Our sanctum requires raw materials, and so we dig deep before we build high. The miner locates a prime high peak into which she can bite her pick while I head into the tropical swamp to the southeast where I am welcomed by thick vegetation into which to sink my axe.
Basic workshops are established after some area is cleared away underground to provide supplies. These will be very temporary and will be moved into the sanctum as soon as possible.
Progress moves swiftly. Surely, the gods have noticed our greatness and lend their aid to our endeavor. In immediately digging down, we find magnetite, lignite, chalk, bauxite, and amethyst. These are greatly blessed mountains; surely there is no greater place to worship the gods.
The tower upwards is well under way when we notice that the gods do see fit to guard this place with wilderness. The crocodile is immense.
No! A band of lesser dwarfs approaches. We must protect the sanctity of our home. A wall and heavy gate is erected quickly to guard against the trampling of unholy feet.
Ah, they are merchants from the mountainhomes. I am greeted by a familiar face. Another of the Few, the outpost liaison.
"Meng Martyredfence! You lead these moneygrubbers to our sacred grounds."
"Yes. The king has sent them in this direction to support our cause. He was not specific as to how you were to acquire the goods from them."
I smile. He continues.
"You know, we saw at least four kobolds skulking about on our way here."
"The little bastards are everywhere! We've had no fewer than
seven of them try to sneak into our sanctum. Must have a warren nearby. It's practically to the point where I could piss in any direction and expose a kobold thief."
"Anyway, Lumen, you should tell me what you'll need next year."
"Everything. We're spending too much time already on menial labor rather than focusing on the gods as we should be doing." I let my axe down and it sinks into the chalk. There's a little spurt of blood and the chalk gives an
Oomph sound. Damn kobolds. Meng doesn't even notice as blood splashes into his hair and eyes. Very Few are dwarfs like Meng!
"I can't quite get you everything, but I'll make sure you get some useful items. Oh, and in exchange, the king--"
"EXCHANGE?! This is the gods' own work!" I shout. I twist the axe around, causing a nervous twitch in the kobold body.
Meng grins and shrugs, "The king says, 'Likot smiles on trade,' so I don't think you're getting out of it. So long as we're making a sanctum, why not have it turn a profit? Here's a list of what he wants."
"Uh, meals? Drink? Idols? Are you sure this isn't just the list of what he thought
we would need?"
"Nope. Definitely what he wants from you. Well, see you next year. Try to gets some armor ready for him."
I grind my fists as Meng leaves and pound the ground once he's out of sight. It squeaks. Damn kobolds are
everywhere around here.
We set up a tarp for the merchant caravan to present their wares on. They simply gawked in confusion as we dragged the tarp away. "So long! Come back next year!" We're just on a completely different scale from these weak dwarfs.
As we finish stowing the tarp filled with valuables, we gather on our high vantage point and watch as a cluster of gorillas rushes the merchants, who are just huddled together wondering how to ask for their goods back. Morons.
Unfortunately, there's worse news.
Unhallowed dwarfs. Here. We Few convene and I am voted to be the connection to this rabble, should they survive. Oh no. I suit up in my full suit of heavy armor (quite a generous donation by those merchants) and stand outside the gate. I can hear it click shut behind me.
The commoners come up, squinting at the resplendence of my image on the mountaintop. "Dwarfs! You cannot enter this hallowed place. But, you may eke whatever existence you may among the rocks out here. The gods have blessed this place, and may have mercy on you if you do not try to intrude on their holy ground."
They just stand there, gaping at me. Small wonder the gods chose us to hear their words. They'd just whistle through the skulls of these idiots.
One of them asks, "Uh, can we have some food? I can move things into piles!"
I'm speechless.
Another says, "I can make crossbows!" The deluge of supposed talents rains down on my poor ears.
"Shut up!" I scream and brandish my axe. "You may use what you find, but don't dig into this peak and don't try to pass the holy gates. I will be your conduit to the living gods above. If you have any questions, my axe has answers."
They shy away, weak as they are, and start looking around dubiously at the plants.
Oh yes... this is going to go well.
Author
Topic: Ottem Nom, Sanctum of Gods, a partitioned community fortress (Read 3691 times)