Abandoned - Underground City - Story 15 NWS

[Abandoned]

Chapter 15






  It was late autumn and snowing when the boatman returned.  He pulled up to the small jetty we built for him the time he came when the river was so rough.  This time he used the jetty because he saw bears coming this way as he came down the river approaching the lighthouse.  He wanted to anchor farther away from where they might cross the river.  One of the laborers ran to get the nearest hunter just in case, but the bears stayed on the other side of the river; our food was unloaded from the boat.  We accepted 480 units of flour, 500 minus the 20 from the time before.  He had a few more letters for us that had been delivered to the Depot with the tools; he gave them to us before hurrying on his way.



  We were always glad to get news from family and friends in Picks & Shovels.  They were doing well; they were hunting, fishing, and raising almost all of their own food.  They even have goats and sheep for milk and wool.  We were doing well because of the tools they were making.  Without the river boatman bringing us that food, we probably would not have survived.  We certainly would not still be living here in the Underground City today; with the supplies we had on hand we knew we would be here at least one more winter.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 16



 Well, yes, you're right, eager explorer, we have contributed a lot to our own wellbeing and food supply.  We've used several large deadwoods as hunting trees when elk or bears were nearby.  We've picked apples and walnuts from  a few of the old trees that are scattered around the valley. We've gathered deadwood logs, firewood, and branches from the thickets and berries from the briers.  We've picked mushrooms and herbs from the cache, and fished from the fishing tree that you saw when you arrived this spring. 







 We've given food and supplies to the Underground City, and they've given back to us.  Speaking of the underground, would you like a tour, eager explorer?  I know you're in a hurry to be on your way, but a short tour won't take long.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 17 


    Oh, it's no trouble at all to give you a quick tour of the underground, eager explorer.  We'll go through the storage cave by the brier; there are baskets of fresh-picked berries in that storage cave that need to be taken down below.




Mod note:  For this chapter and the next, the following changes were made to the Intro's Mod List:
Climate Cold Mountain was disabled
Old Forest terrain was disabled

Additional mods enabled:  No Snow, Do Daylight Cycle, EB Grizzly Valley terrain, Kid More Caves, Kid Forest Ponds, Creepy Cemetery (RK), Deco Tombstones (Kid)




 This way, eager explorer, careful now, there are some branches right in front of you, wait and I'll light some more torches.
 


  There, that's better.  It may look like a very small cave but you won't believe how much we can store in here until someone comes along and carries some of it down.  There are the baskets of berries, your help is appreciated, eager explorer.  We go through the tunnel there at the end of the cave.  It will take us down to the main part of the city.  The tunnel is dark and narrow; I'll grab a torch.  Follow me.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 18   


  Here we are, eager explorer, in the main part of the Underground City.  Yes, it is dark, but some natural light and water does filter down through the deep crevice above the waterfall and pond.  It is enough to allow for fish and mushrooms and a few herbs to thrive.  There are plenty of torches and bonfires scattered around the city that also provide some light, but the light is meager compared to the size of the cave.



  So, the first building to your left is the new forge where tools are made.  It's not really new, it's been here for decades but it's a lot newer than the old forge from medieval times.  No, I'm afraid you won't be seeing the old forge, the passages and caves below are not safe; there have been several minor cave-ins in recent years.



  Next to the new forge is the City's storehouse; we can put the berries in there.  You can see it is well stocked with a variety of foods, most of which are from the river boatman or what we produce above ground.  Behind the forge and storehouse are the smelter and the small mine.  We've been bringing surface iron down here, so the smelter is rarely used.  The miner only brought out crystals from the mine to carve the 3 dwarf statues you see here.



  Now to your right, eager explorer, is the Town Hall and the old Ale House that was only recently reopened when we got wheat from the river boatman.  Behind these 2 building are the main gate and the 2 dwelling caves.  Yes, Lillar, is still living in one of them.  All 3 caves lead to the above ground part of the city near the main stockpile and deadwood thicket.

  Just beyond all these buildings along the road is the waterfall pond and mushroom cave.  Fishing is quite good and mushrooms are plentiful.  Don't you just love the sound of the water tumbling over the rocks?  The waterfall pond and mushroom cave divides the main part of town from the residential area.  Follow me.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 19


  Here we are.  To your far right, eager explorer, is our duds maker and the school.  I am happy to hear you will be looking into the textile trade.  From what the trade route boatman told me, textiles are in short supply.



  The 9 buildings are family homes, the one right in front of us is where I grew up.  My grandmother, parents, and 2 younger sisters live in this house.  Across from it is where Danning grew up.  His great grandmother, grandparents, parents, and younger brother and sister all live there.  The other houses are made up of elders, seniors, siblings, or couples with children that moved into houses that were vacated when families left the city.  There are some very old houses back in smaller caves but they have been empty for years.  Our families are very glad that Danning and I moved into the dwelling caves and then above ground rather than moving away.  I'm glad too.

  The large round building down at the end of the road is the meeting hall where friends and family gather.   Behind the meeting hall along the left cave wall are 2 passages.  One passage with the old iron gate leads to the burial grounds with very old crypts and more recent graves.  The other passage, next to the burial grounds, leads back to smaller caves, bear caves, and then down to abandoned mines and the old forge.  The upper passages on both sides of the residential area are patrolled by hunters.  A bear or 2 have made it as far as the fishing pond.





  Going back to the meeting hall, we'll go through the children's play area and out past the stone wall that helps protect the area.  The above-ground children like coming down to visit their grandparents and getting to play here.  So, eager explorer, that's the under-ground part of the Underground City.
 


 We'll take this passage to the tunnel that leads up to the 2nd storage cave; the one east of the main gates of the above-ground part of the city.  This way.

[Abandoned]

Chapter 20




  Oh, that's so much better to be back out in the fresh air and sunshine, isn't it, eager explorer?  Give your eyes a minute or 2 to adjust to the light.  I am so glad that Danning and I and our 3 children are living above ground, and glad our children won't be moving away to find food someday.





 Oh, speaking of children, I did not tell you how many people live in the Underground City.  Above ground we have 36 adults with 30 children and in the underground there are 27 adults with 14 children.  Together there are 107 citizens, 63 adults and 44 children.  Most of the children underground are soon-to-be young adults, a few will reach marriageable age and moving into the dwelling caves like we did. 

  There is plenty of room up here to expand and there are plenty of deadwood thickets, apple and walnut trees, berry briers, and mushroom caches.  As long as the supply boat comes with wheat, we can continue to make ale and trade for food and needed textiles, I hope.  Glad to know that we could trade for fertilizer and built greenhouse, and glad you came for this visit.



  Come, I'll walk you to your houseboat.  We'll stop at the shop to pick up the basket I have for you.  There's bread, smoked fish, goat cheese, apples, and berries, enough to see you to your next destination.  Safe travels, eager explorer.


The End

[taniu]

     Thanks

[Abandoned]

  Thanks, @taniu


Kid Deadwood update has been released.  Find info and link to download here:

https://worldofbanished.com/index.php?topic=4484.0