Dormir Emberheart, Dwarf Warrior

Good ol' Ironforge. Strong, stable, reliable. For all of Dormir's life, this has been true. That is, until his discovery. It's been downhill since then. First it was the obsession. Then someone found out. This letter he held in his hand, from the Council of Ironforge, it could only mean one thing: someone found out. Convinced they would take it and lock him away, Dormir prepared to leave his home.

Dormir's gaze fell upon a folded letter on his floor, resting there in wait for him. The letter had not been delivered by standard post, but was pushed under his door while he was away. Uneasy, Dormir stepped inside his home, turned to close the door, and peaked between the door and its frame to check for anyone watching. The street was empty, not uncommon at this hour, but nonetheless eerie at that exact moment. He pushed the door closed, slowly as to make not even the slightest sound, and proceeded sliding the newly installed security bars in place. Crouched down next to the letter, Dormir could finally make out the signet pressed into the wax which sealed the letter. It could have only come from the Council of Ironforge. The letter only stated that Dormir was invited to appear before the Council the following day, but he knew that hospitality was not to be given upon his appearance. His heart raced, fingers trembled, and thoughts spiraled. How long did he have to respond? Was a response even necessary? When was this letter delivered? Who delivered the letter? Was this harbinger still in the area? Were they watching his every move? Would he attend the Council's invitation, or would he run? He would run, no doubt about it, but where would he go? How far would he go? Could anyone help him? Could he truly trust anyone at all? Even his comrades from the 3RB? Only one person had earned his trust, but there wasn't much time. Would Dormir explain it all to her? Even worse, what would happen if they found she had learned of Dormir’s transgression?

Dormir donned his chain shirt and gathered what belongings he could carry: pack, rations, simple tools, musket and ammunition, his trusty warhammer, his shield, and the smithy tools his father Theramir Emberheart gave him on his 8th name day. A slight vibration from his hidden breast pocket reminded Dormir that he had not forgotten that which caused this upheaval. Dormir placed his hand over the pocket, and the vibration came more intensely than before. The buzz became an audible hum in Dormir’s ears; it was speaking to him, commanding him, nearly controlling him at that moment. Dormir, necessities on his person, moved to the door and began to slide the security bars to their original location. He opened the door, but paused to glance back into his home. It would appear to an untrained eye that someone still resided here. Perfect.

As Dormir emerged from his home, he scanned the surrounding area and realized that more time had elapsed than he imagined. Dormir started toward Tinker Town with caution, as there would be no telling if anyone had already caught on to him. Eying some of the town guards more closely than usual, comfort settled onto Dormir’s shoulders. The guards no more than noticed him, stoic expressions remaining as he passed. Still, he tensed as he meandered past some merchants setting up their display cases and stalls for the day. Any one of them could be a hired hand temporarily employed to keep an eye on Dormir. An old merchant caught Dormir approaching from his periphery and called out, his voice cracking from its first use of the day, "Yer out much too early t’ catch even the bakers’ carts, lad!" Surprised, scared even, Dormir cleared his throat and nodded at the all too friendly merchant. "Aye, seems yer right about that! The elves must have me sleep tonight," referencing that ancient and dark fable told by all dwarves’ grandparents. Slipping in a wink, the old merchant chortled, "Many nights I’ve lost t’ the stinkin’ long ears." Hurrying along, Dormir gave a polite nod and carried on his way. Coming closer to Tinker Town, Dormir quickened his pace; time was not in his favor. Approaching his destination, Dormir realized his folly: normal folk wouldn’t be awake at this time! The house he intended to visit was dark, not a candle lit in the entire house. Slouching back into the shadows of the streets and alleys in Tinker Town, Dormir waited patiently and silently.

An hour passed with no more than one rodent making its presence known, then finally the warm glow of a candle appeared in the house’s window. Dormir approached. A light rapping on the humble gnomish house’s door, and the door squeaked open as a young gnome woman’s head appeared between the frame and the door. The young gnome’s large green eyes widened, swelling with joy. "Dormir?!" she exclaimed as she burst through the threshold and wrapped her arms around him. "Mom! Dad!" Dormir’s heart nearly stopped—she wasn’t alone. "Come see who’s here!"

"Treena, me time here must be drawn short, I’m sorry. I need to leave right now, but there’s much to explain." Just then, Treena’s parents came to the door, "Dormir! You must come in a while. We’ve begun to make biscuits for the morning. Come, you must join us!" The Steelspanners' soft faces comforted him, their smiles persuaded him, and their daughter’s embrace convinced him. Dormir entered the gnomish home, his previous worries left at the door.

Breakfast with the Steelspanners was delightful. There was more than enough to eat, as gnomes are known to do. So much so that they insist you take a bundle of biscuits with you. After you've had more than your fill and your stomach begins to settle, the familiar hum snaps you back to the reality of your early morning departure. You spend several minutes trying to excuse yourself while they lovingly guilt you for staying so short a time. Slowly, you inch your way to the door while they load you with food and make you promise not to be a stranger.
Treena finally offers you mercy by pushing through her parents, letting you and her out the door.
"Phew! Well now that's over with." She said with a friendly smile once the door was closed. "You better get outta here before they find something else to loss you up with." She leans in and hugs you. "Take care of yourself, Dormir."
With a full stomach - and pack of supplies - conflicting emotions, and a heavy dose of paranoia, you begin your journey to Light only knows.

Dormir's mind churned once again as he headed off to the Deeprun Tram. Treena's words affected him in a way he had not predicted. Her warm embrace and softspoken send off melted him into a swirling mass of confusion and instantaneous terror. He may never meet her gaze again.
Dormir reached into the pack of supplies the Steelspanners had prepared; a dwarf would never ignore such a send-off gift for long. Unfolding the linen, he saw a handwritten note. A smile crept across his face as he realized that it wasn't Mr. or Mrs. Steelspanner's hand writing, but Treena's playful and young style of curled letters. The smile didn't last but a moment, though; Dormir quickly noted the change in neatness of the letter. He stopped in his tracks as he read on, nearly dropping the package of somehow still warm biscuits and chunks of tender wolf steak.
"I know." The first words on the page pierced him. "They knew I'd be the only one you could trust. They tried to break me before you came to say your goodbyes. They wanted me to turn you in when you came. I won't, I promise I could never betray you, who saved me long ago." Shocked, infuriated, and now worried for Treena's safety, Dormir realized what she really meant when she told him to leave. "You must run from Ironforge before they find you. I'm sorry that I am unable to accompany you, Dormir, but my parents will be endangered if I leave with you. Know that I'll always be looking for you. -T"
Dormir snapped out of what must have seemed to be paralysis to any onlookers by that all too familiar buzz. It knew, too. He must press on. Turning to look over his shoulder at Treena's house, he noticed that the candle had been moved up to her upsatairs window, one final goodbye as he set off.
Dormir moved faster than he could recall moving in quite a long time, sweat beginning to bead up on his brow. Arriving at the Deeprun Tram, he stepped up to the platform and waited for the tram to return from Stormwind. All around him, travelers were amassing to make the same journey he was. Many of them dwarves, he began to wonder if he had been followed. A quick glance around at this fellow travelers told him nothing, so he decided to kneel down as to adjust his belongings and then approach the mage vendor behind them and make a purchase to fill his waterskins before making another assessment. Regardless, he would enter the tram and venture toward Stormind. Even had he been followed, nobody would be reckless enough to attempt an arrest so early.
Though the trip was quick, that Gnomish technology and craftsmanship still amazing to witness first hand, Dormir's mind was given the opportunity to run amok. He had heard long ago that some mages resided in Stormind. Possibly they could help him in his struggle. The buzzing in Dormir's chest pocket and the humming in his ears rang steadily louder as he left the Deeprun Tram, inquired with the local guards the whereabouts of the local jewelcrafters, and trodded along to the store belonging to the famous Theresa Denman.
Greeted by a cheery young human male, Dormir reached into his pack for a light blue rough-hewn ore and placed it on the table in front of the young man. "I've come here t' have this inspected and to offer it in trade," Dormir stated plainly. His well-rounded and decade-old expertise of mining ore and minerals was more than sufficient to tell him that the ore he handed over was indeed sapphire. However, the young man did not pick up on Dormir's intentions; the facade worked. "That's a fine looking ore!" The young man said, picking up the sizable gem in one hand and looking through a lighted lupe to inspect the clarity of the rough gem where possible. "I'd have to clean it up a bit and polish it to get a better look at the internal structure, but if my training has taught me well, I'd say you've got yourself quite the haul here. What region did you mine this out of? I'm not sure I've ever encountered a crystal this large anywhere but up in Winterspring!" Happy with the answer and even slightly impressed with the accuracy of the jeweler's statement, Dormir let loose a hearty laugh, "Aye, yer a bright young lad! Me father happened upon this here gem long ago near th' northern ridge o' Winterspring an' gave it t' me fer safe keepin'! T' this day, not 'nother ore I've ever seen 'as matched up t' this'n. I've fallen on 'ard times, lad. What'dya say ye can trade me fer it?" Impressed with the story from the dwarf, he decided he might need to rely on the expertise of a master jewelcrafter to provide a proper appraisal. "I'd hate to trade you short on a find such as this. Allow me to provide you with some silvers today, and I'll show this to the master jewelcrafter when she comes in tomorrow. What do you say?" Although in a hurry to wrap up this deal and move on to the more pressing matter, Dormir almost declined the offer and moved on to the next jewelcrafter he could find. "Ye better have 'er clear 'er schedule t'morrow. When I come back in th' mornin', I'll have somethin' slightly more interestin' with me." The man's visage contorted, obviously curious about what tomorrow would bring. The contents of Dormir's chest pocket pulsed with buzzing, as if also intrigued by the mystery of what occur the next day. The pulsing vibrations next to Dormir's chain shirt grew so intense that it was clearly audible to the young man across the table. "Wha--", his eyes glanced down at the dwarf's chest. Dormir interjected, "Nothin' more'n a Gnomish toy from me friend. Must be malfunctionin' already, ye know how them toys be," and placed his hand over the pocket to dampen the sound. Dormir straightened up, shook hands with the young man, and gruffly muttered, "T'morrow, then."

The sun fell and rose as Dormir laid awake in the humble inn, staring out the window with anxiety. The chittering animals outside brought his failed attempts of slumber to a halt, and he swung his legs over and down onto the floor. Dormir stood, performed his morning rituals of light stretching, ate the remains of his biscuits and wolf steak, donned his chain shirt and gear, and headed back to Theresa Denman's shop. The impressively young master jewelcrafter greeted him excitedly, "I've been informed you have something of great interest to show me! I haven't been so anxious since that Night Elf brought in a chunk of fossilized purple lotus. Think you can beat that?" He admitted, "Now that be quite the find, but I tell ye, what I've brought ye really speaks t' me at times." An understanding expression grew on Theresa's face, "Ah yes, I do seem to find inspiration from nature's finest form--" Dormir interjected as to not be misunderstood. "Me thinks ye ought t' listen more closely, fer it might speak t' ye as well. Ye see, what I've brought ye isn't like th' other gems ye've surely seen. This'n seems t' 'ave a mind of its own at times." Like an excited child called upon by its teacher, Dormir's finding in reference began its pulsating vibrations. The vibration grew loud enough for Theresa to hear it almost immediately, and confusion crept onto her face. The door behind Dormir creaked open as an elderly customer entered the shop. Quickly, Dormir inquired, "Might we move our business t' yer office?" as he held his palm over his chest pocket containing the noisy object. "Surely..." she whispered to Dormir and motioned to the workbench through the hinged doors behind her. "Mr. Houghly, so nice to see you again, Brennan will be right with you. Brennan! Come assist at the front counter!" Theresa moved through the hinged doors to investigate what in Azeroth Dormir had brought to her.

Approaching the workbench, Dormir reached into his chest pocket and removed an object wrapped in his tattered cloak from his time in the 3RB. For a moment, he let his mind recollect that moment when he saw Treena for the first time in Gnomeregan: his proudest moment, his most fearsome moment. Had he failed to stand up to the Troggs, not only those students would have been lost, but likely even more innocent lives including more 3RB members would have been lost that day.

Theresa's footsteps brought Dormir back to attention, realizing that his tattered cloak still lay folded around the object in his hands. He unfolded the cloak, finally bringing to light what he wanted to show Theresa. She gasped at its beauty, the translucent and oddly shaped gem gleaming back at her, even in the dim light of her workbench. Reaching out to take the gem from Dormir's hands, the gem began to vibrate with intensity. Theresa removed the gem from Dormir's possession completely, inspected it under many magnifying glasses and prodded it with other tools. Dormir was left helpless by a foul screech coming from the gem and then a sudden and bleak quietness as one word was blasted into his mind by the gem's projection.

{{TORMENT}}

Theresa inspects the gem. To her, it's a precious, beautiful raw sapphire. To Dormir, it has now become the source of a pain he's never before experienced.
{{TORMENT}}
Reverberating through your mind is sounds, visions, and sensations translating to immense pain. Your knees threaten to buckle as you fight off a presence that threatens to overwhelm you.
Theresa takes note of your distress. Accustomed to dealing with the nobles of Stormwind, she tries to be discreet. She sets the gem down, completely unaware of what it's doing to you. "Sir, are ... a-are you alright?" She takes a step forward, unable to maintain professionalism any longer at the sight of your pain.

"Aye, but this is what I've been tryin' t' tell ye. Th' gem's got more than meets th' eye, I tell ye!" Dormir grasps the sides of his head as he staves off the waves of pain. He reaches out to grab the gem quickly and with a slight aggression. "I ought not let loose this gem again any time soon. I've sold many a gem b'fore and not once felt th' pull as I do from this'n." He eyes Theresa, slightly squinting and turning his head to one side as he inquires, "Ye didn't happen t' hear or feel any o' that, did ye? Me head felt as t' pop, and me thinks... me thinks it..." Dormir trails off and his embarrassment shows through. "What is it, sir? What else happened?" Dormir reaches inside his pack to fish out a flask and takes a large swig to help numb his mind from the pain. "It wasn't th' first time, and me thinks it won't be th' last. Th' gem... I told ye it speaks t' me at times. I wasn't makin' it up or tryin' t' fetch a laugh from ye. I found this on me last dig, and it hasn't been out of me reach even once. It communicates with me at times, by way of shakin' or by makin' some sounds." Another swig from the flask. "Me thinks there's somethin' special 'bout it, but there's no way me experience can help me identify what's so different 'bout the gem. Might ye be able to help identify th' gem or find someone who can?"
Theresa nods, visibly concerned at Dormir's latest admission. "Strange, I heard nothing at all when I was inspecting the gem. I'd very much like to take the gem for inspection, but I'm afraid it will cause you more pain."
Dormir places the flask back into his pocket, "It worries me t' be leavin' without the gem in hand. Might I stay awhile while ye do yer research?"

Theresa gently clasps her hand in front of her, taking on a somber demeanor. "Perhaps you should take your gem to someone else. I can't seem to inspect it very well without ... well, yes." A bit flustered for a moment, she takes a deep breath and writes on a small piece of parchment. "With such strange behavior from am item - gem or otherwise - one would think to go to a mage." She hands you the parchment, now rolled and sealed. "I have a friend who owes me a favor, Mandy Sparkbright. You'll find her in the mage district most likely tutoring some apprentice." Clearly uneasy over the whole thing, Theresa offers a weak, sympathetic smile, "Good luck, master Emberheart."

As Theresa suggests, you make your way through the cobblestone streets of Stormwind to the Mage District. Clutching the gem to your chest through your shirt pocket, you cross into the grass covered walkways of the Mage District. Passing by tailors and herbalists shops, you get a feeling of order about the place. Everything is tidy and in its place.
A trio of robed young human women pay you no attention as you pass each other. They excitedly discuss something about stabilizing energies. The buildings beside you open up into a large courtyard with a single tower surrounded by a spiraling ramp. Off to the side of the tower, you see a group of children led by a pair of females: a high elf and a gnome. Before you can reach them, they dismiss the children and the two women pack up their things.
You greet them, "Greetings, ladies." You lock eyes with the gnome. "Might you be Mandy Sparkshine?"
"Why yes I am!" she excitedly replies in typical gnome fashion before indicating her high elf companion. "This is Elsharin. How can we help you?" The elf's face is peaceful yet stoic - the face of strong will and self discipline one would expect from a high elf after the loss of their Sunwell and their lands.
You hand over the parchment and Mandy instantly recognizes the seal. "Ah, so I see Theresa has finally called in her favor. What will it be, mister? Got a piece of jewelry you want enchanted?"

"Well 'tis a pleasure t' meet both of ye. Me name's Dormir Emberheart, protector of many, son of Theramir Emberheart, associate smithy of the Ironforge Metallurgy League, son of Malduin Emberheart, high priest of the Seven Sorrows. Me gem seems t' have all the enchantment it needs! Might ye have a more..." Dormir glances around at the shops and buildings around the perimeter of the courtyard, unsure of what or who may be residing in them, "A more secure place to inspect me gem? As sure as the stone rolls, ye won't be disappointed by what I've brought ye!"

Mandy smiles, amused "Dwarves and their titles and lineage. Reminds me of home." She let out a short wistful sigh. "Well, let's go to the Blue Recluse. They have private tables there."
The two women lead you a sort walk away to the tavern. It's the quietest tavern you've ever been in - despite nearly every table being full. It's what humans would probably call classy, but to your dwarven sensibilities it's downright dull. Mandy asks for a private table for 3 from a lady in some fancy dress who gives you a worried look. You seem to be the only dwarf in this place.
You're led upstairs to your alcove of a private table.The table is against the wall with a bench on either side. Surrounded by three walls, the open side has thick curtains that can be unbound, offering greater privacy.
A young human man with a diplomat's smile plastered on his face comes up right behind the lady who showed you to the table. "Welcome to the Blue Recluse. Can I get you anything to drink? We have a fine selection of wines and spirits." He quickly looks you over, "and ale, if you so choose."
Drinks - and only drinks - are ordered and pretty soon two wine flutes and a flagon of ale are brought to the table. Elsharin takes a sip of wine as Mandy begins business by first drawing the curtains, her demeanor still rather jovial. "Alright Mister Emberheart, show us whatcha got."

The flagon of ale barely appeared on the table before Dormir before his greedy fist brought it to his lips. He hardly tasted the smooth ale as it was heartily quaffed. Dormir chuckled. "Me father's father'd be disappointed t' witness that," holding the flagon up and turning it over with the proudest smirk on his face, raising his eyebrows as not more than a drop fell from the already-emptied flagon. The aftertaste lingered for quite a long time on his tongue, making him wish he had savored the drink longer. Or rather, wish he had another. "However, me father'd be sure t' fill me belly with just one more ale. Aye?" His hand motions asked the question, flagon in one hand, the other caught between a half shrug and a wave toward the dry vessel. After a longer moment than was warranted, the silence filling the space between the three of them. "Aye, but business is business! Indeed I brought somethin' fer ye t' inspect." The gem began vibrating at the mere aspect of discussing its presence. Mandy's and Elsharin's eyes focused on where the sound was coming from, intrigue filling Mandy's eyes, and concern filling Elsharin's. Dormir reaches into his chest pocket, digging in to grasp the shaking gem to bring it out. "This here gem has brought me quite the bit o' trouble lately. I found it while minin' fer me father's smithy work. Never before have I laid me eyes on somethin' quite like it! Never before have I felt a presence like it, either." Dormir handed it over to Mandy, whose outstretched arms quite clearly displayed her interest.
{{TORMENT}}
The stone's call out to Dormir rang out again, visibly shaking him. Dormir grasps his temples as the ladies inspect the mysterious gem. He closes his eyes and waits.

Mandy inspects the gem very closely from all different angles. Elsharin watches with what seems to be only minor interest. Judging from how closely she watches Mandy, the high elf is deeply concerned. With a small huff of frustration, Mandy places the gem on the table and begins to cast a spell. White-blue light radiates from her hands and then her eyes as she looks at it more inquisitively. "Hmm, only faint divination." She then looks to her elven companion with a shrug.
Seeming to take this as a signal, Elsharin began to cast her own spell. Similar to Mandy's spell, Elsharin's eyes cast a blue-white glow after an elegant gesture, looking at you. "There's more than a divination spell here." She says after a moment of looking you over. "I'm not familiar with-" but she's cut off by a flash of sickly green light from the gem.
* < { PAIN } > *
Each of your reel as your minds are assaulted by an unseen force. This time, you can swear you can hear a voice go along with the images and psychic trauma of the attack.
It takes a moment, but you all recover no worse for wear with only a headache to show for the experience.
"What in the world?!" Mandy exclaims.
"That was fel energy." Elsharin's tone is dire and her face is grim. "There's a demonic influence here, but I can't say anything else for sure."
Mandy speaks up, a mixture of excitement and terror. "We need to contain it immediately!" She quickly grabs the gem and begins to cast a spell, covering it in what appears to be solidified shadow.
The gem is quiet. Whatever call it normally sends out to you is gone. "This will do for now, but something has to be done permanently. And soon."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Elsharin speaks up. "The night elves. They have the most experience in dealing with demons."

With a quick gulp taken from his flask, Dormir shuffles up from the table and stands between the table and its luxurious curtain. He says, with an outreached hand, "Might ye hand over th' gem till we get to the long ears? In me experience, that gem mustn't leave me side fer long! Also, ye think we'll be headin' all th' way t' Teldrassil? Me thinks this gem'll have time aplenty t' act up again by th' time we get there!"

Unwilling to handle the thing again, Mandy gives the gem a sour look and gestures for Dormir to take it. "Be extremely cautious." Dormir looks over to see Elsharin's eye bore into him with the gravest of looks. "Make certain you understand the severity of the situation. That gem you have there is tainted with fel magic - demon magic. To what extent, we cannot say. Whatever it is, it must be stopped. Go to Ashenvale. The Night Elves there will know what to do."
Mandy nods to her friend and gives Dormir a worried look. "Please be careful, Master Dormir. I've put a spell over the gem to help, but it won't last forever. Enjoy the peace while it lasts."

Dormir heeds the words of the mages. You find passage on a ship from Stormwind harbor to Teldrassil. In your search for answers concerning your cursed gem, you are directed to the temple of the moon.
There's a meeting with a group of priests. When you divulge what you learned from Mandy and Elsharin about the gem, there is initial outrage that you brought such a thing to their city. Some demand the gem's destruction while others argue that to be rash and shortsighted. Eventually, they decide to perform a ritual for insight and guidance about the gem's fate.
As is customary with their religion, the ritual takes place at night. The soft glow of the stars and moon seemingly enough for the elves, they allow you to keep hold of the gem all this time. Surrounded by a circle of elves chanting prayers to Elune, the moonlight on you grows brighter and any fears or anxiety you might be feeling melt away. Along with this sense of contentment comes a waking dream - a vision.
Through a fog you see a machine you barely recognize: a phlogiston collector. You've seen them in Ironforge used by engineers, but this one is different. You see your gem glowing with fel magic, but the sickly green energy emanating from the gem is sucked out, into the machine and it .Fog fills your vision once more before clearing back into the soft light of the temple. The residual effects of the ritual seem to leave everyone calm, even serene. Even you feel a sense of contentment still washed over you. It seems that vision was shared among all present, but the elves - having more experience with this sort of thing - are better able to explain and interpret the vision from their goddess: you must find this machine in order to rid yourself and your gem of the fel taint.
*~{(QUEST ACCEPTED)}~*
You're directed to a gnome engineer visiting Ashenvale that may be able to help you in your quest. Wembil Taskwidget is his name. Sent on you way rested and resupplied, you find yourself on another boat. Thankfully, this is a much shorter trip compared to your journey from another continent. The elves along your path are helpful in both pointing the way and warning of dangers hidden among the trees. You reach Ashenvale with only minor skirmishes with some overly protective animals due to perceived breaches of their territory despite you staying on the road.
{[(LEVEL UP)]}
After a short time in the new, yet familiar forest, you come upon a night elf outpost: Maestra'a Post. Concerned for the safety of a lone dwarven traveler, a pair of night elf Sentinels are sent to escort you to Astranaar. With these two at your side - though occasionally one would dart among the trees, investigating sounds you never heard - your trip is without further incident. Upon reaching the city, you inquire about the gnome you seek only to be told he's out of the city. You're so close that you can practically taste the completion of your quest, so with typical dwarven stubbornness you leave for where he was last known to be: Silverwing Outpost.