((New Minions added to second post. Rule change added to first post.
Shadow, embark was in scorching coastal/river delta. I didn't expect any vegetation but was pleasantly surprised by some trees. We do have sand. Plenty of it. We even got a glassmaker and her daughter as our first two migrants.
In regards to selling items, I will be running the fortress as the 'Master trader' (Go easy on me, I apparently just got married.)
))
Journal of Innu Agthruni - Merchant guild member, founder of Luritakkar (Spotflares in the new tongue)
It has been a harrowing journey. Our home lies to the far east. Far, far east. The guild has been unhappy that trade hasn't been going well. Not much has, to be honest. What with beast attacks and poor trade routes.
A reward, and significant prestige were offered to anyone that could establish an overland trade route to the Western ocean, and establish a trade post to boot.
To be honest, I mostly just wanted to get out from under the oppressive thumb of my father, and my girlfriend thought it a fabulous idea. She has some background in Archaeology, and we met at the University. Her more rugged personality won me over quickly, though, to be honest, I'm not completely sure I know what she saw in me back then. I was young, naive, poorly skilled, and more interested in song and dance than I was in my academic studies.
My father said no, of course.
So I made a rash decision. I organized the trip anyways, and *ahem* borrowed the funds at the last minute from his not-so-secret stash.
I'd say I miss my family, but honestly, it's mostly my mama and little sis. to which I regret not saying properly good bye. It's a good thing that San is good with maps. I've have gotten us hopelessly lost for sure. We still overshot a little to the north, which was almost disastrous, as the land north of us is said to be haunted. What in it's right mind would haunt those scorched wastes I do not know. We did not stay long enough to find out.
In the end we simply travelled south until we hit the river, then followed it to the sea. And the site itself seemed like a good place to stop. Freshwater. Saltwater. There were even some palm trees, which we didn't expect. The survey maps said the area was entirely devoid of vegetation.
For that reason we didn't even bring an axe. Or any weapon, for that matter.
Ah, well. We arrived safe enough.
We stopped the wagon as close to the ocean as possible, the refreshing spray of the sea stinging our faces. It was the only cool thing in this sun-baked area. And the water was warm. Comfortably so, in fact.
We came well prepared. Some food and water, Nature shall provide I hope. Most of the fruit and such was eaten on the way and all that was left were the seeds, meticulously saved.
We did have some lumber, expecting to find none.
And most of the rest of the space was filled with granite. Good solid bedrock material.
If one is to build a place of refuge by the ocean, it is almost without peer. Solid and dependable, just like my dear San.
Work began at once, cutting the stone into block and fashioning our perimeter. All of us pitched in to help with the construction, San working alongside me with Imeka and the others.
There was some wildlife, but it did not bother us. Eagles, golden eagles, crabs. The dingoes were a little disturbing and as we were finishing the perimeter we saw several lions slinking around.
I managed to collect some webs of local spiders to weave into thread and make some excellent rare silk cloth, but unfortunately we must have disturbed them enough that they have not returned.
Come summer I thought I was about to faint with heat, and the sun was making me crazy but we received not one but two human caravans. One from the guild, which we traded the cloth with, and the other from further north, which we had nothing worth trading. A pity, since we were running short on food and drink since everyone was pitching in to complete the perimeter still.
Our first migrants were Shadow, and her daughter. Meph and her family joined us in the fall, and some of her cousins came later. One of them was even a priest. We shall have to see what we can do to provide him a proper place to pray.
Fall brought the dwarves, and with them a bounty of meat. The lions that roam this area apparently posed a threat and their caravan guards attacked them, killing three. Good meat for us.
A shame for me for my neglect though. Most of it rotted in the sun before it could be properly stored.
At our year mark we celebrated, briefly. San and I were married shortly thereafter, now comfortable in the new home we have provided and excited at the prospects we have in this new place. Merchants are beginning to set up stalls in the building we are working on, a quarry has begun in the southeast. Farms, of a sort are growing, but the salty air is not ideal.
We are even working on building housing on the perimeter of the wall. People will want quiet, away from the bustling center of our town.