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[ricemastah]

Thanks. I've been taking a philosophy class and that's how I start to feel after my lecture. Except for the part about making tables, that's usually like me having to go do some math or chemistry.

[Kuli]

Kuli approached Aryn and spoke these words:

"Aryn, we have had our differences, but I cannot ignore evil where I find it.  Terrible forces were at work in the attempt on your life.  I know this because Zefon herself appeared in my dreams last night and gave these words to me. I wrote them down as soon as I awoke."

Kuli presented a hand-written note.

 

quote:ELIMINATE ARYN ESTETAR
IT MUST APPEAR DONE FROM THE INSIDE
RETURN WITH HIS LEDGER AND THIS LETTER
BE WARY OF ZEFON AND HER FOLLOWERS
OUR MAN WILL LET YOU INSIDE

"Zefon told me that these are the hidden words of the evil ones.  Indeed, it appears that they fear Zefon's power.  It matters not what you do with this knowledge, but I pray you will heed the grace of Zefon.  You have avoided death at the hands of this assassin, but all dwarves die someday.  It is only through Zefon that we may live and be reborn forever."

[ April 18, 2008: Message edited by: Kuli ]

[Heavy Flak]

The Events of the 14th of Limestone, 1058

Aryn paced at the front of the dining room.  The benches were filled with the those in the military service; and that included both Stravitch's guardsmen, and a new set of crimson-clad Dwarves that sat against the back wall.  Aryn kept one hand balled into a fist, the arm tucked behind his back as he paced.  Occasional he'd gesture to the Dwarf he mentioned by name.

"Let me make sure I've got this straight.  Likot, you're squad will be stationed at the parapets at the east.  Sulari, you'll exit the front gate with Snake to deal with the spearmen.  Major ---- DayCovering, you will hold the west.  From there, ahh, it's anyone's guess.  Stravitch, you'll keep the peace inside the fort.  And the rest ... The Honor Guard, will be stationed out front of my room.  Remember, you lot!  These hand-picked Dwarves are my retinue, and they are granted full access - do NOT get in their way!  Dismissed!  Get to your posts!"

As the Dwarves filed out, Kuli slipped in unseen with the crowd, a look of worry crossing of his face for the first time in many months.  He spoke with Aryn at length about a small note he brought with him.  An hour later, Kuli walked out serenely, missing the small scrap of paper he had brought in, but carrying a chit that bared Aryn's signature.  

***

The Events of the 16th of Limestone, 1058

The goblins marching up from the south were not prepared for the defenders awaiting them.  Though they doubled the numbers of the Dwarves, their ranks were swiftly broken as Sulari dove into their marching number, her axe singing.  Laughter rang through the hills as her blade slashed side-to-side blade at waist level.  While she ran forward, bisecting pikeman after pikeman, Snake and his troop jogged behind, snapping the necks of any corpse they came across as a precaution.  Within minutes, the goblins were dead, and Sulari and Snake headed towards the east entrance not a moment too soon.

One of Stravitch's Guard had managed to sneak out of the fortress due to Major ---- DayCovering paying more attention to his game of horseshoes than anything as trivial as what might come in - or go out - the gates.  Likot pointed the runner out to the defenders below, and they watched him as he darted through the wastes towards the wrecked caravan.  He crushed a camel and picked up a single leather mitten before the squad of swordsmen were on him.  

The first goblin within range was rewarded by having his chest crushed with the guardsman's mace.  The guardsman shattered the next two goblins thighs, darting out of the way of a third who had his hand crushed with an errant mace swing.  The guardsman dodged out of the way again and faltered, the Red Mist slowly clearing from his mind.  What he saw was 11 goblins surrounding him, 15 more rushing from the valley below.  This pause was his undoing, as the Swordsman's leader thrust his blade through the Dwarf's heart.  As he dropped to his knees, they swarmed him, hacking his body to ribbons body before moving towards the fortress.  

The goblins were met in the valley in front of the east entrance.  Sulari, still laughing, led the charge, her axe singing once more.  Zasit, her second in command, briefly glanced to his right to Snake's group before letting out a cry of surprise.  Snake and his men were entering battle wearing only their chainmail and with shields - no heavier armor, no swords at all.  His trepidation was unfounded, as Snake himself shattered a goblins jaw with his shield before crushing it's throat.  

The battle raged on for most of the morning.  But as the sun began to peak in the wastes, the last squad of goblin swordsmen routed.  Sulari gave chase, but it was all for waste - with the fear of Death baring down on them, her smile wide and terrible, her axe slashing to and fro, they found the energy to run just a bit faster.  

The dead were counted: Two dwarves (one fallen in battle, unseen), a few merchants, and a half dozen of the Dread Camels who were caught in the cross fire.  The soldiers limped back to base, covered in gore but pleased - today they had brought honor to their home, and tonight they would feast for the dead.

Edit: Many, many corrections!

[ April 19, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Kuli:
<STRONG>Kuli approached Aryn and spoke these words:

"Aryn, we have had our differences, but I cannot ignore evil where I find it.  Terrible forces were at work in the attempt on your life.  I know this because Zefon herself appeared in my dreams last night and gave these words to me. I wrote them down as soon as I awoke."

Kuli presented a hand-written note.

 

"Zefon told me that these are the hidden words of the evil ones.  Indeed, it appears that they fear Zefon's power.  It matters not what you do with this knowledge, but I pray you will heed the grace of Zefon.  You have avoided death at the hands of this assassin, but all dwarves die someday.  It is only through Zefon that we may live and be reborn forever."

[ April 18, 2008: Message edited by: Kuli ]</STRONG>

Well done Kuli!  Since you were the first to decipher the message, you're free to pick what you'd like done.  Kuli's got his chit, and if you'd rather not "spend" it now, feel free to wait until something worthy pops up.

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
19th of Sandstone, 1058

I never thought I'd see the day where Aryn and Kuli would be eating lunch together, and though they may not have been getting along in a friendly-like manner, Aryn wasn't his normal blustering self.  He was restrained, listening attentively to Kuli talk, his eyes focused on what looked like a small set of blueprints in front of him.  When Rice and Lucy sat down at the table with them, and the yelling had still failed to start from our darling leader?  That's when I left the mess hall, seeking out the normalcy of Stravitch and his gruff, old-mans outlook on life.

Lucy's group has been working extra hours since Aryn's apprentice "mandated" the re-construction of the wash system.  He read unsteadily that the water-tripped pressure plates would be renovated and moved closer to the channels - only constructed of masterpiece gears.  The citizen's plates?  They needed to react slower, and every old mechanism in the fortress would be employed for that purpose.  This has led to an odd instance, where every mechanism in the middle of the spectrum gets a magma bath, though I've been secreting some of the engraved or jewel-encrusted aside for trade later.

There has been talk of the metal workers traveling too far to grab bars and goblin iron.  As such, Archin's crew has been instructed to mine out extra space behind the forges and smelters where these items will reside.  A one-time cost to move these items will be completely offset by the increased efficiency of the metal workers.  Soon, the majority of the guard should be outfitted in steel plate.

Lastly, a small addition was added to the Church - a large stained glass window of Zefon was added above the entrance way, a small opening carved into the roof's base to allow green light to filter inside.  All in all, it's quite the tasteful display.  Istrath really outdid himself.

We've also seen a small increase in population.  Another for my fisheries have arrived, along with: A carpenter, a peasant, a glassmaker, a speardwarf, a macedwarf, a metalsmith, and a leatherworker.  As far as I know, they'll be berthed in the barracks until they can afford much better accommodations.  Perhaps they'd be willing to take a small loan from ol' Johnny, in exchange for ... nicer rooms.

[ April 20, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[ April 20, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Heavy Flak]

"Oh sweet Zefon, what is that?" Sulari asked, her status as a legendary fighter forgotten at the rumbling in the ground.
"That, ahh, that's a Grinning Bronze Colossus.  It must be one that lives in the mountains to the west of here.  Well isn't this ... a problem," responded Snake dryly, taking a long drag from his cigarette.
"Well what the hell does it want!"
"Most likely to eat the ore we've mined out.  It may not be as smart as we Dwarves, but they live long lives, and they listen to the whispering around them."
"So what will we do?"
"We'll probably die.  I imagine he'll knock down the draw bridge, and smash the civilians.  Mayor Likot will be in her tower, but it will be knocked down and she'll probably be crushed to death.  By the time this happens, I'll most likely be across the river, heading north, and I sug-urk!"

Sulari had grabbed Snake by the plate mail, hauling him forward until they were touching nose-to-nose.  Her eyes had narrowed to small slits, upper lip curled into a sneer.  "Now you listen to me, you cowardly ass.  We're going to get our gear, meet me topside!  I will NOT listen to your traitorous talks of abandoning all that we've worked for!  Now go!"

***

Thanks to the rearrangements inside, it took longer than expected to arm the guards.  Instead, a few of Aryn's personal guard attacked the colossus as it stormed into the courtyard, showing off their skill by bludgeoning it with leather boots, and shields.  They were summarily dispatched, their heads crushed, their bones shattered.  

Mayor Likot's masterfully-worked arrows distracted the beast, but she was not prepared for it's quickness.  It reached her before she could get away, gingerly plucking the quiver from her back.  At the speed it was swung, the leather was as taut as steel, and shattered the Dwarfs arm.  As Mayor Likot crawled to safety, Snake's retinue finally hit top-side running, swarming around the Bronze Beast, bludgeoning it ineffectively with their wooden swords.

Cursing loudly, Snake tossed his sword aside, scooping up a warhammer from the corpse pile.  The metal rang out, crippling the Colossus's hip and bringing it to the ground, but it was no less dangerous.  A war dog was smashed to a pulp, and one of Stravitch's guard found the quiver thrown through his chest - the look of surprise etched onto his face in death.  Even one of Snake's swordsmen, Woundletters, was grabbed and shaken like a child, her brain pulped inside her skull.

Snake clamored atop the colossus, his hammer arcing high in the air as he brought it down on the beasts face.  He widened his stance to stay atop the thrashing monster, his hammer clanging off the metal features, flattening the nose, the eyes, the mouth into a flat sheet of bronze.

The final blow, however, was delivered by the now retarded Woundletters.  She stood there, drooling and trembling, slowly lifting her hands above her head.  The air crackled with energy, the light around her seeming to dim.  Green light burst forth from her nose, her mouth, her eyes, and she thrust her hands forward hard against the Colossus's lower body.  The Dwarves were blinded by the insuing explosion, and when their sight cleared they were greeted by a snow of bronze flakes raining down from the sky.

Snake leaned on his warhammer, panting hard.  He swung his hand towards the beasts head, and said breathlessly, "Woundletters, you just killed the Grinning Bronze Colossus.  You're ... the hero we all wish we could be.  As a reward, we'll have this head hauled in front of your bedroom, as a reminder of the good work you've done today."

Woundletters mumbled something incomprehensible, clapping her hands together and bouncing up and down.  Snake just shook his head, dragging the hammer back to the corpse pile before picking up his sword and heading downstairs to find Sulari.  

***

OOC: I honestly have no idea how this could have happened, "The Championbashes The bronze colossus in the lower body with her left hand/ The lower body flies off in an arc!"  

The only explanation I can come up with is having her brain scrambled, Woundletters is now a conduit for the psionic forces emanating up from the ground.  She also vomits ectoplasm, which is great for parties.

[Kuli]

Kuli is not suddenly friendly with Aryn.  He merely received a revelation from Zefon and wished to bring it to light.  Kuli personally does not like Aryn very much but his religious convictions prevent him from being too judgmental.

I have an idea about what I want Kuli's reward to be.  Now that Kuli believes he can communicate directly with Zefon he desires his own personal (but modest) shrine to Zefon.  Tell me if this is feasible and I'll give you the details.  If not, I'll think of something simpler.

Also, wow a bronze colossus.  I'm glad the fort survived.  Where's the statue going to end up?

[ April 19, 2008: Message edited by: Kuli ]

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Kuli:
<STRONG>Kuli is not suddenly friendly with Aryn.  He merely received a revelation from Zefon and wished to bring it to light.  Kuli personally does not like Aryn very much but his religious convictions prevent him from being too judgmental.

I have an idea about what I want Kuli's reward to be.  Now that Kuli believes he can communicate directly with Zefon he desires his own personal (but modest) shrine to Zefon.  Tell me if this is feasible and I'll give you the details.  If not, I'll think of something simpler.

Also, wow a bronze colossus.  I'm glad the fort survived.  Where's the statue going to end up?

[ April 19, 2008: Message edited by: Kuli ]</STRONG>

Sorry, I must have read a little too much into your post.  I'm going to make a quick edit to Johnny's journal to better reflect their relationship.  

A shrine to Zefon would work just fine by me.  Tell me how you'd like it designed and I'll have it started immediately.

The Bronze Colossus did much more damage than I expected.  With all but one of our close-combat military a champion I was too ballsy, and a bunch of unhappy thoughts spread around at the dead and wounded.  Sulari also took that moment to go grab a nap in the barracks, leaving the Guardsmen alone.  That was quite exciting, seeing them bludgeoned to death with a quiver.  The statue went in front of the Swordsman's room that killed it for now.  Perhaps I should make a "Hall of Legends"?

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
2nd of Opal, 1058

The military are up on their high-horses as of late, with lots of back slapping and grab-assing and drinking and partying over the defeat of the Grinning Bronze Colossus that has been given the name Lepe Eranaobi.  This is a problem, because while the Military has been strutting around the fort, the guardsmen and the civilians are beginning to get rowdy.

There have been little tantrums around the fort - mugs thrown, tables knocked over, little things that the plebs do to show their displeasure.  In the instance of one of Stravitch's guard, both her mother and father were killed by Lepe, and her baby sister jumped into the lake to end her own life.  The poor guardsman has been in solitary ever since, nursing the broken leg she suffered helping to defend us with only the thoughts of her dead family to keep her company.

in retribution, the two new spear recruits suffered "training accidents", something Stravitch was just too late to get to to save them.  One of their younger brothers snapped and punched one of Aryn's retinue, and that lead to his death in the jail cells, The Hammerer not thinking too kindly of such physicalities.  

I've been staying out of everyone's way.  Most of my time is spend in my room reading through the ledgers, double-checking our profits.  A few more good trades, and we should have enough capital set aside to bribe almost any worker here a dozen times over.  This is quite reassuring, and with Likot held up with her injuries, these sales should go without a hitch.

[Heavy Flak]

The Events of the 8th of Obsidian

   

The sound of metal clanking on smoothed stone announced Sulari's presence in the barracks.  She was drenched in sweat from her run down from Top Side, and she immediately went to her room to grab her axe and helmet.  As she passed Snake's room, she took a moment to back peddle and stare at the one-eyed soldier.  Ash was dropping from his cigarette into a duffel bag he was packing with salted meat and flasks of rum.  

"What are you doing, Snake!  Grab your armor, there's a dra-"
"Yes, I know.  I saw it when I was taking a break."
"WHAT!  I just heard from the civilians, they're in an uproar!  Is that REALLY a dragon?"
"As far as I know, it is," Snake said.  He took a drag and tossed the butt aside, crushing it with the toe of his boot.  "It came from the south, so I suspect it's Flysnarling.  You know how south of here is known as the Dead Lands?  Nothing but ash and wastes and fire?"
"...yes...?"
"Well, it's because of her.  Her and about seven other dragons.  Anyway, I'm going to be over the river in about ten minuets, so..."

There was a brief scuffle out in the hallway.  When the noise had ended, Snake slouched into the armory, his nose swollen and dripping blood.  Sulari stalked past him with her axe, her voice loud and commanding, "Everyone, grab your weapons!"

***

The dragon was faster than anyone could have imagined.  The Dwarves, lollygagging by the rum barrels, waited until the last second to pull the lever.  When the bridge finally raised, Flysnarling was inside the court yard.  The Civilians loitering top side were driven towards the stairs by streams of fiery breath.  While Sulari and Snake gathered their equipment, only one Dwarf stood against the oncoming menace.  Towersacks, the last Spear wielder in the fort.  
   

She stood their serenely while the dragon bore down on her, lowering her head to protect her face as fire rushed around her.  When the dragon was in range, she sprung forward and began the attack.  Her spear flashed in the sun, a blur of steel and sparks as it struck against the dragons hard scales.  

She pressed the attack, dodging the monsters bites, but was not prepared for the beast charging her.  She was knocked onto her back, the sun blotted by the looming form.  Gritting her teeth, she grabbed her spear and swung it forward, bracing the butt against the ground.  Flysnarling didn't see the spear, and when she felt the tip stab through the small opening between her scales she tried to stop.  

It was no use.  The spear was embedded in her to almost the base, piercing her heart and damaging her spine.  The Dragon writhed and twisted, vomiting great gouts of fire into the air.  With a great crash it toppled over onto it's back, blood streaming from around the spear.  
   

One of Sulari's axemen was the first on the scene.  Though it was apparent to all the dragon was dead when her axe found the neck, still she demanded the glory for the kill.  Shaking her head, Sulari mumbled, "Fine.  You want a title?  You're Dumat Laborfaithed, The Hollow of Zealots.  Now go and train, I need to speak with Towersacks."

Sulari helped the spear weilder up, dusting sand from the back of her steel plate.  She offered a smile, "I apologize, some of my squad are ... just out for the glory.  Is there anything I can do to reward you?  What you did was utterly amazing."

But Towersacks just shook her head.  "No thanks are needed.  All I need is my spear."  It took nearly an hour to dislodge the spear from Flysnarling's chest.  Towersacks did end up taking a small reward: The rest of the day off from training.  Instead, she spent it in her spartan room, cleaning her spear and armor.

Edit: tiny spelling errors.

[ April 20, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Kuli]

Oh crap, Migrursut has a megabeast infestation.

Okay, here's my idea for the shrine.  It should be roughly circular in shape.  Something like this:

code:

  =====
 ==+++==  
==+++++==
=+++++++=
=+++S+++=
=+++++++=
==+++++==
 ==+++==
  =====

It's pretty simple.  The statue is of Zefon of course.  Since Kuli likes obsidian and nickel, the statue should be made of obsidian, and decorated with obsidian and nickel.  The statue will be established as a statue garden owned by Kuli.

I don't care where you put the shrine.  Attach it as an annex to the existing temple if you want, or dig it out somewhere underground.

I have some more ideas of what to do with the shrine, but I'll save those for another time if I happen to win another of these little contests.

[Heavy Flak]

From the files of Aryn Estetar
1st of Granite, 1059

Deaths: There have been more than I can count this year.  The only consolation is only the worthless are losing their lives.  Stravitch's guard, the spear-wielders, unimportant civilians.  The important ones are keeping their heads down like good Dwarves should.  

Nobility: The Budseals have been placated with trinkets and expensive meals.  But I'm watching them, and when I find out who our traitor is, I swear by every God, old and terrible, that I will personally see to their cremation.  

Mismanagement: My apprentice has already caused problems by allowing the liquor productions to falter.  In a single year, a surplus of 800 gallons dwindled to 45 thanks to his mismanagement.  I've debated having him beaten for this, but decided that might be too harsh for his first offense.  We're now up to almost 200 gallons, and the number is steadily climbing.

Blueprints:  New additions to the fortress's layout have been made here.

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Kuli:
<STRONG>Oh crap, Migrursut has a megabeast infestation.

Okay, here's my idea for the shrine.  It should be roughly circular in shape.  Something like this:

code:

  =====
 ==+++==  
==+++++==
=+++++++=
=+++S+++=
=+++++++=
==+++++==
 ==+++==
  =====

It's pretty simple.  The statue is of Zefon of course.  Since Kuli likes obsidian and nickel, the statue should be made of obsidian, and decorated with obsidian and nickel.  The statue will be established as a statue garden owned by Kuli.

I don't care where you put the shrine.  Attach it as an annex to the existing temple if you want, or dig it out somewhere underground.

I have some more ideas of what to do with the shrine, but I'll save those for another time if I happen to win another of these little contests.</STRONG>

You've got it, Kuli!  I've got a place picked out for your shrine by the temple and as soon as we get a bunch of stone blocks I'll have it built up for you.  Two questions though:

1.) At the bottom of the diagram, would you mind a door being put in there?  I didn't see any in your diagram and don't want to make assumptions that could mess with the vision.
2.) I was going to roof over it, but if that might affect future plans I can leave it open air.

[Kuli]

I didn't put a door on the diagram because I assumed you'd put one on whatever side was most appropriate.  A door at the bottom is fine.

A roof is fine, however you want to make it.

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
11th of Slate

Kuli wasted no time in cashing in his chit.  Rice's crew have been dutifully hauling basalt blocks Top Side and have begun construction of something behind the Temple.  What it is, no one will say, Kuli's blueprints are kept close to his chest for now.  However, I'm sure he can't be fully pleased - I overheard a conversation in the hallway between him and Aryn.  

The Child of Zefon was asking for the promised funds, the donation of good faith of five-thousand monies to fund the church construction.  The glee could almost be heard in Aryn's voice: "Kuli, you'll have to wait.  You've already been rewarded once and that has been paid for.  Just sit tight on your debt, I'm sure Zefon will see to your needs."

Archin has announced that Basalt is still in short number, and has taken the miners to the magma vent.  She has a three pronged plan of attack: Take the basalt that is easily seen, strip out the ore and minerals that have formed from the magma, and harvest as much obsidian as possible.  She claims it's a beautifying effort and for that I could kiss her - Obsidian is worth much, much more on the Dwarven Market, and with some chunks secreted away my idols and dolls will be all the more valuable.  

It seems the Dread Camels, their presence unseen for so long, were just biding their time.  They prey on the week and the lost, such as the fresh meat that has arrived at our fortress.  Twenty-Two were said to have reached the boundery of our land; fifteen made it to the gates alive.  Sulari was sent out, her axe making short work of the menaces Goodhustle, and Ringedsuitor the Lush Phantom, but not before they claimed seven.  The migrants gave us their names and jobs, in the hope that their memory may be remembered:
Fikod Copperheart - Furnace Operator
Asmel Playearth - Armorer
Unid Rawcrypt - Woodcrafter
Lokum Cruxarch - Peasant
Etur Channelrain - Milker
Aban Paintseas - Peasant
Endok Toeanvil - Peasant
Mosus Dikepassage - Peasant

I doubt they will be, though.  Their possessions are already in Aryn's shops, and their corpses thrown onto the pile with all the others.  Ah, such is life in the wastes.  Sulari, however, has finally been rewarded for her years of devoted service.  The Count Consort Eral Budseal saw fit to hold a feast in her honor and at the end, bestow upon her the glorious title Sulari Clappedrooms The Delightful Worship of Trammels.  

While most of the males in the fortress agree whole heartedly with this appropriate title, and Erith has been planning more cheesecake to adorn the walls, Countess Budseal has deemed her husband may just spend the week sleeping in the mess hall.  Oh, the horrors of married life.

[ April 21, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]