Word of a new God spreads

[Umpapa]

For those of you who want to skip ahead here are the basics of this god.

Name: Kaaral Thunder Hammer
Race: Deity
Sphere of influence: Rules over the Craft of Smithing and metalworking.
Kaaral symbol: two crossed hammers. One is a silver war hammer and the other is a black smiths hammer.
The God?s Alignment is: unknown.  
The alignment of his followers: Open.  Kaaral\'s worshipers tend to more of the lawful or neutral type. Focusing less on the world and more on their craft.
Physical description: Kaaral has been described somewhat different by each race.  Most tend to see him as a stout version of their own race.  He has fiery red hair and eyes that gleam a bright green when he is at work at any forge. In battle he is almost always clad fully in ornate plate armor.  When he is at a forge he is most often seen wearing the common clothes of his fellow smiths.  Indeed many times in the legends that have told of his appearances.   It turns out that he has been living among a group of people and has been helping then as a smith for many years.  Most the time he will be a teacher spreading the knowledge of smithing or metalworking.

Know Items or magic that he has employed:  Unlike the crystal seekers of other religions, the priest of Kaaral are almost non magical.  The only field of magic that they have been known to excel at are Red (Fire) and Crystal (Healing).  In battle Kaaral was never recorded as using magic but a few times.  Instead he relies on the power of the relics he forges and the wards that are embedded on them.  
The Hammers he uses are:
Rage the soul Cleaver: This Silver War Hammer Calls on the very power of the god himself.  The weapon when struck against any forged item will shatter the item instantly.  Kaaral has given the knowledge of the forge and his hammer can reclaim it.  This item has never been given to any of his followers to use. It?s power can only used by the god himself.
Wisdom the Forger: This Blacks Smiths hammer looks fairly ordinary except for the fine layer of soot that seems to always be on it.  This hammer has the ability upon command of the wielder to summon great clouds of soot and ash that can engulf an entire battlefield.  The soot is so thick that the victims cannot see or breathe.  This hammer can also upon command allow the user to bend and shape metals to his will.
Soul Plate: This is the armor worn by Kaaral is said to be one of the finest armors ever forged.  This armor offers its wearer almost total protection from any blow or weapon that would seek to harm them( If the opponent would normally deal damage, he has only a 5% chance to deal damage).  The armor will not transfer any heat nor retain the heat.  The armor appears to have a mirror finish.

*In the past the god has made 2 other suits that where lesser versions of this armor. Legend has it that one suit is dark blood red and was given to a vampire lord who had been a great smith in life.  The vampire so loved the craft of metal working that Kaaral allowed him to continue the craft even into his undeath. He became the only known undead smith.  The other was a gift to an unknown dwarven King.

[Umpapa]

?Now the time comes young apprentices. gather around close. My old bones are brittle and my voice is harsh from the long years working over the forge.? Black soot, ash, and some burns covered his clothes. The old Black smith grinned.

He began to speak in a formal manner. ?For those that don?t know me yet.. I am Jacob Dredgestone. I will be your teacher, your master for your craft and if your lucky you guide along the way of the Two Hammers.? With the last comment came an unsettling rush of excitement from the young crowd. ?For now you can call me Master Jacob.? Jacob then settled down on an old worn stump. Next to him was his ancient but well kept forge that took up almost half his shop
Jacob cleared his throat and then spoke \"Who can if any of ye tell me the name of the two hammers of our god?\" A rather young gangly boy about 12 years of age stood very fast. Before he could stop himself he had blurted out ?RAGE and Wisdom!? He said the names so fast that his voice sounded almost like a squeal. There was a long moment of anticipation as Jacob stared at the boy. Jacob said ?.. One more time and correctly this time.? The boy repeated more slowly this time and with reverence ?The sacred hammers of Kaaral are Rage the Soul Cleaver and Wisdom the craft forger.? The old Blacksmith smiled trying had to fight back a grin. The Blacksmith said \"Your an eager one aren?t ye lad. You are correct of course lad, but then you\'ve been hearing stories of the Two Hammers for many years now. From the time you could walk your father has brought you to this forge with him. I myself remember teaching your father the craft and the ways.\" Jacob motioned for the boy to take his seat again.

Jacob then grew very silent. A long moment passed during which you could hear the crackling from the forge fires and the far off sound of a smiths? rhythmic beating on a horseshoe. Jacobs eyes glazed of over for only a second but that second seemed like for ever for the old blacksmith.
To him he was back on the fields of Branford. He was leading his scout patrol over the north ridge. His ragtag group was formed from the local villages best. There was Tom the old merchant. Tom was on the larger side and he never missed a meal. Then there was Crauford the local artisan that could work wonders with some paints and a canvas. But only hours before this very mission Jacob had caught him pretending to sword fight with a wooden post. To Jacob?s utter horror Crauford lost. Out of the group of three, only he could hold a sword or hammer fairly close to the correct way.
As Jacob rounded the old granite boulder that set on the hilltop, his heart sank and he was suddenly over come by a sense of dread. There before him in the valley below was an army. There were many symbols and colors, but through it all they still seemed to maintain the traditional colors of red and black. Jacob knew these colors all to well. Just three years earlier he was one of them. These men are the Mercenaries of a somewhat evil Octarch named Dallan. The question burned in his head why are they assembled here in these lands? What could the Octarch want so bad that he would send so many mercenaries here for? He scratched his head and then it came to him. Jared?s discovery, it had to be. Jarred was the town?s armor smith. He had been working late at the forge, crafting some items for the local temple. Then as the Jarred had explained to Jacob ?I noticed some thing there in the of the coals of the forge. At first I thought it nothing more that some apprentices project that had slipped in. Upon closer inspection I could make it out to be a rather large item. I pulled it from the coals with some tongs.? Then he had said with a pale stare of wonder as if he held it now before him. ?Jacob before me was this beautiful breastplate. It was brightly polished and had this unearthly aura that surrounded it. This was not an ordinary breast plate, it was part of the armor of Kaaral Thunder Hammer!!? he had told me all the while trembling and with tears in his eyes as if he had seen a ghost. Jarred had sent word to the temple but that had been three weeks ago and no response had came back. How had the Octarch found out about the armor, what was his plans to obtain it? Jacob new that if the Octarch had sent in mercenaries and not his own troops, the Octarch meant to take the armor by force if needed or worse. By using the mercenaries the Octarch could avoid an inquiry from the other Octarchs by simply saying that the troops had acted on their own and he had not knowledge of it.
Jacob quickly signaled for his scouting party to gather around the rock and stay low, less they be silhouetted against the night sky.
He had to get back to warn the others. They were sent out to investigate reports of a couple of random farms being raided by bandits. But Jacob knew that by the lump in his throat and tingling running up his back, that this mission had just taken on a new and even more deadly twist. Not only for him, but ever one that they held dear. He had to get himself and his men back to safety and sound the alarm for the village to evacuate their homes and farms. Their only hope would be to head to the mountain strong hold of their dwarven allies. The Long beards were a proud group of dwarves lead by their chieftain Dorli Ironboot. Jacob knew that some times the dwarves could be stubborn and not want to be caught up in something that they may have perceived as ?not there fight.? Jacob sent his men back one by one scurrying along the wood line just far enough into the woods that they had no silhouette against the night sky and the darkness would help conceal them further. This would not be an ordinary homecoming after all.

[Umpapa]

Jacob and the others seemed to feel the impeding threat of the mercenaries at their heels.  It drove them faster and faster until they where eventually at a full sprint. They could see the edge of the village ahead. The farmers fields where vast and completely surrounded the village.  Once they reached the fields they slowed down.  Their breathing was heavy and hard to control, but they tried as best they could.  They had to reach the center of the village and inform Jarred of the mercenaries.  The village had large oak trees surrounding the main cluster of homes and businesses that made up the center of town.  Now they could finally see the large oaks and they where just starting to feel a little comfort. Crauford stopped and garbed Jacobs cloak.  Jacob half choking managed to shout at Crauford ?What in the name of the lower levels are you doing, besides trying to kill me!!! Don?t you know every minute counts?? Crauford didn?t say a thing he just pointed in the bushes. By this time Tom had run up to them.  Tom was about to say something between breaths. Jacob cut him short by placing his finger in front of his mouth and making a shhh sound.  Jacob then pointed to the same bush that Crauford had.  In the bushes Jacob had just managed to make out the form of a kran just setting there. Though from the looks he had not died long ago. They approached the kran and were even more shocked to see that he was dead. There was a deep wound bigger than a mans fist in its chest and about 3 inches deep. Next to the kran was the body of two of the local farmers.  Jacobs?s instincts took over.  He told the other two to search the kran for armor, weapons or anything they could use.  He then thought to himself what could have done this to a kran. Surely not the farmers, their rakes lay broke in pieces. Jacob looked around to see if there was a clue as to what was going on. Though krans where common across the land, most never came to the surface during the daylight hours. The light from the crystals annoys them. He found himself talking under his breath ?what could have brought this one here and why was it dead??  Tom hearing this shuddered and then said ?Jacob, I don?t think we are alone here in the village.  I think you know all to well what I mean.?
Crauford then spoke up ?I hate to interrupt you two but we need to find out if there are anymore mercenaries in the town. Now snap out of it and lets get to Jarred?  
Crauford handed Tom a crude looking tabard that had the markings of the mercenaries on it.  Then he said, ?This is all the kran had on him. I guess they are not known for carrying a lot of weapons. With this said, the trio headed back out to the road and continued into the town.
     Once the reached the house of Jarred they knocked loudly. Jacob told the other two to run ahead and spread word of the mercenaries. He said to tell everyone to prepare to leave the village.  Jarred came to the door covered in soot and ash, as was his traditional for him.   He looked at Jacob with concern.  ?Jacob are you alright my boy?? He asked. ?NO, NO I am not!  There is an army outside the village and I am guessing they come to take your new armor piece that you found.?  Jared?s eye?s filled with concern and worry. He then said ?quickly we must warn the town and get the people to the dwarven stronghold.?  Jacob quickly said, ?I have Tom and Crauford already doing that.?  We need to get that armor out of the village and in a safe place before they can get to it.  It is more important than any of us. It is the armor of our God.?  Jarred shook his head and placed a hand on Jacobs shoulders then said ?Listen to me Jacob son of Balltoc, who was son of Tonder. There is no item in this whole village or any other, that is more important than the people of this fine village. Have we not spent all these passing years as friends, more importantly as a family.? Jacob was about to answer Jarred when the older smith stopped him.  Jarred finished, ?Yes, I want you to take the villagers, as fast as you can to the stronghold.  I trust you and you alone with this task.? With his he pulled a small pouch out of his pocket and handed it to Jacob.  ?Take this and when you reach the stronghold show this to the master smith there and he will know what to do.?  Jacob managed to get a word in ?Jarred I will do this, but why do you speak this way? Why don?t you give it to the master smith yourself?  Your path lies with us as a family.?  Jarred shook his head and said in a eerie voice that Jacob had never heard before ?This day that Octarch has gone to far, he has claimed the life of some of my family he has sent his mercenaries to claim that which is not his.  He and I shall have a few words.?
Jacob felt a new feeling he had never felt before in the presence of Jarred. He was not sure but some how Jarred was different. He had learned far more from this man in the past three years than he had ever learned from all the other smiths he had met during his entire life.  But still he had never seen Jarred as he did now and it startled him.

[Umpapa]

Jacob?s thoughts where suddenly shattered when he heard the War horns start to sound.  He knew this would not be good. He hugged his friend a long and hardy hug one last time.  He said ?Jarred until the two hammers brings our paths together again I bid the not farewell. But I bid the good fortune and my your forge fire always burn bright.?  Jarred said ?Go now, you will carry this village to safety.  Do not stop and do not turn back, keep going until every man, woman and child are safely behind the dwarven walls. With this said Jacob ran to the village and started to gather all the confused and scared villagers.  He could see that most had never seen or lived through battles or wars.  They where now scared and needed a leader.  Jacob, now filled with a new sense of self-confidence, climbed the large platform that was in the center of town.  He yelled with all the power he could muster ?Good people listen to me, I have been given charge by our village elder Jarred to lead you all to the dwarven stronghold where it is safe.  Go now and quickly gather your family. Don?t bring any other items but food or water. Head north out of the village, there is a mercenary army that comes for our village from the south. Now go!!!!?
Jacob then leaped off the platform and ran north along the rode.   Along the way he noticed an elderly woman he knew as Lauran.  She was struggling trying to carry her granddaughter and her grandson.   Their parents had been killed by a horrible accident at one of the lakes only a year ago. Now she was raising them both.  She was late into her age and could barely carry them.  Jacob quickly noticed that Tom had taken the liberty of preparing his wagon and had been busy loading supplies the villagers would need to survive.  Jacob quickly picked up all three, Laura and her grandchildren. He then ran them to the wagon.  There was just enough room for them in the back of the wagon.  Jacob set them there gently and turned to see Tom staring at him with an angry look. Before Tom could say a thing Jacob scolded him with a menacing stare.  Tom knowing that Jacob would not back down from this just dropped the supplies that he had in his arms.  Tom said ?Bahh.. Jacob we needed those supplies but we will make do.? Tom quickly ran to the front of the wagon grabbed the handle and was underway.  Jacob scurried to and fro in the village helping where he could.  He then noticed that Jared?s door to his smith shop was flung wide open and there was a black smoke coming from within the shop.  Jacob ran to the shop door not knowing what Jared?s was, or what he really planned to do to the Octarch. As Jacob entered the shop he felt a great heat over come him. There at the forge was Jarred putting on the last piece of armor to complete the most amazing armor that he had ever seen.  It shined as though it had its own light coming from it.  Every piece of armor was so intricately detailed with wards and other mystical engravings that it made Jacobs head. He thought for a second of the amount of labor and time that it must have taken to make. He then noticed strapped to one hip was a silver war hammer that was just as intricately inscribed as the armor.  Finally Jarred looked around and reached for one of his shop hammers a particularly old one.  It was rusted and covered in soot and ash.  Jarred looked across the room at Jacob and spoke.  This voice was not Jared?s voice. This voice was pure power and very angry.  The voice said, ?Jacob, I told you to leave! Now leave with utmost haste!!!? The forces of the words themselves were enough to shake Jacobs feet from the ground.  Jacob knew in an instant that all those nights, the friendship and training had been more that what he had perceived.  He was one of the lucky few that had the honor of calling a GOD friend.  Jacob with a tear in his eye and voice shaken said ?yes, Kaaral Thunder Hammer as you wish my lord and master? He then ran with all the speed he could muster to the north. He would easily catch up with his villagers.  Off he ran out of the village and down the path.
 The mercenaries had been entering the village slowly. Waiting for a sign from their advance scout.  But no signal has come, no signal of any type.  This did not bode well at all. Not much of anything could harm a kran, especially not this kran. Captain Puold had personally chosen this scout. Well if the villagers where lucky enough to have captured him that would soon be corrected or maybe it was the other way around.  Maybe they had not encountered any villagers as of yet because his lone scout had captured the entire village. He laughed at this thought, it was not entirely impossible.  He ordered his men to proceed into the village with caution, and to search all the outlying farms before entering the village square. The crystals light was still bright and the wind had stopped when the mercenaries reached the village square. It was all to quite for the mercenaries captains liking.  A scout ran up to report, ?Captain Puold, We have not found a single person. It is as if they knew we where coming.?  Puold did not like this one bit. The Octarch would not be kind to him for this failure. Puold slammed his mailed fist down upon a near by rail snapping with a loud noise.
  From across the way out of Jared?s smith shop the black smoke once more billowed out from the open doors.  One of the corporals noticing this shouted for several of his men to investigate what was on fire. As the group of four men entered the doors a very loud thud was heard. Out came the bodies of the four men and the kran. Captain Puold was shocked for a second. He then shouted for his men to surround the shop.  The shop was a stout old two-story building made of ancient woods.  No other entrance or exit was found except for the two large doors. Smoke started to bellow out more and more.  A huge spray of coals came flying out upon the ground and then several more.  Now the area outside the doors was covered with hot coals.  Captain Puold shouted, ?I will not be stopped by a smith and a bucket of coals!? Now Angered Puold motioned for his men to move in.  There was a pause and then came an eerie voice from within the shop. ?Puold, do you really want to do this. Your master seeks something that does not belong to him.  You are just a pawn in this, thus I will give you a chance to take your men and leave this village.?  By now Captain Puold was beside himself with rage.  He shouted ?I will not be stopped from my mission by some parlor wizard and his tricks. Men move in and kill who ever is in there.  Bring me the breast plate that was reported to be here!?  Several men ran in, then moments later they came back out coughing and choking. The young corporal that led them in reported ?Captain we searched in there and could not see anyone.  That forge is pouring smoke out.? Puold responded ?Well trickster if you wont come out, then we will just burn down the place with you in it and collect what we want from the ashes.? With a wave of his hand the shop was set on fire. There was silence not a word spoken or sound made just the sounds of the shop being consumed by flame.  Puold said at last ?Well for a trickster he died quietly!? The Puold laughed uncontrollably.   With the smoke still thick from the flames the light from the crystal was starting to dim.  It had been over an hour since the shop had collapsed on itself in the flames.  Slowly at first there came a tapping sound, one that was familiar like the taping of a smiths hammer on an anvil.  It was weak at first then stronger and stronger until it was an almost deafening pounding to all those in the village.  Men were falling to the ground grasping their ears to stop the pain.  Then as it stopped, for several minutes there was only silence and the voice was there again, but more forceful and with a since of power behind it this time.  ?You have been given your chance to leave and you did not.  You have burned my shop to the ground and once more you have driven my people from their village. You will not pay with your lives!?  Faster than the winds a thick, black smoke poured forth from the remains of the shop.  This black cloud easily overtook everyone in the village.  It was so thick, and blinding. At first only the sound of gagging and coughing men could be heard through the pitch black.  Then it came like the slaughtering of cattle.  The sounds of metal being crushed, cracking bones, and the most horrible screams of death.  No one could tell which way or where it was coming from.  A scream from the left and then a crushing thud on the right, What ever was doing this was not going to stop.  Finally after several minutes of this there came another silence.  Captain Puold shouted for his men, but there was no response.  Finally the black cloud let up and before him stood a great redheaded warrior who wielded two hammers, one hammer in each hand. At that moment with an insane gleam in his eyes Kaaral swung both hammers down upon Puold. Then it was over.

Then with a touch on the hand Jacob was startled back to his world.  The young students had gathered around him and it seemed they were worried.  Jacob chuckled as he realized that he had just seen another vision.  They had become more and more frequent in the past few years.  He straightened himself and continued with class.  Later that night at home he unwrapped the pouch that Jarred had given him.  He had opened it before but each time he had in the past there came a strange feeling of unease. Now for some reason the time was right and he pulled the medallion from the pouch and put it on.  Now he knew he was ready to began the true path of the two hammers, as a priest and smith of the god Kaaral Thunder Hammer.   Jacob found himself whispering to himself. ?Glorious are his blessings and Horrible is his rage when it is invoked.?

The night continued as Jacob went down to his forge.  Finding more often that sleep was often hard to get when there is a hot forge near.  Into the night the sounds of metal on metal claimed his thoughts.

(This is the tale of Jacob and his meeting with Kaaral Thunder Hammer.)