1st Granite, 128
Our humble group of seven, The Purple Sword, arrived today at the site of our new fortress, Icehowl. Our embark crew consists of the following:
Rakust Kattirist, miner
Unib Lavenas, woodcutter and architect
Goden Kelkod, mason, woodworker, smith
Kol Zonkab, organizer and leader
Inod Koganbisol, farmer
Zasit Sibrekatir and Momuz Udilnicat, axedwarves
The land is cold. We expected as much, but this, this is mad. What madness does our leader suffer, that we would be asked to settle such a harsh enviroment? What could we gain from this?
Another thing: It may well be the icy wind whistling through the trees, but I swear I can hear the moaning cries of... something. What evils could befall us here?
2nd Granite, 128
The horrors here are more than any could have imagined. Progress is slow. As Rakust works to dig out living quarters, we are trapped outside, in the cold. That is... not the worst of it, though. We can handle cold. What's a bit of shivering to a proud dwarf of The Purple Swords?
No, that is not the problem. And it is not why we shiver.
We shiver with fear.
Today, we were besieged by an eagle. An eagle... that was already dead. Its flesh and feathers were rotted away, leaving naught but bones behind. Bones that moved and assaulted us. In retrospect, bringing our four finest dogs of war was the best decision we could have made. Even as the corpse terrorized us, the dogs sprung to action and dispatched it with startling speed and efficiency.
I worry, though. I have seen plenty of dead in my time. The eagle seems... different than the others. My only hope is that it stays where it is.
4th Granite, 128
My fears have come true. The eagle that tormented us once has risen once more.
May Armok have mercy.
20th Granite, 128
I have begun to doubt my sanity. I have watched as, time and time again, every day or two, the corpse of the Eagle rises to haunt the earth once more. The dogs are starting to look worse for wear. Armok knows what will happen if they are to die, but what can I do? I have begun to contemplate a way to keep the eagle contained and harmless. But for now, my only priority is to oversee the creation of our living chambers.
23rd Granite, 128
It started to snow today. This expedition must have been doomed to fail. We have no safe shelter still, the very weather mocks us, and the dead refuse to stay in their graves. As the seemingly-inevitable fall of Icehowl draws nearer and nearer, I wonder for what reason our queen sent us to this frozen hell.
If I live long enough to ever see a journey back to the capital, I am going to spit in her ale.
6th Slate, 128
We have survived a whole month already. Hard to believe, isn't it? Three days past, just after the weather cleared, we were assaulted by the Eagle again. It was not alone this time, the reanimated corpse of an owl joining the fray. Both sit dead in front of the wagon again. How long can we hold out against this onslaught of undead winged abominations?
12th Slate, 128
Every day, we discover another undead creature, it seems. More flying beasts roam the land, and their shadows fall upon a heard of rotting boars. Now I know true fear- and things can only get worse from here.
19th Slate, 128
I suppose it would be worth entering a progress report here, as we seem to have gone some time without a major incident. The initial cubby-holes for our workshops are nearly done, and the dormitory and dining room are dug out and being furnished. As I write, I hear the ringing of a pick on stone as the stockpile rooms are dug out- once these are finished we should be able to hole up inside easier. We haven't had much time to take stock of food and drink, or establish a farm, but soon the operation will be underway. May Armok smile upon Icehowl today.
26th Slate, 128
Snow flies around the fortress again. Now it is not so bad, as we can sleep in the dormitory- a huge improvement over sleeping under our wagon just to keep our beards and faces free of the snow. Soon, things may just get livable in the fortress. Compared to the days of Granite and Early Slate, I'm practically giddy with joy.
4th Felsite, 128
In the past few days, we have been beset by an abnormal amount of reanimated foes of old. At this point, nothing suprises me. At least the weather has cleared again. I've decided to accept my fate with open arms, and let happen what will. We'll work our hardest to keep this fortress afloat, but there's no sense in losing my sanity while doing so.
That is to say, if I am still sane.
5th Felsite, 128
The thing we have feared since the first few days has finally occurred. One of our four war dogs has been struck down. I fear now that he shall rise from the earth where he lays and destroy more of our fine workers.
My predictions were correct. The fear I know now is more pure than any I have ever experienced: The dog came back, and took Zasit, one of our axedwarves, back to the grave with him. We are on our metaphorical knees at this fortress. Whoever is reading this, my plea and dying wish is simple.
Stay away from Icehowl.
9th Felsite, 128
We have lost another to the war dog. This time it was Unib, the woodcutter. As soon as the fighting was discovered, Momuz- our last remaining axedwarf- hurried to help, but it was too late. With ruthless efficiency the war dog had claimed the life of both a second dog and Unib. We are losing everything that held this fortress together for the first month.
12th Felsite, 128
The snow is yet again flying, entombing those of us who would stay outside and tend the animals, gather wood, or watch the undead. I cannot even cry for my fallen brethren. My tears freeze over inside my eyes and chill me to my bones. I'm not a dwarf taken by crying, but the horrors I have witnessed here could make a statue weep with fear and sorrow.
17th Felsite, 128
The weather has cleared at Icehowl, and I have taken my last glance at its forbidding peaks and bloodied valleys. Our crew of 5 and the two war dogs we still have are running for the hills. We will leave behind this fateful place forever. Should I ever feel the warmth of home again, I shall enlist in the military.
For after the terror I have witnessed here... I shall fear no death by mortal hands.
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Topic: Icehowl- One noob's three months in an icy hell [Story] (Read 1351 times)