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Author Topic: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game  (Read 57525 times)

CubeJackal

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Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« on: October 15, 2013, 06:10:47 pm »

A clear sky presided over the dwarven capital, its black expanse broken only by a crescent moon and its entourage of winking stars. Below, all of the mountainhome's inhabitants slept a sound sleep. All, that is, except a certain couple within the queen's keep...

"You know what this means, general," began Queen Brasswords. The young queen, though only recently having inherited her mother's throne, was already famed for living up to her name by being very vocal about whatever happened to displease her. Her servants unanimously agreed that her bark was worse than her bite - though her bite wasn't anything to take lightly either. With a pointed glance at another individual sat at the table - presumably the general she was referring to - she continued. "This is the third security failure under your command in as many years. Your constant failings are becoming a difficult stone to swallow." The queen brought the stone tablet in her hands down onto the table heavily and the resultant clatter reverberated around the room. General Earthgrowl, the object of his liege's ire, cleared his throat and began making excuses.
"Your Majesty, this isn't my fault alone, I assure you--"
"Silence, elf-wit! Do you know how many of our society's lowest scum escaped into the tunnels yesterday?"
The general adjusted his collar before opening his mouth, clearly anxious despite his professional exterior. "Fifty-seven, your Majesty. Ten have already been re-apprehended and we're on the trail of four others already." The queen continued to glare icily at the general as he attempted to excuse himself and for a while after he finished speaking. Realising that she was expecting him to say more, Earthgrowl cleared his throat again and carried on. "Your Majesty, you must understand the state of our penal system. Today's jail break was the result of overcrowding, through and through. Our society's... failures, if you will, are becoming too numerous for our single prison complex." Queen Brasswords seemed to relax slightly in her chair, her thoughts now less directed on punishing the general's error and more on fixing the cause. Warily, Earthgrowl also allowed himself to lean into his seat. "We can't construct another complex here. Our labour is tied up elsewhere and we can hardly afford to lose progress on other projects," the queen muttered, not facing her subordinate as she spoke. Her fingers formed a pyramid upon the table and flexed as she racked her brain for solutions. "Hmm... perhaps... ah!" Her head shot up from its slouched position as an idea struck her. General Earthgrowl glanced up too, hoping that the queen's flash of inspiration hadn't been some kind of cruel and unusual punishment. "I know exactly how we can get rid of these miscreants overcrowding the cells and add to the national coffers while we're at it. Listen, general, for this will involve you quite intimately..."

"Stand up! Back in line, rat-brain! No slouching!" The macedwarf guard's barked orders carried loud and clear across the assembled group of inmates. In response, each of the imprisoned dwarves reluctantly straightened up and stood to attention. Each had been hand-selected by General Earthgrowl himself for their brute strength, special skills and willingness to obey orders. Their number totalled six - six of the meanest, toughest and most intelligent criminals the mountainhome had to offer. "You'll be pleased to hear that you're about to be set free from the city jail! This does not mean, however, that you will be free outright, so don't start running yet, you filthy miscreants!" Each prisoner listened silently to the shouting guard, well-used by now to taking the abuse on the chin. "You lucky six have been chosen by the queen's general himself to strike the earth at Steelhold - our first and soon-to-be-finest penal colony!" Surprised and curious murmurs immediately cropped up around the group, but were silenced by a single stamp from the macedwarf's iron boot. "Rest assured that you won't be running free - I, your new overseer, will be making sure of that! The work will be tough! There will be few breaks and fewer luxuries! Before long, you'll wish you could come crawling back to your comfy little cell... but you can't! This is a one-way trip, ingrates! Pack your damn bags and report here at noon or I'll personally bring you out and drag you behind the wagon the whole damn way! Dismissed!"

Almost immediately, the criminal dwarves shuffled back to the main cell area, chatting amongst themselves along the way. Most of them agreed that their new overseer wouldn't go easily on them. Known by the name of Thronesteel to his fellow guards, 'Jackal' to his friends and just 'Sir' to the prisoners in his charge, the experienced macedwarf was a former militia captain and knew his way around a good few weapons besides his trusty mace - some of which he was glad to use on misbehaving inmates. His military background showed clearly in his harsh dealings with the inmates and he certainly wished to be feared, not loved. Even he, however, had his fears about the motley crew he would take charge over. The warden had warned him of this group of 'pioneers' - each had been chosen by the general himself for either their brute strength, sharp cunning or simple dog-like obedience. He wasn't worried about the strong ones - a skilled man-at-arms, Jackal could easily handle an unarmed brute. It was the smart ones he wanted to keep a beady dwarven eye on. However, he'd have time to press these pioneering inmates into following his will while on the journey to the site. For now, he busied himself prepping the wagon train and loading supplies. Things would be much, much harder on the inmates than on him - he was sure of that...




STEELHOLD
A PENAL COLONY SUCCESSION FORTRESS

If you're reading this, you hopefully read the wall of fluff that I put up above the flashy bold title - if you haven't, please do! Otherwise, welcome to Steelhold - a place where even the filthiest of dwarven filth can be made useful in the name of the mountainhomes. Functionally, this will work like an ordinary succession game, with the only oddity being the fact that the dwarves (especially dwarfed players) are to be considered filthy criminals fit only for breaking their backs whilst breaking rocks.

THE RULES
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

PLAYER LIST
A player taking their turn is coloured red, a player due to start their turn is coloured yellow, past players are coloured green
  • CubeJackal
  • Brewster
  • Sarrak
  • Jovus
  • highmax28
  • Gnorm
  • Shininglight
  • Icefire2314
  • BlackMuffin
  • 4maskwolf
  • Deus Asmoth
  • Rhaken

INMATE ROSTER
'Modi' - Cutter (highmax28)
'Shadow' - Bandit Assassin (Brewster)
'Sarrak' - Psychopathic Brawler (Sarrak)
'Rock-Eyes' - Solitary Enigma (GatorFace)
'FireCrazy' - Mine Saboteur (FireCrazy)
'Jovus' - Socialist Agitator (Jovus)
'Somneth' - Escape Artist (Shininglight)
'Lenehan' - Elf Party Baron (Gnorm)
'Bomber' - Drafted Crossbowdwarf (Madbomber6)
'Ensomden' - Amoral Soldier (Icefire2314)
'Gob' - Dim-Witted Brute (Adventurer)
'Urist McDead' - Deserter (Urist Mc Dwarf)
'Moisturizer' - Hell's Herald (BlackMuffin)
'Aureliano' - Capo (Nail)
'Maskdwarf' - Ominous Prophet (4maskwolf)
'Hairyjack' - Unscrupulous Brawler (hairypotatoes)
'Asmoth' - Silent Physician (Deus Asmoth)
'Shining' - Novelist (Shininglight)
'Rhaken' - Urban Commando (Rhaken)

SCHEDULED ARRIVALS
'Bees' - Dwarven Bee (Kazimuth)
'Magni' - Guardsdwarf (highmax28
'Derroth' - Royal Pervert (Gamerlord)

TO JOIN AS A PLAYER
Simply state that you'd like to join in the thread. Ensure that you attach a backstory for your prospective penal colonist - turns will not be given on a first-come, first-served basis, but instead based on how good I judge your criminal's life story to be.

TO BE DWARFED AS A READER
Same process as above, except you will be given a dwarf on a first-come, first-served basis. Please try and participate in the thread, too! Diary entries and backstories to go along with updates are not strictly necessary, but heavily encouraged. They add to the story massively and help current and future players write better updates themselves.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2013, 04:50:46 pm by CubeJackal »
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highmax28

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2013, 06:44:35 pm »

Can you dorf me as an ex-soldier who's in jail waiting for court marshal until this happened? When you want his style of attitude, think of him as a kind of hardened veteran who went overboard, killing his captain in a fit of "justified" rage.

Make him the woodcutter and eventual axe-dwarf when there's a need for defense and theres no trees needed to be cut. Always hope hes taking his anger out on a tree and not your skull... Everyone should be a little worried about handing him an axe.
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just shot him with a balistic arrow, i think he will get stuned from that >.>

"Guardian" and Sigfriend Of Necrothreat
Jee wilikers, I think Highmax is near invulnerable, must have been dunked in the river styx like achilles was.
Just make sure he wears a boot.

Brewster

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2013, 08:45:46 pm »

I would like a turn & dwarf please.

Dwarf: Shadow
Background: Prior to his incarceration Shadow enjoyed a wealthy life with a small group of outlaws. His skill in hunting lead them into selling illegal furs and teeth in the black markets. Shadow was soon caught poaching within the Queens forest, and has been in custody for 3 years now. While imprisoned Shadow kept mostly to himself, studying his surroundings. The few enemies Shadow had often didn't live long, dying quietly in their sleep. No evidence could prove Shadow as the killer, but most believe the herbs Shadow had been seen obtaining could very likely be the cause.
Skills: Plant Gathering(3), Ambushing(2), Marksdwarf(3), Crossbowdwarf(2)

highmax28

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2013, 09:00:20 pm »

Set my skills as:

(2) Woodcutter, (3) axedwarf

Embark with axe (thanks for reminding me Brewster for skills I wanted)

Name my dwarf Modi, after the Norse god "Anger". His profession, Cutter
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just shot him with a balistic arrow, i think he will get stuned from that >.>

"Guardian" and Sigfriend Of Necrothreat
Jee wilikers, I think Highmax is near invulnerable, must have been dunked in the river styx like achilles was.
Just make sure he wears a boot.

Sarrak

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2013, 11:50:14 pm »

If you have one dwarf with "constant state of berserk rage" - it would be perfect. If not, I'm fine even with a bit of anger in personality.

The original profession of Sarrak is lost to the ages and fortress records. Her real, but quite short-lived career began with bloody murder of a raccoon. Beast wandered too close to her - and got what it should. Well, it was not that rare to see a dwarf kill helpless animal, but in case of Sarrak, it was too disturbing to even look at remains. Leader of they working party seen only an opportunity to recruit one of his subordinates into self-defense force. Sadly, he underestimated bloodlust of his fellow dwarf. Few disfigured animal corpses followed. And, when two goblin thieves came, new recruit not only broke every bone in their bodies, but also attacked comrade, who came too close. In dwarven society, that demeanor was outrageous and unforgivable. And prison was only solution.

Despite her maniacal and sadistic nature, Sarrak may look peaceful, even mirthful on the outside. Strong-witted, calculative... A bit lasy at times.

Preferred skills: ? (?) - any speciality you possibly need, Wrestler (3), Dodger (2), Butcher (3)
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Science is always important. But it needs more flaming cats. Can't we build bridge-based catapults and fling flaming cats at the dust and goo?

It's time for the ATHATH Death Counter to increase once more in celebration for the end of the world.

FireCrazy

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2013, 04:29:15 am »

I'd like a dwarf, who is a miner. He got sent to jail because he flooded the mines with magma, in what he claims to be an accident, which probably is not, killing many dwarves and botched up the entire mining operation, losing thousands of valuable ore. He was supposed to be sentenced to execution, but this expedition saved him. Of course, he is going to be watched VERY closely.

Preferred skills: (5) miner and (5) mechanic.

Edit: Oops, sorry, didn't meant that i wanted a turn. I'd flood the fortress with magma..
« Last Edit: October 16, 2013, 06:31:54 am by FireCrazy »
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CubeJackal

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2013, 04:41:02 am »

Thanks for the interest, guys! Player list has been updated with the recent applicants. I'll start the fortress up this afternoon, once I have access to a more powerful computer.
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GatorFace

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2013, 06:13:14 am »

I'mma be wanting in on this as a reader.

Dwarf by the name of Rock-Eyes, (male or female, doesn't matter) a former hunter, spent most of prison life in solitary, due to 'disproportionate retaliations'. Rock-Eyes was never one to talk much, cause trouble, or start a fight, but would never back down if one was brought to him/her. While other inmates, or guards, sought to establish dominance or prove how tough they were, Rock-Eyes always went straight for the quickest possible end to the aggressors, be it as lethal biting a throat or as dirty as a kick between the legs followed by a boot to the head. For the most part, dwarves tend to adopt a 'don't mess with me, I won't mess with you' policy with Rock-Eyes.

So, pretty much any solitary job will do for Rock-Eyes, hunter or planter (or both) being the most obvious choices. If that's alright.
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highmax28

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2013, 11:28:40 am »

Wonderful jail buddies I have... I think Sarrak and I are going to get along just fine (probably not)
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just shot him with a balistic arrow, i think he will get stuned from that >.>

"Guardian" and Sigfriend Of Necrothreat
Jee wilikers, I think Highmax is near invulnerable, must have been dunked in the river styx like achilles was.
Just make sure he wears a boot.

Sarrak

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2013, 12:36:54 pm »

Heh... Probably not. Bloodthirsty maniacs tend to view one another as an evil incarnate, while they themselves "just went a little overboard". We will see, what will come from this. Maybe, great story of rivalry. Quite possible - rage-fueled work competition. Or just nothingbat all, as one of us can lose to the jaguar teeth at the start  ;D

By the way, what type of landscape would it be? I'm fine with everything, but saying "rampaging werepanda skeletons on !!FIRE!!" beforehand can save a bit of trouble. Just saying. Maybe you intended this as a nasty surprise?
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Science is always important. But it needs more flaming cats. Can't we build bridge-based catapults and fling flaming cats at the dust and goo?

It's time for the ATHATH Death Counter to increase once more in celebration for the end of the world.

highmax28

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2013, 12:40:48 pm »

It'd be funny if it was in the area of a goblin fortress just to keep us all in line. Then again, it wouldbn't be funny at all...

And ones a butcher and the other is a woodcutter. I doubt they'd talk much unless they're both thrust into the military, in which case it'd be awesome if we both ended up being sparring partners (cause two berserks sparring makes for ridiculousness... Especially when they decide to go all out because the other guy bested him)
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just shot him with a balistic arrow, i think he will get stuned from that >.>

"Guardian" and Sigfriend Of Necrothreat
Jee wilikers, I think Highmax is near invulnerable, must have been dunked in the river styx like achilles was.
Just make sure he wears a boot.

Jovus

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2013, 04:05:32 pm »

Count me in as a player. It will be the first time I've done this, but this sounds like fun.

Jovus is a bit of an exception. When he heard that a new penal colony was being founded, he volunteered. He has a vision: a vision of a new dwarven utopia, founded on the principles of the socialist state. Never again will a dwarf go hungry, or go without work, or care for the sick, etc. etc. The State will care for the citizen from the cradle to the grave, and everything the State does is for the citizen, while everything the citizen does is for the State.

However, it's not as though he is without his own criminal record. He was thrown in the slammer for attempting to foment rebellion in the Mountainhome.

(I'm imagining he'll be a broker/manager sort, in line with the 'enlightened caste of scientists coordinating society for the good of all' flavor of things.)
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highmax28

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2013, 04:22:11 pm »

So we might have a communist rebellion?
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just shot him with a balistic arrow, i think he will get stuned from that >.>

"Guardian" and Sigfriend Of Necrothreat
Jee wilikers, I think Highmax is near invulnerable, must have been dunked in the river styx like achilles was.
Just make sure he wears a boot.

Jovus

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2013, 04:34:30 pm »

So we might have a communist rebellion?

Socialist. Those dirty Marxists have no place in our utopia.
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CubeJackal

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Re: Steelhold - A Penal Colony Succession Game
« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2013, 05:57:53 pm »

Turn's complete! I'll update the OP tonight and post a full log tomorrow.
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