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[GRead]

15th of Timber, 1053
late evening

Captain Barnabus stood in the dark, the yawning pit behind him fading into the abyss. It was barely 10 feet deep, he knew, but in this blackness it may as well reach to the center of the world. In front of him laboured a trio of dwarves, the settlements engineers: Mulch, Biggs and Rockhelm. The four of them had been straining to get the floodgate undone, until an argument had erupted at the futility of the endeavour.

"Maybe if we..."
"No no, don't be daft!"
"Look, the bolts are on the oth..."
"So we'll need to blast it"
"How would we?"
"We don't have any..."
"What?"
"What!?"
"WHAT!?"

"Enough!" growled Barnabus.
"Well cap'n, what do you propose we do then?" It was Biggs.
"He bolted it in on the other side?"
"That's right"
"If we can't pull it out, we'll batter it down"
The others looked at each other, nodded, and they set to work again.

Their labours reached fruition half an hour later, when the floodgate emitted a coarse grinding noise and slid out of its frame. They peered into the Darkness.
Mulch raised up his lantern. "Asmel, are you back there?"
there was no response. He went to step in when a blur of a dwarf bowled him over and took off down the hallway for the stairs.
"What the hell?"
"After him!"
They rushed down the hallway, following the path of the mayor. It was not difficult; a discarded sock let them know where he turned, and the fallen dwarf let them know they were on the right track. Rockhelm stopped to help him up as the others continued on.
"What happened?" he asked, raising the dwarf back to his feet.
"I dunno, someone just came running by and slammed into me! I fell over but he kept going."

Barnabus was in the lead when they burst back onto the ground floor. They could hear the commotion in the kitchens, and rushed in to see.

Kalen was shouting at Mayor Asmel, but he paid her no heed; he had upended half the still and was drinking directly from the barrel.
She looked to Barnabus. "Cap'n! He's spillin' it everywhere! That's some of my finest brew!"

Barnabus just shrugged. "Guess he's thirsty."

[Jamini]

quote:Originally posted by GRead:
<STRONG>
Kalen was shouting at Mayor Asmel, but he paid her no heed; he had upended half the still and was drinking directly from the barrel.
She looked to Barnabus. "Cap'n! He's spillin' it everywhere! That's some of my finest brew!"

Barnabus just shrugged. "Guess he's thirsty."</STRONG>

Top quality! XD

[GRead]

Captains log, 5th of Opal, 1053

We have finally started producing Steel bars, and I have allready commissioned eight full sets of steel plate armour from Erush. It appears this may have been a mistake; he can work the metal into masterful pieces faster than we can smelt him more steel!

Sir Ian has cautioned me that the quality of his work and the quality of the materials has boosted our accumulated wealth considerably. He warns this will likely draw more attention to our little outpost, attention we may not yet be ready for. His concerns are duly noted, but we must carry on. We are not just here to hide behind stout walls; the undead menace must be confronted on its own territory.

Captains Log, 10th of Opal, 1053

Goblins! Kaleem was taking a walk along the sea wall when he spotted it; a large leather sack over its shoulder and a vicious knife in its hand. It was clearly a snatcher, intent on enslaving our children; it avoided a confrontation with him but may still be lurking in the area, along with others. I have sent Bob, Trask, and Huarch to investigate and try to root out any others. Mcpie's team will remain at home in case any others get through.

[GRead]

10th of Opal, 1053

Bob walked along the beach shore, keeping his eyes open as the squad progressed. There was no where to hide on the shore, true, but Goblin Snatchers are masters of stealth, and most dwarves don't notice them until...

His nostrils flared, full of an unmistakable scent: Goblin.

The Snatcher lunged at Bob, knife outstretched. Bob found himself wishing he had a sword right now, but they had come straight from wrestling practice and hadn't rearmed yet.

Bob fell to his back as the snatcher came down on him; the smile of victory clear on its lips. The cold sneer quickly turned to confusion, and then horror, as Bob grasped its lead forearm with his hand and firmly planted a boot into the Goblins stomach, kicking out. There was a loud snap as its shoulder bones cracked into a million fragments, and a scream of pain and horror as its knife fell to the earth.

It scuttled away into the grasp of Trask, who wasted no time in picking it up and snapping its wiry neck. The maneuver had a simplicity to it that, despite its brutish nature, belied an unspoken grace.

Huarch helped Bob up, and they continued on their patrol.
As they walked into the distance, they started chuckling and laughing to themselves.

As they rounded a bend in the cliff, Huarch mentioned to Trask: "Remind me to watch out for that the next time I have to spar with Bob"

[GRead]

Captains log, 20th of Opal, 1053

The Armour is finished, and our Small force of fighting dwarves are now encased in steel. We're forging up practice weaponry for them now; I doubt they will be able to do much injury through steel with copper.

We will be sending them out soon. The inevitability is equal parts apprehension and excitement; to strike back at our foes, but also the very nature of our foes. I have seen these foul beasts in action before, and I won't forget the devastation and havoc they so effortlessly spread.

Captains log, 25th of Opal, 1053

Asmel Bimkacoth, the weaver, has felt the strange pull of this area and has begun acting strangely, much as many before him. He has claimed one of the clothiers shops and seized three bolts of pigtail cloth, some bat ray bones, a turtles shell, some crystal opals, some claro opals, and mountain goat leather. We look on with interest as she works.

Captains log, 1st of Obsidian, 1053
More Happy news! Kaleem and Dakost have had twins! Ral and Ilral they have named them. They seem to be in good shape and spirits are high.
Things are more dangerous now though. We'll have to be extra vigilant for the snatchers.

Captains log, 4th of Obsidian, 1053
Asmel has finished her work,  Tunurosal Sinsot Usan, "Stylesongs the claw of murder."
It is a pigtail chausse adorned with images of dwarves, an iron lowboot, a firesnake, and gibbons. It is a pigtail chausse. a Chausse.
What is she, a tiny human?
At least it weighs in at 63200, quite a bit for some glorified shoes.
Now we can get that clothier back and make some actual, useful clothes for the rest of us.

[GRead]

Captains log, 18th of Granite, 1054

Elven traders have arrived today; again, we have traded them practice mechanisms in exchange for practice weapons, some elven booze, and some surface crops. The crops may come in handy for farming, the weapons will probably never get used, and we intend to dump the booze and keep the barrels.

Captains log, 20th of Granite, 1054

The sea again rises against us, and again we have thwarted it; this time without injury. A giant, skeletal marlin came from the waves off the north gate; Rockhelm spotted it from his catapult, but it was too near for him to do anything; I sent the soldiers to deal with it and they took it out with little trouble; it seems their armour and their training has paid off. In the middle of the scuffle Trask sighted another goblin child snatcher; it was dealt with in short order and its belongings are now ours.
The weapon and mask will be melted, but I don't know what to do with the clothes. Toss them in the magma perhaps?

Captains log, 4th Slate, 1054

Another attack, today it was a skeletal cougar; it came down from the upper reaches and attacked one of the masons working on the walls. The military was too busy sparring to be bothered to defend the gate, so I had to take care of it myself.
I will have to have words with them; practicing with their shiny new axes is *not* more important than defending the fortress.

[GRead]

Captains log, 12th of Slate, 1054

The child, Catten Abalavuz, has gone missing. With the recent kidnapper sightings, I can only fear the worst.

Captains log, 15th of Slate, 1054

It seems our fears were well founded, though there is little we can do now. We caught one of the snatchers today, as well as their leader, a masterthief who goes by the name of Zom. or went by the name of Zom, I should say. They were both wise enough to resist apprehension and were struck down on the spot, sparing themselves the... rigours of interrogation.

The Goblins would do well to note the fate of their snatchers; for this atrocity we will pay them back one hundred fold!

[Greiger]

Ha! Bob has been doing well I see.  I hope with a steel sword he will send zombie limbs flying in all directions!

Though due to the stick in ability of swords and the futility of twisting such a weapon in an undead toe, I humbly request he get multiple swords so that he doesn't turn into a moron when his sword gets stuck.

Besides, worst case scenario it would be cool to see an zombie elephant with twenty some swords sticking out of various body parts.

Excellent work!

P.S. Now that I think of it he would probably die in the same way my adventurers  do with only one sword which would fit too.  "Hmm, my sword is stuck in the GCS...that isn't good."  Up to you.  Though I'm sure bob with his detailed sword knowledge would see the danger of only one sword vs zombies.  
...What was I talking about again?

P.P.S. I wonder if a sword stuck in it's foot would it be used as a weapon?

[ March 20, 2008: Message edited by: Greiger ]

[GRead]

Captains log, 7th of Felsite, 1054

A Dungeon Master just arrived, traveling from the Mountainhomes to do research on the undead here. She traveled with quite a large group of dwarves, who have decided to make this place their home.

They must be totally crazy.

They number 26 Dwarves, including the Dungeon master.
We have received
1 Animal Dissector
1 Animal Trainer
1 Bowyer
1 Furnace Operator
1 Gem Setter
1 Herbalist
1 Hunter
1 Jeweler
1 Milker
1 Miller
1 Tanner
1 Woodcrafter
3 Woodworkers
8 Peasants
2 Children

I believe it is time to forge some more platemail and expand the fighting forces of Mishos Okbod.

[Kaelem Gaen]

So, when I'm not updating the Stockpiles, I'm uploading genetic code?  I'm a busy dwarf.

[GRead]

10th Hematite, 1054

Waves. a flow of water pounding endlessly against the walls of Mishos Okbod, only to recede slowly back to the ocean from whence they came. Their crash and roar had become an aspect of daily living for the many Dwarves living there. Odd for dwarves to be on the ocean, but acclimation comes for all things.

Yet now a different sort of wave washes over the bustling Dwarven hold. sound waves. Tiny vibrations scuttling through the air at amazing speeds, bouncing off of rocks and walls and ultimately being received by the ears of living creatures.

Not that there are many of those around here.

----------
Rain poured over Mishos Okbod for the first time in months, heralding the arrival of the wet season. It filled every nook and cranny, the sound of its pattering ringing softly from the walls and echoing through the floors, into the depths below. Yet it was not the only thing to wash over the fort.

The rain had barely begun before the sound of drums hammered down from the cliffs above. The peasants and craftsmen in the courtyard looked up, fearful of what was to come. None had heard such drums before, and their sinister tone promised only pain and suffering.

Barnabus was eating in the hall when the first thud boomed over the fort. Calmly standing to his feet amidst the bewildered Dwarves, he walked out into the rain and towards the observation tower.

Halfway across the beach, Bob caught up with him.

"Cap'n! What the hells going on?" shouted Bob, panting as he ran in his full suit of plate.
Barnabus looked over his shoulder without turning. "Goblins."
"What do you mean Goblins? How many? Where are they?"
"Don't know yet, but those are Goblin drums, so Goblins are coming."
Bob turned to leave. "Shall I get the men ready?"
"Yes."

Barnabus climbed the observation tower. It soared above Mishos Okbod, allowing them to observe the upper cliffs without leaving the safety of the walls. He spied them amidst the dead trees, a squad of goblin axemen scrambled through the underbrush, the rough iron of their equipment rusty and worn. Nearby he saw the elephants, walking alongside the goblins with no sign of aggression.

he muttered under his breath.

-----
Nako Urarnom, leader of the invasion force, leaned on his pike and smiled. the 15 axes under his command would surely be more than enough for the dwarves of this fort. It was young, only a few years old; its military would surely be unable to withstand them. Even if their operations failed, there was always the pact with Lithrushbufut. Should things go awry, the denizens of the Forest of Zealots would cover their retreat. It was a shame they could not be persuaded to actively attack in concert, but alas, the undead keep to their own ways. It was enough they would leave his goblins alone.

He stood straight again, or at least, as straight as a goblin can. Raising his pike to the sky and pointing towards Mishos Okbod, he screamed his challenge. The axes followed suit, clanging their shields and roaring at the heavens as their drummer ceased his pounding for a moment. Then they resumed, the drums pounding at the falls of their feet upon earth, staining this moment upon history forever.

[GRead]

Barnabus was looking over the Fortress' defenses when he heard footsteps behind him.
"What is it?"
"Cap'n, there's a problem." it was Runesinger.

Barnabus turned to face him, the Dwarf looked at him nervously.
"Well? Out with it, haven't got all day here."
"You know how we were installing that windmill for a quern on top of the cliff?"
"Yes, I don't see how that's important right now though."
"Yeah, well, you know how we had made an opening in the wall to hasten construction?"
"Yeah, I... oh damn."
"Yessir, we were going to patch it, but the goblins are getting close and I can't get any of the men up there..."
Barnabus broke into a run, leaving Runesinger there yelling after him. He couldn't hear what he was shouting. Soon he was shouting himself, yelling for Dart, Trask, and Bob to get their squads to the upper tower immediately.

There was little time to organize; Barnabus planned for the goblins to enter through the breach one at a time through Darts fire and straight into the weapons of the waiting Dwarves. There was only a handful of them, but Barnabus was confident in their skill and their armaments.

Equally confident was Nako Urarnom, coming down the upper slopes to see the opening in the defenses. How easy this would be...

[GRead]

The rain whipped into a frenzy, making the ground slick and treacherous. Nako Urarnom and his goblins charged towards Mishos Okbod, murder and death on their minds. Barnabus and his Dwarves stood stalwart, nothing between them and the goblins save good steel and their wits.

An Axeman sprang to the lead, his roar silenced quickly as Dart let loose a volley from his bow. His throat gurgled red as the bolt that sought it out pierced through and lodged in the larynx. The others charged on, ignorant of their fallen comrade; such is the way of goblins.

Dart swiftly ran out of bolts, doing little else to the goblins as they approached the breach.

In moments the battle would be decided. Barnabus grew still, his eyes narrowed on the approaching goblins. The other dwarves, unable to help themselves, became distracted by his gaze. It pierced through their hearts, skipping individual beats to view the next, then the next, and to take the whole of times progression into account.

Air seemed to rush and surge with every little motion in his head. The goblin pikemaster rushed over the fallen blocks and leapt through the air, his spear ready to pierce Barnabus through. he heard the spear, saw the yell, he felt the foul stench of goblin and could smell the rain on his armour. Senses blurred, time past, and the Pikemaster shrieked in triumph.

His head rolled in the dirt, settling next to the pike. Barnabus stepped through, not even a scratch on the shield that had been at his side moments before. An axemen came charging, he had no legs. Another lost his arm. No one could actually recall seeing it happen, but they saw the result; the blood in the air, the limbs on the ground, the shrieks of dying goblins.

They turned tail to run, but were given no quarter; goblins soared through the air with the might of his blows. The rest of the military followed behind, mopping up as they could, but unable to keep pace with the flash of light that had become of the battle turned slaughter.

At the end of the day, two of the more agile goblins survived, fleeing through the forest shrieking in terror. Of the dwarves, a single had a scratch on his shin, a scratch earned when he tripped over a dead goblin.

and thus the first siege of Mishos Okbod was broken.

[Jamini]

Whoo, I got a goblin!

Now boss, we ARE going to lock this up tight for when a real army comes right?

[GRead]

Actually, I'm planning to expand the upper fortifications so the rest of the wall is probably coming down and the perimeter being expanded up there.

The fight was actually kind of boring; Barnabus went into a martial trance the second they hit the breach, Dart got one of them and Barnabus took out the leader. The rest of them just started running but weren't fast enough to get away. Barnabus himself really did kill most of them; part of both the trance and him being the only one with a good weapon at the time.

I'm trying to avoid reliance on impregnable wall defenses though; the warriors of Mishos Okbod do not fear any enemy!
Also, given how easy it is to trap and wall yourself into impregnability, it just wouldn't be very much fun.