Chapter VII: Déjà vu26th Malachite, 1052
Disaster has struck! Our good hunter, the lass named Mastahcheese, has been killed; struck down by one of the jaguars that she had been trying to kill. Strange, she was able to take down leopards and alligators with little resistance, yet this jaguar took her out without a scratch. The beast has been given a name, one that shall be remembered in our legends and our histories.
As for Mastahcheese, she shall be given a proper burial in a dark stone coffin, just as the other deceased were interred. Every dwarf, in my opinion, should have the honor of being buried in stone.
26th Galena, 1052
Exactly one month ago, the incident with our hunter occurred. Today, she was finally buried, and traditional funeral services were performed. She supplied our fortress with the alligator meat which increased the lifespan of this fortress for weeks; it will be hard to replace this dwarf.
15th Limestone, 1052
The second dwarven caravan has finally arrived. Through trade with it, we shall be able to finally plant the plump helmets we need to sustain our citizens.
8th Sandstone, 1052
Today we traded many of our crafts in exchange for meat, and the glorious plump helmets. Cow cheese was, as always, unobtainable. Once the helmets get consumed, we can use the seeds to plant more. Our farms will be flooded with the mushrooms!
27th Timber, 1052
In order to improve fortress security in the event of an attack or other hazard, we’ve built a drawbridge in our entrance hallway.
24th Moonstone, 1052
Our non-seed food stocks have run dry. “General,” as he prefers to be called, Splint, has volunteered to kill the nearby leopard for its meat. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was determined, and ran outside with his sword and shield.
Surprisingly enough, he managed to succeed. We’ll have to get that beast butchered quickly, before it rots.
13th Opal, 1052
After so much wait, the first residential area of Stabrings is complete.
It comfortably houses 8 dwarves, more than half of our current population. More sections like it shall be carved soon, but for now, this is a huge accomplishment.
1st Granite, 1053
During the end of last year, we were completely out of food. Productivity has almost completely diminished, but once the farm is put back into commission, I hope that we can recover. Extra coffins have been built, in preparation for the worst. As dwarves, however, we will remain hardy, and survive out here living on rats and lice for score if necessary. We shall endure.
Mastahcheese, if you wish, I can re-dwarf you as the next hunter. With the way things are going, Splint may die of starvation as well.