- Location
- Brazil
[X] Plan Overview
Seems sensible.
Tales of History - A Civ-Builder Quest
- Thread starter Azel
- Start date
- Original
[X] Plan Overview
Seems sensible.
- Location
- nz
[X] Plan Overview
Holy crap that's as near unbreakable a spot to settle on as you could physically get. River valley flanked by 3 mountains and the entry way is occupied by the river outlet is agriculturally rich and basically impossible to get in by anything.
Only takes a little work to Dwarf Fortress this place up.
It even has Goats and Yaks for domestication!
- Location
- Germany
Sadly, the mountain range hasn't seen volcanic activety for the last few million years, so it's not that great by Dwarf Fortress standards. You can try to develop better beard technology though.
- Location
- being near locations is my passion.
- Location
- Germany
Goats are too small too ride and yaks are ornery buggers at the best of times... though I honestly can't think of a good reason why long-term effort couldn't get you yak cavalry.
The probability of your tribe turning into quarrelsome mountain people is quite high though.
- Location
- United States
What about breeding the goats to be big enough to become cavalry? Mountain goat riders would be very useful as scouts and messengers.
- Location
- Germany
Goats are half a meter in height. No amount of breeding will get them large enough to ride.
Besides, they would probably loose their climbing abilities in the process.
- Location
- Germany
Either very low-key or not at all. If something is magic or just a mixture of luck and coincidence is for the reader to decide.
- Location
- United States
Will you let us invade alien civilizations in the future?
- Location
- United States
I think you're getting waaaaaaaay too ahead of yourself there.
Let's see if we survive getting to the bronze ago before we even think of something approaching that.
- Location
- United States
No reason not to ask, though.I think you're getting waaaaaaaay too ahead of yourself there.
Let's see if we survive getting to the bronze ago before we even think of something approaching that.
- Location
- Chile
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- Location
- United States
It'd be a perk, yes.Will you want their skulls?
I want their tech more.
- Location
- Germany
Current plan is to run this quest until the iron age, since that's pretty much as far as I will be able to go on the current mechanics. It will need some re-tooling for thd age of sail and a major map-update.
Settling Down - 1
- Location
- Germany
[X] Plan Overview
-[X] [Hunters] Explore the valley and its immediate surroundings.
-[X] [Elders] Go out with the gatherers and look for edible plants. (Food)
-[X] [Matrons] Erect a camp-site.
-[X] [Hunters] Explore the valley and its immediate surroundings.
-[X] [Elders] Go out with the gatherers and look for edible plants. (Food)
-[X] [Matrons] Erect a camp-site.
Soon enough, busy people could be found all over the valley. The largest group by far was the matrons and the children who had been tasked with making a proper camp. There was a lot of arguing about were to put it, especially with a few of the elders who had stayed with them due the exhaustion from the march. First they wanted to put the camp in the woods, so that it would be hard to spot from a distance, but the elders thought that all those tree things were too dangerous to be around. There was no telling when they would fall over like the taller shrubs tended to do in the steppe and there was even proof of that, since a few could be found laying on the ground. That all the other trees seemed to stand firm was no argument for them, since clearly, if one falls, they soon all will.
So they looked for a spot on the grassy shores of the large river next and obviously, that wouldn't do either. It was quite evident that the exposed pebbles at some places meant bad things, either because the river had spat them out, they had rained down there from the mountains or because the riverbank might slide into the waters any second now. The plants on the calmer edges were even worse, because who knew what strange monsters might hide in there? The gently rising meadow was right out, since the river spirits would flood it any moment now and hadn't they come here exactly for the reason to no longer live on grass? Clearly they had been right when they had proposed to go to other lands instead of this dreadful valley.
At this point, the matrons had been fed up and told them that they could live on the mountains if they found everything here so bad or go away entirely. And besides, if they had recovered enough to whine all day, they had recovered enough to make themselves useful. The good thing about the squabbling was that the people had found a great place while walking around the valley arguing with each other. There was a larger clearing in the woods, just a short walk from one of the shallows of the river, yet well hidden from sight by the trees and shrubbery.
Gathering without knowledge.
56 -> work goes slow, but no deaths
56 -> work goes slow, but no deaths
Meanwhile the gatherers went on with the unenviable task of finding out where some food might be found and more importantly, if it was actually food or poison. Never in living memory of the tribe were the elders part of the efforts as much as in these days. First on the journey and now again here. It was their lot to carefully taste everything that nobody recognized, since in the end, if they were laid low by sickness, the tribe would loose the least. The hunters needed to bring in meat and the matrons needed to take care of the children, but an elder laid low by cramps and fevers for a few days would not spell doom to the tribe.
The big problem was that nothing in this valley could be recognized by anyone. Sure enough, many plants looked similar as things they knew from the steppe, but nobody was quite willing to gamble the tribes health on that alone. And thus came the great gnawing and chewing, tasting everything from berries to leaves and roots. Carefully of course, especially since one had to wait a while to see if something made you ill, yet that also meant that it was going slowly. In the end, many of the gatherers had to chime in and taste their finds themselves, hoping for the best, though nothing worse then a few cramps had been the toll of the efforts. One particularly unlucky girl was in quite some pain after stepping through the stalks of what was quickly dubbed Fire-Vine, for it felt on her skin as if she had passed through a flame, though even that passed after just a few minutes again.
It was thus not much that they brought home for the tribe to eat. Enough to keep them fed for a bit, yet not a truly great bounty either. Unlike in the steppes, many plants here seemed much softer, their stems and leaves much thicker and of a wild variety of tastes. Some were sour, others sweet or tasting of even stranger things. Especially a certain kind that they had found to grow in the small ponds where twigs and dirt had clogged some of the many minor creeks had been deemed quite tasty. Beside those, the forest offered ample amounts of berries, of which most seemed edible and the trees seemed to shed many kinds of tiny, hard things, that were quite filling after having them crushed by a rock or roasted in the hot ashes of a fire.
Gained passive food income from Gathering.
They also spotted quite a few animals during their search, both small things that scurried through the brush and antelopes whose horns were like the branches of the trees to make them blend into their surroundings. Though those were things the hunters would have to investigate.
As for them...
"I swear it to you! I saw it with my own eyes!" His words did nothing to banish the dubious looks the others leveled at the young boy. Especially the older ones seemed to see his tale as confirmation that they shouldn't have brought so many of the youngster with them.
"You want us to believe in a beast that walks on his hind legs and is tall as two men?" It was meant as a reproach, but the boy just nodded. "That is so fat that it could feed the entire tribe?" Another flurry of nods. "And a pelt large enough to cloth four of us?"
This made the boy look thoughtful for a moment, before he raised his head again. "Maybe even five, if you just make cloaks and boots from it."
That made most of the assembled hunters groan at the outrageous tale again, yet some seemed more thoughtful then incredulous. After some murmurs, one of those raised his voice to address the crowd. "Maybe we should just go there and see if he told the truth. What does it matter if we travel in that direction as a group before splitting up again? If it's just a tall tale, we lost nothing, but if the beast is real, we can bring it down together."
"I've said it back then and I say it again. It was a bad idea to make the young ones scout on their own. They are supposed to watch and learn from us, not run off on their own and get in trouble or invent stories. If we follow every flight of fancy, we will get nothing done at all." Many nodded at that, even some of the youngest members of the group, who looked pretty frightened just from the description of the alleged monster of the woods.
"But think of the tribe! The others make a camp for us and try to gather plants, but what would they say if we surprise them with such a magnificent bounty upon our return? Knowing the lands is well and good, but seeing hills and rivers does not fill your stomach."
"Maybe it would be wise to see if the tale is true, just to confirm the existence of such a beast. Wouldn't it be wise to also look for dangers while exploring? We should not discount his words, just because we never saw something like that ourselves."
And thus the murmurs grew around the boy, the hunters debating what to do.
He carefully crept forwards, one step at a time. His eyes darting around the clearing to see the others doing likewise, only their silhouettes visible in the pale light of the moon. In the middle of the rapidly shrinking circle was their quarry for this night. Maybe the boy had exaggerated a bit about it's size, though it was hard to say for sure. A massive boulder, wrapped in pelt, was laying on the grass, its back slowly rising and falling as it breathed.
It was the argument that they should know about such beasts, for they might attack the tribe, that swayed the hunters to follow the trail, though all knew that it would not end with just watching it. Why report a danger, when you might as well eliminate it? And so they had followed it until the sun had set and it had lain down for the night, just there in the clearing, as if nothing in the woods would be able to hurt it if it slept so in the open.
For men that were used to hide among stalks of grass no higher then their knees, it was almost too easy to hide in these overgrown lands. They had gotten so close that they could smell his fur and even hear the sound of its breathing. The ambush was nigh perfect. Many hunters, spears raised and ready to throw them at any moment, yet their quarry still unaware of the danger.
At last, the beast stirred, raising his head as it had finally noticed them, but it was too late. The spears flew towards it as one and as his own had left his hand, he almost wanted to cry out in victory, assured that nothing could survive that many weapons. He thought wrong.
To the horror of the hunters, the spears failed to kill the thing. It seemed as if they hadn't even hurt it much, just filled it with wrath at their impudence. Some outright glanced off its hide, other failed to strike deep enough to even bury the whole tip. He rushed in, together with some others, trying to thrust their spears directly into the creature, but it rose further to stand on its hind-legs. The monster roared, a deep and terrible sound that struck terror into the hunters hearts, just as much as to see their spears breaking uselessly against its skin.
He dropped the useless stump of his weapon as he staggered backwards and the beast looked now directly at him. Sharp claws adorned its paws and teeth bigger then his fingers gleamed in the night. Quickly he raised his arm before his face, trying to dampen the blow he knew would come and hiding the terrible sight of it from view. Though right after, he saw it again. Why had he lowered his arm? And where did the water come from? Then he saw the moon above, not remembering why he looked up. Then he knew nothing.
Scouting the area.
4 + 10 (Boldness) = 14 -> minimal progress
Critical Failure!
Hunters found something and angered it. They paid the price.
4 + 10 (Boldness) = 14 -> minimal progress
Critical Failure!
Hunters found something and angered it. They paid the price.
Many tears were shed as the hunters returned to the camp a few days later, for it were not many that did return. Worry spread together with the tale of their failed hunt and of the terrible monster that had slain so many in its rage. Not all died immediately to its claws and bites, but some succumbed later to their wounds, while others got lost in the woods in their mad scramble to get away.
In the end, the hunters have been all but gutted. Many of them are dead or missing with nary a spear left for those who survived. At least most of the youngest made it back safely, though they are only half trained at best and make pure substitutes for their elders. There are still those who had stayed behind to protect the camp, though they number few and neither are they the best, nor would it be wise to send even their last defenders away. What said defenders should do against a creature that can't be fought with spears is a question nobody dares to raise. The success of the gatherers is all that stands between the tribe and outright panic, for it seems that no great hunting spoils will come any time soon.
Again the groups squabble with each other, trying to find a way to deal with the crisis. With the hunter decimated though, they have nearly no voice and will have to accept the decisions of the matrons and the elders.
What should be done with the remainder of the hunters?
[] [Hunters] Let them mourn their lost kin and friends, and let them decide themselves what to do. (Unknown effect.)
[] [Hunters] Tell them to go hunting, so that they can rebuild their confidence. (Food, low-efficiency due to lack of skilled hunters, will deplete weapon supplies further)
[] [Hunters] Tell them to try to fish in the rivers and streams. More supplies are always good and it will make them feel useful. (Food)
[] [Hunters] Tell them to go with the gatherers and find a way to make new weapons. (Might find a way to make new weapons.)
[] [Hunters] Tell them to guard the camp. (Reassures the people.)
What does the rest of the tribe do? Pick two options:
[] [Action] Clearly the invulnerable creature was a spirit, not a beast. Try to find a way to appease the spirits for this slight. (Might reassure the people.)
[] [Action] The spirits have aided the tribe to get to this valley. Try to ask them for guidance again. (Might reassure the people.)
[] [Action] The people always believed that the ancestors have become one with the world again. Maybe you can ask them for guidance? At least one of them is not even far. (Might reassure the people.)
[] [Action] Look at the trees and see if you can make new spears from their branches. (Might find a way to make new weapons.)
[] [Action] Look at the rocks of the valley and see if something useful can be made from them. (Might find a way to make new tools or weapons.)
[] [Action] Look for a way to defend the camp or at least make it easier to detect the beast if it comes. (Might find something. Might reassure the people.)
AN: The good news is that you are not overly likely to starve to death soon, since gathering went well and the valley hasn't been taxed by human habitation so far. The bad news is that winter is a thing and the gathering output during it will be not able to sustain you on its own.
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DevilsAdvocate
Always follow the golden rule.
[X] [Hunters] Let them mourn their lost kin and friends, and let them decide themselves what to do. (Unknown effect.)
- Location
- United States
Oof. There is a beastie in these woods, one that destroys hunters with stone age weapons.
[X] Plan Raichu
-[X] [Hunters] Let them mourn their lost kin and friends, and let them decide themselves what to do. (Unknown effect.)
-[X] [Action] The spirits have aided the tribe to get to this valley. Try to ask them for guidance again. (Might reassure the people.)
-[X] [Action] Look for a way to defend the camp or at least make it easier to detect the beast if it comes. (Might find something. Might reassure the people.)
My rationale:
trying to put the grieving to work when they are so shaken is foolish, and the possiblility of further endangering our (I assume) population of young men seems like a bad idea. Let them grieve, and then we can focus on using them to hunt in the winter.
We obviously had some sort of divine providence in getting here intact, although the wisdom of the Elders is less useful in such a strange place. Getting the assistance of the Spirits to once again guide us seems like a good idea.
So far the beastie is the only real threat we have found, with no other humans seen and the animals being prey species. Learning where the beasties go and how to avoid pissing them off is important if we want to be able to traverse anywhere near them.
Edit: I should probably make this a plan, huh
[X] Plan Raichu
-[X] [Hunters] Let them mourn their lost kin and friends, and let them decide themselves what to do. (Unknown effect.)
-[X] [Action] The spirits have aided the tribe to get to this valley. Try to ask them for guidance again. (Might reassure the people.)
-[X] [Action] Look for a way to defend the camp or at least make it easier to detect the beast if it comes. (Might find something. Might reassure the people.)
My rationale:
trying to put the grieving to work when they are so shaken is foolish, and the possiblility of further endangering our (I assume) population of young men seems like a bad idea. Let them grieve, and then we can focus on using them to hunt in the winter.
We obviously had some sort of divine providence in getting here intact, although the wisdom of the Elders is less useful in such a strange place. Getting the assistance of the Spirits to once again guide us seems like a good idea.
So far the beastie is the only real threat we have found, with no other humans seen and the animals being prey species. Learning where the beasties go and how to avoid pissing them off is important if we want to be able to traverse anywhere near them.
Edit: I should probably make this a plan, huh
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