The Insidious Sons of Steelhold:
Part the Second of "Steelhold"
Resources:- A PDF of the story is now if the works; find it
HERE (currently up to the end of the original thread)
- We now have a wiki for this story (under construction); find it
HERE- We also have a TV Tropes page that could use some additions; find it
HERE
Prologue:In the end of the year 250, the growing crime rate in the Dwarven capital flooded the prisons with new inmates. In order to combat this issue, wise Queen Brasswords ordered that a new prison be built a great distance away from the Dwarven mountain halls. Thus began the history of the penal colony "Steelhold," led by Jackal, the former prison guard. Early in its history, the warden held sway over the inmates, and with their labor managed to carve out a worthy complex and create expensive crafts. This minor prosperity, however, could not last, for the warden's will grew weak as he bonded with one of the prisoners, Modi. Taking advantage of the situation, the psychopath Sarrak began to plant the seeds of revolution in the minds of the imprisoned. Tensions rose, and eventually a successful overthrow led by Modi removed Jackal and the guards from active control.
Meanwhile, several forces were working at each other's throats, as the Lenehan, the radical elf-sympathyser, Asmoth, the mad doctor, and Maskdwarf, a mysterious apparition, all sought to use to colony for their own goals. After several encounters with Modi, Lenehan finally managed to depose the dwarf and gain a seat of power himself. Soon afterward, he sent Jackal, Modi, and most of the army to their deaths during the Siege of Steelhold, allowing him to gain full control of the prison as baron of the lands. It was then that the great baron released a alchemical mist into the prison on the Day of Reckoning, and it is said that Asmoth was forced to work together with Maskdwarf to resurrect the fallen Modi, who defeated the baron in a great brawl and stopped his chemical threat. At the end of the year, the baron was found dead, and the fortress was once again without a leader.
The time then came that new leaders would emerge to lead the crumpled outpost. Will they try to bring the prison into a new golden age? Will they, instead, choose to perpetrate further crimes against their fellow dwarves. Only time will tell, but either way the prison is hardly a stronghold. Supplies are short, traps are scarce, and the guards are far and few between. It will take great willpower indeed to save Steelhold from collapse.
Introduction:The original thread for this succession fort began to stagnate, and the original creator lost interest. Thus, it has been decided by the players who have maintained interest that a new thread be created. Like the original, in this succession fort, everyone is an insidious criminal from the capital. When creating a character or posting a journal entry, play the part. Be as cruel, as psychopathic, and as Dwarven as possible.
Turn List:
InterludeI. 4maskwolf
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SAVEII. Rhaken
1 2 3 4 5 6 1st SAVE 7 8 9 10 11 2nd SAVEIII. Fractalman
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 SAVEIV. MDFification
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 SAVEV. Gnorm
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SAVEVI. Deus Asmoth
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 SAVEVII. Oshha
1 2 3 SAVEVIII. MDFification
1Ending
1 2Epilogue
1 2FINAL SAVE
The Former Rulers of Steelhold:Jackal, the righteousWho brought the original prisoners to their home in the desert sand. Held the position of warden until his death in 254; his position was abolished by Lenehan after his death, thus he has never had a formal successor. Fought bravely against the goblins during the Siege of Steelhold.
Sarrak, the madWho seized control of many prisoners under the noses of the guards. Fought against the goblins on several occasions, even at the danger presented to her own life. Dug to the magma sea deep beneath the earth. Died alone in 253.
Modi, the braveWho maintained an almost brutal sense of order during her reign. Commissioned the construction of the guard tower, and stole many goods from the trade caravans. Fought bravely against the goblins during the Siege of Steelhold; rose again to defeat Lenehan.
Lenehan, the troubledWho sent the army to defeat Atu, the human leader of the goblins, during the Siege of Steelhold. Commissioned the construction of a hospital, a beekeeping-wing, and a secret complex for himself. Attempted to transform the entire prison population into elves, but was thwarted by Asmoth and Maskdwarf. Baron of the lands until his death at the end of 253.
Maskdwarf, the enigmaticWho briefly led a secretive cult of worship for the daemons beneath the fortress. Commissioned mining of the rare adamantine, before turning control over to Rhaken. Mysteriously disappeared from the fortress at the end of 260.
Rhaken, the willfulWho successful seized control of the fortress and quelled the minor gang uprisings. Revamped the external defenses of the fortress and raised a active army. Dealt the killing blow on the forgotten beast Corowa Gifefiva Enaayanu, and fought bravely against many other threats to the fortress. Ruled successfully for one-and-three-quarter years, before losing command to Fractalman by faking his own death. Killed by demons from Hell in 259.
Fractalman, the unpredictableWho took over control of the fortress after Rhaken's funeral. Managed to construct a trans-dimensional portal out of raw adamantine to stop the destruction of the multiverse -- and to fix the graphics. Dug out large sections of the fortress for workshops and bedrooms. Other than that, he accomplished very little and succeeded in lowering the overall quality of living in the fortress. Ultimately, he was executed and thrown into his portal, which was torn down afterwards. Since then, the dwarves of Steelhold have been free from his madness -- or so they thought, for he later returned in his regenerated form.
Emdief, the mechanistWho led a mighty revolution that brought the political party of the Marble Faction into power. Ruled effectively as overseer and began the Steelhold Council. Responsible for the execution of Fractalman and the construction of a mighty monument. Succeeded by Corley as the fort's overseer. Died in combat with a goblin, though briefly haunted the halls of the fortress as a ghost.
Corley, the youngWho used his position as second baron of Steelhold and his place on the Steelhold Council to promote himself to overseer. Began the Steelhold Mint, production of adamantine equipment, and the system of trenches. Under his command, Hell was breached; he disappeared soon after, only to return under mysterious circumstances.
Asmoth, the surgeonWho used her research to turn hundreds of dwarves -- including the queen and herself -- into vampires, leading to the deaths of scores. Left active command after completing this project. Fled the fortress after its fall.
Karius Durtis, the crusaderWho fought a personal war against the vampires of Steelhold, killing many in a terrible magma pit. Fled the fortress afterward to pursue the Maskdwarf.
Uristador, the lostWho courageously attempted to take command of the fortress in its unstable state. Steelhold was, however, beyond rescue...
Notable Deaths:- Jackal, Warden
- Modi, Cutter
- Rock-Eyes, Silent Enigma
- Shadow, Bandit Assassin
- Sarrak, Psychopathic Brawler
- Ensomden, Amoral Soldier
- Bomber, Drafted Crossbowdwarf
- Lenehan, Elf-Party Baron
- Gob, Dim-Witted Brute
- Somneth, Escape Artist
- Emdief, Mechanic
- Bees, Dwarven Bee
- Moisturizer, Tanner
- Fractalman, the Lonely Slider
- Melek, Intern
- Emdief Twiceborn, Guardian of the Revolution
- Rhaken, Urban Commando
- Lorius Zane, Martial Cleric
- Magni, Guardsdwarf
- Urist McDead, Deserter
- FireCrazy, Mine Saboteur
- Jovus, Socialist Agitator
- Shining, Novelist
- Derroth, Royal Pervert
- Uristador, Marble Factioneer
- Maskdwarf, True Prophet
Known Survivors:- Asmoth, Vampire Progenitor
- Corley, Noble Heir
- Karius Durtis, Apprentice
- Thikut, Vampire Child
- Shank, Royal Spymaster
- Kivish, Vampire Queen
Status Unknown:- FractalEntity, Totally not Ex-Overseer
Rules:
The rules are mostly the same as other succession forts:
I. Turns last one week in real-time, and must be played to a point no earlier or later than the first of spring
II. Zip the file when done, and post to the website of your choice with a link on this thread
III. Try not to annihilate the fortress (though secret criminal activity is perfectly condoned)
Other rules to note:
IV. If you had a turn in the original thread you may sign up for a second one
V. Use of third-pary tools or utilities is strictly prohibited
Grandfather Clauses:
Things that were allowed once, but will never be allowed again:
I. Partially completed saves will never again be passed to the next player in line for completion
II. Should a named dwarf die, the owner of the aforesaid character must apply for a new one on the forums; the current overseer may not simply rename a new dwarf
III. If a player-character should die, its replacement character must be of a different name and personality
IV. Use of tile-sets and graphics is prohibited without specific request
Process for Extra Turns:
I. An extra turn cannot be requested until one has completed his turn
II. There must be a space of at least three turns between your last turn and your next one
III. Try to be courteous and let others who have not had a turn or as many turns take priority
Process for Extensions:
I. The extension must be requested before the end of the seventh day (unless there is a sudden, immediate reason as to why the turn was unable to be posted or completed); request may be by private message or by forum post
II. The extension must be for a decent reason (e.g. a funeral)
III. Requests of no more than five days will be granted
IV. The request will be accepted or rejected by Gnorm
V. If the request is denied, the request can still be granted by a vote of five posters
Dwarfing Instructions:
Simply state preferred name, gender, and profession (custom name and actual profession). Include a backstory as to how they became a criminal (or otherwise stuck in Steelhold). Participate with journal entries and other contributions, as it helps the story progress.
Swell Quotes:What are you planning Maskdwarf!
My death hell breach assembling a harem Just doing his civic duty to keep the fort running, yep, that's our Maskdwarf.
Steelhold has obtained a vampire baby. A vampire baby who, I suspect, drained his mother of blood when he was a month old. I think he should become our mascot.
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Topic: The Insidious Sons of Steelhold -- Revival Succession Fortress (Read 284774 times)