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[Lovechild]

Chapter 4: Galebuds - Part 5

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The giant crows and magpies inflicted their wrath on two humans. The other two went insane before they could be put up for judgment, and the birds didn't care to kill them.

An elven spearman had also died - in a climbing accident. Such a pointless death.



Some migrants arrived. Seven elves, one horse, one kea, one eagle, and one kiwi.



A wild kea took the Crown of Fate and flew off with it. Such were the happenstances of nature, Hostega thought. It was not good to become overly attached to things.



The population of Galebuds was now quite large, and it was time to choose a retreat leader. An elf named Owlsaved was elected. He hoped to make this retreat a joyful place to all friends of nature, and so mandated some pretty crafts to be made.



Owlsaved took residence among the highest branches of Galebuds.



A great dwarven caravan arrived, well guarded. The elves decided not to attack them - this time. Hostega went to trade with them and freed some wrongfully imprisoned animals. In return she gave them some goods that had been seized from dwarven and human caravans.

If the dwarven merchants wondered where the elves had come across such things, they gave no indication of it.

Shortly after, more migrants came to Galebuds. Eight elves, one kiwi, one skunk, one porcupine, one raven one wild boar, and one water buffalo.



The retreat leader Owlsaved feared that the humans might seek retribution for their lost merchants. He appointed Modestsparkles, a swordsman, to captain of the forest guard, and a squad of swordelves was drafted.



Galebuds was now fully grown, rising high above the other trees.



The great tree was home to sixty-four elves, and eighty-one animals of twenty-six different species. The elves had made their presence felt - the despoiler races would soon learn to fear nature, now that the animals of the Last Forest had been told of their evil ways.



End of Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Epilogue: Highfortune

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Highfortune was still and silent. Dextros Divineleague's dream of ruling the Helpful Unions was dead. Dextros was dead. Hostergaard was dead.

Almost everyone was dead. Corpses covered the streets.



In the keep, on the throne, sat a lone goblin. Her name was Cadi Wireconjured the Lone Tragedies.

She had killed all the humans, and their pets too. She wasn't sure what to do next. But she'd think of something.

Behind the scenes discussion:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The giant crow and magpie didn't get names for killing humans, sadly. I looked at the legends, and I noticed that the human that Cellwrath the slug man killed, killed another slug man first, thereby making the human a historical figure, and so Cellwrath became a historical figure for killing that human. The humans that the crow and magpie killed weren't historical figures since they hadn't done anything noteworthy.

Make your suggestions for chapter 5!

@De: Yeah, you can play goblins.

[Lovechild]

Chapter 5: Taupe Tradejustice - Part 1

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Helpful Unions were at war, and they were losing. The once mighty town of Bluntplaits had been overrun and turned into a haven for bandits, not just goblins but also lawless humans and dwarves. Highfortune was also lost. No one knew exactly what had happened to that town, but there were many rumors of death and destruction on a massive scale.

Taupe Tradejustice, a citizen of the hamlet Groupedbuttered, wanted to protect her home from the same fate.



She had been given a mission by Ugrad Pricedesteemed, lady of Groupedbuttered. The dwarves of the Armory of Chaos, to the west, were known to produce a metal alloy that was stronger, sharper, and lighter than any metal forged by human or goblin. Steel, they called it. If they could be convinced to sell this metal to humans, there might be hope for Groupedbuttered yet.

Taupe was to travel to the dwarven realm, meet with their queen Fath Catchcudgels, and secure a steel trading agreement. And give the queen whatever she demanded in return.



Before setting off, Taupe searched the hamlet for a traveling companion... but the peasants were not up for any adventures.



It was not wise to make long treks in the wilderness alone. Taupe decided to visit the nearby hamlet Scrapeconflict - the only other human settlement not conquered by the goblins - and look for a companion there.

Even on this short journey, Taupe kept her guard up. This was a time of war, and goblins could be anywhere.



Soon she reached Scrapeconflict, but something was not right...



A band of goblins approached Taupe! The biggest one waved his axe at her.

"You must yield!" he shouted.

There were five goblins, and Taupe could hardly take them all on her own...

"Fine", she said reluctantly, and threw her maul and shield in the snow.

The big goblin waved one of his underlings forward, who yanked Taupe's backpack off her back and emptied it on the ground. There wasn't much in it, just a dagger and some leopard brain rations.

"Worthless poor human!" the big goblin shouted. "Nothing of value! Go and rot!"



The band of goblins walked away down the street. Taupe picked up her weapons and possessions again. It didn't seem like Scrapeconflict was being invaded at least... but its defenses must be in a poor state if they couldn't keep simple goblin bandits away.



She talked to some locals, who were understandably upset.

"The goblins are doing whatever they want, stealing anything they want! You seem like a mighty warrior... can't you help us?"

But Taupe couldn't risk her life for this hamlet, not when her own home was in danger.



She left Scrapeconflict and returned to Groupedbuttered. Tomorrow she would set off towards the dwarven kingdom... alone, if she had to.

To be continued

Used Taupe's old suggestion for this.

[De]

I was going to say build a goblin military outpost with at least two squads of master fighters... but that hardly seems fair when they've conquered to much already. Who would they fight?

So I'll say build a fortified dwarven keep near the queen's capital. Doesn't need a high population since it's a military compound but at least two squads of competent fighters equipped with steel and silver gear and a tower for archers to keep a lookout from and shoot down from.

[Lovechild]

Chapter 5: Taupe Tradejustice - Part 2

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Taupe left Groupedbuttered at first light, heading west.



By midday, she reached the dwarven country.



These lands were not plagued by goblins, but they were unsafe for other reasons. A pack of wolves came running through the frozen forest!



Taupe ran between trees to get in a position where she could take the wolves one at a time, and brought her iron maul to bear.



The fight was soon over, with four wolves dead and one running for its life. Taupe flayed the slain wolves, their skins might have some value.



Finally, Taupe had reached Imagearmor. A mighty stone structure stood before her, but she knew dwarves preferred the deep rock to the surface - the majority of the fortress would be below ground.



She entered the fortress, and the first thing she saw was an area full of goods and busy dwarves. Many of the weapons and pieces of armor were made of a grey, shiny metal she had never seen before. It could only be... steel.



She approached an important-looking dwarf, who turned out to be Zulban Tindefense, chief diplomat of the Armory of Chaos. Taupe explained the humans' plight to him.

"The Helpful Unions are under severe threat", she said, "and if nothing is done to turn the tide, the goblins may very well conquer the entire realm. And who can say they won't come for the dwarves when they are done with the humans?"

"That is very possible", Zulban agreed. "So what is it you want from us?"

"We want to buy steel from you, for strong weapons and armor to repel the goblin hordes. We'll pay fairly, of course - "

"We do not have steel in endless supply, and our people are also under threat, though less visibly so. The wilds are full of monstrous beasts preying on dwarves whenever they can. Our military must be constantly vigilant, and kept well equipped."

Taupe saw an opportunity. "But what if the beasts were... removed? Wouldn't that take some strain off your soldiers?"

Zulban smiled. "You'll hunt our monsters for us, human? Very well. There is a fearsome foe that has been tormenting our people... Nemen Cankerfrothy the minotaur. Slay it, and I will speak to queen Fath about your request."



A minotaur hunt to secure the dwarven steel. Seemed fair enough to Taupe. But she wanted a companion for this trip, and found an axedwarf called Smithvigor.

"For too long have goblins and beasts preyed upon dwarf and human", Smithvigor said, checking the edge of her axe. "I'll go with you so that vengeance can be had for both our kinds."



The Grip of Juice, as the minotaur's home was called, was quite distant.



The labyrinth was located in the mountains near the Helpful Unions, so the journey turned back east.



But on the way there, the travellers spotted a lair in the wilderness. Taupe had a feeling it might be home to some other monstrosity the dwarven queen wanted to be rid of.



She decided to investigate.



Sneaking into the lair, she found the remains of a dead dwarf, and saw a hulking humanoid monster with one great eye in its forehead... a cyclops. This was an opportunity she couldn't miss.

Leaping out of cover with a battlecry, she gave the cyclops a powerful maul blow. Smithvigor came right behind her, hacking at the monster with her axe, but the cyclops seemed unbothered. Roaring, it kicked Smithvigor in the face, sending her flying across the cave.

"Smithvigor!" Taupe shouted. "Are you all right?"

Smithvigor got back on her feet, spat out a tooth, and jumped into the fray once more.



The human and the dwarf overwhelmed the cyclops with a barrage of maul and axe strikes, and eventually it toppled. Blood gushed from numerous wounds inflicted by Smithvigor, and life drained quickly from the monster.

Taupe gave Smithvigor credit for the kill; she was responsible for the wounds that had caused the cyclops to bleed to death.

Exploring the lair, the adventurers found two pairs of dwarf-sized steel gauntlets. Smithvigor took one pair. Taupe found herself a dwarven silver coin, and kept the other pair of gauntlets. Though she couldn't wear them, steel might just be more valuable than gold to a human smith.

The two travellers stayed in the lair for the night. Tomorrow they had more monsters to slay.

To be continued

Anyone want to be dwarfed as Smithvigor?

@De: From a meta perspective, playing a goblin settlement might actually turn the tide against the goblins, if the dwarves or elves go to war against them.

[De]

That's a thought, and they're also the only race you haven't played. It just seems tricky to play for a goal like "Cause a war between dwarves and goblins" in fortress mode. Can you cause wars in adventure?

[Lovechild]

I don't know if you can start wars in adventure mode. But I could just play a goblin fortress with another goal and see if the dwarves come knocking.

[Lovechild]

Chapter 5: Taupe Tradejustice - Part 3

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Morning came, and Taupe and Smithvigor left the cyclops' lair, continuing towards the Grip of Juice.



After a few hours' journey, they reached the labyrinth, by the foot of the northeastern Bright Towers.



Descending into the earth, Smithvigor told Taupe of a dwarven trick that could help them through the maze.

"When in unfamiliar tunnels, keep your hand on the left wall! That will stop you from getting lost."



The labyrinth was a huge complex, and the path went down several staircases, deeper and deeper below ground.



Taupe smelled blood up ahead, and spotted a large body on the ground... a dead minotaur! Killed not long ago, it seemed. She advanced cautiously.



With a roar, a cyclops charged out of the darkness!



"I am Ngethac Azurerobust!" the monster shouted, swinging at Taupe. "This labyrinth is mine now! Be gone, vermin!"

It looked like Taupe had wandered right into a territorial dispute. She avoided the cyclops' blow and struck back with her maul.



Taupe kept sidestepping the wild punches of the cyclops and hit back when she saw an opportunity, but her maul strike only seemed to make it more angry.

But where was Smithvigor?



Taupe switched to her dagger, hoping to open an artery and make the monster bleed out. The cyclops' constant attacks were taking their toll on it, however. It grew more and more tired, and eventually collapsed on the ground.



With a mighty dagger strike, Taupe split the monster's head in two.

She found Smithvigor cowering in a side tunnel.

"Where'd you go?" Taupe asked.

"I'm sorry!" Smithvigor said. "When I saw the dead minotaur... and that huge cyclops came out of the dark... I panicked! I don't know what got into me! I couldn't control it!"

"Well, it happens to the best of us. Don't worry about it."

The cyclops battle hadn't been too challenging, and really, Taupe was glad to have claimed some personal glory. Not many had beaten a cyclops in a one-on-one fight.



The adventurers left the labyrinth and headed back towards Imagearmor... and spotted yet another lair. But they had done enough monster hunting for now. Taupe had a job to do.



Other hunters were on the prowl, though...



The battle was short. Smithvigor was eager to prove herself useful again, and enthusiastically sent wolf limbs flying across the snow. The travellers replenished their rations with some wolf meat, and Taupe gathered the skins.



As night fell, Taupe and Smithvigor made for the dwarven hillock Nettrussed.



In the castle mound, they met the local mayor Daggerpant. Taupe told him of their adventures, but he was unimpressed.

"Our own Bob went west eight years ago, you know!" the mayor said. "He saved Steelcradle from ettins and giant spiders and..."

Taupe let the hill dwarf blabber on, inserting a "Oh" or "Really" at the right times, and when he was finished she asked for a place for her and Smithvigor to sleep. The mayor generously let them stay at the castle mound.

Tomorrow Taupe would return to the dwarven capital, and see if the queen found her exploits worthy.

To be continued

[De]

Taupe is wracking up quite a kill count, which is of course only fitting.

[Lovechild]

Chapter 5: Taupe Tradejustice - Part 4

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

On the way back to Imagearmor, Taupe and Smithvigor spotted a lone dwarf in the wilderness. They approached her, and she introduced herself as Winefences.

"What are you doing out here on your own?" Taupe asked.

"Well you see", Winefences said, "I was going to this place... Steelcrundle? With these three dwarves called Bob, Ambi, and Nerdan. I just stopped to have a drink, and then I lost track of my companions! I've been lost in these woods for... quite a while!"

"Eight years?" Taupe asked, remembering the story the hill dwarf mayor had told her yesterday.

"It's possible..."

"How did you survive? What about the bogeymen? And food and drink - "

"Eh, I just kinda found things. A slow running deer here, a barrel of beer dropped by a caravan there... A lot of beer, actually..."

There was a saying among the humans: "Issok protects fools and drunks". Taupe guessed there was a dwarven god who did the same.



Winefences came along with Taupe and Smithvigor. It wasn't like she had anything better to do. Taupe gave her the spare pair of steel gauntlets.

Arriving in Imagearmor, Taupe met with the diplomat Zulban again.

"Welcome back, human", he said. "Is it done?"

"It is", Taupe said. "The minotaur is dead, and two cyclopses with it."

"Most impressive! I will speak of your proposal to queen Fath, as promised."

Zulban left, and Taupe was left waiting. After a while, another dwarf came, and said:

"Queen Fath Catchcudgels will see you now."

Taupe followed the dwarf deep into the fortress, and eventually reached the grand throne room. An dwarf dressed in silk and steel gazed down on her from the imposing throne.

"Your majesty", Taupe said, bowing.

"Zulban has explained your proposal to us", queen Fath said. "We would be happy to help our human friends against the goblin menace."

"Thank you, your - "

"But the drain on our steel stocks is constant. Not only military needs, but also thieves! Skulking vermin stealing anything they can get at."

Fath was willing to sell steel to the humans, Taupe could see that. But the queen was going to get as much use out of this human warrior as she could.

"Kobolds, your majesty? If they are what stands in the way of our trade agreement, I will deal with them."

Fath smiled. "Very good. We know the thieving critters have a camp to the north. Chodosayger, it is called. Defeat the kobold bandits and we have an agreement."



And so the three adventurers set off into the wilderness again.



The weather got colder and colder as they headed north. Chodosayger was located right on the edge of the frozen Tundras of Taming.



Sneaking towards the camp, Taupe saw the kobolds had hoarded a great amount of stolen goods here. She might be able to make some personal profit from this adventure.



Taupe and her dwarves attacked. The cowardly kobolds scattered in all directions. There wasn't much of a battle, just a rout. Taupe killed three kobolds, and two ran off into the wilderness. Good enough, she thought.



Taupe went over the kobold's ill-gotten gains. They had not only stolen from dwarves, but also from humans. She pieced together a full set of armor, and found a lot of coins minted in the Helpful Unions.



With the kobolds defeated, the adventurers went south to the dwarven hillock Metalshock.



Here, Taupe took farewell of Smithvigor and Winefences. They would inform the queen that the mission she had given had been carried out. Taupe headed east towards the Helpful Unions.



But on the way home, she stopped by Tingranite the Ray of Forever - the lair where she and Smithvigor defeated the first cyclops. She stored all the treasure she had found in the lair, so she could come back and get it if she needed it.



The next morning, Taupe finally returned to Groupedbuttered.



She met with lady Ugrad Pricedesteemed in her keep.

"My task is complete", Taupe said. "The dwarven queen has agreed to sell us steel."

"Praise Zobshaur!" Ugrad exclaimed. "You have done well, Taupe Tradejustice. With an army equipped with steel, we may yet defeat the goblins. No longer will they torment us at will!"

End of Chapter 5

A bug popped up in Imagearmor. Looks like it's not possible to visit that site with adventurers anymore. I just improvised that bit.

Anyway. Post suggestions for Chapter 6! Time for goblins maybe?

I noticed that Highfortune is considered a ruin now, which means it can be "reclaimed" by any civilization.

[De]

Aren't the goblins living in Highfortune?

Is have the goblins turn Highfortune into their citadel and then start a war with the dwarves a reasonable request?

[bluemovie]

It's dead?  I hope it's not. I really love this thread