Talk With The King

Gohzrik was the first of his companions out of the bath. He dried quickly before donning his armor and weapons and approaching the King with a bow. When he speaks it is in a low voice and in his first tongue.

"Being in a city like this sure makes a dwarf miss his home. It has been awhile since I yearned to be back in my home city. You have a good place here."

He paused and looked the King in his eyes.

"Just to be clear with you, your majesty, you should know that you are not the first Dwarf I've met since coming to Barovia who bears the name Brokenchain. My companions and I met Badan Silverbeard Brokenchain in the town of Barovia along with Ireena and Izmark Kolyanavich. We assisted Badan in escorting the Kolyanavich's from Barovia to Vallaki. We all arrived safe and relatively unharmed. However, in Vallaki I saw a second dwarf in the stockades... set for execution in the morning. Badan told me it was his brother Gomar Gypsumaxe Brokenchain and I promised Badan I would set him free. The Baron's mansion burning down may have bought him some time... but time is of the essence. Before I join your hunt for this Red Drake.... please allow me to return to Vallaki and keep my promise."

The fire-red bearded dwarf king could have scarcely looked less like a king at that moment. The noble dwarven leader was mid process of laying out the last of the towels for the new guests and collecting old rags left from whomever had used the hot healing springs before this current party.

Turning to face the strange half kenku-half dwarf creature bowing before him, Ragtri Rustshard Brokenchain bowed in return. Until now the king had spoken only fluent and perfectly unaccented common tongue, but upon hearing Khuzdul the true speech of the dwarven realms, he replied in kind. "Sölurnar mínar eru salirnir þínir, skjöldur bróðir"[My halls are your halls, Shield brother]

He remains bowed until Gohzrik rises again, only then does he straighten back up. His speech reverts to common as he says with a somber look, "Our people have a home here. Such a thing is rare in these lands. You are always welcome."

Upon Gohzrik delivering his news, the king blinks once and asks in a calm tone in Khuzdul, (though Gohzrik being familiar with dwarven culture can see righteous indignation rising to a fever pitch and a fury scary to even imagine barely restrained burning behind the kings eyes), "You choose traveling companions well. The Kolyanavich's are among the few allies we have here. The fact that Badan is not here with you now can only mean she remains unsafe. He does not care for the surface world." He pauses, "Who else knows of Gomar's fate?"

"I appreciate the hospitality, your honor."

Gohzrik looked around suspiciously before responding to the King's question.

"You are the only one in this city I have told. If there are others who know of his fate, they do not know it from me."

He sighed.

"It pains me to say this... but Strahd has set his sight on Ireena. When we first met it looked as if his fangs had already bore into her neck. This is the reason why we escorted Ireena from the town of Barovia to Vallaki. While escorting the Kolyanavich brethren Strahd visited Ireena in spirit form, after scaling the ice wall we were set upon by Rahadin in Strahd's name. I fear that was his last attempt at playing nice. Until he gets his hands on Ireena... Badan and those who he protects will never be safe."

Ragtri considered the reply to his question quickly taking all of the information in, before answering in a hushed tone, "Say nothing of Gomar to anyone....nor of Badan." It is clear this answer pains the king by his facial expression.

"The oath Badan is upholding is an old one, and one that many among the League of Oath Keepers feel is no longer binding. The decision to send him to the surface was not a popular one, and many even now speak out against it. Badan alone was willing to honor the oath, and even he did so initally begrudgingly. I fear what the outcome will be if he does not return soon. The Oath Keepers have much political sway here--our people abandoning the few allies we have remaining is not a good omen." He sighs.

When the king speaks again however, his words are resolute and certain. "Gomar's absence was terribly unexpected. He has long been a voice of reason amongst our people. His seat on the Noir Ferrum council, and the fact that he is one of the most skilled Hammers of Moradin makes his position doubly important. He is well liked by even the most contrary of our kind. Between Gomar and Badan's current predicaments, you have the perfect storm. My kingdom thirsts for war and each passing day it seems they are given more reason for it to begin with the humans. From what my scouts tell me however-none of the cities of man are prepared. If we were to go to war, it would be a massacre on their end. If word of Gomar's slated execu--if that news were to get out...the fires of hell would be unleashed-Strahd be damned. But in so doing, we expose ourselves and we could not survive a war on multiple fronts, especially not with knowing that Strahd is Strahd and that he has a dragon on his beckoning call."

He bows his head and draws a deep breath, his words softening, "The truth is, both of my brothers being gone has put me in a difficult place. I am no politician or peacekeeper nor do I wish to be, those are the strengths of my brothers. I am a warrior-king. I am in my element on the field of battle. Mining beneath Strahd's fortress has gone on far longer than anyone could have predicted. The internal squabbles and political bickering do nothing but fuel derision and polarize the factions in my forces. If it weren't for the almost daily skirmishes we have in the mines with Strahds' defenses, I think the kingdom of Grimstone might have very well already torn itself apart. Were my brothers with me, we would be a truly unstoppable force, but alas."

King Brokenchain turns to look Gohzrik in the eye, "I would give anything to see Badan freed from his oath and Gomar safe and sound, but I am forced to hold fast here, to stem the fury of my kin when the very heart of me longs to lead them to war. I cannot even spare to send my soldiers with you for were I to do so, word would return of what has occurred with Gomar. But in response to your original plea, yes. We will hold off on hunting the dragon, and know that you return to Villaki with both my personal blessing and Moradin's favor. Save my brother and see my family returned and you will have my axe Ironblood.