Litheme
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Flame did not look good. He entered my bedroom when I was sorting out paperwork of our citizens, some stupid requirement from Mountain Homes, I doubt I will ever be able to catch up with it. Apparently every Overseer has to record and monitor duties and privileges of every single worker, soldier and a noble.
'You wanted to see me, Litheme?'
'Yes, we need to talk, I know recent events were difficult for you, is there anything you want to share or talk about?"
'Not really. I mean, he got crazy so he had to be stopped'. Flame said calmly.
'Griffin was a woman.' I corrected automatically.
'I think I'm gonna be sick.' He responded, his face becoming slightly green.
'Sorry to hear that. If you need to talk anything come back later, I have paperwork to deal with. Good Day, Commander.'
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When I was almost done digging through the literal mountain of documents and applications I heard a commotion from the corridor. In the same second someone shouted something about failed mood and a berserker. By the time I got there to assess the situation it was all finished. No casualties among our citizens, with obvious exception, one of the human traders, who still did not leave, was punched in the stomach. The assailant laid dead on the floor, his head cracked open as by the hammer blow. I presumed it was dome by Flame or one of his subordinates but they have arrived almost a minute after me, surprised there is no one left to bash to death.
'What happened here?' I asked one of the dwarfs cleaning up red and grey bits.
'Why don't you ask the human? He can explain it better than I could.'
'One of your... Stonecrafters charged at me *cough*, shouting he needs shells and I am... *bluergh*... I am surely hiding some from him.' Interrupted the Trader, unasked.
'But how did he die?' Flame asked.
'I learned that move *cough**cough* in one of the eastern dwarven cities, the ones cut off from your Mountain Homes. *Blueeergheh* It is quite effective.'
I looked at Flame and how wide his eyes got.
'Can you teach otehres? This can be useful to us.' I said politely, trying to disregard an pool of vomit around him.
'No, but I know how it can be learned. When I asked for lesson they dressed me up in an armor and put me..... *Blueargh**Cough*.... put me in a room where bunch of spears attacked me. It's all muscle-memory.'
'Is this possible?' I asked Flame.
'No idea, I will ask Exodius. I will send a messanger immediately. In my opinion you should ask around the fortress to see if others are interested.' Since Flame became Commander he became very bossy. I do not like that.
*Hurk-bluearh* the Trader concluded our conversation.
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Exodius the First
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By Ral and other Gods. I just received a letter from Flame asking me if it is possible to train warriors using machinery! Outrageaus ideam I simply cannot condone that. But it does bother me a little, hmm.....
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It took me a month, a MONTH!, to find relevant information on the subject. My persona library, Engineer and Masonry Guild Archives yielded nothing. Even Royal Library had nothing but references to the stuff! I was forced to ask King for assistance, and he seemed to have taken a keen interest in the matter, which is very disturbing. I was allowed to look into top secret records, supervised of course by the Spymaster. I do not think he liked sharing his studies and materials, or it's just me and glaring at someone while twirling a knife has changed it's meaning when I was recovering. I also met Bsnott who has gotten a temporary job there, weird that they allowed him near these documents.
I have the schematics Flame asked for. It seems that this machine is called "Danger Room" and basic idea is that person inside is forced to either dodge, block or parry an assault of hazards, traditionally wooden spikes or spears. Danger Rooms were not built in our civilization for a long period of time, mostly due to a bad practice of mixing in metal weapons among the wooden ones to "speed up the training". Another issue are legends of Danger Rooms used as devices of ritualistic murders, although the only place mentioned by name is Clusteredshake or something like that. It is also the only reference to that fort.
After seeing all this I like the idea even less but I have forwarded the intelligence, along with few chosen extracts and my own commentary and warnings, to Flame. May Ral have mercy upon Murderwheel.
Ral is a Wolverine God of Volcanos, of anyone wonders.
Updates will be scarce and far between, real life is taking it's toll T.T
