10th Slate, 133The dining hall, legendary as it is, bursts to the limit with the crowding of 151 dwarves. Even the beds of the permanently disabled have been moved for this occassion. When Threehalls is satisfied with the attendance she makes her way to the front of the audience and steps somewhat gingerly up the raised platform that was prepared.
Royalsabre appraises her movements. "Not much trouble with those feet now?"
"Still a bit sore, but getting better. Thanks Sabre."
He nods appreciatively.
Threehalls strikes a menacing pose, which is promptly returned by everyone in the room. She then has a seat, clears her throat, and begins her speech. "We're a good ways into the year 133 now. There were many milestones this past year, and we're now in the midst of several turning points. It's time we discuss our accomplishments and our continuing challenges."
"Our military is perhaps the most formidable in the land. Our commander is the most reknowned warrior in all dwarf history with a confirmed 29 kills." There is a brief moment of applause. Threehalls holds up a hand.
"Both of our enemies, the cold-blooded Prestigious Deceivers and the nightmarish Ill Jackal, have thrown their full military might into destroying us, and we have beaten back both attempts with NO casualties." An affirming rumble and aura of pride ripples through the crowd. "And with the completion of our first stage above-ground defenses, things will only get better. Special thanks goes out to all of the Holy Steels, the most feared unit of soldiers in all the lands, and Scaraban II, who has been selected to carry our most prized artifact, Katusan, into battle. As a manner of flag-carrier for our people in battle, he has done his duty great justice, and promises to launch himself into history as a legendary soldier, given the alarming speed with which he is racking up kills."
Fleshring's Kills
Scaraban II's Kills
Stage One Defenses Complete
"Our armory is also legendary. Merchantseized and Seizewhips have produced an incredible assortment of arms and armors of the highest materials and craftsdwarfship. Nine in ten blows from the crude weapons of our enemies will fail to do more than tickle. Much of our success is thanks to their unparalleled expertise and dedication. The collective worth of our home has also exceeded 17.5 million urists."
Threehalls takes on a more serious tone and posture "But there are challenges we continue to face. Vile forces of darkness are sure to take greater notice of us as we rise in power. I would not rule out attacks by new or combined forces in the future. Fleshring. Have you anything to add on the subject?"
Fleshring stands proudly. "We got more tricks in store for the next round o' fools to try our strength! The walls standin' now are just stage one! Now we build higher, and make it impenetrable. Nothin' will be gettin' in without our say so! We also plan to finish enlistin' all eligible dwarves for service. Safety in numbers, plus we need enough soldiers to assemble a constant guard. Fights are just gonna get more fun for us, and nothin' else! Count on it!" Fleshring sits back down among mixed responses from the crowd.
"There are also the mysterious diseases which have plagued us. In the last year, they were responsible for more death than any attacks by our enemies. These have effected everyone differently. We've lost a captain to a mysterious disease that went unnoticed for too long. We've lost the skills of our legendary weaponsmith, Merchantseized, to permanent disability from foot rot. I myself have struggled with this. Thanks to the efforts of Royalsabre, our losses have been minimal, and our hospital is empty of any non-permanent residents for the first time in months. He has more to say on the subject."
Merchantseized's paralyzed feet
Royalsabre stands. "The issue is hygiene! Various creatures, especially the illithid, spread dangerous contaminants that carry these diseases. When you spread those around, you pass on disease to others. Pay attention! The crap you track around or allow to encrust on yourself is a matter of life and death! The well has also become a danger. As was made apparent when it overflowed a few months back, bathing at the well has resulted in contaminated water. All dwarves are now required to bath at the river, not the well. It will carry crap away from us, instead of turning foul. As an incentive, we are planning a legendary party room with built in shower, which will drain into the river. Something to look forward to." Positive grumbles are passed around as Royalsabre seats himself again.
The Great Well Flood of 132
Threehalls adds, "We'll also be working on a way to drain the well and replace it with fresh water. Final issue is adamantine. We're running out of the stuff. Baldedgilds would not be nearly so successful without it. Pillarmarket. Anything to add on this subject?"
Pillarmarket stands, with some effort. She still suffers broken bones from the betrayal of her guildmates and her refusal of treatment afterwards. She takes a moment to glare about, a hint of paranoia in her eyes, before speaking. "There's more to be had. We can knock out the adamantine floors and ceilings where we mined before. There are fragments of spire in the caverns we haven't gone after. There's an underground lake we'll have to drain first. If we want more after that, we risk facing nightmarish creatures of legend. Personally, I don't see what could threaten us. With our excellent military, clever fortifications, and traps made by our fine craftsdwarfs, we shouldn't fear a damn thing."
Threehalls pauses before nodding in tentative agreement. The audience looks apprehensive. Fleshring glows with anticipation. "Right. It sounds like the adamantine will flow for a while longer. We should be able to manage outfitting most of our military, and some statues for the party shower. That sums up the major issues I felt you all should be kept up to date on. Any questions? Other concerns?"
A couple hands are raised. Wraith is called on first. "Is there another weaponsmith ready to step in for Merchantseized?"
"Whisperedtowers will be taking her place. She has some big shoes to fill. Merchantseized was a legend of her craft, and will be provided the most comfortable retirement possible. We'll just have to be patient as Whisperedtowers works to catch up. She's also the best first aid dwarf we have, so she'll be working double-duty in the hospital and the forges. We'll be sure to provide her quarters befitting a noble for her service." Whisperedtowers bows and glows at the news.
Next up is Halllegends, a red-faced marksdwarf who begins shouting "It's great and all that we have all these heroes and legendary wealth and shit, but when will us ordinary dwarfs get a taste of it?! I spend all my time out in the sun on patrol duty getting ill and risking my hide, and then I got nothing to show for it but a bed in an empty stone room. Sure, it's a fine bed and the door is well-crafted also, but couldn't we get some engravings? Maybe a chest or cabinet or something? I got all these socks piling up on my floor and no place to put them! When will our efforts be rewarded?!"
Threehalls nods and offers a calming gesture. "We're working on it. You may have noticed we just finished smoothing every surface of both residential levels. We have plans to begin engraving this year. We're also a good ways into production of fine chests and cabinets for everyone. I even have request forms available which you can leave in my office if you have reasonable preference of materials. Not everyone can have adamantine, tin, or aluminum furniture, but we're going to do our best. Also, as Fleshring mentioned earlier, we're going to be swelling the ranks of our military to alleviate longer guard duties."
Halllegends sits down looking mildly satisfied with the response.
"Anything else?... No one?.... I have one last surprised for everyone, then. We're close to being named capital of our people! We are unquestionable the greatest fortress in history at this point by all criteria. We need only to build some roads for better accessibility to all the extra traffic a capital is bound to receive, including royalty. Things are looking up for us in every possible way."
There's a long round of applause among the audience before Threehalls finishes up. "So now everyone should know what's going on, what we have to look forward to, and what needs to be done." Threehalls stands and strike a menacing pose. "All are dismissed back to regular duties."
Everyone files out, but not everyone goes back to work. A handful of prominent figures gathers in Threehall's office. She has a seat and begins explaining their purpose.
"I called this secret meeting to discuss some serious risks we face in the near future. We just saw one example in the larger meeting a few minutes ago. We have some very pissed off citizens. Between the diseases, overwork, and delays on civilian luxuries, I've been regularly receiving complaints from dwarfs on the verge of snapping. All these complaints are soon to be addressed. We should see a relief in tensions, soon... but we can't count on it. Even if it does work out, this party shower is going to present another danger. So far we haven't allowed much time for socializing here. Now everyone's going to get attached to one another, and if anything bad happens, moral will drop across the board. Chaos could erupt. So I've been working with Pillarmarket and Fleshring on planning a panic room. Important people and those of sound mind will be able to escape to this place if things ever get bad enough."
"But in order to work, it has to remain secret. We can't have pissed off dwarves knowing exactly where to go when they feel like tearing apart their leaders. Pillarmarket is the leading expert on Baldedgild's layouts, and has provided me a perfect secluded spot to set this up."
Threehalls produces a map, and rolls it out on the table. "We mentioned further adamantine mining operations. Conveniently, this will be in an area that few have or will ever see, deep in the 3rd set of caverns. We will have an excuse for mining operations and military cover in this area to put towards this goal, without giving it away. With the help of Pillarmarket and Fleshring, it should all work out quite nicely. It will be a position defensible by a small number, mud for farming, and even access to the forges if we knock out the ramps to the upper levels. The only issue would be the eldritch abominations which have accumulated down there. That's a job for the Holy Steels."
"So... I just wanted to notify you all that this is happening, and I will hold secret meetings with you to notify of progress. If this is successful, it should be near impossible to destroy this place in the end. Stay vigilant everyone. Dismissed."
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Topic: The Tale of Baldedgilds (Read 8470 times)