"Some migrants have arrived, despite the danger."
Ustuth noted the date. Tenth of Obsidian, 38.
Sighing to himself, the old dwarf set his parchment aside and reached for the crutch. It's probably snowing again, he thought. Yet when he dragged himself out to the main shaft, he took a long glance upstairs. It was twelve stories to the surface. Enough time to ponder.
The last year had been a mess, much of it yet to be cleaned up. And yet, in terms of treasure, it was a gain. The Ronenog had retreated for gods know what reason, and not only did they ignore the dwarven treasures, they left behind most of their own. And now fresh fools are flocking to Asteshdatan for its wealth.
Still, the clan survived. In the Great Hall, the dwarves celebrated their "victory". Finest ale and lavish meals were had in the name of the fallen, thrice as tradition demands. Then it was time to welcome new settlers, for which many more ales were raised. Ustuth had stood many vigils in remembrance, for he lost all of his sons but the youngest, Urist.
Urist was a craftsdwarf, and he spent most of the winter in his workshop, refusing to see people as he worked on a contraption of hardwood and bismuth bronze. Now at the feast, he presented his work, a plated chandelier that, when lit, cast shadows in the form of dwarves enacting a battle, a memorial for the last stand made by his kin in the Great Hall.
***
Enter King Azstrog and his retinue. Throughout 39, while the dwarves reopened their mines and resumed the pace of industry, Azstrog's peons were carving out a dark citadel from whence to seize the riches of this land.
Soon the first scouts wandered forth from the newly built Tursong, "Redscourge". They weren't as good at tunneling as dwarves, and an accidental breach of the river flooded their first tunnel up to the citadel's entrance. Some peons were left on the wrong side of it. But the goblins did find something interesting: a glimpse of a grotto full of gems and crystals.
In the spring of 40, king Azstrog sent more scouts with one order: find another way to that grotto, or face his wrath.
***
The dwarven council must decide on a new industry to pursue, in addition to metalsmithing, art, fishing and brewing.
Choose:- Green glass. Any new architecture and crafted treasures will follow a green theme instead of gold.
- Spidersilk. Rooms will be decorated with banners, and construction of rope bridges is now allowed.
- Fungiwood and farm produce. Subsequent migrants will be settled along the river to cultivate the area.
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Topic: Oldlands: Age of Dwarves (Read 34801 times)