"Long kobold here. Longer kobold survive." The raspy voice of the high priest Kebublib echoed throughout the dark cave. His blind, filmy eyes glowing dimly in comparison to the others as he waved his slender fingers before the assembled crowd. The rest of the room was nearly silent, only the sound of narrow claws tapping against the floor giving any indication that the pinpoints of light that were the rest of the tribe were not glow fungus themselves.
"From time of dragon kobold come. From time of man kobold leave. From many monster kobld escape and live once more." The prophet continued, shakily stepping forward as the throes of prophecy washed over him and animated his old body with vigor and energy. His staff tapped against the floor with every statement, emphasizing his vigorous statements.
"Kobold survive. We survive always. But!" The priest stopped, raising a finger in the darkness. His staff creaking as his weight shifted to it. "But... no more."
The assembled kobolds began to mummer at this, their indistinguishable canine yips hardly audible as the prophet rested. After a time he waved them to silence so he could continue. "Kebublib see future of kobold. Kebublib see future of man. Kobold will become great, as dragon once were. As Kobold once were when dragon were. Yess..."
The old prophet bent down and drew one claw across the sand at his feet. The loose floor readily ripping up under the assault of the sharp appendage. Rapidly a crude map was formed, a familiar map in the hard-packed floor of the cavern. "There" the prophet said as he sketched a small star on a river between mountains and the ocean. "There man is. Good man. Man who help kobold tribe. Kebublib has seen it, it be so."
Pausing, the prophet drew a small box at the head of the river. The assembly stirred as they recognized the shape of the mountain range. "Here is kobold now. Kobold cave on same river. Far away."
Finally, the prophet sketched a small half-circle between the two. A mark where the lowest edge of the mountains met with the tallest hills. "And there, there kobold must go. Meet man. Trade." he said haltingly, his eyes dimming as the last mark was made. Slowly he stood with the aid of a middle-aged female. Her sweet musk filling and clearing the head of the old prophet. As she steadied him he looked out on the rest of the kobolds with his rheumy eyes and spoke firmly. "Seven go. Who go matter not. You leave, make new home. Must make, not find. Learn men ways and make kobold great."
The female led the prophet away, steadying him as she half-carried the old kobold to his damp room. The others looked amongst themselves, quivering with excitement and fear at this new prophecy. Kobolds are not brave, even the warriors. For a full minute none of them stepped forward, instead their high-pitched voices filled the largest chamber of the cave. Protests and rumors flew as each kobold voiced a reason not to go. As each kobold spoke of things that humans, dwarves, and elves have done to them.
Finally, however, one of the creatures stepped forward. His husky muzzle piercing the air and his eyes shining bright in the darkness. "Shame you!" He called out, bringing silence to the room, "Are kobold not brave? You ignore wise prophet? We must do, we make kobold great!" He shouted, his fury steeping his words and preventing protest. Then, a female voice replied to his challenge in kind. "You go!" it called viciously, ringing against the earth and stone around them.
The kobold who had stepped forward stepped back, a look of terror crossing his face. But it was quickly replaced by a determined look. "I go!" he shouted back, his eyes shining even brighter in the light "Who follow?"
___
Yes, you guessed it, this is another community fortress. However, this time I don't intend to use dwarves. That's way too easy. No, this fortress will a Kobold fortress.
Things will not be easy. Kobolds have a number of limitations that dwarves do not. They cannot eat plants or prepared food made entirely of plantstuff. They are physically smaller and weaker and than any of the other vanilla races, they only can embark with copper materials... and there is more explained in detail later on.
However, it is in the spirit of Dwarf Fortress to try things that can end disastrously. After all, losing is fun.
If you'd like to name a Kobold in the fortress, just state your entire name (Kobolds do not start with last names), preferred profession, and what you are bringing (if you are one of the initial seven). 44points each are permitted, and we cannot embark with anything better than copper and no plants. The extra points will be used to buy turtle meat.
We need seven kobolds total before starting. I cannot guarantee gender, but I will do my best to keep stated preferences in mind.
___
Important facts about Kobolds:
Kobolds are not alcohol dependent. However, if it is available they prefer to drink alcohol over water. In the case of stagnant water, a kobold will wait until they are nearly dehydrated until they are willing to drink it.
Kobolds are carnivorous and are able to eat bones. However, they cannot consume plants or prepared food without a meat ingredient. (This includes wholly alcoholic foods.) I am not certain if they will eat foods made from tallow. Eating bones produces a happy thought, but in very rare cases may cause the creature to choke to death.
Kobolds are smaller and physically weaker than dwarves. However, they grow up faster and multiple births are more common.
Kobolds speak a language in such an estostic grammatical sense that no human can directly translate. The best we can come to is understanding the very basic meaning of their phrases though gestures. As a matter of fact, because their vocal physiology is so different it is nearly impossible for a human to pronounce many of their site and personal names.Any nickname will overwrite the entire name of a Kobold.
Kobolds only start with copper as an available metal. Meaning, no anvils and a very few points at embark.
Kobolds are highly energetic, anxious, and make friends very easily compared to dwarves.
Only humans are willing to trade with Kobolds. Goblins consider them chattel and will kidnap and sige them, Dwarves consider their homes easy plunder and attack early and often, and Elves consider any item made by a Kobold fair game to be stolen.
[ May 05, 2008: Message edited by: Jamini ]
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Topic: Stories of Terror and Energy: Kobold Fortress (Read 8463 times)