Another catch up journal during the downtime.
The next page seems stained with what smells like medicine
The end of the year passed by with little out of the ordinary, word has it that Arcvasti has completed the designs for another scientific breakthrough, though I wasn't able to gather what it was, other than Splint seemed happy with it.
Granite, 143
Happy new year, while there was no werewolf for splint to stab this year, it was still eventfull, the cage holding all of the plump helmet men has gone missing, and there is a panic in the fortress. I never understood why dwarves decided it was a good idea to raise something so unnatural that would just as gladly eat us as we would them. Nothing good will come of this. I became curious and decided to try praying to other gods than Rulush, for old times sake. This turned out to be a terrible idea, as it seems the gods have either noticed my favoritism to Rulush, and became jealous, as gods typically do, or have wised up to my deceit. Tath gave his usual gift of a tainted ingot, Lim sent cloud of stinging magical insects that left some nasty welts, after a quick trip to the apothecary I was relieved that I wasn't in any danger of sickness. I suppose I should be thankful it was a plague of wasps and not the genocidal plague Lim has been known for. I decided to risk a quick prayer to Uz, wincing at what they might throw at me, and was surprised to find an IOU note, turns out the god of war has a sense of humor, who knew. I dare not risk a prayer to Kogan, and I had no reason to believe Avuz and Stettad would be out of the loop. They have not helped me from the start, when I was still seeking a patron, and they decide to punish me when I give them another chance. They wish me to choose, and I will choose the only one that has been actual help since I came to Riverrun... as soon as the swelling goes down. I need a drink.
I decided to stop praying for the day, when I was approached by the Count, he wished to discuss plans about expanding the religious aspects of the fort, with a chapel. I told him I couldn't give him any answer right away, as I would have to brush up on my knowledge of higher rites. I admit, I am curious on what we would be capable of with a proper building, and I agree a change from praying for simple materials would be nice. I was thinking on my answer when we were distracted by another, bearing the faint smell of magically charged air, a sorcerer. He wished to gather my opinions on something he called project war god. I couldn't exactly form an opinion on something so vague, he told me that there was the possibility to use science, magic, faith, and forge to make something more than dwarf to fight for us, and that I should be prepared if the time comes. I can think of only two things that prayer can accomplish that, using a massive amount of souls to call on a god to send a champion to aid us, which is unlikely, as it has only happened a handful of times in legend, or golems, I shudder at the thought of what goes into them, I look up at the one staring towards the entrance to the fortress, ever alert for enemies, nearly unmoving, save for the pulsing runes on its body. I can't help but shake as I write this, to forge a body of metal, powered by magic, and fueled by the soul of a dwarf. All records of the practice I can find state that they are almost exclusively from dwarves who volunteer for it, but I know better. Anyone who has looked at one face to face is unnerved by it, and if there is any fragment of the sacrificed dwarf within it, I cannot see it. Back home, there was horror stories from the homeless that if they were caught alone at night, they would be grabbed and sacrificed. I had thought of them as just tales, but knowing what I do now, I realize they may be true. Now I really need a drink.
On the 23rd Tenderroast approached me, and the squad training at the barracks, celebrating, and announced that Arcvasti has finally drawn up the plans to make a altar dedicated to fire, and that soon he would be fighting as well.
Slate, 143
I had been making a round through the fortress to take a look at everything that has expanded since I was last down here, when Rakust came by and told me they were doing a mineral exploration to ease my workload praying for metals. If they really do build a chapel, I will be thankful for it when my additional responsibilities are assigned. I spotted Tenderroast in the bar, looking rather depressed. Turns out the fire altar was built, but they do not have all the materials required for him to become attuned to the magic of flame until they grow and press some oil from plants. I told him it is only a matter of time, and I offered him some rum for a change, hah!
Felsite, 143
The first wave of volunteers arrived at the magic quarter, Kahziraad I believe he was called will be our first, has chosen the school of earth. I admit that magic makes my beard hairs stand on edge, but earth is a respectable choice for a dwarf, I wonder if it is possible for him and Tenderroast to team up and make magma. It takes a while to become initiated , and even longer to train their abilities
so Tenderroast will still be a year away from fulfilling his dream.
The military was on alert after the mining expedition breached a cave, and.. something else. The count is talking with Splint about plans for defense in case of an invasion from below, and I took note that there was no minerals spotted in the walls of the caves, oh well, praying for metal isn't so bad.
Hematite, 143
I don't believe it! That workshop everyone was so hush hush about way back was some sort of means to bring beasts back from the dead. It either went horribly wrong or horribly right, because they took a wyvern down and got a dragon out of the deal. I went down for some breakfast there it was sitting in the dining hall! It looks quite happy, and the others in the dining hall claimed it has adopted us, so I guess it was pleased with the upgrade. Maybe there is merit to looking into the rite of calling a guardian after all, if we are going to be bringing extinct species of mass destruction back to life, I would prefer something their size and fireproof holding the leash. It goes beyond saying I need a drink right now, maybe I should look into skipping the empty barrel and start praying for booze to go directly into my stomach.