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"Alone we are rocks, united we stand with the strength of a mountain." ~ Ulfer Knalgan.
[This is the initial backstory, it is written so the lore of the clan can endure, and added upon as the clan progresses with age... much room for imagination, and roleplaying opportunities (within the PS settings/world.) We plan to have several tomes based on The Brethrens History.]
Tired. Weary. Hungry. Dragging of foot. Bent of back. Thus were the dwarfs who emerged from the doom of the darkness after the flight from the Stone Labyrinths.
I would know, fer I was one of them.
Baruden Etewack, Glaven Wellington, Bakin Fundison, Kuchare Lenang un’ myself Ulfer Knalgan hobbled into Hydlaa, a sorry lot of refugees we were. Bakin bled from the wound on his leg, his slashed limb no equal fer the leagues of miles we had traveled. Barudens back was stooped, his beard skirting along the floor. Glaven remained clutched in my hand, its hunken weight making numb the muscles in my arm. Kuchare... nay a hint of what thoughts collected in his mind. He had spoken n'ear at all since the Brethren had fallen against the terrors of the tunnels.
Entered the city we did, where many a guard directed us to the great plaza where other travellers were housed on cots un' blankets. Wi'h weary strides we stumbled down the steps to the fountain, looking fer a place to collapse upon our bedrolls un’ finally, blissfully, find the peace of sleep. But a fussy un' fraught Ylian stepped in our path un' demanded we gave our names, which he scribed into a leather-bound tome.
"Take what space there is, as you can see... accommodations are full, so you'll have to make do."
It was a hard task to find empty space in the plaza, fer many bodies were huddled together from all corners of Yliakum - many unfamiliar ones too! Nai fer the first time, I wondered if we had blundered by not following the others out that day, perhaps it would have been a far better ending than the sad un' somber image of a group of dwarfs yielding to injuries.
We lay down our gear next to a Klyros who went to Bakins side to lighten the suffering. Un’ while we longed to tumble to the stone floor un’ get our first rest in weeks, a duty remained still. I opened the iron-bound chest thet contained the Bloodstone relics, un’ from wi’hin I pulled out the Codex of Stone, insignia emblazoned upon it. I handed it to Baruden, whose back straightened un 'whose brow furrowed as he scanned the pages.
“Many will come. Nay worry, Sovereign.”
His final word froze my breath, un’ I managed a weak nod before turning away. “Sovereign,” Baruden said. A rock on my shoulders it was, a weight I was nai ready to carry un’ nai wanted to have. Spoken aloud, it staked certain truths ignored since the long journey. Such thoughts kept me awake long after the torches dimmed in the city. Yet as I gazed upon my companions un', one by one, watched them fall into slumber, comfort was found in the certainty of duty. Duty to my kin, my clan, myself. Duty to Bloodstone. I joined them in sleep.
How long we rested I know nai, but I was first to arise many hours later. I found a small grin, the first in weeks, as I looked at Kuchare, snoring, only matched by the noise of a thunderclacker, drowning out the murmuring from the other gathered people. I pulled on my boots un’ meandered throughout the plaza in search of provisions, fer I suspected my kin would soon awake wi’h a rumbling in their bellies to match my own.
It was then thet the main gates swung open, at thet very day it began. A slow trickle became a steady stream, became a river, until wave after wave of travelers came through Hydlaa. As each person came into sight, we would look wi’h hope of spotting some of our kin. In those moments I vowed to protect clan leadership, I had placed destruction un’ survival on the scales; survival proved the heavier.
“There be more who survived, or many who wish to join our cause. Many more. Bloodstone clan remains open to them!”
Un’ the words ring true. Fer those who survived the battle un’ escaped wi’h their beards, they have heard the call un’ rallied to our banner once more. Distant blood un’ kin have also found us in Hydlaa. Many are those who answered the call of our ancestors un’ arrived at the gates bearing the mark of a warrior, ready to take up arms in the name of our clan, our kin, our race.
Fallen to me it has to write this epoch of our clan’s lore, yet I leave empty space at the bottom of the parchment. This part of our history is nai complete, fer there are many deeds un’ tales yet to come. From this moment ferward, we rebuild, repair, resupply, un’ reload. When the Lore Master who follows me takes up the quill, this chapter shall nai be of defeat, or of woe, or of despair. It shall be ripe wi’h tales of victory, of valour, of decimation of the accursed that drove us from the tunnels.
We, my fellow Dwarfs of Bloodstone, shall write this chapter together.
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OOC:
The Bloodstone Brethren is a Dwarf clan with the primary objective to provide the members with a solid community of like-minded friends aimed at becoming a great Dwarf Clan for all types of players. Brethren's founded on role playing but needless to say, it offers something for everyone - equal emphasis on both roleplaying and the PvP aspects.
As a clan, it is about its kinsmen, given our previous experiences of community games, a Clan where the members are altruistic and thinks not what others can do for them but what they can do for others benefits everyone in the long-run. We will therefore expect all players to undertake their responsibilities towards each other and to the clan. Our main ambition is that the Bloodstone Clan will be a rewarding clan with a large number of friendly and active players who have a great time together. Our secondary ambition is that we the Bloodstone Clan will be a great Dwarf force, respected and known throughout Yliakum.
Becoming an Oath Taker will require the average player to dedicate about 2-4 days to the entire tasking process (minus the week activity requirement). Some Dwarfs might roll their eyes at that prospect, and that’s okay, because if that seems like too much effort to put forth in the coming days, there’s a good chance that The Bloodstone Brethren isn't for you. Remember, the Oath Taker initiation phase exists in order for you to get to know us, and for us to get to know you.
For those who feel that the clan’s philosophies don’t quite match up with your own, there are no hard feelings if you wish to move on to another guild. We wish you all the best.
For those who are willing to put the effort into becoming a member of The Brethren, then your future with us will be fraught with danger, excitement, large kegs of beer, and more tefu-smashin' and clacker-crushin' fun than ought to be legal!
For more information, contact myself or one of our Elders in game.
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Oath Taker: All Bloodstones have a rigid sense of honour that is centered upon a bond or promise. Oath-takers must swear a solemn and sacred oath to abide by and respect the Codex of Stone. Oaths are of special importance for The Brethren and will therefore place great significance on the actual fulfillment of this Oath.
Blacksmith: Bloodstones have a great reverence for old things, valuing them for their memories and associations. A skilled Dwarf craftsman reveres great pride in their work and so lives on through it and forms a tangible connection to the past. The preservation and continuing use of such an item is a form of respect and veneration for its creator.
Lore Master: Hoarding wealth is the greatest passion among Bloodstones They are a steadfast race and work hard for their riches and possessions. Rare and valuable items are passed down through generation to generation and so a Clans treasury is held most dear, as it is both a source of wealth and a bond formed between kin. No Bloodstone feels secure unless their treasure hoard is heaped high enough for them to sit on!
Metallurgist: Dwarfs are the greatest miners and tunnelers in Yliakum, they delve deep beneath the surface for metals, precious gems, and whatever other mineral wealth buried in the depths. These raw materials are tended in furnaces to form perfect stocks, ready for use by craftsmen.
Warrior: The Dwarfs have always been famed for their sturdiness of build, and the Warriors are a testament to their kin. A Warrior is a master of combat and their duty is to hold a battle line, and to take a heavy toll on those who try to break it. As the line marches forward, they act to secure its hard-won advance, for Warriors can hold a patch of earth with the single-minded tenacity of an oak.
Guardian: Guardians are the elite of The Brethrens Warriors and are selected from the bravest and most aggressive Dwarfs to serve as the Bloodstone's most elite guards. The Guardian is an embodiment of endurance and is characterized by sheer stubbornness and refusal to go down even under the heaviest of blows. It is said that there are few warriors in Yliakum who can boast they are as tough as a Guardian, and none that can prove it.
Cleric: The Brethren are a very religious clan, giving praise to both their patron God, Laanx, as well as respect for their own departed dead. Though the time of Laanx walking among them is long over, the effect it had upon the Brethren is profound. The teachings of Laanx had given rise and influenced Bloodstone lifestyle. While every Bloodstone worships Laanx, like religions elsewhere in Yliakum there are priests who tend to the cares of the people and ensure the teachings of their religion are never forgotten.
Elder: Dwarfs live to a very grand age. The relative length and fullness of a Dwarf's beard indicate how old and wise he is - hence, Dwarfs are immensely proud of their beards and never cut or trim them. Whatever they are doing, if Brethren's are in any doubt as to how to proceed, they look to the Dwarf with the longest beard to tell them what to do. He provides what is invariably the wisest solution.