Spearcavern 12: To the Birds

An edited, illustrated and narrated playthrough of the game Dwarf Fortress
Spearcavern is looking to improve it's relations with the humans and the mountain home- and they have a-viary good idea!
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Thanks to everyone who helped out with this episode!
-Mrs K for her unending support and expert waxwork (she colors all the drawings. With crayons.)
-Ivan Duch for making the theme and a lot of other songs for Spearcavern: ivanduch.com/
-Kruggsmash theme created by Topherlicious: topheranselmo.com
-Kruggsmash theme synthwave remix by Andrii Brynzak: www.fiverr.com...
-All of my patient, patient patreon patrons who I couldn't do any of this without: / kruggsmash
-Anyone who bought any of my overpriced Teespring junk: kruggsmashs-ba...
-Bay12games and Kitfox for making this amazing game: bay12games.com/
-And of course, you, for watching, my bearded bastard.

[@Paplok]

I love when intros show story progression in various shows, what an endearing start to the episode

[@kruggsmash]

I really do love making them. I sorta wish i could just make animations sometimes. I wonder what I could do.

[@briartreecross]

Yeah. It's amazing at this point how much development we get on these characters and the gameplay in such cool arts.

[@Paplok]

@@kruggsmash Hah, you're like that legendary blacksmith who's also a legendary gemsetter but never gets to do much of the latter! I hope the future is kind to you and lets you find more time, and balance things to your liking mate

[@Thedoppio]

@@kruggsmashI would watch a movie made by you and your amazing wife and anyone else on your team. These stories are a highlight to my days.

[@bearnaff9387]

My favorite version of this is the anime School Live/Gakkou Gurashi. (Don't look it up unless you want one of the best twists in anime, ever, spoiled for you. Just enjoy this little slice-of-life anime following the members of a student club whose purpose is to not only succeed while living on school grounds, but to excel.)

[@all-aroundhelper]

Rest in peace, hero buzzard. Thank you for saving a dwarf.

[@CommanderScarin]

jeez didn't realize how invested i was till the Crab almost got cooked, well done

[@TheLastDovakiin]

Every Krugg upload brightens the day. The intro was really cool as well, makes it seem like this is a new chapter in Spearcaverns history.

[@kruggsmash]

Thanks! Glad you're liking it and double glad you liked that intro. It was a tough one, for sure.

[@nils-peterwihlney8732]

It had stood here. Guarding these pillars since before the concept of time. It remembers not the reason it was placed here. Or its creation. It remembers the word the small fleshlings would call it as it chased them down to render them apart as they encroached upon its nest. Rofa. Whatever that word meant was the one they kept screaming whenever they saw it. It had been mostly left alone except for a few creatures coming to fight it but it had never lost a fight. But a few seasons past a small band of small fleshlings began to build a nest close to its nest. It felt like something it had not done before. Amusement... and curiosity. It watched the small creatures, called warves, forge, build, fight, struggle, and live. Even though it was bound to the pillars it could still perceive their adventures beneath the surface of the earth. For it was powerful beyond mere physical strength. It saw their struggles, joys, sorrows, and hunts. It felt content watching these small things struggle within the earth. Fighting beasts of equal size though less of might like itself. Then one day it witnessed the death of the pack leader of the small fleshlings. A cowardly large sparrow beast struck the leader while isolated from the rest. And Rofa felt a sense of loss at the sight of the leader's death. Even as it heard the cries of the small fleshlings echoing through the caverns. It watched on. Saw how they slowly recovered from the loss of their leader. Some handled it better than others, but the small fleshlings kept improving their home as they recovered. Th child of the leader would sometimes come out of the burrow and look around. Rofa would find itself observed often by the smallest fleshing who would look on with awe upon its glorious form. Normally it would have eaten the small thing. But it was barely big enough to feed a lizard let alone it. So it let the small thing look upon its glory. Then the first travelers appeared. Rotten things of unholy life that caused its feathers to rise on edge. It managed to strike one of those rotten things down. Devouring its foul flesh to cleanse it within its belly. And then it noticed one of the small fleshlings trying to look upon it from by a tree, keeping a respectful distance with a look of awe in its eyes. It was the one called the crab. And Rofa felt amused by the sight and decided to play a bit with the small fleshling. It was a glorious chase, the small fleshing dodging and evading like the most spry mantis. Rofa was loving the game, never intending to harm the Crab. Only rough them up but if they failed to escape. But then a large bird decided to interrupt their game and the Rofa reluctantly let the small one called the Crab escape Returning to its nest Rofa laid down once more and watched the small ones digg a large chasm around its nest. Clearly, they were trying to prevent Rofa from chasing them again. Rofa did not mind letting the small things delude themselves of having blocked it off and just laid there and watched their lives. For it was Rofa the March Titan. It would last forever. And so would the memories of these little ones who so strangely had come into its life.

[@toryumau6798]

… Gotta love it when a casual scroll down the comments leads to something this epic. What a community, eh? >)X^D

[@heroslippy6666]

Wondeful!

[@Cobranite2628]

Very nice writing

[@sirskellyman5658]

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm no where near bored. I'm ALWAYS excited to see how this adventure continues. Brightens my day every time.

[@michaels.3709]

Agreed! Frankly, I feel like Krugg could do really _any_ kind of fortress, for any amount of time, and I'd be hooked!

[@mesdecent8051]

Wisp is doing slightly better! Yai! Progress!

[@kruggsmash]

I have neevr had a dwarf be in such a bad mood but not eventually go over the edge. She seems strangely stable atthe lower end of the mood spectrum. I find it fascinating. Pop too for that matter.

[@whizthesugoi]

@@kruggsmash I noticed that tantrums and specially tantrum spirals are way more common on high population forts than it should if considered the proportion, could their stability come from this being a small fort?

[@edwarddavis7858]

7:38 seeing some historically accurate old style mill is WILD and amazing detail!

[@kruggsmash]

You never see that sort of thing in fantasy. especially not with dwarves. Crying shame I say!

[@victor_silva6142]

Aye. And Dwarves were supposed to be the engineering expert fantasy race!

[@edwarddavis7858]

@@kruggsmash As an amateur historian, and fan of medieval/fantasy worldbuilding, I love it

[@Cyberwar101]

​@@edwarddavis7858yup, though mostly the rest of the world is more in the bronze age. Iron and bronze are the best the other races have access to. So I wouldn't really call it medieval.

[@zacharyweaver276]

13:38 lol that art of the cage is hilarious. On the other hand if the marsh titan keeps scaring off your traders you may have to resort to some drastic measures to prevent them sending an army to invade you. Granted said titan may end up fighting the army but it might not prevent them invading the fortress anyways

[@kruggsmash]

Haha, I couldn't imagine another way to even portray that cage. Just got 100 animals all crammed into the thing. Here's hoping those humans don't get THAT upset..but I suppose we shall see. Gonna have to get some good trading done with them!

[@tenebraebr]

Man, that "Death of Tinny" by David Guinto was such a good piece. Got me goosebumps.

[@soosetch]

Yeah, absolutely stunning!

[@Jimverse_]

Phew that crab moment was crazy... The bird coming out of nowhere like that was amazing

[@beanofknowledge2125]

A lot of people are talking about the new intro animation, but I also really appreciate the new Music and how well it reflects the shift of the Fortresses goals

[@TheVarulfen]

I love these chill episodes (and chill fortresses) just as much as the action-y monster hunting, war waging ones. The beauty of games like these is you never quite know how it'll turn out.

[@kruggsmash]

See, thats how I feel too. I feel like an acorn fly on the wall on this fortress.

[@MrSilz-jb4ik]

Personally i would love for this series to be long. Following the dwarves for a generation would be awesome

[@Wanderer_of_Sol]

My wife and I have been watching all of Spearcavern and we're in it for the long run. I say go as far as you want, we'll be here to watch it.

[@SableGear]

Is this the first time we've seen Rofa's eyes? Spooky! Glad the Crab is okay, that chase was harrowing. Re: the series - I'm a firm believer in doing what you as the creator enjoy most. When you're passionate about a project, that makes for good watching. The audience can tell, and that in itself makes it enjoyable. I'm always happy to be along for the ride and see what happens next!

[@hickumu]

Seconded - things like Path of Achra aren't really my kind of game to play, but you put enough of yourself and your style into it that the video was absolutely MESMERIZING.

[@Dan-bn6om]

The drawings of the caged animals are amazing

[@kruggsmash]

Haha, I figure that's how the cage MUSt look, right? no other way for my mind to parse it lol

[@trugate]

"wisp is enjoying herself in the library!" immediately after, ironically, "we'll have to get our _hands_ on some books"

[@desertseagull5468]

That new intro sure is beutiful. And oh the episode is amazing

[@kruggsmash]

Glad you liked it! It was a tough one, but I feel it was worth it. Thanks for watching!

[@morgant.dulaman8733]

You know, it's weird: I forget their dwarves, and so it takes me by surprise when they can go years or even a decade or two without visibly aging.

[@mrtspence]

Some more amazing content. The amount of work that goes into these is just incredible.

[@kruggsmash]

Glad you're liking it all, man. Thanks for watching

[@dracothrope]

Throwing my hat in to say that I love this series and I would love to see more of these monster hunters! I want to see Emmy grow up and maybe emigrate to a new fort one day!

[@suzienewby7055]

I love to see the trading, and that drawing of the cage crammed to bursting with animals was great!

[@esper6119]

Yoooo, that drawing of QB using an actual, like, frontier lathe setup? That was sick, I feel like a huge nerd for getting excited about that, but man! Like, yeah!!! That's how you do that!!! Hell yeah! oh, and the new intro was adorable Emmy being cute, then the more melancholic touch with WIsp... very good.

[@weeaboobaguette3943]

13:40 The puppers look so happy. The more the merrier as far as they're concerned !

[@tarynspink]

For what it’s worth: I love spearcavern, I’m not bored with it at all, and I hope you keep making episodes. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it feels far from over. Thanks for your time and creativity

[@Zaros105]

Krugg, we watch your videos because you're a fantastic story teller and your fortresses are always interesting. I have no doubt you would get bored of a fortress far before we would get bored of your series, so do what makes you happy. We will all be here waiting for your future videos, same fortress or otherwise!

[@kodasaur]

I so rarely leave youtube comments but I just had to let you know this intro is incredible! I get more excited for a new Krugg video than for any other creator I follow, by far. Keep it up 💛 edited to add that I'm definitely not ready to say goodbye to Spearcavern yet!

[@hope_rides_alone9897]

Krugg the new intro animation is PHENOMENAL! I love the music for it too, great riff on the first spear cavern theme.

[@tulsatrash]

I am really digging this story. I want to see how the Fortress develops as our seasoned monster hunters really begin to sink their teeth into trying to become something else. They're struggling with the once needs and perspectives of more supposedly normal people. They're also trying to have their Titan, who they've adopted after originally intending to come here to slay it, make this new transition with them. They've had great successes and interesting failures but are still moving forward.

[@ChanceTheCheetah]

I love the little text boxes with extra context throughout the episode, really fills out the video

[@nodrogkram]

Krugg, this channel is a goldmine. A Dwarfy goldmine.

[@brianmacclellan6510]

you're seriously one of my favorite channels. I always look forward to your videos. You're great at telling a story and always a fun and cozy time. I'd love to see more path of Achra or other games, but your dwarf fortress series are always such a staple.

[@Postdotfuzz]

What a great way to start the day. Always a pleasure, Krugg.

[@kruggsmash]

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate it. Good luck out there.

[@OfficerC4]

The Honey Stoker was my favorite into, however this newest addition has taken the cake. You never cease to entertain.

[@Saltier]

It is amazing how invested I am in the lives of these pixels. They make me very sad sometimes, and I appreciate that.

[@RisaxTheImp]

I was already happy to see the new Spear Cavern episode show up in my subscription feed...and even happier when it started because Kruggsmash had to be extra and update the intro. Damn, can't wait to see what the rest of the episode holds!

[@kruggsmash]

I *am* a little extra sometimes with that sort of stuff. Why do less when I can just do more?

[@mrsing7465]

Man, I'm always amazed at the level of quality and stories you manage to produce. Seriously, one of the best content creators on the platform.

[@BoroMonokli]

"and clear away some of these trees" ... that's a fun amount of trees from the looks of it.

[@leejames929]

The intro for this was so good. Emmey is adorable

[@kruggsmash]

Glad you liked it! I really do enjoy making animations. Just wish it didn't take so long!

[@TheOtherMelindaH]

I've really been enjoying Spearcavern. I think the extremely limited number of characters adds interest. Close calls are more dramatic, deaths are sadder, triumphs become more immediate and personal. You're great at pulling characters and moments out of events in larger fortresses, but everything that happens in Spearcavern matters. It's really something special.

[@Jedipimpster]

Kruggsmash makes a fantastic intro. Also Kruggsmash: "Eh, gets the job done." You are awesome man, don't let anyone tell you different.

[@felixspeer2699]

Thank you for making my lunch break better :) Greetings from Germany.

[@kruggsmash]

Hell yeah. Hope you're having as good lunch over there :)

[@shayneoneill1506]

I'm thoroughly enjoying the pixel art intro sequences! I have no doubt these take an extraordinary amount of work, and it is appreciated.

[@Toam21]

This is one of my favourite series so far! The focus on a few dwarves that you get to know rather than a bunch of random faces in a mass of dwarves really suits your way of telling a story. Looking forward to more!

[@halfenlightened]

Krugg as long as you're having fun, the episodes are very much worth watching. You're great at interpreting the events and making amazing small and big moments out of them. Keep up the good work! I'm very thankful for your storytelling and awesome artwork!

[@Olothur]

Your production value is immense! I am glad that you are so into doing what are you doing. You are one of creators that happen to appear in my feed once a month or two and it always a treat. Would love to see some of your D&D stories made in the same format.

[@zanthe_]

The new intro is glorious. You're mastery of the dwarven form grows with each day! The movements are much more realitic looking, love it!

[@BloodyBobJr]

Man Krugg you got the best intros to stuff I've ever seen on KZbin. Just amazing

[@orxalot]

Seeing Emmy run in the same fashion as her mother made me smile. This intro is beautiful!

[@wcs9582]

Your illustrations are always inspiring and bring Dwarf Fortress to life in a way that I can only capture a few times. I usually mod the hell out of my game because I get tired of a lot of the "default" stuff, but seeing your illustrations always adds a bit of lustre to the game. I've been watching your content for years and I'm not surprised that I still do; I recommend your stuff to all my friends who show even the barest glimmer of interest in DF. Love your stuff man, do what you love. I also loved that Path of Akra video too!

[@UltimateFighter619]

Coming home to a kruggsmash video is the best kind of day, love the content, the commentary and the visuals.. my favourite KZbin channel

[@kruggsmash]

Well thanks for the kind words and for watching, man. Warms my heart I tell you.

[@projecteer9439]

You know with Rofa's eldritch appearance, their body count of people approaching the titan, and the fact the dwarves are basically making a boss arena for Rofa, Spearcavern might as well be an Elden Ring location. I would also like to know how Kruggsmash made his DnD map and see the Game Boy inspired animation.

[@synthetic240]

A fantastic episode as always. I think the fortress will tell you when it's done. Maybe you'll think of a cool idea for a fortress or maybe something will happen or change that will signal that it's the end of the arc. And honestly, your artwork is what elevates these videos, but don't overwork yourself. Take care!

[@Takoala]

I really needed this, these last weeks have been rough. Thanks Krug ❤

[@kruggsmash]

Hey, hang in there, Takoala. It will get better. Glad to be able to give you a slight break from things.

[@MrTangaTrond1]

‘Nothing to write mountainhome about’ made my whole day

[@DOOMHAMMER-XIII]

20:40 Northbrige, how a little nostalgic I feel when I see these references, plus they are very good details, the only thing missing is that there are Books about the "Splatterface" Tournaments and narrating the bloody contest, like watching a Replay

[@kruggsmash]

Yeah! I sometimes forget Northbridge is still out there. I hope it's going alright over there still.

[@MekuruX]

Thank you @Kruggsmash because of you my daughter and I are more bonded after watching episode 1 to 12 (latest)

[@claytonparfumorse3101]

duuuude, i was using your videos to get me through the work week, and i was JUST finishing spearcavern playlist when you posted this! what wonderful timing!

[@telendar2949]

Oh man I felt my heart stopped when the Crab got chased ahah

[@TehRaegls]

I've basically been considering everything past 10 an epilogue of sorts. I personally enjoy the pace, it's like getting to catch up with a friend every so often. May not be the most eventful stories but it's nice seeing how everyone is still doing.

[@obsidianos]

Always a joy when coming back from work to find a new Krug DF episode out! Sir you are a blessing!

[@smivan.]

Man, I'm sure I've written this before - but it's gotta be reiterated - your artstyle in these videos is a delight. Hats off to you and Mrs K!

[@weeaboobaguette3943]

16:25 You better make a shrine to that bird.

[@legogandalf5453]

That buzzard that saved the Crab deserves a statue imo

[@LeftoverPat]

i agree at the end there's a level where there may be only so much you can do with a long stretch of DF playthrough. But an idea for a direction is my favorite parts are when things were kind of sped up for these mega projects - Which is what makes this series so impressive because it's a small group doing big things. Love you Kruggs ultimately if youre attached we'll feel it too.

[@MrDcrisafulli]

It may not always be 'grand' or an 'epic' tale, but I always enjoy seeing a new video posted by Kruggsmash. His story telling just has a certain panache to it.

[@michaels.3709]

Watching all of the trained buzzards rush Crab when he enters the aviary is just so adorable! Like, just imagining a dozen _massive_ birds getting excited seeing their dwarf is do funny!

[@weeaboobaguette3943]

That intro was absolutely ridiculous. You just keep getting better, incredible.

[@lindalobstadefenda]

I had to pause from laughing so hard at the cage filled with animals. brilliant work as always

[@Ftamin13]

The intro you made are the best! Thank you for making and sharing them. I was hopping to see more of Emmy this episode and if is feasible, I would to see stories of her adventuring out from spearcavern once she grows up and visiting all the previous fortresses with all sort of friends she might find along the way. It would be quite a story if you can set up right.

[@kruggsmash]

Thanks! glad you liked that intro. It was a tough one to do, for sure. I really wish I could make it so Emmy and others head out from Spearcavern and go on a quest, but I don't see a feasible way to do it without using DFhack or something. Besides, I did test out adventure mode when it dropped and it was fairly busted still. Can't do nearly as much as we used to yet. Would have to wait for it to get back to the point where it was until I could even consider it.

[@lordfriedrick7911]

Every Krugg video is like a cozy blanket Relaxing and homely

[@hickumu]

God my heart was in my THROAT during that chase between Rofa and The Crab. I was SURE we were about to lose someone else. Also super psyched to see the fortress getting into the giant animal breeding game. I mostly settle in Savage biomes and it's mostly done in the hopes of catching a bunch of giant animals to breed. And I genuinely never thought of agitating them to lure them out of hiding, but now you got me thinking...

[@matthewsanchez7953]

Love your content and all of the hard work you and your team put in; it never ceases to lift my heart when I see a new video from you! Whatever creative endeavors you decide to follow, we'll be here cheering you on!

[@jamescanjuggle]

i think its cool how the original dwarves came to hunt beasts and now end up revering and raising them xD basically how to train your dragon

[@SpriteGuard]

What a nice way to end a pretty crummy day. I've been loving Spearcavern and I think this new era of the fort is just as compelling. It was so nice to see Wisp get a win, and oh boy was I holding my breath worried someone might hurt our best darling boy Rofa.

[@Loon969]

I feel pretty invested in this series, and as long as you are invested and interested, I'd love to see the evolution of Spearcavern. Even after they get digging down deep, and if the fort ends, hopefully you'll find a way to continue with the same DF world. I think that this is one of my favorite playthroughs you've done so far. The amount of storytelling you manage to put into each episode is truly masterful. I love the story progression intros as well. I really like the idea of this civilization of dwarves continuing to explore and settle down throughout the world, expanding and changing as history turns.

[@ianfredrick383]

This is such a great series. Every fort story is better than the last.

[@ehudshapira2745]

That pixelart animation is simply gorgeous!!

[@japaroads]

Keep doing you, Krugg! That’s what we’re here for. And I love this group of dwarves. Down for whatever you do with them.

[@fun-damentals6354]

you are awesome man. never stop. never listen to those who degrade you. you make some of the best content on youtube!

[@kruggsmash]

Getting better and better at just doing what I want. I suppose it's in sercive to you guys to just do what I want to do anyways, eh? Thanks for watching.

[@rv1259]

Never clicked on a video so fast. Thank you so much for all your hard work and storytelling, I always love watching your videos ❤ And the intro was so adorable!

[@punkdrunkmonk824]

Krugg smashing my expectations with his staggering art always warms the heart.

[@t4stingo]

The intro this was amazing. So much style. Great job.

[@Ragekius]

Maybe that Giant Buzzard detected the Crab was a friend of animals and flew to his aid?

[@thomasdharvey]

Wow, that intro! Fantastic work all round 👏

[@kruggsmash]

Thanks! People weren't mentioning the intro in the forst round of comments here so I thought maybe it wasn't noticable lol

[@Skutchletugg]

If I had a nickel for every time Kruggsmash built a giant bird cage, I'd have two nickels. That's not a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

[@mindmagemethin1550]

Love everything you do. Keep up the good work. You are masterful at story telling, my 9yr old loves watching with me.

[@aspenfurlow40]

I was introduced to your channel from your Caves of Qud video. You make amazing content and I can't wait to watch your older series!

[@BiostormGaming]

The progression in the intro is amazing I love it so much! Everyday Krugg uploads is a good day!

[@zacharyweaver276]

2:26 trading for exotic meats and animals is always good since you can get a dwarf that likes that specific food. Also I believe humans are the race who make whips so you could try to get more of them if you wanted to out fit your combat squads with more of them

[@kruggsmash]

This is true, this is true. Buncha whippy dwarves might be interesting, though those humans can't make whips of steel, unfortunatly. Might have to just stick with our masterfully crafted spears!

[@szadek1337]

this was so nice! I kicked back with some snacks and watched this after work. great content as always

[@doubledee8677]

I think it's fine to continue. You're finally getting into the whole premise of the series - the monsters.

[@tite93]

Missed this series! Glad it's back

[@jordanmagpiebullet7978]

Amazing job Kruggsmash keep them coming your doing better and better with every video also love your art style

[@kruggsmash]

Thanks man. I try my best.

[@jordanmagpiebullet7978]

@@kruggsmash your will king

[@andyflinders8333]

The new intro is soooo good Krugg, absolutely love it. Also, the legend of Stackhud continues to grow :D

[@oblivion2k490]

That intro was incredible, great work!

[@wphnr]

I love your content. Your narrative and unique artstyle really sum up into something worth watching every time. Thank you, Krugg.

[@dankolord]

Another master craftsdwarfship of a video, splendid!

[@RemnantCult]

Yay! And the intro's great as always. Can't wait to see what happens now.

[@kruggsmash]

Good to hear! Thanks for watching :)