So I suppose y'er eager to hear the tale of GearedFountain, greatest hold of The Volcano of Imprisonment and birthplace of Cog Ekastzas, champion and slayer of Forgotten Beasts
Then pull up a chair (or rock throne) and I'll tell it all and be done. Now keep in mind that back in those days, back in the year 104, things were different, life was smaller, and the dwarves were simpler, yet unaware of the trials they would one day face, but they held within them a spark that would grow into a great flame of industry, just don't tell the elves
It all began as a colony founded near the eastern border of the mother territory, the Volcano of Imprisonment, they were a small nation largely overshadowed by their northern neighbors but that fate was destined to change the day that GearedFountain was founded in the territory of Olenzefon
The early trials of the colony are easy to laugh at now but at the time they stoked the deep fear of the unknown in the peaceful citizens of GearedFountain. Among the early threats was the minotaur, an ugly beast that wandered down from the mountains with a thirst for manblood
It fed greatly from the undefended pasture and in the end it was a lone hero from among the citizens that rose up to strike down the minotaur, while his name was lost to history, his legacy was not, and thus GearedFountain's first soldiering squad was born
Shortly after, GearedFountain's military would repel the first of many sieges against the burgeoning dwarfhold
It was then that the motherland finally recognized the great deeds of GearedFountain and sent an emissary to their people, the emissary recognized the hold as a barony and raised Asmel Eshtanzes to the rank of baroness after much internal deliberation
"Is that when the Forgotten Beast came?" you ask, excited to hear the part of the tale sung by so many bards
"Aye, that be when the beast arrived, it rose from the depths in a tide of fire and smoke that the young barony hardly withstood," the aging loremaster replies, "a terrible sight that still plays before my eyes even today, and one I hope the hold will not see for many a coming year."
Lithene Rinowe, many-legged beast of fire and ash, no one knows from what pit it crawled from but its approach was sighted in the lower caverns sparking fear and panic
This was the first true test of the young barony, the prideful soldiers were overconfident in their numbers and undertrained in their skill, at first they only saw the beast as a new laurel to add to their names
No one was ready for first contact with the enemy, its lungs held an inferno hotter than any smith's forge and it unleashed death upon the narrow corridors of the lower caverns
The first wave was swept away in fire and those that survived fled back through the cavern, their bravado crushed but their spirits still resilient
Solon Gamilton, captain of the guard for four years of service, makes a final stand yet falls in the line of duty
Baroness Asmel recognized the grave threat for what it was and called an emergency draft from among the populace to replenish the tattered army. Many claim that the entire hold owes its current existence to her quick action after Solon's death
Despite the draft, many thought the hold was lost when Luthene breached the dormitory level, its roaring flame consumed many
In the end it was the unlikeliest of heroes that prevailed. A green recruit by the name of Likot charged the forgotten beast in a bloodrage and without even wielding a weapon, bludgeoning Luthene to death with his fists alone
The death count, however, was staggering. What was once a proud fortress of 120 souls had been struck down to a mere 69 (nice). Now was a time of mourning, not victory
But Baroness Asmel vowed to rebuild, she would make GearedFountain stronger than it was before, secure from above and below, and in doing so she would turn this dwarfhold into the greatest that the continent had to offer, that she swore
(hi, I'm breaking narrative character to say that dwarf fortress is quite fun and that you should absolutely play it if you found this ragtag history of my first fortress enjoyable to read)
