Dwarven civilizations, while on friendly terms with one another, were particularly competitive. When it came to glory through war, skill, or wealth, fortresses were highly aware of the accomplishments of other civilizations and possessed a fierce intent to override them. This was manifested in all sorts of subterfuge and shady political dealings, as well as placing great stress on the individual leaders of each civilization.
On the Planet of Dragons, these facts stood very true indeed.
Stodir Lasheddreamed led a civilization of dwarves known as The Letter of Rasps. While having only reigned a few years, Stodir had become a powerful leader and respected warrior. She wasn't happy, however.
Stodir brooded constantly over a sister civilization known as The Severe Dike. Edem Workglazes, her rival, managed to outpace her and her fortresses in nearly every way. From the production of metal and wood to the skill of craftsmanship and battle, The Severe Dike proved superior.
Stodir was all too aware of this. This time, though, she felt she had found her chance to raise the glory of her land and citizens. Edem Workglazes had chosen to settle a distant island volcano some years back, calling it Snarlgild. Reports from later caravans indicate that the fortress had quickly fallen to the beastial terror of the land - clouds of pure evil that turned the dead into moving abominations.
Stodir had recently discovered a similar island to the one Snarlgild had been founded on. Complete with a volcano, the island presented a perfect opportunity to outdo Edem Workglazes. She ordered an expedition sent to colonize the land around the caldera known as The Ash of Jokes, but in her haste and excitement forgot to state the importance of the expedition.
Seven dwarves of average skill and ability given meager tools and rations found themselves on the back of wagon, destined for a mountain almost 6 months travel from the homes they left.
The night of arrival, Goden saw a shooting star. After he described how it was like a flaming arrow flying through the night sky, we all decided to call this place Boltflames.
For the next few days we carved a few small rooms from one the mounds of earth surrounding the lava.
Into these we moved our supplies and had begun to equip it with a stockpile of logs when our miner spotted something moved beyond the caldera. Something
huge.
The dwarves dove into the little cave they had created (there wasn't even a door yet!) hoping whatever that beast was wouldn't notice them. Luckily, their plan worked and after a few hours of anxious waiting the axedwarves left the cave and reported no sight of a beast or creature.
Progress was swift and only a few weeks later both a small farm and a much larger crafts floor were excavated and put to use. Door were shaped and bed carved. Trees were felled and the logs hauled back to the fortre- OH GOD WHAT IS THAT THING?! IS THAT A PANGOLIN? SOMEONE GET MESTTHOS.
The axdwarfs were given freshly-crafted shields and told to go take care of the threat. They soon returned, wait, no, where's Morul?
Mestthos just shook his head and collapsed in shock. We went to the scene of the fight, discovering that Morul had been heavily injured by the undead pangolin.
His skull was torn, a vicious cut running from his right eye to the back of his ear. We took him back to the rooms, leaving the now-halved pangolin corpse to rot. None of us was familiar with even the slightest medical procedure, and no source of fresh, untainted water had been discovered, so Morul's forecast looked grim. We began to dig a borehole into the deep earth, and but carved a casket just the same.
A day went by, then two. Morul was looking pale and desperately need fluid other than alcohol, we just needed to strike the water, just to find the liquid, the fresh, clear liquid, a lake of it or even just a pool. . .
REJOICE! Our miner came rushing up his hastily-carved staircase, a frothing bucket of lakewater clutched in his hands. Morul saved, the casket was put aside and the ale was opened. He has a long way to go, but perhaps with time he might awake yet again.
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I might post one more in the next few hours, otherwise I'll post the save.
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Topic: The Planet of Dragons (Which really don't exist) - Handmade strangefort (Read 17561 times)