Mimkhazad

You are Maran Mîmkhazad II (MAH-rahn MIM-kah-ZAHD), son of the Thane of the Hidden City of Mîmkhazad. You have been invited by the Kingdom of Keoland to attend the Council of Five Nations.

What Mimkhazad Wants: The Hidden City is securely hidden deep beneath the Good Hills. It is immune to all attacks. However, Mîmkhazad cannot abide a humanoid, especially a goblin, nation so close by. Mîmkhazad will never, ever allow Terromberre a foothold east of the Javan River. Mîmkhazad’s treasures are its own, and you are certain that even now Khaverdess has dispatched agents to ferret out the secret entrances. The Hidden City feels that it owes nothing to Keoland, Sterich, the Heart of the Wood, or the Hold of the Sea Princes. Any demonstration of force by Mîmkhazad is made for the sole purpose of protecting Mîmkhazad’s interests. If those interests happen to coincide with the interests of the human nations -all of whom seem unable, as is typical with humans, to work together against a common foe- then the dwarves will do their part. The humans (and especially the elves), however, should not expect more.

What Mîmkhazad Can Offer: The Hidden City is impervious to invasion, by giants or otherwise. Mîmkhazad has a standing force of 4,000. Another 2,000 could conceivably be raised within 30 days time. However, Mîmkhazad will not shoulder the defense of Keoland. Keoland has thrown its weight around in this area for some time. If Keoland is only going to protect itself, the Hidden City will not carry the burden. If Keoland is willing to take direct action against Terromberre, the Hidden City will send a proportionate force. Mîmkhazad is willing to match whatever force the Heart of Wood sends to defend Gandersheim, but not to exceed 1,500 armored footmen and 500 machinists (catapults, cannons and other siege engines). If it is decided that the allied forces are going to retake parts of Terromberre, Mîmkhazad will match the Heart’s forces, but not to exceed 4,000 armored foot soldiers, and 1,000 machinists.

What Mimkhazad Will Not Do: Mîmkhazad has no qualms about protecting Gandersheim, a dwarven-made fortress. However, Mîmkhazad will not station any of its troops anywhere outside of the Good Hills. Only if the Heart specifically asks, will Mîmkhazad send troops to the direct aid of the Heart. Mîmkhazad will not send any troops to the Hold of the Sea Princes. No allied forces will be allowed in the Hidden City, nor granted passage through the dwarven roads beneath the Good Hills.

About the Giants: Mîmkhazad is well aware of what giants are capable of. The walls of Rollin were designed to be impenetrable, and a host of Joten giants threw them down in three days. While the Hidden City is safe, Mîmkhazad’s neighbors are not. Furthermore, the fall of Rollin is a sore point of pride in Mîmkhazad. Mîmkhazad believes that the giant threat must be dealt with. Giants are arrogant and bullying by nature, but are unnerved by an enemy that fights back. The Stormcrows should be dispatched to hit the giants at their bases within the Jotens. The dwarves are certain that this would cause the giant host to withdraw from the lowlands.

About the Stormcrows: Disaster follows the Stormcrows everywhere they go. They should be sent as far away as possible, preferably to the Jotens. They are not to be trusted. While the Hidden City would consider an offer to escort the Stormcrows through one of the hidden roads beneath the Good Hills to escape the notice of Terromberre spies, doing so surely invites danger to the Hidden City.

About Keoland: Mîmkhazad has a long history with Keoland. The Kingdom has the Hidden City’s respect. Keoland is a trading partner, and the two nations shed blood together during the Battle of Dark October against the Sea Princes’ Golden Legion. The Kingdom can be trusted, as far as any human nation can. They have always proven true to their word. They must understand however, that Mîmkhazad is not their protector.

About Sterich: Mîmkhazad has had little dealings with Sterich. Although they are closely allied with Keoland, Sterich has not yet proven itself to the Hidden City.

About the Hold of the Sea Princes: The Sea Princes are a former foe of Mîmkhazad. Many dwarves bravely gave their lives during the Battle of Dark October. The Sea Princes have proven themselves to be honorable, however. The Hidden City takes no position on the territory dispute between the Sea Princes and Keoland.

The Sea Princes were closely allied with the dwarven colony of Mîmdwallin. Thus, they have established themselves as dwarf-friends. However, it is far too soon to determine whether or not they can be trusted. The Hidden City has approached the Princes regarding trade since the demise of the Mîmdwallin colony, but the Princes have remained aloof.

About the Heart of the Wood: The Heart is doing what is always does, using other nations to fight its battles. The real conflict in this matter is between the Lord of Khaverdess and the Heart. Everyone around them has been involuntarily drawn into the dispute. If the Heart had finished the Lord of Khaverdess at the Battle of Elmreddy Glen, none of this would have happened. Now the Hidden City must place its sons in danger, while the elves stir a panic from their secure hideaways in the Dreadwood.

The dispute between the Hidden City and the Heart goes back nearly two thousand years ago to the Battle of Atter Towen. At that time, the Horned King was engaged in a furious battle with the Empire of the Petal Throne (the Heart’s predecessor). Grandwood the Great, an enormous forest of which the Dreadwood is only a tiny remaining portion) was in flames. The Hidden City was in a pitched battle for its existence. Unlike the present-day goblin army, the Horned King’s forces were fully capable of uprooting the fortress-city of Mîmkhazad. The surface world will never know of the tremendous battles that occurred deep below the hills, of great treasures lost forever, and of brave sons of Mîmkhazad fighting without fear in flame-filled tunnels miles deep. The Hidden City never openly opposed the Horned King, but he and his bride Frodomere sought the dwarves’ treasure and armory. The Empire accused Mîmkhazad of cowardice for not joining them in the final battle against the Horned King. This is an insult the Hidden City will never forget nor forgive. This battle is of the Heart’s making, they must contribute to its resolution.

About You: Maran Mîmkhazad, 13^th level dwarven fighter, AC: -5, MV: 3”, HP: 148; AL: LN; STR: 16, INT: 15, WIS: 14, DEX: 10, CON: 18; CHR: 18; magic items: +3 full dwarven plate armor of spell turning; +3 shield of fire/frost resistance; Helm of Gaze Protection (immune to gaze attacks; such attacks are reflected 10%); “Dhûm” (d. “thunder”): +5 Great Axe of Thunderbolts (identical to Hammer of Thunderbolts); Gauntlets of Dwarven Might (wearer gains +3/+3 against all goblin foes; acts as a potion of Invulnerability 1x/day; allows wearer to wield two-handed weapon in one hand); Girdle of Regeneration; Boots of Stone-Stepping (passwall at 11th level 3x/day).