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DF Community Games & Stories / The Ghost Fortress of Tongsrenown (Community Story)
« on: July 30, 2008, 04:21:21 pm »
After reading a lot of the great stories posted here I've decided to throw my +pig-tail hat+ into the ring and write one of my own. This was kind of an impromptu idea so keep in mind I'll be making it up as I go along. The basic story, however, is that of a fortress many thought existed, but upon discovery many adventurous migrants find nothing. They decide that rather than risking the long trek back to the mountainhomes, they will instead carve out their own fortress in the immediate area as a bastion in the wilderness for any other migrant group that has fallen victim to the Ghost Fortress of Tongsrenown. Little do these stalwart pioneers know that an unknown force is lurking in the hills, watching their struggles and judging their worthyness.
I'll keep it in the style of a community fortress for those interested. First up, we have our enterprising Dwarves to consider.
Any requests for specific traits/Dwarves can be fulfilled by migrants if none of the Dwarves here have what you (the forum audience) wants. But now, on to the introduction.
_________________________
From the journal of Mistem Athellal:
1st of Timber, 375.
I don't know if we've been purposely swindled or some malign spirit is having a laugh with us. We followed the map we bought off the Merchant caravan back in Councilconstructs to the letter, but there's nothing here but more wilderness. They claimed a great Dwarven Fortress, Tongsrenown, was coming up from the hills like a gleaming beacon. All I see is more hills.
We've set up camp at the base of a hill near a bend in the river. Tomorrow when everyone is rested I'll order some patrols into the surrounding wilderness. I pray to Lilar that we've only gone off track and missed the fortress...
The following was written in the mid-morning of the 2nd of Timber, 375.
I'm not sure whether to take this as bad news or good. Domas, the pump operator, found what looks to be a Dwarven built wall and bridge far to the southeast. However, he said it looks worn and abandoned...
I've decided to gather our band of 9 and investigate as a group. We've all heard plenty of tales of what likes to make its home in old Dwarven ruins. If we encounter anything, lets hope it will be put off by our numbers. I hope it is simply a ruse to discourage passing raiders.
The following was written in the late evening of the 2nd of Timber, 375.
Nothing but old rock and ruins. My worst fears have come to life. We searched the area around the old trade depot for whatever we could reclaim but it seems time has not been well to this place. Among the many bones scattered about we found a copper pick, and three tower-cap barrels. We found two doors against the cliff face, but try as we might we could not get them to budge.
I didn't want to stay there for long; with all those bones laying about, that place could be the den of some terrible creature. I didn't want to upset it by overstaying our welcome. Perhaps when we are stronger and have good food and alcohol in our bellies we will endeavor to return and break those doors down. But for now, we must get out of this oppressive heat.
11th of Timber, 375
I haven't had much time to write in the last few days. I've been busy enough just foraging for food, and keeping proper records would be too taxing on my time. I guess my lists will have to wait. Domas umarlogen, the pump operator that discovered the ruins, has taken upon himself to carve out the hill we set up camp nearby the first night. It won't be much, but it will be better than staying out here in this heat.
Foraging has yielded some results, however meager they may be. So far we've found enough Wild Strawberries on the west side of the brook for four meals, or some Stawberry Wine. We also found some Blade Weed and Hide Root, but I'm told they are only useful for dyes. I've ordered foraging on the east side of the brook as well. We had better come up with some more food soon. I don't want in-fighting to be the death of us.
The following was written in the late evening of the 11th of Timber, 375
I'm not sure yet what our fate is out here, but I know for certain we can't risk any more travels. Not only that, but on our journey I have heard many rumors of other groups making their way to this god-forsaken place. I wouldn't want them to fall into the same fate as ourselves. As such, I've decided that we should stay in this area for the time being, to make sure at the very least more Dwarves don't fall victim to the 'legend' of Tongsrenown.
I've had some time tonight to make a drawing of the camp, for posterity.
Attached is a crude drawing of the camp.
I'll keep it in the style of a community fortress for those interested. First up, we have our enterprising Dwarves to consider.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Any requests for specific traits/Dwarves can be fulfilled by migrants if none of the Dwarves here have what you (the forum audience) wants. But now, on to the introduction.
_________________________
From the journal of Mistem Athellal:
1st of Timber, 375.
I don't know if we've been purposely swindled or some malign spirit is having a laugh with us. We followed the map we bought off the Merchant caravan back in Councilconstructs to the letter, but there's nothing here but more wilderness. They claimed a great Dwarven Fortress, Tongsrenown, was coming up from the hills like a gleaming beacon. All I see is more hills.
We've set up camp at the base of a hill near a bend in the river. Tomorrow when everyone is rested I'll order some patrols into the surrounding wilderness. I pray to Lilar that we've only gone off track and missed the fortress...
The following was written in the mid-morning of the 2nd of Timber, 375.
I'm not sure whether to take this as bad news or good. Domas, the pump operator, found what looks to be a Dwarven built wall and bridge far to the southeast. However, he said it looks worn and abandoned...
I've decided to gather our band of 9 and investigate as a group. We've all heard plenty of tales of what likes to make its home in old Dwarven ruins. If we encounter anything, lets hope it will be put off by our numbers. I hope it is simply a ruse to discourage passing raiders.
The following was written in the late evening of the 2nd of Timber, 375.
Nothing but old rock and ruins. My worst fears have come to life. We searched the area around the old trade depot for whatever we could reclaim but it seems time has not been well to this place. Among the many bones scattered about we found a copper pick, and three tower-cap barrels. We found two doors against the cliff face, but try as we might we could not get them to budge.
I didn't want to stay there for long; with all those bones laying about, that place could be the den of some terrible creature. I didn't want to upset it by overstaying our welcome. Perhaps when we are stronger and have good food and alcohol in our bellies we will endeavor to return and break those doors down. But for now, we must get out of this oppressive heat.
11th of Timber, 375
I haven't had much time to write in the last few days. I've been busy enough just foraging for food, and keeping proper records would be too taxing on my time. I guess my lists will have to wait. Domas umarlogen, the pump operator that discovered the ruins, has taken upon himself to carve out the hill we set up camp nearby the first night. It won't be much, but it will be better than staying out here in this heat.
Foraging has yielded some results, however meager they may be. So far we've found enough Wild Strawberries on the west side of the brook for four meals, or some Stawberry Wine. We also found some Blade Weed and Hide Root, but I'm told they are only useful for dyes. I've ordered foraging on the east side of the brook as well. We had better come up with some more food soon. I don't want in-fighting to be the death of us.
The following was written in the late evening of the 11th of Timber, 375
I'm not sure yet what our fate is out here, but I know for certain we can't risk any more travels. Not only that, but on our journey I have heard many rumors of other groups making their way to this god-forsaken place. I wouldn't want them to fall into the same fate as ourselves. As such, I've decided that we should stay in this area for the time being, to make sure at the very least more Dwarves don't fall victim to the 'legend' of Tongsrenown.
I've had some time tonight to make a drawing of the camp, for posterity.
Attached is a crude drawing of the camp.