Ahh...this comes as quite a surprise. It appears that the other rulers have each focused on their own favorite tasks and left the overall design of the fortress proper to me. How delightful!
My thoughts upon first examinations:
* We have plenty of food now, but we'll soon be due for an increase in a farming output. It appears that previous rulers have been exporting crafts, so I can never be certain when 20 immigrants will turn up at a moment's notice.
* I see that smoothing and aesthetic efforts have begun. I would like to continue these.
* It appears that the there is a defensive structure being planned is to have an alternate entrance with a C-shaped area to engulf invaders in missile crossfire. This much is clear, but there is fairly extensive work being done on the early stages of an internal aquaduct, and I'm afraid I'm not certain what the plan was. It looks like it's supposed to draw water from the river back to the lava for a steam defense against lava creatures, but I've never actually built a steam defense system. It's probably best that I not interfere with this development.
* It's time to start retreating into the mountain. I'm my mind, far too much of our current construction is right at the cave entrance. Of course, this may have been intentional, especially with all that defensive effort on the cliff face. Personally I tend to build my archer and moat defenses near the river, but I think I will focus on municipal works, and leave defense to those who have already begun work on it.
-----------
I begin assigning tasks, spend about ten minutes laying out a complicated city grid for mining, and before long some dirty, smelly human merchants show up. Ordinarily I seize all of their supplies and send them on their way, but with sizable trade goods conveniently placed right next to our trade depot, and a lengthy road already built, it is clear that our other rulers would like to maintain peaceful trade relations instead of simply going to war. I can't imagine why, but I'll humor them for now.
While digging out the area designated for arrow slits and worksapce, our miners strike sizable gold veins running inconveniently through the area. I'll consider it a reminder as to why I prefer building between river and chasm. Hmm. The working class dwarves will not be happy leaving all of this gold in the walls. I suppose I will have to redesign things, perhaps a bit less extravagntly.
I retreat back behind the chasm, building northward rather than east, and by autumn I have an enclosed food processing and storage area nearly completed. Sadly, I've miscounted the height of the area by one, so either the fishery or butcher will have to go elsewhere.
Next, I start building a large dining hall with space for a status garden on either side, through which dwarves must pass to eat. I also try an abortive attempt to seal off the river bridge with a raised bridge above and below, only to neglect to specify a direction, and have to dismantle to rebuild them. Meanwhile, our craftsdwarf is struck with a Fey mood. He seems to be finding materials, but before I am able to see what he is to build, Winter is upon us.