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[Zako]

Diary of Zako, 4th entry;

It appears that glacies is dissapointed about something when the traders arrived. I wonder why? I will have to ask him about it later, after I talk to Kuli the priest. I haven't had the chance yet, im still training furiously. I also think that I should get some wrestling practice on a regular basis, as well as learning to handle armour and a shield. Never can be too cautious around here...

[Maggarg - Eater of chicke]

Diary of Maggarg.
Ah, there's nothing quite like a working week wasted in a booze stockpile.
No bruises for me this week! Ouch, just headaches.
Bet everyone up there is wondering where I am.

[Zako]

Just out of curiosity, how are all the named dwarves going?

And I mean, ALL of them. Im dying from curiosity of wondering whats happening with the others...

[Heavy Flak]

The Events of the 22^nd of Hematite

"Makrond, hey, hey guy?  You alright?  Are you okay?"
"What..." Makrond weezed, wiped a few specks of blood from his mouth with the back of a hand, "What happened?  Did I hit my head?"
"Well," Varen said reluctantly, glancing over his shoulder to a stern looking Sergeant Towersacks, "Yes.  But, not at first.  See, you tripped, and fell into me."

"That's not so bad..." Makrond said, settling farther back into the bed. 
"You fell onto my spear, champ... went clean through you, punctured a lung, right here."  Varen leaned over and gently tapped the bloody bandages wrapped around the Dwarves chest.  "Then, when you passed out and fell, you hit your head."  When Makrond said nothing in response, Varen continued, "I'm really sorry, I couldn't move my spear out of the way fast enough.  It was an accident."
"Oh, it's fine," weezed Makrond.  "After a little rest, I'll be <cough> right as rain.  I'll be back out there training in no time."
"Yeah.  Yeah, you sure will..." 

Varen looked up when Towersacks placed a friendly hand on his shoulder, seeing on her face what he knew in his heart.  The curse the Speardwarves carry affects all

***

Archin, covered in dust from the quarry, came tromping down the steps to the kitchens.  She swung her pick lazily, grinning and nodding in welcome to the miners heading up to take their shifts.  Pushing through the basalt doors, she stopped in her tracks when she saw Jools dancing triumphantly in tight, savage circles in front of a very uncomfortable looking Glacies.

"Is... is he having a siezure?" she asked uncertainly, "Is he poisoned?  Did someone poison him?"
"DONNNNNN-"
"No, no one poisoned him..." Glacies said, taking a step back to avoid Jools' swinging arms.
"-KEEEEEEYS!!!"
"The merchants brought with them four more Donkeys in this years shipment.  Two Jack's, two Jenny's.  And, well... he hasn't stopped doing this for nearly an hour.  I can't get past!  Every time I try, I get buffeted with his arms."

Archin watched the scene, completely bewildered.  After a moment she let out a quiet laugh and jerked a thumb over her shoulder, "Good luck with that, book keep.  I'm going to go grab some dinner at Dodik's."  She laughed hard as she hit the hallway, Jools' triumphant warcries and Glacies uncomfortable complaints following her down the hallway.

***

"Friends, I know I'm not the first woman to be elected in this fortress, but I'm certainly the most able, the most caring, and certainly the most motherly."

Ineth Orbsbarb stood atop the head table in the mess hell, her arms outstretched.   Surrounding her were her five children, all beaming as once again, their mother was elected honestly by the majority.  She grinned at all the Dwarves around her, waving to a few in the crowd she knew by name.  "My last term was ended early as... well, as the previous mayor came back to us.  But I should point out, that while I was mayor we went through a time of prosperity, a time of happiness, and a time where there were no deaths by the risen dead!"

The Dwarves cheered and Ineth Orbsbarb took a little bow, reveling in the noise.  In the back, by the door, Likot stood with Sgt. Pepper.  She stood with her arms crossed over her trenchcoat, the torches making her green glass goggles glint with yellow flames. 

"Do you hear that?" Sgt. Pepper said with a cold humor, "No deaths by the undead while she was in charge."
"I heard it just fine," Likot replied, "Maybe we should have a meeting, she and I, so we can see about that claim she's made."

[Heavy Flak]

The Events of the 1^st of Malachite, 1065

"KOBOLD!" Zako shouted, pointing to a slow moving shape in the wastes.  Sparrow quickly raised his crossbow to his shoulder, aimed, and fired.  The tumbleweed he hit didn't so much as stop it's rolling movement, continuing to bumble and tumble into the distance.

"Ya' got him."
"I sure as hell did," Sparrow said, turning to beam at the morose pair of Adol and Maggarg.  "That's the seventh Kobold I've gotten since breakfast.  Our team is winning hands down."
"Your team has the only boltslinger," Maggarg said in complaint.

"Don't be a sore loser," Zako chided, "There was that Kobold that came up the ramp, you could have taken it out."
"That was just a dog," Adol said lazily, leaning against a post in the shade of the trade depot. 
"If you'd nailed it before you saw what it was, it would have been a Kobold," Sparrow said, "and you'd only be down six, instead of seven."

The merchants watched the dwarves from the safety of their card table.  They exchanged uneasy looks, and one leaned towards the other, asking quietly, "How long have they been out in the sun?"
"They were like this when they came to escort us up," the other said, "They just hid it better when that creepy one with the blue eyes and wide hat was around."
"Yeah, well, just don't walk in front of them... you might get pegged."

***

Rice sat beside Lucy's bed, talking to her quietly and holding her hand.  Her leg had still yet to set in the many months she had laid in bed, and though she was still healthy, seclusion and bad food had begun to take it's toll on her.  She was often sad, and her cheeks were drawn and tight, her beard and hair having lost most of it's luster.  What time Rice wasn't working he spent down here with her, talking about the fortress happenings, trying to cheer her up with the local gossip, of the Dwarves she knew, and he was always bribing Dojango into making little sweets he could sneak down.

It was almost time for his shift, and Rice was spending the last moments he could with her, when there was a knock on the door.  They both turned to look at it, surprise showing on their faces when a leather mask and milky-white eyes peeked in, followed by Valania. 

"There you are, Rice!  The last place I'd think to look."
"I... uhm," He stuttered, "Everyone knows I'm here.  I shouldn't be hard to find."
"Of course," She said soothingly, "I need you down near the crypts.  There's an engraving job ordered, and I need a model."

Rice squirmed under Lucy's gaze, and he shrugged helplessly to her before looking at the Engraver Lead.  "I don't think that's a good idea, Valania.  We've ... talked about this, I don't feel comfortable doing, ah, engraving work anymore.  I'm solely construction."
"Hmm, well, I'll just do it from memory then.  Don't worry, you'll find it more than acceptable.  Tah!" 

As she left, Rice lowered his head into his hands, groaning low.

***

Mookie laid under the covers of her bed, sprawled out lazily.  Merchant Listenrazor sat on the bed beside her.  He'd tried stretching out, but his legs hung far off the end, and he found it best to just stay sitting up.  He reached over blindly, gently rubbing her leg.

"That was fun," She said with a yawn, "but you might want to leave.  It's getting late, you know, and you're probably wanted back at the depot."
"Of course I'm not," Listenrazor said, his voice silky.  "I got the whole night off, and I plan to spend it with you, gorgeous."
"Awh, that's sweet.  But, I really think you should..."
"Mookie.  I'm not going to be leaving," he said, giving her thigh a squeeze.  "You're too much of a dream!  Why would I want to?"

"Because in about an hour, Stravitch will be heading to the bar for some pan-fried horse steaks.  And when he's done, he'll be coming in here."
"...Stravitch?" The merchant said, his voice cracking.
"Of course.  Where do you think I get the money to buy all these pretty clothes?  But he's so possessive.  I'm just looking out for you, darling."
"I think... that there is a lot of work to finish with the merchants, I need to oversee the unloading of the salted goods..."

In a matter of minutes, he had dressed and hurried out.  Mookie waited until the door was shut before she laughed gaily, wrapping herself up in her blanket as she stood to head to her closet.  A glint of light caught her eye, and looking at the chair by the door she spied a little satchel embroidered with silver thread.  Considering it a tip, she opened it up and rummaged through, her brow furrowing when she saw the small envelope with a design drawn on the front with an insolent stroke. 



She slid her thumb under the wax seal and popped it off, nearly going crosseyed as she looked at the gibberish written in with the same casual, insolent hand. 

DFEJHEDRF:

TYWSVVHTVFICVBCIMPDVRAJFEALSSKSDSMSTRYEXPCUIDRYG
CSRZVOIMSVFIYLGLPONNNWLCOGBVSTFDEBWCRDHHSJHAJYW
SKVTYSUXUSRJHAXUWNXHHKKAYGZAXJORVHOBVAAZBUXRZTV
FENZTTYOTBVEUVGTYWAIESICDSTNSMKPROSISSESSJ

OWKZHIEUYYLFRVGPYEGERBDKKWMVWNGYWCYWMKPGEKCUD

YCWRFDBFORFOK

She dressed quickly, and hurried out into the bar, where Dodik-Come-Lately was serving drinks and laughing.  She showed the madam the letter, and they discussed it very briefly before Mookie was sent off to find a Dwarf with a steady hand to make copies - after the recent mysteries in the fortress, she wouldn't be taking chances on what this might contain.

[Jools]

The feverish scribblings of Jools Machinescalded, in a book that, until two days later, he didn't notice was not his journal but actually a recipe book promising 101 different ways to cook plump helmets

Woohoo! DONNNNNNKEEEEEEYS!!!

Maybe I should stop celebrating at some point and, you know, let them out of the cages, give them a walk around, check they don't have any troubles or anything... maybe after one more cry of DONNNNNNKEEEEEEYS!!!

I spotted an interesting note that was being passed round in Dodik's when I dropped in to inform everyone of the exciting news. It's not in any language I know. There's an image of it that makes me think of a square for some reason, but I don't think that has any bearing on unpicking the meaning.

Not that I have any time to study it - I have four more DONNNNNNKEEEEEEYS to care for!

I do hope they get on with my current charges.

[Kuli]

From the journal of Kuli Problemwalled,

I suppose it was inevitable.  It has been some time since a mysterious message had appeared in this fortress, perplexing nearly all who saw it.  A letter was 'discovered' by Mookie who then took it to a scribe to make copies and proceeded to distribute them all over the fort.

I don't know whether to approve or disapprove.  Those sorts of things have often been demonic in origin before, and had they been translated sooner many tragedies could have been prevented.  On the other hand, this could simply be someone's private correspondence.  I am inclined to believe for now this letter is mundane in nature.

If Madame Dodik-Come-Lately were ever to set foot in this temple again - unlikely though that may be - I shall have to have a talk with her about her staff and their lack of respect for people's privacy...among other things.  Many, many other things.

Zefon works in mysterious ways.  She revealed the truth of one of these cryptic messages to me once, but never since.  And it was only for Aryn's sake!  I can only pray if this letter concerns some danger to the fortress that it will be brought to light.

It is also worth noting that for the first time in a while the office of mayor is not filled by a member of the living dead.  I have no personal grudge with Likot.  It was not by her will that she was given new life by unholy forces after all, but the fact remains that I am uncomfortable around her.  The less I have to be reminded of her existence, the better.

[Zako]

Diary of Zako, 5th entry:

Hehe, good fun today! Pegging kobolds with bolts while versing another team, good fun that was when we won.

On a sombre note, heh I made a small pun there, a strange note has been circing around the fortress lately. Rumour has it that it was in the merchants bag when mookie found it, and she took it to Dodik-come-lately. What an interesting lady, Miss lately. I must chat with her.

And I finally talked with Kuli! He didn't say much, just that he wanted peace and all the priestly stuff. Nothing interesting. But he did say that these letters ahve been around the fortress before, and stopped aruptly for some reason.

Stranger and stranger indeed...

[Maggarg - Eater of chicke]

Diary of maggarg, probably in malachite.

Stuck out in the desert, guarding the traders.
I don't know how the rest of these dwarves manage the sun, I always get burned.
Worse, I'm stuck out with some stupid cocky bowslinger who's always boasting about his skills.
He hit a ball of tumbleweed, some rocks, a pile of bones, someone's pet dog and the ground. He insisted that they were kobolds.
Reminds me of the story of ol' lightning, the blind marksdwarf.
Now that's perseverance.
Also, some whore's found a letter some dyslexic wrote. It don't make no sense anyway.
That Kuli guy looks long in the face again, normally he looks as if Zefon or whoever wants him as a gold vein.
I can't remember which god I'm supposed to be worshiping.
First time I've stuck down a job without the fuzz on my back after a few months.

[Heavy Flak]

The events of the 10^th of Malachite, 1065

Erendor and Zako had stepped away from the trade depot to talk, leaving Adol, Maggarg and Sparrow to keep an eye on the humans while they packed up for their trek home.  Erendor was a little a little jittery, constantly glancing towards the stairwell as they talked.

"So how are you liking your time here?" Zako asked, turning to stare out the front gate, to the wastes. 
"Ahh, y-...es.  Rice is really nice, though with the lack of stonework, he's put- oh god."  Erendor jumped and looked towards the staircase, only relaxing when he saw the red hair of the Budseal twins bouncing up the steps, hauling stones to donate to the Magma Bank.
"What's wrong with you?" Zako asked curiously, "You weren't this jumpy on the way out here, and we were being chased by beak dogs."

"You didn't see them, man... all dead white eyes and jerky moves.  And what did they do?  Punish some poor friendless metalworker by - augh - crushing in his chest."
"You can't let them get to you," Zako said, glancing towards the entrance, "There's a ... there's a reason they're around.  Just try and ignore th- KOBOLD"

Sparrow loosed a bolt, Adol groaned, and there was a thick thunk as it struck home. 

"You're aim must be off, boltslinger."

Seconds later, Sgt. Peppers tall frame came into view as he climbed the slope, a bone bolt left quivering in the center of his shield.  Likot was beside him, her crippled arm tucked inside of her coat to rest, her good arm carrying her custom crossbow Edulalod.  Erendor shrank down, hiding behind Zako, who just grinned and said, "Sparrow, you're aim's off.  That's MUCH too big for a Kobold."

Likot turned her green gaze towards Zako, tilting her head slightly to the side as she stared at him.  Sgt. Pepper yanked the bolt from his shield and tossed it aside.  Adjusting how her trenchcoat settled, Likot called to him, her voice tinny in the respirator mask, "Be careful.  Some might take offense at little japes like that.  They might see your signature beside mandates unmet"
"Hmm, they might, ma'am," Zako said, frowning, "But it won't be your hand that signs off, I'm afraid.  It'll be Mayor Ineth's."

"Ohh, so true.  Obviously, having a desire for perfection is a trait unworthy of those that lead the constituants.  But perfection isn't something the military can neglect.  You've been neglecting your training.  Sgt. Pepper, would you, please, take young Master Zako down to the barracks, for a lesson in wrestling and shieldwork?"
"My pleasure, ma'am."
"Likot, I'm Rolland's man, and-"
"Aye.  But he's away, and I'm the highest ranking officer besides Master Fillwhip, and Miss Clappedrooms.  Now please, to your training? "

Later, when Erendor came to visit Zako in his room, he found his friend laid up in bed.  He was fast asleep, drunk on Longland beer, and his left leg splinted all along the shin.  Tsking quietly, Erendor dropped off the little gift he'd made - a basket of liquors and sweet cakes, and quickly shuffled from the room, and far away from the barracks.

***

OOC: Well, balls.  Zako makes the third named Dwarf that's taken to injury, along with Lucy and Hammerer Wavepaddles.  Hopefully he'll heal up right as rain soon - I have faith in his abilities.  It would just have to happen right after I put him on wrestling duty, wouldn't it? 

[Mephansteras]

That's ok, it makes for interesting story material.

I really need to come up with more of Adol's backstory. But I like how you're playing him. Very stoic and somewhat disgusted by the antics of his fellows.

[Zako]

Ouch. Splintered shin. That really has to hurt...

Still, first encounter with the dead! Need to practices more with the wrestling and close combat though to be able to match Sgt. Pepper...

Perhaps I should talk to the hammerdwarves?

[Zako]

The following writing is written by a shaky hand, with occasional spasms

Diary of Zako, 6th entry:

My god, this hurts... that evil bastard Sgt. Pepper wrecked me leg. Its splintered all along the shin, and I can barely look at it. The only reason im still awake right now is that im smashed.

A slight scribble is here of unknown nature. The writing continues afterwards.

Sorry about that. Spasm of pain. Happens every so often.


But this was nesscessary for me to learn about the dead ruling this place. Im glad for it even!

You see, I have learned a couple of things:

• I have learned that some are quite capable in combat, and of all kinds. That crossbow looks nice, and im sure that she can use it well... You know who im talking about...
• Also, Sgt Pepper is very dangerous up close. I need to remember that for later...
• I need to practice in close combat more often. So I don't get caught out like this again by Likot, abomination that she is, and get the crap beaten out of me again by her muscle. And for obvious reasons as well...
• Some are smart. Very smart. And manipulative. This makes them even more dangerous.
• I have learned some of Sgt. Peppers combat moves! Using the hard way, unfortunately...

I need to think my plans over more, but I should get better armor when I get better, as well as ramp up my inquiries about this place...

But know this..

The writing suddenly becomes totally legible, as if a spasming hand is held still by sheer willpower

I will have my vengence, one way or another. Sooner or later. I will have my way... one day...

[Makrond]

Excerpt from the Journal of Makrond, c. 1065

Oh... that hurts. I tripped again... only this time I got myself impaled on Varen's spear. Still, I suppose-
There is a large splatter of blood here, blanking out several words.
- and a cat.

I should keep this short; the effort is making my side hurt more. Oh, I've gone and coughed blood all over the page...

Another of those infernal cryptograms (blood splatter) Mookie. I've seen it, but I can't make heads or tails of it.

OOC: Thanks, Heavy Flak! Finally gives me an interesting story element to have some fun with. I'll think of a backstory over the next couple of days (hopefully I'm still alive, if not it becomes more of a eulogy...).

[Heavy Flak]

Makrond: You're still alive and kicking, though, you're mostly doing it from your sickbed.  As with all lung wounds, it's still red, but your upper body has healed from a red to a yellow with the season change, and I expect you'll be up soon.  You're shield, armor, and spear skills have all raised your stats, so you're healing faster than most leatherworkers should.  Also, I made a mistake in the last post above - there are four named Dwarves injured, I left you out.

Just a note.  We have this piddling little rain storm called Hannah coming in, and everyone around me is flipping out like retards.  I don't claim to be a hurricane/tropical storm expert, but the few I went through down in Florida weren't bad, they were just annoying.  Everyone around here is talking doom and gloom, and all I'm seeing is rain and a few days without power, so... what I'm trying to say is, if you don't see me for a while, I'm without power.  Amuse yourselves in my absence