Bay 12 Games Forum

Hello and welcome to the grand opening of the dwarven merchant mod. Have you ever wished you could run a fortress off of trade? Have you ever dreamed of a fortress with row after row of warehouses full to the bursting with other peoples stuff? Have you ever wanted to be king (or queen) of trade? Well here at the dwarven merchant guild several grey beards have put their collective wisdom together to bring you the dwarven trade teleporter. Using this technology one can setup a merchant stall (foolishly labeled as a workshop by some) to buy and sell goods. Many different goods can be bought and sold at these stalls for a small profit. Why not more profit you say? Well it is at a massive profit however the Merchants Guild taxes you on your trade so you only earn ten percent. Now, now don't balk at such a low profit margin, using merchants you can eventually trade your way up to buying and selling steel easily the most profitable venture. As the grey beards come up with more magical runes that allow for more goods to be traded, they will be placed here for everyone to use.

Ok fluff aside. This mod creates two workshops (currently) that allow you to trade in goods for Marks (short for Modern Alchemical Runes of Knowledge Symbols M.A.R.K.S) and then buy goods for a slight less cost of Marks. This means that you can sell wood for four marks and then buy wood for three. So ya your just exchanging goods over and over again to make a small profit that can then be used to buy more goods (sounds fairly close to medieval trade to me). Currently the amount of profit received is 10 percent to a minimum of one. Seen as sell one wood for 4 buy it for 3, and then Steel buy for 30 sell for 33.  I will be adding more goods and workshops as soon as I can. However it will take time as I have to create two reactions for every good as well as balance the relative costs. Currently the ratios I find are fairly balanced (except for weapons and armour, still needing to work on them) for the amount of dwarf power and time invested versus gain. For example you have to go through 33 wood trades to buy one bar of steel, easily the same if not more amount of time to make steel the traditional way. Anyways here it is hope you enjoy.

download here
http://dffd.wimbli.com/file.php?id=7467

Thanks for checking it out, please feel free to leave comments below. And yes once Toady puts in merchant caravans for us this will be obsolete, however for the time being I like it and find that even though there is no actual moving caravans it is a fair approximation of medieval trade.

Hi everyone

I have decided to share a story I have been writing about, with the forum. I was inspired to write a story by of course dwarf fortress. I will be posting chapters here every so often as I finish them. Please feel free to comment and suggest. I dont plan on doing much with the story now as it sits, I just wanted to share. So without further needless words, here it is.
Chapter list for book 1

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15

Book 1 Audio Book
Chapter 1


Book 2 The Rise of an Empire
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

Grimil called for another round as the bartender looked back over to his spot on the bar. The Bartender passed another mug of ale Grimils way and then went back to his wiping of the bar. Grimil was drinking as he did every day after working in the mines in the Wild Boar tavern located in the Weeping Mountain mines. Grimil was part of the dwarven clan Silverpick charged with the duty of mining the western tunnels of the Weeping Mountain Stronghold. His clan had been one of the original founding clans of the mining fortress twelve generations ago during the time of Strife. The time of Strife had seen many clans being removed from they’re holds and forced to resettle else were due to the goblins and undead hordes. His clan along with the Stronghammers (blacksmiths all) and the duty bound Bronzebeards had settled the Weeping Mountain for its rich veins of silver and iron. Grimil leaned back and drained the rest of his ale from the mug and rested it back on the bar.

He rose from the bar and waved his good bye as he headed for the door out to the street. The tavern was located on one of the main streets of the mountain complex, running through what used to be an old silver vein. All along the street was located numerous other taverns, as well as other shops selling many things made inside and out of the mountain. He walked past the many buildings carved out of the tunnel walls on his way to the Silverpick clan hall. When he finally arrived twenty minutes later he looked upon the engraved double doors and silver plated walls of the hall entrance with pride. This was the seat of power for the Silverpick clan and had been one of the very first halls dug out when the dwarves settled into the mountain those many years ago. The clan’s history was displayed for all to see on the silver plated walls, in great murals of battles past and the discovery of silver and iron ores. He pushed open the heavy door and entered the hall of his clan to go and look for his room to prepare for sleep and an evening meal.

Grimil was like every other member of his clan, in his appearance and vocation. He had a great black beard, with short black hair upon his head. He had bushy eyebrows that sat over wide grey eyes and a large broad nose. He wore his miner’s uniform, consisting of a chainmail shirt over a tunic and trousers. He also had a wide belt with loops for his tools and a helmet of iron with a candle in the front of it so that he could use his tools in the dark without having to place a candle nearby. He came to the door to his room and pushed it open while taking the helmet off of his head. He hung his helmet and chainmail on the wall by the door. He then took the lit candle from his helmet over to the fireplace and quickly used it to start a roaring fire. He then quickly blew out the candle and placed it on the mantle, to use for the next day. He then walked over to his bed and threw himself onto it to enjoy some needed comfort before heading down to the feasting hall for the evening meal. Yet he quickly fell asleep like he did every night and his snores soon began their echoing chant.

Meanwhile after Grimil had made his way from the tavern, another came to the bartender to begin his business and inquires about Grimil. “So ye think Grimil will join the expedition to the new mountain?” The innkeeper turned and looked at Handrel Bronzebeard before answering. “Well I be thinkin he might, though he will not be willin if he don’t believe the silver be runnin out.” Handrel nodded in agreement with Kranth Morningbrew’s logic. “Aye ye be right, though if he be the talented miner ye believe he be then he must know about the Weeping Mountain running out of silver.” Kranth shook his head sending his beard wagging back and forth as he responded to Handrel. “Naw it got nothing ta do with his skill, he may believe that the Silverpicks will soon find more ore to once more return the Mountain to prosperity. Ye just need to look at that hall oh theirs ta know that they has great faith in their mountain and clan.” Handrel stroked his beard and looked at the other dwarves of the tavern before leaning in and continuing on in a whispered tone. “But if I told him that there be another mountain that be full o’ gold then he might be fer changin his mind.” Kranth quickly leaned in and too spoke in hushed tones “Aye but then he might be fer bringin his whole clan ta mine that mountain instead of just himself.” Handrel nodded “Then we’re agreed we use my influence with the King to have Grimil sent on our expedition with no word o’ gold spoken to Grimil till we be far from the Weeping Mountain?” Kranth nodded “Aye not till we have lost sight of it.”

The two Dwarves nodded in agreement and backed away from each other with Kranth going back to working the bar and Handrel hurrying from the tavern to make the needed preparations for the expedition. Handrel hurried down the street to the far side of the mountain, passing many halls and side streets, till he came to the storehouse owned by his clan. He came up to the door while quickly looking about to ensure no one was around. He then pulled out his key, unlocked the door and hurried into the building. Inside were piles of things from tools to clothes, and food to goods. Among the piles of goods could be seen groups of dwarves rushing about loading the piles of cargo into a great wagon, to be led by two oxen. As Handrel appeared one of the dwarves came over to him with a quick nod and a checklist in his hand. “Well met Handrel, do ye have Grimil added to the journey?” Handrel nodded in response, “Aye I just be needin a bit o’ coin to go and convince the king.” The dwarf with the check list nodded in understanding and went back to his records, as dwarves often had to use the king to get some of their brethren moving. “Well ye coin be up in the lock box in me office.” Handrel nodded and thanked the dwarf before hurrying off to collect his coin. He spent but a few moments in the huge dusty and packed office, just long enough to collect a small purse of gold coins and a few gems. He closed the office and chest behind him and hurried out of the warehouse nodding to the others as he raced by.
Handrel continued his hurried pace up to the King’s hall as he could almost taste the gold he would have from the new mountain and mine. The only thing standing in his way was Grimil, who he knew would never agree to the journey. So Handrel did the only thing he could and used the back channels of power to take Grimil’s decision from him. Handrel knew that Grimil would not likely appreciate this move, especially as Handrel had never asked him originally. But Handrel knew it was all a needed part of the plan, if the new mine was to succeed, so he continued his hurried pass up to the palace.

 As he began to approach, the wealth of the palace began to show and like it did every time to every dwarf, it made Handrel slow down and amaze at the work. All along the walls of the King’s Hall were the stories of the Weeping Mountain, in beaten gold, silver and bronze. The pictures told of the history of the stronghold from its founding to present day, with every war, every conflict, every treaty, and every celebration. All these murals seemed to flow from the edges of the walls right to the very door, and Handrel knew that in fact the pictures continued their flow along the inner walls to fill every part of the King’s hall. The door its self was solid gold and silver with enchantments of such strength that a dragon could not break them down. Standing at the gate was the guards in their silver plate armour with pikes crossed over the door. As Handrel approached the door the captain of the guard hailed him from the door. “Halt and be named friend or foe, and know that friend be welcomed and to foe be woe.” Handrel responded with a heartfelt smile on his face “Aye I be friend ye great hairy bum of a dwarf.” The captain broke out into a great smile himself and moved out from the other guards to greet his friend. “Ah Handrel how ye be, and what business brings ye to the king’s court?”  Handrel smiled “Well Durnath, I have a request of our king and the matter is most pressing.” As Handrel spoke he held up his small bag filled with coin, which gave a soft jingle as it moved. Durnath nodded “Ah for that expedition o’ yours, when by the way do we leave?” “This evening afore the 8th hour o’ the clock, by way o’ the west gate. Durnath nodded and went back to his post and had the guards open the way. “Well best ye hurry ill met ye at the gate.” And with that final comment from Durnath, Handrel hurried into the hall.

The inside was just as opulent and wealthy as the outside, and as Handrel moved through the entrance hall, he passed many doors and hallways leading off to different parts of the King’s hall. He made straight for the throne room, wanting to get finished with business and to have his miner collected so he could continue on his journey. He entered the throne room a few moments later and could see that the King was not already in conversation, so approached the throne. He bowed as he approached and once again marvelled at how many gems the Stronghammers could fit into and onto the silvery gold throne. The King smiled as he saw Handrel approach and rose from his throne, “Welcome Handrel diplomat and merchant of the kingdom, and good friend o’ mine, what brings ye this day.” Handrel rose from his bow and hurried up to the throne. “Well met good king Brotinhelm Bronzebeard,  I come to ye with a request, as ye know I have been preparing an expedition to them Grisly Mountains to setup a new mine. Well me miner won’t agree so I need ye to........ request for him to join.” The King nodded knowingly understanding what his friend and advisor had come to him for. “Very well I will do as you ask, who might this miner be?” Handrel handed over his sac of coins and gems as he spoke “First here be a gift for you oh king o’ mine and his name be Grimil.” Brontinhelm took the sac and listened to the name with raised eye brows, but nodded knowingly as he had heard who Handrel had wanted. “Very well Handrel I will persuade him that it is in his best interests to go with the campaign, I just hope that this mine proves profitable for my hold.” Handrel smiled “Yes your majesty it will be, 20% tithe to yer hold as ye helped to found it, as well as priority trade rights.” The king nodded “Well then good luck and good bye Handrel, next time we meet may it be with ye as my equal in station.” Handrel bowed and walked away rubbing his hands together and hardly containing his glee.

Now before we get to ahead of ourselves, I figured that I should introduce myself your esteemed story teller. I hail from days long past and exist only to record the passage of time and the events that unfold. I know everything that happens even that which is in one’s own head, yet I have no power to interfere only to record. This very text that you read is one of my many chronicles that I have created and passed on to help store and spread my wealth of knowledge. Now from time to time in this tome that you read I will write in a few lines from me to help explain, or when I pretty well feel like it. Anyways back to the story at hand.

I will have the next chapter up soon.

Could somebody please help me with creating a syndrome for effect that incinerates the dwarf that causes it and anything nearby? If it is able to be done. Thanks for any suggestions or help.

This is a story that I am writing as i play the game, the purpose for this is just because i like to write, and wanted to share with the community, so thye may enjoy it as well.

Hello my name is Bernard Brightgem, I am an historian of the Fair Heights Academy. I was charged by the head of my department to go out and find this small dwarven community and then to report on its ways. I have journeyed far and wide in search of this community and have finally found it in the most unlikely of places. A great plain. I first discovered it while traveling by to a distant mountain chain that looked to be promising in yielding this village. I was on horseback when I noticed a dark spot on the southern horizon on the side of a hill. At first I was tempted to forget about it and merely think of it as a oddity or mass of dark dirt. Oh woe would be me if I had simply ignored it, yet fortune smiled down on me, for it was beginning to become dark. So a decided that the small hill that the dark spot was on, was as good as any to camp. Upon my arrival I noticed that this was not a simple patch of dirt, but was in fact a opening into the hill. All along the edge of the opening I could see small scratching and odd shapes. However due to the poor lighting I passed it off as the claw markings of the animal that had dug the small opening. And so had spent the night camped on the hill.
   Early the next morning I returned to the opening in the hill, to once again study the sides of the hole. I had a nagging feeling that my earlier presumption was incorrect and had, had the most peculiar dream. You might imagine my excitement, when upon studying the marking again I noticed that they were in fact ancient dwarven runes. My hands trembling with excitement pulled out my note book and did a quick rubbing. I then pulled out my large text, by which I was able to translate the runes. I will give you the translated version as putting in the dwarven runes would be a waste of space as many would not know how to read it. Welcome Stranger to the home of the CrystalArdent Clan. If ye be friend know that ye be welcome. If ye be enemy know that this place holds ye doom. It took me several hours to translate the runes, and by the end of it I was quite excited at the possibilities of the cave.

Come gather around beardlings for I have a tale both ancient and glorious. It is a tale of hardship and toil, but also of joy and prosperity. Come join me and listen. Many years ago during a time of strife, are people sent out a lonely caravan to establish a new home for our people. It was to bring us safety and prosperity, a new golden age they said. And so this caravan left to a distant place of ash and soot, where volcanoes ruled the mountains and skies. In this place not a living creature stirred, only the long dead bones of those who were burned by the fire of the volcanoes, or torn apart by the dead. This is the tale of Ancient Ashes, a tale of ups and downs. Come and here the tale of this are home.
Right so I am starting a Community fortress and plan on updating it at least every day as long as no major projects come along. I will be using the Masterwork mod with Phoebus graphics. The purpose of this fort is one, improve my DF skills. Two practice my writing craft. The third and final reason is to hopefully create a story of legends (which may with Armok and Toady’s blessing) reach the level of the greats. This is the embark of the fort, we have a river and a volcano, plus soil and metal so it should be good.


I will be listing the dwarfed dwarfs in my second post. As well all dwarves will be available except for our starting warrior who, I might add will be me. Anyways thanks for your time please feel free to sign up, I will be embarking this Friday the latest unless I fill up before then. If you want to be dwarfed please provide name, proffesion and some goals and desires of your character, bio is encouraged as well.
Cheers.

Hey i wanted to make a reaction that makes a potion could you wonderful and knowledgeable people please help me

“How dare you call me a traitor to me kin.” Yelled Strongbeard to the baron. “Ye know full well I defended them miners to the last.” The baron smiled his pudgy face looking even worse, “Well take it up with the guard you will cut your head off.” “WAIT” Everyone turned in the room to look at the owner of the yell “The king” Whispered Strongbeard who immediately fell into a bow before the king. “You say this mans a traitor, and you say your innocent, well i have a way of proving this that will help my empire.” The king pulled out a great dusty and old map “Strongbeard you are to take six others and build an outpost for dwarven kind, in the place of Ancient Ashes, there you will prove your innocence and your reward is the fortress and your life.” The baron began to laugh and deep and retched laugh “The lands of Ancient Ashes??? You have no chance of survival either way Strongbeard, your doomed.” His laughter continued as he left the room. Strongbeard’s lips where pressed into a thine line as he thought about the kings offer. “Your majesty I will take up your offer and make you and the kingdom proud.” The king smiled a wish and old smile “Good i thought you would, which is why i financed the purchase of supplies with the barons wealth, now off you go and may Armok be with you.”
The memory faded away as Strongbeard looked around himself. They had arrived in ancient ashes the place of dread and so far nothing looked to bad. The caravan found itself in the middle of a wooded valley with a river running down the center. To the right of the valley stood a long hill line also covered in trees. He turned to his companions which consisted of a miner/mason a farmer/brewer a weapon/armour smith a clerk/doctor a lumberjack/carpenter and a peasent. “Well we have arrived that the spot told to us by the king and as you can see there is nothing to be afraid of.” “Not yet there isn’t” complained the farmer “Well if we can work quick then there will be less to worry about so GET TO WORK.”

I have decided to creat a community fortress to a) improve and test my skills as a writer b) show case the new Dig Deeper Gold mod and c) to have fun writing and telling a tale with my df community. All the dwarves except for Strongbeard are available to be chosen as your dwarf, as well as future migrants. If you want a dwarfing i need name, proffesion, personality, backstory (If you want), and desires within this fortress. I have embarked on a terrifying location close to enemies so expect there to be fun immediately. And welcome to ANCEINTASHES.