Story - The Constructive Vault
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603 Early spring,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w46FypeS9TYMrCleaver fell to his knees, "no further" cried the Lumberjack dwarf, his copper battleaxe falling to strike the ground. Mechanic turned and halted the party. "fine, we settle there" pointed Mechanic, sending the copper axes to work. Timber felled, Earth turned, Chalk cleaved and buckets filled. The Constructive Vault within The Forest of Waves was settled finally on the eve of Spring festival of wheels. The dwarven party celebrated the initiation of the endeavor for sure in the knowledge that the lords back in the mountain homes would come to their senses and summon them home before the first rains of winter ... sadly, like the two rabbits that they had embarked with, there will be slaughter before this tale is out.
A short while later, perhaps while OreBurner was fetching water from Grievedzenith, a local brook of fresh water. she overheard Mechanic and GemCutter, the two were making plans for the fortress. "The chalk is of acceptable quality however, the bedrock seems the a fine til" the Furnace operator stated pointing to a bed rock of granite at the base of the water fall. "surely, there could be a use for this natural formation?" questioned the engineer, "yes" agreed GemCutter continuing "however, a drowned zombie is still considered undead..." "oh" accepted Mechanic
remembering the shadow of Loriklist, Toolwhisper seen to the south.
OreBurner shivered, frightened by a/the conversation, it would be while before she slept and there was much to do before the first rains.
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603 Late Summer,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XB-8uSgDyEBladeKeeper watched the construction with abated happiness, things were moving much too slowly. Storage halls and craft levels would be finished in caves of chalk come nightfall.
SheepHerder came over carrying the last of the dwarvin ale, "the last of a fine drink" "Ale?" questioned BladeKeeper "I detest the stuff, what else is there?". SheepHerder looked stunned, as did everyone else. no dwarf had turned down Dwarvin Ale for water before ...
It was a few hours later and a bit to the side, that GemCutter and WoodenBlade took BladeKeeper aside. "how do you feel about elves?" question GemCutter, "would you like a hug?" asked WoodenBlade. "What?" gasped the surprised BladeKeeper, "You fiends in disguise." cried the dwarf facing his two friend. "No no this is a joke." shouted one, Yes yes this is a joke cried the other.
And they all returned to the fortress axes in hand, not that BladeKeeper had noticed.
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604 Spring,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjT8RZnPxpUThe Werezebra Usbu Anxuangstur has come! A large zebra twisted into humanoid form. it is crazed for blood and flesh, its eyes glow orange.
The werezebra was upon us in no time, we hadn't yet dug the storage halls or even set a basic defense. A call was put forward and we the inhabitants took up what we could and charged towards what would be surely our doom. Such folly to run towards those dark gnashing teeth and those hooves of demonic menace. Before a single blow landed our first had fallen, the noble CanBreath had caught a sudden blow to the gut and while doubled over the werezebra kicked out, taking CanBreath's right leg below the knee. The melee allowed few seconds for our own picks strike the beast from behind, biting into flesh but, not slowing the beast. The werezebra strugged off all blows and to add insult to a grave tale the were zebra grasped PumpEngineer Absamcatten by the arm, and as a whirlwind of flesh, werezebra and dwarf, set to dispatching blows upon those around them. Finally they came apart after the arm joint became weakened from the thrashing. PumpEngineer and stump spun away to crash into OreBurner, tumbling to the ground. However the werezebra is not done with CanBreath and turned to pummel CanBreath with PumpEngineer's right arm. Dwarf froze, frightened by the sudden devastation of the werezebra's onslaught there seems nothing that could weaken the beast, let alone kill it.
That is until that moment ... "ha ha I've done it." cried Reg Ilirkubuk from within the hole, A simple peasant emerged holding aloft a pine abol, oh such a wooden object of beauty and grace. The dwarfs turned from the werezebra to gaze upon the relic and as if powered by such a creation those foul and dirty dwarves surged as energy came more reserves unknown and revitalized from viewing such an instrument made of bone framing, a simple stone body adorned with plain rings of pine and menaced spikes of picture jasper. They braced.
"I do not fear death" cried CantSwim Rocksdrinks as his arm was crushed, the beast distracted by such a statement for a weaken and morally defeated foe, allowed JohnVonTrap Bershadmal sword dwarf to stab forward with their copper shortsword, the blade slided between the werezebra's jaws smashing apart the werezebra's teeth, the beast staggered by the blow. Spills blood, icor and teeth across the surrounding dwarfs.
The dwarfs rally, seeing the beast bleed and break. it was only later the we learned the price of such a victory.
... PumpEngineer Searchchannels rocked, traumatized her voice shakes as she simply repeats endlessly
"I've been injured badly. There is no hope!"
Mechanic decided upon setting up an internal wall duty squad, armed with crossbows and blades they wait for signs of any change from within the internal population. A state was given at the time "Trial by fire, works well enough, if they are bitten it is a matter of time before their natures will change and slaughter can begin." above those attending the presentation were Wall Duty a military squad setup as guards, their crossbows loaded and readily pointed upon each other.
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Whether by Nadak's design or as a lasting effort of Usbu Anxuangstur, the werezebra's curse touchs one of the fortress however, Mechanic had planned for the possibility of infection and the corruption was put down before too much damage could be done thanks to LeatherHead and the patrolling marksdwarfs.
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604 summer,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqr8ESlPsZMCanSwim the wrestler verse Blilithlirsnus, kobold thief extraordinaire^SeeUcafikim . Within the shadows awaits a thief of the Tepid Spittle, waiting to get the timing of the patrols just right, the thief dashes toward an opening in the fortress's defenses. When suddenly the kobold stumbles, an attack launched in the form of a punch to the kobold's left lower leg slows the beast, The kobold reacts slashing outward to fend off an attacker of the fortress before it. A dwarf charges, colliding the thief, knocking it over and sending it tumbles backward. The dwarf Canswim lunges toward the kobold grappling and taking hold of the kobold's ears. Punches are thrown, silk tunic torn and skin bleeds freely. The fight turns savage with the two biting each other. Then fight steps up a level as Canswim begins gouging the face and eyes of kobold, unable to free its self the kobold meets its fated doom before The Constructive Vault.
Finally CanSwim takes the kobold's Large Iron Dagger as a prize and returns to the fortress. "keep what you kill" supports MrCleaver, LeatherHead's nods a reply of equal approval and continues about the walled perimeter.
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604,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPZSjW0KPooBorn into the Domain of Wonder, Ilrak Nisgakled, Frostrack was a dwarf's dwarf dwarven child. Admirer of Battleaxes, gems and cabbages. His mother PumpEngineer lies beyond the entrance of the fortress, among the pools of blood and gore from the previous slaughter.
Dispite his father being a travelling merchant Litast Tombstruthful, the dwarves of The Constructive Vault take note of his clearshaven features and accept him as a member of the Earthen Shield. He dreams of raising a family of his own and while hopeful for the future, he still needs to remove himself of this blood.
Meanwhile, OreBurner has complained of poor medical treatment of dwarf kind within the fortress and somehow manages to convince Liar and Mechanic that a hospital or medical bay would be of great worth to the fortress in the long run. Liar perked at mention of profit and dividends as is was the solo thing that he could understand.
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605 spring,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T35Esk26DrYThe elf merchants left, as sure as tombs, the dwarfs were greatly relieved to see the back of those timber fiends. Can and Cant parties began to converse among themselves as to the nature of elfs and how best to remove them. Above two patrol squads run clockwise as instructed by knowledgeable nobles. The fortress appeared to be a regular hive of activity, as work begins demand for additional barrels and bins seem ever increasing as HammerBlade pumps out wooden bins to mean internal requirements. Strangely BoltBinder snatches turkey leather and stone blocks to work feverishly on some mysterious construction of great worth.
While Mayor Liar, mandates the construction and prohibition of trade of spears, Almost weekly.
BoneGnasher the medical bone doctor takes up residence in the hospital his services to be needed in the future.
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605 ,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UGYLio8jI4BoltBinder bashes a Kea with the right foot as the bird flys overhead. Falling away the kea misses the recruit, jumping away the recruit slams into the fortifications bent backward across the wooden logs, bruised with shattered ribs "How fleeting life is...this does not scare me". The marks dwarfs fire upwards but, miss the offending kea however where there is one there is always another. "Cursed rats of the sky" mumbles OreBurner ordering the fetching of BoneGnasher to the medical bays, "...the bone carver not the bone breaker."
DonkeyMilk was a greatly accomplished cheese maker however, his moment to shine appeared as a stone hauler.
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605 Summer,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHyQUEPKcFUMayor Liar began talking to the outpost liaison from the Mountain homes to something about a Barony or something. It seemed right to put forward MrCleaver at the time however, there were a number deserving of titles and graces. The fortress demands appeared to be mostly for Willow, Lead, Wine and Dwarven Ale. which were traded and paid with Spiked wood balls and crossbows however Mechanic was rather reluctant with purchases as already there were a number of items requiring haulling from the last session.
Either way a new project continued, a jail flush system. Seven pumps required three for the system actual four to prevent flooding from a waterfall. However the first attempt failed as the brook pumps created backflow preventing those very pumps to pump until an access stairs going down the falls was created. second attempt minor flooding and a churn of mud, cloth and a kitten corpus. The system finally worked, the jail cells flooded and washed. Lawful approved greatly "Let them lick wall if they're thirsty, with one pump a puddle, two a stream" "three a flood" interupted BoneGnasher, He spoke the truth, as any air breather in the first cell would be knee deep before they knew what wet was.
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605 Autumn
GoldenLance and FowlObject, recruits both of them. Ran patrol together, ate together, drank together. Happy with each other as fellow Goodglaze refugees internally familiar within a fortress here on the braces of The Green Spikes.
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606 Spring,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcROQIGib48It was quiet, too quiet. Before the fortress Okol Bogsoshikud Tholtigbufut Bomrek, the elf maceman, invader. Sporting extremely long hair, his eyes flash dark green above the southen grasses.
The holding lever is pulled and the squads placed on alert, the vampire search forgotten to reply this vile force of darkness...
... The fortress population brace for the first wave of attackers but, what is this? Tokri Owbaustra Kor Ega, Goblin Crossbowman? "wheres the damn elf" cries BladeKeeper sadly. The gates open dogs burst with unknown hatred, LongReach armed with dagger and crossbow disregards both weapons in hand and punches the goblin in the head. Reaction the goblin fires short into the dwarf before him skewering a kidney. The goblin breaks into the courtyard the dogs gnash angrily at him forcing him towards the dwarfs spilling from below.
Goblin cornered by the two wrestlers, they break an arm each at the shoulder, allowing the recruit to deliver a quick the finishing blow. "Now where's that elf?" question the amassed dwarfs turning towards the southern gate in hope for another target. The sun sets and on the wind the sound of bells can be heard heralding the elf merchant, Ricote Niroalatha arrival to the Constructive Vault, "ready the mussel goods" mutters Mechanic, LeatherHead nods knowingly "damn elves" .
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606 Summer,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUl63LRzBP8Taking stock of the fortress Mechanic surveyed the lie of the surface. Beyond the mess of shells and casual globs of gore piled along the eastern wall the fortress was almost tasteful, to the south a small stand of trees with a further to the west. North along the cliff a bounty of walnut and almond trees.
"We'll need to haul more chalk to frame the bailey and the set work with the road way and gardens" mentioned MrCleaver. "just what I wanted to hear" mumbled Socks in passing, having been bored at work, bored at play and bored in combat. it was expected with Socks, that when compared to new socks nothing mattered.
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606,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtiN6bzbAA0Blob crazied and muttered alone to themselves, the fortress had accepted and was now awaiting the fall into fey madness that would surely consume the dwarf should the dwarf not leave the workshop to horde away a likely rough gem not five units beyond the unlocked door of the workshop.
As if awakening half asleep the dwarf stole from the already horded materials to snatch a rough jasper gem from the bloodied hall way. Their mind consumed with need, body with task and their eyes blinded to reality.
It was close to a month until Blob removed themselves of the workshop leaving behind an object of pure inspiration and much like the previous goat bone bracelet all craftsdwarfship was of the highest quality, another Goat Bone bracelet, Mangrodesmul Unol Rigoth, The ashamed feels of the soul of crafts. "rightly named Blob" comment DonkeyMilk quietly passing by with another chalk boulder for the roadway...
Later, Mechanic visited the bone finished goods vault, before her in a plain willow bin sat a bracelet encrusted with cut picture jaspers and encircling bands of copper and pigtail, hanging rings and menacing spike adorn the cuff with a single image of Sibrek Atticorgans, A fellow female dwarf of The Knowing Lances and sister of Fikodbidok Glazeacted AKA Stabber who persude the previous embark to the Hollow Vault rumor has it that he was later struck down by snatched dwarf Zuglar Slidebusts the Misty Flame in the autumn of 604.
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606 Autumn,
The temple was not a place of whispers for within The Hairy Sanctuary dwarves offered short prays and promises to gods and those like beyond the Domain of Wonder.
Within the next vault over miners worked to increase the vaulted ceiling so that prospective vampires wont feel cramped within their own private domain. A loop and catapult for firing stone to the workshop within to provide a master vampire craftsdwarf something which to create clutter during the dull moments.
GoldenLance the best performer of the fortress and the only, creates a dance movement of based of the slaying of a kea by human merchants in summer of 606. The performer steps forward then falls right as if their right leg is removed then struggling the performer falls left as if their left leg is removed, the performer falls backward as if they were dead.
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606 Autumn,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBOkjH8IOrQThe dwarfs gathered around GoldenLance to hear the tale of blood, gory and embark. However the bard had other ideas and began with a tangent telling of an enormous three-eyed serpent, crowned equally with three long, spiral horns so as to achieve an austere look about itself. "austere" gruffed Mechanics "no such word..." quietly though not quiet enough Gnasher dropped their silver morning star, the dull impact turning any insult that Mechanic had been about to deploy from readiment. "austere means plain and unadorned, you pick-less wonder" plainly cowing Mechanic's lack of digging implement. GoldenLance began again.
Simo Peltfur the Umber Shafts, Titan of the Green Spikes, Serpent of the Nuts of the Lion, Eater of Kobold and Dwarf. receives worship.Simo Peltfur the Umber Shafts, mountain titan. Serpent whose lair is the shrine of the Nuts of the Lion, which not surprisingly is found in the south of those of the Wet Lion. Mechanic appeared about to say something tasteless but, thought better of it after remembering the effect that a silver morning star may have after striking a turkey leather hood. Eater of kobolds and dwarfs it wasn't until after Trussedboards that in the midwinter of 94 that the moutain titan received worship though that ended as well during a confrontation a week later when the beast ate a worshiper, Astesh Bronzedove. That got a good chuckle from the dwarf I can tell you. "Quakes of Wax" "funny"
Then GoldenLance recalled the faithful service within the Constructive Vault and subsequent naming of the dog of unknown fathering, Keltinoth or Metalequals proving that a dog's bite can remove a goblin just as well as steel. His mother, dog must be a noble breed. With special death scene added of the mortally wounded goblin, Tokri Pricesparks the Order of Taming bleeding to death. That received a decent cheer aswell. "dead goblin"
Then the tales turned dark with the creation story of Dusmudgozru, The Scalded Hell goblin civilization of elves and trolls. A time before time the rebirth of Black Devil Iquila Borewhips the Bad Fangs in Visedfiends. "No" cries the new refugee, "FishBasher" brandishing a copper mace tightly held before themselves, knuckles white, . Their own three confirmed kills simply a pebble at the coal face, when realized against the horde of fifty thousand goblins.
Sadly the tales change again and the bard returns to the werezebra threat, those of Imbororkek. Tonesneaks, a sprawling nest of humans, cats and the cursed. But, that would be a tale for another evening.
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606 Winter,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc2WlX7_TigDown below beneath the chalk layer and top soils began anouther vault within the fortress, Farmer and Hammer were seen running to and fro hauling statues and rock from the prespective tree farm and the future wood treasury.
GoldenLance on an excursion to the construction front, stopped before one such statue and though, not of a dwarf laboring but, a dwarf devoured, was again reminded of tales and song. The form of Simo Peltfur the Umber Shafts in granite seemed plain and unguarded, yet still GoldenLance shivered before the artwork. Trottedbasements, half dwarf half gore was splayed before the serpent form. StrongInTheArm stumbled past, breaking GoldenLance's trance, "At least she's stopped crafting damn elves" nodding to the two fellow statues of the eastern variety.
Meanwhile above in Lolor Kirar, or The Letter of Rights, ill used tavern and ale hall. nothing happened, the dwarves busy with work meant that the idle force were praying or going to station duties.
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607 Spring,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUvwBzvshbwTo the south a great gail of decay and the cry of many as one rises as a wailing mourn, an undead goblin horde lead by a lone elf mace man, Okol Brigandreigned the Barricaded Tusk of Whips. Appears across the glade. A family herd of yak distract the horde as yaks overcome by terror, allow enough time for the fortress to become orderly and settled within. Liar overcome with panic forgets which lever controls which mechanism and in true mayor fashion congratulates someone else for clear divisive action. "Fine work my boys" gestures Liar towards Billion and/or Firedwarf. Suddenly a challenge is issued from the elf maceman, and within the fortress the mob turn ugly "...stunted kind...cannot be tolerated...warning..." mumble the gathered crowd below the stand while quietly some offer thanks to varies deity s, "Praise Nadak" whisper those devoted to the god of Valor, War and Fortresses. Smiles alight on the faces of many a dwarf. Mechanic quickly makes a mental account of those gathered, not enough dwarves, "Where is AxeHardened?" asks Mechanic, as one the dwarves rush the stairs to peer over the walls ... below within the horde ... they find their answer.
There fighting as tirelessly and casually comparing how not upset they are, are the dwarves. A woodworker, one of them waves up at those dwarfs of the fortress at the fortifications.
" I have improved my dodging. I'm very satisfied!" states the dwarf jumping away from another attack rather then using their shield. "huzzah" reply the dwarves, dodging a clear favorite with squad training.
Then as a great rush dwarves leap into the trees close to the northern wall, everything forgotten as they enter a martial trace. Doom upon any to face them. MossOpal, IronFire and Bovin. Smash, Geld and Crush the risen remains. Behind them the Northern gate opens, with a surge the dwarfs are upon the horde with Axe, Shield and Fingernail. A recruit scratches a goblin axeman corpse in the head. Bovin eviscerates a goblin in one strike only the catch and embed their Bronze Battle Axe in another with the back swing. "Oh" cries MossOpal, hit by a flying lone goblin spearman's head, turns to find her attacker but, finds Bovin "I have improved my observation. That was not satisfying." neck gore caught on the blade.
IronFire returns to reality, "LeatherHead what happened?" asks IronFire their hands covered in gore and bodily unharmed. "You gnashed them, uh, with um, with your claws" replies LeatherHead pointedly avoiding eye contact.
"Fine work my boys" congratulates Liar.
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607,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1VEa6WChKQThe Spongy Lovers, a performing troupe arrived at the Constructive Vault, HalfBlade and LeatherBack work together sketching pretty designs in the tavern. "This arena design is fine enough but, are you sure that its big enough for the purpose?" Questioned LeatherBack pointing to the drainage and flush system. BoneBasher drove forward from the crowd towards the planning two. "Whats this about dropping cages and blood sport?"
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607 Summer,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN9zRe4jydkThe squad leaders came together for the twentieth night of Malachite, 607.
While each held a position as noble within The Constructive Vault none wished to be at this particular meeting. Mayor Lair of the Wall Duty, Duke of The Knowing Lancers and Captain of the Guard MrCleaver, Medical dwarf BoneGnasher of Bones squad, LeatherHead of the Watch and finally HammerHook leader of Fishers the combat fisher dwarves.
http://imgur.com/gallery/aNucv The nobles of The Constructive Vault gather for a drink in the empty tavern, the drunk elf doesn't count"The fortress has become stagnate, my good dwarves we need a leadership" brindled HammerHook laying their Iron war hammer on her table, strawberry seed slide aside until the iron met wood. "Clearly not, the fortress just has moved towards other things such as strawberry production" jestered BoneGnasher. This raised a chukale from the fellow dwarfs. MrCleaver did not find strawberries amusing however, in fact MrCleaver had noth felt anything for a few seasons not since improving his wrestling during that expedition and then striking of ColdStream to Yak Bull...
http://imgur.com/gallery/khfte MrCleaver feels nothing "We all know that the duke is carefree with resources when working on projects" stated HammerHook, clearly pushing an agenda. "One dwarf one leader?" questioned BoneGnasher. Clearly irritated by current conversation.
"Hello all" chimed BoneBasher, entering the tavern unaware that the solo occupants were all able to produce a BoneBasher smear should the thought that them, "It's lovely weather, strawberry galore and those blasted poets are leaving us" stated BoneBasher happily ignorant of anything with happy thoughts of having bright conversation. He then munched a few strawberries and left. All the while the dwarfs maintained their positions even though, HammerHook had picked up his war hammer, for seemingly no reason.
And conversation began again. "... Something about strawberry production ..."
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607 Summer,
https://youtu.be/hveWIqzH2cQLiar Alathnoton, Mayor of The Constructive Vault, self apointed hero. Looked down at his dwarfs, each month seemed slower then the last, the hallways seemed to be differing shades of yak blood as the wounded beasts staggered to the surface. The stream of items now a crawl of timber to the vault beyond purpose.
Still the kitchen appears clean and theres enough food, wine and steel within to last many years should the fortress need to. Yes perhaps it was time to move on, time to revisit those stories of seven brave, yet foolish and unblooded dwarfs...
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608 Spring,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwDRBTb6X9MThe savior of NorthGate, Axe fiend of the jungle of CottonBottom and Drinker of Strawberry wine. Mr GreenSpears looked out upon the fortress. Not three months ago had the fortress seemed to grind to a near halt and yet before him was a clean, tidy and active hive of dwarvish activity. As if by magic or elf nonsense the fortress had been cleased of yak blood, vomit and odd passages.
Though as GreenSpears, keeper of fine silk and pursuer of muffin tops, entered the fortress and header for Hell Hall the lowest level of industry. Downward through previously clean halls, pausing the journey to peer into the vaults as fellow dwarfs passed hauling chalk for the roadways. Forward across trap laid passages without rotten corpses or blood washed foot prints.
"Ah huh" cryed GreenSpears, pointing cleanly at the dwarf before him, their right sleeve covered in dwarf tears.
"This horrid fortress, so dirty and unkept, why would anyone choose to settle here?" he asked no one, he then turned and promptly left the fortress of The Constructive Vault ...
... confused Mr Cleaver, Lair and ForgeFire had noticed the strange dwarf bard's visit to the lower hall. In the wake of Mr GreenSpear was left a trail of strawberry wine, such a blight so blindingly obvious after Armok had blessed the fortress with cleansing not a moment before Mr GreenSpear's arrival, cleansing not with fire or dragon blood or even that fog that turns a dwarves inside out but, with cleaning.
Again the fortress is cleansed,
Again the fortress is appeasing,
Again the fortress is ripe,
... "Praise Armok" whispered a passing dwarf.
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Topic: The HollowVault - Letsplay with world lore. (Read 2542 times)