[~♫] Chapter 4: Of Elves and DwarvesIn which the Svartalfar Queen makes introductions, and diplomacy is broached.Following his adventures at the barrow, Geordan the Dragon Slayer spends a few days resting in 12th Bay. While there, a wagon rolls into town from the north, driven by a travelling enchanter and his companions. The enchanter sets up shop in the center of town, offering to sell his wares. With the loot he'd pillaged from the barrow, Geordan buys an enchanted sword that will never lose its edge, a blessed shield bearing the holy symbol of Dagda, and a magical salve that can heal any wound. After that, the adventurer departs from 12th Bay heading east, to meet up with the others.
Meanwhile the Scout, having grown tired of waiting for the others, decides to quest off alone. He leaves the fort heading east, but by the time Geordan and the Warrior reach the fort, no word of him has been heard. They search for him up and down the coast for weeks to no avail, until they find a new fortress dominating a land-bridge at the east edge of the mountains, flying a silver flag with a black crescent moon. As they approach, a dark-haired elven woman emerges from the fort's main gate, flanked by several guards.
Why hello there, my beauty. Geordan of the Grigori, adventurer and Dragon-Slayer extraordinaire, at your service.
There's no need for introductions, good Geordan. We've heard plenty about you, your Angel friend, and the rest of your kin.
Oh? And you are?
Try not to look so shocked, Dragon-Slayer. You lost a friend a few weeks back, no? I'm afraid the poor boy's been quite talkative.
That scout is under the protection of the Grigori- my protection. What have you done with him?
Oh come now, don't listen to the stories spread to discredit us; we don't betray and kill all of our allies.
You speak of us as allies, yet you still haven't told me who you are. I'll ask again, who...
...who else has such fair skin? Such delicately-tapered ears? Who else is as gracious as she is graceful? Gods above and below, I can only pray that your Lord Goodreau isn't this dense.
All I know is that you've got a knack for evasion.
You flatter me, sir... but once again we digress. You have the honor of addressing her Grace, Faeryl Viconia of the Svartalfar Winter Court, one true Queen of the Elves. Don't go falling to one knee all at once, now.
And our Scout?
Your Scout is resting safely within Fort Blackmoon. He ran afoul of some Dwarves and Lizardmen, and earned himself a wound for getting involved in their fight. We've been caring for him ever since. Oh, and save your thanks... it's our hope that this will only bring our people closer together. Come, I'll even take you to him.
Sure enough, the Scout is found within, recovered from his wounds and ready to travel. Geordan thanks the Svartalfar on behalf of the Grigori people, and the three depart the Elven Fort. The Scout guides them west to a pass in the mountains, leading to a hidden valley filled with old ruins and a forest of giant mushrooms. It is here, he explains, that he met a warband of Dwarves made clanless during the long Winter, doing battle with Lizardmen who had taken up residence in one of their ancestral halls. He had fought alongside the Dwarves, but they had been routed and fled the ruins, before the Scout took his injury.
When they reach the ruins themselves, they find two dwarven warriors encamped under a copse of towering tree-sized mushrooms. They greet the Scout and his companions, and name themselves Biggs and Wedge. As the Scout relates his experience to the Dwarves, they tell how their band rallied and drove the last of the Lizardmen from the ruins, but took heavy losses... for all they know, they're the last survivors. To make matters worse, the ruins they fought to liberate proved to be flooded and completely inhospitable. Lacking for home and kin, but encouraged by the Grigori band's tales of blood and glory, the Dwarven duo offers to join them.
Before departing, the band makes one final sweep of the ruins. Within its depths, they find no survivors, and nothing of value... only sunken tunnels filled with fetid black water, and the corpses of Dwarves and Lizardmen. As they turn to leave, however, a rhythmic, wet slapping sound fills the hollow tunnels, accompanied by the smell of rotten fish. Soon, a group of discolored, waterlogged corpses stagger down the hallway, and toward them!
Warrior (
4,
5.4) Vs. Drown Zombie (
1,
4.0)
Outcome: Warrior is injured, but victorious.
Meanwhile, back in 12th Bay...
Warmer weather has been settling in. The once snow-covered forests grow thick with underbrush and vines, and the frozen plains thaw into damp, misty wetlands. The terrain seems to be resolving itself into a temperate rainforest. With the threat from the barrows gone, the first of the hunting camps is finally completed! Workers busy themselves expanding roads and trails to the camp, while some newly-outfitted Grigori Warriors guard them. The Angel, who names himself Auriel, stands vigil day and night over the growing town.
During one night, a wise woman among the Grigori reports that "The Bear", a constellation sacred to Mulcarn, has moved into prominence. Though it may mean nothing following the Ice God's death, she fears that it may signal a fierce new winter to come. During the next day, despite the warmth of the last few months, a cold and raging wind blows in from the north. With it comes the first snowstorm in many months. Between the mournful howls of the wind among the trees, some villagers report hearing a soft chittering not unlike laughter, while others share tales of childlike silhouettes dancing about in the snowfall.
Thankfully, the storm begins to clear in a few days time and the snow melts once more, though the guards are unable to find any further sign of the reported creatures. After the storm abates, Goodreau calls the council into session, in the newly-built Grigori Palace.
Councilors, we have much to discuss! Well, just two important things, really. Reports from our explorers claim they have made contact with another Svartalfar Tribe, this one led by a woman naming herself the Queen of the Elves. Little is known about them, beyond that they hold a fort at the eastern edge of the mountains. Additionally, our very own guardian Angel has informed me that he still senses the presence of evil growing in the north... which may be the source of our restless corpse problems. Should we commit our explorers to learning more of this Elf Queen, or investigate the source of the undead in our lands?
In other news, I'm led to believe that our Research and Development committee are almost finished developing their fishing boats. We have a few options for where to focus our research next, including construction and ore-mining, better agricultural and herding techniques, or research into ancient occult practices and magic. The first would help build our industry and may reveal some mineral resources nearby, while the second will help us to grow and feed our population. The third looks to be a waste of time if you ask me... but they assure me that given enough time it may yield fruit.
So, given that... discuss!
Status - Week 60:The Grigori Tribe
Units:
Auriel (Angel): 4, 7.2, 
1 (Guarding 12th Bay)
**Abilities: Angel, Drill II
Warrior: 1, 3.0, 1 (Guarding 12th Bay)
**Abilities:
Geordan (Dragon-Slayer): 5, 13.8, 1 (Exploring)
**Abilities: Healing Salve, Courage, Dragon Slaying, Shield of Faith
Scout: 6, 4.0, 2 (Exploring)
**Abilities: Hunter, Spirit Guide
Warrior: 4, 5.4, 1 (Exploring)
**Abilities:
Biggs (Dwarf Axeman): 1, 4.0, 1 (Exploring)
**Abilities: Dwarf, Mountaineer
Wedge (Dwarf Axeman): 1, 4.0, 1 (Exploring)
**Abilities: Dwarf, Mountaineer
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Topic: Let's Play Fall from Heaven 2 (Civ IV): CONTINUED IN NEW THREAD (Read 26626 times)