Deep Gap is a major stronghold, an underground dwarven city dedicated to mining, crafting stone and metal and Moradin. A temple located at the cities heart is a holy site and the destination of many Moradin worshipers who make pilgrimages there. To be accepted into the priesthood of Moradin is a great honor and generally reserved for esteemed families.

Deep Gap is situated within the Dragon Spine on either side of the Deep Gap Gorge. The Gorge serves as the head waters to the Black River.

Twylyt is not a typical Moradin acolyte. She is certainly devout yet perhaps not as unquestioningly devout as her father. He is a very well respected and connected priest. He adores his daughter and sponsored her appointment to the clergy. Not everyone is as thrilled with her demeanor as her father. She has been scolded on a number of occasions for wavering from the strict tenants of her faith, but never by her father.
He has determined that it might be best if she undertake some travel. He has arranged for her to travel with gnomish shirpas to Glitterhovel, a gnome village far to the south in the Black Forest. There are rumors of increased kobold activity and perhaps something far more concerning, a breach of the Underway.

Holgart Stonebeard is a pillar of the Moradin clergy leadership. He is the senior priest in his district and answers directly to the Deep Gap bishop. Holgart has arranged for his daughter to investigate these rumors, and has been given permission to divulge certain secrets to Twylyt in order to facilitate her investigation.

Holgart has recently finished with the evening prayer service and has requested his daughter meet him here in his private study. He expects her any minute. When he hears her familiar knock he bids her to enter.

"You may enter my dear"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:14, Mon 25 Mar.

“Yes, father,” Twylyt says quietly. She has learned through experience that her father wants to be shown respect. She even admits, internally at least, that he deserves respect based on his position in the temple and the decisions he has made.

However, he could be so blasted stubborn, just as his name, Stonebeard, implied. She has also learned that stone can be chipped away over time and that sometimes even the lightest tap can create large new opportunities. So today, she was going to approach him with a light touch.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Tue 26 Mar.

Holgart rises as his beloved only daughter enters. He is known as a man of strict principles and a firm hand with subordinates but he always softened for Twylyt, even if she didn't realize it. He was harder on her older brothers. With her, he couldn't help but indulge a softer side. Today, however, he decided would require a touch more firmness then usual, a touch more formality.

"Come in Sister Twylyt, please have a seat. I have important and official matters to discuss with you. Thank you for coming so promptly."

Hogart looks intently at his daughter, whom he is very proud of, but whom he worries for intensely. He has already decided on this course. He must continue.

"I have an assignment for you. A remote assignment. I think its something you will be excited about. A chance to travel. How do you feel about leaving Deep Gap for an extended period of time?"

He pauses, as he surprisingly seems to really want to know Twylyts feelings on the matter. It is as if he might change his mind if she gave him reason. He can't hide the worry in his eyes.

Sister, hmmm. That is not the term I was expecting, thinks Twylyt. So it is temple business that we are here to discuss.  This has possibilities…. Eyes remaining cast down, she responds in a quiet voice.

“You know of my curiosity about the broader world. While I would miss my family and clan, I am ready and willing to serve Moradin to protect our dwarven race. How may I serve?” 

Twylyt has learned at least the correct words, even if not the correct intentions, for temple matters. To an untrained observer, one would assume that Hogart was speaking to another strong believer.

" Do you remember your lessons on Kurtulmak, the patron god of kobolds? He is the sworn enemy of Garl Glittergold.  Just over 150 years ago, Moradin and Grumush brokered a deal to stop a bloody war between gnomes and kobold in the Black Forest. It was agreed that Kurtulmak's influence would be confined to the underworld. Glittergold's influence would remain in the forest and just below ground, in their hovels. The cavern system known as the Underway, which was once used for commerce, is now supposed to be sealed up. There are two unsubstantiated rumors going about. One is that kobold activity along the Black River and in the forest has increased over the past few weeks.  These rumors have some credibility. The second rumor, is that the Underway in Glitterhovel has been breached. This rumor comes from a very unreliable source, and is likely, untrue. Regardless the bishop has requested a presence in Glitterhovel.  She has requested that you be that presence. Your job will be to investigate these rumors, as well as serve the Glittergold clergy as an ambassador. If anything comes of these rumors,  Moradin will come to Glittergold's defense. Our alliance must be trusted and enjoyed by the Gnomes. It's important for Dwarven security.

I have arranged for a small group of gnome sherpas to escort you. It is a long journey.
It will take about ten days and will be at times grueling and dangerous. The sherpas are experts at safe conveyence between Deep Gap and Glitterhovel.  You will be in good hands.

You will meet one Kinder Cobble at his apothecary in the Glitterhovel bazaar. He is a high ranking cleric of Glittergold. He will arrange quarters for you and aid you in your investgation. He can also have messages delivered here. Likewise I can reach you through Mr. Cobble. I will expect a weekly report."

Hogart stops. He looks at his daughter. He softens.

"You make me very proud my daughter. I will worry about you every day. Yet, I have faith that you are ready for this level of responsibility. I know you will be a credit to our family and to our faith."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:54, Wed 27 Mar.

Inwardly, Twylyt is jumping up and down in excitement. Getting out of this rock pit is just what she needs - it is time for Twylyt to move into the spotlight. Outwardly, she knows she needs to maintain decorum.

“You and the bishop honor me. I would be pleased to undertake this task. Your training and the guidance of Moradin will be the granite upon which I will fortify our family and clan.”

Twylyt dismisses out of hand her father’s concern for her safety. She has been outside before - albeit never as far as Glitterhovel - and has never faced anything scary much less deadly. Old men can be so dramatic, she thinks.

Thinking of logistics, she stifles a chuckle at her father’s phrase - small group of gnomes - since no group of gnomes could ever be considered anything but small. Gnomes aren’t as good as dwarfs in a pinch, she thinks with a bit of superiority, but they can be useful. Perhaps they can help her expand her knowledge about the various plants and herbs out there. If not, she will just bully them into doing whatever dirty work is necessary. Hopefully, the gnomes won’t get in her way.

“I will be certain to inform you weekly of key activities. To be clear, would I be the ambassador of the dwarfs of Deep Gap to the gnomes of Glitterhovel or the ambassador of Glitterhovel - essentially the alliance of dwarfs and gnomes - to whatever trouble I find in that region?”

"You will serve as an ambassador of the Temple. Moradine thinks highly of Garl Glittergold. He expects us to be supportive. You will represent that support politically, but your main purpose is to discover if there has been a breach of the Underway treaty. Kobolds in the forest do not represent a breach but worship of Kurtulmak including the casting of divine spells granted through him, must only take place in the depths of the Underway.  Likewise Glittergold clerics are not to cast or pray below the sewers of their villages and hovels. If either of those events have taken place, then the treaty is broken and we will need to prepare. Investigate the kobold situation, and investigate the possible breach. Cobble will have more information on that. When would you like to leave? It will need to be within a few days.  The sherpas can leave as early as the morning."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Thu 28 Mar.

Abandoning any pretense of decorum, Twylyt rushes over to hug her father. “Oh thank you, father! I promise I will make you proud.”

She disengages herself and continues, “I should like to leave in the morning to start this sensitive mission. Since I can count on the support of the gnomes during the trip and Cobble in Glitterhovel, I will travel light. I would be grateful, though, if I could use the special chainmail for extra protection.”

She looks up at him and says with a grin, “I will always remember your teaching and will proudly wear the symbol of Moradin on my gear when I smite any kobolds who dare to threaten the treaty that helps to protect us.”

While her request for the special chainmail and to depart in the morning are entirely reasonable, this combination of affection and flattery has proven effective at getting her out of trouble or getting what she wanted in the past so she applies this ploy. The key is to start down this path before her father or the Temple have second thoughts or before any of her recent escapades in Deep Gap catch up with her.

Holgart tries for a moment to maintain his composure. He quickly fails. He wraps his daughter in a big bear hug and laughs. He always laughs when he should cry. It's just his thing.

"I know that this will be good for you. I will miss you every day. But I will be proud and look foward to your return. Though there is no current time table for that. If you have no other questions, The sherpas will meet you at the Lagoon Docks in Copper Cave."

He kisses the top of Twylyts head.

Twylyt kisses him back and run/skips off. She will spend the remaining time saying her goodbyes to her family. There is a little packing to do and she wants to be ready to go to the Lagoon Docks first thing in the morning.

Turns out saying good-byes to her extended family took more time than Twylyt planned. Her brothers individually and jokingly took credit for developing the toughness she would soon be displaying, her sisters-in-laws individually and quietly applauded the decrease in drama that would accompany her departure, and her various nieces and nephews universally bemoaned how the adventure would deprive them of their favorite adult. She did manage to keep her pack light, with the essentials plus the healers kit that she used frequently on her brothers and self after roughhousing. She took the family’s special chainmail as well as shield and war hammer, all with Moradin’s symbol on them.

As a result, Twylyt shows up to Lagoon Docks early in the morning after very little sleep and a bit grumpier than normal. Although unfamiliar with the boats and a bit distrustful of the water, she looked around for her Sherpa gnomes.

Dwaven architecture on its own is spectacular to behold, but when combined with the awe inspiring view of Deep Gap the scenery is otherworldly.  Deep Gap is a 5000 foot deep canyon cut by the head waters of the Black River. Snow melt cascades into the canyon via three separate waterfalls that plummet thousands of feet into the river below. The city of DeepbGap is situated in either side, connected by a stone bridge that defies wonder. The impossible looking structure is a half mile long. It connects the residential district to the east from the temple district on the west side of the Gorge.

Twylyt has crossed the bridge so many times she barely notices the beauty anymore. But today is different. Today she notices. She takes the elevator down to the river. Copper Cave is where most passenger craft are docked. The malachite bespeckled cave contains a large calm lagoon that feeds into the head waters with some calmness and minimum whitewater.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:08, Mon 01 Apr.

"You must be Sister Twylyt. I am Bango. These are Schep, Popin and Bexter; my crew. This beautiful river craft is Selunida, your chariot. I am at your service. We will be transporting you to Glitterhovel,  a five to six day journey.  "

Standing on the south dock, Known as the Lagoon Dock, Bango and his crew quickly load Twylyt and the remaining gear onto Selunida. The gnome sherpas do their work silently. Only Bango ever speaks above a whisper. Only Bango ever speaks Dwarven. The others speak softly to one another in gnomen only.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:34, Mon 01 Apr.

Twylyt doubts the Selundia is beautiful and is certain the gnomes are less able than dwarfs. She sniffs and declares in a haughty tone, “Well, I hope you know what you are doing. I am on an important mission and must arrive at Glitterhovel as quickly and safely as possible.” While she understands and speaks gnomen, she speaks in dwarvish to  and barely looks at the others.

She steps aboard, teetering a bit as she gains her river legs, and moves to the front of the vessel. She scans the impressive scenery and listens to the roar of the three waterfalls. When it appeared the gnomes were waiting to depart until she completed the customary prayer for safe travels, she snapped at Bongo, “Let’s get going. Moradin does not need a prayer to remember to protect me.”

"Let me assure you, when it comes to navigating the Black River, from Deep Gap to Black Gate and all forks in between, you are in the most capale hands. The river, formidable as she is, we have tamed. However threats from shore have been increasing of late. My crew are capable archers and jungle warriors. If we run into martial trouble, we would hope for your expertise as well. We could well find ourselves outnumbered by scavenging kobold."

Selundia is nothing more than a large raft. It has seats at the four corners for the sherpas to strap into. There is a central cabin. It has two seats with seat belts to strap in with. There is lockable storage in the cabin. Behind the cabin is a retracted keel and mast. This craft can be rigged to sail.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Mon 01 Apr.

Twylyt is only a little reassured about the worthiness of the “boat” and its “sailors” but decides her father is very unlikely to try to drown her so accepts the situation. “Kobalds will fall to my hammer should they be foolish enough to get close,” she says with the over-confidence of a novice. “And I might have a few other tricks to protect you.” She takes a seat in the central cabin for departure.