Part II:Building
While the humans from the Just Union were packing their unsold merchandise, a large flock of giant peach-faced lovebirds circled in the skies. It was nothing unusual here to see them, yet the capybaras managed to often get scared of them when a large shadow suddenly passed over them. It slowed work a bit on the new houses that were being built.
The humans, however, were not at all used to these beasts and began firing their bows at the birds. This scared the birds who began to flutter around in panic, causing the capybaras to be spooked. So it was up to the mandrill man Ove and Cusal the pilgrim -- both part of Suwu's archers -- to deal with the problem.
And indeed: soon one of the feathered beasts crashed down from the skies right next to the trading pavillion.
Peach-faced lovebird would be this seasons specialty on Kib's menu.
Autumn came quickly.
The guild representative Upnal and his guards traipsied around the new garden, admiring the craftscapyship (though, craftswombatship would be a more accurate term) of the statues. The community of Waterlures still didn't want visitors and wanted to keep it that way for the time being. But still, the capybaras didn't mind if some merchants from the caravans stayed for a while after the others left. As long as they let the capybaras work and weren't asking too many questions, it was fine.
Around the 15th of Limestone, the caravan from the Mountainhome arrived: three wagons pulled by horses, water buffalos and reindeer. One of the marksdwarves accompanying the merchants stumbled akwardly when walking down the slopes, which had been turned quite muddy and slippery by the early autumn rain.
The capybaras halted their work and headed to haul goods to the trading pavilion, while 'Baroness' Kasat prepared to meet with the outpost liaison to broker trade deals.
The leaves fell off the trees and the Lakes of Saturnity froze when winter was just around the corner.
Two new buildings had been erected between the fields on the slopes and the house of crafts -- which was also the home of Zuglar and Såkzul and their children (and Kudpa, who so detested higher-ups, had a small room in the same building).
The houses were yet unfurnished, and it hadn't been decided who would be the ones to move in.
However, there were more building projects: stables, with quarters for a stable master, were being built next to the yet-to-be-named-and-opened inn.
One must always have space for the beasts of visitors, of course.
There was still plans for a few additions to the platforms on the lakes, but the capybaras would only build the supports. Winter was the only time when it was possible, and after it was done, the capybaras would gladly head off to spend the rest of winter socializing, praying and drinking.
...Datan the dwarf, of course, was wondering if the baths would get more use and more babies be born.
However, once winter arrived there was still much to do: goods needed to be stored and livestock needed culling.
Winter festivities would be late this year.
And it did not help that another giant leech crept out from the wilds -- possibly from the lake or murky pools.
Suwu had just been at the Fruit of Letters listening to Såkzul recount the tale of how Kumil, the faun and current militia warden, heroically escorted Kasat and the others to Waterlures all the way from Inkedwhims. It wasn't really the true story, but a fabrication of the bookkeeper's imagination: she hadn't even been in the group! Suwu had been, as well as Edu, and they certainly could say the story was a load of bollocks.
Suwu was actually happy that the leech came into play during the story. She had downed her mug, grabbed her bow and rushed out to face the slimy slug with other militia members. But it was not Suwu who put the beast down: it was 'Avo', who bashed the leech's head into pulp with his shield.
Finally, around the halfway of Opal, the capybaras had time to relax.
They all crowded into the Fruit of Letters, the air heavy with the scent of wet capybara fur and sweat. The tame jaguar turned up its nose: it clearly didn't like the cacophony of smells in the room.
While others mingled and chatted downstairs, some of the kids went upstairs to the dormitory to play. Yawo was there, meditating.
It is hard to control. My temper. I have tried, but it is of no use, Yawo pondered reflecting on herself. She seeked guidance from the great forces of Nature, from Icemì Apedives (as the peoples of Múya Loré called it). How could she control her foul temperament when it was so exhilarating arguing with the others? It was one of the things she enjoyed the most in Waterlures: to poke at the fuzzy plump rodents until they got irritated, their hair twitching as they huffed and puffed in anger. Such a pleasing sight!
Yet, it obviously wasn't good to make others grouchy. If only they too would like arguing!
What a predicament. What shall I do, Icemì? To argue or not to argue -- that is the question, Yawo thought, absent-mindedly scratching her rump (which had admittedly become quite fat and saggy).
'Zultan' was in high spirits during the winter's festivities. He felt good. Euphoric even. There were friends and acquaintances around, interesting performances and oh, how fine the tables and beds here were! It was something he hadn't paid much attention to earlier, but after feeling a bit apathetic after a talk with one of the citizens of 'higher' rank, his focus had meandered to the furniture. Some of them looked like the paw-work of poor 'Qandale'... (May her soul rest in peace.)
Ah, and yes, there was much time to talk with adorable little ones. It made 'Zultan' feel pride and love. And it was at this moment of happiness when he realized that he had actually grown quite fond of this exceptional steel shield he carried with him. Yes, the plump helmet man had certainly made it feel good in the paw.
=====
That's the end of year 352.
Again, nothing much really happened. Lots of building. Beginning to run out of wood (I think there's over 10k logs used in the buildings, if I remember the stocks screen correct).
No babies were born, which is a pity, but also a relief. I'm beginning to be absolutely terrified what will happen once we reach 50 population. Still being reluctant to make a wall/palisafe before anything nasty happens. There's quite a lot of werebeasts in this world (at least judging by Legends)... But the capies are unaware of that, and they probably wouldn't believe warnings until they witness something awful themselves.
But, about the wood situation.
Not really wanting to chop any of the old trees, and caravans bring only so much, so I've been thinking of "sending" one or two capies to fell trees in the nearby forests (that is, adventure mode time). I've done it in some old forts of mine and it worked alright. The caveat: it'll be a pain in the butt to reassign beds, rebuild chests/cabinets and probably stockpiles need redoing.
So, if I go the adventure mode log route (actually tested retire/unretire and the books don't scatter anymore and there were no new unexpected visitors as "hostiles", yay!), I might just as well additionally do another still undetermined adventure thing.
The question is:
What should the other thing be? More capies? Or something else? Maybe insert some kind of twist of events to shake the peace just a bit?
Ideas welcome.
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Topic: Waterlures - A Capybara Man Fortress & Adventure [DF 0.47.05] (Read 80150 times)