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The Loyalists (Led by Pan)

The Revolutionaries (Led by Grimnir)

The Radicals (Led by Brewster)

[Slothman400]

Being conscripted would be nice. Now that we have military grade ore we could get a new squad. If so, being an axedwarf would be nicer.

[AustralianWinter]

Well, the focus is chiefly on the story.

Also, isn't copper really sucky?

[Tirion]

Well, the focus is chiefly on the story.

Also, isn't copper really sucky?

It is magnitudes better than bone and leather, which is all that can be made with Hammerscar's resources at the moment. And cassiterite is cheap to import, if you want bronze. Steel would require iron we don't have, and while the goblins will bring some of it, they aren't too willing to part with it.

[Zombi]

We really should've settled somewhere else IMO, no steel or iron isn't good for a self-sufficient fortress.

[Brewster]

We really should've settled somewhere else IMO, no steel or iron isn't good for a self-sufficient fortress.

Thats why we have the Blackdiamond!
Copper bolts can slay the same as steel arrows!

[AustralianWinter]

We really should've settled somewhere else IMO, no steel or iron isn't good for a self-sufficient fortress.

We will not back down, if we have to kill every single Goblin a thousand times, and melt down every bloody iron trumpet in the whole damn world to forge our axes. (Grimnir approves of this message).

[Tirion]

We really should've settled somewhere else IMO, no steel or iron isn't good for a self-sufficient fortress.

Thats why we have the Blackdiamond!
Copper bolts can slay the same as steel arrows!

Especially with

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

over 150000 tetrahedrite

in the ground. Along with other very useful things. This site is well worth even a reclaim.
And I don't spoil anything by saying we have flux, the only required material for steel making that doesn't grow back or isn't brought in great quantities by our...guests.

[shali8]

In a spirit of optimism I'd like to take a turn. Also I would like to be dorfed as an engraver or miner named Artimaus. If it isn't any trouble.

[AustralianWinter]

Entry XIII - Stamp out the Fire

Grimnir opened the door to the barracks. There was a heavy mood this particular evening, and everyone felt it. Grimnir knew he'd have to speak to them. They needed him to say something.

"There's a fire burning in Hammerscar," he said, quietly. "I started it, I gave it fuel. In the beginning it was a good fire - it was controlled and productive, like the fires in the forge. But know, a spark has sprung, and the fire is wild. A wildfire that burns everything in its path, untill it has eaten itself up."

Silence.

"I'll stamp it out. WE will stamp it out. It will be costly, but we must salvage what we can. You all know of whom I speak. You have seen the bloodlust in their eyes," he said, and some nodded. Others were silent, and probably confused, Grimnir thought. None of them thought this was pleasant.

"But when the fires die out, there can be a new beginning. A new start. Hammerscar prevails, even in the face of self-destruction. This is not a civil war - it's a trial of justice. No more blood, if we can help it," he said, and his eyes were stern.

"Even chaos has an end."

OOC:

I might take a turn sometime soon, if that's allright with everyone?

[Pan]

Entry Two

Granite

The New Year celebrations was quiet and the dwarves celebrated it independently, rather than as a community. Friends shared a quiet drink before hustling back to work. It was mostly a human tradition. Hammerscar was hardly a traditional sort of place and the only humans to celebrate it in Hammerscar were dead and below the ground.

Pan was managing work orders in his office when a Blackdiamond opened the door. Pan stiffened instinctively.

'Follow me.' the Blackdiamond commanded.

Pan had no choice but to follow.

Pan cannot help but think that back in the Mountainhomes, no conscript plunked from the mud and poverty strode into the nobility's district, much less their quarters. Walking into the nobility's districts was all that was required to warrant a beating by the Fortress Guard, and should Pan (a minor noble, but noble still) wished, a complaint would land the upstart in jail. But this was not the Mountainhomes, and there were no Guard. He had no power here. Only Grimnir, Brewster and his Blackdiamonds commanded, Grimnir through founder rights and the Blackdiamonds through rights of conquest. And Grimnir only spoke through abstract speeches and his axe. With their numbers and skill, the Blackdiamonds were the real power, they ruled supreme in Hammerscar.

Worse, the murder and skirmishes with the merchants, soldiers and wildling folk of the land had emboldened the Blackdiamonds to the point that they were the nobility. It was as Pan had feared: the anarchy had birthed it's spawn of tyranny.

 Looking at the state of Hammerscar, the Blackdiamond arrogance was almost laughable. The curtain wall that surrounded the arable farmland was low and unfinished.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 The equipment of the soldiers were sub-par at best.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

  A well experienced legion from the old Mountainhomes could douse Hammerscar's flame forever if they pleased, Pan mused bitterly. He would willingly fetch the water.

 But the nearest legion was leagues away, and the copper bolts that lined the conscript's quiver were much more real than the sharpened steel back in the capital. There was no legion, and he had no power here.

Where is he taking me? Pan wiped a trickle of cold sweat off his brow as they walked towards the central stairwell. Blackdiamond Hall.

Has Grimnir sold me out? Am I to be the next pin cushions of the Blackdiamonds? Pan had seen them execute the goblin prisoner in their 'training' chamber. The Blackdiamonds had allowed a recruit to take point blank shots for the amusement of those who had been gathered in the lavish Blackdiamond hall to watch the execution of an enemy of Hammerscar.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

While the goblin had tried to steal a dwarven child and was utterly deserving, it's agonized scream from the countless bolts that pierced it still echoed in Pan's mind, except with him being the source of the agaonized voice. It had screamed a long time while the recruit had laughed and taken his time to reload.

They reached the Blackdiamond hall level, and the guard pushed the double doors open. Three Blackdiamonds practiced on the targets.

'Boss is waiting for you in the dining hall.' The guard gestured at a pair of doors. Pan walked past the practicing Blackdiamonds, suddenly a naughty beardling again, who had slipped a cave spider into the Baron’s cousin’s back. Pan's wondered if Brewster would scold him and write his parents a sharp letter before he lined him up against the wall and shot him.

 Pan walked into a discussion. Brewster was indeed inside, with two Blackdiamonds and Nix the swordsdwarf. Pan stood at the door and greeted the group. Something important was taking place.

 Brewster smiled his old, friendly smile when he saw Pan.

‘And here he is. Nix, you will give Grimnir word of this change in leadership.’ He drawled. He laughed and looked reinvigorated ‘At last! Life was much simpler when simple pleasures of killing were not accompanied with complaints and making excuses to the liaison.’

‘What now?’ Nix looked confused, thick as always. ‘What’s this change of leadership again now? Who? And what simple pleasures?’

‘Our dear friend the administrator, merchant, and noble Pan. The perfect, quiet overseer!’ Brewster’s smile hasn’t left. ‘You will tell Grimnir I have chosen him to be the next regent.’

‘Brewster, I thank you.’ Pan said. Grimnir handled such official matters, not Brewster. ‘But should Grimnir not be informed of the decision prior…’

‘No need!’ Brewster exclaimed ‘Grimnir would have chosen you anyway. Now, you are current regent of Hammerscar, Overseer. A Blackdiamond will be assigned to you, for your own safety and to deliver my missives and mandates to you.’
 
Nix took a second and nodded, hustling out the door.

‘You must think me a fool.’ Pan has seen enough patsies in the nobility to see where this is going. He ignored the cautionary voice within him and pressed on. ‘Brewster, Grimnir’s Manifesto states a regent will rule free every year, and that is how it shall be. A rule free, free of chains and influences, and I will not be your puppet, so you can exploit a loophole the Manifesto!’

There was a silence, and the dwarves stared one another down.

What have I done? Pan knew he was in for it now.

‘Pan, I’d watch my words. You have no power here, and neither does Grimnir.’ Brewster threatened quietly after what seemed an eternity. Brewster’s wildfire was roused and when there was once a friendly hunter dwarf’s amiable, brass eyes, was a dark flame, just as Grimnir had predicted. But Pan, for once, summoned up his courage and glared right back.

The two Blackdiamonds unsheathed their crossbows.

Pan was defeated. He had no power here. He backed down, the fire within him quenched.

‘Bomrek, escort our Overseer back to his quarters. He has work to do.’

Brewster smiled again, once again the friendly hunter dwarf.

__________


Next part coming soon.

[Zombi]

So the military controls the government? Sweet.

[Pan]

So the military controls the government? Sweet.

There are the Blackdiamonds, 10-man strong squad of experienced crossbows. Grimnir's squad has 5 men of varied, generally competent weapon skills and almost fully armored. Then there are the conscripts, badly armored and badly armed recruits, 10 man strong.

The Blackdiamonds are commanded by Brewster, and they live in luxury, with a hall carved out just for them and respect of the population: at least those who are fanatical enough to justify the human killings. They are responsible for the human and elven killings, mostly. Brewster prefers someone else to administrate, since he is a dwarf of few words and would rather let someone else handle the excuse-makings (regarding the killings) and fortress management and therefore follows Grimnir's manifesto to hand power over. However, you can bet he is still in control, and the next overseer will probably do whatever Brewster wants so long as his Blackdiamonds recmain under him. And you bet the merchant killings are going to continue.

So yes, the Brewster and his Blackdiamonds control the Overseer of this turn.

[Tirion]

Tirion's Personal Log

Entry 12

New year's eve. Didn't think would miss Mountainhomes, but things don't go so well around here anymore. Brewster's year as overseer all about squandering resources, losing opportunities. Blackdiamonds intimidating powerbase, yes, but only to unarmed civilians. No match for real army. Suspect he won't let power out of his hands, will try to influence next overseer. Choice of Pan supports theory. Might get ugly.

Defense systems also substandard, Grimnir's wall still incomplete, worthless. Invading army could sieze our above ground crops and livestock in one move, without crossing any traps, gates also fragile-looking. Need to finish wall, add more traps, moat would also be good, flowing water readily available. Can't stress importance of safe underground food, drink and water supply enough. And more traps.  Suggest secondary entrance, goblin grinder. Trap design relatively simple, but very effective. Hatches, mechanisms, weapon traps all readily available.

Livestock situation worrying. Grazers in unsafe, overgrazed pasture. Better butchered while fat. Egg-layers: good potential, wasted. Should make dedicated nesting room near kitchen, lock them in, let them breed, harvest eggs only after chicks have hatched. Otherwise, short lifespan... problematic.


OOC: really, Pan, it's up to you to rectify things, otherwise the first siege will wipe us out even without a tantrum spiral.
And yes, my dwarf is commenting on other areas of expertise, not just traps. He's the very model of a scientist dwarf

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXiU6kiq_Ms

.

[AustralianWinter]

Entry XIV - A Shadow in the Mountain

There is something strange in the mountain. Something old, ancient and malicious. Something hateful and burning. It showed its face from time to time, and for Grimnir, it had taken Brewsters mind away from him. It all started when Grimnir had ordered the elves killed. Then the landslide had caught them all up.

He had failed as a leader, he had violated them all. Something had changed in that moment, something fundamental and basic, something in their eyes and souls. He didn't know what, he had not felt it before.

There was something lurking below Hammerscar. He wished Zombi was alive - he would have known. He would have sensed the impending doom, the flames that ate them up. Or at least have some strange words and hidden wisdom to share.

It had to change. It couldn't win, the darkness had to be fought back. Hammerscar was no pawn of fire and flame. No pawn of ancient mountains and dark moods and vicious killing. It would be a bastion to dwarven willpower, and Grimnir would not allow anyone, least of all himself, to be lost in vain.

It dawned to him, that when he so vailiantly said "a thousand cuts", he did not realise that some of them could strike himself and his kin.

[Pan]

You failed as leader when you chose to pick the damn embark spot on the edge of the map.  We're sitting ducks here!