Grindstone's Grain
By the Will of the Dwarves.
The recent history of The Four Peaks Valley:
About 300 years ago is when humans came into this valley, led by the Hyacinth family, now of Grindstone, and the great followers of Cuthbert, the dwarves took them in, as the humans were being chased by the hordes of the orc lord Mumra (we have since learned he was an orog, an ordained one of Gruumsh himself). The Dwarves knew the destruction that could befall the human kin.
This orc, Mumra, had gathered the many tribes of the greenskins of the north and east, and even some goblinoids from the south for the first time in centuries. He then called the Lunateks. Their strength was unmatched together as this horde, they sacked the homeland of the Hyacinth family, and then gave chase for months. Thus, the Hyacinth family led a mass exodus from their homeland, leading these people for over five years, orc tribes biting at their backs day and night along the way. The Cuthberts aided in their escape, and recommended the newly founded dwarven stronghold of Grindstone.
The orcs gave chase for one reason, for Mumra really. The reason he wanted them for the Hyacinth royal blood; their line can be chased back to the beginning. To that end, Mumra needed it for an ancient incantation.
Thankfully, the Dwarves of Grindstone protected the humans. Moreover, this alliance formed a valuable defense, and in such they two races also gained access to the Elven kingdoms of the North and South. The gnomes of the west were willing to join, as well. And for nearly 150 years they succeeded in such protection, fending off orcs, goblinoids, and other such evils of the forest.
They assumed Mumra was long dead, and they soon learned that they were very wrong. Mumra, seemingly immortal, arose again with the might of the tribes.
Thus, the kingdoms of the valley gathered a champion from each to fight against the Orc Lord Mumra.
Master Thubten Lo, of the Dwarven clan Lo that was the first to settle this valley, arrived before the others as Obad Hai guided him. It is at this meeting spot where he later erected his monastery.
Next, Tierna Bloodflower, the now Queen of the northern elven forests, came with spear and her giant ape Ubuntu. She was a powerful sorceress, even more so now. Then, Lady Nailia, the now queen of the southern elven forests and mother to the great paladin Anatalia Nailia. She still leads the elves in the southern forests. She is also the patron of Sparkle’s Grove, where many forest gnomes gather.
The Great and Powerful McGlinty, a gnomish wizard and patron of Glintgots, came next, riding a bolt of lightning, so the elven queens say. He has now since passed, but his legacy established Glintgots as the great city of magic and stories. His daughter, a paladin of the gnomish god Garl Glittergold, now rules with patience and strength. Lastly, two great warriors of the house of Hycinth came. Knights atop great steads, Sir Heroum and Sir Elthad, proved most valuable warriors. These human knights were volunteers, the only from the Hyacinth ranks. Many, dwarves and elves and gnomes of this land, acknowledge that two humans chose to fight, while many stayed behind. The Queen Bloodflower’s people in particle blame the humans of Hyacinth for all this valley’s turmoil.
Thus, once they gathered and greeted one another--already prepared--into the northern High Desert the went. Nearly two years went by, and yes in that time the horde of Mumra halted, and when they returned, Lady Nailia, Master Lo, Lady Bloodflower, and The Powerful Mcglinty, returned only. They carried more wounds than just on their bodies; they were heartbroken from the loss of Heroum and Elthad. Master Lo also carried a small child, a half-orc it would seem. This created a wedge between him and the gnome, McGlinty, thus believing the orc should have not lived. The ladies sided with the dwarf, and thus they group began to separate. However, upon their return, the whole Grindstone celebrated, but the newly arrived humans of the Hyacinth family disdained at the loss of their heroes.
Hearts filled with woe, the four returned heroes then went to their own kingdoms, fortifying their own walls, and life moved on for much time.
New orders were made, and old alliances died. Most common folk nearly forgot about the horrible Mumra. Not the four who lived, though. There was ancient magic beyond their control at work that day when Heroum and Elthad fell. Their souls fed an odd power. Nearly thirty years later, the Lunatek orc tribe again came from the northeast, and again Mumra’s voice grew, and again his horde assaulted the kingdoms of this valley.
Not surprisingly, the lords of Grindstone worried. Once more, heroes were asked for, and in odd shapes, the call was answered. Soveliss Amakiir came, a half-elf cleric, once of the sun god Pelor, now of a more ancient entity, nature and its embodiment Obad-hai. This god, some believe, wanted a direct protection for this ancient valley. The natural embodiment here goes back to the creation of all life on this planet.
Obad-hai also called upon Master Lo, but in Thoobten’s place, the old dwarf monk volunteered his star pupil, a half-orc warrior/monk called Glyph. The same child Thubten brought back with him thirty years before from Mumra’s lands. Also to gather, from the druids of the Elder Tree under the Dragon Glass Mountains, the young gnome Zook “Cloak” Greenleaf-Flowerservent Beren of Glintgots.
The last two to join was Seraphina Hilltopple, a young halfling warrior princess ordained by the gods, gifted a great sword of strength, and Anatalia Nailia, princess to the southern forests and paladin of the green goddess Ehlonna. For two years they traveled and fought orcs, yuan-ti, and other crazed monstrosities. They gained the trust of ancient dragons and other celestial creatures. Inevitably, they faced Mumra, the everliving, atop Had’s tower, the third great peak that forms this valley’s name, and this rid this realm of his evil. He himself was taken to the beastlands to stand trial for his crimes against nature. His great spear, purportedly given to him by Gruumsh himself, the group shattered with the help of the greatest celestine spirits, the Seven Stones of Obad-hai. Stories tell they intrinsic to this world, guardians and patrons created at the time of this world’s inception. Few understand their power.
That was near 100 years ago. The stories of the heroes have spread, and this valley has known relative peace for such time. Yet, good cannot exist with evil. Dark is only known through light, and even though under the protection of those heroes, these lands have prospered and grown, a newer darkness creeps across the Broken Glass Desert to the south.
There are other Organizations you may be a part of: A Goregold (a thieves' guild The Seventh Council (diplomats, mages, warriors, and scholars Cuthbert's Will (oriented to the LN, a religious group of clerics, monks, and paladins. Hammerer (A religious group of clerics and paladins who worship the dwarven god of the Forge, Moradin Disciples of Lo (worships of nature and the deities that preside over them; Obad- Hai is the main patron, however: a sect of monks and druids, predominantly outcasts and half orcs.) Followers of the Whispering Wind: these are those who love and recite the philosophies of the Gem Flower, Soveless Amakiir; he was the party leader of the first diverse party of adventurers to rise to fame because of their bravery: they defeated the dreaded orcish Warlock Mumra. However, there have been new arrivals from the south recently: Yuan ti. As of yet, they have simply been travelers, and before that, nothing but legend. However, now, they come to these lands? Why now? They come in groups, no smaller than 6, and sometimes larger than 50. Most towns can all but cater to their demands. And worse, it seems, these rumors say, that yet with them, also a new arrival of dark trades: drugs trafficking, people being torn from families. Adrik Fireforge, your leader and friend, has gathered you and other adventurers to look in to these creatures of legend.
About 300 years ago is when humans came into this valley, led by the Hyacinth family, now of Grindstone, and the great followers of Cuthbert, the dwarves took them in, as the humans were being chased by the hordes of the orc lord Mumra (we have since learned he was an orog, an ordained one of Gruumsh himself). The Dwarves knew the destruction that could befall the human kin.
This orc, Mumra, had gathered the many tribes of the greenskins of the north and east, and even some goblinoids from the south for the first time in centuries. He then called the Lunateks. Their strength was unmatched together as this horde, they sacked the homeland of the Hyacinth family, and then gave chase for months. Thus, the Hyacinth family led a mass exodus from their homeland, leading these people for over five years, orc tribes biting at their backs day and night along the way. The Cuthberts aided in their escape, and recommended the newly founded dwarven stronghold of Grindstone.
The orcs gave chase for one reason, for Mumra really. The reason he wanted them for the Hyacinth royal blood; their line can be chased back to the beginning. To that end, Mumra needed it for an ancient incantation.
Thankfully, the Dwarves of Grindstone protected the humans. Moreover, this alliance formed a valuable defense, and in such they two races also gained access to the Elven kingdoms of the North and South. The gnomes of the west were willing to join, as well. And for nearly 150 years they succeeded in such protection, fending off orcs, goblinoids, and other such evils of the forest.
They assumed Mumra was long dead, and they soon learned that they were very wrong. Mumra, seemingly immortal, arose again with the might of the tribes.
Thus, the kingdoms of the valley gathered a champion from each to fight against the Orc Lord Mumra.
Master Thubten Lo, of the Dwarven clan Lo that was the first to settle this valley, arrived before the others as Obad Hai guided him. It is at this meeting spot where he later erected his monastery.
Next, Tierna Bloodflower, the now Queen of the northern elven forests, came with spear and her giant ape Ubuntu. She was a powerful sorceress, even more so now. Then, Lady Nailia, the now queen of the southern elven forests and mother to the great paladin Anatalia Nailia. She still leads the elves in the southern forests. She is also the patron of Sparkle’s Grove, where many forest gnomes gather.
The Great and Powerful McGlinty, a gnomish wizard and patron of Glintgots, came next, riding a bolt of lightning, so the elven queens say. He has now since passed, but his legacy established Glintgots as the great city of magic and stories. His daughter, a paladin of the gnomish god Garl Glittergold, now rules with patience and strength. Lastly, two great warriors of the house of Hycinth came. Knights atop great steads, Sir Heroum and Sir Elthad, proved most valuable warriors. These human knights were volunteers, the only from the Hyacinth ranks. Many, dwarves and elves and gnomes of this land, acknowledge that two humans chose to fight, while many stayed behind. The Queen Bloodflower’s people in particle blame the humans of Hyacinth for all this valley’s turmoil.
Thus, once they gathered and greeted one another--already prepared--into the northern High Desert the went. Nearly two years went by, and yes in that time the horde of Mumra halted, and when they returned, Lady Nailia, Master Lo, Lady Bloodflower, and The Powerful Mcglinty, returned only. They carried more wounds than just on their bodies; they were heartbroken from the loss of Heroum and Elthad. Master Lo also carried a small child, a half-orc it would seem. This created a wedge between him and the gnome, McGlinty, thus believing the orc should have not lived. The ladies sided with the dwarf, and thus they group began to separate. However, upon their return, the whole Grindstone celebrated, but the newly arrived humans of the Hyacinth family disdained at the loss of their heroes.
Hearts filled with woe, the four returned heroes then went to their own kingdoms, fortifying their own walls, and life moved on for much time.
New orders were made, and old alliances died. Most common folk nearly forgot about the horrible Mumra. Not the four who lived, though. There was ancient magic beyond their control at work that day when Heroum and Elthad fell. Their souls fed an odd power. Nearly thirty years later, the Lunatek orc tribe again came from the northeast, and again Mumra’s voice grew, and again his horde assaulted the kingdoms of this valley.
Not surprisingly, the lords of Grindstone worried. Once more, heroes were asked for, and in odd shapes, the call was answered. Soveliss Amakiir came, a half-elf cleric, once of the sun god Pelor, now of a more ancient entity, nature and its embodiment Obad-hai. This god, some believe, wanted a direct protection for this ancient valley. The natural embodiment here goes back to the creation of all life on this planet.
Obad-hai also called upon Master Lo, but in Thoobten’s place, the old dwarf monk volunteered his star pupil, a half-orc warrior/monk called Glyph. The same child Thubten brought back with him thirty years before from Mumra’s lands. Also to gather, from the druids of the Elder Tree under the Dragon Glass Mountains, the young gnome Zook “Cloak” Greenleaf-Flowerservent Beren of Glintgots.
The last two to join was Seraphina Hilltopple, a young halfling warrior princess ordained by the gods, gifted a great sword of strength, and Anatalia Nailia, princess to the southern forests and paladin of the green goddess Ehlonna. For two years they traveled and fought orcs, yuan-ti, and other crazed monstrosities. They gained the trust of ancient dragons and other celestial creatures. Inevitably, they faced Mumra, the everliving, atop Had’s tower, the third great peak that forms this valley’s name, and this rid this realm of his evil. He himself was taken to the beastlands to stand trial for his crimes against nature. His great spear, purportedly given to him by Gruumsh himself, the group shattered with the help of the greatest celestine spirits, the Seven Stones of Obad-hai. Stories tell they intrinsic to this world, guardians and patrons created at the time of this world’s inception. Few understand their power.
That was near 100 years ago. The stories of the heroes have spread, and this valley has known relative peace for such time. Yet, good cannot exist with evil. Dark is only known through light, and even though under the protection of those heroes, these lands have prospered and grown, a newer darkness creeps across the Broken Glass Desert to the south.
There are other Organizations you may be a part of: A Goregold (a thieves' guild The Seventh Council (diplomats, mages, warriors, and scholars Cuthbert's Will (oriented to the LN, a religious group of clerics, monks, and paladins. Hammerer (A religious group of clerics and paladins who worship the dwarven god of the Forge, Moradin Disciples of Lo (worships of nature and the deities that preside over them; Obad- Hai is the main patron, however: a sect of monks and druids, predominantly outcasts and half orcs.) Followers of the Whispering Wind: these are those who love and recite the philosophies of the Gem Flower, Soveless Amakiir; he was the party leader of the first diverse party of adventurers to rise to fame because of their bravery: they defeated the dreaded orcish Warlock Mumra. However, there have been new arrivals from the south recently: Yuan ti. As of yet, they have simply been travelers, and before that, nothing but legend. However, now, they come to these lands? Why now? They come in groups, no smaller than 6, and sometimes larger than 50. Most towns can all but cater to their demands. And worse, it seems, these rumors say, that yet with them, also a new arrival of dark trades: drugs trafficking, people being torn from families. Adrik Fireforge, your leader and friend, has gathered you and other adventurers to look in to these creatures of legend.
Geography
Three main rivers, anciently, congregated on the spot that is now Grindstone. Forests and grasses have now been irrigated by the peoples over the generations, and Grindstone itself is a man-made mountain dome, harnessing the powers of these rivers; they turn the giant wheels of the city, providing energy, light, and water. These wheels also command two giant doors, made from the mountain stones far to the east; these doors are ready to slam shut, at a near moments notice, because of the power of these ancient rivers.
Natural Resources
It is called Grindstone's Grain for a reason.
Grindstone was first started as a major quarry for the area. However, with the arrival of more peoples, and the mastery of irrigation techniques, grain became a needed and then excessive commodity, one that was exported to great profit for the people of the great trading, river city.
Grindstone was first started as a major quarry for the area. However, with the arrival of more peoples, and the mastery of irrigation techniques, grain became a needed and then excessive commodity, one that was exported to great profit for the people of the great trading, river city.
Alternative Name(s)
Grindstone, Heart of the Peaks
Type
Megastructure
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Contested By
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