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[Doctor_Whiteface]

Granite the 1st, year 303 of this Armokforsaken world and we are already at an infuriating start. I am Kogan Chewedstakes, Fisherdwarf and expedition leader of this doomed band of idiots, and already I despair for our chances in this blasted place. Not five minutes are we off on our journey - still some distance from the stream source we could have used to set up a reasonably well-supplied fort - when the horse that hauls our wagon ran it over a ditch. Now we are without means to go along, and Mestthos our Miner says there is water below the earth here in great quantities. I rejoice in this, for the swimming devils will inhabit the soil and provide me much challenge, but despair at our chances of reaching the bones of the earth. I go now to hunt the swimming devils, and Mestthos our Miner goes to dig a shelter from the weather, along with Bemul our Fishcleaner. As our ancestors, so we. Under the earth shall we go soon, to join with the Earthenbones.



8 Granite 303 - Journal entry of the humble Woodworker Catten Matchedrings - One week into our work and Miner Mestthos and Apprentice Miner Bemul who was the former Fishcleaner Bemul have given us a proper shelter from the 'weather' that the Tallers so enjoy. I and the rest of the band shelter in what Leader Kogan assures us will be an area with which to acquire items needed once we are well set-up, but for now is a convenient shelter. Miner Mestthos and Apprentice Miner Bemul proceed apace on an upper hall that would be well-suited for a throne room but I am assured will be temporary storage for our wagon-goods. I await work that will surely arrive once Woodcutter Minkot Drummedstake begins her work. Word from the Mountainhomes arrives - soon we shall have immigrants, within a season at most. I hope there are men with them. I grow lonely for fellow male companionship, being alone among six women and assorted pets.



15th day of the month of Granite, 303
- Entry by Mestthos Oilblaze, chief Miner of Glowoar
Curse the water-beneath-the-soil, whose presence has vexed both I and Apprentice Bemul for a week now! We know full well that this cursed Aqui-layer extends at least two lengths of a Dwarf beneath the soil, and we cannot even manage one layer without having a flooded Shaft! I must pray to Armok Almighty for a solution.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

Granite the 22nd, year 303 of this Armokforsaken world and we band of seven have been reduced to two. Badgers, damned Badgers, and Honey Badgers are all we have seen in this place. That the cats held them off as long as they did without our noticing is a miracle. The fluffy little terrors are always wandering off so we paid it no mind. Mestthos and Bemul did go to the water a week ago, just after Mestthos wrote his first and final entry in our logs. Minkot, Solon our Jeweller, and Zuglar our Stoneworker all perished at the hands of the Badgers. Catten our Chief Invalid formerly Catten our Woodworker is missing an arm and I cannot feel my legs by way of my shattered back. May the next person to find this place flee in terror. Water, Badgers, and we would have seen Cougars if the scouts were to be believed.

How strange it is, the numbness. It spreads from my legs up my body. Almost like being immersed in water slowly instead of suddenly after a failed catch.

It reaches my chest now. I wonder what will happen when it rea

23 Granite, 303 - Entry the Last of the humble Invalid Catten Matchedrings - I cannot feel my right arm. It has stopped bleeding, but the maggots have set in. Kogan died before my eyes yesterday and the three that she said to go get food have not returned after three days. I fear Minkot and Solon and Zuglar are all not returning. Now that there is no companionship left at all, I find myself wishing I had been more personable while I had persons to be able with. The cats have stopped screaming. The dogs stopped two hours ago, the horse and yak stopped the day before Minkot and the others went abovestone. I wonder why?

Oh. Badger.

(Sod this. Aquifers aren't worth it. I'm trying again somewhere else.))

[Doctor_Whiteface]

1st of Granite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged, expedition leader and Chief Woodworker for the Helmsbridge Expedition
Entry 1
We have arrived at our destination, and have wasted no time preparing for potential attacks. Last year's expedition, the ill-fated Glowoar Incident, has taught our Glorious Monarch the value of forward planning. We are in a less-tame environ than Glowoar's wagon travelled, but there is no endless sea of water beneath our feet. Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash has taken it upon herself to find scaled food for our consumption. I fear she will not find enough, though experience teaches that Plump Helmets are best under most circumstances. Time will tell whether we will be more successful than Glowoar.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

2nd of Granite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 2
Fisherdwarf Stronglash is off plying her trade elsewhere, and good job of that, too. The woman annoys me. Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars has drafted Chief Fishcleaner Urvad Woodcrystals to be Assistant Miner Urvad Woodcrystals, and both are working on removing the slopes around what will be the entry to our hall. By the grace of Armok our point of embarkation is both at the head of a river and well-defensible as well.



7th of Granite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 3
Moving to weekly journal entries. Dailies take too much valuable time. The entry passage and initial gathering area are finished. Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars and Assistant Miner Urvad Woodcrystals have begun excavation on what they insist will be storage and farming. First area to the West is three widths of a Dwarf wide and tall, with what Assistant Miner Urvad Woodcrystals says will be a stair-column. Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars has begun storage-area excavations. Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash is nowhere to be seen, praise be to Armok. Chief Woodcutter Limul Minedshowered has begun deforestation in the immediate area. Meanwhile I go to break down the wagon we arrived in - useless as it is, the wood I can salvage will allow us to set up workshops from which to construct necessities.



14th of Granite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 4
Excavation on storage is almost complete, and I am informed that Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars will soon begin vertical excavation, while Miner Urvad Woodcrystals formerly Assistant Miner Urvad Woodcrystals will begin squaring the immediate outside around the entryway, to facilitate defense and eventual enclosure. Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash continues to make herself mercifully scarce. Armok-willing I will soon have a carpenter's workshop to occupy my time.



21st of Granite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 5
Excavation of the storage room is complete, next workshops will be built on the second floor. So I know from the testimony of Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars and Miner Urvad Woodcrystals. In the interim we all are engaged in the transportation of goods into the temporary storage area. When squaring of the front entryway is complete and sufficient stone is quarried to complete the walls in one effort we will seal Helmsforged Outpost from the outside world, save for our occasional forays out for wood and to let in caravans and migrants.

23rd of Granite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 5, supplemental
Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash has returned from her labors to 'assist in efficient transportation.' I will pray to Armok that she returns to her labors with haste.



28th of Granite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 6
Storage continues apace, as well as excavation. Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars and Miner Urvad Woodcrystals report rock at workshop level. A rare occurrence, by the testimony of Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars. Usable stone will be available sooner than expected. Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash continues to assist in hauling, rather than taking hints given to return to fishing.


This space reserved for links to future months.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

7th of Slate, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 7
One month and seven days since we embarked, and workshops are finally complete, as well as the farm which has been furrowed and planted. Plump Helmets and Wine as soon as the kitchen-brewery areas are complete will be the order of the day. Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars and Senior Miner Urvad Woodcrystals formerly Miner Urvad Woodcrystals have continued work on the exterior squaring, and say they will begin work on a central Prime Shaft once squaring is complete. Transfer of goods to a roofed area has finished. Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash has befriended Senior Miner Urvad Woodcrystals over the past week. Perhaps she is less a knot in the beard than has been previously assumed.



14th of Slate, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 8
Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash has gone out fishing again. She ought to be sure to return before the exterior is sealed, or to fend for herself off water and fish until the caravans arrive. All Sunwalking Stonekin receive the same treatment in regards to lateness. Elsewhere, construction of dormitories has begun. An office for the fortress broker will be constructed prior to construction beginning on dormitories, in order to better facilitate circulation of work orders. Much of the week has been spent moving various items into close proximity with their respective workshops.



21st of Slate, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 9
Progress on dormitories is slower than expected, though justifiably so. Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars and Senior Miner Urvad Woodcrystals took a well-deserved four-day rest after almost two months of constant laboring for the good of Helmsbridge Outpost. Sorting of items to locations close to workshops has concluded, and surveying of recently-uncovered veins of gold a floor surfacewise of the planned Consumptory Level will begin once the dormitories are built. Elsewhere in the Outpost, Chief Jeweler Goden Lancedmurk received his first cutting commission today, and Chief Mason Rith Workedways has offered to lend his skills to the smoothing of the dormitory halls once all furniture is installed.

24th of Slate, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 9, supplemental
Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglashed has returned. She will aid in future endeavors in a less-dangerous capacity. Carp have been spotted in the river.



28th of Slate, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 10
The dormitory level has been prepared for initial habitation, all raw gemstones have been moved to the area immediately adjacent to the workshop belonging to Chief Jeweler Goden Lancedmurk for cutting. Stone will be moved to the Mass Stone Storage Area to the southeast of the Mechanic's Workshop. Transportation is in progress, subsequent scheduling includes construction of a Bookkeeper's and Manager's Joint Office, appointment of a Joint Manager and Bookkeeper, and creation of beds, chests, and doors sufficient to afford both comfort and privacy to all current residents of Helmsbridge Outpost. Given the amount of stone now available, construction on the exterior defenses of Helmsbridge Outpost will commence in unison with the aforementioned internal improvements.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

7th Felsite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 11
Transfer of stone samples from the future Dormitories to the Mass Stone Storage Area has concluded, excavation of the future Consumptory Level has begun and proceeds apace. Excavation of gold vein a floor surfacewise of the Consumptory Level will begin following the final excavation of the Consumptory Level. Construction of an as-of-yet-doorless Bookkeeper's and Manager's Joint Office has concluded, with Manager Limul Stronglash formerly Chief Fisherdwarf Limul Stronglash taking up the position of Joint Bookkeeper and Manager.

8th Felsite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 11, supplemental
Manager Limul Stronglash has locked herself in her office and begin updating Helmsbridge Outpost's records. A sign on the door reads, 'DO NOTTE OPEN UNTYL OBSYDEANNE.'



14th Felsite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 12
Construction of the exterior defenses of Helmsbridged Outpost proceeds apace, as well as the Consumptory Level excavation. No other items of note this week.



21st of Felsite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 13
Construction has begun on doors, rock coffers, and beds sufficient to house the current number of residents at Helmsbridge Outpost. Excavation of the main storage, cooking, and brewing areas of the Consumptory Level is nearly complete, the dining area will be excavated subsequently.



28th of Felsite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 14
Construction of the housing necessities continues apace, as well as exterior defense construction. Excavation of the Consumptory Level is complete, and exploratory mining of the gold deposit surfacewise will commence in short order. Transportation of stone samples from the Consumptory Level to the Mass Stone Storage Area has begun, and construction of a brewery and kitchen for the creation of alcoholic beverage and prepared meals will commence following the clearing of the floor.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

7th of Hematite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 15
Summer arrives, and glad are we that the sun beats not upon our beards. Less still would it beat if Chief Stoneworker Rith Workedways had not slept five days from the past week. The gold vein has excellent returns, and continues to pay out. There will be many crafts available for the first caravan. Transfer of stone from the Consumptory Level to Mass Stone Storage Area continues apace, and construction of a Brewery and Kitchen will commence in due time. Food storage is henceforth moved from the Communal Storage Area at the surface level to the Main and Secondary Food Storage Areas in the Consumptory Level.



14th of Hematite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 16
In the Mountainhome, there is a specialist known as the Hammerer. Their job is to hunt down those Dwarves so culpably lazy that they shirk their duties for a straight week, and break every bone in their body as a lesson to their compatriots. Were there a Hammerer among this band of lazeabouts, I feel sure he would be overworked to the point of exhaustion. Not only is the gold vein unmined, but upon checking the records I find that living space necessities still go unmade. This situation has been rectified by retroactively declaring the previous week a 'reward of rest-by-choice week.' At least construction has completed on the outer walls.



21st of Hematite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 17
A more productive week all 'round. The gold vein is mined apace, food transfer has concluded, doors and coffers are being made, and Helmsbridge Outpost is quiet and industrious with activity. I, on a related note, have finally found the time to begin construction of the beds that are so sorely needed. While cleanliness is next to Armok-worship in the codex of Dwarvenkind, sleeping on a rough stone floor is beginning to put kinks in the backs and necks of all residents. As a note of interest, Manager Limul Stronglash has emerged from her office and rejoined the productive workforce of Helmsbridge Outpost. Her skills as a cook and brewer will be appreciated very soon, it is certain.

Strangely, the outpost ledger is imbued with a faint purple glow, and the numbers seem to update themselves. Certainly abnormal behavior, I think, but it does save time.



28th of Hematite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 18
Construction of rock doors to provide privacy to the current residents of Helmsbridge Outpost is complete, construction of beds and coffers proceeds apace, as well as the mining of the gold vein. Chief Stoneworker Rith Workedways has taken a well-earned break from his duties over the past two weeks and will begin construction on the drawbridge and roof as soon as he is able. Helmsbridge Outpost has survived for four months and will enter its fifth tomorrow. Report by horse-courier from the Mountainhome claims immigrants will arrive to Helmsbridge in good time.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

7th of Malachite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 19
Finally I have finished crafting the beds necessary for the current residents to sleep in. I shudder to think of my workload at the arrival of the first migrant wave, which may well outnumber us by a factor of three. Chief Woodcutter Limul Minedshowered has taken the brunt of creative labor upon himself, constructing rock coffers and doors so that Chief Stoneworker Rith Workedways may focus on constructing the roof over our squared-in entryway. Mining of the gold vein continues to proceed nicely, though I fear it may run dry soon. If it does, we can always focus on other minerals of worth, though.

It may be wise to delve deeper, and seek a location from which to build a magma smelter and forge.



14th of Malachite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 20
The gold vein is very nearly mined out. We will need to expand to a different metal soon. A coffer seems to have been misplaced, and a work order has been placed for a replacement. Beds have been assigned, and a corresponding increase in morale has been noted. No other events of note this week.



21st of Malachite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 21
A group of migrants arrived yesterday. Six in all, near doubling the population of the fort. Among them, a weaponsmith sent direct from one of the Noble Houses. He is of the High Master caste, and will be useful if we ever do aught but mining in this outpost. Beds, coffers, and doors are being produced with all haste. Until then, the migrants can sleep on the floor. The gold vein is mined in its full, but tetrahedrite has been struck at the extreme end. It will be mined, for the copper and silver it can provide to start a potential weapon industry.

A list of migrants:
Apprentice Miner Kadol Riddledbolts arrived Weaver Kadol Riddledbolts as we have no industry of cloth
Apprentice Miner Kubuk Peaceconstruct arrived Fishery Worker Kubuk Peaceconstruct as we have no industry of fishing
Potential Speardwarf Momuz Sackblots arrived Thresher Momuz Sackblots as we have no industry of herbalism
Chief Weaponsmith Oddom Luredbolt will be assigned a Magma Forge as availability dictates
Potential Marksdwarf Thikut Yorvessel arrived Cheesemaker Thikut Yorvessel as we have no industry of cheese
Chief Butcher Zuglar Tamegilt will be assigned a Butchery as availability dictates



28th of Malachite, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 22
The new migrants increase work output massively. For once the workshops progress at full capacity thanks to the new workers allowing more than seven jobs at a time to be handled. It seems likely that the squared front to Helmsbridge Outpost will be roofed before winter, thanks to the drafting of two new temporary Apprentice Masons. The gold vein is less depleted than was assumed, and a small gem cluster was located two days ago. Mechanisms are currently being constructed to provide an emergency means of closing the drawbridge in case of invasion, though this would to little to protect us from flying invaders in the event of an unfinished roof it would doubtless stop the majority of ground-based evils from entering.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

Okay, so I'm pretty burnt out for the night. I'm going to go ahead and cut it off right here, with a note that I've REALLY overextended my workforce so far and somehow I have yet to need any extra supplies - the stuff that arrived with the wagon has lasted seven dwarfs three solid months with nothing whatsoever caught, fished for, butchered, cooked, or brewed. I guess some Plump Helmets were harvested, but that's just food.

I'm planning on making this a quasi-succession game after the first year, more a comparison of different playstyles than a 'look-what-I-can-do-to-your-fortress' thing. I hand the save file off to the first volunteer, we each play through for a year, whoever has the largest population (through lack of death or size of migrant wave) goes on for another year, the other person passes it off to another volunteer. So if I'm Player 1 and end with a pop of 27, then Player 2 and I both start with 27 on Granite 1 of 305. We play until Granite 1 306, then whichever of us has the lower population (say it's me, because Player 2 got more migrants) bows out and hands their Granite 1 306 save file off to Player 3, and so we continue. If you get your fortress killed off, the person you were playing 'against' goes until the end of the year and duplicates their save to go against the next challenger. If you *both* die in the same year... well, I'll keep running my save file even if I get knocked out. I doubt the maps will look at all alike, but give divergent playstyles that will probably be true of both player maps by that point as well.

Anyone who wants to sign up, shoot me a message (please don't post here) and I'll get you up on a list in the Granite 1 304 post for Helmsbridge.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

7th of Galena, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 22
Progress has begun on a farmland expansion near the initial plot, and progress will shortly continue on stonewares for new immigrants. Beds have been made, and the last one is being moved into place as I write. A rock coffer, as well, for my room. I have little need of storage space, but it knots my beard to think of going without even a rock coffer while migrants have theirs queued. I confess I do worry to the status of our defenses, however.



22nd of Galena, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 23
There was no time for an entry in the logs last week, and barely time for sleep these past two weeks at all. Some thin-bearded genius decided that an overhang and Dwarf-crafted roof are of no difference, despite only the last protecting from the Rotmist which began to greatly disgust the Chief Stoneworker and Chief Mason and Assistant Masons who are also Assistant Miners who arrived as Chiefs of industries which we do not have at Helmsbridge. Water buffalo starve without grass, as all animals, and the bull's corpse was placed beneath a natural overhang so as to produce the rot. That it was direct next to the entrance hall into our warren is more plague on us all. The refuse pile has been consolidated and moved out of the Outpost walls. A walled-in area will be mined from the soil above in due time, in case it proves necessary during prolonged siege. Mining continues apace.



28th of Galena, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 24
Six months to the day since we set foot on the soil of Helmsbridge, and the Outpost is well-organized, peaceful, and efficient. The gold vein has not been exhausted, but the lengths-of-a-Dwarf arbitrary measurement that was given us by the Mountainhome has reached its boundary from the head of the river where we disembarked, and reprisals from the Mountainhome would be swift if we were to violate regulations. A Hammerer in the next migrant wave would be unpleasant in the extreme. Tetrahedrite exploration continues apace, it seems a well-appointed vein thus far. We will see how far this goes. Chief Miner Adil Swordsoars has requested we allow him mine to the first Undercave. I am not supportive of this action as of yet; it would be prudent to quarry stone so as to efficiently build a shaft-sheathe in order to prevent unwanted invasion by creatures feral in nature. We will quarry soon, though. Five heights-of-a-Dwarf below the Dormitories and we will quarry enough to reach the bottom of the first Undercave with material to spare.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

4th of Limestone, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 25
Moving to irregular entries, weeklies in an outpost this busy are a distraction one must do without. Updates will come as events necessitate. Yesterday it was discovered that the level chosen for quarrying stone in order to ensure safety during exploration of the Undercave was, in fact, within the Undercave. If quarrying had been a height-of-a-Dwarf deeper we would have avoided the issue entirely. Now the area must needs be sealed in case of intruders.



18th of Limestone, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 26
A shortage of alcoholic beverage noted today. The brewery will see much use in coming days. Only five of nine farm plots are currently producing, for some reason four lie fallow and unused. This must be rectified. Related to this, a reliable stonebound water source ought to be found. The open sky thins the beard, and having to go to it for water will be a very unnecessary evil in time. The Undercave will need to be explored.



5th of Sandstone, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 27
Two immigrants arrived yesterday, blessedly without animals as more corpses would be too great an inconvenience without readily-available pots to store the butchered products in. Construction on the roof finished several days ago and Chief Stoneworker Rith Workedways promises completion of the mechanical link between the main gate and the Sealing Lever within the week. All farms operate at full capacity, and items of comfort for the previous wave of migrants have very nearly been procured in full. Doors are all that remain now, and extra housing for the new migrants should not take long to procure.

A list of migrants:
Chief Gemcutter and Mechanic Erith Rakerocks will take over for former Chief Jeweller Goden Lancedmurk now Farmer Goden Lancedmurk
Potential Recruit Thikut Watchedtome arrived Thresher Thikut Watchedtome as we have no industry of cloth



20th of Sandstone, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 28
Wooden barrels are scarce and unreliable in the long-term, therefore a craftsdwarf's workshop has been constructed in the vicinity of the Brewery and dedicated to making Rock Pots for the storage of our alcohol. A smoky flavor is not worth perishable storage. The tetrahedrite vein continues to yield, albeit in low amounts. It is thin, and a low priority as we already have gold enough to craft should we ever create a magma smelter or forge. Coffers have been placed for the first wave of migrants who arrived in Malachite and beds are under construction for the women who arrived two weeks ago.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

5th of Timber, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 29
The entryway has been widened considerably to allow for high traffic in the future by way of the dumping of corpses and vermin remains. Cave moss appears to have spored its way up from the undercave to infest the surface. This will be useful as it will provide a small but steady source of material for the making of beds. Perhaps a side room will be carved in due time to act as a mushroom farm.



14th of Timber, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 30
On a positive note, the traders from the Mountainhome have arrived. On a negative note, so has a pack of wild horses. Now to form the first Helmsbridge Militia.



20th of Timber, 304
Journal of Zuglar Martyrpaged
Entry 31
The horses are gone thanks to the first Helmsbridge Militia, without a single wound to the defenders. Traps will be set to catch other horses if they choose to enter. Then tamers will be trained so as to train horses to guard against other horses. Groundhogs, too, may be tamed. The traders have come and set up in the trading depot, and a liaison from the Mountainhome seeks me. I will go now and speak to him.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

agh. What is this I don't even.

Lesson to me: No posting before coffee. Continuation with Entries 32-36 to come after lunch.

[Doctor_Whiteface]

Continuation for entries 32-36 to come never. HFS happened while I was searching for magma for a magma furnace. Dug sideways into the cotton candy.

[TehNoob]

In any case, that made for a good read. Keep up the good work, Doctor Whiteface. I'll be looking out for further of your works.