Dumpling and I took lanterns and descended those cold steps, after the brief respite we were given by the captain's predilection for spontaneous storytelling. These interruptions in our holy mission can be irritating at times but I believe that he needs them to persevere. To reaffirm his sense of reality after all that we have witnessed. Johann's understanding of the world cannot be described as insightful, so to have everything he grasps twisted and torn from him must be harrowing. We traversed three flights of stairs from the lair of the wyrm, occasionally stopping to confirm the stability of those old steps. Definitely dwarf made. Very uncomfortable and hardly befitting a chosen champion of Sigmar. At the bottom was a set of doors made of black iron. They would have been indistinguishable from the surrounding darkness if it were not for one being slightly ajar. Unfortunately Enzo was too large for the gap, thus eliminating any chance of using subterfuge to purloin the key and escape to the lower floors. The warriors put their three heads together and came to the tremendous conclusion that pushing the door was quieter than kicking it open. I would have sighed in disgust if I were not used to this by now.
We followed a long hallway that eventually brought us to a t-junction. Johann decided to take a lantern of his own to assist Werner in their exploration of the nearby living quarters. They contained truly unremarkable furnishings, save for the occasional message or sign left on the walls by a bored dwarf with a knife. The end of the hallway brought us to a set of large, wooden double doors. Very carefully sanded and varnished, no visible grain on them. Good dwarf work that clearly denoted this room to be of huge significance, most likely a throne room. I was proven correct by the giant room inside. Huge columns, high ceilings and pillars with a raised podium at the end of the room. Intricate details on the walls of dwarven deeds and the work they hold very dearly. Three stone thrones stood as monuments to their dwarven craft, the largest for a king and two others for advisors. I could not help but notice that there were two doors behind the thrones. Dwarf design would not leave a place like this without a way to foil greedy intruders, so a subtle and careful approach would be necessary. Johann strolled right up to the throne to get a closer look. I didn't even have the chance to warn him. Three huge creatures of stone, human shaped but as wide and tall as three men, emerged on the throne room. Thankfully, this time, the exact same plan was all on our minds.
We fled and slammed that door shut. Those creatures of the earth did not pursue. I believe that those elemental guardians were bound to the throne and thus not able to follow us any further. Johann smiled and claimed that we could deal with such a threat later, if it proved necessary. At times like this he would continually remind us all of Werner's strength: "I've got the light, he's got the might". He believed that with our combined skill and bravery that we could overcome nearly any threat. It was that combination of genuine faith and stupidity that proved to be one of the most potent weapons against the plots of Chaos. The throne room was hastily circumnavigated. We were taking a right turn when something made the warriors suddenly stop in their tracks. Johann got the worst fright, clutching that ankh around his neck and muttering to himself. It was a hideous, shambling unliving creature that soon ran away.
We followed it. Slowly, expecting to find their decayed lair. Two of these things were espied just standing in a corridor. Soon a voice from the darkness spoke. It was definitely a dwarf but had a cold, detached quality to it that was chilling. It was Fargazer, the dwarf loremaster that Yodri had previously mentioned. He was not pleased by our appearance and told us to leave. Fargazer stepped into the light and we could see his rotted form, which I shall leave to the imagination of whoever reads this. Everyone but Werner was horrified by this and we quietly agreed to never approach Fargazer's haunt again. Eventually, we found the temple past two double doors to the south. Inside were two smashed statues, one of a craftsman and the other of an axe wielding warrior. All around us were pictures of the dwarf god Grungni guiding the dwarves to build their underground empire. A wailing spirit flew from beneath the smith's statue. Thankfully it was not even a sliver as horrifying as that loremaster. The dwarf ghost called himself Cana Frosthand and implored us to inter his bones and restore the temple. He said quite a lot but most of it was rambling and near incoherent. Frosthand definitely needed the eternal rest. He warned us of a being of the earth that would attempt to stop this. Indeed there was another one of those elemental things! Only one, of course, so the fighters fell upon it with blades and a flail. Their prowess proved true but would not prevail without holy bolts thrown from my hands! During the battle the elemental split into two creatures to evade Werner's flail, surprising him greatly. Eventually, Johann beheaded one and cut the other in twain.
We soon adjusted the pews, tried to fix the statues, and generally cleaned the place as best we could. It satisfied Frosthand, who bade us to give a prayer to Grungni. Everyone who participated in that prayer felt the furious strength of ancient dwarf warriors empower their very being, a power begging to be released in combat. Except for Werner, he just spoke to his "invisible friend" again. I have become very suspicious of his actions and mood as of late but I shall not say anything yet. The dwarf spirit told us to turn right, turn left and say "Open in the name of Grungni!" at the large doors on the right. I feel that I could have deduced that password in very little time. It's easier this way, I suppose. Frosthand gave a quiet thanks as he faded into the afterlife. We did indeed heed his words and perform the opening ritual. Pretty impressive magic. Beyond it were dwarven statues, all their faces had been hacked off in a bout of fury. It was strangely organic on the way down to the level below, with natural stonework and a cavern. Soon we were confronted with a giant gate covered with four intricate locks. Johann prayed for the locks to break but it did not avail him. I grew tired of his pondering and simply opened the four locks with petty magic incantations. The captain was astounded by the ease with which we bypassed the gate but I reminded him of the powerful magic barrier we had just faced.
We soon saw a river of icy cold water that lead to the north. On it was a boat made of dark marble stone and veins that was somehow still afloat! Our captain's confidence swelled up at the chance to sail this magical vessel. He stepped on board, as did nearly all of us except for Enzo. Johann looked incredibly crestfallen after he realized he would have to leave the mule behind. He paused. There were no oars or anything else that would allow him to set sail. He stamped his foot on the boat, slapped it once or twice, and tried to give it an encouraging speech. It only truly moved after he invoked the name of Grungni and declared his quest to it. He stared into the water as it moved and saw his own face. Our captain is now crying and curled up on the floor of the boat, driven to deep sorrow by the unnatural magic of the boat. I have tried to help him but he refuses to stand up. He has developed an addiction to that drug that certain sailors use to calm themselves. Mad Man's Cap, I believe. Horrendous. His unfortunate condition is why I have been writing this entry in his stead.
We have reached the end of another cavern. He seems to be recovering from his sorrow and standing up.
I hope that the hammer brings him the peace he needs.
- Wanda "The One" Weltzschmerz.
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