The Nation of Fire
1174 Words
Montiule, the great western kingdom of dwarfs, had a hilly and mountainous landscape covered with forests and flowed through with rivers. The dwarves are the children of the great fire deity Enhi, who according to legends had a great temper blazing hotter than flames which the coldest water could never extinguish. The dwarves are gifted blacksmiths known throughout the land of Pristinia for their excellent craftsmanship. Ruled by the dwarf king, the cities in the kingdom are integrated deep inside the mountains which makes them difficult to conquer.
Along with Enhi, the dwarves also worshipped Terra, the goddess of the land, which makes them associated with humans. The kingdom of Montiule and the federation of Terra have enjoyed smooth relationships. The two nations have trade agreements and have allowed their citizens to reside in the other. However, the two also agreed to a non-intervention deal which prevents the other nation to deal with policies and issues of the other. This deal is the cause as to why the dwarves are still allies with the merpeople even though the Pacifica currently wages war with Terra.
Currently, Montiule wage war with Dombruk, the territory of the hawk people. The dwarves have exhausted the resources of the land within their nation. Because of this, they seek to expand their kingdom eastward, to the eastern mountain ranges, where the hawk people live. With brilliant military tactics, a myriad of resources, and advanced technologies, they are currently winning the war increasing their territory by a sixth.
Montiule is divided into territories centered on the highest peak in the area. Montiule’s most southwestern region is the Batur territory with its capital, Mt. Batur. Northeast of Batur is Vimali with its capital, the Vimali mines. Further north lays Bimar which has the richest but most dangerous peaks in the kingdom. Bimar has three volcanic peaks that provide both abundant resources and great danger to the dwarves. East of Bimar is the capital territory, Agna, with its capital Mt. Agna, the highest mountain in the kingdom. Further east lays Viumal which borders Dombruk, the territory of the hawk people.
The party is currently in Vimali. Lost, they wander around the forest clueless and listless. They travel over the hills and rest by the rivers fighting creatures of the dark along the way. It was a whole week now when they arrived at the kingdom, but for once they haven’t seen a single dwarf much less a single village or town.
It was afternoon. As they were resting by the riverbanks which flowed through the hills of Vimali, they suddenly hear a scream from the forest. The sound was a juvenile’s voice, which sounded like a scream for help. Quickly, the party rush to the origin of the scream where they found a young muscular male teenage dwarf and a boar who kept staring on a tree that had a sword stuck to it.
The dwarf and the boar sensed the arrival of the party. The dwarf attempted to pull the sword from the tree, but his efforts were in vain. The boar, meanwhile, stayed by the dwarf’s side and was ready to risk its life for the dwarf.
Viethra calmed things down and explained why they rushed to the scene. They told him that they were harmless and were just passing by the area when they heard the scream.
The dwarf was both afraid and curious about the tall souls he encountered.
“Why are you here?” the dwarf asked them.
“We are here in a mission,” Viethra answered.
“Are you humans?” the dwarf asked them.
“I’m the only human here,” Mae answered his question.
“I’m an elf from Greenwood forest,” Viethra replied.
“I’m a mermaid,” Selena added.
“Wow, it is the first time I’ve met an elf and a mermaid,” the dwarf excitedly spoke. “What about the cool-looking guy over there, what is his race?”
“I’m half-angel and half-vampire,” Myles replied.
“What?!” the dwarf was flabbergasted. “I don’t see someone like that every day. Anyway, my name Bortin and this is Rigur,” he pointed to the boar. Then, everyone in the party introduced their names.
“Say Bortin,” Viethra asked him. “Where is the nearest city or village from here?”
“Oh, the nearest city is the Vimali mines. I live there.”
“I see.”
“What were you doing out here?” Mae asked Bortin.
“I was practicing my sword and it got stuck when I swung it at the tree. The sword is precious to my brother so I shouted because he would be angry if I damage it even a little. My brothers are blacksmiths, you see. My oldest brother is the finest blacksmith in the whole region.”
Myles removed the sword from the tree trunk. Bortin was so happy that he asked them how he could ever repay them. The party replied that they needed to get to Vimali mines. Bortin gladly agreed to show them the way to the city. He rode on Rigur and went on his way towards the city. The party then followed him as he rode.
It was already dusk. They arrived at the foot of a great mountain. Hidden behind lush green forests was a large stone gate that led inside the mountain.
“We’re here,” Bortin entered the gate. Shortly after, the party also went inside. Hidden from the world, inside a great mountain, a very big city glowed with the fires of the furnace and crystals of flame. From the gate, a bridge connected the outside to the city. A river was flowing inside from the outside, an engineering marvel of the dwarves.
They entered the city. They expected it to be quiet and serious, but they were met with the unexpected. The city is jolly, music and songs filled the air and there were dancing and the smile of wine in every corner of the city.
“Today’s work is over, so everyone is out for a drink,” Bortin laughed. “I’ll show you to my brother’s shop.” Bortin led the party to the main street. Beside the stairwell which led to the upper parts of the city, a blacksmith’s armory sat. It was the largest armory in town and it belonged to Bortin’s brother.
They entered the armory. Inside, they found a blacksmith focused on creating a shield and a boar that Rigur kidded with.
“I’m back brother,” Bortin said to the smith.
“You’re back, Bortin,” the smith was focused on his work not once looking away from the furnace. “My sword better be not damaged.”
“It’s not,” he placed the sword on a table. “I brought guests by the way.”
“Guests? You better not owe them anything.”
“I don’t owe them anything. They just wanted to come here.”
“I need a blacksmith to fix my sword,” Mae suddenly spoke.
“Fix a sword, eh.” The blacksmith tossed the hot metal into the water which resulted in smoke and steam. He then approached his tall guests, which surprised him. “Let me see that then,” he said to Mae.
- Writer
