>>6151907> Turn 8> Action 1: Start Digging the 1st Stage of the Underground Road NetworkWith the initial plans and markings in place, the dwarves set about carving the first segments of the underground road network. Deep below the surface, where only amber steel lanterns offered steady light, the work began in earnest. Under the guidance of master masons, teams of miners used a combination of cunning techniques to shape the raw stone.
A clever method involved luring the worm-like creatures known as Rockborers into the denser sections of stone. The dwarves coaxed these worms into the most stubborn rock faces. Once there, the worms secreted a mild acid that softened the stone. This tactic, while delicate, spared the miners from endless hours of back-breaking hammer strikes against unforgiving rock.
Following behind, the miners applied their traditional craft: the Three-Tap Rhythm—a technique passed down through generations. First, a chisel was placed to identify weak points in the stone; the second and third taps cracked the rock precisely along its natural grain. This method allowed for long corridors and stable ceilings, reducing the risk of collapse. Meanwhile, small temporary vertical shafts were dug from the surface down into the nascent tunnels, serving as alignment guides. Sunlight and fresh air filtered through these shafts, ensuring the road stayed true to the surveyor’s initial plans.(can you edit that the small vertical shafts would be filled in after the man aid ducts where dug in? please)
> Action 2: Build a Charcoal KilnWith the looming demands of future forges and smithies, the dwarves recognized the need for a reliable fuel source beyond raw wood. Thus, they resolved to build a charcoal kiln—a structure designed to transform timber into a steady supply of charcoal.
In a clearing near the lumber mill, dwarves gathered sturdy clay and stone to fashion a domed kiln. The process was ancient and time-tested: layers of timber were carefully arranged inside the kiln, then sealed off from too much air. A controlled fire was lit at one end, causing the wood to smolder slowly rather than burn freely. Over several days, as the dwarves monitored vents and valves, the wood’s moisture and volatile compounds were driven off, leaving behind dense, carbon-rich charcoal..
