An excerpt from the diary of Urist Mc.Pie Alleyglazed, The Operator
24th Obsidian 300One year we have waited behind locked doors, living like elves within these clay hills. One year we have waited for a great dwarf to rise from amongst us, one to lead our clan to glory, to carve our way to the rock beneath this cursed aquifer. Goblins prowl around freely outside, ready to kill anyone who ventures beyond the walls unguarded. Yet, no dwarf has risen to lead us, nor has any leader been proclaimed by the general populace. We had elected a mayor two years ago, of course, upon our arrival in the site, but the fellow had vanished almost immediately. It’s a pity really, especially when you consider that we ended up with Dolwina, that short, mad fool shouting insane orders at us. Nowadays, most of the dwarves simply spend their days wallowing upon this waterlogged earth, bickering about their miserable lives. Indeed, we have waited far too long. It is time to open our doors once more and, if no one here has the sense to lead us, I shall put the task upon myself, whether general populace likes it or not. It is time to make the Red Clan great once more!
25th Obsidian I have met up with a friend of mine, Rovod Inklabor, the most skilled and courageous shot amongst our hunters, to recruit him to my cause. He has agreed to work for me, for a small price once the job’s done.
27th ObsidianAccording to the watchmen, the goblin squad has been causing trouble beyond the river. Apparently, they killed an outpost liaison foolish enough to approach the Blue Clan’s hole. Oh, and a goblin bowman is firing at the blue dwarves through a gap in their roof. Idiots.
29th ObsidianRovod has recruited three loyal allies, each with varying (rusty) skills as a marksdwarf. Quite a small number, but it shall be sufficient. I have named this squad “The Crimson Bolts” and they have sworn their allegiance to me. Now, to get my hands on some equipment…
30th ObsidianThree crossbows and a few bundles of bolts have mysteriously gone missing from the storage tunnel, but I am certain that nobody shall notice the theft. My soldiers are armed. Business can now commence.
1st Granite 301A new year brings a new life. Such is the old proverb. I have secured my position as leader of this fortress-to-be, with a little assistance from The Crimson Bolts. It was actually quite easy; I simply walked into the dining room, and announced that I was now overseer of the fortress and its people. Of course, the loaded crossbows pointed threateningly at their faces might have helped them accept this, but it seemed like most couldn’t care less. Even the Prestigious Mansions simply stood aside and nodded indifferently. Now, everyone, to work; we have a fortress to build, an aquifer to breach and a squad of goblins to get rid of!
3rd GraniteA wax worker died of thirst today. It seems like he had been stricken with melancholy. I hope that the other dwarves don’t mind too much; it seems like everyone’s friends with each other here. I foresee many tantrums in the near future. Also, I have ordered the construction of kilns and a wood furnace; it is about time someone started making use of this clay.
4th Granite
Open the doors! Assemble the army! Ready the archers! Everyone else underground! Now go, rid of us the filth outside our doors! The overland shall be ours once more!
6th GraniteUh…we’re still waiting for the goblin squad to arrive. It seems that they stopped by the blue fortress to sink a few bolts into another blue dwarf’s flesh. Fortunately, this also means that the only archer in the squad is out of arrows. Also, a blue gem setter was possessed today, or so I heard. It is most interesting that, according to the sketches our spies sent us, the blue fortress has no jeweler’s workshop. I wonder if there will be any more ghosts in the blue fortress in the near future…
8th GraniteThe goblins finally reached our walls, where they were met by The Crimson Bolts and The Prestigious Mansions. Oresome was the first to run towards the invaders, whip and shield in hand, whilst the rest began firing bolts. Within mere minutes, the invasion force was broken, with every single goblin being slain. Unfortunately some baby was killed in the fray, and Oresome’s ended up injuring her right arm, making her unable to use his whip (though she fared quite nicely, bashing goblins with her bone shield instead). Also, chimpanzee became an elite crossbowdwarf, and some blue dwarf randomely died of thirst.
9th GraniteNow that we are rid of the goblin menace, we can finally venture outside. I have ordered the mass deforestation of the area to replenish our wood stockpile. Now, the next priorities are to increase our defense and to pierce this aquifer.
12th GraniteWood is being chopped, a new wood stockpile is being dug underground and I have observed the aquifer-breaching project. According to notes left behind by Dolwina when she was overseer, the project is just about complete, and only stopped because the water froze. So, my question is: What, in the name of Armok, is this?
I’m actually quite afraid of touching it; I am certain that something will go horribly wrong. It was designed by a madman, after all! Perhaps I’ll postpone it just a little…
14th GraniteAch. Our second-best miner has gone mad. It seems that he was quite good friends with the wax worker that died last month. He’s been having mini-tantrums since that day, I should have realized that something like this would happen! But now, it’s too late and when he dies, we’ll probably end up with a tantrum spiral. Something must be done about this immediately.
15th GraniteDolwina has given birth to a boy. Armok help us.
2nd SlateNot too much going on, but anther ghost has risen in the blue fortress.
6th SlateA vile force of darkness arrived today; KEAS, and lots of them. Luckily, I have a squad of marksdwarves under my complete control.
7th SlateThe keas have all been exterminated, and their corpses now lie scattered around the land, surrounded by bolts. And now a blue farmer is throwing a tantrum, for some reason or another. Seems like a good day to me. Heh heh…
19th SlateRemember that jeweler who was possessed a month ago? Well, it looks like he's failed his mood.
Also, a couple of migrants finally arrived today. Quite a mixed lot, with generally useful skills. This includes a strand extractor and various recruits for the army, amongst others.
12th FelsiteA (real) vile force of darkness has arrived! A small goblin siege, ready to die in an attempt to bring down our incomplete defensive structure. No worries, it's quite a small force, most likely a suicide team meant to test us. The army has been gathered, the bells have been rung. Everyone to your posts.
In other news:our mad miner has finally died of thirst. The people's response to both pieces of news was to throw a party at the statue, since that is obviously what we all need at times like these.
26th FelsiteHah hah, they're all gone. Our crossbowdwarves shot them all to death from our side of the river, while they just sat there and fell like flies. (also, Rovod is now an elite crossbowdwarf). Of course, now all of their equipment is stuck on the opposite side of the river...
23rd HematiteThe defensive wall is nearly completely built, the archery ranges are finished, and a moat is being dug. Also, some other blue dwarf got possessed.
8th MalachiteAnother migrant wave! Amongst them was a professional clerk, who I have assigned as our fortresses' bookkeeper.
8th GalenaA blue dwarf has gone berserk, for some reason or another. This should be interesting.
12th GalenaThat berserk dwarf was killed by a camel with a kick to the head, but not before he did a bit of damage-quite a few animals are now dead, and a couple of dwarves are injured. Also, the pump operator's husband is now miserable. Expecting more fun in the future.
14th GalenaSome farmer decided to throw a party at the statue for no reason whatsoever. Slackers. I really need to have all party dwarves chained up at the workshops for a year or two, once we actually get hold of chains. No problem, I bet a few crossbows and threats will get them working.
16th GalenaA kobold thief was spotted attempting to enter the fortress, but escaped unharmed. We should post a dog or two at our entrance.
20th GalenaA human caravan arrived today. Which makes me ask myself: what happened to the elven caravan? It's a shame they didn't show up, who are we meant to plunder now? Anyways, we’ve traded some prepared meals and other junk for a few barrels of beer, a number of good weapons, cloth, leather, some food and a pair of breeding dogs, which I’ve ordered to be trained as war dogs.
17th LimestoneI decided that it was high time I did something about that aquifer, so I inspected Dolwina’s aquifer-breaching setup once again. If I understand the plans correctly, I should order the deconstruction of these pillars right here…
Well, that has no effect whatsoever, the soil simply crumbled into the aquifer and vanished. Now, it seems like the aquifer is…flowing into itself? Eh...woops? Ah well, I always knew Dolwina was insane. Luckily I have a Plan B-but we must wait until winter.
26th LimestoneMore migrants?! What is this madness? That’s the third wave one this year!
15th TimberThe dwarven caravan arrived today. It will hopefully arrive safely at our depot; we need more weapons.
17th TimberOh dear Armok, a goblin siege has arrived! And this is nothing like the one we fought last spring; this is a proper siege-4 squads of goblin invaders, each mounted on a cavern creature and armed to the teeth. They have entered our map through the opposite side of the river, so we have some time left. Unfortunately, the trade caravans are still crossing the river. However, our defensive perimeter is set up, and the goblins are still quite far awat, so we have a chance.
20th TimberThe caravans have made it to the trade depot, which is situated outside our walls. The goblins are still marching towards the river, however they sent a troop of trolls ahead of them, who are currently breaking down the doors of what was once supposed to be the centralized noble room. Our small army has gathered at the river, and a group of civilians are working fervantly to finish the constructon of walls along it. I have ordered the immediate removal of the ramps leading up into the noble-room, and I want the river-bridge lever pulled as soon as the caravans cross. The goblins are marching slowly indeed.
22nd TimberIt is most strange, the goblins have all stopped in their tracks, even though they can still path right into our land. Most curious, however I am not one to complain at this turn of luck. I have also just realized that most of them are riding cave crocodiles, meaning that the river will pose no problem to them. I have ordered redoubled afforts to get the walls built in time.
30th TimberThe bridge is closed, the ramps are no more and the construction of the Red Wall is finished. Ha! Let the blue dwarves deal with the goblin problem; after all, it is on their side of the river.
3rd MoonstoneIndeed, we finished that wall just in time, for the river has frozen over. However, this means that we can now focus all of our energies on our biggest priority:the aquifer.
11th MoonstoneA red dwarf has finally been possessed; a clothier-I guess it's our turn for a mood. Most unfortunately, he wants uncut gems, and we, of course, have none. Oh well, this provides yet another reason why we should strive to defeat the aquifer before winter ends.
15th MoonstoneOur legendray woodworker's frozen corpse was dug out today. It appears that he died whilst constructing one of the walls.
22nd MoonstoneThe first aquifer level is secured, but a miner has been lost. (luckily one of the novices).
8th OpalAs the mighty leader of the Red Dwarves, I decree that this day shall forever be celebrated as Triumph Day, for today we, the Red Dwarves of the Youth-Hames of Diversion, have, under my leadership, defeated our great nemesis; the aquifer. We have breached through the final level, and have reached the glorious rock beneath. A party was, of course, thrown immediately to honour such an achievement, and for once, I shall do nothing to stop it. In the process, we lost 1 miner, 1 carpenter, and a number of children who had no business being in the area.
9th OpalIt is time to get to work. I have ordered the immediate excavation of a number of rooms, as well as the construction of masons workshops and a glass kiln. The moody clothier has also begun his mysterious construction.
15th OpalBehold, The Conjuction of Silver, the artefact rope reed fiber sandal! Well, I'm not quite sure what good a sandal is, especially when you don't have a pair, but it's an artefact nontheless!
8th ObsidianA few rooms have been excavated underground, including a fine room for a noble such as myself (even though I guess I am not officially a noble). In it is a throne of green glass, the first glass item produced by this fortress. The normal citizen bedrooms are being excavated and furnished as I write.
21st ObsidianThe ice thawed today, and I was incredibly pleased to see our walls held back the flow of the aquifer. However, we did get a fright when we saw a puddle of water on the stairway leading upwards from the rock layer; it turned out to be the bit of ice trapped inside the walls. Spring is nearing, it is time for us all to withdraw behind our walls for a year; we shall honour the rules of Paddledmirrors as they were set by the king. I have given out the order for all red dwarves to enter the fortress true, and for the bridge-gate to be closed.
1st Granite, 302Spring has arrived, and with it comes the closing of our gates for this year. You know, the fortress doesn't feel as bad as it did last year. The aquifer is breached, a small military force has been set up, the defensive perimeter has been fortified and various other tasks have been completed. Well, I guess I've I don't really need to rule this fortress any more. Surely any future overseers won't be able to mess anything up now! I hereby release my iron fist from the throne of Red Paddledmirrors, and declare it a free democracy once more, as far as dwarven democracy goes. The fine room, however, is mine, and anyone who disagrees with that can speak to The Crimson Bolts.
The Fortress:
The Soil Layer:
The Aquifer Breach:
Note to all future overseers (both red and blue):I have also set up a working alert system for civilians. The alert is called "Restrict dwarves to" and should always be set to at least 2 burrows, one for blues and one for reds. In, for example, a blue's turn, the alert should be set to the "Red Inside Fortress" burrow, which covers the red fortress' inside and the "Blue Working Burrow", which covers all blue territory. That, or it could just be left without being set to a burrow until a siege/other danger arrives. In the case of a siege, the overseer can change the restriction from "Blue Working Burrow" to "Blue Inside Fort" to get the blue dwarves inside without disrupting the red dwarves. Of course, some other burrow can also be set instead, and the current burrows can be changed and expanded. Also, remember to manually add any new citizens to the side's territory burrow.Save currently being uploaded.
Edit: There we go:
http://dffd.wimbli.com/file.php?id=7644Edit2:Just thought I'd mention: Feel free to deconstruct the wall if you are going to improve the noble house/build any more centralized rooms.
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Topic: Paddledmirrors - Battling Forts - Turn 7: Fortress Blues [Need More Overseers] (Read 19015 times)