I have made a powerful mistake.
The Journal of Angiki, Fortress of Daubhammers, year 1
26 Obsidian, 30 -- A preface.
As our journey nears its end, I am taking a moment to begin our expedition log. We are seven, two miners, a metalsmith, a jeweler, two farmers, and a glassmaker, charged with the construction of a new outpost at the Cinder of Lines, a volcano in the middle of the Armored Tundras. I can only hope the name holds true when the goblins come knocking. I have heard little about it, only that it is truly a sight to behold. No trees (big surprise), but also no aquifer, and that the area is rich in sand for glassmaking. I can only hope so. Wood is far too precious, and we cannot afford to waste what we've brought.
Our animals are 2 roosters, 4 hens, a horse and a water buffalo.
28th Obsidian
We have arrived at the Cinder of Lines, finally. I have seen many volcanos in my time, but never anything like this. The volcano is a pillar of obsidian, rising above the tundra, with no way to access it other than digging in. This will only serve to complicate matters.
Initial surveys hold little promise. The exposed ridges are of obsidian, basalt, andesite, and gneiss, with only veins of cobaltite; utterly useless to us. What's worse, the soil is not sand, as I was led to believe, but loamy sand, useless for glassmaking. Damn that scout, he couldn't tell calcite from dacite if his life depended on it! This place is cold, bitterly cold, and neither beast nor track is readily apparent.
we shall make camp on the volcano's ridge for the night. Our true work will begin in the morning.
Final note: Damn that Zuglar for a fool! He tried to balance the wagon on a slope, and it fell, shattering on the ground below! This is an ill sign.
SPRING 31
1 Granite
The loss of our wagon is unfortunate, and we will have to work swiftly to ensure our supplies are not lost to the cold. First and foremost, we'll dig out an entrance hall and temporary storage room. I should like to have the pack animals slaughtered before they starve to death as well.
28 Granite
With temporary shelter established and the supplies inside, it is time to start work on the fortress proper. The chamber here, next to the volcano, will make an ideal location for a lava moat, some time in the future, though I will have to leave that to one of my successors. We've still yet to see any wildlife.
21 Felsite
Things are quiet. We have a farm up and running now, as well as several storage spaces carved out, and the hens have all taken to their new nest boxes. I hope the lads like eggs, because that's what's on the menu for the next 500 years.
SUMMER 31
13 Malachite
We started digging an exploratory mineshaft, straight down. My hope is to breach the caverns below, as things are only going to get more difficult without a supply of wood. Resource-wise, this is one of the worst fortresses I've ever seen. No metals readily apparent, no sand, no fire clay, no water, no wildlife, and especially no trees.
14 Malachite
Struck rock crystal. Zuglar pointed out that we could make crystal glass, but we don't have enough wood for anything as it is. I think he just wants something to do besides carrying rocks around.
20th Malachite
A group of migrants have arrived! Five in all: a bone carver(with pet cavy), an expert stoneworker, a carpenter(with pet goat kid), a glazer(and macedwarf), and a clothier. They brought with them an assortment of stray animals. Not the greatest bunch, but I'll take them. No breedable pairs among the animals, unfortunately, but at least we'll have some fresh meat.
I made the bonecarver our bookkeeper. Something to do, anyways.
FALL 31
17 Sandstone
We have been digging for months, and have nothing to show for it but a mountain of diorite rocks. Finally a break in the monotony, as another group of migrants arrived. Eight this time, bringing our number up to twenty. Among them are another mason, a mechanic, and a cheese maker. At least now we have someone to eat when the food runs out.
More beds to build with wood we don't have. It's a wonderful life, isn't it?
10 Timber
After starting a new dig on a higher up level, we struck hornblende. I think I'll have the mason carve some commemerative mugs out of the stuff to mark the occasion.
24 Timber
The caravan isn't coming. I didn't want to believe it, but it is the truth. We are officially on our own out here.
Side note-- Still nothing from the mines, aside from a few gems . I'm starting to hate this place.
WINTER 31
1 Moonstone
Zuglar informed me that it is now winter. I informed him that it's cold and snowy regardless of the season, and to kindly not bother me again with the obvious. I wonder about that one sometimes.
7 Moonstone
Dishmab Keldakas was taken by a mood today. Dishmab Keldakas is the new cheesemaker. I can only imagine what artifact cheese must taste like.
After asking around a bit, I was told he also worked with glass from time to time. The lack of sand is going to complicate things.
21 Opal
Still no metal, and still no cavern. This is getting ridiculous. Incidentally, our cheesemaker went insane. I call dibs on his socks when he kicks it.
11 Obsidian
A horrifying realization dawned on me today, something I somehow forgot: We embarked without any axes. Initially, it seemed a sound move. It would allow for more supplies, and we would obviously strike some kind of workable metal long before hitting the caverns, and with the magma at hand it wouldn't be a problem. But now I'm realizing what a serious oversight this was on my part. After almost 6 months of digging, we have found no metal and no cavern.
12 Obsidian
Having recovered from yesterday's shocking realization, I'm now thinking a bit more clearly. It isn't that bad. There are no living things for probably leagues, we won't be needing any more beds, and the goblins are likely to overlook this godsforsaken outpost. We will at least survive.
13 Obsidian
Looking back on my last two entries, another horrifying realization dawned on me: This place is about as fun as an elvish tree symposium.
25 Obsidian
We struck marble somewhere along the line. That would be grand, if we had iron and coal. As it stands, it's just another rock.
1 Granite, 32
One year. Looking back, absolutely nothing has happened here. Food production is stable, rock production is through the roof, and metal production is nonexistant. still no wood. I've had all I can take of this dull as dirt hole in the ground, and am off for someplace more exciting. Probably going to die there, too, but I'd rather die there than grow old and die here. That just wouldn't be dwarven.
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This fortress is really, really dull. I have a feeling it's going to last the longest, but not in any good way. If it weren't part of a game, I would've flooded it with magma and moved on by now.
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