CHAPTER 5: Overview
Status and screenshots of the fort, as of the year 106
As 106 starts, the narration has caught up with my playthrough, here are some images of the fort in it's current state. This should give you a good idea of what the place looks like after the initial decade.
(http://i.imgur.com/245RpdH.jpg)
Up is the map's edge, and the human kingdoms, apparently also under the tyranny of a giraffe fiend. To the east, another edge, separated by a canyon. a river runs at the bottom, which can be accessed from the fort by a small hole, providing the dwarves with fish and water, even if a siege prevents them from going outside.South is the mountainside, leading to the valley of Unhauled Gore.
(http://i.imgur.com/D3zIEBY.jpg)
Right outside is the trade depot, as well as our ''just dump all the cages the elven traders were carrying there'' stockpile. We also have a corpse pile nearby, because my dwarves don't seem intend on walking more than seven inches to dump a body, and all the farther away piles are unused, while the fortress is filled with dead dudes and animals chunks.
(http://i.imgur.com/Bw6qxxt.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/1kdcxVf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Ou9pcuD.jpg)
Hope you like the fortress so far. The next chapters will be written as I play. Rather than being a brief summary of major events, you,ll be presented with a more thorough tale, as told by Dumat Construcmirrored, founder of this clusterfuck, and broker of Whisperwhip.
( Big post, My internet was down a few days, so i screenshoted a bunch of stuff, and im now dumping all of this here at once)
Well, nevermind! That beast ran after an eagle and was absolutely oblitarated by the patrolling marksdwarves atop the wall.
8th of Sandstone, 108: Holy molly, by all that Kadol has made holy! The miners have started to dig a new mine, and came upon something spectacular today. This cavern complex looks deep, and goes down for 4 levels. At the bottom, almost in every direction we can see from up here, there seems to be an underground lurking in the dark. Our other projects have been cancelled. I've heard of those dangerous complexes of tunnels, and I asked the miners to block the entrance for now. We are converting the center of this level, as well as the other 2 above, into a mining headquarter. Food and drinks will be installed, a messing hall, and dormitories. I will ask our general to station no less than 2 squads down here for quick response against cave monsters. We have enough room for a training facility, he can have the lads sparring for all i care. All corridors are to be locked with doors, and unlocked only when in use.
(http://i.imgur.com/wI7L3DS.jpg)
We also found how to use advanced bureaucraty to order dwarves to deal with corpses left outside. the stairwell at the entrance has been emptied of corpses, and finally completed, after over a year of fudging around pointlessly. The corpse dump located under the nearby hill has been outfitted with a new basement, to account for all the various dead things lying in the valley. Work in the mines (and anywhere else really) has come to an alt.
(http://i.imgur.com/8YJdEVP.jpg)
We've repurposed this room as a Dingo training facility for the time being. Because dingo training has worked so well for us in the past...
Last days of obsidian, 108: (http://i.imgur.com/6Pl5GrL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4ADQuXa.jpg)
Some prisoners are showing up in the cages we set up for lions, and with no assassins to finish them off, disposing of them requires a new approach. I am ashamed of what I am about to put in motion, but I know Whisperwhip, I understand the sinister nature of its history, and the dark urges of it's population. now that the miners are done setting up the basic of the underground mining base, I set some of them to work on our glorioustest project yet. Meanwhile, I ask our manager that he stop mining and engraving, and now work full time on managing work orders. we have lots of charcoal to produce, many furniture to craft before the MB1 (mining base 1) is fully operational, and still many more slabs and statues to produce to enlighten the fortress. and lets not forget about crafts for the traders, when they show up alive that is.
(http://i.imgur.com/2CysmH5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FO7tItz.jpg)
Later that spring, our outpost liason finally agrees to turn this place into a rightfully honored barony. Our war and craft efforts are finally ackowledged by our great Queen, but praising her only seems to make the office liason unconfortable. s there something going on in the mountainhomes we should know of? ''No, he replies, nothing of importance. You are far away that petty rumors should not bother your brave fortress!''
Odd. Yet i send him on his way, as i cant think of a good candidate for a baron just yet. He gives me a year to decide. My own wife, and that of our absent minded mayor, died in the great Pigfall disaster of '101. With no children, this title of nobility would be wasted on us. the Bronze general has a large family, and a father living here. But with so many of our milicia officers being cousins or nephews, I dare not suggest any of them. I need someone with young children, who live here, someone with little other family in terms of cousins and uncles, who know the milicia's gimmicks but wont side with them if I need him to make a tough decision. I find that man in Tun.
(http://i.imgur.com/7jtWESQ.jpg)
With 2 injured dwarves, 1 dead and another becoming a baron, we now have solved the question of ',What shall our hunters do now that they cant hunt?''
(http://i.imgur.com/fMRs2Tx.jpg)
Obviously, we have to add a new glass furnace in the basement, and enable yet another dwarf to glass furnatise (or wahtever this job is called) before our first glasseroomakerguy goes mad. He accumulates a loooot of stuff. better be something good.
In the meantime, our metal industry is starting to kick into gears. 2 charcoal makers, 2 smelters, two metal crafters, working to smelt that fine tetrahydrate ore into copper and silver. With 5 ores produced, this is WAY better than using charcoal to smelt copper armors. Our metal stocks are finally decent, and in adition to producing another 500 or so copper bolts, i start to mint some coins. By I, i mean, other people who arent me, while i supervise and admire the handywork.
(http://i.imgur.com/e0h7PFa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2zitcuG.jpg)
-A legendary slate hatch cover, separating the general's squad barrack from his personal quarters upstairs
-an artifact slate bed, currently in the mayors chambers
-An artifact armor stand, also in the mayor's office
-Countless baubbles, each referencing the other in sort of weird chain. I suspect this is a sort of memory game that our crafters are playing on us. ''the bracelet is on the scepter thats on the crown thats on the ring thats on the figurine... ah crao i forgot the earrings!
-A leather glove, a leather mask, and a leather trouser. Obviously someone asked the question: what would go well thematically with whip-users?
-123 custom-named weapons, shields, underwear, teacups and so on, each one pausing the fortress' activity at the moment the name is first made up.
My ramblings are interupted by the arrival of this guy:
(http://i.imgur.com/UGjuj9Q.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ir4GmOf.jpg)
26th of felsite, 109: Industries are starting to be important to us, now that we dont spend our whole life inside outliving sieges. however, whisperwhip faces a serious problem, a lack of ressources it never had before: Dwarfpower.
We are 180 or so, but 60 of them are military dwarves constantly on duty (or cant be counted on to work when battle pops up, aka every single time) and 30 are kids. We have about 5 nobles working paperwork and trade, about enough to keep our food supply active, and maybe 6 more working on food preparation and boozemaking. Our team of Masons/Engravers/Miner (look, fuck specialisation, ok) are getting incredibly good at each of those job, and can complete projects very efficiently, But the digging is starting to be harder, the projects bigger, and the towers taller and more numerous. Now, this used to be fine wen it was all whisperwhip produced, but we now need animals to be trained, and stuff to be smelted, and crafts to be stockpiled, and with every ressource i decide to turn into something of a finished product, we grow a dwarf shorter. The remaining haulers can barely keep up with the stuff we have to move around, be it corpses, stone, finished product, or trade goods for the depot. I dare not add more jobs to the queue order, for i fear that this would cause others jobs to be abandonned. Put simply: we have been running at full capacity for over a year, and some cracks are starting to appear in the system.
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Meanwhile, a worker creates this wonderful chair:
(http://i.imgur.com/RGzohae.jpg)
16th of malachite: (http://i.imgur.com/6DvsFJO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/joLQwUN.jpg)
The human caravan finally shows up, and we start unloading rock and leather crafts outside. but as the wagons near in to our fortress, a large, vile force of darkness arives. Chaos ensues. The traders run inside our fortress, as the milicia rushes to the wall. Many caravaneers and animal take refuge along the river, but are blocked by our walls. Many horses die that day, and in the tumult of the battle, I barely notice that 3 people are missing. One is a planter, the other our glassmaker. The third one is their parent, a milicia dwarf currently outside trying to save them. Why have they not run inside? I dont remember any jobs requiring them to go far from the fortress. This is not the first time civilian die for running away from our base, but for the first time, they have caused the death of a soldier as well.
(http://i.imgur.com/QWG9S4d.jpg)
Asmel is the first to be buried in the military crypts, taking his rightful place among the stone coffins and statues, as a brave defender of whisperwhip. No one could blame him for his action. any dwarf worth his name would have faced those tremendous odds if it was his or her family that had went missing. But his inexperience had reminded whisperwhip of something it had forgotten: fear, and tragedy. no dwarf shall take his place for now. a fresh recruit with no training would only be a liability and a hindrance at this point. Perhaps, when a new generation reaches it's prime age, some of them will be trained together until they are fit to join our proud fighting force. but until then, the 10th position of the Spinning of wheels shall remain vacant.
As the storm passes outside, I notice that the aftermath is grim. the lead trader for the human caravan has been killed, and no brokering will occur with them this season, meaning no new wood for barrels and charcoal. but darker still, is the mood of our populace... Asmel and his family were beloved, and had each spouses and relatives. Their death is a serious blow to our morale, and many dwarves threathen to tantrum. something must be done. I decide to retreat to my room and ponder on the matter.
13th of Timber, 109:
(http://i.imgur.com/TQsa999.jpg)
Our morale was low, but thankfully, with nice bedrooms and great dining halls, we managed to survive this terrible loss that befell us a few months back. However, while reorganising the fort to make sure eeryone was happy, I realised some things about our stockpiles. Not only are we low on wood, but we have ran out of seeds and plants as well, and our booze production has stopped completely. Soap is also nonexistant, and so is potash. I queue in a few orders so we can aquire some fertiliser and soap. The kitchens and stills are closed until further notice: we have enough to survive for a long time, and i'd rather our meat be used to feed the lions than cut into our 10th thousanth masterpiece crumble cookie. Hopefully traders will help us restock soon...
No wood also means no more smelting. I order the forges and furnaces to stop. The creation of precious and shiny coins come to an end. (for now)
(http://i.imgur.com/jFaYAEE.jpg)
Meanwhile another dingo goes crazy and wildly assault random people. This is like the ninth time so far. I'd have them all butchered, but I have further plans for them, and at this point, what's a tenth slip from those doofuses? I ask that some of the miliciaman patrol the halls in case we need dingo-shooting action on the go, and simply tell the trainers to not suck so much.
(http://i.imgur.com/Ux0K9uB.jpg)
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My scheme is defeated the instant i realise that all the miners are also masons, and vice-versa. the project comes to a crawl as the minerasons start piling up gneiss. Whatever, I like towers, just keep going. We'll add floors when we start having too much of that gneiss thing.
(http://i.imgur.com/qB24nkH.jpg)
25th of Timber, 109
(http://i.imgur.com/li2bLt3.jpg)
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My plan is to make this new place self sufficient and large enough to host a small community, so that people may relocate there should the surface fall to tantrums and goblins and murderwolves.
(http://i.imgur.com/CDaF2eb.jpg)
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4th of granite, 110 (http://i.imgur.com/umEXCAB.jpg)
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Just like this milician. Shit. He was a moderately trained soldier from squad 5. To the military crypts he goes, I s'pose.
(http://i.imgur.com/qHUBWts.jpg)
18th of felsite, 110
(http://imgur.com/2xgtsNG)
I fucking hate those elves. I was about to just murder them and take their wood, but something distracted me. what's that, another accident on the ''project?'' Oh come on guys.
(http://i.imgur.com/0jDOEHH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6n1wDyJ.jpg)
Many things happened in this season, and now that our occupants are zealously working on their tasks, and the newest caravan is leaving, I'll take some time to browse over the recent events that took place in Whisperwhip, sole dwarven settlement on the northern part of the world. The surrounding savannah is home to many races, all intend on waring with each other, and the citizens of the wilted sack have learned to adapt to the bloodthirsty ways of the north.
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Tun also wants a quern for reasons unknown. Tough luck, our masonshops are busy for 4 months right now, and nobody is using them right now because the masons are also the engravers who are the builders who are all in fact the miners, working on 9 projects at a time. Tun doesn't like my answer. I ask if one of our 3 artifact chairs would make him happy? He says yes. I order the noble district be expanded. The job is, to this day, still pending. tun also wants a tomb. we have a noble tomb area waiting for exactly that. By which I mean that we had some spare time a few years ago and something tomb-like has been dug out, smoothed, engraved, and filld with statues, just to keep the guys busy. I have the single green glass coffin we ever made placed there, withness of our short-lived glass industry.
(http://i.imgur.com/t8CQ85A.jpg)
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Like, what the fuck. he said ',that's all they had'' fool, this is Whisperwind, blood is also the only thing we have! Oh well, i hope people like blood sausage. non-stop for a decade.
(http://i.imgur.com/1Vw73tE.jpg)
The walls are far from finished (and it'll be a year before the backorder of mason jobs and mining/engraving operation gets cleared, so work wont even begin on them for months) but the lower parts are complete. After retrieving the dead planter and sealing the south section, i designate a wall to be replaced by a door along the west side of the entrance hall. People can now access the food tower, or the new barrel stockpiles, from the woodworking district. i decide to add a new wood stockpile there as well, hoping we can secure plenty of underground logs in the upcoming explorations.
(http://i.imgur.com/fR7PQm8.jpg)
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Are those baby eagles a sign of prosperity? Or are they proof that we don't have enough manpower to keep going much longer? Will the eagles delight us with their presence, or feed on our corpses, like they did with the roofstuck farmer? Only time will tell. but as i look out the window, i see bottled blood surrounded by bloodstained walls, erected on a blood-soaked hill. from who'se blood will the river run red?
How are we alive? Hard to tell. My bet is that we chose to disregard any semblance of industrialisation, socialism or economy for a totalitarian militaristic war machine. Anything that isnt a marksman, feeding a marksman, or providing bolts for the marksman has no reason to exist in Whisperwhip...
And now, the end of the 110 winter, known as the chaos of Bosda(http://i.imgur.com/ghzMmR0.jpg)
Mid-Winter 110:
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For about a week, life returns to normal in the fort. Patrols overshadow the mountainside from their walls, people turn dead things into delicious dead things, and the miners work haphasardly. A few fishermen decide to neglect important tasts o gather food in the subteranean river, because we fucking need more of THAT. Their work is similar to what happened on the surface when fishing the east river, except that instead of having buckets after buckets of troll blood coming out of the nearby well, this time there's an ancient malevolent being across the river.
-hey Urist, isnt that... dangerous?
-nah, Olin, that there be Bosda, the terrifying blob of water. It is known as the Paddle. Thankfully it cannot swim.
-oh that's fortunate.
-yeah just dont mind him.
*sploush*
-Hey what was that Urist? also where did bosda go?
-...
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I select some able-bodied soldiers and dispatch them upstairs to track the beasts. A master lasher engages the mother while his friends search the fort for the pups. There are now 5 squads downstairs.
(http://i.imgur.com/ApPONXL.jpg)
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The milicia turn their attention toward the minotaur. His arrival is ill-timed, for we have our hands full, but there are two positive things to this whole story: One, people were already on alert all month because of bosda, and nobody is outside in range of the invaders. Two, our milicia is already mobilised. The minotaur is met with the full fury of Whisperwhip's crosbowmen. His legs are pinned, and his charge comes to an halt a safe distance from our walls. The two trolls, not content to destroy the main door and wreck the statues of our nobility, decide to finish off the minotaur and flee south. Assholes!
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-Let us discuss your current situation!
-Our current situation is fucked up as all shit is what it is!
Later on, he mentions that we are impressive, and he came to elevate this land in the eye of our nation. does that mean we are like higher than a barony6 because we've been a barony for like 7 weeks, and all it got us is a fixation for querns. because discussion is a two-way business, he replies absolutely nothing and vanishes for a year.
Now that the chaos is past, I order the civilians to go back to work. During the last month and a half, we have faced an ancient beast, yet more rebellious dingos, a siege, and a minotaur. Miraculously, nobody died, primarily because nobody moved out of the drinking hall. This was too close for confort, tho. Had bosda waited just a bit longer before he did, we would have had to fight both underground and on the walls. I cannot imagine what will happen if more dangerous beasts appear in the caverns. Our strenght is in our ranged attacks, and our numbers. In tight spaces, and split up, we are not mighty. Our troops are plenty, but most are sporting plain leather boots and armors, nothing that will stop a dragon's claws. We need metal, and for that we need coal. despite the danger, the cave operations must continue.
The lads go back to their duty, and soon the idlers are inexistant. We have more work than we can tackle on, and nothing was accomplished over the last 6 weeks. at least the situation is back to normal...
(http://i.imgur.com/qXySNoo.jpg)
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Statues are a great addition to any base. They are pretty, imposing, and valuable. not only that, but they help our crafters and metalworker in owning their trade, and that's about the only thing I've found that we can use our silver and copper bars on that doesn't require charcoal...
-Hum, erh, Dumast?
-Yeah?
-About the statues you ordered...
-Yes, I like them! They are awesome. The 12 copper ones were nice, but those first 6 silver statues are truly remarcable. I can't wait to see how the second half of the batch will turn out
-Yeah, hum about that. Little miscalculation...
-don't be silly, we should have plenty of silver
-Yeah, but hum... turns out they dont cost zero charcoal to make. Turns out they actually cost coal. a lot. Like, all our coal.
-...
-Yeah, so, all those batches of ash and potash and smelting you asked6 none of it was done, all the wood went to craft them statues.
Well, fuck. This is a very serious setback. I feel so terribly stupid now. Were those statues worth it? I decide to take a walk and contemplate our art, and the agricultural mayhem they cost us. As i step outside, i notice the copper statues are finally back in their place. I never got a chance to look at Tun's depiction, better check that out, I'm curious to see what...
...Oh COME on!
(http://i.imgur.com/PPDMb3l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Xhh12RS.jpg)
We don't seem to have much free barrels, so i order a few of them, as well as new orders of ash and charcoal. By new, I mean, the same ones that havent been cleared yet. Another very terrible management issue is the training of animals. Many animals are brough from the cage traps, and the trainers are inexperienced, as well as very sporadic in the practice of their task. the result is, obviously, a fuckton of animals reverting to the wild. Thankfully, spring is the season of life and blooming, and things are up for a great start:
(http://i.imgur.com/fG23BtX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aTzlAAP.jpg)
Some dogs are also born in early spring, and altho their population will never go back to what it was prior to the battle of Dogshatter, every little canine that dies for his master helps. We have about a dozen dogs now, altho most were claimed as pets before they could be war-trained.
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It's worth nothing that altho being an administrator, Urist was not the one who commited genocide on the olm people. Boy, office work sure has a way to drive people to murder doesn't it?
(http://i.imgur.com/jajfAHP.jpg)
-Nice statue, very lifelike. Also, I wanted to tell you that the mandatory ban on quern export is now lifted. I think quern are glorious enough, that a people worldwide ought to be able to admire them.
(http://i.imgur.com/tRDLh7D.jpg)
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Wait wait wait...
-Hey you, that guy at the last tabe, what did you just say while we were talking?
-there is nothing to fish in the northwestern cavern.
-no, not you, that guy!
-Oh, I said we have stuck hrnblende and splaredine and
-no not you, the guy with the beard
-Oh me, i was also talking about the fishing situation and...
-no, THAT guy, yes YOU
-Oh, me, I said, a child was kidnapped and is now gone forever.
Holy crap, by Kadol the godess of mountains and caves, how could this happen? Did nobody notice the kidnapping? If so, why was the child not supervised, and what were the army doing? As the news spread trough the hall, the citizens of the wilted sack go silent in unisson. They know what this means: war is on our doorstep once more, and a child has died... or worse. The army is clacking off, and goblins are trepassing on our land unseen. they could be about to enter the fort and we wouldn't even know it.
-This is terrible news, Tun says. I know what they came here for, but by Kadol, we won't let them have it!
-Oh please, tell me you are talking about the children and the food...
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As summer starts in the Tactical Hill, the dwarves of the wilted Sack are gathering in the great hall of whisperwhip to mourn the recent and tragic deaths of 4 compatriots. A murdered child, another vanished, as well as two workers. The cycle of life and death is cold and unforgiving here in the north. Animals are befriended and born, only to die defending their masters. Child are born and raised with love, yet they are taken away before their time. War is ever-present. all those people would leave, but... Whisperhip is their home, their pride, their life creation. The glory of a Dwarven fortress is measured not by the width of it's halls, or the content of it,s vaults, but by the willpower of it's inhabitants. For a fortress without dwarves is no real fortress, and so long as a single man stands in these bloody halls, the glory of whisperwhip shall remain bright!
Plus, Zuntir the planter just made a mug that's worth a kingdom?
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Summer of 111
The last spring concluded with terrible news, but also the completion of a prized artifact. A truly astonishing mug in all truth, for it is made with high quality zircons and other precious minerals, and sculpted skillfully. As a professional broker, I am stunned to appraise it's value to about a hundred thousand golden dwarbucks. The outpost liason is equally impressed, and reiterates on his previous cryptic comments on ''making much progress''.
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Looking at our surplus, I notice that most of our wealth is made from architecture and ''other objects', namely prepared food. we have a ton of food, but I refuse to stop producing more. While we have more than enough longland beer, variety is the spice of life, and a legendary meal with just the right ingredients for the right dwarf is what prevented many tantrums and suicides in time of tragedy. Banquets are a great way to keep the civilians from going batshit and questioning the usefulness of living here. The engravings and statues filling most of the well-travelled areas also help brighten the mood.
While whisperwhip is almost irreversely messed up in terms of administration, there are still tweaks we can do. the main issue is that total reforms are out of the way, for we have neither time nor manpower to fix most problems. This is why i came to dismiss most good solutions as GIZIPs (great idea, Zero implementation potential).
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This new model takes into account all that, as well as the strenght and weaknesses of the specific squads. The ferocious tools are the most hardcore troops, and the General lead them himself. The turquoise of hair are equally mighty. Training wont do much for them, much less than live battle at this point, so training to them is downed to 2 months a year, and they shall spend the rest of the year with 8/10 squaddies on their task. For the Ferocious tools, this mean the wall. for the turquoise of Hair, it means permanent residence below, in BASE1. The Inky lure and the contest of fortifying are also rather experienced, and will each support one location, making sure that their months of training are distanced from those of the squad they support.
finally, the 2 newest squads are not as battle-hardened as their comrades. As such, they shall spend half their time training in the barracks, and alternate the rest patrolling the fort's interior for crimes and mostly crazy dingos. Should the need arise, they can be mobilised either against a great beast below, or a siege outside.
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I also order a silver chest for Tun, since 2 simply wont be enough to store all his kids. Bolts are due too. coppr coins, not so much, but Metalcrafting is a job i want trained, and it's cheaper than statues to own our metalworkers' skills. I notice we have some tallow left, which may be coming from all those butchered dingos, so soap is added to the list of things we need. The hospital is low on it. finally, we never have too many statues, now that nobles want supercrypts. The civilians are also wandering a much larger area than before, so many statues are needed to keep their workplace tastefully arranged. Most of the population comes from a gigantic family of 37 that arrived after the skypig civil war, and they have about 20 more children now. Death or kidnapping of these children puts a heavy strain on the mood of everyone.
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This is not the safest nor soundest idea, but at least it's cheap, and any plan to neutralise Purerisks is better than none at this point. I wish the miners luck and send them on their way, just as the meeting is interupted by reports of an attack
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The council meeting is almost over. The various leaders, as well as the citizen who chose to speactate, are rather pleased with the amount of work done today. However, a new diplomat is about to join us. Technically only resident of the dwrven civilisation known as the Wilted Sack may partake in Whisperwhip's gatherings (A decision i just made up, just like i just declared this morning that administrative gatherings were a thing0. However, exceptions can always be made. The outpost liason from the citadel of clutches is one of them.
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CHAPTER 21: Gods of Blood and bling
Mid-summer, 111
My name is Dumas Constructmirrored. 14 years ago, the queen of the citadel of Crutches send us to the northern continent, where the goblins of the passionate sins waged war on the elven nations, who had united against the tyranny of the Lavender empire, of human descent. No dwarven presence survived in the north, and thus it was impossible to know what was the Lavender humans up to. Their imperialistic ways had conquered, slain and enslaved one of the elven tribes, but many more had united against the oppressor.
Our mission was apparently crucial, according to her royal highness, and we were to learn more about the so called Lavender empress, a godess in her own right, if she was to be believed. but soon we found ourselves crushed by titans and flooded by goblins, and political concerns were forgotten in favor of a more noble and immediate mission: survival.
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Nobody is sure why the war started. human caravaneers claimed that it was the elves who insulted them greatly, while some elves still dare whisper that quula is not whom she claims, and actually something much sinister. If some humans dared to think so themselves, they probably remained quiet, or were dealt with swiftly. So who is this creature that masquerades as quula, godess of the humans, according to the elves?
Ukas Archescort, the ferocious Nails, the mightiest and most notable Archfiend to ever escape the underworld in the time before days. Ukas is generally known for essentially ''inventing evil on earth'' as well as writting the first 8 foul and unholy books that gave the mortal races the gift of necromancy and dark magics. So what became of Ukas Archescort exactly? Well, let's try to find out. Is quula a genuine human deity, or the Archfiend Ukas?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKTc8Chvw5k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKTc8Chvw5k)
Now i could go on lenghts about why the humans (and now us dwarves) decided to roll with the lie and not point out that Quula looked nothing like she did in the ancient texts, but instead I'll just say that the scene above probably wouldn't have taken place if Cersei Lanister was a Pit Fiend. while sheer terror should make it easy not to spoil our knowledge of her real identity, things are gonna become rather awkward when we visit the castle, and we point out that she looks nothing like the giraffe fiend of legend engraved everywhere on our walls, depicted killing elves.
But the real disconcerting thing here is Ukas Quula's description, next to her appearance, a mere ''she is weak''. This is of course referencing her general health, not her ability to raise hordes of fallen abominations, yet it strikes me as incredibly offputting. That's something I can associate with a mother worried about her daughter who just entered college, or tabloids about Angelina Jolie, but i have a hard time imagining that when Morgoth invented Evil and declared war on everything ever, the first reaction of the elven lords would be ''Oh, morgoth, yes. He looked thinner lately. Has he been eating properly?''
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fiendish holy eyes and says nothing. The mayor bundles up in his bed while quula and her two bodyguards wearing full-plate stare at him without flinching. The mayor apparently didnt ask them to leave the room, but frankly, would YOU end a meeting with the god of murder saying you need some personal space?
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However, a troll decides to topple a silver statue of Limul the god of minerals. Usually trolls topple statues of random deities, or oftentimes statues of me (then vomit on it), but now they have desecrated our holy decorations. It's personal.
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A dark thought crosses my mind. Tosid god angry, and his desire for killing and warring was answered by a divine force. Some would assume Limul, but i can't shake off the feeling that quula is behind all this...
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Quula is clearly dangerous, but I cannot let anyone know what i suspect. not unless I have proof. Telling people that a demon is slowly taking over the mind of our citizen would cause the kind of panic that tends to end forts. Instead, I congratulate Tosid for his devotion, and as summer starts to cool off into autumn, I decide to hold a ceremony to our holy champion, and bestow upon him a personal title.
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Autumn of 111
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Rejoice, Clothswitch Day is upon us! It's the holyday you never knew you always wanted, because prolongated disregard for your basic needs has eroded your psyche into a barren and withered prune. But hey, sock, man.
Now, if socks are the shizzle drizzle, then surely an artifact pair of sandals is the drizzliest of them all. Whoemever gets to wear them will certainly be the happiest dwarf ever.
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Now, the simplest solution would be for kikrost to accept medical treatment, but that's also not the easiest. That would be complaining. Usually I'd mark the guy for dead and let him rot, because seriously fuck you Kikrost, but he also happen to have 10 sibblings, 32 cousins, and as many nephews and nieces. People refuse to hep him around but you can bet they'll call it a tragedy, then promptly ump from the highest tower. as little as i may like it, kikrost has to become a productive and satisfied dwarven citizen. Otherwise his tantruming death may bring forth the end of our fortress. As long as Quula the Blood God walks among us, we must be extra careful not to let morale drop.
It's a good thing I noticed kikrost's descend to unhappydom when i did. Thank you, wonderful sandals. I'm so glad I let the doctor murder all those kittens for you. I'm also glad about the schedule reform, since both spare squads have an empty spot, and they aren,t our first line of defense against anything. they mostly just sit around the base and tell dingos not to go berserk. Kikrost could do that. I enroll him in the lowliest rank of the milicia, and assign him an uniform that includes the Sandals. Out of 59 members of our army, kikrost is occupying position 60.
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ARTIST RENDITION
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''Why do you think we still live? Honor, training? Courage perhaps? It certainly isnt top-notch equipment, I'll tell you that! No, it's science that's keeping us alive, keeping our soldiers in shape and making them UNSTOPPABLE!!!''
-Is science also responsible for a superpowered crocodile, and sentient blobs of evil coming from the exact same area the troll blood has been leaking into?
-Well, hum... Maybe? By which i mean absolutely yes?
I promise to not spoil his implications in the superbeast incidents, if he agrees to help me stop Quula. He agrees that letting the soldiers slip into madness would be very, very bad for the health of the fortress. I also need him to look deeper into Ukas Archescort the ferocious Nails. Is it a god or a demon? Or both? what kind of weapon hold the power to harm him? Can we drown or crush or melt the bitch down into a solid block of silver? can she read our minds as we speak, effectively boning whisperwhip to certain doom, in which case blah blah blah i love oranges, think about oranges, don't think about her!
With the doctor on my side, i finally have an ally in this fight against encroaching darkness.
CHAPTER 23: Terrible trading
End of Autumn 111
Whisperwhip is essentially a SNAFU. Many forces of evil are threatening to destroy us at any time, yet life continues in those remote northern halls flooded with food and blood. As much as i would like to concentrate my efforts on project Deicide, my attention is hijacked by various other problems in the fort. Brace yourself, snatchers are coming
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...which prompt him to tantrum again soon after. He is joined in his murderous fit by, guess whom, a dingo.
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The outdoor adventures were prolific for our woodcutters, and we are back at temporarily owning logs. I order beds to fill the BASE1 chambers, as well as copper cages, which i could not aquire from the caravan this year because laziness. Ash, Potash, Bolts and charcoal are included in the mix. The doors arent new, people just havent made them in 5 months.
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One thing is sure tho. Quula, aka Ukas Archescort the Ferocious Nails giraffe fiend, has to go, one way or another...
CHAPTER 24: Beauty and the Beasts
End of 111
As the year come to a close, so too does the training of various animals.
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Ablel the proud lioness served us valliantly for over 2 years, but lions are not dwarf, and underground life takes it's toll on the psyche of a savannah beast. she finally snaps, and her glorious days are put to an end as her blood splatters all over the cavern entrance, a strange match to the red zircon deposits ornating most of BASE1's walls. Ablel is the first great cat, but many more are to come...
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miasma factory kitchens. the assembled stompers remain there for aproximately 2 weeks.
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-i fucking hate those injuries!
-Why will you not go to the hospital, Kikrost? it's right there across the hall, i could take you there...
-FUCK YOU CUNT!
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friends affiliated soldiers are sparring, a Troll escapes the disused assassination range, by breaking apart his cage and smashing the door. an entire squad greets him as he crosses the second door. Goodnight, mister troll.
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Quula gives no answers, for she vanishes mysteriously whenever i approach her. But forgotten beasts have started appearing right around her arrival, and now most of our trained animals are going insane. Coincidence? I would love to think so, but as time passes and bloodshed intensifies, I have a harder and harder time believing Quula's innocence. Little do I know, I would know her true purpose sooner than i expect it.
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-Yes. Let me guess. he wants QUERNS?
-Indeed. I'll get right to it, sir''
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''Hey, Tun, good news! Your querns are ready!
-Good, Dumas, good. But make sure that YOU DO NOT EXPORT THEM UNDER ANY PRETENSE!
-Yeah, hum, about that. I heard that erh... some guys wanted to steal the querns. So I moved them all. Into your room.
-Oh.
-Well, it was the only way to keep them safe from, erh, crime I guess. Please remain in your room until further notice. to watch over the querns.
-I... well if that's the only way to keep our querns save, i will.
-And hum, make sure that you are CONSTNANTLY using them to mill some grain. To make sure they work.
-Ludicrous! i am a count, i will not work!
-Our querns are our pride and identity! how can we define ourselves as a nation if we don't ensure that our querns are the best?
-Oh, well when you put it like that. I'll do my best!
-Good, now i must BY ARMOK WHAT IS THAT SMELL
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With that siege crushed, the caravan packs up and leave for the mountainhome. The outpost liason, however, has some news for us. Just something minor. within two years the queen will arrive, for she is to declare whisperwhip her capital. Why would she EVER come here, of all place? The outpost liason has seen this hellhole for himself, the constant violence, the sieges, the blood and the dismembered dog squadrons. Why would the queen EVER think this is what a capital should look like? And that's discounting the fact that all the other cities in the Citadel of clutches are grouped together on another continent.
-Wait, disregard all that. Don't we need to like, make offering to the mountainhomes to be elligible as a capital? We never... we never gave any riches to you merchants
-Oh, but you did. remember in 105, after the great wars, when you told us to just ''take all those stupid rags for free, they were taking space and you'd get them back from the next siege?''
-Scrap clothes. We met the incredible offering threshold with DIRTY BLOODIED RAGS?!?
-Yes, the queen is ever so grateful for those boatsfull of used dirty trousers. she will be leaving soon, so make sure her quarters are ready.
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Wait...
Just as I'm thinking of a new crypt location, it hits me. Suddenly, everything makes sence. If the rumors are true, and i now believe they are, then I know why the queen is coming, for it is the same reason she sent me here 15 years ago, the same reason that now haunts this very halls with her gloomy presence.
Quula. The queen is coming for Quula, also known as Uks Archescort, the Ferocious Nails, creator of all black magic, Giraffe fiend, spawn of the underworld, slayer of kings, enslaver of nations, goddess of blood and murder. That's why the deity has been lurking here, ominously, for over 13 months now, waiting, without saying a word. She is waiting for the queen. For the monarch of the Citadel of Clutches is no ordinary dwarf...
She is a necromancer.
CHAPTER 25: Uninvited guests
Late spring, 112
Necromantic armies aside, the arrival of the queen is gigantic news for this fortress. The solidification of Whisperwhip as the capital is, to our population, the ultimate reward for their sacrifices. Many have died, and countless more were injured, or sacrificed their passions in the name of duty and survival, yet today, the fort celebrate! The Queen herself salutes our stalward defense of this blood-soaked hill, and shall soon bless us with her presence. Once we were mere migrants, stuck in the far north, but within two years, the dwarves of this fort will call themselves citizen of the capital!
I almost let the celebrate by letting them pick up non-torn clothes from the freshly defeated siege, but restrain myself. There is a fuckton of work to be done... And many more guests to entertain before the queen herself arrives.
The elves come first, yet we have no time to spare them. I order the wood around the depot to be chopped down while the tree-lovers are stationned here, to show them we mean business. Yeah bitches, we be cutting trees. Are you mad about it? Quula the goddess of blood, scourge is inside taking complains. They catch my drift, and depart soon after.
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Alas, Rifi the forgotten beast shows up in the caverns. A towering mastodont, made of filth and dirt, drags his weight southward with alarming speed. Troops are dispatched. This one, like the others, has deadly vapors, or so our limited knowledge of it says. Unlike the previous invaders, it is NOT made of water.
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Our metalworkers (singular) should now have enough charcoal to work with. We'll need to smelt tetrahidrate for more silver statues, first. Then a throne of the most marvelous kind we have available: rose gold, a metal both rich and harmonised with the rutile walls of the monarch's quarters. We won't have neary enough silver to make more than statues, so I place orders for 15 copper tables, 32 copper thrones, and about 10 armor and weapon racks of the sae material, to outfit her personal guard. As i return from the depths to survey the wood-burning process, a rotting smell catches my nose...
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''I've found out what the fuss Rifi's breath was about, the Doctor informs me.
-By Kadol, what happened down there?
-Necrosis! A foul extract indeed, that was. I'm afraid not even the troll blood running in this soldier's vein was able to counteract it.
-Necrosis? Will you need to amputate? Will she be alright?
-Amputate? My brave dumas we don't have enough knives on this continent to amputate THAT. The whole body is rotting, all at once. Any flesh will soon be dead. Hell, her friggin eyes fell off already!
-...''
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-How many more?
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-Can... can they make it?
-I... I can try something. It may be able to scarrify the flesh and stop the infection. The flesh will never grow back tho. If i act quick enough i can probably save the vital tissues and muscles. The flesh will be gone tho, and they'll know a life of pain. And blindness, obviously.
The doctor gives me the unusual task to sneak into the jail tower, and bring back blood from the trolls. A strange endeavor, but vital to stopping the curse eating away at our soldiers. Thankfully I'm able to get in and out without too much hussle, since the wall is deserted at the time. Once the blood is delivered, I venture down, to make sure Rifi's body is handled carefully. we don't want any more infected dwarves...
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In a strange twist of fate, most of them are still extatic about the whole thing, rabling about their glorious battle against the greatest monsters. A nurse correct me: they are simply on drugs. Lots of it. Yet I'm not the only one who is wrong here. Little do those ill-fated soldiers know, the worst is still to come, and the greatest monster of all roams our halls freely, under the guise of divinity.
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''I was able to stop, well, some of the infection. Of course, trollblood is not miraculous in itself, not over such a short period of time, but for those with a strong system, it responded... unecpectedly well. Kadol is up, and insisted that she go back to her duty. She'll never see again, but with some guard dogs, she should be able to patrol the halls. Not a glorious task, but it's better than being fired from the milicia. As for Mistem, she... responded incredibly well to my treatment. Her body has stopped the necrosis, and scarrified the tissues. Her eyes are still gone, obviously, but she is fine otherwise.''
Mistem's recovery is miraculous, and bring up great cheers among the residents and soldiers alike. altho 3 of her subordinates may never walk or work again, she has overcome the ancient plague brought forth from the depths of the world. Her sight is gone, yet her bravery and knowledge of warfare remain. So long as she lives and breathes, she will defend this fortress.
...Maybe beyond that, even...
CHAPTER 26: Dumpatorium Drama
Summer, fall and winter of 112
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Soon the dinning hall begins to look the part, with copper tables and thrones being hauled through our poorly designed staircase system.
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We actually have enough pets as it is. I decide not to order new cages, and give the hunters the permission to hunt again. We're just eating what we catch at this point, and unting is just less trouble than cage rearming.
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Happy 13th anniversay, Whisperwhip! Let's hope this wont be the last.
Thanks everyone for the support! Feedback is awesome. (and so is quantum monarchy!) And now...
CHAPTER 27: Schrödinger's queen
113? Look, I don't even *know!*
So, I'm locked up in my own quarters. The old ones, not the one I claimed when I named myself acting ruler of the kingdom. How long have I been in here? I cannot say. The sun doesn't reach down here, and also the nature of time itself is being corrupted and crushed by it's own weight. I remember it was winter when the royal guards accused me of killing the queen, and had me tossed into my chambers. It's hard to prove you didnt murder the queen, qhen you were sort of actively designing a failsafe to flood her chamber with magma.
But I disgress. This story begins in the spring, with the murder of a hyena.
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...Which is kind of problematic, because for some reason, our drink stocks have begun to dwindle. from close to 6k last year, we have reached 4k this morning. I can't seem to locate the source of the problem. We have sufficient potash and farmers, enough barrels, and enough storage. The current stills are to be operated nonstop, too. Maybe we need more? I order 2 more stills to be put in the wstern courtyard, because digging new rooms is not an option with the Magical Glove requesting housing. Could it be that our brewers are doing random shit instead of brewing? In that case I ope 5 stills instead of 3 will convince people to make booze more often.
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...Is this the sign Kadol sends me? Am I to eliminate her grace? If so, I'll need 2 things: a war, and a magma machine. The first one I know how to get easily, the second is a two-step process. First, we need to install a working magma system underground, next to BASE1. Magma is awesome, and once people have seen how cool this red flood is, they'll be more open to... ''special uses''. Like defense. Against the elves. Which I'm about to piss off first chance I get.
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-It's quite simple, and also very, very problematic, says the mayor. You see, our people have long mastered the art of amassing countless objects within the same space.
-Like dumps
-Exactly. This is also how we are able to build atom smashers. HOWEVER, with every exploit comes a glitch of equal force.
-What the what.
-Yes. FPS. Framerate. A common unit used to measure the flow of time itself. It's a calculation of how many frames a given dwarf can haul around wiithin a given moment. A normal, non-glitchy society will usually have a vast amount of framerates. The problem is when many, many objects gather in a single area, and create a singularity
-Yo, I'm not sure i follow.
-Ok, put it simply, time and space are entwined. What affects one ffects the other. dwarven technology has a way of compressing matter, which sadly has the side-effect of dilluting time by an equivalent factor. The more mass we accumulate, the slower time will flow. Stone is a big issue when we have a lot. so are countless corpses and hyena teeth. animals are the worst, because they increase their mass automatically by reproducing. Ever heard of a catsplosion?
-Yes. I tried to murder all our kittens, but I ssumed it was to prevent people from being sad if the adult cat died.
-No. cats are the worst. but dingos and hyenas and eagles and chickens are also a big issue.
-so we need to butcher every single animal we have, or at least most of them.
-Yes, it will work. but we are also reaching a critical mass of corpses and refuses. We must DESTROY them utterly
-Would.. would magma work?
-Yes, yes it would! Want me to work on a magma machine, Dumat?
Yes. Yes, dear mayor, I want you to design a magma machine.
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We can't get rid of our clothes that way, BUT we can get rid of our absurd leather stockpile by making clothes. This is actually something I learned right here, live. After 17 years. You can use leatherwork to make pants. Sorry, all the naked people out there wearing goblin underwear! We have a legendary leatherworker, and many master-level crafters from all those stupid earrings we made. I order two spare workshops to be installed in the courtyard, and order 60 robes, trousers, and shoes. Hopefully they cost more than 1 leather piece, thus reducing our stockpile AND shameful nakedness.
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But I guess you didnt come here to discuss huh? Let's do business. All we want, is this booze of yours, and a bunch of logs, which we will BURN. Because we fucking hate trees. In exchange, we will give you all those wonderful, lovely soiled overused and bloodsoaked goblin-made vestments. We have a ton of it. In fact, you can have ALL of them. We have 50 pins of the stuff.
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-Wow, those fucking assholes! I will shoot them all if they show up here. Or drown them. Can we reroute the river to drown the elves? Make sure you work on that!
-I...will... but I'm already working with the mayor on a magma waste disposal...
-Dumat, there are no bigger wastes than elves. As soon as you have a working magma channel I want that thing pumped to the surface and ready to overflow the region. Abandon all you architectural thingies, weaponising magma should be our PRIORITY!
-Yes, sir! As you command, sir!
...Excelent...!
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I don't know much about magma, actually, but I'm sure everything will work out. What I DO know, tho, is that pressure will make our tunnels overflow with magma if we breach the furnace too deep. I ''think'' the first layer of lava should be enough to fill the forge tunnel AND the disposal box without going under 4/7 high.
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I check the tombs. The most recent death is Kikrost's, and that was in winter last year. if the queen did show up, and died, she should have been buried here, regardless of the name she used. yet there is nobody down here. Is the time warp bending reality around our county locking her outside?
Wherever she is, someone has to govern this place. the queen named me as expedition leader 17 years ago, to watch over Whisperwhip. Now this fortress is the capital, and the queen is missing. As the overseer of our capital, I bestow upon myself the title of regent, and move my quarters to the throne room. As long as the queen doesn't show up, I can postpone my plans to actively kill her, and focus on fixing this friggin time-bubble. I also get to use this really awesome scepter. With the general on my side, I can coerce our own army into protecting me. The royal guards are relocated to the shitiest dorms that BASE1 has to offer. I could spare the time to smooth, engrave, and furnish their quarters, but nah. I like the place empty of outsiders. With the Magical Gloves exiled to the mines below, it should be really easy to prepare the deathtrap, should the queen show up. If she does. for now, the queen is presumed both dead and alive, until we can observe her corpse.
CHAPTER 28: Lava 101
Late 113
My nomination to the title of regent was rather self-imposed, and rather shaky in terms of legitimacy. As soon as I took that scepter and sat in the throne, I knew my every actions would be doubted and judged, by the royal guards and the old citizens both. It would no longer do to simply scramble around and dispatch orders, now I had to choose my every word.
First, I brought before me the important members of the Citadel, and explained to them how it had fallen upon me to defend and order this place in the absence of our beloved queen. The elves are coming, and Quula is a disaster waiting to happen. The seat of leadership should not remain empty, especially if said seat is made of pure solid gold and covered in gems. The mayor was on my side, and so was the general, thanks to the whole ''lava murder'' project. count Tun was on the side of querns, but since I had always kept our stocks high, and refused to trade our joy and pride to the various coveting nations that visited us, he was sort of chill with the idea. The main troublemakers were the queen's men. Of course, they would oppose my powergrab. Where was the queen, they asked. Gee, I dunno, you are her bodyguards, you tell me. Just go look for her, I have a war to prepare for, and a country to flood with magma.
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I order that Mebzuth be kept from butchering duty until further notice (read: never). This will seriously impede our animal murderspree, but a tantruming dwarf may be worst then a low framerate.
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[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/LyJnTP5.jpg)
The miners are done with the dumping hallway. Most of them venture downstairs to excavate the side-tunnels, but I need one guy to create the shaft, ideally before we fill the pit underneath with red death.
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[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/Mk7Rq8z.jpg)
Oh...
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With our enemies dead, and our tunnels filling, there is nothing more to do in the caverns for now. Everyone returns to the main fort, to celebrate with mead and songs. I decline the invitation, and retreat to the throne room, to drink alone while I meditate on our next step. Should I start burning corpses now, or use the workforce to quickstart the pumps? We'll also need power, as well as tons of iron. Maybe a dam? I'm not sure the river is mighty enough to support one...
As I'm musing on my options, a copper door slams open in front of me, across this silvery hall. Without reverence, the Magical glove walks in, and approaches me with their weapon drawn.
''-Dumat Construcmirrored! barks their leader. By order of the queen, you are now relieved of your functions. You shall be escorted to your quarters, to await your trial and execution.
-Under what pretense?
-Regicide
-That's ridiculous. Even if the queen was to be dead, I have nothing to do with this.
-We have proof of the contrary, says a second guard, producing a small book from his backpack. My journal!
-Please, good sir, read the relevant passages to the accused.
-Yes, commander. Ahem... ''My plan is to erhm, flood her chambers with magma''. Then some pages later... ''now I have a reason to do so without arousing suspicion. when the time come to install the magma pipes, I'll simply claim we are enlarging this area.''. Here later still one can read: ''...Is this the sign Kadol sends me? Am I to eliminate her grace?''
-That's not... I...
-SILENCE!
From the first quote, I knew I was boned. I know better than to argue. And what wold I say? ''You have the wrong of it, I was only planning to kill the queen, it's just a weird coincidence that she suddenly disappeared!'' Trying to prove my innocence here and now is futile.
Alas, all my men are busy drinking and dancing upstairs. With no guards to defend me, I have no chance of fighting my way out of the throne room alive. Not against 4 trained champions. I let go of my scepter, and my hopes of escaping, as the Magical Glove grabs me and escort me to my room, where chains await me...
CHAPTER 29: Kicking into gears
End of 113
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The news of Dumat's arrest reaches me promptly. Shocking. They say he was driven mad by his Overseer job, and is now babbling incoherently about dark forces, demons and undead. Strange and troubling news indeed, as just a few weeks ago we were discussing the implementation of a giant lava murderflood device, and he seemed quite rational about it. The army had a vote, and elected me as their new Overseer. I turn to Led, my trusted second (and Bookkeeper).
-Led, my command over this outpost now extends beyond the fields of military leadership. Do you know what that means?
-Sir, with all due respect, we are a capital, not a mere ''outpost''.
-Well, a metropolis is just a bigger outpost, isn't it? Stop interrupting.
-But you asked a...
-I said stop interrupting. Well, do you?
-...
-I said, do you know what that means?
-You... will need to make important decisions?
-Yes, and the first is, of course, to have my biography written. By you. Write my Biography now, Led.
-Sir?
-Well, you are a bookkeeper, aren't you?
-Yes, keeper, not author...
-Well, yes, but whom better to keep books than the one who writes them? That's why we give babies to their mothers. Because they ''crafted'' them, Led.
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What a fine item this hatch is! It was the second artifact ever crafted here in Whisperwhip...
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-We are working on the first lever, he says. But I suggest adding 6 others.
-Agreed. Make sure the cages are spread evenly between each lever.
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-Yes, doors. that should stop the trolls alright. well long enough for them to be shot down.
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As you may have guessed, I'm putting the coliseum to good use. Or any use whatsoever, for that matter. Dumat had it built, and it took 3 years and 5 dwarven lives, including a brave fighter. I refuse to have this megaproject gather dust to no end. The queen may be missing, but my nomination to the Overseer post is worthy of a good show. A mass execution in front of every soul in Whisperwhip is a good way to reduce or fabled ''FPS'', free some cages, and remind the citizens that our army is strong, and our enemies endless.
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-Yes, yes. Do that. How many mecanists do we have right now? And how skilled are they.
-Well, hum, it seems that my main assistant was completely anihilated from existence 2 years ago, and is now haunting the nothwestern hills. Another mecanic was eaten by a troll, and a third lost both his legs in an ambush. so that's, well, me and two novices.
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I'm not sure what to do with the trader area. not that it matters anyway, as we have no trading partners, and our broker is waiting for his execution. I still have some time to think about that. for now, our next stop are the caverns, and the magma forge they contain. Mebzuth would make a great chief architect, but i need him to focus on training mecanists and devising blueprints for our more complicated contraptions. I simply cannot have him wasting his time babysitting a bunch of brickhandlers.
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-We spotted some Elk birds further north, so we went after them.
-We?
-Me, the dogs, and Ustuth the hammerer...
Ustuth? That's bad news. What is he doing downstairs? His job is to hammer criminals, not chase down birds in the depths of the earth. given, we had no crimes in 12 years, thanks to half the population being peace enforcers, but even at that... Ustuth the hammerer is a fishery worker by trade, and has no business handling a crossbow so far away from his quarters.
Al this paperwork and blueprint-reviewing is boring me to no end, and i could really need a fight right now. I declare that I will look after Ustuth. A pessumistic, female voice decides to join in:
-I'll go with you, my lord. You'd probably end up dying if you went on your own. In fact, Ustuth is probably gone as we speak.
-That's... very nice of you to volunteer, Drokles.
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I return to BASE1 with haste, where the mayor is waiting for me. ''the magma levels are now adequate!'' he announces. Indeed, our first magma forge is now ready for some action.
-Excellent, Mebzuth! Let's begin iron production, that we can turn those sweet bars into magma pumps.
-Yeah, hum, that's a forge, sir, not a smelter. We'll need to build two additional smelters next to this workshop.
-Two?
-We don't have many metalworkers. with 2 smelters, and one turning the iron into pumps, we're basically employing most of our metalworkers, assuming we run at full capacity. which we won't, because this forge is pretty fucking far away from our stockpiles...
He's right. BASE1 has living space and a dinning hall, but it lacks any form of industry, save for one forge. The workers will need to do tremendous amounts of walking to get any work done. I need better industries down here, and to set them up I'll need a master builder.
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-We can't operate the floodgate for now. The ghostly teenager Litast is haunting the magma tunnels
-He's dead, and a ghost now. I told you we were all going to die here! screams a nearby voice.
-Quiet, Drokles. Was the kid not memorialised?
-He was, my lord, but the slab never was placed. Dumat was arrested before he could get to that.
I turn to the guards and miners sitting in BASE1's hall. ''One of you get on your feet and have this slab installed within the hour''
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While everyone is singing and dancing, i'm approached by a very energetic young man.
-General, you must come see this! Quickly!
-Is it this damn baby? because I've already been told about...
-No, sir. not the baby. t's... it's important.
The lad seems serious about it, so I follow him outside, where he presents me the corpses of two lions, burnt to a crisp.
-We found those in the western hills, while gathering wood. Everything around had been scorched into ashes.
-Tell the soldiers to sober up, and assemble outside. Now.
CHAPTER 30: And the land shall burn
Spring of 114
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I order my four underlings to seek out the source of these fires. Murdering it painfully is unspoken, yet very hinted at.
I surge into the great hall, and grab a few more soldiers, ordering them on their feet and ready to fight within the minute. Half a dozen answer my call, and regroup outside, yet it's obvious to me that they won't be doing any fighting. None that involves winning that is to say. They have produced crossbows from the armory, but not even half of them bothered to grab a quiver, and one of them is holding his weapon upside down. Another vomits. A third complains that he hates the sun, despite the very clear presence of night around us. So this ragtag team of drunkards mobilize near the fort, on a nearby hill, and stare in the distance
-Pretty!
-Fires!
They are right, something is going on to the west.
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The simple name of ''San'' is nowhere near strong enough to convey how awe-inspiring this titan truly is. As I approach the fight, I can now see it more clearly. What I mistook for a forest fire is in fact a gigantic pterosaur, whose unending hairs are made of bright flames. The beast's fiery hair descent along its body, and turn into 2 enormous wings, spreading fire and ashes with his step.
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-Soldier! What's going on? Where's Zefon?
-He's... he's in the smoke, general! not sure if he's alive or not. Probably dead
-....arrrgh heeeeeeeeelllllllp
-Well, clearly he is, get in there and support his ass, Drokles.
-Yeah... I guess I'll end up dying sooner or later, migh as well be it now, huh...
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Suddenly, Zefon leaps out of the fight, very much so on fire. His head is now a dwarven torch, beard and hair burning, fat melting away. Soon his shirt catches fire, as the waxy flesh pours over his torso. I see a gigantic ball of fire coming out of the smoke, right at him.
-Doooodge! I scream
(http://i.imgur.com/0XxxSb7.jpg)
Good job, everyone! Zefon is still on fire tho. by the time we get to him, his face can hardly be described as such. The poor guy is hardly able to stand, suffers from intense bloodloss, and he starts to walk slowly toward the fortress. I have him followed.
A few days later, I hear the official report on the battle's aftermath. Doren is now known as the unburnt, because slayer of flame sounded way too corny. The troops also gave the custom title of ''firewalker'' to Zefon. I'm told that after the fight, he went back to the stockpiles, losing consciousness two or three times along the way, then he picked up some provisions, and crawled back outside to get his shield back. Once he had correctly secured his military supplies, he went on top of the central tower and stodd watch for 5 minutes, before collapsing. they sent him to the hospital, but every time he just gets up and return to the tower.
Come mid-spring, we hear words of elven warriors on our land. they pretend to be escorting a caravan. I was warned of their planned invasion, however, and ordered them shot on the spot. they didnt even shoot back. for a bunch of supposed traders, they sure were back at exchanging shots. The looters were surprised to see that the corpses of the would-be merchants had no weapon on them, and that their caravan was actually filled with goods.
Did we slaughter innocent traders? I mean, I don't mind a few dead elves, but the implication that Dumat lied to me is angering. The old man was getting pretty paranoid at the end, I heard, seing demons and conspirations everywhere. It was probably madness that spoke of an imminent elven attack, and not malice. Regardless, the tree-huggers will probably be pretty mad after that. do I mind? not really. what's the point of an elf-slaying murderflood if we don't get to slay elves with it? The goblins have been growing soft lately, and I could use a few new foes to change my mind.
(http://i.imgur.com/aozUgfL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1RBEDbE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xM4KNrp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YJXMEgS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kTtiJ3S.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vxTjgpd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Jf67t1S.jpg)
However, the miners insist that building 3 stockpiles on the upper floor of BASE1 would be immensely easier than, say, an infinite amount of hallways. Lay bums. They should be glad they found a cluster of red zircons in there, otherwise I would have taken their insubordination less well.
(http://i.imgur.com/E4L4L76.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gAtkUOM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DkhbT9d.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/YQXo733.jpg)
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His lioness, Ral rakustshar, easily track down the smell of a few monsters, which it helps us take down. Ral is growing weaker with the years, having a leg and part of her lower body cut open over the years. Yet she is still menacing enough that Catten has been relying on her for most of his fights now. It is said he has not killed a single ennemy himself in over 5 years. ral, however, has defeated countless of the little buggers, and probably more crazed eagles and dingos than we could count.
(http://i.imgur.com/fWmIHKI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NpcTEvP.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/YsBd8gg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/o14HAoY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0cwyOtO.jpg)
...Man, i should make that tower 20 floors high and outfit it with magma catapults.
(http://i.imgur.com/NjpgfG1.jpg)
Man I hate nobles.
(http://i.imgur.com/2SHPgK7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jAetaqY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q2mKCIY.jpg)
-Oh hey, I'm the diplomat from the human kingdom or whatever, hope you don't mind if i just eat all your stuff and discuss nothing?
CHAPTER 31: Don't split the party
Autumn 114
I may or may not have accidentally engineered a situation where the civilians are locked with a forgotten beast, while the milicians are locked away from the fight. it's a weird story. as always, it involves dying babies and poor planning. Where to begin explaining that?
I guess it all started around the beginning of fall. Summer had been incredibly uneventful, by which i mean a siege and nonstop corpse hauling. While the civilians were busy outside, I figured it was a pretty damn good time to work on improving the fortress' navigation.
(http://i.imgur.com/bYeh59B.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nWpGOpr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VQPTTFP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NP8H4MZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MOim9Ij.jpg)
Now here's what's going on with our little project here: we want to make the pit 3 large, just like the passage above. At least under where the bridges will go. Otherwise lifting the bridges will only reveal a floor, which is just terrible defense. In order to dig those pits, the workers must channel alongside the initial chasm. The first level only creates a small vertical detour, but as soon as they dig a second layer, that section of the corridor is no longer accessible, and the workers must exit southward, leaving them stranded on the BASE1 side of the project. they wont be able to cross back until we've replaced the whole by a brand new 3x3 bridge sitting over a 3x3x2 pit.
This is fine in theory, as the project should only take a few moments to complete, if the masons are doing their job.
(http://i.imgur.com/u7RgezY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IeqDxHi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Jol4ixG.jpg)
We have about ten guys in BASE1 at the time, and they are running low on food and drinks, which they cant get a hold of. We used to have a supply stockpile down there, but it took so long to bring anything across the multiple bridges that workers just gave up on keeping BASE1 operational.
(http://i.imgur.com/Soei5BF.jpg)
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* * *
(http://i.imgur.com/Zy6kjnv.jpg)
-Where's good old Dumat?
-He's... undisposed as of now, I tell them.
-And the mayor?
-He's working on some special project. Can't be disturbed.
-Well, what about the queen? We should talk to the queen herself, see if she'd love some of our wonderful crafts. Back when the capital wasnt a backwater bloodied surface castle, the queen always insisted on handpicking some of our finest crafts.
-Like, wut, lead toys?
(http://i.imgur.com/CDkMNoY.jpg)
-We are told your fortress has a high demand for bolts of all kind. We thus bring those fancy ammunition stacks as a matter of good faith.
-That's... those bolts are truly astonishing!
-Indeed, now, I'm sure someone like Dumat would know the real value of those wonderful items. When will he be here?
-He's not... Wait, I'll be back!
I rush to the battlements the second i spot what's going on there. The traders will have to wait.
(http://i.imgur.com/OFVbMx6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DbY12A9.jpg)
1-exit the fort
2-go around the entire set of walls
3-climb a fucking bunch of hills
4-walk around the unfinished walls
5-balance across the unfinished tower
6-traverse the fortification site to deconstruct the wall from there.
The peasants are chilling on the roof, watching the worker go. Wait, the worker is 3 years old?!?
-You gave this dangerous job to a baby?
-Relax, general, says a toothless peasant. Kid knows what to do, 'tis a simple job. nothin bad will happen.
-That's what you said when you sent Litast to break the volcano wall!
-Yeah well, nothing bad happened there!
-He turned into a ghost!
-Doesn't mean he was deadened, milord. whaddaya want me to say6 they be children, yo. A child does as he pleases, you can't just tell them not do do crazy dangerous things. that's not a dwarven way to raise a kid...
(http://i.imgur.com/cv6CA2d.jpg)
As much as i want to punish those irresponsible masons for their work procedures, that'll have to wait. The merchants are starting to roam the fortress looking for Dumat constructmirrored, or the queen. I can't really let them know what's up, so i rush downstairs and conclude the trade.
* * *
(http://i.imgur.com/x4JK0xc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Fii5sDB.jpg)
-Wait, i have an idea, says Catten. go fetch me a miner, that he clears some of the rocks near the bridge. If we are to wait, let us shape the battlefield to our advantage...
(http://i.imgur.com/L6m8EXy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FLkLqif.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8agrG1t.jpg)
-What's that, girl... elven blood? What was this beast doing covered with elven blood? Ah, I guess it did us a favor before coming here, slaying a few pointy ears!
* * *
(http://i.imgur.com/3qaFbL4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oqJD9a4.jpg)
You are actually writing a full-sized novel based on the emergent storytelling of DF
It's really more like a novel-sized emergent story. To call this recalling of random events a novel is to downplay the amount of work, planning, and dedication that goes into the making of an actual book.
Sidenote: I honestly had no idea Asmel was the queen's daughter. When i finally decided to name her Champion like two years ago, i visited her relationships and discovered the truth. Then I went to legend mode and found out about the heir to the kingdom being cursed as a vampire just a few years before the queen became a necromancer. Strangely, i found no mentions of a daughter named ''Asmel'' there. The vampire has been on the run from various places, but no traces of her since about the year 90. (92 is the year I tried to do a tutorial fort in the same world. since this is version 34, the world events stopped around that time and never resumed)
CHAPTER 32: Clothsgiving
Winter of 114
(http://i.imgur.com/o57CFFO.jpg)
mountainhome someplace depart abruptly is when I finally hear some good news. The animal trainers, of which we officially have one, altho 10 different people are allowed to do the job, informs me that some new war animals have been trained. We are not yet to the point of having a warbeast for every citizen, but as they say, baby steps. By which I mean lion baby steps, of which we now have plenty.
My week was plagued by political struggle, which i ardently despise. Count tun insist that we free Dumat, asmel wants him executed asap, the queensguard agree with her, the doctor weight in on Tun's side, and me... As much as I like o see crime punished, Whisperwhip needs a trader that doesn't suck. Dumat has also been in charge of micromanaging construction projects for a few years too, and i happen to need a master builder. Surely, agreeing to name Lady Asmel as our champion will soften her mood.
(http://i.imgur.com/Xhwut1H.jpg)
-I didn't know you were an architect, Asmel!
-Oh, my dear general, you could say I have... many... hidden talents. I'm also proficient with 4 weapons, a part-time grower, a brewer, fisherdwarf, armorsmith, weaver... among other things.
(http://i.imgur.com/gwVJe1l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vnHYEor.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Bw093TS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5PRhkxo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SEvoINp.jpg)
...They dispatched babies.
Finally, it is time for Dumat to come out of his room, after a year of solitary confinement. He looks definitely thinner. I explain to him that his new duties are to take care of trade business, as well as supervise the construction of the fortress.
-So, like being overseer.
-No, I reply, you are not overseer. i must approve of things first, and your job is mainly to check on the miners and builders. I'm in charge now.
-I see.
-remember, many people still want you dead, so don't overstep your authority.
Dumat has apparently been thinking a lot during the last year. To pass time, he says, he brainstormed solutions to many of our problems. Being punched and left without alcohol has some drawbacks, but it does allow you to focus on things, he says.
(http://i.imgur.com/Ebfdmfe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8BnLgxF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Yo7jZwk.jpg)
-Ok, just go tell the haulers to do that, I guess, we have more pressing matters than furniture storage right now.
Hurray, a siege. I wonder if it is the elves. I so despise elves. Goblins are fine too, as long as the attackers bring some decent new equipment. the forges are not producing iron at a reasonable pace. I get to the wall. It's goblins.
-Ok, boys and lasses, time to go outside and get our new clothes!
(http://i.imgur.com/ZsJ3JaD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uDvR1K7.jpg)
The goblins are getting smart, they started to bring shields and use them. Only took the morons a decade to think of that against a fortified nation of marksdwarves. I dispatch the rest of the troops across the countryside, to attack on many fronts. Two dwarves in this siege make a noteworthy display of might.
(http://i.imgur.com/udDk7Cl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ExEIz79.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IeTY61x.jpg)
Where is everyone?
(http://i.imgur.com/IXragTK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DIHsvQf.jpg)
Today is both clothsgiving, the new eve, and the return of our founder. Let them celebrate all they want, i say. And no holiday is complete without a new artifact!
(http://i.imgur.com/HoPLjse.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/swSW4IG.jpg)
Spring 115
''Led, I tell our bookkeeper as he drinks himself to death, it has been a full year now, and I had no news of that biography I asked. I assume it is complete?
-Huh? Oh hum, almost, general, I just need to finish the erhm, starting part.
-Led this is unnacceptable. you only have one job, and it was to write up a book about me in the spare time you get between keeping our stocks accurate and being one of our top soldiers. I'm very disapointed
-General, I...
-No, no excuses. Enough drinking. i want you up and working now, go get the books and start unforbidding cloths. start with helms. Once we have seven idlers or more, you may unforbid a new type of clothing.
-Hum, ok, sir...
-also ALL OF YOU, go get some helmets on the field to hum... celebrate, or go back to work. and somebody haul all those barrels.
(http://i.imgur.com/Q3Kktns.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jdX5DHe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oi32a2w.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/tBI7QSg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tkQYfiY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rYof0mF.jpg)
Dumat comes at me, looking almost sober.
-Ok, so, I was brainstorming on a way to like, make this courtyard useful, while I was yaknow being piss-wasted in it all week, when I heard the elves returned. They have traders with them, what the hell? We fucking stole all their stuff 2 years ago!
-Yes, and quite frankly we shot all of them dead last year as well. because you told me we were at war with them.
-You shot...Nevermind. why are they here, seriously? What's wrong with them? We stole from them, we murdered their kin, we have been turning the wildlife into fucking coal to make statues of us admiring the way they fucking died to our army, and they come back from more? no that's a trap, i tell you, a trap! They know we have framerate issues, so they come here expecting us to insult them, or kill them, so we lose precious hauling time and end up with too much crap. elves are sneaky, general, that's how they get ya.
-Well, Dumat, trading with them is the reson you are now free, so go deal with them anyway. We have rags to give away
(http://i.imgur.com/uIU2I2x.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/icG4btV.jpg)
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soon-to-be moat. He outruns our soldiers, dodge their bolts, and make away with a pile of clothes. How dare he what we were about to claim as our from the rotting corpse of his fallen brethren!
(http://i.imgur.com/CzVvsL0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yGD1WEb.jpg)
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Catten arrives around this time, and draws his weapon. ''I'm ready for this, General!'!!
CHAPTER 34: The great animal purge
Fall of 115
Good grief, it's already late in fall! Time flies by when you are chasing and dismembering various cavernous animals. The fortress has been running smoothly, and I notice a few children turned to ''adults'' during the latest months. Good.
(http://i.imgur.com/eAgJq8Z.jpg)
I designate the new peasants to undergo training in fields we need: furnace operator, metalcrafting, herbalism, mecanics...
(http://i.imgur.com/3N9h9Wd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/x1RiNbF.jpg)
-I did! claims Dumat. Silver statues make everything better, and BASE1 looks terrible right now.
(http://tauposaurus.imgur.com/all/)
-I'm sorry what?
-Yeah, friggin dingo, we need to kill all those animals as fast as possible. So i took useless professions and made them chain-slayers of the animal kind.
-We need mechanics.
-Yeah, ok, but come on, herbalism? Who cares? I've also enrolled half our cooks.
(http://tauposaurus.imgur.com/all/)
(http://i.imgur.com/16Enu0B.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iTSJopQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ouLoyjY.jpg)
Dumat vanishes almost immediately, rushing to finish his industry setup, before I can give any amount of feedback. While I'm mad that he too all those decisions without consulting me, I have to admit that over the next month, the number of animals running around did go down by half. Winter is here, and only the war animals and the pets remain. some pups and baby animals were left alive, since they'll yield more meat once they mature. All in al, the butchering operation was a huge success. It's just a shame that the whole courtyard is now dedicated to workshops we don't need anymore. I should build another courtyard then. With cannons...
(http://i.imgur.com/YkOSlvC.jpg)
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Winter of 115
If winter is the dead season, how come we have so many newborns?
(http://i.imgur.com/k14CKQP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oZuIO71.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VWs7VBS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4xmYPwn.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/YGtQNrk.jpg)
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...What's that Led, we can't draft babies? Why do we even bother having them?
(http://i.imgur.com/F5MzH0N.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Oz2bhAE.jpg)
[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/5ZVPfOE.jpg)
He discovers the secret to life and beyond is to just stab random pets and run away with ugly trousers. Goblin theology isn't exactly complex.
(http://i.imgur.com/vi2C21U.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WK3dmUY.jpg)
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''The mecanic Mebzuth has been posessed!
-Holy shit, by Armok, who are you, and why did you take over the mayor's body?
-Oh, well general, it's me, mebzuth the chief mecanic! the mayor explains in a normal voice.
-But you just said...
-No, I said Mebzuth the mecanic. Me, I'm Mebzuth the mayor who happens to also be a mecanic.
-That's ... confusing?
-Oh, all our mecanics are named Mebzuth. you get used to it.
(http://i.imgur.com/CiEIEW7.jpg)
-Do tell.
-Hum, okay. So, when i heard Mebzuth got posessed, and went to work, I immediately knew he would produce something artifact-esque, which mean a gear or a hatch that's indestructible, even by magma.
-Wait, even a bone hatch or a leather hatch?
-Yeah, as long as it's very well done, nothing can ever destroy it. because reasons. Look, don't fix what's not broken and can't be. Lava is the blood of Armok, so obviously it must be moved by high craftdwarfship.
-....Riiiight.
-Anyway, one mecanical gizmo that can't be destroyed is good, but we'll need more than an artifact to get lava up and running on the surface. Iron is fun, but expansive, and the forges are not exactly doing great. We'll need something to build the structure, something like obsidian.''
(http://i.imgur.com/NIl5O8z.jpg)
''See, i made this map from the soldiers exploration we did two years ago. Every single cavern area is above the river, except two: the one that leads to the lower caverns, and this one giant area, right next to the volcano. If we were to dig it out just a bit, and install two floodgates, we could slowly poor in both water and magma into this reservoir, close the valves, and send workers to mine obsidian.
-Sounds... surprisingly handy! And you think that'tll work?
-I have no idea whatsoever! that's what's great about it!
-Hum, that sounds like my kind of project. Begin immediately after the moat is finished.
-Yes, sir.
(http://i.imgur.com/K8NuVuK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Jm0QFFB.jpg)
Gugo the giant skinless frog has come to the caverns, and sadly for him he troops are very fucking bored of fighting elusive thieves. They gank the thing before it can even jump in the friggin' river.
(http://i.imgur.com/XNjbQ6I.jpg)
A surprisingly short entry for this story, so I tried to include a bit of conversation. I played all of 115 in one go, and didn't want to leave the last part of the year hanging, so I made this chapter instead of tackling those events at the beggining of the next year.
Also holy balls that frog image is huge, lemme resize that...
Spring 116
Extracts from the medical journals of doctor Melbil, Chief Ragdoll Engineer
General,
Since you asked, here are all my notes concerning the recent events in the fort. I have come to some solid conclusions, but I guess the final decisions are up to you. I've included more than may be required, to shed some lights on what truly transpired.
Sincerely,
Doctor Melbil
* * *
Internal memo, third of granite 116
to: dumat constructmirrored
from: Doctor Melbil, CRE
Hey, Dumat! Several complains about the salubrity of the fort. nothing personal, just yaknow, fix that asap
(http://i.imgur.com/iehBmoX.jpg)
Also, the butcher workshops in the courtyard are up and running, but we didn't get rid of those in the kitchen. miasma inbound. Please solve quickly. Replace the by some soap makers, by all means, as we are low on the thing.
Finally, we have enough powder extract for the time being, but half of what you purchased and delivered to me was actually sugar. Please fix, as sugar makes terrible casts.
Kkthx!
* * *
Internal memo, granite 18
To: Dumat constructmirrored
From: Dr Melbil, CRE
Yo, Dumat, it's me again!
(http://i.imgur.com/zmjJFGE.jpg)
Make sure you get some totems made with the skulls, too, as they take up quite some place.
kkthx!
* * *
internal memo, granite 23rd
to: dr. Melbil, CRE
from:dumat constructmirrored
(http://i.imgur.com/lKVAxMn.jpg)
'later.
* * *
Internal memo, granite 25
To: Dumat constructmirrored
From: Dr Melbil, CRE
Dumat,
Something weird is going on in the fort. I can't tell you anything as I'm sworn to secrecy, but i've een working nonstop on solving some serious trouble. In the meantime, can you get the bridge repair reports to me? Also I may need you to reopen the tomb of the baby that died last autumn.
kkthx
* * *
internal memo, granite 26rd
to: dr. Melbil, CRE
from: dumat constructmirrored
erhm, will do, but seriously what the hell is going on?
(http://i.imgur.com/aIRZego.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AuqwAkn.jpg)
oh come on what is going on? and where did his mother go?
* * *
Internal memo, granite 29
To: Dumat constructmirrored
From: Dr Melbil, CRE
Sorry, i can't say shit. Pretty busy here. Ask the general if you must know.
* * *
Post-autopsy notes on: Vishakanya, dwarven baby
(http://i.imgur.com/2ytoVfQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gA8Ogfp.jpg)
Post autopsy notes on: Phoenix, dwarven baby
The kid is dry as a desert. Some say he died of dehydratation, but how would a baby dehydrate so fast? I supose the mother's death may have something to do with the child's poor caretaking. advise a better supervision of children in times of tragedy.
Post-autopsy notes on: Kosoth Rigothsefon, beastslayer.
(http://i.imgur.com/xIh6PfM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iEcLKdk.jpg)
Kosoth showed up at various time over the following month, claiming that traumas from her fight were reappearing, no doubt due to some foul curse contracted. However, her injuries showed signs of beating and malnutrition, as if she had been locked up.
(http://i.imgur.com/3Peroza.jpg)
* * *
Autopsy notes: Usthuth the mace lord
(http://i.imgur.com/zTfkOMB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CmQ9F9L.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/azKjGgB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CjoMeOA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HcmsEze.jpg)
Here's what the soldiers gathered of the fight, and the beast itself:
(http://i.imgur.com/frAFccy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/935B01Y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DTSKKcN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Ka9W7pS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3vRuL5v.jpg)
My advice is to seal the caverns and aoid further forgotten beast. meories of them were deleted for a reason, as obviously demonstrated here...
* * *
Further investigation regarding kosoth's death:
(http://i.imgur.com/J6LSCCQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xmZhrUO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lMxvkGT.jpg)
* * *
Psychological report, granite 29th
(http://i.imgur.com/dxbrGrX.jpg)
* * *
Spring of 116 maternity report:
(http://i.imgur.com/NkV3DAn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/t7MN3pC.jpg)
spring of 116, wildlife report:
(http://i.imgur.com/Ek3FF9d.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ncXfnek.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KeorhRc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gW83ssI.jpg)
(http://[img]http://i.imgur.com/Hugq6cU.jpg)[/img]
(http://i.imgur.com/mmm9NlM.jpg)
* * *
Well, general, that's all I have. As i said, more is better than less, and i am a very meticulous dwarf. Hope this will help you take your decision regarding Kol. As i said, for the grace of Kadol stop sending people down to face those beasts!
Well, a very different update. This took place in a month and a half (yes, thats a cyclop and a FB within 10 weeks of the previous FB). I honestly spent 3 hours browsing profiles and checking for clues when i discovered both Phoenix and his mother had died under strange circonstances. Then midst my investigation, another dwarf dies of a curious infection. This strange spam of gameplay is what inspired a different kind of update, with a new narrator fit for the format.
Late spring of 116
(http://i.imgur.com/skPc94N.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kM4NAoy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Il09IlG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QfenRiB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OQckA8Y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KpIS7Jh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4Yaoma0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/q4KY8Pc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QNfdbX4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9xgk9gE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/d7yyqUg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tC5Bjvi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6DS9uY2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/la7W3Z6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qPfBveG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JR2Gz7s.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rAYfJOg.jpg)
The caverns are clear, at least for now. While I think of the spiders as some worthy opponents, the worst has yet to come. As summer is at it's height, and the month of malachite begins, so does my greatest, and possibly last fight...
(http://i.imgur.com/zHZJugV.jpg)
Galka the forgotten beast has come! a gigantic chicken protected by a spirally shell. Reports claim that it can breathe fire.
(http://i.imgur.com/2pD96GP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yRN4Oki.jpg)
We haven't found Galka on our way to the lion corpse because it flies...
(http://i.imgur.com/KLJ0LAR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/I5UGaj7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZgOlo63.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sVrC9zA.jpg)
I rush ahead, dodging the core of the battle, and lock the 6 doors leading to the fort proper, locking myself and my men outside with the beast. Should we fail to contain this creature, the masons order are clear: they are to seal the caverns before the FB can demolish all the doors. a pile of nearby stone blocks has been installed nearby for this very reason...
(http://i.imgur.com/SEdj5Uc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2jsrkyX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wlFoKzU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/V7T82Nl.jpg)
''Kel?
-I will save you, brother!''
My sister jumps on the beast, dropkicking it in the head it right as it's about to finish me off, fracturing the skull. Her following moves lack momentum, and sadly only manage to chip the bones. Galka retaliates. Fire and ice, filling the corridor. Kel takes the full blow, but she gets up and fights on. This time she damages a wing. maybe that'll slow the beast?
(http://i.imgur.com/nCjPadd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GYQse2y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rgdVff5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wVwaww5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/en5PMbm.jpg)
Catten is nearby, still trying to get back to the base. His lion is around, severely burnt by the fire that rained from the holes above. Help us, Catten! Catten orders his lion to attack, and runs away. Screw you, asshole!
(http://i.imgur.com/63HBlcL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/D0sjStr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JxQoo5p.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nqm7cHl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/w5Mcwoo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6LedpdM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zVAQPKR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DxeGgsG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gE7cTid.jpg)
The last thing i hear before losing consciousness is Kel's voice, faint and terrified.
Oh no...
Ohno!...
''Brother, i... i can't see...! Brother?''
(http://i.imgur.com/HlvnUTa.jpg)
Fall of 116
(http://i.imgur.com/FKDSLkO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DF0IxWP.jpg)
-My eyes...
-Did not fall off, finishes the doctor.
-How?
-Some special treatment i designed. I studied rifi's blood, and found a cure of sort for eye-rot. You were lucky Lady Asmel was closeby ready to carry you up here, or you would have two empty sockets in your skull by now...
-Is Kel...
(http://i.imgur.com/ws61Oqh.jpg)
-How long before I can get out of this bed, doctor?
-Well, being awake is a good enough step, I'd say a week or two. You've already been in a coma for about 2 month
-WHAT
(http://i.imgur.com/eh85Dax.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BFksiy3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PCDvuVn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/k0kIjZq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ukHnMUo.jpg)
''Dumat the broker traded a lot of stuff, but he kept this one. He likes it for some reason, maybe he just likes cat skulls? The bonecrafters are constantly adding more details to it too!''
(http://i.imgur.com/tjZ8rRr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PvVC1F4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dSyDwpF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tMNW2BK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QxfQK0E.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/366X2TO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hdWDLX1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JKR4OqJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/81nh9Z8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tN2LAvs.jpg)
* * *
(http://i.imgur.com/FCn1khU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eTPdWdz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jSO1Z0x.jpg)
Oh, speaking of soldiers slacking off. There's captain Catten, the self-proclaimed Lion Lord, heading toward the coliseum.
''Catten! Good to see you again. I'm glad you were there to support us against Galka.
-Thank you general, i did my best to...
-Your best is terrible. that was sarcasm. You are bad at your job, and i now strict you of your commanding duty. And of your cool room.
-What?
(http://i.imgur.com/xhFL7te.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0oPM3mX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/P4vt45p.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OXDUyx1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cyk3fA3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IrmOZ7g.jpg)
''Citizens of Whisperwhip! I'm so glad to have you all here today! As many of you know, our good queen is still missing. With her rightful heir absent, it falls upon me to act as the highest noble our civilisation has. Yes, I know, I was only a hunter a few years ago, until I quickly rose through the ranks to become a duke. Ah, most of you probably still see me as a random dwarf simply ordering querns around...''
(http://i.imgur.com/seJ31WZ.jpg)
''For example, I recently mandated three querns. Sadly, only one of them was crafted withing the following months. I'm told by our good crafters that the order got lost in the backlog of jobs''
At Tun's signal, a speardwarf from the Magical Glove slaps the engraver, before litterally caving in her head with a kick. The whole fort watches in horror as the engraver's numb body rolls to the floor, before it's kicked down the arena. This is shocking. I'm shocked. Everyone is shocked.
(http://i.imgur.com/AbZOw4s.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7ndqPuh.jpg)
The crowd is horrified, yet silent for a moment. Then someone starts to sob. a baby begins to cry. A few dwarves are screaming. Kol comes to me, the dwarf who strangled our beastslayer:
''Now you see, general, Tun has grown mad with power. That's why I had to kill a dying soldier. Otherwise, he would have done... that... to a random crafter.''
I want to respond, but tun is not done yet. He orders the levers pulled, and down in the arena, I see Lady Asmel, waiting alone amidst the cages. Someone pulls the lever, and with each rotating gear, six or seven goblins are released below.
''Now'' announces the Duke, ''I know this little lesson may have been tough for some of you. So here's a long-promised show to change your mind.''
(http://i.imgur.com/T3LK0Vu.jpg)
''Tun, you moron!'' I mutter to myself, ''You forgot to lock the FUCKING DOORS''
(http://i.imgur.com/im7kCJz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/olhq48B.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TI2xWkn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Wie5aSn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fslWiOz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rBZNQUg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eCssWCK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9VHRSyQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hhVr6nQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mgjMTk3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/k6HJASb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LGh8Itg.jpg)
I spend a few moments trying to locate the missing dwarf, in vain. I do, however, come across something surprising. Among the corpses and the cages, it seems that one traumatised goblin remains. His cage wasn't wired properly, so it didn't opened. He has seen how crazy we are when dealing with our own kind. Even more, he has withnessed the death of forty of his kin, for our amusement. I almost pity the creature, as it now exist in a permanent state of PTSD. I order the cage transported outside the fort, near our frontier.
I have the cage opened. the goblin is free, altho he doesn't move initially. I look at him, and explain his new purpose.
(http://i.imgur.com/cuTZx5U.jpg)
Yes, I switched up terror and vengeance in the last screenshot. Pretty appropriate that way tho.
End of 116
I call a small meeting in my quarters, and invite Dumat, the mayor, and my sister Kel. We spend a few moments discussing the duke problem. Tun has clearly gone mad with power. He may be a tool, but he is now a very influencial one. To the citizens, he represents an everyday dwarf who rose to power through hard work and perseverance. A symbol to all that despite the war and bloodsheds, each and everyone of them could one day become a legend.
Well, he used to be. now they are just scared shitless of him.
-We can make him happy, suggest Kel.
-With what, querns? mocks the broker
-Oh, yes! maybe pretter querns will stop him from doing the whole, hum, headsplosion thing. I'll get right to it, sir!
Sis leaves, enthusiastic, and makes her way to the workshops. I'm not certain that ''pretty querns'' will solve all our problems, tho. Dumat, the mayor and i start discussing how deeply fucked we are right now.
-With so many dead stoneworkers dead in the recent years, we are going to face some serious issues, I tell them.
-Welcome to 15 fucking years of my life, Dumat says. the only way the querns will be produced on time is if we have a clear backlog of tasks. And with so little miners still alive, that means basically starting no new projects whatsoever.
-Well, the mayor starts, I was working on a plan to maybe secure the caverns. but that would involve using more miners to excavate more stone pillars.
-Yeah, hum, about that, Dumat says...
(http://i.imgur.com/rrcdF3U.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YkUQtRZ.jpg)
-So that's one less worker for the time being. great.
-Well to be honest, the broker says, why don't we put some soldiers to work asie from military duty? don't we have like, a fuckton of them?
-No.
I have 6 squad, most of them close to full, but one is still made of rookies, and we'll need them to be ready to fill the other squads once they get enough experience. My own squad and Immortal-D's are in charge of covering the caverns and killing forgotten beasts, Mistem's squad is now mostly blind and not of much use anyway. Asmel's team is in charge of chasing bandits, and her subordinate squad is in charge of holding the wall, patrolling the fort, and killing sieges. They use their free days to relax and heal, and i cannot have them doing some brewing or cutting rocks on the side. I need all my men. Overcrowded military ranks are a pain to our growth, but we hold our lives to the sheer numbers of men defending this place.
(http://i.imgur.com/TE0J6En.jpg)
The mayor produces a plan for an expansion to the catacombs. The design looks intriguing, and much fancier than the plain rooms we used for the entrance sections. According to Led's bookkeeping, we have exactly one coffin left before the crypts are filled to capacity. This new wing is neat, but who will dig it?
-That's the problem, general. Nobody. We aint got much miners anymore. I ordered this started about a month ago and nobody even got close to looking at the plans yet!
(http://i.imgur.com/P8QXT5L.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/j4eCEbp.jpg)
-Hum, agreed.
(http://i.imgur.com/eGSPsZg.jpg)
-That I can sort out in a few days, says Dumat. Trust me, i have a plan to get more wood that will free our woodcutters and deliver it straight to our carpenter's door.
-I'm not sure how you would achieve that, says Stukos.
-Just, yaknow, wait and see.
(http://i.imgur.com/DaxyTnb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YPfOdN2.jpg)
-Dumat, last time I gave you free rein over our hunters, you turned their leader into a quern-loving megalomaniac.
-Oh come one, don't blame me for Tun. Nobles are nobles, they all go rotten sooner or later.
(http://i.imgur.com/r3gfJ3H.jpg)
-did you tell him you were in a meeting?
-Not really, he asked to talk to me in autumn, been running after me ever since.
-Ugh, eyerolls dumat, you are the single worsest mayor. Also don't trust him, he works for fucking Quula of all people.
The mayor leaves, Stukos goes to delete all uneeded work orders, hoping people will be able to build querns in time now. Dumat claims he has some business to attend as well, and disappears to his own machinations. He is an efficient fellow, and having him back on board sure has lightened my workload, but i swear he is reckless, secretive, and possibly dangerous at times.
My thoughts wander, and I find myself thinking about dumat's imprisonment. He was apparently building a device to flood the queen's chamber with magma, claiming she was a witch or something.
Tun is living in those same chambers now. I wonder...?
...Immortal-D barges into my office, clearly proud to announce that his new uniform was in order. Now garbed in steel, with the highest quality leather garments underneath, he looked the part of a true milicia captain.
-General! I wait my orders!
-Well, your job is really just to stand watch over BASE1, but since I'm stilll severely injured, maybe you could...
-Yes?
-Immortal-D, the task i will now bestow upon you is crucial, and can only be undertaken by our most...popular... dwaf. yes, that's it. that's why i haven't asked anyone else yet.
-Anything, general!
-Ok, i need you to go downstairs and, erh, kill the elk birds. Like all of them.
-YES! I will do that. Holy shit, it means I'm popular!
ID is so excited, he leaves and forget his many weapons. which would explain the various reports he sends me in the following days.
(http://i.imgur.com/0WhJjV5.jpg)
Attacked the elk birds as you wanted. They aren't very dangerous. Anyhow, I may have forgotten my crosbow and sword at your place? I'm punching the birds for now''
(http://i.imgur.com/hAjEQGy.jpg)
My stand against the infamous birds continues, general! I'm so glad you chose me to lead this new war against terror and I guess avian super-flu? My men and I killed 3 more of the elk birds today. None of my men have died horribly yet.''
(http://i.imgur.com/gKKpIgs.jpg)
I know why you sent me here now, I now have proff possibly maybe that the pod grabbers and the elk birds have formed and unholy alliance. When we killed two birds, the pond grabbers fled south to gather reinforcements''
http://i.imgur.com/fSf3s82.jpg
(http://i.imgur.com/XQPvbOI.jpg)
''Holy shit,
I knew it, the pond grabbers recruited more elk birds to fight us out of the water. I stopped their advances... for now. still looking for my weapons, too busy to go back upstairs. I'm using a elk birds as a weapon for now. catten almost joined a fight, i think he is mad I took his place. and possibly his elk bird?
Hey catten did you call dibs on that elk bird carcass already? wait why am i writting that down"
(http://i.imgur.com/uoiCcwY.jpg)
I'm starting to dismiss Immortal-D's report when I stumble upon this one:
(http://i.imgur.com/mSXIORI.jpg)
''Hi general!
So after you set me here to war against the infamous Elk bird army, I discovered their leader, an enormous bird-like creature weighting 24 tons. It seems to undulate rhytmically, no doubt to create ripples over the water with which to send hidden messages to it's pond grabber followers. Will attempt to punch it, wish me luck''
(http://i.imgur.com/xBeoU6a.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MjgwKvh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0UN5y9w.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dI9YYzo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pVBBJZv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uqrR4fa.jpg)
A giant spider lurked into the caverns and ambushed two civilians as we evacuated the perimeter around the elk bird king. We unleashed a lion to hold the bird while we tracked down the spider. It seems the two civilians were bitten by a venomous bite.
(http://i.imgur.com/RXTXYG3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7JaOJbE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NulGeFX.jpg)
Uggh, more dead miners, now my plans to kill tun with a giant magma chute can be considered a GIZIP. While I await the next report, I decide to adress some minor problems coming from another section of the mine shaft
(http://i.imgur.com/jwQift6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JGVqy1a.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KoHTEEz.jpg)
My motto is ''You don't truly know someone until you've destroyed every bone in his body'' this maybe why I dont have many close friends among my fellow dwarves. I return, and a child messenger brings me the final report from Immortal-D's expedition
(http://i.imgur.com/WqAI0K3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dXtJfmY.jpg)
We've been tracking down the elk bird king alongside the river for days now. He seems to be spending most of his time wandering the river, and we can't reach them. Saw more pond grabbers moving around, obviously the longer we leave the king alive, the more reinforcements he will summons. I asked the miners to free some space by removing the stone pillars, but all the miners I talked to were either dead or cooks who were also dead.
(http://i.imgur.com/0cdbJBN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/H7AR9kY.jpg)
PS: have you found my weapons?''
While this was going on, the fort had turned 20 years old. a true achievement, for any dwarven settlement, considering how explosive some colonies tend to be. While we may lack industries, or an actual monarch, the fort has plenty of fierce soldiers, great booze, and a bunch of furnitures decorated with the bones of our enemies. A fine thing if I may say so.
Spring goes by smoothly, with a few good news. immortal-D is back from his cavern mission, which turned out to be much more than just punching chickens. He also retrieved his weapons from my office. Manager Stukos has successfully completed the newest quern mandate. He's also glad to announce that Dumat managed to secure about 50 pieces of wood, and put them in the storage pile already.
''Oh, I simply told the elves I would trade them all their wooden logs for our 4000 bolts. As bow users, they told me they wanted nothing to do with our bolts. I told them ''That's right, you want nothing to do with them'' so I agreed to remove the bolts from the trade, and i just took their wood for free. Made sure they knew to bring more of it as tribute next year, cause otherwise we were gonna offer them the bolts again. Very convenient how the depot is right next to the wooden piles now, we dont need to cut or haul it anymore.''
(http://i.imgur.com/d82Q9ft.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xCSJQJJ.jpg)
''Hey what should we be doing with those ones?
-encrust them on some items, like whatever furnitures is closest on the pile.
-well, technically, this random gem from the jeweler bench IS the closest thing to me right now, so...''
I'm not an expert, but aren't you suposed to socket the gem INTO something, and not the other way around? I decide to put it in the barracks to honor my predecessor. I'd ask for the gem to be encrusted into something, but I'm afraid someone would just get confused, and build a fucking chair around it or something.
(http://i.imgur.com/GPqdtsE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dviqCZl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0wjVZtB.jpg)
''This is what I've been practicing for. I called it Kadol admiring a quern. do you think the duke will like it?
-Yes, sister, it is truly beautiful. You may have saved more life than you could know with this thing. This will keep tun happy for a long time.
I may not have to encase you in obsidian after all...
Yes, today's FB art is a pokefusion. I'm sick. I don't care.
Greeting, fine folks! It has been about a month since we had any story update, and sadly my computer parts's shipment is turning into a clusterfuck, which spells an awful lot of delays. In the meantime, I delved deeper in Legend Mode, so why don't we all take some time to learn more about the strange characters populating the Windy Realm?
(http://i.imgur.com/dOzxtmC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OM2DiRB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9ReBegH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RjR7fic.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DKOpuN0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kKbf9WC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/g45Klud.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7jXfvMP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Yi3O5Ez.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xQ96zWA.jpg)
First, she was the first of her kind. she is associated with murder, war, death and fortresses. This is all in line with her attitude as empress. she wared the elves, killed them, and used the survivors to build a mighty society. I always pictured Quula as basically the devil. Her title of ''Law-Giver Giraffe fiend certainly didnt help here. In my head, she was sitting on a throne all day, sacrificing orphans and eating babies while murdering people left and right. also tricking people into selling their souls.
Yet it seems that Quula/Ukas has been exploring the world a lot. yes, as she finally exits the underworld, she uses her powers to hijack a small group of humans and slowly shape them into a force to be reckoned with. But as the years pass, she wars less and less, and begins exploring the world, taming various animals, and visiting exotic locations.
(http://i.imgur.com/IwVPaSn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NbZAkj2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UYhm2Ru.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xCJ940d.jpg)
Perhaps she is simply shocked by her days in the windy realm, and seeks a way to stop her loved ones from dying. She has achieved this somehow. yet instead of ruling from her new awesome fortress in the north, or bestowing immortality to those close to her, she instead chose to exile herself and disappear.
What have you discovered, Cog Floorquest? What was the price you paid for immortality, that somehow made your entire kingdom irrelevant?
(http://i.imgur.com/jsEroIO.jpg)
Interesting fact, before being cursed, Princess Kumil led the Cult of bronze, a religion devoted to Kadol, of which the Bronze General was an important member, along with his sister Kel.
(http://i.imgur.com/UcsSuHD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FSwDYNK.jpg)
She then writes a tome about the giraffe Fiend's practices, altho there is yet a single giraffe fiend, herself. it's almost like she is trying to consolidate her sense of identity.
She writes about her enemies, the elf, and produces a 237 pages biography on one of them, by far her longest book. She is studying the humans from up-close, but most of her book relate to the elves and their lands.
Ukas Archescort creates Hell, a book made of forgotten beast leather, depicting tales of the underworld. This is the single most metal artifact ever created right there.
(http://i.imgur.com/cKMMM2O.jpg)
At this point, quula just doesn't give a fuck anymore about her disguise, or the tricks that got her to be named empress. she writes an autobiography of Ukas Archescort the ferocious Nails the giraffe fiend. She seems to be growing weary of her role as empress, and starts to travel and write more, isolating herself from the people she fooled. Clearly she has learned all she cared to know about humans, and is now studying elves instead. She also seem to be writting about her kind a lot, so possibly she wonders about what she is, and study other races to understand her existence.
Her last book is a dire tome describing death. This is her longest and most elaborate book. the writing is dire, and dead serious. clearly, legends of dying demons and forgotten beasts, as well as the countless wars she waged, have made her aware of her own mortality. she is mighty, yet after eons of treking the underworld, she has escaped to the material plane and now truly understand the grasp of death. The powers she represents and embodies will soon claim her as well. The age of Myth is coming to a close, and in time, the walking gods and megabeasts will all be forgotten, slain, or sealed off in the depth of the earths. Year after year, she hears of the heroes of Whisperwhip, slowly taking down demons and titans like they were cake.
Maybe this is why she left, and visited the dwarves, whom she must never have seen before, as the Wilted sack is the first group to lay foot on her continent. Everything she did now makes more sence. The way she stared at corpses, looked over destroyed FBs with an eerie glare in her eyes and not a word spoken, how she followed the mayor around and observed his strange mechanical skills at work, never speaking, slowly towering behind him for years on end... Whatever she has seen here, it was enough to give up her empress title for good. Now she has gone on a new journey, perhaps to visit more dwarves, or discover a meaning to her now counted days.
(http://i.imgur.com/yTZMyit.jpg)
Here we have a book by Tikes Tanbanner, which is a kickass name if i ever saw one. He wrote a looot of books on necromancy, death, the tragedy of the human condition, and from what I understand, he was the student of Ohe, the necromancer who raised the elves in the tactical hill. His writing is very personal, full of anecdotes, and filled with melancholy.
Another book you may have noticed on the other screenshot (i mixed a quula and a tikes book up sorry) is called The wizard guide to Extinction. at first it sounds like a tome to learn meteor swarm for high level spellcasters, but it is actually a sad, melancholic tome on the secrets of life and death. given the title, it's fair to assume that altho he mastered necromancy, Tikes Tanbanner did not in any way believe that it could actually repel death forever. His beloved mentor Ohe was himself a necromancer, yet he is now gone from this world.
Reading all this has filled me with an unshakable feeling of dread. I was supposed to be the hero, fighting off the bad guys. The lone, rogue champion battling against tough odds. But the more i read, the more I realise that most of the antagonists I'm facing are better heroes than I am, filled with grief, despair, and tragedy. I'm just a violent asshole with a crossbow and a bad attitude. Something is not wrong with Whisperwhip. The world as a whole feels wrong, and somehow, i was too busy complaining about all those goblins I had to slaughter casually, rob and dump in a huge pile to realize that we are basically the bad guys in this thing, everyone has it worse.
Could this be the real story behind this playtrough?
For long I saw Whisperwhip as a bastion of willpower and strenght, courageous dwarves fighting off armies of invaders and countless beasts. their identity is forged not by their riches, nor their fame, but by the sheer fact that they remain alive to this day. Yet, the fort fails to thrive in areas other than warfare, and as the years pass, the mighty warriors are slowly turning into exiles, fighting a pointless war with no real reason to stay, and nothing to return to. they have come to pray, as have I, for a glorious death, maybe to a dragon or fighting off a zombie invasion. Yet it is the slow, inexorable grind of accident, poor planning, disease and infighting that is slowly bringing the place to it's knees, one stupid death or accident at a time. I have described the fort as the Captain Star of fortresses, and i still believe this is accurate.
Yet when you read this story, or watch the show im referencing, it's easy to just look at the misfortune of those dwarves, or this crew, see them stranded at the edge of the world, and curse the world that has forgotten them. What you don't think about, tho, is that maybe, just maybe, the rest of the world is also having the same problems. The Windy Realm is aptly named, for it is ephemereal and fleeting. In time, it will vanish and die, and so will all those that dwells there. Necromancers master the art of life and death, yet fail to save their loved ones, nor themselves. Heroes fight a battle, only to have their victories robbed from them by time and tragedy. a vampire has gained an extended lifespan, but in doing so, lost the grace of her goddess, and forsake her throne. Even an ancient Archfiend of death, that has been in the underworld for eons, is now realising the futility of existence, and travels the world seeking answers, trying to make sense of it's life.
So what is the point of life on the Windy Realm, then? why do all these characters keep going, despite the failures and the unavoidable ending? Why should the dwarves of Whisperwhip endure, when deep inside, they know that their actions are ultimately futile?
I think Quula, or Ukas, has the right of it, even tho she probably doesn't fully realise it herself. Maybe the true meaning of life isn't the ending, but the journey...
CHAPTER 41: Justice is served, supper isn't
End of spring 117
As the elves depart, no doubt to gather all this awesome new wood they'll gift us next year, the mayor barges into my office. He's happy to announce that the legendary and metaphysical issue known as ''fps drop'' has been resolved overnight. The only explanation he could give me was that it was no doubt the result of the Gods upgrading the machinery they use to power the universe. The passage of time should no longer be dilated tremendously. Shame, I was almost getting used to think about everything in slow motion. The night before felt like they lasted forever twice, which was terrible for getting things done, but awesome for planning how to set things right.
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''Dumat, you dumb buffon, how could you let the miners work on a project like this when there is a quern mandate underway?
-Erhm, with all due respect, general, that's like, not a thing.
-What?
-I talked with manager Stukos. There hasn't been a quern order until the latest incident, because the duke is too busy enjoying Kadol admiring a quern. Do you really thing I'd be stupid enough to dispatch our miners if we had a mandate to meet? I've run this place for 15 years, I know how this whole personnel management thing works. In fact, back in my days, we never missed a fucking deadline.
-Yeah, well, hum shut up. If there wasn't a mandate, why did Kol beat up another apprentice mason?
-Gee, I don't know, who's the fucking general around here? Maybe you should keep your goons in check more.
I won't even respond to that. I leave, but take good note of Dumat's attitude. He's undermined my authority in the past to crown himself overseer, and with the regicide accusations still lurking over his head, he'd better not pull that trick again. I decide to have a chat with our doctor. Once more, he confide in me his suspicions.
''Kol is more than just a lackey to Tun. His stories are inconsistent at best. I think he's a savage thug looking for excuses to murder people. Keep an eye on him, general.''
I end up talking with manager Stukos, who's still so happy about the promotion of his son Immortal-D. Stukos confirms that there were indeed no work orders from the duke as of late. Urist's death is most suspicious. It's time to gather some witnesses and find out the truth about Kol's actions.
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(http://i.imgur.com/qycLuY0.jpg)
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-NOT NOW, ATIR!''
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To be fair, there is a lot of people the army doesn't need on duty right now. While I may need my squad and Immortal-D's available at all time to patrol the caverns and respond to monster appearances, this is no longer true of the surface. Mistem's squadron is not exactly useful at anything, so I keep them training the newbies, or patrolling the halls for unruly animals. The sixth squad is still inexperienced, and must keep training, then they'll be used to fill the blanks left in the first squads. The wall no longer needs two squads, tho. Not with the sheer size of Lady Asmel's balls resting at the top of it. Goblin sieges are no longer the big deal they were ten years ago. With just 6 to 8 dwarves patrolling, we can respond to thieves and ambushes easily. Asmel herself can kill 30 times her number in greenskins. If any invasion happens, we can easily dispatch the Ferocious Tools to the field while the rest of the soldiers gather their gear.
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All in all, this may have been one of the most productive season in Whisperwhip's history. Changes were made, drastic changes, but I believe it is for the best. In time, we may have an actually productive fortress. Not only that, but we've also caught the most notorious criminal in this fort's history, and put an end to his antics. Good job, everyone! Except you, animal trainers. Get your shit together. (http://i.imgur.com/NCb5nl8.jpg)
CHAPTER 42: Fire and blood
Fall of 117
(http://i.imgur.com/3jWmSpp.jpg)
The fortress carries on without incident, until some early fall morning when Immortal-D announces the arrival of a new monster.
''it's another giant bird! It has come to avenge the fallen Elk bird king!''
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''Do not feel sorry, general, warns me Immortal-D. I can understand the things it said when it arrived. ''Veangeance, Justice. Fire and Blood''. The ancient birds of the world have sworn an oath to see this fort perish by their talons, and more will come. We cannot rest, I'm afraid. Not until all the birds in the world are dead.''
I dismiss Immortal-D's words. The son of manager Stukos is a great soldier and leader, but his reports are delusional at times. Whisperwhip has known far worse than birds, especially if they are all as weak as Osnusm the Osprey.
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As the year draws to a close, Immortal-D barges into my office once more.
''It's the third bird this year! Do you believe me now? This one breathes fire, just like I said! fire and blood, the birds are here to get their revenge on us!
-Silly idiot, stop lecturing me and get your squad down there!''
(http://i.imgur.com/752ZHj3.jpg)
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Vengeance. Justice. Fire and Blood.
CHAPTER 43: War never changes
Spring of 118
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I then spend a few days with bookkeeper Led browsing our stock lists. We have over 200 statues placed in this fort, and with some luck, one of these statues depicts something beloved by one of the sad dwarves. I order a jumping spider statue, as well as a water buffalo statue, to be moved to the bedrooms of some of the mourning dwarves. Two other dwarves very much enjoy specific materials that we have lying around, so I order them to swap rooms with some citizen who have funirtures made of this spcific wood or stone. I give war dogs and lions to the rest.
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The sweetest of our animals is a Giant Leopard male, whom Dumat managed to secure from the traders that just left. If we can get a breeding pair, they'll put even our war lions to shame. I order him trained for combat, and ask that our finest meat be kept to feed this wonderful beast. (This is one of the reasons I wanted our spare animals butchered right now)
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The lower caverns are reached from a series of ramps. The place is filled with fungi of all sorts, and there seems to be no way of crossing the narrow northern and eastern tunnels without a woodcutter on the job.
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''Birds, mutters the captain. Even here, they have spies following us..''
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''Deler was my cook name. I am a soldier now, a proud warrior of this fortress. I shall take the name Firsal from now on, to reflect my new status!''
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Summer of 118
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''We can't just wait for them to bash our gates, more could come that way before the fight is over. Firsal, come with me. We'll go around the fort and take the trolls from the back. When we do, the rest of you wet-ears will unlock the doors and flank them.''
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The trainees have survived, but their efficiency, or even ability to mobilize at all, is incredibly lacking. They will have to do better, and improve. Maybe faster than they can imagine...
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Could the might of Whisperwhip be dwindling faster than i expected? We are not as impervious to battle as we were lead to believe. Every warrior, no matter his training, can make mistakes. Among a horde of greenskins, that mistake can sometimes be the last. That's 7 great soldiers I've lost within a year. We have 9 recruits unfit to replace their fallen comrades, and eleven such spots to fill. We can no longer afford to meet our enemies on the field just so. The walls shall be our allies, and turtling shall be our motto.
(http://i.imgur.com/mCIWIeL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cSh8xxX.jpg)
''Well, well, well, begins the diplomat, we meet at last.
-Pleasure to meet you, respond the mayor.
-Apologies, I was introducing myself to your well. It is a well-crafted piece of engineering.
-Hum, yes, I made it myself. Shall we, hum, move to my office instead of discussing over a bucket of troll blood?''
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We have a new mascot.
CHAPTER 45: Set fire to the rain
Fall of 118
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There's just so many of them too! The contests of fortifying spend about two weeks running around the mazing tunnels, chasing after each of the buggers. The situation could not be goofier even if we renamed all the naked mole dogs to ''Scoobi Doo''.
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(it's 4 am, gimme a break)
The ground shakes heavily. Strange roars come from the south. smoke rises from the horizon... could it be a new titan? No, that's a dragon! A legendary magical creature, only spoken of in half-forgotten legends.
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This legendary feat of might is enough to lift the spirits of the fort's residents. A month ago, the shadow of death and disaster loomed over our heads, like an uncertain cloud. Today, we stand united, as proud warriors, killers of a legendary beast. So long as we stand united atop our wals, no foe could ever dare to tear this fortress appart!
Hey, speaking of uncertain clouds. That weird rain I talked about earlier?
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Turns out savannahs are preeety good at catching fire.
CHAPTER 46: Pincushion
Winter of 118
Dumat the Broker
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I can't wait for the next caravan. They'll be so impressed. ''Hey, nice place, I like the ominous valley of ashes and uncontained flashfires.'' ''Why thanks, wanna buy some fucking leather earrings and a cat skull totem?'' This will be disaster. Too bad the general wants me to carry the trade of the century with the not-mountainhomes. I swear this place wasn't so shitty before, I wonder if becoming the mountainhome automatically turns a fortress into a gigantic mess.
Anyway, trading. The merchants will be here any minute now, and we have lots of stuff to get rid of. Absurdly so. The ground level is full of old stockpiles filled with crap. I'm not sure our ledgers are up to date, probably something to do with our broker being on house arrest for two years. Let's see what I can find. we have apparently 400 totems made during the last year, and I can't explain how this is possible. I'm also not sure what's more baffling: that we have enough people to craft so many so fast despite the worker shortage, or that we could get our hands on 400 skulls in a breeze. Looking deeper and deeper in the pile, I find wood weapons (the last elves to die here did so 3 years ago), leather crafts (we stopped making those in 114) and rock craft (last one is marked from 111). I knew the haulers were too busy to bring all the stuff to the Depots in time, but this goes beyond my wildest and most pessimistic expectations. We have so many unsold large rags that someone could craft a whole new continent out of them. This is sad.
I asked our great overseer to go easy with new tasks. I'll need the entire population of this fort twice if we're ever to empty this stupid attic in time.
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In exchange, i offer tons of rags, various wooden suits of armor, practice weapons that I don't even know why we have still, a bunch of leather armor still dripping goblin blood... And a fuckton of totems. Let the rest of the world know that we do not fear kittens. Maybe you want some leather craft? Cause I definitely don't. How can we make leather scepters? I dunno, but someone definitely did. Why do we have so many good-quality shoes? I was told mopst of the shoes burned a few weeks ago. Why then do we have more shoes than all the other clothing ites combined? People are running around barechest, with a pair of rotten pants, and three magnificent pair of shoes.
We'll need more clothes, for sure. Suddenly I regret turning most of our tanned hide stock into, erh, scepters? Look, mistakes were made, alright.
The merchants are bound to depart soon, but we have so, so many haulers bringing bins to the depot. I can probably afford to make another good trade in two days. By then more crates have arrived, all of which I trade for a silver bar. Still more two days after that. I notice we have about 300 unused barrels, leftover of purchasing booze and cheese in bulk. Roll that over here, boys. I want anything that's not an awesome piece of art removed from our stockpiles (get rid of the normal, plus and minus barrels). Come the fourth trading session, I'm done to unloading entire crate of cat skulls, and duty rock crafts dating back at least a decade. After the 5th trade, the merchants can carry no more back, and announce that they are leaving for the mountainhomes some random shithole. We have secured a good amount of fish, some booze (but not enough to keep the brewers training another year), good quality bolts, and a few silver bars. The lack of trade agreement is painful, as the magma smelters have accumulated a good stack of iron bars, which we could have turned into steel bars, had the merchants carried flux stone. At least, I purchased a trio of anvils, which we'll melt when we can spare some workers.
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Annnd a titan made of crystal just waltzed right into the cinder valley of blood and ashes. Quickly, the troops mobilize on the wall, ready to shoot it down.
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''We'll need more bolts from the next caravan. Like, a lot more.''
* * *
We are back to Dumat the Broker as narrator, at least for this one chapter. Most the the update was dedicated to inventory management and mercantilism, so that made more sense. As you may have noticed, the chapters are coming out much faster than before, mostly thanks to the 30+ fps coming out of my new pc. This means more updates, but it can also mean less time spent meditating and preparing each one. I apologize if anyone notices a drop in quality. I'm just excited to play, so the screenshots pile up quickly, and I don't think it would be wise to let too many accumulate. After a few days, I simply forget important details that cant be put in screenshots, or fluff I make mental notes of but forget after a while.
On a somewhat related topic, we have now reached 100 posts on this thread, and over a thousand screenshots taken. that exclude the crappy animal pictures. Most of the incoming beasts will be done with paint, until I get myself to cracking photoshop on this new rig. No hand-drawn baddies anymore either, my scanner died in the summer and the webcam was on the scrap laptop. The old chapters have been rewritten, at least the very first ones, almost up to the point where Dumat takes over as narrator. The renovations have slowed down since I'm busy playing or doing new updates. I'll get on it when I'm super bored.
We should be back to the bronze general next chapter, I'll try to keep Dumat for when a change of tone is momentarily required.
Hope you are all enjoying the story (and crappy FB art) so far! Stay tuned, more chapters are underway!
Winter of 118
The Bronze General
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Those barrels are still there, despite being moved a z-level down by the miners. I spend about a day talking with Led the bookkeeper, and we learn that milk and blood are stored in very specific categories in the stockpile menus. So are large gems. I order the barrels moved to the empty food tower, and the large gems to be stored in the gem stockpile. nobody cares. Everything remains there. Fine, you buffons, just go outside and grab some shirts instead.
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Spring of 119
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The first task I set our people to is to tame all those dogs and lions that just reached maturity. Pointless animals are a liability at worst, and a mouth to feed at best. I also assign animals to each civilian in order, by consulting the list. We have about 20 unowned lions and war dogs at the moment, so the first twenty dwarves on the list each get a pet. This should provide a better coverage than Dumat's approach, which was to point a random guy navigating the fort and gift him 12 animals to get done with.
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This quiver contains three magnificient pictures. One simply depicts a forgotten beast, a strange image through which many enemies of our past are merged in a single nightmarish foe. The second image depicts a fallen Beastslayer, in all her glory, striking down one of those ancient beasts. The third image immortalizes our most recent fallen, the Axe Lord Vabok, murdering a goblin. Instead of focussing on his final moments, the artist depicts Vabok in one of his crowning moment, so that everyone can be remembered of his bravery and might, rather than his downfall. a truly inspiring artefact, that will be carried around by the soldiers of this fort, reminding them of their duty, and the eternal glory that awaits them, even after they die. Thank you, Urvad.
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Obviously, it would be a good idea to start organizing our stockpiles better, instead of enabling categories altogether. I order those stockpiles to contain only stone blocks, since that's where the workshops for that are. Metal should be a bit closer to the forges. Let's see...
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There would be many dwarves ready to vonlunteer for this task. They are all brave soldiers, but I cannot bring myself to send any one of them to such a death sentence. None but one...
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''Wow, general, you sure did that monster good. It looks pretty smashed, huh?'' Says Alath the swordwarf, known for her perilous duel against a giant cave spider a few years back.
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You.
KSing.
Whore.
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Our food storage is back under control, without hindering hauling and construction projects too much. A ton of useless junk has been discarded permanently, we've slain a mighty beast, unclogged the fortresses hallways, and optimized the metalworking industry. We even had no death and a new baby! All and all, this was a wonderful season, and good seasons are worth celebrating It's time to unpack the surprise!
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Summer of 119
Summer is here! The monstruous spider-buffalo has been slain, and the elves have departed, let's hope we get some free time to...
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Nevermind. It's another forgotten beast. Two weeks from the last one. Deadly spittles aren't too much of an issue if people dodge correctly, at least. I'm scarred of filth, on the other hand, but that's mostly because I remember the nightmare that was Rifi, another creature of grime, and one of the fort's greatest enemies. We will face the monster as a team. I gather my squad, and head to the caverns.
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It works. Baci instantly dies. Fuck logic.
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Whisperwhip, however, is definitely not just any fort.
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Here's the thing. Sometimes, you accidentally click buttons. One of these buttons actually disable the hauling of food lying around. It must have happened, I dunno, 7 years ago. But for almost a decade, the stockpiles have been emptying drastically, and I now know why. Food hauling was just... disabled somehow. I woke up in the middle of spring and figured, hey maybe ''something'' is wrong in the obscure hidden order menu? So I tried something and now people are hauling all the food. That's right, for maybe 7 or 8 years, butchered corpses were left to rot, and only gathered once the item counted as ''refuse'' and not food anymore. that's also why there is a million barrels in the courtyard when the tower next to it is a giant food stockpile. And that's also why all those blood barrels were lying outside and nobody would touch them, except to dump them. That's also why the kitchens have been am miasmatic nightmare for so long. And yup, that's why the trade depot is constantly full of shit even when there isn't anything to trade. It also means that we turned about 700 animals into rotten corpses for exactly no purpose.
But in the end, it was not for naught, because today is the day that we use our absolute lack of organisation as a mighty shield! The humans have launched their surprise attack, but everyone is inside hauling barrels of fishes that probably died ten years ago. Lady Asmel looks at the archers outside with a strange glee in her eyes. she's jumping in place like a kid awaiting his christmas presents. ''Please, general, let me go outside! I'm bored! Being on the wall all day is no fun!''
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Asmel is back, disapointed to see that there were only one squad of archers to slaughter. She's back on the wall drawing stick figures of dead humans with the blood dripping on her weapon, before it dries up. I order that the human corpses be forbidden and left to rot there at the frontier between SoothedSlapped and our own Duchy. Their skeletal remains decomposing under the arid sun shall serve as a warning to all members of the Lavender Empire, that they are not welcome south of Quula's old tower.
''General, even the dismembered limbs?
-Especially the dismembered limbs.''
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In the heat of battle, Dumat comes to me and explain something he should have told me ages ago. We talk hurriedly as I rush toward the surface, all the way from the deepest tunnels. Surprisingly, the elves have been our only allies. No wonder they supply us with war animals, food, and logs. They know that encouraging our war efforts and providing us with goods is the only hope of seeing the human empire fall, the only way to free their enslaved brothers. Yet to avoid being seen as openly helping us, Dumat and the elven traders have been playing a small masquerade: the elves are seen as reluctantly paying us tribute, as to avoid scrutinity from the lavender faction.
''Why did you never tell me?
-I assumed you'd tell the mayor, who was in charge of meeting with the lawgivers. It was just easier to have everyone out of the loop. I swear, the elves told me they were trying to free their friends, but I was never told the lavender empire would attack us like that!
-It makes no sence, tho! The goblins killed the previous overseer!
-Yeah, of course they did. But humans are short-lived and power hungry. Whoemever is leading the dance now must be working closely with the goblins for years, and arranged for the previous lawgivers to disappear, creating a power vaccuum. How easy it must have been for him to be crowned the new emperor, when he announced that he sealed an alliance with the Passionate sins.
-Hum, human politics certainly is more cut-throat than our own.
The empire has always been hungry for conquest and pillage, and never were afraid to side with demonic powers to achieve wealth. We should have known that the disappearance of Quula would not be the end of their warmongering ways. If anything, the vanishing of their goddess had only fanned their lust for expansion. Quula had began her reign as a warlord, but had grown into a strange contemplative creature in the end, more prone to observe elves than to slay them. now that she is gone, the humans see this as the dawn of a new era of glory and loot.
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-My lord, it seems that there is a siege going on.
-Sieges never stopped anyone from doing that! Go wash my clothes!
-My lord Tun, that would be suicide! I can'T!
-You are all useless, I'll wash my own stuff then! Go make me 3 querns, imbeciles!''
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Fall of 119
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I ponder for a moment about this newfound source of water. Could we actually turn part of the courtyard into a bathing area? I start to reflect on a cool design, but by the time I'm back outside, the skies have cleared, and the sun shines once more. Within less than a day, all the filled ponds revert to sandy holes.
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I consult Dumat. He confirms what I was fearful of: the dwarven caravan should already be here. Was it goblins or humans that ambushed our brethrens? We may never know. In any case, the lack of wagons confirms my suspicions: setting foot outside of the castle is out of the way. That also means that we'll get no flux stones or anvils this year, which in turn means no steel. Iron is the best we have right now, and there's enough shields lying around to be of use. I order a set of breastplates forged, as well as some more iron bolts. The menace of an unbreakable titan still weights on my mind.
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People spend 4 months doing just that. Dumping shirts and melting oversized mails. By the time the dumping tunnel is uncrowding, winter is already halfway past. The caravaneers are long-dead, of this we no longer have any doubts. Until further contact with the main civilization, Whisperwhip is isolated from the outside, entangled in a bloody conflict. thankfully, being entangled in bloody conflict is something we've become quite good at.
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Soon, the only thing that leaves will be siege ammo...
Chapter 51: The Prophecy
Fall of 121
The seasons come and go now, just like the haulers do in the great dumping tunnel. As they walk past the cleaning pit, the blood of battles past washes off their clothes, and down the ramp. Countless dwarves step over the sanguine pool as they bring the rags of their fallen to their fiery end. There is no time for training, or cooking, or sleeping. Only dumping.
Clothes are innumerable in Whisperwhips nowadays, both old and new. Just as the dwarves are done with a pile of clothes, another one appears outside the walls, still clinging to a fallen goblin, a bloodied troll, a misguided human. Blood and lavender is their toll, and hauling is ours. With summer begins the long process of footwear destroying, which shall last until fall. 1500 shoes and socks are stockpiled in dusty bins, as many more still rot on the bodies of dwarves and corpses both. Winter is for mittens. Spring is for hats. By fall, every member of the army now has an Iron breastplate, and the 900 leather armors are marked for dumping.
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The vanquished depart soon after the tributes are offered. The merchants leave first, but the law-giver stays for a night, just to sign some paper certifying that he agrees to be our bitch from now on. Yes, those are the actual words on the peace treaty. ''I, law-giver Kege, admits that opposing the sexy fortress of Whisperwhips was a dumb idea, and henceforth agrees to becoming their bitch'' As soon as he is done, he packs his stuff. As he steps outside, he is greeted by a goblin army.
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-I...I can explain, this is part of my plan, my plan to get you in the fort!
-I'm done with your lies and your shitty plans. Kege. I know a traitor when I see one. Our deal is over.
The warlord raises his hand, signaling his archers. The lawgiver utters his last words, muted by the whistle of two dozen arrows.
* * *
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This makes me uneasy. An elf kills, an elf dies, and elf is reborn, sculpted as a shield, out of the bones of his enemies. I consult with Immortal-D, since he knows a bit about curses and strange omens.
''It's a prophecy'', he answers. ''We have killed humans, but soon a monster will be upon us, to slay us. And in time, another will come, and even in death, another battle will be fought.''
-This is nonsence. Why are you always like this.
-It's just what the artefacts say. Maybe it's not true. But you have to admit, Dumat may be right about the queen... or about Quula.
-Quula is gone.
-But not dead. She may return. and she controls the power of undeath.
-Fine, just to be sure, I'll order the workers to dump and burn corpses when they get a chance. No corpses, no undead.
-Thank you.
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Down below, a towering eyeless mantis has come to Whisperwhip. Armored with a thick exoskeleton swelling with pus, and setting everything on fire. This is the first monster since the nefarious Grousinder to sport a dangerous weapon. everything recently just try to kill shit with a poisonous bite or a sting.
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''I'll go'' Says Immortal-D. I know the caverns better than anyone
-So will I, replies his squadmate Stukos, who already has her gear ready. We are the closest, let's not waste time!''
They rush downstairs, and catch the giant mantis as it's about to reach the volcano. Both dwarves engage the beast, Immortal-D is the best dodger we have, but the smoke obstructs his vision. The fireball comes too quickly. He takes the full impact, yet suffer no damage.
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''I doubt it'll go much further, not with what I did to him. As of me...''
He knows what's coming. The doctor explained to him the nasty syndrome that plagued his friends four years ago. to hear about it is one thing, but to live it is quite another. but Immortal-D is a brave warrior, and he always knew he'd give his life to save the fort from a monster. At least he,ll die where his men did, here in the smokey caverns. His last thoughts go the the prophecy of the artefacts, as he remembers the second one, the one that speaks of dying to a monster. Then he explodes into a geyser of blood and gore.
* * *
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His wife and daughter are devastated, and so is his father, manager Stukos. Captain Atir was his cousin, and tries to say a few words, but none will come. More than just a soldier, Immortal-d was a beloved and cheerful dwarf, friend of many. He was the first to dodge an arrow, but the last dwarf that would ever avoid a conversation or a party. his sexy beard was the envy of all. Hw will truly be missed.
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''He was a special kind of dwarf, she says as i approach. I doubt I'll see another like him in the few years I have left.
-Yes... He was a brave captain.
-You know what this means, tho. The caverns are not safe anymore, general. More will come, and more will die, so long as we remain here.
-Catten will cover the caverns, in time the recruits will...
-My good general, be honest. do you really believe catten could defend us against such abominations? Even if he was to turn into our greatest hero overnight, sooner or later he will die, and so will we all. there are forces that we cannot hope to vanquish. Dark powers.''
The last discussion I shared with our fallen captain come back to me. The artefacts, the prophecy. If the dead human statue heralded the fall of the human diplomats, and the second item announced the death of Immortal-D to a monster, then... Surely, it cannot be true.
''Milady, you cannot mean... undead? I've heard tales from Dumat, but he can hardly be...
-The broker is scheming, and untrustworthy, yet in this he tells the truth. The dead may walk this place, sooner than we think. Death calls to death. We must burn the corpses, all of them. Should the fort as it is fall to the influence of necromancy, this could be the end of the world as we know it. The eldritch horrors that have crept into our basement are but a glimpse of the true terror that awaits us should this happen. If the corpses in this region walk once more, then nothing will stop them. No, we must burn every body we can find, before she comes to claim her throne.
-Who...?
-...My mother.''
CHAPTER 52: The great cave offensive
Fall of 223
The mayor
Being the mayor is not a fun task. Taking care of strangers, hosting meetings, and spending two years tailed by a creepy god. It's a lot of trouble. The mayor wasn't he most qualified for the title, but nobody in 20 years had run for the office, so he was stuck with the job. Thankfully, he often decided not to do it. Being an engineer was much, much more interesting. It wasn't always like that, no. Not when most of the mechanical duties revolved around wandering outside and carrying back huge cages filled with angry animals. But things had changed in the fort recently. It was time for bigger projects. The mayor loved bigger projects. Especially when they involved lava. Oh, who was he kidding? Everyone loved magma.
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That did give him an idea, however. Because there was nobody around in the caverns to drag boulders, it was technically his job to do so. the mayor was also having none of that. That's why he ordered every single stone in the area to be stored right in the middle of the generator. Once the machine started, every last boulder in there would simply vanish. it's not like they needed any more stone anyway. Not with delicious, delicious obsidian on the way. The other mecanics agreed with his idea. There once was a lot of other Mebzuth, but most of them were killed by various things. All of those various things were goblins. Now there was only himself left, and other Mebzuth, whom everyone simply called Skaia Mechanic, because she was in charge of the cages most of the time, so she was always under the sun. She was also always mad and depressive. Drokles times ten, essentially. Oh, there was also a new teenager whom the general had ordered to help around, but he didn't count. And he wasn't even called Mebzuth. Clearly the kid had little future in engineering.
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First, he asked the miners to carve a staircase downstairs directly next to the generator. The masons had been using the leftover boulders in the middle of the reservoir to isolate the generator from the rest of the caverns. As such, the area to the right was a mess of built walls. All it took was two deconstructed walls to open a safe digging path down through a stone pillar. Sure, they were connecting the buildsite directly to unknown horrors, but that would cut the walking by a lot. It also meant that they only needed one block to seal off the stairs if (when) trouble arose.
For a week or two, the general and his men went down into the caverns to kill stuff. And stuff they did kill. They were clearing corridor after corridor, unlocking new areas, trying to locate and ambush the two forgotten creatures living here since a few years ago. One was found totally entangled between two trees. The other they didn't find. This was taking forever. the main plan was to clear the area so they wouldn't be attacked by things while they... rebuilt the floor of the generator by putting blocks underneath? The actual plan wasn't exactly clear. The mayor assumed this was just an excuse the soldiers and woodcutters found to avoid hauling corpses. This was a waste of time. The mayor knew a much better way to seal the plug and kill everything in the caverns at the same time.
''Evacuate the caverns, he screamed. There's something going on with the generator!
-What... what's wrong with it?
-Oh. I just turned it on.''
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Trees don't burn? Are we serious here? Why are the elves even worried about their safety?
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Sazir is now incased in osidian. We now have two mechanics. I told you that kid wasn't going anywhere as a mechanic.
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Also we are now kinda low on soldiers.
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The mayor doesn't really care, tho, so he returns to oversee the generator.
CHAPTER 53: Exploding kitten
Fall of 224
The Mayor
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They'll also make coffins for all the cats, because this thing activates pretty fast now. come to think of if, the mayor wonder if they could make cats out of obsidian. Probably. Obsidian is pretty awesome.
CHAPTER 54: Pimpin' the place
Early 225
Dumat the Broker
The cat burst outburst had come and gone, without any input from the dwarves of Whisperwhip. The solution was, all along, to run out of cats. The lions had been spared, at least a few of them. Dumat knew little of the feline power struggles taking place in the shadows. He was casually enjoying his meal in the awesome royal meeting hall when the cheetahs tried to seize power. Freed from the oppression of larger cats, such as lions, they knew their time had come. A wild beast attacks the civilians!
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-You can't just ''forge'' a fucking statue, Dumat. They take time and work and that means reheating the metal to perfect things which you can't do by just dowsing half the statue in a volcano every time you wanna correct something.
-Fine, you'll get your coal. As soon as I can spare some dudes. But seriously, try to make something other than, well, purring maggots.
-We sculpt what we see, and what I see day and night is purring maggots.
In the background, random people were getting mauled by cheetahs. Dumat was sort of over those things. Yes, he made a few mistakes with domesticating every animals. yes, all the lions were exploding and all the Dingos had tried to eat their babies for two decades. And yes now they were chilling in a weird quern room were cripled psychopaths went to unwind. And now the cheetahs were trying to murder everyone. that's just how things work here. He wasn't to blame. the animal workers were. If they weren't hauling corpses day and night animals wouldn't be going crazy.
Not that Dumat minded about the whole corpse-cremating business. In fact, it was the greatest thing this fort could be doing. In the last two years, about 3000 corpses had been dumped in a fiery pit, as well as twice that number in limbs and chopped heads and random bits of gore. The whole fort was doing nothing but hauling skeletons, which is sort of creepy when you see it in action for too long. Thankfully, the job was mostly over. Only the bodies buried in the crypts remained. In case of necromancy issues, all they had to do was to lock the crypts and seal them forever.
Except for the military crypts. Those were open and unsealable, and filled with 2 scores of heroic skeletons itching for battle. nothing he could do about it for now. not without causing a fuss with Asmel and the general.
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The lower caverns have been filled with random monsters for a few years now, but the upper caverns near BASE1 have been dutifully cleared of hostiles until now. Times have changed, however. Immortal-D's squad has been eradicated, and only 3 of the general's squadmates remain. Risking a full squad against a monster such as Simo the ankylosaurus means either an easy victory, or a blood contagion for up to ten dwarves. Risking the general's squad means less casualties in case of a blood incident, but also the death of the army's leader. This would be a fatal blow to the troops' morale.
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The beast wanders the caverns, unable to reach them. Blocks upon blocks are carved, each strike of the chisel accompanied by the shame of the ignored challenge. the very identity of this place revolves around the militia's might and unwillingness to compromise with anything, no matter how monstruous it may be. with simo locked beyond the bridge, this very notion of identity is put to the test. It is time, Dumat decides, to forge a new one. Let Whisperwhip trive, and become a metropolis of architecture and wealth! The fort must live up to it's title of capital.
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-Yeah, thanks for the contributions, pal.
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And a giraffe.
A fucking giraffe.
A fucking marvelous awesome giraffe.
...
What.
He accidentally clicked the button while looking at the giraffe's lack of nickname. This is both baffling AND awesome. hear this out.
Giraffes can be trained for war.
CHAPTER 55: Shortcomings
Year 226
Dumat the Broker
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First, giraffes are not exactly ferocious. Sure, they're like super tall and stuff, especilly compared to a dwarf, but they,re not exactly optimized for combat, anatomically speaking. They have small hooves and can't run fast and can't efficiently see what they are fighting without breaking their necks. Also, that neck6 fucking vulnerable target right there. If Andros made a giraffe he'd spray paint the whole thing before strapping neon sticks on it.
Second of all, giraffes aren't carnivorous. On the plus side, it means they don,t get to eat babies. On the downside, they have to be pastured. Lions and wardogs can patrol with the troops, and be fed with steak, but a war giraffe spends it's entire days inside the courtyard eating grass. And by Armok, does it eat a lot of grass. We'd have to pen the entire continent just to keep those stupid things alive. and trust me, they,ll be doing this for a while, because...
Third of all, a giraffe takes ten FUCKING YEARS to mature. tht's right. In order to weaponize the giraffes, we first need to wait a year or two or ten for the merchants to bring a female, THEN wait for them to breed, then wait ten years. Once this is done, we have between 1 and three new giraffes ready to train the army, and half the known flora would be decimated by the parents and their unsatiable hunger.
I don't care, we're still doing it.
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we're also expanding the small furnace room. Behind each workshop, I design new stockpiles to avoid needless hauling. Lye goes next to the soapmaker and the ashery, and Ash should stay here. Potash should also be stored nearby, since the farms are right above, or right below, this floor.
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The obsidian generator is clogged.
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Disturbingly, Simo is quite content to rest in the lair of another ancient enemy of the fort. The cave crocodile, Purerisks, has eluded many attacks and contraptions created by the dwarves of the wilted sack. Killer of many innocent workers, he now resides in the depths of this underwater lake, teasing the dwarves with his continued existence. now, he has made a reptilian friend.
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We will have to take the fight to him.
CHAPTER 56: The unclogging
Year 226
Dr Melbil, Chief Ragdoll Engineer.
This was a mess. Dr. Melbil had heard about the plans to reopen the caverns and face Simo the ankylosaurus. what a terrible idea, the CRG reflected. The last cursed beast faced resulted in the deaths of three good soldiers, and then triggered the death of a hundred and a half animals. But now it seemed that the mayor, the general and Dumat had all agreed on it. The bridge would be lowered.
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uh oh...
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Note to self: BASE1 needs it's own quarantine rooms.
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''Alright, I'll send him. Dumat simply says.''
Years ago, Dumat conspired with the disgruntled soldiers of the seventh squad to counter the general's rising influence and autoritarism. Tun was their squad leader back then, a hunter by trade and the best assassin this continent had to offer. The broker named Tun baron, at the time, for his deadly obsession with querns had not been unearthed yet. It was Tun's influence and... interventions... that kept Dumat alive during his incarceration by the Magical Gloves. Now their greatest and sneakiest killer ruled the nation. Was Tun responsible for the queen's disapearance? Hard to say. Not impossible, anyway.
In any case, the time had come for Lady Asmel to die. Come morning, he would find their greatest warrior dead for good, lying in a pool of blood and miasma. He declared her dead from starvation. no one needed to know, nor would try to disprove the theory. It was better that way. Tomorrow he would announce her passing...
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The general suggests that the title of champion goes to his sister Kel, the Modest Goals. She has grown from a modest fighter to a truly diligent and mighty warrior, and is the fort's most prolific Beastslayer. Surely no one else is as worthy of the champion title, most would agree. As for the question of who should now be in charge of the army, many have candidates. Some captains vouch for themselves. Others suggest mighty warriors. The doctor has an alternative...
''I will slay all the beasts myself!
-Well I will watch over the wall day and night, replies another!
-and I will recruit the whole fort into the army, says another.''
Only one dwarf seems not to share their enthusiasm. she sits at a table, listening grimly, polishing her battle scourge. the doctor adresses her, in front of the whole fort.
''And you, what do you think of all this?
-Me? What does it matter? If it was me, I'd seal the caverns for good, instal traps everywhere, double our walls and hide our children, not that it would matter. Whatever we decide to fight down there, or even up here, is going to kill us sooner or later. Asmel wanted to be a hero, and now she doesn't even look like a dwarf anymore.
-Unenthusiastic as always, my dear Drokles. yet I feel that, considering the horrors that this fort has faced and may still face again, prudence and caution may be the way to go. The bronze general has sent us valliantly to fight, but few of our soldiers are alive now to tell of his boldness.
-Drokles!
-Drokles for commander!
-DROKLES DROKLES DROKLES!''
CHAPTER 57: This place needs more miasma
The fabled year 127
Dumat the broker
This fort is 30 years old! Well, the excursion is, anyway. Three decades ago, I led 6 other dwarves to this fiery savannah under false pretences by the queen. now cog Floorquest is missing, her eldest daughter is rampaging the old mountainhiomes looking for blood, and her youngest daughter has succumbed to a weird affliction. Just as i was beginning to trust Lady Asmel, she had to leave in a most gruesome manner.
I call a meeting to discuss the fort's current situation. One person is missing.
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A miner interrupts my train of thoughts. He screams about a bloodbath.
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''What do you mean, somehow? surely we can tell what killed them.
-We can't, sir. There's just too much miasma down there to see.''
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...Just.
...What the shit is happening right now.
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This all changed when a flying creature found a path inside the fortress using the generator maintenance tunnels. Simo was not the only beast to cause havoc among our ranks during the clogging. Those obsidian tables came at a greater cost than we expected. Yet we should have kknown. more than gold and gems, blood is the primary money of exchange in Whisperwhip.
Needless to say, the hole is patched promptly. But how many of those deadly monsters remain in the depths, waiting for a chance to sneak inside just like this one did?
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The dwarven caravaneers have lost 4 wagons so far to this affliction. Appart from the truly horrifying repercussions that this has for our reputation as a welcoming capital, there are other problems. Steel is so far impossible to find in this savannah. Our only way to acquire some is from trading. the elves and humans are useless when it comes to good-quality metal goods, so we need the dwarven caravans to get more steel items. But now, most wagons just explode randomly, leaving all their goods in the fort's entrance, including what we traded to them. This sounds cool for a beginning fort, because free stuff. This isn't so fun for Whisperwhip, where the menacing shadow of FPS cluster is ever-present. Caravans carry a tooon of pointless crap that needs to be dumped lest it fills up the stockpiles with unneeded junk. We can't afford the extra labor. The day 3 or 4 wagons fail to leave the fort is the day this fort crumbles into inneficiency.
Ignoring the traders and waiting for them to leave will not solve the problems. We must discourage them from ever coming to the fortress again. The trade depot must be dismantled during fall and winter.
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Man, this place is a mess.
CHAPTER 58: Dump or die
Year 127
Dumat the Broker
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Just to prove how fucking dangerous the place is, a giant beetle from hell emerges in the basement. A giant beetle with wings. It flies. It can enter the fortress. Oh shit.
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There is, however, one big design flaw in the fortress.
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We're going to dump so much shit nonstop that it will get crushed and drown in magma.
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The beast has seen the entrance to the fort, and chose to ignore it for now. it waits, chatting with his fellow monsters, while learning what it can from the bloodstains littering the caverns. A battle is imminent. The question is, who will give in first, and meet the foe on its terms? the dwarves are sturdy, and patient. The members of the Wilted sack are strong, and have endured much. they will not surrender that easily. Yet, the sack is not bottomless, and sooner or later the dumping will stop.
Fensast has lived for eons. It will wait as long as needed.
* * *
OOC: The situation is bad, but the framerate is now excelent.
CHAPTER 59: A web of problems
Early 228
Dumat the Broker
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If this was truly the curse then...
Armok have mercy on this fortress.
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Sadly for us, it can fly. Thankfully for us, this beast has arrived in the lower caverns, the path to which has been sealed by the general shortly before he became basically numb and useless.
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Led explains that chains are only useful for wells, or prisons. This guy is basically like an encyclopedia, I swear. Oh well, I guess we don't need 96 of them in our stockpiles.
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Truth be told, the farms have been running nonstop for 25 years grabbing as much potash as they ever needed, and i have zero idea what they are producing!
I should probably get deeper into th... OH WHAT THE SHIT
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But there are more than one webber in these caverns, as I would come to learn...
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I'm sorry, giraffes. I love you, yet we cannot be together.
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It's a goblin ambush. In the fortress. They are in the kitchen. How is this happening.
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Or so I tell myself.
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I find myself planning another regicide, when suddenly more trouble arise.
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In one of these pipes, now lies the source of all this foreshadowing.
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Webs are no joke. Even injured, this leech has the potential to cause some serious damage to our population. And unfortunately for us, it's coming in wether we like it or not.
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Squiddwarf has no family, no known parents, no children. He has served faithfully as our head miner since he moved here, except for a brief period where he claimed the title of Militia commander, supervizing the escape from old Whisperwhip into the northern mountains when a titan appeared. Up until a more experienced soldier moved to this fort, he meticulously supervized the creation of our first weapons and shields, and nominated the initial soldiers. It was under his orders that the fort was locked down for a year, until that faithful day where Olin Bookdeer sneaked outside to kill two titans on her own, looking for her cat.
Thanks to this brief role as commander, Squiddwarf never took over the role of a mason like most miners and engravers. As such, he was not executed when Tun the Duke ordered a mass slaughter of what he deemed ''lazy masons''. At the venerable age of 118 years, Squiddwarf is a legendary miner, bonecarver, and engraver. Many of the glorious details around the main fort are of his doing. He has survived many cave ins, a civil war, more sieges than I dare to rmember, and somehow always made it out of the caverns alive when strange monsters or deadly animals attacked.
And today, Squiddwarf is the only person between us and this leech. He has a special mission.
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The leech is slow, and rotting. It is moving rather slowly. In time, it will reach the floodgates and unleash tons of water into the generator. If Squiddwarf hasn't cleared enough water, then the beast wont be killable by magma, and the generator will be lost. At this point, we will have to either seal the place forever, or risk contracting the curse it is carrying unwittingly.
* * *
OOC: A friend of mine dropped by for a few moments, and he showed me his fortress. His stockpiles were basically gigantic map-wide rooms lying around in random places. I was currently nearing the end of this chapter, and my own game was running, so I gave him a tour of the place, mostly to show him what I did with the mines, and how they were converted into fancy stockpiles with pillars. Then I explained the situation with the beetle and the dumping, and we played a fun game called spot the various forgotten beasts. It's like playing where's Waldo, except there are just so many of them everywhere.
This game revealed two important things. First, there was a pile of quartzite at the bottom of the shaft. Second of all, there was a leech entering my water access. Huh oh. Was it not for this impromptu visit from a guy on a bike carrying a laptop, I may have spotted the leech too late. I was so focused on tracking the beetle, I foolishly disregarded the other creatures...
CHAPTER 60: Ambush!
Year 229
The mayor
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A new foe has appeared, and this one the mayor cares much more about. Enure the leech is slow, and injured, and it's brain is a rotting pile of dead tissues. Yet, should it gather the brainpower to randomly attack something, it could forever break the generator.
The mayor will not have that. The generator is her life's work, her greatest achievement, and it holds together the hopes and dreams of every citizen. From the very day that they started making high-quality furnitures, people became happy and talked to her less about problems. If they stop making obsidian, everyone will feel sad and bored and also annoyed that every single animal in the fort keeps dying horribly.
Thankfully, Squiddwarf is an old an competent miner, and he's working the best he can to expand the reservoir and allow the water stuck there to dry. This will take a lot of time. The other dwarves don't wanna go there.
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The floodgates open, then close immediately, a few times. Water in the pipes is at half level. Once this batch runs dry, the leech should be poured into the reservoir and obsidian'd like a boss!
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Water leaks into the generator with affluence. The eastern pipe is slowly emptying. There is nothing to do now, but wait for it to drain. we can't get in there because of the leech, and we can't fix it because of the current.
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It is to late to kill enure, the mayor knows. But not to save the generator. for that, they need to seal the pipe. The generator can work on three pipes, if a bit less efficiently. Someone has to go in there, swim against the current, and build some walls.
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''Immortal-D gave his life to defend us from whatever lurks in these caves! I will not his work be discarded like that! No, I will not let a monster deny us this last bit of cavern!''
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Mid 229
Myself
Holy crap, 87 screenshots. This one is gonna hurt! But who doesn't like big chapters? They are a pain to type, but hey...
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Nobody will know what happened to her.
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To celebrate the new year, Droklesson finishes an earring, which frankly is amazing, if absolutely useless. it features dying elves, giant monsters, and the artefact throne presiding over the temple to Kadol. at least the son of our new commander has a bright future as a craftdwarf. Assuming he survives...
Those were the last words I typed about Droklesson. He just finished an artefact. I know a child died this year, but i know it wasn't Droklesson, the kid was alive and well very recently, and I received no messages about his death, nor did the number of dwarves go down, up until zefon a few minutes ago.
As I read back to make sure I'm not going crazy or making dumb mistakes, I can't help but shiver when I control-f the last thing i said about the kid '''At least the son of our new commander has a bright future as a craftdwarf. Assuming he survives...'' It was meant as a joke, a mere storytelling device meant to keep readers on their toes. ''Everyone could die, people'' was the message here. And then suddenly I notice the kid is actually dead.
What the fuck is wrong with this fortress.
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there are a lot of dwarves in Whisperwhip, and i can't understand each and everyone's connections or perks until they are pointed out to me by the game. I had no idea Zasit had become such a baller over the years. For a moment, I hesitate on whom to give the title of champion. Kel is the sister of a main character, so it made sense to give her the title when Asmel died. Now, seeing zasit's profile and history makes me doubt. before I hastily switch some nobility spot, i decide to inspect the fortress for some more over-the-top heroes.
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At the end of this chapter, I will make a poll, and let people decide on whom shall be our true champion. Kel has ties to the previous general, and she is a dashing beastslayer who vanquished little foes, but her kills were epic. Zasit is overall a killing machine who gives zero fucks, in addition to being the previous champion's grandson. Angry Asmel has been there all along, kicking butts left and right. Plus, he's also named Asmel like the previous champion.
* * *
The next months go by without much trouble. everyone is busy, everyone has a cool job to do, and nothing really happens. The gneiss tower is expanded as we are running out of storage for our food. Slowly but surely I'm turning the peasants into artisans, each in charge of slowly building the missing industries. Glassmaker, dyer, weaver, miller...
Curious to see what is going on with the main characters, I decide to check on their skills. The game runs in the background, while I use dwarf therapist to get a better look at our protagonists, nobles and named alike. discovering the hero that is zasit got me curious, and i want to know who those dwarves I'm writing about are. I'm assuming some of you are also curious about your dwarves as well, so here goes!
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* * *
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fuck this beetle tho. I,m tired of checking on it every 5 minutes, just to know wether or not it is safe not to employ most of my workforce toward dumping. there it is, right across the raised bridge. we are ending this. we will send soldiers, shoot it many times, and retreat. Other creatures can't cross the chasm. You, kid, deconstruct this wall. Drokles, get your buddies down here. We are ending this Beetlecunt.
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You. Pull the bridge lever.
I send the squad across the bridge, and tell them to attack Fensast. they don't react. I move them closer, and closer. Go! What are you waiting for? Now is your chance! 4 of them wander off back to base. Of the four left, I realise, three of them forgot to bring any bolts. those are our elite soldiers, in our most dire moments.
And as they lay right under our most dreaded enemy, ready to strike the killing blow, they realise they forgot to bring any bolts.
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It is the bait.
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...I whisper, shaking, slowly realising what is truly happening. I know i am done for. There is no time to seal the caverns, and they are all rushing in. This is the end.
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I'm sending half of them to die, so the rest can survive.
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I unpause. immediately, it goes down. Explosions, clouds of death, deadly dust, strange breaths and deadly emissions. The forgotten beasts are unleashing hell. then the dust settles, revealing...
Yet another mystery.
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Meanwhile the newcomer is coming toward us, and is pretty close to where Mebzuth the racoon is.
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Zasit was alone, and cornered. fensast was further back, above them all. Tofi was nearby, and Abe was cutting his escape. As they see him, all of them unleash their superpowers at Zasit. Zasit backflips and dodge them all, by jumping into the southern pit where he now lies. basically all three fire at a dwarf in the middle who jumps out of the way. tofi is torn in bits by a wae of energy. Abe is knocked out and into the bridge hole, and hits the wall. Because the caverns are weird, Zasit as a clear shot, and shoots Abe three times while they are both falling, before hitting the ground and passing out.
He back-flipped and killed two forgotten beast mid-air while willingly jumping into a pit. No poll. This guy is the new champion.
The army is still rushing downstairs. I cancel the bridge-raising order cancelled. We are no longer going to our doom.
We are going to war.
CHAPTER 62: Showdown
Winter 229
Dumat the Broker
Madness. The fort is in chaos. First the army is called downstairs, then people are ordered to seal the bridges. Then the bridges are not being closed, but every woodcutter and miner is summoned to BASE!... What is happening??
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It won't be necessary. Mebzuth seeks to engage some lonely targets, and jump out of the water. Everyone and their mother show up to the fight and corner it. It webs most of the troops, but people focus his legs, and soon nobody can move from there.
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The army marches toward the downward passage, where once stood catapults and stockpiles. Now, everything has been trashed to bits. the siege engines, the stockpiles, the doors and every mecanism connecting it all. The plug is removed. The party descends...
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Oh wait.
I know...
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No, look, I'm serious. I declare the entrance hall a pasture, and trade all the large gems for every single animals they have, and have them insta-pastured right where they are. We don't need to move the gems to the depot, because they are bugged and cant be stockpiled in 34.xx. Suddenly, we have two dozen caravan guards, their war pets, two human elite bodyguards, and enough birds and cats and whatnot to act as canonfodder for the arrows. Rise and shine, my mighty makeshift disposable legion!
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uh oh.
The soldiers know how terrible this could get. they retreat into a large area and wait to see if anything bad happens. after a moment of nothing going wrong, people assume that the blood wasn't as deadly as they feared. Time to move on with the rampage. there are still two monsters to smash around! Protect the miners and woodcutters so that they may clear a path! Everyone is clearly oblivious to how a single bureaucrat just raised a ragtag army of exotic pets to save the fort from goblins. And they laughed at all the exotic animals I purchased over the years, ah!
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Nine down, one to go.
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The rampage is done. We have won. The caverns are our.
Well this was an interesting month...
CHAPTER 63: Aftermath
Year 230
Dumat the Broker
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Holy. Fuck.
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If only we had adamantine... Asmel always told stories of the fabled metal...
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The end result is that nothing is getting made beside the cavern defense. The corpses are pilling up, and so are the pointless items. Outside, the savannah is once again a valey of blood and torn rags that nobody can afford to pick up. Even the generator we fought so hard to reclaim is now offline, because nobody can reliably activate and close the floodgates in a timely fashion... not enough iddlers. We'd probably need to train more soldiers, but then even less things would get done.
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Drokles herself has been sharing my point of view lately. She used to be fatalistic, and in a way she still is. Yet, killing all those monsters have changed her mind on certain things. she knows that in time we will all die horribly, but just like we all do, she now knows that when this is all over, people will remember our tales, and sing our names. we are doing what few, if any dwarves, have ever done. We are laughing in the face of the world, and the worst creatures it coudl ever design.
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* * *
OOC:
Things are happening. Not fluff and unicorns. Bad things. I have about 200 screenshots still waiting to make it into this thread, and spoiler alert this is just the beginning. We've lost two named dwarves this chapter, and it's fairly possible that this will happen again. If you want to get re-dwarfed into the story, post-posthumously or pre-emptively, just pm me and specify what role you'd like. That way your new dwarves will enter the narrative much sooner...
Stay tuned.
CHAPTER 64: The dive
Year 230
Dumat the Broker
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Thankfully this one spawned far away in the second layer of caverns, and nobody is working there... for now. We'll have some time to bash Amas before it gets to us. Hopefully. After examining the area, it seems that the newcomer cannot get to us by land, so it'll need to swim, for it now inhabits a faraway peninsula overgrown with mushrooms.
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I send people to seal the dumping shaft from the rest of the caverns, and order the door sealed as well. We... hum... I don't feel this one.
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The greatest drug now runs through the dwarves veins. Deadlier than poison, hotter than the fiery blood of Armok.
This is about vengeance.
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Another dust of cloud. The army scatters once more. Coma, fever, dizzyness, smoke. Blood loss. nothing makes sence anymore. This is the end.
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No! That was years ago. He remembers! Focus, momuz, focus! You were in a fight. Everyone is down but you. And the beast....
Under him lies Amas Spithole, the washed spurt. Nothing more than a warm corpse now. The beast is dead. The beast is dead!
Nothing else matters.
''I... I am a champion'' He murmurs, before the fever does him in.
CHAPTER 65: Fishing
Year 230
Dumat the Broker
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Obviously, the miners go all the way to the other side and start digging from there. Those guys, i swear.
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The fever. The dust carried a strange fever. I assumed falling unconscious from it was the result of hitting the rocks... turns out there was more to it. Around the fort, random dwarves just... collapse for a few hours, pass out, and get up. things are growing stranger every day. Better check with the head doctor.
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...That's bad.
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''How many querns.
-Not querns, Dumat. I DEMAND a table. In my tomb. a crystal glass table. the end is night, and i want a prettier tomb.
-Ugh, fine, you,ll get it in a few days.
-Also i want three querns.''
I leave another note to manager Stukos, an order for one (1) crystal glass table. We have tons of sand bags, and i nominated a young peasant to glassmaking last year. That won't be an issue at all. Clearly as I write down this note, I can't possibly imagine that the next chapter will revolve around that fucking piece of furniture, and change the fort forever...
CHAPTER 66: A table
Year ???231???
Dumat the Broker
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-We don't have the correct workshop.
-It's a magma glass furnace. all you need is sand, and it makes glass! What's the problem here?
-Sir, we actually need a kiln, which is a very different thing.''
Ugh, fine, we'll make a kiln. The pillar containing the magma forges is filled up to capacity, and I don't feel like stretching our already busy workforce just to expand the lava channels for a magma kiln. We'll have a regular kiln, somewhere, doesn't matter. We'll use some fucking charcoal, build the table and move on with our lives. Where's our architect? Oh, it's the mayor, and she's busy fixing some floodgate in order to fish out dead people.
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''Sir, we can't just make a crystal glass table, we'll need potash!
-Then make some.
-We can't because we are using all the potash for the farms. Unless we cancel fertilizing, we'll be out of potash as soon as the potash makers take it out of the... whatever potash is made in.
-Fine, I'll disable the fertilising for now.''
I give orders to the farmers. Stop fertilising everything.
I wait, but still no potash. Fuck, I forgot the mushroom farms. they have been running autonomously for 30 years, so i seriously forgot we even had them. never really changed anything about them. don't fix what's not broken. Unless the local ruler is a huge cunt, I guess. There's no popular saying that a douchy enough noble cannot defile.
I wait, but still no potash. apparently telling people not to fertilise simply means ''don't do it right now''. They stopped fertilizing the surface farms, used all the potash on mushrooms, then resumed potashing the surface farm three weeks later when the season changed. I tell people that there will be no more seasonal fertilizing. Not now, not next season, not on this farm, not on any farm.
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''I heard about Tun, and his table. Does that mean every noble can make demands?
-I... what do you want.
-I want... i want a copper cabinet in my bedroom.
-Fine.''
I tell the metalworkers to make a fucking copper cabinet, and bring it to the mayor's room myself. When i get there, I notice that the mayor already has two copper cabinet. ''What if the others get stolen?'' she simply explains. Fuck nobles.
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We are out of fucking trees.
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I don't give a single fuck. Everyone in a ten miles radius is a kilnperson now. Or whatever it's called. Get. The fucking. Table.
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Wow, ok, I'll have to dedicate one dwarf to glassmaking, one dwarf to glasscutting, and one dwarf to glass encrusting. In time everything we have will be adorned with dangerously sharp glass shards weaved in intricate patterns. Clearly this can't end poorly with a nation of drunk people.
I look around in my general encyclopedia of rocks and stuff (actual name), and learn important things about rock crystals, which we absolutely need. Thing one, they are very fucking rare.
Thing two, having sand alone is pointless if you don't also have rock crystals. Thing three, traders will sell and carry cut rock crystals, and rock crystals blocks. Thing four, none of those things are adequate, we need raw rock crystals, which cannot be traded. Thing five, rock crystals are the rarest of things, there is no way of knowing where they'll be found, and the chances of actually having some around are incredibly slim.
Ok, so, everyone cancel your lunch plans, we are emptying this fucking mountain.
CHAPTER 67: The dig
End of year 231
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Until now.
Duke Tun, high noble of Whisperwhip and regent of the Citadel of clutches, wants a crystal glass table in his tomb. short of the fabled adamantine, or maybe pure refined platinum, crystal glass is the rarest and priciest of material. The main requirement, rock crystals, cannot be traded or sold, they can only be found deep underground. Locating them is a pain, for there is no way of knowing if there are any in a region, short of finding a vein or stripping the entire mountain bare.
I have no desire to do this, but it seems that we must now dig down into the core of the planet, hoping we'll find something ludicrous and unobtainable, to satisfy the whims of a tyrannical and stupid noble. Luckily, i know where to start. When BASE1 was founded, I ordered a staircase to be dug down to the north of the main chambers. It goes downward for a few levels, then stops. It was meant as a way to compartmentalize the fortress, since I didn't want to have just one single staircase running all the way to the center of the Windy Realm. There was to be one bridge room between the base and the coliseum, one between the arena and BASE1, and another between BASE1 and this new exploratory shaft. The idea was scrapped when caverns were found nearby, locking any progress between an onslaught of goblins and the ever-present threat of a new forgotten beast.
Nowadays, the corridor intended as a bridge room is left unused, mostly filled with furnitures and random stockpiles. I order some of the crap moved, and send the miners to continue the staircase. The great thing about it, is that I know for a fact that it bypasses both cavern layers. We'll dig for a few more levels, and create some mining tunnels, just to poke at potential riches.
(http://i.imgur.com/qhC47bk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vYfFCp4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aw3R3QB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3QfCImu.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/51IUJaQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yEjRPZy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XoRndHS.jpg)
''Well no, it's not that we didn't retrieve them, it's more like the whole process failed so spectacularly that there isn't anything left to retrieve.
-What.
-The soldiers, their corpses and their gears now exist in a realm outside of reality.
-No.
-I'm serious.
-I know you are, I just, this is not an answer that is supposed to exist.
-No, that's what I assumed, but somehow when the soldiers drifted through the open floodgates, they simply stopped being part of the material plane. they register somewhere on the inventory sheet, and we have a vague idea where they should be, but there's nothing there. nothing to touch, nothing to see. we just have a vague understanding of where they should be.
-...
-Also I failed to activate the floodgates correctly and all three reservoirs are filled and useless now. bye!''
Well, this happened. The corpses of our elite soldiers, and the various artefacts they carried, along with most of this fort's steel gear, now exists in a quantum state outside of our reach. Great?
(http://i.imgur.com/Tp5Sdoc.jpg)
Oh right, fey mood.
(http://i.imgur.com/I9hG805.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gqfcu2j.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Hd8iZzg.jpg)
Just as im musing on this new project, the miners anounce that the level underneath contains something new. something exciting.
''Is it... rock crystals?
-No, sir. it is not. this is something you'll want to see for yourself.''
I go down the stairs, and take a look around. The miners are busy excavating the mandatory 9x9 central room where mined useless stones are stored. I see no crystals, no gems, and no metallic ores.
''What am i looking at?
-Marble, sir''
Marble. flux stone. I was told there would be no flux stone under this desert, but this mine shaft is located incredibly far north of our region. It is right underneath the mountain into which we carved our entrance, the same mountain we ran to hoping, accurately, that it would have a different geology, with no aquafier. While the rest of the area contaisn nothing suitable for removing imperfections in mettalic ore, it would seem that the edge of the mountain presiding over the Lavender Empire is leaking here, bringing with it marble.
Tun is nearby, bugging me about his fucking table. heis irritable, annoyed and impatient, and has been for many months now. He has not killed anyone yet, so it would seem that mandates and demands are different things. He'll just remain pissed forever as long as he doesn't get his stupid crystal furniture in his tomb. frankly, I no longer care. We have found something much greater here. silver, as well as flux stone.
(http://i.imgur.com/UxaJgZY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XFpP9ZW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FcJT4mq.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/jHetBeI.jpg)
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''Yo, Melbil.
-Yes dumat?
-Your wife rigoth, she's a soldier right?
-That would be correct. She is a good fighter and...
-'Kay cool. Tell her she's our new general, next time you see her. I'm off.''
(http://i.imgur.com/PNPcMIJ.jpg)
''Yo, you can't just randomly take those kids, I've told some of them to become weavers and mechanics and one of them is supposed to be a gemcutter!
-And how good are they at their craft so far?
-Well, they've been doing a lot of hauling on the side, so I'd say... dabbling?
-Level zero? Listen overseer, you'll find more untrained kids to fill the pointless jobs of this fort. I'm training new recruits.''
I look at the list of kids she took. One of them is Aristotle, that glassmaker who failed to produce pearlash spectacularly. Man, I hope he doesn't show up to a fight barehanded because someone was cleaning his sword or storing his breastplate.
Rigoth returns: ''I'm told we've begun steel production, so i took the liberty of requesting 20 steel breastplate with our reserves!''
(http://i.imgur.com/4yyAXCi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5cJCtqc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6C8qfnv.jpg)
''I've... read the flyer from the ministry of not dying horribly! says Aristotle
-Forget flyers, respond the commander. Today you learn to truly fight. Before any of you can hope to wield a sword, you'll need to get in shape. Everyone, grab a steel armor, an iron helm, and a steel crossbow. You'll be carrying those at all time, just to improve your strenght. when you can wear your armor confortably, without falling, the real training will begin, and you'll get your full set of armor, as well as a melee weapon of your choice.''
(http://i.imgur.com/0taDxYI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UCurXOV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lWKLPj6.jpg)
''Everyone able to wield a sword among you, go downstairs! The miners exploring the new caverns have sighted somne truly demonic creatures wandering in the darkness!''
(http://i.imgur.com/cSZpHup.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pKwuGyD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tUNe1v9.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/p7KB4de.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TwrtGrZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ByPODZo.jpg)
While the dead were accidentally ejected from reality and subsequently put to rest, the living have unravelled the wonders and riches of the earth. Whisperwhip has entered a new era...
* * * * * * *
OOC: With this chapter, I now have 2 packs of a thousand screenshots compressed and archived. A good 300 more are on stand by, until I have enough free time to include them in an update. I probably have enough material for 6 more chapters right now. I've been playing a lot in the last week, partly because I was too tired and wrecked by my allergies to leave the house, and partly because things are getting progressively more tense. Starting with the great beast megabattle to where i currently am at, the fort is walking a finer and finer line between incredible success and total eradication. The only thing preventing me from writing everything right now is that a chapter will usually take about 2 hours to write, and usually leaves me drained, so I can't really do more than once every two days even if i want to, otherwise the quality will suffer. I really want to wait and clear my backlog of screenshots before I continue the playtrough, but I just can't, because this thing is getting really tense and addictive. I'm aiming for about 3 new chapters a week for the next 2-3 weeks, unless real life gets in the way. Stay tuned!
CHAPTER 68: Golden gate
Year 232
(http://i.imgur.com/obYAEUR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fldmgAw.jpg)
But everything changed when the goblin nation attacked. Quickly, I order the masons to produce a barricade on the front door. Our current army should be able to defeat the invaders, but their low numbers mean it will be tight...
(http://i.imgur.com/z0v3jAm.jpg)
http://i.imgur.com/2Yg0BRA.jpg
(http://i.imgur.com/aVIhZlV.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/J8mPeyw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/e9as1EE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HeZRoKS.jpg)
Just to reiterate the order in which this 35 years old fortress does thing
1-kill every titan
2-kill every forgotten beast
3-make the fort defendable using bridges and a front door.
(http://i.imgur.com/6iYPCQj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0jKdePK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6RsK6MF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fRHVeCA.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/60uEQsC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TB42j27.jpg)
Lye and ash are somewhat useless now that we don't fertilize, and are a drain on our precious wood supply. I order them discontinued.
(http://i.imgur.com/VV6dVOt.jpg)
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CHAPTER 69: Snake shaft
Year 232
(http://i.imgur.com/L2I7xD1.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/ARpHOFD.jpg)
I ask the hunters a simple question. You already know it.
''Can it be tamed?''
CHAPTER 70: Stealing candy from a dragon
Year 233
(http://i.imgur.com/aJO1db6.jpg)
http://i.imgur.com/vLJkbRZ.jpg
(http://i.imgur.com/9TdsHxd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dTZR2fs.jpg)
Lazy bums.
(http://i.imgur.com/E2YwMxB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JjCwZpf.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/bTPID1l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wA9BetJ.jpg)
They fail, and tell me the gremlin must have fled somewhere in the caverns, possibly maybe. Thanks, guys.
(http://i.imgur.com/nhKcMeo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LuHdBJC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7b9yDvs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aKB7X0P.jpg)
A bunch of human guards and traders also die. Whatever.
(http://i.imgur.com/UIL5kJ8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/de8xpPW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CmId8hD.jpg)
Until...
One of the miners rushes into my office. Very excited, the lad is. ''We have found something. a stone... it's not like the other. you need to see this.''
(http://i.imgur.com/zcDhbvK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QbgXUAd.jpg)
I've read enough about Quula and her origins over the years. I know where she came from. I know the secret of the adamantine spire, and what lies underneath.
We must thread carefully.
Yet, we must thread.
(http://i.imgur.com/ebGcSzv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/o50R24K.jpg)
Unlike the other two caverns, this new one seems devoid of an underwater lake, meaning more monsters can make their way across it and call it their lair, but on the other hand it,s much easier to fucking explore.
(http://i.imgur.com/kpVJEGE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DuWoZGh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gVfrpsa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SvDtA6N.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bdB14oY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BbHtp8p.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/roM678B.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QRbgJxV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ytdhevx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gfuM5fR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FKXX87J.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JNmVtiS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2zcQHBt.jpg)
There's just one single, tiny problem in all of that. A tiny, itsy detail that is proving more annoying than i could ever have foreseen.
Strand extraction take a fucking decade.
CHAPTER 71: Deadly weapons
Year 233
(http://i.imgur.com/DzeqbgH.jpg)
All soldiers are dispatched downstairs in an instant. that includes you, all the 10 new recruits who never faced anything more than a gremlin.
(http://i.imgur.com/kVIFY5T.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hAGnpCj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bCZIot1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IYzzMWx.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/5fqt3E7.jpg)
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In a strange twist of fate, Rovod fiercedike the romantic Sculptures is named Champion of Whisperwhip.
(http://i.imgur.com/XX3gGop.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GsTTJGF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cQBNB4N.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/YqSG260.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/5KwqP8r.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XCnHGyJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xO4WRVu.jpg)
But the soundest course of action is not how we dwarves of Whispwewhip roll, mind you.
(http://i.imgur.com/LxGpcPb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8d01k35.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UE9FFbY.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/Nna5ciY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YG1Y0Fx.jpg)
Raisethebridgeraisethebridgeraisethebridgeraisethebridge
(http://i.imgur.com/Q2bMJca.jpg)
Year 134
(http://i.imgur.com/RnoIs0N.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7RXR2s3.jpg)
This will be a fucking mess, but that bitch is going down regardless. Mark my words, I don't care how much of this fucking fortress I have to drop on its head to achieve it.
(http://i.imgur.com/zw9IEdA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Winw1p5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zQCXCix.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oRbHRla.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/jVokqr2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RDFIkCj.jpg)
*nothing happens*
...Guess we'll need to deal with this new forgotten beast in a different way then. As always, a generous amount of weapon slices seems to be the solution.
(http://i.imgur.com/ewTXcsn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cE2BBXO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q1SDL8r.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tMORsrZ.jpg)
Now we wait, and wait and wait. Sooner or later, he'll be back. The snake spends about 2 months exploring the very amazing little corridor to the south, all seven meters of it. finally, he returns.
-Knock knock.
-Who's there?
(http://i.imgur.com/pvd0tS0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/43WN7x4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/O2ejUTQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eob98o6.jpg)
Also, there is a*lot*of blood in that snake, man.
(http://i.imgur.com/xnrqLm7.jpg)
Another forgotten beast or another has come (screenshot broken)
(http://i.imgur.com/o9MoRn3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eOlxy8u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tB7iKqm.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/xEb2cvs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ai8yoEE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xrfcyYj.jpg)
''Hey, guys, we have a lot to talk about!''
(http://i.imgur.com/USw3TI4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fgluQaU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WujquM2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PQzvtLv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dE1v5R6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Apigu4D.jpg)
What.
Guys, this makes no sence. The colossus left behind a statue of a hill titan. That's like the scoobigang unmasking a guy in a ghost costume and revealing a fucking velociraptor.
(http://i.imgur.com/L9bvxPH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QczBeI2.jpg)
''I'm sorry, big guy, but you ate everything.''
(http://i.imgur.com/lAaJQv1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dOLi8qT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kHTUyh9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GMklSY1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AwVkUYk.jpg)
Now, here's what happens next. Once the statues are wrecked, and the bridge is raised, Kor rushes away and disappears in the caverns. He seems to be very, very far away. My smart idea, obviously, is to re-open the bridge, replace the statues and run back inside. I'm very oblivious to the forgotten beast's ability to sence and dash toward targets. As soon as the first worker has reached a statue, Kor is upon him. Quickly, we dispatch the army, because there's no time to re-raise the bridge and avoid a disaster. Oups.
(http://i.imgur.com/caLQkLS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RB1lvJ4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2tvBVIN.jpg)
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Year 134
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(http://i.imgur.com/ynCp9mC.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/XGeNRRY.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/SEKK941.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4WFen1l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Buwy6p9.jpg)
He called the thing ''the windy Crescent'' which somewhat makes sence considering we live in the Windy Realm...
(http://i.imgur.com/xMBoM9i.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mlE3JcZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VTf4n2g.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/S0MIb9R.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/o4Nzfin.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AnUfgBU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7iopTwe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zUbh7hU.jpg)
If only we could get migrants...
(http://i.imgur.com/N7mRmyS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/N7mRmyS.jpg)
http://i.imgur.com/PaEj4eq.jpg
Also the couple named both their eldest son and daughter Stukos.
(http://i.imgur.com/dpfjbhw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1yk8dLz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EsfiLJf.jpg)
I decide to write another letter to the colonies, explaining how sanitary, family-friendly and safe for children this fortress has become...
CHAPTER 74: A machine for skypigs
Year 135
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I guess he had a lot of pressure resting on his shoulders...
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End of year 135
Killcount: 52
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He turns to the 10 recruits drafted from the fortress' teenagers by Rigoth during her short reign, and explains: ''Sooner or later, I'll die horribly in a very anticlimatic way. When that happens, you guys are the army. The ten of you, all green boys and teenagers, will be in charge of fending off monsters, titans, werebeasts, forgotten nightmares, as well as wave after wave of goblins and kobolds. Better get some fucking training done!''
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BUT we have a new artefact axe, so we got that going for us, which is nice...
CHAPTER 76: Forgotten anomalies
End of year 136
Killcount: 57
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Wait. Is that fucking legal? Can it really DO that? Because for a zero ability forgotten beast, Itvid is strangely packed with them from what I can tell. Ok, the soldier dodged the fireball, but now the new level is on fire. retreat, retreat, wait for this one to burn out as well.
New plan, we wait till every single area of that cavern is scorched and extinguished, and THEN we charge at Itvid. The soldiers can dodge a fucking fireball probably, so it'll take a few seconds for them to approach and kill this asshole.
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Year 137 (So i've been writing a lot of 23x recently, oups)
Killcount: 58
They say the fortress is attacked by a monster from the depths. Usually I'm not too afraid, because that's something they say every other week here. It's been like that since I was born. I'm told in other fortresses they have pets and animals that are raised and butchered for meat. Weird, here we simply get attacked by giant creatures and butcher them for the year's meals. I know a lot about those creatures, and the stories of those who faced them, because my mother was a Beastslayer. Kel was her name, and many forgotten beasts she vanquished over the years, before a stronger one drowned all the heroes. her brother died in that battle too, and they say he was a great general, before he grew depressed and weird. My grandmother i know nothing of, except that she was the sister of a mighty warrior princess, and also to a vampire. And their mother was a queen, before she moved to the capital here and never was seen again.
Our history makes very little sence, I'll be honest.
Since there is no queen and no overseer, the fortress of Whisperwhip is ran by Tun the duke, a scary man who loves querns a lot. I mean, a lot. They say Tun never takes any actual decisions, because he's usually too busy admiring querns. except the decision to order more querns, which he takes a lot. Today, tho, he has summoned me to the mighty royal chamber, so named because they lack any form of monarch whatsoever and aren't the fanciest quarters in the fortress anymore. I went past the empty crafting rooms, devoid of any workshops whatsoever, only filled with gigantic empty chambers. Past that I must cross a giant room full of ''our prettiest querns of all'', which is basically a place filled to the brink with dingo. One of the dingo looks at me funny, then his leg rot off and he runs off, leaving behing a purple trail of miasma cloud. It happens a lot. In the background, I spot a lion slowly running out of blood while patrolling the corridors. I'm told years ago, the fortress had something called cats, which were like mini cheetahs (weird?) but they all died because they didnt have enough blood to lose.
Anyway, I get past the dingos and knock on the copper doors. The royal bedrooms are actually very, very large but lack any of the super-awesome epic furniture created by the crafters recently, like super shiny gem-filled statues decorated with the bones of a thousand rotten dingos. Here, in Tun's room, a giant decorated rose gold throne sits, fully engraved with gems everywhere, yet the rest of the room is plain, filled with standart silver statues. The dinning room is filled with copper thrones and tables, while I know for a fact that deep underground, there is a magical room filled with silver walls and silver chairs and emerald tables and possibly unicorns. Tun sits on his thrones, busy deciding wether 2 or three querns would be more appropriate to order this week. ''yes, 2 sounds reasonable'' he mumbles. The duke was always sorta weird, but he's grown stranger since his wife died a few months back.
''Ah, enter, child.
-You asked for me, your quern-nes?
-Why yes, of course. What's your name, already?
-Modesty, son of Kel the Beastslayer.
-Yes, that's right. And I'm told you've been designated for a new job recently by Dumat the overseer?
-Yes, I'm to cut gems and create wealthy items, in the hopes of creating a cut adamantine gem.
-For querns.
-For strange moods.
-Yes, for artefact querns I see. Well, kid, guess what Dumat is fucking dead now.
-...
-That's right, and we need a new broker. Since Dumat sort of almost named you as a replacement by personally giving you a job that's related to wealth, I want you to become the new broker.
-Hum, yes, sir! I will do my best to trade with elves and humans and the colonies, and get Whisperwhip richer... (altho i know nothing about the value of anything at this point)
-Excelent. Now, you may go, and take care of your duties.
-Yes, your quern-nes (that's how he likes to be called)
I bow, get up, and turn around, ready to leave the throne room, when the duke drops this bomb on me from across the room: ''Oh also the broker was also the overseer, and I'm too lazy to change the paperwork for that. so now you're in charge of administrating the fortress and saving us from this giant murderous bird, kthanks''.
What.
* * * * *
So apparently, I just became overseer. For the record, I'm a thirteen years old boy dabbling in gem-cutting. I've spent my entire life so far hauling corpses and getting dropped in the obsidian generator by my mother. I know little things about running a fortress, but thankfully I've learned the basics of this fortress, which are:
1-goblins attack and kill civilians
2-monsters attack and kill soldiers
3-corpses must be dumped in lava.
4-Everything else won't get done.
Armed with this knowledge, I try to figure out the best way to solve the current problem, aka a giant bird spitting deadly vapors is rampaging the wet caves (this is how we call the middle caverns, us kids. ) I happen to know a few soldiers, because appoarently everyone in this fortress is either my age or a 100 years old traumatised noble. As it so happen, i grew up with most of the army, so I go pay them a visit. They are busy training, when i break the news.
''Hey guys, I have bad news. Dumat is dead and apparently I'm overseer. We are supposed to save the fortress from a giant monster.
-Which kind of monster? does it breath FIRE? asks one hammerdwarf. I heard a fire monster is stuck and killed many people.
-No, hum, this one is named Xun, and it's a big bird that spits deadly vapors and...
-Did you say a biiiiird?''
One of the soldiers, this one's named Immortal-D the second, comes out of the supply depot with something shiny. I know this item. a legendary axe, carved from the greatest weaponsmith in the fortress. Smoothbanners, a battle axe made of pure adamantine, the fabled metal. It is the greatest weapon known to mankind, and as such, was never used in battle. Not out of respect, it's just, hum, the wearer got paralysed, and died of absolute generalised haemorrhage before he could swing it.
''What are you doing with that?
-That's the weapon imma use to kill the bird. It's in my genes. I've killed a few elk birds. My father was a legendary bird puncher, and I'm really super certain his father probably hated chickens in some way too!''
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Also, for his efforts in killing Xun the Shrike, Immortal-d the second has been promoted to Captain of the guards, but everyone simply call him the artefact wielder now.
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So, long story short, it seems that we can't get new migrants because the immigration agents of the citadel of clutches have been counting every goblin, forgotten beast and kobold that ever came here, as well as all the cats that ''migrated'' here via the delivery stork for baby animals. (look im 13). So according to the records, Whisperwhip is currently an over-capacity metropole busting with over 6000 thousand ''residents''. I make a copy of all our notes, paperwork and documents, just in case something goes wrong.
Then, I start reading advanced scripting laws for legislations and regulation, hoping to find a loophole that would circumvent this issue. apparently, the work of a curious and enigmatic dwarf named Kurik Amudnil once invoqued such a loophole to solve a similar issue.
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I am unsure if my efforts paid or not, until someone from the battlements calls for me. ''Migrants! migrants have come, tons of them!''
* * * * * * * * *
OOC notes: So, the old narrator is dead, and instead we inherit modesty, a thriteen years old with no real skill, yet with a very interesting pedigree. Immortal-D managed to assume his role as rightful heir by saving the fortress, claiming the artefact axe on his own, and defeating a legendary bird like his father before him. The fort is now in charge of a new generation of nobles, as well as new migrants. Compared to the last bunch of chapters, this new perspective should be refreshing, or so I hope. While the events of the recent years were interesting, they happened so thickly that narrating them became a huge issue. I had a lot to tell, a lot to screencap, and very little time around that to actually document the story properly. What ended up happening, is that I had to wait a while, and then finally rushed everything before it was too late. To me those chapters felt just like that, rushed and a bit dry. Not that it could helped, as a lot of details were forgotten in the overall process. A bunch of screenshot were useful to have, but sometimes you think ''yeah I'll remember who did that kill and why'' and in the end you don't, so you end up with a screensahot or two of ''something being dead'' with no satisfying story to tell around it.
Hopefully I've learned my lesson, about how no matter how insane things get, i should refrain from playing too much without updating this thread, lest the story's quality suffers. still, I don't regret it fully, as this could also be interpreted as Dumat himself getting fed up with the situation, and no longer paying attention to details and events, simply mentioning that terrible things happened, and stuff died. ''yeah another forgotten beast from another realm, it died.'' Ultimately, this was this lack of attention to details, and the casualness of this whole war against the forgotten beast, that caused his downfall. More ironically, this happened right after i decided to expand the noble crypts, in case some noble died, never even assuming Dumat could be one of them. In my head, he had plot immunity.
Now, another point that's worth mentionning, is the three hours of fudging around to make a script works. Essentially the game works in a strange way and we weren't getting any more migrants ever. I'll be honest, I played in a very reckless way, firmly believing that should a bunch of dwarves die here and there, we'd eventually get a migrant wave or two to help. When thery didnt show up I assumed something was wrong, but kept going to see if dropping lower would trigger the waves,. It didn't. When the cast changed, I figured this was a good way to actually look up when migrants would come (I honestly didn't check until this chapter, simply ''hoping'' people would finally come and eventually giving up). so I found a workaround to what I'm not sure is a weird feature or a bug. In one hand, it prevents a fortress from becoming immortal over the centuries. In the other hand, your entire survival and migration salvation can be nullified by busy dwarves and large amounts of horny cats. Hey, the pets decided to have 400 babies this year, game over no more migrants.
Because im not sure this is a bug, I'm also not sure if fixing it is considered a cheat. So did i cheat? Maybe, maybe not. instead, I'll just explain why this was, to me, a better idea than letting the fortress continue as is. One, while the decreasing number was very tense and climatic, slowly plunging Whisperwhip toward annihilation, it also meant that nothing was getting done. Like, at all. Up to 60 or so dwarves i could maintain basic functions, but then we'd reach a point where the large map combined with the low pop and high wealth would result in a fuckton of items lying around, and not enough people to get rid of them all. We need a minimum workforce dedicated to dumping items and corpses and rags just to ensure that the experience remains pleasant and playable. a rapid death would be interesting, but a slow death would not result in 3o0 dwarves making a last stand. It would be those same 30 dwarves doing nothing, surrounded by thousands of corpses and 10 times that many clothes, running at 4 fps waiting for me to get bored. That, i decided, was not a very interesting or climatic ending for Whisperwhip.
What would be a climatic ending, however, would be a great battle against evil. A mightier forgotten beast than any previously seen. The combined might of many successive ones, coupled with poor decision-making skills on my part. Maybe an epic battle against goblins and monsters on two front finally closing in on the dwarves on both sides. Or maybe, in time, an assault on hell itself.
Or undead.
That's right, the queen we've been waiting for ever since the beginning never got to come here, and maybe, just maybe that's because she too cant migrate to the fortress. That, alone, was worth it for me. So i booted the script, and now we'll be getting migrant waves. That's what i was hoping for. Hell, I named the script ''Summonqueen'' just for that. So that's where we are right now. The end of a great era, and the beginning of a new phase for this fortress, after an incredibly too long 70+ chapters. Thanks to anyone insane enough to read this thing, thanks for bearing with the crappy parts and enjoying the epic ones, thanks for sticking around!
CHAPTER 78: The Candy Store
Late in the year 137
Killcount: 59
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''Your job for now will be to sort out the stockpiles, and bring anything that's adamantine here. Rock, bars, thread, everything will be here, on display. When this is over, we'll start dedicating each of you to an appropriate job, depending on what the fortress needs and your particular aptitudes. If you are tired, feel free to grab a spare bedroom, the upper levels and BASE1 right here have a few available now that hum... well, now that people got married and moved together.''
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The workers are there watching them as they dig the channels to the next floor, happy to greet newcomers, and dodging questions about ''why there are so many fine bedrooms waiting for them''. We explain that, well, it was simpler tyo have spares when we need to move people around the fortress based on their current job. Notice how every part of the fort has bedroms, a dinning hall, and a nice stockpile! Some of them ask why most of the stockpiles are filled with nothing but a huge, chopped down and marinated corpse of what seems to be an eldritch aberration. Oh, hum, that, it's...
''Where are the farms! ask a migrant.
-What are we brewing if there's nothing being planted?
-Did that dog... just lose a leg while walking?
-Sir, sir! Why are there 7 barracks but only 1 squad?
-Who is that strange monster guy in the hospital?
-Why are you in charge if you are visibly a teenager?''
(http://i.imgur.com/R1R4BF0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EzQWQWI.jpg)
''Sir, Shem is down there fishing. Says there's lots of fish there as if nobody went to catch them for years. Should we go and tell her about the rules?
-...fuck.''
(http://i.imgur.com/jVCDG2V.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jVCDG2V.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rkahBb3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qg8PFhp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5XKrND3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mKVq3k1.jpg)
''...And that's what happen when you don't follow rule one'', I announce.
(http://i.imgur.com/Iqnufx5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/khutJpS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fcYyph4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/znMTP8w.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SoAurs7.jpg)
Year 138
Killcount: 59
(http://i.imgur.com/1oVKKP8.jpg)
I can feel the new migrants are judging me, so I've adopted a group of war dogs to protect me, and keep company to Bomrek, my super awesome duper-pig pet.
(http://i.imgur.com/eA637YU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/up2lfYF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ohg3B36.jpg)
Thoughts of my own mother come back to me. She, too, was a beastslayer like I-D the first. She died in a confrontation with the fiercest beast we ever knew, and did not flee. Would she be disapointed to see me now, locking away monsters instead of facing them? She also wanted me to be humble and modest, and here I am making fancy gems and increasing the wealth of this fortress. I'm not sure mother would be happy about the soon-to-be-man I have become...
(http://i.imgur.com/B4BsBzm.jpg)
Obviously, along the line something could go wrong. that's why before attempting to dig the interior of the spire, we must first seal the entire quarry from the rest of the region. Just like it was done with sealing the obsidian generator from the caverns, only this time the quarry is awkward, overgrownth, and the ceiling is several levels above the thing. Once this is done, access to the mining complex must be converted into a thightly sealable corridor containing several bridges linked to a lever. Build a weight, link to release, seal the complex, test for hollow-ness, reopen the complex and mine a layer while a new weight is constructed and wired. A lenghty process in any case.
I've dispatched a few woodcutters and masons to lay the basics of the isolation dome, but this is a task that will take aproximately forever, so better start now, slowly. I'll try and remember to send new workers to advance the project once each step is complete. The first thing I hear is that manager Stukos has sealed himself inside a locked part of the dome and is slowly dying. We must cancel and demolish all existing progress to get him out.
(http://i.imgur.com/dWsCGc3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BFOL0zb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FKR4ipd.jpg)
Nevermind, Shem just died in front of our very eyes. So yeah, don't forget about rule number one, and respect the burrows.
(http://i.imgur.com/sidA4sE.jpg)
The next morning, I ask that a slab be engraved for Logem. People simply ask me ''Who?'' and tell me that there is no such ghost in the fortress. I try to show Logem to them, but he is nowhere to be seen when other people are around. He only comes at night, when I sleep, when I'm alone.
(http://i.imgur.com/QBJM4sn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TcfwaEe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oPDifRI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TJe2xuy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/U5EbkPv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3rxx5kA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jM1d8Vm.jpg)
''We didn't have any fancy clothes in my day. Yaknow, before I DIED!
-Shut-up, Logem, LEAVE ME ALONE!''
(http://i.imgur.com/BVcFmLX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qDeL7js.jpg)
At night, the leather bag looks at me. Did my mother kill the beast it is made of? Is she watching me right now, through the bag? Or is that...
''LOGEM stop haunting my artefact bag!
-Fine fine, but I'll kill another dog!
-Gasp!''
The next morning, I try to visit the craftdwarf workshops, and finally locate Logem amidst a pile of names. strangely, no one has registered him as a ghost. I personally slab every logem in the list, and place the slabs outside in what used to be the farms. The night comes, and I seem to be free of hauntings.
I'm also two dogs short.
(http://i.imgur.com/z8dtnAt.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0WoBSwk.jpg)
The new kitchens will include a direct access to food stockpiles and to animals, connecting those to the butchers and tanners upstairs in the courtyard. There will also be a connection to two refuse stockpiles, cutting short on long hauling trips. We'll have plenty of room for milling and cooking plants, too, of which we apparently have a trillion. All and all, this building will be much better and much more efficient.
then I notice that there won't be enough space for a northern row of workshops unless I rebuild the stockpiles above. suddenly, a need for unmet perfection strikes me. Is this why Dumat never touched the place? Because he knew such a terrible misalignment was inevitable? Some people suggest that i go to sleep. What, with the leather bag and the slippers watching me? Are you mad?
(http://i.imgur.com/d2TfyWn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/azDcT64.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TRkMc3i.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/x7SFAmc.jpg)
Then the beast enters, and even tho it has a very scary aura of disease and decay, it doesn't seem TOO tough in combat, because the combined might of the various war animals serving as ''bait'' is actually overcoming it. The beast is seriously injured. I'm afraid that the pets will die of a curse before landing the killing blow, leaving time for the monster to heal and exit the trap. At this point, it would be a waste to trigger the death machine, so I simply lower the bridge and send Immortal-d and his boys. Using crossbows and good aim, they manage to execute the beast without interacting with the strange secretions surrounding it. Victory!
And then I notice the animals have contracted something very nasty. Some dogs are suffocating from the syndrome. some lions are suffocating from the syndrome. Some of my dogs are suffocating from the syndrome. Is that what you wanted, mother? Is that what you want for us?
The loss of several pets will not shake my will. I know the migrants are looking at me strange, and question the authority bestowed upon me by the Duke. Well, look at all the dying dogs, this is why you follow my orders around, people. This is Whisperwhip. I've spent my entire life here and look at me, I'm fine. so either you follow my lead or end up like Shem, or like these painfully suffocating lions over there. You can't leave now. Whisperwhip is your life. If you leave, you,ll carry with you the seed of various curses and disease you've been unwittingly exposed to, and it'll affect the rest of the world. Every pet in every fortress will die, every child, every dwarf. Nobody can leave.
Hey, you know what would change our mind and make this place a happier fortress? Cleaning the exterior! I'll dispatch the soldiers to deal with all those ambushes that just triggered, while the lot of you take care of the junk lying around. Mettalic crap, bring it to the forge for smelting. Small or large thing, dump it. Tooth, corpse, broken clothes, dumping too. the rest you can wear, lucky folks. We call that Clothsgiving over here, and it is a special day during which nothing can go wrong. It doesn't matter that a few goblins shot arrows at you, or that all my dogs are exploding and suffocating while I drag dead folks around. Clothsgiving is a fine day for fine people and nothing will ever take that away from us. Nobody. Not even you, mom!
...
OMFG Bomrek is dead. My pet pig just crumbled into bits of gore...
(http://i.imgur.com/KqsVs6r.jpg)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
So obviously, I didn't mean for things to go this way. I just finished up the latest chapter, and I was thus ready to play. I spend about ten minutes sorting inventories for dumping and melting outside, when suddenly I notice bomrek the pig dying, and immediately Modesty is gone batshit crazy. I honestly expected him to last more than a year. In retrospect, it was probably bad for a teenager to be named Overseer of Whisperwhip. Scratch that, it's probably bad for anyone to be named overseer in Whisperwhip. regardless of my intends, Modesty was chosen because he was the only named dwarf that could fill in the role of narrator easily. His relatives were important characters, and he himself had been given a specific task by Dumat right before he died. My main problem now is that I'm out of such dwarves.
Chapter 80: Colossal blunder
Year 138 to 140
Killcount: 60
(http://i.imgur.com/m0xTPLQ.jpg)
Dumat is dead, and Modesty lasted exactly a year. Still, I find my experience to be lacking if I'm not picturing the fort run, in my head, by one of those dwarves. So I start looking for a new overseer. The fortress in front of me is the same as it has been for over 40 years, but I find myself looking at a totally different cast of dwarves. A few nobles remain, but they are all mostly insane or incompetent, or comatose. None of them truly fit the mantle of overseer. None but Bembul. He who arrived a few months before the end of the civil war in 103, became a master brewer and cook over the following decades. His job was to keep the fort drunk and the soldiers fed. Up until the fateful day where the soldiers were few, and the meal many. On that day, Bembul joined the Magical Gloves and became a fighter, alongside legendary brewers Besmar and Firsal. After the megabattles, Bembul finds himself to be the only survivor of the entire army, alongside a cripple and a guy unconscious for the last decade. Whisperwhip has asked much of him, and he answered faithfully. Bembul is worthy to lead both the army and the fortress as far as I'm concerned.
While browsing for an overseer, I find myself looking into the family and relationships of the dwarves, something I was very bad at doing up until recently. This is essentially why I've discovered that many important characters in the story were in fact chicks about three or 4 decades into the thread. This is also why I woke up after twenty years and realised one of our elite soldier was also the youngest princess of our civilisation. In fact, the more I look into things, the more I notice how many, many dwarves share the same family connections. It seems the queen being immortal led to many, many royal children, all scattered thorough the years. It seems that the citadel of clutches is really into consanguinity, because everyone I see seems to be descended from either the royal couple, or maybe two others. For example, Tun the duke is actually from the royal family himself, being the grandson of queen Cog Floorquest. His father was some prince, apparently, of which we have at least 7. Essentially, everyone is everyone else's cousin, aunt, or grandnephew.
I spend some time checking each new migrant, to see if they are related to someone I know. Each profile reveal tons and tons of connections. This fisherdwarf is the father of 5 of our dead soldiers. This other is Tun's niece, and cousin to 70 people in the fort, dead or alive. Actual number. Quite tragically, many migrants are the parents of past residents, who probably came to visit their children. Sorry, people, everyone you loved died horribly. Confronted with all those disapointed relatives, I take a look at the graveyard, filled by hundreds of coffins without any slabs. The mourning dwarves don,t even have the luxury of visiting the right tomb, as most of them are un-labelled. I never cared about slabbing all the victims, until I pictured a legion of crying women wandering the crypts, praying to Kadol that one of those tombs is actually their son's.
While most of the migrants could be summed up by ''Cousin Urist, dabbling grower who likes fishing'', there will be three dwarves who will stand from the lot, greatly so. The first one is a qualified strand extractor, something I would move earth and sky to keep alive. Hilariously enough, this is exactly what this story is about. Let's start from the begining, shall we?
* * * * * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/aPyKBYv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ADaA7mO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sJ12y5C.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LCBOsQ9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BN1geJQ.jpg)
As I said, I've been browsing the relationship screen, and noticed two things. first, Bembul has a daughter named Kogsak, and second of all Kogsak, like basically every child born in Whisperwhip, has no husband, no friends and no children. This, I read on the wiki, is the result of having essentially zero breaks in all her existence. Apparently, people can't socialize unless they are off-duty, which happens rarely with zero idlers on average. In most forts this make little sense, but here i can easily picture it.
''Hey, nice rotting cheetah corpse, you are carrying.
-Thanks, I found it losing all of it's legs to the most recent deadly plague, while I was fleing from a 3-headed squirrel from hell.''
Awkward small talk is awkward. Still, it would be a real shame if all of those awesome family trees eventually vanished not because they died to a giant monster, but just because they failed to ever, ever spend two minutes making friends. Thus i decide that once we are done clearing the piles of corpse on our doorstep, I'll give some dwarves a bit of free time. Yes, people being friendless automatons helped with the traumatising events we went through, and yes eventually someone may eventually replace our awkward antisocial engineer as ''public figure'', but in the long run it'll be cool to have family lines perpetuating themselves. I tell the squads to only have 6 people training instead of 10, so they can have some time off. I also decide that, as the daughter of the Militiz commander, Kogsak was gonna be a badass in her own way. And no not by remaining one of our ten legendary bonecarvers.
Kogsak, I decide, will be known as Lady Grace, for she will be the one special dwarf who will learn to fire a bow. I give her the south-west barrack all to herself, the one with the old aborted shooting gallery. You may remember it as ''That one corridor i tried to turn into an assassin training ground'', which resulted in exactly all but one assassins being dead, and the survivor becoming a duke. Still, there is something to be done here, but I don't feel like understanding how archery ranges work. Instead, I order that one Bronze Colossus installed there, with a row of fortifications. Kogsak will waste all the bad arrows on it, since it won't feel the pain. Genius! High-level marksdwarf training with no maintenance, I'm so smart. In fact training against an invulnerable live target will be so efficient, Kogsak will be able to take half the months off so she can browse the dating scene.
(http://i.imgur.com/W1U9IlC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BPo8uZT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OcduhQF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/30Ww2f6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/llAyEL1.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/GbA2SjV.jpg)
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Well, as it turns out, Kogsak is having a hard time becoming an elf-person, mistress of the bow. Not because she's clumsy (altho her character sheet tells me she is) but mostly because Lady Grace is very, very dumb. I told her to grab some wooden arrows and station in front of the fortifications to shoot the Colossus. As soon as she reaches 3 or four squares in front of the fortifications, she declares her position to be ''close enough'' and stands there. She's not a rank 10 shooterydoobabe so she can't shoot across fortifications unless she is next to them. nor will she move next to them. Thus she doesn,t improve her shooting. telling her to actuall attack the Bronze Colossus 4 squares in front of her leaves Kogsak baffled, and she just runs away on break because she can't puzzle out how to attack her target.
Normally, I would give up, but I really want to have a legendary bowdwarf (for no reason whatsoever). So I come up with a plan: I'll dig around the firing range, maybe 2 or three squares, so that ordering her to station there will leave her 2 or three squares behind, thus in front of the fortifications. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, except for the fact that the workers won't dig out the area because there's a colossus there and they are fucking pansies.
(http://i.imgur.com/sZxMQgu.jpg)
Now any sane person would realize just how pointless this endeavor is and just give up, but clearly this is not how I roll. Instead I have people take the stairs, dig another corridor left of the first one, and then tell them to dig the final square from there so they can't see the Bronze Colossus through the fortifications. It almost works, but team scary miners refuse to dig the very last patch of stone in front of the fortifications, leaving a very awkward corridor. I try to station Kogsak back and forth into the tunnels and after about 30 orders she finally stumbles upon the correct spot, and proceed to shoot her target! Except not, because she forgot to bring her crossbow. Then 30 orders later she realize she forgot her arrows. Then another 20 orders later she is tired.
(http://i.imgur.com/bMlcp6o.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/A43a2mU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/T14iyKm.jpg)
Between the moment Kogsak received an order and successfully followed it, Duke Nukem Forever was anounced and then released.
(http://i.imgur.com/PXZPuN7.jpg)
''Hey, let's dismantle this fully-compact structure of stone we built twenty-five years ago and...
*MOOOOooooooOOOOOOoooooo!!!*''
* * * * * * * *
Anyway, our first guest of honor was a simple strand extractor, and he has been living in the fort for quite some time. Let us now introduce our second guess, shall we?
(http://i.imgur.com/Vw5HMGB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Ml6TtAc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/l4grbGs.jpg)
I have Bembul keep a close eye on him. To isolate the new migrant and keep tabs on him, I designate one of the rooms in HAVEN as Edzul's. There we'll be able to check if he eats, drinks, and I guess murders. He seems rather happy, and never indicates anything about good meals and decadent drinks. edzul's only two thoughs are about admiring a piece of furniture and... receiving water lately? I'm not too sure why that would be, especially since I've been zoomed on him every second ever since he moved to the fortress, and he never received water (nor had any reason for this to happen).
(http://i.imgur.com/IznBxOy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FLbtErd.jpg)
Whenever I take a look at him, and follow his actions, Edzul visits the crypts, or the temple of Kadol. He stays there for hours, until someone else appears, at which point he immediately turn around and sneaks away. I've seen a lot of shit in this fortress, and I know the survivors have endured much, yet looking at Edzul makes me think he too, carries a tragic past. The more I reflect upon him and his untold story, the sadder I get. I almost wish he was a vampire. Then the solution would be simple. Alas, I fear there is no cure for what afflicts Edzul's lonely soul.
* * * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/KCGYVEt.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Jlw9dYk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lZB7BQq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qNd2EIk.jpg)
I immediately draft the first ten dwarves, and create the Earthen Wares. this squad includes the oldest dwarves, so I'm essentially raining our doctors and nobles as snipers. Shortcomings of this master plan peek their head when i notice that the earthen Wares have no bolts, because the manager is not approving anything because he's in the firing range having no bolts. I queue about ten stacks in each and every craftdwarf workshop. That's when I notice that our Strand extractor is still there, apparently not producing anything. He needs raw clear glass, which I know for a fact is a pain in the ass to make. I immediately queue up a bunch of every possible component (Ash, charcoal, lye?) and then remember that, hey, Manager Stukos is not managing anything right now. I visit the various workshops, and queue up stuff, hoping things will be done. I'm sort of busy juggling the shooting range setup, and following Edzul to pierce his secret.
Naturally, that's when our third special guest shows up.
(http://i.imgur.com/oZsrifN.jpg)
Modesty hasn't been replaced yet, so it seems fitting to offer this noble job to Prince Mistem. He is of high birth, surely he will appreciate this position, I tell myself, oblivious to the fact that the three other members of the royal family I've heard about include a dark magic user, a bloodsucker, and a bloodthirsty mass-murderer. I tell the prince to visit the depot hastily, to which he replies by grabbing a crossbow and running into the caverns to shoot an ogre in the fucking face. did i mention he isn't allowed to hunt? cause he isn't. but hey, he,s a prince so i guess nobody orders him around. Dangerous murderers in the royal family, 4/4 so far.
So trading is out of the way for the raw clear glass, and I can't queue things via Manager Stukos for the moment. At least we have about 45 idlers right now, so someone will... wait why is nobody idle anymore, what are they all...
WHAT THE SHIT.
(http://i.imgur.com/IQXRMzi.jpg)
Ok, this is officially stupid. Not only is this bad beyond relief, but I need people to actually create raw clear glass instead of doing back and forth in this stupid corridor. Also I forgot potash. Shit. Cancel the charcoal people, and also stop turning all the ash into lye... (Disclaimer I'm not an expert at dwarf fortress industry yet).to get anything done, I visit the forty bins and barrels, forbid them, then forbid everything inside each of them, then all the rotting junk on the floor, then the doors, then the people looking at the doors, then the peoplewho know these people.
Nobody. Goes. There. Anymore.
It looks like I'll have to deconstruct the walls and capture the bronze colossus again if I want to retrieve basically every tool and weapon we possess. I disband the Earthen Wares for now as, obviously, the bronze colossus pen will need some intense tweaks before it can be used again. I install traps in a chokepoint, then send a mason to let the monster free.
* Urist cancels deconstruct building: Interrupted by Bronze Colossus.*
That's when I realise what I've done. the first time around we let the Bronze colossus loose by digging a random wall. Now we can't approach the pen because all the walls are actually fortifications. nobody will go close enough to do the work, so I can't even unsuspend the job repeatedly like I'd do with a flooding structure. The solution, of course, is to dispatch the True Handles and let them gun the Bronze colossus down. Only steel bolts will truly affect the monster, and as Kogsak illustrated previously, soldiers don,t give two shits about which ammunition type i want them to carry. I order a thousand steel bolts to be made just in case, so the soldiers should be using those by i guess next year.
(http://i.imgur.com/D25xwxx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Dvv1u3c.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dEsjnm2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DAqqbi0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dL4rJ1T.jpg)
I dispatch the Joyous Orbs, hoping to delay the beast. Nobody is sealing the fortress, because everyone is still trying to find reasons to do back in forths toward the Colossus. Daz the coke monster must be killed, no matter what the cost.
(http://i.imgur.com/UcCzr08.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FXIRBpi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Fjykj3U.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/amuyQHg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dhHrzJn.jpg)
Immortal-D and friends station themselves near the colossus pen, emptying quiver after quiver. Naturally the dwarves will not carry the types of ammunition I tell them to, instead grabbing the closest quiver they can find. Hey, remember when I set every workshop in the fortress to churn out wooden bolts, and then manager stukos validated the orders because he was off duty and we made like a thousand more? Well turns out the bronze colossus isn't going down anytime soon. The use of steel bolt is a miracle rather than a common appearance, so I'm starting to realize bolts are not going to kill this beast. Remember when i was afraid that Kogsak would murder the beast is she emptied a quiver full of silver arrows? Well, I stand corrected.
Everyone move outside. I station the soldiers above the colossus pen, which is just one floor below the outside ground thanks to previously removing the mountain that was there. I dig a stair down, certain that it will solve the problem and allow the soldiers to descent into the pen. The way I understand it, (and boy am I about to stand corrected once more) is that stairs down don,t have to be linked to stairs up to work, that just makes them one-way. That's why the staircase on one level is diagonal to the floor below, and people somehow still manage to navigate the thing just fine. Turns out there's something I'm missing, because the soldiers won't go downstairs. Or maybe their ability to pathfind during station orders don't register such one-way stairs. Or maybe, just fucking maybe, the pen is 4 large, so telling them to move anywhere in it makes the soldiers think ''Hey I'm 3 squares away from there, guess this position is fine''. From Kogsak's first issues with the colossus to this giant inflated mess, the problem has come full circle.
The half-stairs I dug can,t be connected to a down stairs, because every square but one inside the pen is a patch of sand replaced by block flooring, which we can't exaclt reach and deconstruct. So i build a stairway above the only untouched spot, by which I mean ''accidentally channel it instead'', so I must build it from scratch, which gets interrupted because there's a hole now and people are scared of the colossus below. Ten thousand unsuspend orders later, we finally have the first part of a staircase under which we can build a connecting uppper staircase and finally let them soldiers move there on their own and kill that thing.
Funny thing about 50-foot tall building destroyers: it's actually pretty hard to slowly build things next to them? The second I try to unsuspend the second part of the staircase and notice it is simply gone, I realize the obvious flaw in my plan. We have been spending months on this nonsence, at this point. The guy i was trying to save from a mood is long dead by now, but I can't just forbid the whole area and leave the colossus there, because all our weapons and tools are in the corridor and we ain't abandonning that shit.
As our masons are busy building a giant skybridge from the top of the food tower which I plan to just drop on the thing and hope it takes care of the problem, I have a stroke of wisdom, and remember that if i collapse the Colossus Room, then that will also destroy the room underneath. I send the masons in the stone depot to replace the stockpile area by a massive stack of stone blocks, to withstand the collision. Then I have an epiphany.
''I could have just built a staircase up''!
(http://i.imgur.com/CICOHo4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jdXLMNp.jpg)
The morale of this story is, using a bow leads to societal collapse.
Chapter 81: Tearchance
Years 140 to 142
Killcount: 64
Warning: This is a seriously fat update. like, larger than what's standart for this inflated story. Like, over 100 screenshots big. I've tried to regroup screenshots in a semi-coherent way, juggling clumsily between the grouped ideas like arena sessions and construction updates togeter, while still retaining the chronological order in which things hit the various fans of the fortress. BTW, the thread has now reached 10 000 views, which is frankly a lot I think, so thanks to everyone following this story! I hope you have as much fun as I do!
* * * * * * *
The bronze collossus was, admitedly, a mistake. Now he's dead, but there are still a few ''issues'' lurking under the fortress. It will be a long time before I tackle the fifteen forgotten beasts hidding in the middle caverns, but there is one creature we can get rid of. A flame monster, seemingly stuck and unreachable. I theorize that whatever prevents our soldiers from moving nearby could be behaving the same way fortifications do, giving cover to the forgotten beast. As such, I dispatch a few woodcutters to support milicia commander Ustuth, who is now a master marksdwarf.
(http://i.imgur.com/aVlOtdt.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aKYgvDO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dvMPMzC.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/YbuyEKS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/y6nLEsT.jpg)
Probably worth mentioning that one of the sydnromes circulating in the fortress attacks specifically pigs, and causes them to suffocate and die painfully. I don't know what caused it. I'm past caring about specific answers.
(http://i.imgur.com/ATV7hus.jpg)
* * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/IC2ynNm.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/Bxzu08G.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/N5KMpsF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TXTWMKS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fh3A1PB.jpg)
It's worth mentioning that the pool used to clean soldiers has been smashed. It is now filled with boulders, and the ramps are destroyed. Unless I tweak the thing around, we can't use it. Repairing it would be useless anyway, as it would be ruined with every activation of the trap.
(http://vhttp://i.imgur.com/eOjesay.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/91MkSbY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zr2W4uQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/t9RfCF8.jpg)
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* * * * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/DRGR96W.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zAWhCAw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NqZTlZq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NqZTlZq.jpg)
Wait, Erith and Erib aren't the same person! Turns out, the pig-suffocating disease has mutated and now affects dwarves as well. A few of them turn out dead during the season, just like that. With the increased number of idlers, relationships are blooming, and tantrums are more frequent.
(http://i.imgur.com/f6Cb4DY.jpg)
After 3 days, the new cat explodes.
(http://i.imgur.com/C2x4VsA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rUTYJ9z.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pKaQ9Dm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hjoTMf8.jpg)
The rooster dies instantly.
(http://i.imgur.com/2hxOtSS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JSuh0JY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/D4lCZCz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/88ObvM8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZWHj7b5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ihwgE2X.jpg)
After his victory, he simply... stays there. A long time. A long long time. Hey dude, what's the special ability of the monster you murdered again?
Deadly. Fucking. Blood.
(http://i.imgur.com/G90DbFY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MNqyaKr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6dPtvop.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/myLzmdP.jpg)
* * * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/kDykMBh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/z5nOoem.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7ECwkTl.jpg)
Are we done? Are we done observing beautiful artefacts? Good.
(http://i.imgur.com/ZlMXtnW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qCmHb08.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yiDzWNF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zqRL4Ad.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NkF9YGH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CdXFTkb.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/2mPiYRe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nojrMDX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lxzFB1j.jpg)
And i will have it.
No.
Matter.
What.
(http://i.imgur.com/kqK0ylq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HhGWblv.jpg)
...I can change...
(http://i.imgur.com/G6m0p4z.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2AMNRyX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EqGfBII.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fiIYwHu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/k54fu84.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KfeozM9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/N92TnMC.jpg)
Will Tearchance return to our caverns,? Are there... more dragons? Time will tell...
Chapter 82: National Badass
Years 142 to 143
Killcount: 68
(http://i.imgur.com/hLypdhe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VQfpWlA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4hBMg5j.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/F7hIt5V.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/erKfONp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yRyWLqh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vQMTTSN.jpg)
My biggest fear is that a civilian may be caught outside. That farmer who seeks his fucking bats for example. I check the dead unit list just to make sure nobody bites the dust. I find a victim. Oh no. How could I be so careless as to let this tragedy happen?
(http://i.imgur.com/BI2EfiK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NUExfoQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aMxrilk.jpg)
I'm not even mad that's amazing. Also, thanks to the sacrificial mecanist, we know that there are at least two dragons travelling the caverns, as this one wasn't Tearchance.
(http://i.imgur.com/jsy6y3e.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KZ6f22Z.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vepwSzZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9ylCw3j.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JH8EhsS.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/ZF4hRuB.jpg)
* * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/nUnjbg9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/65rYfO4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/j3ZJAuH.jpg)
Surprising to none, the warhammer carried by Prince Mistem has not yet claimed a life...
(http://i.imgur.com/ZzbjCOs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/A6HG2x2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nj5Od0t.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ArdaEIi.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/Ob8aDPW.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/XoQuzvR.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/fhcgUqz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hBGYSme.jpg)
THE FORGOTTEN BEAST SOMETHING SOMETHING HAS COME! A TOWERING, MYSTERIOUS CREATURE, WHO'SE SCREENSHOT IS BUGGED! BEWARE ITS DEADLY BLOOD
(http://i.imgur.com/bp9ekDg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZA0JnR5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oxX4ivA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Ng8HTux.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/VQxlvXM.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/V8b6FaH.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/hEX6Bd3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iKpr1Be.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4EplFeb.jpg)
The military knows the drill. they mobilize in the depths, outside BASE1. Their foe entered from the save cursed spot that a bugged out flame monster did years ago. This time, the monster doesn't stay there, and quickly ventures into the pools that failed to fish out the older militia. As the corpses of heroes lay in the lake, and the remnants of Drokles burn forever just next to them, the dwarves approach the monster.
(http://i.imgur.com/jfa5Jeb.jpg)
Copgur the squirrel has fallen! The dwarves rejoice and head back home.
(http://i.imgur.com/j5wgUPU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zNyHqij.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cd3v3W0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hyuDpED.jpg)
The military crypts are not worthy of such a dwarf. he may never have held the title officially, but everyone agrees. I-D the second was Whisperwhip's champion.
(http://i.imgur.com/pbMkm0F.jpg)
May he rest in peace...
CHAPTER 83: Royal blood
Year 143
Killcount: 72
(http://i.imgur.com/7QEv80N.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rYwyLSw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vQHERi4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VpIHUVl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GRKemV7.jpg)
While Xun may be trapped, and the fight delayed at our leisure, the forces past him grow with each month. No less than 25 forgotten beasts now call the middle caverns their home, a place I've started referring to as DOOMCAVE. In this cursed place, the final fight awaits, where the forces of the Wilted Sack will throw everything they have to destroy the scourges of the Windy Realm, once and for all. Weither they live to take on this fight is another matter entirely.
(http://i.imgur.com/2qUHNqH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7VSrKr6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/67LGVnd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WkHn30m.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rUKSBha.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pXvTpEg.jpg)
Prince Mistem was initially a noble I joked about, but he has zealously served in the army, and will now outfit its members with top notch steel gear. Just like his late sister, he has become a core element of Whisperwhip in his own way.
(http://i.imgur.com/TjfsE3G.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OmdntLi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8PJYBuY.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/tDFT3jF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SZuOfhf.jpg)
The gates are filled with obsidian instead, blocking them. I don't know much about magma.
(http://i.imgur.com/xDlRMxz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jMY5X1V.jpg)
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* * * * * * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/UBRjGjw.jpg)
See, I,ve been corresponding with various people who know a bit about scripting and the way this game works. My initial goal was to eventually find a way to force the queen to migrate here. I assumed she was bugged or something; after all, we did receive the message about the monarch and her entourage arriving in Whisperwhip back in the days. Legend mode tells me she hasn't died, so I assume she is... somewhere. Answers from various knowledgeable people gave me a huge clue:
That is a hard problem... The thing is there is little known about how migrants happen (or at least i know little). Maybe she is somehow hidden (like vampires do - i forget if it's in 0.34) and that is why there is no info about her?
As a necromancer, her information may be hidden, which mean we couldn't know where she was, or what she was doing. Because the game could be keeping this a secret. A shame. Thinking of dark magic got me thinking, however... What if Edzul is a necromancer? If he truly found the secrets of life and death, he could go without eating or drinking at all. This would explain so much, especially his fixation with the graveyard. I start exploring the legends of the past...
(http://i.imgur.com/6E9gMQd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YNHlwFu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NWHfWkx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fbCTteu.jpg)
So what' a queen to do if she can't find a master or discover a book? Create an outpost right next to SoothedSlapped, of course. There lies the archfiend Ukas Archescort, both a powerful book writter, and the ruler of most human lands. And she was so close, too! The queen was on her way to Whisperwhip, a successful fortress currently hosting the mightiest necromancer of all: Quula, goddess personified, Ukas in disguise. Shortly before the queen made it here, tho, Quula suffered an existential crisis of her own, and left on a soul-searching journey. If I was the queen, I'd be pretty pissed that a plan twenty years in the making fell flat at the last second.
And desperate. If I was the queen right now, I'd be desperate. She was one of the first of her kind, and gave birth to Princess Kunil in the second year of the calendar. Just like Edzul, she is living her very last days. She must be 157 years old by now, minimum, meaning each breath she takes will be her last. If the queen's actions are shrouded by the game past the point she began looking for necromancy books, then maybe she's found what she was looking for. in that case, she's hidding somewhere, in a necromancer tower, with no desire to ever rule her kingdom again. If she failed to locate a book, then she's probably running around in circles, hoping in vain to find an artefact before her life expires. She's spent most of her life trying to extend her life, instead of living it. In retrospect, hers may be the saddest story of all.
Needless to say, in a few years the queen will be dead by all account, as far as the dwarves of the Citadel are concerned. A kingdom without a ruler is a poor thing, so a question must be answered: Who shall be the next monarch? Duke Tun would be a great candidate, as he's been acting regent for a while. Prince Mistem is also a potential ruler, altho he's the youngest of the royal siblings.
(http://i.imgur.com/TqsZIY9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/blARYxb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SDH9Ymq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cqBGaSK.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/yJRgqKs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/n5UL6LM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iO6Y4E4.jpg)
Year 144
Killcount: 74
The fortress is celebrating. For decades, the members of the Wilted Sack have been expecting a queen. They waited, and waited, yet no monarch came. No more. Today, their hard work and sacrifices are recognized, and they have raised one of their own to claim leadership. All hail Rigoth Basementstockades, ruler of the Citadel of Clutches. On the spring of the year 144, Whisperwhip is finally a real capital of its dwarven civilisation.
(http://i.imgur.com/JHuapTc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EHm2WL2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CNm08SP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FllHdSp.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/mNSVeIH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FrCoFr8.jpg)
* * * * * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/lqZSIIW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2VIJI99.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oQ93y3u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rCDW5ju.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tO4gkOw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1d5reDC.jpg)
Zulban is also a special dwarf. Her husband is the World-Famous artist Sakzul Kolkokeb. her young brother Zefon once saved the fortress from a fiery forest titan, and became known as the Firewalker. Her elder sister is called Rigoth Basementstockades, queen of the Citadel of Clutches.
(http://i.imgur.com/y8ZjYWu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dee5aCp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RDoNdAP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mWU5MTl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/z1ewJ8i.jpg)
* * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/963b5n7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JejWYcw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yrGawB2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/A6Q0jSe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GQ8L8Tk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/58wXL21.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9QL55PI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nvZraHu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7lBZLUh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aCd9Ejc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rFsQfI3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mmjYOxA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zJhrQnH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bSjicSf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/It4ZVAX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/e7o39PJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Nmz1KMt.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BuvCTcw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jv7hj54.jpg)
Years 145-146
Killcount: 78
(http://i.imgur.com/jv7hj54.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0YppPam.jpg)
Stage one, parts of the subject's skin and organs begin to rot
(http://i.imgur.com/eQw4XfH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FheJhou.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/R8JbrTe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RXvfYOH.jpg)
Stage five, the subject slowly dies from internal drowning, brain failure and major generalised accelerated necrosys. This is the saddest and most painful death I can imagine.
Who the fuck programmed this game.
(http://i.imgur.com/T4yMSjl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OnuiNR7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/E0Mr1qo.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/FKLbJWA.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/VOwACWD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ePYf79u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uJiwn1N.jpg)
Note: after much research, adamantine doesn't really improve the value of the room. A masterwork engraving is 120, a constructed/smoothed wall is like 2 to 8. That means that there isn't really any difference in value between a granite and adamantine room, despite what I was led to believe. I don,t care, this is a badass idea and we are rolling with it. In time, I hope, generations of the new royal bloodline will each have a unique tomb deep within the earth, level upon level of dwarves resting peacefully. right next to them, a hollow tube filled with demons and horrors from the underworld, from which they are miraculously sheltered from. A great symbol for the monarchs of this fortress, if there ever was any.
(http://i.imgur.com/hexonPE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9eZtQbQ.jpg)
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Dwarves are... not really good at following plans.
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Her death affects me in ways i cannot describe. How could a toughened dwarf such as she fall prey to this syndrome, when Tun the soldier/strand extractor got over it so quickly? has our medical staff failed her, focusing on a lesser dwarf when Zulban needed their help?
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As the latest forgotten beast bleeds out in the caverns, the calendar switches over to a new, important date. It is the first of granite, 147. Exactly half-a century ago, on this very day, Whisperwhip was founded. Dumat construcmirrored moved to this strange savvanah to found a shaky colony, mislead by a power-hungry queen. With this latest kill, the dwarves of the Citadel of Clutches have vanquished exactly ten percent of the world's terrifying forgotten beasts. This is only the beginning...
Map archive link: http://mkv25.net/dfma/map-12530-whisperswhips (http://mkv25.net/dfma/map-12530-whisperswhips)
CHAPTER 86: The lone gunmen
Year 147
Killcount: 82
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The messengers returned, as the army's core was still stationned in the first cavern layer, waiting for a chance to strike.
''Commander, we need reinforcements! The Golden Labors stand defeated!
-I'm sorry what.''
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-Can't captain Kubuk simply grab a crossbow and fire at them? People carry a ranged and melee weapon in this fortress for a reason. there are ten of them, surely one of the recruits remembered to bring his quiver.''
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-Ugh. Recruits. Captain Ushtuth, you have the caverns. Joyous Orbs, redeploy to the surface!''
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''Shoot at them, and draw their attention! Doctor Melbil, you'll need to get in there and retrieve captain Kubuk while she can still be saved. We'll distract the goblins.''
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''What's the matter, little boy? Is Timy stuck down the well?
-...Yes.''
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''She'll be fine, don't worry. Probably won't be able to fight so well, but her life is no longer at risk.
-How long before she can walk and grasp a weapon?
-Oh, it's hard to say, this could be a week, or a month, or never, I can't exactly...
-No seriously, get her up now, we need her outside immediately
-Commander, this is hardly a good idea...''
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-Well, commander, I would suggest that you find a way to kill this goblin before the whole fortress becomes paralysed. Now let me work.''
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''Masons, begin some scafolding and expand the western wall upward three floors, then build a platform. Smiths and siege engineers, begin the construction of more ballista ammo and parts.
-Sir we don't have any siege engineers.
-Well kid you are the siege engineer now. GO!''
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The commander looks at the taskforce, and adds ''And use the new tunnel instead of going around the walls, you idiots. The hill is now restricted terrain!''
(See, I told you I'd make use of this whole ''traffic designation'' knowledge thing)
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The metalcrafters rebuild the golden gate with the leftover bars. Far in the background, carpenters finish the staircase, after a month of trouble. The army descends (ascends?) on the goblins and bring order back to the fortress.
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''Do you have any idea what this strange patch of grey material is?
-Sorry, dwarf friend, I have never seen such a thing. truly, it is an unknown material...''
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Despite those little events and slices of life, 6 months pass by. But warfare never rests for too long in Whisperwhip...
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Just so, the towering butterfly circles around the stone formation, and heads toward the Machine for Skypigs. The mechanics ask about the trap activation.
''Not yet. We can handle this one. ''
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-Fuck this, it's gotten shot enough time already. your archers suck, Imma chop it's head off! announces Lady Grace
-Kogsak, you stay here with the rest!
-You're not the boss of me!
-...I'm the militia commander and your godamn father!''
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''I didn't sign up to let dwarves die on my watch. that's not what my friend ID the second would have done.'' Captain Ushtuth dashes out, her crossbow ready to fire.
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''I'm still a bit numb, dad, but I can fight!''
She rushes to the southern gate, Smoothbanner still soaked from butterfly blood. Trolls begin to fall from her onslaught. Some soldiers notice the tide turning, and decide to abandon the defence to support Ushtuth...
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The merchant is all too happy to oblige. He runs down the hill, with the gate in sight. countlesss corpses are scattered across the hill, still fresh from his savior's carnage, but more goblins block the entrance, locked with Bembul's squad.
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-Why yes, of course! May I have the name of my savior?
-I was born as Olin. But my mother was once the militia commander of this fortress, so I'd like to honor her memory. You may call me Drokles the second''
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...A very long year.
Whelp, i wish those things didn't take four hours to write. I just load the screenshots on imgur and assume I'll be here for like thirty minutes top, when suddenly it's late in the afternoon and my day is gone somehow.
Still, I'm satisfied about how this one turned out. There's been a few chapters without a real narrator, but over the last years in the fort I felt that enough new characters ''emerged'' to go back to this idea. This was also a nice time to introduce some new important soldiers, namely the surviving battle-monsters from ID-second's squad. They each have 2-3 forgotten beast kills and ten times that in goblin deaths, so it felt wrong to just threat them as ''generic soldier 45''. Especially since we now have 14 real soldiers, including a comatose champion. (the 10 new recruits remain unimportant, for now, except for Kubuk whose lack of qualities never fail to amaze me) I was honestly surprised to find out that each soldier who showed up to the western battle was not only a great fighter, but the progeny of another incredible hero. This made their introduction all the more fitting.
Also very happy about the events in this chapter. it's not often that a goblin siege is interesting enough to make a story of it. When the ambush happened and Amxu the goblin began tormenting us, I was going to wrap the story there and make it a shorter chapter. The name was chosen, ''The lone gunmen'', and I was ready to roll with it until the exact reverse situation happened within the same year, with one then three lone gunners struck atop a hill, messing with an entire army in strange ways. Thanks, DF, for making stories like this happen.
Year 148
Killcount: 85
A full season is what it took to clear most of the mess. The army intercepted a few thieves and ambushers during this period, preventing any misfortunes. Haulers worked day and night to retrieve (read: dump) most of the stuff left by the caravans. Why they still took the time and effort to bring so many trinkets to Whisperwhip, commander Bembul would never know. For reasons unexplained, the human caravan from the last year still lingered in the courtyard, its guards alert and ready for trouble. Fighters in search of glory and battle, no doubt. Their help in fending off thieves was much appreciated. As long as they stayed, the soldiers of Whisperwhip would have an easier time defending the gates against smaller forces.
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Or was it? There were still creatures out there that could humble any dwarf, no matter how long he's lived in Whisperwhip. Lord Commander Bembul was marinating in his swimming area when the news reached him, of a new foe sporting deadly dust entering the upper caverns.
''Fetch the captains, and prepare for a defensive stand. We'll use the traps, but I want the soldiers ready in case of trouble.
-Sir, the captain, she's... she's given up on everything.
-Kubuk? Yes, after her fall, and injuries, I can see how she'd be miserable
-No, sir, not her...''
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''Human guards, the caverns are under attack! You have the courtyard!
-Understood, sir!'' replied a tall, sturdy human woman.
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''Commander, we were working on a side-project when the beast arrived. A sort of... pillar. We wanted to drop buckets of water over the fire sources, to maybe retrieve some of the gear left by commander Drokles the first.
-I did not approve of this.
-Well, there it is still. Now the children and pet are out there!''
He knew what he should be saying. What Ustuth would have wanted him to say. But he had to make tough calls, for the fortress.
''We can't risk it. If they can't run fast enough...''
Captain Ustuth would have ran out there. She would also have died, but... she would have tried. Is that why she gave up on life? Because she knew such decisions were bound to happen?
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''Send a dog closer to us, before the last bridge. Run as soon as the dog is pastured.
-Dad, I'm bored, Imma get a drink or whatever.
-Kogsak, no we need to...''
But Kogsak was gone.
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-Kogsak, be more respectful, our best weaponsmith has just died.''
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''Do it.''
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''Refill the trap!''
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-...''
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-Understood, little dude!''
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''I'm afraid he'll never calm down completely. he's been assigned to HAVEN, but he won't listen to any doctor orders to move there. he's just, breaking shit.
-We'll keep him close, just in case.
-Oh, but on the bright side...''
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-...''
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''He got shot in the chest at point blank while hauling spare helmets'', they explain. The poor lad will not live through the night.
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-Are you serious, Tun?
-Quite.''
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-Shouldn't you guys be making pairs of gloves, instead of only left gauntlets?
-You know nothing about art, Lord commander.
Doctor Melbil has some demands as well, altho his make more sense.
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The Lord Commander gives orders to animal trainers, masons, and miners. It is time to retake DOOMCAVE.
CHAPTER 88: Pandora's Hatch
Year 149
Killcount: 88
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-My lord we... have we not been over this yet? We can't make crystal glass.
-Can't, or won't?
-...Both. Anyway, I gotta go, I think I hear another forgotten beast or whatever!!!
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''How's our latest mood creation?'' he asks the forge operators along the way.
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-Is everything ready downstairs?
-Yes sir. we are sending in the nearest kid for deconstruction.
-The ki-- nevermind. You may proceed.''
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Some of the inhabitants can sense the pets on the l;evels above. They gather under the hatch, yet dare not go through it for some reason. Some are in perfect shape, others... less so.
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''Well, fuck them, if I can't get a crystal glass window in my office, imma go hunt something. that'll change my mind.''
* * * * * * *
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''Hey, you, stop faffing about and roast me that thing''.
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This Osprey is as clueless as it is dangerous, reflects the general. I guess my plans will work nicely.
''Open the hatch once more, and close the drawbridge.'' he orders.
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We'll use their eagerness and mobility against them. If his plan works, the greatest clusterfuck known to this fortress will occur, and various beasts will be killed by collateral damage. Once the fliers are out of the way, they'll be able to methodically reclaim the DOOMCAVE, swat-team style.
Few can resist the call of flesh and battle. Half a dozen beasts gather under the hatch. three of them remain there, three climb up. They spot the animals. Chaos ensues.
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The combat log screen reveal that 6 forgotten beasts are locked in combat against the various animals right now, including Xun the Osprey.
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-I'm on it, sir'' replies Wingless nish.
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Kogsak. Kogsak would have taken over after I fell. Bembul goes to his daughter's room.
There he finds a lion.
''What the fuck.''
The Duke's voice comes from a corner of the room:
''Don't you ever knock? this is Lord Syrupcaught's room.
-It belongs to my daughter.
-Hum, no. i had to clear it up to to please our newest noble, the Chancellion.
-What.
-You see commander, a chancellion is very much like a chancellor, except for--
-I meant WHERE THE FUCK IS EVERYONE AND WHY IS THERE A LION IN THE NOBILITY!''
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What.
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Again, what.
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...
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The bridge.
Yeah, to... protect the ballista against dust clouds once it fired. Mayor said a pressure plate in the corridor would activate it as soon as the operator left to recharge.
(http://i.imgur.com/AuHTecd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/O7jZ9qj.jpg)
That was my idea, if I recall.
Yeah, well, it was a good one, so we followed along.
How did it go?
(http://i.imgur.com/pYiJOQu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3IKt3iF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3X1mgGA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DZutchp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DHDZDQV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3a5Xpi4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/amov3Jf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/16jJh5A.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/slUUhsy.jpg)
WHA---
...Except the Battleborn, he got kicked into a cage. The squirrel just webbed everyone and then dropkicked them in the head across the entire cavern.
BUT--
(http://i.imgur.com/KZJiA42.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lu8F7MS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bWTwZY8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DVOV7aG.jpg)
what wait how--
Oh because I'm the greatest assassin and hunter in the entire world. I just, like, don't have much time for that anymore, because I have to make sure we never run out of querns.
* * * * * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/JvDNGki.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XbbX6su.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LTKslbQ.jpg)
-That's... terrible!''
(http://i.imgur.com/UPo0Z6l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CzPOTAh.jpg)
-Good. He's one of our best. Who else survived?
-Wolfcleaver Ber is still around, as well as two others in your squad. Captain Kubuk's squad never made it to the fight so they are still alive. In fact, it happened so fast they are still on their way there as I speak''
(http://i.imgur.com/no8strM.jpg)
-Good. At least there's th--- Wait what was that noise? (http://i.imgur.com/ILXH2df.jpg)
CHAPTER 89: Running from evil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qURei6svd90)
Winter of 149
Killcount: 93
(http://i.imgur.com/oW3BVjR.jpg)
He can hear them coming from below. The whole fortress can.
(http://i.imgur.com/hptIbaH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0z20EHK.jpg)
''Wait for us!'' another is heard begging.
''We're all gonna die!''
(http://i.imgur.com/eED8YUH.jpg)
''You won't be able to close it in time.'' says a familiar voice.
(http://i.imgur.com/5FTjMJb.jpg)
He's lost his daughter, his men, his friends. If someone has to die to hold the tide and evacuate the citizen, it will be him.
''I'll meet the enemy head on. As soon as the last civilian is inside, finish the wall.
-Not without me! says Ber, the wolfcleaver.
-Nor me! says the Battleborn.
-Then we die together, announces the commander. Or live trying.''
(http://i.imgur.com/pL5ecTo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NRkaHlF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PxCcldv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2OaMYAW.jpg)
Alath regains consciousness and vomits a bit. He crawls back toward the fortress.
A freshly constructed wall awaits him. he wants to hit the wal and ask for help, but his arms are broken. He knows he ain't returning, unless the commander wins.
''Oh god, the fire, why!''[/i] he hears one of his childhood heroes roar with agony. Now he knows he isn't coming back. He can't join the fight, but he can still help in his own way.
''Is anyone on the other side? He asks faintly
-Yes, I am here! respond some unknown dwarf.
-Listen to me. And take notes. Here's what we are facing...'' Alath begins.
* * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/Kg5JYQc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zxfVnR5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hFhX2VC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/njYunsT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jBRnF6T.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/33Fdb1Y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3W4GNzJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6uxGfX4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3W4GNzJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YJpuGCC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/p8eECpa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/O6QdDDJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4T5Vx6m.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/z218RjA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ViaUSjB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/d30cgoq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8zzmLGT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FV6mxdk.jpg)
* * * * * * * *
Vabok Boltrisen steps back from the wall. He does not need to hear Alath's last moments, for he knows every scream will be engraved into his nightmares for the rest of his life. Vabok rushes upstairs, hoping to escape the screams and the roars.
He is not ready for what also lies upstairs (http://i.imgur.com/OaZoy22.jpg)
CHAPTER 90: The Doomforests agenda
Winter of 149
Killcount: 93
''I'm taking charge'' announces the mayor.
''You can't --'' starts Duke Tun.
''I'm taking charge.''
It was time to solve the fort's problem, the mayor knew. With !SCIENCE!
''We are taking down the demons'', she adds.
''But... we don't have any soldiers!
-Exactly, they won't get in the way.''
(http://i.imgur.com/XqzFDi4.jpg)
''Open the gates!
-But there's a... dragon...
-Yes, imma need it.''
(http://i.imgur.com/KJW1MQD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tk0BeHv.jpg)
''Hey, you, animal trainer!
-My name's De'', replies the dwarf trying to battle-train a lion nearby.
''Ok, well. Go fetch the rutherers. Bring them to the new tunnel.
-What new tunnel?
-Oh, also dig a new tunnel. to hell.
-...''
(http://i.imgur.com/NBvloji.jpg)
-Yes, but what about my crystal glass window? For my underground office, yaknow.
-Oh, I'm definitely working on it right now!
-Really.
-No, obviously not. Grab a pick and dig toward hell.
-I'M the duke, you can't--
-Diiiiiiiggggggggggg''
(http://i.imgur.com/UQPDP8B.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cHUFolB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rD8P0S7.jpg)
''Well, time to build some levers!'' the mayor announces. ''You, De, grab my dragon and bring it to the new tunnel''
(http://i.imgur.com/i6MW1gE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Iwp4V3X.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yWZ3Wbo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gRa2eYs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/39j072X.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KqdGHXF.jpg)
There wasn't much to do for the animal trainers at that point. He'd seen a cyclop, some rutherers, various war animals, and a dragon being hauled and lever-linked to the new tunnel. Deep inside, he knew what was going on.
(http://i.imgur.com/XB6rVSm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pnDqzI3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/h4Q8cQj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/I5HFSVR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/S8tjZa6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/J2psJQj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6IAfjjZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q1x63Lw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PPgQMd8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UqJL9vR.jpg)
-Isnt that... dangerous?
-Oh, no. No. Not at all, no.
-Are you... sure?
-Of course. See, using my frame-perfect knowledge of engineering, I shall close the bridge behind you as you retreat. the countless war animals will zealously jump through the hole and distract the enemies while you safely make it out.
-I'm not sure
-It's okay, we've done countless simulations''
(http://i.imgur.com/PUSqi7J.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HjXnlIc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vRF5qOj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KEu6xKV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QGY6TCR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fIHSYQj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YchrOIs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oY9TAEL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9rxW6B2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4dEEbBA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/udKIvqe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iYd6l5R.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iYd6l5R.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/itaPeks.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ABD7gv4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LBDMKTo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qZrhukw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/y3jARzo.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/lzRLOOc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ndhw5G5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9Ae1AHb.jpg)
-Ugh, just close the gates and let them work it out.''
(http://i.imgur.com/Bx8wLIV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Kl7Ipl0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/69ZcOwi.jpg)
*Tun Circleoiled, Duke, is stricken by melancholy''
(http://i.imgur.com/aLZsvM6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xJYDjZv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ekgk6qy.jpg)
-But I.... where is my fa--
-Good day!''
(http://i.imgur.com/LD4fyry.jpg)
two. three. Stupid useless cyclop.
(http://i.imgur.com/X3WJfB7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/L69ouIY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Akxff4Q.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zEOUcNs.jpg)
Leading the army of fierce rutherers is Arrugshameb, alpha male and killer of dwarves. Today he shall repay his blood death by slaughtering countless dem--
(http://i.imgur.com/Njuhll4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ttAvPQo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nAdKTHA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qZYXqU2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hXq9w5W.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bRAGVHD.jpg)
''We just need bigger monsters. Phase three will be the dragon, and after that we can just double the animal count, or use the collossus, or...''
(http://i.imgur.com/UnO6M55.jpg)
''Well, I'm not exactly proficient in dragon training yet, but I'm fairly sure breathing-fire is not going to change the tide against hell. We have no soldiers, and goblins are swarming the countryside. The dry, very flamable countryside. I'm sure we can find a better use for our special resources...
-I see. Alright, take the dragon upstairs, we'll just... weaponize the DOOMCAVE.
CHAPTER 91: On the safe handling of Megabeasts
Summer of 150
Killcount: 93
''This is the beginning of a new era for Whisperwhip!'' The mayor was getting good at speeches. ''New projects, new nobles, new objectives, new weapons, new foes...''
(http://i.imgur.com/srZv1CS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Am9u3aX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/htdtfBf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/szCTQ0C.jpg)
''Everyone who isn't a mason or a trainer or a mechanic, get to dumping!'' The fortress didn't need 350 quivers, for example.
(http://i.imgur.com/u2RSqwv.jpg)
The whole thing had been codenamed ''Project FLASHFIRE''.
(http://i.imgur.com/hL3wPdg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JbjWpOX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/liIRxT2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KgR9yZY.jpg)
The dust flies off, spreading cloudified blood streams everywhere. ''94''
(http://i.imgur.com/Da7bfHf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FNTln1f.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/L3Eu26u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LBZXU3C.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vrHG7oz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CbHamoH.jpg)
-I know it,s not the coolest job but--
-No I mean, there are actual corpses there.''
(http://i.imgur.com/e982N0b.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YZtPQWC.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cRvlLc9.jpg)
This new building would have failsafe bridges and antechambers to prevent everyone from going batshit and paralysing the fortress.
(http://i.imgur.com/jlOSiZ5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/X6C8g1B.jpg)
Ugh, those people.
(http://i.imgur.com/Lmogvcd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XJOkdiX.jpg)
''Everyone, just... go expand the new tunnel toward the DOOMCAVE''.
(http://i.imgur.com/5Jl1X9h.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8ZOJV6F.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/V8jmMIL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/w7Ickn7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SBm929U.jpg)
''What's the trap status?
-unfinished, I'm afraid. We could try to separate it in time, but...
-Do it fast, but send the army if it fails.
-The...army?
-Oh right.''
She goes to the hospital.
''Captain Kubuk, wake up, I need you to do some commandeering, and also maybe some frontline defense too.
-But my leg is...
-Nobody needs legs to fight, that's a myth. Isn't that right, dr. Melbil?
-Absolutely right, mayor.
-There, you have it.''
(http://i.imgur.com/rwHoITR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SmDWpf7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5yV15xH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/l016JXz.jpg)
-No, actually I... I defeated the beast with a lucky blow while it was busy eating the commander.
-Good job soldier. What's your name?
-Vabok, but...I'm... not even a soldier, only a recruit who showed up late to all the fights.
-Well, according to Elder Wand logic, you defeated the monster who defeated the commander, so that makes you the new commander!
-I don't think I'm fit for... I mean, my only assignments so far were to withnes the horrible, horrible deaths of two different commanders.
-Well, isn't that a great character arc you're having!
-But I--
-Good day!''
* * * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/qtzf3Su.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ejuCukc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iKR3HMH.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/xrQsSSF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/p0DyYGt.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tWAW1Od.jpg)
-I did not!'', replies a surprised mayor.
Yet it was true! The engraver and bookkeeper of the citadel of clutches had once served as a squad leader, back in the chaotic times of the civil war.
''Not only that'', continues the manager, ''but he's volunteered to open the pathway between the two areas!''
-That's... brave and very stupid appreciated!
-Something to do with ''his master telling him to fight and eat all the demons''....
-That's... well, we all have our quirks I guess.''
(http://i.imgur.com/4p1BlB3.jpg)
''Ugh, let them in, we can't afford too many corpses and items littering the countryside. Not with the dropping FPS''
(http://i.imgur.com/Kze1mBS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UrpYXKD.jpg)
''Clothsgiving!'' yells another dwarf.
''CLOTHSGIVING!''
(http://i.imgur.com/GaWbcme.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AIWWhPg.jpg)[/spoile
This goes on for several months. Everyone rushes outside to grab corpses and clothes and caged animals and leftover bolts. The goblins are nowhere to be found, for now. Better let them stack up on clothes while they can, but...
[spoiler](http://i.imgur.com/5MKRoLQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/W7Fijkg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gNZkaoz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/g4EulHm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/igCwNCa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HYWGrTg.jpg)
Soon.
(http://i.imgur.com/WDE1dQm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6FUzljy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zMUIiaW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/89GbTkS.jpg)
The dwarves are now isolated from the chaos that will soon take place.
(http://i.imgur.com/GjawXrQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8H2fydz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eRk28PM.jpg)
Winter of 150
Killcount: 96
(http://i.imgur.com/GjawXrQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/n9rT9RV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7cRCJ4K.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8OQIj82.jpg)
The forgotten beast will now answer with its mighty special attack!
(http://i.imgur.com/trF3ElU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hnRcrRw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mHZUWnB.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/uSCG6uO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vRef9Sk.jpg)
He shoots right at the mayor. The mayor dodges out of the way.
(http://i.imgur.com/dkqNAmE.jpg)
Good job, Vabok.
(http://i.imgur.com/f0DDcRm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YONPOF0.jpg)
''Animals trainers, pick up the dogs! Non-animal trainers, pick up the goblin bits!''
(http://i.imgur.com/g4sgwfG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8tU1oeA.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/PWWeVdg.jpg)
To the south, one beast is about to change the layout of the DOOMCAVE. It is not the champion the megabeasts need, but it is the champion they deserve.
(http://i.imgur.com/AKLjvFB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iSjxFsv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QsOH2om.jpg)
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Why yes, Aco's deadly dust only effect is to set things on fire. ::)
(http://i.imgur.com/iF0TxjX.jpg)
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Spring of 151
Killcounts: 97 (us), 13 (them)
(http://i.imgur.com/9STPjDc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/V334T7J.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wKxok8L.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MxC8J9u.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UaHJNu7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gtBCmre.jpg)
**** ****** *****
(http://i.imgur.com/s0jCuYq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/d5GhFGv.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0YaMbJP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/o3gTq9Q.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wSrW27J.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/o39Ssp0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OPiRiWE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Hl3Qn8X.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/efDEUau.jpg)
* * * * * * ** *** * * ** *
(http://i.imgur.com/V55RG0K.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pNBUAAp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TJnnXQo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JxGnguB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vDsyQBK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hZ6hAOW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MHzgVpK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UcGZcO4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/a1ucJGh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ROXfBeX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Rc4XhQ1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jKFkMXp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/S7qiewk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mVeWGjj.jpg)
*** **** *** *** *** ***
(http://i.imgur.com/TDWrb3e.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BfiIOwT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BZftJ4O.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/315RYMY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hg7JNdc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YFWDjWr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vkQdETJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pKTcVhk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IKgdAXS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/c2LbsXf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0eymiE8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GkPfHlF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UfohZoX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hIZbPEq.jpg)
*** *** *** *** *** ***
(http://i.imgur.com/ihwo6aG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EOikvxG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7O7hmhN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6nzbpQz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q1aWZJU.jpg)
*Game crash*
...Of adamantine leggings. Shoot.
(http://i.imgur.com/PhhRVrM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/npE3Q7o.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cq4nlxB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/21fMLM1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yzz0Ynp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ITEDbZ9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6Aq7zIG.jpg)
''Relax, says the mayor, it's in the DOOMCAVE where there are countless demons kept away from us by a single hatch cover. Everything is fine!''
(http://i.imgur.com/FRgb2H3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iSYMtXz.jpg)
-It'll work anyway. Just lower the bridge and lure it inside, and hope our timing is good.
-What but wait...''
(http://i.imgur.com/uPyxPuM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fLHetPg.jpg)
-Mayor, I don't think this is a game...
-Sixteen! That's a lot of points. Anyway, I'm off to complete my project to set the whole world on fire using a poorly trained dragon, kthxbye.''
(http://i.imgur.com/tjRMh3S.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mT1trPN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hjZhkog.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uAEmCAB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wJi8bpX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5rNSNHK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/izgwVea.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/D5pyNAB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OwpxYsJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bNXANb3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/05ooqiF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/T7L1z8E.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fIfn4Yr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UC08CJi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GQPOwDY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CURtZNX.jpg)
''We are now quite knowledgeable bugbat trainers'' announces De. ''Also most of our livestock is rotting alive, just throwing that out''.
(http://i.imgur.com/5WbrX71.jpg)
(it's not very effective)
Lomifo has fainted.
(http://i.imgur.com/OE6pmEP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YgRHw1v.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oJpdO43.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lZrLH1H.jpg)
Lofimo was tough, but doomed to fail. Altho it fought bravely and ...graciously...(?), its organic body was a liability. At this point, the mayor had a fairly good idea of what they really needed to defeat hell. it was time they tried something different.
(http://i.imgur.com/ICu9bZB.jpg)
* * * * * * * * * *
OOC notes: So, yeah. in the next chapter, the fortress becomes Pacific Rim. That won't be for a while, tho, as I have a lot of stuff to do. Various birthday parties, finishing Daredevil, running Clobbermountains into the ground... I'm also wanna start uploading piano covers to Youtube. Next update won't be for another month. The gameplay is mostly over, but These updates are quite time-consuming.
On the plus side, this thread has reached over 20 000 views! Thanks everyone, for sticking with the dwarves of Whisperwhip!
CHAPTER 94: Pacific Rim
Winter of 151
Killcount: 99 (us) 14 (them)
(http://i.imgur.com/VCMdwif.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HhwW43a.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rbEIZVI.jpg)
-I'm Vabok. How can you not know who I am?
-All military is the same to me.
-We have two soldiers!
-Whatever. Just, step back from the giant robot, I need this thing in one piece.''
(http://i.imgur.com/hfwD7Dr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vFqBMxP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GwbU1h0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UxhwZ25.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PWGxbdb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zCKqHbk.jpg)
Go... Amo!
...totally different I tell you.
(http://i.imgur.com/E52b1qJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CGCW3bo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bpHAscK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iVTyWd2.jpg)
Turns out giant robots are actually clumsy. Dude can't score a single hit.
(http://i.imgur.com/ULqqmUw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bEkphGY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/aBayoBU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZiHhOd5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6P3Gu0J.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fzy80RF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EkGWQKg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/heTeqvg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8axHwtF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/suiMwMo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gTvRRzc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JytMCMW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IOkN8Sr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LtdUEt0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RTUHO4n.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4xsbh8H.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4EiuZ4K.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/so9AE1O.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ixLxw5s.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jmGd46A.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iCNHTSg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9zSBTMB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xadwk6a.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GYe8Vjw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QAkNWmi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OQGtbXj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9yGl4nh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Qtc2or0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CIW756g.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mHxEpfR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/R0fGdU5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZfptdeR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IsNwsJn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/J85lEDE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vJFxH5i.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GnLjrqL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/31ao1lW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Yw8lxQZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7CELcUI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OxyXSJT.jpg)
http://i.imgur.com/hyBm1f4.jpg
(http://i.imgur.com/RWQS5q0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/C6B8SuQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eFKTMDb.jpg)
This gives me an idea. He may yet act as bait. If most nearby demons are busy with the remains of this statue, there could be some major things to be done by using this distraction. Reclaiming the spire, perhaps? Still, this is pretty risky. the statue could die at any moment, or some devils could disengage and seek easier preys. There is also the problem of four-snow devils occupying the center of the spire. We'd need to defeat them., and I,m not sure we can.
(http://i.imgur.com/Cgy4zVF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iYPaVb7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RVzRWWx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PTjGbhI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/S15uRq1.jpg)
-Ma'am, the dragon ran into the potash-making facility.
-Uggh, get it back!''
(http://i.imgur.com/VgBvorL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Becwr1S.jpg)
''Yeah, hum, we sort of lost the dragon again after we removed it from the little gatehouse''
Can you guess where the dragon went?
(http://i.imgur.com/Q1zxBG4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ee0A1Jo.jpg)
This whole plan is becoming rather sketchy. Many bold moves await the Citadel of Clutches, but an ill-advised decision will inevitably destroy the fortress for good.
(http://i.imgur.com/vZLSTUZ.jpg)
http://i.imgur.com/QkEtQRl.jpg
* * * * * *
(http://i.imgur.com/fYBPaNE.jpg)
In any case, I'm quite sorry for the lack of updates. I had a small case of ''my basement caught on fire'' and I had to repair my computer in the process, and then wait for a lot of repairs to get electricity plug. I also had a small concert to prepare for, leaving me little to no time for videogames. On the bright side, you can follow the link in my signature to find my Youtube channel, where I'll be uploading music covers periodically, if that's a thing you like.
This was a weird chapter to play and to write, but i think we probably all learned a thing or two about demons and/or megabeasts and the way they interact.
Chapter 95: Priorities
Welcome back to Whisperwhip. It's been a while. It is a standart fort, populated by exploding cats, a hundred forgotten beast corpses, a legion of devils, a couple giant metallic constructs, and a dragon gatekeeper. I think it says a lot about this fortress that the goddess of murder and blood would visit the place and have an existential crisis, and somehow that's not something I remember immediately because much weirder things have happened.
(https://i.imgur.com/lTGNHIU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KzNfDMZ.jpg)
In practice, the dragon has a mind of its own. every time I modify the design, he flees to observe our quern collection.
(https://i.imgur.com/Q16gx6y.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NoMAcPw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jwYrrfb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/joBUpPa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5XTeTIK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lVVgOBL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9MjeMoV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XLbNoEI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Lm656lM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9GHVjqP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uWmWZg2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OyBsAwy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bIlYsJD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HBQZR9G.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WopURO0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bcCU3G5.jpg)
********
(https://i.imgur.com/3wanlTG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pG7Kmi1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/W0F6Ea3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DFkrOCF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bNS3M1h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MLbSfAN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1qv3coc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/exTR3Ft.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mShSlW2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gA10vi0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ffnalu6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/14cuLZ1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DA3ZFEH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zCzS0bU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rSpVNqe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PhFTtSh.jpg)
New burrow. everyone near the adamantine corridor. No time to waste.
Step 1: open the path to the sealed section of this fortress. success.
Step 2: Have a standby worker with masonry plug the path to the doomcave manually. Success.
Step 3: Have Vabok stationned at one hand of the corridor to shoot the 4 demons of snow that may aggro from the spire:
???
Vabok where the fuck are you.
Vabok got lost and went to the caverns instead. Abort! Abort!
Seal the hole!
(https://i.imgur.com/jGc0RpN.jpg)
also, it appears that they are all here because of a burrow, which i created to hasten the work and have every dwarf ready and proactive.
fuck.
(https://i.imgur.com/OtaBtSS.jpg)
I'm sorry buddy.
I'm so sorry.
Vabok where the fuck are you right now. are you... are you here yet? did you get out of the caverns?
(https://i.imgur.com/SyNQKuA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FMBfjPN.jpg)
Our only soldier is now to days away from the combat. Amazing.
I call our trainee marksdwarf Plato, and hope he/she can deal with this issue promptly.
Plato is dead.
(https://i.imgur.com/wYAgzCM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FMBfjPN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FVbT4Cg.jpg)
Despite the grim nature of this event, I can't help but laugh out loud when i notice that our ''Chief ragdoll engineer'' is getting tossed around like a puppet.
Fun fact about snow demons. they are very frail but somehow their blows send people flying accross the room. it also conveys a special extract which basically freeze the victim's lungs and brain, and leave them there to die slowly. they dont even finish off the victims that survive. they just freeze them and watch them die ominously.
Now lets follow Vabok as he wakes up.
Vabok, go and station yourself downstairs and fight the fucking demons right now!
(https://i.imgur.com/1gEIeCf.jpg)
He travels to the bottom of the base. At this point it's been a week since the massacre occured.
(https://i.imgur.com/76nJGEc.jpg)
''Save us Vabok!''
''help us''
(https://i.imgur.com/l8W7u8i.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/d9UtvUt.jpg)
''I need to pick up supplies!'' Vabok announces.
He steps over a dozen corpses and freezing dwarves and head back upstairs.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kq8A4hk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/S89FwFP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lAElSm5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5jyrQB5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/G5tiMH3.jpg)
Any second now Vabok. Any second.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ug4kPC2.jpg)
i forget. are you gonna grab the closest one?
(https://i.imgur.com/IBeru3h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jPhhQKT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PYBgAHk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/g0AM627.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KxJ363Y.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MC6eIsO.jpg)
And now he has made it.
After two weeks of fucking around. vabok is ready to save the fortress and take down the demons. go forth, demon slayer.
(https://i.imgur.com/u74YS94.jpg)
..and walks past the demon of snow. He station himself in a random bedroom. The demon is there, Vabok, fucking take him on. Shoot him. you are a legendary sniper.
Vabok why are you just standing there passively.
Vabok why are you going into melee range.
Oh.
Oh come on.
You spent two weeks preparing for this moment.
(https://i.imgur.com/iOnsHfz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eVjtfsQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nr7HVT8.jpg)
********
(https://i.imgur.com/ZNR6P6s.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/frw0Cgc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5OGoSLy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3i9whU7.jpg)
You know what, nish the lye maker? I'm not even mad at you. You truly deserve to be tantrumming right now.
(https://i.imgur.com/YnxyC3G.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bC1oj6W.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TOeDerG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/U2Yg3Wk.jpg)
********
(https://i.imgur.com/Xgg8GEU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iitfUZP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iujQtW4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YG6ySoK.jpg)
Whisperwhip is safe from demons as of now, but their attack has killed half the fortress, and left the rest... damaged.
Edit: Fun quote from the last chapter:
Retaking the spire is possible, but the death of amo, or a somewhat alert demon, or any amount of dwarven lazyness will doom us all
I just remember who Vabok was.
He's the one recruit that got lost and fell asleep when the army died to keep the demons at bay.
That explains so much.