ASF Members: Cap. Beckerman, ASF-1-5
Merchant Guild: Khronk Minebraids, Nokgrom Goldfinger, One (1) RPC-433 instance.
Foreword: ASF Personnel were scouting the area around Camp Crannóc when they encountered a group of travelling Dwarven merchants. This encounter was hand-recorded by Research Scribe Matthew López.
<Begin Transcript, Sunrise, ~0700 hours>
(In our walk, we met far yonder two small, stocky and bearded men. In their backs were enormous backpacks, and axes of different shapes adorned their belts. Furthermore, along them walks a human-like construct of sorts.)
Cap. Beckerman: What the- are those Dwarves?
(The men do not appear aggressive nor surprised at our presence, and thus, we approach them.)
Red Bearded Man: Well meet, fellow travelers. Ye seem quite lost. Keekin fer trouble, or mayhaps fortunes?
Cap. Beckerman: …Fortunes?
Red Bearded Man: More many than yer kan imagine! From tools, to cristals, to ancient artifacts 'n' even this giant fella ower 'ere. We have it all.
(The captain nodded, and thereupon did the wee men lay their sacks upon the Earth.)
Red Bearded Man: Excuse me, I didnat introduce maself. They be callin' me Nokgrom Goldfinger, 'n' this right 'ere is me cousin, Khronk Minebraids. Humble merchants 'n' aspiring entrepreneurs at yer service.
(Both did bow, and so did their statuesque companion.)
ASF-3: Sir, are you sure we should be talking to these… people? I don't know if this is saf-
Cap. Beckerman: How much for the walking statue right there?
(Briskly did the silent cousin stepped forth. In his stony face were the clear signs of pride.)
Khronk Minebraids: Don't worry, Nokgrom, I got this.
(Upon his request, we all gathered 'round as he commenced his tale.)
Khronk Minebraids: It all began 40 years ago when I entered the Underheim's Golem-Maker Academy. While my dream was not quite that, I had to make my old man proud: he was a golem-maker like no other, just like his father, and his father before his father, and his father before him. But not my great-great-grandfather. He was a cook. I miss him so much…
(He stopped to compose himself, and continued his speech posthaste.)
Khronk Minebraids: Sorry, back to the topic at hand. After several decades of hard work, I created him with blood, sweat, and various other fluids required for runic metal-bonding. My dear child, Raúl. Every time I look back at him, I am reminded of the paths that led to this moment, of the choices I've made, of what could have been, but wasn't. I am reminded of my work, and the power of our race. At night, I speak to him for his sleep and well-being, like he were a child of my own.
(To demonstrate, the Dwarf then began to imitate the sounds of various critters known and unknown. He did so loudly, verily, as the golem remained unresponsive at his side.)
Khronk Minebraids: You must think well of your purchase… because you are not only buying him, but the history and th-
Cap. Beckerman: Please, I beg you… stop. Just tell me how much.
(As if stabbed, the Dwarf clenched a fist over his chest, holding back tears.)
(Nokgrom did softly push his weeping cousin aside, then turned to our Captain.)
Nokgrom Goldfinger: Forgive me cousin, he is a guid lad, juist a bit queer. Th' golem is 100 pieces o' gold, but I wid gladly trade it fer that.
(Nokgrom's greedy gaze turned to our captain's Nightsbane and the gold plating adorning its hilt.)
Nokgrom Goldfinger: Nv'er seen such a bonny piece o' work in me life. 'n' th' gold… so polished 'n' pure. Tis almost lik' a dream.
Cap. Beckerman: Is that so? Well, Think I'm pretty much required to bring this thing along with if I can… I accept, my friend.
Nokgrom Goldfinger: Such a smart buy fer a smart gentleman. Khronk, yer know what to do.
Khronk Minebraids: Yes, cousin, I know… It's been a long journey, Raúl, but it's time to go. Be happy, and don't cry for me.
(Khronk, overcome with emotion, weeps as the golem doth stand still. Woefully he leans to whisper in its ear face stone. And so, animated into action, it moves toward- it doth move next to me, immobile.)
Cap. Beckerman: Alright… Well then, a deal is a deal.
(With grace, our Captain passes onto the Dwarf his battle-stained keepsake, Nightsbane.)
Cap. Beckerman: It's been a pleasure doing business with you, small fellas.
(And so does the air fill with ice. The Dwarves, once joyous, stare at out Captain with disdain in their eyes.)
Nokgrom Goldfinger: Whit did yer juist said to me, yer wee lanket, tin-can lookin' piece o' garbage?
(The wee men close in on our Captain. Alike, our fellow knights move forth to defend him and their scribe, weapons at the ready.)
Nokgrom Goldfinger: I've bin called a coal digger, copper hert, 'n' even skinny-beard. But to call me that… yer must have quite th' nerve.
(In an instant, he strikes, wounding our Captain in the knee with the back of his axe. Our Captain graciously kneels in pain, now face-to-face with his aggressor.)
(Our knights rush to his aid, but are stopped by Khronk. The once-weeping Dwarf wields an axe in both hands, and a frown on his face. Both parties circle one another, reluctant to draw first blood. Over yonder, our Captain is seized by the neck.)
Nokgrom Goldfinger: If ah ever see yer face aroond this steid, ah will mak' sure to cut yer legs so we are bouth at th' same height, before proceeding to beat ye till death wi' said legs as if thay wur rolling pins. I wull then find yer loved ones 'n' use their intestines tae tie mah beard. Then ah wull crush all o‘ yer remains ’til they're a solid block o' carbon, which I wull delight masell wi' alongside a guid steak. Understaun?
(The Dwarf does release our Captain, and heroically does he rise with a limp.)
Cap. Beckerman: Y-yes, understood.
Nokgrom Goldfinger: Guid. NOW PICK A WINDAE, YER LEAVIN' 'N' NEVER COMING BACK.
(Both Dwarf and Men quickly gathered their wereabouts, and set forth running opposite to each other along the road.)
<End Transcript; encounter lasted around 30 minutes.>
Closing Statement: Our Captain, tragically, chose to put down the sword and retire once more to civilized lands to treat his wounds. The mighty golem followed our step back into camp, where it has since stayed for study. As his last ever edict, our Captain did command the golem to ward and hear the instructions of his men.
