so I wrote this while playing, its more notes than story, and admittedly some poor grammar throughout. REGARDLESS, enjoy the goings-ons of Insightcopper over about 16 years of bridge building . Also no screens but I've got a sped up video of the whole playthrough.. very lazy yes. (https://youtu.be/keHavRTn2oU) please enjoy!
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Insightcopper, "Lûkgusil"
founded in year 208
by the dwarves
Erith Bellmartyrs
Vucar Earthreins
Kel Whippedlined
Unib Inkbolts
Logem Pinepaint
Rith Strappedhatchet
Zuglar Vaultsalve
who arrived at the bottom of a desert valley where a slow stream flowed, and here they settled.
15th Granite,
Early Spring
We needed a bridge to cross the small desert stream, so we asked Vucar to fell the only tree on this side of the valley.
He sure did cut that tree down, right into the river. . .
Eventually we found a stray catcus and fashioned some light boards for the bridge.
16th Slate
Three large spaces were dug into the southern loam and black sand hillside, and turned into farms, storage and a dining hall respectively.
As well, an exploratory staircase was dug to the 20th level below.
An aquifer was struck immediately, and we thought that the miners could outpace the flow but it was too much and the staircase flooded.
27th Felsite
Veins of gold were discovered in the hillside, as well as cassiterite and petrified wood.
27th Malachite
During the tedious process of re-walling the staircase, the caverns were discovered.
All that trouble could have been avoided, had we built only a few tiles to the south.
At least now, we have a controlled water source within the fortress.
6th Galena
Migrants arrived, bringing our population to 14.
3rd Limestone
Autumn has arrived. We dug new temples in the chalk stone.
14th Limestone
The dwarven caravan arrived. We traded conglomerate figurines and spare weapons for cloth, beer, bags, and other spare goods.
3rd Sandstone
Zuglar Vaultsalve, the expedition leader, has taken Unib as his lover.
Unib Inkbolts claims to be a stonecrafter, but has only meager creativity. Unib also likes reindeers for their herds.
27th Sandstone
More migrants, bringing us to 21 total population.
17h Timber
Oddom the Weaver has created an artifact silk toga, Subilsumun, "The Robust Griffons."
It is decorated with great horned owl leather and there is an image of ginkgo trees in cave spider silk on the front.
15th Moonstone
The dwarves attemped to bypass the first cavern layer's aquifer, but this too ended in a desperate flood of water pouring into the staircases. Here the dwarves gave in and blocked up the staircase.
With so many dead end staircases the dwarves considered moving elsewhere before digging further.
15th Obsidian
Thothil Standcrested petitioned to stay here as a monster slayer.
"I can now reside in Insightcopper. That was very satisfying!"
She is 31 years old and, oddly enough, values tranquility.
================
=== Year 209 ===
================
21st Granite
One of the stray donkey foals starved to death, despite easy access to the surface. Strange and unnerving.
28th Granite
Urvad Boltedyore went moody, claiming again the clothiers workshop and demanding we bring metal bars.
Quickly some smelters were constructed and bars of gold poured into rough ingot molds carved there into the floor of the hallway.
Appeased by a single bar, Urvad returned to the shop and later produced an artifact Nokorostath, "Deadesteem," a frilly pig tail sandal. It has two images of itself, on itself.
27th Slate
Finally, the second aquifer layer has been pierced through with a staircase. Thirteen z-levels tall, this aquifer was rather annoying, but nothing too serious in the end.
Now begins the work of cataloguing the available stone and metals in the layers below.
19th Felsite
The third cavern layer was discovered today, 91 levels below the desert.
The underlichen grew thick here against the diorite pillars and occasional tunnel tube. In the distance, towering black-caps and nether-caps were seen.
23rd Hematite
A strange horrible creature, a 'reacher,' wandered up the staircase and into the surface outpost. Usually they live in lakes and drown small, unfortunate dwarves who wander too close. What this one was doing so far away from the caverns we don't know.
There wasn't a single competent fighter amongst the entire fortress, so Athel was picked randomly and ordered to remove the strange creature from the hallway.
They boxed in the hallway. Athel mostly failed her clumsy attempts to bash the creature in the head until a lucky strike caved in the skull.
"I have improved my fighting skill. That was satisfying!"
7th Malachite
Lorbam Craftedclams the Scholar is visiting Insightcopper. Lorbam is a competent Astronomer, as well as a skilled axefighter.
15th Malachite
Cog the Tavern Keeper went moody today, claiming a craftshop and a single tunnel tube log.
Cog emerges holding Rofottan, "Blocktick," a tunnel tube earring.
....great job Cog....
9th Limestone
The dwarven caravan has arrived. Zuglar, expedition leader, is also our broker and is quite proficient at appraisal.
We traded some spare chalk mugs for more wood.
During this process, a flock of elk birds invaded from the caverns, and the militia were sent to exterminate the pests. Elk birds are a well known annoyance to any fortress that collects silk as their spastic movements tends to destroy the delicate webs.
11th Timber
Cerol the Blacksmith went moody and produced a gold sarcophagus, Batansakzul Otilgembish, "Calmtrumpet the Jade Seal". It is studded with gold. On the item is an image of dwarves in chalk. The dwarves are laboring. The artwork relates to the foundation of Insightcopper by the Cloister of Touching of The Blockade of Strategy in the early spring of 208.
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=== Year 210 ===
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1st Granite
The new year has arrived. We have formed a new militia squad, The Gloved Gems, and given them ample time to train with short swords and shield.
17th Granite
The elven caravan arrived for the first time this year.
25th Granite
Ubbul the Bone Carver has created Thob Kas, "The Girder of Quieting," an artifact mule bone war hammer.
On the war hammer in an image relating to the strange mood of Oddom Godlyarches in year 208.
9th Slate
Ducim Copperblush assumed the role of King of our civilization as soon as he arrived. He then picked up a red spinach leaf and began to carry it to the kitchens... what a useful king, indeed!
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===== Day 2 =======
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22nd Slate
The king's arrival prompted us to expand the southern bedrooms into something of a royal palace. Modest, sure, but for now it would appease Ducim Copperblush the surprise king of Insightcopper.
26th Hematite
The human traders arrived today, representing the Merchant's Guild. They brought a variety of goods.
We traded spare iron weaponry for cloth, leather, meats, plants, and a very nice rock crystal cabochon.
It was around this time that Ber the glassmaker went moody and demanded raw green glass. We returned to the humans who gladly provided us with some pieces.
Ber took all three glass pieces, some chalk and silk and began to work furiously.
Ber produced Shadmalsheshek, "Confusetip the Truthful Tick," a green glass hatch cover.
On the item is an image of Ushrir Shootscratch the dwarf in green glass.
13th Malachite
Ushat was discovered in his bedroom, completely drained of blood.
This does not bode well for the other dwarves. Who, or what, could have done this?
16th Galena
The craftsdwarves petitioned for a guildhall, which was easily granted as there is an existing room near the bedrooms.
25th Limestone
We traded spare weapons for logs and leather, from the annual dwarven caravan.
15th Timber
Nomal the weaponsmith went moody, creating Razmer Bekom, "The Violator of Spring," an artifact iron short sword.
It is encircled with bands of cushion cassiterite cabochons and rose cut red tourmalines. It is adorned with hanging rings of cassiterite and menaces with spikes of chalk. On the item is an image of Stodir Helmseal the dwarf in iron. On the item is an image of dwarves in milk quartz. The dwarves are travelling. The artwork relates to the foundation of Gulflanced in year 1.
Razmer Bekom was given to Athel the militia captain.
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==== Day 3 ====
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20th Granite
Insightcopper has a distinct lack of copper. Over 600 metal bars fill our bins, yet almost all of those are tin.
14th Slate
The vampire has struck again, this time draining the blood of Datan the herbalist.
17th Slate
Logem Pinepaint, the solo Grand Master fisherdwarf of Insightcopper, has gone moody, claiming a mechanics workshop and numerous materials.
Logem produces Amemnonshut, "Curlbewitched," the artifact diorite mechanisms. They menace with spikes of diorite, cactus wood and red tourmaline.
This mechanism was formed into a lever of masterful quality and installed in the dining hall of the King.
2nd Hematite
A vile force of darkness has arrived, to the north above the desert valley. They immediately charged down the black sand slopes towards our small encampment.
Our soldiers consisted of a single squad of seven swords.
Mistem Laborbowel led the countercharge towards the goblins.
The northern valley slope displayed a unique geological feature: halfway up, the hill flattened into a wide plateau. Here the two forces would clash.
The dwarves were ultimately victorious with no casualties. The goblins, diced to pieces..
8th Hematite
Metal bar production has really taken off, with the current stock as follows:
40 iron
1 gold
98 silver
28 copper
40 bronze
692 tin (!!!)
16 lead
The majority of this metal is destined for weapons of war and adornment for the offices and bedrooms of the king.
16th Hematite
The human caravan arrived. While we had originally planned to sell iron shields, the king prohibited the export of these.
We traded weapons for leather, large gems, and cheeses.
20th Galena
Four priceless artifacts were locked in silver cages in the throne room of our king.
13th Limestone
The dwarven caravan arrived today.
We traded the usual set of picks, axes and swords for a variety of goods.
17th Sandstone
That damned vampire. Forgotten until they strike dead some poor dwarf.
This time it was Onget, the stonecutter.
16th Timber
Sibrek the miner has created Azmoldumurkerlig, "The Obscure Haunt-Shells," a native platinum door worth 34000. It is encrusted with square brilliant cut amethysts, decorated with giant cave spider silk and encircled with bands of saguaro rib wood. It menaces with spikes of gold. On the item is an image of itself.
On the item is an image of Tosid Trumpetname the dwarf in bronze. The artwork relates to the ascension of Tosid to the position of King of The Blockade of Strategy in 158."
The door was installed in between the king's throne room and dining hall.
2nd Moonstone
The goblins returned, attacking us again from the northern hillside.
The goblins only sent five fighters and they were quickly defeated in a swift battle on the steep slope of the hill.
1st Granite, Year 212
Spring of the third year has arrived, and with it, the construction of the bridge shall begin in full. The chosen material will be schist, and other stone as neccesary for adornment.
The first step is to construct a series of staircases to allow easy, direct access for the laboring dwarves.
18th Granite
The elven trade caravan arrived today.
We traded iron weapons for wood logs and a giant bluejay - for the king's palace.
5th Slate
Ugosh Minedboats the Deep has arrived, an enormous hadrosaurid with lidless eyes. It has thin wings of stretched skin and it undulates rhythmically. Beware its fire!
We locked the doors and forgot about it immediately.
7th Slate
The Denomination of Growths has grown to require a temple and a priest. This request was granted.
This cult worships The Youth of Dawn, dwarven god of children, and has 14 total worshippers.
As well, the farmers requested a dedicated guildhall to celebrate their efforts.
10th Slate
Seemingly encouraged by the success of the farmers, the craftsdwarfs also requested a new guildhall.
13th Slate
Goden the glassmaker has created Arbantarem, "The Cradled Fate," an artifact green glass bucket.
We shall use it to create a magnificent well!
3rd Hematite
The goblins are back, another small squad of ambushers. They were easily dealt with.
The dwarves eschew collecting the bodies of the fallen, instead letting their bones bleach under the constant sun of the desert wasteland.
9th Malachite
Insightcopper has stored over 2000 pieces of dried fish, more than enough to feed us during a lengthy siege.
16th Malachite
Deep in the caverns, Ast the evil fights Bekor Bloodyveil the Warrior of Submerging, a giant poisonous tick with long black hair. Bekor has three short horns, which it uses to gore Ast to death.
17th Malachite
Foolish vampire! Taking your food in public, surely someone noticed Thothil being drained of blood in the general temple?
The suspects are as follows:
Ustuth, bard
Minkot, bard
Lesana, Elf poet
Cog Furnacestill, Tavern keeper
Ducim Copperblush, King
Amxu, farmer
Giki, Human Swordsman
Thele, Elf Poet
Imimi, Elf Poet
Utes, Goblin Poet
... could the vampire be our King, Ducim? We have examined him thouroughly yet no evidence can be found.
EXCEPT, for the suspicious fact that Ducim has taken no decent meals, and his breath lacks the distict sour smell of dwarven wine.
Amxu, as well, might be suspect, but only due to their unusually long white hair and beard.
Unfortunately for the dwarves of Insightcopper, nothing can be done about the vampire king. If this is truly the fact of the matter, and Ducim is an undead, immortal being, than the lower classes and non-nobility have little say in the matter. Only if Ducim wishes to prosecute himself will justice be found.
22nd Malachite
Finally recognized was The Denomination of Growths, a cult worshipping The Youth of Dawn. Iden was appointed 'Holy Fountain,' the temple priest.
7th Galena
It was decided to allow the saguaros on the high plateau to grow tall. As most of the fighting occurs here, they would serve to block our dwarves from enemy fire.
17th Sandstone
Another dead to the vampire, Unib the animal caretaker. The king was nowhere to be found..
2nd Moonstone
A vile force of darkness has arrived, a real one this time, multiple goblin bowsquads rushing from the north. Most had some kind of armor.
Our dwarves were not afraid as they had trained for years. There is no need for steel nor armor, if you simply are never hit.
The fight occurs on the cusp of the plateau and is over quickly despite there being twice as many goblins as previous encounters.
Ber chose immediately after the fight to fall asleep in the middle of the corpse-strewn battlefield.
26th Opal
Snow falls on the schist bridgeway as mid-winter comes and goes.
24th Granite
The artifact gold sarcophagus Betansakzul Otilgembish was installed in the king's tomb today, thus fullfilling the royal obligations.
25th Galena
It was decided to venture north through the caverns, cutting pathways above the cavern lakes, looking for more ore. more-ore.
The swordsdwarves guarded the miners as they breached the first cavern layer.
Nothing. Quiet darkness and cobwebs.
The laborers went to work, tunneling and walling and carving and sealing, making good progress, all the while nervously looking out into the cavern fog.
11th Sandstone
A skinless buffalo appeared, near the cavern tunnel project.
Mosus, Unib and Ezum were caught out in the exposed portion. Gedor Fiendwicked bore down upon the hapless dwarves. Could they make the doorway in time?
Mosus's head was removed in a single chomping bite from the great bovine-beast.
Now, Gedor sits, waiting for us to return to this foolish hallway in the caverns.
26th Sandstone
Iden Ringdent, the Holy Fountain (temple preist) went moody. As a high master bowyer he naturally took control of a bowshop, soon producing Tenshedemal, "Chancedsense," a tower-cap bow. The object menaces with spikes of bismuth bronze. On the item is an image of Urdim Cloisterrelief the dwarf.
6th Moonstone
Nomal the weaponsmith, creator of Razmer Bekom the artifact iron short sword, was appointed to Dungeon Master by our king. Nomal will now require bedrooms, a dining hall, and offices.
14th Obsidian
A truly stray population of cats and kittens has established itself in the first cavern layer. The various beasties pay little attention to the furballs. They hunt for small mice amongst the fungal fronds.
27th Obsidian
Here, in the last days of year 213, the dwarves began a great project to redirect the valley's stream around the bridge supports.
Year 214
11th Slate
From the elven traders, we purchased a pair of giant black bears. Supposedly they would give us cubs within the year.
10th Felsite
Unib Forestglazed has created Edecem, "The Early Tubes, " a perfect citrine gemstone. It is adorned with hanging rings of citrine.
12th Felsite
We have nicknamed the two giant black bears, "Life" and "Death."
Immediately, "Death" hunts down a nearby kangaroo buck.
16th Hematite
We have fended off multiple invasions of the goblins, and they are so ineffective I have not even bothered to record these events. Perhaps three separate attacks have occurred. The goblin bodies pile up amongst the saguaro trunks.
The whole scene makes for quite the horrifying spectacle yet the dwarves, at least the fighters, seem mostly unaffected.
27th Hematite
The stream redirection project is complete, and allows for later draining should that be needed. It is full of toads, perch, and tree frogs. The small vermin seem to enjoy the additional space.
21st Malachite
A breach, in the riverside tunnels...
The dwarves rushed to block the inflow, but the pressure was too much and pushed them back. One final desperate flooring was a success and the saguaro boards creaked as they held back the torrent of riverwater.
part 2, due to character limits
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==== Day 4 ====
===============
23rd Limestone
The dwarven caravan arrived. We traded gemstones for steel weapons, food and beer.
8th Sandstone
A small section of ballista operators was established, including the siege engineer himself Bembul Fieldsilver.
As well, two masterwork ballista were installed facing the northern bridge approach.
17th Sandstone
The slow process of draining the under-river tunnel, submerged after the previous season's breach, has begun.
A series of manually operated screw pumps will move the water out of the tunnel. The most dangerous element is the possibility a dwarf might be swept backwards into the sunken depths..
28th Timber
The giant black bears have given birth to a single male cub.
1st Granite, 215
A new year has arrived. The hallways are significantly less -wet-.
In the caverns, it appears the forgotten beasts have gone about killing one another in a series of firey duels. However, Gedor Fiendwicked the great skinless buffalo remains, camping our exit to the first cavern.
14th Felsite
More giant black bear cubs have arrived, no doubt sent by the gods of war and nature. Four rapidly-growing baby bears now stalk the sand dunes.
19th Felsite
The miners have requested a guildhall, which was quickly approved. There is plenty of space at Insightcopper.
24th Felsite
During today's taget practice, Zutthan's shot with the ballista went wild and knocked down a saguaro. She is still learning, despite her existing skill.
2nd Hematite
The goblins arrived, a single or double squad of bows as usual.
However, this time, we had prepared a little surprise in the form of 8 spring-loaded sharpened stakes, aimed north towards the crest of the hillside, where the goblins always appeared.
They prompty ran, as they should.
23rd Hematite
We traded over 54,000 dwarfbucks worth of steel weaponry and gemstones to the humans, for logs, leather, and a gigantic pile of rare gemstones.
2nd Malachite
We have just established a new unit of speardwarves in steel armor - meant to take on the forgotten beasts. "The Crystalline Guard"
25th Malachite
Nomal, the smith who created Razmer Bekom the artifact iron short sword, was found dead, drained of his blood.
All signs point to the king. But will the dwarves work up the courage to assassinate the king? The vampiric despot?
23rd Opal
Nine total bears now roam the courtyard, including one cub who has come of age and is now a fearsome fighting machine. Well, untrained for war, but still impressively large and be-clawed.
1st Granite, 216
Another year has passed. Progress continues on all fronts, and the dwarves remain pleasantly surprised at the lack of random death. Excluding the occasionaly corpse drained of blood everything is totally fine and dandy here at Insightcopper.
8th Felsite
An ettin attacked!
The dwarves watched as the strange two-headed creature chased a poet around the mountainside. The creature was remarkable slow and even seemed out of breath at times.
The Ettin, Un Plansongs the Righteous Bristle, chased the poet down the hillside and through the bank of waterwheels to the east.
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==== Day 5 ====
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19th Hematite
The human caravan arrived. We traded gems for rare metals, wood, and leather.
Later that day, King Ducim finished his artifact:
Addordakas, "Drownedcolored," a llama wool robe.
It is covered in various gemstones and wooden crafty bits.
24th Hematite
Sibrek Ringedplanks, Legendary Miner, was appointed Dungeon Master after the last one was eaten by our vampire king.
Sibrek will also take on the role of hammerer. We have a specially prepared mule bone hammer, "Thob Kas," that should make for appropriately light punishments.
1st Timber
The militia were pulled out of the barracks and told to move stuff around.
...
There is a lot of stuff that needs moving.
2nd Moonstone
A goblin raiding party from the north! Run to the ballista!
The dwarves are slow, and by the time Bembul arrives, the goblins are just about to reach the firing line.
Bembul slide-kicks the release lever and the bolt is flung. Yet the goblins were quick to return fire. Bembul takes an arrow in the leg, hampering his movement, causing him to fall. He lay there bleeding over 32 z-levels above the valley floor.
Bembul's ballista shot strikes one of the goblins, but the giant arrow lacks any metal and the goblin is merely thrown backwards, bruised and bloodied.
Fecici the elf poet arrives, triggering the last ballista in the line, seriously endangering Bembul as the flying bolt narrowly passes his head.
Another bolt hits Bembul in the head, and he goes down for good with a fractured skull.
Just in time are the Cobalt Blades, with Zutthan and Minkot leading the charge.
The fighting is difficult and Kivish dodges the wrong way. . and is no more.
Meanwhile, body parts rain down from above as the swordmasters mow down the advancing goblins. Soon, the enemy is vanquished.
There were many wounded, and we appointed a second doctor to assist the healing process.
2nd Obsidian
The king continues to feed on the citizens of Insightcopper, one by one. Usually selecting victims from the northernmost bedrooms of the third level, for they are sparsely populated (due to a moistness about the air).
Most recently, Ducim ate Kol, the elf child, whose mother was also recently drained of blood......
This is getting out of hand.
13th Slate
The population of black bears is growing steadily, with 15 total bears and bear cubs filling the sunken pasture.
13th Felsite
The king complained of the need to "fight something real bad" so we gave him a sword and some armor and let him train with the Cobalt Blades.
17th Felsite
The caverns thunder with the sound of beasts fighting for dominance. Their screams and explosions and rumblings can be felt through the thin stone walls.
'Ozuz Cutthrower', the gigantic three-eyed shrimp with two horns and a green exoskeleton, ambushes 'Ozzeb', the great eyeless raven with gray feathers and a twisting, jointed trunk.
'Ozuz' launches a gout of flame, catching the raven who is quickly engulfed.
The two fight for five straight days before 'Ozuz' catches the raven and truly turns it to ashes. In the process, 'Ozuz' the shrimp melted off a majority of it's exoskeleton.
Not so bad for a shrimp, you know?
12th Hematite
A month or so later, another duel occurs, this time in the first layer.
'Cuthabe Fishlobsters the Cavernous Tomb,' a crocodiliform with brown, oval scales and a short trunk, attacks 'Usu Bughell' the one-eyed Falcon with flax feathers.
The two fight in ferocious combat, with toes torn off and eventually 'Cuthabe' emerges victorious, but is greatly wounded. Time will tell whether the noxious secretions left by the dying 'Usu' will affect the great crocodile.
11th Malachite
A breakthrough was made in the cavern tunnel exploration project, abandoned some years previous due to the appearance of a giant skinless buffalo.
Now, that beast is trapped between two sturdy limestone doors, and the Cobalt Blades venture forth to fight the remaining crocodile beast 'Cuthabe.'
Minkot stabs the reptile in the leg, a deep wound, followed by an even deeper strike to the right lung.
The others arrived, including our favorite dwarf Ducim the Bloodsucking Parasitic Noble who Eats Children, and they dogpiled 'Cuthabe' until the croc lay dead.
So the caverns, rich in hematite, and strewn with layer upon layer of cave spider silk, were safe once more.
27th Sandstone
A vault was constructed, or at least designated, to the south of the main fortress. There the dwarves would store priceless artifacts which have no other home.
1st Timber
Another beast duel, this time in the third cavern layer.
'Nasod Lamblowlness' is a gigantic mite with one eye that glows flourescent lime in the darkness. The rest of the creature is a waxy dark blue and it releases a foul poisonous gas when attacked.
'Nasod' approached 'Ozuz,' the three-eyed shrimp and reigning champion of the Cavern Beast Fights. It was no contest, with the flaming 'Ozuz' victorious once more.
16th Moonstone
Our legendary fisherdwarf Logem, who had taken a break from the practice for a year, has only become more depressed. He desperately misses his family.
It was decided to encourage him to leave and search for his proper home, where he might be happy.
27th Moonstone
Someone stole six raw fishes from us!
Thieves..
Further, scouts report sighting a giant beast made from some kind of red gemstone.. a brilliant hue that throws stars when the light shines upon it.
'Kulur Baitcurses' descended upon the fiery shrimp known as 'Ozuz' and began to attack. The natural hardness proved effective against the flame attacks, even reflecting the fire back upon the great shrimp.
Soon, it was all over for our friend 'Ozuz,' and a new champion was crowned in 'Kulur.'
During the fight, 'Kulur' lost their right hand. Somewhere in the caverns lays the perfectly formed, disembodied star ruby hand, likely as large as a giants.
Almost as soon as that fight was finished,
a second beast arrived of the same first name. 'Kulur Riddleshafts the Invisible Nightmares' was a eight-legged ankylosaurid with lidless eyes. It has maroon scales and deadly spittle.
'Kulur' (the dinosaur) quickly kills 'Kulur' (the star ruby humanoid). The fallen corpse weighs over 39000 dwarflbs, a sleeping titan amidst the fungal growths of the third cavern layer.
===============
=== Day 6 =====
===============
9th Granite
A goblin snatcher made the unfortunate choice to sneak into the bear pit.
Shortly thereafter, the goblin was flung about by the head like some kind of ragdoll, as the local bears do not take kindly to visitors.
16th Granite
The elven trader arrived.
We bartered gemstones for a single giant grizzly bear.
Lets hope for a breeding pair in the next caravan!
16th Felsite
'Lomifo' has arrived, a towering hornbill with lidless eyes. It has yellow feathers and wishes to feast on your blood.
'Lomifo' silently stalked through the cavern tunnel, meeting no dwarves until it entered the central stairwell.
There, 'Lomifo' found Bomrek Whipglow the Mayor, who was shocked at the sudden appearance of a murderous yellow bird.
"I must withdraw!" shouts Bomrek, as he dodges six quick strikes from the creature's beak.
Fortunately, Ber Bustpraises (!!!) the Swordmaster attacked 'Lomifo' from above, quickly chopping the bird to bits.
More doors were needed, it seems..
14th Hematite
Bomrek the Mayor has made a very specific demand: a crystal glass cabinet in his bedroom.
Thanks Bomrek for your patronage of the arts.
21st Galena
Mosus Workedarch the Swordmaster has gone moody, claiming a clothiers shop. Included in her pile of material are the gigantic 114-count bone pile of 'Lomifo' the hornbill forgotten beast.
Mosus emerges from the workshop holding Nothisothlest Okon Sazir, "Griefscorched the Burden of Bridging," a cave spider silk toga. The name appears to be a direct reference to the construction of the great bridge above the canyon, currently underway here at Insightcopper.
It appears to be deeply uncomfortable to wear as it is covered in spikes.
This is the second artifact toga to be produced in this fortress.
2nd Sandstone
We have officially reached the stage of, "There are more bears than I am willing to count."
This is a lot of bears.
7th Timber
'Ugosh' has returned, a beast truly forgotten, having arrived years ago and lurked in a sunken passageway ever since. Now, this gigantic hadrosaurid that breathes fire descends upon our silk collectors.
The tower cap forest is set ablaze.
The military lures the beast to the water-filled passageways, hoping to fight there, where the moisture might help against the magical fire.
However, 'Ugosh' was too fast and invaded the central staircase, attacking and killing Goden the Miner, who was set ablaze, had his arm ripped off, and was then thrown into the well, where the flames were extinguished.
'Ugosh' slowly descended into the mostly dry well cistern, towards Goden, who was cowering in fear there at the bottom of the well, then finishing the miner with a careless clawed swipe across the torso.
'Ugosh' continued the rampage, targeting Iden Ringdent the Holy Fountain and Master Bowyer. A deep scratching attack followed by a forceful kick down the stairwell.
Then, Ingiz arrived, a memeber of The Crystalline Guard, wielding a steel spear and wearing heavy armor.
Ingiz lands hit after hit, first attacking the wings and legs, then striking deep into the lungs of 'Ugosh.'
The rest of the squad arrived, and soon the beast was killed.
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==== Day 7 ====
===============
14th Moonstone
The cavern population of stray cats, long since separated from the dwarves, has been decimated by 'Esnust Evilseduces the Flank of Curses,' a towering lizard.
(FPS improved by a fair amount after this event)
17th Opal
Bembul Fieldsilver is a grand master siege engineer and great siege operator. After taking a copper arrow to the skull some years back, his mood has been sour.
We have encouraged him to seek whatever he needs to find solace, and it turns out this was martial training. Bembul is now a legendary observer and is (slowly) getting the hang of fighting with the dwarven short sword.
Zutthan Cudgelshock has taken over Bembul's previous duties as engineer. Our king Ducim regularly mandates the construction of ballista arrows - so there is always work for Zutthan.
1st Obsidian
Dishmab the Weaponsmith has created Estunvel Ikaleshom, "Boundlines the Healing Silences," a pig iron war hammer.
Alas, the mood was fey and Dishmab cannot recall making the hammer.
4th Obsidian
We captured a giant skinless buffalo the other season. Now, an ingenious setup allows us to collect the webs of this creature.
For what purpose? A bit of variety for the dwarves, who are so accustomed to spider silks and pig tail cloths that the new texture might prove popular.
4th Slate
A giant cougar was purchased from the elves for a handful of cut gemstones.
17th Slate
Naked Mole Dogs invaded our fortress from the caverns. We set up cage traps, hoping to catch a few of the shadowrats to sell to the traders or raise for meats.
11th Felsite
Terrible accident, in the caverns.. careless tree felling collapsed a weak roof. No one was immediately hurt, but this opened the chamber within which 'Gedor' the skinless buffalo resided.
Tobul was immediately grabbed by the beast and killed. . Fecici the Elf Poet attempted to scramble away but was also drawn down into the chamber, along with Vucar.
Dishmab the Glazer managed to seal the knocked-in roof, saving the fortress. 'Gedor' seemed content to feast upon the three dwarves who fell into the chamber.
14th Hematite
Urvad slipped and fell into the well, drowning before he could climb up the staircase..
28th Hematite
Mosus the Swordmaster was killed in his sleep by the resident vampire.
18th Galena
Ducim the king has raised the number of allowed citizens, and sent messengers encouraging more dwarves to immigrate.
The goal is to bring 120 dwarves and give them a fair existence, here at Insightcopper.
11th Sandstone
Dumat the Gem Cutter has created Areltangath, "Watertrample," a perfect chrysoprase. The large green gemstone menaces with spikes.
21st Sandstone
A ballista was used to knock down one of the larger mushrooms growing out of the inaccesible lakebed.
Now, the cavern pathway, protected on all sides by thick stone walling, can continue northward over the lake and into the unknown reaches of the first cavern layer.
2nd Moonstone
A proper siege has arrived, led by a turncoat dwarf, charging down the northern hillside.
Various defenses have been prepared for this event, including a pasture of bears in a forest of cacti, a lengthy bridge approach covered by a pair of masterowrk ballistae, and finally, the miltitary proper, who train constantly.
The stupid greenskins charge into the forest of saguaro and are ambushed by the four giant black bears.
The fighting is messy, with the giant bears making easy targets for the goblin arrows. The first two bears make futile attempts to claw the goblins but they are far to agile for the lumbering creatures.
However, the second pair of bears descended upon a single goblin, who could not dodge four paws at once, and soon the massive jaws closed down upon the goblins frame.. a gruesome death.
The remaining goblins pay heed to this event, and keep their distance from the bears, shooting them from a ring formation..
Only one bear remains alive, barely so, kill me for that pun, as the swordmasters approach from the south.
The goblins are easily killed, cut in two, pulpated, etc, and the dwarves now peer down at the bloody mess of a creature that is the remaining bear. Heroic in selfless sacrifice was this bear...
He was named, "Survivor," for obvious reasons, and sequested deep in the fortress to allow him time for recovery. Though it was questionable whether this two year old bear would fully recover from the many deep cuts left by the goblin arrows.
An obsidian statue was comissioned by a local patron of the event:
"The Bloody Battle of Cacti" is an obsidian statue of a giant black bear and five goblins. The giant black bear is fighting with the goblins. The bear is surrounded by the goblins. The bear is screaming.
5th Obsidian
Cog Furnacestill the Tavern Keeper has become severely depressed after being away from family and friends for too long. As he has failed to make any friends at Insightcopper, the lonliness has become oppressive, and he requested leave to return to his home.
Erith Dikestokers was appointed the new tavernkeeper.
17th Granite
The well was drained in order to retrieve the corpse of Goden.
Luckily for us, dwarf corpses do not produce pestilence when rotting in bodies of water.
2nd Slate
Unfortunately, both our giant cougars are female.
23rd Slate
A werebeaver attacked the fortress.. 'Gozru' appeared north of the powerstation, next to the pile of goblin corpses.
Being a beaver, 'Gozru' immediately forded the shallow moat and crossed into ....
the pit of giant bears.
Zutthan, stupid Zutthan, was waiting in the EXACT wrong location and was immediately attacked by 'Gozru.' Half a dozen bears, meanwhile, charged the transformed werecreature.
The lone giant grizzly was bitten in the lower body, taking a heavy wounding blow during the fight, yet continued to attack and bit the werebeaver in two.
Zutthan the Siege Engineer has survived, but is no doubt tainted with wereblood.
A special quarantine chamber will be constructed.
1st Felsite
One of the ghosts keeps stealing miscellaneous clothing items.
21st Felsite
We forgot to contain Zutthan..
He transformed in the tavern, biting many dwarves, some died.
Upon his death his corpse was immediately resurrected and struck down for a second time.
6th Hematite
Goblins attacked, just a handful. They met two of the bears high up on the bridge.
The bears are not great fighters but they are tanky, and lasted long enough for the spearguardians to arrive.
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==== Day 8 ====
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26th Limestone
The dwarven caravan arrived in early autumn, as expected.
We traded spare ammunition for some cheese.
21st Timber
Migrants arrived, and for the first time Insightcopper's population was raised above 100.
Some of the newbies were recruited into a third squad, a newly formed King's Guard "The Guard of Infamy."
The rest were ordered down into the mines..
1st Moonstone
The king has ordered each black bear be given a name, so as to better recall their heroic deeds during battle.
The list was extensive, and took many weeks to assemble..
2nd Moonstone
A siege!
Something different, it wasn't the usual band of ambushers.. there were demons amongst the goblins.
Small eyeless humanoids with charcoal skin and two tails. They scrambled in between the cacti and wielded small bows.
Athel the miner cannot find a way back in time - the drawbridges are already closed. He blindly walks into the advancing demons and takes many arrow hits before falling.
Now, the band of goblins and demons approached along the northern bridge. The ballista operators take too long to arrive, and only a few bolts are launched...
The first bolt misses, veering to the right and exploding into splinters against the side railing.
The second shot homes in to the goblins and strikes true. Amxu the goblin exploded into a pink mist as the bronze-tipped bolt flew straight through him.
Finally, the time comes, and The Cobalt Blades spring into action and charge the bridge. 'Brokenskull' and 'Gus' join in, tearing apart a demon.
Most horribly, the goblins then turn and run... yet one of them cannot run for Utes took one of the ballista bolts to the guts. And now drags herself away, trailing blood.... and perishes there on the bridge.
And with that terrible vision the siege has been lifted. The dwarves clean what blood they can and leave the rest for the rare desert rainstorms.
8th Granite, Year 221
We have established a small squad of ballista operators, who will train under Tulon to fire the large bowed weapons.
A small barracks has been established, with sleeping quarters, a chow hall and small food storage, a temple, and a guildspace to give lectures on various ballistic principles.
19th Granite
The elven caravan arrived. We traded some amethyst jewels for a pair of black bears, regular size.
This wil add to the confusion and chaos - multiple sizes of bears, but all very much deadly.
26th Granite
Our regal, lauded king Ducim has drained the blood of our manager, Bomrek Bomrek ..
another one bites the dust eh?
27th Granite
Another wave of migrants brings the population to 112.
A fourth squad of light swordsdwarves was drafted from this lot of newcomers, captained by Urdim Ivorybusts and titled The Souls of Diamond.
1st Felsite
A masterwork bronze ballista arrow has been prepared for firing, worth over ☼1000
It costs over 400,000 dwarfbucks to fire this gun for twelve seconds...
2nd Hematite
A goblin siege - no sign of the strange demon-lings like last time.
The lever is pulled to bring up the drawbridges... yet, Edzul the 6 year old cannot run fast enough and is flung backwards, through the air, meters high...
She survives, landing in the soft sand. But her and other dwarves are trapped outside.
At the last moment, two ballista arrows are launched. One passes through two goblins, killing them .
The bears descend upon the remainder - 'Bonkers' takes a wound to the gut and retreats, sick. 'Paddington Bear' takes revenge and soon the goblin is mauled.
Snodub and Azstrog the final two goblins, hastily retreat down the bridge and into the desert hills.
15th Hematite
The human caravan arrived.
We traded a large amount of fine clothing for fanciful gemstones to line the tomb of the vampire king.
22nd Limestone
Our stray alpaca is fat.
18th Sandstone
The dungeon master, Sibrek, was found dead. He must have slipped off the bridge and fallen all 32 z-levels to the floor below.
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==== Day 9 ====
===============
19th Moonstone
Regular ballista training has commenced, with all five south-facing ballistae under operation by the siege crew. The wooden practice bolts fly out into the desert, sinking unbroken into the sand, and the laborers run out to pick them up for another go.
1st Opal
The vampire king has eaten one of the King's Guard. I feel like this is counterproductive..
4th Opal
A weretortoise! Near the powerplant.
Just like last time, the warped monster swam through the moat and directly into the bit full of giant bears.
'Fluffy' manages to knock the weretortoise into the water, who murders Monom the strange peasant who has been living in our moat for the past two years (Monom will not be missed...) then proceeds to tear into 'Fluffy' from below, with those great tortoise jaws.
'Norm' arrives, grabbing the weretortoise by the spine and shaking until the creature is no more.
'Fluffy' remains alive, but barely, and will join 'Survivor' in the tavern as a wounded vetern.
1st Slate
Siege operation demonstrations have begun in the guild hall, which is suspended above the desert valley and surrounded by vertical copper bars.
5th Felsite
Construction of a large stack of screw pumps has begun.
15th Felsite
Esnust Unurusmo, "Skullsecho," a huge feathered assassin bug has arrived in the first cavern layer. Its eyes glow golden yellow and it has ochre feathers, and deadly dust.
The Crystalline Guard is deployed to clear out the giant bug.
The fight is over quickly with no casualties. The final blow was a punch to the brain from Iden Walkroof.
21st Felsite
The Cobalt Blades were sent to raid Skinpaddled the Dark Goblin Fortress, far to the southwest and home to over 5000 foul greenskins.
All should go well as the ten swordsdwarves are experts.
Two days later, the raiding party returned with loot: almost a dozen rare books on various subjects. Apparently the goblins cared little for the artifacts they stole, and it was fairly easy to sneak in to retrieve the various collected items.
3rd Hematite
A goblin siege. The ballista crew were prepared, and over 30 bronze arrows were at the ready, though it was likely that only two or three would be launched in time.
however, a stray badger boar snuck up onto the great bridge and became trapped between the two forces. The goblins, distracted with the wild animal, became easy targets for the ballistae.
24th Hematite
Our efforts have been rewarded and The Company of Shells, a guild of engineers, has petitioned for the construction of a hall.
25th Limestone
Another raid was sent to Skinpaddled, however the dwarves were caught out.
Our commander Athel led the attack, with superior tactical planning.
However, the defender held a positional advantage.
Multiple goblins were slain, yet dwarves were forced to retreat. Ethel Taxtown was killed by a goblin during a duel.
So was Asmel Workfame.. more fights occurred, including the fight between Minkot Lovevessel and 160 goblins.
Eventually, most of the squad escaped, while three were captured and imprisoned there at Skinpaddled: Ber Dwellersword, Minkot Lovevessel, and Bembul Fieldsilver.
3rd Timber
The library was opened today, titled "The Long Book." It proved immediately popular and more tables and chairs were hauled in to provide further reading space.
The majority of the books available had been stolen from Skinpaddled, where three prisoners were now held captive. Perhaps some of these dwarves imagined those imprisoned dwarves as they read these books.
22nd Moonstone
The regular black bears have given birth to cubs.
A goblin siege attacked, yet we fended them off quite easily with no wounded dwarves.
4th Opal
A visitor to the tavern turned were! What a horrible surprise for Iden the Weaver, who was just exiting the temple complex when the werebeaver lurched into view and tore him to pieces.
Rakust the bookbinder took serious injuries yet survived as Asen Hartbolted the Spearguardian lept into action, saving the fortress from further contamination by personally dueling the beast.
The final blow was Asen picking up a large oval green zircon cabochon and smashing in the brain of the creature. Strangely fitting death, for a gem cutter turned horrible monster.
The final count of potential infected was five dwarves. A new quarantine chamber should be constructed, but for now, they were locked into the hospital. The next moon would prove a devastating experience for those uninfected trapped inside.
The werecurse is a terrible thing indeed.
8th Opal
This winter brought another disaster, a forgotten beast 'Dirlu Moistnesssubmerged' the snow quadruped. It has a stubby horn and undulates.
'Dirlu' attacked Imush the leatherworker and gored him with the icy horn, but lost a leg during the fight.
A nearby stonecutter punched the creature to pieces - being made from snow, 'Dirlu' was not very strong after all.
3rd Obsidian
The were beavers transformed in the hospital. The noise of violent fighting was heard through the door, then silence.. only two dwarves remained after the full moon had passed, and they carried no recollection of the murderous rampage occuring only moments earlier.
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==== Day 10 =====
=================
27th Granite
The two werebeaver residents, trapped in the hospital, fought to the death. Only Ber Cloistermatches remains.
Moving him to a new holding cell will be a priority.
Eventually, Ducim the Vampire King personally sutured the werebeaver's remaining wounds and Ber willingly entered the quarantine space, where a caged goblin thief would also be kept - maybe they could talk to each other or something.
This is actually the second werebeaver quarantined at Insightcopper. Bomrek Bandmines is also trapped, in a dead end mineshaft near the cavern lakes.
24th Slate
A slavering werepanther arrived, with shining white teeth, screaming and charging down the hillside.
Again, the creature ran straight into the pit of bears.
While strong and agile, the werepanther was quickly overwhelmed, and soon torn to pieces by the giant bears.
2nd Malachite
Movement, in the cavern darkness: a towering noseless camel, twisted into humanoid form! It has glowing amber eyes!
Igathstibmer, 'The Scraped Shores,' approaches the waiting soldiers in the hallways near the tombs.
The beast was mere flesh and no match for the dwarven steel weapons, and Erith slashed the creature's head right off.
11th Malachite
Tulon, our Great Siege Operator, was found drained of blood.. the king's hunger spares no one.
The dwarves have begun to colloquially refer to the bedrooms as "The Buffet Line".
24th Malachite
Edzul Dawndaggers, 8 year old child, threw a a massive tantrum on the southern chalk bridge that crosses the moat.
So massive a fit that she exploded the bridge to pieces. Kel, one of the miners, was thrown into the moat and quickly drowned. Edzul as well... except she managed to swim north and climb back to the shore.
What a terrible incident. Poor Edzul says, "I started a fist fight. I feel regret."
Edzul has been in a rough spot since the death (and endured decay) of her father in year 216.
28th Galena
Both Sodel and Doren have achieved legendary siege operator status.
Recently the goblins have avoided the bridge approach, so there has been little action for the siege crews. Yet training and lecturing continues.
9th Limestone
Urdim the Miner fell down a tall staircase and died today. No one is sure what caused the fall.
6th Sandstone
Sodel was burnt to death in the magma forges...
It was again Edzul Dawndaggers, throwing punches she shouldn't be. Sodel rolled to dodge and rolled directly into the magma sea.
9th Timber
A werekangaroo, to the north! Ahhhh! What evil hops!
The creature scrambled across the moat, provoking the pit of bears, but not before biting Tulon the woodcutter and passing along the werecurse.
Rakust the werekangaroo then dove back into the moat, transformed into a peasant, and drowned.
2nd Moonstone
A goblin horde arrived, this time heading straight towards 'ballista alley.'
However, the siege crew were all occupied with construction, and the goblins stupidly continued their push, straight into a pile of bears.
'Winnie-the-Pooh' leads the charge, taking multiple arrows but shaking them off and attacking ferociously.
However, after taking down multiple goblins, her internal injuries became too much and she collapsed, bleeding out there on the bridge.
A statue will be created to honor this 'Winnie-the-Pooh.'
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==== Day 11 ====
================
5th Slate
The pump stack was activated and worked flawlessly, bringing riverwater 30 z-levels into the air and filling a raised pool.
There was little purpose here except for show.
3rd Felsite, 224
It was on this day the dwarves of Insightcopper felt something change, as the overseer stepped back and let history take the reigns.
King Ducim, Vampire Overlord, would continue his existence, and regular snacking upon his mortal citizens.
The others? They would tend to the farms and forges, or care for the great herds of bears.
The bridge stands tall above the valley's floor, and provides safe passage for all upstanding travelers, though they will have to pass through a gauntlet of giant black bears.