Dead Dwarf Bridge
This bridge has an evil reputation among locals as far as Almorel, for it was here that Theodo, son of Tassilo Gnomenose?, son of Urthos the Fat?, made his heroic stand. In ancient days, when the empire of Nathoud was in decline the dwarven hero Theodo Greataxe? and his seven companions held off an invading force of barbarian riders, denying them the use of the Clearflow River bridge.
Only a small patrol, led by Theodo Greataxe? blocked their way to Almorel. While his five human scouts rode like the wind to warn the settlement, Theodo and the dwarves of his patrol made a stand at the Clearflow bridge. It was and still is a sturdy structure, built by dwarves from fine rosy marble. Made to last, it was too strong for the dwarves to bring down in the little time they had.
The eight dwarves of the patrol made their stand in the center of the bridge, their war standard unfurled and wedged into the railing. Here they stood, two abreast, when the host of barbarians 1,000 strong, rode into sight. At first the riders tried charging the bridge, but the dwarves held strong. Only the youngest, Talmar of Baraski?, fell.
The rest were protected behind a barricade of dead men and horses. Then arrows were shot down on them, but they sheltered from the iron tipped rain beneath their steel-shod shields. During this storm, Foolish Uthos? was pierced through the brain and died. Next fell Habbadrak, then Laggenson, and Crash. Now only three remained: Molnir the Mighty?, Njal Granitson?, and Theodo Greataxe?. It was then that Njal succumbed to the spells of a wizard and turned on his friends. In the fight that followed, Molnir and Njal tumbled off the bridge into the rushing Clearflow below. Now only Theodo remained.
Refusing to surrender, Theodo met charge after charge, desperately holding the attackers at bay. The bodies piled high and tumbled over the sides. The stones were slippery with blood and the Clearflow ran red that day. Finally, wounded in a hundred places, Theodo knew he could stand no longer. With a mighty blow he shattered Greataxeson, his magical blade, and cast the fragments into the river. The bridge cracked where the blade bit stone. As the attackers came forward, Theodo charged forth one last time to lay into them with a broken axe haft.
Twenty he killed before they brought him down; hundreds the eight killed that day. All eight dwarves died, but Almorel was saved. It is said that Theodo and his dwarves still guard against the barbarians to this day.
