4 Granite 201
"Well why don't you talk to cousin Nil, if you're still missing him that much, and see if he'll move out here? We've plenty of family out here now, he'll be more than welcome."
Ral Boatstorches, lead milker of Nevertaxed, looked up at Maolagin mournfully. "Sure I've been missing Nil a bit, but that's not bugging me so much right now as the fact that some dwarf is standing on me beard!" he replied testily. Ral was squatting under a table along with three other dwarves as Maolagin peered down over the edge, because just then almost the entire population of Nevertaxed was crowded into the meeting hall of the Pickled Plum. Although well appointed, the ever-present coat of vomit did reduce the charm of the place on the best of days, and today it was clearly taxing the nerves more than one dwarf.
Crouched beside her on top of the table, Maolagin's aunt Tirist prompted her to continue her story. "So you were about to say, dear, you're some kind of administrator now?"
"More or less," Maolagin temporized. "Thing is, Wierd's been getting a bit, well, weird. He did a good job getting our agricultural business running, no doubt."
"Here here!" interrupted a couple of dwarves in earshot, raising barrels of freshly brewed beer.
"Quite so," she continued, "if we're stuck in the Plum for long, we'll much appreciate the full storeroom beneath our feet here. But the business with the baron, it took its toll. I don't mind saying, he was clearly out of his element dealing with goblins, and now he's got renters, too. So Kogan tapped me a few days ago to take on some of the day-to-day organizing. Get some renovations underway, keep the industries humming along while the founders do their thing with estates and manors and such. And, above all, get us prepared for the goblins."
"And how's that working out then?" another voice called from nearby.
"Could be better," Maolagin admitted. "I wasn't expecting them quite so soon!"
So that got off to a fast start, guys. The save opens on the 2nd of Granite. After looking around a bit I unpause, see there's basically no idlers due to seed dumping, and what's this?
A vile forces of darkness has arrived!Uh oh. It's Granite 4th, so obviously I haven't had time to change a thing yet. Looks like about 40 greenskins, including some archers, and a squad of trolls. That's no band of bandits, looks like the war is coming to Nevertaxed after all. Better hope we can take down those trolls before they bust down the door of the Plum!
The siege appeared in the southwest corner of the map, so I stationed the Spry Walls in these farm plots while the civilians rushed into the Plum. As it turned out, line of houses worked really well to block line of sight and manage the attack. Other than a small group that broke off to slaughter wandering livestock by the refuse stockpiles, the entire battle unfolded in this square, and most of the fighting took place as trolls and goblins rounded that corner house. This was a bit callous of me, but I think still the right decision -- the Spry Walls was composed of very green fighters, most of whom had little to no experience with the weapons they were using. I held back the more experienced Murky Metals closer to the Plum to intercept whatever got through.
The Walls took heavy casualties -- the captain and five soldiers, plus two babies caught in the battle -- but broke the wave. The new iron armor proved is worth without question. According to the combat log, many heads were saved by stout iron helms, and just as many crippling injuries prevented by gauntlets and such. In addition to keeping them grouped up, the line of houses largely kept the bowgoblins out of the fight entirely. The Metals had it easier, taking no injuries worse than bruises, although PK is up to twelve kills and doesn't care anymore. I don't think any foe got within bowshot of the Plum's doors.
Even though we avoided any civilian casualties this time, it was a close call. If the siege had arrived just a bit further east, the miners would have been slaughtered for sure. I think we'll need to install a door and some emergency rations at Silverplum Mine so that it can serve as a second refuge point during invasions. I'm also uncomfortable with the barracks being so far from the center of town. The squads had to dash clear across the map to get in position.
Let's wrap this post up with a view of Nevertaxed from 10,000 urist.
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Topic: Nevertaxed: Dwarven Village Bloodline (Overseers Needed!) (Read 54363 times)