Chapter XII: How About a Swim?6th Slate, 1054
There has been another occurrence of uncanny resemblance in our fortress. The new carpenter has the same name as our old.
The first two times I passed off as a coincidence, but such unique names appearing often and on the same types of people is down-right weird.
10th Slate, 1054
The broker has already decided to demonstrate his power and authority by banning the export of certain valuables from the fortress.
I understand that, being the broker, he technically has the authority to do this, he has no explanation for his actions. My guess is that he’s trying to put us in our place; those bureaucrats are so predictable.
2nd Felsite, 1054
Mastacheese II died of starvation this morning; she was strong, but perhaps not enough so to dabble with this jaguars. She’ll be interred with her fellow comrades, though we’ll need to build another mausoleum soon.
11th Hematite, 1054
Disaster has struck once again in our fortress! Our fisherdwarf was fishing by the cave river when the entire cavern flooded with its water. The dwarf, naturally, was drowned. We must find a way to combat this potential threat if we are to develop along this river.
17th Hematite, 1054
The humans have arrived today with their trading goods. It will be useful now to have the services of the broker, though we’ll have to be careful about what we trade, lest we incur his wrath.
Meanwhile, our jeweler has stopped talking with his fellow dwarves today; I do hope he’s all right.
18th Hematite, 1054
The jeweler has shut himself within his workshop and, according to witnesses, he was taken to drawing pictures of rough gems on the cave walls. I suppose, for the sake of his health, we should try to fulfill his implied request.
25th Hematite, 1054
The jeweler quickly absconded with the first gem that we dug out of the earth, fleeing to his workshop and locking himself in once more. I can hear the sounds of determined work from the outside; whatever it is that he’s making, it will be interesting.
1st Malachite, 1054
The broker and the guild representative have begun a meeting in the new broker’s office. From what I understand, they’re trying to work out a formalized trading agreement.
On an unrelated note, the jeweler emerged from his shop today, looking stronger and healthier than ever, displaying his creation: a rock crystal earring! Our broker has appraised his earring at 4800! This is quite an accomplishment for our industry.
5th Malachite, 1054
The guild representative bid the broker farewell and left the fortress with her bodyguards today. The broker has officially announced that, in exchange for crossbows, the merchant guild has agreed to bring them barrels of the alcohol that they had been missing for so long. This announcement gave our new broker a great air of popularity in our mead-hall today.
27th Malachite, 1054
The broker has finally dropped his ridiculous trade restriction. He’s a great asset to the fortress, though it seems that he is prone to minor instances of pride. His female companion is a quiet one, and I’ve had no trouble with her as of yet. She mostly wanders around the stockpiles, counting quietly to herself; I’ll try to get her a more formal office for such tasks soon. I hope to get to know both nobles better in the near future, to strengthen the community of this outpost.
19th Galena, 1054
The jeweler has begun to obsess over his creation, refusing to let go of it and threatening anyone that comes near. He is a valuable, hard-working young dwarf, but if this obsession continues, I may be forced to place him under house arrest for the safety of our community.
To any who have been following this thread, I'll update it periodically when I can; I'll not abandon this thread. As always, dwarves are available, including the two nobles. Reply if you are interested.