Wine Cellars: The tale of Yonnvarg and its shame.

Always alone and nursing a mug of the darkest ale on tap, this ancient dwarf of no name can sometimes be enticed to tell tales.

art by: Mike B.

This is one of his tales: The story of Yonnvarg.

Long ago, before Duke Marqest fell to evil, two Dwarf clans joined his quest for magical libations. These Clan Leaders; Severic Silverbeard of Hammertop & Dulnir Goldbrewer of Middling Mound together founded Yonnvarg: Chasm-Hold in the southeastern edge of the Duchy of Marqest very near the Traders Pass. The dwarves had discovered a secluded vale surrounded by three massive peaks which they named: Zirikgil: Silvertine on the west; Barizbar: Rochome on the north; and Bundushur: Cloudy Head on the east. Thus this site was chosen because the vale, which contained many waterfalls and a long river named Glangjaal Jool: Golden River; was also the only place the precious Golden Hop; which was a major component of the magnificent Dwarf brew Golden Vale, would grow. During their reign the major structures of Chasm-hold were built: Hlavor Demrek & Nith Demrek ( High Chasm bridge & Low Chasm bridge), the Silver Hall, and Dulnir's Tower, as well as a few hamlets and villages spread across the vale itself. Also a rich vein of ore was mined in the mountains to support the production of Golden Vale and other brews.

The dwarves were friendly with the men of the Eastern Baronies; who assisted in developing the East Gate, which opened on to the land of the Duke Von Smeeg an ally of Marqest. It was at this time that the Dukes evil flourished and the clans were shamed by their association with Marqest. Upon realizing they had been manipulated into an evil confederacy they attempted to throw off the curse of the Duke but to no avail, as one by one they fell to a wasting sickness that brought lethargy and melancholy upon them like a plague.  As the Dark Age War raged Marqest conquered Yonnvarg using it to funnel troops back and forth through the Black Crag mountains. At the end of the war any traces of Yonnvarg had seemingly vanished and it is said that the last few healthy dwarves used their stone-magic to seal off the hold trapping themselves and a large horde of the Dukes forces within.

I hear rumors that a dwarf road has opened along the Traders Pass through the Blackcrag mountains. If this is the way to Yonnvarg then a chance to redeem the folly of our kin is at hand. Any and every Dwarf owes it to his ancestors to restore the glory of Yonnvarg.

Will you seek fabled Yonnvarg?