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[Kagus]

I believe you mean five letters apart.

Okay.  That could mean each block contains one letter.  The message would then be 21 letters long.

Hope the trip was reasonably bearable.

[ May 23, 2008: Message edited by: Kagus ]

[Heavy Flak]

My girlfriend made the mistake of leaving me at her place while she went to go run some errands for about an hour, so what does that mean?

I can pop on here for a minute to give a helping hand or two.  Also, it means I'm going to get mocked relentlessly when she gets back.

For right now, I'll say two quick things:
1) Though Kagus did point out that there were key words sprinkled throughout, there were also a few more hints that I felt the need not to italicize.  I wouldn't say it was done more subtly, but they're certainly there.  That leads to -
2) Reread Kuli's post, because he said a few things that were definitely on the right path.

[Kuli]

From the memoirs of Kuli Problemwalled.

Somehow, everything became clear as I gripped the adamantine sword.  My mind was filled with visions of goblins and demons rampaging through the streets of Zoden Zefon, hunting down the faithful without mercy.  Fiercest and most terrible among that vile host was a demon of immense power.  The word "Olsmo" escaped from my lips unintentionally as I stood there imagining Zoden Zefon's destruction.  If this Olsmo was responsible for destroying the faith, then I realized that by destroying it the faith could be restored.  The words on the altar - fight evil and defend faith - that was all the confirmation I needed.  I would find the demon and slay it, but I knew I couldn't do it alone.

I departed from Zoden Zefon somewhat reluctantly, taking with me the adamantine sword and spear.  There were still many things to explore there, but I felt that to stay would only serve to delay my mission.  After some weeks of travel I returned to the mountainhomes and sought out the other Zefonists so I could tell them of Zoden Zefon and my revelation.  Most of them were skeptical.  That was the state of our faith at that time, we were so downtrodden that most did not dare to hope my story was true.  There were some, however, who did believe me.

The first to listen was Kogan Racecopper who was a fellow metalsmith.  Kogan was friends with Master Logem and had been converted by him many years ago.  I also became friends with him and it was for that reason he trusted me.  Although Kogan lacked any formal combat training he could still wield his forge hammer as well as any military hammerdwarf.  He vowed to go with me to hunt down the demons responsible for attacking our faith, or die trying.

   

The only other to believe my story was Erush Scorchsteel.  She had the zeal of a fresh convert, because she had in fact recently converted to the faith.  Erush was a former military axedwarf who took to the more peaceful pursuit of woodcutting after her conversion.  She did not doubt my words for a moment, and volunteered to go with me to slay the demons without hesitation.

   

It was just the three of us, planning how to find and attack an enemy that had wiped out an entire civilization of our kind.  We did not doubt our success, however.  We had the adamantine weapons to give us hope.  They seemed holy somehow, as if Zefon herself had placed them in this world just for us to use in our mission.  Though I kept the sword for my own use, I offered the adamantine spear for one of them to use, but neither of them had any skill with a spear and they thought that I should carry both weapons.

The only problem was finding our enemy.  It had been centuries since the destruction of Zoden Zefon and there was no telling where the demons might have gone since then.  The decision we ultimately reached was to seek out any goblin settlements near Zoden Zefon and trust in faith to guide us to the right location.

We journeyed south, eventually reaching a human town just outside of The Soaked Dunes where Zoden Zefon lay.  We rested at the tavern there and learned from the humans that there were actually several goblin fortresses to the west that had plagued the area for a long time.  The humans had many stories to tell about the dark fortresses, including one about an evil temple where fell ceremonies were held to honor some demon-god.  That was all that Kogan, Erush, and I needed to hear.  The very next day we set out west for the nearest dark fortress.

   

---------------

(Not much this time.  Just setting things up for what should be the last update.

Also, I give up on the cipher!  I really did a lot of research, but I still can't tell what kind of cipher it's supposed to be!  I've looked at several ciphers involving grids like ADFGVX and Playfair, but I can't make heads or tails of them.)

[ May 27, 2008: Message edited by: Kuli ]

[Electrum]

I feel you, Kuli. I spent the better part of three days on this, trying to rotate it like the last cypher, hoping it might be foursquare or Vinègre, but I just couldn't manage. It's possible I'm just doing something wrong, or that there are multiple layers in it. I'm pretty sure there's a substitution aspect, but apart from that...

[Heavy Flak]

Whew!  Just drove back into town, and boy are my arms tired!  I don't know if you guys have heard, but these gas prices, huh?  Who are the ad wizards that came up with that one?  I mean, it's getting to the point where you can either by a gallon of gas or a gallon of [/i] milk!  

*crickets*

...Uhh.  I'll be here all week, folks.  Try the veal, and don't forget to tip your  waitresses!

Common consensus seems to be that this cryptogram was "tough".  I've noticed a trend about them too, so that means unlike computerized tests I won't just keep pushing the same styles because where's the fun in that?

You've gone past the deadline, and for that, something "bad" will happen.  However, because of how tough it was, I'll extend the deadline until tomorrow at ... say, noon, EST.  If you solve it, I'll grant a minor request, and minimize the amount of "bad" that will happen.  Also, I'm going to give you two pretty big pushes.

1.) This group has a decided weak area for ciphers based on the polybius square, which is why this will be the last one for a while based on that particular group.
2.) Looking at the ones Kuli tried (I'll admit those were not correct, though he was once again on the right path), and what ones I've used previously, will help narrow down which one is left.  Don't let the number of keys fool you - that was my ham fisted attempt to both help and push you in the right direction.

[Kuli]

How bad is "bad?"  You're not going to kill our dwarves are you?

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Kuli:
<STRONG>How bad is "bad?"  You're not going to kill our dwarves are you?</STRONG>

I'm not exactly sure yet what "bad" will encompass, but I can ensure you Story Dwarves (especially player-named ones) won't have any harm done to them.  That wouldn't be fair at all nor would it be fun.  As far as I can help, Dwarves will only die due to their own follies or invaders.  

Other Dwarves dying, nobility being insane, mandates going unmet, unfair decrees, or accidents on the job could all be fair game though.

[Heavy Flak]

From the files of Aryn Estetar
1st of Granite

I add these entries out of habit more than anything.  Two leather workers were mauled by a Dread Camel.  Likot and her Mayor-Daughter arrived late citing training as the reason, and if it had not been for the intrepid Hunter on the scene, they both would be dead.  A miner of some skill, Ushat, tangled with what seemed to be a scout from another group of camels.  He was kicked off the top of the access stairs, dead on impact eight stories down.  Sulari, in a black rage, spent nearly a month waging a war against the horrors.  Twenty four fell to her blade, and still more are prancing about the borders.  

That foul old fool Bertrand has been working tirelessly in his workshop, his two idiot assistants Dojango and Akroma spending every moment not plying their normal trade in his workshop.  I've been unable to sleep well for weeks now thanks to their incessant working.  My days are spent in a daze, my nights tossing and turning.  I've been using this time to get caught up on paperwork, to make sure my administrator's work orders are correct, and when there is nothing else I'm down in the forges, tirelessly turning sand to glass.  

To my amusement, Stravitch and Vash have been getting into shouting matches during mealtimes over their heathen Gods.  The old bull is getting so angry these days the cords on his neck stand out as he shouts, and Vash, the religious zealotry of youth showing fully, screams back until he sounds hoarse.  Kuli and Johnny, the voices of reason, have agreed on meal times that don't cross, thus ending one of my few sources of laughter.  

Blueprints: The current lay of the fortress

[Kuli]

I'm a little mystified by the placement of Dodik-Come-Lately's.  Having to travel across the wastes, even if it's a short distance, seems rather dangerous.  Are you not going to build an underground or otherwise safer route to it?  Then again, I can see why you'd want to have that element of danger to it.

When the place finally opens Kuli might just have to organize events at the church to compete for the dwarves' attention.  Dwarven Bingo night, perhaps?  Ha!

[ricemastah]

How do you plan on getting people to go there? Making a meeting hall there probably isn't going to bring that many people considering your main dining hall is much larger.

[Kuli]

Interesting question.  I've never set up two separate meeting halls myself, so I don't know if dwarves will split their attentions or prefer one hall over the other.  I imagine if Heavy Flak sets Dodik's as a dining room dwarves will eat there once in a while, though probably not often since the main dining area is closer to the food stockpiles.  Then again maybe he'll just use a utility to teleport dwarves there when he needs them there for story purposes.  Whatever the case I assume Heavy Flak knows what he's doing.

[Heavy Flak]

Kuli: As said to me by Vactor, "The risk of being barbequed by a dragon is part of the thrill of venturing out to Dodik Come Lately's!"  I'd imagine a brothel really isn't something many leaders would want in the middle of their homes and workshops, and I bet Kuli and his flock would be even less happy if it was a stone's throw away.  

Ricemastah: Currently my main dining hall isn't also a meeting hall.  The only one designated is the Church because I like seeing our little Dwarves socializing in there.  I think if I was to shrink it's size and make Dodik-Come-Lately's one as well will get the haulers in the field to go hang out there.  If not, I'll think of something else.

IronValley: Don't think I've forgotten about you.  If we haven't gotten an immigrant wave near the end of Spring, I'm going to fake one by "resetting" a Dwarf's skills.

[Mookie Love]

While you're planning to reset dwarves for newcomers, could I hop in with a dwarf? I'd prefer a female, and if that's possible, then name her 'Mookie' and have her work at Dodik-Come-Lately's.

If only males are open, then name him 'Mook' and have him work as a bonecarver.

[Vactor]

Haha, i love the back rooms with the chains in them..

Oh and I noticed you've got 2 z-levels of water pressure built up over your shower system, so i'm guessing it is bursting out whenever it is released.  if you could get a lower amount of pressure being built up it would be much easier to control.

[ May 28, 2008: Message edited by: Vactor ]

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
13th of Granite, 1062

The years are certainly taking their toll on me.  Youthful and spry when I first arrived, what am I now?  Achy and constantly wounded, that's what.  These desert air, so damned dry and hot has made me look aged well beyond my years, and the constant work in the quarry is taking it's toil on my body.  Aryn's shouts echoing down from the highest level are just about the only motivation I have to keep doing it, that and the extra coin in the pocket.  

To think, I could have followed in my fathers footsteps, joining the army, seeing the world, fighting the "good fight."  I could be waking up in mud every morning instead of a warm bed, fighting The Horde instead of wrangling a bunch of salty fishermen... Stravitch had the right idea, leaving the old fool with his swords and elves and toy soldiers and going into business with me.  But even with the luxuries I have, I'm becoming weathered, cynical, and so damned tired of working the mines.  Perhaps I should just give the pick up, go back to the leisurely duties of fishing and fencing.  

The Camels are back, finding their way into the quarry to terrorize Archin, the other miners, and Istrath.  Istrath was almost trampled, trapped between the hooves and the wall as he attempted to grab Rose Opals for a project of his.  Varen, watching from the edge of the cliff, managed to make it down and break it's back before Istrath met his end.  This led to a suggestion - guard towers along the ridge and along a new road extending east to protect workers and caravans.

Aryn ate this idea up like candy.  Of course he did, because who is he?  He's the guy not going out to build the whole thing, isn't he?