Other races get corrupted by Warpstone – mutations, madness, Chaos.
Huge disadvantage compared to Greenskins.
Greenskins are fine.
Orkoid physiology is so tough, so WAAAGH!-infused, that Warpstone just makes them a bit more green and angry.
When opportunity comes, Marcus really wants to get some Warpstone to study, see if it can be turned into new energy source.
Dwarfs use it for nothing, Skaven make bombs with it.
Why can’t Orcs?
But that’s future.
Now, getting entire tribe on sustainable track is most important.
He brought Gitzit the Savage Goblin to the mushroom fields, handed him over to One-Arm – the Goblin who lost arm to bear yesterday, now manager of fields – and told One-Arm to watch this guy.
Marcus stated he could leave if he could teach Goblins in field how to make fiber mycelium rope.
The simple-minded Gitzit agreed without much thought.
He figured Goblins would learn after one demonstration, allowing him to leave and return to inform Redclaw to wipe out this tribe.
As for whether Marcus would lie to him?
He was a fool!
If he were deceived by an Orc, he’d rather die than admit it.
Greenskin logic.
After assigning task, Marcus toured tribe, satisfied to see minions diligently working.
Then returned to his Boss Hut, sat on straw bed, and planned development using system.
Tribe currently gaining 28 new Goblins and 35 new Snotlings daily – the system number after building three new Level 2 fields.
Ratio relatively normal now – before it was insane.
Still high, but Warhammer mushroom fields in a bloody valley do produce fast if watered with blood.
In next few days, all new Goblins need to be incorporated into combat force, starting with 300 stone spearmen to complete initial mission: **Arm 300 Goblins.**
Remaining task: forge batch of iron pickaxes and shovels to mine small open-pit coal seam on western mountain that Dwarfs spotted.
Once stable coal supply secured, small bloomery blast furnace can be considered.
Using proper furnace to smelt iron is far more efficient than current earthen kiln method.
System also needs stone wall.
Although not enough stone now, trench can be dug around perimeter, with earthen wall inside as temporary solution.
Marcus pondered future, time passed slowly until nightfall.
As night fell, tribe became lively.
Leader had led armed Goblins out to hunt giant bear this morning, and announced large-scale roasted bear meat feast tonight.
This excited Goblins who hadn’t gotten to eat Squig meat last time.
Leader said winner of brawl could eat as much as he wanted.
Not only that, leader would remember their names.
Look at Gaptooth the leader remembers – he now commands so many Goblins, and Little Veg Head has over a hundred Snotlings following him every day.
Other Goblins incredibly envious.
If they won, they might rise like them, so all Goblins determined to defeat everyone.
Of course, aside from winner getting to eat his fill, rest was wishful thinking.
Because chance to eat bear meat and drink mushroom beer, even Dwarfs who had been blacksmithing all day came to join fun.
Firebeard brought his own wooden mug.
A massive brawl was about to begin, but different from last.
Marcus hadn’t let Gaptooth and Little Veg Head participate.
Firstly to establish their authority among Goblins and Snotlings, secondly because worried if they lost, their underlings would become disobedient, difficult to manage.
This brawl wasn’t simple free-for-all.
Marcus organized them into teams of 20 Goblins and 100 Snotlings, adding more fun and purpose.
Another advantage: after brawl, Goblins and Snotlings from same team could be grouped into squads, with winners becoming squad leaders.
Marcus suddenly stopped, thinking, “Wait, isn’t this exactly what Goblins were fantasizing about?
Have these Goblins also activated their Thinking Power?”
All Goblins formed large circle, lighting several bonfires.
They roasted mushrooms, but secretly eyed mountain of bear meat piled beside Marcus, mouths watering.
Marcus sat at head.
To his left were Gaptooth, Iron Egg, Little Veg Head.
Little Veg Head, hearing he was sitting with leader, had even taken a bath – twice.
To his right, needless to say, were five Dwarf brothers, arms crossed, suspicious.
First, Goblin teams took stage.
One by one, they huddled together and started fighting.
This drew laughter from many watching, some offering advice.
Watching Goblins waved fists and chattered as if they were fighting.
But Goblins fought with great effort, exchanging punches and kicks, biting.
First team quickly finished.
Victorious Goblin picked largest piece of bear meat he could reach from mountain of roasted meat and ran back to spot to eat, making other Goblins incredibly envious.
Goblin teams continued quickly, but mountain of bear meat visibly dwindling, making Goblins scratch heads.
Thankfully, Goblin competition finally over.
When Snotlings’ turn came, show became much more entertaining.
These cunning little runts would feign death, then get up and ambush others; some would stomp feet, bite noses, and some even kicked in groin – who knows where Snotlings learned that?
Greenskins don’t even have that thing, what’s point of kicking?
In short, everyone displayed unique abilities, leaving young Goblins who had just finished fight bewildered.
They exclaimed, “We learned amazing!
We want try next time!”
Chaotic brawl raged late into night.
During one fight, Dwarf Firebeard, drunk on mushroom beer, insisted on joining, shouting “I’ll show you how Dawi brawl!” Only to be ganged up on by a group of Snotlings and beaten to pulp, much to amusement of other Dwarfs, who laughed so hard they fell over.
When brawl ended, young Goblins all lying on ground, bellies full, bruised.
Marcus couldn’t help but worry; what if someone launched night attack at such times in future?
It would be dangerous, entire tribe unconscious from fighting and eating.
But for now, only option.
Marcus would definitely find another way to replace this traditional tribal culture of Greenskin brawl in future.
Maybe training drills.
Exhausted after long day, Marcus returned to his large thatched hut and lay down to sleep.
Just as he closed eyes, someone knocked on door.
Thinking something wrong, he quickly got up and opened it.
He saw Firebeard, completely drunk, leaning against doorframe, loudly complaining that they were out of wine.
Marcus exasperated.
After assuring him he would arrange for Goblins to brew wine specifically for Dwarfs next day, he sent Firebeard stumbling back, supported by two other Dwarfs.
Back in his own hut, Marcus lay down and fell asleep immediately.
Night passed uneventfully, except for Snotlings snoring loud as Squigs.
Next day, Marcus got up early.
Today, he planned to check small open-pit coal seam in western mountains.
If suitable, he hoped to start mining within next few days.
Coal meant hotter furnaces, more iron, and eventually, steel.
And if he found Warpstone mixed in coal seam…
He grinned.
Greenskin linen for clothes, coal for furnaces, bear hide for rug, and soon, iron choppas for all.
Tribe was finally on right track for sustainable WAAAGH!.