"Stonesinging is the name given to the indigenous magic of Kharadrell. The Dwarves were loath to approach the topic with me, but I was able to glean that the "Stonesingers" tap into the "Song of the Mountain." Whether that is meant to be taken literally or metaphorically is anyone's guess... -Alexius Darmon, Professor Emeritus & Mage of the Academy of Mountain Watch
Our story begins 50 years ago, the last time the Choir Sang with the Stone.
Our story begins 50 years ago, the last time the Choir Sang with the Stone.
Kharadrell, Chamber of the Choir, 7th Day of the 50th Silver of the Rule of Drexell, King Under The Mountain.
"Is everything ready Thraken?"
"Yes Grandmaster. The Choir is assembled, we may begin."
"...but Grandmaster, we've never had this many Singers to commune at one time? Are we certain this is wise?
"Courage Child. No wisdom is attained without courage."
"but....I understand. I am ready Grandmaster. We all are."
"Excellent. Take your places Singers and douse the lamps. Let they who first hear the Song lift their voice, and us other six shall take up your chant in communion."
The Singers sat in their Thrones, carved out of the living rock of the Mountain. In its embrace they quieted the tempests of their minds and simply listened. They heard their breath, the blood in their ears and the beats of their hearts; and beneath it all, something else. Beneath all the world was a hum, a faint whisper of the earth. Its tune nostalgic, yet drenched in anticipation. The Song of Stone they called it, and one by one they took up its melody. Few know what the earth sings, for the Choir guard it closely, but in this communion the earth sang discordant, and the Singers minds were filled by the frantic breaths and pounding hearts of their comrades.
"What is happening, what is this horror." Thraken cried out into the dark, but none of the Singers called back to him. "Grandmaster! Dexion, Agrod!" He cried in desperation, for he could no longer hear their songs.
"Children...children....children..." The Grandmaster's whispering voice suddenly entered his mind.
"Grandmaster!" He cried back. He mustered all his power to try and stand, but the discordant song crushed him back into the earth, each note and vision more horrible than the last. Visions of calamity, and earthquake, the very Pillars of the Earth sundering from their supports. When Thraken could stand it no more a hand wrenched him from his thrown and a torch threw light over him.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS." Roared King Drexell. Thraken looked up and saw not his father but the very vision of Wrath. Mail fisted and armed with the Hammer of the Deep. "SPEAK." He boomed at Thraken.
"Gran....Grandmaster...." Was all the Prince could muster.
"PULL THEM ALL." Cried the King.
The King's men pulled the five singers from their thrones, their bodies broken and twisted in horror. When they pulled the Grandmaster, his form was intact, but his mind was shattered.
"Dream...Dream...Dream...Dream...Dream...Dream...Dream...Metal...Metal...Metal...Metal...Metal...Metal...Metal...Stone...Stone...Stone...Stone...Stone...Stone...Stone...Children...Children...Children...Children...Children...Children...Children..." Were the only words the Grandmaster could speak as the King raved at his foolishness. The last words to fill Thraken's mind before the sweet relief of sleep took him.
Kharadrell, Tower of the High Inquisitor, 9th Day of the 50th Silver of the Rule of Drexell, King Under The Mountain.
Report on the events of the 7th Day of the 50th Silver of the Rule of Drexell, King under the Mountain
I Vrexen Kharal, High Inquisitor of Drexell, King under the Mountain do hereby testify the following report:
On the aforementioned date it was discovered that Drellion, Grandmaster of the Stonesingers had begun a communion with the Song of Stone without the leave of the King. The plot was laid bare by His Majesty, King Drexell himself, who was able to feel a discordance in the Song. His Majesty assembled his guard and stormed the Chamber of the Choir, which had been sealed from the inside. The King struck down the doors with the Hammer of the Deep and entered the Chamber first. Upon seeing his eldest Son, Prince Thraken in apparent agony upon a Singer's throne His Majesty flew into a rage and ripped the Prince away. At great haste did the King's guard retrieve the other Singers, last retrieving Grandmaster Drellion. A report of the trespassers and their grievous wounds is as follows:
Thraken, Prince of Kharadrell: Physically unharmed, now taken to bouts of obsession with metals.
Drellion, Grandmaster of the Stonesingers: Mind Shattered, now only speaks a word at a time in sets of seven. Recorded words: Dream, Metal, Stone and Children.
Dexion Alzra, Stonesinger: Total loss of use of the left arm, what remains is twisted and deformed. No medicine nor magic is able to restore its use.
Agrod Delgrod, Stonesinger: Total loss of use of the right arm, what remains is twisted and deformed. No medicine nor magic is able to restore its use.
Tiria Zalth, Stonesinger: Total loss of use of the left leg, what remains is twisted and deformed. No medicine nor magic is able to restore its use.
Zratha Tenrod, Stonesinger: Total loss of use of the right leg, what remains is twisted and deformed. No medicine nor magic is able to restore its use.
Thrar Dolzat, Stonesinger: Physically unharmed, has lost various faculties to include the ability to write, and dream.
The Six Shattered as they are now called have been cloistered to the Royal Estate where they will remain for the rest of their days. Punishment for Prince Thraken, the seventh Singer is the personal business of His Majesty King Drexell and shall not be recorded in this report.
/Signed/
VREXEN KHARAL, HIGH INQUISITOR
Hushed Whispers
"The King has outlawed Communing with the Song of Stone!"
"I know, and keep your voice down."
"...but the quakes will start again, how can we go on?
"...I don't know."
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