Finally beginning construction on an outer curtain wall, using the massive amounts of chalk acquired from shaving the hillside into clearly-unnatural contours. Fireblade's been without for almost 11 years, relying on a pair of drawbridges and a locked set of double doors in the tombs, as well as watch animals and a hopefully-swift response time from the militia to keep out trespassers. It's resulted in the occasional fatality, usually from wander werebeasts.
There's also a plan to agitate The Shanks of Crafting, a necromancer cult that controls virtually the entire hinterland around Fireblade, making it impossible for Fireblade to achieve proper recognition. Plus it's been dreadfully boring the last year and a half with nothing to actually do aside from kill the occasional ghoul that wanders in or execute insane prisoners who cop to trying to rob the temple. I've also boosted the allowed enemy count, since I've gotten two units of fighting men raised and ready.
Lost two bards to old age - humans, one who I hadn't realized was an old man who bore the title of "The Gloomy," and another who the dwarves had come to call "Granny" on account of her being in her late seventies when she first arrived in Fireblade as an itinerant musician. Gloomy died in prison in his sleep, convicted with a long stay for colluding with an outsider to steal Prairiequick (why does everyone want that stupid boat?) While Ganny died after a new years performance in the tavern. A goblin bard named Seal died due to alcohol poisoning, and a guard dog was killed in a wereskink attack as well. Good thing 2nd Squad was still mostly in the barracks, otherwise I'm sure there would have been worse fatalities.
Another dwarf was killed by a kobold when the unarmed fool tried to confront the thief with the aid of two dogs. Unfortunately, what should have been an easy win turned into the dwarf bleeding out from a slash to the throat, and the dogs veering off to chase a second kobold spotted right after the first that was slightly closer. Kao, the closest soldier, tried to run them down but failed to catch him before the little bastard fled off-map. Tempted to leave some junk up around the spot they keep coming from for them to steal so they'll come and fight me.
The Guildhall is complete, and armoring third squad is nearly finished - Pine had to be barred from assisting because it turns out units make armor for the maker's race, not the fort's race, and we didn't need 8 suits of human-sized steel plate. They'll be able to begin training soon.