A dwarven wedding!

Pharast 12, 4713

While the Cooper sisters and their allies were negotiating with the Dark Lady, Thorne was also busy gather information by talking to some of Red Larch's denizens. Over the course of a few weeks, he discovers pieces of a puzzle about the dwarven kingdom of Besilmer, and he heads to the Allsfaith Shrine to consult their extensive library and do further research. After looking at several old and musty tomes, Thorne assembles a clear picture of an important dwarven temple built by the dwarves of Belsimer to celebrate nature.

Carved out of a mountain, the place known as the Shrine of the Tender Oath served as a contemplative temple where every dwarven deity could be worshipped, but where specially dedicated to rest, healing, meditation, and prayer. Nestled between two cascading waterfalls that flowed through the northeast Sumber Hills and from there into the Dessarin River, the area was known as the Vale of Dancing Waters. The fall of Tyar-Besil, the last dwarven city of Besilmer, severed the last link between the Shrine and those who built it, but the building and its dwarven monks endured for centuries, pursuing their contemplative ways. To this day, it is rumored that dwarven monks continue to worship in this otherwise secluded temple. More importantly, several texts mention that the Shrine of the Tender Oath may be connected through a system of tunnels to Tyar-Besil itself.

Consulting old maps, Thorne is fairly certain he has ascertained the location of the Shrine of the Tender Oath. A set of runes on two large stones will indicate the presence of a staircase others will miss. Armed with these directions, Thorne awaits the return of his sisters.


Pharast 15, 4713

The Coopers return from their encounter with the Dark Lady, and while Daryle, Dhukhean and Ruddy retire for the night, Thorne approaches Darelle, his favorite sister. He lays out the information he discovered in front of her, and asks if she'd be willing to go explore with him to see if there is indeed a link between the Shrine of the Tender Oath and Tyar-Besil. Thorne tells her he'd like to present these findings to Dhukhean after they are certain it is in fact true, so as not to go on a wild goose chase. Darelle has misgivings, but she senses that Thorne will go without her, so she agrees to accompany him. Thorne tells her that Naga and Earl will also be coming with them on what he expects to be a short quest. That very night, they head out on the cloud.


Pharast 16, 4713

Favorable winds propulse the cloud to a spot Thorne has identified as the most likely path to lead the party to the stone markers. They begin trekking through the snow, and after about an hour the rogue finds a faint dwarven rune on a stone by the path, with another one three feet away. As he looks, a staircase emerge from the side of the cliff next to the path.

The Coopers follow the staircase for over a thousand steps before it levels off. The path continues, but Darelle spots a small line in the snow indicating a trip wire. She follows the line and sees that the entire cliff face has been rigged to fall. The Coopers avoid the trap, and continue on. After another fifteen minutes of climbing, they reach a large flat area leading to three steps. All of them are awed by the magnificent dwarven stonework surrounded by large cascades of frozen water covered in ice. Two large statues of Moradin flank the entryway, which is guarded by two dwarves wearing ceremonial full plates and wielding halberds.

Inquiries with the dwarves indicate that this is indeed the Shrine of Tender Oaths, but the dwarves are confused as to why the Coopers are here. They finally ask if the Coopers are planning to attend the wedding. Thorne replies in the affirmative, so the priestess is sent for. She arrives a few instants later, and introduces herself as Ingrard, head of the Shrine. She thanks the Coopers for arriving, and tells them the ceremony is about to start.

In the main chamber the party comes upon six dwarves, three to a side and separated by a small fountain, all of them wearing armor and armed with heavy weapons. The priestess herself stands in front of a bride and groom, who seem very much happy. The rest of the dwarves seem very unhappy to be here.

As the wedding ceremony proceeds, the Coopers can feel the tension in the room is about to boil over, but soon the bride and groom are pronounced man and wife. The wedding feast follows, with tensions so high a knife could cut it. The Coopers talk with the monks, and discover that the wedding party arrived three days ago unexpectedly. There isn't enough food in the pantry to feed everyone, and the monks are upset at this lack of decorum. The Coopers use this occasion to explore this area of the Shrine but do not find a secret passage heading down.

Ingrard joins the Coopers at their table. Thorne discusses with her the recent happenings in the Dessarin Valley and the presence of the four cults. She is astonished that cultists seek to acquire dwarven blood, but it does not surprise her as the monks and herself have seen strange happenings around the Shrine. Darelle tells her they met with a drow in the last week, and there might be a connection there with the old Tyar-Besil. Thorne asks her why the two dwarven families are angry at each other. Ingrard tells them there was a betrayal many generations ago, and dwarves enjoy keeping grudges alive. The two lovebirds were able to overlook their differences, but their families can't seem to let it go. Thorne asks the priestess if they can explore the rest of the temple, and she readily grants the Coopers permission to explore the rest of the Shrine.

In the Hall of Vows, where the ceremony took place earlier, Darelle notices that the lifelike relief contains a very real great axe. She removes it from the wall. Walking up a set of stairs, they find themselves in a small temple, with dim rays of light from the falling sun illuminating a small stone altar. The Coopers examine the room and discover a secret door, but it appears impossible to open. Darelle figures out that placing the great axe triggers the opening, and Thorne is the first one down the staircase that has been revealed. The presence of dust indicates that no one has used this secret passage in eons.

The noise made by the opening of the secret door alerted one of the dwarf parties, however, and the Coopers find themselves violently confronted by the groom's family, who look very eager to explore this passage. As a battle erupts, the dwarves cause some trouble for the Coopers, but the sounds of people confronting each other also draws in the other family, and it immediately turns into a free for all. Naga lands several massive blows, while Earl finds himself disabled. He takes shelter in the secret passage before Darelle removes the great axe from the altar, a gesture that doesn't go unnoticed by the dwarves.

After much difficulty, the Coopers emerge triumphant from the battle, just as Ingrard and her monk guards arrive. Thorne wisely decides to keep their discovery of a staircase down to Tyar-Besil a secret for now, but he relates their encounter with the dwarves. The newlyweds shed a few tears over the death of their kinsmen, but quickly get over it.

Now that they know how to get down to the old dwarven city, the Coopers bid goodbye to the dwarven monks but promise to return visit soon and bring further news from the outside. They head head back to Red Larch to inform Dhukhean and the rest of the party of their discovery.