"Roomcarnage, lads!" The old dwarf waved his rock pot full of prickle berry wine around, sloshing foam to the floor. "Tha's where ya need to go! I saw it! I was there! It's built in a VOLCANO, surrounded by a bloody glacier, and there's levels and levels and levels of GOOOOLDDD..."
Urist looked at his wife Mebzul. She had the same look he felt he probably did, wanting it to be true but wondering if it wasn't just some old drunk's fever dream. The work here in Twistedropes was grueling, and there didn't seem to be any chance of advancement. They had been talking about moving on for some time now.
"Well, if we went, it would probably be full of rats, or have no food, or who knows what." Mebzul's voice was low and sweet, and even after two years of marriage it still made him feel warm deep inside. "My cousin Medzur was at Steamybellows before the end, and he said..."
"GOLD, I tell ye! The whole place is full of it! The dining room was floored and furnished with pure shining blue adamantininininum...." The crazed old dwarf stared at them, obviously offended that they doubted his word. "There's TONS of food, with huge underground farms and even more brought every season by the tallboys.... they are practically slaves to the Roomcarnage boys, can't get enough of those stone crafts! Even the tree-kissers come all the way out to the glaciers to trade with them! They're a bloody LEGEND! I was the first liaison in the place, and I tell ye, it's full of GOOOOLD!" With this final proclamation, the old dwarf passed out facedown on the table, rock pot still clutched tightly in one hand.
Urist looked at Medzul, a question in his eyes. She shook her head, looking around. Too many ears... This was not the place.
***
Later, in their quarters, she said "Well, that old dwarf was pretty emphatic. Like I said there, Medzur said Steamybellows was full of gold too, and look what happened there."
"I know honey, but..." Urist had a feeling this time. This was the right thing to do. "We will never be able to start a family here." He sighed. "Can you imagine raising a child in this place?"
This made a strong impression. Medzul looked up at him. Her mouth firmed as she thought. Finally she said "You're right. There's nothing here worth staying for. Let's go to Roomcarnage. A better life. Not for us, maybe... but for our children."
Author
Topic: The Rise and Fall of Roomcarnage :: an ongoing Dwarf Fortress story (Read 369189 times)