Today I bring you the Mystery of the Missing Horse.
First off, the fort to be in question is the outpost Emgashlogem "Riderpaints" is a small logging and farming village with about 18 members sat in a very helms deep like area. Forrest to the west rising form the river valley to the hills. To the east is the steep face of the mountain. From north to south runs the river and on the river is the mott and baily with basic needs covered. The dorfs are eager to spread production else where but for some reason the last few years the home land really wants us to strip the forest because logs are fetching a high price. All was well during the first two years. We sold enough lumber each year to stay in fresh cloths and maintain ample stocks of emergency supplies. However there was a small hiccup in the first winter.
There was construction problems that postponed some crucial work on the farm plot. A lazy lever puller flooded the plots on the first try so a small drain area was dug out. Soon the plots were built and being seeded but by then it was mid autumn. Right away I got them digging a well on the surface level. However right as I was about to connect the well to the river winter fell and the river was frozen. So great, first winter is a no drink winter. Not even booze. The farms yielded some plants but not enough. A month passed and I was watching the drinks count dwindle. There were plant gatherers out in the forest, hopefully they might find some thing. Eventually they did but by then winter was two months in. We lost 5 dwarves. Among them the original expedition leader. Early the following spring I had a small tomb dug across the river to the east in the mountain face. Water thawed and well filled thirst was quenched and soon after there were enough plants grown to fill the booze stocks. Since then all the needs of the outpost citizens have been met by either hard work or trade.
Now you may be wondering, where is this horse? Now is the time I remember I had a horse, because I was going to butcher it for some meat. Only I had no horse. Since when? I haven't been attacked yet, nothing dangerous wandered by either. Took a quick look around the fort and into the first two under ground levels. At that time the first two levels held populated areas. Couldn't find it. Guess it ran off.
Fast forward to late next year. With the new tavern bringing extra attention to the outpost I found it a good idea to expand the farms. So far no migrants have come since the first winter dehydration deaths. I'm still stunned I avoided a total loss by sadness spiral and survived the dehydration. It probably has some thing to do with nothing special going on besides the logging industry. Seriously, the home land is paying well, the new expedition leader is embezzling it all but still. He has one fancy office and home. Suddenly I see a notification, Missing Horse Found, starved. WHAT? zoom to location.
After zoning out the new sewers to match the expanded farm one of the miners uncovered the horse. It some how stumbled into the original drain plan but that area was sealed off.... Until now. What happened next is why I tell this story. I hit resume and watched the miner that found the horse just stop digging and stand there for a second or two. Then he just picks up the horse with hands only, and drags it all the way out of the fort to the surface and out back to dump zone. Like he was all "Great, since no one else picked this up in two years I guess I gotta do it", and just throws the horse over his back like it aint no thang. Had a good chuckle.
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Topic: What's going on in your fort? (Read 6230946 times)