256, 22nd MalachaiteMigrants have arrived.
Another useful group of dwarfs, 2 skilled Marksdwarfs, another Bonesetter/nurse, a Great brewer. a furnace operator, a Weaponsmith, a Blacksmith and a great mechanic. 10 dwarfs, bringing with them a child and 3 babies, a total of 123 dwarfs (including minors).
I've started to notice a large number of dwarfs are sitting around idle now, it is also about time we started expanding the military. I've announced that any who wish may join a training squad. We now have enough dwarfs for 2 marksdwarf squads of 5. I'll also set up some better assignments for our melee dwarfs, Meng and another good trainer will head up 2 training squads. It will be up to them to turn our new recruits into Dwarfen death machines. Remaining weapon-masters will be organized as the core of our military, those who are skilled but not yet legendary will continue to train in 2 man squads. One of the 2 marksdwarf squads will also take the position of fortress guard.
256, 27th Malachite.Our miners have begun digging out the hall of memories. Each season a 12x2 urist block of marble will be engraved, telling the story of this fortress. This will also form the centrepiece of the necropolis. I've placed all this in what appears to be a good thick layer of marble. In anticipation of this being dug out, I've ordered production of pig iron to commence. I have ordered Vabek and Ablel, our most skilled engravers, to finish engraving the walls of the dining hall.
256, 8th Galena.Apparently Ustuth Koganes, one of our bone carvers has locked himself in the craft workshop, muttering, "yes, yes, that is how it shall be". I guess we are due another bone artefact. You'd think with all the Masons and smiths around here, people would build something out of a material which is NOT bone.
256, 18th Galena.A human caravan has arrived. I'd best get Solon to pick out some suitable trade goods.
256, 19th Galena.Ustuth, burst into my office brandishing a shortsword, the likes of which I had never seen before. "Behold! Agsethkokeb Sebshosodur! Achedwelled the Mired Roots", He exclaims.
I have to admit, it is rather nice, made from the bones of the Giant Toad which crippled our military leader too. It seems appropriate somehow.
Meng bursts in moments later, "Goblin snatchers in the traps!", she snaps.
We rush to the surface as the military assembles to see Kib Regsefol, one of our recent immigrants, wandering unconcernedly towards the stream with a fishing pole. Before anyone can shout a warning, he is surrounded by a squad of Macegoblins, led by a Swordsdwarf, who have sprung from hiding in the featureless desert! Our military charges out but he is brutally beaten to death moments before they can arrive. 6 heavily armed dwarfs avenge him moments later. Tholtig demonstrates once again how much he has learned since his injury, engaging and demolishing the enemy Swordsdwarf and 2 Goblins with great efficiency.
I've ordered all dwarfs to stay inside for now, whilst we wait in case of further ambushes.
Another ambush, lashers led by an elite crossbow goblin. They are revealed as the crossbow goblin looses a bolt into the leg of a human caravan guard. Tholtig leads the charge of the Sculpted Rocks and the Laborious Bridges, they quickly dispatch the lashers and help the wounded guard deal with his attacker.
South east, at the gates of the compound another ambush of hammergoblins jump out of hiding to attack one of the wagons. This turns out to be a tactical error.
The Turquoise Punches and The Problematic Doors, in reserve just inside the gates, charge out to finish the hammergoblins. They spot a squad of bowgoblins to the south, but they are allready running.
All squads pull back to cover the last wagon as it makes it's way into the fort.
256, 25th GalenaThe battle over, Nil, one of our expert smiths decides to throw a party for the victors.
Meng has presented her 'suggestions' for re-organizing the military to face the increasing Goblin threat, as follows:
The watchful GazesThis will be one of the 2 professional melee squads:
Led by: Meng Roldethkikrost (swordmaster)
Kol Sakrithastesh Etomgomom Rul (Kol BlazedCudgels the Innocent Dourness of Muting - Hammer Lord)
Bomrek Lilarstakud (Spearmaster)
Udil Endokokol (Lasher)
The sculpted RocksThe Second melee squad:
Led by: Dobar Nefekavus Kanmorul (Dobar Fancymine the Taupe Page - Axe Lord)
Tholtig Thukkannokim Gusilnunar Edol (Tholtig Amberochre the Copper Crevice of Weathering - Hammer Lord)
Zon Eshtansebsur Ngumrash Edol (Zon Smithvales the Sickness of Insights - Spear Master)
Doran Alanththimshur (Hammer dwarf).
The Problematic doorsMelee sparring, Sazir Thikutthalal and Urvad Zimaban, both novice axe dwarves.
The Crazed PillarsAxe sparring Squad, Udib Godenneth and Dobar Akrulecem, both with no military experience.
The Fenced HumilitySword sparring squad, Stinthad Ducimodshith and Dakost Itonenkos, both with no military experience.
The Brass Bastions - Fortress guardCrossbow squad.
Led Bukentamost, Risen Tanid, Deler Duralsazir, Alath Limulalek and Kogan Degelluzat.
The Mechanical PulleysCrossbow squad.
Rith Bufutsazir, Tholtig Tusungmurol, Tulon Degeliden, Nil Nishrungak, Inod Robekatis.
She has included a number of new volunteers in sparring squads and suggests that as skills improve and we can add more dwarfs to the elite squads a proper training regime under established weapon-masters be set up, however, that is a task for a year or 2 down the line.
I've called Alath Limlilak to my office, he is now captain of the guard, it will be his job to hunt down the Vampire who lives amongst us.
The new giant frog bone short sword has been assigned to Meng, it seems appropriate that she should wield an artefact weapon made from the bones of the creature which wounded her.
OOCAll our professional melee and crossbow squads are now active and training. The sparring squads are awaiting suitable barracks. I plan to set up proper training squads once we have enough elite warriors to maintain a strong military with a few spare to lead training squads.
The professional melee squads are in full iron plate armour, The training and crossbow squads have an iron mailshirt and helm, leather gloves, high boots and leggings. Weapons are still iron, however the first steel bars should be available soon. I plan to concentrate on producing steel weapons first whilst our armoursmiths continue to train up with iron.
We now have plenty of tame camels and ostriches, time for Zay to start the ostrich farming! I'll also start placing traps in the top cavern.
The Goblins seem to be getting frisky.