Excerpts from the journal of MrsWillsauce, armed guard of the Castles of WorkersIt's been over two years since I last held my sweet wife Willsauce (she took the title "Mister" because the archaic marriage laws of the mountainhome require that marriage consist of a husband and a wife, but we were obviously able to narrowly work around that). She went off with a group of like-minded artist communists to go express herself via art in Inkedcarnage, which she helped to found. Inkedcarnage to her was an opportunity. This commune was meant to be a place free of the mountainhome's oppression and uniformity. Unfortunately for the artists, being free from the mountainhome also means being free from its law and protection. She was meant to come home in the Granite of 532, but she never did, and the letter she sent every fortnight ceased slightly before then. I investigated, and learned that the place had experienced the most torturous of catastrophes: sobriety. Whether the dwarves died of thirst, killed each other, or are still dwelling there in a deep sober madness is unkown, but I have heard tales of one who escaped the carnage (which is synonymous with the commune). This lucky-as-shit dwarf is known as "NotaPirate". What kind of fucking parents name their dwarfling that, I have no idea, but that is beside point. I never could track down that dwarf, but my guess is that she stopped off at the nearest tavern in the desolate wasteland (that was once a collection of human hamlets, but now is nothing but empty wooden structures and roaming savage outsiders) and is currently ravaging its alcohol stocks. I have spent the last year investigating Inkedcarnage and training my combat skills, for I plan to venture there and get some answers. Through my investigations, I have met a few dwarves who also had relatives involved in the Inkedcarnage crisis, and I have agreed with some to adventure with me. We take with us not only adventurer's equipment, but also seeds and tools. This is because we plan not just to figure out what happened at the fortress, but to reclaim it and establish it in its original intended image. We do this to honor those who died here; those who truly held the ideals of Inkedcarnage. I hope that some day, this place will be a haven for the outcasts oppressed dwarves where they can be free of the mountainhome's homophobia, censorship, and greed.
After over two weeks of traveling, we, the Castles of Workers, can see the mountain that houses the infamous Inkedcarnage. We should reach it within a day. With me are:
She says that she is the descendant of Brewster, a "master brewer" who lived (and presumably died) in Inkedcarnage. She has taken up her mother's title and name to honor her, and claims to be a skilled farmer in addition to a "master brewer". Obviously, Brewster I's skill didn't help the dehydrated original settlers much. Also, Brewster II is only sixty-one, whereas Brewster I died barely over a year ago at the age of sixty-nine. I dare not ask about this.
An alarmingly obese woman, Nepeta is extremely devout (some would say too much so) towards her deity, Gorgedblockade the Greater Punch, goddess of fortresses. She tends to keep to herself, and the other dwarves (including myself) tend to keep away from her. You can't speak with her for more than a sentence before she makes an allusion to her god. It is very annoying. Despite her social shortcomings, Nepeta was a renowned mason back home, and I expect legendary pieces of stone art from her. Her justification for coming is a long-held friendship with a dead dwarf named "Objective", but I'm not sure if I believe that.
A large dwarf (although not as large as Nepeta), skilled carpenter, and the only male on our expedition is Jesus. He's remarkably friendly and generous, and I've found myself growing quite fond of him over the course of our journey. He's not related in any way to the original inhabitants of Inkedcarnage, but he was intrigued by the commune's ideals and eagerly volunteered to contribute his carpentry skills to create utilitarian objects as well as artwork.
A wench named Aquarium, who claims to be related to one of Inkcarnage's deceased inhabitants (that I haven't otherwise heard of). Although mysterous, she holds her pick constantly, and always has a look about her as if she yearns to strike the earth with it. Now she shall have her chance.
Two other dwarves: a miner named Ustuth and a woodcutter named Ducim. Both claim to be related to Inkedcarnage's earlier inhabitants, but act shyly and haven't spoken much about it. I don't even know their surnames, let alone their relationships with the founders.
The two yaks that carried our wagon (a male and a female), a breeding pair of dogs, and one female cat. I traded away our other cat and other various equipment to a trader we met along the way for my iron battleaxe. Some of the others despised this decision, but they just fail to see the value of having the strongest possible combat prowess.