Fire in the Hole

A Look at Human Settlements in the Dwarfen Realms

By Alfred Nuñez Jr.

The scope of the recently released WFRP Dwarf sourcebook, Of Stone and Steel, was the Dwarf race, its history, society, realms, and so on. One could very well be left with the impression that only Dwarfs live in the mountains surrounding The Empire. However, there are Humans who live in these same mountain ranges, many of whom are technically the subjects of the local Dwarfking.

Background

The First Migration
The Dwarfholds outside the Worlds Edge Mountains were founded during the first millennium of the Goblin Wars (-1500 to –500 I.C.). Many of the Dwarfs that came to the Black and Grey Mountains, as well as the Vaults, migrated from the fallen Dwarfholds and mines of Karaz Ankor. During this time in their history, Humanity settled in the lowland areas, chiefly around the rivers of the Old World.

Despite their tribal affiliations and the dangers posed by roaming bands of Orcs and Goblins – as well as rival tribes – whole peoples migrated from one region to another. The largest such, the Bretonnis, were forced to cross the Grey Mountains and settle in the land to the west (circa –1000 I.C.) due to pressure from the growing Unberogen tribe (according to the information that the Loremasters of Karak Hirn provided to the Temple of Verena in Nuln).

A loose confederation of smaller tribes, collectively known as the Schwebens, were later forced from their homes along the lower River Söll region into the mountains by an alliance of Avermanni tribes after years of warfare (circa –900 to –700 I.C.). The majority of Schwebens settled in the Vaults, with a number moving into the Grey and Black Mountains. Even if they were not weary from battle, the Schwebens would have been no match for the Dwarfs had their migration angered the bearded folk. Realising this, concern for their people and the need for protection compelled the Schweben chieftains to negotiate terms of settlement with the local Dwarfking.

The Oath of Binding
At first, the Dwarfs weren’t sure how to deal with the humans trying to settle in their realm; the issue of human settlement in the mountains had never been contemplated before, not least because the Dwarfs were relatively few in number and were more concerned with their own defences in the unlikely event that the remaining Karaz Ankor holds fell.

King Muleric Furrowbrow of Karak Izor discussed the matter at length with his clan. Some argued that it would be folly to admit the Manlings into the Dwarf realms. Others took the view that the humans had proven themselves as tenacious as the Orcs and had demonstrated their worth in battle. Moreover, the human tribes could supply warriors to augment the number of Dwarfs available to wage war. Muleric had enough dealings with human chieftains to know that they put great stock in their word (more so than many present-day humans), and decided that he would attempt to bind them to his cause in return for granting them limited rights in his lands.

In meeting with the petitioning Schweben chieftains, Muleric laid forth the following stipulations (collectively known as the Oath of Binding): 

•	The chieftains will swear an oath of fealty to the Dwarfking who rules the land.
•	In turn, Human chieftains will become part of the Dwarfking’s council.
•	Resident human clans will be subject to Dwarf law.
•	Resident human clans will not allow Orcs, Goblins, or other fell greenskins to pass through the lands they hold in the name of the Dwarfking.
•	Dwarf and resident human clans would provide support, military or otherwise, to one another when faced with a common enemy.
•	Resident human clans will ensure that their menfolk are trained in the use of spear and bow.
•	In the event of war, the women, children, and old folk of the resident human clans will be granted protection within specific areas of the Dwarfhold.
•	Dwarf and resident human clans in specified demesnes will provide one another with preferential trading terms.
•	Resident human clans will concentrate their livelihood on farming and herding activities, freeing the Dwarf clans to focus on specific crafts and mining.
•	Resident human clans will be allowed to worship whatever gods they choose so long as the religion is not considered to be an enemy of the Dwarfs.

The Schweben chieftains found the conditions more than reasonable. A large feast was held cementing the exchange of oaths between the two peoples. Soon, other Schweben clans reached the same agreements with other Dwarfkings. In time, the Dwarfs gave the Schweben people the name “Dawikoni” (“Almost Dwarf”). This name was later expanded to cover any Humans whose lineage has involved their ancestors living among Dwarfs for generations.

During the war against the greenskins, a number of Schweben warriors were among the contingents of Black Mountains Dwarfs that joined the tribal armies united under the leadership of Sigmar. These troops encountered a flanking force of Orcs and Goblins in the mountains south of Black Fire Pass. In the Battle of Dracherückgrat Kamm, the allied Dwarf forces prevailed in the bloody and decisive engagement, which secured Sigmar’s right flank for the upcoming battle. 

Later Migrations
Although the first, the Schweben people were by no means the only humans to migrate to the mountains. Others have found refuge there during times of strife in The Empire. For many of these latecomers, giving an oath to a Dwarfking was no longer considered enough by their hosts. Petitioners had to prove themselves honourable to Dwarfen standards over a period of five to ten years before they were accorded anywhere near the level of trust granted to the human families who had resided in the Dwarfrealms for generations.

The carnage of the Age of Wars displaced many from the Empire. Refugees fled from their homelands in the hope of finding some peace so that they could continue to eke out a living. A number of Averlanders and Stirlanders fled eastward to escape the battles that dominated their land. With the threat of Orcs and Goblins reduced to the occasional marauding band, the ruggedness of the Worlds Edge Mountains looked inviting and (comparatively) safe.

The Dwarfs of Karak Kadrin and Zhufbar were surprised by the human migration and somewhat suspicious. They did, however, know of the pacts that had already been sealed elsewhere. Using the same oaths and requirements as those developed by King Muleric Furrowbrow, the Imperial Dwarfs of these two Dwarfholds accepted these Humans into their realms and even created a ghetto in the surface portion of their respective holds for human and Expatriate Dwarf visitors. Imperials refer to these humans as “eastern” Dawikoni.

The situation in Karaz-a-Karak and Karak Azul was far different. To the west of these more isolated Dwarfholds were the Border Princes (in the case of Karaz-a-Karak) and the Badlands (near Karak Azul). To the east were the Orc-infested Dark Lands. Human migration to the two Dwarfholds developed much later than any of the others, around the time of the Wizards’ War (late 20th century I.C.) and the subsequent Vampire Wars in The Empire (early 21st century). The general Imperial Dwarf mistrust of outsiders initially made co-existence with these humans (“southern” Dawikoni) more difficult.

In contrast, the (relatively) cosmopolitan Barak Varr welcomed human traders and some settlers very early on. Some humans trace their family roots as far back as three millennia in the Dwarf seaport.

Life in the Mountains
The majority of humans settled in the mountains generally live in small farming settlements and villages within the boundaries of the Dwarfen realms. Many work the terraced farmlands and herd their livestock from one alpine pasture to another alongside the Dwarfs of the small Farmers’ and Herders’ craftguild. Strife between the two peoples is relatively uncommon; they are more co-operative than competitive.

Some of the human hamlets that lie outside the patrolled borders of the Dwarf realms can be found in the so-called ‘hidden valleys’ which lie deep within the mountain ranges. Like their Dwarf counterparts, many of the human residents go to some length to protect the paths leading to their homes from undesirables. Pitfalls, rock slides, and other defensive measures are used to discourage outsiders from trespassing. Many of these traps were learnt from Dwarfs who had already developed a similar lifestyle.

Dawikoni dress in simple, utilitarian clothing made from wool. Except for their colourful festive attire, most of their clothing tends to be of brownish hue with red or green trim. Boots are made from hide and are often lined with fur. Headware is generally fur-lined leather skull caps only worn during the winter or when engaged in battle. When far from the village, Dawikoni wear thick, hooded travelling cloaks, generally dark green or brown in colour.

Markets for their produce and livestock are held within the Dwarfholds, with the exceptions of Karaz-a-Karak and Karak Azul. Some Dwarfholds, such as Karak Hirn, have set aside an underground portion of their hold for these markets and for general trading with travelling merchants and pedlars. Other holds, such as Karak Kadrin, have established ghettos in their surface portion for visitors and traders. These same market areas are used as a place of refuge for their human populations.

The situation in Karaz-a-Karak and Karak Azul is grimmer than any other Dwarfhold. The proximity of the Dark Lands combined with their distance from any powerful allies has made the Imperial Dwarfs in these holds far more cautious. Resident humans are given shelter in specific locations within the walls of the hold in times of war, but most interactions (such as markets) occur outside the hold’s gates.

Traders and others who do not reside within the boundaries of these two Dwarf realms are usually housed in the nearby villages the Dwarfs have built for them. Those who prove themselves honourable gain a measure of the stout folks’ trust. Other relatively “unproven” humans are never allowed within any portion of Karaz-a-Karak or Karak Azul. Should there be danger whilst they are near these Dwarfholds, these visitors are escorted to a nearby defensive position where Dwarf (or human) guards protect them.

Even though they share the same heritage, Expatriate Dwarfs do not automatically gain the trust of their mountain-dwelling brethren. They are expected to meet the same standards in proving their trustworthiness as those expected of humans.

A Call to Arms
Humans who fight for their Dwarfhold are generally deployed in two ways. The first is as scouts for the mercenary bands hired by a number of Dwarfkings to engage any enemy well before they reach the Dwarfhold. The second manner is as infantry troops manning a portion of the curtain wall, or in a similar role in the field. The use of human troops allows the Dwarfking to keep additional Dwarf troops in reserve.

Expatriate Dwarfs are used in the same manner as human troops. In some instances, the Dwarfking may create units comprising of both races to deploy along the battlements or for use as infantry.

Mercenary bands are usually soldiers-for-hire that do not reside in the Dwarf realms. Their accommodation is the same as that provided for other visitors to the Dwarfhold. In Karaz-a-Karak and Karak Azul, this means that they are provisioned outside the hold. Such troops are generally deployed outside the walls as their loyalty doesn’t inspire much confidence in the Dwarfs. To this end, Dwarfs tend to hire the type of mercenary bands that are good at hit-and-run tactics and destroying an enemy’s baggage trains and supplies. Mercenary bands are permitted to keep whatever they salvage from such operations as part of their compensation.

Social Structure
Those humans living in the Dwarf realms hold a curious mix of Dwarf and human values. Dawikoni are nearly as bound by their word as the Dwarfs and just as unlikely to give their word or swear an oath. Still, Dawikoni will do their utmost to respond to whatever reasonable request is put to them. Consistent with this behaviour is the importance the Dawikoni places on their reputation and on that of their kin. Generally, however, they are not quite obsessed with their reputations as the Dwarfs are.

Human settlements in the mountains are much like village settlements in the Empire. Their leaders (called “Elders,” much like the leaders of Dwarf clans) tend to be selected from the more influential members of the community. Since chieftains no longer exist among the resident humans, the Elders from the various settlements within a Dwarf realm select several of their number (usually three) as their representatives in the Dwarfking’s council.

Dwarfs also reside in the Dawikoni villages, though not in great numbers. Some of these may be neighbouring Dwarfs expanding their business opportunities. Most, however, are Expatriates who have learned that it is easier to live among the humans than with their own brethren. This viewpoint is especially prevalent in the Worlds Edge Mountains where the Imperial Dwarfs’ contempt for their flatlander relatives is barely concealed. (“They are just not proper Dwarfs. No respect for tradition, and far too much like the Manlings.”)

While most humans still concentrate their labours on farming and herding, a number have taken to metalcraft, woodworking and the like. Since they do so on a local level, the Dwarfs do not perceive such activity as a violation of the Oath of Binding. In fact, these human artisans fill a great need to the Dawikoni settlements as much of their handiwork (such as ploughs) is specifically made for their community.

When dealing with humans, including Dawikoni, Dwarfs prefer to use their dialect of Old Worlder. As a result, many of the Dawikoni speak an interesting blend of that and Reikspiel. In the area of the Black Mountains, Vaults, and Grey Mountains, the “original” or “western” Dawikoni use a dialect known as Gebirgspiel, which bears more resemblance to an arcane form of Reikspiel than it does to the modern version. In contrast, the Dawikoni near Karak Kadrin and Zhufbar, as well as those living in the realms of Karaz-a-Karak and Karak Azul, speak the modern form of Reikspiel. Historians believe that this difference is because the Schwaben isolated themselves from their Imperial brethren until the Goblin Wars of Sigmar.

As a group, however, the Dawikoni are a sturdy and stubborn mountain folk. They tend to view flatlanders (in much the same way mountain Dwarfs view their Expatriate brethren) as a relatively weak people used to soft living. To demonstrate this “toughness”, Dawikoni are less likely to complain when faced with uncomfortable situations.

The western Dawikoni worship Rhya and Taal in the form of their respective aspects of Dyrath (goddess of fertility) and Beornyraed (god of mountains). The rituals they observe are different than those practiced by the eastern and southern Dawikoni. While these people respect Sigmar as patron of the Empire, Sigmarite missions to convert them have met with repeated failure.

In contrast, the cult of Sigmar has had mixed success with the eastern and southern Dawikoni. This is largely due to the immigration of these people being a relatively recent phenomena compared. Still success is less than the cult prefers. The Dawikoni settlements in the southern Worlds Edge Mountains fall under the church in Akendorf (Warpstone #15, page 21),which causes the hierarchy in Altdorf some concerns. Those in the north come under the purview of the Lector in Wurtbad. In both areas, however, Rhya and Taal retain a substantial following.

Relationship with Dwarfs
The relationship between the Dawikoni and Dwarfs has been remarkable in its solidarity over the centuries. Many Dwarfs of Karaz-a-Karak still drink to the memory of Toumas Ecclesheim, a Dawikoni who held the pass through Redcrag Gorge with a handful of his companions against the forces of Chaos in 2302 I.C. His bravery allowed the Dwarf rearguard to re-establish a line of defence on the other side of the canyon, which further delayed the attack on the Dwarf capital. Likewise, the Dwarfs of Karak Hirn remember Osbern the Bold in the Battle of Dracherückgrat Kamm. He lead a ferocious counterattack against a large warband of Orcs who threatened to collapse the Dwarfs’ left flank.

Still, there have been examples where the relationship between the two races was severely tested. Sometime in the 12th century I.C., an ambitious Dawikoni elder named Eadric wanted more power and prestige for himself and his family. Feeling that he was unfairly treated by the Dwarfs, and without leave of the Dwarfking of Karak Norn, Eadric approached a Reiklander noble, Baron Liudolf von Gandersheim, whose lands abutted the eastern foothills of the Grey Mountains southwest of Ubersreik. Eadric offered to switch his allegiance. The Dawikoni dangled the possibility of soon-to-be-uncovered mineral wealth and revenue if Baron von Gandersheim would elevate Eadric to the peerage in return for his fealty. The additional wealth would allow the Baron to rebel against his liege in an attempt to wrestle further concessions, building upon the spoils he received during an earlier confrontation. 

Upon hearing word of this treachery, the Dwarfking sent an armed force of Dawikoni from other villages to bring the elder to judgment. Eadric fled from the mountains and found refuge in a chapel of Sigmar near Auerswald. Eadric’s disloyalty was repaid by fate when the chapel mysteriously burned down around him.

Another incident that caused consternation involved the Elder Theodwine and his kin during the war against the Goblin warlord Grom the Paunch. The massive greenskin horde quickly traversed Peak Pass, and arrived at Karak Kadrin sooner than expected. The Dawikoni from the immediate area barely made it into the Dwarfhold before the great gates where shut. Theodwine and his kin were returning from the higher mountain pastures with a herd of goats when the massive greenskin vanguard appeared. Theodwine knew that they could not safely flee the greenskins, so he led his kin in a mad dash for the Dwarfhold, hoping that the Dwarfs would open the gates enough to let them in. From his vantage point, the Dwarfking knew that to do so would greatly jeopardise the hold’s defences. Though the Dwarfking had his crossbowmen and cannons fire as the enemy closed, he could not risk opening the gates, nor could he allow Theodwine to be taken alive by the greenskins to suffer horrific tortures and possibly reveal secrets that would jeopardise the security of the hold. With a heavy heart, the Dwarfking ordered the Dawikoni shot before they could be captured. Dawikoni and Dwarf crossbowsmen grimly carried out their task. For years after the greenskins had gone, the memory of the deaths of Theodwine and his companions strained the confidence that the Dawikoni of Karaz Kadrin had in the Dwarfking. In fact, a number of the Dawikoni returned to human lands after this incident. 

Imperial Perceptions
Most Imperials have never heard of the Dawikoni, nor ever met one. The few who do know of their existence tend to live along the foothills bordering the mountain ranges, and have learnt of them whilst trading with the Dwarfs. Still, many of these Imperials actually think that these communities are independent villages and hamlets, free from the oppressive policies of lecherous lords. The Dawikoni do nothing to dissuade this view, though they do try to discourage outsiders from doing more than passing through. (In some cases, the Dawikoni are less trusting than Dwarfs.)

The hierarchy of the cult of Sigmar consider them to be fewer in number than they actually are. Some Sigmarites believe that the Dawikoni should be brought into the Imperial fold, but they are unsure how to do so without offending the Dwarfkings. Thus, they tread this issue carefully.

Over the course of history, a number of the local Imperial nobles (and a few Bretonnians near the Montdidier Pass as well) have tried to expand their domains into the adjacent mountainous regions in order to collect taxes from the Dawikoni. No matter what the measures taken to ensure secrecy, word seems to quickly reach the ears of the Dwarfking. A contingent of troops, led by a Dwarflord, inevitably ventures to the demesne of the human noble to correct any “misunderstandings”. Conflict has broken out on rare occasions, but these tend to be rather short, bloody affairs.

Roleplaying a Dawikoni Character

Though rare, individual Dawikoni may decide to seek their fame or fortune outside the small world of their village. More likely, they are either outcasts from society (which may happen for a variety of reasons like thievery or being just plain weird) or they may be the only survivor of a disaster that has befallen their village. Dawikoni are much like Expatriate Dwarfs in that they are a group of people who live among another race and are influenced by a different culture. The only difference between these groups is that the Expatriates are still Dwarfs in their core beliefs and predisposition, whilst the Dawikoni are human with respect to their views and tendencies.

Should a player wish to try their hand at playing a Dawikoni character then starter profiles are the same as for other human characters. The starting careers available to a Dawikoni players should be those consistent with village life in the mountains. Thus, a career like Bawd should not be available as a starting point for a Dawikoni. In addition, a starting Dawikoni character understands two dialects of Old Worlder. If the character is a western Dawikoni, the dialects are Dwarf and Gebirgspiel. The latter makes conversing in Reikspiel rather difficult. Other Dawikoni know the Dwarf and Reikspiel dialects.

The following roleplaying tips might come in handy:

Dawikoni tend to blend some Dwarfen traits into their human psyche. They find some balance between their individualism and clannishness. Like Dwarfs, players of Dawikoni characters should generally be attentive to the fact that their actions reflect upon their reputation and that of their clan. Still, Dawikoni characters should not be played as caricatures. They are as idiosyncratic as individuals of any other race. The oddity of such a character can be attributed to the varying degree of Dwarfen influence on the clan of the individual Dawikoni character. These eccentricities should be few in number so the character is not viewed as a complete oddball.

Dawikoni characters tend to share the Dwarf definition of loyalty and grudge, albeit to a lesser degree. The only saving grace is that the humanity of the Dawikoni tempers their memory of - and obsession with - such matters. Dawikoni are very loyal to those who have performed a great service on their behalf and will remain so unless betrayed in some fashion. Any who betray them, or otherwise cause them harm, earn their rancour. If the Dawikoni has the Read/Write skill, they might want to keep a journal of the deeds that were performed by others on their behalf and those who did them ill.

In addition, Dawikonis maintain a strong sense of obligation whenever they give their word. Since they also find oath-breakers vile, a Dawikoni will give considerable thought before committing to anything by way of a promise or oath. Like Dwarfs, these human clans tend to come across as non-committal. The character will still do what they can to meet the initial request, but the withholding of their oath allows the Dawikoni the freedom to determine their course of action in any given situation. Therefore, a PC should avoid “giving their word” to any request or demand unless it involves something important to themselves or their clan. Once they pledge their word, the Dawikoni PC should try to fulfil their oath to the best of their abilities.

Reputation is another typical characteristic. Ask a Dawikoni what they have accomplished in life and they will detail their deeds in a matter-of-fact way, without any obvious boasting. Boasting is left to those with little to recount.

The importance of the clan to a Dawikoni should never be understated. When things go wrong, the clan members close rank to help one another out. The downside for a Dawikoni character is that it may obligate them to a task that they (and their companions) would normally avoid. GMs could use clan ties to create new and tailor-made adventuring plots. Players of these characters should be encouraged to develop their family members and a few prominent members of the clan in concert with the GM. Such an effort would provide further depth to the character. When Dawikoni travel far from their homelands, and thus are distant from their clan, they tend to feel a deep sense of loss and even disorientation. In an attempt to cope with this, many come to view trusted travelling companions as a proxy for their true kin. In other words, whether they realise it or not, characters travelling with a Dawikoni may find themselves ‘adopted’ and expected to behave as if they were members of the character’s clan.

Sample NPC

Aethelbald the Grim
Aethelbald is a Dawikoni scout who patrols the northern Black Mountains eastward from the Winters Teeth Pass, protecting the paths that lead to several nearby Dawikoni settlements (including his own home village of Rhedaingas) and Dwarf mines. He is not alone in this duty, but is one of the more capable individuals who undertake this role.

Aethelbald is rarely encountered on the road. At the first hint of noise, he quickly retreats to one of the many blinds in the area where he can observe any intruder without being seen. Should the intruders be hostile (bandits, Goblins, and other unsavoury beings), Aethelbald will quietly slip away to raise an alarm. If the intruders are merchants or a bumbling group of individuals (a typical “adventuring” party), then he will discreetly follow them until he can determine whether they are disguised hostiles. (His battle scars have taught the Dawikoni well.)

Should Aethelbald determine the intruders are friendly, he will approach them cautiously. He speaks Reikspiel haltingly, which may give PCs the false impression that Aethelbald is a simple and backward mountain man. Aethelbald does nothing to belay this viewpoint as this incorrect assumption is to his advantage. Nonetheless, Aethelbald is helpful and will do what he can to steer any group (other than merchants with valuable wares) away from Dawikoni settlements. Outsiders are generally bad news and one should not tempt ill fortune.

Aethelbald carries a finely crafted Dwarf weapon (sorry, no runes) which was given by King Ragnar of Karak Hirn to his great-, great-grandfather, Wulfstan, for his heroics in the battles against the Bloodaxe Alliance nearly a century ago. As the sword is a family heirloom, Aethelbald will fight to the death rather than lose such a priceless gift.

Scout, ex-Hunter
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 165 lbs.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Medium Brown
Age: 32
Distinguished Traits: Missing left ear and scar on right arm
Alignment: Neutral (Taal)

M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Dex	Ld	Int	Cl	WP	Fel	
4	53	55	4	5	13	50	2	41	44	46	44	45	31	

Skills: Acute Hearing, Animal Care, Concealment Rural, Follow Trail, Game Hunting, Orientation, Scale Sheer Surface, Secret Language-Ranger, Secret Signs-Scout’s, Secret Signs-Woodsman’s, Set Traps, Silent Move Rural

Possessions: Sword, Leather Jack (0/1 AP arms/body), Crossbow (R 32/64/300, ES 4, I round to load, 1 round to shoot) and ammunition, 10 yards or Rope, and one week’s worth of rations.

Adventure Ideas

Heretics
The PCs have been hired by Sigmarite officials to locate a renegade priest who bilked poor parishioners of their meagre wealth in an eastern Stirland village. They are asked to bring him to Wurtbad for judgement. Indications are that the priest headed for the eastern mountains to avoid answering for his crimes. The truth of the matter is that Father Hultz Schneider follows the heretical belief that Sigmar was a reincarnated Dwarf hero (Warpstone 15) and preached this nonsense to his flock. The priest learnt that his heresy has come to the attention of the Inquisition in Wurtbad and departed quickly and quietly from his chapel. He had no intention of becoming a martyr for his beliefs.

Using the warrant given to them by Sigmarite officials, the PCs can gain access to the priest’s boarded-up home and the chapel in order to conduct their investigations. The PCs should learn that the priest has decided to spread the word of Sigmar to the human population living near Zhufbar. In the outlying Dawikoni of Zhufbar, Father Schneider finds a receptive audience for his heresy. PCs looking to arrest the renegade priest will have to tread carefully. The Dawikoni see any such attempt as dishonourable (especially in light of their guarantee of safety for the priest) and will likely make it difficult for the PCs to succeed. Since the Dawikoni are under the protection of the king of Zhufbar, any violence directed towards the resident human clans might result in the intervention of the Imperial Dwarfs. Players will have to finesse their way through this tangle in order to resolve this predicament.

Whose Land is this?
Being enterprising sorts, a group of adventuring PCs roams the Black Mountains avoiding the occasional Dwarf patrol as they seek an abandoned mining settlement in their search of treasure. As they enter its depths, they are spotted by a Dawikoni hunter who reports the intrusion to his clan in a nearby village. By the time the PCs return to the surface, they find whatever supplies and equipment they left on the surface are missing and that they are surrounded by a group of angry mountain people. PCs will have some difficulty understanding the dialect of the mountain people and should take Int tests (+10 for Linguistics) to comprehend what is being said to them. Generally, the PCs are told that they’re being held until the local lord arrives to dispense his justice.

The PCs are held captive until the local Dwarf Lord and his retinue arrive. Looting a Dwarf site is considered a serious crime in the eyes of Dwarfs and Dawikoni, and the pleas of the PCs go unheeded. Should they manage to escape before judgement is rendered, they will be hunted by Dawikoni hunters and Dwarf scouts. As the Dwarfs expected no less from Manlings, they are not terribly upset with the escape. The Dawikoni are more unforgiving as the escape will be perceived as a slight to their ability, and thus to their honour. GMs might use this encounter as a means to show how humans can be more Dwarflike than the Dwarfs.

Treachery
On a mission for a local Averlander Baron, the PCs are required to cross a mountainous pass to the County of Vidvodan in the Border Princes. The PCs arrive at a small village in the foothills where they seek a guide to lead them through the Black Mountains. The funds given to the PCs are insufficient to hire a Dwarf, so they instead hire a Dawikoni trapper who arrived to trade his wares a day or so before the PCs arrived. The Dawikoni is in dire straits, though he does not tell his new employers. His family has been captured by local bandits who prey on travellers on the Imperial side of the mountains. The Dawikoni had little choice but to agree to lure unwary victims to them.

The Dawikoni is guilt-ridden so keeps to himself throughout the trip. In two days, the trap will be sprung, the adventurers slain, and his family returned. What if the bandits renege on their bargain? Can the Dawikoni ask these flatlanders to help him? The players should have some opportunity to demonstrate their character to the Dawikoni guide. If they prove themselves trustworthy and honourable, the guide will approach the PCs’ leader for help in rescuing his family. (The Dawikoni has no idea how this could be accomplished and needs to rely on the players’ ingenuity.) If the players prove themselves to be selfish and bothersome fools, then the guide will leave them to their fate and use the ambush as a diversion to get past the rather busy bandits (so he can rescue his own family).