And 100killer9 twists the minds of the spire dwarves. The cats, heeding their gods word, releases the dwarves from their mind bondage, though they freely continue to use their powers whenever the dwarves are doing something the cats do not like. Progress on the tower continues. In a short time, dwarves begin to pray to 100killer9 to release them from the bondage of the cats.
And so the Order of the Axe ventures out. Or rather, half the order. The other half remains in case anything should show up closer to the mountain homes. The journey is a long and dangerous one, through hostile elven territory, past elephants and oak trees and owl bears. However, clad in beanite armor and armed with axes and crossbows, the dwarves manages to make the trip, showing up at the naga's trading post. This far south the dwarves are only a rumor, but they have already antagonized the seafaring elves by firing on the first elven patrol they saw. The elves are keeping out of sight, and has warned the naga of the approaching dwarves. The naga, however, is a race steeped in diplomacy and trade. Though they prepare to unleash the water upon the dwarves, should it be necesary, the trade representative decides that they will not attack, unless they themselves are attacked, and even then, only in defense.
As the dwarves come out of the trees, the trade representative greets them in the pidgin that was used between the naga and spire dwarves. She is surprised when the dwarven leader reply in the naga tongue, professing not to understand the pidgin. From there on, the talks are in the naga tongue, as the leader tells that they are there to aid the naga with their wall building.
The leader, Melbil, is one of the original six, who fought with the naga so long ago. Any other of the six might have balked at cooperating with the naga, but her faith is strong, and she has received this mission from Beanchubbs himself. Any past animosity is forgotten, and she has made sure that all under her command would think in the same way. And thus she talks with the trade representative.
In the end, the meeting brings lots of things. The dwarves begin teaching the naga how to work in stone, providing the tools necessary, and soon walls begin to spring up in the trading post. The naga on the other hand negotiate between the seafaring elves and the dwarves, and the dwarves come to recognize that the seafaring elves are not associated with the elves to the north. Soon a few of the order travel north on an elven boat, and brings word back to the mountain homes. A fort is constructed near the sea, from which the dwarves trade with the elven and naga merchants brought by elven boats. There are still some dwarves who see all elves as evil, but violence is mostly left to the battlefields between the mountains and forests below. Edzul is even investigating in the possibility of hiring elven auxiliaries, in exchange for good beanite equipment. The northern elves are largely unaware of these events.
The southern elves are also unaware, but have other things to worry about. A large band of warriors are head out, accompanied by elemental mages of the south. These mages are not as accomplished as those of the north, as they have not been hardened by war against the dwarves. The warband find the aberration and a desperate fight ensues. No matter what they elves fling at the monstrosity, it simply seems to absorb it. Most of the warband die, and the survivors bring back word of the beast now know as Ushangdum Noshtath, or the Monstrous Mouths of Devouring.
The Hamoa bushes begin to seek out intelligent creatures, which are mostly elves as they are who live along the coasts, creating an upsurge in goring related deaths, as animals begin seeking out the elven settlements to get their crystal fix. The elves up their security, and soon the animals wander off to eat each other instead. Though a few dark dwarves have been adopted by plants, they still import plenty of the fruits as a luxury good from the seafaring elves.
ACTs100killer9: 1 ACTs
Beanchubbs: 2 ACT
Hillburra: 2 ACT
Geb: 2 ACTs
Greenleaf: 2 ACT