Vifur Axehand

[Ygsdrasil]

He thought it a bit unusual for woman dressed so well (even if it was in armor) to be walking the sewers...so he followed. She spun to see him "Hello... who are you?" the weapon not threatening yet...but ready nonetheless.

"Me? Well I be Vifur o' da clan Axehand." He seemed friendly enough. The armor and weapon seemed serviceable and of good steel though not of great value. She suspected they had been recently crafted. Indeed they had. He bore no helm though and his bald pate topped at chin height and only a few feet away. Her own sword was a fine work though of an unusual style. "Dat's a nice blade ya got."

"Well thank you. I am Emily Cain." the woman replied. "I took it from a dead goblin."

"Didja now..well I like dat. -Dead- goblins. Fittin' end ta da lot of 'em."

The axehead touched the floor as the hand rested on the pommel. "Wha' ya doin' killin rats 'ere?"

" I was planing on putting some undeads to rest....not killing rats."

"Hmmm...deaders?!! where?"

"They are underneath the sewers."

"Neath da sewers? Dat ain' no place for a graveyard."

"Its not a graveyard...it's an ancient part of the city...now long gone."

"Well ya needs any 'elp?" She didn't look as if she needed much help. He wanted to know of this place since many places cursed by walking dead were rumored to yield treasure...and he could certainly use some.

She turned and pointed at a recess in the wall almost out of sight along the dank and dripping wall. "There is the entrance to the ancient part of the city." A large door loomed there ...it seemed out of place in the wall. Three steps led down to it. She pushed the door open and peered in. Turned back to him and beckoned him to follow. His axe on his shoulder Vifur followed down into the dark.

Darkness is not a problem for the dwarven being much accustomed to it from their own propensity to dig long tunnels in search of precious ores and gems. His eyes were greeted by a vaulted area so large he could not see the other side. A musty smell of long rot assaulted the senses and voices seemed to whisper from the dark. Even the rats avoided this place.

A large area with steps down to a putrid pool was just within his vision. Emily went left and he followed into the gloom and dark.

[Ygsdrasil]

The man stood with wide eyes as the dwarf dumped the large sack on the counter and began pulling out things to sell. When he was done the dwarf walked away with a goodly sum of gold jingling in his pocket. And some things that would aid and protect him....both now and later.

It seems the walking dead did indeed carry a good bit of treasure.

The dwarf walked away and to the Travellers Rest..he rented a room for a week ...and slept and drank most of it.

[Ygsdrasil]

The two women were far different. Brina Fraser had hair like a flame..Dega Morngore's.. black as night; but made for a strong pair of companions. Gill Asen and Talon Goodfellow with them needed help...well his axe was ready. Vifur packed a few things in his bag ..finished an ale and left.

The wood had a nasty nest of giant spiders. A spell from one of the women and it was grasped and pinned...the men fell to hacking at it..death came quickly. They killed three more and snakes and more spiders.

"Dat was a big $%@#! spider!" Vifur remarked.

It was as if the forest defended itself against their presence as wolves came too in the night. And boar. Soon they camped and ate roasted meat. Resting at the foot of the tower.

Gill blessed them as Dega rubbed a deep red stone that flew and spiraled in a cone about her she uncapped and drank a potion. Brina cast spells ...flame was cast upon his axe...springing to life along the edge of his axe. The group entered the tower.

Archers arrows thunked from across the room into his plate armor. Dega they missed ..all but one...she sped thru time as if she could slow it ...in a blink she had called missiles that never missed...3 times! Brina slew 6 of them with a phrase and a gesture. Talon pulled an arrow from his rib and applied a dressing in a blink. Vifur back on his feet..just as the swordsmen hit.

The two men flanked a dwarf and took the charge. Swords flew viciously. The shield pushed outward and gained him two swings in a rhythym as the axe rose and fell chopping and hewing bone asunder.

A battle horror, a great chieftain all fell attempting to turn their progress. Bats attacked them as if hungry for blood and flesh...mouths snapping and biting.

At long last there was no attack...he rested his axe and filled his lungs...

" Rrrazza my... son of a... rrghr! Dis is crazy!"

Silence as the death lord came Dega knelt and presented a skull. Which the dread thing took.

Vifur backed away.

Brina whispered, "I hope we didn't do anything we may regret later.. but I am sure I would regret it more if I hadnt."

The party retreated back from the ruins in the wood Dega broke the silence.

"Well that was bizzare to say the least"

Brina glanced at her "Yes, the very least."

Talon chimed in, "Yeah who'd believe it?"

"Well I don't really like my family anyway... my pets though that's another story," Dega replied.

Soon he sat in the inn and drank a cold ale...the others gone. But not before he discovered Brina could enchant armor. The ale tasted fine indeed today. He was glad....just to be alive.

[Ygsdrasil]

He and Gill were seated at the table and drinking ale. Vifur hungry had ordered a chicken, potatoes and an apple. And two more ales. He told the man what type armor he wore...gave 20 000 gold to Brina and off they went.

He awoke next morning to her knock on his door. She stood outside holding the best armor he had seen in his life. "How you guys walk in this stuff is beyond me" as she pushed it on him.

It was such a fine thing the dwarf went to his pack and brought out a green gem that had pink flakes in it. "'Ere it'd do me no good anyway." Brina beamed and thanked Vifur.

Vifur changed into his new armor and met them in the common room. Brina, Mestupha and Gill were seated and waiting for him. A glass of dark ale fronted an empty spot and Vifur sat and drank.
Brina was saying "Nasty, giant, fire breathing ants."
Mestupha moved and addressed Gill "Well actually out of the body of the queen fire ant is the eggs he wishes."
Vifur Axehand had not seen the ants but suspicioned "Is dis queen a bigger dan da res'?"
"Oh yes" Brina replied.
"Bugger...prolly gots a nasty bite"
Brina Fraser again "And she spits more than fire. I think its acid but not sure. I have been careful to avoid it thus far."
Mestupha added " They are large and vicious"
"They are" Brina said smiling "Care to join us?"
They agreed to meet at the east gate in Sandow. Each needed supplies.

They camped in Ninago and left on the east path into the plain. Soon wild boar and a few fire ants were sighted. They cleared the area about the mound then retreated. Each protected themselves best they could and entered the mound.
It was a darkened maze full of ants...each spit a cone of fiery spittle at them. They killed a steady stream of ants and retreated and healed as necessary. Workeres...soldiers...larvae..guardians until they came to the great queen.

Brina grasped her and pinned her with a great hand and the others fell to hacking at her...Vifur moved to a flank and swung the axe down twice across the neck. Gill attacked from the other side his blade seeking her heart. One of them succeeded...for she at once fell still.

Vifur axe held high cheered " Ha Ha!!"
Gill let Vifur carry the eggs to the merchant...and Vifur split the gold among them.

[Ygsdrasil]

Vifur approached the fountain in Tanamerah knelt and filled his canteen. Seated on a wolfskin sat Anieniewen Gwenen singing quietly:

"The witches all fell one by one huzzah huzzah
their hound pets fell just like them too huzzaaahh huzzaaaahhh
They thought they had us with their pets, but we showed up,
they lost their heads, now Strowolf freed his peoples lands"

"Good to see ya" Vifur greeted Brina and Anien.
"Hello Vifur" Brina smile as she saw the grizzled dwarf. He grinned showing a missing tooth and a broken one too. They were a contrast.

Brina smiled back "Why are you out here all by yourself? Everyone else is in the market I think. OK not -everyone- *glances over at Anien*
"So dey ...in da market? Didna' know da Thorsons were gonna reclaim thier keep!"
"They are in there for now. It is sort of breaking up though. *smiles* We liberated Strowolf's lands earlier."
Vifur Axehand retorted "So...da singer says ..I jus' got back from Stoneheim..dey's workin on clearin' da tunnel wha' collapsed"
Brina *giggled* "It was an epic battle." Anieniewen Gwenen: *still humming*
"I'm sorry you missed it."

Radia Davincia stops to chat "Well met."
Brina excused herself to do some errands "I'll be right back. I have two items to enchant and then I'll be free."
Anieniewen Gwenen: *looks at at the sound of voices and waves*
*lays back on the wolfskin cloak and looks at the sky...still humming*
Vifur disappointed he had missed a fight...stalked off to the Rest to drink ale instead.

[Ygsdrasil]

Vifur waited by the road to Tanamerah...he was patient. He had come the long way around; this side was closer to Saban. He had first charged the archers of the lizardmen guarding the road. His new cloak helped a great deal to repel the arrows.
Then clearing both sides of the river around their cave. He used the outcroppings of the rocks and the trees to lure them to him...letting them catch a glimpse then ducking behind rock or tree till they came for a better ....last look at anything.

Then he had visited Hano the druid stocking up on supplies and north through Ninago where he camped and filled his canteen.

Hullen Felspar on his way to Stoneheim from Tanamerah passed and Vifur told him of the bandit camp just east. "I canna' take dis leader without aid" he said. The two quickly joined forces and the entirety of the bandit camp was littered with the outlaws sooner...rather than later.

The ongoing giant infestation in the northwest of the plains was the next. Dwarves have special training against the larger giants and the two dealt quickly with the chiefs who had led followers into the hills there.

In Saban they stopped and sold some bounties...and Vifur stopped into see the smith Delie.

"I've a new process to make a fine armor from the fur of Glamorian Hounds." Delie explained. Vifur was a bit doubtful he would ever use leather but the 5000 gold he promised tweaked his ears. He stayed overnight in the inn.

Brina Fraser was a delight to see as she entered just before lunch. She sat and chatted as he drank an ale and ate a chicken ...she munched some dried nuts and an apple...he teased her about her wings again. "So 'as ya learned a fly yet? Ya eats like a bird" Brina *giggled* "I wish."

Vifur explained about Delie...and agreed to assist Vifur. "Sure we can handle that no problem." They left by the west gate from Saban out along the peninsula and to the hills along the Yotan. There the pair quickly dispatched giants...Vifur with his axe...now alight with the fire of Brina's magic. And Brina with missiles that unerringly found there target.The went south and west through a gap in the rock and found more giants had taken up lodging here. She showed him a hilltop and together they walked and camped there. She pointed to a gap in the trees.

She explained what she had in mind Vifur not having done this before. She was quite handy. In a literal way. She favored grasping them with a magic hand while flinging missiles at them. He flailing at the hounds with his axe hitting oftener than not though their hides were quite thick. She showed him how to lure them out of the forest and ambush them. They killed all that Delie required and then a few more. Deeper into the forest.

At last they paused and retreated back to the Yotan. "See...I told you we could do it." Brian stated.
Vifur "*scratches head* I can 'ardly see ya."
Brina *makes a gesture...giggles* Is that better?
"All dat glowin' an swirlin' stuff" he could indeed see her better though.
Brina recognised the stranger and the two greeted each other warmly. "Well hello there."
"Fancy meeting you here."
Vifur's nodded and turned to Brina " 'ho's dis "fancy" fella?"
"Sorry, we didn't leave anything. This is Tierny. He is a friend of mine.
Tierny Duskwood sighs jokingly, "Hogging all the fun tonight? the trail of bodies is still warm."
Brina *smiled* "Only the fun here. I am sure there is plenty more to be found."
Vifur Axehand *chimes in* " Jus' wallopin' gian's about da knees is all..."
"You are welcome to join us," Brina replied.
Tierny says, "But of course, I would be happy to.."
"When dey falls down..ya can reach da 'eads bettah"
Brina *smiled* "Tierny, this is Vifur. You are very good at making them fall down too, Vifur."
"ahh, the chap from the board." He looks to Vifur, "Tell me, did you ever find your axe?"
"No. Rrrazza my... son of a... rrghr! 'ad ta 'ave a new one made."
"What happened to it?" Brina asked. "Fell out me pack when I went in da gates somehows I guess....da guards won' let ya carry weapons. I went back but it were long gone."
Tierny nods understandingly, "Always a shame to lose a well crafted and favoured weapon.
Brina was sympathetic. "Oh dear. But you go another one made?" Vifur nodded " Why dont we go set up camp on the cliff. I need rest."
"We could camp near the keep if you prefer" said Tierny.

They made camp and Vifur continued on to Saban and brought Delie the hides. A heavy jingle in his pocket he was soon halfway to the bottom of a keg of ale. By the time they found him at the inn...Vifur was snoring heavily and quite useless.

[Ygsdrasil]

A woman stood outside her home in the east of the city *looks worried and nervous* "Hello.... Can you help me, you look adventurous?" She asked hopefully of Vifur.
"What sort o' 'elp do ya need?"
"Well its hard to explain... My house is haunted and full of zombies now. *deep sigh* You see there is a hole in my basement and these zombies just started coming
through. Do you thinnk you could take care of them for me? I can pay you, all I have is one thousand gold though."
"Yea... I can 'elp you, and da' payments fine."
"Oh thank you thank you"
"Righ' well...consider it done." She unlocked the door for him he nodded and entered

Well the woman definitely had a few haunts ...zombies and ghouls at every turn and Vifur comes to a door...another found key helps him pass the lock.
"Who comes before King Laritess?" the spectre echoed in his minds the words.
*Vifur thinking quickly plays along* I am Vifur Axehand your highness.
"Greetings from King Laritess to you. What can the king do for you my loyal subject?"
"Actually I was wondering what your doing here?"
The king explained....and Vifur agreed to help him. Always somebody meddling
with stuff he thought to himself.

Vifur approached the figure and she *snarls* "What fool comes before Queen Laritess?"
"Tis I Vifur Axehand yer 'ighness. Da King has sen' me to find ya an' ask that ya return ta 'is side."
She epxlained the problem again...as if the king hadn't told him the way of it...but she also gave him a key.

"No more problems" he told the woman...she still looked doubtful...she locked again the door.

Brina had discussed a new suit of armor with him at some length...and he had agreed to commission a special suit and weapon of admantine. She would be well paid for it was to be a fine set. Today she delivered and he was very pleased. Vifur stored the helm away and quickly tried on the rest. "Ha! Ha! Perfec'! A fine day! Brina grinned "Go play with your new toys for now."
"Me ol' armors bit rusty anyways"
Brina said,"I noticed that. I told you not to stand in the rain."
"Aye ya did...bu'...it's -allus- rainin' in Sandow"
"We will have to go try your axe and sword out soon." and she was gone again after accepting some more trinkets from Vifur.

[Ygsdrasil]

It was usually busy about the fountain....Vifur recognized many of the faces around...and had fought alongside many of them. He just filled his canteens and listened.

Core Vermillian was talking to Merum Leus. " Yer...ahh, yer remember what happened tha other night Murry?"
"I dont remember a thing"
Core looked over at Hilga Thornson and shrugged, "Maybe he don'?"
Core nods toward a guard, "Seems to have an interest in us standing here."
Merum *scratches head then shrugs* "I don't remember a thing."
Core shrugged, "Well, maybe thats ah good thing"
Raydrick as usual scouting ahead turned and waved them on. "Get in step follow me."
Short and dry came Vifurs reply "Yeah. Yeah."

It was a sombre group that headed toward Ninago. On the way he caught the tale. Seems as everyone called the fearless halfling...had been bitten. By a wolf? As had Barzan Sane.

It was on the plain just as they came to Ninago...the moon had just appeared and Barzan Sane and Merum Leas were transformed before there eyes! The two grew in size and both stood and howled a call to chill the blood...the foam flecked lips of each parted revealing large new teeth...the teeth gnashing and snapping at those that moments before walked beside them.

Most of the weapons they had had no affect. Vifurs axe enchanted as it was proved good and he soon had driven off or killed all of the wolves that the two had called with thier howls. Barzan Vifur had pummeled into submission there at the feet of the Fletcher. Murry had proven stronger....and Vifur had not been able to touch him...but his armor had withstood the onslaught of Merum's mad attack....Murry snarling his fury had run into the night.

At the dawn Core with the aid of others revive Barzan and Murry returns his eyes... a bit sunken from a lack of sleep. Merum Leas looks a bit frayed and a bit nervous at not recalling events of the night before
Core Vermillian: Well met, friend.
Hilga Thorson nods yes at Merum's comment or question and the pair walk off discussing something.
Vifur Axehand: *stretches then opens an ethereal box...pulls out a nice new armor and begins the process of exchanging it for his armor*
Core Vermillian: "is that Arcanum plate Vifur?"
Vifur Axehand: "Me old ones a bit rusty"
Raydrick Helsfate: grunted "It's much better than arcanalite.
Vifur "It's admantium"
Core Vermillian: is suitably impressed; then notices the sun light of approaching day "ahh. daylight"
Hilga and Murry return to the group and a new fellow... Barzan Sane joins them...Core addresses Barzan..." so, yer can remember turnin inta ah wolf Barzan?"
Vifur cuts a sidelong glance at Murry...he has fought alongside him often and has great respect for the little halflings ability in battle...but he is clearly worried.
Barzan Sane: "I do have a bad case of fleas though' "
Core Vermillian: just looks at him then turns "well, sir Raydrick...whats tha next move?"
Hilga Thorson: -rolls eyes at Barzan.
Vifur Axehand: "Well...we could...'old ya unner water...till dey drown" Brazan locks eyes on the dwarf a moment then looked away into the distance...his nostrils flare in the wind.

"Purple bells, green to black berries. The Devils Cherry" ...the witches had not been happy to see them..nor Vifur when he offered, "Ow 'bout we let ya's live?" As a trade for her help. Core and the others had paid her in what coin he knew not. While the hounds snuffed and snarled at the dwarf...but they stood beyond reach of his axe.

Raydrick Helsfate: "Well you rememeber what the witch said. We have to find a plant called the devil's cherry"
Vifur Axehand: " Wassat? I know she said it...bu' *shrugs*
Core Vermillian: "Me an Hilga talked with Ellinda, but she don't seem ta know what devil cherries be"
Anieniewen Gwenen: "Anyone know where it grows....what shadows should we check? The witch said it's purple bells hang in the dark"
Raydrick Helsfate: "The plant has many names, but I think its most common name is Belladonna."
Hilga Thorson: -points to the northeast.-
Core: "in tha deep wood there be plenty ah shadows"
Barzan Sane: "then lets go time is a wastin'"
Merum Leas: *shrugs*
Anien: "I was afraid someone would say that."
Core : "what'ya think Hilga"
Raydrick : "But I don't know where it grows."
Vifur: *frowns* "Dat ain' frienly territory....*eyes Raydrick briefly*"
Raydrick leads the party to Hano who discusses with a Treant the afflicted. Indeed that which they seek lies at the mouth of the orc cave they are informed.
Anien: " well...a full sweep should do it then...and we have a lot of daylight....but time is fleeting"
Core: "ah yes ...the daylight" The group searches the deep woods and after some searching and a fierce clash with orcs that left some broken bodies in the dense brush the group gathered some of the plant and took it to Hano the druid who lived in the southeast of the plain. Hano prepared potions and each of them drank though Hilga had to be sat upon and forced to swallow hers...or drown.
Hano nodded at last.."Good now I must get this to the villagers before dark...stay or go as you wish" and hurried off.

[Ygsdrasil]

Empty ale barrels stacked leaning near the entrance of the freshly dug cave. The sodden dwarf leans over a barrel and snores.
Against the wall a shield and axe gather rust.

It's a sad state of affairs...even for a dwarf.