Post by: Maloy on October 20, 2022, 09:42:11 pm
The Project
Achieve an Age of Fairy Tales or something similar as resulting from purging the world of all wondrous creatures. It will be a world for humanity and familiar earthly species alone.
I wanted to share the highlights of the adventures though and my experimenting with play styles. New adventurer and story made if the old one dies or completes his goal.
(https://i.imgur.com/fwf5VBp.png)
What is Adventure Mode?
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The Current Age
(https://i.imgur.com/XzFiy2f.png)
We live in what is known by many as the "Golden Age". The name implies a happy time when various races populate the world in relative equality and harmony. After surviving three apocalyptic events though the age is one of chaos as various powers seek to fill voids and people fight to determine the future of the world.
(https://i.imgur.com/3NXNYOb.png)
Previous Eras (with stats)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
In the wake of the massive power vacuums that led to the Golden Age a time of intense uncertainty and need led to the calling together and creation of a squad. Members who, regardless of willingness, would face the great remaining threats of this world. (Each member is designed and led by a different player)
Burt Yonalilimili(King Zultan) :
A deer person hailing from elven forests. This deer man is covered head to shin with bronze armor. Which makes him look eerily similar to the bronze colossus that one tyrannized the entire world. He is incredibly friendly, but can also be easily angered. He was drawn to the squad by a desire to both explore the reaches of the world and defeat it's many challenges.
Egem Tosidamem(TeaKing) :
An eagle man hailing from the Craterous Gazes like Grugni. He was a long time hunter in dwarven lands with his love of nature only rivaled by his love of acquiring wealth. It was both of these desires that drew him to join this squad. He is incredibly sociable and loves making friends.
Sir Galtran III(Salemuk) : Galtran the Third was a human born into complete poverty after his mother, previously married to the King, was banished from the eastern empires. Galtran was taught from an early age of his royal heritage and this had a great impact on his behavior, turning him into a precocious brat of sorts, obsessed with the appearances and posturing of nobility, yet with none of the associate wealth.
Galtran trained himself in the art of swordfighting and archery, but seeing as he had no other upstart peasants to train with, could only practice against the various makeshift training dummies he had constructed in the nearby forests. Thus Galtran was a great shot, and could thrust a blade through plate mail, yet found himself completely lacking in defensive maneuvers or understanding of practical matters, like how to make a living while also spending most of your day hitting sticks together.
Galtran never really grew up and, after the untimely death of his mother and loss of their property to "inalienable rights of the noble lord", now searches for some kind of adventuring party or caravan to attach himself to, in order to make a name for himself.
Galtran is generally annoying and ignorant, but looks the part of the noble warrior, and so manages to insert himself into situations he is completely unprepared for.
Hal Bristletrade(AvolitionBrit) :
A kiwi man from the Notched Union. He was a chef in the Union's capital when the call for the squad was made. He is joyful and quite happy to help others, especially with the making of good food for them! When asked why he would join the squad he simply said "People got to eat"
Grugni Dedukzalad(Maloy) :
A dwarven criminal living in exile for continuing his family's tradition of plumbing the depths of the earth for riches and monsters to fight. He was caught when he came to the surface to resupply. The anti-social dwarf has been promised freedom in exchange for service. Grugni passed away on this very same adventure! First taking an injury that removed one arm and left the other limp he realized that he could never realistically return to cavern exploration and instead sought to die in battle against his peoples enemies. He succeeded and bought time for the party to kill a vicious Cold Hunter named Ral Ivoryink
Glorg Lazitanefethi(Salemuk) :
A strange barbarian hailing from a life of isolation in desert caves. This human has a strange penchant for both the acquisition and the liberal application of spears. The opportunity to both gain new spears and use them has drawn him from his cave dwelling. Glorg dueled Ral Ivoryink who had s legendary spear and supernatural powers. They fought fast as lightning and he did significant damage before the dwarf beheaded him. Her injuries were severe enough for Burt, Hal and Egem to finish the job Glorg started.
Previous Player Character
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Directory
Kanil Inchwhip's Story
Chapter 1: Cutting Teeth
Entry 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8421531#msg8421531)
Entry 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8422367#msg8422367)
Entry 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8422949#msg8422949)
Entry 4 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8425076#msg8425076)
Entry 5 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8425867#msg8425867)
Entry 6 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8425960#msg8425960)
Entry 7 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428594#msg8428594)
Chapter 2: No gods no masters
Entry 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8433018#msg8433018)
Entry 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8437099#msg8437099)
Entry 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8447677#msg8447677)
Itha Feciciyaba's Story
Entry 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8450246#msg8450246)
Entry 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8451877#msg8451877)
Entry 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8452385#msg8452385)
Kivish Abbeymysteries The Auburn Deity
The Auburn Deity
Entry 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8462078#msg8462078)
The Squad:
The Party Sets Forth!
Intro (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8472043#msg8472043)
Prologue (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8473289#msg8473289)
Side Quest 1 PT1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8473838#msg8473838)
Side Quest 1 PT2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8474048#msg8474048)
Entry 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8474781#msg8474781)
Entry 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8476436#msg8476436)
Entry 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8478701#msg8478701)
Treasure (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8478922#msg8478922)
Entry 4 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8480197#msg8480197)
Entry 5 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8480750#msg8480750)
Side Quest 2 Intro (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8480984#msg8480984)
Side Quest 2 PT1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8481254#msg8481254)
Side Quest 2 PT2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8482465#msg8482465)
Side Quest 2 PT3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8483048#msg8483048)
Side Quest 2 PT4 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8483717#msg8483717)
Spear King (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8484222#msg8484222)
Repose (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8485051#msg8485051)
Traveling (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8485652#msg8485652)
Strategies (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8486982#msg8486982)
Stubborn Kanil (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8488929#msg8488929)
Journey to the Lost Dwarven City (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8491735#msg8491735)
Forgotten Terror (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8492051#msg8492051)
To Oarpassionate! (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8493947#msg8493947)
City Life (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8495934#msg8495934)
He Doesn't Need a Army (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8497206#msg8497206)
Finding the Vault of War (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8498647#msg8498647)
Treasures of the War God (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8499727#msg8499727)
Broken by the Angels (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8500275#msg8500275)
Coming Storm (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8501062#msg8501062)
Final Mission 1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8503546#msg8503546)
Final Mission 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8506405#msg8506405)
Final Mission 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8507117#msg8507117)
The End (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8508546#msg8508546)
Epilogue: Burt (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8508860#msg8508860)
Cleaning up with Kanil
Purposeless (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8510924#msg8510924)
Ruins of Obliteration (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8511739#msg8511739)
The Curtain Call of the Dwarves
An Amnesiac White Stork Awakens (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8513387#msg8513387)
First Blood (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8514259#msg8514259)
Answers Denied (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8516939#msg8516939)
Christmas Special (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8519295#msg8519295)
The Dead March (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8522455#msg8522455)
Grit (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8524766#msg8524766)
Birthplace (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8526248#msg8526248)
Full Speed (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8528928#msg8528928)
Lore and World Building
Lore of Necromancers (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428149#msg8428149)
Dwarfdoom: Bendtaupe and the Famines of Twinkling (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8438316#msg8438316)
Cor the Goddess of Youth (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8449302#msg8449302)
The Tribes of the Forest of Plunges (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8480979#msg8480979)
The Age of Deception (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8481257#msg8481257)
Can Love Bloom in Undeath? (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8486430#msg8486430)
Chronicles of the War against Cor - The Craterous Glazes (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8503095#msg8503095)
Post by: Salmeuk on October 20, 2022, 09:45:08 pm
Quote
Kanil's purpose is to defeat the two great evils of the East and West freeing the world from the goblins and the living dead through sheer force of strength and will.
Here's to the adventures of Kanil! May he survive all duels and ambushes.
Post by: King Zultan on October 21, 2022, 03:50:22 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on October 21, 2022, 11:00:10 am
Post by: Paaaad on October 21, 2022, 10:40:25 pm
Post by: Maloy on October 22, 2022, 01:19:07 pm
Interesting it's something I've tried to do before. Not sure if adventure mode does the age check like fortress mod does at the start of the year. But best of luck, if you need an adventurer to do some slog work clearing goblin pits. Down to take this save.
I may take you up on it at some point! There's only a few thousand goblins which is small to me. Humanity only has a few hundred members
I know Age changes only happen at the beginning of the year so we'd be waiting a long time to hear of it so I might do age checks by using a fortress(and then kill those dwarves later)
So (According to the Wiki) that would require mundane civilized creatures- so basically just humans- to make up between %90 and %99.9999999... percent of the civilized population, but not %100. Given that humans are currently the second least populous species in your world, you have your work cut out for you. You'll also have to kill that Swamp Titan of course.
For sure! I wanna approach it in Arcs. Goblin purging is the name of the game for Kanil. The swamp titan I will go after at the end of Kanil's adventure(if he survives that long) as a sort of final boss.
I'm less worried about the titan than I am the amount of goblins to go get
Post by: Maloy on October 23, 2022, 08:00:23 am
Smuntsu the goblin hated the woods. Trees, grass and disgusting critters everywhere.
He had no desire to ever go near them and usually never had to. He was one of the two guards for the overlord of the nearby hillocks. The backwater village provided him a free source of wine, but here he was... in the woods.
The fort to the west had him and the other guard join a search party. Someone was out in the woods coming out in the dead of night to kill goblins and so they were to ambush him. They had formed a circle over the area and followed his trail. As he attempted to run from them the circle would tighten like a noose and he would be surrounded by them.
Smuntsu enjoyed a good ambush and a good killing and that almost outweighed the disgusting presence of nature around him.
As he stalked through the woods he saw a bootprint, human sized, and kneeled down to inspect it further.
Before he could even finish he buckled and fell onto his face. Searing pain in the back of his leg and he acted upon his most base instincts "Please don't kill me! I yield I yield!"
He was kicked hard and rolled over to his back and looked his assailant in the eyes. A massive vicious looking human coated in mud and blood with a tattered cape flowing behind him. He bore a massive sword bigger than the poor goblin itself. "I surre-" Smuntsu attempted to yell again before blade came down and split his skull.
The noose had been snipped. Kanil went through and picked off each individual hunter that had come after him. Pamud crushed one goblins torso open. He was satisfied to have angered the goblins so. He usually spent the day time resting while he hunted them near their fort at night, but parties like this made him adjust his schedule.
He decided to head north into the dwarf village to see about information or if the dwarves might even have warriors to fight the goblins. That would be a faster resolution than him picking off a hundred goblins on his lonesome.
------------------
The village had few dwellings, but had a relatively bustling population. Better than all the abandoned zombie filled hillocks between here and home.
At the drinking mound he found the local friendly and enjoyable in company. Many complained and grumbled about the tyranny of the goblins, but when asked none of them had any interest in doing anything. Preferring to be left to their crafts and follow the proper order of things: If the Dwarven King wanted them free he would send soldiers.
Kanil found this reverence for law to be disgusting.
He went to the administrative mound to look for other dwarves and found a delightful sight: The Overlord
A scrawny goblin without any armor speaking with a local dwarf. His guards were gone, likely the ones Kanil left in the forest, and here he was.
The goblin turned in time to see Kanil's weapon out "What this about?" and Kanil cut his leg clean off.
Screaming and attempting to scramble away Kanil quickly decapitated the creature while the dwarf that was previously next to him ran in terror.
He brought the head to the tavern and threw it on the ground shouting his deeds. The crowd reacted in horror. Calling him murderer, rebel, trouble-maker, villain, and more. One dwarf attacked him with a knife. He parried each strike trying to calm the bearded creature. Pamud had no such patience and drove his tusk through the dwarf's brain instantly killing him.
Full-scale panic broke out and Kanil saw a riot forming. He quickly mounted Pamud and fled the town.
He would then avoid the dwarven villages in the area: Inhabited either by the undead or mad-dwarves. He continued to pick off the fort.
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It was designed by mad creatures clearly. It's base was a normal square fort design, but the goblins had built their shoddy towers and trenches all around it. The gates were buried under soil to make room for it. Kanil found an entrance in a tower that was jutting out the side of the fort wall he would climb into and come out in the middle of the fort. Nightly he would slip in, cut throats on sleeping warriors, and duel a few that were awake before retreating. He left Pamud outside the fort every time. The elephant reacted sporadically and if they were swarmed he needed to make a quick getaway.
The goblins feared going out after him for not only was Kanil a terror, but the forest apparently had a giant grizzly bear, giant black bear and a sasquatch in the area killing travelers.
Finally, there were only three people left. Two humans and a goblin. He waited for a time to listen to their talk. Talk of him usually or the terrors in the forest that dissuaded them from attempting to flee. Kanil started to doze as he sat outside and then he heard a crash. The two humans were fighting. The lasher was clearly winning against the swordsman. Seeing his chance Kanil sprinted in and fought with them both. A brief clash and the last goblin alive who didn't join the battle sought to negotiate. "Look I just wanna leave here"
"Are there other forces nearby?"
"Don't know. Don't care. You're no threat to them anyway."
Kanil killed the creature.
(https://i.imgur.com/trY1DF9.png)
When he left the fort Pamud was gone. No trail either. He hunted the area nearby. Found the giant grizzly and killed it.
Explored south following another trail and ran into trouble. Dwarves. A whole army of them, and they had him surrounded.
AI Artwork
(https://i.imgur.com/hmnHKMZ.jpg)
Those dwarves at the hillocks really reported me! I'm gonna get more trouble from dwarves in this playthrough than I am goblins!
Post by: Maloy on October 26, 2022, 05:59:46 am
(https://i.imgur.com/noBK5ug.png)
All around Kanil were dwarves, but they weren't moving. they were just sitting and watching. Then suddenly out of their ranks sprinted a purple blur, and then before him stood a giant purple mushroom woman. It began swinging at him with it's fists.
Kanil had no issue with the dwarves, even being a bandit, and didn't want to have them as an enemy. Also the mushroom man was kind of cute to look at and he felt bad fighting it.
He asked for peace, but the creature seemed to ignore him all together!
(https://i.imgur.com/EYDfXY6.png)
Finally, after dodging enough, knowing that all it needed to do was to get a good grip and pin him and the others could easily kill him he did what he had to do. He killed the purple woman. Whether this was the leader or more likely a mascot the death of this woman set the dwarves to frenzy! They bemoaned her death and all began to converge on his position suddenly while shooting at Kanil.
(https://i.imgur.com/FR9xb9t.png)
Kanil escaped only to be ambushed by the same army again two hours later. He tried to fight, but unlike goblins who hunted him in small poorly armed groups each dwarf here was armored head to toe leaving no gaps for his blade and they worked together in groups.
Kanil wasn't swinging or stabbing at the dwarves he was outright beating them with his sword, and eventually broke through their line by slamming his sword into the leg of one bow dwarf and the lower back of a spear dwarf slowing them for his escape.
He ran back to the fort. Pamud was still not there. His heart was heavy for Pamud was the only true friend he had. He found another trail that led north-west and followed it. It led to the Giant Black Bear the goblins mentioned. It was easier prey than the grizzly was and so he killed it swiftly.
Finally, he decided to chance going home. Pamud probably knew the way home and was waiting for him while comfortably feeding and resting by the river.
It was a two-day journey back past the forests and into the savannah. Most of these formerly dwarven lands were now tainted. Nothing grew here and the hillocks were filled with the undead. No one told Kanil on his first trip and so he raided one hillocks with Pamud and got his current supply of dried plump helmets that some noble dwarf likely hid for others passing through.
Kanil crested the hill that led down to his home. He had built a small wooden settlement sometime ago next to the river. He had slain a vicious night-monster on his first quest from the chief and she had kept the corpse of a dwarf imprisoned in her cave. Kanil heard legends that dwarves didn't rest in the afterlife if they weren't buried and so this place was originally founded to bury the dwarf as well as Kanil's dog that died in the battle. Now it had a tavern with three beds though and a few dwarf friends he had made took up residence.
As he crested he noticed a caravan leaving. A trader with his guards and what appeared to be some sort of monk.
Source: https://www.deviantart.com/faradon/art/Dwarven-Caravan-318477699
(https://i.imgur.com/dTXshm6.png)
As he approached them on his way down the trader spoke "Ho there traveler! If you're looking for the home of Kanil the Warrior you've found it, but he is away!"
"That is fine, for I am Kanil and I am returning home"
"That's what I hoped you'd say, lad"
The monk next to the dwarf launched a blow at Kanil that sent him reeling backwards. This being some sort of signal two crossbow dwarves behind him began firing while the "trader" drew his weapon and the monk swung again.
"If dwarves invested this much time to fighting goblins and the undead as they did to hunting those who kill their oppressors this world would be a lot better place!" Kanil thought to himself
The melee went on for awhile. A speardwarf had run down to help the trader and monk. Despite Kanil outmatching all three both in physical ability and martial prowess little headway was made. They had virtually no gaps in their armor and he was essentially just beating them with his sword. The monk was repeatedly trying to pin him and that would be the end if he succeeded. After his last blow to the trader's helmet the dwarf was enraged and swinging relentlessly at Kanil. Three blows for every one Kanil gave. Finally, in a moment of graceful chance Kanil's sword fit through the gap of the speardwarf's helmet. With full force it went in and killed the dwarf instantly.
Seeing this the dwarves on the hill immediately ran away calling for retreat. the trader still in a blind rage kept swinging and the monk stayed to assist him. Kanil wanted these two dead, but even as beaten as they were he could still find no holes and so when the trader calmed down the monk began dragging him away and the trader called "This isn't over, manling! When I collect the bounty on you I'll be sure to give your head to Urist's family for this!"
Kanil was sweaty, but not tired. His dwarf-friends in the tavern didn't see the fight and Kanil was mainly relieved they hadn't been killed for association with him.
The three warriors were upset at themselves for not seeing through, but Kanil was more upset to not see Pamud here at home.
He left immediately for Cursewax again to see if he had missed something.
On the way back the first dwarf army had ambushed him again and he was not having it. He had begun to be practiced at fighting armored dwarves. He found the gaps in two dwarves armor. One lost his leg and then his throat, and the other a sword through the eye-hole and and instant death. The rest of the dwarves fled again.
He tracked north near Cursewax and found the Sasquatch the goblins had feared and ended it. He had unintentionally cleared the area of it's wildlife threats while seeking his best friend. Finally, he returned to Cursewax itself. He could work out his anger by butchering some goblins if any new ones had arrived
As he entered the tavern filled with dead bodies he left there stood the most amazing thing. Pamud. The elephant had squeezed it's frame inside! It was covered head to toe with scars as usual, but now his trunk was missing and his right tusk was fractured.
Kanil ran to embrace the elephant
"Where have you been? Oh, what's been done to you my friend? Let's go home you need a rest"
Source: https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=755462
(https://i.imgur.com/dsPJl0F.jpg)
OOC stuff
So I realize on my quest for fairy tales I'm gonna have to kill all the Plump Helmet people and this likely will eat at my conscience severely, but I shall press on
Cursewax still isn't officially cleared for my quest with the chief, but from what I understand it might take multiple in-game days for the game to register it as cleared?
Poor Pamud. If there were any creature I'd use the full-heal dfhack on it would be him
Do you guys play DnD much? I DM a campaign and I was thinking about how different each campaign can be. Most people I know play very board game intensive with miniatures and such, but our group generally enjoys having maps, artwork and well-placed music to let imagination go to the maximum
Post by: Maloy on October 28, 2022, 06:09:32 am
Being a large brutish and simple man most of his fellows were shocked at his choice of Buh as a patron, especially since most simply didn't have a god. Kanil himself hated merriment and partying, but he felt like a child whenever he listened to or read the works of passing artists or got to speak with the ones they were holding hostage for ransom. So he practiced poetry and was horrible at it, but Buh was always there to listen to it.
The day after the Pavilion finished he pulled out his map marking the fort. It was time to finish the goblins in the area that were putting pressure on his tribe. Scouts came out of these two locations
(https://i.imgur.com/GNcHeu0.jpg)
He first hunted all the scouts around the northern one. Foolishly the goblins chose to always go out and track alone, which made them easy if not tedious to hunt down.
The dark pit itself was quiet for the most part. Very little traffic until he got into it's network of tunnels underneath. He found a few trolls and a couple of goblins and killed them, but his real treasure was two stray beakdogs wandering the funerary pits. He took them both as his, and they took well. Either because of their shared love of violence or because Kanil was just good with animals. After that things were quiet there
Until he ran into a dwarf. It was like some sort of broken thing sprinting across the place yelling "identify yourself" and even if Kanil did so it would leave and come back later asking the same.
It was one of the hunters from the east, that much he could tell, and he knew they were pretty ferocious with their powers. Perhaps it was left to guard the place from goblins, but if so it did a horrible job and was unable to recognize him either as an invader.
He heard it shouting its alarm like warning again as it ran back into view to pass the tunnel near him. As it crossed he swung for it's neck. It was faster than Kanil could ever hope to be. In the time it took Kanil to swing it drew it's weapon. Activated its power and stabbed its own weapon into its chest, but it miscalculated
(https://i.imgur.com/TagX6IK.png)
With this pit clear he took his new pets and Pamud to the southern one. This one was stuffed with goblins although not a single one was warriors. After slaying one they went into a panic and ran, but this played out favorably. The beak dogs chased the hapless goblins down the tunnels and eventually led them right back to Kanil. As each goblin ran past him he beheaded them and lined the tunnel with little green bodies.
After that was done he went to the main part of the underground pits where goblins tended to gather. The room had plenty of them, but they were too spread out to see one another, and so he would kill one after another and the others had no clue as he worked his way towards them.
One goblin metalcrafter held it's own against Kanil. Not with blade, but words.
"You think any of this matters man-filth? More will come. The Elder Hell is more powerful than you could ever hope to be"
"I'll break your hell on my blade"
"Yes, think you're strong don't you? Wanna be the master of these lands?"
He raised his blade "No, power is oppression of others. It's a worthless thing."
The goblin was unphased by the blade or the coat of blood covering Kanil "Is it? You're powerful or you wouldn't have gotten this far. Power is all that matters it shapes the world around us and that is why you are able to stand"
"All I want is to protect the life me and my people have now"
"And you'll need power to do that, yes. We use numbers, but you use those muscles and iron. We're the same just with different resources"
Kanil rested his blade "That...is a lot to consider, but I have no wish to control others"
"Power doesn't control. People meld themselves around power. Take those dwarves, They try to avoid these places because theirs power here they wanna avoid."
"Did want to avoid. I've been harassed non-stop by bearded regiments"
"Then you need more power, yes? To make them stay away so that you can be free to do as you please?"
"I...see. I will spare you for your wisdom, little one." Kanil's value of power has changed.
From there they rested, explored and found a vault, but did not go in. One of the beak dogs earned a name chasing down and feeding on a goblin. Kanil decided on Duquehan or "nurturedglories". We ended up exploring all the dark pits, because after this one every other one was completely abandoned. This piqued his curiosity. Where was this army invading his homeland? He took a risk and decided to head for the black tower in the west.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/856809897830252738/
(https://i.imgur.com/Hg64N2h.jpg)
Kanil knew little history, but this black fortress was an intimidating sight that he stayed away from, but here now climbing down the endless trenchworks. This place seemed long abandoned too. Most of the trenches were worn and fading and the towers around the dark one were crumbling. He reached the fortress itself and walked in. When he strained his ears he could hear movement from somewhere around him, but it was very little.
The ceilings of each room went higher than he could see and with the walls being made of slade it seemed he was walking in total darkness.
With virtually no sounds or life this was disconcerting. He passed statues some of goblins and others of fantastic beasts. He wondered if these creatures had been real or were the products of a twisted imagination.
After ascending in silence for so long he finally, reached the top. The "master" was scrawnier than almost any other goblin he had run into. Gray-skinned tiny and withdrawn.
At this point Kanil settled on a false name and title to blend in with the inner-workings here.
(https://i.imgur.com/tUBlDQp.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/aAVdBdq.png)
"What do you mean there's no plan? Aren't you the master? What about conquering the east?"
The master seemed shy "Well, I don't know what dark pit you've been hiding at, cousin, but...well. The Plagues of Forking really hasn't been the same since those dwarves got here."
Kanil was confused by the name and looked at the Master's pin.
"who rules here?"
"Uh... well, my wife actually. Funny thing is that my title is really ceremonial. Most of us live as bandits now. Sometimes the dwarves come out of their mountain to make sure we're really all dead so we have to hide in the tunnels. There's only a handful of us here"
This wasn't the empire that Kanil had been fighting. He assumed the goblins had come from the pits to the west, but these hailed from an entirely different land.
This fellow seemed entirely kind and wanting to stay out of the way. Kanil loved violence, but really had very little hate in his heart so he left the master. The master never realized how close he was to death that day thinking he had reunited with some cousin of his own people.
This was a lot for Kanil to consider as he left the site. Goblins from far away places, and apparently the dwarves were a problem for everyone in this area and not just him. What should he do? What did he want to do? Fight more, but these gray ones were a tribe like his own.
As he continued to walk a goblin from one of the tunnels sprinted out and greeted him and without thinking he replied "I am kanil Inchwhips"
He froze immediately. The goblin seemed nervous now as Kanil was well known.
Kanil's beakdog made a croaking hiss at it sensed the goblin's fear and Kanil's hostility building.
The beakdog pounced and pinned the goblin who punched feebly at it's head. It began mauling the goblin before Kanil came over and inserted Cloudfought into it's brain. It was time to leave. There was too much to consider.
OOC:
So that's that. A lot to consider on my part. The Elder Hell is actually from the far arctic north and is the only goblin civilization that has any success in this world and is occupying the pits of their dead cousins, but I also cleared them from the area.
So for Kanil would he be more interested in killing the dwarves who are pressing in from the north or the undead hordes to the east that do not expand, but represent an ever present threat?
I also discovered that in real life if an elephant loses it's trunk it starves to death, fortunately I doubt dwarf fortress will simulate that.
Also the Master Azstrog. According to legends his three year old son was executed by the dwarves when they last invaded the place and that is who he is saying he misses in the dialogue.
Do you guys find the history of df world's interesting? I'm deep diving this one's and might expand on it
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 03, 2022, 07:56:34 pm
Post by: Maloy on November 04, 2022, 08:17:13 am
I love DF's worldgen and emergent storytelling. I've written several stories set in DF worlds, roleplayed in succession forts, and gone on adventure missions of my own. I once ran a three year long tabletop campaign with several friends that was set in a DF world. I've started a second campaign fairly recently! I'm looking forward to reading more of your tale.
I appreciate it! This one is really really interesting to me and I'm fighting my urge to spoil things in order to release it as an actual story
I've debated doing a d&d campaign in a dwarf fortress world! I have to slow myself down though. My group is still on Act 1 of Rise of Tiamat and as dm it's easy to get excited and plan 5 campaigns in the future when that is like 10 years from now lol
Post by: Maloy on November 05, 2022, 05:10:42 am
(https://i.imgur.com/ama12lg.jpg)
Whispersletter was a fort a short walk west from his own tribe's, and thus the first stop on his way back home. Pamud, Dequahan and the otehr beakdog waited outside. He decided to drop by the tavern to spend time processing and hearing information. The tavern was actually the sleeping area. In a world of undead, night-terrors, and invasions it paid to keep everyone close together as much as possible. Drink wise Kanil had to satisfy himself with water.
There was barely enough food in the land so what little farming happened did not prioritize alcohol and dwarves didn't come south to trade anymore since the Entangled Plains were just an anarchic bowl of bandit clans like Kanil's own. Supposedly dwarves living here kept stashes of alcohol for themselves, but they'd never dare drink it in public where it could be fought over or spilled.
Whispersletters was almost entirely made up of dwarves and goblins, unlike his home which was pretty mixed
The rumors passing around gravitated around were the same. They spoke of evils to the north. The great swamp titan that kept settlers out of the north-west. Kanil had no interest in that.
They spoke of the necromancer tower and horrors to the east, and of many missing treasures. Pieces of armor and several weapons all lodged at Inkyrouts. A dwarf ranger called out to him "Hail, human I am Udil! Praise death!"
"That's a weird thing to praise considering the hordes of the dead on our doorstep. Talk like that could get one killed."
"Bah! I've been here longer than the rest the dwarves here wouldn't let anyone hurt a greybeard like me! Do you know why so many dwarves live in these little wooden forts?"
"I don't see how that is my problem"
"Well, it should be. You are Kanil Inchwhip. Oh, yes I know you and so do most others. Even if you work for that snake Uja most people know it's you who is going to decide what happens in these lands."
Kanil reached for his blade at the slight of his beloved chieftess "I've had a lot of bad luck with dwarves recently and you really shouldn't push it"
The graying ranger didn't seem fazed "Calm your breeches, boy" Udil reached for his flask and offered Kanil a swig. A fair trade for time
"Now where was I? Dwarves. We started coming to this land decades ago, know why?" Kanil began to open his mouth to respond before the dwarf waved a knobby fist "Don't interrupt me, boy! We came here for freedom. When those necromancers started cropping up with their armies all over people started getting real nervous about those of us who worshipped the goddess of death, The Spry. She ain't evil. She plays an important role making sure everyone passes on to their rightful afterlife and makes sure not a single soul goes awry or that too many new ones enter this world! But the mountainhome didn't believe us. We were necromancers who just hadn't found our powers yet. So many of us fled here south to this mess called the Entangled Plains.
Then later even more came. Refugees from the war in the mountains..."
Kanil piped in after that "What war in the mountains?"
"We don't talk about that even in non-dwarf company. It was bad. Dwarves saved the world, you know? But as it happened many fled here to escape it, and many stayed on after. Now we even got some coming south to escape the stifling control of the mountainhome. There's a lot of us here now even with those walking dead. Look here lad: I understand that you're not trying to start your own gang, but I'm still hedging my bets that you're the one whose gonna say how things go round here. Me and a couple of my boys wanna help, before we all get eaten and turned into zombies or civilized by our homeland. When you're ready to go just say the word"
With that Kanil had a few followers. He took them a short walk to his home which he built between the two forts.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pin/380343131005622044/
(https://i.imgur.com/EI4ufYk.jpg)
He still wasn't sure what to do, but he left his new team there at his own tavern and gave them some work. They could easily flit between here and their home without much time. Ingiz, an adventurer from the mountains was already there and asked to join Kanil for a bit. They ventured to see Uja, but that went nowhere. She had no work for him right now. Apparently they had just dealt with an insurrection and she was still cleaning up.
Rumor with his friends there was that she was planning to send Kanil to the far north, past the mountains. Kanil had never been that far and it was on none of his maps. What in the world could she possibly want done out there with goblins, dwarves and the dead on our doorstep? He couldn't figure her out.
He did notice that while most everyone was still in the fort like last time all the human guards he knew were gone. There were only goblins guarding the fort now, which he knew all of them, but still where did all of his fellows go off to?
For now Kanil decided to go south. On the way he caught Ingiz up with his trouble with his fellow dwarves, Ingiz being a dwarf's dwarf and a celebrity back home. Kanil received an earful the whole walk south
OOC:
This one was mostly world building and story stuff. I did really spend a ton of time socializing and learning at this point, and I've done more since, but I looked at this and it was getting too long to fit everything.
The irony that I am considering wiping out the entire mountainhome when the majority of people who join up with me are dwarves.
Uja really does try to keep sending Kanil as far away from the fort as possible. At this point all her jobs are in totally separate lands that have nothing to do with this one.
Oh also about dealing with the undead. I got my work cut out for me:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
fortunately undead creatures don't calculate in age considerations otherwise we'd be in the age of the dwarf or the undead dwarf *shrug*
Post by: Paaaad on November 05, 2022, 06:06:54 am
Post by: Maloy on November 05, 2022, 06:39:54 am
I do wonder though...I had HEARD that for sites that aren't fortresses or dark fortresses that the entire population is rarely loaded and that to wipe them out you have to come back multiple times and wait for them to load in the next group
Idk if that is true, but if so I could approach the hillocks still
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 05, 2022, 08:42:46 am
Post by: King Zultan on November 06, 2022, 03:02:35 am
Post by: Maloy on November 07, 2022, 09:44:33 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/z71E7Lk.jpg)
On the way south Ingiz told Kanil all sorts of different tasks he could perform to get back in the good graces of the dwarves, but Kanil ignored him and mostly just grunted at moments in the conversation that Ingiz seemed to wait for a response.
Ingiz was worried. He did not want his friend to die or fight any of his kin, which he would do if Kanil was attacked. The dwarf stressfully yanked on his beard as they approach an old monastery. The coast was in sight.
"Who lives here, dwarf-friend?" Said Ingiz hoping to slip in a reminder of his responsibility as his friend
"Used to be some guys who worshipped some god of partying and sex, but they're all dead except for one old man, but he doesn't even talk about that god so I think he worships someone else" Kanil was casual his arms behind his head as he walked and weapons put away.
"Why are we here?"
"Just passing through seeing if there's any thing going on"
The old monk was kind and quiet although he refused to identify his own deity. He grumbled about some refugees who took over the bunkhouse in the southern portion of the monastery. The two groups were fighting over the monastery like it was theres.
Kanil confirmed it. One group of humans were trying to form a bandit gang and carve out their own territory in the anarchic bowl of the Entangled Plain. The other wanted to form a group of thieves and grave robbers to see if there was anything to loot in the area. A chief and a boss shared the same building and eyed one another warily. They were some of the last refugees to get out of Inkyrout. The former human capital city was almost entirely dead now after years of being whittled away by its occupiers. The men were starved and eyed the bags of Kanil and Ingiz.
Kanil smiled and put a hand on Cloudfought. If they wanted to get their cut out of this land they'd need to put the work in. The refugees turned warriors decided not to and the duo left with Pamud and the beakdogs in tow.
Kanil heard the village to the south of here had long been dead. It's last villagers killed off as the dead now wandered the streets stumbling through distended gardens and fields. No one asked Kanil to go and kill, but the truth was:
(https://i.imgur.com/nQ7F7qX.png)
Kanil loved his work
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/563301865881519770/
(https://i.imgur.com/wjjgd1r.jpg)
The town was known as Palacepainted on account of the castle on the hill next to it. They both overlooked the coast to the south. The sight of the ocean never got old for Kanil.
They dropped by the tavern and two rotting humans stepped out.
These were familiar. Some zombies were more notable than others. It was something strange about them, unlike the cold hunters they had no powers or intelligence, but the more zombies killed the more powerful they seemed to become and human survivors made sure to memorize the different known killer zombies to know when to run.
These two did not shamble...they sprinted with knives. Deqhuan and the other unnamed beakdog sprinted to meet them with Ingiz shortly behind. Pamud waited a distance away as he had an intense phobia of the undead. Before Kanil was even halfway to closing the distance the two zombies had already stabbed both beak dogs so many times they died their blood and body parts scattered everywhere.
Kanil roared and continued to charge and when he finally reached the two zombies they were stabbing Ingiz in the leg repeatedly his blood spraying all over the area as well as the hungry corpse-women.
Kanil's own battle was brief. One of the corpse-women being headless all he had to do was stab her where her heart should be and she crumbled to the ground. Kanil simultaneously struck the other with his fist and then dodged her knife. In one fluid motion he beheaded her.
"Bloody dust-kickers surprised me! Went after me legs when they were already so tall and I was worried about your wee doggies, Kanil!"
Kanil looked at his dead companions. He liked the beak dogs they seemed to both share an instinctual love of combat and he felt a loss "Yeah...You kept them busy for me. Guess they'll be writing more stories about me from this adventure"
"Shut up! I'm getting into the swing of it! I'm sure there's more around here"
"Lot more from what I hear" Kanil said as he motioned further down the slope to the village proper. It wasn't a far walk and you could almost hear the unintentional groaning and hissing the zombies tended to make.
Ingiz reached for his axe he had set down while looking at his leg "I might be disapproving of your antics in my homeland, but this here is a pleasure for me. Ah! Look!" Ingiz jabbed a knobby finger further away and in a field were horses. They didn't look wild per-se. Likely descendants of the horses that lived here before. "I'm not walking on this leg, but I'm not done killing either!"
Within a few minutes both men had a horse each and they rode them into town. Kanil rarely rode Pamud. The elephant fought better when it could make it's own choices in battle.
Upon arriving to the town proper the dead began to stumble out of the homes and alleys. More bearable to look at. The common dress in the Plains was to wear turbans, even Kanil wore one to keep the heat off. So the disgusting flesh of the zombies was rarely visible. Kanil and Ingiz dismounted. A tactical error. The horses possessed a fury of nature it seemed and both charged into the mass of the dead.
For their credit the horses performed well and killed a few zombies each before the swarm of knives, teeth and nails left them dead.
While fighting the horses Kanil and Ingiz reached the dead.
They fought back to back slaughtered them all. Ingiz's leg was hit again and he collapsed, but as the dead surrounded he continued killing. Pamud ran away and a gang chased after him. Kanil did not fear. If they did manage to corner Pamud the elephant could easily destroy them all.
(https://i.imgur.com/QJ0JfNc.png)
By the end of the battle around 30 zombies had been slain. Kanil butchered one of the horses for food, but the other he looked at. It had fought majestically. It moved Kanil on a level as one sees moving art. He named the horse Magiccarnage. Using rope and his superhuman strength Kanil would later drag it and the two beakdogs back to his home to receive proper burial, but first they had a castle to see.
Source:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/504895808220376427/
(https://i.imgur.com/00e9WK2.jpg)
Kanil expected a cold hunter, but as they walked through the gates of this beaten castle they found something else: The last stand of the Amethyst Confederacy.
(https://i.imgur.com/WFAFYrY.png)
OOC:
Slowly gonna curb undead populations and use it as training for Kanil.
The capital Inkyrouts is potentially more dangerous than the actual necromancer tower
Stalkmatches gave me a healthy fear of intelligent undead and I'd rather take on a vault or dark fortress generally, but it's gotta happen sooner or later and I can say that Kanil himself is definitely enjoying these adventures
Post by: Maloy on November 08, 2022, 06:39:30 am
Ingiz Laboredgirders the Geared Tragedies of Disembowling
(https://i.imgur.com/4PkFLRY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WFAFYrY.png)
Kanil had never seen so many warriors of his own people in one place. Unlike him and his kind who wore whatever random assortments of armor they could find these men wore the same uniform. Armored gauntlets and boots with metal caps. Leather breeches and a vest with a symbol pressed on it. The symbol of the amethyst confederacy
They were all pressing into the main keep from their posts. Kanil hailed them and they did return the greeting, but told him they had to report.
It was time for the morning meal and assembly. Kanil and Ingiz followed
"Didn't realize their were this many of you left, long-legs" Ingiz whispered
"Me either" It was a sense of wonder to the man seeing humans gathered in such a way. They all crowded into the keep. Children, servants and mostly soldiers all gathered around a man.
He demanded reports from officers one by one. The respect and admiration he commanded from these men drew out of Kanil a respect for this man as well. He watched silently until the procession was over and all were dismissed. Most stayed in the area and had their morning meals and chattered about all the goings on.
The man spoke with an air of command and absolute authority "And who are you? This is a military outpost and not a market"
"Uhh...Kanil, sir. My name is Kanil Inchwhips and I am a...warrior!"
The baron looked him up and down clearly noting his lack of crest to show he belonged to any military group "I suppose you're with one of those bandit groups making a mess of things for our people? I am the commander of this fort, but you may refer to me as "My Baron" I rule this region by grace of the gods and the authority vested into me by our last ruler Ibon Colorchewed, gods rest his soul"
Kanil was awed by authority and grace he had never seen. In the Entangled Plain might made right and one simply didn't have authority.
"Sir, I mean, my baron. What is going on here? I've never seen an army of my own people"
"What's it look like to you? We are holding the line. Without us those undead will sweep these lands and hunt our people down, and so we will hold until our enemies show a weakness we can exploit. Believe me, boy one day when this scourge has been cleansed your bandit gangs will be next! Now, are you here to become a real soldier fighting for a real cause?"
"My baron now that you mention it that sounds exactly like something I'd want"
"Well, I don't have much food and can't take in any bandit with a stolen sword. You'll need to prove yourself. We have bandits coming out from the tomb of Fairpumpkin where our last liege is entombed and a dangerous organization of criminals venturing out from the capital. The bandits defile his majesty's final rest and you can prove your loyalty by killing them or by tracking the gang down in Inkyrouts."
"Sir, My baron, how is anyone operating from Inkyrout it's swarming with the dead even I would hesitate to fight"
"How should I know? They leave no survivors they find camps of survivors and kill them all and loot what's left. We only know they are from Inkyrouts because of their trail they leave. Return when you are victorious boy and I will give you purpose"
(https://i.imgur.com/1ISMHZE.png)
Kanil walked away and began consulting his map. "You know, Kanil, we dwarves don't just respect someone because they call themselves baron we pick our leaders" Kanil waved a hand he was too focused on his task.
The castle was here in red. The tomb was on the way to Inkyrout with the tomb in yellow and capital in green.
(https://i.imgur.com/Vp18X79.jpg)
Kanil had no desire to go to Inkyrouts. According to rumor the necromancers had raised history's greatest fighters as cold hunters and most of them lived in Inkyrouts. They had legendary armor and weapons. Kanil's weapon was effective for bleeding enemies, which they did not. They also did not tire as he did and were stronger and faster with the ability to turn invisible. Their legendary weapons and armor trumped Kanil's Cloudfought, and they were surrounded by zombie hordes that would tire him out. It was a bad fight.
"But the bandits" Kanil mumbled as he tapped the tomb's place on his map.
They were known to him. Unlike the other bandit tribes in the area they refused to adhere to territory markers. They raided in other tribes lands, including his, this made them a common enemy. He would kill them, and hopefully that would please this baron enough.
But first they would set off back to Kanil's home of Helmsfragrance to build new caskets for his departed animal friends.
(https://i.imgur.com/XnIqngP.jpg)
After a couple of days back home they set off again and hunted near Fairpumpkin. The tombs locks were untouched and had been for awhile so they hunted in the area instead. Everything was abandoned or quiet and after hours searching Kanil decided they would rest until the evening. This tribe was cowardly and usually struck in secret so it seemed likely they'd wait until evening, but when evening did come they still found nothing. The world was serene under the starlight canopy. The search continued the whole evening, but without any movement they had to give up. This was good time for kanil and Ingiz to catch up
"So that one dwarf you brought days ago was a priest of the goddess of death?"
"I think so, yeah"
"Keep an eye on him. He wants something"
"What makes you say that? The couple of holy men I've met usually paid their ransoms and kept to themselves"
"Human holy men, Kanil. Dwarf religion in the mountainhome is a political affair. Tell me, long-legs who does a king listen to"
"No one!"
"Wrong. A king listens to the gods if he doesn't want his kingdom to fall to plague, famine or war. Now who speaks for the gods?"
"men of the gods?"
"Right. The death cult in particular is very political. They've had schisms and not only that, but the most recent Holy Skull died, May the Spry guide him home, and his cousin took over"
"Why does that matter?"
"Dwarves don't do bloodlines, Kanil. Hereditary positions aren't a thing for us and his cousin didn't have much authority to be doing that, and now this monk who follows the same goddess joins you, who are changing the entire land whether you admit it or not? Not a coincidence"
"Dwarf religion is strange. I picked Buh because he does things I think are beautiful."
Ingiz laughed "It really can be! It's a family affair. I worship the spry too as all my fathers did before me. when family get's involved things get sensitive, but that's why a lot of us like your lands"
"Yeah. There sure are a lot of you"
Kanil tried to return to the castle anyway despite the failure. The baron flat out denied his entry, but at this point scouts had reported in and told word of Kanil slaughtering Palacepainted of its zombies. From there some soldiers made the connection as to which Kanil this was and his other deeds followed.
(https://i.imgur.com/QuKzDJS.png)
By the end of his time he had three new men at his side. Kanil rarely fought with other men and this left a strange feeling in his heart. If they were going to go to Inkyrouts they would need to get ready.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/289215607321713671/
(https://i.imgur.com/uzGE0hf.jpg)
*Cue training montage*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YYmfM2TfUA&ab_channel=Movieclips
Axes were thrown all day, raw meat eaten, and the river swam in.
OOC:
I really pumped training into the throwing skill and the endurance attribute.
Legendary heroes of yesteryear are about to duke it out with the heroes of this age!
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 08, 2022, 03:57:44 pm
with the ability to turn invisibleoh no
Post by: Maloy on November 12, 2022, 01:11:24 pm
I don't think anyone cares, but I personally don't wanna do skill grinding through exploits. Feels like I'm robbing myself of the hero's journey to make myself legendary through tapping Koala's with my fists and sword
Throwing axes and swimming in the river for exercise is realistic though so I don't feel bad on that one and I'm only training thrower skill up to "Skilled"
Also the thing I like about doing this as a story is I don't feel time pressure. These forums are really chill, but whenever I sign up for a game I put a ton of pressure on myself to get stuff done, but that's why I only sign up for a few despite abunch on here being interesting to me!
Post by: Maloy on November 16, 2022, 07:50:49 am
Although information coming out of what was once the Amethyst Confederacy is sparse. Scholars, mostly elven and dwarven and thus questionable, have gathered a number of stories from refugees, survivors and scout forays into the lands. The legendary axedwarf, and companion to Kunil, Ingiz saw fit to gather as much of these as he could as an advisory for travelers and adventurers. Should the nigh endless armies of the dead march west this information could save many lives.
Zombies
(https://i.imgur.com/zqt3lFJ.jpg)
The most basic and numerous form of the armies of the dead. The zombies appear in hordes normally and congregate mindlessly until given a proper task. Their bodies have no physical needs, and to dispel a common myth: They do not eat the flesh of the living. Zombies attack with whatever they have on hand. Knives, hatchets, nails and teeth and so seeing hordes of zombies descending on victims; biting and tearing at flesh led to this common myth that they had a hunger for living flesh.
Zombies appear capable of detecting life force in the vicinity and if they do they will shamble towards it to extinguish it. Although it is impossible to approach zombies undetected if one were able to do so and note any form or direction in their movements this would tell you that the zombies have a leader nearby issuing commands.
Wraiths
(https://i.imgur.com/4svOi8U.jpg)
Wraiths result from when a zombie successfully kills a living person. They undergo a sort of metamorphosis. They go from a mindless creature to a basic animal intelligence. These creatures are vicious, rabid, but capable. They often lead packs of zombies being capable of commanding them, and hunt for life to extinguish. With every new kill the wraith grows in strength.
In most settlements in the Entangled Plain you'll find bulletin boards covered in wanted posters for the deaths of different wraiths.
Beware pursuing them. These creatures can easily keep pace with great warriors parrying and blocking weapons with tireless arms while their pack of zombies tear at the victim's strength.
The reason wraiths come into being is unknown. Common belief is that they devour the spirit of their victim's upon death and this leads to them becoming stronger.
An unfortunate problem is that when a wraith dies it can be reanimated again with it's powers restored and intelligence intact. This leads to wanted posters for certain wraiths being reposted regularly.
Cold Hunters
(https://i.imgur.com/VeUlBqY.jpg)
Cold Hunters are the vicious enforcers and lieutenants of the Kingdom of the Dead. They are made up of the Wondrous Planes greatest heroes and villains restored to the world with great powers and tireless bodies. They are almost always covered so their bodies are not visible at all. A show of old personality and sensibility in response to their rotted bodies.
They act as the military commanders and overlords of the necromancers. By themselves they are capable of defeating groups of skilled warriors, but are rarely alone operating either in pairs or accompanied by hordes of zombies.
Despite having their full intelligence and identities restored to them their are no known cases of the Cold Hunters defecting to their homelands. They all serve faithfully.
They are faster than any living person and capable of turning invisible. If they choose to attack you running is not an option.
Many artifacts of man, dwarf and elvenkind are held by these beings including weapons and armor that would be needed to stand against the necromancers and the Cold Hunters.
Life in Death
(https://i.imgur.com/SLXQBg1.jpg)
It is actually possible to survive in these blighted lands for a passable amount of time. Humans and others who were caught in the occupation are permitted to continue living, but it is difficult.
They face harsh curfews with zombies patrolling the streets to enforce it. If caught outside the citizens will be swarmed, killed and resurrected as a new zombie and a new wraith will be born.
That said animals are almost entirely neglected in these lands. Many of them having reverted to a half wild state from being alone for so long. They still respond positively to human interaction, but have learned to survive or have starved.
Cold Hunters also enforce a seemingly random inquisition. At any time one may break into your home and either kill you or take you away. whether they are able to read minds and detected traitorous thoughts, wanted more footsoldiers or even a more grisly fate is not known.
Eventually, in all lands the blight creeps in. The land itself begins to die and it will no longer grow food. Any corpses present revive themselves without necromancer presence.
This means that inevitably all living residents within the occupation must eventually attempt to flee or starve and join the ranks of the dead.
OOC: Actual story post soon. We made it to Inkyrouts at this point after training and a lot happened. A lot of really cool developments only dwarf fortress world generation could accomplish
Question: Any of you guys ever play Enderal? If you have any version of Skyrim on PC its a free mod. It's one of favorite rpg games hands down because the quality is so high
sources for art:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/564568503261631253/
https://www.deviantart.com/nikolaiostertag/art/Spellweaver-Zombie-606374783
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/264023596887831025/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/artstation-greater-revenant-jelena-pjevic--407575835022461082/
Post by: Maloy on November 18, 2022, 12:28:41 pm
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/656892295625858728/
(https://i.imgur.com/UMtxHOa.jpg)
Tode
Source: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/581949583072115694/
(https://i.imgur.com/sTtC4FY.jpg)
Training went on for three days. Most of Kanil's new human compatriots just sat around talking while watching him train.
They were excited to become new heroes and make a difference in the world and knew the legendary hero was their ticket to glory. Kanil swam laps up and down the river while Ingiz merely reclined at it's edge allowing the river to carry his cares away.
Kanil did enjoy the opportunity to get to know his comrades though. Ingiz hated arguments, but the three other humans enjoyed it just as much as Kanil as they debated philosophy and moral values. None of them ever pushed hard on any topic. They weren't trying to win any particular topics they just enjoyed verbally sparring.
When the three days had passed the tree next to the almost complete mead hall was covered in cuts from throwing axes and Kanil was about as clean as you could get in these lands from all of the swimming.
They set out in the morning with a straightforward route.
(https://i.imgur.com/Zkt9a5v.jpg)
They would make their way to the first major village along the old trade roads and carve their way through the dead to Inkyrouts. Simple. The humans only had metal boots and gauntlets while the rest was leather. This meant that Kanil and Ingiz would likely have to take on the majority of enemies, but this was why they were taking the bloodiest path. Kanil wanted to see how strong these warriors were.
It went....acceptably. They were all relatively competent with their chosen weapons, two flails and a pike, but Tode one of the flail-warriors took quite a beating. A wraith had almost finished beating his skull in before they had killed it.
(https://i.imgur.com/wUD3YqZ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/mxPwgEt.png)
All that was left of the old trade roads was that it was a path entirely clear of trees otherwise one wouldn't recognize anything had ever been here at all. The zombies had no complaints about where they were marching or what on and so the need for the road was long gone.
They reached the border and were greeted by an old neglected statue of Kemus Wildmoral: goddess of birth, rebirth and revelry. She was holding up a mug of ale and seemed to be dancing although most of her facial expressions had been born away. Behind her was the birthplace of humanity: Inkyrouts.
Source: Guild Wars Prophecies
(https://i.imgur.com/iL80WVW.jpg)
Life had been drained from the land with only dirt and dead plants left leaving a uniform brown and red color.
The new warriors all made signs on their chest to show deference to the goddess. Kanil only stared at the statue trying to discern it's features. "It's not good to ignore the gods before a battle, Lord" Esme piped in from behind him
"I'd think they'd be happy since we're saving their worshipers" he replied.
"Maybe, but they don't take to disrespect either and we could use their help" Tode added.
Beyond were empty fields, empty aside from the occasional pack of dogs running around. Kanil successfully approach one pack and discovered they were still friendly to humans and seemed excited to have made contact with people again.
They all enjoyed the moment of levity petting and playing with dogs to distract them from this apocalyptic setting and Kanil was able to get the dogs to follow them.
(https://i.imgur.com/v8NFTI6.png)
Source: Guild Wars Prophecies
(https://i.imgur.com/AhdCzO3.jpg)
When they finally reached the town they passed a tavern. It's sign read "The Mushrooms of Glowing".
"Could certainly use an ale" Ingiz remarked
"Doubt the dead drink anything, dwarf" said Tode
The tiring canvas of brown and red was now added to with the gray stone of buildings, but these seemed even worse as if they were monoliths sucking what little color remained of the area into it and destroying it forever.
The streets were covered in bodies and in very short order the dead began filing out as they sensed prey. They were led by a wraith. The beast had been responsible for the deaths of many who attempted to escape Inkyrouts.
(https://i.imgur.com/85YytY7.png)
The dogs set about their work immediately. Two pouncing on the wraith and two more charging into the mass of dead behind it.
Tode, Esme, and Pis were swinging at the wraith, but all their blows didn't seem to bother it. Ingiz sunk his axe into the creature's chest and lodged it there and the monster was unbothered as it continued to swing it's sword and fists at each of them.
Kanil swung for it's head and Cloudfought was caught in the flesh of it's neck: An incomplete cut.
Esme parried it's sword as Ingiz drew his axe out and cave the wraith's skull in with it. It fell without a sound.
Behind it both dogs that had charged ahead were torn to pieces already and they charged ahead. The band noted that these weren't humans. These were the corpses of Hoary Marmot people. It was sad that their first experience with this species involved rotting murderous variants of them.
They split up and Kanil jumped over the ledge to reach the ones attacking one of the last dogs. He quickly slew his targets although one of the bigger ones was able to keep pace and parry his strikes for a few blows. He heard fighting above him as his comrades continued, but he couldn't go up that way. He'd have to either run around or try to climb it and he decided on the climb.
As he threw himself over he saw a horrid sight. Ingiz had been separated from the rest. the axedwarf was fighting at the foot of the altar of the goddess of death and fate and he was surrounded by a horde. They were tearing and beating him. Kanil charged and was fighting as Ingiz passed out. He stood over the bleeding dwarf as he swung left, right, left, right fighting each zombie as they went after the dwarf.
Finally, as they all passed he looked at his unconscious friend.
(https://i.imgur.com/mj4Vw2C.png)
It wasn't safe to wait here, but he couldn't carry the dwarf yet. "Looks bad" Pis said "We leave him? We're all pretty beat up now, well excepting for yourself, Lord"
Kanil looked around worriedly. If cold hunters showed up now they were indeed doomed. He turned to the pikeman after a moment "Stay here with Ingiz. You will not let him die while you still live".
Pamud, Kanil, Esme, Tode, and two dogs went exploring after. They found a miserable sight. Many of the homes in front of the keep were occupied. 2-3 cold hunters waited inside each one. The band stepped away from each before they could be seen.
One cold hunter was certainly possible to beat. they could corner it negating its invisibility and gang up on it, but three? They'd need an army and there wasn't enough people left alive for that. By the time an hour had passed they returned to check on Ingiz and Pis.
They were gone. All that was left was a pool of blood where Ingiz had fallen, surrounded by zombie corpses, and his axe.
If they had retreated back home that was one thing, but what if they had decided to seek shelter in a house or press further into the keep? The thought of them dying bothered him.
"What now? Think they went home?" Tode said with concern "Maybe we should retreat and come back. Zombies are dead so if we rest up we'll have the strength to take on more later"
"No...There's a chance they tried to hide in one of the houses or the keep. I won't risk abandoning them here especially if Ingiz doesn't have his axe to defend himself with." Kanil picked up the axe "We're moving on to the keep."
"'To glory and death' is what we told him, right Tode?" Esme sighed
"Better odds of surviving with him in the keep than on our own in the wilds"
Upon entering the keep they found a survivor who was failing to live up to the title. He was lying in front of the keep's gates and a wraith as kicking his skull in. Wraith's possessing rudimentary intelligence usually led to abject cruelty as the creature kicked over and over not choosing to get it over with. It didn't pay Kanil any mind as he walked up and beheaded it.
The man woke a few minutes later with the three humans and elephant standing over him. He panicked and cried for help and ran into the keep.
"Not good" Kanil grunted
"Have to agree with you on that one, boss" Esme said
Pamud pawed the ground in anticipation.
As they entered the keep they found themselves face to face with doom.
An elven cold hunter stood facing them and said "Identify yourself" Behind it stood two humans: The one they saved and some sort of noble judging by his dress. A goblin stood in the corner. Kanil recognized the emblem of the plagues of forking. The supposedly dead civilization living as bandits he had spared out in the west. What was it doing here? He had no time to ponder
As the elf spoke "Identify yourself" He swung his blade at it's head. four things happened within a breath.
It stabbed his shield arm with it's knife. Despite it being a knife the pure force of the blow on his armored fist caused Kanil to drop his shield. Immediately it vanished from sight, parrying his blade with it's knife and causing Kanil to swing wide. Then it stabbed the blade into his chest. The blade shattered against his breastplate completely, but he was still left winded by the blow.
The battle was brutal with only one advantage. The elf was only invisible to one person at a time, and this was Kanil. The rest could see it and Kanil was able to throw weapons at it from watching his friends, dogs and Pamud's attacks.
The elf was ridiculous though. It beat every member of the party relentlessly. It shoved a fist into a dog's head and destroyed it's brain and punched Pamud so hard it damaged his lungs. Not only that, but it had learned. It dodged every piece of metal, knife or axe Kanil threw at it now effortlessly. Kanil only was able to by time by barreling into it to knock it off his friends:
Fight below
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
An hour passed and no one came. He realized in his confusion and fear he dropped Cloudfought inside. He couldn't leave without it and not without confirming his friends deaths or finding them and rescuing them. He crawled to his feet.
Cacame Streamcry the Chaste Silver of Scintillating
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Kanil walked back into the keep. The elf was gone. The three other living residents went from gossiping to a total silence as he walked back in. Cloudfought lay on the ground. Kanil was thankful the elf man didn't recognize it's value. He likely would've been unstoppable if he had it. Esme lay dead in the center of the room. She had been beaten to death. Kanil did not see Tode which meant he might be up above hiding. He picked it up and stalked at full sprint up the stairs of the keep.
He left terror behind him as all they saw was a mass of blood, iron and bruises sprint upstairs with murder in it's bloodshot eyes and the creatures were left whispering fearfully.
He saw the elf before the elf saw him. They were in a gallery of statues and the elf was running up and down the maze looking for something, likely Tode or Kanil himself.
Kanil ran after him looking for his shot. If Cacame saw Kanil or Kanil missed he would kill the last hero of humanity. If the elf slowed down he would give Kanil the opening to behead him.
So they sprinted. The elf far faster and tireless. Kanil bruised and cautious.
Neither could nor had any interest in exchanging names
Neither knew or cared about the historical or symbolic significance of fighting in this room recording the world's history
They were both fighting for their own vision of the world to come and one would end this day.
Cacame turned the corner into the northern room. Kanil waited between the two entrances to the statue room. The elf ran back in from the same entrance. Kanil swung his sword with both hands. A second longer and Cacame would've seen him. Would've dodged and would have killed him.
It was a second too late for the elf. His head flew from his shoulders and he fell to the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/LtBbH8k.png)
When Kanil went down the stairs he saw Tode's body in a corner with his head caved in. He walked back to Esme with the elf's severed head in his hands.
The goblin and noble-dressed human looked at him, looked back to their third friend and kneeled shouting "Hail Abbot Rosmic Lord of the Pure Order and ruler of Inkyrouts!"
Kanil stood there contemplating killing them all.
OOC:
WHERE DID YOU GO INGIZ! I wouldn't fear for the dwarf except he doesn't have his axe! Examining the axe's description shows that
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Why is the goblin from the plagues of forking here? Theirs's less than 10 of them left in existence and he had ingratiated himself with the necromancers.
Cacame was ridiculous. It gave me the vibe of a samurai duel because I legitimately stood no chance against him if I couldn't land a lethal first blow.
Cacame really does have two other war buddies who are like him. All legendary killers who fought in many battles together all of them want to bathe this world in chaos.
Inkyrouts still has at least 10 cold hunters in it. What to do what to do.
I'm gonna be cleaning up the first post to let people direct themselves to posts easier I think. Also so you can specifically jump to any I make relating to world lore I find.
Post by: TheFlame52 on November 18, 2022, 08:06:07 pm
Post by: King Zultan on November 19, 2022, 03:39:22 am
Post by: Maloy on November 19, 2022, 06:52:01 am
Those ancient, legendary intelligent undead are one of the best fights in the game. Up there with angels and demon lords.
for real! In some ways the fights are more appealing than demons or angels because it's not based on some huge size difference. It's you versus a super powered person like yourself.
Seems like undead that turn invisible are not something you want to be messing with alone.
Yeah the downside is though that in the fight Cacame was leveling his dodging skill as he was continually attacked by our whole group and I threw weapons at him. By the end he was dodging most attacks.
So I either need to rely on more stealth kills or get a big army.
The one big downside to this invisibility ability is that there's no way for me to force them to turn it off. It'd be nice if after taking a certain amount of damage they just couldn't do it anymore.
For me the bright side of this run is that I'm almost done with dealing with them.
Inkyrouts and the tower itself house almost all of them and so if I am able to overcome it I won't have to worry about invisible superhumans with superspeed chasing me down and beating me
Post by: Maloy on December 08, 2022, 06:15:15 am
Source: https://br.pinterest.com/pin/500040364879221838/
(https://i.imgur.com/sH5A3wa.jpg)
Kanil stood at the bottom of the keep with the bodies of his friends around him, again.
He was covered in blood and bruises. A weaker man would have passed out and he appeared to be swaying, but in his mind he was experiencing a euphoric sense of clarity and focus.
The last survivors of the keep were two humans and a goblin and as Kanil made his way down the stairs earlier with his blade wet with the blood of the dead elven tyrant two of them had begun bowing and calling out to one of the humans "Hail Abbot Rosmic! Lord of the Pure Order! Lord of Inkyrouts!"
Kanil considered killing all three, but decided against it. He questioned the goblin intensely as to his purposes for being there. The goblin refused all questions, but the creature was fully armored with the sigils of the Plagues of Forking carved into armor and helmet. Most goblins Kanil had hunted these last weeks hadn't even been armored and here was this one.
It's purposes could be any: A hostage or perhaps the goblins were attempting to ally with the tower. Not enough evidence either way, and since the goblin refused to cooperate he had no choice in the matter. He slew the goblin. Severed it's leg and blocked it's helpless thrashing blows before beheading him quickly.
He pointed his bloody sword at the other human who was bowing to the abbot earlier and spoke "You. Who was he and who are you?"
The man seemed flabbergasted as if the very notion of a sword being pointed at him was impossible or the death of his companion "I am your ruler! The leader of the Amethyst Confederacy and guiding light of humanity! You dare point your blade at me and slay my advisor?"
Kanil felt strangely conflicted again and he kept thinking back to that goblin smith who spoke to him about power weeks ago. Why is that memory important here he wondered.
He was feeling conflicted of values although he himself was having trouble placing it. The newfound understanding that power and authority are connected and that he himself had a lot of it just through his own ability conflicted with an intense need to obey and be loyal. He had survived childhood in the anarchic plains only because of his unquestioning loyalty and obedience to Uja and felt the need to obey this sniveling and pathetic creature too.
Kanil decided to leave rather than continue the uncomfortable internal conflict and did not even respond to the "law-giver". He wandered through town stealthily looking for Ingiz, but had no hope. While in one of the houses he came back outside after to find his two remaining dogs dead. A wraith had attacked and killed them both before Pamud crushed it's head with his foot.
This simply wasn't working. Kanil had to hope that Ingiz was safe and could hold on while he got help. That elf tyrant he slew was likely the strongest of the cold hunters here, but regardless Kanil stood absolutely no chance against three of them at once. So he had to leave. He carefully wrapped and stored Ingiz's lost axe in his pack and then carried Esme, Tode, and the dead elf Cacame to take them home. The last thing he needed was for a necromancer to find Cacame's body and bring him back to find Kanil and kill him.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/532691462146990980/ (concept art for Mabari hounds in dragon age)
(https://i.imgur.com/l4MmnnI.jpg)
After a few days Kanil set off north from his base. Cacame's casket was on top of the temple and not with all of Kanil's dead friends. An enemy didn't deserve such an honorable rest there. His small burial room was almost completely full now. He could hardly fit anymore dead comrades in it.
With Ingiz in his heart and an obstacle to overcome he went to the dwarven hillocks. The dwarves would send their own men to help him and save one of their people's heroes and if any got in his way he would slay every single one.
Here is the planned route:
(https://i.imgur.com/XVqIT28.jpg)
To his surprise though most of the hillocks he went to were filled with elves and most had no interest in fighting for Kanil or Ingiz and instead spoke of their own miseries. The goblins of the Elder Hell from the arctic north had followed them south and had kidnapped many children and taken them back north. One elven swordsman, named Nemo, and one of the most well armored men Kanil had seen in this land asked for help.
Kanil agreed on the one condition that he help him purge Inkyrouts of the undead and slay his enemies first.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/387028161726328559/
(https://i.imgur.com/WSahHfy.jpg)
From there he went back to the first hillocks he had been to near the fort of Cursewax. He was afraid he was wanted still, but he'd not allow himself to go into custody. Surprisingly the heat had died down and no one was looking for him now. It had changed a lot though and was now a military outpost. The crowd of civilians drinking was now replaced by hardened military dwarves and under questioning they said the place was now ruled by a dwarven warlord. Military rule to deal with threats to dwarven security in this area.
Regardless, Tales of Ingiz convinced a few to leave their posts and join him. From there they went south-east and found another human-led bandit fort squatting on the edge of the tainted lands of the dead. Here Kanil was famous for his previous exploits.
(https://i.imgur.com/73UzM3L.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/fxHpFXN.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/JqHLVgH.png)
While it pleased Kanil to see more of his own people it pleased him even more to see he was being recognized. More humans came out in droves to join him. Now he had his army:
(https://i.imgur.com/FBQ52h8.png)
Source: World of Warcraft Purging of Stratholme
(https://i.imgur.com/2pgyzhK.jpg)
Within one short dark and brutal evening Inkyrouts was cleansed of every single Cold Hunter. The beasts stood no chance. They were too powerful to wear weapons and armor for long without breaking them, but this meant they were physically vulnerable and numbers did the job.
New heroes were founded from the battle:
Rakust Twighlightlances friend of Ingiz
Nemo the Elven Swordsman
Ersi the human swordsman
Although many fought in the battle these three distinguished themselves in the killing of enemies
(https://i.imgur.com/1TBcjH1.png)
Ingiz had still not been found in the city, but they did find the Pikeman who was left to guard him: Tekkud. He was many hours dead in the same room as two cold hunters. The two were butchered by the superior numbers.
Kanil couldn't just continue to search for Ingiz and at this point if he was in town he was safe, but what now? Was it time to brave the heart of the land of the dead?
OOC: So. clean up time.
World gen story seems to be trying to lead me north which will make it easier when I decide it is time to do so, providing Kanil survives.
Also it was neat to have Kanil actually be recognized and seen as a hero. My museum character has been universally disliked by npcs and in Stalkmatches my first character died before he could achieve fame and my second was an infamous killer. Feels nice
I'm loving the steam release of DF and am inbetween this and that. I'm hoping stories like this will help keep interest in Adventure Mode for people especially new players until that feature eventually arrives. I sincerely hope I can finish this quest by then!
I may have to drop the army. We won without a struggle at all. Intelligent undead are tough until 15 people are swinging at them at once. I'll consider it though. One intelligent undead with an artifact steel sword fought nearly 40 military npcs in Stalkmatches and won so maybe I'm overconfident.
I would've gone more detail about the interactions in the villages, but their was little of importance to be honest other than that one hillocks I freed going military.
How has Steam Release been for you guys?
EDIT: also milestone marker! Happy 25th post on this thread!
Post by: TheFlame52 on December 08, 2022, 04:00:28 pm
Post by: Maloy on December 20, 2022, 06:57:56 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Nemo the Elven Swordsman
(https://i.imgur.com/UwWF66e.jpg)
They all spent a few days in Inkyrouts and Kanil used the time to split up his army. Most would be left in Inkyrouts and to spite the sniveling men inside the castle Kanil also put his claim on the city and left it in the hands of one of his spear women. She would lead the forces that would remain.
Much to his annoyance within the few days several people had returned to the town to serve the "law-giver" and the abbot who ruled the city.
By the time they were about to leave though a sight most wanted, but unexpected greeted Kanil. Ingiz shuffled into the castle. Covered in scars, grumbling and now missing his right ear. Kanil and Rakust embraced the dwarf.
Ingiz had been surviving in the area, but had to trek far to find anything edible and fought even more zombies on his own losing his shield as well.
Kanil unwrapped and presented Ingiz with his lost axe and found him a new shield. All felt right with the world to the human warrior.
For the final battle to come they would set out only with those who distinguished themselves in battle. The tower of Glitteredlanterns was famous for its nigh endless hordes and an army would be visible from far away likely leading to the necromancer dispatching it's horde. A small squad was also dangerous as any group of cold hunters could likely take them, but this was the difference between no chance and small chance.
The list of those who went is as follows:
Ingiz Laboredgirders
Ushrir Cloistersensed
Apo the Spearman
Ersi the Strong
Nemo the Elf
Curo the Smith
Pamud the Elephant
(https://i.imgur.com/07wLJHq.png)
They all set out north from the ruined city, it's ground still desolate and dead despite being free, and headed for the destroyed hillocks known to be near the tower. Kanil used this opportunity to speak with Nemo. Elves were uncommon in the south, an elven settlement even more so, and one with a competent elven warrior? Unheard of. Conversation was a welcome break in an endless sea of dead brown and black lands
"Nemo." Kanil called with a hand waved towards him. The elf looked towards him and moved closer into talking distance and waited quietly to for Kanil to speak more. "You came south as refugees? Tell me of your family?"
"Yes. My family is large and had many friends in the dwarf communities. The goblins of the Elder Hell have had free reign to raid and burn our forests for some time now and so we fled with ours to live with my aunt here, but we arrived to find her and most of the town dead already."
"There's a story tell me more!" Kanil was fascinated. Death was very common out here, but learning what happened to the elves interested him.
"These hordes we are fighting. They had at one point advanced further into dwarven lands into the village you found me in. They were led by a cold hunter named Kib Soakdyes The Long Brute of Scorn"
Kanil blanched at that. Dwarves had told of this great warrior regularly at the taverns, but that hardly interested Kanil. How long the dwarf's wanted poster remained on the bulletin to this day did speak volumes though. Nemo noticed his face
"Yes, that one. He came and killed the defenders. My aunt was the mayor and he lined her and others up before the surviving villagers and beheaded them all. My niece I want your help to rescue is her daughter." Nemo looked as if he was being torn in two "As much as I want to finish this campaign of yours as quickly as possible to find her I also can not deny my joy at avenging my family."
Kanil clapped the elf on the shoulder "Savor this moment my friend"
(https://i.imgur.com/jDER4jO.png)
They reached the small hillocks and killed a handful of zombies searching around for anything remotely useful. When they reached the civic mound they opened the door to find a cold hunter waiting. Not any cold hunter either for Kanil recognized the description from the wanted posters. This was the Kib Soakdyes they were just speaking of. Nemo's face had gone pale as the undead dwarf turned and stared at him specifically as if seeing into his soul. "Identify yourself" He spoke to the elf only.
Nemo seemed fearful for the first time and stumbled upon his words before lying.
Then the monster continued to press questions on Nemo only. The elf-slayer didn't seem interested in the rest of the party and Kanil used the opportunity to walk up and around the creature. It did not react at all as it continued a barrage of questions that would soon end in killing Nemo. Kanil walked up directly beside the dwarf and stared trying to look more curious than hostile. Within a moment he swung his massive blade and beheaded the dwarf before it had time to react beyond turning invisible.
Another leader of the horde dead. Nemo stared at the corpse totally still almost not breathing. Kanil did not understand this kind of revenge lacking a family to mourn himself, but he did understand when people needed space. He and the rest of the gang waited outside as Pamud found some dried grass that wasn't too rotted. As Nemo walked out he looked at Kanil "I will follow you to the ends of the earth" and then continued walking.
"Welcome to the team, lad" Ingiz chuckled
From there they went to the tower itself; Foreboding doom glaring down at a land it had already murdered. Next to it Kanil had found a small camp, thanks only to his tracking skills, and found goblins and dwarves. He couldn't identify which goblin civilization they were from, but they clearly were. What were they doing out here? Bandits could not survive in these lands, even goblins. The party did not have time to find out or wipe out the camp for fear of being seen and overwhelmed by the tower.
They continued to creep around to the eastern side of the tower complex avoiding all the barrows. According to legend each was filled with an army of the dead waiting to be unleashed at any time. They had now reached the tower
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
They tried to sneak into it, but goblin zombies came rushing out having sensed their life force. They quickly and easily dispatched them.
"So much for surprise, eh" Ersi spoke to Apo as the spearwoman tried to pull her spear out of a zombie's head. Apo fell to the ground as she pulled the spear out and spoke with a scowl "We shouldn't give up on trying to sneak in though. Maybe they didn't hear that"
"They didn't hear that they're more deaf than me, lad" Ingiz said
"Apo's still right. We shouldn't assume anything" Kanil finished and that was that.
(https://i.imgur.com/MdEKGOT.png)
Within the tower was an intense air popping and the sound of meat squelching. It was shifting in regularity and intensity. Kanil drew closer and climbed the stairs to find the source and found another unheard of sight in all the history of these lands: The cold hunters were fighting each other
(https://i.imgur.com/XXFnKqi.png)
The superhumans were fighting at lightning speeds as they threw blows that would kill a mortal, but their own toughened bodies continued. It was an unbelievable scene and the one belief that had prevailed across the lands was that the cold hunters did not have the ability to rebel or fight their own, but here they were. The first rebellion in the history of the tower.
They crept back down for fear of getting drawn into the battle and began to explore the bottom floor. Suddenly someone dashed by. A beautiful woman with long white hair dashed past them and into another room. This was likely a necromancer and someone they needed to kill so the crew crept into that room and surrounded her.
(https://i.imgur.com/oJXrzT9.png)
She was covered in jewelry that emphasized her deep green eyes. Her long wild hair flowed down almost distracting from the axe she carried. One of the most important weapons in the history of the world
Thought lost to the demons who destroyed the city it was made in and now here. Following her hair down to her wrist was another artifact from the dwarves. An accursed artifact made by a dwarf that cursed his own kind to his last breath.
Legend said that if it returned to the dwarves it would seek to destroy them again.
Ingiz and Ushrir were baffled at this sight. The woman turned to see this crowd before her as the distant sounds of true death continued.
"I am Kanil Inchwhips" Kanil said striding up to her with his sword ready.
"I am Cor" She said with a power that washed over them all.
"The goddess of youth?" Kanil laughed and wished to turn his head to see how the others were reacting, but found he could not move at all.
"Is this so strange to you, Kanil? The power you have achieved some would likely call you a king. With my own I became a goddess"
"Why-why can't I move. Ingiz, Ersi, someone help" Kanil called
"No. You will wait there while I speak to your leader" Her voice was soft and calm and yet had all the authority she was claiming. "What is that you came here for, Kanil? What do you truly desire?" She said as she touched his cheek. Visions flooded his mind as she was tearing into it. Visions of his own life intermixed with things he did not recognize at all. A great swamp, burned forests, and war so much war.
(https://i.imgur.com/4Q2Kibv.png)
She withdrew her hand and the visions faded "You are guided by forces unknown to you. All your desires that you live by and the path you think you have chosen." She laughed before continuing "It isn't yours. Dear Kanil you have always done what others have told you haven't you? What if I could give you what you truly want buried beneath all these chains others have on you?" As she finished the visions began again.
Kanil was fighting great battles. Elves, dwarves, goblins, men, giant monsters and shadows themselves and then he was standing over them all Cloudfought raised and Pamud at his side. The vision shifted again and he was on a throne the world having been broken before him and now offering obeisance.
"I can give you all this and more" she purred as visions continued Kanil was elevated soon above kingship. He was part of the pantheon of gods now. Then ascending past this as he slew each one other than Cor herself: She was his guide, his teacher, his confidant and more if he wished so.
Kanil felt like he had been dying of hunger his whole life, but never knew until this moment. He deeply wanted all these things. To submit to her vision. Then suddenly a new image. The great swamp from before. A great towering beast began to rise from the depths of the swamp as it stared down as small fragile Kanil. He was little more than a babe in the vision as he stared up at it. It did not speak and it's intentions and will were impossible to comprehend through it's eyes. He felt something in his heart as it looked at him that he did not understand. There was something about himself he did understand though.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ko6q8zi.png)
The vision ended. "What? How did y-" the goddess spoke as the invisible chains her magic had around his fell with the vision, but he did not let her finish as he stabbed Cloudfought into her skull and killed her. Here lied Othla the founder and leader of the necromancers and self-proclaimed goddess of youth.
Kanil picked up the artifacts she had with her as well as her jewelry.
"What was that creature?" Nemo spoke as he and the others recovered from the shock of being frozen still as they were
"A goddess apparently. Let's finish dealing with the rest of the tower before we discuss more" Kanil responded
"Kanil, watch those artifacts. They're cursed don't touch them with your bare skin" Ingiz said leaning on his axe
The rest of the tower had been destroyed. Each cold hunter was dead crushed into paste by each other. It seemed as if the necromancers had been murdered as well in the fighting. Cor would have been the only survivor of the tower had they not shown up. It seemed somewhat disappointing to Kanil even though he stood no chance against these beings otherwise. He ascended the tower and ignored the books and reached it's peak.
Did he even know what he found there?
(https://i.imgur.com/eykObqJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/VruW32G.png)
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on December 21, 2022, 03:03:47 am
Post by: Maloy on December 21, 2022, 11:18:05 pm
Things in this adventure are really shaping up to be an epic adventure.
Glad you think so! I have enjoyed how most major historical entities are in someway connected to one another in legends!
I wonder if that is just luck of the world gen or if this is just the ideal size for interconnectivity?
It's good to see you being recognized as a hero. I remember the good old days of 0.34 when after killing a megabeast or two, people would be stunned by your presence. It makes it feel like you're really doing something.
I wonder if it is because it takes awhile for the npcs to register your heroic acts or because I went around performing the telling of stories all about my own deeds?
Also the initial post has been updated with a directory to posts as well as a small thing about what adventure mode is for anyone who decides to read and is unfamiliar
Post by: TheFlame52 on December 22, 2022, 09:10:08 pm
Post by: Maloy on December 22, 2022, 10:10:43 pm
Some of those images are pretty large. You can add a width=X tag into an image embed to shrink them down to fix the page.
Oh I figured that out! Thank you for taking the time to tell me that. I changed the size of the most recent post. I'll go back and fix the older ones soon
While I'm being honest about my learning is there a way to unlock polls? I set a timer on this poll originally and now that it ran out it seems to not want to let me reset it.
Post by: Maloy on December 23, 2022, 07:23:57 am
As you move the shelves of books begin to clear and you are in a small and well kept back room. Filled with sealed cases you use the key on one and take your prize.
Benulm's Histories and Queries: Dwarf-Doom
Leapbodice & Bendtaupe: When Dwarves Dig
(https://i.imgur.com/1oTLFqG.jpg)
Now while there are many theories as to why it has not been firmly proven just why dwarves love to dig deeper into the earth. It may be greed. Perhaps their physiology has some connection or even a sort of wanderlust like adventurers are known to have only communed across the whole species rather than exceptional individuals. Either way there are greater works that cover this topic in length and what we need to talk about is when the dwarves dug too deep.
Leapbodice in it's prime competed with the dwarven capital with it's wealth and glory until it dug too far. We do not posses too many details as all the survivors were killed to the last by a reportedly endless horde of flying monsters from the depths, this horde being sighted flying into the sky by shepherds some distance away. The demons wasted no time in solidifying their claim and quickly launched an attack on the capital, although this appears to have been a ruse all along.
As the horde fought the dwarven defenders their leader the Brown Brute known as Uzin Scrapefist The Taxes of Bejewling crept in and stole the greatest of dwarven treasures and weapons: Bendtaupe
Upon doing this and retreating after inflicting many casualties the demons called an exodus of goblins from across the world to there mountain to fight and serve.
It would remain in his claws for only a year before the dwarves reclaimed it. Within another 5 it was stolen again by a goblin thief from the Elder of Hells and he would use it to become a great war leader as he massacred humans on the eastern coast.
Asno Moistnesssorpions the Incidental Knowledge was only barely defeated by intervention from the elves, the last alliance they would have with humankind. An unnamed elf warrior riding one of the Giant Panda protectors slew the goblin and the axe fell with him.
(https://i.imgur.com/2EmuE1l.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/67Hs5jx.png)
Following this a dwarf claimed the axe telling all present that he was returning it to his people in the mountainhome.
He did not. Rovod Phantomoils instead went south to the tower of the great necromancer Othla Partnerbaker otherwise known as her self-proclaimed title as Cor the Goddess of Youth.
He offered it as a payment in exchange for being taught the ways of immortality and was accepted as a war leader of the dead while the weapon remained in Cor's possession.
Irony would find Rovod as he died horribly in battle. Conflicting accounts have emerged one speaking of his battle with the elves and how the same giant panda crushed him that had crushed the goblin Asno. Other reports show though that Uzin the leader of the demon hordes himself snuck into the battle and brutally murdered the dwarf in his quest to reclaim the weapon.
(https://i.imgur.com/wbwiI2a.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/hp7dXT6.png)
Now to the question: Why do the "gods" and demons fight over this weapon? It is believable that this weapon is among the few in the world that can easily kill one. Uzin's hide was known to deflect virtually any weapon, but Bendtaupe was in a category of it's own. Perhaps Cor intended to keep it as a trinket, as she had many. Maybe she wished to keep it as insurance in order to keep threats like Uzin the Brown Brute away. Regardless, she held onto the weapon until her death in year 125 at the hands of Kanil Inchwhips the Humorous Belly of Bites.
(https://i.imgur.com/8PT5sst.png)
The Famines of Twinkling
Little is known about the Bismunthinite bracelet. It was made by a dwarf who was raised under cruel oppressive and enslavement by the goblins. Goblins were famous for barbarism and did little to keep records and so all we have is the legend:
and in the deep dark of hate
Lo, did Zulban find most sought after revenge
Cruel hatred cursed his kind forevermore
with doom
with Rong Tod
Whenever the bracelet would be returned to the dwarves great massacres would result. They would eventually claim it from the goblins of the Plagues of Forking, but only lose it time and again to the undead hordes of the goddess. Eventually the dwarves sought to avoid the seemingly endless loss of lives and began hiring human mercenary bands to seek it and do battle.
One such band did successfully defeat the wraith who had it and it's army as they were returning to the tower of Glitteredlanterns, but the humans did not return to the dwarves with it.
They kept it as a treasure and heirloom until year 91
A human warrior named Nocam Whisperfrill was it's guardian and legal owner, but he was not a good man. He abused his children and spouse. His prowess as a warrior and fame as a protector of an artifact kept the village from doing anything about it. Until one day his daughter Emmun prayed.
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The goddess Cor answered her prayer for the death of her father in exchange for the bracelet. She brought it out into the forest not realizing her father followed her, and he attacked her. This was accounted for though as from the depths of the forest Cor released a giant dingo that ate the father so the girl could continue to submit the bracelet. She had found a new life serving Cor and free of her father's abuse. She would die less than a month later as Cor sent her back with an army of the dead to destroy her village
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
An unnamed villager ended her life and after words she later became another member of the mindless hordes of the dead that would serve.
Following this the bracelet stayed on Cor's person and she led enough successful assaults on the dwarves where any advance into her territories was routed. The dwarves live in an active state of retreat as her hordes slowly claim new ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/KQtjHYG.png)
Bendtaupe was a weapon created for the benefit and salvation of all dwarfkind, but only ever served to destroy and hurt it, but is it possible for it to be redeemed?
The famines of twinkling seems to only be able to curse and hate it's creator's kind and lives up to this, but what do the two items accomplish when they are together you ask? That answer is found in the annals of Kanil Inchwhip and the many addendums and reports of Ingiz Laboredgirders
Post by: Salmeuk on December 24, 2022, 12:24:50 am
Post by: Maloy on December 25, 2022, 08:14:56 pm
that felt like a chapter from the Silmarillion. messy, historical, epic!
That's actually such high praise to me! I hope to make a piece on Cor as well. Even though she only had one appearance she was definitely one of the main characters of this entire world. Besides being responsible for the overarching plot of Kanil's story she is from before history and has a hand in most things.
Despite the praise I actually felt compelled to come back and clean up my posts more lol. Grammatical errors or moments where things aren't communicated clearly.
Post by: Maloy on December 28, 2022, 06:53:48 am
Source: https://www.deviantart.com/gabbybites/art/SpearWoman-583719880
(https://i.imgur.com/ilv9Zlr.png)
The journey back home progressed from an initial excitement over all they had accomplished, to silence as they struggled to find conversation topics after saving the world, to small talk of things they'd do after this and finally excitement again as they crested the hill to Helmsfragrance.
Kanil and Nemo were quiet on the journey although this was in character for the elf. They were greeted with cheering by the laborers and soldiers left to populate the small home and the cheering only increased in tenor.
For the next several days a festival of sorts took place as messengers were dispatched to the surrounding lands to inform them that the great evil was defeated the rest celebrated. Dwarves even broke out some ale stock to share, a true rarity as with the shortage of alcohol in the region the dwarves tend to just hide it and keep it for themselves.
Dancing, singing, and story telling ensued. Kanil was asked to tell of the great battle at the tower again and again, but he wasn't exactly a man skilled with words:
(https://i.imgur.com/TctBRGZ.png)
Still people have an abundance of patience when it is to be given to their savior. Kanil began to grow more thoughtful towards the end of the celebration and the dwarves became less giving with their brews.
Source: https://www.pinterest.jp/pin/711357703613451532/
(https://i.imgur.com/sprhcQB.jpg)
He found himself sitting by a fire outside of his home one night with Ingiz, Nemo and Apo joining him each one by one. They sat in silence for a time.
"Are ya sulking or thinking? All this time with your kind and I still can't tell" Ingiz quipped as he gulped down the last of his wine
"Leave him alone! He's got a lot to think about what is to come after all this!" Apo said turning her head as she finished speaking to smile at Kanil.
"Thinking, old man. Something don't sit right with me" Kanil responded with his backwoods bandit accent leaking out when he wasn't paying attention.
Nemo's arms were wrapped across his chest as he spoke "Yes, I can imagine. With the necromancers gone the dwarves can continue colonizing formerly human lands. That death cleric you hired Udil is already planning an expedition to find and entomb dead dwarves we left behind us there."
"Hey! that's a right honorable task! No dwarf wants to spend eternity wanderin' some blasted wastes!" Ingiz cut through
"I don't think that's what Nemo meant, Sir Ingiz" Apo cut in again before Nemo could retort. Ingiz's face lit up and he began to laugh at the mention of "Sir"
"Well..." Kanil paused to consider "It wasn't that. Although you make a good point that I wasn't thinking about. It feels like my way of life out here is coming to an end, but no what happened at the tower bothers me"
"Aye, I get ya! I wish we could've had a proper fight too, but if there's one thing that both my Nan and the gods always say is that bad people get what's coming to them! That woman's face before you cut her head off was priceless, Kanil! Watching all she built crumble around her and dying to someone she had never even heard of!" Ingiz began roaring with laughter at the end
"Don't laugh at someone's death it attracts evil spirits" Apo chided
"It's also tasteless" Nemo cut and Ingiz laughed harder
"No, it wasn't that it was easy, although I was sad for not getting a fight. It's just that...I didn't feel like I was in control at the end there"
Nemo's eyes had a new light of curiosity in them as he considered Kanil's words "Perhaps. It's not uncommon at all for warriors to lose control of themselves to their adrenaline and emotions in the heat of battle, and that was a battle even if she did not have her axe drawn."
Ingiz wagged his index finger as he said "Dwarves are always focused in a fight. It's what makes us the best fighters, but that don't change the fact that you're one of the best too, Kanil."
"No no it's not that! When she spoke all I wanted was what she was offering me. I wanted to say yes and there wasn't really a part of me that didn't want to, but I saw something in the visions she was showing me, something I remembered but now that I think about it I can't. I just saw it and felt a sudden impulse and then I killed her, but it didn't feel like I made the choice."
The party looked at him with some concern
"That is troubling, friend." Nemo said stroking his chin in consideration
"Sounds like one of them curses I grew up hearing of in the stories" Apo exclaimed looking around as if a monster might rush from the woods at any moment.
"We got legends of monsters that can do that to a dwarf in the deep dark below, but the important thing is that you killed her and yer free to do as ye will now!"
"Am I?" Kanil whispered and thought on. Kanil pressed his mind's eye towards his memories. He had ones he didn't want to revisit and others he didn't mind, but what caught his attention were ones he just didn't care about. It was like the vision: The more he sought to know it the more it ran away and left behind a lack of care to know. He pressed further
There was Uja his chieftess, although former now more than likely. He followed that trail back to when they met. She was scrawny and weak, but vicious and smart. She was Kanil's age and recruited him and some others into forming her gang when they were all just orphan kids scrounging to get by. He always did what she said even though he could've overthrown her at any time. Why didn't he? He didn't care to do so and was content to obey commands.
He pressed further back into his memories
He couldn't remember how he arrived in Claspedspear other than being an orphan and wandered if his child mind had truly just let go of the memory. He recalled men talking about him. He was weird for them. Most orphans came from the east fleeing the undead hordes, but he had come from the north-west. Stumbled in and fell over at the gates.
Where did he come from? He had to know, because of this frustrating feeling that he shouldn't know. It felt as if he had been obeying his whole life and now he was finally becoming aware of some strings upon him.
He dug deeper
He felt a presence of some sort so vast it was beyond perception other than simply being, and then he was pushed back out from his memories and the door sealed. He opened his eyes and saw all his friends quietly staring with a large amount of concern on their faces.
"Lad what's wrong?" Ingiz said having approached and laid a gruff hand on Kanil's shoulder.
"I need to go. I need to go back to where I came from"
"What? These are yer people's lands lad!" Ingiz said and Nemo immediately followed "We will come with you. We'd be sorry friends if we abandoned you in whatever you're going through."
"Uhm. Yes, what he said, but where are we going?" Apo cut in grabbing her bag as if they were already about to set off.
"To the one place in the world I don't care about one way or another."
"That's kind of vague" She grinned as she spoke
"I want you all to stay here though. I want to do this alone and I need someone to keep everyone in order while I'm gone" Kanil said
While they did voice their dissent ultimately everyone present was loyal to Kanil and understood this was a personal journey. All except Pamud. The elephant found him as he attempted to leave and flapped it's large ear to hit him in the face. Kanil knew better than to argue with his lifelong friend.
So he set off north-west.
(https://i.imgur.com/Lt5C232.jpg)
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on December 29, 2022, 05:16:54 am
Post by: Maloy on January 14, 2023, 11:33:39 am
Source: https://azbugztwo.blogspot.com/2014/09/beautiful-hart-prairie.html
The she-wolf was awoken from her slumber. Her lair scattered with the fragments of countless meals. She sniffed the air, Her territory encompassed many miles and she could sense all that were within it. An intruder came from the Eastern Mountains
She squeezed out of the cave and sprinted straight and true to the threat. She was the oldest and largest of her kind to wander this world. The great mother of all giant wolves and legends even said the smaller variant were descendants of hers.
Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Ra6vW
(https://i.imgur.com/JfezZye.jpg)
From the East came the great troll Zepave Skinnyglimmer the Spread. Not a tamed variant like her cousins enslaved to the goblins, but a wild troll who had fought her way from the far caverns in the underdark(or fled from it). Between her and the She-wolf Squeezinghonors they prevented any hope of people living in the western lands, but they were no allies. This was an invasion.
Source: DF wiki, but specifically: http://www.androidarts.com/df/dorf.htm
(https://i.imgur.com/PQVaLg3.png)
The troll had barely crossed into the wolf-matron's territory before the wolf had pounced from the tree line and was before the troll. They eyed one another. Today a war fought through minor skirmishes would end.
They pounced upon and struck one another. The troll was unable to get a grip on the wolf, but was laying blow after blow on her form.
The wolf dodged and ducked and took the blows and finally when an opening presented she lunged and bit the troll's leg shaking it violently and shattering the bone.
The troll continued to hammer as the wolf scratched her again and again and the troll knew she would soon lose this battle of attrition. She began to crawl away as fast as she could, but Squeezinghonors would not let her go. The wolf pounced on her back and tore in ripping flesh out of the troll's upper back while claws rip and tore from her lower back and stomach.
Zepave died. The blood soaked wolf howled celebrating her uncontested dominion over these lands.
She paused. She heard something new. Something had entered her territory while she was distracted and was close. She heard ruffling in the bushes as a large gray figure dashed through.
She had no experience with the species to know, but it was an elephant.
It barreled into her kicking her lower body and damaging her organs.
The she-wolf ran, but the elephant ran as well and whenever she slowed to come around a corner the elephant hit her again and again until it knocked her legs out. She bit and scratched as it crushed her chest with it's foot and she died.
Pamud Breachedancient the Toe of Calamities was victorious in a battle he did not understand, but as always the faithful elephant lived up to his namesake as his master and friend walked up behind him seeing the carnage.
Kanil laughed "You just had to wander off the moment you heard something didn't you? Can't say I blame you good hunt! What was a troll doing this far out?" He pet Pamud's side.
(https://i.imgur.com/kh1NgQo.png)
The journey north had been exactly what Kanil needed. The lands were wild and so were the beasts. At night they were attacked by packs of giant wolves and in the day they fought insects the size of horses. Cloudfought could barely pierce the hides of the beasts on first impact leading to a true challenge for Kanil.
At night he huddled up with extra layers next to Pamud and used the elephant as a windbreaker. Still, he didn't find what he had set out to find and had no clues to go on. Some days he just patrolled the same area and others they set out for new environments looking for exotic creatures to hunt. Pamud enjoyed crushing giant flies in particular. They couldn't carry anything close to the amount of meat they had earned and had to leave most creatures, like the troll and wolf, to rot.
One morning they went back south a ways and found a trail made by a small humanoid. Seemingly goblin.
Kanil and Pamud reached a tent made from strange skins. The campsite was abandoned, but it looked very old. Ancient even although still actively used.
(https://i.imgur.com/XSMX0yk.png)
There was no reason to wait around. They returned north looking for something
Kanil noticed before Pamud did that they were being stalked. As soon as they turned around the figure was gone and so they had to continue north. They crossed a stream and Kanil hopped behind a tree and waited. He heard the gentle splashing of the stalker as it continued on his trail.
Kanil jumped out landing within easy swinging distance of what turned out to be a goblin.
Source: https://www.deviantart.com/marjoriedavis/art/Mysterious-Goblin-539044357
(https://i.imgur.com/YePWgl7.jpg)
The creature was feral seeming and wearing roughly made skins although it's blade of unusual design was clearly well done and made of silver.
Kanil stared at it trying to figure out where it was from and it made to dash before Pamud tried to stomp it. The goblin dodged out of the way.
Kanil and Pamud had a brief struggle with the goblin as it swung helplessly at the master warrior and then was killed.
Whoever the creature was a story that wouldn't be told to Kanil or anyone else for that matter.
(https://i.imgur.com/QF0Kay6.png)
They continued north into the Autumnal Swamps searching for Kanil's destiny.
OOC: Also really cool to exceed 2000 views. I know most of them are just bots, but still those arbitrary numbers rising releases the serotonin for me
Post by: King Zultan on January 15, 2023, 03:40:11 am
Post by: Maloy on January 15, 2023, 08:42:53 am
I'm hoping to make a serious turn towards more progress on the overarching goal of the game soon.
Goal wise the necromancers weren't really a big helping in advancing towards fairy tale especially as intelligent undead simply register with their living species members, but character and map wise it made sense of dealing with them first.
I think what I'm worried about is making a reasonable amount of progress on it. If, for example, steam release adventure mode came out and I hadn't even reached the Golden Age yet(all races are about equivalent in population numbers) I'd be severely undermotivated lol
A part of me wants to see about that help that was offered in cleansing some goblin pops, but also I like the challenge of the 3000 goblins. I've defeated three goblin civs total in my years.
2 to Conquer and Occupy in Fortress mode
The other to banishing the leader, but the goblins still dominated pretty well thanks to population advantages
I've some cool ideas for how to approach the challenge
Post by: TheFlame52 on January 15, 2023, 09:22:11 pm
Post by: Maloy on January 18, 2023, 06:40:19 am
Alternative appearance artwork for Kanil
Source: https://phillsimmer.blogspot.com/
(https://i.imgur.com/CWwlueo.jpg)
They continued north for two days and eventually north-east through the autumnal swamps. The pair hunted freely, but not as overly as they did days before. There was something here in these lands, but they could not find it.
The swamps seemed to be wholly untouched by civilization and yet there was a presence here that communicated a deep and storied history. The presence made Kanil nervous and he found his hand often twitching to his sword.
(https://i.imgur.com/ozfhYSc.png)
As they continued east nearing what used to be elven lands the sun began to set and they found a trail. They followed it for a time, as it's prints were fresh, and as they neared it's source they began to hear it's footsteps and they began to peal more rapidly away from the pair. The hunt began.
Eventually they caught the creature just a short walk before it's lair
(https://i.imgur.com/ggHt5kS.png)
A moon-monster. A terrifying monster that murderously stalks the civilized world for prey. Legends tell that they reproduce both naturally and through the kidnapping and cursing of others. This was not Kanil's first battle with one.
Many months ago when Chieftess Uja had first decided to try and kill him her first task was to hunt one that had been stalking many bandit camps: Skullash the Dead Twilight. Kanil barely survived only with the help of Pamud and his three war dogs that sacrificed themselves to buy him time. He also lost some of his teeth.
He was stronger now and eager to test himself against such an opponent. Pamud was still scarred from the last incident and backed away.
So Kanil and Sedme met. Swinging and slashing. Dodging and parrying for minutes without a single blow landed by either.
(https://i.imgur.com/TRmNe3c.png)
It's blood was the color of mud. "As disgusting on the inside as the out" Kanil mumbled as it scrambled away.
Even on all fours it had incredible speed, but it did not flee. It scrambled to Pamud and began to beat and claw at the poor elephant. The monster's relative Skullash almost killed Pamud as well so Kanil charged full speed to catch up and barreled into the abomination.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZW2lVt5.png)
The dance continued until Pamud crushed the creature's leg entirely and it fell screaming and spewing vile mud on the ground. It continued to thrash and scream. With surprisingly will power it still dodged Kanil's blows, but the battle was at it's end.
With one last roar of defiance the monster rolled on it's back and used the momentum to swing it's one remaining leg up at Kanil just as Kanil stabbed down with Cloudfought
(https://i.imgur.com/DIg6sEh.png)
Kanil rubbed the bleeding wounds in his gums with his fingers. He picked the body up and carried it the short walk to it's lair. The hatch was locked although he could hear movement beneath. He slammed the body on top of the hatch "I swear if I could kill you again I would" and he spit upon the carcass and lead Pamud away.
The elven forests were long gone. Most of them had overgrown into regular trees when the residents had died although a few of the larger trees were left. Kanil was awed by these having never seen elvish lands before. He wondered if the tales were true of them sleeping in these great trees and shaping crafts from it without cutting it down?
One tree had been clearly shaped to have a square like roof with a tavern beneath.
(https://i.imgur.com/pZTfTN3.png)
This place was strange as it also had stone roads that resembled the ones he saw in dwarf lands. Had the dwarves been here at some point?
(https://i.imgur.com/BdZ8pZp.png)
He ventured further east and later did find elves and they were indeed sitting in a tree! It filled him with such wonder to see, but he made sure not to show it.
He learned a few things
-A coven of moon-monsters lived in the area and hunted anything and everything freely when night fell
-The god of the swamps had a shrine back west
-His lieutenants were spread throughout caves in the area
The coven was beyond Kanil's reach since they were hiding in their cave and his desire to kill them wasn't great enough to wait. The god did catch his interest. He had been feeling a desire to leave the swamps the last few days much as he initially felt no desire to go there to begin with. He felt pressed to go exactly where he felt he shouldn't: To the shrine
They were ambushed as they camped that evening by dingoes twice the size of Kanil. He laughed as he beat them away one after another. These lands brought him new challenges and great beasts.
Finally come morning they left the bodies and headed west and stopped at a grove of plum blossom trees. The blossoms were falling in streams
Source: https://500px.com/photo/296800717/colorful-rain-by-hidenobu-suzuki
(https://i.imgur.com/0vQWhHM.jpg)
He and Pamud made there way through and as they crested the hill they saw it:
A small stone shrine with a few remaining pillars standing high although the entire thing was overshadowed by the trees of the grove whose petals left a pink floor over it. Skeletons and pieces of armor lay scattered about.
Just east of the shrine standing in the midst of the trees and watching the blossoms fall stood the deity:
(https://i.imgur.com/uKe8ky6.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/kNKOTL3.png)
Pamud reared and fled at the presence of one who had dominion over nature and Kanil stood baffled by the entirely unique and overpowering beast.
He was flooded by visions. Chastised for coming here in spite of instructions not to
"Instructions? No one told me not to come here. No one tells me what to do!"
He saw visions of himself. except he was above his own body. The battle with Skullash, the goblins, necromancers and more. He saw his battle with Cor and how the goddess had compelled him to fall with her mere presence and saw the god, Ware, above him as it reached down and touched him. In that moment he rose from his feet and beheaded Cor.
"Are you saying that you are the reason I won? That you made me kill her?" Silence from the beast.
"No! I killed her with my own sword! I am no one's tool anymore!"
The beast seemed to look on him with pity as visions flooded once more. He saw the swamp and a great tower of dark stone jutting forth from it. Death spread ever at war with the swamp and the elves to the east.
The vision shifted as a great alliance of elves and dwarves marched forth. Ware commanded all forces of nature to harray the dead hosts to allow the alliance safe passage to the tower. He saw the final battle at a great distance and then it focused on two human mercenaries. The dead had made a counterattack raiding the dwarf camp and the humans fought viciously like heroes of legend. It shifted again and the man and woman were dead surrounded by a mound of corpses having destroyed the lieutenant that lead the horde.
A cry in the distance and the vision shifts and Kanil's vision moves toward a tent nearby. A child. The only survivor of the camp while the rest of the army fights the final battle. Ware walks from the swamp carefully avoiding stepping on, and thereby destroying, the bodies of any of the defenders. It reaches the young boy who stops crying as it looks at the beast before it. Ware stops inches from the boy's face. It then touches it's head against his and a word is spoken planted at the very core of the boy's being "Obey"
"Was that supposed to be me? My parents? Who were my parents?" Kanil pressed his questions against the beast, but it pressed forward.
Visions of the boy stumbling south obeying a physically unheard command to return to human lands. His encounter with the fellow orphan Uja and his compulsion to obey leading him to service to her. His compulsion to obey staying his hand against the goblin smith and his compulsion to obey leading him to decapitate Cor. Everything he ever was and did was simply him following orders.
Kanil felt unraveled. All of his life and in all he did he was always obeying someone else even when he believed with certainty it was what he desired. His very desires had been shaped in order to please someone else. He fell to his knees and Cloudfought fell next to him
A new vision of Kanil returning south with Pamud. He would rally his warriors and go and defeat other threats to the balance of nature. Goblins, dwarves, great horrors from the depths. He would have the battle he so desired again and again.
Despite the vision Kanil still sat broken. He put his hand on Cloudfought
"No." He whispered "No...no...no!" He stood up "I will destroy you! My future is mine alone!"
Kanil bolted into the trees using every ability of stealth he had picked up while fighting the Cold Hunters. He blended into the trees. and circled the monster which stood still.
Kanil continued to circle and as openings in the trees fell he threw every weapon he had at the monster.
The plum blossoms fell and knives sang through the air implanting in the beast's abdomen and legs. Still it did not move.
Kanil ran out of weapons and circled around closing in on the beast that would be his god.
He hugged the incline of the hill heading upwards towards it. Just out of sight. He ran up the rest and thrust his sword at the deity's head. Cloudfought was caught on it's skull breaking skin and implanting in bone. No blood came out. The beast's eyes turned towards him filled with indignation and pity.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCwDR67.png)
Kanil quickly dodged and rolled down the hill again as the beast opened it's maw and thick webs sprayed out in his direction. He ran south-west through the shrine as the beast now sprinted after him. More webs shot out as Kanil ducked behind a pillar.
He ran back further south hoping to lose the beast as another web sprayed and caught him and he fell helplessly to the ground.
He struggled and struggled as the beast drew near. He had freed one of his hands as it reached him. It stomped one foot on his leg and his right hip exploded into gore spraying out around his armor. Kanil screamed in agony as he broke free from the webbing. His mind was lost to the pain, but instinct continued as he rolled away from the next blow.
The beast sprayed web again as he rolled around a stone pillar.
He climbed up the crest of the hill as the beast searched for him. At the top of the hill was Pamud. Kanil used what little bit of consciousness he had left and climbed Pamud as blood poured down his leg.
Pamud without particular direction galloped south far away from the shrine and the autumnal swamps themselves. Kanil woke up just long enough to stop the blood flow before passing out and spent the rest of his journey in and out of consciousness.
Visions of the parents he did not remember, of Ware standing over him when he was a boy, and all his decisions continued.
Pamud carried Kanil all the way back to Helmsfragrance.
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on January 19, 2023, 02:46:53 am
Post by: Maloy on January 23, 2023, 11:28:07 am
Benulm's Histories and Queries
Cor Goddess of Youth - Necromancer and Destroyer of Humanity
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
When discussing Cor in this age one always has to distinguish between the actual deity and the villain who claimed her name: Othla Partnerbaker. One must be careful to conflate the two, which is a line I shall walk dangerously for the sake of truth, but if caught the inquisitors from the temple of Cor can be most unpleasant.
Othla Partnerbaker is a difficult figure to track, because she is older than recorded history. We do know that she belonged to the Amethyst Confederacy and that she was there from it's earliest days all the way to the end of her own when she nearly oversaw it's extinction.
She was known for her vanity and we can corroborate this as the early days of the Amethyst Confederacy kept good records of all market transactions and Kanil Inchwhip's own account spoke of how decorated she kept herself.
(https://i.imgur.com/S0oGxf9.png)
She married multiple times and she was always drawn to men who sought power such as her first husband Ithros. After spending time as a scout for the growing and newborn confederacy he ended up usurping an entire town and becoming it's lord. It seemed a mutual relationship of using though as he shortly after divorced Othla
(https://i.imgur.com/aALRJJD.png)
Now that is not to say Othla, Or Cor, was in anyway weak herself or any other fanciful imagining that fiction creates for devious women. She was a powerful mercenary who fought in many great battles and was even a hero amongst the elves. although she fought evil side by side with elf and dwarf it can not be doubted that she did so to her own benefit as recordings and journal entries from some of the heroes she knew shows her attempting bribes and blackmail on many of them and using them to grow her own influence
(https://i.imgur.com/sZWuNkk.png)
A few years after their divorce Othla and Ithros remarried. One could say they truly loved one another or point out that Ithros' rebellion from the confederacy was failing and the jaws of fate were closing in upon him! For two years after the remarriage the rebellion was ended! The confederacy retook the town and slew Ithros in the process.
Othla remarried quickly, but it is still believed among scholars that this loss is what first prompted her to fear her own mortality.
(https://i.imgur.com/eJ1mcsJ.png)
Her second husband, Amec, also craved power over others, but was much more charismatic. He started his own rebellion through impassioned speech and calls for independence.
Now according to local legends near the site of the village Legendspainted it was said that Othla fasted and prayed for five years seeking the favor of the undead god Gamo and that then he granted her a stone carved by the gods themselves that gave her power of life and death. I want you to hold onto this idea as we discuss later where her power truly came from.
(https://i.imgur.com/XAsOPpz.png)
Following this however she continued life as normal and now thanks to her comrades from her adventuring days securing her status amongst the confederacy she now had thorough control. She and her husband convinced the confederacy to invade the elves.
For humanity this was a disastrous expedition. The elves were ancient with vast amounts of combat experience and defended by the protectors of the forest: The Giant Pandas.
This seemed to be intentional though. The humans fought viscously until they killed many of the pandas and then were chased out themselves!
This left both sides substantially weaker
(https://i.imgur.com/YBY7dxn.png)
Shortly after she divorced her husband, who would live a relatively quiet life after this and remarries, and then she married a man named Anthil.
In year 45 she and her husband were chased out as the locals realized that the woman had remained eternally young and beautiful and suspected dark magic. She swore vengeance and fled leading the foundation of her tower.
From here she apprenticed many seekers of power and authored many writings all while she trusted her husband Anthil to lead her developing armies. She also raised her first husband from the dead although they did not remarry.
(https://i.imgur.com/HxOgDVt.png)
Despite what people know of her later years she only modestly employed the use of the undead early on. She had many faithful living subjects and mercenaries who fought eagerly. She won great favor with elves, dwarves and the humans of the Notched Union having joined them in many battles against the rising goblin tides from the west
Anthil led her forces in a great alliance, headed by the dwarves, to conquer the goblin capital of MergedJackal to great success. With this threat destroyed this would mean that the supposed goddess would be the next opponent. For the elves have long memories and the dwarves do not abide dark magic.
(https://i.imgur.com/Oye5r7A.png)
Thus she hatched a plan: Convincing the necromancers of the tower in the Autumnal Swamps to attack the elves. She promised to attack them from the south ensuring total destruction, but this was a ploy. The necromancers attacked without support and soon elves and dwarves marched and pushed them back to their tower to finish them off.
She began a dark ritual using the artifacts Bendtaupe and Leapbodice. Using the dwarf-made artifact that was created to curse the dwarves and the weapon made with the authority of dwarf kings she called upon the corpses of the dwarves from the mountains to rise and serve her*. She now had her army that none could stop.
(https://i.imgur.com/X7GnLla.png)
Reader, in this age knowledge of dwarves is lost to many and so it may not be known to you the spiritual nature of dwarves. A dwarf will gladly come back from the dead as an angry spirit if it senses that it's resting place has been disturbed. From there it will torment and even kill family members or any random dwarf it can find.
Thus every dwarf ever buried raising set the civilization on it's heels and halted any advance. This may in fact be connected to why they dug too deep in their own cities.
Anthil seemed to have a falling out with Othla at this moment. Anthil was a warlord and many could argue a madman as well. Where Cor seemed interested in dominion and power Anthil wanted to wage war and destroy.
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
He led her living forces in a battle to crush the dwarves who had conquered and protected the goblin capital. We do not know what exactly he sought to release, but we know that there was a great evil in it's depths he wished to open and release upon the world.
He took the city, but he failed to hold it from the dwarven counterattack.
(https://i.imgur.com/hPHrr0t.png)
With most of Cor's living servants dead through her husband's actions he was kept on a short leash after this and their relationship all, but officially ended after that.
Cor enjoyed an uninterrupted vengeance on the humans of the Amethyst Confederacy. The dwarves had been paralyzed by dire need and the elves were locked deep into war with the goblins from the frozen north and so the humans fought alone.
When the dwarves finally did dig too deep the goddess offered them an alliance. The dwarves loathed her more than anything else from this earth, but monsters from the deep came bearing extinction for all and so they accepted. Anthil led her forces again and again to devastating casualties. The elves sacrificed almost all of their ancient protectors in this most desperate war. The monsters were not defeated, but contained. This led the dwarves to an entrenched war that went on for well past Cor's own life, but earned her enough good will for the dwarves to not turn on her as she continued to ravage the human populations.
(https://i.imgur.com/eGeRSKD.png)
Anthil died some years later of old age. He was not resurrected nor reanimated. She left him where he lay
From here we enter her last years that were well known. Her living armies were almost all gone and so with nigh endless hordes of the dead she expanded and grew in wealth. The confederacy wondered why she did not simply finish them all off, but the truth was that they weren't important enough! All leadership was gone and the military was near non-existent now. Simply refugees and bandits fighting over scraps.
No, she sent her armies north to fight the elves, but this was her undoing as well.
For she left an opening not realizing that humanity did have a hero: Kanil Inchwhip.
As her Cold Hunter commanders led her armies to the elven forests she was assassinated in her own tower by Kanil.
She had many children in her time:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Now to the most important question: Was Othla Partnerbaker truly the goddess Cor?
The Inquisitors will give you a most emphatic no, but I believe there is much more going on here.
Othla's one defining trait was her guiding of civilizations and pitting them together and she long predated recorded history. She also worked with many others from before history who played similar roles. What if they all were the gods we claim to worship? What if Gamo didn't reward her for a season of prayer and fasting, but she made a deal with an acquaintance from ancient days who had achieved great power? We know that many gods walk this earth and that some have died even and so is this such a radical idea? All accounts of Cor line up with accounts of Othla Partnerbaker down to their very personality qualities!
*Numbers may be exaggerated by the recording historian
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Maloy on January 26, 2023, 10:51:04 pm
Source: https://www.deviantart.com/arttair/art/CommFEB2020-831752437
(https://i.imgur.com/zAXpqq1.jpg)
Itha Feciciyaba
Class: Bard
Companion: Iwo Laliimeva - Unicorn
Alignment: Chaotic Good - Described as an Anarchist
Goal
Overthrow the ruling authorities of the goblin civilization known as the Elder Hell and bring freedom and independence to his scarred homeland by turning the goblins upon one another.
First Entry
In proper days and a proper age Itha's coming of age ceremony would have seen near to one hundred attendees as the entirety of the forest retreat came in attendance. The procession would be flanked by the forest's giant panda guardians and he would have been led to the First Tree through which the spirit of nature that guided the elves would speak.
Instead there had been a few dozen and the animal audience was mostly smaller forest critters such as a family of nearby squirrels whose attendance was still appreciated. The First Tree was long gone having been burnt down in one of the many attacks. Instead he stood before a significantly smaller, but still magical tree called Gulfveiled.
As he kneeled before the tree it would touch his thoughts and heart seeing into the core of his spirit. Itha could seek a specific calling from the tree if he wished. Clothier, hunting, craftsman, etc and the tree might grant this, but the job of the elves was to maintain balance and thus the tree would always send people to the paths where they were most needed.
This meant almost everyone in Itha's generation were made guardians: warriors to defend the forest. With almost all of the forest's panda protectors dead virtually all young elves were called to fill in the massive gap, and Itha's parents expected no less.
Thus it was a massive shock when instead of guardian the tree spoke a title not heard in ages: Speaker of the Forest.
The silence had been deafening even from the squirrels.
There was currently no living speaker. It was a philosophical and occasionally commercial role and entirely useless in the state of the world
The ceremony ended just as awkwardly and in the days to follow no one spoke with him as no one even knew a lot about what his new path entailed or whether they should encourage him on a road that didn't seem needed in a time of deep need.
Itha, though, deeply believed he had been given a specific purpose and believed his role had something to do with the endless raids and pillaging of the goblins.
Several years passed, short to elves, but filled with violence and chaos as the undead marched north. Itha functioned as a trader to the few travelers and became a skilled appraiser, but all the while he planned his journey:
He would strike north and no matter what the cost he would stop the tyranny of the Elder Hell using the path Gulfveiled had commissioned him upon
(https://i.imgur.com/AoLsoHV.png)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on January 27, 2023, 05:11:22 am
Also I'd like to see those population percentages.
Post by: Maloy on January 28, 2023, 06:11:57 am
(https://i.imgur.com/zLIiqT2.png)
This is virtually identical to the first one I posted.
Humans and dwarves took a loss of pop around 20 people
Kobolds did not dip at all
While the elves increased by 100
Goblins went down by 200, but with their current numbers it just makes the pie chart looks the same
(https://i.imgur.com/uPBRAFd.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sVucfaH.png)
Also I made a regional map via Inkarnate. If people like it I may do more similar stuff.
I was thinking it might be cool to see maps that are more from the character's perspective
Also I think the default map might not be as easy to interpret if you're not the guy who stares at it for hours(me)
Itha is from Hillcaught. The non-elven lands are in their local language to emphasize their foreignness to him
(https://i.imgur.com/JTC6kXS.png)
Post by: King Zultan on January 29, 2023, 02:32:38 am
Also I quite like the look of that map you made.
Post by: Maloy on January 31, 2023, 11:34:06 am
(https://i.imgur.com/o5Tc3t0.jpg)
History and Story fluff:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Months after the Siege of Biting Itha left his home carried by a unicorn and followed by two bobcats.
He went east to Copperbirths the temporary capital retreat. Although this part of the forest was much younger with war coming from the mountains and the north the south-western part of the forest was now the safest area.
He received an audience with the queen, Acithi Roarsportents, although not an audience like in the dwarven kingdom with a procession and a throne.
(https://i.imgur.com/YoaNgfK.png)
She lay upon the branches of her tree thoughtfully looking through its boughs. She was gorgeous. Perpetually young with long orange hair and emerald green eyes. Even being the oldest known elf she had taken many lovers and had many children and grandchildren. Itha called to her in the manner he was bid to do
"Hail to the everblooming flower of the forest!"
The queen looked at him without turning her head at first, but upon seeing his unicorn she sat up and scrutinized him "Well, this is a strange and most welcome treat! A unicorn this far into the forest?" She jumped down
"May our lands be so blessed to be as beautiful as you great queen" Itha continued in greeting
She looked at Itha now with the slightest smirk as if he was just now visible to her "Ah and I see this great creature has a rider and such a polite and formal one" She placed a hand upon Iwo's neck "What can I do for you, Speaker of the Forest?"
After telling the queen of his quest the queen invited him to sit with her under the tree. The queen sat with arms crossed near to Itha, too near for his comfortability, and when finished she sat silently for a moment before responding
"You take on a task many would call foolish, dear one"
"I know, but I know that my calling wasn't a fluke! I have a destiny!"
The queen held her hand up "I did not say that you are making a mistake only that many would call it foolish. I think the forest knows our needs better than us, but in this case I see the tapestry its roots are weaving beneath us." She stood and walked to the crest of her hill "The body of the first tree is along this path. The humans took it long ago in war with us and erected statues of their gods and history with them. They call it the path of the green. Our new alliance with the humans might be the only thing keeping us from destruction and part of that treaty is that we will not destroy their sacrilegious path. This same path is the one you shall walk on, and when it ends continue north-east."
"What shall I find there."
She laughed darkly and spoke "Hopefully not your death, young one. The pits of Fiendhorrors lie that way. A series of holes in the ground the Elder Hell burrowed. It is filled with the outcasts and wild members of their kind. If you can not find success there then your quest is doomed." She laid a hand upon his chest "You have the forest's blessing and now I give you my own. Go with all our hopes, Itha of Hillcaught"
The path of the Green Way was depressing for Itha. The animal paths of the elven lands made way for furrowed dirt roads dug up and maintained by humans within the elven retreat, and there were the statues.
(https://i.imgur.com/D9Rp6Pm.png)
Statues of human gods and their servants accomplishing great feats. A reminder of past victories of the elves carved from the very body of the home of the Great Spirit.
The base of each statue had flowers and he even passed a few elves mourning at one. "A symbol of victory for the humans and of bitter loss for us." he mumbled. He bowed his head as he passed in memory to the First Tree
(https://i.imgur.com/6c5I78P.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/YY3ieRR.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/fGKl6GL.png)
He continued through forest and eventually plains for a whole day before reaching the pits. It seemed as if the creatures simply dug greedily in any and all directions. Tunnels, splintered wood towers and more dotted the land.
He left Iwo and the bobcats there at the outskirts and walked in.
He passed a tower in time to see a trio of goblins walk out and he greeted them. They didn't seem hostile at all and returned his greeting as they continued to walk. He followed them to try and talk, but lost them in a press of bodies as more goblins filtered out of towers all around making a mob pressing towards the center of the settlement.
He went with the flow and even spoke with some of the others as they were all pressed together although it was mostly small talk.
Down, down and down deeper into the earth they pressed into narrow tunnels. Itha fell twice to the ground and had to wait for enough space to open in the press to stand again. Dirt tunnel was only replaced occasionally by small splatters of blood that left Itha fearful of what transpired here.
(https://i.imgur.com/qseRYFY.png)
Further, further and further still they went through dark tunnels as vicious and raucous noise echoed through. Snarling of beasts, laughter, roaring, endless conversing and the sound of combat all assailed the elf. Itha hailed from a world where all creatures had as much space as they needed and enjoyed this and now he was pressed as close as possible. A goblin could press a knife into his back and he likely would not even notice until he collapsed on the ground.
The tunnel opened into a larger room of some kind, but he could barely see as he stepped aside from the tunnel he came to allow the press of crowds to continue.
(https://i.imgur.com/xXvtJGp.jpg)
He saw vicious red eyes all moving about in this room indicating that it must be large. Footsteps of much larger beasts and snarling continued. Itha stepped forward and nearly catapulted himself into a pit below just barely pulling himself back in time.
"It's now or never, but where do I start?" he said to himself as he shuffled forward. He gently bumped into a great multicolored animal and it turned it's great predatory gaze upon him. Itha did the first thing that came to his mind. He started talking
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: AvolitionBrit on January 31, 2023, 03:19:41 pm
Post by: Maloy on January 31, 2023, 04:53:49 pm
Glad to see this project is still going strong. Still down to do an adventure and kill magical creatures.
I'll take you up on that actually!
I'll shoot you a message on some of my timeline plans for Adelaathira and you can just let me know when you wanna jump in
Post by: King Zultan on February 01, 2023, 04:07:36 am
Post by: Maloy on February 02, 2023, 06:24:12 am
Dang goblin pits look like awful places, I've never been inside one since I always heard they were lag fests in adventure mode.
pits tend to be alright, but dark fortresses can be miserable even ones with low populations!
I think what I hate most about both is that you can't fast travel through them and because they are covered in trenches you can't just hold a directional key and mindlessly walk straight out or in. You have to stop and pick your way around every obstacle.
Almost the entire goblin pop is in the dark fortress for this civ and so I'm wondering if I can even enter it. If not I might be trying to pass this off to avolition sooner lol I'm pretty sure his pc is better judging by accomplishments I've seen him do in other adventure games
Post by: Maloy on February 02, 2023, 10:31:54 pm
the days of gray elves
in gray lands
Danced the maiden
whose heart could never be tamed
A visitor from far away lands appeared
as the maiden danced across ice
The great unicorn
most blessed and noble of beasts
It bid the maiden
"Follow me to lands as free as your own heart"
The maiden sang joyously and rode the steed
To a new land and new destiny
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The great beaked beast on closer inspect appeared to be a beak dog! Itha had only seen them when they came to raid and were unremittingly hostile, but since no one had told the creature the elf was an enemy it only eyed him very curiously.
He pet the creature and it followed him. After a few moments a few of it's fellows joined it and they formed a protective semi-circle around the elf occasionally rubbing against him.
It seemed the blessings of nature even affected creatures so long separated from the forests.
Itha wasted no time as he spoke and in his naivety he didn't think to hide his identity as he boldly told the goblins his name and began to speak. He gave perhaps the most impassioned speech he ever had in his life:
"Break your yolk green friends! War on the south isn't the answer to our woes, but we must turn to ourselves and why things are so terrible here! The overlords keep you distracted from the misery of your squalor, but it is they who should be fought not the other races!"
The crowd was mystified by his words. Some were even crying at the beauty of his words
(https://i.imgur.com/OmYQSEs.png)
"Join me! We shall say no to war and go back and demand justice from those who'd control us! Who is with me?"
The crowd maintained a dead silence for several moments, although the sounds of distant arguments still remained somewhere far off.
After those moments passed the crowd erupted into roaring and shouting calling for Itha to simply "Shut up!" He was rejected soundly.
(https://i.imgur.com/HEfzdZ6.png)
He decided to continue to try his luck with this particular group and told them of the story of the massacre in his forest retreat from a few months ago, although he specifically left out that he was from there. The goblins loved the story of the bloodbath and found it so fascinating. As Itha finished he saw what appeared to be a guard beating a goblin to death with a pike. The crowd was his again though and so this time he preached on the power of the great Spirit who guided his people.
Again the crowd was raptured by his words, and while he was speaking a troll walked by. The creature gave on good hungry glare at the elf, but before he could do anything he was attacked by Itha's beak dog friends. Itha was disgusted and disturbed as the animals ate the troll alive, but he pressed on
(https://i.imgur.com/l0oyKAW.png)
He spoke on the power of the spirit, importance of nature and the value of peace over the sounds of wet slurping and bones breaking as the troll was killed.
The crowd booed him and his sermon as incredibly boring.
Itha decided to move on from this group before he incited them against him and as he left a few more beak dogs joined his entourage. He spent more time conversing with the next crowd and getting to know them including a pikeman who was lounging about, and they all liked him.
Itha shared with each individually about the worthlessness of power and how all authority must be destroyed for the sake of freedom. Shockingly, every single goblin agreed! But when asked about the local government they all insisted that it was a good thing and absolutely refused to have anything to do with an insurrection.
One goblin responded so poorly to the suggestion he attacked Itha, but some of the goblins he had spoken to had taken a liking to him and beat the other one to death in Itha's defense. This was going nowhere fast.
The creatures seemed pliable, but any actual suggestion of seizing freedom caused an intensely negative response.
"I'll simply have to keep trying until I find someone" he thought as he continued south.
In the distance a guard had spent several minutes demanding a cold hunter give his name. "I didn't know they had those up here" Itha thought as the undead goblin totally ignored the guard's repeated shouting.
(https://i.imgur.com/E4VqVie.png)
Itha stood next to a large funerary site. It seemed this cavern area was both a meeting area, a cemetery and garbage dump. He stood next to the large pile of goblin bones and spoke to this new crowd that was laying around next to it.
He railed against the use of power, promoted freedom above all else, and demanded that they overthrow the government. They were similarly angered.
Itha noticed behind them as an elf child.
(https://i.imgur.com/74fs95e.png)
The little boy seemed to be playing make believe and was incredibly fat. Itha moved through the crowd and greeted the child, but the boy panicked and screamed "Please don't hurt me!" Just as he said so a goblin next to Itha threw a punch only to be pounced on by a beak dog.
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
In the distance he saw a group of guards approaching "Hold him there, maggots! That there's a spy!" Most of the crowd ran or simply sat and placed bets, but a few eagerly jumped into conflict as Itha dodged away and the beak dogs feasted.
More beak dogs came to his aid as the guards closed in. The entire cavern room broke out into vicious melee as animals turned on their sapient roommates. Itha saw a guard finish a beak dog off that was near Itha and then cheer himself on the roar of approval from the crowd. Itha decided it was best time to leave
(https://i.imgur.com/U6nU6Ll.png)
He sprinted as quietly as he could as beak dog and goblin crashed into one another. The trolls seemed wholly disinterested in the match as one beak dog charged into a carpenter and the two went tumbling down into the pits below.
Itha saw a bowman running to catch up to him from behind and goblin citizens blocking his escape as the nearest beak dog was swarmed.
The young, but relentless elf did not falter. He sprinted at full speed and vaulted across the same pit the two unfortunate victims had fallen down and landed on the other side. There were dead goblins by the room's exit as two beak dogs fought.
"Evilgleam! Evilgleam!" Goblins began to shout pointing at one large beak dog that had killed multiple goblins.
Itha slowed at the exit afraid of exhausting himself, but this was a mistake as a silver arrow flew and planted into his back.
The elf who had spent his whole life fleeing from fights and living off plants was bleeding and he was terrified. He ran as quickly as he could as two more arrows flew. Evilgleam was blocking the stairs. It's leg broken it was tearing relentlessly into a clothier.
Itha sprinted past it as an arrow meant for him slammed into the creature's head. He tore through the tunnels and did not stop running until he reached the surface and threw his arms around his unicorn and fled from the pit. As he left the tunnel he heard the goblins cheering "Evilgleam is dead! Evilgleam is dead!"
(https://i.imgur.com/US6EOcc.png)
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on February 03, 2023, 05:31:43 am
Post by: Maloy on February 05, 2023, 08:19:52 am
flying across field and meadow and murk
No rest until it reached great forest and bid
"Enter and find your destiny, child"
Forest untamed, Forest unmatched
A forest of light and life
A forest of mystery and darkness
The maiden set forth with only stone knife to shield her
By the time of his escape from the pits of Zomdang, Fiendhorrors in the tongue of the goblin, it wasn't even noon and so Itha set out west to the retreat of Tulipjump to rest and reflect.
Music for ambience:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/E4bAoEr.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ioNut2Z.png)
Everyone else present were artists. All elves except one dwarven poet who was reciting before the small group. Itha pulled up a chair while his animal companions played or rested in the field nearby
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Where had it gone wrong? Perhaps because they found out he was trying to cause an insurrection? Was that even a valid route as everyone he spoke to seemed deeply loyal to the cause of their race. Perhaps too strong on the messages? They were all visibly irritated and angered by his calls for peace and freedom. "I have to approach it like trade with the humans I've conducted" he mumbled to himself. Humans often brought strange items and made grand claims on them that one could easily be swayed away on and lose quite the treasure to and so one had to rely on a certain fact: There wasn't enough information to know one way or another and coming to a conclusion on so little certainly made one deserve the warning "may the buyer beware".
He'd simply have to try to find another goblin settlement and try again and see how it goes! Fiendhorrors was far too hot right now for him to be at although he intended to check in after a few days to see if things had changed.
Upon his way north when leaving Tulipjump he passed a strange human in one of the trees. She had long silver hair and seemed much too old to be climbing and resting so high and wore a mask. She stopped him and asked him his way and he asked her for directions
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
This was Lic Neutralauthor's the current leader of the Evil Chaoses masque; which is arguably the most famous troupe of performers in the world. Performers, spies, mercenaries and whatever else they felt like being in the moment.
"You have an artist's voice and a young man's love for freedom, Itha" Lic shared seemingly out of nowhere
"Thank you. I've heard great things of you all that you turned the tides of war against great threats!"
"Why don't you join us? Many elves wish to and we will soon be departing"
Itha looked uncomfortably about from beneath the tree and Lic spoke again "What chain still binds you?"
"It's not a chain. I have to save my people and end the oppression of the Elder Hell. You all go where you please, but I have a duty"
"That is a chain though, young man. No one mortal can save the world no matter his ego or passion"
Itha was visibly irritated by this "If love for others is a chain to you then it is an acceptable one and if making a difference is a burden to you then it is one I will gladly bear!"
Lic stared at him silently for a moment as he waited to rebut her next argument. She placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him to face north-east. "There lies the pits of Hexmenace, or Aslotkutsmob in the guttural goblin tongue, if you survive your journey then find us again, hero" The human woman climbed the tree again and went back to her pondering
(https://i.imgur.com/qG7HjkG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/b5TmwL3.png)
Iwo's speed as a unicorn was unmatched and they covered the distance in a few hours and reached the pits by near late afternoon. He saw all the wooden towers crowding around one large center one and guessed that was the one he wanted and as he walked closer he ran into two guards on their way to the same. Itha waved at them and introduced himself as they all walked together and Itha made small talk laced with an important question
"Hey who is in charge here?"
"Estrur is our lord. We are unchallenged in all matters"
"Neat! Did you hear the one about the elf and the goblins"
The guards laughed
"Well, I'll see you two in the pit" he said as they descended into the depths and the path split into many tunnels
"See you, buddy!"
(https://i.imgur.com/Yg70681.png)
Itha actually had no clue where he was going, but he heard a voice talking behind a particular door among many in this tunnel and decided that must be the way. Instead it led to a small room, more of a closet, where a goblin was sitting on the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/iJmlKqp.png)
Itha decided to start with this goblin, but before he could the simply dressed creature pointed a gnarled finger at him and shouted "Identify yourself!"
"Uh. My name is Itha. I've just come in from the forest retreat south-west of here, and what is your name, sir?"
The goblin looked aghast "My name is Estrur and I am the lord of this place! I'll have you know I have defeated many fearsome opponents, elf!"
Itha considered this a stroke of amazing fortune and decided if he could make the goblin calm down he could try to convince him to see the error of his ways!
Itha complimented the goblin's shirt, but the goblin bolted out of the room and ran full speed down the hall. Itha did not want to miss this opportunity and so ran full speed to catch up with the creature. Up and down multiple levels and down different tunnels. He heard footsteps running in different directions and had to simply trust his intuition that this particular set was the one he wanted to follow. As Itha flung a door open to continue Estrur was on the other side and charged at the elf and swung a fist at him that the elf dodged.
"Hey hey wait! There's no need for violence I just wanted to talk to you!"
"I'll show you to mess with me!" the goblin kept swinging at Itha. Itha had only swung his sword once since getting it and still believed he could deescalate the situation and so he instead grabbed the goblin and tried to pin him to the ground.
The goblin kept swinging and swinging and Itha caught blows on his wooden shield. The goblin punched Itha in the chest and Itha scratched his eyes forcing him to close them.
The two continued in desperate struggle for awhile as now the goblin was partially free and trying it's best to kill Itha. Itha felt desperate to protect his own life and grabbed the goblin by it's throat. He squeezed and held there as Estrur slammed his fists against his shield arm again and again before going limp
(https://i.imgur.com/rTjN4Lo.png)
Itha was hit by a wave of feelings: Guilt, exhilaration, fear, confusion, triumph and he heard more footsteps all around him. Thinking on his feet he tried to hide the body as best he could in his own bag and continued into the tunnels. After all this he had to keep trying and not leave empty handed. His call on the body was a good one as he passed guards who were searching room by room for anything suspicious.
Finally, he reached the commons area of the pit, similar to the last one.
(https://i.imgur.com/gxZUYxp.png)
He reached the middle of the room surrounded by a crowd and felt something stir in his spirit. He called as loud as he could using the same sound he used to summon Iwo or one of the bobcats. The call was much more powerful this time as if somehow enhanced and upon doing so every beak dog in the room came sprinting to him and rested obediently at his feet. The nearby goblins turned to regard him with curiosity, suspicion and fear.
Itha feeling led by the power of the moment took Estrur out of his bag and dropped his body on the floor. "Here is your tyrant! He who would keep you from freedom! He is dead! I have done this! Itha Feciciyaba! Take control of your own lives! Break the chains of oppression and be free!"
This time there was no awkward silence. Seeing their dead lord every goblin in the vicinity turned upon Itha to attack him and the beak dogs charged in all directions. He went around this cavern and declared to all he saw what he had done and demanded they seek freedom, but every single one turned to attack him instead. The beak dogs were winning the vicious struggle by a large margin as the crunching of bone, slashing of metal against flesh, crashing of bodies and the wet sound of flesh being bitten into filled the cavern.
(https://i.imgur.com/p2kLFuO.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/iKSJWtL.png)
An elf stood across from Itha, a poet by all appearances although clothed in goblin-styled apparel, and held his fists aloft. The elf was crying as he gritted his teeth and charged Itha. Itha dodged his blows wanting nothing to do with kin-slaying or killing at all. He wanted these people to embrace freedom!
(https://i.imgur.com/rg0HVlG.png)
He dodged again as two beak dogs ran out and attacked the elf. The elf dodged one only to be charged at by another and thrown by the force. He fell off a ledge only barely grabbing it's edge to hold on before he would fall to his doom in the chasm below.
(https://i.imgur.com/sj3M3t4.png)
Itha ran to help the elf and offer a hand, but before he could reach him the elf fell. Itha saw the crying creature reach a hand up desperately towards anything he could grab as he fell into darkness and death below.
(https://i.imgur.com/MCATOc7.png)
The battle continued for awhile with only a few beak dogs dying. Many achieved names that would attract beast hunters from across the lands to hunt them. The few goblin survivors of the cavern were at the edges and Itha left them be. He was tired, but he hoped that if he left and came back in a few days the goblins would have enough time free of oppression that he could direct.
He climbed out of the pits to see the sun setting on the land and Iwo waiting patiently for her rider.
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on February 06, 2023, 04:22:04 am
Also more lore is always good to get.
Post by: Maloy on February 11, 2023, 06:36:07 am
Guided only by belief and obsidian dagger at her side
As she reached the heart of the forest
Where sun was blotted out by nature
There rose the form of great beast
Only smaller than the greatest of trees
The panda bear looked at her and roared
It raised its claws to strike young maiden
The maiden dropped her knife
She laid her her arms before the bear
It looked upon her and saw her noble heart
And then turned and left
The heart of the forest was now open to the maiden
Itha left by the eastern entrance of the pits seeing it was lightly guarded and had few trenches to climb over, this was likely due to the fact that the only thing east of the settlement was the ocean.
As they left a beak dog rushed out andrubbed it's head against Itha's side affectionately. He recalled a goblin referring to this one as Snunzom.
"I think that translates to Obscurefiends, but I'm not certain and I don't think it would respond to an elvish name"
Itha pet the beast and looked it right in it's eye "Snunzom" he said. It's eye focused on him intently and he could see the loyalty that it had to him. Snunzom would join them as they left and they went north then west from the pits across lands freely logged and poached by the goblins.
(https://i.imgur.com/xT5YII2.png)
They even passed some of the serene forests and meadows that were famous to his people. They were the homeland of Iwo and her kind and it was painful to see many fallen trees or ponds befouled by goblin refuse.
In the distance as they continued west the whole way they could see the dark fortress of the goblin's ruler jutting like a mountain from the frozen north. A constant reminder to all that doom was near
As they crested a hill they discovered a strange sight: A small fort on a hill clearly not of goblin-make
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
the area around it had been cleared of trees used to build it which only added to Itha's pain and anger. The party of animals and elf approached as Itha considered whether how they could stop these people.
He crept in and heard all sorts of activity coming from a primitive stone building, whose make he didn't recognize from dwarves or humans.
He pushed the door open and was shocked to what he saw
(https://i.imgur.com/kc6kWEm.png)
"Elves?!" He exclaimed seeing one of the largest gatherings of his people he could imagine in this day and age. They were still all dressed as his people even the warriors present still wore the traditional wooden armor and weapons, but they were living in murdered trees!
He called to a hunter "Hail kinsman! My name is Itha"
The elf held himself as someone Itha's age "Well met, I'm Athe I don't recognize you"
"I'm not from here. I'm on an important mission to save our lands. Tell me who runs this place?"
"This place is called Comettrees and the Lone Skies built it and own it. Been here about 15 years if I recall right. Etini is the leader here if you wanna speak to her" Athe jerked his thumb in the direction of a very obese elf woman, which was another sight Itha was unfamiliar with in a world of hunter-gatherers
"My thanks." and Itha waved the elf goodbye as he approached the leader.
(https://i.imgur.com/tXpSGLe.png)
Etini turned to greet him as he approached "Well, another kinsman come to join us? You get tired of the dogma of our homeland, brother? I'm Etini" She put out a hand in front of him and looked at Itha expectantly. Itha grabbed it and she shook his hand like a human would
"Itha. It's a pleasure. What do you mean by 'dogma'?"
Etini let out a sigh "Ah I shouldn't have assumed. A lot of younger elves have been joining us as we take the fight to the goblins, but the elders consider us radical because we are committed to actually winning this war instead of holding so dearly to peace time values"
Itha felt agitated by the tone of the she-elf when referring to elders "Peace time values? Like protecting the forest that guides us and cradles us when we are young?" Some of the surrounding elves could sense the building conflict and turned to watch
"The forest is wild in these lands, Itha. It won't listen to us anymore-"
"It would if you didn't kill it like our enemies do!"
"No it wouldn't. Don't interrupt me. When we came to these lands it was already in a feral state. Some think it's gone wild from the pain of the goblins, but others think that it's abandoned us as protectors. Giant beasts roam the land and kill anyone they find, elves included. Do you remember the undead hordes from the patterned images?"
"Yes. The queen told me we could not do anything about the goblins as the undead still pillaged our lands"
"Some decades ago my home was taken by them. They killed many elves and made those who didn't flee watch as they poured corruption and hate entire the region. Magic was sapped away from the land as the Spirit left us and I was among those who fled."
Most of the room was listening solemnly now and Etini looked incredibly sad as she continued
"Here in these wounded lands the wilds would not tolerate us, and without help we would have surely perished and so facing certain death we did something unforgiveable: We cut trees down. Once we started it became easier until we cut down everything we needed. Human and dwarven scouts from the south showed us some basic stone cutting and laboring and we have been here since. Only this year did we send an expedition of our people to reclaim our lost forest retreat and from here we fight the goblin beast hunters, raiders and snatchers"
Itha felt pity for her "You became jaded. You desensitized yourself to the forest like a wolf leaving it's pack"
"Maybe. We're the only one's doing anything though. You might look at this place and see all the dead trees, but realize that there wouldn't be any forest out here at all without us. We alone have stopped the encroachment of the goblins and their reckless hate." She turned her gaze upon Itha and stared intently into his eyes
"Perhaps we aren't the ones who are wrong. Nature is about balance, Itha. New trees can't grow in the shadows of old and wait patiently in the soil for the older ones to fall. I think that we can protect nature without crippling our people or living as survivalists."
Some of the other elves clapped for Etini as she finished. Itha stood silently for a moment conflicted between pity and anger
"I will stop the goblins" he whispered"
"What?"
"I have come to stop them. With my voice and words I will get them to turn on their rulers and they will bother us no more!"
Etini started laughing and a few others joined "You can't be serious?"
"I am! When that day comes all of you can abandon these misguided ways and return to our ways we have been called"
Etini laughed even harder and more joined although some elves regarded Itha with serious looks. Itha turned to leave.
"When you inevitably turn tail and run just know that there's a bunch of Giant Ticks to the south that have been known to drain a man dry so try a different route" she said laughing.
(https://i.imgur.com/v8fyHJh.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Y0yQfwe.png)
Itha left, but before leaving the fort itself he climbed it's highest tower to look north. The dark fortress of Riddlehates loomed over the land. Itha could feel a chill although he wasn't sure if it was a draft from the north or the fortress itself.
He would continue north to his destiny whether it be doom or victory.
(https://i.imgur.com/qcqANPO.png)
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on February 12, 2023, 03:01:11 am
So it's good that conflicting values actually just causes them to all kill each other.That certainly makes things easier.
Post by: Maloy on February 24, 2023, 07:01:28 am
Did the maiden return
Cruel and cold
her people didn't know she left
She stood before them
Skin glowing radiant
eyes of green fire
hair like a roaring inferno
She spoke of a new way
She spoke of a new home
Many followed her
ensorcelled by beauteous voice and authority
The ones who were deaf to beauty
fought the traitors who sought new life
but were undone and driven away
There in harsh cold they bitterly cursed
Acithi Roarsportents Queen of the Elves
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The Named Glacier was harsh, bland and foreboding. Endless drifts of snow and ice everywhere with constant blizzards reducing visibility to night time levels. One would spend hours upon hours with nothing to see except for snow and nothing to do except push on through bitter blizzards. If and when cover broke, usually only for minutes, the only landmark visible in any direction was the dark stone fortress of Riddledhates.
Iwo trotted through the snow unbothered, but Itha knew the great steed preferred greener pastures.
As they continued forward they began hitting goblin roadwork. It occurred to Itha that this might be why they dug their nonsensical trenches in the south. They had no purpose there, but here they formed important roads and shelters from the endless assault of the land.
The next thing he noted was how large the settlement was. In fact, it seemed as if all the goblin settlements including the city built in and around Riddledhates were all connected! Although he reached the goblin village of Ghoulentrances it was very much a part of every other settlement and the transition from one to the next was completely unnoticeable as borders interlapped.
Ghoulentrances was the best way in for him as he assumed walking directly into Riddledhates from the south would immediately tell them he was an enemy. The towers here were all made of ice and as he made his way underground he found that every single bit of it was just carved ice
Most of the goblins within this pit didn't want to speak with him as they scratched around through ice, refuse piles, and burial sites looking for something, but one goblin off to the side was sitting by himself and watching. Itha introduced himself
"Olngo Susalkutsmob" he said laying his red eyes upon Itha without moving his head
"You new here? They're looking for anything of value. You're on the outskirts of the city, elf. You either find a means to get back in to warmer parts, go south or die"
"er. Yeah I'm from Hexmenaces. So does no one keep things in order here?" Itha was wary of accidentally revealing too much especially since he knew so little of the goblin culture or knowledge of them
"Oh yes. There's always someone in charge" Olngo said ominously "The leader rules this trash heap. He takes the best bits for himself and handles any troublemakers. What's the word from Hexmenaces? Too warm there for me" The goblin focused his gaze intently on Itha now
"That's terrible! What kind of trouble does he handle that he can't do anything for his people digging through the trash! Hexmenaces was fine last I was there at least"
Olngo gave a brief laugh that sounded like a croak "There's only one way up in this world, elf. War. If you want more you take it from someone else. Whether the weaklings in the south or the leaders here. The weak scrounge through the garbage or become stronger and take what they want."
"I'm not saying war doesn't have it's place, but I just don't see why that is a necessary way to live. Why does one have to hoard all the riches when he probably can't even carry it all?"
"There's never enough to go around in this world and it's best that it goes to the strong. Let the weak suffer." The goblin's voice grew colder "Speaking of. I hear that there was an insurrection at Hexmenaces just the other day. Lots of death. What would you know about that?"
As the goblin finished a, relatively, richly dressed goblin strutted towards Itha while trailed by two guards. The goblin lord smiled "Hello spy." and the guards drew weapons. Itha ducked and sprinted around groups to get away, being far faster than armored goblins. He was still likely to be cornered soon and felt like an idiot that he had not considered that the goblins would begin to know who he was.
He reached the beak dog pin and sang his elvish call and the beasts looked at him with affection and then the goblins and trolls behind him with frenzy. The battle played out like in the other pits. Goblins, trolls and dogs fell into pits as they tore into one another. The beak dogs came out on top very literally tearing the goblin lord apart limb by limb.
Itha began to wonder if "Speaker of the Forest" was inaccurate and he was really meant to be a druid. Very likely it was too late to infiltrate the goblins, but he had not given up. The creatures seemed irredeemably bloodthirsty and unworthy, but their beasts were accepting of the song of the forest. Itha decided to bring the whole pack of beak dogs with him as he climbed the ice tower back to the surface.
(https://i.imgur.com/yVN0Cum.png)
He continued due east further away from the heart of the city where the goblins would surely expect him to go and instead went to the very outskirts of the city to it's furthest pit.
This one was quiet compared to the others and diverse. Elves, dwarves, even a few humans quietly walked amongst goblins and trolls. Everyone was quiet and secretive. This suited Itha fine although he did stand out with his pack of beak dogs with him. He began claiming to be a beast hunter and these were his hunting animals. Not a far fetched claim for goblins.
As he walked along the wall of the pit thinking of what to do a hand grabbed him and pushed him against the wall harshly. His beak dogs growled as the hand turned him around and a face pressed near to his. A fellow elf dressed in goblin garb.
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
"For a kinsman you lack a surprising amount of grace. Every goblin in the Elder Hells has heard your trampling feet and your brash words" Her tone was harsh, but not hostile. While Itha was offended by her words he was also equally missing interactions with his own people.
"Hey I've been very successful so far! The pits I've been to fell into total chaos even if they didn't want it!"
"They have indeed, but one of them has already returned to the control of the Elder Hells, who is now looking for an elven spy in their lands making my job that much more difficult." she let him go "Ameli Forileameli and you are Itha Feciciyaba"
"How do you know me? Can you help me? I want to find a way to get into the city!"
"The spirits are on your side, dear Itha. The queen had me stationed here to watch our ancestral enemy. Getting into the city is hard, but you have a chance. There's a troupe here in town, surprising that the goblins do have some sense of art although it is primitive. The Rhyming Lies come out here looking for talent. They will return to Riddledhates soon and you must be part of them when they do!"
"Will I not look suspicious to them?"
She shook her head "No. This pit is for outcasts and criminals from the city to hide and even criminals from southern lands often hide here. If you are accepted by them no one will question your entry to the city. Go! They are not in this common area, but have rooms above."
Itha left and his heart wondered if he could convince the elf to join him on his journey through these cruel lands. As he walked he would stop and whisper in the ears of stray beak dogs wandering the pit to bring them over to his side if anything went wrong.
He spoke with each member of the Rhyming Lies and each one told him no "Never heard of you kid. Keep practicing and making a name for yourself and come ask us again"
"If I used my real identity they would know who I was" He thought to himself. After being denied by the final one he threw his hands up in surrender and left to find Ameli and update her.
He returned to the spot she was in earlier to find her dead in a pool of her own blood.
(https://i.imgur.com/cvcMUrL.png)
He stood mouth agape for many moments, but then began to stumble away barely thinking. It occurred to Itha that he needed to put distance between himself and the elf, but the death was still shocking to him.
He stumbled past and bumped into a goblin who grabbed his arm. Itha looked at the peasant who had a vicious look and he realized he was surrounded by guards and the lord of the pits "Been looking for you, spy."
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on February 25, 2023, 04:04:01 am
Post by: Maloy on February 25, 2023, 09:05:31 pm
I've already met an enemy whose a good match for them though so that's coming up
Also I'm pretty sure the ruler of the Elder Hells could easily take on all of them alone.
Post by: Maloy on March 04, 2023, 06:09:57 am
You find the particular box you were looking for buried beneath many others. You pull out the file you were looking for a blow the dust off of it
Case File: The Evil Chaoses
Classification: Performance Troupe
Status: Active
Relationship: Active Asset, but potential threat
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The beginning of the Evil Chaoses is questionable compared to how they currently exist. They were founded in year 65 and were made up of members of all major species and nations although this didn't seem to be an intentional plan although simply the result of all the members knowing one another from the performance scene. Most of the members were goblins though who were actively part of their own peoples and so it is worth questioning the motives and goals of the early days of the troupe.
It wouldn't matter what those early goals were though for the troupe turned spies would meet disaster early on. Every founding member suffered some cruel fate.
One goblin was murdered while operating in his peoples capital. One was buried alive when caught by a besieging army. Another was fed to packs of dogs when captured and it's only founding elven member was kidnapped and later turned into a moon woman.
It would be worth investigating into as to whether this was a streak of intensely poor luck or more likely that their were other factions all striking around the same time.
The presence of the moon monsters and whether it is possible for them to be hired or even used at all by another faction should also be researched.
Despite these hard times the number of members still soared as they recruited notable people from across the lands including famous heroes and assets from our own nation.
When not expanding influence they have taken roles in dealing with major threats to the dominant races even turning on the Plagues of Forking despite the presence of members from the organization within it.
From there they spent the majority of years since then actively fighting the necromancer Cor and delaying her advance. While most everyone seemed to be taken by other threats the Evil Chaoses recognized the rising threat and were the only ones engaging them other than us.
(The Roasted Conflict was a war legally between the Dwarves of the Silver of Staves and the Necromancers of the Patterned Images, but was waged on every member of the alliance)
(https://i.imgur.com/cZCpzA9.png)
The deaths of the spies were many, exaggerated and horrible.
Hacked to pieces, buried alive, fed to dogs, pulled apart, beheaded, etc. Despite how useful these assets could have been the necromancer insisted on leaving them dead showing how frustrating she found the organization to be.
(https://i.imgur.com/RLT8zKS.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/nWoVDCV.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/d5oYJzO.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/LJU6GSn.png)
Despite casualties we should also share the seriousness Cor had regarded them with as their presence in sieges was pivotal in holding the advance of the necromancer back until her death.
The final great battle they participated in The Clash of Targeting against the Blue Curses. This battle was baited by the Chaoses who convinced leaders to intentionally allow the demonic warband to raid a dwarven hamlet. On the way to the hamlet they were ambushed and held there until the main army could arrive and complete the encirclement.
(https://i.imgur.com/KH9bWcV.png)
This battle almost completely wiped out the rest of the army of the alliance made up of us, the elves and dwarves, but also led to the death of almost every single demon in the warband.
(https://i.imgur.com/MVnZgqV.png)
It's debatable if this was worth it as it left us now entirely vulnerable to attack from Cor or from the Elder Hell, but I submit to the judgement of my superiors in this trade off.
The current leader of the troupe if Lic Neutralauthors. Although human she has more loyalty to the elves than us and so should be recognized as such when dealing with our agents. She seems to wish to continue to lead the troupe in dealing with threats, especially the Elder Hell now. She was actually apprenticed under the founding elven member Mimale who would later become a moon woman. Lic seemed intent on healing her master, but never succeeded as Mimale was put out of her misery by the elven warrior Nemo. This is the same Nemo who is now a companion and ally to Kanil Inchwhip. We should consider whether this elf can become an asset as he has since departed the elves and serves the dwarves and is also the grandson of the queen of the elves.
(https://i.imgur.com/ndntvXs.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/hy5kpjv.png)
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on March 05, 2023, 05:52:24 am
Post by: TheFlame52 on March 08, 2023, 08:06:09 pm
Post by: AvolitionBrit on March 14, 2023, 07:04:57 pm
Spoiler: Redacted (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/GaSbN90.png)
Edit 1 - An odd update but i think this is a phantom population will visit that site and see. I believe this as
Spoiler: Reason (click to show/hide)
Post by: TheFlame52 on March 14, 2023, 07:09:42 pm
Post by: AvolitionBrit on March 14, 2023, 07:19:28 pm
Post by: King Zultan on March 15, 2023, 02:15:32 am
Post by: Maloy on March 15, 2023, 05:26:11 am
I haven't gotten around to posting final updates on Itha's story. The one solid amount of free time I had I got hit by a serious sinus infection, but I'm working on it!
As Avolition said I passed the save onto him!
Going forward I'd like to try different kind of adventure mode games with this world to accomplish tasks all as we whittle away towards fairy tales
This is also so it stay's fun! I've learned from dwarf fortress that projects die when they stop being fun so I don't want to fall into monotony
If you got any info you'd like to drop for the front page for me to edit in you can Avolition otherwise keep it up!
I think on the population glitch that the game doesn't register the population? Because at the beginning we had the same one with dwarves too. I don't think we'd be in age of goblins if the game read itself as having that many elves or dwarves
Post by: Maloy on March 17, 2023, 05:24:50 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Itha was surrounded again, and while this didn't entirely disturb him since he had escaped before he had to reflect on the fact that he was both very deep in goblin territory and apparently the creatures were actively hunting him at this point.
He felt very deeply for the young elf who had died because of him and his own failures in these lands.
His apple wood breastplate was majorly damaged now with holes in it's thin wooden frame reminding Itha of how far he had come. The grinning goblins pressed in by one step eager to catch the elf and likely secure some meager advancement in their miserable hierarchy. He drew his sword that his father had passed along to him.
Perhaps the greatest work his father had ever done although in hands that did not deserve them.
Itha looked from the goblin lord who likely had ordered the death of the elf lass and then looked at the beak dog at Itha's side. Itha nodded at the beast and then it al it's compatriots surged in all directions hissing and roaring with excitement: To battle!
This one was much closer as before in previous battles the beak dogs outnumbered the goblins. All a beak dog had to do was pin a goblin while the others tore into it, but here they were one to one often. Itha was swinging and stabbing with his sword helping where he could. Goblin's found elven weapons humorous and did not consider Itha to be the biggest threat although they had no desire to be jabbed in the eye
He and the lord of these pits dueled back and forth as Itha's pets grabbed it and pinned it. In one moment Itha remembered the fallen girl again, dead so far from the warmth of home, and his own mission likely failed and lost to him for now. He stabbed with all his might at the goblin
(https://i.imgur.com/2eOKrD2.png)
The creature fell to the ground thrashing and raging at anything within reach as it's lifeblood spilled everywhere
Itha headed to the southern end of the large cavern intending to leave these pits behind before he saw a great foe roar in his direction:
(https://i.imgur.com/pUW7nrq.png)
Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/orc-df7079af-3b46-49dd-b92d-89e849796a25
(https://i.imgur.com/DM8bWCN.jpg)
He was a massive elf clothed in vicious goblin garb. A beast hunter come from across the arctic fields to hunt the one who had riled all the beasts of these lands. He was both in form and purpose everything Itha hated about the Elder Hell
The beak dogs continued vicious battle all around them, but stayed away from the beast hunter. They seemed entirely afraid of the monstrous man as he dueled Itha. The beast hunter's only weapon was a knife, but being made from real metal it served as a good counter to Itha's longer, but wooden sword.
The two danced among a symphony of roars, cries, laughs and the sound of bodies being broken.
The two paused for a moment both catching breath and assessing one another. Itha broke the silence of glaring
"Who are you? What is your name?"
The beast hunter grinned wickedly while still panting "Dostngosp, rebel"
"That's not your real name, kinsman! How old are you even?"
"What is it to you? I am Twenty years old although I've seen more hell in my time than you in your centuries, rebel"
"Twenty?!"
Itha was taken aback. Twenty was barely an adult by some human standards, but certainly not by elven. What had happened to this child. While he reeled from the knowledge the beast hunter charged at him and the danced renewed.
Itha finally disarmed the young man although he refused to surrender and they continued with the hunter trying to pin the elf, which would likely spell Itha's end.
He scratched Itha's eye and in rage Itha delivered another, among many previous, resounding blow to the hunter's chest before the blade actually broke skin and pierced the elf's heart.
The hunter looked at Itha with total shock as he collapsed. Itha held the poor child's head wishing he could undo this great and cruel evil.
The hunter grabbed Itha by his shirt and pulled him close "Do not forget me, murderer" He gasped "My true name is Lida Yoresmiled and all I wanted was to put an end to this hell"
"Lida yoresmiled?!" Itha gasped in realization "You're part of the royal family you went missing when you were still a babe!"
The hunter did not respond and could not as he used all his energy on ragged breathing before passing away.
(https://i.imgur.com/9VGKGU4.png)
The way was shut. The heart of the Elder Hell was shut away now. They knew of the elf and the attempt to sow chaos into the master's of chaos. The way was shut.
Itha could do nothing now as he marched across frozen fields with his animal companions. It might be years before the goblin's let their guard down and even then he was now a known person amongst the ageless monsters. He considered one last desperate charge into the dark fortress with his contingent of beasts, but they would all die quickly he knew.
Itha returned home in defeat and regret.
As the traitors raged in defeat
They dug deep into the earth
There they made dark pact
Great horror rose as their master
Apufi the Labyrinthine
Declared himself heir to all
Traitors surged again with dark empowerment
The queen prayed to the forest for deliverance
Great spirit touched the earth
And the titan surged to protect the land
Finally, finally
A great curse was loosed
The sun darkened over traitorous lands
All light, warmth and love left it
As the cold deepened and storms brewed
None could stay upon the surface any longer
Traitors abandoned their campaign forced to dig
dig and dig
to escape the storms of snow they dug and hid
there they fostered their hatred over centuries
As skin turned green and eyes red with hate
They would never forget their fair kin from the forest
and the war had never truly ended
The Creation Myth of Goblin and Elf
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on March 18, 2023, 05:07:27 am
I am thinking for our next adventure I do about asking you guys if you'd be willing to make characters for the mission we decide to pursue. Like some other adventure mode games have done I'll essentially play the game, but I'll let you guys direct what we do with our squad of characters and how we react to situations. After we finish that we can pursue a different kind of game in the same world! Keeps it fresh and interesting! Although I am looking forward to bringing Kanil back. His defeat from the swamp titan was always intended to be a break and not a retirement.That sounds pretty cool, like a D&D adventure party.
Also when it comes to creating the Age of Fairy Tales do animal people need to all be dead for that, asking because I've never really looked in to it before and if it does the wild ones might be hard to find all of.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on March 18, 2023, 07:33:12 am
Also when it comes to creating the Age of Fairy Tales do animal people need to all be dead for that, asking because I've never really looked in to it before and if it does the wild ones might be hard to find all of.Depends on the amount, some mythical creatures can survive in the age of fairytales.
Post by: Maloy on March 18, 2023, 03:43:37 pm
Megabeasts are also unique historical figures that factor into creating an age
So does non-historical figure animal people that are in the middle of the woods count? Idk
I DO RECALL however that this is among the only worlds I generated with low savagery so that if we have to wipe them out it is more possible.
My turns in the museum almost led to me starving to death because regions would be hunted over centuries until the extinction of all present animals.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on March 18, 2023, 09:00:52 pm
My name is Kivish Abbeymysteries the Auburn Deity. A hulking monster of a rhinoman.
(https://i.imgur.com/w73lO9c.jpg)
I willing banished myself from the gods to become stronger, I am what every goblin fears. With every kill I grow stronger. The south is empty of goblins, we west has no goblins, the east is clear of goblins. The north is the last bastion of goblin kind. They call it the Age of Goblin after i felled with swamp titan with ease. It was nothing
(https://i.imgur.com/dZQ6FSF.jpg)
A mere overgrown pest. The world has taken to call me The Auburn Deity due to the thick layer of brown dried goblin blood that covers my scarred hide. A god of death towards the immortal goblins who steal children for their demon lord or rather did. I rampaged through the pits towards the demons domain. I climbed the top and found him having a discussion with an elf with a large burlap sack. Child snatching scum. I notice an artifact axe left upon the ground. The perfect weapon to match my whip. I was about to go forward when cries of prisioners catch my ears. Children left in cells. I set them free and decided the demon had to face his demise. I told the children to wait outside the room, they didnt listen i went to strike the demon but she heard me and deftly drew her artifact whip and pike as she whipped my newly aqquired axe away. I charge the demon recklessly catching the demon by surprise clashing together and falling to the ground. One of the children shouts " This is my fight too. This might require an answer". As the children swarm the demon. The vile lizard demon gets a passing blow on their head. I try to stand up but the demon has me pinned as she engages the children who try to strike the foul creature. The only adult prisoner is slashed in the chest and becomes enraged. The children and the dancer attempt to strike at the demon at once. The frail lizard deftly dodges their blows failing to see my strike them from behind with my axe. Cutting into their thickly scaled neck as a sicken crunk is heard. The lizard stabs the dancer in the guts as i cacked away at the demons upper left arm. In response the demon uses her talons and tears off a poor elven childs leg. I return with another strike to the beast neck. The demon kicks the dancer in the leg cause the bones to shatter. The pain causes them to pass out as i made another strike towards the beasts neck. The other dancer manages to punch the lizard in the tail as the demon charges a child.
The beast had slowed, the children we able to hit it, bruising the demons flesh. On of the elven children was kicked in the upper body by the demon as i used my thick nails to slide by and slick the demons right foot from behind. The force destroyed the muscular structure of the foot and brought the beast down. The beast angered by children beating it started focusing on them. It punched a child in the lower body as i fractured its skull with a very blow to the head. The lizard demon decided to tear of one of the childrens arm as i teared at its. Whilst the elfs was removed from its body the demons remained attached but had lost all strength in it lost all strength to grasp its whip. It started to use its pike as it stabbed the child in the arm. Spotting his another tear into the left hard disconnected all ligaments and tendonds rendering the hand functionless as it lost grip upon the artifact pike. Using its upper left leg it grasp the childs hand. I tried to gain its attention but failed to do so giving a weak punch to the legs. As the elf child had its wrist bent and collapsed. I had to end this, a heavy blow to the head caused it to finally get through the scales and the head was finally freed from the body. The last demon lord of the world was felled.
Spoiler: Demon fight logs (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/YJ7Ss9w.jpg)
As I made it to civilization and spent the night resting. Uthret was tended too properly and was surprising about to stand again. Though she boar the scars of a demon and was nauseous due to blow to the gut. She was in high spirits.
(https://i.imgur.com/KKCC2iM.jpg)
I will guide them all home before returning to deal with the remain goblins and no doubt a newly appointed lord.
Post by: Maloy on March 19, 2023, 05:52:35 am
You basically took down two living deities in the world!
I was wondering how you'd fair with the webs on the swamp titan! Your overwhelming strength let you break out before he could do too much damage.
I wonder if any of those elven kids were nemo's niece he has been looking for? That'd be tragic, but fitting.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on March 19, 2023, 07:18:31 am
So his sister Gica Flaxenslap is also still imprisioned along with his niece Are Friendlyvine. Returning there to destroy goblins so there is still hope they are alive.
Post by: Maloy on April 03, 2023, 09:05:37 pm
There's still some world endangering threats left for us to deal with, and if you've read the lore posts then you'll see that the world has no army to spare any longer and heroes are few these days.
What we need is a team, but a team that knows that they probably aren't coming back...A suicide squad
We will run this like some other forum adventure mode games where you build the character and I guide the group. As I update you get to choose the general direction of the group! Think of it as DnD with myself and the game sharing roles as Dungeon Master
Applications can be however you want, but I'll post an example for inspiration below(most of these are optional) :
Name:
Race:
Civilization of origin(or outcast):
Background:
Skills:
Gear Preference:
Personality:
Values:
Why you are on the squad(willing or no):
Here is one I'll submit:
Name: Grugni
Race: Dwarf
Civilization of origin: The Silver of Staves
Background: Underdark Hunter and criminal
Skills: Axe, pickaxe, ambush and swimming as primaries
Gear Preference: Light armor to more easily dodge cave spiders. Prefers a metal cap.
Personality: anti-social and gruff. Wants to avoid conversation when possible, but enjoys sharing experiences
Values: Has strong sense of honor and dignity, but no respect for law or order.
Why you are on the squad: Grugni is a "deep-delver". An illegal caste of dwarves who live in exile in the deep caverns and continue to dig looking for wealth despite their people previously unleashing horrors upon the world that still torment it to this day. Grugni only comes up to trade rare animal parts and gems for booze, but was arrested for his crimes against the world. He will be allowed to go free if this mission is successful.
Caveat rule*
If you pick something crazy like being an elephant man I'll nerf your skills to prevent you from breaking the challenge
Feel free to make your own application I just figured an example would be easier
here is a list of civs(List is pre-avolition turn)
(https://i.imgur.com/aeblxip.png)
Post by: King Zultan on April 04, 2023, 02:49:02 am
Post by: Maloy on April 04, 2023, 05:13:38 am
(https://i.imgur.com/4e0LACI.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ceQoYbX.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/icV7ZQ5.png)
Also in this world's legends one of the most dangerous men to ever walk it was a swan man
Post by: Salmeuk on April 04, 2023, 05:14:45 pm
Race: Human
Civilization of origin(or outcast): outcast
Background: the desert caves
Skills: throwing, spearfighting, dodging, endurance
Gear Preference: spears. lots of them. to poke and throw
Personality: you might say, pointed
Values: spears. duh
Why you are on the squad(willing or no): i heard we might collect more spears. also i was bored of my cave
Quote
Also in this world's legends one of the most dangerous men to ever walk it was a swan man
Beware the white feathers of death!
Post by: King Zultan on April 05, 2023, 05:13:41 am
Post by: Maloy on April 05, 2023, 05:56:27 am
Also epic got a barbarian now! I think my guy would classify as a rogue
Too bad DF doesn't have healing magic or I'd say we need a cleric lol
Post by: King Zultan on April 06, 2023, 03:59:25 am
Race: Deer man
Civilization of origin(or outcast): The Amethyst Confederacy
Background: Soldier
Skills: Swords, shield, armour user
Gear Preference: Metal plate armour
Personality: Friendly but also angry
Values: Money and shiny things
Why you are on the squad(willing or no): Wanted to see the world and fight it.
Also I just noticed the names of the human civilizations, it's like they've got their own version of the American civil war going on.
Post by: TeaKing on April 06, 2023, 02:55:41 pm
Im kinda interested in making a character for this
What are yalls thoughts on a bow-using Eagle man? Flight seems quite useful when fighting mostly wingless people
Name: Egem
Race: Eagle man
Origin Civ: The Craterous Glazes
Background: hunter
Skills: bow and archery, tracking, throwing, as well as being an adequate persuader (im assuming he'll still get dodging and ambushing skills from being a hunter? So i didnt mention those)
Gear preference: mostly leather along with a bronze helmet
Personality: quite greedy, but loves talking to people and making friends
Values: money, as well as nature
Why you're in the squad: to explore the world and potentially become filthy rich
Hope this is all okay
Post by: Maloy on April 06, 2023, 09:00:53 pm
That adds a ranger and a fighter to our mix! Also I note that acquiring things is high on everyones list lol
Funny enough the confederacy is in the south and the union in the north so now that you mention it that fits really well
Post by: King Zultan on April 07, 2023, 02:59:56 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on April 07, 2023, 03:44:42 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on April 20, 2023, 01:21:59 pm
https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=16578
Welcome to the Golden Years
Name: Hal Bristletrade
Race: Kiwi Man
Civilization of origin(or outcast): The Notched Union
Background: Cook
Skills: Butchery and swords
Gear Preference: Sword
Personality: Joyful cook of the party
Values: Friends and good food
Why you are on the squad(willing or no): People got to eat
Post by: Maloy on April 20, 2023, 05:16:33 pm
the ominous "run for the shadows" definitely has some fitting vibes lol
I'm gonna update the first post soon then as well as start our new game within the game!
Avolition do you have a description of Kivish and any artwork you'd like to me throw onto the front page with him?
Post by: AvolitionBrit on April 20, 2023, 06:08:18 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/x3rtfZM.jpg)
Post by: Maloy on April 22, 2023, 07:08:31 pm
1. I'll post a weekly update on what is going on
You've got 1 week to respond and let me know how you want your characters to respond or react
2. You can highlight your text green to indicate you are talking or acting in character and I'll interpret your statement as it is literally stated
3. Before we enter combat you can tell me how you wanna play in combat, but otherwise you'll just have to trust me with your character.
Example: "I'd like to hang back, but once the enemy is engaged with my allies I wanna flank them"
4.Even if you don't have a character you can still contribute. Your voice will just influence me as shared DM and controller of npcs(the game itself also shares the role with me). Players are the only ones who will control their characters!
Any other ideas we should include? If any of my rule ideas sound bad feel free to say so!
Also Avolition Kivish is on the front page with some pretty artwork now! got it from the dfwiki for rhino people
Post by: King Zultan on April 23, 2023, 02:14:11 am
Also I can't think of anything to add and everything looks good to me.
Post by: Maloy on April 24, 2023, 06:03:12 am
Character building stuff though
@teaking character gen in dwarf civs only lets you use crossbows. If it works what I'll do is compensate by investing in the archery tree so when you run into a bow and arrows you can switch and be good with it
@King Zultan deer men are only available in elven civs which means wood armor. Does that work? We can make looking for proper metal armor an early on goal if so lol. EDIT: Actually deer men are too big for even human sized armor so we are in a pickle on that one. Suppose I could dfhack some gear onto you!
Post by: TeaKing on April 24, 2023, 09:18:24 am
Post by: King Zultan on April 25, 2023, 04:09:56 am
@King Zultan deer men are only available in elven civs which means wood armor. Does that work? We can make looking for proper metal armor an early on goal if so lol. EDIT: Actually deer men are too big for even human sized armor so we are in a pickle on that one. Suppose I could dfhack some gear onto you!Dang I forgot about them not being able to wear human armour, I'd like the metal armour if it isn't to much trouble.
Post by: Maloy on April 26, 2023, 10:22:29 am
I got your gear for you Zultan! I had the create armor lines for dfhack saved for a long time for this sort of situation.
None of you have to respond to the green text. I can shoehorn you into the next scene this just gives you the chance to pull yourself into this.
You're all on the front page now!
Character Information:
Grugni:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Glorg:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Hal Bristletrade:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Egem:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Burt:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Lore Context and Recent History: (Optional)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
You are nearing the Castle of Dawnedhop which is one of the few military settlements of the Notched Union and it's capital. It is modestly stationed. Searches of new visitors have been postponed due to the large influx of visitors from various races and nations. A great call for the world's bravest adventurers has been made. Wealth and glory for those who succeed! All activity seems to draw itself to the main keep.
(https://i.imgur.com/XpnKHYB.jpg)
Source: https://www.deviantart.com/apetruk/art/Castle-Gates-447664796
Questions for you to consider for an in-character response:
Do you know what is going on? Why are you here?
Do you wish to find anyone?
Do you encounter any of the other players?
How does this place and its busyness make you feel?
Where do you wish to go?
According to the game Hal Bristletrade has been living and working in this particular castle!
(https://i.imgur.com/AFsuxR9.png)
Post by: Maloy on April 26, 2023, 07:30:20 pm
Grugni has been in the keep waiting for some time now. Although no longer shackled he is still under watch by two dwarven guards who hold his gear for him. He is incredibly uncomfortable around such a large gathering of people and chooses to remain perfectly still instead. Although the motley assortment of different creatures doesn't make him particularly uncomfortable. Even if he isn't familiar with all races present the caverns have far stranger creatures it's more about the quantity.
He motions for one of the guards to share a swig of plump helmet wine. He doesn't know what fate he will be sentenced to today, but at the very least no dwarf deserves to die sober...
He won't talk to anyone unprompted
Post by: King Zultan on April 27, 2023, 03:11:21 am
Do you know what is going on? Why are you here?
He's here to get sent out to fight and make money at the same time.
Do you encounter any of the other players?
He might have but with all the people around he probably wouldn't have noticed them.
How does this place and its busyness make you feel?
He isn't bothered by it, because he's on a mission to get a mission.
Where do you wish to go?
Gotta go where the fights and money are.
Also why does my guy have a
Post by: Maloy on April 27, 2023, 10:36:49 am
Yeah we'll definitely find some on the way lol between all the wars and the goblins getting Thanos'd by Avolition there's a lot of loot lying around this world
Post by: TeaKing on April 27, 2023, 11:50:00 am
- Of course I know! I am here for Adventure. I cannot miss this wonderful Opportunity!
Do you wish to find anyone?
- I'd like to seek out anyone who can tell me more about this place since I am a newcomer here, other than that perhaps I could find some people to befriend.
Do you encounter any of the other players?
- I might encounter them if i talk around enough.
How does this place and its busyness make you feel?
- Sooo many people, from all over the world... Probably can't trust most of them, but who knows? maybe I could find a couple of good friends here...
Where do you wish to go?
- Nowhere in particular, i'll just wander/fly around, talk to people, and explore the place.
Post by: Salmeuk on April 27, 2023, 11:50:20 am
Glorg would like to approach the other characters, asking them to join his party in the quest for coin and reputation in the wider lands!
If they don't seem enthused, Glorg would show off his many copper spears and explain just how sharp they are, and how Glorg is prepared to kill any lowlander who gets in our way. Glorg was raised in the far north, fighting arboreal snow tigers and wild blood-bears, and fears no human or beast.
Post by: King Zultan on April 28, 2023, 02:20:44 am
I always took loincloths as being underwear since dwarves always wear it regardless of presence of skirt, dress, leggings or pantsYou know now that you put it that way it makes perfect sense, probably should keep a hold of them then.
Post by: Maloy on April 28, 2023, 05:58:23 am
When you run into Grugni at some point he is still confused as to what is happening and so slowly nods his head and says "Sure?"
The sight of a large barbarian waving spears around is very unique to him!
Egem's flight over the castle gives him a sweeping view of the area. The interior of the walls is empty of all, but a single keep on top of a hill. If an enemy army invaded they'd have a brutal ascent with arrow fire raining down on them. Efficient, but plain. Hopefully the keep has more services.
(https://i.imgur.com/cgBnA2b.png)
Your ability to fly is very impressive to other adventurers present and you've been noticed by many for that as well as your approachability. One of the random ones mentions that you will all likely have to form teams to accomplish whatever great deed is to come and that he wishes to recruit you!
At some point you and Glorg will most assuredly interact!
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Maloy on May 02, 2023, 04:21:01 am
Having been given plenty of time to mingle and meet the other vastly inexperienced adventures and would-be heroes you would likely make your way into the main keep and run into more people waiting around and gauging one another.
Eventually a horn will sound in the main keep. If you or anyone are still outside the guards will politely ask you to enter the keep for the briefing.
What is your reaction to this? Have you had any riveting conversations thus far?
(https://i.imgur.com/VEgQi3q.png)
Source: Pillars of Eternity
A large man covered in plate walks to the front of the room. Upon the plate is a briolette cut gem. He is aging and scarred, but still looks incredibly ferocious yet dignified. He says nothing as he slowly looks over each person in the crowd seeming to dedicate a moment to each individual person. The crowd is silent.
How do you react? What do you think as his gaze lands upon you?
He is flanked by three soldiers. Two are clearly guards, but one is a woman in mostly leather other than her bronze gauntlets and boots. Her gear is worn and bears the dirt and dust of the road
The man in plate doesn't take his eyes off the crowd as he calls out. "Scout. You will read the report you just read to me to this crowd. Proceed."
The woman seems surprised at first and hesitates.
"Proceed" the man in plate repeats
The woman's fear of disobeying the man overcomes her fear of the situation and she steps forward next to him and unfurls a scroll and begins to read:
Our squad was dispatched to locate the target Ciba Glistenglimmered the Decisive Number. If the previously dispatched kill team had failed to do so we would recover The Fatal Spring from his lair.
Our squad failed to find Ciba's lair, but instead found the previously mentioned kill team slain to the last near a brook they seemingly stopped to camp at. Ciba had...
The woman hesitates and then continues "...killed them"
The man in plate raises a hand "Lieutenant, I specifically instructed for you to read the very same report you read to me moments ago. You will correct this mistake and read what you read to myself and the rest of the council"
She bows fearfully "Yes, commander! Forgive me commander!"
She continues to read and describes in excruciating detail the horrid acts committed upon the kill team ultimately culminating in what remained of them being staked to the ground. Many faces are in shock and terror. One elf vomits on the rug.
How do you react? Have you been listening? What do you make of all this? Who is the man in plate? Are you silent?
"Thank you, Lieutenant. That will be all" The commander says. The scout quickly salutes and flees from sight. The commander now speaks to you all:
"None of you will likely achieve glory. If you're lucky you will starve to death in the forest, but more than likely you will die horribly. If you are not prepared to face death itself then I ask that you leave. I shall wait for you to gather yourself and go"
An awkward silence ensues as people look around and consider
Does he mean leave right now?
Soon some people do leave. A little over a third of the entire menagerie of would-be heroes files out of the room. The commander quietly waits for the last to depart and for the guards to close the door behind them.
"I shall be frank with you all. I have no love for adventurers or mercenaries. You lack the discipline and dedication that I believe any who wield a weapon must have. Yet, we have no choice. Our world has been saved, but the scars left behind are too deep to disappear. The future of our people lies to the west, but it is filled with terrifying beasts, servants of the fallen swamp titan, who bar the way of any who draw near. We can not send an army. Our allies amongst the elves and dwarves will not permit one to pass onto their lands, nor will they send their own for it would leave their land sorely vulnerable to an invasion. That is where we all agreed upon you, mercenaries.
We have no need of so many people on our payroll, nor is Ciba the greatest or most important threat we must deal with, but he is a test!" The commander clasps his hands together
"You will all be given two weeks to find Ciba, kill him, and return with proof of his death. Upon doing the group that succeeds will be officially incorporated as a part of our future operations."
The crowd murmurs and some even shout.
One goblin cries out "This is outrageous! It'll take near a week just in traveling back and forth!"
A human spearwoman joins "Yeah! We don't even know where the lair is! That region could fit a whole kingdom!"
The guards surrounding the crowd put their hands on weapons as the commander gets a harrowing look in his eyes
The crowd continues shouting
"Silence!" he shouts back
"You will come back in two weeks as the heroes you claimed to be or not at all. That is all. May the gods be with you."
How do you feel to all this? Do you react at all? Do you say anything? One way or the other you all will be pushed together as people form their own groups although Egem is highly sought after by others. How do you all end up together?
Mission: Kill Ciba Glistenglimmered the Decisive Number
Do you wish to do anything before leaving the keep? Or leaving the lands of the notched union?
We have multiple routes to choose from either southwest through dwarven lands or north then west through elven. Both have their own unique perils and the fearful and scornful glances of the other parties should not be disregarded either! We are here on the map:
(https://i.imgur.com/1XdmkEY.jpg)
and need to get to the dark shadowy place in the west!
Do you have any interactions you'd like to do with NPCs or even moments during the commanders speech and scout report you'd like to talk? I'll voice NPCs as we roleplay through stuff! You don't have to wait for my prompting to try something either!
Post by: Maloy on May 02, 2023, 04:35:10 am
When the commander stared him down for a moment he really just scowled back at him.
Grugni is modestly disturbed by the report of the dead soldiers, but also similar horrifying tales come from the deep caverns all the time. He listens quietly to the report, but is confused since this clearly isn't a trial and when the commander invites people to go ahead and leave he raises his hand
"Hey! Hey!"
The commander turns to look at him "Yes, dwarf?"
"Does that mean I can leave too?"
"Certainly, although you will be returning to your own people for judgement, but if you complete your work for us you will be pardoned"
Grugni only considers for a brief moment before "Well, creature can't be that much worse than a giant cave spider, let's go!"
Grugni was really pleased to see a large amount of people leave. Most of them would likely die anyway and it also means less competition for his pardon.
He will immediately grab Glorg's attention and say "Hey partner! Let's do this!"
Not knowing how the rest of the team joins up, but when we do so Grugni would remark on
"I don't really know anything about this place or anything near here, but all I need is my own gear and some booze and I'm good to go!"
If you wanna talk to NPC's I can respond as one's like Grugni and the Commander spoke. We can make plans for routes! If you got questions on each route you can certainly ask the commander, scouts or any other staffing on what to expect on different paths
Post by: TeaKing on May 02, 2023, 12:41:53 pm
I only stared back when the commander looked at me. This did get me to start wondering about the places a man such as him mightve been and fought in, though...
The reports of the dead soldiers don't surprise me much, that is just nature, and as a hunter, i've seen the carcasses left to rot by many monste-
Suddenly, a strange voice inside Egem's head interrupted his thoughts.
"These descriptions... Oh, so Appetising!... They make me Hunger for FLESH..." It said. "Egem, do me a favour, would you? Tear your target APART. Let's see what you're capable of, my chosen little critter..."
W-What was that?! Was some kind of god talking to me? Either that or I'm hallucinating, but it looks like I might have to just do as they say, i guess...
In regards to the time limit, it sure sounds challenging, but considering that i can fly, and that i basically travelled from home all the way here in just about a day or two, it does sound manageable, especially if we do out best to be quick, as such i'll suggest the shortest path to my group, and that seems to be through the elven lands. And speaking of my group, which hasn't formed yet, I'm gonna try to team up with that kiwi man and spear guy, They seem like great teammates!
Anyway, so far we know nothing about our target lol, what is he? Zombie? Troll? A Creature of the night? Thats definitely something we could ask about
Also dont mind the orange dialogue, its just some soft lore for my character that isnt super important in the grand scheme of things
Post by: King Zultan on May 03, 2023, 03:47:28 am
When the commander looked at Burt he didn't do much more than look back.
Nothing to surprising in that report, as when it comes to fighting like this people die and sometimes they die horribly, so there's nothing new here.
No need to say anything, his group will ether get there in two weeks or they won't he doesn't really care as long as he gets to fight something. Speaking of his group he hasn't really picked one yet, he should probably do that pretty quick.
As for things to do before he leaves, all Burt can think of is to find a new sword so he doesn't have to fight with a glorified board.
Post by: Maloy on May 03, 2023, 05:14:41 am
Also dont mind the orange dialogue, its just some soft lore for my character that isnt super important in the grand scheme of things
I love character flavor stuff like that!
After most of the keep has emptied itself with groups finding one another. Grugni had originally only connected with Glorg, thanks to Glorg himself really, but he sees a few stray warriors standing around the room doing various things.
An eagle man, kiwi man chef, and a deer man! The eagle man was already leading the kiwi over to Glorg and Grugni. Although the group will be a strange menagerie to him he certainly won't say no to increasing his odds of coming back alive!
"Hey you guys!" He bellows "You're with us!"
I wouldn't describe his tone as friendly as much as he is a loud person to cover up his social awkwardness. He will offer a hand to each one of you and give the tightest squeeze of a handshake he can while simply stating "Grugni"
Grugni finds himself shocked to say this, but upon considering how his people currently feel about him he actually would prefer to go through the elven lands "I agree with the eagle, but don't tell anyone I said so"
There are still staff around the castle. The scout from earlier is outside catching her breath and trying to calm down and their is an archivist with a small library above. Any of these people might be useful sources of information.
Do you wish to attempt to trade here at the castle or in town for a better weapon or do you wanna try to find a ruin on the way?
If you tell me who you wanna talk to and how you wanna phrase your questions about Ciba I'll respond in-character
Any particular way you introduce yourself that really says a bit about your personality?
Post by: TeaKing on May 03, 2023, 05:44:16 am
I'll use my usual friendly tone, but try to make things quick and brief to not annoy the dude too much
Post by: King Zultan on May 04, 2023, 03:59:21 am
He'll be as friendly as he can be towards the people in the group he's been pulled into, he won't go out to find out more information on Ciba since he's sure someone else in the group will probably know something useful about it.
Post by: Salmeuk on May 04, 2023, 04:52:27 am
Post by: Maloy on May 04, 2023, 06:06:26 am
You ask for information on Ciba
"It speaks well of you to seek to know more of your target first rather than rush off as the others did at the first sign of pressure" he says taking account of the eagle man before him
"We don't know much outside of old legends. In ancient days there was a similar necromancer invasion coming from those lands and seemed similarly unstoppable. In the legend Ciba is a vastly large humanoid who served the swamp titan. He was able to pass through the entire army of the dead and steal the "heart" of the tower, whatever that is, and leave with it. This weakened the necromancer for the combined assault of elves, dwarves and mercenaries such as yourself."
He scowls knowing how little that helps
"One traveler to the region swears he almost encountered the creature. He says he never saw more than the monster's back, but described the creature as "double-minded" and arguing with itself. I can also say for certain that he is a living creature and larger than any in our lands. Possessing the intelligence of a creature with a soul, but wholly hostile to all civilized life. He is likely a cave dweller as well. Good luck, Mercenary."
As Egem returns Glorg suggests the purchasing of food and bedrolls. Grugni nods his head in agreement "and booze if they got it. Only got enough for a two days at most." The party looks around seeing a lack of regular stores in the castle "There a hillocks nearby we could peruse? Or what do humans call theirs- a- hmm... a halmet?"
There is one in visible distance down the hill from the castle you all can stop at
I'm trying to visualize glorging around lol I wonder if it would make the guards uncomfortable?
If Avolition doesn't pick a specific way to intro his character to the group I might just pretend that we kidnapped the castle chef for the extra help lol
Post by: TeaKing on May 04, 2023, 10:37:39 am
Post by: Salmeuk on May 04, 2023, 01:45:28 pm
Glorg wonders aloud, "I've never eaten a dragon before. You would need a big pan, and a lot of cooking oil. . ."
Post by: Maloy on May 04, 2023, 06:21:10 pm
Grugni looked questioningly at the chef that seemed both jovial yet possibly distressed at being forced into the party. "Perhaps....we shouldn't take someone against their will-" Grugni recalls months of eating raw or salted meats and dirty mushrooms in the caverns with his cheap wine "no no, nevermind. Welcome aboard, Hal!"
Grugni's trade being part monster hunter part prospector hearing Glorg's thought he voiced aloud turns to the barbarian "I think we are gonna get along great, human! Marinate the lizard in some nice wine..."
The nearest village is an hour's walk north and so it isn't a detour for us to drop in and it won't delay our mission north. No matter what, Cor willing, I'll move us to the next part of the adventure by tuesday so I think we can comfortably explore side stuff as we go!
Ashiala Village in the Hill of Years
Translation of the local human language leaves us with the name Wonderyell
(https://i.imgur.com/roAKI1N.jpg)
Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/q338D
On the way in we found a blueberry bush and so Grugni took the time to gather many berries while Hal made a very dark joke
(https://i.imgur.com/cKIM8r8.png)
As we enter the village the first place we pass is a shrine to the human god of death: Uja
(https://i.imgur.com/w2nMjHD.png)
"Odd to plant a garden around a statue to a death god." Grugni gives it a wide berth out of fear "Can't even imagine why anyone would worship something like this when the world almost got destroyed by the undead"
How do you feel about it? Does your character have any familiarity for this god or perhaps any others that he might wish to share? Do you wish to roll the dice of fate?
(https://i.imgur.com/AMOyeQn.png)
From there we make our way to the mead hall to announce our presence.
The village is ruled by a wren-man warrior covered in armor with a beak shaped helm fitted for his head. He greets us in the name of Uja the god of death and tells us other adventurers have already come and scoured the town of most tradeable goods
How do we react?
(https://i.imgur.com/FOH7bOb.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/Tjc1iz9.png)
There is a chest with gear in the hall "Not for sale, wanderers" a guard says seeing us staring
Contents of chest(all human sized) :
(https://i.imgur.com/zbkOo8B.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/uLaQTmr.png)
Perhaps we could attempt to haggle? We mainly needed to greet the ruler before entering, but can easily return to engage services here
From there we would head into the village proper, but on the way are stopped by a strange sight.
(https://i.imgur.com/mogXjaD.png)
A dwarven warrior held prisoner by a goblin animal trapper
The dwarf is missing his nose and wears not one, but three iron chainmail shirts. Each fitted with the sigil of the Elder Hell, a now endangered but once overwhelmingly powerful civilization. He also wears a crown made of elven teeth.
(https://i.imgur.com/Y3N43Ut.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UfTZJ69.png)
This is strange? How do you react to this sight?
The dwarf calls out "Help! Save me! I'm being held prisoner!" His voice is distorted with the strange airflow from lacking a nose.
Our well armed group approaches talking distance "What happened?" one of us asks
The prisoner looks around nervously "I don't remember very clearly... Just please help!"
The goblin punches the dwarf to silence him and she turns to Glorg specifically
"Hello, Human. I am Ngokang Sinkscourges"
"Where are you taking him" Glorg asks
"Back to my home in Riddledhates"
A well known goblin pits and still inhabited too.
The situation is unclear on who is the villain here. The goblin has no weapon or armor though and her money pouch seems especially full and made of rare material
(https://i.imgur.com/UcrtaSF.png)
What is the party thinking?
Here is a reminder of conversation pieces if you wanna ask an npc anything
(https://i.imgur.com/qq3rQ9d.png)
Also if we wanna try stealing stuff df has a broken stealth system so instead I'd roll a D20 with your ambushing skill as modifier. Just to prevent us from hard exploiting. Won't count in combat situations because monsters are pretty well balanced in that regard.
Post by: TeaKing on May 05, 2023, 01:28:31 am
After that thought, Egem "heard" something familiar...
"Of course you'd feel that way, little one... After all, you're my vessel in this world... The vessel for a being that is the true definition of Death and Destruction... I'd love it if you broke the statue of this sorry excuse of a god, but that would carry the risk of your own demise, and i can't have that happening so soon after our manifestation into this universe..."
That voice again! I heard it Quite clearly, so maybe I'm not hallucinating...
But I can't have the others know about this yet, Don't want them to treat me like an insane lunatic...
A servant of Uja? Hmm... I'd expect that the 'voice' would want me to murder him... But that would only hinder our situation, so we probably should just avoid this wren man
These items don't include what I'd like to get eventually, and that would be a bow, so I'll pass on haggling
When i saw the dwarf, I thought he was some kind of criminal or slave at first, but then i noticed the Elder Hell Sigils and the Goblin lady, and I almost immediately recoiled in disgust... This dwarf is being kidnapped! We even got confirmation of what is happening when the goblin mentioned Riddlehates! I have to act, Now
And then the voice came back...
"HEHEHAHAHAHAA... You're in the mood to fight, Egem? KILL THEM... TEAR THEIR FLESH APART... Make them suffer worse than that dwarf!"
And with it, Egem's eyes turned Orange and started glowing... He now has an unparalleled thirst for violence.
I shall tell the others that i am intervening, then immediately jump to the sky. Floating above the goblin, i'll pull out my crossbow and demand that they yield, if they do, we free the dwarf and move on with our day. If they resist, I shoot them until they get hit by at least one bolt, and then fly down to them until i am directly above them and try to scratch their eyes out with my talons
Post by: Salmeuk on May 05, 2023, 02:17:48 am
No need for theiving or purchasing of goods. Glorg is satisfied.
This goblin is suspcious. Glorg has no inspired questions, and will merely watch the scene. Should the goblin make one wrong move Egem will descend and likely finish the job.
Post by: King Zultan on May 05, 2023, 03:37:45 am
There wasn't much need to try and haggle since they didn't have anything Burt needed.
That goblin is obviously doing something untoward and the dwarf was in need of help and Burt felt the need to go after the goblin even if he couldn't be very effective with his wooden sword at least he could do something.
Post by: Maloy on May 05, 2023, 08:39:46 pm
As Egem flies high into the air he points his crossbow at the goblin "Yield!"
The goblin shields her eyes from the sun as she looks up and pulls out her tiger iron knife "You first, coward"
Do you notice his eyes change?
(https://i.imgur.com/esEcUZe.png)
Egem fires and the bolt strikes true into her leg tearing a tendon and forcing the goblin onto the ground squealing in pain. The prisoner pulls out his own crossbow and shoots the goblin in the shoulder
"Yield." Egem says again descending to the ground.
"Okay okay I yield" The she-goblin says.
"Drop the coin pouch"
She does so
(https://i.imgur.com/gdOUEfB.png)
Egem turns to the prisoner:
(https://i.imgur.com/GgbVSsB.png)
Do we wish to take him? Or perhaps bring him with us as part of the party, but take him later? Or perhaps just leave him somewhere safe? He is asking to be taken to a goblin pit in the far arctic north.
(https://i.imgur.com/vzgBc5B.png)
Hearing this talk the goblin brandishes her knife and the other rush forward to stop her
(https://i.imgur.com/bEDLGH2.png)
Afterword we head into the village proper. There are no proper stores here, but there is a garden with ripe fruits for the plucking. Some homes also have stockpiles of harvest we could trade for.
One bowman reclines peacefully in his hovel. Perhaps he would trade his bow? No swordsmen are present unfortunately
(https://i.imgur.com/rotO5uE.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZKtezmT.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sU1yr0x.png)
Egem got the money pouch and Grugni got the knife made of jewels, but we can contest how the loot is divied if we wish. I just did so based on Grugni getting the kill and the goblin giving the money pouch to Egem.
Grugni saw Egem's eyes change and made a mental note to ask the eagle man about it when they stopped for the day.
Jewels are the primary interest of Grugni when he is digging and so the knife made of tiger iron is a strong interest of him once brandished. Not a fighting weapon either so he hoped the little goblin wouldn't damage it.
When the goblin made to attack and stop the escape of the prisoner he and the others jumped on the goblin. His pickaxe slid easily between the ribs and punctured a lung. "Pest control" he thought to himself.
Grugni would like to pick some fruit for the journey as that seems easier than negotiating for a sack of food.
Post by: Salmeuk on May 06, 2023, 12:25:04 am
Glorg also admires Egem's powerful wings. A strange creation indeed, yet skilled at fighting and shooting. Glorg does not question the God's and their intentions but to give a person wings is the strangest choice yet.
Post by: King Zultan on May 06, 2023, 04:32:02 am
We should take the prisoner with us unless he'd rather be left in a town.
Picking the fruit that's growing outside will be easier than trying to trade for their food.
Post by: TeaKing on May 06, 2023, 05:02:30 pm
"I didn't get to see much of Egem's capabilities... How unfortunate... Guess I'll have to stick around for a while longer before getting the other two here... But at least I got a great show from his party making a mangle out of that pathetic worm! Hehehahaha!.."
But it seems like Egem didn't notice it at all. For some reason, all that was on his mind was fighting, battles, tactics, strategies, and weapons, and on the topic of weapons...
GET THAT BOW
Whatever the price, I WILL PAY IT FOR THAT BOW, he can take the whole pouch if he wants to. IT WILL BE MINE...
If the dwarf wants to stay, let him stay, but I would rather weaklings like him that are not in the party to be away from danger, as that might reduce our friend points with that commander guy, which we might need if we want a bigger reward for playing this silly game, hehehe...
Wait.. Something's not quite right, have i always acted like this? Could this be the work of that "god"?
Well, whatever, I'll try to deal with this later...
For now, i should probably suggest we hunt animals instead of having to spend money on buying food all the time, after all, I was a hunter before joining this party...
If anyone questions Egem about his eyes, he will act confused, before suddenly having his whole personality, mannerisms, behaviour, and way of speech change completely, and gleefully saying:
"No need to Worry, Little one! I am Totally normal and Absolutely nothing about me has ever changed! And I am most certainly not being possessed by a godly entity that is beyond your comprehension! Or am I? Hehehehe..."
Post by: Maloy on May 09, 2023, 03:50:46 am
The bowman seems rather annoyed with the party's presence in this hovel, and even after much flattery and good humor he will still only part with his bow and arrows in exchange for Egem's crossbow, bolts, and all his money. The bowman had both bismuth bronze and iron arrows, but would not part with the iron since it is the most valuable and rare of military metals in human lands.
Egem now has a bronze bow and 31 bismuth bronze arrows.
The party leaves Ashiala with the afternoon spring sun warming them and their packs stuffed with enough fruit to last the whole journey as the set forth north. A statue stands on the edge of the village
(https://i.imgur.com/51up2yY.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/VnHvjpq.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/kRzYAM2.jpg)
Source: https://www.weekendnotes.com/warburton-forest-tour/
This stretch of forest is particularly beautiful to behold with ancient lush trees and many bushes holding food. This is one of the few stretches of fertile and usable land left in the east although contested by both elves and humans.
The sun begins to set just as we near a goblin dark pit. The place is known to not be abandoned, but their people are severely weakened and function more as petty bandits for the area.
While there's still light out it would be good to make a plan:
(https://i.imgur.com/qIInI6D.png)
The purple symbol next to our red dot starting point is a dark pit. The yellow symbols are all elven settlements and the purple ones to the west are ones that were destroyed by necromancers and are now the territory of dangerous abominations.
Do we wish to scour the pit? As we travel north then west we will pass elven lands. Do we wish to seek information from the elves on our prey? More than likely some elves are still alive who were there for the invasion of the necromancer tower! We will be most likely attacked by the beasts who live upon the elves western border.
We start a campfire and gather around
(https://i.imgur.com/oHg147u.png)
What are you going to do tonight?
Would you share a story with the party? Or perhaps more about who you are and where you're from? The rest of the party doesn't know you. Anyone you wish to ask any questions?
END DAY ONE
Post by: Maloy on May 09, 2023, 04:12:36 am
Grugni's campfire past time is going to be trying to turn these grapes we found into wine. Or some of them at least.
He will ask Egem about his eyes like planned
"No need to Worry, Little one! I am Totally normal and Absolutely nothing about me has ever changed! And I am most certainly not being possessed by a godly entity that is beyond your comprehension! Or am I? Hehehehe..."
Grugni looks concerned and waves a hand in front of the Eagle man's face
"Hmm in the caverns this might be called mushroom madness. Dwarves get wild and say they're gods or spirits and what not. What you been eating, Egem?"
When there's a quiet moment around the campfire Grugni will want to share some of his story. "I don't know if you all could tell, but I wasn't at the castle of my own will. I'm a criminal and all but an outright exile amongst my people." He pauses and considers his next words
"Dwarves didn't always live on the surface. We used to build vast cities under the earth. Fields of mushrooms, forges larger than anything you see anymore up here and all the mines. The mines!" his eyes are glazy "My ancestors were always miners finding new veins of rare metal and jewels for the glory of all dwarfkind, but then one day....we dug too deep" He seems ashamed. If you're from this land at all you'd recognize the tale of dwarves digging too deep. It led to the bloodiest and most horrifying war in history.
"Afterwords king Tholtig made a decree. No new mines will ever be dug. The metals of the deep will remain in the deep and any dwarf who observes our ancestral ways is a criminal...That is me. I am one of the few dwarves who still honors his ancestors and prospects the depths. Without protection I spend more time hunting monsters than I do digging, but this is the way that the gods have seen fit to make things."
Egem being from dwarven lands may recognize all of the tale or very little depending on his particular backstory.
Post by: TeaKing on May 09, 2023, 11:33:57 am
"Ugh... At this point no more fighting is to be expected... I thought perhaps some more dangers would've been encountered today, but I was mistaken... No reason to keep my little servant in combat mode, it would just interfere with his socializing and friend-making... Poor thing would become useless to me that way... Anyway, Egem, wakey wakey! Time for you to get back to your senses!.."
And with that, Egem's eyes were black again, and all thoughts of violence and combat suddenly disappeared...
Oh goodness, my head hurts...
Were you speaking just now, weird diety thing?
If you're still present, can you please tell me more about yourself and what the hell you've been doing to me?
"Yes, I am here little one... All you need to know though, is that I am an entity from outside this universe, and that I had a hand in bringing you into existence... You are meant to help me achieve my goal, and that of my creator... As such, you will do whatever I ask you to do... Refusal won't stop me from forcing you into following orders though, Heheheheha!"
Wow... You sure are a benevolent diety... If I have no choice, I guess I'll just have to agree, but what's with this cruelty??
"Dude, You consider this cruel? Wait until you see what I did with the world that I visited right before this one, Hehehe!.. But you need to relax a bit, It's not like I'm gonna force you to murder your friends, I'm not that Evil! In fact, you might get rewarded nicely if you follow along... Now, how about you focus on interacting with your party?.. Don't want them to view you as a mad weirdo now, do you?"
Rewards, you say? Hmmm...
Also aren't you the one who made me look like a weirdo in the first place?! You made me lose control of myself! Shouldn't you apologize?
Anyway...
"I know what Grungi is talking about quite well, even if I was born after the underworld was breached. I encountered some of those monsters after all..."
Egem said to the party
"My first ever memories were in a lush and beautiful forest, full of varied and colorful fruits and all kinds of animals and insects. I enjoyed my first few months of life in total peace, feeding on small delicious insects and berries, but that peace was completely shattered when an army of gigantic demons, horrible monstrosities, and abominations with unimaginable forms came by. They devoured everything in their path, killing without mercy all the wildlife that was around, until they eventually surrounded me. By some miracle, a couple of elven soldiers saw me, rushed towards my location, and in mere seconds all the horrors were slain. Then, weirdly enough, they carried me to a nearby dwarven town. There, the dwarves took good care of me, and that place became my new home, where I learned all about the horrific beings that destroyed my old home, as well as the great dwarven civilization and its wealth of relics and treasures before the world below was breached... Now, to tell a bit of a bizarre story: when I got older, I tried to search for those Elves that saved my life in order to thank them, But I was completely unable to find them, not a sliver of information, not even from forest retreats near my home, as if all trace of their existence was removed from the world, which is mind boggling when you realise that they killed tens of demons in mere seconds, which would lead one to believe that they were very skilled at fighting and thus quite famous. I wonder where they went?"
"Hoohoo! I know where they are Little Egem... But everything has a price, you know... If you at least deliver the finishing blow to that thing the commander tasked you to kill, I'll tell you where they are... Hehehe..."
Btw maloy, can you allow me do a special little thing for my character? Basically, i want him to get an ability that normally, no dwarf fortress creature would ever have (and it could be considered quite OP). Of course he wont have this ability instantly, that's too easy and would sap away fun from this game, instead he's gonna go on a bit of a side-quest that would take a lot of effort to complete to get it.
If you're okay with this idea so far, more details can be discussed in private messages
Post by: King Zultan on May 10, 2023, 03:15:29 am
As for the night time he'd listen to the stories told by the others, help keep guard, and the fire going, but other than that he wouldn't really share anything because he doesn't really have anything interesting to share, also he'd a closer watch on the eagle man.
Post by: Maloy on May 11, 2023, 05:38:19 am
On the first post there's a glitch I shared where we have 100k elves in LV, but in actuality more like 1600 total. I went to the forest retreat LV says has all those elves and its a crash to desktop scenario.
For the party this isn't a problem at all you guys have no reason to be there, but for the future of this project I find that distressing! I can't eventually kill all the elves if they are protected by a glitch
Post by: TheFlame52 on May 11, 2023, 03:04:02 pm
Post by: King Zultan on May 12, 2023, 03:01:18 am
Post by: Maloy on May 12, 2023, 03:55:22 am
If I knew how to even look for what bug is causing this using dfhack I'd be willing to try and find it myself
Post by: Maloy on May 14, 2023, 12:03:16 pm
Also here is the night time difference between how the rest of you see and how Grugni sees
(https://i.imgur.com/oHg147u.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/CVUiThb.png)
Entry 2
The party awoke in the evening to find the prisoner we had freed was gone. There wasn't even a trail to follow! We had to continue on our way due to a lack of options and went due west to get around the dark pits.
Where did he go? Why did he leave?
just south of the dark pits, with the primitive wooden towers in sight, we run into a doctor heading the way we are coming from. He has splatters of blood upon his outfit
(https://i.imgur.com/MkLIPZO.jpg)
Source: Pathfinder Kingmaker
(https://i.imgur.com/pL6t71H.png)
One of the party asks him where he is coming from and where he is going.
"Excuse me, I am the head doctor of the union Thad Mebasmsir and if the state of my dress or the direction I am coming from isn't obvious enough then I'll tell you I have just finished saving lives, good sirs"
"Lose the attitude, manling. Humans work for goblins too and that's where you're coming from."
The doctor's visage softens although he does still frown at the party
"Yes, well. It is your fellow adventurers I was dispatched to save. Only one day and a whole party ended up in a grisly battle with goblins." He looks more focused as he recalls his work "I saved most of them and they will be going home hopefully after this and now I am returning home to my post at the castle too!"
Do you believe him? Do you wish to say anything or ask anything before parting ways?
He doesn't seem to be lying, but either way we need to let him go. The risk of potentially assassinating the most important medical mind in the union is a dreadful thought.
After circumventing the dark pits we head due north. It turns out there is a very narrow no-man's land inbetween the pits and an elven forest retreat due west of the pit. It would take about thirty minutes to go from one side to the next. A dangerous situation for the elves accentuated by the fact that we find a small camp of elven refugees in this no man's land
(https://i.imgur.com/w1CcoLu.jpg)
source: World of warcraft
Being from elven lands and recognizing the fearful nature the refugees are probably in Burt goes to ask the elves about our quarry while the rest of us wait outside.
What do we do while we wait for Burt?
(https://i.imgur.com/mM22Z2Y.png)
Burt returns to us with a plethora of information that the ancient elves retained of the western lands
1. Ciba Glistenglimmerred is an Ettin
2. His lair is called Breachblossoms
3. The exact location of his lair
Burt, how did your conversation go with the elf?
We go north then west before reaching elven borders.
(https://i.imgur.com/Tu06NMh.jpg)
Source: World of Warcraft Ghostlands
This is normally an anxious moment for most. The elves spent much of their history battling hideous abominations in this land never gaining ground only to lose it to an army of the dead that tainted the land and raised the dead. Supposedly somewhere in this forest a group of elves and humans fight to reclaim the tainted land...
What is your reaction to this land?
We camp in the haunted forest next to a brook. After the prisoner running out on us the party agrees to take turns on watch. We are in a day's march to Ciba's lair.
(https://i.imgur.com/J6HaT0l.png)
Who is on watch? To lift the party's spirits would you like to share a boast before tomorrow's likely battle with Ciba?
The next morning we cross the brook west and reach the outskirts of the lair. We do not know what type of dwelling Ciba is in or if he is even home.
What should our strategy be? How should we approach?
(https://i.imgur.com/BLVrqNd.png)
Grugni reactions:
When the freed prisoner abandoned them Grugni spat on the ground and stomped around looking for him for a few minutes before giving up. "An admission of guilt if I ever saw one"
His reaction to the head doctor Thad would mostly be to his attitude as you saw "Doctors are a priceless resource these days, but that one could use a little less attitude and a little more humility."
"Half those adventurers looked like greenhorns to me so not shocked a whole group already got knocked out."
When we reach the small camp and we are all conversing while Burt talks to the elf I would remark "These tents are nicer than the trees they sleep in" then chuckle "Maybe the elves are actually upgrading and not fleeing!"
The haunted forest disturbs Grugni a lot and you will see him keeping his axe at the ready and occasionally brandishing it when he hears rattling in bushes or trees. "Only thing worse than trees and shrubbery is haunted trees and shrubbery!"
He takes first watch not only because the darkness is soothing to his cave adapted eyes, but also because the forest disturbs him. Before the party retires for the night he laughs and holds his pickaxe high in the air "I bet you I can take one of those heads clean off in one blow!!"
"I'm willing to bet this beast lives in a hole in the ground if it hates civilization." I motion to our two bird members "I say one of us lures it out so these two can fight at their best"
Post by: TeaKing on May 14, 2023, 03:57:12 pm
As for the doctor, He does seem a bit suspicious, we should definitely ask about him when we talk to the commander again...
While we wait for info, I'll be observing the surrounding environment, I've never been here before, after all.
The land sure is eery, but a part of me seems to like it's lack of life.
"What a cozy place!.. A shame that I'm currently unable to manifest into the physical realm to enjoy it... "
You're there, Diety? By the way, Isn't it Kinda tiring to refer to you as that? Do you have any name?
"I'd love to say that knowing my real name would make you go Insane or something of that nature, but that is ridiculously untrue and outlandish... You can call me Theo..."
Such a bizarre name for a god... anyway, didnt you mention that you had a creator? What's their name?
"None of your business!.. but seriously, If I Told you the world might actually get destroyed..."
Uhh... I guess I won't bother, then...
I'd like to volunteer to watch over for the Night along with Grugni, would be a good opportunity to talk and share a bit of info on this Theo entity with him, since It interacted with him after possessing me.
But before that, I'll agree to Grugni's strategy and add that we need to focus on targeting eyes and legs to hinder the Monster's mobility and attack accuracy, to take it down with the least amount of injury possible.
After finishing the talk about strategy, Egem held his bow up in the air and shouted as his eyes briefly flashed Orange:
"Ciba's Fate Has Been Sealed!"
Post by: King Zultan on May 15, 2023, 05:06:13 am
Burt sees no real reason not to believe what the doctor says as he knows nothing about being a doctor so he sees no reason the doctor would be lying.
It took a few minutes to get them to trust that Burt wasn't working with the goblins and was actually there to help, and once he had them thoroughly convinced of his nature the elves turned out to a fountain of information, giving him all the info he had hoped to learn including the location of Ciba's lair. And while he had no idea how they knew all this he was grateful for the information as it saved his group potentially days of searching for Ciba's location. So all in all he felt the conversation went incredibly well.
The whole area gave Burt a bad feeling but he felt that as long as the group stayed together nothing bad would happen, and if something did they could count on each other to help defeat it.
Since they were in a new and unknown area Burt would also join in the night watch, best to have a watchmen then get caught unaware.
Burt thought that the strategy the others had come up with sounded good and figured it was better than anything he could come up with.
Post by: Maloy on May 22, 2023, 04:30:32 am
Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMAALHrANz0&t=2645s&ab_channel=Adventurer%27sMusicPack
When the party awoke in the haunted forest they found themselves in some distress. Two members were robbed in the night.
Grugni's axe was stolen as well as all the spears Glorg had except for one that he slept with.
Did the forest steal it? Or one of it's many abominations?
Regardless they had to move onto Breachblossoms.
The ettin's "lair" was a small copse of trees. Entirely unremarkable in appearance and likely would have taken the party the majority of the two week time limit to find if not for the helpful elf.
As we drew nearer we agreed to a plan.
Grugni, the smallest and most well trained for dodging and sprinting would lure the creature into a trap so the party could surround and savage him. They crept closer to find the location of their trap.
They found a couple of dead adventurers from the castle imapled on trees, another indicator of recent inhabitation.
The entrance to it's cave den was entirely unremarkable. A small indentation into a hillside covered with grass so easily missed. The party took up places in the tree adjacent from the entrance. Glorg and Hal climbed the tree to ambush the beast while Burt stood behind it waiting for the beast to appear to face it head on. Egem waited left of this in a small clearing so he could fly straight up when the time came to fire down.
(https://i.imgur.com/vw6Ue4G.jpg)
source: https://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-16/rift-ettin-giant.html
Grugni crept quietly through the cave, now more at home amongst this dirt cave than the open atmosphere of the surface.
As he got further the cave was littered with treasures, clothing and bones. Dwarf bones specifically. Whether the creatures were recent victims who had been devoured or old ones was impossible to tell as they had been reduced to meals cleaned to the bone.
As Grugni reached the back of the cave he saw the ettin rummaging around through it's mixed pile of trash and treasure. Ghastly. It's nails were incredibly thick and sharpened into claws and was entirely naked. More beastly than humanoid.Grugni rummaged through the pile next to him as well and found an iron boot. Dwarfish quality for sure.
Grugni threw it at the ettin, but the creatures instincts kicked in immediately and it dodged out of the way. It's baleful eyes glared at Grugni and the dwarf knew he had got the creatures attention. He ran as the beast bellowed bloody taunts and bragged of the horrendous things he would do to the dwarf all the while Grugni spent every bit of energy just trying to dodge and run and dodge some more. The beast swung a giant Satinspar stone slab carved with text. The heart of the tower presumably. This incredibly heavy object made for a strong improvised weapon and being magical it could never break.
(https://i.imgur.com/Dz1ahdw.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/UFpFVCR.png)
The two reached sunlight finally and Grugni outright jumped into the ground beneath the tree his two friends were waiting in. Rain was now pouring all around us as the Ettin crawled out grumbling.
Three ways to read this fight for the sake of preferences:
music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GX9lVHfnxs&t=66s&ab_channel=Bardify
Combat logs:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Pictured: The party desperately locked into a lightning fast battle over top Hal's unconscious body while Grugni crawls away bleeding out.
(https://i.imgur.com/K5d6xEj.png)
Killing blow of Glorg:
(https://i.imgur.com/75GaED8.png)
I'll do a separate post on loot and our plans after if you guys have anything you want to do specifically. How did your characters react throughout the battle? Encourage playing that out! I was very afraid of losing Grugni
Here is a recording of Grugni thinking he can dodge all the ettin's attacks before he gets LAUNCHED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WUJrP6mnAI&ab_channel=WooLan
There was what I presume is a bug that caused some of our items to disappear. My battleaxe for my dual wielding and most of Glorg's spears. Unfortunate.
You all had pretty cool moments in my opinion and we were perfectly balanced to be challenged by this lol. Thank you for being our tank, King Zultan
Post by: King Zultan on May 23, 2023, 02:33:54 am
Don't have much to add to the battle as Burt was probably focusing on
Damn that was a close one right there, we're lucky we didn't lose anyone, hopefully there are no other permanent injuries besides Grugni's missing arm. Hopefully there's a proper sword in the loot I can get and hopefully it'll serve me as well as the wooden one has.
Burt kicked out with his hoof at the naked monster and crushed the beast's testicles completely!That's pretty metal right there.
Thank you for being our tank, King ZultanA plesure to be of service, you've always gotta have at least one heavily armoured person in your party and I'm glad to be that person in this one.
Post by: Maloy on May 23, 2023, 04:23:32 am
Bones of dwarves, picked clean, scattered about treasures.
(https://i.imgur.com/0jP9IzW.png)
Loot:
2 Dwarven Silver Coins
1 Dwarven gold coin
One Dwarf-sized bronze mail shirt
5 small mittens
1 dwarf sized steel helm
1 waterskin
1 pig-tail bag decorated with groundhog bone
1 dwarf-sized bismuth bronze helm
1 elf sized birchen helm
2 normal sized glove covered in silver, tiger iron and dog bone
some rope reed thread
1 dwarf sized bronze helm
2 copper coin of a time of no rule
2 dwarf sized iron boots encrusted with silver
1 silver coin of a time of no rule
giant cave spider silk thread
1 dwarf sized cloak
1 regular sized mitten
1 dwarf sized hood
2 high quality elven sandals decorated with featherwood
2 dwarf sized giant olm mittens decorated with glass
1 dwarven copper coin
2 dwarf sized gloves
1 elven gold coin
and the heart of the tower(you can safely read the title on the slab without being exposed to it's dark magic)
(https://i.imgur.com/3oUkYDE.png)
Coins minted to commemorate a time of anarchy? This time in question is the brief period after humanity was almost wiped out, but the necromancers were killed by Kanil.
Do you have any specific thoughts? Even about the heart of the tower
(https://i.imgur.com/l5MxYOu.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/wQPsxq1.png)
Coin wise we can split it evenly all ways if that is more in character or we could just have a general group treasure if there is enough trust between everyone.
We finished the mission in 3 out of 14 days leaving us with a lot of wiggle room to haul our trophy back and claim the bounty. Now do we wish to carry the great artifact that is the tower heart back? That would certainly be proof enough of the beast's death! Or perhaps just it's body? The heart emanates dark and seductive power and calls for any to read it
(if you so choose to read it I might do it in-game at a later date. Controlling groups when there's one necromancer is hard because the necromancer always tries to raise corpses that attack his friends)
Grugni is deathly pale. Borderline grey actually. Mere seconds longer of bleeding would have killed him. Some part of his brain registered gratitude to his companions for coming after him although he truly did think he died in that field. He had seen the great mountain halls of the gods and it's holy gatekeepers calling him home. The shining jewels and gold everywhere beckoning him as much as legends of it's mighty booze. He wondered if his father was here. He took a step towards the beautiful gates the rainbow of colors bringing tears to his eyes, but as his foot landed he felt himself being pulled far away. A black abyss appeared before him and his great reward and then suddenly that color was replaced by the sight of gray skies as rain poured upon his face. He still lived although he would never be the same...
He will quietly accept any help with his one arm. He doesn't even recall putting the tourniquet on although it is certainly in his skill set. He doesn't even have enough presence to spit on the dead ettin as they pass it to enter the cave. He just silently follows and he sees what must be a dwarfish hell in his currently spiritually inclined mind. dwarven treasures laid to rest in filth amongst the disturbed bones of his kin.
His vocal chords are fried from screaming, but he is able to make just enough sound to say "How long have you all been in here? You can never return home as long as you're here..." He picks up one skull "I have to bury them so they can go home."
Later after completion he will ask for the two iron boots and the mail shirt. He had many nerves severed and can't rely on agility as much anymore so he needs some armor.
OOC:
Burt kicked out with his hoof at the naked monster and crushed the beast's testicles completely!That's pretty metal right there.
Yeah it was such a tense fight for me to play out for real lol, but reading that line of him getting gelded made me laugh and was really great comedic timing
Post by: TeaKing on May 23, 2023, 10:52:35 am
Not fond of necromancy, huh? Well I agree with you on that so I guess I'll follow along
But what are you gonna do with the skull though? Besides using it as a trophy for whatever reason?
"Once you get another target, I shall tell you more... Now go do what I ordered you to and have fun on your journey back to the castle..."
well, What a Fight! I Haven't encountered anything this tough before... Well i better go butcher his body to get the skull and maybe get some of my arrows back
After I'm done, I should go check on Hal and Grugni, those injuries of theirs were terrible.
Post by: King Zultan on May 24, 2023, 03:59:27 am
He figured they could they could take one of the ettin's skulls as proof of death, then he realized that the slab of evil should also be taken so it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands, he was sure someone at the castle would know what to do with the thing.
And when no one is looking Burt sneaks over to the loot pile and pockets the single dwarven gold coin.
He'd also go over and look at the injured and help as much as he could even though he knew nothing about medicine.
Post by: Salmeuk on May 24, 2023, 06:20:15 am
Quote
Glorg, Egem and Burt fought the rest after this with Glorg's head almost being crushed like a grape before everyone worked together to break the ettin's grip.
Glorg got the killing blow even after the ettin tore his shoulder out of it's socket with a flick of it's wrist.
Glorg clutches at his arm. "Glorg alive. . . thanks to thesse freends." Glorg was surprised such horrible beasts live in these lands, much much worse than even the most enraged caribou . Glorg regrets losing his spare throwing spears and vows to collect more at the earliest convenience.
Glorg would pick up these gloves to wear:
2 normal sized glove covered in silver, tiger iron and dog bone
As long as Glorg has a fighting hand, he will continue onward, encouraging the party to look for more strange beasts and hidden treasures.
"Party listen ok? New strategy: look for not trash and more treasure. Ettin droppings smell terrible... lets go! Hork hork!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Maloy on May 25, 2023, 02:08:15 pm
really liking the detail in these posts. thanks for the writeups.. this is all the fun of playing a character without actually pressing buttons
That's great to hear! I'm glad to hear I'm pulling off because that is the feel I was going for plus with a group of players there's some more enjoyment from the shared rp!
Also I realized playing earlier that Grugni had all the nerves in his other arm severed and so it is totally dead as well. He can't pick up anything anymore. Really wish dfhack had a "Partial heal" code lol. I might have to do a quiet training arc to teach him foot based kung-fu and biting.
Also if anyone reading wants to throw a character in we are approaching a point where new people could easily hop onto the team
Post by: TheFlame52 on May 25, 2023, 05:46:56 pm
Post by: King Zultan on May 26, 2023, 03:52:45 am
Post by: TheFlame52 on May 26, 2023, 08:08:58 am
Post by: Maloy on May 26, 2023, 08:22:08 am
Also I tried some suggested bug fixes on the glitched elven forest retreat and they didn't work, but I did have another idea. At some point after this adventure I'm gonna hit the raws to allow human embarks and basically I'll try to destroy the whole retreat through fortress. Enemies that die in off-site missions disappear completely, no dead bodies or anything to keep glitching.
Depending where the party is and if they survive this could also be a cool way to use them. Maybe the fort is an outpost that supplies and equips them? If the glitched population flees this will quickly turn into full scale elf genocide lol
Post by: King Zultan on May 27, 2023, 03:12:32 am
If the glitched population flees this will quickly turn into full scale elf genocideYou say that as if it's a bad thing.
Post by: Maloy on May 29, 2023, 05:00:32 am
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
With both heads and the tower heart in tow the party is ready to be done with this cave
In compliance with Grugni's wishes and the party's injuries they took a day and a half to properly bury the victims of the ettin. Most of the party was still able to move around just fine after their injuries, but it was noted that Grugni's was still unable to move his one remaining arm. It hung limply at his side until one of the party helped him with a sling.
(https://i.imgur.com/ln6CCNU.png)
Do you do anything else for the dead?
The party continues until sundown of the fifth day
What do you do as you walk?
We are now in the bamboo forests just south of the haunted forest we passed through.
As we stop to make camp through the clearing we see:
(https://i.imgur.com/pH31JgP.png)
Deer people! Burt's very own although still living free and tribal rather than assimilated into elven culture.
They look at the party cautiously, but seeing the brutal condition they are still in you see compassion on the eyes of the man and woman.
What is your reaction?
They approach a few steps cautiously and the woman speaks "May we help you?"
What do you say? Do you ask for anything? Tell them about ourselves?
The man speaks to Burt, fully armored and intimidating as he is, "Are you...one of us? Why do you look this way?"
Burt?
The deer people are virtually naked themselves still living in the steeped traditions of their people. Historically the deer people allied with the elves to fight the many abominations originally present in what is now the haunted forests, but even the combined might mostly just held them at bay. Some deer were enamored with elven lifestyle and culture while others decided to remain in the nomadic lifestyle. Burt you have total artistic license on how you wanna interpret or add onto any of this and how it relates to you if at all by the way
Grugni prepared an extra casket and placed his severed arm in it. He won't say it, but he is genuinely afraid of his mortality. In dwarven custom the unburied and unhonored dead live trapped where they died for eternity, but being a deep delver the odds that he will die in some hole is extremely high. He hopes the dwarf gods will accept his arm's burial as adequate if the rest of him is unable to be buried later. He's not very religious, but the loss of his arm, or both arms possibly, has left him reeling with existential dread and grief.
He gets on his knees before the burial cairn the party built. Unable to lift a hand in prayer he just bows his head and wishes the poor souls the best on their journey and to be accepted into the mountainhome. "Were they travelers or others like us?" he asks "Does it even matter?" he turns to the party before we all leave "Thank you for taking the time to do this."
On the journey Grugni will not talk at all unless prompted
Grugni registers the deer people and finds them beautiful and graceful, but he's still too far gone to do much more.
When asked if the party wants help "I doubt there's much you can do about this madam" he says without even motioning to his stump or dead arm "But your forest is safer now"
"What do you mean safer? You look to be in such pain"
Grugni is too far gone emotionally to continue the conversation and motions his head to the party while he looks for a good spot to sit. He's too drained to continue this conversation.
OOC:
Couldn't figure out GM-editor for Grugni. Found the right menu, but none of the parts are listed as parts, but straight code and I realized I was spending time on the problem I could have used on advancing the party. Perhaps the deer woman will be able to heal it? Either way not trying to hold us up!
Character development moment for Burt the game decided to drop into our lap lol
Post by: King Zultan on May 30, 2023, 05:16:27 am
He keeps an eye out for trouble as they walk as who knows what other evils may lurk in these woods.
He's excited to see other deer people as he hasn't seen any of his own kind since he left his home land, he's also confused as to why they're naked as the ones in his homeland wear clothing.
He'd say hello and maybe his name, but probably not much more than that unless prompted.
When the deer man directs questions at Burt he would remove his helmet to reveal that his is also a deer man and answer yes to the question, then to the second question he'd say that he wears the armour so he's less likely to die in a fight, he isn't sure why someone would ask a question like as he was under the impression the reason for armour would be obvious, but then again the he doesn't know what nomadic deer people do when it comes to fighting since they're naked all the time.
Burt doesn't really know much about the traditions of the nomadic deer men other than they have a deep and complex system of beliefs and a vast knowledge of wild edibles and medicinal herbs, but that is stuff he learned second hand from others as he has lived his entire life in civilized lands and so do all the other deer people he knows, not that he knows many other deer people as there were 7 of them where he came from and that's if he included himself.
Post by: Maloy on June 01, 2023, 06:27:47 am
The deer woman chimes in after talking with the others a bit "It is good to meet another of us who lives so differently. You enrich our eyes with new wonders"
They're an oddly poetic people, but this could be translational issues.
The deer woman stays the night to talk with us and learn and we have to sit through a light drizzle protected only by thick tree canopy.
Do we have anything we wish to discuss with her? We are due for a nice payment and also a job offer when we get back. What do you wanna do with your share of the payment?
(https://i.imgur.com/oI5XQDs.png)
If you stay awake late into the evening when the rest of the party quietens there is an almost imperceivable pulse coming from the tower heart that would draw your eye, but you can easily resist.
The deer woman bids us farewell the next day and we spend most of the sixth day with uneventful travel back the way we came. We reach the castle by the end of the day.
Our resident chef hostage Hal strides up and places the tower heart onto a pedestal
(https://i.imgur.com/fioeSNz.png)
The soldiers look in awe at the very worn out party. One runs to quickly get the commander. He takes one glance at the heart and then back to you all and nods his head with respect "Impressive. You've accomplished much in half the time given to you and rid the world of a menace that has plagued it since before our people first landed on these shores."
He looks at Grugni's injuries in particular "Please, you should all rest for now. When the time has run out we will announce your victory officially and talk about what comes next. The baron shall see to your reward" the commander motions to a thin and sickly looking aristocrat.
Questions, comments or concerns for the commander?
The baron receives you with a forced smile "You have done us all a great service" he speaks with a whiny voice "Please accept the Notched Unions reward for such heroes: Two silver bars which would amount to 1000 silver coins" He rubs his sweaty temple "Which is very generous I might add" There is a momentary awkward silence after his attendant present the bars to us
Any desired actions?
After the silence the baron rubs his temple again "I apologize for my state there are beasts ravaging my lands currently and it's been a point of awful stress"
Response?
Grugni will be silent at the campfire unless prompted. His dreams for his return to the depths are mostly shattered by certain doom if he does descend.
He would briefly look the bars up and down his dwarfish eyes assessing the purity of the metal. He doesn't respond outwardly, but the wealth is acceptable.
Although he is up for questing and beast hunting Grugni definitely intends to use some of this time given to train and process his recent trauma.
The next part of the main quest will be starting soon! I'm kind of glad our travel was mostly uninterrupted. I've got our next quests ready.
Also expect a couple of lore posts in the next couple of weeks. They're always titled as such so you won't have to read them. Just gives more context for what is going on with every group currently.
Post by: TeaKing on June 01, 2023, 11:04:54 am
If there's a desire to potentially use it for future warfare however, then cultists and the like must be purged, So do you have any missions involving their extermination?"
If the state of my allies and team mates is brought up, i would tell them that i am perfectly fine working alone on getting rid of weak lowlifes while we wait for the rest of the team to heal up. All i need is arrows...
Now, regarding what the baron said, We're adventurers for a reason! So of course we should ask him about the monsters giving him a bad time, and probably deal with them
Post by: King Zultan on June 02, 2023, 02:48:11 am
After everyone else was finished talking to the deer woman Burt would sit and ask about her culture, lifestyle, and anything else she'd tell him about their way of life.
He plans to use his share of the money to buy a proper sword to replace the training sword he accidentally brought with him.
The only things Burt can think to ask the commander is where he can get a sword and what they intend to do with the tower heart.
He'd inquire what beasts are ravaging the lands and where they were last seen.
Post by: Maloy on June 02, 2023, 02:19:28 pm
After everyone else was finished talking to the deer woman Burt would sit and ask about her culture, lifestyle, and anything else she'd tell him about their way of life.[You have unlocked Deer Person Lore]
The Tribes of the Forest of Plunges
(https://i.imgur.com/B6kTTRe.jpg)
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/itookapicture/comments/aexjib/itap_of_a_deer_in_japan/
The deer woman sits next to you at the campfire, her name still unknown to all, but her hospitality seeming quite genuine!
She looks toward you "Well, I shouldn't be surprised you do not know much of our people. Even those native to these greater lands rarely interact with us."
She looks up at the tree canopy shaking with the peaceful impact of light rain whose clouds have blocked out all evening light.
"What is there to say? I suppose that We have always been here like the way you see us now. We live in small families that form a larger tribe. Our people walk trails as old as any can recall. These trails let us find other tribes in the woods so that we can talk, trade news and mate, and anything else.
Unlike deer we don't have to keep multiple men out of groups, but often there is still only one man to a family. The stag's job is to patrol the forest and look for threats and so they often go in groups separate from most women and then break up again to rejoin us after a time."
She looks around at the party concerned about her explanation "Not to say us doe can not fight either and we often do, but our job is to protect the group. I think the human words would be...offense and defense? The stag is offense and we are defense"
She continues to look around the fire at her new friends either unaware of uncaring of how strange it is to see an entire people who go undressed. "Our ways may seem simple to others, but we would call ourselves content" She motions to Burt the adventurer's armor "You wear this because you need it. You all cut down forests because you need the wood and land and build houses because you need the warmth and security.
We do not need it though and live content. That's why most of us chose to stay like this rather than live with the elves"
After mentioning elves her expression does darken slightly "But, yes more about us. Long before the elves came we lived under a great threat which many call: The Moon Monsters" She shivers "Terrible spindly creatures with dark stretched skin and wings. They travel the woods with knives and cleavers and kill any they find, but never quickly. Our people who get captured are often left screaming for days as they die serving as bait to try and lure us to help. The beasts would hunt along out trails trying to counter our speed with ambushes. This went on for a long time even as we began meeting the elves. The Moon Monsters would kidnap their women and turn them into more of them to hunt us.
In a way we were brought together by mutual fear, but even after so many decades of working together we never stopped the moon monsters. Only kept their numbers from growing out of control, and then the great winter came with death."
She looks in the direction of the haunted woods and motions with her head "Enemies of our allies came, but not goblins or humans who could be chased out. Things that were already dead, but continued to walk and whenever they killed anything it would rise to join them.
They killed the elves. Captured the leaders and buried them alive or fed them to their undead companions, but killed them all anyway and cursed that land.
Now we are alone." she looks sad "But that is why I am glad to stay the evening with visitors. You bring new light to these lands just by being here and more so by defeating terrible monsters like Ciba!"
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Maloy on June 02, 2023, 02:37:03 pm
I should ask the commander about the fate of the heart: "I believe such an artifact needs to be destroyed, otherwise fanatical cultists and criminals might steal it and unleash more undead horrors upon the world...
If there's a desire to potentially use it for future warfare however, then cultists and the like must be purged, So do you have any missions involving their extermination?"
If the state of my allies and team mates is brought up, i would tell them that i am perfectly fine working alone on getting rid of weak lowlifes while we wait for the rest of the team to heal up. All i need is arrows...
Now, regarding what the baron said, We're adventurers for a reason! So of course we should ask him about the monsters giving him a bad time, and probably deal with them
After everyone else was finished talking to the deer woman Burt would sit and ask about her culture, lifestyle, and anything else she'd tell him about their way of life.
He plans to use his share of the money to buy a proper sword to replace the training sword he accidentally brought with him.
The only things Burt can think to ask the commander is where he can get a sword and what they intend to do with the tower heart.
He'd inquire what beasts are ravaging the lands and where they were last seen.
The commander looks at Burt's wooden shield and sword "Frankly, I'm shocked that thing has held up on your travels. If I didn't know for a fact that you had seen combat in the journey I would be skeptical that you had used it at all, but instead this speaks for your prowess to use it without it breaking." he strokes his bearded chin "Ah, but to what you were asking. Yes, let us get you to the smith and have something fitting forged for you. We are low on our access to metals thanks to the dwarven embargo so you will have to pay, but I know we can get you something"
How much are you willing to trade? You got a share of 200 silver coins plus the gear you already had. I can barter it all and get you the best possible weapon for that value or be humble with copper or something.
Egem chimes in afterwords "I believe such an artifact needs to be destroyed, otherwise fanatical cultists and criminals might steal it and unleash more undead horrors upon the world...
If there's a desire to potentially use it for future warfare however, then cultists and the like must be purged, So do you have any missions involving their extermination?"
The commander looks to him "You would go into another great battle only right after returning from one? Your resolve is impressive. Egem, was it? Suffice to say we don't have the means to destroy the tower heart. It's power was capable of corrupting an entire land and is merely dormant now." As he finishes saying it he pulls a nearby sheet over the heart so that it's text is now no longer viewable "We must protect it. If you are determined to defeat these threats than know of Leapbodice. Your dwarf friend may know of it and depending on his age may have been alive to see it's fall."
His voice grows quieter either out of fear or respect "demons invaded it from beneath the earth when they dug too deeply. The dwarves had formidable defense for a surface invasion, but not one from their own mines. They were slaughtered and the inhabitants crucified. We have only recently defeated the demons at the cost of most of the alliance's military and my eye" He says without motioning towards his eyepatch
"Still even being defeated cultists worship them day and night raiding anyone who travels too near to the mountains. They believe if they sacrifice enough people the demons will grant them power or return to them again. The tower heart is an artifact they would kill for without a doubt and may be their only actual chance to become powerful again. I don't need to tell you that we would be grateful for the extermination of these villains"
The baron's expression becomes jovial at the mention of Burt and Egem's interest in his problems. He wipes his sweaty brow again "You simply won't believe this, in fact, when my servants brought me news of this beast I had him whipped at first for the sheer madness of his claim! A...Cougar! The size of a house!" He laughs despite his obvious fear and sweat "What's more we think there are two of them! Two house sized-cougars on my land! One hunts to the east and the other the south"
He grabs Burt's hand with both of his and shakes it and then does the same to Egem while saying "Please, gentlemen if you kill these beasts I would be indebted to you!"
OOC:
The cultists of leapbodice would be a side quest for you all, BUT they will all have to be killed eventually to achieve AoF (Age of Fairytales) so it would progress the overarching story if you wanna do it! Down for whatever!
Post by: Salmeuk on June 03, 2023, 02:46:24 am
Post by: TeaKing on June 03, 2023, 06:36:12 am
Speaking of that though
I'll buy food and arrows for combat
And buy a shield if possible
And then i think we should go fight off the cultists first before we do anything about the cougars, but i'm fine with whichever we do first
Post by: Maloy on June 04, 2023, 02:17:43 pm
Cold hunters are intelligent undead that can turn invisible to one enemy at a time and have super strength and speed
Although the chef Hal seemed quite happy to return home from his unwilling adventure the castle itself is under the impression that he is now a professional adventurer and mercenary. Under peer pressure the kiwi chef silently flutters over to the party waving scimitar in the air!
Burt traded most of his wealth including his old wooden sword and shield for a silver long sword. He is now missing a shield, but he is now a deadly opponent. He nods to Egem indicating his willingness to slaughter cultists.
Grugni looks drawn and ragged still having barely spoken. His arm still does not work, but he approaches the party "I would be dead before I missed a chance to take vengeance on those who defile my family's home and if I die there then it be better than the fate of a crippled surface dweller!" he spits on the ground.
OOC:
I have had zero luck repairing Grugni's nerves. In one iteration I accidentally destroyed his health regen all together. He also can't wear backpacks because he needs to hold them in his hand first to put them on which means he can't access food either and will starve unless regularly fed and watered.
unless you guys care to actually attempt to convince him, as a character, to stay here where it's safe he will go forward to his almost certain death.
Also the signature move of cold hunters in my Kanil run was for them to shove their fists into their enemies skulls after breaking all their bones.
When my museum turn starts in a few days that'll probably put a hold on updates for about a week
Post by: Maloy on June 04, 2023, 03:02:59 pm
The Age of Deception
Memoir of Ingiz Laboredgirders the Geared Tragedies of Disembowling
The golden age by name and accomplishment should have been the greatest era of dwarf history as well as our allies.
All great enemies defeated: My own kin's alliance with the humans and elves defeated the great demons
My dear friend Kanil defeated the undead hordes and their foul goddess
and the rhino god of war wiped goblins almost off the world entirely.
So, why do neighbors turn on neighbors now? Why do sworn brothers slay one another? Perhaps demons, zombies and goblins were all that kept all of us fighting together.
It starts with the Edict:
(https://i.imgur.com/8Qlf3RG.jpg)
Source: Warhammer fantasy book of grudges
The edict was a strong reaction to the invasion of our world by the monsters of the depths. The war had been devastating and only turned in our favor miraculously. In response our great Queen Obok Startbells declared that no dwarf may dig into the earth. The tunnels we already have must be enough and the underground farm lands we have must be enough as well.
This angered and put out dwarves on many levels. On the practical the war had left many dwarves homeless and hungry. Now traditional dwarven lands and dwarven farming was outlawed.
On another level this prevented us from doing what most calls to our souls: Seeking great wealths and crafts!
The queen made harsh examples exiling entire families from our lands who refused to listen. These embittered dwarves referred to themselves as Deep Delvers and chose to live in isolation in the incredibly dangerous caverns. Sympathetic dwarves would still trade with them, but the queen would exile any if they were caught.
With nowhere to go and a natural inclination to obeying those our gods put over us the rest of us went to the surface. South and east through human lands forcing us to meet our allies turned bandits and fight the undead hordes just for farmable lands.
In a way, I thank the Spry for the undead curse she left on the world. For without it I would have never met my friend Kanil or achieved glory.
Still, now that the wars are over problems unnoticed have arisen. Dwarves outnumber humans almost three to one. The elves two to one. My own estimates in the borderlands lead me to think around a third of the remaining humans are living as bandits or integrated with my own people.
The rest adds up to 250 that try to return to old lives.
There simply isn't enough food for them and us.
All the leaders of each faction talk about heading west to lands of giant beasts and monsters to settle, but even if we do what then? Crops take a long time to grow. Truth of the matter is that they're just trying to keep people busy to buy time, or so I think.
Her majesty died only two years ago in a doomed battle against the demons, or so the stories claim and I have reason to doubt. She became obsessed with her morality in her last days although mentioning this would get one exiled.
(https://i.imgur.com/257A4wp.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/R9nogz8.png)
Her daughter has become queen at the unfortunate age of 14. This young lass is in all honesty in over her head. Her paranoia and bluster have already agitated alliances and she has officially declared Suton the Fatal Gall, The death god, as her patron. She enforces the edict even more harshly than her mother and any hope of returning to our ancestral ways seems a long dwarven life time away.
There's not enough food to go around. The elves don't got crops to take either so it comes down to us and our human friends. What shall happen? I can not say, but I would like to say that no matter what trickery or desperation befalls us I would not raise a hand against my friends. I would like to say this...
(https://i.imgur.com/R2odiO0.jpg)
Source: https://midkemia.fandom.com/wiki/Dwarves
Post by: King Zultan on June 06, 2023, 03:26:56 am
Burt traded most of his wealth including his old wooden sword and shield for a silver long sword. He is now missing a shield, but he is now a deadly opponent. He nods to Egem indicating his willingness to slaughter cultists.This is pretty much what I was wanting to do when I read those parts so all appears to be good, only thing is that I would have liked to keep the shield but I can always get another one later.
Also would Grugni even listen to us if we tried to convince him to stay, from what I gathered he doesn't seem to be the type to give up easily.
Post by: Maloy on June 06, 2023, 05:33:33 am
Also I guess it would depend on the angle the party took. Trying to get in Grugni's frame of mind I don't think he truly wants to die, but between losing both limbs and his chance of ever returning to his old way of life I think he's in a depressive funk. Trying to approach him as a character in a story rather than my PC, you know?
Post by: King Zultan on June 07, 2023, 01:42:53 am
Yeah sorry I tried to keep your shield, but the dude was stubborn and getting annoyed. I figured it was acceptable temporarily since you're fully armoredThat's alright since I would have told you to trade it in that case, as having an actual sword is more important than a shield.
Trying to approach him as a character in a story rather than my PC, you know?That makes perfect since.
Post by: Maloy on June 12, 2023, 05:36:38 am
Your journey south and then west is mostly uneventful as you pass human and dwarven settlements. Although you see hardly any people in either the fields are all filled to the brim with crop, most of which won't be full grown for a few more months.
Any thoughts on your transition from wild jungles to idyllic farmlands?
As you draw nearer to Taguzingish small ruins become noticeable and eventually you find yourself on what remains of the great dwarven highway known as the "mahogany road" that connects Taguzingish with the other dwarven cities as well as the human capital of the confederacy Inkyrouts and the gobilin civilization when it was conquered by the dwarves. Although ruined and overgrown the road is still clear enough that it made an excellent path for invading demon armies to access everyone in the world.
All around you are the ruins of a once great civilization, how do you feel?
(https://i.imgur.com/s3F7FCD.jpg)
Source: https://www.deviantart.com/jjpeabody/art/Beautiful-Ruins-484101469
As we near Taguzingish we are forced to camp within it's shadow by a brook
(https://i.imgur.com/M0iTjY3.png)
It is time to decide on a game plan for the battle to come. Most of your enemies are normal, but they have cold Hunters too probably. Cold Hunters besides having super powers can turn invisible to one enemy at a time leaving that enemy entirely defenseless. Also being inside the dwarf city we will be in an enclosed space that prevents flying and is inconvenient for ranged combat. How should we do this?
Grugni appreciates good honest work even if he doesn't like dwarves living on the surface. So seeing human and dwarven fields filled with the potential fruit of hard work gives him a sense of peace and is certainly preferrable over the tangled greenery and shrubbery of that jungle!
As we reach the Mahogany Road Grugni pauses and looks at it. Taking it all in he inhales deeply before saying "I've never gotten to see this myself. What the demons did to our lands on the surface. They took what some of my ancestors spent their whole lives building and used it to ruin lives." he looks at the sky and speaks calmly "I hate them all. I'm glad they're dead and I'm more glad to free my city. My family and I have lived in exile because of these cultists keeping my people too scared to move on with our lives." his eyes have a feverish gleam now "Let's kill them."
At the camp Grugni doesn't have much to offer on strategy other than confirming the tight spaces. "Likely any war beasts they have left will be pastured away from the city itself so we won't have to worry about those"
Upon further thinking he would say "I'll just tear their throats out with my teeth, I guess"
Also he would want to take the time to admire Burt's new sword "That's a fine blade, friend. No more beating enemies to death with a stick, eh? You'll be able to keep up with my biting and kicking now!" he laughs
OOC:
If there's an interest here's an old lore post about the various undead including cold hunters
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428149#msg8428149
Post by: TeaKing on June 12, 2023, 02:35:20 pm
the farms are nice and calming, they somewhat remind me of my childhood...
The same horrors that destroyed my home were also the ones that brought ruin to this area...
I'm both glad and impressed that those elves who saved me managed to stop them in their tracks, they sure seemed quite powerful
Considering where we're going, flight and range would be a problem, so the best thing for me to do is to look fot any meelee weapon that i could find, and maybe i should take one from a corpse or an enemy...
Post by: King Zultan on June 13, 2023, 03:51:33 am
Burt wonders to himself what these ruins used to be and if there was anything of value still hidden within them.
Having to get up close and personal in tight spaces was what Burt was set up for so he wasn't worried about the lack of air and ranged support, but what had him worried were the cold hunters and their dark magics which made him think the group needed to stick together as they moved through the ruins to help counteract the cold hunters dark magic.
Post by: Maloy on June 15, 2023, 06:11:45 am
The road winds alongside a babbling brook. This trail would be considered serene if not for the reality of what you were heading towards.
(https://i.imgur.com/mb5gD52.png)
Upon arriving at the fortress you find it's towers, made in the style of goblins.
You creep along north before having to turn west and cross a bridge over the brook to the actual fortress. It's surface portion is just a massive square of stone to protect deep dwarves from sunlight, but offers minimal protection or housing. The place has a menacing energy. If you didn't know the history you'd wonder why, but this place is the site of countless massacres and demonic rituals. The near end of the world began here!
The entire party begins to sneak forward as you hear the sound of a male of some species yelling at others
What could that be?
(https://i.imgur.com/uxjcHlr.png)
Creeping forward each of your stealth abilities is notable as none of the party can see one another. You have to trust that your comrades are still there.
Does that disturb your character or do they already trust their comrades of the past few weeks?
As you turn the corner you find a dwarf, an entertainer by all appearances, sitting by the trade depot and a pile of bodies.
By all appearances he is a civilian.
What is the party's plans in regards to civilians?
(https://i.imgur.com/ANPXGDW.png)
You see the bodies of dead goblins which could be from any number of battles. Although the party has no way of knowing which battle the most recent one fought here was by the Rhino-deity Kivish in his crusade against goblins.
I also have good news for Burt and Egem:
(https://i.imgur.com/yhdpxpk.png)
As we approach the fortress Grugni will spit on the goblin towers. "We'll see many worse defilements here, but my blood is already boiling!"
Upon hearing the voice Grugni whispers "Suppose it's a guard captain or a slave driver?"
Grugni trusts the party, but he'd move forward regardless. His survival isn't pertinent to this mission in his opinion
Seeing that some might be worried about potential civilian deaths Grugni will signal the party to step back out of the fortress so they can whisper and he will say "No civilians here. Anyone not holding a weapon just isn't holding a weapon yet. Dancer dwarf in there has probably betrayed his kin 100 times over. Anyone not in shackles dies, I say."
OOC
Was just gonna do a big post with us having cleared the whole fort or died or whatever lol, but then I saw this guy and realized we really hadn't decided our policy on "civilians"
Teaking, would Egem's inner voice have a stronger outburst here where so many massacres and demonic rituals have taken place?
Post by: Salmeuk on June 15, 2023, 11:29:35 am
Post by: TeaKing on June 15, 2023, 11:44:44 am
Teaking, would Egem's inner voice have a stronger outburst here where so many massacres and demonic rituals have taken place?Yes probably
The voice will like the place a lot with it being full of corpses and demonic energy, but he would hold the opinion that this isnt how things should Normally be for him to enjoy it properly.
Goblin towers... Just the thought of these creatures alone brings discomfort... Why did they have to defile these beautiful lands?
The fact that we cant see eachother is a bit worrisome, if we get into a battle then assessing the risk of danger to each member would be hard... However, as we're all hidden it means that the enemy wont see the whole party at once until its too late for them...
Appearances dont mean much, so one better not assume that this guy is a civilian so quickly... In a friendly manner, i shall ask him to introduce himself and ask him about this place and who controls it, if he acts suspiciously, we shall subdue and arrest him
From what i know, wouldn't the site be abandoned? And thus clear of any civilians? As such I highly doubt that the dwarves here would be anything but cultists, and I will be prepared to slaughter anyone who acts strange
Speaking of slaughter, as i cant use my ranged attacks effectively in this place, i shall take that iron whip on the ground. Melee as a second option would be especially useful if the enemy gets too close...
Post by: King Zultan on June 16, 2023, 03:58:39 am
He doesn't feel that upset that he can't see the others, as over the past few weeks he feels that he can trust the others to be where they're supposed to be.
Everyone in here is probably a member of the cult and just because they don't have weapons doesn't mean they aren't planning on getting ahold of one.
I also have good news for Burt and Egem:Huzza a new shield!
(https://i.imgur.com/yhdpxpk.png)
Post by: Maloy on June 18, 2023, 02:29:46 pm
Suddenly, you hear a cry from below! A dwarf is running up the winding staircase that leads to the depths of this world and falls just at the top his leg having been damaged. He falls down as two other dwarves set upon him beating, ripping and tearing at him with their bare hands and teeth. You recognize via sigils that these two individuals are both high ranking members of the cult. In fact, one of them is the Master. The highest ranking mortal servant of the demons and thus with the demons gone the de-facto leader.
The party moves forward silently and surrounds them as they continue to beat the helpless dwarf to death.
Glorg's arm muscles tense as he throws a spear with all his might impaling the Master in his abdomen! Within moments they are upon him. He helplessly lashes out with his fists against Burt's shield and the deer man slashes one of his hand's off.
Egem puts his whip to work taking out the Master's legs and as he falls Grugni launches himself biting into his upper body and tearing as much as he could. The master attempts to raise to push himself off the ground as Burt stabs past Grugni into the Master's stomach again.
Glorg comes from behind and impales this Master of Betrayers straight through the heart.
The master coughs and spits blood helplessly. He attempts to crawl away with his remaining breaths wheezing and pooling blood. Burt silently beheads him. The other evil dwarf present had already run back into the depths knowing he stood no chance from the nigh invisible attackers.
You just killed the leader of the most evil civilization to walk this earth, how does it feel?
You stalk forward into the depths running into more civilians and the sounds of more violence being committed on people who you can not see. The ramp leading downwards mostly has you exposed to open air, but every now and again you reach a level with a floor and altar to a long neglected dwarven god. At the first level you find the dismembered corpse of a dwarf who fell off the ramp from the top.
Do such heights bother you? All one needs is to push a person and they fall to their death.
On your way down you can hear distant conversation
"We aren't at war yet, but the Charcoal Boots are hostile to us and may even attack us soon?"
"Whose that?"
"You don't know? Angels of War. They don't want us bringing the masters back. They got a vault west of here"
"We aren't fit for a war yet. Let's hope they stay in that vault until the masters return"
(https://i.imgur.com/MnTW4Cu.png)
You finally reach the midpoint of the underground fortress where it breaks off into proper living quarters and forges. The sniveling coward of a dwarf who fled from you earlier is here wandering the halls looking for help. He appears to be the Chief Chamberlain
Egem attacks first his whip curling and taking out the dwarf's left leg. The others surround again and the dwarf is as helpless as his leader was. Burt stabs the dwarf in the heart and realizing he will not escape the dwarf makes one last attempt to cry out and warn the fortress, but Egem's whip answers instead and his skull explodes into gore.
Glorg shouts a battle cry letting all know that the slayer of the great ettin is here.
(https://i.imgur.com/qvLdg7O.png)
This turned out to be a bad announcement for as the party advances down the hallway a figure heads to meet them.
A dwarven cold hunter. Equipped with an artifact spear named: Nazomad. Dreamedsun
(https://i.imgur.com/HHrORWh.png)
Knowing the famous spear you also know who currently possesses it, likely.
Ral Ivoryinks the Cobalt Lenses of Clutching
One of the most famous warriors in history now reanimated with super powers and intense malicious will.
He advances exactly where Hal Bristletrade is currently hiding.
(https://i.imgur.com/v6ORayU.png)
Does he see you yet? How does it feel to stand before a legendary warrior?
Battle Reports:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
OOC
Kanil won against Cold Hunters because they literally hit SO HARD that it would cause their weapons to break leaving them unarmed. This guy has an unbreakable weapon.
Also I love Glorg's thoughts Salmeuk lol
Post by: TeaKing on June 18, 2023, 03:35:33 pm
We have killed some cultists...
I feel euphoric...
I'd consider these stairs dangerous if it weren't for my flight capabilities, my teammates should be careful around them...
This warrior seems tough, it would be a challenge to beat him...
But that just makes him a suitable prey, hehehe...
we'll need a good strategy to take him down however...
"Egem... If you would like to hunt down this horrible being, I suggest you attack its fingers to unarm it, Little one... but only do that after the others distract it with their own attacks..."
Sounds Reasonable... Sure, I'll do just that
Post by: Salmeuk on June 18, 2023, 07:01:05 pm
Glorg considers his spearfighting skills to be above all others, even this Ral Ivoryinks. The following battle will either prove that fact, or be this spear-slinging outsider's final fight!
Glorg will thus attempt to duel Ral before the others, and claim Nazomad for himself should he succeed.
Post by: King Zultan on June 19, 2023, 04:48:23 am
He doesn't really fear such heights but he is careful around them jut in case.
Burt isn't sure if they've been spotted yet or not, but he does think that if they all work together they can take him, shouldn't mater if he's a legendary warrior or not as Burt has faith in the abilities of people he's traveling with.
Post by: Maloy on June 19, 2023, 10:55:05 am
I'm opening it up if anyone wants to submit an adventurer to play with the party! You'd be integrated the next time they reach a town
Adventurer Name:
Skills you want to major in:
Race:
Gender:
Backstory:
Why are you at the Notched Union(humans) castle?
Reason you'd wanna join the party when you meet them?
Also I updated table of contents with links to latest entries
Post by: Maloy on June 21, 2023, 05:59:18 am
At any point you guys can speak by the way not just when prompted. Those are just suggested moments.
The Spear King
The Action Report:
https://imgur.com/a/p9bKzJv
Glorg readies a spear in each hand as he growls a challenge and walks forward.
"Oh ho you dare approach me?"
Cue epic line from Glorg
Glorg stabs with his spear, but within the half second of this movement the dwarf turns invisible and strikes him from behind. Her legendary spear stabs his right arm opening an artery. The sheer force of the impact tears ligament and tendon as the spear is firmly planted in the wound.
"It is terrifying" whispers Hal Bristletrade who had the monster approaching him a moment ago
Glorg's blow still connects despite his savage injury as his left spear stabs her foot through her sandals. She does not fall down
Hal swings his scimitar, but doesn't cut skin.
The hunter pulls the spear out of Glorg's arm and the two have half a moment before they begin fighting again
Do the warriors say anything in this momentary exchange?
The dwarf lashes out with her spear again in a moment's notice stabbing Glorg's left hand only managing to graze skin as he twists out of the way.
She charges at him, but he jumps out of the way and stabs again in the neck with deep impact tearing a tendon in the upper spine
She turns in this moment and stabs the surprised Grugni in the back. Although it does not pierce through his leather armor the heaviness of the impact damages his liver and within another moment she charges at him barreling him into the wall and leaving him knocked prone.
"You filthy traitor. I'll kill you myself!" he cries
She stabs him in his left leg tearing an artery and severing nerves
All of this took place within a second and a half and within that time Glorg was suddenly on her again stabbing her in the right hand and severing many of her nerve endings
Hal follows up behind him, but the dwarf casually deflects his scimitar with her legendary spear
"This is truly horrifying" he says as he lashes out again, but this time she jumps away.
She stabs Grugni in his left arm that was in a sling and Grugni attempts to twist his body to hold onto it while Glorg stabs his spear into her stomach
She pulls the spear from Grugni and strikes out at Glorg, but he dodges. He strikes in kind and she barely brings her own spear up in time to deflect
She charges Glorg again and he jumps away again. In frustration she hisses and slashes Grugni's face with her nails cutting his cheek
Glorg and Ral trade blows for a second and in that second several are traded as lightning fast warriors duel, each one blocked by the other. Glorg surprises her by twirling his spear and hitting her with the shaft of it to get around her parry. He attacks again and she jumps away.
Grugni begins to pretend that he has something in his left arm "This will stop you" he says an obvious lie
She stabs his left foot. Her spear stabs down going straight through his iron boot and jamming into flesh.
Hal lashes out again and she dodges while Grugni kicks her leg in hopes of knocking her over. Hal follows with another attack that she easily deflects
She stabs at Grugni again and he just barely manages to scramble away in time
Hal stabs her right arm severing many nerves boasting "I have defeated many fearsome opponents!"
Grugni kicks the same leg again and Glorg stabs her stomach the impact shattering what was left of her raiment. She does not seem to have tired at all and has not lost slowed down
Grugni's earlier ploy pays off as she stabs his left hand again and Hal attempts to defend him, but she casually deflects it and then stabs Grugni's left leg. Grugni kicks her in the head and she stabs his left hand again. The useless appendage explodes into gore now.
Egem, who has been unable to see her the whole time, is struck as she stabs him in the shoulder. Grugni attacks her where she is, but she jumps away. Egem still can not see her.
She stabs Grugni's left leg again with such force it even twists his knee from mere impact as more nerves are severed and artery opens
Glorg and Grugni lash out side by side at the hunter, but she dodges each blow they throw at her and finally stabs out into Grugni's right leg
Burt finally arrives, this battle having taken place within only a handful of seconds, but his first blow misses as she dodges. Glorg bashes her foot with all his might twisting her ankle, but she still does not fall!
She stabs out at Grugni's neck unable to pierce his new mail shirt he took from the ettin. The impact still fractures his upper spine and he is left gagging.
Grugni attempts to kick her despite the pain, but she dodges. Midflight Burt slams the pommel of his longsword into her right foot tearing ligament. Glorg stabs her in her right leg as she lands, but she still will not fall!
She stabs Grugni in the head, but it is caught on his iron cap. The impact still shakes his whole body. Burt slashes her already wounded right hand. Burt, Glorg and Grugni press a savage spree of attacks upon her and she dodges them all before twisting to stab Grugni again in the arm causing the entire limb to explode into gore, but the dwarf had already lost feeling in it and presses forward! She dodges his attempt to latch on and bite.
She just barely draws her spear back in time to deflect Glorg's attack. She kicks what remains of Grugni's arm shattering what bone remains. Glorg strikes again and as she just barely catches it in time, burt comes in like a flash cutting her right leg open even more.
She stabs Grugni again, the stubborn dwarf just won't die, and the spear gets caught on his mail shirt, but the impact damages his liver more.
Grugni kicks, but she dodges only to realize she dodged into Burt's attack. She twists last second flipping out of the way only to land in Glorg's sights as he stabs her leg again.
"Oh you all are truly great warriors" she mocks "I haven't tried this hard in decades"
Any response? This whole battle has been maybe a minute
"Shut up and fight, traitor" Grugni spits after the others have spoken
She stabs Grugni in his lips tearing them out.
Grugni goes to kick as she tears the spear back out of his face and Glorg attacks again. She just barely deflects it in time and uses her other hand to scratch Grugni's face.
Grugni kicks her at her again with such force she backs away into Glorg's blow as he stabs her foot! She still will not fall to the ground despit her legs being a bloody mess. Necromatic magic keeps her standing
In a second a battlefield and peoples worlds can change. As Burt slashes she dodges and lands behind Glorg and stabs with all her might into his neck. The impact itself is great enough that it causes his head to fall from his shoulders. Glorg is dead.
Response?
"You traitorous whore I'll kill you!" Grugni roars
She lashes out at Burt, but he deflects it with his sword and lashes out. She jumps out of the way of his blow and then dodges Grugni. She aims for Grugni's brain with a stab, but only cuts his eyelid. His right eye is forced to close from injury. She stabs his left shoulder, but it is caught on his mail shirt
Burt punches her with his shield arm in the left foot bruising bone.
Burt slashes, but she deflects it and dodges Grugni effortlessly. She scratches Grugni's chest, clearly toying with him. He becomes enraged roaring vengeance.
She dodges again and parries Burt's next blow.
Egem's character at this point is talking about getting revenge for Glorg, but he literally can't see her at all
She scratches Grugni's head again the force twisting his neck.
She dodges Grugni again and deflects Burt again and now she stabs her spear straight into Grugni's mouth. Smiling she twists and sends his teeth flying out before retracting her spear in what could easily have been a lethal attack if she wanted.
She dodges Grugni again and this time Burt stabs her in the foot. He uses his superior size and charges at her antlers down, but she dodges out of the way.
Now Hal catches up and lashes out, but she dodges and as she does she opens herself up for Burt who slashes her face open with his sword injuring her upper spine with the impact.
Grugni is a berserk animal at this point his eye having rolled back as he throws himself in rage. She dodges, but Burt places himself exactly wherever she will be and stabs her left hand. It explodes into gore! She is undead and feels no pain
Hal and Grugni both make attacks and she dodges and spins around each one. She stabs the remains of Grugni's hand again attempting to torment him, but he has no feeling in his whole arm anyway.
The two attack again and she repeats the maneuver, as she scratches Grugni's head again
At this point in the fight all the adventurers in-game expressed their feelings about the current situation
She dodges Grugni again and stabs into his chest not piercing armor, but sending him reeling. He attacks again and she dodges
"I have killed beasts all over the underdark and fought an ettin on the surface! You will die too!"
She stabs his lower body, but it is also caught on armor. Grugni is not undead, but his constitution seems very unnatural.
Grugni attacks. She dodges into Burt's blow, but barely deflects it in time with her spear.
She stabs Grugni's ruined hand again. He is panting heavier then anyone has ever seen. Covered in blood and lost to rage he attempts to take a step forward, but falls to the floor passing out from exhaustion.
In that moment's distraction Burt slashes Ral in her lower body the sword going into her flesh and being caught there. As he pulls it out she stabs his foot causing him to fall to the ground.
Burt stabs her in the leg that the party has been attempting to destroy the entire time and she stabs at his head, but her spear is caught on his antlers.
Burt stabs her left hand and she stabs his other hoof. Within that moment that she is drawing her spear back to herself Burt lashes out stabbing again and her right hand explodes into gore. Nazomad falls from her grip and she looks at Burt in shock!
She falls into a sprint of sudden unarmed attacks with Burt dodging or blocking all of them. She scratches his antler and causes it to fracture slightly.
Burt stabs her in the head. The sword gets caught in her skull, but doesn't pierce it as she growls at him.
She lashes out and he dodges then slashes her left arm.
She lashes out again and he blocks and slashes her left arm again!
She attacks and he blocks and cuts her leg now. Seeing the unnatural energy supporting her legs he blocks another blow and stabs her foot with all his might. It explodes into gore and she falls to the ground!
Hal punches her in the hand while aiming for her lower body. Burt attempts to stab her leg, but she rolls and his sword stabs her foot again. She attempts to scratch Burt's legs but her nails can not pierce the psuedo-Collosi's armor
Hal attacks, but she scrambles away desperately.
She spins on the floor grabbing Hal's head with her legs and in a moment she somehow flips and THROWS Hal at Burt. Burt just barely jumps out of the way as Hal flies into the wall.
The battle goes on miserably for twice as long. Ral can not land blows on either Hal or Burt as they whittle away at her. Grugni wakes up at one moment and she uses her nails to cut an artery in his neck. As he attempts to attack again she kicks his right foot jamming the bone and sending him reeling with pain. He passes back out.
At lightning speeds do Hal and Burt work the dwarf slashing her body to bloody ruin and pieces, but she still does not quit fighting! Grugni wakens again. She bites with all her might straight through his iron boot! She yanks and tears one of his toes out and he passes out again. This act of petty violence was an opening though.
Burt runs in and slashes at the injury to her lower body he made earlier and slashes again! Now he finishes the cut as her legs are separated from her torse and they both go different directions. She is struck down!
Reactions?
Grugni takes awhile to waken and he is too shell shocked to say much, but when he does speak "Why do I still live, but he does not. Did I not try hard enough, oh gods?" Grugni weeps. Glorg was the first person to try and talk to him and the first one to make him laugh heartily since he had been trapped on the surface. He lost a friend.
Post by: Salmeuk on June 21, 2023, 02:06:44 pm
Quote
Glorg readies a spear in each hand as he growls a challenge and walks forward.
"Oh ho you dare approach me?"
Cue epic line from Glorg
"Spear, meet foe!" followed by an elephantine bellow and a low charge.
Quote
Her legendary spear stabs his right arm opening an artery. The sheer force of the impact tears ligament and tendon as the spear is firmly planted in the wound.
"It is terrifying" whispers Hal Bristletrade who had the monster approaching him a moment ago
Glorg's blow still connects despite his savage injury as his left spear stabs her foot through her sandals. She does not fall down
Hal swings his scimitar, but doesn't cut skin.
The hunter pulls the spear out of Glorg's arm and the two have half a moment before they begin fighting again
Do the warriors say anything in this momentary exchange?
glorg: "Trade blows we may, but Glorg will always come out ahead for Glorg is the Merchant of Death!"
Quote
Grugni kicks, but she dodges only to realize she dodged into Burt's attack. She twists last second flipping out of the way only to land in Glorg's sights as he stabs her leg again.
"Oh you all are truly great warriors" she mocks "I haven't tried this hard in decades"
Any response? This whole battle has been maybe a minute
"Shut up and fight, traitor" Grugni spits after the others have spoken
Internally, Glorg is horrified at the wounded Grungni and commits his entire passionate barbarian soul to this fight. The mocking banter is barely understood by Glorg and only infuriates him further.
Quote
In a second a battlefield and peoples worlds can change. As Burt slashes she dodges and lands behind Glorg and stabs with all her might into his neck. The impact itself is great enough that it causes his head to fall from his shoulders. Glorg is dead.
*very wet-sounding wheezing noises from the open wound that used to be my neck*
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
I would love a new char, if possible :] seeing as mine just expired.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on June 22, 2023, 07:14:04 am
Quote
"Oh you all are truly great warriors" she mocks "I haven't tried this hard in decades""Just shut up and die already!"
Any response? This whole battle has been maybe a minute
Quote
The impact itself is great enough that it causes his head to fall from his shoulders. Glorg is dead."Holy Shit!" Burt is horrified by Glorg's death and becomes determined to put an end to her before she can kill another one of his companions.
Response?
Quote
At this point in the fight all the adventurers in-game expressed their feelings about the current situation"How can this thing still be alive, even an undead would have been killed by now!"
Quote
Burt runs in and slashes at the injury to her lower body he made earlier and slashes again! Now he finishes the cut as her legs are separated from her torse and they both go different directions. She is struck down!"Oh thank god she's finally dead." He'd then go sit in a corner and contemplate their chances if they met another one of those foul creatures.
Reactions?
Post by: Maloy on June 22, 2023, 05:41:48 pm
Not trying to get a head of ourselves, but at least we have necromancy in this world!
Idk if there are any other hunters. They're all this bad though. I don't think there are more, but in legends mode they appear as regular people until you dig through their history and find the tags
EDIT: Also I really wanted Grugni to die lol. I think his lower spine is damaged so he can't walk. I'm hoping he finishes bleeding out when I next kick the game on the poor guy is in a miserable state
Post by: TeaKing on June 22, 2023, 06:41:23 pm
EDIT: holy crap i was half-asleep when i posted this... LMAO I didnt even notcie that we already killed the foe
Post by: King Zultan on June 23, 2023, 02:00:22 am
Post by: Maloy on June 25, 2023, 08:21:37 am
(https://i.imgur.com/2J8dI8f.png)
Burt cannot stand currently due to damage to his hooves
Hal is panting heavily. Both he and Egem are hungry
(https://i.imgur.com/QELT8qV.png)
Grugni is laying next to the corpse of Glorg. He begins coughing and sputtering. His body shakes as he attempts to say something, but no words come out. He starts to calm and still
(https://i.imgur.com/PiA7bMK.png)
You are surrounded by bodies.
You have slain the master of the cult and his chief chamberlain. You have slain one of the greatest warriors in this world's history, but is the cult truly defeated? Are there more of them hiding deeper within the fort? Can you press on with the injuries present in the party? What if another threat just as deadly awaits below? If you flee have they died in vain? Finally, what should you do with the legendary spear that your departed friend so coveted?
(https://i.imgur.com/RVURLZM.png)
In the face of so many questions you decide...
As stated previously Grugni was on the ground next to Glorg, now crippled and unable to stand, weeping at the death of his friend and cursing that he would yet live crippled as he is. Perhaps due to excessive damage to his upper spine he loses his ability to breathe. He can not force his throat to open. He begins to panic as well as curse his fate that such foul beings that tainted his homeland and cursed his people would continue to take so much. He panics thinking back to his near death at the ettin, Ciba. "Will the gods accept me? Who will bury me? Will I be cursed to wander these miserable lands as a spirit unable to go to the halls of my ancestors? Would they even want to accept an exile like me?" all these thoughts rushed through his head although the moments of his death felt like an eternity.
As his panic reaches a crescendo he hears a voice directly above him "There is no greater love than this: to lay one's life down for his brothers" As the meaning sets in Grugni calms and he feels himself fading as if being drawn away through a great tunnel. He no longer sees his friends, but sees the great gates of the dwarven mountainhome. The gates are open with the great keeper of it's gates holding out a hand smiling. "Home, at last" Grugni thinks as he leaves this world.
OOC
I may do a Ral lore post soon depending if her entries are as cool as her combat prowess was
Post by: King Zultan on June 26, 2023, 03:38:06 am
You have slain the master of the cult and his chief chamberlain. You have slain one of the greatest warriors in this world's history, but is the cult truly defeated?Most likely not as just because we killed the highest ranking members doesn't mean that someone else won't take their place.
Are there more of them hiding deeper within the fort?Very likely, and some have probably heard the fighting and have gone deeper in.
Can you press on with the injuries present in the party?Burt doesn't think it would be wise as he is unable to walk and they need to give their fallen fellows a proper burial before the cultists can defile their corpses.
What if another threat just as deadly awaits below?There is the potential that there is one but is something to discover at a later time.
If you flee have they died in vain?No as they have dealt a massive blow to the cultists by killing their leader and the warrior, so they will be in disarray for a bit, but they will need to return to finish them off before the cult can reorganize them selves.
Finally, what should you do with the legendary spear that your departed friend so coveted?Burt is unsure what to do with it besides take it with them when they leave as it's to powerful a weapon behind.
(Well that's a depressing end to this leg of the adventure, two of our party lay dead.)
Post by: Salmeuk on June 26, 2023, 12:21:14 pm
Post by: King Zultan on June 27, 2023, 04:37:49 am
Post by: Maloy on June 28, 2023, 03:52:47 am
Yeah what happened to Grugni was pretty bad.
Yeah sorry if it was too heavy. Definitely the game that chose the suffocation route rather than decapitation, but narratively once his hopes of returning to his old trade were lost with his arms this was the ending he wanted!
Also Ral is 100% getting an entry. She did something that I didn't know was possible post world-gen: She defected to another civilization. I'm really curious if, for example, I could fill a near-extinct goblin civ with humans now
--------------
All of you quietly make your way out of the fortress. At the top are two more corpses of dwarves beaten to death viciously.
You use the rest of the day light to make your way to a small hillocks east of the fortress with the sun setting behind you all. Grugni, Glorg and the spear are safely wrapped up and fortunately modern techniques on body preservation allow you all to carry them without fear of rot for a long time.
Hal attempts to lighten the dour mood of the party, but it doesn't go over well.
Oddly in line with Hal's original personality description
(https://i.imgur.com/wsiuN6c.png)
Despite his failure he masters comedy and flattery!
(https://i.imgur.com/yhS8Icu.png)
After words you three enter a drinking mound. Dirt floors with little furniture to provide nothing to break in a bar fight. There are only two dwarves present, both deeply inebriated.
You ask one of the dwarves if you can stay the night. For a global shortage in alcohol it is strange to see a dwarf drunk enough to slur their words. He boldly describes himself as a drunk! "It'd be a blasted shame to leave wande-wend-w." He struggles to say "I mean travelers! Like yourself out. Animals and cultists out and about, y'know?"
Any reactions or questions?
The next day is a quiet trek back through peaceful countryside that goes uninterrupted other than finding a wild strawberry bush.
(https://i.imgur.com/GbFVYWO.jpg)
You camp out enjoying a clear summer evening with fair breeze and the beautiful skyline above.
How do nights such as this make you feel? Do any of you talk to one another? It's reasonable that after so short a time since tragedy you may be less talkative.
You finally make it back to the castle by late morning. The guards wave you in without stopping or searching you. A gesture of trust certainly, but you hear them grumbling to one another about the latest laws decreed.
Reaction?
When you enter the commander, baron and usual guards are present although the commander is speaking to a new man. This human wears both bow and sword upon his back and is clearly capable with both. He does not wear the uniform of the Union.
Salmeuk this is you. If you want you can intro yourself otherwise the commander will upon the next entry! The commander was catching you up on recent events of the party leading up to leaving to fight the cult.
The commander sees the party enter and cuts his conversation short. "Ah, warriors welcome back!" He notices the absence of two party members "Perhaps you'd give me a report on your most recent expedition?"
You guys can decide how you wanna tell the tale to the commander, the spear, friends, all of it or however much you want to share.
Post by: King Zultan on June 29, 2023, 05:15:03 am
Burt doesn't really talk to anyone while they camp as he is to deep in thought, at least the area is peaceful and calm, it makes it easier to sleep at night.
He tries to find out more about these new laws before he continues into the castle.
He thinks telling the commander everything is important, he has nothing to hide and thinks it would be the best to lay it all out, the spear, the fight with the cold hunter, the deaths, and the two high ranking cult members they killed.
(Also can Burt stand now that some time has passed or is he crippled?)
Nothing wrong with it being heavy as being heavy is just the way things go sometimes in the game, I was just saying it was a pretty bad way to for poor Grugni to die.Yeah what happened to Grugni was pretty bad.
Yeah sorry if it was too heavy. Definitely the game that chose the suffocation route rather than decapitation, but narratively once his hopes of returning to his old trade were lost with his arms this was the ending he wanted!
Post by: Salmeuk on June 29, 2023, 11:38:28 am
Quote
Galtran is generally annoying and ignorant, but looks the part of the noble warrior, and so manages to insert himself into situations he is completely unprepared for.
Sir Galtran III listens to Burt's tale, chiming in at the end with a snarky aside to the castle's commander, "If I had been there, no one would have died..."
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Galtran continues. "Commander, I request you install me as a member of this adventuring party. Seeing as they are wont to take on dangerous and legendary foes, I would be well suited to assist them. I have a lot of experience in the area, trust me!"
Internally, Galtran recalls the many days spent hitting trees with sticks, and how little it actually taught him about fighting. These introspections would never stop Galtran's quest for fame and fortune, of course, but the insecurity of his status as imposter knight would always plague his conscience.
As well, Galtran sizes up the returning party.. what do they look like, who appears the most important of the group?
Post by: Maloy on July 01, 2023, 11:59:03 am
Also your hooves recover, Zultan!
incoming lore entry!
Can love bloom in undeath? Legend of Ral Ivoryinks
Ral Ivoryinks is one of the most notorious figures of the old world, but she was not anyone of note in history until after her death!
She was born in year 39 in the age of the swamp titan and bronze colossus and within the same year kidnapped by a traveling snatcher from the elder hell in the artic north. The goblins likely desired dwarven smithing techniques and suspected that it was an inherited trait as they immediately began attempting to train the newborn in blacksmithing. By the age of five she had made a friend in her abduction named Fath. This dwarf lad was 7 years older than her and she was infatuated with him and his many tales of the habitable lands to the south. In particular of traveling bards seeing the many sights of the world.
So, Fath being aged 12 decided to brave the arctic to head south in order to become a bard and he refused to abandon the five year old girl. They both miraculously survived the trek, avoided the dangerous patrols, and the packs of rabid monsters to make it to the elven forest of Fierygrowls. Did the elf need more apprentices? Highly unlikely and the dwarves would have understood very little of art to even qualify as apprentice bards, but it could be fair to assume that the elf saw two children, ex-slaves no less, desperately in need and stepped up to protect and raise them. The two dwarves knew nothing of their homeland or original parents, although the truth was that both of their parents were alive as well as many siblings who would outlive them both.
The two adopted the elven force of the forest as their patron deity.
By year 73 Ral was still barely an adult at age 34, but had her own apprentice now: The elf who would one day nearly destroy the human kingdom of the Amethyst Confederacy, Cacame Streamcry (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428594#msg8428594). She had also authored three books of her own: We See Starvations, Destruction Ever Onward, and Traps; Only the Fool Foretells.
(https://i.imgur.com/miWF36R.png)
At this era before the hordes of the dead or demons plagued the world dwarves and elves were at war, and one of the greatest warriors in dwarven history led the battle against Fierygrowl: Stukos Sellmanors the Last Discovery. He slew Ral. In the face of this tragedy her childhood friend fath left the forest to start a bardic group called The Flies of Disgusting and would attempt to bring art to the goblin people until a stray demon would kill and devour him in year 124.
From here she rested in the bowels of the forests cradled under ancient roots until the goddess Cor (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8449302#msg8449302) found her. From here she was raised a Cold Hunter with superdwarven powers and would wage war for many years against countless enemies. In particular of note was her participation in the Night of Tears.
The undead need no rest and so within a single day the same army of cold hunters, wights and zombies attacked elven forests and many dwarven settlements leaving both enemy armies in disarray.
This culminated in a final battle at the dwarven capital of the Silver of Staves. After so many years she took her revenge on the dwarves in a duel with the great king Tholtig. Tholtig wielded the great spear: Dreamedsun - The symbol of the office of the king of the dwarves and fought a vicious battle against Ral, but ultimately lost to her.
Injury was not enough for her however and she took the spear from his corpse claiming it as her own and departed.
(https://i.imgur.com/AkIOjOa.png)
She spent her years after continuing her campaign of destruction, but as a background character. She was content to allow her former apprentice, Cacame, to reign and rule what their goddess gave them to manage. She was one of the many cold hunter guards in the city of Inkrouts when Kanil Inchwhip and his men invaded. She was one of a handful of survivors of the battle.
Following the death of Cor and the loss of so much land most of the Cold Hunters turned inwards fighting each other over rulership of what little remained, but Ral had no interest in this. Instead, she was caught totally by surprise by something else completely: Love.
She had never known love in life, but in undeath she met Snang Rusthell. This dwarf was born and raised under the demonic rule of the Blue Curses and it's cult of followers. In year 125 he had become chief executioner, merely one year before the great purge of goblins to come, but he found Ral Ivoryink wandering the forests and lost. Immortal and disenfranchised with the world she was shocked by how much interest the dwarf took with her and after a brief relationship they married.
She renounced the necromancers and their infighting and settled in Leapbodice with her husband living as a protector and guard.
(https://i.imgur.com/YYf67Az.png)
In her life she had been a slave, an artist, teacher, and soldier. She had never known love before though. She did her best to be in a happy marriage for two years until the cult finally faced justice for their many crimes.
She did battle with the heroes (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8484222#msg8484222): Burt, Egem, Grugni, Hal, and Glorg. In a brutal battle that led to the deaths of Grugni and glorg; She also met her fate and so her story finally ended.
(https://i.imgur.com/RhyulXz.jpg)
Post by: King Zultan on July 02, 2023, 04:43:14 am
Also I didn't know undead could marry.
Also your hooves recover, Zultan!That's good to hear as I was worried it was permanent.
Post by: TeaKing on July 02, 2023, 05:54:09 am
How vile is his ego!
He is obviously inexperienced and yet he acts as if he's a legendary swordsman...
How dare he insult this party and its fallen members?!
If he wants to join us, he'll have to prove himself...
I shall challenge him to a duel...
"Constantly getting into fights, Egem?... A nice thing for me, hehehe... However, i dont think this is good enough... Collect heads for me... What i desire is the skulls of your foes... The sooner you bring them to me the better..."
Now is not the time for your nonsense...
”Sure... But you better keep your task in mind... I shouldn't have to remind you that you're practically a slave to me..."
Post by: Salmeuk on July 02, 2023, 07:17:37 pm
Quote
If he wants to join us, he'll have to prove himself...
I shall challenge him to a duel...
Sir Galtran III is affronted by this challenge, but knows enough about swordplay to know he likely doesn't stand a chance at defeating the battle-hardened Egem. Galtran now tries to defuse the situation, ignoring the challenge.
"Ah, erm, my apologies for the earlier tone, I am merely used to the common rabble that mill about these places, claiming great adventures but secretly knowing nothing about the greater world. I, of course, am not at all one of those types of people."
"I take it you have suffered great losses, yes? Take this leaf as proof of my sworn allegiance to your future survival. I would be honored to fight alongside this party." The leaf is, by all appearances, a completely normal leaf, slightly crumpled after being stuffed into Galtran's pocket for the past few hours.
"That leaf is from the sacred tree of my clan. Consider it a blessing!"
Galtran manages a proud smile here, but his lies are thin...
===
Awesome writeup about Ral. I wasn't sure what to expect with this thread but we've obviously found an interesting and involved way to explore the worldgen history. So Ral ended up having quite the backstory, involving death at the hands of another legendary fighter before resurrection by a god.
Post by: Maloy on July 04, 2023, 06:11:55 am
Burt tries to get the drunk to tell him what he knows about the cult as the info could help when they return to finish the job. He also tries to get a little bit of alcohol from the dwarf.The drunk's other friend joins the conversation with Burt's questioning. The friend is a little more sober, but not much "Some soldiers went there a few weeks back! Humans all armored up from the confederacy saying they were gonna stop the cult! All dead!"
the first drunk raises his empty mug "Humans thought with the goblins all gone the cult would be weak, but they had Ral Ivoryinks and the other dwarves." he shakes his head "It's a shame." The second drunk nods agreeing "They're trying to prove that they're the actual government after all the chaos of the war, but it didn't work." the first drunk eyes jump open and he looks back to Burt "Oh you asked about them! Should only be dwarves left in the cult after that rhino-god thing killed all the goblins" the second interjects "Ain't no gods except the ancestor gods no matter how tough a rhino might be"
The first continues unabated "Whatever, anyway they also got a hole at the bottom of the fort. Leads all the way to the underworld, they say." The second interjects once more "They still got some of the monsters alive, I think. Not all of them are smart, like us. Some of the demons are like animals and they keep them pinned up with the other ones supposedly"
After hearing Burt's final request to purchase alcohol the drunks look at each other than him with the first saying "No can do, sir! We are drunks! Our alcohol is provided to us by the drinking mounds!" the second interjects again "We are professionals!" and then the first continues "We are tasked with the noble purpose of ensuring the quality of alcohol in all dwarf lands" he throws his arms while saying this as if trying to create flair
"Also we drank all of ours just a short while ago. Not sure where you can find some for sale with the shortage and all"
Quote
He tries to find out more about these new laws before he continues into the castle.Both guards look to you with the older looking more worried "Sorry to bother you, sir. New law in the union with the famine here. All food is stockpiled and rationed out. They also reversed the Pauper's Promise" There's a momentary silence as if you all are expected to know what that is "Oh. Outsiders, right! Pauper's Promise has been around as long as the Union. Anyone walking through villages may grab as much food as they can eat, but no more. This way starving travelers and vagrants don't pass away in our lands! It's a promise more than a law, see?"
The other guard is younger and seems more frustrated with the first "We'll be fine! If we do our duty and resist evil and temptation than days of abundance shall return to us" the phrasing sounded less like an argument and more of a ritualistic mantra.
The older guard waves him off "He hasn't been around as long as me so he has more enthusiasm, but I've never seen anything like this! People gonna be upset and some will starve, probably"
The younger guard mutters "Better than all of us"
You give the full tale of your adventures and battles to the commander.
When you reach the deaths of Glorg and Grugni he seems distressed, but the claiming of Dreamedsun puts a new light in his eyes
"These losses are truly heavy. Those two deserve to be buried with honors and accomplished more than what 20 soldiers of the confederacy dared attempt on their own."
Seeing Egem and Sir Galtran begin to argue the commander interrupts with his loud voice "We have no time for these petty squabbles! We will continue this discussion in the other room"
he leads you to a modest conference room. The only other people present are two guards and the baron from earlier. The guards stand at attention while the baron reclines in one of the chairs.
(https://i.imgur.com/s097nvW.jpg)
Source: https://www.deviantart.com/andreasrocha/art/Forgotten-Meetings-732143827
"Take a seat, warriors"
What do you do?
The commander sits "I will not exaggerate to you that we are in dire straits right now" he puts his hands together in a steeple as if in deep thought "Killing Ciba opened the door for settlers to move west, but even when they do it will be a year or more before we see any return on this. Starvation is happening now and there is very little land to go around. For anyone." He pauses and looks around to each of you "Our long time allies amongst the dwarves have been stretching the bounds of our alliance"
The portly baron interrupts with a sneer "Even while zombies marched through our lands they began colonizing lands that were ours!"
The commander spares a glance towards the Baron, but continues "Yes, and things are just as bad in their lands. People are getting antsy on both sides. Something will break soon"
"What he means to say is that right now each leader is looking at his neighbors and asking if we should all starve and we just happen to be the one they are all looking at!"
The commander stands up now "So, to your task. We need to prevent war by whatever means or it might not spell our doom, but that of all of humanity. I have three tasks for you to complete!" One of the guards steps forward and hands paper dossiers to each of you with information
"First and foremost I wish for you to go the old city of Lashedfurnace. It was lost many decades ago to a monster from the depths. Between it and the dwarven city you just came from the dwarves had no choice, but to remain on the surface using land we also need. If you kill the beast that will assist us in our talks of convincing the dwarves to reclaim their underground lives as your dearly departed companion wished.
Questions? Comments?
The second task I will permit you to reject. The dwarves are split into two civilizations the Craterous Glazes and the Silver of Staves. Dreamedsun belonged to the Craterous Glazes and they would likely join the Silver of Staves in a war against us. By right of conquest that spear is now yours, but if you would be willing to sacrifice it please return it to the dwarves and tell them that we are still their friends.
Questions or comments? Thoughts?
The third task is the most important and secretive and is why we are meeting in here. You will go far to the west to the most western dwarven settlement and find a vault hidden in the earth. Ancient beings, supposedly from the heavens, reside there. They were in an alliance with the Swamp Titan of old to prevent us from moving west and are no friends of ours. I want you to acquire weapons and armor from their location, a body too preferably. Bring it back here afterwords
Comments, questions or thoughts?
I do not wish to leave you short or unsupported. How many of you have heard of Kanil Inchwhip? Regardless, following his defeat of the necromancers he traveled north to do battle with the swamp titan himself. He failed and shortly after returning home he fled in exile and has been living in such a manner since. Our scouts found him dwelling in the old goblin fortress of Cursewax (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8421531#msg8421531). If you think you could use him then find him and convince him to join you. He knows where the vault is and found it in his travels."
The baron chimes in waving a ringed finger "Naturally if you complete these tasks for us and the final one after we will reward you with half a man's weight in coin!"
The commander nods at him and returns his gaze to you all "Any questions?"
What do you do first?
OOC:
Same I'm really enjoying this method of playstyle and I could see a steam version adventure mode game like this too!
I knew undead could marry, but I didn't know that people could abandon their civilizations outside of world generation!
Oh also Kanil is a sword MASTER. So if you feel that is too unbalanced for the party you can just not take the commanders advice and leave him at the fort
Post by: King Zultan on July 05, 2023, 03:39:37 am
"Take a seat, warriors"Burt picks the first chair he comes across as he isn't very picky and doesn't mind where he sits as long as he can hear what's being said.
What do you do?
"First and foremost I wish for you to go the old city of Lashedfurnace. It was lost many decades ago to a monster from the depths. Between it and the dwarven city you just came from the dwarves had no choice, but to remain on the surface using land we also need. If you kill the beast that will assist us in our talks of convincing the dwarves to reclaim their underground lives as your dearly departed companion wished.His only question is to ask what the monster inhabiting the place is.
Questions? Comments?
The second task I will permit you to reject. The dwarves are split into two civilizations the Craterous Glazes and the Silver of Staves. Dreamedsun belonged to the Craterous Glazes and they would likely join the Silver of Staves in a war against us. By right of conquest that spear is now yours, but if you would be willing to sacrifice it please return it to the dwarves and tell them that we are still their friends."If giving them the spear would ensure peace I say we give it to them."
Questions or comments? Thoughts?
The third task is the most important and secretive and is why we are meeting in here. You will go far to the west to the most western dwarven settlement and find a vault hidden in the earth. Ancient beings, supposedly from the heavens, reside there. They were in an alliance with the Swamp Titan of old to prevent us from moving west and are no friends of ours. I want you to acquire weapons and armor from their location, a body too preferably. Bring it back here afterwordsBurt is unsure if they could even be able to defeat such creatures but he keeps those thoughts to himself.
Comments, questions or thoughts?
What do you do first?Burt thinks giving the spear back to the dwarves would be the best thing to do first if the rest of the group agrees to give it to them, if not they could go and attempt to recruit Kanil Inchwhip.
Post by: Salmeuk on July 08, 2023, 02:21:27 am
"First and foremost I wish for you to go the old city of Lashedfurnace. It was lost many decades ago to a monster from the depths. Between it and the dwarven city you just came from the dwarves had no choice, but to remain on the surface using land we also need. If you kill the beast that will assist us in our talks of convincing the dwarves to reclaim their underground lives as your dearly departed companion wished.
Questions? Comments?
Galtran listens, horrified. A monster? From the depths? He was totally unprepared for such a fight.
The second task I will permit you to reject. The dwarves are split into two civilizations the Craterous Glazes and the Silver of Staves. Dreamedsun belonged to the Craterous Glazes and they would likely join the Silver of Staves in a war against us. By right of conquest that spear is now yours, but if you would be willing to sacrifice it please return it to the dwarves and tell them that we are still their friends.
Questions or comments? Thoughts?
Galtran has no comment on this task, except to volunteer as ambassador to the Craterous Glazes.
The third task is the most important and secretive and is why we are meeting in here. You will go far to the west to the most western dwarven settlement and find a vault hidden in the earth. Ancient beings, supposedly from the heavens, reside there. They were in an alliance with the Swamp Titan of old to prevent us from moving west and are no friends of ours. I want you to acquire weapons and armor from their location, a body too preferably. Bring it back here afterwords
Comments, questions or thoughts?
Galtran perks up at this task. Sneaking? Stealing? Just his kind of thing.
Oh also Kanil is a sword MASTER. So if you feel that is too unbalanced for the party you can just not take the commanders advice and leave him at the fort
Galtran encourages Kanil to join the group - knowing very well his own skills were less than useful.
It seems the party has become useful pawns of the local landowners. Hmm. We'll see how survivable these adventures turn out to be.
Post by: Maloy on July 11, 2023, 05:05:09 am
(https://i.imgur.com/WAWwGdd.png)
1.Castle Dawnedhop YOU ARE HERE
2. Bandit Fort Crusewax - Kanil
3. Lashedfurnace - Forgotten Beast
4. Oarpassionate - capital of Craterous Glaze Dwarves
5. Wardtorches - Vault
Numbers aren't a route just markers to indicate we can do whatever order is preferred. Also forgive my bad writing I never use desktop pens of markers lol
Post by: King Zultan on July 12, 2023, 05:26:02 am
Also what are those P or R things at the top of the map, I've never seen those before.
Post by: Salmeuk on July 12, 2023, 08:26:20 pm
I agree with Zultan, wise lad that he is, in that we should go in relative order, skirting the mountains and traveling straight to our destinations. For better or worse!
Post by: brewer bob on July 13, 2023, 03:00:44 am
Also what are those P or R things at the top of the map, I've never seen those before.
Looks like ruined forest retreats (specifically ruined ¶ forest retreats).
Post by: King Zultan on July 13, 2023, 05:10:02 am
Also Brewer why don't you join us on this adventure, I've sure there's still room for another character to join.
Post by: brewer bob on July 13, 2023, 09:53:52 am
Also Brewer why don't you join us on this adventure, I've sure there's still room for another character to join.
Guess I hadn't thought of it since there's still bits and pieces of this thread I haven't read.
Post by: Maloy on July 13, 2023, 10:29:41 am
The party is currently working for the human nation of the Notched Union and being paid!
No official application needed just
Name:
national background(human, elf, dwarf, outsider):
Race:
Skills:
Equipment:
and backstory which is optional, but at least enough for why you are joining the party!
Looks like ruined forest retreats (specifically ruined ¶ forest retreats).That's a perfect explanation. I remember watching the icons change to that during world gen and those forests definitely have a harsh history! Looking forward to the exploration!
Post by: Maloy on July 15, 2023, 05:20:11 am
"Thank you for all you have done for us and are doing. If there's any future for our people in these lands it is you who will make it happen."
After pausing a moment he speaks again "I will include dossiers on your tasks to take with you as this will likely be a longer and more complicated journey. Kanil inchwhip is likely a broken man after all this time. His defeat left him shattered, but he is a hero."
Any particular farewells desired?
Sir Galtran III's gear and stats:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The party makes a day long trip to Cursewax. Peaceful and unbothered as this trek of human lands has been thoroughly patrolled and cleaned up.
Cursewax itself would be of the appearance of a typical bandit fortress, but only if after words some mad god-child began tracing in the dirt around it.
As you wander it's perimeter you find it's main gate completely buried under soil and the area around it covered in trench works. The whole area is long neglected.
After picking your way through for sometime you find a weather beaten goblin tower jutting straight out of the wall! It's appearance might be reminiscent of a mushroom sprouting out from the side of a fallen log.
Egem takes advantage of his flight and gets an aerial view of the whole scene.
(https://i.imgur.com/FuNtSsh.png)
As it turns out the tower has a door at it's base and upon entering the other end of the tower leads into the fort proper.
You find most of the buildings to be abandoned and uninhabited, but as you near the last one you find pieces of skeletal corpses lying scattered about.
Thoughts?
Upon entering, cautiously, you find the whole room filled to the brim with the remains of the dead. Warriors scattered all about still covered in armor, weapons, and COIN.
Does the party wish to find better gear among the dead? Egem do you wish to upgrade to metal armor? It will slow you down until you become good at it's use
(https://i.imgur.com/kkNkWCT.png)
At one of the tables sit's a still living man. Although covered head to toe in iron armor his huge bulk suggests a massive amount of muscle. A massive iron blade rests at the table at his side. A well known and famous sword: Cloudfought
(https://i.imgur.com/7LdGXRX.png)
A shield is on the man's back suggesting he can wield both at once.
The sword's owner is Kanil and presumably this is him. The man makes no motion to move, but his eyes are on the party "What do you travelers wish of this old graveyard and it's keeper?" he says
OOC:
My original plan for Kanil was for him to have this whole journey of abandoning bandit hood to become a hero and eventually lawmaker, but after I retired him he actually handed all his titles over to his followers and went to Cursewax on his own. Really interesting when characters do random stuff like that.
Ignore the part of the "aerial view" shot with the party in a building lol I took it after everyone met and joined, but it fit better for Egem to wanna take a peek on his own earlier.
I JUST checked out legends viewer and the glitch with the elven pop fixed itself! which means I can update that soon! That also might mean that elven forest retreat is no longer glitched which means we don't have to go fortress mode to complete the elven purge eventually!
Post by: Salmeuk on July 15, 2023, 12:42:45 pm
Quote
Cloudfought
what the hell happened in 125 ?? every notable death occurred in that year. a large battle i guess.
Galtran would ask of the sitting warrior, who holds Cloudfought, what they are doing here and where they come from.
Post by: King Zultan on July 16, 2023, 04:50:42 am
As it turns out the tower has a door at it's base and upon entering the other end of the tower leads into the fort proper.The sight of dead people and abandoned buildings no longer bothers Burt after what he's seen during this adventure.
You find most of the buildings to be abandoned and uninhabited, but as you near the last one you find pieces of skeletal corpses lying scattered about.
Thoughts?
Upon entering, cautiously, you find the whole room filled to the brim with the remains of the dead. Warriors scattered all about still covered in armor, weapons, and COIN.Burt will dig through the possessions of the dead and see if there's any armour that might fit him or and upgrade for his sword and shield.
Does the party wish to find better gear among the dead?
The sword's owner is Kanil and presumably this is him. The man makes no motion to move, but his eyes are on the party "What do you travelers wish of this old graveyard and it's keeper?" he saysHe will try to convince the warrior to join their group and help them on their journey.
Post by: Maloy on July 18, 2023, 01:32:18 pm
Kanil replies to Galtran and upon close discernment you might see that he is missing some of his back teeth "I'm just another man bound by his own limitations, but my name is Kanil Inchwhip. Bearer of Cloudfought and friend of Pamud"
Upon hearing Burt's request to join them Kanil seems unfazed "Why would I join you and for what purpose? They named me Keeper of the Seal of Cursewax. Didn't make sense to me at first, but I guess it fits. I keep this path safe and keep the goblins from invading south again"
The goblins were driven to near-extinction last year by the, now legendary, rhino-man Kivish
Post by: Salmeuk on July 18, 2023, 02:48:33 pm
"Burt... let us leave this place. It belongs to the ravens now."
and to the sitting Kanil, Galtran speaks:
"Before we go . . . who is this Pamud?"
Post by: King Zultan on July 20, 2023, 03:35:50 am
Post by: Maloy on July 20, 2023, 01:26:08 pm
Totally up to you guys if you wanna go ahead and leave if it isn't worth arguing for. Kanil is under the impression that there are still several thousand goblins in the north preparing to invade as their genocide finished only a couple of months ago.
As a guy who DMs regularly I feel weird meta-inserting him as a character so if you think it fits for you guys to just end the conversation here that is totally fine!
Also I forgot that we gotta go drop off Grugni and Glorg's bodies at a burial site lol woops!
I'll post gear updates next post. I'm having to prep for a dwarf fortress inspired One-Shot I'm doing next week so been a little slow.
Post by: King Zultan on July 21, 2023, 03:10:40 am
As a guy who DMs regularly I feel weird meta-inserting him as a character so if you think it fits for you guys to just end the conversation here that is totally fine!I get that and I was wondering how you'd bring him into the party when you mentioned it, but I think we'll have to leave conversation here as I'm not sure we could convince him to come with us since I'm not sure out characters know about the goblin genocide, and even if we do I can't think of any way to prove to him that it happened.
I'm having to prep for a dwarf fortress inspired One-Shot I'm doing next week so been a little slow.That sounds pretty cool.
Post by: Salmeuk on July 21, 2023, 10:08:50 am
Quote
. I'm having to prep for a dwarf fortress inspired One-Shot I'm doing next week so been a little slow.
yeah this is exciting, love new content . take your time!
DF's worlds and simulations are fairly challenging to DM around. Death is frequently surprising and inconvenient.
Post by: TheFlame52 on July 21, 2023, 03:02:32 pm
Post by: Maloy on July 24, 2023, 08:28:22 pm
Sir Galtran finds some new gear amongst the dead. The "keeper of the seal" seems unbothered by the looting.
(https://i.imgur.com/uAFc0pO.png)
With little left that can still be said the party decides to leave Kanil behind at the fort turned graveyard. He watches them go with a strange look in his eye until they eventually cross back under the walls breaking visibility.
From here the party ventures north for two days to bury honored companions: Grugni and Glorg.
They return to the small shelter they built for the tombs of Ciba's victims. It already had a casket for Grugni's arm and so the site was used once more to bury the dwarf and human.
Your companions are laid to rest. Do you have any words you would speak? Perhaps you are simply lost in thought during the low-key funeral. This would certainly be a less oppressive moment for Sir Galtran
(https://i.imgur.com/YAh9XzE.png)
The party spends the day caring for the area and manage to bag a deer that was grazing nearby.
From here they must head south to find the terror that destroyed the city of Lashedfurnace...and kill it!
OOC
Appreciate it I may post the documents for it after I clean them up and we play the one shot!
It's a proper pathfinder system campaign using a df-world and lore
Also there was no other gear present at fort better than what anyone else had. Galtran had starter gear so was easy to upgrade
Post by: King Zultan on July 25, 2023, 05:03:58 am
OOCThat sounds pretty cool, I look forward to the potential posting.
Appreciate it I may post the documents for it after I clean them up and we play the one shot!
It's a proper pathfinder system campaign using a df-world and lore
Post by: Maloy on July 31, 2023, 05:25:33 am
The next day is sunny and mild and you pass by Cursewax again on your way to Lashedfurnace
You make camp due south of the mountain range that the city languishes within.
(https://i.imgur.com/dygws1l.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/yArVlUa.png)
There's a cool fall breeze and the forest is just beginning to take on the many hues of the fall season. There's significantly less foraging available now and so the party will have to rely on more hunting and trading.
As you sit around the fire you must consider your strategy for by tomorrow morning you will be within the lost city.
Search the city room by room, Wait to see if it comes out by itself, attempt to bait it to an open location, etc? It will likely never tire, but all of you shall
What is Loze Skullgraves? A fire breathing lizard waiting atop the city to burn you all? A giant crab spewing gas that melts flesh patrolling narrow corridors? Or an ooze made of feces resting in some room for you to wander by? Perhaps there is no beast at all? Have the dwarves even checked since they lost the city? His spheres of influence were caverns and disease
Egem, You have acquired 16 skulls also since you are from the dwarven civilizations you would know OF Loze Skullgraves, but not too much since he left no survivors.
Considering these disturbing thoughts after deciding strategy perhaps one of the party should tell a tale of their lives? It being true is inconsequential
(https://i.imgur.com/VU29yUr.png)
You awake to yet another rainy day leaving the autumn breeze particularly chilling. You walk north and worth noting is that there is no surface roadway to this city. Strange considering the other one you recently went to had it's own high way, but without a map telling you wouldn't know that a great city is here.
(https://i.imgur.com/CxeW8Sh.png)
You pass by a field of meadowsweet flowers. They only grow in mountain ranges and are another sign that you are entering lands with no food
(https://i.imgur.com/dRujL4p.jpg)
Do you want to do anything?
Afterwords you make your way to the simple yet elegant entrance to the ruins. It's clear that surface interaction was not the intended priority of this fortress.
(https://i.imgur.com/E637tiL.jpg)
Source: Lord of the Rings War in the North Art https://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-24/lotr-dwarven-entrance.html
OOC:
Glad to pick things back up now! I'd have gone further, but strategy is important! This could easily be the quickest and easiest fight of the world gen or the actual hardest! And going in exhausted would be bad!
Also noted: All your characters REALLY like each other and most of you are mastering your social skills from the back and forth chatter that has been happening for months. Only Egem and Hal hate each other and Hal continues to try and make Egem laugh only deepening the anger.
I hope you all don't mind all the nature journeying and campfire interactions. I figured it realistically displays adventure travel and gives opportunity for character development. After I post this I'm gonna work on updating first post to add Galtran and update demographics.
One shot also went great! Party really loved the world itself and got distracted and lost a lot of time just talking with people and learning the ins and outs of towns and cultures. Once I clean up my DM-Document so it makes sense for other people to read I'll share it plus the character document I sent to them before hand. They all know me personally so they didn't require as much information to know how I generally run things.
Post by: Maloy on August 02, 2023, 05:11:44 am
The party crosses the gentle stream to the fortress proper. The dark stone is quite foreboding in appearance
On the way in you pass the Trade Depot.
It is stuffed full of gear and food. In fact, this food could not only feed the party, but many others during this famine as well!
(https://i.imgur.com/esohJbB.png)
Why is it here? Did the monster steal food and pile it here or perhaps the dwarves are providing sacrifices to it that it might leave them alone?
Regardless, you plunge into the deep.
Down, down, down you all descend into lightless depths.
Shortly, you pass a portion of the rampway that intersects with a cavern it's colors intruding upon the darkness temporarily. This would likely be where the beast originally entered the fortress, but it is unlikely he remains around this entrance so the party plunges deeper.
Had Grugni been here this could have been a feasible entrance to return to the caverns
(https://i.imgur.com/A0R1P8y.png)
Finally, you reach the fortress' massive residential and forge chambers. The party picks it's way through finding enough wealth to easily retire on for all their days, if they so desire. Weapons, armor, furniture, expensive and bejeweled clothing.
Finally, you creep down one last hall. There was light whispering chatter amongst the party the whole way down, but it has now silenced with anticipation
(https://i.imgur.com/f4vphf9.png)
Lozu Unuorgo Desmo Zungo
(https://i.imgur.com/HwTuje0.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/VAY7Dnb.jpg)
Source: https://www.welcomewildlife.com/in-your-yard-mayflies/
Upon seeing Burt it immediately flairs it's trunk and sprays a cloud of dust engulfing itself and Burt. The valiant deer man is thrown against a wall by the force of the dust as the semi-liquid rapidly freezes.
The dust fills the corridor Burt had come from as well and his companions are pushed back as the dust freezes. They try to push through it, but the frozen material slows their progress considerably.
(https://i.imgur.com/DRYdWf6.png)
Egem valiantly fights through the dust lashing away with his whip and pushes the door open once more only to be thrown back again by another wave of frozen extract, but now the door has been coated and it is frozen open. Visibility in the room is zero as the frozen material forms a web covering floor to ceiling.
Finally, after a second attempt Egem makes it into the room and finds the beast standing atop of a statue of a dwarf while holding Burt by his shirt. Burt punches it square in the abdomen and it lashes out against him only hitting his shield.
(https://i.imgur.com/rlcNmGx.png)
The beast sprays Burt again, forming yet another layer of frozen dust upon his skin slowing him down. It lashes again and again, but Burt rolls and then blocks. Burt is now frozen to the ground though and unable to stand under so much webbing.
Egem fires saying "What are you if not an oversized dingo?", but the next wave of extract sends the bolt cascading into the wall instead and so he lashes at the beast instead as it dodges and pushes him towards Burt
(https://i.imgur.com/jYchIOi.png)
Since these few moments have passed several new waves of extract flew in waves and coated the entryway again leaving Hal and Galtran hacking and pushing at it, but as soon as they push through one layer a new wave of dust floods the hall shoving them back where they started.
Burt and Egem are on opposite sides of the room from the beast who has used it's endless supply of powder to create distance. This provides Galtran the time needed to get through the door right as the beast begins moving full speed to the frozen eagle and deer. As it passes the entryway, still having not spot Galtran who is sneaking, Galtran delivers a wicked slash to the neck cutting through chitin.
(https://i.imgur.com/7RsLZb6.png)
The beast unleashes a keening noise and releases an even larger wave of dust followed by three more. The overwhelming flood sending Galtran back out of the room. Burt and Egem are slammed against the wall by the torrent, before it drags them south to the opposite end of the room. All of the party is forced to wait for the flood to end before pressing through the frozen mess the extract's stiffening on your clothes making every movement feel awkward and forced.
(https://i.imgur.com/KjruUZ9.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/xSkKW7s.png)
All of you assemble in time to find the beast--Dead
(https://i.imgur.com/DW5w7Y5.png)
You have survived this battle, and gods willing this dust only freezes as each of you have inhaled and been covered by it. Time will tell
From what I've learned of the characters I don't think anyone will have moral cause to not loot the lost city?
It might have special significance to Egem who was sort of adopted by this dwarven civilization.
OOC:
Also fun fact I learned forever ago:
(https://i.imgur.com/eJ3eLRh.png)
Legends viewer recognizes all deaths and lives, but people don't! So even though Avolition killed the swamp titan and changed the age many don't know he did and think the beast is still somewhere in the swamps. You have to specifically tell enough people who will spread it and so on. Kanil did it with some of the moon monsters he killed.
Post by: King Zultan on August 02, 2023, 05:48:08 am
Gonna do the stuff from this update and the last since I hadn't done ether yet.
As you sit around the fire you must consider your strategy for by tomorrow morning you will be within the lost city.Burt thinks the best strategy would be to search the fort room by room as they don't know where in the fort the creature will be or how deep in it is, so their best bet is to find it rather than hoping it finds them.
Search the city room by room, Wait to see if it comes out by itself, attempt to bait it to an open location, etc? It will likely never tire, but all of you shall
You pass by a field of meadowsweet flowers. They only grow in mountain ranges and are another sign that you are entering lands with no foodHe just sits and thinks about things for a bit before they move on towards the fortress.
Do you want to do anything?
Why is it here? Did the monster steal food and pile it here or perhaps the dwarves are providing sacrifices to it that it might leave them alone?Burt thinks it's stuff left over from when dwarves still lived in the fort, as he's noticed that food prepared by dwarves never rots for some reason so who knows how old the stuff is.
You have survived this battle, and gods willing this dust only freezes as each of you have inhaled and been covered by it. Time will tellHopefully it just is cold and doesn't do anything permanent.
From what I've learned of the characters I don't think anyone will have moral cause to not loot the lost city?Burt sees nothing wrong with looting the city, it's not like dead monsters need this stuff.
Post by: TheFlame52 on August 02, 2023, 02:13:46 pm
Post by: Maloy on August 03, 2023, 09:08:28 am
It registers as Egem's kill, but the final blow was dealt with Galtran's blade
BUT the game insists that it was Egem's Silver Longsword that struck the beast even though Egem only has a whip and bow
Think its glitched, but either way Egem is now credited with killing the beast that destroyed the first dwarven city
Also I've generally improved Galtran and Egem's regular clothing getting them stuff that is encrusted with jewels, ivory etc
Nothing here fits hal or Burt
BUT there is a Steel Shortsword encrusted with jewels and jewel spikes. Thought about giving it to Burt or Galtran, except both of you have Silver Longswords which have superior reach.
Post by: King Zultan on August 04, 2023, 02:43:27 am
Post by: Salmeuk on August 06, 2023, 03:19:58 am
"The next path should be towards Oarpassionate - capital of Craterous Glaze Dwarves, but what exactly were we supposed to do there, again?"
Otherwise, business as usual for the lad. Treasure, yes. Fighting, only if someone is looking.
I'm always curious about forgotten beast 'extracts' and their various effects. I sometimes wish there was the option to investigate the remains for clues..
Post by: Maloy on August 06, 2023, 12:35:37 pm
You've also been help pacify former dwarven lands so they can reclaim that rather than continue to encroach on human lands in a time of intense famine.
I'm looking forward to 10 years from now when they add in a good poisoning system! I'd love to play an assassin using poisons made from forgotten beasts and taking out wizards, demigods, etc
Post by: Maloy on August 13, 2023, 05:53:40 am
Galtran would elect for wielding the steel short sword... if the option is still there.The jeweled weapon fits snugly in your grip. It's reach is shorter than your silver sword, but it's weight and durability are obviously higher. You are no appraiser, but this weapon appears to be worth a fortune. It's yours now.
The party peacefully makes their way out into the light of day after gathering some food for the journey. The midday sun shines warmly on the party as they cross the babbling brook that served as the city's water source.
(https://i.imgur.com/6ifQnAW.png)
It is only a day and a half journey to Mebzuthishen - Oarpassionate to try and find the king and ensure peace.
It is an uneventful journey first through forests, then over an old dwarven highway, and finally through savannah plains before reaching the city at the base of the mountain.
Source: World of Warcraft
(https://i.imgur.com/9fc7DSr.jpg)
The surface portion of the city has only a few people about, but the party drops in at the tavern just in case. What is present would be a delight for the eyes:
Ambience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeo2VCCtUZQ
(https://i.imgur.com/9W2vaKs.jpg)
A working tavern! Not only fully stocked with alcohol, but plenty of tables. On a nearby stand are several instruments and a small stage to play on.
Working taverns are non-existent across the land, especially one with a large enough stock of booze to sell!
Although the alcohol is expensive, which is unsurprising considering the shortage of it.
What would you do? After many hard weeks on the trail this would be an ideal time to relax, drink and perhaps put on a show. After all there's no sign saying that you can't use the instrument.
Regardless when they are done, the party will set forth down into the underground city proper.
A similar spiral downward ramp into darkness, but instead of the ominous atmosphere of a city occupied by a giant monster or ruled by demon worshipping cultists this is much warmer as you hear all sorts of familiar urban sounds below.
The party gets off the ramp at the population center of the city and the hustle and bustle of life assails the senses:
Traffic running around and about the smoothed tunnels
Peacocks pecking about looking for food overturned from carts
A prophet doomsayer walks up and down screaming of the end of everything
A poet seeks to hand out copies of his work to passersby while reciting lines
Two horses, that clearly escaped their pen, wander off down the hall as you hear a distant voice likely shouting for them
People keep speaking of rumors of a famous spy called Dang, hiding within the city somewhere. From the goblin lands, although his race is not mentioned.
What is your reaction to the city?
(https://i.imgur.com/290SDpO.png)
You pass by markets selling foods; including rare underground meats such as from a gremlin
You pass a store selling accessories: Jeweled bracelets, earrings, rings, and an assortment of clothing all coated in the very same! On a few displays you see gems the size of your hand!
Do you want anything? You are fully stocked, but who says more is bad? How does such opulence make you feel?
You eventually wander your way into an office, unmarked, as you look for someone helpful!
(https://i.imgur.com/9dBz4lu.png)
You see a dwarf man in simple, yet elegant regalia speaking with two elderly dwarves. The elegant man is flanked by two other dwarves, dressed visibly like hunters from the wilderness, but their eyes watch the room more carefully like a guard's would!
You greet the dwarf, who turns to you as you walk in
Do you do so simply or with formality or with honor, etc?
He introduces himself "I am Aban Leafpost the last general of the Craterous Glazes." He bows to you even without recognizing you
Meeting the general is a great way to find the king and you request information about the local government
Feel free to phrase the request as specific dialogue for flavor - I won't speak directly for the party
He informs you that the city is under occupation and currently belongs to the...Patterned Images!
That's the name of the government ruled by the necromancers Kanil Inchwhip slew!
A cold hunter military captain rules the city...and the king is in hiding within the city.
Why would a king hide in the one place he is likely to be killed on sight?
As he speaks you can hear the voice of a guard shouting at and interrogating a passerby. He is very close to your position.
OOC:
This is actually new info for me! I had no idea the city was under occupation. There are no necromancers left, but the super powered intelligent undead are still a force to be reckoned with it seems!
Also can potentially change plans. If we want we can simply leave as without it's capital we surely can't expect the craterous glazes to join in a war!
Post by: King Zultan on August 14, 2023, 06:01:32 am
He is glad to finally be in a place that isn't a ruin.
Burt will try to get a hold of some rings as he quite likes shiny bobbles.
He gives a simple greeting.
The king is probably hiding in here because he's probably just as likely to be killed outside as he is here.
There isn't much point in turning over the artifact since the place is under occupation.
Post by: Maloy on August 15, 2023, 05:29:30 am
Otherwise our next stop is a vault to gather weapons and armor!
Post by: King Zultan on August 16, 2023, 03:04:21 am
Post by: Salmeuk on August 16, 2023, 09:07:37 pm
Quote
The party gets off the ramp at the population center of the city and the hustle and bustle of life assails the senses:
Traffic running around and about the smoothed tunnels
Peacocks pecking about looking for food overturned from carts
A prophet doomsayer walks up and down screaming of the end of everything
A poet seeks to hand out copies of his work to passersby while reciting lines
Two horses, that clearly escaped their pen, wander off down the hall as you hear a distant voice likely shouting for them
People keep speaking of rumors of a famous spy called Dang, hiding within the city somewhere. From the goblin lands, although his race is not mentioned.
What is your reaction to the city?
Galtran, amazed by the sights and sounds, is entranced. He wants more of this place. So much opportunity, places to show off his fighting skill, and people in need of heroic deeds. In fact all of this is a bit overwhelming and Galtran takes respite in a nearby tavern for part of the day.
Quote
Helping place the king back in his proper place sounds like it could be fun, but we probably would need more members of the party to agree to do it before we should try.
Agreed, though helping the king does seem rather foolhardy until we scope out this fearsome militia captain who is currently in control of this place. So, perhaps we could recruit some lesser warriors into our midst, so as to take the first and heaviest attacks - cannon fodder, you know?
Post by: King Zultan on August 18, 2023, 01:57:05 am
"Gathering some warriors to help us here is good idea especially with what we'll be running into with the next few stops on our quest."QuoteHelping place the king back in his proper place sounds like it could be fun, but we probably would need more members of the party to agree to do it before we should try.
Agreed, though helping the king does seem rather foolhardy until we scope out this fearsome militia captain who is currently in control of this place. So, perhaps we could recruit some lesser warriors into our midst, so as to take the first and heaviest attacks - cannon fodder, you know?
Post by: Maloy on August 18, 2023, 09:16:50 am
Perhaps you’d want to use your new reputation to gain followers? Or save it for the union so that they can have first dibs on the city and treasure!
Post by: King Zultan on August 19, 2023, 04:46:11 am
Post by: Maloy on August 21, 2023, 04:39:55 am
During your stint at the tavern you all enjoy a fair drink together and discuss your plans for the city. Hal, sensing his opportunity for the stage, hops up and gives what is most possibly the most hilarious comedy routine anyone has ever heard.
He is more than likely the greatest comedian of this era.
(https://i.imgur.com/TL1bKRQ.png)
A mournful story is delivered shortly thereafter detailing the events of the start of the war with the Patterned Images(necromancers). New Lore Unlocked
After words the party begins wandering the city and spreading words of their deeds and seeking help. This is where the party meets the cold hunter captain.
While making conversation with a "prophet" Burt hears a voice shout behind him "Identify yourself" he freezes up for a moment just long enough for the voice to ask again before turning and calling out a name "Kudpa, A true deer man hunter of the Patterned Images"
This satisfies the voice that walks by giving you each a good look at the owner.
The cold hunter is a goblin! His green body racked in muscle and barely contained necrotic power.
Through further conversation the party discovers a few things:
1.Virtually every citizen has dropped their true name and lives under false identities; even children lie and work jobs not their own.
2.The King lives as a criminal hiding in the alley ways of the city
3.The goblin captain came and occupied with a whole garrison of living goblin followers, but they were all brutally massacred by the rhino man known as Kivish.
4.Despite this the people live under occupation still as the goblin could likely fight them all and still win.
You successfully recruit one dwarf thus far, but also have accessed the pen of horses and acquired a whole stable's worth. While not spectacular fighters the additional attacks would keep the goblin reeling and if any survive they'd make fine mounts for the party.
It should be easy enough to equip your armor and weaponless dwarven follower with all the shops. In fact, considering you are trying to free the person you may be able to convince them to simply GIVE you the gear!
Should we attempt to find and convince the coward king to help the party? Perhaps returning the spear may give him confidence...or he will run off with it and you'll still fight without him just lacking the legendary spear.
Regardless, in one day's time the party shall commence their attack on the goblin with whomever they are able to rally
OOC
I'll try to gather another fellow or two
I'm actually not partial to getting the king to help with insurrection because I genuinely don't believe he will, but who knows? There's some other opportunities I am seeing here, but I'm gonna wait until after the cold hunter is dealt with(or deals with us lol) before I throw it out there
Also I wasn't controlling Burt when he changed his name so that was his choice and likely the only way to avoid an immediate fight. Every single resident there has changed their name and pretends to be part of the patterned Images now to avoid a lethal dose of goblin fist to the brain
Post by: Salmeuk on August 21, 2023, 05:36:57 pm
maybe we should act unilaterally and so avoid meddling with the King until after we confirm our revolution is feasible. and should we fail, we can retreat into the jungles and set up guerilla camps, win over the local population, and return en masse when the enemy expects it least. . . it may take ten years but
Post by: King Zultan on August 22, 2023, 03:59:20 am
Assuming false names should be easy since my guy has already done that we just need to get the rest of the gang in on the fun.
Post by: Maloy on August 28, 2023, 05:27:59 am
and should we fail, we can retreat into the jungles and set up guerilla camps, win over the local population, and return en masse when the enemy expects it least. . . it may take ten years butHey...wait a second -pulls mask off- Castro again?!CubaMebzuthishen will be ours!
The party spends a day gathering all the city's horses and then speaking with citizens about joining the party. Most reply that they have a duty to remain present in the city, despite being bards, prophets, and other jobs; They're more than likely city officials in hiding, but still faithful.
At one point the party returns to the great central rampway that provides the ability to traverse levels when the cold hunter walks by
(https://i.imgur.com/ZfMgPsh.png)
He walks by the party shouting out to a civilian someway behind all of you to identify yourselves, but seeing an opportunity like no other to destroy the tyrant in one swift stroke Burt's hand goes to his blade. Drawing all his focus into one strike he swiftly lashes out! The goblin had already turned invisible before the blade met his flesh, but it was too late for him to move as blade slashed across undead flesh and the sound of an invisible blade being drawn is heard before an overwhelming amount of horse neighing and screaming.
Combat Log:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Galtran and Egem squeeze through the press of bodies to follow the goblin down to find a sickening scene as pools of horse blood already fill the stairwell as the captain stabs and cuts again and again. Egem fires at the invisible goblin again, but manages to dodge. Burt is the target of the invisibility spell and so the goblin is visible to all others!
Galtran charges forward (Does he say anything?) and slams the pommel of his bejeweled and spiked blade into the right arm of the goblin. The goblin spins his knife in the air and slashes Galtran's finger from around his shield almost cutting it off completely and forcing Galtran to drop his shield!
Before the goblin can take advantage of his opponent's new vulnerability the few horses left roar in rage and attack the goblin who just barely dodges each blow and slashes in return only for Galtran to come behind and stab him straight through the chest rupturing a lung, but the goblin does not breath.
Galtran jumps out of the way of another blow
He stabs the Goblin straight through the back shattering the middle of his spine, and yet the goblin is held up by powers not of this earth!
The captain slashes at Galtran's arm attempting to take his other weapon out, but Galtran holds onto his blade despite the blood flowing down his arm!
More horses attack and the goblin brutally shoves a knife through one's skull killing it instantly.
Galtran and the goblin go into a stream of parrying one another's blows before Galtran lashes out in a wide arc spilling the foul reeking guts of the creature onto the floor!
The creature stumbles towards Egem, but the eagle man jumps aside while he loads his next shot at the beast.
The goblin catches Galtran's next blow on his blade before stabbing his disarmed left arm again.
Galtran punches the goblin in it's left ear crushing it into an unrecognizable mass of blood and flesh.
Both warriors eye each other for a moment (What are they thinking?) before both slash one another's feet attempting to knock each other over.
Egem fires (What does he declare?) and the arrow strikes true! The goblin's right arm takes the dwarven metal arrow and the bone is shattered completely!
Galtran and the goblin return to parrying for a few moments before Galtran slashes again at the lower body, perhaps in hopes of cleaving lower from upper?
The goblin attacks with renewed fervor and the two companions are forced into a series of dodging and jumping out of the way before Galtran slashes, AGAIN, at the lower body!
Parry, slash, parry, slash the rhythm continues as Galtran lines the goblin up for Egem's shot while simultaneously trying to make any of the creature's limbs useless in the battle!
A mere moment before Egem can fire his next shot the goblin somersaults out of Galtran's reach and during the spin slashes down taking Egem's left hand! his whip goes flying away with it as blood sprays across the already bload soaked room!
Galtran surges in slashing at the goblin's feet clearing severing nerves, but the monster still stands!
They parry one another again before Galtran slashes out the creature's right eye!
Horses continue to help and Burt has finally reached the room, but he can not see the cold hunter! (What does he say or think?)
Galtran viciously stabs the goblin's thigh, but it still will not fall to the ground as it tries in vain to stab through Galtran's gauntlet causing it's iron knife to break!
Egem fires an arrow and the captain desperately ducks to the ground to roll out of it's way and it is in this moment that Galtran cut's the monster's arm off and it goes flying away!
As Hal finally makes it into the fight with his scimitar the goblin punches Galtran in the head sending him reeling.
The creature dodges Hal again and again before grabbing his foot and taking him down to the ground!
Hal still stabs viciously despite being dazed, but the creature grabs onto his breastplate perhaps intending to tear it off the kiwi man?
Galtran slashes again taking the monster's OTHER arm!
In response it grabs Hal's left foot with it's own leg. It twists and twists in a flash until Hal's foot explodes into gore from the supernatural weight. Hal attempts to slash the constricting leg severing many nerves, but the beast does not let go. The two are left on the ground in a grapple as the goblin strikes at Hal only to meet his shield. Hal bites the goblin int he head with his beak!
Galtran attempts to hack away at the goblin's titanic legs
The goblin kicks Hal's left shoulder so hard that it explodes into gore causing the kiwi to drop his blade. The kiwi strikes the monster's foot with his shield crying defiantly!
Finally, Galtran's blade descends and the head of the goblin goes flying. Dead, finally. Hopefully.
(https://i.imgur.com/OhD8su4.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/xUaWrLS.png)
The stairwell is covered in pools of blood, severed limbs, and dead horses. Hal is not in danger of death, but you must wait and see how he shall recover.
The party is attempting to staunch the blood flow from Egem's severed hand, but he is very pale and you will have to see if he makes it through the night.
You have a strange moment before you. The moment of fate that decides the course of history and even though the room is not silent it feels as if it is. As if the world around you waits with bated breath for your next decision.
Before you lies the dead goblin who singlehandedly ruled this entire city, perhaps the only city on this whole continent that still functioned somewhat normally.
Would you take the city for yourself? All of it's wealth and power could be yours for the taking quite easily. All it takes is a declaration before someone else makes it. Technically, this also keeps your word to the Union too; as the Silver of Staves would be utterly foolish to declare war on the humans with a potential enemy city on the opposite side of their territory. Shall you take the greatest city for yourself in this very moment? All it takes is, but one party member to claim it for themselves.
OOC:
Sorry Burt drew the short end of the stick there on the invisibility spell. Hal is also the slowest member of the party by A LOT so these super speed battles always take him forever to get into.
Fortunately, Egem can fire a bow one handed so that is nice lol. Shout out to him for literally having a missing hand and suffering near lethal blood loss and STILL shooting the enemy
Post by: Salmeuk on August 28, 2023, 07:31:42 am
Quote
In response it grabs Hal's left foot with it's own leg. It twists and twists in a flash until Hal's foot explodes into gore from the supernatural weight.
so with NO arms, guts spilled, missing an eye, and this fiend still manages to land massive damage? good godd. I'm honestly surprised we survived... this felt like one of the gladiator tourney battles considering the lengthy duel that occurred.
Quote
Galtran charges forward (Does he say anything?)
during the ambush, Galtran would remain focused and silent, as he would be desperately afraid of this creature before him.
Quote
Both warriors eye each other for a moment (What are they thinking?)
Here, Galtran would speak: "Feeling a little. . . horse?" before charging in to deal the finishing cuts.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Quote
Before you lies the dead goblin who singlehandedly ruled this entire city, perhaps the only city on this whole continent that still functioned somewhat normally.
Would you take the city for yourself?
As a gesture to his dying compatriot, Galtran III would suggest that Egem be volunteered as king or ruler of the captured city. Should he survive the loss of his hand, surely this title would provide a comfortable retirement?
Should Egem pass away, well, Galtran has no interest in the role...
Quote
Hal is also the slowest member of the party by A LOT
ahhaha good 'ol Hal...
Post by: Maloy on August 29, 2023, 02:58:24 pm
We are blessed by Armok that RNG has not given us any cold hunters that wear armor.
King Egem...I like it! If teaking doesn't pop in to opine and Zultan is cool with it that might be what we go for.
One of the last things that goblin heard before he truly died was a horse pun lol
Post by: King Zultan on August 31, 2023, 08:15:42 am
Burt thinks there's nothing wrong with Egem taking control of the fortress if he want's to and if he doesn't we could always find the old king and tell him he can take back control.
Looks like bringing all those horses was a good idea. Sorry about not posting sooner I've had all kinds of crap going on recently and couldn't log on the last two days.
Post by: Maloy on September 02, 2023, 05:42:00 am
The site is still owned by the same necromancer site government despite having no living members. I don't think it's a glitch it's just that adventure mode claims are tricky
If they got anyone alive even off site they inherent the government.
The dwarves have begun butchering every single animal in the fortress brutally with small knives. I think they're starting an insurrection with the only members of the necromancer government present being the animals owned by them.
See how it develops!
Also I had a cool dwarf fortress dream
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on September 02, 2023, 05:48:06 am
Also it's always fun when you have dreams like that.
Post by: Maloy on September 04, 2023, 04:47:50 am
In short time the dwarves began celebrating in the streets cheering and shouting of freedom regained. In honor of the heroes the dwarves threw a grand feast to the extent that they butchered every single animal they could find that didn't already belong to the heroes!
During the event one of the party members tells the dwarves of their intention to install Egem as ruler and protector of the city. The dwarves are surprisingly accepting of the new rule and do not express discontent. Although the religious leader of The Spry, the god of death, advises that the rule of Egem should not be made official until they determine that the Patterned Reign was truly overthrown and dealt with. Most dwarves worship the Spry and so this leader's word cements the population on the matter.
Egem for his part has recovered well and can fire his bow one handed it seems. Hal and Galtran's injuries although agonizing at the time were not permanent and they have recovered use of their extremities. A few horses survived although crippled. They will never be quite as fast as they were, but can continue to serve as martial companions.
With bellies full of good dwarven alcohol and roasts the party sets forth to accomplish their final task from the union: The great vault of Wardtorches
(https://i.imgur.com/1A7VDXY.png)
To reiterate goals: You were asked to acquire a number of weapons from the vault. Enough for yourselves and some spare weapons as well.
As you continue along the dwarven highway leaving savannahs behind you the road turns to black sand. You ready yourself to veer off of it to the known location of the angelic vault when you spy something else:
A goblin! A leaderly looking one at that!
(https://i.imgur.com/coqR5Oo.png)
He is covered head to toe in basic copper armor with no sigils of any particular nation, but each piece etched and decorated with bone! It leaves him looking regal in a primitive sense.
Goblins are almost always hostile or up to no good and he has not seen the party yet. What should you all do?
OOC:
Learning moment for me. An Eagle person's arms are distinct from their wings. I wasn't sure if they were separate appendages or not, but I'm glad Egem can still fly and fight unhampered!
Post by: King Zultan on September 04, 2023, 05:43:47 am
Post by: TeaKing on September 05, 2023, 05:38:02 pm
Post by: Maloy on September 09, 2023, 05:25:59 am
if Egem can use a bow with one hand does that mean he could've used two bows at once???Maybe? That'd be cool to test out actually! Not that Egem can...
The goblin fought weakly as she was more focused on running away, but the party ruthlessly beat her before she passed out from pain. She bled to death as the party tried to bash their way through her helmet to give her a swift death.
(https://i.imgur.com/aOn6ZiD.png)
She was standing right in front of the entrance to the vault!
The vaults in these lands aren't exactly a well kept secret. especially considering this one is a giant tower of stone jutting from the earth right next to the highway!
What do you think, say or emote as you look at the impossibly large stone tower and it's fearsome dangers?
Galtran leans his head in to see what lies before the party in this forbidden place
(https://i.imgur.com/PpgIqCd.png)
Despite a basic humanoid shape the creature seems to be a wild beast! It snarls and before Sir Galtran even has a moment to back his head out it charges only to be followed by another of the small beasts!
The fight was vicious as the two beasts could move at such speeds to lay three attacks at the party for every one that was returned! At one point the horned beast stabbed Galtran with it's horn causing a sickening sound as muscle was torn through and his bejeweled dwarven blade fell to the ground. Ejem similarly had his knocked from his hands as one creature barrelled through the party to the outdoors to chase the eagle man and attack him. Fortunately the beasts of war are small and the horses keep them on the back foot with sheer size. The next great thing learned is that they have very little blood, or should we say Ichor, to spill. Within short time of grievous bleeding wounds both of them bleed out, but not before something even worse exits the vault to fight.
(https://i.imgur.com/DvgMQu8.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/FiDzWkP.png)
This, also short, servant of war swings his scourge around showing complete mastery as everyone tries to swarm the small armored monster. It's clothes move and shift as if it were a dark ocean and the armor shows blue as the sky on the most beautiful of days. It's strange to see such beautiful decoration on a being dedicated to war and it's spread.
The party has a vicious battle with the beast as it dodges most blows. Hal successfully knocks it's scourge away leaving it weaponless and far less deadly, but still the battle goes as it dodges most blows.
It only slows as little nicks and cuts pile up and it's small amount of ichor drains until finally Burt is able to:
(https://i.imgur.com/uHzvuZX.png)
Any post-battle thoughts?
Following this the party rests for a short while to recover, but this turns out to be a severe miscalculation on two parts.
1. They did not pick up their weapons that had been knocked away before resting
2. They did not move away from the vault
Two more warring messengers of Kor arrive bellowing war shouts and cheering inevitable victory. You look around to see that Galtran and Egem are still weaponless and these creatures are simply far too fast to outrun.
Battle begins
OC:
Short, but that is because I am currently fighting for all of the party's lives lol.
The horses are really saving us because they keep enemies busy. This is also the first vault I have been to where the intelligent enemies are MASTERS in combat. A master lasher just needs one lucky hit to kill anybody.
One thing I've learned from df: Randomly generated creatures usually have an incorrect amount of blood and are easy to bleed to death.
Oh also I checked the goblin wasn't evil. She was the last survivor of one of the only dwarven mercenary companies in the world and had fled oarpassionate from the necromancer occupation. Sooner or later we would have to kill all goblins though so it's whatever!
We are so dang close to the end of this arc I planned and I'm so excited for the finale! Just gotta survive these guys!
Post by: TheFlame52 on September 09, 2023, 03:18:24 pm
One thing I've learned from df: Randomly generated creatures usually have an incorrect amount of blood and are easy to bleed to death.Blood amount is based on body size, and many angels are quite small.
Post by: King Zultan on September 10, 2023, 02:19:06 am
Even though they managed to kill a few of these creatures Burt was still unsure of their chances given they were fighting creatures created by a god of war.
Post by: Maloy on September 12, 2023, 05:28:47 am
Combat Reports:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
More than likely there was some change of guard or something as by the end of their rest they got up just in time to see another strange horned beastman charging at them
"Another battle? I'm uneasy" Egem calls
One of the few horses left is closer and so the two clash. The minion clamps vicious jaws into the horse's throat and beats upon it's flesh with fists as the death grip of teeth tighten. Burt, being one of the only two with weapons, charges past Galtran and slams into the minion sending it reeling back and slamming into the wall of the vault. Horse, Burt and Galtran attack simultaneously as the creatures wriggles and dodges around each blow before it punches Burt in his arm with supernatural strength. Galtran is able to scratch the same hand that punched Burt as it withdrew, but with little damage.
It dodges two more attacks from the two heroes before delivering a kick to Burt's throat. It dodges three more attacks and lashes out again, although Burt has figured out the rhythm of attacks and blocks this one.
Another horse joins in and successfully begins stomping on the small beast causing it to screech out. It gores the horse in it's left hoot chipping bone and returns to attacking Burt. It continues to dodge all attacks from the party, but now from the entrance to the vault you see another warrior approach covered in divine blue armor and a vicious whip. While the small creature is hard to hit it is also capable of doing a vicious amount of damage making the newcomer a problem.
The warrior lifts his whip to strike and Burt slams his shield into the creature's chest as it does. Still, it lashes hitting Hal in the foot causing a burst of blood from his foot, but not knocking him over. Egem flies overhead waiting for his weapons to be accessible as everyone fights over top of where his bow rests.
Hal stabs the warrior, known as a warring messenger, in the leg while the other horse rears and kicks the messenger in the chest with a massive thud! Meanwhile Galtran and Burt still duck and dodge around the small beast. The messenger lashes at Burt, but he deftly parries it with his sword. Within this moment the small beast lashes out kicking at Galtran and knocking several teeth out.
The messenger lashes again and hits Burt's head catching on his bronze helm. Burt dodges away from the small beast as both he and the horse strike at the warrior. Burt slashes the head, but misses the neckline instead hitting the helmet while the horse slams another hoof against the warrior's leg.
Burt kicks the messenger in the mouth causing it to explode into gory ichor. The small beast kicks Burt's leg again and while blocked by armor it does still hurt. Hal strikes at the messenger with his shield doing little damage as the messenger lashes out striking Burt again.
All combatants fall into a series of dodging for several moments before the perfect moment lines up and in a flash neck is severed from body. A body falls lifelessly to the ground spraying ichor in all directions: The warrior messenger falls.
The beast is still alive and the two horses have fled, but to make matters worse Galtran sees the inside of the vault once more. Another warring messenger and another minion of Ikor approach the party. Galtran in a moment of daring or foolishness, only he can say, jumps past the beast they were still fighting rolling into the vault by himself to pick up his blade and shield. He tries to attack the already wounded beast from behind in hopes of finishing it in the seconds the party has before the new combatants arrive. The small beast bites onto Burt's antler before being knocked away and then grabs Hal's loincloth before being similarly knocked away. It can not tire, but it is bleeding and that is slowing it down considerably.
The new minion of Ikor beast reaches Galtran and delivers a overpowering kick to Galtran's foot causing the bronze metal to buckle and groan as it is dented. Meanwhile the original one gores Hal with it's horn in his arm causing him to lose use of it and drop his shield.
Now the battle breaks down again into groups. Hal and Burt try to finish off the minion of Ikor while Galtran fights the new warrior and beast. Egem quietly descends reaching for a weapon.
The injured small beast is on Burt attacking and biting with abandon as neither he nor Hal can land a hit.
Meanwhile Galtran catches a lash on his blade before riposting and striking at the warrior who masterfully blocks the attack.
The warrior reaches out with his lash and strikes at Burt only catching his antler as Burt tears the small monster's teeth out of his gauntlet.
Galtran forces the warrior to dodge his sword and as the messenger does Galtran slams him in the chest with his shield. The two take each other's measure and parry each others attacks once more as Burt charges at the injured small beast swinging. The new minion of Ikor latches onto Galtran's waterskin hanging from his side trying to disorient him.
As the injured one dodges away from Burt it backs close to Galtran who delivers a tremendous swing decapitating the creature finally. Nearby the horse it had been goring and attacking earlier finishes bleeding out.
The warrior lashes Burt three times in succession: Arm, antler and hoof. Each time he hits as if avenging the fallen beast. Burt falls to the ground. Does he call out or think anything?
Hal, Burt and Galtran strike at the messenger, but the creature dodges two and parries one. The small beast rushes in and Galtran blocks it's punch, but it is only a feint as it pounces in latching on with teeth onto Galtran's open mouth and tongue biting and spilling blood.
At this point all three heroes are covered with sweat, tired, bordering on exhaustion. Burt swings his blade forcing the creature to let go of Galtran and in vengeance it goes after Burt punching him in the head. The tireless angels and the exhausted heroes fall into attacking and dodging once more. Burt delivers a strike with his shield at full force against the messenger and the warrior reels putting a hand over his heart for a brief moment.
The minion of Ikor sprints in again and delivers a sickening punch to Hal's arm tearing ligament and tendon causing Hal to drop his sword.
Galtran is too far away to help. but delivers a powerful slash across the warrior's chest causing ichor to spray in massive amounts as an artery in the heart is cut.
The small beast is proceeding to beat the disabled Hal senseless as Burt and Galtran attempt to move their way there while still fighting the warrior; who despite receiving a lethal wound marches undeterred towards them both. It lashes out finding the small opening in Galtran's helmet and delivering a brutal blow to his cranium that leaves him reeling.
The angel and two heroes attack and dodge again and again. The lash meets Burt's leg delivering a deep wound as Galtran charges in and decapitates the angel decorating the rest of the room with ichor.
The last beast dodges each blow as it moves away from Hal and jumps up kicking Burt's right antler causing it to sever and fly across the room. Don't know if you were attached to that Antler, Burt?
The creature dodges more blows from the pair and Burt roars "I am the nemesis of Ral Ivoryinks, who was returned from the rock and much from which it spawned!"
The creature kicks Burt's left arm with sickening damage causing Burt to lose hold of his shield before it screeches punching his legs causing his armor to fracture and split. His greaves are barely held together by small pieces of metal.
The trio, for Hal is returned and fighting with his beak and feet, attack continously forcing the beast to dodge every blow. It grabs Burt's left arm, but Galtran slices it off completely! Despite spraying ichor everywhere it attacks! It attacks viciously easily dodging each counter the heroes throws beating each of them senseless. It delivers another blow to Galtran knocking his shield from him and continues to beat on them both casually dodging Hal's pecking attempts.
Then it lunges forward stabbing Burt in the arm with it's horn piercing straight through flesh. Burt loses his weapon.
What follows is brutal misery:
Unable to stand and on the verge of passing out the party can not even dodge anymore as the beast viciously beats Burt taking every piece of armor to near breaking point and ultimately shattering his greaves completely. Galtran lashes out with his sword, but it is slow and the beast then begins kicking out his teeth and crushing his lips.
As he beats Galtran a figure approaches divine lash in hand...
The beast bites Hal's head and shakes him around with such force arteries begin rupturing and blood spilling all over. Galtran and Hal weakly attack forcing it to let go and as it drops Hal it stomps down on his foot causing it to explode in gore.
Hal is bleeding out and tries to crawl away. The beast follows him and tries to grab the dying Kiwi as divine lash comes down at the beast forcing it to dodge: Egem has come
Just as Hal's doom seemed inevitable Egem lashes out fresh and full of energy he forces the creature into a backstep. It tries to attack Egem, but in his light armor Egem can easily dodge each attack.
Egem leads the creature back into the trio of him, Burt and Galtran as the three work on the beast. It dodges each blow until wandering into a lash across the chest from Egem.
Hal stops crawling away and turning around, despite his injuries, but why?
Only revealed moments later as Burt, powerful Burt, passes out from exhaustion his blood spilled and armor shattered.
The beast begins viciously kicking Burt's unconscious body as Egem rushes back in lashing at the monster.
It will not leave Burt alone though until Hal crawls back in range and weakly pecks at the beast's foot.
If it could laugh it surely would. It grabs Hal's wing in it's mouth and shakes him around again severing nerves and sending blood spraying. Hal passes out.
Galtran seeing his two friends about to die charges in and slashes, but the beast drops Hal and dodges kicking Galtran and causing his greaves to break apart entirely.
The minion of Ikor beats Burt again and again with Galtran too slow and exhausted to even do much.
Egem lashes out now and again and again he drives the beast back. It becomes enraged and screeches at Egem as he lashes it's chest open causing blood to pour. He keeps it spinning and dodging his blows and each time it tries to focus on Burt it receives yet another lash. Finally, the room is set up as Egem wants it. The beast dodges back from a lash hissing at the eagle man, but it backs up right into Galtran's range as the swordsman swings down beheading the monster completely. Ichor sprays across the area and over Egem and Galtran.
Burt and Hal are passed out on the floor covered in their own blood, armor shattered, but they will survive. Galtran is on the verge of passing out leaving Egem as the only strong one left.
OOC:
Wild, right? No way outside of DFhack to replace Burt's gear.
I think between three dead warring messengers there is enough armor and weapons to fulfill your mission, agreed?
I'm gonna pick up all the weapons and get everyone far far away before we rest.
Salmeuk, I assume the creature was obsessed with breaking your teeth, mouth and lips was because you were talking mad trash, but I didn't wanna assume intent lol
Sorry, I saved you until the end there Teaking. I both needed to get you a weapon, but also I saw the guys getting exhausted and realized a fresh face would be better then you passing out at the same time as them.
We're very much nearing the end game of what I have planned for this party. I think you will all like it!
Post by: King Zultan on September 13, 2023, 05:04:20 am
The warrior lashes Burt three times in succession: Arm, antler and hoof. Each time he hits as if avenging the fallen beast. Burt falls to the ground. Does he call out or think anything?*panicked Burt noises*
The last beast dodges each blow as it moves away from Hal and jumps up kicking Burt's right antler causing it to sever and fly across the room. Don't know if you were attached to that Antler, Burt?Burt is attached to all parts of his body and doesn't like it when they get kicked off.
Damn those things sure seemed to hate Burt for some reason, to bad my armour is damaged and irreplaceable guess that's what I get for choosing a big critter. Hopefully Burt's antler is the only permanent injury the party suffers after the fight.
Also leaving with what we have sounds like a really good idea especially after three members of the group almost dying.
Post by: Salmeuk on September 13, 2023, 04:22:48 pm
Quote
Salmeuk, I assume the creature was obsessed with breaking your teeth, mouth and lips was because you were talking mad trash, but I didn't wanna assume intent lol
Most likely, but I cannot come up with anything particularly witty or acidic enough to fit the situation.
i do not regret making a bog-standard sword character seeing as how useful he is in combat haha.
looking forward to more writeups / the conclusion
Post by: Maloy on September 13, 2023, 08:05:07 pm
I think it's a glitch because the rest heals all wounds, but they still have the [cannot breathe] condition.
So I'm gonna full-heal them I think because that sounds glitchy
Post by: King Zultan on September 14, 2023, 04:12:00 am
Also really curious as to who it was.
Post by: Maloy on September 16, 2023, 05:18:45 am
As the party prepares to leave Egem and Galtran pick up pieces of armor and weapons. There is enough present to arm each person with a divine blue metal shield. Egem has one scourge for himself and the other two are packed away if anyone decides they want to use one; otherwise they will be turned in for your quest. The armor doesn't fit any of you sadly.
Galtran has to hobble along himself, but has enough strength to help, the quite small, Hal out of the vault. While Egem helps Burt.
It seems though that the god of war and fortresses will not forgive trespass lightly for Burt and Hal begin choking! As if a great hand was pressed against each of their throats they begin gasping for breath and flail away from their companions falling to the ground. There seems to be nothing anyone can do as when you touch the area around their throats you feel no invisible hand, but the two certainly do.
Just as when it seems hopeless and that they shall breathe no longer a strange light descends from above the party and lands on the two of them. Their struggles stop and they remain still, yet breathing. As the light passes them they find their bodies restored healing the crushing of their throats that would have spelled an untimely and premature doom. They are also healed of the many scars crisscrossing their bodies from the adventures they have had the last two months. Even Burt's severed antler is healed as it regrows as if never gone.
A terrifying and then wondrous sequence of events, reactions?
There is no answer to the light nor the dreadful force that tried to kill the pair, but this is easily a sign to depart quickly and the party does so with their loot.
You have a two day trek back to the castle Dawnedhop. Six horses yet remain although three are too injured to run anymore. Most of them avoided a massacre in the vault through fleeing in terror, but one horse earned itself a name through noble distinction: Gashinobon!
It is fall now and the land seems quaint and peaceful. Moments like this one might truly believe it is a Golden Age.
For flavor's sake, does your character like to do anything while they travel peacefully?
You make camp a few hours away from Dawnedhop:
(https://i.imgur.com/kOOwrw8.png)
There is a comfortable chill in the air, the world itself feels like its preparing for things to end, as far as seasons go. You've all been together for two months, which is not long to know somebody, but with the sheer amount of near death experiences and battles that has surely built some camaraderie. Is there anything you'd like to do this eve?
(https://i.imgur.com/DO5PVl2.jpg)
You return and at this point the garrisoned men of the castle all know you quite well and cheer at your coming. As you walk by many wave and greet you or seek to shake your hands. A messenger has already run ahead to inform the commander so that the meeting room is cleared and ready to use. The most important question though: How are you going to explain making Egem lord of Oarpassionate instead of convincing the dwarf king to not help the Silver of Staves?
Post by: King Zultan on September 17, 2023, 03:40:40 am
A terrifying and then wondrous sequence of events, reactions?Incredibly thankful to what ever god decided to spare him of that fate.
For flavor's sake, does your character like to do anything while they travel peacefully?Burt likes to chat with the people around him and take in the scenery.
Is there anything you'd like to do this eve?He will talk to the others just like he has for the majority of the trip.
How are you going to explain making Egem lord of Oarpassionate instead of convincing the dwarf king to not help the Silver of Staves?Burt isn't really sure how to explain why they decided to do that, but he's sure they'll come up with something satisfactory.
Post by: Maloy on September 25, 2023, 05:40:33 am
The war against Cor (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8449302#msg8449302) was a world-wide endeavor, but originally the war only started and legally remained with the Silver of Staves. Each civilization found itself involved in one way or another, but only committed what forces could be spared from their own domestic problems.
(https://i.imgur.com/uJRJoVj.png)
Whether the would-be goddess was truly a threat to the world or not wasn't known to all yet. She seemed likely to just be a small upstart, but it wasn't until she successfully conquered the dwarven-occupied dark fortress of Tormentlives
The other nations of the world had a likely and reasonable fear that she would release untold horrors from it's depths if left in control and so began working against her.
The war did not go well. Any victories acquired, such as the retaking of Tormentlives, always came at the cost of many lives.
(http://undefined)
Then the war against the demons (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8438316#msg8438316) came.
This was an existential threat to all and so despite the on-going war the hordes of the dead would often assist the living in fighting the demons. Undead armies (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428149#msg8428149) would form up at one end of the field and wait patiently for dispatch for they could not be allowed within reach of their living counterparts for fear of conflict.
(https://i.imgur.com/MubM1Eh.jpg)
Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/LwdD5
For Cor, whose armies were nourished by more death, the presence of this conflict did not slow her down. Despite the demons nearly wiping out both armies present she still had forces in reserve led by her elite cold hunters. They advanced north-west from her tower butchering through dwarven lands all the way to the door step of the capital of Oarpassionate.
(https://i.imgur.com/6XfetaL.jpg)
Source: Total War Warhammer
It was outside as the siege began that a message was sent demanding the dwarves surrender in exchange for their lives. No message was sent back in response.
The Cold Hunters were led by a former Craterous Glaze dwarf named Cilob and realizing his dismissal he silently had members of a nearby dwarven village brought out.
(https://i.imgur.com/lvn6IdA.png)
One by one each one was killed in agonizingly different ways. Fed to zombified dogs, burned, buried alive, hacked to pieces and the rest all crucified in sight of the capital.
They did not surrender and so the siege continued.
Eventually though the dead did break through leading to brutal massacre.
(https://i.imgur.com/Or3HtFh.png)
The famous duel (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8486430#msg8486430) between Ral Ivoryinks and the dwarf king Tholtig occurred leading to the loss of the ancient dwarven spear Dreamedsun. Many other magical and treasured weapons were lost as well.
This broke the Craterous Glazes as a military power as most of their army broke in battle against the demons leaving only a small roving band of warrior dwarves to patrol the little territory they maintained in the farm lands near where the humans had also fled.
To this day the cold hunter Iteb Gorgeship the Abysmal Modesty of Seals is a wanted enemy of state of the Craterous Glazes for she bears a powerful axe and symbol of her former people: The legendary iron battle-axe Unalzon Lathonnotlith
OOC:
I LOVE that there's enough lore posts for me to hyperlink cross-references lol
On the meeting with the commander. Anything more specific I might could use? I'm trying to imagine the party's preferred reasoning for doing it as well as how they would communicate it.
Like are they going to tell him it happened and he needs to get over it or try to reason and explain why it's a good thing? That kind of stuff
Post by: King Zultan on September 27, 2023, 04:14:38 am
On the meeting with the commander. Anything more specific I might could use? I'm trying to imagine the party's preferred reasoning for doing it as well as how they would communicate it.I'd assume they'd try to give a reason as to why it's a good thing but I can't really think of one.
Like are they going to tell him it happened and he needs to get over it or try to reason and explain why it's a good thing? That kind of stuff
Post by: Maloy on September 28, 2023, 05:49:04 am
The party enters the meeting room. In it is not only the commander, but two other armored figures as well as the baron. One of the men's armor has a lot of dirt and a close inspection would show a fresh spot of blood on his gauntlet.
Despite the previous fanfare outside the tone of this room is grim and no one rises to greet you. The commander's gaze is locked on a parchment in his hands, but moments after you enter he looks up. "Welcome back, heroes" he gestures to the two new men first to the cleanly armored and then the dirty one "This is general Gustem Slopsoars and Sir Aso Applesnare"
The general nods his head in your direction "A pleasure to meet heroes in such grim times" he says without a single hint of emotion
The knight bows deeply "Thank you for your service to our people. Our salvation is possible only thanks to your hard efforts and sacrifices"
The commander waits for them to finish before introducing you all "Egem the crackshot bowman and professional hunter from the Silver of Staves, Burt the Bronze who can go toe-to-toe with any beast, Sir Galtran the Shrewd, and Hal Bristletrade our castle's own former chef turned heroic warrior." The group chuckles at the last introduction.
He pushes the parchment to slide across the table to the party on the other side and Egem picks it up.
(https://i.imgur.com/es8761Y.jpg)
source: https://depositphotos.com/illustration/paper-with-blood-stains-and-mug-circle-24559307.html
The letter is slightly bloodstained, but it is a command for the military of the Silver of Staves to assemble to prepare for an all out surprise invasion of the Notched Union - which is where you currently are-
The humans wait in silence for the party to react to the news: How do you react?
"The dwarf who carried this letter is dead and buried in the forests west of here by Sir Aso. All other messengers who left the queen's current hiding place were similarly intercepted and killed. The same message went out to all of the dwarven settlements" he pauses "We've delayed the inevitable. Once the queen realizes the military is taking too long she will send more messengers. Something must be done quickly"
General Gustem steps forward arms crossed "No matter how hard our men can fight we don't stand a chance against the dwarves. Our own numbers are too few from constant wars and the dwarves have access to steel and martial trances."
"Then it is simple: The queen must die!" says the portly baron.
The commander nods "I agree with the baron. If we can deal with the queen and her immediate advisors I believe we can influence a less war-mongering heir to take the throne."
The general scowls slightly "That would depend more on how the adventurers faired on their mission. If the dwarves feel their back is to the wall they won't be too flexible" the general nods his head for the party to speak
Short version of relevant report:
-Defeated the terror that devoured the residents of the old Silver of Staves capital making it safe to be reinhabited and discovering a trove of stored food in a time of widespread famine
-Found the capital of the Craterous Glazes, the other dwarven civ and ally of Silver of Staves, to be conquered by the necromancer army remnants. You defeated them and installed Egem as ruler of the city "All hail Lord Egem first of his name"
-Found an ancient vault of a god of war, battled his angels, and acquired divinely powered weapons
The commander smiles for the first time of the meeting "Fantastic. With the cities freed the Silver of Staves can return to their homeland and with the ability to return to the underground they can start farming there rather than expanding into our own lands."
The general adds "Although, the source of ready food is also too easy to pass up. I shall have a contingent sent to recover it so that our own people do not starve this year"
The commander nods and continues "And the city of Oarpassionate is freed despite us not knowing it was taken. Although not the plan we agreed upon I believe this will work well. The Craterous Glazes is in no condition to fight, even as an ally, and will not want an enemy at their backs"
The room goes silent for a few moments as the humans contemplate what is to be asked next. Are you also silent or doing something else?
It is the general who speaks up "I will ask you to do something normally one could only ask of a soldier not a hero, but I believe true heroes also have to do hard things for the sake of the world even if they deny it." he walks over to the party "Will you kill queen Rith Elderboard, her royal entourage, and any witnesses for the sake of peace? Once she is dead you will place your divine weapons, hopefully coated in blood, around their corpses. We will pin this on the angels of war and assist the dwarves in a new transition of power."
You don't HAVE to agree just because the story is heading here. If you think its too immoral for your character you can chime in. In fact, if the party disagrees with each other on it that might make some sense too. Either way make a choice and I will go with it.
OOC:
Regardless of how it goes we are reaching the temporary end of the story of this party of players.
Once done I've already prepped a new character with a new kind of playstyle for us different from any of the ones done here previously
Post by: King Zultan on September 29, 2023, 05:56:44 am
The letter is slightly bloodstained, but it is a command for the military of the Silver of Staves to assemble to prepare for an all out surprise invasion of the Notched Union - which is where you currently are-Burt feels that's it's a good thing they intercepted that letter before it got to where it was supposed to go.
The humans wait in silence for the party to react to the news: How do you react?
The commander nods "I agree with the baron. If we can deal with the queen and her immediate advisors I believe we can influence a less war-mongering heir to take the throne."He isn't really sure what to say, so he remains silent.
The general scowls slightly "That would depend more on how the adventurers faired on their mission. If the dwarves feel their back is to the wall they won't be too flexible" the general nods his head for the party to speak
The room goes silent for a few moments as the humans contemplate what is to be asked next. Are you also silent or doing something else?Burt doesn't have anything to say at this point.
You don't HAVE to agree just because the story is heading here. If you think its too immoral for your character you can chime in. In fact, if the party disagrees with each other on it that might make some sense too. Either way make a choice and I will go with it.I don't see Burt having a problem murdering that queen and her friends.
Post by: Maloy on September 30, 2023, 06:49:05 am
If you decide you wanna retroactively have your characters react or do things in old posts(or even roleplayed side adventures!) I can attach it to the post in question so people who come by to read this in the future will see both together
Post by: Maloy on October 12, 2023, 06:12:55 am
I don't see Burt having a problem murdering that queen and her friends.
The commander notes the party's quiet agreement. His demeanor is grim, but his respect for the party is clearly visible
"Then, I must send you out on this one final grim task. This is a hard thing to ask, but it must be asked. When you return successful we shall celebrate you as the legendary heroes that you are and you shall have your weight in gold by my honor"
Got anything you want to do or see before you leave the castle?
Egem flies around above the castle one last time getting a good look at the surrounding world.
You journey south-west. Since the loss of their city the dwarven queen and her royal entourage have been living in the hillocks of Figuretrade. Doubtless when they learn of the heroes restoration of the dwarven birth-city she shall relocate herself in that defended fortress, but here she is vulnerable and easy to find.
At this point you are all intimately familiar with the paths of this land. If there were ever a creature that dare challenge your passage they are long defeated as you pass familiar fields and forests.
(https://i.imgur.com/791JIck.jpg)
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/ucIiaH7.png)
What does one even think of the night before such a grim task? What does one do?
You awake early long before the sun rises and set yourself in figuretrade.
You identify the hovel all the barons and counts are sleeping within
Might it be wise to eliminate them as well? They may be pushing the queen to war.
Despite the seriousness of the situation Egem and Hal continue to bicker as they have for the majority of the journey together.
You find the queen finally after searching the civic mound. Her guards are passed out on the other side of the large mound and she is sleeping on the dirt floor. She is young too. Only 14 years of age and already a queen of dwarves
(https://i.imgur.com/3NOuMFJ.png)
Which among the party shall be the one to end her life?
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: Salmeuk on October 12, 2023, 02:00:03 pm
Quote
What does one even think of the night before such a grim task? What does one do?
Galtran meditates on the task ahead.. he sought adventure for personal gain, in both wealth and reputation, but never thought this adventure would lead him here, about to trigger a colossal upheaval of the extant social order. he knows he will go through with the task as the party has agreed. but tonight he must think on all that he knows of infiltration. If no one else does, he will volunteer as assassin.
also. some stretches wouldn't hurt.. hasty escapes from city guards can be brutal to the knee joints
Post by: King Zultan on October 13, 2023, 03:38:23 am
Burt sits at the fire and thinks about what he'll do after all of this is said and done.
If no one will step up and kill the queen Burt will.
Post by: Salmeuk on October 14, 2023, 02:23:32 am
"You know what we have to decide. Both of us are capable, and unafraid, so I see no issue with a simple coin toss to let fate decide."
At this point, Galtran would feel around for the heaviest gold piece and flip it before the fire, into the dirt, so that the side facing up would gleam in the firelight... on a heads, Burt will perform the task. Tails it falls to Galtran.
(assuming no objections from King Zultan)
And as Galtran threw the coin , he would secretly hope that the coin would fall as tails, and that he could claim the glorious fame and notoriety for himself!
Post by: King Zultan on October 14, 2023, 02:51:43 am
Post by: Maloy on October 15, 2023, 06:33:15 am
And as Galtran threw the coin , he would secretly hope that the coin would fall as tails, and that he could claim the glorious fame and notoriety for himself!(https://i.imgur.com/GMcjU83.png)
The coin turns and turns in the air with the light of the campfire glinting off it's edges
It lands and the two lean close to see it's result in the dark of the night.
--------------
Rith Elderboard was born in the year 111.
She was born into a world of demons, undead and a dwarven people locked away from the safety of the mountains.
Instead of the queen's daughter being raised in a fortress she was raised on a farm while her mother was away.
Living incognito she was taught how to butcher animals in-between her studies of rulership and combat
Like her mother before her the joined the Doctrine of Death, the premier death cult that had taken the lead of their civilization.
Despite how absent her mother had to be to fight the war and reclaim the homeland Rith was actually enamored with the image of her mother she saw others portray to her. For her there was an obsession to live up to the image of the warrior-queen who held her own against the dead and demon alike!
In year 123 she was twelve and began official work as an animal dissector in Waveshield. By age 13 she had her first crush as well as fought her first battle. She personally dueled the leader (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8483717#msg8483717) of the demon civilization who had taken her people's home city. Although he survived the enemy was forced to retreat and this little girl had won the day.
At the very same time elsewhere in the world her mother was waging a much larger battle against the bulk of the demonic forces and died
She was not really even given time to mourn the mother she hardly knew just as she was hardly given time for anything of herself.
Within two months she was declared militia commander of the capital hillocks as well as recognized as queen. She was not allowed to marry her childhood crush, but instead had a political marriage with an important dwarf of the Craterous Glazes who already had several children from a previous marriage.
She maintained all her mother's policies and did her best to appear as much as she could in her mother's image, even maintaining the controversial ban on cavern exploring, but she was hardly given time to develop much of what she thought or wanted.
When starvation was coming to her people and she had to choose between war and breaking her mother's holy edicts; She and her council decided the most acceptable thing was to take what they were owed by the humans for decades of military assistance. The caverns were for the ancient monsters of the old world - sealed away for the safety of all.
She almost reached age 16 before the angels of war struck...
---------------------------------------------------
Tails.
The queen was not dressed as a spoiled monarch, but as a farmer. Her eyes and brow already marked by a face that is too often squinting and furrowing.
(https://i.imgur.com/olP2utV.png)
Galtran's blade swings. Do you say, think or do anything Galtran?
(https://i.imgur.com/ToPDwTY.png)
From here the party sets upon their grim task. Each official of the Silver of Staves had to die and within the Civic Mound were most of it's leaders. Barons, counts, the general, royal guards, outpost liaison, and local officials too.
You kill each one while they sleep.
Finally, the room coated in dwarven blood and empty of life you throw one of the divine scourges in the room to implicate the angels.
You creep your way back to the residential mound that the other barons and counts were sharing. They're all nobility except for one child of age three
(https://i.imgur.com/uPkpF5M.png)
You set upon your task of killing them all, but the girl sees you and wakens. The 3 year old flees the house and the nearest one to stop her is Burt.
If the dwarves see who really killed the queen war is assured. There is only one option although it might shatter a lesser man.
Burt cuts the fleeing girl's leg off.
She cowers throwing her hands over her head and without a clear shot Burt tries to stab her heart. Instead he misses and hits her lungs as she sputters. He attempts to stab again, but only hits her lungs once more as she squirms and struggles away.
finally, he beheads her.
Burt, you okay?
The rest of the party finish the grim task of killing every leader of the Silver of Staves.
With your task done you may now return to the castle for your final reward...
(https://i.imgur.com/pYbJmou.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/s6jthPq.png)
OOC:
I note that two other leaders of the civilization were also teens. Looks like war had really done something for the number of elders they had left!
Love the coin toss idea! Flipped a real coin too
Post by: King Zultan on October 16, 2023, 04:24:24 am
Post by: Maloy on October 22, 2023, 03:07:50 pm
The party stumbles out of the mound still covered in the blood of dwarven nobility.
(https://i.imgur.com/vW0eFE7.png)
They make the day and a half journey back to the castle quietly
(https://i.imgur.com/TZSqBL7.png)
They enter to find the baron busying himself preparing a feast as he loudly instructs servants and soldiers to perform different tasks.
He turns to the party smiling "Why welcome back, heroes! I hope your scouting trip north went splendidly we are just about ready to celebrate you for all you have done!" he winks at you conspiratorially as he says the words "scouting trip"
"The party will be ready soon if you wish to wait around! The commander is busy counting your reward"
After a short time the feast does indeed begin and all the surrounding villages come to take part.
A formal ceremony has the commander present one of the largest piles of gold you've seen outside of the treasure hoard of the lost city. Your recognition as heroes of the kingdom also giving you influence for the future.
As people dig into feasting and bards begin performing all sorts of things are spoken of:
-Settlers heading to the western frontier to build a new home in a savage land
-Talk of securing the lost city for the Notched Union's future
-Ousting the demon worshiping cult from the old dwarven city once and for all
and many are the conversation of men and women excited to return to a life of slow and honest living.
Soon as the feast ends the party spills over into the neighboring town where all eat and drink through the eve until the sunrise.
Perhaps the heroes join the after party, quietly leave early in the feast, or begin preparing for their next conquest. Either way a question must be answered: What is it that you shall do now?
(https://i.imgur.com/HhZaX9k.jpg)
Source: https://www.dndspeak.com/2018/03/01/100-signature-tavern-drinks/
OOC:
Write an epilogue for yourself! Or don't! This will be the last we play of them for in-game months if not years. We may never play them and only encounter them...Whatever happens happens, but I encourage you to end your character's story in a way that satisfies you.
Post by: King Zultan on October 24, 2023, 05:32:52 am
As for what he'd do afterwords I'd think he'd use some of the money to get new armour and would continue to help fight the good fight as the world still seems to have hostiles out there that need to be dealt with.
Post by: Maloy on October 25, 2023, 05:38:42 am
Before we start our new character and playstyle I want to wrap up some minor factions using Kanil
If you read this and don't like Kanil entries for whatever reason I will update the title of our In Search of Fairy Tales thread to indicate we are starting the new guy's arc!
Silver of Staves dwarves are down to less than 100 members now and the number of dwarves is close to matching everyone else...Which is still far far too high!
Oh also that forgotten beast that we thought killed itself by accident and the game just gave the kill to Teaking? Nah he really got it himself. Legends show that he was able to shoot it to death.
So he was able to fire an arrow that flew past three waves of exploding extract all the way to the creature's brain and get an instant kill! Epic!
Post by: Maloy on November 05, 2023, 05:40:02 am
Kanil had spent two years in isolation. Guarding the site of his first massacre: the bandit fortress of Cursewax.
He had been broken by his last journey both physically and mentally. The swamp titan Ware outclassed him completely, but not only this revealed to Kanil it's shaping of him into the man he was. How it manipulated him to defeat threats it foresaw in the world down to planting desires in him.
He remained in isolation wrestling with self, or perhaps merely the self Ware had placed in him, until he found the resolve to try and kill the beast once more. To free himself and show his superiority to the titan's tampering.
Instead all he discovered was the titan had been slain by another; Locking Kanil back again in a cycle of existential depression.
It was the missing of his friends and dear Pamud that drove him out of hiding. Kanil finally picked his way out of the maze-like Cursewax and headed home
He reached the Watchful Helms in the evening only to hear a loud roaring: A leopard pounced out of the bushes heading towards him.
(https://i.imgur.com/lepyRCp.png)
Kanil readied his blade, but before it could even come close an elephant came charging from the side and barreled into the beast who only barely survived the collision. The elephant, Pamud, slammed it's foot down on the creature's skull ending it immediately.
(https://i.imgur.com/Qk1OWx9.png)
He ran from leopard to man eager to greet his lost master and friend.
Pamud is the only friend to have survived all of Kanil's adventures start to finish leaving him dearly loved by the lone warrior. From here Kanil went greeting, talking with and celebrating his return with all his warrior friends in the outpost.
There was still one man Kanil owed a favor that he had put off for two years: Nemo the elven warrior
The swordsman swore service to Kanil in exchange for his help in saving his little sister from the Mint Malice. Despite the passage of time she was still held.
He and friends discussed who would go with them and they agree on two others.
SOURCE:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The giant human warrior Ersi Basementmuted the sensitive ancient of groves
The faithful dwarf Ingish Laboredgirders the geared tragedies of disembowling
They all spoke in the meadhall, whose roof was high enough to permit Pamud comfortable entrance, Ersi spoke first "I have heard the goblins are all, but gone now. Perhaps your niece is free now, nemo or already perished?"
Nemo tensed at the word perish "You can be assured that they are not permanently defeated. The goblins never cease desiring war and are likely biding their time for the next attack with my niece still imprisoned"
The deeply scarred Ingish itched the place his nose should be "I heard they were all gone too, but can't see how that'd be. Legends said there were more goblins than all of our peoples combined."
Ersi nodded "It was the work of the same guy who killed the titan. Said he killed all the goblins all over the world and became a god. Or did it because he already was one. I don't know the details"
Kanil was drawn in by this information. He had a distinct need to follow this warrior's trail. He spoke with a happy smile "Then we have yet another reason to go. We will learn the fate of the greenskin scourge and free Nemo's niece. Let's hope they put up a good fight"
The other three smirked and the party shortly departed north.
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on November 07, 2023, 04:09:27 am
Post by: Maloy on November 10, 2023, 05:40:56 am
They'd rest at streams and rivers in the afternoon and camp around a cozy fire in the evening.
It was also strange to Kanil how quickly they were reaching their destination. To him the elves were a lifetime away and now he was reaching their forests in a matter of days with Nemo showing the way. A smaller world than the bandit turned hero imagined.
They passed the magical forests of the elves and went all the way to the arctic to the dark capital of the goblins. Following the river they wormed their way past the frustrating maze of trenches and towers to the fortress itself. Thankfully the only such building even close to that size and visible from a mile away!
The only damper was that it was warm enough out to be raining, but cold enough to make the rain miserably cold. The party had ample cover in the dark gray to approach without being seen, if there were anyone left to see them, for as Ersi spoke some were convinced the goblins were still around, but hiding. Others believed that their master was the one who had culled them and he waited in the top of his fortress planning dark fates for the world and it's denizens.
Clearly something had happened though for the entrance to the fortress was covered in dead bodies of a battle.
Nemo kneeled down and looked at the rotted goblin corpses "This clearly didn't happen recently"
Ingiz's hands were resting behind his head as he spoke "Took you kneeling down to notice that, eh?"
Nemo shot a glare, but Ersi cut in before the two could argue "Must've been bad if no one has cleaned up the bodies yet"
Pamud lightly dug at the ground with his feet as Kanil scratched his head, "No use sitting out here waiting. Weapons out. We found out what happened and kill what gets in our way," he said bringing the massive sword Cloudfought to bear.
The signs of battle were everywhere as they ascended the slade fortress. Bodies impaled on statues, more than once they found a decapitated head that had been thrust into the wall with such force as to stick there, or even entire bodies jammed into the wall with a titanic force. Hordes of goblins not killed, but entirely crushed like insects. Trolls barred the way up either standing guard or picking from the dead. They were hardly a match for the champions who had all fought the Cold Hunters (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428149#msg8428149) of the necromancers. The crimson-stained slade fortress was now stained with blue troll blood as well, although the many beak dogs in the fortress were ignored. The creatures seemed content to scavenge and feast on their dead masters over fighting the wanderers. The stench was unbearable.
(https://i.imgur.com/NU1FQf9.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/jAe0VUH.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/lJxKjQy.png)
Finally, they reached the summit and throne room.
(https://i.imgur.com/vtdRbrD.png)
The dead monster before them seemed to be some sort of giant lizard-man, but even looking at it's corpse caused a palpable feeling of dread and caused one's eyes to ache to look upon it: as if it was so unnatural to look upon that one's eyes were rebelling against beholding it. The other three went around the room checking the passages for threats, but Kanil walked up to the beast and fell to his knees. Here was a beast that had power to challenge the very order of the world and fight it's combined peoples. It was a nigh insurmountable enemy, and here it was already defeated by another. This was a trial he would never conquer. Kanil wrestled with finding any purpose for his existence as a man crafted to fight monsters, who finds deep joy in fighting them, now living in a world where they are almost all gone.
Ersi whistled looked around the room "Whatever battle happened here was something else. Reckon rumors of that rhino god are true after all."
Ingiz looked worriedly at Kanil, but responded "Don't like the looks of this place. We shouldn't stay long"
Nemo also seemed visibly anxious as he scanned the floor for any sign of track "I've seen no sign of elves since our arrival."
Kanil leaned on Cloudfought as he stood up "We'll find them, Nemo. Still got a lot of fortress to search"
They cut their way through the rest of the trolls within and having found nothing made their way to the dungeons below. There they found many prisoners. All children taken from homes and tormented. The goblins seemed to have a barbaric method of indoctrination: Lock children in total darkness for prolonged periods and release them to torment them and beat goblin values into them and then lock them back in.
The especially young children could be heard crying from their cells while the older ones had dark shadows in their eyes as they looked upon the heroes.
Some of the children knew each other and comforted one another. One particularly muscular boy, almost 12, seemed a natural leader of the pack.
They found the two elven girls near the bottom of the dungeons. Are and Gica: Nemo's niece and sister.
The elf was known to be pretty stoic in the entire time he had been with the party, but as the elven girls came out of their cells and saw him they began to weep deeply and ran to embrace him. The elf also broke down crying holding his family not knowing what torments they've had to endure in miserable darkness.
None of the others pressed Nemo to hurry as this was a sacred moment for the hurting family. The other children looked on and one boy asked Kanil "Are our families here too?"
Kanil was surprised at the question "No, why would they be?" The boy looked hurt and Ersi interjected "More to say: Getting here was incredibly dangerous, boy. It wouldn't be safe to bring them and as you can see our friend is a warrior like us"
Ingiz walked up and put a hand on the boy's shoulder "Don't worry, lad. We'll get you back home." he turned his head to the rest of the group "All of you"
Playing babysitter didn't sit well with Kanil, but he also understood the abject cruelty of leaving children alone in an artic fortress of monsters and lacking an actual purpose or direction he silently assented to the plan.
(https://i.imgur.com/wW6wAZJ.png)
The true problem came around the campfire the following evening as five humans children, two elven girls and one dwarf boy huddled around the fire:
Finding where they actually live. Each kid introduced himself and Nemo's niece had actually heard of Kanil and was in awe of the hero of legend.
Are, Nemo's niece, believed her father still lived not far south in a nearby forest retreat. Everyone else believed their parents were in human or dwarven lands far to the south other than one human whose father was living in another nearby forest and one who believed his family was hiding in a nearby dark pit. The heroes had no intention of taking the child to a dark pit regardless.
They reached the forest retreat in two days as they went significantly slower with children in tow. It seemed entirely abandoned though. The neatly grown and guided forests were now overgrown and despite hours of wandering no elves were seen.
(https://i.imgur.com/j2SPoPD.jpg)
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZSzIUur.png)
Are frantically tried to convince the party to keep looking and they indulged her until the sun was setting and she began to cry for her father.
Nemo, Gica and some of the other children tried to comfort her as the party made fire by the nearby creek and rested.
The next day Are calmed and said she believed her mother was in the dwarf hillocks of Tradeneutral. Where Nemo was when Kanil met him. "I do not know if she still is, but she was before I left it and she had no reason to depart. At the very least the rest of her family is there" he said on the matter.
They reached the next forest on the list within a day and wandered until they found Palath's dad reciting poetry from a tree to onlookers in another.
(https://i.imgur.com/fI24FXy.png)
The child who wanted to go to another dark pit chose to stay with Palath at that forest which was a far better choice. The party spent the evening together so the kids could get their farewells out of the way.
Then they spent more days on the road. Ingiz showed kids how to fish at the stream although more seemed interested in wading and swimming. Kanil showed the stern looking eldest boy, named Mispi, how to swing a sword and proper stance. Ersi would play wrestle and fight with the boys and Nemo attempted to teach meditation to children, which went as well as that could be expected.
Kanil was happy in these days, which was odd to him. His little family of warriors felt more complete and joyful with the children around, and despite not knowing how to behave around kids he found himself connecting. Mispi was struggling the most, as it turned out all his direct relatives were dead, but he was related to one boy named Quinbor in the group.
Mebzuth the dwarf child was polite, but nervous
Are and Gica were kind hearted and compassionate
Mispi was the rough and tumble leader
Quinbor and Ilosp were jokesters and tribals like Kanil and Ersi
They reached Tradeneutral first with Gica's village planned next.
(https://i.imgur.com/Wl47Vg6.png)
Gica also chose to stay here with Are and her extended family. Nemo shook hands and embraced different family members as the elven militia commander reassured Kanil "We will make sure Gica makes it home to her family of that I do swear!" he bowed to Kanil and the others deeply "You've done something for us we can never repay. For all my days I shall remember and sing of you all"
Ersi, Kanil and Ingiz left with Pamud and the other children in tow only to fight Nemo rushing to catch up "Wait!" he called
"It's okay, Nemo. We can take the rest home without any trouble" said Kanil
Nemo bowed as low as he could "It is as my cousin said. We owe you a debt that could never be repaid" he looked up at them with tears brimming "I could call no finer men my brothers and I would stay with you all to the end"
Ersi scractched his head uncomfortable with the display of emotions "I mean don't they need you?"
"No, my family is safe now, and I'd join you all in whatever adventures the world takes us on. Besides, Tradeneutral is only a day away from where we all live anyway"
Ingiz laughed heartily "Ah! I knew you were a softy elf, hahaha! Come here!" and the dwarf wrapped the elf in a tight embrace. The others joined in too. Even the children and did and Pamud made a sound of affirmation.
(https://i.imgur.com/GdcaxRm.png)
The next day they reached the monastery of Abyssplaits. Kanil tried his luck at the shrine they passed.
(https://i.imgur.com/MD4XNdd.png)
They found the same gang of new bandits Kanil almost slew. (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8425867#msg8425867)
Quinbor ran in to embrace many of them. They even embraced and hugged Mispi, a distant relative, and Kanil was certain the boy would stay there with.
(https://i.imgur.com/KndBBeV.png)
It was awkward for Kanil and Ingiz to have these bandits walking up to and thanking them so profusely. Both recalling the near killing of this family that would have left Quinbor an orphan.
Despite predictions, Mispi followed them out. "Why don't you stay with your own family, boy?" Kanil asked him
"Barely family really and they don't got much food. Think I'm better off with all of you. About to be twelve anyway which means I'll need to start working. Maybe you could teach me the sword?"
Kanil walked up to the boy and there was a moment of silence as all watched to see what would happen. Kanil extended a hand and the boy took it. They shook "Welcome home" The boy smiled for one of the few times of the whole adventure.
(https://i.imgur.com/NgDGCVL.png)
Next was Bonepartnered. Another bandit tribe's fortress like Kanil. It was here that he met Ersi and some others and recruited them for his war on the undead.
(https://i.imgur.com/Wm3NuAF.png)
Despite also knowing people here Mispi still chose to stay with the party. He and Mebzuth hugged Ilosp before she left to stay with her whole family. The tribe thanked the party and swore to answer their call if they were ever needed for anything.
Finally, Mebzuth. His father was supposedly in Inkyrouts (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428594#msg8428594) the destroyed capital and birthplace of humanity. Last they were all here it was a barren hellhole with monsters around every corner.
The town was no longer destroyed, but being rebuilt. Soldiers were everywhere as it turned out the occasional Cold Hunter still haunted alleys at night, but artists and laborers from all over were gathered and restoring life.
(https://i.imgur.com/mlAqKyW.jpg)
Source:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
As they entered Mebzuth ran past them crying as he saw his father. The very dwarf the crowds had gathered to listen to.
This heartfelt reunion hit harder than any poem as people went from weeping from joy as the two embraced to celebrating and partying.
All locally knew the adventuring party, and some of the soldiers were actually men Kanil led in the siege of the city.
There were many toasts, stories told, contests had and one of the most fun nights any of them had ever had.
Kanil didn't have a direction anymore, but he was happy. He had friends like family, a land that loved him and a future he could provide for someone else. It didn't as deeply satisfy him as his days fighting great terrors, but there was a contentment upon him. Perhaps he could find peace in the new world he helped to create...
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on November 11, 2023, 03:54:58 am
Post by: Maloy on November 15, 2023, 08:04:10 pm
Now let us talk about our new character....
Tumam Purplecherish
Tumam is a white stork man and also one of the most important historical figures in this world's history.
The things that have occurred in his past have left his mind traumatized and fractured. His identity, values and personality are somewhat...flux right now.
He has also lost a substantial amount of this memory adding to the confusion.
We will follow him on his journey of rediscovering who he is, what he values and his place in this world.
Game Mechanics
We all contribute to controlling many of Tumam's decisions and interpretation of the world around him. Each of us comments as one of the disassociated voices in his mind.
Your opinions aren't required to be consistent or coherent! In fact, having voices of reason and ones of madness would probably add to the effect of his state. Say what you want!
As Tumam rediscovers himself how we help him interpret how events played out might not be realistic. To Tumam the truth might not be as important to him as what he wants to be true. That is for us pieces of his self to help him decide, but we shouldn't feel pressured to stay grounded in reality if we don't want to.
With that said as we get ready to start we already have something we need to help Tumam figure out.
What is Worse?
To be abandoned by those you trusted in your greatest hour of need
To be hated and scorned by people who never gave you a chance
Post by: King Zultan on November 16, 2023, 03:46:22 am
What is Worse?I'd say this is the worst one.
To be abandoned by those you trusted in your greatest hour of need
Post by: Maloy on November 22, 2023, 06:25:37 am
Mispi began his training back with Ingish at their base. Meanwhile Kanil, Ersi and Nemo spent several days venturing the lands going into villages and wiping out the last of the zombies in many of them.
It was in these days as the lost lands of man were once more laid bare for his taking that Nemo earned himself a title: the Mystical Hatchets of Crushing
Finally, in a temporary retirement Kanil would spend his days instructing the boy Mispi in being a warrior and man. Life seemed good for all of them.
The Waking of Tumam Rushrulemad
Ambience:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(https://i.imgur.com/jkSXvuj.png)
It is a miserable land that consumes many except for one.
The white stork man Tumam sleeps. He sleeps miserably without blanket or bed rolling around in discomfort as dreams he will not recall when he wakens torment him.
(https://i.imgur.com/qDxfZMP.png)
When he does waken in the morning with the dew coating his body he gets up and looks around with fresh confusion in his eyes. He hears voices all around him and inside him, but he cannot see anything.
"What happened?"
The more Tumam tries to remember the more he is aware of a fog or perhaps even a wall around the deeper recesses of his memory.
"Who are we?"
Regardless, he clearly knows his name and he takes a moment to take stock of himself.
(https://i.imgur.com/kUkKWMd.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/yAJpy8Y.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/VaYy2iE.png)
As well as speaks with the voices some.
(https://i.imgur.com/h90eLkn.png)
Tumam was aware that this location he had been in was important, but not how long he had been here. There were no shelters constructed or anything denoting habitation.
"What is this place to us?"
Tumam feels a deep pull in his soul. Something calls to him and tells him to head south
He flings himself into the air high above the trees and looks on the world below to see what he can see:
He recognizes the great gouges in the earth of the goblin pits. Where mean creatures dug and tore at the earth until scars that are visible from this far away can be seen and identified.
"Why can we clearly recall goblins and pits, but not who we are?"
This might be the direction he wishes to go, but Tumam does not wish to see those blasted places. He flies south
(https://i.imgur.com/ctkLdKn.png)
On his way he finds a camp ground. Nothing survives out here very long: This tumam does remember.
The fact that someone was trying to survive here means a potential threat and so Tumam carefully flies down first going above the camp and gently setting down in the middle.
(https://i.imgur.com/VvJBXOF.png)
The camp was clearly a goblin camp and the goblins were all dead. Butchered and rotting where they were. As Tumam stared at the corpses he had a strange feeling pressing against his skull like a hand patting the edges of his cranium.
As it turns out the goblins had a whole treasure trove of chests and bags they were transporting. Probably stolen.
Tumam was far too small to wear anything goblin or any of their treasure and so he settled for the few items he could carry and a bronze Morningstar and shield. He was still traveling in the nude.
(https://i.imgur.com/bSm8FIm.png)
Following his compulsions Tumam ventured further south then east to a city nestled at the foot of a mountain. The sign called it Oarpassionate. This place was also familiar, but also different. It felt wrong.
"How do we know this place?"
He ventured in and heard a child shouting trying to sound like an adult. The creature wore a uniform of some sort of military. Tumam walked past it as it shouted at a different traveler and he introduced himself to an adult citizen.
The dwarf looked him up and down "Tumam Rushrulemad? That's not funny. Mind who you joke with. I am Inid Squareroared" The creature bows slightly at us "This humble servant of the Spry greets you"
"The Spry? We know that one. God of death, birth and rebirth"
While Tumam meant it for a mental conversation with his voices he accidentally said it aloud and the dwarf nodded "Indeed. Glory days are long gone for this city and our people so you'll find many worshiping the Spry calling out for his mercy in final days or for a kind and propserous rebirth for us all"
Tumam nods and begins heading away while the quizzical dwarf says in parting "You be careful here. People are jumpy and times are hard since the riots"
Tumam nods and keeps walking all the way to the tavern. He sits with his platinum flask now filled with whip vine wine and drinks which does a lot for his mood.
"What now? I suppose we should sit here for some time and figure out what this feeling is and what it wants us to do here"
"Something about that dwarf's face. We felt something strange looking upon their faces. What feeling was this?"
Responding
You can respond anytime you want not just when prompted. You're a voice in his head he cannot control so talk when you want. You also can respond to one prompt and not another as Tumam has no control of his voices or when they will interfere. You also don't have to make sense or be ethical. Just have fun!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on November 23, 2023, 05:09:06 am
"What happened?"Probably got drunk and passed out in the woods while naked.
"Who are we?"Some kind of naked bird man apparently.
"What is this place to us?"No idea.
"Why can we clearly recall goblins and pits, but not who we are?"Hit our head, who knows.
"How do we know this place?"No idea I just got here.
"What now? I suppose we should sit here for some time and figure out what this feeling is and what it wants us to do here"Sitting and thinking sounds like a good idea. Also can I punch the dwarf in the face as that's what I feel like doing.
"Something about that dwarf's face. We felt something strange looking upon their faces. What feeling was this?"
Post by: Maloy on November 29, 2023, 07:32:16 am
No matter how hard he tries the fog in his mind does not seem to clear and since his arrival in this city his mind has felt like a raging ocean on top of that. Churning and churning preventing him from deeply focusing.
The wine helps dull the sensation, but also makes it harder to think.
The tavern appeared completely abandoned before, but another strange dwarf approached him. Tumam was thoroughly annoyed with dwarves at the moment, and was still considering going to find that previous dwarf to punch him in the face.
This dwarf was dressed in dark clothing with a scraggly distended beard. It had a strange gleam in it's eyes as it spoke "Head bothering ye, mister?"
How does he know?
Another inner thought accidentally expressed aloud "Can see from the way ye hold yer head and look around. Got some fuzziness and not the fun kind, eh?"
Tumam nods unsure what to say to the dwarf. In fact, words didn't seem to want to come out. There was something about this dwarf...something important?
Why are we having trouble speaking? Who is he? Does it even matter?
The dwarf grinned wolfishly and set down a fresh mug of red wine. Drink it, it's part of our special reserves, it'll help with yer head"
Tumam sipped the bartender's proffered brew and it was very delicious. Periodic inebriation was a deep desire of Tumam's, the bird man realized.
As the bird man drank the bartender sat across from him "What brings ye to this blasted place?"
Tumam still struggles with words, but struggles out "A feeling."
The dwarf closes his eyes and nods "I see. I see. This place feel to riots over the last couple of months. Loyalists to the king fought with those loyal to the necromancer goddess Cor after the undead captain that ruled the city was killed by heroes" the dwarf pronounced the word heroes in a mocking tone
The name Cor stands out to us too. Why?
"The necromancer followers won. Ain't even any undead in this town, but dwarves thought it was safer to just tow the line and serve them anyhow. Pathetic really. Recruited abunch of tribal ant people from a nearby cave colony to help defend the city now"
The dwarf noticed Tumam's attention slipping
"Can I give ye some advice? My master, gods keep him, used to teach me that we ain't our true selves. None of us are. We're a mish mash of desires and expectations others be tellin' us to carry. It only be by dropping these that we find what we really are at the bottom, and just like ye be draining that mug ye be finding yerself. Myself be telling ye that ye should listen to those feelings. See where they take you and what happens next"
Is that even good advice for an amnesiac?
Tumam drains his mug and stumbles off to find that dwarf to go punch in the face.
He finds it and attempts to punch the creature in the face, but it quickly dodges back and pulls out a knife "Back off or I'll gut you!" Tumam is annoyed and swings again, but the dwarf dodges again and sprints away. It is far faster than we are.
It sprints downward into the city proper. With little else to do Tumam stumbles along after it passing other city residents. He reaches the main part of the city filled with animals, traders, artists and criers. Although he was not here a couple of months ago it has dimmed measurably in activity since the heroes came here.
Tumam stumbles down a hallway and sees one of the ant soldiers the ugly dwarf mentioned.
(https://i.imgur.com/e01u3WC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/i93VuHP.png)
"H-hello" Tumam slurs out
The creature with it's spear in both hands chitters in it's own language at first, but then switches to the dwarven "Greetings. Keep out of trouble, drunk" and keeps walking past him
Tumam stumbles into a storefront on a whim. It seems to be a grocery store of some kind and inside is the same dwarf he saw earlier. Alone.
Tumam stumbles over and punches at it again, but the dwarf dodges and pulls out his iron knife "No more warnings. Gonna butcher and roast you, bird"
The dwarf is substantially more handy at dodging and striking than Tumam, thankfully even after all the traveling he still isn't even a little tired.
Still he can't land a blow and he feels the frustration welling up inside him. He narrowly dodges a knife thrust from the dwarf and Tumam is angry and scared at this dwarf.
In a moment the anger in him wells up and as he lifts his fist to strike him in the nose instead foul energy flares in his chest, flows into his arm and shoots out into the butcher pile.
(https://i.imgur.com/h1RtzTL.png)
From the bloody mound of bodies rises a horse, a cat, and a guineahen. They sprint after and surround the dwarf as it screams "AAAAHHH the dead rise!"
The three animals kick, bite and scratch the dwarf who tries to fight valiantly. Finally, it tries to run again, but a swift kick from the horses snaps the bone in it's left leg.
They all remain in a tangle for awhile as Tumam remains shocked by the experience.
Tumam hears sounds outside though, someone is coming, and this dwarf saw him do this. Reacting in a moment Tumam drew the morningstar and crushed the creature's skull in killing it.
(https://i.imgur.com/mkY9Da2.png)
Four more dwarves run in a moment after and seeing the undead they all shout, draw their knives and charge.
They are able to kill the animals while Tumam watches drunkely, but not before one more dwarf has his head kicked in by the horse.
The three survivors, panting and injured look from one to the other "The dead have returned" one whispers
Another looks at Tumam "You! did you see where they came from?!"
Tumam shrugs
Another dwarf claps a hand on one's shoulder "Come let us go and tell the general!" He points at the last dwarf "Remain here and see if you can get anything out of the white stork man"
Tumam stood there awkwardly after those two left
This could be bad?
Despite the urgency of the situation Tumam felt a deep blood red desire to continue the work. The one dwarf remaining stared at him with obvious fear. As Tumam approached and drew his weapons the dwarf spoke "It was you, wasn't it? Don't even try it. They'll be back with more of us and you'll only land yourself in a hole attacking me"
Tumam tried it.
The two fought for a long time as Tumam bashed his body again and again with morningstar. Eventually though his weapon got lodged into the dwarf's chest cavity and he was forced to fight with shield only. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get the weapon back and so he kept beating the dwarf with his shield over and over and over again! He'd block a fist and then bash him again! The dwarf was panting heavily, but Tumam didn't even feel tired.
Finally, he got his morningstar out and beat the dwarf again and again with it. Finally, a sickening crack against his chest as deep bludgeoning damage was dealt directly to the dwarf's heart. The creature punched at Tumam again and again as it weakened.
Tumam no longer fought, only blocked, as he watched the creature swing and swing. Eventually it fell to the ground, but still attempted to punch and scratch at him as it finally died in a pool of it's own blood.
(https://i.imgur.com/5dDZWSx.png)
Well, now what? Those other two dwarves are going to get help and we are standing in a very incriminating spot.
(https://i.imgur.com/WsGTzac.png)
Reactions from me:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on November 30, 2023, 03:03:55 am
How does he know?He probably guessed, that's what people at taverns do.
Why are we having trouble speaking? Who is he? Does it even matter?Do you even know how to talk? He's some guy that just started talking to us. Probably doesn't matter what hey says or does.
The name Cor stands out to us too. Why?Probably was important to you but not to me as I have no idea who that is.
Is that even good advice for an amnesiac?Not really, you get rid of that stuff and there won't be anything left in your head.
From the bloody mound of bodies rises a horse, a cat, and a guineahen. They sprint after and surround the dwarf as it screams "AAAAHHH the dead rise!"It's really convenient that they showed up and attacked that dwarf instead of you, they're also kill stealers, guess it doesn't matter that much since you killed that other guy.
This could be bad?Probably.
Well, now what? Those other two dwarves are going to get help and we are standing in a very incriminating spot.Well it's your mess and you've got to deal with the consequences of your actions, I only said to punch the guy not get dead things top murder him.
Post by: AvolitionBrit on November 30, 2023, 04:11:00 pm
Post by: Maloy on December 02, 2023, 05:55:27 am
Glad to see this is still activeGoing strong friend! I aim to be in the age of twilight by steam release adventure mode giving us one more age to reach before Fairy Tales!
For now we act as the disembodied voices of a deeply traumatized and powerful historical figure
Also observing the carnage you left behind on your adventure is so cool to follow up on
Post by: AvolitionBrit on December 02, 2023, 03:34:28 pm
Post by: Maloy on December 08, 2023, 06:03:56 am
Had a major hard drive error on my pc so it won’t even boot up. Fortunately my friend has a hard drive reader and he retrieved my files. Also my PC may still be under warranty so it’ll be free to fix if so!
Either way though I’ve been sort of distracted so no update lol
Post by: King Zultan on December 09, 2023, 02:04:34 am
Post by: AvolitionBrit on December 10, 2023, 06:08:56 pm
Post by: Maloy on December 15, 2023, 06:56:07 am
I have a strange talent for killing goblins in interesting ways. Would love to pick up the save again if you need any helpI'll probably take you up on that! Once dwarves are out I THINK it will become age of twilight.
From there we need to wipe out elves and then clean up any outliers that might be keeping us from entering fairy tales. It will turn into a game of percentages at the end probably!
Continuing!
Tumam stood over the bodies of the disgusting dwarves he murdered. Fear was creeping into him as the entire area outside this room had seemed to go quiet. Everyone knew something terrible had happened, or at least they probably knew!
Do they know?
It was time for a quiet getaway. As Tumam exited the room the hallways were silent although in a distant room he could just make out the quiet mutterings of a dwarf complaining about politics to another listener. Somehow knowing that business was going as usual somewhere brought some calm to the bird.
He reached the stairwell and stared down where it would lead him deeper into the fortress. That was exactly where he shouldn't go, but he felt deep inside that is where he should go. He would have to return at a safer time and knowing this the bird flew upwards up the stairwell and out of the fortress.
It was late evening with the beautiful starlight sky giving him decent vision in the dark and Tumam kept fleeing; as for some reason he did not tire. He also did not understand what he did to those corpses either, although it felt both sickly and satisfying to do.
The bird continued by road for a few hours until he found a strange structure. The architecture was clearly not dwarven and the way the stone was wrought seemed unnatural.
Strewn all about were corpses of strange creatures.
What is this place and what are these things?
Tumam felt strange looking at the corpses and he couldn't explain these feelings
What does he feel?
Once more he felt the power surging from his chest to his arms, although this time it waited for his release, and in this moment Tumam realized he did not have to flee. That he could find his answers still!
(https://i.imgur.com/gCvtYgA.png)
His new host surged forward into the strange building where a living monstrosity fought them tooth and nail slaying two.
This beast deeply impressed Tumam with it's savage speed and power. He named it, Liracamoye, GreatestFrenzies and it rose to life as a Wraith (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428149#msg8428149) instead of a zombie
(https://i.imgur.com/v9rmsN5.png)
With his new host he returned to Oarpassionate and on the way they massacred an iguana. "Oh well. I could use a pet" thought Tumam with his mind having developed some small sense of self.
(https://i.imgur.com/86p0TNW.png)
His forces surged in at dawn taking the dwarves by surprise. The king himself was on the surface meeting with religious dignitaries and they held the line well against his forces, but ultimately all fell. Taking a few of his minions with them whose corpses were now beyond raising.
Unfortunate, but the wraith continued to bring great ruin and so Tumam pressed on adding a horse to their forces.
This was a good idea, right?
The stairwell was a nightmare where a goblin warrior was able to fight one zombie at a time and killed Tumam's iguana.
Tumam recognized the goblin's armor. He knew it was important...somehow and somewhere in his ruined mind.
(https://i.imgur.com/GFdH5TK.png)
He raised a cat hoping it could replace his newly found and lost iguana and they broke through into the main residential area.
As they broke through a memory returned to Tumam.
I was being held in prison. Here in this city. This city. It was my home, but they put me in prison? Why? The memory won't tell me, yet. But I am chained to the floor staring out into nothing, but darkness. It is always so dark in dwarf homes. Here I will rot forever; That much I do know. Then I hear the tumble and rumble as the lock turns and the loud creaking as my cell opens and torch light floods in. The figure leans it's head in and smiles at me, not the malicious cruel smiles of my captors, but a friendly one. He unlocks my shackles and offers me his hand saying "Come on, Tumb. Let's get out of here".
The memory fades away, but Tumam knows that if he can reach deeper into the city, as he felt he should earlier, he will find more.
Here is where the dwarven counter-attack truly happened.
Dwarves from below, the same place Tumam wished to go, surged from behind as dwarves from the residential area charged his remaining zombies.
(https://i.imgur.com/qdePNar.png)
Within moments they were cut down and Tumam was surrounded by enraged and bleeding dwarves.
What do we do now? We have no armor and only weapons
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on December 16, 2023, 04:49:29 am
Do they know?Maybe they know something maybe they know nothing, who's to say.
What is this place and what are these things?No idea where where we are I've never been here before, and those things are dead and there for not really that interesting.
What does he feel?He probably feels fear or something, and he should stop that.
This was a good idea, right?Starting a war with an army of zombies is always a good idea!
What do we do now? We have no armor and only weaponsMaybe it's time to bravely run away.
Post by: Maloy on December 19, 2023, 06:36:41 am
Don't underestimate a dwarf's ability to ignore what's going on to focus on their own little problems - like when they get rained on.
What is this place and what are these things?
Insidious and insipid little monsters. Enemies! Although right now they're useful.
Whoever came through here before was formidable
What does he feel?
Disgusting. Our enemies are disgusting to behold.
What do we do now? We have no armor and only weapons
Flee, you fool!
You're too weak and incompetent to fight these creatures!
We need more dead to follow us and you need to train.
Ah! IF only we could find some armor! one poor sword swing and it's over!
Post by: Maloy on December 25, 2023, 12:28:23 am
But the Stork man who flew in far from the north, DID NOT!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that his head had two other voices in it
Whatever the reason, His heart or his shoes,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating the dwarves,
Staring down from his cave with a sour, Bird-like frown,
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every dwarf down in Whisperletter beneath,
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.
"And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer,
"Tomorrow is Dwarfmas! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his stork feathers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find some way to stop Dwarfmas from coming!"
For Tomorrow, he knew, all the dwarf girls and boys,
Would wake bright and early. They'd rush for their crafts!
"I MUST stop this Dwarfmas from coming! But HOW?"
Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
TUMAM GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!
"I know just what to do!" The white stork laughed in his throat.
and he scurried off to the darkest pits in the land.
That evening 'twas the night before Dwarfmas
and all through the fort,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a cat,
The stockings were hung by the wood furnace with care,
in hopes that St. Urist soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of plump helmet men danced in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
When out at the gate there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but an ungodly horde of all manner of dead.
With a giant mayfly, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be the end.
More rapid than eagles, his hordes they came,
and he whistled and shouted and declared our doom:
"Now Dgoblins! Now Dwarfs!
Now Elves and Marmots!
On skeletons!
On Zombies!
On abandoned dead!
To the top of the fort!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so, too, did the gates fly from the press of the horde
Dwarf and goblin did barricade doors,
bonds of brotherhood formed,
from simple state of breathing
Undead brotherhood surged,
Tested against bonds of living hearts,
But this eve life faltered
and a mad stork laughed
'Twas the night before Dwarfmas
and all through the fort,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a cat.
(https://i.imgur.com/qmzRaZC.jpg)
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Proper write up eventually, but Dwarfmas did not go well for the world of Adelaathira haha although we are closer to Fairy Tales
Post by: King Zultan on December 27, 2023, 05:43:47 am
Also hope you had a merry Christmas.
Post by: Maloy on January 06, 2024, 06:17:40 am
I'm gonna keep doing prompts as already done, but also I think I'm gonna add some parts where we have influenced Tumam and made a permanent impact on his personality. I'll highlight yellow.
Also throwback, I know, but wanted to update that I checked legends from when the party of heroes fought the forgotten beast. Egem getting the kill wasn't a glitch! He fired a bolt and it perfectly pierced the beast's brain, but he and everyone else was blasted away from it so they were too far away to get the notification that it happened.
______________________________________________________________
Escaping the dwarf city thankfully was easier than it seemed. Despite being surrounded by angry dwarves, Tumam dove upwards, flying straight through the shaft and taking him to the surface before anyone could reach him.
Tumam fled east and flew through the night. Instinct guided him, much as it had called him to other locations, only now he was called to a different dwarven city.
this city was abandoned (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8491735#msg8491735) completely it seemed
According to the signs this city was known as Lashedfurnace. As Tumam descended deeper he felt another lost memory activate
I was in a great swamp. Why or where I can't quite recall, but I am in one.
I was watching dwarves. A whole camp of mercenaries;
Laughing, drinking, cursing and spitting around a fire.
They were looking for me. Why, I still can't recall, but they sought after me.
The sigil they each bore on their chest marked them as worshipers of a war god. A famous order of mercenaries from the city of Lashedfurnace.
I'm impressed that such a large array of enemies have gathered to destroy me. Also I'm particularly hurt by the dwarves too. I cannot recall why.
The vision ends. Although Tumam never came to this city personally it seems that it had a place in his past life
What are these visions? Are they real? Trustworthy?
Tumam enters a massive industrialized smithy, as dwarves like to make, where rows upon rows of forges line up. An army could be equipped in a single day with an assembly like this, but more important than the dusty anvils was the treasure lying amongst the forges.
A dead body. One of a giant flying insect. A very giant insect.
It almost certainly had to be the creature that had killed the city, and Tumam felt some gratitude towards it, but someone had recently killed it.
What heroes could possibly have done this?
He raised the destroyed of cities as his servant and departed with it.
(https://i.imgur.com/1XZD9yr.png)
From there Tumam flew to the ruins of goblins. Fortunately, they were all dead, as goblins were just a fraction more disgusting than dwarves.
The ruins were somehow melancholic despite the peace that existed in the absence of the previous inhabitants.
How do we feel about the death of another civilization?
Down and down flew Tumam into the deepest pits accompanied by a primordial horror that was bound to his will.
As it turns out goblins dump their dead in huge piles at the bottom of the pits and this is convenient as they are all in one place.
(https://i.imgur.com/4RTyDST.png)
Tumam does the same at a second pit only a few hours away.
(https://i.imgur.com/odprdNU.png)
There was one settlement nearby to both these dark pits: A small bandit-like fortress of dwarves and goblin survivors.
This would be the best location to test his new army!
(https://i.imgur.com/9oiapsS.png)
Post by: King Zultan on January 09, 2024, 04:49:59 am
What are these visions? Are they real? Trustworthy?Sure, why not, embrace your lack of sanity!
What heroes could possibly have done this?Probably someone more skilled than you are, you gotta work on that at some point.
How do we feel about the death of another civilization?Not sure why you're making such a big deal about that, it seems like there are a lot of those around, just another one on the pile.
This would be the best location to test his new army!Seems like a good plan to me, nothing says fun like getting a hoard to kill everyone in sight.
Post by: Maloy on January 17, 2024, 07:25:12 am
What are these visions? Are they real? Trustworthy?
Lost memories of the hated dwarves. Filthy disgusting hairy creatures that almost certainly are the reason we are left in this amnesiac state
What heroes could possibly have done this?
Someone who actually knows how to fight, isn't running around naked, and was a fair hand with a crossbow I would say!
How do we feel about the death of another civilization?
It is inevitable. All is dust
Story Entry
The most noticeable sound was the chattering. It was strange, but rhythmic at a distance. Close up though it was deafening!
The sound of thousands upon thousands of bones clattering together as a horde of skeletons from the ruins of goblin kind.
Goblins made up the majority, obviously, but behind them were humans, dwarves, elves and even capybara men!
In front of them all a swan flew accompanied by an undead horror from the deepest abysses
(https://i.imgur.com/v8WdCbd.png)
The fort did not see Tumam or his forces coming at first. Although not known to Tumam the place was essentially a dumping ground for survivors of wars against goblins, the undead, and even demons!
Thus it wasn't very organized. By the time someone realized what the chattering sound was and called out the horde was too close to the front gate to bar it shut.
So, they surged forth swarming dwarves who were caught away from the rest and tearing them apart. Most of the residents huddled within a central building, and all Tumam had to do was fly to the other side of it and his horde would rush at highest speeds to catch up with him- tearing apart any living creature in their path while doing so.-
The horde descended.
(https://i.imgur.com/ty8qWlS.png)
The dwarves and goblins made a valiant stand! Everyone equipped for battle or simply willing to fight for their lives lined up against the building forming a wall of living flesh, muscle and metal to repel death itself.
Tumam could hear an incredibly loud crash and collective grunt as the two forces met and did battle. Tumam did not know this location and thus when invading he did not realize it was full of war survivors. The place was absolutely bristling with armored warriors and they did battle well. Tumam's forces were thoroughly outmatched in skill and equipment; with their only real advantage being that they were difficult to kill and most combatants did not know the secret: Destroy or sever the head. Or shatter the chest completely.
And the truth of the matter was that this place was more populated than the city he had tried to invade.
(https://i.imgur.com/nhI2ROJ.png)
The wall of living flesh held and soon it turned into a semi-circle as it overtook and surrounded his horde.
(https://i.imgur.com/nLRt24u.png)
Many dwarves died though. And even as the battle ended many began to give into their injuries and collapsed dead.
Amongst the newly dead tumam found a great prize. The mangled carcass of another swan man, or woman, it was hard to tell at this point.
Do we care if members of our own species die? There are very few of us
They were covered in iron armor that fit them and Tumam quickly stripped the corpse for the armor.
As he finished taking the dead warrior's treasures and identity he heard a baleful chant being taken up by the survivors.
It was a chant to the god of death - The Spry.
I sit upon a throne of darkened stone. The building glows with baleful light emanating from the stone itself.
This is my place. My home.
Creatures are on their knees before me showing obeisance. They beg me to teach them secrets of immortality.
To give them power over the world.
On the wall behind me is a great mural. It depicts a massive skeleton reaching down. It's appearance is divine as if it was never meant to be trapped inside flesh and tied to organs.
It reached down with great power shining in it's hands. Reaching for a swan. Reaching for me!
I am the chosen of The Spry and my will is his own!
The vision ends.
What do we do now?
My responses:
Do we care if members of our own species die? There are very few of us
Tragic that such a noble creature had to die, but they picked the wrong team. Perhaps once we purge the bearded worms from the earth we can build a place for our own people.
The wall of living flesh held and soon it turned into a semi-circle as it overtook and surrounded his horde.
To be foiled again! Pathetic! Enraging! Unacceptable!
What do we do now?
We will depart! You will train! We shall become unstoppable, raise more minions and go directly to that city that first defied us! We will find out who we were.
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on January 18, 2024, 03:31:18 am
The wall of living flesh held and soon it turned into a semi-circle as it overtook and surrounded his horde.Well shit, we don't seem to be having much luck with this undead horde thing.
Do we care if members of our own species die? There are very few of usEverybody dies guess it was their time.
What do we do now?Time to train, gather a new horde, and try again
Post by: Maloy on January 27, 2024, 06:53:50 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YYmfM2TfUA
Shortly after a now incredibly muscled Tumam flew down from the mountains to the place of his first defeat: the city of Oarpassionate
(https://i.imgur.com/TCrh0R3.png)
Tumam arrived at the market square on the surface of the city and noticed a few of things:
-Two dwarves were still moving dead bodies from his earlier escapade
-One of those bodies was the king of the dwarves
-it was mostly children on the surface other than the two corpse haulers
At this point Tumam's reflexes were now lightning fast and so with one hand he gestured and all the corpses that were salvageable begin to wriggle, writhe and rise.
With another hand he swiftly lashed out and sent his morningstar through a dwarf child's head killing it instantly.
Do we care about the children?
He raised the child as a zombie too and his small mob of death swarmed the two adults and other children.
Tumam flew ahead to catch one adult who was making a run for it and quickly dispatched the dwarf. Then he raised that one too!
The staircase downwards was the most bloody affair. There was no space to maneuver and so when violence frequently broke out the dead were crawling over each other to get in reach of dwarves holding the line. It was a disturbing orchestra of grunting, roaring, growling, squelching, crunching and rattling noises. Blood would soon fill the entire stairway as well as bodies too damaged to salvage.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9ScvdH.png)
Tumam focused as a line breaker. Interfering where dwarves got in the way or were turning the tide.
He reached the residential levels where he had been foiled last time. Only now he still had plenty of undead and he himself could fight quite well. His mob was busy attacking a pair of dwarves holding the lower stairs and so Tumam used this time to float into the residential area to begin purging. He killed a street preacher who shouted of the apocalypse and raised him to bring a new message to the city. The new zombie quickly scampered off to chase another dwarf while one of Tumam's zombie children from the surface caught up with him. The child was now covered in gore with baleful light in his eyes. He was a wraith (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428149#msg8428149).
Tumam floated down hallways looking for other dwarves and one baron, covered in jewels and crafts, ran by. The child wraith sprinted after him and the nobleman was too weighed down by his baubles. The dwarf kept trying to crawl away as the child savaged him and Tumam merely floated on.
(https://i.imgur.com/JKI7o50.png)
He checked all the hallways in this quarter and came back to find the nobleman far too mutilated and mangled to be raised again. This seemed to be a problem with the zombies: They were so enthusiastic to snuff out life they often tore it apart too much to raise it as another zombie. Do we care about wasted corpses?
Finally, Tumam descended to the deepest parts of the city! The dwarves would deny him his truth no longer!
More resistance on the way down, but Tumam had raised a horse and it quickly did terrifying work. Even quickly killing another horse that aided the dwarves; which Tumam also raised.
In the final room a great pile of treasure had been stacked. Chests and bags overflowing with the most expensive of dwarven crafts and decorative items. Tumam was no appraiser, but assumed the value was massive.
Although Tumam was unaware of the current political goings on in the city; more than likely the remnants of the necromancer goddess Cor's army were looting everything of value in the city. With their numbers being reduce and with no way to create new intelligent undead or zombies they were likely taking everything of value to move to another location.
Tumam was unaware, but also he did not care about the purpose of the treasure pile.
His horde surged over the dwarves protecting the trove and as it was being decorated by viscera Tumam picked up a beautiful tome he found on the ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/0c4Kpwv.png)
As it turns out Tumam forgot how to read.
(https://i.imgur.com/c42yEWs.png)
Tumam stood for awhile perplexed. Waiting for...something?
Finally, a vision came to him!
I saw Oarpassionate, but it was different. Far more grand, bustling with life, hope and potential!
This is not the Oarpassionate of today, now a cemetery, but the one of my youth. Oarpassionate was my home where I lived as a craftsman.
Yet questions remain for Tumam:
Why was he imprisoned?
How long has he been gone?
Why does he feel this need to destroy the dwarves?
Who was the man from the tavern and who was the one who set him free from prison? and why?
Clearly the only way to find definite answers was to press forward and continue to follow these inhibitions to the unlocking of his total memory.
He led his disgusting bleeding host upwards and scoured the residential quarters once more.
A dwarf came out with a knife "Villain!" he spit at Tumam and missed
"I will slay your evil host and save my people!"
The young dwarf warlord was no match for the horde. Tumam tried to kill him quickly, but by the time he died his body was far too mangled to use.
Are we going to get to have heroes chasing after us now?
(https://i.imgur.com/AKkJcJ0.png)
Tumam raised a dead giant ant-soldier as a zombie. The other ants seemed to be hiding well, but Tumam felt no need to kill them specifically.
He did find one goblin warrior hiding: a living soldier of the necromancers
(https://i.imgur.com/GY6kREx.png)
He killed him too and when confident that the city was scoured thoroughly he ascended back to the surface.
Oarpassionate is one of the two cities that dwarfkind was originally birthed from. It's political, religious and cultural significance to the species can't be denied. Even when under necromancer occupation the dwarves still lived in their home city and sought to live as well as they could. Their was a major difference between Tumam and the goddess Cor though:
Cor and her minions only sought to despoil. To take everything of value for themselves and tyrannize weaklings with their army of the dead. Tumam just wanted to burn it all down.
So the most sacred of dwarven sites was left nothing but a cemetery. It's corpses that were beyond salvage were not even properly buried, but fated to be mold colonies for cavernous fungi. Perhaps one day the entire city would just become another mushroom forest?
OOC
Finally! A WIN!
Oh also I noticed this in previous worlds I play: warlords start cropping up as chaos ensues in civilizations. I played one civ that was almost completely conquered by goblins and when I went to their destroyed homeland it turned out that almost the entire dwarven race were soldiers serving under a warlord! So this means we've made a negative impact! YAY!
Post by: King Zultan on January 30, 2024, 04:34:50 am
Do we care about the children?No, probably not. I mean it's not like their our kids.
Do we care about wasted corpses?A few wasted corpses doesn't matter since we can always make more with what we have.
As it turns out Tumam forgot how to read.Damn man, why'd you go and do a thing like that?
Why was he imprisoned?No idea I wasn't there.
How long has he been gone?Not sure on this one ether as I wasn't there for it.
Why does he feel this need to destroy the dwarves?I mean why not it seems like a fun thing to do, do we really need a reason?
Who was the man from the tavern and who was the one who set him free from prison? and why?Not sure.
Are we going to get to have heroes chasing after us now?Probably, the bastards never let anyone have any fun.
Tumam just wanted to burn it all down.Always a good goal to have.
So this means we've made a negative impact! YAY!Huzza, that's the best kind of impact!
Post by: Maloy on February 05, 2024, 06:59:56 am
(https://i.imgur.com/bl25HS3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/CTR2EPo.jpeg)
Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/or8eL
The small group of dwarves were gathered in what others would call a heap of rubble, but to them was known as "the pit". The pit was the only place to get a drink in Leapbodice and when people weren't digging around for valuables in the rubble or dreaming of safer places to live they were here.
Mato supped on an ale that was diluted with 2/3 of water. He and his fellow drinkers that day were miserably quiet. What was there to talk about other than the same terrible news? Leapbodice had its hey day once! Used to be a dwarven capital with a world of trade that humans helped build a highway towards just so they could get a taste of all that wealth.
Then the demons came. Bad for everyone else sure, but for guys like Nako and the rest it was fine. Demons rewarded well and they all feasted on the spoils of the countryside.
Until the alliance of men, elves, dwarves and even the undead stopped them and sealed the portal to the underworld.
Alliance didn't have enough manpower left to root out guys like Nako though and left the city a heap of ruin. This seemed to turn out fine too, because when the necromancer died one of her lieutenants came here and took over. The cultists of Leapbodice essentially just became bandits that were particularly vicious.
Then the heroes came. Killed the master of the ruined city and slew the super-powered undead she-dwarf that was leading the whole military!
A day later a small army of humans from another bandit tribe invaded and the cultists barely survived their luck. Dwarven invasions were regular and they they just barely made it through the last one by collapsing a whole section of the city and sealing everyone inside. Including Mato's wife!
There were three times more corpses than people now and the city felt a lot like Mato's ale.
At this point the survivors agreed to lay down arms when the next force came through. Dwarf military usually didn't kill civilians and so the cultists just laid their gear down wherever it fell and dressed normally to show they wouldn't fight.
All Nako and the rest could do is sit around and stew on their misery dreaming of better days of glorious pillaging and in Mato's case his pretty wife that he had lost.
Into the rubble pile did a white stork man hover. His wings gently flapping to keep him from touching the floor while his morning star jingled on its chain. None of the dwarves recognized this particular white stork man and this one flew down to meet with the one they did know on the other end of the pit: Bosa Singehate/
Bosa was technically the new boss over the whole city. Former plague doctor and in this city that meant she brewed plagues to use on enemies. No one left to lead so now the doctor was in charge, but she did hardly anything.
All the dwarves watched the two white storks speak, but none could hear from this distance.
Suddenly, Bosa stood up and nodded her head to the newcomer. She quickly walked out without looking back as if afraid.
The newcomer floated over to the watching crowd.
"You lost?" asked Nako. It's difficult to read the face of a bird person, but it seemed as if the white stork man was smiling. The newcomer proceeded to kill every single person in the bar.
Tumam's quest proceeded well. After destroying the dwarf city he immediately led his band of undead, which were mostly animals, to the next dwarf village. It was a massacre. Every undead horse became wighted and by the end were so quick and strong they could kill a dwarf in a single kick while dodging from any blows. The sheriff was being attacked by one and a child ran out to save him. The sheriff used the child's distraction to run away and left the boy to be beaten to death. Thankfully, the sheriff did not escape although his body was too mangled to use after.
While his forces did all of that Tumam crept into another village into the night and snuck by its elven guards. He killed every single dwarf in his sleep, but did not kill elves for he was not sure how he felt about them yet other than a vague sense of intimidation. Do we wish to spare elves we run into?
He finished both villages and left his band to pick around the ruins while he followed his instincts to the next dwarf city known as Leapbodice.
He spared the white stork woman who ruled it and gave her the chance to flee. Running into his own kind was rare and she was a pretty bird!
(https://i.imgur.com/NrJ24Kl.png)
After decorating the sorry excuse for a tavern with brains and blood he hovered downwards into the ruined city. As he did so he saw a passage covered in rubble. One of many, of course, but he could sense something beyond it: Life force.
Using a spell he remembered he was able to articulate just where the rubble ended and teleport to the other side...
(https://i.imgur.com/zFedVCY.png)
Kivish did her best to keep spirits high, but it was difficult. Every dwarf here knew that there was little chance they'd ever escape this ruin.
Kivish had been a spy for the dwarves of the craterous glazes to the city for four decades! She had been here for the whole demon war and the banditry after. The information she provided was critical in routing both. She helped oversee what was to be her final mission. She even took out her old armor and weapons with it and triple layered steel mail.
(https://i.imgur.com/sZuthwv.png)
The dwarves had come to finish this city's foul contributions to the world's history. No more bandits, cultists or demons. They even brought along medical dwarves to oversee civilians living here and administrators to help transition them back to dwarf society. One such was the wife of the baron of Arrowcrevice. Came despite urging from her husband and court.
It was going to be an easy and merciful task, but it didn't work out.
Kivish did not count on the cultists intentionally collapsing part of the city on top of the invaders. She also did not count on her husband, Mato, being the one to do it. She did not expect that to hurt as much as it did even if she had hidden her status as spy from him.
It had been a month and the survivors were living on what little fungi grew through the ruins and a pathetically small drip of water that fell through a corner of the ceiling. She was glad she had written a letter to her adult children before this and so either way she knew they would know of her love for them. The few cultists in this tunnel system agreed to a truce as they had also been betrayed.
Suddenly, in the distance, Kivish heard screaming! Out from another portion of the tunnels they were in a dwarf crawled out covered in blood only to be leaped upon by another dwarf whose body was so damaged he shouldn't even be alive! Kivish drew her blade as more rabid dwarves followed...
Purging the tunnels was decently quick work. To save time Tumam raised the dwarves he killed so they could chase the ones running like wolves chasing rabbits. The armored she-dwarf was interesting though. She ended up single-handedly killing every single one of his zombies! Around 7 of them and Tumam was quite worried about fighting her, but as it turns out a zombie had wrestled her helmet off before being slain. He quickly ended her with two strikes before she could go at him with that fell blade.
He then killed the baroness-consort and her staff and then followed a staircase down into the rest of the abandoned tunnels.
(https://i.imgur.com/eLUYGkF.png)
There he saw something he wasn't quite expecting. A dwarf covered in metal armor and emblazoned upon his chest as the symbol of the long dead goblin civilization: The Plagues of Forking.
What's worse is that the disgusting creature's eyes glowed blue! He was one of Cor's Cold Hunters! Tumam's undead would not recognize this dwarf as an enemy and so would not help him, but Tumam knew that the only thing standing between him and a new memory were the lives of this city's dwarves. He readied his morningstar.
OOC:
Pausing here because fighting Cold Hunters is near impossible normally and that'll be a long one! This one is armored! I never fight armored ones! This is what I was worried about running into for a long time!
Incorporated legends lore for the city, Mato, Kivish and the baroness consort.
The city has a common glitch for both dwarf and goblin fortresses where it generated whole portions of the city that are completely cut off from the rest. Since its a ruined city I'm just gonna go with that it was collapsed intentionally to cut it off and it works out because the whole section was full of Craterous Glazes dwarves and not cultist ones
I didn't kill the elves because they were Neko's entire extended family including the ones we saved with Kanil. I CAN kill future elves we run into. I didn't this time especially because we can have a few elves survive into Fairy Tales and I think I want it to be his family.
I'm hitting that part of the game I knew would be hard for me: I feel really bad wiping out populations lol. For some reason I have an easier time being evil in games like Baldur's gate than dwarf fortress. I think maybe it's because df npcs have such complex personalities that they feel a little more real? Seeing acts of heroism, cowardice, begging for their lives, or screaming in rage at the end. All hits different. I'm weird I know
Post by: King Zultan on February 06, 2024, 03:54:30 am
Do we wish to spare elves we run into?No why should they get special treatment.
Good luck fighting the cold hunter, hopefully goes easier than the last few, but the addition of armour does have me worried it might not.
The city has a common glitch for both dwarf and goblin fortresses where it generated whole portions of the city that are completely cut off from the rest.I didn't know that, maybe that's why I can never find my way out when I spawn in a fort.
Post by: Maloy on February 15, 2024, 08:32:31 pm
After dwarves are dead we should be in age of twilight from there we only have two phases left before fairy tales!
1. Elven Extinction
2. Pruning(basically prune down remaining numbers to make humanity more than 90% of pop)
I was trying to think of a fun spin for elven phase and here is my idea:
What if I make the save available for any and everyone. As many of us as are interested can play and wipe out the elves and share our stories of doing so! At the end we can decide which one we want to be the canon save, but the stories would still be up as alternate timelines.
Sound fun? Any interested takers? I know Avolition said he was down for more extermination!
Post by: King Zultan on February 16, 2024, 02:19:11 am
When it comes to the second phase does that include wiping out the animal people or are there other things that need to be removed instead?
Post by: Maloy on February 16, 2024, 05:54:51 am
Kobolds too.
Basically we will just be pruning numbers down. As of right now I think the number of humans is in the 380s? So there can't be more than 30 non-humans on the population screen if we wanna play it safe.
I'm wanting to reserve those spots for our adventurers and favorite npcs like Nemo and Tosid and what not.
Post by: King Zultan on February 17, 2024, 01:45:53 am
Also dang having to hunt down and murder all but 30 of each race is going to be quite the task.
Post by: Maloy on March 06, 2024, 06:23:29 am
I'll probably make one or two big posts about what all happened and go from there. Also expect more lore posts.
Of the people who read these updates: Any of you want to take a copy of the save for my "exterminate the elves" competition? I'd like to see more than one of us doing it at a time and basically we all just vote on the cannon extinction event!
Post by: King Zultan on March 07, 2024, 03:19:50 am
I've done an incredible amount of genocide while the forums have been down! Chugging along to achieve our goal!A bit of genocide is always a a good use of spare time.
Post by: Maloy on March 09, 2024, 07:45:33 am
He hunted each one down! He bashed a baroness' skull in and dueled with a dwarf sworn to a long dead goblin kingdom. Tumam supposed it was fitting that all the players in this war represent things dead and gone.
(https://i.imgur.com/WqF5oHb.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/8OTD7pe.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/vg9AG1o.png)
From here the momentum of destruction sped along at an unbelievable rate. Cor's (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8449302#msg8449302) conquest of Adelaathira was far different from Tumam's. Hers was slow, patient and methodical as she played forces against each other, assisted the alliance with defeating the demon invasion, and raised the greatest heroes from each of these wars. Cor sought to rule the world and its inhabitants. Tumam only wanted to purge it completely.
Without being compromised by greed or a desire for minions to command Tumam had no need to slow himself down. His horde advanced and what took Cor decades to achieve: Tumam accomplished in a week. The dead do not sleep or hunger and advanced ceaselessly.
The first two hillocks were caught entirely unawares. Zombies and wights brutalized the populations. Undead horses in particular were overwhelmingly deadly for they lacked the fear that kept their living variants from unleashing lethal force. Each kick of a hoof left a dwarf dead!
The new queen of the silver of staves hid while a brave woodcutter tried to buy time for her to escape. In her fear though she merely cowered and was swarmed. The woodcutter slew two zombies and attempted to break free when realizing it was hopeless, but he too fell.
All were raised, but Tumam couldn't recognize which dwarf was the former queen with what a brutal state they were all in.
(https://i.imgur.com/DD2PWM3.png)
Oh there were many tragic scenes too. Whole homes full of children that Tumam himself looked away from as his horde did their work mercilessly. In the very first hillocks a sheriff ran in fear from the horde, but was too slow. A child charged in and bought him time and he continued to run as he left the little girl to be torn apart. The sheriff was still hunted down anyway.
The next few hillocks had time to prepare a motley defense. New self-proclaimed warlords rallied dwarves clad in steel encrusted with jewels. The finest soldiers left in all of dwarfdom: veterans of the war with the demons!
New barons, counts and kings were selected since the last hillocks was destroyed and these were now also steel warriors.
(https://i.imgur.com/fnVbzFK.png)
They seem to finally be responding to us fittingly, right?
Tumam briefly retreated, but only to find a graveyard...
(https://i.imgur.com/Au10w0S.png)
Someone had left a whole fortress of dead bodies ripe for the resurrecting. (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8488929#msg8488929)
With this horde and the last elite of the combined Silver of Staves and Craterous Glazes a battle of legends ensued.
The outnumbered dwarves danced in martial trances and weaved bloody ruin amongst the horde. The undead nails and teeth could do little against the armor! Each soldier took a name for himself or herself as a warrior of this world's legends!
(https://i.imgur.com/gHyDlNC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/egbLJuq.jpg)
Source: Bottom of the picture
The dwarves would most certainly have won the battle were it not for the glaring weakness of the living: They grow tired.
One by one dwarves would fall in exhaustion and the dead would pummel them and pull their armor off.
The whole time Tumam floated in the background and watched the carnage, but as dwarves would fall he would often hover in and deal killing blows instantly.
This might seem a mercy, but in reality he wished to preserve the legendary warriors for reanimation. The new legendary zombies could punch and kick with such strength as to collapse in the skulls of enemies completely!
(https://i.imgur.com/OPg5Oei.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZB1C5fS.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/xHBXXIQ.png)
Dwarven civilization would fall with a battle-cry and piles of dead mangled enemies. Although the bearded fiends would surely never choose extinction this is likely the only ending they would ever find acceptable.
(https://i.imgur.com/VubVQtB.jpeg)
Source: https://rare-gallery.com/4563265-dwarfs-warrior-fantasy-art.html
Tumam's horde shuffled around as he floated a few feet from the ground and looked up.
His work was partway done. Dwarven civilization was all gone. All of it!
Yet, still, many of the bearded vermin dwelt as bandits, nomads, refugees and mercenaries in the anarchic human lands to the south. The majority of the species, in fact.
His quest was entering its most important phase. Tumam was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he did not even notice the living dwarf standing beside him until the dwarf coughed "Ahem"
Tumam turned slowly. Shocked that the creature wasn't torn limb from limb by his minions.
"Found yourself yet, Tumam?" he said
Tumam recognized this one. He was the tavern keeper from Oarpassionate the dwarf capital!
The dwarf didn't even seem concerned that he was standing on the ashes of his own dead kingdom, but instead pulled out two mugs and a flask and began pouring. He handed Tumam a mug of dark liquid and smiled warmly saying "Let's have a chat for old time's sake"
OOC:
The number of epic battles and horrifying moments was beyond counting and I love that about dwarf fortress. It is a story generator! The most interesting ones will probably be lore posts instead of forcing myself to slow down the progress to fairy tales just to fit every little thing.
Post by: King Zultan on March 12, 2024, 03:04:20 am
This whole thing makes me want to try the undead army thing at some point since I haven't done that.
Post by: Maloy on March 12, 2024, 02:58:52 pm
Good stuff, with those dwarves dealt with how many more do you have to go before the dwarves are where they need to be for the age of fairy tales?
This whole thing makes me want to try the undead army thing at some point since I haven't done that.
4 or 5 hundred? I'm actually a fair bit further ahead than this!
Zombies are really fun because it steam rolls quickly! The weak zombies get whittled down too while the long term survivors become quite fearsome! Zombie animals like elephants and horses are unstoppable.
Zombie people are a bit funny though. Their only big advantage is numbers plus immunity to bleeding and pain. Once we meet other armies it gets way harder (which is what is happening now)
Also it sucks that I can't really have much dialogue in-game because combat is initiated immediately. Oh well.
Post by: TheFlame52 on March 12, 2024, 03:33:53 pm
Post by: Maloy on March 14, 2024, 06:57:13 am
Long before the births of Kanil, the party of heroes or even the start of Tumam; The world was in delicate balance. Dwarves in the mountains, humans on the coasts, goblins in the plains and artic, and elves in the jungles and forests.
Before war and disaster would reshape the map other creatures explored the world! Monsters that hunted sapient people much like we would hunt deer!
One such beast was known as Thinnedgleeful the Volcano of Gleams. A giant anaconda whose reddish orange eyes would be just barely visible moments before it struck its prey.
(https://i.imgur.com/31QiGgb.jpeg)
Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/W0GvD
Its first attempted victim was the dwarf Oddom Boltfriends. It severely injured her by tearing a chunk out of her arm, but the dwarf escaped.
The rest of the victims were not so lucky as the creature slithered from northern marshes into goblin lands. It feasted! Devouring goblins and trolls with regularity.
(Note for the reader: A regular giant anaconda cannnot devour a human. The shoulders are too wide spaced and would cause it to burst if it devoured one. This creature devoured trolls which were much larger! Giving us an idea as to its size)
The goblins of the Plague lands sent parties to hunt it, but they never could find it. Until one fateful day: Oddom Boltfriends was in the same settlement as Thinnedgleeful.
Historians are not sure whether the Anaconda wandered there hunting its old prey or perhaps Oddom was there to hunt it. Oddom denies this herself saying he was only there by chance, but considering she agreed so willingly to hunt the beast most historians believe she was being bashful.
The goblins hired Oddom and a human mercenary named Mim to hunt the beast.
Oddom's fated battle ended in a draw with Oddom retreating. During the confusion of the hunt Oddom and Mim were separated. During the time of Oddom's retreat the beast circled back and caught Mim!
The human was devoured whole after the snake constricted and crushed all of his bones.
Oddom found the beast as it finished and battled it once more, but the two could not outdo one another! It ended in another draw.
The two parted as unfinished rivals. For Oddom returned to the town to be contracted to hunt another grave threat to the Plagued lands: The Dark Monsters.
Afterword Oddom would be proposed to by the king of the Craterous Glazes and would retire to raise a family in the capital.
Without challenge the Anaconda continued to feed on goblins and trolls. Hunting parties failed to locate it whenever it chose to hide until one day the creature merely stopped appearing all together.
It is possible it moved onto greener pastures(Literally), but more than likely the beast died of old age in some forgotten corner of wilderness.
Despite this being a problem for goblins it was a unique time that drew international aid from humans and dwarves! Humans were so inspired by the horror stories that, to this day, they still invent new ones of giant snakes devouring whole populations and gritty, but reluctant, heroes fighting them!
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on March 15, 2024, 02:48:10 am
Post by: Maloy on March 16, 2024, 09:47:13 am
I like lore posts like this, they make me need to dig throng the history of a world to see what kinds of things people have gotten up to.
I appreciate it! I like it a lot too! Makes the world feel really full. Digging deep into Adelaathira it feels like the most complete and well rounded fantasy world I've seen in a long while. Everything that is happening and why its happening makes sense.
Why did the necromancers not get stomped? They allied with everyone to stop demons from destroying the planet!
Why did the goblins get so powerful in the north and the elves so weak? Everyone was busy fighting the necromancers and the elves were fighting necromancers, humans and goblins!
Also my game froze :-[
Final battle was so epic that it had several hundred combatants and that is a lot harder on my PC in adventure mode than fortress mode. Still waiting on it. Been fighting this battle for an IRL week! Every action takes several minutes.
Post by: Maloy on March 18, 2024, 06:15:50 am
I was born 16 years before recorded history began. I lived in a land of myth where nature ruled all and beasts from the most fanciful imaginations of humanity roamed the earth.
I lived in this world alone, but by the time I was 29 I realized the aging in my bones. I was surrounded by immortal monsters of an age of myth, but I would die in mere decades. I simply couldn't accept it.
Within one year of dedicating myself to prolonging my life I found the most unlikely of creatures: Dwarves.
The bearded folk of the earth had dug their way out and were beginning to build. Within a year of my discovering of them I joined their civilization.
Having come from the wilds I served as a scout for the young races attempts to colonize the surface and when not assisting them there I used dwarven resources to advance my research into death.
7 years after my initial vow to extend my life I had a breakthrough. Within my laboratory at the dwarven capital of Oarpassionate I conducted foul sorceries communicating with a plane adjacent to our own. I reached out to this plane and grabbed something within it. As I pulled with all my might it seemed as if this world too was determined to keep me from living longer, but it could not resist my will!
As I pulled it gave way and a large rock of unearthly origin came through the portal. Energy from the plane shot out from the portal in a wave and in an instant every light source in the city went out and every citizen heard dark whispers whose origin could not be identified. I looked up to see the portal had closed, but the rock I had found was engraved with supernatural precision and although the words were not written in dwarven I could understand them.
I read it and in the moment of reading an understanding of this world, and the one I had touched, flooded my mind! With this knowledge I had suddenly become immortal!
Immune to aging, no longer requiring food, drink or sleep. Most importantly of all I could command the powers of death itself.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The new surface dwellers didn't know what to do with me and since my experiment yielded success a new religion was spreading like wildfire among the populace: The Spry had come! A god of death in the shape of a dwarven skeleton.
(https://i.imgur.com/ed1cPnS.jpeg)
Source: Dark Souls
Those select few in the government knew that it was I the dwarves were following unwittingly, but they knew to keep it quiet and I was unaware of my growing religion. I likely would have been insulted by the vapid egoism of the dwarves to make this new deity in their own image. It was here that I met one of my only friends: Urdim the dwarf.
Urdim came on behalf of the king, after my repeatedly failed attempts to bribe my guards to let me escape, and he offered me a way out. The dwarven kingdom desperately needed my help to protect their future.
I wasn't sure what was meant by this at first, but Urdim asked that I be patient and wait.
I was released and while I waited for whatever assignment the dwarves had for me I picked up whatever work I could: A cook, trapper, weaponsmith, but it was all just me killing time. My neighbors began to notice that I was not aging, I had actually exceeded my natural lifespan as a white stork man, and with the swiftly growing death cult the kingdom realized it couldn't afford to wait in its dealing with me.
Urdim and I were sent north. The autumnal swamps from which I hailed were stuffed to the brim with giant monsters that often wandered south to attack the dwarves and it was one of two roads that led to the elven jungles of the north-east. Our assignment was two-fold:
1. Pacify the swamp to ensure the safety of all dwarfkind
2. Prevent the elves from becoming a threat to the dwarves
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
The Kingdom would officially deny affiliation with us during this time and I took Urdim as my apprentice in death. I shared my secrets of immortality with him as we began to raise our undead forces.
Seeing our defiling of the swamp the elves were quick to challenge us. Undead hordes met guerrilla fighters and giant pandas that were larger than a house! I raised fallen heroes as lieutenants and took on more apprentices.
We took the western forest retreats and defiled them with undeath. It took everything the elves had just to hold us from taking their central lands.
(https://i.imgur.com/I6ePoUk.png)
It was during this time that many sought my patronage, but I only ever took a few. One young woman came to me and she showed promise to be a truly great necromancer. Her name was Othla and she deeply impressed me with her wit and charm, but I could see more behind her eyes. A limitless ambition that would devour the world. So I denied her and sent her away not knowing what she would become. (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8449302#msg8449302)
I also did not realize just how intelligent and charming she could be. The humans and my dwarven friends had just finished waging war against the goblins of the Plagues of Forking and wiped out their kingdom. My own troops and lieutenants helped them do so, although they deny it to this day!
Despite my aid, Othla spoke to the humans and convinced them that I was a threat to the entire world. That the humans must put aside their own war with the elves and join them to destroy me.
She then went to my own adopted people: The dwarves.
The dwarves condemned my existence. They declared Urdim and I base criminals and fugitives from the law. They rewrote history to portray me as the villain. Soon armies of humans advanced upon me from the south as elves counter-attacked in the east. Dwarven mercenary bands joined in as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/Eu2G7b3.png)
Despite hordes of the dead, super-powered lieutenants, and a company of students with mastery over undeath; We could not stop them! Armies of humans, dwarves and elves were accentuated by giant pandas and grizzly bears. The humans brought elephants from the savannah. That foul swamp titan (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8447677#msg8447677)summoned the giant beasts of the earth and my kin, who abandoned me, sent rutherers and jabberers with the mercenaries!
We were overwhelmed and routed. I stood atop my tower watching as all I had spent two lifetimes to build was destroyed. Aided by those I built it to protect!
Urdim came to me as the invaders took a ram to the front gate. He urged me to flee and fly away. "We are immortal, master! Escape and we shall return when the time is right?"
"What of you, old friend?" I asked
"I'll find my own way out. There's still enough bodies left to create a diversion. You just worry about you" Urdim said as he took my hand "Its been a pleasure, Tumam"
I took flight and didn't look back as the sounds of battle continued.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
My mind was shattered and despite his assurances; I never saw Urdim again.
I lost my wits and I wandered the swamps not even remembering my name. My clothes would rot off and I would not care. This would continue for over 40 years until I reawakened.
Tumam is the original necromancer of this entire world.
Post by: TheFlame52 on March 18, 2024, 02:30:38 pm
Post by: King Zultan on March 19, 2024, 03:22:21 am
Final battle was so epic that it had several hundred combatants and that is a lot harder on my PC in adventure mode than fortress mode. Still waiting on it. Been fighting this battle for an IRL week! Every action takes several minutes.Dang that must have been some battle for it to take that long to process.
Post by: Maloy on March 20, 2024, 09:30:52 am
Yeah it's really weird that necromancers will go on rampages like wild animals if they flee into the wildYeah. He basically went insane and sat in the swamps doing nothing. Would be cool for world gen to actually create scenarios like this and actually have the villain return one day to wreak havoc again!
I can at least make sense of the logic though: like a dwarf going stark raving mad when his mood goes down enough, only being a necromancer this one can't starve or dehydrate to death and so he just lives...forever.
Never knew that, stuff like this makes me want to play this game again but I can do to having other stuff to do.Final battle was so epic that it had several hundred combatants and that is a lot harder on my PC in adventure mode than fortress mode. Still waiting on it. Been fighting this battle for an IRL week! Every action takes several minutes.Dang that must have been some battle for it to take that long to process.
I'm now past two weeks and still fighting the final battle. It's that slow and that big.
Post by: King Zultan on March 21, 2024, 01:37:09 am
I'm now past two weeks and still fighting the final battle. It's that slow and that big.Holy crap, how close do you think it is to being over?
Post by: Maloy on March 22, 2024, 11:42:41 am
Post by: Maloy on April 01, 2024, 04:47:47 am
"Urdim? You're alive!" Tumam reached out to embrace his long lost friend, but the dwarf held up a hand to stay him "Not quite."
Urdim turned to look at the setting sun in the distance "The age you and I fought to help create is long dead and gone, old friend" he finally said.
"It is no longer my dream" Tumam replied bitterly
Urdim glanced in his direction "Then what is it? The nation that abandoned us (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8512564#msg8512564) is destroyed and left a flaming ruin. What do you want now, my master?"
"I want to kill them all"
Urdim turned fully to face Tumam once more "Even after remembering your love for these peoples that you once held? Your sacrifices?"
"Yes, perhaps even because of that" Tumam replied
Urdim stared impassively for a long time as if deciding something and then spoke "The rest of those you seek lie in the anarchic lands of the Entangled Plains. There among the bandit tribes did the slayer of the necromancer Cor arise. There the greatest warriors of the dwarven race prepare to face you"
"I don't care how prepared they are"
"Good luck then, my teacher, my friend and my master. Beware the Cold Hunters. (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180460.msg8428149#msg8428149) They have infiltrated many parts of the world and surely know of you. They are far stronger than their creator ever was" Urdim said and as he finished speaking he disappeared as if never there.
Tumam quietly settled into this ruined hillocks for two weeks. His host of the dead mindlessly shambled, moaned and swayed around the village the entire time. Tumam spent the time meditating and using his fully reclaimed powers to scry his future and upon seeing many outcomes of his future actions he decided which course was best. Without uttering a word he and his host began their ceaseless march.
(https://i.imgur.com/eKhFsLp.png)
The first stop was a dwarven village on the edge of the plains. The dwarves had hired goblin, human and elven mercenaries to defend them now that word had reached dwarves of Tumam's existence and actions. They fought heroically, and performed very well against his horde, but as each one tired Tumam would fly in and kill the warriors. He would raise them each to his own side and the last dwarven village burned.
Within the same afternoon the horde reached Claspedspear, the former home and starting point of Kanil Inchwhip, and one of the most powerful bandit tribes, and military forces in general, in the world.
(https://i.imgur.com/B5M0Q0W.jpeg)
Source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/d1k2w
Tumam's strategy had held up in previous battles: Attack quickly and prevent the enemy from preparing. Rely on the limitless endurance of the undead and the exhaustion of the living and try to overpower with numbers. Here there were complications to his plans.
As the dead surged into the fort and he floated down to the entrance to the main hall the living were hiding in he fought with the guards outside as his zombies swarmed them. Tumam kicked open the door to begin the slaughter. Over 80 were inside and each and every single one drew a weapon. The dead were outnumbered and outgunned. Dwarves, elves, humans and goblins were all united under the chiefess Uja.
(https://i.imgur.com/4tDNpWN.png)
Battle raged for hours as a tide of blades flowed into a voracious horde of zombies. Tumam's own actions is all that held his comparably meagre force together. Whenever an enemy would surge past the dead or over-extend Tumam would kill them all while trying to stay behind his minions less he get swarmed himself. He would raise as many dead as he could, but there weren't enough to keep up with the pressing tide and more bodies were being mangled past the point of usefulness.
Finally, Tumam himself overextended: Within the space of a few seconds three bandits had sliced him up! One had almost cut his throat and his neck was oozing blood even now. Another knocked his Morningstar from his hand while another hit his foot hard enough to twist his ankle.
Tumam rolled away from the crowd as quickly as he could and flew upwards trying to asses his bleeding neck. He landed roughly onto the roof of the building and laid there on the ground trying to rest and get an idea of what happened. Below him his horde was routed. The last zombies fought as tirelessly as ever as the combined forces ripped them apart!
Tumam's army was gone. Again! Before he could really lay there and reflect on his frustrations he heard an argument breaking out amongst the living. A large human man was brandishing a knife toward some dwarves and seemed to be attempting to rally the others. The chiefess of the fort stared at both groups from afar.
"We know why they're coming here! Weknow that they're coming back too!" The human shouted spitting on a slain zombie. He pointed his knife accusingly at a dwarf smith who's fists were covered in blood from brawling the dead "Its because of you lot! They're here for you!"
The dwarf glared at him while his kin stood behind him clearly showing support "Don't point your knife at me, human! Been working for Uja longer than you. You afraid of actually getting your hands dirty?"
A human poet nearby cut in "But this isn't about 'getting dirty'. That necromancer is here for you dwarves. Its already too late to stop the end of your people, sir dwarf. There's no reason to drag us to death with the rest of you"
Many of the dwarves began shouting names and obscenities at the poet. The knife wielding human cut in again sneering at the dwarf smith "You lot should start running now. With your short legs you'll need to get a head start before the next zombie horde catches you!"
The smith's face turned red "Short?!"
Violence erupted as the smith dealt a vicious blow to the gut of the knife wielder and a riot broke out between humans and dwarves. Chiefess Uja and her lieutenants merely watched.
It was quick and bloody.
At some point the knife wielder was knocked to the ground and the smith then picked him up and with all his might pulled until his lower body was pulled away from the upper. The poet was beat viciously until he passed out from pain and the dwarves kicked his skull in until it caved in entirely.
(https://i.imgur.com/33mF1Yu.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/FIPZVe1.png)
The dwarves won the riot and Uja finally stepped forward as the dwarves cheered themselves on "Alright, alright, quiet you lot! We need to shore up the defenses if we are gonna hold this place! Back to work all of you!"
Tumam quietly flew away and was partially disappointed the humans had failed. They weren't wrong and had they succeeded he would have merely moved onto his next target and left the non-dwarves alone. Outside the fort he saw why he had failed. Half of his zombie force, including the heroic warriors from the previous last stand, were all finishing killing a small group of elves and dwarves who had attacked his forces from the rear. They died, but succeeded in separating his forces. Even if he led these zombies back in they'd just repeat the same conclusion so Tumam led them away to plan his next move.
OOC:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: King Zultan on April 02, 2024, 02:48:42 am
Has that massive battle finally finished or is it still ongoing?
Post by: Maloy on April 02, 2024, 04:32:14 am
Good stuff!I took a break to focus on the Gateheaven game, but it is still ongoing lol
Has that massive battle finally finished or is it still ongoing?
I'm really hoping to be able to say "We've reached the age of twilight!" right before steam adventure mode hits
Post by: King Zultan on April 03, 2024, 02:14:29 am
I should check out Gateheaven as I'm running low on forts that are still running to read.
Post by: Maloy on April 08, 2024, 05:13:53 am
His band of surviving zombies were small, but conveniently they were mostly the veteran heroes from the last stand of the Silver of Staves so each one had a very powerful body.
They crept into the fort as stealthily as possible. The defenders had only had a few hours to try and ready themselves while most tried to rest.
They had no time to repair the gates or clear out the dead bodies. Who could blame them? What army could return in mere hours restored and tireless to begin the killing again?
Tumam quietly flew above and ahead of his forces as they swarmed over the few night guards. It was critical that Tumam get inside the main building quickly before the sounds of battle woke up his sleeping foes. This was delicate as that meant he had to enter the building alone and vulnerable.
He floated in with his feet not even touching the floor and saw the many sleeping figures scattered across the large hall. Safety in numbers was surely their thinking when it came to sleeping in one giant room like this.
Tumam pulled out his morningstar and set to his dark work.
As quietly and surgically as possible for a Morningstar he set to work killing those who slept. This was neither a quiet nor surgical weapon and so loud cracking or squelching could be heard after each blow and the sounds of combat outside were growing closer. Tumam had to put off raising the dead for as long as possible for the moment zombies began fighting inside here everyone would surely waken and so he continued to kill people alone. One after another died.
Finally, a dwarf sentry fell back from the outside into the main hall with a zombie on top of him trying to tear him apart. The sounds of the other zombies roaring and screaming outside was now completely unmuted and the hall erupted with shouting as the living jumped up and readied for battle.
They looked around to find many of their company dead in their sleep and the terrifying White Stork, the very deity known as the Spry, floating above dead comrades. Tumam mercilessly glared at them as he lifted one hand and every dead body in the room rose to kill for him.
The odds had shifted moderately in Tumam's favor now as the defenders had enemies attacking from all sides and had lost a fair number of fighters.
Tumam was also now the most vulnerable he had been and the enemy knew that killing him was there only chance of surviving past this night.
Tumam began bashing away at one small group of defenders as his horde set upon most of the rest. He swung, dodged and blocked. He did his best to only hit critical areas such as the head in order to preserve the bodies for the next battle. This made it harder as enemies dodged or blocked him, but even one swing to the chest could leave them partially mangled and thus unusable.
Meanwhile a human high executioner with blade in hand and hood upon his head cut through the horde heading towards Tumam accompanied by an elven artist and goblin warrior. This trio brought bloody ruin upon the horde, but could not easily break through to Tumam.
(https://i.imgur.com/A3gmGRS.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ihGYN9S.png)
The White Stork man saw the fearsome group, but also saw beyond them that the bandit chiefess had been knocked unconscious and was being protected by her vassals. Tumam skirted around the warriors, who were unable to disengage to pursue him, and the white stork man neared the other group.
As he approached he resurrected one corpse in particular: The famous moon woman Skullash the Dead twilight!
As Tumam flicked his finger the night creature rose with its bloodlust intensified in undeath.
The trophy Kanil had brought back to his leader all those years ago to prove his worth was now their very undoing!
Using this distraction Tumam floated above the unconscious chiefess and killed her. Without their leader the defenders fell into even greater confusion and chaos!
Tumam then set to work killing her cohorts as well as the terrifying trio began to finish the zombies they fought and work towards him again.
Skullash should have attacked them for him, but even as a mindless zombie the creature was impossibly murderous. It attacked Tumam and he was forced into a duel with his own creation!
It's superhuman speed was amplified in death as the two dodged each other's blows again and again. They moved at lightning speeds and despite the shortness of time the two had already swung at each other many times before Tumam's blow hit her in the chest and the mutilated corpse was thrown aside newly killed again.
Tumam's other zombies had worn the trio down now and he approached them to fight himself.
Blades met morningstar and one cut a gash into Tumam's wing preventing an easy escape if things went wrong, but the three had already been worn down! They were covered in scratches, bruises and sweat.
Despite best efforts they each fell as wraiths, zombies invigorated by sufficient killing, fought them. Tumam slew the elf himself. A martial artist wraith-goblin delivered a kick to the high executioner and crushing his neck completely.
(https://i.imgur.com/52hqKVl.png)
The goblin was punched in the head by a wraith with such force that it rendered him unconscious despite wearing a helmet. The horde descended upon him.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZLKn8Vd.png)
The battle continued well on into the gruesome night, but the living were unable to sally enough force to break through to Tumam.
(https://i.imgur.com/YkNG8BC.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/GWND6AF.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/BNkseYS.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/2yzwgsb.png)
As the battle ended Tumam raised his new army - Kanil Inchwhip's tribe and family
(https://i.imgur.com/AktjxS9.png)
They did not tarry there either, but the force immediately marched to the last stronghold of dwarfkind in the world: Whisperletter
(https://i.imgur.com/VS09jNg.png)
OOC:
We now have many wraiths, as I call them, the named undead seem to fight substantially better and so I really do think they become better fighters overtime like living counterparts do.
One battle left!
Also someone had an artifact crossbow, but they got it kicked out of their hands as the fight started so they never accomplished anything with it.
(https://i.imgur.com/dgIblGt.png)
Post by: King Zultan on April 10, 2024, 04:31:52 am
Post by: Maloy on April 18, 2024, 01:32:07 pm
Tumam's war totaled around 1800+ casualties. Which is a phenomenal scale for adventure mode.
I have encountered a problem I want to gather some thoughts on though...
(https://i.imgur.com/SVQnvu4.png)
As you can see we've actually achieved equilibrium in species rather than purging one. Problem here is though that goblins and dwarves have a couple hundred survivors each yet almost none of these survivors are present on the map in its different sites.
Is this the population glitch? If so, how do I fix it?
I'm inclined to think it isn't though. Here's why:
When you are in adventure mode near an enemy civ it sends out generated patrols to try and kill you. Also despite wiping out the sites new dwarves emerged to take over old noble positions. These dwarves are historical figures, but had no locations they lived in before they took those new positions.
I surmise that the game keeps a population of off-screen people for use in invasions, patrols, taking over positions, etc. If I continue to farm kills from nobility and hang out around pits and hillocks until they send out patrols I think I may be able to whittle them down?
I've also contemplated unretiring every single dwarf still living and leading them on an invasion of hell lol. I could also see if it is possible to change raws to embark as humans and try to purge everyone that way, but that defeats the spirit of the challenge I gave myself.
Goblins: 234
Dwarves: 348
Post by: King Zultan on April 19, 2024, 01:33:13 am
Post by: Maloy on April 23, 2024, 05:50:01 am
Once a dwarven lifetime ago the dwarves had waged war against the Plagues of Forking and drove that particular goblin kingdom into non-existence. Tumam's actions had also driven the dwarven kingdoms into non-existence. Both races were now kingdomless, but Tumam was not satisfied with merely destroying kingdoms. In this final battle the best of the dwarf and goblin kingdoms were lined together. Both had armor encrusted with the finest of gold and jewels. It is hard for a non-goblin to comprehend the thinking of the evil race or what might motivate them into a last stand like this, but one thing is for certain: Whisperletter would become the site of one of the greatest battles to be fought upon this planet.
(https://i.imgur.com/OxUONUK.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/BbpioQJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/4u5aPdt.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/WKwDgXd.png)
When Tumam raised every corpse in the fort a pillar of necrotic energy rose into the air. His powers were nearly unleashed in their full and an unintended consequence came to pass.
As Tumam's horde approached Whisperletter within the very same night, intending to find a sleeping fortress like before, instead they found a pitched battle.
Every corpse in Whisperletter had already been resurrected and was now locked in fierce battle against the living. Among them was the zombified forgotten beast that Tumam had lost track of some weeks ago; Perhaps drawn there by the vast quantities of necrotic power in the area that also fed its own existence.
This was a mixed blessing. On one hand his forces were now massively amplified, but on the other his strategy was now entirely thrown out the window. The undead had awoken every single dwarf and goblin the fortress and they were now all fully engaged in combat. Tumam surveyed this all from the front gate and decided he didn't have time to mull over on what he should do. He looked to his horde behind him and then the one battling inside the fort's main hall and then he charged ahead into battle.
(https://i.imgur.com/UHBqDgE.png)
By the time he reached the battle half of the new undead force had already been slain and the forgotten beast that destroyed a city in life now lay slain again upon a small pile of dwarf corpses. This was no hold of farmers or gaggle of useless nobility! These were the greatest warriors left of goblin and dwarfkind, and they were proving that in the slaughtering of an entire horde within the minutes it took Tumam to reach them!
The necromancer understood the odds were now firmly against him, but he was now fully committed to the battle. He raised those who freshly died and were still in usable condition and charged the front door with his nearest zombies behind him.
The dwarves had created a wedge formation around the door. The moment one walked in they were surrounded on all sides. The defenders had also packed so tightly together that the moment a zombie entered the wedge formation they would find themselves attacked many times over within the span of a few seconds.
(https://i.imgur.com/52CRZnS.png)
It was a kill zone of most devious creation, But Tumam's horde did not posses the intelligence to resist the call to battle and would charge regardless of his commands. This was his second severe miscalculation.
His third was with the number of dwarves and goblins. His horde was outnumbered now! Severely outnumbering the enemy was the only advantage the zombies had and they had lost it entirely.
All Tumam could do was keep swinging his weapon and pray, to himself he supposed, that the defenders would become exhausted enough to turn the tide upon.
He continued to raise the dead behind the wedge formation, but there weren't enough usable corpses to distract a meaningful number of defenders.
Again and again death was traded with the undead taking the majority of it, but now and again a defender was picked off or claimed by Tumam's morningstar.
A goblin spearwoman encased in gold encrusted armor danced along the line and slew zombie after zombie. It was only as she wandered too close that the horde tried to grab her. She pushed a living dwarf in front of her and dodged back as the zombies ripped the man apart! She laughed and continued her lethal dance.
In another area of the line an axedwarf passed out finally after killing 12 zombies! A goblin zombie that had just hours ago killed many zombies himself before succumbing now picked up a pair of copper chain leggings off the ground and beat the dwarf in the head over and over until it exploded into gore.
The goblin zombie turned wraith kept the leggings in hand as a blunt weapon and would kill several more defenders before dying again.
(https://i.imgur.com/ssSKQbl.png)
Pictured: Iron cap from earlier turned into an improvised weapon
(https://i.imgur.com/FiP2uH6.png)
There were no corpses left to reanimate behind the defenders and the zombies behind them had all been slain and rendered useless, but Tumam held out hope! The defenders were weakening and falling over in exhaustion.
His excitement was short lived as the defenders shifted attention to him. Within the space of a five seconds 30 attacks flew to Tumam! He had never swung his morningstar and shield so fast in his life. Parrying and blocking at speeds he did not know he could do, but unable to dodge due to the sheer mass of zombies behind him.
Unfortunately, blows did find their mark and his wing was cut open, his arm and head bashed upon. He was forced to drop his shield, and he knew in another five seconds he would be dead if he didn't do something.
It was a risk, but the white stork man decided to turn his back to the enemy and press with all his might through his own horde and escape back to the outside world. As he escaped he sucked in fresh air and tried to reorient himself.
The battle was not lost. The rest of his horde was still streaming in and the defenders would be worn down. As they did he would reanimate those and it would turn to his favor!
These are all things Tumam thought, but reality would deny him.
For behind him a great horn blew and as it did a great chorus of goblin and dwarf voices roared together. The defenders were charging and they would not permit Tumam to escape!
OOC:
One of the most common complaints about fortress mode military is how squads don't use tactics and just run straight at the target. Here was the most coincidental use of tactics in the most epic way.
In real life ancient military this kind of a wedge formation would actually be just as lethal as we are seeing here. It creates kill zones that funnel the enemy in and limit their movement while allowing the maximum amount of your own people to strike out.
I literally had zero dodge options, because the amount of zombies all around me crammed into that small space prevented the game from offering dodging as an option.
This is either gonna be a two part or three part battle. Like I said the scale was unbelievable! I've never had an adventure mode battle get this crazy and it took a solid minute for my computer to load even one action in this game, because of the sheer amount of stuff happening within one moment.
Post by: King Zultan on April 24, 2024, 01:44:48 am
Post by: Maloy on May 01, 2024, 04:46:55 am
Despite having quite a few wraiths and zombies lodged into the doorway continuing to fight many dwarves bashed their way through and suddenly Tumam's forces were surrounded on all sides and he was now vulnerable to attack again. His only saving grace climbed up the slope from the north:
Nearly a quarter of his initial invading force had been side tracked chasing down a fleeing dwarf. Zombies aren't smart enough to perceive where the most lethal part to attack is so they were relentlessly beating the man this whole time until only just now killing him. These zombies attempted to join the rest of the horde and so now the dwarves who had broken through his forces were also surrounded themselves.
(https://i.imgur.com/3MNbCyM.png)
The white stork man was injured and couldn't hold a shield. He doubted he could fly either, but had no time to test it. He swung his morningstar endlessly and dodged constantly.
Swords, hammers, and axes rang throughout the night brutalizing his forces. The living died horribly as wraiths used improvised weapons or a dwarf who had been punched in the head for the 20th time finally had his skull cave in. The sheer bloody ruin that was many dwarves bodies was remarkable to see! How could these stout folk still fight so viciously when half of their face was torn off? Tumam continued to pick off enemies as he was able, but within short order the defenders had successfully routed and wiped out his horde in the doorway leaving only the ones that had just joined to aid Tumam remaining.
Now there plan was apparent: Recognizing that their own people were passing out from exhaustion, the defenders had decided to charge to push up the line of battle and protect the exhausted. Through the doorway Tumam could see many passed out dwarves and goblins resting from the battle.
Between that and being outnumbered the defenders had entirely countered his main advantages in combat.
Combat was so intense and so fast that Tumam also had no chance to escape. Any attempt to run or to see if he could fly would be ample time for several enemies to reach and grab him. All he could do was reanimate as many corpses as he could to keep the pressure on, but there were still over 100 defenders left living!
(https://i.imgur.com/GNIy2iU.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/GjBPRj8.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/YvmfCNT.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/xMoyyxb.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/sDfs8ui.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/JXIg8fD.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/EPyabp4.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/frjGHT0.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/FId7E5E.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/C3meZQ0.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XagpuV3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/yBPdIZd.png)
and then...Tumam was surrounded.
Before he knew it there were only a few zombies left and there were many dwarves between him and them. The mad goblin spearwoman still danced and laughed as she killed as many other legendary warriors continued around her. There were almost no usable corpses left.
Was it over? "No, no no no no. Not when I'm so close! Not here! Not now!" Cried Tumam
Tumam summoned the full capacity of his necrotic powers, now fully returned to him, and unleahsed a great pillar of the dark power upon the area.
Great power seized the mangled and broken corpses of the slain undead and it filled them like never before. They glowed with light and began to rise en masse. Some of the undead began laughing or screaming, a skill they never had before, and coated with new power they began to immediately destroy the defenders.
A dark mist filled the area cutting visibility to near zero. Fell Zombies
(https://i.imgur.com/u5jWtB3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/gyjl2K7.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/wCKcY5x.png)
Now the tide turned. The horde had not only been restored, but even though their bodies were near useless they were filled with supernatural strength that overcame armor and mortal speed.
Tumam's final desperate gamble paid off in that Fell Zombies, Cold Hunters and other forms of sapient and super-powered undead kept the soul of the original inhabitant usually. Technically, if Tumam raised a dead defender as a fell zombie the newly formed undead would likely join the defenders and try to kill Tumam!
This is where the gamble came in: Most of the horde that was here as he arrived were actually his old army of skeletons from the dark pits. They had sat down there for generations. Over that time the attachment the souls had to those bodies disappeared entirely. There was no soul to reconnect to this army.
Instead, lacking an original soul, the spell attached the wraith identity as the new soul of the corpse. The new Fell Zombies remembered the defenders and having been killed by them, and so despite no longer needing to murder all living beings on sight, they still possessed intense hatred of those who had killed them.
OOC:
When someone dies you see their body and it says something like "Urist mcpoophead's corpse"
Many of these corpses had no name just "Goblin Skeleton" or something so I surmised that they didn't have an ID in the game anymore, or soul for an in-game use, that meant the game would use their zombie status from earlier for their new status as intelligent undead.
Basically still my zombie horde, but super powered now.
Two real life minutes passed between every tick of this battle if you're wondering why it took so long. Added to the fact that there were over 150 defenders at the start causing this to be my biggest battle on this world ever