~Chapter 3: The Dragon Forge and The Sacred Song~

Nestled in the heart of the Ancient Labyrinths of Khaz’Aurus is the Dragon Forge, resting miles deep through the earth and lava caverns in the center of the mainland. It is the Forge that created the Mardune, and after seeing the loyalty and adoration of the Mardune to him, Aurus, God of Magick, granted his eternal Flame to them: to ever burn in the heart of his sacred caverns in the hearth of the Dragon Forge.

He sent another child and Kin to the Mardune, a Dragonkin, who is bound to serve the Dragon Forge and Protect it before all others, even his Kin the Mardune responding only to the Eternal Flame of Aurus. To show their adoration to their creator, the Eldest of the Mardune, lead in ritual by Arch Mage Malgus, would gather around the Dragon Forge at the Full, and other Sacred Moons, and perform their Sacred Ritual to Aurus.

The "Labyrinth Song", the mortals would call it, though only a Dwarven handful of various races have ever seen the Labyrinth, let alone witnessed their Sacred Ritual; although from an allied kinship, the Druids have been known to bear witness to the Song - it is from the mouth of a Druid the world knew of this ancient ritual to begin with - with such high respects to the Mardune, this Druid was trusted to share their story to the purest of heart and people the Druid knew could be trusted.

Inside, the Mardune built a fortress in the center of the Labyrinth Caverns, built around the resting place of the Dragon Forge, and in the fortress it housed the sacred vault of various ancient Artifacts, gathered and hidden by the Mardune, Dragon Kin and welcomed guests after the destruction of the North Gate by the Empire.

The Elders would travel from all four corners of the Labyrinth for the Ritual, the Elder Mardune never left their home in the exception of Arch Mage Malgus, who would frequently act as a Dwarven Emissary when one was required; he was always accompanied by his most loyal friend, Thelgen, except for when he stood without him at the fall of the North Gate, because he had sent him on a quest prior.

The Elders would all gather together, waiting for each one outside of Khaz’Aurus Fortress; clothed in all the same runic etched black robes, they would together walk in through the stone archway entrance, the fortress adorned in decorative and intricately carved Dragon sculptures and statues. Some of these statues standing tall and some slithering along the walls and over the ceiling in the chamber housing the Dragon Forge.

As they would enter the Forge, they would circle the Forge, and lower their hoods. Malgus would stand before them at the Forge, and beside him, on a pedestal next to the Forge, would be a medium sized Cauldron made of Pure Elementium Steel, with runic engravings and moldings; this Cauldron being one of two that were crafted.

Within this Cauldron was contained the dust of the Lyre, or as the mortals would call it, the "Labyrinth Star": an elegant crystal that was incredible and catching and reflecting light even at its smallest grain.

While devoid of Magick, itself, the natural properties of the prismatic crystal paired with the small residual Magick given off from the Pure Elementium of the Cauldron, along the roaring Flame of the forge, would cause the dust of the Lyre to glow a vibrant yet deep purple.

Malgus would carry this Cauldron around to all of the Elders and each, one by one, would untie their black cord belt and let their robes drop to the ground, revealing their unclothed, rune-scarred black skin. They would each take turns getting finger dabs of the Crystal powder and rub it on their runic scars, causing the symbols to glow in the dark chamber. Once they all had dusted their runes Malgus would place the Cauldron back on its pedestal and he too would remove his robe.

They all wore nothing under their robes, except Malgus: as the Ritual Master he wore his Silver and Platinum coated Pure Elementium Steel circlet that he never took off. He would do as the others did and rub the dust on his runes; he would then mold his way into the circle.

Each ritual, he would consistently adjust who he stood beside. Acknowledging himself as the Arch, but equal in the blessing of Aurus. They would hold hands and look to the ceiling of the Fortress, which at the center of its large ceiling, circled by stone dragons, was a massive opening. Above the opening, above the Fortress, on the ceiling of the large Labyrinth cavern in which the Fortress lay, was a large formation of Lyre - which lit the outside of the Fortress and inside the chamber with Sun and Moon light created from the smallest crack in the land, extending all the way to the surface that developed through the ages.

This was how all Lyre throughout the Labyrinth had been formed and it lit the way of all travelers through the maze of tunnels, adding to the hypnotic puzzle of the Labyrinth; the Lyre provided light, but also because of the very slight difference in position of the Crystal formations, they would often confuse any traveler not knowledgeable of the Labyrinth and be the ultimate factor in explorers being lost to the maw of the Labyrinth.

As the Elders would gaze into the prismatic radiance of the Lyre and were blanketed by the dancing light from the flames of the Forge, the Light of the Lyre dust of their runes would appear to be moving and dancing around their bodies. They would open their mouths together and, in unison, their voices would bellow and echo through the Caverns, extending to all the four corners.

The Dwarves developed a pipe system that would catch the vibrations and carry them into the Gate Cities, for all to hear - the haunting sound still echoing through the ruins of the North Gate: taunting any Imperials and showing them the resolve of the Mardune.

When their song was finished, they would all slowly step down into the forge and dunk themselves in the Sacred Molten Fire: for each Elder who did this, their Lyre dust would leave their body and burn off in the flames, causing the flames to temporarily burn purple until the Elder stepped out. They would then retrieve their cloak and wrap it around their ritualistically “reborn” bodies, and tie the cord leaving their hoods down until they left the temple.

Malgus would be the last to be “reborn” in the same methods as the others. He would cloak himself in the same way, and in a final bow of their grouped heads to the Dragon Forge, the Elders would exit the sacred Temple. With a final parting ritual and warm-hearted farewells, they would hood themselves and part in their four groups, each group leaving through one of the four Heart Chamber archways that lead back into the Labyrinth, going back to their respective corners of the Khaz’Aurus and the Gates until the next Ritual Moon.

~~~

“I couldn’t believe my luck; all the stories were true of the Mardune. It took careful maneuvering to get through those tiny tunnels, it seemed as though I was walking in darkness for days until I saw it in the distance, a flicker. Was this actually the Labyrinth or had I just walked through a tunnel and found my way out? I rejoiced as I made it to the end and before me was the most beautiful radiant crystal I had ever seen, it was like a star that had fallen and become embedded into the cavern ceiling, as I looked down the corridor each way there were more in the ceilings seeming to create chandeliers to light a traveler’s way so I figured why not? I could remember my way back in fact I marked the place with a stone so then I ventured--- I have become lost in this place, no matter how much I back tracked, retraced and followed my steps I could not find the rock and all this Labyrinth Star is beginning to all look the same… I haven’t seen the surface in what appears to be weeks, the occasional water I find is what has kept me going. Other than roots and mushrooms there is nothing down here but this blasted Crystal, I cannot eat it… I’ve tried, This Light is driving me insane! That Rogue did this, that traitor I shouldn’t have trusted his words I shouldn’t have trusted his intention, that Drow Rogue who betrayed me one last time…--- Here I give my last entry, it has been a month in these caverns and I just couldn’t find the way… I laughed at the stories and now the stories laugh at me… If you find this I hope your fate was much better than mine… I came for treasure of the Ancients and now the Labyrinth has consumed me… In my solitude amongst the cavernous depths I made peace with my past, I just hope my Son Mickael turned out to be a hidden jewel your Loving Mother knew you would be in this stricken world, that is all I would want for him… Goodbye cruel Labyrinth, you made a believer out of this Rogue.

Signed the Guild Master of the Shadow Alley Clan

M.Vultheran”

--- This letter was found in a pack clenched in the arms of a Rogue dressed skeleton in the darkest part of the cavern located around the corner from the rock in which he placed.

~Chapter 2: The Birth of The Earthen~

The Mardune (Children of Land) or to the mortal tongues especially, that of the Empire, the “Firstborn” were born of the deep cavernous Labyrinth Khaz’Aurus (Dwelling of Aurus).

Legends say that Aurus, himself, gathered the various ores and crystals of the labyrinth and then created his Dragon Forge in the heart. Here, he melded the first collection of materials needed for Elementium, he added his draconic breath to fuel the forge, and conjured his creative Magick into the materials and the Earthen were born; their bodies rugged and elemental like the ore that crafted them. Their fiery red eyes were pristine, and cut like the most precious rubies. Runes engraved into their rock bodies glowed in the presence of the Dragon Forge, the Flame of their creator.

After they were born, they were compelled to fortify this sacred cavern, so they spent their ancient life building the Gates - especially the Northern Gate - which would remain as their stronghold and most sacred Castle and Temple, built in homage to their creator.

The other gates were merely fortified and secured entry points guarding and sealing off the Labyrinth, with various secret paths and entrances throughout the mainland. Some even say, in the frigid North as well. These passages are so small and cramped that even the Mardune themselves barely fit.

Being severed from the Ley caused a drastic physical change to the Mardune: their ancestral physique became soft flesh etched with the scars of the runes that once were engraved in their body; their crystal eyes replaced with regular ones, but still deep red with a certain glow to them around fire, especially the Dragon Forge. After the severing of the Ley, the wave was felt by the Mardune deeply before it even changed their looks; having a natural gift of Magick by their creator, they were the foundation of a very strong Warrior Mage that would show their place valiantly, with Spell and Steel.

Once they were cut off from the Magick, they knew their immortality was severed - although being the children of Aurus allowed their life force to keep going at a increased rate than that of a Mortal, the severance would cause them to eventually realize their coming mortality and their need to protect their Sacred home. So many stayed to protect Khaz’Aurus, especially the Elementium Smiths and Mages.

The Ones who stayed adorned themselves in pure Elementium Steel, for the residual Magick from the crystals used and forged into the Steel prolonged their mortality even more. The ones who volunteered to leave went in the highest quality forged steel, as to not let their ancient Steel fall into the wrong hands.

Their mission was simple: to search for the lost Warships of the Ancients and in this time, (knowing their mortality would quicker catch up with them as they removed their Elementium armaments and removed themselves from Aurus’s flame and genuine love) they began to reproduce with the different races of the Land - producing new and unique offspring whose visual appeal and characteristics would vary immensely.

Some would look stocky and burly, as their ancestors, or some more tall and barbarian looking - their skin hair and eyes all varying as to their runes or lack of them. In this wide array of new cultures being created amongst them, the Mardune knew they had to be welcoming of them all, but still remained separate as the First born.

This is when the name Dwarves was created, to welcome all of the offspring of the Earthen born of Aurus in some way. Although it was only the Mardune and Dragonkin allowed to enter the sacred depths of Khaz’Aurus, the other Dwarves would be required to have Mardune or Dragonkin escorts through the Labyrinth, partly because they knew all of the ancient tunnels by memory. The other Dwarves became the guardians, tradesmen and townsfolk that made up the North Gate Kingdom and the other Gates, or they wandered out on their own to find their own existence on the Land.

~~~

“They say he was conjured by the hands of Aurus himself I tell ye! His body was the first forging of the Sacred Steel, breathed into life by Dragon fire and molded to perfection by the One himself. A true marvel of Dwarves, I tell ye. ‘Aye, but I wonder what has become of him since his capture at the North Gate… I tell ye my friend, there has been a damp chill in the air that no hearth can calm since he’s been taken…’ Aye, Lad. Malgus was our centerpiece, our beacon. Without the Ley to guide his Enchanted Hammer, Nor’thzil. He fell at the North Gate to the Empire at the wrecking hands of that Black Bull wrought in Fel Flame… I feel our History will be lost if he were to fade… Aurus be with him and us all… Now whatta say Lad? How about a few silver for this Malgus carved sculpture, guaranteed authentic Elementium. ” --- An Old Mardune Merchant speaks to a Dwarf about the Arch Mage Malgus.

~Chapter 1: A History Retold~

It was the late day/early evening of the rescue about to take place.

After a successful war council, Thelgen lead the inhabitants of the chamber down the stone stairs into the lower chamber connecting the outside port to the inner cavern; there were no doors, just large stone carved archways. In this lower chamber was the Mess Hall; food and drink filled the tables as they convened in celebration of the few refugees and horses rescued from Darshire.

They celebrated that achievement, and the coming rescue of their beloved Malgus after receiving a letter from the (now exiled) fallen Champion of the Empire, Draxis. In it, he spoke of his crimes and the location of Malgus, as well as where he would be for his arrest, the ruined North Gate City. While the festivities carried into the night before his depart to his ship for rest upon the departure, Thelgen brought in a tome: a replica of the First Tome of the Mardune. He sat in his throne of a wooden chair with the tome in his lap.

He addressed all who were present - the festivities would have brought in more than just Sky Fleet, but all the refugees who now made this Sanctuary home, all crowded in, all mingling, drinking and feasting. As he raised his hand, followed by a deep guttural clearing of his throat, he would speak to the refugees and to Sky Fleet.

~~~

“Sit back lads, grab yer stein and yer haunch and lend an ear, as I tell ye a tale oh my ancestry and a few uh yers as well as I can see. It is a history riddled with mystery, sacrifice, ravage and renewal. Where we came from, who we are and what we have endured. Our Kin and our birthrights, we live in a time where te be different is charrrge for enslavement and execution, for ye too my sacred Elvish brethren and ye outcasted Humans! The Empire spreads like fel fire through our beloved Land and the ravage of Darshirrre shall naer be forgot’en! My Brethren, sit back as I tell ye a story of yer rugged hosts.”- Thelgen Flinteye before the refugees at the East Gate upon leaving to Rescue Malgus.