DerMonster, is that about the personality you had in mind?
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Fortress Orbrushed, Limestone, 352It took all of Snakebriggade's skill to do this. The rock was blistering hot, and even his +Steel Pick+ was starting to warm up. But who if not him, a Legendary +5 miner, could do this?
He carefully removed the last of the rock, and examined the thin wall that separated the gently boiling lava and the corridor that his apprentices have prepared. This was going to be the fort's main metal industry for some time, so it had to be done right.
And obviously, it was. This was really easy, actually - he just wanted to make sure it was right. Magma was not something to mess around with.
Then, he hit the weakened rock, which crumbled down and magma oozed through the cracks, quickly annihilating what was left of the barrier.
Now the real metalworks could begin.
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Above, Bronzebeard was pacing around the newly constructed metalworks. All in all, twin smelters and twin forges, with iron anvils lovingly crafted by Arni's hands. Ever since he arrived, he has been kept very busy by the fortress' demands, but he certainly did his work well.
He has learned that the cause may well be Arni's apparent paranoia, as he is convinced that werewolves are out there, and they are out for him. Bronzebeard hasn't really heard of werewolves up until now, but they must be horrifying... if they are real.
A few steps away, Fourdots stood up from the smelter, and wiped his dusty hands on his (Pig Tail Fiber Trousers). The metalworks were complete, and Bronzebeard could hear the magma surging forward. Soon, he will begin to fortify the bodies of the defenders.
That was soon, though. Ever since his arrival, Bronzebeard has been aghast at the external "Defenses" - nothing but a short moat, so short that a healthy child could just over it. He has spent long hours at the communal room preparing his plans, and now it was complete. He just had to secure Snakebriggade's support, and broach the idea to Cogdi. It was much superior, and planned out in an easy to perform way. Surely it would be accepted.
First, they needed a bigger moat...
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Meanwhile, Himmler was strolling along the underground lake. She liked this route, as she could watch the enormous corpse of Oggez, which was by now little but bones, picked clean by whatever lived in those depths. It was hard to see, but quite enough to satisfy Himmler.
She crouched down, smiling as she recalled the beast's tenacity. It just didn't want to die.
As Himmler peered into the water, she found it muddier than usual. Warmer to the touch too, and had a rhytmic beat coming out of it. Curious though Himmler, must be a result of the magma works. It is good to hear the smiths practicing their craft, one of the things that made a fortress a home.
She leaned in closer, trying to see past the mud. That was when the cunning beast caught her, and pulled her underwater.
Himmler crashed through the lead floor bars, the abused metal groaning in protest. Then, the water hit her, and swallowed her whole.
She couldn't see it, but she could
feel it. Whatever it was, it was enormous and distinctly hairy. It had two long, broad leathery appendages which ended in sharp talons, which were holding Himmler underwater. But Himmler was no simple dwarf - she was the Militia Commander of the Massive Coal, and the slayer of Oggez. This beast had nothing on her.
Himmler struck out blindly, feeling her -Steel Battle Axe- connecting solidly. The rhytmic sound increased in speed, and the leathery wraps around her tightened, attempting to crush her like a cat under a raising bridge. But their strength was evenly matched. As the beast tried to strangle her, Himmler started walking up the slope out of the water, towards the cave.
This was the longest, most stifling hour of Himmler's life. She would take small steps backwards, and continue hacking blindly. As her lungs threatened to give up, she felt the water break over her head. She could breathe! Yet not see. She was enveloped in leather and hair, and now the smell hit her - a sulfury, sickly-sweet smell, like an elf died in magma.
This continued for a long time. Himmler forced the beast out of the water, and onto the cave floor, where it's life was over. Desperate, the beast roared and revealed a mouth that was hiding under it's body - a ragged hole full of teeth. It belched out fire, and bit down on Himmler's left hand, swallowing it whole. The teeth ground over the wrought iron, and the beast shook, threatening to tear the hand away. Then, Himmler's -Steel Battle Axe- has found what passed for the creature's brain, and it collapsed to the ground. It's ululating finally stopped.
As Himmler withdrew, she could see what she fought - it was an enormous snail, covered in thick hair. The ground under it was scorched and broken, and the appendages that once held Himmler, now pathetic shreds, once must have been leathery wings.
Himmler somehow knew that this beast was Ngalak, and she has slain it.
She turned around to find several of the immigrants gaping in awe and horror.
"Call up the cook, and prepare the butchery. We will dine fine tonight." declared Himmler, as she started to clean herself off the ichor of the beast.
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LordSlowpoke was against the wall, a creature twice his size in front of him. It was a great grizzly bear, it's maw housing enormous teeth. It was grinning at him.
"This," explained the immigrant animal trainer, "is a War Grizzly Bear. It will be accompanying you outside from now on."
"Is this really necessary?" inquired LordSlowpoke, trying to appear collected.
The trainer grinned "Oh absolutely. I heard about the war pooch that you traveled with once. Didn't stand a chance against those undead, did it? Well, my good friend and our own broker has secured those from the elves, and I took to great pains to train it. Trust me, you'll appreciate it once you're out there again."
This was going to be LordSlowpoke's most difficult collecting journey yet, she reflected, as she left the room defeated - the huge bear following her, sniffling thunderously.
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"You may well make better breastplates than me, Bronzebeard, but MY weapons are unstoppable!" exclaimed Arni, incensed by the elven beer.
Bronzebeard frowned. "Absolutely not. I am the expert on defensive techniques, and with our new forges, nothing save the gods themselves could break through what I make!"
That made Arni smirk, and her eyes darken "Then I will be a god, Bronzebeard, because I will show you what those hands can do. I made Himmler's axe, and now I will craft the greatest axe that the Calm Orbs have ever seen. Mark my words, next time you see me, you will spare me your insolence and ignorance!"
Arni shoved Bronzebeard out of her way, and proceeded to unceremoniously push all others out of her way as she left the well room.
"Stupid fool, blathers like elves go on about trees. He may know defense, but weapons are weapons. Now let me see, I'll start with this iron..."
Her muttering darkened, as she forgot everything. Others called it a fey mood, but to Arni, this was what she has always lived for.
The greatest axe dwarfkind has ever seen. It shall be, of course, named after it's maker.
So began the construction of Arni Alathrash, the legendary Iron Battle Axe.
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It's late now, time to sleep. I will continue the story tomorrow, and update the dwarves!