Elder Brannor, stands before you, his eyes alight with excitement and desperation. He unfurls a weathered map across the table, its edges frayed from age. He points to a location deep in the frozen north—the name ‘Durharthal’, the legendary city of the dwarves, barely legible beneath ink and frost stains.
“Legends speak of Durharthal—the Frozen Crown of the North, lost to the icy wilderness for centuries due to a curse,” Brannor begins, his voice trembling with anticipation. “A city of dwarven splendour, built into the ice, now buried under snow and secrets. Whispers are spreading—rumours that the Slumbering King, a mythical figure of ancient lore, is real. Legend tells of King Durnor’s Sacrifice. When the Ancient One, Núrgrim, brought the curse of eternal winter on Durharthal and the dwarves could not defeat the ancient monster, King Durnor entered into a magical sleep that placed Núrgrim into a prison deep under the city. It worked, but Núrgrim was allegedly too powerful and, even though he was imprisoned, the harsh, cold winter soon buried itself deep into the ground and destroyed the dwarven community. While many non-combatants were able to escape thanks to King Durnor’s Sacrifice, the dwarves who remained became cursed to a freezing death, their souls trapped in a never-ending state of undeath, continuing to guard the city from any who try to enter.
“My friends, it was always thought that King Durnor’s Sacrifice was a story, nothing more than a myth. But, as you can see, I have discovered the maps showing Durharthal’s precise location as well as the city’s layout. Whoever finds the Slumbering King will unlock untold riches and power beyond imagination. As well as returning glory and honour to a broken people. My people. You people”
He points to Oskar and Thradal.
He pauses, breathless with excitement.
Then a pained look comes over his face, “We must move swiftly, for others have heard these whispers too. I hear of a mage who seeks the magic that locks the city in eternal winter. She is already on her way. And there may be others.”
Brannor leans closer, his gaze intense, his knuckles white as he grips the table. “I don’t seek wealth—I seek the truth, the history, the story of my people. But time is running out, and the dangers of Durharthal are many. I need companions brave enough to face the cold, wise enough to navigate its secrets, and strong enough to face whatever lies ahead.”
He pauses, letting his words sink in, the silence heavy with challenge and opportunity. “Will you join me in this quest? Will you help me uncover the secrets of the frozen city before it is too late?”The map lies between you, the path to Durharthal still uncertain. But the promise of adventure—and the risks that come with it—are undeniable.