They call me Warforged. But there is no war I could be forged for. They say it is over for two years now. They say they don’t built Warforged any more. But I don’t remember a war or that I was built and when and where and who ... All I remember is that there was Sharn and I was right in it. Well Sharn did not get in me though. I felt useless there. I saw other Warforged like me looking for something. Then I saw this one Forged who took up guard duty in the Morgrave Museum. He was standing besides this vase under glass becoming a relict as he guarded them. They could have built the glass around him letting the vase stand guard. Then I knew that I had to go. I heard about this place Stormreach far away. Far away ... that was exactly where I wanted to go.
The people on the ship where all quite like me, forged or not. They had no place to go and nothing to do or they wanted to make a fortune in the ancient ruins. I don’t need a fortune. But if it comes my way way should I turn away? And so I came to Stormreach. Did not quite look like Sharn. Not so high. Not so dark. No Rain. But something was quite the same. The humies. Running around like they knew where to go. And something elso was the same: I did not! The humies from the ship all went getting a room in the inn. I do not need that. I do not sleep. So I went along the streets picking up conversations. There had to be something interesting here!
A Guard stepped in my path. I almost did not see the small man. He asked me if I were one of the new adventurers coming to Stormreach looking for Gold in the Ruins and Fame and something like that. He was partly right so I grumbled and nodded to him. He then told me something about a ‘Low Road’. A connection between the Harbor and the aspirants corner through the old ruins underneath Stormreach filled with hideous monstrosities. He told me he made a bet with one of the other guards about newcomers going that way alive. I did not really see the point in it as going through the gate directly to the aspirants corner seemed so much easier. He asked me if I was afraid. I heard that before: Fear. Someone explained to me that fear is the need to avoid all things that pose a threat to damage or even destroy you. I agree with that. But then I learned that humies are also afraid of things of little threat like spiders or mice. I will hang on to the first explanation as it suits me. But in this case I saw no immediate threat since I did not know what was down there and I had nothing better to do. Besides the guard mentioned some coins for the first to go that way and I had a few scratches on me that needed to get fixed. So down I went.
As I took my first steps in the sewers I saw a Kobold. There are Kobolds in Sharn too. My definition of fear works on Kobolds. Kobolds are afraid of everything and everything poses a thread to a Kobolds health. This one was armed and obviously standing guard. I chuckled as I imagined him talking to some other Kobold about a ‘High Road’. The rattling of my armor plates alarmed him and as I thought he ran away. “This will be easy” I thought just before I heard the gong sound. He came back with another armed Kobold. The two of them really thought they could take me down. They could not!
After I finished the second one I advanced further down the tunnel which split into two tunnels leading down each with a door blocking further sight. The door to the right was guarded by another Kobold. The guarded way seemed more promising so I advanced that way finishing the guard with ease. But he left a new scratch on me. “This better pays off!” I thought. I entered the room beyond only to see that I stepped into a trap! The doors closed and two Kobolds emerged from their hiding places. I have to admit these Stormreach Kobolds are a better breed than those of Sharn. They managed to scratch me once more. I had to be more careful if this should not leave me in a worse state than I was before.
Leaving the small room I entered a huge chamber filled with greenish water. A little jump and I was down in it. When I get out I would have to wash this off. Humies tend to act funny when I am soaked up with slimy stuff like this. I noticed a Pipe leading further east. Which by all I knew was the right direction. But that way was blocked by a gate. On both sides of the chamber where ladders leading up to ledges. “Maybe there I can open the Gate” I thought and I was right. Half way up the first ladder I heard a snorling sound. More Kobolds! But unaware of my presence and fully asleep. “Easy pray” I thought as I sneaked up to the creature but I never was a good sneak. Before I reached the beast it jumped up and attacked me. Not that it posed any threat but it made me angry. As I flew in a rage I remembered the words of my commanding officer while I tried to apply for the Sharn watch. “Watch your temper” He always told me “you are leaving your guard down when you get angry” I never agreed. Why keep your guard up and let your foe beat you when you can take him down with some forceful blows. So this is what I did. Angry I jumped up the second ladder grabbed a crate next to me and threw it at the half-awake Kobold. This send him stumbling back and I charged him against the Wall. Right through the wall if the creature were any more solid that the glibbering slime down in the water. And he was even softer now. After I used the controls on the ledges the way in the pipe was free and since I do not need to breathe getting through was no problem at all.
There it was: light. Finally through. Now I could collect the money and get my repairs done. But one more Kobold was blocking my way. All adorned with pearls and bones and ragged clothing probably markings of his rank. Battling him could result in further damage, so I tried another approach. I walked directly towards him and as he readied for combat I gestured to clam him. I approached him and held my hammer up for the creature to see. “See that? All soaked in Kobold blood. Want yours on it too? I’m just passing through here. Now get out of my way or I’ll smash you” That worked! The Kobold ran past me and dived in the water out of sight. A high ranking Kobold? A lair of a high ranking Kobold? Well that could give me some extra loot to pay for my repair needs. I found a worn piece of leather armor and some gold pieces. Good enough to begin with. That covered my expenses and the next day I was good as new. The guard gave me a new shiny hammer well balanced and good fitting.
That was my first Day in stormreach. Promising but not even close to what was waiting for me. But that my friends is another ... no actually many many more stories.
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