Looks like my turn came early. That's actually really convenient, because I have nothing important to do this week, and I'm not so sure I'd have time later.
Anyway, I'm glad you like my "masterwork" ms paint scribbles, guys.
-What do you mean you can't? - asked overseer Bearskie - Is it because you just became a baron?
-That would be correct - answered baron Gwolfski - Apparently there are certain... formalities that have to be taken care of. When I say formalities I mean a lot of redundant papers to be signed and sent to the king, all the dukes, counts, and even barons, and there's a lot of barons! Knowing how things usually go, I'll have to send them at least three times before at least one of them reaches its destination.
-So what now? A commoner? A soldier? Don't tell me we'll have to organize an election, cause that never does anyone any good.
-You must know someone who'd be good enough for this job.
-Well, there is this one guy...
Suddenly the hatch to the room opened, or rather was slammed open by a short bald dwarf, captain SQman.
-And that would be me, right? -asked the unexpected guest.
-No - answered Bearskie bluntly - and why were you eavesdropping?
-And why couldn't you just open the hatch like a civilized member of society? - asked Gwolfski without looking away from his letters.
-Well, I'm already here, so could I just... - the captain began without answering any questions, but was immediately stopped by the overseer.
-You've been talking rangers into a rebellion (fortunatelly they're smarter than certain someone), you've been hoarding crossbow bolts, and what's more, you drew a winky on my room's door! - it was apparent that Bearskie could go forever - Why would I...
-Just make him the new overseer and get out of my office! - shouted Gwolfski visibly frustrated - I don't have time to listen to you two arguing! There will be no election, we won't be waiting for volounteers, the militia captain is now in charge of this place! Now let me work!
The journal of SQman, the overseer of Breadbowl.Entry 1: springI can't believe they finally understood! Thanks to my charm and charisma baron Gwolfski made me an overseer! The bad news is that I won't be getting any paper any time soon. Baron Gwolfski stashed it all in his office.
My first mandate will be to allow hunting again. Some of the less busy rangers and I will take up crossbows and go get those exotic meats His Majesty is expecting us to get. The second mandate is to sort out the animal situation in the fortress
Especially the birds need to be taken care of. I believe we shouldn't keep different species together I remember when back in the Mountainhome my good friend Tekkud put a beak dog "liberated" from a passing goblin caravan in a rabbit pen. I won't let those terrifying geese eat our chickens. And I also won't try to train them for hunting, but that's a story for another time.
But first, the most pressing issue. Baron Gwolfski gave me a letter he got from His Majesty himself. According to this letter, the cooks weren't doing their best. While this isn't really surprising, His Majesty expects us to make something else than "biscuits". The last thing I want is to get anyone hammered. Well, at least literally, with a hammer. Let's step up our game then!
I hope His Majesty likes milk, because Quasar sure does.
The fowl tower. That disgusting place filled to the brim with bird crap and feathers needs to be cleaned up. I ordered to let the birds go. Well, not really go, but at least they'll get some fresh air before the new fowl tower is finished.
Unfortunately, some kid came to me with a letter disturbing my overseeing. A letter from Gwolfski, no less.
The elven diplomat has finished her tour around Breadbowl. She's not happy with the rate at witch trees are disapearing. If I wasn't an overseer, I'd trample a sapling right in front of her, but now that I'm in charge, I feel weirdly... responsible. We just can't risk losing a trade partner, especially when said trade partner delivers our food to the Mountainhome. No more cutting down trees! At least for now.
Do elves really talk with animals? If so, our chickens will be able to tell them how well we trat them. There will be four rooms on every floor. A little uneven ones, but that shouldn't be an issue.
Argh! Why won't they let me just work on my chicken coop! A weaponsmith went all funny and stormed to the forge. He's sitting there drawing something, but he won't let anyone look at his project.
The armorsmith left his forge, probably to get some resources, and suddenly... elves! I'm not sure how much elf-friendly containers of food we have, but I'm sure we'll be okay.
I told the dwarves to stop making meals and drinks so it's easier to count later.
Meanwhile, the first floor of the fowl tower is completed. Still a little bit cramped, but at least we'll know what we're looking at. I can't believe I'm the first one who realized just how bad it was before.
Elves are suddenly "enchanted by our ethical work". If it wasn't for the food that we're supposed to give them, and the sweet, sweet giant hyena they have, I'd tell them to stick their enchantment up their bums. I know that by "enchanted" they meant "disappointed". I have a feeling they're looking for a reason to break the contract. Well, I'm not giving them any.
In the end we've bought all of their animals, some clothes and grown barrels and buckets. Three new residents for the fowl tower: a giant hornbill, a loon and a... monitor lizard?. Unfortunately not breeding pairs.
Some statistics, cause I'm kinda obliged to do this:
Prepared meals given: 580
Drinks given: 745
Would be great if we completely switched from wooden barrels to rock and porcelain pots.
Great news! the weird smith finally has everything he needs and started working! But I swear, if he makes something he shouldn't be making out of silver, I'll... I don't know actually, he's rather valuable as a weaponsmith.
Talking about masterful work, the fowl tower is nearly finished for now. Eight rooms, nine egg-laying animals, egg production more efficient than ever (hopefully). Since our loon is male, we won't be getting eggs from it, so it can wait.
A mace? A mace! And I was afraid it would be a sword. Almost beats my oversized chicken coop! I need to take a look at it personally.
The Ace Actions, worth at least 62400☼. I like the motiff of Splatterstroke being depicted twice. That symbolizes... I don't know what. I like this while "art", but damn, I'm bad at those things.
You know what's really funny? There isn't even a single dwarf who can swing a mace in this fortress. I've assigned a guy I've met at the fishery to the Shafts of Fortifying and gave him this mace. I wish there was someone more worthy than that, but gotta take what I can.
One thing I've never understood: why are people afraid of those caverns so much. There's so much meat in there. Much more than on the surface where thrips people scare everything away. I've heard the rumors about the crystal monster, but who actually believes those things. Not me.
But even I have to admit: there's something eerie in that place. Skeletons of various beasts lie scattered around. It wouldn't be so strange if they weren't mangled, crushed, sometimes smashed to dust. I don't suppose militia was running around these caves grinding bones into powder.
Either way, we're sending elk birds with the next caravan.
It wouldn't be a good season if someone hadn't done anything stupid. I've ordered to dig out some jet for a minor project, and, well... there might have been a minor case of digging into the aqiufier.
Fortunately we can waterproof the fortress, but Gwolfski, Quasar and Hiddenleafguy... Well, we'll have to make alternative entrances to their houses.
There was also a migrant wave. 22 dwarves and a pig. Two rangers to join the neighbourhood watch, and a guy who can use a mace.
Have I mentioned a langur problem? They're easy to kill if you're not a newly arrived unarmed brewer with no combat experience. There are two wounded but no one died. Except of langurs. Every cloud has a silver lining, though. We've caught two of these filthy monkeys, which means that we probably have a stable breeding pair.
Next problem: no actual mine. Wel'll have to dig deeper. I don't want to hear about flooding a section of the fortress again.
What was that elk bird doing on the surface? Why wasn't I informed? Maybe, just maybe, they can become invisible? Invisible and very, very quiet.
*A vile force of darkness has arrived!*
Oh crap! This is much worse than any elk bird! Hey, at least they don't have bats and toads!
I'd finish spring, but Imgur refused to cooperate and I can't upload any more images. This is a good place to end it, though.
Mostly been working on the fowl tower and fixing my own mistakes. Flooded houses will be definitely reclaimed in summer. Allowed hunting and opened up the caverns, so we're geting a lot of elk bird meat.
Things to do next time: break the siege, recreate the stone industry (no large pots at the moment, only copper barrels), access to flooded houses, segregation of non-egg layers (and elk birds),
, profit.