Axes Treatise II
Description
| “ | The Long Winter of 410 Spent in Fjall, the Land of Dwarves | „ |
Effect
Teaches :
Acquired From
- Always sold by Valden vir Krenn, owner of Vir Krenn's Printing House in Brynn.
Book content
( . . . )
Entry number seventeen: regarding the fearsome warriors known as berserks.
The dwarves are simple, rough and somewhat savage people. Aldorian fighters, or at least the knightly estate, abide by combat etiquette, yet to the dwarves the very idea appears preposterous and meaningless. They aren't above using the dirtiest of tricks if it ensures their victory in battle. Berserks, also known as beserkers, are the embodiment of this sentiment. They are the most reckless and ferocious among the dwarves, inspiring fear even among their own brethren.
Clad only in bear pelts, the berserkers don't feel shame, pain, or cold. They prefer to fight with two axes, wielding them with surprising dexterity. Some of them even treat their weapons as some kind of gods, offering them prayers and revelling in idolatry.
Before combat berserkers consume a special brew which lets them enter a state of destructive fury. Its recipe is strictly guarded, but I can say with certainty that it includes henbane flowers and some kind of mushrooms. This drink is extremely toxic for most humans and dwarves, leaving them writhing in agony. At the same time, berserkers are always happy to take a sip. When a warrior consumes the potion, it's a truly terrifying sight: their bloodshot eyes dart all over the place, searching for victims, the body shudders with tremors, the foam drips down their disheveled beard.
The only thing you can do upon encountering a raging berserker is to keep your distance: imbued with inhuman strength and leaving a trail of carnage in their wake, they will not stop until the opponent is dead on the ground. Now I fully understood why the Border Guard avoid engaging bands of Fjall brigands until they know for sure whether there are berserkers among their ranks.
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See also
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