Mannock, the greed-filled god

The Screams yet echoed throughout the Isles. Upon the green and the rock of the Isles shimmered the dark of the red of the first blood. The soul of the first dead had left its body, and Pain had ripped into the lands for the first time. How destructive was the rage of Cyndiran, the Dread Queen; how mortifying the fear of the newly mortal creatures. The war of the Aether raged on in the smoke and mist of the deadened realm, yet in the peaceful lands beyond lay the Isles newly born. In the shadows and silt of the caves of Dubiue of Larinol, the First Blood carved into the breaches of the stone walls. And the blood seeped and dripped down unto the beauteous stones. And when day broke over Larinol, the bright rays of morn broke and split on the gems of the caverns. And the beams from the first flashed unto the second. And this dance of beams, of magnificent stones, from the maze of crystalline light was born the flesh of Mannock, the god who mines. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Whence the god had first been born, he was still filled with the greed for wealth and stones of gloried sheen that runs through the Dwarves to this day. And he seized the stones about him, bent them into carving tools, and went to seek for fortune. And as he struck the stones beneath, which each swing would burn a spark. And from each spark of his seeking was born another Dwarf, who joined him in his seeking. And they did not rest until they had found a great fortune of stones. And these stones were made to build a great Hall, where they would take of their feasts and festival. And the fortunes they had found were made to crown their king, and build tools and clothes and armor. And they built more halls, and a kingdom their own, much the same. And it came time for them to climb out to bear witness to the mortal realm, dressed in the fineries of earth. And thus they spread across the cavern halls, across the Isle of Larinol, and unto lands beyond. And rose up traitors and liars who persuaded away hosts of the Dwarves from their lord. And came hosts of Dwarves who broke to become ruled by themselves. Yet still the seeking greed flows through all. And deep within the echoing caves of Larinol lives the King of Dwarves, lord of those of whom delve deep.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

" He wasn't tall, but he was big. I mean, huge - he was taller than a dwarf usually is, but just as square and stocky. I mean he looked like he was made of bricks - kind of like he ate 'em too. He looked almost geometric; you know, squares and trapezoids and all that. He was adorned in the most ornate and strong-lookin' armor I had ever seen. He had square features - I mean, like, 90 degrees on his face. His eyes were yellowish, like he just hadn't seen the sun or a fresh vegetable in millennia - prolly' hadn't. He was covered in soot - I mean, like, almost a full half inch of dust and dirt on his skin; I couldn't even know what color he was. I presume pale - you know, from being underground. But he was born from dirt, you know, so he could be gray for all I know - black, brown, hells, I mean, purple or something! He had no hair, and he wore this ornate square crown made of a metal so precious looking I think it cost more than my entire home-kingdom. And his beard! little 4 tics long, it almost touched the ground! Did he see me? Nope, not at all, try as I might to get seen. He was consumed in his mining. Just...full of greed. I almost admire it"

Torny Hayfeather, a human coal miner from Occhid that had been stationed in a Larinol expedition and happened upon the Stone-king. He was murdered by hobgoblin bandits on the job in his late 50s, a few years after this was penned.

Current Status

" Minin' "

Age

"Guess"

Date of Birth

"Old 'nough"

Date of Death

"I ain't died!"

Circumstances of Birth

"When a Dwarf and a Lady-Dwarf love each other very much..."

Circumstances of Death

"Ya' questions 'ere in a minute if you don't shuddup!"

Birthplace

"You don't wanna know, son"

Place of Death

"I'll get back to ya' when I fin' out"

Current Residence

What's it to ya'?

Sex

"When the wife's in the mood"

Gender

"I hardly know 'er!"

Presentation

"Well ya' lookin' at me, ain't ya'??"

Eyes

"Up 'ere"

Hair

"None up top, ya' know; but look at this 'ere! 4 tic long beard, salty as the sea and peppery as ma's cookin'

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

unknown; due to a thick layer of dust, charcoal, and and dirt

Height

"7 tics...okay, 6 tics 83"

Weight

"'Dat's my business!"

Belief/Deity

Cult of the Sacred Quarry / Dwarven Folklore