dwarf's body relaxed, and he opened his eyes and studied Jaleen. She was a picture of serenity and grace, but he could see the uncertainty in her eyes. "I remember now," he said quietly. "Tis a rune. A dwarven rune. It means, 'Exile.'" "You were exiled?" "Aye," he said grimly. "I was a Hearth Guard, a bodyguard to my King, and I had betrayed the Oath of Stone." "Oath of Stone?" "Amongst my people, the Oath of Stone is the final ceremony to become a Hearth Guard. Part of the oath states that in a Time of War, the Hearth Guard must stay and protect the family of the King. For the Hearth Guard must have no family of his own, and therefore no obligations but to those of the King's family.” “But,” Jaleen looked troubled, “that means not only can you not have a family, but you must abandon the ones that reared you. How injust!”
“Be not so quick to judge. Hearth Guards are honored above all other classes in my society, and they are chosen only once every hundred years. They are not picked at random, nor dost one choose to become a Hearth Guard. It chooses thee.” “I apologize, ” she said, “My people are very different and I was wrong to judge. Please continue.” “Twas a dark day," the Dwarf said as he sat up. "We were under siege by a new enemy, one that we had never seen before. They were akin to thee, tall and fair, except their skin was black like warsmoke, and they delighted in our suffering and woe. And they come upon our people by surprise, thousands of them, and all about them was a black devil magic, and they slew our King at the front gates, and many died, and they streamed unchecked into the Hall of Histories. Several us knew if we could hold them in the Grand Hall, even for a few hours, then that would grant us enough time until reinforcements arrived. We were desperate, and every axe counted. And so I made the choice. I left my post. I left the King's family unguarded. And we staunched their advance. And we won this conflict. And we sent back to the Abyss those red-eyed elves of smoke and flame."
"But, the King's family? Did they remain safe?" "Aye, they were safe." "So, you did the right thing! You saved your people!" "Aye, but I broke the Oath. Above all things, the Hearth Guard must hold true to the Oath of Stone. The Oath of Stone is meant to be unbreakable, inexorable, and stands symbolic of our people’s faith, trust, and loyalty." "I still don't see why you should be punished for saving your people." "Fair lady," the Dwarf began, as he grabbed both her hands gently and stared into her eyes. "If a Hearth Guard is allowed to break the Oath of Stone, the most revered law amongst my people, if he is allowed to break this Oath, then what is our civilization for?" Jaleen slowly nodded her head as she studied the earnest faith smouldering in the Dwarf's steel-grey eyes. "Thus, the Clan Elders deemed that such a crime is punishable by death….Instead, they chose exile....and that's how I came by this mark upon my flesh. The Elder Council, in spite of my requests, refused me Death." "Don't speak of such things," Jaleen cried in dismay. “Nay, I speak only the truth. In their judgment, they also stripped my name from me, for I was no longer worthy of the Dwarven tongue. I am the Dwarf with No Name, a Hearth Guard without a Hearth, a Dwarf without a home, a betrayer to The Oath of Stone.”
"Your tale saddens me. But I am glad you shared it with me in this final hour." And then she reached under the Dwarf's cot and pulled forth a great hammer of war. It's heavy handle was wrapped in well-worn leather,and each of the hammer's heads was the size of a man's head. "When we found you among the wreckage, we also found this." The Dwarf looked at it in wonder, and slowly reached his hand to grasp it. "I see now," he said, and then his mouth dropped and his eyes opened wide. "It is so clear now, like a bolt from the blue." And the Dwarf dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "Forgive me, Moradin, for doubting thee." "I don't understand," Jaleen said. "Neither did I, until now. Dost thou believe in fate, Jaleen? That there are things greater than ourselves guiding our steps?" "I believe that--"
Kra-booooom!
And the whole cavern shuddered, and screams of terrors erupted around them.
KRA—BOOOOOM!
“Those are the barricades!” Jaleena cried jumping up. “The others have fallen! Quickly everyone, prepare your cups!”
The Dwarf caught her arm as she reached for a goblet at a makeshift table. "What dost thou mean, 'cups'?" he growled. "It's a poison. We are to drink when the barricades fail. We cannot allow ourselves, our children, to suffer at their hands!" "Then I have one request of thee. And thou must trust me. Do not drink from these thy cups!" "What will you do?" "Know this, fair lady: it is by no accident that I am with thee here in this darkest hour. I will force them to pay a heavy price to enter here. This day they do battle with a Hearth Guard, and it will be a battle they are not likely to forget." "And if you fail--" "Then thou'st may drink, and perhaps we shall meet again in the next life. Farewell."
And the Dwarf strode to the front of the cavern and stood calmly, warhammer in one hand, and a piece of discarded timber in the other, and waited. Jaleen herded her people to the rear of the cavern where they crouched anxiously in the shadows.
KRA----BRAAACCKKKKKK
And the barricade was sundered in a cloud of dust, smoke and splintered wood, and the Dwarf was engulfed in the billowing dust, and then a silence followed. And when the dust and smoke cleared, the Dwarf stood firm, unmoving, jaw set, completely covered in a thick brown layer of dust and debris, and the light from outside streamed in through the entrance and splashed across the Dwarf's mighty frame and form, and silhouetted him like some mythic champion from an age primordial.
In poured the Morg-Kelzi, a writhing twisting mass of screaming savages, their bodies painted a chalk white and a pitch black, and they wore nightmarish visages upon their faces, masks made of bone and skull, painted in the likeness of faces of madness and horror, and they hurtled their bodies headlong through the cavern entrance, swinging wicked axes and spiked flails and weapons crafted with foul intention.
And they almost rushed by the Dwarf, for he appeared to be a statue to them, and he emanated no fear, for they could smell it, for that odor came from the rear of the cavern.
But with a twist of the wrist and a shrug of the shoulders, four bodies thudded to the ground with crushed skulls. And then the howling Reavers quickly became aware of the threat, and the battle was joined. The Dwarf never moved, save for the hammer that swung in a deadly arc, whistling as it sailed through the air, accompanied by the steady cadence of cracked skulls and crushed sternums. And the corpses piled high around the Dwarf, until the entire entrance was choked with corpses of the Morg-Kelzi, and he stood upon them as if they were battlements, while the Reavers scrambled up the sides only to join the fallen.
Three times they charged him. Three times they crashed upon him like an angry sea. Three times did that sea crash and falter, and recede back. Their fallen could no longer be counted, so great was their loss. And the Dwarf stood sure-footed atop the mass of the fallen, besmirched in blood and grime, his great chest heaving, his sinews rippling, but he showed no signs of fatigue.
And then came the Beast of which Jaleen had spoken. The once fearless Reavers fled before its approach like flooded rats. It lumbered into the cavern, and the earth groaned beneath each of its footfalls. It was a great winged thing, nearly twice the height of man and equally broad. Its skin was like a mottled fungus, and its head was crowned by deadly horns the length of broadswords, it's clawed hand clutched an ebon spear whose shaft was thickness of a small oak, and its eyes burned with a bestial light.
And its roar, like an avalanche, thundered throughout the cavern, and all who heard it through themselves to the ground in pain and dismay. But the Dwarf with No Name stood firm as rock, and his grim glare blazed through his bloody countenance in defiance of the beast.
"I am Death, miserable creature!" its voice rumbled like the sound of boulders grinding, and its wings unfolded and stretched behind him on foul leathery pinions.
"Then make thy claim, creature. I do not parley with base Hellspawn!"
And the battle that ensued was the stuff of legend. So titanic was their struggle that they battled through day and deep into night. But the Dwarf never flagged, never wavered, never fatigued, and the Demon became more and more enraged by this opponent who would not yield, until finally, as the rays of the morning sun crept into the cavern to light up the combatants, the Dwarf took such a blow that he sunk to his knees. And, to the Demon's surprise, the Dwarf did not rise. And the Demon hesitated, for he knew this was his hour, and that the Dwarf awaited the deathblow. And the Demon cackled in hideous delight so great was his pleasure, and he lifted his foul spear high above his head and brought it down with such violent force that it sank deep into the rock where the Dwarf had stood.
But the Dwarf was not there, for during the monent in which the Demon hesitated, the Dwarf tumbled through the Demon's legs, and as the spear plunged through the rock, so was the Dwarf's hammer shattering the spine of the monster.
And its howl deafened those in the cavern, and echoed off the hillsides. And in panic it tried to free the spear from the rock, but it held fast, and the Dwarf came upon the Demon in a passionless fury, and blow after blow rained down upon the beast until it was upon its knees, its wings limp. And the bestial light in its eyes was snuffed. And the Dwarf, with one final blow, knocked the head so soundly from its shoulders that it tumbled outside and rolled down the slopes and came to a rest at the feet of the remaining Morg-Kelzi. Their spirit then was completely sundered, and they fled for fear of the "Elf Demon" who had come to punish them for their wickedness.
So complete was the Morg-Kelzi's defeat that they never again troubled the peaceful Arandiri.
And Jaleen crept from the corners of the cavern to where the Dwarf stood silently, alone, amidst the gruesome carnage. She reached a trembling hand to his shoulder, and he turned slowly around, and the hammer fell away from his hand. His body was rent from wounds too many to count, and his eyes were distant. But his focused in on hers, and he said, "My hearth."
And he fell to the floor, and Jaleen tried to catch him, but his girth was too great and she was borne to the ground as well. But she was able to hold him, and cradle his head, and she sang an old Arandiri lullaby as the last breath left his lips, and as she held him she felt a surge of heat upon her hand where she gripped the Dwarf's shoulders. She moved her hand and saw the Rune branded upon his shoulder shine with a soft white light. It flared for an instant, and she shielded her eyes, and then the light was gone.
And no trace remained of the branded Rune.
And thus the legend was born, how the greatest champion of the Arandiri was not an Elf, but a Dwarf. A bond was formed among the two peoples, and the Dwarf with No Name was named anew by his kin, though his body was laid to rest in Arandir, and a great cairn was built around the cavern refuge where he had fallen. And it was built by the hands of Elves and Dwarves alike, and this monument stood, like a beacon, and shined as an emblem of hope and faith between the two nations.
I am sad to see you retire. I am happy to see you retire with such style! I actually had goose-bumps reading that story! Truly good. Dwarven defenders are so last stand type of guys. Hope you will join us here and talk of our guys even retired. Or do a grand comeback. As for the build, nothing to add. Better AB than the Wall, and better in all aspects. 24 DR is more than enough to tip the scales in favor of this guy. If that is not enough (e.g. facing an opponent who can hit you much, but you can't hit him) then 30 won't do it neither. Swamped by enemies, his sneak immunity and DR will keep him alive long after his friends has made a deal with the ferry-man.
And so perhaps will the legend of the Dwarflord. Sharing his most powerful dwarves and even more powerful stories with the community.
You will be missed, but never forgotten.
It saddens me to hear of your departure Grizz. A fantastic character build and a truely epic story to go with it. Some of your finest work indeed! May the winds of time and fate be at your back.
Grizz:
Wow! That was one fantastic tale. Well, well done. A nice build and a superb tale. I doff my helm and bow to you, good Dwarflord. May your beard always be long and your axe sharp! _________________ Wave upon wave of demented avengers marched cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream...
"Tis".. a sad day indeed (much like your story) If only moderators had that "1" extra option huh.. Delete, Lock, Unlock, Edit and Resurrect the Dwarflord
Oh no I'm sorry to hear you're retiring. You've been a great builder and it's been great discussing all things NWN with you, Dwarflord. I hope you at least come heckle often.
The build is excellent. Way to go out on a high note. One of the best-balanced offense/defense melee characters without using any buffs or relying on sneak attacks that I've seen. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
I mightn't have been here long but it's such a shock and surprise to see that big scary dwarf go so soon . Sad to see you retire (was hoping to see more of your builds - I guess I have a lot to learn if I continue; you build the best meleers like this one) - fare thee well whatever you do! _________________ .:\_/:. Only those who have known darkness in (OvO) their hearts will see the shadows in life... (|__|) ..".."..
Such saddening news this evening. You and Cinnabar Din must be my favourite builders and an endless source of inspiration *kissbutt* Fare thee well, indeed, and let us wait - and hope - for a great comeback.
EDIT: oh, it's a great build, too x) _________________ Now is my day's work done; I'll take good breath: Rest, sword; thou hast thy fill of blood and death.
Edited By FinneousPJ on 10/10/05 19:12
My hat off to you. Fantastic story. Makes me want to start up a new HotU singleplayer with a build such as that!
grizz.
sad to here that you are retiring. i think that perhaps this will not be the last we hear of you...
but if that is the case, then fare well. your builds were always excellenet, as was your advice. your stories and legends were the stuff of ... well, legends.
hope you will be here to help correct us our foibles from time to time.
i think we need to ask a wizard for a spell of resurrect dwarf...
-c _________________ Et Earello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.
Thank you all for your kind comments. It gladdens me to know that my characters and tales resonate in spite of the bombastic rhetoric by which I write them.
I fear, however, that my retirement is short-lived, and that I am still under a community-cast geas which causes automatic failure on all retirement skill checks. Thus, I have promises to keep, and miles to go....
But a chill approaches, and a cold sun rises, and a new age looms on the horizon.
You know of what I speak.
Until then, I raise my cup to thee, and bid you health and high adventure! _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Thank you all for your kind comments. It gladdens me to know that my characters and tales resonate in spite of the bombastic rhetoric by which I write them.
I fear, however, that my retirement is short-lived, and that I am still under a community-cast geas which causes automatic failure on all retirement skill checks. Thus, I have promises to keep, and miles to go....
But a chill approaches, and a cold sun rises, and a new age looms on the horizon.
You know of what I speak.
Until then, I raise my cup to thee, and bid you health and high adventure!
I *was* going to make this character in memory of you (I lub reading the stories, mine always suck). Until you said that, nah I think I will make it anyways. Do you mind if I plaigerise your story, I willd put *In memory of grizzled_dwarflord* on it.
Oh nice build too.
Quote: AB: 43/38/33/28 AC w/ Full Plate: 26 Hit Points: 724
Is the AC correct? I don't like to question *shakes in fear of the Dwarflord*.
I'm betting he forgot to add in the Armor Skin boost. _________________ Wave upon wave of demented avengers marched cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream...
Edited By Cinnabar Din on 10/12/05 15:21
Quote: Posted 10/12/05 15:10:06 (GMT) -- mphacon
Quote: AB: 43/38/33/28 AC w/ Full Plate: 26 Hit Points: 724
Is the AC correct? I don't like to question *shakes in fear of the Dwarflord*.
-c _________________ Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Actually, you're all wrong, and it is right as initially posted:
I intentionally omitted Shield so that one can go either 2-handed or Hammer and Board. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Edited By grizzled_dwarflord on 10/12/05 15:28
Grizz, I never include Dodge, since it applies to only one opponent.
Thanks for the correction, though. Bah! Thought I'd caught you! Next time, Dwarflord, next time... _________________ Wave upon wave of demented avengers marched cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream...
