Bartis HammerHand the Observant Eyes of the Village, Drillmaster of Battle

Role

Chapter 11

The conversation was light and full of teasing remarks between Bartis and Boris as they
sat on a rock sipping water from canteens just outside the tunnel they were excavating.
'Yer know yer can't out drink me, yer tried a hunnerd times an' every timer yer do yer
get sicker 'en a rock worm fart!' Bartis poked at Boris.

'Bah, that's only cuz yer be drinkin' that sissy watered down elf-' Boris began to
playfully retort to his twin brother when the sounds of someone chanting nearby cut him
off. The two brothers immediately turned to see another svirf hastily drawing a circle on
the ground and mutter incantations in a language foreign to them. The two brothers had
witnessed magic before, but, this mage didn't quite have the practiced confidence they
had witness in other mages, and that made them nervous.

Role

Chapter 10

Suddenly, a flash of light ripped through the cavern and when their eyes adjusted to the
darkness again they saw an angry demon whipping about frantically in the middle of the
circle and clashing up against the magical barrier it provided, testing its strength. The
svirfnebli conjurer began to chant the binding incantation but fumbled on the words and
failing to invoke the magic. The sight of the demon clawing angrily towards him was too
much for the unseasoned mage to handle. He tried again to repeat the words and
successfully bind the demon to his servitude, but, it was too late. With an electrical
sounding snap the demon burst through the magical circle that had imprisoned it
moments earlier and swooped to pounce on it's captor.

Upon seeing this both of the twins and the mage began to run for the tunnel that lead back
to the upper levels of cragstone. Bartis and Boris reached the tunnel just ahead of the
mage with Bartis in the lead. Bartis actually began to think for a moment that they might
escape the demon when a terrible spraying sound echoed through the cavern followed by
a horrific scream. Turning to look over his shoulder Bartis saw an image that he would
never forget. A spray of black acid ripped through the cavern and engulfed the mage,
liquefying him into nothing. The acid spray continued on and would have ended Bartis's
life had his brother not been directly behind him. His brother's scream filled his ears at
the same time his body shielded Bartis from the deadly spray. Bartis nearly froze in panic
at the paralyzing thought that his twin brother was dead, yet, somehow he found it in
himself to stay on his feet and escape into the upper caverns where a legion of svirfnebli
guards were able to destroy the dreadful creature.

Role

Chapter 9

Bartis sat on a barstool in a tavern in upper cragstone with his head on the bar and a half
empty mug of ale in front of him. 'Excuse me, can I get by to grab my drink?' came a
voice from behind him. With one drunken eye Bartis looked up over his shoulder to see a
man dressed in robes standing behind him, trying to get through the thick line of patrons
sitting at the bar in order to get his two drinks.

'Piss off! Yer pile of rothe shit! You damned mages er queerer then a pink emerald! I'll
pound yer face so hard yer it'll look like tha flabby part of an orc's ass!' Bartis drunkenly
roared as he tried to swing around and jump off his stool with his fists raised up, ready to
fight. Having been watching Bartis closely all night, the two bouncers quickly stepped in
and grabbed him the arms and escorted him out the door.

Role

Chapter 8

An old and scarred up svirf sat down at the end of the bar and called the bartender over
when he witnessed the small scene caused by Bartis. 'What's the deal wit him?' The old
warrior asked the bartender.

'Him? Aw, he been comin' in here all week gettin' drunker 'en a dwarf an' cryin' over
his twin brother. They say his twin got kilt by a demon that got loose from a conjurer
down in tha tunnels. Now, he's been in here all week drinkin' three boulders worth o' ale
an' tryin' ta brawl wit any mage an' anyone who's wit 'em.' The bartender explained.
With a nod the old svirf quickly tossed the bartender a few coins and followed Bartis and
his escorts out the door.

'Oy there! Wait up!' Hollered the old svirf to Bartis who was stumbling up the tunnel a
few paces ahead. Hearing the command Bartis spun around unsteadily bringing his fists
up and trying to focus with only one eye open.

'Yer ain't no mage filth. What do yer want? Yer wit them er what?' Bartis asked as he
threatened with his fists.

'Easy there youngin'. I ain' wit no filthy mages. I jest wanted ta give you this,' the old
svirf explained as he handed a piece of paper over to Bartis. 'That there be a map to a
man named Tahren. He be part of a village that many o' our kin have served in. I'm
thinkin' yer should go talk ter him. He might have a few things ter say yer might wanna
hear.' The old man said with a wink and a grin and walked off.

Role

Chapter 7

The table was littered with empty plates and crumbs that had spilt off them during the
course of the dinner that Bartis and Boris had just consumed. Sated by their meal the two
twin brothers reclined in their chairs with two large mugs full of ale and were chatting
lightly about whatever came to their mind.

'Do yer think we'll always be minin' these tunnels?' Boris asked in a way that was
startling because it was so out of the blue and off topic.
'I dunno, somethin' 'bout workin' tha rocks feels right, yer know. It be hard ter explain,
but, I really ain' sure I could imagine somethin' else.' Boris responded honestly to his
brothers question.
'Yer feel that too, eh? The rocks?' Boris arched a testing eyebrow at his brother, 'I know
we svirfs are bein' close ta the earth an all, but, do it be feelin' more ter ya? Like tha
earth be talkin' ter ya?'

Stunned at this question Bartis hesitated before blurting out the answer that exploded into
his mind. 'Yes! Do it be tha same fer you?! I always thought it be a crazy fancy er
somethin' an people'd think I were mad if I ever talked 'bout it. But, I do be feelin' that
way. Like when were workin' I feel like the rock be tellin' me tha best place ter strike wit
me pickaxe. Or, when we be walkin' a dangerous tunnel it be tellin' me tha best places
ter step ter avoid loose rocks an' holes.'

A wide grin played across Boris's face as he leaned back. The two brothers just stared at
each other in silence for a few moments with this new found revelation, this kinship they
shared with each other and the stone.

Role

Chapter 6

Bartis adjusted his armor as he walked through the door of a tavern that he used to
frequent in Lower Cragstone. The bouncer eyed him warily from the corner. He certainly
recognized Bartis, except for the fact that he was now gazing upon a much older, stronger
and imposing version of the Svirf. Rumor had circulated about the svirf who joined the
BattleRager Village and most citizens of Cragstone knew Bartis' name. He was
beginning to become revered for his combat prowess and the bouncer found himself
hoping, no, praying that Bartis wouldn't start a fight in here. He really did not want to
have to try to kick him out this time.

Bartis walked up to the bar and signaled the bartender. When the barkeep asked him what
he was drinking Bartis ordered an ale and began to ask the whereabouts of an old svirf,
giving a description of him.

'You lookin' fer me?' Came a voice from behind Bartis. Bartis casually turned around to
see the old svirf, now completely hobbled and whitened, who had given him the map
years earlier.

'That I be. Git yer a drink?' Bartis replied.
The old man nodded and Bartis signaled for a second ale, then the two walked over to a
table in the far corner of the bar to talk and not be disturbed.

Role

Chapter 5

'Yer lookin' a bit more sober than last I saw yer. An, I be seein' yer made it ter Tahren
an' I was right. Yer did like what him had ter tell ya.' The old man casually said over a
sip of ale.

'Yeah. Yer sure were right. I done learnt it ain' good ter waste yer days in a drunken
stupor. Now, I be doin' somethin' wit maself. But, what be buggin' me all these years is
what made yer gimmie tha' map? Yer was a villager, too, weren' ya?'
With a chuckle the old man nodded and answered, 'Yeah, I fought tha war. Many years
ago. Ain' do it no more though. I be too old now. Hells, I got ter fight ter take a piss in
tha mornin'!'

'Well, maybe yer kin be helpin' me. Yer see. I done heard dis voice whisperin' ter me. It
be askin' me if I gonna ignore it ter. When I be askin' who it be, I got real sick likes, an'
it told me it be some vengeful tings. Said it be wantin' revenge.' Bartis took a sip of his
ale and then continued his story. 'Now, there be these other villagers who been in
communication wit some folk o' interest an' they be believin' that onea tha past Lords o'
tha village be tryin' ter return. Has been imprisoned er somethin'. But, I jest have me
reservations. If this voice I be hearin' be a Lord o' tha Village, why him want revenge on
tha village?'

Role

Chapter 4

The old man stroked his white beard with a nod. 'Interestin' tale that. So, yer think it not
be a Lord o' tha Village? Hrm. I say yer be thinkin' again. Yer gotter remember yer
history, lad. That village be founded on rage an' revenge fer a betrayel long ago. Them
Lords bled fer tha village jest like yer an' I, it be all they know an' care fer, so I figure I'd
be might cranky too if it abandoned me. I'm thinkin' yer need ter do what yer kin ter aid
'em an' show that ain' no one abandoned em. Thas' what yer be needin' ter do.'

'Aye, that be good advice. Thinkin' I will. Who do yer think it be? Tha lost Lord? Some
villager been speakin' wit that drow weaponsmaster an' him be sayin' that this got
somethin' ter do wit' a black dragon an' some Hammer o' Khaos.' Said Bartis.

'A hammer yer say? Interestin' indeed lad. I ain' sure who it bein', but, I'll be tellin' yer
this much. I be knowin' a tale 'bout tha Lord Thror gettin' imprisoned once. Tale says he
appearin' like an apparition rattlin' chains an all ter villagers. Yer know how them got
em free? Wit his hammer, or so tha story goes, cuz that was centuries ago. Now, it be
time fer a nap. I be gettin' too old. Yer be comin' back if yer need ter talk more.'

Role

Chapter 3

The night air was cool and the ground was speckled in moonlight from the partially
cloudy sky as Bartis leaned against a crumbling wall just outside the gates to the Village
of the BattleRagers. The night was very quiet and promised to continue this way as Bartis
stood at his guard post watching for the enemies of the Village who might try and reclaim
their items of power. He shook his head and sighed at the thought of spending the next
few hours bored out of his mind since he very seriously doubted anyone would try to find
the courage to mount an attack on the Village.

Almost as if the thought of boredom provoked a response, Bartis caught a faint
shimmering out of the corner of his eye. Anticipating magic, he wheeled and instantly
shrouded himself with his hatred for magic and called forth his ability to sense mana.
What he saw, however, was not what he expected. The shimmering was real, but, Bartis'
sharpened senses could detect no magic. As the shimmering began take form a haunting
chill crawled up Bartis' spine as he began to realize what it was he was looking upon. A
spirit!

'Ba- Bartis. Bartis!' echoed a distant spectral voice through the ruins.
Unlatching his flail from his back that struck with divine power Bartis stepped forward
warily as his mind raced to consider what kind of spirit would know his name.
As he stepped forward the moon parted through the clouds and he caught a good look at
the spectral form. It was a pair of figures, though the second was barely detectable behind
the first. The first was very short and Bartis recognized it instantly!

'Boris?!? What in a bloody stone er ya doin' here??!' Bartis cried while holding back a
flood of powerful emotions.

'Help me Bartis! I- I can' be findin' tha strength fer long, so jest listen! That demon who
kilt us- He- He not only kilt us but took our souls! I ain' sure where I be but yer gotter
help me! Set me free!' the shade of his brother hurriedly explained.

'You know ah will, brother! I be doin' anythin' I kin ter set yer free if I be needin ter go
ter tha depths o' hell meself! Who be behind yer? I be seein' another?!'

'What?? No one here- Jest help me! I be in AGONY!!' Boris wearily exclaimed as the
image of his shade began to fade.
Just as his brother faded from view Bartis caught a good look at the figure that was
behind him. It a face he'd never forget. It was the face of the mage that called the demon
forth on that fateful day. But why had he appeared with his brother? Was his soul
captured too? Were they somehow linked to each other? How was he to save his brother?

Role

Chapter 2

The dusty and rickety old furniture of the sitting room in the old mansion had been turned
over and thrown about in a state of disarray. Blood spattered the walls and was smeared
in a trail behind the battered necromancer who crawled across the floor like some sort of
grotesque slug.

Bartis had been tracking this wizard, Izzato, for several days, finally catching up with
him in an old mansion hidden deep in a gloomy and secluded forest. A battle had ensued
when Bartis surprised the mage, interrupting some sort of sick corpse animating ritual.
The fight had been fierce at first, however, Bartis, now a seasoned mage killer, had
gained the upper hand quickly and pummeled Izzato to within inches of his life.

As Bartis walked across the floor behind the necromancer and reached down with one
hand to grab a hold of Izzato and prepared to unleash death with his other fist, the dark
mage coughed up blood in some sort of tired attempt at a laugh. Perplexed, Bartis stayed
his hand for a moment, which caused the man to gurgle a louder laugh and then he tried
to speak.

'You can kill me *bloody cough* but I know about you! I know about your brother!
*bloody cough*', Izzato weakly groaned in an attempt to hurt Bartis with the only tool he
had left at his disposal, knowledge. 'I know many thi- *cough* things. I speak to the
dead! I know about him! He is- *cough* is imprisoned. Tha- That isn't all! His soul is
tied to a- *cough* a mage. You cannot save him without saving the mage!!!' Izzato wetly
cackled with all the energy he had left, feeling dark satisfaction through the pain of his
injuries upon seeing the shock, fury and sadness that washed over Bartis's face at the
revelation of this truth.

Bartis roared in fury and raised his fist in hatred to pummel the last ounce of life out of
the bastard mage for speaking of his brother, but, it was too late. Izzato had expired with
the exhalation of that last maniacal cackle, stealing from Bartis the pleasure of unleashing
his rage on him one final time.

Role

Chapter 1

'So thas why I be here drinkin' again' Bartis said after explaining about the troubles with
his brother to the ancient Svirfnebli who set him on the path to the Village of the
Battleragers so many years before. 'I be jest a workin' man. Thas what I were before I
became a Villager an a workin' man be what I am fer tha Village,' Bartis took a long sip
of his drink and then continued in a proud tone accompanied by a stern nod, 'But, I done
worked tha load o three men fer tha Village! An I be proud o it!'

'So yers in here drinkin' again cuz yer ain' knowin' what ter do about yer bro, eh?' The
old svirf observed.

'Aye, I done talked ter mortals an gods alike about how ter save me bro! Lots o em gots
opinions o em own. Some be thinkin' I gotter lure tha demon up here an still others think
I gotter be usin' me kin Villagers as bait! I dunno if I kin do that! It be me bro an me
responsibility ter save em! I ain' no almighty who kin order 'bout em villagers, I be jest a
grunt.' Bartis frowned into his mug of ale. 'I tell yers though, I will save em! I will! An'
I'll pledge meself to whatever power in tha sky who kin show me tha way!'

'Well, I be thinkin' yer better stop sulkin' an start usin' that head o yers ter figure a way
out. I ain' thinkin' yer kin afford ter wait fer anyone ter show yer tha way. Yers jest
gotter go out an git' r' done!' The old svirf waggled his finger at Bartis while throwing
some coin on the bar. 'I gots this one, now git goin' an' save that bro o' yers!'

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