Cavern Quest : The City That Never Sees The Sun

The Empire has dominated the known world for as long as most people can remember. It has conquered every resistance movement, all foreign foes, every bastion of independence. All magic is restricted. Fantastic creatures like dragons and giants are killed on sight. And all who don't fit in, the misfits, the rebels, those with incorrect opinions, are sent to the Deep Dark, thrown down the Pit of Loss, an enormous underground prison. There, they live out the rest of their lives in the cold stone tunnels that make up this vast cave system.

But, by their very nature.. once you mix together all the dreamers, the rebels, the wise and willful ones... They do not sit down in the dark and wait to die. They who had the spirit to defy the empire.. they instead, well, get on with living. Even locked away from the sun life goes on. It is not the end, but a new beginning. Away from the Empire's greedy grasp, the corruption and despair, the iron rod of the unfair laws. Trapped they may be, but they are also free. No more is the Empire the master, the lords, those who no one has successfully defied.. because they aren't here. They've kicked you out, They no longer care to watch and punish.

No.. Down here, in the dark.. this is where freedom is growing. A new start, a new beginning. Down here the people are gathering in those islands where life can sustain itself. Mushrooms and cave spiders may not be tasty, but they are edible. Even down here, farming of a sort can be done. Water be found...

Cities rise.

You, now, will take the fate of one of these new settlements in your hand, to lead to greatness or failure. Legends or infamy. Survival.. or extinction.

And in the darkness below.. old forces stir. Even the Empire does not know what lies down there.. What ancient secrets now stir in the shadows. Those things their gods deny...

But for now, the first houses rise, and people gather. Now.. you must make your first choices.

After the small band that follows the Founders of this place left the initial landing zone of the Pit of Loss, where did they end up before they settled?

[ ] A vast deep cavern, so wide that even with a fire, you can stand in the middle and not see any of the walls, a bubble of giant proportions beneath the earth, with a waterfall from the roof creating the center lake upon the shore of which your settlement is created. Great groves of giant mushrooms grow, scattered across the vast floor.
- Bonuses to Fishing, Construction, Mushroom (Lumber) Sources.

[ ] A network of twisting caves, with an entrance close by the Pit of Loss on one of the main exits, with salt gleaming from the walls and trickling streams flooding some of the rooms, sustaining a vast population of giant frogs and rats who feed off the detritus from above.
- Bonuses to Hunting/Ranching, Population Growth, Trade.

[ ] A vast chasm in the earth, riddled with cracks and with the glow of lava far below. Far from the Pit of Loss, and thought by those sages with you to be close to the Fangs of Fire, a range of volcanoes that are active to this day, the light and heat of the lava has resulted in fast carpets of edible fungi and things that feed off of it. Even the most insensitive lout can feel the elemental power in the air.
- Bonuses to Mining and Forging, Defense, Magic

[ ] Deep within the earth, farther down by leagues then the empire ever dared to go, suspended above a vast underground ocean by a collection of caves to the side of water filled cavern, intersecting with the wall around halfway up. Here the ruins of some great ancient city lie, swallowed by the earth untold eons ago, a store of ancient knowledge and artifacts that will be invaluable.. if anyone can figure out how to use and read them.
- Bonuses to Scavanging, Adventurers, Increased chances of uncovering Ancient Artifacts, Knowledge or Treasure

But there is also the question of who founded this town? What brave leaders stepped forwards in the darkness and inspired those who followed them?

[ ] Warriors and Brigands, Heroes of the Resistance. Those who struck painful blows against the Empire and got away with it.. for a while, that is. And then, like all the others, they were caught and banished from the surface.
- Start with a small military-level guard unit available for use and increased military traditions and aptitude in general.

[ ] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit..
- Start with access to a small number of mages and the ability to train others, as well as a basic school built from the start.

[ ] Traders and swindlers, the rich and the skilled.. but even the merchants and craftsmen have enemies. Perhaps they weren't respectful enough to some noble, or a rival plotted to dispose of them. Either way, now they too are down here, to live as best they can.
- Start with bonuses to Trading and all fields of Construction.

[ ] Heretics and pagans, those poor fools who cross the imperial church. Those who choose to worship gods that have been denied, forces that have been banned, myths declared anathema. Now they are free to worship as they wish.
- Start with access to a small number of clerics and the ability to train others, as well as a holy site or relic in the settlement that attracts immigrants.

Finally, with the founding of this new settlement, what will your people chose to name this place that shall serve as the birthplace for the generations to come?

[ ] (Write in a name)
-Citadel

 

[X] A vast deep cavern, so wide that even with a fire, you can stand in the middle and not see any of the walls, a bubble of giant proportions beneath the earth, with a waterfall from the roof creating the center lake upon the shore of which your settlement is created. Great groves of giant mushrooms grow, scattered across the vast floor.

[X] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit.

[X] Great Falls.

 

I will vote for the City of Trade Route.

[X] A network of twisting caves, with an entrance close by the Pit of Loss on one of the main exits, with salt gleaming from the walls and trickling streams flooding some of the rooms, sustaining a vast population of giant frogs and rats who feed off the detritus from above.
- Bonuses to Hunting/Ranching, Population Growth, Trade.

[X] Traders and swindlers, the rich and the skilled.. but even the merchants and craftsmen have enemies. Perhaps they weren't respectful enough to some noble, or a rival plotted to dispose of them. Either way, now they too are down here, to live as best they can.
- Start with bonuses to Trading and all fields of Construction.

[X] Twisting Knots

 

[X] A network of twisting caves, with an entrance close by the Pit of Loss on one of the main exits, with salt gleaming from the walls and trickling streams flooding some of the rooms, sustaining a vast population of giant frogs and rats who feed off the detritus from above.
- Bonuses to Hunting/Ranching, Population Growth, Trade.

[X] Heretics and pagans, those poor fools who cross the imperial church. Those who choose to worship gods that have been denied, forces that have been banned, myths declared anathema. Now they are free to worship as they wish.
- Start with access to a small number of clerics and the ability to train others, as well as a holy site or relic in the settlement that attracts immigrants.

[X] Undercity

edit; vote modified.

 

[X] A network of twisting caves, with an entrance close by the Pit of Loss on one of the main exits, with salt gleaming from the walls and trickling streams flooding some of the rooms, sustaining a vast population of giant frogs and rats who feed off the detritus from above.
- Bonuses to Hunting/Ranching, Population Growth, Trade.

[X] Traders and swindlers, the rich and the skilled.. but even the merchants and craftsmen have enemies. Perhaps they weren't respectful enough to some noble, or a rival plotted to dispose of them. Either way, now they too are down here, to live as best they can.
- Start with bonuses to Trading and all fields of Construction.

[X] New Haven

Changing vote.

 

I will note that stacking the same bonuses will be less effective then getting different ones. And I'm surprised we've only had one vote for the Chasm, I thought it wold be more popular. I mean, magic, lava, and artifice! What's not to like?

 

Too predictable.

Stacking would be less effective ? Mmmmh... *thinking* Should I change my vote for the Deep Cavern... no, Construction will stack...

 

[ ] A vast deep cavern, so wide that even with a fire, you can stand in the middle and not see any of the walls, a bubble of giant proportions beneath the earth, with a waterfall from the roof creating the center lake upon the shore of which your settlement is created. Great groves of giant mushrooms grow, scattered across the vast floor

[ ] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit..
- Start with access to a small number of mages and the ability to train others, as well as a basic school built from the start

We cannot rely on trade. Avernum is a deadly place with all the monsters in it.

 

So happery, is this inspired by http://www.avernum.com/ or is it just a coincidence?

 

Inspired, with the note I've never gotten around to actually playing the games, even if I keep meaning to. But I thought it was a neat scenario.

And the warning against depending on trade is a fair one. Trade is useful, but the Deep Dark is not a safe land, and monsters roam. It's a good perk, but if you depend on only it, well, oh look, it's a giant ooze in the middle of the trade route! (Hides the rest of the bad event table)

Though really that goes for depending on any one thing to much. This is not civilized land, and things will happen. It's better to cover your bases then to specialize.

(Also note that all choices have at least one weakness, and some or some combinations have more. Some thinking should figure some of them out...)

 

[X] A vast chasm in the earth, riddled with cracks and with the glow of lava far below. Far from the Pit of Loss, and thought by those sages with you to be close to the Fangs of Fire, a range of volcanoes that are active to this day, the light and heat of the lava has resulted in fast carpets of edible fungi and things that feed off of it. Even the most insensitive lout can feel the elemental power in the air.

[X] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit..


Do you believe in magic?

 

[X] Deep within the earth, farther down by leagues then the empire ever dared to go, suspended above a vast underground ocean by a collection of caves to the side of water filled cavern, intersecting with the wall around halfway up. Here the ruins of some great ancient city lie, swallowed by the earth untold eons ago, a store of ancient knowledge and artifacts that will be invaluable.. if anyone can figure out how to use and read them.

[X] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit..

 

[X] Deep within the earth, farther down by leagues then the empire ever dared to go, suspended above a vast underground ocean by a collection of caves to the side of water filled cavern, intersecting with the wall around halfway up. Here the ruins of some great ancient city lie, swallowed by the earth untold eons ago, a store of ancient knowledge and artifacts that will be invaluable.. if anyone can figure out how to use and read them.
- Bonuses to Scavanging, Adventurers, Increased chances of uncovering Ancient Artifacts, Knowledge or Treasure


[X] Heretics and pagans, those poor fools who cross the imperial church. Those who choose to worship gods that have been denied, forces that have been banned, myths declared anathema. Now they are free to worship as they wish.
- Start with access to a small number of clerics and the ability to train others, as well as a holy site or relic in the settlement that attracts immigrants.


IÄ IÄ Tsathoggua !

 

[X] A vast deep cavern, so wide that even with a fire, you can stand in the middle and not see any of the walls, a bubble of giant proportions beneath the earth, with a waterfall from the roof creating the center lake upon the shore of which your settlement is created. Great groves of giant mushrooms grow, scattered across the vast floor.

[X] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit.

[X] Great Falls.

 

[X] A vast chasm in the earth, riddled with cracks and with the glow of lava far below. Far from the Pit of Loss, and thought by those sages with you to be close to the Fangs of Fire, a range of volcanoes that are active to this day, the light and heat of the lava has resulted in fast carpets of edible fungi and things that feed off of it. Even the most insensitive lout can feel the elemental power in the air.
- Bonuses to Mining and Forging, Defense, Magic

[X] Heretics and pagans, those poor fools who cross the imperial church. Those who choose to worship gods that have been denied, forces that have been banned, myths declared anathema. Now they are free to worship as they wish.
- Start with access to a small number of clerics and the ability to train others, as well as a holy site or relic in the settlement that attracts immigrants.

[X] New Haven

All hail the Volcano God!

 

Now I am torn. The ancient city could have forbidden lore which our wizards could study and use to destroy the Empire in time. Plus I want to know how it wound up there. I'm a sucker for stuff like that.

 

Torn between what?

 

Ruins and the more practical starter that I already voted for.

 

Ah, that one.
Honestly, I'm not really seeing the case for it.
Sure it seems a bit more practical, but since the starting options are likely to be balanced, the question isn't really which one offers the best advantages but what kind of direction we want this civilisation to go into and that one just seems boring and noncommittal.

 

[X]Pipeman.

Changing my vote.

 

Current Votecount.

[Darik29, Redon] A vast deep cavern, so wide that even with a fire, you can stand in the middle and not see any of the walls, a bubble of giant proportions beneath the earth, with a waterfall from the roof creating the center lake upon the shore of which your settlement is created. Great groves of giant mushrooms grow, scattered across the vast floor.
- Bonuses to Fishing, Construction, Mushroom (Lumber) Sources.

[Jiven, Inara Seraph, Merior ] A network of twisting caves, with an entrance close by the Pit of Loss on one of the main exits, with salt gleaming from the walls and trickling streams flooding some of the rooms, sustaining a vast population of giant frogs and rats who feed off the detritus from above.
- Bonuses to Hunting/Ranching, Population Growth, Trade.

[Carrnage, Emral282, Biigoh] A vast chasm in the earth, riddled with cracks and with the glow of lava far below. Far from the Pit of Loss, and thought by those sages with you to be close to the Fangs of Fire, a range of volcanoes that are active to this day, the light and heat of the lava has resulted in fast carpets of edible fungi and things that feed off of it. Even the most insensitive lout can feel the elemental power in the air.
- Bonuses to Mining and Forging, Defense, Magic

[Pipeman, Scia, Robotninja, Lilithium, Vindictus] Deep within the earth, farther down by leagues then the empire ever dared to go, suspended above a vast underground ocean by a collection of caves to the side of water filled cavern, intersecting with the wall around halfway up. Here the ruins of some great ancient city lie, swallowed by the earth untold eons ago, a store of ancient knowledge and artifacts that will be invaluable.. if anyone can figure out how to use and read them.
- Bonuses to Scavanging, Adventurers, Increased chances of uncovering Ancient Artifacts, Knowledge or Treasure

But there is also the question of who founded this town? What brave leaders stepped forwards in the darkness and inspired those who followed them?

[ ] Warriors and Brigands, Heroes of the Resistance. Those who struck painful blows against the Empire and got away with it.. for a while, that is. And then, like all the others, they were caught and banished from the surface.
- Start with a small military-level guard unit available for use and increased military traditions and aptitude in general.

[Darik29, Robotninja, Carrnage, Pipeman, Redon, Merior, Biigoh] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit..
- Start with access to a small number of mages and the ability to train others, as well as a basic school built from the start.

[] Traders and swindlers, the rich and the skilled.. but even the merchants and craftsmen have enemies. Perhaps they weren't respectful enough to some noble, or a rival plotted to dispose of them. Either way, now they too are down here, to live as best they can.
- Start with bonuses to Trading and all fields of Construction.

[Inara Seraph, Scia, Emral282, Lilithium, Vindictus, Jiven] Heretics and pagans, those poor fools who cross the imperial church. Those who choose to worship gods that have been denied, forces that have been banned, myths declared anathema. Now they are free to worship as they wish.
- Start with access to a small number of clerics and the ability to train others, as well as a holy site or relic in the settlement that attracts immigrants.

 

[X] A network of twisting caves, with an entrance close by the Pit of Loss on one of the main exits, with salt gleaming from the walls and trickling streams flooding some of the rooms, sustaining a vast population of giant frogs and rats who feed off the detritus from above.

[X] Sages and wizards, the magic and rare. Those fleeing from the Empire's repression towards magic.. Perhaps they hid the gift for years, living in plain sight of those who would kill them, or fled to the shrinking wilds to practice their craft in defiance of their foes. Whatever the story, they too have now been thrown down this pit..


My reasoning for this is that the location gives benefits to feeding and having a bigger population and that is a starting point for anything bigger. I was torn between the Sages/Wizards and the heretics/pagans as mystic effects can make up for a lot, but the former is something I saw as having more flexibility.

 

[X] Ruins of city HO! TOMB RAIDER, HO!

[X] Keke, PAGAN HERETIC NATURE RELIGION! PRAISE BE TO THE EARTH AROUND US!

 

The old ways have been long shunned- Forgotten, dismissed as ignorance and superstition by the priests and nobles in their ivory towers. But your people have remembered- The tricks to appease angry spirits, the gifts a clever man can get from those who are pleased... And the ways to avoid and neutralize those whose anger cannot be cooled.

[X] You are the ones called Heretic, the Pagans- Those who have been caught, at least.
[X] In this ruined city, you will find a new home- All those who have been denied the light of day, may come here and embrace the shadows and darkness as their own.
[X] This place, this city... It shall be known as the Citadel. And from the ashes of what once was, a new empire shall rise.

??? What did I just write?

 

Good, Vin... Now let it flow through you...

 

I voted for the Chasm, not the Ruins.

 

Changing vote to:

[X] Heretics and pagans, those poor fools who cross the imperial church. Those who choose to worship gods that have been denied, forces that have been banned, myths declared anathema. Now they are free to worship as they wish.
- Start with access to a small number of clerics and the ability to train others, as well as a holy site or relic in the settlement that attracts immigrants.

 

Great, now we have a tie. Serves me right for getting distracted by Newgamitus and not getting the update done, I guess.

 

Tie Broken, Vote Called.