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241
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: March 26, 2013, 07:31:01 pm »



The cave, a few days earlier. . .


“ - I’m telling you It’s just not safe anymore.” The Carnith retorted with a twinge of anxiety. The elephant sized blue and orange dragon was having himself a dinner of half a calf carcass in the middle of his gold hoard.  The dragon had a bony crest, four short but thick legs, bat-like wings and spiked tail. A long scar stretched across his back diagonally in between the separation between his wings. His serpentine yellow eyes harbored nothing but a nervous twinge as well.

“Carn, you’re havin’ another panic attack again.” Max said while preening himself on top of a aged granite table in the hall.

Carnith cocks a brow as he rips off a particularly tough piece of raw beef off the bone. “Am I? How can you even suggest I’m the one overreacting here? After a pony waltzes right in the front door?”

Maxwell tensed up. Oh, and how many more times was that going to come up? “It was a one off, Carn. A total shot in the dark. It’ll never happen again. I’ll get Temperance’s word on it.”

“Yeah? I bet that Temperance is tellin’ you everything you want to hear. How do you know he didn’t order that pony to trail you himself?” Carnith rolled his eyes at how trusting Max could be sometimes.

“Because I have I lil’ faith in the ponies, Carn. They are honest bunch.” Max said dismissively as he fluffed out his feathers for further examination. Ah, he missed a spot on the left. Preen, preen, and preen some more. “If you didn’t act so hostile towards ‘em all the time you’d know they’re not so bad . . .” He muttered under his breath.

Carnith’s scaly ears pin back and he lets loose a wry, jagged smile. “Max! Have you gone native on me?!”

Max, satisfied with his plumage, grinned back and fluttered behind Carnith. “Course not.” Max went to work massaging the dragon’s back with his claws. “Why? Worried something will take me away?”

“Always.” Carnith sighed, content at the welcome bit off stress relief. “ You know that. Every time you fly off to ‘check’ on them - what they are doing - you’re gone just a little longer than before.”

“You could always come down and say ‘hi’.” Max reminded him.

“Yeah, yeah I’d imagine that would go well.” Carnith laughed bitterly. He scrunched up his snout. “You want to know why I act so hostile around ponies?” He asked while gesturing with his giant claw. “They have this nasty habit of killing me on sight? Killing my kin for scales and horns and all sorts of other valuable bits and ends? That’s why I’m so hostile” He scoffs. “My sister -”

Max put a claw over his face. “Yes, your sister flew too close to Dawnpick and ended up an armor stand. I’ve heard this one before. It was unfortunate.”

“Unfortunate?” Carn snapped with vitriol. “It was a bit more traumatizing than just ‘unfortunate’!”

“ - But you can’t let that hinder what I’m trying to do here! You have got to get past this if we expect to get anywhere.” Max said in his defense.

“Should raze the place.” carnith said half-humorously.

Max shook his head with horror. “Against Flamberge? You wouldn't stand a hair of a chance. Diplomacy is all we got on our side..”

“Still trying to find a way for us all to ‘co-exist’, right?” Carnith said sarcastically, his tone full of doubt. “Give up the dream already, Max. Duskfields is  going to run me out with pitchforks the second  they get a whiff of me.”

Max puffed out his chest, shrugging off the reality of the situation yet again.  “I don’t want to believe that. All I need is the time ta’ a way to make it work, There’s a solution to find here, I know there is.” He said adamantly. “If I just do right by Temperance, if I build up a good enough reputation he might give this a shot -”

“I still say moving is the best option for us.” Carnith said, closing his eyes. “Somewhere sunny and tropical this time.” He grunted.

Max exhaled solemnly and wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck. “Maybe, maybe.” He looks back at the hoard. “But all that gold . . .”

“Sell it to the caravans, turn it all  this into some pocket change for us to hit the road with.” Carnith sighs. “ I know how you feel. I just got used to the sheen too. It’s not a fair deal by any stretch.” Carn stomps down the hallway with Max still wrapped around his back. He he kicks the remains of the cow carcass out of the cave and gazes down at Duskfields in the far landscape below. “But, I just can’t do it anymore. Flying two valleys over every day for cattle, Staying in the cave for days on end for fear a pegusai might see me. I can’t be a dragon! It’s driving me stir crazy, which isn’t good for nobody. Not down there or up here.” Carn assured Max.

 
Max gazed down at Duskfields in heavy thought.With all the friends he had made in the past months, it feels wrong to just leave. But Carnith has more than a point. There was no chance those ponies would accept a dragon into the fold, as much as he loathed to admit. He might be hanging on to an impossible dream. Flamberge and Praetorian barely tolerated his presence as is. It just wasn’t fair to Carnith. To wait for a day that they both know will probably never come. Maybe, just maybe, taking off was best.

Max gave Carnith a pensive glance. “You really want to leave?”

After trading an unsure glace back , Carnith gave pained “Yes.” He shook his head. “The Red hatted one, He’ll tell stories of this place. There will be more and more nosing around. We’ll have to get more and more elusive; until we’re not living at all. I have seen it before. It’s better to just get out of their way. Live and let live. Start a new hoard.”

The dragon cranes his neck up to Max. “Listen, if you would like to stay down there, I would understand . . . I could go on my own.”

Max huffed. “Leave you? Then who is going to save your ass from trouble all the time? Who’s going to keep the cave clean, you big mess?” He grumbled. “Give me three weeks, that’s enough to time to say goodbye to ‘em all.”

Carnith chuckled lightly. “A few weeks is all it would take to wrap things up down there? Are you sure?”

“Yes. A few weeks outta do.” Max let out with a with a dutiful expression. “Just an odd project here or there that need to get done. With those Discordants, they need all the help in the world . . .” the griffon leapt off Carnith’s back and took flight. “This is the last time I’m going down to Duskfeilds, then we pack up and fly the coop yet again.”

“I’ll get everything packed while you’re down there.” Carnith said, trying to be helpful.

“Better still.” Max started to float away, towards Duskfields.

“Be careful . . .” Carn uttered, more nervously than ever. 

242
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: March 26, 2013, 07:27:37 pm »


Max flags Temperance down on the way to whatever things, probably very important things he was attempting to attend to.

“Hey Temperance!”

Temperance pauses in place and looks over to see Max headed his way.  He hadn’t spoken with the griffon much recently, so it was probably something important.  If not, he could use a little distraction from the planning he was about to do.  “Hey, Max.  What’s up?”

“Oh, I just wanted to know how the ball and chain is going.” He grinned. “ And I never did thank say thanks for the apartment either.”

He flashes Max a half-cocked smile.  “She’s doing well, thanks.”  The smile turns genuine as he says, “And you’re welcome about the apartment.  I mean, you helped build like six of them, and we had a few extras.”  He waves a hoof in the direction of the buildings as says, “You did a great job.”

“See? I told you this bird is good on his word." He takes a look around the fort, admiring his handywork. “It seems only like yesterday you came the this humble patch of dirt . . .” The griffon juts out his feathers. “Now I’m just glad you picked the right tool for that job.”

Temperance chuckles and nods.  “Yeah, it does feel like you just crashed through there the other day,” he says, glancing at his office.  “And you certainly didn’t disappoint with the carpentry skills.”  He looks back to Max.  “I’m more than happy to have the extra help around here, that’s for sure.”

“Can’t say it hasn’t been fun! With all the new ponies i’ve met, It’s never been a dull moment round’ here.” Max continues. His expression shifts into something backhanded. “ Even if some of you are too curious for your own good.”

Temperance raises an eyebrow.  “Pardon?”

“Oh, the Red hatted one, broke into my cave awhile ago.” Max replied. “No harm done. But, jumping jasmine gypsies did it give me a scare.”

“He broke into your cave?” Temperance asks.  “Why would he do that?  And why was he out there anyway?”

 Max thinks. “well, naw’, actually his wolf broke in, then he came in after.” He shakes his head. “Don’t ask me how his wolf got all the way up there, I’ve been trying to puzzle that out since it happened, It’ll drive you crazy.”

Temperance raises a hoof to his chin.  “Well... I guess Bonnet following you up there makes more sense.  Why though, I have no idea.  At least she didn’t hurt anything.”  He sighs, “Rest assured, I won’t tolerate ponies invading your privacy like that.  On purpose, anyway.”

Max closes his eyes in understanding. “No offence taken. It’s in your nature to be curious;  I get that. Just like it’s mine to jump on every vole I see.” He cocks his head. “ I wouldn't be surprised if he conjures up some stories about my cave . . . odd noises and the like. It’s got a bit a of a ‘cold howl’ rushing through it up there.”

Temperance resists the urge to roll his eyes at the remark about them being too curious.  “Yeah, I suppose it probably does get pretty windy up at those altitudes.”  He smiles and points at the apartment again.  “If it ever gets too chilly up there for you, at least you’ve got a warm place to sleep now, right?”

“Yeah . .  .” Max’s wings fidget a little. “Yeah about that. As fun as being around your fort has been, I may have to say sayonara soon. . .”

Temperance frowns a bit.  “Oh, really?  I’m sorry to hear that.  You’ve been a tremendous help around here.  I understand that you’ve got a life elsewhere though, and if you’ve got obligations elsewhere...”

He shifts around, a little saddened. “Yes, I have a migration I have to keep, and, uh,” Something in his stilted tone made his speech feel disingenuous. “And a family to keep happy as well. Sure you understand.” He closed his eyes solemnly. “Yep. Just less than three weeks. I cannot thank you enough for the hospitality though.”

Temperance nods solemnly.  “You’re welcome, and thank you again for the help you’ve been.  I’d rather not keep you from your family though.”  After a moment, Temperance asks, “Wait... I thought you said you were alone out here?”

 Max’s head swerves back. His eyes flick to the left pensively, choosing his next words carefully. “Er . . . Yes, yes I guess I did.” He takes a deep sigh. “I told you I was alone out here. But, in fact . . .” He laughs nervously. “There’s a Mr. Yellowfeather. Sorry ‘bout that. Not exactly something you say when you just shake hooves and claws.”

“Mr. Yellowfeather?” Temperance asks, a bit confused.  “Your father?” 

Max gives a listless shrug. “Sure. Let’s go with that.” ‘Thats much easier to explain . . .’ Max thought.  “Yep, just a few more walls, a little more working on the pumps with Smoothblock, A little more corpse burying and I’m done I’m afraid.”

“I see,” Temperance responds, still sounding a bit unhappy.  “Well, if you have to move on, I understand.  But if you want to bring your father around, don’t be a stranger.  You’re always welcome here, and so is he.”

“”I’ll keep that in mind.” Max said with his same old smile. “Here’s to an uneventful next three weeks, huh?”

Temperance makes a nervous chuckle.  “Yes, please.”

243
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: March 20, 2013, 08:44:04 pm »


  Max's Terrible Poetry, Vol XXII



Flamberge
 
 Something sinister stirs In fields, the inns, the halls.
Flails 'a flyin', ogres 'a chargin', the blood falls.
Fortunately, we have heroes instead of walls.
Flamberge, born for flight and fight;

Into the fray like the bolt before the thunder!
The heads of discordians are ripped asunder
inspiring awe to all he serves under.

The mighty should take care
note less of how a discordian dies,
but how one is exactly born.


 
Case Study

 Precision. Logic. Concentration.
The practiced gears churn.
But it seems no passion burns?

 The odd pony out,
When all the ponies pair down,
As stoic as a stone.


Quite strange it seems!
I thought every mare dreams
to marry a doctor’s wealth?

Praetorian

Praetorian, Praetorian, trapped in a Maize.
She stands there through the coma's haze,
can love never cease to amaze?
Makes all these rumors of a confessed love
with a therapist astray
hard for the mind to digest.

The Thief

  The tenuous struggle for co-existence is
A long tightrope with less return
than say, a stolen bag of gold and myrrh.

I met a thief the other day,
A diamond dog with a coat of grey.

The thief cannot understand why,
I bother to try, with an open claw
to get my compensation.

The truth is I'm rather content In my horseshoes, no special consideration,
I like to learn how my neighbors live. I cannot deny seeking colorful company is
Just Another itch of mine I need to satisfy,
" How do you bake like that? How do you dance like that? How was that song sung?"
Value has more meaning than one.

He called me a fool.

Sure, I'm fool I know,
For loving life, and saying so,
In whining poetry.

But I'm a fool you'd love to know about now,
standing in front of a guardspony with nothing but a bag so once precious.
He looked up to me and asked to be vouched for, as an old friend or so.
I gave him a stern "No" and went on my way.

244
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: March 17, 2013, 11:14:46 pm »


Max once again flies back towards the cave. unbeknownst to him, he had a stealthy  and curious pegasus on his tail . . .

The pony kept sneaking by, trying to make it by undetected. “where the hell is that bloke going...” He always wondered where this guy lived, but honestly, when he saw him fly off this far he had to check. For all he knew he could be a spy.

Max did his usual song and dance, he walked up to the entrance,  he put his claw in the holes and opened the stone. The stone again flashes brilliant illuminate blue and rolls away.

The pony tilted his head as the stone rolled away. “oh yeah, magic...” and then he looked down to see bonnet was gone, and now was right behind max, giving his leg a little nuzzle. “are you a mentally handicapped lunatic” he said under his breath as the wolf kept being nice and cuddly.

Max looked down and recoiled his leg. “Ugh! Oh Look, another pest wolf out here.” He grabs the wolf and lifts him up by the scruff of the neck quite harshly. He cocks his head. “Is that a collar? I’ve seen this dog before!”

The dog made a little whimper and tried to get down. She just wanted to be nice and friendly with max...

“Bizarre . . . “ Max takes a glance behind him. Nope, no pony around. Max walks into the cave with the wolf in tow and the stone rolls back in place.

And then redhat sighed and walked up to the door and gave it a knock. “GOOD SIR HAVE YOU SEEN A HOUND IN THESE PARTS?!?”

No answer.

He placed his hoof on the same place the gryphon did.

The stone pulses blue again, and after a moment, a lever shoots out of the ground.

“well ain’t that convenient” he pulled the lever.

The floor drops from underneath him. Redhat is flung down a chute beneath his hooves. The slide of smooth stone takes all manner of flips, twists, and turns in the pitch black. Redhat finally lands not so softly in a pile of bones inside.


The pony starts to struggle around and fight, until realizing the things he landed in were dead, “god, that’s just not sanitary...” he hovered above to bones for a while, trying not to dirty himself. “hello!”

Max’s head swerves a full one eighty like an owl. Who the buck could that be? “Carnith? Is that you?” He called out quizzically.

“You walked off with my hound you yellow bellied twat!” He said as he slowly flew over.

“And you’re invading my home, you red hatted quadrupedal ditz!” Max stomps up to Redhat in a huff. “How did you even get in here anyway?”

“All I did was knock on the door, and some leaver popped up, begging to be pulled.”

Max cocked his head and gave him a confused look. “Ooh, the spike trap. I keep forgetting a spike trap with unreplaced spikes is just a hole. I need to put the spikes back in one of these days, it seems. . .”

“You know, having a safety hazard like that with little ponies walking about might get somepony killed! What do you expect to happen if nightmare night comes along!”


He puts a claw under his chin in thought. “ I guess it would be a lil’ too much horror for the chit’lins . . .” He shakes his head. “ if they were to hike up a mountain in the first place!”

“You shouldn’t have a deathtrap aimed at killing indiscriminately! what if you just made this a holding pen, and you could have the spikes pop up and kill whatever came down here after you’ve deemed it a threat!”

He cocks a brow. “Why am I arguing with you?” He grabs the pony by the shoulders. “Little pony. Listen to me, you are in a lot of danger. You need to get back to Duskfields for your own good!”

“I’d do that, but you see, I’m currently missing my wolf. Now, i’m not leaving until that wolf is put back into my custody or else Me and the guard are coming back here.”

“Oh. The wolf. That might might be a problem. You see -” A deep voice boomed down the cave, sounding like the shriek of metal against a surface.The voice was loud enough to shake the walls! “Ha Ha Ha! This guy just likes to play doesn't he? Max, Where are you?”

Max starts to sweat. “Uhh . . .”

“Okay... if I don’t get that wolf back i’m putting my spear through your head.”

“Okay! Okay! Okay! I’ll see what I can do! Yeesh!”

“Why are you nervous, and who was that?”

“Nothing at all! I’m Fine!” Max gasped, nearly having a panic attack. “I’ll be right back with your ‘dog’.”

The pony followed after him. “Who the hell are you harbouring in this residence!”

Max stops. “Ho ho ho, You’re not coming with.” The voice booms again. “Max?” “Coming!” Max chirped, with as calm of a voice he could muster.

“and how exactly do I get out of here once you’ve handed me back that wolf. Also that nothing seems really needy.” He kept hovering over the pile of dead bones. 

Max points at him. “ The chute. Stay.  Right. There.” Max flies into the main hall. “Max?” “Yeah, it was nothing, the spike trap went and broke, like half the stuff around this ol’ crypt . . . “

At feels like an hour and a half passes until Max finally walks back in. He has Bonnet cupped in his claws like a baby, and Bonnet is shivering in fear.

“Here’s the wolf. jeez, the thing’s I had to say to him convince him to let go of ‘em . . . Tetanus, rabies, possibly feral, the whole nine yards. . .”

“I’ll be on my way then...” he started to look up the shoot. “yeah.. anyway, thanks for letting me in, and... well...” he tried to think of something nice to say about the place, but then he thought he felt a maggot from the bone pile go up his hoof. “i’ll be taking my leave now...”

“Now hold on, you can’t ‘just leave’.” Max growled. “First I have to know; What did you exactly see in this cave? What did you hear? Incase, oh, say Flamberge of Praetorian asks where you’ve been?”

“I saw a one eyed, one horned flying purple people eater as far as you're concerned.” He then started to float up the tunnel. “also,  I know you’ve got a skeleton in your basement...”

Max frowned. Looks like that was the closest thing to a ‘nothing whatsoever’ he was going to get. He didn’t actually see anything after all. He walked over and pushed a button. there was a distant -shunk- back at the entrance.  “The, uh, door’s open.”  he gestures at the opening as if he was shooing a fly out of a window. “Skeleton in my closet, duly noted.”

He sighed and flew up. “goodbye now, have a fine evening.”

Max puts a claw over his beak. that was the most awkward conversation he’s ever had. This complicates things indeed.  “Carnith? We need some more spikes, makes sure to grab some the next time you go out pillaging!” Max shouted.

“You’re not my mother.” The Voice in the hall bellowed.

245
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: March 14, 2013, 10:38:19 pm »


SmoothBlock was in the tavern drinking. She casually sipped her drink.

The tavern doors swing open and Max shuffles through them in a very unflattering pair of khaki pants. He saddles up next to Smoothblock.

“Hey, Max.” She refilled her mug “What yah drinkin?”

He opens his mouth, then thinks about it some more. It’s been quite a while since the last time he did some ‘social drinking’.  “Let me think . . . Uh, hard lemonade! that’s the one.” He gestures with his claws. “Make it a real tall glass.”


“....I have swap whisky, wheat beer, tomato vodka, or wild strawberry schnapps.” SmoothBlock tapped the barrels. “I’ll try to get some lemons from the Zebras.”

Max puts three fingers up. “Three then. Why not? I need something after what Temperance just put me through.” He shakes his head. Where has his manners gone? “But i’ll no doubt talk your ear off about that when I’m blind-drunk in due time. How about you? You’re name is?”

“SmoothBlock. I’m the miner, and sometimes brewer. I’ve seen you working on some walls around town.”

“Ha! SmoothBlock.” He rubs his chin. “You’re . . . Taller than everypony made you out to be.” 

“You mean I’m not as fat as they made you think.” SmoothBlock took another drink.

Max knows a touchy topic when he sees one. He Mr Miyagi's his way out of that one. “Who needs to be rail thin anyway?” He sneered at the status quo. “You’re bucking the trend. It works for you!” Wax on, wax off.

“Heh, nice save.” She poured a mug full of Vodka for Max “So what do you do when you’re not working?”

“Ah, very, very thanks much.” He grabs the glass. “Weelll . . .” Max is genuinely surprised any pony cares. “I try to do fun things. Mix it up a little.  I was going to serve Temperance and Cream Puff at their blind date yesterday! Holly mentioned it, I jumped on it, and the Praetorian shut me down hours before thing got started.” He leans back, hurt. “Do you know how hard it is to find a waiter’s bowtie in such a short amount of time? I was really looking forward to that!”

“Well damn, sounds like you put a lot of thought into that.” SmoothBlock took another drink then topped her mug up “I just drink and dig.”

Max shugs. “Eh, Actually you’re drinking with good company and digging a moat that keeps the thieves out. That’s a little more valuable than you’re giving it credit.”

“Thanks. I really hope we get more stone though, I kind of, can’t use my talent without it.” Smooth fidgeted with her mug and smiled.

He grins, closes his eyes and takes a swig. “I’m confidant Temperance will take care of it.” 

“Three layers of soil before we hit the aquifer, and then we need drain it.” SmoothBlock grumbled “I’m still working on that screw, pump thing. Seeing Woodchips about it.”

“He he heh, screw pumping Woodchips, huh?” Max laughed devilishly, thinking aloud. He looked back at his mug. Did he really say that aloud?

“Hugh hugh hugh ah hah! Nice one.” Smoothblock knocked her head back as she laughed. “Thanks for the laugh Max.”

 Max rubs the back of his neck. “Heh, yeah.” He changes the topic quickly. “I can’t believe Temperance is making me wear pants now? apparently nudity is frowned upon around this establishment!” Max gets modestly belligerent. “Thought you ponies were all ‘bout ‘living free’ and all that.” He gulps another pint.

SmoothBlock pores the clothed gryphon another mug full “I only wear coveralls to work. Usual I just walk about like this.” She looked at her tail. “Although, I really could use a dress.”

“whugh yuuu know I can probably hellp uuot with thhat, I can likee ‘ta think o’ me as . . . A Do’er.” Max said, thinking his words carried a lot more of wit, prose, and poignancy than rambling slurrs should.


“I think I will understand you better once I have had a glass of goat milk and sandwich. You want a sandwich, Max?” Smooth offered thinking she should slow down on the drinking just a bit.

His glass makes a loud -clank!- as he sets it down on the table. “Yeessss. I would. I should! I’ve’a been work’in up’a hunger puttin’ up logs.” He smiles wryly. “Youuu know, I’m holdin’ my liquor surprisingly well fer’ be’in sober for four years.”

“You’re still standing. Three may have a been bit much to start with.” SmoothBlock moved to the pile of egg sandwiches and took two, and two mugs of milk.

“Soo why you come here, SmoothBlock? Why you come to this humble little patch of nowhere? I’m trying to piece it together. Whhy you ponies are migratin’ here, I mean. ”

“Well, I was hoping to be the only mason in this fort. work stone, get nice big place out here. too bad I can’t find any stone. Oh well, digging the moat is good work. Yeah, mostly move here for the space and a chance to be more useful.” She drank her milk.

“Life, liberty and th’ produce of happiness . . .” Max gurgled. “How idyllic” Max grabs a sandwich. He tries to line it up with his beak as best as he can. He shoots and scores. “Mmm, Pretty good.” He says while spattering crumbs everywhere.

“Cream Puff is the best darn cook ever, making those. So convenient.” She took another bite of her own. “It was nice talking to you, Max.”

“euuehgh . . “ Max said with a mouth full of sandwich. He stops chewing for a moment. “Eugh too  . . .” He gulps it down fast.. ‘Speaking of Cream Puff . . .’ Max gets up. He was late for an important cake tasting. "See you around, SmoothBlock."







246
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: March 03, 2013, 08:08:08 pm »


Meanwhile, back at the cave . . .


  Max glides into an unassuming culvert in the side of a mountain north of Duskfields. His claws clatter on the gray stone steps of a camouflaged stairway leading into a dark, wet, and cold passage. He strides up the steps leading into his humble abode. A thick circular stone stands in front of him. The stone has five peculiar holes in the dead center. Max puts his claws in all the way to the palm and grabs the claw holes, opening it like a door knob. The stone pulses with blue magic. The carved slab of granite rolls away, as if weightless. 

 Inside was a grand gold and onyx hallway with flawless marble pillars.  the expansive football field sized hall ends in a colossal, excessive hoard of gold and jewels that could rival the wealth of an entire county. Protruding out of the gold was the massive bones of a full grown dragon. Max yawns mundanely and stretched out over the solid gold throne protruding out of the pile. He spots a vole scratching around the onyx and ivory checkered floor. He picks the morsel up with a claw and had a relatively crunchy snack. With a gross burp, he picks up his book from the gold pile.

The leather book was black and heavy. In silver embroidering the title read ‘How to Cook Four Ponies.’ Max always found the typo ‘four’ instead of ‘for’ humorous about it. Even better, since the book was a reject every single page was blank; It made for an excellent journal. The licked the tip of his quill and prepared to write.



  Dear Diary. I have fooled them all. Little did they know this unassuming Griffon would be their harbinger of their doom. Now Duskfields fate has been sealed. Nah, just kidding Diary. Could you imagine though?  Anyway. Yeah. We have new neighbors. neighbors that happen to like neighing. I asked around, they are not here for the gold or aware of the cave. They want to plant potatoes outside. That puts my first fear to rest. My second fear is how do I keep it that way? I will think of something, I always do. But for now I guess all I can do is keep an eye around Duskfields and insist this place is just a hole in the ground.  Third fear? The third fear is -  well, It’ll be fine. I’m sure.

The job is done, the hole is repaired and and I helped out on the project to build the roof as well. The carpenters seems nice enough. Other than an odd stare, Nopony suspects anything out of the ordinary about me.

Max frowns.

Those Discordants sure like to stir up trouble. Hateful, borderline suicidal twisted parodies of the ponies. Makes no sense at all . . . I felt like I should have swooped in and helped, If only I saw what was going on .   

 Note: Temperance and Wood Chips want to have a talk tomorrow. Also! try some of Cream Puff’s desserts.

Max closes the book, tosses it into the obscene amount of gold behind him and nods off.
   

247
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: February 26, 2013, 12:58:37 am »


There’s an ominous -thud- -thud- -thud- at the door of the clinic. The knocking sounds louder than any sound a mere pony can manage.

Examining one of his scalpels, Case Study is a bit disgruntled at the amount of rust it has garnered. It simply will not do to use such an instrument on a patient. As he thinks about obtaining a replacement, his pointed ears alert him to an immediate presence at the door. Sounds urgent. In response, he places the cutting device down on his table and calls aloud, “Yes? Please come in.”

The door creak open, and Case Study sees a huge mass of . . . what seem to be feathers trying to shove it’s way through. Finally, a griffon, a full two feet taller than him, rears his head. He puffs out his wings.

“Dang, these doors really are made for ponies, aren’t they?” the griffon says, a little claustrophobic in these spaces.

Lowering his chin as he raises an eyebrow, the pale blue stallion is perplexed by what stands before him. He had heard of no griffons being members of Duskfields. Perhaps he was part of a caravan that had recently arrived? Regardless of his origins, there must have been some reason that he was here, so Case gave a straightforward, albeit confused, response, “...may I help you, sir?”

Max looked the pony up and down, and gave a wry smile. “Hey there. Maxwell, “ He extends a claw out for a hoofshake. “Crashed through a brick wall in Temperance's office twelve minutes ago, became Duskfields latest carpenter in the last six. . . It’s been a busy day.”

“...I see, Mr. Maxwell,” Case slowly reached out to accept the greeting. He didn’t really understand, but he figured that the details would come out soon enough, “So, ramming through mortar with your body? I think I can deduce that you are here with blunt force trauma of some type?”

Max shrugs and closes his eyes. “Yeah, that would be the reason. Momma always said I had tough skin, but it never hurts ta’ double check.” He turns his head to the side and trains a single eye on the the pony. “ You do know you to treat a griffon, right? Last pony doctor I had, rooted around me clueless! ”

No, the doctor had never treated anything other than equines in his life, “Your species is not my specialty, but some aspects of physiology are universal. If you are able to move around unhindered, then I’m doubtful that you have broken any bones. Are you in any pain at all?” Case gets out of his chair and prepares for a simple examination.

The griffon shuffled his big blue eye over him up and down again. “Yeah, alright.” He says dismissively. “ I don’t know, I have a feeling about you. You know what you’re doing. “ He glances up at the ceiling. “My chest is in a little pain.” He glances back down, knowing that's a bit of a lie. “Actually, in a lotta pain.” He ugghs “ It’s just. . . first impressions . . “

“I’ll do my best, that much I can assure you. By the way, you may address me as Case Study,” the earth pony answers as he takes a first look over the griffon’s integument. No signs of blood so far as his red eyes can see. “Pain in your chest?...wait...first impressions...was that a bit of humor?”


Max chuckles “ Yeah, it was a bad attempt at it.  I guess my humor bone is broken for sure, then. Strike that one of the diagnosis board!” He gets back down to business. "But seriously, It feels like I just rammed through a brick wall.”

“Oh, well, good to know,” chest pains could have been an indication of a serious injury, so a lack of such an ailment was relieving, “I believe that is self-evident, Mr. Maxwell. I don’t believe, however, that you have any serious injuries. Bruising is most likely the extent of your grievances. That will heal on its on in time. I’m giving you the pass for now.” The blue pony steps back, “If any symptoms worsen, or new ones come about, report back to me.” He paces a bit, “So, how did you come upon our settlement again? Are you a trader? Perhaps here with others?”

Max quirks a brow. “Came upon you? It’s the other way around to be honest. I fly through the valley every once and awhile on my way back to the cave. This time? A building was there.”

“...I hope you don’t mean to imply that this land is your territory. That would be a rather large mistake on our part if it is. Since you know the name of Temperance, can I assume that you have spoken with him?” Case was curious to see where this was going.

Max looks as if he’s been accused of something. “No, no, one griffon doesn't exactly constitute as a nation with borders, I can’t really do anything but help or get out of the way. . . that doesn't bother me. It’s about time something happened around here.  “ He cocks his head, agitated. “ It’s just if you’re going to build something over night, some neon orange signs would be helpful! Some magic flares, perhaps?”

The doctor cleared his throat, “I’m afraid the decor of this place isn’t up to me. If you have any suggestions or complaints about the design of Duskfields, I would suggest consulting Mr. Temperance or one of the carpenters. Speaking of which, didn’t you say earlier that you were going to be joining us as a carpenter yourself?”

“Yeah. Why not? It sounds fun.” The griffon says enthusiastically.  “Helping others is the the only way to truly help yourself. That’s a proverb from somewhere. If it’s not? It should be.” He laughs. “You know what i’m talking about probably more than most, Doc.”

“If you do have intentions of aiding us, then I am sure we will be grateful. Some ponies, such as Ms. Holly and Ms. Block, are often short-hoofed on help. Not that having an extra worker of the wood won’t be valuable as well.”
 
Max nods. “I’ll get the job done.” Max’s wings shift around, and he looks at Case study with a shrewd look. “So ,I’ve told you why I’m in the middle of nowhere. Can you return the favor? I may be overstepping here, but i’m rather curious. What is a colony of ponies doing way out here?”

“Our main objective, as I am told, is to farm the land,” Case explains, “We are on a mission from Coupledye to exploit the natural resources present here. So far, our ventures have been successful. We have had some setbacks in the form of pests and thieves, but nothing we weren’t able to overcome. My personal role here is fairly self-evident.”

“hmm . . . ‘exploit’ the land, that’s a rather severe, alarming way to phrase it.” Max looks at him quizzically. “I think you mean harvest the land?” Max hoped that was the case.

“If you wish to state it as such, yes, that would be accurate,” Case begins rubbing one of his temples, “Would you excuse me for a moment?” Trotting back over to his desk, he opens one of the drawers and pulls out a leafless, green stem. After biting a segment of it off, the equine begins chewing it. He pauses for a minute, “Migraine treatment.” He continues, “I hope I haven’t put a sour taste in your mouth with my explanation of our workings.”

“Ah, migraines. Painful little annoyances, aren’t they?” Max nods his head in a negatory. “Not at all. Temperance asked for a wall, and he’s going to get a wall.” 

“That they are,” he answers between a chew, “If Mr. Temperance is putting you to work already, I imagine he must trust you. Welcome aboard our meager settlement, Mr. Maxwell.”

Max is overcome with modesty. “What can I say? I guess I just have one of those trustworthy faces.” He looks nervous though. “I just hope every pony here feels the same as you and Temperance.  I can’t imagine why not, but I also cannot deny have been on a long sabbatical. If the griffons in general did something feather brained to the pegusai while i’ve been gone, well, I wouldn't be surprised.” He shrugs. “I can hope, though.”

He slowly taps his forehooves together as he sits at his desk once more, “I also would not be surprised if some of the others here don’t take to trusting you so quickly. We are quite a varied group. I doubt any such tensions will be insurmountable, however.”

“Guess I should get to winin’ hearts and minds, then.” He takes a look at his claws as he says it. “So? Clean bill of health? Bruising is minor?” He sighs. “No rectal examination necessary?”

“Ahem, no, that would not be necessary,” Case groans slightly, “You’re free to go now.”

He grins. “Right, Humor bone’s still broken.” He points at his forearm with a claw. “ Thank you for the time and consideration, Doc.” Max heads towards the door. Well, no news is good news, he assured himself. And not just with the exam. Case study didn't shut him out immediately when he asked what he was doing here, and the purpose seems relatively benign. He didn't seem to believe the griffons were causing trouble either. First time for everything, he assumed.

After the door is shut, Case puts a hoof to his grinning lips and tries to stifle a chuckle. “Rectal exam,” he thinks aloud.

248
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Duskfields (My Little Fortress)
« on: February 22, 2013, 09:00:12 pm »


  As Temperance finishes penning the last line on his diary entry there is a thunderous earthquake of a crash! Brick and dust scatters haphazardly in all directions around Temperance's office.

A brown and black griffon slides to a stop along the office floor. The the stunned bird-lion took a slow glance around.

"Wha? This wasn't here last migration!"

Temperance starts and jumps up from his desk.  It takes him a few seconds to realize he wasn’t being attacked, and that the thing that just crashed through the wall was not only not aggressive, but also amazingly not seriously injured by the impact.  He steps forward cautiously.  “My word... are you alright?”

The griffon blinks twice, and slowly gets to his claws and feet. He takes a cautious look around his body, checking his arms, legs, wings and tail. “Yeah, yeah, everything looks like it’s in the right place.” He looks at the hole, and turns back around to him. “Sorry about that. Uhhh . . . ” He combs through his tangerine head feathers and gives a nervous chuckle. “How about names? Trading names is a good way to break the ice in awkward conversations like these, isn’t it?”

He was still a bit stunned, but the pony manages to say, “Uh, I’m Temperance.  Temperance Scribebakes, from Coupledye.  Who are you?”

The griffon pats the dust off himself. “ Maxwell, Maxwell Yellowfeather. Frequent flyer of where all these buildings suddenly sprung up from.”

“Good to meet you Mr. Yellowfeather,” Temperance says hesitantly.  “Are you sure you’re alright?  We have a doctor who can look at you if you need it.”

 Max looked him over cautiously. “That’s mighty generous of you, I might take you up on that if you got someone who’s versed in griffon anatomy.” He furrows his brow and looks at the mess he created. “I’m more concerned about you than me, in honesty. Look at this mess!”

Whether Case Study knew a thing or not about griffons he wasn't sure, but it couldn’t hurt to have him look.  “Uh, well, don’t worry about that too much.  The walls can be fixed.”  He frowns and looks around.  It was going to take a while to fix this mess.  “How exactly did you not see the building though?  Where were you headed in such a hurry?”

He grinned rather sheepishly. “I ducked down into the valley to get my windspeed up,  I close my eyes a brief second, and here I am.” He scratches his chin with a claw. “I was heading over to the mountains, I carved out a little hole for myself. It’s nothing special. I’d hate to call it a ‘home’, but that’s what it would be in absence of anything else.  Not much else to call home. No griffon sanctuaries for miles and miles. Nothing much at all for miles and miles. Until now. . .”

 He looks at Temperance with guilt-ridden eyes.“I feel truly terrible about this hole my good pony.” He puts his claw around the good pony's shoulder. “I want to repay the damage caused, I insist! I simply won’t take a no for an answer.”

Temperance moves his mouth wordlessly for a second.  “I... don’t know how you could... we don’t really use money out here...”

“how about some labor work? I’ll work it off.” Max chimed. “I can do plenty of things around here!”

Temperance eyes the hole in the wall again.  They really could use another carpenter, but how would the others react?  “Like what exactly?  Do you know much about wood working?”

The bird scoffs. “Oh, wood working? Masonry? Fine crafts? You got it.” He grins. “ I can build the meanest bird house you’ve ever seen.”

He chuckles lightly.  “Alright then, if you think you can fix this,” he says, pointing at the hole in his wall, “then I’ll give you a chance.  It’s pretty late, otherwise I’d introduce you to the other carpenters.”  He would probably be best served letting Flamberge know pronto as well.  Just in case.

“Yep, that’s all I need.”He said coolly.Then  He cocked a brow up. “ Well, a chance and a hammer. That would help too.” He let go of the odd-haired pony.

“Yes, well, I’ll see about acquainting you with everypony as soon as possible.”  He frowns again.  “I’m afraid I’m not sure where to let you stay though.  We don’t even have enough rooms for everypony to sleep in as it stands.”  The others might not be so willing to sleep with a griffon, so he neglects to mention the dorm just yet.  “I’ll have to think for a moment..”

He shrugged. “ Well, for tonight, I still have my cave. Any outside perch or tower is fine, really. We’ll get to that bridge when it comes?” He looks giddy as a kid. “I’m sorry if I seem too eager and forthcoming, just I can’t tell you how nice it is to actually have something to do around this patch of dirt! It’s been quite a while since I’ve even talked to anypony!”     

“Oh, well if your cave wasn’t too far away, I suppose that works.  We don’t have even much in the way of perches I’m afraid, but maybe by tomorrow we can fix something up.”  He cocks his head slightly.  “You’ve been out here by yourself for a long time?”

“Two years, three months, 13 hours, and thirteen minutes to be precise.” Max said rather robotically. “Quite a long time.”

“I should say so.”  There was probably something to that story, but it was hardly appropriate to be delving into such matters.  “I imagine you’ve got a lot of experience with the surroundings then.  Perhaps when we have a moment, we could discuss a, ah, few things about that.”

“Sure! He nodded. “When we have a moment, lots  to do.  I have to get a travel bag together,  have to meet everypony.” he waves at the documents on the ponies desk, covered with dust and debris. “ You have your . . . stuff, i’m sure.” 

“Um, yes, I do have a few things left to finish here,” Temperance said, glancing back at the pile of paperwork on his desk.  What was he supposed to say now?  “Uh... I suppose I should go let the others know about you in the meantime...”

The griffon walks to the hole he made and slides his claw down the jagged edge.  He points a Temperance. “Fixed by the end of the week, you have my word.” He walks out, and pokes his head back in the office with a very serious look. “A griffons’  promise is nothing to balk at!”  Once outside, he juts his wings out, and with a powerful stroke of his wings he becomes airborne.  “I’ll find the cliniiic!”

Temperance watched the griffon take off, and sighed.  He’d best go find Flamberge and let him know what just happened.  In case anything else happened.

249
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Friendly Competition: Competitive Succession Forts [OOC / Rules]
« on: January 26, 2013, 09:58:03 pm »
What is it going to take to get one player to try my experiment?

What did I mess up?

250
DF Community Games & Stories / Figureruthless, Fort of prince Reddmont [Succession Game][FC]
« on: January 25, 2013, 04:15:26 pm »




"Ah, Fugureruthless!" Reddmont looks around the scorching desert. "Looks like home already!" 

"So!" He said enthusiastically to his Parched, dogged dwarf slaves. "Anyone know how to build a fort?"


((Embark INFO))



(( All I've done is  re-name the nobles and That's IT. It's your ball now, Have fun!))

251
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Friendly Competition: Competitive Succession Forts [OOC / Rules]
« on: January 25, 2013, 04:06:01 pm »
Note about the Google Docs: Just type on them. Type anything you want and everyone will be on the same page. It's the honor system. Well, except I can revert everything.


252
DF Community Games & Stories / Cursed Durges, Fort of Prince Bluth [Succession Game][FC]
« on: January 25, 2013, 04:03:02 pm »



"This is the Cursed Durges, Huh?" Bluth said while Looking around the toxic, evil desert. 

"Is there a hotel, Or?.... Does .. any dwarf know, what to do now that we're here?"


((Embark INFO))



(( All I've done is  re-name the nobles and That's IT. It's your ball now, Have fun!))

253
DF Community Games & Stories / Friendly Competition: Competitive Succession Forts [OOC / Rules]
« on: January 25, 2013, 03:58:56 pm »
Friendly Competition
~A Masterwork Dwarf Fortress Experiment~


Spoiler: Backstory (click to show/hide)
RULES
The Rules are simple, Two forts compete for a set 25 years to create the most generated wealth in a hellish, scorching biome. When a Fort hits year 25 THEY STOP.

You are given one Pretentious noble, You must keep your noble alive. If you noble dies you LOSE. Your noble CANNOT be assigned labors, for they are completely incompetent.

If your fort crumbles you LOSE.

We are running on Lance Armstrong Rules, I want to see the most steroidal freak of a fort you can create. NO Deconstructing Tradeposts. EVERYTHING ELSE IS LEGAL.

Don't worry if you lose, that does not meant the game ENDS. PM me if you LOSE.

Turns last ONE year and ONE IRL week.

I set this up so it should ALL run with very little influence from me, It should be very self sufficient..

»Join Team Bluth«      »Join Team Reddmont«

254
DF Modding / Re: Scary Monsters
« on: December 27, 2012, 05:00:56 am »

+ Nice Sprites
+Skrillex


255
DF Community Games & Stories / Re: Tacticssmile, the Rainbow Fortress (Community Fort)
« on: December 06, 2012, 05:58:36 am »
To Artie's dismay, he found the Mayor's office empty.

"What a surprise, no one wants to take charge and be responsible for this disaster."

Artie's eyes dart left and right with an air of mischief. He helps himself and sits down on the mayor's luxurious office chair.

"Hey, peasants! look at me! Look at me! I'm an aristocrat! I'm an important busybody! Do this, do that! Up the taxation rate so I can fund a more elaborate party than that highbrow knuckle jaw a county over! My shacks my rules!" He said with a bad posh accent imitation. Artie was easily amused.

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