Introduction
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For years upon years they had struggled. A harsh land throwing all it's might against them. The odds of survival had outweighed them, but somehow, against them all, these people had survived through the ages. Through the hottest the days just after the dinosaurs were gone, and then the coldest nights of the ice age that lasted for generations, these hardy people found a way to survive...underground. Food was their biggest problem, of course, and no one is sure how they managed to feed themselves, but cannibalism is the main theory.
Now though, the time had come. For the last couple of generations the world had changed. Become milder, and more balanced. No longer have to stay hidden deep in the earth from the elements these people grew brave. They had been collecting fruits, roots & vegetables from above ground for some time now, and the population was growing quite fast. The caverns & homes of their predecessors were now all cramped with people.
Young Zorkk had always dreamed of living outdoors. He went with his father as often as he could on the hunting & gathering trips. When he asked why they all didn't move outside, his father just shuddered at the thought, and told him to never repeat that. Nonetheless, little Zorkk grew into a man with the idea of moving up in life.
After some few years, Zorkk grew to be something of a visionary among his people. Everyone was tired of living so close to one another, and being so cramped, yet the habits of our forefathers are the hardest to break. To most of these people, the thought of living "up there" with all the open space was terrifying enough, to keep the rumblings of not enough space to a minimum. It also kept Zorkk's plan in the ground.
In time, enough young people become of age, and grew up believing as Zorkk did. This group grew and grew. Very quiet, in corners & late at night, when the Elders couldn't hear, the word and the idea was spread. Life outdoors! Among the birds, the trees and the sun. Soon there was a cult of followers, waiting for direction from their leader, awaiting the day they would emerge.
In secret, Zorkk made the preparations. He knew the elders would never approve, and would probably kill him if they found out. Soon after the last snows melted, and the days were warm, Zorkk signaled his following that they would leave on the next new moon. Two weeks went by, and the final preparations were made. Everyone was ready for their new, harsher life, and the excitement could hardly be contained.
The new moon came, and soon out of caves and holes in the ground they emerged. A large group of people stood around, waiting for Zorkk. He arrived last, helping carry their youngest member, a 2 week old newborn, braving this new world they would conquer. They traveled all that night, and by morning were far away from their people. Most were frightened, and uneasy, but Zorkk led with authority, and they would all follow him to the ends of the earth.
After going on for a few months Zorkk realized they would have to get shelter soon, because the days were getting shorter, and the nights longer and colder. It was time to settle down... time to find that perfect spot... time to start his Great Underground Empire!
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For years upon years they had struggled. A harsh land throwing all it's might against them. The odds of survival had outweighed them, but somehow, against them all, these people had survived through the ages. Through the hottest the days just after the dinosaurs were gone, and then the coldest nights of the ice age that lasted for generations, these hardy people found a way to survive...underground. Food was their biggest problem, of course, and no one is sure how they managed to feed themselves, but cannibalism is the main theory.
Now though, the time had come. For the last couple of generations the world had changed. Become milder, and more balanced. No longer have to stay hidden deep in the earth from the elements these people grew brave. They had been collecting fruits, roots & vegetables from above ground for some time now, and the population was growing quite fast. The caverns & homes of their predecessors were now all cramped with people.
Young Zorkk had always dreamed of living outdoors. He went with his father as often as he could on the hunting & gathering trips. When he asked why they all didn't move outside, his father just shuddered at the thought, and told him to never repeat that. Nonetheless, little Zorkk grew into a man with the idea of moving up in life.
After some few years, Zorkk grew to be something of a visionary among his people. Everyone was tired of living so close to one another, and being so cramped, yet the habits of our forefathers are the hardest to break. To most of these people, the thought of living "up there" with all the open space was terrifying enough, to keep the rumblings of not enough space to a minimum. It also kept Zorkk's plan in the ground.
In time, enough young people become of age, and grew up believing as Zorkk did. This group grew and grew. Very quiet, in corners & late at night, when the Elders couldn't hear, the word and the idea was spread. Life outdoors! Among the birds, the trees and the sun. Soon there was a cult of followers, waiting for direction from their leader, awaiting the day they would emerge.
In secret, Zorkk made the preparations. He knew the elders would never approve, and would probably kill him if they found out. Soon after the last snows melted, and the days were warm, Zorkk signaled his following that they would leave on the next new moon. Two weeks went by, and the final preparations were made. Everyone was ready for their new, harsher life, and the excitement could hardly be contained.
The new moon came, and soon out of caves and holes in the ground they emerged. A large group of people stood around, waiting for Zorkk. He arrived last, helping carry their youngest member, a 2 week old newborn, braving this new world they would conquer. They traveled all that night, and by morning were far away from their people. Most were frightened, and uneasy, but Zorkk led with authority, and they would all follow him to the ends of the earth.
After going on for a few months Zorkk realized they would have to get shelter soon, because the days were getting shorter, and the nights longer and colder. It was time to settle down... time to find that perfect spot... time to start his Great Underground Empire!
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