Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
This is a Succession Game of Dwarf Fortress, the world's most complex videogame. It is a city-building/management game about taking a small band of dwarves (you know, beards, axes, mining, metalsmithing) and keeping them alive in an ever-expanding underground fortress whilst fighting off the evils of the world.. The depth and breadth of the simulation allows for all sorts of emergent storytelling in a unique and slightly off-kilter fantasy world. The game keeps track of every last detail, down to the individual limbs, bones, teeth and psychological preferences of each character. This information is then easily turned into an entertaining narrative. We will be taking turns as overseer of the fortress, one year at a time from Spring to the following Spring. Who knows where the story will go?
Here is how it began.
“One hundred twenty five years now.”
treefrog looked at me with resigned eyes and replied.
“And may she reign for another one hundred twenty five.”
I knew she did not mean it, for I would not and we share outlooks.
“It is not natural.”
“Who are you to judge, Crispy? Eweecamo means The Enchanted Universes. Our world is named for strangeness.”
“Nonetheless. She lives too long.”
We did not speak it. Many suspected it. But we knew it. Queen Udil Unibardes is a vampire. Despite small skills in combat, she has never been defeated. Despite two hundred three years since birth, she does not age. The good dwarves of The Bells pay a dear price for her strength and youth. treefrog has good counting and has studied records. She counts seven hundred thirty one dwarves killed for their blood in all history of capital city Sackwalk. Five hundred ten humans also. She is greedy.
treefrog maintained a grim face.
“You speak common truth. It is surplus speech. If you have novel thoughts, come, share them.”
I allowed a small smile.
“I have many thoughts, but I will be concise. Eweecamo is a world of lands within one ocean. This we know from the humans, who have sailed. To the West, humans and goblins live on an island without mountains. To the Northwest, all lands are empty and flat. But to the North, there is a land of mountains. Empty mountains.”
treefrog allowed a small smile.
“You say enough, Crispy. Your thoughts are made clear. When do we act?”
“I have contact with dwarves in the human capital Lockbraided. They live with humans and worship their gods, but sympathise with the Mountainhomes. They are familiar with ships. Spring weather will soon favour us. We must assemble a party. Not large, to avoid noticing.”
“I know just the Dwarves.”
I knew that she would.
So this is how seven good dwarves of The Bells of Thinning set sail in the year 126 for the North Land, to make a Mountainhome free from the undead tyranny of Queen Udil.
They were:
"Crispy" Ottanalath, Expedition leader. A competent architect and mechanic, he has long straight hair and is active, but prefers to be alone.
"rich!" Nulralfath, Miner. She is very muscular but is lacking in linguistic and creative skills.
"treefrog" Ezumzenon, Miner. She is indefatigable and strives for excellence, but does not like compromise.
"Fridgemagnet" Uzolarzes, Craftsdwarf and Trader. Organized and confident, but he is given to procrastination.
"stuff_it" Uthirdeler, Carpenter and Lumberjack. She likes helping others, but tires quickly.
"fractionman" Ottarevost, Farmer. She is agile, but has an iffy memory and does not trust others.
"tommers" Monomgur, Farmer. She is very fat, loves a good thrill and can handle stress.
I just went back through theDwarf Fortress thread and added posters' names. If you would like to be immortalised as a dwarf of Bouldergloves, just say so and I'll add you to the list. All the descriptions are fresh out of the game btw. No embellishments.
First diary entry coming soon!
