Tales of Dagger Dale

This is the story of the Adventures of Thane of Dagger Falls. A member of the Dagger Dale Guard who writes his adventures, experiences, and news of the Dagger Dale. The stories you will find here are real.

Monday, June 10, 2013

How the War Began - Part 1

Our tale began when riders from the Eastern parts of our land came bearing  an urgent message for Lord Morn. They were not your ordinary messengers, since men such as these were not respected in these parts of the Dales. I don't think even in parts where Commoners travel or live. 

I can remember their visit, the Dagger Dale Guard were disturbed by these creatures ever since our dealing with them in times of trouble - those days were dark, when Dagger Falls was controlled by the Zhentarim. We called them creatures or so called terrors of the night, since they became collaborators with our enemy, controlling the roads towards the east. Men of the Dagger Dale would seldom travel the roads for fear of being raided, enslaved, or killed by these creatures. 

That had been many years, and till this day, the people of the Falls still remember their part in the suffering of its people. We call them creatures, because we had little respect for them. They are known to the Commoners as "bugbears"; cousins to the foul Goblins, but larger. 

When they approach our gates at Dagger Falls, the men at the gate feared they would bring the war of the past. Captain Hamen of Dagger Valley called the men to arms, facing only six men on horses. Word was sent to men who were on rest. The men that came were at the Red Rock Inn & Tavern, one of them was Lord Alessandro. A visitor from the Elvish lands closest to Myth Drannor. Lord Alessandro came in haste when he got word from one of our Guards, Theoden O'Connor. Alessandro joined us - even he was surprised by these travelers.  Alessandro had the courage to meet these creatures.

To his surprise, they came bearing a message of peace - not a message of war. Alessandro met with one who seemed to be the leader. They called him Jorak, he was son of the famed Chieftain, Bungedin of the Hill Kings. The Hill King sent his son to deliver a message of unity and support. 

They were escorted by the Guard to Morn's Palace. Heavily guarded by our men, we were not sure if they would attack. Captain Hamen doubled his forces at the gate, in case of attack. 

It was told to us that Jorak knelt before Morn to assure him of peace. Both discussed a prophesy of uniting the Dagger Dale people with the creatures of the Hills. Alessandro was present with his men, and so were the Guard Commanders. Jorak spoke in a foreign tongue, similar to the language of Dwarves who long ago resided in these parts before the Zhentarim had occupied our people. The King of the Hill requested the House of Morn to come to his lands. His reason was based on a sign. Jorak handed to Morn a gift taken long ago from the people of the Falls - it was a Golden Disk, symbol of the Lathanderin Faith. Jorak told Morn of his fathers dream that the "Sun rose above the Hills bringing forth life." The King of the Hill believed it was a sign from the Lathanderin deity who wanted peace, but it can only be brought about through this offering. The King of the Hills, as the rest of his people, believed that their troubles would be remedied if they made this alliance. Jorak spoke of an evil festoring in the southern parts. It plagued the creatures of the Hills. 

At once, Morn gathered his Guard and planned a visit. Morn was a  believer in Lathander, and felt compelled to respond. Many cautioned him believing it was a trap, but Morn was no fool to surprises, nor in the sign he was told by Jorak. He assured Jorak that what ever evil lurks in the south will be delt with swiftly. He planned to journey to the Hill King with his Guards and Lord Alessandro.

When Morn met with the Hill King, Bungadim knelt before Lord Morn in joy. He welcomed Lord Morn as though he was his brother. Such a gesture was unthought of - even Lord Morn himself knelt before the Hill King, but he insisted that it would do him dishonor. I wish these stories were untrue, but witnesses told of how Lord Morn showed him honor. The Hill King begged for forgiveness, the Hill King recounted the story of their troubles and sealed a pack with Lord Morn, "Never to harm the people of Dagger Dale".

Was this the blessing we wanted from Lathander? One would say that Lord Morn was delusional, but what they both shared could not be fabricated, nor twisted by evil. Lathander was bringing peace to Dagger Dale. A dream answered for Morn, and a promise made known to the people of the Falls. 

This began the time of peace, but the Guard would enter a time of trouble. 

Thursday, September 21, 2006

The March To Krag's Keep

These nights have been extremely cold. We had conquered the Ogre's Clan and taken over their keep, and now, Commander Alessandro is preparing with his sergeants to take Krag's Keep.

According to the men, word has it that these fearsome Orcs are not like your usual Orc. They have been given a kind of learning, much like the Common folk of the dales, to make the land flourish. Some say they raise their own cattle, farm their own lands and guard it as though it was Shadowdale or any other dale. Strange, we commoners never could imagine undignified creatures, such as the Orcs, to be learned. This brings fear to the men, as one of them, Jenis of Daggerfalls, mentioned that he heard from the Freedom Fighters that these Orcs are capable of fighting like the dales men. Have we met our match?

We will soon learn from our travels. Lathander has been very good to us. With our prayers, our Commander will lead us to victory. The only thing I wonder about, what lies further south?

Need to finish packing before our march.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

The First Time We've Witnessed Flying Elves

Preparations are being made to travel south to the Krag's keep. We know it by that name since the chieftain of that tribe is named Krag; an Orc that has worked in collaboration with the giant men and the Hobgoblins of this region. Scouts have said to us that this army of Orcs will be a challenge for the men. Destroying the Hobgoblin armies and the Ogres was easy, but this time we face a stronger opponent, capable of fighting like well trained warriors. We feel outnumbered, rumor from the scouts have suggested that the number of Orcs out number our
men both at Thrag's Keep and at Baldin's Keep.

But men of the Dales do not fear numbers nor the weak steel of the Orcs. They may have numbers, but...WE HAVE LATHANDER!

Men are preparing by sharpening their sabers and daggers, and repairing their broken bands and leather strings from their armor. They know the Orcs present a threat to the people of the Dagger Dale. No matter what, they will do everything in their strength to face Krag.

We received word from messengers at Baldin's Keep that Randal Morn had sent us supplies and 490 Dagger Dale Guards. That makes us 1367 strong!

While many were training, eating, and resting for the march to Krag's Keep, the men looked to the sky to see birds circling over the camp. Later, more birds came as they began to fill the sky. It must have been 50 or so. It was a spectacular sight. They looked like Eagles. Could they be from Eagle's Erie. But the Dwarves have not been there over 150 years.

None of the young men have ever seen so many birds at once. It feels as if the distance between us cannot be measured. These animals looked as though they could touch the sun. Sargeant Elenar called for Captain Alessandro to see. He rushed from his tent to see these birds flying above the keep in a circular formation as they began to descend to the keep. All, including the Captain, became fearful. Captain called out to the men: "Men, get ready!" Suddenly these Eagle-like creatures no longer looked as the birds of Eagles Erie, but as men with wings. They encircled the keep in speeds which we could not measure, but they were beautiful in flight. One by one they began to land on the sides of the keep where we gathered. They looked magnificent, clad in beautiful armor as though they shined as bright as the sun. Our men stood in amazement seeing that these creatures were males and females. Then one came to the center of the camp and with a powerful thrust of his wings, he landed before the Guard. He must have been a smaller giant, he stood above many of the men. We were captured by this creature's beauty. They appeared to be of Elf Kin.

Captain Alessandro commanded the men to put their weapons away. The tall winged creature came forth as he spoke, "Where is the man they call Alessandro?" The Captain walked forward and presented himself, "I am Alessandro."

The winged creature gently smiled at him saying, "I am Dovian of the Winged Folk, Captain of the Eagle's Claw, and servant of Princess Casandra, Cloud Giant of the Island of Tyrnos. We came to aid you and the folk of Dagger Dale in the defeat of the goblinoid armies. We give you our swords as a pledge of Princess Casandra's blessing to the men of the House of Morn." With that, Dovian bowed before Captain Alessandro to show his allegiance. I have never seen Alessandro so amazed as he walked towards Captain Dovian, giving his arm to Winged Creature as a sign of friendship.

All in the camp cheered! We all knew that Lathander was watching over us - we will defeat the Krag's Army.

Friday, June 16, 2006

The Fall of Thrag's Keep

The men are enjoying their time of rest after the quick defeat at Thrag's Keep. We took the keep with great numbers, thinking that these giant men would crush our army. They are called Ogres: ugly giant men who live in the hills and mountains. Thrag stood no match for our Daggerdale Guard. Thanks to the help of the spies, the trackers, and the hunters, we were able to catch them by surprise and get rid of them once and for all.

Our people in Daggerdale called these giant men "the tribe of the Man Eaters". They have been known to capture wondering travelers near the western parts of Dagger Hills. On defeating these "Man Eaters", we came across 15 survivors from Dagger Morn and Dagger Valley (12 women and 2 men.) Some were wounded by mistreatment, others were badly bruised. One of them appeared to be pregnant. It is known, according to some sages, that these giant men take the women of our towns to have their way with them, breeding a new race of giant men. The offspring are known to be smarter, but more aggressive as they are raised to be brutes.

This woman as well as the rest of the survivors will be taken to Dagger Falls where they will recuperate for the time. I do not know if the woman will survive. They are very lucky to be alive. One of the women captured by the Ogres told a Guard that they would take the prisoners out of the cage and beat them with clubs. After the beating, they would chop the prisoner to pieces, then eat them raw or sometimes roasted. Horrible to imagine the suffering these people endured.

Among the prisoners was an Emissary from the Kingdom of Cormyr, named Don Reinaldos Diaz de Vivar. Rumor has it that chests were found in one of the caves bearing the seal of Cormyr. Don Reinaldos is not speaking to any of the Guard, for it seems as though Captain Alessandro and Calis have angered him. Many of the Guard do not trust him, but some say that Captain Alessandro should ask him for help in defeating the Orcs in the south. Maybe we may just get the reinforcements we need to defeat the Orcs.

Men continue to speak of our fallen, especially Robert of Dagger Falls, who faught valiantly against the Ogre known as Dunador. According to Captain Calis, the young man battled the giant in the caves. Witnesses said that Robert was pierced by Dunador's blade, but Robert managed to free himself from the blow as he thrusted his saber into Dunador's chest. Robert did not move after the stabbing Dunador. He laid on the chest of the giant still holding the hilt of his saber with both hands. Valiant Robert will be remembered.