Short Story Steem Monsters Fantasy Contest

The Grumpy Dwarf

Form:

Story Format Rules For Submission

In order to create consistency among all the cards, we need a generalized story format which includes The Hero's Journey story arc and Elemental characteristics.

You know, I wasn't always a Grumpy Dwarf. Like most Dwarves, I was born to a ma and pa and had 8 other siblings. Yeah, dwarfs are known for having huge families. We lived in the mountains and it was a peaceful life. My dad taught me smithing, like all the rest of the dwarves my age. I even had a young heart throb and was plannin' to marry her-- later on though, I still had plenty of good years of partyin' with my mates and didn't want to be tied down just yet. But my carefree life was all to end that faithful day...

Me and my Pa were at the smithy. Though I may be short, I've always been strong and you should see my hammerin' arm. I wish the same could be said about Pa. A smelting incident years prior had left him injured and his left hand didn't work. Truth is, we didn't see it coming, though there had been warnings from the old wise ones for years.

There we were smiting away at the metal. Pa, as usual, wasn't working, but just shuffling around griping at my work ethic. I have been known to enjoy the mead and stay up late a night or two chasing after the ladies-- but I always get my work done!! After the accident Paw was never the same again, but that was okay because me and my brothers took over and kept the family business running. But on this day, everything changed. A dark evil came upon the town. I don't really remember all that happened, cuz when I awoke I just found the smithy in shambles and Pa was conked out on the floor, his good arm twisted in a horrible shape and blood pouring from a gash in his neck. Me and my brothers had horrible head wounds too, but Pa was the only one who didn't make it.

The old healer in the village couldn't heal him and a bunch of other old dwarves, who knew the healing ways, were dead too. A great evil seemed to pass through the village and it's a good thing we dwarves are as stubborn and hard as the metal we work because we weren't going to let this evil overtake us all and ruin what generations of hard working dwarves had built.

So we set off in search of this evil, willing to fight with anyone who was also fighting against the evil that was threatening to take over our peaceful kingdoms. Whether Earth, Life, Fire, Death or Dragons, we Neutrals fight with them all. And yes, since that day I left I have been grumpy! We dwarves can get cranky not having a good bed to sleep on, a proper meal and a tasty jug of mead. I trust one day I can return to my peaceful home in the mountains and marry my sweetheart, but until then I seek revenge with my battle axe (and did I mention how strong my hammerin' arm is?) and shield. I'll call out that war cry until the day the evil is vanquished!

In my heart I knew this was the right thing to do but still some voice inside told me to turn and run far away. Life was so much easier before all this... But now Pa is dead and evil is afoot. I must carry on! Surrounded by Earth elements, I fell into defense formation and trudged steadily along. "There is no room for cowards in the smithy" is how the elder dwarves chided us younglings whenever we hesitated or expressed fear. There is no going back, I must press on.

Just as I thought this to myself a loud crash came from behind. I instinctively grabbed my battle axe from my hilt and channeled the fire that burned inside. Turning to see where the crash came from, a rage come over me like never before. This was my chance to avenge Pa's death. His death would not be in vain if I had anything to say about it.

When I turned in the dark, what I saw made the blood leave my face. I saw Zintar Mortalis and his Death team creeping through the shadows. I was no longer in the second line of battle, but was placed in the heroic front line position. I have always been second best, but now with renewed courage and a sense of duty I stand strong. With my shield I battled the Haunted Spirit. Luckily I had the Spirit of the Forest at my back, for although my hammering arm is strong, my shield is weak.

Behind me, my good friend Elven Cutthroat battled the Skeleton Assassin. They exchanged blows as the air filled with the noises of battle. The defenses of Skeleton Assassin were no match for the swift strikes of Elven's sword and dagger and soon he fell.

Though I would rather a thousand times over be cozy by the hearth with good company and a jug of mead in hand, my destiny lies here. This is my purpose and I accept the call of duty, although don't blame me if I can get grumpy from time to time. I fight loud and strong to avenge Pa's death and the future of dwarves everywhere and I'm willing to risk it all the get revenge.

_{Images of the Dwarf and line breaks from here}