First Acolyte of the Veterans of Deathgate
1st of Limestone 1074 - Early Autumn
===As final preparations for the Siege of Hell take place, word of our exploits has quickly spread. Less than a week after the human trade company departed, we got some visitors.
Then some more visitors
Smunstu was quick at work filling their mugs, and telling them of
The One True God. As he predicted, gold began flowing into our coffers which will do well once the autumn caravan arrives. For his protection, I've assigned him a war jaguar, and a war bobcat we had otherwise unassigned. He's currently been training them to serve drinks and do tricks, to the entertainment of guests. I must admit to having found the entire enterprise to be rather entertaining.
As he preached, one of the elfs asked me where she could find the mayor. I didn't know why she wanted to speak to Drokles, but I pointed her down the hall to his quarters. About 20 minutes later, Drokles with a look of shock came in, and tapped me and Smunstu on the shoulder, saying we must speak at once. He hurried us off into the storeroom, and locked the door.
"Drokles, what's going on?"
"Nako, that elf, she wants to sign up with our military!"
I blinked. Smunstu just grinned, and fixed his crown.
I managed to stammer out "What?".
"That's why I got you, The Veterans of Deathgate are the current overseers, and you represent them! I mean, we can use the extra firepower, but she's an elf ..."
Smunstu just chuckled.
"You might think of her as 'just an elf', but let me tell you, back in the Dark Tower, when we were lucky enough to liberate one of their offspring, they can be hell on wheels. Elfs are fast, have a grace, and even if they leave the forest, wildlife just ignore them. Perfect scouts, and ambushers, oh the stories I could tell ..."
"Anyway, she says she's heard the stories of the Veterans of Deathgate, and seen the proof of your so called
God to find out for herself if you're really up to the legend. She'll follow any order as long as she's allowed to reside here"
I sat on one of the barrels of wine. Smunstu glared at me for touched his favorite booze, but I paid him no head. Drokes wasn't a believer, but he was loyal, and as long at the Veterans of Deathgate didn't harm the fortress, he would follow. I weighed the proposal in my mind.
The disaster in the spider purge had left us short handed. If what Smunstu said was true (and I have no reason to doubt it), then perhaps there was much to be had. Our renovated bar had quickly attracted more attention, and where there is one, there are often more. Still, an elf ....
I made my decision, "Test her."
"Test her?"
"If she's truly given up the ways of the wood, then she would be willing to harm a tree no?"
Smunstu was cackling. "Zulgar, I like the way you think. I grabbed an axe that was lying in the corner and handed it to Drokes.
"Have her fell a tree. If she's willing, I'll grant her request. If not, send her on her way."
He nodded, and left the storeroom. Smunstu turned to me.
"Think she'll do it? Never seen one of the adults turn, but you know,
He has a way of influencing your life ..."
I shrugged, "I do not know."
We returned to the bar, and I put the matter out of my mind as Smunstu had "Fluffy" try and balance a tray on her head. An hour later, Drokles and Nako returned. She was holding a log with a strange combination of glee and disgust in her eyes. Drokles just nodded.
"Well, Nako, you passed your initiation. Drokles, find her some quarters, and bring her to the forges so an armorer may make a set of steel armor in her size. We'll get her into a squad as soon as she's equipped"
He just nodded. Nako bowed towards me.
"Thank you for this opportunity, my liege"
I waved her off.
"I'm no one's liege, I am just a follower of the
One True God."
After that, she bowed again, and Drokles lead her into Lower Doomforest.
Smunstu prodded my shoulder. "I dunno about you, but I'd watch that one. She's cute too."
I blinked.
---
After I recovered from the hangover, and Smunstu's lewid comments, I looked over our military. The 'Bulters' had almost been entirely descimated in by the spider. Both of its members were followers of the One True God, so, in honor of our new mission, I have renamed them "The Followers of Deathgate".
I was also somewhat alarmed to find that almost all our archery ranges have either been removed or destroyed. I've ordered new ones installed in a disused section of the fort a few levels below the bar.
I can't help but think we live in interesting times ...
OOC: We've got a conga line going for people who want to sign up for our military. I spotted at least three more that may join up. Since we don't have a baron, they'll go to the mayor who is Drolkes, who will only meet with them if his squad is off duty. Also remember that humans and elves are 'large' creatures, you have to order special armor for them manually at the forges with the details screen.