Dwarf Fortress: TallLabored Strikes the Earth! (sign ups)

[Crossroads Inc.]

Hmm.. Apparently I do not have you in the game yet.
Current openings:

Miner x2
Mason
Furnace Operator
Glass Maker
Fish Cleaner
Farmer
Wrestler x2
Hammer Dwarf x2

Also:
==================

((cue music “Journey of the Sorcerer”))

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy has much to say about the topic of Politics and Leadership. Throughout the galaxy, many different races have varying methods of leadership and ruling a society. The Megnavergons of Josepy5 employ a method choosing a leader that consumes much of the planets population for well over 10 years at a time through seemingly endless myopic debates. Conversely, the War like people of planet Irk, elect their leaders base solely upon whomever of them is the tallest in height.

However the method of election or Rule it is widely regarded that the true job of someone in a position of power, is not to wield power but to draw attention away from it.

This is largely true for many political organizations through out the multiverse. For those creatures known as “Dwarves” on an unregarded backwards little blue world, this however is not the case. Rulers of the Dwarven people tend to be far more “active” in daily organization, usually, involving blunt weapons and Axes.

For those residents of the growing mixed community know as “TallLabored” their own personal leadership positions were about to be thrown on end.

“By Armoks Blood! It looks like we will be getting more then ever , eh Joviwam?” The other Dwarf nodded as he was passed the telescope.
“Aye indeed matie, The Starpeople were right once again, seeing them from so far off. And it be looking like they do indeed have a representative with’em. But…” And here his voice hung with reluctance.
“They NOT be from the Mountain Halls of SedNet. See the colors of the flags they have?” Joviwam stated as [/b]Loomer[/b] nodded.
“Aye, bloody Ell, it looks like they be coming from the Mountain Halls of Twelfth Bay!!!”



The two exchanged glances as the flagged down A passing Marvin.

“OI! Golem! Round up Mr.Bean and the other leaders! We be needed a proper counsel fir this!” Marvin looked up at the Dwarf with disdain and disinterest. Poltical matters where only one of the countless things the Android held little to no interest in. Still, in accordance to his ancient programming he set off.

“Very well, I guess since no one is utilizing me for reworking the whole of quantum Gravity, or effortlessly solving the problems of the Multiverse Spacetime Equation paradox, I supposed I can be put to use “rounding up” your leaders” he said before trudging off.

Sometime later in the ever expanding caves inside the mountain, Mr.Bean, Lintilla, Lintilla, Trillian, Darkevilme, and Lintilla, all held counsel as just outside the new Dwarves where being counted and settled in.

“Aye thar be quite a few strange ones in here. They not be coming from our Mountain Home, but another city far off.” Trillian looked to Lintilla before looking back to Mr.Bean
“Is that a problem? You aren’t unfriendly to them or anything?”
“Nay, nothing such as that, just simply, unknown. Always have to keep an eye on new Dwarves and by Armok there does seem to be a lot of them!” He said, pulling out a scroll that had just been handed to him as he read off the names.

DaPatman - Engraver
RekiMakiri - Dyer
Petra – Hammer Dwarf
Mangled – Hammer Dwarf
L.Prossor – Lye Maker and Farmer
Vogonpoet - Metalsmith
Argonnek - Medic
Addictgamer – Mecahnic
JacenHan – Furnace Opperater
Dermonster – Soap Maker

Darkevilme seemed to brighten up, the curiously “feline” Dwarf smiling.
“AH, Two Hammer Dwarfs? I will bring them into the militia immediately, reports of goblins are rampant now and we ever need to bolster our defenses. “ She spoke, the Dwarf always concerned with matters of the military. Trillian nodded.

‘I have been a Scientist and a Mathematician, and I never thought I would need to concern myself with such things. But this is a savage place, and we have seen more attacks from those goblin creatures. While I abhor violence, it is a matter of survival. I feel we must speed up construction of the outer walls.

Trillian and Trillan nodded in agreement as well as Mr.Bean sighed.
“Ye know, I originally came here with a vision of building a grand city for Dwarf kind, it was to be a place of peace, and learning and !!SCIENCE!!” he said, striking a pose.
“Not, not a military Fortress.” Darkevilme for once, seemed moved by the Dwarfs plea.
“Aye Bean, it may be those some day. Indeed I would very much like to see such greatness! But it seems Armok has such a city to be destined to be the target of enemies from all sides.” Together the council nodded in agreement, orders to the stone workers where soon given out, as the representative from the Twelfth Bay mountain hall finally approached.

“I am Urist Legonthrom! I bring greetings from the Halls of Twelfth Bay as well as the low King of the Dwarves! Your settlement has been recognized! Tales of your mighty deeds has reached the Low Kings ears and he has proclaimed that TallLabored is to become a proper Town!” The Dwarf paused here as if for dramatic effect, half expecting some sort of fanfare behind him… When none presented itself, he gave a cough and continued.
“A Mayor shall here forth be elected by the people and a Sherriff be appointed to deal Justice to the new bastion of Dwarf kind. “ Mr.Bean sighed and stepped forward.

“Aye well I knew it would come to this at some point.” He began, but was cut off by the representative who raised a hand”
“This be a bit of a strange occurrence, but upon hearing of the peculiar, =ahem= situation of your resident’s the Low King has decided that the first proper mayor of TallLabored shall actually belong to the StarPerson Trillian “she” will be known as a proper Dwarf to hold this title.”



A silence came across the council table that seemed to go on for much longer then it should have. Trillian sat up slowly and looked to Mr.Bean
“Me? The Mayor? I know I have helped in organizing the town, but Mr.Bean has been though much more then me, I could never take his-“ The Dwarf interrupted.
“That not be how it is, he will still be helping ye, but there needs to be one person with the official “Mayor” title Tall one. And for this, we need to give you “Dwarf” as a title as well, purely for records of course” He said.
“Me? Officially a ‘Dwarf’?” Trillain asked with a smile. Urist nodded… And then, the multiverse hiccupped.

Names are a powerful thing. Once a name has been given to something, that thing however unlikely, may invariably take on the characteristics of the thing it was named for. This is seen countless times throughout the Galaxy. Unfortunately for Trillian, at that single moment, being told she would be a “Dwarf” caused a very Dwarfy thing to happen…

“Mayor, Dwarf, how facinat-nat-Cabniet! Fascinating Cabinet! Cabinet Dwarf must build Cabinet as Dwarf Dwarf CABNIET!!!!!!!” And with that, Trillian tore down the hall, papers and scrolls flying everywhere.


The others looked shocked.
“But, But that can’t happen, she isn’t really a Dwarf, I just said it as a title” Urist stated as the other glared at him.

Outside Trillian ran into one of the small houses, sitting herself at a mason’s workshop. Her eyes darting everywhere as strange unfamiliar Dwarfish brain singles snapped into her Human mind. Into this, Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect came in.
“Fetid Photons! What is going on in here!” Ford shouted as behind him Arthur almost ran into Ford.
“Trillian! What is all this? Have you lost your mind!? What is going on here!”
Hey hey Monkey man, no need to shout.” Zaphod chimed in from behind as Trillian banged away at rocks.
“Hey cat, what os going on here? She is like, going Frogstar on those rocks over there!” The dwarf, Slacker looked up at Zaphod and the others.

“It be a Fey Mood Tall one, she be in for a harsh time of it!” Arthur looked to Ford.
“I thought those could only happen to Dwarves?”
“Stranger things can happen”
“Stranger things HAVE happened. I guess this world gets to everyone sooner or later.” Arthur said. “What a depressing thought.”


==========
NEXT CHAPTER!
An accounting of the times.
Wolves on the hunt!
Tragedy and Triumph!

[Mr Bean]

I have been de-throned! I'd be plotting my revenge but the fact that Trillian has made such a nice... dwarfish cabinet inspires some belief that this is Armok's will, after all what are the chances of our newest dwarf instantly going Fey-touched after being named mayor? Well might as well cash in on those fat consulting checks now that I'm no longer in goverment, get myself a job on one of the round table discussions shows... in the bar.

[The Yosemite Bear]

need carrot vimes, nobby, & aguna for the guard

[Crossroads Inc.]

I have been de-throned! I'd be plotting my revenge but the fact that Trillian has made such a nice... dwarfish cabinet inspires some belief that this is Armok's will, after all what are the chances of our newest dwarf instantly going Fey-touched after being named mayor? Well might as well cash in on those fat consulting checks now that I'm no longer in goverment, get myself a job on one of the round table discussions shows... in the bar.

I wish I hadn't cropped the images so much from so long ago (theres are ancient ones I'm going through right now) but quite literally within 4 or 5min of game time after the migrant wave and Trillian becoming Mayor, she went Fey. Also, your position is secure, went from Mayor to "Village Manager" which is considered a "nobel" spot and can't be voted out of office

need carrot vimes, nobby, & aguna for the guard

You are reading my mind.
I plan on having the "Humans" of this world choose to assist the Dwarves after a nasty upcoming attack. (and its Angua, but no biggie)

[Crossroads Inc.]

((cue music “Journey of the Sorcerer”))

Hunting, is recounted as a primitive act of capturing and killing wild animals as a source for food. On countless primitive worlds, this barbaric act is vital for gathering substance for backwater civilizations. Even so, on many other worlds in the galaxy, the tribal act of Hunter grows into a ritualistic act for many civilizations; long after it has stopped being of any practical value.

The Vogons are said to import millions of Jewel encrusted scuttling crabs once a year fro the purpose of “hunting” them down with massive iron mallets. It is little wonder that, in these enlightened and more civilized times, such acts are happily on the decline.

However, on the small backwater world our brave heros find themselves on, ‘hunting’ is still very much a vital source of food. But, as we shall see, it is not wholly without it’s dangers.

Journal of Trisha McMillian
How the times do change!
I have always played an unofficial roll as advisor and organizer to the people of the settlement that has grown up around us. But recently I have found myself put into the very middle of their politics as being made the first Mayor of the TallLabored! I feel rather embarrassed about the whole thing quite frankly, especially as I seemed to suffer some sort of momentary mental breakdown upon the announcement. The Dwarves said that I had a "Fey" moment, which is wholly illogical. Lintilla, Arthur, Ford and Zaphod watched the whole event, along with several Dwarves and aren’t really sure just what happened.
It really is fascinating and makes me yearn all the more for the equipment we were forced to leave behind on the Heart of Gold
All I do know is I know have in my room a stone cabinet of immense value and a strange new understanding of how to work stone."

The Journal of Mr.Bean
“It has been over a month since the new migrants from the “Twelfth Bay" and the newcomers seems to be settling well with their new jobs. Those with skills in arms have, much to the delight of Darkevilme joined the militia. Although it is now formally know as the “Fortress Guard” .
This ‘promotion’ to higher status is not unwelcomed, but seem to feel the denizens of “Twelfth Bay” have had much more input into the organizing of it’s announcement then those of us from Sednet whom first founded here.
But such is the way of the world.

The outer walls progress quickly under the watchful eye of the many “Lintilla” as well as Darkevilme. While the outer wall is not fully encircled yet, passage into the Valley itself is restricted now to just the front gates. Any would be invader shall be forced to push their way through what, even I, consider to be a mighty and deadly entrance.



Outside the walls, one of our most mighty hunters Korvan seems intent on making the lands around TallLabored as safe and free as the land within our walls. He has shown himself quite adept with the use of a crossbow and his prowless in combat has become the talk of our great hall. Indeed just the other day he brought low a Great Eagle, a truely mighty feat.
He also seems to be courting Exonerate and it is the talk of the Fort that the two of them may soon be wed and send Gold back to their parents as payment.
I shall need to keep an eye upon him.



And so it was that indeed Korvan was applying his hunting skills to the wild surrounding the Valley of PalLabored.

Crossbow in hand, the cunning Dwarf was stalking a large elk deep in the woods. it was a true beauty and would be one more mark against the current trophy list of Mr.Bean. Taking careful not to be heard, he drew, aimed, and stopped as suddenly in the clearing a howling snarling wolf lunged at the Elk.

A great howl went up as the beast latched into the Elk and began to drag it down. But it was no ordinary wolf. Almost twice the size of other wolves, it was nearly as big as the Elk itself. This of course mattered little to the thoughts of the Dwarf.

"OY!!! That be my kill ye blargard!" Korvan shouted as he re-aimed his bolt and fired right into the side of the Wolf. Yelping and lunching back the wolf turned on it's attacker, quickly picking Korvan out of his hiding place in the bushes. It howled and lunged forward! Standing his ground, Korvan drew his Crossbow up once more, firing two more shorts. One lodged firmly in the wolfs Right eye the other in the beasts Left front leg. Stunned it fell to the floor whining.

"YAR!! That teach ye to muscle in on my Territory!" the Dwarf said as he prepared to go in for the Kill... But the wolf was far from down for the fight. As if waiting for the right moment, it lunged up at Korvan and latched firmly onto his Left Lower Leg. Korvan bellowed out as he felt the teeth sink into his flash.. Snarling himself now, he brought his Crossbow down hard onto the Wolfs back, sure he heard something snap; the Wolf let go, but only for a moment.

Snarling wildly, blood oozing down from its one ruined eye, it charged the Dwarf again. Prepared this time, Korvan shielded himself with his Left Lower Arm. The leather armor providing modest protection to the piercing teeth of the Wolf. Korvan struggled to pull back, feeling the loss of blood from his own open wounds, he knew he had to end this quickly.

"By Armok I'll See ye done for before I draw my last breath!" He bellowed as grabbed one of the remaining crossbow bolts. Brining his left hand down hard, he speared it deep into the Wolfs other eye. There was a final howling yelp, before Korvan pushed it forward, puncturing the wolfs Brain and leaving it still


Exhausted, spent and sitting in a pool of his own blood, Korvan feel back, looking up at the sky. His vision dimmed as he blacked out and saw no more...


Slowly, the world came back to the Dwarf.. Sounds, Voices, and the touch of someone at his side. He was sure he had died, this had to be the afterlife. But if it was, he sure was in a great deal of pain for being dead...

"He Is coming around! Trillian quick give me that water!" A voice. One of the star people? Had they also died?"
"Here Lintilla, Ford and Arthur will be back any moment with the needles, this leg needs sewing up quickly or we will still loose him!" Surely he couldn't still be alive? He tried to move and agony wracked his body.

"Korvan KORVAN! Blast it don't move, you have lost a lot of blood, but we are keeping the wounds down as best we can! Some get his arm, he needs to keep still!" The voice trailed off as he closed his eyes... Bloody Hell, Sod this if he was still alive, it hurt far too much.
"I think we are loosing him! ARTHUR HURRY!" The voice seemed farther away...

"Korvan... Korvan if you die right now, I will hunt you down in the Underworld and kill you there!' A new voice? One he knew.. His lips trembled...

"Ex-Exonerate?"

"Aye it be me Korvan my love!" The Dwarf said, Exonerate beard almost as long as Korvans as the Dwarf held him fast. "And ye ai'nt gonna leave me yet! I'll curse you to the seven hells if you make me raise this child on me own!" The voice of Exonerate said with a well meaning snarl.
Korvan stired again.
"Child? B-but we..."

"Aye that be true. The Golem confirmed it with his magic, we have a wee little one on the way, and I'll be damned if I let you pop off now!" Exonerate said, tears in the Dwarfs eyes.

Korvan stired again, the color coming back to him now even as Trillian and Lintilla began to sew up his leg, the needle piercing in and out.

"HAARR!! YE won't take me yet Armok then! HA! A child! Aye, I be a Daddy!" He said, around him the other Dwarves began to cheer.

Bloodied, battered, wounded, and unable to walk, Korvan hefted his blood spattered Crossbow high overhead as Exonerate stood next to him announcing plans to Marry. Life grows and a new day dawns.

And far, far out amongst the hills and trees, great, hulking dark shapes of death and carnage, converged upon the Valley…


=======
NEXT CHAPTER!!!
An Interrupted Wedding!
Humans in the Valley
Something Sinister Approaches

[Force Lord]

I request to be a mason, perhaps one trying to set up Freemasonery.

[Crossroads Inc.]

SPANG!
You are now a mason, you are currently at work slavishly helping to build the Fortress walls wish (hopefully) will protect us from inevitable Orc Sieges.

[Crossroads Inc.]

UPDATE TIME!!!
UPDATE TIME!!!

First, an overview of fort stats:


Second, overview of the current Military.


Now ONTO THE FORT!

A:The Garden. (I really got sick of seeing heaps of sand on EVERY SINGLE grass tile, and wanted ONE clear area where I could see grass
B: Above ground farms and workshops
C: Storerooms
D: Stoneblock stockpiles (with the undercity under construction, there is more then enough stone for building the outer walls.)
E: Grand Hall
F: Entrance to Crucible of Armok aka forges
G: Mayors Office
H: Stables

NEXT!

Not much to say bout that pic, other then how awesome the front walls look with all those siege engines.

NEXT!

Um...Woops, ok so I forgot to change the letters to ABC.
Not much really, the central circle is going to eventually be the center of the CityGaurd.
The little pathway at the bottom is the garbage dump.
And then just pictures of the upper workshop floors.

[Crossroads Inc.]

*Bangs drum*
HERE YE HERE YE.

Looking for people who also play DF.
I am in dire need of help regarding utilities.

Currently, becuase of the age of all this, I am suing a very VERY old version of DF.
DF 0.28 to be exact. At that time, all utilities were PC based. And, sadly, I use a Mac.
As such, I am looking for a brave soul to load up some ancient versions of some utilities to help edit some things for me.

Those that step forward shall be granted mighty rewards upon ye in the game!!!

[Crossroads Inc.]

((cue music “Journey of the Sorcerer”))

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy has this to say on the topic of Marriage:
Considered an ancient and rather outmoded ceremony that has existed for as long as sapient beings have been knocking each other up with un planned pregnancies.
Traditionally beginning as nothing more then a form of business transaction between species, it has since evolved on many a world into a overly complicated and often drama filled ritual that can often consume, infuriate, and destroy the couple it is supposed to be brining together.

Among the race known simple as Dwarves it is a far more simple ceremony that nonetheless has it’s moments of high drama.

Spring had arrived in Tall-Labored. It had been over a month since the vicious attack upon Korvan by an equally vicious Dire Wolf. It would have gone very poorly for the Dwarf, save of news that his beloved had been with child and that his beloved, Exonerate would hunt him down into the netherworld, should he die too quickly.

Such things can motivate even the most wounded of individuals to cling to the small thread of life.

And so it was, that down in the valley of Tall-Labored a ceremony was getting underway between the individuals Exonerate and Korvan One of whom, just happened to be wheeled outside in a bed, with bandages and splints covering much of his body, but none the less active enough to participate.



Much of the Valley had turned out, a day of celebration held in honor of a single moment of happiness in an otherwise dreary existence.

Around the Dwarves, the crew of the defunct Heart of Gold watched with interest as two large piles of gold were carted up to each of the Dwarves getting married.

“Ok Trillian, explain this to me again.
“Well Arthur, as I understand it from Lintilla, Dwarves place a great deal of stock in raising children. It is a very expensive and long process, and it is seen as an “investment” for them to raise a Dwarf to adulthood. When two Dwarfs get married then, it is seen as customary for each Dwarf to “buy” the other from it’s parents, basically paying them back for all they spent raising them.
“Buying them? That sounds a bit cold and callous. Don’t you think Trillian?” Ford stepped in at the moment, large drink in hand.

“Well I don’t know about that Arthur old friend. There are a lot of stranger marriage rights out there in the galaxy after all. Look at you Humans! All that business with rings, and fancy clothes? And not having kids before getting wed? What is the sense in that?” Arthur said nothing, wishing to change the topic quickly under Fords lascivious gaze.

“Well all I would like to know, is which one of them is the wife and which one is the husband? I, well, I can never bloody well tell them apart!” There was silence for a moment, as virtually every Dwarf turned, glared at Arthur for a moment, before the ceremony continued.


It was about an hour later, The sun was shinning, and the crew of the Heart of Gold, sat eating the Dwarf equivalent of “Cake” while loud sounds of merriment came from inside the large Cave.

High atop the main walls, a shout from one of the new Guards, from Twelfth Bay, a certain Petra alerted those down in the Valley.


“Incoming Rider! Ahoy Ahoy! We be getting Caravans!!!”

A rush of Dwarves from inside soon followed, many bringing out telescopes to eye the distant approaching figures.

“AH! I should have known better, it’s a group of beastman again! They usually show up in the spring, couldn’t have made better timing!” a certain Vogonpoet spoke as he came out from the cave, his head festooned with an +Iron Party hat+ of his own making. His telescope being passed to Joviwam who took a look as well.

“Aye, lets see, Racconmen, and a rider from the Jacklemen, and, what be this? Humans?”
Arthur and Trillian immediately turned around
“HUMANS?” they both spoke in unison.

“Are you sure about that Joviwam? I know oyu refer to all of us as ‘StarPeople’ but our Arthur and my own species are Human. You never said anything before!” Trillian said turning to the Dwarf as Arthur seemed ot sulk.
“Well they “Look” Humans, of course that doesn’t mean very much, I mean, most of the aliens I have met in the Galaxy seem to look just like Humans” Arthur said, casting an eye to Ford as he strode up drink in hand.

“In either case this is a Fascinating opportunity Arthur. Oh goodness, I guess I need to be official about being “Mayor” and go out to meet them.” Trillian said as she and a few guards went out of the front gates.

Inside, the party was breaking up temporary, the call had gone out, and bins full of the previous years best trinkets where being carted out to the trade Depot.

Inside the cave, Trillian, to her amazement, found herself indeed holding a meeting with "Humans", a Mr Ceslaz Jathrurnohus” conducting the affair."



"We had heard about the Dwarves starting a new outpost, they are an industrious people after all. But we did not expect such progress so quickly, or we would have sent Guild members much earlier" Ceslaz said.

"Well, we have been giving them some extra help, there are a few new innovations that we have shared with the." Trillian said as she pulled out a large parchment.
"The trade agreement will do nicely, and it will be a great joy to us to have some one we can purchase clothing from that comes in our sizes. Dwarf clothes do not exactly tailor well" Trillian said as Ceslaz chuckled.

'I would imagine, and you, all come from the stars then? You, those strange look-a-likes, and that creature with two heads?" Ceslaz Said.
"In a way yes, but, I think you would find us far more alike then different. For as long as we are on this world, we hope to make friends as best we can." She said... Choosing NOT to ask too much about the "Humans" of this world, or saying that she and Arthur were also Humans.
Things were complicated enough, no sense in making it worse.
Life after all, would do that on its own...

"ORCS!!! ORCS IN THE WOODS!"
The shout rang across the valley... The Dwarf Mangled rang the alarm as he shouted over and over again. The single word began to be repeated over and over again..
"ORCS! Orcs. Orcs Orcs!"

Orcs had come to PaleLabored.

[Crossroads Inc.]

The valley, which only moments ago was full of the peace of trade and commerce, was now in an uproar of panic and running Dwarves. The Merchants inside looked around fearfully as DarkEvilMe gathered up the militia.

Several of the Dwarves converged into the rickety scaffolding around what would be the main barracks. It was currently the tallest structure in the valley.

Looking out over the valley and hills beyond, they saw the dark ships of ROCS assembling together...


'They, just be standing there, it be like they are taunting us!" Darkevilme hissed, clenching sword and shield.
"Aye these not be like other Orcs I have heard of, they seem, organized." Mr.Bean noted he watched the black dark figures slowly line up on the furthest hills around the valley.
"Thar be something at work here. Usually they just dash blindly at us." Mr.Bean turned to Darkevilme. "Dark this be it, no sense waiting for them ta charge, get everyone up to the towers."
"The unfinished towers" Darkevilme said with a snort.
"Aye aye, ye can chide me about finishing defenses if we be living through this, for now get a move on it!" Mr.Bean bellowed, on either side of him Petra and Mangled from the Twelfth bay watched."
"Get everyone ye can down bellow. YOU! Petra Get the beasts and game inside as well, ye can complain about the smell later. I not be wanting anything for them to shoot out ifen they get inside!" There was a pause as Petra snorted.
"Ifen they get in matie, we be having far bigger things ta worry about!" he shouted before running off.

By now the others had come up onto the rickety scaffolding.
Arthur and Ford marched up as Mr.Bean nodded.
"Glad ye kin make it Starpeople. I knew this day would come, I just dinna think it be so soon" Mr.Bean said grimily as Ford and Arthur looked out.
"I say Ford, seems they are unfurling something."
"Flags and banners, a LOT of them Arthur!"

Huge red flags billowed in the stale breeze. Wicked and hooked spears held the flags as well, each emblazoned with a great red EYE in front of what looked like black lightning bolts. The orcs lined up, not moving but stomping up and down, creating a horrific rumbling that echoed along the whole valley.

From behind the line, a single Orc rose out on a savage BeakDog. His voice boomed out over the Valley.

"Tremble in terror before the might of those that serveUløv Ranotautax, the ONE EYE!'" The orc bellowed as a chant came up from the ravenous hoard around it.
"ONE-EYE
ONE-EYE
ONE-EYE"
"Know that his armies are without end or mercy! We will descend upon your valley and gnaw all that is in it to the BONE! We shall trample and break and rend this valley into nothingness! No one shall be left alive!"

From their spot amongst the crowd of other Dwarves, Arthur turned to Ford.
"What a terribly unpleasant fellow, reminds me a bit of the Vogons." Arthur said as Ford shrugged
"Nah, these guys actually seem a bit more bright then Vogans, have to give them some credit. Still, we've faced worse."
"Have we? I'd say we are all going to die Ford, but it feels redundant at this point."


Down in the valley the trading post was packing up as fast as possible. the pack animals were being led down into the caves as an argument was breaking out between the beast people, Humans and Dwarves.

"What be going on here! We be having bigger problems!" Thomodite shouted. Argonnek The Dwarf looked around.
"I, well, dey be wanting to join us. I wasn’t sure what to do, I'm a trader! I just asses how much something is worth!" Argonnek said haplessly.
"Join us?" Thomodite asked
"That is true good Dwarf, we of the Human city Mong Reme shall not let you face such danger alone. My warriors and those of the beast men shall ride out into the field of battle for death or glory!" Ceslaz said, giving a smart salute to the Dwarf.
Thomodite smiled.

"Well ye most welcome to join us matie. But we be hoping it shalnt come to having to ride out into death." He said, as he watched the line of Dwarves marching up the half completed towers, crossbows in hand.

Down inside the caves, Trillian and the Lintillas were hard at work.

"I know how much you three want to help defend, but we all really need you down here in the forges." Trillian said as she was helping another Dwarf blacksmith, curiously called Voganpoet carry up iron bars.

'We all know it as well. The stocks of Crossbow bolts has been low, we need to begin smelting the bards down immediately if we are to get more ammunition to them during the fight." Lintilla said as Lintilla looked up.
"There will be a fight then? Not just a skirmish or ambush with these goblins? This, is the real thing?" Lintilla said as Trillian nodded.
"It looks like it sadly. I have studied ancient history on Earth enough to know that we will be lucky to survive this" She said as she began throwing Iron into the forges. Voganpoet pulling out his hammer.

"Aye ye Starpeole need not fret. Our warrior be having lots of practice on the goblin buggers. Have faith ye all, ARMOK shall protect us!" he said, hammering out molten iron as the sound of horns echoed outside.

The Valley went silent for a moment as the thunder of Orcish horns deafened all.
"ONE EYES!!! ATTTTAAAAACKKKK" the Orcish commander bellowed


"THE GATES! Close the gates ye lads! Hurry!" Stofsk shouted to some of the recruits as open-sketchbook grabbed his hand.
"NO! Not yet! The Orcs approch from the far end of the Valley. Close the gates and they shall scale the walls where we are weakest, leave them open..." The Dwarf trailed off.
"AHA! Leave them open and they shall be forced to march by our archers, bright lad matie. ARCHERS!" Stofsk Bellowed. Whitehaven and Darkevilme leading the squad marched up.

From behind the valley, the Orcs marched, moving around the still half completed walls, they came to the edge of the Valley along the way. Below, Dwarves, humans and beastmen went into a Panic as they could see the Orcs marching by. A few brave gaurds from the Humans shot upwards wildly against the orcs.


“Save your Arrows Matie! It be a one in a million chance to shoot something like this! Wait till they get in range of the Towers!” Another guard shouted as, reluctantly, the others lowered their bows.

"Not a lot of time mates, we got all the ammo we kin fir right now, everyone with a crossbow get up the towers right now!" The recruits following after Darkevilme as the Dwarf led them up the scaffolding inside the tower.

After a brief, if precarious climb, they set up upon the tower walls, trying not to knock unfinished masonry blocks over the edge.

From atop the tower Darkevilme looked down, the recruits all held crossbows, EVERYONE held crossbows...
"Hold ye fire lads! We gots to make every shot count!" The Dwarf shouted as behind him he could hear the twang of strings drawn tight...
"Alright lads! This be it maties! OPEN FIRE!"
A hail of iron death rained down from the partial completed tower. The sound of Orcs yelling rose up as the bolts impacted. Blood splattered everywhere... But the Orcs marched onwards still.


"It be the armor!" the dwarf bilateralrope shouted.
"BAH! Goblins and the like barely have but an iron cap or shield. These beasts be in full plate! This be a far more dangerous lot then ever I heard before!"
Darkevilme hissed.
"Orcs in full iron armor? This be a dangerous thing mate, we cannot let them by!" Darkevilme said be fore shouting again.
"RELOAD!!! All right ye Dwarves fire at will! Aim for the neck and bring them down!"
The order given, the dwarves loaded and shot as fast as possible.


The hail of iron bolts continued, slowly the Orcs dropped one after another, cries and snarls coming from the walls. Yet ever they came closer and closer. The recruits bgean to curse and swear, finally they came to the tower itself.
"BLAST IT ALL! They be too close! How many be left?" WhiteHaven shouted as he dropped his crossbow
"No more then four mate!" Petra said as he picked up a hefty Hammer.
"TO THE GATES MATIES! TO THE GATES!"


Climbing and jumping down the half completed tower, the Dwarfs met up with the others at the bottom, led by bilateralrope . They clenched Hammers and Axes, swords and bows. Every Dwarf in the militia was there, over a dozen in total, facing down four Orcs.

From far behind Mr.Bean watched with many of the other civilians behind him. Thirteen against four, seemed like good odds, but they were four ORCS.
"By Armok, let them be enough!" he prayed as with a cry the Dwarves surged forward.
bilateralrope led the charge with the other Hammer Dwarves Joviwam, Petra Starglider and Mangled They slammed into the first Orc, a barehanded brute already wounded by two bolts. He bellowed in rage, picking Petra up and throwing him backwards. The Dwarf rolled and got back up as Karza and Joviwam counter attacked. Thick heavy Hammers came down and knocked the orc back into the wall and there was an explosion of Gore! He fell lifeless but the brute was not alone.


Two Orcs came behind his body, wielding massive black iron orcish swords. Petra Lunged forward as did Karza. The Dwarf struck but the orc leapt backwards. The Orc snarled and bit down hard, bruising the muscle through the –bat leather armor-. The Orc latched on firmly!
Starglider thrust upwards with his *Iron Hammer*, he gouged deep into the Orcs right eye with the *Iron Hammer* tearing it apart!
Snarling, the Orc struck the Dwarf in the right lower leg. Tearing the muscle and shattering bone!

Starglider clutched his leg and slumped to the ground as Karza and bilateralrope struck upwards together.
In one desperate move, Karza Stabbed upward in the head with his +Iron Sword+, tearing the muscle, shattering the skull and tearing the brain!
The Orc was struck down, but one more remained.
Stofsk struck first, plunging his –Iron Hammer- hard into the Orcs chest, brusing muscle and shatter the middle ribs.
The Orc counter attacked, charging into Stofsk, the Dwarf was hurled back aginst the wall and lost the grip on his -Iron Hammer-.
Karza charged forward now, protecting the fallen Dwarf. But the Orc was soon upon him as well.
The Orc struck his sword down onto the Dwarf, His shield blocked the strike but was knocked from his hand. All too quickly the Orc came back again.
Stunned Karza could only watch as the sword came down upon him. Shielding himself, he raised his arm upwards to try and block the killing blow. There was a spater of blood, the sword missing the Dwarfs having been slowed down by Karza hand.

He stood there in shock for a moment as the Orc began to laugh.
"My-My Hand.. My HAND!" he cried out in agony, clutching his bloodied stump.
"KARZA!!!" shouted Whitehaven, the Marksdwarf racing forward, desperate to save his life as he saw the black sword coming down a final time. Raising his bow, he fired, catching the brute in the arm and deflecting the strike. Soon a hail of fresh iron bolts rained out, burning hot, fresh the forges, they struck into the orc, sizzeling and hissing.
Petra and Stofsk charged into the beast a moment later. Their hammers comming down hard on the Orc, smashing the skull and leaving it dead.


As they pulled the wounded away inside the cave, the Dwarves looked around at the blood, the gore, and the dead.
"That, that be it? We win dis?" Petra asked as if in a daze.
The other Dwarves looked around as well before Lintilla and Trillian broke the spell.
“THE WOUNDED! Get them inside quickly! Karza is about to bleed out!” Trillian cried as she rushed out, picking the Dwarf up and wrapping a bandage tight around his stump to stop the bleeding.

It had all be over in what seemed like a blur...
High atop the valley, a grim dark Orc looked over the bodies below.
"One Eyes Shall Return" he spat and turned his mount away.