Post by: delphonso on January 31, 2020, 08:43:55 pm
Welcome to Smallhands!
A small fort, nestled between a necromancer tower and the goblin civilization. We've got suicidal Forgotten Beasts. We've got a lone survivor. We've got intelligent undead who come back as a ghost and then come back to life. We've got unkillable zombie echidnas! Watch as the tiny fort recovers from the literal edge of extinction. Also check out nogoodnames' incredible art.
Spoiler: Smallhands, Bigimage (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Smallhands recapped, years 1-17 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: The story of nogood, Undying Overseer (click to show/hide)
Parts:
Spoiler: Year 1 delphonso (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 2 Salmeuk (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 3 auzewasright (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 4 Laterigrade (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 5 nogoodnames (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 6 mko (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 7 delphonso (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 8 Salmeuk (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 9 auzewasright (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 10 StrikaAmaru (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 11 applet (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 12 Spriggans (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 12 cont. nogoodnames (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 13 nogoodnames (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 14 recon1o6 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 15 delphonso (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 16 StrikaAmaru (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 17 applet (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 18 nogoodnames (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 19 recon1o6 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 20 Salmeuk (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 21 StrikaAmaru (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 22 delphonso (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 23 Castimier (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 24 Radiofort (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 25 QuQuasar (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 26 recon1o6 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 27 delphonso (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 28 StrikaAmaru (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 29 fatcat__25 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 30 recon1o6 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 31 Salmeuk (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 32 Bombyx Mori (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 33 Spriggans (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 33 cont. recon1o6 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 34 xkcd1963 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 35 MrWillsauce (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 36 xkcd1963 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 37 AvolitionBrit (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 37 fatcat__25 (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 38 delphonso (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Year 39ish recon1o6 (click to show/hide)
------
Overseers:
1 delphonso
2 Salmeuk
3 auzewasright
4 Laterigrade
5 nogoodnames
6 mko
7 delphonso
8 Salmeuk
9 auzewasright
10 StrikaAmaru
11 applet
12 Spriggans
13 nogoodnames
14 recon1o6
15 delphonso
16 StrikaAmaru
17 applet
18 nogoodnames
19 recon1o6
20 Salmeuk
21 StrikaAmaru
22 delphonso
23 Castimier
24 Radiofort
25 QuQuasar
26 recon1o6
27 delphonso
28 StrikaAmaru
29 fatcat__25
30 recon1o6
31 Salmeuk
32 Bombyx Mori
33 Spriggans
34 recon1o6
35 xkcd1963
36 MrWillsauce
37 xkcd1963
38 AvolitionBrit
39 fatcat__25 (ruined by delphonso)
40 recon1o6
41 Open to whoever would like it!
If you want to oversee or just get dorfed, let us know!
I'm currently working on backing up the entire thread (well, the fort updates) in PDF format! Stay tuned for that. It's going very slowly!
I've now reached the character cap for this post. I'll be removing things such as favorite posts and synopses as we continue. Sorry!
Rules!
Quote
- Standard succession rules: a turn is 1 year, or two weeks – whichever happens first.
- Try not to destroy this tiny fort. Bad things happen, don't cause them intentionally.
- Before making RP decisions for others, let them know and discuss it.
- Try to dorf anyone who hasn't been already on your turn.
Performance Settings!
Quote
- Go ahead and set the following in your d_init file.
[POPULATION_CAP:50]
[STRICT_POPULATION_CAP:60]
[VISITOR_CAP:5]
[INVASION_SOLDIER_CAP:60]
[INVASION_MONSTER_CAP:30]
(just so the game is playable during a siege – this should still be plenty deadly.- You'll notice this is a very small embark. Please use space responsibly.
- There is an aquifer – be courteous when it comes to large water-works.
- Animals will also eat up FPS – try to keep populations low.
- After a brief discussion with their peers, nogoodnames removed a tag from echidna - as their indestructibility was causing lag in large fights. Should a porcupine or other roll-able creature become undead, the tag [PREVENTS_PARENT_COLLAPSE] can be removed.
Finally, should the need arise, I might go through and run some FPS saving scripts with DFHack from time-to-time. Hopefully, that won't be necessary.
-~-~-~-~-
Spoiler: Favorite posts/images (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on January 31, 2020, 08:44:14 pm
-~-~-~-
Deduk Domasshem marched with all confidence between the hillocks of Limârňnul – Wealthymirrored, as the uneducated called it. His heavy boots smashed through thin layers of snow and his wide body cast an intimidating silhouette. The late-winter sun was just starting to rise as he reached a small mound with a finely crafted door. He hesitated, then steeled his nerves. He knocked twice firmly. A scrawny dwarf appeared behind it – groggily wiping the sleep from her eyes.
“Bim, the queen has requested your presence. Please accompany me for your audience with her.” Deduk's voice was always calm and strong.
“Wait...what? In Doorended?” Bim squinted up at the sky and noted the rising sun. She winced at the cold air but it took some of the stun out of her.
“No. Starting today, the queen has chosen to relocate the capital from Tunloshôn to Limârňnul...” To avoid disloyalty, Deduk tagged, “In her infinite wisdom,” to the end. His face didn't betray any opinion on the matter. As a military commander, though, he was filled with internal dissatisfaction. A hillock over a fortress? Is she insane? This place is indefensible! And it's filled with useless rabble like Bim here. Worse yet, this is the smallest hillock around. “She should have arrived at the civic mound by now.”
“Oh! Okay, I'll be out in a tick!” The door slammed shut as Bim scrambled around her mound looking for something appropriate for a royal meeting.
Deduk stood solid as stone. His years of combat had disciplined him. He'd been to Smudoaslot six times already. That hellscape of a fort had seen more combat than anywhere else in Zűza Xestsu. The queen had been there too – more than once. Almost every dwarf had. Bim hadn't, and Deduk wondered if that was the queen's intention – to send Bim and another group of poorly trained recruits to break themselves of the walls of Smudoaslot once again in the yearly battle that seemed to take place there. A little cold wind meant nothing to him now. His focus was on stuffing down this concern and what the lack of dwarves in Limârňnul would mean for defense. The queen has always been right, even in her short reign, she'd proved herself. Deduk pushed the concerns deep and embraced the cold air.
Bim burst out of the door, wearing a cave spider silk tunic and matching trousers. “Ready to go, sir. What is this all about?”
Deduk merely stated, “Smudoaslot.”
Bim turned white. “Cactushexes? It can't be.” She looked down and away, lost in thought of the changes and preparations she'd have to make.
“I'm not sure, but that is my guess. We should not keep the queen waiting. She will tell you more.”
Bim swallowed hard and nodded. The two walked in silence toward the civic mound. In such a place as Wealthymirrored, the trip took only minutes.
Inside and out was a genuine commotion. Dwarves scrambled back and forth, unpacking a wagon full of royal supplies. An architect stood outside, measuring the walls. A gorlak rushed past the pair with a handful of papers, the same one who had sent Deduk to find Bim. Deduk strode in confidently, Bim following close behind. Deduk, just before bowing, froze. A crack in his rigid demeanor showed as he laid eyes on the queen for the first time in over a year.
The queen sat on a massive throne, giving herself a diminutive appearance. Her head was freshly shaved, exposing her pale-chestnut skin. Wrapped tightly around her was a yeti-leather coat, the white fur wrapped up around her face. She sat unnaturally, with her arms pressed tightly into her sides and her legs squeezed together. A gremlin in a small hat was at her feet, binding them tightly and slipping small wooden shoes onto them. She had a gaunt appearance, as if starving herself. But her eyes, her eyes are what bothered Deduk. They were round, wide open, and soft. Deduk and the queen had fought side-by-side. This was not that battlesister any more. This was...something else entirely.
“Uh... Queen Lňrbekar... I...” Deduk cut himself off, remembering where he was. He dropped to a knee and bowed to the queen. Things are worse than I thought. This woman has lost her mind. A squeel of pleasure snapped him out of his internal monologue. Deduk looked up to see a wide grin on the queen's face. Datan Lňrbekar clapped quickly in front of her chest. Deduk's eyes darted toward the door, where Datan was looking. Bim, dazed at the room around her, stood with her mouth open. Her small frame being previously blocked by Deduk's size.
“Well aren't you just the smallest dwarf I've ever seen!” The queen spoke in an artifically high-pitched voice, imitating that of a child. Deduk fought down the urge to wince.
Bim looked around before realizing the queen was addressing her. “What? M-me...?”
“Yes, you! You're perfect! Come a bit closer so I can see you! My, you're shorter than a Gorlak! Well done, Deduk! Well done indeed!”
Deduk's face betrayed absolute dismay.
Bim walked cautiously up to the throne. To her, this seemed reasonable enough. She'd never met a noble before.
“You, my special little dwarf, are going to do a great service to all of dwarven-kind. You're going to expand our empire just a little, tiny bit.” The queen made minute hand gestures with every word. Deduk's eyes searched for meaning.
Have I gone insane? Is this really our queen, who I saw push a spear entirely through a goblin?
“Um. Okay, ma'am – I mean madam – I mean Queen Tooldip. Err... Queen L-Lňrbekar.” She looked around the room desperately for someone to help her. She was entirely unsure of what to do in the face of royalty. She made eye-contact with Deduk, who was regaining composure. She mimicked his stance and bent down to one knee with a little effort.
Seeing her get even smaller, the queen's eyes lit up with excitement. “Amazing! Amazing! Thank you for accepting this responsibility. Here are your papers. She snapped and gestured to a dwarf who was waiting off to the edge of the room. His attention returned to him as he patted himself down looking for something. A pocket revealed a tiny scroll which he then rushed over and gave to Bim.
Bim squinted at the paper, written in extremely small print. It didn't matter, Bim couldn't read anyway. The man who delivered it noticed the struggle and smiled. “No worries at all, my little friend. Here, let me assist you in reading this tiny document.” He cleared his throat extravagantly and read the following with all pomp and flourish:
Quote
To the smallest dwarf in the realm,
I bequeath upon you the honorable responsibility of building a new fortress. This fortress shall embody all that is small and tiny, representing these fine virtues in these times of strife. By receiving this paper, you have adopted the role of expedition leader. The lives of those fine dwarves which will join you on this endeavor are in your hands. This paper may also serve as the necessary document to recruit them.
Enclosed are detailed directions to the site of the proposed fortress. May Edem the Prestige of Duty bless you on this journey. The fate of Smallhands relies on you.
Datan Lňrbekar, Datan Tooldip
Queen of Gitnukfath, The Minty Sacks
Bim's mouth stayed open – as it had since she entered this room. Deduk's steely face managed to regain its stern expression.
“Thank you, my liege.” Deduk paused then elbowed Bim in the side.
“Oh. Yes! Thank you.” Bim bowed deeper and the queen began clapping again. A few moments later, and the pair were back outside.
-~-~-~-
“I would like to inspect the location of this fortress. I presume you have some preparations to make before your journey.” Deduk put a large hand out to take the packet of directions. Bim placed the napkin-sized package in his hand.
“You're right. I should probably prepare for this carefully. Let me go ask some friends what I should bring.” She wandered off, lost in thought. The sun just peeked over the mountains, warming the air.
The light of the new sun illuminated the small writing enough for Deduk to read it with squinted eyes. His eyes went wide and his eyebrows furrowed. By Niz... This isn't anywhere near Smudoaslot... This is right next to the goblin capital itself. I have to warn Bim! Deduk sprinted across the small hillock, but stood stuck in the air for a moment. The frozen river below him had just instantly thawed. In a moment, Deduk was underwater, the rushing river pulling him away. He drowned in seconds. Spring has arrived.
-~-~-~-
In the drinking mound, at a towerwood table, Del and Salmeuk were having a belligerent discussion. A few onlookers watched on, a mix of annoyed and fascinated.
“The queen's off 'er fookin' rocker. Dunno what addled 'er mind, but it musta been somethin' bad.” Del finished his contribution to the discussion and then finished his mug of ale.
Salmeuk's voice took a disapproving tone as he declared, “Don't you know? The queen lost her kid to a cyclops last year. I guess this is some form of grieving.” He took a long sip of dwarven rum. “I mean, it is pretty weird, but it's grieving nonetheless.”
The door to the drinking mound swung open, Bim came rushing in, casting her gaze across the entire room. She held a tiny scroll and a little packet of paper.
“What's all this about, Bim? Get spooked by a weasel or somethin'?” The other patrons nodded solemnly. Weasel-spooking had been a bane on this hillock for months now.
“Have you seen Deduk? He was going to tell me about this place, but I can't find him anywhere. He left this set of maps by the river.” She waved the tiny packet around, hoping her friends would notice their royal quality.
“What's'at? Pretty fancy map for a dwarf like you.” Del said, reaching for the packet. “'aven't seen 'im anywhere today. Been 'ere all mornin'.” He spread the map on the table. A little yellow 'X' had been placed in the southeast corner of it. With considerable effort he read, “The Desert of Furs.”
Below that was a purple smudge that he assumed was spilled wine, but was in actuality the Frothy Sludge - a swamp and the center of the goblin civilization.
-~-~-~-
Del's journal, Granite 15, 150.
“Oh, shit.”
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/mtIGWsXctsiGwGuozUXCHVsz?width=800&height=600)
Post by: delphonso on January 31, 2020, 08:44:32 pm
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/alreLrXMzbGjqbHhjuRJgRnT?width=800&height=600)
Del's Journal
Granite 15, 150
Oh shit.
The queen's a loony. I don't know where she got the idea, but this fortress “dedicated to all things tiny and small” is a bad idea – through and through. Hell, I'd rather be back at Cactushexes than here.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/pnPGSIzIHoywxjIHZEcdrWdl?width=800&height=600)
I mean, look at this place! Only two square dwarfometers? And what's with that swampy bit down there? Why's it smell so bad? And what the hell is in all those trees?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
-~-
Apparently, that wasn't a wine stain... The cursed goblins have their dark tower right there. I bet you could see it from here if it weren't for that purple haze in the south. I supposed the queen had a reason to make this fort small – might go unnoticed, if we're lucky.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/DEtXvyfKjSVvLmZKilitWMBl?width=800&height=600)
You know what they say – strike the earth.
-~-~-
Granite 21, 150
Well, it's been a few days, but we're doing well. No signs of anything too messy yet. There's been some kangaroos bouncing around, which was nice to see.
Rigoth said that there's some evil places in the world that can bring the dead back to life. Psh – old wive's tale, if you ask me. But Rigoth pushed it and we decide to test it. The water buffalo would make a good experiment.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ECNVGChoHCeGeRmgSmCNcQNP?width=800&height=600)
Bim was the one to butcher it. We all stood around the chopping block waiting to see if anything would happen. Nothing did. Rigoth, you superstitious fool. Got ourselves a good amount of meat though, and Rigoth set on carving the bones. I bet she just wanted that easy job.
I got sent off to cut down the two trees in the south. There's some sort of weird slime hanging off them that I don't like looking at. Better to have them cut down than to mess with that myself.
-~-~-
Granite 22, 150
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/CiwRNyEukQpYDomqimoDcibF?width=800&height=600)
Well that was disgusting. Just about as soon as I went over there, purple goo started to fall from the sky. I don't feel so well... Got the trees down, though... I think I need to lie down.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/tmbSbwRpiQIoJZefqtRqiIEj?width=800&height=600)
[The following page is smeared in vile purple goo]
-~-~-
Slate 12, 150
I guess this could have been worse. Rigoth said there's some sort of rain that'll make you swell up and pop. At least this fever should pass eventually. As long as we stay out of the goo, it should be fine.
Underground, the forts coming along. Momuz started complaining that her feet were wet. I gave her a death glare as purple slime dripped off me, but then I got what she meant.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/uZbUrEhVqNfdFqGMLxauTMTd?width=800&height=600)
Bim got us all digging and building. We build a small tunnel through the aquifer and hit glorious stone.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/UllAOcsECtpPRGPUifsCBQIX?width=800&height=600)
-~-~-
Felsite 3, 150
Well, remember when I said we should avoid the goo?
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/XfetRqzgYpJneyKUyZrilZZE?width=800&height=600)
I guess when we went out to gather those logs, everyone got some of it on themselves. Ol' Rigoth is the only one not affected. I guess she was carving bones the whole time. Or she was just too superstitious to go in there.
She made a masterpiece earring though. Can't say I dislike that.
I've noticed Salmeuk is spending a lot of time around Bim lately. I think I smell some romance between the two.
-~-~-
Hematite 1, 150
You know, this place is small, and I get that. But gods, it feels claustrophobic. I don't know if it's sharing a room with everyone, this damn fever, the fact that the dining room is in the hallway, or what. But I just don't like it in here.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/eidTvYAhmosvpKjiSxkBWWCp?width=800&height=600)
Things are coming along, though. We've dug out a farming area, a chicken coop, and a dormitory with a tavern across the hall.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/hUhwbQJbQwAUcpHqUNfrOrgI?width=800&height=600)
Sigun and Bim have been doing well keeping the ale flowing – and while that's flowing, well, I'm working.
-~-~-
Hematite 5, 150
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/kSjMtIFoeXxusEBnuUWdOIZs?width=800&height=600)
Tazul's beard... We had a kobold show up today. Skulking thief was obviously looking to grab something. I spotted it – with these keen eyes of mine – and ran at it with my axe.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/RwXreqROrXxRVAlpdJSNhzic?width=800&height=600)
No, I didn't get scared, and no I didn't panic and run away. Whatever the other dwarves might tell you.
-~-~-
Malachite 12, 150
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/zIReTufbttSrcuEqDItkNKbJ?width=800&height=600)
Well, would you look at that? 2 dwarves must have gotten the call. Even better, I recognize these two from Cactushexes. Iden was a macedwarf back in the day, a strong woman.
But Olon... Olon is something else entirely. Olon knows how to use a spear, and not just for stabbing. I'll just say I'm glad she's on our side.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ZZyWFslqwtQftVDKkWJULBNb?width=800&height=600)
[shudder]
-~-~-
Malachite 27, 150
We dug down into the aquifer to get access to that fresh, filtered water. We all took turns washing off in there. Bim then suggested we use it for a well. “Fresh water for a new hospital!” she said.
“Yer mental if ya think I'll be drinkin' outta that.” I said.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/GDIJllXBGVRNTqRVMScFGUOZ?width=800&height=600)
Oh, and a goblin came to visit the tavern. Not sure if that's such a good thing in this little stealthy fortress we've got here, but Bim seemed excited about it.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/RTcPptRXxfvYvelbLKJoQZpZ?width=800&height=600)
-~-~-
Galena 15, 150
I walked past the hospital today and saw Momuz eating lunch in there. I thought that place was supposed to be sanitary. What the hell is happening to this place?
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/bYZTTNJCzwhgsUNvpbsmTdKG?width=800&height=600)
All I know is, I'm not going to get hit. I don't want to be caught dead in there.
We're working on finishing up the gate and bunker upstairs. All that means for me is that I have to carry limestone blocks up and down the stairs all day. Not like there's anything else to do in this place.
-~-~-
Limestone 1, 150
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/mSadJjPTCmOWNFziazfcUQhl?width=800&height=600)
Not a few hours after the last piece was put in place on the bunker, did Rigoth come sprinting down the stairs screaming about the undead. By the time I got to the surface, there wasn't anything to be seen. Not a kangaroo, not a camel. Definitely no “zombies”. That lass is as batty as the queen.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ihBonepQilYHJtdgMaqUKtud?width=800&height=600)
Back to work digging out the workshop area.
-~-~-
Limestone 2, 150
I bet Rigoth just saw that stinking kobold and that's what freaked her out. Apparently it slipped in during the panic that Rigoth threw up. It got locked in the fort with us when we closed the gate. Not sure who noticed it first, but it was right down the hallway from me, Olon and Iden. Little bugger was trying to steal the axe I'm so fond of. The three of us chased it around, but it was me who laid the final blow.
Didn't bother me one bit, either. Definitely not a horrifying experience that'll haunt me forever.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ZtYFtKObinPmjwOfhZIwaNRf?width=800&height=600)
For fuck's sake... This is why I abandoned my post in Cactushexes.
-~-~-
Limestone 7, 150
Two more dwarves showed up today. They showed up near the gooey parts of the hill, but didn't seem to track any in with them. Another guy named Sigun and Unib who knows how to make crossbows well. Good to consider.
-~-~-
Limestone 24, 150
Salmeuk got assigned to chief medical dwarf. Or I should say, slept his way to the top. Normally, I'd be proud of him, but when I went in to talk to him about my fever, he just said there's nothing wrong. But he was mopping sweat off his brow as he said it.
Olon got put in the position of broker. I'd hate to see what sort of bargain she pushes from the merchants...whenever they get here.
-~-~-
Sandstone 14, 150
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/tHwdKZwtXWYBNZbyzBPgguEy?width=800&height=600)
Well, today was hectic. I thought it was going to be an easy day, you know, just taking some stuff upstairs, then fuck off to the tavern to drink my cares away.
Sigun – the new one – was carrying a bin of water buffalo crafts to the Depot when they noticed someone hiding...I guess buried halfway to their waist in the sand? There's no where to hide here. Anyway, Sigun said they looked like a “necromancer”. Apparently they were carrying some evil looking book or something. All horse shit, if you ask me. If there was a necromancer here, why didn't anyone stop it from just walking off into the distance? Plus Olon was right there! She could have slapped the bastards balls off from a mile away. Everyone in here is as superstitious as a sailor with one leg.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/JLicEvVGjKQjfPJjtnvwZUaP?width=800&height=600)
Whatever the case, Bim showed us a list of "our targets for next year". Seemed almost like a threat instead of a recommendation on what to work on.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/gKGEvPYJhYBZZyBlyurUvRTn?width=800&height=600)
We might be able to do that, Bim, if you'd help us carve out the workshops down below. Gods, I'm sick of this place. And when will this fever fuck off?!
-~-~-
Sandstone 15, 150
The worst part about being in a fort is being in it. There's nowhere to go, and everything you hear, you either have to believe, or ignore. We got some hard news from those merchants. Doorended is gone – taken over by the goblin horde.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/quURzEzMfXjNzzQnXvMTcdgZ?width=800&height=600)
Funny that the queen moved capitals just before that. She's a smart one – even if she is a lunatic.
-~-~-
Sandstone 19, 150
The other Sigun has been taking care of bees up top. Some sort of pet project of his. He took me up to the roof today and pointed out something...odd.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/WBLoQMpHcbJOUCACtssKTrYH?width=800&height=600)
Out in the goo, there was a kangaroo wallowing in self-pity. Not sure how we could even tell that, but it was unmistakable.
-~-~-
Obsidian 25, 150
Kind of lost track of time there. I barely noticed that winter had come. I'm hoping that's because of the heat outside and not this fever boiling my brain. We got the workshops carved out. We piled up some goods, and got some stuff ready for Spring.
Sigun did show me a echidna having an existential crisis this week. I really enjoyed that.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/UZxXPxZQMCilsJAQXhbvBeHS?width=800&height=600)
Anyway, back to work.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/glXAaFNaPlKLWnCcrjfeVcDN?width=800&height=600)
Post by: Laterigrade on January 31, 2020, 10:04:29 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on January 31, 2020, 10:08:35 pm
Quote
"This fortress shall embody all that is small and tiny, representing these fine virtues in these times of strife."
Nice.
Quote
The light of the new sun illuminated the small writing enough for Deduk to read it with squinted eyes. His eyes went wide and his eyebrows furrowed. By Niz... This isn't anywhere near Smudoaslot... This is right next to the goblin capital itself. I have to warn Bim! Deduk sprinted across the small hillock, but stood stuck in the air for a moment. The frozen river below him had just instantly thawed. In a moment, Deduk was underwater, the rushing river pulling him away. He drowned in seconds. Spring has arrived.
lol poor Deduk. Will the dwarves ever learn? I imagine an OSHA-equivalent guild that attempts to educate on the most common dangers of a dwarven hillock.
Quote
Salmeuk's voice took a disapproving tone as he declared, “Don't you know? The queen lost her kid to a cyclops last year. I guess this is some form of grieving.” He took a long sip of dwarven rum. “I mean, it is pretty weird, but it's grieving nonetheless.”
I imagine dwarven grief is a pretty strange thing to experience. These creatures often live in squalid conditions for years on end, fighting literal nightmares and dying in the most torturous fashions. When one of them finally breaks it must be like the collapse of a dam. And god forbid that break occurs in one of the nobility, who exercise an almost infinite power over the less privileged.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Quote
He spread the map on the table. A little yellow 'X' had been placed in the southeast corner of it. With considerable effort he read, “The Desert of Furs.
Below that was a purple smudge that he assumed was spilled wine, but was in actuality the Frothy Sludge - a swamp and the center of the goblin civilization.
Oh. Oh my. I'm scared at what the new version might bring us. .
Post by: Quarque on February 01, 2020, 03:18:00 am
Post by: delphonso on February 01, 2020, 07:00:27 am
I accidentally left my pop-cap at 11 (what I was playing with before on a test of this) so that's why we're just there. If the next overseer wants to put it at 30, I think that's reasonable. A wave of 29 in one year might be overwhelming.
The fever just slows down the original 6 (Rigoth avoided it). Trust me, this was a pain when half my work-force was slightly slower than average. There have been no signs of improvement among any of them. A curse for life, perhaps?
Laterigrade, join in whenever! Quarque, I'll put you on the list. It's been very peaceful so far - but at 20, we should flip a few switches to have some things happening. Either of you want a dorfing?
Quarque, if you feel overwhelmed, the current fortress is entirely secure with the pull of a lever. Hopefully that stays the same...
I imagine dwarven grief is a pretty strange thing to experience. These creatures often live in squalid conditions for years on end, fighting literal nightmares and dying in the most torturous fashions. When one of them finally breaks it must be like the collapse of a dam. And god forbid that break occurs in one of the nobility, who exercise an almost infinite power over the less privileged.
Seeing as most dwarves react to grief by going to the tavern and punching a child to death, I'm glad people aren't so susceptible in real life.
Salmeuk, you're up! I'll post the link here (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=14700) in a moment. The levers have been labeled, and there are notes on the levels which have aquifers. Enjoy!
No pressure to go as quickly as I did. I'm dodging coronavirus, so I'm stuck inside to avoid the (https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/tmbSbwRpiQIoJZefqtRqiIEj?width=800&height=600)
Post by: Quarque on February 01, 2020, 07:41:47 am
Quarque, I'll put you on the list. It's been very peaceful so far - but at 20, we should flip a few switches to have some things happening. Either of you want a dorfing?Thanks! A dorfing means to nickname a dwarf after you, right? Make me a farmer, then. 8)
Quarque, if you feel overwhelmed, the current fortress is entirely secure with the pull of a lever. Hopefully that stays the same...
Post by: King Zultan on February 02, 2020, 06:05:37 am
Looks like we've got our own version of the coronavirus in this fort.
Post by: Salmeuk on February 03, 2020, 02:37:21 am
I'm concerned for that kangaroo, and for our fort.. whatever caused it grief is surely still lurking.
Post by: delphonso on February 03, 2020, 12:57:39 pm
Yeah, I'm wondering if there are multiple syndromes raining down or if those creatures were just mentally weak and the rain bothered them enough... Either way, best to just avoid the Terrifying area.
Post by: Sanctume on February 04, 2020, 12:15:33 pm
PTW
Looks like we've got our own version of the coronavirus in this fort.
I'm sure it's still safe to eat the kangaroo meat, despite the rain flu.
Post by: Dragofire on February 04, 2020, 05:12:55 pm
Post by: auzewasright on February 04, 2020, 05:54:29 pm
Post by: delphonso on February 05, 2020, 12:17:40 am
PTW
Looks like we've got our own version of the coronavirus in this fort.
I'm sure it's still safe to eat the kangaroo meat, despite the rain flu.
I knew I shouldn't have filled the wagon with bat meat!
It probably won't work. Unless somehow there is no covering of Vile Goo on it.
The dwarves (del especially) were covered with the goo for a couple months before they got it cleaned off. I think they've been inoculated to it by now.
I'll sign up for this.
Awesome, auze - added you to the roster.
Post by: Salmeuk on February 05, 2020, 02:23:56 am
The solstice has passed us and the year begins anew! These spring mornings bring a chill air that drifts down through the stone and into our chambers, waking us rudely from our dreams. The invading cold is much appreciated, however, since many of our outpost have contracted a mysterious and tenacious illness that warms our blood and sours our moods. At this time it is unknown whether or not this fever poses a threat, and as one of the principle carriers of the illness I am eager to learn more. Too, I want to help Bim, who is my lover, and Del, the since they are both suffering from the fever. Del has recently granted me the role of manager and overseer of Smallhands and I intend to put that power to good use.
What other project to begin with than the one I have fantasized about for many months now? It has been my dream to explore the deep stone and surely discover the great caverns beneath. What riches are to be found? As I understood it, the Queen wanted good news from this outpost. Well, by the justice of Tâmol, let us find some good news!
(https://i.imgur.com/A6UEHTT.png)
Exploratory staircases were dug west of the workshops.
A few days in to digging, Momuz found a gigantic cluster of red zircon and a rich vein of tetrahedrite. Both are valuable, but I was hoping for something more. There has to be something good about this place.
After more digging we find some cassiterite, meaning a source of tin. If we work that with the copper at a controlled temperature, we can start to cast bronze. Which can then be hammered into a razor-sharp edge. A lot can be done with a bronze axe!
The next day, Momuz hit a cavity in the stone.
(https://i.imgur.com/jstaNmE.png)
Finally, a cavern, with silver veins crossing the walls and blue garnets glinting in the torchlight.
Modestly sized and choked by passageways, this cavern isn't immediately useful. No water in sight, either. Later, I might have plans for it, perhaps when summer arrives, but for now we will just wall off the staircase and continue downwards.
----
When I'm not busy directing our miners and masons, I like to spend my time in the tavern. I get some drinks and take a seat and just let the time pass. I listen to the poetry and the stories and lose myself in the words. Most recently, a goblin traveler names Smunstu has taken to our outpost. She is quite the performer, with her twirling dances that leave me dizzy and amazed. Unlike dwarves, goblins are much skinnier and more flexible, and frankly they are much better at dancing - if they try to be, that is. Most just try to kill us.
I sketched her dancing in my journal:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
----
We finished the staircase to the floor of the first cavern layer, when something odd happened. Smunstu, upon hearing that we had opened the staircase to foot traffic, immediately packed up her things and descended to the new opening, and then waltzed right into one of the dark passageways like there was nothing to it. Soon enough we realized she wasn't coming back. Well, I'll miss her dancing. I hope she finds the way out soon. Bim was telling me that goblins, like pigeons, have an innate sense of where home is at all times, and that they can easily find their way through thick jungles or tightly-carved passageways. They are certainly an interesting race, though I am still not at all fond of their ethics. I'm not sure if I could have a goblin friend. If I did, it would be someone like Smunstu, a traveler and a free-thinking individual. These thoughts filled my head as we completed the staircase walls.
Upstairs, I pushed for some remodeling. We needed a proper tavern, after all, and now that we had a good idea of the space available for digging (18z levels of solid stone) we could give it the space it deserved.
(https://i.imgur.com/loRahjJ.png)
On the right is space for worship.
It rained, and then the elves came, so we traded them some of our stone crafts for a leopard and some berries. Typical elf business. The rain washed away some of that purple goop, and I could see that the plants underneath were unaffected by the slime. I noted this in my medical record, it could be important later.
(https://i.imgur.com/btqWgZP.png)
Even the lightest rainshower washes the goop right off the plants, and as it drips away the bowed leaves spring back into shape.
Our food supply proved steady. The baby chicks finally hatched. We discovered a sapling growing in the black surface sand, a surprising and odd indication that the surface was viable for farming. So I hatched a plan, and after a heavy rainstorm we ran outside and quickly nabbed a few local seeds from the southeastern forest, making sure to avoid the plants still laden with goop. A great success! But, we will save these seeds until we can construct a properly defended farm. There is no great hurry to diversify our food sources.
---
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on February 05, 2020, 08:43:41 am
Definitely not excited to eat gooey food, but hey - to each their own.
Post by: Quarque on February 05, 2020, 01:33:12 pm
edit: just realized this was only the first season of your turn! Loving the tiny pic, too.
Post by: Salmeuk on February 06, 2020, 01:13:39 pm
In the dead hours of the night, when most were asleep, our fortress was 'attacked' by a 'giant' mole!
(https://i.imgur.com/f1uE29R.png)
The mole was punched many times in quick succession by many different
dwarves. The mole did not survive this.
We have decided to build a gate to prevent further incursions.
----
I ordered some new rooms dug for future nobility. Should they be finished before the real nobles arrive, and lie vacant and unused, some poor soul might have to bear the burden of occupying them, you know, to ensure their comfort and design and overall splendidness.
(https://i.imgur.com/yiX6Zbm.png)
We also finished excavating the new temple. In the far corner, the miners discovered a perfectly formed node of variscite gems.
(https://i.imgur.com/z4qN6A9.png)
These will be left in place and engraved. The gods are surely in favor if Smallhands, and have blessed us so!
----
(https://i.imgur.com/lFUgRrr.png)
Migrants arrived. They pounded on our front gate for a day straight before we noticed them.
(https://i.imgur.com/6GaZHyU.png)
A miller, a weaver, a stonecrafter, a dissector, and a swordfighter.
(https://i.imgur.com/JD915lc.png)
Only the swordfighter was any good, so the rest were told to forget their professions and help out the metalsmiths and masons. I also instructed them to avoid the vile goo on the surface lest they wish to suffer from fever.
Nish the Swordfighter was introduced to Del, and the two seemed to get along well as they discussed military matters. Later, the three of us met over a meal of roasted panda meat (thank you elves) and talked strategy.
"Nish has brought word of goblin hordes roaming the forests north, hordes which were only narrowly avoided on the way here."
Nish spoke up. "They seemed to be searching for something. I'm worried they know about Smallhands. Goblins don't sleep, you know, and they can search through the night. It's only a matter of time before they find us."
Del continued. "It would be prudent to begin training our strongest dwarves in weapon handling and shield-work."
This was too much too early, I thought. Barely a year later and goblins are already searching for us.
"Fine, but it will have to be part-time. There's too much work to be done to spare even a quarter of our dwarves."
I paused, then asked, "What equipment will you need?"
"Whatever you can get us. I am most experienced with axes, while Nish has only ever fought with a sword. We need shields and helmets. Armor can wait."
"I'll talk to the smith. Our forges are cold. It will take time to form the charcoal and mine the copper, but it will be done."
----
Summer has arrived.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on February 06, 2020, 08:35:15 pm
So - uh - what do we think about the baby-riding bug? Supposedly, if you can trap the pair on a food stockpile, the mother won't starve to death. Likewise, if you exile them, they'll be immune to starvation but will exile once their pathing is better. I think you can also arrest the mother and that'll make her drop the kid. Any ideas?
Post by: Quarque on February 06, 2020, 11:46:15 pm
Post by: auzewasright on February 06, 2020, 11:46:21 pm
Definitely need a military with undead and goblins around us. Hopefully the little squad can keep us limping.Launch the mother using a drawbridge. If she survives, she'll be knocked free from the baby. If she dies, we'll be free of the baby and also lose the baby producer as a bonus.
So - uh - what do we think about the baby-riding bug? Supposedly, if you can trap the pair on a food stockpile, the mother won't starve to death. Likewise, if you exile them, they'll be immune to starvation but will exile once their pathing is better. I think you can also arrest the mother and that'll make her drop the kid. Any ideas?
Post by: delphonso on February 06, 2020, 11:58:29 pm
Quarque, you're probably right. But I think any edit to the dwarven raws wouldn't take effect unless we re-genned the world.
I guess it's just up to whoever's in charge when it happens.
EDIT: bug fix version was just released. Wanna give it a shot?
Post by: Quarque on February 07, 2020, 01:47:22 am
Either way, if there's a new version let's go with that.
Post by: Salmeuk on February 09, 2020, 02:48:11 am
The humans arrived quickly this year. Our craft production had stalled, and so we traded some stoneware for a few vegetables and that was pretty much it.
A few migrants trickled in, bringing us to 18 dwarves. A mechanic and an animal caretaker, and at least the mechanic can be put to work immediately.
----
(https://i.imgur.com/ggYwbd1.png)
Five days ago, Bim went missing. Today, the search was called off - we aren't going to find her.
When I first noticed her gone, I honestly couldn't remember the last time I had seen her. I get so caught up in the work here in my office, looking over various reports and auditing our trade receipts, that I sometimes forget to leave. Often Bim would find me asleep at the table with my head buried in papers. So, when I finally decided enough was enough and that it was time I take a break from this work, I went to the dining hall and then promptly fell asleep in my room. All this time, never having seen Bim. Once I awoke, I thought it would be best to check up on her, and that's when I found her room empty and her workshop untouched. So I asked around.
"What, Bim? Oh, she's just out for a walk or something. I think I remember her telling me that."
"Huh." A walk would be very unlike Bim. "When did she leave? Don't you think she would tell me something?"
"Well shouldn't you know? You spend the most time with her!"
Others started asking me questions, like it was somehow my fault that she was missing.
"When did you last see her? Was she acting out of character? Did you two have an argument or something?"
After agonizing minutes they came to their senses and we began a frantic search. It soon became clear we were not going to find Bim. Smallhands is, well, small, and there are very few places to hide. We even checked the cavern tunnels, which had been entirely sealed, but maybe something happened and she was trapped out there in the moldy darkness.
And just like that, Bim was gone. The worst part is I don't think many others care. She wasn't the best at making friends, she was always busy with her work, and I think her impersonal leadership style rubbed a few people the wrong way. But to hold a grudge like that against some who could be dead? That's insane.
People held elections, and Meng the Smelter was elected expedition leader. She is a newer arrival here, yet people seem to trust her already. Those same people have already forgotten Bim.
As long we find no proof of her passing (how I dread that day, if it comes), I will have to stay vigilant for her. Perhaps she was kidnapped, or lost while fighting some goblin scouts, or maybe took a wrong turn in the caverns and is lost, just out of sight, waiting for help to come. .
It is dreadful.
----
The next week, Unib the carpenter was ambushed by a giant olm. She was the one who volunteered to take the first steps into the caverns, in search of wood. Did I mention we ran out of wood? Anyways, this poor soul. . . Ilral watched the whole thing go down.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ab46Jrf.png)
why, Unib, why did you let this happen?
She fought as best he could, but the Olm landed a number of bites on Unib and was slowed considerably by the pain. The militia were called, and it was a race against time as Unib's strength gave out.
(https://i.imgur.com/LHm4C6p.png)
The olm then landed a huge hit on Unib's lower body, so painful that Unib was sick and lay gasping on the cavern floor, and then . . a miracle! The olm backed away and fled into the dark tunnels. Something had spooked it - or perhaps it just had second thoughts on eating dwarf that night.
Unib was carried to the waiting hospital bed, thoughtfully constructed by Del during the first year of Smallhands. Acting as Chief Medical Dwarf I personally attended to her diagnosis and care. Internal bleeding was the most dangerous issue, and that was treated with a herbal tea that stimulated the clotting of dwarven blood. However, her external injuries took many laborious hours to properly clean and wrap. She has a punctured lung and may never breath the same again.
Autumn is near. With the freezing wind, the traders will arrive, and hopefully bring an anvil because we don't have an anvil.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on February 09, 2020, 03:06:16 am
Weird. Did she get atom-smashed? Or maybe got built into a wall - that happens with statues sometimes. Sorry to hear about Bim. It was inevitable.
Post by: Salmeuk on February 10, 2020, 11:37:19 am
The merchants arrived on the 17th of Limestone. As agreed to last year, they would strike our stone gate five times, signaling their arrival. Olon the Diplomat was first out the front gate, and hurriedly talked with the nearest tradesman, chatting about this or that gossip from the capital. Del followed close behind, hoping to confirm the cararvan brought us an anvil or two. Turning the corner, Del saw nothing strange about the scene, but as he walked closer to the arriving wagons he saw something horrible!
(https://i.imgur.com/0TnZQY8.png)
A ragged corpse, clothed in tattered leather, rose from the sand and flung itself at the last wagon! Surely it can't be moving?
----
Time for a short history lesson.
That swollen corpse, what used to be Abli Luretome the human, was turned necromancer only after living most of his life. Born to unknown parents, not much happened until in his 23rd year of life he earned a position as a low bureaucrat. You might think that would keep him off the battlefield, but so often was his home of Cactushexes attacked by marauding necromancers that he pretty much fought for the rest of his mortal existence.
During this fighting, he unwittingly made friends with secret organizations dedicated to spreading the knowledge of undeath. How ironic.
Every year, the resurrected hordes would assault Cactushexes. Every year, Abli and the rest of the town's population would fight off the creatures, using all manner of improvised equipment and weaponry. After, when the enemy had broken, a call would sound from the darkness and the husks would immediately stop their fight and drag off any corpses they could. Abli would be celebrated for his heroism, Cactushexes would be repaired, and life would return to normal.
Until the next year, when the husks would return, and this time their ranks were reinforced with those who died the previous year. Abli would often move to attack a husk climbing the walls, only to look at their maggoty face and recognize, beneath that rotting flesh, an old friend or a past lover who had been dragged off into the night.
Abli did this for thirty years before breaking. He slowly became jealous of the power these necromancers wielded, and longed for an end to the hopeless nightmare that was the neverending siege of Cactushexes. And so Abli turned.
(https://i.imgur.com/6QG8JgM.png)
----
Del acted quickly, despite failing to comprehend the situation fully. "CLOSE THE GATE!" he shouted down the staircase. The safety of the outpost was above all. "Get inside the gate or there's no saving you!" he yelled to those on the surface.
Meanwhile, the necro closed with a hapless caravan guard. And then kept running past him. This necro was an absolute coward, it turns out, and whatever strength of character Abli had when he was alive was lost in the transformation. So he ran off into the desert, dropping bits of skin and bone. He did scare the heck out of a few camels.
(https://i.imgur.com/NGikffa.png)
Once they stopped laughing at the ridiculous situation, they again knocked five times and we hesitantly opened up the gate, weapons at the ready. As soon as we saw it was clear, it was like nothing had happened and we started bringing up the summer's craftwork for trade.
(https://i.imgur.com/GF93dWg.gif)
We traded for an anvil (thank god!) and also a steel sword for our swordfighter Nish.
Later, Del pulled me aside.
"Let's just keep this on the down-low, alright? I don't want anyone else to freak about what I saw up there."
"Well, of course. . . but do you think he will be back?"
"It's possible. We just have to keep the gate shut, waiting for those five knocks. If we're smart, nothing will get in."
----
In other news, we discovered a gigantic cluster of rubies! Our miners carefully extracted the gemstones, only to discover a precious star ruby amidst the others.
(https://i.imgur.com/u4aA3Xx.png)
Unib is on her feet now, but isn't quite %100. I don't have enough experience to say whether she will fully recover, but at least she can lend a hand with the simpler tasks.
(https://i.imgur.com/O5Zcllh.png)
Oh, and my little experiment with surface farming proved a great success:
(https://i.imgur.com/SRG1Z9T.png)
Life goes on, and I can't help but wonder: why does Fate tease us so? To narrowly avoid catastrophe, with the knowledge of how close we came to a horrible death, is a punishment in it's own right.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Laterigrade on February 11, 2020, 01:06:58 am
Post by: delphonso on February 11, 2020, 02:06:02 am
Cactushexes, I believe, was the target of a bug. It seems like every single civilization declared war on it every year. I had no idea the necromancers did as well - I just know the dwarves, humans, and elves all attacked it about once per year.
Sign me up please!
Added to the list, my friend.
Post by: Imic on February 11, 2020, 03:30:56 am
Post by: Quarque on February 12, 2020, 01:46:11 am
Post by: Salmeuk on February 12, 2020, 06:44:08 am
The year has come to a close, let us look back on these past few seasons and remember the good and the bad.
(https://i.imgur.com/28KH2jG.png)
With our shiny new anvil, we crafted many a weapon.
(https://i.imgur.com/FQpEOM0.png)
With our shiny new weapons, we fought many a creature.
(https://i.imgur.com/cGGCKBF.png)
Our excavated (and walled off!) first cavern.
(https://i.imgur.com/jWGe62W.gif)
Even an undead siege wasn't enough to stop our dancing!
(https://i.imgur.com/rDv42lE.png)
An undead siege, you say!?
(https://i.imgur.com/aip9lHp.png)
Yes, it's Abli! He's back with his ghouls. I can hear them scratching through the walls.
(https://i.imgur.com/fqZMCrj.png)
They are killing everything! Those poor camels!
(https://i.imgur.com/bPGr8wc.png)
They even fought a harpy. . . thanks, I guess?
(https://i.imgur.com/rd7F72l.png)
Well, at the very least this new shrine to our most beloved goddess The Helpful Saint will calm us down.
And so the new year arrives. A strange and terrible beginning, certainly, but our walls are holding firm and I see no reason to open the gates just yet. Maybe Abli and his horde will trundle off to some other target.
----
We have 19 dwarves and enough food and rooms. The dining hall is functional, we have two shrines, and the workshops are also functional (but disorganized). The cavern area I cleared out is safeish, but you have to be quick with the microcline drawbridge if a trap-immune creature arrives.
Military is training 2/3 of the time, and everyone is fairly busy with their work.
Save is here: http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=14787
Thanks for reading! This one was kind of uneventful but I tried to dig deep to make it interesting. I have no idea where Bim went, and truthfully it was frustrating having my character lose the only other character they cared about, since I wasn't prepared to write that kind of emotion into the story but it would feel so very missing if I left it out. I like this Abli necro though, he's got some history. I'm worried that he might res all those camels. . .
Post by: delphonso on February 12, 2020, 06:53:12 am
The Bim thing was quite odd. I'll see if I can find anything. EDIT: God...there's so many corpses and so much blood here...
Because of personal circumstances I will not be able to play df for a while. Will have to withdraw from the list, sorry. Good luck with Smallhands!
No problem, Quarque - if you want to dip back in, let us know!
auzewasright! You're up!
Post by: auzewasright on February 12, 2020, 07:26:32 am
Awesome, nice work, Salmeuk! Things are starting to heat up, and I like that.I'll start it up after school. This will be interesting...
The Bim thing was quite odd. I'll see if I can find anything. EDIT: God...there's so many corpses and so much blood here...Because of personal circumstances I will not be able to play df for a while. Will have to withdraw from the list, sorry. Good luck with Smallhands!
No problem, Quarque - if you want to dip back in, let us know!
auzewasright! You're up!
Post by: auzewasright on February 12, 2020, 04:07:45 pm
Edit: If I forbid the door to it, a somewhat long hallway shouldn't cause too much lag, right?
Post by: auzewasright on February 12, 2020, 05:14:32 pm
1st Granite
Some weird dude took over the fortress.
I am that weird dude.
We start off in the middle of a siege, which is somewhat inconvenient for my wish to establish more of a foot hold aboveground.
Spoiler: three dead guys hold the fort hostage (click to show/hide)
5th Granite
I have a plan to reduce the threat, and all I need are a ton of mechanisms and maybe cages. The layout was invented by some person from an alternate universe country that was known for many things, but mostly being broke.
Spoiler: A labyrinth (click to show/hide)
4th Slate
We have a new visitor:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
He's a coral web-shooter. Here's hoping we walled off any paths he could take to our fort.
Post by: delphonso on February 12, 2020, 08:35:28 pm
Also, It should be noted that I skimmed over the previous material. If there is any advice or warnings someone may wish to give, now's the time.
Edit: If I forbid the door to it, a somewhat long hallway shouldn't cause too much lag, right?
Biggest thing is pretty obvious: there's zombies knocking on the door. I put notes on the stuff I built - such as the atom-smasher, and where the aquifer is. Salmeuk mentioned that the caverns are held off with a door and that you'll have to be quick with the lever to close the bridge - actually securing the place.
I think any exposed tiles cause a tiny bit of lag, even if locked away. It shouldn't be a problem with this incredibly small map, though. And is nothing compared to an exposed cavern.
Looking forward to seeing more!
Post by: auzewasright on February 12, 2020, 09:58:24 pm
Thanks! My plan is to dig out the labyrinth, fill it completely with stone-fall and maybe a few cage traps, and open it up to the surface. I've built a door between it and the staircase to forbid in case they manage to get through the thing. Once that problem is eliminated, I'll make a drawbridge for the outer entrance into the labyrinth, to trap in any future invaders. If still have time by the end of all that, I will try to build out an outer wall to secure a portion of the surface.Also, It should be noted that I skimmed over the previous material. If there is any advice or warnings someone may wish to give, now's the time.
Edit: If I forbid the door to it, a somewhat long hallway shouldn't cause too much lag, right?
Biggest thing is pretty obvious: there's zombies knocking on the door. I put notes on the stuff I built - such as the atom-smasher, and where the aquifer is. Salmeuk mentioned that the caverns are held off with a door and that you'll have to be quick with the lever to close the bridge - actually securing the place.
I think any exposed tiles cause a tiny bit of lag, even if locked away. It shouldn't be a problem with this incredibly small map, though. And is nothing compared to an exposed cavern.
Looking forward to seeing more!
Also: It's been raining goo constantly in the green section of the above-world. Does it have syndromes?
Post by: delphonso on February 12, 2020, 10:36:26 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on February 13, 2020, 02:58:52 am
Also: It's been raining goo constantly in the green section of the above-world. Does it have syndromes?
oh lord he doesn't know about the goo
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
did Abli the necro run off or is there still a siege happening?
Post by: Laterigrade on February 13, 2020, 03:21:59 am
Post by: delphonso on February 13, 2020, 03:31:28 am
Post by: Imic on February 13, 2020, 03:36:02 am
Post by: delphonso on February 13, 2020, 03:44:41 am
Post by: auzewasright on February 13, 2020, 07:04:10 am
As far as I can tell Abli ran off, three of his soldiers still remain outside.
did Abli the necro run off or is there still a siege happening?
Anyway, things are going slowly so far, I am assembling a new update.
Post by: auzewasright on February 13, 2020, 10:32:19 pm
Slow going on the trap building, mechanisms aren't being built and installed fast enough
(https://i.imgur.com/tTAEt3t.jpg)
I'm not sure what I am supposed to be looking at.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z0gYEjP.jpg)
There are so many ways you have made a massive mistake that will come to haunt you. Your name shall go down in history as "Smunstu the already-dead".
Indeed, your determination is kinda impressive, and also completely suicidal.
(https://i.imgur.com/eoe9dQ7.jpg)
Picture found scrawled on a beehive in dried blood
You are literally running towards the zombie hangout spots.
(https://i.imgur.com/FTsxHk4.jpg)
And here we have the exact moment when she realizes that she ran into both zombies and dingoes, and decides to get out of here.
Be careful around the dingoes, I think they can smell fear.
(https://i.imgur.com/bhBdosG.jpg)
And here we see the dingoes take pursuit of their natural prey, gobelinus obliviosus
The goblin tries evasive manuvers...
(https://i.imgur.com/CnA3HuX.jpg)
... only to end up closer and between the dingoes and zombies, I guess she may be hoping they stay away from each-other and therefore her.
Unfortunately, zombie humans are faster than she is.
(https://i.imgur.com/zHJciEH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/e705e1bc-ca77-4dbf-bb16-09216b49a35c)
She did not last long.
(https://i.imgur.com/YRH8vnq.jpg)
With her dead, the zombies go after some tougher prey.
Hematite
I run out of refined coal, which is annoying. Our supplies of wood are inaccesable due to being on the wrong side of the drawbridge in the caverns. I briefly open the bridge, but stop when the forgotten beast "Gened" comes running towards us.
(https://i.imgur.com/buJ1dF0.jpg)
Speaking of which, Gened has decided to fight every creature in the caverns.
(https://i.imgur.com/seP2sDw.jpg)
And has become very injured in the process. I think he may be killable.
Get the militia, it's time to find out. Open the drawbridge!
(https://imgur.com/7369ee4b-d371-487d-80f0-5f398bc14e53)
[...]
Wait, where is he?
(https://i.imgur.com/CvFCrvE.jpg)
Oh.
(https://i.imgur.com/TYvHzDt.jpg)
Eliminated by a draltha, what a way to go. He basically fought everything until finally being killed.
Does nobody at this fort have basic survival instincts?
Post by: delphonso on February 13, 2020, 11:27:56 pm
Hopefully our dwarves are a bit smarter in regards to self-preservation.
Post by: Laterigrade on February 18, 2020, 01:35:18 am
Post by: delphonso on February 18, 2020, 09:41:43 am
Post by: auzewasright on February 18, 2020, 04:25:53 pm
I have no problem with updating.I'll update it. Speaking of updating, I've been busy the last few days, but should be able to go back to playing now. Currently in early summer.
Post by: delphonso on February 23, 2020, 09:08:28 pm
Post by: auzewasright on February 24, 2020, 03:52:00 pm
What's the word, auzewasright?Still going, probably not going to have much to update with.
Edit: Discard that last part. Quick Question: Did any of you get emotionally attached to a fortress guard?
Post by: nogoodnames on February 25, 2020, 06:58:19 pm
Post by: delphonso on February 25, 2020, 07:54:30 pm
Looking forward to it, auze. You're getting pretty close to the two week mark, do your best to get done soon.
Didn't see that edit. Hope not everyone is dead. :P
Post by: auzewasright on February 25, 2020, 09:08:17 pm
Nice. I'll add you to the list.Yeah, updating has been a little weird as I am simultaneously excited to play and scared to touch the thing for fear that I may miss something. Here's a quick mini-update to tide things over, I may just finish with a less in-depth updates from here on out.
Looking forward to it, auze. You're getting pretty close to the two week mark, do your best to get done soon.
Didn't see that edit. Hope not everyone is dead. :P
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, I put this off way too far. Now, time to try and make up for that before this fortress dies, or the thread does, whichever comes first.
(https://i.imgur.com/O8fUACR.jpg)
In order to get more wood, I reopen the caverns temporarily. I need to also dump out a ton of bodies from here.
Things are looking better...
2nd Malachite
Well, that peace lasted for all of 15 minutes.
(https://i.imgur.com/K6XZxul.jpg)
I hate this place
Fortunately, the beast seems to be getting caught in it's own dust. No clue if it will get affected by it.
And now to try to save someone who is down here
(https://i.imgur.com/uodbfDi.jpg)
She may not make it, but you bet I am going to try.
(https://i.imgur.com/i3q3lkE.jpg)
On that note, there is a new vacancy in the fortress guard. Unfortunately, he died to quickly to see what syndromes the
dust carried. I bet the animal caretaker can still flee...
(https://i.imgur.com/jsAnrwI.jpg)
Never-mind
(https://i.imgur.com/hurQT0e.jpg)
At least we now know what the immediate syndromes are.
I think she is probably doomed.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xi5XiC2.jpg)
Fun fact: the forgotten beast's dust blast is so powerful that she is being launched into the air by it.
That is not considered healthy by most medical experts.
(note, if any of the spacing is weird, I typed this on Notepad and then copied over here)
Post by: auzewasright on February 27, 2020, 08:24:57 pm
Obviously that dorf that got up close to the FB didn't survive, both her and the guardsdwarf died slow and painful deaths...
[...]
[...]
[...]
And then the Forgotten beast committed suicide. Again.
Spoiler: Why does this keep happening (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on February 27, 2020, 09:07:40 pm
Post by: auzewasright on February 27, 2020, 09:59:41 pm
More like Suicidehands, am I right?Yeah...
Final Update:
All of the zombies disappeared, so I decided to let some winter migrants come in (by bridge, should've used the labyrinth instead).
I did not expect the echidna corpse.
We drove it off* with only
And then the zombie horde bum rushed in.
The upper level has been compromised.
And then Granite came, and it ceased to be my problem.
So, I recommend cutting off the lower layers, while the horde takes a trip into our very well stocked*** hospital.
Sorry.
Here is my file, plus the text document where I typed my updates, as well as all of my pictures for archival purposes. (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=14870)
Good luck, Laterigrade.
*by which I mean the echidna became tired of mauling them.
**On the bright side, Del gets to have a short break for the rest of eternity, or until the necromancer fixes that.
***with bodies
Post by: Superdorf on February 28, 2020, 02:22:36 am
And then the zombie horde bum rushed in.
The upper level has been compromised.
And then Granite came, and it ceased to be my problem.
This. This here. In three sentences, you have hit upon the very root of why succession fortresses spin so madly out of control! I must sig.
Also, hello. PTW :))
Post by: King Zultan on February 28, 2020, 02:46:25 am
And then the zombie horde bum rushed in.Well that doesn't bode well for the health of the fort.
Post by: delphonso on February 28, 2020, 03:27:47 am
Post by: Laterigrade on February 28, 2020, 10:56:19 pm
And then Granite came, and it ceased to be my problem.Ye gods. I'll have a crack soon-ish.
Post by: Laterigrade on February 29, 2020, 12:38:56 am
Now I've downloaded .03. Changing the d_init file. Let's go!
Holy crap. How did it get this bad? A dozen zombies in the fortress, and way more outside. Got the gate closed, forbid the doors to the lower levels.
Undead don't go through those right?
I've sealed off the lower levels leaves me with... two dwarves?
And somehow the forlorn ghouls upstairs are still my citizens? Ye gods.
Nish fell from a kick to the head from the camel skeleton 'Oburalis Ralfath' - 'Herokissed the Silvery Sack'.
Kogan and erith both just fell to the hooves of another pair of undead camels.
Dastot and Udil, Mechanic and Smelter respectively, are both chillin' with the cage traps. Both thirsty. Neither is going to go anywhere; the undead hold the staircase.
Sigun the smelter is going for a last charge against the undead in the staircase. It's too late to do anything about it. A few seconds and several dozens of scratches and kicks later, an artery is opened and he appears to have bled out.
The carpenter, already a ghoul, took a kick in the head from an undead camel. Apparently Cog Whipeven has now assumed the position of expedition leader. Long may he live!
Never mind. I pause-unpause and already, he's taken a camel-kick to the head too.
Worse yet, there don't appear to be any picks in the lower levels. Oh, no, wait, there's forges... but no fuel. And all of the food in the fortress seems to be on the other side of the middle staircase... that is to say, in the part of the fortress inacessible without mining or letting the undead in.
Damn it.
And all the ground accessible to me is stone... meaning not even farms.
Udil the Smelter has assumed the position of expedition leader. To celebrate this occasion, he's leading Dastot the Mechanic in a charge against our former diplomat and an echidna corpse that lead to all this.
I'm putting them in a squad to formalise the attack, hopefully for slightly better results.
I'm holding out hope that the undead will move a little away so that I can deconstruct one of the walls and quickly reconstruct it, having got to the food. You can do that without a pick right...?
Salmeuk and Zan the Potter are my last two dwarves on the lower levels. His friends are dying and he's recently been haunted by a dead lover, but Salmeuk is making mechanisms and cheerfully remarking that 'the amount of practice that goes into mastering a skill is so impressive'. I haven't been taking screenshots for a while, I'll start now.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The diplomat and echidna corpses are still doing their best to beat the crap out of each other.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Our miner, Sibrek, is still lying in the hospital... basically unharmed. I looked around and it seems the undead near him are so completely destroyed they aren't attacking him.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Udil and Dastot are just about to reach the diplomat and the echidna.
Oh dear goodness. Udil just reached the corpses and he's aggro'd most of them.
...Ugh. He gave into pain and a dingo and a jaguar skeleton just latched onto his head.
Wow! Another camel-head-kick death!
Zan has assumed the position of expedition leader of the Little Pick! Long may he live!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The diplomat and the echidna have gone back to worrying at each other, ineffectually biting and scratching at each other, as if nothing happened.
The corpses are still leaving Sibrek alone.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
And it's only the 5th of Granite. Far out. I'll update again soon-ish. I haven't used imgur for this before, so tell me if the pictures (which should be in the spoilers) aren't working and I'll find an alternate method.
Post by: King Zultan on February 29, 2020, 04:11:40 am
Post by: Laterigrade on February 29, 2020, 05:57:51 am
Post by: King Zultan on February 29, 2020, 06:02:12 am
Post by: auzewasright on February 29, 2020, 12:33:44 pm
Edit: make sure the urls say i.imgur and there isn't a "/a" in there.
Post by: nogoodnames on February 29, 2020, 12:58:24 pm
Working now?
You're using the album addresses, not the actual images. To get those addresses you need to use the "get share links" option or right click>copy image location.
Spoiler: Fixed Version (click to show/hide)
Post by: auzewasright on February 29, 2020, 01:14:53 pm
I'm a bit worried to even peek at the save and see how things are going... Laterigrade, hope you can pull this off!Here's hoping...
In the mean time, here is:
The First* Census of Smallhands
The status of our 1: Sigun ůsterib, Looking out for number one
Spoiler: status (click to show/hide)
2&3: Udil Konosčzum & Dastot Litastteskon, unaware workers
Spoiler: status(es) (click to show/hide)
4&5: Kogan Zonabod & črith Ceroltenshed, In their last stand
Spoiler: status (click to show/hide)
6, 7, &8: Cog Bomrekdčg, Sibrek Eralthrob, & Rigňth Onolmishthem, Medical Negligence or Undead, whichever comes first
Spoiler: status (click to show/hide)
9, 10, 11, & 12: Olon, Unib, Goden, Lorbam
Spoiler: I’ll do images later (click to show/hide)
13 & 14: Salmeuk & Zan, These guys are safe, just forbid all doors to the stairway.
Spoiler: valuable data (click to show/hide)
*while inaugural is the correct term, I doubt the fortress will live to need a second one.
**Give or take a few undead.
***As of the end of my turn, read the update for more recent info.
Post by: delphonso on February 29, 2020, 07:32:08 pm
This is great auze - Udil: 'Everything's good!'
Post by: auzewasright on February 29, 2020, 08:44:45 pm
Holy crap. How did it get this bad? A dozen zombies in the fortress, and way more outside. Got the gate closed, forbid the doors to the lower levels.A certain human weaponsmith necromancer came for about 2 ticks, during which he decided to revive all of the corpses that were laying around thanks to the soldier zombies from earlier. There were a lot of animal corpses. Fortunately, some of the dwarves that had died earlier (thanks to the echinda corpse that beat up the militia) came back as intelligent with all of their loyalty intact. The reason the gate was open was to get some migrants in, and the zombie echidna tied down the militia until they were all injured. In hindsight, I should've opened up the labyrinth instead, which would at least have slowed down the zombies enough that I could forbid the door into the fortress.
Worse yet, there don't appear to be any picks in the lower levels. Oh, no, wait, there's forges... but no fuel. And all of the food in the fortress seems to be on the other side of the middle staircase... that is to say, in the part of the fortress inaccessible without mining or letting the undead in.Look again, there's a wood stockpile further down in the fortress. The food should be easily accessible, provided I know what you're talking about.
Also:
Sigun did show me a echidna having an existential crisis this week. I really enjoyed that.That echidna went from having an existential crisis to being an existential threat to the (what one may generously call a) fortress. For bonus irony, you were actually killed by that echidna.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/UZxXPxZQMCilsJAQXhbvBeHS?width=800&height=600)
I like this Abli necro though, he's got some history. I'm worried that he might res all those camels. . .I would say you were right to worry, considering those camels are kicking open dwarfs' heads left and right, but your dwarf is one of the few to be completely fine and safe, thanks to him being in bed while all of this is going on.
Post by: delphonso on March 01, 2020, 01:06:07 am
Hey, Laterigrade, wanna update to 47.04? That is...if the fort survives.
Post by: Laterigrade on March 01, 2020, 02:04:27 am
Laterigrade seems a better name than Zan; with the death of Nish, Udil and then Cog and me taking the position of expedition leader, it seems fitting to separate the old Zan, who did not know this horror, from the new Laterigrade.
The undead have taken over the upper halls, and I have heard the dying screams of our brothers-in-arms, and their shudderings as they rose back to life.
I wish to go up and store their corpses in our refuse pile, but they're inaccessible. I eventually realised that they were forbidden.
Salmeuk is going for a drink, but I'm going to pile up some stones near the stairwell. I can hear the undead killing the roosters and chickens still upstairs.
I don't know what to do. I'm going to bed.
An elven caravan has arrived. Armok save them; we can't. The killer echidnas and camels are slaughtering them. Speaking of which, I think Sibrek took a camel kick to the head while in hospital too.
Dear Armok. We unforbade the stair-well door and the undead rushed it! We're going to die!
...Oh. Whew. I mistook Goden for a skeletal echidna; I just saw his bones and freaked out; I forgot that the friendly undead's bones are a slightly lighter blue than those who are opposed to us.
He is a ghoul, but a dwarf still; one of our brethren.
He's come over and cried on my shoulder; I'm so sad for him. He has lost so many friends.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Salmeuk was going to go get the pick from the stockpile, but I realised just in time that the undead were about to *actually* bum-rush the stairway, and closed the doors.
Funny how they can't open doors we've closed.
Speaking of which, the elves are dead and the harpy ghoul is killing off our dwarf-ghouls still outside the gates.
Mmkay. Figured out what I'm going to do. Going to build a labyrinth *in* the fortress and let 'em in to give us time to run across the stairway and grab the pick.
Plans have been laid out. They're pretty crummy because I don't have much space to work in, but they'll do.
I'm taking up carpentry to build some doors. Huh, never mind, the logs are behind a closed bridge. Not sure which lever would activate it because none of them are labelled, so I'm not risking any of them.
I'll make my own and link them. Actually, a ghost, once our farmer Bim, has appeared so before I do that I'm making a slab and I'll engrave it.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A miasma has arisen from the bodies in the hospital; I can smell it through the doors downstairs.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The echidna and the diplomat's ghoul are still punching each other.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Ye gods. Goden the ghoul got back through. I must have accidentally opened one of the doors. Gee. I can't understand how that happened, because there are a dozen undead in the stairwell; if it was opened they should have burst through.
Anyway, right now he's just running around in a panic.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Oh, wait, no; I found the lever one of the previous overseers named Front Gate, and I'll assume the other two are connected to the bridges closest to them. I'm pulling the one next to the bridge to the underground.
--Accidental lapse back into OOC, realised only after the event--
Wait, no, it closed the bridge up. Repulling it now. Why are we getting a no-wood when trying to build doors, then?
...And what are the dwarves cancelling placing in a stockpile because it's inacessible? I have everything on the surface forbidden, and they should be able to access pretty much everything below the surface, right?
I forbade everything in the caverns, just in case... but now they're just telling stories although I have walls set to be made.
And Wall/Floor Construction is on for them! Ugh.
Salmeuk just cancelled collecting silver nuggets, even though all of them that are inacessible should be forbidden. AAAGH!
Sometimes this game is painfully frustrating.
Hopefully the images work now? I added an i. at the start of the links and deleted the a/... hopefully that works?
Post by: auzewasright on March 01, 2020, 07:23:34 am
--Accidental lapse back into OOC, realised only after the event--They all say that the image has been removed (maybe you uploaded them incorrectly, how did you get the url?). Maybe you accidentally forbid a door somewhere? Also, crap, forgot to mention that you should probably forbid the door to the chicken coop.
Wait, no, it closed the bridge up. Repulling it now. Why are we getting a no-wood when trying to build doors, then?
...And what are the dwarves cancelling placing in a stockpile because it's inacessible? I have everything on the surface forbidden, and they should be able to access pretty much everything below the surface, right?
I forbade everything in the caverns, just in case... but now they're just telling stories although I have walls set to be made.
And Wall/Floor Construction is on for them! Ugh.
Salmeuk just cancelled collecting silver nuggets, even though all of them that are inacessible should be forbidden. AAAGH!
Sometimes this game is painfully frustrating.
Hopefully the images work now? I added an i. at the start of the links and deleted the a/... hopefully that works?
Post by: delphonso on March 01, 2020, 08:29:47 am
Post by: Salmeuk on March 01, 2020, 09:50:26 pm
Quote
Speaking of which, the elves are dead and the harpy ghoul is killing off our dwarf-ghouls still outside the gates.
I'm loving these journals!
And RE: issues controlling dwarves, are they in a burrow? If you go into the military screen and check if any burrows are highlighted in the currently selected alert status.
As well, if you are still having issues I can look at the save if you upload it.
Post by: Laterigrade on March 02, 2020, 03:58:29 am
Salmeuk just fell asleep on the floor; I realised that I blocked off the bedrooms for the labyrinth.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I'm piling up wood in a stockpile a bit closer to the carpenter's workshop. With the bottom layers reopened, Goden is running around crazily collecting stone from the lower levels. Turns out ghouls are both fast and strong, but no matter how much I yell at him, he won't collect wood like I need him to.
Guess I'll have to do it meself.
Salmeuk's awake and making doors; I'll need them to comparmentalise the labyrinth.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
...Some migrants have arrived. Crap.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Skeletons are upon them within the moment.
They're winning at the moment, landing a few good blows. There's too many undead though, and I can hear their cries.
And their offhand comments, too, amidst the battle:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Ye gods. They brought a child. She is lost in rage; I can hear her screams.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Not a single one has died yet, but there are so many undead guarding the gate. All is lost.
They brought along animals too, and this one goose is trying to fly away; it's overcome by terror.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The cook has fallen, amid a pile of vile goo.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Seeing their (relative) success, I'm forming them up into several squads. They might actually have a chance at defeating those on the surface, and maybe even those in the stairwell.
Two squads: the Pure Wires and the First Stockades.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Also, a picture of all the migrants as they are now:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A giant capybara skeleton is getting beaten to death right now, mobbed by 18 dwarves and a child, but a dyer decided to take on an echidna skeleton by himself and is suffering the consequences.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The geese are still flying into the sky!
Second migrant death; the dreaded echidna skeletons are the worst of the undead.
...Ugh. Urvad, a newly installed wrestler, is also dead. The giant capybara skeletons are a menace.
My hopes are dead; the migrants will die en masse. Almost all are overwhelmed with horror, and they all have a fever, thanks to the vile goo.
Most are highly wounded, too. Our only hope is the labyrinth.
--OOC--
(even then I kinda lapsed back into it before this anyway but whatever)
Fixed the previous post! Sorry guys and thanks delphonso!
Also yes, 'twas a burrow restricting us. I haven't played DF in a while; my problem-diagnosing skills are rusty. Thanks Salmeuk!
Post by: delphonso on March 02, 2020, 05:25:40 am
It really seems like you're doing great, all things considered. Uh, about 47.04. Not sure if that'll 'fix' those forlorn ghouls who are friendly. It might...switch their loyalties.
Post by: Laterigrade on March 02, 2020, 05:44:59 am
Post by: delphonso on March 02, 2020, 06:29:05 am
Also, honestly? 210 dead?!
Post by: Salmeuk on March 02, 2020, 11:02:41 am
I...tried to test it for you. Results are unclear. The forlorn ghouls maintained their weird status (on the citizen list, but can't assign labors/military). They continued to battle the honestly staggering amount of undead camels in the fortress. I saw zero reports of them picking a fight with the dwarves - but they dropped pretty quickly, so I didn't get a good look at it. Walling up might be a good option, but probably isn't a priority.
Also, honestly? 210 dead?!
That f*cking echinda skelton has been murdering every surface creature for almost two years now. .
Also I cannot believe I am one of two surviving dwarves. I'll have to write a journal entry about this. Also, I just caught this, but Smunstu the dancing goblin, the goblin that Salmeuk spent so much time admiring, returned to the fortress. Only to be destroyed by the undead. Poor Smuntsu.
Also, here's to version 47 bringing back that !!FUN!! we've missed for so long.
Post by: auzewasright on March 02, 2020, 11:40:14 am
Why are echidnas so deadly?!Forlorn ghouls being citizens is a feature, not a bug.
It really seems like you're doing great, all things considered. Uh, about 47.04. Not sure if that'll 'fix' those forlorn ghouls who are friendly. It might...switch their loyalties.
Quoth the wiki (https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Intelligent_undead):
Quote
Unlike zombies, intelligent undead retain much of their original personality once revived. This includes loyalty, so do not attempt to raise an enemy you have slain in adventure mode as an intelligent undead - they will remember they're your foe and will attack you.To answer your first question, the proportions of an echidna mean that the only part dwarfs ever hit appears to be the upper body. As most of the things in the upper body are not necessary for undead, they can take a ton of hits there and so long as the upper body isn’t missing the undead’ll keep going. So you have dwarfs attacking constantly in the upper body and having to dodge or take attacks by the fast echidna until they finally collapse from exhaustion and are mauled or bleed to death.
Post by: Salmeuk on March 04, 2020, 12:39:06 am
"I must build. I must build. I must return the pick. I must go on."
The stink of death has long flushed away any clean air in these foul passageways, where two dwarves persist amidst the terror of a ghoulish siege. A sort-of-routine has settled in, with one making stones and the other stacking them into walls. The plan is a simple one: lure the ghouls into the hastily-constructed labyrinth while the other is busy stealing away the pick from the bloodied corpse that dropped it. Not foolproof by any means, but it was the only plan they had. Without that pick, they were trapped like a pair of drowning moles.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Salmeuk stacked another stone onto the pile.
"I must build. I must build."
Post by: Laterigrade on March 06, 2020, 02:40:53 am
I hear their sudden hiss as they descend upon another victim, accompanied by the groans of death. A symphony of sorts.
I'm worn out; I think I'll just rest here. Just for a moment.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I toss and turn in sleep, and screams feature prominently in my dreams.
I wake with a start; Goden stands over me, a crazed look in his eye. Something tells me he wants my help, but I'm too thirsty; I brush past him, moving to the drinks stockpile.
He runs after me, scrambling, and as I quench my thirst he stands there, waiting.
Another scream rends the air outside, and I realise that the screams were not inventions of a fevered brain - they were real.
Sighing, I take Goden to the temple, and calm him down.
As I finish talking to him, I realise that the screams have stopped - the migrants must be dead. We are once again alone.
The only sounds that remain are the grunting of the diplomat and the harsh wails of the undead echidna, still taking chunks out of each other.
The labyrinth is almost ready; all that remains is to bring some beds over to our little pocket we're sealing off, and place the last brick down.
Actually, we're also bringing some stone and wood up from the lower levels, in case we need to stay sealed off for a good long while, or need to build walls.
It is slow work, but necessary.
We pasture the animals in the temple; I fear it may be disrespectful, but we can't have them getting in our way. The animals shudder at Goden's touch, but they come with him eventually.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
He lugs stone, too, like it's nothing but pebbles.
We have enough in our stockpiles; the last stones are laid in the labyrinth.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Let the hordes come through!
...Well, that was an anti-climax. I made the door passable... but either they can't path to the dwarves, or they can't be bothered. Crap.
Oh, no, the first ones are coming. Just slowly; I expected more of a mad scramble than this orderly conga line.
Me and Salmeuk begin a tune of dwarven bravery, and courage in the face of despair, to bolster our spirits. We hear the undead grunt and whine as they stumble onwards, but do not break our tune.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It... it worked perfectly. Almost. I say almost because not all of the undead are trapped, and there is one that will not be moved: the echidna. But hopefully it stays pre-occupied by the diplomat. Meanwhile, Salmeuk (who I graciously volunteered for the task, being too important to attend to it myself) will dash through and grab the pick and mine his way around to us.
Holding my breath... and he made it through!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The echidna didn't even bat an eyelid!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
And the fortress is connected once again!
We will, of course, stay unconnected with the top part; the only things there are corpses, and of course the echidna and the diplomat.
...But, of course, there is yet another snag. It seems that all of the soil layers, which we desperately need for farming, are aquifer layers. Hm.
And it is now summer!
...And, of course, that means another undead invasion! They'll join the ranks of those who wait for us to come out, I guess.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
--OOC--
yet again I kinda lapsed into it before the alloted time, but whatever
@Any previous overseer: is the aquifer light aquifer or heavy? If it's light I can use it, but if it's heavy... there be no hope for the dwarves of Smallhands.
Post by: delphonso on March 06, 2020, 04:08:29 am
Forlorn ghouls being citizens is a feature, not a bug.
[snip~]
To answer your first question, the proportions of an echidna mean that the only part dwarfs ever hit appears to be the upper body. As most of the things in the upper body are not necessary for undead, they can take a ton of hits there and so long as the upper body isn’t missing the undead’ll keep going. So you have dwarfs attacking constantly in the upper body and having to dodge or take attacks by the fast echidna until they finally collapse from exhaustion and are mauled or bleed to death.
I mix up undead lieutenants, experiments, and special undead pretty often - but I think this is on the bugtracker somewhere, though an interesting one. They're supposed to be opposed to life - including previous friends. Could be mixing it up with one of the other necromancer features added recently, though.
I ran into the same echidna issue with an undead rabbit in adventure mode. I tried to test some other things such as hitting it so hard it exploded or throwing it off a necromancer tower, but it seems that nothing would destroy it... But a simple wrestle-grab head-pinch could kill it instantly. Maybe a wrestler squad would be useful?
Post by: Salmeuk on March 06, 2020, 04:07:57 pm
Me and Salmeuk begin a tune of dwarven bravery, and courage in the face of despair, to bolster our spirits. We hear the undead grunt and whine as they stumble onwards, but do not break our tune.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
that is the coolest thing and its why I still love DF after all these years - that such a small detail can be interpreted into something so relevant to the narrative is simply amazing.
Whoevers turn is next might think about digging a safe passage for migrants. Also, I feel like I missed something, is Goden actually alive? Or is he a ghoul now?
Post by: delphonso on March 06, 2020, 07:09:36 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on March 06, 2020, 10:12:52 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I'm going down into the newly re-connected lower levels to build and engrave a slab for him, while Salmeuk digs through to reconnect the bedrooms to us.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Goden goes over to stare at the spirit, his dead eyes gazing at it without interest.
Speaking of which, a necro arrived with the siege! And, I just realised, our dead/missing count is at 250.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Were this fortress fine, I'd suggest that now was the time to capture him, and begin our own necro-bacon industry... but two dwarves is about 50 too few for that.
Goden wanders aimlessly, and though he wanders through our temples, he seems unable to pray, like the human king in the ancient tale, Umac Bethás - Botheredgrief, translated out of the human tongue - who slew his liege, and suffered for it.
I begin to construct the slab, and set Salmeuk a place to mine. Studying the fortress maps, I see that the old farms are, surprisingly, clear of even corpses, and separated from the echidna and diplomat by a closed door, so I've decided that we'll mine through the aquifer up to there.
Del has been put to rest, and Salmeuk begins to hew the rock.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Salmeuk mines up towards the farms... but it seems that this part of the layers isn't aquifer. All the better.
And we're reconnected to the farms! Salmeuk begins planting seeds, and I begin constructing a small office for him, so we can actually get an accurate count of what we have and what we don't.
I've set Salmeuk to begin making a labyrinth that goes most of the way to the surface, near the edge of the map. We might turn this into a trap corridor and see if we can siphon off the undead outside to the point where we could, one day, get migrants through.
I myself am planting seeds, and I'll build a still and brew up some good ol' dwarven beer soon; our stocks are getting low.
I aim to use as many doors and all sorts of roundabout tricks to get the migrants on different paths to the undead.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Of course, it's not connected to the surface yet, but at some point it will be.
I'm making some pots to hold the beer, Salmeuk's making mechanisms at a furious rate.
Things begin to settle into a slow rhythm. Before now I haven't been dating entries because noteworthy things have been happening all the time, but with the fortress restored to a modicum of sanity and normalcy, I don't see a need to put down every last thing that happens.
15th Malachite
I have brewed the first barrel of beer since The Incident! Praise the farmer, hardworking and steadfast: me! Praise the brewer, maker of the dwarven drink: me again!
18th Malachite
We have, at long last, an accurate count as to our food.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
3rd Galena
The necro left, but his troops are still wandering around, killing wildlife, such as a bunch of Giant Flies.
24th Galena
For example:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
1st Limestone
Autumn has come.
We're making cages; progress goes slowly.
I'll lay down my pen here.
Post by: auzewasright on March 07, 2020, 06:51:47 am
You accidentally left out the [ img ] tags in this image. Here's it fixed.
Speaking of which, a necro arrived with the siege! And, I just realised, our dead/missing count is at 250.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Were this fortress fine, I'd suggest that now was the time to capture him, and begin our own necro-bacon industry... but two dwarves is about 50 too few for that.
Post by: Laterigrade on March 08, 2020, 12:58:09 am
Fixed it, sorry.You accidentally left out the [ img ] tags in this image. Here's it fixed.
Speaking of which, a necro arrived with the siege! And, I just realised, our dead/missing count is at 250.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Were this fortress fine, I'd suggest that now was the time to capture him, and begin our own necro-bacon industry... but two dwarves is about 50 too few for that.
Post by: delphonso on March 08, 2020, 12:59:25 am
Post by: King Zultan on March 08, 2020, 03:21:06 am
Post by: Salmeuk on March 08, 2020, 11:07:22 am
Things looked pretty dire for a bit, good to see things are turning around for the fort.
I have no idea how the last two dwarves haven't lost their minds. My dwarf was either stronger than I thought, or had fewer friends than I remember. Dwarves make more friends in the new versions, and I've noticed this plays into the stress system. They have more and more opportunities for pleasant interactions, though also more chances they will lose a loved one. I see more families, too.
Glad I came by to check things out. I like to think my haunting was just checking in on the few survivors and making sure everything carried on okay.
I wish ghosts could generate a positive thought or two for the less fearful dwarves.
Post by: delphonso on March 09, 2020, 06:29:21 am
Post by: Laterigrade on March 11, 2020, 04:20:28 am
I basically blitzed through the last half of the year, mindful of the upcoming two-week deadline-thing. I, uh... kind of forgot to take notes during that time, but very little happened; it'll be okay. The next major goal for the fort is, I think, to cut down some trees in the cavern so as to make cages for traps in the entrance. Good luck, nogoodnames!
Thank you all you readers for dealing with my bad writing and numerous changes in style, and thank you for your kind words.
NB: I never updated to 47.04, so be mindful of that. Not sure if ghoul mechanics will change if you update; be wary and open the save in .03 before you update it.
Post by: mko on March 11, 2020, 06:14:54 am
FPS friendly fort sounds interesting to me, hopefully it will survive till my turn!
Post by: delphonso on March 11, 2020, 10:10:07 am
I'll update the front page and add mko to the list soon.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 11, 2020, 02:28:48 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on March 12, 2020, 09:43:01 pm
I basically blitzed through the last half of the year, mindful of the upcoming two-week deadline-thing. I, uh... kind of forgot to take notes during that time, but very little happened; it'll be okay. The next major goal for the fort is, I think, to cut down some trees in the cavern so as to make cages for traps in the entrance. Good luck, nogoodnames!
Thank you all you readers for dealing with my bad writing and numerous changes in style, and thank you for your kind words.
You did an awesome job, especially considering how wild your turn got. . no one talks ever about this, but succession forts can be VERY time consuming, especially if you are trying to wrap in-game events with some kind of narrative. Simply documenting events as they occur can take a long f*cking time. You kept the story going and it was entertaining - nicely done!!
And good luck nogoodnames! Hopefully your turn brings an end to ghoulish siege.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 13, 2020, 09:32:07 pm
1st of Granite, 154
Through the same dark magics which ended my life, I once again walk these halls. My body is scarred beyond belief. My mind, while still my own, is changed. I no longer feel the sways of emotion as I once did. I am of Thunennökor, the living dead.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
My living comrades were initially distrustful, but by now they have realized that I retain my old loyalties. With only four of us left, they have no choice but to accept my help.
Communication is still difficult, owing to my unfortunate inability to speak. We get by well enough with writing and hand gestures. While they maintain an admirable level of discipline, the stress of our situation is no-doubt mounting on the living. Laterigrade in particular has complained about the isolation he must endure for safety. Perhaps this is why he agreed to pass the position of overseer on to me. Death stilled my heart and left me with only cold logic and steely determination. I can endure any test of will and make the decisions necessary for our survival. I will see us through this crisis, one way or the other.
Initial assessment of Smallhands and goals for its long-term survival.
This place is a maze, and memories of my past life are often too foggy to be of help. Nevertheless, I believe I have a general idea of our situation here.
Our food and drink stocks could last the two dwarves who still need them for years, and our farms are still safe to use. Our position is secure for now.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
However, without a flow of new blood, it is inevitable that our fortress will become nought but a home of death. We must ensure the safety of new migrants. To that end, our first goal must be to deal with the zombie hordes above and break this accursed siege.
I would like to reclaim our main stairwell and rescue my undead sister, but she is still locked in eternal combat with that infernal echidna.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Her fighting and dodging abilities have become legendary while dealing with that thing. It can barely touch her now, and she is brutalizing it in ways I have a hard time understanding.
(https://i.imgur.com/A52Rbt8.png)
Unfortunately, the echidna stays rolled up in a ball, not exposing any vulnerable parts. Coupled with its undead durability, she can’t get a killing blow on it. Proper weapons are needed to end its reign of terror, but I’m reluctant to send our two living dwarves to assist. The numerous corpses of previous contenders are proof enough of the danger. I won’t try until I can provide them with at least basic armour.
The cage trap halls my predecessor has laid out are strangely designed, but the intention is clear enough. Once completed, they should serve to capture the zombies on the surface.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The undead animals inside are another problem, but they’re contained for now. Once the main stairway is cleared, we can complete the labyrinth and lead them through there. The traps already present will hopefully be enough to deal with them.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Our first priorities are clear. We must gather wood, both for cages and for charcoal. The caverns seem safe at the moment and we should take immediate advantage of that.
Next, at the very least we must forge two helmets for our living dwarves. With them and some weapons from our stockpile, they should be able to deal with the echidna and free our poor undead diplomat. I imagine she will also be unable to speak or perform complex new labors, but an extra set of hands will be appreciated. More importantly, she will be a great boon when dealing with our numerous corpses. The living put on a brave face, but I suspect they will be strongly affected by seeing the brutalized remains of their loved ones. That unfortunate reality should be hidden from them as quickly and quietly as possible.
Finally, we must end the zombie occupation of our surface. No more death will come of our complacency. By the time the caravans come, this nightmare will be over.
Post by: delphonso on March 13, 2020, 11:12:04 pm
Post by: mko on March 14, 2020, 04:42:22 am
Post by: rostbot on March 14, 2020, 04:47:26 am
Post by: delphonso on March 14, 2020, 04:53:02 am
Post by: Laterigrade on March 14, 2020, 05:06:27 am
Would it be possible to set up a smashing chamber and mine those two out, in the hopes their battle moves into smashland?In the time I was overseeing the fortress, they didn’t move from their tile once; they’re completely occupied with hitting each other.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 14, 2020, 11:38:42 am
4th Granite
After some initial frustration involving a forbidden lever, Laterigrade is descending into the upper caverns to harvest the fungal trees. There is currently a single draltha wandering around down there. The mushroom-eating beast is huge, but it should remain docile.
We also have a stockpile of captured cavern animals that have been down there for Weevilmessiah knows how long. At least long enough for a captured giant rat to die, presumably of old age. The survivors include a troll, a giant cave toad and a giant cave swallow.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
In the meantime, Salmeuk is forging bronze helms using some leftover charcoal. He is surprisingly stoic despite being closest to the dead. He’s also still suffering from the same vile swamp fever he’s had since the fort’s founding. If this is the strength of the dwarven spirit, then truly we can endure anything.
8th Granite
Laterigrade clear-cut the eastern half of the cavern with ease, but I fear I may have overextended him when I asked for the last two tower-caps in the southwest to be chopped. A helmet snake sprung up directly in his path and gave him a nasty bite. I’m calling him back into the fortress. Hopefully he has the sense to run. We’re too far away to help if he tries to fight the snake.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
By the Regal God, the fool actually tried to take it on by himself…. He’s on the ground, badly wounded and unconscious. He managed some decent hits on the snake, but then the venom set in and he couldn’t keep fighting. I told Salmeuk to grab a weapon and get to the cavern entrance. I’m going to try to get to Laterigrade. I should be immune to the snake’s worst abilities; I only hope I can reach him in time.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Too late… damn the gods, too late. The monster just shook him around by the head until his neck snapped. I was only a few paces away, but helpless to do anything.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Barely a week into my administration and already my plans are thrown to chaos. One thing is certain, I can’t allow any injury to Salmeuk. When we had two healthy dwarves, I could risk letting one of them hack apart the echidna, but now our survival is balanced on a razor’s edge. Even a small accident could cripple us.
If only I could force myself to take on a more active role, but this curse of undeath seems to have instilled me with some kind of mental block. I cannot bring myself to take on new roles I did not have in life. Not craftsdwarf nor diplomat nor soldier. This position of overseer has been the sole exception. It is what makes Salmeuk so valuable, and what frustrated my attempts to save Laterigrade. But one thing I can do is haul, and there is a lot of wood that needs hauling right now. Your sacrifice will not be in vain, Laterigrade. Those cages are our salvation, and on my unlife they will be built.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whew, didn’t think I would be posting another update until the end of spring, but things are happening pretty fast right now.
Sorry Laterigrade, I really did try to save you. Unfortunately, the ghouls can’t be drafted and trying to coerce him over with burrows just left him standing around like an idiot. Really dashed my hopes of capturing a necromancer and training up a ghoulish militia.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the art. I’m trying something new by limiting myself to DF’s default colour palette. Hopefully we can get a cool artifact or forgotten beast before
Post by: Salmeuk on March 14, 2020, 01:32:21 pm
I’m glad you’re enjoying the art. I’m trying something new by limiting myself to DF’s default colour palette. Hopefully we can get a cool artifact or forgotten beast beforeI accidentally kill the fortthe end of my turn.
Hell yeah, that image of the helmet snake is the coolest thing!
Snake assassin! oh my god poor lat, right after their turn too! Since when have helmet snakes been ACTUALLY dangerous?
So I'm the last one alive, huh? Well, here we go again. . .
We really hafta get some alive migrants downstairs. DF gods, I rescind my earlier comments about "hoping for more FUN to appear." I'm full up on FUN.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on March 14, 2020, 07:00:27 pm
9th Granite
Salmeuk has officially claimed the position of expedition leader. Of course, the role means little with just the two of us at the moment, but it will be good to have a solid command structure for when we get new migrants.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
12th Granite
I was attacked by the snake that killed Laterigrade. It was no match for me, a single punch left it limp on the ground, struggling to move. I left it alive. It poses no real threat as long as I am the only one traversing the caverns. Vengeance would be unproductive, and its presence may ward away larger creatures that could actually harm my undead form.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
15th Granite
I had placed a coffin among the variscite clusters in our temple, intending it to be a place of honour for Laterigrade. Salmeuk, however, had other plans. He reserved the coffin for his lost lover, Bim Abanrimtar, assuming her remains are ever found. Such sentimentality will not protect us from angry spirits, but I won’t press the matter.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
We’re ready to start pumping out cages. The amount of fungiwood we gained from Laterigrade’s excursion is… less than exceptional. We have a total of 21 loose logs at the moment, with an additional 26 being used to hold back the aquifer and 1 for our still. That’s just enough to build cages for the 44 designated cage traps in the trap hall, although the designations appear incomplete. Tearing down our walls would be very labour-intensive so I would prefer to avoid it. There may be ways to make do with fewer traps.
If my calculations are correct, there are 51 hostile undead on the surface. We may not need to capture all of them to break the siege, but I’m not counting on that. Fortunately, the design of the trap hall allows for groups to be let in a few at a time and then sealed up again as long as they can’t break the doors down. We just need some way to deal with the captured undead and reuse the cages. I have plans for a holding chamber of sorts that should fit the purpose.
20th Slate
These past weeks have seen us settle into a simple routine. I bring logs from the caverns, Salmeuk turns them into cages, I bring the cages to the stockpile. The elves have so far had enough sense to avoid our fortress. The numerous corpses strewn about the surface, moving or otherwise, must have warned them off.
Just two more logs to gather and then we can start planning out the zombie containment and disposal chamber. I’m on my way to gather one of them now.
But wait… I think I see something in the dark. A shadow of movement? A slight shimmering? The caverns have been peaceful since the snake attack, what could it be?
Oh. Oh no.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: mko on March 14, 2020, 07:07:25 pm
Post by: delphonso on March 14, 2020, 07:33:19 pm
These are amazing reports. Excellent work and god, I hope we can avoid Aztong... Loving the drawing and the style. That bit with Bim is interesting. Is that the first coffin installed?
Post by: Salmeuk on March 14, 2020, 08:22:01 pm
Double check those walls by the aquifer - I might have made them with blocks. Don't remember if that was here or my own fortress...
These are amazing reports. Excellent work and god, I hope we can avoid Aztong... Loving the drawing and the style. That bit with Bim is interesting. Is that the first coffin installed?
Now that I think about it, while I did install a couple of coffins during my turn, I never actually buried Bim! Since I never found her body, there was never a death confirmation and no burial would take place. So, I'm curious, can you now locate Bims corpse and tell us wtf happened to her?? My god the mystery is coming back to me. What happened?!
Post by: delphonso on March 14, 2020, 08:25:01 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on March 14, 2020, 08:31:18 pm
We also finished excavating the new temple. In the far corner, the miners discovered a perfectly formed node of variscite gems.
(https://i.imgur.com/z4qN6A9.png)
These will be left in place and engraved. The gods are surely in favor if Smallhands, and have blessed us so!
How naive we were. . .
Post by: nogoodnames on March 14, 2020, 08:41:47 pm
I just want to thank for very nice log!Thank you!
That bit with Bim is interesting. Is that the first coffin installed?Yeah. It's probably just that she was the first to die, but it's always nice to find these little narrative coincidences. Like how Laterigrade's surname was "Paperworth" and the snake that killed him got named "Drillscribe."
So, I'm curious, can you now locate Bims corpse and tell us wtf happened to her?? My god the mystery is coming back to me. What happened?!Her corpse still doesn't show up in the stocks, but she is now listed as "deceased" in the unit list. She does have a slab in the temple, but it just says she went missing. I wonder if that will change if I engrave another one now that she is definitively considered dead...
Post by: delphonso on March 14, 2020, 09:32:20 pm
It must be caverns related. Is she in a tree somewhere?
Post by: nogoodnames on March 16, 2020, 01:40:31 am
20th Slate
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
That was too close. Had I noticed it but a few moments later, that beast surely would have caught me. But I managed to get through the door to the walled area and lock it behind me. I can still hear the creature stomping around out there. From the sounds of it, it’s found some easier prey.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It’s occupied for now, but I’m certain the door will offer little protection if it sets its mind to getting in. I’m walling off the caverns. The logs are of little consequence, but we’ll be leaving our only axe outside with Laterigrade’s corpse. I’ll have to set aside some charcoal in case we need to make another. One silver lining is that since we still have access to the walled-off section of the caverns, we can reuse some of the cages down here.
24th Slate
Salmeuk asked to engrave a new slab for Bim, perhaps in the hope that the act would stir up some forgotten detail of her fate. Alas, it remains one of the great mysteries of Smallhands.
Unfortunately, I can’t continue to indulge such distractions. The tasks ahead are ones I can’t help with, and we need them done quickly if we are to reclaim the surface. With our available cages I’ve laid out a route through the trap hall that should safely capture 18 zombies before needing to be reset. An additional 4 traps guard the fort in case of overflow.
Speaking of slabs, a vengeful spirit, once Asob Atheluker, rose up and attacked Olon. She shrugged it off and resumed her battle with the echidna. We’ll need to memorialize him before he goes for someone more important.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
13th Felsite
Things are moving along, albeit slowly. I had forgotten how much time the living must devote to eating, drinking and sleeping. Any hope of clearing the way in time for human traders is diminishing, but I still intend to break free before the dwarven caravans arrive.
The upper caverns have been a bit quieter of late. I can still hear the beast moving around but it’s less active. Maybe it picked a fight with something it shouldn’t have. But now there is something stomping around in the lower caverns as well. We’ll need a proper military before we can open them up again.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
1st Hematite
Summer has arrived, and we edge ever closer to freedom. Salmeuk has finished loading the cage traps that were already constructed and shouldn’t take too long to setup the new ones. Then we’ll dig out the containment chamber and carve out a ramp to the surface. Cycling the cages as they fill up will be a slog with so many undead, but shouldn’t be overly dangerous.
Post by: delphonso on March 16, 2020, 02:05:37 am
So...thoughts about dumping undead into the caverns to fight the forgotten beasts? That echidna could probably take on both without issue.
Post by: auzewasright on March 16, 2020, 06:45:12 am
Spoiler: unrelated (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on March 16, 2020, 08:05:36 am
I just had this happen with a named blind cave ogre who definitely died in combat. When I built a slab for it, it listed them as going missing.
Post by: King Zultan on March 16, 2020, 08:12:17 am
I have a suspicion...
When I built a slab for it, it listed them as going missing.*X-Files theme plays in the background*
Post by: nogoodnames on March 16, 2020, 09:50:55 am
Awesome forgotten beast drawings, dude! Glad that Drillscribe served some purpose for the fort none-the-less.Oh, that wasn't Drillscribe, she left the map months ago. Just another random helmet snake.
So...thoughts about dumping undead into the caverns to fight the forgotten beasts? That echidna could probably take on both without issue.
As for the undead, I might save a few that look interesting. Actually putting them to use would most likely be up to the next overseer. I'm too focused on breaking the siege and general survival at the moment.
I checked every corpse in the caverns that I could see, and none of them were Bim. But allow me to feed the rampant speculation with her final thoughts:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
So, her last memory is of trauma. No mention of hunger or dehydration, but she hadn't been able to fulfill any needs in a while. Or maybe needs continue to affect ghosts? Olon still has needs but my ghoul does not. Very strange...
Post by: mko on March 16, 2020, 09:57:58 am
Are we still at 47.01 as described in initial post?
Post by: nogoodnames on March 16, 2020, 09:59:01 am
Post by: nogoodnames on March 16, 2020, 02:11:16 pm
15th Hematite
Salmeuk is priming the final trap, but he tells me that things have changed on the surface. The constant clanking of armoured zombies can no longer be heard. The necromancers have finally tired of their siege and moved on.
Salmeuk also tells me that he can make out voices from above. The human traders must have seen the horde leaving and come to investigate. I’m not too enthused about their chances. The surface is still swarming with undead animals. This will not help our diplomatic relationship.
But maybe we can give them a fighting chance… Salmeuk, it is time! Break through to the surface!
16th Hematite
The sounds of battle echo through the halls, mixed with screams from man and beast alike.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Salmeuk carved out the entrance into our trap hall, but too late to help the merchants. Their two guards, as well as some surprisingly tough water buffalo, are still up there and actually holding their own so far. We can only hope they thin out the horde before they’re overwhelmed.
20th Hematite
Alas, the zombies were too much for the humans. And unfortunately, they seem reluctant to enter our trap hall. Only one has been captured so far, a skeletal kangaroo. We do have some good news, however. With the siege gone and a few kills thanks to the humans, there are now only 14 zombies on the surface. As long as more don’t come, they won’t be able to overwhelm our traps. Hopefully they gradually filter underground and get caught before any migrants decide to brave the fortress.
Maybe the doors are keeping them away? Although, unlocked doors don’t seem to deter the ones trapped down here. If it becomes necessary, I can go up there, remove the doors and act as bait. But there’s no rush for now. We can bide our time.
1st Malachite
At last, the zombies have begun shuffling into the trap hall. They were strangely cautious for such mindless beings. The echidna (of course it was an echidna) leading the pack spent several days just sitting in front of the captured kangaroo. If I didn’t know better, I might have thought it was trying to figure out a way to free its cohort. But they’re coming through now, and it shouldn’t be long before they all find themselves in cages.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
In the meantime, Salmeuk has almost finished carving out the zombie containment and disposal chamber. We might decide to keep some of the more interesting specimens, but I think the majority would be best off destroyed.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
You may have noticed some additional rooms planned out beside the containment chamber. For now, let’s just say there are certain… experiments I would like to perform should we ever capture one of the necromancers that torment us. My condition has given me insight into possibilities concerning their powers. With proper coercion, they could be used to great benefit by our fortress. But those possibilities lie far in the future. We are well-occupied with more pressing matters for the time being.
5th Malachite
Freedom at last. We have cleared the undead scourge from the surface. Now begins the arduous task of cleanup. It would be less than ideal if the first thing to greet our new citizens were heaping mounds of corpses. Not to mention that a single necromancer could sneak through and start this whole nightmare over again.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Salmeuk on March 16, 2020, 08:49:03 pm
========
Let me bring you all back, to the thing that turned Smallhands into a nightmare:
More like Suicidehands, am I right?Yeah...
Final Update:
All of the zombies disappeared, so I decided to let some winter migrants come in (by bridge, should've used the labyrinth instead).
I did not expect the echidna corpse.
We drove it off* with only34 casualties**.
And then the zombie horde bum rushed in.
The upper level has been compromised.
And then Granite came, and it ceased to be my problem.
So, I recommend cutting off the lower layers, while the horde takes a trip into our very well stocked*** hospital.
Sorry.
Let's read that again.
Quote
I did not expect the echidna corpse.
All along, it was waiting to attack at the perfect moment, to cause the collapse of our defenses and the downfall of the fortress. From then on, it inspired fear and respect from all of us:
Echidna jailbreak:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A proposal:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Things get weird:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A dreadful experience:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A soldier is trained:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
More detail about the one that started it all:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Auzewasright reveals a dark irony:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
>TFW you wake up from a nap and your whole fortress is dead
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It probably wasn't the same echidna the whole time. Probably.
My proposal? Save the echidna corpse, if you have one.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 16, 2020, 11:03:50 pm
Well done! I have to ask, how mentally broken is my character?
He's utterly unfazed by anything that's going on. May as well be another ghoul with how little stress effects him. Any hardships just seem to harden his resolve. We really lucked out with the survivors, most dwarves would have gone insane ages ago.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
My proposal? Save the echidna corpse, if you have one.We have 5 echidnas in cages, with an additional 3 trapped in Laterigrade's labyrinth and the one fighting Olon. 4 of those have names, and 3 are full titles. When the humans arrived, one of the guards lashed an echidna with a bronze whip until he passed out. These little bastards can't do much damage, but they're damn near indestructible if they roll into a ball, to the point where it must be a bug. Even in the arena, multiple grand master vampire fighters with steel and silver weapons couldn't put one down.
So, what I'm saying is that they're too dangerous to ever be unleashed. I'll save some in the cages, but the one on the stairs, "Roastedscaled the Harmonious", needs to die. I just have no idea how to do that without killing Olon too.
Also...
Spoiler: Revenge! (click to show/hide)
Post by: auzewasright on March 17, 2020, 12:51:10 pm
Edit: As for how Bim died... (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DroppedABridgeOnHer)
Spoiler: Bim's Fate (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on March 17, 2020, 11:02:44 pm
5th Malachite
After examining the situation on the surface, I believe I’ve gained some insight into our echidna problem. Evidence on the battlefield indicates that one of the humans fought with another of the beasts. Despite having armour and a proper weapon, the poor bastard still couldn’t do anything to it.
Olon has been wailing on the monstrosity for close to two years, that thing should be finely minced echidna paste by now. I am beginning to think that there is far more to these creatures than meets the eye. The necromantic magic seems to take to their anatomy particularly well, reinforcing their bodies far beyond that of ordinary zombies. I fear that not even dwarven steel will be able to break through their defenses.
But they are still vulnerable to cages. If I can separate Olon and Roastedscaled, the echidna that caused this whole mess, I should be able to capture him. If I collapse part of the roof of our main entrance, it should fall down the stairwell. Hopefully the force of the collapse will separate the pair without killing Olon. A cage trap at the bottom will hopefully capture Roastedscaled. It’s a risky plan, but the rewards of freeing Olon and reclaiming the centre of our fortress are worth it.
9th Malachite
I was just cresting the roof of our main entrance when I caught a sight that would have made me weep in my previous life. Migrants, at long last! No longer is Smallhands one accident away from total annihilation.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Every rose has its thorns. And in Smallhands, the thorns are coated with toxic muck that gives you a permanent fever. On their way into the fortress, the migrants were ambushed by a roving pack of beak dogs. Two are already badly wounded. Looks like one of them is holding his own, at least. We have no choice but to pull together and drive the monsters back. This time I’m close enough to help. For Estotad!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
12th Malachite
We beat them, but not without a cost. Two of the migrants died, and one is badly wounded, likely to need a crutch for the rest of her life. I’ve designated the unused noble bedroom to be used as a temporary hospital for poor Thikut. This adds urgency to reclaiming the stairwell, as all of our medical supplies, not to mention our water source, are locked away in the old hospital.
Two of the migrants stood out to me during the combat. Ast, a hunter, and Moldath, a swordsdwarf. While Ast’s move of dropping his crossbow and running in to punch the beak dogs was perhaps not the wisest, he did demonstrate adequate skill. Moldath, on the other hand, valiantly defended the other migrants until I arrived. If not for him, I am certain the casualties would be far worse. His skill and bravery make him an obvious choice for our new militia commander.
14th Malachite
A careless dwarf attempted to go up the stairwell to wash themselves but was scared off by Roastedscaled. That could have ended in disaster, but something unexpected has happened. The echidna moved down several levels, trying to get to the dwarf. Olon didn’t follow when it moved out of range, finally ending their relentless battle, at least for now. If she is shown a way out now, maybe she will take it…
That’s done it. The main gate is open and she’s moving out. Just a little further and…
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
By Weevilmessiah, can we not have one moment of peace? The gods-damned echidna followed her out. I am convinced at this point that he’s some kind of demonic entity sent to punish us for our hubris. “Oh, you want to celebrate smallness, do you? Well here’s the cutest, smallest unkillable abomination you’ve ever seen!”
And now he’s uncontained… If I close the bridge now, it might kill the beast, or at least trap him again. But it might also kill Olon…
I’m sorry, sister. The safety of the fortress is paramount.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Forgive me.
Post by: Laterigrade on March 18, 2020, 01:22:02 am
By Weevilmessiah, can we not have one moment of peace? The gods-damned echidna followed her out. I am convinced at this point that he’s some kind of demonic entity sent to punish us for our hubris. “Oh, you want to celebrate smallness, do you? Well here’s the cutest, smallest unkillable abomination you’ve ever seen!”I never thought about it this way though :D
Post by: mko on March 18, 2020, 03:47:15 am
After examining the situation on the surface, I believe I’ve gained some insight into our echidna problem. Evidence on the battlefield indicates that one of the humans fought with another of the beasts. Despite having armour and a proper weapon, the poor bastard still couldn’t do anything to it.Is there an open bug report for that? Not that reporting is likely to result in fix but it would be nice to try.
Olon has been wailing on the monstrosity for close to two years, that thing should be finely minced echidna paste by now.
Post by: delphonso on March 18, 2020, 05:35:03 am
I dug through the reports earlier today. Unfortunately - this specific problem keeps getting lumped in with the undead hair problem - which I think is actually different. Undead hair can't die since it has only one body part that can't be mangled, while echidnas and other small animals are just impervious due to something strange happening with skulls - echidna, turtle, and porcupines probably more so.
“Oh, you want to celebrate smallness, do you? Well here’s the cutest, smallest unkillable abomination you’ve ever seen!”
Very very nice.
Also, undead animals - like those that wander in on evil biomes - don't have siege pathing, so they won't generally go straight into doors/openings. At least, no more than your average weasel. But due to their aggression, they will path if they see something they want to kill. I'm surprised undead animals risen by necromancers don't get siege pathing, but then again, Goden and Olon are helping the fort, so....
Post by: nogoodnames on March 18, 2020, 07:45:19 am
I dug through the reports earlier today. Unfortunately - this specific problem keeps getting lumped in with the undead hair problem - which I think is actually different. Undead hair can't die since it has only one body part that can't be mangled, while echidnas and other small animals are just impervious due to something strange happening with skulls - echidna, turtle, and porcupines probably more so.I don't think that's the full explanation. Living and giant hedghogs and echidnas have the same issue. The living ones will eventually bleed out if hit by an edged weapon, but won't die from blunt attacks.
We also seem to have another bug where the echidnas have all the advantages of being in ball form, but can still attack and move around. I haven't been able to reproduce it reliably in the arena.
Armadillos and tortoises don't have the same problem because their shell can be severed, leaving them vulnerable again.
I'll create a bug report since I just managed to guess my forgotten Mantis account.
Also, undead animals - like those that wander in on evil biomes - don't have siege pathing, so they won't generally go straight into doors/openings. At least, no more than your average weasel. But due to their aggression, they will path if they see something they want to kill. I'm surprised undead animals risen by necromancers don't get siege pathing, but then again, Goden and Olon are helping the fort, so....They bee-lined in pretty fast once they got past their initial hesitation. Maybe they got a whiff of Salmeuk when he was doing something near the surface.
My headcanon is that necromancers are all just self-important idiots messing with powers they don't really understand. They can create undead but can't really control them beyond very basic things. Although I am a bit sad that the intelligent undead can't talk so you can't resurrect some ancient king in adventure mode and start up a conversation with him.
Post by: delphonso on March 18, 2020, 08:01:10 am
"I was brought back from the dead recently. It makes me so grouchy!"
Post by: nogoodnames on March 18, 2020, 08:23:34 am
Post by: mko on March 18, 2020, 08:28:27 am
Apparently it was reported back in 2018 but never got any attention: http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=10519There is no savegame for recent version - uploading save where echidnea fights for months may be very helpful, as it give (a) reproduction (b) evidence that it is still present in recent version (c) evidence that bug noticeably impacts gameplay.
Post by: delphonso on March 18, 2020, 08:45:30 am
Post by: nogoodnames on March 18, 2020, 08:55:38 am
Hmm. I fought an undead rabbit for ages, even without the rolling up thing. But that might be a seperate issue.Recently? I know that used to be an issue, but I haven't seen it happen for a while. It may have been fixed.
Post by: delphonso on March 18, 2020, 09:01:53 am
Post by: mko on March 18, 2020, 09:46:07 am
I added a note with my findings and steps to reproduce in the arena. Hopefully it'll get some more attention.Thanks!
Post by: nogoodnames on March 18, 2020, 09:49:03 am
Post by: Salmeuk on March 19, 2020, 12:50:59 pm
By the way, the original (first) echidna corpse to attack our fortress (and is to blame for the invasion of undead) is named "Ibeshlaz Thir" (Roastedscaled the Harmonious). I would recommend caution before the end of each season, but that goes without saying.
Edit: As for how Bim died... (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DroppedABridgeOnHer)Spoiler: Bim's Fate (click to show/hide)
Huh. . we'll just pretend my in-game character never discovered the true cause. She died by his own hand, practically!
Oddly enough, in my other community fortress I just accidentally smashed our recently-declared King in a similar fashion. Completely by accident and only noticing it long after the fact. I think I have a problem lol
HIT US WITH THAT UPDATE
Post by: nogoodnames on March 20, 2020, 05:47:51 pm
15th Malachite
I checked the entrance and found no trace of our persistent monotreme adversary. Only the forlorn ghostly visage of Olon remained as evidence of what had transpired. We have rid ourselves of the most dire threat our fortress has faced and avenged a great many senseless deaths, but at a grievous cost. I will make sure that when we carve out a memorial for this tragedy, she is given a place of honour.
Olon and I shared a great deal in common beyond our ghoulish resurrection. We both fought against the undead hordes. We both met our first deaths at the relentless claws of Roastedscaled. Most intriguing of all, we were both worshippers of Lorsďth Weevilmessiah, the Regal God of thralldom. Perhaps this undead existence was always intended to be our fate.
Now that things have quieted down, I think I should check in with the new migrants. They were shocked by my appearance at first but seem willing to accept my authority after I brought down four beak dogs, including the two that murdered their colleagues. There are seven of them, bringing our total population to nine.
Spoiler: Ast Gildduty (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Ďteb Squeezedclasp (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Thîkut Lensknife (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Lokum Laborwalled (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Sigun Cheerfultower (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Moldath Reignedaxes (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Dîshmab Wheelrings (click to show/hide)
21st Malachite
The surviving beak dog was wandering around the entrance. Moldath made quick work of it now that he’s equipped with some armour and a proper sword.
In a similar spirit, I picked up some spare clothing. There’s no real purpose to it, but some of the new migrants seemed put off by my nakedness.
Our main goal for the time being is to secure our position. This includes removing corpses that could be raised by a necromancer, especially any echidnas, and resetting our trap hall. After that we can place our focus on memorializing the dead and preparing for the autumn caravans. No doubt the homeland will be eager to hear the tale of our miraculous survival.
Salmeuk has expressed interest in holding onto some of the zombie echidnas for research and potential defensive applications. I’m reluctant to grant his request given the damage a single one of those monsters is capable of, but as long as they stay caged it should be safe enough.
Some cheerful news, Thikut is up and walking again. She has nerve damage in her arm, but her other injuries are healing quickly thanks to Salmeuk’s doctoring.
20th Galena
Perhaps I was too quick to judge Iteb. He has taken to his role as a miner quite well and rarely complains. Right now, he’s even eating in the hospital amid the numerous skeletons with seemingly little care.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Lokum, on the other hand, is constantly horrified by the bodies laying around. I’ll have to take him off of corpse hauling duty and keep an eye on him. The little creep even snuck into Salmeuk’s room while he was sleeping to complain.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
1st Limestone
Autumn has come, and our work continues. Dwarf corpses are gradually being brought down to stockpiles and animal bodies are being processed for bone.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Lokum’s mood has unfortunately worsened, and he’s slipped into depression.
For now, we must look forward to the dwarven caravans and hope for good news from the rest of our nation.
Post by: delphonso on March 20, 2020, 10:56:10 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on March 21, 2020, 09:04:37 pm
1st Limestone
I’ve just taken a count of all the dead dwarves in the fortress so I can begin designing our memorial hall. There are 49 in total, to say nothing of our non-dwarven visitors who also succumbed to the zombie hordes. Mass-producing all the coffins and slabs we need will take quite some time, but it’s important work. It’s often said that a fortress’ worth can best be judged by how they treat their dead.
As for Lokum, there’s little I can think to do aside from sequestering him in the lower fortress away from any bodies. Alone with Salmeuk, I had forgotten how easily some of the living can be overcome by their own emotions. Even the sight of the aged troglodyte skeletons sitting in our refuse pile was enough to send him into fits of panic.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Ast got it into his head to clean a specific wall deep within our ludicrously large labyrinth. Given that there are about a thousand more important things to do and I don’t want him starving to death before he can make it back, I’m restricting access to it for the time being.
Wait, Thikut’s yelling about something on the surface…
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Again? So soon? Will we ever be free from this unrelenting storm of undead? Everyone underground, now!
2nd Limestone
The gate is shut, and all of our dwarves are safe. All the living dwarves that is.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Very well. If this is to be my final end, then I shall rise to meet it. Begone, servant of evil! I will defend this place until my bones crumble to dust!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry for the short update and cliff-hanger, but I’m feeling a bit emotionally compromised myself right now. We’ll find out how this ends tomorrow.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 22, 2020, 05:57:52 pm
Alright, the alarm was sounded, better do a headcount. Six, seven, eight… Where’s the bloody overseer!? Damn ghoul was always so sluggish from sobriety. Guess I’m in charge for now.
Oh wait, here he comes now. Took long enough, ya ugly bastard! I was afraid I’d have to be the one stuck babysitting these morons!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
_______________________________________________________________________________
===+ Journal of the Undying Overseer – Autumn 104 +===
_______________________________________________________________________________
3rd Limestone
Broken arm… torn knee… severed spinal cord… I’d say I’ve earned my title. I barely managed to get away from that human, but it seems Weevilmessiah has not yet seen fit to end my service.
That wasn’t just dumb luck, something drew her and the rest of the horde away. But what could be so fearsome as to distract an entire undead army?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Well, whatever it is, we can’t rely on it to occupy them forever. Thikut counted 35 undead soldiers, and I can only guess how many animals that necromancer raised. That’s at least two full cycles of our trap hall. Salmeuk is just finishing up the zombie crusher now, but I doubt we’ll be able to clear the surface in time for the caravan. Looks like another year without trade.
10th Limestone
The sounds of fighting continue to echo down from above. If the army doesn’t take the bait and walk into our traps, we may be trapped down here for a long time. Several undead animals stumbled into the halls and almost overwhelmed them, but they were caged, and the halls secured once more.
Salmeuk is insisting on making me rest until my arm heals. I’ve told him that it’s not necessary, but he won’t take no for an answer.
Infuriating issues with stockpile orders abound, but I believe I’ve sorted them out. Productivity is still low but improving, and I convinced Salmeuk to allow me to work after he gave me a splint for my arm.
17th Limestone
Iteb has started carving out the grand memorial hall. A good thing too, as the corpse stockpile is nearly full. Lokum’s been doing a bit better, but I don’t expect him to get back to normal until all the bodies are properly interred.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
We’ve also begun tearing down the log walls around our stairwell to replace them with stone. With no way to get more, we need to ration every bit of wood we can.
22nd Limestone
Thikut has contracted the vile swamp fever thanks to some goo that was washed down by the temporarily opened aquifer. She’s also been trying to reload our cage traps, only to realize that we still have no empty cages. Link up the zombie crusher first and then you’ll get your damn cages!
3rd Sandstone
Moldath’s on his way to begin tossing zombies into the disposal chamber. This could be dangerous, but he should be able to deal with an escaped zombie, provided it isn’t an echidna.
6th Sandstone
The first load’s in without issue. Now then, let’s finally put this contraption to work.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
That was satisfying. Salmeuk won’t be happy about the echidnas, but we need the cages, and no one was willing to see what would happen if they were all packed into a single cage. He can have his pick of whatever’s locked in the forbidden hallway once this is over.
24th Sandstone
Lokum is becoming a serious concern. Right now, he’s going on a tantrum. He destroyed our plump helmet field and harassed one of our roosters. If he keeps this up, I’ll have no choice but to enact disciplinary measures.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
4th Timber
The trap hall is open once again, but the zombies are certainly taking their time getting over to it. Setting aside the group still battling in the distance, I can hear two distinct clumps slowly shuffling their way closer. Hopefully if we capture enough, the rest will retreat. And oh, what’s this?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I think I’ll hold onto you. We could use someone to throw at the beasts down in the caverns.
1st Moonstone
The season ends the way many do in Smallhands, with us inching toward an elusive vision of a better future.
The zombie soldiers have been frustratingly obstinate in their refusal to enter the trap hall. They mill about the surface, cutting us off from the outside world. Even sending Moldath to the entrance was not enough to goad them in.
In more hopeful news, Lokum has shown marked improvement since his outburst. He is still on edge, but not nearly so haggard as he was a few months ago.
Finally, our memorial hall has been completely carved out and is ready to put our poor lost souls to rest. It has been designated as a temple to Lish, “The Wicked”, goddess of peace, death and murder, and the one who first brought this plague of undeath to the world. May she have mercy upon this gods-forsaken fortress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The northern wall is to be reserved for the dead founding dwarves and former overseers. But the first memorial to be completed is dedicated to Olon. An appropriately named silver statue depicts her eternal struggle against Roastedscaled. It is said she still grapples with the beast in the afterlife, subduing it so that its demonic spirit may never possess a body again.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: mko on March 22, 2020, 06:47:23 pm
Is it a manually requested pattern (not sure is it possible for statues) or is it a happy accident? Both would be awesome, but I want which version of awesomeness we got here :)
Post by: nogoodnames on March 22, 2020, 07:01:46 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on March 22, 2020, 07:46:49 pm
Quote
That was satisfying. Salmeuk won’t be happy about the echidnas, but we need the cages, and no one was willing to see what would happen if they were all packed into a single cage. He can have his pick of whatever’s locked in the forbidden hallway once this is over.
So be it. Something tells me there isn't all that much time for scientific diversions, in any case.
Wonderful reports! Cleaning up bodies n bits can be such a arduous task so you have my sympathy. That last image of the statue is perfect lol, it looks like Hercules killing Sonic the Hedgehog.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 22, 2020, 08:24:23 pm
My prime suspect is the echidna. All those zombies beating on it must trigger tons of combat calculations. And unfortunately, I don't see a way of dealing with it short of editing the echidna raws.
I can deal with it for the remaining three months but it would really suck if the next person had to play in slow motion until the siege leaves on its own.
Post by: delphonso on March 22, 2020, 08:26:56 pm
Shonai mentioned the same in a different thread. The echidna combat will tank FPS... I think this is a situation where loading DFHack and just deleting the bugger would be an acceptable cheat. It's up to you and mko, as the ones who are playing.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 22, 2020, 09:23:32 pm
I inserted that change into an old backup save and Olon smashed Roastedscaled within seconds!
So, shall we end our immortal echidna problem forever? They've certainly added character to the fort, but I think they've outstayed their welcome. What's you opinion, mko?
Post by: Laterigrade on March 23, 2020, 01:45:36 am
Post by: delphonso on March 23, 2020, 05:02:13 am
Post by: mko on March 23, 2020, 07:08:55 am
Ah! I think I have a better solution. Copying the spine body part but removing [PREVENTS_PARENT_COLLAPSE] and giving that to echidnas will allow them to be pulped while in ball form.I would treat it as workaround for a blatant bug and do it. DF being DF, it is a poor idea to wait for a version with bugfix.
I inserted that change into an old backup save and Olon smashed Roastedscaled within seconds!
So, shall we end our immortal echidna problem forever? They've certainly added character to the fort, but I think they've outstayed their welcome. What's you opinion, mko?
But is it also going to affect also living echidnas? Is it viable to remove "curled into a ball" mechanism? Looking at https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Body_token it is typically found on spines.
But it is better to have no echidnas at all than this absurd.
Post by: King Zultan on March 23, 2020, 07:15:59 am
Post by: auzewasright on March 23, 2020, 07:50:49 am
Post by: nogoodnames on March 23, 2020, 09:34:13 am
But is it also going to affect also living echidnas? Is it viable to remove "curled into a ball" mechanism? Looking at https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Body_token it is typically found on spines.
It will effect both living and undead echidnas. Removing their curling ability doesn't fix the already broken echidnas, they still behave as if curled up. What seems to be happening is that curling up prevents any damage except to the root upper body part, which can't be pulped until the spine is destroyed. These things have literally had their flesh completely liquefied, but are still held together because the spine can't be damaged. With my change, they're still able to curl up but are vulnerable to lethal damage.
The only side-effect is that it might make echidnas slightly more vulnerable to upper body damage in general. I think that's reasonable though, given their size.
For anyone who wants to know the details this, is what I'm doing:
Spoiler: Add this to body_default.txt (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Replace the regular spine in the echidna raws (click to show/hide)
I haven't touched hedgehogs, but they're subject to the same bug.
Post by: Salmeuk on March 23, 2020, 12:16:22 pm
What seems to be happening is that curling up prevents any damage except to the root upper body part, which can't be pulped until the spine is destroyed. These things have literally had their flesh completely liquefied, but are still held together because the spine can't be damaged.
My god! The image of a little ball of pink flesh wriggling around, trying to die, but nothing can finish the job. . *shudders*
Post by: auzewasright on March 23, 2020, 02:54:53 pm
Edit: Someone should probably edit the wiki to note that echidnas are nearly invulnerable when curled up.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 23, 2020, 08:52:58 pm
2nd Moonstone
I suddenly feel… lighter, somehow. As if a great weight has been lifted from the world. Perhaps it is a sign from the gods that our prayers have finally been answered.
Even the surface has become more peaceful. The zombies have stopped fighting whatever was out there. Now if only they would start moving into the traps.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
15th Moonstone
The zombies stumble around on the surface without going anywhere in particular. It seems like the closest group are gradually moving in, but it’s impossible to be sure. I may have a plan to rile them up, but we’ll need to make some preparations first.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
One upside to our situation is that we finally have some downtime for the migrants to get to know one another. Just the other day I saw Ast telling the tale of our queen’s coronation on the eve of battle. Little things like that should help keep morale up.
21st Moonstone
The main entrance has been sealed with some hatch covers for additional protection. Now let’s see if this gets the zombies moving again.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Well it got one of them moving, at least. We’ll have to coax him out of there, but he can’t get in thanks to the hatches. Experiment unsuccessful.
The only other option would be to open up the main labyrinth. Its intended entrance is closer to the main body of zombies, but it was never completed. It has many stone-fall traps already, but I doubt it can handle the entire siege. We’d have to do some significant work to make it viable.
21st Opal
Over this past year I have been feeling more and more like my old self. I may never again be able to truly relate to the living, but perhaps I don’t need to. I have my own role to play here.
Tradition dictates that citizenship ends upon death. My case is special, but I realize that I have seen myself as separate from the rest of the fortress since my resurrection. I think it’s time to change that. By my authority as overseer, I officially restore my status as a citizen of The Mint Sack and member of The Little Pick.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It’s as if that little moment of self-realization ignited a chain reaction across my mind. The mental block that has kept my daily work restricted to the same old patterns has vanished. I feel ready to take on any role our people require of me.
The most obvious application for my undead might is defense. I do not tire, I do not bleed, and I can shrug off injuries that would cripple or kill a normal dwarf. With a full suit of steel, I would be practically invincible. For now, I will train with Moldath. Perhaps one day our strength will be enough to turn back the tide of our enemies and take the fight to them. When the time is right for revenge, I would gladly lead the charge against the tower of Sinewsabres.
Post by: Superdorf on March 23, 2020, 08:57:00 pm
Post by: delphonso on March 23, 2020, 09:14:00 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on March 23, 2020, 09:20:02 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on March 24, 2020, 10:17:20 pm
The most obvious application for my undead might is defense. I do not tire, I do not bleed, and I can shrug off injuries that would cripple or kill a normal dwarf. With a full suit of steel, I would be practically invincible. For now, I will train with Moldath. Perhaps one day our strength will be enough to turn back the tide of our enemies and take the fight to them. When the time is right for revenge, I would gladly lead the charge against the tower of Sinewsabres.
Oh man this fort has gotten so grimdark I can't even - an undead overseer? With full citizenship? Amazing!
Post by: nogoodnames on March 25, 2020, 08:23:07 am
1st Granite, 155
Spring has arrived here in the Desert of Furs, ushering in the new year. In some ways, our situation is not much different from what it was a year ago. We once again find our handful of survivors trapped underground by an army of the undead.
But it would be foolish to assume we have made no progress. With nine fully capable dwarves, we are in a much safer and more productive situation. We reclaimed the centre of the fortress and have gone a long way towards cleaning up after the disaster two years ago.
Our efforts for these past few months have been focused on memorializing the many dwarves we lost. A coffin and slab have been constructed for each of the dead. About half of the slabs have been engraved and the coffins are being moved into a chamber behind the memorial hall.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
In addition to the slab, an event from each dwarf’s life is being engraved on the wall. Unfortunately, for many of these dwarves the most memorable event in their life is being stomped to death by a zombie camel.
The zombies still shuffle around, avoiding our traps. I would say they are just too mindless to realize they can get to us, but they’re being led by ghouls and even a few living commanders. Clearly their goal here is to starve us out or at least cut off our contact with the outside world, but why Smallhands? Are we such a threat that they can devote entire armies to keeping us down?
Well, maybe we will be. My training with Moldath is going well. I’ve picked up an axe and learned some minor skill with it. I had learned a few things about fighting thanks to my time battling the zombies alongside Olon, but I’d never touched a weapon before. Salmeuk is forging two sets of bronze armour for us. Just the minimum for full coverage, we still need to be a bit frugal with our wood supply.
We’ve also constructed an archery range for Ast to practice in. Bolts won’t be much use against zombies, but we’ve still got the goblins to the south. I’m sure they’ll take interest in us eventually.
Since the zombies aren’t moving in, I’ve locked up the door to the cage trap hall and released everyone from the emergency burrow. It’d be just our luck for them to suddenly charge in and overwhelm the traps during a moment of inattention. I was also getting tired of dwarves complaining that the burrow is stopping them from collecting some extremely important object that they absolutely need to store away now. Never mind that said object is on the surface and they aren’t allowed to pick it up anyway.
Our wood supply is much better than it was previously. Even with charcoal making, we’ve still got a full pile of the stuff from replacing those aquifer walls. I’ve also noticed that some new fungal trees are growing in the walled off section of the cavern.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
That should satisfy our needs for a while. The rest of the caverns are still too dangerous to enter. That giant lizard has been tearing through everything that wanders past, turning the whole level into a bloodbath. I do wonder if the human ghoul we captured would be able to handle it. She’s caged up in our general temple for now.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Aside from our difficulties in amassing wood, we’re quite well stocked here. I haven’t been ordering new meals to be made, but there are plenty of ones from before the fall that are still edible. We’re only growing plump helmets and pigtails at the moment, so drink variety is less than ideal, but not awful.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Yes, I think we are in a good position. Smallhands is the safest and most prosperous it’s been for the past two years. The undead couldn’t destroy us when we were at our weakest, and they won’t be able to now.
I took on the position of overseer because I was the one who could survive in an impossible situation. I was the one who could make the necessary decisions for the good of the fortress, unclouded by emotion. The memorials to Laterigrade and Olon attest to that fact.
But that’s not what we need right now. Dwarves need inspiration, something to look forward to beyond mere survival. I can’t give them that. This undead form is a thing of stasis. The future belongs to the living.
And so, I step down as overseer. I will remain to assist the next one, tirelessly performing whatever duties are required of me. I know I leave the fortress in good (and small) hands.
Full Image (Big) (https://i.imgur.com/vGie4q6.png)
Spoiler: preview (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on March 25, 2020, 08:30:34 am
The Save (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=14963)
Post by: delphonso on March 25, 2020, 08:47:53 am
This picture is amazing, by the way. Wonderful work! I really enjoyed your art and writing.
Is there anything overseers need to do in regards to undead echidna modding?
Post by: mko on March 25, 2020, 09:04:08 am
Bravo, nogoodnames! mko, you're up. I'm chomping at the bit to play.+1
This picture is amazing, by the way. Wonderful work! I really enjoyed your art and writing.
Is there anything overseers need to do in regards to undead echidna modding?AFAIK this kind of modding travels with save.
I will start playing soon, once I complete work for today.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 25, 2020, 09:07:21 am
Correct, it's part of the world-specific raws which are stored in the save folder.Is there anything overseers need to do in regards to undead echidna modding?AFAIK this kind of modding travels with save.
Post by: auzewasright on March 25, 2020, 09:31:54 am
Also:
Full Image (Big) (https://i.imgur.com/vGie4q6.png)I love this image you've made. Petition to link to it in the first post?Spoiler: preview (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on March 25, 2020, 07:33:08 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on March 25, 2020, 07:59:24 pm
Well this has been an emotional roller-coaster, and one of the most interesting forts I've ever played. I'm glad I could guide it during this turbulent time. Hope you enjoyed my writing and illustrations!
well fucking done! I love those kinds of side-view drawings, and you did a really nice job translating the fortress architecture into a flat image.
I'm also amazed that cavern trees have already grown in that room I hollowed out so many (in-game) years ago. How cool is that! It's kind of like those biodomes from the 70's, if you ignore the dead bodies.
Post by: auzewasright on March 25, 2020, 10:00:59 pm
Well I took a look at it in legends...
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on March 25, 2020, 11:24:54 pm
Post by: mko on March 26, 2020, 12:25:26 am
The light of the new sun illuminated the small writing enough for Deduk to read it with squinted eyes. His eyes went wide and his eyebrows furrowed. By Niz... This isn't anywhere near Smudoaslot... This is right next to the goblin capital itself. I have to warn Bim! Deduk sprinted across the small hillock, but stood stuck in the air for a moment. The frozen river below him had just instantly thawed. In a moment, Deduk was underwater, the rushing river pulling him away. He drowned in seconds. Spring has arrived.
In the drinking mound, at a towerwood table, Del and Salmeuk were having a belligerent discussion. A few onlookers watched on, a mix of annoyed and fascinated.
“The queen's off 'er fookin' rocker. Dunno what addled 'er mind, but it musta been somethin' bad.” Del finished his contribution to the discussion and then finished his mug of ale.
Salmeuk's voice took a disapproving tone as he declared, “Don't you know? The queen lost her kid to a cyclops last year. I guess this is some form of grieving.” He took a long sip of dwarven rum. “I mean, it is pretty weird, but it's grieving nonetheless.”
Below that was a purple smudge that he assumed was spilled wine, but was in actuality the Frothy Sludge - a swamp and the center of the goblin civilization.
-~-~-~-
Del's journal, Granite 15, 150.
“Oh, shit.”
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/mtIGWsXctsiGwGuozUXCHVsz?width=800&height=600)
I would also mention http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=11463 "0011463: Creatures can attack and move while curled up after reanimation" as a +bug report+ for problem found during this playgame.
"How I mentioned that everybody that came to the fortress under my rule seemed to lack the will to live, or at least a basic survival instinct?" - well, lets see whatever it will improve.
-----
And if anyone is curious what I am doing - I managed to run Dwarf Therapist and set population caps. And look around fortress.
Post by: King Zultan on March 26, 2020, 06:44:42 am
Post by: Laterigrade on March 26, 2020, 07:01:10 am
This fort handled the zombie apocalypse better than most of the forts I've read about.Well, the doors around the main stairwell and the abundance elsewhere were really the saving grace of the fort; I don’t think it could have survived without them.
Post by: mko on March 26, 2020, 01:25:46 pm
Also, is there any reason to have two hospitals? I plan to decommission one.
Post by: auzewasright on March 26, 2020, 01:50:03 pm
We have a human ghoul in a cage. Is it special in any way? I don't remember it mentioned, so I assume that it is not special in any way.At nogoodname’s turn, I think he caught it for the purposes of weaponizing it. The hospitals I’m not sure, maybe founded after my turn?
Also, is there any reason to have two hospitals? I plan to decommission one.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 26, 2020, 02:08:17 pm
The ghoul is the one who almost killed my dwarf. You're free to do whatever you want with her.
She has a bit of a tragic backstory. Enthep was a soldier for the Confederations of Searing and spent most of her adult life fighting in campaigns against the fort of Cactushexes. She and her childhood friend Oma Empiresbright became lovers when she was 14. Oma was the general of their nation and it was his influence that lead to her becoming a soldier. Unbeknownst to Enthep, Oma had been corrupted by one of the necromancers and was working for them in secret. He used his position and his lover's trust to rope Enthep into their schemes. However, this caused friction between them and the pair broke up a few years later. Just two years after that, Enthep, who had fought in dozens of battles at this point, was killed, while surrounded by her fellow soldiers, by an insignificant goblin whose only other kill was a dog. Was it simply bad luck, or something more sinister? All we know is that her body somehow came into the possession of the master necromancer, Ushrir Summitpalace. He was the one who resurrected her in her current ghoulish form, and made her a lieutenant in his armies.
Post by: Salmeuk on March 26, 2020, 07:14:56 pm
This fort handled the zombie apocalypse better than most of the forts I've read about.Well, the doors around the main stairwell and the abundance elsewhere were really the saving grace of the fort; I don’t think it could have survived without them.
I'd like to take credit for that, thank you. . further proof you cannot over-door a fortress.
She has a bit of a tragic backstory. Enthep was a soldier for the Confederations of Searing and spent most of her adult life fighting in campaigns against the fort of Cactushexes. She and her childhood friend Oma Empiresbright became lovers when she was 14. Oma was the general of their nation and it was his influence that lead to her becoming a soldier. Unbeknownst to Enthep, Oma had been corrupted by one of the necromancers and was working for them in secret. He used his position and his lover's trust to rope Enthep into their schemes. However, this caused friction between them and the pair broke up a few years later. Just two years after that, Enthep, who had fought in dozens of battles at this point, was killed, while surrounded by her fellow soldiers, by an insignificant goblin whose only other kill was a dog. Was it simply bad luck, or something more sinister? All we know is that her body somehow came into the possession of the master necromancer, Ushrir Summitpalace. He was the one who resurrected her in her current ghoulish form, and made her a lieutenant in his armies.
I love how DF generates backstories that are that both tragic and banal and the same time.
Also, remember the second forgotten beast in my turn that ended up killing itself? How I mentioned that everybody that came to the fortress under my rule seemed to lack the will to live, or at least a basic survival instinct?
Well I took a look at it in legends...I swear, at this point I feel like the game is just messing with me...Spoiler (click to show/hide)
As near as I can tell this fortress was cursed from the start!
Post by: mko on March 26, 2020, 09:41:54 pm
But we will not only survive! We will not let necromancers to turn us into mindless beasts! This place will be famous as a place where we dwarves not only resisted but also flourished!
Though, for now, hauling piles of bodies is more important than filling bookshelves of our new library.
Location of crypt so close to surface with regular visits from necromancers seems to not be optimal. But construction already started and being grumpy now is a bit late. And we really should put valiant dwarves into proper graves. Rather than letting them rot in a refuse heap.
The surface is filled with undead, goblins, undead goblins. Caverns filled with forgotten beasts, coming and going. Aztong and Amxu. Now they are replaced by Pelese Soakedmuck - a crocodile with poisonous gas. And Buqui the Shadows of Vise alligator with fire breath.
Now we see that previous visitors were peaceful and harmless. Even siege on the surface was scared by their appearance and finally left.
(nothing really interesting happened for now - for over half of year dwarves were installing coffins and carrying bodies)
Post by: Laterigrade on March 27, 2020, 01:49:55 am
Thanks to heroic deeds of Nogood and Salmeuk Smallhands survived!Forgotten so soon after my death :(
Jokes aside, thanks for the update mko!
Post by: mko on March 27, 2020, 05:29:00 am
Dammit, I was going for "not-as-smart-as-he-thinks-to-be" but that got lost in rewrite.Thanks to heroic deeds of Nogood and Salmeuk Smallhands survived!Forgotten so soon after my death :(
Jokes aside, thanks for the update mko!
BTW, if you see any grammar/writing issues: please tell me.
EDIT: sort-of-added
Post by: mko on March 27, 2020, 12:59:02 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/Hd839bG.png)
But we will work together, even if cowardly merchants are scared to even enter our fort. Many improvements were achieved. Our duty to the dead is in large part complete and dead bodies were almost all moved into graces. Fields will be now active for the entire year rather than a small part of it. And tree farm, just under surface will be a complete success and will solve our lack of wood!
Standing orders to produce daily necessities were issued: crutches, beds, mechanisms, blocks, coffers, wheelbarrows, mugs, paper... And coffins. Forgotten beasts block the second layer of caverns, but closeable access tunnel was constructed to get us ready to retake them.
And merchants? To hell with them, we can survive alone! Some are telling me that I should be more polite toward visitors, but after this disrespect, they do not deserve a proper reply.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
And my approach was rewarded by the appearance of new migrants that were not so easily scared. Even an experienced armorsmith was interested in becoming part of Smallhands! She proposed a solution to our lack of wood. Dig deeper, and use magma. We were unfamiliar with this kind of project so it takes far longer than expected. Ans I can see why high master armorsmith ended in our not-so-prestigious (for now!) fortress. I prefer to focus on that she has no trouble with cramped bedroom, and she is just a bit unfriendly. Not angry, just a bit too focused on her goal.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
-----
I needed far too much time to notice that trade depot is marked as forbidden. What first caused wagon to bypass our location and later left me scratching my head what is wrong and trying many different things. And once fixed broker continues a traditional dance of "eat", "no job", "sleep", "no job", "drink". To make it more embarrassing I dwarved myself as this broker/manager/wannabe scholar. Though there is still no spare hauling capacity, as hauling bodies is not completed.
At least I added hind to wiki what may be going wrong like I added documentation about echidna bug - see https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/Special:Contributions/Mko
And fort now seems now far more alive with temples, praying, various activities. Far more than in pre-tavern version that I played.
Post by: mko on March 27, 2020, 01:57:19 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
But I will leave exploring it to next overseer. Similarly to my broker and manager duties.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
And I have a plan to improve our life here by inventing a more reliable pulley system organization. It may take long time but I will complete this project!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
----------------------------------------
I think that we are securely locked in. Work orders may be quite messy, I let dwarves to try new experience (AKA setup good strange moods).
shift + F7 gets you to location of magma. Starting armor/weapon crafting there is likely a good idea (or pumping magma to the surface?).
We are running out of wood. I tried to start magma forges but have not managed to complete this project. Channels, fortification filters should be ready. But there are some gems/rocks there that should be hauled away.
shift + F8 goes to my pet project, library. I would appreciate if at least my dwarf could be kept as scholar, maybe with someone to accompany him. Note "needs" tab in dwarf therapist - column "think abstractly" (second from the right side). I assigned to scholars dwarves with clear need to be them.
Corpses on surface are not collected, I have not figured out how to check whatever vile goo is currently raining.
We also really should have soap in our hospital.
We need to produce more clothes some dwarves have clothes that are failing apart
And other less critical projects: improving housing, reenabling smoothing labors, removing zombie murdercamels, proper dining room, eliminate upper hospital, increase military...
I also made preparations to drop creatures into caverns, to fight with forgotten beasts for us. And empty cages. Pit locations have hotkeys shift + F1, shift + F2.Drop into caverns needs to be channeled, pit zone created and closing bridges tested.
-----------------------------------------
I'm chomping at the bit to play.
Save: http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=14970
(note, save got noticeable smaller - uncompressed dropped from 11 to 8 MB, compared to the initial, and mid-year saves. Should I be worried? I noticed this during uploading, game played fine.)
I also want to play again!
Post by: delphonso on March 27, 2020, 08:58:43 pm
Christ, these are some nasty forgotten beasts... My usual strategy is to build fortifications and shoot them to death slowly - but with poisonous breath and fire, that's not an option...
Well done with a nice stable turn, mko - pretty damn fast! I'll get started soon. I noticed we have 150 pig-tail seeds, so cloth might be something we can manage. We also have...250 eggs.
My goals: fix labors, build a special something, increase military outfit.
Post by: auzewasright on March 27, 2020, 09:12:49 pm
Save seems alright. I loaded it up and tried to figure out where and what everything is.I downloaded the save and it seems to be buried in multiple folders (Smallhands-after-mko -> Desktop (folder name, not actual desktop)-> Dwarf fortress-> ??? -> actual save folder).
Edit:
For the forgotten beasts, just hand over the turn to me and watch them die (do NOT do this). It seems we don't have any actual material for the scholars to write books on, so maybe start producing those.
Christ, these are some nasty forgotten beasts... My usual strategy is to build fortifications and shoot them to death slowly - but with poisonous breath and fire, that's not an option...
Well done with a nice stable turn, mko - pretty damn fast! I'll get started soon. I noticed we have 150 pig-tail seeds, so cloth might be something we can manage. We also have...250 eggs.
My goals: fix labors, build a special something, increase military outfit.
Post by: mko on March 27, 2020, 09:17:42 pm
Ops, sorry. Apparently rar decided to record entire folder structure. Fortunately nothing sensitive is there.Save seems alright. I loaded it up and tried to figure out where and what everything is.I downloaded the save and it seems to be buried in multiple folders (Smallhands-after-mko -> Desktop (folder name, not actual desktop)-> Dwarf fortress-> ??? -> actual save folder).
Save seems alright. I loaded it up and tried to figure out where and what everything is. Still not totally sure. The tree farms are a nice addition - with the cavern and the farms you built, we might be able to keep ourselves good on wood. If I'm right, there's a bug that says underground trees only grow 1 z-level up, so all of this is helpful as you really only get one log per tree.So emptying space for trees to grow up was 100% pointless. At least I have not wasted time to do the same in walled of section of caverns.
Christ, these are some nasty forgotten beasts... My usual strategy is to build fortifications and shoot them to death slowly - but with poisonous breath and fire, that's not an option...Result of process "new FB comes in, fights with current resident, stronger wins". At this rate we may end Age of Myth in this world. Maybe dropping army of caged zombies will work, that is why I prepared pits. And the third level may be viable for taking.
And occasional fire across cavern and !!cavern residents!! are quite interesting. Also, I learned that burning units have special display in unit list.
Well done with a nice stable turn, mko - pretty damn fast!:) At least I was fast and fortress survived and even grown a bit!
Post by: auzewasright on March 27, 2020, 09:28:01 pm
Remember that if all else fails, just restore these lines back to vanilla:Christ, these are some nasty forgotten beasts... My usual strategy is to build fortifications and shoot them to death slowly - but with poisonous breath and fire, that's not an option...Result of process "new FB comes in, fights with current resident, stronger wins". Maybe dropping army of caged zombies will work, that is why I preapared pits.
We have one caged echidna, and Laterigrade's labyrinth has a few more. Drop them in and enjoy the show: Whoever loses, we win.Spoiler: Add this to body_default.txt (click to show/hide)Spoiler: Replace the regular spine in the echidna raws (click to show/hide)
Post by: mko on March 27, 2020, 09:29:27 pm
BTW, Laterigrade's labyrinth was unbelievably confusing. Big part seemed to be a dead end without entrance from outside.
Post by: auzewasright on March 27, 2020, 09:37:45 pm
Fire is (according to bug report notes) one of few things that will destroy bugged zombie echidnas.
Whoever loses, we win.
Obviously that is for when we run out of things to throw at it, if only because catching the echidnas after releasing them is a pain, and we only have so many until the next horde arrives.
Post by: delphonso on March 27, 2020, 09:44:39 pm
The cavern is chocked full of corpses. The surface too... Might be beneficial to drop a necromancer down there instead. But that risks undead FBs.
Trees need 2z-levels total, that's why normal forts don't get trees after piercing the cavern, as farms are almost always 1 level. So definitely not a total waste of time.
I'm going to use this labyrinth for something, I guess.
Post by: mko on March 27, 2020, 10:12:32 pm
I spent a while trying to remember what 'kolejka' is in Polish. I knew it wasn't downloads or the usual files...kolejka = queue (folder on my desktop with lower priority files)
The cavern is chocked full of corpses. The surface too... Might be beneficial to drop a necromancer down there instead. But that risks undead FBs.Ooo, you can have undead FB?
Hopefully zombies will kill FB, and then zombies can be disposed with ranged weapons (I assume that this is the plan?).
Post by: delphonso on March 27, 2020, 10:29:48 pm
Not sure. I still haven't decided if I'll take the caverns or the surface.
Post by: nogoodnames on March 27, 2020, 10:40:33 pm
Speaking of Enthep, I've been looking more into her history. Oma Empiresbright, her former lover, is quite a character in his own right.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: auzewasright on March 27, 2020, 10:50:06 pm
Post by: delphonso on March 27, 2020, 11:03:34 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on March 27, 2020, 11:12:42 pm
Also, I got into the habit of drawing everyday during my turn. I wouldn't mind keeping that up, so if you have something you want illustrated (portraits, monsters, artifacts, etc.), just ask and I'll see what I can do.
Post by: delphonso on March 27, 2020, 11:23:11 pm
Post by: auzewasright on March 27, 2020, 11:29:04 pm
I'd rather keep Cactushexes going since it's drawing heat from us. My priority would be to destroy this tower...Looking at world history, it seems it is actually the opposite: we're drawing heat from Cactushexes. The necromancer group is focusing their attacks on us, the rest of our dwarven civilization is holding off attacks from the goblin civilization, and the Humans have ended up at war with the Elves. All of this combined means nobody has attacked Cactushexes since 149.
Post by: delphonso on March 27, 2020, 11:43:18 pm
We'll see what happens. I'm aiming at safe growth and building defenses. I'm also going to dorf everyone who wasn't - which none of us did and didn't matter since everyone would have died by now anyway. Interested in a Laterigrade II, and Auze2?
Superdorf and King Zultan, I'm chucking some dorfing to you two.
Post by: mko on March 27, 2020, 11:49:09 pm
I spent an hour naming stuff, testing levers, and setting all graves to allow burials.Great to see that maintenance continues!
I worry a bit about using missions due to http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=10426 http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=10545 http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=10891 (and this bug reports have saves already anyway)
Post by: delphonso on March 28, 2020, 12:02:37 am
Post by: Salmeuk on March 28, 2020, 01:30:07 am
I'd rather keep Cactushexes going since it's drawing heat from us. My priority would be to destroy this tower...Looking at world history, it seems it is actually the opposite: we're drawing heat from Cactushexes. The necromancer group is focusing their attacks on us, the rest of our dwarven civilization is holding off attacks from the goblin civilization, and the Humans have ended up at war with the Elves. All of this combined means nobody has attacked Cactushexes since 149.
Interesting. So our fort is working! We're drawing heat from those poor folks, as intended by the queen. I remember thinking my original writeup about Cactushexes was too morbid and over the top. Of course, that was before the necros broke in!
Is it very difficult to destroy towers? What's our military look like, equipment and skills and such?
Post by: delphonso on March 28, 2020, 01:51:09 am
Cilob “Phonso” Armorcleaned –
I arrived in Smallhands in 155. You know, back in Staffhoisted it has a good reputation. Small, quiet, peaceful. When the other migrants and I arrived, I understood why. It looked like a battlefield. Animals, men, elves, dwarves – there were hundreds dead on the surface. No one had made it back, and dwarven ignorance had assumed the best. A square grey box stood out above the corpses – Smallhands – four beehives sticking out the top. Someone poked their head out of a hole in the ground and waved us in.
The inside was a maze of corridors, rooms, and locked doors. Sigun introduced himself as manager and began showing us around. He pointed to several doors and said that there were undead behind them. Then pointed to others and said those were safe. I admit...I lost track over time. Our tour continued. Sigun's office was next to one of those doors – the bad kind – and regularly the scraping of bones could be heard from the other side. Sigun was clearly disturbed, but his office was here, and there wasn't a better place for it, apparently. We all walked through someones bedroom and into a hallway to the other bedrooms. "A workaround, you see," Sigun explained, "undead have claimed the original hallway so we had to make a path for the rest of us to get to our rooms. Mateusz doesn't mind, but please be quiet if he's sleeping when you pass through his room."
I made mention of the beehives. You see, I'm a beekeeper by trade. I saw the four of them on the roof. I'd be happy to tend them. Sigun merely laughed. “Outside?” he said, “You won't be going out there any time soon.” Then he started dolling out tasks to all of us. I was...less than enthused about mine.
Cilob the Gravedigger, they call me. They're not very good at nicknames here. Without any skills of “value”, they've tasked me with managing the dead. I was insulted at the insinuation that beekeeping wasn't a task of value. But when I looked to the graves, of which Smallhands has plenty, I realized they really did need someone to help with this. I don't mind it, though. I get to work alone, in quiet. And at least these dead are still dead. Wouldn't want to even think about them getting up...
Salmeuk wandered the halls – clothes rotting off of him. He'd been here the whole time. Years at this point. I can't really imagine what he's seen. He seemed happy enough. Perhaps The Helpful Saint has really blessed this place. For now, I'll just tend to the dead and pray.
-=~-=-~=-
+Granite – Journal of the Gravekeeper+
I had a strange dream. The first overseer came to me – Del. He showed me a giant sperm whale – it was undead and thrashing around. Then he showed me an ant colored to look like a bee, the ant was striking down the undead giant sperm whale. The ant was laughing. He handed me a small document, but I couldn't read it – the writing was too small.
When I woke up, Sigun informed me that I'd been voted to be overseer. Sigun chuckled as he walked away - presumably to his hellhole of an office. Was it some sort of joke? Or did they give me total power guessing I wouldn't do anything with it? Had they figured out that all the dead had been buried and that I'd just been pretending to work for the last month?
Well.
First things first. I'm going to go tend those fucking bees.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/QoLhAQlwXltFHALGyGwEEEfG?width=800&height=600)
-=~-=-~=-
OOC:
I'm going to tone down some of your orders, mko - they're good, but I think ten extra beds/crutches/wheelbarrows is overkill on the wood supply. Thanks for setting these, up, though - I usually never play with them. I'm also limiting the number of wheelbarrows on the stone and wood stockpiles (that I can find...) to 1 each to free up some labor.
Stress levels are impeccable here. What the hell? Everyone is in the negatives (good) except Sigun - and that's because his wife haunted him or something. WHY ARE THEY SO HAPPY HERE?
Military is...tiny. Two melee and a ranger - the ranger hasn't trained, so he's rusty, and isn't very useful so I might just put him in the melee. Several dwarves are a bit bored without fighting, but are also weak/flimsy/clumsy... I'll set up some sparring time or something for those who want melee practice (one month a year or so.) Moldath and Nogood are both legendary, though. They could train up a squad each pretty quickly, I think - should our numbers provide for it.
Equipment...we have some bronze lying around - about 50 bars. Lots of Cassiterite around, but not much tetrahedrite left exposed... No iron to speak of, nor coal, but we do have limestone. Steel will be tough, but bronze outfits are certainly possible now that mko has hit magma. I'll request iron and coal stones from the liaison. That assumes they make it this time and next time, though...
Ast has a crossbow, quiver, no bolts, and a bronze helm.
Nogood has a bronze axe, mail shirt, helm, and wooden shield.
Moldath has bronze mail shirt, iron shield and leggings, steel helm and sword. The sword used to be Nish's and has 5 kills.
Definitely lacking.
EDIT: Found a weapon bin - we have some bronze swords and a silver hammer. We are rich in silver, and are in need of mangling - so I might prioritize this. We have a lot of bolts, but I think those are surface bolts that aren't worth retrieving... If we can reclaim the surface, there's a lot up there we could melt and use. A ton of stuff is forbidden in different places... Probably from the many different emergencies. I'm going to look around and unforbid a bunch of stuff.
mko seems to have made the living arrangements good enough to keep everyone happy and has set up wood and reached magma. I'm going to do a little building, defense, and hopefully make some equipment for everyone. I'll look into magma pumping - I've never done it before...
Post by: mko on March 28, 2020, 03:56:28 am
giant sperm whale – it was undead and thrashing around.Wait, how whales appeared in the story? Is their first appearance on the magnificent image? Thread search is not finding anything.
First things first. I'm going to go tend those fucking bees.Welp.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/QoLhAQlwXltFHALGyGwEEEfG?width=800&height=600)
I'm going to tone down some of your orders, mko - they're good, but I think ten extra beds/crutches/wheelbarrows is overkill on the wood supply.Good idea given state of our wood supply.
I'm also limiting the number of wheelbarrows on the stone and wood stockpiles (that I can find...) to 1 each to free up some labor.Is it going to free labor? I thought that it results in dwarves carrying stones by hand and therefore turning into snails.
Stress levels are impeccable here. What the hell? Everyone is in the negatives (good) except Sigun - and that's because his wife haunted him or something. WHY ARE THEY SO HAPPY HERE? (...) mko seems to have made the living arrangements good enough to keep everyone happyThere was one stressed dwarf. His mood improved during my year. No idea why.
And sole deliberate happiness boosting was to make library and assign two dwarves there. I did nothing else to improve mood.
We have a lot of bolts, but I think those are surface bolts that aren't worth retrieving...We should have some bone bolts, some skeletons were processed to reduce impact of potential necromancers.
I'll look into magma pumping - I've never done it before...I also never did this, but the obvious tricky part may be making magma-safe parts of pumps, especially corkscrews. Do we have nickel? Or nether-caps? Because all other materials are unlikely to be available. Pipes and blocks are less problematic.
Post by: delphonso on March 28, 2020, 04:34:04 am
Wait, how whales appeared in the story? Is their first appearance on the magnificent image? Thread search is not finding anything.I designed the fort symbol - which is the largest animal being defeated by the smallest animal (giant sperm whale + ant-though most insects are the same size). nogoodnames also noticed, and included it in the banner of the Smallhands side view.
So wheelbarrows max at 3 - which limits 3 hauling tasks per stockpile. Which is usually good, but with 3 stone stockpiles and each limited at 3, then that's 9 jobs for hauling and over half our dwarves. I set them all to 1 wheelbarrow - so there's much less hauling jobs. It's slower, technically, than just letting everyone rush out and gather, but I want them to work on other stuff. And I'd rather that than turning hauling off on everyone. Wood, also, is about as fast with a wheelbarrow as without one, so it doesn't do much except limit the number of haulers.I'm also limiting the number of wheelbarrows on the stone and wood stockpiles (that I can find...) to 1 each to free up some labor.Is it going to free labor? I thought that it results in dwarves carrying stones by hand and therefore turning into snails.
I also never did this, but the obvious tricky part may be making magma-safe parts of pumps, especially corkscrews. Do we have nickel? Or nether-caps? Because all other materials are unlikely to be available. Pipes and blocks are less problematic.Glass is also an option, I think. I might set the groundwork for this and make some glass screws and leave the rest to whoever is willing to attempt the task. I'm not confident in my ability to not flood the fort with magma...
Nothing to report so far. I've maybe run the game for 2 in-game days. I've just been cleaning things up, double checking settings, setting orders and making notes clearer. Dorfed Imic, Quarque, Superdorf, and King Zultan - not sure if anyone who isn't an overseer is even reading.
Post by: Laterigrade on March 28, 2020, 05:09:37 am
Fire is (according to bug report notes) one of few things that will destroy bugged zombie echidnas.Are you talking about my labyrinth in the fort from the main staircase, or the labyrinth I constructed leading to the surface?
BTW, Laterigrade's labyrinth was unbelievably confusing. Big part seemed to be a dead end without entrance from outside.
Also thanks for the updates mko and delphonso! I think the main reason the dwarves are so happy is because they haven’t been in the rain for years :D
Post by: auzewasright on March 28, 2020, 05:33:58 am
Cactushexes is an independent fortress founded by and made up of Goblins that our civ is at war with, I doubt we want to draw heat from them.Looking at world history, it seems it is actually the opposite: we're drawing heat from Cactushexes. The necromancer group is focusing their attacks on us, the rest of our dwarven civilization is holding off attacks from the goblin civilization, and the Humans have ended up at war with the Elves. All of this combined means nobody has attacked Cactushexes since 149.
Interesting. So our fort is working! We're drawing heat from those poor folks, as intended by the queen. I remember thinking my original writeup about Cactushexes was too morbid and over the top. Of course, that was before the necros broke in!
Post by: delphonso on March 28, 2020, 06:00:25 am
So travellers back to China are bringing new cases of Covid19 with them. I've been advised to stay indoors by my fiance so I don't have to explain that I've been here for ages to every person I walk past or shop I go to. Basically: free ride to do fuck all for the next week. I'll probably finish this pretty quickly, but am also trying to get nice detailed reports for each play session.
Post by: delphonso on March 28, 2020, 07:21:16 am
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
I walked confidently up the stairs in my new position: Overseer. It doesn't sound good. Graveseer? Keep thinking on it. I heard a creaking crash as the gate opened – instantly, Moldath swung the hatch open and shouted, “INTRUDER!”
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/VLshFcCwxVItJLDnbeRirshd?width=800&height=600)
Before I could ask what that meant or really what I should do, he dropped the hatch. I'm not one for violence, nor excitement, nor confrontation, argument, conflict... So I disappeared further into the fort and pretended to be busy. Later, in the tavern, Moldath told us what had happened:
"So me and this old son of a hog, we was sparring, as we do. The old rusty gate cranked open, we didn't know what was happening, but on the other side there were two ugly mugs looking at us. Abli and Ast – the necromancers who menace us every year – were there, just as surprised as us. I shouted down that we had intruders, I thought it was them what'd opened the gate." He laughed at this and emptied a mug of dwarven wine, making eye contact with me at the end of his drink...Lesson noted...
"I ran after Abli, Nogood ran for Ast. We'd trained for this exactly. Abli raised a capybara to slow me down. Heh, it didn't. Abli ran for the hills, but I was already on him. I swung and took his left leg off in a single slice." He stood up, and started following the motions he'd done earlier - his hand lovingly on his steel short sword. He continued, "Nish's old sword still doing good work. He hit the ground and I started taking him apart. I'd been hoping to get my hands on this bastard since the undead hassled me on the way in here." The other dwarves nodded solemnly.
"Nogood let out a long, low moan. I thought he'd died...again – when I glanced over I saw two harpies and a sparrowman head moving toward me. Then, something snapped in me. I felt myself completely relax, my vision went out...I was the sword: the Dwarven Trance. I threw myself around the battlefield, every swing hitting and killing. Abli was first, stabbed him through the lungs. The harpies next, each a slash across the neck. The head was split in two." Moldath's eyes were wide as he talked about this. The famed Martial Trance, or Dwarven Trance...I always figured it was some sort of myth, but old soldiers swear by it. I'm still unconvinced.
"Nogood came back from around the north side of the fort, he swung his axe and it blew a weasel skeleton to bits, the pieces flying in an arc through the air, then rejoining before they hit the ground, and it charged again. Two unkillable beasts, running on the power of death, and one was on our side. I charged toward the gooey part and finished off some capybara. I saw Ast running off in the distance. Too far for us to catch him now. If only my brother in arms could have a cup of ale..." Nogood stood, starring blankly, as if the words couldn't pierce his skull. I'm glad he's on our side, a dwarf is a dwarf - dead or alive. Not sure what I should do with his grave, though...
"We met back up, Nogood having finished off his fair share of corpses. Our first real fight in a while, and it went perfectly. Then I heard the honking. The gate! Open, undefended! Nogood and I both realized it at the same time. We rushed back, I saw Edem being attacked by the swan – but Edem, you crazy son of a bitch, you were laughing as you dodged and weaved around it! I ran down the stairs instead, a ram was getting tackled by a capybara. Ast – this one, the good one - was there, punching it in the face. One swipe and it was done, Nogood sent the swan's bones scattering in the sand."
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/xgGxbiVobjRejHHDUFKktiyV?width=800&height=600)
Quite a rousing tale, really. Even I, who disdain violence, must admit I was riveted. It also sent home how much we need a military. Necromancers are a serious threat. Our monument to death is surrounded by skeletons, too. I actually think these two got quite lucky. Nogood's speed puts him at a serious disadvantage... What we really want is to bring the fight to us – to fight it on our own terms...or not to fight it at all.
With access to the bees, I'll set about my clever plan to prevent this sort of thing from happening. The elves are likely to arrive soon, anyway, so I'll just leave the gate open for some time. We could use the fresh air, despite what most of these people think. There are still some dead out there to bury, as well. I saw them when I arrived... The dwarves are grumbling about not wanting to go out there, but giving those hard orders is just the job of an overseer. Over-bee-r? No, don't force it.
Post by: auzewasright on March 28, 2020, 10:15:20 am
Interested in a Laterigrade II, and Auze2?Sound good. One thing though, I forgot to dwarf myself during my turn, so there never was an Auze1.
Post by: Salmeuk on March 28, 2020, 01:49:48 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on March 28, 2020, 04:32:18 pm
Spoiler: Necromancers (click to show/hide)
P.S. I've heard that tavern keepers will shove alcohol down anyone's throat whether they need to drink or not. It might be hard to get Nogood to stay in a tavern though, considering he doesn't even have needs anymore.
Post by: mko on March 28, 2020, 05:17:57 pm
I also produced some extra armor (boots + something else) when I noticed that guards are missing this part of equipment.
Post by: delphonso on March 28, 2020, 06:16:19 pm
I'm glad the bees are getting some love - I remember those four hives were the first thing I noticed when I loaded up the save. "Who put these here, and what were they smoking?!"
Honestly, I put them there thinking some trolls would knock them over immediately. I saw Cilob the Beekeeper had no labors turned on and hadn't done anything but pray for a couple months, and it all just clicked. I WILL have a successful bee industry.
Post by: delphonso on March 28, 2020, 09:56:09 pm
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
-=~-=-~=-
I installed a hive directly outside the gate. The purpose of this clever installation is two-fold... First, the hive will provide valuable honey and wax for drinks, crafts, and cooking. Secondly, the common honeybee is known to sting anyone who comes near it. This would undoubtedly distract any sneaking necromancers and give us the advantage of knowing that they'd come! Hah!
My gravekeeping duties take priority over the further installation of beehives, unfortunately. There are a few dwarves who lie dead on the surface. Memorialized or not, for a dwarves bones to be sun-bleached is a great dishonor. I've been warned by some of the others to avoid the vile goo in the southeast. I wasn't planning to go there, but thanks guys. I'll watch out. I should see if there are any books on psychology in the library. I think the smallness of this fort has ruined the minds of a few of these dwarves.
-=~-=-~=-
The library is a square room with 3 bookshelves and no books. Mateusz gave me a big grin and a thumbs up when I inquired about books. He showed me the neighboring room – which is another large square filled with...a gem stockpile and two querns. “We're working on it!” he said, all too proudly. I supposed I don't need a book. I think this confirms my hypothesis...
-=~-=-~=-
The elves arrived today. Now's my first chance to act as a real overseer...Underseer? Overtaker?
I order several finished goods and all types of clothing to the depot. Kib “auze” straightens their clothes in an attempt to look like a real professional broker. We sell off all of our torn and rotten clothing and get fresh clothes, some fruit, and a wolf in exchange.
The elves brought very little this season. I'm told that several of their ilk had died here years past. Auze made sure to give them a large profit, so they might have better wares next year. While carrying some items to the depot, I noticed some piles of valuable goods on the surface. Weapons, armor, thread, gems, bars. I made a short list of items to recover and sent the dwarves topside to get them.
Meanwhile, the gravekeeping wasn't going fast enough, and a spirit arose to bother the living. Memorial slabs to the three unrecovered we made and the spirit was quickly put to rest. A few more coffins were installed and the bodies were recovered.
As I stood in the stairwell, waiting for someone to help me carry a hive to the surface, I noticed a bunch of clean and happy dwarves running down the stairs. Migrants!
By The Helpful Saint... That's a lot of migrants.
16, all told. Doubling our population to 32. I ordered some digging to be done – a stairwell was put into Sigun's miserable office. That'll connect to another 25 bedrooms or so below the originals.
They gathered in the temples and I took a headcount. A valuable force, no doubt. I have grouped them as follows:
Skilled workers:
Nish, a beekeeper. Alath, a waxworker. Rakust, another beekeeper.
Military recruits:
Tosid, Minkot, Deler and Dumed – a married couple, Ducim, Zuntir, Messthos (unskilled but dreams of being a warrior) and Olon, who is an expert marksdwarf. So many military skills in this batch! Surely a sign from the Saint – a military is what we need!
Notable others:
Stinthid and Zuglar: two doctors that are greatly needed.
Useless peasants:
Sibrek and Sodel – smiths. Dumed (another one) has no skills, is weak, clumsy, and quick to tire and when I asked about his dreams he couldn't tell me anything. Truly an unexceptional dwarf.
-~=-=~-
With the new labor, work has been going splendidly. It's nearly the end of Spring, and I'd like to finish recovering items from the surface soon. Another hive has been installed, but we'll have to wait on the rest.
I have begun working on the labyrinth directly under the bunker. I have a plan for disrupting any more sieges. I should mention that Lokum has taken a sour disposition. I asked him to clear out the corpse stockpile by placing them in that garbage compressor. I guess the piles of troglodytes was too much for him. He seems quite upset, so I asked him to take it easy. The corpse stockpile is done, though! So that's great! Pray to the saint, Lokum. Everything will be forgotten in time.
I heard some roaring from the caverns, but it quickly returned to silence. I'd guess that legendary Bugui has killed another beast.
Finally, the two doctors set about removing the old hospital. I've ordered some beds to be placed in the new one, and outfitted it with all the furniture we could need. We are lacking in plaster, still... And I have no idea about soap...
The hot summer sun comes bearing down on the Desert of Furs. Now with ample labor, we have made the first steps to preparing for whatever the world throws at us next.
-=~-=-~=-
OOC:
Sorry for the lack of screenshots. It wasn't a particularly exciting visual mess this time.
I had an idea to trap and use Bugui as an anti-invader flame-thrower. It'd be very risky, but very useful... Bugui in Chinese means "against the rules/discipline". Not sure if that's a warning or not...
Oh, and the FB was a web-spitting feathered gigantic mite named Oxut. The combat log had only one line... Bugui killed it instantly.
Post by: delphonso on March 29, 2020, 08:53:03 pm
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
-=~-=-~=-
The black sand shimmered under the summer sun. Nobly, the beekeepers erected the last few hives we had. 5 in total. The bees will need some time to recover their numbers, but I hope to install another 3 by the end of the season. The collection of goods from outside went well enough. I dedicated a large “everything” stockpile in the...paper making room? It's just the biggest empty space we have. It...is a mess, but items are moved and that's what's important. I tell Sigun to close the gate but right as the gates close, Moldath yells down that something is coming.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/bPHdMZhsNUiqeovLXdPqNNEj?width=800&height=600)
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/NxASOMBhqABorGeGSTknMnLR?width=800&height=600)
Sakzul will fit right in! She's good with wood, of which we've run out. Luckily there are a few trees that have grown in the cavern layer, so I asked her to cut them all down. Deep below the fort, the first steps of our military operation is underway. First, I covered a potential whole in our defenses on the first cavern layer, then ended a staircase into the magma. Then, I ordered the digging out of reasonable space for some magma forges. This will do for now, as we currently are low on fuel, wood, and magma-safe material.
I heard some noises from the caverns again. This was a long battle for sure. I almost want to take a peek out there and see what was happening, but...no, let's not. Bugui oddly has become some sort of guardian for the fortress.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/bEdFHfJOgktwecxfjodLKDgM?width=800&height=600)
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/MzquwRPQiYAkfLVBGqYjNQJU?width=800&height=600)
Dumed, Deler's husband, dropped his drink mid-quaff. He stumbled off toward the workshops. We all stood aside, not wanting to interfere – he was charmed by the fey, some powerful message would surely come from this.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ewDhuayyelZTkSWzEjWmnFei?width=800&height=600)
Salmeuk looked on in wonder. Only one other artifact existed in the fort. Sal would see both brought into the world. Dumed stumbled between stockpiles, leather, bone, bronze...What would he create?
Meanwhile, my masterful trap was underway. The bridges, doors, and walls were constructed and the levers were being hooked up. I ordered a few more mechanisms to be made. Foolishly, one of my first actions was reducing the number of mechanisms to have on standby. I'm looking forward to explaining it to the other dwarves when it's finally done.
You know, I haven't seen Stinthad lately. Eh. Probably nothing.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/GqZxZwYbrTqIBukgZhVdfZjr?width=800&height=600)
I was given a list of all the animals which are considered tame in our fortress. I scoffed at the missing number of 145000 bees. I ordered all the unimportant animals to be placed near a kitchen, butchery, and tannery. Oddly, two dwarves walked into the gooey part of the map. What? Why? They brought back two animals – that must mean there's a pile of goods over there! Of course! I missed it under the goo! I started searching and eventually discovered a pile of elven goods, dropped by some work animal, probably killed by an echidna years past. There are some clothes and a lot of wooden armor in the pile. Nothing we need right now.
The dwarves who collected the animals are running a fever. The animals seem happy to be out of their cages, though. They'll soon be made into meals.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/rxEMbtVZNmmXZlSBNyLGdbIn?width=800&height=600)
Dumed's artifact is a success! Neverweathered, like Smallhands herself, beaten and bloodied, but never weathered down. Could have used more bees, but it's alright.
Now that the hospital has been put all in one place, I've deconstructed the walls of the old one and made it the new training grounds for our now...two military squads. Moldath really objected to this, but I separated him and Nogood. They're both Legendary fighters and should be able to spread their knowledge more effectively to two different teams. Introducing, the GraveWardens.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/QCBmUFKidnCOrTSHZYQsDnjm?width=800&height=600)
GraveWardens: Nogood, Tosid and Ducim (axedwarves) and Deler and Dumed, the couple.
Rainbow Raptors: Moldath, Solon, Olon, Mestthos and Zuntir. This force is a bit weaker, especially as I asked Moldath to drop his sword and pick up the hammer. He scoffed but did it. To repay the kindness, I've placed Nish's sword on a pedestal in the Library/Museum. Should the need arise, hammers and axes should take down undead better than swords would. Hopefully, they'll never have to use them.
Spoiler: Nish's Sword (click to show/hide)
The forges and smeltry are in place. We've harnessed the power of the earth itself. It'll be slow-going, since it's far from the real fortress, but I've assigned 12 suits of bronze to be made. That'll cover the next few migrants we get.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/LXVvhDamZnIHaYNzQzBclznY?width=800&height=600)
The box on the sand's roof is cooling down at night. That can only mean Autumn is nearly on us. There is much to do in the next few seasons. Ideally, I can finish my trap, and then – there's nothing that can stop us.
-=~-=-~=-
OOC:
Bugui and Omsos did actually fight it out for a while, I was worried that Bugui would actually die, but the fight was mostly both of them dodging fireballs and poisonous globs.
When the trap is finished, I'll post screenshots and explain it in detail. It's simple, but should be quite effective. It'll also be useful against trolls/goblins.
I killed almost all the livestock hoping to free up some FPS (I think the absurd amount of items of the surface are slowing this down a bit.) It turned out the actual cause of slow down was 15 bugbats pathing through the 3rd cavern layer. Oh well.
Currently, Orthoclase is our only magma-safe material. I found some and started digging some out. We should be alright for future mechanisms and blocks. I'll also make some corkscrews from glass - which can be used in weapon traps if nothing else.
Post by: mko on March 29, 2020, 09:25:57 pm
I wonder how door made from a bones of a single goose looks like.
What happened with Stinthad? Drawbridge smashing? Is Orthoclase marked as an economic stone?
And thanks for a great update!
Post by: nogoodnames on March 29, 2020, 11:07:30 pm
I wonder how door made from a bones of a single goose looks like.
Maybe it was a really big goose? And you can't forget the horse and camel bones mixed in.
(https://i.imgur.com/zTUyZQa.png)
Post by: delphonso on March 30, 2020, 12:54:04 am
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
-=~-=-~=-
As I walked the rough limestone halls of Smallhands' residential quarters, passing clusters of gems, bauxite and jet, I stopped and stared intently into a rose quartz cluster. The echoes of activity found their way down the halls to me. More than 30 dwarves worked their crafts and practiced their arts under a mountain of sand and bones.
Truly, the fortress of Smallhands had prospered under my stewardship. I have been a fine overseer – Overkeeper? I'll do my best to make sure this place prospers before my year is done. Perhaps Sigun was joking when the responsibility was given to me, or perhaps not, but either way, he looks at me with respect now. And, in some way, I him. The dwarves here are of a unique stock. Tempered by the horror of the outside, and warmed by the beauty of the interior. Here, below the bones of a hundred animals and near the graves of a hundred dwarves, wrapped around hallways filled with undead, you can still see a smile. Perhaps I was wrong with my first impression of the place. Perhaps it has a good reputation for a good reason.
-=~-=-~=-
Enough waxing poetic for now. The dwarven merchants have arrived. Wagons full to bursting with goods, and armed to the teeth with guards, they've been here before and were ready for whatever the Desert of Furs would throw at them.
Perhaps they're a bit too jumpy – they've taken to trying to kill every buzzard in the area. This violence and the bolts flying through the air has disturbed several of our dwarves. We hauled a few goods – mostly made of bone – to the depot. I sent a gift back to the mountain homes first – a pile of goose bone crafts. Then, auze began the real negotiations.
Auze walked in with such a grin on his face – a hard bargain was pressed and he'd succeeded ridiculously. Wood – easily 30 logs, steel bars, food and drink, and he got them to throw in some clothes for free. All for just some rotten rags. Incredible, truly.
I spoke to the liaison and was disturbed to hear that the mountain homes didn't have access to certain goods. Notably, bituminous coal or lignite. Without that, and without it nearby, steel may be merely a dream. That can be a problem for the next overseer, though.
I guess auze made too good of a deal. One of the merchants is wandering around with their ox and look really depressed. A macedwarf is doing their best to keep him safe from buzzards but I can tell the fellow is totally crestfallen.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ExXBKJdDIQmzGMGlTdKAVvay?width=800&height=600)
Well, I seem to have discovered what happened to Stinthad. Seemingly, she locked herself behind a wall while we were building our trap. I knew I should have triple checked the area afterwards, but I must have been distracted by bees or something. Damn. Well, it's my duty. I'll bury her myself.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/sDUOKyhggOZwYyKefBajWXWw?width=800&height=600)
Zuglar was working on some mechanisms when he stood bolt upright and dropped the stone he was chipping away. His face contorted to look similar to that of Del. I recognized him from my dream. Possessed, he ran through the halls looking for wood, leather, and stone. Another artifact was in the works. The rest of us continued to work in silence, quietly contemplating that artifact each of us carries in our souls, wondering when our own would come out.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/HjcTwZcQLTVoypoqXbtyPtjX?width=800&height=600)
The silence was broken by the slopping noise of 6 gooey migrants coming down the stairs. Our total is now 38 – I double checked the bedrooms and ensured we had space for at least 48 dwarves. Out of respect for Sigun, I ordered his room to be smoothed, then his office, then all the bedrooms on the upper floor. With only a few engravers, the work will be slow, but it is of little importance.
My summation of the migrants is as follows:
Olin Dentrings and Avus. Olin is a beekeeper, mechanic, and quite a good appraiser. He might apprentice under auze for now. Avus is a weaponsmith, and a skilled one at that. She'll be useful in equipping the military.
Olin Endedroom is a craftsdwarf, which may prove useful, and Kol is a metalsmith with a powerful build.
Aban and Iton are both unskilled farmers and again, Iton has no life's dream.
The two of them pushed the numbers over, though, allowing us to establish a farmers' guild. I sent Kol to Moldath and Iton to Nogood as recruits. From what I hear, the military is just starting to get some experience. If they can start sparring this year, we'll be in a very good position.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/AITCuskwwPJAODxphZUSKNfy?width=800&height=600)
Zuglar dripped with sweat, he carried with him a weapon stand unlike anything we'd ever seen. The Obscure Battles – the name alone a reference to my trap. The beautiful details reveal an image of a previous baron. Perhaps, in time, Smallhands could become a barony? But a weapon rack – that means we must fight to get there. I place this with the Rainbow Raptors. Best not to imagine too much when it comes to prophecy.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/qdYZbzDHzleHJPjbAFPnGKLF?width=800&height=600)
Mateusz, not to be outdone, wrote a book at this time. It was so interesting, I've already read it twice! The book details Mateusz's time as an overseer, and when Sigun was given the role of manager. I might read it again to see if there's anything worthwhile about overseeing that I can learn from it.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/DzTugKxcaolvphQGpQVmRJoE?width=800&height=600)
I also didn't want to be outdone, so I finished the trap. I dub it “The Goo Hive.”
I explained it to the dwarves three times already, but they're not really getting it. I've put together a guide with diagrams which hopefully will make it sink in.
I promoted Mateusz to the scholar of the entire fort, and replaced him with Lokum in the library itself. Lokum remains in a sour mood, and I haven't been able to shake him out of it. He seems to want to do a lot of stuff, but isn't doing much of it. Poor fellow. Perhaps he would appreciate the art of beekeeping.
The desert sands turn cold at night. Winter is upon us. The gate is closed and the fort is warmed by the distant magma. Work continues.
-=~-=-~=-
OOC:
No idea if Mateusz will continue to write books as the fortress scholar. If not, I'll move you back to the library.
Neverweathered was placed in front of the library/museum, as that's where I'm mostly sending upset dwarves, I figured it might give them good thoughts to walk through it. I might move it to a more high-traffic area, though. If I had more time, I'd actually use it to build year-round access to bees with an indestructible door. Nice drawing, nogoodnames - very menacing.
Orthoclase is still being used for crafts, we should have enough and can supplement with glass, of which we can have infinite. I put a few down by the magma for safe keeping, though - just in case.
The Goo Hive instructions coming soon - gotta do some image editing first...
Post by: delphonso on March 30, 2020, 01:40:27 am
By Cilob "Phonso" Armorcleaned
The Goo Hive was inspired by the movements and constructions of bees. Its primary purpose is to turn all intruders into vile goo. Below are detailed instructions on how to use it. This project is dedicated to Stinthad Mistemavus, who died accidentally in its construction.
The entrance to the GooHive is on the surface, and this part is always open. Invaders will walk toward this entrance and into the level below. The entrance is microcline ramps for easy visibility.
Spoiler: GooHive Entrance (click to show/hide)
The microcline block bridge labeled "GooHive Access" will stop any and all enemies from entering the fort at all. If this is up, the fort is totally safe. When down, the bridge will lie flat and open to the trap hallway - the Goo Hive proper. Please ensure the GooHive Access bridge is up before any and all maintenance to the Goo Hive.
The limestone block bridge labeled "GooHive Wave 1a" refers to Wave 1 - a collection of bridges which will squash any enemy invaders. 1a is just the first of 3 bridges in Wave 1.
Spoiler: GooHive Access (click to show/hide)
The enemy will continue down a long hall before encountering the rest of Wave 1. Further traps could be installed in that hallway. There is a natural choke point to slow down the group, and ensure optimal gooing.
Spoiler: Wave 1 continued (click to show/hide)
The enemy will follow a tight corridor and round a corner, encountering GooHive Wave2 - a series of small and closer-together squashers.
Spoiler: Wave 2 (click to show/hide)
Then the enemy enters the stone-fall and weapon trap corridor. A tight passage which should ensure the death of several invaders. If the enemy force seems too large, still, pull the lever associated with the "Too Much!". The TooMuch! Bridge should force the enemies to walk back out the Goo Hive the way they came in, ensure additional gooing.
Spoiler: TooMuch Contingency (click to show/hide)
If the enemy continues past the TooMuch! Contingency bridge, they will encounter more weapon and stonefall traps. Near the end of the corridor, they will encounter the final defense, the Stinger. The Stinger is one level above the Barracks, allowing quick access for warriors. Some of our warriors bear the vile goo fever, compounded with exposure to the sun, this would make them poor combatants on the surface, therefore we must fight here if at all. The Warrior Access Bridge allows this to be closed off in case the combatants are too challenging - but note that building destroyers must be fought here, or the door to the stairwell will be destroyed.
Also note, fighting among active stonefall traps is highly discouraged, as dwarves who are knocked down are known to get their heads exploded by falling rocks. Encourage the enemies to join you in the Stinger for optimal gooing.
Spoiler: The Stinger (click to show/hide)
Part 2:
Control:
The Goo Hive Control Room is conveniently placed near the tavern and temple. The two left-side levers control the primary squashing bridges of Wave1 and Wave2. The top right lever is the TooMuch! lever. The bottom right lever is the GooHive Access lever. Setting Wave1 and Wave2 to Pull the Lever and repeat should ensure almost perfect gooing of any enemies. The door can also be locked, to ensure the lever-pulling dwarf goes nowhere else.
Spoiler: GooHive Control Room (click to show/hide)
The Stinger can be accessed by a separate lever to open the Warrior Access Bridge. It is located near the barracks by the well.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
All levers and bridges are named appropriately, in case there is any confusion. Please enjoy your usage of the Goo Hive.
The entire Goo Hive:
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/DJFPEKYxQvbjwhEEpeLoElmE?width=800&height=600)
Post by: King Zultan on March 30, 2020, 06:33:59 am
Dorfed Imic, Quarque, Superdorf, and King Zultan - not sure if anyone who isn't an overseer is even reading.I'm still reading it, also what job did you give my dwarf and here's hoping it lives longer than the one I had in another fort.
Post by: auzewasright on March 30, 2020, 06:58:06 am
Post by: delphonso on March 30, 2020, 07:16:36 am
I'm still reading it, also what job did you give my dwarf and here's hoping it lives longer than the one I had in another fort.
Thanks for reading, boss. I just gave you a random dwarf - a clothier, who hasn't done any clothes work at all and is instead a farmer, mostly. She has quite a rare dream for a dwarf!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I'm glad to see that my labyrinth is finally seeing some (albeit limited) use!
I swapped out long hall of traps for atom smashing bridges mostly to avoid the stress of clean-up. I lost a fort to stress recently because I made my trap hallway too...bloody. 400 spinning glass serrated discs was very fun, but cleaning up and resetting was more than the fort could handle.
Post by: King Zultan on March 30, 2020, 02:28:59 pm
Post by: delphonso on March 30, 2020, 09:28:47 pm
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
-=~-=-~=-
Smallhands is a hive of activity as we close off the top level to the outside world. The bees return to their own schedules, small swarms protecting Smallhands. The distant sound of hammer and anvil set the pace for us to keep working. Wine, food, crafts for selling, armor and weapons, there is much to be made, and the time of my Over-bee-r-ship is ending.
The black sand of the Desert of Furs is ripe for exploitation. A glass furnace is built, heated by the magma – and the task of hauling sand down there for production is set. Imagine, pristine glass hives. Perhaps that's just a pipe dream, but I dream of it often. I hope that will be my artifact, whenever it happens.
Solon yells up from the forges that there aren't enough bronze bars. She's right, we are running low, but it doesn't seem to be from lack of supply – just lack of delivery. Ores are scattered around the fort, and bronze requires two of them. The supply chain is lagging. A second forge would help, but wouldn't be necessary after this time. I excavate a vein of tetrahedrite and cassiterite. Lokum again has a bad mood – he seemingly is upset about thinking abstractly in the library... I remove him from the scholar position and give him a pickaxe and send him toward the tetrahedrite. I'll find something that will please him eventually.
I walked up the central stairs to get myself a drink of dwarven wine when suddenly the outpost liaison came rolling down the stairs. Bruised, but alive, he informed me that Moldath had slammed into him and sent him down the stairs. Apparently he got caught in a sparring session. I asked Moldath to be a bit more careful. I also swung the main gate open to allow the liaison to leave.
Apparently the sparring session triggered something Mestthos. For the third time this year, a hush covered the fortress as Mestthos ran to a craftsdwarf workshop and started tinkering on some diorite.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/kmTQznmAirdmBMkJfipLeplo?width=800&height=600)
I get a call from the pits that some of the glass products are finished. Corkscrews, tubes, and blocks. The essentials for most mechanical objects. I'm certain these will come to use eventually. I also installed a gem window in the Stinger, to ensure that enemies see our troops there and will go that way instead of kicking down the door and killing everyone in the fort proper.
Bronze equipment orders are starting to finish. Almost everyone in the military is wearing metal armor on every part – the extra pieces can go toward new recruits. I ordered an extra 6 silver hammers made, too, just in case.
Mestthos isn't the most skilled man, but he made a beautiful artifact as a tribute to Smallhands. The Snarling Famine, perhaps reference to the harshest time of the fortress from 153 to 154. It's a simple object, but a special one nonetheless. It is placed in the Library Museum.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/MsvgertaeELFAnCuDXjhogJm?width=800&height=600)
The season passed surprisingly quickly, and now it is time to choose the next overseer. I'm honored to have done my service to Smallhands. And wish all the best to the next overseer. For now, I will return to the graves and wait until the hives are properly protected, then my time will come.
-=~-=-~=-
OOC:
That one actually was a bit boring of a season. I'm shocked we haven't had any sieges in a while. Perhaps it's time to send a squad out to harass the goblins or the necromancers?
Also... I think about half the population has the fever now. That was mostly from reclaiming objects, but also an entire wave started with it... Sorry.
Things are in a pretty good position. Steel is looking impossible without the melting exploit. It might not be totally necessary, as we have a cheat hallway for killing anything except titans/megabeasts.
Speaking of which - are there any thoughts on increasing the population cap? I messed with a tiny fort on my own games and 50 is where things tend to pop off now - that's mayor, barony, captain of the guard, and holdings. Megabeasts are pretty far up there, but I think can also be reached economically. Then again, we do have the Forgotten beasts to deal with - and that's no joke...
Salmeuk, you're up! (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=14978)
Post by: Salmeuk on March 30, 2020, 10:20:05 pm
WOW now that is an entrance to some kind of lair alright! I never would have thought to stretch the skin over the bone like that . . perhaps that is why I'm not in the business of taxidermy.I wonder how door made from a bones of a single goose looks like.
Maybe it was a really big goose? And you can't forget the horse and camel bones mixed in.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Alright, I'll get started tonight. And maybe people can d/l the save and see what FPS they are getting before we up the popcap? I'll check myself.
I am mentally prepared for chaos and labyrinths.
Post by: delphonso on March 30, 2020, 11:04:45 pm
Post by: mko on March 31, 2020, 02:26:49 am
@missions - there are some bugs, including unfixable crashes so please, make a backup before sending mission (it allows would allow us to attach new saves to bug reports).
Post by: Salmeuk on March 31, 2020, 10:53:53 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The caverns aren't much better.
I found 'Del', buried in an unassuming coffin in the corner of the beautifully designed crypt.
(https://i.imgur.com/WHwdtbR.gif)
I also noticed the hallway full of zombies was kind of unsecure? With only a locked door between the heart of the fortress and 20 undead, half of them named, a tantruming dwarf or an invading titan could smash open the room and unleash a rather nasty surprise.
(https://i.imgur.com/DdOGGon.png)
All in all, the fortress hasn't changed much since my turn. The new bedrooms are significant, as is all the labyrinthine trap corridors, but a large number of common-use rooms are still functional, much to my surprise and happiness. Sometimes the return to a fortress can be confusing and painful when things are kind of like they were before, but not entirely, and you kind of get this deja vu effect.. maybe just me.
I'm not sure if I'll write in character or do more overview, but I will have a proper season done in the next day, and I am so looking forward to what occurs next.
Post by: Salmeuk on April 02, 2020, 05:32:19 pm
Post by: auzewasright on April 02, 2020, 06:33:53 pm
Unlike many right now, I am still working fulltime (luckily WFH, but still) so I'll take another day, do a mega-post. How I wish I had all this time to play .. but then I'd have no money, and the nobles would sentence me to a hammering!I’ll do a second turn, but I have schoolwork tomorrow, and I’m getting my wisdom teeth removed Monday. So, um, take your time.
Post by: delphonso on April 02, 2020, 10:51:30 pm
Good point about the stairs. We do have an artifact door - which could avoid destruction in one place, but not cover berserk dwarves...
Post by: mko on April 03, 2020, 02:14:07 am
Post by: Salmeuk on April 04, 2020, 09:09:20 pm
For many years I have lived in Smallhands, and I have never seen it such a state. Such a prosperous state, that is! Well, maybe if I dug deep into my memory, I could recall an earlier time, before the necromancer, back when I still had a wife and things were simple. . . truthfully I don't think back on the past much anymore. And I will NEVER talk about the year I spent alone and in hell.
These days there are many new faces, newcomers who braved the field of corpses and crawling skeletons. And echidnas, oh my. . This reminds me, didn't we have a captured echidna lying around? I asked the clerk, she said it was on the 74th flight of stairs and to take a left.
I stooped low to enter the echidna's chamber, but as I did so I smacked my head on the low ceiling, and with a disgusting crackling and clinking the imprisoned skeletons turned towards me. They saw my flesh and imagined the red blood underneath, and gnawed and scratched at the bars. They would be drooling if they still had mouths.
(https://i.imgur.com/HODb1Lu.png)
I got close to the echidna, crouching down almost to where I could reach out and touch it. This particular specimen was responsible for the killing of at least one of our citizens, probably more, but we hadn't seen fit to give it a title. How odd is our Dwarven tradition of honoring our worst enemies with the lengthiest of names.
As I got close the echidna became furious, and curled up into a ball, however without any spines or skin it looked more like an abstract art piece than undead animal. I poked at it with a stick, and it grabbed the wood and bit the piece in two. Lucky for us, it didn't think to do the same with the wood that it was caged in!
Enough science for the day. I returned topside and met with Phonso in the dining hall, to continue the lengthy process of transferring control. That's right, I was chosen overseer a second time! AND I AGREED! What a fool, I think, but in truth I feel responsible for Smallhands. The dwarves of Smallhands less so, but for the fortress itself I have sacrificed too much to see it crumble yet again.
Of particular importance was 'The Goo Hive,' a curiously-titled death maze that, on my part, required multiple days of sleepless studying just to understand what each lever does. I'll tell you right now, most levers go SMASH. Once I got the idea, it became clear this 'death hive' was a brilliant device that would stem the flow of most anything that chose to invade, and I would have called it foolproof, but that's just asking for it from the Gods, and I don't provoke them anymore. Not after what happened last time.
We finished discussions for the day, and I returned to my room, head full of thoughts and plans. While we had recovered from the worst of the invasions, our manufacturing was still lackluster. Our common rooms could use improvement, and there was that issue with the room full of undead sealed away in the center of our fortress. We kind of don't talk about it much, but I think it's on everyone's minds. Especially when they start clawing at the walls during a dinner party. . .
Phonso left me with a ton of good ideas for improving the fortress, and even mentioned that we had received the Queen's word to open our gates to migrants, until we were 50 strong. Good news indeed! Our hands may be small, but they are many!
I soon fell asleep, dwelling on these issues and all that was yet to come.
====
:] Yay! It's the weekend! Expect another post soon.
Post by: delphonso on April 04, 2020, 11:46:17 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on April 05, 2020, 08:37:03 pm
I want a proper entrance hall, and our old one would do just fine, except it's full of contructed walls and undead minions. So, let's set up a few traps.
(https://i.imgur.com/7CwTn1v.png)
Good. Now that that's complete, lets open the door and see what happens.
(https://i.imgur.com/ShGK4mQ.gif)
It worked perfectly! How unexciting. Well, whatever the case, now we've got some work to do to clear this place out.
(https://i.imgur.com/118j1FA.png)
Now the smiths are pestering me about a lack of metal.
(https://i.imgur.com/jlJ8a2Z.png)
I tell them "Just make more, I mean, that's your job, right?"
"How are we supposed to forge anything when we have to walk to the bottom of the earth just to use our smelters?"
Fair point. Well, we'll have to solve this later, since now I've decided to do a little spring cleaning up top.
(https://i.imgur.com/1o4QqQX.gif)
With our two squads, the Rainbow Raptors and the Gravewardens, providing security, I have ordered our idle citizens to remove all the stray objects from the surface. Bodies, bolts, bones and all. We have quite a collection going, but don't be alarmed, this storage is only temporary:
(https://i.imgur.com/AFWnWHX.png)
During this work two Swan Women have flown down from the clouds. They make happy swan noises as we work, no doubt overjoyed someone is returning the landscape to a reasonable state after all these years.
(https://i.imgur.com/L2bHzBs.png)
Some are not so happy - Auze seems mortified at all the gore. I'm sure he'll pull through, toughen up a bit you know. We need more dwarves that can handle a little death now and then.
(https://i.imgur.com/iSBPjR6.png)
Nogood just bestowed a name upon his wooden shield. I'm ok with whatever that soldier does - there is no greater badass in our military!
(https://i.imgur.com/pfmMH63.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/11LHOoE.png)
Then, INVADERS!
(https://i.imgur.com/ISbdmHu.png)
About ten or twelve soldiers appear on the horizon. A mix of humans and elves, and two undead ghouls seem to lead the pack.
I pull together the wisest dwarves in the fortress and ask them, "What do we do? There aren't that many, we could give our troops a chance to fight and earn their pay. Or we could sit behind our doors and smash them to bits with Delphonso's Goo Hive (death maze). What's the call, people?"
=========================================
All my dwarf has done for two months is ponder tumbler locks, the madlad.
(https://i.imgur.com/PDJznEF.png)
Alright, what's the vote? I'll check in tomorrow for opinions. And no savescumming if we fight!
Post by: mko on April 05, 2020, 09:29:31 pm
Post by: delphonso on April 05, 2020, 10:03:28 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on April 05, 2020, 10:30:24 pm
Post by: King Zultan on April 06, 2020, 06:44:03 am
Post by: auzewasright on April 06, 2020, 04:50:53 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on April 06, 2020, 07:47:11 pm
Also I’d like to officially sign on for a second turn.
Post by: Salmeuk on April 07, 2020, 11:16:56 am
The vote was unanimous; the goblins would be routed through the Goo Hive. And smashed. Obliterated. Disappeared. And so on and so forth until there was nothing left but, well, goo.
By the time we opened the hive, the undisciplined attackers had scattered across the surface. Our first contestant was Limul, the first to discover the claustrophobic tunnel that was the entrance to the hive. "These dwarves and their strange ways," he thought, "always digging here and there for no good reason. Look here, an undefended tunnel leading directly into their fortress, no doubt dug and subsequently forgotten in a drunken haze."
As he strolled through the maze, our dwarves were readying the levers. And as he approached the first smasher, our dwarves were still readying the levers. And as he walked into, underneath, and past the first wave of bridges, our dwarves had forgotten about the levers and were busy "with other things, man, I don't want to do that right now, come on give me a break."
(https://i.imgur.com/baUEIzw.gif)
Luckily, a second wave of smashers was present, surely we couldn't fail a second time. . . ? Our dwarf smartly threw the lever down and stunned the goblin on the upswing. Limul came to his senses, horrified. "I've been a fool, haven't I? This is one of those dwarven death traps that my mom
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/fqm0tOh.gif)
And so Limul ran back the way he came, totally unsmashed, though there was a close call or two.
(https://i.imgur.com/AgyEcGb.gif)
And our dwarves ate, drank, cleaned, hauled wood, forged bronze, did literally. everything. except pull the goddamn lever. And when they did, they left - off to some other very much optional task.
I would have pulled the lever myself, but I was busy in a very important meeting. You know how these things go. Also, I got hungry and just had to stop by the kitchens. And, well. . .
====================
Meanwhile, at the surface, the goblins seemed to have run into an old friend of ours: the incurable swamp fever, induced by the vile goo that fell from the sky. They also seemed content hunting Giant Red-Winged Blackbirds and weren't moving towards the hive at all. Great.
(https://i.imgur.com/VpXGeRn.gif)
It was two days of lockdown before we gave up. Fine, if you won't come to us, we'll just have to sit here and wait. Most of our citizens were ok with this. "See, Salmeuk, you always make such a big deal out of these things! It's just a few gobbos, and they aren't even bothering to attack us since the maze is so long."
Uh huh.
=========
OOC: So I played around a bit after make a backup and something about the Goo Hive is seriously breaking the A.I., of both the gobbos and the dwarves. The gobbos will not attack (Limul notwithstanding, not sure what happened there) even if I shorten the maze or station military right at the entrance. When I order squads to attack, they do not comply, but when I give them a move order they are happy to run up the ramps and
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
So I'm just gonna play it safe, maybe try to open up the old trapped hallways from a while back. You know, the ones where a dwarf fought an undead echidna skeleton for like a whole year.
Also, our fortress is so efficiently run that no one is ever idle. Or maybe we have too much work. I dunno, look at this:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on April 08, 2020, 11:43:05 am
Since we're dealing with armoured and fleshy enemies, I think Moldath should get his sword back. As it's the only steel weapon we have, it's the only thing that will be able to reliably behead an armoured ghoul. Hammers are good for dealing with freshly raised corpses, but its pretty hard to fully pulp things through armour. Easier to dismember them if they're not supported by necromancers.
Also...
Spoiler: Snarling Famine (click to show/hide)
Post by: Salmeuk on April 10, 2020, 04:18:38 am
I've taken my time and lumped the final seasons into a single post, which I will finish up tomorrow evening. Dwarves died! That's always fun! No one important, however.
Post by: Laterigrade on April 10, 2020, 04:29:41 am
And I’m looking forward to it, Salmeuk!
Post by: delphonso on April 10, 2020, 04:47:01 am
Hmm... Shame about the hive. When testing, did cutting some holes in the walls make it work? The entire left side could be ignored for a single squasher row.
Moldath's sword is in the library museum, always available. That's not a bad point, actually, zombies can be dealt with but it's really the special undead we should he worried about...
Post by: Salmeuk on April 10, 2020, 10:39:53 pm
And then, some of them left. The ghoul left. And we attacked, by positioning our squad just below the surface, lying in wait, while a lone 'volunteer' dashed out to make noise and draw the elves and goblins closer. When the time was right, we sallyed forth and slaughtered the remaining invaders. We only lost two of the newest recruits, and the dwarf who served as bait.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
We also just happened to catch Limul, the adventurous goblin who braved the Goo Hive and lived to tell the tale. A plucky little fellow indeed!
(https://i.imgur.com/4eCOinM.png)
With the siege temporarily lifted, we set about building a kind of battle arena on the surface. An enclosed structure, with terrain designed to favor our troops. Traps would litter the floor. But it would take time to build, and we were vulnerable during the entire process.
(https://i.imgur.com/WEg2VHs.png)
Buqui, the forgotten beast crocodile, fights a newcomer, in the first cavern, which has become some kind of forgotten beast colliseum. Nunui, a towering nematode that blasted flame, arrived and the two engaged at the dwarven-carved tunnel that bridged the gap between the east and west sides of the cavern. The fight was quick, and while Buqui's fat and skin melted and sloughed away in the inferno, it managed to crunch the brain of the nematode and emerge victorious. Buqui reigns triumphant and skinless.
(https://i.imgur.com/sOO7Qrx.gif)
Meanwhile, a plan was suggested by our smiths. Lava could be held in an iron container for a fair amount of time. However, this contained was always too hot to lift or move. But if we put that first container into a second container, also lava proof, the magma could be hauled large distances. Up to the surface, even.
It would require investing our remaining iron resources, but the payoff would be great. All these stray bolts we've recovered, and the armor too large for us dwarves, could be easily melted down into even more iron. An investment indeed!
As if they waited until they were most needed, the mountainhome caravan arrived today. We traded worn clothing and soft-metal weapons for raw iron ores, food, livestock, weapons, wood, you name it. Our stocks are somewhat deprived of variety and this trade was a huge relief.
(https://i.imgur.com/tDXVWji.png)
However, we quickly ran low on trade goods, and the caravan had plenty more in the way of weapons and food. My mind jumped to the room full of captured skeletons. "Why not?" I thought. "Maybe we'll get a price on them. Or at least, raise a few eyebrows."
Sure enough, the caravan master had a few questions about the specimens. "A local species of cat, you say? With "translucent skin, organs, and veins"? Why are the jawbones stained red, then?"
(https://i.imgur.com/CUkZg9u.png)
Eventually, they agreed to a much higher price than I expected. About 3200 dwarfbucks worth, enough for a couple more steel weapons. Of course, the real cost could be found in our crypt, as more than half of these traded skeletons carried titles.
Many migrants arrived. Half were drafted, the rest assigned to engraving and hauling. One individual stood out as extremely well-learned - a high-master siege engineer.
(https://i.imgur.com/YjSgwXn.png)
Such a dwarf was trained to craft delicately balanced wooden mechanisms that could launch massive steel-tipped bolts, tearing foes in half. We should ask him to make us one of those things.
(https://i.imgur.com/IlzTj3I.png)
We were petitioned to build a temple for The Righteous Doctrines, a religious sect that worships The Helpful saint, whose sphere is that of everything kind and friendly. Our existing temple to The Helpful Sain is kind of shabby, only worth 700, and includes a statue of The Saint that I myself carved before the cataclysm.
(https://i.imgur.com/LkmCCBW.png)
An update is required before we can hire the priest. I'll leave that to the next overseer.
(https://i.imgur.com/IlzTj3I.png)
As the year came to a close, we finished the new magma smelters. Five of them, to be exact, found 76 z-levels higher than our previous forges. This should let our smiths spend less time walking back and forth needlessly.
(https://i.imgur.com/h4s79vJ.png)
We also finished the topside battle arena, take a look:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
And there you have it, another year has passed and I don't feel much wiser but I certainly feel safer. The next overseer will have a few tasks to complete:
1. Finish organizing the new magma forges however you see fit. There is a simple ore and bar stockpile right now.
2. Recreate most of the stockpiles in the fortress because, um, I was having trouble getting the minecarts up to the surface and had to get rid of everything. It's not so bad because we really don't have a stockpile room or anything, so perhaps it's for the best.
3. Upgrade our temple of The Helpful Saint and assign a priest.
4. Keep an eye on the horizon. We need to shut the gate as soon as trouble arrives!
The rest is up to you, my friends!
Save here: http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15007
----
OOC tips:
f5 will take you to the new forges. The zoom keys are kinda all over the place, could use an organization.
Food is OK, but not great.
Military equip is OK, but not great. The new forges will help with that. We have enough iron to make steel now, with the limestone and wood from the caravan.
We have no trade goods.
Defense is A++, but make sure you test the levers. They are labeled accordingly, with the front gate lever in the dining room, and the new arena gate lever in the topside bunker, near the trade depot. The controls for the goo hive are in a small room to the south of the dining room, and there are misc. levers all over the place.
Less narrative was OK this time but I have more fun when I'm writing in character. Sadly, this magma thing was a real PITA so I just finished that, for the sake of future overseers.
Thanks for reading!
Post by: delphonso on April 10, 2020, 10:58:50 pm
Cool battle arena! Hope those traps don't kill our dwarves too often. Also I appreciate the choice of building it facing the usual invasion direction.
Post by: mko on April 11, 2020, 05:09:45 am
I hope that at least food stockpiles survived.
I JUST updated the front page.On this topic: who is the next overseer?
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=175473.msg8118085#msg8118085 - auzewasright 2nd April
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=175473.msg8118190#msg8118190 - mko 3rd April
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=175473.msg8120530#msg8120530 - Laterigrade 6th April
Anyone misssed?
Post by: delphonso on April 11, 2020, 05:24:35 am
Post by: mko on April 11, 2020, 05:30:28 am
That's a good question. I assumed we'd follow the same order, but if people want to shake it up a bit, that's fine with me. Thoughts?
I am 100% fine with that order, I just want "Overseers:" section in the first post to be updated.
Post by: auzewasright on April 11, 2020, 06:25:49 am
Post by: auzewasright on April 12, 2020, 06:07:24 am
Post by: Laterigrade on April 14, 2020, 10:25:54 pm
Update: Yeah, I'm gonna need to be pushed back a turn.Ah. Does this mean I should take a turn?
Is that good with everyone?
Post by: delphonso on April 14, 2020, 11:46:01 pm
Post by: auzewasright on April 15, 2020, 08:04:12 am
Post by: Laterigrade on April 17, 2020, 01:17:40 am
1st Granite
Arrived here around half a year ago. First thought was 'what a little dingy place'. Second one was 'what a fucking dump'.
Hasn't proved me wrong, either. I'm a worshipper of Lidod Dungsspit, you know. Queen of depravity. Some of the other dwarves spit on me, yeah, but I'm faithful; the Queen of Debauchery and Debasement looks after her own. Sometimes she comes to me in dreams... Anyway! That's not important!
But sometimes I used go to pray to her in one of the rooms near the main stairway, the one that's filled with coffins and memorials to the Fallen, who died in the event that left behind only Salmeuk, who called himself anew Sole Survivor after that event. I renamed myself 'Laterigrade' to give honour to the One Who Almost Survived, Blessed Be He, you know.
But I went there a while ago to pray, and discovered there was a goddamn goblin in a cage that some dumbass had installed there.
Every time I kneel down to think of Lidod, the little bastard spits and hisses and calls me short! I'm not a tall dwarf, yeah, but the little twerp has no right to call me that, the bastard; he's only three and a half Urists tall himself!
Like I was telling you. A dump.
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5th Granite
I'd been drafted into the military a few months ago. Up 'til now, though, I'd pretty much been slacking off. Every once in a while, I'd have to go to some demonstrations and listen to someone talk about 'how to position your shield', 'how to kick so you hit the jugular', 'The Basics of Kisat Dur', or wave around my spear in drills. It was boring, but I only had to do it once every in a while. If that was the military life, it suited me!
But someone (and I'll be damned if I don't snap his neck when I find out who the fucker is!) discovered that the schedule had been set wrong; we were supposed to be training all day every day.
And now we are. Blast whichever bastard it was.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC:
Sorry for the long wait, short entry, and lack of pictures; I was mostly reorienting myself to the fortress, taking stock of changes, checking settings — like the military one I found; it was set to 'train, 6 minimum', which lets half the dwarves slack off year 'round sometimes. I hope you guys enjoy the writing; I tried to do something consistent this time :D
Post by: delphonso on April 17, 2020, 03:48:45 am
Looking forward to more, Laterigrade!
Post by: Salmeuk on April 17, 2020, 10:26:26 pm
But I went there a while ago to pray, and discovered there was a goddamn goblin in a cage that some dumbass had installed there.
Every time I kneel down to think of Lidod, the little bastard spits and hisses and calls me short! I'm not a tall dwarf, yeah, but the little twerp has no right to call me that, the bastard; he's only three and a half Urists tall himself!
Like I was telling you. A dump.
That would be the captured Limul, the only goblin brave enough to face the Goo Hive and escape unscathed, in no small part due to our own blessed incompetence. You're right though, the temple might not be the most appropriate place. .
I like your last name, Mazecrystals, a good fit for a sorcerer of some kind.
Post by: auzewasright on April 20, 2020, 12:50:34 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on April 21, 2020, 09:36:13 pm
It has kicked the bucket, gone belly-up, croaked it, committed seppuku, popped its clogs, turned up its toes, bitten the dust, fallen on its sword, breathed its last, bought the farm, gone curtains, given up the ghost and gone to a better place, hopped the twig, taken Charon’s ferry, joined the choir invisible and started pushing up daisies and counting worms.
Please accept this list of idioms as a replacement. Goodness knows when I’ll get another one, but what with what’s going on it won’t be soon. Sorry, everyone.
Post by: auzewasright on April 21, 2020, 11:01:04 pm
I’m afraid my computer has finally done it, guys.So, should I retry my turn? I'll do it.
It has kicked the bucket, gone belly-up, croaked it, committed seppuku, popped its clogs, turned up its toes, bitten the dust, fallen on its sword, breathed its last, bought the farm, gone curtains, given up the ghost and gone to a better place, hopped the twig, taken Charon’s ferry, joined the choir invisible and started pushing up daisies and counting worms.
Please accept this list of idioms as a replacement. Goodness knows when I’ll get another one, but what with what’s going on it won’t be soon. Sorry, everyone.
Post by: delphonso on April 21, 2020, 11:04:37 pm
Post by: Superdorf on April 21, 2020, 11:17:26 pm
I’m afraid my computer has finally done it, guys.
It has kicked the bucket, gone belly-up, croaked it, committed seppuku, popped its clogs, turned up its toes, bitten the dust, fallen on its sword, breathed its last, bought the farm, gone curtains, given up the ghost and gone to a better place, hopped the twig, taken Charon’s ferry, joined the choir invisible and started pushing up daisies and counting worms.
It's snuffed it
THIS-- is an EX--LAPTOP
Post by: StrikaAmaru on April 23, 2020, 10:14:35 am
I'd like to sign up for a turn, but not immediately; I still have a week of SmithSoldier to play.
Post by: auzewasright on April 23, 2020, 10:47:47 am
Post by: Salmeuk on April 23, 2020, 08:05:55 pm
I’m afraid my computer has finally done it, guys.
It has kicked the bucket, gone belly-up, croaked it, committed seppuku, popped its clogs, turned up its toes, bitten the dust, fallen on its sword, breathed its last, bought the farm, gone curtains, given up the ghost and gone to a better place, hopped the twig, taken Charon’s ferry, joined the choir invisible and started pushing up daisies and counting worms.
Please accept this list of idioms as a replacement. Goodness knows when I’ll get another one, but what with what’s going on it won’t be soon. Sorry, everyone.
I thoroughly accept your idioms haha, what a joy to read! Though, good luck finding a cheap computer, I've noticed prices have risen with so many people stuck at home with nothing to do.
So far I managed to play over Granite before getting started with schoolwork. So far, I've only caused one stupid death on accident, and he was a recruit so not particularly important.
Recruits truly are expendable, no matter how useful they were as civies. In fact, that expendability is what makes them so useful. What's our military looking like?
Oh and do post an image or two if you catch a good scene. Looking forward to future updates (and no worries on time if you're attending school, I've been there and it can be rough to come home and find the focus for writeups).
Condoleances on the death of your computer, Laterigrade.
I'd like to sign up for a turn, but not immediately; I still have a week of SmithSoldier to play.
Awwww shit here we go! I think you'll enjoy Smallhands, the mapsize is a fun challenge, as are the pestering necromancers and raging beasts.
Post by: applet on April 25, 2020, 11:21:22 am
Post by: Spriggans on April 26, 2020, 06:04:08 am
Get me on the bloody turnlist already !
Post by: delphonso on April 26, 2020, 07:15:43 pm
How's it going, auze?
Post by: auzewasright on April 27, 2020, 10:20:59 am
Awesome! Glad to see some new players. I'll be updating the main page soon. Busy days lately.I had an update ready... and I just accidentally cleared it. There goes Granite...
How's it going, auze?
I'll put up what images I have later, and then get to work on the next update.
Post by: Laterigrade on April 27, 2020, 05:30:51 pm
Ouch. Feels bad; I know I’ve done that once or twice. Just put up what you have; we’ll be right.Awesome! Glad to see some new players. I'll be updating the main page soon. Busy days lately.I had an update ready... and I just accidentally cleared it. There goes Granite...
How's it going, auze?
I'll put up what images I have later, and then get to work on the next update.
Post by: Salmeuk on April 27, 2020, 06:29:40 pm
Awesome! Glad to see some new players. I'll be updating the main page soon. Busy days lately.I had an update ready... and I just accidentally cleared it. There goes Granite...
How's it going, auze?
I'll put up what images I have later, and then get to work on the next update.
Wow I'm very sorry that happened to you! I've had that happen, so I always draft in a txt file now. It's difficult to recreate the writeup from memory, and if it was a good one you always feel like you're missing something after you redo it.
Post by: auzewasright on April 28, 2020, 11:20:56 am
Journal of Auze
In the year 158, I existed. As such, I ended up becoming the overseer of this fortress. I was fairly surprised when Samulek stepped down, and his allowing me to become the fortress overseer was even more surprising, considering how many dwarves whined about how the last time someone named "Auze" was designated as overseer: "more dwarves died than in every other turn combined" and "killed 90% of the fortress" and "he didn't even show up", or some other crap.
[the following notes are lost, replaced by random scribbling]
OOC:
*notes lost of Granite*
So anyway here's two images from Granite of things that are connected. I'll leave y'all to guess how:
(https://i.imgur.com/OW95ppz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1Q114P7.jpg)
It's also connected to my trying to find stuff to trade to the elves.
Post by: Spriggans on April 29, 2020, 03:53:16 am
considering how many dwarves whined about how the last time someone named "Auze" was designated as overseer: "more dwarves died than in every other turn combined" and "killed 90% of the fortress" and "he didn't even show up", or some other crap.
I have faith in you. Auze II will be much better than Auze the 1st.
And 42 of the dwarves who whined today were not there when Ń happened.
Only Salmeuk and Nogood know. And look what's left of them now.
Only them know the pain, the fear, the 2 years long fight against The Echidna
They didn't whined today,
Nah, I think you should be fine.
** Sees picture **
Ahah ! Nice start ! ;D
Did you try to trap it to feed it the elves ?
Post by: Salmeuk on April 30, 2020, 05:52:05 pm
Journal of Auze
In the year 158, I existed. As such, I ended up becoming the overseer of this fortress. I was fairly surprised when Samulek stepped down, and his allowing me to become the fortress overseer was even more surprising, considering how many dwarves whined about how the last time someone named "Auze" was designated as overseer: "more dwarves died than in every other turn combined" and "killed 90% of the fortress" and "he didn't even show up", or some other crap.[the following notes are lost, replaced by random scribbling]
OOC:
*notes lost of Granite*
So anyway here's two images from Granite of things that are connected. I'll leave y'all to guess how:
(https://i.imgur.com/OW95ppz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1Q114P7.jpg)
It's also connected to my trying to find stuff to trade to the elves.
So, 'Pelese Lafocorowa' was so beautiful that it took his breath away and he fainted? Strange, but acceptable - everyone is allowed to have their own unique tastes in beauty.
Keep it up!
Post by: delphonso on April 30, 2020, 09:05:38 pm
Good luck auze! We've got a lot of caged creatures - perhaps we should start doing something with them.
Post by: nogoodnames on April 30, 2020, 09:43:17 pm
Post by: applet on May 01, 2020, 04:31:17 pm
Condoleances on the death of your computer, Laterigrade.
I'd like to sign up for a turn, but not immediately; I still have a week of SmithSoldier to play.
Post by: Salmeuk on May 06, 2020, 09:15:30 pm
Post by: delphonso on May 06, 2020, 09:52:29 pm
Post by: auzewasright on May 07, 2020, 06:42:36 am
I PM'd Auze to get things going, we should heard back soon enough.I’m still alive, just have been busy. Am working on another update, sorry for the delay.
Post by: auzewasright on May 10, 2020, 08:57:39 am
Contemplations of Auze
I traded some stuff with the elves, and then ran out of stuff to trade. You'd think the elves would have booze with all the plants they grow, but I guess not. So instead I just bought up all of their wood logs and gave some of our massive amount of booze in return.(https://i.imgur.com/TqtAc5C.jpg)
A picture of the fortress. The green is vomit
Then some guy (Phonso) began a "mysterious construction". I don't know how useful a swan bone helm would be, but I guess we now have one.
At this point, the Rainbow Raptors announce that their shift is over, and after only one recruit lost!
Deciding that laziness should not be tolerated in the militia, I order them to raid Cactushexes.
(https://i.imgur.com/c6aYEGd.jpg)
Godspeed fine soldiers. May the more useless of y'all die horrible deaths
(https://i.imgur.com/yLYEAPz.jpg)
I would've sent them to deal with the forgotten beast(s), but I have a policy of not threatening the thing that fights cave dragons for fun.
Also:
(https://i.imgur.com/HB0u4Z1.jpg)
I have no idea what any of this means. Going to assume it's a good thing.
Post by: Laterigrade on May 10, 2020, 06:44:21 pm
Post by: delphonso on May 10, 2020, 06:52:18 pm
Post by: wierd on May 11, 2020, 03:08:42 am
Has anyone tried running this on a phone yet? (no, really- this is a serious question. You can totally run DF in eltech's windows emulator. I have a youtube video to prove it.)
Post by: Salmeuk on May 11, 2020, 05:18:46 am
Considering this is a tiny embark, on a pocket world...
Has anyone tried running this on a phone yet? (no, really- this is a serious question. You can totally run DF in eltech's windows emulator. I have a youtube video to prove it.)
But why? If you brought along a keyboard, maybe. But I can't imagine you would have any fun designating with the imprecision of a touchscreen. Perhaps for no-pause fortresses you want to watch grow without much interaction.
Post by: wierd on May 11, 2020, 05:27:44 am
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC6Tc7QeIDw&lc=Ugw0rAoHqikSHEB0lJJ4AaABAg.98TglyRRj3U98WK2V6HCCB)
Post by: delphonso on May 11, 2020, 08:32:21 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 11, 2020, 09:40:10 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 11, 2020, 02:55:35 pm
Records of Auze
(https://i.imgur.com/siS7L8A.jpg)
Well, that was quick.
(https://i.imgur.com/4b5BaLX.jpg)
Seems like the mission was a complete success. I guess we now can procede to exterminate and eliminate this strange independant golbin fortress with complete confidence.
Or at least I can now use the militia for the purpose of paying off my late-book fees from the library.
(https://i.imgur.com/ItcJVoa.jpg)
Sadly, they did not get the book. I will need to find another way, before the librarian's mafia comes for me.
Lokum the mason threw a tantrum and so in return got me to look at our justice system (aka: implement one).
(https://i.imgur.com/cz8juO9.jpg)
He was fairly punished.
As punishment for failing to get me that book on migration, I sent The GraveWardens to go and raid Cactushexes.
I then sent the Rainbow Warriors to go get a book on bandaging wounds from a tomb, it's not like the occupants of that place need it.
(https://i.imgur.com/y02PMsX.jpg)
The justice system is about as competent as you'd expect.
The justice system is about as competent as you'd expect.
Also, the farmers need a guild hall, I guess.
(https://i.imgur.com/SqGG6jR.jpg)
Not only did the Rainbow Warriors steal the book, they got two other ones also on wounds. Send 'em over to the doctors, they'll need the information. Then the library, for obvious reasons.
The GraveWardens just got back from pillaging Cactushexes, let's see what they got as the spoils.
(https://i.imgur.com/pdd5OTF.jpg)
I question the usefulness of a silver battle axe, but good job nonetheless. Anyways, I have now sent the Rainbow Raptors to explore some abandoned castle while I work on renovating the library.
[some time later]
They came back and managed to steal another copy of a book we already had. Guess that's better than nothing.
Looking back, it appears that I am so far being a great overseer, as well as at least 20% of the way towards paying off my late-book fees.
Post by: delphonso on May 11, 2020, 06:46:27 pm
Post by: King Zultan on May 12, 2020, 01:52:14 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 12, 2020, 06:40:53 am
Well done auze! Mko's library will be full to bursting in no time.I plan on raiding the library of the tower Sinewsabres next (not for any secrets of life and death). Also, should I raze Cactushexes or conquer the fortress?
Post by: King Zultan on May 12, 2020, 07:12:10 am
Post by: Salmeuk on May 12, 2020, 06:07:56 pm
Post by: mko on May 12, 2020, 08:26:48 pm
Well done auze! Mko's library will be full to bursting in no time.Well done! I admit, that it is much more dwarfy version of filling library than what I planned.
As punishment for failing to get me that book on migration, I sent The GraveWardens to go and raid Cactushexes.I seems to remmeber that "last held by" objects are not raidable, retrievable etc due to some bug. But I may be wrong.
Post by: auzewasright on May 12, 2020, 09:27:17 pm
Interest of Auze
Anyways, something I forgot to mention last time I wrote was that the last migrants accidentally violated the law of 40 dwarves here.Ah well, if my plans come to fruition they will be used. After a brief discussion, I've come to the conclusion that we will conquer Cactushexes.
I have a two step plan on that:
Step 1: Kill most of their people with pillaging
Step 2: Send in some squad of disposables to mop up the remnant and occupy the fortress
But that's for later. Anyway, thanks to having more books to read than just Mateusz's autobiography, the Library is booming!
(https://i.imgur.com/HWHdQtg.jpg)
I decide to get a new source of books in order to keep the Librarians off my case, and there seems to be many to repossess at Sinewsabres.
(https://i.imgur.com/WtnpM2Y.jpg)
While I was originally going to send the GraveWardens over, I realized that having Nogood sent to the necromancer tower is probably the kind of thing that gets you sent to cultural sensitivity training.
So instead, I gave them a ...different task. Razing the Goblin forest retreat of GlimmeredSanctum to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/Hytddv3.jpg)
Summer has arrived! It's been quite a spring, but I feel for some reason like the rest of the year will pass more quickly.
The Rainbow Raptors have returned, and have brought five new books with them.
(https://i.imgur.com/DcXH7mK.jpg)
And right on time, the humans have arrived! Time for me to do my job.
The GraveWardens have returned with success, though they didn't manage to completely destroy GlimmeredSanctum this time.
(https://i.imgur.com/MPZ3n80.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/36T9bdA.jpg)
Meanwhile, at the trade depot
Humans: "These crafts are well made, but isn't bone a little macabre?"
"Well, it's a material that there was plenty of and with not much use outside of this. You know, when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
"What's a nail?"
Post by: mko on May 13, 2020, 05:15:52 am
"The Dwarves: my only Mistake" was stolen from Sinewsabres by the dwarf Kol PaintsiegedWhat is the topic of the book?
Post by: auzewasright on May 13, 2020, 05:35:08 am
It's the memoir of one of the human necromancers about how he learned the secrets of life and death from a dwarven necromancer. It's also apparently very cheerful."The Dwarves: my only Mistake" was stolen from Sinewsabres by the dwarf Kol PaintsiegedWhat is the topic of the book?
Post by: Laterigrade on May 13, 2020, 06:19:16 am
That leaves the question, of course... what was his only mistake, and why was he so cheerful about it?It's the memoir of one of the human necromancers about how he learned the secrets of life and death from a dwarven necromancer. It's also apparently very cheerful."The Dwarves: my only Mistake" was stolen from Sinewsabres by the dwarf Kol PaintsiegedWhat is the topic of the book?
Post by: auzewasright on May 13, 2020, 02:37:44 pm
Engravings of Auze
Summer and autumn so far don't see to be that eventful, other than my sending the Rainbow Raptors to steal the slab which the demon who controls the goblins is connected to. Not sure if that was a good idea.Addendum: They didn't manage to grab the slab, but they did manage to take no casualties.
(https://i.imgur.com/kZXXsfM.jpg)
Also, I've successfully exterminated the entire population of Glimmarsactum and Cactushexes. I guess Nogood can add "casually ended a century-long war bloodier than every other one combined" to his résumé.
A werepig attacked right as the caravan guard came out. It bit a merchant before we killed it. Now half of the merchants appear to be prone for some reason despite claiming to have embarked on their journey. Fortunately, it was fixed when I tore down the Trade Depot.
Post by: auzewasright on May 13, 2020, 05:42:50 pm
Post by: delphonso on May 13, 2020, 08:58:46 pm
Post by: mko on May 14, 2020, 08:22:38 pm
There is now a very confusing situation with the ghost of Nogood appearing... Nogood the forlorn ghoul is still alive.I am incapable of writing this, but that deserved at least very short story about theological horror for Nogood. Who apparently is actually a soulless ghoul, given that his spirit appeared.
I am also unsure should I declare it as a bug or not.
Post by: delphonso on May 15, 2020, 12:57:50 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 17, 2020, 07:51:22 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on May 17, 2020, 10:14:29 am
I am also unsure should I declare it as a bug or not.
Likely not; or at least, it's consistent with the usual behavior of revived corpses. Ever since the olden days of... 0.31.x? Dwarves who got killed and raised as undead would spawn ghosts even if their corpse was ambling around. The new behavior is that undead dorfs can be non-hostile, and even become citizens again.
... I wonder if that last bit is in the wiki.
Post by: bloop_bleep on May 17, 2020, 07:31:04 pm
Though actually, it might be that the histfig is the same, but the units are different...
In either case, you should post a save!
Post by: auzewasright on May 17, 2020, 09:39:00 pm
Isn't a person and their ghostly self actually the same unit, hence why people are called ghosts throughout their legends history if they turn into a ghost? So how can that even be?Here is the save (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15082), as of my previous update (haven't played since). Next update will hopefully finish my turn.
Though actually, it might be that the histfig is the same, but the units are different...
In either case, you should post a save!
Post by: nogoodnames on May 17, 2020, 10:12:10 pm
I thought you were just talking about the name in the mission reports, but there he is, floating around as if it's the most ordinary thing in the world. I don't see his ghoulish body around anywhere, so I guess he misplaced it while out on the mission. Definitely worthy of a bug report.
He's still part of the squad and obeys station and mission orders, but doesn't seem to be able to attack or be attacked normally (I may have tried pitting him against one of the FBs). He' described as a murderous ghost, so keeping him around now may be a liability...
I'd like to ask that before slabbing him, he be included whenever we decide to deal with the necromancers at Sinewsabres. I think it's an appropriate way to end his story.
Edit: Also, Delphonso, you can add me to the end of the turn list. I should be settled by the time it rolls around.
Post by: auzewasright on May 18, 2020, 06:00:12 am
...huh.As far as I can tell, it's clearly a bug. The legends screen shows that he didn't die, and didn't become a ghost until reaching Smallhands.
I thought you were just talking about the name in the mission reports, but there he is, floating around as if it's the most ordinary thing in the world. I don't see his ghoulish body around anywhere, so I guess he misplaced it while out on the mission. Definitely worthy of a bug report.
He's still part of the squad and obeys station and mission orders, but doesn't seem to be able to attack or be attacked normally (I may have tried pitting him against one of the FBs). He' described as a murderous ghost, so keeping him around now may be a liability...
I'd like to ask that before slabbing him, he be included whenever we decide to deal with the necromancers at Sinewsabres. I think it's an appropriate way to end his story.
Edit: Also, Delphonso, you can add me to the end of the turn list. I should be settled by the time it rolls around.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on May 18, 2020, 08:53:23 am
Smallhands is just the fort that keeps on giving, isn't it?
Post by: delphonso on May 18, 2020, 09:54:56 am
BRING BACK NOGOODNAMES
USE THE BUG
BRING BACK NOGOODNAMES
USE THE BUG
Post by: King Zultan on May 19, 2020, 02:34:03 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 19, 2020, 07:32:10 am
After fiddling around a bit, I have found away to glitch him out of his ghostly state. If you engrave a slab for him, send him on a mission and then construct the slab while he's gone, he'll come back with a body again. Thing is, he won't come back as a ghoul, but a full flesh and blood dwarf! Albeit seemingly still without needs (the ones that cause distraction, he still needs to eat and drink).I tried this (engraved the slab while he was at the fort, then built it when on mission). It just got rid of him. I savescummed, so is there something I'm missing?
Smallhands is just the fort that keeps on giving, isn't it?
Post by: nogoodnames on May 19, 2020, 11:04:51 am
He'll be removed from the squad, but once they return he'll return with them as a living civilian dwarf, probably classed as a noble since he has no major non-combat skills. You're sure he isn't showing up in the unit list (and wasn't killed on the mission)? Send him on an easy mission, I think there are some equipment issues with him as a ghost, so he isn't at full combat ability. Also someone set him to equip a greataxe, which is too big for dwarves to use.After fiddling around a bit, I have found away to glitch him out of his ghostly state. If you engrave a slab for him, send him on a mission and then construct the slab while he's gone, he'll come back with a body again. Thing is, he won't come back as a ghoul, but a full flesh and blood dwarf! Albeit seemingly still without needs (the ones that cause distraction, he still needs to eat and drink).I tried this (engraved the slab while he was at the fort, then built it when on mission). It just got rid of him. I savescummed, so is there something I'm missing?
Smallhands is just the fort that keeps on giving, isn't it?
On that note, don't underestimate the necromancers. They have ghouls with a century of combat experience and access to steel armour. With the way offsite battles are calculated, we'll need highly skilled dwarves with full steel if we want to take them on their home turf.
Post by: auzewasright on May 19, 2020, 11:22:48 am
Accomplishments of Auze
Nogood ended up being a ghost, which is very inconvenient. After a brief discussion with some other dwarves, I think I have a solution.After we had done it (sending the GraveWardens out to raid a kobold hamlet), they came back shortly afterwards with a strange voice saying...
(https://i.imgur.com/IHGu2GE.jpg)
Welcome back, Militia Commander, or as some have started calling you, the Thrice Undying Overseer. Now, you may have trouble remembering some parts of the last five years. Here's what happened...
OOC: It worked!
Post by: delphonso on May 19, 2020, 07:08:51 pm
Post by: King Zultan on May 20, 2020, 02:51:50 am
Post by: Spriggans on May 20, 2020, 08:07:06 am
I'm a bit lost... WTH is going on with Nogood ?!
Correct me if I'm wrong :
He was a dwarf. Was killed and turned ghoulish by a Ńecro during worldgen.
That Ńecro attacked us, and we somehow convinced Nogood to join us.
Then, without getting killed, he turned into a ghost ?
And we sent that ghost raid something. When the raid was done, Nogood came back as a fleshy dwarf ?
Yeah. Sure. Makes perfect sense.
Post by: delphonso on May 20, 2020, 09:18:14 am
Then became a ghost after serving in the military for years. Then was laid to rest and is now a living militaryman.
Are all my facts right?
Post by: auzewasright on May 20, 2020, 11:31:05 am
Nogood arrived as a living migrant, died and was turned into a ghoul at Smallhands by a necromancer - I forget which one.More or less, but here's a more detailed breakdown of events (from my Granite 2 153 save, my memory, and some poking into legends):
Then became a ghost after serving in the military for years. Then was laid to rest and is now a living militaryman.
Are all my facts right?
1. Smallhands was under siege for most of the year in my turn (152, "The Scalded Attack") until early winter.
2. Migrants (including the dwarves that would become Nogood and Laterigrade) arrived. I, noticing that the siege had ended, decided to open the bridge.
3. The undead echidna we now know as Roastedscaled, which had been lurking around for my entire turn and slipped my mind, attacked the slower migrants. I sent out the militia to deal with it.
4. The militia is having a hard time dealing with it, with militiadwarves Del and Olon dying of blood loss (Del was blinded and in pain for a while, so his death was a mercy). The rest of the militiadwarves along with the miners I conscripted ended up being hospitalized. The migrants that failed to reach the fortress before Roastedscaled (including Nogood) bled to death from their injuries.
5. Roastedscaled ran off into the entrance, blocking any hauling of corpses (also preventing the injured in the hospital from getting water).
6. Granite 1, 153 hits (I didn't realize it was Granite until Granite 2 came), what followed were events that happened so fast I had to go to legends to get clarification:
7. The human necromancer Vusdom Tunnelyore tries to attack the fortress with a few human ghouls (153, "The Assault of Cuts"). He revives four dwarf corpses as forlorn ghouls (this world's name for intelligent undead), which I realize are still counted as citizens.
8. He also revives a large amount of animal corpses on the surface before running off, which leads to a large amount of undead animals right next to the open entrance. This does not end well.
9. Granite 2 arrives on the calender. Goden Dedukoshur, who is the forlorn ghoul who was renamed "Nogood", decides to take a nap after fighting an undead animal or two. The only dwarves who are not in an area compromised by undead animals are Salmeuk (taking a nap) and Zan "Laterigrade" Monomduthal (just slightly away from the drawbridge lever...). And the rest, as they say, is history.
Edit: Nogood came back perfectly fine after razing Cactushexes before suddenly turning into a ghost. Anyways, I’ll go finish my turn (I apologize for the delay).
Post by: auzewasright on May 20, 2020, 02:37:14 pm
Appraisal of Auze
I decide to reform some things and start making some stuff to benefit the fortress. The first step is steel production. I also have to finish up the farmer's guild, and give the baron his needed rooms.
Nogood had a somewhat hazy memory of the last few years, but he still had all of his skills, so I reenlisted him as commander over the GraveWardens.
As much as I want to pay off my late book fees this season, I get the feeling that we are going to have a siege this winter (like every other winter).
(https://i.imgur.com/LSvTyuH.jpg)
I try not to look at Nogood's slab, lest my head start hurting.
I would expand the magma works, if I knew how they moved the magma. I guess that can be designated as the next overseer's problem.
(https://i.imgur.com/N4LcszQ.jpg)
Apparently the Kingdom decided to found another hillocks. That's the second one this year.
Winter has arrived, and the fortress prospers.
I also start work on a small project.
(https://i.imgur.com/RIHq9pC.jpg)
I have no idea how the kobolds took control of a hamlet, but I'm not going to let that continue.
(https://i.imgur.com/pZVQQbp.jpg)
Success
I begin to increase food production, and also send the Rainbow Raptors to get a book or two from the elves.
(https://i.imgur.com/Pam1pgr.jpg)
Oh come on, just as the Rainbow Raptors were walking out...
(https://i.imgur.com/5yHs4fm.jpg)
The Werepig demonstrated why attacking a squad made up entirely of experienced swordsdwarves when you have no armour on is a bad idea.
Unfortunately, the Rainbow Raptors didn't even bother to go searching for the book after that.
(https://i.imgur.com/eUa4ZiR.jpg)
Again? Go get the-
(https://i.imgur.com/kFdfPRY.jpg)
The announcement didn't even finish before the cyclops walked right into a cage trap.
Anyways, it the end of my turn, and I think I did pretty well.
(https://i.imgur.com/oq0g0Ud.jpg)
The people are happy,
(https://i.imgur.com/KaQOfqk.jpg)
The library has spawned a small but exciting cultural Renaissance,
(https://i.imgur.com/NUoWNyp.jpg)
And our militia is stronger than ever.
(https://i.imgur.com/fuiAuYn.jpg)
The fortress is bustling with activity.
(https://i.imgur.com/Haxwtzt.jpg)
Most importantly, I've paid off most (or at least half) of my late book fees.
An artifact has been made...
(https://i.imgur.com/cs8S8q0.jpg)
Oh.
Well, it's the 28th of Obsidian. My turn is about over, time to retire back to being a broker!
OOC: That was fun. Here's the save, along with all of my images and notes. (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15085)
The best things to do would be to fix our stockpiles, along with expanding our magma forges. The food and drink situation is good, keep producing and we will be good. Between food and bone crafts, we should have no shortage of trading goods. Salmeuk needs a few rooms, as do the other nobles. As for targets, I would recommend besides books trying to stop the goblins (They have more people than every other civ combined), and upgrading the RR's swords to steel. For choosing who to raid what, both squads are good in both cases, but I generally used the Rainbow Raptor's for sneaky missions, and the GraveWardens for the... killy missions. That's mostly it. Good luck!
Post by: delphonso on May 20, 2020, 06:35:30 pm
Post by: auzewasright on May 21, 2020, 08:52:42 am
Laterigrade, are you up for a turn?Hasn't been active in a few days. Maybe send a message?
Post by: delphonso on May 22, 2020, 12:35:27 am
Post by: Salmeuk on May 22, 2020, 11:30:52 pm
Nogood arrived as a living migrant, died and was turned into a ghoul at Smallhands by a necromancer - I forget which one.More or less, but here's a more detailed breakdown of events (from my Granite 2 153 save, my memory, and some poking into legends):
Then became a ghost after serving in the military for years. Then was laid to rest and is now a living militaryman.
Are all my facts right?
1. Smallhands was under siege for most of the year in my turn (152, "The Scalded Attack") until early winter.
2. Migrants (including the dwarves that would become Nogood and Laterigrade) arrived. I, noticing that the siege had ended, decided to open the bridge.
3. The undead echidna we now know as Roastedscaled, which had been lurking around for my entire turn and slipped my mind, attacked the slower migrants. I sent out the militia to deal with it.
4. The militia is having a hard time dealing with it, with militiadwarves Del and Olon dying of blood loss (Del was blinded and in pain for a while, so his death was a mercy). The rest of the militiadwarves along with the miners I conscripted ended up being hospitalized. The migrants that failed to reach the fortress before Roastedscaled (including Nogood) bled to death from their injuries.
5. Roastedscaled ran off into the entrance, blocking any hauling of corpses (also preventing the injured in the hospital from getting water).
6. Granite 1, 153 hits (I didn't realize it was Granite until Granite 2 came), what followed were events that happened so fast I had to go to legends to get clarification:
7. The human necromancer Vusdom Tunnelyore tries to attack the fortress with a few human ghouls (153, "The Assault of Cuts"). He revives four dwarf corpses as forlorn ghouls (this world's name for intelligent undead), which I realize are still counted as citizens.
8. He also revives a large amount of animal corpses on the surface before running off, which leads to a large amount of undead animals right next to the open entrance. This does not end well.
9. Granite 2 arrives on the calender. Goden Dedukoshur, who is the forlorn ghoul who was renamed "Nogood", decides to take a nap after fighting an undead animal or two. The only dwarves who are not in an area compromised by undead animals are Salmeuk (taking a nap) and Zan "Laterigrade" Monomduthal (just slightly away from the drawbridge lever...). And the rest, as they say, is history.
Edit: Nogood came back perfectly fine after razing Cactushexes before suddenly turning into a ghost. Anyways, I’ll go finish my turn (I apologize for the delay).
This should be saved to OP as "The Story of Nogood"! What a wild ride. Though, your last post mentioned he had transitioned back to ghoul form or am I misunderstanding?
Post by: auzewasright on May 23, 2020, 05:36:26 am
This should be saved to OP as "The Story of Nogood"! What a wild ride. Though, your last post mentioned he had transitioned back to ghoul form or am I misunderstanding?I think misunderstanding, he is now very much a living dwarf (though he kept all of his skills).
Post by: Glloyd on May 23, 2020, 06:44:55 pm
Post by: delphonso on May 23, 2020, 07:10:44 pm
How's your status, mko?
Welcome aboard, Glloyd!
Post by: delphonso on May 23, 2020, 07:22:08 pm
More or less, but here's a more detailed breakdown of events (from my Granite 2 153 save, my memory, and some poking into legends):
1. Smallhands was under siege for most of the year in my turn (152, "The Scalded Attack") until early winter.
2. Migrants (including the dwarves that would become Nogood and Laterigrade) arrived. I, noticing that the siege had ended, decided to open the bridge.
3. The undead echidna we now know as Roastedscaled, which had been lurking around for my entire turn and slipped my mind, attacked the slower migrants. I sent out the militia to deal with it.
4. The militia is having a hard time dealing with it, with militiadwarves Del and Olon dying of blood loss (Del was blinded and in pain for a while, so his death was a mercy). The rest of the militiadwarves along with the miners I conscripted ended up being hospitalized. The migrants that failed to reach the fortress before Roastedscaled did (including Nogood) bled to death from their injuries.
5. Roastedscaled ran into the entrance, blocking any hauling of corpses (also preventing the injured in the hospital from getting water).
6. Granite 1, 153 hits (I didn't realize it was Granite until Granite 2 came), what followed were events that happened so fast I had to go to legends to get clarification:
7. The human necromancer Vusdom Tunnelyore tries to attack the fortress with a few human ghouls (153, "The Assault of Cuts"). He revives four dwarf corpses as forlorn ghouls (this world's name for intelligent undead), which I realize are still counted as citizens.
8. He also revives a large amount of animal corpses on the surface before running off, which leads to a large amount of undead animals right next to the open entrance. This does not end well.
9. Granite 2 arrives on the calender. Goden Dedukoshur, who is the forlorn ghoul who was renamed "Nogood", decides to take a nap after fighting an undead animal or two. The only dwarves who are not in an area compromised by undead animals are Salmeuk (taking a nap) and Zan "Laterigrade" Monomduthal (just slightly away from the drawbridge lever...). And the rest, as they say, is history.
Edit: Nogood came back perfectly fine after razing Cactushexes before suddenly turning into a ghost. Anyways, I’ll go finish my turn (I apologize for the delay).
10. Goden "Nogood" Dedukoshur spends years as a militia dwarf in Smallhands, training with Moldath until both are Legendary Fighters. They each take a squad of new recruits.
11. In 158, Nogood's spirit arises as a ghost in Smallhands.
12. Nogood's spirit is put to rest, while the forlorn ghoul, Nogood, is sent on a mission.
13. Nogood, the forlorn ghoul returns from the mission miraculously cured of his undead condition.
14. Nogood is now a normal, very strong and tough, dwarf.
Is that right?
Post by: Laterigrade on May 26, 2020, 04:09:09 am
Post by: delphonso on May 26, 2020, 05:40:05 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 26, 2020, 10:40:50 am
Forgive the double post, but I'm going to try to put this all in one understandable chain.It's close, but not quite. The actual series of events are more confusing:More or less, but here's a more detailed breakdown of events (from my Granite 2 153 save, my memory, and some poking into legends):
1. Smallhands was under siege for most of the year in my turn (152, "The Scalded Attack") until early winter.
2. Migrants (including the dwarves that would become Nogood and Laterigrade) arrived. I, noticing that the siege had ended, decided to open the bridge.
3. The undead echidna we now know as Roastedscaled, which had been lurking around for my entire turn and slipped my mind, attacked the slower migrants. I sent out the militia to deal with it.
4. The militia is having a hard time dealing with it, with militiadwarves Del and Olon dying of blood loss (Del was blinded and in pain for a while, so his death was a mercy). The rest of the militiadwarves along with the miners I conscripted ended up being hospitalized. The migrants that failed to reach the fortress before Roastedscaled did (including Nogood) bled to death from their injuries.
5. Roastedscaled ran into the entrance, blocking any hauling of corpses (also preventing the injured in the hospital from getting water).
6. Granite 1, 153 hits (I didn't realize it was Granite until Granite 2 came), what followed were events that happened so fast I had to go to legends to get clarification:
7. The human necromancer Vusdom Tunnelyore tries to attack the fortress with a few human ghouls (153, "The Assault of Cuts"). He revives four dwarf corpses as forlorn ghouls (this world's name for intelligent undead), which I realize are still counted as citizens.
8. He also revives a large amount of animal corpses on the surface before running off, which leads to a large amount of undead animals right next to the open entrance. This does not end well.
9. Granite 2 arrives on the calender. Goden Dedukoshur, who is the forlorn ghoul who was renamed "Nogood", decides to take a nap after fighting an undead animal or two. The only dwarves who are not in an area compromised by undead animals are Salmeuk (taking a nap) and Zan "Laterigrade" Monomduthal (just slightly away from the drawbridge lever...). And the rest, as they say, is history.
Edit: Nogood came back perfectly fine after razing Cactushexes before suddenly turning into a ghost. Anyways, I’ll go finish my turn (I apologize for the delay).
10. Goden "Nogood" Dedukoshur spends years as a militia dwarf in Smallhands, training with Moldath until both are Legendary Fighters. They each take a squad of new recruits.
11. In 158, Nogood's spirit arises as a ghost in Smallhands.
12. Nogood's spirit is put to rest, while the forlorn ghoul, Nogood, is sent on a mission.
13. Nogood, the forlorn ghoul returns from the mission miraculously cured of his undead condition.
14. Nogood is now a normal, very strong and tough, dwarf.
Is that right?
10. As you said, Goden "Nogood" Dedukoshur takes over the Gravewardens and Moldath takes over the Rainbow Raptors. Both are legendary.
11. Nogood doesn't have a ghost appear for the time from his resurrection up until the Razing of Cactushexes. I think intelligent undead block the rising of their ghosts, but not necessarily whatever activates the rising (IIRC, the undead Olon (who was locked in fighting until nogood's turn) didn't have a ghost rise until after being killed, when the others who died in the battle at the end of 152 had ghosts rise earlier)
12. Nogood is sent out in several raids. Most notably, the razing of Cactushexes, where he turns into a ghost upon or shortly after coming back. Perhaps the thing that causes ghosts to rise doesn't take into account whether they are alive but off the map. While I initially thought that the ghost of Nogood was separate from Nogood (the forlorn ghoul militia commander), Nogood (the forum user) pointed out that it appears the ghost replaced his undead body. If I had to guess, since the ghost body is technically the body of the dwarf that the ghost is, Nogood (the forlorn ghoul militia commander) became Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul militia commander) without actually dying.
13. As Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul) technically never died, he was still part of the militia despite being a ghost. This meant I could still send him on missions. So I engraved a slab for Nogood, and then sent Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul militia commander) on a simple raid to the kobold fortress. Then, I placed the slab, putting Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul militia commander) "to rest" while he was off the map and on the mission.
14. The GraveWardens return, and so has Nogood. Not exactly sure how, but if I had to guess, since Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul militia commander) technically did not die while on the mission, the game decided to revert Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul militia commander) to being Nogood (the living dwarf).
15. Nogood (the dwarf), being still the same dwarf as Nogood (the forlorn ghoul militia commander who became Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul militia commander)), retains all of his skills and traits from before being Nogood (the ghost forlorn ghoul militia commander). Nogood (the dwarf) is reassigned back to being the leader and militia commander of the GraveWardens.
Don't worry, it's as simple as it appears to be.
Post by: delphonso on May 26, 2020, 07:17:25 pm
Post by: King Zultan on May 27, 2020, 04:59:35 am
Post by: delphonso on May 27, 2020, 05:27:23 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 27, 2020, 05:35:33 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on May 28, 2020, 02:24:23 pm
Downloading the save as we speak; but I don't expect to touch it for another ~36 hours. Work is going to be a bit demanding, on attention if not time.
... Beats the alternative, I guess.
Post by: delphonso on May 28, 2020, 05:55:51 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on May 30, 2020, 10:52:59 am
Prologue
(Album on imgur) (https://imgur.com/a/wJ7ekyh)
Well, I was aiming for a short intro, but it kinda got away from me. Way, way away from me.
“The private diary of Amara ContestFloors is one of the more fascinating reads that have come to us from the dwarves. A young unskilled dwarfette without any prospect of advancement, she was suddenly thrust on the path of leadership, wherein she has unexpectedly persevered, and excelled.
She may be best known as the baroness of MetalBeasts, and authoress of many books of variable quality, relevance, and importance, but to this author’s humble opinion, it is her first writing that is closest to her soul - a raw, unfiltered composition which she herself has kept as accurate and unbiased as possible, while searching desperately for the ills of a conspiracy which never materialized.”
“My Friend, The Dwarf” pg 12, by the human scholar Tunek Idla.
1st Granite, 159
When I awoke this morning, I found myself overseer. It's enough to make a girl paranoid.
(https://i.imgur.com/3ohbfFf.png)
Doubly so, when you consider that I have exactly no skills; and I don’t mean for leadership or management, I mean in general. Let us not sugar-coat it: I’m a low-born, who was initially brought here by the whims of my superiors to do that kind of unglamorous scut work that a fortress nonetheless needs to survive. I have no relations that might have propelled me, nor am I friends with anyone who might support any hypothetical candidacy; merciful goddess, I haven’t bothered to make any friends or acquaintances since getting here.
(https://i.imgur.com/NxmsM3x.png)
To sum it up, the highest position in a fortress has just been dumped in my lap. There is no explanation for it. There was no justification presented. There is, also, no way to refuse.
So yes, paranoia seems like an appropriate response, because I don’t see any way in which this appointment was done in good faith. So far, there are only two explanations that I deem plausible:
Either a prophetic vision is involved, meaning some god or gods have picked me specifically; this may sound good, until you realize that gods don’t choose people so they can laze about - no hero ever had it easy. For sure, I’d be heading for interesting times.
Or, I got picked by those already in power to take the fall for some mis-deed that they have already made, and hope that nobody will notice until “my rule” kicks off.
Whichever it may be, I see fit to take my new duties very seriously, and pore over the entirety of the fort. I am now in the fort’s archives, and have taken this unbound quire as a quasi-diary where I’ll gather my thoughts.
The fort seems secure enough, at least on a cursory view. The surface has some dubious design choices, but nothing outright damning. There is always at least a bridge between a potential invader and the fort… though it may be argued that three separate entry points is a bit much.
(https://i.imgur.com/1ngpzmt.png)
What puzzles me is the aerial entry-way built in the antechamber going towards the fort’s main entrance. In case of a flying enemy, that makes the outer bridge useless.
The trade depot can’t be isolated from the fort as a whole; doesn’t seem like much, until some were-beast comes as part of a caravan. Also, the caravan can’t leave without endangering the fort; yes, there are hatches on top of the stairway, but hatches can be torn off.
(https://i.imgur.com/nsi5yV9.png)
A baffling structure was made in the left-lower corner; I can’t even bring up a speculation why somebody wasted limestone blocks and risked dwarven lives to construct it.
Not related to defense, but there are 3 wall tiles made from materials other than limestone - a gneiss internal wall, and 2 coal walls in the corner of the mystery platform. These can’t do anything against defense, but… why? Should there be enough time, they’ll be corrected; just for dwarven pride.
Below the immediate surface lie the remnants of half dozen defense and offense projects; each discarded or modified by the next one. The current strategy seems to be bridge smashing, followed by stone-fall traps to catch what’s left. At least the levers have all been clearly marked. Nonetheless, I’ll run some tests firings; these aren't circumstances where I’m willing to trust anything.
(https://i.imgur.com/Jskxh1W.png)
Beneath these, but above the aquifer, lies a dirt layer which can be counted as the first real layer of our fort. The farming area looks tiny; perhaps it should be expanded, for summer pig tail crops if nothing else; there are dwarves who can’t get rid of their tattered clothes because they have no replacement…
Now there’s a potential pitfall for me: let clothes rot, then blame the overseer; definitely need to set up a cloth production somewhere.
(https://i.imgur.com/cOk5Xkc.png)
In the areas where the aquifer didn’t stretch, there’s a tree farm. Given our notable lack of wood sources, I’ll see if I can expand it. The other two sources of wood are the cursed east, and conquering the caverns. The cursed forest to the east, at least, can be exploited by those already afflicted by the unending fever. Caverns are a bit more difficult, what with the forgotten beasts; there’s something absurd about battling abominations older than the world, just for the sake of getting a few logs.
Then come four levels, partially occupied by the aquifer. We’ll never lack for water.
Under the aquifer, at level 113, begins the proper fortress, in layers of stone. The first stone layer isn’t occupied with much, just many garbage dumps and a smashing bridge right by the stairs.
(https://i.imgur.com/N778P8U.png)
Below it is our main living area; the first bedrooms were carved in the limestone here, this is where we store our food and alcohol, this is where our tavern and hospital are, and where the levers for the crushing bridges are.
(https://i.imgur.com/DgaGwWj.png)
This prompts me to look at the list of locations; we have one tavern, one library, one farmer’s guildhall, and three temples. All have been marked for free access, which has turned out to be quite pointless; to my knowledge, there’s never been a visitor to this fort in its entire history. I restrict access to citizens only, and wonder if anyone will even notice.
(https://i.imgur.com/cdOmrmQ.png)
Frankly, our glorious locations are nothing to write home about - furniture is quite sparse, and monetary value is quite low. One more area to improve.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/3ZKRsji.png) (https://i.imgur.com/nlSm2aX.png)
The Youthful Shrine:
(https://i.imgur.com/vOAsALv.png)
Beneath, the bedrooms continue. All are occupied, and a few more should be carved out; there are still dwarves without their own rooms. We have two jail rooms, only one of which was marked as such for some reason, and another much larger atom smasher.
(https://i.imgur.com/545Z2Os.png)
About half of the fort’s workshops are clustered on level 109; we have more than these, in various nooks and crannies.
(https://i.imgur.com/knhYBZG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UKnpXSE.png)
Right below, lie several large rooms. One is clearly a library, though the area designation has been lost. The other two seem to be only storage space.
(https://i.imgur.com/3Gy2aeU.png)
Beneath this, there’s a depressingly large necropolis. For such a small fort, it has too many dead; or is it the other way around, maybe, that there are so many dead because it’s such a small fort?
(https://i.imgur.com/5mI8kgi.png)
At level 105, a large room was carved and engraved; I can’t fathom its purpose. Perhaps the guild hall?
(https://i.imgur.com/jjg0QvD.png)
The smithy stands at level 97, right above the first cavern layer; clever minecart usage has brought 20 units of magma to the level below.
(https://i.imgur.com/ROp5qMp.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/4PT0Oe2.png)
The first cavern has had a sizable chunk of it walled up in times long past. In more recent times, all of the fort’s grazing animals have been pastured in this section - which prevents new trees from growing. I intend to trim their numbers and move the survivors above the aquifer, there’s already quite a bit of dug-out space there.
(https://i.imgur.com/MSiOdyx.png)
The same cavern layer, I should mention, is also occupied by a fire-breathing forgotten beast:
(https://i.imgur.com/XWfAUHm.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/CnQ9ffe.png)
The first cave ends stretches between levels 97 and 92. The second cavern slopes gently east to west, from level 57 to level 34, and houses a small lake which makes it effectively unsealable, unless I’m willing to drop stone plugs. It too is now ruled by a forgotten beast, Pelese SoakedMuck:
(https://i.imgur.com/JHXdy6D.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Noz8ETv.png)
The third cave covers levels 25 to 21, and is a scene of carnage: covered in corpses, and painted in blood:
(https://i.imgur.com/2XGyxcp.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/O9aNn1F.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/VGkDv63.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/JSqTlru.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/AsOoKvk.png)
Quite ironic, then, that there are no forgotten beasts squatting here. And the cavern looks very nice to seal off, too: we would need to plug only some very small gaps in the walls to make this place our own.
Right beneath the cave, on level 20, there’s the end of an exceedingly short magma pipe. This abortive volcano was the source of magma for the smithy way up on level 97. Judging by the tunnels below, it would seem someone made plans for extensive magma works, partially carried them out, and then abandoned them entirely:
(https://i.imgur.com/dXBX6Sb.png)
And lastly, there is one adamantine spire under the fort; like most things here, it’s quite small:
(https://i.imgur.com/xmhS2Ix.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Q0CuWjw.png) (https://i.imgur.com/shFhWQb.png)
Post by: StrikaAmaru on May 30, 2020, 04:01:25 pm
(album) (https://imgur.com/a/5rtlnNZ)
Right… what to do first? I suppose trimming the numbers of the animals looks like a good plan; we have both way too many useless tame animals, and a bunch of caged beasts which haven’t been dealt with:
(https://i.imgur.com/cMR1mr5.png)
Two workshops for butchery and tanning are already built, in the main area; this is quite the terrible place for them and I fully intend to move them; but until then, we can manage.
Finding a spot for the surviving animals was a bit harder than I imagined; my first idea was to just put them in the dirt layer; but the eastern parts of the dirt layer are prime territory for channeling into a tree farm, and currently they’re occupied by several stockpiles for ammo, leather, and cloth (glad I found those, too); after some deliberation, I designate a section of the inner labyrinth to be dug out.
(https://i.imgur.com/DJWQUqt.png)
The wild animals have all been marked for taming. We already have four dwarves with some skills in animal training, and I only want to get the beasts docile enough for butchery.
In the cavern, three farmer’s workshops have been ordered. They will only last as long as the animals take to be milked and sheared; those which can be. Then they’ll be torn down, as part of the pasture move.
(https://i.imgur.com/klHTenf.png)
Well, one of the animals has escaped me already: old age has claimed a leopard before the butcher’s knife could.
(https://i.imgur.com/dlsP1Mr.png)
A notification arrives; it states an order for 25 charcoal has just been completed. Not bad on its own, but it does make me realize that my paranoia has failed to prompt caution - I have not taken proper stock of the fort, at all.
The pre-existing work orders can be allowed to unfold; it’s a pleasant surprise that we even have steel at all, I know for a fact the fort has no iron-bearing ores; only copper and cassiterite, for tin.
(https://i.imgur.com/QooXeL6.png)
I had resigned myself to bronze weapons and armor, which was perhaps a bit too pessimistic; we have plenty of limestone, and our enemies do bring a reasonable amount of iron at times, after all. Though this makes the smashing bridges economically unfeasible; given the mess in the 119th level, I dislike the notion of adding yet another set of defense modifications. Frankly, I’ll postpone deciding until after I see a good count of iron and steel items.
The general orders for the fort are only very slightly tweaked: previously, all could harvest crops; now, only farmers are allowed. I also canceled the order to automatically forbid fired ammunition and other death items; access can be controlled much better with burrows. Everything else is left as-is.
Nobles have it bad in SmallHands. The mayor and the captain of the guard have no rooms whatsoever; baron Salmeuk is missing armor stands and weapon racks.
(https://i.imgur.com/5OE5UNK.png)
My low-born heart rejoices, but my stone-cold brain points out all this crap is now my responsibility. Nobody ever taught me law, and now it’s too late; for all I know, there is some bizarre clause that if a noble won’t have their needs met for 3 years consecutively, the overseer loses their head. Or some equally inane regulation. I’ll meet their demands, if only to be in compliance.
Justice has two recorded incidents, vandalism and disorderly conduct respectively.
(https://i.imgur.com/QQNvKcr.png)
Two separate dwarves have accused legendary mason Lokum Erithadil, and in both cases only the accusers are witnesses. Obviously, I am suspicious. I draw the paperwork for interrogations instead of convicting the mason willy-nilly.
(https://i.imgur.com/7oqsGE0.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/kSUM82A.png)
Both accuser and accused are going to have a chat with captain BlockadeIdols. He’s an expert swordsman, though I hope that will not come to be relevant in this matter. He is also the fourth member of the Rainbow Raptors, which surprised me; I was unaware that captains of the guard can also serve in the military.
Speaking of the Rainbow Raptors, they are short three members; the Grave Wardens are short four; I will need to find them replacements. There is a third squad, The Roads of Riddling, which was created without any armor or weapons. Riddle me why, if you please. There is no marksdwarf squad, although we have four dwarves with notable skills, and there’s a training room for them, with archery targets still built.
But the military will have to wait a while. I had started with sorting out the animals, and I should probably finish before I get side-tracked by another detail. We have an impressive number of metal cages:
(https://i.imgur.com/qAXFrEX.png)
Speaking from my experience as a hauler: I. LOATHE. Metal cages. They’re back-breakingly heavy, and bring no benefits whatsoever to good old wooden cages. Some of them are better off in fires, but if you have a fire, I daresay you have bigger problems than the continued structural integrity of your nearby cages. Either you’re dealing with a forgotten beast which set your cavern moss alight, or a dragon has wandered across the surface of your fort; either way, having prisoners released from cages is not the biggest worry, and may indeed become an advantage. So off to the melting pile it is!
… the melting pile doesn’t exist yet, I should mention. But it certainly will.
5th of Granite.
(https://i.imgur.com/Eq2xaxP.png)
Oh kindly fuck off. We’ll be cutting even more trees, and there’s nothing you can do to stop us. Got it?
Luckily, it wasn’t me in charge of meeting the man-eating bastard; that “honor” went to baron Salmeuk; he’s been flawlessly polite, and eventually got the tree-hugging ponce to leave without any ill-effects on the fort. Perhaps I have misjudged nobility, or maybe Salmeuk is a cut above the rest? Either way, he’s getting his rooms completed (as soon as I figure out where they are).
Around the same time, interrogation reports have started coming in; our expert swordsdwarf is terrible at interrogations:
(https://i.imgur.com/7nJQTjk.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/dBjcoQw.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UBRErlL.png)
16th Granite. An elven caravan has arrived. I immediately mark all worn clothing for sale, although it isn’t much; I’ll see what else I can haul to the depot.
And yes, I chose those words on purpose; I’m using their arrival as a chance to prepare for trade with humans. Elves never bring much, and what they bring is notoriously crappy.
Speaking of paranoia: there were two holes next to the smithy, punching into the caverns. The caverns with a flame-breathing forgotten beast. That cavern. They were floored over without incident. You can also glimpse a new space on the right of the smelters; this is where the substandard metal items will be stockpiled for melting.
(https://i.imgur.com/zcX3FMC.png)
24th Granite. Excuse me, what?
(https://i.imgur.com/USOkDyb.png)
This particular bonecarver was the injured party in the claim of disorderly conduct. I am now to believe that the commander of the Rainbow Raptors, a legendary sword-dwarf on his own, has suddenly thrown a tantrum, and has just, “accidentally”, killed off one of the accusers of the legendary mason.
Here I thought the mason was unjustly accused; I’m now starting to wonder if the tally of his crimes is balanced the other way around.
Regardless. Captain ReignedAxes is going in the clink. There were far too many witnesses to his outburst; there will rightly be a riot if he’s not condemned. This puts his subordinate in a very awkward position - now he needs to go interrogate, and then imprison, his superior officer. Perhaps I mis-remembered, and it wasn’t that law officers couldn’t serve in the military, but merely that it wasn’t recommended?
Either way, I resolve to have a chat with mister BlockadeIdols, and ask him what he would prefer: military, or law? Current legal issues will be postponed until I figure out if I change the captain of the guard or not.
Moving on to the elves: they have brought 29 logs, which have been bought immediately. Their animals are uninteresting, and they’ve brought no alcohol; but they did bring five cheap barrels, and two buckets. I’m not sure we need buckets, but I’ll get them anyway. I’m also marking the clothes which aren’t made of wood, some splints, and lastly a single crutch. They have not brought a single piece of thread or bolt of cloth, but oh well. In the end, I manage to trade away every bit of worn-out clothing and a few crafts, in exchange for new clothes, logs, and wooden tools.
After some deliberation, I gift them a few bone trinkets; nothing of any importance, but traders and politicians have this way of not being on the same page; maybe next year’s trade will be better, despite the diplomats coming to yell at us.
13th Slate. BlockadeIdols has come with his answer: he’d prefer to remain in the army. In accordance, I remove him from his position as captain of the guard. His replacement is the rather flimsy KingZultan BoulderHeight, who’s an adequate clothier, and not much else.
With this done, I can now interrogate captain ReignedAxes, before imprisoning him.
Not to forget my original goal, all milking and shearing has completed; of the 48 adult animals in the fort, 21 were marked for slaughter on the simple grounds of being feeble. (ooc: everything with a stat below 30 got the axe). Of the remaining, three more were also marked for slaughter, on the grounds of being a donkey, which I'm not inclined to keep, and two water buffalos, which eat a staggering amount and I definitely won’t keep.
(https://i.imgur.com/rE6zYrH.png)
There is little left to do now, besides waiting for the rest of my fellows to finish slaughtering the animals and hauling the resulting food. I must say, it’s a bit strange to see it happening from this end.
I now also wonder if there’s enough room for the meat to be stored; I’ve a sinking suspicion there isn’t.
Captain KingZultan, for all her frail appearance, has managed to shake the legendary mason:
(https://i.imgur.com/2uZoLCe.png)
The sword dwarf in contrast isn’t saying a peep. Too bad everybody has witnessed him being guilty as a goblin, then.
(https://i.imgur.com/xip94SX.png)
There’s little reason to dally; it’s time for convictions. Captain “I murder legendary bonecarvers because I bloody feel like it” can go cool his heels chained in a bare room; the mason can go serve his sentence in the neighboring room too.
27th. For reasons that are still unclear, KingZultan has decided to go punch the two guilty parties instead of using our two jail cells. Thankfully, no lasting damage has been done. Sort of:
(https://i.imgur.com/jCqK1QN.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Actop7U.png)
The architecture is baffling around here too: the jail cells are only one level below the common room, but in order to access them a dwarf would need to go all the way up to the sub-surface level, pass through the farm plots, and descend back down.
It occurs to me that summer is one month away; I would like for the rope reed plots to be ready by then. So I order the last two farm plots deconstructed, and the room expanded to a 11x11 format; dirt roads are placed on top of saplings, and two 5x7 plots are planned:
(https://i.imgur.com/e3D8fZd.png)
The top two plots can be extended later to 5x3; this neatly leaves a one-tile path between the plots, where we can store seeds.
A curious detail has been noticed: the metal cages that I planned for melting have… passengers. I briefly panic, wondering if these are undead; but with a few dump designations, a much simpler, and much more depressing, explanation is made apparent. We have had animals that starved in cages. Already, two rabbits and a donkey were pulled out of the cages; a sheep, a bull and a cow soon followed.
(https://i.imgur.com/RVLUjdq.png)
(ooc: interestingly, the message “an X has been found, starved to death” was shown when the corpse was placed in the dump zone; I’d have expected it to crop up when the cage was opened. I now have the bizarre vision of a dwarf who’s hauling a corpse all the way to the dump zone convinced the animal is still alive, maybe just sleeping a bit; and only on destination they become convinced it’s dead. Even if they’re hauling a skeleton. Especially if they’re hauling a skeleton).
15th Felsite. Two beak dogs have been spotted outside, and have scared the crap out of me before I realized they are part of the local fauna, not a prelude of some mysteriously unannounced invasion. One already got caught in a cage trap; the other two weren’t far behind:
(https://i.imgur.com/RiXp52d.png)
28th Felsite. On the brink of season change, I order the emergency burrow activated. We might get the human caravan, or we might get an undead horde. Best lock the gate for a few days; if nothing happens until the 10th, I’ll open it again.
The staggering amount of cancelled jobs reveals to me the emergency burrow hasn’t been updated with the changes to the fort. Most notably, the smithy is not included and neither is the walled-off cavern floor. I’ll save myself some trouble, and include all levels that don’t also have caverns, or magma sea; or, obviously, outside. More detailed expansion can be done later.
Post by: delphonso on May 31, 2020, 04:36:12 am
I too was curious about that square structure. What exactly is that?
Post by: auzewasright on May 31, 2020, 06:57:57 am
Awesome, Amaru. I like the style and am glad to see you're working on organizing the place a bit.That was part of a project that I ran out of time for.
I too was curious about that square structure. What exactly is that?
Post by: King Zultan on May 31, 2020, 09:12:10 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on May 31, 2020, 02:47:06 pm
I'm the captain now... and I'm gonna punch you for your crimes!Yes, but I wanted you to imprison them; in the two jail cells that we have. What the hells, girl? :D
Dorfy role playing aside, I picked your avatar for 2 reasons: because it's an avatar at all, and because she scored pretty high on the list of weak dwarves - fourth or so :| The murdering sword dwarf got away pretty easy with just a few punches from an unarmed dwarfette.
(Not that mister Moldath ReignedAxes actually took it well, that punishment pushed him from unhappy to very unhappy, and he just keeps getting worse. I already removed him from the squad, although he's an uber-swordwielder; if he's going to be miserable, he might as well be unarmed).
Apropos of nothing, it looks like I'll finish my turn come Friday; applet is next.
Edit: Nogood isn't visible in DwarfTherapist, by the way. I can see him just fine in the game itself, his squad can be controlled, and he's happily working alongside everybody else, but Dwarf Therapist insists the guy is off the map. I can still set his jobs from the in-game interface (he's a decent planter, too).
Post by: Spriggans on May 31, 2020, 02:53:18 pm
Do you think the real king would want to live in such a small fort as ours ?
Iirc we'd need either 80pop, wich is a no no, or a succession.
Or can we raid our king and abduct him ?
Edit : 140 pop. Not 80. So defenitely nope
Post by: delphonso on May 31, 2020, 05:57:37 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on May 31, 2020, 11:43:52 pm
It is sad to hear about Moldath. Moldath is the reason we had any migrants at all when the unkillable dead were around. Perhaps we can give him an honorable death in combat somehow.I'm not giving up on him this quickly; part of the reason I booted him out of the military was so he could get some new duds. He hadn't picked up any new stuff lately (including the new armor, for some reason), and he had bad thoughts for it.
He's been removed from everything except bone carving, and is making crafts on repeat. The real problem is that he doesn't have any crafting skills, so it will be a while until he starts cranking out masterworks. Once that happens, he's practically set; masterwork thoughts stack up, as shown by our other unhappy dwarf, the legendary mason who also got in legal trouble. He's been making furniture, and has already dropped his stress to about 15k. By the time the fort's furniture necessities are met, I'm guessing this guy's going to be fine.
Post by: King Zultan on June 01, 2020, 05:11:05 am
King Zultan is merely a captain, and not a king. I see...But I'm the Captain King that means I'm better than a regular king.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on June 01, 2020, 07:43:19 am
(Album) (https://imgur.com/a/Eoz60Ok)
1st Hematite. Never mind the human caravan. Poor guys probably got eaten by zombies.
(https://i.imgur.com/3BfhkhK.png)
Yes, our usual buddies have returned, off from the north-west as they always do.
Annnnnd they have also left, as swiftly as they arrived. The siege is broken, about one eye-blink before it started. Not to say there weren’t any complications, now…
(https://i.imgur.com/gFZOFKL.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tNyeumS.png)
A third necromancer joins them soon after.
(https://i.imgur.com/X84Kwgh.png)
14th: Merchants have arrived. Not eaten by zombies after all! The next day, they’re followed by a human diplomat with her two guards; her name is Buspel ShockMirror, and she bears a title - “Keeper of the Seal”. I am looking forward to ordering some war beasts, and I do hope my successor will beef up our military with them.
Unfortunately, the diplomat isn’t offering any of that; she just said hi, helpfully informed us the world is the same as ever, then she took her leave.
Oh well. Back to the internal matters of the fort, then.
The third cavern gets some preparatory work; a previously-existing room has been expanded, and a trap channel will stop very near the cavern wall. Once it’s dug out, I’ll put a block stockpile in it, then build the traps and hatch over the stair.
(https://i.imgur.com/NYNcj7k.png)
Higher up, my untangling of the animal situation has collided with the geography - the rooms I had planned to dig near the small atom smasher have streaks of aquifer running through them. I could move them one level lower, but it’s still annoying.
(https://i.imgur.com/Hw4vWqk.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/3gkXDJF.png)
Another matter I want to cover is the route from the common room downwards.
See, the vertical stair ends in the common room; this is something which effectively saved the fort five or six years back, when a necromancer siege managed to breach the stairway.
(https://i.imgur.com/DgaGwWj.png)
After this, the dwarves make their way east, on two separate winding paths to the workshops. From the workshops to the lower fort, the path has a one-tile corridor, sealed with both a door and a lever. The traffic direction for the way down is right to left, I should probably clarify that.
(https://i.imgur.com/knhYBZG.png)
What vexes me here is that security measures aren’t all that secure. Having a chokepoint that can be locked two-ways, sealing both the upper and the lower fort, sounds like a great idea - until you notice the lever is unguarded, and can be easily pulled or destroyed, by either a tantruming dwarf, or an external malicious actor.
This connection between main level and crafting level needs to be revisited. For that matter, the crafting level too needs to be revisited, because it’s not terribly effective - stone is far from the workshops that use it, the workshops themselves are built haphazardly, and I’m quite sure we lack stockpiles for entire categories (notably, gems, which keep getting left where they have been dug out).
I’m very tempted to just extend the stairwell to the crafting level, then make the choke point there. Almost everything in here will be rebuilt anyway.
17th. A new mayor has been elected:
(https://i.imgur.com/svi2UGp.png)
This was the former captain of the guard, if you’ll recall. The guy who couldn’t shake two guilty parties for information.
I do hope he won’t issue some idiotic mandate right after I trade…
Up on the trade depot, anybody who wants to trade can do so; our broker, good old Auze, has gone to sleep right as all the hauling has completed. Not that crippling in the long run, all stocks were kept meticulously, and the appraising has been completed ahead of time. Even a trained monkey could complete the transactions.
For some reason, we have a disturbingly large number of blood barrels. I dimly recall goblins know how to cook with it, but we dwarves sure don’t; nor do we terribly want to find out. I mark them all for trade.
(https://i.imgur.com/jdvZMzT.png)
The humans haven’t brought any of the things we really care about - no logs, no ores, and no cloth or thread. They do have a handful of books, and a vast number of barrels and bags. I’ve grabbed a bag of jute seeds; there’s a chance they won’t grow here, but I’d at least try to diversify my cloth production.
(https://i.imgur.com/wPFJmH7.png)
1st of Malachite.
I take a momentous decision (or so it seems to me): the military is going to be temporarily disabled; meaning, the active status of the squads will be removed, and the barracks are being freed. There is too much to do, and the remaining 41 dwarves are not keeping up.
Yes, I did complete the squads; from the ranks of the unskilled, talentless hacks. There but for the grace of god, go I.
The sleeping quarters are extended; 12 new rooms will be plenty for such a small fort:
(https://i.imgur.com/VWIO2J4.png)
5th Malachite. A great weight has been lifted from my chest. The necropolis is mostly unoccupied - most of our coffins are empty. I do notice a small blunder, though: two rooms have been blocked from access, by the building of commemorative slabs in their access passage. There should be nothing there deliberately locked, so I order the two offending slabs deconstructed; I’ll rebuild them soon after.
(https://i.imgur.com/nPcJdJv.png)
While on the subject, I also remove the slabs and the one coffin from the Youthful Shrine; it is a terrible place to put a reminder of mortality.
16th Malachite
(https://i.imgur.com/hS1Ys5x.png)
A reason to rejoice! Our two most skilled armorers were barely proficient; having a legendary among our numbers can only be a good thing. I quickly forbid all our metal bars, except the 24 steel ones. A bit unfair to the divine inspiration, but I’m not all that inclined to care. He descends all the way to the bottom of the world, and claims a magma forge fed by the pipe; he grabs one steel bar, then moves to other materials.
2nd Galena The smith has begun a mysterious construction. A sparsely-decorated one, by all appearances:
(https://i.imgur.com/8sP2Nsv.png)
I’m unsure what he’ll make; he’s already stated a preference for axes, but seeing as he’s an armorer, it’s obvious he won’t make that. We’ll see, I suppose.
7th Galena. He created a steel right gauntlet. We’re far more excited about the newly-minted legendary +3 armorer. The steel and bronze industries are going to kick off immediately; food can wait a bit.
(https://i.imgur.com/3RPvQHs.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/g4z5RHE.png)
Post by: applet on June 01, 2020, 11:00:37 am
5th Malachite. A great weight has been lifted from my chest. The necropolis is mostly unoccupied - most of our coffins are empty. I do notice a small blunder, though: two rooms have been blocked from access, by the building of commemorative slabs in their access passage. There should be nothing there deliberately locked, so I order the two offending slabs deconstructed; I’ll rebuild them soon after.
(https://i.imgur.com/nPcJdJv.png)
I didn't know that slabs blocked passage. Although I've never tried it.
Seems like you're shaping things up handsomely...
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: StrikaAmaru on June 01, 2020, 01:33:13 pm
I didn't know that slabs blocked passage. Although I've never tried it.They always did, and they still do; I actually checked - tried to dump that chunk of ore in the right-side room, and nobody could pick it up.
Seems like you're shaping things up handsomely...As long as it's an interesting story, everybody's going to be fine with that. Besides,Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Laterigrade on June 02, 2020, 05:32:26 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on June 03, 2020, 09:18:45 am
Album (https://imgur.com/a/gC9Wddt).
Autumn finds us in the middle of cleaning out the fort; digging and stone dumping seem to be the main activities at the moment.
Right below the surface, the survivors of the animal purge have been pastured; two farmer’s workshops are intended for the milking, shearing, cheese making, and spinning that comes with a healthy population of sheep… which we don’t have, right now: we do have one ram and one ewe, both pets, and an alpaca, a llama, a juvenile billy goat, and one nanny goat. I’ll need to order more ewes and rams from the caravan, and I can only hope my successor will bother to buy them.
(https://i.imgur.com/fblyiWJ.png)
The wolf over there is going to be slaughtered, too; unfortunately, they can’t be trained for war. (ooc: I considered keeping it for a zoo, but considering the fortress’ constraints, I decided against)
One level below, the farm has been expanded. Only the small plots on top are cultivated year-round; the large ones are marked only for planting pig tails, in summer and autumn. Considering how much cloth a full suit consumes, this may yet be insufficient.
(https://i.imgur.com/kpCFdh4.png)
Right below the aquifer, lies the spectre of failure, and I’ve somehow nicked the aquifer anyway. Or I dismantled a wall built by someone who nicked it before me? Either way, a small trickle of water keeps popping up around the pit of the atom smasher:
(https://i.imgur.com/DIPrfCk.png)
Below, corpse processing takes place; there’s a dedicated corpse stockpile, within close proximity to the atom smasher. To the right, workshops for a bowyer and two craft dwarves are going to slowly chew through the bones, skulls, hooves, antlers, and teeth resulting from butchery. The least happy dwarves will be assigned for this job; nothing like crafting to lift a sullen dwarf’s spirits.
A 9x9 coop has been dug out, holding all of the fort’s poultry; I’m also glad that we have a breeding pair of chickens - two hens and one rooster, all of them pets (ooc: and with decent stats, too; one of the hens could use an unfortunate accident, but I don’t think it’s worth the bother). I won’t let them breed, though, we have sufficient food; still, it’s nice to have the option The last section is currently occupied with cages; I’m unsure what to do with it in the long run.
(https://i.imgur.com/mZcKspW.png)
The main level is next, and this is where I’ll upend everything:
(https://i.imgur.com/LvQjNNa.png)
All workshops have been dismantled; this large room will be turned into the new and improved tavern. The old one will be removed, and saved up for the next guild hall. The hospital needs more beds, the food & booze stockpiles need to be extended. The old corridor was turned into a kitchen, with dedicated stockpiles for meat & fish, eggs, and extracts. This is where the prepared meals will be cooked. In the temple, the slabs were removed, and they’ll be rebuilt in the necropolis; multiple empty pastures were removed too.
Below the main room, plant processing is gearing up. The stockpile marked here is only for thread-bearing plants; two farmer’s workshops are going to be constructed, and left to process plants into thread forever. On the right side, we’ll designate the ‘master’ stockpile for all plants, leaves and fruits. A barrel stockpile is going to be defined between them.
(https://i.imgur.com/aLozmaQ.png)
12th. The caravan has arrived. A bit earlier than usual. Oh well. Bridge up, and let’s move all finished goods to the depot. We have a remarkable collection of training weapons, for some reason; I presume they were bought for the military? They are not needed, actual weapons provide better training anyway.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ubsjm4j.png)
While all the hauling is done, the outpost liaison manages to corner me. I would have liked to see him after we trade with the merchants, but I guess I’ll have to roll with it now. I ask him for all wood-derived byproducts - coal, lye, potash and pearlash. I ask gypsum powder for the hospital, as we have yet to hit any rock that can be baked into plaster.
(https://i.imgur.com/oZsMKD3.png)
Among the animals, I ask for cats, ewes & rams, and hens & roosters. Stone is disappointing - the mountainhome doesn’t offer lignite or bituminous coal, and that is what I’d have really liked to have; I have to settle for a bit of magnetite, hematite, gold ores, garnierite and some kimberlite just for the color. Wood gets asked for en masse, obviously, seeing as our only source of coal is logs.
(ooc: there was a slight instance of save scumming - 9th to 28th. The caravan glitched out somehow, and would not get ready for trade; it was stuck in “we are still unloading”, forever. This can happen if one of the wagons/traders was not in the depot, or was destroyed before reaching it, but none of that happened this time. It’s a mystery...)
19th; Let us trade!
Apparently, my predecessor ordered steel bars; this allowed the gouging traders to bring only four bars, total, and price them ridiculously high:
(https://i.imgur.com/7MuBEeo.png)
(ooc: always, always, order the ores. They’ll still only bring four chunks, ‘cause that’s how they roll, but this translates into way more bars; it’s cheaper too, not that any established fortress cares about costs).
On the animal front, every beast under the sun has been asked for, except for cats and hens - the ones I really wanted; I buy the dogs, turkeys, and two ewes that the traders saw fit to bring without having been ordered; smart guys.
There were no logs, but I did get the cheaper barrels. Three bins of extremely expensive cloth have been passed by; 800 dorf bucks for 10 bolts of cloth is a ridiculously high price.
And this concludes our trading.
(https://i.imgur.com/VmTkOpq.png)
I return to digging; three things are in progress now - the crafting area, the nobles’ rooms, and the cloth zone.
Crafting is the first to be completed; makes sense, seeing as it was also the first to be started. Our least happy dwarf, the militia commander ReignedAxes, is removed from all other jobs and left only with bone carving. I hope he’ll find some joy in crafting, and maybe some joy in new clothes when that industry kicks off as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/9o5dpe5.png)
The noble rooms are far worse than I thought - the old rooms were shared alcoves, in the main level, south of the hospital and north of the future tavern. Only Salmeuk’s bedroom remains there; all others have been removed along with all their furniture.
(https://i.imgur.com/cta69T8.png)
I do have some ideas as to where I can carve out new 5x5 offices and dining rooms - wrapped around the plant processing area. This will require us to connect some stairways that used to be isolated, but that’s not that big a deal.
The cloth processing area is best done under the plant processing area; not only is that level the only one available (sandwiched as it is between bedrooms and crafting levels) but it’s mostly unused, with only the upper level of the Cathedral of Kindness truly occupying space here. There’s a remnant of the old access ramps, but those were replaced by stairs.
(https://i.imgur.com/TQqLJlP.png)
12th Sandstone
(https://i.imgur.com/uH1H3TM.png)
While we were all focusing on digging and hauling, a were-pig had arrived; the caravan guard had stepped up, and killed it before I was even notified. I thank them, and make a quiet note to have the depot sealed off from the fort before next autumn - just in case any of the traders was bit and is hiding it.
(https://i.imgur.com/jmOwjoZ.png)
The ‘werebeast’ here is the corpse being hauled, not the critter itself.
18th Sandstone. Apropos of nothing, our legendary armorer has just finished chewing through our supply of bronze:
(https://i.imgur.com/jtDqWnj.png)
Our supply of steel is still not worth talking about; and will soon stop due to lack of coal anyway.
Dwarves are starting to become jobless; I set up a new dump zone above the atom smasher, and mark all corpses & body parts for obliteration.
And since I’m here, I also run though all the seeds we have; none of these can grow in this climate (neither do some of the others, but I’m an eternal optimist):
(https://i.imgur.com/sgngBaK.png)
One of the rooms on this level has been made useful after all; I pastured all the dogs in here. I’ll leave it to the next overseer if they want to wall them up or not; but I’d strongly suggest at least you train the mutts for war, then assign them to the military (or train all but a few females, and keep a separate breeding stock?)
(https://i.imgur.com/zzOX0lC.png)
1st of Timber.
The three goals established two months ago have been nearly completed. The crafting area was revamped, stockpiles for specific stones were made, and the fort’s one legendary mason has already started crafting limestone tables, chairs, cabinets, coffers, armor stands, and weapon racks. The man’s mood has improved greatly too - he was unhappy since the end of spring, but nothing lifts the dwarven spirit quite like crafting masterworks. He is now content.
(https://i.imgur.com/lZtWMIa.png)
I do believe we have no craftsdwarf to make use of that giant pile of jet; it was earmarked for pots, but it’s hardly critical; between the pots already present, and all the barrels I bought from traders, we’re set.
The thread and cloth area was completed as well; tailors are already at work, and whatever they make gets picked up immediately by a population with increasingly shabby clothing.
The stockpiles for cloth and thread have been separated. Leather was kept off to the left. The dyer’s workshop was built just in case; there is a bag of dimple dye, probably bought from traders, and dimple cups keep cropping up from the spontaneous flora. There’s no plan to deliberately start growing dye plants, however; it’s hardly ever worth the bother.
(https://i.imgur.com/J738HOv.png)
The bedroom level has gotten quite a few additions: besides the new bedrooms and the plant processing area, I have made offices and dining rooms for our mayor, our baron, and the captain of the guard. A fourth pod is available, if we get a surprise noble down the line. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have dismantled the jail cells.
(https://i.imgur.com/wZCDwVK.png)
Motivated by the werebeast, I decide the next project will be to move the trade depot in some place where it can be sealed off from the fort. That place is the top-right corner of the ‘internal’ part of the long-defunct Labyrinth. This location was picked around mid-summer, already been dug out, and stockpiles with items for trade have been set.
(https://i.imgur.com/DTl81i3.png)
Too bad the dwarven caravan has not ‘benefited’ from our vast stores of crappy furniture. I’ll have to ask my successor to foist it on the elves; and likely the humans too, since elves can only carry very little weight.
The above-ground construction is designated: a 7x7 area will be the ‘landing’ for the caravan, isolated from the rest of the surface with walls, bridges, and roof:
(https://i.imgur.com/yptEF9X.png) (https://i.imgur.com/FTwl9V1.png)
(ooc: given just how small the embark is, the odds of hostiles spawning in the ‘secure’ airlock is uncomfortably high. The trade depot is going to be isolated with my favorite hatch-over-up-stair assembly, and considered to be outside for the purposes of security).
The two bridges are connected to a small lever in the main area, and then raised. This effectively seals the airlock from the rest of the surface.
With that concluded, it’s time to dig the ramps; the walls were all built while the bridges were connected. Trade depots need a bit of distance from the edge, but I’m still building it as far as I can get away with. Now what should I make this depot out of, I wonder?
Green glass blocks seem perfectly fine. Not like glass blocks are used for anything else...
(https://i.imgur.com/6i0qQNc.png)
Post by: delphonso on June 03, 2020, 11:29:25 pm
No issues with werebeast infection?
Post by: StrikaAmaru on June 04, 2020, 12:12:32 am
The next chapter will get posted tomorrow evening (edit: so about a day and a half from this post), and so will the save. I did finish my turn already, but I'd like to spend 2 days minimum per season. And of course I'll branch off a save and keep playing :D
Post by: auzewasright on June 04, 2020, 07:10:38 am
Post by: delphonso on June 04, 2020, 07:12:01 am
Post by: applet on June 04, 2020, 12:41:09 pm
I was going to say not to worry about the werepig, as I know for a fact one of the merchants was bitten in my turn. Then I stopped to think about what I had just said.It's totally not gonna be the same traders next year. Promise.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on June 05, 2020, 02:29:01 am
I was going to say not to worry about the werepig, as I know for a fact one of the merchants was bitten in my turn. Then I stopped to think about what I had just said.I went to check the calendar online, just to see if Mr. WerePig was an external visitor or had come with the caravan; and he's definitely from the outside.
The two full moons relevant to the matter are 15th Galena and 13th Limestone. Piggy was made apparent on the 12th Limestone, so if he'd have been present the past month, he should have were'd from the 14th to 16th, well within the period when the caravan was in the fort. The caravan had arrived on the 12th (in both playthroughs, btw) so Piggy couldn't have been part of the caravan.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on June 05, 2020, 10:51:57 am
(album) (https://imgur.com/a/xWblFZC)
3rd Opal
Our luck holds - the legendary armorer will be joined by a legendary weaponsmith:
(https://i.imgur.com/Dg4CRlR.png)
10th Opal. The weaponsmith has assembled all her materials, and begun her work:
(https://i.imgur.com/j753usx.png)
14th. A new artifact is completed; a good artifact on its own, but once more the dwarf is the real gain here:
(https://i.imgur.com/iypSEzJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/A6jz9lU.png)
15th Opal. With one and a half months until the year ends, I have time to complete one last task: either I breach and seal the third cavern, or I exploit the cursed forest. I’m more tempted by the former, to be honest; far too many times I said just how easy it would be to secure the final cave…
Cavern it is; one up-stair is all that keeps us from it, and it from us.
(https://i.imgur.com/gotrUs5.png)
As it usually happens when sealing a cavern, construction is the great priority that dwarves have. I disable all other hauling jobs (except food of course). The cavern is occupied only with two hideous creatures, called molemarian; a freakish mish-mash of giant mole and mole man. They may yet live, if they won’t interfere with our operations.
26st Opal. Molemarians do indeed interfere with us; one attacks a mechanic who was busily constructing a wall section. The long dormant military is asked to kill both of them.
15th Obsidian. The third cavern has been sealed. Only one connection to the outside remains, and it was left on purpose:
(https://i.imgur.com/JDz2GtH.png)
Once the bridge will finish, it can be linked to its lever, off on the stairway; should unfortunate events happen until then, a hatch on the upper right can be locked off. The inside of this area should be wallpapered in cages, obviously.
I regret leaving work for my successor, but there simply wasn’t enough time. But if I’m going to hand work to someone, I’ll at least document it properly. Building the bridge cannot continue until the vast number of corpses on the edge is moved; for this purpose, I have designated a dump area in the landing zone’s proximity - specifically on this tile:
(https://i.imgur.com/OhkuKLF.png)
All non-critical dwarves can haul the years of corpses cluttering the edge; then the bridge can be constructed and linked, and the cavern will be ours, to open and close at will!
The vast number of corpses is another weight on his or her shoulders too, and the happiness penalties from all of them is definitely going to see my name cursed (at least in private).
On the up side, the military has plenty of masterwork armor and weaponry. They have yet to pick up most of it, though.
The armorer and weaponsmith have their work lined up; bronze production is still chugging along, and steel production is currently blocked by not having one single lump of coal. Even the two bars of coal built in the mystery wall outside have been reclaimed and used.
(https://i.imgur.com/PV0S36f.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MDULBFo.png) (https://i.imgur.com/jcefiLz.png)
On the subject of the smithy, there’s a mystery lever visible there; it was labeled as “blocks access to pit”, but I have no idea what pit is being referenced. There’s certainly nothing obviously pit-like in the vicinity...
(https://i.imgur.com/ICcIfvf.png)
Clothing for the civilian population has been going on and off since summer - leather shoes, and everything else from cloth. Non-plant cloth & thread are not economically significant:
(https://i.imgur.com/Wi4iiYR.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/agSmWhi.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/gcErf7Q.png)
I leave the caged critters to my successor as well; do please keep in mind we have three necromancers as prisoners. Perhaps they should be executed, one at a time and far from any corpses; or perhaps they can be put to use. I am unscrupulous enough to consider them a scarce resource, more than a vile enemy.
Nobiliary rooms have been arranged; not always to the exacting specifications of nobles, but they certainly find themselves much better at the end of my rule than at the start:
(https://i.imgur.com/p9eO2bk.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/TJSwhJp.png)
In contrast, locations were thoroughly neglected.
The intended ‘new and improved’ tavern wasn’t even started. The floor still needs smoothing, furniture needs to be built, and the area itself needs to be defined. We have two instruments to build, too.
(https://i.imgur.com/MmBO52F.png)
On the corpse processing area, I temporarily disabled the corpse stockpile while cave construction was underway; it should be turned back on. Butchers are slowly going through the backlog of cavern corpses, and as a result stockpiles for bone and crafting materials (skulls, teeth, horns, hooves) are overflowing. Mister sadface sword dwarf has plenty of work.
In the main dirt layer, the least has changed; i repurposed 2 old stockpiles of weapons and armor, to only accept excellent and master work pieces All those items visible here on the floor are in that category; so you understand why I'm miffed about the military not grabbing new duds.
(https://i.imgur.com/MyzRVky.png)
For the under-surface, there’s not much else to do except unlock the hatch when elves arrive. The hatch was locked as soon as the work was done; something that my successor ought to keep in mind. There are also three stockpiles visible, one with crafts, and the other two with furniture of less than excellent quality - because the first one exceeded 121 items. Just fork it over to the elves, they don’t know what they’re looking at, man.
(https://i.imgur.com/7PoAViQ.png)
(ooc: Yes, I habitually sell shitty furniture to elves. I picture them near-breaking their mounts’ backs hauling dozens of stone furniture pieces each, thinking it to be friggin’ awesome; while by dwarven standards, those same pieces are at best meh. That's what they get for not working with stone).
Lastly, the surface is closed. We have no immediate need of it, nor will the trading caravan need it now that I’m done with the new trade depot. Undead can come and visit all they want, they’ll only find cages.
(https://i.imgur.com/2g4Ma6i.png)
------=oOo=------
But seriously, notes to the future overseer:
The military is effectively benched. I needed a lot of people to do a lot of crap, and I didn’t want to keep one third of the fort removed from all jobs while they’re training. The uniform has a small oops, that I never noticed during my turn: it was defined with leggings instead of greaves, and I made greaves on the ground that they're a little better than leggings.
Clothing is genuinely approaching criticality; there was a round of clothes-making, until we ran out of cloth; tailors outpace weavers. Plant extractors, weavers, and tailors are some of the fort’s most important people right now. Until the cave was breached, they were all exempt from hauling jobs.
On the crafting level, the corridor was supposed to have a choke point - a place to cut off the fort in half; I didn’t make that, didn’t even build a lousy pair of doors.
The third cavern - my unfinished project:
On the up side - a new source of logs, and it’s one bridge away from sealing. Or locked hatch, if something dangerous spawns before the bridge is done. Happiness penalties from the corpses were a great deal more merciful than I expected; most dwarves in SmallHands feel nothing when seeing dead bodies. Happiness was barely even impacted; before the cave was breached mid-winter, I had one unhappy dwarf. At the end of winter, I had four.
Another up side - there are all sorts of fantastic beasts roaming the third cavern layer; this past summer, we had a cave dragon roaming around. Caging and taming these beasties may be a worthwhile endeavour - if the goblins can do it, so can we; then let’s see who goes a-razing enemy strongholds with a coterie of jabberers, cave dragons, rutherers, and whatever other deadly gribblies we catch.
On the down side - all the corpses; processing them is going to take for fucking ever. In my ‘other’ playthrough, the butchers had been working non-stop, and had yet to finish by the time summer rolled around. Hauling all of them will take a lot more time than sealing the cavern proper.
Happiness is doing rather well, in fact. The saddest of them all is ReignedAxes, who keeps getting only bad thoughts:
(https://i.imgur.com/eeT4A3H.png)
Bad thoughts which the little blighted moron shouldn’t have, because we do have lavish meals, and he did pick up brand new masterwork armor, and I honestly can’t do anything about his absent family. While we’re on the subject, his military status is still present - I tried to remove him from his squad but he was the leader; so now he’s in a bizarre limbo state where he’s still the captain, although he’s no longer the captain.
Looking through recent thoughts, a lot more dwarves are bitching about lack of decent meals; there are 1029 units in the stocks, so I recommend you forbid all meat, and all plants in the ‘master’ stockpile (thread plans aren’t edible in the first place). I’m leaving you with 860 booze, which should last a significant amount of time for 60 dwarves (860 / 60 = ~14.3, but I’ve had a pain of a time finding how much each dwarf drinks in a year - in DF2012 it was 2 units every 3 weeks for a total of 32; but for newer versions, the wiki is silent, and a reddit post claims ~18).
I wish you luck with the miserable dwarf - in my own play he went melancholic in early spring, just as he returned to crafting. He died at the start of summer.
Lastly: the cursed forest. It would in theory be possible to send only the dwarves who are already afflicted by the neverending fever, to cut trees and dump everything on the surface. It would also be possible to send these dwarves through a pit or trough with only a bit of water - at most 3 - so both they and the items they bring will be cleaned.
Save file - 'smallhands 160' - http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15102
Post by: applet on June 05, 2020, 02:53:25 pm
Initial impressions.
There's a lot of crap everywhere.
There's no plaster or soap.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/hospital-start.PNG)
There is a soap stockpile.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/soap-stockpile.PNG)
I've never seen such a.. interesting job assignment schema.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/jobs.PNG)
@StrikaAmaru - Just a couple of things I've noted regarding what you've noted.
- Cloth weaving is slowed down by web collection, not sure if this was intentional
- Dwarves like to dress up. minimizing the different types of clothes helps fulfilling demand faster (they can wear both socks and shoes, but really only need one type to not get a bad thought)
- "decent meals" means their preferred food afaik
- "acquiring something" means trading afaik
- The bad thoughts we see in dwarf profiles and DT is only really the tip of the iceberg. I've seen plenty of dwarves in my forts that have very low stress but a lot of "bad" thoughts, and some VERY stressed dwarves who don't have many at all. Not entirely sure what this is about, or how the differences are between .44 and .47 (I have mostly played .44, and no real experience before that).
This isn't meaning to blame or whatever, just observations from my experience with the game - so don't take it too seriously ;)
ps. regarding Moldaths "family"
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Proper story intro to come.
Post by: applet on June 05, 2020, 03:27:28 pm
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/applet.PNG)
The inner thoughts of an Alpaca
applet, Overpaca
Wooot woot wooooot, aboot time I gots me some recognition around here. For all the work I do. Clearly I'm the most imortant creature around here.
I crack myself up.
... I'm not sure these dwarves understand that they've made an alpaca overseer.
Not that it matters, we're gonna fix this 'fort' up right.
I could use a bath. A soapy bath. Hmm. Oh. Theres a dwarf.
...
So I guess I can't really stop myself from spitting on them. I hope he got the message though. Soap. How hard could it be?
Mmm. What else. Central heating would be nice...
Post by: Spriggans on June 05, 2020, 05:53:05 pm
Long live the apacaseer !! Or the overpaca... however you name it !
May his wool never wear !
Post by: delphonso on June 05, 2020, 06:38:43 pm
Acquire something is met by carrying goods and then claiming one for yourself. It's an annoying one to meet because it requires crafts to be made quite often, and everyone with that bad thought to be hauling crafts - which is generally low priority. I'd recommend just making a wave of bone crafts and hope for the best.
Post by: Laterigrade on June 06, 2020, 01:52:20 am
Post by: King Zultan on June 06, 2020, 02:46:39 am
Post by: applet on June 06, 2020, 03:13:08 am
Acquire something is met by carrying goods and then claiming one for yourself. It's an annoying one to meet because it requires crafts to be made quite often, and everyone with that bad thought to be hauling crafts - which is generally low priority. I'd recommend just making a wave of bone crafts and hope for the best.
Does this include clothes? Regarding crafts, the dwarf in question is making crafts more or less non stop (and from strika's report it looks like that has been going on for a while), so there should be no shortage of things. But dwarves aren't the brightest creatures when it comes to stress.. wait. I think that goes for humans in real life too..
Post by: applet on June 06, 2020, 04:15:06 am
applet, Overpaca
Not four seconds after I was officially made overseer there was rattling of weapons from the surface. "Gobbos" I believe is what the dwarf call went out.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/vile-force.PNG)
So I made my way to the surface.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/invasion-force.PNG)
I mean. Yes. There is a goblin. A single goblin. When I try to explain to the nearby dwarf (while spitting at her, naturally) that there are more humans than goblins and therefore does not qualify as "gobbos", she just runs away. Was it something I spat?
Everything goes back to normal for aboot 4 minutes. Then another dwarf call goes out. "DRAAAGON".
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/cave-dragon.PNG)
Post by: nogoodnames on June 06, 2020, 07:42:23 am
Post by: applet on June 06, 2020, 08:21:16 am
applet, Overpaca
Dragon. Dragon. Dragonfire. The hottest thing ever. Ooh. That means.. best central heating ever!
Now, to capture it.
I start making my way down to the caves, where this dragon supposedly is, only to notice the dwarves stop panicking. I spit at a nearby fellow and ask if the dragon was captured. He doesn't react. I spit at him once again. No reaction.
I think I've found my new best friend!
***
I've now deduced that the dragon was in fact not captured, but killed. At first I was very disappointed with my subjects. Then I learned it wasn't a real dragon at all - didn't even breathe fire!
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/cave-dragon-punch.PNG)
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/cave-dragon-end.PNG)
I track down my friend, he's making odd things out of white things. There's a lot of white things around. "Bones, bones, bones", I hear him mumble.
I express my dismay, while profusely spitting, about the dragon situation. I lounge into the topic of central heating where I orate for a good while about its virtues, only to realize my friend left some time ago.
Come to think of it, he didn't quite seem like himself, behaving more like the other dwarves. I hope he's back to his normal friendly self soon.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on June 06, 2020, 08:28:16 am
Post by: applet on June 06, 2020, 08:53:36 am
applet, Overpaca
I notice a dwarf heading directly for me, which is uncommon, as we close I notice a glimmer in the eyes. We pass without a sound. I turn and reflexively prepare to spit, but the dwarf is nowhere to be found. Huh.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/deler-mood.PNG)
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/bracelet.PNG)
***
My spit-immune friend is back - I take the opportunity to orate about how cold it is in this fort, and that we really should be doing something about that. He listens patiently, or ignores me, it's hard to tell. I decide that he is in fact listening, I love having a dwarf friend.
***
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/olon-mood.PNG)
I see another dwarf run with that glimmer in the eyes in the distance. I wonder what thats all about.
I go back to the surface to get some food, only to find more than half the forts popluation running with furniture down into a hatch covered stair. They push me out of the way when I try to follow to find out whats going on.
After eating I go look for my friend near the "bones bones bones" as he calls it. He is not there, but I do find 2 extraordinary items.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/olon-mood-result.PNG)
Come to think of it, this is where both those dwarves with the eyes vanished. I wonder if there is a correlation.
Post by: applet on June 06, 2020, 10:13:04 am
applet, Overpaca
The dwarves have called a meeting and apparently forgot to invite me. My friend was not invited either, so I don't take it personally.
I enter the room (I guess it's actually a smelting and forging area, lots of ores, bars, bags and green spirally things on the ground) just as the conversation gets going.
"There's a newly founded hillocks to the west, which is now under our jurisdiction" one of the dwarves say. "That means that we now need to have a count".
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/new-hillocks.PNG)
"Well, we should clearly promote the baron" I say, trying to minimize the spitting. "Then I can become the baron, it wouldn't look right with an alpaca in the highest post now, would it?".
The dwarves turn to me in silence. Then they turn back to each other.
Another dwarf mentions "We have a lot of followers of 'The Righteous Doctrines', we should establish a temple and appoint a priest".
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/temple-request.PNG)
"But we have no overseer this year" mumbles one of the dwarves. "I guess we'll have to leave it to the mayor to decide".
I clear my throat, accidentally spitting the talker all over, due to spit buildup from the last attempt to hold back. "We should grant this request, since we have shrines to other churches that have much fewer followers among us".
One of the dwarves laughs and several other giggle. I am unsure of what they find funny with what I've said.
I decide to leave the meeting, for there seems to be no more points to address as overseer.
"I can't believe he only hit you" I hear the laughing dwarf say on my way out.
***
I find my friend in an unfriendly mood again, he seems almost like a different personality. I worry the 'bones bones bones' are getting to him. He is very dedicated to them though.
***
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/quarque-mood.PNG)
Yet another of those glimmery eyed dwarves run past me in the stairwell. I decide to follow and see for myself if this one will make one of those extraordinary items.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/superdorf-tantarum.PNG)
On the way down I hear some excited screaming, but it's not a dwarf call. I'm too focused on keeping up with glimmer-eyes to pay much attention.
Glimmer-eyes throws out another dwarf from his workshop and proceeds to haul a rock to the workshop, then runs off. I stay, counting on that he'll come back to the workshop - and being too slow on the stairs to keep up anyway.
After a couple of runs with more things, glimmer-eyes starts working on something, but doesn't let me look. Hmmph.
I'll have to check back later I guess.
***
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/quarque-mood-result.PNG)
I check up on the workshop and find a strange contraption of extraordinary quality. Theres some images out of gems and bronze on the item. Looking closely I actually recognize the pictured cyclops and human.
I go upstairs to check - yes, they are sitting in cages among other caged animals, un-animals and other.. creatures.
I leave to ponder what I've just seen - the captured subjects being important enough to warrant likenesses on such an item.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/quarque-mood-result-details.PNG)
***
Something has changed with my friend, now he listens even more patiently, even though he does wander a bit. I don't mind, he's slow and I like walking and talking.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/moldath-melancholy.PNG)
The other dwarves look at me when we pass, not him. Curious. They do seem appreciative though, maybe he has no other friends?
***
Disaster! My friend is dead!
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/moldath-dead.PNG)
I snuggle up to his body to keep him warm while he passes to the great meadows.
Two dwarves appear, one going for my friend, the other coming straight for me.
"Come now, time to get back to the pasture" he says to me.
"What!" I say and spit to him. "I must attend my friend's funeral!"
"Hey now, theres no need for that attitude, come here." He leads me to the surface food. Oh well, maybe a snack is a good idea.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/pasture-applet.PNG)
Notes to next player
Central heating has been the only real progress in the fort during my turn, it is in fact a pumpstack from the magma sea up to 1z below the surface. It should be possible to weaponize this - which was my original goal. Iron is magma safe, so dump magma on invaders, burn the stress-inducing bits, then gather up the iron for steel making.
Controls for reactor & pumpstack is here. The levers are named, with a matching floodgate/gear assembly named the same.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
You can shut off the reactor (And stop any lag) with the "drain reactor" lever. I am unsure of how much lag the pumpstack will generate, it is supposedly of a "low lag" design, but I haven't tested in this version.
I requested leather, iron ores, steel & iron anvils (for smelting), plaster from the dwarven caravan.
The cavern situation is the same as at the end of last turn, I had enough when the cave dragon showed up, together with a few mole things. So I just locked the hatch.
Clothes still need to be produced, tunics seem to be good for now, but socks, gloves, caps and trousers still need a few more. The main trouble with the clothesmaking is cancellation spam because the clothiers try to pick out of the same bin. Work orders make sure things retry properly.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/nobles.PNG)
Nobles are fulfilled, except that the mayor has a temporary office in jail so that he can meet stressed jailed dwarves.
In addition to the temple (which is just repurposed what seemed like an old stockpile) there was a craftsdwarf guildhall established.
We have a few too many dwarves.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/status-161.PNG)
Wasn't a problem in my case, but keep that in mind if you have fps issues.
On a related note, there are some stressed dwarves.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/stress-161.PNG)
Maybe that can solve the issue of dwarfcount.
Also, I never fixed the soap situation xD.
Oh, and we have a visitor...
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/forlorn-ghoul-visit.PNG)
Save http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15103 (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15103)
Post by: auzewasright on June 06, 2020, 12:42:10 pm
Post by: delphonso on June 06, 2020, 11:13:58 pm
Great work, applet!
Post by: Spriggans on June 07, 2020, 04:38:04 am
I guess its my turn now.
Terraria 1.4 will have to wait, this small fort needs me !
Expect an update by next week.
So we are lacking clothes ? Would it be okay to use candy for clothings ? Humm
Post by: applet on June 07, 2020, 07:07:49 am
So we are lacking clothes ? Would it be okay to use candy for clothings ? Humm
Not exactly lacking, but there's little or none to spare (depending on the type) - which is not ideal.
Post by: Spriggans on June 08, 2020, 08:13:35 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
OOC :
I'm trying something new with this comics' like narration.
IDK where this will lead, but I like it so far. Sadly, if I spot a typo, it's already too late to correct it.
I'm not native english, so typos will happen. Deel with it :D
See you later.
Post by: auzewasright on June 08, 2020, 09:22:31 am
Post by: Laterigrade on June 15, 2020, 07:23:39 am
Post by: Spriggans on June 16, 2020, 03:33:43 am
So far, I've only played like 5 days in game total ^^ I should get going ! :p
Let's say : if by the end of the week, I have not managed to get some play time, I will pass on the torch ;)
Post by: delphonso on June 16, 2020, 04:40:21 am
Post by: Spriggans on June 16, 2020, 04:49:10 am
Post by: Spriggans on June 16, 2020, 06:30:38 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
OOC : I have a story arc I would like to follow. But it probably involves me not finishing the year all through Obsidian into Granite.
Would that be okay if I upload a save that is only like 6 months in ? Maybe less ?
Post by: delphonso on June 16, 2020, 09:03:58 am
I'd also be fine to jump in and finish out the year if we want to pass it on at Spring.
Post by: Spriggans on June 16, 2020, 09:38:22 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
OOC :
- I hope these are readable. It can be hard to get all that's happening in these tiny cells. And getting the cells to be read logically, with all the different sizes can be tricky. I hope it's OK.
- Morale in the fortress is quite low. It was "bad" when I started. But building this tower outside- with corpses and evil rain - probably made it "VERY bad".
- Superdorf berzerked, Auze, and another dwarf slept into depression, many tanthrums, and "scared" messages as well. I was originally planning on not caring. But this could kill the fort if I don't get cautious. Hence a "revolution" against the Necro happening eventually.
- KingZultan, I roleplayed a little bit for you here, you were one of the outdoors workers, and you seem to have escaped the Necromancer's influence.
Spoiler: Yes, this fort is about to wreak havoc (click to show/hide)
Post by: Spriggans on June 17, 2020, 07:39:31 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on June 17, 2020, 07:55:02 am
Post by: Spriggans on June 17, 2020, 11:04:08 am
But I can't access DFFD ? Is it out ?
Post by: King Zultan on June 18, 2020, 01:40:46 am
Post by: Spriggans on June 18, 2020, 05:51:19 am
So, KingZultan, newly renamed "Necromancers hunter", was on an important mission
(https://i.imgur.com/t9HWjNb.png)
Remember this door ?
(https://i.imgur.com/JwcMgDz.png)
Our dwarf had to link it to a trigger, and pull the lever.
This would seal Spriggans away forever.
Into this hermetic Tower he would rot. And the dwarves could at last thrive.
The plan was simple... But time was running out.
You see, the red eyes were ready to move their master in.
And there was many of them.
(https://i.imgur.com/JC3iZAp.png)
The Tower was complete. Spriggans the Sparkly's cage was put in its new room.
(https://i.imgur.com/KvRl2zC.png)
This was the time. King Zultan went for the door !
(https://i.imgur.com/PkZO0Wv.png)
But an army of red eyes still stood in his path !
(https://i.imgur.com/5cHkkYs.png)
It was getting bad ! One of the minions started a fist fight !
(https://i.imgur.com/ZolmOOS.png)
Things went chaotic ! Dwarves attacked one another randomly !
A messy fight occured in the tiny halls !
(https://i.imgur.com/hLMRyl1.png)
KingZultan managed to crawl out of this mess unscathed...
Eventually, reaching the target.
(https://i.imgur.com/gH1h5eZ.png)
One more pull...
(https://i.imgur.com/u2qoVAg.png)
The deal was done !
(https://i.imgur.com/YChpud5.png)
The cages opened. Spriggans walked out of its cage.
Believing he had achieved freedom.
(https://i.imgur.com/YHrdAAz.png)
Only to find himself locked inside.
(https://i.imgur.com/UEcHEmS.png)
Evil had been sealed away ! Hopefully forever !
Dwarves regained their sences.
(https://i.imgur.com/2XY6Fq9.png)
SmallHands endures...
Save: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15113
OOC :
- Time is late 5th month. So the next player has a nice year and a half.
- He should probably do something about morale. Depressions everywhere, redondant tantrums, and sadness are usual things now in SmallHands.
- IIRC, 4 or 5 dwarves are patheticaly unhappy. Should focus on them.
- I have not used at all the magma pump, but I believe something is broken. There is water in the magma shaft...
- I have made a res. chamber on top of the Tower
Post by: Laterigrade on June 18, 2020, 06:29:14 am
This could be the undoing of the fort; even in my turn I don’t think it got this bad; yes everyone was dead but at least that meant that no one was unhappy.
Post by: King Zultan on June 18, 2020, 07:35:55 am
Post by: Spriggans on June 18, 2020, 08:41:07 am
Maybe we need to put a handful of dwarves on vacation. But many of the older founders (Nogood, Salmeuk, especially) are fine, and many are happy, though feverish.
Yes, it was maybe a bit optimistic to have the dwarves build an evil-rain outside Tower. (But hey ! I did build the Tower rooftops first, so the inner layers were at least be protected from the nasty rain ! It could have been worst).
Dwarves' morale took a hit, sure. But hey ! Look at all the surface wood we have now ! ;D
Post by: applet on June 18, 2020, 08:45:22 am
Doesn't change the fact that the reactor couldn't start at the end of my turn due to lack of water. Needs a bunch at once, and I underestimated just how slow the aquifer is...
Post by: nogoodnames on June 20, 2020, 02:19:35 pm
Post by: auzewasright on June 20, 2020, 02:51:58 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on June 23, 2020, 10:28:53 pm
9th Galena
NECROMANCERS!
Even in cages, the fiends harry us still! If not for KingZultan, we might be completely in their grasp. Even with his quick action, Smallhands stands on the brink of disaster, despite its veneer of prosperity.
Since my miraculous resurrection, I had hoped to enjoy retirement, but it seems Weevilmessiah demands my servitude once again.
The fortress is in a bad way. Maybe not as close to total annihilation as it was at the beginning of my first term, but there are new problems, many and manifold. I’m a military leader, good at handling stressful situations and paving a path forward. But here there isn’t a clear goal. The problems that plague us now are the result of mismanagement, exploitation and decay. If I’m going to even begin to untangle them, I need to be an administrator, a politician, a therapist. I can only try my best.
First, let’s look around and take tally of the most pressing issues.
Disease
(https://i.imgur.com/LQJVCEq.png)
Nearly the entire fortress has contracted the vile swamp fever, courtesy of our necromancer’s blind ambition. Not only that, but many dwarves have untreated wounds from the resulting riots, most infected. We desperately need soap and some dedicated medics. Some dwarves have even developed horrible sores over their whole body. Is this a new symptom of long-term vile goo exposure?
Despair
(https://i.imgur.com/SZWOEtf.png)
While most of our citizens put on a strong face, the cracks are beginning to show. Moldath’s death was shocking, and he still hasn’t been replaced as militia commander. I fear he will soon be followed if the mood continues to worsen
Overpopulation
(https://i.imgur.com/y8hLkMP.png)
Smallhands was never meant to accommodate so many. Overpopulation exacerbates many of the other problems we face. Fortunately, we now administrate several hillocks which may provide a home to some of our more dissatisfied citizens. The swarms of animals are another matter. I don’t know whose idea it was to breed turkeys but they’re now completely unmanageable.
The necromancers are another matter. Two of them are locked in their tower, behind a flimsy wooden door and some windows at ground level. It’s an intolerable weakness in our defenses but it should keep them for now. The third is still in a cage in our animal stockpile. With the manipulative power the one called “Spriggans” has demonstrated, I can’t allow him to stay there. Unfortunately, some well-meaning former overseer has renovated our “prisons” into a set of rooms for KingZultan. They can still be converted to their original purpose, albeit with weaker security. Hopefully he doesn’t mind a relocation.
And finally, the worst problem we are facing: my favourite axe is being used to chop firewood! Imic! Return Ravenwind to me! It’s been too long since I’ve held a proper weapon!
(https://i.imgur.com/1XdVvl6.png)
Post by: Spriggans on June 24, 2020, 03:07:34 am
Myself had these commisionned. The Tower needed to be classy. And classy buildings have windows.
Moreover, I thought it could be... interresting... to let the Necromancer see outside.
For the concern of the overabundance of chickens, I recall we have more food than we can eat right now.
So maybe it is possible to crush-bridge the birds. For time-saving that is. 50ish dwarves won't probably eat that much anayways.
EDIT : And yesss !! The epic drawings are back !! :D
Post by: King Zultan on June 24, 2020, 06:27:14 am
We should turn the fortress into a McDonald and sell the nuggets of chicken to everyone ever!
Post by: auzewasright on June 24, 2020, 06:54:12 am
But what about the chicken nuggets?Yes.
We should turn the fortress into a McDonald and sell the nuggets of chicken to everyone ever!
Post by: applet on June 24, 2020, 03:40:24 pm
But what about the chicken nuggets?So long as they are small nuggets..
We should turn the fortress into a McDonald and sell the nuggets of chicken to everyone ever!
Post by: delphonso on June 24, 2020, 08:42:39 pm
Two kids meals coming up.
(Sorry everyone, I've been super busy lately. Updating the main page now...)
Just want to say - if nogood can't turn things around - I'm really happy with how long Smallhands has lasted and the crazy stories that have come from it. This was wildly successful beyond my loftiest ambitions and I just want to thank all of you for making this possible. You guys are great. Long live Smallhands!
Post by: Laterigrade on June 25, 2020, 01:16:48 am
Awesome drawing, Nogood!
Post by: auzewasright on June 29, 2020, 08:39:57 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on June 29, 2020, 10:20:41 pm
9th Galena
With most of my time spent training, I haven’t needed to pay too much attention to the fort’s unending renovations. But now it’s clear that things have gotten quite a bit more complicated. Everything is more spread out and specialized. I’ve had to spend some time taking notes and mapping out where things are. So many random garbage piles… At least the ridiculously long labyrinth has been cleared out and turned into something useful.
I’ve consulted with Salmeuk, our acting chief medical dwarf, on our health crisis. He has counted at least eight dwarves with potentially deadly infections. I’ve made it a top priority to get some soap made and hopefully avert this crisis, though I fear it may be too late for some of them. Lo and behold, we actually have a high master soap maker amongst us, so at least we’ll have quality soap going forward. Of the other ailments, there is little hope for treatment. The fever is supernatural, unleashed upon this land by the Plagues of Flanking and their demon master. There are old tales of those favoured by the gods being miraculously cured, but nothing concrete enough to help us.
In more optimistic news, it seems that the general mood of the fortress is less despondent than I was initially led to believe. There are only five dwarves who look to be dangerously on-edge right now: Rakust, KingZultan, Sigun, Rovod and Auze. Rakust and Rovod are the worst, both having multiple records of disorderly conduct. Rakust is a GraveWarden recruit and has never been good at dealing with stress. I blame myself for not noticing how bad she’d gotten. She apparently killed three dwarves between late winter and early summer, including Lokum, the poor bastard. The records of that time are sketchy, falling in the transitionary period between being ruled by an alpaca and an evil necromancer, so I can’t be sure it wasn’t justified. However, she has expressed no remorse over the deaths and her general attitude clearly makes her a liability. I’m removing her from the squad and confiscating her equipment, with exile being a possibility pending further investigation. Some dwarves just aren’t fit for frontier living.
(https://i.imgur.com/OyMFCFE.png)
The others are more deeply integrated into the fort and can’t be simply banished. Fortunately, none of them seem to be beyond help. Most are (rightly!) concerned for their safety given recent events. As long as they get time to relax and stay away from any corpses, they should recover.
The diplomat from the human lands is touring the Silent Hall with her guards, despite it being closed to non-citizens. She has some… interesting adornments.
(https://i.imgur.com/5GsNDeV.png)
Something about her puts me on edge. Who knows what dealings she had with Spriggans? And just what kind of seal does she keep? I’ve ordered the crypt to be locked, just in case. The elven diplomat is also still wandering around, but he at least has the courtesy to stick to the public areas.
13th Galena
KingZultan conducted an interrogation of Rakust today. She confessed, but only to a minor fist fight.
(https://i.imgur.com/z2bzogX.png)
Not the admission of dwarfslaughter I was looking for… Still, maybe I can leverage her punishment to keep her away from the fort without resorting to explicit exile. We could use someone to act as our agent in the outside world. Very well, she’ll be the first scout of Smallhands. Maybe some time away will help tame her rage.
14th Galena
Damn, never mind! Apparently, she was closer to the edge than I thought, and our little interview pushed her over. She’s gone completely berserk! To arms dwarves, defend yourselves!
(https://i.imgur.com/U0BKUae.png)
The deed is done. Without her axe, Rakust was only able to inflict a few bruises and broken teeth. Thank the gods for foresight. Two of our legendary warriors arrived on the scene and from there the fight was one-sided and brutal.
(https://i.imgur.com/yQ4tAR3.png)
Hopefully the others aren’t too affected by seeing her hacked to pieces like that.
Now then, the emergency is over, what else was I going to do? Ah yes, just a little housekeeping.
(https://i.imgur.com/0aQSNCs.png)
That never gets old.
24th Galena
Rakust’s body still sits, untouched, near the dog kennel. She’s been assigned a coffin within the main crypt, but it sits empty aside from a few of her teeth. I’ve heard murmurs of “traitors don’t deserve an honorable burial” but the corpse can’t just be left to rot and traumatize everyone passing by. Her dismembered head and limbs have been shoved in the corpse stockpile but apparently putting the torso with them would be too much for some of the hard-liners.
Finally, they agreed to dump the body into a crusher. But perhaps… perhaps she can serve the fort yet. I was going to use her to gather knowledge, I should not overlook such a perfect opportunity for her to fulfil that purpose. Preparations for the experiment chamber were already underway, it won’t be long now.
24th Galena
The military has been sitting stagnant for too long. We’ve been leaderless since Moldath’s death, and many recruits are getting rusty from lack of training. I can’t allow that state to continue. I’ve officially claimed the responsibility of Militia Commander. There will need to be some reorganization of the squads before we can resume full training regimens, but I’ve gone ahead and established a new training area under the main gatehouse skylight for informal drills. If we’re ever going to fight on the surface again, we can’t have the entire militia puking their guts out from the sun. Initial results are… mixed. They’ll acclimate soon enough. May need to remove the cage traps for dueling, though.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z1t2Hss.png)
Hopefully no one’s allergic to bee stings.
28th Galena
Dumed Laudedfloor, a previously unremarkable and unskilled recruit in the Gravewardens, has created a marvelous glass ring. He seems happier working down in the furnaces than he ever did in training.
(https://i.imgur.com/j0ElWaO.png)
13th Limestone
The dwarven caravan has arrived.
(https://i.imgur.com/NX58clI.png)
Things have been going slowly recently, but I hope to undertake some major restructuring soon. There are just so many things to take care of. In a way, I miss how simple things were when it was just Salmeuk and I.
Post by: applet on June 30, 2020, 06:14:44 am
She apparently killed three dwarves between late winter and early summer, including Lokum, the poor bastard. The records of that time are sketchy, falling in the transitionary period between being ruled by an alpaca and an evil necromancer, so I can’t be sure it wasn’t justified.I believe at least 1 was killed during my turn.
Also I guess some of the dwarves(?) figured out that an alpaca self assumed overseership - instead of there being one year with no overseer..
Hmm.. might be time for some alpaca "diaries", if still alive?
Post by: King Zultan on June 30, 2020, 07:43:31 am
Post by: auzewasright on June 30, 2020, 10:16:26 am
The diplomat from the human lands is touring the Silent Hall with her guards, despite it being closed to non-citizens. She has some… interesting adornments.
(https://i.imgur.com/5GsNDeV.png)
Something about her puts me on edge. Who knows what dealings she had with Spriggans? And just what kind of seal does she keep? I’ve ordered the crypt to be locked, just in case. The elven diplomat is also still wandering around, but he at least has the courtesy to stick to the public areas.
Spoiler: might be related (click to show/hide)
On another note, the hillocks "Wheelspages" has fallen to the goblins.
Post by: Salmeuk on June 30, 2020, 09:02:22 pm
applet - I read The inner thoughts of an Alpaca and thought, "Yeah this is gonna be good." It was.
Spriggans - cool idea to form comic-strip style journals from screenshots! My only issue was I sometimes had trouble understanding which panel to read next. Your story was more drama than I could ever ask for
It’s probably worth noting that this fortress and its population is essentially irreplaceable. No pressure.
hahaha
Quote
On the item is an image of 'Salmeuk' Paintedchewed the dwarf and tables in green glass. 'Salmeuk' Paintedchewed is surrounded by the tables.
oh god not the TABLES!
I'm liking the drawings Nogood. Sorry for my absence for a while, but I just caught myself up to the action.
..
Applet, it's too bad that wasn't a REAL dragon. I got excited not gonna lie
Post by: nogoodnames on June 30, 2020, 10:01:40 pm
19th Sandstone
Everything is in place for the experiment, but… do I really want to do this? My unlife was an accident, a twist of fate that turned out to be a blessing. Do I have the right to impose that kind of existence on another dwarf? If I do this, am I any better than the foul necromancers in their tower? Things were so much easier back when I lacked emotion.
No, we dwarves have always done what we must to survive in a hostile world. If we can learn to turn this abominable power back on its wielders, we owe it to everyone lost during the bad years to do so.
(https://i.imgur.com/w0EzICn.png)
…
…
Nothing.
Maybe the body is too damaged or too rotten. The lack of a head may be a problem. Or maybe the necromancer has guessed our ploy and refuses to go along with it. Or perhaps the puppy we tied up in the adjacent cell just isn’t enough motivation to draw out his magic…
(https://i.imgur.com/SdmgjlR.png)
This is a disappointment. Although in some ways, I am relieved.
Now that I take a better look at the necromancer, I recognize him! Yes, there’s no mistaking it, despite his disgracefully shaven face. We have captured Kol Namedpillars, former king of the dwarves! I remember him visiting our hillocks when I was just a boy! Oh, how far you’ve fallen…
Well, if he won’t cooperate there’s not much we can do. Perhaps a few months locked in a cell with a yapping pup will make him reconsider. On to other matters.
Post by: Laterigrade on July 01, 2020, 05:08:01 am
Post by: King Zultan on July 01, 2020, 07:06:30 am
Post by: Spriggans on July 01, 2020, 08:05:22 am
If we have some spare
Post by: Superdorf on July 01, 2020, 06:40:39 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 02, 2020, 03:40:50 am
This is also why heads and arms get back up, btw; heads have [GRASP] on the tongue, and arms on the hands, obviously.
Post by: delphonso on July 02, 2020, 04:40:13 am
Post by: nogoodnames on July 02, 2020, 09:14:57 pm
I dimly recall that a corpse needs to have at least one limb with the [GRASP] tag to be a valid target for resurrection; if there aren't any such bits on the torso, it won't rise.Based on some previous tests I did, the requirements for intelligent undead are a bit different. It seems like It's based on the upper body being intact rather than graspers, so even a delimbed torso should work (as cruel an existence that would be). I think it probably comes down to AI targeting quirks. I'll chuck some other corpses in and see what happens.
I'm in love with that puppy.Thanks! DF's limited colour palette makes it pretty hard to accurately portray something with multiple shades of brown, but I think he turned out okay.
Also, sorry for the slow updates. I'll push to get through the rest of the year over the weekend.
Post by: auzewasright on July 06, 2020, 10:18:39 am
Post by: nogoodnames on July 06, 2020, 11:36:50 pm
23rd Limestone
There’s been another incident of assault. On his way to deal with the caravan, Auze attacked Rakust, the sacred mirth, and then ran off. The poor bastard was already the victim of another attack earlier this year. I don’t know what triggered the attack, but it worries me how Auze seems to have worsened.
(https://i.imgur.com/aDOeb8P.png)
I just got word that he started another fight in the library, right in front of the human ambassador. This behaviour is completely unacceptable, but I’m at a loss on how to manage it. He’s an important figure in our fortress and a former overseer so shipping him off to the hillocks is out of the question.
Ah good, he’s calmed down. Well Auze, what do you have to say for yourself?
(https://i.imgur.com/cBIkzS2.png)
Sigh… Well, at least that’s something we can work with. Maybe a specific temple to his goddess will help. The Confusing has a few worshippers here but little mainstream recognition.
I also think that some combat training would do well to curb these aggressive tendencies. Many dwarves outside of the militia have expressed the desire to learn. Battering each other with practice weapons should help them let off some steam.
25th Limestone
With Auze out of the Picture, Mateusz stepped up and demonstrated his diplomatic skill by handling the traders. They bring ill news from the capital, I fear. Our king was felled by a goblin during the latest attack this past winter. He reigned for barely a year following the death of queen Datan Tooldip, the fort’s original sponsor, also slain by a goblin. The new queen is known as Amost Tradehandled. May her reign be longer than the last.
We bought the usual assortment of essential resources. wood, iron and steel, gypsum powder, etcetera. One item that stood out was a crate full of “yeti leather”, or at least that’s what they claimed. I have my doubts, but who could pass on such a rare, dubiously legal item? We also offered a host of assorted crafts to curry the favour of our new queen.
Excavation of the new temple has started and already it has been blessed by a cluster of sapphires, including a precious star sapphire. A good omen if ever I’ve seen one.
13th Sandstone
I found Auze huddled in a corner of the Sanctum of Honor, crying about seeing corpses. He’s been kept away from any burial duty so at first, I didn’t know what he was talking about. Then I took a closer look at the random trash pile behind him. Hidden beneath rusting weapons was a mass of assorted bones. An elf, a goblin, even an ogre. All just waiting for someone to walk by and notice them, like some kind of land mine of horror.
(https://i.imgur.com/VPV1307.png)
Did the sacred mirth do this? It is his temple (even though it looks more like a landfill, the way he keeps it). Maybe that’s what triggered the attack. Well, let’s get that cleaned up before someone else gets traumatized.
5th Timber
Aha! I knew it was just a matter of finding the right motivation!
(https://i.imgur.com/L1ayJFx.png)
Rakust’s rotting corpse was buried, apparently suffering enough humiliation to absolve her of her dishonor. However, there was no reason not to put the newly discovered skeletons to use. With some minor renovations and our fearsome cyclops replacing the puppy, old King Kol was much more willing to demonstrate his magic. It remains to be seen if he will produce more than simple zombies, but it’s at least a start.
11th Timber
I just realized that the outpost liaison has been locked outside the walls for two months now. He chose not to enter with the caravan and instead has been waiting at the main gate. Well, hopefully we haven’t damaged our reputation too much. I’ll have to escort him in personally to smooth things over.
13th Timber
Just after the liaison got inside, we heard a rumbling in the distance. Giant!
(https://i.imgur.com/SFNN651.png)
After months in the wilds, the outpost liaison is refusing to let anything distract him from his mission.
(https://i.imgur.com/xzR60TH.png)
Yes, yes, trade agreements are important and I’m sure the next overseer will endeavour to meet your needs. Now, dwarves, to arms!
14th Timber
We opened the gate and stormed out. One of our swordmasters, Bomrek, caught sight of the giant and ran to engage. She crippled the intruder with several expert strikes and then he stumbled into one of our cage traps.
(https://i.imgur.com/QQ1MGEE.png)
A somewhat underwhelming ending to the first action we’ve seen in far too long.
Wait, that giant didn’t carry normal weapons. Are those… slabs? He dropped one when Bomrek sliced his arm, but still carries another…
(https://i.imgur.com/XZVahe0.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/QQsa4sA.png)
By Weevilmessiah! I know the stink of necromancy better than most, and those things absolutely reek of it! What are these things? Whatever they are, we need to get them secure in the fortress. Are these slabs what lead the necromancers to our doorstep? Surely, they must be searching for these artifacts. But how did a giant get them? Too many questions for now, get everything inside and seal the fort!
Post by: King Zultan on July 07, 2020, 06:13:15 am
Post by: auzewasright on July 07, 2020, 06:35:55 am
Also, I just realized one of the slabs is made out of "tin glaze". I'm not sure that's even possible.
Post by: Spriggans on July 07, 2020, 06:36:30 am
That was unexpected, I legend moded the world, and saw no books, so I assumed there would be no way. but the slabs though... Where do they come from ?
Maybe Spriggans the Sparkly knows...
Post by: nogoodnames on July 07, 2020, 08:14:30 pm
10th Moonstone
I’ve gone through with the planned reorganization of the militia. There is now a new squad of mostly speardwarves known as the Crystal Inquisition. I also revived the old Swap Hunter archer squad. Getting the soldiers re-adapted to the sun is coming along nicely. They still grumble and shield their eyes, but at least they don’t start uncontrollably vomiting anymore.
I’ve planned out a safe place to hide the necromantic slabs until I can learn more about them. Can’t risk anyone trying to read the strange runes carved on them. The giant has stubbornly refused to part with the slab he’s still holding. I can’t allow him to keep it, we’ll have to extract it from him by force.
6th Opal
The slab chamber is ready and now holds the first one, I just need to pry the other from the giant’s hands. Best to minimize exposure, I’ll handle this personally.
Giant! Surrender the slab!
(https://i.imgur.com/63TeOAE.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/oxlah47.png)
Ah, I needed that workout! Not much of a challenge, but I worked up quite a sweat hacking through his skull! Hmm… he’s still mostly intact and in the right spot right now. I wonder…
Bah, our necromancer is being uncooperative again. I suppose the shock of a cyclops staring at you only works once. Probably for the best, really. An angry undead giant in the heart of our fortress could pose a problem.
Now, to put this slab with the other one. They should be safe, out of reach of necromancers and curious onlookers alike.
(https://i.imgur.com/WixJO0I.png)
15th Opal
Looks like I was wrong, Kol was apparently just oblivious to the shutters opening. He finally caught sight of the cyclops and worked his magic! Just a normal zombie, I’m afraid. Well let’s just get that cleaned up and-
(https://i.imgur.com/yOxLViB.png)
Oh. The giant seems to have been more than our crusher could handle.
Not to worry, situations like these are what the cage trap is for. He’s back in custody with no one the wiser. A bit of a pain that we need to replace the bridge, but accidents happen. Now we just need to figure out what to do with a nigh-indestructible zombie giant.
17th Opal
During all the excitement, KingZultan started acting strange, almost possessed. I hope this isn’t a sign of further necromancer influence. Well she’s claimed a clothier’s workshop and started working furiously on something. Let’s see what comes of it.
21st Opal
KingZultan has finished what she was working on, a wool head veil with an… interesting name.
(https://i.imgur.com/vEajVG4.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/2OQ7QHe.png)
Huh, apparently, she and Phonso are related somehow.
She says she has no memory of making the veil, but it doesn’t seem to be dangerous… KingZultan at least appears to be a bit happier than she was a few months ago, but whether that is due to the artifact or general improvements in her quality of life, I cannot say.
On that subject, I’ve decided to start displaying our precious artifacts in well-traveled areas of the fortress. Too many of them are lost in forgotten stockpiles or simply rotting in the workshops where they were made.
1st Granite
The rest of the winter has passed without incident, and it is time for me to return the mantle of leadership. Smallhands survives still, despite the best efforts of the necromancers.
Stress levels seem to have dropped for the most part, though Auze and Rovod are still extremely on edge. There may not be much to be done for them.
I am still concerned about the number of citizens with infected wounds. We have plenty of soap now, which should help for the future, but that doesn’t help those already suffering from infection. There’s also the matter of Rakust, who is still stuck in the hospital in traction after Auze’s attack. It’s been months, will he ever walk again?
The military has mostly adjusted to its reorganization, but there are still a few teething issues. When the squads reconfigured, most soldiers took the opportunity to swap out their gear. Unfortunately, some have ended up without boots or gauntlets. Could be a problem. The Swamp Hunters have also been a bit finicky. They aren’t using their archery range, which, admittedly, is quite overgrown at this point. Maybe they need the excitement of a live target? Now there’s a use for the giant…
All told, I’ll be glad to return to smaller duties. A new overseer will soon take command. Good luck, Smallhands!
Save (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15140)
Post by: King Zultan on July 08, 2020, 06:41:21 am
Post by: applet on July 08, 2020, 07:26:16 am
applet, Ex-overpaca
I hear the dwarves talking about a visitor carrying gifts for us, and that supposedly the gifts had some arcane runes on them.
When I walk past the cages I hear one of the caged dwarves talk to one of my subjects saying that if he reads one of the "slabs" he will never die. Curious. Wish I could read. But on the other foot it's probably does nothing good for your mind.
Come to think of it, there is only one caged dwarf now? I wonder where the other one went. Still waiting for my baron title, wish the bureaucrats would get a move on already.
Post by: delphonso on July 09, 2020, 04:22:49 am
Likely, that giant is related to the giant who killed the queen's son. Sorry to hear Tooldip passed away without me noticing. Perhaps Smallhands has been forgotten in some way in the chaos of kings and queens.
Well done as always, nogood.
Thoughts on dropping an undead giant on a forgotten beast?
Glloyd, you around?
Post by: Glloyd on July 10, 2020, 01:27:24 am
Post by: delphonso on July 10, 2020, 04:46:06 am
Post by: applet on July 14, 2020, 06:12:10 am
Post by: delphonso on July 14, 2020, 08:26:26 am
I've got to run off for a couple days for an interview in another city. When I get back, I can grab the save if no one else has hopped in yet.
Post by: nogoodnames on July 14, 2020, 02:25:51 pm
Post by: Spriggans on July 15, 2020, 06:05:23 am
The idea with my 6 months turn was that the next guy could play 1,5 year if they wanted.
Defenitely go ahead !
Post by: nogoodnames on July 15, 2020, 09:13:19 pm
1st Granite
Well, it looks like I’ve been press ganged into serving for another full term as overseer. Very well, Smallhands needs me, Weevilmessiah demands servitude, and I am happy to do my duty.
14th Granite
The elves have arrived with their “caravan” of two traders and pack animals. Hardly worth the effort of moving things to the depot, but we’ll see what they have.
16th Granite
The elven diplomat arrived separately outside the walls and is now demanding to be let in our front gate. Tempting to just leave him there. Bah, let him in, we’ve got some cage traps that need resetting anyway.
As predicted, their trade offerings are disappointing to say the least. Nuts, berries, dirt, not even any impressive beasts. Oh well, let’s see what trash we can offload on them.
(https://i.imgur.com/2bgs2sE.png)
What is that? Tree egg yolk?? Where did we even get this? Well the elves seem happy to take it off our hands. Must be some kind of weird delicacy for them.
20th Granite
(https://i.imgur.com/d9Istjx.png)
Ha! Bold words, elf! Very well, the goo-drowned swamp trees you are so partial to will be spared from our dreadful butchery.
27th Granite
I thought sending a couple of our most stressed out dwarves to scout beyond the fortress would help give them some perspective. Things didn’t quite work out that way…
(https://i.imgur.com/4qX4z8W.png)
Look Rovod, no one said you had to walk past the pile of corpses on the way out. I hardly see how this is my fault.
28th Granite
Auze threw another tantrum, once again attacking a fellow dwarf. The victim, Amost Canyonhearts, got a few good punches in herself, but still came away from the fight in a bad state.
They both slunk off to the hospital to rest and are now… lying on top of each other in the doorway? Hey, I’m not one to judge, but there are some perfectly good beds right there!
(https://i.imgur.com/V3o9Ezf.png)
Maybe it has something to do with Salmeuk claiming the entire hospital as his personal bedroom. Wouldn’t want to crash there without permission, after all.
(https://i.imgur.com/PMZKaxa.png)
Another thing has been brought to my attention: the elf diplomat is showing as little regard to our visitor restrictions as the humans did. He’s been sighted snooping around the Temple of Puppets. I’ve found his antics amusing so far, but if he’s seeking out the slabs… Lorsith help him.
8th Slate
Our two stressed-out scouts have returned from their “vacation” in Glorygullies, a goblin-controlled forest retreat. They were only supposed to look around and grab any unprotected loot but managed to get into a scuffle with some goblins there. Fortunately, no one got hurt, and they now have a little fighting experience. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to have helped their moods too much, poor Rovod.
(https://i.imgur.com/X4xPAd6.png)
Post by: nogoodnames on July 16, 2020, 11:03:38 pm
8th Slate
Glorygullies must be basically undefended if two untrained dolts could start a fight there and walk away unscathed. Quite embarrassing for the elves that they couldn’t even protect their own forest from the goblins, despite their bluster. I’ve sent the Rainbow Raptors and the Crystal Inquisition to burn the place to the ground. They need the excitement, and the fewer outposts the goblins have in the west, the more limited their options for expansion are.
(https://i.imgur.com/ESI43ZJ.png)
20th Slate
With a breeding pair of giant red-winged blackbirds, we’ve been preparing a nest area for raising and taming the beasts. Once we domesticate some hatchlings, they’ll be quite a lucrative replacement for our turkeys. Fewer eggs, but we’re already overflowing with those. I’d like to breed giant ravens as well, but thus far we only have one.
Auze continues to demonstrate worrying behaviour. He’s been standing outside next to the corpse pile, staring into the distance since the Rainbow Raptors left. Apparently, he’s waiting for our mayor to return so he can complain. Hopefully they get back soon, I’m starting to get worried. Auze isn’t as far gone as Rovod yet, but his status and anger issues could make a mental break very unpleasant.
23rd Slate
Ah, here are our returning champions now! Wait, where’s the captain of the Raptors? And those sullen faces… something went wrong.
(https://i.imgur.com/ntEchB8.png)
Damnation upon the goblins and their demon master! They were waiting in ambush. Just three of them, but with luck and a strong defensive position, they were nearly a match for us. Bomrek Glazerevered and Kol Paintsieged, both swordsdwarves of legendary skill, fell to the lash of a particularly nasty goblin. They will be memorialized as heroes upon our walls. The goblin was slain by Nil Southlashes, ironically one of the least experienced Raptors.
It’s clear that we need to improve our tactics and planning. Those goblins had far inferior equipment and training, they never should have been able to kill two of our best soldiers. Until we have more experience with assaulting enemy fortifications, I think it would be best to limit ourselves to small-scale raids where we are free to retreat if necessary.
Of the spoils of war, the soldiers managed to find a few books, including one by our very own former king and captive necromancer, Kol Namedpillars. Apparently, he spent some time learning elven poetry in Glorygullies in his youth. Clearly his penchant for the perverse started early.
11th Felsite
We have an unusual visitor to the fortress.
(https://i.imgur.com/gZSrUla.png)
Welcome, brother. Unlike many other places, you will find that Smallhands is not quite so squeamish around the post-living. Abide by our laws and we will get along just fine. Break them, and you will quickly discover the limits of your undead flesh.
… just a moment though. I believe KingZultan wants a word with you. We’ve had some troubles with necromancers you see, and while we are happy to host all kinds here, it would be best to establish a bit about your history first.
12th Felsite
(https://i.imgur.com/FHlMHFt.png)
Horrible shrieking can be heard coming from the experiment chamber. It seems that old king Kol has finally had enough of his imprisonment. Unfortunately, we’re not done with him. In fact, I think this will make him a bit easier to bend to our whims.
But that is merely a distraction right now. KingZultan charmed our guest and now brings me grave news. Indeed, he is still nothing but a servant of the foul necromancers!
(https://i.imgur.com/SPt5U5m.png)
We must act quickly now, lest he manage to free his masters. Dwarves, destroy the monstrosity! He may be alone but do not take him lightly, his unholy strength is not to be underestimated!
(https://i.imgur.com/oCMoFwT.png)
It’s done. I must commend Tosid on her skill in finishing that fight. The fiend managed to wound a recent Gravewarden recruit, Mosus, but she should heal just fine.
The bigger issue is what to do with Mestthos, the one that creature claimed as an accomplice. He is a skilled member of the Rainbow Raptors, and even worse, was recently elected mayor! The corruption apparently happened last year, when the necromancer Spriggans was exerting his magical influence. Does that mean he is free of it now? And what significance does the Waning Embraced Passage have to the necromancers? It is an artifact amulet, strikingly beautiful, but so are many other artifacts created here. Mestthos will need to be interrogated. Perhaps he can answer some of these questions.
Oh, and interrogate the elf too, just in case.
15th Felsite
Mestthos has confessed to stealing the amulet, but… it’s still on display in the library? Must be confused. Unfortunately, he can’t really give an explanation for his actions. With no victim and the possibility of mind control, I’m reluctant to convict, but I’ll be keeping an eye on him.
(https://i.imgur.com/VIH3paS.png)
Amidst all the excitement, Salmeuk started acting erratic and screaming about needing materials. He’s barricaded himself in a mason’s shop. Let’s see what comes of this.
16th Felsite
I had the spearman’s corpse brought down to the crusher but couldn’t resist a simple experiment. And, well, look who’s back.
(https://i.imgur.com/pNfrUhd.png)
Zolack Monstertwinkling, I find you guilty of conspiracy against Smallhands and abuse of our hospitality. May your soul finally have the rest it deserves.
(https://i.imgur.com/z2S8fuM.png)
Wait, what??? The crusher passed right through him! Has he somehow become incorporeal?
Oh well, we can do this the hard way.
(https://i.imgur.com/8PjcdRU.png)
Farewell, brother.
23rd Felsite
Salmeuk has finished his artifact, a granite table.
(https://i.imgur.com/v8AY8rX.png)
Practical, if somewhat dull for someone who has gone through so much in our fort. I’ll have it installed in his dining room.
Post by: King Zultan on July 17, 2020, 05:26:23 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 17, 2020, 07:16:49 am
I'm thoroughly glad I didn't. Props to all of you, some of the most dwarfy of dwarves I have seen in any succession game
May I be dwarfed and signed up for a turn at overseership? Tavern Keeper or smith please
Post by: delphonso on July 17, 2020, 08:00:52 am
I'll chuck you on the list, recon. Do you want to go next or do you want someone else to go first? We are likely about to cycle back to me again.
Hold up... Can we talk about that dodge Zolack pulled off? That should be impossible.
Post by: Spriggans on July 17, 2020, 08:38:54 am
Hold up... Can we talk about that dodge Zolack pulled off? That should be impossible.
IKR ! that was so weird. Yeah, that should be impossible ! The wiki (and everyone's experience really) states that either the bridge deconstructs, or anything below it is erased from existence.
Maybe the ghoul was crushed, and risen back immediatly ?
If ghouls are somehow immune to bridge crushing, that leads to so many possibilities ! Visions of a ghoul dummy surviving AtomSmashing while the invaders near him are crushed
Post by: recon1o6 on July 17, 2020, 08:48:51 am
In terms of small and short things, I have a short list of small projects, and a small amount of sanity to execute them with, though a small number of them are sensible at least
Though I had a really fun idea for how my dwarf arrived.
The dwarves heard it one night as the vile goo cloud rolled past the entrance to the fort. Seems a new migrant had arrived and had already gone mad:
Oh-ho!...I'll smith the hammers and I'll smith their shields!
Oh-Ho!...I'll drink to their success and the skills they wield!
I'll fill a cup when the hammer strikes true!
I'll raise a mug when the gobbo turns blue!
I'll drain the goblet just before bed!
I'll refill the tankards- our enemies are dead!
I'm a dwarf, in rock I'm born and bred!
See our fort, high above yooouuu, our foes already fled!
As the last words sailed off into the night, out from the goop came a surprisingly clean dwarf
The dwarf was fairly average at first glance. Loud, boisterous, flask of ale in one hand, mace on his hip and...a strange stick with what looked like goblin and elf leather at the end above his head, somehow protecting him from the vile goop. No signs of any undead hurting him.
"Which way to the tavern?"
Post by: delphonso on July 17, 2020, 08:53:05 am
Umbrellas! Gods, why didn't we just give them umbrellas!
Post by: nogoodnames on July 17, 2020, 08:54:18 am
Hold up... Can we talk about that dodge Zolack pulled off? That should be impossible.
IKR ! that was so weird. Yeah, that should be impossible ! The wiki (and everyone's experience really) states that either the bridge deconstructs, or anything below it is erased from existence.
Maybe the ghoul was crushed, and risen back immediatly ?
If ghouls are somehow immune to bridge crushing, that leads to so many possibilities ! Visions of a ghoul dummy surviving AtomSmashing while the invaders near him are crushed
Yeah, I have no idea what happened there. He just phased right through the bridge, multiple times. The shutters were closed, so the necromancer wouldn't be able to raise him. Maybe it's related to intelligent undead coming back from missions as ghosts, where the game gets confused and thinks they don't have a body. Although that didn't happen for poor Olon when I sacrificed her to kill the echidna.
May I be dwarfed and signed up for a turn at overseership? Tavern Keeper or smith please
Sure, our tavern keeper is Mosus, the soldier who got wounded while killing that ghoul. I can pick someone else if you don't want to be on the front lines.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 17, 2020, 09:27:19 am
as for the bridge...maybe he dodged the bridge? you can dodge through objects after all
Post by: auzewasright on July 17, 2020, 09:53:24 am
I think it says something about all of the intelligent undead shenanigans we've dealt with that that didn't even phase me.Hold up... Can we talk about that dodge Zolack pulled off? That should be impossible.
IKR ! that was so weird. Yeah, that should be impossible ! The wiki (and everyone's experience really) states that either the bridge deconstructs, or anything below it is erased from existence.
Maybe the ghoul was crushed, and risen back immediatly ?
If ghouls are somehow immune to bridge crushing, that leads to so many possibilities ! Visions of a ghoul dummy surviving AtomSmashing while the invaders near him are crushed
Smallhands is falling apart at the 1's and 0's. If undead are squash immune, revivifying nogood may have been a mistake.We didn't really have much of a choice there, at least if we wanted to keep Nogood.
Anyways, how's the library doing?
Post by: delphonso on July 17, 2020, 10:26:15 am
Post by: auzewasright on July 17, 2020, 10:27:44 am
Also, Nogood is worshiping the god responsible for the goblins being so powerful, and who seeks to have the blind demon Ikud Masterlegend enslave the entire world. The theological situation of Smallhands is quite rough.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 17, 2020, 10:32:26 am
I have personally seen in one of my fortresses a goblin dodge through a ballista shot. The next one made her upper chest sail off in an arc and she still survived for a few days before dying to the evil rain of liquid andesite that inflicted necrosis
Post by: nogoodnames on July 17, 2020, 10:44:27 am
Anyways, how's the library doing?The bookcases were all knocked down for some reason, but I fixed them up. We now own all books in the world (or at least all the ones in civilized sites) except for the ones in the dark fortress and three or so in human towns.
Also, Nogood is worshiping the god responsible for the goblins being so powerful, and who seeks to have the blind demon Ikud Masterlegend enslave the entire world. The theological situation of Smallhands is quite rough.I think of it as a bit of a love-hate relationship, and the whole binding the demon king situation is probably not public knowledge. Olon, the other ghoulish dwarf, also worshiped him. Just a bit of serendipity I suppose. That and Smallhands is a pretty weird place. We also have quite a few dwarves worshiping the gods of murder, theft, depravity and nightmares.
Post by: Salmeuk on July 18, 2020, 03:45:27 am
Practical, if somewhat dull for someone who has gone through so much in our fort. I’ll have it installed in his dining room.
I'm fairly certain my dwarf has had enough of the exciting life, and seeks happiness in the little things. Why not make the greatest granite table ever seen?
Glad to see this still being updated, thanks for stepping in. I'll try to upload a DFMA once Nogood's turn is finished, so we can survey the chaos for ourselves.
Any chance you could throw up the z-screen, and maybe a unit list for us? I'm curious.
Post by: King Zultan on July 18, 2020, 08:20:07 am
Hold up... Can we talk about that dodge Zolack pulled off? That should be impossible.This wouldn't be a proper community fort if some weird bug didn't pop up while it was going.
Post by: nogoodnames on July 19, 2020, 12:51:10 am
1st Hematite
Summer is here, let’s take a short look at the fort’s current situation.
(https://i.imgur.com/u1bV6HU.png)
Our stocks are quite extensive, aside from a slightly low drink stockpile. I’ll have Sigun write up an order to resume brewing. We have more food than we know what to do with, mostly in the form of months-old omelettes. Our fields have been sitting fallow for quite some time. A previous overseer seems to have gone a bit nuts with pig tail production and we have hundreds of the things just sitting around.
(https://i.imgur.com/eX2vqJZ.png)
My animal culling efforts have been largely successful. We still have some excess critters running around, but most have been limited to a manageable number. Hopefully the blackbirds start laying soon so they can completely replace our more mundane birds.
The dwarven population still exceeds the limits set in place by our original charter. As a consequence, no children are being born and no new migrants are coming in. However, we now have the perfect opportunity to correct that. I am sending Rovod, his lover, Libash, and five other dwarves that are redundant to our needs out to seize Glorygullies. This gives some of the dissatisfied dwarves a fresh start and gives us an outpost that can keep an eye on the elves. I did my best to avoid breaking up close relationships, but this will likely still be a controversial decision. Even so, I think it is for the best. With them gone, the child ban can be lifted, and that is sure to raise our hopes for the future.
Unfortunately, that won’t deal with all of our problem dwarves. Some of them are too integrated into our fortress to send away so easily. With Rovod gone, Auze will be the worst off. He was showing some small improvement for a while, but his campout by the corpse pile has erased that progress. The corpses have been disposed of but the trauma they caused remains. I’ve scheduled him some carpentry work in the hopes that he’ll be able to lose himself in his craft
11th Hematite
The human caravan has arrived. I’m sure they’ll our appreciate our copious amounts of slightly bloodstained human-sized clothing.
(https://i.imgur.com/09VD4pF.png)
Ah, the humans bring good news! Our colonists reached Glorygullies safely and claimed it in our name! I’m sure they’ll be able to turn the burned-out tree houses into something a dwarf can call home.
(https://i.imgur.com/uqzBgmx.png)
Apparently Edem has claimed leadership of the new colony. Good on him I say. Definitely the best head on him out of that particular group.
15th Hematite
Auze threw another tantrum and punched a hole in one of the turkeys.
(https://i.imgur.com/A7Rq3aR.png)
Somehow it survived, but he needs to get his anger under control before he does something more permanent.
17th Hematite
(https://i.imgur.com/Zvarr18.png)
It seems that the homeland also had expansionistic ambitions. A new hillocks has been founded west of us. Its position neatly cuts off the southern goblin settlements and surrounds the eastern edge of the necromancers’ domain.
(https://i.imgur.com/tkH2O5e.png)
19th Hematite
Apparently, some of our dwarves have been freaking out over seeing the discarded teeth of that human ghoul. Come on, I know thinking about death is unpleasant, but get some perspective! It’s bad enough we can’t do anything on the surface without you getting scared off by buzzards every ten seconds!
At least our archers are finally getting some practice.
24th Malachite
I’m sending the Raptors and Inquisitors out on a small raid against the goblin pits of Stablevile. It’s the smallest remaining goblin settlement and they’ve been given orders to avoid combat if possible. Hopefully this way their captains can gain command experience in relative safety.
2nd Galena
The soldiers have returned, bringing with them several tame beak dogs! These beasts may not be quite as large as the giant blackbirds, but they lay more eggs and those multi-coloured pelts could make some quite unique garments.
Unfortunately, while they learned some things about sneaking around goblins, they didn’t learn much about fighting them. It seems that they’ll need live combat missions to improve their tactics.
But for now, I turn my attention to another project, deep within the fortress.
(https://i.imgur.com/fa5TQNE.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/6edbUSW.png)
A small arena, setup for two teams of combatants. And above it, a gallery for spectators to view the fight or archers to fire from a safe position. Since the Swamp Hunters have decided static targets are too dull to practice with, this should be a bit more engaging for them.
The first competitors are our slab-bearing zombie giant and a goblin swordsman that was captured in some invasion years ago. Interestingly, the goblin wears custom made steel armour rather than the usual scrap. He couldn’t have gotten that from the goblin pits. The only explanation is that he must be one of the necromancers’ living servants! Well goblin, what do you think now that you face your master’s handiwork? I’ll let you keep your equipment, but I don’t think it will avail you much.
(https://i.imgur.com/wJfjoVm.png)
A decent performance, but brute strength wins this day. Archers, you may now begin your practice.
15th Galena
Folly… folly and sheer, blind hubris.
After the successful beak dog rustling, I thought our soldiers would be safe to attempt an open attack against Stablevile. They were told to use their judgment and break off if things seemed too dangerous. But one mistake was all it took to turn near total victory into a tragic defeat.
(https://i.imgur.com/VvezxwS.png)
According to Deduk, sole surviving member of the Crystal Inquisition, the battle began in fantastic terms. Chief inquisitor Deler was able to use knowledge gained from the first raid to great effect and they effortlessly slew several defending goblins and trolls. The success emboldened them, and they pushed deeper into the pits, far past the areas they had scouted. Their mad rush allowed the remaining trolls to surround them, waiting for their chance. Finally realizing her mistake, Deler froze up, and the trolls charged in to take advantage of the confusion. Nil and Obok fell before anyone knew what was happening. As they fell, Deler snapped out of her stupor and called out the order to retreat, but the trolls had already cut off their escape. Two of them sprung from ambush and took down Deler and Iton. Their deaths bought the others the chance to get away.
What has happened to the mighty warriors who breached the hidden vault and slew the divine protectors within? Only two remain, Solon and Mestthos. We have lost the last of our legendary swordsdwarves.
The Crystal Inquisition is no more. Deduk has been welcomed into the GraveWardens, now swollen to nine members.
The Rainbow Raptors now belong to Solon. In time, I know she will return them to glory. For their surviving members, I have commissioned a special gift to commemorate their service.
We must now take time for mourning and reflection. We have no bodies to bury, but the names and deeds of the fallen will be recorded in the Silent Halls.
Post by: delphonso on July 19, 2020, 02:28:57 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 19, 2020, 05:46:16 am
1x Swamp whiskey
Customer: Recon, Tavern Keeper
Note: I miss them
1x Dwarven ale
Customer: Nogood, Overseer
Note: I hope it helps
Post by: King Zultan on July 19, 2020, 06:43:17 am
Press F to pay respects.
Post by: delphonso on July 19, 2020, 07:25:16 am
Thanks for the info post, nogood. I'm very happy to see the livestock at a more manageable number.
Post by: auzewasright on July 19, 2020, 08:21:24 am
That and Smallhands is a pretty weird place. We also have quite a few dwarves worshiping the gods of murder, theft, depravity and nightmares.Yeah, looking at legends auze himself is a dubious worshiper of the goddess of theft. I mean, it's pretty appropriate considering he's a broker, but still...
Post by: nogoodnames on July 19, 2020, 09:28:16 am
Customer: Nogood, Overseer
Note: customer is undead, I had to help him remember how to drink. Though he needs no sustenence he is still a dwarf.
Not undead anymore, FYI. you can read the details in auzewasright's year 9 posts. He's still got some residual weirdness which is part of why I didn't want to send him on those raids, but he's a full flesh-and-blood dwarf.
I had a bit more at the end of the last post, but DF crashed and I had to revert to just after the soldiers returned. Auze went on a tantrum rampage, wounded a couple dwarves, got beaten, and then a bunch of good samaritans kept stealing him away to the hospital while KingZultan tried to take him to jail.
By the way, we're down to 39 dwarves if you didn't feel like doing the math yourselves.
And one more thing I should note: the single map-edge entrance to the trade depot can cause massive lag if creatures are trying to path out of the fortress. I tried to send a raid through it and got down to single digit FPS before reopening the main gate.
Post by: delphonso on July 19, 2020, 09:33:50 am
Well... At least we can maybe have babies now.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 19, 2020, 10:36:11 am
not sure why we'd want babies (unless they are meatshields) fresh migrants are more useful.
poor KingZultan, having to work against everyone for the sake of justice. Criminals must be punished!
Post by: auzewasright on July 19, 2020, 11:28:26 am
fixed my post, here I thought I was keeping on top of things...
not sure why we'd want babies (unless they are meatshields) fresh migrants are more useful.
poor KingZultan, having to work against everyone for the sake of justice. Criminals must be punished!
The problem is that we run the risk of running out of dwarves to have as migrants. There’s a reason I noted that the population was also irreplaceable.
Post by: delphonso on July 19, 2020, 06:06:30 pm
not sure why we'd want babies (unless they are meatshields) fresh migrants are more useful.
Babies are small.
Post by: nogoodnames on July 19, 2020, 10:07:16 pm
1st Limestone
The change of season announces itself suddenly with a commotion on the surface. The enemy has come once again!
(https://i.imgur.com/gyZRair.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/KCFQJnI.png)
Elves wearing metal armour and lead by a ghoul. Servants of the necromancers! And judging by the reanimated birds, there is a necromancer skulking about as well.
I would dearly love to crush this force, but our recent losses have stressed the need for caution. Assemble in the arena, dwarves! Let them wear out their living forces fighting the birds first. You would think the necromancers would have learned the folly of mixing mindless undead and living soldiers by now.
(https://i.imgur.com/44GpdfG.png)
Ah, there’s the necromancer! Getting mauled by her own skeletal giant blackbird! Could it be that their control over their creations is waning while we possess the slabs?
Wait, who’s that out there? Sigun, you mad fool! Get back inside!
He panicked and leapt off the battlements! We can’t just leave him to die out there. Archers, give him cover! Everyone else, prepare for battle, we’re opening the gate!
(https://i.imgur.com/6c3iAY4.png)
Sigun! You suicidal lunatic! What are you doing? You can’t possibly fight them; you aren’t even armed! Get back to the fortress!
(https://i.imgur.com/ot48Ril.png)
By Weevilmessiah, he’s still alive somehow. I watched him take a bolt to the head, but it must have bounced off his thick skull. The necromancer has fallen, slain by her own creation. Most of the elves retreated when she died. The stragglers are engaged with the blackbird for now. Meanwhile, Sigun is just stumbling around in a daze. Will someone please pull the damn lever before he draws their attention again?
Damn, the zombie buzzard took an interest in him. Hold on Sigun, we’re coming!
2nd Limestone
(https://i.imgur.com/omGgB5d.png)
That’s the last of them. Sigun’s looking pretty rough with that bolt sticking out of his chest, but I think he’ll live. His long-term mental state is a bit less certain. Clearly, we need to rethink our fortifications so that doesn’t happen again.
(https://i.imgur.com/G7YkujJ.png)
13th Limestone
The dwarven caravan and our outpost liaison have arrived. We still have a lot of cleanup to do following the battle, but we’ll deal with them when we can. The bloody blackbirds flock here to feast on the carrion, and they are slowing our surface operations considerably.
21st Limestone
The liaison brings good news. In recognition of Smallhands’ growing influence, it is being elevated to a duchy. He also confirmed that the new queen has yet to be murdered by goblins.
(https://i.imgur.com/mXPDaiO.png)
Salmeuk will be pleased with his new title, although I’m not sure he really sees himself as a member of the nobility. In fact, I don’t think he’s ever made a single demand. Watching all of your friends die around you will do that, I suppose.
(https://i.imgur.com/OLCChRZ.png)
The trade agreement for next year seems reasonable, but that will be up to the next overseer to work out. To be honest, I have no idea what we agreed to last year.
11th Sandstone
Tosid, my second in command, has created a beautiful white jade door. Now we just need somewhere important enough to be gated by such an ornate entrance.
(https://i.imgur.com/Uo8vV2I.png)
18th Sandstone
Today played host to a small event we haven’t seen in quite a while. A single migrant arrived at our walls and requested entry. The merchants must have told the homelands that we had a vacancy. He brings some modest skill in most farming activities. More importantly, he is not yet affected by the vile swamp fever, a very rare and valuable attribute in Smallhands these days. I think he will make a decent recruit to help repopulate the Rainbow Raptors.
(https://i.imgur.com/saTN8LI.png)
Post by: recon1o6 on July 20, 2020, 05:33:12 am
Our export agreement looks decent, socks crowns and scepters? Seems her majesty is looking to replenish the regalia. Come to think of it do we even have a clothes production line?
Post by: King Zultan on July 20, 2020, 06:19:57 am
Post by: delphonso on July 20, 2020, 07:29:57 am
Post by: nogoodnames on July 20, 2020, 09:29:42 pm
22nd Sandstone
The first clutch of giant blackbird eggs has hatched! There are three females and a male, and the mother immediately laid another clutch.
(https://i.imgur.com/DbO2fap.png)
Of course, we’ll need to make more room for them. we’ve already culled the stray turkeys and chickens, but there are a few left who were once pets to long-dead owners. The butchers refuse to take them out of some misplaced sentimentality, so I’ll have to get creative.
In the meantime, I’ve decided to take a tally of everyone who is not yet suffering from the vile fever.
- Myself
- Avuz Salvenobles, legendary weaponsmith
- Tosid Cloisterwads, GraveWarden
- KingZultan, Necromancer Hunter
- Urvad Stakeglide, the new migrant
- Sigun Cheerfultower, manager
- Dumed Matchgorges
That’s all. Less than a fifth of our population remains uninfected. And while it’s always been seen as something the dwarves of Smallhands just have to live with, I’m starting to think it is a far more serious problem than we’ve given it credit. Our craftsdwarves can’t concentrate on their work. Even those of legendary skill rarely produce things beyond decent quality. The fever could very well have contributed to our tactical failings during the recent raids. If only there were something we could do to alleviate the symptoms.
3rd Timber
My little gift to the Rainbow Raptors is ready. Now they’ll finally look the part.
(https://i.imgur.com/qwWNoOi.png)
27th Timber
Joyous news! Nomal and Vabok, both GraveWardens, have had a child! They named him Dakost Copperflicker. To my knowledge, he is the first baby to be born in Smallhands
(https://i.imgur.com/zyhSthO.png)
Post by: delphonso on July 20, 2020, 10:58:20 pm
If we wall off the goo section - any migrants that come that way will be trapped there and could be left to die. Wagons wouldn't appear there if there's no route, right? And raids are unlikely to path to that corner, but it'd still be possible.
The only cure for the fever is death, and those infected in Smallhands are likely to die soon anyway.
Ahem... Welcome Dakost! I assume you're free of the fever!
Post by: nogoodnames on July 21, 2020, 07:53:15 am
The only cure for the fever is death, and those infected in Smallhands are likely to die soon anyway.Likely to die? Not really, except maybe for the militia. It doesn't seem to cause bad moods. What it does do is slow them down and (according to the wiki) apply a massive 50% skill reduction. It's basically like most of our dwarves are winded all the time.
I think migrants are safe to walk through the goo as long as they wear shoes. It's getting caught in the rain that will guarantee infection. And yes, the baby is uninfected.
Also, funny thing I found while poking around legends...
(https://i.imgur.com/WvlZWoI.png)
The farmer's guild is inflating their membership with dead dwarves!
Post by: Spriggans on July 21, 2020, 07:59:28 am
So we have 7 or 8 feverish dwarves... Fever appears to reduce Focus, and, from my adventure mode experience, Focus is important to make good things.
As for healing it, Death cures everything I guess... So that's correct. We'll just have to deal with it (unless we roleplay some DF-hacking, but I'm against it).
Maybe we could create a barrier around the goo area, so no new sick dorfs. But it might be a little overkill.
On a lighter note, Toady's last post reminded me of Echidnas, and I just found this lovely picture !
Spoiler: Look at this adorable little spikes ball !! (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on July 21, 2020, 08:14:30 am
Focus is a huge factor to the quality, it knocks dwarves to about 50% skill
The only other thing we could do is build a roof over the affected area while our unaffected dwarves are burrowed away
Post by: auzewasright on July 21, 2020, 08:16:50 am
To be fair, the line between dead citizens and living citizens in Smallhands is blurrier than most fortresses.The only cure for the fever is death, and those infected in Smallhands are likely to die soon anyway.Likely to die? Not really, except maybe for the militia. It doesn't seem to cause bad moods. What it does do is slow them down and (according to the wiki) apply a massive 50% skill reduction. It's basically like most of our dwarves are winded all the time.
I think migrants are safe to walk through the goo as long as they wear shoes. It's getting caught in the rain that will guarantee infection. And yes, the baby is uninfected.
Also, funny thing I found while poking around legends...
(https://i.imgur.com/WvlZWoI.png)
The farmer's guild is inflating their membership with dead dwarves!
Post by: Spriggans on July 21, 2020, 08:21:09 am
Would a dwarven bathtub stop the spread of the goo to inside the fortress? Also, is the goo actually inside the fort? If so we might need to up soap production to clean as much up as possible, then see about stopping any more coming inside.
The goo is outside AFAIK, and if it touches you. That's it ! You are cursed for a life of fever.
The fever actually cycles on and off, so cleaning it away won't cut it off.
Post by: nogoodnames on July 21, 2020, 08:27:08 am
So we have 7 or 8 feverish dwarves... Fever appears to reduce Focus, and, from my adventure mode experience, Focus is important to make good things.You misread, those are the ones that don't have the fever. 33 of the dwarves are infected.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 21, 2020, 09:09:59 am
a previous succession fort I was in took one dwarf 4 years before ONE disease was recovered from. The poor dwarf had 2 diseases
Post by: delphonso on July 21, 2020, 09:17:27 am
Could be rain causes it instantly, walking through it takes time and is preventable with a rinse.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 21, 2020, 09:22:29 am
plus dwarves are notorious for not having baths even when available
Post by: nogoodnames on July 21, 2020, 09:36:55 am
I will look into this when I get the save. I have experimented with a few shall we say !!Fun!! syndromes in a personal game since 47 added more tokens to mess with. I haven't come across any syndromes yet that can't be cured through time and no exposure outside of vampirism/therianthropy.Salmeuk's had it since the very beginning and he's described as "incredibly quick to heal and rarely sick." So if there is an end to the fever, it's more than 12 years out. Most of the current infections are from just over a year ago as a result of constructing Spriggan's tower in the middle of the swamp. Even if Salmeuk's fever clears up now, it's going to be a long time before any of them get over it.
The inside of the fort is clean, but that doesn't help the infected at all. Like others have said, the only cure seems to be death. Of course, forlorn ghouls are immune to it...
Post by: auzewasright on July 21, 2020, 02:03:50 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on July 21, 2020, 03:25:54 pm
So I decided to look at the syndrome with DFhack...Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Urist McRecon has slipped into depression!
That sucks. In addition breeding for larger dwarves...kinda doesn't work because genetics don't work very well. Plus larger dwarves goes against the nature of smallhands! not large hands!
Post by: auzewasright on July 21, 2020, 03:43:30 pm
Yeah, it wasn't a serious suggestionSo I decided to look at the syndrome with DFhack...Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Urist McRecon has slipped into depression!
That sucks. In addition breeding for larger dwarves...kinda doesn't work because genetics don't work very well. Plus larger dwarves goes against the nature of smallhands! not large hands!
Post by: King Zultan on July 22, 2020, 03:54:31 am
So I decided to look at the syndrome with DFhack...So your saying we need to replace the dwarves with humans?Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: applet on July 22, 2020, 11:28:12 am
Dragons! Central heating 4 lyfe etc.So I decided to look at the syndrome with DFhack...So your saying we need to replace the dwarves with humans?Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on July 22, 2020, 09:41:59 pm
The fight started with him throwing a mug, so it bypassed the usual tantrum fistfight rules and went straight to lethal combat.
DFHack's fix/loyaltycascade command doesn't detect anything, but the dwarves are constantly getting interrupted by each other and complaining about being in combat.
I have a backup save from the start of winter. We can go back to that if necessary. Opinions?
Post by: delphonso on July 22, 2020, 09:46:00 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on July 22, 2020, 09:50:34 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on July 22, 2020, 10:32:44 pm
1st Moonstone
A frigid wind sweeping in through the keep’s skylight signals the beginning of winter. Things are slowing down for the season. Now is the time for reflection and preparation for the next year.
Rising stress levels continue to be a serious problem and the dwarf who decided to drag a dead cave ogre from the bottommost cavern up through the entire fortress to put it in our refuse pile certainly didn't help. I’ve put a stop to that, but the damage is done. Auze is still the worst off, but Sigun and Dastot the miller are both doing badly as well. Those two now both have chronic breathing problems from lung injuries. They periodically go into fits of despair over that and I don’t know if there’s anything to be done for them.
At this point, it seems like the best thing we can do is to separate them from the general populace and make them as comfortable as possible. To that end, I’ve ordered some new rooms to be dug out where they can live in isolation.
11th Moonstone
Sigun threw a tantrum, gave Iteb, one of our miners, a light bruise, then got winded and crawled away. Worrying, if hilariously ineffectual. Let’s get the asylum up and running soon.
8th Opal
Sigun attacked Iteb again, this time with some more serious results. What did he ever do to you, Sigun? Well the asylum is almost done and soon we’ll be able to lock these lunatics away and
13th Opal
There was a loud crash from the construction area. We rushed in and found Nomal and baby Dakost at the bottom of the drain to the asylum’s waterfall, covered in rock dust.
(https://i.imgur.com/rgrskR1.png)
They were both fine, but a little shaken. She’s got to be more careful with that kid. He already got swept down the drain once a few days ago. Might be a good idea to avoid sending her into active combat until he’s grown a bit.
21st Opal
The next set of giant blackbirds have hatched, bringing the total up to eight. The parents are mostly still wild, but the hatchlings should grow up to be fully tame.
28th Opal
The asylum has been opened to accept its new patients. It’s a bit sparsely decorated right now but should have everything they need to relax and destress.
(https://i.imgur.com/dzH1Fq7.png)
All visitors are allowed for now, as long as everyone behaves.
6th Obsidian
A round of beak dog pups have hatched, and there are a lot of them.
(https://i.imgur.com/b8eBTJ2.png)
Sadly, most of them will need to be culled, but the rest should provide all the meat and eggs we need.
26th Obsidian
I should have known allowing visitors to the asylum would be a bad idea. Auze attacked Sodel, a decently skilled weaponsmith. Something prompted Auze to throw his mug at Sodel, and then he pounced. They’re both on the ground but still fighting more ferociously than any other brawl I’ve seen. Auze seems intent on murder, and Sodel is doing whatever he can to fight back!
Sodel’s just biting at whatever exposed body part he can now. He can’t seem to move the rest of his body, but Auze still isn’t letting up! I don’t like his chances…
27th Obsidian
Sodel is dead. KingZultan was so horrified that she almost let the murderous bastard get away. He’s in custody now though, getting dragged down for interrogation. Mere days left in my term and I get hit with this nightmare.
(https://i.imgur.com/HsWBkYY.png)
1st Granite
These past few days have been nearly as trying as the entire previous year. News of the murder has rippled through the fort and caused mass panic, mistrust and chaos. Once friendly faces now cringe in terror at my approach. I barely even noticed when Rakust barricaded himself in a jewler’s shop.
There’s a tension here that hangs on Smallhands almost as thick as it did in the bad years. Except now I don’t have the luxury of being an unfeeling ghoul.
Unfortunately, I can no longer attempt to fix this as overseer, even if I felt up to the task. The rules are clear in this matter, and I have already overstayed the normal term limits. I wish luck to my successor. You will need to restore the fragile civility we had here.
I leave the judgement of Auze’s crimes to you as well.
And of course, the decision
(https://i.imgur.com/1UDNYM4.png)
…of what to do
(https://i.imgur.com/fEG8bZc.png)
…with the body.
(https://i.imgur.com/nrr3Zea.png)
===================================================================================
SAVE (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15151)
Post by: nogoodnames on July 22, 2020, 10:50:48 pm
Spoiler: The first weeks of spring... (click to show/hide)
Good luck, Recon!
Post by: delphonso on July 22, 2020, 11:05:21 pm
Well, we've made it through worse. God speed, recon.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 23, 2020, 04:32:03 am
Though perhaps I can still attempt some of them. After all, its tradition for succession forts to be littered with unfinished projects
I was hoping for a few more days until the start of my turn. Got an exam on the 29th. ah well
I will grab the save, post the introduction to my reign, then it will be a short update or two. Then after the my exam, longer ones.
Post by: King Zultan on July 23, 2020, 04:37:18 am
Post by: Spriggans on July 23, 2020, 05:06:36 am
And as for the incoming death spree, the good point is we will have vacant spots for children / migrants, who won't have fever ! YAY !
Post by: Spriggans on July 23, 2020, 06:01:30 am
And of course, the decision
…of what to do
…with the body.
I did quickly try opening the necro bridge. And indeed. It does work.
(https://i.imgur.com/lEJp1CB.png)
Resurection is not instantaneous, but works eventually after a while. So you have the possibility to ghoulify Sodel, and also to ghoulify the very likely incoming dead body of Auze...
(Hey ! This might be the cure to the Swamp Fever we were looking for ! \^.^/ )
In my timeline, I "only" had two casualties !
Eventually, the "loyalty cascade" stopped without any input on my part.
So I guess the fort is fine, it will survive ! Yours to run now, Recon.
Post by: delphonso on July 23, 2020, 06:27:39 am
Hmm... Ghoulification and then ressurection could be the new Smallhands Special.
Post by: King Zultan on July 23, 2020, 06:55:52 am
Post by: Spriggans on July 23, 2020, 06:59:15 am
At first, you can't do anything with the Forlorn Ghoul. It acts like a visitor. You can assign it to locations, but that's it.
I did play some more after the ghoulification though, just for testing.
I dfhacked instant teleportation, because the newly born Ghoul was in a horrible shape. It was taken into hospital, and had several "clean", and about 10 "sutures" and 10 "dress wound" / "apply cast" jobs in the hospital. It also was given 3 splints, and a crutch.
Without teleportation and with the current location of our water source, I expect it could take months.
After burning through most of the Hospital stocks, the Ghoul happily petitionned for Citizenship, afterwhich I could control it 100% like a vanilla dwarf (and it is seen by DwarfTherapist)
Post by: applet on July 23, 2020, 07:11:05 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 23, 2020, 08:26:33 am
There was a shocking hush when our Undying Overseer entered the tavern.
Usually when an overseer enters the tavern its either they need to collar a dwarf, or they have important things to announce to everyone and it spreads from there.
Given the date, we all knew it was the latter.
He came up to the counter without a word. I gave him the last dwarven beer in the fort. A sign of the deep seated problems here.
With booze in hand he announced he had stepped down from the Overseer's office, citing stress and having overstayed his tenure. Many in here muttered, some angrily, others in understanding. Fortunately though one bright spark clapped for him and everyone slowly joined in, then raised a toast for his service.
I quietly slipped a second mug of our other rare alcohol behind him- Dwarven wine of all things with 6 bottles left under my counter.
Then came the question on everyone's lips. Who will be the next Overseer of Smallhands? The voices of drunken arguments and discussion filled the air again as nobody had an answer.
Idly I started pondering about the many problems the next leader of the fort would have to solve. Overcrowded dining hall, chronic clothing shortage if my patrons were anything to go by, messy stockpile system, mud filled stairs and reservoir...
Hmm...
You hear a lot of things being a bartender. You hear a lot of things at smallhands. So the things I hear as the bartender of smallhands gives me quite the perspective on things. Things that might not ever see the light of day amongst most overseers
So I slammed my huge granite tankard on the special mat I have- my cue for patrons to quiet down for my announcements. Usually for closing time or for large scale announcements.
--------------------------------------
Dwarves of Smallhands!
Thanks to all of you, Smallhands is on its way to becoming the fortress it was supposed so be!
But!
The values and progress of our fortress are now being threatened! Threatened by anarchists and Necros!
I, Recon Claspedfought as your new Overseer WILL prevent this!
I am also pleased to announce that I have hereby accepted the nomination for my FIRST MAYORAL TERM!
Post by: Engineer Gaming on July 23, 2020, 07:49:04 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on July 26, 2020, 06:27:35 am
With booze in hand he announced he had stepped down from the Overseer's office, citing stress and having overstayed his tenure. Many in here muttered, some angrily, others in understanding. Fortunately though one bright spark clapped for him and everyone slowly joined in, then raised a toast for his service.This is an excellent first post; I laughed particularly at this bit :D
Looking forward to the rest, although there’s no rush.
Post by: King Zultan on July 26, 2020, 07:34:33 am
Post by: delphonso on July 26, 2020, 07:51:48 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 26, 2020, 09:39:32 am
Having announced that I was the new overseer my first command was for everyone to celebrate with another round of drinks
While everybody was distracted I hurried over to the mayors office and told Mestthos the good news:
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/736912786856214608/unknown.png)
Having obtained as much political power as I need for both my term of office and afterwards, it was time to set about the most important tasks:
Upping clothing production to replace our rotting ones. I see many dwarves in the halls with torn rags, as an ex dyer and clothier this makes me disappointed in smallhands
It was nothing compared to something I discovered that would make any dwarf seethe with anger.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/736914869839986698/Zjrnnj3.png)
What were my predecessors thinking??
The second of course is punishing Auze for his numerous crimes against smallhands and more importantly, that one against myself!
6 crimes he has wrought.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/736917812152500314/unknown.png?width=939&height=672)
Annoyingly, I'm not even sure if he will be going to a cell. The justice system here in smallhands is woefully inadequate: no hammerer for murderers and traitors, nor a dungeon master for cracking down on possible spies like our previous mayor. I appointed myself dungeon master and looked for an excuse to send him to jail. Sadly the only thing I could find on file was worthy of a beating. I will convict him later.
Speaking of jails, I couldn't for the life of me find our prison, only our asylum. The one I know of are the ones holding our necromancers and even if we just tied our criminals up, we legitimately do not have enough with 6 criminals but 4 chains and I for one do not like dwarves in cages- other lesser bearded races perhaps but we sons and daughters of Armok deserve some basic dignity. I have ordered some cells dug out and a new office for King Zultan to keep an eye on them
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 3rd Of Granite
Rakost has finally started building whatever object his wild dreams came up with. I have also took the liberty of reviewing the current standing orders and tossing out a couple of more nonsensical ones. Who even ordered green glass hatch covers anyway?
In the process I discovered more oversights by the previous overseers of this fortress, such as the water reactor having only doors, not floodgates. The fort has had a long standing issue with corpses being kept in places where those of a fragile mind keep wandering. I have moved the corpse stockpile to a disused corner of the fort and ordered a door put on the other side of the wall to a less travelled area
Fellow dwarves have a mind to coerce our necromancer into reviving our weaponsmith. I'm...not happy about it but its tradition at this point.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 4th of Granite
I've ordered new quarters dug out fitting for one of my importance as Overseer, Mayor and bartender. Three of the most important jobs in dwarven society
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/736947130056572948/unknown.png?width=843&height=585)
Something's going off with Dastost, she's stumbling round in a daze
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/736951116863897650/unknown.png?width=843&height=585)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 5th of Granite
A distraught Zultan was heard shouting from the asylum while I was in the tavern.
Spoiler: Zultan what happened?? (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: By Armok's flaming beard... (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on July 26, 2020, 09:43:42 am
Post by: applet on July 26, 2020, 10:29:18 am
Post by: auzewasright on July 26, 2020, 11:25:05 am
There was a "working" "prison" during my turn, although ad-hoc.Yeah, I converted what I think was a holding facility of some sort and redesign are done of its cells as a prison to incarcerate our one criminal.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 26, 2020, 03:39:03 pm
The 5 main problems with this fortress are as follows:
1. Sock shortage and lack of replacable clothing
2. Badly organised military and lack of training
3. Mismanagement induced stockpile layout
4. Inconsistent workshop layouts causing severe inefficiency
5. Abundance of detritus, refuse and contaminants
In the first few days I saw to restarting sock production and got some cloaks sewn for the military. Then...the incident happened.
King Zultan, despite being a wiry if slightly timid girl was stricken with grief upon carrying out a beating against Sigun who had been escaping justice for some time. From what Doctor Blockadeidles has told me, a punch struck Sigun's neck and ruptured an artey then subsequently bled out on the floor.
I decided to hold off on any further official justice for now.
At least its not all bad news
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/736976747484020817/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 14th of Granite
More good news this week, we got elevated to a Duchy. Sal requested to have a little bit more furniture in his rooms so I threw the work orders down then took an extremely strong drink and banged my head against the wall when I realised the elves had come.
What was worse, there was one of their infuriating diplomats with them no doubt demanding us to limit our lumber cutting.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/737018411833360564/unknown.png)
In order to avoid entreating with those pointy eared bastards Salmeuk decided to hide in my mayors office and pretended to be conducting a meeting with me. Auze apparently had the same idea being the broker and was attending a nonexistant meeting over in the duke's office.
I had a choice to make: take one for the fort and purchase some elven clothing to stave off clothing shortage and then get bossed around by the diplomat, or don't entreat with them and lose out on clothing, food, drink and seeds.
While pondering my decision I decided to go test the drawbridges. Curiously the diplomat just happened to decide to enter via the trap tunnel right as I was doing so. A pity, but as they say accidents happen :P ah well, I then decided that the fort comes before me and went about trading. Purchased only those items that were created naturally, not grown by their pagan rubbish.
As I was coming back from trading with the elves, a dwarf muttered something about hearing the ravings and thrashing of a madman.
Looks like we will have to bury our fallen once again
Spoiler: It was Inevitable (click to show/hide)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper 26th Granite
The last 2 weeks I spent reorganising the military into something less...poorly managed. I took our miners out of the military so they could actually get digging. I updated the inform so they have actual cloaks and then promptly discovered why we have good weapons but poor armour
We have only one armoursmith left. Avost Canyonhearts, and she wasn't even marked down for smithing.
No wonder we get our arses kicked in most fights between that and our sparring area being...less than adequate and filled with vomit and rotting harpy skulls. I ordered a pair of dwarves to start learning and put Avost back to work.
For now, I will see to upgrading our defences to something more...substantial for when we have a siege. I converted the old corpse dumping stockpile into a siege engineering workshop having discovered some of our dwarves used to be engineers. With a little luck, we won't even need to send our marksdwarves up in future.
Post by: nogoodnames on July 26, 2020, 05:22:50 pm
The necromancer can absolutely still raise people while berserk. You just need to pull the lever to lower the blinders and wait a few days for him to notice the cyclops.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 26, 2020, 07:02:54 pm
Eh? No loyalty cascade? Not even a little one? Sigun died to a normal beating? That's weird, half the fort was dead before things calmed down for me. Nogood personally slew 7 dwarves (all in self defense, I assure you). Admittedly, I may have egged them on a little.
The necromancer can absolutely still raise people while berserk. You just need to pull the lever to lower the blinders and wait a few days for him to notice the cyclops.
Regarding the loyalty cascade I'm a little confused myself. I started out with quer, kubruk and nogood terrifying everyone. then day 8 suddenly it stopped when i begun the military rearrangements.
I tested on another save when I put them all out on a raid instead and suddenly those 3 plus 2 more dwarves had a loyalty cascade
One of them did eventually leave the map, returned and dropped dead instantly
I guess taking folks out the military fixed it.
as for the necromancer, the shutters are down for 2 weeks and still no raise >> (it is the off position for deactivated shutters? they didn't seem to change when I had the level pulled from on to off)
Post by: nogoodnames on July 26, 2020, 07:46:49 pm
The shutters are open when the lever is pointed to the left in default Curses tileset. I guess that would be the off position, yeah. They won't show any change because the bridges are only one tile long, to avoid crushing him when they open. It might take a while for the necromancer to notice, seems to be based on him randomly moving around until he sees the cyclops and freaks out.
Then again, it might be a bad idea to resurrect Sodel if he still has a grudge over being murdered. Sigun should be safe though.
And I hope your military rearrangement didn't take away the Rainbow Raptors' beak dog cloaks. It was a painstaking process to get them all decorated with the squad symbol! :P
Post by: Laterigrade on July 26, 2020, 11:57:02 pm
Then again, it might be a bad idea to resurrect Sodel if he still has a grudge over being murdered. Sigun should be safe though.Aaahhh, but then we miss out on the excellent !!!SCIENCE!!! opportunities. Bring him back, and, first, this’d be a further test of ghouls, and, second we’ll see if he has the grudge or not (and thus if relationships live beyond the grave)! This is the perfect fort, too; Smallhands, home of the living undead.
Post by: delphonso on July 27, 2020, 12:05:24 am
Spoiler: Shameless self promotion (click to show/hide)
Post by: nogoodnames on July 27, 2020, 06:18:16 am
I'd expect death and undeath to reset loyalties, but the whole bug is that they don't...so... I guess we'll see.
I am 99% sure that intelligent undead retaining their loyalties is intended behaviour. The only part that seems like a bug is necromancers resurrecting people who will be hostile to them.
Post by: King Zultan on July 27, 2020, 08:31:17 am
Post by: auzewasright on July 27, 2020, 10:59:37 am
I must not be good at this justice thing if I punch a guy in the neck until he dies and then am horrified by what I have done.Still better than Mestthos Medtobular (who doubled as the mayor):
Spoiler: From my turn (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on July 27, 2020, 11:28:15 am
Mestthos is complicit in an attempt to steal an artifact. I immediately removed him from his post and appointed myself mayor as I
In other news, even with my gaming laptop, I'm still topping out at 27 fps after a miasma leak in the trade depot. I also discovered that the entire fortress is covered in varying degrees of blood, vomit or mud
Don't expect an update till thursday btw, will be heavily focusing on revision.
Post by: auzewasright on July 29, 2020, 06:30:56 pm
Of course Mestthos failed his interrogationsI think a DFhack clean is acceptable considering those conditions. And then manufacture approximately two metric Doomforestses worth of soap to make sure that doesn't happen again.
Mestthos is complicit in an attempt to steal an artifact. I immediately removed him from his post and appointed myself mayor as Iwanted supreme powerdisliked in character how he had immunity to prosecution for attempting to steal an artifact
In other news, even with my gaming laptop, I'm still topping out at 27 fps after a miasma leak in the trade depot. I also discovered that the entire fortress is covered in varying degrees of blood, vomit or mud
Don't expect an update till thursday btw, will be heavily focusing on revision.
Post by: lukerules117 on July 29, 2020, 06:38:10 pm
Post by: delphonso on July 29, 2020, 06:51:10 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on July 30, 2020, 07:01:09 am
Yeah, DF Hack seems stable now, and was what I was planning to use since post 1 in this exact case. Feel free to run a clean up and even destroy some of the items on the surface for FPS's sake.Definitely agreed on this; there was enough vomit and bile and blood on the ground in my turn to cause FPS drop, and that was a fair few turns ago. So long as we’re sure DFHack is stable, feel free to run clean as much as you like.
Well this fort is certainly... interesting. I'd sign up for a turn as overseer if I wasn't so rusty and could write better, I'll be keeping a close eye on the thread though.We’d be happy to have you aboard, if you change your mind!
Post by: recon1o6 on July 30, 2020, 07:54:36 am
and yes i can confirm dfhack is stable, been using it on my personal fort without a hitch.
Post by: Spriggans on July 30, 2020, 08:27:39 am
But beware : It won't clean the already well-established madness ! Nothing can clear it ! :D
Post by: recon1o6 on July 30, 2020, 08:51:19 am
Clean all command has been executed and the fps has rocketed
update soon!
Post by: delphonso on July 30, 2020, 09:11:29 am
I once ran that stress script - which puts everyone at -10000 stress or whatever it is. In one of my fort, after that script, three went to stark raving mad within a year. I don't even know how they were racking up that much insanity.
Post by: King Zultan on July 30, 2020, 09:57:34 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 30, 2020, 11:40:22 am
While wandering the halls planning out my stockpiles overhaul I stumbled upon the white jade door. I wondered where it had gone being such an impregnable artifact. I followed it down, through the rumoured temple of puppets and what did I find but those two slabs of necromancy.
Those foul things contain knowledge of life and death, sacrifice, blood magic... all sorts of disgusting things. While I do want eternal life and agelessness of my own choice, I would much rather fiddle about with temporal magic than those...things- its much more useful, such as creating booze without waiting for the yeast to do its thing just snap your fingers and its done!
I was thoroughly unimpressed with my predecessor's choice of security, one invincible door, that wasn't even locked and screamed "important thing behind here" and it definately explains why so many visitors of the undead persuasion keep coming. Somebody leaked this knowledge, or maybe its the absurd amount of blood and grime everywhere attracts them. Such mess does little for morale and makes even the most basic task a chore.
Just as I was turning to leave something caught my eye on one of the slabs: a passage that read how an excess of life can warp the fabric of time just as much as the dead. The more scattered the dead, the more the time is warped. At the end of the passage was a spell to cleanse a huge area of errant dead pieces by gathering it into a ball. We certainly have a lot of both around here.
I noted down the spell, then went down to the magma sea that night and cast it where nobody could see me. It was if the river of time had suddenly turned from trickle to a wave- a great millstone had been lifted from the world and the cause was right in front of me- a big floating ball of dirt, blood and vomit.
It fell into the magma sea immediately just as I planned.
Sadly it also knocked me out. The doctor said I had suffered alcohol withdrawal when I woke up the next morning after whatever change in the world happened and left it at that.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 14th of Slate
What elven trickery is this?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The elven diplomat had an unfortunate accident with one of the drawbridges just last month! I saw it happen with my own two eyes!
Not only does the hippy survive an atom smasher but it demands that we limit our woodcutting? We barely have enough wood as is to sustain this fort.
I ordered Sal to tell the diplomat to sod off followed by ordering our miners to dig Sal a new bedroom that isn't the hospital and kingzultan to stop beating Auze to death because there's still prison sentences first before sending him on to Armok. Curiously Auze was quite accepting of the beating.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I also went and locked the white door, then chiselled in the archway- Overseer's only. I will need to look into better security for it and other artifacts later.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 20th of slate
Auze is now in a cage. When I asked Zultan why not use the chain right in front of the cage she shrugged at me and said it was "not available for use by justice"
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/738403871600148510/unknown.png)
Hopefully everyone isn't too busy with my stockpile rearrangements to bring Auze sustenence!
I had Zultan investigate our so called diplomat as well as a migrant that appeared this month (just a cook, nothing special about them)
I smelled foul, well fouler than usual elf rubbish. Fortunately we caught him doing something nobody should be doing- heading down to the slab chamber!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I may be a mere tavern keeper, but I was in the military. I will take care of this personally.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 9th of Felsite
That elf was a swift one, very hard to track him down inside this maze of a fortress
Spoiler: Confronting the Necromancer to be (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: The only way to be sure (click to show/hide)
In other news, I have dug out a small hole near my tavern and moved the kitchen there. Organising the food stockpiles is trickier than I anticipated since we can't have all of them together in case of another zombie slaughter, yet we lack the room for the most part on the more important levels.
Work has also begun knocking down part of that necromancer tower base outside the arena in order to convert it into a small siege battery. Might as well make use of that thing since some of the wall can be turned into a bunker. Underneath it is the labyrinth where I have also rearranged the stockpiles around so we can store ballista bolts too. Soon I will have a tunnel built on the surface to funnel any invaders into the battery.
Finally the best news that I announced in the tavern- Drinks production has gone up and we have apricot wine, dwarven wine, dwarven ale freshly restocked after running dry and Longland beer at last!
Post by: Spriggans on July 30, 2020, 02:42:13 pm
Post by: delphonso on July 30, 2020, 06:28:06 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 31, 2020, 03:41:02 am
---
Looking forward to see how the 'central heating' commanded by the overpaca looks like.
The 'necromancer tower'... brilliant way to handle the three caged necros, Spriggans. Of course the bastards with fell magic would go around mind controlling weaker-willed dorfs... and of course their first idea is to go build a tower to their
Overpopulation in nogood's turn - holy mackerel, that's a lot of baby animals! I'm guessing eggs didn't get collected, so they hatched. I'm a bit blindsided by all the poults, though; from what I remember, we had hens and a rooster capable of breeding; where did the turkeys come from? Did I buy them from the caravan and forgot? I might have... and that means the turkey babies got smashed possibly a few months before growing up. Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore.
The dogs were initially left to breed for war dog 'supplies' - the plan was to train up as many as possible, and assign them to military dorfs. This would shore up our very anemic military, and even if individual dogs are weak and squishy, it's a different matter when there are 2-3 of them for each dorf. At the very least, they'll distract opponents, and be another target for attacks. Dog meat shields, as it were.
Dogs weren't my preferred choice of war beasts either; we could in theory buy grizzly bears from both humans and elves - in theory, because they hardly ever bring any. Also, the cage traps in the currently-abandoned cave airlock would occasionally catch some deadly critters - also in theory, because they keep getting swamped with crundles and flesh balls. Ugh. But the theory is sound, I got a grizzly in my private play through, and you saw the cave dragon that popped up during both mine and the overpaca's turn...
The giant wielding two necromancer slabs has come entirely out of the left field; I'm head-canoning that he doesn't know how to read, so no necromancer giant.
"the single map-edge entrance to the trade depot can cause massive lag if creatures are trying to path out of the fortress. I tried to send a raid through it and got down to single digit FPS before reopening the main gate"That's new. I'll keep an eye out for it in my own forts.
Post by: King Zultan on July 31, 2020, 03:50:41 am
Post by: Spriggans on July 31, 2020, 04:55:22 am
If you guys find some juicy content about undeads, please enrich the wiki ;)
@Nogood, I used your art for the heck of it. If you're against it, I can remove the picture.
Post by: auzewasright on July 31, 2020, 05:45:36 am
where did the turkeys come from? Did I buy them from the caravan and forgot? I might have... and that means the turkey babies got smashed possibly a few months before growing up. Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore.I remember buying a couple turkeys for the purpose of egg-collecting and breeding. I guess their population did not take long to boom.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 31, 2020, 10:45:56 am
curiously I can't find much in the way of turkeys. Giant birds and beak dogs aplenty to the point I will be turning some into soap if possible. Depends on how competent the fortress is rending fat given how its took them 3 months to even start digging out my new quarters...
Annoyingly, its looking like my megaproject won't even get off the ground at this rate. I wanted a giant beer tankard filled with magma atop smallhands damn it
Post by: Salmeuk on July 31, 2020, 10:56:22 pm
And, well, does anyone really finish megaprojects in community forts?
Post by: Spriggans on August 01, 2020, 04:07:09 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Laterigrade on August 01, 2020, 07:08:46 am
Post by: recon1o6 on August 03, 2020, 02:34:55 pm
Grim news today, our legendary miner and grower both Iteb Ikthadodok has passed away due to infection on the way to the farm. He never got treated with soap for the injury the late Sigun inflicted upon him and caught the infection as a result.
He will be sorely missed. I have commissioned a gold coffin for him as someone who has contributed greatly to Smallhands
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I will take his death to heart and teach the fortress the lesson of having enough soap, especially with all that filth around. As proof of this lesson to the fortress, I have ordered all 25 beak dog hatchlings that spawned in the last few days butchered for tallow then soap
A short while later I also heared more insane necromancers sounds, this time from the tower. Looks like old Spriggan's finally discovered he has no way out of there. :D
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 25th of Felsite 163
In spite of the days with goo outweighing days without goo, some members of the fort managed to do significant work removing the tower steps ready for my ballista battery which also had the parts completed earlier though not to the quality I had hoped for unfortunately. Other members of the military were also up here training as usual, some dodging demonstration of some kind that I was too busy drinking to attend to.
That being said the military really should clean up some time, just look at all the mess in the arena!
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/739884265650782368/unknown.png)
Fortunately for them before I could chew them out a large cheer erupted from downstairs- KingZultan had finally surpassed me at clothcraft and made a masterwork sock.
Ah well, at least my new rooms finally got finished! Smoothing next followed by some masterwork or exceptional furniture
Spoiler: New quarters, office and dining room (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Zultan's office and new cells (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: sal's room (click to show/hide)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 9th of Hematite 163
With summer comes heat, and heat tends to make people a bit crazy. Or in Dastot's case stumble around obliviously a few times followed by a tantrum that thankfully hurt nothing.
Regardless, just in case I have given her an elven wood spear and sent her off to explore jeweldusks and cactushexes. If she comes back, then its off to the goblin pit to see if she can retrieve something of value to the fort while simultaniously keeping her away for if she breaks down.
Perhaps Spriggan's yelling has gotten to her. I know a few people have complained that his ranting and raving has caused them to cancel their stockpiling orders a few times out of fear he's casting every curse he can to escape. He won't of course regardless of the vile goo raining on his tower.
In other news has anybody seen our new hammerer lately?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/739905243814428784/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 15th of Hematite 163
Confound it!
I was reading a book by our resident mad mage in the tower spriggans named "The truth about the dwarf". Its a book about himself losing a fight to a troll of all things because he was focused on the details and lost sight of his end goal- a typical dwarven issue. Though I can sympathise, given the troll in question was Deslo Vaultedtexts The Idol of Taxes
I'm sincerely glad we don't have any bridges for the mountainhomes to tax is this is what they are capable of
That said I'm ashamed to say this might just be one of the problems with smallhands- we have no goal to strive for now we cut off the goblin's expansion short of destroying them all which while fun does leave us the question of what to do next.
So today as Overseer, in a bid to make my Overseership worth remembering, I have designated a monument to smallhands to be created. A giant metal tankard standing above the surface with a small hand on the end of it forever highlighting our glory and defiance in face of the goo, goblins and necromancers.
Alas I am unable to determine a method of pumping magma up to the top without flooding the trading stockpile so I will need to make do with turning it into the new place for the tavern.
There was also the small matter of not having enough stone to create the furniture intended nor the states of the Overseers that I was going to put inside. New mining order fixed that though
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
In other news, the human diplomat arrived a few days ago, exchanged pleasantries and buggered off again. Didn't even stop for a drink at my tavern!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Finally, Dastot got herself captured by goblins. I'm not rescuing her given her previous conduct and lack of any useful skills. I had myself a little private toast after hours to commemerate the removal of such a troublesome individual in a way nobody suspected.
A note to my successors, don't bother rescuing her. 49532 stress and no skills beyond proficient is not worth the trouble.
Post by: recon1o6 on August 03, 2020, 02:52:43 pm
Auze also slipped into depression
Post by: King Zultan on August 04, 2020, 03:55:00 am
Is the caravan being broken a bad thing or is it something we can ignore?
Post by: recon1o6 on August 04, 2020, 04:27:17 am
Post by: King Zultan on August 04, 2020, 05:59:02 am
Post by: Spriggans on August 04, 2020, 06:33:14 am
Get me out of here ! Let me free !!
Graah ! Curse you ! Curse you all !
You pathetic fools... Try me ! Hide in your little holes...
No amount of cowardness, no futile efforts will save you. You are all cursed.
This rickety white door won't hold me forever. When I get out, you will rue the day you confronted me !
Post by: applet on August 04, 2020, 03:44:27 pm
oh and on the 17th, the human caravan came. and its bugged, frozen at the edge of the mapIsn't there a dfhack fix for this bug?
Auze also slipped into depression
Post by: recon1o6 on August 06, 2020, 05:50:52 am
Isn't there a dfhack fix for this bug?
the tweak fixmigrant only works for player races. So dwarves and any modded ones like my vorgrias.
I could use tweak makeown to outright grab them, but then they won't leave either.
its probably best to just let them go insane then cleanup
Post by: applet on August 06, 2020, 09:08:48 am
ShameIsn't there a dfhack fix for this bug?the tweak fixmigrant only works for player races. So dwarves and any modded ones like my vorgrias.
I could use tweak makeown to outright grab them, but then they won't leave either.
its probably best to just let them go insane then cleanupSounds good
Post by: Laterigrade on August 06, 2020, 06:00:17 pm
Post by: delphonso on August 06, 2020, 06:16:54 pm
Post by: lukerules117 on August 06, 2020, 10:48:20 pm
We need to figure out a way to safely feed things to Bugui.
A 1 wide trap hallway leading to a hole going into the top of the caverns with a forbidden hatch over it. If any flying building destroyer decides to break the hatch and enter that way then the traps should neutralize it, forbidding the hatch will prevent anything dumb from happening, but the dwarves should still pit your animals and invaders. Still not 100% safe but it's at least as safe as the way the caverns are sealed and they only thing that might take a bit of time would be the trap hallway if you decide to go overboard.
Post by: recon1o6 on August 08, 2020, 02:26:07 pm
Post by: delphonso on August 08, 2020, 08:25:02 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on August 10, 2020, 02:52:48 pm
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 24th of Hematite 163
The ground floor of the tavern has been designated
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Unfortunately, we don't have enough gold. A total of 14 bars in the fort which is nowhere near enough. I need 22 bars worth according to my bartop calculations.
It was the shouts of angry ambitious avarice that dragged a few of us from the tavern.
The human caravan had come and one of the wagons got stuck in the sand. One of the merchants informed me that they refuse to trade until they had all the wagons in the depot, all 4 of them.
"Can't we just trade with the ones you DO have unloaded?" I asked, rolling a barrel of rum out for selling.
"Nay lass, that's just not how it works. Especially with that broker of yours" the tall fellow replied, trying to clear the goop off himself.
I quickly looked across to Auze. I must have given him the wrong drink at the tavern last night as he was stumbling around obliviously this morning though he at least had the sense to blunder into the trade depot. It was quite worrisome.
An hour later Auze meandered into my office having recovered somewhat and blurted out they were leaving. The sounds of rushing and angry human voices came down the stairwell even as I dashed up them to demand an answer.
I was too late though, the humans had already pissed off! They got their wagon unstuck and left! cheeky sods weren't even here a week!
The goop rain was back too so I ordered everyone inside and demanded phonso who had been lurking around the depot hauling things why they had left. Phonso shrugged, snacked on a roasted fish then told me that the head merchant guard was annoyed at getting goop on his head and ordered them all to leave.
"How did he get gooped when he was in shelter?" I asked incredulous.
Phonso shrugged but did tell me that the ballista battery was built which at least staved off my tantrum.
I'm going back to the tavern, at least a dwarf never leaves his drink
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 3rd of Malachite 163
If there is one benefit the surface tavern will bring to the fortress, its getting everybody to stop being cave adapted. Far too many dwarves have been puking their guts out while building the Towering Tankard and the periodic dashes back to the fort when the vile goo returns isn't helping matters.
At least our hammerer is cleaning up the entryway a bit
We had a new migrant arrive. Reg Pickcrab, a farmer. Seriously, he's a novice at pretty much every farming skill under the sun and has no friends nor family. Only one relationship to a deity. No vile goo sickness thankfully.
I'm a bit concerned about this though, what sort of dwarf has no family or friends but this many skills? I'll have zultan interrogate him anyway to make sure he's not aligned with any necromancers. Or a vampire which I'm suspicious of. If he is either, well he can go visit the hammerer.
I have ordered the trade depot to be off limits for the time being. A buzzard flew in and got killed by a human and since nobody got round to dumping its body, the corpse is rotting now. Hopefully that stops Auze from teetering over the edge.
Everybody else seems to be in good shape really apart from Kubuk and Zultan.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 18th of Malachite 163
The second floor of my tavern is almost done
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The third floor is going to run short of materials soon unfortunately. We simply don't have the dwarf power to craft the stone blocks, soap, steel armour, clothes AND get this fortress stockpile orders fixes.
Halfway through my term and this poor tavern keeper is already having to raid her strong stuff.
Its not all bad news though, I discovered something excellent over in the trade depot- the humans left some of their stuff behind!
We should grab it before the next caravan comes.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 4th of Galena 163
I got into an argument with one of my patrons last night doing my mayoral meetings. Vutok, a cook/engraver. He wanted the kitchen and brewer on the 3rd floor of the tavern, I wanted it on the 5th. He then complained to me he wretched on a miasma recently. I called it a load of shit 'cos the only place with miasma was the trade depot and he hadn't been near there. Finally he demanded that I order some new mittens, aprons, hats and trousers for the chefs. Unfortunately, I couldn't do these things specifically for chefs, given the general clothes shortage.
He seemed offended but I offered to upgrade his room to the penthouse inside the tavern and he left happily.
Good, because there isn't going to be a penthouse for anyone, that's the magma chamber...if I can ever solve the design challenges involved
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Oh no...
Post by: Spriggans on August 10, 2020, 05:49:51 pm
Post by: lukerules117 on August 10, 2020, 10:19:58 pm
I'm a bit concerned about this though, what sort of dwarf has no family or friends but this many skills? I'll have zultan interrogate him anyway
Well as you said he's only a novice at those skills so while it looks like a lot I wouldn't be too concerned with that being a bit too much for him to have learned.
Post by: delphonso on August 10, 2020, 11:35:41 pm
Post by: King Zultan on August 11, 2020, 05:20:37 am
Post by: recon1o6 on August 11, 2020, 05:44:59 am
I've been wondering this for a long time what happens when someone "losses a roaring laughter, fell and terrible!", I'm assuming its bad, but how bad I don't know.
Fell mood, the first I have ever had
Post by: delphonso on August 11, 2020, 11:18:08 am
Post by: Spriggans on August 11, 2020, 02:17:53 pm
Is the fell mood the one where the dwarf kills someone ?
Post by: rostbot on August 11, 2020, 03:04:57 pm
Post by: delphonso on August 11, 2020, 05:52:22 pm
Although I would hate for Salmeuk to ever die, becoming an artifact and being installed in Smallhands would be a fitting end.
Post by: delphonso on August 11, 2020, 10:39:55 pm
Currently next:
Delphonso
StrikaAmaru
Post by: recon1o6 on August 12, 2020, 05:59:01 pm
I opted to keep the tavern open a little longer than usual last night, asking the night workers to keep an eye out for anything dangerous Vutok would do.
I narrowly avoided spilling my evening tankard in shock when I heard the screams. Also because of the beakdog puppy that came charging down the stairs in fright. This was definately not good, I ordered those things butchered a while ago. A quick refill and helmet on and away I went.
Solon, one of our gravewardens was in shock partway up the stairs. He was stuttering and stammering till I thrust a small bottle of beer into his chest which seemed to break him out of whatever trance had got him. He said that Vutok stormed into the butchers shops where he had just left to go fetch another beak dog for slaughter. He got to the stop of the stairs and saw Vutok storm out, with an aura around him of pure dread and he murdered Amara right in front of his and Imic's eyes. Imic was off running down the corridor overcome by terror.
On the floor in front of me was the lower half of Amara's lifeless head, mouth still contorted in her death throes. Not even a clean cut with the butchers knife.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
At the end butchers table, was the remains of Amara's body. In front of it was Vutok- eyes full of crazy and a dark cloud surrounding him raising a pair of leggings that could only have been created with a necromancers touch.
The entire thing reeked of evil what with the remains of Amara twisted in such a way as to evoke a tarantula's web down the sides of the clothing, the top half of her skull on the crotch and her hip bones turned into pockets.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
"In my family's name do I name you Sethaldamid Matzang! The spider-witch of jumping!" He cried, voice tainted with the ethereal. Raising the leggings as one would an item of great worth.
I promptly threw my tankard at him and it knocked him out in one blow, thank goodness for granite. The strange aura around him vanished too.
Into my journal here for future overseers to read I will write this passage.
I refuse to grant this thing equal status to our other artifacts. As such I will only enter the basics into the Overseer records and hide the leggings inside a secret room behind a bridge that leads over the magma. There are only three things that this could be the result of:
1. One of our necromancer captives- what else would work with bone so well
2. The demon that the goblins bow to in the east- that magic is strong, very strong and only the sort they and their servants carry
3. An elven menace hidden within their lands- this decor reeks of elven design. In addition, I recently discovered their diplomat I offed last month was in fact an heir to their Queen according to Legends records.
Its time I went to bed. I don't think anybody is going to sleep tonight.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 28th of Galena 163
It took all the effort I had to raise and slam my tankard for quiet this evening for my long overdue briefing to the fort
This month has been productive, really productive. I think everybody just wanted to get back to work and forget about the incident several weeks ago. I wish I could. I've been debating whether to ask Zultan to punish Vutok with a hammering for what we did, but we all saw how he wasn't his self. He has no regrets...but is frightened of how skilled he is at bone carving now.
The new tavern is shaping up well with the third floor placed and now getting walls and the handle is beginning to take shape. I made a slight tweak to my design to allow the handle to be a lookout. Its going to be taller than every other structure here, but it has to be as a monument to myself and smallhands.
My new rooms are almost done as well. At long last one of smiths managed to fight off the goop fever enough to make me some superb bronze doors- always liked bronze. wonderful colour and metal, but not everyone appreciates it like me.
I told the tavern goers something they didn't want to hear. All rotting or worn clothing is to be sent to the trading depot. Our brethern from the north are coming soon and the stockpile is stuffed full of new clothes that nobody is wearing, yet all of them had the gall to complain to me about lack of clothes. I don't care if things are favourites- they have to go and make my handiwork mean something.
Once again this sent Auze into a depression, though he recovered within hours.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 17th of Limestone 163
I finally made up my mind what to do with Vutok. I asked Zultan to go and interrogate him about the possession.
She came out of her new office and slammed through my tavern door at breakneck speed demanding a drink in ragged gasps. Something happened that had her overcome by horror but she couldn't say what. She was too distraught so I slipped her a second one free of charge. I sent another dwarf to quietly lock Vutok for the time being.
Our fellow dwarves came on the 11th at least and they brought a load of goodies considering it was only a single wagon. Dwarven engineering everybody! I'll raise a toast after the trading results from Auze...Auze?
Spoiler: Depression from 9th till 17th (click to show/hide)
Eventually I talked Auze into pulling himself together and chatted to the trader while the liason went off to find Salmeuk
In the meantime, me and Auze managed to obtain one hell of an agreement. All of our worn clothing and crafts, a barrel of prepared food (not sure what it was if anything) plus the elven detritus we had laying about in return for all 8 barrels of booze and their food, several new clothes and some good quality steel and iron armour.
I took the liberty of obtaining more paper for our library and best of all managed to obtain some much needed pig tail seeds after our supply ran out last month.
Honestly, it was shocking how much space our old clothes took up. I'm gonna need to order some bins
Spoiler: all this space was old clothes (click to show/hide)
Surprisingly, the merchant was pleased with the trading as well.
After all the crap over the last month and a half, it felt good to be able to have something go so right for once.
I'll drink to that slams tankard Free round tonight everyone! courtesy of our friends at the mountainhomes!
Post by: recon1o6 on August 18, 2020, 04:05:11 am
Post by: Spriggans on August 18, 2020, 05:04:14 am
apologies for the delay, i know its been a long turn. exam thursday
Apologies accepted, captain Recon.
You will rock your exam, I know it ! Keep us in touch :-*
Post by: Salmeuk on August 18, 2020, 06:09:24 am
Quote
The entire thing reeked of evil what with the remains of Amara twisted in such a way as to evoke a tarantula's web down the sides of the clothing, the top half of her skull on the crotch and her hip bones turned into pockets.
What a horrifying description you've created here!
Also, I enjoy how much drinking occurs in your journaling. Almost enough to be realistic. .
Post by: StrikaAmaru on August 19, 2020, 09:51:51 am
This is one hell of a thing to read on holiday. I knew I jinxed that poor dwarfette when I said she was going to live past SmallHands... now we have a temporal paradox on our hands :D
And a fell mood! Between this and the macabre mood I got in SmithSoldier, I guess we are bad at keeping dwarves happy?
Post by: recon1o6 on August 20, 2020, 06:16:16 am
I knew I jinxed that poor dwarfette when I said she was going to live past SmallHands.In my defence, it was her (a relatively unskilled haulier) or our only armoursmith. So I locked the door to the corridor and it forced Vutok to go through the animal pen to get out to the corridor. I then unlocked the door after he killed her in front of two people no less
Most of the dwarves are content, there's only 4 that weren't, and he was one of them. He wasn't the worst one by any means- that's Auze who I'm gonna write off as a lost cause
Wish me luck guys, exam in 15 minutes
Post by: recon1o6 on August 23, 2020, 03:59:37 pm
Great news: I passed the exam with 85%
Better news: I'm going to be resuming the fortress in a few minutes and am looking to finish my term by wednesday. Current status is fps tanked because of another bunch of beak dogs hatching and giant birbs hatching. On the plus side, at least there's plenty of fat available for soap production
Bad news: I suspect that my successor is going to be the one decorating the Towering Tankard. Including the magma. We don't have much if any gold
Post by: delphonso on August 28, 2020, 08:18:12 am
Post by: recon1o6 on August 28, 2020, 08:05:31 pm
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 28th of Limestone 163
Had an unexpected visitor in the Tavern today
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Apparently two important events had occured outside smallhands. Numer 1 was a new Religious leader in some dank alley back at the mountainhomes. I don't care really, the only gods any dwarf should worship are reason and magma, and as we all know the avatar of magma is Armok
The second was mildly more interesting: The mint sack formed an expedition led by the old religious leader, gave some goblins a kick and became mayor, expedition leader and broker of someplace west of us.
I confess I wasn't paying attention given I was going over my plans for the tavern and the liason in question had already downed two of my strongest ales by the time he had finished rambling about the trade agreement
That said, I did start paying attention after he started bellowing to Sal about next years export agreement, hard not to really when he was flailing rudely as apparently I didn't serve big enough tankards before he went into a tirade about the state of the mountainhomes. I made a note of it on the back of one of my discarded plans. Might as well not let that parchment go to waste. That's one benefit of being bartender, you can listen in to all the patrons and nobody would suspect a thing, like the mountainhomes is having similar troubles to us that they are trying to keep quiet about
Spoiler: next years trade agreement (click to show/hide)
Some day it feels like I'm the only forward thinking dwarf in the entire kingdom. Instead of whinging about lack of armour and rotten clothing, I actively go about finding solutions like getting production restarted and artisans training. A sobering thought, I best have another pint.
good stuff that longland beer
Something horrendous caught my eye while I was draining my mug- why does the mountainhomes want Wooden Toys, seeds and armour?
I have a bad feeling about this...that sounds to me like an elven plot- regrow the forests from seeds, taint the children with wood and scare them off metal armour and/or train their soldiers to find weak spots.
I KNEW that elven "diplomat" was a fraud. Not only was he apparently royalty, but he was after our necromancy too. The elves are up to something I swear, something big.
Where's my mug, I need another drink
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 14th of Sandstone 163
This last week has been pretty good all things considered. I managed to fix another stockpile and the engravers have collectively stopped bickering and managed to finish not just one, but multiple rooms! Olin, the head engraver has even been on a streak of masterwork production- I will have him work my chambers personally after Sal's.
The 6th came with a bit of good fortune as well, Auze came out of another stumbling spate and somehow blundered into the carpenters shop and produced a masterwork bed. Into my bedroom it goes!
I have taken stock of the food and bed rooms. With the kitchen and distilleries moved to their own little corners, that leaves me free to turn the old kitchen room at the end of the bedrooms into a mueseum, and the annex next to it into an emergency stockpile. The hospital annex as well has been turned into a soap stockpile- a rather embarrassing oversight I had made in hindsight but better late than never. On a side note, I finally moved Salmeuk out of the hospital and into his own personal quarters with full engravings and statues depicting himself and smallhands.
I popped into the dining hall and progress seems to have stalled there with no more tables available. I threw more orders down then set about admiring the multiple statues. There was one depicting smallhands founding, another of Nogood next to Salmeuk. Laterigrade had a statue too that I had taken down immediately upon noticing it was depicting the moment the poor sod got killed. There's space for a few more statues including my own of course but until the masons make something that doesn't look like an amateur's practice piece we'll put them in.
As a consequence of all this room shuffling the old mayoral office and Zultan's makeshift office have been freed up.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 25th of Sandstone 163
I was sorely tempted to reach for the strong stuff when KingZultan came up to me today
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Instead I decided to inquire after the other plan put in place after the incident. Zultan thankfully informed me that the leggings were being sealed away as we spoke. Thank goodness.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 9th of Timber 163
The volume of tasks that need doing doesn't seem to be getting any smaller yet every dwarf was coming here to my tavern. It was getting more packed lately and my growing frustration at the lack of progress on some of them was getting to me. I slammed my tankard for yet another announcement and told everyone that I expect progress update on every project in 6 hours. To emphasize this, I announced I was shutting the bar early today unless everyone here completed at least 1 task in the next half hour.
That certainly shocked everyone enough to get them moving and gave me some time to review my monument's progress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The 3rd floor has been stuck like this for the last 3 weeks. The gem windows I have earmarked for installation were sent out nearly 2 months ago.
In terms of height, the handle is still untouched past that floor and the furniture I ordered still hasn't been produced despite it being the 5th thing I demanded after beginning this project with 1 through 4 being walls and the stairs.
We're not even halfway yet
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I might have to make another short speech soon about smallhands' new tower. Maybe that will put some fire back in the workforce
Post by: auzewasright on August 28, 2020, 09:39:43 pm
Unknowns of Auze
What a year... I have seen much, and I don't feel good about any of it. I remember watching as the army who I engraved personally to the walls of the library was killed. I remember growing sick of death, and then going mad and contributing to the death. They say that I should write out my issues, so that I may deal with them in a way more healthy than trying to drink myself to death. Well, I guess I can start with the good. The Library is bigger than ever, and another definitely-not-plagiarized book on wound wrapping was written. Tista's been dead for 60 years now, so exempting the possibility of a necromancer we should have to worry to much about that. The livestock I tried organizing and purchasing seem to have boomed in number. As for the not-so-good...
I nearly was executed for my crimes, a fate which I almost certainly deserve for what I did, not to mention the irony of dying to a system which I helped create. Instead I got locked up in a cage by the system, and managed to get out and do my job. It was at this point were I realized that the current overseer was going to get us killed, as I watched him kill the diplomat from one of our few allies. Oh well, at least things are getting better, I hope...
Post by: King Zultan on August 29, 2020, 04:59:59 am
Post by: recon1o6 on August 29, 2020, 05:53:51 am
Unknowns of Auze..as I watched him kill the diplomat from one of our few allies
Shockingly, this plays well into the current status of Auze. Too despressed/delirious to realise my dwarf is female, but improving slowly to start writing. (he's gone from 49000~ stress to 47893 stress since I started
I seem to remember another fortress that had a giant mug as a massive project, but I don't remember the name.
I don't recall the name but I know the one you are talking about, it was sculpted in the shape of an arm holding the tankard which poured magma onto invaders
It failed as the magma dried up and the fort perished anyway through incompetence as per the usual
I was going through some old plans earlier, its a wonder half of our fort is still used the way it is what with every subsequent overseer reassigning functions after they were dug out.
Post by: Spriggans on September 06, 2020, 06:54:01 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 06, 2020, 07:16:03 am
I caught the human keeper of seals sneaking down to the slab chamber this time. He got to the top of the stairs, turned around and wisely decided to leave. I might have to see about moving those slabs to somewhere more secure if people keep trying to go for it.
Salmeuk's also been complaining about the lack of goblets. What a load of elf shit, there's 156 goblets in this fortress.
Just when I thought things were settling down though, Amara decided to rise up from the grave in the trade depot. I told her I sealed the artifact away pending destruction and was currently debating how many hammerstrokes to administer Vutok. Suddenly her ghost vanished as though it was never here.
I checked the records half an hour later, and she was never there, not even on the dead/missing list. What in Armok's name happened?
Maybe the fever is getting to me, where's my flagon...
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 23rd of Timber 163
I really wish there was some way to recover from this fever. I checked out all the statues that had been made of myself and Salmeuk. The vast majority were of substandard quality, fit only to be sold to caravans, or maybe line our prison cells for our prisoners to admire our craftsdwarfship.
Another thing that displeased me was how all of mine were of the moments when I dyed a piece of fabric or something. Why no statue of me slaughtering the elven spy? Or creating that masterwork sock? Hell why are the majority of statues about Salmeuk arriving at smallhands?
The fever must cause trouble with the mind, it has to be, why else would we struggle so. What else would cause me and the rest of smallhands to miss an entire wagon's worth of supplies in the trade depot abandoned by the humans!
There's even an exceptionally crafted copper ladle that we can use to serve at the Towering Tankard when it opens. A donkey that's somehow survived for months, seeds, fresh fruit chilled by the cold, 2 books...some gold bars even!
and...wagon wood logs according to Auze? I'll trust his judgement on this, he's the best carpenter we have.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 4th of Moonstone 163
Damn this perpetual fever, it flared up again when I was drafting the plans for the Towering Tankard and it appears to have led to me making an error on the plans- the handle staircase does not reach out far enough. It needs to be at least another urist away from the main tower.
At least my other plans to whip this fort into working order are progressing well. We have 8 dwarves that pass for novices are armoursmithing and some of the items they have made have been good enough that the military have been ditching their masterwork bronze immediately for a steel piece even if its not as good.
What's especially pleasing is Auze has been trying his hand at it and he's certainly competent at it.
Much to my frustration however is the military members that have been dumping their old armour have been doing it on the towering tankard causing blockages for work flow. When I find out who's responsible they are getting water tonight!
I might try and get an armourer's guild established. It could work out quite nicely.
I've also decided to impose a ban on the farmer's guild from holding any Gelding demonstrations until further notice after Tosid was left with painfully crying out "no job" for a week.
On the plus side Dakost has finally turned 2 and begun walking, talking and drinking. Unfortunately she's a talkative one, as she informed me Zultan was trying to collect webs. Not sure where from but it certainly explains where Zultan has been up to when she isn't outperforming me at clothcraft or being hit on by those she's interrogating.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
There is however a snag. He may have been tainted.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 10th of Moonstone 163
This is concerning
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Not the fact that this is the second time Kubuk has been possessed (well that is unusual) but the fact he's in the caverns. In hindsight, KingZultan was down there recently looking for webs. I really should have investigated sooner.
10 months into my term as overseer and I keep finding problems to fix. Yet as I wander round the fortress, I keep finding evidence that however hard I look, there's always a critical flaw that I've missed until later. At least I have found them, unlike previous overseers. Unless this is all some part of an elven plot, then its a wonder the fortress hasn't sunk yet. Actually now I have wrote that, future overseers, I apologise, we have sunk, back when the undead almost wiped the fortress to pieces.
But smallhands clawed its way back.
By Armok's will, we will claw our way further up to the heavens and down to the heart of our world!
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 14th of Opal 163
Even for Opal tonight was bitterly chilly and wet. Rain all day all week. I brought out my own private winter stock for the patrons and I even deferred Vutok's punishment so he could cook some much needed roasts to keep us all fed.
I felt a chill for another reason. One I dearly wish I didn't need to announce, but for the good of smallhands it had to be done. I raised and slammed my tankard for the last time in this room. Trying to keep the shaking out of my voice was hard
"My fellow dwarves...I-I have a...a very painful announcement to make." I took a few deep breaths.
"As you are all ah-aware I am having a grand tavern opened up in the towering tankard. Due to her majesty's regulations however I had to name it The Tall Bar. Unfortunately...I couldn't bare to tell you all the full story until now, when I no longer have a choice. As a result of this move and the reorganisation of smallhands"
I took a long shaky drink from my tankard. A tear trying to escape my eyes. Come on girl...
"I am having to close this tavern from the first of obsidian in ord-"
A wine stain covers the rest of the speech as well as a few tears
-ven Phonso was in shock
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 2nd of Obsidian 163
It was strange not opening the tavern last night. Mainly because we don't have a tavern as it stands. Its still being built.
I noticed as a form of protest, many dwarves did not move the old food stockpile to where the old tavern was like they were supposed to. Gradually though its shifting thank goodness, and some of the others are building upwards instead of floor by floor. Something about being able to look down on the goo rather than cower under it.
I may be a tavern wench, but I am still the overseer. Tardiness will not be forgiven and so I am writing down certain dwarves who have been slacking. The only exception will be Olin. I collared the man one a few days ago demanding to know why he was socialising with nobody instead of hauling or engraving.
"Did you not see my masterwork's in Salmeuk's room?" he asked me
"Wait you finished those?"
"Yes, I am one of the few dwarves who aren't fevered." Olin replied, weaving his chisel between his fingers
"As a result, I can perform my art much faster than most with greater precision. A pity the majority do not get to see the wonders."
I then had an idea
I then had a second excellent idea upon realising Olin was a glassmaker too
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 17th of Obsidian 163
Some time ago I found we had no more soap. As a stop gap measure I had some trees chopped and burned from underground. This made an excess amount of ash to turn into soap. I then had the spare ash turned into potash for our fields. But we really didn't need all that and so I had a mountain of spare potash.
Fortunately I have found a use for all that potash now upon discovering the sheer volume of sand cluttering the stockpiles. I have had it turned into clear glass blocks and give our two glass worker dwarves something to do other than hauling.
Between 98 pieces of potash and quite a few pieces of sand (my fever was too high to count further) I have had them begin assembling clear glass in bulk. It shall become the ceiling to protect us from the goop in the tankard...if everybody can actually get it done in time for the new year.
I have skipped out on some of the floors as detailed in my earlier plans and instead gone straight to developing the bar at the top. Once the glass ceiling is in place, the hauliers can construct the silver floor. Unfortunately, what happens after that will be out of my control, as will the rest of the tower.
In other news, Amara reappeared again watching the workers from the wall of the tower. I'm having a slab engraved for her as I write this and it will be placed tomorrow.
A quiet but productive winter. I don't think I could have asked for much more than that.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 28th of Obsidian 163
Its been a long year in charge of Smallhands, but I can raise a tankard to the fact I have done my best for the fortress and it seems to be in better condition than when I started.
I let everybody know I had a little announcement to make at the usual time, in the old kitchen and food room, just outside the bedrooms. Everyone was to bring their drink of choice. Well...it was three really. I admit I was a little late myself on account of getting distracted by a book at the library but no matter, I can put it down to nerves if anybody asks.
My fellow dwarves of SmallHands!
Through pints and perservearance, Smallhands thrives evermore. Thanks to me and I hope my successors, Smallhands shall continue to do so for years to come. But! We would not have gotten here without the work of those who came before, and so I declare the Best of Smallhands mueseum to be open!
I dragged away the two tarpaulings on each side of the room to a chorus of claps and curious faces.
To the north was a display of our best artifacts that were not better suited to being equipped or installed, to the south were a series of masterwork statues of each overseer in turn, and one of the original 7 at the end.
Spoiler: topright the new mueseum (click to show/hide)
Second! Thanks to everybody's hard work, the ceiling on the new tavern has been completed, as soon as we get the floor in, we can install some furniture and declare the place open!
There was a very loud cheer from that and lots of chatter. For the final time this year, I slammed my tankard against my mat for quiet.
Finally! It is the end of Obsidian, so raise a mug to smallhands for another successful year!
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 1st of Granite 164
I stayed up a little late last night reflecting on what I did during my term as overseer.
- Heavy reorganisation of the stockpiles.
- A large project for a new tavern.
- Kitting out the military with steel armour
- Creation of a legendary dining hall
- Proper prison
- New clothing for the masses
- Improved offices and bedrooms for the nobility
- Mueseum for the best of us
- Soap production
I suppose it wasn't a bad term as Overseer. I didn't fix everything I wanted to, but I like to think I laid the groundwork for the future.
Hanging outside this morning to the doors of the still in construction Tall Bar, gazing out upon the sun as we got a new day and a warm breeze, as my term as overseer came to a close, I raised a tankard to my lips one last time as the leader before I headed down to the forges to make some furniture.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/752125450913841253/unknown.png)
-------------
For my successors
The Tall Bar has a silver floor and will be having brass furniture. We have no tavern atm. Up to you if its completed though, I did lay out the instructions earlier
Get another person trained on armoursmithing, we might be able to make one of our none fevered dwarves into an expert with a guild's help
We need a new statue of salmeuk in green glass in the memorial floor. I found one of them was depicting him being shunned by other dwarves after he stopped being militia commander. It was unacceptable so I had it removed.
The statues in the mueseum are right to left as i put them in form the dwarven perspective. Smallhands founding on the right, myself at the leftmost current statue
SAVE
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15194
Post by: delphonso on September 06, 2020, 08:00:35 am
Missions for my overseership:
- Destroy all wooden toys.
- Nothing else.
Bunch of empty slots after me and Strika, if anyone wants another turn
Post by: Salmeuk on September 06, 2020, 04:55:18 pm
Quote
Between 98 pieces of potash and quite a few pieces of sand (my fever was too high to count further) I have had them begin assembling clear glass in bulk. It shall become the ceiling to protect us from the goop in the tankard...if everybody can actually get it done in time for the new year.
Very nice! This glass production might be a project worth continuing.
Quote
We need a new statue of salmeuk in green glass in the memorial floor. I found one of them was depicting him being shunned by other dwarves after he stopped being militia commander. It was unacceptable so I had it removed.
I mean, if that's the artist's interpretation of my life, who am I to argue? As long as the dwarf responsible met all the requests of the commission, I have no right to anger. Of course, considering my vain obsession with depictions of my person, I might have regretted finding that later on, and the statue's removal saved me a deep blow to my ego. From the bottom of my beard, thank you!
Looking forward to your diary Del, take your time and don't burn out. I might grab that next slot if overtime lets off at work.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 06, 2020, 06:12:58 pm
Nice lengthy updates Recon! Thanks for all the work you've put into this fortress. I especially like the central location of the new museum - it seems only right to have visitors introduced to the history of this place through the various artifacts it has produced.
Your welcome! this fort has been a blast, I really regret not taking a turn sooner
Quote
Between 98 pieces of potash and quite a few pieces of sand (my fever was too high to count further) I have had them begin assembling clear glass in bulk. It shall become the ceiling to protect us from the goop in the tankard...if everybody can actually get it done in time for the new year.
We have tons of empty bags and sacks. The problem is we don't actually have that much wood, but the caverns seem relatively safe atm.
I wasn't expecting more than about 20 by the time i started it in the first week of obsidian but Olin belted them out at a right rate. Clear glass is absurdly labour intensive and the mass production of one of the ingrediants was unintentional
we can absolutely mass produce green glass, clear glass would take a bit more effort. When spring arrived we were running a little low on the supplies
Green glass is made of just sand
Clear glass requires sand and pearlash. To make clear glass
1. chop a tree
2. Burn in wood furnace
3. Make it into potash at ashery
4. Turn potash into pearlash at a kiln
5. Get a bag of sand
6. Make clear glass X at the glass works (note, you need to make blocks to continue the ceiling etc, raw glass is useless)
Quote
I mean, if that's the artist's interpretation of my life, who am I to argue? As long as the dwarf responsible met all the requests of the commission, I have no right to anger.
Blame Quarque for that one. I didn't get chance to make another order as spring arrived
Quote
Of course, considering my vain obsession with depictions of my person, I might have regretted finding that later on, and the statue's removal saved me a deep blow to my ego. From the bottom of my beard, thank you!
Trust me, its nothing compared to my ego...I uh may have put all the mass produced statues of myself that had any sort of quality level inside everybody's bedrooms as a means of freeing up space in the finished goods stockpile. (well those rooms where there was space avoid blocking the door or the bed)
I thought I had changed the mass produced one to be of smallhands but I must not have realised after the crash i had in timber (only lost 4 days where nothing much happened)
Post by: Spriggans on September 07, 2020, 03:03:52 am
Bunch of empty slots after me and Strika, if anyone wants another turn
I might, but I'll manifest myself if I can play when the time is right.
I'm buying a new house and we're moving in next week. So I might be too busy to play during the incoming weeks/months.
But I feel like I've destroyed this tiny fort during my turn.
I sort of want to get it back to its former glory. Legends of Smallhands' faded greatness still resonate. I want to bring this era back.
So put me on the "maybe turn when no-one can play" list.
Post by: King Zultan on September 08, 2020, 05:23:25 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on September 09, 2020, 06:18:28 am
The problem is we don't actually have that much wood, but the caverns seem relatively safe atm.The third cavern layer was sealed off exactly for this purpose, and as far as I glimpsed from screenshots there are still tons of uncut trees in it. (The animal traps were more of a bonus / second thought).
The second big source of wood is, of course, the surface - fever goop included. I did consider a plan to allow woodcutting & hauling only for already-fevered citizens, and just move everything indoors; preferably through a water trough fed by the aquifer. My turn is coming soon-ish, so I think this whole plot is going to end up in my yard anyway =).
I need to figure out what to do about my inevitable re-dorfing. Seeing as Amara has become armor, the resurrection trick can't be used for her. Either I inflict some identity theft on a dwarf, or I'll just pick a new dwarf. The first option allows me to continue the narrative of "future baroness Amara" but it's going to be a tough sell from an in-game perspective.
... Or I could go with the simple option, and just say a random dorf picked up the name in honor of the original, and then this detail got lost to history.
Post by: Superdorf on September 09, 2020, 08:14:49 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 10, 2020, 06:01:53 am
6 named dwarf deaths, 1 reversed, 1 possibly not dead after all.
7 named dwarves and 1 alpaca that haven't died yet
overseers
'Del' adagkubuk, guard captain: Died 153 to zombie horde
'Phonso' tosidleclad, gravekeeper: Alive
'Salmeuk' logensurzmal, sole survivor, Baron of smallhands: Alive
'Laterigrade' monomduthal, mechanic: Died 154 to helmet snake, currently no redorf
auze the first: not dorfed but presumably died 153 to zombie horde
'auze' dodokimsal, broker: Alive
'nogood' undying overseer: Died 153, revived and after a raid is now alive
'matteuse' kolathel, grey eminence: Alive
'Amara' ageshdakost, haulier: Died 163 to fell mood
'applet' Overpaca: Alive
'Spriggans' the sparkly onrelzaksul: debatably alive, currently locked away and berserk
'Recon' dodokbardum, Tavern keeper: Alive
non overseers
'kingzultan' eturerlin, necromancer hunter: Alive
'imic' kosheshtan, scribe: Alive
'superdorf' datanothlest, furnace operator: Died 161 struck down by phonso
Post by: Spriggans on September 10, 2020, 06:59:44 am
Post by: Salmeuk on September 10, 2020, 12:06:49 pm
Quote
'Laterigrade' monomduthal, mechanic: Died 154 to helmet snake, currently no redorf
Wait, did Lat really die to a snakebite? Oh my god that's right!
8th Granite
Laterigrade clear-cut the eastern half of the cavern with ease, but I fear I may have overextended him when I asked for the last two tower-caps in the southwest to be chopped. A helmet snake sprung up directly in his path and gave him a nasty bite. I’m calling him back into the fortress. Hopefully he has the sense to run. We’re too far away to help if he tries to fight the snake.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
By the Regal God, the fool actually tried to take it on by himself…. He’s on the ground, badly wounded and unconscious. He managed some decent hits on the snake, but then the venom set in and he couldn’t keep fighting. I told Salmeuk to grab a weapon and get to the cavern entrance. I’m going to try to get to Laterigrade. I should be immune to the snake’s worst abilities; I only hope I can reach him in time.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Too late… damn the gods, too late. The monster just shook him around by the head until his neck snapped. I was only a few paces away, but helpless to do anything.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Barely a week into my administration and already my plans are thrown to chaos. One thing is certain, I can’t allow any injury to Salmeuk. When we had two healthy dwarves, I could risk letting one of them hack apart the echidna, but now our survival is balanced on a razor’s edge. Even a small accident could cripple us.
If only I could force myself to take on a more active role, but this curse of undeath seems to have instilled me with some kind of mental block. I cannot bring myself to take on new roles I did not have in life. Not craftsdwarf nor diplomat nor soldier. This position of overseer has been the sole exception. It is what makes Salmeuk so valuable, and what frustrated my attempts to save Laterigrade. But one thing I can do is haul, and there is a lot of wood that needs hauling right now. Your sacrifice will not be in vain, Laterigrade. Those cages are our salvation, and on my unlife they will be built.
The above was beautifully written by nogoodnames, back in MARCH. I guess I didn't realize how long this fortress has been rolling. . I mean, crap, I had just started my new job around that time. Feels like a literal lifetime ago.
Post by: applet on September 11, 2020, 11:29:09 am
(Not that I did anything laggy, the pumpstack definitely doesn't count.. right?)
I would like to see the fort continue, (internally debating signing up for another turn) so I think it might be time to turn to some more serious dfhackery.
Post by: Salmeuk on September 12, 2020, 11:05:18 pm
Post by: delphonso on September 13, 2020, 03:46:53 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on September 13, 2020, 09:40:23 am
One unexpected source of lag are doors that are set impassable to animals, but passable to dwarves. There's a pathing bug, ever since 0.44.x, that makes animals try to use them anyway - then they end up stuck in front of a door, forever cancelling & recalculating & re-cancelling the same route. There are multiple doors set like this, all throughout the fort.
Even one of these buggers can drop the fort to 25 FPS, on a good PC which has no issues running SmithSoldier at 45-50 FPS.
Applet's central heating is fine with FPS, unless it's actively pumping magma. Then it drops to 8 and below (note to self: disable temperature in init before engaging). The big problem with the magma stack is that water can get into the channels, especially at level ~110 where the reactor is, and at the bottom where it's supposed to drain off-map.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 14, 2020, 04:26:45 am
Abundance of animals in the fort DID cause an issue which I wanted to fix, but was leaving some to grow up so we could butcher for soap.
Dumb dwarves going outside and puking their guts out didn't help me with splatter either despite me putting in a staircase to access the building site
That said, I didn't turn off temperature in the init because this is a community fort.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 16, 2020, 06:20:20 am
Sieges come at 80 pop
the ambusher tag was removed from goblins in 42.04
necros have no limitations on their sieges, thats why we got them
Post by: delphonso on September 16, 2020, 06:22:12 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 16, 2020, 07:22:24 am
how's the fort going anyway?
edit: that goblin fort to the southeast? site government The Seduction Of Goo
those goblin bastards are responsible for our fever
Post by: delphonso on September 16, 2020, 08:55:37 am
Post by: Salmeuk on September 16, 2020, 09:12:27 am
Honestly, tried to play today and spent about 45 minutes trying to figure out what everything is and what I need to seal off to ensure the fort is closed. It was mentally taxing, but necessary work. Gonna try and actually unpause soon and post an update.
Ah yes, the "holy shit wtf is going on who put all this sh*t here??" phase of succession games. I believe we entered this phase a few turns ago. The game becomes less and less about megaprojects and more about maintenance and stockpile management. And surviving the lag. Good Luck!
Post by: delphonso on September 17, 2020, 12:32:07 am
Spring
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
(definitely not 12000 bees in a trench coat)
As the new queen of this
The other drones have reported that the hive is secure from
A dwarf has told me it is supposed to be a type of cup.
I asked a dwarf to update me on the honey production. They led me to this pile of refuse that they called "crafts" and said, "Probably in there, somewhere" then they shrugged and walked away, dripping sweat. Is the sweatiness of these dwarves a sign of respect?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
No longer trusting the opinions of the
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The hive seems to be full of parasites - many of which rub themselves against the doors in a way that I find very displeasing. I walked up to a dwarf and said, "Hello, I feel sweaty. What are these parasites?"
She said, "Ugly blighters, I know, but they make a good meal and they're good watch dogs if you put 'em in the right place."
"Why haven't you gathered in a group around them and vibrated your bodies to kill them?"
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
"Oh, we've been slaughtering 'em, but these are just newborns! Not much meat on 'em yet. Don't you worry, I'll cook them when they're ready!" She then walked down the hall and up the stairs in a move we interpreted as an invitation.
"Why are these dogs wet?"
"Dunno, really. Sort of just like it that way, I guess."
(https://i.imgur.com/qF9LRVm.png)
We can hear the rumble of fluids passing through the walls. I can also hear the distant screams of a flaming skinless alligator. There are many caged creatures and many creatures who are not caged but built into the walls themselves. This is pleasing to us, as the hive is secure.
The local bee population is on an all-time low. In fact, several worker drones are carrying empty hives back to the refuse piles of the hive. This is unacceptable for a harmonious hive.
Several of the dwarves seem sweaty, which is good, if I understand it correctly. They also seem stressed and unsatisfied, though. By The Lost, most of them have had their wings fall off. We'll seek to remedy this right away. I will also look for more flowers and plants to ensure a greater health for the hive. For now, there is a lot of cleaning up to do.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on September 17, 2020, 12:59:53 am
Quote
By The Lost, most of them have had their wings fall off. We'll seek to remedy this right away.... Most of them? What do you mean, 'most of them'?
I'm curious how a lack of wings in dwarves can be remedied. My first thought involves a cloak dyed black with sliver barb, and repeated statements of "I am Batman".
On a completely unrelated note, I have learned that dwarves cannot train beak dogs for war (or hunting, but who cares about that). I deem this to be bullshit, because clearly goblins have no difficulty. Which leads me to ask why do we have beak dogs in this fort - were they set up for food only, or was there any intention of them becoming war beasts? And if yes to the latter, would you all agree to add the relevant tokens to beak dogs? Namely, [TRAINABLE], [TRAINABLE_HUNTING], and [TRAINABLE_WAR], according to the wiki.
Post by: delphonso on September 17, 2020, 03:01:51 am
Most of our trainable animals aren't useful against undead anyway - dogs especially do nothing against a zombie.
Post by: King Zultan on September 17, 2020, 03:40:50 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 17, 2020, 03:51:35 am
They'll start becoming adults this year, which means chopping block time
the giant red wing blackbirds were bred for war by a previous overseer. I did nothing with them.
food being way down below? that was something I didnt manage to finish reallocating.The room with the butchers shop and animals has a load of foodstuffs in airlocks, the rest of it is next ot the dining hall. I meant to put some inside the towering tankard, but alas it never got cimpleted in my turn.
I'm curious why we got bees in charge rather than phonso who was still alive...hmm...guess he was alergic to bees.
The honey bees up at the surface have been ready to split for a while, constantly stinging training dwarves.
this will be entertaining regardless
Post by: delphonso on September 17, 2020, 04:49:13 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 17, 2020, 04:57:23 am
the other is somewhere in the caverns access and idk either
Post by: nogoodnames on September 17, 2020, 01:55:24 pm
I believe the skeletons are leftover from when StrikaAmaru sealed off the third cavern level. The legacy of a forgotten beast massacre. Cleaning them up hasn't been a priority for anyone else. They've just been sitting down there ever since, ready to traumatize any wandering dwarf.
Post by: delphonso on September 17, 2020, 07:00:26 pm
I was looking for areas of lots of items which might benefit from destruction via DFHack. Our caverns are...rife.
Post by: delphonso on September 18, 2020, 12:21:39 am
Spring
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
(definitely not 12000 bees in a trench coat)
We asked the dwarves of Smallhands about solutions for the parasites which roamed its combs. I was introduced to the concept of "Animal Daycare", a safe place in which to place animals so they do not rub against the doors in the way I don't like.
I began construction of an Animal Daycare right away. For efficiency, I placed it across the hall from the nest rooms of the large birds who we don't like.
We moved to the tavern, which seems to be the center of hive activity. I saw a dwarf dragging a skeleton behind it, presumably to consume. I introduced myself and appeared as sweaty as possible. He returned in kind, but did not make eye contact, as dwarves usually do. This dwarf seems very efficient.
(https://i.imgur.com/l1QVUDQ.png)
Another lawful dwarf stood in the library, picking up a book, putting it down, then staring into the distance briefly before doing it over again.
(https://i.imgur.com/AnovxdJ.png)
It appears the prison was disabled for some reason. Even worse, our only criminal was sleeping in a bed. Such an injustice could not stand. We reassured Kingzultan that the prison existed, and so they dragged Vutok to a cage. Justice is served.
The Animal Daycare is coming along nicely. Many animals have been put inside, for their safety and comfort.
(https://i.imgur.com/mQEul7I.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/jwutFCs.png)
...
(https://i.imgur.com/QbDnGnV.png)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The removal of awful door rubbing parasites has made Olin very excited.
(https://i.imgur.com/snPit0X.png)
Olin rushed around the garbage heaps in the hive looking for materials. She must be making something great because she went to almost every single stockpile in the hive. We wonder what she will produce.
We inspected the military, which seems to be doing as well as can be expected. I let the troops relax for a while, though it seems they don't feel anything - emotionally or physically. This is exactly what you want in a soldier.
(https://i.imgur.com/3YvJXJP.png)
Olin wiped sweat from her face and revealed an earring. We can not begin to interpret the artistic nuance of such a thing. However, the name is...menacing.
(https://i.imgur.com/PzLswUt.png)
-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
It's two months in and the framerate is doing a bit better - it feels worse than it is because of the FEVER everyone is suffering from. Most of the dwarves here are emotionally dead inside, which is good and bad. Most are immune to seeing skeletons, but also aren't getting good thoughts from other stuff. I'm...not sure if this will be a problem. No tantrums or anything so far, though, so that's good.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 18, 2020, 03:33:43 am
I don't like the name though, that better not be foreshadowing anything!
and I shut down the tavern in anticipation of moving it up to the top of the tower as part of the stockpile rewrite. The food is now in the tavern with the old food store now the mueseum. I advise you check the doors on that floor too since I found while testing last night half of the doors on that floor are forbidden or pet blocked
I'm liking this so far!
Post by: applet on September 18, 2020, 03:35:30 am
I was looking for areas of lots of items which might benefit from destruction via DFHack. Our caverns are...rife.
autodump into an atomsmasher - it's what I do in Ledpaddled.
For me, the framerate gain is usually not that big though.
Afaik reduction in pathing possibilities (e.g. sealing old mines) and reducing the amount of pathing entities (putting animals in cages, sending out dwarf squads) has the most impact in my experience.
But I guess you already know all of this :)
Post by: delphonso on September 18, 2020, 04:07:18 am
Does anyone have Bugui's kill count at this point? Should be...thousands.
Thanks for the food heads up - it's only been two months in-game, so I wouldn't notice if anyone was hungry yet. I know that people are drinking because Vutok spammed cancelled drink messages while being arrested.
I noticed a big improvement once the animals were culled. I think there was a small group stuck in the "try to go through a forbidden door" loop, so it was definitely unnecessary to reduce our animal population by so much, but hey, that's DF babyyy.
Post by: delphonso on September 19, 2020, 06:31:00 am
Post by: delphonso on September 20, 2020, 01:17:03 am
Summer
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
(definitely not 12000 bees in a trench coat)
Our continued effort to improve efficiency began to run into some difficulty as the worker drones began to wall themselves in and potentially dehydrate themselves to death. Below the hive, there are many exploratory tunnels looking for valuable
Inspecting the stocks, we have a multitude of statues dedicated to one of the dwarves named "Recon". This tavern drone must be very important.
(https://i.imgur.com/vR4MwYu.png)
Although the dwarves seemed excited to have a visitor, I was worried about the green color of their name... Elves are often overly protective of flowers and are known to swat honeybees collecting pollen. I asked KingZultan to check things out and followed the Elf closely.
(https://i.imgur.com/KCg0bIK.png)
Meanwhile, I noticed some of the dwarves were complaining about this:
(https://i.imgur.com/MhYuhtq.png)
We thought dwarves liked bones - since almost everything in the fort is made of and decorated with bones. Auze informed me that these were bad bones, though - also there were many of them. The hive began to drag them to the crushing room, to remove them from sight and also existence. There will be no bad bones in my hive.
(https://i.imgur.com/OYy1MCJ.png)
How can this bee? Tholtig, one of the members of the fortress, acted against the interests of the fortress? I cannot comprehend it! KingZultan, do what you must! KingZultan marched off to interrogate Tholtig and arrest him. I also interrogated Auze about bad bones, but there were no results.
(https://i.imgur.com/2Czfore.png)
At the very least, we have successfully captured Lapama. We have been informed that this type of elf does not eat. I recommend just walling them into the fort forever.
(https://i.imgur.com/Gzgv01e.png)
Some humans arrived with big monsters filled with items they wanted to give us. But not just give us, they wanted us to give them things first. I don't understand this, so Auze took care of it. The humans also brought this news:
(https://i.imgur.com/o84lpfe.png)
We are doing a great job with this overseeing business. Nothing bad is happening at all!
(https://i.imgur.com/f8TxhRY.png)
-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
Mysterious bone pile isn't the first time there's just been a bunch of dead things collected in one space. Was this a clean-up strategy of someone else, or is this just a weird ass bug. I also found every part of an elf in a store-room in a single pile. I also found about 100 bolts in a pile on this same level, but cleaned them up.
I'm also cleaning up and forbidding stuff in hallways or on the surface - a few dead visitors seem to have left behind some clothes and wooden weapons.
Post by: King Zultan on September 20, 2020, 04:02:25 am
(https://i.imgur.com/f8TxhRY.png)He is jealous of my necromancer hunting skills, I better kick his ass and throw him in jail!
Post by: StrikaAmaru on September 20, 2020, 04:29:06 am
About the mysterious corpse-filled room in the third cavern - I guess you're talking about this one?
(https://i.imgur.com/gotrUs5.png)
I recall briefly designating a corpse pile in it, after the cavern was sealed; I wanted to make more butcher's shops and let dwarves work through the backlog of skeletons. I gave up for two reasons: because my turn was close to ending, and because there wasn't that much of a benefit compared to hauling corpses up to the already-existing butchery.
The very existence of all these corpses might be a source of lag; there were reports of it, in older versions.
Now, in completely different news: for some unfathomable reason, we are at peace with the goddamn tower. Which is why I ask your opinion on what to do in my looming turn: do I, or do I not, put almost all dwarves in military squads, and send them to raze the tower? Do you want named dwarves out of this, or not? Do you want to pillage instead of raze? Do you have any other ideas?
(By the way, did you know that if you send your mayor or baron on a raid, they lose their room assignment?)
Post by: delphonso on September 20, 2020, 05:10:40 am
I'm open for risky behaviour but I'm a coward and won't do it myself (at least not when I'm not playing with 100% attention). If you want to send any of my named characters to their deaths, i'm open to it. Honestly we need some dwarves to die so we can refresh with a feverless population.
I think the Lone Survivor should stay safe though. I want Sal to die of old age.
Post by: applet on September 20, 2020, 05:11:01 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 20, 2020, 07:28:10 am
I make no apologies for the masses of statues of my glorious dying skills. I did not specify anything, I just demanded 100 rock statues trying to get some masterworks and apparently I made a lot of masterfully dyed items
the elf parts was me, literally. My dwarf executed the Elf prince/diplomat/necromancer to be there for trying to go to the slab chamber. She ended up dismembering his leg, arm and then a clean cut on the neck.
I've been replaced as mayor? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Post by: applet on September 20, 2020, 10:02:00 am
applet, Ex-overpaca
I finally figured it out! They do it with their face-wool!
I managed to sneak after one of them when they went to work and I saw it, they make images and text on the walls with their face-wool!
How ingenius!
...and come to think of it, I have a lot more wool then them.. therefore..
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/alpaca-engrave-33.jpg)
And if you think alpacas don't bounce... well.
Post by: nogoodnames on September 20, 2020, 11:52:54 am
Now, in completely different news: for some unfathomable reason, we are at peace with the goddamn tower. Which is why I ask your opinion on what to do in my looming turn: do I, or do I not, put almost all dwarves in military squads, and send them to raze the tower? Do you want named dwarves out of this, or not? Do you want to pillage instead of raze? Do you have any other ideas?
Destroy the tower! Raze it to the ground! Slay the chief necromancer and hunt his apprentices to the ends of the earth!
Post by: King Zultan on September 21, 2020, 07:30:59 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 21, 2020, 07:42:31 am
Post by: auzewasright on September 23, 2020, 03:00:45 pm
Post by: applet on September 24, 2020, 03:31:14 am
Looking at Legend Viewer, it appears that we have the majority of the world turkey population. So I guess we did at least one thing right.
...
The Animal Daycare is coming along nicely. Many animals have been put inside, for their safety and comfort.
(https://i.imgur.com/mQEul7I.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/jwutFCs.png)
...
(https://i.imgur.com/QbDnGnV.png)Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Maybe that's not the case anymore XD
Post by: Spriggans on September 24, 2020, 03:59:52 am
But it's the DF equivalent of modern world : us, humans, are killing polar bears and koalas, but our beloved house cats are multiplying.
Here in DF, the dwarves are killing beak dogs and puppies so their beloved turkeys can thrive.
I see no problem here.
Post by: delphonso on September 24, 2020, 05:21:16 am
I've been crazy busy starting a new job - I'm the first foreign teacher ever to arrive at this school, so they're overwhelmed just by my presence. I'll get some time to play in a few days and will update then.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 24, 2020, 05:31:35 am
Post by: delphonso on September 24, 2020, 05:55:27 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: StrikaAmaru on September 25, 2020, 01:03:03 am
Post by: delphonso on September 29, 2020, 07:41:02 am
Summer
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
It's...so, look, here's the thing - I get it. It IS evil, I know - but let's be real about this: the fever is a problem. A big problem.
And listen. I don't like to fight anybody. I wish we could just be locked up in this fort forever, but we all know that's not how it works. Things come in. Things go out. People fight, people die. I, of all people, would know.
I'm not saying we kill everyone - I'm just saying we try it. Here's the plan...
We need a necromancer in a cage. (Easily obtainable. There are two in the fortress already.)
We need a dwarf who is afflicted with the fever. (Anyone will do, and that includes almost everyone in Smallhands.)
We wall in a dwarf and have them die of dehydration. (Stinthad didn't complain about, and it ensures the body is totally in tact.) [Addendum: this may happen on its own, I observed several dwarves wall themselves in last season.]
The necromancer must be agitated into raising allies. (Here is the genius part - bees. A bee sting should be enough to engage a necromancer's fight or flight response.)
The necromancer raises the dwarf as an intelligent undead. (Nogood seemed to enjoy it.)
We revert the undead into a regular dwarf. (Why is no one talking about Nogood being all living and breathing now?)
Alright, I know - it's "illegal" and also completely immoral. Look, I'm not excited about it either, but let's be real - I'm the grave digger. I'm the one who is putting everyone in their final resting places, and let's not kid for a second here - there's been a lot of death in Smallhands. The halls reek of it. The first cavern layer is a monument to death, and the surface is either knee deep in bones or ankle deep in blood.
I'm not going to just wait around for my few friends to die. I'm doing this, whether the overseer likes it or not.
(https://i.imgur.com/KOBNlix.png)
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
(definitely not 12000 bees in a trench coat)
I buzzed to the center of the fort. Olin told us that King Zultan was trying to arrest Tholtig for trying to let Lapama arrest our artifacts. Intrigued, we looked on from a safe distance. I don't know if dwarves need their abdomens, but King Zultan really punched Tholtig's several times and very hard. Tholtig was dragged to a cage for imprisonment.
That settles it, we think.
The large mug is probably secure, according to the drunkard who was in charge of our safety and also has many statues. To be safe, we installed a bridge which can act as an impenetrable wall in this hallway:
(https://i.imgur.com/mESRY4A.png)
After several failed attempts at testing, I was informed that these walls only work with a lever. I installed it in the stairs directly below it, which seemed like an easy to forget place, and therefore, perfectly inconspicuous.
(https://i.imgur.com/tdlckzC.png)
King Zultan approached us with a concerned look in her face. I informed her that she was very sweaty, but she didn't seem to like that. She said that the crime of who had originally helped Lapama remained open. Without a sentence, the dwarves will become unhappy. She said she had interrogated several people, but there are no current leads.
I pointed to a dwarf who was walking by and said that they were guilty. King Zultan, seemingly happy with something to do, dragged them off.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kc3MWqH.png)
That settles it, we think.
The humans have very few things worth taking. I tried to give them a lot of
Some beakdogs were born which means their delicious parents can be killed.
The pile of bad skeletons were removed. It does not seem to matter much, though. We have noticed that there are only a few dwarves left who don't like some skeletons. Everyone else either likes them or is indifferent toward them.
I think there was a fight in the fortress somewhere. We saw a dwarf crawling on the ground today. Their second set of legs seemed to be very injured.
(https://i.imgur.com/pReV7Ch.png)
The hive has been tidied up a bit. The autumn fast approaches, and we believe it is traditional for dwarves to go out and
-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
Well... I had actually intended to bring Phonso into my story here but then I accidentally convicted him of treason.
43 strikes of the hammer almost killed him - but luckily mostly his legs were targeted. With the inability to stand and the fever, he is likely our slowest dwarf...
Speaking of slow - there is just about nothing going on in the fort these days. I'm going to start raiding necromancers.
FPS seems alright - the caravan brought it down a lot but also brought like 10-15 guards to wander, plus all the hauling jobs, it was to be expected.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 29, 2020, 09:31:50 am
zultan shouldn't have the fever?
and of course things are slow, its an elven plot to kill the dwarves with boredom >:(
Post by: nogoodnames on September 29, 2020, 10:15:21 am
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
It's...so, look, here's the thing - I get it. It IS evil, I know - but let's be real about this: the fever is a problem. A big problem.
And listen. I don't like to fight anybody. I wish we could just be locked up in this fort forever, but we all know that's not how it works. Things come in. Things go out. People fight, people die. I, of all people, would know.
I'm not saying we kill everyone - I'm just saying we try it. Here's the plan...
Well, the infrastructure for this is already in place. Just need to keep in mind that any potential resurrectees will need a couple years before they're fully functional again. Citizenship ends upon death.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on September 29, 2020, 12:21:14 pm
That's how I've come to find out we're at peace with the tower - I was looking for some replacement necros. The ones we have are all some flavor of insane, and thus unusable.
Post by: nogoodnames on September 29, 2020, 12:42:49 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on September 29, 2020, 03:01:16 pm
Post by: delphonso on September 29, 2020, 05:56:13 pm
if memory serves its rigoth who i appointed hammerer. Whoever it is hasn't done a proper job as a hammering is 50 strikes not 43
zultan shouldn't have the fever?
and of course things are slow, its an elven plot to kill the dwarves with boredom >:(
I didn't know it was always 50. I omly caught it at 43, I guess the justice screen counts down.
And yeah, no one new has a fever - I write these after the fact and just add details like that in post. Reg doesn't know what the fever is anyway.
Rigoth is still the hammerer, but I see King Zultan as the head of all justice.
He definitely still works. You just need to make sure the shutters are open and then wait a while for him to notice the cyclops. That can take some time because it's based on his random wandering, but he'll start raising whatever you put in front of him when he does.
I figured this was true because he's berserk so should be violent toward anything. I tested it with the pile of skeletons from the farm but yeah, no luck.
Could definitely be a time thing, though, as I didn't leave it for a very long time.
Good point about the two years... I forgot about that part.
Post by: nogoodnames on September 29, 2020, 06:39:50 pm
Post by: delphonso on September 29, 2020, 07:29:23 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on September 29, 2020, 07:36:43 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on September 30, 2020, 01:21:16 am
Yup, all that really matters is the upper body being intact. Although curiously it doesn't work on our dwarves once their corpses get too old. I think it has something to do with ghost and burial mechanics.
Ah, so I'm not the only one to deconstruct all coffins and dump the corpses in the resurrection room...
To no effect whatsoever :c
Post by: delphonso on September 30, 2020, 03:55:59 am
Post by: delphonso on October 01, 2020, 09:30:28 pm
Autumn
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
(definitely not 12000 bees in a trench coat)
It has become clear to us that we are doing a great job as overseer. Everyone is mostly happy. Everyone is very sweaty.
We got stuck in the mug today. There were lots of gem windows. I kept flying into them assuming they were completely open. Luckily Imic told me where the doors were. Imic then dropped a ring on the ground and wandered off.
(https://i.imgur.com/3hskgrB.png)
A dwarf named Amost approached me looking somewhat concerned and sweaty. She informed me that she was the chief medical dwarf for the fortress and updated me on Phonso's health. When we pushed her for information, she looked a bit confused and said that Phonso was the one who I ordered to be beaten. I don't remember doing that.
(https://i.imgur.com/SySJK36.png)
Amost detailed the situation around Phonso even if I didn't want her to. His ability to grasp has recovered, which I didn't know was lost. However, the dwarf is still unable to walk.
(https://i.imgur.com/N73MAs5.png)
Amost, clearly showing concern told me more – much more. Phonso, in his delirious state, had spoken of ideas that Amost called “dark and terrible.” Using necromancers to cure the fever, to keep dwarves alive forever.
This sounds like a great idea!
+Journal of the Gravekeeper+
The fever dreams were worsened by the beating I received from Rigoth. Today a swarm of bees in a coat told me I was smart. It told me that I would be the first to try “it.” I should talk to Amost about this.
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
If we're going to use necromancers to make the hive healthy, we will need more necromancers. I spoke to Solon who is in charge of the Rainbow Raptors – a military squad. We agreed on the plan and she and her crew went off to collect pollen from Sinewsabres.
Mestthos who is the mayor grabbed a sword and ran off the map, abandoning their office and bedroom. Perhaps it was not wise to send the mayor to do battle.
Imic made a bucket out of a gem.
(https://i.imgur.com/RS4X5Tz.png)
Some of the soldiers have not yet left for Sinewsabres. When I asked about it – they said it was because a big scary fly was outside and they didn't want to go there.
Since Mestthos was gone, and the caravan arrived, the outpost liaison instantly left unhappy. I pointed to a nearby dwarf and elected them mayor.
(https://i.imgur.com/5zGyW2a.png)
Finally, all the troops have left. I suppose it is time to trade.
+Scribblings of the Gravekeeper+
I see. It wasn't all fever-dream. It seems the current overseer has accepted my plan of resurrection to cure the fever. In my crippled state, I'd say I'm lucky, in a way, to be the first to try. Perhaps I'll become like Nogood and Moldath – great warriors of Smallhands. Maybe I'll become like Olon, and die twice so this place may live. Or perhaps I will be like all the others who died and have been forgotten. Reg is a strange dwarf, but we're all strange down here. He volunteered me for the job, I suppose it's punishment for conspiracy – but I'm happy to do it. I wouldn't have had the guts to volunteer myself.
I didn't want to worry the others, though. Didn't want to cause more stress than needed in this little fort. I pretended to be disposing of some stone blocks, then locked the doors behind me. Now I sit, waiting to die. Past some fortifications, I can see a shutter. On the other side I know there's a necromancer, if I'm lucky, he'll put my soul back in my body after I pass. The worst that could happen is that he brings me back as a true undead. Is this small room a new womb or the grave of the Gravekeeper?
(https://i.imgur.com/XYhEw0K.png)
Whoever finds me, just know that this is what I wanted. I accept this fate, and hopefully I'll see you again some day.
For Smallhands and for the Dwarves of The Little Pick
From the bottom of my small heart,
Love
Phonso Armorcleaned
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
The caravans really make the days feel slow...
Avuz seems to be taking to the mayor role well. She put out a mandate to build a statue, then demanded that we don't export any statues. Well done, Mrs. Mayor!
Some giant redwinged blackbirds have hatched, meaning we can eat their delicious parents.
I have decided to make a zoo/statue garden in one of the unused rooms below the fort proper. This idea came to me when Salmeuk told me the story of how someone forged over 300 statues in a year.
I realize it may be worthwhile to replace Amost as chief medical dwarf. She didn't seem to want to cure the fever and that just doesn't seem doctorly. Unfortunately the only other dwarf with any skill in the field is Salmeuk – who is busy with his other responsibilities and Phonso, who I can't seem to find. Perhaps he ran away when I told him we were getting more necromancers.
I wonder how those Rainbow Raptors are doing anyway...
(https://i.imgur.com/PzqRaOl.png)
Nogood mentioned that there is a dead dwarf somewhere in the fort. I told him to dispose of it.
(https://i.imgur.com/WVjJpQC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/5gqYQ8O.png)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
Phonso died right near the door, pretty far from the necromancer. I limited the dump zone just to the wall near the fortifications and assigned Phonso's corpse to be dumped. Of all people to do it, the game chose Nogood.
Is Dwarf Fortress magic?
Amost has a fever, meaning her work as a doctor is slow and clumsy. Thoughts on assigning a totally unskilled but unfeverish dwarf to replace her?
Also if you can't tell, I'm getting sick of the bees in a coat bit and am starting to abandon it. I have no staying power.
Post by: Spriggans on October 02, 2020, 03:38:00 am
Post by: applet on October 02, 2020, 03:40:20 am
Also if you can't tell, I'm getting sick of the bees in a coat bit and am starting to abandon it. I have no staying power.Ditch the coat and see how the citizens react to pure bees being their overseer?
Post by: Darkening Kaos on October 02, 2020, 04:48:08 am
I doubt that they will bee-lieve it .....Also if you can't tell, I'm getting sick of the bees in a coat bit and am starting to abandon it. I have no staying power.Ditch the coat and see how the citizens react to pure bees being their overseer?
Post by: delphonso on October 02, 2020, 05:20:46 am
I doubt that they will bee-lieve it .....Also if you can't tell, I'm getting sick of the bees in a coat bit and am starting to abandon it. I have no staying power.Ditch the coat and see how the citizens react to pure bees being their overseer?
Would they value my honeysty?
At least Reg behives like an overseer most of the time: namely, being emotionally distant and methodical.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 02, 2020, 06:12:38 am
I reckon the bees will get replaced as overseer as soon as they try to drink some booze on the new year's party and collapse in a heap
curiously, I have not once noted an increase in honey production or usage of the hives on the roof
Post by: delphonso on October 02, 2020, 06:36:13 am
I had a chuckle at the bees getting stuck in the towering tankard.curses, I wanted to be mayor again
I reckon the bees will get replaced as overseer as soon as they try to drink some booze on the new year's party and collapse in a heap
curiously, I have not once noted an increase in honey production or usage of the hives on the roof
I'm taking that in case Reg dies somehow.
Yeah, I haven't actually done any of the bee-keeping. I have been a bit listless in my play this turn - but I'm also doing a few tasks that require a lot of micromanagement - dumping particular items, making particular undead.
Post by: King Zultan on October 02, 2020, 12:18:54 pm
Post by: Darkening Kaos on October 02, 2020, 08:37:34 pm
But if our beenevolent bee overbee-ers die who will guide us?FTFY.
Post by: delphonso on October 03, 2020, 12:14:40 am
Winter
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=
(definitely not 12000 bees in a trench coat)
We learned a new word this week: delegate. It means someone else does your job for you but you still get the credit. Dwarven society never ceases to amaze.
Nogood came rushing out of the garbage disposal saying "Uh oh. Very bad! Very bad!" Then started pulling levers in a panic. I assumed this was normal, so I joined him. When we all calmed down, Nogood explained...
(https://i.imgur.com/uK9VPLh.png)
The experiment was a failure. Phonso was risen without a soul, and would mindlessly attack any members of the hive. Concerned by this, I ordered him to be caged and put in the zoo.
Nogood didn't seem to like that. I guess he was also upset that the experiment failed. Don't worry, Nogood - we'll try again. This time with...that one.
(https://i.imgur.com/vpTGxCE.png)
-=-=-=-
After-action report of Ast Gildduty, Captain of the Swamp Hunters
Delegated to me by Military Commander Nogood
Delegated to Nogood by Overseer Reg
The goblins arrived early this month. Overseer Reg turned into a cloud of bees the instant the siege warning went up, leaving behind his coat. We have placed it in his bedroom for when he returns.
Early reports of the siege were optimistic. A small contingent of mounted goblins approached from the Northwest.
(https://i.imgur.com/owjGWPw.png)
However as more came over the hillside, we realized the peril we were in. More and more goblins on beakdogs arrived in waves, filling the Northwestern region of the map.
(https://i.imgur.com/bmmuFFD.png)
Swamp Hunter Tholtig was the first to notice the true threat: trolls.
(https://i.imgur.com/PFgg4yJ.png)
And then they just kept coming.
(https://i.imgur.com/EB8Vpg6.png)
The enormous goblin force stood for a moment near the mug, giving the dwarves time to seal off the fortress proper. Swamp Hunters made moves to the barricades to fire down on the goblins.
(https://i.imgur.com/BTWm7c9.png)
However, it wasn't long before the trolls ripped the doors and windows off of the Towering Tankard. The enemy forces rushed into the first level of the fort - Furniture Storage and Animal Pasture. We weren't fast enough to save the animals...
(https://i.imgur.com/oT0bI5z.png)
The goblin forces amassed near the stockpile and planned their next move. We, foolishly, relaxed.
(https://i.imgur.com/Vi3siql.png)
It is not clear what drove them to do it, but Kib swears she saw the Human Guild Representative Gal run down the fortress and then up the pump-stack trying to escape during the siege. The goblins understood immediately that this meant there was a way into the fort there. The trolls dismantled the pump stack on the way down.
(https://i.imgur.com/7fEY1zN.png)
Kib attempted to keep the Guild Representative safe and distracted the goblin forces, pulling them all the way down the pump stack to the bottom. Although the pump stack was destroyed, this gave us time to build walls to prevent any point of entry we missed before.
The final wall would block off Kib and guarantee their death. Kib got the message and moved out well before the wall was started. Gal, on the other hand, kept going back and forth between the fortress and the goblins - even encouraging them to follow him toward the fort proper.
(https://i.imgur.com/4uNef0X.png)
The tactical decision to wall him and his maceman outside the fortress to be killed by the goblins fell to Nogood. No objections were made. With the wall made, a majority of the goblin force left. Their trolls stayed behind to continue destruction. Some had approached the fortress from the North in the hallway of cage traps. The Gravewardens rushed out to meet them.
(https://i.imgur.com/9iw00Qs.png)
Special commendations go to Ducim the Gravewarden who was unstoppable on the battlefield.
(https://i.imgur.com/bpkjOx3.png)
The siege was lifted. The end results were 2 known deaths and the loss of an alpaca. Two cats were punched to death by goblins and a blackbear was ripped apart by beakdogs. The aftermath of clean up is underway currently. Thus ends my report.
-=-=-=-
It feels great to be out of that coat, just letting it all hang out, as they say. Out here in the open air - on the surface after so long. Why are all the dwarves vomiting? They must be very excited.
(https://i.imgur.com/ssvQ2Sb.png)
Very excited indeed! Recon ran off to a clothier's shop while the other dwarves ran around picking up dead goblins and trolls. Several cages need reloading as well. I let Logum out of the trash compactor and instead offered the fallen from the battle as experiments. Lo and behold!
(https://i.imgur.com/tViLtd6.png)
It's basically like I didn't get anyone killed.
(https://i.imgur.com/TPLMYlT.png)
Recon made a nice glove. Unfortunately, I don't have hands, otherwise I would try it on. The second dead body was placed in front of the necromancer and nothing is happening. I believe the only thing to do is to wait. More importantly, it is almost the end of winter, meaning a new overseer will be in charge.
Vabok very quickly wanted to get back into the citizen lifestyle, so I allowed him to.
(https://i.imgur.com/S9Vswwj.png)
Things are looking great here! I did a great job.
-=-=-=-
OOC:
Things are terrible. I did a bad job.
King Zultan is very very upset. She got pulled out into the sun during the conflict, watched someone die, then got attacked by a honey badger a few times. She could use some rest and relaxation.
There is a dead body next to the Necromancer-Cyclops combo. The shutters are currently open (you'll see whenever the miasma puffs out.) That body was taken to the corpse stockpile before being dumped in front of the necromancer. If they are never rezzed - this might give us more information about how this whole mechanic works. The door near the cage-trap is locked, if it comes back as a corpse, just unlock that door and it'll path into the cage and be a new addition to the zoo.
There are a lot of dead things around, everyone has been exposed to the sun again. Also a quarter of our military was captured in the necromancer's tower. The pumpstack was ruined, the Towering Tankard is wide open, and the fort is filled with walls from my panicking. I am truly and genuinely sorry for dumping this on you, but the siege started a month into winter.
Good luck, StrikaAmaru, and sorry applet for your loss.
The save is here! (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15232)
Little does Strika know that this is my 4D chess strategy to slow him down for the Numbercurse competition.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 03, 2020, 05:08:51 am
Why those trolls gave me such a great idea, I'm amazed nobody thought of it before- a punching glove! It'll be useful for when I'm out of the military! I'll put the mace etching on for good luck.
Such were my thoughts after the siege of the last month. Quite impressive really, the goblins circled us then moved to our flank. They took a moment to even admire my tankard! On the other hand, how dare they break my tankard! This was why I ordered it finished but our overseer was a bunch of bees, BEES!. Did nobody take notice of the ballista battery I installed either?
I can only presume they had a spy in the fort, having seen so many brave souls of our military captured... and it appears we did! That filty human led them into our fortress! Fortunately the goblins gave him his compuppance when some dwarves walled up the hole and they had no more ways inside. Didn't expect them to come down the pumpstack honestly. Can't say I'm pleased with Kib either.
This is why I was ejected from the mountainhomes, I objected to the humans as I didn't trust them and I objected to the elves because they engage in all things undwarven. I was right! On both counts! In Armok's name I hoped I was wrong about the humans.
Honestly, I should have seen this overseership coming, multiple beestings from the milita in training during my reign might have been a sign. More importantly how did those bees get in charge in the first place? I confess at the time I was busy serving drinks for the new years party and so I didnt notice.
I'm gonna have to pay attention at tonights new year party and quietly strike anyone suspicious from the overseer candidates register... nobody will notice it amongst my bar keeping duties.
-------
OOC
great turn delphy! looking forward to strike's
I will have another turn at this if that's ok, would prefer to be after whoever succeeds strikeamaru
good luck strike!
Post by: applet on October 03, 2020, 05:29:56 am
applet, Ex-overpaca
OSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHIOSHI...
Post by: nogoodnames on October 03, 2020, 10:03:32 am
Count me in for another turn as well!
Oh, and I don't think that dwarf is coming back from this:
(https://i.imgur.com/51ZiMkX.png)
Post by: delphonso on October 03, 2020, 10:15:58 am
Post by: King Zultan on October 03, 2020, 01:11:27 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 04, 2020, 02:08:34 am
Little do you know, Del, but the primary delay in NumberCurse will come from familial obligations, not from SmallHands!
Plus, y'know, we now have 2 weeks for the challenge too, and I still have to hit the wiki, because I don't usually do decorations.
Post by: delphonso on October 04, 2020, 05:45:04 am
Little do you know, Del, but the primary delay in NumberCurse will come from familial obligations, not from SmallHands!
Plus, y'know, we now have 2 weeks for the challenge too, and I still have to hit the wiki, because I don't usually do decorations.
It's a nightmare - freaking idiots were decorated gems with more gems rather than what I wanted them to do.
Looking forward to your turn here - Smallhands isn't in the worst state she's seen, but it's not great.
At least one was able to be saved.
I think my favorite dwarf is King Zultan. If we could find a way to ghoul people 100% of the time, I'd make sure she never died. Well...after the ghouling.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 04, 2020, 06:47:16 am
I’d like to propose:
[SPECIFIC_SEED_CAP:40]
[FORTRESS_SEED_CAP:600]
They’re the old values but divided by five, which matches our population.
Post by: applet on October 04, 2020, 07:13:34 am
Post by: delphonso on October 04, 2020, 07:26:33 am
I vote yes to seed cap - it probably won't do much but every bit helps. FPS at the end of my turn was acceptable. The fever makes it feel slower than it actually is. When the goblins arrived there was a noticable dip, of course.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 04, 2020, 07:27:22 am
Post by: delphonso on October 04, 2020, 07:36:52 am
There might be. I have no idea how to get that effect, though...
Post by: applet on October 04, 2020, 08:06:50 am
http://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Syndrome#CE_REDUCE_FEVERLick every FB until you get it? :D
There might be. I have no idea how to get that effect, though...
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 04, 2020, 09:57:44 am
Lick every FB until you get it? :D
A quote for posterity.
As to your original question, the overpaca was never butchered, and its toothless, decayed skeleton still lies in the sub-surface level, in a pool of its own teeth:
(https://i.imgur.com/y8xm9u1.png) (https://i.imgur.com/AFDHKTP.png)
Post by: King Zultan on October 04, 2020, 01:13:13 pm
I think my favorite dwarf is King Zultan. If we could find a way to ghoul people 100% of the time, I'd make sure she never died. Well...after the ghouling.I feel this is quite the achievement to become best dwarf, I am honored to be that dwarf.
Post by: delphonso on October 04, 2020, 05:42:27 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/AFDHKTP.png)
If an alpaca wore pants would it do it like this or like this?
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 06, 2020, 04:03:37 pm
No, I'm not using small font for the title
Prologue.
Well… I had some ideas, and I hope to be able to pull them off.
I also had a plan, now scrapped, to make an in-character diary, with a narrative behind it. In preparation for this, I picked the most recently-arrived dorf, and given her a name of ill repute:
(https://i.imgur.com/xPl21cx.png)
Malfoy means ‘bad faith’, unless my rudiments of French have completely failed me. This is entirely appropriate for a dwarf under whose rule dwarves would be deliberately killed. The narrative was that miss Malfoy was one of the few dwarves unafflicted by the fever, and was beyond done with the complications of the syndrome; so she aimed for the overseer position, and fully intended to run a sustained campaign of covert murder.
However, that’s about as far as the muse took me; the only part I managed to write is a short intro:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
And that’s it. No more flow whatsoever. Gameplay was eventually written from an OOC perspective, the first fortress (which isn’t NumberCurse) that I write in this manner.
As to the fort itself:
The fort numbers 32 dwarves according to Dwarf Fortress, and 29 dwarves according to Dwarf Therapist. One’s a child, and that’s why it’s hidden, but this still leaves me with two missing idiots. And it’s not Vabok the newly-ghoulified, he’s perfectly visible to Dwarf Therapist.
Anyway, of the 29 visible adults, all but 7 are afflicted with the fever.
(https://i.imgur.com/nv27gUy.png)
A while later, one of the ‘missing’ people was identified as Vutok WanderedBolts, who’s been caged for who-knows-how-long; he’s the fell mood bastard who killed my previous dwarf, by the way.
I think he’s subject to a bug regarding jails - the room he’s in was marked as a prison from the rope in the center, and a bunch of cages were then built around. Vutok was invisible to DT until someone left him out of his cage, and he wasn’t let out until the jail room was restricted to not include the cages:
(https://i.imgur.com/VUo6xzA.png)
‘Course, he was then immediately re-imprisoned in a random room, because he’s melancholic. I’ll allow him to die of thirst and then he’ll visit the friendly neighborhood post-mortem doctor.
Even later still, I also figured out who the last missing dwarf is - NoGood. Dwarf Therapist can't see him in any category; but I didn't figure that out until near-autumn, for reasons that will become apparent.
The Tall Bar has never been finished, and what was built has been vandalized by trolls.
(https://i.imgur.com/19pUssd.png) (https://i.imgur.com/iialB4p.png) (https://i.imgur.com/q1Ge9CH.png) (https://i.imgur.com/fgCG4Zf.png) (https://i.imgur.com/lI6vJE0.png)
This is how the trolls got to the stack pump, by the way - they first dropped under the surface, and then just walked to the ballistas and the pump stack. I’m more surprised they didn’t also wreck the trading depot, to be honest.
(https://i.imgur.com/XIDNByg.png)
Also below the surface, there’s a giant stockpile of furniture. I think it’s the same stockpile of furniture that I made, when I was replacing the old pieces with masterworks and excellent ones, and selling the lower-quality ones to whomever. Unfortunately, now all the craftsdwarves have the thrice-damned fever, so no more masterworks for SmallHands.
Below that, the last of the dirt layers, complete with a well, and next to it a bizarre ‘soap’ stockpile. By which I mean it only accepts metal bars:
(https://i.imgur.com/Qq44s4a.png)
Further down in the resurrection pod, some dead dwarf named Dumed is waiting his/her turn to be risen. Unfortunately, the cyclops has decided to wander away from the necromancer, so nothing is happening, and poor Dumed has started rotting. The cyclops room will be redesigned, to keep this from happening.
(https://i.imgur.com/BsyBKNL.png)
The crafting area was joined by a labyrinth which makes no sense:
(https://i.imgur.com/pqPqMQt.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/nu6R3CJ.png)
And which descends here:
(https://i.imgur.com/K1PVKlU.png)
The stone stockpile has been removed; there’s literally no point to it.
Lastly, at the bottom of the world, lies the third cavern; filled with old skeletons, and unexploited cavern trees. I’d like to deal with both.
(https://i.imgur.com/SE8nFjO.png)
Happiness is quite alright, with one glaring exception: KingZultan’s sanity is quite strained:
(https://i.imgur.com/uvgnl7g.png)
She’s one of our very rare healthy non-feverish dwarves, and a near-legendary weaver and tailor to boot. I’ll see if weaving a bunch of masterwork bolts of cloth won’t make her feel better.
The military is in theory made of four squads. Seeing as we have ~30 adults total, you can tell that to be a lie.
Our ‘real’ squads are the Swamp Hunters, with ranged weapons and very little armor:
(https://i.imgur.com/TcvkfLw.png)
And the Grave Wardens, a much-better appointed melee squad; they had 8 members total, but two are unaffected by the fever, so they’re removed:
(https://i.imgur.com/m9kzxUp.png)
The Puzzling Bodices are King Zultan’s ‘squad’, consisting only of herself; I assign a few more non-feverish dwarves as fortress guards, because Zultan is too busy tantruming to do her job.
The Rainbow Raptors are a sword-dwarf squad with no members in the fort. That’s an important distinction, because the Rainbow Raptors were sent to raid, and met misfortune.
(https://i.imgur.com/ge9bqmX.png)
Lastly, we have a squad that was never populated: the Ancient Cloisters, under the theoretical leadership of Recon, have a bangin’ uniform but no other members.
(https://i.imgur.com/AxR3hL6.png)
Anyway, the squads will be refilled, with no care for military skill, and with all care for who, when, and where I want dead. Recon’s squad is the future home of named and legendary people; the Grave Wardens and the Swamp Hunters get the other feverish dwarves. The fortress guard, by contrast, is made of healthy dwarves only, and they’ll be kept out of as much trouble as I can manage.
On a sweep of the stocks, I find someone has marked a great deal of ammunition for dumping. See, this is why I spend hours poring through a fort before I even start.
(https://i.imgur.com/pgoBWXc.png)
The whole fort gets swept with ‘reclaim, forbid melt, forbid dump’ mass designations.
So, with the overview done, I can put down some gameplan, and set some priorities:
Primary Priorities:
- improve the defensibility of the surface.
- tower 'foundation' (right below the surface) with a brand new airlock, and a better entrance on the surface (preferably without airlock, because those
- ballista area.
- more walls sectioning off the under-surface open space
- redesign the cyclops room to be 1-tile wide.
- repair & finish the Tall Bar.
- enlist all feverish citizens (bonus goal: send them to pick a fight with the tower)
- except:
`> Salmeuk and whoever's mayor; nobles lose rooms when leaving on a raid.
`> the SKILLED dwarves, in case the resurrection gambit works.
`> all named dwarves, because it's rude to deliberately send people's avatars to their death.
`> miners and woodcutters, because weapon conflict. We still have weapon conflict, right?
Secondary Priorities:
- do something with corpses in cave3. I'm tempted to just dump them in magma; it isn't even far...
- finish sealing Cave3
- conquer the other 2 caves (overseer throws a sinister gaze towards the feverish military).
- revise the food situation. At this point we have our own little overproduction crisis, when it comes to animals and meat.
- create a beekeeping area, somewhere; either on the roof to the east, or on the surface.
- a small above-ground farm in the goop zone; I want to see how plants vary.
- magma stack; how are ya? Mostly destroyed? Yeah, I should probably rebuild you as a courtesy to applet and/or my successor, shouldn’t I?
- engrave slabs for the overpaca (and other dead?) See what's on them.
- raise the overpaca as a zombie, cage it, and build its cage somewhere.
- decommission the old cage & door labyrinth. The trolls wrecked the doors, and nobody remembers where any of the levers were, for the few bridges built in them.
- and extend the tree farm in the freed space. If I do right by the cavern, this won’t be really needed.
Post by: Salmeuk on October 06, 2020, 04:40:01 pm
I approve of the mass-drafting of all afflicted dwarves. The fever is just holding us back.
...
Sign me up for the following turn. It's been long enough that I can approach this kind of terminally-ill fortress with good energy.
What's the death count at?
Post by: delphonso on October 06, 2020, 08:58:11 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on October 07, 2020, 04:42:49 am
Anyway, of the 29 visible adults, all but 7 are afflicted with the fever.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Welp, looks like we lost 3 to the fever during delphonso's turn. Myself, legendary glassmaker olin and ducim. two of us were legendary
Quote
A while later, one of the ‘missing’ people was identified as Vutok WanderedBolts, who’s been caged for who-knows-how-long; he’s the fell mood bastard who killed my previous dwarf, by the way.
nah man, even the therapist doesn't want anything to do with him :3
Quote
The Tall Bar has never been finished, and what was built has been vandalized by trolls.Spoiler: my tankard :( (click to show/hide)
Recon, Tavern Keeper Overseer was seen crying at the devastation wrought by the trolls on her beloved bar. A whole year had gone by and not a single piece of work was done on it. A whole year without a tavern thanks to a bunch of bees..
Quote
Also below the surface, there’s a giant stockpile of furniture. I think it’s the same stockpile of furniture that I made, when I was replacing the old pieces with masterworks and excellent ones, and selling the lower-quality ones to whomever. Unfortunately, now all the craftsdwarves have the thrice-damned fever, so no more masterworks for SmallHands.
yes and no. Subesequent Overseers have made it into the trading stockpile. Of course that included the many sub par statues of myself. The traders should spread the glory of my tavern.
Quote
Below that, the last of the dirt layers, complete with a well, and next to it a bizarre ‘soap’ stockpile. By which I mean it only accepts metal bars:I moved the soap stockpile nearer the hospital.
Quote
Lastly, we have a squad that was never populated: the Ancient Cloisters, under the theoretical leadership of Recon, have a bangin’ uniform but no other members.I approve of this idea so long as I'm not sent to my death. Check the equipment. Might need to rescue our imprisoned fellows in case they got good gear.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Anyway, the squads will be refilled, with no care for military skill, and with all care for who, when, and where I want dead. Recon’s squad is the future home of named and legendary people; the Grave Wardens and the Swamp Hunters get the other feverish dwarves. The fortress guard, by contrast, is made of healthy dwarves only, and they’ll be kept out of as much trouble as I can manage.
Quote
So, with the overview done, I can put down some gameplan, and set some priorities:
Primary Priorities:
- improve the defensibility of the surface.
- tower 'foundation' (right below the surface) with a brand new airlock, and a better entrance on the surface (preferably without airlock, because thosearen't funneed constructions in the layer below to work properly).
- ballista area.
- more walls sectioning off the under-surface open space
- redesign the cyclops room to be 1-tile wide.
- repair & finish the Tall Bar.
- enlist all feverish citizens (bonus goal: send them to pick a fight with the tower)
- except:
`> Salmeuk and whoever's mayor; nobles lose rooms when leaving on a raid.
`> the SKILLED dwarves, in case the resurrection gambit works.
`> all named dwarves, because it's rude to deliberately send people's avatars to their death.
`> miners and woodcutters, because weapon conflict. We still have weapon conflict, right?
Secondary Priorities:
- do something with corpses in cave3. I'm tempted to just dump them in magma; it isn't even far...
- finish sealing Cave3
- conquer the other 2 caves (overseer throws a sinister gaze towards the feverish military).
- revise the food situation. At this point we have our own little overproduction crisis, when it comes to animals and meat.
- create a beekeeping area, somewhere; either on the roof to the east, or on the surface.
- a small above-ground farm in the goop zone; I want to see how plants vary.
- magma stack; how are ya? Mostly destroyed? Yeah, I should probably rebuild you as a courtesy to applet and/or my successor, shouldn’t I?
- engrave slabs for the overpaca (and other dead?) See what's on them.
- raise the overpaca as a zombie, cage it, and build its cage somewhere.
- decommission the old cage & door labyrinth. The trolls wrecked the doors, and nobody remembers where any of the levers were, for the few bridges built in them.
- and extend the tree farm in the freed space. If I do right by the cavern, this won’t be really needed.
Fantastic gameplan. I like to think I took care of the fort efficiency unifing and moving stockpiles, but in the grand scheme of things I didn't acheive much. Maybe set the foundation at best and put in place some contingency airlocks. Fixing the hospital and getting rooms down is probably the only practical thing I did :P
Repairing the tankard? :D
Recon was a bit grouchier than usual at the traditional new years party. A whole year without a tavern. So when the new overseer despite the abrasive personality and ominous name declared their intentions, she wholeheartedly raised a glass with a smile
---------------
thoughts: removing the fever from all named dwarves via dfhack?
also an idea: get the central arena tower sealed off already. There's a hole in it letting goop in!
Post by: nogoodnames on October 07, 2020, 06:38:29 am
Lastly, we have a squad that was never populated: the Ancient Cloisters, under the theoretical leadership of Recon, have a bangin’ uniform but no other members.Why Recon's squad instead of the GraveWardens? They already have all of the legendaries, and it seems like it would be easier to base it off the commander's squad. Unless you're planning to get my dwarf killed as well.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Anyway, the squads will be refilled, with no care for military skill, and with all care for who, when, and where I want dead. Recon’s squad is the future home of named and legendary people; the Grave Wardens and the Swamp Hunters get the other feverish dwarves. The fortress guard, by contrast, is made of healthy dwarves only, and they’ll be kept out of as much trouble as I can manage.
also an idea: get the central arena tower sealed off already. There's a hole in it letting goop in!The goo can't get in there, it only falls in the swamp in one corner of the map. That whole area should be off-limits. The skylight is to prevent our militia from getting cave adapted, so they don't become useless if they ever need to fight on the surface.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 07, 2020, 11:59:31 am
1st of Granite. The enemy has come!
(https://i.imgur.com/kHdKj3u.png)
The enemy then runs into the joint forces of the Grave Wardens and The Swamp Hunters, and proceeds to have an exceedingly bad day.
(https://i.imgur.com/KR3ehik.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/OybzUJt.png)
One of them is caged, the only survivor of the raid. That’s right, even the map edge has been no respite. We, on our side, have no losses, only two wounded (one from each squad).
With some assurance that the surface will be safe for the next three months, I drop all bridges and allow dwarves to pick everything from the non-fevering biome. The fevering biome gets a renewed batch of mass forbid, just in case.
18th Granite. While enemy corpses are hauled to the atom smasher, the revamping of the resurrection chamber begins. First, the cyclops is re-trapped, and the shutter bridges are raised.
(https://i.imgur.com/92SbO8v.png)
Next, a wall is laid down; the cyclops cage is assigned to be rebuilt in the middle of the future 1x5 room, and in the newly-cleared dwarven room, I build the furniture that had been toppled by the cyclops: an excellent quality chair, a masterwork table and an artifact weapon rack.
(https://i.imgur.com/V6KwePm.png)
6th Slate. The fort has 3 vacancies at minimum, 8 if the poor Rainbow Raptors are removed from the rolls. And not one blighted idiot has deigned to arrive...
(https://i.imgur.com/DqJzRN0.png)
16th Slate. I’d prefer you’d keep hauling, if I’m honest...
(https://i.imgur.com/1rQeXWa.png)
8th Felsite.
(https://i.imgur.com/uOzvH1R.png)
To cap off spring, I must say not much has ever happened. This is one of those seasons that consisted mostly of hauling. The defenses have some progress; the tower is no longer a wide open route into the fort:
(https://i.imgur.com/iZZxWu1.png)
Above on the surface, the future bee-keeping area is a few constructions away from completion; as soon as the older hives are collected, they’ll be deconstructed and moved on the roof.
(https://i.imgur.com/e83XBra.png) (https://i.imgur.com/iBXCJLn.png)
The ‘new and improved’ resurrection chamber is a bit behind, but not that far. The old dumping zone was deactivated, and the input will be supplied from above. The drop spot was initially made right on top of that instrument, where manual dumping left them in… and then I remembered hostiles can climb; especially when a wall helps them along. So I move it in one of the older gaps:
(https://i.imgur.com/kv2xYJa.png) (https://i.imgur.com/9AQVdZi.png) (https://i.imgur.com/DSyMxnB.png)
Summer
1st Hematite. We have a new siege. Not a wimpy one, either! Of the nine ‘actual’ military dwarves, four are both uninjured and unoccupied; they assemble under the surface, while all others flee for the safety of the deep fort. Then they’re let loose upon the enemy:
(https://i.imgur.com/l6u3fmi.png)
They have, without a doubt, given at least twice as good as they’ve gotten; between the spectacular murder spree and the cage traps, the siege is broken on the 10th of Hematite.
(https://i.imgur.com/YThFpIK.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MfHHcot.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/FRTiuld.png)
The resurrection chamber sees immediate use; our four ‘volunteers’ get dumped, from the stock list, where I think it’s much easier to find them than by digging through the carnage above:
(https://i.imgur.com/zvp01HN.png)
For a baffling moment, or three in-game days, nothing happens; then I think to check orders, and find dwarves were told to ignore outside refuse. That’s rectified, and the dumping begins:
(https://i.imgur.com/sRjsGBr.png)
While I’m here with all jobs unassigned for everyone, I take the time to fill the squads. It seems like it’ll be needed.
(https://i.imgur.com/sh54wXm.png)
15th. Nothing is happening; I presume the corpses need to be placed right next to the fortifications (this would neatly match up with why my own experiments have failed). So I pull the shutters, and trim the old dump zone - from a vertical 3x1 it’s reduced to a single tile in front of the necro.
(https://i.imgur.com/KbToAQZ.png)
16th. What the… didn’t I close the shutter? Oh, it was closed; I opened it. Oops.
(https://i.imgur.com/nODZ10d.png)
To make matters worse, we have no forlorn ghouls; just ‘standard’ zombies.
(https://i.imgur.com/3o9nKGw.png)
Two have exited the dubiously-named resurrection chamber; one was trapped, and the other has escaped into the fort, busily chasing a glassmaker.
(https://i.imgur.com/Bv7JltD.png)
The door is locked, and the new army is called to put down the remnants of the old.
And then a minor disaster has gone down:
(https://i.imgur.com/t3m2FAC.png)
These two events are unrelated, from what I can tell: the tavern keeper overseer, Recon, has swiftly put down the loose zombie (Vabok's corpse, if anyone is interested). At the same time, one of the two backup lawgivers and former Grave Wardens, Tosid, has picked a fight with a scribe. Despite not having any weapons and being limited to punches… well… the above has happened. Now Tosid is collecting equipment, and running in terror from every fortress dwarf that comes in her way.
Oh, and we still have two zombies in the resurrection chamber.
Well, drastic measures must be taken. Tosid is made leader of her own squad, and sent on a mission to raze the thoroughly broken goblin pits of StableVile.
(https://i.imgur.com/flSvUi4.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/NTiMphR.png)
Her ‘squad’ is named Relieved Fountains. I mean, one way or another we’ll be relieved… either a hostile dwarf will be restored, or she’ll die. Either way, we’re relieved of her buggy loyalties.
Now I can only hope she’ll manage to leave the fort, while being terrified of everyone she meets.
Meanwhile, life carries on, and on the 20th of Hematite, the Grave Wardens are stationed before the resurrection room. The door is unlocked, the two zombies rush out (with tremendous speed, I should mention), and are swiftly struck down. Then the three other corpses are also marked for dumping, because apparently I’m at least as thick-skulled as a dwarf.
3rd Malachite. Tosid has returned from her expedition; as expected, she’s now fine with everybody.
11th. Of the three dead dwarves, the scribe has been resurrected as a forlorn ghoul.
(https://i.imgur.com/DjsK1fO.png)
The previously-existing ghoul, Vabok, has also been resurrected, as he was before. Both are now ‘visitors’ and won’t be shown in Dwarf Therapist unless that category is enabled.
(https://i.imgur.com/SgLRLVL.png)
I look for the last corpse in stocks - Ast - and re-dump it. Maybe we’ll get lucky, before dude rots away. I find another corpse, and tentatively mark it… then return to unmark it, because it’s a baby turkey.
(https://i.imgur.com/HCjSPur.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/2VQfmSK.png)
Ast was resurrected, again as a standard hostile zombie. And again, the army is quick to put it down.
Alright. I think I can draw some conclusions from my little bout of !!SCIENCE!!.
Firstly, our necromancer has problems seeing corpses that aren’t right next to the fortifications.
Secondly, the motive cyclops also needs to be right next to his side of fortifications; probably for the same reason as above.
Thirdly (and more contentiously), a dwarf is set as ghoul or zombie once per dwarf, and it’s not going to matter how many times the poor corpse is killed and raised. It’s a good question how Nogood will behave if he ends up dead again. But I refuse to experiment… in the community fort; NoGood will die offline, and I’ll inform you of results.
I allow dwarves to bury their dead; until the next dead citizen, no more resurrection experiments will be made. Maybe the overpaca, but I need to load a new cage first. The now five zombified dwarves need slabs; they’re no longer recognized as citizens of the fort, and won’t be buried.
Oh. Speaking of. KingZultan is taking recent events very badly:
(https://i.imgur.com/lSAPP5R.png)
She hasn’t woven any cloth, as I initially intended; she was injured during the spring ‘invasion’, because for some bizarre reason she went into the Tall Bar instead of hiding away in the fort. She got pelted with arrows, and spent the rest of spring plus the first month of summer in the hospital. Then she went outside, saw the invader corpses still outside, and had a nervous breakdown immediately.
(https://i.imgur.com/lWFI4sE.png)
The other two are comparatively much better; one is a legendary+3 bone carver, who was set to make totems and crafts until he feels better. It’s not that one, by the way; that one is only Legendary+1, and also insane. The third one is Reg, who doesn’t have any remarkable skills to get him out of his funk; he’s in the most danger since I can't just get him to crank out masterworks until he's blissed out.
21st Malachite.
(https://i.imgur.com/nnWIvHL.png)
Avuz, one of our few non-feverish dwarves and legendary weapon-maker, was asked to use some bronze on, well, making weapons. Too bad there’s nobody to give them to.
22nd Galena. At long last, the melancholic murderer has perished:
(https://i.imgur.com/n63Wb0m.png)
He’s quickly dumped into the resurrection chamber, and we have been met with success!
(https://i.imgur.com/BhWMDzT.png)
I now wonder if the problem with the other dwarves was that they were killed in combat, as opposed to other causes; causes that were less violent, and more alcohol-deprived. It shouldn’t be too hard to station a small squad in the resurrection chamber, and see the outcome…
The sacrificial subjects are chosen from the dwarves with outstanding health issues:
(https://i.imgur.com/0Yrmfwx.png)
Amost and Kubuk are the only two members of The Covers of Silver, a new squad forbidden from either equipment, weapons or supplies. They are stationed not in the resurrection chamber proper, but in an adjacent room; the former jail, in fact. There they will sit, under a locked door, until at least one of them dies.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 07, 2020, 02:54:05 pm
This overseer, as far as smallhands' crop of overseers go, is the epitome of oxymoronic policies.
The tankard was seen as a security risk and its access altered: great!
The overseer forbade us looting the gear from next to it- boo!
The sieges have returned in full, with the first caged in the traps and butchered by our soldiers, and the second resulting in a fairly costly draw.
He even started drafting anybody and everybody that was fevered for the army, smiths, cooks, brewers, everyone.
We lost several good dwarves, and the overseer got the necromancer to start raising our poor dead! He clearly didn't think through this plan as one escaped
At least those of us deemed important to the long term prosperity of smallhands didn't have to go outside into the masscre...though it seems I would have faired better than the rest of us "Ancients"-I still know how to swing a blade: offed vabok's body and saved Olin our glassmaker. I was hoping to give our fantastic blacksmith a proper burial this time but then the overseer demanded I return the body for a second resurrection! How can he be so callous??
After reluctantly doing that and seeing the Overseer deliberately have two of our dwarves walled in, I had enough.
I marched into his office and found he was drafting a document of dwarven !!SCIENCE!! on the circumstances of necromanctic revivals. This vile stuff should be destroyed!
A large alcohol stain covers the page
...trary to what any sane follower of Armok would do.
I don't remember what happened after that. Something about an ale bottle, me making drunken threats, the overseer making drunken threats and the Overseer aggreing to not do any more !!science!!
-----------------
OOC
Loving this update, surprised so much has come out. Hope you didn't mind the little rp i did there at the end of my journal strike.
What's the status of our military? living/trained members, kills, gear etc?
Post by: auzewasright on October 07, 2020, 03:41:04 pm
That is an accurate term for several citizens/corpses in the fortress
22nd Galena. At long last, the melancholic murderer has perished:
(https://i.imgur.com/n63Wb0m.png)
The sacrificial subjects are chosen from the dwarves with outstanding health issues:I'm not sure what the fact that 'a
(https://i.imgur.com/0Yrmfwx.png)
Amost and Kubuk are the only two members of The Covers of Silver, a new squad forbidden from either equipment, weapons or supplies. They are stationed not in the resurrection chamber proper, but in an adjacent room; the former jail, in fact. There they will sit, under a locked door, until at least one of them dies.
Post by: King Zultan on October 07, 2020, 03:53:03 pm
Post by: delphonso on October 07, 2020, 06:07:21 pm
I don't think method of death matters, but there might be something to the "type of rez per dwarf" thing. I save scummed with phonso and after 4 attempts he was always a regular zombie. It could be that the necromancer has a specific attack readied (like an action order) but I don't know.
The cyclops necromancer combo just uses DF's sight stuff. They don't need to be 100% next to each other but it helps. If you ever played with marksdwarves and small bunkers...you know how impossible it is to get them to notice things sometimes.
Also, beware dumping multiple corpses - if one is a ghoul and the rest are zombies, the zombies will attack the ghoul - could cost them limbs if not potentially mangling them beyond resurrection.
This is great, Strika. Loving it even though many are dying.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 08, 2020, 07:13:38 am
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer, 24th of Galena 165
Yassss, collaboration! :D
Mind you, I only promised to stop deliberately killing people in the name of !!SCIENCE!!. Anybody who dies is still going in the resurrection chamber - and I am genuinely concerned about migrants. Spoiler: we didn't get any in the autumn either. I don't have the time right now to go through legends, but is it possible that we're not going to ever get replacements.
What's the status of our military? living/trained members, kills, gear etc?The gear in general is the squad-assigned one; we have plenty of high-quality weapons, and somewhat less armor.
I have a save from the 10th of Hematite, right after the siege broke. The kill lists are a bit disappointing; of the notable ones, NoGood is the most prolific, followed closely by Tosid:
(https://i.imgur.com/4PjUSQa.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7Sj1iG0.png)
For everyone else, the majority of kills are animals; there's the occasional dwarf kill, which I can't tell if it was murder or an invader. I'll put a new list after my turn ends.
It would probably be a good idea to rescue the Rainbow Raptors as soon as possible.
>.> <.< >.>
I'll have to leave that to someone else.
> 22nd Galena. At long last, the melancholic murderer has perished.Not really; Vabok was the only insane dwarf in the fort, and thus doomed to die anyway. KingZultan is in danger of breaking too, but I'm not giving up yet.
That is an accurate term for several citizens/corpses in the fortress
The sacrificial subjects are chosen from the dwarves with outstanding health issuesI'm not sure what the fact that 'aquick deathvery slow death by starvation followed by a dubiously reliable resurrection through black magic is considered a viable alternative to therapy' says about this fortress.
Oh, if only therapy existed! Or if hospitals worked properly! Or if dwarves with infections and other health issues would actually bother to go to the hospital, instead of getting hauled there while unconscious and bailing out as soon as they wake up!
Really, under these circumstances, can you blame me if I seek alternate means of therapy?
Jokes aside, I've spent lives this casually because all dwarves I've targeted were already doomed. This year, next year, or some other year, they wee going to die, and nobody can do anything about it; either in-game, or me outside the game.
Nogood died a violent death and came back a forlorn ghoul. Phonso died to dehydration and came back as a regular zombie.
I don't think method of death matters, but there might be something to the "type of rez per dwarf" thing. I save scummed with phonso and after 4 attempts he was always a regular zombie. It could be that the necromancer has a specific attack readied (like an action order) but I don't know.
The cyclops necromancer combo just uses DF's sight stuff. They don't need to be 100% next to each other but it helps. If you ever played with marksdwarves and small bunkers...you know how impossible it is to get them to notice things sometimes.
Also, beware dumping multiple corpses - if one is a ghoul and the rest are zombies, the zombies will attack the ghoul - could cost them limbs if not potentially mangling them beyond resurrection.
This is great, Strika. Loving it even though many are dying.
When I have enough time, I'll go check what gods everybody worships. If I still can't find a correlation, I'll have to conclude rezzing is done on the 'hidden variable set per dwarf' basis.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 08, 2020, 07:23:23 am
I attempted to rectify the former in my turn and got several armourers training but as far as I'm aware all of them are now fevered, dead or both. Unfortunately, the latter will need to be solved through good old fashion smelt/forge/smelt of axes for extra iron.
edit: I think all named dwarves should be military trained (except zultan being police) even though they aren't going in the army. That way in case of errant zombie attacks or tantrums they can survive
Post by: delphonso on October 08, 2020, 10:28:36 pm
When I have enough time, I'll go check what gods everybody worships. If I still can't find a correlation, I'll have to conclude rezzing is done on the 'hidden variable set per dwarf' basis.
I might do some messing-about in Arena to see if I can nail down an affiliation.
The reasons our armour is rubbish, is because we had a single armoursmith and an iron poor environment. We have plentiful silver for bludgeoning weapons at least, but in terms of sharp stuff or protective gear we're out of luck.
I think right when the magma forges were made I suggested that melt-exploit (metal spikes/warhammers) to generate infinite steel. Then I think the fortress was decimated once again, so it never took off. I should have done it on my turn, honestly.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 09, 2020, 04:58:01 am
1st Limestone
(https://i.imgur.com/6GIp3dU.png)
He has dropped dead in the hospital’s doorway, so I presume the infection did him in. You can guess what will happen to him.
(https://i.imgur.com/6LUu7tY.png)
While waiting for the autumn caravan, I decide to engrave and build some slabs; one for the casualty of the previous year, and one more for the four military members that I killed and zombified; their bodies were no longer recognized as dwarven, therefore never interred; it’s only a matter of time until they’ll rise to haunt the living. I then find we have a rather large number of already-engraved slabs, and build those as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/gpYE5jo.png)
As a side note, NoGood may join the ranks of the undead again:
(https://i.imgur.com/DXnEW7U.png)
He’s been drinking in the alcohol stockpile since he got out of the hospital, some time in spring; I like to think his ‘severe blood loss’ is actually ‘severe alcohol loss’.
One more change to the resurrection chamber: I’m replacing a fortification with a wall, because that one tile allows dwarves to see the necromancer. Let’s just say I’m glad we have friendly ghouls who can pull levers.
(https://i.imgur.com/Jro8tSk.png)
6th Timber. Starvation has claimed Amost a few days ago, and the corpse was dumped quickly; she was then risen as a forlorn ghoul:
(https://i.imgur.com/8u22ZXx.png)
Since I’m here (and Kubuk has yet to die) I’ll also raise the overpaca as a more standard undead; it will be caged and placed in the existing zoo.
(https://i.imgur.com/vflo7xd.png)
16th Timber. Kubuk has joined the ranks of the differently living.
(https://i.imgur.com/GN9nIGq.png)
At about the same time, the rehabilitation of KingZultan is being kicked into a different, higher gear: she has not taken the recent deaths well:
(https://i.imgur.com/5axr0bA.png)
So she’s been removed as captain of the guard (not like she was doing any of her duties) and was left to make only cloth, and then clothes. Her replacement as captain is a random dwarf named Logem; he’s the second physically weakest dwarf in the fort, after KingZultan herself.
Winter
The plan for winter is to finish from what I started, and then see what else I can do from the bucket list.
I can already cross off the surface defenses, the cyclops’ new room, revising the food situation, raising the overpaca, and slab construction.
The new bee-keeping area needs only to have its hives built. They're joined by a stockpile for honeycombs (tools only, no material besides wax), a press, and a craftsdwarf's shop to make wax crafts; 'cause what else are you going to do with wax?
The surface defenses had one unexpected detail: I ended up deconstructing the ballistas.
(https://i.imgur.com/YdRA9Yu.png)
They were rebuilt in spring, and even set to fire during the summer invasion; they weren’t manned in time, and then something a bit embarrassing happened: I forgot to switch them off. The two ballistas have fired the 7 available arrows when the rest of the fort was collecting corpses from the surface… and have missed everybody and everything. The only arrow that had a visible effect was when the ballista in the back hit the front-side ballista; the latter was deconstructed as a result. I think we should just shut down the whole assembly.
Military reshuffling was done with mixed success, the squads were set but we’ve all seen how raising dwarves can have mixed results.
The Tall Bar is something I haven’t touched at all, until now; I’ll rebuild the front door and the windows, but it can use a courtyard of sorts, that can be closed off with a bridge; given how the space is arranged so far, that courtyard has no choice but to be shared with the fortress entrance. That’s something requiring design, and not something for which I can spare either in-game dwarf power, or out-game brainpower.
… I suppose I’ll need a goal for my third term too, won’t I?
From the list of goals I haven’t touched, I settled on two: working on the third cavern, and decommissioning the old cage-and-doors labyrinth to extend the tree farm.
By ‘old cage-and-doors labyrinth’, I mean this:
(https://i.imgur.com/Td0uwVu.png)
There were some bridges built in there too, but nobody remembers where they’ve been connected - if at all. And the dark spaces with stairs in them are the tree farm; it’s been cut down recently, because there are only two tower caps, both two levels tall. The fort needs a source of wood if we’re ever going to produce steel, and even if I go through the third cavern, we can use any chunk of wood we get.
Everything gets deconstructed; for a very short while, the whole fort received masonry and mechanics. Miners will start channeling as soon as they’re available.
While that’s done on the surface, I’m focusing my attention on the third cavern. It’s currently occupied by two molemarians, creatures that have no problems attacking and killing dwarves. Given my newly-reacquired appreciation for dwarven lives, I’ll wait for them to leave, and instead prepare to handle the corpses: the upstairs corpse and refuse stockpiles are disabled, and the door to the two butcher’s shops is locked. Instead, five new butcheries are built in the cavern’s antechamber. The dwarves can work through the plethora of old skeletons inside, salvage the skulls, bones, and any other craftable bits, then the rest can be tossed down in the magma sea.
The two molemarians are replaced… by two different molemarians. Screw it, I’m opening the cave and unlocking the hatch. Maybe those two will wander out of the way... yeah right. They immediately corner one of the Swamp Hunters and hill him before anyone else can interfere. Both molemarians are marked for death, and the dwarven corpse is hauled upstairs.
We then get a lucky break, and receive three cave blobs, passive creatures that shouldn’t pose any problems. The bridge then deconstructs itself - at some point in the past six years, some blocks earmarked for it were moved. It’s been set in the same place, in the same conditions, and then linked to the lever off to the side of the stairs. Success!
(https://i.imgur.com/X6a7T5C.png) (https://i.imgur.com/MgDjsra.png)
I mark the cavern trees for cutting, we have two woodcutters, both unafflicted by the fever.
Back up top, the tree farm has only a bit of channeling left on the last level; a brand new spore tree has already popped in it:
(https://i.imgur.com/Wg65ySV.png)
The bee-keeping area is only marred by my inattention: I built one hive where I shouldn’t, and one grate where I should have built the hive; both have been set to deconstruct, but Reg is busy. The screw press is only delayed by the temporary lack of jugs - the ones we have are all full, and the 10 new ones I queued haven’t been made.
(https://i.imgur.com/TRH6epW.png)
NoGood is still being weird, and getting worse: by this time, DfHack is ringing alarms about him:
(https://i.imgur.com/oAwKp7I.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/AWsOlBo.png)
His wounds:
(https://i.imgur.com/L331gre.png)
And there’s no scheduled treatment.
And in closing, KingZultan has run out of thread to weave, moved on to clothing, and managed to shake off some 13,000 points of stress - sufficient to knock her from miserable to ‘merely’ very unhappy.
(https://i.imgur.com/LZofbOU.png)
-----
As promised, the status of notable kills. These are all dwarves with any kills whatsoever (not including NoGood, who still isn’t visible in Dwarf Therapist). Plus, more details about who’s got notable kills:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The save (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15238). Have fun with year 166.
Post by: delphonso on October 09, 2020, 06:49:41 am
Post by: nogoodnames on October 09, 2020, 07:35:53 am
NoGood is still being weird, and getting worse: by this time, DfHack is ringing alarms about him:
(https://i.imgur.com/oAwKp7I.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/AWsOlBo.png)
The inner thoughts of an Undying Former Overseer
EVERY WAKING MOMENT IS AGONY. WHY CAN'T I DIE?
I was wondering if this would come up. It's something I noticed while experimenting with the loyalty cascade. Yep, Nogood is still kind of immortal in his half-ghoul form, but it's a cursed form of immortality. He seemingly can't die from anything that wouldn't kill a ghoul, but he still suffers from the effects of his injuries. His spine is infected mush right now, so he's stuck like that unless someone mods nervous tissue to heal itself or finds a way to re-ghoulify him.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 09, 2020, 08:10:13 am
Shame about still not having a tavern, lets hope there isn't a year 3 without one! It might get our ghoulies to actually get drunk.
I think its the undead overpaca's turn now?
Post by: applet on October 09, 2020, 11:20:54 am
Can I use dfhack to clean up the caverns from corpses and body parts? or am I (not) doing this the long way?
Post by: auzewasright on October 09, 2020, 11:34:12 am
Or if dwarves with infections and other health issues would actually bother to go to the hospital, instead of getting hauled there while unconscious and bailing out as soon as they wake up!A little research shows that this may be yet another old bug that was rare enough nobody ever really bothered to pay attention to it (http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=4632). Not sure if that is the case, but the report's description matches up well enough with your own...
Really, under these circumstances, can you blame me if I seek alternate means of therapy?
Jokes aside, I've spent lives this casually because all dwarves I've targeted were already doomed. This year, next year, or some other year, they wee going to die, and nobody can do anything about it; either in-game, or me outside the game.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 09, 2020, 02:21:34 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on October 09, 2020, 02:32:28 pm
Quote
The two molemarians are replaced… by two different molemarians. Screw it, I’m opening the cave and unlocking the hatch. Maybe those two will wander out of the way... yeah right. They immediately corner one of the Swamp Hunters and hill him before anyone else can interfere.
Unsure if this was intentional but it hit me in the pun
nice writeup!! Looks like applet's up next.
Post by: delphonso on October 09, 2020, 05:59:13 pm
I got the save, it loads up OK.
Can I use dfhack to clean up the caverns from corpses and body parts? or am I (not) doing this the long way?
I'm cool with DFHacking away the excess.
Post by: applet on October 10, 2020, 02:06:32 am
Turns out not to be needed, I'm running at a comfortable 99 fps.I got the save, it loads up OK.
Can I use dfhack to clean up the caverns from corpses and body parts? or am I (not) doing this the long way?
I'm cool with DFHacking away the excess.
Post by: applet on October 10, 2020, 04:19:44 am
applet, Ghost/Undead Re-Ex-Overpaca
I see myself in a cage. I don't look anything like I used to. Also I seem to be in two places at once, how odd.
I decide to go check on the dwarves - I find them gathered in one of the rooms with lots of tables and chairs.
"I guess this is going to be another year without an overseer", I hear one of the dwarves say as I enter.
"Then I will be overseer again!" I say.
No reaction from anyone. I spit at one of them. The spit flies right through the dwarf in question. Odd. She shivers though. Hmmm.
"Yeah I guess so" the spitted-through dwarf says.
I go right up to one of them and try to give him a push with my head. My head passes right through his body.
"Is anyone else feeling extra cold, just now?" My pushing-target asks.
"No, it's just your old bones" Another replies.
I engrave a message on a nearby wall - "I'm still here".
One of the dwarves take notice - "Hey, who engraved this crap over here?".
"Probably one of the of kids, don't worry - we can replace it with something proper later" replies another.
"Best get back to work - just do what seems to be needed"
The meeting is adjourned. I follow one of them out of the room, except he slams the door in my face, I pass right through the door as if it was still open.
This is going to be a difficult year to manage.
Post by: Spriggans on October 10, 2020, 06:23:21 am
I dont quite get it though. Are you a ghost ? I tought you were Zombified.
Or maybe your mind is the ghost and the zombie is your body.
Post by: delphonso on October 10, 2020, 06:33:56 am
Now the real question is how is the Overpaca carving without fur? I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION!
Post by: applet on October 10, 2020, 07:47:40 am
applet, Ghost/Undead Re-Overpaca
Central heating! Destroyed! Curses!
I try to push one of the dwarves towards the broken parts - only to pass right through him, of course. Instead I lick his hand, which he pulls out of the way, simultaneously jumping a bit towards where I want him to go. Aha!
I 'herd' this dwarf over to the broken parts, one step at a time by licking his hand. When he tries to go another direction I go through him which seems to freak him out enough to stop.
When he's at the broken central heating I stop and observe. He seems unsure what to do. The dwarf tries to walk to the dining room, I block him. He shivers.
Finally he seems to get the point, if he doesn't want me to interact with him, he better stay at central heating.
Eventually he gets bored and apparently figures that if he can't leave, he might as well do something productive - he starts repairing central heating. Success!
---
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/ast-mood.PNG)
I notice a dwarf hurrying in the distance. While running after him I hear yelling, I turn and run towards the yelling instead. Two dwarves are beating on each other with their fists. Then one of them leaves - the other seemingly so enraged that she cannot move.
I move through her and she instantly "cools off". Another job well done!
Although another dwarf picks her up and drags her off towards the soap room.
I follow - thinking of getting a soapy bath - but I am disappointed to find that I am unable to interact with the soap in any meaningful way. Awww.
---
I'm on my way down, doing the weekly inspection of how work is progressing on central heating I run into the previously hurried dwarf. He doesn't seem to hurried. I go into the workshop he just left.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/ast-mood-result.PNG)
What a peculiar item.
Post by: Salmeuk on October 10, 2020, 12:08:12 pm
The inner thoughts of a ghostly Alpaca
applet, Ghost/Undead Re-Ex-Overpaca
I see myself in a cage. I don't look anything like I used to. Also I seem to be in two places at once, how odd.
I guess you could go by Al Paca now? lol
Also any artifact made from gems makes me happy, as they always seem so real. I think I've even seen a white jade ring in a museum full of stolen artifacts from ancient China.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 10, 2020, 01:00:47 pm
here's a question, if the overpaca can go through walls, why not floors?
Post by: applet on October 10, 2020, 03:57:45 pm
applet, Ghost/Undead Overpaca
New faces! Covered in Goo! Then they cleaned themselves and started sweating, just like the old timers. They'll fit in great.
---
I spot a glimmer-eye heading straight toward me. Going through me. No reaction. Hmm..
Find her in a workshop, of course.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/ushir-mood.PNG)
I decide to stay and watch until she is finished. This new form of me has its adavantages, never really get hungry, also the dwarves cannot shove me out of the way which is particularly handy right now, as they never let me look at them work normally.
...
I realize I've been standing for days in the same spot, mesmerized by the glimmer eyed dwarf. She's finished this magnificent.. box?
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/ushir-result.PNG)
Now I realize I cannot remember how she made it.
She does seem much quicker at cutting blocks now though, so I think she remembers some of what she did.
---
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/surface-magma.PNG)
Central heating is working! It is magnificent! It is also leaking heating fluid into the fort. Woops.
(http://www.enbit.it/df/smallhands/leak.PNG)
I now feel comfortable to retire. We'll see if this 'Fort' needs me further in the future.
*****
OOC
Power train for central heating has been improved and is now ready for when the gobbos show up - leaving recoverable goblinite after burning. The dispensing brigde burned on the first test, since I forgot about magma proof mechanisms. Woops. Adding that back in seals the dispensing building against climbing building destroyers. The roof is protected from climbers by a lip (afaik).
The tankard stump has been sealed from outside threats, there were more then a few holes, external doors replaced with walls. I also added one level to it, but I'm unsure how its supposed to progress.
The migrants arrived in the bad corner, while it was raining. Sigh.
I did no necro experiments or anything else productive really.
KingZultan is OK again, down to ~300 stress. Reg is doing worst at ~21k, has had some breakdowns, to some part because Zultan was beating on them every time she had a tantarum.
There was a lot of crap queued up, which took a while to realize - mostly cavern cleaning. In fact the Cave dragon that was killed during my Last turn was now hauled back to a corpse pile. During this I stopped bone crafting - which should probably be resumed to get our legendary bone crafter down in stress.
Military wise I recommend letting our armorsmith run steel pants (leggings) and recycle anything not masterwork. This will increase steel supply and train up the skill, but tbh the gear isn't the big issue with the military, rather fighting skill. Also steel is really heavy, so for extended fights I've never had any luck with it.
Probably also a good idea to ensure only 1 active tavern, and put a keeper in, to keep the undeadery drunk enough.
Save http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15241 (http://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15241)
Post by: nogoodnames on October 10, 2020, 06:16:03 pm
Got the save. Poor Nogood's been sleepless/starving/dehydrating/suffocating/internally bleeding in the booze pile for almost two years now. I'll have to try re-ghoulifying him, or at least let him die with some dignity.
Post by: delphonso on October 10, 2020, 07:20:05 pm
Also any artifact made from gems makes me happy, as they always seem so real. I think I've even seen a white jade ring in a museum full of stolen artifacts from ancient China.
Some googling ended up with me on some horrific ebay and amazon pages selling jade rings touted as Chinese artifacts. Judging by the prices, they're not /real/ ones - but here's a pretty example. (Not nearly ancient, Qing dynasty was only 200 years ago.)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
KingZultan is OK again, down to ~300 stress. Reg is doing worst at ~21k, has had some breakdowns, to some part because Zultan was beating on them every time she had a tantarum.
To be fair, it's my fault King Zultan got beat up the first time - it makes sense she'd go after Reg.
Got the save. Poor Nogood's been sleepless/starving/dehydrating/suffocating/internally bleeding in the booze pile for almost two years now. I'll have to try re-ghoulifying him, or at least let him die with some dignity.
This is an interesting problem with ghouls - never quite dead again, but eternally suffering. With more testing we should add this to the wiki. It may be necessary to appoint Nogood as a mayor of one of the hillocks if no recovery is possible.
Post by: nogoodnames on October 10, 2020, 07:46:59 pm
Well this situation is kind of specific to Nogood and his particular bugginess. A normal ghoul wouldn't be affected by his injuries at all. In fact, back in my first turn he got his spine broken by that human ghoul hammerwoman and brushed it off like it was nothing. Because of his glitchy journey from ghoul to ghost to living dwarf again, he is now immune to most forms of death but still suffers the non-fatal effects (e.g. quadriplegia) like a normal dwarf would. I'm not sure how reproducible this half-undead state is.Got the save. Poor Nogood's been sleepless/starving/dehydrating/suffocating/internally bleeding in the booze pile for almost two years now. I'll have to try re-ghoulifying him, or at least let him die with some dignity.
This is an interesting problem with ghouls - never quite dead again, but eternally suffering. With more testing we should add this to the wiki. It may be necessary to appoint Nogood as a mayor of one of the hillocks if no recovery is possible.
I don't think I could even send him off to a hillocks, he seems to be locked in place, forever trying to get a drink but unable to move. The only thing for it is kill him via brain destruction and hope the necromancer is up for performing a re-re-resurrection.
Post by: delphonso on October 10, 2020, 07:56:43 pm
Post by: Darkening Kaos on October 10, 2020, 08:35:17 pm
Spoiler: Pretty Things (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Better shot of all embark (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on October 11, 2020, 05:47:48 am
also, thank you Dark for providing the overview of Smallhands. If you want we can dorf you, or take a turn :3
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 18th of Obsidian 166
Armok above, I can't believe I had to strike every candidate from the overseer's shortlist last year for various reasons. I'm still struggling to wrap my head around that one dwarf who wanted to remove all alcohol from smallhands. How can someone be so stupid?? He wasn't even undead!
Somehow though the fortress continued without incident. Shocking really since we STILL don't have a tavern. I guess everyone was in good spirits as somebody realised how to rebuild the central heating/goblin disposal project after having a slight chill. Lets just hope the tankard gets completed this year...
We have a few decent candidates: Nogood, Ushrir, Salmeuk... Oh, I have to strike Ast from the list after that incident with the soap. If he can't handle a bucket, he can't handle a fortress.
I'm gonna pin the tower plans to the noticeboard. Hopefully someone notices next year
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/749041477342068786/plan.png?width=559&height=671)
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 11, 2020, 08:44:56 am
Post by: applet on October 11, 2020, 11:09:34 am
Post by: delphonso on October 11, 2020, 09:29:05 pm
By the way, I'm volunteering for another turn. Hopefully, one with less fever, and less death.
Gotcha on the list.
Post by: Darkening Kaos on October 12, 2020, 12:52:30 am
I won't take a turn as yet, maybe further down the line, (I'm a little burned out on DF at present).
Post by: delphonso on October 12, 2020, 07:29:56 am
Take for example a failed mood - certain death, but what if death doesn't matter any more?
Post by: applet on October 12, 2020, 01:29:01 pm
After Crystallake and maybe after Smallhands is drowned in magma, I think I'm going to do a community game experimenting with this whole undead situation...I don't see the reason you cannot do that right here?
Take for example a failed mood - certain death, but what if death doesn't matter any more?
Speaking of, does ghoul resurrection regenerate body parts? I was under the impression that it doesn't.
Post by: delphonso on October 12, 2020, 06:04:11 pm
I don't see the reason you cannot do that right here?
Speaking of, does ghoul resurrection regenerate body parts? I was under the impression that it doesn't.
Part of what I'm thinking might require a new world generation - intelligent undead are meant to get powers from resurrection - in adventure mode they definitely gain one per "type". I'm not sure if our necromancers give those out or if they are just unavailable in fortress mode.
Missing body parts remain missing. Smashed parts should not heal, but I'm not sure about when they're re-alived.
Post by: nogoodnames on October 12, 2020, 09:57:30 pm
Nogood Manorcircles, half-ghoul who really wishes the “undying” part wasn’t so literal right now
It has been nearly two years since that ill-fated battle against the necromancers’ minions left me dead in every meaningful way. My limbs lie useless at my side. My blood burns, stagnant and screaming for air, but I cannot force my lungs to take a breath. I have no voice, and I must scream.
And yet, I am learning to master my suffering. You can become accustomed to anything given enough time I suppose. I have taught myself to close out all external stimuli until I am just a tiny ball of self in a vast black sea. It is remarkably similar to what I remember of being a ghost. Remaining in this state, I start to see lines of energy flowing between me and other glowing nodes. This must be the power of life and death, the strings that tie me to my failing body. The slabs appear as two burning stars in the void. I see the captive necromancers as well, their veneer of dwarvenness worn away leaving only sharpened spikes of hate and madness. Looking further, I see… is that an alpaca?
Never mind that. What’s important to me now are the smaller nodes, the ones that belong to my ghoulish brothers and sisters. If I can just reach out to them, extend my will through our shared undead lineage… maybe… Yes! I can communicate with them! They shall be my hands, eyes and ears in this new existence.
1st Granite, 167
Smallhands has seen better days, but also far worse. The militia is in shambles due to successive losses and reorganizations. The Gravewardens have been populated with useless fodder and the Rainbow Raptors never returned from their raid on Sinewsabres. Fortunately, we still have two able-bodied legendary warriors, Tosid and Dumed. They were relieved of duty when the Gravewardens were repurposed into a meat grinder by the last overseer, but I’m reinstating them now. The only other melee dwarves of any skill are Recon and Deduk, and they have the fever. Seems like no one has been training for years. Probably all cave adapted. We’ll need to rely on our archers and traps for the time being.
I’m passing on my title of militia commander to Tosid. I’m in no shape to lead anyone in battle, and she’s always been the best soldier I could hope for. I know she’ll be able to return the Wardens to glory if anyone can.
Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of our population are now ghouls. I suppose I should be grateful for this, even if it is the result of a horrific campaign of mass murder. Unfortunately, these ghouls seem to lack the single-minded devotion that I had. They still cling to mortal needs and desires, becoming distracted when they can’t satisfy them. Most worrying is their inability to speak and socialize. They will stand around for days in mute silence while desperately trying to mimic social activities now lost to them.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Looking around further, the fort seems to be running mostly well. Although we do have an absurd number of caged prisoners and animals…
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Speaking of prisoners, I’ve reinstated King Zultan. Of course, there’s the matter of the crimes which lead to her dismissal. She’ll receive a letter bearing my seal that should clear that all up.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
28th Granite
I attempted to reach out to one of the living dwarves like I have been able to do with the ghouls. My thoughts seem to have affected her in some way, but not in any way I can control.
(https://i.imgur.com/bcgXxg7.png)
7th Slate
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Jewel chains, shackles of the gods. Seems she got the gist of my recent feelings. A fitting tribute to Wheevilmessiah. It shall serve the Temple of Puppets well.
I haven’t been able to reproduce this result in any other dwarves. Perhaps Ineth was already primed to produce such an artifact and I just gave her the right push.
I don't see the reason you cannot do that right here?
Speaking of, does ghoul resurrection regenerate body parts? I was under the impression that it doesn't.
Part of what I'm thinking might require a new world generation - intelligent undead are meant to get powers from resurrection - in adventure mode they definitely gain one per "type". I'm not sure if our necromancers give those out or if they are just unavailable in fortress mode.
Missing body parts remain missing. Smashed parts should not heal, but I'm not sure about when they're re-alived.
The forlorn ghouls have the hide/invisibility power. It makes them un-targetable and extremely dangerous for adventurers, but I’m not sure if it has any effect in fort mode. If you can find a necromancer that learned from the other slab (only Sive Namedauras so far) they might have a different form of intelligent undead they can raise.
The intelligent undead keep whatever injuries they had on death but heal as a living dwarf would once resurrected.
Post by: applet on October 13, 2020, 01:28:29 pm
Post by: delphonso on October 13, 2020, 05:57:08 pm
I really have no idea - smashed heads can be raised as intelligent undead - would the just instantly die if the ghoulification was cured?
Post by: nogoodnames on October 13, 2020, 09:34:23 pm
The slabs speak to me. I think I have always felt their whispers, but now, with all physical sensation blocked out, I can hear them clearly. Whether the voices belong to the gods of the dead or the slabs have their own unearthly intelligence, I cannot say.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It is clear to me now that we were meant to find them. That giant’s coming was no accident, nor is the fervent antagonism of the necromancers. We may be ensnared in the machinations of evil gods even now. Well, I have no intention of playing along. Those slabs will remain locked away for as long as I still have any power in this world.
13th Felsite
Our militia has been stripped down to bare bones. Four front-line soldiers lead by Tosid and Recon and the four Swamp Hunters lead by Ast. Enough to deal with most common threats, but not break a full siege. The Swamp Hunters have resumed their regular zombie giant shooting exercises. I’ve held off on restarting melee training sessions because Dumed is very stressed out right now. A tantruming legendary axedwarf is a terror to behold. He’s doing some creative therapy right now and he’s quite prolific.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
1st Hematite
Spring has passed without incident. The elves never showed up to trade, but that is unsurprising given the antagonism of previous overseer and their near destruction by the goblins.
I have been working on a more effective way to enact my will, but the distracted ghouls are proving a hinderance. Other projects are also progressing slowly. I had hoped to use the ghouls to permanently quarantine the vile swamp but getting them to commit may require drastic measures.
Post by: delphonso on October 13, 2020, 11:34:55 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on October 13, 2020, 11:48:54 pm
RE: Ghoul healing, they don't need nerves to use their limbs, so they only permanently lose mobility if they get dismembered. Even pulping heals eventually. Nogood fully regenerated when he transformed into a ghost (except for some missing teeth, oddly) and that's the body he got when he came back as a real(ish) dwarf.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 14, 2020, 09:52:31 am
Just a heads up, if Nogood finishes his turn before then, I will not be able to pick up until at least after the 22nd. RL's throwing me some curveballs atm
Post by: auzewasright on October 14, 2020, 11:41:16 am
Edit: Somehow auze is still alive. The elven civilization is fighting a losing battle against the goblins. The Rainbow Raptors are still imprisoned at the Necromancer tower (note for the future: if you plan on openly attacking an enemy that outnumbers you, it's probably best to actually check how good the dwarf you made leader of the attack is at military tactics. We had a Novice with a small amount of skilled swordsdwarves (and some not-so-skilled) attack a Grand Master). One of the few bright sides is that the Humans are steadily increasing in number now that they aren't throwing people at a Goblin Fortress, but it's not fast enough. Also, nobody has written a book in about 8 years.
The world is about 75% doomed.
Post by: King Zultan on October 15, 2020, 03:31:21 am
The world is about 75% doomed.That seems pretty good compared to other fortresses, and about the same as the world we find ourselves in.
Post by: nogoodnames on October 15, 2020, 10:07:41 pm
Summer 167
16th Hematite
The slacking ghouls have forced me to take drastic action. They are now banned from the main temples and other meeting areas. Four of them were stuck trying and failing to pray or socialize. Worse, they were distracting themselves further by neglecting the needs they can still satisfy. Better they had remained dead if all they are going to do is mope around all day. Maybe that seems too harsh, but it’s important to remember that they don’t have feelings anymore.
At least now we might make some progress on the Tall Bar. Maybe we’ll even get to seal off the swamp this year if they’re quick enough.
27th Malachite
With everyone working at full capacity, I’ve finally been able to enact some of my plans. First of all, I need to get off this damned floor! This will get a bit messy.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Ah, much better! It may be cramped in here, but at least I am upright again.
8th Galena
Dumed has decided to bestow the name Gethustrecus, “The Harsh Thirsts” upon his shield. Apparently, it commemorates the two days the booze stockpile was locked so no one would get crushed during my relocation. He’s melodramatic as ever, I see.
(https://i.imgur.com/tMvLiaQ.png)
That makes me wonder, what ever happened to my old shield, Quicknesshawk? It would do well to store it alongside Ravenwind, but it’s nowhere to be found.
22nd Galena
(https://i.imgur.com/sd6VRiM.png)
Something made me try reaching out to another dwarf. Mateusz this time. Call it a gut feeling (if I could still feel my guts). I was rewarded with the same frenzied activity as last time. We’ll see what comes of this.
24th Galena
Something about my contact with Mateusz has… stirred something within me. I’ve never thought of myself as a craftsdwarf. Never thought about making an artifact of my own. But now that I’ve seen it done, felt the mad explosive power of creation… I can’t help but realize that I may never be capable of it now. That I may never use my hands again, never truly express myself.
The slabs have intensified their whispering. The things they tell me gnaw at my mind. Any comforting illusions I may try to hold onto are swept aside by their scourging truths. And they do speak truth, that I am sure of. I do not think they are even capable of lying. I know the choice before me, but I cannot face it. There is very little room for hope in my future.
(https://i.imgur.com/y3ALeaC.png)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on October 15, 2020, 11:26:16 pm
I love it when names line up with recent events. After a horribly violent tantrum spiral leaving all but a few dwarves dead or on the way out, one dwarf had a child named something-hope.
Post by: auzewasright on October 15, 2020, 11:39:17 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on October 16, 2020, 12:22:50 am
24th Galena
Something about my contact with Mateusz has… stirred something within me. I’ve never thought of myself as a craftsdwarf. Never thought about making an artifact of my own. But now that I’ve seen it done, felt the mad explosive power of creation… I can’t help but realize that I may never be capable of it now. That I may never use my hands again, never truly express myself.
The slabs have intensified their whispering. The things they tell me gnaw at my mind. Any comforting illusions I may try to hold onto are swept aside by their scourging truths. And they do speak truth, that I am sure of. I do not think they are even capable of lying. I know the choice before me, but I cannot face it. There is very little room for hope in my future.
(https://i.imgur.com/y3ALeaC.png)Spoiler (click to show/hide)
This retelling of King Lear is the best since Ran.
My dwarf remains alive, after all these years. The opposite of expected!
Oof - well...that's a bit sad.
I love it when names line up with recent events. After a horribly violent tantrum spiral leaving all but a few dwarves dead or on the way out, one dwarf had a child named something-hope.
Hope is present at Smallhands, but only in ever-diminishing quantities. We should trade for some from the elves.
Post by: delphonso on October 16, 2020, 05:40:24 am
Yeah... it might have been a good idea to mention a few turns back that Int Undead will just get more distracted (and so slower to work) unless you do something like assign them to the militia and just never stop training. We should probably work towards getting the ghouls to go back to living.
That's a good point that I had completely forgotten about... Nogood was a special case who was satisfied with fighting forever, I think. Being relatively new he probably wasn't burdened with things like "family" or "religion". Psh.
Either put those ghouls in the military or put their flesh back on.
Yeah, Salmeuk the Eternal. Completely immune to stress at this point, I think. I'm waiting for him to drop dead of old age. To die of age in a succession fort is an accomplishment rarely achieved.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 16, 2020, 08:00:07 am
Post by: nogoodnames on October 17, 2020, 12:03:07 am
Yeah, Salmeuk the Eternal. Completely immune to stress at this point, I think. I'm waiting for him to drop dead of old age. To die of age in a succession fort is an accomplishment rarely achieved.He's only in he eighties so it'll be a while yet.
That's a good point that I had completely forgotten about... Nogood was a special case who was satisfied with fighting forever, I think. Being relatively new he probably wasn't burdened with things like "family" or "religion". Psh.Nogood is a very special case. He doesn't have needs at all anymore, so he can never be distracted. Only one of the new batch of ghouls, Vutok, has the same condition.
Either put those ghouls in the military or put their flesh back on.They're a bit better behaved now that they're banned from socializing. But yeah, military work would be the best for keeping them somewhat focused. The resurrection via ghost bug isn't exactly consistent, and as Nogood is demonstrating, there are some unfortunate side-effects.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Murr2 on October 17, 2020, 03:07:48 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on October 17, 2020, 11:09:43 pm
May I be dorfed? preferably a someone with bonecarving although other than that I don't care.Sure, you can be Dumed since he’s the only active bonecarver right now. He’s kind of high-risk due to being in the military and bad with stress, though.
Post by: Murr2 on October 18, 2020, 11:12:59 am
May I be dorfed? preferably a someone with bonecarving although other than that I don't care.Sure, you can be Dumed since he’s the only active bonecarver right now. He’s kind of high-risk due to being in the military and bad with stress, though.
Insanity is preferable :D
You get more highlights.
Post by: delphonso on October 18, 2020, 11:22:22 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I love this - has a very weary tone to the whole thing.
In regards to Sal only being 80 - I'll settle with him being made into an artifact - but nothing else.
Insanity is preferable :D
You get more highlights.
This is a good mindset. I often choose safe boring farmers or children and then never see them again.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 19, 2020, 03:56:36 am
that's why i took tavern keeper and armoursmith jobs- both are supposedly important, but most overseers don't realise it and so leave them be
Post by: nogoodnames on October 20, 2020, 08:59:56 pm
Autumn 167
1st Limestone
One of the ghouls managed to fall off the walls of the Tall Bar during some construction. He’s uninjured, and as luck would have it, is trained in woodcutting. Looks like it’s a good time to start clearing out the swamp.
…Oh, he’s not carrying an axe for some reason. Fine, open the gate and let’s hope an army doesn’t show up. We have some business on the surface.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
5th Limestone
At long last, I shall be returned some measure of dignity. The greatest artisans of Smallhands have come together to devise a way for me to properly hold audience without relying on ghoulish intermediaries. Based on a simple instrument, they have created a device to force air into my atrophied lungs. Finally, I will be able to speak with my own voice.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The great mechanism has been installed under the Temple of Puppets, in the slab chamber. I will be able to keep eternal watch on them to ensure that no one will ever be able to misuse their power again.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The machine starts up, pumping fresh air into my lungs for the first time in years. I practice a few words. With air flowing in and then out, I can manage a wheezing, halting form of speech. I summon Salmeuk to explain my plans. He has known me the longest, from the time of my first resurrection when I was a barely conscious thrall. Yet even he is unnerved at the bizarre mechanisms sticking out of me, and the ghoulish voice they allow. Nevertheless, he listens intently. We have much work to do.
This is not the fate I wanted. I had hoped to die and return as a ghoul once again. At least that would put an end to the pain. But it seems fate has different plans. The slabs have told me that the necromantic magic within me has mutated and been stretched to its limits. A single scratch now, and my body would crumble to dust.
And yet here, in my crystal sarcophagus, I am immortal, truly undying. The slabs don’t tell me everything. I know they hold some things back, try to manipulate me that way. They want me to take the easy way out. They want someone else to wield their power and unleash a plague of undeath on the world. What else can I do but delay them, for as long as my will holds?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
9th Limestone
(https://i.imgur.com/fR1oPWN.png)
The caravan arrives early this year, unharried by goblin raiders. Hopefully this portends a productive autumn.
The liaison brings word of the annual goblin attack on our homeland in the mountains. They were repelled by the warriors there, as usual.
It seems the constant sieges must be wearing on their supplies, as our new trade agreement offers a significant bounty for fresh ammunition.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
For reasons beyond me, our mayor chose to meet the liaison in a half-flooded room of the abandoned asylum. Unsurprisingly, he was quick to conclude his formal business and get out of there.
13th Limestone
Mateusz has completed what he started working on after our minds touched. If it’s like the last one, it could hold hints to my hidden inner thoughts...
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Well, that’s a little on the nose, don’t you think?
15th Limestone
We took everything worthwhile from the traders in exchange for some of the masterwork bone carvings Dumed has been pumping out. Oh sorry, he goes by Murr2 now.
Speaking of Murr2, I’m sending him and Tosid on a stealthy raid of the forest retreat Stonesnarls, recently conquered by the goblins. If we’re ever to face the necromancers on our terms, we need someone trained in offensive military tactics, and that means experience in the field. They’re the best soldiers we have, this should be a walk in the park for them. Even so, I can’t help but worry given how disastrous many previous raids have gone.
19th Limestone
And they’re back! They stole… a bundle of arrows and a single plum. And didn’t note enemy positions or make any effort to devise new tactics. Well that was time well spent! Guess we’ll just have to slowly build the militia up until they can risk attacking openly again.
28th Timber
Construction on the wall to encompass the swamp has proceeded adequately. No more dwarves should randomly wander into it. Now all that’s needed is to seal the edges of our territory so no foolish migrants try to come from that direction.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
If anyone -ideally only ghouls- does need to go into the swamp, there’s an entrance that crosses our tree farm. I’ve had water channels dug out to hopefully prevent them from tracking the ooze into the fort.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Spriggans on October 21, 2020, 04:42:54 am
Maybe the swamp fever will be under control one day...
Hooo, and Nogood reminds me of Bane. That instrument-mask is kinda cute in its ways.
Post by: delphonso on October 21, 2020, 05:15:25 am
Yeah, great to have that corner under control. I'm hoping we can seal it off totally - and if any migrants arrive there...well, the goo take them.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 21, 2020, 08:08:07 am
Look at it from the mountainhome's POV
Year 1: At the behest of the possibly no longer sane queen, 7 of the smallest dwarves are sent into the middle of evil to build a fort for no other reason than expanding the queen's domain so she has something to do other than grieve
Year 2: The first migrants are sent, and the diplomat reports back that smallhands is prospering, however the diplomat claims he saw the dead walk when he left.
Year 3: Smallhands is last seen being stalked by the dead and a great maze is constructed.
Year 4: The dead have invaded. The diplomat is also killed. Traders report back that smallhands has likely fallen or burrowed underground. There are curses in the air and evil echnidas stalk the land. There's still signs of life though...
Year 5: Human mcstuckwagon due to his stuck wagon doesn't get killed by the undead when the rest of his trade convoy continue to smallhands. He reports back seeing caged and defeated undead and the necromancers leaving. The report reaches the mountainhomes who send some armed migrants to reclaim smallhands.
Year 6: Traders come back home and report that smallhands was unable to trade and was otherwise quiet. When pressed the trader admitted he got cold feet. In response the traders are jailed, news of smallhands' survival led to several volunteers migrating to smallhands with dwarven optimism assuming everything was underground
Year 7: Elves report gaining good profits from smallhands. Queen sends lots of migrants once the news makes its way north. Smallhands is prospering
Year 8: Goblins and necromancers invade. The necromancers eventually leave and the invaders are driven out by the smallhands military. Its a proper fortress now! Smallhands begins an ongoing revitalisation program to clear the corpses and detritus.
Year 9: Smallhands destroys cactushexes and Glimmersanctum, ending a century long war. Or should have...the flow of time is still convulted, with two Nogoods appearing. The Queen does not care though and seeks to take advantage of this by sending some migrants to set up some hillocks near smallhands. Smallhands continues to become a formidable outpost, raiding goblins, kobolds, elves and necros alike, even capturing a cyclops
Year 10: Baron Salmeuk and Overseer Amara give the elves the boot. The Smallhands legal system is in uproar, with kingzultan taking charge. The humans prove to have a knack for tactics keeping the necromancers away from smallhands before coming to trade and slaughtering some werepigs.
Year 11: Due to outstanding legal issues, the overseer election ends up being mixed up with the animal pasturing list resulting in an Alpaca taking over. Nonetheless traders report that Smallhands has begun central heating and magma pumping.
Year 12: After successive repelled invasions necromancers were captured, however one of them, the infamous Spriggans had another card to play and enthralled most of the population. A tower is begun to build but thanks to the resistance of Zultan, the tower turned into a tomb for Spriggans ending his brief reign. Nogood the undying ends up taking over the fortress just in time for a giant to invade, a slab of necromancy in each hand. The mountainhomes never learns what happened to the slabs.
Year 13: The elf prince arrives, once more demanding limits to tree cutting amidst rumours of him sneaking where nobody should be going. Suspicious, the queen sends more migrants out to establish new hillocks just before dying. The new queen however immediately elevates Smallhands to a duchy. The greast asylum is furnished. The aftermath of the necromancer's hold is laid bare- most of the dwavres are infected or fevered for life. Smallhands seems to begin experimenting with reviving the dead as murder and crime begin to soar...
Year 14: Smallhands' latest overseer causes some legal trouble for the mountainhomes by executing the elven prince who was on diplomatic business for trespassing, attempted theft and necromancy. A monument is started amidst a wide ranging industrial and legal overhaul where nothing of any importance other than sock production was finished. A surprisingly stable year after the first month
Year 15: Alas, the previous year's peacefulness was shattered as much as the windows in the half finished monument when goblins invade. Smallhands also discovers the human representative was in league with the goblins.
Year 16: The latest overseer of smallhands condemns smallhand's population to a year of murder, zombification and ghoulification under the guise of dwarven !!science!! amongst the many incidents, smallhands military is decimated over time.
Year 17: Unrest and a strangely empty overseer candidate list leads to smallhands having another year without an overseer. It doesn't help matters that rumours of a ghostly alpaca stalking the halls are abundant. The dwarves finish the magma system and do little more than make the fortress tick over giving the Mountainhomes great concern given previous incidents of unrest... Fortunately as time goes on the Dwarves start getting less fearful, complete with a candidates list leading into
Year 18- our current year
Post by: Murr2 on October 21, 2020, 10:15:43 am
Post by: delphonso on October 21, 2020, 05:58:34 pm
-snip-
Thanks for doing this, recon - I'm going to post this on the front page somewhere.
Post by: nogoodnames on October 21, 2020, 08:59:33 pm
Winter 167
1st Moonstone
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Goblin invaders, and two construction workers caught on the surface! To arms, dwarves! We must save Olin and… Olin? I guess if one of them dies, it’ll at least make keeping track of people a bit easier.
Several trolls and their unarmed elf slave are pushed out in a mad charge, but they quail at the sight of our elite warriors!
(https://i.imgur.com/05crP13.png)
This is chaos, but we are winning.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
2nd Moonstone
Perhaps I spoke too soon. A second wave has arrived, riding beak dogs. This could get ugly fast.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
We’re too spread out. Tosid’s liable to get overwhelmed if she doesn’t retreat. Recon’s out of the fight after getting stuck between two trolls and a sword-goblin. Meanwhile, I caught Murr2 slinking back underground after barely contributing to the fight. Get back out there, you coward!
Our soldiers have met the approaching wave. There’s no calling them back now. I can only hope they manage to break the enemy’s resolve before succumbing to the overwhelming numbers.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
3rd Moonstone
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It’s a slaughter out there… We killed dozens, but they still have an entire army of goblins, trolls and beak dogs. Too many for one legendary soldier and a handful of rookies. They fought well but were ultimately only mortal.
We have no other choice. We need to seal off the surface. Salmeuk makes the call.
(https://i.imgur.com/5jbfLyw.png)
But wait, what’s that? I thought I told the surviving militia to retreat and defend the staircase. Who’s that barrelling through the gate… Murr2!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I appreciate your spirit, but it would have been much more effective earlier in the battle. This is little more than a suicide charge.
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4th Moonstone
This has been an unmitigated disaster. Every melee dwarf in our militia is dead, and the Swamp Hunters have been reduced to two members. At least one of the Olins managed to esca-
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Oh, come on!
…
Wait, something is changing on the surface. Are they… retreating?
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Murr2, you mad bastard! You’ve done it! Now we have a chance to recover the bodies and bring them back!
Post by: Murr2 on October 21, 2020, 10:53:14 pm
If nobody else is queued up, I'd like to take a shot at doing a round.
Post by: delphonso on October 21, 2020, 11:31:42 pm
Sal knows what it takes to stay alive.
If nobody else is queued up, I'd like to take a shot at doing a round.
I chucked you on the turn list - you can find it on the front page. About 4 people before you. Let's hope it's not a repeat of Numbercurse.
Post by: Murr2 on October 21, 2020, 11:54:33 pm
Being behind four people is probably fine, plenty of time to work on my personal fort, Gemsinged.
Post by: Spriggans on October 22, 2020, 02:17:42 am
Let the 3rd of Opal be known as a Sad day from now on... :-[
EDIT : on the plus side, I'm sure new migrants will come, and they'll be fever-free ! :D
Do you think we could we somehow "recover" our legendary warriors captured during a mission years ago ?
Post by: applet on October 22, 2020, 05:13:07 am
Post by: King Zultan on October 22, 2020, 05:23:31 am
Post by: recon1o6 on October 22, 2020, 06:06:17 am
Thanks for doing this, recon - I'm going to post this on the front page somewhere.
oh wow that's an honour. Do bare in mind this is the mountainhomes version of events, the true history is a little different
At least recon died next to the giant tankard, as I presume he'd have wanted.
She died swinging, determined not to let the goblins desercrate her tower a second time
The last will and testament of Recon the Tavern Keeper Overseer
If this scroll has been opened, it is because I have joined the ranks of the dead here in smallhands. Whether by murder, invasion, drawbridge or worse- my experiments trying to brew magma into alcohol resulting in catastrophy, I am now departed and leave this as my final message.
I wish to have two memorials, one in the ranks of the overseers, and another in the Tall Bar. While I do feel that I am the only dwarf with a sense of monumentality in this fortress, I at least hope the tower is completed after I have departed. I would also prefer a bronze statue, as high quality as possible in the tankard memorial.
Regarding my possessions I, Recon, do hereby declare as follows
To the current overseer: Unless you had me deliberately killed there is a bottle of Armok's Finest hidden in the central emblem on the base floor of the tankard. It is strong enough to get even the furthest gone ghoul drunk a few times.
To Rigoth, hammerer: You get my bronze hammer. Hopefully you can learn to execute better with it.
To Olin, legendary glassmaker: I am sorry I could not get a statue of you during my reign. Please accept my last pair of masterwork socks that I ever weaved
Finally to anyone who thinks about using that terrible necromancy on me.
Don't bother.
I have another way
Edit: wait...the siege broke? damn how many did we take with us?
also good news- I passed my exam! so I'm free to pick up the save now
Post by: Spriggans on October 22, 2020, 06:19:22 am
But since you explicitely specified not to be necro'ed....
I wonder what is this other way ... :/ Guess we'll see soon enough !
(btw Congrats on Exam ! Free drinks for everybody !! :D )
Post by: delphonso on October 22, 2020, 08:04:07 am
Post by: Salmeuk on October 22, 2020, 04:44:56 pm
+1 on that writeup Recon, I love a good historical timeline. Perfect perspective on the larger, living world.
Quote
Smallhands destroys cactushexes and Glimmersanctum, ending a century long war. Or should have...the flow of time is still convulted, with two Nogoods appearing. The Queen does not care though and seeks to take advantage of this by sending some migrants to set up some hillocks near smallhands. Smallhands continues to become a formidable outpost, raiding goblins, kobolds, elves and necros alike, even capturing a cyclops
A good year indeed.
Post by: nogoodnames on October 22, 2020, 06:32:11 pm
What a massacre... :(Yeah, it was a total disaster from the moment those panicking trolls lured our militia out. Half of them were scattered past the gate before I could even think of closing it. Not to mention Murr doing the opposite of every order I gave him. The drawbridge crushing Olin when he finally made it in was just icing on the cake.
Edit: wait...the siege broke? damn how many did we take with us?Judging by the unit list, we killed 39, with another 11 caught in cages and a few wounded stragglers who might still drop dead before making it off the map. Most of the kills were probably from Tosid and the one ghoul I drafted. He was unskilled, but it took half the goblin army dog-piling him before he finally went down. Those guys are damn near indestructible when they've got steel armour.
also good news- I passed my exam! so I'm free to pick up the save now
And good to hear! I'll finish up in the next couple days.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 23, 2020, 03:57:19 am
Judging by the unit list, we killed 39, with another 11 caught in cages and a few wounded stragglers who might still drop dead before making it off the map. Most of the kills were probably from Tosid and the one ghoul I drafted. He was unskilled, but it took half the goblin army dog-piling him before he finally went down. Those guys are damn near indestructible when they've got steel armour.
And good to hear! I'll finish up in the next couple days.
impressive, 50+ kills from a handful of dwarves in rubbish armour.
Thanks for taking your time with the fort btw. I guess I'm lucky smithsoldier died too.
Post by: delphonso on October 23, 2020, 09:07:07 am
Thanks for taking your time with the fort btw. I guess I'm lucky smithsoldier died too.
I've been meaning to read through Smithsoldier - it started around the same time as Smallhands and I see it as a kind of sister-fort since it shares so many overseers with this one. I'm sorry to hear it died.
Post by: nogoodnames on October 23, 2020, 09:40:58 pm
Winter 167
4th Moonstone
Spoiler: Morning after the massacre. A hamster frolics in the gore. (click to show/hide)
Dawn breaks over a sea of blood. A few wounded goblins still stumble around the battlefield, but the bulk of their force has fled. Two trolls are rampaging in our keep, trapped there when we sealed it. They should leave once the gate opens again. If not, they’ll face our hastily drafted ghoul warriors.
However, it seems that not all the fighters have had their bloodlust sated.
(https://i.imgur.com/QEpem4r.png)
Vutok, spirit detached from his body, has become full of blind, murderous hate. He struck in the temple of the abandoned asylum. King Zultan found the body when she went to pray for the fallen. He will need to be memorialized quickly.
8th Moonstone
The trolls and a few other stragglers are refusing to leave. They must have some idea that our military was annihilated and thought this underequipped rabble would be enough to keep us underground. Little do they know of our deathly secret. The fools will soon learn to fear the power of our ghouls.
(https://i.imgur.com/rjXwpK4.png)
Glorious. If only they had been equipped and ready for the main battle, things could have played out much differently.
11th Moonstone
We must work quickly now that the surface is clear. Those bodies need to be brought down to king Kol before they rot beyond the reach of his magics. Only the ghouls will be allowed up there for now. The dwarves here are of sound mind, but better not to test their resolve with a pile of corpses.
15th Moonstone
The late Inteth is the first to be tossed to the resurrection chamber. I had high hopes for him, given his pristine corpse, but all we got was a common zombie.
He is followed quickly by Ast, with similar results. Such a waste.
Meanwhile, the memorial to Vutok has been completed. A tasteful reminder that he has always been a murdering bastard.
(https://i.imgur.com/cLUuvYe.png)
21st Moonstone
It seems that fate had one final, cruel twist for us. The rest of the bodies were thrown in as one large batch. Of all of them, only Vutok came back as an intelligent ghoul. Somewhere, deep in his fractured mind, I know Kol is laughing at us.
(https://i.imgur.com/YQtRSk0.png)
Such a shame. As ghouls, Tosid and Murr would be warriors beyond compare. We all saw how, even with minimal training, Vutok kept the entire goblin army occupied before finally falling.
As for Vutok himself, his recent murder leaves a foul taste in my mouth. Even if I could forgive that, and the macabre set of pants he turned Amaru into, there is the matter of his injuries. The goblins literally had to tear him to pieces before he dropped.
(https://i.imgur.com/2lKtLZ8.png)
He’ll never be useful to fort in that state. Death will be a mercy for him now.
I had almost given the order to hit the disposal lever, but then thought better of it. These dwarves were heroes of Smallhands. Even as zombies, they deserve some respect as they meet their demise. I commanded our ghoul squad, renamed the “Siege Breakers” now that it’s clear Tosid won’t be leading the resurrected Gravewardens, to put an end to them. They killed all but Murr2, who stumbled into the cage trap.
(https://i.imgur.com/Qulxw3F.png)
Unfortunately, the pile of sentient ground beef that was once Vutok had to wait for the bridge to come down to find his release.
(https://i.imgur.com/V3J1V7K.png)
We’ll need to expand the Hall of Martyrs to memorialize them all.
Final post coming tomorrow.
It was probably a bad choice to try to ghoulify them all at once. Necromancers presumably will use one raise interaction on however many targets they have available, so if they choose to zombify, they will all be zombies.
So, Murr2, do you want a new dwarf or are you happy as a caged zombie for now?
Post by: delphonso on October 23, 2020, 09:47:13 pm
Post by: King Zultan on October 24, 2020, 05:29:35 am
Post by: recon1o6 on October 24, 2020, 07:25:32 am
Rest in peace, brave warriors. Vutok's brain was missing. Pretty impressive they got back up after that.
Indeed rest in peace you legends. Though I noticed no mention of my body. This will be an interesting final update...
Regarding vutok's injuries
it was actually his brain had only functional loss which is unsurprising. Feebleminded and psychopathic as he was
His actual injuries was losing his hands and feet (cut off), the front half of his head punched off (likely a bludgeoning blow given the marginal damage to lower lip and blindness of the eyes) about 3/4 of the back of his body from upper legs to just below his crown was all smashed and pulped and only minor bruising to his internal organs following getting crushed in the back.
and more than likely he still survived that until he bled out, grappling goblins with his elbows given he got brought back as a living ghoul
Post by: delphonso on October 24, 2020, 09:05:37 am
Post by: nogoodnames on October 24, 2020, 12:57:16 pm
Indeed rest in peace you legends. Though I noticed no mention of my body. This will be an interesting final update...In accordance with your will, your body wasn't tossed into the resurrection chamber. It ended up being interred in one of the empty coffins in the catacombs. Of course, it's not too late to change your mind...
and more than likely he still survived that until he bled out, grappling goblins with his elbows given he got brought back as a living ghoulHe was already a ghoul so he couldn't bleed out. They're actually more likely to be brought back as intelligent if their body is horrifically pulped. That's why he came back as a ghoul rather than a zombie like the others.
He actually died when a lasher nearly bisected him:
(https://i.imgur.com/DkrDLWz.png)
But you're right about how he kept fighting until then. Limbless, pinned down by a dozen enemies and stripped of most of his armour, he still managed to headbutt a beak dog to death.
(https://i.imgur.com/rer4ouu.png)
Post by: Murr2 on October 24, 2020, 08:39:35 pm
(In more seriousness, I'll pick another dorf when my turn comes)
Post by: nogoodnames on October 25, 2020, 04:20:04 am
Winter 167
The more I think on it, the more I come to the conclusion that the failure to resurrect our warriors is a blessing in disguise. It is clear to me that we have long been puppets of forces beyond our comprehension. Our necromantic experiments have been sponsored by these powers from the start. Why they targeted Smallhands, I cannot even begin to guess. The identities of the culprits, however, are obvious:
Daze, human god of thunder, lightning and death. No doubt disappointed that his chosen disciple never accomplished anything beyond a short-lived dictatorship.
The Wicked, goddess of murder, death and peace. Perhaps her necromancers have failed her as well, so she sought us to punish their arrogance.
And, of course…
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Lorsith Weevilmessiah, the Regal God. God of thralldom, and patron of the demon lord. I am now convinced he is behind all of this. Who else could mastermind a plan to have us convert our population into ghoulish thralls? He’s made puppets of us all.
Olon and I, the original ghouls, both worshippers of Weevilmessiah. We were the first to demonstrate the power granted by the shackles of undeath. The endless harrying of the necromancers, who perhaps didn’t know the purpose of it themselves, set us on the path to slavery. The infernal fever, a curse from the demon, made us desperate. I took the first steps to turning the necromancers’ power to our side. I intended it to only be used in dire circumstances, but it was only a matter of time before someone gave in to temptation and began mass conversion of our dwarves into ghouls.
Because of me, over a quarter of our population is undead. To our manipulators, this is only the beginning. They want to unleash the full power of the slabs. Maybe they intend for Smallhands to unleash a plague of undeath upon the world. To lead an army of ghouls and enslave the living. I cannot allow that to happen, but I know I will not be able to protect the slabs forever. If someone were to walk into this chamber with intent to steal them, I could not lift a hand to stop them. However, I may have a way to seal them away yet. And perhaps also, to atone for my part in this horror.
For now, though, there is much work to be done.
14th Opal
Imic was relocating one of the imprisoned beak dogs when it got loose and mauled Malfoy.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Couldn’t have happened to a better dwarf. Still, better get the ghouls to put it down before it hurts someone who doesn’t deserve it.
6th Obsidian
Time seems to grind to a halt as the mighty “central heating” pumps roar to life. Let their fires cleanse the battlefield!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
BURN!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The keep is suffering some collateral damage. We’ll need to rebuild it with magma-proof materials if we’re going to continue using the central heating like this. It will be better when the Tall Bar is ready to act as a reservoir and we can do more targeted strikes.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
19th Obsidian
That deals with most of the mess on the surface. All that’s left to me now is to ensure no one can misuse the slabs. I cannot bring myself to destroy them, if such godly artifacts even can be destroyed. I fear the effects that might have. And as loathe I am to admit it, the powers of necromancy have done us great good as well as evil.
I cannot guarantee the slabs will never fall into the hands of those who would misuse them, but I can make them much harder to get. I will seal my chamber with a flood of magma. The slabs themselves have been locked behind protective glass. Meanwhile, perhaps the sacrifice I have prepared will appease the gods of death, and they will leave us alone for a time. At the least, it will help deal with our cluttered cage stockpile.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
As for myself, well, I have to answer for introducing this undead curse to Smallhands. If the slabs were truthful, I will not suffer long. I am cutting my strings, Lorsith!
20th Obsidian
The artifact floodgate I had chosen to seal the chamber has melted under the intense heat.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A pity, that means Ravenwind will be consumed as well. I have no use of it now, but I had hoped to preserve it out of sentimentality.
The sacrifices are dead, save two zombies, and yet I still live. Curious. Mercifully, my nerves were singed off very early on, and I no longer feel anything at all. Or maybe I am truly dead. It would be hard to tell at this point.
1st Granite
I am still here. Everything else as melted away, yet I persist.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I see now. My body has burned to ash, just as the slabs said. They do not lie, but they can withhold information. They never said I would die from this. Will I ever die? Perhaps that’s something not even the slabs, or the gods who created them, know. I am something new, something beyond their magics.
So, Weevilmessiah, it seems my servitude continues. But it is no longer service to you. No, I will guard these slabs. Not out of a sense of duty, nor out of sacrifice for the good of my fellow dwarves. There is only one thing that will fuel my will in this endless watch, and that is sheer, unrelenting spite. As the ages pass and this place is buried under the ruins of a hundred civilizations, I will be staring back at you with utmost hate.
And in this crystalline sarcophagus,
I AM ETERNAL.
SAVE (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15272)
Thus concludes the saga of Nogood, at least for now.
I’ll post an explanation of what’s going on with him soon. Suffice to say, he’s quite unique.
The fort’s a bit of a mess right now, but it’ll survive. Everyone’s pretty happy. The only stressed dwarf was Murr2.
Post by: Spriggans on October 25, 2020, 04:48:28 am
Thanks for your sacrifice. May your watch bring us some peace at last.
Gotta admit I'll miss you :-[
Your "dwarf" is the closest to a greek Legend Ive seen: I mean, you ARE undying. Cursed to burn foverer, protecting some Gods you disrespected....
Being drown in Magma for eternity seems a more dwarfy way though ! :D
Post by: recon1o6 on October 25, 2020, 05:51:14 am
I have got the save and will post the prologue too later today
Post by: delphonso on October 25, 2020, 08:20:36 am
I'm looking forward to you take on what exactly is happening to nogood.
Post by: King Zultan on October 25, 2020, 10:15:16 am
Post by: nogoodnames on October 25, 2020, 02:23:55 pm
I'm excited to share the results of my experiments, but first here's some notes on the Fortress' state for Recon:
- I accidentally left everyone in the "emergency" burrow (individually, not through alerts). The biggest issue with that is it allows the ghouls to access the social areas (overriding their no-fun burrow) and get stuck again. They're all in the military so a quick station command after removing them from the burrow should shake them out of it.
- I setup some manager orders to automate steel production. I didn't get time to test them so there might be a few bugs.
- The Tall Bar got a couple more floors added, but it's down to you to finish it.
- I couldn't seal the map edge around the swamp because of the geography, so migrants could still come through there. Apparently, you can't build a bridge with its pivot on a ramp. We probably need obsidian casting to properly seal it.
Now then, on with the !!science!!
The !!SCIENCE!! of Nogood: What is even going on anymore?
As I have said before, Nogood's current state is definitely a result of his glitchy resurrection when he turned into a ghost and then a living dwarf. Somehow, he is in a state of half-alive, half-ghost. He is truly immortal now. Even dropping the roof on him won't really kill him.
I had originally tried to kill him by framing him for KingZultan's crimes and executing him with upright spikes. You might have noticed the sacrifice room added to the Temple of Puppets. But whenever a guard would try to beat him, he'd take a couple punches and disappear. It wouldn't even need to hurt him, most of the time they just glanced off his armor. Something about being hit made the game realize "Holy shit! This guy should be dead a hundred times over!" and then try to finish him off. Except it couldn't kill him because of his half-ghost state, so it just removed him from the map. Deconstructing his slab gave me a better idea of what was happening. Without it, when he "died" he would instantly come back as an invisible ghost just outside of the upper-left corner of the map.
At that point, I gave up on bringing him back as a ghoul. So my options then were to keep him around in a paralyzed, mostly-dead state, or kill him and let him remain as some kind of omnipresent spirit entity. I chose the former since I didn't want to just kill off such a unique dwarf. That posed some problems though. Anyone with DFHack would get spammy warnings about him from the warn-starving script. Also, after he went insane, it seemed a bit depressing to just leave him as a melancholic wreck forever entombed under the temple. I wanted some finality for him. Fortunately, further testing provided an answer.
I discovered that if I "killed" him in the terrarium, his body would remain there, but he would disappear from the unit list. That solved the DFHack issues. I also noticed that if you then deconstructed his slab, his ghost would be caged, although zooming to it would still bring you to the corner of the map. Finally, I made a very important discovery about his immortality: he could come back!
I was experimenting with the 166 save when I found this. I made Nogood disappear, deconstructed his slab and then reconstructed it. Then I let the fort play out for a little while to test some other things. I got a notification about a migrant wave, but ignored it. Imagine my surprise when I noticed a dwarf on the surface and, on a hunch, decided to check his name. It was Nogood, returned again as a migrant! His body was healed, but he still acted as if paralyzed. Initially attacks could hit him normally, but after a few weeks of suffocation he went back to disappearing after being hit.
I'm not entirely sure of the mechanics of this. It seems like he could come back infinitely as long as his slab is built. I've managed to do it twice consecutively. He might need some time as a ghost if he ever appears on the dead/missing list. That can happen if there's no path inside when he migrates, and he just walks back off the map. Unfortunately, he'll still be useless due to the paralysis and melancholy. It might be possible to use that grace period when he can still be damaged after coming back to actually kill him in a way that leaves a body. If it is, he could potentially be brought back as a ghoul again.
Anyway, this is the end of his story for me. I'm happy to let him rest (as much as he can have rest) but if others want to experiment on him, they're free to do so.
Post by: auzewasright on October 25, 2020, 03:05:00 pm
Post by: delphonso on October 25, 2020, 11:44:11 pm
So, in two turns I somehow managed to create an eternal and immortal being completely by accident. Huh.
You managed to do something no one else has done.
Post by: King Zultan on October 26, 2020, 03:00:27 am
Important work was done in this fort, future dwarven scientists will look back on this fort and be amazed at the things that were done and learned here!So, in two turns I somehow managed to create an eternal and immortal being completely by accident. Huh.
You managed to do something no one else has done.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 26, 2020, 08:06:58 am
Tholtig was a bored, lonely dwarf. She had no friends beyond the giant blackbird she tamed. A single measly kill to her name- a giant fly. Barely worth the ink on the parchment. Perhaps she could gain some recognition if she ran the election. It worked for the Tavern Keeper after all.
The isolation from her family and lack of friends was getting to her. The ghouls in her squad didn't know nor care how to interact. All she could really claim was to be a fit healthy dwarf.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/770255273263890502/unknown.png)
Tholtid then had an idea- if she was to run the election and get some people to talk to then it would do her good to investigate how the Tavern Keeper did it. Lets see...she always had a list, a specific scroll tube and careful notes about each candidate. They were brought out at election time and put away again after the day. Tholtig's absolute insistence on maintaining decorum and not wasting time "relaxing" drove many away and she sometimes wondered if she was too hard, but here they would be an asset!
Tholtig headed to the old Tavern Keepers office to find out the materials. Certainly the rules and regulations Recon struck certain candidates off for was in there! Alas to her dismay all that was in the office was writing supplies and designs for the Tall Bar. A cruel reminder that the dwarf whose quarters she was plundering was the same one whose ego in having statues of themselves in every bedroom was only eclisped by the waste of time that was the giant tankard.
Still these were some very nice quarters. Perhaps they were in the bedroom in her strongbox.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/770248738782052402/unknown.png)
Tholtig didn't have to look far to find the key to the strongbox, and a rather large one at that. The key was merely underneath the weapon rack in a hidden slot. Quite a clever design but Tholtig was better than that. She opened the chest and peered inside finding several files and curiously two bottles of alcohol labelled 1 and 2. Tholtig shrugged and got everything out than sat on the bed and pulled the stopper in the bottle labelled 1. She could do with a drink, and what better than the Tavern Keepers secret stash? Every dwarf knows that the properietors of an establishment keep the best drinks to themselves.
The booze smelled of strawberries but it certainly didn't seem like wine. Thats it Tholtig realised- Recon must have made Strawberry beer! She recalls overhearing her grumblings about it one training session!
Tholtig upended the bottle and chugged it as any dwarf would. It was strong, incredibly strong, but so sweet! and...Tholtig was getting dizzy...and everything was getting louder. Time was slowing to a crawl and her vision swam. Her body felt like it was slipping away from her. Everything felt heavier and it felt like she had her armour on all of a sudden.
She opened her eyes when she heard the sounds of battle and what sounded like Vutok laughing. Wait that can't be right Vutok was crushed after he fell in battle?
She looked around, her left hand holding Recon's old military flask, empty, in her right a hammer. Goblins were pouring round the corner of the Tall Bar in front of her.
No this can't be happening, she was in Recon's room but then...was she seeing Recon's final moments?
Wait... was that herself in the tower window just then? But that was where she was stationed during the siege...
Tholtig looked to her left and saw Vutok there, surrounded by goblins and trolls. She then jolted feeling a sharp pain in her shoulder as a goblin scourge sheared through her armour. Tholtig screamed as two trolls came and started beating down on her. Blood everywhere, her blood.
that was real, the pain is real, the wounds were real. Was that...Recon laughing?
oh no, did Recon...?
NO
NOOOOO she shrieked as the Lasher plunge her blade into Tholtigs chest and she felt everything go dark.
Post by: delphonso on October 26, 2020, 08:18:14 am
Post by: Murr2 on October 26, 2020, 10:51:02 am
Recon.
I'm going to try my hand at something.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Darkening Kaos on October 26, 2020, 11:45:00 pm
Spoiler: State of the Embark as of end 167 (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on October 26, 2020, 11:59:54 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on October 27, 2020, 02:30:50 am
There's also the option of building statues all across the map edge. It's an old trick, but I presume it still works.
Man, a lot has happened in a short while; I'll have to re-read in the evening, because I only skimmed.
Post by: King Zultan on October 27, 2020, 03:21:42 am
Post by: recon1o6 on October 27, 2020, 04:46:47 am
Post by: delphonso on October 27, 2020, 05:44:38 am
actually here's a question, where does the goo start and finish each time it passes? I'm trying to work out but I'm not willing to risk one of the few healty dwarves we have
The rain? It's exactly at the grass edge - anywhere on the sand is safe.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 28, 2020, 12:26:29 pm
Haha I can't believe it! My hypothesis is right! Souls do persist outside of time! Tholtig truly has my utmost respect for sacrificing herself for me and I'm sure she was grateful for getting to journey to Armok's realm without the possibility of being dragged back by necromancy.
I shall take her surname out of respect. Its better than Claspfought at any rate. That just earned me snide remarks about how I couldn't build furniture or what have you. Even so, she was the best dwarf out of all of them that I could have replaced. Nobody would object to having me around instead of her in any event.
My observations of the undead showed that the ghouls have their own souls trapped within, whereas the zombies do not have anything and are mere puppets driven on bodily instinct. The necromancy slabs said that when there is an abundance of life or death, time starts slowing. This led me to wonder why everybody felt the passage of time slowing down yet still thought at the same pace. The answer to me was that our souls must not be affected by time.
In order to test such a theory I brewed two special bottles of alcohol, designed to trick the body into shutting down momentarily while the dwarven liver kicks in. Alas the goblins invaded and I received the call to arms. So I drank the first while waiting for the green skins to arrive and felt myself fall into darkness with only the feeling of my body standing there. After what felt like forever I felt a second bodily presence similar to my own, I reached out to it so to speak causing its owner to end up slipping into my old one. The liver kicked in and here I am! Alive and well albeit in Tholtig's body.
Now for the second bottle to fix that
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A wine stain covers some of the parchment
Bleh, that was horrible. My face is back to normal, I'm physically in better shape than I was but on the downside I'm a bit more wiry. Thank goodness Tholtig was similar enough to me as it was because I ain't brewing another one. I've had my share of terrible alcohols but very few have made me gag and spill some. It must have started to turn.
Right, time to stop writing and go say hello.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 1st of Granite 168
Everyone was miserable when I arrived at the feasting hall, those that were there anyway. I overheard that Nogood had finally gotten sick of his necromancy and cut his strings. With magma. Damn, I would like to have spoke with him concerning what I had learned. Still the man deserves his rest more than anybody here after what he's endured, and what a way to go as well. I'm gonna name my next brew after him in honour.
I turned to the nearest dwarf, Logem our legendary silversmith and asked him what was with the decorations if we are mourning Nogood.
"Its suppo' t' beh ahr new ye'rs party... 'lection o' new' ov'rser an' all tha' Rec'n"
He then dropped his glass and stared at me, doing a double take.
"Wai' REC'N? YE LIVE? -hic-"
I've never seen the man sober up so fast. Not seen a crowd do a double take like that either. Was it really 2 months since I died? Death means little and less in smallhands, but I got bombarded with questions about my survival which was horrible. I then announced that I was going to prepare the election.
Of course, by prepare I mean strike everyone else from the candidate list. I have a mission to do, and that is to return Smallhands to glory!
Starting with my tankard!
-------------------------------
OOC
For my reign I am going to do the following
1. Finish the Tankard and attempt a method of pumping magma up it
2. Attempt to rescue and if possible destroy the tower holding our soldiers
3. Fix the military armour and weapons
4. Plug skill gaps in the fortress
5. Dispose of some of the clutter in the trade storage area
Post by: Laterigrade on October 28, 2020, 07:02:42 pm
Post by: Murr2 on October 29, 2020, 09:29:39 am
One thing right off the bat, we discovered immortality and literal reincarnation. Not sure how but cool.
Post by: King Zultan on October 30, 2020, 07:13:37 am
Post by: Murr2 on October 30, 2020, 10:31:01 am
more like !!NECROMANCY!!
Post by: recon1o6 on November 01, 2020, 09:23:13 am
Nogood deserves my thanks for putting some more floors on the Tall Bar. I'll ask around later where the ground floor windows went but for now it appears he even made a worthwhile attempt to keep even materials on each floor. He also filled the bottom floor with gold which was both great as it means I no longer have to use brass for the furniture, but also damn it! I had a mug shaped relief on that floor! I dug about and sure enough, the bottle of the brew I left in my will was there still. Time to dig the excess out and get some silver down. A golden tankard on a silver back. That's the Tall bar emblem.
I laid down the plans to finish the tankard flooring and then decided to take stock.
Spoiler: stocks (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: bars (click to show/hide)
There's trouble already. We flat out don't have enough soap or charcoal to make soap and pig iron. I have taken it upon myself to inspect our equipment and the results are...less than satisfactory. We have some good quality equipment, but calling the majority finely crafted is but an insult. Our weapons are a little better thanks to our now dead legendary blacksmith.
The former was caused by one of the Overseers crushing all the animals I left to grow so we could harvest them for soap. The latter is caused by our living smiths being fevered and the undead ones...being used in the military? Our only good armoursmith is Amost, undead and distracted. She won't be able to produce anything of any quality.
Fine I will learn myself. My clothier experience will be useful. KingZultan used up all the dye anyway.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 17th of Granite 168
Salmeuk remove this at once! Mine it yourself! Then engrave something better about me.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
On a side note, while exploring the memorial hall for a place to put a slab to Tholtig, I happened upon Salmeuk's old chamber. It was still missing a statue. Nobody had bothered to replace it despite it being one of the first orders of my reign. I continued further, seeing all the engravings above each slab and coffin. Filled with disgusting images of their last moments or humilitating events instead of displaying their glory and achievements.
Is this really what smallhands has come to? Have the majority embraced necromancy to the point we can't even memorialise dwarves that have departed for Armok's halls honourably?
I cracked open a bottle of longland beer that evening and started drawing up some new plans. Smallhands will memorialise its dead properly from now on, and this will require a new Hall of the Dead to be dug out.
On the way out I needed more strawberry wine. Smallhands really has slipped since my previous reign. I thought a previous overseer was going to stamp out this elven plague
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The Mayor has issued a demand and a mandate. A black bronze statue in his bedroom? Export of statues prohibited?
Why Mayor Avuz, I do believe I have here a notice stating that you are to nominate your replacement as me effective immediately.
I also replaced Malfoy as the Hammerer and brought back my old hammerer Rigoth. Can't trust that dwarf with anything resembling importance and as we all know the Hammerer is an important position.
Sadly, we had some bad news this week. A cat has been missing for a week.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 3rd of Slate 168
The elves have arrived. Those traitorous tree huggers almost cost Smallhands on more than one occasion. I will trade with them for now, but the moment they start getting greedy, I will be starting my military campaign ahead of schedule.
Hang on...what's this in the stockpile?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/772451110891683840/unknown.png)
I wonder if elves are willing to buy their reanimated fallen. I mean to them its food that can be delivered to their door. Despicable cannibals.
I'm going to attempt to sell them all their old elven crap back. We are dwarves, we use dwarven stuff here. The only elven stuff we want is booze and seeds. The former isn't even elven, tis but a dwarven invention our ancestors foolishly leaked the secrets of in the past.
Auze came back to me while I was choosing what to sell. The elves didn't exactly have anything we wanted or needed, at least none of it that was tainted with elven pestilence. But they did at least have some properly produced hempen clothing from the Mountainhomes and some Bayberries I can produce a new type of alcohol with. Fortunately for them, the "value" of the elven rubbish we had was more than enough to get our dwarven things off that caravan.
While this was going off I saw a child running about gathering materials. Said child is Sazir something, they been quite withdrawn lately so this sounds promising.
Another interesting development happened today- migrants!
2 Peasants and two children. Normally I'd grumble at unskilled labour, but blank slates are useful as it stands. Oddom has some training in the use of a crossbow and armour, whereas Zan has the basics of metalsmithing. I'm sure we can put the two of th-
...What's that noise?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/772461780449624084/unknown.png)
It appears that Reg didn't quite understand the command of "Drag the elf to the depot" correctly. Neither did Logem for that matter, the elves got out and they appear to have fought each other. Reg buzzed off north as fast as possible whereas Logem decided wisely to shut the door. Unfortunately that left Avuz in the stockpile chamber while fetching some seeds. Luckily Avuz hadn't handed in the mayoral keys and locked the door. Logem also made sure to lock the security hatch on the emergency stockpiles.
At that point the elf ghoul sped off north seeking to take out Reg. Reg somehow managed to slam the door shut and jam it so the elf couldnt get in and Logem upon realising this locked the bone room door, unlocked the security door, then locked the bone room stockpile entrance, sealing the elf inside the bone room freeing Avuz.
I'll drink to the quick thinking actions of those three. That could easily have been deadly to people we can't afford to lose.
I will send our siege breakers in shortly, I will station them in the stockpiles entrance rather than the central staircase, then lock them in until they are dead. I gave our ghouls a signal to bang on the door when the all clear is sounded.
Post by: Salmeuk on November 01, 2020, 04:51:12 pm
Salmeuk remove this at once! Mine it yourself! Then engrave something better about me.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Salmeuk News Network: Fair and Balanced
I cracked open a bottle of longland beer that evening and started drawing up some new plans. Smallhands will memorialise its dead properly from now on, and this will require a new Hall of the Dead to be dug out.
Some kind of grand monument to all the long-dead heroes (and the soon-to-be-dead recruits)? Exactly what we need.
Post by: delphonso on November 02, 2020, 04:16:13 am
(https://i.imgur.com/j8ySG9e.png)
more like !!NECROMANCY!!!!Undying Overseer!!
Nice work, Recon. Hopefully the Tall Bar can be reached.
Post by: King Zultan on November 02, 2020, 04:55:46 am
No censorship here, no sir not a bit.Salmeuk remove this at once! Mine it yourself! Then engrave something better about me.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Salmeuk News Network: Fair and Balanced
Post by: recon1o6 on November 02, 2020, 05:29:44 am
"She thinks she is fairly important in the grand scheme of things"
"She is quite ambitious"
"She holds well laid plans and shrewd deceptions in the highest regard"
"She values honesty"
"She deeply respects those who work hard at their labours"
"She really respects those who master a skill"
"She values military prowess"
"She respects fair dealing and fair play"
"She tries to act impartially and is rarely moved to mercy"
So she's offended not just because its insulting, but because it showcased nothing about her sills or achievements.
It was the fly on top of the pile of rubbish that was a memorial hall full of dwarves being kicked by camels and echinidas
Post by: delphonso on November 06, 2020, 05:08:06 am
How's it going recon?
Post by: recon1o6 on November 06, 2020, 05:31:41 am
Having to dig out the memorial centre a second time was frustrating, because I had the design in mind, but I just could not remember part of it and kept fiddling with the designations until it was correct.
Gonna try and update in a few hours.
Post by: delphonso on November 06, 2020, 05:43:18 am
Post by: recon1o6 on November 06, 2020, 11:45:41 am
Progress on the Tankard has finally started again. I have had the seed stockpile laid down and the drinks stockpile too. The workers complained about two dwarven children and another migrant lazing about outside it though. Apparently they hadn't got the message to enter through the fortress entrance rather than the Tavern in progress. I understand of course, who wouldn't want to go for a drink first thing as they arrive at a new settlement.
Sazir, the weird child has also started building whatever it is in that little head that requires materials from all around the fort. Lets hope its something useful.
I have been spending the last couple of weeks drafting, redrafting and drinking. Usually in that order. The planning for the new memorial hall has taken up a lot of my time due to some restrictions and rules I am going to be putting in place regarding the hall of the honoured dead
1. The deceased must have been a dwarf.
2. The dwarf must not be an elf lover
3. The elf hater is required to have contributed to SmallHands
4. The contributor must have been a citizen of SmallHands or been actively earning citizenship.
5. The citizen must be in good standing upon their death.
Therefore, a small portion of the old memorial hall will not be eligible for transfer to the new one. Examples include Vutok for his murder of Ex overseer Amara, and certain elves that a certain predecessor of mine should be arrested for entombing. In addition, as this is a memorial hall to the honoured dead
we will honour them
All entrees into our hall will receive the following: One statue depicting them in their life at their prime performing their proudest achievement or most worthwhile one to Smallhands.
A memorial slab or coffin as appropriate to the dwarf and chamber.
Those that have performed military deeds for the fortress shall be put to rest within the second tier of honours. They who gave their lives in order to safeguard our home will receive a Wall engraving of themselves serving Smallhands in addition to the previous benefits.
Finally, certain rooms shall be allocated for Legends of the Fortress. Each shall be customised to their holder's wishes, or if deceased to proudly display their life and glory in the finest of detail. Any unfulfilling floor engravings shall be removed. All wall engravings shall be determined by the owner. Floor engravings shall be left to the artist on the condition they are made from a different citizen's fond memories of that dwarf
Naturally, only myself, Nogood and Salmeuk have earned that honour so far.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 3rd of Felsite 168
The Hall of Honour has been laid down
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The top floor has rows of alcoves dedicated to each dwarf. A statue at the back of each alcove depicting the dwarf, and the slab or coffin in front of them for people to pay their respects at when they go pass. Each corridor shall start at a nexus. Each individual nexus shall have pedestals in its corner holding certain gemstones for symbolic reasons.
Each corridor ends in a room. These specific rooms shall be made to tell the story of smallhands's crowning moments in our history. These rooms shall be engraved last and only after discussion from the overseer to the public. I'm probably being rubbish about this, but my artistic sense...isn't the best at times.
The bottom floor is split into three separate sections. The heart shaped rooms in the centre are for our legends of Smallhands. The eastern most rooms will hold those crafters who wish to be beside their artifacts they made.
The western rooms will hold the military engravings. The north will hold our ranged squads, the south our melee teams.
I drafted the plans to accomdate increased demand as well, there floors above and below with undug space that can be used if additional memorials are required.
In other news, apparently Sazirs artifact was a tunnel tube earring. Unfortunately, this means Sazir has been irrecoverably tainted by the elves. I shall have to execute him. At least one of the kids was playing with a toy axe made of iron, a proper dwarfy toy.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 19th of Felsite 168
When Felsite came around I was reminded that I hadn't started yet on finishing the one outstanding issue from my last reign's production issues. Namely the military.
Our military is reasonably skilled. All 5 members of it. There's 3 ghouls in the siege breakers, myself, and Ast our legendary marksdwarf. I thought there was six but then I remembered to cross off Tholtig. Either way there's simply not enough of us.
2 of our 3 ghouls were training as normal, albeit as best they could with their falling apart bodies. When I asked about Rigoth, I was directed to the hospital- there I saw a sight that almost made me want to drink to forget: Malfoy the murderer, happily stiching up and treating some ghouls back together. Why couldn't he do that with our living dwarves? Mind you our only other option is Salmeuk, and if he's not around, I don't blame all of us among the living who have injuries from getting treated.
Looks like I've finally found something for our new peasant to learn. Medicine
After some chatting with the missing ghoul, and a walk around the fort, I ccalled attention at dinner that night the same way I always done. Slamming my granite tankard against a mat. I announced that from now on, all living dwarves not in the guard or possessed of invaluable or unique skills will be getting military training every other month. In addition, more ghouls are going in the military. A full time force will be training always, but there will be two backup forces that alternate their on duty months. Smallhands needs to get into fighting shape again if those goblins come back.
It would also give me a break from making clothing alongside King Zultan each month. Sure, the pair of us are churning out legendary clothing like there's no tomorrow but we shouldn't use all the cloth in the fort. Not if we are repairing our ghouls now.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 15th of Hematite 168
Hematite has arrived and with it, the realisation I hadn''t done a single thing to the smity or to address our lack of quality armour so far this year.
I needed a drink when I then realised that all the progress I had made towards training a smithing force in my last reign had gone up in flames over time.
Correcting this was important if Smallhands is to be glorious bastion of all that is dwarfy once more. I had our miners dig a couple of chunks out of the big open area to the south of the magma forges and set up three stockpiles to replace the old useless ones. On the left is low grade metal for melting. On the top right is military emergency. In here lies poor quality steel and iron equipment plus silver bludgeoning weapons. The bottom right is where all high quality equipment is going for use by our armed forces.
I announced a short clean up of all jobless dwarves to go fetch any equipment off the surface. While there shouldn't be any jobless dwarves while the Tall Bar is still be assembled, going out in the sun will be a fitting punishment for some of these slackers. I also laid down some smithing orders so I can manufacture some good metal furniture for my tavern after a previous overseer melted the few things I had.
Curiously, when I want on the surface myself, I found the axe I inherited from Tosid. This thing has quite the history, and its such a work of art too. I'm glad to have it back.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I think I'm going to use it on the raid next month.
Post by: Murr2 on November 06, 2020, 04:44:37 pm
Post by: delphonso on November 06, 2020, 08:27:24 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on November 06, 2020, 09:57:15 pm
Journal of Salmeuk, Year 168
Recon has created a new burial hall to honor the most, um, "honoured"of dwarves. He honoured himself, as well as me and Nogood, with internment there, now or in the future. Everyone else is, well, no good.
Fine with me! A sweet tomb to attract those afterlife ladydwarves. However Recon's list of restrictions for entry seem awfully rigid. Surely more deserve to be honored, than us three blokes? What exactly is 'good standing', and who gets to decide it? What if I have no legs??
The other dwarves will likely rise up and say something. We'll see how this plays out. Alright, enough written today - I'm off to get drunk.
Post by: recon1o6 on November 07, 2020, 07:12:42 am
Recon has created a new burial hall to honor the most, um, "honoured"of dwarves. He honoured himself, as well as me and Nogood, with internment there, now or in the future. Everyone else is, well, no good.
Fine with me! A sweet tomb to attract those afterlife ladydwarves. However Recon's list of restrictions for entry seem awfully rigid. Surely more deserve to be honored, than us three blokes? What exactly is 'good standing', and who gets to decide it? What if I have no legs??
The other dwarves will likely rise up and say something. We'll see how this plays out. Alright, enough written today - I'm off to get drunk.
Recon downed another of the dwarven ales. There were hushed murmurings and discontent amongst her patrons that evening. Why though? While she wont deny she can be a little overzealous at times, it feels lately that whenever she tries to do something befitting all dwarves it gets ignored. It genuinely upset her seeing so many engravings of dwarves being struck down by animals, or dwarves laughing at captains whose squads were disbanded.
Salmeuk was the next one up to the bar, one of the few legends of Smallhands, ordering a Fig wine, snapping her out of her thoughts for a moment. He gave her a concerned look as he downed his first pint.
"I guess it is written over my face isn't it? No, things are not ok Sal. I...I'm sorry for shouting at you about that engraving. It was a little uncalled for, especially for a duke that has never made a mandate beyond room requirements. But that graveyard? It genuinely disturbed me. Genuinely made me want to rebury everyone, by my own hands if I had to. That's why I haven't memorialised Tholtig yet. Because I didn't want to put her in there."
Salmeuk frowned, he wasn't aware of Tholtig dying, come to think of it, he hadn't seen her for a few months.
The Tavern Keeper rested her head on her elbows, hair falling to the sides. Huh, the Tavern Keeper is a lady dwarf, how could Salmeuk miss that for so long he thought. He shrugged and drank again, motioning her to continue. As Duke, his job was to listen and advise.
"Tholtig died to save me. On the day I 'died'. Its...not something she meant to do but I don't regret it. Hasn't stopped me having a nightmare about it once in a while since I haven't memorialised her. You'll see what I mean if you go into my coffin.
Anyway..." she took a deep breath
"The worst part of this new memorial hall after everyone complaining about it? Its what I'm going to do now, starting with you." Salmeuk raised his eyebrows as he drank his 4th pint.
"Sal...I'm sorry for bringing up any bad memories but it was the first death in the fort records. What was your wife Bim's best achievement in your eyes?
"She will be the first in the new halls, then the other members of the founders
Post by: Murr2 on November 07, 2020, 04:21:12 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on November 07, 2020, 05:13:03 pm
"Sal...I'm sorry for bringing up any bad memories but it was the first death in the fort records. What was your wife Bim's best achievement in your eyes?
"She will be the first in the new halls, then the other members of the founders[/i]
Bim's best achievement was . . . leaving without a trace, quickly and quietly. Abandoning me silently in the night like that was the softest way she could deliver that news, that she was done with me and this fortress, and that there was nothing more between us. I mean, in what other way could I interpret her disappearance?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on November 08, 2020, 10:43:58 am
We also seem to be making leaps and bounds in terms of intelligent undead science.
Post by: delphonso on November 09, 2020, 09:01:33 am
The undead stuff is a happy accident too. A nice amount of spice to a solid base.
Post by: Murr2 on November 09, 2020, 05:02:30 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on November 10, 2020, 05:47:47 am
btw if any of you haven't read it, I highly advise you do
edit: look out for an update in the next 7 hours
Post by: recon1o6 on November 10, 2020, 04:10:41 pm
There's positives and negatives about being the Overseer of a fortress. On one hand you have theoretically can do whatever you like providing you don't destroy the fortress. The bad news is you see all the crap that makes you want to destroy the fortress
Like our new wood cutter Labok whining about how he's sleeping in the dirt outside, being rained on and drinking vomit in the ground when I have already assigned him a bed, room and several ways into the fortress are open and he's not burrowed either.
A lot of clutter from the last siege is outside the Tall Bar much to my frustration. Some of the fallen's belongings are still there in addition to goblinite. Normally excess goblinite would be low on the list of priorities but there's masterworks out there! I can see them from the Tall Bar!
Wait a moment, we don't have a wood cutter at the present time, they must be migrants! I must go an see to them immediately!
A wine stain covers the page
...ich leaves Domas, apparently a cook but demonstrates some military training, must have been a canteen solider. Somehow also not fevered despite being in the middle of a cloud of goo like Zasit.
Imbeciles all 7 of them for not announcing their arrival. The mountainhomes have specific instructions that all coming to Smallhands must come from the north or west. At least these are migrants and not 3 children plus Dad and Mum. That reminds me, need to send the order to execute the elven tainted children.
I'll need a new bottle of ink soon, the Tall bar is shy just a handful of wall pieces before I can have furniture put in and declare it open.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 17th of Malachite 168
Honestly, I am thoroughly glad that we got migrants that were actually unskilled. It means I can have them all put to work training in the areas the fort lacks dwarfpower in. Especially engraving (My tomb should be grand after all) metalsmithing (Furniture for the tall bar and good quality armour) gem cutting and setting (decorating) and carpentry (If Auze hadn't managed to stop being suicidal when I put him on carpentry duty 3 years ago, we'd have nobody left to make beds or barrels for booze)
On second thoughts, I would have preferred some skilled migrants since those are actually pretty basic skills we are lacking bar smithing and I'd have filled the posts up anyway with them. Except our "Cook" who I guess qualifies as skilled since he has military skills and is actually quite the entertainer as well.
Slowly but surely I am bringing the Smallhands population back up to acceptable levels of skill and numbers. Everybody is below 100 stress and is quite relaxed, yes even Auze. I wonder how Auze is...
AUZE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? THAT BELONGS IN MY ROOM NOT THE STOCKPILES
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/775813946983710750/unknown.png)
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/775813999836790784/unknown.png)
sighs
The last plump helmet wine belongs here in my room. Its not for drinking, its for use as a comparison for when I can get someone to make more plump helmet wine.
Its not a sentence I ever thought I'd have to make more than once in my life. But here I am writing it again.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 4th of Galena 168
Fellow citizens of Smallhands!
Thanks to me and with contributions from each and every one of you, Smallhands is prospering as it is supposed to be! Yet ere as we correct the mistakes of our predecessors, we must pave the way for our many newcomers to follow, for dwarven glory, sanctity and prosperity is not built by one dwarf, but by us all! We will strive onwards, blazing this path so we may laugh as our enemies look upon our fortress and COWER in envy!
As of today, we have achieved what many called a fools errand, despite the rain! Despite invasions! and despite ALL the necromantic hell this world has sought to throw at us, we can be proud to have stood in defiance and raised this tower to the heavens for Dwarven superiority of all time, regardless of life or death! The other races and all false gods shall view our tower bustling with activity and pleasure and weep before our craftsdwarfship. Our enemies will scramble to escape its fiery rain as we pour magma from its roof onto those who dare tread within our boundaries.
While we drink away to our hearts content.
I am proud to finally declare the Tall Bar OPEN!
It couldn't have gone better. A bright day with blue sky, no rain, sun or evil clouds. I had everybody assemble at the base and gave my speech before metaphorically throwing the doors open to the Tall bar. Everyone's cheering, chatting, drinking or helping one of the ghouls drown themselves in my specially formulated brews.
My speech even attracted some of the best craftsdwarves I have seen in years!
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/775816059705884712/unknown.png)
We got 8 and counting! Among them were two High Master metalsmiths, a good Marksdwarf named Urist with a pair of dogs. A stone mason also with military training and a few others I haven't had a chance to process yet.
Several dwarves have reported that progress on removal of the old graveyard insults is going quicker than expected with all the new hands. Quarque did cry at one point about a rail track being dug straight through something horrible he put in Salmeuk's tomb room for a laugh but it didn't stop him from putting one over Imic's work right next to it! I have no sympathy to either of them and they are welcome to drown any sorrows they get at my new tavern.
They aren't gonna be making new engravings anyway, both have the fever and I have fresh workers to do that.
I think a celebratory toast is in order for today. Perhaps some Foxtail millet.
several different booze stains line the bottom of the page. A granite tankard imprint lies upon the top half of the parchment
Post by: Murr2 on November 11, 2020, 11:47:30 am
Post by: delphonso on November 11, 2020, 06:24:46 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 11, 2020, 06:44:59 pm
honestly it would be a dream come true if Smallhands ends up in the hall of legends or on tvtropes for contributions to necromantic science
I have been toying with nominating Smallhands to the hall of legends for quite a while, but have been struggling to find a good description for the fortress. Perhaps I will figure something out sometime. It will definitely include some mention to Nogood. :)
Post by: Murr2 on November 11, 2020, 09:55:52 pm
Ghouls, necromancy, body snatching, !!NECROMANCY!!, feverish goo, FREAKING !!NECROMANCY!!, and much, much more.
Post by: delphonso on November 11, 2020, 09:59:54 pm
Description idea:
Ghouls, necromancy, body snatching, !!NECROMANCY!!, feverish goo, FREAKING !!NECROMANCY!!, and much, much more.
Maybe plus "all in a little package"
Post by: King Zultan on November 12, 2020, 06:25:23 am
Post by: Murr2 on November 13, 2020, 12:26:25 am
Rough draft of some kind
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(in a spoiler, in order to conserve precious valuable text pixels.)
Post by: King Zultan on November 13, 2020, 06:11:09 am
Post by: Murr2 on November 13, 2020, 04:24:59 pm
Post by: delphonso on November 13, 2020, 06:03:05 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on November 14, 2020, 05:10:37 am
I'm sorry for the slow turn guys
Post by: nogoodnames on November 14, 2020, 09:01:01 am
Post by: recon1o6 on November 14, 2020, 09:06:39 am
The new memorial halls are coming along nicely. I've sent a couple of dwarves to start smoothing ready for the engravings. One of our new metalsmiths is going to work on making statues of the deceased, the other is creating some higher quality instrument pieces and furniture for the Tall Bar than the stuff our ghoulsmith made.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I missed having a proper tavern. 5 long years the Towering Tankard was in construction. While it seems most of Smallhands' population still doesn't understand the appeal and function of a monument, they at least understand a tavern. Even the ghouls have come in on occasion for my assistance in feeding them a drink. All the ones that aren't training the new recruits that is.
Our military strength has been buffed to a respectable 11. 3 marksdwarves, 8 melee dwarves of which 4 are ghouls. Everyone is wearing steel and wielding a weapon of choice. Well...they should be, I still see some ghouls in bronze annoyingly.
Training unfortunately hasn't took off as quickly as I hoped due to a lack of quality steel helms and weapons. Armour I can do myself now, I'm...well competent I suppose. My armour does the job and I occasionally make a fine one that would fetch a lot at the market. Still, I'm the best none fevered dwarf in fort at armoursmithing so its me who has to do it
The weaponry on the other hand is easy to solve, the surface still has quite a few good weapons we can use.
I started brewing a new drink. I'm gonna call it the Raider's Respite. Its gonna be in celebration of what we're about to do.
Raze Sinewsabres to the ground, free our troops and end that necromantic scourge on the world!
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 17th of Limestone 168
Blasted diplomats, we were just about to set off for Sinewsabres! what do you want?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777150335733989386/unknown.png)
oh...trade. Right. I guess we can postpone the raid... as soon as Auze strikes a deal. Logs, coal, metalwork, parchment, booze, plump helmets much to my frustration. The usual things. We have loads of crafts and tools to offer them. Perhapd we can even purchase some metal crossbows for the swamp hunters.
Many military folk and some overseers beside will probably be wondering why not just use wood for the crossbows. Something I observed during training was that when our marksdwarves are out of ammunition, instead of getting more they tend to...bludgeon enemies instead of reloading. Using their bows as hammers. Great idea admittedly with the undead about so much, but wooden hammers are not very good. Not compared to the vast quantities of iron we have. That way we won't get as many instances of dwarves taking too long to bludgeon a prone goblin to death after being turned into a pin cushion.
Come to think of it, what's taking Auze so long?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777151035420049418/unknown.png)
AUZE! YOU JUST HAD AN ENTIRE BARREL!
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 24th of Limestone 168
The diplomat brought us some grave news. A huge army from the goblin capital to the south marched on Staffhoisted to our north. Thats why the caravan was late this year- they had to circumvent the goblins.
That being the case, this caravan is absolutely loaded with goods! An entire page devoted to plump helmets! Several sheets of parchment devoted to military equipment. Plenty of writing materials for our scholars and even a few bars of platinum.
Mestthos the diplomat also mentioned to me in the tavern that the current Queen was concerned that the goblins may have overrun smallhands, hence the Mountainhomes caravan. The goblins would have had to pass by us entirely or invade if they wanted to go to Staffhoisted.
Fortunately so far this year we haven't seen any goblins apart from the one whose corpse I had dug up then burned in lava after it was buried in our old graveyard. We have had a large amount of the Fever rain so its possible the goblins simply chose to skirt around instead of invading.
Still, I don't blame the mountainhomes for taking precautions...wait what?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777160881204756500/unknown.png)
Armok above, the Mountainhomes found a way to kill these terrors and make food out of them? I'm simultaniously impressed and mildly shaken by that.
Its a good thing I got Auze to stop drinking himself onto the floor, because this was by far the best trading caravan I have ever seen. We sold over 200000 Urists worth of crafts for enough resources to run Smallhands for years!
These are what I got
57 barrels of booze of which 9 were dwarven wine- its back on the menu everyone!
20 Pieces of steel or good quality iron armour
11 bags of quicklime
7 bags of gypsum plaster
360 plump helmets
145 quarry bush leaves
Some giant cave spider silk garments to supplement our pig tail ones, number unknown
12 metal toys for our surviving children to play with while they grow up into dwarves. (I found one elven toy and sold that for 2 urists. Apparently there's a dwarf the trader knew that liked to use elven toys as target practice instead of simply destroying them)
14 parchment sheets
23 instrument pieces
1 cat and a kitten (hopefully this pair survive long enough to catch the rats)
Finally a platinum flask that I will freely admit I bought for over 5000 urists after I broke my granite announcement mug.
As a notice to all hauliers: Artifacts do not belong in the bins with the other crafts, especially if they are military grade. Imic had to drag 3 out of the depot, one of which was Zafful, our artifact steel mace. Our crafters will not b-
An ink stain covers the writing
Can't the fey at least pay attention to where they are going?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777171103256018954/unknown.png)
Well, trading's done and the caravan guards said they will hold up here for a bit. Thank you Auze, you done a fantastic job. I'll leave you to store everything. We'll be back soon.
Its time ladies and gents! Time to free our people. I will lead the charge!
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777171827151470632/unknown.png)
Post by: delphonso on November 14, 2020, 09:09:26 am
Take your time, ensure each dwarf is remembered how they lived - getting kicked by zombie camels and being laughed at for losing positions.
Ninja'd by an entire update. Looking forward to reading it!
Edit: Drink to the end of Sinewsabres!
Post by: King Zultan on November 15, 2020, 04:17:49 am
Post by: delphonso on November 15, 2020, 04:59:08 am
Post by: recon1o6 on November 16, 2020, 01:28:54 pm
After several weeks of delays and frustration involving a misplaced gauntlet we finally set out for Sinewsabres on the 7th at midnight, arriving to invade at dawn on the 8th. After much fighting we have returned and I am thrilled to report
VICTORY BELONGS TO SMALLHANDS!
My intention was to attack with the dawn's rays in our enemies eyes from the East. Unfortunately my opponent on the tactical front was Ushrir the necromancer. One of the foremost tactical minds of our time alongside myself. He's often been stated to be a Grand Master of tactics and it showed. He ended up ambushing us along with some zombies and his servants.
Were it not for my tactical thinking in separating into groups of 4 with 3 melee to a ranged, we would all have been struck down there and then. Tis fortunate I devised this strategy for it allowed my team to clash with the ambushers from multiple angles as soon as the fighting started. Sadly our ghoul squad deviated too much from their assigned position and they ended up having 3 members struck down by a goblin and an elf
The former I could understand at the time, the latter was just an embarassment so good riddance to Amost.
I then thoroughly revised my opinion when I met the same goblin in single combat. Needless to say with my skill at arms, the fight didn't last too long. Neither did the elf when Rakust started swinging. Rakust beat the elf singlehandedly, literally, Rakust only has one functional hand.
Finally our Blacksmith ghoul Vabok got attacked by the necromancer himself and cut him down easily.
We then spent the next day tracking and slaying the last elf, surrounding and executing them mercilessly and had a celebratory drink after searching Sinewsabres. What I found there was grisly, but relieving too. We had ended a great evil in this world by slaying Ushrir. A once proud general that capitulated to goblins and sought to extend his life, delving deep down into hell and consorted with demons. He took on multiple apprentices including Spriggans who is now the final member of this insane group of necromancers. Needless to say he won't be doing much business for his Overlord rank while he's in that tower :)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Alas, we found no trace of our captured citizens. But I did find a note stating that those dwarves were seen fleeing. Sadly that's all it said. If there was anything else we didn't find it. We burned down the tower on the 10th and came home.
We did get some loot though including a theatrical play called "It must have been Tenacity"
The whole thing was more a rant than anything else but it shall serve well as a trophy over the dreaded Ushrir.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777860265206218752/unknown.png)
Nothing too special but some more instrument parts never go amiss.
Smallhands! Free drinks tonight for we vanquished a great evil! Raise your tankards and shout your toast to the heavens for Smallhands is and always will be TRIUMPHANT!
A platinum flask shaped beer stain is on the bottom of the page
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 25th of Sandstone 168
With the raid out of the way I finally got an opportunity to revisit some of the outstanding works being performed in Smallhands. Things seemed to be going as planned
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777868213882847252/unknown.png)
See here my fellow dwarves? This is the work of someone who respects our dead and our heroes. My predecessors did not on the whole. This slab will go to Rigoth, Smallhand's finest hammerer.
I am also pleased to say that our metalsmith did a fantastic job on the statue as well, highlighting how Rigoth made his artifact and reflecting his role as our dispenser of justice. (OOC: I did select the artifact but it just shows up as this. No clue why)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Good thing too since Rigoth was more than a bit angry at his second death and came back as a ghost. Fortunately he was grateful for the statue and departed to Armok's realm in peace. Kib has also come back as a ghost and is um...apparently still reporting for duty as leader of the Swamp hunters. I'm gonna need a strong drink for this. There's no other dwarves in the fortress that know how to shoot a crossbow other than myself and Tun who only immirated earlier this year. I'm certainly too busy being bartender, armourer and Overseer.
So much for repairing the military this late in my reign!
Oh one other thing I noted today. I overheard one of the children tainted by the elf toy, the one who went into a strange mood said she was annoyed with "All these outside creatures and greenery"
There may be hope for her yet. The same cannot be said for Dakost nor Bim, another child that arrived. Those two are going into the zombie crusher. I will designate it as a playroom. The remaining 2 children are playing with a toy hammer and a miniforge respectively. Good little dwarves.
I take no pleasure in this. But we cannot trust the elves haven't done something with you two, and so I have had the remaining "Grown" toys thrown in there too
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777951255951048774/unknown.png)
Its the only way to be sure
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777952329915039754/unknown.png)
---------------------
OOC: short update today
Hard to believe I actually completed several of my objectives for this reign within the span of a month.
Unfortunately, it does appear I will not be able to do the magma works to the top of the tall bar. I had to deconstruct the roof after I learned the material was not magma resistant.
Post by: nogoodnames on November 16, 2020, 02:29:54 pm
Quote
Unfortunately, it does appear I will not be able to do the magma works to the top of the tall bar. I had to deconstruct the roof after I learned the material was not magma resistantConstructions (floors, walls, etc.) are completely immune to heat. It could be made of soap and still wouldn't melt.
Post by: auzewasright on November 16, 2020, 08:13:15 pm
Good thing too since Rigoth was more than a bit angry at his second death and came back as a ghost. Fortunately he was grateful for the statue and departed to Armok's realm in peace. Kib has also come back as a ghost and is um...apparently still reporting for duty as leader of the Swamp hunters.Did we have an undead misplace his body again?
Post by: recon1o6 on November 17, 2020, 05:24:04 am
End of an era. Those necromancers have been the driving force behind almost every terrible and interesting event that has happened to Smallhands. I'm almost sad to see them go. Ah well, glory to this victory and to the future!
Tbf we had captured or killed several of them already. I'm sure the goblins will make up for it
Good thing too since Rigoth was more than a bit angry at his second death and came back as a ghost. Fortunately he was grateful for the statue and departed to Armok's realm in peace. Kib has also come back as a ghost and is um...apparently still reporting for duty as leader of the Swamp hunters.Did we have an undead misplace his body again?
Rigoth I'm certain died on the way home, outbonud rigoth had a body and he didnt get struck down at Sinersabres. There's a short line of blood one dwarf made when they arrived back at smallhands.
No clue on Kib though.
Post by: applet on November 17, 2020, 05:45:11 am
Post by: delphonso on November 17, 2020, 07:02:15 am
Post by: King Zultan on November 17, 2020, 07:19:34 am
Post by: recon1o6 on November 21, 2020, 08:13:18 pm
It is winter now in Smallhands, and with winter comes two things. Chilled booze and angry Overseers who are unable to fulfill their ideas because the fortress population is too busy socialising and drinking! I have three months left in my reign and I don't trust my successor overseers to memorialise our dwarves properly!
At least I can somewhat rely on my successors to want to correct the recently discovered issue in the magma works for the Tall Bar should I be unable to rectify it after yesterday's test. That being the pump stack materials were not magma safe resulting in magma almost flooding the trade stockpile. I thought I was going to need to replace some of walls as well to prevent leakage into the tavern itself but fortunately a miner who assisted Nogood with engineering the temple recalled hearing from the man that magma sealant was a part of all standard dwarf constructions.
A pity I had to knock down the surface tunnel anyway as it was causing issues and confusion for the migrants. I have thus had to begin the magma works almost from scratch with orders for the miners to dig from the same floor the West Access Shutoff Z-1 lever. Honestly, I'm not sure what that lever is supposed to shut off but I'm not pulling it in case it triggers an earthquake that sinks the whole west half of the fort into the caverns.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/777961903695200336/unknown.png)
Only a week since those two elf lovers went missing? I thought it was longer than that.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 4th of Moonstone 168
As the weather chills and the light fades sooner, we work evermore in the darkness. Little has happened these last few weeks beyond continued hauling, smelting and carving of stone.
I have decided to make use of the floorspace I had excavated for materials to build the Tall Bar with by having a masonry and a craftsdwarf workshop installed and a pair of stockpiles put down. Being opposite the Hall of the Hallowed Dead, this shall be thus be named Memorial Manufactory. Or it would be had the Overseer's office not run out of parchment this morning when I was drafting work orders for our ghoulish fevered blacksmiths to kindly refrain from making subpar statues and instead let our living, focused, non fevered metalsmith get to work. Vabok especially shouldn't be smithing as he's supposed to be on military training.
Spoiler: Memorial creation room (click to show/hide)
I am thoroughly pleased with Kosoth, our mason who underwent a fey mood last season. Initially just a mason in training with his dog, he got inspired while hauling a statue of myself and made a Galena armour stand with a drawing a Salmeuk surrounded by snails. I'm not even sure that qualified as an artifact it was so plain and I confess I missed out writing it in the overseer logs.
Since then he has gone on to produce masterwork after masterwork for our fallen. He is going to get a better room and I hope he finds some friends here. The man deserves them. Till then, I will install a statue of his goddess Kovest. While I think little and less of all gods below Armok, I cannot deny that she who oversees Metals, Minerals, Wealth and Jewels is a reasonable deity to worship were Armok not around.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 19th of Moonstone 168
What's that shouting?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/779721622524788736/unknown.png)
Kib...instead of complaining your water source has vanished, how about using the stairs and getting some booze?
Speaking of stairs, I was looking through some old fort documents and I couldn't for the life of me work out what these stairs were for. They are above the asylum which doesn't exactly bode well.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/779728062920917012/unknown.png)
I vaguely remember the asylum. That place must be covered in dust and cobwebs by now since all the dwarves that were going insane are now better, dead, both or currently held by goblins for streaking that I absolutely had absolutely not seen coming just like every other dwarf in the fort.
But those stairs got me thinking, if they link upwards to the aquifer...maybe we can build ourselves a drowning chamber for goblins as a contingency.
After rereading my journal last week and the last words of Nogood, I slammed my flask for quiet in the tavern that night for quiet as usual and ordered every dwarf to declare their religion to me in writing by the end of the month for two purposes. Burial rights, and preparation for a purging of anybody worshipping an elf, beast, monster, goblin, demon or necromantic deity.
My time as Overseer will be at an end soon, and I must set the stage for later.
The results...were unexpected:
Why do we have a 9x7 Urist temple devoted to the God of Murder? Especially when we don't have any followers of him.
There are 3 misguided souls that worship the deity of theft. Whats more they have named their shrine "The ungodly chapel" I'm not even sure what to say to that. The shrine barely qualifies worth an estimated 4 urists. I had to down a flaskfull of foxtail millet to get that idiocy out of my head.
We still have a single foolish dwarf devoted to Weevilmessiah the god of Thralldom. The one whose been behind so much evil in this fortress through giving slabs to the necromancers. This traitor must be slain like his followers in Sinewsabres. An age of dwarves will only come once dwarves and dwarves alone rule the world with someone like myself at the helm of such a golden age.
Moving on, was a pleasant surprise- 21 dwarves, more than half of our population worships The Helpful Saint, deity of forgiveness. Two small temples but apparently 11 worshippers just can't be served in them.
The same cannot be said for the 2 followers of Arkoth, a deity of Fate and Rain. Rain is a blight on dwarvenkind, its an elven influenced belief! Rain is evil, just look at those clouds of goo!
Finally...there's still somebody who worships the goblin god Lidod Dungsspit, god of depravity. A quick atom smashing is what needs to happen there.
Annoyingly, I was unable to list Armok in the deities list. Ran out of room on the parchment. Save the best till last they always say...curses, I need another drink.
Several reminders to deduct different alcohols from the stockpile line the rest of the page
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 11th of Opal 168
The days continue to tick by and the new memorial hall is smoothed into resplendence. Three have already been put to rest here- Bim, Salmeuk's wife and founder of Smallhands. Kib, creator of the glass chain and hero of Sinewsabres and Rigoth, Hammerer of Smallhands.
All three have been given superb statues and slabs. I have also instructed our idle dwarves to stop socialising and start getting shut of the old memorial statues that were wholly inappropriate. While I won't have them melted quite just yet, the smithies having enough work as is, they will be needed next time.
I have had our best engraver Udib work purely on our Hall of Legends engravings beginning with Nogood, then Salmeuk and finally myself.
A note to my successors- if some ungrateful bastard puts a floor engraving that needs to be removed, force them to run some minecart tracks over them and then grind the tracks into dust. Then you will have a nice clean floor to make them do it again until they are respectful enough to get alcohol privelages.
Here's some samples of the work our new living dwarves have been making.
Spoiler: Rigoth's Memorial Slab (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Kib's statue (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Nogood's engraving (click to show/hide)
I have done my best to ensure the glorious deeds and crafts of our dwarves were shown correctly. Nogood's strike with his shield was in honour of a particularly good kill I saw him do once bashing a goblin's head off with the edge of it.
Unfortunately, there were a couple of potential engravings that weren't perfect because one of the engravers started on the wall before I could tell him what to put there. He's only getting one pint if he comes to the tavern tonight!
In other news, our sole Bowyer has become unusually secretive lately. Wonder what he's up to.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/779747346950914079/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 5th of Obsidian 168
As the last few weeks of my term draw to a close, I have to concede thanks to the workforce being chattier than ever, even the ghouls, that I am unable to guarentee the implementation of either the new magma system on the Tall Bar, or the inductions into the new memorial hall of smallhands.
of the 38 work capable dwarves in this fort, today I counted no less than 30 of them socialising, drinking or sleeping. Some were shouting down in the farmer's guild hall even though they weren't farmers. I did see Imic dancing with Vabok though despite poor Vabok being down an arm and undead. Vabok's been coming to the tavern a lot after training. Seems its given him much better peace of mind than before.
I also noted that there have been several library complaints about unreturned books- unheard of in peace time. The curious thing is, one of the most popular books being checked out was Start The Day Cleansing Wounds by, who else, Ushrir the necromancer.
It really has been peaceful here. Both of my reigns have had zero incidents involving goblin and necromancer invasions or echnidas. I suppose that all those statues of myself we exported have lead the goblins to realising that Smallhands is just not worth the effort when I'm in charge. Which it isn't of course. When the best are in charge, we boost up everyone beneath us, and though smallhands has a lot of potential, it loses its way once in a while, but we will always endure.
Just like I hope these memorials will
Spoiler: Memorial halls for legends of the fortress (click to show/hide)
The top left is Nogood's room, complete with a Masterwork Bronze replica of Ravenwind on a golden pedastal. There is supposed to be another on the other side with a replica of Quicknesshawks but its not been made yet. Engraved are various scenes from his life such as capturing Kol Namedpillars. To the top right is Salmeuk's room, the artifact coffin going to him and a Masterwork Diorite coffin on the opposite side for his wife Bim. Bim I should add also has a memorial in the regular citizens area plus a statue, her body is buried here.
The bottom right one in this etching is my tomb. There's not as many engravings here. Why would there be when there are still great deeds I need to accomplish after all? The other reason is because those blasted engravers STILL spend more time socialising than working! Now they are listening to stories and praying!
If only some of our fort members weren't permanently afflicted with fever then they would be able to contribute to the high detail work thats required at the moment.
Much to my frustration though, the same can't be said for the magma works. The tunnel I had ordered dug by Kib ended up flooding during break time. So the next overseer will have that to fix if we're going to bring fire down upon the hordes of goblins.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 28th of Obsidian 168
It was wet and miserable outside, but dry and merry inside for a change this year. I've never served so many drinks on new years eve party. We also had quite a lot of candidates this year for Overseership next year. Stories were swapped, songs were sung...I even saw a poetry performance by a ghoul. It was quite riveting even despite his current physical status making it difficult to discern at times.
Momuz turned up as well which was a surprise. I guess I can let her off slacking so much recently given what she was carrying
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/779811055974350888/unknown.png)
The sound of a crashing platinum flask on a stone mat distracts the crowd
Citizens of Smallhands!
Tonight we celebrate, both the new year and the old. We have come far this way, partly because of me, and with thanks to all of you. 5 years ago we started construction of this tower and today we can look upon spring from up high. 5 years before we even begun this tower Smallhands hit sunlight once more as the fortress recovered from Sinewsabre's slaughter by destroying cactushexes. Yet here we stand, while Sinewsabres does not. On high our enemies build and in numbers they fight, yet Smallhands is here triumphant!
With the sacrifices of our predecessors and hard work in the present, we can look forward to a glorious future. Now raise your mug and toast to ourselves and Smallhands!
Thus I spoke to the crowd. As I walked out on to the balcony to see the dawn's rays, I felt my eyes drawn to the ruins of Sinewsabres in the distance, then down to Smallhands' entrance. Behind it was the perpetual goo cloud that encapsulated Spriggan's tower. After all these years he's still there shouting and screaming till the end of time. Or at least till a drunk dwarf decides his decimation is due.
I'm proud to say I've left Smallhands better than I found it in once more. I did what I set out to do even if I didn't finish my side projects. Those are now in the hands of my successor. No rigging this time. Smallhands deserves a fair election given how much its trying to improve as a whole. They may not be up to my level, but they are certainly on the way. I can be proud of myself, and proud of them.
And they can be proud of themselves too even if I have to shout at them sometimes. But what sort of dwarves would they be if I didn't?
A question for another day.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/779813035694096424/unknown.png)
SAVE https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15312 (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15312)
Post by: auzewasright on November 22, 2020, 12:09:05 am
Anti-abstentions of Auze
So it has been an interesting year... good overall. Kinda amazing to think about how I've been broker for 15-odd years. I've managed to recover from a sever delirium through the power of will... and large quantities of alcohol. Turns out that when you're the best broker, carpenter, and among the top herbalists and engravers, you can get away with being a massive alcoholic by dwarven standards and escape being forced to undergo undeadification. So over the last five years I managed to make a full recovery through copious drinking. The fortress is doing better... though I do wonder, what happened to the Rainbow Raptors? No matter, things are improving and will hopefully continue to improve... who knows, maybe I should leave retirement to rejoin the list to be appointed to overseer...As for this latest year, Recon has been somewhat more... ethereal lately. Wouldn't be the first ghost to be in an officer position, and likely won't be the last. He (or she? One side effect of the delirium and alcohol is that whatever ability that I did have to tell dwarven sexes apart vanished) is alright, though maybe a little obsessed with elves to a distressing degree...
OOC:
Answer to the Rainbow Raptor question: they settled in some hamlet named Jewelsdusks.(https://i.imgur.com/5D7DBvF.png)
Wait... that name sounds familiar...
I also start work on a small project.Huh, was not expecting that place to suddenly become relevant again.
(https://i.imgur.com/RIHq9pC.jpg)
I have no idea how the kobolds took control of a hamlet, but I'm not going to let that continue.
(https://i.imgur.com/pZVQQbp.jpg)
Success
Post by: delphonso on November 22, 2020, 07:24:07 am
Also Recon: shocked that our dwarves worship murder and theft.
Excellent turn, Recon. Smallhands is always in good hands with you behind the wheel. Salmeuk, get in there!
Could we send demands to claim Jeweldusks then get the Raptors back?
Post by: King Zultan on November 23, 2020, 02:37:32 am
Post by: Salmeuk on November 23, 2020, 02:44:56 am
Quote
I am thoroughly pleased with Kosoth, our mason who underwent a fey mood last season. Initially just a mason in training with his dog, he got inspired while hauling a statue of myself and made a Galena armour stand with a drawing a Salmeuk surrounded by snails. I'm not even sure that qualified as an artifact it was so plain and I confess I missed out writing it in the overseer logs.
Obviously the armor stand is some kind of prophecy about the coming year - but what could it mean??
Quote
The top left is Nogood's room, complete with a Masterwork Bronze replica of Ravenwind on a golden pedastal. There is supposed to be another on the other side with a replica of Quicknesshawks but its not been made yet. Engraved are various scenes from his life such as capturing Kol Namedpillars. To the top right is Salmeuk's room, the artifact coffin going to him and a Masterwork Diorite coffin on the opposite side for his wife Bim. Bim I should add also has a memorial in the regular citizens area plus a statue, her body is buried here.
Nicely constructed, I just hope we won't be using it for a while yet.
Your last section detailing the various religions of the fortress has me inspired - a updating of our temples is in order! Though I can't say I share the Tavern Keeper's inclination towards religious purging.
Quote
Could we send demands to claim Jeweldusks then get the Raptors back?
I'll see what I can do. .
Post by: recon1o6 on November 23, 2020, 03:57:10 am
Recon: steals a body and mercy kills two citizens
Also Recon: shocked that our dwarves dont worship murder but do worship theft.
The biggest and most luxurious temple in the fort is devoted to a god nobody worships! How is that strange!
Quote
Your last section detailing the various religions of the fortress has me inspired - a updating of our temples is in order! Though I can't say I share the Tavern Keeper's inclination towards religious purging.
The masses that follow The Helpful saint forgave me for mercy killing two tainted by elves, I see no reason why the same can't be afforded to two more that worship elven concepts and two that worship a goblin concept
Post by: Darkening Kaos on November 25, 2020, 04:36:10 am
Spoiler: State of the Embark - End of Year 169 (click to show/hide)
And it all started from this . . .. .
Spoiler: State of the Embark - End of Year 150 (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on November 25, 2020, 06:05:05 am
and wow, quite a long way
Post by: Salmeuk on November 29, 2020, 02:37:24 pm
==============
Diary of Salmeuk, Year 169, Smallhands
I've been here before, it seems. Previous overseer just gives up, doesn't feel 'attuned' to the work anymore, and passes the buck along. Of course, being old and smart, I saw what was gonna happen, and tried to leave the meeting early, you know, "I need more coffee." Nuh-uh. Not gonna happen. They saw me stand up and assumed I was volunteering. And, well, fuck it? If these younglings want more of me, fine. I'll take up the reigns once more. But don't expect anything jawdropping here - just a bit o' common sense here, a swig of rum there, you know the drill.
It's the 20th anniversary of Smallhand's foundation. I look back on how the years have changed me:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I saw so many dead bodies, I don't really care anymore. In fact, if I go a couple of weeks without seeing death, I get a little worried, as a secret death is much more terrible than one out in the open.
All those years I spent in solitude, with all hope gone, surviving amidst the rotting corpses and empty hallways. No, those years had no impact on my psyche. Instead, five distinct shifts in my personality can be attributed to literally just seeing the sun.
And one of those shifts made me a dirty nature-lover. Or at least, admirer-from-far-away.
Also, I am affected by a crippling shyness because my clothes rotted off one year. Yeah, that's pretty bad. . .
In any case, I am sober and at the helm. What to do?
Things are a little messy around here, we could start there:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Even here I've already started to organize and redistribute. I think for the 20th year, Smallhands deserves a little dusting-up. You know, for longevity's sake, we'll make things right and sensible, so that successors can continue unimpeded by hauling tasks and the headaches that come with.
Let's begin!
==============================
Journal of Salmeuk, Late Spring
Uneventful year so far. The elves came, specifically to talk to me. They had some kind of deal:
(https://i.imgur.com/1BpqP1j.png)
My recent appreciation of nature notwithstanding, I could not accept such a deal without threatening the sanctity of our nationhood. I carefully worded a refusal, pointing out the fact I really had no say in the thing as it was a matter of law that only the Mountainhome could decide.
Meanwhile, in the caverns:
(https://i.imgur.com/1P5somH.gif)
==============================
Journal of Salmeuk, Mid-Summer
The newly organized and walled farms:
(https://i.imgur.com/L84UB8n.png)
I've taken the approach where I won't try to move rooms around, much or at all. Instead, I will just smooth and reconfigure existing walls to better account for dwarf movement and flow. I have also begun to centralize stockpiles to just a few areas, so as overseers we aren't faced with the awful task of finding a single furniture stockpile that's hiding away in some decrepit corner of the fortress and stealing away all your freshly-made cabinetry, or whatever. Shit's tough to manage, I'm making it simpler to face is all.
I have also finished my original plans, for a trapped series of columns surrounding the entrance:
(https://i.imgur.com/dlqxyTV.png)
More construction plans await. We got some migrants (like, quite a few. we're up to 70 pop now and I'm not sure if I was supposed to keep it under a certain number? let me know if I fucked it up) and they have mostly been put to use hauling things around.
Also, our military needs a look. Temples need creation or consolidation. And dear lord, honestly? This fortress is like %40 personally dug overseer bedrooms lol. They all look very nice, I must admit. But you can't go three z-levels without bumping into one. And they are all OVER the place haha.
Oh, and check out this artifact:
(https://i.imgur.com/cKLVYhq.png)
Honestly, after seeing so many cripple dwarves use their crutches in combat, I think it's a splendid addition to our military might.
===========================
Work continues peacefully. Let me know if you have requests for organization that I could fullfill in half-year's time.
Post by: Murr2 on November 30, 2020, 12:31:44 pm
Also our 20th turn started on year 169. Nice.
Post by: recon1o6 on November 30, 2020, 06:24:17 pm
I didn't give up! I just took a break. I got drinking to inebriation to do as well! I can't do that while I'm serving or writing the overseer's log! you damn tree hugger :P
Maybe we could have a small monument to celebrate smallhand's founding?
Post by: delphonso on November 30, 2020, 07:20:39 pm
Also our 20th turn started on year 169. Nice.Nice.
Yeah, Max is 50, but if everyone else keeps their caps on, the number should right itself eventually.
Post by: Laterigrade on December 01, 2020, 07:03:12 pm
Especially with all the deaths, right?Also our 20th turn started on year 169. Nice.Nice.
Yeah, Max is 50, but if everyone else keeps their caps on, the number should right itself eventually.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on December 02, 2020, 02:36:50 pm
[POPULATION_CAP:40]
[STRICT_POPULATION_CAP:45]
[BABY_CHILD_CAP:100:1000]
[VISITOR_CAP:5]
[INVASION_SOLDIER_CAP:60]
[INVASION_MONSTER_CAP:30]
[SPECIFIC_SEED_CAP:40]
[FORTRESS_SEED_CAP:600]
Edit: On one hand, I'm of the strong opinion that 40 dwarves is too little to get anything done, even without the fever cratering all productivity. On the other hand, my work PC is beefy enough to run most forts at near my FPS cap of 50. Only SmithSoldier drops below, and even then it hovers around 35 (except in sieges where it's 25).
Do we have a mayor? Obviously, we have a baron, but what about the other nobility?
Post by: delphonso on December 02, 2020, 05:57:09 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on December 03, 2020, 01:52:53 pm
60 and 30 for the enemies
idk on seeds
Post by: Salmeuk on December 05, 2020, 03:14:03 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on December 06, 2020, 05:12:12 am
Due to a clerical mistake, I have invited far too many dwarves to live here at Smallhands. Our population rests at a solid 70, far above the agreed upon 50. The citizens are restless, so something will have to be done about these extras. For the time being, they are being ordered to clean and organize the hellhole that is the labyrinth stocks.
=====
The massive power generator at work:
(https://i.imgur.com/q2gUanh.gif)
=====
Around mid-autumn, Smallhands was besieged by a flying Pterodactyl who spewed disgusting webs.
(https://i.imgur.com/q0B1D8q.png)
You can see it there, menacingly glowering at the base of Spriggans prison fortress tower thing. With the guy locked in the bathroom upstairs? Look, I don't understand it either. Some kind of kink or something.
Anyways, we're looking at the pterodactyl murder some humans and thinking, "Dang, I really hope that thing doesn't fly over and kill us." As a precaution against that wish remaining unfullfilled, we dove underground and locked the gates.
Still, I remained worried as so much unknown construction had occurred over the last ten years that, well, I don't think anyone could guarantee our walls were free of cracks.
However, after murdering the humans and eating their innards, Fath the Ptero just stood around, contemplating something or other, and failed to attack or move towards the now open-for-business labyrinth entrance. Hmpf. I'm patient, we'll see what this beast is thinking in a week.
=====
about a week later
I was feeling bored and claustrophobic, so I gave the miners new orders to clear the stalagtites from the 3rd cavern. With the chamber turned into a proper void, a tree farm could be created.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Not that we really need one, but again, I was pretty bored. The Ptero-beast cared not for dwarven innards, apparently, and continued to sit underneath the southeastern tower (this Ptero can definitely fly but didn't see to want to . . ) .
=====
Last night I came up with one solution for two problems. First, take the new migrants off hauling duty and assign each a shield and a weapon of their choice. Second, order them aboveground, for uh miscellaneous security purposes. Most hadn't heard actually seen the pterodactyl and didn't really believe it was a threat. Third, wait for the ensuing chaos and bloody fighting to wind down, before cleaning up whatever bits and pieces were left of both sides. If the Ptero wins, great, no more migrants, and we can just keep the gates closed for the time being, or maybe even trap the thing! If the haulers win, great, no more Ptero, no more awful webshooter threatening a fortress wipe.
Well, this plan was successfully enacted, though of course, not all went according to plan. The haulers were assigned a super squad
(https://i.imgur.com/tYLXa3Y.png)
and sent out the labyrinth to the edge of the swamp. It was here that I noted how the gate to the swamp only opens from the inside.. blas tthis confounded design! I order the miner to dig into the earth itself and release the Ptero.
And well, this was when the Ptero decided to literally disappear from view and I was so fucking confused. . where did it go? So I check the unit list and 'z'oomed to it and ...
(https://i.imgur.com/RdQWs2Q.png)
This scene was a few moment later after the main squad, the Siege Breakers, were called in to defend. Somehow, that Pterodactyl shot itself straight into the heart of the fortress, in the blink of an eye. Some flaw or hole must exist to have let this happen!
In any case, our Siege Breakers shot inside the stockpile room and were immediately beset by thick webs, and soon could make no progress. Fath, however, did no attacking and simply continued to shoot webs. And our soliders continued to fight as best they could, in a sort of slow motion dodge-fest that went no where for literally two in-game weeks.
(https://i.imgur.com/fVLHORc.gif)
I was in the middle of walling off the room and entombing all the participants forever, when something miraculous happened. The webs slowly began to fall from Vabok and Rakust, our ghoul warriors, and they managed to push towards the beast and slice into it's thick scales. This took many hours of hacking and slicing, but eventually one of them cut into the Ptero's head and kill it. Oddly enough, the killing blow was never listed in combat reports, and I could never find the kill credit in the dwarfs I searched, so to this day I'm unsure who actually killed Fath the webshooting Pterodactyl.
(https://i.imgur.com/GiMj8YB.png)
Malfoy, a named dwarf, took some heavy wounds during the fight, after apparently diving headfirst into the web filled room in a fit of vengeful rage.
(https://i.imgur.com/H8eZo4I.png)
In any case, it was a miracle for sure. The room was unwalled and the bodies were picked up. No one significant died, and to my sadistic pleasure, our population had dropped to 61 dwarves.
=====
Dodok was hunted down a killed by a grimeling.
(https://i.imgur.com/G6z7Jjh.png)
Yeah, I had never heard of the thing either. But it was a ruthless killer and tore at Dodok's ankles as he tried to run. Vabok ran after hearing the screams, and managed to slice the murderfoilage in two. In a heartbreaking turn of events, it was only then that Dodok bled out from his wounds.
(https://i.imgur.com/sCYvNjL.gif)
The final moments of Dodok, the Mason
This event forced me to re-wall the swamp. No one likes that place, and only bad things will come if we leave that gate open.
=====
An artifact golden earring was created during all this chaos, and apparently, or so I heard down at the tavern, I appear in the thing's decorations in a sort of cameo. Featuring cows. I'm still not sure I believe the whole thing, I'll have to track this artifact down and take a look myself.
(https://i.imgur.com/CKpofHv.png)
=====
The year has come to a close. I submit as a gesture of recognition towards the 20 previous years of ridiculous and entertaining carnage that has been Smallhands, a sort of memorial shrine, constructed throughout the year. It's %99 complete, and I suppose as complete as it will ever be.
(https://i.imgur.com/cJsuQL4.gif)
Multiple white columns extend from the earth surrounding our surface entrace. At the top of the columns, a circular platform was constructed, and here were placed 20 statues, one for each year of overseer-ship, and each statue representing that overseer. For those overseers who chose no mortal avatar, MKO was honored with a statue of an echidna as a nod to their part in the Great Echidna Battles, and Applet the Overpaca was honored by statues of, you guessed it, alpacas. Proud alpacas.
They are not placed in any particular order, and they are (mostly) made of steel, as a nod to the gods of warfare and metallurgy, who had most certainly profited from Smallhands existence. There is room for another 7 years of overseer statues so the monument can continue to grow.
Also, I created a strange sort of woodworking room with an abstract sunset piece, for no particular reason other than I enjoyed the thought of it.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
And with that, year 170 has arrived. Save is linked here. (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15332) Not much to report OOC, I believe the fortress to have a majority of the hauling backlog taken care of, so the next overseer can dedicate the majority of the workforce to whatever strange projects they feel are necessary.
Thanks for reading!
Post by: recon1o6 on December 06, 2020, 05:46:49 am
looking forward to Delphonso's reign!
Post by: Salmeuk on December 06, 2020, 01:02:15 pm
I dunno, maybe I shouldn't have provoked it, but honestly I wanted revenge against webshooters in general. Almost every time I see one appear it wipes my fortress. Perma-stun that is getting trapped in webs is pretty much death for any dwarf, no matter how legendary, and even if they dodge the web attack they will just step into the previously-deployed webs. ahhhh
Post by: delphonso on December 10, 2020, 11:16:35 pm
Webs are the worst. I don't think I've ever killed a web-slinging proc gen beast. Instead, I tend to capture them and use them for production. Or lose the entire fort in that effort.
Great job, Sal, glad to have you in the fort 20 years on. Can't wait to scope out the monument.
I'll be away from my computer for a couple days, but expect a new update and overseer soon. I've got a few...plans.
Post by: Darkening Kaos on December 11, 2020, 02:42:17 am
Spoiler: State of the Embark - End of Year 170 (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on December 11, 2020, 06:47:23 am
Post by: recon1o6 on December 11, 2020, 07:09:43 am
Have we ever considered trying to cover the entire surface with vomit on purpose?
bad idea, it gets laggy
Post by: delphonso on December 11, 2020, 07:27:16 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 11, 2020, 09:23:01 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on December 15, 2020, 01:09:35 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on December 16, 2020, 07:21:26 am
written in 198, Spring
A pleasure, dear reader, to meet you, though we must meet through the written word and not in person. You see, this is a story about Smallhands, the great tiny citadel on the sun-bleached sands in the south. There is - in all such places which skirt the frontier - a deep catacomb of stories, tales, legends, and lore. I, one Kikrost "Elpho" Ustuthdeleth - your narrator and guide - named after the first letter in the dwarven elphobëmbul, that which is often written as "ë", connoisseur of the arts, written works, and tales most tall, shall recount for you the many adventures which occurred on that auspicious year after my arrival in Smallhands, that year being 169, and these stories being in 170.
Where to begin, dear reader? Well, certainly in the mysterious machinations that were the Smallhands politic. You see, one never truly ran for office in Smallhands, as it was not so much a race as it was an out-rushing of the door. The last soul through the vomitorium would get the job of overseer stuck to them, like a purring maggot sticks to the cavern walls. Now, the rare soul volunteered for the position - one recon - well, two, technically - often enjoyed the job, but the sane dwarf knew to avoid it.
[Footnote: For more information on how "last past the post" governance better supports the lower class, read Kűbuk Mengzasit's "The Many Varieties of the Fortress", 188. For more information on Recon, I suggest the accounts of Ňnul Ubbulfath in her 124 work "Body Swapping and the Morality Therein".]
As it was, dear reader, that I became the overseer of Smallhands in just my first year there. I had proven myself most disastrously useless in fighting that titan I'm sure you're all aware of by now. Ninur Brainbastion gifted me not with strength, but rather a penchant for the written word, the gift of gab in social situations, and the unbelievable luck of the dwarves. We all know that a dwarf's life is but a series of close calls lead merely by the hands of our gods.
Before I begin recounting the greater and lesser events of Smallhands in 170, I suppose it is the author and narrator's duty, dear reader, to introduce oneself most thoroughly. You already know me as the overseer, but now I shall explain the name "elpho" in the style of The Mirth of Hardness.
[Footnote: The Mirth of Hardness was originally an elven style of poetry, but was adopted by goblins, the abductees of which introduced it into dwarven society after the Gobbo-Dwarven skirmishes over Cactushexes. Its popularity has been meteoric.]
Artificially attributed to arborial aggression, elves are attacked and antagonized ambitiously. Brainbastion besets broad-minded believers to benefit those belittled brownies. Cautiously categorizing my character as creative, comrades commenced calling me a certain catchphrase. Dutifully determined to deny any derogatory descriptor, the dramatist decided to declare the designation de jure. Elpho, an epithet excellently enjoyed, encapsulates the energy and enticements of the essayist. Familiarity formed fastening from fellow to fame.
And thus, Elpho became my name, quite proudly. In the following chapters, I shall lead you, dear reader, through those dwarvenly endeavors which can only happen in a true dwarven fortress, so you may better understand those stout laborers with which whom you may rarely exchange knowledge.
-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
Things have been slow going - lots to do with the baby and work has been swamping me. Rest assured the game has been picked at a bit, but not enough for a full update. Here's a little introduction to hold you over.
fatcat, I quite like that description.
Post by: delphonso on December 23, 2020, 06:31:25 am
A bout of seasonal depression, exhaustion from a cold, a restless newborn, and now a round of year-end "surprise" events I have to host at my school have made it clear I won't be able to put in the time I want to on this turn. I just don't have any free-time and probably won't until January. Rather than keep the thread dead for that long, I'd prefer if someone else picked it up and I took a turn later.
Sorry again guys, but you know - 'tis the season and all that.
Thanks for reaching out, recon - that was kind of you to see if I was alright. I'm good - just exhausted.
Post by: StrikaAmaru on December 23, 2020, 07:08:56 am
So, um, Merry Christmas, and SmallHands will update when it updates?
Edit, 2 days later: My hurdle with playing SmallHands is that I don’t have a project to start or complete; there’s always the option of having a kind of maintenance year, but those aren’t fun to read, even if they can be challenging and interesting to play. In the absence of fancy builds, I’ll try to lean on roleplaying - I’ll resume the identity of mamzel Malfoy, and play it off as if she’s currying favor with the dwarves after she got like a dozen of them killed. On purpose.
Post by: Castimier on December 26, 2020, 12:46:44 pm
please reply if i am the heir of the fortress
Post by: recon1o6 on December 27, 2020, 07:13:19 am
Crikey. I didn't expect to pick up the save, and with Christmas being just around the corner, I probably won't be doing anything with it for the next week.
So, um, Merry Christmas, and SmallHands will update when it updates?
Edit, 2 days later: My hurdle with playing SmallHands is that I don’t have a project to start or complete; there’s always the option of having a kind of maintenance year, but those aren’t fun to read, even if they can be challenging and interesting to play. In the absence of fancy builds, I’ll try to lean on roleplaying - I’ll resume the identity of mamzel Malfoy, and play it off as if she’s currying favor with the dwarves after she got like a dozen of them killed. On purpose.
This should be !!FUN!!
The tankard still requires magma. I didn't quite manage to make it work...
If you want projects I can suggest a few
Post by: StrikaAmaru on December 28, 2020, 01:00:47 pm
SmallHands, Year 170
From the diary of Malfoy, dwarven miner, doctor, and wannabe Hard Woman Making Hard Decisions.
… and was successfully elected as overseer, once again. I am sincerely astonished by how easy people are to manipulate; one act of public bravery, and they suddenly forget all other harm you’ve done to them. I could write a book about that, as well; perhaps I will, in due time.
But I digress. My goals for this year have to be focused on the benefit of the fort, and perhaps even more importantly, the fools that live in it. No grand designs, no laying the groundwork for glory. I have to look only after the small fort of SmallHands.
The biggest problem I can see right now is that the fortress is no longer fully cut off from the surface. Salmeuk was right in sealing off the cursed fevering biome, but then for some reason he built a staircase opening into the tree farm that I ordered during my previous mandate. This endangers the fort because the tree farm itself was considered part of the fort and connected directly - why would it not be, it was supposed to be a safe sealed area.
As matters stand now, normal attackers can just climb down on the dirt wall to the floor, and any building destroyers also have the option of punching through the gem windows that overlook the pit.
(https://i.imgur.com/lwZ1GEU.png) (https://i.imgur.com/zivqSr9.png)
The simplest fix is to rebuild the bridge the other way around, and also build a bit of wall to ensure that when that bridge raises, the outside is closed.
(https://i.imgur.com/qtbtHDl.png)
(ooc: the floor isn’t strictly needed, but in older forts I had issues with trees growing through bridges and breaking them; it may be fixed, but I’m not going to risk it)
Also on the subject of bridges, the outer bridge to the ‘arena’, the one which deconstructed due to magma, is being rebuilt out of magma-safe quartzite, and will be connected with magma-safe mechanisms too. Its new lever is moved indoors, in the main living area. The lever above has been controlling the inner gate since time immemorial, now the outer one can be near it too.
(https://i.imgur.com/G3ddPCr.png)
Lastly, there is still a way from the surface into the fort: the Tall Bar. It’s only available to fliers, and has been used by a bunch of buzzards to steal prepared meals. It can probably be handled with some minimal flooring, but the Tall Bar can also be isolated at the bottom, so it’s not as critical as the entry in the tree farm.
(https://i.imgur.com/HZvcd9d.png)
Another issue is the state of the graves; or, rather, their recent deconstruction. I didn’t see fit to cover it at the time, but a persistent anti-elven feeling has been pushed to the forefront by Recon. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem; the knife-ears are at best tolerated, but this particular iteration of anti-elven propaganda has burnt too brightly. For what may be the first time in history, actual dwarves were caught in its flames. All those deemed ‘infected’ by elven mores have been at best ostracized, and at worst purged; not only the living, but the dead as well. Recon had built a new and spacious catacomb, to which she will only allow those who were deemed pure:
(https://i.imgur.com/OGCFjWv.png) (https://i.imgur.com/SPHGW6L.png)
Meanwhile, the old catacombs have been excavated; I suspect a full deconstruction was planned, but so far, most of the old graves were left where they were:
(https://i.imgur.com/bwYPajm.png)
I quietly disagreed with this course of events; I didn’t say anything, though, as that time I was nearly an outcast, and expressing an opinion on one point of view may well have counted as an argument for the opposite viewpoint. But I did think it hypocritical, in light of how much importance we place on “the honored dead”. And not lastly, it was unnecessary; I pride myself in doing what is needed; but this, in particular, is not needed. There is no gain in interfering with the departed.
As if to prove the last point, some of the honored dead have proceeded to peek right back from the afterlife; one child, previously listed as missing, has returned and is now loitering around the under-surface. More will certainly follow, and normally I wouldn’t care, but as overseer this is now my problem. They’ll be memorialized or buried, and I hope that will be the end of it.
My policy of appeasing the dead has been rewarded beyond initial expectations: two more ghosts have risen and been memorialized before summer even started. A few coffins were carved from granite, built, and immediately occupied.
Spring brings with it the elven caravan, and the stuck-up, snotty, infuriating blowhard that elves call a diplomat. He demands we cease logging operations; with some back-and-forth, we come to a compromise number of 148. Salmeuk and I successfully conceal that there aren’t 148 mature trees in the entirety of SmallHands, and allow the tree-dwellers to think they have won a diplomatic victory.
(https://i.imgur.com/ByS4HPG.png)
About the caravan itself, there is nothing to say: a few trinkets were hauled to the depot, but there genuinely wasn’t anything to buy in return. The only real benefit of their passing was that the few worn clothes around the fort were all moved to the depot.
While the elves were milling about being annoying, it has come to my attention that two citizens of SmallHands are locked in cages; not as prisoners, but simply by misfortune.
(https://i.imgur.com/EJUl3LR.png)
They will be released immediately, and I’ll make sure they both know it was I who is responsible for it; having two people indebted to me can only serve me in the long run.
Next on the priorities, the smithy was thoroughly neglected. Steel making operations were never restarted, despite that the third cavern was sealed exactly so we can safely exploit wood. I order two wood furnaces built by the existing stockpile, and will have them turn all our available wood into charcoal. While I’m at it, I also put in an order for more bins.
There isn’t a decent weaponsmith in the entirety of our fort (not that there’s much of it). I choose someone who isn’t in line for any other strange mood, and get him crafting some silver bolts; it’s not the best material, but we have loads of it. His name is Edzul, and by sheer coincidence he actually likes bolts. Sometimes the stars align. He’ll join our existing furnace operators and the master armorsmith, named Solon (he’ll get to work too, after we stockpile some steel).
(ooc: there used to be some steel available, until somebody used it for statues, of all things. Honestly, why not make them out of silver, they’d have been much more blinged out)
SmallHands has an industry that we dwarves usually ignore: bee keeping. From what I have been able to find out, a long-dead citizen was responsible for pushing this through; a complete lunatic who thought he was a colony of bees in dwarven shape. I would scoff, but I’ve seen dumber. Since his (their?) passing, not much has been done in the domain; honeycombs are harvested, but not processed, and royal jelly isn’t collected anymore; all available jugs are full, and stay unprocessed in an extract stockpile. We have some jet stone that can be carved into more jugs; this will allow the existing honeycombs to be pressed into wax and honey. I’ve never had mead before, I’m looking forward to it.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z2ge58g.png) (https://i.imgur.com/8S8CoKc.png)
Another project to begin this spring: finally dealing with all the corpses from the third cavern. My fellow dwarves often complain about seeing corpses, but never bother to handle the situation. So, since my tolerance for whiners is minimal, I ensure everybody receives permissions for butchery and tanning. There are five butcheries in the cavern, and two more closer to the surface. I expect that by the end of my turn there won’t be any more ignored corpses laying about.
Food receives not an overhaul as much as a minor tweaking. Before, all food in the fortress was stashed in a series of 5x5 rooms, each holding a separate stockpile. It was annoying to designate each stockpile for the kitchen, so I decided to knock down a few internal walls and just have one ‘pile for each main type. In related news, all that royal jelly is getting cooked.
(https://i.imgur.com/5cXIfyz.png)
The new arrangement has three stockpiles, for extracts, eggs, and meat + fish + cheese. All plants were moved two levels lower, where they have clearly been before, judging by the container stockpile and workshops. The old cook, Aban, was fevered; he was removed from all crafting duties, like all fevered dwarves have been. Two others have been appointed fortress cooks, and left to prepare lavish meals until either the input stockpiles run out, or the target stockpiles are filled. By the end of the year, one has been recognized as legendary and the other is not far behind.
The military has begun the year as small, but skilled; seven dwarves are in the Siege Breakers, and all are legendary. The Siege Breakers squad is completed with three useless morons, and the marksdwarf squad, The Swamp Hunters, is recreated from the ground up. New barracks and archery rooms were made in two unused rooms; the archery targets are facing the tree farm.
(https://i.imgur.com/hGH4jyu.png)
All military members are un-fevered. (ooc: I advise you leave them to train; on the other hand, that’s one third of the fort right there. So really, do as you will)
For the fevered legendaries, I devised a different path. No, not involving the necromancer; the only place they got ‘enlisted’ is in the library.
(https://i.imgur.com/tuzrYdU.png)
It’s entirely possible the fever will also impact their writing abilities; nobody knows at this point. So I can only let them be, and watch the results.
Another thing I asked done: building display furniture wherever possible, and showing all manner of artifacts. With this occasion, nearly a dozen artifacts were dug out from bins or workshops, and I discovered we have both an artifact bucket, and an artifact chain. This sounds like a great opportunity to rebuild the well:
(https://i.imgur.com/HcUqlKF.png) (https://i.imgur.com/QvbPHRK.png)
Summer has passed without the human caravan; autumn did have the dwarven caravan, with whom we made some modest trade; they had no wood, stones, metals, or silk. I ordered some for next year, but I can only hope they treat our requests with more seriousness than we treat theirs.
At the end of the year, I can at least say we have finished processing the corpses in the third cavern. There are still loads of corpses in the other two caverns, but dwarves don’t see those, and what they don’t see they don’t get angry about. They can rot where they are, I’m not keen on punching it out with forgotten beasts.
----
On the list of things that didn’t fit in the narrative: during winter, I emptied a bunch of bins by way of dumping, and will be sorting the metal items for melting. There was a lot of crap in them, ranging from worn clothing to masterworks and artifacts. Despite my repeated
There is a quantum stockpile in the melting area; so far, it doesn’t include the metal cages. It has six pages (on my laptop screen) with various items; most of them are iron, and most of them are from outside the fort.
The third cave is indeed a poor tree farm; it could likely benefit from an extended flooding, and an even more extended session of channeling and expansion. At level 34, we have the lake from cave 2. Cave 3 begins at 26 and ends at 22 (technically 21, but that’s a bit too close to magma). At its most ambitious, this could be a multi-layered excavation, with three channeled out levels and one ‘floor’, descending from level 34 to 22. It’s probably never going to be made, but I can still dream.
Save: smallhands (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15364) at the start of year 171.
Post by: King Zultan on December 29, 2020, 05:32:50 am
Post by: Murr2 on December 31, 2020, 12:56:19 am
:D
might be a while though with school and such.
Post by: auzewasright on January 05, 2021, 06:36:11 pm
Can't wait to pick up the save! I have a couple of ideas for story, but I think the general happenings are going to be d o w n t i m e .Meh, I'm patient. Take your time, just want to make sure this stays alive :)
:D
might be a while though with school and such.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 06, 2021, 06:47:38 am
I'm hoping it goes till at least my birthday in late march
Post by: Spriggans on January 06, 2021, 08:35:30 am
22 turns in 11 months is a good rythm actually.
Post by: Murr2 on January 07, 2021, 10:28:40 pm
Thanks for the support!
Post by: delphonso on January 07, 2021, 11:18:06 pm
Castimier, I'll add you to the list.
Gonna try to spruce up the OP now.
Post by: auzewasright on January 08, 2021, 12:07:53 am
Looking forward to it! Luckily as baby sleeps a bit better and work is slowing down, I should be good for a turn after Murr. Anyone else want to sign up?I have the sudden urge to sign back up. Once again, no idea if school will provide by then, but we'll see.
Castimier, I'll add you to the list.
Gonna try to spruce up the OP now.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 08, 2021, 07:25:10 am
Looking forward to it! Luckily as baby sleeps a bit better and work is slowing down, I should be good for a turn after Murr. Anyone else want to sign up?I have the sudden urge to sign back up. Once again, no idea if school will provide by then, but we'll see.
Castimier, I'll add you to the list.
Gonna try to spruce up the OP now.
you can always be put down and then if needs be take you off again
Post by: Murr2 on January 09, 2021, 04:04:35 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Journal of Murr Four (page 1)
YES YES YES YES! The queen jus' told me I'm the overseer for the smallest fortress in all the land! Which is quite good (smallness).
Because the most work I've done in my life is giving me Pa a plump helmet to brew!
I'll get to tell everyone what to make an' things! Can't wait for 'at.
(page 2)
I'm finally 'ere! Exciting place, but all those ghouls creep me out
(https://i.imgur.com/WBSh17k.png)
I've even got me own bed an' everything!
(https://i.imgur.com/teLiMtY.png)
On the other hand, I got no idea'r wha's goin' on around here. I mean, after all
(https://i.imgur.com/7S00uoF.png)...
(OTC but I think I will leave off here and post another update when something of note happens. A hauler was fighting a necromancer, and got put in jail for some reason, but that's the only thing I've had so far. Also for anyone wondering (aka nobody, probably) Murr1 is my Unity account. Haven't used it so far ._.)
Post by: Spriggans on January 10, 2021, 02:23:31 pm
Post by: King Zultan on January 11, 2021, 03:11:30 am
Post by: Murr2 on January 14, 2021, 10:58:06 am
very fun :D
I will try to finish up my turn today.
Post by: auzewasright on January 14, 2021, 11:10:09 am
I enjoy that nobody questions my choice to use a literal child as the overseer.We had an alpaca run the fort. Twice. One of the times, it wasn’t even alive.
very fun :D
I will try to finish up my turn today.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 14, 2021, 02:51:44 pm
I enjoy that nobody questions my choice to use a literal child as the overseer.
very fun :D
I will try to finish up my turn today.
Well this fort's overseers haven't exactly been the most...normal
We've had:
- The smallest dwarf in existence
- A religious architect
- A forgotten beast observer
- A dwarf so traumatised by zombies they had a name change
- Emotionless ghoul
- Reclaimation agent on behalf of HM the insane queen
- The keeper of bees and graves
- The sole survivor and echnida hater
- A dwarven major general
- Paranoid haulier
- An alpaca engineer
- A captured necromancer
- No longer emotionless ghoul
- Pressganged ghoul
- Dictator bartender
- Disguised group of bees
- A murderous scientist
- Undead alpaca engineer
- An eternal ghoul
- Body swapping Bartender turned Dictator
- The sanest noble: the sole survivor
- Mad scientist on thin ice
So a child wouldn't exactly be out of the realm of possibility. Aside from the fact smallhands tended to uh...lose its children
Post by: King Zultan on January 15, 2021, 04:51:12 am
Post by: Spriggans on January 15, 2021, 05:03:40 am
We must care for him, protect him. His sanity must endure
Keep him away from the booze stockpile !
EDIT : If we really cared for him, he should be tossed in a dirt hole and sealed from everything else. Throw him some drinks/food, and it should be fine. Add dogs and echidnaes if you want.
Post by: Secretdorf on January 16, 2021, 01:41:57 am
Post by: Murr2 on January 17, 2021, 12:48:07 am
I somehow lost my mouse so I can't actually get into the game :-\
Post by: recon1o6 on January 17, 2021, 06:58:15 am
Post by: delphonso on January 17, 2021, 07:15:47 am
Let me know how it's going. I can squeak in play in the mornings while baby and wife are still snoozing, so should get through my turn quick
Post by: recon1o6 on January 18, 2021, 03:35:16 pm
Shoot, I sadly might have to quit because of the stupidest reason I could probably have imagined:
I somehow lost my mouse so I can't actually get into the game :-\
oh btw, you can get a usb mouse very cheap, just order off your phone or something
Post by: King Zultan on January 19, 2021, 02:14:07 am
Post by: Murr2 on January 20, 2021, 05:07:21 pm
Sorry about that :(
Post by: delphonso on January 20, 2021, 07:19:44 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on January 21, 2021, 04:40:38 am
Post by: King Zultan on January 21, 2021, 05:58:53 am
Post by: delphonso on January 22, 2021, 07:50:14 am
Got all my preferences reset (custom keybinds and whatnot) - and spent a while taking stock of the fort once more. Should update within a couple days. The baby has decided that mornings are no longer for me - but instead, for her.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 22, 2021, 11:40:58 am
Post by: Salmeuk on January 22, 2021, 03:46:56 pm
Post by: King Zultan on January 23, 2021, 02:46:32 am
Post by: delphonso on January 23, 2021, 03:53:27 am
Post by: Laterigrade on January 23, 2021, 06:02:56 am
61 citizens? Looks like someone will have to put the small back into smallhands...Mornings for the morning god!
Got all my preferences reset (custom keybinds and whatnot) - and spent a while taking stock of the fort once more. Should update within a couple days. The baby has decided that mornings are no longer for me - but instead, for her.
Post by: delphonso on January 25, 2021, 04:52:22 am
Post by: delphonso on January 26, 2021, 09:50:09 am
This is a amethyst-bound codex.
The written portion consists of an essay entitled Tell Me Of The Elpho authored by Deler Cogthikut. It concerns the Journal of Kikrost “Elpho” Usthuthdeleth. The writing is scathing and cruel. Overall, the prose is amateurish at best.
-=-=-=-=-
[Excerpt]
As such, I believe it is complete folly to take Kikrost's words at face value, as many in academia have done already. The journals cannot be used for historical reference, if not for the unbearable writing of Elpho, at least for the conflict of interest. Letters between Kikrost and her close friend and fellow poet Mistem Mouthgrooved show that she had the intention of publishing this journal from the start. This casts every word from the category of “recollection” to “motivated”.
Further, as this essay will entail, the dwarves or ghouls of Smallhands do not speak the praises which Kikrost would have us believe of him. Instead, as Rakust Drummedtongs put it, “[Elpho] was an overseer, correct. She served for the year 171. That is about all I recall.” In this, the ghoul Rakust gives us two key details. First, that Elpho did not make a huge impression on Rakust, but more importantly, that Elpho's own statement is not corroborated by those who were present at the time. See, “...which occurred on that auspicious year after my arrival in Smallhands, that year being 169, and these stories being in 170”.
Although the time of arrival matches, the time of overseership does not. Why be so blatant, and what events of 171 does Elpho not want to be associated with? Who is the Elpho, at the end of the day? That is what I set out to find out.
[Excerpt]
171 started off as any normal year would. KingZultan, renowned Necromancer hunter, arrested someone on the 1st of Granite, according to the logs. A frustrated Malfoy recounted in their journal how hard it was to treat the prisoners while they were in their cells. This seems to line up with Elpho's recountings in these lines where she breaks into poetic verse, “Oh Justice, and Strength, are ye the same/Does the scale give the muscle/or the muscle, the scale?/Take heed enemies of Life/Justice and Strength are the same.”
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/qeUOHhboWfDrsqxZSQkCpRnM?width=800&height=600)
On the topic of justice, auze's journal recalls demanding the elven caravan give up their supplies, supposedly ordered directly from Elpho. The elves corroborate this action, however their records are even less reliable than Elpho's. However, I would posit that it was the lust of all things elven which drove Elpho to claim the caravan – short-sighted as it may have been.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/TStLmgChByviXNGzRfVIMmYe?width=800&height=600)
[Excerpt]
Military and Elpho do not get along. One of the first actions as Commander in Chief which Elpho performed was to create a squad of haulers and other manual laborers. She sent them to attack a goblin-occupied elven territory, but sent them effectively unequiped. Among the oddest of choices here was to include everyone named Zutthan to the squad.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/jsLXFZHtuMoCJCBHNCJtDrRw?width=800&height=600)
Captain Flamegalleys recounts, “It was strange, indeed. We were told that it was an effort to free the retreat so we could hand it over to the elves – some part of the age-long alliance. But I was the one who gave the orders and they were sent out to raid, not to conquer. I never did get that Elpho or how she was thinking.” Even the captain of the military wasn't informed of the motivations. Perhaps Elpho even had greater, more malicious intentions than we know. The extreme oddity being that Zutthan Cultgloves was the arrest which we know KingZultan made earlier that month. Being a prisoner, it remains unclear if they joined the raid or not.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/FbvBmfQzciurISSilsOLxwJP?width=800&height=600)
[Excerpt]
Another strange report from the early days of Elpho's was the quest for Shiginbistsest, the famed bauxite hatch cover. Elpho seemingly asked every dwarf in fort for its whereabouts in person. This story was told by many from Smallhands. Seemingly, they took the impression that Elpho might have been working to steal such an artifact, so they all took note of the exceptional interest Elpho had.
[Excerpt]
And then, Elpho encountered her first real challenge as an overseer.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/IROgkQiCzcEGMHTNbSDAkIgo?width=800&height=600)
-=-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
Seriously, anybody know where that hatch cover went?
Post by: recon1o6 on January 27, 2021, 05:34:54 am
"Was it one we installed? It could have got caught in a pile that was atom smashed. Artifacts just get shunted into a demiplane if that happens" To this, Elpho was reported as sighing
"My official tavern keeper advice: Check the artifacts tab on the world display scrolls." Recon*1 continued.
She then handed over a tankard of Overseer's Motivator*2 to Elpho.
"But as a fellow dwarf: I could also see one of those idiot hauliers accidentally selling or stealing it. Best to find out where it was last first then send Zully*3 after them"
*Footnote 1 Recon was a particularly infamous Overseer of Smallhands who also worked as the Tavern Keeper and Election official. She was known for her egotistical ambitions, but was perceptive and worse: skilled at paperwork- a frightening combination
*Footnote 2 Overseer's Motivator is an potent booze specifically designed to get the recipient drunk and mentally focused. Naturally exclusive to Overseers and royalty within the dwarven kingdom, though it is known that Tavern Keepers occasionally partook of their own stock to ensure quality resulting in many famous Keepers of the Taps
Footnote 3 Zully was KingZultan
>From the excerpts of Tell me of the Elpho
Post by: King Zultan on January 27, 2021, 06:34:15 am
Post by: delphonso on January 28, 2021, 07:00:05 pm
Also unless anyone objects, I'm going to update to the new version of DF. Just some bug fixes that should make our fort dwellers even happier.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 29, 2021, 05:55:51 am
"Makes dwarves cave adaptation effects less frequent" - excellent! When I get time for another turn, I can continue the magma pipe up the outside of the Tall Bar without flooding the surface with vomit (granted that was atypical of a dwarf fort)
"Make people get used to seeing dead bodies" - I should think so given small hands at a few points in time had more undead than alive
"Make valuable meal satisfy in addition to preferences" - Return of the dwarven special: the *3 rum roast* (made up of 3 bottles of dwarven rum, one is frozen and put in the second and heated, with the third being the drink)
Post by: delphonso on January 29, 2021, 09:54:36 am
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/aIXJGXGXiuloZfdBXSFTzmDk?width=800&height=600)
-=-=-=-=-=-
Tell Me Of The Elpho
This is a amethyst-bound codex.
The written portion consists of an essay entitled Tell Me Of The Elpho authored by Deler Cogthikut. It concerns the Journal of Kikrost “Elpho” Usthuthdeleth. The writing is scathing and cruel. Overall, the prose is amateurish at best.
[Excerpt]
Quote
I will have you know, dear reader, that it was just the very end of Spring when the foul beast arrived, menacing in the night and lusting for blood. The swine-man, the werepig, the hog of the night it rushed poor Vucar without warning or any sign of decency in its core. But no, the stout and stable stock of Smallhands are not so simply squashed! Vucar was aided immediately by the Swamp Hunters, who slew the beast without giving it a chance to place its venomous tusks where it so lusted; the flesh of the finest dwarves the realm has ever seen! Let me elucidate the tale for you, dear reader...
The scene which Elpho paints is one of simple victory. However, the words, “the very end of Spring” struck me as odd, as we all know that the full moon falls on the 21st of Felsite, hardly “the very end”. This could be (and often has been) chalked up to Elpho's grandiose style of writing, and merely fantasy. Still, I believed it deserved closer examination, so in a few interviews I asked the residents of Smallhands from the time what they recalled.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/tNiRucPfbGtYrTVQhfeRRxJv?width=800&height=600)
Reg, a being consisting purely of bees and who at one point was the overseer of the fortress, had this to say, “The hive [Smallhands] has two invaders in Spring. As is your dwarven tradition, both were killed.” It seems that our friend Elpho left out quite a bit to his story. Journals from the days note what happened in greater detail. A member of the military, Domas Subilast recounts the details of the first “invader”.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/WYEuVxdpoHFRFzFUsqwPIGVb?width=800&height=600)
Domas's account suggests that Vucar was taken unawares “right at the front gates.” Orders went out to put everyone in a burrow – an outdated form of safe-room that many fortresses of the age still held on to. The Siegebreakers were sent to deal with the Werebeast. Her journal reads, “the Ghouls were all training right near the gates, so I knew they'd be there soon to support. I just happened to be hauling some cloth nearby when I heard Vucar shouting. It was a thrill, though I'm sorry to see Captain go.” The plot thickens as we see the first mention of a death which Elpho failed to inform us of. Captain Keshandegel was the head of the Siegebreakers, a Smallhandsian militia. According to Imic's report, he didn't stand a chance of survival.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/NmzLaapuoCcbKiupxrXwuqFX?width=800&height=600)
Domas's military report explains what happened in detail. It seems that the werepig ripped into Vucar immediately, then was distracted by Domas's brave actions. Captain Keshandegel came to support, but was immediately struck with a fatal blow. Both dwarves were brave until the very end.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/vGlGKRyzGbHrrRfdyshLWiDB?width=800&height=600)
Domas struck a killing blow to the werepig, but Vucar's lifeblood was pouring out on the black sand. Domas's journal continues, “I saw Imic and Reg rush up and grab Vucar. I didn't know if he'd make it or not, but there was work to be done and I couldn't keep focusing on that.” Here, the plot gets difficult to follow. Vucar, I would suggest, almost certainly was infected by the werepig curse, though why wasn't his death reported? Why are there no records of him?
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ignlAOoFnoVHvNLaJmiJneOY?width=800&height=600)
Many in the Smallhands military have no notes in their journals or anything in the official reports which would illuminate this event for us further. Though, as many of the military were ghouls, several unable to speak, this was not an infrequent error in the recordkeeping of the fortress. Was there some greater purpose to keeping this a secret?
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ypimSTaQnNUUEdSrSCSSzzTp?width=800&height=600)
Perhaps we can be illuminated by what Elpho does focus on. Seemingly as a distraction, he goes into a 17 page description of a golden barrel, made by the same Domas not a day later. As unbelievable as this is, all signs suggest it is correct.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/bJmMsfMUsRSujFzkFhLKbzHM?width=800&height=600)
Elpho finishes the Spring section with a short explanation of the conquering of Stonesnarls; “Nay, not even the elven elite eliminate their entry into the enlightened enticement that is dwarven society, for at the end of Spring in 170, those fine long-eared fellows at Stonesnarls asked to join our civilization! What could a humble overseer do but to acquiesce and, for the betterment of all dwarves, have the sylvan scholars join us.”
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/FUSrtZAzHOMtxsBvvoEoDWly?width=800&height=600)
It should be noted that in 171, Stonesnarls was occupied by goblins, who were killed by a Smallhandsian militia and the site was conquered.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/HydfOJvJqcsQylIrCyajPzDq?width=800&height=600)
Elpho changes topics so quickly, perhaps to distract the audience from deeper analysis of the werepig events. Was this Elpho's greatest crime and the whole reason for obfuscation?
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ypimSTaQnNUUEdSrSCSSzzTp?width=800&height=600)
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/aVdTAFsEFxlrgrTeRJqasJGD?width=800&height=600)
-=-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
My heart. I can't take the anxiety of watching a werepig wander the halls of the fort completely free.
I tried to wall Vucar in, but the instant the last wall went up, Imic AND Reg jumped in to start treating Vucar's wounds. Not willing to lose two named characters, I re-opened the wall in the hopes to patch it back up but then Vucar could walk, and boy did he. Down 5 levels for a cup, then up to the Tall Bar to drink, then all the way down to the caverns to "pick up equipment" which I hadn't assigned him. In the long run, this was beneficial since he changed in the caverns and only encountered military on the way up.
the *3 rum roast*
Oh, you mean vacation breakfast.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 29, 2021, 11:43:56 am
The Tavern Keepers Dungeon Master report 171
The missing hatch cover? its here on the floor with the arena, Z -17 one square NW of my X in this sketching (OOC, this was after unretiring)
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/804742065866145792/unknown.png)
I have been going over some records found within the Overseers office and crossing it with testimony from merchants and visitors
-since 163, the dwarven population has grown by 200~
-goblins, in the last 2 years managed to wear down and conquer staffhoisted. Dwarven reslience has kept their numbers around the same at 9300
-kobold population has halved in 10 years. The goblins are murdering them like buggery according to travellers in the Tall Bar
-the elven population thankfully was reduced to double digits in the year 165 when the goblins bulldozed their way through all their settlements. unfortunately they have since built back up to approximately 110-130 members across all civilisations.
The trio of dwarven settlements are under goblin control, including I'm frustrated to say, the mountainhomes of Doorended once again. That said the dwarves of Wealthymirrored (our red site next to the trio of green gobbos) are putting up one hell of a fight.
Admittedly this isn't the first time we lost the mountainhomes as it was destroyed by a Titan back in the days of yore
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/804749444788256768/unknown.png)
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/804749006965047346/unknown.png)
The elves aren't in good shape, cowering behind the dwarves. The humans are SW of the dwarven chain on the coast
One last piece of intelligence I was able to uncover. Records from time are scarce but this was shocking:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: delphonso on January 31, 2021, 09:01:54 am
This is a amethyst-bound codex.
The written portion consists of an essay entitled Tell Me Of The Elpho authored by Deler Cogthikut. It concerns the Journal of Kikrost “Elpho” Usthuthdeleth. The writing is scathing and cruel. Overall, the prose is amateurish at best.
[Excerpt]
KingZultan explained, “We installed the hatch directly above ol' Buqui. You see, that thing had been under the fortress for decades and well, we just never knew what to do about it. At least now we could toss stuff down into it and watch Buqui burn it all up.” In normal Smallhandsian style, KingZultan states this with a quiet confidence that shows a complete lack of self-examination. Smallhands began using forgotten beasts as a mixture of garbage disposal, torture, and entertainment.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/vXZrveHcrHGiabyAuyZqrEBw?width=800&height=600)
I would like to attribute this horrendous act to Elpho and Elpho alone, but it seems this was one of the more popular decisions he made. Perhaps the years of war had made the Smallhands dwarves colder than the rest of us, or perhaps it was something to do with the famous “Smallhands Steam” virus which affected so many of them. In any case, an artifact was installed above the caverns allowing safe “pitting” of unwilling sentients into the waiting jaws of a foul forgotten creature.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/download/matrix.org/qVhCkpimzrmfXemdRnEFatft)
[Excerpt]
Quote
What is a fortress without a library? One may ask, what is a dwarf without a beard? What is a bee without pollen? What is life without wine and a good poem? It was I who first brought a library to Smallhands, though it was an uneasy proposition. Those sun-shy folk had grown used to their dull lives until I stepped in. Why, the fellows had a hundred books or even more just sitting around! And never had they thought to start reading them. And here, once again, those brilliant Smallhands dwellers give us a lesson to life. Be aware of that which is around you and use it to its fullest capacity! Who knows, you may be resting upon the world's greatest library!
All records suggest Smallhands already had a library – built by Overseer Mateusz. Kosoth Channeltrammels recalls working on new orders for tables and chairs at that time, though, marking a number of masterworks which he created. The furniture seemed to have been sent to Mateusz's library, The Treasury of Scholars. Interestingly, other furniture was set up in some of the several temples and shrines at this time as well, according to Salmeuk's managerial notes. This is note-worthy only in that Elpho never takes credit for it. The rest of the story of the library seems completely fabricated. Several well-known and published scholars were already associated with Smallhands. This blatant falsehood should have been enough to discredit Elpho from academic studies long ago.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/download/matrix.org/VZSMCiAOfFAVfJzBLIIBjlFG)
[Excerpt]
All of this from Mateusz's journal then soundly proves Elpho's lie about the library. It seems the two did not get along, perhaps on a personal level or perhaps on an academic one. We could take Elpho's fib as a jab at Mateusz, if we really wanted to, as Mateusz would have certainly read Elpho's journal upon publication, if not before. Other sections of Mateusz' journal from 171 make notes of Elpho's movements and actions around the fortress.
This resource has been immensely helpful in piecing together the real story here. But a mystery lies in mid-summer, some actions involving dead bodies and a series of levers in the southern portion of the middle-fortress. Mateusz notes lots of whispers and behind-closed-doors orders. Ultimately, this mystery may forever remain unsolved, as no other records of the event survives.
-=-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
I wanted to commit warcrimes by raising a werebeast as a sentient undead and seeing what would happen, but they were both mangled so BOOOO.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Also, I found the hatch. It was on the top of the Necromancer's Tower - I have re-sealed the structure without the hatch and it should be 100% secure. The hatch is almost directly above Buqui and does nothing right now except allow easy dropping of caged creatures into the caverns. Perhaps some goblins or zombies could take it out with enough time.
I found the hatch by giving it a zoom-hotkey through the [L] artifacts menu, which is something I didn't realize you could do.
Post by: King Zultan on February 01, 2021, 06:10:42 am
*shakes fist*
Post by: Spriggans on February 02, 2021, 05:02:56 am
Youknowhat ? Put me on the turn list ! Time to give this tiny fort another go !
EDIT : Just checked the date. This thread is 1 year and 1 day old. HUZZA !!
Post by: recon1o6 on February 02, 2021, 05:42:55 am
in game monument?
Post by: delphonso on February 02, 2021, 06:24:18 am
Is anyone else having horrendous problems with Imgur? I haven't been able to even access my albums this whole turn...
Youknowhat ? Put me on the turn list ! Time to give this tiny fort another go !
EDIT : Just checked the date. This thread is 1 year and 1 day old. HUZZA !!
Welcome back, dear fellow!
Long live Smallhands!
happy earth strike day smallhands! btw delphonso, love this style of writing
Thanks, it's been a fun style to play with - allowing me to be both direct and also flamboyant. Elpho might actually return as an overseer if they don't die...unlike all the other overseers I've had.
in game monument?
For the year? Hmm... I'll see what I can do.
Post by: delphonso on February 03, 2021, 09:40:56 am
This is a amethyst-bound codex.
The written portion consists of an essay entitled Tell Me Of The Elpho authored by Deler Cogthikut. It concerns the Journal of Kikrost “Elpho” Usthuthdeleth. The writing is scathing and cruel. Overall, the prose is amateurish at best.
[Excerpt]
The passages which cover the latter half of the Autumn of 170 (recall, this would reflect 171 in reality) and Winter list Elpho personally accomplishing over 100 tasks, many of which would require several days to complete. Needless to say, certainly most of this did not occur. Elpho's account of personally drowning a goblin in the Tall Bar is not only ridiculous, but also impossible, as the magma on the top of it - world-renowned for pouring on goblins - wasn't completed until after 175. So why is it, exactly, that Elpho made up so many events? Was it to cover something more sinister that he was performing? Perhaps it was to distract us from the horrid details of some dastardly accomplishment he is liable for!
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/nCaUguQQFOyXhCfgFbUmVmoa?width=800&height=600)
[Excerpt]
An interesting account of the happenings of Smallhands in 171 comes to us from Mestthos Morulurol, the Outpost Liaison at the time. He was known to have caught the Smallhands Steam in one of his many trips there. Other than that, Mestthos was something of a known lout when it came to his job. The travelling seemed to be enough for him, as he failed to do several of the record keeping responsibilities of his position. Which makes this occasion in Autumn of 171 all the more important that he saw fit to write it down. I will remind the reader that one of the symptoms of the Smallhands Steam is hallucinations, so we unfortunately must take Mestthos' words with a significant grain of salt. His journal reads,
Quote
...then, I swear by Ervetek, the walls themselves started to speak to me. As if being scratched into them – like some sort of tall sheep was doing it with its wool – the limestone walls revealed a message to me “I'm still here.” It scared me halfway too deep, and I moved to Salmeuk's office right quick. I saw a message there too, already on the wall this time, but looked new and I felt...cold.
It said, “Cozy, thanks to the central heating.”
This, if Mestthos can be trusted, can only mean one thing. The legendary ghoul Nogood's ghost was still haunting Smallhands! Wake up, people! “I'm still here”? Who else but the ever-dying overseer would say something like that? “Central heating”? Surely a reference to his magmatic tomb! And Elpho had something to do with it!
-=-=-=-=-=-
Journal of Kikrost "Elpho" Ustuthdeleth, Elf-lover
written in 198, Spring
[Excerpt]
I was informed, much to my merriment, that it was on the day after I smote that villainous goblin, that dear petite Smallhands had reached the anniversary of its first migrant wave, a wonderous 20 years it had been for the fortress. I did what any good overseer would do and created a grand and magnanimous temple unlike any that had been seen in Smallhands, nay, dear reader, I suggest better than any seen on this world or any other.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/ZjZVbuANByuEQneOsiacJfzj?width=800&height=600)
[Excerpt]
And with that and after the parade through the halls, after shaking every fine dwarf's hand and kissing every baby, I entered the Tall Bar for the last time. I sat down on a golden stool and raised a glass of Recon's finest wine. With that, dear reader, I ended my tenure as overseer, and I think I left the place a bit better than it started, if I do say so myself.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Post script
Things got unfortunately a bit boring for the latter half of my turn - I spent some time trying to clean up the fort. I geared up for another raid but didn't send it as the troops didn't seem well-trained enough to just mercilessly meat-grind like that.
The biggest accomplishment was re-organizing the military and their training grounds. The Swamp Hunters have been moved to a large range near the indoor swamp.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/nbMWZYzvgKZmEWaqpFUMSxla?width=800&height=600)
[Pictured: Swamp Hunter firing bolts over the heads of engravers who are smoothing the place out]
A new squad named "The Vile Goo" have taken the old Swamp Hunter barracks. The Vile Goo are all the unnamed non-essential dwarves in the fort, basically. Some of them have the fever, so they may be more of an "emergency force" only or for raids. Oh and one dwarf is stuck in the Elf Touchers -shrug-
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/rLzlrxLxpOvRIBeZFKowUHVJ?width=800&height=600)
Also, these two tickled me but I couldn't find a way to drop them in my report.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/QffCFIXrWhMmROEKQklwDyhu?width=800&height=600)
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/thumbnail/matrix.org/zTMNAuJNIrPKKOyNVncsseCl?width=800&height=600)
The file can be found here! (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15398) Castimier, it's your turn!
Spoiler: Deler Cogthikut (click to show/hide)
Post by: auzewasright on February 03, 2021, 05:26:24 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on February 04, 2021, 01:50:48 am
Post by: King Zultan on February 04, 2021, 07:47:55 am
Post by: delphonso on February 04, 2021, 06:55:31 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on February 04, 2021, 07:20:21 pm
I'll have to make do with being the halls of the dead...assuming nobody else has messed it all up like my emergency stockpiles
such is life in a succession game. I was expecting my tower to get torn down for someone else's megaproject by now
Post by: Salmeuk on February 04, 2021, 10:49:32 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Del these updates felt. . like a proper tone for the age of the fortress, you know? Reflective, reserved, and laden with historical notes. Nice to read, perhaps even . . cozy?
Post by: auzewasright on February 05, 2021, 01:11:02 pm
Post by: nogoodnames on February 06, 2021, 09:49:48 am
Post by: delphonso on February 06, 2021, 06:05:47 pm
Anyways, any confirmation from Castimier that he/she has begun their turn?
I'll send them a message now.
Post by: recon1o6 on February 07, 2021, 12:48:53 pm
WE'RE IN THE HALL OF LEGENDS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
many thanks to Paaaad for giving us the final vote
Post by: fatcat__25 on February 07, 2021, 02:54:08 pm
Post by: delphonso on February 07, 2021, 05:42:30 pm
Castimier has responded and seems to be getting started, btw.
Post by: King Zultan on February 08, 2021, 02:53:02 am
Post by: Castimier on February 08, 2021, 10:10:58 am
all of the attackers where slain with almost no casualties/wounds.
Post by: delphonso on February 10, 2021, 06:19:51 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on February 11, 2021, 09:54:05 pm
Life imitates art (https://www.abqjournal.com/2357995/tiny-homes-village-welcomes-its-first-residents-ex-community-expected-to-be-at-full-occupancy-about-40-by-the-end-of-june.html)and well does ‘the first resident was identified as a man in his 20s who had been homeless for several years, and who has been staying in local shelters and living on the streets’ accurately describe the average dwarf at Smallhands
Post by: Radiofort on February 11, 2021, 10:20:34 pm
1) as it may be obvious from my post, I'm bad at English grammar (I'm Russian), so my writing will be purely horrid for you to read.
2) I'm a boomer who got stuck with a .34.11 version for a reasons and as so don't know much about newer features so Smallhands pretty surely will be fucked up very soon under my hand. :(
But if you're still playing, can I humbly ask you to dorf me?
Post by: nogoodnames on February 11, 2021, 11:13:50 pm
Really enjoyed the Smallhands saga. This fort and you guys are awesome. Desperately wanted to ask for a turn but had to restrain myself for two reasons:
1) as it may be obvious from my post, I'm bad at English grammar (I'm Russian), so my writing will be purely horrid for you to read.
2) I'm a boomer who got stuck with a .34.11 version for a reasons and as so don't know much about newer features so Smallhands pretty surely will be fucked up very soon under my hand. :(
But if you're still playing, can I humbly ask you to dorf me?
You should sign up!
1. Your English seems fine to me. Barely anything in your post stood out.
2. The basics haven't changed at all (especially if we move to the new version with the updated stress system) and it's often the case with these games where the people who don't play perfectly create the best stories.
That goes for anyone else who doesn't think they're good enough for a turn. More unique viewpoints and play-styles only make things better! And if you do mess up, that just makes things more interesting for the next player! I know I had the most fun when it was just down to Salmeuk and Nogood and we were an inch away from total collapse.
Post by: delphonso on February 12, 2021, 12:41:20 am
Radiofort, you and all people are welcome to try overseeing! Smallhands is pretty secure, so it's not a bad fort to oversee if you're not very confident. It is...a bit messy, though.
EDIT:
I'd like some input on what the Legends entry should look like for Smallhands. It's tough, as each of us probably have a favorite aspect or event from the fort. The usual entries are short paragraphs.
Murr2 + fat_cat's line:
Quote
Ghouls, Necromancy, Feverish Goo, and !!SCIENCE!! all in a small space. Also the home of the first truly unkillable dwarf.
Maybe followed by a more direct explanation of what we've done here. So something like;
Quote
Ghouls, Necromancy, Feverish Goo, and !!SCIENCE!! all in a small space. Also the home of the first truly unkillable dwarf. Smallhands started as a succession fort for people with laptops/old computers. It quickly grew into much more with lone survivors, invincible echidnas, suicidal Forgotten Beasts, and experiments with resurrection. Great stories abound in this small package!
Post by: Radiofort on February 12, 2021, 02:21:26 am
You should sign up!I'm pretty sure that my messed scribles will become obvious when it will come to game log, but if you're okay with that, then I'm okay too. So I'll sign up after Castimier's turn: I need to look closely at latest version and try to understand how all that 'stress system' and other stuff like taverns/raids/whatever else works (yes, I'm that much boomer).
1. Your English seems fine to me. Barely anything in your post stood out.
2. The basics haven't changed at all (especially if we move to the new version with the updated stress system) and it's often the case with these games where the people who don't play perfectly create the best stories.
That goes for anyone else who doesn't think they're good enough for a turn. More unique viewpoints and play-styles only make things better! And if you do mess up, that just makes things more interesting for the next player! I know I had the most fun when it was just down to Salmeuk and Nogood and we were an inch away from total collapse.
Quote
Radiofort, you and all people are welcome to try overseeing! Smallhands is pretty secure, so it's not a bad fort to oversee if you're not very confident. It is...a bit messy, though.Well, a non-messy fortress would be non-dwarfy, isn't it?
Post by: Laterigrade on February 13, 2021, 06:47:00 am
Well, a non-messy fortress would be non-dwarfy, isn't it?Ha, darn right. Your English is just fine, by the way; I’m learning German, and wish I could speak it half so well; please do take a turn!
Post by: Castimier on February 13, 2021, 01:14:59 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on February 13, 2021, 09:06:16 pm
we have a new generation of cat's!
The story has taken an unexpectedly cute turn
Post by: King Zultan on February 14, 2021, 04:06:18 am
All cute and cuddly until they get killed during a siege and brought back to unlife.we have a new generation of cat's!
The story has taken an unexpectedly cute turn
Post by: delphonso on February 14, 2021, 05:14:12 am
*undead meowing*
Post by: Laterigrade on February 14, 2021, 06:51:14 am
I mean, what’d you expect? Smallhands, after all.we have a new generation of cat's!
The story has taken an unexpectedly cute turn
Post by: Castimier on February 16, 2021, 06:44:55 am
Post by: delphonso on February 16, 2021, 08:09:06 am
Paste that in a post and surround it with [img ] [/img ] tags. (I added spaces so they would show up.)
Post by: Castimier on February 20, 2021, 01:53:40 pm
almost immediately when the year began a group of scum attacked the mighty fortress. but ofcourse our mighty people defended their home with power that those evil beings can't even comprehend.
a larg pile of body's layed on the ground for a few days. but after the overseer began thinking that the items the attackers used might be worth a lot. he ordered his men, dwarfs, elves and other servants to collect all of the stuff the evil attackers brought with them.
(https://imgur.com/a/BIAwNLD)
when the siege was over, a caravan from the humans of Anthath Adoth arrived and the trade began.
While the trade was going on, the election for mayor ended and Avuz Sibrek- (something, it is pretty long) was re-elected.
at the 8th of Galena (late-summer) a new generation of cats where born.
(https://imgur.com/a/mMCAn2t)
and as cats are born, dwarfs grow up, Ast Kilrudzokun was no longer a helpless baby but a child. he almost immediatley made friends and began playing. this made the old dwarfs think back at when they where young, long ago.. in a diffrent fortress, perhaps it was invaded by monsters, maybe it was captured by a dragon or even where murdered by ghost boats from a river of magma.
but the days keep on going, just like the fortress.
the miner Cerol Mengigër became mad like a demonic creature and went beserk. he had to be stopped by the citizens of the fortress. and so we lose brave people to madness and strange spells. perhapse the ghost of the miner will be seen working on the mason's workshop he claimed...
(https://imgur.com/a/GH2OKj1)
the winter was harsh but luckilyl there where more than enough supplies, and during the snowy day: 10th of Obsidian there came even more cat friends to accompany our dwarfs in this strange place they recentley began calling "home".
and as the green leafs of spring came, so too came the time for a new overseer. the last wasn't very memorable for his militairy or building efforts. he was just there to lead the fortress for another year, in the dark times of fear and conflict in the world..
but not in Smallhands, only there was a glowing torch of hope.. a flickering light that would inevitably go silent one day.. but not this day... keep hope my fellow dwarfs.. keep hope and perhaps the end will come later, rather than sooner..
-Castimier 20th of Obsidian/february
here is the fortress download: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15427
Post by: auzewasright on February 20, 2021, 02:21:03 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on February 20, 2021, 06:28:11 pm
good luck auze!
Post by: auzewasright on February 23, 2021, 12:24:00 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on February 23, 2021, 09:52:14 pm
Thanks for the final words on your turn, Castimier. Melodrama at it's finest:
Quote
but not in Smallhands, only there was a glowing torch of hope.. a flickering light that would inevitably go silent one day.. but not this day... keep hope my fellow dwarfs.. keep hope and perhaps the end will come later, rather than sooner..
Post by: Spriggans on February 24, 2021, 04:00:32 am
I'll have geek time opportunities ! Maybe I can sneak in a turn :D
You call Auze, I can take the torch if needed
Post by: Radiofort on February 25, 2021, 02:40:45 am
Post by: recon1o6 on March 08, 2021, 04:34:10 am
Post by: delphonso on March 08, 2021, 09:22:52 pm
auze, how's the schoolwork treating you?
Post by: Radiofort on March 09, 2021, 09:27:34 am
Finally remembered to update the front page... Radiofort, you're on the list!Wah, oh, uh, okay, thank you. I was kinda busy last weeks searching for a new job, but I still think I'll be able to steal a turn after Spriggans. I already have a thing or two on my mind that I wanted to try in Smallhands' circumstances (not that I'm sure I won't mess up everything, though).
auze, how's the schoolwork treating you?
Post by: auzewasright on March 09, 2021, 12:09:12 pm
Finally remembered to update the front page... Radiofort, you're on the list!I kinda intended for that message to be a go-ahead for Spriggans to start his turn, and I've been mostly offline to focus since. However, most of my schoolwork is now behind me, so here's a quick introductory update:
auze, how's the schoolwork treating you?
Post by: auzewasright on March 09, 2021, 12:14:51 pm
Ascension of Auze
The crowd read out who was to be their new overseer first with apprehension, and then confusion.
auze... huh, guess that makes sense, sort of.Auze was a choice that simultaneously made sense and yet was a bit of a weird choice. The dwarf himself was a bit of an Enigma. Of the major dwarves, he was without a doubt the one with the most militaristic previous rule, but simultaneously the one who was perhaps the least xenophobic against elves. He had ruled capably back in 158, but that was about 15 years ago and in between auze had suffered a mental breakdown, gotten nearly-executed for murder, and drank so much the dwarves considered him an alcoholic.
...And that's without going into the mental changes he had experienced as a result.
Spoiler: mental issues (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/lR5heez.png)
Auze doesn't really have any family or friends, so I'm not sure if those parts matter.
(https://i.imgur.com/9u0s1O6.png)
In any case, if there was one thing auze could do, it was business. With his sharp memory and wit, auze could use the resources of Smallhands to achieve something great. With his military experience, he could do even greater.
The only question is: would he?
Post by: Radiofort on March 09, 2021, 09:00:36 pm
By the way, AFAIK, "really wants a drink" means not improved alcoholism but lack of booze in a fortress. Looks like this will be a first problem for him to deal with.
Post by: auzewasright on March 09, 2021, 10:26:59 pm
Wow, that years was weathering for your dorf indeed. What a complex personality.Yeah, now I see. Aaand looking at our stockpile: I'm starting to suspect nobody's been brewing for a couple of years now and it's finally caught up to us.
By the way, AFAIK, "really wants a drink" means not improved alcoholism but lack of booze in a fortress. Looks like this will be a first problem for him to deal with.
Edit: i would also like to note that he has the "doesn't care about anything anymore" trait, so even without the alcohol dependence token he's an alcoholic.
Post by: Radiofort on March 09, 2021, 10:38:23 pm
I think "doesn't care" is related to witnessing deaths (at least it was that in old versions). That means auze now can haul corpses with thoughts like "bruh, that shit again" instead of "omigoshomigoshomigosh". Really valuable trait, in fact, especially for him.Wow, that years was weathering for your dorf indeed. What a complex personality.Yeah, now I see. Aaand looking at our stockpile: I'm starting to suspect nobody's been brewing for a couple of years now and it's finally caught up to us.
By the way, AFAIK, "really wants a drink" means not improved alcoholism but lack of booze in a fortress. Looks like this will be a first problem for him to deal with.
Edit: i would also like to note that he has the "doesn't care about anything anymore" trait, so even without the alcohol dependence token he's an alcoholic.
Post by: auzewasright on March 09, 2021, 11:41:35 pm
It is, but it will also lead to any non-dwarf basically drinking alcohol like a dwarf.I think "doesn't care" is related to witnessing deaths (at least it was that in old versions). That means auze now can haul corpses with thoughts like "bruh, that shit again" instead of "omigoshomigoshomigosh". Really valuable trait, in fact, especially for him.Wow, that years was weathering for your dorf indeed. What a complex personality.Yeah, now I see. Aaand looking at our stockpile: I'm starting to suspect nobody's been brewing for a couple of years now and it's finally caught up to us.
By the way, AFAIK, "really wants a drink" means not improved alcoholism but lack of booze in a fortress. Looks like this will be a first problem for him to deal with.
Edit: i would also like to note that he has the "doesn't care about anything anymore" trait, so even without the alcohol dependence token he's an alcoholic.
Post by: Radiofort on March 10, 2021, 03:55:26 am
It is, but it will also lead to any non-dwarf basically drinking alcohol like a dwarf.Huh, well, then it's something new. Thanks for explaining.
(I have a premonition that my turn will be awfully !!FUN!!ny as there's probably much more traits that I'm reading in old way, lol)
Post by: recon1o6 on March 10, 2021, 04:28:23 am
Yeah, now I see. Aaand looking at our stockpile: I'm starting to suspect nobody's been brewing for a couple of years now and it's finally caught up to us.
Edit: i would also like to note that he has the "doesn't care about anything anymore" trait, so even without the alcohol dependence token he's an alcoholic.
I know I ceased the common brewing orders midway through my term as we were literally overflowing with booze. I only kept the ones we were below 50 in stock of (so we kept getting drink variety)
I also know that Auze actually did drink a lot for a dwarf. As in multiple barrels during the summer caravan. 5 years its took to get through the supply!
Post by: tonnot98 on March 10, 2021, 09:52:38 am
Post by: auzewasright on March 10, 2021, 05:16:08 pm
Appraisals of Auze
So I began my reign with a simple look at the slip that Salmeuk left tallying the total stockpile of our fortress. The first issue became quickly obvious.
(https://i.imgur.com/cfRf1ir.png)
Eight units of booze left in the entire fortress. E I G H T UNITS! That's enough to last maybe a single dwarf a season, or me about a month at most just to quiet down the voices. This must be resolved immediately.
Also, it appears that we are completely out of seeds for any underground crop that isn't Quarry bushes. I hope you guys like rock nut oil/leaves, because that's the one plant product I have growable seeds for that can't be turned into alcohol.
(https://i.imgur.com/Sc7eUL6.png)
Taking a look at our food stockpile, it gives a different horror story. With nobody brewing or eating Plump Helmets (among others), we just have a massive stockpile of unprocessed PHs stored and no seeds whatsoever.
My first actions are immediate: I unsuspend the orders to produce booze at the still. I also unsuspend the orders to press honey at that one screw press and set the still to make mead.
(https://i.imgur.com/9EY9x0p.png)
On that note, we have a ton of honeycomb
With our desperate measures in place, we have managed to begin a turnaround in fortune.
(https://i.imgur.com/1sMfzLc.png)
Soon I will banish sobriety and the voices once more!
Aaaand the elves have arrived.
(https://i.imgur.com/pjslNZn.png)
Time to see what my predecessors have left me to trade. Maybe I can get come useful plants/animals.
They don't have much useful: a badger sow, a few barrels, some fruits (none from useful plants), and a diorite pedestal?!
(https://i.imgur.com/A43itMX.png)
Now, I may not be an expert in elven studies, but I am a expert in good appraisal, and I don't believe the elves are known for their skills in stone-anything.
Anyways, I trade for a few of the more useful goods and decide to let him have a profit, to try and encourage better goods next time around (assuming one of my successors doesn't decide to kill them).
I decided while trading, to begin the first mission. I sent Recon out to free a dwarf form Dimplesteal [strike]and definitely didn't pre-emptively prepare to savescum if it didn't work out[/strike].
(https://i.imgur.com/LMx50Ab.png)
It was a success.
(https://i.imgur.com/buQAot7.png)
I consider getting some new reading material. Maybe I could at least take my mind off of the Rainbow Raptors...
Post by: auzewasright on March 10, 2021, 05:19:03 pm
Requesting to be dorfed as an animal trainer as I read my way through the thread.Will do, there is exactly one non-dorfed dwarf with animal caretaking skills, and I'm not sure how many with training.
Anyways, other than the getting used to there being more than 2 squads, as well as all of the other additions to the fort (I'm scared to even touch the water reactor), I'm starting to get into the game once again.
Post by: recon1o6 on March 11, 2021, 06:28:52 am
10 years Dastot was captured. Hopefully that was sufficient time to destress a bit from my first term as Overseer
Also...no meat, and 8 units of booze? Armok above that was a close call.
Post by: King Zultan on March 11, 2021, 06:48:24 am
Post by: Knightwing64 on March 11, 2021, 12:26:04 pm
Wait, God dammit, Wrong race. Dwarf, Not orc.
Post by: auzewasright on March 11, 2021, 12:55:33 pm
How many of our dwarves are out there for us to rescue at this point?That was the only one, I believe. The Rainbow Raptors are no longer considered citizens and as such do not show up.
Post by: Radiofort on March 11, 2021, 11:23:50 pm
That was the only one, I believe. The Rainbow Raptors are no longer considered citizens and as such do not show up.Yes, they founded a new hillocks after their escape. Though I think we still may see them again someday if things will go bad for their settlement (which is quite likely, as gobbos seem to not joking with us). And if Smallhands would have some spare place for migrants, of course.
By the way, it's a shame that booze have no real physics like water or magma. An emergency rum pool in Recon's tankard could be awesome.
Post by: King Zultan on March 12, 2021, 03:40:30 am
Post by: recon1o6 on March 21, 2021, 06:16:00 pm
Post by: auzewasright on March 21, 2021, 06:44:17 pm
any update?Nearly there, sorry. I was going to do one Wednesday but real life had other plans.
Post by: delphonso on March 22, 2021, 11:37:32 pm
Being able to make a pool of what ever liquid we wanted would be the best new feature, just imagine the pools filled with vomit that would surround our fortress.
This would add quite a bit to the game. Pouring goblin blood on incoming goblins would certainly be fun. Or covering the field in wine and lighting it on fire.
Nearly there, sorry. I was going to do one Wednesday but real life had other plans.
It took me this long to read you last update. I can relate, my friend...
Post by: nezclaw on March 28, 2021, 01:05:14 pm
i'd like to request a dorfing too. someone with a preference for crabs, if possible :P
Post by: Radiofort on April 02, 2021, 01:55:07 am
Post by: auzewasright on April 02, 2021, 10:24:08 pm
Are you still with us, auze?Yeah, I've just been getting through life until reaching spring break. I should either have an update or two or a resignation notice in the next week.
Post by: delphonso on April 09, 2021, 02:52:38 am
Post by: King Zultan on April 09, 2021, 03:44:03 am
Post by: QuQuasar on April 09, 2021, 06:09:47 am
Post by: recon1o6 on April 09, 2021, 07:00:02 am
funny. I had smallhands in my dnd campaign I'm running atm, and just two weeks ago, one of the players got mind controlled by spriggans and released him, right as the rest of the party turned up.
They knocked out spriggans, but forgot to lock him up again. The players left the next morning after being understandably pissed at Kikrost who was trying to claim credit for the party destroying the two giant undead echnidas in the tower (the players didnt even do the fight properly, they had to rely on me the dm rolling natural 1s) The wizard cast Geas on him and told him to be a better dwarf for his people.
Kikrost resigned on the spot. Then went to the tall bar.
Meanwhile spriggans escaped laughing all the while.
history repeats it seems x3
Post by: auzewasright on April 09, 2021, 09:13:16 am
Post by: recon1o6 on April 09, 2021, 09:27:48 am
Post by: delphonso on April 09, 2021, 07:30:58 pm
Awesome to have Smallhands in a campaign. I've wanted to do a DF themed campaign for a while, but only a handful of friends are into it, and scheduling is a nightmare anyway.
Post by: auzewasright on April 10, 2021, 06:11:32 pm
Anything of Auze
I decided to do the only thing I could do to deal with the crisis: I made a greenhouse.(https://i.imgur.com/FhStmNs.png)
An ettin came in... and was immediately killed by the heavily armed and trained population. Kinda terrified.
(https://i.imgur.com/nUjNti1.png)
I then sent Recon on a wild goose chase that lead to her covering half the map. Oops.
Aaand then I accidentally sentenced a dwarf for a crime that he not only he didn't commit, but was actually a victim of.
(https://i.imgur.com/v4nNGsM.png)
I am not keeping my job, am I?
As well as that, I believe the lack of alcohol has already started a mental health crisis, even with me fixing it. This ain't good...
Post by: King Zultan on April 11, 2021, 06:03:29 am
Post by: delphonso on April 11, 2021, 06:11:18 am
Post by: recon1o6 on April 11, 2021, 02:56:27 pm
"We've found the culprit and we're on the way to arrest them"
"Who was it?"
"YOU"
So the book about dimplesteal wasn't in dimplesteal. Hrm, it must be somewhere in the world, somewhere extremely well hidden if its eluding even my legendary investigative skills. Somewhere where mortals were not supposed to tred in all likelihood. Or stuffed down the back of a goblin sofa
good going auze! no greenhouse picture?
Post by: Radiofort on April 17, 2021, 11:18:53 pm
Nice job, auze! Speaking of greenhouse, to which surface cultures we do have access here?
Post by: delphonso on April 22, 2021, 11:35:17 pm
Post by: auzewasright on April 23, 2021, 03:32:32 pm
Uh.... Auze?School's not gonna get any less busy, so here's my save (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15510). Sorry for taking so long.
Post by: recon1o6 on April 28, 2021, 12:59:01 pm
spriggans its your turn!
Post by: Spriggans on April 29, 2021, 08:01:32 am
I have tons of IRL things to do (we just bought a new house, so there is lots to do !)
I pass the torch to the next guy ! Radiofort ! You're up !
EDIT :
btw, I tried to brute force Hell. It doesn't work. All our soliders die. Even the ghouls.
(https://imgur.com/gfG7S9u.png)
Packing them all like this, we killed only 8 demons...
When the fort runs out of players, and I have some time, I'll try and conquer it.
We could experiment with demon-ghouls. That'd be great.
Post by: recon1o6 on April 29, 2021, 01:16:36 pm
smallhands is too good to let die!
Post by: delphonso on April 29, 2021, 07:24:40 pm
Perhaps we need to prepare a bit more before hell...or just smash all the demons with rocks. I hadn't considered how the more cramped map would make hell a bit tougher, as the demons are surely going to immediately pour into the fort, and any more who show up will too.
I'll add you to the roster, recon.
Post by: Radiofort on April 29, 2021, 08:29:02 pm
Aye, ol' Smallhands seems to be winding down. Radiofort, let's see what you can do!Ok, I'll do it tomorrow, in my day-off. I think one, at least two days would be enough for a single year.
Perhaps we need to prepare a bit more before hell...or just smash all the demons with rocks. I hadn't considered how the more cramped map would make hell a bit tougher, as the demons are surely going to immediately pour into the fort, and any more who show up will too.
I'll add you to the roster, recon.
Post by: recon1o6 on April 30, 2021, 03:54:22 am
Aye, ol' Smallhands seems to be winding down. Radiofort, let's see what you can do!
Perhaps we need to prepare a bit more before hell...or just smash all the demons with rocks. I hadn't considered how the more cramped map would make hell a bit tougher, as the demons are surely going to immediately pour into the fort, and any more who show up will too.
I'll add you to the roster, recon.
I've never actually dug into hell before, usually I've killed off a fort through other means first
Post by: Radiofort on May 01, 2021, 01:23:43 am
of Radiofort, the Mess Cleaner
Well, this year indeed begins strangely. Auze, who was re-appointed this year as overseer, urgently stepped down today for unexplained reason (I'm, as a physician, suspecting another mental breakdown). Guess who was appointed next? Still not really sure why they want me as overseer, though, as swamp fever, the bane of Smallhands, roasted me so well that part of my brain is literally melted. Sometimes I hear it blobbing in my head. Symptomes of that advanced fever (putting aside the liquid brain) include pronness to strange decisions and, sometimes, gibberish talking, but I think the last part spared me. Hark! Yark.
Speaking of liquids, Smallhands is still somewhat short of booze. Recon, our expert in a matter of drinks, is slaving like a cursed and provided us about 650 bottles already, but I suppose even our small community should burn through it in a couple of months (not mentioning that we have Auze here). I checked the labour shedule and found that only she were assigned on that important task. Meanwhile, a bunch of other citizens is actually doing, uh, nothing, chilling socially and kicking dung in such crucial time. The most appaling example was this fellow, who had literally no sheduled labor except of healthcare and seems to be treated as farmer only because he harvests occasionally. I caught him on very strange behaviour:
(https://imgur.com/TfCXWCp.jpg)
Bah! Gittawerk right now, you lazy sicko!
(https://imgur.com/6Ng5jGZ.jpg)
I know that he'll brew some crap, but crappy booze is still better than no booze. We already have four really pissed off beards on our hands who's tantruming constantly, and four angry beards is pretty more than our cramped society can handle. So go on and brew the shit out of that damn plants and fruits, curse you! Not literally shit, of course.
Fortunately, the food stock is full to the brim. We have a tons of prepared meals, so there's at least one problem for me to not deal with.
I think I found the other reason of unhappiness too: there's some dwarf skeletons lying in a refuse pile underground - probably some gobbo slaves from previous sieges or infamous "elf-lovers" to whom our former overseer was so hostile. Additional graves in our memorial tomb complex was ordered. I know Recon probably will want to have a word with me after, but they're still dwarfs and a dwarf skeleton is a thing no one really likes to see, especially if our fellows are tend to dart through that room on every occasion.
(https://imgur.com/sd2caC9.jpg)
Spriggans the Necromancer is still here, raging in his sealed tower. One thing that troubles me a little is that he's actually free here - unchained, uncaged, unsomethinged, whatever, you got my point (You? Who? Yoo-hoo!). There's two windows in his room, so he potentially can break free through one of them and climb down to make our life funny again. I better keep an eye on that corpse-hugger...
Yes, speaking of corpses. While we have some spare hands, I decided to use a magma channel to tomb of Nogood for developement of out glass industry. Hope his soul won't treat it as a desecration, as we won't lay a finger not on tomb istelf, nor on You-Know-What stored inside of it. But seriously, just sitting here on unlimited source of wealth and won't using it at maximum freaks me out. I mean the sand, yes! Green glass is pretty, universally tradable, and with a magma channel we can turn literally all Smallhands into Emerald City of Oz (shmoz!). On the other hand, our current glass furnaces is half-way to the center of planet, so using them as actual workplaces is unefficient pain. I ordered to dig out a small room above magma channel for raw glass making, while old furnaces will have repeated sand-collecting orders. Though I'm not sure if we have enough bags... but that's another problem.
(https://imgur.com/2043u8g.jpg)
Our only jeweler need a practice too, as he's a legendary gem cutter (due to artifact creation), but have no points in gem setting, and wasting actual jewels on his training is too much of a luxury. So glass shall be useful here too.
(https://imgur.com/QEwt7Ww.jpg)
I also found a weird thingamajig near the the magma channel - a net of short tunnels filled with water. I have no idea what is it - at first I thought it were a water reservoir for our well, but it not seem to be connected with any wells. Probably some irrigation project from previous overseers, or dousing system for magma leaks - whatever it is, I won't use it till I understand it's purpose.
Hah, speaking of irrigation. I'm not sure if it was Auze tinkering with his greenhouse project or some older story, but office of our mayor was swamped and now is full of mud. I don't think that it makes consulting dwarfs angrier, but it defenitely don't make them happier, as mud covers detailed floors they could admire. Strangely, the mayor himself don't seems to mind it:
(https://imgur.com/9G0rETk.jpg)
That guy have some flexible understanding of decency.
Yes, looks like there'll be a lot of work to do...
----
TBC
Post by: recon1o6 on May 01, 2021, 06:45:04 pm
liquid brain, yowch, no wonder the smallhands fever is so bad
edit: I remember that office! it was where one of the mayors was assigned, that area is the abandoned asylum and it had a mist generator installed by a previous overseer
clearly its leaking :P that and the mayor may have two offices by mistake. I know the one next to my bedroom is my personal office when I was mayor but since then I ain't a clue, all I've been doing is being the fort's errand girl- rescuing imbeciles i sent to die, brewing booze, scouring hte map for artifacts etc
Post by: delphonso on May 01, 2021, 11:45:57 pm
The water stuff...honestly no idea. I think I was the one who set the office to the muddy patch. Previously occupied by our dogs...for some reason.
Post by: Radiofort on May 02, 2021, 10:17:52 am
I remember that office! it was where one of the mayors was assigned, that area is the abandoned asylum and it had a mist generator installed by a previous overseerA funny thing is that our mayor obviously prefers to work in that swamped room. Maybe he (or she, I don't remember) likes the smell of manure in a morning.
clearly its leaking :P that and the mayor may have two offices by mistake. I know the one next to my bedroom is my personal office when I was mayor but since then I ain't a clue, all I've been doing is being the fort's errand girl- rescuing imbeciles i sent to die, brewing booze, scouring hte map for artifacts etc
I love the idea of an all-green underground for Smallhands!I'm actually a bit of green glass' fanboy for a long time, as it's a perfect material for almost everything. It's also less FPS-hostile than stonecrafting, because If you have a sand and magma, you don't even need to dig our new tiles.
MESSED SCRIBLINGS
of Radiofort, the Mess Cleaner
Well, turns out no one in Smallhands found that Auze's joke with accusation of victim funny. Memories of that incident tightly keep the fortress' mood on disturbingly low level. Even Salmeuk is a bit grumpy about that, and you need really something to piss Salmeuk off. Unfortunately for that poor fellow, unmade justice angers Armok, so nothing can be done about it. There's a steady stream of complainers into mayor's office who just want to explain us how much of a nuts we're all, and mayor Avuz is slowly becoming annoyed too. As for me, I'm just simulating brain paralysis any time someone approaches with clear intention to yell at me. Not really hard for someone who is a doctor himself, and I do. Doop-dee doo.
But seriously, something should be done quickly about that situation. We already have our first victim:
(https://i.imgur.com/FV3svfa.jpg)
Our carver/presser Dastot finally snapped. She kept herself together as long as she could, but working outside, exposed to sun and rain, never makes dwarf happy. The accusation scandal must have been a last straw. Now she runs here and there, turning tables, looking under beds and yelling "criminal, get away, I've seen ya". She probably developed the same stamm of fever that I have, but it obliously hits her much more harshly. I heard before about insanity treatment, so called "Amontillado method", but when I asked Recon about Amontillado she answered that we don't brew that stuff here. Sadly, you can't have everything in one fortress.
While Avuz stoutly endures the strikes of common's anger, Auze is hiding in his room. Maybe we should just leave him alone to his griefs.
Glass production have begun, though on a small scale for now, as our glassmakers are all feverish and hardly remember how to work with stuff. I personally took a job of blowing the raw glass - my first products was horrible, but a 10 000 miles way begins from the first step. We have a plenty of non-decorated beds and stone furniture to encrust, so our jewelers started to work again. When we'll beat up our hands, the first order should be making of glass boxes, as most of our people don't have even a lousy wooden chest, not to speak of good comfy stone coffer. Still not sure if we'll be able to launch a full-scale glassification of Smallhands till the end of year, but even the worst glass items worth two times more than a stone ones, so at least we'll have a trade goods supply for a next caravan.
At the beginning of summer, four migrants approached our vicinity - unfortunately, they came through the goo swamp, so their moving request was declined. Sorry, folks, but we already have a plenty of swamp bacillas here to bring new hungry ones inside. Go somewhere else, where they know the cure for that damn stuff. We didn't call you here, to begin with, damn it! Especially this guy:
(https://i.imgur.com/Y9qkKwu.jpg)
A full of I-don't-give-a-fuckness dude, who's only relations is his deity and two kittens, is so obviously vampiric that my neck starts to itch even where I am. Get out, vampo, there's enough undeads without you. Though if I wouldn't be an overseer I'd say his taste for blood amaranth could paint out life in somewhat WoDish colours. Shwodish... Swedish? Swen, swan, swine. DID YOU HEAR ME? GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE NOW, YOU VAM-PIG!!!
(https://i.imgur.com/uAqiOxu.jpg)
Meanwhile, our unlucky plaintiff snapped too, though not in the same foul way that Dastot had. For some reason he claimed the most far magma forge and now is gadgeting something from tin here. Looks like it won't be over soon. I suspect that he made up whole mood thing to joyously slack off his penitence in a warm cozy depts. Well, he better have an artifact on his hands next time we meet, or there'll be a... consequences.
Speaking of which, Dastot finally gave in to dehydration in the last month of summer. Well, we in Smallhands have our methods to deal with bad-timed deaths. I'm not really into all that necro-shmecro mumbojumbo, but poor lass deserves at least a chance to spit back in a fate's face. Auze brought her body to Rejuvenation Chambers and we exposed her to our prisoner's foul magic.
(https://i.imgur.com/dK2IxDA.jpg)
Hark, this girl is a lucky one, indeed. I was not sure if all would go smoothly, but it did. When Dastot walked out of chamber and I met her with congratulations for safe return, she looked at me with blank eyes and told "Release Edzul, you bastards." Then she just walked away to mill plants. It seems that situation really had an impact on her. Well, at least she's not a zombie.
Speaking of Edzul and justice... Who is our current guard captain? And where in the world is KingZultan?
------------------
OOC: I really have no idea what happened to KingZultan. I can't find his name not in living, nor in missing/deceased roster, and I don't remember anybody reported his death. His post is vacant. Am I missing something?
TBC
Post by: King Zultan on May 03, 2021, 05:26:48 am
Post by: Radiofort on May 03, 2021, 11:23:53 am
edit: I checked again, Castimier did mention a skirmish, though omitting losses. Probably just overlooked, because KingZultan was the only loss.
Oh no I have become lost, what will Smallhands do without me?Beats me. I'm still don't completely get all that new justice system with interrogations and stuff, so I'm not sure who should work as a guard captian. The most reasonable candidate is probably our mayor Avuz, but with all that pile of complaints she's already strained enough to burden her with additional duties.
Well... let's just hope nothing too criminal will happen until the year ends.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 03, 2021, 12:47:50 pm
I petition her for the legends of the fort burial chamber for exemplary service to smallhands. those are the big rooms full of engraving space or they were..its been a few years :P
Post by: Spriggans on May 03, 2021, 04:20:36 pm
Clearly, a vampy coming especially in this fort, near the Tower. It must mean something....
And with these big windows in the Tower, he surely knows Spriggans the sparkly is inside.
Post by: Radiofort on May 04, 2021, 12:02:43 pm
of Radiofort, the Mess Cleaner
I begin to suspect that Recon is not so wrong in her prejudice againist elves as I thought before:
(https://i.imgur.com/pXVQeqS.jpg)
Doesn't matter if it's just a bird, a crime is a crime. I better myself interrogate that little punk, as no one else seems to be willing to mess with a previous overseer (except Recon, of course, but I'm worried that things may become too much bloody that way). Get into corner, you small fry!
Meanwhile, our society commissioned a sculpture in the memory of ever-vigilant KingZultan. Entire hallway in a tomb complex was assinged for his memorial. He'll forever hold his honorable place between the heroes of Smallhands.
(https://i.imgur.com/vUu6VDD.jpg)
Maybe it's not rich, but the sand it was made of is what our fortress is based upon. To turn into homeland's flesh with a flow of burning earth's blood is a honor I personally would be proud about.
Speaking of soil, there's two more news about that migrants that came here before. First of all, this dude named Ber actually wasn't a vampire - I noted how he downed entire barrel of beer. Seconds, I noted it when he with other lazy bums somehow made it into a fortress, despite swamp area being sealed away. After spotting them in a feast hall, I stormed into my office and sniffed through all maps of that corner. Eventually the breach was found out - a small bit of first cavern was somehow connected with surface through a hole, so they climbed down here. To be honest, I'm feeling a bit relieved, as I never liked the idea of letting poor fellows die here from starvation and swamp fever. On the other hand, now we have a fresh source of that fever inside again. I ordered to seal the damn hole as fast as possible.
Masonry was done just in time - I just received an urgent message:
(https://i.imgur.com/VG2Ugeu.jpg)
Hark! Looks like gobbos again want to touch a major thorn in their ass which is Smallhands. Well, it's just a small squa...
(https://i.imgur.com/SOJbopT.jpg)
Oh, man.
(https://i.imgur.com/c7gtkxk.jpg)
OH, MAN.
We was purely lucky that in this entire moment one of non-feverish dwarfs walked through a control room and reacted properly on echo of my inrecognisable yell from the other side of level. In a blink of eye the whole surface was flooded with human mercenaries, elf pikemen, goblins and their cursed slaves who dared to rise weapon againist their own kin. We managed to seal the front gate right before their noses and called everyone to safe zone. Fortunately, no one was outside at the moment. Unfortunately, there was a damn bunch of shooters in their ranks, so sending our Swamp Hunters in a skirmish would be surely a bloodshed for us. After a swift briefing with Salmeuk and Avuz, we decided to lure the bastards inside of Goo Hive.
The next second after they rushed inside, we realized that half of Goo Hive's control levers is well, ya know, dismantled. Where should be four levers, now is only two - the others probably was moved somewhere by previous overseers of just toppled by some bearded neurotic who was for a bit too long separated from his precious goddess of whatever WEEVILMESSIAH SMITE AND CURSE THE- *inrecognisable*
So, basically, only the first wave of our defences was operational. But it still covered a splendid part of tunnel, so goblin attack was eventually stopped and crushed, though a small pack of bastards managed to rush through it into tunnels of malfunctioning Wave 2. There they were ambushed by Siege Breakers, who disposed of them swiftly. Still, about 1/3 of attackers turned our invitation down and camped in front of our gate, blocking it, and still there was a lot of shooters between them.
In that moment I received two reports. First one was simply outrageous:
(https://i.imgur.com/joclaOJ.jpg)
Goddamn it, that's EXACTLY what we need now!
Second one, though, was much more interesting: most of remained shooter slaves was actually a bowdwarfs, not marksdwarfs. That was entirely another deal, as we beards are just not into longbows, especially when sober and slaving for greenskins. Gobbos made a mistake here, so we exploited it on a full scale: Swamp Hunters for some time rained them with bolts from the upper bastion (filthy traitors couldn't even shoot back at them), after which a flanking assault of Siege Breakers made a final blow to disorganised enemies. We have one lightly wounded marksdwarf (that fellow for some reason decided to walk through a Goo Hive, met an enemy speardwarf here and bashed his head in with a crossbow) and no casualties. And though our frontgate is covered with dwarven corpses again, it's not our corpses:
(https://i.imgur.com/U94wkNN.jpg)
Long live the Smallhands!
---------------
OOC: seriously, who messed up the Goo Hive? I almost lost my shit after realizing that we probably have no actual way to hold off that horde. Going to reinstall all levers back, we have a plenty of idle mechanisms.
TBC
Post by: Spriggans on May 05, 2021, 03:02:51 pm
Too bad for the vamp, could have done science... I wonder if our ghouls could be vampified ???
Post by: Radiofort on May 05, 2021, 08:59:41 pm
Nice update ! ;DDoubt it, as ghouls don't drink. Though it's probably possible to make dead vampires ghoulified, but I'm highly unsure if there's any purpose in this except of getting just another regular ghoul.
Too bad for the vamp, could have done science... I wonder if our ghouls could be vampified ???
I'm sorry, folks, but finishing update would be delayed for about two days, as yesterday I took a massive sunburn at work and even typing on keyboard is painful now. I promise I won't delay it too much, just need a bit of time to mend that shit.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 06, 2021, 04:30:12 am
Post by: King Zultan on May 06, 2021, 04:39:07 am
And with that dwarf put to rest I'd like to be redwarfed.
Post by: delphonso on May 06, 2021, 06:04:31 am
I'm sorry, folks, but finishing update would be delayed for about two days, as yesterday I took a massive sunburn at work and even typing on keyboard is painful now. I promise I won't delay it too much, just need a bit of time to mend that shit.
That's one hell of a sunburn.
No worries - these posts have been amazing! So sorry to hear Zultan is missing - but glad she didn't die at the hands of goblins, as far as we know.
Nice update ! ;D
Too bad for the vamp, could have done science... I wonder if our ghouls could be vampified ???
I really want to know if ghouls can be cursed and what werebeasthood would do to them when they "recovered".
Add me to the overseer list please. I should like to discover for myself just how dysfunctional a mere two embark tiles can truly be.
not a problem about the delay, as i said, i cant start till after monday
Updating the front page now - took me long enough to put both of you on the roster... I'm so bad at this.
Radiofort or the next overseer, would you mind ensuring these dorfings happen/have happened?
Can I be Dorfed? Me want to drink alcohol and kill undead. Waaaaaaagggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Wait, God dammit, Wrong race. Dwarf, Not orc.
Requesting to be dorfed as an animal trainer as I read my way through the thread.
just backread and god damn that was a wild ride. on the plus side it did prepare me for the intelligent undead that popped up in my fort after an incident with a forgotten beast and visiting necromancer.
i'd like to request a dorfing too. someone with a preference for crabs, if possible :P
Post by: Radiofort on May 07, 2021, 01:25:17 pm
of Radiofort, the
Looks like I found out who wrecked up the Goo Hive's control room:
(https://i.imgur.com/vCBGMDM.jpg)
What in the deep you're doing, you freaking moron?! Maybe you're planning to just say to another blood-thirsty goblin "sorry, gobbo, I was pissed off, so no stones for ya"? Guilty! And I don't give a shit if you're our only proper armorsmith! I don't even need an interrogation, the whole fortress seen you there!
(https://i.imgur.com/gcNL2N3.jpg)
Useless monkey, if you feel regretful after it, just don't do it!
Elpho, on the other hand, shows a good signs of repent:
(https://i.imgur.com/Nra9cPq.jpg)
But still no mead for you! You haven't repented enough! Yakt!
Meanwhile, Dastot gone nuts again, this time as a ghoul. Now she's running commando, spewing some nonsense. And you know what? I don't care. If you wanna go nuts, lassy, go nuts then. At least she can't starve anymore, and our fortress are too macabre in a last years. Maybe we can employ her as a mad strip-jester.
After we took Solon in custody, Goo Hive's lever system was repaired. We fixed Wave 2 and TooMany, though I couldn't find where's so called 'Stinger' is located. Maybe my documentation is too obsolete. The broken stone-fall traps, on the other hand, aren't worthy of fixing, as I think I have a better replacement for them:
(https://i.imgur.com/LNMEIbg.jpg)
As we still can't afford to waste our supplies of metal on traps, we can use glass blades and discs in our weapon traps. Though they cannot slice through iron, they can penetrate copper and as so is damn good at cutting off unprotected body parts like foots and hands, rendering enemies bleeding and helpless. They're also fire-proof and magma-proof, easy to install, very light and worth quite a cash, so exceeding stock can be just sold out. Not to mention that rooms trapped with this lasses are really rich...
Though I, myself, am actually pretty grumpy too, as my plans to glassificate the Smallhands was effectively scuffed by recent assault. Though we successfully repelled the foes, they left our entrance and labyrinth so messy that for all autumn we only tossed their rotten chunks into atom smasher. I must admit, though, that while I was dragging the enemy slave's severed lower part to the cleaning room, a stench of miasma reacted with melted part of my brain in... a proper way. My mind finally became clear and realised our true target. There's no time for us to indulge in fancy glass furniture - the greenskins landed a strike on us one time, so they're likely to do it twicely. I must be more focused, more... militant-minded than I was before. When enemies attack us, we do not just roll and cover behind the traps - nay, we strike back.
First of all, I revised the uniform of Vile Goo squad, assigning them metal harness. In the last battle we managed to scavenge a lot of dwarven-sized armor, and though it's all iron & copper, of lame quality and battered, a crappy armor is still better than no armor, not to mention that our smith is jailed for 180 days and going to be beaten after that. At least they can train in armor usage with it till the moment next overseer decide to melt that stuff and forge some better gear.
Seconds, I passed my temporal duty of guard captain to ZultanKing (by the way, do his name sound somewhat familiar, or it's just me?), as I feel I'm just not cut out for that work. In a course of hardening our defences, the Small Guard regiment was expanded with two recent migrant groups (the second one, fortunately, came through the sand area) to a full 10-beards unit. They was assigned a new barracks and scheduled a new timetable - while some of them patroling a fortress, the others are going to train in a spear & shield combat, so if things would go messy they'll be able to hold the ground, at least. I know that most of overseers are reluctant to arm guards, as they have a tendency to become stab-happy when administering beatings, but I'm not going to change my decision. A safety of the whole fortress is on the stake, and if some scoundrel are going to pay for his crimes with his blood, so be it. In such a harsh times, no troublemakers will be tolerated.
Thirds, I also reworked a schedule for Vile Goo training and re-assembled another squad, which was almost empty before - the Overseer army. In the most of fortresses present and former overseers are frequently viewed as a special caste and tend to refrain from military duties, but now it's time for us to be a role model for all good commoners of the Smallhands. I personally signed myself in and is currently training under Recon's command (she, between us, is the most experienced in art of war). The schedule was composed in a way that at least four of us can carry out our civilian duties, while the others are sweating in barracks. It's not easy, but Recon says it's better to flog soldiers before battle than to bury them after, and I think she have a point here.
Thus way, our life has become quite martial, as out of 65 citizens of Smallhands 50 is in the army now (though not on a constant basis) - only children and a skeleton crew of farmers and craftsmen was spared of recruitment in any squads, so tending the fields and doing essential works won't be delayed even if all four regiments would be mobilized.
I should remark it's a way we must resort to - looking on the map I, with a heavy heart, must admit that we, in fact, are fighting a losing war. Our allies are weak and scattered, our Mountainhomes are taken from us by greenskins, so there won't be any help for us - it's us who became Mountainhomes for other settlements, and it's now our duty to lend them a helpful hand. Smallhands is in the center of an evil axis between our former capital and a foul Dark Fortress ruled by the blind demon.
Now it's time for us to sever that axis.
(https://i.imgur.com/5tDJeVm.jpg)
[1]Sadly, reclaiming Mountainhomes are beyond our strength, yet we still can deal a blow to goblinic communications, cutting off their supply lines. We found a weak spot - our former hillocks near mountains, now occupied with greenskins. Though once it was a dwarven home, now it must be erased from earth, like a pediculous robe that must be burned. I must admit I gave a quite risky order, sending Siege Breakers, backed up with Vile Goo, into assault, as they're our main defence force, yet sometimes some things are just need to be done.
(https://i.imgur.com/SqInzib.jpg)
It eventually turned out quite well, though not without shenanigans and casualties - we lost one fighter from Vile Goo, and one of the ghouls, Kubuk the miner, returned home as a ghost. I heard that things like this happened before and we know a way to deal with it, but decided to not use that methods after some thinking. Ghosts are invulnerable, aren't they? Maybe we can use it in a future clashes...
(https://i.imgur.com/CrmWudC.jpg)
The loot was mediocre, but whatever. It was never a main goal, to begin with.
While our brave soldiers were going to enjoy their rest, the Swamp Hunters received another order. Their target was another hillocks to the southwest, poor and unremarkable, where they were tasked with forcing the local greenskins to pay us tribute. Potentially, this could lead to disorder and growing mutual mistrust between their capital and local gouvernments. Potentially...
(https://i.imgur.com/1JL0Lox.jpg)
The raid's results was somewhat dubious this time, but a ten dead trolls are still better than nothing. Moreover, my suggestion about ghost was right! But...
(https://i.imgur.com/UEo5t3O.jpg)
But now it's time for me to step aside and make way for someone else, probably more talented than me. Looking back now, I must admit I was at most mediocre overseer and my achievements, compared to others, was mediocre too, but it was my best and I doubt I could do it any better way. I won't demand not an important place in this fortress' history, nor a special room, office or tomb, and even the pompous title of Mess Cleaner, as I see now, is not suit me, as on my duty I probably made much more mess than was before. So from now, just call me Janitor.
NB: still no mead for Elpho! He's not repenting hard enough!
-----------
OOC: I decided to not memorise Kubuk off-map, as he's not a named character and would work nicely as a lab rat for that ghoul-turns-ghost glitch. I'm not sure but it seems he became invulnerable and also have a tendency to rush into any missions not minding the squad assignation. Maybe, if we manage to gather a whole squad of ghosts, we'll even be able to claim Mountainhomes back? The story suddenly recieved a bit of Tolkien aroma...
I also had at some point the weird idea of claiming Cactushexes. That fort's defences stayed sound for about 150 years of constant war, and as no one seems to have any interest in it's ruins now, it probably could be used as a sort of chronocapsule for our civilization: new settlers can bulk up their forces here, while gobbos are wasting their time with Smallhands. I don't think other hillocks will last for long with 4000 enemies in Mountainhomes and 6000 in their own shithole, but Cactushexes probably can. I had not time, nor the spare hands to try this, but if some next player would have any useless migrants, he/she may try - if wants, of course.
There's a loads of food and booze in stock now, yet the mood is still somewhat low: I tried my best, but basking in miasma had done a bad job. I probably should be tossing the corpses outside... Keep an eye on Solon, Elpho and Urist the surgeon - the latter was haggard for a whole year and is very likely to snap. He's in custody now too, after tossing some knuckle sandwiches around in a feast hall.
As Salmeuk is in the army now, the validation of orders can take a time, so just remove him from squad if something important will be needed.
[1] This screenshot was modified, as at first I wanted to send all three operational squads into assault, but then decided to hold Swamp Hunters for next mission yet forgot to make current shot and also forgot to replace 3 with 2 when uploading. Sorry, folks.
Sorry, again, for poor writing and grammar. All dorfing requests was fulfilled. Here's the save file (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15521). Good luck, Recon!
Post by: QuQuasar on May 08, 2021, 03:40:46 am
I shall download the save and have a look around before I dorf myself. Let's see what fresh horrors we have to work with here...
Immediate reaction: by god this is small. I mean, I knew it was gonna be small, I read at least some of the thread, but seeing that the entire map fits into the game window is kind of a shock.
Spoiler: The Entire Embark. That's all there is. There isn't any more. (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: All our dwarbs and their labors (click to show/hide)
The dwarves of Smallhands are not too badly broken, all things considered. Only three of them actually have particularly severe stress problems: the fourth is Dastot, our newest forlorn ghoul. I imagine her stress will gradually make it's way back to zero over time since she no longer experiences anything resembling dwarven emotions now.
Actually... [grabs my dorfing pen]... I know we've already had ghoul overseers, but I'm feeling the need to micromanage the crap out of this place, and who better to overhaul the management dwarves than she who suffered the most? So, say hi everyone to Smallhands newest emotionless overseer, the Dwarf Bone Carver Forlorn... Ghol?
Spoiler: Yep, Ghol (click to show/hide)
... the Dwarf Bone Carver Forlorn Ghol formerly known as Dastot.
Post by: delphonso on May 08, 2021, 04:31:56 am
Glad to have you, QuQuasar the Ghol. Is it really a Smallhands overseer if they haven't died at least once?
Post by: King Zultan on May 08, 2021, 04:33:30 am
Post by: QuQuasar on May 08, 2021, 05:40:57 am
Post by: recon1o6 on May 08, 2021, 06:00:16 am
Hilarious to me that Elpho is stress out of his goard. He doesn't do anything! What is he stressed about?!
The last overseer taking a turn for the elf hating? that or someone collecting information on behalf of Deler Cogthikut
Post by: Radiofort on May 08, 2021, 06:39:19 am
I think it's me, actually.Oops, sorry and good luck then. I think my real brain took a small overload, as I haven't wrote that much in English for years.
Hilarious to me that Elpho is stress out of his goard. He doesn't do anything! What is he stressed about?!Booze shortages, miasma and small tanrum spiral at the end of spring. What else dorf need for going emo?
93000 stress by Armok how has solon not broken yet?Beats me. I expected he would be lost at the end of autumn, yet he still somehow holds his shit. Well, except all that toppled traps and levers.
By the way, I mentioned in my last post that Dastot went insane again. Don't ask me how.
Post by: delphonso on May 08, 2021, 07:16:56 am
I think it's me, actually.Oops, sorry and good luck then. I think my real brain took a small overload, as I haven't wrote that much in English for years.
I know you had a bit of reluctance earlier in the thread, but your posts were excellently written. I'm glad you decided to give it a shot.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 08, 2021, 11:39:43 am
-Smallhands seems to be getting a surprising amount of migrants from the Hillocks of "Nutmined"
-Dastor Endokilid is the same dwarf Recon sent to die attacking dimplesteal as punishment for tantruming constantly. She got rescued by a begrudging Recon years later and has destressed approximately 7000 since she was imprisoned.
-The current King of dwarves is Queen Amost Tradedhandled. Fitting she's a merchant.
-In 171 the mountainhomes kicked the goblins out of an elven retreat and took it over
-in 170, the goblins literally had to get a demon to overtake Staffhoisted because the dwarves there kept winning
-There are multiple artifacts in possession of some elven princesses (and one prince) over at Glimmered Sanctum, and several more including what appears to be The One Ring over in Dimplesteal (naturally in possession of the demon there)
-The elves have literally lost 3 of their 4 sites, which are also now in possession by the dwarves
finally: theres two levers on level -8, one is the front gate, the other is the arena gate. You might want to pull those quick if/when gobbos come. Apparently only one of them is labelled
In addition to what radiofort said below: you need to look at the military, i noticed our gear is set to over clothing instead of REPLACE clothing. so no wonder we're armoured as paper
Post by: Radiofort on May 08, 2021, 12:23:10 pm
I know you had a bit of reluctance earlier in the thread, but your posts were excellently written. I'm glad you decided to give it a shot.Thanks. Maybe I'll take another turn in a future.
-Dastor Endokilid is the same dwarf Recon sent to die attacking dimplesteal as punishment for tantruming constantly. She got rescued by a begrudging Recon years later and has destressed approximately 7000 since she was imprisoned.I kinda hoped you would notice the Amontillado joke, heh.
finally: theres two levers on level -8, one is the front gate, the other is the arena gate. You might want to pull those quick if/when gobbos come. Apparently only one of them is labelledI strongly advice to use them next second after loading game and stay sealed for a while, as their retaliation army is on our shoulders already. I played solo for a few times, and every time they came in a range from exact moment to a few days. Looks like I hit a nerve with that razed hillocks.
There's also four levers (two gray and two blue) near the gate control room. They're operating the smashers in a Goo Hive.
An important note: fill the vacant position in Swamp Hunters with anybody, as it seems the ghostly Siege Breaker who joined them in the raid holds it now. Don't know why, but that renders the whole squad unusable, as they cannot be alerted/ordered.
Also, an important note: increase the amount of combat ammunition for Swamp Hunters, as now they for some reason have only 100 on a whole squad. Forgot to do it myself.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 08, 2021, 11:21:08 pm
"I don't particularly care one way or another. However... she would have."
"Very well. I am ready to begin. Speak, and I will record your words."
Spoken by 'Quasar' Endokilid, Dwarf Bone Carver forlorn ghoul
My name was Dastot, and my story is an unhappy one. If you wish not to partake of tragedy, now is the time to leave.
I never knew my parents. Indeed, I have very few memories of the time before I settled here. I cannot say if that is because they were uneventful, if they were something I repressed, or if they never existed in the first place.
Regardless, I do remember my husband, Kubuk Adiludist. He was a brave man, a good man. Now, he is a dead man. He travelled with me to Smallhands in 158, when I was a mere 69 years of age. I think, perhaps, we were happy then. My recollection is not what it once was. A side effect, perhaps?
Unfortunately, it wouldn't last much longer. The first thing most notice about Smallhands is the heat. A sweaty, cloying heat that can never be escaped, not even were one to swim in the cold cavern pools or bury themselves in snow. The curse of Smallhands, the eternal fever. I can't exactly blame the fever everything that followed, but it certainly did not help my state of mind.
Two years after I arrived, a severe wound cost me my mental fortitude. I became a nervous wreck.
(https://imgur.com/Ud2EKHw.png)
As the stress began to pile up, I tried many things to cope. I tried humour...
(https://imgur.com/U49iq1B.png)
... it didn't work. I tried altruism...
(https://imgur.com/fw4HU4Z.png)
... it didn't work. I even tried thrill seeking...
(https://imgur.com/yoNzrv2.png)
Obviously, it did not work. Once one reaches such a state, bringing them back from the brink is all but impossible. The rules of the world, as written in The Sea of Twice Addition, do not allow it.
Kubuk saw my ever increasing burden, and he became fey in his desperate efforts to turn my mood around. He claimed a leatherworkers workshop and made a grand artifact.
(https://imgur.com/ABoO8gt.png)
He claimed Secretpuce as a family heirloom and gifted it to me as a symbol of our love and family.
(https://imgur.com/0jw1DVd.png)
I recall being touched by his act. In hindsight, it would have been more productive to have publicly struck him with the useless thing for wasting a perfectly good strange mood.
... Kubuk was a naive fool, but I loved him with all my heart.
I wouldn't be allowed to do so for much longer.
The burden of stress began to overcome me. I began lashing out, striking dwarves, toppling statues. The stress had to be appeased. The ritual of tantrum must be completed.
Eventually, my actions lead to consequences.
The overseer at the time was Recon. She summoned me to her office and stated in plain terms what she intended to do. I told her she was a monster. She told me this place makes monsters of us all.
Cliche or not, she was not wrong.
Kubuk fought against it, of course. He insisted I disobey the overseer's orders. He told me he'd run away with me. Anywhere I wanted to go. But I knew that would only draw him into my suffering. So... I obeyed the order.
(https://imgur.com/mkzrlny.png)
I was supposed to die in honourable combat, but instead the foul creatures captured me. I'll spare you the details of the next 10 years of my life. Goblins are not smart or creative creatures, but when it comes to inventive forms of torture they have no equal in this world. Even now, even in my emotionless state, I have no wish to speak of the the things they did to me.
We had tea parties. They made me drink LEAF JUICE!
There is something I must share, however, because I saw in person what we are up against. The mistress of The Seduction of Goo paid a personal visit to the prisoners. The blind demon Ikud Masterlegend the Unremarkable Idol. A gigantic eyeless iguana twisted into humanoid form. It spouts gibberish periodically. Its russet scales are small and close-set. Beware it's fire! Ikud was associated with thralldom.
Ikud's horrific eyeless face came close to the cage in which I was held as if looking into my very soul, and she laughed and spouted gibberish at me. Occult words that made no sense, cursed stories of matter and energy, ones and zeroes, of space and time being the same thing and of cats and dwarves both alive and dead, screaming as they rot away in their tiny boxes. And I, who had survived years in the pit, choked as those nonsensical noises wormed their way into my mind.
But I could not allow myself to die. I blotted out the world and focused on the only thing that could possibly have kept me sane: the knowledge that Kubuk was waiting for me. The love of my life was safe back in Smallhands, and he would live on. I would die in this place, sooner or later, but his love for me would not.
Suffice to say, I was wrong.
(https://imgur.com/uj1XBUG.png)
I was barely concious when The Little Picks rescued me, malnourished and hideously sober. But I remember hearing that Kubuk was still at Smallhands. That brought me back. I would see him again. Slowly but surely, with the aid of rations and booze and hope most of all, my stress began to alleviate on the journey home. Surely, it was over. The worst was behind me. Surely.
And then I found out the truth...
...
(https://imgur.com/4viNZIX.png)
...
Not two years after I was captured, Kubuk had surrendered to despair and refused water until he died.
He should have been allowed to rest, but the overseers of Smallhands had had other idea's. The thought process went that if necromancers could enslave the dead, all we had to do was enslave the necromancers. And so, Kubuk came back to Smallhands.
(https://imgur.com/ICgeJhZ.png)
But even a child could see that something was missing. Kubuk's mind and memories had come back, but his soul? His feelings? His connections to those around him?
His love?
The monsters of Smallhands had torn everything from him, leaving nothing but a hollow shell.
That was the final straw. I screamed incoherently for days on end, screamed until I was hoarse, screamed until I coughed blood and then screamed some more. I refused to drink. I refused to eat. I only wanted the suffering to end. And, after far too long, it finally did.
I died. Finally. After so much suffering, I was finally at peace.
(https://imgur.com/2pLp43Z.png)
For about a week.
(https://imgur.com/bb12XxU.png)
None of this seems to matter to me anymore. I remember most of it, and I can recite the events in detail, but the emotions are gone. The pain I felt when my soul and mind were torn asunder, one to ascend to the afterlife and the other to return to my rotting corpse, seems remote and irrelevant now.
Still, I respect that my former self would have found something romantic about me and Kubuk both becoming forlorn ghouls. I will take it. Satisfaction-by-proxy may be the most I can hope for in this new existence.
And then the overseer sent Kubuk away to raid Stableville, and he came back a ghost to justifiably torment it's inhabitants. Frankly, by this point I wasn't even surprised anymore.
(https://imgur.com/1A2EpxI.png)
"Okay, that's transcribed. Is there anything else you want to add?"
"No. The rest will be recorded in the history books."
"History books? Heh, what, are you going to go overthrow the fortress for the sake of revenge or something?"
(https://imgur.com/3JS2JJ8.png)
"... or something."
Post by: QuQuasar on May 09, 2021, 12:19:59 am
(https://imgur.com/T62bxQL.png)
(https://imgur.com/rp3VjXL.png)
I thought the vanilla work manager just wasn't being used and therefore the entire fort had no automation in it, but I think there's actually some DFHack autolabor stuff going on that I don't understand.
Post by: Radiofort on May 09, 2021, 03:16:10 am
In my opinion, just roll with it, as Smallhands is already full to the brim with bugs & glitches, and affected orders isn't crucial. Though it will require a detailed investigation if that problem will spread to more important tasks, but I doubt it.
Moreover, that was quite a badass quenta for Dastot. Will be waiting for updates!
Post by: recon1o6 on May 09, 2021, 04:52:00 am
Still... fitting that Recon was also the one sent to free her after 10 years.
There is something I must share, however, because I saw in person what we are up against. The mistress of The Seduction of Goo paid a personal visit to the prisoners. The blind demon Ikud Masterlegend the Unremarkable Idol. A gigantic eyeless iguana twisted into humanoid form. It spouts gibberish periodically. Its russet scales are small and close-set. Beware it's fire! Ikud was associated with thralldom.
The big bad of this saga is WeevilMessiah god of Thralldom. With NoGood's sacrifice, Smallhands was freed from WeevilMessiah's influence, and this thing is his top enforcer.
Post by: Spriggans on May 09, 2021, 05:43:53 am
Iirc, you can remove the glitched work orders by first pressing R, S, and only then C
Only pressing C brings them back for some reason
If that aint working, you can always deconstruct the workshop...
Post by: delphonso on May 09, 2021, 06:24:21 am
Post by: QuQuasar on May 10, 2021, 06:54:32 am
On the first of Granite, 174, Radiofort responded with "sure, you can be next" and handed me a rock with "OvrseR" scratched on it.
I suspect there was some form of miscommunication between us. Frankly, I was expecting overthrowing the government and installing myself as supreme ruler to be harder. And also, why a rock? Smallhands has stockpiled a great many quires that nobody seems to be using.
Apparently it won't even be the first time a forlorn ghoul has lead this fort. I'm not sure whether that happened during my imprisonment, or if having my mind torn from my soul, shattered into a thousand pieces and painfully reconstructed within the decaying brain of a corpse has had some adverse effects on my memory. I would be concerned, if I was capable of it anymore.
Regardless, since my goal of conquering Smallhands and reigning supreme over the peasants within has now been achieved, I must focus my efforts on reforming it, on bending it to my will. None should have to suffer as the one named Dastot once did. I will crush this fortress's cruel streak beneath my iron boots, break the back of it's meanness over my unholy knee, trample it's shriveled black soul into a bloody pulp of kindness, and instead of a dark lord, you will have a QUEEN! Of niceness. A nice queen. I will be nice.
First things first: Duke Salmeuk has evidently been failing to prepare the paperwork on a regular basis. After an extensive search, the only thing I could find was a another small rock with the words "Mill plants x40" scratched on it.
(https://imgur.com/CLTDlMX.png)
This is inefficient. I no longer care for Salmeuk's noble title, and while I can empathise with his history of suffering, the fact remains: if he cannot even manage the production of basic consumables, I will have him relieved of duty. Even heroes must obey me, or perish.
This will not do. I have gathered many of the quires and set about listing a series of tasks to be addressed regularly.
I have also ordered the construction of a new screw press, since I was unable to locate the existing one. Since Smallhands is in possession of two seperate artifact-quality mechanisms, this will likely be the single most expensive screw press in dwarven history.
(https://imgur.com/YSpDXNg.png)
(https://imgur.com/46tdYNW.png)
I have also been unable to locate a functioning garbage disposal system. This will be added to the list.
Former-overseer Radiofort came to me while I was working on the new list to inform me that the outer gates needed to be raised. Apparently, reports indicate a goblin siege force is approaching.
I was unable to find the reports he referred to, however. I have to assume they were provided verbally, to him, which means there are still dwarves answering directly to the previous regime. They will have to be found and crushed like pineapples in a pineapple crushing workshop.
I do not trust those who once ruled this place, but I will close the gate's nonetheless.
OOC: North lever is linked to the inner gate. South lever is linked to the outer gate. Jet lever is unlinked.
On an unrelated note, Auze is damn lucky I happened to be watching the doors, because he very nearly got himself pancaked and/or gobbo'd.
(https://imgur.com/0azYHiJ.png)
The information provided by Radioforts mystery informants was accurate: the goblin siege forces have arrived. I will have the drawbridges of the Goo Hive destroy them utterly. There is no reason to subject the sensitive dwarves of Smallhands to hauling all those corpses for the sake of some meltable armour and a few troll-fur loincloths.
(https://imgur.com/IXWEirO.png)
I'm sure the regular thumping of the drawbridges and the terrified screams of the servants of Ikud as they watch their comrades die instantly would have brought my former self some much needed catharsis, but I now see it as little more than a necessity. I will occupy myself with more important matters while they perish in the dark.
I finally found our glass furnaces, hidden away in what appears to be a maintenance shaft for the now-dry water reactor. I've ordered the facility expanded with enough space for 4 furnaces and a stockpile zone for sand bags. The former overseer's goal of providing glass furniture for the dwarves of Smallhands was a kind one.
The greenening will continue.
(https://imgur.com/aiVtayI.png)
The work orders are done. I have given the quires to Duke Salmeuk for validation. With this, Smallhands should no longer want for food, drink, soap or clothing unecessarily.
(https://imgur.com/OZuYHTJ.png)
The bulk of the goblin forces are fleeing. The goo hive is a formidable weapon indeed. However, a few loyal soldiers still hover around the entrance, too loyal or, more likely with goblins, too scared of the consequences to abandon their caged leaders.
They underestimate the consequences of not doing so. I order the Siege Breakers and Vile Goo to the outer courtyard. My ghostly husband Kubuk accompanies them.
(https://imgur.com/V4SjT2O.png)
I would wish them luck, if I cared. The lever is pulled and the forts entrance crashes open.
Things immediately go sideways. One of the goblin kidnappee's is a speardwarf, and the moment he see's our fully armed and operational steel-clad militia crash out of the fortress at a dead run his eyes flash green and his movement becomes terrifyingly fluid and precise. A martial trance.
(https://imgur.com/mL82NFL.png)
Battle is joined, and blood flies.
In the middle of the melee, 'Nezclaw' of the Siege Breakers suffers a heavy blow to his arm from the enemy speardwarf and drops his battle axe. Even so, he declares himself unafraid and throws himself at the enemy once more. A brave, foolish and above all futile move: a dwarf in a martial trance is not an opponent so much as a force of nature. It cannot be defeated with mere pluck, and elegantly dodges Nezclaw's desperate tackle, landing a heavy punch in his face. Nezclaw collapses to one knee, bleeding badly, still shouting that he will not lose hope and striking out wildly.
It's no use. The indoctrinated soldier blocks his swings and, with a cruel smile, pulls back his spear to deliver the finishing blow.
(https://imgur.com/AqSibbN.png)
And then...
(https://imgur.com/MTy1Fb6.png)
Another flash of green. 'Nezclaw' has also entered a martial trance. Suddenly, it's once again a fair fight. Nezclaw may not have an axe anymore, but he has his steel shield, his fists, and two forlorn ghouls backing him up. The tides turn in his favor and the enemy dwarf is pushed back.
(https://imgur.com/k8I8UmL.png)
(https://imgur.com/3vumRe0.png)
He loses a foot and falls over. Then he loses use of a hand, and drops his spear. Fear begins to show even through the martial trance, as his allies fall to the militia and blow upon blow rains down upon him. The dwarf finds himself backed into a corner as the last of his allies dies and 'Nezclaw' advances, shield in front, the entire militia of Smallhands behind him.
(https://imgur.com/qtaj8QD.png)
"It's over. You're done."
The green light fades from the other dwarfs eyes, and he sneers defiantly at the dwarves of Smallhands and says something in goblin as the forlorn ghoul axe lord Rakust Asdugolin steps forward and raises his axe.
(https://imgur.com/k89CiaZ.png)
(https://imgur.com/gkjCIGj.png)
"It's over. You can relax now. You did it, man! You got him!"
"Yeah! That was amazing, Nezclaw!"
"Haha, yeah! We killed them all thanks to you!"
"Well, all of them except for that one over there..."
[camera pans left to bring fleeing goblin hammerdwarf into frame]
"..."
Spoiler: ULTRAVIOLENCE (click to show/hide)
"Where were we? Oh, right. Hurrah for Nezclaw!"
Post by: QuQuasar on May 10, 2021, 07:24:28 am
(https://imgur.com/tpjOVUY.png)
Post by: Radiofort on May 10, 2021, 01:00:25 pm
I'm also glad that you decided to continue my scuffed glassification project. Our dorfs really need to see some relaxing green colour from time to time.
At first I wanted to make three furnaces but made only two, as I had an idea of garbage disposal magma dump. Unconnected jet lever should've been operating the hatch between the furnaces, but due to brain overload I made a grate instead of a hatch cover and froze the project for the best, as we surely don't need any magma mist in a fortress. In the end I kinda forgot about it :-\
There's two dump zones in a zombie chamber, which can be also used to dispose of trash via atom smashing (though I don't recommend to throw corpses here because of, you know, miasma).
The only reason Solon haven't snapped yet is, probably, him being an artifact creator, as artifact creators cannot go insane from stress. At that point I'm not even sure if it's good or bad for him, as his whole life now is like... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoU2sf0bHI8)
Post by: QuQuasar on May 11, 2021, 04:55:27 am
I tried to encourage them to stop behaving like children by placing a minecart tipper with which to dump the corpses into the garbage disposal device. That worked.
It was also a poor decision. I am now seeing a great many complaints about the stench of death infesting these halls.
(https://imgur.com/WZIKZiT.png)
I am unsure how that is different from the usual state of affairs in Smallhands, and frankly would be feeling insulted if I was capable of it, but the living seem to consider it a problem. Very well. I am aware of a small hole filled with magma along the southern edge of the pastures. It will become an incinerator for post-siege refuse.
(https://imgur.com/kPXcDMA.png)
I discovered that the asylum is currently being occupied by 'Auze', a speardwarf and a child. The mayor is utilizing it's office as his own. A clear example of the monsters of Smallhands valuing their own comfort over that of those who suffer the most.
With exactly three stressed dwarves it would be irrational not to make use of the asylum's three rooms. I have evicted the squatters and assigned Solon, Urist and Elpho to the asylum burrow. They have also been assigned to a 'Combat Therapy' militia squad, since improving ones skills is known to assist in the neverending fight against stress. This may make their tantrums more damaging, but if so, so be it.
We will coddle our weak until they recover, or they will destroy one another entirely. I do not care either way, but Dastot would have. It is the kind thing to do.
Speaking of things my former self cared deeply about...
(https://imgur.com/51Hld99.png)
Kubuk continue to haunt the Siege Breakers barracks. His eternal torment and occasional minor poltergeist activity is becoming a distraction to the militia members. Also, ZultanKing tried to interrogate him for some reason.
(https://imgur.com/RFCQJ0Z.png)
Good to know that death has not reduced my husbands naivete.
I am tempted to have the love of my life (such as it was) memorialized, and say goodbye once and for all. Indeed, that would be by far the most rational approach.
But...
... [rattling corpse sigh]...
... I cannot ignore that she would not have let him go. Every fraction of my rational mind is demanding I put him to rest and end his suffering forever, but if I intend to use the memories of my former self as any form of moral compass I cannot ignore the most important thing in Dastot's life.
I will research the means by which Overseer Nogood returned from the dead. And, if that unique incident can be replicated, as foolish as it may be, I will endeavor to do so.
I can't imagine it will work, and I'm not capable of caring whether it does or not. But it must be attempted.
(https://imgur.com/oZnX8Qg.png)
(https://imgur.com/ZR0PFOR.png)
The moment Kubuk's ghostly figure vanishes over the horizon, Asmel Cloisterweight, a professional swordswoman, is possessed. I do not know whether this bodes well or poorly.
She claims a mechanics workshop. Just what we need. Another set of artifact-quality mechanisms. It seems plausible to me that Smallhands has been blessed by a minor deity of mechanisms. Just in case, I offer my prayers to the unknown god.
Thank you, god of machines, for your blessing this day! I praise you in the name o the sky and the net! May your workings be lubricated and your physics malleable to the point of exploitatative!
(https://imgur.com/3zbL2Is.png)
If I was still alive, I would feel acutely self-conscious right now.
... okay, that's a lie, I would have found it hilarious.
(https://imgur.com/U49iq1B.png)
[rattling sigh] I miss being able to laugh.
(https://imgur.com/0ewwWSx.png)
What? The Siege Breakers are back already? That was astonishingly quick.
Well, Smallhands will not say no to five free tame Beak Dogs, but surely you fools knew you were supposed to stay afield until we finished installing the slab, right? The Ritual of Nogood stated quite clearly that the ghost of my husband must not be within sight of the fortress when the slab is-
(https://imgur.com/J77zfyg.png)
... Kubuk?
(https://imgur.com/JabjHBV.png)
Heh. Kubuk, darling, this isn't funny. Come back. You can't go yet. You can't. Not yet.
(https://imgur.com/pDHL42R.png)
Heheh. Kubuk, no. Not like this, not again, please. I... I can't even mourn you like this. You know that! I'm not even capable of mourning you! Kubuk!
(https://imgur.com/UElz1ms.png)
I can't... feel things... Kubuk... come back... please... come back...
(https://imgur.com/yyfK7rg.png)
... *sob*... *sob*...
come back
... *sob*...
I still love you.
Post by: Radiofort on May 11, 2021, 05:41:31 am
sigh I kinda hoped he will clash with Ikud the blind demon in a future and kill him for all Smallhands' woes.
Note 1: it seems the resurrection procedure needs improvement, as most of dorfs are slowed by fever and all remaining hostile settlements is too close to fortress for assault squad to stay off-map long enough. I think it's better to start building the slab when the squad is still on map, then suspend it partially constructed, THEN send the soldiers on mission and THEN unsuspend the construction. That will require a lot of microcontrol, but, in theory, should buy our feverish sloths enough time to memorialize ghosts off-map... probably.
Note 2: on the other hand, we can just send them to explore the ruins of Cactushexes. Pretty meaningless mission, but it's distant enough... probably, too.
Meanwhile, what was the result of attack? Did we win, at least?
Post by: QuQuasar on May 11, 2021, 06:48:24 am
Meanwhile, what was the result of attack, at least?Oh, right. I meant to include the spoils in the original post, but I got a bit distracted by the out-of-the-blue tearjerker moment.
The raid was a flawless success. The goblins didn't even notice the Siege Breakers, and we got 5 new tame beak dogs out of it!
(https://imgur.com/Y4TZy6N.png)
(https://imgur.com/vTI03gl.png)
I need help again: these little buggers won't haul refuse. I've got the entire fortress on refuse hauling duty and no other hauling duties, and not one of them will so much as touch any of the corpses stinking up the main hall and entrance way.
(https://imgur.com/t4C47db.png)
The corpses aren't forbidden or marked for dumping, refuse orders are set to "Dwarves Gather Refuse from Outside", and the stockpile is set to recieve them, but Smallhands has just given up on refuse hauling entirely and I don't understand why.
(https://imgur.com/A1hOErt.png)
Post by: auzewasright on May 11, 2021, 06:52:00 am
Post by: recon1o6 on May 11, 2021, 07:01:11 am
Oh and refuse on the surface tends not to make miasma
damn that tear jerker though. Looks like Quasar is slowly getting her emotions back after all. Worthy attempt though!
how did magma get into the old ballista bolt storage I made? and better still, now where am I gonna build the pumping system to the Tall Bar's magma weapon if the channel I dug is filled with water and the bypass is now an incinerator
I'm going to have a lot of work to do in my next reign.
Post by: Darkening Kaos on May 11, 2021, 08:42:50 am
Post by: King Zultan on May 12, 2021, 02:42:50 am
Post by: delphonso on May 12, 2021, 03:07:18 am
Quote
Even heroes must obey me, or perish.
This is a super cool line.
Oof, my emotions. Sad Kubuk didn't make the Smallhands Special and achieve a third life. Really love your style, QuQuasar.
Also, we made it to page 69. Nice.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 12, 2021, 04:35:24 am
And here I thought I couldn't feel anything anymore. Turns out the numbness, the detachment, the cloying, stifling apathy of the dead... they were nothing but illusions this whole time.
Of course they were. Ha! I should have known. Of course the gods wouldn't be so kind. Not to me. They're probably responsible! Surely, somewhere out there some sadistic minor diety of fucking prawns or something is toying with my existence, amusing itself personally with my suffering. Well go on, laugh. Laugh you sick fucko!
Hahahahaha! I feel! I'm a dead thing, my soul long gone, and yet I feel. Not physically, of course. I can't feel the touch of another dwarf, or taste the burn of strong alchohol. Blood does not course through my dead veins. But sorrow... grief... heartache. I feel those.
But all of those pale in comparison to the one emotion I feel most of all.
HATE.
Reforming Smallhands? Hah! With what, some work orders? A bit of glass furniture? An incinerator? Heheheh. Ahahahah! I was a fool.
Smallhands can't be reformed. The monsters that live here in the guise of dwarves will never produce anything other than suffering. I used to think it was those in charge that were to blame, but I know better now. It's all of them. All they had to do was install the slab before the Siege Breakers got back. It should have been easy!
This entire fortress is a feverish engine of suffering, producing nothing but torment and shitty craftworks.
Ending the suffering of Smallhands once and for all will require a more... drastic approach.
(https://imgur.com/kVYxsHI.png)
Heheheheh. Aaaaahahahah!
The masons came to tell me they'd finished the glass furnaces: three magma furnaces for glass and two conventional ones to run sand collection jobs. I told them I didn't care. They told me a spare barrel is still required for the ashery, but otherwise the facility is functional. I told them to leave me, I am busy orchestrating their doom. They told me it is connected to a small sand collection area directly above it. I screamed incoherent zombie noises at them until they ran away screaming. Heheheh. Their fear pleases me greatly.
(https://imgur.com/NyNAf84.png)
But then they came back to inform me that the roof leaks. Dwarves are bad at taking hints. Fuck off.
(https://imgur.com/Qdbumya.png)
Another report from a project started in a simpler time.
(https://imgur.com/CA2RrZF.png)
The blunt weapons were supposed to reduce hauling requirements and prevent a repeat of the unnecessary scuffle earlier this year. Now, though... all I can think is that it will be good for hurting those I hate. Hahah.
A good enough reason. The project will continue.
The entrance staircase continues to smell of death. The consequences of their actions will continue to haunt Smallhands for as long as they exist. Or at least for as long as they refuse to haul any the damned corpses.
(https://imgur.com/ucFEZ8f.png)
Some small amount of hauling has been done. They're aware of the problem. They're just too damn lazy to do anything about it.
(https://imgur.com/EQb29eY.png)
Solon has at last been released from jail. He immediately secured a llama bone earring for himself, then reported to the hospital to have his wounds tended.
(https://imgur.com/XFvU83W.png)
I sense in Solon a kindred spirit. His pure, justified rage at the injustice of the universe very nearly equals my own.
(https://imgur.com/paGg4Sr.png)
Yes in fact, I think Solon will be a good choice. My project nears completion. Aaaahahaha. Yes. He will be the first...
(https://imgur.com/N9HkzPY.png)
Post by: recon1o6 on May 12, 2021, 05:12:55 am
Post by: QuQuasar on May 12, 2021, 05:39:05 am
(https://imgur.com/CoXmFQR.png)
Hahaha. Of course. It's not like anything I plan could ever actually be allowed to happen.
For once the dwarves of Smallhands acted quickly. The moment Solon's enraged berserker cry echoed from the corridor to the hospital, they locked him in it. I suppose they have plenty of practice when it comes to neglecting the suffering of others.
Solon will die in that corridor. I hate it, but there is little I can do to help him.
(https://imgur.com/G6K96lk.png)
Radiofort tells me this is a problem because now he can't bring the man his crutch.
(https://imgur.com/IQ0NtCu.png)
I tell him he's missing the point. He tells me I'm missing the point, because now our only hospital is inaccessible. I concede the point and order a wall dug. Then I tell him it's rude to point. Then he tells me he's not pointing at me, I'm pointing at him. I attempt to correct him on the subject.
This continued for several hours. If I still had a will to live, I am certain this conversation would have rectified that.
OOC: Yep, Solon had never actually created an artifact. He was never immune to breaking at all. He just bore all that stress on his own like a fucking champ.
Of course, now I can't even transmoghoulify the poor bastard because the stress residue would rapidly drive him berserk again, just like it did to Quasar. That's a shame. He deserves better.
Though... perhaps he didn't go berserk while we was in jail because he was chained? Probably just confirmation bias, but perhaps if I convict him of a crime he didn't do after rezzing him? I don't have anything in the crime list, though. Or maybe I can find a way to KO him over the top of a cage trap?
(Edit) I ran a ghoulification test on a different dwarf and the process of dying set their stress to 0. So a) this gives me hope for Solon, and b) I have no idea how Quasar managed to become a babbling ghoul. Shouldn't even be possible.
Post by: Radiofort on May 12, 2021, 10:41:15 am
Quote
I tell him he's missing the point. He tells me I'm missing the point, because now our only hospital is inaccessible. I concede the point and order a wall dug. Then I tell him it's rude to point. Then he tells me he's not pointing at me, I'm pointing at him. I attempt to correct him on the subject.Considering Radiofort's liquid brain, this conversation makes me laugh again and again.
So Solon never made an artifact? Then just F for poor fellow, as he stayed in a darkest zetsubou for more than a year.
Still, I have an idea. If Solon will be lucky enough to arise as a ghoul, and if ghoul/zombie type of undeath is choosen permanently for a creature (I'm not sure but i think I've seen someone researching it in this thread), AND if the insanity tag won't linger after off-map memorializing, then he probably still can be saved if brought down, reanimated as ghoul and then rapidly sent off to explore/raid some world's asshole and slabbed. Moreover, if it would work, then Dastot/Quasar can be saved too the same way.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 13, 2021, 06:06:10 am
Still, I have an idea. If Solon will be lucky enough to arise as a ghoul, and if ghoul/zombie type of undeath is choosen permanently for a creature (I'm not sure but i think I've seen someone researching it in this thread).I can confirm that this is not the case. I've managed to raise a specific dwarf as both ghoul and zombie. However, simply by savescumming over and over, I only ever get a zombie. From what I've seen, in the current save, the first corpse he raises is always zombie, the second corpse is a ghoul so long as it is sentient and the third one is a zombie.
So you cannot get what you want simply by savescumming, but at the same time, it is possible to manipulate what you get. If you know the next one will be a zombie, you can have him raise a buzzard head or something first to 'get it out of his system'. The one after that might be a forlorn ghoul. And if it is a ghoul, it will always be a ghoul regardless of who you send to him.
I don't have any data beyond the first two or three: they seem to alternate, but I only have 3 data points to go on.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 13, 2021, 07:28:49 am
(https://imgur.com/CIIEkQp.png)
I can't use it if there's a sock jamming the door. This is sabotage! Somebody dump the damn thing.
The incinerator is all-but complete. A few dwarves have even deigned to use it to start stockpiling refuse.
(https://imgur.com/OgLDHDi.png)
They're only stockpiling the teeth at this stage, though: nobody is moving any actual corpses, because godsforbid they be forced to touch something icky for the good of the fortress. Still, it's a start. It proves they are at least aware of the refuse dump.
The glassmakers came to tell me the the farmers keep taking their potash to use as fertilizer before they can process it into pearlash. Clear glass is more than twice as valuable as green glass and it only needs wood logs to make it, and more importantly this stupidity is ruining the long production line I had envisaged. It took literally minutes to draw up those work orders!
Logs ===> (Wood Burner) ===> Ash ===> (Ashery) ===> Potash ===> (Kiln) ===> Pearlash ===> (Glass Makers) ===> Clear Glass Furniture
|
Stolen by idiots
Oh. Annoyance. That's a new one.
They're actually dumping the corpses! Finally.
(https://imgur.com/vijR6S9.png)
I will give them some time to empty the fort of all the random body parts strewn about, then narrow it down to sentient corpses and loose clothing. All our fresh, fortress-made clothing is safely stored in stockpiles on the textile floor, and the rest shall be burned.
Dwarves should not don goblin clothing. It's not a matter of preference, but of hygiene. I saw the daily life of goblins while I was imprisoned in Dimplesteal. My colleagues might not know where that -troll-fur loincloth- has been, but I do.
We shall have to find a more suitable trade good than used clothes for Smallhands to traffic in. I can think of at least one possibility...
(https://imgur.com/A1mMoG5.png)
(https://imgur.com/9q8ZHFh.png)
Oof. I remember that feel.
They still won't dump that bloody sock, though. And now they're hauling clothing in circles between a couple stockpiles I don't actually understand the use of?
[sigh] It doesn't matter. Let's try installing a second door. Maybe we can wash it out when it's used. Let's try it...
The Ghoulifier.
An extention to the necromancers chamber for the quick and definitely-not-painless transmogrification of living dwarves into forlorn ghouls without harming their material body. No more waiting around for dwarves to die of natural causes and hoping their body is intact afterwards. An end to the eternal fever and untreatable stress, all in a single no-fuss cure-all treatment!*
*Side effects may include death, loss of personality, loss of empathy, loss of emotion, and becoming a mindless undead abomination consumed by a terrible murderous hatred of the living. Savescumming recommended.
(https://imgur.com/cpqOTgR.png)
Well, I did say I would end Smallhands suffering. The burden of existence in this tiny hell is too much for living creatures to bear. But a ghoul does not suffer so easily.
Unless they're me, of course. Hah! The exception that proves the rule.
It is a terrible price, to never again experience happiness or love, but it is a price those of us who know true suffering will be more than willing to pay. And if they're not willing, well... heeheehee... it's not like this fortress is ruled by a tyranical lich queen drunk on power and sorrow. Ahahahahahaha! It's funny because I get to murder people I hate.
But before revenge, it's a good idea to help those who need it the most. Come, Urist, my friend. I have prepared something to soothe your pain.
(https://imgur.com/m8Lu2Wy.png)
First, the door is forbidden. Then the Jet lever is pulled to release the water. The water fills the drowning chamber, and we pull the Jet lever a second time to close the valve bridge once the room is full of water.
(https://imgur.com/iTl5eHF.png)
After a minute or two, the muffled gurgling and thumping on the door ceases. No turning back now. The bauxite lever is pulled, and the water and Urists fresh corpse is
emptied into the necromancers chamber below.
(https://imgur.com/YrQ2ktm.png)
The water drains away through the grates, and we can now open the shutters to let Kol Kabobok do his foul work. Rise once again, Urist. Rise!
(https://imgur.com/aeih3lm.jpg)
It's alliiiiiive!!!! Kyahahahahahahahaagh!
The procedure was a complete success. Urist remains haggard, but he looks quite a bit less on-edge now that he has joined the ranks of the ghouls. I believe that, given time, he will revert to the emotionless state common among our kind.
(https://imgur.com/THAukyB.png)
He is going about collecting clothes now. I do not see the point, personally, but to be fair his body is a lot less... desiccated... than mine.
OOC: That's about a 28,000 stress drop during the revivication process. That will certainly help, but for someone like Solon who is going to die with stress up near 100,000, it's unlikely to be enough to save him. I'll try to do it anyway, though.
OOC: Also, has anyone else noticed that Radiofort is just... obscenely happy? That liquid brain of his is doing him wonders in the stress department. Dwarf Therapist says he has a Stress Vulnerability trait of zero.
(https://imgur.com/phMHPnJ.png)
Post by: recon1o6 on May 13, 2021, 07:46:36 am
Post by: Radiofort on May 13, 2021, 08:55:40 am
Quote
That's about a 28,000 stress drop during the revivication process. That will certainly help, but for someone like Solon who is going to die with stress up near 100,000, it's unlikely to be enough to save him. I'll try to do it anyway, though.Maybe multiple reanimations would cut more chunks off his stress level. You can try to kill and bring him back for a couple of times, as we also have a little cute sacrifise room with upward spikes near the reanimation chamber (though I don't remember where it's operated from). Of course, there's still a risk of irresurectable body damage, but, after all, this is for !!SCIENCE!!
Quote
Also, has anyone else noticed that Radiofort is just... obscenely happy? That liquid brain of his is doing him wonders in the stress department. Dwarf Therapist says he has a Stress Vulnerability trait of zero.He's just Russian, that's all.
Post by: Spriggans on May 13, 2021, 11:48:20 am
I guess dwarves will soon have to choose between keeping their feverish pain and turning mindless..
It's time to choose sides then !
Let's do politics ! ;D
"I, Spriggans the sparkly, from my mighty tower, for reasons I'd rather not share, I choose the dwarven path !!
Dwarves ! Dont drown. Dont let it happen ! Having emotions is important. It is what defines you !
I can control you so more easily with your emotions. *niark niark* Ahem !
Dont become mindless war machines ! Dont choose the dark side ! Stay fleshy and miserable !"
...
"Well, I hope they heard me through the glass window...
Maybe I should try and break it after all this time...
Nah, I'll just go back to counting cobwebs !
... 152 .... 153"
Post by: QuQuasar on May 13, 2021, 05:37:05 pm
its a masterwork sock! how dare you suggest it get dumped, you are a dwarf are you not?Socks are the enemy.
No, seriously, I genuinely don't understand what the hell is wrong with these dwarves clothing assignments. They seem more than happy to drop perfectly good, unworn clothes on the floor for no reason. There's a ton of hauling in this fortress caused by dwarves dropping clothes to pick up armor and then dropping armor to pick up clothes like some sort of cyclical forever-striptease.
Also, I noticed that every couple of in-game days 5-10 things get marked for melting by DFHack. It's possible that's related. Maybe they're trying to melt their own armour?
I'm worried that if I do implement my much-touted "burn all the shitty goblin clothes" policy the daft buggers are just going to destroy all our masterworks by picking them out of the fresh clothes stockpile, immediately dropping them on the ground, and then carting them off to the incinerator.
Maybe multiple reanimations would cut more chunks off his stress level. You can try to kill and bring him back for a couple of times, as we also have a little cute sacrifise room with upward spikes near the reanimation chamber (though I don't remember where it's operated from). Of course, there's still a risk of irresurectable body damage, but, after all, this is for !!SCIENCE!!
That's possible, but this means they need to survive two ghoulifications (which are extremely fiddly to manipulate) and a stabbing.
Are we heading towards a full ghoul fortress ?
That was my original idea, but unfortunately the wiki says Intelligent Undead can't increase their skills, so ghouling any civilian who isn't already legendary in at least one skill would be a problem. Ghouls also end up permanently distracted by unmet needs, which may actually be quite a bit worse than the fever for productivity.
They are hardy, though. And terrifying. A squadron of of legendary ghoullords would make the Seduction of Goo think twice, I'm sure.
But I think it's main use is saving nervous wrecks from themselves. They might just end up being a refuse hauler afterwards, but it's more entertaining than exiling them.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 13, 2021, 07:42:30 pm
We have where possible dwarves on military replace clothing. This is because over clothing causes the twits to not wear their armour, since a lot of the population is in the military at different schedules...yeah. Idiocy happens, but that's bureacracy for you
a civvy thats stressed but not fevered can definately be recovered given ample destressing and training in a craft that makes masterworks. My dwarf and kingzultan before death made a shit ton of masterwork clothing and in my case masterful dyeing. In the case of zultan, I can confirm it destressed her gradually
In the case of fevered well we had one case that I'm aware of: Auze too somehow made a decent recovery over my 2nd term even with the fever. When in jail he ended up admiring a lot of furniture and was accepting of the beating.
weirdly a lot of the fortress was fine till goblins started dying inside instead of outside. Luckily this is 47.05 not 04 and so it should be recoverable as long as the miasma isn't too strenuous
We've had an all ghoul military before. Though their toughness was good, the lack of skill and difficulty in repairing the wounds they took made them get replaced by healthier dwarves that were expendable, unlucky or stressed. Or an organised group of overseers and guards that got drafted by mistake
Ghouls can fulfill one need- getting inebriated. They have to go to the tavern and if Recon is there, as tavern master she can help them drink. Somehow she hasn't poisoned any dwarves yet. Being undead doesnt stop them performing either.
Some ghouls need time before their brain is rewired enough to ask for citizenship, others are available immediately. Those that don't have their work orders fixed until they do become citizens.
this wouldn't be the first time smallhands considered ghoulifying the fort. Probably not the last either.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 13, 2021, 08:19:59 pm
We've done some necro !!science!! here in smallhands before. Lets educate the lich queen as she styled herselfYeah, I got about half/two-thirds of the way thruogh the thread before my turn came up, so I don't know all the knowables. In my defense, it's a looong thread. And also my dwarf's been imprisoned in Dimplesteal for the last 10 years for some reason. [glares daggers at Recon's dwarf]
Honestly, I should have made more out of Dastot's relationship with Recon, since the latter both condemned and rescued her. In my mind they're total frenemies.
Quote
We have where possible dwarves on military replace clothing. This is because over clothing causes the twits to not wear their armour, since a lot of the population is in the military at different schedules...yeah. Idiocy happens, but that's bureacracy for youSo... they're dropping their non-armor clothing when they switch from inactive to active, and putting it back on when they go back to inactive? That would explain what I'm seeing, but I thought even inactive dwarves obeyed the armour and equipment orders.
I might be able to solve this. If I set them all back to "over-clothing", dump every piece of clothing in the fortress that isn't on my "compatible with armour" list (those being hood, dress, cloak, shirt, trouser, glove and sock), only produce those items in the fortress, and finally have everyone incinerate loose clothing items to prevent them from being equipped, will that stop the strip cycle?
Post by: auzewasright on May 13, 2021, 11:01:45 pm
Couldn't be more proud of that alcoholic broker that is my dwarf.
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 13, 2021, 11:20:53 pm
Post by: delphonso on May 13, 2021, 11:22:08 pm
Perhaps any martial masters could join the ghoulish ranks, as their dodging and shield skills should prevent injuries which lead to the year long hospital rest. The unlimited endurance should help. Does focus/unmet needs effect combat or just work?
fatcat is well deserving of a proper dwarf.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 14, 2021, 02:51:34 am
I nominated this fort for the hall of legends, but now for the ultimate: I would like a dwarf. Preferably one that like a lot of types of plant, and doesn't absolutely detest nature. (and isn't in line for ghoulification)Alrighty then. :) Looks like the dwarf who enjoys nature the most (after being nauseated by the sun in 171) is... [drumroll please]...
Spoiler: Kosoth Cattenrithar, Legendary+5 Mason! (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on May 14, 2021, 03:57:33 am
my dwarf's been imprisoned in Dimplesteal for the last 10 years for some reason. [glares daggers at Recon's dwarf]x3 I was expecting Dastot to have some crazy backstabbing punishment plot ready for Recon but I guess that works
Honestly, I should have made more out of Dastot's relationship with Recon, since the latter both condemned and rescued her. In my mind they're total frenemies.
Recon's personality traits are a combo of "Deeply respects those who work hard, master a skill or fight" but unfortunately in this regard Dastot was none of these things, stressed to the tune of 48000, was tantruming constantly including breaking the very things designed to destress her and consequently fell afoul of Recon's last personality trait
"She tries to act impartially and is rarely moved to mercy"
I mean, Dastot didn't even manage to have an honourable death fighting goblins or stealing their artifacts!
Quote
I might be able to solve this. If I set them all back to "over-clothing", dump every piece of clothing in the fortress that isn't on my "compatible with armour" list (those being hood, dress, cloak, shirt, trouser, glove and sock), only produce those items in the fortress, and finally have everyone incinerate loose clothing items to prevent them from being equipped, will that stop the strip cycle?
I advise checking the military schedule as well. Over clothing and set so they drop armour when not on duty is probably the other culprit (due to a lack of quality armour smiths. I checked the save at the start of your turn, i think our best is a level 5 smith out of 15 which is legendary
cloaks are also some of our uniforms
finally, kosoth is still alive?! there's no dwarf more deserving of fatcat's name. Both of them have done the fort proud
Post by: QuQuasar on May 14, 2021, 04:24:36 am
(https://imgur.com/ywHe3nz.png)
And hello new friend! Somebody get his butt to the ghoulification chamber!
(https://imgur.com/GnmoRBV.png)
Kyaahahahah! It works! It really works!
This power, this control that Kol has, to rip the soul back from the aether and deny Death himself his due! It's horrifying, the cause of so much suffering in Smallhands, and yet... if I had this power, what could I achieve with it? HAHAHAHAHAH! Forget ruling Smallhands, I could conquer Dimplesteal! Defeat Ikud herself! And after that I could...
(https://imgur.com/DR1DY6P.png)
... I could... what... what is...
... there's... two of them, they're...
(https://imgur.com/K1rLZ9a.png)
... whispering...
...
... [blink] [blink] ...
... what was I saying?
Oh right, Solon! I remember now. When he was alive, Solon's stress was unimaginable, a burden too great even for a ghoul to bear. Will the therapy work? A berserk ghoul is not a threat to take lightly. I know personally how hardy a ghoul's body can be.
(https://imgur.com/7Gd4dx0.png)
... it appears I worried for nothing. One look into his blank eyes confirmed it: whatever part of Solon's soul bore that terrible burden, it was severed during death.
Kol is getting good at this!
...
Next up, our final mental illness patient: 'Elpho', the elf-lover! Heeheehee...
OOC: Okay, quick poll! Should I ghoul Elpho now or try and recover her? Stress is at 39,000, 'Haggard', her stress propensity is pretty dang bad, and I reckon one more stay in prison would probably do her in. As the only stressed dwarf left in the fortress, 'fixing' her now would solve stress for a while (at least until some other dwarf changes their values due to all the miasma I've been creating everywhere and becomes a nervous wreck).
(https://imgur.com/UXeeql6.png)
... but she dreams of creating a great work of art and is badly distracted after being unable practice a craft. She has zero skills of any type other than social, so she's never had a chance to address this. Giving her her own workshop might very well be her last hope...
So! To ghoul or not to ghoul? That is the question.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 14, 2021, 04:28:40 am
At least, that's my take. Its dellphonso's dorf
Post by: QuQuasar on May 14, 2021, 04:40:13 am
Recon's personality traits are a combo of "Deeply respects those who work hard, master a skill or fight" but unfortunately in this regard Dastot was none of these things, stressed to the tune of 48000, was tantruming constantly including breaking the very things designed to destress her and consequently fell afoul of Recon's last personality traitConclusion: the two of them totally had a Starsky and Hutch thing going on.
"She tries to act impartially and is rarely moved to mercy"
Recon was the strict, disciplined and rigid one with a massive stick up her ass, and Dastot was the joker, the smoker, the midnight toker (what with the thrill-seeking and humorous tendencies) and probably expected mercy on account of being merciful herself.
Post by: nezclaw on May 14, 2021, 05:22:19 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on May 14, 2021, 08:11:10 pm
I vote ghoulification but only for the story potential.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 14, 2021, 10:08:41 pm
(https://imgur.com/qotzfpD.png)
(https://imgur.com/zjvgGmZ.png)
"Don't worry Elpho. Your suffering will be over soon."
"I'm... um... I'm not sure what you're talking about but it seems like you accidentally locked the door? Overseer? Overseer!"
Metal footsteps echoed on stone in the corridor outside as Quasar moved towards the drowning chamber lever. Before she could pull it however the door burst open and Recon, dungeon master, tavern keeper and former overseer burst in.
"What the hell Dastot?! What do you think you're doing?"
"You don't get to call me that, Recon." Quasar said, glaring.
Recon slowed her pace, approaching the mummified corpse with balled fists.
"I don't care, I just got word from the other overseers that you're murdering dwarves! Why? For what reason?"
Unexpectedly, the overseer burst out laughing. Genuine, if somewhat rattling and very dusty, laughter. Recon took a step backwards. She'd been warned about this, but none of the other ghouls had ever shown actual emotion before. It was... unsettling.
"Hahahahah! What do you care, Dungeon Master? They're tantrumers! Criminals! Isn't this how criminals are treated in Smallhands?"
"Don't be ridiculous! The laws are clear, punishment can only be administered by beating, prison, hammer or-"
Recon froze, and Quasar leant in, far too close for comfortable. Recon turned her head away slightly at the musky smell of death coming from the ghouls body.
"Yes, old friend? What's the other one? Do go on. Tell me."
Recon closed her eyes. "... or exile."
"Exile, heh? Exile? That's what you call it? Hahahaaaah! Ten years, Recon. Ten years of torture and starvation and nothing to drink but fucking tea. Do you know what tea is, Recon? Do you?"
Recon inhaled deeply. The two dwarves had mostly avoided each other since the day Dastot had been rescued, Recon having returned to her old jobs as a legendary Dyers room and Quasar running around babbling on the craftsfloor. Recon let the breath out in a sigh.
"We didn't know you'd been-"
"It's leaf juice, Recon! Leaf juice!"
"We didn't know you'd been captured," Recon repeated herself quietly. "When we found out, the overseer sent me to collect you. Now let Elpho go, and we can talk about it, okay Dastot?"
Quasar reached out and grabbed Recon by the collar of her +steel breastplate+, lifting her up and bringing their faces close together. Recon stared defiantly into Quasars blank, dead eyes, sunken into her dessicated face, somehow stared piercingly back.
And then she gave an evil smirk.
"Lies."
Finally, Dastot got herself captured by goblins. I'm not rescuing her given her previous conduct and lack of any useful skills. I had myself a little private toast after hours to commemerate the removal of such a troublesome individual in a way nobody suspected.
A note to my successors, don't bother rescuing her. 49532 stress and no skills beyond proficient is not worth the trouble.
With the strength of the dead, Quasar flung Recon across the room, grabbed the flush lever, and pulled.
"Elpho will die and be reborn, as all of Smallhands will! I am the queen of this place, and I will end all it's suffering in time, but you, Recon? You will suffer the longest. I'll see to it personally."
From the other room, the sound of rushing water came in, and Elpho began screaming. Recon didn't bother with words anymore. She tackled the crazed ghoul to the ground, and pulled the lever back.
(https://imgur.com/z2E8Zo9.png)
The sound of rushing water from the adjacent room stopped, and for a moment there was silence. And then...
"Um, overseer? I think there was an accident with the aquifer! Can you let me out, please? There's still an air bubble up near the roof, but..."
(https://imgur.com/5hNnknE.png)
In the adjacent room, Recon and Quasar were still wrestling over the control levers.
"Stop this! I know you, Dastot! Even if it was hopeless, you'd want to save Elpho! Right?"
"You know nothing about me!"
"She's not too far gone! You don't need to do this! You don't-"
Recon's voice was choked off as Quasar grabbed her by the throat and flung her away again. A brief chuckle transitioned into a full blown maniacal laugh as she reached out and pulled the control lever.
"No!"
"Hah! I win! I- wait. Oh shit, this is the wrong lever."
(https://imgur.com/qg1fESF.png)
*SPLOOSH*
"Aaaaaah!"
"... whoops."
Recon got to her feet, cautiously watching as Quasar thought for a moment, started to speak, then stopped and thought again. Finally she opened her mouth.
"I... uh... so, this is embarrassing, but... what did you mean when you said she wasn't too far gone?"
[three days later]
So, after some... "heated discussion"... with... some of the former overseers... and some reflection upon my actions... I have decided... not to murder Elpho. I think she can yet be saved.
I asked our senior glassmakers Alath, Mateusz, Radiofort and Id to teach her the art. She will be assigned no other tasks and will be given her own forge. She's always wished to create a great work of art, so this is the first step on that road.
She also thanked me for teaching her how to swim. I did not know how to respond to that.
(https://imgur.com/0QHKgBo.png)
Urist, the Surgeon, still has a ways to go before he is free from the taint of stress. He toppled a farmers workshop and that screw pump I had built from artifact mechanisms at the start of my term as overseer.
(https://imgur.com/SSGGxoF.png)
He's now running off to start a fist fight. I wonder where he's... oh no. No! Not the adorable beak puppies!
(https://imgur.com/0fiHMXA.png)
Oh thank goodness. He beat up a Giant Red-winged blackbird and knocked 'Knightwing's teeth out instead. An understandable outburst, given his stress residue, and nothing that cannot be repair- wait.
He destroyed the work orders that were in those workshops! Fuck! Lock that arsehole up! He can wait off the rest of that stress in prison.
(https://imgur.com/IFNS5di.png)
(https://imgur.com/0PuIXTy.png)
Welcome back, Solon.
(https://imgur.com/fGK9r8O.png)
I have begun the process of standardizing the uniforms in Smallhands.
(https://imgur.com/CLz2u3x.png)
All shoes, mittens, caps, sandals and other non-standard equipment will be taken to the trade depot to be sold. The entire fortress will participate in this endeavor. For the time being, all non-refuse hauling is forbidden. A string of dwarves carries a great many items up to the trade depot. Just in time, by the looks of things...
(https://imgur.com/dQcTT3J.png)
The traps around the outer wall have been replaced with something a little more formidable. We have no need for more caged goblins. Better to just kill them.
(https://imgur.com/ZaMKiW4.png)
We already have our first evidence that it works..
(https://imgur.com/2S7sRJ5.png)
Heh. Fucking swans.
It would have been optimal for Smallhands if this trade caravan had been bringing leather bins, wood, flux and coal. Apparently my luck is contagious, however, because they brought exactly none of those things.
Oh well. Perseverance is not a choice, it is a fact of existence. In exchange for the tsunami of clothing and hoof and bone crafts we intend to swamp the traders under, we shall purchase their steel toys and anvils for melting and maybe some milk to turn into cheese. We will ask the Outpost Liason to order the more important resources for...
... where is the outpost liason? She should have been here by now...
(https://imgur.com/9YDSw0V.png)
Oh crap!
(https://imgur.com/EzX3fM5.png)
Oh crap!
(https://imgur.com/J4cTXtW.png)
Oh crap!
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 14, 2021, 10:22:45 pm
Post by: QuQuasar on May 14, 2021, 11:21:29 pm
Opening the door to the swamp was a bad idea. Asking Onget to go get some of that spare wood inside was a worse one.
(https://imgur.com/eB177gb.png)
Luckily, Onget happens to a member of the fortress guard. His weapon is an incredibly shitty silver spear, but it's still a weapon. He will at least be able to defend himself until the Siege Breakers arrive.
(https://imgur.com/ou64ftT.png)
Of the two beak dogs, one is killed and the other flees. Now, about that other problem...
Elpho appears to be hunting down the captain of the guard specifically, stalking ZultanKing the way a rich elf hunts poor people in the forest for sport. Probably not her brightest move.
(https://imgur.com/lWj4Hw2.png)
At least, that's what I thought. Instead, she traumatizes a rabbit.
She doesn't hurt it or anything. Just picks it up by it's right front paw, stares deeply into it's dumb bunny eyes, and says "Rabbit. You."
(https://imgur.com/bAg6xOd.png)
ZultanKing observes this happen, casually convicts her of one count of disorderly conduct, and then bites her fucking throat out.
(https://imgur.com/AfKBGGb.png)
WHAT THE FUCK ZULTANKING.
Zultanking then punches her in the wound for good measure, causing poor Elpho's throat to explode in gore.
I REPEAT, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK ZULTANKING.
Recon happens to be nearby, and drags the two of them apart. She lifts Elpho and carries her to the nearby hospital as quickly as possible, leaving a trail of blood behind her. Elpho's blood pressure must be super high, because she is gushing all over the place. Just an absolute goddamn waterfall of dwarf blood.
(https://imgur.com/PobJBK7.png)
Recons rescue attempt is admirable. It won't help, though. It doesn't take a doctor to see she's not going to make it. Sure enough, just as Recon reached the hospital...
(https://imgur.com/oX3oyJg.png)
I suppose I will have my chance to play god after all.
It took a while, and I had to stop telling them to dump all of the clothing, but finally someone took the hint. Imic, our doctor, solumnly brought Elpho's body over to the ghoulification chamber. Recon looked on disapproving, but said nothing. Part of me wanted to pick a fight with her, but I said nothing. What was there even to say at this point?
"Welcome back."
(https://imgur.com/1VvhLPN.png)
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 15, 2021, 12:50:41 am
Post by: King Zultan on May 15, 2021, 03:11:07 am
ZultanKing observes this happen, casually convicts her of one count of disorderly conduct, and then bites her fucking throat out.Sounds like I might be taking the whole Stalking Justice thing to far, and have turned into a villain that stalks criminals then murders them.
WHAT THE FUCK ZULTANKING.
Zultanking then punches her in the wound for good measure, causing poor Elpho's throat to explode in gore.
I REPEAT, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK ZULTANKING.
Post by: Salmeuk on May 15, 2021, 03:25:22 am
Quote
She also thanked me for teaching her how to swim. I did not know how to respond to that.
lol this was brilliant. Wow, the gods of plot hooks certainly smiled on you this round, eh? A disturbing murder-resurrection plot is foiled in the first act, and after a slow, administrative middle portion, the ex-victim falls to the pressure of stress, and attempts to brutalize perhaps the cutest animal known to dwarfkind. The bunny experienced emotional shock for godssake! A hero from the shadows, ZultanKing, refuses to watch this happen and administers some RIGHT, PROPER, Dwarven Justice, in a most efficient manner.
Days later, the deceased's body is returned to the resurrection chamber, minus the throat, and the dark magician looks on. .
Post by: recon1o6 on May 15, 2021, 05:30:59 am
So does zultan- delivering beatings to the neck. Or bites...by Armok that was brutal. Zultan may have gotten the severity of the punishments the wrong way round. its Beating-jail-execution, not execution-jail-beating. Granted its only listed as 1-2-3 in order of severity. It doesn't say which way round the severity is ;D
Elpho is such an elf she started a fist fight with a poor rabbit. I hope the rabbit is ok.
Even though Recon utterly hates Elpho's guts for being such an elf, and is never quite as egotistical in the face of her unintented consequences. (it was the safest decision given it was 44.07) she still tried to talk down Dastot. Elpho would have cause to be indebtored or at least grateful were she not a ghoul. Its also very in character for the dungeon master to sweep the discussion under the rug.
naturally, the fight was finished because of dwarven nature forgetting to label the levers, brilliant.
9/10 story telling. That missing 1 is point deducted for the slight blip in that Recon has seen emotional ghouls before. There was one that gave a riveting performance in her tavern!
Post by: Radiofort on May 15, 2021, 07:01:50 am
I have a feeling this fortress is turning slowly into some sort of PhD thesis in Black Arts.
----
Hearing some hassle outside, Radiofort turned from his furnace and saw Alath leading someone down the glass factory. At first he thought it was one of Siege Beakers checking public order, but the sound newcomer's mail shirt made weren't of steel, but of copper. He covered his eyes with sweaty palm, trying to eye the strangely rigid figure.
- Elpho?
- Once, - murmured Alath, releasing her hand. - A bitch queen sent her to learn glassmaking under us.
- How did that happen?
- Have no freaking idea. Heard some news about livestock's harassment, though.
- What, again? I mean, no! Look at her throat, it looks like she was ski... i-i-i ba bop ba dop pop.
- What?
- What do you mean 'what'?
- What the frag you just blabbered again?
- Ski ba bop ba dop pop is ski ba bop ba dop pop, what's yer problem, f'lah?
- Oi, screw you! Just show her the basics and stop jigging on my brain, - Alath gave Elpho a little push towards Radiofort and walked away. - Sometimes you really piss me off, you know.
Former overseer eyed closely his even-more-former-now colleague. She stared at the furnace with a blank expression on pale face, her lips strained into flat line and eyes faintly glowing with eyes blue. No solid brain were needed to understand what happened with here. He saw that look before - and quite recently, to be correct.
- Know a thing about glassmaking? - he asked finally.
Elpho blinked slowly.
- Here to make glass, - she answered monotonely. - Here to make fancy things.
- Fancy, shmancy, dear Nancy, - Radiofort sighed, - Alright, then raw glass making is up to you. Try not to mess the sand mash up.
- I'll make a lot of raw glass, - something in her voice disturbed him. - I'll make a lot of beautiful things.
- Yeah, sure, now get to work, lassy. The job won't do itself.
- I'll make all the job. All the job will be made good. Very good.
Janitor's brows frowned. Elpho's face, blisterigly red in a light of glowing magma, was still blank and emotionless, but the tempo of her speech were gradually becoming faster and faster. Multiple drops slided down on her cheeks. It couldn't possibly be a tears, of course. It couldn't be even a sweat from the magma heat, as ghouls are not crying, nor they sweating.
Could it be... water? Radiofort narrowed his eyes. By the Armok, it was. A whole Elpho's body was damp to the last thread. But why? No, it couldn't be that, Quasar would not do it! Too early, too... unneccessary! There was still many ways to deal with Elpho, damn, at this point it should be anything but that!
His eyes darted into the corner, where stood his broom. Two days ago he privately asked fort's jewelers to adorn the shaft with a green glass spikes. Very sharp srikes, actually, so now from certain corner the besom now looked like a quarterstaff. Of course, this was simple for a better look. Of course. Yes...
- Are you okay, Elpho? - he himself feeled how stupid that remark was.
- I will make glass. I'll be a good girl. I'll be a hardworker. I will work hard. I won't be a nuisance. I won't harm any rabbits. I'll be a good girl. The Queen will be happy. I'll be a good girl, Elpho will be a good girl, Elpho is a good girl, no more pain for Elpho, no hurt Elpho, no bites, no water, no water, no more no more no more no more no more nonononononooooooo!..
The liquid brain of Radiofort was good at two things: stress handling and reaction speed. He managed to grab a newborn ghoul a second before she was ready to collapse right into blazing furnace. By Armok's lungs, the desicion to train in army was a good one: Elpho's body bursted out in swift unconcious movements, as if she tried to swim and push someone away at the same time. Janitor dragged her into the corner and held fast in a tight embrace, swearing like crazy on her elbows and knees plowing him. After initial outburst, Elpho suddenly went limp in his hands. Her high-pitched scream turned into weak whimpers, then into a mute whisper. In a strange inspiration, Radiofort started to lightly shake her body left and right, as if he tried to comfort a crying toddler.
For a few minutes factory stayed silent.
- ...Feelin' easier now, girl?
- ...Yeah. Thank you.
- 'R welcome, lass. But still no mead for ya, got it?
- Why?
- 'Cause you don't need it now, that's why, and 'cause I'm a cold-hearted bastard who likes to slave his pupils to death, not to mention that I don't have any mead here. Now gidyap and look how the crap's done. The work relieves, ya know.
Post by: delphonso on May 15, 2021, 08:21:39 am
Spoiler: Deler Cogthikut (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on May 15, 2021, 08:36:04 am
Spoiler: Deler Cogthikut (click to show/hide)
your image aint working
Post by: delphonso on May 15, 2021, 05:47:35 pm
I wonder how this ghoulification will effect Elpho's poetry.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 15, 2021, 06:13:20 pm
(https://imgur.com/S5LC56P.png)
That is all.
With Elpho's enghoulification, our stress problems are all but negated. Urist still has 25 days in his sentence, during which time he will continue to gradually forget the sensation of feeling things, and the only other dwarf of concern is Morul. Her stress levels are okay for now, but are gradually rising.
(https://imgur.com/UQll8ts.png)
She recently became a nervous wreck due to that miscarriage of justice I keep hearing about, which is most likely the culprit behind her beginning the descent into madness.
(https://imgur.com/VsRZgnZ.png)
I am adopting the same approach with her as we did with Elpho. Whether it works will be up to her. And Zultanking. Please don't bite this one's throat out, ZK.
(https://imgur.com/nWpOX1m.png)
Winter.
Dumping of non-standard clothing items continues. All dwarves of Smallhands are ordered to wear nothing but their armour to prevent anybody from trying to smuggle contraband loincloths' past the due date.
(https://imgur.com/E1Uh5Pr.png)
I've also ordered some steel weaponry from Avuz, our mayor and legendary weaponsmith. Even average steel weapons would be better than the bronze and silver I'm seeing people carrying.
Finally. I was beginning to wonder whether the outpost liason was ever going to meet with the Duke at all, after I went to all that trouble to rescue her from the goo forest.
OOC: I think what happened is that Urist the tantruming ghoul reserved a meeting with the mayor before being locked up, and nobody else could meet with her until Urist was released. So we didn't get the Outpost Liason meeting until winter.
(https://imgur.com/caIM1ku.png)
(https://imgur.com/dm10M5F.png)
Yes, let's.
(https://imgur.com/hKt9fqd.png)
Dimplesteal remains a pus-filled boil on the arse of the world, then. I would have us destroy it, but we shall need steel and leather for that...
(https://imgur.com/X9PtsvE.png)
Your selection of flux stones and ores disappoints. At least you have marble, I suppose. And leather. We are going to need a steady supply of that for our uniforms.
(https://imgur.com/k39ubLI.png)
Meat blocks and figurines. Yeah, sure. Look, we've got shoes and murderdiscs, do you want them or not?
(https://imgur.com/hVDPZhH.png)
Bye.
Elpho's mind has not yet fully returned from death, and her throat is a horrifying sight to look at, a terrible gaping wound. But she remains focused enough of the tasks that were given to her: the smelting, cutting and encrusting of green glass gems. I couldn't stop her even if I wanted to, not until her mind returns to her and she petitions for citizenship again.
(https://imgur.com/ZyQI2ZX.png)
She had no skill at gemcutting before, and now she never will, but in life she liked gems. Perhaps this fate would have made her happy on some level.
(https://imgur.com/E7gMBne.png)
As I watch her, work, I contemplate the nature of...
[distant shouting]
... oh what now?
(https://imgur.com/VSpbRN1.png)
An enemy lasher?! On the forge deck? How on earth did this happen?
(https://imgur.com/IG28BvZ.png)
(https://imgur.com/IRu5qeP.png)
He's babbling something about having been released from confinement. I don't understand, I never ordered anyone pitted. Sabotage? Betrayal?! WHO DARES QUESTION MY AUTHORITY?!
For the moment, I order a pile-on. Every dwarf of Smallhands will converge on that location with whatever weapon they have to hand.
(https://imgur.com/HhLwEgD.png)
The two dwarves present are Tun Tunagsal, Captain of the swamp hunters, and Sakzul Kiroltar, a legendary metalsmith that, quite frankly, we should be giving more work. The former has a crossbow, the latter a bronze battleaxe.
Tun fires two copper bolts as the lasher closes the gap. Fortunately, just as the lasher reaches her, Sakzul comes up behind him swinging wildly. She has zero training with the weapon, but the distraction allows Tun to put a few more bolts into the enemy.
(https://imgur.com/RAPDOdj.png)
Metal boots echo through the fortress as everyone strives to get down there. The forge deck could be considered the lowest 'main' floor of the fortress, not including the outposts at the caverns and the magma levels.
(https://imgur.com/k4qhrkO.png)
Sakzul and the lasher continue to struggle while Tun pours bolts in from a few steps back. Sakzul is doing astonishingly well for someone with zero combat skills, parrying and deflecting with her axe, but she is outmatched. Luckily, the blows that are landing so far are all shield bashes, and nothing from that damn whip.
(https://imgur.com/4cbJrZ2.png)
One of Tun's bolts pierces the enemies chain leggings, causing him to fall over, and Sakzul presses the advantage.
(https://imgur.com/A0OAdzM.png)
A third member of the fortress, Momuz Dastotkadol, arrives. A dabbling speardwarf, Momuz isn't the best reinforcements, but it would be better if an unskilled dwarf like him were to take the blows than someone important like Sakzul.
Unfortunately, just as Momuz get's close, there is an explosion of blood and teeth. Sakzul was hit in the teeth with that copper shield.
(https://imgur.com/6R9eeEC.png)
Thankfully, she's not the one in worst condition. Tun got her opponent in the stomach with a bolt, tearing his guts. With that, Sakzul has him. As Morul starts awkwardly stabbing at whatever body parts he can reach, the enraged metalsmith bites down hard on his armour-clad hand. Mere goblin iron is no match for dwarven jaw pressure, and the lashers hand is crushed between Sakzul's teeth as she begins shaking him about like a rag doll.
(https://imgur.com/kiotTsq.png)
The enemy gives into pain, and Sakzul finishes the job with her axe.
(https://imgur.com/vapgv5m.png)
Okay, that's over. Sakzul goes to the hospital to get the wound on her head looked at, and I return to watching over Elpho.
(https://imgur.com/T3BNvSa.png)
Like I said, she has no skill at gemcutting, and as a ghoul she is utterly incapable of...
... wait a second...
... these gems. The cut. The lustre. It's... it's better.
(https://imgur.com/mYwOi4b.png)
OOC: I misread the wiki! It says they can't "gain or rust physical attributes": nothing about skills! Ghouls can still learn!
Post by: QuQuasar on May 15, 2021, 07:27:53 pm
(https://imgur.com/RI4vP0J.png)
Necromancer Spriggans shouted something incomprehensible from his tower at the haulers, who ignored him. The mission was completed with minimal fuss, and the swamp was closed up again. Wood hauling is once again disabled in favor of continuing the eternal clothes dump.
Population control measures have been initiated.
(https://imgur.com/Bugrzqy.png)
[/img]
OH FOR FUCKS SAKE, AGAIN?
NOBODY SHOULD BE TAKING THE PRISONERS ANYWHERE.
(https://imgur.com/6G2oCcc.png)
This is purposeful sabotage, that's what it is. You people are determined to get yourselves killed to hurt my reputation as lich queen.
Just... go and kill it. Please.
Nezclaw is first on the scene. While the spear goblin is quite capable of perforating a defenseless engraver, he won't last long against a trained Siege Breaker. Sure enough, no sooner does Nezclaw arrive as does the goblin lose his spear and the hand holding it.
(https://imgur.com/VNUrsL1.png)
Yes, Nezclaw. Wreak havok upon those who dare stand against us.
Recon arrives moments later, and the already unfair fight becomes even moreso.
(https://imgur.com/2KFWfYf.png)
The goblin loses his other hand and recon delivers the final blow, a powerful shield bash on the goblin's abdomen that causes it's stomach to collapse.
(https://imgur.com/DjRe46l.png)
It's over. Now we just have to see if Ducim can be sav- and she's dead. Nevermind then. Hehehehe. Fuck.
Fuck! And the dumping of non-standard clothing is still ongoing! Hahahahah, do these idiots have any idea how much paperwork it takes to suspend the dumping process in order to get their dumb asses revived? Aaaaargh! I'm tempted to just say "fuck 'it" and leave 'em dead. That'd teach 'em. Aaaaahahaahahahah!
But... heeheehee... Hold it together, Dastot. You need to hold it together. Gotta... hahaha... help... hahahahah... the dead... aaaaahahahahahah!
OOC: Okay, seriously, why are they pitting goblins?! No prisoners are are assigned to the pit they're taking them to. Is it a dumping thing? Perhaps because their cages are marked for melting? Argh! Help!
Post by: Salmeuk on May 15, 2021, 09:16:06 pm
..
We don't have gremlins, do we? Only ever seen them once before, and they are fast and will pull every lever in your fortress, if you let them.
Post by: Paaaad on May 15, 2021, 09:37:50 pm
Post by: Radiofort on May 15, 2021, 10:54:39 pm
Perhaps because their cages are marked for melting?I'm pretty sure that's the point, as beards will drop cage's content before melting even if it's melt-designed by itself. To dispose of inhabited cages, use the garbage dump with atom smasher.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 17, 2021, 05:00:33 am
(https://imgur.com/iSUuPd9.png)
Hahahahahahah!
Help the dead? Is that how I justified it to myself? Did coming back ever help me? No. No, I should be honest, at least with myself. Bringing them back isn't about helping them. It's about power. Specifically, mine.
Hee hee hee. I get to choose if Ducim lives on as a ghoul, or passes on to the afterlife. No one else. Not the former overseers. Not Ikud, the blind demon. Not even The Wicked, god of death, murder and peace. Me, Quasar, the lich queen of Smallhands.
I... I love it. This uncontested, unholy power of life and death, that no mortal should have... it combines with the hate, the suffering, the terrible emotions I can't help but feel. It becomes something new, something powerful. It flows though my shivelled dead veins, burning like a fine wine. It's... intoxicating! Addictive!
This is it! This is the reason I came back! Power over life and death! It doesn't matter that I'm merely borrowing it from that necromancer! He obeys me, he is mine, which means his power is mine also!
Kubuk, my love... I'm sorry, but it's time for me to say goodbye. Dastot, your memories are not needed any more. I've found my reason to persist. My reason to live.
(https://imgur.com/DR1DY6P.png)
I am 'Quasar', the supreme uncontested ruler of Smallhands! Me! Aaaaaahahahahaha! My whims are law and it matters not heroes or kings, none shall defy me!
TREMBLE AND OBEY BEFORE YOUR GREAT AND TERRIBLE CORPSE EMPRESS!
(https://imgur.com/vWiH80S.png)
OBEY ME! OBEY MEEEE!
The shutters come down. Kol Kabobok looked up, hate in his eyes as he glared balefully at his captors darting out of the room to peek through the door, then down and at the corpse directly in front of him.
At the very front of the crowd a dessicated corpse, one of Kol's own creations, was giggling and twitching strangely. One of his lesser works, if Kol was being honest. Something had obviously gone wrong with that one.
The forlorn ghoul met Kol's eyes and held her hand out with the thumb extended sideways, and the dwarves behind her fell silent. The meaning of her gesture was apparent. The fate of the corpse rested on a single hand gesture. Kol felt offended. A mere ghoul, a defective one at that, dared to command him? The pitiful thing owed it's very existence to him in the first place. The more he thought about it, the madder he got.
Quasar turned her fist, raising her shrivelled thumb to the sky and grinning wildly.
Kol looked the corpse empress in the eyes, and then, with a defiant smirk, made a sweeping gesture at all before him.
(https://imgur.com/8bSyVOT.png)
(https://imgur.com/RaUVn0I.png)
As soon as the corpse stood up and turned it's hungry, mindless eyes towards the dwarves, letting out a groan, it was apparent that something was wrong.
"What? You... you DARE?! Disobedient scum! Unfaithful traitor! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
The others grabbed Quasar and pulled her back as the mindless corpse of Ducim rushed wildly towards them. The cage trap triggered, putting bars around the zombie before it could reach the dwarves.
Kol... how dare he? HOW DARE HE DEFY ME! My power is absolute! Absolute, I say! He cannot defy me! He can't, it's impossible! He-
... the legion speaks... the blind eyes see... the dead yet live...
AAAAARGH!
the secrets want to be known...
Ow ow ow, fuck! What's going on? What's... oh no. No no no. The necromancer, he did something, didn't he...
behind the magma... learn the truth
Shit! Fuck! He's in my head! I... I need to tell someone! I-
they will betray you... shouldn't tell anyone...
... no. No, wait, I need to think rationally about this. I don't need them! I still have power, I'm still in control! It's my mind. They'd only betray me. Yeah.
stay silent... stay safe... bide..
Yeah. I'll bide my time. I'll...
this is a good idea...
This is a good idea.
What do you mean you let the goblins out because you were trying to melt the cages? Haha that's ridiculous! You're all fucking idiots.
... burn them all...
For Armok's sake, just melt the cages with the goblins still in them! It'll add character to the metal!
... no, wait, actually, on second thought, that'd be gross. Don't want to get goblin in our zinc. Just... for fucks sake, stop melting the cages for now. We'll deal with the prisoners later. For now, everybody get back to dumping shoes.
burn them...
Actually, fuck it. I'm done taking shit to the trade depot. Throw everything in the incinerator! BURN IT ALL! HAHAHAHA! OBEY ME YOU FOOLS!
(https://imgur.com/Yj0narh.png)
drain the magma... learn their secrets...
There's something I don't understand. Why was there magma under the glass furnaces? Nobody every explained to me why a maintenance shaft for the water reactor would be full of magma. Why? What are they hiding? Are they defying their empress? Have they been suborned by the necromancers?! It makes no sense! Hahahahaha! Nothing that happens in this fortress makes any goddamn sense!!!
(https://imgur.com/e53Zqhi.png)
drain the magma... reveal the truth...
But I can't drain the magma, there's nowhere to drain it to! The evaporation chamber I made for the revification chamber isn't nearly big enough. Hmm... what to do?
drain the magma...
I just said I can't!
... then grab a pick you stupid woman.
Yes... yes, dig. Exploratory mining. Find out... find out what's down there... I'm glad I thought of it... yes... Hahahahaha! AAaaHahahaHAAHaHahahahaH!!!
(https://imgur.com/1GbolxM.png)
Post by: recon1o6 on May 17, 2021, 06:28:44 am
ngl at first I thought she was going to find the overseer bone leggings. Though I can't discount that (Recon at least hid it very well) it seems WeevilMessiah, god of Thralldom and its champion the blind demon are making their next move against smallhands
Still, if the undead can feel emotions, that means they can feel afraid
Post by: Spriggans on May 17, 2021, 09:01:09 am
* grabs popcorn *
Post by: Radiofort on May 17, 2021, 10:30:44 am
A bit of related offtopic: a few days ago I tried to roleplay in adventure mode a Quasar's covert operative who learned necromancy from slabs and was sent on suicidal mission to weaken Dimplesteal and assassinate Ikud the blind demon. By Armok's socks, it was a distillated pain. Dimplesteal is a damn clusterfuck of trenches & towers in a middle of goo swamps (it's raining everywhere here) and is so crowded that I thought my old laptop will take a fire trying to deal with FPS. It took me fourty minutes to crawl through it and reach Ikud, who sits like a fucking boss in the highest tower of his fortress, and FPS won't gets better then. Moreover, this guy is REALLY nasty. He hurls fireballs and punches like Shang Tsung, and he tears through zombie army like a chainsaw through toddler. I tried a few times, and every time were squashed in a few turns. And yes, he do have an artifact ring on his finger.
This guy is, basically, balrog, Sauron and Saruman in one person. Sadly, I don't think we'll be able to deal with him that way. Though I had an idea of luring him away from Dimplesteal to the northern mountains and carbonize in ice at night, this will require a lot of pure luck and patience. And a couple of RL weeks, probably.
On the other hand, I'm sure if he would be stupid enough to attack Smallhands in person, he'll be downed swiftly by our soldiers.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 17, 2021, 11:26:07 am
Snip
I already thought he sounded like an evil overlord or final boss material. By Armok, he's got the entire works, one ring and all, sitting in a citadel of suffering where the very skies corrupt whatever they rain on and with a monstrous army bent on conquering the world.
Post by: Radiofort on May 17, 2021, 09:49:20 pm
By Armok, he's got the entire works, one ring and all, sitting in a citadel of suffering where the very skies corrupt whatever they rain on and with a monstrous army bent on conquering the world.Not to mention that he's a fire demon who chased dwarfs out of
I have a strong urge to cut the artifact ring off his finger and toss it into volcano (conveniently, we do have one in a northwestern desert).
Speeeeeaking of whiiiiiiich... there must be a vault somewhere in the world (probably under Dimplesteal) where the slab with a contract between Ikud and WeevilMessiah is stored. And wiki says these slabs aren't always magma-proof, as they're not artifacts in terms of mechanics. I'm not sure if one necromancer will be able to reach it, but a group of necromancers (a lord and a squad of hearthpersons)? Still not sure, but maybe... just maybe...
...Gonna try it anyway.
edit: I checked the legends and it's written we actually launched a multiple atttacks on that vault in the early years, when Moldath the commander was still alive. Though Moldath wasn't able to claim a slab, his army made quite a mess out of place and managed to slay a lot of angels. Maybe it's time to finish what he started?
Oh, and also a funny unrelated !!SCIENCE!! fact: mindless zombies raised in adventure mode can work as builders in a camp development, while forlorn ghouls can't (or don't want to, I'm not sure, but whatever). No wonder them necros are building their towers so easily.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 18, 2021, 02:38:04 am
By Armok, he's got the entire works, one ring and all, sitting in a citadel of suffering where the very skies corrupt whatever they rain on and with a monstrous army bent on conquering the world.Not to mention that he's a fire demon who chased dwarfs out ofKhazad-dűmDoorended.
I have a strong urge to cut the artifact ring off his finger and toss it into volcano (conveniently, we do have one in a northwestern desert).
Speeeeeaking of whiiiiiiich... there must be a vault somewhere in the world (probably under Dimplesteal) where the slab with a contract between Ikud and WeevilMessiah is stored. And wiki says these slabs aren't always magma-proof, as they're not artifacts in terms of mechanics. I'm not sure if one necromancer will be able to reach it, but a group of necromancers (a lord and a squad of hearthpersons)? Still not sure, but maybe... just maybe...
...Gonna try it anyway.
edit: I checked the legends and it's written we actually launched a multiple atttacks on that vault in the early years, when Moldath the commander was still alive. Though Moldath wasn't able to claim a slab, his army made quite a mess out of place and managed to slay a lot of angels. Maybe it's time to finish what he started?
Oh, and also a funny unrelated !!SCIENCE!! fact: mindless zombies raised in adventure mode can work as builders in a camp development, while forlorn ghouls can't (or don't want to, I'm not sure, but whatever). No wonder them necros are building their towers so easily.
guess what? four days ago I discovered that when i poked in legends and in fort mode. and yes we can raid the slab, i know where it is. I had been planning to raid it.
I was hoping to keep it a surprise but it looks like its out in the open now :P
it will be another chapter in Smallhands' journey to throw off the god weevilmessiah's influence
Post by: Laterigrade on May 18, 2021, 02:52:09 am
I heard before about insanity treatment, so called "Amontillado method", but when I asked Recon about Amontillado she answered that we don't brew that stuff here. Sadly, you can't have everything in one fortress.I know I’m late, but this is absolutely brilliant.
Post by: King Zultan on May 18, 2021, 02:55:45 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 18, 2021, 05:52:19 am
Speeeeeaking of whiiiiiiich... there must be a vault somewhere in the world (probably under Dimplesteal) where the slab with a contract between Ikud and WeevilMessiah is stored. And wiki says these slabs aren't always magma-proof, as they're not artifacts in terms of mechanics. I'm not sure if one necromancer will be able to reach it, but a group of necromancers (a lord and a squad of hearthpersons)? Still not sure, but maybe... just maybe...
...Gonna try it anyway.
edit: I checked the legends and it's written we actually launched a multiple atttacks on that vault in the early years, when Moldath the commander was still alive. Though Moldath wasn't able to claim a slab, his army made quite a mess out of place and managed to slay a lot of angels. Maybe it's time to finish what he started?
guess what? four days ago I discovered that when i poked in legends and in fort mode. and yes we can raid the slab, i know where it is. I had been planning to raid it.Yeah, I tried to get that slab back in 158, almost exactly an IRL year ago:
I was hoping to keep it a surprise but it looks like its out in the open now :P
it will be another chapter in Smallhands' journey to throw off the god weevilmessiah's influence
Summer and autumn so far don't see to be that eventful, other than my sending the Rainbow Raptors to steal the slab which the demon who controls the goblins is connected to. Not sure if that was a good idea.
Addendum: They didn't manage to grab the slab, but they did manage to take no casualties.
(https://i.imgur.com/kZXXsfM.jpg)
Post by: QuQuasar on May 18, 2021, 06:40:00 am
Nobody thought to dump the rotten cheese, but by now the dwarves of Smallhands had become accustomed to horrific smells in the halls, and nobody wanted to touch the cheesepile for fear it might go for the throat if they disturbed it.
(https://imgur.com/mpXmEWm.png)
The dumping process was not without it's casualties...
(https://imgur.com/mrHMT2T.png)
... and Elpho regained her faculties enough to fill out the paperwork needed to re-register as a citizen of the Smallhands...
(https://imgur.com/ANipQVz.png)
... but for the most part, the fortress of Smallhands functioned uneventfully without it's overseer present. Winter passed. A herd of terrified giant capybara passed by outside, oblivious to the industriousness happening within.
(https://imgur.com/iHzJ79b.png)
(https://imgur.com/nrJNbjg.png)
Elpho learned a new trick.
(https://imgur.com/fyvBnL3.png)
Morul's stress continued to rise, while Urist, the forlorn ghoul surgeon, slowly forgot his, passing below the threshold of tantrums...
(https://imgur.com/fBncXff.png)
A train of dwarves continued to carry a string of clothing items up to the trade depot.
(https://imgur.com/A4TJrFS.png)
And eventually, the first signs of spring started to appear in the wastelands above Smallhands.
(https://imgur.com/dU0YgLq.png)
reveal their secrets... take the power... save the fortress...
Hehehehahahahahaha... yes, it's under here... just a bit further...
(https://imgur.com/VsH71u6.png)
"Enough, Dastot. Stop," Recon stepped into the poorly dug tunnel, where Quasar's pick was just was mining out the back of a carved wall. Several other former overseers and citizens joined her. "We knew you were down here. It's the 28th of Obsidian. It's time for you to surrender the overseership."
"Hahahahah, I knew it! It's a plot!" said Quasar, clutching the pick to her emaciated chest. "A scheme! A machination, a subterfuge and an intrigue of cabals. You're defying me, that's what you're doing! You're all defying your immortal empress! How dare... how dare y..."
Quasar stopped, giggling and gasping raspily for air. Her eyes seemed wild, unfocused, and she was visibly trembling.
"Alright, that's enough! I told you to stop! Put down the pick!" Recon said aggressively.
"I don't think that's necessary," another dwarf stepped past her and gently lifted the pick from Quasar's trembling hands. Rather than trying to hold onto it, the dead dwarf burst into laughter, rolling around on the floor, before abruptly sitting up, clutching at the nearest dwarf, who stepped back.
"You.. you don't understand... the blind eyes... they scream at me... the gibberish... it meant something..."
"Come on. Let's get you back out of this tunnel."
"... the necromancer knew... he knew... Radiofort, you're so fucking happy... none of you understand... we need it, the power, we need it... please don't stop being happy, Radiofort... don't become like me..."
"What's going on here?" asked Recon. "Why isn't she resisting us anymore? Is she sober?"
One of the dwarves in the rear interjected. "Sounds like babbling ta' me. Proper madness, that is. Didn't know ghouls could go insane, but I guess the stress can catch up with anyone eventually. Even the dead."
"Hahahahah... Recon... you, Recon, you're going to die last, Recon... dying a little bit more every day in your little dyers workshop... hee hee hee funny joke... She's coming, Recon... the real queen... She told me, in my mind... She's coming for you, Recon... She's coming for all of you... ha ha ha..."
"If she's finally gone properly stark raving mad, there's nothing to be done about it. We'll take her back to the crafting floor and let her run about until she... oh. Wait..."
"hee hee hee... can't die, already dead... just like you... just like Smallhands... ha ha ha..."
"Well, whatever. Let her run. She's harmless now, at least."
Gruffly and firmly, but not entirely without compassion, several of the dwarves helped Dastot to her feet, her head lolling aimlessly this way and that as she continued muttering gibberish to herself.
"It's weird, she's actually smiling again. I don't think I've seen her smile since... well, you know. D'you... d'you think she's happy right now?"
"Pfff, do I think a maddwarf's happy? An' a ghoul at that? How the hell should I know?"
"Yeah, right. Sorry, 'm speaking nonsense. But she's been through a lot. I... I just hope she's not suffering anymore."
(https://imgur.com/2dUfonv.png)
(https://imgur.com/imkhuCZ.png)
"Yeah, I hope so too."
(https://imgur.com/kGrUmma.png)
OOC: And that's that!
A few notes worth noting:
1. There is a quantum stockpile of shoes, mittens and other garbage right next to the trade depot. You can unforbid it and trade it all away to get rid of it and, presumably, free up some CPU cycles. I didn't get all of them, but I got many. I undumped the remainder and turned everyone's hauling duties back on so as to not make it impossible for the next person to dump specific items.
(https://imgur.com/kCpVPqy.png)
I meant to also move the garbage dump over to the incinerator, but I forgot. It's still by the trade depot.
2. Everyone's equipment orders are set to "over clothes" once again. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did, or maybe this'll just make the 'Pickup Equipment' epidemic even worse. Regardless, it's not my problem anymore. Have fun with this fortress' comical lack of hauling capacity.
3. Morul, (who, incidentally, is Nezclaw's wife), is probably doomed. Nervous wreck is a heck of a trait. If it gets too bad, ghoulify her before she starts toppling workshops and ruining all my carefully laid work orders.
(https://imgur.com/pYJaCb7.png)
To murder a dwarf, put them in the drowning chamber, then pull the black lever twice and the red lever once. I'm sure you can work it out.
(https://imgur.com/ppEIcGJ.png)
Finally: 'Quasar' is running about babbling on the craftsfloor. I never saw her on any other floor, so I think she'll be safe without being locked up. And if not, well... so be it. Dastot's earned her rest.
Save file can be found Here. (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15537)
Post by: recon1o6 on May 18, 2021, 08:25:13 am
A philisophical human once asked what could change the nature of a sentient being. The optimists suggest "hope". Pessimists suggest "regret". A relatively grounded human I met back at the mountain homes said "belief" and his dwarven companion "time which ye dun have 'ny of ya half wit"
Were it any other member of smallhands, they would have offered death. Except Auze, who mentioned "perspective" as in the kind from the bottom of a barrel (of booze)
Dastot cackled and asked me as she was being hauled out. I didn't follow even as the other dwarves left to resume their tasks. Sharpening my axe blade on my platinum flask, surprised at not needing to use it, I thought long and hard
Admiring my own craftsdwarfship, I lifted the axe to exam it by the magma light, I finally found my own answer and smiled. An evil, wicked smile that caused the slabs theselves to howl in fury as I left, their freedom denied and their master shorn of a puppet.
What can change the nature of a sentient being, alive or dead, god or mortal?
Consequences
save obtained, will start soon
Post by: Radiofort on May 18, 2021, 08:31:48 am
Yet I still think it's not everything lost for Dastot... probably.
Good luck (again), Recon! Show that blind fucker!
Post by: recon1o6 on May 19, 2021, 06:54:43 am
When it comes to electing a new overseer it usually goes like this
1. Volunteers register their request with me at the tavern. Other dwarves before the 28th register their top 3 dwarves for leadership
2. I strike out candidates that have caused sufficient infractions.
3. Votes get counted and any that don't meet the threshold (Number of people in fortress/number of candidates in whole dwarves, eg 50 dwarves, 6 candidates, each candidate would need minimum of 8 vores) are tossed out. Volunteers go through automatically.
4. The drunkards who passed go into a multi exit room with a limited supply of booze. They must then discuss amongst themselves who gets the job. 50% of the candidates must vote for another to have a winner. This is how Elpho and Salmeuk ended up elected against their will.
5. If the booze runs out, all doors in the room will close momentarily, and then a random one is opened. Last out gets the job
This time around it went like this
1. After Dastot's breakdown, I start letting dwarves drink as much as they like to cope with her tyranny of kindness
2. On 28th of Obsidian I remind everyone about their unpaid bar tabs and I will be collecting unless they vote for me
3. I take office once again with 54/57 votes.
Dastot was babbling too much to vote, Auze drunk himself unconcious during the vote and Malfoy as usual voted for himself
After rearranging the decor in the overseer's office to my liking, I looked over the fort's records and maps. Radiofort aside the last few Overseers have been pretty lackluster at best, or haven't really bothered with anything to denote the splendour and glory of Smallhands.
Honestly though, I'm surprised none of them thought to actually check the stockpile records to see if we still needed the cooking and brewing orders, because we have 3720 Urists of alcohol. At least until Auze empties his military issued flask.
food wise, we have food rotting because we aren't storing it in stockpiles since every food stockpile is full or worse, bloated with cheese.
Not to mention some previous overseer decided knocking down the Emergency stockpiles was a great idea
Military squads are frankly, quite bloated. We don't need 52/62 members of the fortress in the military and guard. Especially the guard- KingZultan up until her demise secured the fort by herself, and her replacement Zultanking is almost as good if a possible decendant of a vampire judging by Elpho
Dastot also demanded we wear our armour over our clothing in what I suspect was a petty method of inflicting heat related suffering on the living. No more, military dwarves will replace their clothing with armour.
I am further disappointed upon discovery of my previous project- putting magma on top of the tall bar, has been ignored and the tunnel subsequently flooded.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The lichyard is still left as it was for the last few years. Full of slabs and coffins designed to be insulting towards the deceased and worse, our enemies buried alongside them.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Smallhands! The mantle of leadership rests once again upon my shoulders, and that means it is time to get to work and return this fortress to greatness! An easier task than my last reign but that doesn't mean you can start slacking. Now get to work!
My plans for this reign are
1. Make the tall bar able to pour magma on the goblins
2. Fix up the graveyard
3. Update the fortress military
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 2nd of Granite 175
I kept wondering about Dastot's words. About how the true queen will come for me in my dyers workshop. It is certain Lorsith WeevilMessiah the Regal God speaking through her. Naturally the Queen is Ikud Masterlegend the Unremarkable Idol.
A god and a demon deciding that I am to suffer, that I am to die last?
Recon looses a roaring laughter, fell and terrible!
I must thank you Lorsith, for confirming that I can go beyond the gods!
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844544273684758568/unknown.png)
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844543342968438815/unknown.png)
Post by: Radiofort on May 19, 2021, 08:23:23 am
ST for Smallhands' army approaching the vault (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8tXmE_qhE4)
Post by: StrikaAmaru on May 19, 2021, 10:45:26 am
And a comment for the past year:
Quote
1. There is a quantum stockpile of shoes, mittens and other garbage right next to the trade depot. You can unforbid it and trade it all away to get rid of it and, presumably, free up some CPU cycles. I didn't get all of them, but I got many. I undumped the remainder and turned everyone's hauling duties back on so as to not make it impossible for the next person to dump specific items.That looks like one of my 'cleanowned x' targets, right down to placing the thing by the trade depot. Not sure though, haven't had a turn in a while.
...
Screw it, I want a turn. At worst, I'll have to bow out due to lack of time.
Post by: QuQuasar on May 19, 2021, 06:07:32 pm
food wise, we have food rotting because we aren't storing it in stockpiles since every food stockpile is full or worse, bloated with cheese.Hey, if you want to get eaten by the sentient cheese pile be my guest. Me, I learned a long time ago: you don't fuck with cheeses.
Seriously though, I'm pretty sure the problem is raw food production more than cooking and brewing. Stopping cooking doesn't stop the farmers from filling every stockpile with raw food.
I've considered ways to automate farming that in the past, but they always end up supremely convoluted. For instance:
- A still in a corridor behind a pressure plate. When it's work order condition is satisfied (eg. booze greater than 1000), a dwarf will perform a brew job at the still, and in so doing will step on the pressure plate.
- The pressure plate opens a drain in a small room. The room drains the water off of another pressure plate in that room, which locks access to the booze production farms.
- A second still in a corridor behind a pressure plate does the same thing in reverse. It's work order condition (eg. booze less than 500) triggers the pressure plate, which opens the sluices and re-fills the small room.
So, the farms get closed off when booze goes above a certain threshold, and opened when booze goes below. It has a problem, though: dwarves could get locked in the farms. So you also need a one-way exit corridor that opens when the farms are locked, which is itself a convoluted little device.
Or you could just designate more stockpile space, but where's the fun in that?
Post by: BluarianKnight on May 19, 2021, 07:05:43 pm
Post by: Spriggans on May 20, 2021, 02:51:00 am
snip
I like the idea of having your fortress fully automated like this. Not automated by the manager, but by cunning mechanisms :)
Though I would replace water with magma ::)
(btw a less convoluted way would be to use a locked-door instead of water/magma to forbid the access to the farms
As for the poor guys who could get trapped inside... Humm, maybe we could create a one-way path using a drawbridge or something to rescue them. It would not be automated anymore though, it gets convoluted quickly indeed)
Post by: QuQuasar on May 20, 2021, 05:05:04 am
As for the poor guys who could get trapped inside... Humm, maybe we could create a one-way path using a drawbridge or something to rescue them. It would not be automated anymore though, it gets convoluted quickly indeed)No no, it can still be automated. Doing it properly with bridges and doors and pressure plates is a bit of a pain in the ass if you don't want to risk injury, due to the delay on bridges opening, but there's an easier way. Check this out:
(https://imgur.com/jqfqmNl.png)
This relies on the fact that minecarts can be ridden through statues, but dwarves can't walk through them. A single-stop hauling route set to "Ride north immediately always", and a minecart stockpile inside the farms does the rest. Keep in mind that you'll need one minecart and one hauling route for every farmer you lock in.
Post by: Spriggans on May 20, 2021, 06:37:04 am
And I guess once the locked door unlocks, they will start hauling minecarts back.
Thx for the idea ;)
This "minecart through statues" exploit makes it possible to have different portions of the fortress completely sealed from one another. humm... Juicy ideas ! :)
Edit : Reminds me I actually never did a minecart fortress. I should make one one day.
Post by: Radiofort on May 20, 2021, 12:59:21 pm
By the way, I made some more research in adventurer mode, and it seems necromancers in our world have a power to create ghouls (not raising forlorn ones, but cursing a living creatures to be sentient yet opposed to life and tend to infect others with a poisonous bite). I don't remember anyone reported this power used on our dorfs, and I couldn't test it myself yet (as this ability won't work for adventurers), but if it actually works and if Sinewsabres was in conflict with Dimplesteal before it was destroyed (which is quite likely, as both gobbos and necros are at war with everyone), then...
...I think I found a wonderful new job at the frontline for Spriggans the Sparkly.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 20, 2021, 02:02:03 pm
Before I could charge into the heart of evil, I decided to inspect the military and the rest of the fort. I did not anticipate it taking up a whole beer sodden month!
Why do we have a stockpile of goblins and traitors within spitting distance of a weapons stockpile and their beakdog cavalry?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844933440641302578/unknown.png)
Who decided that it was a good idea to give Zultanking no less than 4 offices?
Which numbskull thought it was an excellent idea to have goblins be the subject of a masterwork green glass statue?
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844939561649963008/unknown.png)
----
After strenuous bouts of drinking, cancelling unproductive manager orders, drinking, redesignating the tall bar's stockpiles to receive food and drink, drinking and assigning some new work orders for mining so the tall bar can pour magma I decided it was then time to look at the military
I knew it was bad in my squad but this beggared belief. I emptied the last two drinks of strawberry wine and threw the bottles at one of the goblin prisoners out of frustration
The siege breakers had some fort members that were too valuable to lose. I disbanded the Vile goo and the other squad, and rebuilt the overseers army with the best of the none siege breakers.
Equipment was a mess. We don't use wooden shields whichever elf lover did that. Wood is for beds and barrels. Not shields. Shields are made for crushing goblin skulls with the off hand and that means metal. However...there was one wooden shield that is an exception that proves the rule.
Quicknesshawk, the shield of Nogood the Undying. He who sacrificed everything to save smallhands from necromantic doom.
I ended up taking only the Overseer's army with me. my hand picked soldiers with the best equipment. Full steel, weapons of choice, masterworks where we could. I tucked Auze's Overseer notes into my pocket and waited for everyone to get ready. They should help us determine what we're fighting
My right hand held an artifact steel axe, emblazoned with the undead kangaroo that slaughtered our people in the early days of smallhands till it was crushed under a drawbridge. The left, quicknesshawk.
With booze in my bag and beards held high, it was time to strike back against a god.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 5th of Slate 175
The further north we went, the more desolate the land became. It didn't take long for us to spot it. An obsidean spike piercing the heavens, its aura warping the sky and the land around us with dark goo clouds and ominous fog. I daren't even speculate what that eerie blue lightning was I saw up there. Despite it being a clear day, the darkness was all around.
Wardpuppets is no place for the living.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844960320967540756/unknown.png?width=665&height=670)
I was intending to drink after we had won. Sensing the evil of that place though, I advised everybody to drink up as we were likely to need our strength ahead.
Whoever built this spire had placed a lot of defences within no doubt, Auze's notes indicated angry angelic fighters with eerie equipment
Most people would be at a loss on how to enter without meeting an ambush given it was on a steep hill with no cover.
Fortunately, I had one of the squad had bring a pickaxe and thus did our we take turns hacking at the rock. We dug straight through the outer walls and collapsed a floor, then swept in during the confusion and slew 10 of these...things. These thralls, no they go beyond that...minions of thalldom were no match for the element of surprise.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844964196810358844/unknown.png)
The next floor had one of these so called angels. It yelled out and pointed its weapon at me in its gibberish. I don't know what it was saying but I do know it was a stupid move as we were all in the middle of a martial trance and promptly cut it down.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844964299256627280/unknown.png)
As it lay dying I sent the others on ahead to finish the job after my combat trance came down. Stint came back with the slab later
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/844964443574239242/unknown.png)
The enslaved messenger gurgled and rose up in a purple light. Then in that horrible tongue, it growled at me. Only a god could do such a thing and there was only one god with a grudge currently.
M̸͈͐ő̷̬̞̍r̸̛̖̂ͅṱ̷̆a̷̛͈̹̎l̷͓̈
"Weevil"
̵̩̆Y̴̧̛͊o̷̧̅͜u̵̗͆r̴͓̺̓̇ ̸̹̬̍́s̷̼͙͋ų̶̤͘p̷̦̮͐p̶̖̏ỏ̷̦͓s̶͔̦͌ȩ̷̲̓̈d̴̜̫̽̕ ̷̝͓̑v̵̛͈̎i̷̞̊ć̶̠̝t̵͎̊̒o̵̩͈̓r̴͓͍̂y̶̥̑̀ ̵̼̚m̸̟̈͘ĕ̷̟ŕ̶̘̇ḛ̵̢̈l̴̦̪̑́ẏ̴̼͝ ̵̝͝͝d̴͆͜ḙ̴̅l̵̳̈̄à̷̲͕͠y̶̩̤̐̏s̴͕̏ ̶͍̍t̸̳͚̀͘h̸̯͒͝e̶̺͕͐̓ ̴͓̃̇i̷̳̟̚n̵̤̚̕e̶̤̰̐͛v̸̧̟̔̈ì̵̫͈t̴̾͐ͅǎ̸̘̌b̸̪͐l̵̰̮̔̒ḙ̵͋,̸̣̺̇ ̶̪́ȧ̵̘̫̌n̶͈͒̋d̸̮̂ ̸͐͋͜d̵͖̭̈̍r̶̩͆͊͜ä̸̠g̷͎̊͘ŝ̴̤͓̕ ̵͕̔t̸̤̏ͅh̸̺͉͋͠ȇ̴̝̹ ̷̨̇̚w̴̜̥̃̍o̴̜̺͂ȓ̸̹͝ṭ̶͗h̸͍̱͊͐y̶̬̹͌͝ ̸̞͒̽f̷̪̌͐ů̷̗r̶̭̩͂͌t̸͓̑̂h̷͕͌̽e̵͍̚r̸̝̄̽ ̶̮͇̎̅t̴̡͖̒͑o̷̡̰͋ ̶͔̈́͠t̵̢̪͐h̷̛̭̙ė̵̪͘i̴̪̞͌͑r̵͍͚̊̕ ̵̥̔d̶͍͋o̵̬̫͑́ò̵̡̒m̶͓̼̓̇.̴͉̑̈́
"Controlling everything between life and death is not inevitable Weevilmessiah, but a mere dream."
̷̳͖͛A̴̛̝͝ͅ ̶͍̘̌̿d̷̖͛r̶͕͚̓ẻ̶̲̂a̴̱̎ḿ̴͚͕̏ ̸͕́̓t̵̘̐h̵̰̃͗ā̶̱͆ͅţ̸̪̊̂ ̵͍̿̉ȳ̸̟͂ó̵̦͓ù̴͓̚ ̵̭̩͌̀f̶͎͍̋́ő̸͕̮̾o̶̟̱̽́l̶̗̈́i̶̡̝̿̆s̵̡̏́h̸͖͚̉͊l̵̛̺̆y̸̻̾̈ ̴̪͌͋d̶̻̒e̷̖͂s̸̛̮͜i̵͇̔̿r̶̪̆ĕ̶̟̈ ̸̢͐͊t̶̛͓̔ỏ̴͜͝ ̴̰̃͝f̴͙̠̓̋ű̸͉͛l̴̞̼̈́͘f̸͍̊ȉ̴̩͋ĺ̷̼̣l̷̦̤̀̓ ̵͍͂͘i̸̗̓n̵̖̥͛s̶̹̪͑t̷͍̱̏ẽ̴͙͎͌a̸͇̕ḓ̵̭̓ ̴̹̙̑͠ŏ̴̥̥f̵̖̈́ ̷̦̐̏m̶̧̐̄e̶̩̒.̴̘̾ ̴̭̈́I̷̢̹̅t̷̘̠͆ ̵̛̥͛ȋ̴̒͜s̴̞͂̚ ̷̲̈̅w̷͓̝͑ḣ̶͙̙̓y̵̫̥̾̓ ̸͉̫͊y̸͉͔̋̋õ̴̺̥̊u̴̢̟͂ ̸̡̈̕s̴̗̫͌͘o̵͎̐u̸̥͋̓͜g̵̨̛̜͊h̸͓̪͛t̵̫̓ ̵̡̠͝ṱ̴̨̀ḧ̵̠́è̶̯̪̐ ̴̝̜̋͘s̴͍̭̈́̔l̵̥̖̽̎a̵̛͕̪̅b̸͎̾.̴̛̲̻
"I seek to lead an age of dwarves, not a playground full of thralls. I will take this slab and incinerate it in a fiery abyss tonight."
̵̤͂̀T̷̖̊͐h̸̹̉e̷͕͂ṋ̶̿͠ ̶͖̍̚Ĭ̷̲ ̵̱͂́s̵̙̃́h̷̹̓͒à̴̺͜͝l̴̦̦̕l̵͈͛̕͜ ̸̩̦̎͘p̶̱͚͒͗e̶̮͝r̴̛̘s̵̤̜̓o̴̯̅n̷̝̪̉̐ả̸̼͔̊l̴̺̮̄l̵̛̜̔ỵ̸̧͒͆ ̵̦̙̂d̴̪̯̋a̷̧̻̽m̴͉̐̃n̴̺̍̇ ̵̝͆̄y̴̻̑o̵̠̓͆u̸̼̟͒ ̶͙̓̕t̴̢̼͐͝o̴͙̘̐̎ ̴̡̈ͅè̵͍̈́v̴̖͘͝ȩ̵̖̏̓ŗ̵͕̎ḻ̷̺̽ȃ̶̯s̶̭̓̌t̸̥̒̑i̸̟̬̎ṉ̷͎̾̌ġ̴̟͖͠ ̴̦̿̅t̶̙͈͆o̵͇̘̒̃r̸͈͍͌m̴̠̝̎e̴̖͖͑̆n̶̼͋t̷̖̏͂!̸͙̀̆
The fallen messenger lunged at me limbs outstretched. A swift uppercut with Quicknesshawk sent it collapsing to the ground in a pool of ichor.
"You had your chance to do so, and you failed. Your threat is as empty as your puppets. An age of dwarves is coming Weevil, and you won't be part of it.
The rest of the squad had arrived. I counted heads then started marching back to Smallhands. Pausing only to stomp on the messenger's head and mangle it for good.
Post by: King Zultan on May 21, 2021, 03:16:35 am
Who decided that it was a good idea to give Zultanking no less than 4 offices?But I need those 4 offices....
Post by: Spriggans on May 21, 2021, 11:37:14 am
How will we lure Saruman/Sauron/Balrog into the fort though ? Is there an in-fortress-game way ?
If not, I guess we could use an adventurer to make him "go" to the fortress (maybe by aggering him, or something), where we could trap him.
I wonder if it can be done. Going to try that now. It would be Fun to have the Daemon trapped in our fort.
Post by: Radiofort on May 21, 2021, 12:03:49 pm
Hoooo, the story intensifies !I don't recommend to go into adventure mode on shared savefile, as in that case all Smallhands' astonishing glitches, like our undying overseer, disappears and it becomes just an ordinary messy fort. The trapped necros, for some reason, disappears too, so no more ghouls that way, as now we're currently jailing the very last necromancers in a whole world. The last part, though, can probably be couped with adventurer writing a manual about life/death secrets and dropping it somewhere in the fortress, but there's two points about that:
How will we lure Saruman/Sauron/Balrog into the fort though ? Is there an in-fortress-game way ?
If not, I guess we could use an adventurer to make him "go" to the fortress (maybe by aggering him, or something), where we could trap him.
I wonder if it can be done. Going to try that now. It would be Fun to have the Daemon trapped in our fort.
a) I'm not sure if everyone is okay with fortress full of eternally sober, angry and SLOW voodoo beards;
b) even if previous part sounds, actually, quite tempting, I still vote to keep Nogood with us. He made too much for Smallhands to just obliterate him from reality like this.
And, as I wrote before, you better prepare a really good comp before visiting Dimplesteal. In terms of FPS, that shithole is pure evil.
Btw, good job, Recon!
Post by: nezclaw on May 21, 2021, 04:18:57 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on May 21, 2021, 10:05:38 pm
Lovely update. The saga continues. I was thinking about how lucky Smallhands was to encounter the series of events as it did, manage to survive, and even.. thrive? Not every fortress comes back from the grave the way we did. Also, it should be said that Smallhands has furthered the communities understanding of the new(ish) undead mechanics, and likely contributed to a number of bug reports involving undead echidnas. Never forget those unyielding spines.
Post by: delphonso on May 22, 2021, 12:44:49 am
Strika, I'll update the roster and main post after the weekend when I have my computer again, glad to have you back.
Post by: Radiofort on May 22, 2021, 02:10:29 am
I'll update the roster and main post after the weekend when I have my computer againThen sign me in too, please. I'm eager to find out what we'll be able to do when/if Ikud will be banished into Underworld.
Post by: BluarianKnight on May 22, 2021, 03:08:34 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on May 24, 2021, 07:05:32 am
the only way I can really think how to do it is making a stockpile connected to a support beam and triggering it remotely. I've never used supports before so this will be a new one for me.
To the wiki!
also bluarian you have been dorfed
Post by: recon1o6 on May 24, 2021, 12:49:18 pm
When I got back to Smallhands a month ago, I found that about 70% of the fort was drinking or eating. It appears they threw a party ahead of schedule. While I don't dispute we deserved one I did find it surprising how many partook in the celebrations. Unfortunately, this also made it very frustrating to get any actual work done. I spent hours just trying to get anybody with a pickaxe to go down and dig out the Tall Bar's magma tunnel only for all of them to complain about "Not accessible"
What a load of elf crap. There's a ramp and most importantly, the water was pumped out!
Still, bottoms up, tonight we destroy this slab! Stint as the one who grabbed it you do the honours!
------------
A strawberry wine stain covers the parchment
Begrudgingly...after Salmeuk politely informed me that artifacts are not eligible for dumping I have elected not to toss the slab into the magma. While I am frustrated by this turn of events, I am not ready to quit just yet. If we can't dump it officially then I will arrange another method...Salmeuk! Grab your pickaxe, I got a new place for you to dig while stairs are built in the magma tunnel!
At least we had some good news. Baby bunnies!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/846397665830764595/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 23rd of Felsite 175
Its a rare dwarf that knows the functions of a support pillar. We dwarves build our tunnels and structures so well that a mere bar of soap can lift a mountain unlike those human mines that have so many structural weaknesses its a wonder they even make it 5 foot into the rock.
I had a pint of Overseer's Motivator while looking over various legal documents and dwarven engineering papers when suddenly the idea hit me- I could kill two elves with one bolt by dropping a room containing the slab into the magma sea. It would bury the slab far down in the depths where its hottest and it technically does not count as dumping!
This required a support pillar to hold up the floor containing a slab and a lever to collapse it into the abyss.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/846413107176800277/unknown.png)
After a month of toil and well deserved booze, salmeuk dug out this 3x3 room while Avuz actually proved his worth as a mayor for once and set an example by channeling beneath Salmeuk except for the southern most tile.
I had a lever installed and a clear glass window manufactured in the room west of this one. Why overseer Radiofort thought that we needed fuel fired kilns up there when we had perfectly good magma glass kilns and sand supplies down here is beyond me. Granted the stairs down to the lower levels of the fort are a maze so its not out of the question he never found them or got bored and went for a drink.
Finally, I had a 1x1 stockpile designated in Salmeuk's half and after it was placed, had Avuz channel away the access. Then came the annoying part.
3 weeks
3 WEEKS it took to install the pillar! I had a celebratory drink but it was too soon as it took another week for Quarque to install the mechanisms
I then had one final drink and marched down to the lever room head held high.
When I arrived I sipped from my platinum flask and enjoyed the view of the magma sea through the window. Golden and red, flowing through the land, providing it with life and heat. The perfect weapon to dispose of cold deathly magic. I didn't need to turn around to know that the rattling waiting behind me was Quasar, no doubt insane and more than likely being possessed. I predicted her disappearance was to the corner of this room.
She was babbling. A demonic tongue of the horrors beyond. Funny how this is a reverse of a situation we had just last year. I had learnt from her mistakes and waited for her to make the first move, looking at her reflection in my flask. It showed she had a purple glow in her eyes.
Quasar slowly and shakily raised a dagger in her less stiched hand and struck. The wall that is. I twisted round grabbing the wrist and used her ghoulish strength against her and caused the blade to get stuck. A swift kick to the leg and she stumbled down. She pulled the dagger from the wall and turned to face me.
Right as I pulled the lever
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/846427304006647858/unknown.png)
A resounding crash echoed through the fortress. The dust coalescing against the window. Quasar's head snapped to the window and an ethereal shriek emanated from her as I stood next to the lever grinning in triumph.
"Its over."
Quasar kneeled there motionless after she stopped shrieking. I went over to the window to watch the magma plumes raise in the air amidst the dust. Still I didn't expect a response, and with her own voice too. Raspy and fearful...yet hopeful.
"Its quieter?"
She stared at me then departed, the glow vanisged. I gazed back at the magma then followed suit.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/846439989491007508/unknown.png)
Post by: Radiofort on May 24, 2021, 01:12:13 pm
Btw, as far as I recall correctly, Avuz is actually a girl (though I called her guy in my first post due to distraction).
Post by: recon1o6 on May 24, 2021, 01:49:11 pm
Post by: delphonso on May 24, 2021, 06:15:29 pm
Btw, as far as I recall correctly, Avuz is actually a girl (though I called her guy in my first post due to distraction).
It seems most of the named dwarves are ladies - either a coincidence or Smallhands has a far higher number of women than men.
A momentous occasion - Smallhands destroyed a slab. Surely this means drinks for everyone!
Post by: QuQuasar on May 24, 2021, 09:21:07 pm
Its a rare dwarf that knows the functions of a support pillar. We dwarves build our tunnels and structures so well that a mere bar of soap can lift a mountain unlike those human mines that have so many structural weaknesses its a wonder they even make it 5 foot into the rock.I like the idea that single-support fortresses are not some ridiculous physics-defying blasphemy against structural integrity, but they just seem that way to us humans because we are so fucking bad at basic construction that we get astounded by utterly mundane things.
And considering that some people think the pyramids must have been built by aliens, perhaps that's not too far off...
Finally, I had a 1x1 stockpile designated in Salmeuk's half and after it was placed, had Avuz channel away the access. Then came the annoying part.The only way I ever got anything specific dumped or hauled was to turn off all hauling that wasn't refuse/furniture hauling. Unfortunately, that just meant that while everyone was dumping shoes all the other types of hauling in this accursed place were multiplying exponentially.
3 weeks
3 WEEKS it took to install the pillar! I had a celebratory drink but it was too soon as it took another week for Quarque to install the mechanisms
Basically what I'm saying is, good luck with that. :thumbsup:
Quasar slowly and shakily raised a dagger in her less stiched hand and struck. The wall that is. I twisted round grabbing the wrist and used her ghoulish strength against her and caused the blade to get stuck. A swift kick to the leg and she stumbled down. She pulled the dagger from the wall and turned to face me.Quasar is proper harmless at this point, so I'm going to put that one down to Ikud getting desperate. Bloody iguana. Need to give it a proper seeing to now that we've broken it's link to the underworld.
Was she actually down there in-game? Because that would be the first time I've seen her babbling anywhere except the crafting floor.
Post by: Spriggans on May 25, 2021, 02:54:18 am
The ennemy feels it.
It knows. In their minds, the goblins have been weakened.
It's time to attack...
... Or just celebrate and join Recon to the tavern !!! The first round's on him ! ;D
Post by: recon1o6 on May 25, 2021, 03:51:20 am
The only way I ever got anything specific dumped or hauled was to turn off all hauling that wasn't refuse/furniture hauling. Unfortunately, that just meant that while everyone was dumping shoes all the other types of hauling in this accursed place were multiplying exponentially.
I got this item and ONLY this item stored by making a custom stockpile with conditions earthernware>minimum level artifact>slabs only. Stin actually used it as a misc object weapon in training before the stockpile was ready.
Quasar is proper harmless at this point, so I'm going to put that one down to Ikud getting desperate. Bloody iguana. Need to give it a proper seeing to now that we've broken it's link to the underworld.
Was she actually down there in-game? Because that would be the first time I've seen her babbling anywhere except the crafting floor.
That was the intention, hence the strange glow around her. She wasn't down there, but she I found her in the cavern access at one point so she has moved.
It seems most of the named dwarves are ladies - either a coincidence or Smallhands has a far higher number of women than men.
A momentous occasion - Smallhands destroyed a slab. Surely this means drinks for everyone!
You are correct, a lot of smallhands' currently alive overseers are female. Note how I said currently alive given this fort's track record. Though on this occasion the last mayor Avuz that I looked at was male, so its not out of the question that he died and then got replaced by Avuz the lady
and yes, copiuous amounts of drinking will happen
Post by: Radiofort on May 25, 2021, 12:08:09 pm
Heck, I think Smallhands already provided more !!SCIENCE!! for all community than any other succession fortress, yet it still provides more and more. And that's awesome.
You are correct, a lot of smallhands' currently alive overseers are female. Note how I said currently alive given this fort's track record. Though on this occasion the last mayor Avuz that I looked at was male, so its not out of the question that he died and then got replaced by Avuz the ladySo, as far as we know, swamp illness' symptomes may include slight fever, brain melting and occasional gender swap. That... explains a lot.
Post by: King Zultan on May 26, 2021, 01:48:51 am
Post by: recon1o6 on May 28, 2021, 04:22:13 am
Post by: Radiofort on May 28, 2021, 07:21:39 am
I swear sometimes that writing these posts is harder than playing the game.Brofist. Especially in foreign language.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 30, 2021, 02:12:08 pm
Tonight was one of the happiest nights in dwarven history. I destroyed the slab legally. Everyone was celebrating and I burned through every drink I had in stock at the bar. Not that it stopped someone dragging an entire stockpile's worth up here when I asked.
I decided to commemorate this event with a statue. A masterwork to be precise and I shall forge it by my own two hands!
Well..that and a handful of others of the events leading up to it.
It will take me some time to decide the materials and placement. Especially placement
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 16th of Hematite 175
Summer has arrived and with it that blasted humidity that spreads the goblin goo through the air when it sould be confined to the goblins.
I do wonder how the goblins manage to avoid being fevered by that stuff. Probably because its weevil messiah's curse or something on everything dwarven. The osprey man we have in the cages isn't affected by it after all.
Little to note in the overseers records other than pumping system on the magma weapon is proceeding slower than I hoped, but on the plus side salmeuk informed me that the inflow channel is complete. All we need to do now is knock down the wall
Spoiler: primary piping (click to show/hide)
In other news mayor Avuz has been relected over myself.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/848573958567886859/unknown.png)
Normally I'd take umbrage at this offence, particularly one with such a poor record, but she mandated 3 floodgates.
As much as I'd like to use that as an excuse to put myself back in supreme power, I must admit that IS actually an item the fort is going to need for the magma works. I'm not sure if she wants to pour magma on goblins, is trying to get into my good graces or she noticed that I recently filled the hammerer position again, but whatever it is she's earned a few months yet.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 16th of Malachite 175
While I am an exemplary example of a dwarf, more than worthy for my name to be passed into legend, I am not perfect. I didn't even know we had llama wool till Salmeuk assigned me to make some cloth out of it
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/848575520101761034/unknown.png)
Our animals have been breeding these last 3 months faster than Auze drinks a barrel. Exaggeration of course, nothing can beat the speed at which Auze drinks when he's thirsty, but the sheer volume of beak dogs, alpaca foals, puppies and rabbits would be enough to strike down any human invasion from the cuteness. Us dwarves being made of sterner stuff simply appreciate that the animals have thoughtfully bred when our meat stock is down to 6
After much deliberation I decided on two important things. First, the release and refill levers for the Tall Bar shall be located, where else, in the Tall bar. They will have our artifact mechanisms Lelgassarek "Lush echo" and...
Ara-nudist. "Sculptedpleats"
The latter is definately going to be referred to by sculptedpleats when having dialogue with humans lest we want them to laugh themselves silly
The second thing I noted is that I am going to need to interrogate our illustrious manager as to which overseer ordered MY solid gold and gem encrusted tables and chairs installed in the library and not my tavern!
Still I need to smith some more gold funiture anyway, and some other things
A beer stain mixed with ink covers the parchment
Imbecile! I get Tonnet is in a fey mood but he could at least look where he is going!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/848590074890289182/unknown.png)
"TONNET I WAS USING THAT INGOT" I yelled as I sprinted down the stairs after he swiped it from my workstation, when I was in the middle of making sterling silver no less! Too late though, he had already thrown it inside the magma smelter. Begrudgingly I headed back up and reported my job cancellation.
This better be good
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 4th of Galena 175
After last month's stunt I was tempted to lock Tonnet inside his workshop and let him go insane when he decided on a whim that his artifact needed fresh rough gems, not the dozen or so knocked out of the stone work on an empty floor in my search for more gold. Recognising that if he was stealing metal from his overseer's own work, I decided otherwise since he was clearly training to become a skilled metalworker of some kind. An industry that, once again, my insane/obsessive/murderous/forgetful/sober/unfortunate/elf loving predecessors blantantly ignored our shortage of in favour of their pet projects.
To prove this point, I had the Tall Bar's roof get some copper walls installed to control the flow of magma as it pours out onto the goblins. During an inspection I sketched some of our workers and their progress
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/848595616803192902/unknown.png)
With the access complete and the roof being made, I peered through the window and observed Elpho tossing a *pig tail mitten* onto the ground after he built a piece of floor, causing Radiofort to complain that he has to now suspend construction on the floor below due to an obstruction.
Looks like the pump stack is going as slow as ever.
My rising frustrations were interrupted by Tonnet bursting into the tavern waving quite possibly the most beautiful yet deadly sword I have ever seen. My jaw dropped when I got a closer look and saw the blade was made of Platinum of all things!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/848600940076728380/unknown.png)
I might be cynical, and I might be in a death laden fort at the end of the civilised world, but if this is where I will start an age of dwarves, then I am more than glad to have crafters like him behind me.
Hmm...it might be time to get the armourers guild restablished after most of its members were slain. I saw someone there earlier giving a demonstration.
Metalworkers of smallhands seems like a feasible goal. Better than a dirty, elven farmers guild at any rate
Post by: auzewasright on May 30, 2021, 10:31:10 pm
My rising frustrations were interrupted by Tonnet bursting into the tavern waving quite possibly the most beautiful yet deadly sword I have ever seen. My jaw dropped when I got a closer look and saw the blade was made of Platinum of all things!Too bad that Platinum is roughly on par with Silver and Copper as edged weapons materials go. If it was a blunt weapon like a mace or hammer... still a fantastic sword.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/848600940076728380/unknown.png)
Post by: Radiofort on May 31, 2021, 07:51:02 am
By the way, if I remember correctly the mechanics of wildfires, there must be something on the ground under magma flow to take a fire to flames start spreading. As Smallhands is in the desert (so no saplings to set ablaze), maybe we need to prepare a stock of worn mittens & other crap at the bottom of the tankard.
Too bad that Platinum is roughly on par with Silver and Copper as edged weapons materials go. If it was a blunt weapon like a mace or hammer... still a fantastic sword.It's an artifact, so, afaik, you can treat it one tier higher, a bronze-level, probably.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 31, 2021, 11:20:58 am
Personally, I always like to mod in platinum blunt weapons as a counterpart to adamantine for sharp weapons.
Post by: Garfunkel on June 02, 2021, 02:26:56 pm
Post by: Radiofort on June 05, 2021, 10:13:12 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on June 06, 2021, 08:45:54 am
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 17th of Galena 175
Contemplating war against goblins is easy. Contemplating war against goblins controlled by a demon in league with the greatest evil the world has known requires a lot more planning. Naturally several tankards of alcohol help, particularly when I observed in our records that despite our supposed "alliance" with the humans and the pointy eared bastards, only dwarven kind is actually doing anything productive about the goblins.
If we are to fight their battles, then we should be compensated for our trouble. To that end I dispatched squads to demand tribute and a trade caravan to GlimmeredSanctum (the current elven capital as it were) and Frenzyescort (a large human town nearby) I would personally be more than happy to drive the elven traitors to extinction. Other overseers may forget the visiting elven prince, but I certainly didnt. No elf visited during spring to trade and most of the way through Galena and no human caravan to trade either.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 27th of Galena 175
Those traitorous knife ears, how dare they reject us! Do they expect us to fight on their behalf for free? I will not stand for this!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/851066645539323904/unknown.png)
A new beer stain and angry dwarven scribblings and tactics cover the parchment
I really should have seen it coming too. The elven government's translated name is apparently "The Equal Snarl" and that is a goblin name if I've ever heard one. If the mountainhomes continue to be insufferable and driving the mad and useless to smallhands, then I will send orders to put the elves out of our misery and use their settlements to bolster our forces agains the goblins
Fortunately, the humans apologised for their mistake. Apparently their diplomat and trade caravan were intercepted by a goblin force from StableVile shortly after a raid and they gave us some materials as compensation. I was very pleased to receive the 47 barrels of beer. Its not dwarven but certainly fine stuff nonetheless
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/850473865128706108/unknown.png)
In the interveening period between dispatching trade delegates and weaving masterworks I opted to have the siege breakers do some soldiering for once and begin our march towards Dimplesteal
It was time to raze StableVile, a goblin lookout post to the ground.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/850471851121836032/unknown.png)
The twits came back within the day having stolen some livestock. I sent them out again and they returned, again with more beak dogs. I was getting pretty annoyed at Ustuth disobeying my explicit orders to raze it to the ground and made it clear they won't have any more alcohol until that place is destroyed.
He then explained to me that what they were doing was razing the vile stable to the ground exactly as ordered.
I apologised for the miscommunication and pointed out that it wasn't just the cavalry building that was stablevile but ALL of the goblin settlement. He then rallied his men and set out once more.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 5th of Limestone 175
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/851056814610710528/unknown.png)
Mestthos stumbled into the fortress dabbing at his head with a *cave spider silk hankerchief* and announced that the caravan from the mountainhomes had arrived. I told Auze to finish his dinner (I don't blame him for taking his time, a masterwork sheep kidney roast pie) and then get down to the trade depot. In the meantime I went to Salmeuk's office to prepare for the liason's arrival while Salmeuk was sleeping through another meeting.
Salmeuk may be an exemplary example of a noble, but he does unfortunately display traits of nobles we dwarves hate with a passion. Like not doing his job when it matters.
Along the way I witnessed another child playing with a grown wood toy. I thought I got rid of those things years ago. Guess one snuck back in via my successors. A shame but i will have to send another child under the drawbridge.
For all her babbling and insanity, Quasar did mention one thing that I can personally verify. All this goblinite needs melting and any of their clothing needs disposing of for health reasons. Mestthos actually asked us if he could buy it for the mountainhomes. When I enquired why he mopped the sweat off his forehead and answered the mountainhomes was hoping to test out whether spears or axes were better at cutting through the under armour clothing of the goblins.
Auze popped in at one point ot grab another barrel to drink. Apparently merchant wagons were still arriving! he'd counted 7 wagons when he left and an 8th on the way down the ramp. He also reported a job cancellation for Sakzul
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/851046683378450432/unknown.png)
More gold? at this rate i will need another term just to get the furniture completed for the tall bar.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 11th of Limestone 175
Nearly a week its taken to start trading. In the mean time I dragged Mestthos to listen to the latest military report
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/851062328996266004/unknown.png)
Do you see WeevilMessiah? Your little minions avail you nought as they cower and flee before the might of smallhands. My only regret is I couldn't join the destruction myself.
I might see about getting some of our excess members of the fort to go and claim StableVile and turn it into a dwarven outpost. We are still above the number in the Queen's Charter.
Auze set about trading as I browsed the items on offer. 2 of the 11 wagons the mountainhomes sent to use were full of leather and another full of fish. Best of all, the first plump helmets I had seen in years! I could begin brewing dwarven wine again!
Considering we weren't offering much in terms of actual dwarven items for sale, it seems either this trader Mikot was bad with numbers or Auze had an extra pint this morning because we bought 14396 urists of goods, and paid it with junk. The transaction slip Auze gave me said that Mikot had a 19743 profit and he was absolutely ecstatic about the trading.
I confess, he isn't the only one. We got barrels of fish (which we don't get any of here) multiple bars. An exquisite iron pick that was studded with platinum, about 50 plump helmets, tons of meat, parchment, a few instruments and ores.
While my personal preferences are of equal importance to the fort, I can't help but admit the fort has done well out of this trade even if I didn't get the gold bars and armour I hoped for.
I think I'll ease off on insulting the mountainhomes for a while since they have more than made up for the humans and elves being useless.
An interesting observation occured to me in the course of designating items for Auze to trade- we have a surprising variety of creatures locked in cages.
I sold everything elven and all non meltable goblin items. A few buzzards and other small animals were sold as well. I bought a breeding pair of rabbits because you can never have enough rabbits. They make for good dinner, pets and leather and breed quickly.
post trading stocks
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/851094118994149386/unknown.png)
Avuz eventually took over diplomacy duties after Mestthos got his act together and Salmeuk decided to perform hauling duties as a political statement.
"The world is the same as ever" Mestthos began, mopping sweat.
"No mate, its not. We just destroyed Stablevile. Also a deific slab thats bound to Ikud the Blind because his god decided to pick a fight with smallhands"
Mestthos paled and jotted it down in his goo spattered notebook. Why he hasn't replaced it after 20 years is beyond me.
"Er...well its the same outside of Smallhand's territory...Anyway here's the export agreement."
"Mestthos...did you know that the elves were in league with the goblins?"
Mestthos's beard went even greyer when Avuz asked that. Avuz is certainly going up in my eyes.
"Um..yes, yes of course."
"Then why are we still in an alliance with them?"
"The queen thinks we could use the elves as a go between to broker peace with the goblins."
Me and Avuz looked at each other.
"The queen or the idiots around her?"
"Nobody knows"
I sighed and left the room. Avuz later came out and explained that though the leadership at the mountainhomes is in a chaotic mess what with the war and backstabbing, the head of trade over at the mountainhomes is smart enough to both keep their name quiet to avoid assassination and to send the biggest caravan's to the outlying settlements.
Spoiler: the export agreement (click to show/hide)
Post by: Radiofort on June 06, 2021, 12:36:05 pm
It's also good to have plump helmets in fortress again. I was feeling kinda nervous without them on my turn.
If I recall correctly, there must be another captured hillocks about 100 heads of population, and after that there'll be only our captured Mountainhomes and Dimplesteal in goblin's possession. Also, it seems that most of goblin defenders on missions are always trolls (as war animals). I wonder if we may require adamantine to slay a lot of trolls without harming our soldiers...
I think elves, on the other hand, are not worthy of our soiled blades for now. After all, they're so weak that we may take care of them any time.
Also, may I ask you to check legends and find out what actually happened to Ikud the blind demon? Was he affected by slab's destruction in any way?
Post by: delphonso on June 07, 2021, 07:09:54 am
A new beer stain and angry dwarven scribblings and tactics cover the parchment
I doubt there is an unstained parchment anywhere in Smallhands at this point - the blood, sweat, and booze probably have ruined many books by now.
Great updates Recon!
I would guess the slab is counted as missing and the demon is unphased, but that is just my pessimism. I'd be happy to be proven wrong.
Post by: recon1o6 on June 07, 2021, 12:17:00 pm
So if it IS invisible in fort mode, that basically means it is destroyed for all intents and purposes. If I did the exact same thing in adventurer mode, then it would be destroyed.
Post by: recon1o6 on June 12, 2021, 11:23:18 am
Post by: Radiofort on June 12, 2021, 11:18:50 pm
New job certainly took a lot of time away from me. Question regarding pumping magma- does anybody know if the magma in the stack throughout the fort is powered or not?I'm not sure what do you mean by 'powered', but water pumps create a small torrent in their output point and I don't think magma pumps should work any other way. Though I don't think flowing magma in the pump can power up the pump itself in the current version (this could be done in a distant past, but, afaik, Toady fixed it back then).
Post by: Salmeuk on June 13, 2021, 02:50:39 am
Mestthos stumbled into the fortress dabbing at his head with a *cave spider silk hankerchief* and announced that the caravan from the mountainhomes had arrived. I told Auze to finish his dinner (I don't blame him for taking his time, a masterwork sheep kidney roast pie) and then get down to the trade depot. In the meantime I went to Salmeuk's office to prepare for the liason's arrival while Salmeuk was sleeping through another meeting.
Salmeuk may be an exemplary example of a noble, but he does unfortunately display traits of nobles we dwarves hate with a passion. Like not doing his job when it matters.
Guilty as charged.
Well done (as always).
Post by: recon1o6 on June 15, 2021, 02:01:11 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on June 16, 2021, 03:28:02 pm
Today is a momentous day, at least for Rovod Monomolok. The wily bugger is now an adult and continue the farmhand's path. Until I lose patience again with the lack of armoursmiths.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/852652882762137640/unknown.png)
It was also an absolutely horrible day. An oversight in the design for the pump stack had almost resulted in a large pile of unneccessary expenditure of mechanisms and a planned trip to the caverns in search of nethercap for magma proof axles.
The previous design would have required multiple axles and gears to power the entire thing. Instead I merely had to give the uncomfortable order to rip out all the ones we had in place and remove some flooring the hauliers built.
The oversight in question was that a constructed wall and single urist of floor space could not support a pump stack by itself without tipping over, thus the design for a large assembly of machine components to fix the stack. As it turns out by installing a gear mechanism at the top of the stack on the maintainence floor, and removing the floor underneath the purification module (the so called dark half due to all the pollutants being removed from there) then the topmost pump could be suspended by a single gear mechanism and each pump connected underneath would be safe from falling.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 27th of Sandstone 175
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/852662568941781002/unknown.png)
I've finally had enough of Morul's tantruming. This is the third time in as many weeks. Zultanking had gotten restless and so I gave the order to arrest the vandal.
I get it, she was wounded doing some hauling work and the animal broke her nose, neck and some of her forehead. The doctors cleaned and sutured everything and even prescribed extra alcohol for the pain and the Smallhands Steamy Slime.
20000 stress and gaining. Hopefully some time in prison would help.
In the mean time, I came across this amazing statue lying in the stockpiles just sitting there. Its a masterwork commemorating the 25th anniversary of smallhand's founding. I am going to have it placed in the entrance hall so everyone who passes in or out of smallhands can see it.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/854724604774055956/unknown.png)
I will certainly drink to that
A strawberry wine stain in the shape of a mug is on the parchment
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 1st of Moonstone 175
Winter is here. A chill wind that somehow seems lighter than usual this year. Its either the magma or the fact we wrecked Weevilmessiah's precious spire.
Sadly the same cannot be said for Morul. She's...not taken the jail time well and got beaten too.
She's breaking. I'm talking 88000 on the stress chart according to Doctor Imic. Mayor Avuz noted she appeared to be very lonely and afraid of being hurt again which is probably why she hasn't tantrummed again. I think I can guess why. She's married to Nezclaw...and she's cheating on him with Sibrek, a metalcrafter.
Clearly both of them shunned her recently and Zasit, her only albeit close friend, got into an argument with her, I think over the merits of friendship. Zasit believes it is one of the finer things in life whereas Morul...finds it a waste of time.
In any event, I have sent her down to work in the magma forge. The entirety of Timber was wasted by many dwarves upon hearing it was Smallhand's anniversary. Barley any tasks got done and nearly 4/5 dwarves were socialising or reading instead of getting the magma system fixed.
At least the floodgates are now designated
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854723023273197618/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 11th of Opal 175
Bad news; the buzzards around the fort have been a nuisance again. Mayor Avuz actually got thrown off some stairs by one when it attacked her. she lived but is wounded. Honestly, its better to say that she is lucky to be alive after that much of a drop off the Tall Bar
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
She's said she is not going to stand for reelection while she recovers and thus the new mayor is...
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854772583391035392/unknown.png)
That's...not who anyone was expecting. Especially when she is afflicted with crippling shyness and fled in tears after being told she had won.
Solon's ghost cropped up again. It knocked out one of the military cold. I forgot to have that slab installed. I'm starting to get annoyed at all these wounding incidents, they are slowing down what little productivity this fort produces. I have suspended the glass and cloth making because of the lack of hauliers to build the power source of this great weapon.
Windmills. We dwarves bend the earth to our will, and a fort across the sea replaces the ocean with land as they seek the greatest of fish, so why not have the sky brought low as well? The wind around here shall turn our pumps and rain fire on those that dare interfere with our great fortress. We who will stand above the gods and hells forever!
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854778170065944586/unknown.png)
Another design flaw cropped up. The stairs are in a bad position. I will need to move them otherwise we might have leaks that burn down the pump stack.
I'm running out of time in my current mandate. At this rate, I will need to bend time to my will in order to...by what booze laden shenanigans did you two perform to get up there? That's on top of the magma glass! Get down you imbeciles!
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854780432297492490/unknown.png)
and the rest of you can stop gawping and get back to work. This WILL be completed by the end of my term!
Cider and magma stains colour the *forgotten beast parchment* underneath them is a mess of stair construction, removal and windmill calculations
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 31st of Obsidian 175
START THE REACTOR! THREE CHEERS FOR SMALLHANDS!!!
Multiple alcohol goblet stains line the parchment of varying drinks
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854801399115415592/unknown.png)
A few days after I gave that command the reactor is still filling up. After much effort and frustration, i have managed to get enough dwarves working the old pump stack to manually pump lava up from the magma sea.
However, I was not to be deterred, I went up to the Tall Bar to host the 25th anniversary of smallhands and new years party. I didn't even need to ask for quiet when I strode over to the levers.
"Smallhands! Today we stand at another milestone in our great history! Above you is the flame of the earth! Below is where we shall burn our enemies to ash were they not cowering in their goo soaked walls and hiding in beyond the trees. I am proud to present to you the Frothy Fire!"
After a smattering of applause
"From now on, we can and will pour magma on those goblins whenever the opportunity presents itself. No more shall we need to waste the living and undead among us on turning back the horde. We will make the earth itself our weapon. Now get yourselves to a suitable viewing room and prepare the for the first firing!
Most dwarves scrambled for the staircase eager to get a closer view from the gem windows. Some of the best stood behind. Salmeuk, Radiofort, Quarque, Zultanking and Auze.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854811316983824404/unknown.png)
"The frothy fire isnt the best name Recon" one of them said. I groaned and agreed.
"Look, I know...but its literally the froth on this mug shaped monument. There was also the fact it got voted on by my patrons last night."
There was a collective facepalming from around the room.
"Anyway...can any of you smell burning?"
Zultanking looked out the window and muttered "oh no"
We all went to have a look
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854814047651889193/unknown.png)
...fuck
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/854814363898609704/unknown.png)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes for the Frothy fire
-The centre lever is the rooftop access. It controls the floodgate to the south of the tall bar for if/when repairs are needed
-The entire thing is powered by 5 windmills. Axles might need to be reconnected after the accident
-I've made and demolished lots of stairs. There's a column of them I didn't finish dissassembling, do that until the floor below the machinery platform as that's got the pump stack access path and we don't want climbers
-Nogood's pump stack I don't believe is connected to the water reactor or if it is, I didnt fill it in time and had to use dwarf power. If you can connect it and fix the leak at the top, then we can bring magma up very quickly. Otherwise you will need a lot of dwarf power
-Nogood's pump stack for that matter can be vastly improved. The current one is extremely power intensive. To be precise, it needs 1500+ power when it oculd be rebuilt to use a fraction of that without all the gears. You would need ot remove the magma though.
--------------
Other things to note:
The fort is getting really short on certain labours. Like carpentry, metalworking and stoneworking.
Morul is currently at max stress. I don't know how she hasn't broken yet.
the goblins apparently reclaimed stablevile
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15575 (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15575) save is here. Good luck!
Post by: delphonso on June 16, 2021, 11:42:57 pm
Great turn, Recon - always a pleasure to read your updates. Love to see the Frothy Fire...working?
Post by: recon1o6 on June 19, 2021, 05:44:40 am
I took down that block when I accidentally made it out of gold bar not granite block. Hauling was so poor towards the end I genuinely didn't expct to finish this. It was hard enough getting enough magma into the access pipe.
stuff needs to be automated from the magma sea if its going to be reloaded in any adequate time without mass manual pumping. That may require a dig through the fort and/or additional reservoirs
But for now smallhands has at least 1 semi functional megaproject complete :D it only requires a few deconstructions and spare parts.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 1st of Granite 176
I clearly didn't have enough booze to drink during my term towards the end. If I did, then it wasn't strong enough drink. My term is up and its time to spend the next few years serving drinks and studying magmadynamics (a dwarven !!science!! specialising in magma flows)
alongside plotting the demise of weevilmessiah and Ikud the blind of course.
A note for my successor in the post of Overseer- We have one carpenter. Might want to train more
Post by: StrikaAmaru on June 19, 2021, 08:48:43 am
Super swamped right now, so if Strika wants to take the turn, go ahead, otherwise I should be able to start in about a week...
I can't take a turn right now; I'm off on an extended week-end in the mountains. Guess we're waiting a week.
Post by: Spriggans on June 20, 2021, 01:46:29 am
Post by: Laterigrade on June 23, 2021, 06:51:11 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on June 24, 2021, 11:26:50 am
Post by: Spriggans on June 24, 2021, 12:06:20 pm
In the mean time, here is:
The First* Census of Smallhands
The status of our23191714 proud citizens**! Sorted by layer and where they are.***
// SNIP //
*while inaugural is the correct term, I doubt the fortress will live to need a second one.
**Give or take a few undead.
***As of the end of my turn, read the update for more recent info.
Reading back through old posts. What a doubter you were there ah-zee ! ;D
It's amazing how we actually succedeed and recovered fully !
Post by: delphonso on June 24, 2021, 06:09:15 pm
I mean, it cant burn down more than last time surely? down to 1 single living dwarf is kinda hard ot beat.
Well, we could probably get Smallhands down to a single dead dwarf.
Might be able to crack out an intro post later today, if I'm lucky. The school year is wrapping up, which means lots of work preparing tests and grading...
Late fat edit:
Composition: The Truth
This is a talc-bound codex.
The written portion consists of a 20 page essay entitled, Composition: The Truth, authored by Olon Onulolun. It concerns the unfinished journal authored by Elpho Ustuthdeleth. The writing is as vicious as can be. Overall the prose is amateurish at best.
Excerpt:
What was uncovered was an as to yet unpublished manuscript by Elpho. What followed was a length debate amid academia to determine the legitimacy of the text. Many claim it is just a fake, other state the forensic evidence is too much, and that the text must be legitimate. Those in the legitimate camp suggest it is either an extremely early draft of an abandoned project, or a “fall from grace” moment in Elpho's life devoid of any original ideas.
It is this author's opinion, however, that the text is a blatant example of plagiarism. Devoid of original ideas, Elpho merely copied lines from his successful peers and attempted to work them into his own. His brief frustrated notes in the margins suggest this was the case. In the following pages, I intend to argue that the reason Elpho did not publish this work, was their own awareness of this issue.
Excerpt:
Quote
Speak, memory, of the cunning hero, the wanderer blown off course time and again. Speak of circumspect Elpho.This is all wrong. Why can't I make poems? Why can't I think of a better way to say “make poems”? What has happened to me?
The above segment bares remarkable resemblance to the epic classic The Oddomssey. Now reference and allusion are common tools in any poet's workshop, however the scratched out notes in the margin suggest a deep frustration which permeates the rest of Elpho's lost journal. It seems Elpho was grasping at straws, hoping the creative juices would begin flowing, but instead, Elpho was presented with perhaps the worst writer's block in dwarven history.
-=-=-=-
OOC:
This is not autobiographical at all, I swear.
Post by: recon1o6 on June 25, 2021, 11:06:12 am
seems like the elf lover got struck hard by undeath.
edit: damn, i was fighting against time itself to have the talll bar ready for 175
Needless to say, certainly most of this did not occur. Elpho's account of personally drowning a goblin in the Tall Bar is not only ridiculous, but also impossible, as the magma on the top of it - world-renowned for pouring on goblins - wasn't completed until after 175.
Post by: Elf Lord on June 26, 2021, 05:38:45 pm
Post by: delphonso on June 28, 2021, 02:42:10 am
Bad news:
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/download/matrix.org/ypajaVhtpqyyJPdzjFMtrlcp)
(I might actually restart, what I have done is worse than just letting a raid walk in unimpeded...)
Ive been watching this for a few months and I finally think I wanna sign up. Could I get signed for a turn?
Absolutely, welcome to the crew. Hopefully there will still be a fort by the end of my turn...
Post by: Salmeuk on June 28, 2021, 04:07:31 am
Smallhands has suffered before. It will live on.
Post by: delphonso on June 28, 2021, 07:15:55 am
Delphonso I am saving that image for future use. it's too good lol
Smallhands has suffered before. It will live on.
Smallhands is feeling a lot like a Spookyfort already.
Another image to keep you guys satiated while I wait for any good events to happen...
(https://i.postimg.cc/PqPTJzwP/thelever.png)
Post by: recon1o6 on June 28, 2021, 09:12:59 am
I did want to fix it, but like the graveyard situation, it came after magma. Which took up my entire reign after fixing the military.
Fitting that you post that image when I've wondered about minecarts hauling booze to the top of the tall bar.
Post by: delphonso on June 29, 2021, 07:10:59 am
This is a talc-bound codex.
The written portion consists of a 20 page essay entitled, Composition: The Truth, authored by Olon Onulolun. It concerns the unfinished journal authored by Elpho Ustuthdeleth. The writing is as vicious as can be. Overall the prose is amateurish at best.
Excerpt:
Quote
From Snaz Xestsuslozgo's Journal:
The earthblood hung in the air for a moment, so bright it was hard to look at - hot on our faces even in the distance, then it came crashing down, enveloping twenty dwarf-slaves and a few good goblins. I was reminded that day of the violence of the dwarf. The hysteric laughing that echoed up through the stone walls echoed across the sands and drove rage, anger, and fear into our cold hearts. We approached more cautiously, but with blood in our eyes and on our tongues. We would pay and charge life for life that day. Only a few of us walked away, broken - but with a bit of vengeance paid, we slept well that night.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/download/matrix.org/YsxHdGktIaESDcVGFlYZNbba)
(Relish it, friends - this is the best thing you'll see all post.)
Snaz here shows that eloquence the long-lived can gain, though the poetry is tainted with the racism you'd expect from a goblin. I collected this segment not because it was plagiarized by Elpho. In fact, I gathered it for the opposite purpose: to contrast these two great poets. In a rare show of personal creativity in this work, Elpho included the following poem:
Quote
Dead.
Dead.
Burning hot dead.
The magma spills everywhere.
The dwarves jump in and burn.
Dead.
Dead.
More and more dead.
Arrows fly from behind the tankard.
No one closes the gate.
Death and heat in Smallhands.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/download/matrix.org/bSLINQmQklzXfhoHwIPKZAQF)
Some scholars have argued that this is not a poem, but rather a list – an inventory of Elpho's survey of the surface following the goblin raid in early Spring 176. This author humbly suggests we give Elpho more credit than that. The sorrowful tone of the poem coincides with a terrible defeat at Smallhands at this time – a loss of a quarter of the fortress' population.
-=-=-=-=-
OOC:
I can't think of a way to convey this in "character" so here it is, boy did I fuck up.
Elated that a goblin siege arrived basically already inside the lava, I got real fucking confident and paid for it. I left the gates open, sure that the magma would solve the problem. It did, but because it only wiped out the first arrivals of the siege, and now the terrain was hazardous, the rest of the siege arrived over the entire month. Goblin bowmen spawned on small dry bits in the sea of magma surrounding the Tall Bar and were able to fire arrows at dwarves who dodged directly into the magma and died (4 this way). Another 5 or so were killed in battle, peppered with arrows by archers that were protected by a pool of magma. The rest were haulers trying to get stuff from the surface only to have a heavily armed goblin appear and bash their brains in. I kept trying to switch strategies - engage them, move away, close the gate, just shoot them, wait for the magma to clear. In the end, by not committing to any one of these, I got a quarter of the fort killed. We're down to 44 dwarves. Shockingly, the only named dwarf to die was Tonnot.
Here's what the aftermath looked like - a lot of the invaders were dwarves, so not every dwarf corpse there is one of us...
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I gotta find something to lift my mood...
(https://i.postimg.cc/nzy1y3LQ/image.png)
That ought to do it.
Also recon...how do I complete the Tall Bar? I am confounded by trying to figure it out myself.
Post by: King Zultan on June 29, 2021, 07:20:23 am
Post by: Laterigrade on June 29, 2021, 07:40:37 am
the poetry is tainted with the racism you'd expect from a goblinthis is just perfect; I’d sig it if I had any more space
great post! horrible tragedy! smallhands!
Post by: recon1o6 on June 29, 2021, 11:54:20 am
Also recon...how do I complete the Tall Bar? I am confounded by trying to figure it out myself.
Yup, its elf lover proof ;3 now while I could in the tradition of succession forts refuse to explain or write incoherent and oxymoronic instructions, I want to see this thing shine. I put the instructions back a few pages but in any event a more thorough explaination is due
I'll make a diagram when i get back from dinner, since there's a couple of what Dwarf!Recon would call "sobriety infused oversights" and I call mistakes i made while rushing production.
Edit- controls
The central lever in the tavern opens the access floodgate that leads to the roof. You might want to widen this in case of buzzard attack unless you fancy more cases like Mayor Avuz dodging onto the floor 7 Z levels down. Off=open On=closed
The Magma release lever opens all the floodgates on the roof to pour onto our enemies when ON. Keep it off when refilling. Try to refrain from using it when roof access is off
Magma refill lever controls the floodgate next to the pump outflow. Shut this off when you have finished filling the mug. Now I took down a square from the wall on the opposite side because i used the incorrect material (gold bar instead of granite) and you seen that it leaked magma as a result
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/638374248834138134/859490929471520768/unknown.png)
When filling the Mugma the Release must be off, the refill on, and the pump stack nogood flooded himself with needs to be manned en masse by dwarves. There is a magma channel 2 levels below the trading floor that shows it. Assuming the axels havent burned down, then the Tall Bar pumps will work automatically
There is a way to pump the magma in nogood's stack using the water reactor but for the life of me I can't remember where or how. Currently the reactor is on but the power isn't flowing.
Post by: Salmeuk on June 30, 2021, 02:58:44 am
My experience was exactly the same. I too though the magma killed the coincidentally times siege, and sent dwarves to 'mop up'. Their little beards go off like little firecrackers when they step on the red stuff, my god!
That save is a trap card lol
Post by: delphonso on June 30, 2021, 03:15:30 am
That save is a trap card lol
This does make me feel a lot better.
I'll try my best, recon...though most of those floodgates are missing for me - presumably melted/not installed.
I grabbed this screenshot sometime during my last session - but didn't work it in at all. Pretty neat, I think.
(https://matrix.org/_matrix/media/r0/download/matrix.org/AyOmHHCahTiHpFfdoXVoRvvs)
Post by: recon1o6 on June 30, 2021, 04:14:36 am
edit: ah...I may have made a small mistake during construction. So when building a floodgate, you need to make them out of magma proof material (I got that part right) which is fine if its just going to stay closed.
If it is going to open, then it needs to have magma proof mechanisms...which i didnt install. Consequently some of the floodgates are either destroyed or displaced
The pump stack also destroyed due to the fire and magma leak removing its floating part so that will need rebuilding, same with the power connections
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/859731671795892244/unknown.png)
According to the wiki, when closed floodgates function as walls. That's why I could fill the magma safely. The reason it blew up when the magma was released was because when they open, if the mechanisms aren't magma proof, they melt and destroy the floodgate.
Also, the reason some gates are still there? that's a known bug XD free floating floodgates happen if on constructed walls
TLDR: make some new floodgates and install magma proof mechanisms to replace the ones I didn't make magma proof and thus got destroyed when magma was released
Post by: Spriggans on June 30, 2021, 04:28:09 am
That means we had 60 dwarves ! Someone tweaked the pop_cap maybe :/
(EDIT : hoo POP_CAP is 50, but STRICT_POP_CAP is 60... Stupid me.)
Anyway ! Don't despair Del ! Dying here in SmallHands is natural. It has happened before, it will happen again.
Post by: recon1o6 on June 30, 2021, 06:48:10 am
Wait, we lost a quarter of our populace, yet still have 44 living ?
That means we had 60 dwarves ! Someone tweaked the pop_cap maybe :/
(EDIT : hoo POP_CAP is 50, but STRICT_POP_CAP is 60... Stupid me.)
Anyway ! Don't despair Del ! Dying here in SmallHands is natural. It has happened before, it will happen again.
We've been up past the limit for some time, I would have reduced it but no sieges and needing the dwarfpower meant that I had next to no deaths. I had no immigrants either.
Post by: delphonso on June 30, 2021, 07:52:29 am
This is a talc-bound codex.
The written portion consists of a 20 page essay entitled, Composition: The Truth, authored by Olon Onulolun. It concerns the unfinished journal authored by Elpho Ustuthdeleth. The writing is as vicious as can be. Overall the prose is amateurish at best.
Excerpt:
To err is dwarven, to reuse an old cliché. These words may have been some comfort to Elpho, in these early days of 176, as she seems to have taken the burden of overseership quite hard. We find a few revisions of the following text in Elpho's journal:
Quote
Is a world without pain possible? Then don’t ask the impossible.
A charming quote originally put to pigtail by Momuz Aurelius in the time before time. This author feels a flood of sympathy, though, reading the following etched out in the margins:
Quote
Why don't I feel pain? Why don't I feel anything?
The journal of one “auze” Dodokimsal, simply known around Smallhands as “the broker”, accounts for a surplus of slabs commissioned and engraved in the late Spring and early Summer of 176. Other contemporaries recounted seeing “ghosts” or poltergeists. Those readers who have never sampled the fortress life, poltergeist activity is a well-known and documented phenomenon. Some scholars suggest that it is the result of the dwarven commitment to the success of a fort being broken, more esoteric philosophers believe poltergeists are punishments for bad overseeing.
Elpho was a well-practiced philosopher, and I would suggest that she was familiar with such schools of thought. Her journal, however, contains the melancholic yet optimistic lines:
Quote
It's early dawn, my love, open your eyes and arise
Gently imbibing and playing the ushirir;
For those who are here will not tarry long,
And those who are gone will not return.
This is, unfortunately, a blatant forgery of Olun Khayyam's* 160th quatrain. All surrounding evidence suggests Elpho spent much of the time mourning the recently dead and wallowing in self pity. Of note, the wandering babbler Quasar drops off from all journals in Smallhands at this time.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z5ZXKMQ4/image.png)
Excerpt:
An out-of-character statement remains undisturbed in the middle of this journal. I am unsure what to think of it, but I present it here in the hopes that any other scholars will pay attention to it.
Quote
I feel no fear. I crushed a fleshball. It could not resist, and I felt nothing extinguishing its life.(https://i.postimg.cc/j5CJnfcv/image.png)
-=-=-=-=-
OOC
*Omar Khayyam is an amazing poet, unfortunately mostly unknown in the West. If you like drinking, lounging outside, beautiful ladies, and drinking - you'll enjoy the Rubaiyat. Big recommend.
Interestingly, I am having some sort of sympathetic lack of motivation with Elpho. I spent the last couple months cleaning up - slaughtering our out of control animal population, putting ghosts to rest, selling off some tat, and memorializing any potential spookers. Sadly everyone was already interred - which means they can't be zombified (right? I am remembering that correctly, right?)
This is the guild representative for the Humans. I think she has a neat name and title.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Ssr8RtRM/image.png)
TLDR: make some new floodgates and install magma proof mechanisms to replace the ones I didn't make magma proof and thus got destroyed when magma was released
I took screenshots to come here and tell you this - thanks for the research and explanation - I'll try to install a few more floodgates, if I can - though...would the magma pumps still work if the holding chamber isn't installed - as in, would it just pour magma out anyway?
Post by: recon1o6 on June 30, 2021, 08:49:38 am
The release floodgates- all the holes around the copper walls should have a green glass floodgate and a replacement magma proof mechanism. These need to be linked to the RELEASE lever
The pump stack- that little wall you see around the corner of the topmost pump as you can see, leaked magma when I forgot to replace the bit of wall highlighted in my diagram earlier.
Only the top few stacks are deconstructed currently, build them up again shouldn't be too hard, I don't think you will need any replacement parts but some of them are blocking floodgate repairs currently.
This stack is automated by the windmills. When built correctly, the FILL lever controls the floodgate next to the access. That needs to be closed before you can rain the magma or you'll just get trickles rather than a flood.
Windmills and gear assemblies- There are 4 windmills situated on top of 4 gear assemblies. The two windmill assemblies are linked by axles to a broken GA and those connect to a GA next to the top pump stack (Also deconstructed). There should already be access from an up/down stair further along the platform. See if you can grab some nethercap in case of any more leaks so the damn thing doesn't need to be repaired every time.
Magma access- this long channel is currently MANUALLY operated by a team of dwarves when the refill is required. It took a fair amount of pumping to get this to work since nogood's pump stack in the SW needs constant use in order to get it through the channel to the Bar pump stack without evaporating OR locating that lever that transferred power from the reactor to the Nogood pumps
Post by: delphonso on July 01, 2021, 04:05:17 am
OOC:
Unfortunately just about nothing happened in the last two seasons, so there's not much to report in or out of character. I accidentally left the game running for most of Autumn... Myself and Elpho will hopefully be more inspired on my next turn. I was quite busy before this turn and will be after it - so I think the timing just ended up being bad.
I had a relatively productive turn, even if I killed a lot of citizens. No new dwarves arrived, but I sent a small fortune in broken clothes to the mountainhomes so hopefully that'll encourage some arrivals come Spring. A small siege arrived and shattered themselves on our weapon traps before wandering off again. I didn't fix the pump-stack, but did hook up all the floodgates to the release lever and add an additional level to the top(as I think the amount of magma could be a bit more...impressive). Everyone's mood is fine considering how many died and how everyone doesn't feel anything anymore. Animal populations have been greatly reduced. A bunch of junk lying around was dumped or sold off. There's a little miasma around from slaughtered puppies - should be basically cleared up by now. I think I dumped all of it.
I basically did nothing -shrug- sozzzzzzzzzz
Here's the save. (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15587)
Post by: Laterigrade on July 01, 2021, 04:35:16 am
On a sidenote, what, in the name of Armok’s hairy legs, is a fleshball?
Post by: Laterigrade on July 01, 2021, 04:39:33 am
I really enjoyed your writing and style, del! Thanks for making these for us!well, that’s (https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Flesh_ball) less awful than I had thought, at least
On a sidenote, what, in the name of Armok’s hairy legs, is a fleshball?
but the image of Elpho just grabbing it and kicking it and punching, killing it for no other reason than that it’s there, is deliciously horrible
Post by: delphonso on July 01, 2021, 05:48:35 am
I really enjoyed your writing and style, del! Thanks for making these for us!
On a sidenote, what, in the name of Armok’s hairy legs, is a fleshball?
Cheers - if things cool off a bit, I might either come back and write an update or contribute to other people's turns with a few journal entries.
Forgot to mention: StrikaAmaru, that's you bud.
Post by: Spriggans on July 01, 2021, 07:56:11 am
And yes, turns out, this something is possible :
(https://i.imgur.com/eahzEdo.png)
Further research is required to know if aging will change the ghoul's "profession"
Experimentation on children in the name of Science IS acceptable.
EDIT : Experimentations using gm-editor to change the birth-date has shown that the ghoul-kid will never become adult.
I used a test dwarven child, changed his birth-date, waited a few days. He did become a peasant as casual.
I did the same for the ghoul-child. He did not become a ghoul-peasant.
Looks like ghoul-children are cursed to play Make-believe for the rest of Time...
Spoiler: This might be because of this Flag... (click to show/hide)
I will now seek if there is a way to force ghoul-children to perform some useful work.
If I find anything of interrest, I'll update. But I really believe children are just as useless as ghouls as they are normally
Post by: Radiofort on July 01, 2021, 09:38:19 pm
Wait, we lost a quarter of our populace, yet still have 44 living ?Honestly, I don't think that maintaining pop cap is that much important anymore, as Smallhands already rushed it's purpose from "FPS-friendly fort for weak machines" through "necro-researching dwarven Black Mesa" to "just purely Armok-damn awesome". There's a lot of cool events and overbearings ahead, so we'll probably need every single dwarf on this fucking planet to complete some of them.
That means we had 60 dwarves ! Someone tweaked the pop_cap maybe :/
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 02, 2021, 09:36:06 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 02, 2021, 11:38:47 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 04, 2021, 02:12:49 pm
Spoiler: OOC (click to show/hide)
Spring.
177.01.01
Zultan, captain of the guard, performs her duty: she notifies the overseer that a citizen named Morul is drowsy:
(https://i.imgur.com/MLhad7M.png)
There’s no need to be alarmed: Morul is the latest victim of the fort, and has been babbling nonsense for at least a few months. I take it upon myself to resolve the matter in a permanent fashion: I lock the door to Morul’s prison cell.
(https://i.imgur.com/8eK2gNC.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GM0KooD.png)
Most citizens have some piece of tattered clothing, myself included. It would be trivial to throw it in the old atom smasher, but I’ll indulge in the world’s most pathetic vendetta: I want this garbage to burn!
And I found the perfect spot, too: in the old ballista room, someone has built a 3-levels tall drop on top of a tile of magma; presumably, for this exact purpose. There was no dump zone on top, though; the magic of paperwork establishes one, and then all citizens are issued orders to dump tattered clothes. Then I do the same myself; that was surprisingly satisfying!
(https://i.imgur.com/uIc6pGE.png) (https://i.imgur.com/nAXz03p.png) (https://i.imgur.com/8lQF3jX.png)
As for the rest of the fort, we were ‘blessed’ with a giant pile of garbage from the last siege. Being part of a siege, it was marked as forbidden for access, and nobody has updated the records despite the entire year that has passed. Most of it is crude iron armor, the only armor that goblins know how to make. Between the low quality and the smears of ash that were once greenskins and traitors, no sane dwarf wants to wear it. It will be melted down to bars, and turned to steel.
(https://i.imgur.com/iJY9hs8.png)
Appreciating the Tall Bar and its frothy magma top. But are there some obvious shortcomings?
1. Pump #2 doesn’t have access; will it be powered from below/above?
(https://i.imgur.com/ch8iz8Y.png)
2. Pumps #3 to #7 have the same (apparent?) design flaw: there’s a wall tile missing, allowing magma to seep between the pump and the wall:
(https://i.imgur.com/bivevgN.png) (https://i.imgur.com/Q6ihefC.png)
Perhaps this isn’t a flaw: it’s possible that magma moves fast enough that it never has a chance to flow outside. Still, we’re one tired pump operator away from an entirely undesired magma flood, as opposed to the desired one that should come after the mug top is filled. With respect to the Tall Bar, a dedicated access stair will be made off to the right side, and all possible leaks will be plugged.
3. On the levels where pumps #8 #9 and #10 should have been, there is nothing; only the space for them, and some iron pump components; I hurry to re-issue orders of construction, making sure to specify gabbro blocks in addition to the iron corkscrews and pipes.
(https://i.imgur.com/05t1aKy.png) (https://i.imgur.com/Y2SAOCZ.png)
Despite not being the most technically-inclined dwarfette, I can at least draw inspiration from the other magma pump in SmallHands; the one that’s bringing the blood of the stone from the depths to the blighted surface. That one has a very clear “wall and gear assembly” structure, for as far down as can be seen. I shall endeavour to replicate it for the 10 pumps of the Tall Bar.
(https://i.imgur.com/0g0Q7F6.png) (https://i.imgur.com/d9bg9pR.png)
4. Pump #10 is of particular interest: was it supposed to be connected to a windmill? There is no record of such, but if it ever was, the wooden axle has definitely burnt when the magma was released.
(https://i.imgur.com/eGYZjro.png)
5. And speaking of windmills! There are records of the fort having 4 windmills to power the stack; only 1 has survived:
(https://i.imgur.com/r9B6tWv.png)
Obviously the remainder will get built as well; but looking at this 11th level, I can’t help but think: was there supposed to be a pump in here as well? Was the Tall Bar intended to be double-frothy?
At least the operation instructions have been clear enough: go to the Tall Bar, pull the east lever to fill the top of the bar with magma, pull the west lever to make that magma flow!
Apropos of nothing: “pull the east lever to fill the top of the bar with magma” has got to be one of the most stereotypically dwarven sentences I have ever written. I have no regrets. None whatsoever. Years ago I would have, but I’ve lived here for a decade; SmallHands changes you!
Regardless; my next focus is in the smithy; there’s much iron crap to melt, and very little coal and flux to turn it into steel. The quantum stockpile for miserable metal paraphernalia has been destroyed, at some point or another; now it’s been reinstated, and a large stockpile for flux stone joins it as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/0RSvOfJ.png)
Some flux stone from out of the way is marked for digging. All trees are being marked for cutting, both in the third cavern, and in the ‘surface’ tree farm that I have dug out in my first mandate. Wasn’t I clever? Wasn’t I, oh naysayers of mine?!?
If the existing number of logs is still insufficient, I’ll organize a logging force from the dwarves already afflicted by the fever; these can cut out all trees in the goop area, and bring them over in the fort, after thorough washing of course.
And it’s almost not even notable that we have acquired a bunch of new guests:
(https://i.imgur.com/EHd9hEJ.png)
Unfortunately for them, they’ve arrived in the east, straight in the ‘goop zone’. They are completely isolated, have been immediately infested by the cursed fever, and the greatest impact they’ve had so far is to shoot a giant black bird over our passable territory. Thanks for the meat, I suppose.
(https://i.imgur.com/xEotGkv.png) (https://i.imgur.com/ZoiaLYq.png) (https://i.imgur.com/DbT5ulA.png)
Any half-formed ideas to send the army against them were immediately dismissed: the risk of smearing our soldiers with the damnable goo is far too high. The greenskins can sit at the foot of the necro tower, and maybe haul some goop back to their revolting dark pit. It’s nothing less than they deserve.
That should be the preliminary plotting done, now there’s nothing left but labor.
177.02.17 Morul has finally perished. May he find peace.
177.03.05 The 'melt pile' has been suspended; while there's still plenty of metal crap to move to it, hauling all of them is taking too much of our time. We'll take a break; coal and flux are our primary bottleneck anyway, not iron bars.
On a related subject, the goblins also have copper, and we have remarkable amounts of cassiterite. Perhaps we can supplement our lack of steel with some bronze? I do believe it's only slightly less effective than steel, and more effective than iron anyway.
------------
OOC: Spring has almost passed, entirely with fort maintenance. Once I get some feedback, I'll figure out how to alter the pump stack on the side of the Tall Bar.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 04, 2021, 04:43:08 pm
1. All of the pump stack is powered from the pump above where teh windmills were supposed to connect to a gear assembly and from there the towers thereby eliminating the need for axle/gear machinery
Pump #2 specifically was the original site of the staircase before I realised the security flaw and started building from the top instead.
2. The pumps were built in such a way as the magma flows upwards in one single tick eliminating most leakage apart from the machinery pump which did leak after a replacement order was forgotten to be issued for the part of the wall that was missing. Each pump was to have an access port with two spaces and an up/down staircase with the pumps nearest the ground having an additional wall to avoid climbers.
Unfortuantely, due to time pressures, the access ports (which were to have two floodgates each) were not completed and the walls weren't filled in as quickly as hoped
3. The access to the pump stack was by a staircase under the windmills which led across to the 1st pump below the machinery. This was a safety precaution to avoid magma leaking onto workers. 8 9 and 10 were broken due to an oversight regarding magma proof mechanisms and were not replaced by the last overseer.
4. It was connected to 5 windmills though it seems I neglected to include a drawing of the full mechanisms
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/861360666887979038/unknown.png)
5. I also forgot to get this diagram of the windmills working. Each windmill was on top of a gear assembly
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/861361142135390228/unknown.png)
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 05, 2021, 01:41:35 am
Post by: King Zultan on July 05, 2021, 03:43:05 am
Post by: delphonso on July 06, 2021, 01:57:57 am
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 09, 2021, 04:33:00 am
The human diplomat arrived just as the obnoxious elf was leaving; she took the scenic route through SmallHands, then she made some small chat and said her official goodbyes. Then she went to the catacombs to pay her respects to the dead. I ask the military to covertly follow her, just in case she turns out to be some necromancer.
177.05.01 We trade with the human caravan; pickings are spectacularly small. We get a few bars, some unusual booze, and a few books in exchange for worn clothes. The trade barely reaches 3000 dorfbucks. One positive conclusion emerges from this trade, though: we have plenty of clothes stashed in bins, so any worries on that front can be put to rest.
177.05.05 Four adult dwarves have arrived as migrants, and we are now 46. Two of them are accomplished in their skills (farmer and potash maker), but there’s little work for them in SmallHands. At least the potash maker, Zan PolishedManor, is an adequate ambusher, so she’s recruited as the latest member of The Swamp Hunters.
(ooc: a level 10 potash maker got recruited because of her level 2 ambush skill; also removed from all tasks so she can train a bit).
Since the fort’s basic survival is covered, I decide to focus on The Tall Bar. Some construction designations are made for an enclosed ladder access, and the windmill complex is rebuilt; with 6 windmills instead of the original 5, it will be a bit overpowered. But better more power than less.
(https://i.imgur.com/uHQB7JF.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/il5ZbRD.png)
In the meantime, I’m testing the levers, and find out the “magma fill” one is not connected to anything. This cements my intent to put the magma fill on the second level of the frothy top.
(https://i.imgur.com/92zVd49.png)
'Magma release' is fully functional: all 15 floodgates on the lower level opened without any problem, and a cursory look shows all of them having only magma-safe components.
(https://i.imgur.com/eIRmAxg.png)
The underground magma pump is a bit more puzzling: there is one gear marked “main disconnect”, but there is no lever to manipulate it.
(https://i.imgur.com/9uuvwjj.png)
Controls for this stack consist of 4 levers, the leftmost of which is labeled as ‘startup’… among other things.
(https://i.imgur.com/8FFH16y.png)
I pull it, and the water reactor slowly grinds to life. The channel with magma gets filled to full capacity, which sounds like a successful test. The reactor gets shut down again, until it’s time to fill the reservoir.
(ooc: holy fuck, the reactor completely murders FPS. As in, 1-2; slideshow mode. Dwarven movement ends up in a strange pattern where an individual ‘sits still’ for a few seconds, then rapidly moves some 10 tiles; then stands still again. I’m genuinely curious if this is how other people’s computers react too).
177.06.14 The windmills are completed; I indulged a bit and made each of them from a different wood color.
(https://i.imgur.com/XFHeFCN.png)
There’s a new lever added below the froth, which can disconnect the windmills from the pump stack:
(https://i.imgur.com/cyB7uP5.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ztH0BxA.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/eIRmAxg.png)
I strongly recommend you keep the upper stack unpowered when the lower one is unpowered too; besides mechanical concerns, if it runs alone it can empty the magma channels dug underground through the aquifer, and that causes a chance of an obsidian blockage. So what I’m getting at: start underground stack, start aboveground stack, wait for reservoir to fill, shut down aboveground stack, shut down underground stack.
177.07.24 Success!
(https://i.imgur.com/BW2yHvx.png)
27th:
(https://i.imgur.com/gEf9vQJ.png)
(ooc: The stack was shut down around 08-01; the whole fill op took around 20 real-life minutes, I really can’t stress enough that running the Engine is going to crater your FPS).
------------------------
“Hey Salmeuk”?
“Yes?”
“Why did you indulge that idiot elf about the tree cap?
“Because it amused me”.
“...”
“Malfoy. Are there 162 trees in the entirety of SmallHands? On the surface, in the third cave, in the second cave, and in the first cave where Buqui still fries everything it sees? Hell, do we even have half of that”?
And Salmeuk is staring at me while grinning, the cheeky shit, because we both know the answer:
“There are maybe 300-350 trees total, but most of them are in the caverns where we’d have to fight forgotten beasts to get to them. Plus, the tree farm and the third cavern got clear cut during spring and aren’t included in the cap”.
Now it’s my turn to stare; disparagingly tho.
“And this amuses you”?
“Yes, it does”, he answered without any hesitation. ”It amuses me that she thinks she’s any sort of diplomat. It amuses me that we’re ‘negotiating’ up and up and up, and that she’s giving us far more than we can use, while she thinks she’s winning. It amuses me that she thinks she’s limiting and hampering us. It amuses me just how badly she keeps failing.
I take a long drag of my beer. “Yeah, that is kinda funny”.
Post by: recon1o6 on July 09, 2021, 11:31:25 am
After a small break of a year, the Frothy Fire has been refilled! MWUHAHAHAHA! SMALLHANDS WILL BE THE LIGHT IN THE GOBLIN FILLED ABYSS
As much as I hated Malfoy over the years for her callous murder, undwarvenly experiments and knocking down some of my previous stockpile walls, she's become my 4th favourite member of the fort. Hearing and then seeing the might of the earth swell and flow onto the roof of my tavern once more made me a very happy Tavern Keeper.
She even looked at my original plans and instead of ripping them to bits like she did her patients a few years ago, she instead approved and even sought out my council in fixing it. Even more shockingly, she improved upon them and most unusual of all, listened!
An overseer listening to another's instructions on their megaproject? Unheard of!
It is a pity I didn't get round to making that statue order to celebrate
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 10, 2021, 10:44:10 am
Last month we finished the Tall Bar pump stack and filled the magma reservoir, which understandably eclipsed all other events. I should probably mention, then, that we also traded with the dwarven caravan, but it was even worse than the human caravan: we only barely purchased 2,000 ☼ worth of knick-knacks, in exchange for some 9,000 ☼ of rags from the bins with finished goods.
This leaves me with five more months of rule, and a choice of project of my own. I choose to create a cistern that can flood the tree farm, since all that tree cutting is eventually damaging the soil layer.
That, and to clean up the surface. Given our reduced numbers, that counts as a project on its own.
177.08.26 A migrant has arrived; one Urist, accomplished animal caretaker and adept woodburner.
On the same day, SmallHands’ military received a terrible, if indirect, blow: our legendary armorsmith, Sodel PonderTreaty, was found to be feverish. As such, he was immediately removed from armorsmithing. His replacement is none other than Recon himself, who’s a competent armorsmith. Recon was removed from all other jobs, and sent to hone his skills on the fort’s plentiful reserves of copper.
In absolute terms, Bluarian is a slightly better armorsmith, being skilled; but he is also the fort’s best weaponsmith (master, at that) and I am hesitant to put all my eggs in one basket. Strange moods are not an issue; both Recon and Bluarian have had theirs.
177.09.24 The cistern for flooding the tree farm has been completed; it’s a three-level affair, and I hope the pressure will compensate for the large area that needs to be irrigated.
(https://i.imgur.com/KufYq8z.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/VF7JNN8.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Qq6GiUe.png)
It’s sealed by one of our green glass floodgates; the lever to control it is above the farm itself, sat right next to the wall guarding the 4-story drop to ground level.
(https://i.imgur.com/tfWoEGP.png)
177.09.26 All outdoor access is restricted. Should we happen to get some invaders, the top of the Tall Bar may become empty once more.
(Oh please show up, you utter wastes of flesh… DimpleSteal has 6,000 greenskins, DoorEnded has 4,000; we cannot win a straight fight with them).
177.10.07 No invasion attempt was made; best drop the bridge, and carry on with clearing the surface.
177.11.14 Did you know somebody brought us a really shitty artifact sword? Made of wood? Its existence became apparent as the cleaning of the surface progressed; being an artifact, nobody would touch it for dumping. Here it is, about 20 tiles from the outer gate:
(https://i.imgur.com/MTfLbBJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/LvaqO5P.png)
Just to get the stupid thing indoors, a new stockpile is defined, somewhere in the bowels of SmallHands; it only accepts artifacts, and is labeled as such:
(https://i.imgur.com/GBttJzx.png)
177.12.01 The surface is clean:
(https://i.imgur.com/FZZ1W6x.png)
And with this out of the way, I declare the remaining month as time off. All job assignments will be temporarily suspended, let us drink and be merry.
Well, except for a few farmers; I have a curiosity, and at last there’s enough time to explore it. You see, the aboveground farming area is spectacularly limited. Not in terms of space, we could make enough farms to feed DimpleSteal itself, if we so desired. No, it’s limited in terms of what plants can be seeded:
(https://i.imgur.com/sj1DMUs.png)
The goop zone, however, is in a different biome, so it would stand to reason it has different plants it can grow. So, I’ve asked farmers to build a small farm plot in the only zone that’s shielded from the damnable goo -- the footprint of the tower:
(https://i.imgur.com/qvaqYpl.png)
Sure enough, far more could be grown here. And hey, for a few of them we even have seeds!
(https://i.imgur.com/ioywy4X.png) (https://i.imgur.com/HD0RI99.png)
I won’t order any planting, so be easy; this was a simple curiosity. We have alcohol for the next 2 years at least, and unprocessed plants for probably the same time. More accurately: about 1,200 thread plants to process, ~2,500 various brewables, and some 1,500 dye plants; mostly dimple cups, but a few hide root tubers too. No, we don’t need any more plants; we need millers, plant processors, and dyers.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xk16r5l.png) (https://i.imgur.com/NZVq94N.png)
177.12.21 While everyone is still in dulci jubilo, the next year is looming; I order the outer gate closed. And then I go off to get properly drunk.
------------------------------
Here’s the save (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15596), on the 25th of Opal.
All dwarves are still unassigned from all jobs (except some hauling) and socializing their beards off. The 13 dorfs who are afflicted by fever have their Alchemy turned on. Recon, fortress armorer, went from level 3 all the way to level 7; then the party started. The surface is clean, the gate is closed, and raws got reverted from Phoebus to vanilla. Enjoy!
And before I forget: a StoneSense shot of the surface:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Salmeuk on July 10, 2021, 01:52:47 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on July 10, 2021, 06:56:02 pm
and damn, another smith lost to the goo. Recon at this point is gonna be legendary in at least 5 skills. Dyeing, Clothier, Tactics, Crossbowship and soon armoursmithing
it appears the goblins transferred 3000 greenskins to Doorended. Dimplesteal has usually been at 9000-11000
The tallbar is no longer a mug, but a mug underneath an ale tap. fitting
a quiet but very productive turn strika, a pleasure to read. Thank you!
Post by: Radiofort on July 11, 2021, 08:09:42 pm
Post by: StrikaAmaru on July 12, 2021, 02:01:18 am
One of which requires community permission: would you agree with sending a squad to occupy one of the smaller goblin holdings? The last time I did this(not in SmallHands; it was in Sil Kodor), the Dark Pit responded by sending 1,000+ goblins to retake it. It's the best way (I know of) to split Dimplesteal's forces.
The squad's going to be made primarily from the unnamed fevered dwarves; most of them are already military. But if any named dwarves volunteer, they're in.
Recon at this point is gonna be legendary in at least 5 skills. Dyeing, Clothier, Tactics, Crossbowship and soon armoursmithing
The perks of living in a fort with 44 adults, 13 of which are practically incapable of skilled labor.
... Aw shit, Recon is in the military, isn't he? I never did make him a civilian.
[Edit: a small warning to the next overseer (probably Bluarian): the main gate is closed, but the fort isn't sealed; the ancient trap corridor from under the surface is a perfectly usable way out, if an extremely long one]
Post by: Laterigrade on July 14, 2021, 06:11:12 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 14, 2021, 09:25:20 am
The perks of living in a fort with 44 adults, 13 of which are practically incapable of skilled labor.
13 with the fever is markedly lower than average for this fort isn't it? I'm pretty certain its normal for the majority of teh fort to be fevered. in any event they make for valuable haulers which is a consistent problem in smallhands that we can't really solve without minecarts...which is 3rd on my list of objectives for the fort when I can get enough time for a turn.
... Aw shit, Recon is in the military, isn't he? I never did make him a civilian.
She is, albeit part time because she's too skilled to lose. She was part of the Overseer's army, a reserve squad of our fighters that are made up of crafters.
I try to keep the player dwarves in a squad together with part time military training so that they can defend themselves if needs be.
Recon herself has always been a military girl. Trained as a swamp hunter, got injured on purpose and assigned to tavern keeper duty full time. Recovered from injury and took up crafting even while slowly but surely becoming an egotistical mainstay of the fort. Then dumped in the hammer squad for a bit and then picked up an axe, snatched Tholtig's body and decided deities are better crushed under her *Steel high boot*
its still a better fate than what she'd do to elves
I'd prefer if Recon was kept as a reserve unit. Send her on raids sure, she is a legend tactician, but not conquest as she's a named unit and thus might become lost to the world map.
Post by: delphonso on July 22, 2021, 05:07:49 am
Great turn, Strika, maintenance is important.
Post by: Laterigrade on July 31, 2021, 05:47:04 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on August 01, 2021, 04:29:19 am
Post by: delphonso on August 01, 2021, 05:14:04 am
Post by: Elf Lord on August 03, 2021, 09:02:34 pm
Hmm... Elf Lord? Up for the task?for sure I’m down
Post by: delphonso on August 03, 2021, 10:47:46 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on August 09, 2021, 10:00:48 am
any word yet elf lord?
Post by: Elf Lord on August 10, 2021, 02:35:40 pm
while i am, i would prefer to leave it to someone else for at least one more roundWhere is the save file? If possible I’ll start as soon as I can
any word yet elf lord?
Post by: recon1o6 on August 10, 2021, 02:56:38 pm
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15596
Post by: Elf Lord on August 10, 2021, 11:04:05 pm
same place it always is elf lord, at the end of the last overseer's post, in case its not working, hereAlright! I’ll start tomorrow! Quite excited.
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15596
Post by: delphonso on August 11, 2021, 07:32:37 pm
while i am, i would prefer to leave it to someone else for at least one more round
Same. We're in the middle of moving and I start at a new school later this month.
Post by: auzewasright on August 12, 2021, 05:39:22 pm
In fairness, it seemed like a pretty safe bet.
In the mean time, here is:
The First* Census of Smallhands
The status of our23191714 proud citizens**! Sorted by layer and where they are.***
// SNIP //
*while inaugural is the correct term, I doubt the fortress will live to need a second one.
**Give or take a few undead.
***As of the end of my turn, read the update for more recent info.
Reading back through old posts. What a doubter you were there ah-zee ! ;D
It's amazing how we actually succedeed and recovered fully !
Post by: recon1o6 on August 19, 2021, 02:32:25 pm
Post by: delphonso on August 21, 2021, 02:14:33 am
Post by: recon1o6 on August 21, 2021, 05:17:23 am
By the Weevil! Has Elf Lord handed us over to the elves?!
Recon has entered a martial trance
All joking aside, while we do need fresh blood to run the fort, this is concerning
Post by: StrikaAmaru on August 21, 2021, 10:11:34 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on August 21, 2021, 08:28:28 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on August 24, 2021, 03:56:52 pm
Most of the confusing architectural designs have been stripped away over time and the rest is either large empty spaces, staircases or stockpiles whose designations work at least 50% of the time
Besides, a little less madness might just be what smallhands needs. Someone has to organise the !!science!! before more occurs
Post by: fatcat__25 on August 24, 2021, 05:07:16 pm
Post by: delphonso on August 25, 2021, 07:51:34 am
Some fresh blood would be great, fatcat.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 07, 2021, 11:28:57 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 07, 2021, 04:40:15 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on September 07, 2021, 05:24:54 pm
There's the traditional reorganisation of all stockpiles
military might need reform, training or both.
might want to check on the skills? I'm pretty certain the fort is stagnating on the same dwarves again.
I believe one of the caverns need exploring. I dont believe we've grabbed any adamantine yet?
There's obviously fortifying the defences given our next military goal is defeating the goblin civ demon
If you feel up to it, we could make the surface flood with that aquifer of ours underneath. Obsidian trap?
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 08, 2021, 07:38:51 pm
Post by: delphonso on September 08, 2021, 09:31:28 pm
Post by: King Zultan on September 09, 2021, 01:34:24 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 09, 2021, 04:49:25 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 09, 2021, 11:01:51 pm
Entry 1:
I find myself the only dwarf in the fortress willing to take up the mantle of overseer. Smallhands has been my home for 5 years now, and I have been happy serving my purpose as head mason. I recognize what the others here say of me, that I am highly intelligent, but lack wisdom.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
First and foremost, I am a mason, and under my leadership, stonework will rise from the sands, and a spire temple to all the gods of light will contrast against the darkness of Dimplesteal. Thus I will cast defiance in the face of the darkness that is slowly seeping through the land. Not only will I defy the dark gods on the surface, but I will mine the divine metal, so that we may back our defiance with cold blades of adamantine.
These are my greatest goals. I will look over the organization of the fortress, but most of it seems to take care of itself. There is no reason to excessively interrupt the leisure and luxury that has marked our lives for this last year.
ooc: I am having a really hard time figuring out what needs to be done. The tree irrigation system is the only project I am aware of that I have inherited that will need any action, so I'll devote our little workforce to improving our materials selection, and building a new grand temple to supplement the existing ones.
I had a picture from my dwarf's character sheet, but it wasn't uploading, so I'll add that when I get it to work.
Post by: Spriggans on September 10, 2021, 02:09:12 am
Setting up candy farms sounds right to me as a 1 year project.
Glhf
Post by: delphonso on September 10, 2021, 04:10:36 am
Smallhands may be the only fort with more temples than dwarves quite soon.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 10, 2021, 05:18:25 am
Also phonso, I did knock down a few unused temples in my last reign. Especially weevilmessiahs
Post by: delphonso on September 10, 2021, 05:58:35 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 10, 2021, 11:21:18 am
Post by: King Zultan on September 11, 2021, 02:18:45 am
Post by: delphonso on September 11, 2021, 07:25:45 am
Why worship malicious gods when mortal dwarves are beyond them.
And heck, half of smallhands ain't even mortal.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 11, 2021, 08:16:55 am
I'm pretty certain we have very few undead now. Quite a few of them have literally fallen apart in combatWhy worship malicious gods when mortal dwarves are beyond them.
And heck, half of smallhands ain't even mortal.
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 11, 2021, 08:02:03 pm
I wonder whether it would be possible to put a glass roof over the goo swamp, and then purge the surface of goo, so we have a huge greenhouse that will actually grow plants.
Post by: Spriggans on September 12, 2021, 04:55:29 am
Only assign feverish dwarves to "roof building jobs".
It would be cool to do !
As for cleaning the grass of contaminants once it's roofed, idk how to do it. But I'd say there is a way, so get this small greenhouse started !
Post by: delphonso on September 12, 2021, 09:14:01 am
I didn't realize we were so low on ghouls.
Post by: King Zultan on September 13, 2021, 01:55:24 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 13, 2021, 10:46:51 pm
Entry 2:
It has been close to half a year since I last wrote here, and late summer is upon us. The days are still, with hardly a breath of air stirring, and the air shimmers with the heat as the black sand soaks up the sun. In stark contrast, the evil clouds never seem to move from over the swamp, and more goo frequently splatters against the tower walls, filling the air with an evil scent.
Production here in Smallhands is notoriously slow, but having half our working population desperately training to meet the goblins when they come again is slowing everything even more. The first fragments of Adamantine were finally mined a little over a month ago, and the foundation of the spire was only just completed. More and more dwarves are coming back to work from their holidays, but progress remains slow.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
One matter in which we have fared well is trade. Neither the elves nor the humans brought large caravans, and auze obtained all we wanted from both for one pot of food apiece. The elves demanded we cut no more than 130 odd trees this year, which I grudgingly allowed Salmeuk to accept. We are not likely to have that many available to cut anyway. The humans were more reasonable. They offered a grand list of assorted goods we could request from, and auze and I spent an evening going through it, marking anything we had interest in. They, in turn, offered us a list of preferred goods they would most value come next year.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Our military has been as diligent as always in training, and even the Overseer's Army, composed almost entirely of dwarves stricken by the swamp fever, is gaining some semblance of skill. Two of the elite Seige Breakers have gained so much confidence in their equipment as to bestow a name on a piece. Aban named her shield, and Nezclaw his axe.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The interest in the caves springs from a need for wood. As I have endured the heat of summer, I have frequently noticed the lush growth of fruit and nut trees in the swamp. It occurred to me that water could be pumped from the aquifer to replace the liquid in the sludge, and a vast glass roof could keep the vile liquid out, while allowing sun in. Clear glass seemed far more pleasant for such a purpose than simple green stuff, and I ordered the glass furnaces started. Unfortunately, production will soon come to a halt unless more wood can be produced for ash.
There have been few other events of note, but one exceptional occurrence was the discovery of a star ruby. Malfoy and a few other dwarves were clearing a large area for stone, and uncovered a mass of ruby crystals, with a brilliant starry piece in the center. All work was suspended for the day, and a celebration was held in the Tall Bar for blessing of the gods.
ooc: Some notes on ghouls: Elpho seems to be endlessly gushing ethereal blood from her throat. It makes for a grim picture. Also, I am not about to intentionally attempt to ghoulify anybody, but if someone somehow dies, I will attempt to revive them.
Post by: delphonso on September 13, 2021, 11:47:28 pm
ooc: Some notes on ghouls: Elpho seems to be endlessly gushing ethereal blood from her throat. It makes for a grim picture.
It's called fashion, honey. Look it up.
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 14, 2021, 12:20:10 am
Post by: delphonso on September 14, 2021, 12:39:01 am
Post by: recon1o6 on September 14, 2021, 04:21:13 am
also, a small trick from one overseer to another. By smoothing the walls of adamantine, you can identify some that are safe and which would dig into hell depending on your tileset
If the smoothed wall connects to the rock thats not visible it should be safe unless its the topmost bit of adamantine if your tileset shows that
if it doesn't connect to anything then its the hfs
if your tileset doesnt do this, then you need to carve fortifications onto the adamantine
Post by: Spriggans on September 14, 2021, 08:46:23 am
Assuming you have enough wood to roof it beforehand that is...
Post by: Laterigrade on September 15, 2021, 12:59:08 am
The way I dealt with a fb with fumes is crossbows over a trench the enemy cant crossOh damn. Those adamantine tricks are clever. I’d never thought about either tileset-smoothing semi-abuse or using fortifications.
also, a small trick from one overseer to another. By smoothing the walls of adamantine, you can identify some that are safe and which would dig into hell depending on your tileset
If the smoothed wall connects to the rock thats not visible it should be safe unless its the topmost bit of adamantine if your tileset shows that
if it doesn't connect to anything then its the hfs
if your tileset doesnt do this, then you need to carve fortifications onto the adamantine
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 16, 2021, 11:13:02 pm
Entry 3:
Another season has nearly passed since I last wrote here, and the nights are cold on the surface. Very few events of note have occurred. The second storey of the tower is partially complete, and the foundation for the glass roof over the swamp are nearly complete.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The only notable event was the arrival of the dwarven caravan. The traders brought much more than the elves and humans combined. auze and I sorted through their goods, and bought a vast volume. Someone must have requested large quantities of leather, because the traders brought a bin of each type that the Mountainhome has available. They also offered a list of goods they believed would be most valuable next year.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
...
I have just received the report that someone spotted a werepig outside. I pity it. I will order the military to cut it to pieces. I only hope they reach it before it catches one of the builders.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
ooc:Why do I always have to deal with werebeasts? :( The Siege Breakers should put this one down pretty quickly, at least.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 17, 2021, 01:18:27 pm
Post by: delphonso on September 21, 2021, 08:53:57 am
I swear, every time we get a trade export request, it looks more and more like the mountainhomes is preparing to run
With the request for toys, it looks like a preteen planning to runaway from home. Take drinks to mean a few sodas and you're there!
Thanks for the update fatcat. How's Smallhands doing these days?
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 21, 2021, 09:36:18 pm
Post by: LeftHandofGod on September 22, 2021, 08:45:15 pm
Post by: delphonso on September 22, 2021, 09:45:57 pm
Looking forward to the update, fatcat.
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 23, 2021, 08:58:41 pm
Entry 4:
Today marks the end of my stint as overseer. The grey skies from the north are starting to give way to the desert sun, and through the clouds in the swamp, I can see green showing on the trees, marking the beginning of spring. I fear I have accomplished very little this past year, but at least life has been mostly peaceful.
The one exception to this was the werepig attack. When it arrived, Salmeuk and Mateusz were on the second floor of the Bright Temple. Salmeuk wisely retreated into the fortress, leaving the Siege Breakers to deal with the problem. Unfortunately, Mateusz decided to be a hero, climbed down to meet the monster, and was promptly dismembered. Shortly thereafter, Blurian repeated the performance on the pig. He even bit the beast, in his words, "To see if it tasted like pork."
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Mateusz was clearly bitten multiple times, and was deemed too dangerous to be resurrected. Thankfully, the loss of one member of the fortress was rectified by the addition of a new one. (https://i.imgur.com/ws0pIqS.png)
With the state of the world, a birth is some truly good news.
Progress on my projects was sparse. From the advent of the plan to roof the swamp, construction of the Bright Temple essentially ceased. The second floor remains incomplete and unwalled, leaving an open path into the fortress. It was allowed to remain this way to speed up the work on the glass roof. The roof actually began to take form in the last month or two, as the flat panes beyond the tower, and the sloped glass up to the main roof both received a minor amount of work.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The only other event of importance was the apparent possession of a Planter.
(https://i.imgur.com/ivAwWiJ.png)
I ordered the less valuable gems locked away, and he obligingly took the star sapphire and star ruby for his work. In the end, he produced a wonderful platinum cap. It is a true testament of dwarven skill.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
ooc:I didn't end up breaching the second cavern layer. I'll let someone with better skill at marksdwarf control take out the gassy beast down there.
If the next person wants to continue work on the swamp greenhouse, the general layout should be fairly clear. Beyond where walls can be built there will be flat floor, while inside there, the roof will go up another level to clear the top of the tower. For the ambitious overseer, it might be wiser to suspend construction if it, close the swamp back up, and let the rest of the dwarves out of the indoors burrow, which I slightly updated.
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15680 (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15680)
Post by: delphonso on September 23, 2021, 09:41:50 pm
Sorry to hear Mateusz didn't make it - he's been in Smallhands for quite a long time and is one of the rare named dwarf deaths that I can recall. Surely this calls for a memorial statue garden made of adamantine.
This leaves us with a bit of a predicament, actually. The turn order is empty! I think for the first time! I won't be taking a turn until after Spookyfort wraps up on Halloween, but if anyone else wants to jump in, they're more than welcome to.
Post by: Spriggans on September 24, 2021, 04:27:10 am
This is a big "might" though, and if I do, I'd clean up the mess in the fortress.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 26, 2021, 09:40:54 am
Here comes some information from Kadol Tirisdil. Axedwarf of puzzlepaints.
Our demon in the east is in his own underworld spire.
the goblin settlement to the south is a maze of trenches and one tower with about 15 goblins in. Every last one was struck down by my adventurer. Though one goblin did fight back and break an arm, Kadol simply kicked his head into paste.
Kadol also discovered while interrogating another goblin that Ikud, the blind demon to the east...is actually a female demon. huh.
Salmeuk is also famous even amongst goblins for being a killer and duke of stonesnarls
Smallhands 's traps are really good. As in they utterly crushed my poor dwarf and he died while i was trying to figure out how to sleep
Post by: delphonso on September 26, 2021, 08:46:23 pm
Smallhands 's traps are really good. As in they utterly crushed my poor dwarf and he died while i was trying to figure out how to sleep
This is just the most "Adventure Mode" thing in existence...
Cool to hear Salmeuk has reached international fame.
Post by: Unraveller on September 28, 2021, 11:14:36 pm
Post by: delphonso on September 28, 2021, 11:45:01 pm
If it is too formidable of a task, you might be able to get away with only reading the past few updates and asking questions in the thread. You do you!
Post by: recon1o6 on September 29, 2021, 10:58:04 am
I'm definitely interested in giving a good year to the fort. I am quite free for the next week and could make a thing out of it. However, I definitely feel I'll need to read the thread thus far at least first.
Welcome! Fresh
Post by: Unraveller on September 30, 2021, 01:01:56 am
Post by: Laterigrade on September 30, 2021, 05:30:56 am
I'm definitely interested in giving a good year to the fort. I am quite free for the next week and could make a thing out of it. However, I definitely feel I'll need to read the thread thus far at least first.Have fun on that wild ride!
Post by: Unraveller on September 30, 2021, 02:37:17 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on October 04, 2021, 09:32:42 am
I just read through smallhands on a binge, took me a few hours. Sweet fuck its hard to believe all that was in this tiny little fortress.
Post by: delphonso on October 04, 2021, 09:54:59 am
Unraveller, I'll add you to the turn list in the morning.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 04, 2021, 05:23:42 pm
I'm going to reread (and likely backup) everything later this month. I'm really looking forward to it.
Unraveller, I'll add you to the turn list in the morning.
I should do another year 1 to wherever. 1-30 this time after unraveller.
its funny just how disconnected from the original plans some of the rooms are yet their layout is almost exactly the same
Post by: recon1o6 on October 12, 2021, 04:37:59 am
Post by: TheFlame52 on October 18, 2021, 07:58:41 pm
Post by: delphonso on October 18, 2021, 08:53:15 pm
Read entire thread. How many succession forts can say they made it to 30 years?
Not many, I would say - that's partially due to the small map size, though - tiny package requires less FPS - makes it less miserable to play after 10 years or so.
I'll be taking a turn come November - if anyone else wants to jump in between then, they're free to.
Post by: Laterigrade on October 21, 2021, 04:40:16 am
Install DF on my new computer that I did in fact get after the last one went off pining for the fjords, a year or two ago or however long
Post by: recon1o6 on October 21, 2021, 07:31:57 am
Was hoping it be longer but I'll be booked till Christmas ish.
So new turn order
Me, del/lateri?
Post by: Laterigrade on October 21, 2021, 08:29:25 pm
Post by: delphonso on October 21, 2021, 08:35:47 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on October 24, 2021, 07:35:12 pm
Citizens of Smallhands! Welcome to an Adamantine age of prosperity!
We stand at the start of the 30th year in this fortress city. Your solidarity is my pride and your prosperity my strength. I gracefully accept your love just as much as your votes for Overseership. You are my hands in my pursuit of an age of dwarves! You are my Smallhands!
The Tavern Keeper knows your troubles- the complaints of no armour are second only to your cheers at my latest term! Well no more! Nobody will be able to complain over the ding of hammer on steel! You say there is not enough plants to grow for different booze? Fear not for I will let you raid the elves and put them out of their misery.
No true dwarf sits on their laurels. No true dwarf would fight alongside the goblins, their demonic overlord and the deity that dares to mess with me, with smallhands!
The ghastly rain that ravages our eastern territory is but one symptom of the collective blight they inflict upon the world. And so Smallhands, our soldiers will do what our doctors cannot and cleanse this taint with blade and magma both. While the fevered cover the sky, our soldiers and farmers can work below safe from the goo once the glass roof is complete.
The biome shall be reclaimed for smallhands and worked for the first time since the year our fortress home was founded, and from there our fighters can join me in putting the traitors to the axe and the goblins in the dirt, their blood shall nourish the fields they have tainted so they can sustain our descendents in generations to come!
Finally, I will see to yet another task my predecessors have failed in- moving our dead to the new internments I had dug years ago where they can rest peacefully and in glory rather than being in random coffins in one pile of insults amongst many. New slabs and coffins for all and the legendary halls shall be restored to those that deserve the honours.
This year will be another step to my dwarven age. It is another step to YOUR dwarven age. Now raise your tankards and down your drinks, Smallhands has work to do!
------------------
just intro for now and a speech from your favourite tavern keeper as she becomes dictator once more.
Goals
- get better military equipment and more smiths
-raid and hopefully wipe out the elves
-finish the glass roof, turn the lower part of the tower into an a marksdwarf station
-continue previous side project of moving all the graves into the new markers. Dispose of the unworthy ones (like goblins that got buried)
Post by: fatcat__25 on October 24, 2021, 08:16:10 pm
Ask me what I was doing if there are any seemingly nonsensical design choices with the glass roof. I might remember.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 25, 2021, 04:12:58 am
Fatcat grumbles something under his breath about elves not being enemies, and dwarves who like their woodwork not being traitors, but it is lost in the general hubbub.
Ask me what I was doing if there are any seemingly nonsensical design choices with the glass roof. I might remember.
Recon has a hatred of elves in her personality x3
Post by: delphonso on October 25, 2021, 04:14:54 am
Others say it is merely professional distaste. Recon can brew a thousand flavors from the simple plump helmet. What the elves do is just lazy.
Post by: recon1o6 on October 30, 2021, 07:16:20 am
Smallhands is many things, but among this list is that its a perfect example of why the Overseer term limit of 1 year is both a good thing and a bad thing.
On one hand, it limits the damage and ambition that a bad overseer can do- see Malfoy's reign of necromancy experiments or Quasar's lichdom of hate
On the other...well you get unfinished but useful projects like this tree farm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Or that unfortunate 5 year period where due to slacking dwarves and overseers I didn't have a Tavern to serve booze and the Tall Bar was unfinished.
One personal project of mine which sadly, successive and predecessor overseers failed to address was moving the dead to the new halls of memory and unifying the slabs. For example: Bim, Salmeuk's old wife who had the unfortunate honour of being the first to perish in Smallhands has no less than 3 slabs and a coffin marker for her in case we ever find the corpse. (Nobody found the body according to the records. Best guess is she either fled smallhands or had an accident with the atomsmasher)
So she's going to get reduced to one slab that we can replace with a coffin if her body does turn up.
I will also, henceforth, give the order to remove Kubruk's coffin from its resting place. That room is for fortress legends like myself and Nogood, the crafting legends are elsewhere. Speaking of, which sober buffoon nicked the pedestal I put in Nogood's room? That was for quicknesshawk! I took it specifically to Wardpuppets to give him some vengeance and peace.
I also noted there was a surprising amount of engravings of the same image of our late KingZultan being appointed to office. Not sure why, I'll have to ask Fatcat the engraver.
Looking about, there are 3 unfilled rooms for legends of the fortress. I wonder who should I give the other rooms to. I drew up a shortlist of 4 though. So one of them has to go.
1. Kingzultan for services to policing and saving the fortress from Spriggan's dark powers.
2. Auze for services to brokerage and for breaking the drinking record
3. Radiofort for cleaning and military strategy when it came to fighting off a goblin siege.
4. Phonso the Gravekeeper whose contraptions paved the way to save this fort from many a doom at the hands of the goblins and undead.
In other news, I have assigned myself, Sakzul (a legendary furnace operator and metalcrafter and surprisingly good all round smith and we have him on mining?) Vabok and Auze to the anvils.
myself and Vabok will be on armoursmithing, Auze and Sakzul will be on weaponsmithing.
The fort had nobody assigned to any form of metal work. on that note, we have no less than 6 members of the fort legendary at metalcrafting. Its a pity that its such a niche skill. Anyway we are now all down training on some of the mountains of copper.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 8th of Granite 179
I'm barely a week into my reign and suddenly Vabok has been struck with some sort of inspiration not long after he dabbled with metal once more.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/903978535830560798/unknown.png)
OOC sorry for delay. I've come down with something from work and its causing me to sleep an awful lot and barely concentrate. Not done much so far, mainly looking around the fort and planning grave and statue allotments
Post by: delphonso on October 30, 2021, 07:43:02 am
Damn this intro made me so nostalgic. Insane all the things this little fort has been through. Can't wait to read more!
Post by: King Zultan on November 01, 2021, 01:54:08 am
Post by: Laterigrade on November 01, 2021, 07:08:05 pm
I want my dead body in the legendary section.I want my dead body in the legends section!
Oh wait, no, it was eaten by a helmet snake. Nevermind.
Post by: delphonso on November 01, 2021, 07:20:53 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on November 03, 2021, 12:45:21 pm
A giant redwing blackbird of ours has finally died...of old age! What a way to go in a fortress!
I have decided to get some use out of the arena and dispose of the annoying goblins, traitors, filthy elves and various animals near the emergency stockpiles. To do that I have ordered a room dug out above the arena for us to toss the lot through.
Initial measurements proved slightly troublesome by virtue of that giant corpse wandering around that everyone had forgotten about. Arm up swamp hunters! we've some moving target practice!
A shame I'm going to have to put this shield down. I have been asked by a previous overseer to lead the swamp hunters and so I led them.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/905495670113304596/unknown.png)
At least I got to keep my steel armour.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 23rd of Granite 179
We've been rotating in who gets to shoot at the giant. There's bolts sticking out of every part of it now.
More bad news: there's still elven corruption in these halls
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/905509286392766514/unknown.png)
A brief trip to Salmeuk and Auze's offices respectively along with orders to dump any elven rubbish about into the lava chute occured while I went to fetch more bolts. While I can count on Auze to get round to it after he's drunk enough Salmeuk seems to be very distracted recently, I wonder why that is...
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/905512221604470804/unknown.png)
The sounds of a broken Mead bottle echo throughout the fortress
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 11th of Slate 179
Damn pointy eared wretch! She got inside the fort before I could pull the lever and dump the frothy fire on her! Salmeuk kept her occupied for a little while, then Auze poked his head into the shooting gallery, squirmed uncomfortably and drank another pint from the barrel he was hauling (I don't get Auze. Complaining about not getting any martial training yet abhors violence in any manner) then called me out because the "diplomat" had brought traders with her.
I trecked upstairs with him to see what they had. It would have been insulting were it not so exasperating. There was so little in the manifest despite 4 wagons, and the majority was tainted irrevocably with that "grown" nonsense.
I told Auze to get it over with and he came back that evening having sold a single pair of worn out masterwork bronze greaves in return for a supply of nuts and fruit that I'll make into new drinks after I have cleansed them of the taint made by those filthy elves. Idiot elf was ecstatic over a pair of worn out leggings.
I took a heavy drink from Auze's barrel and told Salmeuk the last Maize Beer was up for grabs pending the outcome of the tree quota.
Salmeuk started out well negotiating a quota of 146 logs. I came back around later with Salmeuk having kicked her out the office and left the diplomat over a barrel, literally. She was in the drinks stockpile and Reg confirmed it was full when hauling it away.
Salmeuk must have gotten cross and dumped her there. That maize beer is being drunk tonight.
In other news our new armourer has celebrated the craft with the heaviest pair of leggins I have ever seen
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/905533768339689472/unknown.png)
Made of lead, and encircled with tunnel tube wood.
Oh well, back to training.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 18th of Slate 179
A beer stain covers the parchment
I've sadly had to call off the archery practice.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/905553497523634266/unknown.png)
We've shot so many pieces off the giant they have started to rot. Its a bit hard to shoot in miasma, so its break time. I headed down to the forge and picked up some new masterwork steel armour curtesy of Vabok and chatted away to some of the other soldiers.
I've assigned Bluarian to weaponsmithing. Did nobody in the fortress notice that this knight is a MASTER WEAPONSMITH? The incompetence of my fellow Overseers knows no bounds at times I swear.
The smithies are getting an expansion too. There is Adamantine, the most powerful of metals in our depths. When the day comes when I lead the charge to end Weevilmessiah's reign of terror over the world, I will have great need of it. Adamantine is a metal that the so called gods fear, a metal that is perfect for slaying demons and goblins alike.
My age of dwarves is on the horizon and to craft it requires dwarves skilled in the art of extracting strands of adamantine into wafers.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/905556691498717184/unknown.png)
Ral Uzolitem, an axe lord, once worked with but a mere nodule back at the mountainhomes and assures me of his skilled hands with wafers. He shall be the first to extract it for use. Vabok shall make the first cloak, and I shall be the one to wear it. From there, an army full of adamantine.
In the meantime, we will crush our enemies with steel. from master to student do our weapons fight on through countless battles. The legend of Recon's dwarven age will be filled with stories just like the one of the Diamond Butterfly
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/905547551749574726/unknown.png)
A wine stain sits on the parchment
Clearly I'm not drinking enough. I usually had more done by the end of the first 6 weeks in my previous reigns. Or maybe the relentless grind of shooting bolts has worn me down
--------------------
OOC: I think at some point there's going to need to be a year of organisation. We have workshops all over the fortress in no coherent pattern. Great for if we get a forgotten beast running through the fort. Bad for fort productivity.
I've mainly been looking and going through military equipment, reassigning labours etc. The stuff you do when paused
Does anyone know what that hatch above the cavern is there for?
Post by: Schmaven on November 07, 2021, 10:11:33 pm
Does anyone know what that hatch above the cavern is there for?
Wasn't that for dropping gifts down to Buqui?
Post by: delphonso on November 07, 2021, 10:36:04 pm
Does anyone know what that hatch above the cavern is there for?
Wasn't that for dropping gifts down to Buqui?
Yeah, I spent some time looking for that thing - the artifact hatch can't be broken by even flying megabeasts, so it's perfect for the sole in/out to the caverns.
Originally my idea was to toss undead down there until Buqui kicked the bucket, but nothing came of it.
Post by: Salmeuk on November 08, 2021, 01:09:44 pm
being a self-proclaimed master of "community fortress re-organization", I think I should sign up for a turn!
Smallhands is approaching the age where every nook, cranny, and passage has some story associated with it. such a DENSITY when the map is this small. nice
Post by: recon1o6 on November 08, 2021, 02:57:38 pm
Despite rl trying to fuck me over every moment I can, things are progressing. Either tonight or tomorrow I'll have another update
edit: holy shit, human traders have arrived with STRAY ELEPHANTS AND BREEDING PAIR OF GRIZZLY BEARS
Post by: recon1o6 on November 08, 2021, 07:45:52 pm
The Smithing hall rings with steel upon steel...or at least copper and bronze. The training program is in progress at least. Armoursmiths first, weaponsmiths later. I took a look over all the stockpiles in here. I'm glad the military standing orders for the swamp hunters is carry 3 drink. I downed 1 of them on break, and needed another just for inspecting the smithy. Its hot in here now everything's working!
I scrapped the entre west stockpiles and had them redesignated and more importantly, labelled. Silver bars, Iron bars, Steel and pig iron, then miscellanius bars. I set aside an area in the newly dug section for platinum and gold: Tall Bar fixtures.
To the top left is the metal ore stockpile and there's another in the southern annex. Its only being used for clay and lead so far, might as well use the rest of the space. Another spot was set aside for bronze and copper equipment to be returned for recycling be it goblinite or the newly made items of our apprentices.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907346087176699964/unknown.png)
Though some appeared to get more attached to the metal than others
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907357412766408714/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 29th of Felsite 179
After consultation with previous overseers, I have decided to induct KingZultan posthumously into the fort's legends. May she rest in glory. Fatcat has gotten quite good at engraving and even made a masterwork of the time when she locked Spriggans away in his tower.
After a few poor efforts, someone finally managed to make a masterwork green glass statue of Salmeuk and Bim. Bim is admiring Salmeuk while he engraves the detailing on that artifact table he made. Bim was positioned in such a way as to be half cuddling him. It was quite sweet honestly. Salmeuk doesn't realise it, but when deep in his cups in the Tall Bar he has murmured some stories between him and her, yet whenever he's inebriated but NOT drunk, he doesn't remember a thing.
It was a beautiful tribute. I drink to your efforts whoever it was because I didn't notice in between all the complaints of equipment mismatch in the barracks.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 20th of Hematite 179
Several *platinum flask* shaped imprints line the page as well as multiple lists and recipes for huge numbers of plants
The tall folk came to trade right as summer began. I was standing on the Tall Bar's balcony when it happened. Through the cloud of goo I peered down and spied but a single pack animal. I rolled my eyes and told Auze that after the 17th tankard he should get some rest since there wasn't many traders this time.
I turned back a moment later after Auze went to bed.
I almost spilt my drink in surprise.
6 wagons were visible through a parting in the goo cloud. Each one packed high with masses of bins and barrels.
I immediately took a drink and banged my head on the bar counter frustrated. Auze was likely going to be asleep for a while having took a liking to my new Hard Wheat Beer. In addition I had completely forgotten to get some crafts made.
Loud damp footsteps clambered up the Silver Stairs shortly after. I still had my head on the counter.
"buhh...puh..mm...pairs!" came the sound of Radiofort's voice. I could smell the soap and water.
"We have pears for cider already Radiofort." I groaned and stared up at him from my slumped position.
He paused momentarily and furrowed his brow. He then bumped the side of his head and I swear I could hear a sloshing noise then yelled out
"BEARS Recon! They have Grizzlies for sale, a pair! he yelled, leaning on his mop out of breath.
Now that made me stand up straight. "A pair of grizzlies?"
"Yes! A breeding pair and an elephant pair too! The lumbering giants not the fruit, but they have pears too!"
"...Any other pairs?"
"Pairs of merchants and horses and uh...wagons. Also someone with a pair of papers said to be looking for Auze, ah! speak of the giant."
I then took another drink and faceplanted again as a human came in bearing some fancy emblem saying his name was Pabat and he was here on behalf of the merchant's guild and was told Auze can reliably be found here in the Tavern
I begrudgingly introduced myself and poured over the manifest for Auze to get to when he eventually came up.
The more I read, the more I couldn't believe what I was reading and I went to see for myself in the trade depot
There was an entire page of fruit and plants of different varieties I could brew drinks from
There was a wagon whose evil I could feel from where I was standing
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907363180827779082/unknown.png)
There was a wagon that stunk as bad as that miasmal arm we shot off the giant corpse last month
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907363023855947776/unknown.png)
There were dozens of different timber that the humans said they had been chopping down in bulk after evicting the elves which earned a massive grin from me.
Finally Auze turned up and he got to work immediately. Apparently we had enough prepared meals and totems that the humans were more than happy to give us the animals, masses of new ingrediants for me to toy with, seeds to go with them, empty books and sheets for our scholars and scribes and a steel flail.
I've never heard of a flail before, but I must say, this giant spikey ball on a chain thing seems quite fun. Not the best craftsdwarfship but certainly unusual.
I'll practice with it a bit first before I execute my next plan
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 08, 2021, 10:33:16 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on November 09, 2021, 02:12:57 am
Umm... Unless I was redwarfed without my memory, I am a he. Why does this always happen to me?
you misread, kingzultan was apparently female. She locked away spriggans
Post by: auzewasright on November 09, 2021, 06:36:31 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 09, 2021, 12:17:26 pm
you misread, kingzultan was apparently female. She locked away spriggans
OH! Well that is a silly mistake on my part. All I can do is request that your antecedents be slightly clearer.
Post by: Spriggans on November 09, 2021, 03:51:03 pm
King zultan was then redorfed.
My memory could be wrong on this though
Post by: recon1o6 on November 09, 2021, 04:40:00 pm
iirc the king zultan who locked me in was bestowed the title "necromancer hunter", and I believe he/she died.
King zultan was then redorfed.
My memory could be wrong on this though
This is correct. King Zultan, the most quiet and weakest of the useless dwarves at the time, managed to crack a legendary mason into confessing and then later on captured spriggans.
Died at some point to an unforseen skirmish. Her post went to ZultanKing the Stalking Justice
Post by: King Zultan on November 10, 2021, 02:32:09 am
Post by: Moonstone_Flower on November 11, 2021, 12:30:54 am
[...]and poured over the manifest[...]
Human in disguise! What a shameful waste of good booze. Even the worst plump helmet wine deserves better treatment than to be poured on documents!
(Was that an intentional pun or a typo? Quite possibly the most dwarven of typos if so.)
Also, I'd like to request a dwarfing! Anyone who values introspection, if there is one, otherwise a cook or brewer. Named Fescue and claims the title of Nap Queen.
Post by: recon1o6 on November 12, 2021, 05:44:31 pm
I love that flail. But flails are an area I am a bit rusty with admittedly and I wasn't as good with them compared to an axe.
In order to dump our prisoners into the execution pit, the pit first needed to be cleared out. Especially once I spotted the sheer volume of ammunition lying around waiting to be collected. To clear out the pit required the removal of an undead giant that had an arm shot off during crossbow training. The miasma had disipated now so it was time to strike down Smug Tuxum...by Armok, thats an awful name. I'll just call him smug tuxedo
It took a week to locate the lever to the fighting pit. It was hard to tell which one was the maintaince wall and which were the fighter access.
At last I found it, picked up Nezclaw's axe Rultangath (its exceptional but not masterwork. The siegebreakers got the masterworks) got Auze to open it once I stepped over the traps. I'll take one last drink for good luck. Lower the gate Auze!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907373138877227058/unknown.png)
Come on then you shambling mound of sobriety, prove your undead might so I can crush it under my boot!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907373307010109500/unknown.png)
...
...
...
...
...
Undead giant blood lines the rim of the page
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907374209095835668/unknown.png)
I was holding back to avoid getting my axe stuck and yet I still nearly split the lumbering oaf in half.
Spoiler: This is the entire combat log (click to show/hide)
Anyway, the fighting pit is clear and I'm welcomed back by a chorus of hauliers stampeding their boots on the dirt floor and their hands together in recognition for my prowess. I'll drink to another successful task.
Soon the tossing pit can be channeled and we can have the arena used as an arena!
I don't envy whoever has to shift Smug Tuxedo's body
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 21st of Malachite 179
One of the previous Overseers was a bit forgetful, unassigning most hauling labours from the fortress population for some project or another but forgot to turn them back on after. So all this furniture and clothing just isn't getting hauled nor dumped because nobody was assigned to it.
Now that they are all assigned appropriately, there is a steady stream of hauling up and down the fortress.
Including the first batch of Raw Adamantine. The craftsdwarf workshop has been manned and our strand extractor is working as I write this. I will smelt the first wafers in the forge, and Bluarian will smelt the first blade. I think an axe, to commemorate me cleaving that giant's skull. Or perhaps a statue- I never did get around to forging a statue of myself destroying the slab.
Making that one out of adamantine would be an excellent trophy to stick somewhere...yes I'm getting an idea now. A grand entrance hall celebrating smallhands' victories over Weevilmessiah. First with the Echnida wars, the capture of the traitor king, the imprisonment of Spriggans...
A beer drop is on the page
Bad Recon, only 7 projects at once! There's a reason 8 dwarves or more don't make it out the fortress door. Its bad luck!
*Sighs*
In any case, to proceed with the creation of the adamantine axe, in order to create the perfect tool to slay one of the ultimate evils in this world, then we need knowledge. The kind of knowledge that our supposed "Allies" are HIDING from us. The human town of Moistenankles, a small place with some 40 something humans living there is far away from the frontier and about a day's march west. It holds a tome that should be with us here on the front lines.
I speak of "Factual Goblins" a book that goes over the anatomy of goblins and their armies. To know the enemies weaknesses, we must know their strengths so we can cut them down and stamp their mangled corpses into the pits they belong. Be it magma pit or rotting pit for their bones to make new bolts from.
Nezclaw! Gather the siege breakers and retrieve this intelligence! I shall inspect our legendary Fatcat's work on the tombs in the meantime.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907400248987635743/unknown.png)
By Armok, its beautiful!
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 11th of Galena 179
I think the Siege Breakers need a bit of disciplinary training. One of them decided to ride out of Moistedankles on a yak yelling obscenities at the humans while flashing Factual Goblins in the air, being naked the entire time. As much as I would like to put that down as hearsay, I found a discarded suit of steel armour in the barracks when designating things to melt.
So much for stealth.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907393743701807114/unknown.png)
On the plus side they retrieved the book. Myself and Bluarian examined it cover to cover as we began prep work. I then stuck the strands in the smelter and rubbed my hands in glee as it fused into 4 wafers of Adamantine.
I gave them each the once over and handed them to Bluarian to begin work. The battleaxe design was masterful, edged and slightly jagged with heavier bits of metal at the back of the axe to give the blade better control as it carves through the goblin.
Curious, while we got the bellows working I asked him how a Knight of the Microline Order became a master smith, or was it the other way round? Even he was getting eager and working furiously, the pair of us with vicious grins on our faces as we laboured. Raz, Auze and Vabok worked nearby, all keeping a close eye on us, anticipating our results.
"See, I was once a member of the Adamantine order and we were all fighters, but some upstart Duke decided to change our name and take Adamantine for himself. We couldn't argue since he was also the militia commander at the Mountainhomes." Bluarian started
"Ha, bloody nobles. So a Knight first then?" I replied.
"Aye, and he was offended at us all beating him in sparring to boot and generally ignoring him when we fought at Cactushexes. One night ordered us to make weaponry using our beard hair as fuel to replace the coal" He started laughing, most likely in anticipation of what came next.
So did I in fairness.
"When he woke up, his beard was missing, and the noble was never heard from again! Anyway, that's how I lost my place at the mountainhomes"
I winced at that while he gathered the wafers. The flames in the forge seared the room, turning blue from the fire. A purple flame licked out above the magma as the Adamantine melted into shape.
"Now where were we...ah yes. Now, most metals can't withstand having Adamantine worked on them, but I'm pretty certain Smallhands iron can with-"
We were cut off by a small explosion of metal as the anvil shattered. We were both wearing armour so it was fine. Vabok's beer bottle got knocked straight out of his hand.
"What was tha' ye halfwits?"
"The beginning of a new era Vabok" I replied with manical glee in my voice.
Bluarian dragged a steel anvil over. Once more I readied the molten Adamantine and let it pour forth into the mold. The flames went higher once again and it tipped into the axe head shape. Bluarian took one of his beard hairs and put it round his hammer then slammed the mold onto the anvil. The Anvil glowed as hammer blow after hammer blow hit the solidifying adamantine. It glowed and pulsed as it warped into shape until at long last he dunked it in the water to cool it off.
Peering into the water he told me it looked quite promising. Many dwarves in smallhands had gathered around all vying for a look at the first adamantine weapon in smallhands.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/907407472489283654/unknown.png)
I came round the anvil and took the weapon and raised it into the light. A brilliant blue blade shining in the magma light, sharper than anything smallhands had worked before.
An Adamantine axe fit to slay a Demon.
"Smallhands! Today you see before you a weapon, a weapon that will one day change the world! Behold its glory, pass it around, take a celebratory drink from the Tall Bar's stockpiles if you really want to. For tonight we made history!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and it got passed from dwarf to dwarf for a little bit before it was given back to me.
I dumped it in the melting pile immediately after everyone had gone. For all its luster, I could barely consider it finely crafted.
"Bluarian. Next time try forging when you aren't sober. The damn thing's too brittle in places."
He begrudgingly agreed.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 28th of Galena 179
I bumped into a certain Alath today on the way to the forge. She was always a bit of a strange one, constantly examining herself and valuing introspection and hindsight, all the way to the point of changing her name to Fescue. Not the most dwarfy of names but then again I was saddled with ClaspFought so I can't say much.
She asked why the adamantine axe was in the melting pile and not mounted on a wall as a piece of history. She also asked if I was interested in trying a *Yak tripe roast* made from Yak tripe, strawberry wine and a giant red wing blackbird egg because she thinks it will be good enough to serve in the Tall Bar given the lack of roasts there.
She...had a good point, the Tall Bar menu did need a bit of an update. Tripe and wine pie and a fried egg alongside sounds delicious. I'll drink to her suggestion.
A foxtail millet stain is on the page
When it came to the axe, she also had a good point. It really is a piece of history and shouldn't be melted down after all. Its still in the pile fortunately. Smallhand's slow productivity turned out to be useful for a change. Not sure where to put it for now.
She then had the audacity to accuse me of pouring away perfectly good wine. I threatened to pour her wine away if she makes such an accusation again! Down my own throat! That's it, I'll drink her alcohol rations!
I then realised she was, once again, true to her nickname in the barracks, sleepwalking and talking like a queen. Hence the Nap Queen nickname. I just nudged her over to a bed.
Finally I was able to confirm the prisoners had been stripped of their belongings. At last! Dumping will commence as soon as Elpho gets his pick and finishes his...story?
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/908840790757892117/unknown.png)
Wonder where he plagiarised this one.
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 13, 2021, 12:40:07 am
Post by: Moonstone_Flower on November 13, 2021, 12:49:55 am
Love the way you worked that in there, Recon, utterly brilliant.
(Also: "Pouring" is to dump out a liquid or something that acts like a liquid, such as beer or sand; "poring" is to examine information, such as a document.)
Post by: Spriggans on November 13, 2021, 07:38:39 am
The only way to duplicate it through melting it is by smelting split stacks of coins or bolts. Which is difficult to do.
Post by: recon1o6 on November 13, 2021, 07:43:41 am
Post by: delphonso on November 13, 2021, 08:11:14 am
'Note that the Efficiency column is only accurate for ordinary metals - when using adamantine, the number of wafers required comes from the "Material size" column instead of "Bars to make", so if that number is larger, the efficiency will be reduced accordingly.'
Axes take 4 wafers (this is certainly true, according to the cancellation spam of my last fort) and would only return 1.2 wafers.
Amazing work recon. You're a hell of a good character writer. I'll have you know Onget happens to like when I retell 'the classics'
Post by: recon1o6 on November 13, 2021, 08:10:35 pm
According to the wiki:
'Note that the Efficiency column is only accurate for ordinary metals - when using adamantine, the number of wafers required comes from the "Material size" column instead of "Bars to make", so if that number is larger, the efficiency will be reduced accordingly.'
Axes take 4 wafers (this is certainly true, according to the cancellation spam of my last fort) and would only return 1.2 wafers.
Amazing work recon. You're a hell of a good character writer. I'll have you know Onget happens to like when I retell 'the classics'
bugger, I'll remember that when i make the next piece of equipment
whose Onget?
also delphonso, i been wondering- is it time we had an updated favourite posts on the front page?
glad you all like my writing, its hard and i worry about text length but i love it all the same. Next update might not be till after thursday as i got an exam coming this week
the absurd is still following me out of dwarf fortress it seems. just finished a dnd session where a polar bear performed surgery on one of my players and succeeded
Post by: delphonso on November 13, 2021, 10:06:05 pm
whose Onget?
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/908840790757892117/unknown.png)The audience always comes first!
also delphonso, i been wondering- is it time we had an updated favourite posts on the front page?
Certainly so. In the background I've been creating a pdf of all of the updates, which is taking much longer than I thought (averaging only one or two years per session...which would take at least two weeks if I did it every day!) My intention was to update the favorite posts when I got past that part of the text, but that may take some time still. Happy to post any favorites of anyone!
Final note: that polar bear deserves party member status after that. Amazing.
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 16, 2021, 01:42:26 am
Post by: delphonso on November 16, 2021, 02:41:27 am
Post by: recon1o6 on November 18, 2021, 04:12:07 pm
Time to finish this turn
Post by: delphonso on November 18, 2021, 05:07:12 pm
I'll iron out the turn order today. Anyone wanting a turn who hasn't mentioned it, feel free to shout out now.
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 18, 2021, 07:05:31 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on November 19, 2021, 07:24:20 pm
A siege finally showed up while the Tavern Keeper is in charge.
How foolish
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 19, 2021, 08:18:23 pm
Post by: delphonso on November 19, 2021, 11:06:22 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on November 20, 2021, 06:52:48 am
Elpho has been spending a surprising amount of time in the Tavern recently, listening and telling stories and occasionally dancing. He also for some reason started praying to an imaginery deity named Ninur Brainbastion...outside of the temples. Maybe I gave his ghoulish form the wrong drink last night or perhaps its a side effect of being so tainted by elves he can't help but pray outside.
The weird part is this: when he was alive, he was never this legitimately artistic. His poetry was rubbish and ripped off from other authors which is why nobody took him seriously, but he's a good storyteller and weirdly, singer in death. Though it appears his recognition is damaged from undeath since he has randomly socialised in the tavern and the armourers guild when nobody is there to listen. The filthy Elf Lover has at least proven to be a decent string of news.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911558713603674132/unknown.png)
He spouted off that Salmeuk was pondering the Tumbler Lock. Apparently its some fancy design for a lock thats designed to prevent tampering. Good if Goblins get into the fortress. He also mentioned that Radiofort was pondering Diseases. Presumably the poor caretaker's duties had...affected him somehow.
He also mentiomed the master chef had named a steel shield Cratergorge. Apparently after a flaming rock that fell from the sky and squashed an elf once. Not a bad story honestly
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911328199017910282/unknown.png)
In more important news, Dr Imic, like myself, had experience training animals back at Cactushexes. I have enough duties as is so away Imic goes to train our elephants and grizzlies
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911331168497070140/unknown.png)
Speaking of the elephants, those lumbering giants need nearly 200 square urists of fodder EACH. I've ordered a place dug but for now they're going to have to live in the tree farm. Not like we were using it anyway.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 14th of Limestone 179
Dr Imic is good at training animals.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911332041113632779/unknown.png)
I'm assigning Imic to train up more of our animals. We have loads of dogs about, some war dogs would bolster our Small Military in combat. Especially the Swamp hunters who could use the defence if they get caught up in melee which is not unheard of. This is why they should be cross trained in hammer skills. Unfortunately they need to be better shots first.
But that's what the arena is for- live target practice. The dumping room is ready. From here we can put all our caged prisoners straight into the arena to starve and be maimed for when our dwarves need to spar in real conditions.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911331381517357157/unknown.png)
While examining the hatches, Auze called for me to announce the Mountainhomes caravan had arrived.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911333024489173042/unknown.png)
7 Wagons total with quite a few useful bits in amongst the sheer crates of silk. Someone back there clearly managed to get a Giant Cave Spider silk farm going. Whoever it was I drink to them!
A Pineapple wine stain in the shape of a *Platinum flask* lines the edge of the page
I expressed interest in their entire stock of plump helmets (80) every drink in the wagons not allocated for merchant use, parchment to write on, an empty book, some finely crafted steel armour, a steel crossbow studded with Tin, some gold, rose gold and steel bars, a bar of charcoal, cages and the 8 pieces of wood stuffed in the back of a wagon.
In return, we had 37 masterwork Giant Red Wing Blackbird roast pies, some crafts (Including a masterwork amulet of Salmeuk being refused by dwarves in Beeswax. Who made that?) and a couple of silver warhammers we had spare.
"With your Trade goods such as they are, I can't fathom giving you all that" I overheard the merchant telling Auze.
I called Auze up to the Tavern and gave him a drink since he was starting to get sober. The merchant followed.
Auze tried again freshly inebriated, pointing out we offered them goods nearly 4 times as much as we were buying.
"We need to make more profit than that" the gouging straggly bearded git replied.
A 37655 urist profit was not enough? Unacceptable. I then had an idea. I gave Auze a mead to take back to the merchant, and told him to barter for a portion of the list. Start with the bars and the plump helmets. It worked, the merchant was pleased with the trading.
I then when collecting mugs, dropped a bottle of longland beer on the table. Auze kept negotiating and the merchant kept drinking. He was very happy after the second booze having sold the cages and parchment for a bin of scepters.
Finally Auze asked me to top up the drinks. I did so and they had a final round. The merchant was ecstatic, then fell off his chair drunk into a stupor. Auze was barely inebriated despite having had the same amount.
"So how did it go Auze?" I asked, rolling the merchant down the stairs to the empty floor.
"When you add it up, its the exact same as what we offered in the first place." he replied. "No trade agreement yet though. Can I have another 6 rounds?"
I clapped him on the back and gave him another bottle of longland beer.
"Excellent, find me when he wakes up with the trade agreement. The leftmost shelf behind the bar is yours to drink today. I'm off to set the cages."
A few hours of hauling later Auze came back with the trade agreement.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911337624004857856/unknown.png)
Wait a moment...
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911337918751199272/unknown.png)
The drippings from a celebratory toast of Perry stain the page
The mountainhomes has finally recognised my brewing for what it is! They already know of my exploits in warfare from the statues, and my clothcraft from the clothing. Now they acknowledge my booze at last! See mountainhomes! I am the dwarf to bring the dwarven age, not that pathetic weakling of a queen that kicked me out here for beating her in a contest.
I can craft luxuries fit for Armok, I can brew drinks to send anyone, even Auze under the table, I can fight a deity that dares bring the world to ruin, and I can make you regret having kicked me out to die here in Smallhands!
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 6th of Sandstone 179
It is time, throw them in!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911355271929016381/unknown.png)
Now that is curious. The goblins and their former slaves and betrayers are fighting one another. A curious phenomenon. Perhaps some of them aren't as brainwashed as thought. Less to shoot at however, but at least its emptying the cages.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911356026056503316/unknown.png)
I guess we're not having live target practice after all. But we can toss them in nonetheless. I can find other places to test the army.
There's an old castle near the Sinewsabres ruins by the name of Jeweldusks. Its a human castle...or was. Its apparently empty, but that doesn't seem right. No human would abandon such a strategic position.
In addition our scouts reported that Frenzyescort, a human town that got taken over by the goblins currently has very few members there in addition ot rumours of some artifacts that will be useful
Siegebreakers! Arm up! I have a mission for you. Overseers army, I have a different mission for you!
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 8th of Sandstone 179
I observed them from the top of the Tallbar. The Siegebreakers strode over the horizon heads held high. Behind them were dwarves in tattered rags. Cheerful and singing drinking songs. Marching...marching in line too. That's odd.
Wait a moment...that beard...is that Mestthos? I thought he was dead!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911359413816815696/unknown.png)
I took a drink and descended to the viewing window. No way, my eyes don't decieve me. That's my armourwork...and that cloak, I remember those. Blue raptors...
it cannot be! But it is!
The missing Rainbow Raptors!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911360253289975868/unknown.png)
---------------
OOC: I can't believe I found them!
I'm splitting this update into two parts due to its size, the other will come in a few days and hopefully hte last update.
Edit: since we lost them attacking sinewsabres, this confirms that they can be moved about while offsite. idk if that's been recorded before
Post by: delphonso on November 20, 2021, 07:45:21 am
Let me introduce you to Ninur Brainbastion! I met him in a dream!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
He's helping me feel creative again!
Post by: recon1o6 on November 20, 2021, 08:04:56 am
He's helping me feel creative again!
Perhaps poetry wasn't your calling but being a pantomime performer was. good at stories, good at dancing and singing
Post by: King Zultan on November 21, 2021, 03:57:00 am
Didn't we try once before to rescue them, maybe that attempt failed because they had already moved?
Post by: Salmeuk on November 22, 2021, 04:40:04 am
Post by: recon1o6 on November 22, 2021, 08:11:47 pm
While the freshly rescued rainbow raptors are busy getting their paperwork in order, I paid another visit to the Arena to enjoy the bloodbath of goblins vs elves vs traitors vs wildlife. By Armok the stink in there was worse than the years the giant was in there before I mangled its sorry corpse.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911366620897738854/unknown.png)
Apropos of the arena: despite it being here for 17 years, this arena has only had one previous bout. Goblin vs the zombie giant and it was that goblin who left the steel equipment in the arena. The goblin barely lasted a few minutes. I remember that match quite well for it was one of the first things I did in Smallhands- enjoy the goblin slaughter.
===+ Journal of the Undying Overseer – Winter 161 +===
Now we just need to figure out what to do with a nigh-indestructible zombie giant.
===+ Journal of the Undying Overseer – Spring 162 +===
2nd Galena
A small arena, setup for two teams of combatants. And above it, a gallery for spectators to view the fight or archers to fire from a safe position. Since the Swamp Hunters have decided static targets are too dull to practice with, this should be a bit more engaging for them.
The first competitors are our slab-bearing zombie giant and a goblin swordsman that was captured in some invasion years ago. Interestingly, the goblin wears custom made steel armour rather than the usual scrap. He couldn’t have gotten that from the goblin pits. The only explanation is that he must be one of the necromancers’ living servants! Well goblin, what do you think now that you face your master’s handiwork? I’ll let you keep your equipment, but I don’t think it will avail you much.Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A decent performance, but brute strength wins this day.
Given how easily I crushed that "nigh-indestructible giant" I imagine Nogood would have thought my performance exemplary since I didn't get hit once and cut it down with just an axe in a handful of blows. In hindsight I could have brought a mace or hammer and I would have crushed it even faster. Maybe with a bit more mess though.
Not as much as the current fighting in the arena is making at any rate. Its so bad that there's teeth up here in the gallery. A traitor at one point tried to climb through the arrow/viewing slits only to receive a lash to the back that sheered off a chunk of his torso and blood all of the fortification.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911367249846227004/unknown.png)
Future overseers please note: yes you can dump the prisoners in the method nogood set up years ago it does still work. The mass pitting system 2 floors above to dump all the prisoners if we need cages urgently or just want to enjoy the massacre.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 1st of Sandstone 179
Years ago I was kicked out of the Mountainhomes for two reasons: Objecting to the Queen's alliance with humans and elves, and consistently proving myself to be better than the upper class buffoons in whatever matters they thought they were best at. Since then I have been proven right: elves must be slain and are a species of backstabbers, and humans are unreliable.
Some humans trade with us well, others need executing.
At the very least, we know the monkeys in FrenzyEscort are aligned with goblins. They are enroaching on our borders and this cannot stand. I have given the order to march down there and make an example of any humans that dare go against us and if possible, obtain another piece of literature called "More Farm" which might help us get the tree farm functional again.
I wonder if there was a message line going from Frenzyescort to Sinewsabres and from there to the tower. Then when the hillocks west were founded in Nogood's reign they were cut off. At the very least, we can confirm that Sinewsabres and whoever was in
scratchings out and a beer stain are on the page
I have not been having enough alcohol recently I've been so busy. Jeweldusks is the human Hamlet next to Sinewsabres, it was there that Mestthos and the others were found. The castle is Weightgleamed, and empty. Presumably overrun by the necromancers.
My point stands however; Jeweldusks was playing host to our prisoners. Weirdly though, there was nobody there at all, no guards or beasts or anything. Just our prisoners.
Clearly we either have an intruder, or the containment line against the goblins by fellow hillocks is not as tough as first thought.
One by one the Raptors have been processing paperwork asking for sanctuary and been getting it granted, citizenship sadly was revoked years ago and can only be restored after an a year's residence in the fort. Last but not least was Mestthos who patiently waited for everyone else to gain sanctuary first. I suspected he knew his case was going to be a tough one, and the fact we had reached our population max of 50 was another barrier to his entry.
He had a list of blemishes on his record
- Involved in attempted theft
- 1 count of disorderly conduct
- 2 counts of vandalism
- 1 count of disatrous leadership
- 1 possible count of corruption
That being said he has fought valiantly for Smallhands in the past and has clearly been feeling guilty about his capture. He has also set to work hauling and training with a crossbow.
I shall have him interrogated and look at the records from previous overseers
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 12th of Sandstone 179
The more I peer into Mestthos, the more the puzzle comes into place.
Smallhands: Year 164
=Journal of Reg Pickcrab=[/b]
(definitely not 12000 bees in a trench coat)
Mestthos who is the mayor grabbed a sword and ran off the map, abandoning their office and bedroom. Perhaps it was not wise to send the mayor to do battle.
Mestthos clearly at one point or another agreed with Zolak and willingly joined the plot to infiltrate The Little Pick, our government. Nogood had Zolak arrested and interviewed, then disposed of. Kingzultan interviewed Mestthos who willingly admitted to plotting a theft.
4 years later, the filty undead elf Lapama came along at the behest of the still to this day unknown boss. Mestthos may have assisted in the corruption of Tholtig by providing information on how to threaten her.
Later that year Mestthos went off at speed to Sinewsabres to attack Ushrir since we had captured all the other necromancers.
A platinum flask shaped stain lines the page, it menaces with spikes of dwarven rum
By Armok I've got it all wrong! We had captured all the necromancers so Zolak came to free them. He sweet talked Mestthos into helping him by stealing The Waning Embraced Passage but then ended up slain. However Ushrir had somehow gotten the message that Mestthos didn't do the theft.
Ushrir then sent his other underling, Lapama to perform the same task a few years later. Stealing an artifact, in this case The Snarling Famine and threatened Tholtig to do so.
Noticing the repeated plot, Mestthos leapt at the chance to stop Ushrir, given the overseer at the time was actually a hive of bees and so passing it up the chain of command seemed pointless.
So either Mestthos was a traitor that failed and got punished...or he was performing counterespionage the entire time.
Lets see what Mestthos has to say
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912415763023933520/unknown.png)
"Zully, was that it?" I asked Zultanking when I read the report.
"Yes. Since we already knew what he said, but nobody had ever realised." she replied.
"what do you mean?"
"The Snarling Famine was made by Mestthos."
Both me and Zultanking needed a massive drink each after that. Blockadeidles military service was impressive with plenty of artifacts and battles won.
I gave him the stamp of approval. If anyone deserves to be a 51st citizen, its him.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 22nd of Sandstone 179
A dwarven ale stain is on the page
I swear I have had a tiny leak in my +Platinum flask+ for quite some time now. Looking back through the fort records the number of my entries with alcohol stains on them is as frustrating as it is a waste of good alcohol.
But, I have had ample cause to drink over the years and today is no exception. The military came back after fierce fighting with celebrations abound. Many goblins were slain and even names gained. However some of those titled soldiers were clearly not worthy as they got struck down by farm animals
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Captain Nezclaw said that they were two of the most embarrassing deaths he had ever seen which is saying something. They left the goblins with heavy losses and more. So just ordinary slabs for them then.
He also mentioned that they left the town once goblin reinforcements showed up, and in vast numbers too. Estimating at least 50. I thanked him for the report and quickly made some emergency adjustments to the military to replace the losses. Everyone in steel, a new squad formed with me at the head and all the legendary fighters. Swamp hunters downgraded to 5 strength, the Siege breakers split into Fevered fighters and the unfevered remain as siege breakers.
New burrows designated for fighting too, and with that, time for a drink at the Tall Bar.
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 1st of Moonstone 179
Recon lets loose a roaring laughter. Fell and Terrible!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911396979521753098/unknown.png)
So THIS is your next play Weevilmessiah! Sending a broken army to batter themselves against my fortress! Your pitiful goblins shall avail you not!
Soldiers, arm up! Civies, get your arses inside the fortress! If they want in then it shall be across a path fallowed with their blood!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911401126014877716/unknown.png)
I had a grand view from the top of the Tall Bar. Its roiling wrath was filled and prepared to smother the goblins as I stood there at the levers. The mugma shone brighter than usual, or maybe it was my manical glee.
Elpho was also there at the windows, reciting a poem. Fescue was in the middle there telling a story. We were the only people in the Tall Bar.
then came the most enjoyable moment I ever had in this monument to dwarvenkind.
Pulling the lever that released the fire. It halted the tide of evil. The land turned into a mix of blood and ash as I made them melt and die.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911399359407620186/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911401219778576404/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911401370186301541/unknown.png)
From the depths of the land was this tower raised and by MY hand shall you perish beneath it!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911407625172828190/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 28th of Sandstone 179
After incinerating the goblin horde the entire army came out to mop up the occasional survivors. Even the raptors and Mestthos came out to assist.
Its taken us until today to clear out the rest of Smallhands' immediate area of living goblins.
There is a vertiable sea of molten metal and bone. Every last bit of sinew has been turned to ash. There were only 2 surviving goblins that got away, one left really early in the siege after it went off and shot a camel and the other got a leg chopped off and crawled off the hill.
I checked round the fort afterwards. Elpho was now socialising in the Tall Bar. Auze and Radiofort were both picking through one goblin to take its iron armour to the melting pool.
Speaking of melting pool, apparently there was still a leak on the Tall Bar's filling mechanism and main connector has melted again. The next overseer is going to need to look for some magma proof wood down in the caverns if we don't want to keep replacing it.
In other news Fikod upon witnessing the devastation while hauling...apparently had an excellent idea
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912449842574397460/unknown.png)
this looks promising
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912450023596359700/unknown.png)
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 7th of Opal 179
This does not look promising
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912450609209311282/unknown.png)
It ambushed Aban, a siege breaker at the gate. It went for the kill immediately biting onto Aban's head. Aban's steel helmet deflected the blow but unfortunately the werepig just knocked him over.
The wretched thing tore his leg off (the armour was made of bronze there) then started beating him to death with his own sock! When that didn't get through the rest of the steel armour, the boar simply punched his face in, latched on with its jaws and shook his head so hard his skull collapsed.
Even when on the ground though, Aban was fighting, punching the werepig hard enough to break a few fingers on its right hand and bruising its eye with his crossbow.
It then tossed him into some lava and he died quickly thankfully.
Rest in peace Aban, you died saving the mayor, Auze and Quarque.
2 siege breakers and 2 raptors then turned up. Thank goodness the raptors were still armed. Nezclaw promptly chopped off its hand and Ast bit the werepig in the head! Onget then stabbed it in the lower spine and tore a motor nerve causing it to fall down. Then the already unfair fight got even more unfair when the Hammerer turned up, stabbed once with his spear and off came its head.
As it died it deformed back to its real self. An ELF to be precise. Heathens!
Outraged at Aban's senseless death I ordered the corpse dumped in the magma and commissioned a coffin and a pair of statues for Aban valiantly defending the fortress from the pig and his part in assaulting Sinewsabres.
While this was going off, Fikod revealed his great work.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912482433700618280/unknown.png)
An adamantine artifact battleaxe. Who better than I to wield it?
Journal of the Tavern Keeper Overseer 28th of Obsidean 179
Its been one hell of a year.
A new years party wine stains the parchment
I had to abandon 2 of my goals. Wiping out the elves much to my frustration is an impossibility while some of them yet remain in Dimplesteal. Finishing the glass roof proved to be impractical in light of the haulage and training.
The creation of halls of the dead once again had to play second fiddle to the needs of the living. Yet I have still made progress and dug out the military halls. It is a pity but the next Overseer will have to see to the destruction of the goblin corpses on the surface via magma pit disposal. Hopefully they will be dumped in magma where they belong but I won't be surprised if they get mixed with our honourable dead again.
I got to wipe out an army personally, but once again another overseer is going to need to repair the Tall bar's pumping before resetting it. Mostly its the windmills. I don't think the pumps were damaged this time.
At least in spite of these failings I made grand achievements. Far from my detractors saying I bring nothing but misery and death, I brought adamantine forges and rescued long lost souls. Weapons and armour of mythical metal to protect our fortress and smite our enemies. I even found another vein in the depths and took every last piece out.
I crushed a siege without losing a single dwarf. A werepig was cut up as one would strips of bacon. I saved another soul from injustice for his part in the conspiracy years ago.
The arena was restarted, and as I write this the Swamp hunters are getting some live target practice.
It was to put it simply, another year to add to my growing legend. One primarily of kindness. True kindness unlike previous overseers. Everyone learned new skills, accomdations were on the up, citizens rescued after nearly 20 years imprisoned, a swift death for the enemy and plenty of rubbish disposed of.
Kindness is a very powerful thing when used right.
A bit like adamantine really.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912500046505869372/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912510381585481799/unknown.png)
I can certainly drink to that.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912510589186752532/unknown.png)
------------
Marathon post since I couldn't work out how to split it.
for the next overseer: figure out a way to do something with those hives. Nesh is going bonkers over being unable to split them
The rescued raptors won't be able to change labours till they reach a certain period of time in the fort. They lost citizenship due to the length being away.
get the swamp hunters to shoot down those red wing blackbird men and women. they keep scaring the dwarves.
Save https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15753
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 22, 2021, 09:02:06 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 22, 2021, 10:02:53 pm
After some research, the wiki says that it needs to be solid armor, not chain, and, while it is unmatched against slashing and stabbing, it is very weak against crushing, and arrows. The next overseer ought to weigh which attack type they are most worried about before they just spend all the Adamantine on armor automatically.
Post by: recon1o6 on November 23, 2021, 02:14:49 am
and statues of the tavern keeper 8)
I didn't get chance to say it in post but may I suggest we mod in platinum weapons? Its the equivalent of adamantine to sharp when used as blunt weapons.
Post by: King Zultan on November 23, 2021, 03:50:56 am
I didn't get chance to say it in post but may I suggest we mod in platinum weapons?Sure go for it.
Soon our army will be better equipped than every other army in the world.
Post by: recon1o6 on November 24, 2021, 12:49:53 pm
Post by: Laterigrade on November 26, 2021, 11:41:26 pm
I really don’t have time, unfortunately
Post by: delphonso on November 27, 2021, 07:14:42 pm
Salmeuk, you free for a turn?
Post by: Salmeuk on December 01, 2021, 02:21:12 am
Our current unit list:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on December 01, 2021, 08:58:46 am
anyone else think we should make platinum weapons grade since we got adamantine now? Just zultan replied so far
Post by: Spriggans on December 01, 2021, 12:59:28 pm
looking forward to it Salmeuk! Apologies for the Tall bar's mugma needing repairwork again. At least its not my fault this time
anyone else think we should make platinum weapons grade since we got adamantine now? Just zultan replied so far
Mod platinum in ! And praise the plat warhammers
Post by: Laterigrade on December 01, 2021, 07:40:16 pm
Post by: delphonso on December 01, 2021, 07:51:31 pm
As I see it - the map has limited resources so allowing platinum is "balancing" that out.
On the other had, Smallhands isn't really starving for resources.
Post by: Salmeuk on December 01, 2021, 10:17:18 pm
I will post an update today. or tomorrow. Not sure what angle I will take - might just play independent observer since Salmeuk has very little character development left after all these years.
Honestly, loading up this fortress, and scanning through these hallways and rooms, which I first helped dig out almost two years ago IRL, well it left me a little emotional. When I have the patience for the lag and the messes, I truly love these community fortresses and the stories everyone writes. so good!
Post by: recon1o6 on December 02, 2021, 02:56:43 am
I also looking back realised I may have had Salmeuk acting as the rule's lawyer for the fortress (informing of artifact dumping rules with regards to disposing of the slab and forcing others into treating with elves in particular) so that could be a funny angle. Grumpy sole survivor salmeuk. Especially when he got thrown out of his bedroom in the hospital.
Which were dug for noble quarters funnily enough
"these were noble rooms and they shall remain mine! Sleep in the doorway if its the hospital!"
Post by: Salmeuk on December 02, 2021, 03:11:13 am
(https://i.imgur.com/JjCgtqG.png)
Imic bit the finger of a human and shook him around, before beating him to death with his steel shield. It took over 40 hits.. going for the combo score I suppose. It would suck to be a human, am I right??
---
Deep in the dungeon arena, a few survivors hopelessly cling to the fortifications, trying to escape the choking miasma produced from the rotting corpses below:
(https://i.imgur.com/hwE9Z0x.gif)
---
Apparently Salmeuk is in charge, again, that crazy old bastard. They say he lived through some of the worst. I wouldn't know or care - he is a lonely old depressive and seems altogether too grouchy to be of much use anymore. I overheard his first project would be to set up a proper catacombs for our rather impressive collection of coffins and slabs:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A few years back someone dug out all the rock surrounding the tombs and thus it became ugly, so he says. He plans to move all the coffins, and the contained bodies, in one fell swoop - surely nothing might go wrong when one hundred different dwarves are suddenly awoken from their ghostly rest. Surely.
We have somehow manage to carve 3 different potential catacombs, and they all lay fairly unused.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
He will put nicknamed dwarves here, though we might need to expand it after all:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
----
fffffff game crashed. I'll try again tomorrow, and remember to save like... every time I finish designations lol
old saves like this have that problem.
Post by: recon1o6 on December 02, 2021, 07:29:25 am
admittedly the new catacombs was because I didn't get round to actually moving everyone into them. I was still having statues produced of all the dead citizens and vetting each one to the requisite 1 slab/coffin and the smoothing was barely finished!
Post by: Salmeuk on December 02, 2021, 07:16:10 pm
I would prefer to carry out your wishes than trash any plans laid out!
Post by: delphonso on December 03, 2021, 04:10:28 am
Looking forward to the next one, Sal!
Post by: King Zultan on December 03, 2021, 05:19:38 am
Post by: recon1o6 on December 03, 2021, 05:57:10 am
ah, do you have specific intentions for the microline-laden hallway? or are you referring to the rather empty but symmetrical catacombs from the first image?
I would prefer to carry out your wishes than trash any plans laid out!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
This one is for the fortress legends. So Nogood, Salmeuk, Recon, Zultan, Auze and an open spot. Recon's is bottom right and hasnt been finished engraving since in her eyes she is still doing great deeds each year
(that note, can you get fatcat to engrave her pouring magma onto goblins somewhere in there)
The one above it with 2 tile alcoves are for those that have died but didn't either make an artifact or serve in the militia. They got a statue and a slab/coffin
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The one below it is for those who made artifacts. Statue at the back, pedestal with artifact in middle, slab or coffin at the front
It is also the place for the military, with Statue at the back, then if they have a body coffin then slab, or if they dont, replace the coffin with an engraving of them fighting an enemy
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Salmeuk on December 04, 2021, 04:12:40 am
Quote
This one is for the fortress legends. So Nogood, Salmeuk, Recon, Zultan, Auze and an open spot. Recon's is bottom right and hasnt been finished engraving since in her eyes she is still doing great deeds each year
(that note, can you get fatcat to engrave her pouring magma onto goblins somewhere in there)
this one I will preserve, since it seems only fair to honor.. the best lol. also I have always found microcline a regal color (perhaps because it shares color with adamantine).
Imagine large, detailed passageways of polished stone, glimmering in the torchlight, crystalline and translucent. Microcline is beautiful!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I might modify or combine the purposes of the other two catacombs.
Also, the crash happened again around the same time for me tonight, so I am concerned the save file has an issue. If any of you have time, please open the save file and AFK until around mid-spring, let me know if it also crashes for you or if I have just been incredibly unlucky.
Post by: delphonso on December 04, 2021, 07:06:21 am
I'm checking the save currently. I'll update this post with a positive or negative report of a crash. Just repelled the siege with the goohive (which does look much better these days - great job on whoever did that.)
Edits:
Made it to late spring. I'm going to keep it running and see what happens. No crash so far.
Early summer and still running. Only thing I did was stop all the possible hive jobs - because Nish's cancellation spam was bugging me.
Yeah, reached mid-summer without an issue.
Post by: Salmeuk on December 04, 2021, 09:36:42 am
---
30 years of death:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
---
As part of my usual audit of the fortress efficiency, I have concluded that things are OK but could use improvement. In particular, there are a huge number of junk-filled workshops:
(https://i.imgur.com/rCAjJJ5.png)
We have reached the age where anything less than masterwork quality should really be burnt or dumped. at least where it counts. I will consider creating a sorting room. Considering how fond y'all are of digging gigantic, out-of-the-way rooms, we have plenty of options. :P
---
From Salmeuk's character page:
(https://i.imgur.com/sZ3ZA4i.png)
I have issues. . .
---
Elves arrived, and half the fortress pitched in to bring the trade items up:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
We purchased a small pile of berries and a large number of rather exotic birds. I have a plan.. it involves the sealed third cavern, which I previously hollowed out during my previous turn, the underground lake in the second cavern, and a large amount of risk to be assumed by dwarves at random.
---
Lots of Junk here. 907 items to be exact... yet I still have no issue with FPS and that is a testament to our fortresses smallness.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
---
During take two of the human "siege", I captured a gif of the combat. Knightwing is the brown dwarf who goes ham on the intruders:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: recon1o6 on December 04, 2021, 08:16:13 pm
The tall bar is obviously the middle one rising above the rest, the dump shoot and entrance are the little fingers, the trade depot roof is the fore finger and Spriggan's tower is the thumb.
anyway, pleased to see the save is not corrupted, I was worried I broke it there!
Post by: Salmeuk on December 05, 2021, 01:57:03 am
Many small changes are occuring, including a switch up and shortening of the Goo Hive. While glorious in many ways, I have become sick of the confusing surface entrances - the criss-crossed up and down staircases are half-hazardly mixed with difficult to see entrances and rampways. I cannot predict the path a dwarf will take, and that is dangerous.
I am also attempting to standardize the central staircase entrances so the general flow is more clear, throughout the fortress.
Anyways I will preserve the first wave of death bridges, and upgrade the dirt walls to a lovely limestone.
Further below, a large masonry was constructed for future megaprojects. Our old one was inadquate and also just very far away from our quarries. Next to this masonry a sorting pile for our slab carvers was designated. We should be pumping out masterwork slabs, and hopefully get started on engraving a unique slab for every dead dwarf. Though the construction of said slabs is a real PAIN.
Even further below, a small winding tunnel is carved, preparing the third cavern for flooding. However, before we can breach the cavern wall and let the lakewater flow downward, we must deal with our forgotten beast residents. A fight, or a trap? We shall see.
Should no one be available after my turn, I would be happy to run again BTW - at the current rate I will not be able to touch anything creative, and merely spend the whole year hauling and redesigning. Which is fine. But if we have a pause in the turn list - count me in for a second round.
Post by: fatcat__25 on December 05, 2021, 03:24:56 am
Post by: Salmeuk on December 05, 2021, 03:59:05 am
------
Again, sorry for the OOC but honestly not much happened. Hauling, organization, refactoring stockpiles... I dunno this might be annoying for some but it has given us a more centralized area for the current activity of carving hundreds of slabs to fill out our catacombs. So after a whole year these are the three main projects I completed:
Masonry on the right, catacombs on the left, and masterwork slabs in the middle:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The smelters has been cleared of junk bars, and many bins were created in order to help with organization. Still not enough... We have lots of copper.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Finally, the refactored goo hive:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
A clockwise spiraling hallway, the entrance ramp encased in microcline there at the bottom. The inside wall is limestone, while the outside wall is diorite and gabbro. The floors are paved roads. In the center I did away with some redundant stockpiles and made it more . . .hallway - like.
Of exciting note are the grizzly bears, who appear to be breeding happily. We have many, MANY dogs and beak dogs, even after I went through and "did away" with a large number of kittens, puppies, etc etc
Save here if you want to poke around.
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15764
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 06, 2021, 01:36:52 am
Please add me to the end of the overseer list. I don't have many dorfing preferences, just ideally someone not in the militia.
Post by: Salmeuk on December 06, 2021, 01:46:42 am
Post by: delphonso on December 06, 2021, 02:11:30 am
Post by: recon1o6 on December 06, 2021, 05:18:26 am
Post by: delphonso on December 07, 2021, 11:23:32 pm
I lost the file I was working on to back up the Smallhands thread in PDF format (I swear I uploaded it, but seem to have messed that up...) when I installed a new OS. I'm starting from scratch and - apparently, with a fully up to date Libreoffice, I can more-or-less just copy and paste the thread directly into a document.
This includes gifs - which surprised the heck out of me. I'll likely send it out in .doc and .odt format for that reason. I'd previously been writing somewhat sarcastic gif descriptions in character as Elpho - but maybe I'll do that if I feel like a pdf version is also necessary.
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 08, 2021, 02:24:22 am
Don't expect anything too fancy, as I need to figure out how to post images and the like.
As for goals, I might try to set up an obsidian farm down near the magma sea for infinite stone. For the most part I'll probably just be getting used to a succession fortress.
I'll remember to look out for the gobbos :)
Post by: delphonso on December 08, 2021, 02:37:57 am
[img ]http://[/img] is used for images, but be sure to link directly to the image's url (right click on most devices and "copy image link" or "view image")
Small hand for example:
(https://media.gettyimages.com/vectors/foam-finger-icon-vector-id638275692?b=1&k=6&m=638275692&s=170x170&h=wh1EhXlhOvy3xWhESxbrqNYGtIZgDX6N82QYdrCzcSA=)
Post by: Salmeuk on December 08, 2021, 08:11:21 am
Quote
This includes gifs - which surprised the heck out of me. I'll likely send it out in .doc and .odt format for that reason. I'd previously been writing somewhat sarcastic gif descriptions in character as Elpho - but maybe I'll do that if I feel like a pdf version is also necessary.
send me this! sounds awesome. I recall one of the most memorable experiences of my DF experience was reading through the boatmurdered .pdf, so I would love the same treatment put down for Smallhands.
Post by: delphonso on December 09, 2021, 11:54:58 pm
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 10, 2021, 12:20:55 am
Today I decided to run for the annual overseer election which we hold at the start of every year. While the legends of the fortress spoke of the glory that they would lead the fortress to if they were elected, of how they would raze Dimplesteal itself to the ground. I simply offered to smooth this hallway at the heart of the fortress in the interest of aesthetics.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I won by a landslide. I guess the dwarves of Smallhands care more about interior decoration than ridding the world of the goblin menace.
The first order of business was to set the record straight concerning my name. It appears that when I first migrated here several years ago they forgot to ask me my name. Thus, they simply took to calling me 'Urist'.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Much better.
A few moments later, I receive some news that makes me regret accepting this postion.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I immediately order the front gate closed and ready the militia. Smallhands will not fall to the servants of Ikud, especially not on the very first day of my overseership!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Unfortunately the Tall Bar stands empty, and thus we must resort to using the newly refurbished GooHive.
3rd of Granite, 181
I had stationed the Swamp Hunters on the battlements in the hopes that they could use the invading goblins as target practice. This proved to be a grave error, as Urist the forlorn ghoul jumps off the battlements into the midst of the goblin horde.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
He is able to fight them for a while, but is eventually overwhelmed by the sheer number of invading goblins.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Thus passes one of the few remaining undead citizens of Smallhands. He will surely be given an honoured place in the catacombs of the fortress.
He then immediately returns as a ghost and begins harassing the living.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Oh well, back to the siege.
4th of Granite, 181
Another dwarf gets too close to the goblin invaders. It seems that the alarm hasn't yet been sounded. I quickly rectify that, but alas too late for Fikod.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
5th of Granite, 181
Slowly but surely the goblins head towards their doom.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
6th of Granite, 181
Id, a legendary axedwarf, decides this is a good time to retrieve provisions from the surface. He ended up running into the attacking goblins inside the GooHive tunnel. I suppose there are worse places to fight. I order in reinforcements, and soon our dwarves are running down the tunnel, slaughtering all goblins that cross their path.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
All in all, the invasion force looks far less intimidating than it did a few moments ago.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
9th of Granite, 181
There were very few wounds. Id did take a fracture to his leg, athough it's nothing we can't fix.
Not wanting to be outdone by his comrades, another dwarf charges up to the surface alone to take on the remaining goblins. Unfortunately he falls afoul of a goblin arrow.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
12th of Granite, 181
Two other dwarves went missing during the fighting, presumed dead.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
20th of Granite, 181
To prevent any more loss of dwarven lives, I decide to play it safe and send the remaining swamp hunters to get some extra target practice, this time from a safer set of fortifications. And thus the siege was ended.
28th of Granite, 181
Well, that certainly wasn't how I had hoped my first month would turn out, with 5 dwarves dead. The goblins could not have picked their moment to strike better, attacking during the confusion that comes with the dawning of the year. We shall have to be careful in the future. For myself, I shall remain far more vigilant as we clean up the dead goblins littering the entrance.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
-=-= OOC =-=-
That was certainly an interesting and !!fun!! event to happen on literally the first of Granite.
Thankfully we were able to defeat the goblins, although it is unfortunate that I will have to clean up their corpses by hand.
As for the casualties, most of them were fevered, and I don't think they were particularly skilled. Fikod didn't have many skills either. It's a shame about Urist, but he did go out in a pretty legendary way.
I might be able to try the resurrection chamber for some of them, but I'll probably just end up giving them a proper burial.
Let's hope I can avoid any more accidents for the rest of my turn :)
Post by: fatcat__25 on December 10, 2021, 01:03:53 am
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 10, 2021, 01:14:58 am
Also I don't think we can reanimate his corpse again either, his upper body was cloven asunder.
Post by: delphonso on December 10, 2021, 01:25:56 am
Post by: Salmeuk on December 10, 2021, 03:31:13 am
Our military is small but OP
Post by: Spriggans on December 10, 2021, 05:49:13 am
Never had I seen a speaking ghost before... But that's SmallHands we are speaking of, so it doesn't shock me anymore...
Post by: recon1o6 on December 10, 2021, 08:26:02 am
Fikod might be the only important loss since we are lacking in metalworkers constantly when its not my turn.
We're really gonna need to find some of that heat resistant wood at some point to stop having to repair the tall bar every time we need to refill it.
Post by: Spriggans on December 11, 2021, 04:17:07 am
Unless its for a wooden axle (which should never be in contact woth magma btw !), I think you can make anything out of green glass for machinery, right ?
Post by: recon1o6 on December 11, 2021, 06:26:00 am
ofc we dont need it if we find where the magma keeps leaking when it fires
Post by: Schmaven on December 11, 2021, 08:09:44 am
Post by: TheFlame52 on December 11, 2021, 09:43:06 am
Post by: Salmeuk on December 11, 2021, 10:47:06 am
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 13, 2021, 12:17:14 am
This month so far has mostly been spent cleaning up the surface after the siege, being pestered by buzzards as usual.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Today I heard that the ghost of Urist has been put to rest beneath the fortress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Perhaps I will commission a special memorial to place next to his grave.
26th of Slate, 181
Among the dwarves of the Mint Sack there is a legend spoken of by travelers. They tell stories of a titanic beast that roams the desert sands, a winged worm armed with the breath of Armok himself. This creature leaves a trail of destruction in its wake, and does not stop until the object of its ire has been reduced to ashes.
Well...
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Armok have mercy.
This titan is able to fly over any battlement, break down any door. Our only hope is to kill it before it reaches the heart of the fortress.
27th of Slate, 181
Well, the creature hasn't found its way in yet. It still wanders around just north of the main entrance.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I have begun sealing off the fortress to the best of my ability. With luck we will be able to fight the beast on our own terms.
28th of Slate, 181
No such luck. It is entering the fortress through a long unused access ramp to the incomplete grand temple, on the northern side of the fortress. In hindsight that entrance should have been sealed years ago, but now we can only hope, and trust in our steel to win the day.
2nd of Felsite, 181
It seems I spoke too soon, it has decided to return to the desert. We remain alert.
12th of Felsite,181
The beast's wanderings have brought it to the top of the fortress, were it seems to be inspecting our beehives. We have sealed the main gate behind it, so it will not be able to walk out of our courtyard. Perhaps it is even too heavy to use its wings?
23rd of Felsite, 181
I have decided that it is time for us to slay this interloper. I have ordered the Overseer's army to stand outside the front gate. The remaining Swamp Hunters will give them support.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Good luck.
1st of Hematite, 181
Just as I am getting ready to defeat that beast, the humans arrive to attack us!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The surface devolves into absolute chaos, with the nearby militia chasing the disorganised humans across the fortress. The humans quickly call off the attack, and the only evidence that anything ever happened are the trails of blood that now encircle the fortress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
13th of Hematite, 181
When I realized that the beast was not coming down, I sent the militia to investigate.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
What they found was the titan's lifeless corpse. It seems that all it took to slay this beast was one shot from captain Sibrek's crossbow.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I suppose that was... rather easy. Those traveler's tales must have been greatly exaggerated.
17th of Hematite, 181
Today the elven diplomat arrived. Once again they were here to discuss logging limits for our woodcutting. They still haven't caught on that there is never any risk of us exceeding any of their limits, so Salmeuk agrees to their proposal of a 135-tree cap.
Speaking of trees, we're almost out of logs again. Thank you for reminding me, elf.
10th of Malachite
Today I noticed a young dwarf wandering the halls, named Astesh Araknomal. I decide that he will train in gem cutting, as we do not currently have any gem cutters in the fortress who haven't been conscripted into the military, and even Onget is only competent at his job.
18th of Malachite, 181
I have decided to temporarily replace the missing axles atop the Tall Bar with normal wood for now. They may burn if it overflows again, but we have none of the mysterious nether cap wood that would allow us to make it secure, and we need our greatest weapon in an operational state again.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I shall see if nether cap is available for import next autumn.
4th of Galena, 181
The tall bar once again stands full.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I have not yet fixed the axle situation, and shall thus refrain from using it except in extreme emergencies, at least until we can get nether cap.
1st of Limestone, 181
The last month of summer passed without incident, with work mostly being done on cleaning the surface. Much progress was also made on a certain project of mine down near the magma sea, which I expect shall be completed shortly.
-=-= OOC =-=-
Well, that desert titan was frustratingly simple to kill. And yes, I was scared of a corpse for about 3 months.
Fikod didn't have any important skills that other dwarves didn't have better. Bluarian is quite a good weaponsmith, so no worries there.
I think the Tall Bar might be leaking from one of those two floodgates on the eastern side of the reservoir. It might be a good idea to replace one or both of them with walls, as they aren't actually used to fill the mug. Of course, that might be a bit hard now that I've filled it with magma again...
For the last two seasons I'll probably just be working on my project, and maybe getting some nice quarters for my dwarf. That is, unless the game decides to send more !!fun!! my way.
Post by: recon1o6 on December 13, 2021, 04:36:39 am
the important question though: how many did we lose from the siege?
Post by: Spriggans on December 13, 2021, 05:45:35 am
As for the Tall bar leaking, the problem is the power supply - input.
The (wooden) axles are at the same Z-layer as the magma release.
Upon release, the upper right exit leaks into the axles
(https://i.imgur.com/S6UypJh.png)
Eventually overtaking almost all of them.
(https://i.imgur.com/dBete3x.png)
using only one or two nether caps won't do it (it needs 6 logs, witch is a lot) . We need to replace all the axles, OR we need to relocate the axles to feed power to the pumps from above.
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 13, 2021, 07:36:07 am
Also, if you're talking about casualties, there haven't been any since the goblin siege last Granite. The humans just turned up and immediately called off the siege after seeing our legendary warriors.
Post by: recon1o6 on December 13, 2021, 08:15:53 am
1. cover a blind spot in the magma dumping around the E part of the Tall Bar where invaders would huddle
2. actually enable the Mugma to refill correctly (otherwise it would evaporate at least in my testing)
gotta admit though, I'm very pleased that it fires correctly even if the reload constantly needs work.
If its only leaking when the floodgate is opened, then its clearly a door issue. If not, then we might need to do as spriggans says and lift the entire mechanism next time its repaired.
Post by: Laterigrade on December 13, 2021, 08:08:26 pm
And yes, I was scared of a corpse for about 3 months.To be fair, that almost makes a better story than ‘we fought it and it was difficult but we won!’
Post by: delphonso on December 13, 2021, 08:36:38 pm
May I request another turn ? ;D
Any time, Spriggans.
Bombyx, these turns are just beautiful. You're doing a wonderful job so far! The circle of blood around Smallhands is really a perfect image.
Post by: Salmeuk on December 14, 2021, 01:09:17 am
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 14, 2021, 03:16:36 am
Today the caravan from the mountainhomes arrived, as usual.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
13th of Limestone, 181
We lack very little in this fortress. Regardless I do make a few requests for next year, mostly ores. I have also put in a request for certain precious gemstones, so that we may use them to encrust our furniture.
In return Mestthos offers us the following export agreement.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
17th of Limestone, 181
While looking through the merchant's wares, Auze finds a very unusual pair of socks.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Who decided that was a good idea?
We purchase a variety of goods, including their entire stock of cave fish and cave lobsters, in exchange for various spare weapons and tools we have.
9th of Sandstone, 181
Today our mayor came to me asking about a demand she made quite some time ago. Apparently she wants a steel throne in her dining room. We have more than enough steel, so I agree to her demand.
11th of Sandstone, 181
Today the mayor came to me to say that she didn't actually care about that throne anymore. I quickly rescind the production order.
24th of Sandstone, 181
Today I received a petition from Solon of the Rainbow Raptors to formally rejoin the fortress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Welcome back.
7th of Timber, 181
Today I am proud to announce the completion of a project that I have been working on near the magma sea. This device will allow us to turn the blood of the mountains into obsidian, with which we can make higher quality stone goods. The water for this process flows down from a lake in the second cavern layer.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
This meets with the magma in this chamber here.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
8th of Timber, 181
While this is happening, Zuntir offers to rejoin the fortress as well.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
16th of Timber, 181
Nish also rejoins the fortress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
17th of Timber, 181
The pit is full. Now all we need do is release the water. Pull the lever!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Truly a wondrous sight.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Mestthos has also finally returned to full citizenship. It is almost time to reform the Rainbow Raptors, but I think I shall leave that to the next overseer. Besides, Urvad still needs to rejoin.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
27th of Timber, 181
The last of the Rainbow Raptors becomes a citizen again.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I do wonder if we still have those cloaks around...
28th of Moonstone, 181
Today I noticed how clean the GooHive once again is. Hopefully our dwarves can relax for a while, at least before the next goblins arrive.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
26th of Obsidian, 181
I have received reports of a ghost toppling furniture in the asylum.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Oh well, my term as overseer is almost up. I shall leave dealing with this to my successor.
28th of Obsidian, 181
These past few months have been quite uneventful. I have decided to officially take up performing at the Tall Bar.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I also commissioned a pair of adamantine helms. One is for Sibrek, as a reward for taking out such an otherwise dangerous beast so easily. The other is for Recon, for various services rendered to the fortress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Finally, a note for future overseers regarding the obsidian farm.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The leftmost lever controls a floodgate where the water first flows in. This mainly exists to prevent flooding in case the lower floodgate is destroyed. This floodgate is also protected by a fortification to prevent any unwanted guests from swimming in from the caverns.
The central lever opens the floodgate in the main casting pit. Release this when the pit is full of magma. Any excess water should drain away easily. Be sure to fill the pit with magma before water for the best results.
The last lever opens floodgates that will allow excess water to drain away if you accidentally flood the pit with water. Make sure these are closed when the pit is full of magma.
Magma can be pumped from the magma sea manually by a pump operator.
Well, that marks the end of my term. I wish my successor the very best of luck!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
As the year passes, a new age dawns for the dwarves of smallhands. Legends spread far and wide of their exploits, and of how the fearsome beast Racon is no more.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
This will surely be a new year's party to remember.
Save: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15784
-=-= OOC =-=-
That winter was quite uneventful, especially compared to the first half of my turn. The obsidian farm does work nicely though. The adamantine helms I forged for Recon and Sibrek aren't masterworks, but should still be enough to prevent a goblin with a silver weapon from getting lucky. They only used two wafers each, which is good.
We made it to the age of legends! I was wondering if killing Racon would lead to this, and it did. I would've liked to get a picture of the large pop up that appears when it happens, but that doesn't seem to pause the game when it appears, and it was the first of Granite :(
As an extra thing I noticed while creating a nice dining room for my dwarf, the dwarves carved a set of five engravings on the wall. From left to right they depict:
- Lorsith Weevilmessiah.
- Ikud the blind demon killing a dwarf.
- The symbol of Smallhands.
- The symbol of the Mint Sack, our civilization.
- A table cut gem.
So on one side we have Lorsith and their evil minions, and on the other the Mint Sack and their treasure. The only thing standing between them is Smallhands. Quite a lot of meaning for some random engravings.
Good luck!
Post by: Salmeuk on December 14, 2021, 01:59:58 pm
Post by: delphonso on December 14, 2021, 10:07:53 pm
As an extra thing I noticed while creating a nice dining room for my dwarf, the dwarves carved a set of five engravings on the wall. From left to right they depict:
- Lorsith Weevilmessiah.
- Ikud the blind demon killing a dwarf.
- The symbol of Smallhands.
- The symbol of the Mint Sack, our civilization.
- A table cut gem.
So on one side we have Lorsith and their evil minions, and on the other the Mint Sack and their treasure. The only thing standing between them is Smallhands. Quite a lot of meaning for some random engravings.
I love this interpretation so much.
I think Schmaven's suggestion of just using mechanisms is a clever one. I don't know if we can count on the right trees to grow.
Post by: King Zultan on December 15, 2021, 02:14:17 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 15, 2021, 02:51:59 am
Post by: Moonstone_Flower on December 15, 2021, 09:40:53 pm
Wow! The Age of Legends! Great work on a well-written and exceptionally violent turn! Spriggans, do you want to take it?As an extra thing I noticed while creating a nice dining room for my dwarf, the dwarves carved a set of five engravings on the wall. From left to right they depict:
- Lorsith Weevilmessiah.
- Ikud the blind demon killing a dwarf.
- The symbol of Smallhands.
- The symbol of the Mint Sack, our civilization.
- A table cut gem.
So on one side we have Lorsith and their evil minions, and on the other the Mint Sack and their treasure. The only thing standing between them is Smallhands. Quite a lot of meaning for some random engravings.
I love this interpretation so much.
[...]
Hear hear!
That was quite a turn, getting tested like that right in the opening days.
Post by: Spriggans on December 17, 2021, 08:42:08 am
(https://i.imgur.com/Kuv3WYK.png)
I'm proud of you. Smallhands is legendary. Our strength is known world-wide.
Even the great Goblin threat is affraid of us.
(https://i.imgur.com/UEsDNVO.png)
Look at these cowards ! Sending their cattle to war.
Yes.
Dwarves. I am proud of you.
But I fear I will need to cleanup a lot of mess this year !
I will spend my year tidying up Smallhands, finishing uncompleted projects, and making things look nice.
I know the endless corridors are a mess to track for instance. And the workshops are scattered left and right...
Hoo ! Also ! I want to investigate on why we don't have more than 2 forlorn ghouls in our populace.
(https://i.imgur.com/9yNcfU3.png)
The forlorn ghouls...
SmallHands' taled pride.
Where did the bulk of them go ? What happened to the other ghouls ?
Almost all gone ! I must remedy that ! We need more ! How can I produce more ?
I will investigate the process that rises corpses.
From past overseers, I think the specimen needs to be extra fresh for resurection. My future experimentations should confirm that.
But I must study carefully the biomechanics of resurection if I want to bring Smallhands to the next level.
I will need a steady supply of corpses for this. Thanksfully, being in a now 30 years old dwarven fort, I should have plenty available.
The year begins
Post by: Spriggans on December 17, 2021, 12:33:46 pm
I had to find a way to produce more ghouls. BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
I would not waste my precious time with mere skeletons or zombies.
I had to find a way to acquire ghouls on a predictable basis.
Any lesser undead would be disposed of, via a crushing bridge.
I started by doing some work on the fortress ghosts problem.
I really don't think I can bring ghosts back to a satisfactory life form, even though some claim to have done it.
Hence, I erased the ghosts by placing a large amount of slabs down in the crypt.
It looks like a decently sized necropolis got built here in the past.
(https://i.imgur.com/ys6PP6W.png)
I have to say the sheer number of corpses hidden there makes me impatient.
I really hope the preservation conditions of the tissues in these coffins are acceptable.
It would be such a shame for these specimens to be wasted !
Today, I located a large pile of unused biomass.
(https://i.imgur.com/G1s12qL.png)
This was Smallhand's previous war pit, or something like that.
It was apparently no longer used, and the dwarves told me these were "ennemies of the past".
The corpses were not in a perfect state of freshness, nor were they complete. Some lacked body parts, and the blood was all dried out.
They were specimens for me to study nonetheless.
I had to know if the lack of, for instance, head would still allow the ghoulification process to occur.
(https://i.imgur.com/R5WEMZ7.png)
Goblins, Dwarves, Elves, Trolls, and random animals.
This represented a lot of tissues. The potential was great.
I moved them upstairs near the Necromancer chamber.
(https://i.imgur.com/SSTmGti.png)
The specimens were in place.
The Necromancer was ready to work his magic.
It HAD to work !
...
As I was about to trigger the experiment, I heard a dwarf, named Salmeuk, yelling after somebody !
(https://i.imgur.com/eQXNGlH.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MrJPqBN.png)
A fight happened !
Looks like this elven diplomat said something he should not have...
(https://i.imgur.com/4suYA9P.png)
(OOC : the fact that "the Elf-lover" gets the kill is amazing :) )
...
WONDERFUL !
A fresh corpse ! Bring him to me !
(https://i.imgur.com/2vD8suG.png)
I know for a fact that elves lack intelligence. This diplomat probably won't rise as a forlorn ghoul.
But the extra freshness of the corpse was not something to be wasted.
I added the diplomat to the biomass pile.
I pulled the lever, the Necromancer worked his magic !
...
I hesitated a little.
But after the smoke cleared, I must admit I definitely brought things back to life.
But, sadly, as expected ...
(https://i.imgur.com/veuZBnI.png)
The elven diplomat became an uninterresting zombie...
(https://i.imgur.com/Cl0iqdm.png)
The crude sentient bodies did not rise...
Only small parts and boring animals did move a little.
Sadly, all these beings lacked proper intelligence.
I believe the state of freshness is essential for the ressurection of sentient beings.
Next time, it is mandatory I acquire freshly k...
WAIT ! WHAT IS THAT ?!
(https://i.imgur.com/nZrDEUI.png)
Huuuu ?!
(https://i.imgur.com/QQXuCuo.png)
I DID IT !
Post by: Salmeuk on December 17, 2021, 04:42:31 pm
so, we have a pair of semi-intelligent bird people? who eat brains?
I watched young frankenstein for the first time the other day, and this post gave me flashbacks
Post by: TheFlame52 on December 18, 2021, 01:39:52 am
Post by: King Zultan on December 18, 2021, 02:58:47 am
Post by: recon1o6 on December 19, 2021, 06:50:23 am
I'm surprised spriggans isnt enthralling everyone from the tower again. Maybe its because he went insane
Post by: Spriggans on December 20, 2021, 07:37:05 am
This :
(https://i.imgur.com/TvN3p0D.png)
is NOT me.
This is Spriggans the Sparkly. A great dwarf. One of the greatest to live.
He has been gifted the great Power of ressurection.
But fever and depression melted his (and his necromancers friends) brain.
He now lacks any intelligence, and only raises corpses on instinct.
I am not at all like Spriggans.
I am not stupid, nor can I revive dead things.
I am just a mere student. Trying my best to use Spriggans' power to understand the ghoulification process.
This process, could I master it, would greatly benefit dwarven-kind.
Now back at it !
Summer has been productive.
I was really really not expecting the Osprey men to move at all.
Dwarven records state that their carcasses were several years old !
They were in a very dry state, and should really not have risen.
Yet here they are, skinless, muscleless, lacking fleshy tissues and organs :
(https://i.imgur.com/0QYiCaE.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UvgMUog.png)
Even without eyes, the birds have the intelligent cyan glow in their orbits.
They even OPENED THE DOOR by themselves (the cage traps I placed prooved useful there).
They look intelligent.
They are intelligent.
This is a success ! I produced forlorn ghoul !
Could it be concluded that the state of freshness of the corpse is not of primal importance ?
But I must admit these birds still look like beasts to me. They are wild, and un-civilised.
The next specimens will need to be of a civilised specie for more interresting results.
(https://i.imgur.com/V5FmjRd.png)
I placed the bird men in a cozy room designed especially for them.
I will give them time to recover after years without moving.
I'll let them stabilize before interrogation. I hope they communicate. But I have little hope, as they lack any organs.
Maybe the state of freshness WAS important after all...
A few months have passed.
The birds were mute and deaf.
Interrogation was unproductive. In the end, they were just animals.
Intelligent animals, granted. But birds anyway.
The dwarves refuse to tame or train them.
The birds are useless...
Yet, this experiment was not a complete failure.
The lack of organs, (esp. the lack of lungs) of the risen birds made me realise something.
Undeads do not breathe...
I would turn this to my advantage.
I started working on a little project which would help me acquire deceased specimens of satisfactory quality.
This is Smallhands' tree-farm-water-supply :
(https://i.imgur.com/PK0o45e.png)
It is conviniently placed near the Surface.
I asked the dwarves to build a little contraption for me near the bargaining area.
(https://i.imgur.com/d2tzwfW.png)
It will be used when given the chance.
I must acquire more interresting studying material.
During the last months, I searched our fortress for ANY supply of interresting biomass I could get my hands into.
Apart from boring dead animals, the only accessible materials I could get were :
- N : Racon. A wormy titan. Not at all dangerous. But unique enough to warrant study.
- Ń : Kol Rimtarbuzat. A "yellow tainted" dwarf. Strangely, the dwarves were afraid of him.
(https://i.imgur.com/Yzwwu1R.png)
- Experimentations on the body of Racon prooved fruitless.
The worm raised as a mere crude and mindless animated flesh.
(https://i.imgur.com/r4NmqKS.png)
Was I really expecting a worm to be intelligent ?
Such a waste of my time !
(https://i.imgur.com/9lWH9ek.png)
Spoiler: OOC (click to show/hide)
On the other hand, on the body of Kol, my knowledge prooved sucessful !
(https://i.imgur.com/pfPmygi.png)
I did it again !
This time, it was not a fluke !
Welcome back agonst the living, Kol, my friend.
My dear, intelligent friend.
(https://i.imgur.com/7xXaawO.png)
I will escort him in a resting room for a while. Let him regain his senses.
I realize his body was not perfectly fresh, having been drying out under the Sun for who knows how long.
Still, I have good hope he will be more compliant than the birds.
I will soon examine his body. I must know if his organs are intact.
Interrogations will have to happen.
This summer was productive
(https://i.imgur.com/KEJ8TPd.png)
I think I begin to understand ghoulification better.
But I need to test things further !
I am about to make a breakthrough that would benefit all dwarven-kind.
My work has to continue.
The time has come to test the process on a larger scale.
Smallhands corpses are lacking, but I have to get more !
I must find a much, MUCH larger supply of fresh corpses.
Spoiler: OOC (click to show/hide)
Post by: Spriggans on December 20, 2021, 08:00:08 am
Overseer's Log, Year 178.
(https://i.imgur.com/5ZrKTCC.png)
For anyone wondering, Kol attacked in 178, and is a werepig.
Science will be made...
Post by: kesperan on December 20, 2021, 08:58:26 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 20, 2021, 11:57:01 am
(https://i.imgur.com/Np5WoP6.png)
He was sealed away from society, as previous logs indicated he was actually cursed to take a swine form every moonlight !
And, as expected :
(https://i.imgur.com/Nwzg5dS.png)
After some time in quarantine, I interrogated him.
I tried to persuade him to join our forces and contribute to SmallHands' greatness.
He did not comply.
Fine !
May he rot forever in his shiny prison !
Now ! I'm starting to grow bored of raising non-useful undeads.
I really need to focus on more interresting races.
I had other plans.
I had to act swiftly.
I needed to acquire a large quantity of sentient tissues for my large scale experiment.
The fortress' necropolis was what I had in mind.
After all, the sheer amount of material buried right there was astonishing.
A group of dwarves volunteers helped me in my task.
During a night, I sent them in the Necropolis.
As I instructed them to, they dug the graves, and extracted the partially conservated bodies.
(https://i.imgur.com/NYtGqhU.png)
This pile of promising body parts was less fresh than I originaly thought.
But I had to proceed quickly before sunrise !
I believe the residents would not approve that I disturbe their deads like that. But it had to be done for the Greater Good.
The bodies were in place.
(https://i.imgur.com/yAV7vaH.png)
If my calculations were correct. I could bring back to this world almost 40 forlorn ghouls.
After that, my fame would be set.
(https://i.imgur.com/wQnwhqZ.png)
The Necromancer gestured.
Some noise could be heard in the ghoulification chamber.
My success was near.
No ...
(https://i.imgur.com/Q9W3CJd.png)
No no noooo noooooo !!!
(https://i.imgur.com/Y6jA8qx.png)
....
I regained my senses...
As it turned out, the specimen I excavated were not fresh enough.
None of them gave anything remotely satisfying.
All this potential had been wasted by previous overseers. Had they risen the bodies on time...
I destroyed the now wasted materials and called it a night.
I thought about what to do next.
I had some promising ideas...
Post by: Bombyx Mori on December 20, 2021, 10:21:23 pm
I started working on a little project which would help me acquire deceased specimens of satisfactory quality.
This is Smallhands' tree-farm-water-supply :
(https://i.imgur.com/PK0o45e.png)
It is conviniently placed near the Surface.
I asked the dwarves to build a little contraption for me near the bargaining area.
(https://i.imgur.com/d2tzwfW.png)
It will be used when given the chance.
I must acquire more interresting studying material.
Just a reminder that we have a perfectly good drowning chamber already built above the reanimation chamber for easy ghoulification.
By the way, I'm pretty sure if you left the zombie of Racon around until the end of the year, we would go back to the age of myth.
Post by: Spriggans on December 21, 2021, 03:52:05 am
I needed this new drowning chamber thought.
As for the Titan, I think I atom smashed it... Did not think about bringing back the Age of Myths.
Post by: King Zultan on December 21, 2021, 04:05:45 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 21, 2021, 08:49:18 am
Something unexpected happened that will probably change the way I'll tale my story.
With christmas coming, I might only be able to tale it next Monday.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Don't panic, we endure.
At least I'll have materials for study, I guess.
That Googhive is impossible to defend BTW, and FPS are at 5 ^^'
EDIT : lol
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Salmeuk on December 21, 2021, 08:59:14 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 21, 2021, 11:03:40 am
They probably helped not getting overrun though
Post by: King Zultan on December 22, 2021, 02:36:46 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 22, 2021, 04:52:38 am
I was doubting my abilities to produce usefull undeads. I needed to proove myself I was competent.
Yet, this failure made me realize two things :
- Dwarves are complex beings. Their bodies need to be extra-fresh for proper ghoulification. Timing is of highest importance.
- Lesser beings, not as complex (such as Osprey men, or wereswines) don't need this super quality. They can be raised even years after death, and even with dried living tissues.
During Fall, I would conduct two experiments to confirm these theories.
The first experiment would involve freshly killed dwarves.
Namely, Dôbar and Ast, proud citizens, of SmallHands :
(https://i.imgur.com/ptvICQp.png)
Errr, "Children citizens of Smallhands", would be a more accurate term.
I had to assure a clean death.
The water reservoir above the room, and the vital need of air of the children, helped me achieve this.
(https://i.imgur.com/k8mYPrO.png)
Just like that, I had acquired two bodies of prime quality !
And when the smoke cleared :
(https://i.imgur.com/myH6uKU.png)
These were Sentient Ghouls !
And they were part of Smallhands' unit list.
(https://i.imgur.com/kXpWWgL.png)
The ghoul-lings walked out of the room, playing "make believe", as if nothing happened.
I will keep a close eye on them, especially on the older one, who is 11 yos.
I wonder how he will age...
For my second theory, about the futility of freshness for lesser sapien, I had to dig into long forgotten tunnels.
This ...
(https://i.imgur.com/kUOei4B.png)
... was Gold to my eyes.
In the many layers of the caves, I could see the bodies of : Trolls, Blind Cave Ogres, Maneras (https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Manera), Troglodytes, Gorlak, Reachers (https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Reacher), and more !
Bringing this pile back to my studying chamber would ensure months of research !
I had to loot the Cavern of its treasures !
I had to take it !
Yet, there was one difficulty
(https://i.imgur.com/NCnPUdj.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZuQp4Fm.png)
Behold : Pelese.
A towering crocodile. A monster. An abomination of Nature. It should not be allowed to live.
It was old, and wounded, and had lurked Smallhands for years, yet it was scary and monstrous.
I ordered the military to kill it.
(https://i.imgur.com/BVXfCZW.png)
I enthralled the troops :
"Warriors, do not fear Death ! Any fallen brethren will be brought back amongst his pairs !
Just take care of your head, I can salvage the rest !"
My speech must have motivated them. Pelese stood no chance.
(https://i.imgur.com/U2zRG6w.png)
Recon claimed the kill.
With its guardian gone. The Caverns were mine to loot.
Some time has passed.
It took several days for the dwarves to recover the biomass and put it in the REZ chamber.
But, as daunting a task, it was worth it.
It was very, VERY worth it.
I mean, just look at all the worth :
(https://i.imgur.com/wnaIh3o.png)
For unexplainable reasons, only the Troll, and the Troglodytes were risen.
Spoiler: OOC (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/hmFuNpi.png)
But this was more than I could have hoped for.
I managed to raise years and years of Pelese's kills.
These Troghoulytes (as I like to call them), are alive thanks to me.
If given the time to think about their new life, they will surely realize this, proove faithful and bind to me.
I did order a large network of rooms dug for the newly born Troghoulytes, and for the other ghouls to come.
There, they would stay, for future interrogation, and study.
It was an easy task to trap the wild Troghoulytes in their room.
I simply caged them and tossed them inside from an opening above :
Spoiler: GIF Troghoulytes pitted (click to show/hide)
Wonderful.
There, they would stay, as magnificent witty beings.
(https://i.imgur.com/mkrTEiP.png)
Smallhands' ghoul population was increasing.
OOC
1/
Is bringing back the age of myths a bad thing?No. It's purely cosmetic.
2/
So what are you gonna do with all them undead?Officially, study them.
Hope they regain senses, and that maybe we could turn them to join SmallHands forces.
For real, we put them in glorified prison cells and leave them there forever.
They act as the official Fortress mascotts !
Ghouls retain their former allegiance. So "wild animals" stay wild
Yet, maybe we could use the throwing Pits to feed the Trolls-forlorn-ghouls invaders ?
Or maybe we could put them in an alternative goo-hive for defense, IDK, your call.
3/ We are at war with the humans :( The merchants did not show up, and I could not test my drowning machine on them. Pity.
4/ What are the settings for visitors ? None showed up.
Did you previous overseers ever had any ?
Maybe it's because we don't have any public librairie / inn ?
END OF OOC
Post by: recon1o6 on December 22, 2021, 07:52:20 am
as for why the humans are at war with us, I can think of two reasons. 1. The human diplomat has been killed a few times over the years. 2. We DID attack a goblin settlement to the south that was apparently a human settlement which may have angered them.
and look at my dwarf being a badass again. Socking a forgotten beast in the face so its head is stuck on a comrades spear then decapitating it in a single strike
Post by: fatcat__25 on December 22, 2021, 12:15:55 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on December 22, 2021, 03:01:14 pm
Quote
If there are dead children, they are never worth resurrecting, and should be given a proper burial.
Welcome to smallhands, where we guarantee the burial of children. But only the children.
Troghoulytes is not a bad moniker for your horrid creations. In fact, it's quite brilliant!
Good job killing Pelese. Those caverns have lain, untouched by dwarvenkind, for at least a decade, until now (afaik).
Post by: King Zultan on December 23, 2021, 04:58:59 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 23, 2021, 05:05:06 am
I believe that the children will never mature to working age. If there are dead children, they are never worth resurrecting, and should be given a proper burial. (It seems to me that that has been tested in the past, although I don't remember where.)
Here ! http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=175473.msg8291883#msg8291883 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=175473.msg8291883#msg8291883)
They definitely will forever remain useless !
Post by: delphonso on December 23, 2021, 09:06:18 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 27, 2021, 10:26:57 am
Winter was harsh...
(https://i.imgur.com/NoILCAe.png)
Our dreaded ennemy, the Goblins, besieged us on a cold Timber morning...
They arrived in large numbers.
Spoiler: bigimage (click to show/hide)
Scouts counted roughly 150 foes. Amongst whom were trolls, beak dogs, humans, and goblins.
With our mere 10 competent soldiers, we were vastly outnumbered.
Following my predecessors' strategies of war, I ordered the lever of the Tall Bar pulled.
That would allow a warm consumption of the Ennemies' tissues.
While this method would mean I would loose the perfectly potent bodies of the attackers, it seemed to be the safest plan.
Given the threat, It was okay to waste all the fresh material.
I asked a dwarf to get in the Tall Bar, and release the Magma.
Sadly, what my predecessors did not account for was the fact that no one was in the Tall Bar right then.
Someone had to walk up the stairs, WHICH WERE NEAR GLASS WINDOWS FOR SOME STUPID REASON !
The dwarves walked the stairs.
They gazed outside and saw the Ennemy...
... And they were too scared to trigger the Magma release and turned back !
I was very, very, annoyed...
When someone eventually found the courage to release Death (https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Magma) on the besiegers, it was already too late...
The living tissues had found a way into the fortress through an un-protected opening !
(https://i.imgur.com/uFaYDwI.png)
And while some of them got killed by our few traps, the majority of them went into the infamous GooHive ...
At this point, I had no choice.
The GooHive led straight to the fortress...
The invaders were coming toward us, probably to steal my beloved Forlorn Ghouls !
I HAD to defend my Troghoulytes ! And I had to defend SmallHands !
I ordered all SmallHands' warriors to station in the GooHive and wait for impact.
The Trolls were the first wave to strike !
But the warriors were ready...
Chaos unsued :
(https://i.imgur.com/4JsmLFN.png)
Suffering only two losses (excluding cats), the dwaves won the battle :
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The warriors bodies did not sustain any major injury.
They would be ressurected later if given the chance.
The second wave promised more deadly :
(https://i.imgur.com/WMFIfQk.png)
A vast force of intelligent goblins, riding Beak Dogs, was approaching.
I ordered the exausted warriors to retreat at the start of the GooHive.
My predecessors told me the Hive had a secret bridge crushing weapon.
I waited for the goblins to approach, and used it to splatter about half of the invaders.
But the rest of them had to be fought one-on-one...
This image does not give the actual chaos justice, but blows were given on both sides :
(https://i.imgur.com/6sy4XB1.png)
Look at all these colours !
If our warriors manage victory, I would have many fresh corpses at my disposal !
The smoke cleared...
The Surface went silent...
We...
We've won ?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
We have achieved victory !
But we suffered many losses.
And the Surface is littered with Death (https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Losing) :
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The corpses cannot be wasted !
I have a loooot of work to do !
OOC :
Thanks for the positive feedbacks !
Final update tomorrow.
Post by: recon1o6 on December 27, 2021, 12:35:35 pm
Some imbecile must have messed with the stockpiles again! I set up an empty barrel and cage store there explicitly so dwarves were always about
Who did we lose? and I suppoes thats one way to tame the catsplosion
Post by: Spriggans on December 27, 2021, 01:08:55 pm
But, given my previous posts, you can probably tell that we've "lost" no-one
Post by: recon1o6 on December 27, 2021, 02:20:16 pm
Post by: King Zultan on December 28, 2021, 04:00:50 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 28, 2021, 05:49:34 am
(https://i.imgur.com/SGcRLu4.png)
The meat piles were just too many.
Our 30 dwarves would not be able to recycle all of the tissues before rot would set in.
I was on a tightly timed schedule.
I had to prioritize who and what I would ressurect.
Surprisingly, only 5 dwarves, of lesser importance, fell during the attack.
Id, Onget, Urvad, Astesh and 'Reg' (who actually died of his wounds later in the hospital) were the only casualties.
Well, obviously, I had to reward the warriors of their courage. And so I did :
(https://i.imgur.com/z4vKWGx.png)
I brought their bodies back to life !
I am so proud of my past experimentations !
I now know a lot about ressurection, and (thanks to me) the warriors were quickly brought back to a satisfactory life-form.
You do not die so easily in SmallHands...
After several days of work, the dwarves finally brought me the bodies of some of the attackers.
I successfully conducted yet another ressurection process :
(https://i.imgur.com/UREEjgB.png)
I placed these beautiful Specimens in the rooms near the Troghoulytes
I did not know it at the time, but these Trolls would be the last ghouls I would produce before SmallHands' inhabitants would banish me...
Because you see, according to the dwarves, my activities this year were not that "exemplary"...
I disrupted graves.
I ressurected their fallen ennemies.
I experimented with dead tissues, and dissected body parts.
Some say I enthralled Id, Onget, Urvad, Astesh and 'Reg', whose new lives were (and I quote) : "not quite what they were before"
And it is true that the fortress was filled with Miasma and that bodies parts could be seen in every room.
Indeed.
I must admit I was not very high in the dwarves' hearts...
But I believe that this ...
(https://i.imgur.com/PpFwn7E.png)
... was the tipping point after which they really started to openly hate me.
My work was about to be complete.
I had made so much progress. I had come up with a variation in the ressurection process that I needed to test.
I was about to make the breakthrough I longed for.
All I needed was access to some extra-freshly-killed dwarves
When I saw the dwarven caravan pilling up in the room near my water-drowning-machine, I just knew the time had come to experiment again !
(https://i.imgur.com/DZ7Jtfa.png)
I closed the access doors to the Depot. I pulled the lever.
Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
In the merchants' lungs,
the water flew.
(https://i.imgur.com/HG2GK0H.png)
But, at my utter disconted, I would not be given the chance to gather the promising bodies.
This was the last straw for the dwarves.
Despite all my great work ! Despite all the progress we made together !
I got banished forthwith of SmallHands...
The militia's forlorn Ghouls drew their weapons.
They had ME, THEIR CREATOR as their target !!!
I was "politely asked to leave".
I ran for the hills.
Never to see this place again.
What would happen to me now ? I do not yet know...
I am leaving this wonderful place with a bitter taste in my mouth.
The only testimony of my reign in SmallHands would be the Ghouls Chambers, whose denizen will inhabit forever...
(https://i.imgur.com/bqoSp5a.png)
I wish I could have filled the remaining empty rooms. But my presence is no longer allowed here.
If given more time and bodies, I would have made the discovery I anticipated.
If only the dwarves were less obtuse...
...
Time to go now !
Farewell, and praise the Ghouls !
OOC :
-> Ahah !! :D
(https://i.imgur.com/LDd1ocZ.png)
-> @Recon : you prooved priceless in the battle against the gobos :
(https://i.imgur.com/Fvuhzy3.png)
-> This is our unit list at the end of the year :
Spoiler: Units (click to show/hide)
This is a good improvement from the mere 2 we had at the start of the year !
-> None of the drowned merchants could ressurect AT ALL (not even in zombie form)
The outpost liaison I could only get a Zombie, no Ghouls (might be by lack of luck)
-> I deconstructed the Trade Depot to fix some broken merchants.
I assigned it for reconstruction, but the dwarf has to move every single item out of the way first.
At the rate he's going, it could take months to do... The Trade Depot is henceforth not built yet.
-> We have 2 unhappy dwarves :
- 'FEVERED armorsmith'. A level 19 armor guy. Is stumbling obliviously, and is probably doomed. But I assigned him armorsmithing duties.
- 'Malfoy'. StressLevel is at 20,500. I assigned him to produce bone bolts. Maybe he can be saved.
I died again, well shit.-> No, you did not. You are a lvl 18 Farmer. Safe and alive (though you have Fever).
-> I have fixed the Tall Bar's windows and windmills problems
-> The military probably needs a little revamp
-> The GooHive is still filled with corpses. I locked the doors and bridges.
-> Which reminds me, the GooHive is utter garbage for defense against attackers.
At the very least, you should make all of the Hive crushing bridges (not only the end).
We could also add a bridge at the ending side of the Hive (right now, it's just doors, so Trolls can enter the fortress)
-> Praise the Ghouls.
HERE IS THE SAVE :
EDIT : IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS NO THE CORRECT SAVE.
I'm LOOKING FOR IT.......
Post by: recon1o6 on December 28, 2021, 06:29:32 am
it seems appropriate our cloud of bees died after injury. must have gotten stuck in some gobbos
and did recon just get a second title? what did she need when she had the tavern keeper as her epiphet
Post by: Spriggans on December 28, 2021, 07:22:10 am
The only save from after my year I can find is a retired one :
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15798 (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15798)
I think I fu**d up with my backups because I can only find a Spring backup. Which is devoid of any interresting progress...
I don't have a playable version of Granite 183 :(
If I can't find a Fortress version of 183 of Spring, I guess it's up to us to decide what to do :
- Etheir unretire the 183 save : But we loose the ghouls pets, we have fucked-up military, assignements, levers....
- Either reroll year 182 and pretend my reign did not happen.
I'm still searching, but I really doubt I'll find a stable 183 year.
:'(
EDIT : Nope !
I've only found a working backup from 04/182 - right after ghoulifying the were-pig.
So I guess, you guys decide what to do ! Take the save from 04/182, unretire, or take it from 01/182
I'm very sorry because that was a fun year.
Post by: recon1o6 on December 28, 2021, 08:32:40 am
Post by: delphonso on December 28, 2021, 06:27:17 pm
I wouldn't expect you to recreate your turn, Spriggans - worst case scenario, any ideas what to do with the 04/182 save?
Post by: delphonso on December 28, 2021, 09:06:09 pm
It also seems many of our artifacts are missing - though some might reappear after some time. I've had this happen before. The slabs seem to be totally gone, though.
The good news: no merchants arrived. Our population is 42, plus...jesus 150 animals?
Post by: Salmeuk on December 28, 2021, 09:07:25 pm
well... I mean, I hate to say it but replaying your turn, even if things go differently, might be the best option... ah it's tough because there is so much work goes into these posts.
whatever happens, that sucks.
Post by: King Zultan on December 29, 2021, 03:08:10 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 29, 2021, 03:46:05 am
Lot of effort went into roleplaying this, and just letting the year roll would be weird.
Here is the save at 182-04-02, in case someone wants a 8 months turn.
Otherwize, just reroll the year. I'm okay with it.
If you decide to play on 02/04/182, this is what I have done so far :
- got a were-pig-ghoul
- fixed the Tall Bar mechanisms (I think... might still be WIP)
- got 2 ospreymen ghouls
- wood-work area done
- some QOL fixes
have not done :
- turned our militia ghoulish
- got no troghoulytes
- have not killed Pelese
- got no siege. So morale is probably higher.
- the merchants still love us
SAVE AT APRIL (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15800)
Whatever happens, I'm okay with ! On a roleplay standpoint, it could all have been some sort of nightmare.
GLHF for the next guys !
Post by: delphonso on December 29, 2021, 04:01:21 am
Post by: recon1o6 on December 29, 2021, 06:33:18 am
after all, how hard is it to recreate a font of misery and death in a place like this :D
Post by: fatcat__25 on December 29, 2021, 12:39:40 pm
Post by: delphonso on December 29, 2021, 04:51:43 pm
Post by: King Zultan on December 30, 2021, 03:19:43 am
Post by: delphonso on December 30, 2021, 07:33:48 am
Post by: Spriggans on December 30, 2021, 08:13:48 am
Spriggans, out of curiousity, how many save scums did it usually take to res a ghoul instead of a zombie?
On average. I would say 4 or 5 resets max.
If I did not get it after 5, I'd call it a day.
Most of the times, I'd get ghouls on the first 3 attempts.
What I realized was that even with 10 corpses, the necromancer REZ either 10 ghouls or 10 zombies. So it's not a 50-50 per corpse.
(Otherwize, having 10 ghouls at once would be impossible odds..., say, 1/2 to the power 10. So impossible).
Thanksfully, the necro chooses to rise ghouls at, I would say 50% chance.
Post by: callisto8413 on January 01, 2022, 02:46:53 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on January 02, 2022, 08:44:33 am
Journal of the Tavern Keeper 1st of Hematite 182
Some days I wonder why we bother having elections in smallhands. Mayor Lorbam Roadyawn is exactly the sort of person you don't want as mayor and not for multiple terms! She dreams of attaining rank in society and loves guile and trickery. She also finds leisure time wasteful and sacrifice to be wasteful and foolish.
The sort of person, were she to become a noble, would be like the ones that were responsible for the mess at cactushexes, not letting the soldiers rest and sending them out into suicidal battles while the upper class fled.
I am certain she keeps mandating large gems so she can bribe dwarves into electing her.
In other news, Overseer Snaggrips, I think that's how you spell it (The handwriting was cursive in the extreme), sought my permission at the beginning of the year to use the resurrection chamber for !!science!! to see if the strength of an undead was correlated to the time of death. He further explained that if there was a connection, then it would be best if it was learned before attempting to kill the head servant of the god of thralldom in case Weevil himself revives Ikud to fight us again.
I begrudgingly conceded that would need to be looked into and told him if mayor Lorbam ends up having an unfortunate accident, then he has my approval to take her corpse for a control element!
The first results have come in and so far the osprey corpses havent done much and the werepig curse still changes undead. Luckily Snaggrips had the foresight to install additional cages before Kol's torture chamber.
Time for a drink
Spilt strawberry wine lines the page
----------------------
I thought that booze tasted off, so that's where my other test batch of coma inducing wine went. Must have mixed up the bottles at some point with the regular Tall Bar batch.
Here I am once more in time's river as a disembodied soul. I got a bit of time before my liver kicks in and I return to my body unconcious for a nap.
By Armok I look a right mess when I pass out on the bar top. I wonder whose going to wake me in the near future... oh no, its the overseer himself.
Wait...Snaggrips why are you leaving me? You arse! I'll double your tab for this!
Hang on...
A break in to the catacombs?
troglobyte ghouls?
Oh I killed Pelese, I had forgotten it was down there.
and...a massive siege
followed by oh wow i made quite a mess of those goblins
Recon lets loose a roaring laughter into the void as her liver starts working and drags her back to her body
Journal of the Tavern Keeper 2nd of Hematite 182
Damn it. I went down to the catacombs and started moving coffins to hiding places starting with Kingzultan's (she was supposed to be in the hall of legends!) and locked the doors to try and prevent the intrusion.
Much to my frustration the intruders had simply removed the doors instead of finding the keys! that didn't buy me anywhere near as much time as I hoped and I had to flee less I get discovered. Among the enthralled and turncoats were other military members, and as good as I am, I could not hope to fight that many of Smallhand's finest.
True to time's weave multiple coffins had been broken into for parts and the resurrection chamber showed signs of fresh use this morning. Thank goodness I spared some of the dead from that terrible fate.
Much to my frustration I did not discover the perpetrator of these deeds. Nonetheless I must move carefully to avoid being silenced. I am just the Tavern Keeper at this point in time. I know not whether Snaggirps is behind this or if he's just a puppet.
Post by: Spriggans on January 02, 2022, 11:27:19 am
So, you are truong to replicate my year ?
You dont HAVE to if its too tough ;)
Post by: delphonso on January 06, 2022, 09:58:48 pm
I updated the first post and now we've reached the point that I have to start making efficiencies because we've gone over the character cap! Probably from all the URLs! We did it!
Post by: recon1o6 on January 08, 2022, 10:16:40 am
Just had a crash, but I got this gem before it happened. what a way to go! Dying to exploding booze
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/275376364096585728/929392283567153192/unknown.png)
Post by: King Zultan on January 09, 2022, 04:13:19 am
Post by: delphonso on January 09, 2022, 08:54:53 pm
I wonder if some dwarves wish they'd die like that?
Honestly, this is how I want to go.
Post by: Laterigrade on January 11, 2022, 09:15:54 pm
ha ha, nice
I updated the first post and now we've reached the point that I have to start making efficiencies because we've gone over the character cap! Probably from all the URLs! We did it!
Post by: recon1o6 on January 12, 2022, 11:14:16 am
rl sucks ;n;
Post by: xkcd1963 on January 13, 2022, 08:55:38 pm
Post by: delphonso on January 13, 2022, 11:17:28 pm
Now that a major stressor has got out the way, gonna attempt to recreate the rest of the turn over the next day or two
rl sucks ;n;
No rush, recon. Your updates are always a pleasure to read. Definitely worth the wait.
May I apply as overseer?
Certainly!
Post by: xkcd1963 on January 14, 2022, 10:52:58 am
Certainly!:D for spot 35?
Post by: recon1o6 on January 17, 2022, 09:02:08 am
I hoped to have finished the turn for today but rl has been demanding my attention a lot lately, not to mention the length of time it took to locate the entrance to pelese.
I ended up playing till the new year then realised I had missed the troghoulytes so I restarted from my month 6 save. The siege is a lot more toasty when half of it is under magma, so rng permitting we'll be able to smack the gobbos into the dirt
On the downside, this meant no death by exploding booze
Post by: delphonso on January 21, 2022, 01:35:31 am
:D for spot 35?
Yep, go ahead! You're on when recon wraps up their turn.
I still haven't had time to unpack my computer, but I should come into some free time this month and could probably play a real turn.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 26, 2022, 05:00:47 am
I think I will be done for tomorrow. Though my post will remain pretty brief since I been lacking energy due to the events that have dragged me away from df
Post by: recon1o6 on January 27, 2022, 12:31:48 pm
Curse that now shaven lout! He spilled his drink on my journal and ruined a good few of the entries. I cut off half his beard as punishment and banned him from the tavern for a month. He begged me not to do that, and I agreed providing he shaved the rest of it. The fool did leave his moustache alone but it was close enough.
Before I depart to prepare the election for the next overseer, I shall record the main events that happened in the now ale sodden pages.
During the raid one of the dwarves ended up possessed while I fled, carrying KingZultan's coffin away. By KingZultan herself no less and she promtly tried to arrest everyone.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/602527011793010688/936043524640616488/unknown.png)
After breaking up the morbid gathering, she came to me and demanded to be placed back in her coffin. I told her that someone had put her in the wrong part of the catacombs and I was placing her in the Hall of Legends as soon as the paperwork was done. A quick trip to Snaggrips' office and KingZultan once again departed this realm
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/602527011793010688/936044522721398824/unknown.png)
Not satisfied with the haul of old corpses, the overseer made us go kill Pelese.
Despite popular theory saying I punched the forgotten beast's head onto Oddum's pike, that's only half the story. After the overseer tried to inspire us with his speech when we were holding our pre assault meeting, we had to get Salmeuk to knock down a couple of pieces of wall to attack it.
Salmeuk did as he was bade and retreated as Pelese was upon us in an instant.
The fight was horrible...for Pelese. We cut off some of its limbs and at one point Asmel bit the bugger and tore of its foot! The blasted thing refised to die and tried to breathe its boiling poison on us.
That's when I punched it, in the eye mind you, so hard its head twisted and landed on the spear.
It then choked on its own poison breath and its head started dissolving
I then decapitated it. Victory was ours!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/911396979521753098/unknown.png)
Alas no time to celerbrate. The goblins had come for dwarven blood! Snaggrips bellowed and demanded the magma release but our resident trenchcoat bees were too busy socialising. I then yelled up that the honey was at risk unless the Mugma was released and Reg pulled the lever, drowning about 2/3 of the goblin horde in liquid fire.
We let some of the magma empty then swept for survivors. The goblins, though battered were still trying to put up a fight. Id got shoved backwards by a nasty blow from a lasher onto some lava which ignited his drinks ration. everything exploded then but Id was still standing.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/275376364096585728/929392283567153192/unknown.png)
Meanwhile one of the swamp hunters, Sibrek, took a crossbow bolt to the neck which damaged his spine.
Having none of it he leapt from the battlements, shot the gobbo repeatedly as he closed in, beat him in melee with a crossbow, ripped off the goblins helmet and executed it the same manner it wounded him
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/602527011793010688/936050987750273074/unknown.png)
Sadly the battle among the flames had a bit of a chain reaction and we lost a few dwarves to either exploding booze or lava. But not a single one to goblin blades, and not a single goblin lived to tell the tale.
In the meantime, the cyclops attempted to escape but tripped the cage trap.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/602527011793010688/936045720891424778/unknown.png)
Overseer Snaggrips was annoyed rather than mourning our losses. Only two soldiers could be raised from the dead with the boiling beer having consumed several corpses. This was the proof I needed that he was orchestrating necromancy in the fortress for selfish reasons.
We reset the cyclops in the cage, ready to be released. As usual when working with necromancy disaster struck.
Some of the trogloghouls as he called them ended up attacking the crundles, Malfoy and Salmeuk the latter two were hauling more carcasses to the resurrection chamber. They were attacked but Salmeuk knows how to defend himself and mangled some with picks. The cyclops also got caged again due to an oversight.
The Overseer was angry and demanded more and fresh troglobytes from the caverns...but nobody was paying attention. Clean up of the siege was underway and apparently goblin corpses were sub par. The one traitor we found and decapitated was also caught in the alcohol explosion.
At one point I popped into the armoursmith's hall and found something weird. Mayor Callisto Lorbram was giving an armoursmithing demonstration to Fescue and Bluarian. The latter doesn't need it, but the former was curious if half awake. Malfoy was also there attempting to socialise instead of listening to the lecture.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/602527011793010688/932622279723081808/unknown.png)
The real funny part was that a cat walked in right as Callisto finished his lecture and apparently came out a Dabbling armourmsith
Finally, last night, the overseer had enough of people ignoring his orders. Snaggrips dragged two of our fallen to the ressurection chamber and they were raised
The ghost of Nezclaw, Oddom and Id all possessed the new ghouls however and sent him running for the hills.
Good riddance. Sadly their ghosts are still around and we have a party ongoing currently so they won't get slabs yet.
But, the weather is getting warmer at last and sunlight is poking through the goo clouds, revealing to us the extent of the goblinite bounty. Quite a haul if I say so myself.
We've had a lot of cats, dogs and GRIZZLY BEARS breeding and growing to become full adults. Hopefully the next overseer can train them up since we're lacking in dwarf power currently.
The tall bar had the magma reset (despite the confusingly labelled levers) and is full again for the next siege, so at least we have that for fort defence.
Necromancers and goblins. Smallhands' twin enemies. When will they learn that dawn always breaks on their demise?
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/638374248834138134/912510589186752532/unknown.png)
----------------------------
Save https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15833
I managed to replicate most of the save. I didn't ghoulify the militia because all but one of them that did die ended up being immolated in !!longland beer!!
that being said, their ghosts are around and causing havoc. Death by exploding booze is too awesome a demise for me to savescum that in what little time rl has afforded me recently.
I had some trogloghouls and crundle ghouls, but some are in cages and some mangled each other. There's still loads of corpses inside the caverns though, the siege had bad timing and cleanup was needed.
Pelese was killed by Recon again, in a similar manner too.
Didn't drown the merchants because they came and left during the siege and I didn't have the dwarfpower available.
Reset the tallbar magma after the siege. It took about a month because of lever positions and names. (Stack number 1 ON position is the OFF position :P, the disconnect to the windmills is not so much a disconnect as a valve)
Post by: recon1o6 on January 27, 2022, 12:36:56 pm
Ikud, weevilmessiah's top servant and big bad in the world waged a war against everything and was constantly on the offensive until smallhands went and raided one of its outposts.
We literally stopped the bugger from launching anymore conquests for nearly 15 years. Since then Ikud's been attacking smallhands to no avail.
Recon also according to legends SUCCESSFULLY DESTROYED THE SLAB
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/602527011793010688/936314323779854356/unknown.png)
Post by: Spriggans on January 27, 2022, 04:39:31 pm
Thanks you so much Recon for the hard work.
Your POV of the story was... Different thant mine. :)
Hoo and this
Quote
The real funny part was that a cat walked in right as Callisto finished his lecture and apparently came out a Dabbling armourmsithNEEDS to be scienced !
*visions of military skills trained cats*
Post by: callisto8413 on January 27, 2022, 05:06:47 pm
Amazing.
Thanks you so much Recon for the hard work.
Your POV of the story was... Different thant mine. :)
Hoo and thisQuoteThe real funny part was that a cat walked in right as Callisto finished his lecture and apparently came out a Dabbling armourmsithNEEDS to be scienced !
*visions of military skills trained cats*
(https://images2.imgbox.com/fd/8a/ZlR5KHHZ_o.png)
Post by: recon1o6 on January 27, 2022, 05:29:36 pm
It does not stop them getting experience indirectly via lectures it seems. Since cats also do not have a SKILL_RATE token, the skill gain does not rust
There is no research on the wiki it seems on how much experience demonstrations give. So whether I just caught the last lecture before this cat became qualified, or whether it was that good of a lecture is unknown.
Post by: King Zultan on January 28, 2022, 05:25:13 am
Post by: delphonso on January 28, 2022, 08:56:33 am
Post by: recon1o6 on January 28, 2022, 05:25:59 pm
bar the merchant drownings. Exploding booze is too damn awesome for me to divert attention from to drown the buggers
so i guess onto the next overseer whoever that is
Post by: delphonso on February 04, 2022, 05:34:11 pm
Post by: xkcd1963 on February 05, 2022, 12:42:29 pm
xkcd should be up for the turn now. Did you get started or should we pass the turn?Oh I thought I need to wait until the main-article was updated, 35 is still free according to the list. I'm also not sure where to get the latest safe-file. This one I guess https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15833 okay I'll do it asap.
Post by: delphonso on February 05, 2022, 06:53:43 pm
Unrelated, in my DnD game, I named a goblin 'Yeek Elf-foe' as a little reference for myself towards Elpho.
Post by: recon1o6 on February 05, 2022, 08:13:05 pm
xkcd should be up for the turn now. Did you get started or should we pass the turn?Oh I thought I need to wait until the main-article was updated, 35 is still free according to the list. I'm also not sure where to get the latest safe-file. This one I guess https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15833 okay I'll do it asap.
that is indeed the correct file! looking forward to it!
Unrelated, in my DnD game, I named a goblin 'Yeek Elf-foe' as a little reference for myself towards Elpho.
amazing
meanwhile my players are fighting Armok tonight. He's just toying with them tonight.
Post by: TheFlame52 on February 05, 2022, 11:31:06 pm
meanwhile my players are fighting Armok tonight. He's just toying with them tonight.Meanwhile I'm working on a homebrew campaign set in a lightly modded Dwarf Fortress world, and Armok is one of the dozen or so significant gods. :D
Post by: recon1o6 on February 06, 2022, 06:46:55 am
meanwhile my players are fighting Armok tonight. He's just toying with them tonight.Meanwhile I'm working on a homebrew campaign set in a lightly modded Dwarf Fortress world, and Armok is one of the dozen or so significant gods. :D
My homebrew world does have some of the fortresses I've been in as actual locations. Armok himself is basically letting the "top god" of the dwarves hold his post for him while he goes and has fun.
So far they have been to Redgem the blue gem, Dimplesteal (captured but fled) they spotted Boatmurdered and want to go there and they've done a lot for smallhands. They also almost drowned in the Tall Bar's magma because one of them is a goblinoid and another was mistaken for a Feywild creature.
As for why Armok's having a friendly brawl with them in a set of trials older than Armok himself, well he owes someone a favour for a large bottle of alcohol and its time to pay up.
Post by: delphonso on February 07, 2022, 08:26:29 pm
Yeek Elf-foe was introduced and allied with - a player immediately said "this guy fucks" when they met him. I'm giving the group a few options for campaigns - one of which is basically a retelling of The Hobbit - which will certainly lend itself to a lot of DF references.
Post by: Laterigrade on February 09, 2022, 10:57:05 pm
Yeah, my bad for not updating. It's been busy...ahaha nice
Unrelated, in my DnD game, I named a goblin 'Yeek Elf-foe' as a little reference for myself towards Elpho.
a nice reversal, too, with Elpho the Elflover named ‘elf-foe’.
Post by: recon1o6 on February 16, 2022, 05:27:23 am
Post by: xkcd1963 on February 16, 2022, 11:38:46 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on February 16, 2022, 12:09:28 pm
Post by: xkcd1963 on February 17, 2022, 12:57:23 pm
So, puh. Into it. First thing .. so many items. We have almost 4000 silver bolts! Great, whom are we going to penetrate with that? And almost 15k food units, we are not going to suffer from starvation anytime soon.
I'm quite uncertain how to proceed with the ghosts in the fortress as I read that some missions took place which caused the co-existence of benign intelligent undead and their counterpart ghosts, but they freak half of the fortress out. Nezclaw and Zan Delethdeduk are to be memorialized (their fleshy counterparts are not on missions).
Solon, the "Raptor" was for some reason in a perpetual in the cemetery, forbidding Vucar Logemsanreb's skeleton solved the issue.
A lot of dwarfes suffer intense fever probably due to the vile goo that is raining occasionally.
2nd Granite 183
Two Osprey Man ghouls have been caged.
I could not befriend myself with the hollowed out hill on the eastern side, as gravity and erosion would have caused the cavity to collapse (OCD?). I hence tasked myself to follow my better judgement and make nature's laws happen.
16th Granite
Malfoy is throwing a tantrum. I rather not have her start a fist fight and look for a temporary "happiness" room and found the Asylum. She complied with the orders but not before accidentally destroying two farmers workshops, a quern and not before beating the sh☼t out of a beakdog.
21th Granite
A beakdog started tearing through some kittens, dogs and our spiritual leader Imic sacred mirth. The cycle of pointless violence...
18th Felsite
A buzzard has stolen masterwork prepared molemarian heart roast. Our masterchef feels uneasy about this desecration. The military has been ordered to exterminate all buzzard intruders.
1st Hematite
A vile force of darkness has arrived! About 130 invaders. Some weapon traps have been triggered. A petdog and a stray cat succumbed to goblins. The fortress is surrounded by the enemy. Soldiers have been called to the beak and wardog pasture.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
As the onslaught in the hallway progressed, while on temporary retreat, FEVERED Berast had lost his ability to stand and was left behind, as his disappearance was noticed, the other mighty warriors rushed to defend him. It was, sadly, not enough to safe him, and another dwarf leaves his life for the defence of this fortress.
After several days of intense fighting, the siege was lifted.
1st Limestone
The enemy have come and are laying siege to the fortress!
Those humans came here to taunt us though, not more, since none of their hooligans has come with weapons. And they brought Water Buffalo Bull Recruits. They had been taken care of in a swift and merciless manner.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
1st Moonstone
A vile force of darkness has arrived! Incredible amount of almost 300 invaders! Lots of beakdog riders, some trolls.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
20th Moonstone
As the siege continued, a reckless troll decided to destroy the floodgate that served in the past for nurturing soil and grow trees. But it happened to be winter and the water outside the tunnel froze.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
26th Moonstone
The local necromancers decided to have some fun on their behalf and raised grizzly bear skeletons who made our invading friends some amenities. Sparkly even entered a martial trance!
27th Moonstone
In order to levy the siege the HiveAccess has been opened. But just as this happened the besiegers decided to leave the site. Some remaining stragglers have been eradicated, albeit one troll remains that somehow found entrance into our water reservoir (he later climbed his way inside the fortress and destroyed a door, but has been put down without casualties).
16th Opal
"Oh, a grand collapse of earth shattered the fortress, a great depression surfaced where once was our bear breeding. I can't quite fathom how such disaster could struck then our mountainengineers were confident in their making. From survey it is safe to say that the necromancer tower still stays. We did some complementary digging as to decrease of such happenings and walled unwanted entrances to the fortress.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
:::
The last month I had been trying to resurrect fallen dwarfes, namely Nezclaw & Radiofort but I realised too late they were mangled and only partial skeletons were available. The ice melted somewhere end of Obsidian and the former bear breeding ground becomes a swamp now. And yea thats it for my year. We survived three sieges but besides that nothing spectacular happened.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
File: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15844
Post by: recon1o6 on February 17, 2022, 01:51:32 pm
Post by: Spriggans on February 17, 2022, 02:32:17 pm
Ahah ! I knew it !
I knew these windows in my Tower would be purposeful ! ;D
And what do you mean "nothing spectacular happened" ??!
What's with the giant cave in ? ???
Post by: xkcd1963 on February 17, 2022, 03:13:20 pm
three sieges, good grief. Weevilmessiah really wantsThe work on the artificial cave-in was constantly interrupted! Grarh. Took me a while to find all relevant levers.meus dead. Well done xkcd! It sounds like you had quite the year
Wow ! Did Spriggans actually rezurected something ??Wasn't the wall surrounding the tower placed actually for the purpose of preventing him from resurrecting stuff?
Ahah ! I knew it !
I knew these windows in my Tower would be purposeful ! ;D
And what do you mean "nothing spectacular happened" ??!Ahhh that one :P
What's with the giant cave in ? ???
Post by: recon1o6 on February 17, 2022, 03:48:51 pm
Wasn't the wall surrounding the tower placed actually for the purpose of preventing him from resurrecting stuff?
no it was to prevent dwarves and immigrants going in and getting fevered since thats where the goo rains
Post by: auzewasright on February 17, 2022, 08:00:06 pm
A lot of dwarfes suffer intense fever probably due to the vile goo that is raining occasionally.Not again...
Post by: TheFlame52 on February 17, 2022, 09:44:12 pm
Post by: Bombyx Mori on February 18, 2022, 01:01:19 am
Also the next overseer should watch out, one corner of the pool has vile goo.
On the plus side, I guess we can build something in the empty space. Maybe some fish will even materialize in the water!
A lot of them were already fevered, weren't they?Yes, although looking around the fortress I saw a lot more fevered cats than I remember...
Post by: recon1o6 on February 18, 2022, 04:36:53 am
Post by: delphonso on February 18, 2022, 07:58:27 am
Sign me up for a turn please
This puts you next, my friend!
Interesting turn, xkcd - three sieges is certainly a lot to handle, especially on a succession game with burrows and squads you didn't make yourself. Thanks for keeping the fort alive!
looking around the fortress I saw a lot more fevered cats than I remember...
Do cats...sweat?
after years of fevered being replaced by those of healthier persuasions, it sounds like we are back to square 1
I wonder if we still receive immigrants at this point. It may be tough to pull the same trick again.
Post by: recon1o6 on February 23, 2022, 05:36:18 am
edit: Holy shit xkcd literally destroyed half the upper levels of the map. this is the surface
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The big drop went 6 levels down to the asylum.
Recon and Knightwing got titles! Recon's is "The hungry treaty of consideration" and Knightwing's is "The embraced wheels of shooting" which seems an odd title since knightwing is a speardwarf not a marksdwarf
Recon in particular has 82 kills under her belt in this body. That puts her 4 kills away from 100 if we take into account before she body snatched Tholtig.
613 historical figures have died at smallhands
also, as of the end of this turn There are no more traitors left in the goblin civilisation. We have slain all the "dwarves" that turned their backs on dwarvenkind.
Post by: King Zultan on February 24, 2022, 01:42:34 am
There are no more traitors left in the goblin civilisation. We have slain all the "dwarves" that turned their backs on dwarvenkind.HUZZA!
Post by: delphonso on February 24, 2022, 01:46:05 am
Post by: Salmeuk on February 26, 2022, 06:56:01 pm
I will say that the majority of that side of the surface was already empty space. Not sure when exactly but early on, in the 'teens, a tree farm was created. At least that's what I think it was. Regardless, I remember that space constricting the design of the upper sections and found it interesting to work around. How strong that surface layer of sand must be, to have held itself aloft for all those years.
The return of the sickness, as well. The purple curse. Funny to think, this game predates widespread covid in the west.
Post by: King Zultan on February 27, 2022, 03:04:30 am
Post by: MrWillsauce on March 03, 2022, 10:32:05 am
I read through the whole thread and this is definitely one of the best succession games. Nogoodnames's updates especially were very enjoyable to read.
Post by: recon1o6 on March 03, 2022, 10:45:48 am
I'd like to do a turn please! I have in mind a plan to finally cleanse the site of goop and eradicate the FEVER.
I read through the whole thread and this is definitely one of the best succession games. Nogoodnames's updates especially were very enjoyable to read.
Alas the goo fell as rain so eliminating it isn't that easy!
Assuming avolotion brit doesn't start, then it will be you immediately!
Post by: MrWillsauce on March 03, 2022, 11:00:33 am
Post by: MrWillsauce on March 03, 2022, 04:26:54 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on March 03, 2022, 06:05:01 pm
Post by: MrWillsauce on March 03, 2022, 11:01:11 pm
This is a 2 page essay entitled Can Doogie Bronzesiege Save the World? authored by “Doogie” Bronzesiege. It concerns the life of the dwarf “Doogie” Bronzesiege. The writing has a somewhat serious tone. Overall, the prose is amateurish at best.
(https://i.imgur.com/vLCFihI.png)
The sun sets as I write on the 28th of Obsidian, hours ahead of the new year. Now is the time for all dwarves to take stock of ourselves and resolve to change for the better.
I am only twelve-and-a-half, young even by human standards, and my fellow dwarves consider me a child. Yet sometimes I feel I’ve got more ability in my medium-length mustache than they have in their whole bodies. These dwarves came to Smallhands as migrants, becoming molded and scarred by the traumas of this place. But I was raised here, in the company of forlorn ghouls and beakdogs and captive necromancers. I have no memories of my father, and mother would never talk of him. I was orphaned when I was eight: the goblins hacked my mother apart right in front of me and chopped off my foot. Although I oft malign the Chief Medical Dwarf, he was able to keep me from bleeding to death at least. I have mourned for her every day since, but tonight will be the last time. I will leave my grief behind me along with my childhood. I paid her a final visit tonight.
(https://i.imgur.com/8otjhDk.png)
And afterwards visited the museum where we keep her greatest achievement.
(https://i.imgur.com/i4ADUE3.png)
I felt the familiar wave of pride and sorrow rip through me and allowed the tears to fall. After tonight I will have no time for tears. I wiped them away and left only purpose firm to honor mother with my deeds. When my life is done history will say Asmel Oddomal gave two great gifts to dwarvenkind.
I left the museum and stood outside the hospital where I’d nearly bled to death years ago. Spending so much time in the hospital left its impression on me, and even before my maiming I could tell that healing was my vocation. My mother began calling me Doogie, after a character from a human story she once heard from a bard. Doogie was a Human Child who lived in a hospital, and he was so smart that all of the human doctors asked him what to do. Eventually they made Doogie a doctor too, and he was the greatest doctor in all the land. I started to read at age four, and, as we had no story books in the Smallhands library, I had to make with Start Your Day With Wound Wrapping. I was obsessed with it; I must have read it a thousand times. I couldn’t get over the idea that life-saving information could be held in the timeless pages of a bituminous coal-bound codex, and I wanted to memorize everything that might help another dwarf. I wanted to be a Doogie. My only limit was the number of books in the library, so instead I incessantly bothered the doctors with technical questions… but I found they didn’t know half as much as the books, and thus hit the other limit of my education. Though they’d never admit it, for the past couple of years I’ve made most of the medical decisions in Smallhands; “Doctor” Quarque and Chief Medical Dwarf Salmeuk merely take credit. I will admit that Doctor Quarque has definitely improved over the past couple of years, though it took some very gruesome trial and error to reach this point.
(https://i.imgur.com/ouiEios.png)
Dwarven law dictates that I am technically old enough to hold titles of nobility, and I am sure Salmeuk will relinquish the post to me with some convincing. I have respect for the dwarf as our longest-residing citizen, but truth be told he is an amateur doctor, and I suspect he will be relieved once I tell him I want to take over.
Salmeuk’s generation turned a stinking purple charnel pit into to the richest little fortress in the world. My generation could see it become something far greater, but we need leadership. I intend to seize not just the CMD post, but the position of Overseer of Smallhands. I have ideas for an ambitious healthcare system, and I’ll need to wield serious organizational power to make it happen. One year under my supervision should be enough to get us on track, at which point I plan to relinquish command and focus on the hospital full-time. I’ve spent the past six months studying our thirty-four-year history and reading the journals of all our past overseers. I feel more confidence in claiming the office: one of our past rulers was an alpaca. It served two terms. I believe they will accept a twelve-year-old.
Our community was founded on the principle that the best things in this world are smallest, and I plan to prove our founders right: by becoming the youngest doctor in all the dwarven world! My small hands will bind our people’s wounds of flesh and mind. These are the final thoughts of Ast the child; the sun will rise on Doctor Doogie Bronzesiege.
(https://i.imgur.com/mIymHAT.png)
Post by: delphonso on March 04, 2022, 12:21:05 am
AvolitionBrit, you were up next but in case you missed it, I can put you next in the queue.
Post by: recon1o6 on March 04, 2022, 04:41:57 am
We had 5 doctors over time in smallhands. Drs Salmeuk, Imic, Malfoy, Quarque and I forget the last one's name as it wasnt a dorfed member.
Salmeuk has knowledge but was fevered, Quarque never got chance to practice, Malfoy was by far the best but was also the mad doctor who stiched the ghouls over the living. Imic was brutally murdered by goblins. The last one also got fevered and reassigned to military duties
its strange to think we have had children grow up to be full adults with all the death.
Post by: Spriggans on March 04, 2022, 08:39:51 am
Many braves died trying to find a way to get rid of it... (And some of them were ressurected. And by doing so, they actually cured their Fever, amusingly...)
Looking forward to it !
EDIT:
Ast, Ast ... That name sounds familiar...
Spoiler: Another timeline... (click to show/hide)
Ho yeah ! That was the child-ghoul that got un-ghoulified by the intricacies of Space-Time-Corruption !
Yes ! You can claim him as overseer ! Go ahead, Doogie, you have my blessing, little child ! :D
Post by: recon1o6 on March 04, 2022, 09:51:07 am
and brave mother Asmel also named a shield
Rutodkot Zatam Shadmal. Dashstart the clout of confusing. A legendary iron shield named in 178
Post by: MrWillsauce on March 04, 2022, 03:20:22 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/C6XltUU.png)
Public Health Concern 1: Goblins
We’ve stood strong against the invaders for thirty-four years, but at tremendous cost. They wear us down, swelling our catacombs with every invasion. Every year they send more and more to overrun us. Especially after last year’s assault, the possibility of destruction by the goblin hordes feels very real.
Prevention
Our greatest weapon against the goblins is the giant stone mug which, before it broke, belched forth magma to melt hundreds of invaders. Due to some critical design flaws, the mechanisms powering its refill pumps all burned up and need to be replaced. I plan on fixing it as soon as possible by refitting the whole contraption with magma-proof gear assemblies.
Reading through our history has given me another idea…
(https://i.imgur.com/ZiriG27.png)
The first mention of Buqui I found was in 159 during Overseer Amara’s term. Another journal I read suggested capturing the beast and using it for a flamethrower, but now I can’t recall which dwarf wrote that. Whoever it was, their idea will come to fruition under my direction. Buqui has dwelled below us for twenty-five years, terrifying us and preventing us from harvesting the cavern’s bounty. For twenty-five years no overseer has been bold enough to deal with the beast. I’ve ordered a chamber constructed down in the caverns to lure the beast with a beak dog puppy. When it comes to roast the pup, a drawbridge will slam behind it and it will be ours. In the last year two fire imps come up from the magma sea into the magma forges. One has been caged, while the other roams loose for now. I intend to augment the Buqui flamethrower with these two imps, pitting them behind fortifications up at the main entrance where they can lob fireballs at incoming goblins.
Treatment
The hospital that has long served the dwarves of Smallhands is adequate, but I believe we are long overdue for an upgrade. Though it is a low priority, I have in mind a design for a new two-story hospital in the old limestone quarry.
(https://i.imgur.com/qzpMi0C.png)
Cure
We will know peace from goblin attacks when we raze Dimplesteal and put every last goblin to the axe. That is the only cure I can figure.
Public Health Concern 2: The Fever
A terrible affliction: its effects are more insidious than any other disease I’ve read about. It directly effects the quality of the afflicted dwarves’ craftsdwarfship! What cruel god could invent such a thing? Mere skin contact with the purple goop of the southeast is enough to infect a dwarf, presumably for life. Salmeuk has suffered a fever every day for thirty-four years with no end in sight. I’ve ordered a health screening of all thirty-five of our citizens and found that twenty-two have the fever. Two are undead and immune to disease, leaving eleven healthy, living dwarves.
(https://i.imgur.com/kJWLJ8C.gif)
Prevention
During the screening, each dwarf suffering from the fever I pinned a bronze badge in the shape of an F. From this day forward, until I deem it is safe, no dwarf will be permitted to go to the surface unless they carry a badge.
(https://i.imgur.com/pQKpMx6.png)
While the healthy dwarves work on my other projects below, the fevered dwarves will all be put to work in the swamp constructing a massive bauxite umbrella, blotting out the sun everywhere the goop rains within our borders. Magma will bubble from the top of the umbrella, melting and sterilizing all the goop as it lands. The swamp below will be cleansed with magma a final time to eradicate the last remaining goop.
Treatment
There is no known treatment for the fever. The best course of action is to remove the afflicted dwarves from any craft requiring high skill.
Cure
The dwarves of Smallhands have dabbled with necromancy and found that when one returns from the dead, they are immune to the fever and all other diseases. In a small number of cases, dead dwarves were even able to regain their living bodies, though no one fully understands how. Bringing a dwarf back from the dead is risky business, however; it relies on the fickle whims of a captive necromancer, and there is no guarantee that the dwarf will come back with its ‘soul’ intact.
I’ve hypothesized that a fevered dwarf bitten by a werepig would likewise be cured of the fever upon transformation, but this still needs to be proven. If we could get our hands on some vampire blood, we could experiment with that too.
1st Granite, 184
Just as I finished working out my plans to deal with the first two public health concerns, a third rears its head:
(https://i.imgur.com/rdDnVQq.png)
But it proved to be a false alarm: it appears that the elves ran out of arrows, as all of the ambushers were completely unarmed. This was no ambush; this was suicide-by-dwarf. One water buffalo survives and runs away from the slaughter… right into the goop-covered construction site. Most all of the competent militia dwarves are safe from the fever, and I intend to keep it that way. The beast scares the workers and causes a minor delay to umbrella construction.
20th Granite, 184
Tragedy has struck! One of the imps who climbed up into the fortress from the magma sea before I took office is loose in the quarry. I had hoped to cage the creature somehow, but it’s too late for that now.
(https://i.imgur.com/YBUnBgg.png)
I watched Recon catch fire, and miraculously survive! Their steel and adamantine armor saved them… until they decided to charge straight at the imp. They had the opportunity to escape with their life, but instead their hero’s heart made them confront the thing for the good of Smallhands. They took a dozen fireballs straight in the face and cooked inside their armor. The imp killed several beak dogs too, and I’m afraid to send in the militia to fight it. If it could kill the best equipped dwarf in the fortress that easily, I see no way to kill the imp without heavy casualties.
The imp has wandered out of the quarry and started throwing fireballs at everyone. I have no choice but to attack it with the militia, knowing full well that more will die. A disaster.
Finally, dwarves who know how to dodge fireballs arrive on the scene and quickly kill the thing with no further casualties.
(https://i.imgur.com/xKzGUQc.png)
The kill goes to Momuz the hammerer, husband to Zultanking. With so much smoke and death it is hard for me to know for certain how many perished. At least Recon’s armor prevented her body from melting, and she can be interred in her lavish mausoleum. The artifact axe and shield, as well as her suit of armor are given to legendary axedwarf Ustuth Imagetorches the Spirit of Lamentation, who is also promoted to militia captain.
(https://i.imgur.com/qyG0ic8.png)
The bright side of this catastrophe is I have seen first-hand the devastation these fire creatures can wreak. When our imp-powered flamethrower is operational, it will spell the doom for any goblin siege we’re likely to encounter. I ordered the entrance to the magma sea fitted with a long hallway of traps to make sure this never happens again.
A flood of migrants has arrived and our population now stands at fifty-six, and I count nineteen now living with the fever. I’ve assigned many of the new arrivals to the mechanics workshops to expedite the repairs on the Mug. All new arrivals are confined to the underground until the umbrella is finished.
(https://i.imgur.com/HzoIhPJ.png)
Recon is laid to rest. I blame myself.
It is the 1st of Slate and I’ve finally put together everything that happened with the imp. The final death toll stands at just two: Quarque and Recon.
1st of Hematite
Summer has come and I haven’t had a moment to spare to write in this log. We’ve just finished the fifth story of the umbrella’s base, but making the glass for the pumps is going slow. The mug will be fully operational in a couple of days. We discovered a fungiwood was growing in the power generator, clogging the drain and stopping all the water wheels, so that’ll have to be fixed. I think I’ll take the opportunity to expand the generator. The umbrella will need its own pump stuck, doubling the fortress’s power needs. The preparations have all been made for the two flamethrowers, the only thing left to do is capture Buqui. A brave volunteer will need to break through the outer wall to the caverns, while another dwarf mans the levers.
Of course, right as we are putting the finishing touches on our defenses, thirty armed and armored humans riding camels arrive to kill us. If four more gearboxes had been completed, they would have all melted in magma. Instead, we are completely defenseless. I have the dwarves rush to finish the imp flamethrower. They just need to finish a wall and flip a lever, and it’ll be live.
(https://i.imgur.com/n1nHnkK.png)
Curiously, the enemy soldiers just paraded around the mug for a couple of hours, then turned right around and left the way they’d come. Maybe they’d heard stories of what usually happens when armies try to siege Smallhands and were scared of being melted alive. Now I’m rushing everyone to finish the defenses before they change their minds and come back.
I was supervising the forgotten beast capture operation but was drawn away by the siege. When I came back I found them going ahead without me! I really was intending to choose one of the new arrivals for this, but I guess Fatcat volunteered and it's too late to stop him.
(https://i.imgur.com/hmbtqpg.png)
Fatcat had plenty of opportunity to flee as the giant alligator slowly crawled towards him. The thing's foot had been eaten by another nameless beast years ago. Instead of fleeing, Fatcat stood out in the caverns, completely still, saying he had 'no job'. He didn’t try to run until it was far too late, and he was burning to death. Then, a migrant named Urvad burst through the door I had unlocked in the hopes that Fatcat would escape through it.
(https://i.imgur.com/NGHGOqP.png)
Having burned two dwarves and the beak dog that was supposed to be bait to death, Buqui is too wary to enter the trap. This beast is far more intelligent than I anticipated…
Fires in the deep! It’s through! Buqui’s broken through the trap! How could this have happened?! Forgive me, fellow dwarves; I have failed you all.
(https://i.imgur.com/QLND7iB.png)
Post by: TheFlame52 on March 04, 2022, 08:11:39 pm
Post by: Spriggans on March 05, 2022, 02:53:55 am
OOC : FBs are trapavoid :D
Post by: King Zultan on March 05, 2022, 04:44:59 am
Post by: recon1o6 on March 05, 2022, 06:14:10 am
Its a damn shame fatcat got caught in the fever as he was one of our most skilled dwarves. Short of the magic of dfhack, its irremovable.
Good fuck, from what I can gather Recon's second death was caused not by fire (because her armour is fireproof being masterwork steel and adamantine) but by the fumes of her food and alcohol rations burning/boiling away
We also lost the best fighter in the fort and one of the best crafters.
Discovered in the tavern keepers coffin before the burial
I will live again. In another time and place.
Gonna punch the God of Thralldom first for being an arrogant elf. Can't kill him though, I need a physical body for that.
If someone would like to take up the tavern keeper duty in my absence, you shall be rewarded when I return.
Post by: MrWillsauce on March 05, 2022, 10:56:19 am
Post by: Salmeuk on March 05, 2022, 06:24:10 pm
I must say, Imps are one of the most chaotic enemies. Appearing out of nowhere after years of nothing, setting entire fortresses ablaze, and with no announcement because of their status as a mere animal.
Post by: MrWillsauce on March 06, 2022, 10:46:04 pm
Edit: Here it is https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15855
There's a lot going on in the fort. It's got everything that a full-size fortress does, compacted into one fourth the space, so it can be a little overwhelming. The FPS was pretty bad for me, but my computer sucks. Maybe it was a mistake to add another pump stack to the map. The tunnel that runs magma from the main pump stack to the Mug pump stack still needs to be fixed: it's full of water that came out of nowhere and started obsidianizing the magma and now it's filling the tunnel. I tried to dig above it to freeze it, but then the weather got too warm. When the water leaking out everywhere outside melted, the FPS got dramatically worse for me. So if we can clean that up, I think things will get better. I also did nothing to curb the animal population, which should improve things. Like I said, I got really focused on trying to build my umbrella and solve the fever problem, but there's still a couple hundred more bricks that need to be laid for the bridges that make up the top part. There were a couple migrants who I didn't get to add to the burrow before they ran to go lay bricks, so I actually got some dwarves infected with fever :( Also, the imp flamethrower thing I made isn't working. The imp has had clear line of site on cats and stuff and just refuses to attack. I don't know if it's too scared or if he needs more space to make a fireball or what. But I don't think it's a danger to the dwarves as it is; it's just disappointing.
Post by: fatcat__25 on March 07, 2022, 06:33:27 pm
Post by: Spriggans on March 09, 2022, 08:16:29 am
That location has quite some appeal it looks like ;D
Post by: Laterigrade on March 09, 2022, 10:44:43 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on March 10, 2022, 04:41:03 am
this is no longer the FPS-friendly fort it set out to be, is it?
It is when we keep the animal population and cleanliness under control. It sounds like it needs a Clean all and some pop control
Post by: recon1o6 on March 24, 2022, 10:36:11 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on March 24, 2022, 11:33:57 am
Post by: delphonso on March 25, 2022, 01:17:10 am
So whose next?
I'm also unavailable. I'm barely managing my own daily commitments, let along hobbies or, (gasp!) relaxation time... Avolition didn't answer before, so the queue is open. Anybody interested in cracking Smallhands open (figuratively, preferably)?
Post by: xkcd1963 on March 28, 2022, 08:51:45 am
Post by: MrWillsauce on April 01, 2022, 04:28:13 pm
Post by: delphonso on April 01, 2022, 06:52:43 pm
Post by: xkcd1963 on April 01, 2022, 10:08:03 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on April 12, 2022, 04:24:10 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on April 12, 2022, 06:54:54 am
Post by: Laterigrade on April 12, 2022, 07:33:10 am
I see im still listed as current, still down for a turn.Oh, dang, since xkcd1963 just started. You should probably take the turn after his, if you’re willing to wait. Unless xkcd is willing to cede this one to you, or something?
Post by: Laterigrade on April 12, 2022, 07:39:12 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on April 12, 2022, 08:10:33 am
Post by: xkcd1963 on April 15, 2022, 02:42:27 pm
– A microcline stone –
I've awakened only to realise, that I'm a stone. what cruel decisions lead to this peculiar situation. Who, or what put me in this? It is unknown to me. And to add insult to injury, for some reason I retain dwarven intelligence. I know I'm a dwarf, or I was in my previous life. I think like one and I've the corresponding thirst for beverage. And recently I feel on a greedy streak.
There is no memories left of my previous life, if I had any. Maybe with time, this riddle will be solved. For now I name myself Lam, as it is the dwarven name for stone.
Soon after my awakening I realised how dull my situation was. With no extensions, mouth, eyes or anything really, there was no way to properly assert my surrounding. Saddened by that, feeling completely alone and contemplating this pointless existence, I quickly fell in a lethargic, dreamy state. Colours and shapes became my imaginary companies for my imaginary eyes. I had become unaware of the passing of time. Reasoning was no longer necessary. I visited places so alien to dwarven life, I couldn't explain them now. I saw beautiful rhythmically undulating purring maggots, freakish wriggling creepy crawlers and an extraordinary large weevil. Wherever I went I saw life and beauty.
As the unfolding of my existence was progressing step by step like the peeling of an onion, I saw it. An entity of such elegance and beauty, its power so protruding that the room became an observatory to the many stars that reside in the sky. It approached me. It looked into my deepest being. The inner workings of its holy body were generating what could only be a gift from Armok himself. After an explosion of intense but harmonic music I was encased in a comfortably warm shower of green jewels. This must be what the afterlife felt like.
Just as Callisto was returning from overindulging activities in the Tall Bar, not feeling quite right in her fevered state and having been exposed to sun, there was nothing that could have prevented her from vomiting all over the place. This fortress was a hell-hole, no doubt. But she had grown used to it. Back in the day when the only worry she had was dying of boredom in the small hillocks not afar, if she saw herself now in this pity state, not a single type of beverage in the whole realm could have lured her here. But this was her life now.
While she was barely keeping herself from falling asleep on the same spot, a strange shape portrayed itself in the vomit. A rather unremarkable microcline stone that has never caught the attention of the haulers. As it was unremarkable, so was it at the same time strangely familiar to Callisto. It reminded her of large gems. For no particular reason she decided to take it with her. The summoning had already begun and there was no time to place this stone in her room on the way there.
– Summoning –
"Dear fellow dwarfs .. *hicks* today is the second of Granite and it is time *hicks* .. again to select a new Overseer among you .. *hicks* I'm, as you might have guessed, not the best suited for this very important job .. right now *hicks"
"I'm sick of having extraordinary Overseers! Why can't we just have a dwarf managing this place once again. Like Salmeuk! I like this guy, he is such a good persuader, and elected duchy after all"
Salmeuk – "Oh no, I won't run Overseer. My time has not come yet once more"
"I'm sick of being spit in the face, if we elect the alpaca this year again, I'm going stark raving mad!"
"We should take a more joint approach and consider focusing our energy in the beehive industry .."
"AND BITE MY ARSE AGAIN?? COME HERE YOU SONS OF –"
A fist fight emerges among the dwarves as no consensus can be reached as to whom shall serve the position of Overseer this year. Just at that time, Callisto enters the noisy hall.
"Calisto! You're too late again. How are we supposed to make a communal decision if you won't partaken!"
Callisto – "There is no reason to participate, I mean look at you! All you ever do is brawling when it comes to important decisions. I mean for godsake, release the joint lock from Doogie, he is still a child! You can't behave like an unorganised mob in these dire times! There is too much at stake"
"So ... is it you then who wants to serve as Overseer?"
Callisto – "Me? I mean.. no"
"So why do you critique us. You either do something about it or better not shine a light on our demise.."
Callisto – "FINE. You know what?! I just have the right candidate for this position"
Callisto approaches the fine table in the middle of the hall and places a microcline stone on top of it.
Callisto – "This will be our new overseer as it is still better than having you scuffle all day"
A silence echoes through the assembly as many different reactions emerge. Some confused, other still angry at unreturned fisty favours but determined to find a solution to the current problem at hand. One by one a "AY" can be heard.
"So it is decided then. This years Overseer will be .. a microcline stone"
The assembly slowly dismisses as the normal fortress life and daily routines return.
"So ... what do we do now?"
"I don't know. I go clean my room"
Post by: recon1o6 on April 16, 2022, 04:36:37 am
Post by: Salmeuk on April 16, 2022, 03:28:40 pm
Quote
As the unfolding of my existence was progressing step by step like the peeling of an onion, I saw it. An entity of such elegance and beauty, its power so protruding that the room became an observatory to the many stars that reside in the sky. It approached me. It looked into my deepest being. The inner workings of its holy body were generating what could only be a gift from Armok himself. After an explosion of intense but harmonic music I was encased in a comfortably warm shower of green jewels. This must be what the afterlife felt like.
oh my god this is all kinds of beautiful and disgusting. lovely punchline hjahaha
let the saga of the Rock begin!
Post by: fatcat__25 on April 16, 2022, 06:51:32 pm
Post by: King Zultan on April 17, 2022, 01:22:41 am
Post by: Tournesol on April 18, 2022, 07:03:28 am
The times early on when the fortress was saved from eradication were an especially interesting read. Well done, and admireable stubborness in persevering even with no accessible pick!
Why was the previous tavern closed down years before the Tall Bar opened?
Anyway, you all have inspired me to resurrect my current fortress, which has been dormant for quite some time. And ofc I'll follow this saga. Will be interesting to see if the current overseer knows how to be a rock and not to roll!
Post by: Salmeuk on April 18, 2022, 05:49:48 pm
The amount of half-finished projects is overwhelming - it appears that overseers in general feel no obligation to finish inherited projects.
lol welcome to succession games in general.
I dream of a fortress that follows some kind of style guide, and even attempted one (Fikuk Urdim was intended to follow a strict style guide until it petered out) but people never read OP rules apparently so what can you do...
thanks for reading, though. It must be a good 100+ literal pages at this point, or more
Post by: recon1o6 on April 19, 2022, 08:43:34 am
so thats what...2 out of 9?
and originally the tavern was closed because I was hoping my successor would finish the tall bar. That...didn't pan out and we were left without a tavern for 5 years. At least one of the successors helped by putting flooring down
Post by: Tournesol on April 19, 2022, 10:16:17 am
Post by: xkcd1963 on April 19, 2022, 09:20:48 pm
It is when we keep the animal population and cleanliness under control. It sounds like it needs a Clean all and some pop controlFortress started with 260 animals and 500 meat units; after cleanup 44 animals and 2700 meat units though some may have rotten away. Corpses to D, clothing un-F, metal M. My computer handles Smallhands alternating between 17 and 33 FPS not sure what may cause bottlenecks.
I stopped bauxite block/green glass corkscrew production and umbrella construction as the goal right now was basically cleaning up.
It has been a while, so I'm going to post a request for a new dwarf again. Also, I didn't think there were any more drastically different types of overseer we hadn't had yet, but I was wrong. Looking forward to the latest round of shenanigans. :DThe militia commander Momuz Swordhatchets is named now Fatcat.
– 1st Hematite –
A vile force of darkness has arrived to execute a special military operation (let me know if politics is ok here). Some 25 invaders. The outer gate was closed. Meanwhile some dwarves were still scavenging whatever was still unplundered on the surface but found shelter within the fortress through an alternative entrance through the former water storage that has been leaking now for a year. Some invaders found a way inside through the umbrella construction. Doors were closed, burrow adjusted. However, there was no stopping them through the power provision tunnel, and the military was sent in to deal with the invaders.
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Traders came we exported 17k. Also, wtf:
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– 6th Sandstone –
All the corpses during this year were dumped into the resurrection chamber but this had some !fun! consequences. It appears that our Titan Hunter saw our necromancer through the shutters that were not closed at this time and gave it a straight shot with his crossbow. His lung got punctured and he decided to call some friends:
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– 18th Timber –
Malfoy went starving mad:
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– 1st Moonstone –
A vile force has arrived, again. 280 invaders. The Trolls started to tear through the pipes and gear-assemblies that were encompassing the Tall Bar:
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The rest of the year was again about cleaning up the last siege. There are two new levers now on level 118, one to open/close the water-reservoir and another one for a secondary gate. It seemed to be beneficial that retreating dwarves may use another entry while a siege is happening, as these always appear on the top-left corner and the secondary gate is on the cave-in site on the right corner.
I also wanted to better comprehend the fortress of Smallhand itself. I found it as example very interesting how the current goo-hive entry was a former trap labyrinth for invasion forces, and since then went through some revisions. Maybe it would be interesting to screenshot/gif fortress levels through the safe-files but it seems like a lot of work. For now I thought of trying this format for this year. It's a list showing on the left column the deepness level and on the right more or less what this level entails.
Code: [Select]
15 deepest dug
16-18 raw adamantine
19 magma enter with traps, magma pump to obsidian casting container
20 obsidian casting container, magma pump start
21 3rd cavern layer end, levers, furnances and forges, obsidian factory
22-24
25 lots of traps to map edge
26 3rd cavern layer start, sunset art
27-34 2nd cavern layer end
35-36
37 entrance to 2nd cavern layer
38-49
50 pit
51-56
57 2nd cavern layer start
58-91
92 1st cavern layer end
93-94
95 clean caverns
96 clean caverns, personal room
97 stone/bar stockpiles, magma smelters, adamantine strands
98-99
100-101 graveyard
102 graveyard, various mason workshops
103 enemy drop chamber end
104 craftsdwarf guildhall, corpse display hall
105 enemy drop chamber start, farmer and armorer guildhall
106 3 personal rooms
107 cavern collapse potential (no responsibility or liability for writer)
108 temple, library, 7 personal rooms, paper/artifact/furniture stockpile
109 2 temples, gem industry, mechanic workshops, cavern collapse potential
110 temple, finished goods/leather stockpile, clothing industry, Salmeuk's suicide chamber, cavern collapse potential
111 4 personal rooms, 40 2x6 rooms, Salmeuk's suicide temple, ressurection, graveyard, food/furniture stockpiles, glass industry, water reactor end
112 water reactor, tavern, hospital, 2 personal rooms, 18 2x2 rooms, food stockpiles, museum, important levers
113 prepared meal/foo/refuse/weapon/armor/ammo/seeds/animal stockpiles, 1 personal room, 3 barracks, 3 pastures, animal industry, umbrella start, outside start, necromancer tower start
114 log/finished goods/ammo/food stockpiles, wood furnance/carpenter workshops, archery range, 1 barracks, 5 personal rooms
115-117 weird stairs siblng rooms, water reservoir
118 farms, water source, 2 wells, food, 2 barracks
119 pasture, besiegertrap tunnel, tradedepot
120 farms, many traps, fortress entrance start, magma mug trap tower start
121 food stockpiles
122 necromancer tower end, graveyard
123 food stockpile
124 food stockpile, fortress entrance end
125-126
127 tavern
128 magma chamber
129
130 magma mug trap tower end
131-134
135 umbrella
File: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15891
Post by: Salmeuk on April 20, 2022, 02:01:01 am
Quote
A vile force of darkness has arrived to execute a special military operation (let me know if politics is ok here).
a mere play on words, nothing more lol
Quote
A vile force has arrived, again. 280 invaders. The Trolls started to tear through the pipes and gear-assemblies that were encompassing the Tall Bar:
Further down they also destroyed magma pumps:
at this point, The Tall Bar's propensity to be destroyed, without fail, is something of a force of nature, akin to the seasons or the rotation of the sphere below.
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cavern collapse potential (no responsibility or liability for writer)
Oh are we claiming liability now for these things? I might have to change identities. .
Interesting attempt to write out the layer-by-layer structure of the fortress. All I will say is that once the new DFMA w/ html5 is feature-complete, then we can hopefully simply generate a side-view image of the fortress.
Post by: recon1o6 on April 20, 2022, 03:31:50 am
QuoteA vile force has arrived, again. 280 invaders. The Trolls started to tear through the pipes and gear-assemblies that were encompassing the Tall Bar:
Further down they also destroyed magma pumps:
at this point, The Tall Bar's propensity to be destroyed, without fail, is something of a force of nature, akin to the seasons or the rotation of the sphere below.
It certainly seems like it when nobody bothers to release the magma at the top
I hope that wasn't a scroll we just exported!
our rock overseer did well this turn. Be careful what you wish for dwarves of smallhands, for only exceptional dwarves can truly master the world
Post by: MrWillsauce on April 21, 2022, 11:19:23 am
I struggled my entire turn to get the tall bar's magma system to work. After finally fixing the pump stack and beefing up the power system (and fixing the design flaw in the bar's release system that made it dump magma right back into the pumpstack) the magma intake somehow got flooded with aquifer water which then got pumped all the way through the system. At the end of my turn I believe the whole thing was clogged with water and ice, so xkcd really had no chance to use it. I tried my best to fix that too, but it was extremely involved and I ran out of time.
Post by: Salmeuk on April 21, 2022, 03:10:21 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on April 22, 2022, 01:44:21 pm
. . . we clogged the magma pipes with ICE??? lol
At this point, I don't know if that classes as an epic fail worthy of tvtropes, or simply par the for course in smallhands
Post by: MrWillsauce on April 23, 2022, 03:25:12 pm
Post by: xkcd1963 on April 24, 2022, 01:49:21 pm
I really want to know how it happened. At the start of my turn things were running fine but I took the whole Tall Bar pump system offline to fix it and when I turned it back on it wasn't working. When I looked at the magma pipes, there was obsidian clogging it up because water was spawning inside the pipeline itself. It was as if the game suddenly remembered that the pipeline was carved through the aquifer or something. My solution was to come in from above, freeze all the water that was spawning in, and then carve it away and build a new pipe, but I ran out of time. I ended up just making it look even more fucked up, and now I guess trolls have come in and torn the whole pump stack apart anyway.Maybe I can provide some more information:
I didn't safe-scum the whole year except when the big siege turned up. The staircase that leads up to the platform of the windmills for the Tall Bar allowed invaders through the floor into the inner goo-hive. Goblins were shooting and Trolls climbing down through this hole. Eventually one dwarf was fast enough to build a wall in order to block the passage. There was no further doors or gates that could have prevented invaders from entering the fortress and the military was not strong enough to fend them off.
I didn't realise that the pump stacks next to the Tall Bar were not closed off, as the first invasion didn't have building destroyers. The Trolls were able to penetrate the pump stacks inside the goo-hive too. The aforementioned staircase allowed the invaders to climb to the platform of the Tall Bar.
I guess to fix the water leaking problem we would have to close off all edges of the pumps on aquifer-level with magma safe material and of course close it off to building destroyers.
Has anyone experience with how a magma fountain would work against invaders?
I exported the scroll, thought it was just a copy. Wouldn't have done that with the original. But as my overseer's turn I deemed all goblin and elven propaganda unworthy.I hope that wasn't a scroll we just exported!QuoteA vile force has arrived, again. 280 invaders. The Trolls started to tear through the pipes and gear-assemblies that were encompassing the Tall Bar:
Further down they also destroyed magma pumps:
at this point, The Tall Bar's propensity to be destroyed, without fail, is something of a force of nature, akin to the seasons or the rotation of the sphere below.
good read, very to-the-point but with lots of detailed screenshots.Thanks. I would have liked to write something more elaborate as you guys did in the past, but I didn't have much time and didn't want to let people wait for their turn too long.
Good work, xkcd. I'm surprised that the imp actually did something. Even with the shutters lowered he refused to launch fireballs at anything unless it stood adjacent to the fortifications.^^ I was surprised that it didn't cause any damage. None of the dwarves or invaders got hit. I wonder if this was just luck or has something todo with the fortifications?
In hindsight I realised I could have resurrected Malfoy. Does this work with intact skeletons?
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 05, 2022, 10:18:52 pm
In hindsight I realised I could have resurrected Malfoy. Does this work with intact skeletons?
As long as they aren't listed as partial skeletons, (which means they have started "decaying") ghoulification should still work by my small experience.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 06, 2022, 02:41:18 am
Post by: auzewasright on May 06, 2022, 06:42:00 pm
. . . we clogged the magma pipes with ICE??? lolSmallhands' greatest achievements are both amazing and usually accidental.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 07, 2022, 08:01:00 pm
Well, well, well. Guess this fortress has finally seen sense and i have been picked to be overseer. To think i Lady Avolition would be picked. Im not surprised, they clearly see that i am a cultured dwarf of taste. Unlike the other dwarves here. To think, they left me to die when that troll skeleton came to life. But now i am eternal. Big changes are happening here, i am done with the tired decor and the lack of flavor in this place. I many be undead but i clearly have more taste than them. It has what i have clinged to, when i first returned i was nothing but a drone, a meer puppet to the whims of the fortress. My first order, build me a tower. Such a breathtaking world we live in yet, these heavens perfer seeing dirt all day. My tower will climb towards the sky giving me a window to the world. I will sit at my desk, eating a delicious roasted giant leopard in a tomato wine sauce with a side of longland grass seeds. I will turn smallhands into a work of art. I wish it would be my hands but i cannot. I am compelled to focus on cooking. It seems like i cannot full break out of this cycle.
Post by: Salmeuk on May 07, 2022, 09:41:49 pm
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Big changes are happening here, i am done with the tired decor and the lack of flavor in this place
Salmeuk, having grown tired of the usual lifestyles available to citizens of Smallhands (namely, alcoholism and pretending to have "the sickness" to get out of work), wholeheartedly backs this new wave of redesign. From the safety of his private room, far way from the magma tubes and collapsing tree farms, he shouts his encouragement and dares anyone to criticize the new plans, the details of which he has yet to read but knows are likely good fun and totally not dangerous or whatever.
Post by: recon1o6 on May 08, 2022, 06:28:20 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 08, 2022, 07:49:02 am
Ah finally some food with legs, my predecessor did an adequate job. But after serveal years of beak dog and dog meat, its time we spiced it up. I may not have the skills he has but if all i can do is cook for all of eternity than cook i shall. This month on the menu, no more is it beak dog on the bone. Instead i have served up a fine Dwarven Syrup roast, using the blackbird eggs and sweetpods we have, i mixed them up into a delicious meal. In other news, i have assigned the more artistically inclined dwarves to start engraving and smoothing the walls here. Honestly this place is a dull lump of clay, lets shape it into a gem of our civilization and to any of those industrious dwarves who keep moaning on about magma tubes and the like. Feel free to voice any and all complaints into any bin in the fortress. Any dwarf caught disobeying will be happily reassigned to clean up duty, seems the last overseers though get corpses and remains laying around was like totally fine and what not but this isnt going to pass around here anymore.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 08, 2022, 03:59:54 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/fpA7FM9.png)
As the other dwarves ran to safety to call for the overseers army, a certain dwarf charged the beast and jammed his iron pick into the beasts left foot, bringing the beast down and slowing it to buy time. By the time the overseers army arrived, they were met by a sole survivor. Salmeuks right arm oozing blood, he simply walked away decending into the fortress, leaving behind the corpse of this foul creature. In honor of this, our current overseer will display the body of this creature inside the tower. An eternal reminder of the brave dwarf who fought solo against The horned beast.
(https://i.imgur.com/75KHTdK.png)
Post by: recon1o6 on May 09, 2022, 05:33:19 am
Hopefully we have a good unfevered doctor around. I know Imic's dead and so is our mad scientist. I don't know if we got any remaining medical personel short of salmeuk himself
Edit: and if memory serves, wasn't Salmeuk a pacifist or at least averse to combat and sacrifice?
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 10, 2022, 05:43:47 pm
Post by: chaotic skies on May 11, 2022, 10:56:04 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 11, 2022, 12:52:21 pm
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15921
Post by: xkcd1963 on May 11, 2022, 04:12:20 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on May 11, 2022, 04:49:56 pm
Smallhands has crushed each and every enemy save one: weevilmessiah, the regal god of thalldom and his servant Ikud.
Excellent turn Avolotion, you've done Smallhands proud!
I would like to take year 40 and test this fortress on my new laptop. However that first requires somebody taking year 39. I have an idea for the fort's 40th anniversary.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 11, 2022, 05:53:39 pm
Also you missed werebeasts on that list. Werebeast are for sure a fortress killer.
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 11, 2022, 07:14:21 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on May 16, 2022, 04:26:40 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 19, 2022, 08:19:50 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on May 20, 2022, 06:56:11 am
Post by: MrWillsauce on May 27, 2022, 11:47:42 am
Post by: delphonso on May 27, 2022, 11:55:48 pm
Post by: TheFlame52 on May 28, 2022, 08:49:22 am
Sorry all, been horribly busy lately and also crashed a motorbike. Banged up not enough to miss work, but enough to make everything slower and more difficult. I'll do my best to update the OP soon and catch up on the last update.That's rough, buddy. Get well soon!
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 28, 2022, 07:01:17 pm
Sorry all, been horribly busy lately and also crashed a motorbike. Banged up not enough to miss work, but enough to make everything slower and more difficult. I'll do my best to update the OP soon and catch up on the last update.
Sorry to hear that, hope you are feeling better and continue to improve
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 28, 2022, 10:54:57 pm
My second impression was "so... MANY... BEARS!"
Post by: recon1o6 on May 29, 2022, 04:41:41 am
Funny, I thought it got destroyed
Post by: AvolitionBrit on May 29, 2022, 04:11:33 pm
Post by: delphonso on June 11, 2022, 04:00:53 am
My wife and I are trying to better divvy up baby duty and free-time. I haven't played DF since sometime late last year, but hopefully I can swing some time to do a refresher fort and then actually take a turn for Smallhands.
Post by: recon1o6 on June 11, 2022, 05:35:55 am
I'm not sure if Turn 40 and Year 40 will be the same, I think there's some skipped steps there somewhere. I could have also messed up the count in the OP.
My wife and I are trying to better divvy up baby duty and free-time. I haven't played DF since sometime late last year, but hopefully I can swing some time to do a refresher fort and then actually take a turn for Smallhands.
Turn order, Fatcat should be 39 I think? might be one missed somewhere
Post by: auzewasright on June 14, 2022, 02:23:10 pm
Sorry all, been horribly busy lately and also crashed a motorbike. Banged up not enough to miss work, but enough to make everything slower and more difficult. I'll do my best to update the OP soon and catch up on the last update.Ouch, hope you are better.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on June 14, 2022, 02:42:05 pm
Post by: delphonso on June 14, 2022, 04:44:23 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on June 14, 2022, 10:27:26 pm
Post by: AvolitionBrit on June 15, 2022, 12:53:03 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on June 15, 2022, 11:28:25 pm
Y187-1
Date: Slate 1st
I have been tasked with the overseership of Smallhands. Given my high rank, I was already aware of many of the problems plaguing the fortress. The lower exit, which once was deep underground, is completely indefensible, and is littered with bodies, and other refuse. Additionally, I couldn't even find a lever to close the gate, and was forced to order a new one built near the military training rooms. The mass mausoleums in the depths ran out of free coffins, and the restless dead have been maddening our very souls seeking proper burial. The first one I sighted came out of a magma storage basin, and haunted one of our engraving crew.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/Cjv4Zee.png)
He has since ceased to eat and sleep, and wanders the temples weeping and tearing his hair and beard. I fear that even were I to order him brought back as a ghoul upon his death, his soul has been lost forever.
On a brighter note, the bear breeding program my predecessors instigated has flourished, and I ordered a small number of them trained for war. Additionally, trade thrives. Despite the unfaithfulness of some past overseers in keeping our oaths of peace, the elves continue to send caravans to do commerce with us.
(https://i.imgur.com/xo7tbh4.png)
I ordered a few bears butchered, and between them and the gizzard stones from beak dogs, I was able to purchase a small selection of clothing to refresh our wardrobes.
My main concern now is finding a reliable way to dispose of trash in vast quantities, as the fortress I protect and lead has become little more than a heap of years of refuse. I must consult the engineers on the best way to do this.
Post by: Darkening Kaos on June 16, 2022, 01:04:49 am
There is no such thing as trash - only merchandise for Elves.
Regards.
Post by: recon1o6 on June 16, 2022, 10:14:55 am
Post by: auzewasright on June 16, 2022, 06:47:03 pm
From: Engineers.From: Auze, longtime Broker
There is no such thing as trash - only merchandise for Elves.
Regards.
While there is truth in this, I'd like to note that you are not the ones that have to convince the elves that your appraisement that this scrap of cloth that once was considered clothing is actually valuable. Not that I actually remember those sessions, as I have for years now drunk myself before each one to that point of them being a haze.
Post by: fatcat__25 on June 16, 2022, 07:31:02 pm
I have for years now drunk myself before each one to that point of them being a haze.
This is actually true. I had to wait for Auze to get a drink before I could commence trade.
Post by: Darkening Kaos on June 16, 2022, 08:32:53 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on June 22, 2022, 09:03:40 pm
Y187-2
Date: Hematite 7th
It is now summer, and progress is slow. The engineers informed me that there should be a machine they referred to as an "atom smasher" around for trash disposal. However, while I was able to discover the lever that operated it, I couldn't find the contraption itself, so I had a new one built nearby.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Burial continues apace, and there are only a few remaining ghosts haunting us. Bombyx Mori also died about a month ago, and has been peacefully interred in the mass catacombs. I will continue to install sarcophagi until the entire prepared area is filled, so that, even if my strength fails, and the fortress falls, the last of us will have a place to rest into eternity.
Most of the fortress workforce is employed decorating the walls, in a mass beautification project instigated by my predecessor. Unfortunately, one of the fevered haulers is deep in depression, and is dangerously close to falling into madness. I have been casting my mind around for a way to draw him back from the edge, bu so far, have not struck upon and stratagem. I at least am in fine spirits, particularly after finding a worker had engraved an image glorifying my military might in the catacombs.
(https://i.imgur.com/rDx7zig.png)
Post by: delphonso on June 22, 2022, 11:23:22 pm
Post by: King Zultan on June 23, 2022, 01:07:22 am
Post by: delphonso on June 29, 2022, 12:47:25 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on June 30, 2022, 01:29:11 am
Y187-3
Date: Malachite 23d
The last month and a half has been a chaos of good and bad events. The good is exemplified by the laying to rest of one of the most persistent ghosts.
(https://i.imgur.com/nzd48Y6.png)
Additionally, the new trash disposal has also seen significant use, with rubbish from across the fortress being crushed into nonexistence.
Unfortunately, the full moon brought a surprise visit from a werepig, which was inside the entry of the fort before it was spotted.
(https://i.imgur.com/y15WhJr.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7a5rpim.png)
I scrambled all the dwarves with military training from across the fortress to defend, but before the beast was killed, two civilians were dead, and a one of our legendary soldiers, who hadn't grabbed any equipment in his haste, had been bitten. He was locked in the upper entrance of the fortress until a safe isolation room could be prepared for him, but unfortunately, the worker tasked with reopening the gates failed to inform the unfortunate fellow ahead of time, and he suffered the same fate as the fort's refuse, becoming a new adornment to the bottom of the inner gate.
(He had just transformed back into a dwarf, so all his equipment was scattered comically around the bridge that he was smashed under.)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZPLdrkp.png)
(OOC: I'm really having a tough time making progress here, between low fps (how?), and various catastrophes, so if someone feels like half a year, I'd appreciate that. I will finish through summer, at least, but I'm not sure it is a good idea for me to go longer than that. My cleanup efforts are in an attempt to make the fort more playable in the future, but they haven't gotten very far.)
Post by: delphonso on June 30, 2022, 04:57:23 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on July 02, 2022, 11:40:21 pm
Y187-4
Date: Limestone 1st
I have come to an agreement with the other dwarves here to have someone else finish my term of overseership. I have found that the responsibilities distracted me from my endless practice towards becoming the best warrior of dwarfdom. In the the time since my last log entry, very little of note has occurred. I recorded the laying to rest of one ghost then, but since then, three more have been satisfied, and have left us for the afterlife. In addition, I streamlined the production of coffins for the catacombs, and disposed of several more small batches of trash.
Definitely my most important act, though, has been the diversion of a number of low grade coffins into a rough room hollowed out of one of the mining levels. Over all my years here in Smallhands, the only companionship I have ever had has been my cats, and I have been forced to endure the death of more than one, after which, they were merely discarded as another valueless object. Now, I hope to never suffer this grief again. The fortress can certainly spare a few resources for the happiness of myself, and the few other pet owners. Now, I will hand leadership to another, and return to my endless training, and my furry friends.
(https://i.imgur.com/kXWqUBY.png)
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15985 (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=15985)
Post by: King Zultan on July 03, 2022, 01:44:39 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on July 03, 2022, 02:20:32 am
Post by: delphonso on July 03, 2022, 02:36:32 am
Post by: fatcat__25 on July 03, 2022, 09:43:50 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on July 03, 2022, 09:56:54 am
Post by: delphonso on July 03, 2022, 11:37:35 am
Niceu, i shall pick it up
I can blast though the end of their year, as I understand it's incomplete. If you want the extra time, by all means, you can take it.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on July 03, 2022, 12:14:23 pm
Post by: delphonso on July 03, 2022, 05:42:33 pm
Post by: AvolitionBrit on July 12, 2022, 02:56:48 am
Edit: Save was deleted by accident. Tried to recover it but i guess its gone for good. Feel free to skip me over and let someone else take it.
Post by: delphonso on July 16, 2022, 06:39:08 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on July 18, 2022, 08:59:46 am
Post by: delphonso on July 23, 2022, 04:49:52 am
Next week is summer holiday, so I'll have a lot more time to sit with Smallhands (and all the other succession games I'm joining) I'm keeping notes now, so hopefully I can invest that time into an interesting update.
Post by: King Zultan on July 23, 2022, 06:34:35 am
Post by: Salmeuk on July 23, 2022, 05:17:23 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on July 23, 2022, 08:17:53 pm
I'll cull some of our livestock and stick the rest in cages to help mitigate things.
This is why I was gelding most of the bears.
Post by: delphonso on July 23, 2022, 08:42:06 pm
Post by: brewer bob on July 23, 2022, 09:12:02 pm
Is there a DFHack command to instantly geld/butcher those marked to do so?
With a quick look there's geld (https://docs.dfhack.org/en/stable/docs/_auto/base.html#geld) and animal-control (https://docs.dfhack.org/en/stable/docs/_auto/base.html#animal-control). Haven't tried them, but maybe they'll help out?
Post by: delphonso on July 26, 2022, 08:57:33 am
I may have also destroyed all the food in the fortress on accident. We'll see...
Post by: recon1o6 on July 26, 2022, 01:07:31 pm
Post by: brushapocalypse on July 27, 2022, 06:48:00 pm
I've considered signing up for a turn, but I'd like to see how this one ends before I commit to that. Excited to see what horrible nonsense graces Smallhands this time!
Post by: delphonso on July 27, 2022, 07:16:27 pm
Luckily a few of the residents of smallhands don't need to eat, otherwise this would be a real problem right now...
recon, I sent you a message. I'd like some advice...
Post by: fatcat__25 on July 27, 2022, 08:10:42 pm
Post by: Salmeuk on July 28, 2022, 01:10:58 am
Post by: King Zultan on July 28, 2022, 01:39:51 am
Post by: delphonso on July 28, 2022, 03:34:20 am
Post by: recon1o6 on July 28, 2022, 04:18:51 am
I given you two replies Delphonso, I missed your first message by over a week >> thats what I get for working.
Post by: delphonso on August 01, 2022, 03:43:26 am
36 dwarves, 100 animals
1 speardwarf, 8 soldiers across 5 squads
11 fevered dwarves
(It's all downhill from here)
Quick check of the situation:
FPS is incredibly bad.
And...once again...the Tall Bar is ruined.
Decisions:
I cancelled a huge amount of Detail Wall jobs. We don't have many hands, and we'll need the few we have.
I removed...10 or so farms that are all set to grow things we don't have. We have thousands and thousands of food, plants, and drinks. There's no need for any of this.
(pst, this is called foreshadowing)
Del Adagkubuk, Ghostly Overseer has arisen and is haunting the fortress
Del gestures!
A lot of stuff is smashed!
The dwarven caravan arrives carrying only barrels full of meat...Don't you understand I'm trying to clean up the food here?
Del gestures again!
/A lot/ of stuff is smashed.
(https://images2.imgbox.com/a3/62/J3M91bMM_o.png) (https://imgbox.com/J3M91bMM)
Well, that doesn't bode well.
Giant Capybara pounce on the opportunity! Activity across the surface of the fortress!
Hey!
Guys, this was supposed to be a small, subtle fortress. What the hell is happening up here? Don't you think someone will notice...all this?
I may have smashed all the food.
Urvad and Nish are dead, Solon lost a finger and his mind. Look, capybaras are slippery devils also one of those people died from dehydration because I didn't realize a burrow was active.
Christ, thank god those caravaners brought all that meat. I deconstruct the Depot because they fail to path out, and we're blessed with another 300 years of food. That problem is fixed, right?
(pst, it wasn't)
We have 400 stones...somewhere. It's truly a mystery because they're not in any stock piles or even visible on the map. Great.
Barrel/pot construction means we can't make any beer. Truly a dire situation. Surely this is an easy fix: designate some area of stone to be dug out, then some pots made.
Our 30-ish dwarves run around with handfuls of dripping meat from the Depot back to the stockpiles.
Okay, for fucks sake. I may have smashed all our picks and battleaxes too. I melted spears to make picks to make pots so we can fucking drink something not from a fucking damp hole in the ground.
Grizzlies are born, everyone rejoice!
Hey!
We're supposed to be small, here! Who's idea was it to breed big creatures like this?
Glass pots it is, then!
Early Winter - Moonstone 187
Solon remains on the surface, why won't anyone recover her?
Fescue shut the fuck up. Apparently having two broken arms means you need to spam messages about storing items all day.
Avuz got a strange mood, how curious! They're looking for log, glass, gems and bars. Surprisingly, all stuff I didn't destroy.
Heh. I remember the first artifact here...
Was it the goose-bone door or...honestly I don't remember.
You're telling me we've made 10 pots so far and zero booze? Where the hell are these pots going? Why are some of them being sent to jail?!
Solon remains on the surface. Hopefully a raid will come along and put her out of her misery.
I start deleting links from stockpiles, then give up and delete stockpiles. Look, there's only one thing I know and it's destruction through deleting things.
Avuz actually started his construction after multiple trips to the glassmaker for raw glass which really interrupted this pot
Picks made, so let's try some stone pots too. Dwarves are starting to get angry that they had to drink water. Revolting, I know.
Avus made Zirilotam : Firenose.
On the item is an image related to a failure of our nation's defense of Staffhoisted, and an image of Salmeuk surrounded by tables. Glad to see people are still assholes in this little fort.
Obsidian 16
And Solon's gone berserk
WELL WELL WELL, LOOK WHO CAN WALK NOW, SOLON - MAYBE IF YOU'D WALKED INTO THE FORT 5 MONTHS AGO, YOU'D FEEL A LOT BETTER
Some undead poet named Elpho killed her in the stairwell. Hehe, fuckin' brutal that is.
I literally don't understand where all the fucking pots are going.
Ah...Maybe it has something to do with that...800 or so meat we took from the dwarves. Or the 20 or so barrels filled with dwarven syrup that we still have.
Sodel picks some fights and mostly wins them. A cat takes the brunt of the damage, but a miner is also injured.
Well our cooks say there's nothing to cook, despite there being a mountain of meat and syrup just inches from the kitchen. Christ just make another kitchen. Who the hell knows at this point.
Atis, the miner, is in our stairwell still. No one is taking them to the hospital. Glad to see people are still assholes in this little fort.
I honestly feel like I'm going insane, and I'm dead.
Del Adagkubuk has started a mysterious construction!
Del has engraved his own slab!
Del Adagkubuk, ghostly overseer has been put to rest.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well, uh. Sorry, I guess! Gotta say, the FPS was real bad for me, and that made this not a fun time. Exciting, yes! Enjoyable - at times, of course. It looks like I'll have to step away from Smallhands until I get a better computer to play it on - though it's impressive a 40 year old fort can run /at all/ on this hunk-a-junk.
recon, best of luck my friend.
Here's a burden for you. (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=16023)
Post by: King Zultan on August 01, 2022, 04:14:52 am
Also what's with the tall bar constantly being destroyed, is it just that fragile or do invaders just really hate it?
Post by: brushapocalypse on August 01, 2022, 10:10:42 am
Also what's with the tall bar constantly being destroyed, is it just that fragile or do invaders just really hate it?There's a design flaw that means some of its components get wrecked every time it gets used. Just one of the perils of messing with lava.
Anyhow, I've decided I will take a stab at this! Sign me up for a turn, surely I can't mess things up any worse than my predecessors.
Post by: recon1o6 on August 01, 2022, 12:10:56 pm
but is all as it seems? well not to worry. I'll continue from Fatcat's save and clear up the fort without destroying most of it as per your opinion in dms
What was the experience of the Ghost of Del? stay tuned.
Delphonso: you need to tweak the OP. Fatcat was turn 38 and a half. You were doing 38 part 2 and 39 which left me with turn 40
brushapocalypse, I will be taking a slightly longer turn but you are next
Post by: brushapocalypse on August 01, 2022, 12:23:53 pm
brushapocalypse, I will be taking a slightly longer turn but you are next
Fine by me. I have plenty of free time.
Post by: Salmeuk on August 01, 2022, 04:04:28 pm
Quote
We have 400 stones...somewhere. It's truly a mystery because they're not in any stock piles or even visible on the map. Great.
I believe you were seeing the stones that are in the constructions. they remain tracked as 'stones' even though they have, well, become walls. maybe not though!
damn. I lol'd heartily at your turn, knowing exactly the kind of painful, burdensome experience it is to try to clean or organize a fortress this old. you begrudge all previous constructions or complex stockpile setups. or previous overseer's need to overproduce some miscellaneous trade good. or the abundance of unlabeled levers. I think we have levers from, like, the first few turns still. lol
Smallhands proves that chaos reigns supreme. second law of thermodynamics.
Post by: brewer bob on August 01, 2022, 04:48:34 pm
QuoteWe have 400 stones...somewhere. It's truly a mystery because they're not in any stock piles or even visible on the map. Great.
I believe you were seeing the stones that are in the constructions. they remain tracked as 'stones' even though they have, well, become walls. maybe not though!
Yeah, stones in constructions show up in the stocks menu. You could try DFHack's cleanconst (https://docs.dfhack.org/en/stable/docs/Plugins.html#cleanconst) command to "clear" them. Might help a bit with FPS, but the increase isn't usually so much, imo (if there's any gain at all).
Post by: recon1o6 on August 05, 2022, 11:09:47 am
my first thought: who, in Armok's name let the mugma on the tall bar get turned into obsidian?
second thought: I don't know who made that massive red tower over by the southeast but I'm afraid its coming down come my turn. My ego won't allow the middle finger the tall bar and surrounding structures made to the goblins to be obstructed by a tower that doesn't deserve to be bigger than the tavern
third thought: WHO DESERCRATED MY TAVERN WITH A STATUE OF SPRIGGANS
fourth thought: My glorious tavern and Recon's legacy will not be tarnished by incompetence and traitors just because my dwarf happens to be in the underworld atm
Post by: Schmaven on August 05, 2022, 11:49:37 am
... I'll happily take the fort to its conclusion.Now I'm suspicious that you to meant its final conclusion.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on August 05, 2022, 02:20:57 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on August 05, 2022, 11:42:56 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on August 08, 2022, 01:29:09 am
2 months into fatcats save. Fps is plodding but improving. A few DFhack commands does wonders. Some serious trash disposal is needed.
This fortress is lacking in serious maintenance.
Post by: Salmeuk on August 08, 2022, 04:46:51 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
perhaps, our motto?
Post by: delphonso on August 08, 2022, 10:56:52 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on August 16, 2022, 03:31:54 pm
My lord weevilmessiah has been unusually quiet lately during nightly prayers until tonight. Having successfully condemned that arch heretic Recon to his domain, he bade me set about creating an abundance of life and death plus some associated tasks to turn Smallhands into a new citadel of thralldom with me as His Most Favoured.
So far my tasks were small and stealthy such as putting water in the magma pumps, blocking access to the food stocks and releasing the fire imp that slew the infidel.
But tonight was different. In his magnamity he gave me a new task. A change of plans: Smallhands is no longer going to be a temple! No, its going to be a new WardPuppets. He even promised a new slab with the secrets of life and death for my perusal once I make sufficient progress!
I could be immortal and bend the world to my will, to the messiah's will! I could bathe in alcohol every morning and force every goblin to strip dance at my whim!
I only had to set the stage for a dogmatic ritual of eld. Trinkets, circles of power, murder... all those could wait. My task begins with the most important step: acquiring control of smallhands.
What fortuitous timing then that Fatcat stepped down from Overseership citing the usual rubbish militiadwarves do when they get bored of power. The dwarves held an emergency meeting to announce a successor. With a few well placed favours and a suggestion to make more soap I have assumed the position of Overseer!
Nothing can stop me now so long as I tread carefully.
I set the unguided to executing the bear army ostensibly for fat for soap. An innocent enough task were one not aware of the applications of raw meat in contacting the underworld.
An age of thralldom awaits
-------------------
ooc bit of story to tide over while i repeat delphonso's turn. Not had much time to play lately. Most of it has been testing out methods to get water out of the magma tunnel while dealing with ~27 fps
Post by: TheFlame52 on August 16, 2022, 04:09:18 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on August 26, 2022, 04:20:20 am
Post by: Laterigrade on September 06, 2022, 06:25:22 pm
Not the whole bear army, I hope.yeah, I liked those guys
Post by: recon1o6 on September 18, 2022, 07:23:16 am
sorry for delay folks. Came down with covid, game was plodding and little time to play. I need an actual holiday ><
Post by: Salmeuk on September 18, 2022, 12:58:46 pm
Post by: fatcat__25 on September 19, 2022, 01:32:04 am
Post by: brewer bob on September 19, 2022, 08:07:57 am
Finally read it all through (just read bits and pieces from here and there before) and enjoyed every moment.
Are dorfings still accepted? If so, I'd like to be dorfed as the least intelligent dwarf around.
Also, if latecomers are accepted as overseers, I'd like to sign up for a turn.
Post by: recon1o6 on September 19, 2022, 10:56:40 am
Post by: delphonso on September 21, 2022, 07:48:31 am
Love that it's hard to find the dumbest dwarf - pretty sure at least one of the overseer dorfs didn't have a brain.
Post by: brewer bob on September 21, 2022, 11:13:39 am
Post by: brushapocalypse on September 22, 2022, 07:31:02 am
I think that puts you after recon, bob.
Last I heard, I was next on the chopping block. I'm perfectly willing to let bob go go between me and recon, though— more space between me and whatever's going on now :P
Post by: delphonso on September 22, 2022, 08:03:31 am
Post by: recon1o6 on November 02, 2022, 03:04:51 am
the good news is, the former is at an end next week so I can finally get on and finish this.
Post by: Laterigrade on November 02, 2022, 08:21:58 pm
Post by: delphonso on November 07, 2022, 11:26:18 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on November 24, 2022, 04:46:48 pm
We have a Tame War snail. Im not sure how you train a snail for war but thats par for the course at this point
There are 25 war bears, some gelded. There are also 24 cubs. Weirdly the bears almost to a...bear are all peach coloured.
Stones and seeds and most importantly, prepared meals are the big drains on fps at the present.
Ammunition is another big one. We have almost 4000 silver bolts. I know we've had werecreatures but that seems excessive.
Unprepared food is also incredibly high. I'm talking 1000+ plump helmets, longland grass, quarry bushes etc, also pig tails
Our population is sitting at 35 (36 counting the babbling corpse empress) while that's hardly low for this fort's standards, about half the fort has some kind of long term injury. only 8 are in the military which as proven on numerous occasions, is insufficient in this fortress if we don't have magma. Nobody has any knowledge on weaponsmithing since Recon's death.
The tall bar requires serious repairs again. At some point I'm going to look into making it a little less...flammable if possible. Someone also knocked down the stone barrier protecting the staircase from goblin access and consequently teh bar became a security weakspot.
I hope the fort likes hauling, there's a lot of it that needs to be done
Post by: King Zultan on November 25, 2022, 04:24:45 am
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 25, 2022, 01:06:50 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on December 04, 2022, 07:20:39 am
It genuinely looks like its been sabotaged at some point. A tunnel was made into the magma pump assembly, and then a second to allow the water to flow into the pipe when the first didnt work due to how I set up the pump stack.
The windmills have been destroyed, a staircase removed and the "hand" on the mug that housed the machinery has had parts of the floor dismantled. Obsidian has been made in the storage basin, the pipe and the bottom pump stack. Not to mention all the debris preventing fixing.
floodgates are missing from the outer walls, the access door behind the bar has been turned into a wall. The ground level staircase has been revealed to invaders.
Oh and to top it all off, it looks like a goblin got eviscerated in the tall bar's drinking room and nobody's cleaned it up.
We need the Tall bar operational to fend off sieges. I'm still in delphonso's turn atm so I'm spending it on fort maintainence and preparing the ground work for the Tall bar's repairs, then when Recon returns at last, have all the grandiose stuff done.
I am still planning on my grand entrance hall of smallhands. It wouldn't be one of my turns without some obscenely oversized, overdetailed monument of some kind.
Look forward to another update in about 12 hours give or take
Edit: definately sabotage. someone boarded up the magma pump at the top to prevent it filling
Post by: Salmeuk on December 04, 2022, 01:10:13 pm
After having several of the bear cubs turned into stuffed toys, I'm pleased to say fps is slightly better. I then spent 30m just analysing the tall bar.
Edit: definately sabotage. someone boarded up the magma pump at the top to prevent it filling
sabotage by . . who ? ?
Quote
never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity
note: not calling anyone stupid, just think it's a relevant in such a chaotic, painful fort as Smallhands.
. . .
I have this theory, that there is like a large village or something right next to Smallhands, so every time we flood the map with lava, a little bit trickles over onto their farms or something, and they become rightly pissed off at our "Dwarven Ingenuity" aka "Pumping Magma where it does not belong" aka "FUCK EVERYONE 'CEPT OURSELVES"
So, basically, we have some NIMBY's complaining about our choice of self-defense. And they sent spies to board up the tall bar. Not elves because they would never waste the wood like that . . . goblins? traitorous dwarves? or the plain-clothed humans that lord over us with their long legs?
Post by: recon1o6 on December 05, 2022, 04:46:16 am
The merchants arrived and ive offloaded multiple barrels and pots of food, drinks, seeds and prepared meals to them. Lag should hopefully come down once they are gone.
I've also sold them for free every bone and tooth in the fort to get rid of the clutter. At least after Auze had a meal, then a nap then socialised for a week before going in to trade. Some things never change.
The merchants themselves literally had nothing to offer other than food. No drink, no weapons, nothing.
I'm looking at dismantling the big red tower ruining the middle finger profile to the goblins even more now. its got a big pile of bridges and machinery thats taking up fps, not to mention the water reactor is taking fps by constantly having to be on to feed this thing.
the tall bar at least only needs the reactor on when filling the mugma
Post by: Donnerino on December 08, 2022, 04:43:07 am
Post by: xkcd1963 on December 18, 2022, 07:45:34 pm
Post by: recon1o6 on December 28, 2022, 06:42:07 am
Hope everyone had great holidays.
Not much story to report here, just the ever slow busy work of dismantling, dumping and destroying as the months trickle towards the next in game year where I can let loose and actually do my turn instead of repeating delphonso's ill fated maintainence
did have one funny incident: someone removed a construction and left themselves falling. They crushed a raven on the way down and dodged onto the next floor sustaining no damage
Post by: King Zultan on December 29, 2022, 04:37:09 am
did have one funny incident: someone removed a construction and left themselves falling. They crushed a raven on the way down and dodged onto the next floor sustaining no damageThat's some action movie level stuff right there.
Post by: recon1o6 on January 02, 2023, 05:58:10 am
bit of story, bit of gameplay update
Post by: Salmeuk on January 02, 2023, 03:23:29 pm
did have one funny incident: someone removed a construction and left themselves falling. They crushed a raven on the way down and dodged onto the next floor sustaining no damageThat's some action movie level stuff right there.
it was actually a deleted scene from The Crow [1994], starring Urist Lee
keep chugging along, this fortress is a thing of refined beauty. a certain feeling like the patina of an aged bronze
Post by: recon1o6 on January 03, 2023, 08:32:20 am
No, NO NO!
Its all going wrong!
I had the majority of the bears and cubs butchered for soap. But the moment the butchers had finished those damned bears popped out another group of 8 cubs! I had them butchered too yet the bears kept breeding!
I checked the records and someone had sabotaged the order! All the gelded bears were turned into my new rug while the breeding bears lived on. Curse these layabouts!
Later I tracked down the culprit responsible for the clear defiance, only to find the most stupid dwarf in the fortress, a one "Bob" the Brewer, had processsed the slaughter while SOBER
Zultan refuses to have him incarcerated for idiocy stating there weren't enough cells for incompetence to be a crime.
Fuming at this setback I instead turned to acquiring the obsidian required for the ritual. Under the guise of having that eyesore, the tall bar made brighter, I had the miners dig out the top layer that I had turned into obsidian during my previous schemes.
Disaster struck again!
I attempted to sabotage the mining to drop a piece of rock on Salmeuk and slay that so called sole survivor for his stubborn defiance of Lord Weevilmessiah. I ordered him to move furniture about in the tavern proper while digging to ensure rubble fell on his fever addled skull.
The rubble fell perfectly as intended. But Salmeuk had knocked off early and refused to move the furniture to the stockpile and was nowhere near the debris when I dropped it!
A piece of obsidian dropped down from the roof of the bar, through that gaudy gold table, through the granite and orthoclase floors, through the silver floors, and all the way to the barracks. With no splatted Salmeuk in sight!
It did however lead to the discovery of black sand being the remains of the previous crystal glass ceiling. A fascinating phenomenon. Normally built dwarven structures are impregnable if they are magma resistant. This glass was resistant for a time, but a side effect of the obsidian process must have turned them to ash
(OOC this was a surprise. The crystal glass ceiling was still glass for years no matter how much magma pumped up top. But when I came to dig it out, it was all turned to sand)
Then for my third plan to gradually starve the fort, I sought our bookkeeper to sell all our prepared food, drink, seeds and edibles to the merchant caravan. Yet the caravan folk refused to take all our food complaining about something as trivial as weight!
I still offloaded a big portion of our supplies, but the dwarves seemed almost relieved when half of it went back to the false mountainhomes.
In frustration, I prayed to Lorsith for forgiveness for the delays in the masterplan. He was raving and ranting about something related to the arch heretic and thence turned his wrath upon me. A throne as a reward for me was now going to be rescinded. I understood, but was confused. What throne?
Then a dwarf who had been hiding for a week burst into the overseer's office
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/720347453798482011/1059460152199225454/image.png)
He claimed it as his own. So this was the lord's decree I dismissed him. Very well then, if Lorsith expects better he will get better! I drafted a letter and sent it out. Soon after while I was overseeing the demise of the magma umbrella, my associates arrived.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/720347453798482011/1059465506207314040/image.png)
Post by: delphonso on January 03, 2023, 11:55:00 pm
Also...keep an eye out for Smallhands 2...
Post by: King Zultan on January 04, 2023, 03:20:58 am
Also...keep an eye out for Smallhands 2...But will it be an Electric Boogaloo?
Post by: delphonso on January 04, 2023, 06:57:34 am
Post by: King Zultan on January 05, 2023, 02:43:18 am
Smallhands 2: Secret of the Ooze.Sounds exciting, but can we assure there will be ooze in the next one?
Post by: delphonso on April 23, 2023, 06:54:32 am
I've got Smallhands covered, but there's plenty out there that needs saving (and I think we should also backup the ones that a lot of us participated in but haven't made it to the Halls yet [The Field of Towers?!]) Back up your own threads and also help out with the legends if you can!
Post by: recon1o6 on April 29, 2023, 12:11:57 pm
glad smallhands is safe.
Where have i been?
-Burnout on DF (not helped by low fps in the fort)
-Burn out on writing
-No free time from having to fight for my job. 9 hour shifts every day since I got back in Jan. Coupled with 3 hours total travel a day and I'm left with maybe an hour at most before I sleep.
Post by: King Zultan on April 30, 2023, 01:21:16 am
Hey delphonso were you able to save the thread?
Post by: delphonso on May 06, 2023, 12:49:07 am
Glad to see you back!
Hey delphonso were you able to save the thread?
Sorry, yeah, posted about it in Hall of Legends. The internet has been spotty here lately, so my archiving efforts have been thwarted. Smallhands should be safe, though. I'll see if I can do a second run, just incase some images never loaded the first time (an issue I'm having with older threads)
Post by: King Zultan on May 06, 2023, 03:23:47 am
Post by: delphonso on May 06, 2023, 04:16:13 am
EDIT: No worries on Smallhands. It's been as well-archived as I can make it, and maybe this is the motivation to actually get the PDF done sometime this year.