The following events are in rough cronological order according to records and witnesses. :
"What do you mean, I'm responsible for the metalsmiths?!"
"I'm afraid that due to you being a guard, you should have been enforcing the mandate from the mayor, or so he says. And due to superiority in rank, I must obey and enforce the law however possible."
"But the smiths openly told us all that it was impossible to make bismuth bronze with what we have! Not even the miners know what bismuth looks like!"
"I know, and because of this I am only giving you a short sentance."
"How long, Captain?"
"About 24 days should do it. Long enough to show I'm doing something and short enough to help you. Don't worry, the cells have been outfitted with beds and ropes, not chains. They are smoothed over by now and you'll be fine. Infact, you'll have a break from training!"
"Really? Well, I'm not sure, but I suppose that I must..."
"Good. Now get in there before I have to beat the crap out of you."
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A scream came from one of the planters as a dwarf was seen rushing up the stairs and into a mason's shop, kicking out the mason working and barricading the door after grabbing a single rock.
Some days later, they staggered out holding an artifact saying they didn't know what happened.
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The elves came with their donkeys and mules, hauling their crafts and goods. Some time later, they went through the tunnel into the trade deport and unloaded their goods.
Noone came to even greet them.
Soon after, even though they were in a separate part of the fortress, they soon heard loud shouts from the dwarves and the sound of a large door rising from the floor behind them echoed through the cavern as it shut.
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The craftsdwarf was outside to grab something from the corpse of a kobold when he saw the cloud opposite from the entrance hall of the vault. He left what he was doing and rushed back inside screaming;
"THEY COME! THE GOBLINS ARE BACK!! SHUT THE BLAST DOORS!!!"
A dwarf came running down a nearby tunnel into the lever room for the blast doors on the front entrance and pulled it, the gears grinding as they turned and the door shut with a dull BOOM.
Then she heard the scream;
"MY CHILD! MY CHILD IS STILL OUT THERE!"
A nearby guard grabbed the mother and pulled her away from the doors, hushing her and taking her to the food storage to drink something strong.
The child didn't last long as the goblins let out harsh jeers and the sounds of bowstrings hissing filled the air as the child was silenced.
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"What do we do?" said the mayor to a small meeting of dwarves.
"Simple, we wait them out." replied Captain Affy, scratching the back of her head.
"WAIT THEM OUT? ARE YOU MAD?!"
"Hardly, I'm actually quite sane. Your the one who is mad, my dear mayor. We can't go out because we will all be killed quickly before we can close ground."
"And why is that? I thought that the millitary was skilled enough to handle goblins? Or are you just sitting around getting drunk instead of training?"
"We train daily, thank you very much. And are a lot more sober than you, as you can see by my eyes."
She promptly pulled her lower eyelids down to prove her point. All who were there winced at the redness of her eyes as she let the eyelids return to their natural position.
"And why we can't go out is simple. We are unarmoured, unarmed and have no shields. We would stand only seconds before getting cut down by a hail of arrows."
"But youre supposed to kill the goblins!"
"Not by a suicidal charge into a arrow rain!! If we die, then everyone dies! I will not loose my squad by obeying the foolish orders of a mayor, and that's final!"
The mayor huffed quietly and looked around at everyone, an audience of 4.
"Very well then. What about the elves?"
"We let them out when they are bored and shut the door behind them immediately after they leave. I hate to say it, but they may distract the goblins into running after them and away from us."
"Ok, and what do the rest of you say to this?"
Zak, the dungeon master and the Captain of the Guard nodded. The plan seemed reasonable enough.
"Good. The plan will go according to what Captain Affy here describes. But do you remember the member of Kornash's squad who was injured, Captain Affy?"
She nodded and let the mayor continue;
"Well, if she doesn't get water soon, she'll die from thirst. And can you live with this death on your mind? Can you?"
Affy paused for a second before answering;
"I believe so, if its for the good of the people."
"Very well then. Off you all go."
They all strolled out of the mayors office, with Captain Affy having a sad look on her face.
Soon enough, the injured dwarf died and was replaced by a fresh member from the peasantry.
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Just as Captian Affy said, the goblins got bored and left after staying into the spring of Year 304.
A Cistern was being dug out so that the dwarves would never run out of drink again, even if it was only water.
Soon after, as the basin was being filled, a dwarven caravan arrived from one of the nearby outposts.
"Ok, we got what you wanted. A shit load of logs, tons of alcohol of various types and origin and a couple of metal bars of precious metal, including steel. And what do you have?"
"2 jackets, 3 trousers, 2 shoes and a sock."
"DEAL!"
The trader looked at the haulers who were looking on in shock.
"See why I'm the trader?"
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Topic: The Dwarven Vault - future sucession game (Read 8223 times)