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[Heavy Flak]

The events of the 10th of Granite, 1061

His head bowed before the Obsidian Statue, Kuli was lost in prayer.  Here, it was his sanctuary, away from the politics, the harshness of the fort proper.  The space wasn't particularly large, but that didn't matter - this was his space, and within it, he could devote his energies to pray and meditation.

There was the faintest of knocks at the iron door that went unnoticed.  The second, however, slowly brought Kuli out of his reverie. 

"Come in," he called out.  The iron door opened and shut quietly.  Vash was left standing in the entrance, looking a touch worried.  In his hands he held a goblin made shield, and a copy of the note that had been tacked around the fortress.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but... I think you should look at this," Vash said.  He approached Kuli, holding the piece of paper out to him.  At this distance, Kuli could see the paper was covered in charcoal smudges, words scrawled quickly across the bottom. 

He took the paper and read the note over, his brows furrowing in thought.  "This is... troubling.  I'm not really sure what to make of this... other than Olsmo is obsessing with the idea of snatching one of our congregation.  Troubling indeed..."
"I don't know what to make of it either," admitted Vash.  After a pause, he said, "I think we should make sure Limul stays safe, though.  He needs to be better watched."
"Of course... I couldn't agree more.  Whoever this Bax Unostotho, if he's an enemy of Olsmo, perhaps he could be an ally of ours."
"I'd certainly hope so," said Vash, unsure.

"I want you to know, you did the right thing by bringing this to me," Kuli said with a smile, the first genuine one he'd had in many months. "We can prepare for the worst now, and make sure that Olsmo won't be able to harm any of our number.  We won't make this easy for him.  Never forget, we have the blessing of Zefon; That is more comforting than any shield."

   

***

End Chapter 1: Utopia in the Wastes

***

OOC: Way to go, Metalax!  I won't lie, I thought this would stump you guys for a little longer   .  As is standard, you've got a prize to claim.  Feel free to announce it here, or send it to me in PM.  The next one will be on ... well, whenever!

[Metalax]

Heh   It would have been a good deal harder without the emphasis on the number four on the envelope, as well as you stating that the five letter groupings didn't mean anything. Originally I thought it was a reference to it being the fourth message but the content of the first and third letters don't seem to imply any connection to the goblins, and the second only weakly.

As for a request, a statue garden to the west of the church, north of that little three wide outcrop.

code:

  =W=W=
 ==+S+==  
==S+++S==
W+++++++W
=S+++++S=
W+++++++W
==S+++S==
 ==+++==
  ==D==
   
D=door
S=statue
W=window

Each statue representing one of the unions, possibly made of/decorated with material to represent the union.

If possible the center-top statue made of black bronze, with the building roofed in glass.

[Electrum]

Metalax, you rule! Even with your hints, I can't make heads or tails of it. The triple x is neither in the beginning, end or middle of that string. Trying to read it in reverse doesn't help much, and it's not a rot4. I'll understand if Heavy Flak doesn't like solutions posted - more work for him - but could you give any more hints?

Neat to see Vash joining the ranks, too. He should be pretty survivable, and he's just in time for the next chapter.

[Metalax]

Well the symbol at the bottom of the message is pretty much the most important part.     It tells you where to start and which direction to go.

code:

Strip out all the spaces, as we already know they are uninvolved.
teribuohelrtrsenyutoagmprerueoefhnwhor
xxxercoaeeldbmorehonehsxloplomeemenmtn
alehodgostadihodmrabnoittuooftsrudoegm
sngturcrbbetsfuwcoistoalsoolivdrbtyhkp
This is where the number four came in, to work out the size of the grid.
Now spiral the letters around the grid in the direction indicated.
 In this case from the top left in a clockwise direction.
teribuohelrtrsenyutoagmprerueoefhnwhor
hodgostadihodmrabnoittuooftsrudoegmsnx
epkhytbrdvilooslaotsiocwufstebbrcrutgx
lantmnemeemolpolxshenoherombdleeaocrex
Then read off each column.
theleopardknightboymustnotbeharmeddeli
verhimtolordolsmopersonallybaxunostoth
oiseatingtoomuchpoweroureffortsmustber
edoubledbeforehecangrowmuchstrongerxxx
Finally look for words and add spaces.
the leopardknight boy must not be harmed deliver
 him to lord olsmo personally baxunostotho is
 eating too much power our efforts must be redoubled
 before he can grow much stronger xxx
The xxx were extra characters added to fill out the grid. It also has
 another meaning when added to the end of a message, at least here in England,
 but I don't think Lord Olsmo cared about Vulturespiders that much.    

[ May 12, 2008: Message edited by: Metalax ]

[Kuli]

Very good, Metalax.  I'm glad to have you among the ranks of the faithful.

By the way, Heavy Flak,

quote:"We can prepare for the worst now, and make sure that Olsmo - whoever he is - won't be able to harm any of our number."

I haven't gotten there in my story yet, but Kuli more or less knows who Olsmo is already, or at the very least has heard of him before coming to Migrursut.  I just hope my assumptions about the nature of Olsmo don't conflict with your own ideas, Heavy Flak.

[Heavy Flak]

I'll get started on your statue garden post haste, Metalax.  I like the suggestion of each statue representing a various union, and I'll put up a picture pointing to each one, and their base-type, once it's completed.

Electrum: I don't mind terribly if explanations to the cryptos are given out.  With such a huge range of encryption methods available to me I won't need to dip my pen into the same well for a while (Oh no, inadvertent hint  .  When it comes time to eventually do that I'll make sure to do it in some obnoxious, screw-with-the-readers way.  Because really, nothing gives me a greater joy than messing with you guys.

quote:Originally posted by Kuli:
<STRONG>I haven't gotten there in my story yet, but Kuli more or less knows who Olsmo is already, or at the very least has heard of him before coming to Migrursut.  I just hope my assumptions about the nature of Olsmo don't conflict with your own ideas, Heavy Flak.</STRONG>

I'll go back and make a quick correction on that post, then.  I wouldn't think it would conflict, unless you suddenly made Olsmo a good and kindly Elven king or, like, a kobold child that vomited sunshine.

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
26th of Granite

The talk of the Fortress has been about Bax Unostotho.  Word has made it's way through the civilians at a record pace and where ever I go these days, I hear conversations in the hallway, in the mess halls, down in the workshops.  This has been a blessing - not for them, for me.  

Stravitch and I, along with the Fountainspring Fisheries crew, have been churning out Idols to Lenod at a records pace.  None too soon, I say.  With the nobility gone and his power unchallenged Aryn has mostly left us to our own devices.  The only scuffle was with Mayor Likot; Her daughter has finally grown into a young woman and Aryn wanted her to join the miners in the quarry, but Likot would have none of it.  A shouting match ensued, and eventually the Mayor got her way; Her daughter is now in the marksman unit with her mother, plinking away at paper-and-rock targets with goblin bones hewn into bolts.  

I'm kind of happy the kid isn't a minor.  Archin, displeased with spending so much time outside mining a useless Quarry, has been sending up minors to report about the smallest of occurrences.  

"We've found Microline!" one will yell at Aryn across the mess.
"We've struck Alunite!" Says another, interrupting Aryn's note taking.
"We've found Microline!" A third screams Top Side, causing Aryn to drop the load of blueprints he was carrying.  

Her little silent protest has brought up a good point, though.  Outside of lining the pockets of the miners, what use is this quarry?  We have more stone than we know what to do with now, why would we need this much countryside excavated.  The Nobility are gone, they no longer need to be appeased!

[ May 12, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
15th of Slate, 1061

Kuli's newest disciple, Vash, has been an inspiration for many of the Dwarves in this fortress.  Here's a Dwarf who's new to the colony, but is following his heart all the way.  The kid managed to break the Goblin's code, show it to arguably one of the most influential people not currently in an administrative position, and than donate the meager wealth he's accrued for a symbol of solidarity.

I can tell already he's going to be bad news, the little suck up...

However, I can get behind how this act of solidarity he proposed at the latest Union Meeting will happen.  It was agreed to unanimously that we, each of the unions, would construct a statue that would represent us, and place it within a place of worship at the cliffs edge.  It's actually ... not a bad idea, and I'm saving all the fish bones I can to properly decorate a statue as a skeleton mermaid.  Perhaps I'll get Engraver Erith to help me...

Varen has proven himself quite adept with a spear.  After distracting the Titan long enough for Ol' Stravitch to finish it off, helping break the goblins, and not having his neck snapped in training, Sergeant Towersacks proudly has promoted him to Champion status.  As always there was a party, one of the few good things to happen when we have a new status increase in the military, but for once a good kid with the right attitude got himself something good instead of a crippling mace to the base of the neck.  I think Stravitch might be getting soft in his old age.

Lastley, Dodik-Come-Lately has been acting, ahh... even stranger than normal.  Her small coffer is completely depleted, having paid off a few of the miners to excavate a tiny room at the outskirts of the southern entrance to the fort.  The logs purchased from the latest Elf merchants she's been converting into blocks and planks, and these are being used to floor-and-wall over this little enclosure.  

When I asked her why she was having doors carved out of Petrified Wood, she said it was "quite fitting" and went back to overseeing the irritated stone worker.  

 

[ May 13, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Vactor]

HA!

sorry, just had to get that out of my system, I also never commented on how much i liked the melodramatic-villain-ness of the old goblin leader, I was always kinda expecting some one to build a set of train tracks for him to tie someone to.

[Heavy Flak]

The Events of the 24th of Slate, 1061

Dojango was topside, picking through the berries bought from the elves.  He was preparing a special meal for tonight and needed something sweet to play off the cow and plump helmet roast simmering in one of his kitchens.  Lost in thought, he didn't hear the footsteps crunching through the sand towards his trade depot.

There was a light tap on his shoulder from behind.  "Excuse me, sir?"

Dojango started, and turned quickly, his heart pounding.  With the recent increase of Dread Camel attacks that have left a carpenter, her baby, and two miners dead, no one was eager to step outside - even into the relative safety of the courtyard.  He relaxed some at the sight of Dwarves, but eventually his brows knit together.  "I'm... sorry, I don't think I know you all..." he said slowly.  "Are you new migrants?  Aryn has a First Day Initiation in the mess hall that you should-"

"No, you silly man," came the haughty reply from the woman.  She shouldered past the man beside her, causing him to almost drop the half dozen suitcases he was holding precariously.  "I'm Duchess Rocksmortal, and this is my-"

Her eyes went wide as Dojango paled.  Breathing hard, he reached out to brace himself against the side of the trade depot, knees starting to shake.  Glancing at her husband, she took a small step forward, attempting - and failing - to sound reassuring, "My good man, are you alright?"

"Oh no," croaked Dojango.  "Not again..."

Before Duchess Rocksmortal could get a reply, Dojango shouldered past her.  His berries forgotten he ducked down the stairs, leaving the bewildered Royalty staring at the small dust cloud he had kicked up.

***

"I want an explanation, NOW," shrieked Duchess Rocksmortal.  "This is absolutely ABSURD!"

Aryn finally looked up from the papers on his desk, his upper lip curled into a snarl.  With deliberation he set his pen down and straightened the stack in front of him, folding his hands across the top to hide the majority of the words.  

"Miss Rocksmortal.  I've put up with your ranting for long enough.  Here are the facts: Your predecessors the Budseals and the majority of the nobility alongside them met an untimely demise during a construction accident.  It was unavoidable.  
"The fact that this news has reached the Mountainhomes so soon is ... a testament to the Dwarvish Gossip Mills; the part you most likely didn't reach your ears is that Nobility no longer has a spot in my fortress.  You're kind if antiquated, unneeded.  We're self sufficient.  We trade for wealth alone, not because it's your caravans that give us life.
"If you want to stay here you'll need to become a productive member of society.   We need miners.  Can you swing a pick?"

Aryn raised his hand as she began to speak, shaking his head.  "Just keep in mind.  Everyone works.  Your rooms are at the beginning of the hallway.  They're still full of the Budseal's belongs, do with them what you will.  Now leave, I'm busy with work orders."

The nobility stormed out, the door slamming behind them.  Aryn stared ahead, growing uncomfortable at the unnoticed third of their trio who had stayed behind.  Clearing his throat, he waved dismissively at the door, his voice cracking ever so slightly, "This meeting is over.  You may leave now."

"I will, my dear Master Estetar.  I just felt it best to introduce myself."

Aryn sighed and slumped farther down in his chair, "Go on, then.  Make it quick"

The old man limped forward, his hoary, snaggletoothed smile sending a chill down Aryn's spine.  "I'm Bertrand Gorgeinsights, philosopher by trade."  His smile widened, rheumy eyes gleaming from under a bush of eyebrows.  "But I'm known in some circles as Bertrand the Mad."

"As pleased as I am to meet you, old man, I-" Aryn started.
"I understand.  You're so busy these days, young master.  You never take a break for yourself.  I've already moved my things to that fool Zefondesis's hut you so kindly had constructed at the edge of the cliff.  My rooms will be expanded in the future.  I need a writing surface, and a place for my books."

With his introduction finished, Bertrand the Mad turned without waiting for a response, leaving Aryn's study.  Aryn stared at the door for a long time.  Slowly, he lowered his head down into his palms, groaning deeply.  "What do I have to do to get some normal Dwarves that will just work without complaint.  How is that too much to ask?"

[ May 13, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Daniel Charms]

Gorgeinsights' Paradox: The cook of Oceanbled prepares +meals+ for those who don't cook for themselves. Does he eat the +food+ he cooks?

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel Charms:
<STRONG>Gorgeinsights' Paradox: The cook of Oceanbled prepares +meals+ for those who don't cook for themselves. Does he eat the +food+ he cooks?</STRONG>

Haha, that is absolutely classic.  Reminds me of my college days where I heard that paradox in Philosophy, Logic, and World Civ because the professor only had one curriculum for all three classes.

[Kagus]

Rather half-assed paradox if you ask me...  But then again, I never heard it in an official capacity, so I'm probably missing something.  As it is now, it seems like it's got too many ways around it.  I personally prefer the god-paradox, where an ancient philosopher (there aren't any "modern" philosophers are there?) asked if an omnipotent being could create a rock that it could not lift.  That's a paradox.

Hmm...   "Gorgeinsights"...  Epicurean?

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Kagus:
<STRONG>Rather half-assed paradox if you ask me...  But then again, I never heard it in an official capacity, so I'm probably missing something.  As it is now, it seems like it's got too many ways around it.  I personally prefer the god-paradox, where an ancient philosopher (there aren't any "modern" philosophers are there?) asked if an omnipotent being could create a rock that it could not lift.  That's a paradox.

Hmm...   "Gorgeinsights"...  Epicurean?</STRONG>

The actual one was called The Barbers Paradox (or something similar) and goes like this:

There's a town where the mayor has mandated that every male in town has to be clean shaven; they either have to shave themselves OR have the barber shave them.  This town also is only allowed to have one barber.  So, does the barber shave himself?

* If he doesn't shave himself, then the barber of the town has to shave him.  He's the only barber, so he can't shave himself.
* If he does shave himself then the barber of the town can't shave him.  Bad news, he's the barber, so he can't shave himself.

[Electrum]

I'd say the barber needs to be female, then?