The dwarf locates the most appropriate location in the Tavern and sets up his stool, and he sits atop it after setting up the hearth. He looks around and once the atmosphere seems right he begins to speak.
"Come, stay a while, and listen. I will tell you a story of The Beard. The Beard was once roaming some back woods in the ancient land of Thandalos when he heard word of a fierce red dragon that was terrorizing the woods."
The dwarf reaches into his beard and pulls out a pipe and a stick. He starts to pack the pipe. He holds to stick to the fireplace until it ignites. The dwarf lights the pipe and continues with the story.
"This dragon was a fierce cruel dragon who preferred to keep others as slaves instead of simply killing or eating them. The Beard did not like this. The Beard lives for freedom. So The Beard did some research to find out as much as he could about this dragon. The Beard is smart and studies the situation before jumping in...usually...."
The dwarf takes a couple puffs from his pipe, looking around the Tavern. He takes a sip of his wine and continues with the legend.
"The Beard learned of the dragons known resting places and decided it would be one of the best places to make his move. He headed toward the abandoned castle where the dragon made his most common resting place, and The Beard knew this would be a defining moment. The Beard attempted to sneak into the castle. The Beard however was not as stealthy as he hoped, and the dragon spotted him. "What brings one as tiny as you to my castle?" The dragon asked. Well, i came to serve the mighty red dragon, The Beard said calmly."
*Having been so busy with helping to build the gate, the dwarf realized he hadn't finished his chronicle of The Beard, so the dwarf returns to the Tavern after a hard day's work and finds his spot by the fire, sets up his hearth, lights his pipe, and continues to share his story.*
"Now, The Beard asked the dragon what he could do to serve him. The dragon told him he was not feeling well, that he would like something to make him feel better. "Oh, well, I have an old family recipe that could make you better. Let me whip some up for you." The Beard ran off to the kitchen to make some soup for the dragon. The Beard returned to the dragon and gave him the soup. The dragon swallowed the soup. "That was good, I would like more" the dragon said. The Beard nodded and scurried off. After The Beard returned with the second bowl he instructed the dragon that "he should not have too much at once." So the dragon insisted that The Beard make more the next day. And the next day, and so on."
"As the dragon's condition worsen, he requested more, but The Beard was insistent on no more than two bowls a day. Then one day The Beard came to the dragon with his bowl, and the dragon swallowed it all. The Beard climbed up to the dragon's head and looked at him. "You don't look so well, sir. Maybe something in your hoards has been making you sick, I will remove it from here for you."
"The dragon's condition had gotten so bad, that he was unable to object to The Bear's decision. And so The Beard began removing the dragon's hoard, as he did so, he returned it to the people of the surrounding villages."
The dwarf pauses briefly taking a swig of his wine skin, looking at his audience.
"Now, you may be wondering how The Beard knew the dragon wouldn't object to his request, well, you see, The Beard poisoned the dragon. Putting a little bit into the dragon's soup each day. And because he gave him so little, the dragon never noticed, until it was too late."
"I hope you all have enjoyed this chronicle of The Beard, and worry not, I will tell many more great accomplishments of The Beard."
*The dwarf stands up, bows, and gathers hi belongings and walks out the door to go rest for the night before getting back to the wall, tomorrow.*