Journey Beyond Reality, Explore Limitless Universes.
Transcending Boundaries: Venture into Infinite Realms and Uncover Cosmic Conflicts.
Fear does not exist anywhere, except in the mind. A fearful mind is a vulnerable one, left open to mental attacks, giving way to chaos, warping even the strongest warriors until they are unrecognizable; but in peacetime, who would want to exploit this weakness? … Or what?
Before the war… the Dwarves were experts of their craft: mining, forging, and building.
During the war, they applied their expertise to the forging of WARRIORS.
Some chose to hide from the chaos, finding solice in mercenary work, smuggling, and trading.
Others were left broken by the war, forced to mend their bodies by integrating with their technologies.
After the war, the Dwarves realigned with their core values and combined mining, forging, and building proficiency with their upgraded technology.
Some stepped into leadership roles that were far beyond their years but proved to be competent for this time of recovery
Peace was finally present within this thriving race. Friendships were formed with the Architects. Unbreakable bonds were sealed in generational covenants. Construction of the Nodes would come commence, which would result in splendor.
But naturally, like all things in our universe… this newfound abundance invites challenges. Challenges incite conflict. And conflict breeds…
CATASTROPHE
🎵“The night is ours
Spring in the wood of skies
We head to the heath with our tent, where the berries grow
Take me, dear friend to the mirth of yesterdays
Where our creek runs free and the birch will blow
Light in the mountains
Scent from our dearest fountains…
… The wind is counting your hair in the light aglow
The dew comes forth
Our valley is swept with peace
Our dreams come true, who sleep in the wood of skies
On the berry hearth, the last touch of sunlight dies
And the calm is deep where the quiet waters flow…”🎵
🟦 Greetings to you, my dear friends. I’m sorry for the late notice. But uh… it appears our final guest won’t be joining us today. It was supposed to be our Beloved Primus, and my closest friend, Adriän, the one you’ve heard so much about. But I… urrrrmmm… well, he is the Primus, after all. Can’t be expectin’ him to dilly dally around with extracurriculars such as these. Ha… hmmm. I s’pose we could talk about the uhhhh… OH! We can’t talk about the mess hall!
I tell you, even on our worst day, nothing can beat a Dwarven feast! The honey mead imported from Lecopolis. The finest beef marbling from the Great plains of Dühnlery… ohh goodness, my mouth waters even speakin’ about it. And even the…
Oh? Oo’s this? Oy! You there! Take off the hood! Show yaself!
🟨 Calm yourself young Booms.
🟦 OHH! Primus! I… uhhh… my apologies Sir! I didn’t realize!…
🟨 That’s quite alright son. I understand the confusion, being that I am not dressed in my Ecclesian robes.
🟦 Perhaps, sir. Still! Please forgive me for my previous tone.
🟨 There’s nothing to forgive dear Booms. However, I heard tell that our Primus wasn’t going to make it to his interview today. So I’d like to be interviewed on behalf of my grandson.
🟦 Uhh… well of course sir! I can think of no one else fit to fill his place. By all means! Our friends will greatly honored by your presence here today. There right over there.
🟨Thank you… Boomy.
🟨Greetings travelers. I am Absolän Haraldsen. The Oldman, who is apparently ‘older than dust’.
*smirks at Boomy*
I am the former Lædan Primus, reinstated after the death of my son Vladimir, recently replaced by my grandson Adriän.
🟨I now serve as the Head of The Order of Ecclesia. The Ecclesian Order is a small cohort of Dwarves whose sole purpose is to quietly analyze the inner workings of our society and provide silent council to our Primus.
🟨 We range in age, although a majority of our cohort are past their 300th name day… like myself. All Dwarves in this cohort come from all professions as well: Miners, Smiths, Builders, etc.
We can be identified by our Ecclesian robes, made of Lapis Lazuli rock wool.
I… I didn’t come here today to talk to you about the order though.
🟨I remember when I was a boy. Before the war. In a time when peace was not something we fought for, but rather, where it simply… WAS. And it all went away in an instant. War ravaged our galaxy, and for over 300 years, it was all I knew.”
🟨When I was named Lædan Primus, my job was simple. Destroy our imposing enemy, save as many Drawven lives as possible, by any means possible. When my boy Vladimir was named Primus after me, his job was no different.
🟨 Now my grandson Adriän, is faced with conflicts that are foreign even to me. Not only are we experiencing a time of peace that is unfamiliar to most Dwarves here today, but now we are being told that this mysterious portal can solve the energy crisis within our Universe.
🟨 And our Primus was charged with the construction of these Nodes that will harness the power of these portals.
War is simple…
This… is NOT.
And make no mistake. Where there is an abundance of resources, there is always something lurking in the shadows, ready to take it.
🟨 Dear friends, it is not my intent to fear monger or incite disarray. But it is imperative that you understand the gravity of the situation.
All I ask of you is to give Adriän time. Between his meetings with the Architects and the responsibilities to the Dwarves, he is… busy.
🟨 And to add insult to injury, although he holds the title of Lædan Primus, the Primus Armor of Stryka is rejecting Adriän at the present moment. No one knows exactly why, but I’m willing to guess it’s cause he has too many thought dæmons he is battling.
🟨 Hmm… please forgive the ramblings of this old Dwarf. There is such to be grateful for. I’ll leave you with this… ‘The way of fools is correct in their own eyes. But a person of wisdom seeks out counsel’
🟨 Thank you for being here. I hope to see more of you soon. Oh and…. Booms?
🟦 Yes Primus!
🟨 Do they know of our adored Empresses?
🟦 Uhm… no sir, they…
*whispering* I was under the impression the Empresses were to be kept… well… secret.
🟨 Not anymore Boomy.
🟨 Many things are changing. And if we are to have any hope of protecting this peace, transparency is going to be key.
🟦 Of course Primus.
🟨 Be well Booms. And to you as well my friends. I hope to see more of you soon.
🟦And to you, sir.
Uhhh… *cough*… well! Hehe, wasn’t expectin’ that friends! A rare occasion for sure! You gettin’ to meet a former Primus the head of the Ecclesians! And now you get to meet our Empresses! Golly! You’ve got it in good with us hear haven’t you! Haha!
🟦 Alright, I’ve got work to do. I’ve got to meet up with Catalin, he’s the spokesman for the Empresses. Well get an interview with one of em real soon! You have my word! So until next time friends, goodbye!
🟦 OH wait! Here’s a picture of Primus Absolän in the Ecclesian robes, so you can keep an eye out for other members of the cohort.
🟦 Hello again, My friends! As usual, my name is Boomy. I’d like to say that you’re in for a real treat today…
…but quite honestly, I’m not quite sure who I’m introducing today. I was told it’d be someone from da Smithin’ Guild. You know what?…. HEY!!! Dagi!
🟥 What is it now Boomy?! You’re just meant to talk about us Dwarves. It’s not Portal Science!
🟦 Ya but who in da world am I suppose’ta be introducin’ today?
🟥 Behind you Boom
🟦 Behind wha….? GAHHHH!!!
AJ!!!… For the love of Gringi AJ, why you standin’ so close?!
🟪 I was beckoned. Somethin’ about an interview.
🟥 AJ… been a while.
🟪 Dagmar… pleasure as always.
🟥 Likewise… although I am surprised to see you here for this.
🟪 I didn’t have much choice in the matter. Since my recent demotion, I don’t have much choice in anything these days. Be sure to thank the pretty boy for me.
🟦 You best not be talkin’ about the Primus you bas…!!!
🟥 Calm down, Boomy. AJ, best get on with the interview, then be on your way.
🟪 Of course… m’lady. And don’t worry Booms. Just a bit of playful banta.
🟦 yea… we’ll see. Right!!! Get on with it then.
🟪 Right… my name is AJ. Former Director of the Smithin’ Guild. The Smiths were formerly known as the War Engines, an elite class of Dwarven Warrior specializin’ in Fortification Seizure and Explosives. There weren’t a single fortress or stronghold we War Engines could breach. After the war, we took everything we knew about heavy machinery, and with a little bit of ingenuity, formed the Smithin’ Guild, where we smelt, shape and forge every bit of the Dwarves peacetime and wartime hardware…
🟪 That’s all I’ve got.
🟦 You sure…THATS ALL?
🟪 Go off yourself Booms!
*storms off*
🟦 What an eejit… hmmmf…. sorry you all had to see that. He’s not the first choice I would’ve gone with for this interview…. it’s a wonder what made him go off the deep end.
He and the Primus used to be thick as thieves back in our Forge days. Always gettin each other into and out of trouble. He got real distant during the war, and even more so after. Now he seems to have it out for the Primus and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why…
OH well! Guess that’s a conversation for another time!
Well friends… I uhhh guess that’s it for today! Stay tuned though, because you’re in for a real treat for our final introduction! Oh and before you go, I snuck a picture of ol’ AJ while he was giving his statement.
*bagpipes wailing a courageous tune*
“🎵 Towering in Galante Fame,
Grimsmark my cosmic hame,
Proud may your high standards gloriously wave,
Rock of my high endeavor,
Rock of the shining river…🎵”
*out of tune*
🟦…ROCK OF MY HEART FOREVER!!!
GRIMSMARK THE BRAAAAVE-UH!!!!
🟦GA HA!! I could sing that song until me eyes popped out. Gringi save meh. Whoo!!!
*from a distance*
🟥BOOMY! Could you keep it down! Some of us are trying to work here!
🟦Oh come off it Dagi! The Dwarves could use a bit of reminding of our glory days to boost morale…
🟦…besides, it my turn for an introduction! This is my time to shine sweetie… *bam!* “OUCH!!”
🟥DO 👏 NOT👏 CALL👏 ME👏 SWEETIE👏. I AM YOUR SUPERIOR! Finish your intro and get a move on you lump!
🟦Alright… ALRIGHT! Don’t get your khakis in a twists!
*clears throat, takes a drunken bow*
🟦Dearest friends, welcome back to XFirst. I am Billiard Booms, also known as ‘Boomy’. I hope we did not keep you waiting too long… and stuff….uhmmmm… oh shove it! Screw formalities, you already know me!
🟦Let’s get to it. If you take a look around you’ll see that all Dwarven workers fall into 1 of 3 categories: Mining, Smithing, and Building.
The miners — thats me! — are the toughest of the bunch. We don’t move mountains, we move whole planets! You CANNOT beat a mining dwarf.
🟦Then you got the Smiths. They’re a quiet bunch. Usually keepin to themselves to be honest. They hammer all our ores, sure, but they also create all of our Dwarf tech once the Builders give em the plans. We’ve come a long way because of them!
🟦Then there’s the Builders… nerdo lads and lassies. By the grace of Gringi I cannot fathom how a Dwarf could go from fightin and smashin heads every day for over a century, and resort to readin lines on a paper every day now. Seems to me they’ve gotten quite small…
🟦…few more years of this and the Builder Dwarves will be lookin a lot like those pretentious ‘aRcHyTeCkS’.
Now there is 1 more Category. But technically sayin, ALL Dwarves fall into this category:
WARRIOR 🔥
🟦I don’t like it. This “portal thingy” opening up out of the blue. Those archytecks showing up soon after. And we roll over to build their machines without even a second look! It’s like my people have forgotten, we were just at war! ITS A DISGRACE!!! *slams fists on the table*
🟦*looks at the damage done*
“Oh…whoopsie….ha, sorry mate. Got a little angry there. 😊 look all I’m saying is that it would behoove all of us to proceed with a bit of caution. Otha than that, I trust my Lædan Primus…
🟥BOOMY! STOP BREAKING SHITE! Save it for the mines!
🟦*looks at the broken table, speaks in low tones*
Oh,I intend to…
Hm…
WELP! Look at the time folks. I hope you found this here trip, uhh, educational, but it’s best for you to get goin! Don’t you worry! I’ll be back! There’s still a couple more people I want you to meet
🟦Until nextime!
