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Post by King Njal I on Jul 28, 2020 13:47:09 GMT
Beliefs- I will uphold my oath and expand Demacia further underground.
- I will make great discoveries underground.
- I will defend my people from any threat I find underground.
Njal had been traveling throughout the Orcades and his journey was not done. His last visit had been to Balfour on the Island of Scalpandis where he met Jarlebanke. He had then sailed back to Kirkwaa and had plans to continue his journey to Haey. He took a break though and followed up on the construction of the new harbour in Kirkwaa. Everything seemed to go as expected and so he had gathered his equipment, including his arms and armour, and sent word to the Council of Iron Shields, informing them that he was going to explore the dwarven tunnels from Mainland.
He had travelled a day to reach the opposite side of the island, and now in the morning air, he ventured closer to the entrance to the dwarven tunnels. His shoes were sturdy, his armor was tight. He clenched his axe and shield.
Njal calmed himself by grumbling words of comfort, "I hope it isnae tae dangerous doon there, or that the journey wull take tae lang. I must go deep as I swore, but I cannae bring others by force, I wouldn't forgive myself if they were harmed. I will explore a bit and see what I find. Everything will be okay."
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Post by Rogr Stonehearth on Jul 28, 2020 21:28:29 GMT
Rogr gazed at the partially ruined entrance way, Njal's interest in the great works of the ancestors was good and proper and by retracing the process they went through to create the underways his people would learn much and gain much. But first there was just a few small problems to overcome, namely what in the ancestors names had happened to the tunnels in the centuries since their collapse and now.
Nodding to Njal, "There should be small guard houses just inside the entryway on both sides, if I remember correctly" Rogr said while pointing generally in the direction of the entrance way. "If we clear one out it we can use it as a base camp from which to explore."
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Post by Lidhuin on Jul 30, 2020 20:16:28 GMT
Rogr Stonehearth was but a young lad when calamity struck the tunnels that had held together the Dwarven Kingdom of Northhold since time immemorial. While the Lothians and the Temple of Blood waged their wars in the south, and humanity in general was busy causing trouble for everyone, it was a little more than a hundred years ago that the tunnels variously collapsed or became otherwise inaccessible due to monstrosities inhabiting the ancient dwarven halls. Merlin's wall was raised soon thereafter, and North Hold declined, until Demacia rose in its stead.
The ancestors could not tell him what had happened to the tunnels, for it had happened in Rogr's lifetime, but they could whisper him secrets of what the tunnels used to be like. Their grandiose nature, as well as ancient secrets long since forgotten by other dwarves, and perhaps some of the more mundane that hadn't changed since. Besides that, Rogr would have to rely on his personal knowledge of history to know about the last-known state of the tunnels.
[Generally, Rogr and Njal may define minutae about the tunnels and describe them as they please under the "say yes" rules. An appropriate wise roll (by any character) may help define some major element of the tunnels crucial to the success - or failure - of the adventure. Obstacles will start at 3, something obscure about the tunnels would be Obstacle 5, and something specific and bizarre would be obstacle 7 (I'll set the obstacle based on the element described). Then following the roll either: a) success, the tunnels are as described, or b) failure, the tunnels used to be as described, but something changed in the last 100 years]
Based on the rumours that Njal was going to explore the tunnels, a small camp of maybe a dozen or so dwarves had been erected by the entrace to the dwarven tunnels. It provided a nice basecamp in which to rest and from which to explore the tunnels.
[Alternatively, Njal or Rogr could pick a suitable skill or stat with which to venture into the tunnels. They may either define something specific they are looking for (e.g. small guard houses) or vaguely venture into the tunnels and let me decide what they find. In the event of failure, they would find something different that would likely present an additional obstacle. If a course of action cannot result in an interesting failure consequence, then no dice will be rolled]
[If you are looking for an NPC to help you out with something, you may describe the type of dwarf you're looking for, then make a "circles test" to see if the NPC is available in the basecamp]
[The above are merely suggestions intended to illustrate some possible choices within the context of Burning Wheel. Also, other players are still free to join until Njal says otherwise]
[PS - don't forget adventure specific beliefs!]
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Post by King Njal I on Jul 30, 2020 20:46:36 GMT
Njal looked at Rogr, "Good idea tae clear the guard houses. We can clear from check point tae check point and shift the base camp as we travel, expanding oor territories as we go and securing the tunnels while having someone at the camp mapping them.""Let's go." Njal said and stepped forward into the tunnels.
The entry to the tunnel was a broch and Njal descended into the ruins making note that these should be repaired at some point. Once under ground, Njal noted that the tunnel here had been dug out as a shaft with an incline, as if going deep into a mine without a platform. At the darkest depth of the shaft, the first guard house awaited. He let Rogr lead at first because he believed that Rogr had more experience with this type of expedition and exploration than he did. Once they reached the guard house, however, Njal took lead, ensuring that Rogr was in a proper fighting formation [skill] in case there were any threats within the guard house. Hopefully it was vacant, but it was more likely that it wasn't. With his shield and axe raised, Njal stepped into the darkness, ready to clear out the first guard house and move the base camp into the depths, thus expanding the territories of Demacia deeper underground.
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Post by Rogr Stonehearth on Jul 31, 2020 9:52:33 GMT
"Give me a moment before you go haring off underground Njal. I think I remember something about this." Rogr pauses for a number of moments, deep in though, "Unless things have changed since there should be a set of guard posts near the entrance. They are nothing major though, small watch posts for guards to keep an eye out. The heavier defences where further into the tunnels to make it hard for any attackers to bring up siege weapons. Between the guard posts and the gates there was a deadfall trap, a section of the roof that could be triggered to collapse. It was designed to delay any force trying to push into the tunnels, I think there where more of these further in as well."
"The memory comes from an ancestor long passed though, some 300 years or more so I suspect things have changed. Our ancestors would likely have added further defences, and whatever caused them to collapse may have changed things as well."
"The most important thing though is that there are small secondary tunnels with hidden entries and exits, designed to allow small groups to bypass the defences. Likely for spies, rangers and in event of siege raids and sallies. If I can remember where they are and how open them we may have alternate routes that we can traverse."
[Ancient History, Dwarf-wise and Blood History may be applicable here.]
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Post by Lidhuin on Aug 2, 2020 19:15:57 GMT
Ancient History [3], Dwarf-Wise FoRK [1], Clan-Wise FoRK [1], Blood History [2], Advantage [1] vs Obstacle [5] results: [6] [6] [5] [3] [3] [3] [1] [1] (3 successes versus obstacle 5). Counts as a Routine test for Ancient History.
Journeying into the mines, Rogr and Njal found the guardhouses derelict and abandoned. The main tunnels had collapsed, either due to natural disasters or because the traps had been triggered, but regardless they were impassable and had been for many years. It was one of many reasons why the tunnels were not in use.
With the knowledge of his ancestors, however, Rogr was able to locate an entrance to some of the secret tunnels. Maintenance shafts, original constructions, and what have you that served a multitude of useful purposes, such as allowing small groups to bypass the defences. Unfortunately, it also served to allow small groups to bypass defences.
Njal took the point with his shield and axe against the Fomorians, goblin spawn twisted by the weakening of the veil. These were nothing like the goblins of ages past, and not even like some goblins elsewhere that were surely in hiding somewhere. They were disorganized, decrepit and decadent. However, there were many. Thankfully, the tunnels were narrow, and so Njal didn't have to apply his martial skills so much as hold out and endure until they were all routed.
[Forte 5] (endurance test), Advantage [1] vs Obstacle [3]: [6] [6] [4] [4] [3] [2]: Success! Counts as Routine Test for Forte (irrelevant)
With some Fomorians slain and the vast majority driven out, Njal was able to catch his breath.
The secondary tunnels were now accessible, but they were vast and disorganized, and clearly there were still Fomorians crawling about from time to time. It would seem the ancient secret passages had been the only thing keeping them away from the dwarves on the surface. Besides that, it would be easy to get lost in the tunnels (for anyone besides Njal, of course). But the first steps of regaining access to the tunnels had been accomplished.
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Post by King Njal I on Aug 4, 2020 18:16:37 GMT
Rogr's information proved to only be partially useful since the main tunnel had completely collapsed. The nearby guard post was expected and Njal made a mental note of Rogr's information about the hidden side tunnels. "The side tunnels are braw for exploration, but we'll need tae rebuild the main tunnels tae use for main transportation." Njal noted as they approached the first guard post. He lifted his axe and stepped forward. The Formorians that had taken refuge within the guard post were disorganized and it was easy for Njal to funnel them into a doorway once he had forced his way into the guard post by putting all of his weight behind his shield to push in. He cut the first Formorian in the stomach with the axe and then took a defensive stance by the door so that only a single Formorian could attack at a time. The monsters were dumb and lined up for Njal to strike them down like flies with his axe. He cut open the Formorians with surface wounds, swinging his axe through and through, but mainly he held up his shield high to block attacks, and ensured that his feet were positioned correctly to stand his ground. Finally, the rest of the Formorians fled the guard post, and Njal took a seat to catch his breath.
"We'll need rangers, miners, and map makers down here. The rangers can explore the natural caverns and hidden tunnels while the miners howk out the main passage. The map makers can then document everythin' so that we can mark a path through thae tunnels." Njal looked at Rogr. "Do ye have any idea whaur this specific tunnel from Mainland leads? Dae ye know whaur we can find a tunnel that leads tae the Hebrides?"
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Post by Lidhuin on Aug 15, 2020 4:52:23 GMT
As time passed and successes grew, more dwarves made their way to the encampment. The promise of work, and eventual mining, was a huge draw. It would surely still take time to clear the tunnels, and equally important, it would take effort. That is to say, effort beyond merely waiting for other dwarves to clear the way, for the threat of fomorians was very real.
The first encounter had been benign enough and merely a test of endurance. The next one might require a little more tactical savvy and martial prowess.
[You may still take an action if you so wish, while I process turns]
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Post by King Njal I on Aug 25, 2020 11:17:05 GMT
Over the course of the next few months, the dwarves toiled in the underground tunnels. At first, they worked only from Mainland but after a journey to the Hebrides, Njal convinced his kin to start working from Ljoðhús as well. They set up military camps at the brochs that marked the entrances to the Dwarven Tunnels to ensure that if anything came out from underground, the dwarves would be able to contain it. Soldiers and explorers were sent from the brochs and into the tunnels themselves to make sure it was safe. Once the closest guard house was found, map makers and prospectors would be sent in to start mapping the area and assessing the damage. Whenever possible, miners would start digging out the main tunnel, but where the prospectors deemed it too much work, explorers and map makers marked new paths using the smaller side tunnels. Soldiers moved deeper underground, always present at the most forward guard house to support the explorers and workers as they worked on the Dwarven Tunnels that would eventually extend 200 kilometres, possible more if the infrastructure was expanded upon.
Njal focused his efforts from the Orcades, assisting in the coordination and helped the soldiers protect the miners and explorers as they went deeper and deeper. One day, at the beginning of summer 677, Njal was leading a squad of dwarven axewielders into a smaller side tunnel to ensure the safety of the explorers coming up behind them. The prospectors had deemed the main tunnel caved in and too unstable to dig out. It was much better to expand upon the side tunnel for a dozen kilometres, which would take a few days to clear out and explore. As they moved through the tunnels, they came upon a large cave that had been eaten out by water that now formed a small lake and a stream. The stench of formorians was thick here and there was the clanging echoes of the creatures. The side tunnel was fine and could probably be used to bottle the formorians as Njal had done countless times before, but as the soldiers scouted the cave, it became clear to Njal that the Formorians wouldn't be drawn into the side tunnel, just as they hadn't ventured to the surface. If they wanted to use this side passage to connect to Ljoðhús, then they would need to clear this cave, and they would have to use proper strategies for once since they couldn't bottle them up.
They spent hours scouting the cave, making sure the explorers stayed back and investigated some of the other tunnels and caves. Eventually, Njal came up with a plan and gathered his axewielders. Njal was going to be using a lot of his martial skills. Everything from his axe, armor training, shield, command, and most importantly, formation fighting. "Listen up. We have a cave here with dozens o' formorians. We cannae draw them intae a tunnel, and there are too many tae take them head on. We'll use the stream and their encampment tae our advantage. We'll split intae three groups o' four. I'll lead one o' the two groups that cross the stream and flank the two sides o' the camp, cutting off the large group on that side of the water from the wee group on this side. That should give us enough o' an advantage that we can take out most o' the formorians, and hopefully the rest will bolt. We'll use the stream tae protect us from the enemies comin' from this side o' the waters. The third group will come up behind the formorians that are trying tae reinforce their main forces by pushing over the stream, making sure that the rest o' us are nae overwhelmed. Any questions? "
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Post by Lidhuin on Sept 15, 2020 7:18:14 GMT
The early fomorians had largely been surprised, besides being the weaker among them. Resistance in the tunnels was mounting, for there were few places left for the fomorians to hide. It would seem a long time ago, they had apparently been driven deep underground. They infested the caverns, and it made work slow. Miners, engineers, and carpenters had to wait for the crossbowmen and axemen to provide them with patrols, and the additional logistics made it a daunting task for the supply lines. Still, the dwarves persisted and either cleared many of the side-tunnels, or boarded them up securely to reduce the risk of future ambushed in the time that would pass between the mines first opening and the mines being genuinely clear of (most) threats.
Leading his group of dwarves, Njal made a flanking maneuver against the Fomorians, who held their ground against the dwarves that were charging in. With the Fomorians holding their ground, they threw rocks at the dwarves in their armour and shields. A rock was headed straight for Njal's eye, but before he could bring up his shield to deflect it, a fellow dwarf at his side raised his own. The tactical prowess of the dwarves proved sufficient to lead the warriors close in against the goblins, who were unable to weaken the charge, nor were they able to overcome the flanking maneuver.
As the dwarves pressed the goblins and took few losses themselves, the goblins disengaged and left their position. Yet the battle was not over. The skirmishing goblins had gained a newfound advantage over the dwarves. Unable to utilize their makeshift fortifications against them, the goblins now used their speed and agility to skirmish the dwarves. The dwarves could engage the goblins, but doing so meant breaking the shield wall they had formed, thus leaving themselves vulnerable to the harries the goblins were employing against them. It was obvious that this was more than just pure happenstance or instinct on the goblin's part. They had a leader, and now that their ranks were broken and they were skirmishing, he stood out more clearly among.
A particularly brawny, if less speedy and agile, fomorian had an intimidating air about him. With a snarl, the goblins seemed to follow his commands. Due to his presence, the goblins had not yet routed, and had instead rallied to this new, annoying strategy. His garbs marked him out distinctly from the others and passed for what could be called fancy among this lot, seeing as how most of them had (very practical) rags of various sorts, whereas his rags were less so. To call him a goblin would be generous to goblins, but he was very clearly a fomorian like the rest of them, and they did heed his words. So long as he held the field, so too would the goblins, at least until either he or the goblins were slain.
Njal & Dwarves Flank (Tactics) Holding (Observation) Goblins (Unskilled Tactics, Will B6 + 1 Adv + 1 FoRK (Command) vs Unskilled Observation, Perception B4 + Fortifications (B3), tie - automatic advance due to hold, no penalties due to tie).
Goblin throws rock (1 free ranged attack due to hold, no extra attacks due to tie): (Thrown weapon(Agility) vs base obstacle (2) + shield (1) miss)
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Post by King Njal I on Sept 15, 2020 13:37:23 GMT
"Thank ye!" Njal exclaimed to the dwarf by his side that had deflected a dangerous projectile. The dwarves were standing in a defensive shieldwall position, having regrouped and pushed back the formorians to a point where the goblins had lost their fortification. Unfortunately, the battle had gone on for so long that they had organized their own defences, led by a clearly flamboyant leader. Njal scowled at him but also knew that this fight may end in a stalemate, which would mean a retreat for the dwarves. "Stand ye ground!" Njal commanded, keeping the shieldwall and considering his options. As the formorians continued their skirmishes, Njal decided that this wasn't worth it and called a retreat. "Fall back!" Njal called out and slowly started to step back while holding the shieldwall. The formorians had won this day, but the war wasn't over. Unfortunately, a retreat may not have been the smartest move as they came to the waters while the goblins pushed their attacks. A retreat would not be easy. When there was a break in the offence, Njal directed his troops to cross the waters and fall back to the tunnels. He stayed back, blocking attacks and swinging his axe only to strike the foes that became too cocky and advanced too far. When most of his men had crossed, he started to move with the remaining troops, ensuring that he was the last one over. This is when everything went black.
Njal woke up with a throbbing headache. The back of his head hurt. As he lifted his hand to evaluate the damage, he found them bound. Everything was hazy and he wasn't sure where he was. It was dark and smelled of rot and mildew. He tried to focus, which took longer than it should have. The memory of battle and the formorians came back as he peered into the eyes of the flamboyant goblin. Did his men get out? Were there others that had been captured? Njal groaned as he tried to sit up with his hands and legs bound, grumbling to himself. Whether the leader could speak and how intelligent it actually was, Njal didn't know, but he knew how to behave as a prisoner, especially in the face of his betters. He humbly sat in front of his captor and tried to communicate in the ways that he had been taught, with etiquette.
"Ay. Ye won laddy. I hadn't thought such leadership from yer kind was possible. Do ye have more o' us? What will ye do now?"
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Post by Lidhuin on Sept 24, 2020 6:25:17 GMT
[I'll roll for etiquette after a post or two]
While most goblins could speak, it was few who could engage in any kind of thoughtful discourse. At least, such was a common perspective among dwarves and humans alike (let alone what the sidhe thought). Yet there were always those who certainly could. Most often these skillful fomorians were rare envoys, albeit typically more interested in sowing discord than diplomatic ventures, and then of course most of their leaders had to have just a tad more thought behind their approach than your average berserker.
"Won?" He sneered, waving his arms about, "Hrmpf. I suppose I did capture you."
"But what good will that do?" He mused, "If I return you, it will be but a matter of time till we are assaulted again. Naturally it is a war I can win, as we have won so many wars before. How long until I am deposed as leader as I lead successful garrison after garrison, because I do not scratch their itch to return the favor? My subjects scarcely know what's good for them."
"And yet," He sat down on a chair facing Njal, still towering above the dwarf, "Yet if I kill you, that time will be all the sooner." He shook a crooked hand at Njal, "I don't imagine they'll let me get away with just cutting your head off. Or quartering you. Or any of the other dozen ways I could rid myself of you. In fact, I suspect if you were anything but an outcast - and that you are not - then the retribution against me and mine would be swift and cruel, as it always is."
"So what to do, what to do..." He wondered.
"Well, while I think of that, I have to ask: Have you ever played 'Fidchell'? It is not often I get to play it."
He presented a chess-like board before Njal, while he considered what to do with his hostage.
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Post by King Njal I on Sept 24, 2020 10:58:42 GMT
Njal was surprised at the formorian's wellspoken manner but out of politeness he did his best not to show it so as not to offend his captor. It dawned upon Njal that he had put the formorians in an impossible situation, hopefully one that he would be able to win something from, especially his life.
"I know of this game, but it's nae one that we dwarves commonly use. It's more widespread in the lands farther south. I can play, but I can nae be the most challenging opponent." Njal remarked as the game of Fidchell was presented.
Njal nodded to his bonds to show that he couldn't truly participate in his current state while proposing a possible solution to the current dilemma, a discussion that continued into the game of black and white tokens on a wooden board.
"You and yer subjects have long ruled here in the murk, a place that my folk would like tae travel through. Ye can nae realize it, but yer win in the battle gives ye a third option."
Njal's head still throbbed in pain and he had a hard time concentrating on the game, which was a little alien to him. He knew the rules and moved his black stones to surround his opponent while trying to keep the king from moving out, but he was distracted.
"This place is yer domain. We are the invaders that shift in tae block ye off in order tae claim win. As ye conquer the board, then ye get tae set the terms. Ye fear retribution, but whit about a peaceful resolution whaur ye keep yer lands and we get tae travel through a designated path that leads tae our domain on the surface? Ye can even claim a fair taxation that we agree upon. This should resolve any conflict while leading tae clear victory on yer part."
Njal looked at the board, trying to find out if he was winning or losing, while hoping that his proposal would be accepted.
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Post by Lidhuin on Oct 4, 2020 6:52:43 GMT
In the course of the conversation and the game, Njal learned the Fomorian's name was Hwark. Although a ruthless combination of intellect and brawn, he wasn't the strongest of the Fomorians. In a different time, he might have led a glorious, albeit evil, empire. Or he might have been deposed by someone stronger in those times and never lived to see the downfall of the empire at the hands of a brute. As it were, he led something which was a shadow of its former glory, following multiple wars, schemes and disasters over the course of the past hundred years.
The game wasn't going too well for Njal. But he was at least putting up a challenge to Hwark, who seemed to be enjoying himself.
"A novel idea," Hwark said, moving a piece, "I could convince my subjects to allow you to pass. For the right price, I could even have many tunnels cleared."
"To do so, I will need slaves." Hwark said matter of factly, "With the right slaves, I could stay in power indefinitely and prop up my supporters. I'd have us get the slaves ourselves, but..." he indicated the caverns, "...so this seems like the next-best thing until we can engage in our ancient traditions once more."
"Now then," Hwark continued, "I was thinking a number of slaves on a seasonal or annual basis. As a toll, you know. We'll need them to keep the tunnels operable too, of course."
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Post by King Njal I on Oct 9, 2020 4:48:50 GMT
Njal thought about Hwark's price. He had no intention of delivering dwarven slaves to the formorians, but perhaps there were other slaves that could be procured. There was a land to the south filled with people that were not his kin, people who had taken his ancestor's lands. Their punishment could be slavery in the hands of the formorians. Njal moved a piece without thinking about the consequence of the game.
"If ye let me return tae my kin, I will bring ye slaves on an annual basis, as a toll for usin` yer tunnels tae travel between the islands in our realm. I will hold ye tae keeping the tunnels operable. I agree tae yer conditions. Do we have a deal?"
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