A quiet year in Waterspear. No sightings of kobolds or goblins. The local wildlife is being benign as well, with ravens doing kamikaze dives into weapon traps and bored sentries on patrol taking pot shots at passing owls.
Two groups of migrants have brought the fortress population over 160. The mayor will petition for Mountainhome status when the next liaison arrives. Assuming the current one ever leaves!
Only two children among the thirty who arrived. Rest are primarily being sent to do hauling work and assigned to reservist squads for basic training and equipment. However, the fortress did get two more multi-skill "Industrialists", a good gem carver, and also another master weapon smith and master armor smith. On the military side the militia welcomed two more legendary fighters (sword and xbow) as well as another ten mid-level fighters in various weapons for filling out squads to backup the heavy hitters. The "sniper squad" of elite marksdwarves is now up to five with the recent arrival and also a few being promoted after making Master Level while helping to pincushion a series of goblin ambush teams.
The river froze for a few weeks and this was used as an opportunity to cross the ice and lay a bridge foundation on the south side. Currently the marble arch spanning the stream is about 2/3 complete and should be finished off shortly. Paving the road to and beyond the bridge has been deferred until a material is selected and stockpiled. And the masons are busy with other projects in any case.
It will probably just be clay brick, but that will require starting the brickworks back up (it is currently handling a back supply of fire clay to make pots and also glazing our supply of earthernware pots.)
Windmills were put up on the Inner Bailey roof and are now powering a mist generator at the front entrance that also sprays out some mist into a few of the barracks as well. Already helping clean off militia returning from fights in the outer works. Wind is not strong in this area, so it took half a dozen mills to generate the power with a little to spare.
The fortress is currently abundantly supplied for the most part. The main shortage is still non-economic stone for secondary items such as basic furnishings such as doors, tables, and chairs. Some metal is being used, but this is mainly being decorated and saved for the noble's rooms.
The main downside projects are excavations and modifications to take on the Clown Car. Trap corridors are being planned, as well as a "checkerboard" to help winnow their numbers. And the militia continues training and getting equipped for this fight. The confrontation is still a ways away since there is still a lot of preparation to do.
Artifact generation has been fairly boring. All possessions so far and mainly generating mundane items like clothing and a millstone. The latter will probably be hooked up to the power system and used to help the millers keep up with the farm produce. Some bee hives were installed and are producing since a number of dwarves are fond of mead. The glass jugs of royal jelly are being traded to the elves for more sand bags to make further glass items.