From the diary of Maskwolf, science explorer,
1 Granite
My motley crew and I have arrived at the site we picked out. True, it has an aquifer, but the resources of the site are worth it. Probably not, actually: but one can always hope. Regardless, it looks like as good a place as any to run tests. Preliminary results from the machine indicate that something lurks below the ground. Unfortunately, on the way here, a thief snuck into our supplies while we slept and made off with Shadowhammer’s weapon. We will need to find metal ore in order to replace it, and soon. The device has some… unfortunate side effects. If it works the way it is intended to, it will unfortunately act as a beacon to the forces of darkness, drawing them to our location. We must work quickly to get underground, lest less savory entities find us.
As Shadowhammer will not have anything to do until we get the forges running, I order him to pick up an axe and begin cutting down trees. Not that much else we can do right now but get all of the supplies inside. Gene goes to work mining us out a shelter from the elements: the device is rather finicky, and I would hate to get it wet. Fortunately, there is sand here, so Solmyr should have plenty of stuff to play with. Ulengkosak wandered off to find plants, not sure what for, but hopefully he brings back enough supplies to make do until we get more support. As this is a science expedition, I do not expect particularly many dwarves to arrive, but one never knows. Jerbot has become our temporary carpenter, as I could not find one to accompany me on this quest. He didn’t seem particularly thrilled with his job, but he didn’t complain much either. As soon as he makes an axe, I myself have decided to assist Shadowhammer in cutting down trees. It will occupy me until my skills are needed.
8 Granite
Gene works incredibly quickly, I can see why we brought him along. We have enough space for all of the supplies from the wagon now, and the idle dwarves are currently bringing them inside.
24 Granite
The piercing of the aquifer is now commencing, thanks in large part to the efforts of Solmyr and Hezekiah, who volunteered to help build floors and walls to seal it off.
28 Granite
Solmyr decided that working on her upper body strength would be a good idea and volunteered to do pump operating. Perhaps one of the least glamorous jobs a dwarf can do, but an extremely important one.