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[SQman]

To think I almost forgot about this fort. It would be a huge shame, I just love the storytelling and worldbuilding.

My guy sounds like a decent kind of guy... if you ignore the overwhelming jealousy. So...

Writings of Sequman Strongbows

A lot has happened since I arrived in Lostshore. The tiny encampment is slowly turning into a decent-sized village, and that's mostly a good thing. Mostly, because we seem to have attracted the attention of the long-ears of both kinds:
The elves have sent their unicorns to spy on us, I'm sure of it. Cathar, one of the founders, believes those beasts can be tamed and ridden. Oh how wrong she is... That doesn't mean we can't make a good roast out of a unicorn, I heard they taste amazing, but I've never met anyone who actually ate one.
The goblins though... The fact that they sent a snatcher means that they have their eyes on us, and believe a man of the woods - having glowing red eyes staring at you in the dark is only a little better than already having a knife stuck in your back... I wonder if goblins have any edible war beasts...

On a positive note, Cuddlecreatures had a child! A strong and healthy baby boy. The wax worker must be so happy... I don't remember the last time something big happened to me, always only Sequman go pick valley herbs for golden salve, Sequman go get me some fisher berries for my cake, Sequman go find me some mushrooms! People live exciting lives full of surprises, joy and adventures, and here I am, sitting under a tree, writing whatever comes to my mind because I got bored of collecting wild strawberries! It's not fair!

Whoops, looks like I got carried away a little bit... I should probably get back to work before someone notices me slacking off.

[Lovechild]

8: Out of the wilds

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Two migrants named Apexwipes and Flypraises enlisted in Palisade Watch, bringing it to ten members. Ombragon was satisified; ten soldiers would be enough, for now.

One early morning, Cathar was out in the forest to fell trees, when she heard a whinnying through the bushes. She gasped. Could it be... ? She pushed through the underbrush towards it. And there it was.

One of the cage traps had been sprung, and a unicorn was caught in it. Cathar walked closer, mouth hanging open. The unicorn regarded her with dark eyes. It seemed... sad.

Suddenly the unicorn bucked violently. Its hooves crashed into the bars of the cage, which shook, but held. Cathar stumbled backwards in surprise. She'd need some help to bring the unicorn back, she thought.



As it turned out, several unicorns had been caught, and taming could begin. There was just problem: there were no animal trainers in Lostshore. Cakethrower and Tilebegun, two patient and unafraid people, volunteered for the job, however.



The unicorns were brought to a new barn, along with a kiwi and a skunk that had also been caught.



Cakethrower and Tilebegun quickly learned how to take care of the unicorns. After just a few weeks, they were tame enough to be released into a pasture. The creatures were very quiet, almost docile. Several people noticed wild unicorns lingering near the palisade, whinnying.

Some time later, it was a morning in spring, before the sun was up. Only the full moon shone. On the beach, outside the palisade, a pair of glowing green eyes appeared in the darkness. A creature stalked closer. Suddenly it made a great leap, landing on top of the palisade. It beheld the silent village. Then it laughed, a demented, bestial laughter that tore everyone in Lostshore from their sleep.





The hyena-like creature jumped down inside the palisade, walking on two legs along the edge of the new barn, still giggling to itself.



It slammed the door open with a pawlike hand, and went inside. The kiwi and skunk were panicking in their cages. The monster just stood there laughing, relishing the small critters' fear.

But the Palisade Watch was on the way.



Ombragon was first into the barn. The werehyena turned towards him, but Ombragon was faster. With a shout, he drove the tip of his spear into the beast's arm. It recoiled, then leapt forwards with drooling jaws. Ombragon blocked, the creature's snout smashing into his white shield.

Then the rest of the Palisade Watch caught up, and the werehyena was pummeled from every direction. The hammerwoman Peekedscour caved its chest in with a mighty blow, and it was all over.

Ombragon knew what it meant to be bit by a werecreature, and he was glad his featherwood shield had held.

"I name this shield The Depths of Enchanting", he said, raising it. "This wood is enchanted with magic from the depths of the world."

Emung was glad the Palisade Watch had dealt with the werehyena so quickly, but he was dismayed that there were so many dangerous creatures in this land.

"I've heard stories of werewolves", he said to Ombragon, "but werehyenas...?"

"There are many kinds of them, each worse than the last", Ombragon said. "Ever seen a weregiraffe?"

Emung couldn't help but smirk. "Giraffe?!"

Ombragon didn't smirk. "Thought so."



The capturing of the unicorns had created something of a unicorn-mania in Lostshore. Everyone was eager to know how the unicorns were doing, how the training was going... and Learnedlured, the mechanic who had constructed the cage traps, seized the opportunity. With a few well chosen words, she rode a wave of gratitude to the point where people started clamoring for her to be appointed lady of the village.

Emung saw no other choice but to meet the popular demand, and Justin Torridwhite had to retire from his position as village leader. He wasn't too upset by it.



Isper was most displeased with the new lady. Learnedlured was a typical example of the kind of person who did nothing but hurt society.



She was always unhappy, whining about how she wanted to pray, she wanted better meals...

The whole situation in Lostshore was getting out of hand. Isper needed some allies, and fast. Perhaps... that herbalist, Sequman Strongbows? Isper had always found him agreeable. And he did seem to be looking for some greater purpose in life than picking berries.



In Learnedlured's first formal meeting with Emung, she had some ideas on what Lostshore should focus on next.

"Having only one miner isn't enough", she said. "We should make some picks and start training more."

"That's reasonable, I guess - " said Emung.

"And I will need some better rooms. Something official. I'm sure you understand."

This lady wouldn't be as easy to handle as Justin, Emung thought.

* * *

Anyone interested in being humaned as Learnedlured?

ShapedWhisper and SQman, perhaps your characters could get along...

[Fleeting Frames]

When you spoke of featherwood floors above the hospital, I started imagining bridges. Retracting bridges that fling dwarves about. Linked to a lever.

So that the doctors might grow more skilled.

I note the unicorn system has no airlock. Well, it's probably nothing.


Ah, and unicorn horns will taste blood of the werebeast.

...Well, they would have if they hadn't moved. Tbh I'd have locked the doors, wait for them to tranform back, cage them and use them for a repeater.

...I wonder what happens if someone with grudge against the mayor complains to them?

[Cathar]

Recent events : Cathar's point of view edition


Music

Oh by the way, how is my training going? Especially as a craftswoman ? How skilled am I now?

[Lovechild]

9: A proper place to sleep

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

As per lady Learnedlured's mandate, picks were forged, and a call for new miners went out. Isper was interested. The miner Distancerevered was one of the happiest persons in Lostshore. And a group of miners, working together, would no doubt create a sense of camaraderie... and the beginning of a power base.

Over a goblet of wine at the Old Shelter, Isper spoke to Sequman about it.

"Look, Sequman, why don't we sign up as miners? Wood burning's a boring job, and I know you're getting tired of gathering plants."

"Mining, huh?" Sequman said. "It's different, but is it really any more... exciting?"

"Of course! Carving new tunnels, digging up minerals and gems, exploring the depths..."

"Hm." Sequman smiled. "All right. Let's give it a shot."



In the spring, a large group of migrants arrived, twenty-one in all. Almost half as many people as were already living in Lostshore.

One of them, a hunter named Boltcrux, spotted a wild unicorn on his way to the town...



He was the centre of attention as he dragged his majestic kill through the palisade gate. Commander Ombragon looked at him approvingly. The witch Uselotte, however, was not pleased.

"Unicorns are magical creatures, tied to this land intimately!" she scolded Boltcrux. "We can't upset the energies carelessly!"

"Uh, sure", he said. "But what do you want me to do with this one?"

Uselotte sighed. "No point in letting it go to waste."



"...And do save me the horn."



Lady Learnedlured showed Emung the plans she had drawn up for her new palace.

"It's really... big", Emung said.

"Naturally", Learnedlured said. "It would reflect badly on all of Lostshore if its lady's abode wasn't grandiose."

"What are those smaller rooms for?"

"Those are servant quarters, of course", Learnedlured replied with a self-satisfied smile.



The palace construction began. Cathar was working hard, sawing logs as usual. She had no time to craft amulets these days. It was one huge building after the other... and very few regular houses. Cathar was glad she had her own room; it was becoming something of a privilege in Lostshore. Another eight migrants had arrived last week, and the dormitory on the upper floor of the Old Shelter was cramped every night. But the new lady only seemed to be concerned with where she was going to sleep.



In the summer, one of the unicorns foaled! The newborn was an adorable creature, with a little stump of a horn on its forehead.

Cathar hoped there would be more unicorn foals. With enough unicorns, no one would mind if she raised one of them for herself, right?

The months went by. Autumn came, and the palace was still not finished. Lady Learnedlured observed the construction impatiently. What was taking them so long? It was just three floors... three large floors, but still...

"Mylady!" came a voice from behind her.

Learnedlured turned around, distracted. It was a woman... Summitguild, she recalled. A glassmaker. A nobody.

"Yes?" Learnedlured replied, haughtily.

"I'm sorry, mylady, but, we really need more housing in this town! I've been sleeping in that dorm for a year now, and the more people get here, the worse it gets! Why don't we put this palace construction on hold for a while, and build some normal houses? All I want, what a lot of people want is a proper place to sleep, and soon, you know? Thank you!"

With that, Summitguild turned and walked away, before Learnedlured could answer.

The lady was boiling with fury. The nerve! To suggest Learnedlured didn't know what was best for Lostshore! "A proper place to sleep"... She'd give that glassmaker a proper place to sleep, all right. Real soon.

Learnedlured marched off and found Sequman.

"Sequman!"

"Yes, mylady?"

"Get the miners together, and dig out a dungeon below the palace. That won't take too long, will it?"

* * *

Back to Lostshore. No promises about regular updates or anything. But I got the urge to see what was going on in this town.

Looks like we need a captain of the guard!

Here are all the new migrants:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Boltcrux, male wood crafter and hunter.
Tubssheen, male butcher.
Breathtoes, male siege engineer.
Judgetulip, female weaver and fisherwoman with some skill at macefightning.
Churchpointy, female fisherwoman.
Inkburials, male milker.
Sackfang, male metalsmith.
Hotrules, female miller.
Closetleaped, female farmer and archer.
Walkhandles, male potter with combat experience.
Springbeaches, female administrator.
Holdaunt, female cook and hunter.
Lutehare, male pump operator.
Phantomlearned, male fish cleaner.
Hairyvoices, female armorsmith.
Giftwhisked, female peasant and wrestler.
Flickeredswam, female animal trainer.
Tusktheaters, male carpenter.
Rawnessrobust, female animal trainer.
Garnishcrazy, female woodworker and swordswoman.
Boneslaws, male butcher and axeman.
Dinechances, male milker.
Testtribe, male furnace operator.
Ferryrise, female cheese maker.
Zealrare, male animal dissector.
Shockrenown, female metal crafter.
Lovertrade, female fisherwoman.
Plottwinkle, female glassmaker.
Mutehonor, male trapper.

[Cathar]

YES

Glad to have you back, and congratulation for your critical foalure !