World of Banished

Sightseeing => Village Blogs => Topic started by: slink on August 01, 2014, 05:06:13 PM

Title: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 01, 2014, 05:06:13 PM
Preface

The huge planet seemed to rotate below them as they circled it in orbit.  Billions of settlement sites paraded before them.  Some were large, some were small, some were medium, and no few were occupied.  Some who came here had no choice of where they were set down; they were the banished ones.  Only those whose emigration from the overcrowded mother world was voluntary got to choose.

The planet had no name.  Its period of rotation around its sun was five times the norm for human beings.  You would age five years for every cycle of the seasons.  There was no easy escape from the settlement sites.  The planet had been terraformed with an atmosphere so shallow that the mountains surrounding each colony were nearly impassible.  Only the truly desperate travelled between the colonies; mostly those whose own settlements had failed.  They were poor, ignorant, and riddled with diseases.  The exceptions were the traders.  They navigated an extensive network of rivers in their giant submarines, which were surmounted by simple rowboats so as not to frighten the more backward colonies.  The submarine portion was hidden from sight by advanced stealth technology.  It could carry far more goods than a trading post could hold.  No one was sure how the river connected because settlers could never leave their sites by water, but the traders could.  More advanced technology was no doubt responsible.

The newly arrived settlers looked out the viewing port of their colony ship with intense interest and great optimism.  Here was their chance to thrive and expand, in a new place with clean air, fresh food, and a simple lifestyle.  There were plenty of resources available for those who were allowed to choose their site, and these settlers wanted to locate the best they could.  Several good sites were located but had already been claimed.  The name of the colony was settled by vote well before the ideal location was sighted.  They orbited the planet once more after that, to be sure.  They mapped the site from orbit, and named the water features.  Then they composed themselves and pressed the big green button.  Dunderwoodruff was founded.
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 07, 2014, 04:20:47 PM
The Chronicles of Dunderwoodruff
Begun by Gradyn, Eldest

In deference to our new home, we are going to number our years according to the rotation of the planet about its star.  This will make our chronicles strange reading, since one of the planet's years is five of our biological years, but so be it.

The Chronicles will be kept by the eldest colonist.  Right now that's me, Gradyn.  I'm also the natural father of two of the nine children, which should count for something.

The five families on landing consist of five couples, one child of a previous marriage, three children of the present marriages, and five adopted orphans.  I am listing the names and ages of the members of each founding family, but do not plan to continue the genealogy in detail.  One result of the breeding laws on overcrowded Earth is that all of the damaging recessives have been bred out of us.  It doesn't matter anymore if we marry our sisters or mothers.  Our only constraint is that the ages of the two people united in marriage must be within twenty biological years of each other, else we may run out of fertile couples.

Bentoney 13
Odeliana 14
Heydence 5 adopted child

Trentony 15
Treen 17
Kamilan 2 natural child

Gradyn 18
Joeller 16
Giannie 7 stepchild of Joeller
Arthenie 4 natural child

Eugenery 16
Mika 12
Harmaine 8 adopted child
Kershauncy 1 natural child

Fernard 11
Serenae 12
Milbur 4 adopted child
Ezekiah 4 adopted child
Penell 4 adopted child
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 07, 2014, 06:06:07 PM
Year 1
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

Entry 1:

The site we chose is just north of the Snake River, where Long Creek runs parallel for a time before joining the river.  We have reasoned that fishing will be good in the location.

The landing vessel expanded on impact into a prefabricated barn, next to which rolled out a stockile of wood, stone, and firewood.  Inside the barn were our meager supplies: preserved potatoes, seeds for wheat and peppers, starts for peach trees, some iron tools, and some hide coats.  Although we were allowed to choose our own landing site, Earth's strained economy did not allow us to take much with us.

The very first thing we did was plant two fields each of the wheat and peppers.  While four adults tended these fields, the other six began laying out a marketplace nearby.  This includes a school for the nine chldren which are presently running helterskelter over the landscape, eight stone houses, a woodcutter's yard, a blacksmith's shop, a tailer's shop, two fishing docks, and two bridges, as well as the market itself. 

Entry 2:

It is winter now.  Only the school, five stone houses, and the woodcutter's yard is complete.  Two of the children have come of age for schooling, so one of the adults now has to act as a teacher.  That leaves four to carry on the gathering of resources and the construction.

With the crop of wheat and peppers, a delicious cuisine has been created.  The wheat was made into noodles, and the peppers were boiled without their seeds to make a smooth, slightly spicy sauce.  The much spicier seeds were ground and sprinkled over the resulting dish.  The wheat was also made into cereal for breakfast and into bread for snacks.

Births this year:

Late Summer: Michelena
Winter: Mackenzil
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 07, 2014, 06:09:22 PM
Year 2
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

From now on I'm only going to write this once a year.  It's too hectic otherwise.  We plan and change the plans, and then do
something completely different.  It's all good as long as it works, but writing a chronicle entry for every season just isn't working.

Our diet lacked meat and fruit, so our health had been slowly declining.  By this past autumn we had built a fishing dock.  We have begun fermenting the otherwise inedible portions of the fish that we catch.  This makes a delightfully savory seasoning which goes well on the noodles and is wonderful when sprinkled on the bread, but there is still fruit lacking in our diet. 

We have finished building the blacksmith's shop, so we will not run out of tools.  It is becoming tedious to keep the woodcutter's yard and the blacksmith's shop stocked with wood.  Something must be done.

Births this year:

Spring: Shel
Late Spring: Naniela
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 07, 2014, 06:11:12 PM
Year 3
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

This past summer we built a bridge eastward across Long Creek.  It wasn't one of the two we had planned, but it leads to a region with plenty of trees, where our first logging camp is to be built.  The logging camp consists of a forester's lodge, a gatherer's hut, and a hunting cabin.

Births:

Early Spring: Nest
Late Winter: Cameric
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 07, 2014, 06:14:03 PM
Year 4
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

It took over a year for the logging camp to be completed, but when it was, our diet took a distinct turn for the better.  We now have onions and mushrooms for our sauce, and roots to cook with the fish for a second type of meal.  Berries are now available for dessert.  With two more fields laid out for farming, there are not enough people to hunt and to build new buildings, so fish still remains our only meat.

Life is good, but the original nine children are all grown up and we have no place for them to live.  There are only six new children and students, and we original adults are feeling our years.  The single span bridge we built across the Snake River was made into a double, and a cemetery was begun on the south side. With the stone from the south side of the river, work on the other three stone houses we had originally planned could finally begin.

Births:

NONE!
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 07, 2014, 06:16:11 PM
Year 5
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

By early summer of this year, there were eight stone houses, and an empty cemetery.  Enough students have graduated now so that we can have some hunters, and construction has begun on the tailor's shop. 

We still haven't built the second of our originally planned bridges or the second fishing dock.  Thank goodness we had a lot of births this year.  Maybe we can get back to our plans soon.

Births:

Spring: Damarcus, Jalee, Annaliah
Late Spring: Lark, Millis
Late Summer: Havenie, Ettina, Hugh
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 07, 2014, 06:18:02 PM
Year 6
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

This spring we completed building the tailor's shop, and also four more stone houses.  No one has as yet died.  The colony numbers 23 adults, two students, and eight children.  About half of us are in ragged clothing, but since we do not have to travel far in the cold, this does not inhibit us in the slightest.  We now have meatballs made of venison to go with our noodles.  They make a delightful change from fish.  The fish sauce is still a favorite condiment, though.

With more houses needed soon, we are planning to clear the forest to the north of us for a major farming center.  There isn't room for both houses and farms around the market we have planned.  We've also made plans for a third fishing dock, although we haven't yet built the second one.  Births were strong again this year, so we have more mouths to feed but soon also will have more hands to build and to work.

Births:

Late Spring: Braelyne, Lyndal, Denzie
Early Summer: Arle, Annmari
Late Summer: Aretter
Autumn: Zecharia, Collett
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: irrelevant on August 07, 2014, 07:48:09 PM
Mmm, nước mắm. Love it.

So, another farmer; kindred spirit.

Bottom Lake, indeed.  :P
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 05:29:47 AM
Quote from: irrelevant on August 07, 2014, 07:48:09 PM
Mmm, nước mắm. Love it.

So, another farmer; kindred spirit.

Bottom Lake, indeed.  :P

Also known as colatura, or garum.  Both cuisines are similar, give or take availability of flavorings.  Living on the shore of a sea trumps language, apparently.  I love reading other people's work on tracing recipes.  Food is wonderful.  I enjoy cooking.  I also enjoy eating, which is why I had to lose 50 pounds over the past three years.   :(  However, I am healthier now, if hungrier and thirstier.  My recent outburst of beer-drinking has cost me three pounds regained.  More self-control is needed.  :'(
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 04:25:43 PM
Year 7
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

By early summer of this year, there were eight stone houses, and an empty cemetery.  Enough students have graduated now so that we can have some hunters, and construction has begun on the tailor's shop. 

It was hard going, this past year.  We built the central market, which helped with the distribution of goods but took up the time of another person.  Even with the extra storage in the market stalls, we were continually filling up the barn.  This caused items to be dropped everywhere, which had people tripping all over the place.  We were short of logs, which made building a new barn difficult, not to mention the crowding it would have caused to build another barn here in the center.  We made a start on the new farming center up north, but we only got as far as building one stone house, clearing one field, and building some dirt roads.  Cut stone is scarce, too.  Perhaps we can trade for more, when we run out?  Who would have any of that precious stuff to spare?  In any event, we have no trading post.  We still have plenty of stone that we can cut ourselves, but we are short of hands.  We need more people!

Births:

Early Summer: Erlie
Early Winter: Ottie
Winter: Cathlyn
Late Winter: Pearleen
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 04:26:32 PM
Year 8
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

Clearing fields, cutting logs, cutting stone, cutting iron.  That's what we've done this past year.  Oh, and we built a barn.

On the positive side, our tailor has gotten quite good working with leather.  We have everything from thick work boots to soft suede underwear.  Who would have thought that so much could come from one animal!  By that I mean the deer, of course, not the tailor.

Births:

Late Spring: Hassander
Early Summer: Parleton
Winter: Amirandi
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 04:27:18 PM
Year 9
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

Five more stone houses were built this year, along with the farming center's market.  All of the crops are grown up there now, leaving the land around the central market free for houses.  We have plenty of hands free now for building new houses, but we are always short on cut stone.  That, and firewood.  I suppose we need another woodcutter's yard, but where should we build it?

Births:

Spring: Ilia
Summer: Alvatore
Late Summer: Trenae
Late Autumn: Harvid
Late Winter: Malayah
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 04:27:56 PM
Year 10
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

Chop chop. Cut cut.  Not enough building resources, but plenty of food.  Life is still good, although the grown children are frustrated for the lack of housing.

Births:

Late Spring: Madorathy
Early Winter: Haronda, Glendo
Winter: Prude
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 04:28:45 PM
Year 11
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

We have all the bridges built now that we'd planned, and three fishing docks although we have not got enough people to work them all at the same time.  Instead, we built a new logging camp to the west of the farming center up north.  We've also built another woodcutter's yard and six, count them, six new stone houses.  The young people have rewarded us with a new crop of babies.  Only six of the 24 fields up north are under cultivation, but we have four barns ready for the produce and we've built a second school to be ready for the wave of new students.

On a sad note, my own dear Joeller died this year.  I never thought to outlive her.  She died of simple old age.  Also dead of old age was Eugenery and Mika's adopted child, Harmaine.  A tragedy was the death of a young woman, born here, in childbirth.  Not only was she lost, but also all her future descendants, and their descendants, were lost.  We grieve.

Births:

Early Spring: Elviller
Spring: Tristone
Early Summer: Minniel, Briel
Summer: Valen, Maddie

Deaths:

Late Summer: Joeller of old age
Autumn: Harmaine of old age
Late Winter: Cathlyn in childbirth
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 04:30:42 PM
Year 12
Written by Gradyn, Eldest

We've built a trading post across the Snake River, on Mouse Lake.  We've also built Government House, across the wide dirt road from the cemetery.  Hopefully a busy commercial area will grow up on the south shore of Snake River, although it will never rival the cities on Earth.  Thank goodness.

Ten children were born this year, three people died of old age, and one young man was killed by a falling tree.  It's getting harder and harder for me to see the letters I am writing, and my old fingers are clumsy.  I think it will not be long before I am buried beside my friends.

Births:

Early Spring: Agusta
Spring: Phillice, Arsen
Late Spring: Zeliah
Early Summer: Kylar
Summer: Mernardine
Late Summer: Evalinett, Hillie
Late Winter: Harlo, Nata

Deaths:

Late Summer: Treen of old age
Autumn: Penell of old age, Trentony of old age
Early Winter: Hugh killed by a falling tree
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: rkelly17 on August 08, 2014, 05:36:21 PM
Wonderful story, @slink. And just when I think I have your farming design figured out you come up with something new. Please, tell us about those farms!

And, really, is it not possible that self-control is over-rated?

Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 08, 2014, 08:12:47 PM
Quote from: rkelly17 on August 08, 2014, 05:36:21 PM
Wonderful story, @slink. And just when I think I have your farming design figured out you come up with something new. Please, tell us about those farms!

And, really, is it not possible that self-control is over-rated?

The new farm design has one house per 9x9 plot, and one barn per six farms.  There will always be enough farmers for the farms, even if the houses only have one person each.  When the houses are filled completely (5 people), there will be almost one more person's worth of food produced than is consumed by the houses (588 of whatever).  The failing is in the barns.  One barn isn't enough for six farms when the food isn't all being eaten, but then again you can turn off the farms.

Self-control should be taken in moderation.  There is no question about that.  There should be some self-control, however.  I really didn't need to drink three beers a day until both cases were gone.  :P  It's just that I'd been without beer for three years, except for once each year when I had two at a restaurant.  Hopefully I can keep some in the house now without pigging out on it.   ;D
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 05:49:04 AM
Year 13
Written by Odeliana, Eldest

This past year has been both wonderful and sad.  Gradyn, our Eldest and Leader since we arrived here from Earth, died in early autumn.  The first trading boat stopped in winter.  By that much Gradyn missed seeing the colony blooming with the arrival of boatloads of cut stone.  Our first purchase was stone, but cattle are on the list, and so are supplies of every seed and start that we can buy.

Births:

Early Spring: Anastacy
Late Spring: Defores,  Krystene
Summer: Ette, Shalondra
Late Summer: Newel

Deaths:

Late Spring: Giannie of old age
Early Summer: Bentoney of old age
Late Summer: Keshancy of old age
Early Autumn: Gradyn of old age
Autumn: Eugenery of old age
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 06:04:52 AM
Year 14
Written by Odeliana, Eldest

We planted our first peach orchards this year.  The three groves of tiny trees were planted in the winter and came up beautifully the following spring.  Otherwise there was not much progress, but more fruit will be coming in three years.

Births:

Late Spring: Lataniel, Owen, Josetter, Diamona, Carrold
Early Summer: Beth,
Summer: Pierren
Autumn: Muhammed

Deaths:

Early Summer:  Mackenzil of old age
Summer: Ezekiah of old age,  Fernard of old age
Late Winter: Arthenie of old age
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 06:22:09 AM
Year 15
Written by Odeliana, Eldest

This year we scoured the northern woods for stone to cut.  It is my desire to build a tunnel under the hills that separate the center of our colony from the northern farm lands, and to build our first church.  I feel the need for comfort, with the loss of so many of my friends and even some of our children.  Life passes so quickly.

Births:

Early Spring: Adalyson
Late Spring: Jevonte
Early Summer: Yesse
Summer: Kell, Zayde
Late Summer: Ashawana, Lizabela
Early Autumn:  Danning
Autumn: Hestefani

Deaths:

Early Summer: Haydence of old age
Summer: Naniela of old age
Early Autumn: Serenae of old age,
Winter: Milbur of old age, Shel of old age
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 06:25:24 AM
Year 16
Written by Michelena, Eldest

It feels so strange to be called Eldest.  True, I am the eldest of the children that were born on this planet.  But, the ones who came here from Earth were the Elders.  Not me.  I hope the trust the colony has placed in me is well-deserved.

Births:

Early Spring: Zecharlan, Lillen
Early Summer: Leontie
Summer: Andell, Hubertus
Early Autumn: Vannamae
Autumn: Doren
Early Winter:  Elisetta, Ellison
Winter: Darrod
Late Winter: Aman, Darylyn

Deaths:

Early Spring: Kamilan of old age
Spring: Mika of old age
Late Spring: Odeliana of old age
Early Winter: Nest of old age
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 06:27:24 AM
Year 17
Written by Michelena, Eldest

Year 17
Written by Michelena, Eldest

A horrible thing happened this past year.  A group of escaped banished ones came out of the mountains and down to our Government House.  Their skins were burned almost black from the ultraviolet rays let through by the thin air on the mountain tops.  They wore nothing but rags, and their speech was illiterate.  They eyed our tools with envy.  They had lice and scabies, and some seemed seriously ill.  We all hid inside our homes.  Someone threw dried fish at them out a window, which they gathered to themselves with rapid, furtive movements.  Eventually they left through the mountains, never to be seen again, all except one child who fell into the river and clung to a log being carried downstream.  When the log reached the edge of the valley, the child disappeared in a flash of light and with a clap of thunder.  A small cloud of greasy, black smoke drifted away.  The log continued onward without harm.  The whole nasty event was a reminder that we live on a prison planet, no matter that we came here voluntarily and were allowed the site of our own choosing.  We won't be leaving, except over the mountains and carrying nothing.  I'd rather die first.

Births:

Early Spring: Graycee
Spring: Helm, Ofeliss
Late Spring: Glindsey
Early Autumn: Izabell
Late Autumn: Karole
Early Winter: Liss
Winter: Wavern
Late Winter: Shedric

Deaths:

Late Summer: Haronda in childbirth
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 06:38:35 AM
Year 18
Written by Cameric, Eldest

Mechelena got her wish.  She's dead.  She forgot to mention the new orchards we planted last year, and all the foundations of houses that we laid with stone bought dearly with our stored excess food.  I can't blame her.  Those nomads were a terrible reminder of the trap in which we now find ourselves.  If we can't build houses quickly enough, there will be no leaving the valley for the extra people.  And what happens when we fill the valley?  Did our ancestors think of this before they left Earth?

Births:

Spring: Parke
Early Summer: Reggory
Summer: Garvis, Victoriana
Late Summer: Corlissouri
Early Autumn: Caronda, Merly
Autumn: Egbertus
Late Autumn: Shalondon, Alivian
Early Winter: Zecharia
Winter:  Athenia
Late Winter: Alph, Vassidy

Deaths:

Late Spring: Lark of old age
Winter: Millis of old age, Michelena of old age
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 06:43:23 AM
Year 18
Final entry, by Damarcus and Annaliah

Cameric died and we are supposed to take over this chronicle.  People are born.  People die.  We don't need to record all the details.  The machinery in Government House keeps the statistics, no doubt for our jailers to sample as they orbit the planet.  What's for us to add?  Better that everyone here forgets the fabled Earth, which none of us has ever seen.  We are hiding this chronicle behind the automated records-keeping machinery in Government House, and getting on with our lives.
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: rkelly17 on August 09, 2014, 07:07:02 AM
Dark ending! And a challenge to me not to let the story just peter out when I get tired of recording everything that happens.

Quote from: slink on August 08, 2014, 08:12:47 PM
Self-control should be taken in moderation.  There is no question about that.  There should be some self-control, however.  I really didn't need to drink three beers a day until both cases were gone.  :P  It's just that I'd been without beer for three years, except for once each year when I had two at a restaurant.  Hopefully I can keep some in the house now without pigging out on it.   ;D

I've had the same issue ever since I discovered that I had type 2 diabetes--over-doing beer is definitely out. My solution is to buy only very good beer (from local and regional micro breweries or imported) in small amounts and work through it slowly--with some help from friends. Rationing is much easier when the beer is expensive and good. My sister got me a set of glasses from a Belgian Trappist brewery. Using those adds to the effect.

Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 08:04:56 AM
Quote from: rkelly17 on August 09, 2014, 07:07:02 AM
Dark ending! And a challenge to me not to let the story just peter out when I get tired of recording everything that happens.

Quote from: slink on August 08, 2014, 08:12:47 PM
Self-control should be taken in moderation.  There is no question about that.  There should be some self-control, however.  I really didn't need to drink three beers a day until both cases were gone.  :P  It's just that I'd been without beer for three years, except for once each year when I had two at a restaurant.  Hopefully I can keep some in the house now without pigging out on it.   ;D

I've had the same issue ever since I discovered that I had type 2 diabetes--over-doing beer is definitely out. My solution is to buy only very good beer (from local and regional micro breweries or imported) in small amounts and work through it slowly--with some help from friends. Rationing is much easier when the beer is expensive and good. My sister got me a set of glasses from a Belgian Trappist brewery. Using those adds to the effect.

I'm with you on the expensive and good part.  The first of the two cases was mixed light and dark of a commercial Mexican beer which was just okay.  That was a mistake.  I would prefer Pilsner Urquil (sp?) but I can't find it here so I am trying out various of the available, more bitter, brews.  I can't remember, is Guinness stout bitter?  I loved living near Pittsburgh where I could buy all kinds of imported beers by the case, but that's where I put on much of the weight I just finished losing.  Twenty years of dragging that weight around was too long.

The story isn't quite over yet.  *wicked grin*
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 09:24:12 AM
Visitation

The huge ship orbiting Banished, as the local tribes often called it, was reviewing that data from Dunderwoodruff's Town Hall.  The chatter from the bridge crew was enlightening. 

"They show no signs of failing."

"They've got no hospitals.  Drop some typhus.  That'll do them."

"Yeah, after 250 years of tax-free living, their time is up.  We need that valley."

There was quiet chortling, and a small torpedo containing the bacillus Rickettsia prowazekii, bundled in the droppings of human lice, was launched into the valley named Dunderwoodruff.  It detonated over the center of the colony, and the germs that cause typhus filled the air.

"We'll check back in a few years."

The ship departed orbit, taking with it the reported data and a few photos.
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 09:50:03 AM
Aftermath

Dunderwoodruff survived the scourge of typhus which came from the sky, by working hard to build hospitals and by following sane rules for contagious diseases.  There was a witness to the seeding, however, and he reported what he had seen to the Council of Elders.  After two years of successfully battling the disease dropped by Earth, the Council met in Government House.

"Does anyone know how to shut off the signal that is broadcasting from this building?"

"I don't.  Let's look for the documentation."

After much searching of the building, someone found the Chronicles.

"Hey, look at this!"

Rapid perusal gave way to thoughtful reading, after which the Council members exchanged significant looks.

"This must be told to everyone."

A public meeting that included all 600+ occupants of Dunderwoodruff heard this address:

"We were not banished.  We paid to come here.  We paid all that we owned, and we forfeited our future on Earth for the right to colonize this valley.  We were duped, and not only that, but two years ago someone out there tried to murder us."

There was silence, and then 600+ faces turned to the sky. 

1200+ hands caressed their tools. 

600+ minds thought "We are coming for you ..."

THE END
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: RedKetchup on August 09, 2014, 10:22:03 AM
awesome story :) you should start writing books and scripts to make movies :)
but all along it reminds me that in Nov2014 : Civilizations: Beyond Earth will be released and launched :)

Good job, i liked it :)
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 10:32:51 AM
Quote from: RedKetchup on August 09, 2014, 10:22:03 AM
awesome story :) you should start writing books and scripts to make movies :)
but all along it reminds me that in Nov2014 : Civilizations: Beyond Earth will be released and launched :)

Good job, i liked it :)

Thanks!   :)

Civilizations: Beyond Earth sounds a bit like Alpha Centauri, which was also a sequel to Civilization.  *frowns*  It even has worms that periodically emerge and attack your cities, just like in Alpha Centauri.  Well, I enjoyed Alpha Centauri.  Maybe I can enjoy this new game, even if it is Alpha Centauri in sheep's clothing.  *grin*
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: solarscreen on August 09, 2014, 11:54:59 AM
Quote from: slink on August 09, 2014, 10:32:51 AM
Quote from: RedKetchup on August 09, 2014, 10:22:03 AM
awesome story :) you should start writing books and scripts to make movies :)
but all along it reminds me that in Nov2014 : Civilizations: Beyond Earth will be released and launched :)

Good job, i liked it :)

Thanks!   :)

Civilizations: Beyond Earth sounds a bit like Alpha Centauri, which was also a sequel to Civilization.  *frowns*  It even has worms that periodically emerge and attack your cities, just like in Alpha Centauri.  Well, I enjoyed Alpha Centauri.  Maybe I can enjoy this new game, even if it is Alpha Centauri in sheep's clothing.  *grin*

I'm actually waiting on Beyond Earth myself.  Sounds like fun!  Have a look at this article from E3:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/06/14/civilization-beyond-earth-looks-out-of-this-world.aspx

Edit:
Available for download on October 24th.  Pre-orders get 6 more maps...

Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 09, 2014, 01:01:14 PM
I want the overpowered corgi.   ;D
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: rkelly17 on August 12, 2014, 08:32:15 AM
Quote from: slink on August 09, 2014, 08:04:56 AM
. . . .

I would prefer Pilsner Urquil (sp?) but I can't find it here so I am trying out various of the available, more bitter, brews.  I can't remember, is Guinness stout bitter?

. . . .

The story isn't quite over yet.  *wicked grin*

Wow! An even better ending.

And, yes, Guinness is bitter, but it is a different bitter than Pilsner Urquell. Since Pilsner Urquell is the prototype for German "Pils," if you can find other German imports in that style you'll get the same effect, though there can only one Urquell (which means something like "original source"-- @Paeng can correct my German).
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 12, 2014, 11:35:53 AM
Quote from: rkelly17 on August 12, 2014, 08:32:15 AM
Quote from: slink on August 09, 2014, 08:04:56 AM
. . . .

I would prefer Pilsner Urquil (sp?) but I can't find it here so I am trying out various of the available, more bitter, brews.  I can't remember, is Guinness stout bitter?

. . . .

The story isn't quite over yet.  *wicked grin*

Wow! An even better ending.

And, yes, Guinness is bitter, but it is a different bitter than Pilsner Urquell. Since Pilsner Urquell is the prototype for German "Pils," if you can find other German imports in that style you'll get the same effect, though there can only one Urquell (which means something like "original source"-- @Paeng can correct my German).

As I recall, stouts use Fuggles hops and pilsners use Tettnanger (sp? again).  At least, those were the hops that I used when we lived where the water was good enough to make my own beer.  I still have some of those hops, in the freezer.  But wait, no, I see from the Wikipedia that Pilsner Urquell uses Saaz hops, which I now recall also having bought.  I have some Hallertau hops also.  I was making "steam beer", which is lager yeast grown at ale temperatures, as well as pilsner and stout.  My homemade beer project ended in this house when I began getting entire cases with bacterial infections.  I tried drinking them anyway but got horrible headaches, so I was forced to dump them down the drain.  After that, I only drank commercially brewed beer.  I kept the hops pellets and the malt, however.  After fifteen years I had to throw out the canned malt syrups because the cans had swelled very badly.  The dry malt has survived, somewhat to my amazement with our periodic mouse infestations.  The dry malts are only being kept in 5-qt plastic ice cream buckets.  Rodents can chew through plastic.
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: rkelly17 on August 12, 2014, 02:33:56 PM
Quote from: slink on August 12, 2014, 11:35:53 AM
As I recall, stouts use Fuggles hops and pilsners use Tettnanger (sp? again).  At least, those were the hops that I used when we lived where the water was good enough to make my own beer.  I still have some of those hops, in the freezer.  But wait, no, I see from the Wikipedia that Pilsner Urquell uses Saaz hops, which I now recall also having bought.  I have some Hallertau hops also.  I was making "steam beer", which is lager yeast grown at ale temperatures, as well as pilsner and stout.  My homemade beer project ended in this house when I began getting entire cases with bacterial infections.  I tried drinking them anyway but got horrible headaches, so I was forced to dump them down the drain.  After that, I only drank commercially brewed beer.  I kept the hops pellets and the malt, however.  After fifteen years I had to throw out the canned malt syrups because the cans had swelled very badly.  The dry malt has survived, somewhat to my amazement with our periodic mouse infestations.  The dry malts are only being kept in 5-qt plastic ice cream buckets.  Rodents can chew through plastic.

Ah, a homebrewer. I should have known. As a native Californian I had to brew steam beer--Gold Rush and all that--and I did German Alt Bier. I used a combination of Hallertau, Tettnang and Saaz. Gave it up when the diabetes set in. I still have the glass car boys (5 gal.) that I got from my father-in-law. In Ontario we have great health care but the big brewers have a monopoly on "The Beer Store" which keeps beer prices high, so home brewing is very popular. Yes, you are right on the hops involved. The other difference, I think, is that the Czechs and Germans put some hops in at the end of the boil to get a fresher aroma.
Title: Re: A Storybook Tale: Dunderwoodruff
Post by: slink on August 12, 2014, 03:17:26 PM
I was brewing in 5-gal plastic pails, which probably explains the bacterial infections better than the water although the water does contains a small amount of ammonia according to my tropical fish tests from years ago.  Until last summer we did not have any place that 5-gal pails could be washed properly except for the bathtub, which is not sterile by any means.  Even then, the water will not run directly into any container from the faucet because the faucet is too short for the tub.  Some day I hope to correct that.  We put in a new kitchen last summer and I made sure the sink is big enough for large vessels.  We have a well and a septic system, so bleach is not a good idea.

The bathtub was plumbed by a man who is about 6' 6" tall.  He put the water control about chest height for me, when I am standing.  I asked him why he put it so high up and he stood in the bathtub to demonstrate that it was as low as he could reach comfortably while showering.  I am 5' 5" tall.  Bathing never even occurred to him.  I have to get on my knees to control the water coming into the bath.  At least he did not do what my aunt's husband did in their shower.  My uncle put the water controls at eye height for himself! ::)

I can't locate my beer recipe binder, but as I recall I added a little honey to my knock-off of Pilsner Urquell.  That's decidedly non-European, but it was a good approximation in flavor.  The place where I used to buy beer by the case was also a sort of monopoly.  There was the state-run liquor stores, and then state-controlled private beer dealerships.  You could in fact only buy beer by the case, except with a meal.  The variety available was wide, though.  The Plisner Urquell bottles had some charming imperfections, which were a reminder to me of Czechoslovakia's Communist society.  I haven't had any of it since they were liberated, so I don't know if the bottles are still so interesting.