Today marked the day they would begin digging deeper into the mountain, smoothing things as they go for those lazy humans. They were the best choice for trade, being the closest civilization nearby. They also now began construction of a trade depot outside. It would be needed, too. The smoothing was going slowly, but productively. it was useful for water flow too, preventing puddles from sitting and stagnating. They also began breaking apart the wagons, since all the contents had been moved now. The wood was needed for beds. The floor wasn't going to work for sleeping. Plus, it may be needed for something else later. They'd need to be conservative...
Oddom began the depot. They had a few mugs and that totem to sell. It would, hopefully, get them more drink. And food would be nice as well. Meanwhile, Kel was giggling to himself. He was hauling the most heavy corpse of a giant leopard back home. He had shot it clean through the eye, just like last time. But this was the right instead of left. He was THE marksdwarf, THE hunter, THE killer. He was Kel Bibanerib! No, he'd need a new name, soon.. it wasn't good enough...
The others rejoiced at the kill's return. Much more food for them. Bones for bolts too. And another skull for a totem, woo. Erith once again butchered the corpse, utilizing every bit he could. They had food now, but soon every scrap would be required. Mafol would need to get around to finishing the wagon-breaking. He had done one, but needed more. It was unpleasant work. But they'd need the wood for beds and maybe other things. He'd also need to build a carpenter's workshop.. he dreaded the idea of the task.
The drink was almost gone. Maybe three mugs left. Hard times were about to arrive... The storeroom was also getting too small, and so they enlarged it. By now both wagons were dismantled.
Then, 12th Felsite, Late Spring, as Mafol worked, he spotted a monstrous creature approaching. A Nightwing. Thankfully Kel was still with the others, and he engaged it, firing his little arrows away. This wasn't a jaguar or leopard, this was a creature that would slaughter them gleefully for fun. The first arrow stabbed into it's right shoulder painfully, the second into it's right upper arm, peircing deeply within. The next two arrows missed, before another lodged into it's upper body, puncturing a lung. It was headed in a screeching, breakneck speeding frenzy right for Kel. He had to shoot fast and hard! The next arrow seemed to bounce off harmlessly. It was maybe twenty feet away, closing like a missile. He was out of arrows.. time to brace for impact. He stepped forward and prepare. And, the melee began. He swung, batting it's left hand with his crossbow. It retaliated, striking his lower leg, scraping the flesh. He struck back, hitting it roughly in the spine. It lashed as his leg, tearing a chunk free painfully. He turned and began to circle the creature, then ran. He needed help, this was too much for the dwarf, even as wonderful of a killer as he was! As he rushed to the entrance of the caves, the dogs began to approach. The other dwarves prepared for battle. One of the dogs leapt at the nightwing. It tried to bite it, but was knocked away, lightly bruising it's right front leg. The dog then managed to take a nip of it's left upper leg, followed shortly after by it's left hip, causing it much consternation. It's luck didn't last long, the monster slashing in. Completely severing it's rear leg from the base down, a horrendous and greivious wound was inflicted to the brave animal. Just then the other dog leapt from behind, tearing into the Nightwing's upper right arm. It flung her violently to the ground, stunning her and moderately damaging her leg. (Combat 1 picture)
It then tore in to the dog's lower torso, causing grevious pain and damage. By now the dwarves were arriving. Erith and Mafol, to begin, with Oddom nearby behind. The creature flung itself at Erith, not harming him but stunning him definitely. Mafol pushed in with all his might, wresting the beast and knocking it back, stunned, before taking a great swing with the spare iron axe they had. Mafol's swing disloged it's entire right leg, blood spewing everywhere. Together Erith and Mafol worked to pin it, fairly successfully. Mafol then stepped back and made a mighty swing, smashing the nightwing into the mechanic's workshop, killing it. The fight was finally over, dwarving saving the day. (Combat 1 end pic)
Kel wasted no time going back to work, despite his minor injuries. He soon returned a giant jaguar corpse, which Erith prepared. Mafol had begun to construct the first of three planned beds. It was painfully slow going, Mafol had no idea how to be a carpenter. Around the time of the second bed, they realized they were out of drink. And no caravan had arrived yet... hasty plans were made to dig a well, in vain hopes it would provide the drink they needed. They also began a still to brew the one plump helmet they had. Erith got to work making that helmet into booze, quickly out of necessity. Mafol tried his best to hurry the bucket, as all the dwarves began to grow thirsty. Very, very thirsty. They both finished at around the same time, the well being put into the room with kitchen and still. The booze should tide them over until it was done, as vile as water tasted it would sustain them until the caravans came. The well still required stone blocks, which Oddom was simply too tired to make. He slept in his workshop, mid-project. None could wake him, and it looked poor. Geshud, the second most knowledgeable of rock, finished the blocks, shoving the comatose mason aside, and the well was ready. But by now, everyone had collapsed from heat, exhaustion, and sheer tiredness. And so the second, exciting, day ended. (Day 2 end picture)