The Apostles of Armok
Mad am I? Mad? Is it insane to find the best thing in the world, the most powerful thing in the world, the most...most...TERRIFYING thing in the world and devote your life to it? Is that crazy? Well that's what's they said. They call themselves worshippers of Armok but they're not really...they trade with the filthy elves...they honour their Kings and parasitic nobles over Armok...they cower behind walls instead of facing the enemy in open combat like a true dwarf...
But worst of all, now they have disgraced me - the last true follower of Armok - thrown me out of my home and left me to rot in this wasteland. And why? Because I dared to do what Armok asks. I provided blood. Oh yes lots of blood. In fact there wasn't much left of that elf liason apart from blood and chunks. Yes I enjoyed slaughtering the tree hugger, but that's not the point! I did it for Armok.
They don't know it yet, but they have actually done me a blessing. Dwarven civilization is bloated and corrupted. It's time to start a new, pure civilization. But I can't do it on my own. No...I will need helpers...not may to begin with. More will come as they hear of the splendors of the fortress I build for Armok, of the feats of our mighty warriors and the devoutness of our priests. Yes...they will come crawling, begging for the mercy of Armok's followers...and they may be granted it, or they may not...
Today I threw open the doors of a tavern and smelled the stench of piss, sweat and failure inside. "You call yourselves dwarves? You call yourselves the representatives of Armok in this plane of existence? I call you nothing - I call you filth!" Blinking faces turned towards me, surprised by the harshness of my voice and words.
"I come here to offer redemption. You dwarves are haulers, lye makers, strand extractors - dwarves that society has deemed worthless. But I say that no dwarf is worthless - for what does prayer cost? Nothing. Any dwarf can offer his worship up to the God of Blood and be useful. You will all have a place in the fortress I shall create, and any dwarf is welcome to join me. I do not require you to be intelligent (in fact I rather expect you not to be) I do not require you to be skillful at anything useful. I do not want the strongest or the most agile. All I require of you is fanatical religious fervour and belief in the power of Armok. I will be waiting in the other inn across the street for one hour - enough time to mull over your decision I think. When you decide to end your disgustingly worthless existence and begin a new life of servitude - meet me there."
And so over the course of an hour they dribbled in - 5 dull eyed dwarves with no passion left in them. But that would come with time. One last dwarf joined us, just as we were about to set off. He was different to the rest. From his posture, from his accent, from the way he distastefully separated himself from the other dwarves, I could tell he was a nobleborn. I eyed him warily as he sauntered casually over and offered a sickly sweet smile.
"My soon to be dear friend, might I introduce myself. I am Reksas. My skills lie in management and logistics - which is where I believe I can help. You are going to need funds for this holy endeavor - to buy food, provisions etc."
"Armok will provide for us - he will sustain us and be our weapon in times of need and shield and armour on-"
"Yes, yes, yes." He said irritably, "Of course, of course he will do in due time. But does Armok not also help those who help themselves? It would be wise not to anger him by assuming his help. We should be humble servants...not leeches."
"Hmrph."
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes." I grumbled.
"Then lets go, no time to lose." he said happily.
And so it begins.
This is a masterwork fort designed to make maximum use of the prayer system. I have no idea if it's actually possible to properly provide for a fortress simply through prayer (and maybe some other supplements) however I sure as hell am going to try. Five totally unskilled dwarves, myself with proficient leadership and Reksas with a spattering of random social skills to suit his personality.
If you want to be dwarfed as one of the unskilled dwarves then you can do.
If you would like to provide a personality or backstory to your dwarf then feel free and i will try my best to incorporate it into this narrative.
I should be updating maybe once a day when I feel like it.