Journal of Neblime Queen of Rock 24th Moonstone
In light of the recent news of the goblin threat I have ordered some more of the prospects to serve in a local militia force. I told them they will be defending their families, but ultimately anything that gets killed in defense of the prospects first won't reach the mountain
a variety of less dangerous creatures were also caught from the caves. I shall commence my training on them as soon as a proper room for the purpose is constructed
26th Moonstone
I have spent some time in the neutral zone pointing out where I want the animal
slaughtering training room, and I smelt the most abominable smell I have ever smelled in my life. It seems that dog I saw trailing pus everywhere earlier hasn't healed, he has in fact gotten worse
Also a turkey with rotten body parts spreads the smell
I ordered them to be slaughtered immediately. The butcher told me that they were already in the line to be butchered, along with several other puppies and other extraneous animals. I suppose I will just have to wait. and hold my breath while I'm outside the mountain.
30 Moonstone
Some of the more useless mountain dwellers are complaining about the peasants in here. I told them that if they do some ACTUAL WORK this wouldn't be necessary, and brandished my pick. They seemed to quieten up a bit after that but it seems they will harbor resentment about this.
Who cares though, I'm the one wearing the armor and holding the pick.
2nd Opal
The new captain of the guard, Ultramagnus, approached me today.
he and the other two remaining thugs are having trouble administering justice due to their reduced numbers, understandably, since it is 3 dwarves to watch over nearly 60. I ordered some warhammers made for them to help keep the unruly peasants down.
5th Opal
In light of the likely goblin threat I have ordered a watch tower constructed to watch the crossing over the river.
It will be defended by prospects, who will be the first to die in defense of the mountain if necessary. It will also serve to watch over which dwarves are passing into and out of the neutral zone, and if the panics of this year are repeated it may be necessary to open fire and hold the peasants back.
6th Opal
I had my first training session with a chained up troglodyte today. The thing didn't put up much of a fight, but it's armok-damned exhausting fighting. I think I will rest a couple days before I continue training
8th Opal
We captured a giant olm today. I look forward to training against it
12th Opal
Ultramagnus caught some prospects attempting to steal wood from across the river today. They will be punished severely of course. The shortage of wood in the prospects may cause trouble in future...
16th Opal
I killed the giant olm today, and exhausted the supply of animals I had to train on. I hope some more are captured soon. I must be as strong as possible when the goblins arrive.
24th Opal
The work parties continue to prove effective, especially under command of the new foreman, Sionnach. It seems he arrived at our mountain in the first year of our settlement, but until now had not distuingished himself.
27th Opal
The tower overlooking the river was completed today. I feel somewhat safer, but all the day to day management of the settlement makes it difficult to focus on training for war
12th Obsidian
Sionnach spends so much time in the mountain working I have decided to construct some modest quarters for him here, to the outrage of the other mountain dwellers. I care not for their opinions, if we want to live like the kings and queens that we are, we will need subjects to do the work. Our mountain is still a fairly ugly and plain dwelling for dwarves of our status.
As for sionnach, as with all prospects, he probably wishes he could take our place. I am hardly concerned that he could threaten me however, once again, I am the one who wears the armor around here.
20th Obsidian
The giant cave spider was FINALLY situated in a deep basement today. We cannot begin silk farming until we capture another animal. perhaps I shouldn't have used them ALL For training.
25th Obsidian
The prospect miltia have constructed their own tiny lookout tower over their settlement. I can't help but feel it is also to watch on us partially.
1st granite
The first day in the new year, 253 has come
the last year saw our queen killed, and our own settlement become the last bastion of the floors of secreting. It has seen more than twenty dwarves perish at the hands of mighty beasts.
And yet, the new year brings with it a sense that the legendary battles of the past are but mere stories now, and our time will be mostly spent in inglorious and petty conflicts, not hunting great creatures of myth.
I have reached a decision that will probably greatly upset the mountain dwellers. Not that I care.
Sionnach has proven himself an adept manager, and I will allow him to oversee all the day to day work in the mountain. The peasants are doing all the work anyway, might as well put a peasant in charge of peasants.
Of course I am still in charge of him (as is any proper mountain dweller) but I will not waste any time on the minutiae of the mountain anymore, I must prepare for war.
There is no telling when the goblins will arrive, but I have no doubt that they WILL come. I have no time for politics, nor for writing this journal, at least for a time. I return to my training.