Killian the Red Dwarven Weaponsmith

From the notes of Caarad Surestrider, submitted to Borrum Binbalik for his work "On the Bearers of Akasha"

Killian the Red is revered in Bryhn and the surrounding areas as one of the famed adepts who helped break up the slaving ring and Iopan insurgency efforts of Darvis Trollsbane. He, together with Dag, share a celebrity status akin to the famed arena champions in Travar. His tenure with the Bearers, albeit it short, was important and rife with controversy. That controversy centered around his apprentice, a captured ork soldier Killian reNamed Boy. The dispute of the issue grew so intense between the dwarf and Rokk Krinn, that Killian left the group in the middle of the Blood Wood.

I met with Killian at A Touch of Spirits in Bryhn, the tavern made famous by its association with the original Bryhn adepts. The dwarf was pure mountain breed. Stocky, with a large, bushy beard, and hard facial features that gave him the appearance of being chiseled out of stone. What seperated Killian from everyone else though was the manner of his apparel. He was dressed in clothes of Scythian fashion. On his back was strapped a fearsome battle axe. On his left side, attached by an iron belt and leather shoulder strap, was a small keg of ale. On his right, hung like a dagger or sword, was an ornate stein of great size. Killian made his way over to me, and ordered an ale for himself and me. After a few words concerning the work and news about the Bearers, Killian began to discuss himself and his association with the Bearers of Akasha.

"Well, my friend, I suppose I might as well begin discussing what brought you all the way here. Me. Not a bad topic, if I do say say so myself. My favorite one in fact. Excuse me, I need to order another ale really quick. Bartender, ale! I suppose you must wonder why I am ordering tavern ales given my accouterments. I like to conserve my own supply naturally, and have learned to take advantage of opportunities to partake of other people's fine efforts at brewing. Anyways, where was I?"

"Ah, that's right. Me. As you can see, I am a dwarf of great lineage. My ancestors come from the Scythian Mountains. They were a proud people from a proud kingdom. And, as you can well imagine, I come from an intellegent line as well seeing as they were smart enough to enter a kaer before the Scourge began. But, that's neither here nor there. Hmm, perhaps another ale would do me good..."

"...ahh, that's better. So, my people still live in the region. My father was a weaponsmith, and I naturally followed in his footsteps. But, you see, this was a dwarven village. Every other dwarf father and son were weaponsmiths. So, when I had learned my craft well enough, I struck out on my own. Eventually, I ended up in Bryhn which was in need of a good smithy. It was then that I met up with my old drinking companions Blue, Gort, Chamberlain and Dag. Of course, Dag is the only one left besides me now. I am still shocked about Gort and Chamberlain. I always pictured trolls and obsidimen being tougher than that. Can't say Blue's death comes as a surprise. Can't expect too much out of a man who prefers elven wine to a fine dwarven ale. Speaking of ale, would you like one? No? I would. Wench, over here!"

"I can't stand orks, you know. Back in my village, we were always dealing with scorchers and the like. Oh, I know there must be orks out there who are decent fellows but I have yet to meet them. And of all the orks I have met, Darvis Trollsbane was the epitome of all I hated in them. When it turned out he had betrayed Bryhn and us, I made it my mission to destroy him. Turns out some Horror or whatnot Named the Corinthian got to him before I did. At least he died badly. That's what counts, I suppose. By the time that happened, though, I had already left Gort and the others. They had fallen into some bad company. A couple of bounty hunters and a really annoying elf woman. Of course, they Named their group after the elf woman so I guess she must have had some positive qualities underneath the bitch exterior. Bah! Talking about such things makes me thirsty. Woman, an ale!"

"I must seem rather boorish and overly critical to you. Truth is, I am still abit angered over my departure from the group. Gort, Chamberlain and Blue were good friends. By the time I rejoined after being seperated by Trollsbane's ambush, they had joined forces with the bounty hunters and the elf. It was obvious to me that they were in it for the long haul and by then, I had lost any interest in going to Throal. After days of arguing with the newcomers about my apprentice, I realized that the only solution was for me to go after Trollsbane myself. What gets me angry is that because of that ork and elfmaiden's foolish notions about Boy, I was not there to help defend Gort and Chamberlain who both died right after I left. I know that I would have saved them had I been there. Depressing. I need a drink. Ale!"

"Since then, I have been busy forging weapons for Bryhn and the neighboring villages as well as training Boy. I must say, he is an excellent student. There are times when I almost forget he is an ork, as well. On occasion, I've sortied out with Dag and others to get my share of combat. That's always good for a lark. Well, I imagine you'll be wanting to speak to Boy. He's busy over the next few days. Training and all, you know. Don't worry, though. I know he is looking foward to speaking with you. Anyway, back to the forge. One more ale for the road, though. Thank you for the drinks, friend!"

I was busily transcribing the end of his comments, so I gave an absentminded nod of my head. It wasn't until I wrote "Thank you for the drinks, friend" that I realized what he had meant. I looked up in time to see Killian leaving the tavern with a new tankard of ale. As the serving girl looked at me expectantly, I stared sullenly at the army of empty tankards in front of me.

The Significant Side Adventure of Killian the Red

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Last Updated 06/19/98 by Paul

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