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[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You pulled yourself together just in time. Yes, your plan was successfull but you haven't prepeared enough to finish it right now: further excavation without the spider would be just pointless waste of time and energy also you didn't have any supplies. It was unclear what would you meet on the other side. However you've find the miner to do all dirty work for you and it would be easy to  to make him do rest of it.
- That's enough! - you commanded Urdim while he was still crushing stones - Let's go back upstairs - you pointed the exit with your hand.
Urdim shook his head and pointed the avalanche lowing.
- You did everything right but we cannot continue right now. I'll talk to Urist and you'll do the rest later. I'll tell her you worked very well -  you smiled - trust me.
You came out letting the miner go forward and reseted the lock. While the bridge was raising up you felt a frosty wind blow with your back. You frightened that such a wind can spread miasma from the cave to all of the fortress.

You came up to the work place before dwarfesses came back but you couldn't hastily restore all marks in time.
- ..and I'm sure I've closed the cage tight - you heard them coming and a piece of their talk and hastened to hide the chalk.
- You shouldn't worry that much. Take yourself in hand.
- I've bonded to him. He was singing so good.
- If he is in the room you will certainly find him. He could fly very far. It's pointless to search him now.
The was no answer and only steps were heard in silence then Urist and Urvad showed up on the stairs.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Urist discovered that markes were erased soon enough. She was going to chide a culprit and you decided to go on the offensive.
- I did it  -you claimed.
- And why? - she knit her brows.
- Because I'm the legendary engraver actually. And I have my own opinion on what and how we should do!
- May be you think that excelent engraving skill makes you a good mason and architect - she frowned - then why when I showed the excevation plans you weren't interested in them?!
- Because you think about yourself too much! By the way I remember you were a bottle-washer in the Assorotung.
- What a bullshit! I traveled a lot and in time I was actually living in that mountain home I never met any genius Handydwarf-Tok. I don't remember anyone with that name, except one mediocrity-cad from slum. But if its really him standing before me then we have nothing to talk about: you cannot engrave a cracked stone.
You wrangled for a long time but the skirmish ended to nothing except you chilled out. Urist sent you to Sinsot with all your claims, you were going to send her.. just send her but frightened it would have bad consequences for you. So you kept silence and she restored her marks quickly and went to the workshop.
The rest of the day passed relatively quietly. Urvad was periodically complaining on her beloved moskito vanishing. You diligently irnored them. Despite you and she were working the rest of the day without any motivation you didn't fall behind Urist plans too much. When at last you shift was over you were ready to do more important things.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The fight with Urist and maybe working days reminded you that you are not just common noname dwarf but legendary engraver. Engraving is your profession. Some people think that engravings are just wall decoration but in fact they are one of the most powerfull tools for manipulating dwarven minds. You've learned that lesson well in Arol-Iton where manager had summoned you oftenly, poured a mug of beer and told you: "You know Tok you need to make an engraving about harm of gluttony in the dining room". There were more complicated topics like "Good neighbouring with Ladtakomage" or "Responsible parentship". And after queen Kisat had reigned you worked restless for several months reworking old images and making new.
Searching for supplies and further excavations would take plenty of time and energy but you could engrave something that would turn dwarfes on your side right now. Why didn't you think about it earlier. Something to put to shame each and every of them: those who were against saving Likot and those who couldn't insist on rescue expedition and even those who were indifferent. It should touch everyones feelings but not too much - the discontent shouldn't strike you but hard enough to focus in real cuplrit - Sinsot.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

When the work was done you looked proudly at your creation. Engraved on the wall is a finely designed image of Likot Ubendeb Saramkurig Delerottan the dwarf soapmaker, the King of Akrulaban. The King is buried alive under a pile of rocks by Sinsot Fernokzam the dwarf manager. Sinsot looks exulting. He is surrounded with othe dwarfes. The dwarfes are in sorrow.
Of course it wasn't so harrowing as you wanted but still topical enough to attract attention of every passing by. By the way the place of was very fortunate - near the living quarter entrance right opposite Urist's room. Let this image be an everyday reminder of her coldblooded disinterest. No, of course it would be even better to place it near Sinsot's bedroom but, alas, in the district he lives all walles were covered with engravings with no gaps between. Any place you look at had image of major-vampire, giant moose or rought pictures of Likot, geese and Likot with geese.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You decided not to stay here, you weren't willing to meet Urist again. Now it was time to prepare for the journey to the caves and maybe to find some allies. You were very tired today so you didn't want to pointlessly walk around the fortress, it would be nice to make a route for recruitment visits and a list of things that could be usefull to spot everything beforehead to be able to pick it when the time comes. You tried to recreate the fortress plan as detailed as you could according to what you've seen and heard from other dwarves.
Here are floors from top to bottom:
+1 Barraks and fortifications. Here you can allways find Saruz and couple of his militiadwarfes. Weaopns and armor are likely here as well.
0 Exit to the surface, trap corridor and ballistas. Its Tarem's domain.
-1 Farms and trading depot. Here you can meet farmers especially mage's wife and mother with her sadistic son.
-2 An aquifer, food storage and dump. Someone told you that everyone have to leave their pick outside the booze storage because of one little room planning fault.
-3 The kitchen, dining room, throne room and offices. Sinsot spend most of his time here. In the dining room you can meet almost everyone maybe except Dunan who eats on the run, sleeps outside and visits only dump storage in the fortress and Taren who wasn't seen by almost anyone.
-4 Wealthy living quarters. Almost everyone lives here.
-5 Pooper living quarters. Stand empty 'cause uselessness. Even lama lives on higher level. The entrance to the farther quarters is walled by some reason.
-6 Goods storage. That is domain of Urdim the bookkeeper, his office is also here. On the entrace is a Nux's lodge where he was housed away from the sight of others with the task to guard storages from other kobolds and gremlins.
-8 and -9 Workshops and forges. Bim, Bembul, Danman brothes and other workers work here. Also here is hospital not far from a well.
-11 praying room where fetid prophet is living. Also here are tombs of former rulers of Akrulaban in particular Udil Dodokod, Iden Iteberal and the empty tomb for Likot Ubendeb.
-12 the old necropolis
-13 Galleries beeing extented where you should work hard instead of searching for adventures.
-14 Abandoned excavation which was actively worked out before the Akrulaban massacre. A labitinth of tunnels and excavations where you can hide in case you need.
-15 exit to the caves

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Let's check how hard farther quarter are locked, it could be VERY interesting there.
You came to check how hard was the door to that walled quarter you heard about in dining room is locked.
Fortunately the door wasn't locked at all no heavy locks or tricky valve puzzles, nothing.
Unfortunately the walled quarter was kinda ... WALLED.
However from the other hand maybe it was for the best. Yes, you could certainly spend a day or two deconstructing the blocks but Armok knows how much layers of walls had been pushed there. But the bunch of thoughts swarming in your head don't give you a rest and you went further along your route.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Speaking about supplies, if we take everything at the last moment it will be a run-around job and we can forget something important. Wouldn't it be better to make caches in the unattended part of fortress.
You took all pros and cons and inspite of risks beeing caught by Urdim the bookkeeper while gathering supplies you decided to make a caches. For example in penult floor above the caverns.
You were wakling along the excavations for a while looking for the right corner when someone moved under one of your steps. Investigation exposed a crack in the floor covered with dust and a planch. Sometimes when you are searching a place to make a caches you find someone else's. That was exactly that moment.
The booty were: one knife, one blanket, a sac of hardtacks, eleven emerald rings and a flask with some sour shit and a ham mummy. The rings were pretty tasteless crap which wouldn't interest even the worst kobold if there were no stones in them. But stones were here and it could be counted as modest personal treasure.

[Alluvian_Est-Endrati]

Quite the unusual, but wonderful story thus far. Only recently stumbled upon this, many thanks to those who could translate it for us English-speaking folk. I am really surprised it has been running for so long, quite the accomplishment especially with so much artwork involved and those YouTube videos.

[Criperum]

You are welcome.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Make the caches in the Likots sarcophagus thats so symbolic.
You continued your searches in the labyrinth of tonnels. You couldn't find any more goods but you found several convinient slots and places under rocks where you could hide supplies.
But suddenly you remembered a more convinient place where no one would look - under the Likot's sarcophagus lid. Also no one would be surprised you're going there "to work" during the next few days. That's where you hid all your booty leaving just one ring as a reward sample for those who help you. You were thinking should you visit other royal tombs but hurriedly repaired doors told you that someone(more likely goblins) had stolen everything valuable from there.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Let's go find Nux, tell him to steal a pick and some food, that's easy for him.
Next stop was storage where you were going to kill two birds with one stone: to gladden Nux with news he is going to save Likot with you and to look on supplies.
When you approached the storage you met Gratin with a cloth roll mumbling something discontentedly. You waited a little while he went out of sight, then you passed the lodge and entered the storage. Samelooking twin boxes were standing in the first hall in straight rows. You slightly opened the cover of one of it: a pile of dirty socks, toys mixed with mechanisms in another box. It was impossible to find anything specific if don't know where to look.
So you went to the lodge and knocked at the door with a little window.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

-Nux, are you here?! - you heard some swarming behind the door.
-That's big rareneff - a plait kobold's voice sounded - go ask Belbezdural he'll try to help you.
-Stop all this nonsense! - you throw the door open and entered the small room. Nux was sitting on a bed looking at you with bleary eyes. It was dirty in the lodge, scrap everywhere, a small wine barrel was standing near the bed.
-Oh Tok thats you! I'm so glad to see you! Udrim told me to send everyone looking for anything to him - the kobold stood up swaying - You didn't see my room yet, here is it look at all that lukfury. Look at that bed, even a chief in my holes didn't live like that!
Looks like kobold settled here very well. That would be hard to convince him to leave all that "splendor".

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Pick up the dirty sock, throw it to Nux and say he is free now.
You picked the dirty sock up and offered it to Nux.
- That's for you! You are free now.
- Ehh, I don't get it.. -  the kobold swayed - tis is my sock! What are you talking about?!
- I'm talking about you are beeing banished from the fortress, you pig! - you decided to frighten him as usual.
- How this can be? - Nux was taken aback.
- Other dwarves are complaining about you, you are allways drinking and acting like an animal. I wasn't believing them until I've seen it with my own eyes. What should I do with you?! I guess there is one option...
- Stop, stop - the kobold mumbled emerged into his thoughts while you were talking - Urdim gave me that wine because I'm kinda good fellow.
- That's what I'm talking about. How other dwarves treated you and how did you payed them back!

- Stop lying to me! - Nux fired up - You told you are kinda important dwarf. Bullshit! Belbezdurad is important dwarf! You told about the King and where is he! Take it! - the kobold wheezed and threw the "given" sock at you - And more! - he took other one and did the same - Now you are free, I don't want to see you anymore!
You were so shoked that you didn't resist when he was pushing you out of the room and recovered only after the door locks clicked behind your back.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You took both socks. According to your logic if one sock gives a freedom then two socks gives double freedom? Or the opposite, the second sock cancels first sock effect? Anyway you left all nuances of sock demobilization for better times, and decided to visit accounting which was just couple steps from Nux's room.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The office door was tightly closed but not locked. There was nobody here. A pretty big folio was lying on the table in the center of the room, some smaller logs where standing in the cabinet, the smallest unfiled notebooks were stacked near writing utensils.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

At first you, of course, noticed the awry portrait of Likot and couldn't help youself adding some traits. You were glad it became a little better.
Next you started to rummage the papers trying to determine precision of bookkeeping and maybe to find the location of usefull supplies. First you looked through big ledger. It was a total disappointment. It was empty except the introduction on the first page that Urdim BelBezdural the bookkeeper is starting to account stocks in the glorious fortress Akrulaban under the leadership of wise manager Sinsot Fernokzam a vicar of missing king Likot Ubendeb Saramkurig Delerottan.
You dropped useless book and proceeded with smaller notebooks. They contained more interesting entries: results of the recent deal with caravan(nothing special, mostly crafts traded on food and a dog), bar stocks inventory, a letter about transfer of weapons and armor under the responsibility of Urist Saruz. You noticed that some things were accounted very precise but some things weren't mentioned at all.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You were into paperwork so much you didn't noticed Urdim entered the office.
- Well, well - he frowned - and what Tok the legendary engraver is doing here?
- I'm just.. - you stumbled trying to find and excuse.
- I see you're reading the parers. I guess it's interesting, am I right?
- I was fond of accounting since a was a child - you pressed out an innocent smile.
- Really? And you're trying to learn accounting in secrect - the bookkeeper folded his arms.
- Yes - you noddled.
- Well, I can help you in studies. You'll learn by doing by making an inventory. I'm in need of extra hand right now and I have some more important busyness. If you do it for me I'll close my eyes on you rummaging through my stuff. Do we have a deal?

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You stumled for a moment and answered on bookkeepers proposal:
- Em, actually I'd like to keep my previous labor... And I have work to do. But thaks for your suggestion!
- In that case, honorable legendary engraver - Urdim put down a stack of papers and turned towards you rubbing his hands - we'll return to the first question. What the hell are you doning here?
- I was looking for something remarkable, valuable, worth being engraved - you answered.
- Valuable? You are saying there are no more topics to depict except pots and aquariums.
- As for me it's not a bad idea. It's a genre actually. It's called still life.
- So you were searching for "still life", searching it, searching and voila! Found yourself in my office?
- You never know where searching for inspiration can bring you... - you tryed to find an excuse.
The book keeper was thinking for a second, looked at portraits above your head, grined and said:
- What if I have a better topic for you, Tok?
- Em..  a better topic?
- That's right! I want my portrait above my work table - Urdim pointed the wall - Instead of that ugliness in the middle. Smooth it out, engrave me, and then I won't spread much gossips that you are scheming something suspicious.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Smooth out all of it, Likot's engraving is shitty after all and make a huge bookkeeper's ☼portrait☼
You had to smooth out both Likot's neightbours with it to fit new engraving.
Chuffed bookkeeper was breathing down your neck all the time commenting and annoying you with his sentiments: remove this, add that, wrong nose, more hairs and so on.

- Splendid! - said Urdim when the work was about to end - That's what I call a portrait. Not that retarded scribble that were here before.
- Pardon? - you exerted - By the way all of them are respected dwarfes.
- Yes, but that cretin mug in the center... I'm glad it's not here anymore!

Nurse a grievance him.
Engrave a subliminal message urging every watched to make a calculation mistakes.
That was the last straw. Such disrespect to the King and your friend must be punished.
You silently took your cutter and vigorously continued to engrave. You decided that drawing dicks on his forehead is not your way and you need to make something special. A couple lines later the bookkeeper started to resent:
- Hey! What's that? Some kind of collar? I've asked for royal clothing not that...Tok, why don't you listen to me?
Some time later you finished your work and presented it to the customer:
- Here!
- What "here"! What did you just added? - Urdim was at a loss.
- It's a dish.
- What dish? What does it mean?
- That means I wanted to draw a still life and I did it. I've drawn a still life. The mug is not cretin, it doesn't look like scribble so that must suit you.
The bookkeeper was hesitating making some calculations in his head and, it seems, he realized that he shouldn't talk disrespectfully about Likot in your presence and it were exactly his caustic statements that turned his portrait into still life.
- Emm.. You could say that. - Urdim returned from his thoughts - I'm holding my own head on a dish on your engraving, right? Hm. Is there some hidden meaning?
- The meaning is that a head can be held on a dish only if it is separated from the body. - you mumbled.
- Why so bloodthirsty and straightforward? - the bookkeeper looked at the engraving again and said - Let's say it has another meaning: engravers usually depict some valuable and precious fortress things, right? Artifacts, furniture, dishes, anything else. So my head or rather my intellect in it is so valuable that it was perpetuated in engraving on a par with artifacts. Mm? - he smiled pleased.
- Whatever - you evaded.
- All right - he shrugged - It appeared to be a little bit creepy but it's original. And with a meaning. I'm pleased.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Urdim saw you off to the exit:
- So, Tok the legendary enghraver your part of the deal is done. And for the future if you need any recordings or need to know something about someone try to ask me first, ok? You just need to ask instead of delving in some papers.
- ...- you noddled silently.
- I know you are honest and you can be trusted. That's why I won't keep any secrets from you. Who knows, may be one day I'll ask you for help. I give you an information you help me, a favor for a favor, so to say. I think we can work together.
You shaked hands. In the end the bookkeeped said:
- And yes. My first offer is still valid. If you have time you can visit me, I'll give you some work.

You bowed you with Belbezdurad and sat down to rest.
It was a hard day, a great deal of work was done. But you couldn't call it ineffective:  you got rid of the moskito, advanced in excavations and got the useful acquaintance that can give you an access to anything in the fortress. The situation with Nux was unfortunate but it can be fixed. Probably...
Anyway now you need a plan your actions for tomorrow, may be you should even take a day off to do everything. It should happen tomorrow: everything or nothing. Either you find Likot or you have to turn back home to Arol-Iton empty-handed, where your family is waiting for you for a week, no two weeks...You've almost forgotten how long you haven't seen them. It would be so good your family move here... But without Likot neither you nor your family are welcome here.

But now you need a plan. And good sleep.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You rested a little and doddered to your room. You don't want to fall asleep in the middle of the corridor. There you were greeted by the spider, your fears about him were vain - he not only managed to eat that nasty moskito but turned back home safe.
- Welcome back-s-s - the spider was sitting on the bed, he waved you with legs - you were away for s-s-o long.
You carefully moved the spider and fell on the bed.
- You should know that I ate that mos-s-skito.
- I know, well done! - you grabbed him - I've also achieved some progress - you told him about what you have done. His reaction surprised you: he wasn't so much glad you started excavations as worried you didn't take him with you. You promised to take him next time with you and not to sent anywhere then you bundled up in a blanket and fall into a deep sleep.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

When you woke up next morning life in fortess was already in full swing: you heard dwarfes walking to work behind the door. You had to gather in a hurry, settle the spider under the hat and run to the dining room listen new lecturing from Urist.
Dwarfesses were already sitting at the table near the entrance and finishing their breakfast.
- Good morning Bucketotil - the mason greeted you frostily.
- Hi, Tok - Urvad joined her.
- The same to you - you noddled.
- You are late today, we have to finish our jobs until the evening: Mr. Fernokzam is planning to hold the burial ceremony today. So you will engrave slabs in my workshop and after they are installed you'll help Urvad with those walls she won't keep pace with. Any questions?
- Can I eat at least? -  you asked tartly.
- Look for yourself, last night you asserted vehemently that you are independent dwarf and are able take responsibility for your decisions. If you do your job in time you can do whatever you want, but if you don't you'll asnwer for it - she stood up from the table - And one more thing. Here is the list of all members of the lost expedition -  she gave you a folded piece of paper and went to the dinner hall exit with Urvad.
You unfolded the note: there were five names, a route to the workshop and Likot's tomb, the route you've already knew. The names had burial anthems to be engraved in the slabs:

"Here lies Likot Ubendeb Saramkurig Delerottan.
He loved geese and elves.
He was a king.
He banishedan army of goblins.
He died under a cave-in."

"Here lies Ivety Forivara.
She loved dwarfes and lived with them.
She was a medic.
She save dwarf life.
She died under a cave-in"

"Here lies Okbod Idar.
He loved emeralds and bones.
He was a night creatures hunter.
He was a terror of nobles.
He died under a cave-in."

"Here lies Vuteni Telirenelime.
He loved elves and spiders.
He was a trapper.
He was a true dwarf in any situation.
He died under a cave-in."

"Here lies Sedil Itdun.
She loved bronze and mooses.
She was a priestess.
She did no harm.
She died under a cave-in."

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Left alone you foremost decided to know more about expedition members. A couple of lines in anthem are not enough for inspiration after all, also if Likot's companions are alive you should know them.
You decided to start with spider. With all that bustle about searching, the moskito elimination and working you'd completely forgotten to ask him what exacly he had seen. You went to the safe place on the food storage to talk to him.
- Hey, spider - you whispered - You can talk. I want something form you.
- What-s again, we had a deals-s - he hissed - you have to take me with-s you to th-se caverns-s.
- I'm not going to send you anywhere - you started to worry about his maniac perseverance, may be he is plotting something bad. You decided to test his words - tell me more about when you had found Likot in the cave.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

- Likot-s, th-sat dwarf king - spider stomped under the had - he is-s quite usual. When I found him he was-s eating olms-s on the s-shore. I do s-the s-same s-sometimes-s. But the s-second was very s-strange, s-she didn't want to eat, s-screamed at him. Who s-screams in the caves-s? Only those who want to be eaten fas-ster.
- Can you be more specific? - you tryed to expose the spider - how did they look?
- Like dwarfes-s, he had the s-same bristle like yours, but two of them. She was-s tall and couldn't s-see in the dark.
- How did you know he is a king?
- I heard he claimed hims-self the king of the caves when I followed him.
- May be you just ate him? - oyu tryed to asked him directly.
- You think I'm craz-sy, it is-s dangerous-s to attack someone who is-s bigger than you are. It was-s interesting. I'm intelligent creature after all, like them.
Well, the spider didn't confess to anything and didn't answered where the rest three dwarfes gone as well. Looks like they died under the cave-in. On the other hand according to his words Ivety that elfess is alive and is wondering now in the caverns with Likot.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You took a seed bag, stuffed it with food and decided to spend some time asking several other people. The best candidate from all who were in the dining room was Atil. You hesitated to start conversation with that Sinsot's henchman but you had no time and any desire to search other candidates.
- Good morning - you approached his table - may I sit here?
- Hello. Yes, of course - he mumbled - By the way Urist was searching for you. I understand you have work to do but he was hoping you'll look in trainings in your spare time.
- I can't find time for this, I'm getting ready for today ceremony - you shrugged - I want to ask can you tell me something about them? - you gave Atil the paper - Personal approach, kinda.
- Well, about King Likot, I guess, you know more than me, I can tell you about the rest if you want. To honor their memories I guess - Atil was thinking some time before started his story.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ivety, what can I say about her, poor girl. There was a lot going on there with her, she'd seen a lot. You know, when I came here we were burying bodies alone for several months and demouting goafs. It's too scary to even think what was here before I arrived. All that broke her down, in some sort, she was afraid of each noise at start but then she got used to it. Likot made a garden for her in the yard. She spent much time there. Then she started to go out and disappear for several days. I guess she got better outside but she didn't want to leave. She loved our king and he loved her as well in his manner.

Who's next, Sedil. She was Armok priestess. You probably know it's a deity. Likot respected him a lot and he made her his favorite. You know, I was glad she came here, on one hand, on the other hand I think that religion is personal business and noone should dash it. Also Armok is special kind of deity he does not need all these rituals. He just exists. I'd better ask Shasad about priestess they were kind of friends, I didn't deal with her much. Except religios chats.

Talking about Okbod it was an unpleasant occasion about him, the priestess looked too young for her age and Okbod was crazy about vampires. Sometime I think he came to the fortress just because he  heard local mayor was a vampire. I think you saw his engravings, there is still plenty of them. I heard a lot of stories about that Okbod: he was nightcreatures hunter, he was a criminal, someone said his bride had been drunk out by a vampire and he went insane from grief. I don't know what is truth, but such glory makes you to be afraid of that dwarf. From the other hand he was a brave dwarf and he grew roots in our fortress. He could be a good friend after all.

As for Vuteni, he was a good fellow. He's being a dwelf is a nonsense of course. He was just shy about his thin beard but dwarfes don't talk about such things on public. Many avoided him but he wasn't angry of it. But I can say that it was he who helped Ivety to recover. May be he was a little too busily with her but a least it helped her to move over that things in her head.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

>Operation canceled: Mason Tok needs a drink
You said farewell to Atil, thanked him for the usefull information and went back to the workshops. All five slabs were ready pretty soon and you started to drag them to the lower levels. On the third or forth you suddenly remembered that building slabs is a work for furnace hauler not for legendary engraver and that means you don't have to do anything more and you really need  to blooze. You canceled the job and started to walk around the floors searching someone to bloooze with you.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Passing by one of the corridors you came on very suspicious procession of three dwarfes looking like Sodelm Tulon and Gratin carrying something looking like bags covered with something looking like blood. It was still dripping on the floor from one of the bags making a dotted trail following the company.
By some reason you didn't want to offer them to drink with you, apparently they are very busy now.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

>go to Sinsot for a chat
An idea came to your head, why don't you blooze with Sinsot? You didn't find any arguments against and you rushed straight to his level. You didn't find him in managers office, he was at the Likot's throne room. At last you have seen Latongazot - the masterpiece of dwarven craftsmanship and you got a good thought seeing it. Sinsot wasn't sitting on the throne but on a chair near it scribling something in his journal.
He raised his eyes on you:
- I'm listening, fine sir - he said.
- Hello - you noddled in response - Do you have a minute?
- If it is important then go ahead. I'm not going to digress on some nonsense. So either talk if it is important or leave. - Sinsot was calm but your appearence in the door way didn't please him. So the chance to blooze with the manager depends on "important thing" you have to say.
And you have something to say, haven't you?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You shouldn't talk about Likot with the manager, it's better to avoid his name at all. The first thing came to your mind was to tell him about suspicious dwarfes.
- I heard pets are disappering in the fortress lately - you started.
- Yes - Sinsot noddled - I was reported about the Urvad's moskito incident.
- I want to report about a crime I've witnesed - you closed the door and started whispering - I saw Sodel, Tulon and Gatin carrying somewhere bags covered with blood. Looks like they...
- Thank you for your vigilance but there was nothing criminal - the boss snapped out.
- But it looked like...
- I'm telling you there is nothing to worry about. Those dwarfes amputated a leg from a harmed migrant from your wave, remember? So you can get back to your work - he waved to the door - of course if don't have something else to say.

- May be you want your portrait? - you suggested trying to find any topic to continue the conversation.
- May be later. Right now I want to know are you going to prepare everything for today burial in time?
- Yes - you answered and added quickly - there is lot of work but we'll do everything in time - Sinson giving you more job is the last thing you want, and he will if he knows you've finished with the slabs.
- Good - Sinsot caressed his beard - don't let Urist down. I don't like your paintings in the living quarters but she stood up for you by the way. As for me I wouldn't trust you that much but I rely on her in such busyness.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Suddenly throne room's door opened harshly interrupting Sinsot.
- I'm back! We had a deal, they are waiting outside - you turned around, the owner of familiar voice was Shasad. She noticed you as well. An awkward silence filled the room.
- Go back to your work - Sinsot said to you - and one more thing, knowing your curiosity I remind you both: there is information that has to be kept in secret for good of all mountain home.

Then Sinsot cease talking and started to wait until you leave the hall in close the door form the outside.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You decided that eavesdroping is too risky and went to check out what those suspicious dwarfes were doing. It was obvious that they were together with Sinsot and all that surgery story was just an excuse.
You came back to the place you met them. The blood trail was still clearly visible. You looked around and put the spider out from under your hat:
- Go check where does this trail go.
- What, this-s is-s not the caves-s-s. Why didn't we go there immediately? - he hissed discontentedly.
- Calm down, can you say what is this trail is?
- That's-s drops-s of dwarven blood.
- Can trace where it goes?
- It goes where the drops end. Why do you need that trail? We need to go to the caves-s. If you aren't going s-there, find me a dwarf willing to dig-s out your King-s.
- I'm just working on it - oyu mumbled and put the spider back under the hat.

Of course you didn't go to the caves and you didn't search for "dwarf willing to dig out the King", you followed the trail. Following one direction you surprisingly reached the hospital where you found an unknown dwarf. He was unconscious, pale as chalk and he endeed had a leg gone. Also you noticed fresh blood piles on the floor and one of the operating tables. Still hoping to reveal some sort of plot you followed the trail to other direction. It brought you to the garbage bump where you easily found a couple of bags with bloody cloth, dirty napkins and purple leg with horrible purulent wound. You almost spew seeing all this. Another trail brought you to the well near the farms where dwarfes seemed to be cleaning themselves. That was very handy because you wanted to clean your face either.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Next you decided to know the secret Shasad was reporting to Sinsot. Someone was waiting at the surface and you didn't come up with anything better then just go upstairs and see everything with your own eyes. You suspected that a caravan had come to the fortress and you could get something special but the trade depot was empty and there were no traders in the yard. Instead you discovered a group of armed humans looking at you and setting up a camp.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

That's our good friend Tomod who was in captivity with Tok. It's a good chance to drink and get some news about the world around

You saw a tall silhouette of your late fellow in the frowning crowd.
- Tomod! - you shouted - What bring you here?
The maypole noticed you, apparently he recognized your face but refrained from greetings.
- I see you are not alone here! Don't you want to introduce me? I'm Tok if you suddenly forgot!
Tomod slightly moved his eyebrows like saying "Oh yeah, Tok. Sorry I forgot you."
- You were injured in that mess we were, how are you, how do you feel?
- Fine - he noddled.
- Tell me please, we have lost a dwarf, a good fellow. Likot Ubendeb is his name. Haven't you met him?
The human shrugged.
- So what's your news? What's going on in the world? What brings you to Akrulaban? - you filled the maypole with questions.
- Look - he started to talk monotonically - your talkative friend promised us food and booze. Can you escort us into a tavern?
While you were madly thinking how to get the human talking, the spider started to move. He was getting more and more nervous until he finally shouted.
- What? Why it is-s-s s-s-o bright here? - he hissed.
Tomod looked at you amazedly.
- It's okay! Just collywobbles - you hummed and ran to the fortress entrance - Cave adaptation, I'll be right back soon! - you shouted Tomod while running.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You ran into shadows the only way to calm the spider down, he stopped hissing incoherently and tearing your hair.
- The S-s-sun! It sh-shines s-thought the cloth-s! It blinds-s! It burn-s! S-stupid dwarf! Dumb dwarf! Why did you came out to s-the s-surface?! That's-s not where you have to go, you have to go the the cave!
- Why you are so loud? I didn't permit you to talk actually -  you tryed to pacify the arthropod.
- You have to go to s-the cave, do what I s-say! - the spider hissed threateningly. You tried to put the hat off but stopped when something painfully dug into your head - S-stop! Or you'll get my poison. I have lot of pois-son so go to s-the cave right now!
That was too much. You remembered the spider said that his poison is not lethal but you didn't want to test it. Even so it was unsafe to run around the yard ripping a spider off your head. What if some human with arachnophobia will try to help you... using an axe.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The spider must pay for such an impudence - that's your decision. But it could make more harm than profit to burn him on the Sun. So if he wants to go to the caves so much, let's go there. That should lull him and may be he would climb off your head and you'll have your revenge.
- Here I'm walking down to the caves, are you happy now? That's what you want - you whispered looking around hoping no one noticed you are speaking to yourself.
- Yes-s, that's-s right.
- We are in the same team but you are not listeninig to me. All right, if you want that we'll go the the cave. But what we'll do next?
- I'll sh-show you where to dig and you will dig - the spider was speaking calm but all his body was tense like a taut string.
- What, with bare hands?
- You told me you were digging before-s.
- How did you listen, I had another dwarf with me and he had a pick.
- We need to call h-him again.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

When you were passing by the storages you heard screams and brattle. You ceased talking and huddled to the wall.
"Felp! Fomebody!" - horribly screaming Nux jumped out to the stairs. He ran past you and rushed upstairs.
"Stop right there, you rat!" - an angry dwarf was chasing him, a migrant-soapmaker: "I'll show you how to tell the dwarf what he should or shouldn't do!"
You decided not to stop him, you were even happy to see how that impudent kobold will get what he deserves. As if nothing were wrong you continued your way downstairs and palavering the spider.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

- You see, now there is another dwarf named Sinsot ruling the fortress and he is preventing me from searching the King. I'm sure he arranged the avalanche - you started to explain the spider the situation hoping to get the whole truth from him.
If there is a forgotten beast on the other side you could use it for your purposes and wanted the spider to understand this. You wanted him to understand and tell the truth because you were very angry that some arthropod is manipulating you.
- No - the spider was still keeping silence - th-there is no monsters there - he ceased talking for a while and then asked - So other dwarfes are no longer obeying the King?
- Exactly, I am the only loyal left! - you sayed proudly.
- Then you can lie to th-them. Tell them that all dwarfes-s are alive and the King is-s dead - the spider suggested - th-then th-they'll start digging with no fear that old King will come back. And then you save him.
- We are here! - you said entering the lock combination and going into the cave.
- Put off th-the hat, I want to look! - the spider was glad. That's what you were waiting for. You started to carefully pulling the hat off then suddenly you grabbed him harshly and pulled off from the head. The hat was in your hands and the arthropod was inside like in the bag.
- I finally got you! - you exulted - Now we speak another way.

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But the conversation didn't started: a ghost flew on you right from the wall. His eyes were flaming, his face was distorted with angry grimace. His glance was freezing your blood.

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You were so shoked, frightened and angry that you lost the ability to act rationaly. You screamed and automatically threw whatever you had in your hands into the enemy. The shot was precise but absolutely ineffective. The spider in the hat flew through the ghost and hit the wall screaming.
There was a suggestion to shout "Spiderchu, I choose you!" but OP didn't use it.

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Then you ran away in panic. You ran by the bridge without even thinking to close it, reached the stairs and ran upstairs jumping over the steps. You were feeling that the ghost is chasing you but were too scared to look back.

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- Bucketotil, where have you been... - you met Urist placing the door on your way.
Running by you've almost knocked her down. Knocking the door you found yourself in necropolis.

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You looked around breathing heavily: all five slabs were in place. Anxious Urvad tried to tell you something but you didn't listen. You felt the cold wind blowing at your back.

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- The slabs, Urvad?! - you wheezed
- We placed all you engraved.
"And I did every from the list" - you thought.
- Answer me what have happened? - she came closer walking over the blocks prepared to wall one of the side passages.
The ability to think clear was coming back. If the ghost wasn't put to rest that means that engravings contains mistakes or it's not a fortress citizen. You were sure you wrote everything right. The probability that meticulous Urist made a mistake was also extremely small.
- We need to report Sinsot! Now! - you said understanding the seriousness of the situation.
Urvad wnated to fill you with questions but Urist's scream interrupted her.
- Okbod! How! - she receded into necropolis. You noticed the ghost in the door way approaching like hell.

[CaptainLambcake]

awesome stuff here been following for over a year

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You've never been a hero and not going to be one now. "Run!" - you shouted and jumped into dark narrow tunnel. You heard screams behind oyur back.
- Tok, help! - Urvad shouted after you. You stopped for a second before turning the corner. The dwarfess was standing in the tonnel entrance. You couldn't see what was happening in the necropolis.
- Run, fool! - you shouted before hareing away further.
You were running and praying not to astray or get into a dead end. Soon Urvad overtook you, she was much better runner than you. Together you made a circle and ran out of the tunnels from the opposite side if the stair hall.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

From that place you noticed the ghost who was beating Urist lying on the floor. He wasn't paying attention on you so you carefully stepped on the stairs feeling relatively safe.
-Hey red eye! Try and catch me! - Urvad shouted. The ghost shifted his attention on you.
-You are nuts! - you got angry and continued your run.
-I won't let her at his mercy - the dwarfess answered swallowing words. When she overtook you again she said - may be she is still alive.

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You overcame ten floors with remarkable speed. The best motivation was that after a couple of floors Urvad was before you again. About half way up you started to meet other dwarfes. You bewildered them with your screams and phrases parts but once they saw the ghost emerging from under the floor they ran away immediately.
When you'd reached the throne room the ghost had already shifted on someone else spreading chaos and panic through all the Akrulaban.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You threw the door open without knocking. Sinsot was sitting at his favorite table surrounded by Shasad, Urist-commander and the bookkeeper.
-What now! Get out, I have an imp...-the viceregent frowned.
-The ghost! Angry! - you interrupted him.
-It's Okbod. We made a slab but he wasn't put to rest, on the contrary he atacked us - Urvad added.
-We need to do something or it will be a massacre - you confirmed her words.
Sinsot's limbs became soft. He leaned his head on his hand and watched to the space. In his eyes you can see "Why all this shit is happening to me?"

[Criperum]

RETURN OF THE KING!!!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

It was a third week you were in this village where Itlud the fisherman brought you to. You didn't find out the name of this place but prices on the alchohol were already written in stone if you can call the stone the contents of your head. Ivety sang elvish songs on a crossroad earning money for your drinks and you were the generator of awesome stories for the whole last month in the same tavern you woke last time. You attended your marital business about two days ago (twice) and your wife saw you sober this morning so everything is fine. Angryspoon was in the woodcutters house because you came to his place at the night, said you are sorry for your behaviour and left your spoon as a guarantee of... something I don't remember what.
Right now you've just finished your story about lama from Akrulaban.