This following excepts are more to tantalize Northstar than anything. I will do most of my turn tomorrow, unless real life decides otherwise.
(Also: Because I had to play on a mac, I'm using the default tileset. Sorry, I hope to switch back to a PC soon.)
Familiarizing yourself with the Dwarven Pantheon will make my posts make a lot more sense.
THE DWARVEN PANTHEON:Enam, God of Happiness
Sezomkin, Goddess of Night
Ushdish, Goddess of Rainbows
Moldath, Goddess of Volcanoes
Deler, God of War
Inmast, God of Storms
20th Malachite 254-
I wept today, diary, but the tears were tears of joy. The terrible siege which until recently had us cowering in the fortress is finally over! We learned upon lowering the bridge that one of the Dwarves trapped outside, a craftsdwarf by the name of Raluksodel, valiantly risked life and limb to defend her unconscious comrades. Her merciless pummeling of one of the invaders must have terrified the superiorly armed goblins, for they quickly fled.
23rd Malachite 254-
Today, the unexpected happened. A note arrived at my workshop, from the local overseer, naming me his successor. I was unaware of the existence of the office, but upon asking around I learned that it basically means, "King", but with minor stipulations.
My first act as Overlord was to reveal unto my new subjects my true identity: Doctor McTaalik, last priest (and therefore High Priest) of Moldath, and sole survivor of the Burning of the Hidden Temple of Moldath in the Alchemical Jungles. I also took the opportunity to outline for them my plans for the future. Of course, Diary, you were in my pocket the whole time... Surely you remember my rousing speech, in which I meticulously explained each step in my glorious two year plan? I need not recount it here.
I also appointed some new nobles. (ed note: screenshots to be added)
28th Malachite 254-
The ignorance that pervades this fortress disgusts me, Diary.
It is understandable, in times of crisis, to question one's beliefs, and to call the last century a time of crisis would be a gross understatement. When I left the ruins of the Great Library for Pagetower, I suspected to find a reasonable shortage of faith among these uneducated Dwarves.
But what I found, Diary, was a spiritual famine. Of the thirty-seven other dwarves in this fortress, only four profess to worshipping Lady Moldath, and further questioning suggests they are mere "casual" believers. Moldath allowed us into her kingdom! Her earthly body warms us, and shelters us, and allows us to survive in this harsh frozen desert. We owe everything to her, and it's time we pay her our respects.
Excellent mini-update! I look forward to the rest of what you have to post.
I guess I should have seen that coming- several of the Goblins were nothing more than unarmed, untrained Recruits (including the one who took a pummeling). It looks like the experienced Goblins just decided to round up a bunch of civilians to act as meat-shields to travel with them, but then ended up chasing their friend when he went running crying back to his Goblin mommy... Oh well- it's for the good of our fortress.
Don't forget though, the tragedy isn't over quite yet. The Expedition Leader who fell and broke his spine before isn't going to be able to feed or water himself anytime soon, and unless you're quite quick about digging down to the Aquifer and setting up a functional desalinization system (using a Screw Pump to remove the salt- though you can use buckets to raise the water to where it's needed), he will probably die of thirst sooner or later.
Don't forget to assign somebody else as Expedition Leader before that (possibly) happens!Also, you need to set up a hospital after you develop a secure source of fresh (and clean!) water. I could provide you with a few pointers about the best way to do this if you're interested... In the meantime, I suggest checking the Wiki for some pointers about how to circumnavigate some of the biggest bugs with hospitals (like the Dwarves stocking the chests will all the thread/cloth in the fortress...)
I'm sure you'll have your hands busy with all this, plus the suggestions I left you on the Notes Screen and here on this thread, and your apparent plans to build some sort of altar or temple to the Dwarven God of Volcanoes (though I suggest you take care of building a hospital and water source
BEFORE you undertake that project- it wouldn't be fair to our former Expedition Leader to leave him to die of thirst just because you're too busy building some worthless temple... Let the Dwarves worship in private- in their closets if need be.) Just don't forget to take screenshots and write notes to yourself so you can keep all of us updated on what you're doing!
Regards,
Northstar