Journal of Grim of Chamberdrums - year 139
1st Granite
I decided to go and find out who was currently in charge of the fortress, my isolation has left me rather ignorant of recent events. Upon opening the door a book was shoved into my hands, a voice said 'Well it's your lucky day,' and then I heard the sound of running feet before I could get a good look at them. There was a note pinned to the book saying I'm the overseer. I looked up and down the corridor I was standing in, watching the bustling of dwarves as they cleaned the fort, sorting and shifting stuff. Things are a lot more complicated since I was last in charge here... Dear Armok what am I in for? I hope I can at least find some time for fighting.
5th Granite
Countess Monitor, it feels weird thinking about that, came into my office today as I was trying to understand the current state of the records and ordered me, me, to get someone to make catapult parts. Who does she think I am? We built this place side by side! Bah, I've slipped the order into the bottom of a pile of orders for cheese, soap and bolts. It's not that important a task.
Next I think I'll look to plugging that leak in the aquifer some fool cut on the surface.
2nd Slate
The aquifer has been sealed with a plug of earth dropped in from above. The water flow is drying up already. I'm quite happy with how that turned out, we didn't even get anyone hurt in the process. It feels nice to be working with my fellow dwarfs again without it being in a combat role. I seem to be thinking a bit clearer than I was.
16th Slate
I decided to try and sort out the military gear we're using. While sorting through the stocks we've got I found that we've got a huge pile of junk, weapons and armour from every siege ever to throw itself at us it seems. I'll never be able to find usable gear among all this stuff. I'll get the metal stuff melted down and have someone dispose of the clothing and other junk.
20th Slate
I was standing in the courtyard this morning watching people haul troll corpses away from the gates when I saw a small band of dwarfs approach. Most of them brushed past me and went into the fortress, but two wandered over to speak with me. They looked to be a couple by the way they interacted. My suspicion was confirmed when the man stepped forward and spoke to me.
Dwarf:'Good morning to you my fine man. I don't suppose you could tell me if this is Chamberdrums?'
Grim:'It is.'
Dwarf:'Ah, good. You see our daughter Cerol moved out here back in 130 and we were interested in how she's doing.'
Grim:'You could have written her a letter.'
Dwarf:'We did, but no one responded, we weren't surprised considering the state of the roads on the way here. But we felt it best to see what was going on ourselves.'
Grim:'Fine, come with me and we can check the records for her assignment.'
Dwarf:'Thank you. What is your name by the way?'
Grim:'I am Grim, current Overseer of Chamberdrums.'
Dwarf:'Grim? The one who killed the necromancer?'
Grim:'Yes.'
Dwarf:'Then you must know the Countess, and Maskwolf, Daria and the other military veterans of this place!'
Grim:'Yes.'
Dwarf:'Why sir back in the old Mountainhomes your deeds are all legendary, songs are sung about your battles and the wealth of Chamberdrums.'
Grim:'Really?'
Dwarf:'But of course, traders tell stories of the stout defenses of this place.'
At this point we had arrived at my office and I began to search the records for mention of the dwarfs daughter. I was puzzled I must confess. I had no idea we were famous elsewhere.
I stirred from my puzzlement when I caught sight of a piece of paper with the name Cerol at the top. I pulled it free from the records, it was a mortuary report. The couple's daughter died some time ago. I turned to them and handed them the paper.
Dwarf:'So... She's dead then... I feared as much but wouldn't admit it to myself.'
Grim:'...I'm... sorry.'
Dwarf:'Don't be, you're not too blame.'
Grim:'I hope it's not a problem if I ask your name? I'd like to add it to our records, both of arrivals and of Cerol's relatives.'
Dwarf:'Of course... My name is Melbil Ducimid, and this is my wife Stukos, the Queen Consort.'
Grim:'Thank you I'll enter it into... Wait... Did you say Queen Consort?'
Melbil:'I did.'
Grim:'You're the King?'
Melbil:'Yes, I'm the King. King Ducimid, but I prefer Melbil.'
Grim:'I... I don't know what to say your majesty.'
Melbil:'Please, don't make this a big thing. But as long as we're in the records room, could we look for the names of any of my grandchildren in the fort? I happen to know several live here.'
Grim:'Of course. Of course we can.'
I didn't know what to think, this was the King, the man responsible for sending me here... and he was just another dwarf. Calm, neat. A bit short. After we scoured the records for mention of his family I took him to speak to Monitor. She's the Countess, she's meant to be the one who handles this stuff.
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The monarch has arrived. I repeat, the monarch has arrived. On a whim I decided to look through his family relations and found that there a few of his descendants living here, I haven't fully counted and labeled them all yet but we have over half a dozen of his grandchildren living in the fort.