Summer/Fall report for Fort 2. For Fort 2 Overseers Only
The summer started fairly uneventfully, with little major to talk about. Miners mined, craftdwarves crafted, etc. Quickly though, the news was reported that the miners had finally struck magma. New plans were immediately drawn up for new work down in the depths.
Soon after this, a migrant party of 6 dwarves arrived. They were not all useful, but one in particular stood out. A former soldier with several kills and master-level skills in weaponsmithing, armorsmithing, and metalsmithing. As he eclipsed all of the current metalworkers in all areas, he alone now rules the forge, and the others have been either reassigned, or are now furnace operators.
Aside from the migrants, the summer passed well, if uneventfuly. The outdoor defense's 1st level was completed, and I will leave any further work to later overseers. On that happy note the summer mostly ended, with a few other actions to minor to note.
Very early in the fall, the dwarven caravan arrived. I was exited to trade with them, as we had been making trade goods for a while and were prepared to get some goods. I was quite surprised, however, when I looked at what the caravans brought, and breifly fantasized about punishment of the former overseer by dropping him in the magma sea, but restrained myself, as, despite his lunacy and poor oversight, he is quite a skilled carpenter, and regularly produces masterworks. Apparently the fool had ordered so much meat, all the wagons had room for was several wagons full of meat, and 3 barrels of booze. It was a totally wasted caravan! No leather, no cloth, no animals (alive ones at least), no metal, crap, the elves brought better things than this. I ordered a mild variety of things from the caravan for next year, including more dogs, as our current ones have not been breeding and we need more than two, then totally ignored the caravan for the rest of it's visit, and got back down to business.
Soon after, I received several reports of problems in the smithing area, cancellations, etc, due to a shortage of fuel. In response, I had a second wood-burner's furnace erected, a new wood burner assigned, and more trees designated to be chopped.
Near the surface, Looking at our agricultural state, I decided to have several new farming patches dug out. Some were tilled, but I ordered none of them actually planted, as I know little about agriculture aside from telling the farmers to keep growing plump helmets, so I will leave that for some latter overseer. At the same time, I had a spot dug out, disturbed, then covered with grates in the fire clay the farms grow in. That can serve as a permanent clay gathering area, for when we start up a pottery industry.
After a small lull in activity, I was informed that my orders had been complete and all of the new bedrooms now had a bed, door, cabinet, and coffer. This was good news, showing the diligent work of our masons. They have not been smoothed yet, let alone engraved, but one step at a time, and I will leave that step to someone elce, who has such an inclination.
It is my sorrow to report the 1st dwarven death at the settlement. Uppon leaving, the caravan was set upon by Giant Capybarras. One of their guards was slain, but all of the merchants and their animals escaped. In revenge, I ordered the militia to attack the capybarras, with their iron axes and newly forged full sets of bronze armor, made by our new master armor smith. The operation was a complete success, with all of the capybarras killed, and no injuries among the soldiers. I have to wonder what was wrong with that caravan guard that he managed to be killed by them, while the guard ended them with ease. No matter, the catacombs were begun, and a single coffin was ordered, constructed, placed, then filled for the fallen dwarf.
In the dwarves recovering the body and other outdoors jobs, I noticed that they were walking right through the moat, so I decided it needed some attention. It was not even a 3rd full, even after having been opened several months back. Looking at the original miner's plans, I saw that at the source of the water there were 3 spots to neutralize water pressure. As there was yet another underground to prevent the well from overflowing, I decided to remove these to get the water flowing better, and ordered the miners to get on it with high priority. I also posted that the moat was a restricted zone, and only to go in it if ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, and then only for the shortest time possible.
A few days latter, migrants arrived, 11 of them, among them a great gem setter, and a great weapon smith, and only a few children. Sadly for the smith, he became a hauler, as the previous arrival had been at the same level upon arrival, but was now even better. He is now a hauler, but if something should happen to the current smith, he is still ready to step in. With the new immigrants, the housing wing was totally filled, but everyone except 2 children had rooms of their own. I ordered a whole new wing dug out and the furnishings constructed, to house those children and any future arrivals.
Soon after, a child was overcome by a secretive mood, and claimed a crafts workshop, then went to get wood. Great, a two year old child who will have a virtually useless legendary skill that cant even work for another 10 years, if she survives that long. Perfect. That is, if she doesn't go crazy in the time it takes her tiny body to haul two logs that are much bigger than her to the workshop.
Well, she managed those logs, then asked for cut gems. I ordered the gem setter to start learning to cut the gems too, and he complied. She took the 1st gem he cut, and started. I short while latter she produced a wooden ear ring. How nice. Now, go toss it in the magma and learn a real skill kid. I had enough tact to not say that however.
Down in the depths, the pump was complete, made out of iron and gabbro, and we now have a system of isolated magma. The breach was sealed over, and we are now totally insulated from the magma sea once more, but with some magma accessible now. Work has been ordered down there for new rooms, food stockpile, and a dining room for the smiths, and eventually for the potters, who will use magma kilns. The 1st workshops have been constructed using magma, and the stockpiles are ordered moved down. It is a long job, but it will keep the people busy.
End of Fall