Tannokim Saga

The following is a compiled chronicle of the only Dwarven Fortress of the Portal of Hailing, a kingdom of dwarves in “Teyo Liceva,” the World of Legends.

Their struggles are documented in journals, poems, and stories passed down orally. The many scraps of knowledge brought together to create this story were beyond myriad. The order of events is not clear to this scholar, and the details are sparse. This account comes from my interview with a dwarf merchant who spoke at length with a scholar within Tannokim proper. The libraries of Tannokim were newly founded when this discussion is said to have taken place. The following is the best information currently available.

The story of Tannokim “Tickedochre” is a tumultuous one. The “first seven” settled along the base of a small mountain, itself contained within a bowl-shaped range. The surrounding jungles were thick, and the forest hummed with life. Tropical birds, giant hippos, and the odd elephant roamed the valley where they first struck stone.

Their first shelter was a dugout hill-mound near the base of the hillside. A single dormitory with beds for the dwarves was all it ever was. The first disaster was small. Rith, the woodcutter, was crushed under a falling tree. The dwarves learned from their mistake. The old fortress mound became her tomb. The remaining dwarves took her death in their own ways, some worse than others. Those scars would linger for years to come. The drawbridge was finished shortly before her passing. The entrance to the fortress was a tunnel descending into the earth for several hundred meters. The passage leveled out and opened into the trade depot.

To the left of the trade depot, from the entrance tunnel, was the stairwell. It descended through choked corridors, narrow passages, and trapdoors, down into an expansive cavern layer.

To the right of the trade depot, one could find the city gate and the drawbridge of Tannokim. Fortifications allowed defenders to rain bolts across the dugout pit and at any approaching attacker.

The city proper was built wide. The cavern layer was tall, and digging efforts often found new entrances to the cavern below, a fact that weakened the city’s defenses each time it occurred. Within a few short years of Rith’s death, the dwarves had built bustling city streets. A tavern was built near the main crossroads.

Across from the tavern stood a multilayered complex of temples, built along stairwells, each venerating a different god. The palace of Tickedochre once sat atop the full stack of temples. At the bottom of the temple stack was the shrine venerating death. It resides at the same depth as the catacombs, though there is no way to enter the catacombs through the temple proper.

Guilds and workshops spread across the rest of the entrance layer. New tunnels were constantly being dug as mining efforts were assigned. There were even elephant herds set to pasture on the entrance layer of the city. The great farms of Tannokim were constantly in motion.

Tannokim had begun to grow complacent. Immigrant waves brought more outside attention. The founders of Tannokim were not fortress builders, to their detriment. They had lived in hills and grown their brewing plants on the surface.

When the necromancer’s forces attacked, our people fled. One of the human civilizations assaulted their hillocks during the war and occupied many of their villages. Postthroat’s demons are now a common sight among the folk of these lands.

When the founders of our fair fortress gathered their belongings and set out to find good earth to dig, they had no idea how to fortify anything. Their people had paid the price for their folly and now attempted to plant a new seed of hope within the earth. Humans began to arrive. And elves. Until the elves, our people found it wise to elect dwarves to lead the city. Ale was elected. She possessed unmatched skill in any social situation. She took control of the government and never relinquished power.

The dwarves were entering a new era. They needed outside help to survive. They lacked knowledge and supplies, and trade was always distant. Tannokim was forced to do business with the humans.

Tannokim’s tavern had begun to gain fame. Travelers arrived to see what entertainment might be found. Human poets and dancers came in large waves, seeking shelter in exchange for their skills. The elf mayor agreed to let these foreigners ply their trade. The dwarves grumbled at each of her shortsighted decisions.

Some raised concern over spies infiltrating the city and assassinating someone or burgling something important. Many agreed, and so Ale established militia forces and ordered the training of regiments. Until this time, the fortress had relied on traps and drawbridge access control as deterrents. This defense system was tested when the mighty Ral Fireydiamonds, the “Pearl of the Vaults,” attacked Tannokim. The great wyrm desolated the surface, her flames destroying many valuable fruit-bearing trees needed for food and timber.

Ral swiftly descended the sloped entrance and billowed a jet of blue fire at the trade depot. It blasted apart the structure, destroying valuables. Her flames burned so hot that nothing remained. She killed several passersby as she rampaged.

Smoke filled Tannokim’s tunnels that day. The dragon descended toward the cavern layer, toward the narrow passages leading downward. As if by divine miracle, she was trapped within a wooden cage. The frame kept her from moving, and she could not billow flames without sufficient space to do so.

By dumb luck, the fortress had been saved and gained a legendary beast as an occupant.

Our earliest records of this time are scattered and ill organized. It is therefore worth noting the timeline. Ale’s election, Ral’s attack, and the founding of the lower tavern occurred between the years 315 and 321. This manuscript has been compiled in the year 329.

The lower tavern was built in the uppermost cavern layer and featured accommodations for outsiders. It was often the only tavern in all of Tannokim that allowed every visitor. “In those days, the farms were worked by dwarven hands. We grew mushrooms and cave wheat just beyond the tavern’s walls. The cave was quiet then. Before the others came.”

It is not stated what the original author meant by “others,” though this scholar has his theories. Later records speak of beasts with no names roaming the depths. Unknown horrors of the deep. There are several references to an “Olm-men war,” though few writings exist documenting battles or tactics. Another excerpt, of unknown date, speaks of a great spider.

“The spider of malice rose up, The depths revealed its fangs, Carapace of death, webbing strings, The tunnel of bones, Spider no more.”

This is the best translation available. The text suggests a great and terrible spider emerged from the deeper cavern layer. “Tunnel of Bones” is curious, however. The tunnel would not gain that name until well after the Olm-men war. Even then, it referred only to one tunnel on the Island of Harvest. This places the spider attack closer to the war itself, despite the age of the poem.

This may suggest the excerpt is itself a later copy and that “Tunnel of Bones” was added for modern audiences. It may also be an error in translation, as the dwarven language of Tannokim began incorporating human idioms and phrases. This muddied our research greatly. Many texts found within its libraries are copied translations of translations, further complicating proper dating of events.

One thing is clear in our research of Tannokim: the necromancers of the region found its presence offensive. Tannokim’s government, the Portal of Hailing, was still an enemy of Paintedshimmered, the tower of the dead. The tombs of both nearby human civilizations were spewing forth living dead things.

One such creature was San, the cougar-woman. She had perished doing spy work for a long-dead human king. She lay in her tomb for two centuries before a mummy lord brought her back to unlife. This history is known only to a few, as the dead lords prefer to write their own propaganda.

San was sent to Tannokim as a spy. Her task was simple: report back anything of interest. She succeeded and returned to her master with knowledge of a legendary spear crafted by a dwarf of Tannokim. It was the Baroness’s icon and meant much to the fortress.

San was given a mission to steal the great bone spear. She succeeded and fled with it in hand. It was then that the dwarves vowed revenge.

By some foolishness, or at her lord’s command, San returned. She was apprehended by the militia and interrogated. She told them everything of her mission and the plans to steal the spear, but refused to betray her master to Tannokim’s guard captain.

San was imprisoned within the great stalactite dungeon called the Vault, where Ral was also caged. She was chained within a small cell, and the door was locked. She was never fed a single meal. She did not starve. Her rotting body, held together by foul magic, had concealed the lost spear from Tannokim’s warriors.

Upon learning of this, her execution was swiftly carried out and the item recovered. Her destruction occurred during the pivotal moment of the Olm-men war. It is said that the Olm-men army was battering the gates and fighting in the lower tavern when San was put to the sword. Many epic poems survive from this era. Most embellish and omit important dates. Still, the slaying of San is hailed as one of the greatest events of that time due to the spear’s recovery.

Another popular poem of this age tells of Alatha Drillweirds, a rat-man spy. Not much is known of his dealings. Only that he admitted to spy work before fleeing the city. Even more curious, he returned to visit the fortress several times while labeled a criminal.

His arrest was called for by the guard captain. He remained wanted for questioning. Alatha was noted to be polite and courteous during visits. He would drink, eat, and listen to the poets speak.

“Spy unknown, traveler unbound, Lover of rhyme and verse, Now only his death to curse. Alatha, rat-man, Died during rhyming, His voice unbled, Alatha, stone bed.”

This is the cleanest translation available. It suggests Alatha was killed during a poem reading. Tannokim’s official records state he died during an attempted arrest and that at least one bystander was killed. Later stories claim he crawled across the tavern floor, bleeding heavily, before stopping to listen to poetry as he succumbed to his wounds. Some consider this exaggeration. Others insist his final moments echoed into the songs he loved.

When the still waters betrayed our people, Baroness Ale ordered the guard captain to stem the tide. The spear-wielding Olm-men swam across the great lake to the Island of Harvest and assailed our farms. The guard captain stationed his troops near the lower passage to guard the door. The Olms’ assaults were many, and they numbered in the hundreds. Dwarf fighters were dragged into the waters and drowned by the thrashing serpent-like Olm-men.

The gate could not be held. Soldiers retreated to the farms as workers rushed to plug holes in Tannokim’s defenses. The sudden onslaught could not be stopped. The southern shore of the Island of Harvest was marked by narrow tunnels. Traps had long ago been placed to keep intruders at bay. The Olm-men used every approach they could access to assail crops and attempt to climb into the city proper.

Their strategy was to lure dwarves in small packs and drown them. The entire war lasted only a few months.

“Olm-men slither, silent, secret, Their terror brought supplication, The dead drink cold water’s breath, The pale wyrms’ spear thrust, Farm soil, iron drinker, blood soaker, Tunnel of bones untold.”

Visitors to these tunnels today say the number of dead in such a small space is staggering. In some places, one must wade waist-deep through piles of bones. Journals of soldiers suggest the Tunnel of Bones originated from this war, deepening the mystery of the earlier spider poem.

In the time after the Olm-men war, but before the curse of Xim, many great works were built. The three-tiered library was constructed at great loss of life. Ghosts haunted its lower level until their spirits were laid to rest.

Silver, billon, and clay bricks paved the flooring and central stairwell of the grand chamber. Walkways crisscrossed and circled the middle level. Stone shelves lined the edges, filled with tomes and scrolls. Scholars worked at all hours, reading and debating.

“Dragon pit, egg of pearl, Tamed wyrm, famed fire, Brought low by cage of wood, Now given palace of stone.”

This poem relates to the construction of the dragon pit for Ral. Her place in the Vault was no more. The dwarves had tamed her and built her a chamber, though for what purpose is unclear.

Some journals claim Ral was allowed to walk freely and even tread the surface for a time. One mentions further desolation caused by her blue flame. All agree on one thing: for a few short weeks, the people of Tannokim shared their streets with a dragon. Ral remains one of the greatest mysteries in our research.

The Peppers of Work was built around the year 317. The early days of the tavern saw many strong warriors visit. They drank the brew and dined on meats, bringing stories from beyond the new fortress.

The discovery of a great cavern beneath the city caused strange creatures to ascend from the depths. Crundles posed little threat to the human and goblin monster slayers who called the Peppers home.

Xim Boarroasted was one such mercenary. She worshiped the Yellow, a god of death and misery. Her faith was frowned upon by the scarred dwarves, who had dealt with death worshipers before, so they delayed building a shrine for her.

Xim spent her days in the upper tavern, drinking and listening to stories. She complained constantly about the food, claiming no meal worth her time could be found within Tannokim. By the summer of 326, a chapel had finally been constructed for her to worship in.

“Shrine of death, Black as night, Defiled hand, Cursed delight.”

Xim was cursed by her god for her lack of faith. She knocked down the statues in her chapel and raged against her lot. In that moment, her god reached down with his hand of decay and touched her.

Xim became a creature of the night. Her curse was no secret, and she was quickly placed in chains. Witnesses claimed she was cursed before their eyes. The fortress locked Xim away for good, despite all the good she had done.

Another curse befell a dwarf named Atis. She became a shapeshifting beast, her were-form that of a buffalo. The curse was contagious. She too was chained below with the other calamities of Tannokim.

When the moon changes, she takes terrible form. Her visage becomes monstrous, and her bite spreads the affliction. The burdens of Tannokim grew each year.

Surface construction began in mid-326. By the end of 327, efforts were complete and the outer drawbridge stood. Tall walls of earthenware brick and chert surrounded the tunnel entrance. The courtyard beyond could house many troops.

The lands above were filled with dangers. Wildlife threatened the fortress. The fortifications were raised in part to defend against agitated elephant herds attacking the city. No army worth mentioning has ever marched on Tannokim, save perhaps the elephants.

The bridge is usually closed, and travelers find entry a matter of timing. Fortune be with you, traveler, for the taverns of Tannokim are legendary. Baroness Ale herself is often present.

Tannokim lacked access to valuable metals. Only tetrahedrite could be easily extracted. The discovery of gem clusters led craftdwarves to focus on jewelry and encrusting items with glittering stones. Amulets, rings, scepters, and cabinets became canvases for their work.

In the early days, raw gems were traded for survival goods, keeping supplies stocked. The upper mines began near the upper quarter. An open chamber was carved, with winding passages beyond. Two stone doors guarded the entrance.

Rail tracks for minecarts were carved into the floors, allowing quick transport of stone and ore. The depth of digging was approved by Queen Thob Uzolotung.

Earlier digging had been reckless. Ale’s approval to dig beyond the third cavern layer led to the discovery of magma chambers and cost the life of a seasoned miner. Queen Thob’s efforts were more fruitful. Many gem clusters and valuable stones were found, increasing Tannokim’s wealth.

Yet the new mines were maze-like. The labyrinth proved too dangerous even for the queen who ordered their creation. She was found deceased near the entrance, her death a mystery, as she had begun to rot by the time she was discovered.

“Queen of jewels, Thob Uzolotung, Tyrant of stone, devoured by bone,* Dark, dusty earth, Entombed, now no hearth.”

*Some translations say “throne,” though the connection to bone remains curious.