Journal of Bembul Scrapewires23rd Malachite, 551
These newcomers is sure odd, but the boss's reaction seems even odder to me. As soon as Kadol sighted them in the distance, he started givin' all sorts of strange orders - He's got me building another door, this one with a sturdy LOCK, he says, and a cabin, a leaning-platform he says, sep'rate from our main camp and all up on one lone support. Meanwhile he goes and meets the new dwarves by the wagon. I hear them talkin, and I start to wonder, too: what's wrong with these dwarves?
It was the big one, Sibrek - when her eyes met mine I knew. Something was... off. Those eyes haunted me all day, til I slept... and then, I dreamed.
I dreamed of a dwarven colony, deep under the mountains, where the dwarves were dressed in rags and thin and pale from depridation, while their masters, too-large dwarves with with eyes that burned like magma, used them as slaves. But there were no chains, no whips... I saw their eyes glow and smoulder, and the others moved like marionettes to their will. The eyes... they haunted me. It was then that I woke in a cold sweat, and knew. I had been sent a vision from our lord, Inod. I had to tell Litast.
Journal of Litast Pleatsteel2nd Galena, 551
The other night, Bembul woke me in a panic to tell me of some dream she had. Of course I wanted to dismiss it as peasant superstitions, but I had already seen too much strangeness from these newcomers, and Sibrek seemed to be the heart of it. Perhaps, if we could break her hold on the others, those unfortunates might still be saved.
I called away Olon and Fath on some pretext of a meeting - gave them a good strong drink, the poor souls. Meanwhile, as the daylight grew dim, Bembul and took up positions behind the lean-to under cover of darkness.
It seems Bembul, bless her heart, does not have the stomach to do what must be done.
I whisper my consolations, and try to calm her enough to get her instructions on how to do this properly (I have no knowledge of carpentry!) when we are interrupted by a great crash and cry.
It seems, either overhearing us or simply having more insight than I gave her credit for, Kadol has taken matters into her own hands. The dust cloud is enormous.
When it clears, it is plain that the demon-dwarf is no more, and her pet goat (no doubt some manner of familiar) with her. The night's affairs have taken their toll on us - Bembul immediately heads for a strong drink, and I decide to take a walk among the beautiful flora to clear my head.
Olon and Fath seem much clearer-headed almost immediately. They tell me they remember their old names:
Since I have no desire to force these poor souls to continue in their slave-professions, I ask what they would like to do. "ArKFallen" says he has always dreamed of being a doctor.
I'm sure he'll do wonderfully. Haika, on the other hand, plans to become a Mason. We need this about like we need a spear to the face, with all the stone we have around. But I am hardly about to tell the poor soul no. We'll really need to work on finding some I guess.
When told about what happened to Sibrek, ArKFallen only shakes his head and says it's a pity about that support.
I look forward to unravelling the story of these dwarves and their diabolical overlords - I have assigned Zasid to research the matter. He should be reporting to me on his findings within the next few months. He is also doing some research on a method used by others to circumvent the problems posed by an Aquifer... He understands the theory though none of us have put it in place. If we are able to do this correctly, we should be able to make a 'plug' of earth to allow us to dig through the aquifer and into the stone below. Kadol, meanwhile, has started drafting plans for a desalination plant. The others are busy moving our shops and supplies into the burrow we have finally managed to dig.
And none too soon - Bembul claims she caught sight of a cougar lurking at the edges of our camp.
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Welcome to Oiledgod!
I'm trying to do a few more images from now on. I'll also try to keep the updates a little more concise and move through events a little more quickly, but it seems like there's already a pretty rich situation, and plenty to write about that I don't want to miss. It seems strange that I'm spending more time writing it down than I am actually playing the game, but maybe that's just how it goes?
More updates later!