Unearthing the final layers of obsidian between us and the delicious magma proved to be yet another challenge for the overseer. The whole world seemingly grinds to a halt as the ocean is penetrated and drained into the abyss. Days seem like years. Dwarves move at a snail's pace as they dutifully march back and forth across the great bridge. Perhaps the sight of such flowing water causes feelings of sobriety? But it is a necessary evil for the time being.
Using such crude techniques as cave ins meant any flood-cancelling system such as bridges or floodgates would simply be crushed under the collapse. To permanently stop the torrent is a task only magma can fulfill.
But it proves elusive.
The first step was clearing away as much accessible obsidian as possible, but it is no easy task. Miners near the surface are pulled into the vortex by the currents and pile up in the flooded crypt deep below. Deeper, on the penultimate level with magma only inches below their feet, the bravest miners channel away obsidian here and there but this runs a chance of a minor eruption straight into their face. They are working at a z-level that is
below the volcano's natural equilibrium (the ocean did quite a number on this magma pipe) so lava can spawn out of thin air into any tile that has no floors below it. It is a hostile environment where a ball of lava can explode in your face with absolutely no warning.
As dwarves combust and leave their singed belongings behind it only encourages the unware to claim their treasures and trek into the inferno themselves.
Meanwhile masons build a rigid square dike at the perimeter so that when the water flow eventually stops, the ocean's waves will be held at bay. It requires scaffolding and some careful planning around the corners, but work progresses despite the more stupid dwarves walling themselves in.
Forgotten beasts with poisonous vapors plauge the main fortress 3 times in a row, sending peasants and warriors alike to hospital ward to have their melting skin operated upon. The goblins never cease their attacks and occasionally lose battles to their own reanimated comrades, fueling the exponentiation of undead rebirth.
And lastly, a terrible consequence! The overseer demands perfection in all his creations and the miners are leaving behind terrible scars on the magma pipe. Every attempt at channeling leaves unclearable ramps on the zlevel below. There are also a few tangled stains of completely innaccessible obsidian caused by the chaotic liquid mixings at the beginning of the embark.
There is yet again only one solution to completely clear everything away.
A tremendous effort. The fortress dwindled from 110 dwarves to 80 amidst the chaos these last 2 years. But the reward is so, so worth it.
A war with water to win liquid fire. It's time to end this.
Prepare the Reactor.
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Topic: wtfembark: A hole in the ocean (Read 20352 times)