Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[GRead]

Captains log, 15th of Hematite, 1052

The Jeweler has finished her Construction, a Chain of pure sunstone which she has named 'Rithlutuvar', or 'waxlulls'. It is amazingly well crafted, and adorned with images of our small band. Sir Ian estimates it's worth around 4800, quite a bit for a chain I should say.

There was certainly something magical though; she seems to have used but a single sunstone, and yet, she has made an entire chain from it.
She claims this little event has given her previously unknown powers as a gem setter. I congratulated her, but I fail to see how that helps us in our current predicament.

[GRead]

Captains log, 20th of Hematite, 1052

Human Merchants have arrived, from their cities to the north. They've received word about our location and have come bearing supplies for trade. We don't have much to trade with them but we may be able to swap some more of Dozmud's fine cooking for more raw supplies. I'm leaving the trading in the hands of Sir Ian, who seems to know these humans much better than I. They've even sent a guild representative! I let him know we're not going to be staying here too long, but he just smiled and said 'There's never a bad time to improve trade relations!'

Maybe not a bad time, but certainly not a bad place. I am suspicious of them, traveling all this way through such hostile terrain just to trade with a small band of shipwrecked Dwarves. I'll be keeping an eye on them...

[Kaelem Gaen]

Loving the story, keep it coming.    I was inspired to do my own Beach Fortress in a pocket world, though I may have abandoned it... I'll have to double check.  Trying to find the aquifer that was here but I've luckily hit rock before hitting it.  

Anyways, keep up the story, We shall defeat the Elephants and Skeletal Tuna!

[GRead]

From the notes of Sir Ian Watson the Third, Trader, on the Humans of 'The Weak Confederacy'

I have concluded my negotiations with the Human Traders of The Weak Confederacy, and must say the Trading was a smashing success! Dozmud is a fine old chap and it would seem his cooking waters the mouths of humans just as much as our own. In exchange for some of his now-famous cheese roasts we bartered for more cheese, meats, and some leather.

Of disturbing note however is the 'gift' left to us by the traders: an Iron Anvil. In the interests of maintaining good relations I found myself compelled to offer them some more food for it, as we have plenty, but I am concerned of this turn of events. An Anvil is not of particular use to a small camp such as ours and that it should be gifted as a gesture of goodwill... something is amiss.

This is compounded by my meeting with their guild representative. I couldn't get much out of him, as he was obsessing over the prices of scepters and amulets, but his leaders have apparently been in contact with our king. He knows more than he is letting on, I am sure of it, and the banter was clearly cover. Unfortunately I could glean nothing more.

I am hesitant to express it to the captain, but I have concerns about this coming Autumn...

[Kagus]

"Well a' course they was happy about my dwarven cookin's.  Thar be no other dwarf that can claim wit' a scrap o' truth that 'e can make a better biscuit than I can wit' my own 'ands.  An' cheese, weall...   I've bee' swimmin' in cheese since I was a runtlin', so workin' it no harder than simply remembrin' moi child'ood."

[Jamini]

Looking nice, by the way. You've got yourself a good read.And Dart finally got mentioned after the initial story, yay!

What's especially nice is that we have somone else to carve bolts, meaning that Dart can spend some time practicing his marksmanship... right?

[GRead]

Captains Log, 8th of Limestone 1052

Little has happened over the past two months since the humans have arrived; we continue with our training and our vigilance.

Today the same strange forces that gripped The Jeweler have worked their influence upon the Armourer, Erush Idmuzish. We have hastily erected a forge with the anvil the humans left us, and he has seized upon a bar of iron and begun working feverishly.

I hope he finishes soon, freedom is nearly upon us and I would hate to have to wait for this madness to run its course.

That said... I will *Not* leave anyone behind.

[Toaster]

Concerning the undead fish:  Just use them for siege operator target practice.

In fact, I'd like to request a dwarf (if you have a relevant (any red) dwarf, that one, otherwise just any chump with useless/no skills) as a siege operator that wants to blast the fish.  Name him/her Rockhelm and enable Siege Operator (and Siege Engineer if you need one.)  Also, s/he wants a screw pump to work out on (to train Pump Operator so as to improve stats.)

[GRead]

10th Limestone, 1052
Morning

The wagons rattled along the basalt beach, kicking up pebbles as the mules dragged them towards Mishos Okbod. Rith shifted uneasily in her seat; she knew Captain Barnabus would not take kindly to the news she bore, and her new status as a diplomat sat poorly with her. Still, the kings orders were the kings orders, however suicidal they may seem.

Still, the wording of the document sparked the fires of her imagination.

The wagons clattered on, towards their fateful destination...

11th of Limestone, 1052

The work was finished, and Erush sat down next to the forge with a heavy thud. He had worked feverishly day and night and had finally completed his work; Faktomem, 'Drainsgroups', an Iron low boot. It menaced with spikes of iron but was otherwise plain; a plainness that belied the near-perfect craftsmanship that had gone into its construction.

He presented the work to Barnabus, who looked at it for a moment.

'It's certainly... sturdy.' he said.
Erush wasn't a man of many words, so he simply nodded.
'Why just one though? I mean, a man needs two boots, doesn't he?'
Again, Erush just gestured. a shrug, non-commital.
'Well, it's certainly the most impressive... boot, I've ever seen.'
'Thank you.'
'You're welcome. Let's get it packed up safely with everything else; we should be leaving any day now.'
Another Nod, and Erush was off.

12th of Limestone, 1052

The wagons rumbled up in front of Mishos Okbod, past the beginning of the sea wall and up to the fortifications at the gate. Rith had a brief swell of confidence; in such a short time they had already constructed the beginnings of a fortress, surely Barnabas would be able to fulfill the kings mandate.

Her stomach knotted again when they reached the main courtyard. Everyone was waiting, their things packed, prepared to leave. She looked at Barnabus, and his gaze was level and steady... somehow, he knew.

They had only brought a few wagons, and only a handful of guards, it was blatantly obvious there would be no rescue.

When she was a child she had always envied the nobility. As an adult she had despised them. As an appointed diplomat she now found that, for the first time, she had some degree of empathy with them. Sometimes, delivering a letter is the hardest thing in the world.

[ March 09, 2008: Message edited by: GRead ]

[Greiger]

Awesome!  Swords rule!  Do you have a falcion? Katana? How bout a claymore? Zweihander? Eepee? Xiphos? Katzbalger? Anything?  I'll even take a Shinai!

Sorry bout the delayed post.  I needed to get smash brothers out of my system with a tournament and sleepless marathon.

[GRead]

12th of Limestone, 1052
Early Evening

Captain Barnabus sat at his desk, his brow resting on his right hand and his eyes closed in thought.
"Read it again" he said.
"But captain, I've allready read it to you three times!"
"Read it again."
Rith sighed and looked at the letter in front of her, and back to Barnabus. She had expected him to be angry. Maybe she had expected him to be sad. She had certainly not expected him to be so... composed about it. He was clearly a bit irritated, but nothing like he should be. She cleared her throat.

"To our most noble servant, Captain Barnabus Sprydaggers,

It has come to our attention by way of our majesties traders that certain events transpired in the late winter of the year 1050 that has resulted in the loss of our most extensive and well equipped merchant fleet. It has further come to our notice through our contacts with the humans of the weak confederacy and elves of the Tired Talons that they have suffered similiar losses in the vicinity of the creepy gulf.

A darkness is spreading Captain, and isolated as you have been, you have failed to receive news of its growing influence in the area surrounding the ocean. Should it remain unbated it will surely grow to blanket not only the kingdoms of elves and humans but also our very own majestic mountain halls.

As you are the only one, Dwarf, Man, or Elf, to face this menace and achieve even a marginal degree of success, it has been decreed that you are to remain in your encampment on the shores of Mishos Okbod and continue to stand as a bulwark against this encroaching darkness. Both the Humans and the Elves, untrustworthy though they may be, have pledged their support to this cause. It is our firm belief that they are to be trusted in this matter, if for no other reason than their own obvious self-interests.

We have the fullest confidence that you will be able to expand your current position to a suitable bastion and continue the battle with these undead monstrosities. Their underwater home may prevent us from bringing the battle to them, but we shall certainly seek to scourge them on the very shores they think they have claimed as their own.

Good luck Captain, and may the gods bless your efforts.
-His most esteemed Majesty,  Dodok Edemnokgol."

Barnabus continued to stare at his desk for a long time. Eventually he looked up at the diplomat. He felt a brief flush of pity for her; nervous faced, sweating, a young girl who simply happened to be the wrong dwarf to stumble across the wrong shipwreck while working for the wrong salvage company.

"Very well. It's late, and it won't do to travel in this light. I will have to insist you spend the night with us. I'll speak with the lads in the morning."
"y... yes, of course" Rith stammered, relieved to be done for the evening.
"We'll see to your accommodations for the evening, can't have you sleeping on the beach." He waved her out the door. "Oh, and if you don't mind, I'd like to keep the letter here, for reference of course."

She left, and the room was silent for a time. When he was sure he would be undisturbed, he unrolled the letter and carefully pried the kings seal from his signature. He turned it over and read the inscription on the back.

"I am sorry old friend, but trying times call for trying measures. When their people are in need, can old heroes really turn away? -Dodok"

Barnabus muttered something under his breath. Even he wasn't quite sure what he'd said, but he was pretty sure it sounded like 'Bloody Hell'.

[valcon]

I just wanted to pop in and say that this is really well written, that last entry was wonderfully handled Gread.

Maybe I can sail my boat to ye and offload some supplies, mate!

[ March 10, 2008: Message edited by: valcon ]

[GRead]

13th of Limestone, 1052
Dawn

Fog roiled lazily over the rough basalt pebbles of the beach, curling and twisting around the tiny rocks like miniature rivers roaring over a mountain range. The currents ebbed and flowed with a hypnotic grace, interrupted only occasionally by a small stir in the air.
This tiny world came to a cataclysmic end with a loud *crunch* as Captain Barnabus' boot crushed the mountains, sending boulders flying into the distance. He looked down for a moment at the pebbles he had displaced, before continuing on. His aimless pacing helped him think, and the fog helped him focus.

He would be addressing the men soon, and he knew it would be difficult. These were ordinary dwarves, men and women with hopes and dreams. Some of them old, some of them young, but each of them had a life ahead of them. Who was he to tell them they had to spend it here, in this place of death and despair?
But for now, in the predawn mists, he found solace in the calm. It was already hot, but nothing like it would be when the sun had risen and burned off the fog. Until then he could rest, and go over the day to come.

13th of Limestone, 1052
Mid-Morning

The People of Mishos Okbod were stirring.

Captain Barnabus skipped breakfast, sitting instead on the small rocklet that Beard would fish from. The waves were blessedly cool, washing over his feet as he listened to the excited chatter coming from within the fortress walls. He heard the door open behind him, but didn't turn.
"Beard."
"Yes, Cap'n" The sailor replied.
She sat down on the rock, pulling up her line and casting it into the waves. They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity.
"You know I'm with you, Cap'n" She said.
"I know"
She pulled up on her line, a bat ray came up from the waves, and began flopping about.
"Beard. I can't keep those people here"
"Don't think you'll have to, Cap'n" She glanced over at him, but he was gazing at the horizon, his eyes lost in the distance.
"I know, that's what I'm afraid of."
Another ray flew from the ocean, tracing an effortless arc between the waves and the shore.
"Their lives Cap'n. They can do whatever they want with 'em."
"They'd just be throwing them away."
"Yeah Cap'n. Funny thing though, lotsa people want to throw their lives away, if only they can do it for the right thing."
The silence was thick. Barnabus knew she was right, he had seen it time and again. He still had trouble reconciling his role though. He stood up.
"We have to do what we have to do I suppose."
Beard just nodded as he returned to the courtyard.

13th of Limestone, 1052
Noon

Captain Barnabus stood before the assembled people of Mishos Okbod. They had all fled disaster to this place, and though it had been named the Beach of Doom, it was life they had found there. It remained grim and forbidding, a bleak picture rendered in black basalt and red waves.
It was with this in mind that Barnabus spoke.

"Assembled Dwarves, friends and survivors all, I must request a portion of your time. The King himself has heard of us hear, and has sent word congratulating our successes."
A brief round of cheering and applause erupted. Barnabus continued when it had died down.
"It is in that light that he has made a decree. By order of the King himself, Mishos Okbod is to become an oceanside fortress, a bastion against the darkness of the ocean."
For a moment, silence reigned. Barnabus took the time to look at each and every dwarf, reading their expressions while hiding his own.
"I will not make anyone stay. I will not even ask. The choice is for each of you to make on your own, free of coercion and free of conscience. But I will say this; we have survived here so far, and we can survive here still. The dead thought to rise against the living, and they drove us from the waters. But they could not drive us from the shores! They could not drive us away then and they will not drive us away now! We named this place Mishos Okbod, the beach of doom, for in the darkness of our night we saw here only a dreary end. But it is day now! It is day, and I see with my eyes that this beach is not our doom! The undead come to end us, but we will end them! This beach shall be *their* doom! and we, we who would stand against them, we will be the ones to deliver it!"

Someone cheered. Then another. A wave of cheering swept through the crowd, and Barnabus sighed to himself. He silenced the crowd with a wave of his hand.
"It will not be easy. It will require hard work, it will require sacrifice, many of us will not live to see its completion. So take this time to decide for yourselves. The endeavour has not yet begun, so there is no shame in returning to the mountains."

The cheers continued. He had given them the choice. Yet he knew, in the depths of his gut, that not one of them would turn away. They all burned to be heroes. If only we could all be heroes, he thought.

Most of us will just be corpses.

-End Prologue-

[GRead]

With the prologue over I'd like to thank everyone for their comments and participation, it has certainly been enjoyable so far and a very good hook for getting myself back into the habit of writing. My apologies if I've failed to address anyones questions, I'm still getting the hang of things here.

Pickerel: I'm currently waiting on a Male Dwarf to slot you in, I should be getting another wave of immigrants soon enough so I'm sure you'll show up shortly.

Toaster: Since I have an abundance of free lady dwarfs to spare I should be able to slot you in right away; I'd have done so sooner but I wanted to finish the prologue before doing more introductions.

Valcon: Thank you for the kind words, your pirate ships writing is top notch, I could probably stand to learn allot from the way you handle your dialogue.

as something of a general explanation, I've been trying to write the story in a manner consistent with the characters and how they would behave\what they would know. Things like Barnabus' observations on magma and aquifers are my attempts at simulating someone without the players godlike knowledge of where the magma ledges are and how the physics of DF work. I'm actually already through the aquifer; the beach seems to have been a water free point to punch through it. That's actually how I found the pipe, I was prospecting for stone north and got the announcement "You have found magma!" when my miners hit a chunk of obsidian.

I think that Magma chamber is one of the coolest things I've ever seen in DF though; all of the walls with the exception of three or four squares of sand are edging into the aquifer.

Thanks for sticking with me this far!

[Kaelem Gaen]

Ooo! I like that you're chopping it up in chapters.  This story is great, and the way you write the characters reaction to the situations before them is great.  I look forward to the start of the next part.