Mithramas

played by Terry Hawkins

Dwarven society is very structured and strict. Almost everyone knows their place and function within the mountain communities. Clans and profession determine the identity of who a dwarf is, will be, will marry and what his children will be. Almost all dwarves seek this rigidity and order in their existence. That is why Dwarves are such hard workers and such a reclusive people, living under the mountains in isolation. However, some dwarves are born with a rebellious heart, not fitting the mold they are forced into. If spotted early in life, the communities elders go to great lengths to tutor these mischievous youths to curb their wild tendencies. Dwarven doctrine is renowned for its success in such cases. A few young dwarves still manage to maintain the facade of structure while planning the day of their escape. That moment when the prison of order and endless law is abandoned to the freedom and terror of an unknown world is the most treasured in a dwarf's life. Because so few partake of it, it makes it all the more precious.

Such was my moment years ago. While tending the fungus herb-garden near the flow-stone cathedrals (a vast underground chapel), I stole way down the ventilation shafts. I had hidden away a small cash of tools to aid me in bypassing the gates and obstacles that kept intruders out of our homes and us in. At the tender age of 36, I was but a child in the eyes of my clan, and am sure they were rift with worry about me. But freedom was my dream and the craving was overwhelming. The climb up the tunnels and passages shaft took at least a day. When I reached the surface, I was unprepared for what greeted me. At first I thought I had entered a vast cavern with a thousand magical lights set upon the ceiling, but as my eyes adjusted, I realized that I was not in a cavern at all, but outside the womb of the world. I was on the surface.

I look back on that day and a tear of joy still comes to my eyes. In the days that followed I learned of many other things such as human and halfling society, the tendency of all fungi to be green on the surface, the infrequent falling of water called rain and the darkness that follows each day. I also learned of the human communities churches and that they observer many more gods than is revered in the Dwarven mountains. The Church of the Dawn were the first to show me kindness by putting may talents to work. I have found their doctrine to be fair and benevolent. It also represents the dawn which was the first thing of the surface world to great my eyes.

Few of my people live in the surface cities, and few still serve in the surface churches. I have been an oddity to many of my piers and have shunned my own people for fear of being recognized and returned to my former life. But I have made friends as well. The halfling villages are a second home to me and I have served their communities well. The gnomes are much like my people in their love of stone and its infinite beauty, but they also cherish the surface forests. I have had little exposure to the elves who seem to be even more reclusive than my own race.

I have given up family, clan, home and everything I have known for freedom and that is my most treasured possession. The structures of nation, church and city are necessary evils to keep folk from infringing on the rights of others, but the surface world seems so wide open in both physical and spiritual means. Here I make my own destiny and pay for my own mistakes. No other life can make my heart sing as it does in this land. I miss my clan and at times wish to be reunited with them, but the fear of never being allowed to return to my new life prevents my return.