Bay 12 Games Forum

Dwarf Fortress => DF Community Games & Stories => Topic started by: neblime on October 18, 2021, 11:23:59 am

Title: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Back to raiding
Post by: neblime on October 18, 2021, 11:23:59 am

Updates
Winter 257 - setting sail (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8322468#msg8322468)
Winter 257 - raiding begins (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8322797#msg8322797)
Spring 258 - shore bombardment (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8323373#msg8323373)
Summer 258 - Easy raiding (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8323919#msg8323919)
Autumn/Winter 258 - a small ambush (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8324879#msg8324879)
Spring/Summer 259 - Crushing resistance easily (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8326341#msg8326341)
Autumn 259 - looting everything (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8326815#msg8326815)
Winter 259 + Spring 260 - Approaching Paintleopards (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8353259#msg8353259)
260 The battle of PaintLeopards (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8353493#msg8353493)
Spring+Summer 260 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8355662#msg8355662)
Autumn+Winter 260 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8360744#msg8360744)
Spring+Summer 261 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8370277#msg8370277)
Autumn+Winter 261 - Ship to ship combat (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8395676#msg8395676)
Spring+Summer 262, finding legendary weapons (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8397387#msg8397387)
Autumn+Winter 262 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8399982#msg8399982)
263 Part 1 - Battle of Agewards (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8430382#msg8430382)
263 Part 2 - Ambush! (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8431171#msg8431171)
264 Spring-Autumn - Human ship battle! (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8474830#msg8474830)
264 Winter - a brief island stop (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8478154#msg8478154)
265 spring/summer - Back to raiding (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=179127.msg8498316#msg8498316)

Spoiler: embark (click to show/hide)

(https://i.imgur.com/ZDtypro.png)

Six years ago we struck the earth, here in the Jungle just by sea.  And now our grand projects are at last complete.
Not the fortress, although there is a fortress it's nothing to speak of, it's just like any other you might find throughout our kingdom, the Lustrous Spear, although we have deliberately come quite far from the reach of King Zasit.

Since a time before time it has been said amongst the wisest dwarves that water is a curse from the gods, only there to drown us and burn our throats when booze cannot be had.
Therefore the ocean is truly a cursed place, water as far as the eye can see and a sickening open horizon that causes the plump helmet roast to rise from the stomach of even the best adapted dwarf.  Nonetheless, dwarves are not known to shy away from cursed places, and so, our ambitions coming here were:

One: Construct a drydock in which we could construct a seaworthy vessel before the dread salt-water surrounded it
Two: Construct such a ship
Three: Set sail and raid every town near the sea from the mired tundra in the south, to the Entrancing forest in the north for loot and glory, striking fear in all in our path


And we have almost completed steps one and two already:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.imgur.com/OWkAPWe.png)

Above is pictured the main deck of our ship, sitting in drydock, very nearly complete.  As you can see we are still in the process of removing the scaffoldings that were necessary for construction, in the south is the enormous marble floodgate that will allow the water in.  This ship will be well armed, with the finest in dwarven technology, the mighty ballista, ready to fire on enemies in any direction.  Also on this deck you can see the galley, the only stone part of the ship, including metal forges.  The aftercastle in the north houses a fully functional hospital and library on this level.
Going up first:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.imgur.com/v0mFWhA.png)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.imgur.com/5dKUrIb.png)

The three masts visible here go up several levels and include a fighting top (for shooting down with crossbows on any boarders) and a crow's nest.  In the south there's an archery range, as I'm sure crossbows will be very important in our travels.
You might also notice the lack of a figurehead, but we'll get to that later!
Moving back down:

Spoiler: deck two (click to show/hide)

(https://i.imgur.com/aTTLVTv.png)

The wisest of dwarven scholars claim that coating the exterior of a ship in copper will prevent the decay of the wood within, and that the ship can indeed still float if constructed so.  Putting our faith in dwarven scholarship we have constructed all exterior walls below deck out of copper (interior walls and floors are all wood still though)
We have also installed many gem windows through which we might peer out and glimpse the horrors that lie in the deep.  On this level from north to south we have some workshops, a taven/dining room and food storage, more workshops, barracks, weapon/armor storage and a temple complex.

Spoiler: deck three (click to show/hide)

(https://i.imgur.com/865zA6o.png)

In the top right is a well that leads down to our water storage, pump on this deck for purification, some excess bedrooms and a dormitory if necessary, some rooms for pastures (I had plans for pigs but my boar was killed by some pestilential undead Invaders, but I'll get more suitable animals if I can).

Spoiler: The hold (click to show/hide)

(https://i.imgur.com/gtqgM2w.png)

Down here is most of our other storage, some chains for criminals, and in the north water tanks for saltwater to be purified to drinking water.  (also a bonus ghost making an appearance)

So now you've seen her surely you agree she's the finest dwarven sailing ship you've ever seen?
What's that?  You haven't seen any others?  Well what about Bellsmaw?  Although they do say that's only a legend.

In any case, if you agree she's a fine ship I'm sure you'll agree she needs a fine name, and I'm open to suggestions, and also what to mount as a figurehead, (we have access to gold, silver, copper and brass for a statue) we have mounted a gold statue of a pond grabber on the crow's nest to give the proper idea of what's about to happen to anyone who spots this ship.

More than a figurehead and a name though, we need a crew!  Sign up here if you want to join us on our adventures, with a name, profession, and an indication if you would like to participate in raids or not (which will increase chance of death!), although all hands will be expected to defend the ship in the case of boarders.

Spoiler: extra notes/behind the scenes (click to show/hide)

So I'm sure most of you reading this are aware you can't actually make the ship move and go raid other sites, but not to worry, I plan to simulate all sorts of fun times, from moving the ship about the ocean, to raiding targets on the shore, to fighting other ships and more!
  As mentioned there is a conventional fortress which was necessary for the dwarves while building the drydock/ship, and the plan when the ship is ready is to leave some dwarves in the fort, never again to meet, to construct the ship/dock or whatever and then lock themselves in when invaders come.  I also plan to have the ship be completely self sufficient, aside from trading with caravans (resupplying at friendly ports if you like)
Some difficulties I encountered:
The aquifer (which I expected) was suprisingly easy to deal with.  People today don't know what they used to be like heh
I was fortunate to find an embark with enough copper but coating the entire exterior was still a bit of an effort.
This (https://i.imgur.com/CiAaY3t.png) picture hopefully gives you an idea how much wood was needed, it was all solid forest to begin with (and remember over SIX YEARS it was constantly growing back too)
constantly hauling logs without a break makes dwarves pretty unhappy, and the nearby necromancers were quite aggressive (not to mention werebeasts), when we set sail I'll show how many dwarves were buried beneath the fort to make it happen.
I thought space would be tight but it seems I have everything I need, and the third deck is pretty much empty.  Should I make more bedrooms to take more dwarves?  Don't want too many to avoid too much burden on our food/drink supplies.  Any suggestions for something I'm missing would be appreciated

 

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship
Post by: Metruption on October 18, 2021, 01:03:06 pm

Amazing, /in as marksdwarf. Don't send me on raids, don't think marksdwarves score very well for that kind of combat simulation

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship
Post by: King Zultan on October 19, 2021, 04:51:50 am

I want a sworddwarf and send him on raids so he can help claim glory in name of our ship.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship
Post by: Maloy on October 19, 2021, 06:26:59 am

I've already found our theme music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhF0L7pfo8

Also I'd like either a militia dwarf or a fisherdwarf
but if there's a lack I'll take whatever

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship
Post by: delphonso on October 19, 2021, 07:44:53 pm

Sign me up, cap'n! A raiding hammer or sword dwarf would be great.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship
Post by: neblime on October 20, 2021, 11:51:56 pm

WINTER 257

The goblins and werebeasts were relentless but nonetheless our grand work is complete.  The ship is fully assembled and stocked, the scaffolds have been removed, and all that remains is to set her afloat.
At the suggestion of one of the crew we have decided to name our ship "The Lionfish", often admired for their venomous spines Lionfish are a suitably menacing icon of our vessel.
While still in drydock the crew of approximately 50 assembled on deck ready for the momentous occasion, here are the notable ones:

Spoiler: Metruption (click to show/hide)

Metruption only has one kill so far, a goblin who was hiding in a tree trying to ambush with a bow of his own was dispatched with a single bolt to the neck
(https://i.ibb.co/82VgKJn/metruption.png)

Spoiler: King Zultan (click to show/hide)

A cyclops was kind enough to deliver a legendary sword, Towerneutral the Martyr of Afflicting:
(https://i.imgur.com/Fshq2Za.png)
The dwarf who now wields it:
(https://i.imgur.com/8NARHuy.png)

Spoiler: Maloy (click to show/hide)

A fisherdwarf indeed, but be aware that on this ship every dwarf must be ready to repel boarders if necessary, so everyone is a militia dwarf
(https://i.imgur.com/qi1E34x.png)

Spoiler: Calvert "Prideful" Viktor (click to show/hide)

I have never met a dwarf with such a strange name, however he can put a masterwork barrel together faster than a dwarf can empty it of ale
(https://i.ibb.co/kxY1jrS/calvertprideful.png)

Spoiler: Farvin (click to show/hide)

And of course every ship needs a cook too... he's already hard at work making ship's biscuit!
(https://i.ibb.co/FxmK6hL/shipsbiscuits.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/mXg3ADk.png)

Spoiler: Smoot (click to show/hide)

An odd dwarf, insisted on telling me a strange poem, but also admitted later to being illiterate.  His skill with the axe is all the resume needed to join this crew
(https://i.ibb.co/fqgykhq/smoot.png)

Spoiler: Delphonso (click to show/hide)

Almost missed us before we departed, but he managed to jump onto the gangplank just as it was raising (a brave feat given we're still in an empty drydock!)
(https://i.imgur.com/0IlkJBG.png)

Now with all in readiness, a few dozen dwarves remaining behind to maintain the drydock in case we should ever need repair, we pulled the lever which opened the mighty gate!
The water flowed in with all haste and prodigious volume!  Truly the ocean must be as large as the learned dwarves say, as we did not observe the sealevel to dip even temporarily, even a little bit

Spoiler: Water flowing into drydock (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/72ZGDRC/waterflowingin.png)

Spoiler:  Water flowing along the bottom of the drydock (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Zhc61nw/flowingonbottom.png)

The crew braced for impact, in some anxiety about whether the ship could really float carrying so much weight in copper.  As the water rushed over the ship, and all seemed well, and the ship took to the water most gracefully, the dwarves on deck doing their best to adapt to a floor that's always rolling back and forth
A GIF of water flowing around the ship (https://i.imgur.com/ysEDGdg.mp4)
Before long the drydock was full, and the Lionfish was free to begin her voyage!  We cast off and proceeded away from the coast.

Spoiler: The fully afloat ship at the waterline (+bonus fish) (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/PwfvbLw/waterline.png)

I am ecstatic to report the ship seems to be functioning just as intended! No leaks have been detected, the crew are going about their duties as expected.  The water purification chamber was a bit frightening, due to the pressure it filled INSTANTLY when the floodgate was opened, but luckily did not flow up out of the chamber at all before i closed the floodgate again.

Now there is but one question.  Which way do we sail first?

Spoiler: Proposed route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/J5q1PqF/leg1.png)

We could travel north, to the dread tower of AgeWards, from which many a foul horde has already assualted the drydock while under construction.  We could land nearby then march inland and get some vengeance.  There is certain to be many fine books and such we could make away with at that location. From there we could round The Gloved Dune and sail west, to strike at the artificial union, who has also been attacking us.  Remember that our kingdom, the lustrous spear, is far to the south so we may attack dwarves in that area with impunity too.

Alternatively, we could sail south among the weaker defended human and dwarf settlements, continuing south from there, there is an extremely divided area of human towns and forts, most of them independent that could make easier pickings while we adjust to sea life, and may have some valuable farm animals if not more exciting loot.

As you can see , we would eventually have to travel north past the gloved dune  to access the larger oceans anyhow, so I am inclined to leave the tower for later when we
have tested ourselves.


But what does the Crew think? And by the way if you want to join we may have occasion to take on more sailors at some stage so feel free to sign up with name, profession, and if you're willing to join on raids.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: delphonso on October 21, 2021, 03:52:33 am

As the only crew member to be counted in the captain's log twice, I say we take what's begging to be taken.

By that of course I mean route 2! Those hamlets, towns, and temples are taunting us with their riches!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: King Zultan on October 21, 2021, 04:05:51 am

I second the motion to go after the towns and temples!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: Maloy on October 21, 2021, 06:27:04 am

Yeah route 2!

I'm not eager to become a zombie pirate already. but I have a shanty ready for that too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p34hQgvOpM8&t=39s

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: neblime on October 21, 2021, 06:47:17 am

Quote from: delphonso on October 21, 2021, 03:52:33 am

As the only crew member to be counted in the captain's log twice, I say we take what's begging to be taken.

Oh oops, consider the second one to be canon

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: neblime on October 21, 2021, 04:16:58 pm

Quote from: Maloy on October 21, 2021, 06:27:04 am

Yeah route 2!

I'm not eager to become a zombie pirate already. but I have a shanty ready for that too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p34hQgvOpM8&t=39s

Should have signed up as ship's bard heh

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: fatcat__25 on October 21, 2021, 07:36:23 pm

Are there any extra dwarves that I could be named as?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: neblime on October 21, 2021, 08:21:18 pm

Quote from: fatcat__25 on October 21, 2021, 07:36:23 pm

Are there any extra dwarves that I could be named as?

certainly, what profession?  And do you want to participate in raids?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: delphonso on October 21, 2021, 08:39:53 pm

Quote from: neblime on October 21, 2021, 06:47:17 am

Oh oops, consider the second one to be cannon

Keep it piratey.

I have a couple questions about the fortress, actually - but to not ruin the immersion, I'll throw them in a spoiler.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I didn't catch a support in the gif - why didn't the ship just...completely collapse?

Also, if the ship is separate sepirate from the rest of the fort, how are you sending out raids - a subtle drawbridge somewhere?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: neblime on October 21, 2021, 08:48:32 pm

Quote from: delphonso on October 21, 2021, 08:39:53 pm

I have a couple questions about the fortress, actually - but to not ruin the immersion, I'll throw them in a spoiler.

*cough* mhm, yes what do you mean fortress?  we left that far behind?  we are running a ship!

Spoiler: behind the scenes do not read if you value immersion (click to show/hide)

if you look carefully there is indeed a support, it shows as 1 tile of water darker than the others on the lowest level.  yes i have to send raids out by land, I'll explain here how I plan to do things:
Any time we have to lower the bridges from the ship first i burrow everyone remaining land side underground and lock the doors, then i forbid everything on the surface so no exchange of material can happen, if we want to gather plants or trees thats fine if it makes sense with where the ship currently is in the world (in fact i gathered plants already to test this out).
One problem is when raiders return its most likely i will have the fort unlocked and the ship out at sea so to speak, but since the raiding dwarves will be in squads it will be easy to station them and then send everyone else underground before lowering the bridge.

To simulate naval engagements, or if we want to simulate attacking a larger coastal town I am building scaffolds surrounding the ship at appropriate heights to represent the decks of other ships, and will have bridges that lower onto the ship if we want to simulate enemies boarding (can also use the ship's own bridges of course).  Getting invaders to show up will never be a particularly long wait it's been extremely active so far with humans mostly showing up but plenty of goblins and zombies too.

If we ever put into a friendly, or at least neutral port, I'll allow myself to trade with the relevant caravan, although we don't get humans since we're at war, but I can always just pretend it's humans when i trade with dwarves and not buy any dwarfy stuff like steel or cave plants.  Elves are still chill though.  Happy to answer any other questions about how things work

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: fatcat__25 on October 21, 2021, 10:58:28 pm

I'll take a common sailor, second watch. I'm not trained as a fighter, just as a sailor, so no raids. (I can be whatever profession works best for this.) Also, with my unimportant voice, I'm going to support rout one, except skipping the tower, and hitting the couple of human monasteries and villages in the north. They are sparse up there, and shouldn't put up much of a fight.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: neblime on October 22, 2021, 05:31:24 am

WINTER 257 - CONTINUED

The crew seemed unanimous, The Lionfish head south and east.  However, before we can start plundering the shore we must adapt to sea life; doubtless there will be challenges we had not prepared for, despite the advanced construction of a ship such as this.

Despite stocking the ship as best we could before departure it seems apparent that maintaining our supply of booze will be a constant effort.  Although the water purification system worked perfectly that’s preferred only as a last resort.  By dumping some fresh water on the lower deck we have been able to produce a farm plot of sorts.  The farmers on the crew assure me that surface type plants will grow down here, despite being cut off from sunlight.  I’ll leave their expertise to them.

Spoiler: Farming room (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/yFhpQx2/farmplot.png)

If need be we can always put ashore and gather wild plants to turn into drinks (or food) at any time. At least while we are sailing past the distinct jungles such plants are plentiful.  We may also need timber to maintain the ship or produce charcoal from time to time.  From this initial voyage we garner an idea of how dangerous and difficult it might be to pass through open ocean, or along barren shores, for a long period of time.

Already the ocean is showing its treachery!  A pack of orcas approached the ship, doubtless with intent to eat it whole, but they seemed to flee upon realizing it sports a coppery hide.

Spoiler: Glad they're out there and I'm in here (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/BqKjc0s/orca.png)

It seems some of the dwarves are certainly taking well to the new lifestyle, going so far as to climb up to the crow’s nest for a view of the surrounds, and hopefully will spot any sail before they spot us.  I just hope they don’t dance too boisterously up there.

Spoiler: Up among the clouds (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/jhfKsrY/meanwhileup.png)

As far as food is concerned our stocks seem to last better. We had planned to rely greatly on fish for long term sustenance, and had built two fishing platforms on the sides of the ship for just that purpose.

At this point one of the sailors grumbled that we could have gone north and bypassed the tower, seeking the weaker targets further beyond, it's too late to change course now though

Spoiler: Fatcat (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/NxZDn5f/Fatcat.png)

As we sailed past the hamlet of MostRabbits we could see from the ship that the town was completely deserted and there was nothing of interest there for us.  So we sailed on to the hillock of Flagdream.

Spoiler: The battle, if you can call it that (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/QJyYC7c/report1.png)

They seemed ill prepared for an attack by sea and smoot made short work of their token resistance by smashing their commander.  Then we loaded the loot on board.

Spoiler: The haul (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/rQ0xvLX/notbadatall.png)

Not bad at all for a tiny hillock!  And Farvin wanted a dog so that one will be his.
We also got a very uninteresting book.  Coppernourished is to the south and far inland, were it closer to the coast we might find some weak point from reading this but at least we have a book in the library now.

Spoiler: About the mountainhome (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/GRpHqH2/aboutthemountainhome.png)

Onward now to the human hamlet of Bakersleaped!  Let us hope they are equally ill prepared.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: King Zultan on October 23, 2021, 04:40:57 am

Huzza our first successful raid, may our next be as easy!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: delphonso on October 23, 2021, 07:04:26 am

Aye-hey, Smooty with the first kill!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Finally set sail!
Post by: neblime on October 24, 2021, 02:42:56 am

SPRING 258

As we sail briskly past the coast, the dense forest and the bassy din of the giant grasshoppers gives way to the open fields of the Rough Plain, and the dwarves who brave the crow's nest can see far indeed.  However I like to think it was the noses of our fine crew that detected the enemy first.

Spoiler: Spotted on the shore (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/TgKP24V/nearcoastline.png)

It seems the foul influence of agewards extends at least this far south from the tower itself; we spotted a band of undead on the shore!  Doubtless heading to inflict death and worse on bakersleaped.
Dwarves! Battlestations!  We can’t let them beat us to it! Behold, among the dead humans and such bought back to unholy life the grotesque menagerie that spews forth from Agewards:

Spoiler: Ageward's Nightmare (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/gtx3Z5s/agewardsnightmare.png)

Spoiler: Warrior of Cuthroz (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/drHpj5p/warriorofcuthroz.png)

Spoiler: Nightmare of Night (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/NghqhgL/nightmareofnight.png)

Spoiler: Creature of Night (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/cvKm0cL/creatureofnight.png)

Spoiler: Hound of Stizashurvad (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Pxsx1L8/hound-of-stizashurvad.png)

The dwarves sprang to battlestations, eager to test out their ballistas.  The Lionfish carries a mix of copper tipped and wooden ballista arrows, and the dwarves put some of them to excellent use.

Spoiler: Some hits deadlier than others (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/3s9cCNj/ballistahit.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/rsmYL6g/ballistahit2.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/37XmbMh/ballistahit3.png)

The marksdwarves took to the fighting top as well and inflicted some severe damage

Spoiler: Metruption's work (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/j6YRYNK/workofmetruption.png)

Unable to withstand our harassment the dreadful host turned and fled swiftly inland!  A great victory for the Lionfish and her crew!

Obstacles thus removed, we sailed in and hit the 3 human villages on the rough plain with a minimum of resistance:

Spoiler: Bakersleaped + Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Hgntqxj/bakersleapedraid.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/rbZMz1T/bakersleapedloot.png)

Spoiler: Rhymeglade + Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/ckyFLQf/rhymegladeraid.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/JsTQCFt/rhymegladeloot.png)

Spoiler: Primeinch + Loot (click to show/hide)

(it's enemy dwarves dying)
(https://i.ibb.co/NYgM1js/primeinchraid.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/bX7SGHB/primeinchloot.png)

Spoiler: A strangely apt book taken from Rhymeglade (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/wWp0bMj/andhesangwaviness.png)

Some fine work there, although the loot isn't amazing every scrap of metal can be melted down to make more bolts and ballista arrows. Shame there were no more animals though!

Wait what's this?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Tr9x25r/seaborn.png)

By Limar Minebud!  This must be the first dwarf ever born while borne by the waves!  As such we named him Seaborn

Spoiler: A new member of the crew in 12 years (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/khWC5gM/seabornprofile.png)

Now we have to plan our next move, if the crew cares to weigh in, 3 options:

Spoiler: Proposed routes (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/4mB7P5W/proposedroute.png)

1: We remain in the bay of the rough plain and revisit these towns for all they’re worth.  The ship is fairly well stocked at this time, however it could be an easy period to train our raiders more and gather what we can, doubtless there is more to take.
2: We sail south, hitting more villages along the way, and attacking the town of guiserings, a bit more established, but likely to house better loot as well.  Presumably we would continue south and then east.
3: If we want to get ambitious there is the Human Castle of Jawgeorges but a short trip inland, if our raiders land and attack suddenly they may take them by surprise.  This option has the most potential for loot, but also the most danger.


And unfortunately there is another matter I wish to hear what the crew thinks of.  Not all dwarves seem to be cut out for sea life and the ship’s metalsmith, Tun Mengidok has been cracking under the stress, and has started multiple fights!

Spoiler: The sailor being attacked is fatcat! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/9tnNCdG/punching.png)

Spoiler: Thoughts and prefs (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/gw87pXF/couldbejustice.png)

The question is simple.  What shall we do with a dwarven sailor?  I want to believe he will recover and stabilize, but what does the crew think?  Is there any appropriate punishment?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - What shall we do with a dwarven sailor
Post by: King Zultan on October 24, 2021, 02:57:56 am

I like the sound of option 1 as it allows us to train our troops to become even better raiders.

As for the violent sailor I say if he doesn't calm down I saw we throw him overboard!

Also these necromancers sure do seem to like to experiment on horses, I wonder what the horses ever did to them to deserve that kind of treatment.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - What shall we do with a dwarven sailor
Post by: Maloy on October 24, 2021, 06:52:09 am

Option 3!

One can't help but wonder.... by raiding and killing are we only helping weaken the world for the tyranny of the necromancers? Is our selfish adventure just making the world that much darker?

ah forget it! We need another shanty! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHbU6s0jANc

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - What shall we do with a dwarven sailor
Post by: delphonso on October 24, 2021, 09:00:21 am

Quote from: King Zultan on October 24, 2021, 02:57:56 am

Also these necromancers sure do seem to like to experiment on horses, I wonder what the horses ever did to them to deserve that kind of treatment.

DF horses can get pretty violent. You.ever see the screenshot of the horse putting a dwarf into a chokehold? Honestly I want to run some experiments on them after that.

Option 2! Claim the easy to take for now. Those hamlets had nothing worth the effort.

Retire fatcat with a pension? I believe pirates actually did that.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - What shall we do with a dwarven sailor
Post by: fatcat__25 on October 24, 2021, 02:16:42 pm

Hey, I'm not the rowdy one! I vote for an attack on the town. I also support seeing if there is anything interesting in the monastery outside of the town.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - What shall we do with a dwarven sailor
Post by: neblime on October 24, 2021, 03:46:58 pm

Oh yes naturally we will hit all convenient surrounds, as mentioned we'll hit hamlets en route as well if we go with option 2

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - What shall we do with a dwarven sailor
Post by: King Zultan on October 25, 2021, 03:50:50 am

If the rest of you think option one is already looted for all it's worth, than I shall change my vote to option two.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - What shall we do with a dwarven sailor
Post by: neblime on October 25, 2021, 06:30:26 pm

SUMMER 258

We turned The Lionfish south, the crew mostly choosing to make for Guiserings.

While we are keeping an eye on our belligerent metalsmith, it seems the most violent tendencies have ended, at King Zultan’s suggestion we will throw him overboard if he offends again and he can try his fist again the Orcas!

The birds we captured earlier add a nice amount of food from their eggs, but we still made a brief stop on the mire of obstacles to gather some additional plants and timber.  Alas while ashore tragedy struck, Fravin’s newly acquired dog decided to go after a king cobra!  Unfortunately after envenomation there was no hope for the poor hound.

Spoiler: Poor thing (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/TRTD2tn/tragicdog.png)

On the way we raided the hamlet of Soaktaken, the hapless residents did not even attempt to resist!

Spoiler: Soaktaken Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/JQmSKgw/soaktakenloot.png)

Some very nice loot indeed, iron and platinum!  Not sure what we'll do with those platinum bars, any suggestions from the crew are welcome.
A bit more of a battle ensued at Auragripped, and good results too:

Spoiler: Still not really a challenge for our raiders (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/bQrdXQL/auragripped-raid.png)

Spoiler: Auragripped Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/HKD3drM/auragrippedloot.png)

And then on to Guiserings!  For a target such as this most of the whole crew will be involved, of course those more military minded would take the lead and the others be more responsible for carrying away as much loot as we could. 
The resistance did not really seem all that much stronger!

Spoiler: No match for the cunning of King Zultan (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/mCSrwsc/Guiseringsraid.png)

Spoiler: Guiserings Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Wt0spJY/guiseringloot.png)
And two books:
(https://i.ibb.co/SwjtdJZ/book1.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/Lr48kh8/book2.png)

A nice haul indeed! A couple of nice books, that iron and bronze will melt down nicely into ballista arrows and bolts, and some foreign booze will surely be appreciated.  Curious that there are no more animals to take though?

We also sent a few dwarves inland to investigate the monastery of mindclash, but found it deserted and empty

Spoiler: Main Deck; dwarves enjoying the new books! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/HG8RtHm/maindeck.png)

We are now entering autumn, and we plan to continue south and raid all the small villages and monasteries to along the coast there.

Spoiler: Continuing South (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/4WBzSGt/continued.png)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: delphonso on October 25, 2021, 07:26:07 pm

Pretty big hauls this time!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: fatcat__25 on October 25, 2021, 10:17:27 pm

I would suggest a second raid against the town, just to see if our dwarves might miss anything useful in the future. After that, we can keep going like planned. I say we cast a fine bronze figurehead for our ship from all the bronze we captured.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: neblime on October 25, 2021, 10:52:06 pm

Quote from: fatcat__25 on October 25, 2021, 10:17:27 pm

I would suggest a second raid against the town, just to see if our dwarves might miss anything useful in the future. After that, we can keep going like planned. I say we cast a fine bronze figurehead for our ship from all the bronze we captured.

Hmm not a bad idea re-raiding the town.
What would we make the figurehead an image of?  Currently we have this:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/B4NgLkc/figurehead.png)

Could remake the same in bronze? Any other thoughts?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: fatcat__25 on October 26, 2021, 12:26:28 am

That would be pretty good. I don't know the deities of the world, so i don't know if there are any better ones.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: Spriggans on October 26, 2021, 01:41:46 am

I want in.
I am Spriggans the (crazy) astronomer, who believes this world is actually Round, not flat.
I have decided to join the crew to proove my point.

Speaking of, I believe we dont have any library in this ship right ?
I complain to the captain ! I want some books to study !

Edit: just read we found some books already ! Hey ! I'll complain anyway !

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: neblime on October 26, 2021, 02:20:11 am

Quote from: Spriggans on October 26, 2021, 01:41:46 am

Edit: just read we found some books already ! Hey ! I'll complain anyway !

I daresay we are the only ship on the water of tempting that has a library! I shall add you at earliest opportunity.  The number of books is low, but if we get around to that tower will certainly grow

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: King Zultan on October 26, 2021, 04:36:36 am

I like how my dwarf ended up being a raid leader that seems to kill any thing that gets close, how many kills does he have?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Easy pickings
Post by: neblime on October 28, 2021, 07:47:19 pm

AUTUMN/WINTER 258

Ill news greets us at the start of autumn.  Maloy the fisherdwarf has yet to catch a single fish!! It turns out our fishing platforms are not up to the job. The leading theory is this; the ship is too large and scares away any fish with its wake, so the only way to fish is to use a much smaller boat tethered out nearby.
 Despite the animals we captured and our farm (such as it is) this necessitated we stop again to forage plants without the extra food from fishing, we also cut down some of the trees of the mire of obstacles to get the wood with which to construct our new fishing boat. 

Spoiler: Maloy and others already making use of the new boat (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/jz4LzgS/fishingboat.png)

Spoiler: From above (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/BBQ0jwj/fishingboatrope.png)

You can see here the only point of access is a long treacherous rope connecting The Lionfish with the boat.  Any suggestions for a name for her?  If any kind of flying creature beset the dwarves clambering across it would be very dangerous indeed.  The results however were immediate, and fish started rolling in, freeing us to use all our plants for booze.  One last plant-based hurrah from our ship's cook though:

Spoiler: Wait does he mean potato PLANT not the tuber? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/K6hMvYq/stillharadatwork.png)

I have to say our lack of self-sufficiency thus far is disappointing!  I only hope we can learn and become more so as our voyage continues, especially if we wish to travel further across the open seas
For those asking about the gods and the figurehead, there is only one other god worth mentioning! San, the Goddess of the Sea!

Spoiler: The main statue in our temple below deck (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/W0n1S81/Sanstatue.png)

This stop delayed our raiding significantly, especially since trees are not as dense in the fondled fields where we put ashore we had to venture further to get good timber
There is good news though, Tun our violent metalsmith has recovered merely to a “stressed” state after taking a break for a few seasons, so no overboard-throwing will be needed.

While preparing Smoot wasted no time practicing and looked quite untouchable while sparring!

Spoiler: against a spearMASTER (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/kS788QJ/smootsparring.png)

Spoiler: And he named his axe "frecklemark" (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/4RjH7hc/smootaxe.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/cJSpQyc/frecklemark.png)

At last, our seasons raiding started with two small hamlets, Peacefuladored and Silkyvoice

Spoiler: Peacefuladored (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/27W8V53/peacefuladoredraid.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/hXdtQ6r/peacfuladoredloot.png)

Spoiler: Silkyvoice (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/tsjcC6D/silkyvoiceraid.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/bB5mJSQ/silkyvoiceloot.png)

It seems that our deeds have finally caught up to us though, a band of human soldiers blocked our path on the way back to the ship from SilkyVoice.

Spoiler: A formidable band (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/ckRXy2p/angryhuman.png)

Never let anyone say the crew of the Lionfish shy away from a fight!  We charged in, Smoot, King Zultan and Delphonso took part in this battle, with the rest of the raiders.

Spoiler: Charging in (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/8sp5qqr/closingwiththeenemy.png)

Spoiler: In the thick of it (click to show/hide)

King Zultan is the north swordsdwarf there
(https://i.ibb.co/F5xc9P2/inthethick.png)

Spoiler: The result (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/VJTXW0Z/aftermath.png)

It was over quickly but unfortunately two dwarves lay slain, The Axedwarf Zuglar Nolethimsuh and the Lasher Muthkat Debbenkubuk.  It seems adapting human weapons for our purposes did not pay off.
To replace these losses we sent a small inland party to the great fortress of orbdepth.  Obviously such a mighty place was built by dwarven hands, but alas has fallen under the rule of the human Nation of Urges.  We found a few dwarves sick of human rule and willing to join us on our adventures.  Among them a dwarf who claims to look at the open sky as a JOB.

Spoiler: Spriggan (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/HgptJpR/spriggans.png)

Meanwhile all the oversized human armor was hauled aboard to melt down, a lot of valuable iron there!

Before the year was out we also had time to visit the monastery of inchedsparkles. The place was abandoned and all we were able to gather was some old records of the monastery itself.  Should make for mediocre reading at least.

Spoiler: The dreadfully boring library of Inchedsparkles (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/bKBkJhP/book1.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/6ZCN5T8/book2.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/R01nrFJ/book3.png)

As requested here’s a kill tally for King Zultan, and while we’re at it everyone else who has any kills.

Spoiler: King Zultan (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/X7m1gB9/kingzultankills.png)

Spoiler: Smoot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/683kKxd/smootkills.png)

Spoiler: Metruption (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/fVRpjpb/metruptionkills.png)

Spoiler: Delphonso (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/61tb1B8/delphonsokill.png)

As the year comes to an end we continue south, there are many more weak towns and monasteries here in the fondled fields to raid in spring, before we think about whether or not we want to mess with the towers you may have noticed further south on our map.

Spoiler: Proposed route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/rdGMDSh/proposedroute.png)

For now, the question is do we want to hit the castle of Lionbalance?  Just inland of inchedsparkles, it will be a properly fortified target, however with how our raid on Guiserings went I am confident we can pull it off.  What does the crew think?

Spoiler: Main deck as of Obsidian 258 - note dwarves hard at work in the galley melting down human armor (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/kghgwmz/maindeck.png)

Spoiler:  BEHIND THE SCENES (click to show/hide)

So this issue with the fishing; I actually noticed it right away when we launched but thought I fixed it.  At first i thought it was an issue with the overhang of the boat, so the tiles counted as "inside" and when I fixed this, the dwarves went down to fish and i thought all was well, but then i realised they never actually caught anything and sooner or later stopped fishing at all again.  I think it's because we artificially filled the drydock, but I always thought artifical fishing pools worked, so really not sure what the issue is.  In any case I extneded the fishing boat out past the artifical water and into the original ocean and that seems to have worked well.
Also I think the game is starting to believe me that we're going by sea, look at the return path these raiders took!
(https://i.ibb.co/3yxfW6j/behindthescenes1.png)
I also want to mention the sieges are still keeping up very frequently and its making things awkward, I want to set up to fight them ship to ship but I can't do that because the surface is constantly covered with invaders until I atomsmash them all.  And my worst fear is raiders being caught returning in a less favorable engagement than what happened this season.  I have had other fortresses where returning raiders completely ignore the enemy to try and march home (and get killed) and I have to be very careful how to time my raids

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: delphonso on October 28, 2021, 08:54:04 pm

I've always wanted a throne for myself - take the castle's!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I always though fishing worked like this:
The map has an amount of fish, total (pond - not much if any, rivers - quite a lot, and ocean - tons) However the fish that are pulled up are designated by the biome you're in. So the ocean tiles will give us herring and such, but an underground pool will only give pond turtles and cave fish. I was also under the impression that artificial pools gave you pond turtles. So... no idea why this didn't work - unless the surface biome has no fish, maybe.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: neblime on October 28, 2021, 09:21:12 pm

Quote from: delphonso on October 28, 2021, 08:54:04 pm

I've always wanted a throne for myself - take the castle's!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I always though fishing worked like this:
The map has an amount of fish, total (pond - not much if any, rivers - quite a lot, and ocean - tons) However the fish that are pulled up are designated by the biome you're in. So the ocean tiles will give us herring and such, but an underground pool will only give pond turtles and cave fish. I was also under the impression that artificial pools gave you pond turtles. So... no idea why this didn't work - unless the surface biome has no fish, maybe.

Well, we could always try and capture this castle permanently for you?  Would be a useful base for recruits and materials, would you want to stay behind and rule it if so?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Well i never saw any turtles so maybe thats it the biome doesnt have any?  Makes sense that dwarves try to fish and then give up if thres just nothing there

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: fatcat__25 on October 28, 2021, 10:14:24 pm

I say we park where we are, and raid and spread terror through all the sites within reach, including the castle and fort.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: neblime on October 28, 2021, 10:22:34 pm

yeah it's probably a good idea to do more repeat raiding here, after raiding the castle will probably go about doing this

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: King Zultan on October 29, 2021, 03:26:08 am

Lets raid everything and leave nothing behind!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: Spriggans on October 29, 2021, 03:37:28 am

Call the tiny ship the Fishing keel, and call it a day.

---

As for what to do next, I Spriggan, call for safety !
I don't want to risk my knowledge falling to the ennemy, was I to be captured...

Our suprise raid parties are too random I feel.
I think the boat needs a taller crow's nest.
That way, we could spy our targets defenses better, and reduce the randomness !
Think about it ! Seeing the others before they see us ! Expanding this would be glorious !

Yay... If I had enough influence on this ship. I'd say we need to expand the crow's nest ASAP !
Maybe make it higher ? No, actually, make it more cozy ! :D

You can see the stars unbelievably well from up there, but it really gets cold at night !
Ideally, I'd want to have my bed and belongings moved up there, in a warm wind-proof room, beneath a clear glass roof.

Maybe I can work on this project by myself in secret ? :)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: delphonso on October 29, 2021, 07:42:46 am

Quote from: neblime on October 28, 2021, 09:21:12 pm

Well, we could always try and capture this castle permanently for you?  Would be a useful base for recruits and materials, would you want to stay behind and rule it if so?

I may be a pirate, but I'm not one to pretend to be something I'm not. I can't claim a castle until I've made my name as a proper sea-warrior! Look at my paulty kill-count!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: Maloy on October 29, 2021, 08:45:17 am

My dreams of being a fisherman pirate are half-crumbling  :'(

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

On the ship to ship combat idea. Could we dig down and access stone. Goblins and necromancers have started to use some foul magic and tore chunks of stone from the earth to make a passable ship to stop us! Just an idea for a potentially manageable way to reach building resources and in fantasy there's always some races that build weird looking ships

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: neblime on October 29, 2021, 03:04:51 pm

Spoiler: more behind the scenes (click to show/hide)

its not building materials that are the prpblem, we are in dense forest, its the omnipresence of invaders interrupting construction, im still building as much as i can as we go

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Now with a second, smaller boat
Post by: neblime on November 04, 2021, 09:27:15 am

SPRING/SUMMER 259

Spring sun shines clearly on the deck, and another girl was born on board.  I wonder if a whole generation can be born and raised all on the ship?

In preparation for our main raid on Lionbalance, the human fortress we tried to sneak in without detection and see what we could find
we managed to grab many very boring books, but one actually stands out as a good find:

Spoiler: Sneaking in (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/wcJ66FJ/lionbalanceraid2.png)

Spoiler: The people came full circle (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/fFZKVQT/BOOKpeoplecamefullcircle.png)

Having judged their defences to be weak the main attack begun:

Spoiler: Attack on lionbalance (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/YNkqgjH/lionbalanceraid1.png)

Quite a few humans, 31 in fact, defending, but they are no match for our raiders, led by King Zultan we killed 8 and withdrew suffering no losses!
immediately afterwards a second attack was organised:

Spoiler: Finishing off Lionbalance (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/m941pV8/pillagelionbalance3.png)

A decisive result!  With no significant defence left we took what was left, given that their library was already empty there wasn't much to get.

Spoiler: Paltry loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/pbfMJ8J/lionbalanceloot.png)

But now that the fortress has been dealt with with the surrounding hamlets are defenseless and ours for the taking!
After some time for our dwarves to recover, with a specific aim to obtain more animals for the ship we set forth to the prosperous villages of plungesearch and sprymatch:

Spoiler: Raid on plungesearch (click to show/hide)

Nevermind it says we found nothing, we came back for animals later
(https://i.ibb.co/R3nhymF/plungesearchraid.png)

The raiding dwarves set about what can only be described as a series of brutal executions!  hopefully this will teach these humans not to resist and hand over their possessions without a fight next time.

Spoiler: Sprymatch Raid (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/1JRgLs9/sprymatchedraid.png)

At any rate nothing organised to pose a threat to our brave crew

Spoiler: The spoils (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/3WFfqtJ/sprymatchedloot.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/QNntjbZ/sprymatchedlootpart2.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/kqT5ZBq/sprymatchedlootpart3.png)

The have a lot of birds in these parts!  That's very good for us, eggs can provide a steady source of food.  Eagles seem very useful while traversing the seas too, able to fly over and harass enemy vessels and keep an eye out from the sky for us.  What does the crew think shall we try and breed up the eagles and assign them or just use them for eggs like the others?  Unfortunately eagles cannot be trained for war but even without training may be helpful.
As for the cats, they can survive easily on a ship not needing to graze of course, and could be a good source of food as well. Some dwarves may balk at the idea of a diet of mainly cat meat, but then not all dwarves are cut out for the sailor's life.

For the time being though cat meat will not be necessary, Farvin is making the most of the horrors from the deep Maloy keeps hauling up

Spoiler: Some variety in ingredients would be nice though (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/fNthzMm/farvinfood.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/MSjsY7v/somevarietyplz.png)

Since we haven't travelled very far we heard word from the locals that silkyvoice, which we raided in winter, has offiial pledged their allegiance to King Zasit, of our own kingdom, the Lustrous spear

Spoiler: A wise choice (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/6HfQBJW/whathappenedtosilkyvoice.png)

though not our doing directly, no doubt they only did so to avoid further raids from us.  I can assure all of the crew none of our activites have been undertaken to line the king's pockets. Hopefully if the king's servants ever catch up with us they will take a positive view of our activities now at least.

That other dwarf we took on board during winter has studied all the books we recover most diligently, but he has been saying all sorts of crazy things, about building a structure atop the crows nest of all places?  And he insists it have glass?  Well it is known that when dwarves insist on strange nonsensical constructions, often including obscure materials like glass, it's best to give them what they want.  We have begun adjustments to the galley to fit a glass kiln, and will put ashore during autumn or winter to obtain some sand.

For the autumn and winter we will remain in the area and take what we can from the surrounding hamlets, no major resistance is to be expected.   we will also need to put ashore to gather a significant amount of wood, it amazes me how much the ship uses on a day to day basis, mostly for melting down our metal spoils and turning them into deadly ballista arrowheads.

Spoiler: Our location (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Kxkvqfq/route.png)

Here's a shot of the lower deck, note the many birds and cats, finally we had an excuse to use some of those empty rooms, to make a separate pasture for the cats.

Spoiler: What is that ballista arrowhead doing there  :L (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/tLSPmKd/lowerdeck.png)

Delphonso spoke of being worthy of a throne or something if he kills enough people, he will be pleased to hear he managed to score a few more kills this season:

Spoiler: Delphonso kills (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/p0QkmBN/delphonsokillcount.png)

As always im happy to take on more crew members, we still have room for lots more, so if you want to join the crew post your name, profession and if you want to take part in raids.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 04, 2021, 12:32:41 pm

Well, I certainly think eagles would be a fine and handsome addition to our arsenal. I've heard the humans use them for hunting, so perhaps they would serve our raiders well in combat.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: neblime on November 04, 2021, 08:51:12 pm

I've never done it but i vaguely remember you can take animals raiding right?  Those human peasants wont know what hit em when eagles block out the sun

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: Immortal-D on November 04, 2021, 09:01:27 pm

Gotta say, this has been a fun read.  Ok, a Dwarfing and a challenge for the ship; Assign me the Dwarf with the most scholarly inclinations.  I shall be tasked with organizing the tomes that are looted, and building a great library for all to use.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: neblime on November 04, 2021, 09:03:07 pm

Uh oh i sense a rivalry with spriggans.  He wants a secret library up in the crows nest, do you want one in the hold perhaps?  Or on the other mast? 
Also i take it thats a no to raiding?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: Immortal-D on November 04, 2021, 10:10:12 pm

Send me raiding if there is a good chance of books at the target.  Practically speaking, you want 2 scholars so that discussion / debate becomes an option.  If you have only 1, you are limited to 'meditate on topic' and 'create copy of a book'.  I say build us a shared library in the hold (unless the crow's nest is the size of a deck, which kinda defeats the purpose, but I leave that to you).

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: King Zultan on November 05, 2021, 01:56:27 am

Eagles sound like a good addition to our raid groups, also i like that I've gotten a title.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: delphonso on November 05, 2021, 04:17:17 am

Can eagles be war-trained? (as in...can we add the tokens?) If so, we should certainly replace our shoulder parrots with war eagles.

Immortal-D and Spriggans - the pirate equivalent to Plato and Aristotle.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: Spriggans on November 05, 2021, 04:25:31 am

I approve the usage of Eagles !
We must train them, they are strong and smart beings.

Eagles can fly very high up ! Much higher than our boat !
Even so high that they must clearly see the Curvature of the Earth ! Which prooves Earth is round !
We MUST train Eagles FOR THE GLORY OF SCIENCE ! (and for the raid potential as well, ahem)


OOC : Sadly the wiki says eages are "Not hunting/war trainable". Maybe we can mod a little bit ? :)
They are adults at 1, and lay 1-3 eggs. So expect a slow increase in population at first.
If modding is impossible / unwanted. I'd say breed the eagles anyway and PET THEM ALL TO ME pet one to each crew member !

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: Maloy on November 05, 2021, 10:12:17 am

I already see our future

Raiding the necromancer empire
Becoming intelligent undead
Riding undead eagles as we use our supernatural intelligent undead powers to steal booty from across the lands

Here for it!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: delphonso on November 05, 2021, 11:11:22 am

Aye the skeleton crew...they be real skeletons.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Cats obtained
Post by: neblime on November 05, 2021, 10:55:47 pm

AUTUMN 259

The crew seemed in agreement that eagles are better used as pets and guardians than food, so we set them up in a separate room with nest boxes, and we wait eagerly for their numbers to increase. 
Once rested and resupplied our brave raiders disembarked and set off once again, but the humans had sent a force to oppose them this time!  They intercepted them on the march.

Spoiler: Raiders fight the human warband (click to show/hide)

Good thing it isn't all that many of them
(https://i.ibb.co/VjPmY32/abouttoclash.png)
One particular dwarf seemed a lot more eager than the others!  Delphonso and smoot are also there but lagging behind
(https://i.ibb.co/Hg9kKYf/surgingahead.png)
oh now they're really screwed
(https://i.ibb.co/r0FkvWJ/screwednow.png)
The inevitable result.  no dwarves were seriously injured ( a broken ankle and a smashed hand but nothing permanent)
(https://i.ibb.co/7nGqds1/results.png)

Continuing our campaign of raiding we tried something different; when we arrived at plungesearched we just asked them to part with their valuables and skip the needless violence.

Spoiler: They chose violence (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/FK43Ygb/plungesearchdemand.png)

Suitably intimidated the next town folded without a fight

Spoiler: The hamlet of Anguishedspike (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/NtFGchH/thatsmorelikeit.png)

The next town, cakeclinch did try and fight back though, so intimidation is not gauranteed...

Spoiler: Doing things the hard way (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/hs7btgr/cakeclinchraid.png)

While the raiders were doing their work we sent a few dwarves to visit the dwarven fortress of crowdgild, to buy some cloth goods from the market there.  we also managed to gain a recruit:

Spoiler: Immortal-D (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Tkq3Hj7/Immortal-D.png)

She claims to be a scholar, capable of organizing all the books we looted for our library.  Something we badly need! When I inspected the library I found one shelf with over a dozen books and all the others with one or none!  Spriggan is too busy planning his insane construction to organize these things its seems.  Of course on a ship like this no dwarf can have only one job so she is also employed as a weaponsmith, which she is already adept at.

We revisited Lionbalance, intending to end resistance forever.  The report that came back stated that they "ramapged through Lionbalance" not encountering any resistance, but when I asked if they killed anyone they awkwardly admitted they didn't actually find anyone... it seems that the handful of humans still residing there simply hide whenever we show up, well I think their resistance is broken enough.

Our two scholars Spriggan and Immortal-D also ventured out to explore the nearby monasteries while the raiders were at their work, hoping to acquire some more books through less violent means:

Spoiler: A bunch more "passable at best" books (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/yFg5n0k/armauthors.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/wdg9Z4V/leatheryelled-loot.png)

And that rounds up our activities for autumn.  Here's a picture of the second deck now with eagle rookery

Spoiler: Apparently *some* fish come to our platforms (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/cwGhJ2q/seconddeck.png)

Now we find ourselves at a crossroads again.  I don't think there's much more to be looted from around here, i omitted from my report we raided several hamlets and "found nothing". 
Do we head south?  There are the two foul towers of paintleopards and crestmatches, even on our maps their foul influence is shown to color the ocean!  This could be a very dangerous option, but nonetheless worthwhile, not just for the treasure trove of literature the towers are sure to contain but also to strike back at the undead menace.
Also if we happen to recover the secrets of life and death from these towers, do we allow the crew to read them?  Doesn't that make us just as bad as them?  Some of the crew are already discussing such things and I have to say it disturbs me...

The less exciting but safer route is to travel north along the cost, continuing much as we have been, picking on the human towns that way and then decide from there if we want to double back or where else to go

Spoiler: Possible routes (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/thFnwtP/proposedroute.png)

Spoiler: Behind the scenes (click to show/hide)

Went with a single season update this time because there was just a lot to do!  This fort requires a lot more real life time spent per season than a normal one, so this season was pretty intense, just trying to organise everything.  The humans I had the crew fight were only a small part of the siege, every season comes gauranteed with a big siege of 80+ enemies.
Some dwarven traders did arrive hence our visit to that fortress, but i had forbidden the trade depot at some point so they only bought a small amount of stuff on animals (the wagons are blocked if your depot is forbidden)
As for modding eagles i'd rather not if not necessary, you can still assign them without training it just increases their stats right?  We'll see how they do once their numbers increase

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Resistance is crumbling
Post by: King Zultan on November 06, 2021, 03:51:40 am

Looks like our crew is ready to take on a tower so let us, and sure why not let everyone read the books and become necromancers.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Resistance is crumbling
Post by: Spriggans on November 06, 2021, 08:14:10 am

Idk about the necro boat. Necros are meh. Ghouls are cool, but very hard to turn your dwarves into them.

Becoming a werebeast boat could be more badass, but its almost impossible to sustain the boat with the accursed destroying buildings...

I'd say we wait, and we hope to find a vampire and become a vampire accursed pirate ship.
Having bloodthirtsy pirates raiding villages, only to feed off their victims is Metal ! That would make such nightmarish tales !


So, I vote, go ahead for the raiding of towers, but seal any dubious books away (ah, why not having one or two read them, why not., but not all of us)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Resistance is crumbling
Post by: Immortal-D on November 06, 2021, 10:33:00 am

Glorious!  I look forward to seeing the finished Library.  Though if the Tower is chosen, building a partition and other security within said Library would be a good idea.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Resistance is crumbling
Post by: Maloy on November 06, 2021, 11:00:41 am

I agree to raid the tower and lock the books away!

Intelligent undead and vampires are fun to have as citizens, but necromancer citizens are so limited in how they can be used!

If we decided to go the route of ghoulification later we could always pick one of our librarians to be the necromancer to do it?

Edit: Also I vote for us to make a treasure hoard room! Display all artifacts and we can also melt down some raided metals and mint them into coins to make a giant dragon's hoard of coins and gems!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Resistance is crumbling
Post by: fatcat__25 on November 06, 2021, 11:33:16 am

Raid the towers, raze the towers, and absolutly do not let the powers of necromancy taint our ship. Pitch the offending books off the side! I also like the hoard room idea.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Resistance is crumbling
Post by: King Zultan on November 07, 2021, 01:22:45 am

You guys are probably right about not having necros on the boat, also +1 to the idea of throwing the tainted book overboard.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Resistance is crumbling
Post by: delphonso on November 07, 2021, 08:30:29 am

Begrudgedly accepted. If I die, hire some adventurer to put my wits back in me, then.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Hiatus until feb
Post by: neblime on November 18, 2021, 05:40:53 pm

I had hoped to get another update done before I go but alas I'm all out of time.
I'll be travelling for the next 3 months so I'm afraid this is on hiatus for that long, I can only hope that someone will still be around to want to read this after that long!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On hiatus until february
Post by: delphonso on November 18, 2021, 06:10:03 pm

Batten down the hatches, boys. We're in for a long storm.

Enjoy your travels, neblime!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On hiatus until february
Post by: neblime on November 19, 2021, 03:56:27 am

well we were about to take out necromancers right.... prepare for the necropost to bring this back from the dead when the time comes

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On hiatus until february
Post by: King Zultan on November 19, 2021, 04:17:59 am

Have a safe trip, and I eagerly await the return of our sea based adventures.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On hiatus until february
Post by: Maloy on November 19, 2021, 12:32:19 pm

Yo ho ho looks like this pirate will be doing some fishing for awhile during the down time!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On hiatus until february
Post by: Spriggans on November 21, 2021, 02:41:15 am

 

Quote from: Maloy on November 19, 2021, 12:32:19 pm

Yo ho ho looks like this pirate will be doing some fishing for awhile during the down time!

Fishing ?
Heck ! I'll spend these 3 months near the Rhum barrels !

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - We are back!
Post by: neblime on February 17, 2022, 10:33:28 pm

WINTER 259 + SPRING 260

It seems our mighty ship, the Lionfish and her faithful crew have been lost at sea for some time!  But as predicted our story shall continue, and rest assured from the dwarves perspective all this time has felt like the blink of an eye.  So where were we?

We had just resolved to assault the grim necromancer tower of Paintleopards and put an end to this source of evil.

Spoiler: Our location (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Q8FyXD7/route.png)

Poor winter weather delayed our approach to the place for some time, and business continued as usual on the ship.
There was a strange pile of refuse on the main deck near the mainmast, which turned out to be piles of human teeth taken from our enemies!

Spoiler: The pile (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/nrpQtq6/1teeth.png)

It was thrown overboard without much ceremony.
As planned the cats we gained are starting to become an important source of meat, although I'm sure some dwarves are not keen on cat meat our cook Farvin can make anything appetising.

Spoiler: They breed fast too (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/xHKhm8R/3disgustingmeat.png)

Our eagles also continue to multiply, showing a lot of promise for war animals

Spoiler: a whole clutch of them (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/5jq4NqB/2huzzaheagles.png)

Sand is not available until we put ashore for Spriggans secret project so she has been carving some figurines out of the discarded shells of the sea creatures we eat to pass the time.

Spoiler: Not sure what this means, since he isn't a miner (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/54DHBvj/9whyzultan.png)

What King Zultan is actually up to isn't really that inspiring

Spoiler: Translates as Senseroot the Tame Pass (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/LxsCBLL/7bestowedname.png)

Spoiler: Yeah this shield is pretty tame, I'll pass (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/XZLMN0n/8hmmzultan.png)

Around the new year we arrived in the vinicity of Paintleopards.
As we put ashore we sent out our dedicated raiders to scout the location before we prepared our full attack, and naturally took the opportunity to stock up on some more wood while we wait.
The scouts returned quickly, having easily snuck past the defenses and even taken some books from the tower!

Spoiler: The first scouts into Paintleopards (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Jkm8Gc8/10firstscout.png)

The number of books recovered raised the threat of necromantic knowledge entering our ship but it turns out none of them covered such subject matter

Spoiler: Athough they came close (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Lg7cSRH/11worriedatfirst.png)

Taking this success to mean the place was only weakly defended, we gathere up all of the crew able to fight, and prepared for the attack.

Spoiler: The attack force assembled (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/rvGm8xD/13assembledcrew.png)

All of the crew except for a skeleton crew to guard the ship were equipped and made ready, that we may at last put a stop to the endless hordes of undead assailing the innocent people of the area... and get back to raiding them ourselves.

Spoiler: Marching off the ship to war (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Vv22LL2/14gangplank.png)

At this time I would like to remind those craven members of the crew that signed up asking not to go on raids they were warned at the time, all sailors must be part of the military, as we may need to fight with our full strength at times such as this.  Spriggans and Immortal-D remained behind this time, as someone has to hold the ship and the scholarly types seem least suited to combat.

At the very moment we disembarked for what may be the final battle for many, new life springs forth!

Spoiler: That timing though.. (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/3dPXKXc/15timing.png)

This is the son of none other than Farvin, our cook!  I have provisionally named him Farvin junior

Spoiler: Farvin Junior (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/870Qyvx/16farvinchild.png)

Following the proudest dwarven traditions, his mother, one of our axedwarves will carry him fearlessly into the battle about to take place.
That final excitement complete, the majority of the crew departed for the attack, leaving the rest to wait on tenterhooks for news of their success, or their absence indicating failure.

After a short time, it seemed that those left on the ship would have plenty of excitement of their own!

Spoiler: Why now! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/JqJbv1k/17OHDEAR.png)

did I mention we only left a skeleton crew to defend the ship??
It seemed that we would have to defend the ship with the few ill equipped dwarves left as the werebeast sprinted towards us, but at that moment suddenly the raiders returned, and the spearmaster Zaneg gave chase to the beast as the hunter became the hunted.

Spoiler: Caught him! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Hzkh8Pf/19werebeastduel.png)

Spoiler: A stab to the heart dispatched the beast promptly (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/HqvNXkh/20stabinheart.png)

We were lucky enough that no bites or scratches occured (as far as we know...) but Farvin junior did have the misfortune of witnessing this brutal battle as he returned with his mother, we can only hope this doesn't give him some kind of distorted outlook on life.
Ah, but this means our heroes were succesful does it not, since they return now to our ship??  They are covered up to their armpits in the blood and ichor of the foul undead beasts, and seem exhausted.  As they rejoin us they begin to relate the tale of the battle of Paintleopards.....

Which you will read in the next post since this one is getting too long!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - We are back!
Post by: delphonso on February 18, 2022, 08:06:26 am

Glad we weren't left high and dry for too long captain! Have to serve under your banner again!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - We are back!
Post by: Maloy on February 18, 2022, 06:28:26 pm

The other day I was just sitting around and thinking "I miss SeaMenace"

I am greatly satisfied by the claiming of necromancer booty!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - We are back!
Post by: neblime on February 18, 2022, 11:51:24 pm

The Battle of Paintleopards

King Zultan, naturally, led the attack.  His counterpart, Thob Coalmind, was the original source of this necromantic blight, making a deal with some dark god long ago to obtain the powers of life and death, all the necromancers in this areA are his apprentices or apprentices of those apprentices.  King Zultan was able to come up with an extremely clever plan which gave us an advantage: Kill them all.

Spoiler: The battle begins (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/fQNP0Vb/towerraid1.png)

I have no idea where these names the squads give themselves come from, I had told our crew members simple things like "you are part of the raiders" or "crew squad 1" for my organizational convenience.  It seems that under the surface they still stuck with the ancient dwarven practice of coming up with ridiculous names for themselves.  It should also be noted that although King Zultan is named mostly the other named crew members are part of his squad he is simply named as the leader every time all of them do something.
After some small amount of cannon fodder standing guard was destroyed, first the necromancers sent forth their Dark Slayers, resurrected creatures that retained the faculties of the living but were under thrall of the necromancers.  At first the crew of the Lionfish cut through them with little trouble.

Spoiler: The hordes attack (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/T8zJCxj/towerraid2.png)

Our information said this tower was populated by approximately 100 beings, however it seems this was incorrect as after the initial dark slayers were dealt with the necromancers unleashed their swarms of lesser creatures, the reg's warriors, able to still wield weapons and armor in an imitation of their previous living forms are used as basic warriors in great numbers, as seen in the sieges back at the drydock.  The unspeakable other creatures are made from various animals such as dogs and horses, with horrible arms and legs added.   The crew was hard pressed by over a hundred of them!

Spoiler: Tragedy strikes (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/z8b6ZyS/towerraid3.png)

Although cutting many, by sheer virtue of numbers one of our crew, Fatcat, was overcome and fell to those accursed abominations of nature. Although dozens of undead creatures had fallen at this point, even a single dwarf is a significant loss to our force. Emboldened, the necromancers sent forth more dark slayers increasing the pressure.  Through heroic effort they were again struck down, but the far more numerous mindless creatures surrounded our force.

Spoiler: Is there no end to their numbers? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/jgyC3mC/towerraid4.png)

things seemed grim as another member of the crew fell, and the creatures pressed in all around us.  Our greatest warriors, Zultan, Smoot and Delphonso were still seemingly unharmed however, and the damage being done to the undead was terrible indeed.

Spoiler: A heavy blow is struck (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/rM6zfMn/towerraid5.png)

Perhaps at this point the necromancers, or at least one specific necromancer, Reg Bellswet, became overconfident, seeing the desperate stand the dwarves were making.  In any case Metruption and his marksdwarves had accompanied the force, and Reg, seeing the damage that Metruption was no doubt doing to the undead, joined the fight personally and attempted to reach him.  Metruption did not hesitate to defend himself, they say it only took him a single bolt to kill Reg stone dead.  Reg Bellswet was no minor apprentice, and he was obviously the creator of the dread Reg's warriors and Reg's dogs, and also it turns out Mistakes of Paintleopards which assailed us from all sides, so this kill gave hope to our embattled crew.

Spoiler: Trouble continues (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/sHYyBbY/towerraid6.png)

The situation was still dire however, and another crew member fell.  Any creature described as a disaster was indeed proving disastrous to us.  Our dwarves were only equipped with a patchwork of what armor we departed the drydock with and what we've been able to make from melted down loot, although the undead were using low quality equipment every Reg's warrior was armed and armored.

Spoiler: The tide starts to turn (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/7GkV6gr/towerraid7.png)

Given the amount of slaughter that had been inflicted on the undead so far it seemed high time for their numbers to thin, the enemy groups became smaller and it seemed there weren't many Dark Slayers left to fight.  Smoot's famous axe Frecklemark continued to swing, sending severed limbs flying with each movement.

Spoiler: Thob shows himself (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/SBYb5gy/towerraid8.png)

At this point in the battle, the Supreme Necromancer Thob Coalmind showed himself, using his dark powers he made a vicious attack against Cog Twinklelanced, but he was able to dodge out of the way.  sieizing on his distraction another member of the crew brutally set upon his apprentice Anur Wanderglides, slaying him.

Spoiler: The last wave of Dark slayers (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/pQvhZFx/towerraid9.png)

Desperate now, Thob sent the remaining Dark Slayers to prevent the crew from reaching him, but King Zultan and Smoot among others proved the grit of dwarves, still able to cleanly take them down after such a prolonged fight.

Spoiler: Mopping up (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/WFnSsrT/towerraid10.png)

The few remaining creatures were unable to put up much of a fight, the crew of the Lionfish now crushing them easily.

Spoiler: The down fall of Thob Coalmind (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/djP59Yy/towerraid11.png)

As our dwarves fought our way towards Thob his minions made their last desperate attempt to throw themselves in the way, but to no avail.  Our ship's doctor Zulban Ruleblockade landed a hit with the Iron Lash he's so fond of using, despite having an injured hand at the time!  Presumable he knows where to aim, even on a necromancer.  After Thob was dealt with a handful of other undead creatures were defeated and driven from the field ending the battle.  At this point the tower still stood untouched, but our forces exhausted as they were, and an indeterminate number of defenders remaining we retired from the field to lick our wounds.
My deepest condolences for Fatcat, I am well aware they had asked not to take part in raids, however as I recall Fatcat was calling for the assault on the tower fairly vehemently, so I can only hope they were willing to give their life for it.  Perhaps we shall make some kind of suitable memorial in the ship

I thought it only fitting we take a closer look at the dwarf who took down the head necromancer:

Spoiler: Zulban Rulestockade (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/VHrqCBQ/21zulbanruleblockade.png)

perhaps some kind of nickname is in order?  Gravekeeper or something like that?
And here is an update of the kills of the other dwarves.  Calvert and Maloy managed not to kill a single thing in this epic battle.

Spoiler: Smoot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/1sJvt1r/99smoot.png)

Spoiler: King Zultan (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/t861qTC/99kingzultankills.png)

Spoiler: Delphonso (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Xs42ktr/99delphonsokills.png)

Spoiler: Metruption (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/PzrfNMK/99metruptionkills.png)

Spoiler: Farvin (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/HF5yjjs/99farvinkills.png)

Even the cook managed to get one!  I just hope he doesn't serve that.

We have cut the head of the serpent, Thob Coalmind, and killing Reg Bellswet was another great achievement, especially since we weren't even aware that he was present at that tower.
It's unclear whether or not it's better to send the small, more experienced squad of raiders to fight what they can and retreat, instead of sending our entire force at once, and while killing more potentially suffering more casualties?

The question is do we attack again to finish the tower off?  We have no real way to know if resistance will be less if we attack again.
If not which way do we steer the ship?
There are some human hamlets to the north if we want an easy time, or the major human town of Faircradles just to the east (far larger than Guiserings was) we could also potentially raid.
Or I suppose we could even steer back west to the rich human lands in that area?

Spoiler: Our location (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/1XnvRxM/location.png)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Besieging a necromancer tower
Post by: neblime on February 18, 2022, 11:57:49 pm

So Fatcat, sorry you died, if you want to rejoin as Fatcat II or anything like that I'd be happy to have you, let me know

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Besieging a necromancer tower
Post by: King Zultan on February 19, 2022, 02:51:52 am

That seems to be the most crew casualties we've had so far.


Also I feel that we should finish off the tower while it's still weak.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Besieging a necromancer tower
Post by: fatcat__25 on February 19, 2022, 03:13:22 am

Yea, I'll rejoin, although I'll be too busy to provide input for a week or two. How did I guess my dwarf would die the first time I saw combat? :D

My new dwarf should also be a sailor. He requests sword training for all non-combat crew, and votes for the raiders cooling down after their giant success by attacking the northern hamlets. We don't want any accidents of overconfidence, after all.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Besieging a necromancer tower
Post by: recon1o6 on February 19, 2022, 07:47:35 am

haha, what a raid! I regret not signing up for a pirate's life sooner!

Yaaar I'll sign up for a dwarfing! A spear be great for fishing with or a hammer fer cracking open the booty! If ye would have me, I volunteer fer smithing duty off raid since yer cutlasses ain't sharp enough!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Besieging a necromancer tower
Post by: neblime on February 19, 2022, 10:29:39 pm

Quote from: recon1o6 on February 19, 2022, 07:47:35 am

haha, what a raid! I regret not signing up for a pirate's life sooner!

Yaaar I'll sign up for a dwarfing! A spear be great for fishing with or a hammer fer cracking open the booty! If ye would have me, I volunteer fer smithing duty off raid since yer cutlasses ain't sharp enough!

So I take it that's a yes for going on raids?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Besieging a necromancer tower
Post by: Bombyx Mori on February 19, 2022, 11:05:44 pm

Sign me up as a zealous follower of San. I want to strike the fear of the deeps into the landlubbers, so I'll also volunteer as a speardwarf.
When not raiding I'd like to be appointed as our ship's priest. You might need to upgrade our current temple for this.

And remember, disaster is sure to strike the ship if you don't give proper offerings to the sea!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Besieging a necromancer tower
Post by: neblime on February 27, 2022, 11:17:35 am

Spring+Summer 260

After resting and taking stock of our loses it was agreed that we would return to the tower, after destroying the majority of their forces and their mastermind necromancers surely we could finish the job and destroy the place?
One of the crew who was originally left behind to defend The Lionfish spoke up at this point, asking to take part in raids from now on.

Spoiler: Recon106 (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/XkvDh53/recon106.png)

Another sailor also volunteered to pretend to be Fatcat, as he was sorely missed.   Kinda creepy but we do need someone to fill that void.

Spoiler: Fatcat II (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/5Rg8z8m/fatcatII.png)

We regathered our strength until the start of summer, then we sent only the raiders out to scout out the site and identify any resistance.  They found little.

Spoiler: The fall of Paintleopards (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/BHpczzX/2paintleopardsdestroyed.png)

It turned out only a few skulking creatures remained, probably left behind by the lesser necromancers who had fled from there.
I realised now that at no point in our story have we described a Reg's warrior:

Spoiler: Larger than a dwarf and generally heavily armored (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/f2XnYv7/regswarrior.png)

As they demolished the tower our heroes naturally looted their fair share of the library:

Spoiler: The haul (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/tzkZfwD/book1.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/yqSHPgL/book2.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/WWK2fPL/book3.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZHrX2Q4/book4.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/FW8h3tk/book5.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/dJjVkTX/book6.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/cQ2y9xk/book7.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/vVGVsPJ/book8.png)

We vetted these books carefully for any forbidden knowledge, but although some may require a content warning we didn't deem any needed to be thrown overboard or put in a forbidden library of some sort.
At this point a crazy looking dwarf came up on the main deck and began haranguing the whole crew about how if we didn't give proper offerings to San the sea would boil and turn The Lionfish upside down or something

Spoiler: Bombyx Mori (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/BNpnN2P/bombyxmore.png)

None of the crew actually recognised her which raised concerns she was some kind of stowaway but what she described sounded very serious indeed.  Only question I have is what exactly does she have in mind for offerings?  Loot? Food? Animals? Books? I only hope it isn't dwarven sacrifices.

Farvin continues the work of feeding the ship although some of the crew is really questioning whether these ingredients are what he claims they are

Spoiler: Ship's Rations (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/KzghnJm/wheredoesfarvingetthis.png)

Now having destroyed our immediate nemesis the time has come to plot a new course for The Lionfish
In the immediate future I suggest we either raid the major town of Faircradles to the east, probably multiple times to secure basic supplies and loot (option 1), or we pick on the small villages and such around this area to relax for a while after our victory (option 2)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/bFgGFdT/5proposedroute.png)

Note that paintleopard is now gray since we destroyed it!

Spoiler: The Lionfish as of Summer 260 (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/WW6mr1z/4endship.png)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Sweet Victory
Post by: King Zultan on February 28, 2022, 03:31:14 am

Lets go loot all the little villages and hamlets!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Sweet Victory
Post by: dikbutdagrate on March 02, 2022, 05:42:30 pm

Dwarf me, I'm in.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Sweet Victory
Post by: neblime on March 02, 2022, 05:49:20 pm

Quote from: dikbutdagrate on March 02, 2022, 05:42:30 pm

Dwarf me, I'm in.

Join on raids?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Sweet Victory
Post by: neblime on March 20, 2022, 12:57:31 am

Autumn + Winter 260

Our ultimate enemy (for now) has been defeated, but the Lionfish sails ever onwards, cutting through the waves like a hot knife through purring maggot cheese.
Our fisherdwarves have managed to haul up various horrifying shelled creatures from the deep, and some of our dwarves seem to have taken to carving these shells for decoration and to pass the time on our voyages.

Spoiler: Delphonso the bonecarver? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/thf18DZ/1delphonsocraft.png)

Another dwarf decided to join in on our raids, no doubt inspired by our glory at Paintleopards, who knows maybe that taste of battle gave him a thirst for more.

Spoiler: DikbutDagrate (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/MpMMkS2/2dikbutdagrate.png)

not at all unskilled he has been training (like all of the crew) in his free time since we embarked, I'm sure he'll be a good addition to our raiding parties.
Our new priest, Bombyx Mori had made some offhand comment that our temple might not be sufficient (although this perplexes me!  The finest dwarven appraisers had valued this temple at over 10,000☼!
When asked what kind of sacrifices are necessary to prevent the ill fates that San might have in store for our fair ship the priest refused to answer, apparently busy with something..

Spoiler: Seems appropriate (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/0cwbCcg/6meditateonoceans.png)

Our targets for the second half of the year are a few small villages in the area around paintleopards.  An easy time to give our raiders a break seems warranted.


It seems that these villages had heard of our coming, and a small militia met our dwarves on land:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/ngT9VdV/3feebleband.png)

Don't they know, these are the dwarves that took down thob coalmind?
Dikbutdagrate proved himself in his first combat; however it is odd he calls himself a spearmaster but seems to prefer an axe in combat?  It seems we lack any suitably enticing spears

Spoiler: Not a scratch (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/dgsd0d1/4spearmasteddikbutdagreat.png)

Don't they know these are the dwarves that killed countless dark slayers at Paintleopards?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/ZmbG0LG/5notascratch.png)

This minor inconvenience dealt with we proceeded to the settlements themselves:

Spoiler: Lungunited: no resistance (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/9n6JXCq/loot1lungunited.png)

Spoiler: Raid on Sparkleshade (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/1LKjxdH/raid2sparkleshade.png)

It's concerning that these human settlements seemingly make use of necromantic creatures such as Reg's warriors, although living under the shadow of the nearby tower who knows what pacts were made with the necromancers for their survival.  We will be highly suspicious of any of these settlements near towers.

Spoiler: Sparkleshade Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/VMnjH3G/loot2sparkleshade.png)

Spoiler: Raid on Snarlinghay (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/CQhyZSF/raid3snarlinghay.png)

Spoiler: Snarlinghay loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/kQWK0Y8/loot3snarlinghay.png)

Spoiler: Raid on Focusroar (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/TH1CYMZ/raid4focusroar.png)

Spoiler: Focusroar Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/hYkP41p/loot4focusroar.png)

The pillaging of these human villages is becoming almost routine, and our sea-dwarves seem well accustomed to the routine of killing and looting, our loot and dwarves were quickly packed up back on the ship and we set off once more.
Around early winter I noticed something.. odd

Spoiler: Where did our ballista go!!?!? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/wZnb55L/7whereballista.png)

There had been no reports of trantruming dwarves, and certainly the crew wouldn't intentionally deconstruct such a vital defensive device!  and yet, the starboard aft ballista is just missing
shortly after the fore port ballista also disappeared.  An investigation as to events on the ship soon revealed what was happening:

Spoiler: The cuplrit (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/RbBFDtq/8culprit.png)

it seems the Lionfish is haunted!  What we did to offend this poor departed dwarf we may never know, as he certainly wasn't a member of the crew.  The age old dwarven ritual of slab carving will provide just the solution for this mystery.  Fortunately we had in fact packed some stone and such for just such a purpose!

Spoiler: The completed slab (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/2M1SN4V/9drowneddwarf.png)

Doubtless this poor dwarf having fallen victim tot he great ocean of despicable water was jealous of our great journeys through the same medium.  Well, a place on the ship is now his! We installed his slab near the well and since then no more unfortunate vandalism has occured.
Thus concludes a most eventful year (if not the second half)

Spoiler: 2nd Deck (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/XFszC3v/10endofyera.png)

As you can see the eagles are multiplying quickly and soon enough we can spare some from the breeding stock for war training.
Our stocks of wood are rather low, and I had hoped we could put ashore to replenish them somewhere, but we did not have time in the end.  Hopefully some time in the spring.
And now that the year is over we face once again the question of which way to steer? We could travel north towards more open sea, eventually arriving at the human town of Batheflame, among other villages on the way.  This way there is more chance of encountering what the Lionfish was truly built to hunt:  Another ship, hopefully a defenseless merchant packed with trade goods for us to plunder!
Alternatively there is the large town of faircradles near to the east, which promises to be a rich target, and the biggest we would have hit yet, in terms of living inhabitants anyway, being far larger than guiserings.  This would afford us the chance to put ashore and cut some more timber as well, which we badly need for charcoal among other things.

Spoiler: Our position as of Winter 260 (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/nmw6RQG/doirect.png)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: King Zultan on March 20, 2022, 01:52:41 am

Sounds like we should hit faircradles before we head out after other ships, especially if we need wood since it could be needed for repairs after a ship VS ship battle.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: neblime on March 20, 2022, 01:53:36 am

Quote from: King Zultan on March 20, 2022, 01:52:41 am

Sounds like we should hit faircradles before we head out after other ships, especially if we need wood since it could be needed for repairs after a ship VS ship battle.

Well as far as I know only dwarves have knowledge of the ballista, or even the catapult so I sure hope thats not needed.... but you never know

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: King Zultan on March 20, 2022, 01:55:06 am

Quote from: neblime on March 20, 2022, 01:53:36 am

Quote from: King Zultan on March 20, 2022, 01:52:41 am

Sounds like we should hit faircradles before we head out after other ships, especially if we need wood since it could be needed for repairs after a ship VS ship battle.

Well as far as I know only dwarves have knowledge of the ballista, or even the catapult so I sure hope thats not needed.... but you never know

Better safe than sorry.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: fatcat__25 on March 21, 2022, 12:31:13 pm

I agree that we should stay where we are until fully restocked. If that involves large raids, all the better.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: AvolitionBrit on April 10, 2022, 10:40:50 am

Dwarf me into being

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: neblime on April 20, 2022, 10:17:19 pm

Quote from: AvolitionBrit on April 10, 2022, 10:40:50 am

Dwarf me into being

When you sign up you gotta tell me; raids or no?
Also sorry for delays everyone update soon...ish

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: recon1o6 on April 21, 2022, 03:32:07 am

Quote from: neblime on April 20, 2022, 10:17:19 pm

Quote from: AvolitionBrit on April 10, 2022, 10:40:50 am

Dwarf me into being

When you sign up you gotta tell me; raids or no?
Also sorry for delays everyone update soon...ish

no worries!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: Bombyx Mori on April 23, 2022, 03:46:17 am

Journal of Bombyx Mori, prophet of San
Winter 260

It seems that the crew has not taken my warnings seriously enough. They have not made a single sacrifice devoted to San in all the time I have been aboard!
One of the insolent louts even saw fit to disturb my holy communion with our goddess to ask me what offerings would be suitable. Sacrilege!
San saw fit to punish these fools by sending a spirit of the sea to trouble them for their indifference to her divine commandments.

Perhaps I am too judgemental of their ignorance. After all, San does not speak to them as she does me. They do not hear the voices in the waves.
As for the matter of sacrifices, I will personally see that adequate offerings are made. A live sacrifice of some sort should be made after each raid. If no animals can be found, then I will have to ensure that a sacrifice is made through... other means.

As for inanimate offerings, ideally any spoils not required to ensure the ship's survival should be offered to the sea. Knowing the insolence of our captain, I will have to compromise on offering any goods that serve no practical purpose, such as coins or crafts. Of special significance are the religious idols of the unbelievers, that should be melted down before being cast into the sea.
Finally, all blasphemous texts should be disposed of without delay. I will not allow the taint of witchcraft to doom this ship.

For now I must continue reading the portents, and guiding this ship to our destined glory.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: AvolitionBrit on April 23, 2022, 11:37:03 am

Quote from: neblime on April 20, 2022, 10:17:19 pm

Quote from: AvolitionBrit on April 10, 2022, 10:40:50 am

Dwarf me into being

When you sign up you gotta tell me; raids or no?
Also sorry for delays everyone update soon...ish

Raids, got to earn my keep on the crew

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - How dare they resist
Post by: neblime on April 27, 2022, 12:24:38 am

Spring+Summer 261

As we steer away from the vicinity of Paintleopards, our first target will be Faircradles to the east, a sizeable town, hopefully ripe with loot!
Another one of the crew volunteered to join the raiders, saying something about "earning their keep" although I suspect it's the fame and loot they're after.

Spoiler: Avolitionbrit (click to show/hide)

you'll notice this dwarf already bears significant marks of combat!
(https://i.ibb.co/YyzFSQt/avolitionbrit.png)

It seems our new raider already has a pretty intense history

Spoiler: Avolitionbrit's medical history (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/MssBDZN/1avolitionmedicalhistory.png)

During our short voyage a new problem appeared.

Spoiler: Hamsters! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/rMqVmyP/2hamstersintheroast.png)

yes my friends look closely, that grey speck amongst the roasts on the left side of the dining room is none other than a filthy hamster!
This incident made two things obvious:
1. we need more barrels, making putting ashore and gathering wood all the more urgent!
2. Maybe the ship's cats would be better utilized if not locked in a small room in the hold.
So we promptly released the cats to roam the ship freely from now on, although we made sure to geld them all to prevent any overcrowding in the limited spaces of the Lionfish.

Spoiler: They promptly arrived at the scene (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/VYGR2Fx/shipscats.png)

Bombyx Mori, the ship's priest finally spoke up about what was required to appease San. She claimed that the ghost that plagued us before was only called forth from the depths by San herself!  It seemed some kind of living sacrifice was indeed recommended!  Well just as well the eagles (and up until now the cats) are multiplying robustly.
After our next victory we will consider what to offer.

Presently we arrived at the shore nearest Faircradles.  The crew put ashore to gather the much needed wood as the raiders planned their attack...
Just above the town lay the goblin fort of SecertiveDreamed.  No doubt the goblins had enforced some sort of tribute or other obeisance over the town and that fort maintained their influence.
Unknowing and uncaring of the nuances of local politics we burned it down.

Spoiler: King Zultan swiftly killed their leader too (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/McHkKnD/4secretivedreamed1.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/PrGXzYj/5secretivedreamd2.png)

Since this was a mere military outpost we didn't expect too much loot.

Spoiler: Secretivedreamed loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/ykddsx2/6secretivedreamed3.png)

As the raiders took a breath before the main assault on the town Bombyx Mori also proclaimed that we should dispose of "blasphemous texts" although It's not clear what constitutes blasphemous... This may cause some conflict with our two scholars, Immortal-D and spriggans.
Here is the contents of our current library; we gave it to Bombyx Mori to pore through keep her quiet for a while, although the claims that "witchcraft" would doom the ship do give cause to her somewhat seriously.

Spoiler: Our books (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/JsNqYR6/librarypart1.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/nmX81q8/librarypart2.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/XWGdRhg/librarypart3.png)

Our first attack on Faircradles went well.

Spoiler: Round 1 (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/hYKXMdy/8faircradlesround1.png)

However, despite slaying several (and losing none!) the raiders were unable to overcome the defenders and had to retreat and regroup!
Undeterred we tried again.

Spoiler: Round 2 (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/6BqTPSG/9-Faircradlesround2.png)

for similar results.  Despite high losses these humans were brave defenders of their town and did not give up easily.
We returned offering to cease our attacks in exchange for their tribute (something that might save us a lot of effort in future too..)
Sadly they refused and the slaughter continued.

Spoiler: Round 3 (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/xHbNYPv/10-Faircradlesround3.png)

Still they stood!  Although the poets may write of the bravery of the crew of the Lionfish in destroying the evil of Paintleopards they should leave a verse for the heroism of the humans of Faircradles in the face of certain defeat.

Spoiler: Round 4 (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/M6NGrGN/11-Faircradlesround4.png)

or perhaps their foolishness and greed in refusing to part with their material wealth over their lives...
As we prepared for one last all out attack with the entire crew, some surprising news!

Spoiler: Congratulations! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/tC5480Z/12anewchild.png)

A new member of the crew is always welcome!

Spoiler: Note the parents at the bottom... (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/FVRHCnG/13immortalfatcat.png)

Of course the parents may choose a name if they're so inclined, and the crew might weigh in too.  For now everyone's calling the baby "Besmar"
Done with new life our crew gathered and set off to cause some new death, the fisherdwarves and sailors joining forces with the raiders for our overwhelming attack.

Spoiler: Fifth and final round (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/PF9CXY8/14-Faircradlesfinalround.png)

Spoiler: Faircradles Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/WzkDkm0/15faircradlesloot.png)

At last we broke through their defenses and secured a reasonable haul.
As for the sacrifice to San this helmet surely has some kind of ceremonial significance?

Spoiler: It's not like someone would wear that in combat right? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/LJtMBdm/16thesacrifice.png)

With the priests blessing we will melt it down and throw it overboard, along with one of our eagles as thanks for our victory.
Come autumn we will sail north, and we will probably continue to loot what Faircradles has left (hopefully they will give up and hand it over at this point) before then.
But that's a tale for the next chapter!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The stubborn courage of humans?
Post by: King Zultan on April 27, 2022, 03:11:29 am

I wonder why every time we fought against a group in Faircradles we only killed nine at a time?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The stubborn courage of humans?
Post by: recon1o6 on April 27, 2022, 03:35:29 am

Quote from: King Zultan on April 27, 2022, 03:11:29 am

I wonder why every time we fought against a group in Faircradles we only killed nine at a time?

Reverse decimation. We pick one to take the message while we slaughter the rest

Unfortunately it didnt work. Judging by the helm, these were some glory hound viking types and wouldn't have given up for anything

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The stubborn courage of humans?
Post by: neblime on August 01, 2022, 05:53:12 pm

Gosh, it's been a while hasn't it?  It seems that I unfortunately failed with timely updates once again.
BUT we are still going!  An update will come (probably) later today if anyone is still watching this!  Consider this a warning!  Angry dwarf pirates could show up at your town any day now

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The stubborn courage of humans?
Post by: fatcat__25 on August 01, 2022, 09:37:30 pm

Good to hear that you are back! Also, I haven't thought of the pirates as angry, just extraordinarily greedy.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The stubborn courage of humans?
Post by: neblime on August 02, 2022, 12:29:48 am

Quote from: fatcat__25 on August 01, 2022, 09:37:30 pm

Good to hear that you are back! Also, I haven't thought of the pirates as angry, just extraordinarily greedy.

Angry that these humans won't surrender their loot

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The stubborn courage of humans?
Post by: King Zultan on August 02, 2022, 03:01:25 am

Huzza the ship shall be sailing again soon!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The stubborn courage of humans?
Post by: neblime on August 02, 2022, 03:52:23 am

Autumn + winter 261

It seems it has been a long time since we last heard word of our brave lionfish, and yet as the waves part we can see her still fearlessly swimming through the Waters of Tempting.
Some may remember that a child was recently born to Immortal-D and Fatcat.  Absent any other suggestions he has been named "ImmortalCat".
Along with Seaborn and Farvin Junior we are raising a generation of dwarves who have lived their entire lives on the lionfish.  Who knows how they will turn out?
Ultimately we decided not to raid Faircradles again, and steer north to work our way along to the other human towns that direction.
Our first stop, the pathetic human hamlet of Dipbegan.
As we first sighted the smoke from their chimneys, suddenly a cry rang down from the crow's nest.
"SAIL HO!"
Turns out Spriggans looks at more than just stars.  We see a single sail crest the horizon and close the distance.

Spoiler: Our Prey (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/2W8CYg8/prey.png)

An ugly and poorly made human ship.  You can see this ill conceived wooden tub is possessed of an absurd list to one side, only a small crew visible above deck makes this seem like an easy target.
At last the Lionfish can do what it was truly made for: Attack another ship at sea!
As we swoop down on the target the crew mans the ballistas and bombards the enemy before our boarding.

Spoiler: Some hits (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/18s3Z6r/ballistahit1.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/zJb80nK/ballistahit2.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/Dgx30ms/ballistahit3.png)

Since we embarked we have been able to use much of our looted metal to upgrade our wooden ballista arrows, and it paid off here!
As we grew nearer, their feeble ship unable to flee with it's single sail, our boarding party assembled on the main deck.

Spoiler: The boarding party (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/qMtfNYQ/boardingpartyassembled.png)

You'll note the ballista operators are not brave enough to stay at their posts as we get into bow range...
Soon we were pulled up alongside, but what happened next... was a bit of a mess.
The boarding bridges, specifically designed to hook onto the enemy ship and prevent it's escape failed to lower!
Most of the boarders rushed below deck to see what the problem was from beneath, and when the bridges suddenly lowered the only dwarf ready to go was Reg, the Axedwarf.
In true dwarven spirit though he didn't hesitate to charge across alone!

Spoiler: Reg advances (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/wS95Gwn/2boardingstarts.png)

Metruption, who had been harassing the enemy with his crossbow had driven them away from our side of the ship, but it was clear Reg was running into a deathtrap alone as Metruption looked on.
Reg quickly ran up the ramp to the top of the higher deck, Dikbutdagrate and another couple of dwarves arrived and tried to run to his aid, ominously a disembodied hand falling back down to the deck in their vision.

Spoiler: Metruption in front, Dikbutdagrate in yellow (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/VjchDHx/3metruptiontothe-rescue.png)

Alas they were too late, and Reg's lifeless body fell back down to the main deck.
Enraged, Metruption charged in and set upon the human swordsman who jumped down with nothing but his crossbow and shield!

Spoiler: Metruption's Fury (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/ScQhTQy/4toolate.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/mbC5t8H/5metruptionfury.png)

A tense fight was engaged with the few dwarves that had made it across by this time, against the few humans brave enough to risk crossbow fire on this side of the ship.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/58B6wrX/6holdingtheline.png)

It turns out Metruption had considered Reg a Kindred spirit and his rage made the improvised weapon in his hands deadly indeed.

Spoiler: A devastating blow (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/zRSwktz/7metruptionbrutality.png)

By this time the other dwarves had finally come back up on deck and King Zultan and Smoot, with Delphonso, AvolitionBrit and others close behind were boarding.

Spoiler: Reinforcements at last (King Zultan already engaged, Smoot and Delphonso on the bridge) (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/4TxNCTg/9reinforcements.png)

The first few defenders were quickly overcome at this point, and the boarders prepared to head inside to mop up the rest.

Spoiler: Outer deck secure (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/12dQqBm/10overcome.png)

A nasty surprise awaited us in there.  To our great surprise these humans had DWARVES helpign them!  That's right, dwarves, most likely by gold, in the service of this human ship,

Spoiler: Traitors (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/RSsLbw3/11enemydwarves.png)

While the main force was engaged inside the structure, Dikbutdagrate found himself fighting several humans and a dwarf alone above the main deck.

Spoiler: He fell to his knees in exhaustion but he still took them all on (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/vYH3tn5/12upperleveldikbut.png)

The dwarves on the main deck seemed ill suited to the rigors of life at sea, and posed little threat.  No doubt they only take short voyages on such a ship, and were no match for our seasoned raiders.

Spoiler: Delphonso finishes off the last archer (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/25W9T3L/13delphonsocloseswiththelast.png)

With that the enemy crew was all dead.  Reg had sadly fallen, but his bravery was an example for the whole crew.  We engraved a slab and placed it in one of the training rooms to remind the crew of his sacrifice.  This is both a necessity and an honor, as we have no way of disposing of the body other than throwing it overboard, and it's well known that no dwarf rests well unless buried properly underground, so this is the only way to ward off ghosts.
We set about looting the captured ship.

Spoiler: Carrying loot back over the boarding bridges (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/JzR9k7b/14setaboutloot.png)

It seems that their cargo was mostly raw cloth, and some coal as well.  Typical trading goods for such a small merchant ship.  The weapons and armor of the crew also provide a lot of metal for our furnaces, and a meager amount of rations intended for her crew.
Once we had taken all goods of value we scuttled her and moved on.  We undertook our raid of Dipbegan, having witnessed our combat just offshore they had no spirit to put up any resistance and gave up what little they had without a fight.

Spoiler: Dipbegan Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/PF7G9kY/17dipbeganloot.png)

We took this opportunity to stock up on wood as well, as time goes on it seems the main resource we can't get at sea is fuel for our furnaces to melt down all our spoils into more bolts and ballista arrows!
Maloy gave a disturbing report about this particular part of the waters of tempting.

Spoiler: Plenty of fish in the sea? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/VWSV5yR/15grimnewsfromtheboat.png)

Very odd, but perhaps the local humans have been overfishing here.  We have food stocks to last us for a long time at present but if we take a long voyage on the open sea fish will be an important food source...
Here's the main deck of the lionfish as she continues north on our intended route.  Hopefully as we leave the bay of the fondled fields we might find more sea traffic to loot.

Spoiler: We had to add more furnaces to melt down all the loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/D999nzG/16maindeck.png)

Spoiler: Our continued journey (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/McNg7Q0/plannedroute.png)

Spoiler: Out of Context (click to show/hide)

Ok so I screwed up in the boarding there...
There was a fairly obvious problem that the levers to control the bridges were right next to the bridges themselves, so any dwarf tasked with hitting them sees the enemies hanging around and cancels job.
So I moved the squads away to end the staring contest with the enemy, and it worked, the bridges went down, but reg and metruption, for whatever reason, were outside of their stations and got aggroed immediately.
I'm also amazed dikbutdagrate didn't die!  He was fighting 4v1 and had overexerted status, in my experience it almost always follows that an overexerted dwarf falls unconscious and gets whaled on, but dikbut managed to hold it together!
Also it's been REALLY hard to get anything done because the sieges are INTENSIFYING somehow.  A 100+ enemy siege which was quicky bridge smashed was followed by another (albeit smaller) siege within a month!!! I guess that's what happens when you raid so many sites

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: delphonso on August 02, 2022, 07:55:38 am

Seems people don't take kindly to us stealing their ducks and bits of cloth...

Only one thing to do, I suppose. Burn down each town we loot until they get the message.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: King Zultan on August 03, 2022, 02:29:53 am

I support this idea, let us loot all of value then burn down everything else!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: recon1o6 on August 03, 2022, 12:19:08 pm

I would caution against burning everything

that would leave us nothing to loot on the return trip. Or in future excursions

I support burning the elves though. They make good firewood

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: neblime on August 04, 2022, 04:16:22 am

All this talk of burnings and elves raises a couple of questions,
first, returning to places we've already raided?  Could be so.   But there are other possibilities too.
On the question of razing sites, I'm inclined to only do so if they put up stubborn resistance, leaving ourselves plenty of weak targets if we need more loot in the future.  If any other crew member wants to weigh in I could be swayed towards total destruction though..
Here's a map of our progress so far (flames represent sites we've raided) in grey and future paths in red/orange/yellow.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Nn4tgzP/262plan.png)

Red is where we're already going, orange and yellow represent two different paths: Orange we go east and raid the rich human towns in the hill of standing, far from any other civilization information we have indicates they will be poorly defended and rich plunder.  Then after that we cross the gulf and arrive at the tower of Agewards.  Agewards was the tower that harassed our drydock so heavily while we were constructing the ship, and many dwarves still need to be avenged there.
Yellow, we strike north and return to the drydock, before proceeding directly to Agewards (The human town there is allied so I don't suggest we raid there)
Returning to the dock has a few benefits:
We can recruit a few more crew members to replace our losses (no other dwarven fortresses are likely to be in our immediate path)
We can refit the ship with any modifications we might need (one possiblity is covering over the main deck, effectively giving us another deck above)
We can resupply with anything we might need for a future voyage, as the map shows once we hit agewards unless we plan to return to the same human towns there is quite a sea voyage ahead of us to get to the next hunting ground, and we probably need all the supplies we can get, that said I think the ship is self sufficient as far as maintaining the basic needs of the crew goes, but it could be awkward if we run out of other things such as wood/coal or clothes.

Out of those two options I'm leaning towards heading east first, but i could be swayed if the crew thinks otherwise

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: delphonso on August 04, 2022, 04:25:18 am

Perhaps we can pick up some crew and train them on the eastern hamlets before heading toward Agewards at full force.

Bastard necromancers need a lesson they won't forget this life or the next...

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: King Zultan on August 05, 2022, 02:22:49 am

Getting a more crewmen and attacking the tower sound like good ideas.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: neblime on August 05, 2022, 07:51:29 am

Quote from: delphonso on August 04, 2022, 04:25:18 am

Bastard necromancers need a lesson they won't forget this life or the next...

The ship's new motto?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - The ship sails on!
Post by: neblime on August 09, 2022, 10:21:08 am

SPRING 262

At the very end of 261 we hit the tiny seaside village of Springsocket.

Spoiler: A pretty routine raid (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/PzSSZRr/1raidatnewyears.png)

The new year bought some excellent news.  The first generation of Eagles hatched on the ship have matured!

Spoiler: Should we call it the eagle's nest now? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/YprYpsc/2moreliekeaglesnest.png)

Now comes training.  The Dwarves of the Lustrous Spear naturally have little experience with an animal that prefers wide open spaces of the surface world.
But on this ship we learn more about these noble birds each day:

Spoiler: The secrets of eagles (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/pvhgKM4/3neverbeendonebefore.png)

One dwarf who doesn't seem to take any joy in this discovery is avolitionbrit

Spoiler: You can't see it, but he has "Doesn't really care about anything anymore" by the way (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/tMCTWXq/4avolitionbritstress.png)

It seems sea life isn't agreeing with him.  No tantrums have occured yet but he has been taken off his regular duties (which mostly involve working the brewery) to try and let him relax.  If it comes to violence does our previous threat of throwing dwarves still apply?!
As we moved up the coast the human castle of Growlstray seemed a tempting target.  Perhaps they would have more enticing loot than the poorly defended coastal towns?
While our raiders assaulted the castle our scholars investigated a nearby old monastery and found absolutely nothing of value there.

Spoiler: Attacking Growlstrays (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/SmmqN7w/growlstraytspart0.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/zNkWkmy/growlstrayspart1.png)

For all this effort we gained a collection of books about human castles.  If we have to attack another human castle in the future these may prove useful..

At last we neared the town of batheflame, a jewel sticking out of the headland that extended out of the hardy desert.  Or is it more like a ripe berry waiting for us to pick?
It seemed they were ready for our attack however, and resorted to a somewhat disturbing defensive tactic.

Spoiler: The attack on BatheFlame (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/NS2gsCF/5batheflamepart1.png)

Although unharmed, the sheer number of DOGS the humans employed on the battlefield pushed our dwarves back!  We always knew humans were too cowardly to stand up to us themselves, but massed dog warfare?  The crew had been clamoring for the burning and destruction of a settlement, and it seemed the perfect response to the obstinate town, although a bit unfortunate for the blindly loyal dogs.  The raiders set upon the town for a second time, and the order was given to raze the place!

Spoiler: The rampage through BatheFlame (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/5kZ2ss4/6razingbatheflame.png)

It seems the crew has no stomach for the unjust slaughter of peasants and destruction, by all reports the town was still standing after this attack, however they certainly took some good loot in the process:

Spoiler: The King of Dawn, a Gem earring (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/60gR9pr/8thekingofdawn.png)

No doubt named for the sun-like hue of golden beryl, this earring was forged in circleguilds, the illustrious capital of the dwarven kingdom of The Town of Oars, in the northern part of the continent.  It was created by the great dwarven Engineer, Ilral Granitesteel, who invented both the bellows and the hourglass!  Quite a treasure to be stolen by a lowly human thief and carried all the way here.

Spoiler: Dwindlemoment the Reward of Cooperating - A Steel Warhammer (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/FH582WM/9dwindlemoment.png)

This hammer was forged in the ancient fortress of CloisterPuce, founded by dwarves in a time before memory it has sadly since been conquered by foul goblin hordes.  This hammer had been wielded by none other than the king of the barricaded whips! (The dwarven kingdom in mountain range just south of the ship's current position)  It has never been used in combat, but I say it's high time! It seemed most fitting to give it to Delphonso, the hammerdwarf among our raiders.

Spoiler: The True Teeth - A Copper Shortsword (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/NsFxyL1/10thetrueteeth.png)

This sword was forged in the dark fortress of Headticks, FAR to the north, on the very northwestern tip of the stormy land!  Beyond that the history of this sword is uncertain, but it IS exquisitely crafted.
There isn't as obvious a choice for this one, King Zultan, the most accomplished swordsdwarf already has the legendary Iron sword Towerneutral, so first raider who takes a liking to it and says so can wield this sword!

Spoiler: The mundane haul (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/6R83YtF/7batheflamelotpathetic.png)

years of raiding downtrodden human peasants has paid off, this haul alone makes it all worthwhile!  Thus emboldened, we make our way to Agewards, for some well earned revenge on the necromancers who so plagued the construction of The Lionfish!

Spoiler: Planned Route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/7rdTdFh/route.png)

On our way past we will loot the town of Goaltake (and likely the nearby monastery too) before crossing the open sea back to the gloved dune, and returning to our dock.  There we will take on what crew wish to join us, and make for Agewards at full sail!  Without any undue delay this journey should take about a season and leave us approaching Agewards as 263 begins.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Legendary plunder!
Post by: neblime on August 09, 2022, 10:23:10 am

by the way if we have any lurkers landlubbers looking at joining the crew now is a good time, since we're about to take on more crew  :D

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Legendary plunder!
Post by: King Zultan on August 10, 2022, 05:11:32 am

Dang we're looting all kinds of good stuff.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Legendary plunder!
Post by: recon1o6 on August 10, 2022, 12:12:12 pm

While a historic blade would make fer a fine weapon, I would sooner see it on me cabin's mantlepiece than in the belly of a landlubber. Too fine a treasure too use in combat, not that copper be much good anyways

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Legendary plunder!
Post by: delphonso on August 11, 2022, 10:57:39 am

Aye, don't let the moment dwindle! I've got me reward for cooperatin' - a fancy new hammer stolen straight from a king's coffer! I'll do it proud.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Legendary plunder!
Post by: Maloy on August 12, 2022, 06:30:30 am

How's my fisherdwarf been doing?

Been hoping to see them distinguish themselves in battle alas it seems I am only good at defeating the fish of the sea

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Legendary plunder!
Post by: neblime on August 12, 2022, 09:02:42 am

Quote from: Maloy on August 12, 2022, 06:30:30 am

How's my fisherdwarf been doing?

Been hoping to see them distinguish themselves in battle alas it seems I am only good at defeating the fish of the sea

Hm well looking back I didnt ask, but i didn't get the impression you wanted to go on raids, was that incorrect? at any rate there's not many fish right now so it might be a good time to start!

Spoiler: Thoughts and prefs (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/NWbbQR4/maloythoughts.png)

Those current thoughts certainly seem to agree..  as for kills he has "One human in faircradles" which as you might recall was the human town we looted just after we hit paintleopards (and being a large town we took more than just the raiders)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Legendary plunder!
Post by: neblime on August 17, 2022, 09:47:09 pm

AUTUMN + WINTER 262

As we steer towards Goaltake our resident malcontent, avolitionbrit, remains stressed.  Despite taking some time off pray and generally being relieved of all responsibilities no improvement in mood is apparent.  It's unclear what else we can do for him.
As planned we attacked Goaltakes and the nearby monastery.

Spoiler: Goaltake Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/YDq5XGh/2goaltakeloot.png)

The people of the town and the monastery both put up no resistance, evidently having little of value to take...
after this anticlimax the lionfish steered across the open water back to our dock, done with raiding the humans of the fondled fields, for now at least.

Last season the fisherdwarves had reported a lack of fish.  It seems that as we head north there is a fresh catch available again!

Spoiler: The harvest of the sea returns! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/X49961T/7FISH.png)

Maloy and the others have neglected to take to the fishing boat again, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time, and at any rate our food stocks are more than sufficient for now, a healthy diet of goose eggs and the plants we manage to grow aboard the ship can sustain a crew of dwarves pretty well it turns out.

As winter began we returned to the small coastal fort where we had set off six years ago!
And the sights that greeted the crew of the lionfish were..... not as expected.

The haggard, skinny and poorly dressed dwarves that greeted us were but ghastly caricatures of dwarves compared to our hale and hearty crew.
Much to our surprise they appealed to us for food!  It seems that they had been under constant siege of the undead since we had left, and a loss of seeds and lack of trade with the outside world had made things difficult, although they were not quite on the point of starvation.

Spoiler: Fortress entrance (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/rmDYQWh/4fortressentrance.png)

There is still various blood and filth strewn about at the entrance of the fort, from the last assualt, with the dwarves here too busy with survival to clean up the place.

Spoiler: The living quarters (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/vZjDSQh/5squalidconditions.png)

As you can see pictured above we bought a few of our new pet war eagles down into the fortress, much impressing the residents there.  It seems they are secure enough down in the earth, but lacking  much in material wealth.  In the end we did part with some of our ship grown plants, it seems they need them more than we do.

Spoiler: The Graveyard (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/HhV0tR6/6thegraveyard.png)

constant warfare from the undead has taken its toll.  And that's not all it seems.  The crew spotted some suspiciously walled off sections of the fortress and when they asked about it only a single word answer was given.
"Werebeasts"

Spoiler: Werebeast Containment (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/PgNPDYJ/8werebeastcontainment.png)

It seems there is nothing for us here. We took on a few more crew members, bringing us up to 42 then sailed on for Agewards.

It has been a quiet season as far as this ship's history goes, the year to come promises to a bloody and violent one, with the tower before us we can only hope that San disguises our approach and we catch those foul necromancers by surprise...

Spoiler: The 2nd Deck (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Zzmqk7K/9theshipatend.png)

Farvin junior on the left there is playing make believe, and the new eagles have hatched, and our war eagle flock continues to grow.

Spoiler: Our Route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/XWTCfgq/10route.png)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: King Zultan on August 18, 2022, 04:52:27 am

Dang the fort didn't fare well while we were gone, at least it sounds like we were able to save some of them from that place.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: Immortal-D on August 18, 2022, 12:06:59 pm

Glad to see this Ship sailing once more.  How is ImmortalCat doing these days?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: neblime on August 18, 2022, 10:13:20 pm

Immortal-D's thoughts and prefs:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/34Z2Zdw/Immortaldthoughtsprefs.png)

Immortal and Fatcat's daughter is 2 years old by now (and already has "getting used to tragedy")
No kills, the monasteries I send immortal-D and spriggans to never seem to put up any resistance (or indeed have anything worthwhile)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: fatcat__25 on August 19, 2022, 01:32:32 am

They grow up so fast...

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: neblime on August 19, 2022, 09:42:12 am

the disturbing thing is EVERY SINGLE (adult) DWARF has "doesn't really care about anything anymore" both on the ship and off the ship.  As I mentioned in the first post the years building the ship were rough, but I didn't think every dwarf had suffered so much

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: King Zultan on August 20, 2022, 05:10:17 am

Dang there must be a lot of metal trauma on and around this boat.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: delphonso on August 26, 2022, 08:27:51 am

They're just good ol' fashioned pirates, not weighed down by moral compasses.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: neblime on August 26, 2022, 08:57:09 am

well, we do know necromancy is evil though right?

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: AvolitionBrit on August 26, 2022, 11:49:32 am

Hope I'm hanging in there.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Returning home
Post by: neblime on November 27, 2022, 06:02:54 pm

263 PART 1

It's been quite a while... once again... but the lionfish sails on as always.

On reading back past entries I realize the concerned parents had asked about Immortalcat not Immortal-D herself.  So here's an update on the salt crusted seadwarf child:

Spoiler: ImmortalCat (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/vcQqSvN/1immrotalcat.png)

Already a hardened individual! I'm sure she'll do us proud!  Don't worry about that trauma and anole woman death... they were just causing some mischief as we put ashore for wood, no real danger to your precious child I promise you, She's fine really, she said so herself!

Ah yes, putting ashore, since it's been so long here's a quick reminder of our plans from the last entry (grey = past journey red = current leg):

Spoiler: Our route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/XWTCfgq/10route.png)

to the tower of Agewards! After our disturbing and disappointing return to the dockyard fortress we planned our journey north to the dread tower.
Aside from the mentioned stop for supplies the journey was slow and difficult, prevailing north winds from the headland to the north pushed us back repeatedly, delaying our approach until early autumn!
In the meantine I have excellent news! Avolitionbrit seems to have recovered from their stressful period, and is doing much better now.

Spoiler: AvolitionBrit (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/J7SMvSM/avolitionbritrecover.png)

Having proven dwarves can sustain physically such a life at sea, it had been a matter of some concern if they can do so mentally, but avolitionbrit seems to prove that they can!

As we entered the murky and corrupted waters around the tower the whole crew was bent to a single purpose.  Preparing for the all out battle that the coming days promised.

Spoiler: Ammunition was prepared (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/6tR7CbX/4preparations.png)

The crew gathered in the temple at the fore of the ship for a prayer to San to bring us victory on the coming tide.

Spoiler: The crew gathers for prayer (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/LxKqWMq/3prayersbeforebattle.png)

As is our custom, the entire crew except for a small force to hold the ship would join this attack, not just the raiders.  The experienced raiders did however scout ahead and infiltrate the place to get an idea of their defenses.

Spoiler: Raiders Sneak in (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/RzGcgsY/5sneakingin.png)

They even managed to steal a few interesting books, but most importantly they confirmed the continued presence of Gom Startscolded, the master necromancer here.  Gom had once been an honorable warrior but after envy drove him to obsession he rose to become a baron and sought the secrets of life and death.  obtaining them he thus founded this tower, and unknown misery projected from there, in recent times to our poor drydock fortress.
'Inquiries on Rebirth' is a particularly disturbing tome, with details on the reanimation of some poor humans as necromantic abominations.  None of these books contained true secrets of dark magic thankfully.
The scouting mission complete, King Zultan ordered our crew forward for the main attack!

Spoiler: The battle begins (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Lz25PbT/7battlereport1.png)

Farvin, our cook, seems disturbingly handy with a knife, the sight of him tearing apart that hand of Besmar was not pretty!

Spoiler: Zombie purge (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/q0WsnQZ/7battlereport2.png)

Fatcat II turns out to be a competent zombie slayer!
These minions in general were easily dealt with, it is the Warriors of Cuthroz that are the true threat here, dwarves twisted into deadly thralls of the necromancers, stretched and wrinkled, but strong and dangerous.

Spoiler: The warriors appear (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/W3SK0rp/7battlereport4.png)

But this is not our first raid on a tower, not our first clash with necromancers.  The crew fought together, supporting their set upon crewmates to fall back into our formation, and took the warriors on toe to toe, and suddenly the necromancer appeared before us.  Atir Torridcloistered, who I previously knew as the farmer who incessantly complained how the ship was out of seeds, was the one who struck the killing blow.  Although not one of our dedicated warriors, it is a testament to the grit of our crew that any crew member can strike down such a mighty foe!

Spoiler: Mopping up (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/sjCbqgZ/7battlereport5.png)

Despite the loss of the necromancer the Hands of Besmar proved durable and tenacious, but our crew was careful and methodically cut them down.

Spoiler: King Zultan joisn the fray (click to show/hide)

King Zultan focused more on commanding the situation instead of fighting on the frontlines this time, which, despite his formidable battle skills, I believe helped prevent any crew deaths during this battle.  As the necromancers fled though, he couldn't resist the urge to spill his share of blood.

Spoiler: End of the battle (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/wsHzpz6/7battlereport.png)

Unfortunately The Contained Rasps, the necromancer group, managed to escape with some of their forces.  As we looted the tower it was also apparent the tablet containing the dark secrets of their art had been evacuated.  As agreed before we would surely destroy it instead of use it for ourselves,  but since we failed to capture and destroy it the necromancers will no doubt use it to continue spreading death and despair.  We can only hope we have another chance to track them down.

Spoiler: Agewards Loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/YtgZ4rd/8agewardsloot.png)

Naturally the tower also had a significant amount of some more earthly wealth for us to haul home.
Triumphant, and enriched, not a member of the crew slain!  Our dwarves began the march back to the ship in high spirits!



But the necromancers would not be defeated so easily without a parting blow...
out of nowhere, bolts started flying! Warriors of cuthroz appeared at the treeline!

Spoiler: AMBUSH! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/NS98qFW/9theboltsareflying.png)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Agewards has fallen!
Post by: neblime on November 27, 2022, 06:06:00 pm

Hey there sea-dwarves, another long delay, what can I say except.. sorry

I can't promise there won't be gaps in the future too, but I will say this, even if this thread is quiet for months I'm determined to continue this journey to its end, sooner or later

With the premium release coming up I'm fairly decided I want to continue this in the current ASCII version until it's complete, and I have another project planned for premium anyway, so we will see this through in the current version.

More OOC/behind the scenes details in the next update

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Agewards has fallen!
Post by: King Zultan on November 28, 2022, 04:18:02 am

Take as long as needed to get an update out, I'm patient so long delays won't bother me.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Agewards has fallen!
Post by: recon1o6 on November 28, 2022, 04:43:15 am

np man, everyone's busy at some stage
I'm curious how my dwarf is doing

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Agewards has fallen!
Post by: neblime on November 29, 2022, 10:30:55 pm

Quote from: recon1o6 on November 28, 2022, 04:43:15 am

np man, everyone's busy at some stage
I'm curious how my dwarf is doing

I'll give a thoughts and prefs in the next update

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Agewards has fallen!
Post by: neblime on December 01, 2022, 04:41:38 am

263 PART 2

Where was I?

Spoiler: Ambush! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/2khZjRr/9theboltsareflying.png)

Oh, right.
It has been my worst fear for some time that our raiders would be attacked on the way back to the ship by a large force, when they're most spread out and vulnerable, and it's finally happened.  The forces of the necromancers catching us unawares, intent on revenge for their fallen tower!
Our dwarves are spread out for a long way behind the front of the column now under attack, and none of the seasoned raiders are anywhere to be seen!

Besmar Zelerzuntir, one of the regular crew, though caught by surprise bravely ran forward to meet the enemy.

Spoiler: Warriors of cuthroz (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/2YyyQq2/10besmarcharge.png)

Poor besmar was really no match for them, but he allowed the dwarves behind him to start to form a rudimentary combat line instead of being taken out one by one as they arrived at the scene.  Before long he had fallen, hacked to pieces by the Warriors' axes and crushed beneath their feet, and the other crewmembers weren't faring too well.
Totally oblivious, Delphonso marched towards the clash, carrying of all things, an orca leather bag?  Not much of a haul but I guess a raider takes what one can get.

Spoiler:  Delphonso painfully far away from the fray (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/yFtbSCq/12notinourfavor.png)

Note how Delphonso doesn't appear as a hammerdwarf, since he's still not in military mode, considering this a relaxing walk back to the ship.
As dwarves died all around him. Delphonso walked almost right through the ranks of the Warriors or Cuthroz before being attacked, and didn't seem shocked at all...

Spoiler: This dwarf has seen it all before (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/zSDY07N/13delphonsododge.png)

Seeing the dead dwarves around him he finally seemed to grasp the situation, and pulled out his legendary steel warhammer, striking some mighty blows

Spoiler: Ouch (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/0sJ4NWp/14delphonsotruestrike.png)

In seconds one of the warriors was on the ground, dying, and the others were crippled.  The fisherdwarves, smelters, carpenters and such fighting at his side were only accustomed to fighting as a group under King Zultan's command but they did their best against the dazed and injured Warriors Delphonso left for them.

Spoiler: Delphonso on the left, now in hammerlord form (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/BCYLQPY/15delphonsoturnsthetide.png)

As skilled as a dwarf as Delphonso might be, against opponents that know neither fear, nor pain, nor fatigue, one dwarf is bound to make a mistake at some point, and alas that's what happened:

Spoiler: A severe blow! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/VjLZ9sC/16delphonsodisaster.png)

Protected by his armor from the first hit, the second unfortunately pierced his arm, and The Reward of Cooperating, the deadly hammer, fell from his hand.  Without hesitation though he swung his SHIELD at the enemies, with such force it hardly seemed like he needed the hammer at first.

Spoiler: Worse and worse (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/PCkZBWr/17delphonsobrave.png)

The Warriors of Cuthroz though were relentless, and soon Delphonso had suffered a series of blows that would render any other dwarf unconscious and dying, Delphonso's hand cut off, leg torn and useless, body bruised, would not give in.  By this time Recon106 and some more of the crew were arriving and it seemed the attackers had been beaten back.

Spoiler: Note the abandoned scrolls at the top of the screen (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/CmQQ0pv/18delphonsoatthelast.png)
(http://i.ibb.co/QCVrPkr/19thebattleline.png)

Delphonso had done a great deal, but had rolled and dodged away from our main line of battle and though resisting fiercely was now surrounded, injured and on the ground.  I won't share the details of how they finished him off, but if it was not pretty at least it was quick.  Moments later Recon106 and the others struck down the remaining warriors.

Spoiler: The aftermath (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/R9SbbNK/20results.png)

What's left of Delphonso is somewhere in the middle there.  This could have been a lot worse, Delphonso died a true hero, distracting them to the last and protecting the more vulnerable crew members.
A life at sea allows for little sentimentality unfortunately, and though burdened by grief the rest of the party stripped the weapons and armor from fallen friend and foe alike and proceeded back to the Lionfish.
Delphonso was given a burial at sea, and a slab was engraved and placed prominently in the dining room to remind us of his deeds and heroic sacrifice.

Spoiler: Back aboard (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/5cLWBdM/91displayedslab.png)

sobered by our losses, but victorious nonetheless the Lionfish weighed anchor and set sail once more.  Our crew now stands at 39.

As requested here's an update on Recon106:

Spoiler: Thoughts and Prefs (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/r7v51cd/reconthoughts.png)

Spoiler:  Kills (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/RNkR7tz/reocnkills.png)

Quite the soldier. Legendary speardwarf and accomplished Weaponsmith if you care to know.

SO! what does the future hold?  It's been 6 years, and although as the kea flies we're quite close to where we started we have covered quite a large distance.  What comes next will be a greater adventure still!  Having plundered the fondled fields for all they're worth, and disposing of some foul necromancers besides, it's time to head for a new hunting ground, around and to the north of the gloved dune, through the straits south of the Field of Renown, and through into the great bay of the plain of comedy!

Spoiler: The future route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/hYyc49n/92displayroute.png)

As you can see, the western edge of the bay is ripe with settlements for the raiding, be they some of them dwarven is no matter, all creatures of the land are equally at our mercy!  This will be the most ambitious phase of the journey yet, our scholars estimate it will take at least 1 year, depending on the winds to reach the island of calming (that tiny dot in the southeast of the bay) and there are no trees, nor likely any edible plants there. A worthy test for our ship and our crew!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: King Zultan on December 01, 2022, 06:17:00 am

That's some brutal fighting, at least we won the fight.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: neblime on December 01, 2022, 07:58:43 pm

Quote from: King Zultan on December 01, 2022, 06:17:00 am

That's some brutal fighting, at least we won the fight.

If only King Zultan had been leading the column i doubt we would have lost anyone..

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: neblime on December 01, 2022, 08:43:08 pm

The promised ooc/behind the scenes update:
So yeah sorry you died delphonso, but its not a bad way to go in this life! Do you want another dwarf? (Just a delphonso II like fatcat?)
The long next leg of the journey involves a lot more time without stopping ashore, but we have heaps of eagle eggs and plants to turn into booze so should be fine

Spoiler:  behind the scenes (click to show/hide)

i try and time my raids carefully to avoid the scenario that happened, but one of the crew had apparently been left behind  in the original fort, and so when i sent the raiding party he was locked in there and the raid was delayed for ages until i figured out why, resulting in our unfortunate timing... very frustratingly the returning dwarves dont respond to any orders, try as i might.  Construction is going smoother and the shore fort actually calmed down a lot, even attracting migrants somehow!  Also I was kinda worried dewtroying agewards would stop the necro invasions but luckily(?) Its already been proven that isnt the case..

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: Salmeuk on December 01, 2022, 10:08:53 pm

can you dwarf me as a fighter of some repute?

very cool fortress I just read through the whole story as we know it. the simulation of travel and ship boarding is great

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: neblime on December 02, 2022, 02:27:26 am

Quote from: Salmeuk on December 01, 2022, 10:08:53 pm

can you dwarf me as a fighter of some repute?

A fighter you shall be, but a reputation must be earned..

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: recon1o6 on December 02, 2022, 03:06:29 am

sweet lionfish, that first strike from delphonso alone is magnificent. Swinging his hammer upwards to crush a knee into the torso of his opponent.
A worthy way to go out: saving the crew from the undead almost by himself.

Even though I am the master spearfisher on the ship, such a weapon would fair poorly against the ranks of the undead. Lets hope these are the last of them.

ooc: I have never seen any dwarf attain legendary speardwarf and actually get more than a kill or two. This pleases me

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: neblime on December 02, 2022, 03:45:22 am

Quote from: recon1o6 on December 02, 2022, 03:06:29 am

Even though I am the master spearfisher on the ship, such a weapon would fair poorly against the ranks of the undead. Lets hope these are the last of them.

New title?
consider that most of our enemies are the necromancer experiments, not the fully undead, and though they have advantages they are vulnerable to death by having holes poked in them like other living(?) things

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - On the open waters
Post by: neblime on May 09, 2023, 10:04:42 am

SPRING-AUTUMN 264

Mourning for Delphonso, the Lionfish sails along in sight of the gloved dune. Hugging the coastline, we dare not set out too far into open sea, for our journey takes us further and further from home.
Only the boldest of dwarves would attempt to strike out into open ocean!  But we are bolder than most, at any rate!  Our destination is the Island of calming, a treeless barren isle, but a suitable waypoint for our incursion into the bay of comedy.  Crawling along in sight of the shore like a horseshoe crab we can expect the journey to take about a year.
Freed from the dungeons of agewards was a dwarf named Salmeuk.  They claimed to be a fighter "of some repute" but one wonders how such a reputable fighter became a prisoner?  nonetheless, an eager raider to be sure, he was welcomed into the crew.

Spoiler: Salmeuk (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/p02fW2k/1salmeuk.png)

He reported to the barracks for training with our seasoned raiders.  No doubt he will learn a lot!

Spoiler: Salmeuk in the middle (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/6yLY04Q/2salmeukgesttraining.png)

A room was also provided, although it's a dingy little one right next to the library, which is a noisy hub of activity.

Spoiler: The aft end of the ship (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/W5MxC50/3salmeuksroom.png)

Our journey proceeds for some months without incident, but the crew remains ever vigilant for any dangers, or potential prey!
Many of our dwarves have become skilled operators of the feared ballista, but one particular dwarf seems to have a strange crew to assist her..

Spoiler: Stodir Ulongoddom and friends (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/pj12MCn/4crazycatladystodirulingoddom.png)

It must be very difficult to load and fire that thing with all those cats running around...
As we travel we continue to smelt down our loot from Agewards and elsewhere, turning it into useful arrows and ballista heads, but as ever our wood stocks (and thus our charcoal) disappear quickly while we're at sea, and before long the forges must fall quiet.
In order to expedite our passage though we will not put ashore, we will make do with what supplies we have.
As we travel farther from home the beasts who reside in the sea become more grotesque and disturbing with each day.

Spoiler: Spotted off the starboard bow (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/3kPgZYq/5amarlin.png)

Around early limestone we round the headline of the desert of craters, passing the narrowest point of the entrance to the bay.  However that very day, spriggans, up in the crow's nest as ever, spots something!

Spoiler: A foreign sail breaks yon horizon, far as the eagle spies! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/0CPLTp3/6enemyship.png)

As it draws nearer, it's apparent this is another ship of human make, although poorly made, not quite as sluggish and slow as the last.  They seem to have been waiting for us, blocking our way into the bay.  It seems that this is a military vessel, meant to take us head on!
As we draw closer we can see a multitude of human soldiers, well armed and armored (with what pitiable efforts human hands can make anyway), ready for a fight.  Our ballistas make some impacts, and as we get in range our marksdwarves take to the mast, extending out quite boldly onto the spars to get better shots!

Spoiler: Death from above (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/pnPXRBD/7marksdwarvesonrafters.png)

Our ballista and crossbow attacks force the cowardly humans to withdraw below decks, rendering their ship immobile and helpless, we easily pull alongside.  Eager for a fight, our dwarves ready themselves at the boarding ramp.

Spoiler: about to board (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/6P8LLj6/8preparingtoboard.png)

The bridge lowers and the dwarves surge across! No humans on the exterior of the ship to resist, the entrances to the ship's structure are closed, but smoot sets upon it with an axe without delay.

Spoiler: Breaking in (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/mJdhvdB/9boarding.png)

As we smash the door down, the crew of this ship attempt to make their defense, swarming to repel us from our entrance, assisted by their wardogs.  I don't know what they've heard of the Lionfish and her crew until now, but I'm sure that they have no idea what they're really up against.

Spoiler: Avolitionbrit starts the fight (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/7zR7fwg/10avolitionstrike.png)

Such a savage attack sets the tone of this fight.  The crew has to force their way in, pushing back the defenders for every inch of the deck.  Quickly a fighting line forms and our dwarves go to work.

Spoiler: The Dwarves break in (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/fGFH7ZM/11fightingourwayin.png)

Salmeuk, our newest raider, makes his way in to his first battle!

Spoiler: And immediately gets hit by crossbow bolts (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Tw6pRwy/13salmeukdebut.png)

Not much of a debut.  Undeterred though, he crawls over to some humans on the ground and commences pummelling them to death.
Notable are how many cages are in this ship... we can only assume they meant to take our crew prisoner!  Who knows what trial and punishment they intend for our various raids on human lands.

Spoiler: Smoot goes to work (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/9hz6GvW/12smootwtf.png)

It's quite disturbing to watch smoot fight.  It really looks more like butchering a domestic animal than battle.
The humans seem concentrated around defending the central chamber of the ship's structure.  Hungry for glory, DikbutDagrate forces himself to the door, and in 3 successive strikes hits 3 DIFFERENT foes with crippling strikes

Spoiler: DikbutDagrate by the door (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/QXrsRjc/13dikbut3targets.png)

Not to be outdone, Smoot forces his way to the front and decapitates two enemies back to back!

Spoiler: Ouch (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/4Y53Vrv/14crampedquarters.png)

Even Salmeuk kept up his attacks, hitting one of the most brutal blows i've ever seen, from the ground!

Spoiler: Note the warhammer gets STUCK (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Rc5S0Lf/18salmeukmostbrutal-andheslyingdown.png)

Soon enough the din of battle calms, and we are left masters of a bloodstained ship.

Spoiler: The aftermath of battle (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/0jLL6jZ/15claimedbuthorses.png)

A few rogue horses roam the deck, causing a bit of trouble to hunt them down.
Wait what's this?!

Spoiler: The ship is under attack! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/KjR3hZB/16counterboarding.png)

In all the chaos, a horse had made its way back onto the lionfish!  It's quickly dealt with by the other crew members (remember although not all of the crew are frontline fighters and go on raids, EVERYONE knows how to fight)
It does spread a LOT of blood all over the main deck though.  Bombyx Mori IMMEDIATELY starts cleaning it up.
Meanwhile on the human ship, some pathetic wretches cower below decks.  Their cleaning up is pretty straightforward, except for one stray arrow...

Spoiler: AvolitionBrit gets hit (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/GQpZ3x1/18avolitionshot.png)

An unfortunate hit, that will bring him down for a while.
The medical dwarves make a quick assessment on Salmeuk too.  While he took some nasty hits, he is expected to fully recover!  Something about extreme pain though, sounds bad.

Spoiler: Salmeuk's medical report (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Njz5Zy1/17youngsalmeuk.png)

All said and done, the ship is cleared, and not a SINGLE ONE of our crew was killed! Only one other dwarf took a minor injury, a stupendous victory!
Dikbutdagrate must be commended for his aggressive attack into the heart of the enemy ship, I'm not sure when the last report on his kills was made, but I think he deserves an update

Spoiler: Dikbutdagrate's Kills (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/LZjMS33/19dikbutkills.png)

We will proceed to the Isle of calming, with the conquered ship in tow.  It has a good deal of wood we can strip apart and use to melt down our new spoils, since all these humans were well armored we have a lot of work to do!  That aside the ship had some small supply of charcoal, some cloth and other such simple goods required for a ship to run.  Curiously little food though, it seems these humans haven't mastered life at sea as we have!
We took about a dozen prisoners, forcing them into the cages they intended for us. 
What on earth shall we do with them?  We could always just throw them overboard...

Spoiler: Our route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/GRbbQKF/20route.png)

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Lower the Boarding Bridges!
Post by: neblime on May 09, 2023, 10:16:00 am

OOC UPDATE
So yeah I told you it would be a while :P But we're still kicking.  I didn't know there was an inbuilt necroposting warning on this forum, but I got it for this thread which isnt a good sign lol.  I'm not making any promises about future pace, but what I said about finishing this EVENTUALLY no matter what, still applies.
New dwarves always welcome! Just at least tell me if you want to be a raider or not .
Delphonso, never heard from you about if you want a redwarfing or not.. hope you do because we'll always need more crew members!

Spoiler: Behind the scenes, do not read if you value suspension of disbelief (click to show/hide)

SO MANY PROBLEMS with trying to set this one up my god.
The shore fort is kind of a hellhole, mostly because of NONSTOP sieges, although that is something I need, it provides the enemies for things like this.  I setup a lot of cages on the ship, but hooking them up to a lever takes too long, and pitting sentient foes has ended badly for me in the past (if anyone can educate me on how to use this 100% safely that would be good) in the end I came up with a different solution, we build a long maze path into the shore fortress beneath the enemy ship, leave it open and then when enough enemies are on the ship lock the door and remove the bridge going on to the ship (from the shore), that kind of worked, but the maze made it kinda awkward for them to get back onto the ship, and the dwarves just gathered round the hatch and obliterated them as they came up one by one (which IS kind of cool in its own way).  I learned a lot and have great future plans 
but as usual it's a lot of work/time to get those damn shore dwarves to build stuff.
Some notes about what happened in the actual battle.  SO MANY PROBLEMS.  AGAIN.
-I had a really hard time figuring out how to stop all the dwarves jumping into the water to chase one horse or something (and of course all dying) had to reload like 10 times because we would actually have lost like 20 dwarves out of our crew of ~40
-dwarves also really like JUMPING to cut a corner from bridge to floor and its extremely dangerous and problematic
-There were a lot of humans on the shore that I hadn't even lured into the ship, but they got scared and fled after the slaughter.
-the prisoners mentioned were the cages i had built but didn't have time to hook up to levers... so I guess they're the ship's prisoners now.
-It took like 2 in game months for the fight to play out.  Some of our "don't care about anything" dwarves were actually getting stressed because they had just been fighting and doing nothing else for so long.  Testament to how badass they are that they get stressed/bored before getting tired
- on the note of getting bored It's hard to post any thoughts and prefs of most dwarves now because they just say "felt nothing when seeing a human die" x1000

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Lower the Boarding Bridges!
Post by: Maloy on May 09, 2023, 12:41:43 pm

Does it actually threaten action for "necroing" or does it just flag you?

I'd hope for just a flag for situations exactly like this where a creator wishes to continue their work

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Lower the Boarding Bridges!
Post by: neblime on May 09, 2023, 05:42:03 pm

Just asks if you really wanna post lol

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Lower the Boarding Bridges!
Post by: King Zultan on May 10, 2023, 03:44:47 am

I say we strip the prisoners of everything and throw em overboard!

I've just gotta say that I really like this fort ship.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: neblime on May 20, 2023, 07:19:22 am

WINTER 264

Smoke rises from The Island of Calming, a barren treeless Island in the bay of comedy, a strange sight to be sure for this desolate island.
The crew is hard at work.

Spoiler: Salvaging the enemy ship (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/mDvSTBr/2scavenging.png)

and it is hard work indeed, having beached this human ship just off the island, we are currently set about stripping all the useful metal and wood from it's shoddy frame.
All hands are put to work, if not hauling the spoils over, smelting them down and burning the wood into precious charcoal.  It's fortunate this ship greeted us just before we stopped at this treeless island.
Many a copper ballista bolt will be made from these humans' equipment.
We setup several extra forges on the main deck to speed up this task.

Spoiler: Main Deck of the ship (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/7vcLGCs/00-Lionfishatwork.png)

Since we gained a substantial haul of cloth too, we undertook a stocktake of our old clothes, a vast amount of which had to be disposed of. You can see the dwarves hard at work in the hold organising that here:

Spoiler: The hold (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/4TQ7bRx/01lowerlevel.png)

We found some interesting things while rummaging through the old bins

Spoiler: A figurine found in a finished goods bin (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/HXWCMf6/3kingzulanfigurine.png)

I never knew Spriggans was so fond of King Zultan.. not sure why a pick though?  Fitting that we use the very bones of the creatures of the sea to make our crafts.
A less pleasant find, a thin layer of old wine at the bottom of another bin, soaking into the musty old clothes

Spoiler: Ew. (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/zZpr64J/4grosswine.png)

Luckily all these clothes are being thrown away anyway...

Speaking of King Zultan he hasn't quite been coping with sea life recently..

Spoiler: King Zultan Thoughts (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/C0bJPwK/1zultanstressed.png)

Can't imagine what he's seen to upset him so... at any rate our brief respite here at the island should give him the period of relaxation he needs.

While we stopped here we also realized we're missing a vital piece of equipment.. a ship's bell!  Or should I say a ship's doce?

Spoiler: The Instrument (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/7yspsfc/03shipsbell.png)

We will use this to sound the various watches on the ship with different tones.  We situated it in a prominent position by the fore ballista mounts

Spoiler: Upper deck (new instrument between ballistas) (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/g97DwvP/02topdeck.png)

Now then that's enough of our peaceful day to day business, and a true seadwarf's mind must turn to our more violent activities once more.  As the new year begins the human ship is dismantled, the ballista arrowheads hold a keen edge and the crew is keener still.
King Zultan ordered the prisoners thrown overboard, an efficient way of sorting them out to be sure, and in their panic they blurted out some useful information as well:
The ship we are deconstructing was one of a pair of similar construction, made in the human town of Slyobey, the main port in the Bay of Comedy.  It seems the humans here have heard of our exploits in the fondled fields and thought to stop us with these flimsy wooden barrels that pass for a ship among humans.  We best be on our guard for the other ship, but also paying revenge on Slyobey seems like a good idea.
We also found out about the general surroundings, south of slyobey are the twin human fortresses of DangledTaughts and Lenscorches, a formidable obstacle protecting the towns around them, to the north is the plain of comedy, with many rich dwarven hillocks ripe for the taking, but we can only assume the humans have deployed their ship to defend the more temping target.

Spoiler: Our route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/dBLVywm/99map.png)

Much to our disgust we also learned that deeper inland foul necromancers overlook these lands from their towers as well.  We can only expect that they will interfere at some point as well.
Which way shall the Lionfish turn? North?  South? West straight into Slyobey itself?  265 promises to be a bloody year!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: fatcat__25 on May 20, 2023, 12:29:48 pm

I would say south, and surprise them with our audacity.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: kei2349 on May 20, 2023, 05:21:55 pm

Aye sign me up capt!
Kei
I'm Probably a coward so I think ye should keep me in reserve..
Profession tavern keep!

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: King Zultan on May 21, 2023, 04:03:21 am

Lets go south and work our way north!

Wonder how can my guy be so stressed if his thoughts are a massive wall of doesn't care about anything anymore.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: Salmeuk on May 21, 2023, 06:44:04 am

I don't think I ever volunteered for the crew... if there's a free head, name them "Sal".

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: neblime on May 21, 2023, 07:30:47 am

Quote from: Salmeuk on May 21, 2023, 06:44:04 am

I don't think I ever volunteered for the crew... if there's a free head, name them "Sal".

We do indeed have a Salmeuk, if you look in the previous update, who got his leg messed up in his first battle.. he'll see plenty of action soon dont worry

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: Salmeuk on May 21, 2023, 05:12:32 pm

DOH. indeed, I just noticed it was only 6mos ago I asked.....

looking forward to updates.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: neblime on May 22, 2023, 02:05:07 am

Quote from: Salmeuk on May 21, 2023, 05:12:32 pm

DOH. indeed, I just noticed it was only 6mos ago I asked.....

yeah given the time between updates I think we can forigive you heh

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - A brief rest stop
Post by: neblime on September 02, 2023, 11:14:02 am

SPRING 265

Ah, once again the aimless and indeterminate nature of our journey takes its toll, but yet, it continues.  Wind may rise or fall, and the pace of the journey with it.

Our maintenance and outfitting complete, the LionFish and her crew bore south, to strike at the twin fortresses of dangledtaught and lensscorches.

And this is a first, Maloy finally managed to actually fish on the fishing platforms that we purpose built for that 8 years ago.

Spoiler: A Glorious day (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/vP47N7K/14actualfishing.png)

In anticipation of a year of raiding King Zultan led a chant in dining hall.

Spoiler: Heroic, but nonsense? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/9bnXjnp/16zultanchant.png)

itching for a fight with feet planted on the solid earth, as a dwarf should be, after our long arduous journey, the raiders arrived at dangledtaught.

Spoiler: Battle of Dangledtaught (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/LnV9MvS/04dangledtaughtdestroyed.png)

Spoiler: DangledTaught loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/L8ps9bj/05dangledtaughtloot.png)

perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at this point, but who would've expected a foul Necromancer in command of this place... no doubt the towers have spread the tendrils of their dark influence through all the settlements in the bay of comedy.
Not giving the enemy time to react, we sailed down the coast but a short distance to hit the second fort.

Spoiler: The Battle of Lensscorches (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/2FtWjMx/06-Bouldertrailed0.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/cFs4ktj/06bouldertrailed1.png)

It's good to see Salmeuk seems to be fully recovered from the sea battle earlier, and these cowards were easily scattered and broken.

Spoiler: Lensscorches loot (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/4wkPb69/07-Bouldertrailedloot.png)

Spoiler: News from the galley (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/6sqR885/14outofcopper.png)

unfortunately we have already melted down and repurposed everything from that wretched human ship and her crew.  It amazes me how prodigious the Lionfish's appetite for metal is.

The southern settlements now lay vulnerable before us.  We set anchor and sent out the raiding parties over the following weeks.
we tried to give them a chance to surrender their loot without a fight...

Spoiler: Raiding Silveryowners (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/YDSSj6D/08demandloodfromsilveryowners.png)

The dwarves of silveryowners refused.  It was regretted.
The others gave up their possessions swiftly after that.

Spoiler: Tribute Recieved (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/D9fHdNp/11targetlancersloot.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/mCQpKdV/13herochewsloot.png)

An interesting human "instrument" was recovered. What in San's name is a pop you ask?

Spoiler:  it's uh.. a triangle (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/pfqC7Vm/12pop.png)

I feel like these humans may have ripped us off..

In the trips back and forth on land our raiders encountered a fearsome night creature prowling these lands!

Spoiler: Werepanda! (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/crZrtTP/09werepanda.png)

well, maybe not that fearsome compared to our crew.

Spoiler: Avolitionbrit dismantles a werebeast (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/KGV4C7y/10kindasad.png)

safely back aboard, with all loot in tow, the raiders took a well deserved rest.

While they were gone an elven caravan, of all things had visited

Spoiler: Unexpected traders (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/Cwp7mfC/01elventmerchants.png)

Having heard that we were docked somewhere nearby, they had travelled up the coast looking for us, no doubt hearing of the great wealth we had obtained on our travels.
Well, I say loot isn't much good if you can't buy anything with it!  We traded for some mundane items, food, drink, cloth and such.
One of the elves however passed us a message, reputedly a call for help from a fellow dwarf of the lustrous spear!

Spoiler: News of religious appointments? (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/7gWS6TR/15whydowecare.png)

we were confused why we should care about such trivialities, but it turns out the New Fellowship is devoted to worshipping Osod the clean, a deity of death and children. Logem Judgebust had been taken prisoner at the nearby human town of Slyobey, presumably any god of death stands at odds with necromancers who would seek to defy it's inevitable grasp.
Being held prisoner in the old monastery above the town, the Elves passed by that point, trading with the guards there.  Logem managed to get one of their pointy ears, and upon hearing of our ship being in the area, traded some fine microcline earings he was wearing in exchange for them to deliver the message that he needed rescue.
Well! Let no one say the crew of the Lionfish shy away from a fight, and this excuse is as good as the next!

As summer ends we steer north, to assualt this impudent town.

Spoiler:  Our route (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/J76m0qv/17route.png)

A member of the crew, Kei, has taken to running what we could call our tavern in the main deck.

Spoiler: Kei (click to show/hide)

(https://i.ibb.co/ZcjkJcb/00keitavernkeeps.png)

Reciting a poem for the crew, Kei punctuated the end of our summer:

Quote

Swish, berry wine, not stone-brew stout? | Upon a ship it’s me,
Sweeter than cave moss mead, no doubt | but lacks its earthy glee.
Unlike the fungus mug, divine, | This tipple tastes of tree,
Sways me more than our underclime | As does the swaying sea.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Back to raiding
Post by: King Zultan on September 03, 2023, 05:17:08 am

I'm sure our brave sailors are up for the task of rescuing that guy.

Title: Re: SeaMenace, A community Ship - Back to raiding
Post by: recon1o6 on September 10, 2023, 04:54:09 pm

by my beard, the elves were useful for once?

I say we rescue them. Having the blessing of a death deity will only be beneficial when we next raid those foul necromancers.

I wonder given our route if Slyobey will be fortifying defences in preparation for raiding. It might be worth ignoring that driftwood the humans call a ship while its in port and strike a little north or northwest of Slyobey to bait it out