The Three
'The Tale of the Three' is a belief of the Brathmordakin, which outlines the three dwarven Paragons; Urir Ireheart, Kjell Ireheart, and Valen Grandaxe, who defeated Khorvad in Aegis. Most dwarves believe the story, although there is speculation to if this story is completely true among other races.
Many years ago, the great sons of Urguan faced the decimation of the world as they knew it and the collapse of civilization to the hordes of Khorvad’s scourge. Though many stories can be told of the heroes who entered the depths of the Nether to challenge the undead, there is but one that shall be focused upon this day. It is of course that of the three dwarven champions, the Paragons Urir Ireheart, Kjell Ireheart and Valen Grandaxe. For it was as our world burned and the skies fell that our very existence was left in their hands. Their deeds are what allow us now to continue to breathe the fresh airs of Yemekar’s blessing. For that, they shall be amongst those heroes of legend we will remember for all eternity.
To begin our tale, it was upon the dawn of impending doom that Grand King Thorik Grandaxe of Kal’Urguan was made aware of what was to come. Despite vast military victories in recent times, the last century had represented an era of sin. Many dwarves had forsaken their true gods in the aftermath of the collapse of the Khorvadic Empire. Instead, they turned towards the Ascended, worshippers of Aeriel and followers of a heretical doctrine. Yet as the human Kingdom of Oren fell, and the dwarves were betrayed by the Ascended at Alras, they proved only that their words were of poison. Though the dwarves soon realised the fault in their ways, they now stood truly alone . Despite this, there was but one last hope that still remained. The Nether as it was known, a desolate and godforsaken plane, where within stood the great towers of Drauchreich. There, the undead conducted their slaughter upon the mortal world with merciless efficiency. It was here that the dwarven heroes would be challenged to cast the Axe of Krug into the fiery well, and once and for all, bring an end to Khorvad’s reign. Quickly, Grand King Thorik spread the word to his highest advisors who each expressed their own forms of concern. There were three amongst his council who ultimately took upon the burden of entering the Nether. Urir Ireheart, ‘Bane of the Undead’ famed for his aggressive nature and stoicism in the face of danger. Kjell Ireheart, ‘The Emperor Dragon Slayer’ a fierce leader and an inspiration to those who served beneath him. Finally there was Valen Grandaxe, ‘The Wordsmith’ a dwarf who valued diplomatic intrigue and the power of words above all else. Together, they were the three who would go on to face the undead.
As the gates of Kal'Urguan fell and the once great and thriving civilization of dwarves were forced to retreat from their hallowed halls, there was but one light in the darkness that still shone bright. Though the Ascended had failed to unite the races and defend the civilizations of Aegis in time, their failure soon led to the reestablishment of the true dwarven religion. By Yemekar’s mercy and Dungrimm’s might, the dwarves would fight on until the bitter end. For this, the three champions were not afraid to perish within the fires of Khorvad’s domain. Whether for honour, glory or redemption, they would do all in their power to protect their kin. For the dwarves who had survived the Fall of Kal’Urguan, they together reignited the fires of hope.
When the day soon dawned upon them that they would enter through the gates of the nether, they did so without fear or regard for their own lives. Joining up with champions of the other mortal races, they would all fight on for their world’s survival. In the many barrages of fire from the undead beasts, Kjell was knocked aside unconscious as his kin pushed onwards. Urir however was armoured in the plating, provided to him by the Grand King, said to be blessed by Yemekar himself. Along with his own superior agility, he stormed ahead of the group of champions, battling waves upon waves of undead single-handedly, until finally both he and Valen reached the great undead fortress of Drauchreich. From there, the two dwarves divided into separate directions. It was Urir however who came upon the Axe of Krug. Entry required the payment of a soul and so another of the mortal races nobly cast himself over the edge of the fortress, so giving the dwarf entry. Urir went on, discovering that only by sacrificing his own life would he be able to destroy the Axe. As his whole life flashed before his eyes, he dropped into the inferno of the Nexus, the Axe of Krug held gripped between his fingers. In a great burst of energy, the city of Drauchreich collapsed into the fires from whence it came, while the portals to the plane of the damned were sealed forever.
Though Urir had paid the ultimate sacrifice, his kin had not yet fallen. As Drauchreich began to collapse all around him, Valen was forced to step through one of the portals as it quickly snapped shut behind him. There he found himself deep within a great cave system, no life, nor a single being around him. Still lost however, he eventually stumbled upon an Alrasian, his once mortal enemy. Together, the two agreed to put aside their grudges for the time being, traversing the cave system until they reached the surface world once again. As great dragons poured fire around them, they battled their way back towards the Cloud Temple, where together, they rejoined their kin and went on into the portal that would one day guide them to Asulon. Kjell too had awoken and made his way back through the portal, stepping back out to see the sight of a burning forest of Laurelin. There, the great black dragons of Khorvad wreaked havoc upon the world. Legend has it told that Kjell battled the dragons, defeating them all before departing for the fallen city of Kal’Urguan. There, for the duration of his life, he would remain as its last guardian and defender.
Though the stories of Valen and Kjell did not end there, these shall be told another day. For the Ascended would have us believe that it was they who led the way to the destruction of the undead. Yet, that one amongst our dwarven kin would venture into the depths of the nether, knowing if not certain of their own imminent demise is extraordinary. For this, the actions of the three shall be remembered and as Paragons, they shall eternally feast within the great halls of the Brathmordakin. For the story of the three must be remembered amongst our kin if we are ever to face such a threat again. May in times of great peril, the grace of Yemekar guide us forward once more and his divine light give hope where this is none.
