The Lords of the Blue Mountains (Part 1)

Post date: Sep 19, 2015 2:0:47 PM

--By Abadumin Silvertongue-- Lord Alhvar

Each issue of the Tablets of Khazadgund, we'll be looking at some of the most influential figures in the Blue Mountains, first on our list of prominent dwarrows is Lord Alhvar, the General of the Blue Mountains Regiment.

When Lord Alhvar walks into our offices you can't help but be a bit intimidated, clearly a dwarf to be reckoned with, with the deepest frown on his forehead and massive shoulders-guards to match. As he steps toward me in heavy armour I hear to my surprise a bit of nervousness, "I have never been interviewed before so this will be interesting", he says with a smile on his face, while the nerves seem to fade as quickly as they came.

"Ah, don't worry Lord, I'm sure you'll be fine", I add, "come have some food... and some ale'".

While master Alhvar has a little bite to eat and a drink he looks over the Maps on our office walls.

"Some pipeweed Lord Alhvar?", I ask as I offer him the fresh pipeweed that arrived that very morning from the Greenhouse at Thorin's Hall. "Thank you for taking the time to talk to us Lord", I continue, "I know you must be very busy indeed, so we at the Tablets of Khazadgund greatly appreciate giving us some of your time today."

"And I am thankful for the invitation to this interview, he says while he stuffs his pipe full of Old Redbeard's Finest.

Abadumin: Firstly, I believe several congratulations are in order, Not only were you voted Harnkegger of the Harnkegger Games by the Harnkegger Games Committee, but the kinship of The Blue Mountains regiment has recently passed its first year anniversary. Exciting times I'm sure?'

Lord Alhvar: 'Thank you! Yes, our anniversary was in fact the first day of the games.'

Abadumin: If you look back at the past year Lord Alhvar, what have been the highlights for your kinship?'

Lord Alhvar: Oh, hmm, let me think for a moment. One milestone without a doubt is when Lady Omali started hosting Dwarves' Night Out. That was the first civil event of ours that actually managed to re-occur weekly. Before that all we had was mostly military events.

Abadumin: Tell us some more about this dwarves night out Lord Alhvar

Lord Alhvar: It takes place every Wednesday in the Thorin's Hall tavern. What I think makes those events so good is that there always seem to be - even without any planning -, a fair mix of music, tales and riddles. Sometimes we even have dice games but that is more uncommon as it requires a certain number of participants. Anyone that barkeeper Rúnulf would welcome into his pub is welcome to our party there!

Abadumin: I see... sounds like a grand event indeed… and when of course we look at highlights, we must naturally shed an eye at some of the low points as well. Tell us Lord Alhvar, what can you tell the readers of the Tablets of Khazadgund, have been the least enjoyable moments of the past year, for yourself and The Blue Mountains Regiment?'

Lord Alhvar: Ah.. Hmm..'

Abadumin: A difficult question perhaps... Yet, the Tablets of Khazadgund doesn't pay me to ask the easy ones after all *chuckle*

Lord Alhvar: I would say that it was during the spring sometime. Our members where very busy elsewhere, and we had trouble recruiting as there simply was not all that many dwarrows around to recruit. The dwarf population in Thorin's Gate does vary a lot over the year. I suppose that it has to do with merchants traveling and the seasons.

Abadumin: Tell us... how would a dwarf become recruited? Does a dwarf need to walk in from the street, or is there a process to follow, or form to fill?'

Lord Alhvar: We do have advertisements and posters that are meant to drag the attention of dwarrows towards us. We also stand around in public locations and talk to dwarrows that pass by. We do have a small form to fill, but that is done so quickly that it is just a formality. We are very welcoming.

Abadumin: Aye, so plenty of opportunity for dwarrows to join The Blue Mountains Regiment I see. The Regiment is known by many as a gathering of dwarves that focus heavily on the defense of the Blue Mountains...do you believe that is an accurate description of The Blue Mountains Regiment?'

Lord Alhvar: I would say that it is an accurate description. After all, with no defense, there can be no relaxation and no merriment.

Abadumin: What in your view Lord Alhvar is it that sets the Blue Mountains regiment apart from other kinships?

Lord Alhvar: I do not think that I should review other kinships as such, but in my opinion what makes us special is that we have a certain focus in everything we do. Because we are very disciplined in regards of the training for the defenses, it also allows us to, at off-duty times, relaxing, celebrate and to know that we are safe for now, for we always have a patrol out there.

Abadumin: So, safety is your priority I would take it then, the safeguarding of the dwarrow halls in the West I mean.

Lord Alhvar: Yes, but one must remember that safety is the means to an end. The end is always the peaceful life in the halls.'

Abadumin: Well put indeed Lord Alhvar. As most dwarves know, The Blue Mountains Regiment started in rather troubled times as an off shoot from the Kinship of Durin’s Folk. How has the relationship between Durin’s Folk -of whom I believe you were once the Azaghalbad even- evolved over time? I hope passed hurts have been buried for good Lord Alhvar?'

Lord Alhvar: As a kin, we do NOT hold any grudges against Durin's Folk. There are many members there that I still consider my personal friends. Most of us feel the same way - they are our friends. There might still be individual members that hold other views, but I can safely say that most of us do not have any bad feelings about Durin's Folk. On one hand we are two different kinships, and there are reasons for it being that way. As such I do not think that it is a problem that there is a certain gap between the kinships. It is in fact rather natural. But there are several areas where there are no reasons for why we should not co-operate. When fighting orcs in Dwarrowdelf our kinships often fight together. We also attend each other's pub events. And attending Harnkegger must alone be said to have made the space between our kinships smaller.'

Abadumin: I see… Now, let us talk about the Harnkegger Games for bit Lord Alhvar. Thirteen medals did The Regiment bring home in this edition. Largely due to your kinship did the Dwarves win Harnkegger Nation...and on top of that you personally were awarded the title of Harnkegger. Tell us how you feel about all that glory Lord Alhvar, you must be very proud?'

Lord Alhvar: I am proud of my kin. We did practice a week beforehand for the games. We came there together. We fought together and we won together. I am proud of that.'

Abadumin: And a wonderful effort it was indeed. Why do you think the judges of the Harnkegger Games Committee selected you over all other medal winners as Harnkegger of these Games?

Lord Alhvar: I think I got the award personally from my efforts when it comes to mustering my kinsdwarrows to the games. I would not have gotten it if I had come alone from The Regiment. At least I would not have deserved it then. Apparently our efforts did impress the judges.

Abadumin: You got a few fine medals yourself as well, not to mention the silver in the swimming event. Which you won by a hair on your beard I was told... Tell us about that silver medal, it must have been quite a thrill?

Lord Alhvar: To be honest I was too busy swimming to really understand how fast I really was. But as far as I am concerned, we are all good swimmers in The Regiment. We trained for it. I think it was just chance that it happened to be me getting that medal, it could just have been any other of us.

Abadumin: I was told the Regiment trained really hard for the sparring tournament... a bit disappointed perhaps on the result?

Lord Alhvar: Yes, I must say that we were disappointed. We practiced a lot. We also spent a lot of gold on improving our equipment. My kin invested nearly 1000 gold in improvements for my axe, but in the end I did not seem to have much of a chance at all. It was not only my personal gold invested in that sparring game. When I lost, I lost for many of us, most literally.

Abadumin: 1000 gold! I say, quite the investment indeed! By my beard!... Now, a question on the lips of many dwarven ladies in the Blue Mountains I’m sure, and one I simply must ask.... a dwarf Lord of your stature ...still without a dwarf Lady to call his own. Are you looking for a lovely braided-bearded lass... is there hope for the dwarf lasses? Or are you too involved with your craft and kin?

Lord Alhvar: Oh *chuckles* How should I answer this.. Hmm… Let's just say that I am not available.

Abadumin: I fear you'll have disappointed a few of our lady readers....

Lord Alhvar: My sons are available however, I think we can work something out! *chuckles*

Abadumin: You read it here first readers... interested parties can write the Tablets of Khazadgund. Lastly, when you are not occupied with your Lordly duties... What do you consider to be your favorite pass time? Any hobbies?

Lord Alhvar: I recently picked up playing musical instruments again. It had been a long time. I started learning it again for the music event at Harnkegger Games in fact. I did participate, but I sadly did not win any medals.

Abadumin: Ah, any instrument in particular you prefer Lord Alhvar?

At which point Lord Alhvar pulled out a Lute of Ages from under his beard and started to play a lovely tune of his own composition.

Abadumin: Thank you Lord, that was lovely... any last words for our readers, advice if you will?

Lord Alhvar: Last words? Let's see… Join The Blue Mountains Regiment, to let your family sleep peacefully at night!

Abadumin: *chuckles* Ah, a recruitment message... sneaking some advertisement into the Tablets of Khazadgund... wonder what our editor will say about that.

Next month we are speaking to Lord Duinn of Durin's Folk, another power figure of the dwarf community in the Blue Mountains and beyond.