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Author Topic: Screampacks. Dwarves repelled, once again. Only 4 cats lost!  (Read 27879 times)

Frogwarrior

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Re: Screampacks. The first Phase of Bengali's plan is in motion...
« Reply #60 on: December 16, 2009, 04:12:07 am »

Yeah, both of the names were randomly generated. Screamtortures was a randomly generated name when I started a cat fortress, and Screampacks was the original name of the town. Coincidences happen, I guess.

Anyway, new update. I apologize to all my readers for the wait. All 6 of you. :P



From the journal of Frogwarrior Plaitedmelted, Sucker
4 Felsite
Curse these infernal records and their writers!
For two weeks I have pored over the records of the last decade of Screampacks' existence, searching for any clue at all as to why it was abandoned. Naturally, I've found nothing of any use whatsoever! In fact, my search has only raised more questions, which I also have no found the answers to! Whatever I expected to find, that Screampacks was abandoned because of disease, famine, or even something as boring as economic stagnation, or more likely destroyed from within by ulterior motives - I found nothing of the sort. I think it most likely that the accursed magma vent is related, though I cannot fathom how.

But what little can be gleaned from the records beyond the boring minutia of life suggests that before its abandonment, Screampacks was flourishing. Extravangantly so, even; the last mayor referred to the fact that they were frequently having great banquets that would attract visitors from all over. With such luxury, one might suspect that they were perishing due to excessive laziness, but all relevant accounts say quite the opposite - that near the end, the citizens of Screampacks were bustling indeed! Which again might imply some sort of class warfare where the higher castes do nothing but feast all day while the lower castes slave away to support them, but the records portray several prominent citizens - even the Mayor - as the hardest-working individuals at all! No, the only trouble that can be gleaned from the records is the complaint that they were having trouble finding enough utensils for their banquets!

I am close to going mad. I'm not even sure I can trust the official records anymore, but all my searches for hidden records have been fruitless. I must turn to another pursuit before the gods claim me.
End Journal Entry

----------

From the journal of Torture Burstnight
10 Felsite
At last, I am finally beginning to enjoy my stay in this town. Although I know my solitude will eventually be harder to obtain, at the moment there is only me and my work. Alone, with the bones.

Truly, bone is the substance of life. All living creatures worth noting derive their shape from it, all things that die decay 'til naught is left but the pure bones. There is no better medium for Art, indeed no more noble occupation, than to by tedium and loving care shape the sacred whiteness, to mold life's framework after patterns of my own will. Through this Art, my imagination may take a life of its own. But I have no desire to hoard my creations, I am not so selfish as that. No, by spreading my living passions, my thoughts given solid form in living bone, across the earth, I have the chance to inspire others to follow after my example. No more sacred duty in all the world exists than for me to allow my white stuff to give new life to as many individuals as possible.

Of course, for me to get the raw materials for my trade, many living things must be sacrificed - 'tis right and fair that it be so. The reason for this mystery is plain from something I observed recently. I happened to pass through the inn, and observed Amalgam and 100killer9 relaxing after a sparring match. I always appreciate taking a few minutes to watch them in action, as I know that eventually, especially if what Bengali told me is true, they will be a good source of many bones indeed. And yet, I was as stirred to see them not sparring as I ever am to see the fight - for I noticed something I had not before, that their camaraderie was evidently more than merely that of battle brothers.

The mystery of bone can be seen in those two. Engines of death by trade and experience, and yet there is much life in them. This is the parable of all things; that death and life are oft entwined. And this no less so in my trade. For me to spread my life, many, many must die. As it is in the nature of bones themselves.
Bone, the remains of the dead.
Bone, the substance of the living.
End Journal Entry

----------

Summer came in its time, bringing with it its usual changes in weather, oppressive heat, torpitude, and really relaxing catnaps. This summer, however, brought something new to Screampacks that had not visited in years. Three somethings, in fact, crept towards the old shop that the new residents were keeping all their goods in. It was a couple weeks ago that a scout had reported to the kobold camp that the empty town of Screampacks had been resettled. These three had volunteered to "investigate" the settlement - and, of course, take anything that wasn't nailed down or being watched.

However, one of the residents was no stranger to the inevitability of kobold attention, and was even smart enough to guess about when they might be arriving. So Bengali had ordered the two warriors Amalgam and 100killer9 to pause in their sparring for a couple weeks to guard the warehouse.

In typical kobold fashion, the intruders had split up to best avoid detection, to foment healthy competition, and of course to make betrayal less likely. One of them arrived well ahead of the other two, luckily arriving at just the wrong time for the patrolling beasts to notice.

The second kobold was not so lucky, and in rounding a corner ran straight into a ferocious feline warrior.

Amalgam yowled a ferocious battle cry that drowned out the kobold's scream of terror, and pounced. Thrifikidraynkis felt fangs sink deep into her leg, and she hacked desparately at Amalgam's head while trying to scrabble away. She screamed again when the cat ripped out a piece of her calf, but this gave her the chance to run. And run she did, right into 100killer9, who took out her left eye.

They were merciful, in that they only kept the kobold alive to wallow in her own guts for a scant few minutes before 100killer9 finished the job. The third kobold, who disagreed, left without a trinket to show for it.



Bengali watched the whole scene with immense pleasure. "I certainly picked the right cats for the job," he ruminated to himself.



Impressed by their cruelty, he held a celebration ten days later. An extravagant feast featuring the finests of Linda's cookery was held in the new dining hall, featuring furniture Bengali had built himself.

After the meal, but before the obligatory nap, the de facto ruler of Screampacks stood up and addressed the small audience. Officially, Bengali was only the host of the celebration, but everyone knew better. He spoke:

"Friends, we've been here for only three months, and already we have much to be proud of. I think it's plain that we have the ability to equal the past glory of Screampacks, and I am sure we can in time surpass and outgrow its formerly small borders.

"But in order to make this happen, we need more than chairs, or artistic carvings, or fine leadership" (here Frogwarrior though he could detect the faintest hint of a sarcastic smirk, but could never convince himself it wasn't merely his expectation) "or even delicious meals cooked from fresh-killed animals. Like every town of The Bites of Troubling, we will eventually face trouble, and whether we are torn asunder from within as anger drives neighbor to claw at neighbor, or we are besieged by a thousand foes who hunger for naught but our blood, we need a certain kind of cat who is willing to deal with it without hesitation and without mercy. And the best kind of cat for this solemn duty is one who does not only fight out of necessity, but truly takes pleasure in it. Who better to defend us than one who enjoys it?

"And so I am pleased to see that we have not one, but two who are brave and ferocious enough to fight any who threaten us. And so I dedicate this dining hall to Amalgam and 100killer9. May their fangs ever be stained with blood!"

Frogwarrior sat silent through the cries of affirmation from the other cats. He pondered Bengali's speech, examining the structure of every sentence and placement of every word for some hidden meaning. By now, he needed no prompting to be suspicius of Bengali. "Bengali, what are you up to?" he muttered under his breath.

Next to him, Natalie did not hear what he said at all. "I know," she replied. "Isn't he just marvelous?"



And, not far away, the watcher observed the whole proceedings. Of all the things she'd seen and heard over the past week she'd been watching, this speech was the most disturbing - even worse than the brutal killing of the kobold. But although it was somewhat refreshing to know that she was here for a good reason, the revelation that that one was indeed tainted still came as somewhat of a shock. The words were cruel, to be sure, but that was to be expected with their kind. But...

"Whether we are torn asunder from within as anger drives neighbor to claw at neighbor, or we are besieged by a thousand foes who hunger for naught but our blood..." She had heard those exact words before. She was not happy to hear them again.
Logged
Lately, I'm proud of MAGMA LANDMINES:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91789.0
And been a bit smug over generating a world with an elephant monster that got 87763 sentient kills.
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=104354.0

Amalgam

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #61 on: December 16, 2009, 05:13:31 am »

Once again I have to say I'm enjoying the writing so far. If any more mind-blowing secrets aren't revealed I think my head is going to not explode.
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darkflagrance

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #62 on: December 16, 2009, 05:36:36 am »

I liked the way you conveyed Torture's thoughts...I wonder how he'll develop as a character.

I decided to attempt (and spoiler because it isn't part of your writing) another excerpt from the journal of Torture Burstnight, to further flesh out his character in relation to the latest events you posted:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: December 16, 2009, 06:06:49 am by darkflagrance »
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...as if nothing really matters...
   
The Legend of Tholtig Cryptbrain: 8000 dead elves and a cyclops

Tired of going decades without goblin sieges? Try The Fortress Defense Mod

Frogwarrior

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #63 on: December 16, 2009, 02:13:32 pm »

Once again I have to say I'm enjoying the writing so far. If any more mind-blowing secrets aren't revealed I think my head is going to not explode.

The best part is, I left hints such that it may be possible to guess something... ;D

And darkflagrance, I approve of any and all such attempts to flesh out characters. Spoilered is appropriate.


I'm glad my writing seems to be somewhat palatable - I've long had dreams of writing something incredibly long and epic. This is sort of like practice, in a sense. That, and I get to play with my cat mod Σ:3
« Last Edit: December 16, 2009, 02:17:15 pm by Frogwarrior »
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Lately, I'm proud of MAGMA LANDMINES:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91789.0
And been a bit smug over generating a world with an elephant monster that got 87763 sentient kills.
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=104354.0

Spartan 117

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #64 on: December 16, 2009, 05:26:34 pm »

I've hardly done anything.  :(
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Well, you know how if you take your thumb and forefinger and hold them up to your eye, you can make it look like you're squishing someone's head? It's like that, only for real.
"Sometimes being a dwarf has it's advantages, KNEE-CAPPING TIME!"

Frogwarrior

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #65 on: December 16, 2009, 05:36:07 pm »

Yeah, sadly you've just been building up your cooking skill and such. Not really much time and opportunity to practice archery, either. Though that might change in Chapter 2, what with
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Logged
Lately, I'm proud of MAGMA LANDMINES:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91789.0
And been a bit smug over generating a world with an elephant monster that got 87763 sentient kills.
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=104354.0

100killer9

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #66 on: December 16, 2009, 05:48:23 pm »

I knew that mice fit in somehow!
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Just out of curiosity, what DOES Dwarf Fortress smell like?
Death, Booze, and Insanity.
Ladders are absolutely essential for one reason and one reason only:

Welcome, friends to Slaves to Armok III: Snakes and Ladders.

Frogwarrior

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #67 on: December 18, 2009, 07:33:56 pm »

I'm busy this weekend, but expect an update or several after. There will be death.
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Lately, I'm proud of MAGMA LANDMINES:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91789.0
And been a bit smug over generating a world with an elephant monster that got 87763 sentient kills.
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=104354.0

tehstefan

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #68 on: December 18, 2009, 07:45:32 pm »

Whee! Natalie got a mention! How's she doing on killing things?
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I suspect you've never tried doing many illegal things yet in your game. The second the CCS knows you're "active", they'll come down on you like the hammer of God.

Amalgam

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Re: Screampacks. In which great secrets aren't revealed!
« Reply #69 on: December 18, 2009, 09:04:51 pm »

I'm busy this weekend, but expect an update or several after. There will be death.
Dun dun dun.
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Frogwarrior

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Re: Screampacks. The feline adventure continues!
« Reply #70 on: February 06, 2010, 04:35:44 pm »

Did you think... I had forgotten?
Did you think... I had forgiven?

When we last left our heroes, our fearless warriors 100killer9 and Amalgam had been honored for their ferocity in tearing a kobold to shreds. Also, a mysterious watcher silently observed and plotted. And the mystery of the origins of Screampacks is yet unsolved...

Coming up soon: Frogwarrior makes a startling discovery! Bengali plots! 100killer9 and Amalgam get even more ridiculously buff! Natalie shoots things! Trade happens!

And after that: The explosive end to Chapter 1! Hold on to your seats!
Logged
Lately, I'm proud of MAGMA LANDMINES:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91789.0
And been a bit smug over generating a world with an elephant monster that got 87763 sentient kills.
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=104354.0

100killer9

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Re: Screampacks. The feline adventure continues!
« Reply #71 on: February 07, 2010, 11:31:29 pm »

I know! The ruins hold a terrible secret, on that no cat should ever witness...
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Logged
Just out of curiosity, what DOES Dwarf Fortress smell like?
Death, Booze, and Insanity.
Ladders are absolutely essential for one reason and one reason only:

Welcome, friends to Slaves to Armok III: Snakes and Ladders.

Frogwarrior

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Re: Screampacks. The feline adventure continues!
« Reply #72 on: February 07, 2010, 11:38:11 pm »

I know! The ruins hold a terrible secret, on that no cat should ever witness...
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

OH GOD YOU DEVILBEAST! Why did you have to remind me? :'(

New update TONIGHT! Hold onto your tails!
Logged
Lately, I'm proud of MAGMA LANDMINES:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91789.0
And been a bit smug over generating a world with an elephant monster that got 87763 sentient kills.
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=104354.0

Urist McOverlord

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Re: Screampacks. The feline adventure continues!
« Reply #73 on: February 08, 2010, 02:36:36 am »

Mayhaps I can get a future cat? Preferably in the profession of makin' stuff git dead? For epic fun? Please?
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Magma: The cause of, and solution to, all life's problems.

If it moves, it wants to kill you. It may not try to, but it wants to.

Frogwarrior

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Re: Screampacks. The feline adventure continues!
« Reply #74 on: February 08, 2010, 03:41:29 am »

Don't worry, there will be migrants soon enough. ;) Remind me when the time comes though. Σ:3





Journal of Torture Burstnight
26 Malachite
At last, I've finally been given some quality materials to work with. True, a master craftsman like me can make do with even lowly fish bones, but I crave to set my art to something more glorious, more... formerly sentient. And just my luck, today I was allowed access to the remains of that kobold! I took them straightaway to my workshop to fawn over, but Bengali insisted I get right to work. I tried to tell him that you can't rush a true artist, but he just said something rude. Oh well, at least he promises much more in the future. Setting tool to material, I crafted a lovely set of darts and a smashing skull totem. I was hardly finished when 100killer9 barged in, claiming her killright. Grabbed the totem and dragged it off to her bedroom. Weird, but very appropriate. Touched by the gods, that one. I can surely count on a steady stream of material from her!
End Journal Entry



Musings of Amalgam Graspsear
I can't believe we've been here a whole half-year. Barely seems like yesterday when Bengali approached me with an offer. I can't say I trusted him at first; with enemies like mine you can hardly be too careful. But in the end, it panned out great! Nobody here knows my real story that doesn't have to, and nobody elsewhere knows where to find me. And I have all the time on my hands I could want to practice. If they do find me, I'll be ready. And I have some decent allies too - 100killer9 is as good as myself with her fang and claw. And that Natalie is decent with a blowgun, if a bit touched in the head. I saw her the other day chasing down a raccoon that tried to run off with a loincloth. She was screaming something about how raccoons killed her father. Poor gal, I guess, but at least she's venting that rage in a destructive fashion.
And I couldn't have picked a better sparring partner, either. Mee-YOW!



Journal of Frogwarrior Plaitedmelted
1 Limestone
I can barely write this.
I've had my suspicions of Bengali from Day 1, but this is sicker than I thought. I always had him pegged as crazy, but I never thought he was a sicko.
One of the dogs had puppies today, and Bengali couldn't even hide how pleased he was, the son of a bitch. There! I said it! That son of a bitch couldn't stay away from them. All inspecting them and checking their health. I haven't the faintest idea how his crazy, lunatic plans involve them, but I don't care. Whatever he's plotting can't be good. And I swear, I'll stop him.

Just as soon as I can figure out what the heck his plans actually are, of course.

---------

22 Sandstone
I can't believe I never saw this before. I've been scouring the records cover to cover for months now, and I never noticed the one thing about them that I should've seen right away.

The records go all the way back to the original founding of Screampacks - but the personal journal of the Mayors goes back even farther. Or it did, before somebody took the pages out! There's barely a trace of them left, but I estimate a sheaf of a good twenty pages were removed.
I can't stand it! If anything does, they would hold the answers I'm looking for about the founding of Screampacks. But I have no chance of finding them! I'm left to merely wonder whether they were destroyed, or removed by someone who still has them - and either way, why they're so important that they had to be removed.

Whoever it is, they're lucky I don't know who did this.

End Journal Entry





Well, I wanted to do more, but it's late. More to follow soon.
Logged
Lately, I'm proud of MAGMA LANDMINES:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91789.0
And been a bit smug over generating a world with an elephant monster that got 87763 sentient kills.
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=104354.0
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