Camp Crystallake was a preposterously violent and deadlyfortressSummer Camp. Read along as delphonso avoids legal responsibility for about a hundred deaths and contract violation. The theme of this fort was somewhere between The Cabin in the Woods and Friday the 13th. Overseers were tasked with spooking but not killing a group of dwarves. We unfortunately both spooked and killed most of them.
Crystallake was the first attempt at a Spookyfort. In my memory, it is one of the most fun succession games I've ever participated in.
Above-ground fort trying to spook delphonso as much as possible!
Welcome one and all to delphonso's Haunted House of Horror!
If you're reading this sign, you've been selected as one of the lucky dwarves to join the immersive Halloween experience titled "Spookyfort!"
Over the next 30 days you'll experience Frights! Fears! Trembling Sensations!
Of course, after 30 days, you'll be returned to your respective mountainhomes. That is...if you survive!
The piece of my assorted creatures pack that adds killer great white sharks to all water seems appropriate for the theme. (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=12839)
Cool! I'm down to either be dwarfed or take a turn (I'm confused if this is just a community game, or a proper succession game!) If it's the latter, considering the end date of Halloween proper, the time limit on turns should be at most 3-4 days for a good amount of succession to occur. Just a thought.
The piece of my assorted creatures pack that adds killer great white sharks to all water seems appropriate for the theme. (https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=12839)
To all water, you say...
(I'll add this in, awesome stuff, Enemy post!)
Hey, Catten here. Excited to be at the camp, but am curious - how did I get here?-=-=-=-
Also, I checked the box marked "food" and it was filled with hearts. I have a bit of medical training, and well...some of them were still beating. Are these even edible?
What the hell is a squonk anyway?
(https://i.imgur.com/R9BIH01.png)
See those birds? They're actually staff members in disguises.
Asmel here, glad to be at the camp, but I was wondering...-=-=-=-
Could we get any sort of blankets or sleeping bags? I mean, it's snowing and our beds are just wooden planks.
Thanks in advance!
oh! this is lovely! I am quite I can't wait to see how it ends in October 31. Dorf me in as any old dorf. This should honestly be a yearly event. A great way to bring the community together for a good horror fun.Thanks, I thought it'd be a fun idea. We'll see how many people get involved. I dorfed you as this guy because he's generally pretty happy but also wants to work real bad. Also, these preferences...
I'll get started tomorrow, or maybe tonight! Looks like I'll be dusting off the ol' aquifer piercing technique, which I haven't really used as of late. Honestly, lakeside embarks are some of my favorite so I'm pretty excite~
edit: lol its year 666, nice touch
This fort is already off to a great start, can't wait to see howit turns outeveryone dies.
I love the mental image of the "giant keas" really just being dudes in suits, presumably with wires reaching up to the cardboard ceiling.
Luckily, I was already finished digging and was busy at the tavern when this occurred, but the thought of how close it was sent shivers down my spine.
Loving this so far, count me in for a turn.
Gonna finish up tonight, I predict. Starting last half of the year now.
I'd definitely be in favor of sealing up the caverns too, atleast until you guys have a decent military (or in this case, probably more like security staff incase the actors get way too much into character) going. Also welp, I'm definitely nerfing the Zombulls then.
With all the dead teenagers going around this place is really living up to its name.
I will not be able to participate in anything until at least the 11th because my laptop is dead. The power cord broke and it's got that "smart tip" technology that ensures only cords made by the manufacturer to be compatible with it can be used, and actively shuts off battery charging if you attempt to plug in anything else. So I'm fucked until the new adapter arrives by mail.
I'm kinda disappointed y'all haven't been invaded by like a vampire bat yet. I always get attacked by them in evil biomes.
I will not be able to participate in anything until at least the 11th because my laptop is dead. The power cord broke and it's got that "smart tip" technology that ensures only cords made by the manufacturer to be compatible with it can be used, and actively shuts off battery charging if you attempt to plug in anything else. So I'm fucked until the new adapter arrives by mail.
I'm kinda disappointed y'all haven't been invaded by like a vampire bat yet. I always get attacked by them in evil biomes.
No worries, Eric Blank. When the machine's back up and running, let us know!
I didn't write about it, but I did get an attempted theft by one of your civilizations (snatcher mages, maybe?). He ran off immediately, though - like some kobolds do when spotted.
nogoodnames, you up for a turn? Otherwise I can start to...bury the dead, so to speak.
The employee spread a few papers out on the desk, intentionally covering the half-finished pink slip. "You see, sir, if you review the releases we had everyone sign, death by being scared to death is an accepted risk by every participant or their guardian. That means, sir, that if we can prove that the dwarves died of fear rather than...say loss of limb...then we're in the clear. It's a gamble, but it could get us out of this."
His eyes darting between the different sections and subsections, delphonso put it together. Christ, he's right. Why didn't I think of that? He placed his elbows on the table and folded his hands. Leaning forward, delphonso said, "Well then. Perhaps you should take a seat and we can discuss this further."
Well, the list of goods left behind by the merchants sure looks normal.
Except for the dementia essence. And the communing/recuperation essences. What even are those? How do you even get dementia essence? Just scoop it out of someone's brain with a straw, spoon or vacuum?
Hello. The camp's accommodations are exemplary, however the limitations to the surface are unusual and poorly explained.-=-=-=-
I was overall satisfied with my experience, but am deeply disturbed by the noises and smells coming from above.
Best,
Inspector Olon
Gonna have to go through an read the previous couple pages before I commit to anything besides a dorfing, but PTW.Any preferences?
I cannot find the point of entry - I think there is a clue in that occasionally pygmies are spotted by the fort and we're told to drive them off. Other than that one carcass, no one else has gotten it - but I really can't find the location.Oh great, its like the room outside space over again. So now aside from the, erm, actors getting too in-character and killing dwarves, we've got
Jesus Christ I just went back through and...
I mean kudos for getting people killed in droves without going out of your way to do it, but good lord.
Nobody'll wanna come to this place at this rate, this bodycount is gonna be a PR nightmare.
“Oooh this camp looks so interesting! Uncle Luckyowl already signed up for a stay there, why don’t you visit him, Ender?” Thanks MOM. It sure wasn’t obvious you were just looking for a way to get rid of me! At least here I’ll be free of their constant pestering to get a job. It’s not my fault the troglodytes back home don’t have any work deserving of a superior intellect such as I!
They described to me a bizarre hellscape where fleshy, tumorous growths cling to the stalactites. Demonic creatures slither and squirm in the shadows. The very ground is carpeted with cancerous organs, grasping hands and constantly screaming heads. It is as if the damned are reaching out from the underworld, mutating and merging into grotesque amalgamations as they desperately claw toward some vague hope of salvation.
Assuming I survive the turns to come, I'll take a turn, though word of warning: I'm an incredibly boring, cautious player more often than not.
My computer's running again, I got the new cord last night. I might be able to play for a while today/tomorrow.
Assuming I survive the turns to come, I'll take a turn, though word of warning: I'm an incredibly boring, cautious player more often than not.
Crystallake is the place to get out of your comfort zone and play dangerously. Or not, whatever you find fun! I'll add you to the roster.
I'll sign up for a turn.
I've finished my turn and will upload tonight. Horrible things did indeed happen, and the population did go down again, but things are kinda stable.
I will assume I am among the dead, and have my estate begin taking legal action for criminal negligence.You'll never get in front of a judge. We'll keep your attorney running circles for months.
Time to set a new ghost high score!
I will assume I am among the dead, and have my estate begin taking legal action for criminal negligence.
The freak-on-a-leash gave birth to another freak, and it immediately killed 'Zan' and Thob, the raccoon familiar, before any of us could get down there and wrestle it into submission and kill it.
...
The injured are mostly back on their feet, sans Ber. Stodir was the first to get up and he's in pretty good moo-
He's got some new body parts. Tentacles, mouth tendril, extra eye clusters all over the place. Yeah, good condition I'd say.
I will assume I am among the dead, and have my estate begin taking legal action for criminal negligence.
Not so fast look here:
(https://i.imgur.com/Ojp4nP1.png)
wew, when did I die?
As much as i hate to be that guy, i would rather not play. Ever signed in to playing something you don't want and realized that you want to play it even less when you turn comes? ::)
I take it that means I'm up then! Ain't used to being the one later in the game, so we'll see what happens I guess.
EDIT: I already hate everything about this place.
hahaha nice opening letter here. Your writing has the perfect tone of 'civil servant memo' or 'OSHA Health and Safety auditor' and I love it so far.Considering the way I usually play my games, that's not too far off. :P
Honestly though, Crystallakes is actually pretty well set up for a succession game. Plenty of food, and a secure room to make more. Everyone has bedrooms, and a centrally located dining - temple - bedroom setup means very little walktime, excluding the magma forges. Those have an admittedly winding and circuitous pathway, but hey - it gets the job done. You could collapse the fortress down to the marble layers and not really miss much, if you want to consolidate further.
The castle is, well, useless, but it's scenic. We could build an airbnb there. We need more stuff like that if we ever hope to pay our lawyers back.And currently useless to the current campers. Also not a camp. UNACCAPTABLE. (https://youtu.be/Q-WHRJPlL5g?t=11)
I am not opposed to dfhacking away the beasts - my FPS tanked at the end there, and winter took as long as the rest of the year combined. If what you say is true and the wights are summoning more and more, I'm very concerned we might softlock lol. Also, what the hell wights? You only need one shadow beast to kill the whole damn fort. 299 more will not help.I might have to regardless, to be honest. These assholes are summoning more in which is probably a cooldown issue with the Monsters of Majesty mod. I started my turn with 364 "others" on the map, and it's grown to 396. I know for a fact most of the new additions weren't there when I started.
There might be an open bridge in the third cavern layer, BTW, I dunno, its covered in cage traps and I never bothered to close it.
Meant to have this up earlier today.
So, gonna get DF hack installed to deal with these morons. Will probably just exterminate the shadow beasts. Might make them run, might not. I'll probably still have to clean up some left over zombies, but a gang of axe-wielding security troops in full iron chain armor should be more than sufficient for dealing with that.
You may also be wondering about the new devil attraction. Basically it's going to be set up as our "oh shit" and/or finale button. Some sacrificial simp goes down, cracks the spire, and demons spill forth from a devil's own gob. Assuming I don't accidentally the thing that is.
So yeah! Gonna take today to play some Fallout, then jump back on this Monday. Oh and click the two creatures to enlarge.
Is it safe to overwrite existing save game files with this though? Nothing new or significantly changed as to cause a crash?
(https://i.imgur.com/wnDAk6b.png)
The produce was a simple door, though undeniably well made, and heralded the birth of a new male beardling, named Olin Paddlematch.
Nice work. What's the current population? Wondering when a non-necro siege will pop up.
(https://i.imgur.com/wnDAk6b.png)
The produce was a simple door, though undeniably well made, and heralded the birth of a new male beardling, named Olin Paddlematch.
This artifact is amazing, something like that would look wonderful in real life!
Nice Fire Imp drawing, really brings to life those little bastards . I feel like our dwarves are playing Doom RL with only some axes and a whole lotta beer.
"To whom it may concern,
Let me begin by extending my gratitude for the outside intervention. Over the course of the last few weeks, the army lead by the local necromancer cult as effectively ceased to be able to function. Repeated attempts to summon more shadow beasts have reportedly resulted in the creatures emerging from their portals, and dying of sudden, violent exsanguination. Zombie servants have likewise begun collapsing under their own weight. I trust the cost was not too severe, and effective 1st of Felsite, I have lead the milita out to demand the wights surrender and vacating from the company's property (and by extension, the kingdom's territory.)
Thankfully, they were reasonable anf fled the field when faced with the threat of armed dwarves bearing steel axes (the intruders' own armor was very patchwork, not unlike that of the common goblin.) There are a few undead lingering, but nothing that would pose a sufficient threat to a suitably motivated dwarf; cardinal men, even in a zombified capacity, are still barely bigger than well-fed guard dogs after all. At any rate, I have confirmed they have indeed driven away company personnel, as the smoke bombs they sued to cover their escape had DFM marks and the stashes of such equipment we had on the property were all broken into forcibly.
And speaking of undead, I'd like to commend Security Dwarf Sigun Castlemoistened as she dispastched an undead giant cardinal single-handedly with a single blow!
(https://i.imgur.com/JE5G6UQ.png)
We've also been seeing more creatures in the caversn, one of which was captured. I confess I once never understood that decree about getting guild approval for accessing the caverns, but now I genuinely appreciate it.
(https://i.imgur.com/UcYxA6r.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/6zmm1hW.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7TbNqgj.png)
The things down there... Even mundane horrors have managed to not be crowded out. I personally would recommend campaigns of extermination against the things down there, but I understand it would be far too expensive in funds, materials, and lives.
I also have the dubious honor of reporting a particular creature's existence. That of the Black-eyed Children. Surely, sir, you know of the hillock legend of these strange vampiric beings. A number were sighted nosing around one of the wights' victims (a badly mangled corpse of a cardinal man,) and were driven away by the panicked, girlish screams of Zultan Waneaxe, who insists we call her "King" Zultan. Her frankly shrill alarm cries at the sighting were quite unbecoming of a she-dwarf her age quite frankly, considering she likely could have bludgeoned the things to death bare-handed.)
(https://i.imgur.com/9Oo3bol.png)
Another, one Alath Lanceseal, also began to behave erratically, bursting from her quarters and declaring she knew what she had to to and commandeered one of our carpentry station. She seized two iron ingots, some cherry wood, and galena ore, as well as some spare leather - speaking of which, silver and galena ore can be found in abundance, should the guild decide the company has to repay them directly. As a show of good faith, a batch of 4500 silver coins is being prepared for shipment come autumn.
(https://i.imgur.com/wnDAk6b.png)
The produce was a simple door, though undeniably well made, and heralded the birth of a new male beardling, named Olin Paddlematch. I can only hope his mother will decide against using him as ablative armor.
There was also an unfortunate event as of the 1st of Hematite.
(https://i.imgur.com/AFg9ljn.png)
fifteen or so "Sallow Hunters," most of them unarmed rabble arrived, demanding compensation for the dead shadow beasts. Expedition leader Ber responded with an unholy spiel of profanity the likes of which I didn't think that woman was capable of. They proceeded to chase her twards the fortress, whereupon the militia engaged them in the courtyard of our castle (an unfinished attraction.) Ushrir Praiseddike in particular landed an especially nasty blow to one carrying a bow (who foolishly tried to use his bow in close combat.)
(https://i.imgur.com/QXqD7A0.png)
The enemy was hideously disorganized, trickling into the security team's waiting axes a few at a time. Security Dwarf Adil repeated Ushrir's feat during the battle. After 9 of the intruders were dead, the remainder retreated, two of which were heard screaming "FINE KEEP YOUR SHIT!" and "THERE'S NO WAY THIS IS WORTH IT!" I like to think this has proven how willing the company is to hold this patch of ground.
I've also taken the liberty of rebuilding the depot, as it was destroyed during the battle by a burst of... Something. What, I can't tell, but there was a cloud of blue... Stuff, I guess, that I'm told is called "aetherium" during the battle.
You may also notice it was not one of the usual guild couriers who delviered this, but a rather foul-tempered dwarf named Moldath. I fired and then expelled them afetr they began throwing tantrums - their duties in the venture were not ones that were irreplaceable, and the peasant Ineth was hired to replace them (I ask you not inform Moldath they were replaced by a thirteen-year-old.) While Moldath has carried out undeniable service to the company, it had to be done, lest they pose a threat to the remaining staff and guests. Not that it mattered much, as new guests arrived not long after and Sarvesh Treatyearths gave birth to a boy she named Kogan Nightstaff. I took the liberty of enrolling two into company service.
The summer operations were concluded with my ordering the completion of the southern road, and the last of the furniture being placed in the security barracks. As my expertise is in the management of assault troops, I intend to leave the assembly of a ranger corps to the next site director. Additional, Security Dwarf Kib Lustrouslanced birthed a child, also named Kib, though instead it was Kib Strokeattics
(https://i.imgur.com/nmKneoj.png)
And while a mar against the company, it can be said that the venture does indeed continue to provide its advertised service.
(https://i.imgur.com/ku8zeSi.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/HZnuN5i.png)
After a discussion with Cilob, he has agreed to enter Post-mortem Employment with DFM, and has had another citizen sign the necessary forms on his behalf. The remainder of autumn and summer passed without incident, apart from the completion of the road, the arrival of two new guests who say they were attacked by bandits (I suspect it to be those sallow hunters or their handlers,) and the now-Manager Ineth making a marvelous scepter. A number of forest rats also made off with some abandoned supplies from a recked wagon, but it wasn't worth the effort to pursue them.
(https://i.imgur.com/v0dQECy.png)
My next report should arrive by the end of next spring.
Signed,
Splint Orderdyes"
As always, each letter came with a twin, opened elsewhere...
"Management,
Who the fuck let a half-dozen out of work musicians come here? None of these idiots had marketable skills (I just stuck them on the smoothing team for the time being since we lack dedicated entertainment facilities,) so I sincerely doubt they had the money to pay for the trip and time here. Did they trade you their fuckin' instruments?
I also hope the mediums or whatever the hell weren't too expensive. If it weren't for them, we'd still be trapped in this hole while they built ramps out of shadow beasts, so thanks for that. There'll be a few chests of coins ready for delivery to try and make up the cost for that shit. I assure you, they're made to guild regs so they'll be honored anywhere in the kingdom's territory. Unless they changed the weights again, which is entirely possible.
- Splint"
UPDATE!
Only one season to go. Barracks is done, finished the road, got an ammo room added, drove off the siege and a follow-up, the second of which I didn't even need to do anything with. The few armed and armored sallow bois who actually reached us had crap armor for the most part that couldn't stand up to steel axes. Like a third buggered off after we slaughtered the conga line of morons as they trickled in due to the drastic weight differences in their stuff.
I was going to include a couple more drawings, of the scepter and black-eyed kid, but decided against it in the interests of time. I also finished the access tunnel under the devil's mouth, so whenever we need to we can send a miner down to tap into the clown car directly.
I'm surprised I lived as long as I did, and it looks like I lucked out on getting killed by one of my fellow dwarves instead of all the other horrible things wondering around.It says a lot that having "lucked out" in Crystallake means you only get killed by an insane staff member rather than the horrors out on the surface or in the caverns.
Double check for alerts. I was having issue with job cancel spam because the emergency alert was still on. Very strange though, since I had no issues with people working down there.
I love how this has quickly turned into a legal nightmare a handful of employees are trying to save the company from even though they know damn well they can't. :P
delphonso is already on an island somewhere, I imagine.All burrows have been dismantled (including the Emergency one), but the Dwarves still aren't going down. That said, there's a starving/dehydrated pet (Crystalline Charger Kid) down on the forge levels, and one of the Dwarves keeps coming up with 'Cancels Give Food: Animal Inaccessible' errors. Can't see why, since there looks to be a clear path.
Yeah, sounds like burrow nonsense - you might want to just dismantle whatever burrows exist to make sure they're not stuck in it.
Look here you loonies!
*tink*
I have had enough of your nonsense!
*tink*
Just give it up already!
*tink*
This is all an elaborate prank that has gone on far too long!
*tink*
There's no such thing as monsters!
*tink*
That "demonic growling" you hear in the depths is just tectonic motion!
*tink*
I'll show you what you've been so afraid of! I'LL SHOW YOU ALL! JUST WATCH-
*CRACK!*
*Crumble*
*crumble...*
Eh?
AA aa aa aa...
You mentioned a few dwarves who you believe may be recruitable. Take them, and distribute the attached message among all other soldiers.
I will meet you in Lambscrushed.
Burn this message.
Alath has made the diagnosis that the presence of Sightless in the fort could guarantee transmission of the Sightless disease.
Anyone who has spent considerable time in the fort below the barracks is at risk of becoming a Sightless at any moment.
You are not allowed to leave until this has been sorted out. Do not spend time alone with anyone else.
Congrats!
Grats
Congratulations
Congratulations
Grat's
Congrats
Aww man, those guys just had to show up when they did. I held a vain hope it'd be demons or escape, not stamped on by a fuckin' ice giant.
After all that madness at the end, I expect evil to keep seeping from the ruined site of Crystallake.
Also I just noticed that this hell is constructed of hellish stone instead of slade. DF doesn't really show it aside from on stuff like doors, unfortunately, but its supposed to be fireblu
What a beautiful way to end a fort, and it even ended the way I thought it would, a massive fire ball of death and very few survivors.
delphonso tossed and turned in his ☼bed☼, sleep once again alluded him. The nightmares, you see, they've been getting worse. The dead, cold eyes haunted him - on the back of his eyelids, he could see them - the hundreds, thousands who had died for his fortunes. delphonso was a man beset on all sides by grief.-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Phonso Musket was the first firearm to be mass-produced in Werae Itwarro; it revolutionized warfare. The dead heaped in piles on the outskirts of Blockadebraved, awaiting proper internment in a dwarven stronghold. From his gold block tower, delphonso saw the growing collection of dead. Each day, more arrived from Okirfath, P'kibhu'sti, or Dinkeenkoerijn. Each one, punctured by a musketball. Eventually, the world settled into an uneasy peace.
But delphonso, he gained no peace, only wealth - and there is only so much comfort you can buy for a broken soul. As many do, delphonso turned to superstition and faith for answers. He eventually got the advice he sought - build.
- You must build, if you stop, the spirits of the dead will find you.
- You must build, the spirits are seeking you, confuse them in the complexity of your works.
- You must build, if the spirits find you, you will die.
Could people with guns be immune to a ghosts spooking?US National Anthem plays louder
"Dehydration inside wall" feels like a suitably strange death for this fort.
Would love to take a turn on this bad boy >:}
Maybe one day he'll be a legendary ghost.
I suppose now's the time to mention some ghosts did sign on with DFM last year. And who better to use those mortally challenged employees on than a CEO who skipped town.
PTW (and to get spooked!)
I suppose now's the time to mention some ghosts did sign on with DFM last year. And who better to use those mortally challenged employees on than a CEO who skipped town.
DFM: Dangerous Ferocious Monsters
Try as I might, the dwarves seem to be...prospering? delphonso is happier than ever.
The dwarves think this place is desirable.
I might be interested to give a shot after Splint.
(It's around 7 years since I last tried a succession fort (on a different forum), so hopefully I won't mess things too much if I take a turn.)
Did you manage to get a turn in?
Nice. Delphonso's demise is ever the closer.
Given how fast people are dying we might not even make it to Halloween.
If nobody else will go I'll at least have a look. No promises though.
More the premise than anything. I actually quite like doing above ground stuff, though it means my particular playstyle is pretty drab and slow-burning. But this premise demands a level of architectural creativeness that I just don't have - plus not gonna lie man, all the intentional murdering going on has me in a full on "why bother" mood with it.If nobody else will go I'll at least have a look. No promises though.
No worries. Above-ground construction isn't the most fun thing in the world.
Ain't trying to be a downer or anything, just ain't quite feeling it with this one like I was last year.
An adventurer in this place might be fun.
There sure do seem to be a lot of shark men in this world.
Teen Wolf and if I remember right, the only horror in that is about the dangers of underage drinking.I thought the whole thing was