Antom

Stone

1 Creation of the Dwarves

¹In the beginning, Pekeana, Forger of the Stone-Earth, surveyed the deep realms, where mountains rose like silent giants under the heavens. ²And Pekeana, in the heart of the world, where stone sings and darkness dwells, felt a longing, a yearning to fill the void with life unyielding.

³He gathered the essence of the mountains, the granite strong, the slate enduring, and the ore pure. ⁴And Pekeana declared, “From this stone, I shall forge my children, in my image, strong and steadfast, as eternal as the hills.” ⁵With hammer and chisel, with divine artistry, he shaped them, beings of stone and spirit, stout of heart and firm in resolve. ⁶The sparks of his forge ascended, becoming stars, and the rhythm of his work the deep music of the world. ⁷Upon completion, Pekeana gazed upon his children, his heart swelling with pride.

⁸He breathed into them the breath of life, and they stirred, their eyes gleaming like jewels in the earth’s embrace. ⁹And Pekeana spoke, his voice echoing in the cavernous deep, “Arise, my children, ye born of the mountain’s core. Ye are the Dwarves, the children of the Stone-Earth, keepers of the deep places.” ¹⁰Thus were the dwarves born, wrought from the heart of the mountains, by Pekeana, god of the Stone-Earth, in the age when the world was young and the mountains untamed.

2 First Early Dwarves

¹Lo, in the days of their youth, the children of Pekeana dwelt in the heart of the mountains, their souls entwined with the stone and earth. ²And Pekeana spoke unto them, saying, “In the depths shalt thou find thy strength, and in the stone, thy refuge.”

³For the dwarves were hewn from the earth, and their hearts beat in rhythm with the ancient drums of the deep. ⁴They delved into the mountains, their hands shaping the stone, their eyes seeing the beauty in the rock’s rough embrace. ⁵And they sang songs of the earth, their voices echoing in the hidden halls and secret chambers beneath the world. ⁶The dwarves learned the language of the stone, the whispers of ore and the tales of ancient minerals. ⁷They found joy in the jewels’ glimmer and the veins of precious metal that wound through the heart of the mountains. ⁸Pekeana blessed them with knowledge of the forge, teaching them to craft from the earth’s bounty, weapons and tools, beauty wrought from the depths.

⁹The dwarves built their strongholds in the womb of the world, fortresses of stone, unyielding and proud. ¹⁰In the embrace of the earth, they found solace and strength, for they were of the mountain, and the mountain was in them.¹¹The roots of their being were intertwined with the ancient bedrock, their spirits as enduring as the oldest stone.

¹²They revered the caverns and the stones, for these were their heritage, the gift of Pekeana, their divine forger. ¹³In the deep places, they encountered the mysteries of the earth, secrets veiled in darkness and time. ¹⁴And they learned to read the earth’s memories, inscribed in the layers of stone and sediment, tales of ages long past. ¹⁵The dwarves became guardians of the deep, stewards of the Stone-Earth, their lives a testament to the enduring bond between the created and the creator.

¹⁶Thus, their connection to the earth was deep and unbreakable, a sacred covenant with the very essence of their being. ¹⁷And in every carved hall and sculpted pillar, in every etched rune and forged blade, their love for the earth was manifest. ¹⁸So it was in the early days beneath the mountains, where the children of Pekeana lived in harmony with the Stone-Earth, their hearts echoing the eternal song of the deep.

3 Second Early Dwarves

¹In the days of old, the children of Pekeana, stout and steadfast, gazed upon the mountains, their hearts filled with reverence. ²For the mountains were their cradle, the towering sentinels that sheltered their birth, and in their vastness, the dwarves found awe. ³And Pekeana spoke unto them, “Behold the mountains, your fortress and refuge, the keepers of secrets ancient and deep.”

⁴The dwarves revered the mountains, for they were the bones of the world, the pillars that upheld the sky. ⁵In their veins flowed the love of the stone-earth, a bond unbreakable, a legacy eternal. ⁶They delved into the heart of the mountains, seeking the hidden wisdoms and the mysteries locked within the stone.

⁷The mountains, ancient and wise, whispered secrets to those who listened, revealing the tales of the earth’s creation. ⁸In every crag and cliff, in every ravine and peak, the dwarves saw the handiwork of Pekeana, the divine sculptor. ⁹They learned to read the stone as one reads a sacred text, each layer a page in the history of the world. ¹⁰The mountains bestowed upon them precious ores and gleaming gems, treasures of the deep, rewards for their devotion. ¹¹In reverence, the dwarves crafted these gifts into objects of beauty and power, their forges singing hymns of gratitude to the mountains. ¹²The stone-earth was their teacher, guiding their hands and hearts in the ways of craft and creation.

¹³In the embrace of the mountains, the dwarves grew strong, their spirits as unyielding as the granite walls that surrounded them. ¹⁴They built their halls and chambers, carving beauty into the very heart of the mountains, a testament to their reverence and skill. ¹⁵The bond between dwarf and mountain was sacred, a covenant of respect and love, of flesh and stone intertwined. ¹⁶For in the mountains, the dwarves found their identity, their purpose, and their destiny.

4 Third Early Dwarves

¹And the dwarves, in their reverence, did gather in the hallowed halls, their voices raised in hymns to the stone-earth. ²They sang, “O mighty mountains, our refuge and strength, in your stone embrace, we find our faith.” ³The elders taught the young the sacred prayers, invocations of gratitude to Pekeana, and blessings upon the earth. ⁴“From the depths, we came, to the depths, we return,” they prayed, “for in the stone-earth lies our beginning and our end.”

⁵In the heart of the mountains, they built their altars, stone upon stone, a testament to their devotion. ⁶Here, the dwarves performed their rituals, their hands anointing the altars with oils of the deep, their voices chanting the ancient words. ⁷They spoke blessings upon the newborn, their foreheads touched with stone, binding them to the earth from which they were born. ⁸In marriage, they exchanged rings of metal born from the mountain’s heart, symbols of unending loyalty, as enduring as the stone.

⁹The dwarves marked the seasons with ceremonies, each a homage to the earth’s cycle, to the rhythm of the mountains. ¹⁰In times of trial, they sought counsel from the stone, placing their foreheads upon the cool rock, listening for Pekeana’s guidance. ¹¹Their artisans, in crafting, whispered prayers of thanks, each strike of the hammer a note in their sacred song to the stone-earth. ¹²In the forges, amidst fire and metal, they honored Baiqul, for through him, the gifts of the earth were transformed.

¹³And when a dwarf’s time came to an end, their kin gathered, bearing the body to the depths. ¹⁴“Return to the earth, child of the mountain,” they intoned, “for from it you were made, and to it, you return.” ¹⁵They laid their fallen in chambers of stone, their bodies enfolded in the earth’s embrace, a journey back to the heart of the Stone-Earth. ¹⁶The rituals of burial were solemn and sacred, a farewell to the flesh, a return to the stone. ¹⁷Stones were placed upon the graves, each a symbol of remembrance, a marker of the enduring bond between the living and the dead.

¹⁸And thus, the dwarves lived, their lives a dance with the stone-earth, their spirits intertwined with the mountains, their faith rooted in the deep places of the world. ¹⁹In stone and earth, they found their solace, their strength, and their eternal home, under the watchful gaze of Pekeana, the god of the Stone-Earth.

Crafts

1 First Baiqul’s Wisdom

¹Rejoice, oh children of the mountains, for in our hands lies the gift of Baiqul, the master of craft and creation. ²For Baiqul teaches us, “In every vein of ore and every slab of stone, a masterpiece waits to be revealed.” ³We, his devoted, wield hammer and chisel, embracing the joy of creation, our hearts light with the art of our work. ⁴Baiqul whispers, “Let your work be as honest as the earth, as true as the mountains from which it comes.”

⁵With each strike upon the anvil, we honor his teachings, our craft a reflection of his divine dexterity. ⁶In our forges, bright and warm, we gather, sharing tales and laughter, the sparks rising like stars of joy. ⁷Baiqul’s wisdom guides us: “In unity, find strength; in diversity, find beauty.” Thus, we combine various metals, creating alloys stronger and more wondrous.

⁸Our apprentices learn first to respect the material, to listen to its voice, for in understanding, lies the path to mastery. ⁹“Patience,” Baiqul counsels, “is the companion of skill.” In patience, we find precision, and in precision, the soul of our craft. ¹⁰We celebrate the flaws in the stone, the imperfections in the metal, for they tell a story, a journey from the heart of the earth. ¹¹In each creation, a part of our spirit resides, a testament to Baiqul’s gift and our enduring devotion.

¹²The Forgefest, our grand celebration, brings us together, artisans from all corners, showcasing the marvels born of our hands. ¹³Here, in friendly contest and shared admiration, we honor Baiqul, our creations a tapestry of skill and imagination. ¹⁴“In every creation, honor the earth,” Baiqul teaches. Thus, we craft sustainably, mindful of the bounty the mountains provide. ¹⁵Our greatest works are not just objects of utility, but of beauty, echoing the harmony of Baiqul’s celestial forge.

¹⁶In the quiet of our workshops, we find peace, our hands moving in rhythms taught by generations, a dance with the divine. ¹⁷As Baiqul unites with Pekeana in the dance of creation, so do we unite the stone and metal, earth and fire, in our work. ¹⁸And in our craft, we find not just a livelihood, but a calling, a celebration of the gifts bestowed upon us by Baiqul, the god of craftsmanship.

2 Second Baiqul’s Wisdom

¹In the glow of our forges, we remember Baiqul’s teachings, the sacred techniques that elevate our craft to divine art. ²“To work the metal, one must know its heart,” Baiqul instructs. With fire and hammer, we learn each metal’s spirit, tempering steel and iron with patience and skill. ³“In the grain of the stone lies its story,” whispers Baiqul. We, his disciples, study the stone, letting its natural beauty guide our chisels, revealing forms hidden within.

⁴Baiqul teaches the harmony of elements, how fire tempers and water cools, each element a dance partner in the ballet of creation. ⁵In crafting sacred objects, Baiqul’s words guide us: “Infuse each piece with intention, for in purpose lies power.” ⁶We forge amulets and talismans, each rune carefully inscribed, channeling Baiqul’s wisdom, protecting and empowering those who bear them. ⁷“Let the forge’s rhythm be your heartbeat,” Baiqul counsels. In rhythmic strikes, we find the soul of our work, each beat a prayer to craftsmanship.

⁸In the creation of sacred blades, our hands move with reverence. These are not mere weapons, but symbols of honor, courage, and the unbreakable will of our people. ⁹Baiqul shows us the art of inlay, embedding gems and precious metals into stone and steel, each piece a testament to the beauty of the earth. ¹⁰“Balance strength with beauty,” teaches Baiqul. In our armors and shields, we blend fortitude with artistry, making each piece a guardian of life and a work of art.

¹¹The crafting of sacred objects is a meditation, a communion with Baiqul. In the silence of concentration, we hear his voice, guiding our hands. ¹²“In every creation, leave a part of yourself,” Baiqul whispers. Thus, each of our works carries a piece of our soul, a signature of our dedication. ¹³ In the soft glow of the forge, we find peace and purpose, our hands shaping the future, our hearts warmed by the eternal flame of Baiqul’s wisdom.

3 Tales

¹Let us recount the tales of old, where Baiqul’s guiding hand led our forebears to greatness, their creations now legends among us. ²Behold the tale of our first king, who, in the depths of the darkest mine, found an ore that glowed like the moon. Guided by Baiqul, he forged the Sky Axe, a weapon of unmatched brilliance.

³Sing of the Gilded Halls of Dunar, where Baiqul’s inspiration led the stonecutters to inlay walls with veins of gold, creating a marvel that shone like the sun beneath the earth.

⁴Remember the Forgefest of the Millennium Star, where craftsmen from every peak and valley came together, their hammers ringing in a symphony of unity and creativity. ⁵In that grand gathering, the Silver Anvil was wrought, a communal masterpiece, each strike of the hammer a vow of brotherhood and excellence.

⁶Recount the story of Eddal, who, under Baiqul’s watchful eye, crafted the Deep Crown, set with gems that held the light of the underground stars.

⁷Celebrate the legend of the Ironsong Bellows, created during the great Forgefest under a falling star, its breath stoking flames that could melt even the coldest iron heart.

⁸During the Festival of the Molten River, our ancestors forged chains of unbreakable will, their links symbolizing the strength and resilience of our people.

⁹And so, through the ages, our tales unfold, stories of legendary creations, each a chapter in the grand story of our people, guided by the hand of Baiqul. ¹⁰In these tales, we find inspiration, a spark that ignites our creativity, urging us to reach ever higher in our art. ¹¹As we gather in our forges, these legends echo around us, a reminder of the greatness that lies within our grasp, under the watchful gaze of Baiqul, the master of craft and creation.

Endurance

1 Resolve

¹Look to the mountains, children of the Stone-Earth, for in their unyielding faces lies the lesson of your people. ²The stone stands firm against the storm, and so must you stand firm against the trials of the world. ³When doubt creeps into your heart, remember that you are born of the stone, and your spirit is as enduring as the rock beneath your feet.

⁴Wealth may come and go, but it is the strength of the soul that carries you through when treasure is lost. ⁵The stone remembers its shape, even when battered by the winds of time, and so too must you remember your purpose when hardship strikes.

⁶Your resistance to magic is no curse, but a blessing of the Stone-Earth. ⁷The forces of the world wash over you like water over rock, leaving you untouched, for you are bound to the enduring essence of the earth. ⁸It is not through fleeting spells that the dwarven spirit triumphs, but through steady resolve, an unshakable foundation that no storm can move. ⁹Baiqul has given you the gift of enchantment, the ability to infuse your creations with purpose, not illusion. 10In your hands, metal and stone gain life.

¹¹Stand strong, as the mountain does, and know that no force can break a soul that has been forged in the deep places of the world. ¹²When you walk in darkness, it is not light that guides you, but the strength of your heart, unyielding as the stone from which you came.

2 Forge Altars

¹In the heart of the forge, where flames dance and metal glows, there lies a truth as old as the Stone-Earth itself: creation is sacred. ²The heat of the forge is not mere fire, but the breath of Baiqul, master of craft. ³His flame tempers not only metal, but the soul of the dwarf who wields the hammer. ⁴Each strike of the anvil is a prayer, each molten flow a hymn to the power of transformation.

⁵The forge is a place of communion, where raw ore is given new life. ⁶When you work the metal, you shape more than iron—you shape destiny, bending the world to your will with patience and strength. ⁷Baiqul teaches that the fire purifies, burning away what is weak and false, leaving only what is strong and true. ⁸As the ore is tempered by the flame, so too must you be tempered by the trials of life.

⁹Magic may be a fleeting thing—bright as flame but fading as smoke—but the work of your hands endures. 10 The dwarves hold little skill in sorcery, for their power lies not in the manipulation of forces beyond, but in the very bones of the earth. ¹¹The enchantments you weave into your works are born not of magic, but of understanding, of a union with the stone and the fire. ¹²Let your creations speak with their own voice, their power bound in the very material from which they are made.

¹³Thus, every forge is an altar, and every flame a reminder of the god who guides your hand. ¹⁴The forge’s fire does not destroy—it creates, giving shape and purpose to all it touches. ¹⁵And so too must you let your spirit be shaped, purified by the trials of life, so that you may emerge stronger, unyielding, and true.

3 Exploration

¹Beneath the mountains lie roads yet untraveled, dark paths where the earth speaks in whispers only the brave may hear. ²Pekeana has hidden the greatest secrets of the Stone-Earth in the deep places, where only those with the courage to seek may find them. ³Fear not the darkness, children of the mountain, for in the shadows lie truths unspoken.

⁴The unknown is not to be feared, for it is in the darkness that the greatest treasures of knowledge are found. ⁵Just as the richest veins of ore are hidden in the deepest rock, so too is wisdom hidden in the silence of the earth. ⁶The caverns below lead to places where only the heart of stone can tread, and in these places, dwarves find their true strength.

⁷The stone resists the arcane, its essence too old, too rooted in the world’s foundation to be swayed by forces that flicker and fade. ⁸The deep roads call not for spells, but for understanding, for only those who know the language of the earth may walk them safely.

⁹In the dark, where light fails, the dwarven heart does not falter. ¹⁰You need no spell to guide you, for the earth itself whispers its secrets to those who listen. ¹¹And in those secrets lie not only wealth, but wisdom, for the stone remembers all that has come before.

¹²So walk the deep with courage, and know that in the silence, the earth speaks of things that no magic can reveal. ¹³The paths may be long, and the dangers many, but those who brave the depths shall emerge with knowledge greater than any spell could offer.

14 The deep is where the dwarven soul finds its truest form, for it is there, in the silent darkness, that you are closest to the heart of the world.