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[Kipi]

Serving the supreme god Armok was not a easy task. First the candidate who wanted to become a priest had to go through blood sacrifice, and thus putting own life in danger. The blood sacrifice consisted of two parts: First the candidate had to spill certain amount of own blood to the altar, weakening the candidate. Not enough blood spilled would result the candidate to not become holy dwarf, while too much blood usually resulted death. The amount had to be just right.

If a dwarf survived the first part the second followed immediately, while the candidate was still weakened by the blood loss. The second part required drinking of dragon blood. The blood granted the immunity to the effects of ceremonies Armok required, and the concentration of dragon blood was very specific. Even a slight difference could either make the blood ineffective or kill the candidate.

It was unknown why the children, especially young ones, tended to survive the sacrifice with higher chance, but it was proven fact. Ten out of twelve adult candidates died during either part, while only three children out of twelve died. On the other hand there was no knowledge how the dragon blood would affect those dwarves who had taken the ritual in younger ages, as the whole idea of recruiting children was new one. Still the cult of Armok did not want to leave the opportunity of rising the number of followers unnoticed, and so the drafting of children had become more and more popular among the cultists.

Even though there were dangers in worshiping Armok there were certain benefits as well, benefits worth enough of risking lives. One benefit was the possibility of sacrificing certain metal bars in hopes of Armok turning those better. Copper could turn to bronze, bronze to iron, iron to pig iron and pig iron to steel. Armok was also known of blessing iron and steel to grant certain special properties, making the blessed metal even more effective if used in weapons, and rumors existed that metal was also lethal against vampires, that is if the metal was somehow stuck inside one. It was believed that the vampires were allergic to holy metals, and the allergy was severe enough to warrant the death of vampire struck by holy metal.

"Have you already discussed with brother Wordcrypt?"

Supercharazad turned his eyes from the book he had been reading, solely focusing to Steelfloor now.

"Wordcrypt? I don't think I even have met a dwarf with such name yet."

"Wordcrypt was the one who led the last migrant group which came about month ago."

"You mean the nine dwarves? I think I know who you are talking about, and no, I haven't talked with him yet."

"Well, I did. The news from mountain home are that the primates don't recruit primates anymore, only children. Too many adults have died, and more deaths would make the mob even angrier. Children, on the other hand, have very high rate of survival, so all the new members have been children. The archpriest has also given a order that we must begin recruiting children as well."

Supercharazad was staring Steelfloor now with shocked expression.

"Forcing a blood sacrifice to small babies? I can't do that!"

Steelfloor sighed. "Neither can I but Wordcrypt has stated that in he is ready to do it. And I can't see many options here, we must follow the orders of archpriest."

"And so we will become equal to entities we thought to be lesser to us. I can't but wonder what Armok is thinking about all this."

[Supercharazad]

He's probably thinking, "Mwahahaha! Babies for the Blood God! Baby Skulls for the Skull Throne!"

[davros]

I just read the new post and I have one thing to say:
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!

[Kipi]

Heh, shame that it's impossible to butcher creatures of own entity. Otherwise I would just do that, skull totems made from dwarven children...

[Kipi]

Coming of autumn also brought another group of migrants. Six dwarves arrived, led by sister Blowingwheeled.

While the arrival of migrants was not enough to warrant much of interest among the citizens of The Abbey of Ancients, the fact that there was now enough unemployed male dwarves around to form a small military. Eight dwarves were drafted to the squad called Walls of Neutralizing, which was led by Dastot Fiercelanterns, the new militia commander of the fortress.

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The new squad was given full set of iron equipment with battle axe. Steelfloor saw that such equipment should be more than enough to make the squad deadly enough, steel equipment should be given when possible.

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Immediately after the soldiers had picked up their equipment the order was given for half the squad station near the entrance of the front yard. Rest of the soldiers were given a leave to spend their time as they saw fit, though training was still impossible due the barracks still being under construction. It was promised to Steelfloor though that everything should be ready before new year.

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While Grandcrystal was working with training dummies the masons had ordered to build second tier of walls around the front yard. They were told to produce lots of blocks from obsidian and use those to make the wall durable.

Two days before winter the news reached Steelfloor that both the barrack and the wall was ready.

First target of inspection was the wall. Steelfloor noted that the result was good, the masons had even built few weapon traps to make the entrance more secure. The squad was ordered to station inside the yard.

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The barrack was carved to east side of the front yard, separated from the rest of the fortress. Huge chamber was made, and eight training dummies were built inside there, one for each soldier, as well as armor stand and weapon rack. From the east side of the chamber left small tunnel, leading to the weapon, armor and ammunition stockpiles.

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[Kipi]

5th of Moonstone, 102

I, Zuglar Steelfloor, have decided to start a personal diary, where I will write my thoughts and events happening here in The Abbey of Ancients.

So, the caravan came few days back, liaison accompanying them. The traders didn't have much to offer, I bought some booze and cloth in exchange of several obsidian crafts. Unfortunately the traders didn't have any dogs with them, so I know Grandcrystal will be a unhappy dwarf when she heard about it.

I also met the liaison as well, her news from mountain home were terrible. It appears that your cult has been outlawed, though not by queen but by few councilors. Fortunately they haven't figured out the purpose of this fortress, otherwise we wouldn't get any traders. The outlawing means that any supporter of the cult are free to be killed, no trials are necessary. The queen has not taken any action nor has given out any opinion about what's happening, so the mobs can hunt our brothers and sisters without fear of justice.


19th of Moonstone, 102

Supercharazad has went against the practice and did some mundane work even though he is priest. I know that he has been complaining about suffering cold right hand, but surely someone could have made him some gloves. But no, he insisted to make those himself.

Well, what was the result? Several mundane gloves and gauntles, but there was one mitten with exceptional quality.

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The mitten, right hand of course, was made from llama wool. The most curious thing in it was that Supercharazad managed to make wool spikes and attach those to the glove. Seriously, I have no idea how he managed to do that. I have to remember to ask about it sometimes.

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What comes to the fact that he broke the rules of cult, I think I can forgive him, and I think none of the other priests know about it. So everything should return to normal now.

[Supercharazad]

That wasn't mundane work! Armok himself spoke to me and gave me the power to contrsuct such a magnificent glove! I am blessed!

[Kipi]

It would have been if the mood had been a possession. This one was secretive... 

Or that's how imagine the mood system, I could be totally wrong here... 

[Supercharazad]

It would have been if the mood had been a possession. This one was secretive... 

Or that's how imagine the mood system, I could be totally wrong here... 

Ah, but Armok felt no need to possess me, instead, he gave me a signal, in the form of a cold right hand! I was so secretive because I was interpreting his will!

[Kipi]

If you say so...

Hmmm... I could even intoduce this discussion to the story... Though that has to wait till tomorrow, posting with my cellphone at the moment, making longer posts quite pain in the rear to write...

[Kipi]

16th of Opal, 102

Supercharazad claims that what he did back then was not mundane work but instead his hand was guided by the Armok himself. Even though he was not possessed, such thing hasn't occurred in years, he said that Armok gave him a signal to produce the supreme mitten, and that everything else was just practrice. Well, good luck with him, it's not my duty to question his statement.

Our stock are overflowing with gold bars. We have so much of it that I had to figure out a use for it, no reason to leave them scattered around the storage. So I ordered thirty barrels and bins to be made from the valuable material. Yep, gold barrels. Those should boost our wealth greatly, though not as much as the shit loads of obsidian crafts our crafter has been producing lately. I tell you, we will soon have a problem to decide where to store all those crafts.

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10th of Obsidian, 102

Remember the family with two holy children? The ones which came with second migrant group? Well, the mother gave a birth to a boy today. That means there are three children in the family now.

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Out of curiosity I asked the parents if they wanted the newborn to go through the blood sacrifice as well. After all their two previous children did, so I found it only logical that they would like to have their third child to join our cult as well. Surprisingly their answer negative. Now that there is no danger lurking behind the corner they want to raise the child like a normal dwarf, not a part of our cult. I understand them and didn't press the issue any further. It's their child after all.

20th of Obsidian, 102

Crap!

The vampires have found us! And we don't have any holy water nor blessed ammo in our storages!

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Sister Blowingwheeled spotted the vampire just outside the walls. I ordered the soldiers to attack the vampire, even though we lack the proper methods to deal those unholy creatures.

Unfortunately the vampire was too quick for the soldiers to catch up, so it was able to flee. Well, at least we didn't took any casualties, one can never know what may happen if dealing with vampires.

22nd of Obsidian, 102

Another vampire was spotted outside the walls, this time by one of our soldiers, Braveseal. The lad begun chasing the vampire.

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Braveseal was able to have a contact with the evil creature, wounding it slightly. Unfortunately the vampires are ferocious fighters, and the lad took some nasty wounds, making him incapable of continue the fight. And thus the vampire was able to escape.

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Now, the escaping of the vampire wouldn't be as bad thing alone, but what irritates me was the behavior of other soldiers. Instead of helping their brother in arms those stupid dwarves decided to concentrate on killing the local population of wild dogs. I believe that, if the rest of the squad had helped Braveseal, the vampire would have been taken down, perhaps even the injury of Braveseal could have been avoided. But no, they decided it to be more important to kill the dogs.

[Kipi]

3rd of Granite, 103

While our military is incapable of dealing with vampires our traps have proved to be more than effective against the foul creatures. Just today we noticed that one vampire had been trying to sneak inside but was shredded to pieces by the giant axe blades installed at the entrance.

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If I didn't know better I would say Armok himself has blessed our traps. Heck, I bet He did that, I don't know any other reasons why the traps would have been so effective against that vampire!

So, since our military is more or less useless in their current form I decided to order them to do some training before returning to guard the entrance. In case of emergency they can always been called, the barrack is not that far away from the entrance.

6th of Granite, 103

The wounds of Braveseal weren't as bad as we initially though. His left leg took some damage, causing some injuries to the bone. Fortunately our chief doctor stated that he should be able to walk soon again, and return to his squad. I hope this incident teaches the others to help their brothers in arms in future.

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10th of Slate, 103

Another priest has made an item of artifact quality. This time brother Wordcrypt made a skirt from cloth.

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Now I don't mind my fellow priests coming up with item of such quality, but what concerns me is that he used vampire leather while decorating the skirt. Vampire leather! No real brother should use such thing coming from creatures of darkness! He claims that, like Supercharazad, his hand was guided by Armok, giving him a signal of the need of such thing. Why would Armok want a item decorated with vampire leather? I don't understand this, I always though that creatures of the dark were the hated enemies of Armok! But I have no proof to claim otherwise, so instead I stay quiet. I just hope that he doesn't use that skirt during the ceremonies, that's something I wind as blasphemy!

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15th of Slate, 103

Another group of dwarves has escaped from mountain home. How I know that? They just reached our gates! Nineteen dwarves, led by brother Grottostockade and sister Boatcross arrived this morning. Well, the more the merrier. I'm sure I can figure out a task for everybody, if nothing else then at least assign the male migrants to military. But that means producing more weapons and armors. Well, at least our smiths get something else to do than producing those gold barrels and bins.

I haven't yet managed to interview all the newcomers, but what I heard from Boatcross there is rather good doctor among the migrants. Well, at least she has  position for her.

22nd of Slate, 103

Our fisherdwarf was ambushed by goblin squad today. She was heading towards the river when the goblins spotted her and begun shooting bolts towards her. I sent the squad to drive the filthy creatures away, and fortunately they succeeded in that, and the fisherdwarf got away unharmed.

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The sad thing is, one of our soldiers was injured during the fight. Can you guess who it was? Yep, Braveseal. Apparently his bad leg betrayed him, giving the goblins an opportunity to deal several blows on him. The doctors have not yet diagnosed him, but from the wounds it was clear that his bad leg took some more injuries as well as his right arm and shoulder. I tell you, that dwarf is experiencing a serious streak of bad luck in fight.

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Now, I have decided that the use of axe is not enough to guarantee the success in battle, so I decided that the soldiers must concentrate to dodging from now on, perhaps to shield usage later when they know how to dodge the attacks well enough. If they can't be hit they have higher chance of surviving the fight.

23rd of Slate, 103

While the soldiers were out there hunting the goblin ambushers I was able to do some trading with elves. Yeah, even though I don't respect them a bit we still trade with them, mostly because we haven't figured out a good reason to attack them yet. And they provide us some precious wood, which is important as I don't want to send our workers out there just to gather wood. The surrounding area has proven to be too dangerous to that.

For a time being I have also cancelled the fisherdwarf the permission to go out fishing. We have more than enough food already, no need to put her in danger. I will reconsider the situation when we have managed to secure the local area, but that's quite far away right now.

[Kipi]

26th of Slate, 103

A great tragedy occurred today as one of our furnace operators died. He was outside heading towards the iron mine we had established close to the entrance when he was attacked by goblins. Our soldiers didn't manage to reach the scene in time to safe him, so today was the day when the first dwarf in The Abbey of Ancients was sent to eternal life in Armok's side.

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We were able to extract the revenge as the soldiers slaughtered the goblin responsible of the death of Towerbow, and one other goblin was killed in the process. While our soldiers didn't get any wounds during the fight, Armok bless them, one stray bolt shot by goblin archer did manage to hit one of our smiths who was having a break in front yard. The doctors have not diagnosed the poor lad yet, but they fear that the bolt was able to reach his lung, which can be very lethal.

This incident has taught me that our front yard is not safe anymore. We need to do something about it, we can't just ignore that weakness.

28th of Felsite, 103

I finally got the diagnosis of both our wounded dwarves.

The injuries of Braveseal were concentrated on his right arm and shoulder, the legs shouldn't require any medical attention. The doctors were quite optimistic about his healing, he should be back to duty sooner or later.

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The Legendaxes' situation is more problematic, as the bolt did get through the fat and muscles and reached the lung. The doctors said that they should be able to heal the wounds, but there is always a chance that something goes wrong and the lung gets permanently damaged. I hope it doesn't get to that.

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25th of Hematite, 103

I just got informed that the citizens of this fortress have decided to elect me as the first mayor. I'm honored, I didn't have a slightest clue that the election was going on. Of course I'm allowed to have better quarters now that I'm the mayor, as well as I'm allowed to make personal demands to the workers. Nice!

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On a side note, both of our injured dwarves have been able to leave the hospital. Also, the poor Towerbow has been buried in new graveyard which was completed few days back.

7th of Malachite, 103

Our workers have begun to make the front yard safer. That means we will build a roof over the yard as well as prevent anything getting on top of it without entering the fortress first. Perhaps we can later construct a archery towers there.

[Kipi]

3rd of Galena, 103

More migrants came today, but only one member of our cult. One more holy child is living among us. Well, at least we have more workforce, as from eleven migrants seven were adults. Hmph, I must find a useful task for them. I even haven't figured out job for every dwarf from last group.

6th of Galena, 103

The first part of the front yard upgrade has finished. Now our masons can work relatively safely up there, as the only have to fear for archers. Well, perhaps that should put some speed in their working, as the slower they work the more time they have to spend up there in open.

17th of Galena, 103

Human caravan arrived today. Their stocks were quite poor. No, not poor, terrible. I bought we logs, some barrels, cloth and leather. And some champagne for myself. Interesting thing is, the champagne was hundred times more valuable than the rest of the goods I bought. Doesn't matter, I had to spend only small portion of our obsidian crafts for payment. I tell you, we are swimming in crafts around here.

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21st of Limestone, 103

And again bunch of dwarves wants to enter our fortress. If they weren't led by sister Releasedeathen I probably would have denied it, but now I don't have much choice. Seven dwarves, which raised our population to ninety-one dwarves in total. Well, at least one of the newcomers was hunter. I immediately decided that he will be drafted to the archer squad as soon as we get all they equipment ready.

Speaking of archers I'm putting much fate to them. One legendary marksdwarf, who is the leader of the squad and also excellent archer and ambusher, two very good hunters and six greenies who shall learn from the three professionals. All of them shall get iron equipment. That squad will be lethal. I'm sure Armok shall be pleased with the squad.

5th of Sandstone, 103

Now I figured it out! We should stud all our objects with gold! Yes, that's right, we have so much gold around here, ten or perhaps even hundred times more can be mined when need, that we can use it where ever I... er, we want. Yes, that's what we are going to do!

6th of Sandstone, 103

This is a sign! The Armok himself is pleased with us!

He had single handedly guided one of our masons, CraftlordDark, in production of andesite door!

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When I inspected the door more closely I realized that it indeed must be a sign from Armok, as the engravings can not mean anything else. There were wild dog bones used, spikes of gold and even image of mountain made from gold. Yes, that describes so well this fortress, we have wild dogs everywhere, dozens have been killed already, and this mountain contains so much gold that we can use it however we want! The final proof was the image of quiver, which will clearly state that Armok is pleased in our decision to form up a archer squad and that he expects them to spill barrels upon barrels worth of enemy blood. Ah the joy! I have ordered special ceremony to be held this evening to thank Armok for guidance!

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10th of Sandstone, 103

The archer squad is ready and equipped. Five of them shall guard the entrance while four can rest or train, whichever they want to do. I feel a lot safer now.

[Kipi]

12th of Timber, year 103

Ah, the goblins have finally decided to attack us. Fortunately they sent only one squad, around eight goblins. I believe our soldiers, archers especially, are able to deal this problem so I see no reasons to be scared. And we are protected by Armok, so no goblins can beat us!

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18th of Timber, year 103

While the goblins are closing from south our archers spotted a cyclop in north. I still believe our archers are able to solve the situation, and besides them we have trapped entrance and eight axedwarves waiting inside. No, nothing scares me.

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27th of Timber, year 103

It feels wonderful to wake up at morning after victorious combat. I put my faith in Armok, and that faith proved to be well placed. We are still alive and none of our soldiers got hurt.

So, first came the cyclop while to goblins were camping south from our entrance, on the slope of the mountain.

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When the cyclop came to shooting range our archers released clouds of bolts directed towards it. The one-eyed monster received the first wound at that moment. The bolts didn't stop it, though, not even slowed it down. But the traps proved to be too much for it, and heavily wounded it begun to flee westwards. At that point our militia commander, Fiercelanterns, decided to charge. Traps, Fiercelanterns and being targeted by the archers were too much for the cyclop, and soon it was struck down by the commander.

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While the cyclop tried to enter the fortress the goblins were sitting, watching and planning. When the cyclop was struck down the eleven goblins decided to take their chance and headed towards the entrance. Fortunately our archers were alert. They stationed closer to the mountain, standing over the recently constructed roof and begun shooting the advancing goblins.

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Two goblins were killed and one, the only one which even reached the entrance, was trapped in cage. At this point the siegers decided to flee, leaving two wounded goblins behind as well as the giant toad that came with them. Archers decided that their part of the fight was over and the signal was given to the soldiers to charge towards the wounded goblins. The battle was brief and in no time the remaining goblins were dead. In the end our soldiers were able to kill one cyclop, four goblins, one giant toad and one goblin was caged. That leaves six goblins which were able to escape.

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6th of Moonstone, year 103

Our miners made a interesting discovery yesterday as they breached to huge open area far bellow our fortress. After closer inspection it became apparent that there is this huge cavern under our fortress.

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The cavern was only partially visible to us, but so far we didn't saw much more than water. Lots of water. Though there was small area of dry land east, but how big that area is still unknown to us. I think it's worth of investigation.

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