Well, now that I think about it, I don't really know what I'm doing, but it seemed a good idea at the time. For dwarfkind and the mountainhome.
Datan has dragged me along on this fool's quest, though he gave guarantees that the journey would be safe, and so would the fort. Still, I'm going into unknown territory. My mountain kin whisper terrible things behind my back, that I'll "break the world", that my leaving will bring untold consequences, for good or ill, to the world. I scoff internally at them: why would they think such a thing?
Before I tell you much about myself, I have to tell you about Datan. He's the kind of dwarf someone like me can look up to. He's a strong magician, having battled or stopped countless goblin invasion in their ever expansion to the east and towards the mountains. He knows how to make us immune to temperature and the fallings of the sky, how to make us not crave food or drink. He's not a supernatural evil being, not a vampire or necromancer or were-thing, his daily job is actually an axedwarf. Watching him, it seems silly to believe he wields so much power, yet he does and I do not doubt him.
He has told me stories of the deep since I was a dwarfling, of great cavernous expanses to those brave enough to see them, of great magma sees, of adamantine and greater beauties and horror below. Recently, he has had visions of slade (with a D!!!) towers, but we go not to them now. We go exploring. He has especially told me about the deep dwarves, the illusive kind that I am just aching to find. And this is what led me here.
After so many stories, I finally petitioned to the mountainhome for an expedition. Why not go adventuring myself, you ask? Because I'm not that suicidal, not yet at least. With an expedition, I have supplies and animals more in abundance given to me by the home, for our fortunes rise and fall together. Alone in the wilds, I fear not even Datan would follow.
They have sent me far from the home, citing that if I attract unduly attention, it would be on my head and on those foolish enough to accompany me. Datan was first to volunteer, of course, and five more followed.
Since hunting dogs, war dogs and even regular dogs are needed where they are, I have taken 40 stray puppies with me to act as a future army. I have confidence that one of my new companions would be more than eager to teach them the art of war once they grow up. I have also taken as many picks, anvils and steel bars (apparently they didn't have any iron at hand) as I can: better be prepared as much as I can.
So here we are, far from the mountainhome, with mainly the assurances of Datan.
Granite 14: I've already drawn a plan for the first levels and how I want to go about it. It isn't perfect, but I hope it's effective.
I've set myself up with a cushy job as a mechanic. Mechanics are safe, I'm told, at least those that only work in their workshops. I should find a reason to do just that and only that and not be the one sent out to construct and load cage traps. Yes, I'm the same one that wanted to meet the deep dwarves, but I have to take care of my safety to survive such a meeting, you understand.
Day WHAT?! One of my miners has become king. Just like that. His requirements are staggering! He's going to die of a broken heart, poor guy. Not much I can do than quaranteen the poor... but then, they may appoint someone else as king from my squad again? They wouldn't dare... they're not that crazy... are they? Armok save me from fools and madmen...
Oh well, moving on. I had ordered to build a Masonry, I created a Mechanic's workshop myself and a butcher shop for ol' Datan, since he doesn't have any trees to chop. I might just put him on hauling duty, he likes to be inconspicuous like that, occasionally chopping wildlife that our dogs or hunters killed. I've had my mason construct doors, a chair, a table (for me) and a coffin, in that order. Because let me tell you, the more you build, the more doors you'll need. Doors are close requirements after beds (which we won't have much of either until we find a cave) and clothes (of which I heard fearful tales of forts crumbling because of pissy nekkid dwarves). Not even Datan's magic can protect us from such calamities if we're not careful! I'm also putting Ber on the mining detail, because we'll need another miner once Sigun, our illustrious king's heart gives out, and we need to find those trees (and that spider silk, and those deep dwarves) as fast as possible. I've already found a way to... isolate Sigun before it's too late. I just hope it works so his future madness won't drag us down with us.
Poor fellow, he had such high ambitions too.
6th slate: my first cave!
[to be continued]
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OOC & Improvised bug tracker: So, in for a penny, in for a pound. Since I got the king in the first go, I have to go on with what I have. And I don't have much lack, to be honest.
Do you think I can actually save him?
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Topic: [DF2014] Tadinramul, a tale of caves, cunning and... miner kings?! (Read 1431 times)