Excerpts from the journal of Lotu Sizzlediron, expedition leader.01 Limestone 81Those turkeys were a good investment, 24 just matured enough to harvest for leather. That should keep Olon happy for a while.
02 Limestone 81Since the aquifer is now draining faster than it is filling, I’ve ordered the upper pump and its drainage system dismantled.
07 Limestone 81Olon is insisting that we hold a Turkey Slaughter Festival. He’s been displaying his new cloak design to anyone who’ll stop for five seconds. I have to admit, it’s one of his best works yet.
10 Limestone 81On the tenth day of Limestone, Armok gave to me, 10 adult turkeys…. That gives me an idea for a poem…
13 Limestone 81
The quota collectors have been spotted in the distance, and we’re short 25 windows. This is going to be bad. I ordered the balance of the quota moved, and went to talk to Spriggans, Mebzuth and Mestthos.
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Spriggans was Lotu’s first stop, and he found her in the common area, easily enough. “Spriggans, I know you’re a relatively new mother and all, but the caravan’s been spotted and we don’t have enough windows.”
She glared. “Yer ‘spectin’ me ter give up mah time wif mah baby jes’ so tha’ prick can have
windows?” She spit out the last word viciously.
Lotu winced. “Yes.”
“Fuck off.”
I hate conflict. I really hate conflict. “Look, I haven’t been pushing you, have I? You’ve been taking...how much? At least 1 day every four for yourself. All I’m asking –“ at her look he corrected, “all right,
telling, you to do is work for a couple of weeks so the glassmakers have a chance to finish.”
Spriggans stubbornly continued to feed baby Lokum.
“If it doesn’t get done, what do you want to bet
somebody is going to ask for someone
else’s head on a platter?”
A fulminating glare later, Spriggans gathered up baby, food and beer and stalked out of the room.
Lotu sighed.
Why can’t they just get the jobs done before I have to get on their asses?He found the two glassmakers hanging out in the brewery, carefully evaluating Ral’s latest brew. “Lotu.” The dwarves nodded in greeting.
“Listen guys, I’ve been lenient all year, but the traders are coming and we’re short windows. You need to get back to work. Now!”
Unperturbed, Mebzuth shrugged. “There’s no charcoal.”
“That’s why Spriggans was my first stop. She’s making some for you as we speak.”
“Have you tried Ral’s –“ Mebzuth started.
“You can take it with you. But if you’re not back in your respective glassworks by the time I’ve had my taste, I swear I’m going to have Imic chain you to them!”
Mebzuth and Mestthos looked at each other, then Lotu, then back at each other. Picking up their half-empty mugs, they scurried out the door.
Lotu lowered his head to his hands.
Why me?Well out of earshot, Mestthos murmured, “What gotten into him? He’s usually so easy-going and reasonable?”
Mebzuth shrugged. “Mebbe we need a new leader. The stress is clearly too much for poor Lotu.”
“Any ideas for who?”
Mebzuth shrugged. “Let’s think on’t.”
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Excerpts from the journal of Lotu Sizzlediron, expedition leader.15 Limestone 81
That means it’s time for…
Maybe Bomrek’s been replaced? No, of course not. That would be too easy.
And all of those groups are well south of us, so who cares. I’ve updated our map of the southern region:
OOC: The four labeled in black are the forts/outposts controlled by the four groups mentioned. Olin Fatheroils is the mayor of Bodicewheels.Olin Fatheroils…the name didn’t ring a bell. And Echoworked didn’t have any details.
Moving on.
I requested mine carts, since we don’t have time to build them, and both Airith and Dr. Urist have been making noises about “highly inefficient hauling practices”. Apparently, mine carts are necessary for efficiency, at least according to Dr. Urist.
Dr. Urist also gave me a list. Unfortunately, it was written in such apparent excitement (or at the last minute) that I found it impossible to decipher other than something that looked like “venchor”. Venom? Ichor? From what? I ordered a little bit of all of the extracts, just in case. Except milk. I don’t think she would have any use for milk.
OOC: Yes, I know none of the above can actually be used in-game at the moment.I debated ordering leather, but the turkeys and dogs are producing well, so I added thread to the list and called it good.
And, the moment I had been dreading had arrived.
And Swordgangs has three new additions, so we need to provide for 53 dwarves now. Lovely.
Huh. Except for the maces, this actually looks doable without too much effort. Now…how to get 53 maces? I suppose NCommander could be assigned to smith them, but I hate using our steel for that.
I need some inspiration.
02 Sandstone 81The Barricade of Fortresses was no help. I still don't know what to do about the maces. But there's a letter from the Royal Cheesemaker sitting on my desk. I guess I'd better see what King Dodok has to say.
This is an exceptionally-crafted sheet of vellum. It is decorated with spikes of draltha bone and pig leather. It is embossed with a masterfully-crafted image of a dwarf and dwarves in wax. The dwarves are raising the dwarf. The image relates to the ascension of Dodok Charmedmirrors to the position of King of the Figure of Diving in the year 1. This image is the personal seal of the king.
Attention: Lotu Sizzlediron
I am pleased with Finderboards’s success in completing the shipment to Swordgangs in 81, especially given your previous failures. I knew that pointing out your previous dereliction would have results. I anticipate seeing you continue in this vein.
Signed: His Majesty by the Grace of Armok, King Dodok Charmedmirrors, CheesemakerGreat.
10 Sandstone 81
I guess it’s time to go over the quota, and make sure it’s all there.
In return, the traders left 8 bars of weapons-grade metal, all of their thread, 2 -maces- and some random cloth.
Before trade: After trade:
15 Sandstone 81By the time the merchants left, we were 15 windows short
I tried to explain to Echoworked about the false summer alarm, and how difficult it is to produce charcoal. He just looked at me disbelievingly. “If you’d gotten to magma, there would have been no problem.” He said. I showed him the aquifer, but he just kept in that vein. “Real dwarves can pierce an aquifer in a season.” I got the message. He thinks we’re slackers. I hope his grandchildren will be able to knock some sense into his thick skull before he leaves.
16 Sandstone 81The plan of for the new quota is fairly straightforward.
I ordered all the thread for next year’s quota set aside and forbade anyone, especially Sodel, from touching it. I did the same with the necessary leather. Olon wasn’t happy, but the turkeys should make up the difference and keep him happy.
I forbade the meat barrel in the food stockpile, and getting the last few meals-worth will be easy. We’ll be living on fish for a while.
The plants are already done, as are the seeds. Lorbam is overjoyed at finding a use for the peach pits, pecans, cashews and various other tree seeds that have been accumulating over the last several years.
Lorbam reports only 539 pairs of shoes and socks. Somehow, I
think that may be enough. Yeah. I need to go thank Olon and Sodel for cranking them out in their spare time.
We have all the toys we need, but I’m going to order some more made anyway. The last thing anyone wants is a tantruming child who’s lost their favorite toy.
Past experience tells me that we need to make at least triple the crowns and rings we need, since the nicest ones tend to stay here. Hmmm, could I put in a special request…?
The maces are the problem. We have 16 weapons-grade bars, which would bring the total up to 18. Imic’s going to scream at having his armor being put off yet again. I’ll have NCommander start with the non-steel bars. Maybe I’ll come up with something before she has to use up our hard-come-by steel?
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18 Sandstone 81An indistinct yell pinged on Lotu’s ear as he struggled with the clay for the wall. Gradually the shriek resolved into a single word, as the dwarf raced down the levels. “Lotu!”
Lotu cursed as the clay boulder barely missed his toe, thudding into the water next to where it was supposed to go. “What!”
NCommander splashed into the shallow water. “How dare you!”
What did I do? Having learned some self-preservation after his marriage, he wisely refrained from voicing the question, and instead waiting expectantly.
NCommander splashed up to him and jabbed her finger into his sternum. “You ordered the new dogs killed! How dare you? You know I’m supposed to train them!”
Oh. That.“Well, you haven’t had time to train them, and we’re starting to get overrun with them. You have, what 20? No, 24 war animals following you right now, do you really need more?”
“Yes! I won’t be satisfied until every dwarf has at least one war animal.”
Lotu studied the milling pack. “Then start by assigning these, before adding more to the problem.”
“Gah!” NCommander clenched her fists. “Don’t. Butcher. The. Dogs!”
Lotu crossed his arms across his chest, and tried for a conciliatory tone. “Look, I’m not stopping you from training any that you want. But any that don’t get trained will get sent to the butcher’s. One way or another, they’ll be useful.”
Clearly, Lotu wasn’t going to countermand his orders. With one last wordless shriek of outrage, NCommander spun around and stalked away in a huff.
You can’t stop me from training them anyway, Lotu! And you can bet someone else would be more respectful of my requests. Especially when this isn’t the first time I’ve brought it up!______________________________________________________________________________
Excerpts from the journal of Lotu Sizzlediron, expedition leader.21 Sandstone 81Lorbam and I decided that 500 crowns and 1000 rings should be enough to cover both our wants and Bomrek’s needs. We probably won’t be able to make all of them this year, but it should give us enough unclaimed to ship with the quota next year. And I’ve put in a special request with Mebzuth, after promising not to hound him about work this year. That’ll be an easy promise to keep, given that the only glass we need is for our own purposes. No deadlines!
Edzul was really happy about returning to the ashery. Apparently, potash making is his highest skill, and he was feeling dejected after not using it since Bomrek’s clear glass obsession. I’m glad I made somebody happy, that’s rare these days.
I moved Mestthos over to help Spriggans, since we need to burn a lot of wood to make ash for Edzul and charcoal for Mebzuth. For Mestthos, she seems doomed to always be an apprentice. I’ll have to see what I can shift her to as a permanent job.
Airith has ensconced herself back in her masonry. She’s supposed to be finalizing the plans for the next level of the aquifer, but she’s been mentioning other “projects”. I suppose she’ll tell me when she’s ready.
I’ve declared a short vacation period until the end of the month for the 1st and 2nd shifts, as a reward for all of our hard work during the past year. The first two rounds of drinks were on me, we deserve them. It’s amazing how much happier people got when that announcement made the rounds.
26 Sandstone 81Apparently Fatheroils has a very widespread reputation. Echoworked made a point of informing his children, and they rapidly spread the news to everyone else. The mood of the fort is
vengeful, to say the least. Only Airith, Edzul and Udil seem to be exempt. For Edzul and Udil, barely out of childhood, I suppose that is understandable. But what is Airith focusing on, that she doesn’t seem aware of the main source of conversation these days?
The stories others have told, of children dumped in magma, nobles used as titan bait, civilians forced to train against fully armed goblins…somehow each tale is more horrifying than the last.
But as long as they’re focusing on him, my friends aren’t worrying about our incomplete quota. 15 windows. How important are 15 windows, really? And then I remember Urist Addlepated, with his spear made of pear wood instead of sand pear wood.
We. Are. So. Screwed.
01 Timber 813rd shift is celebrating their first true vacation in a year. May they enjoy it, I have a couple of
bots of wall left to dig.
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02 Timber 81Imic wandered northeast.
This is boring. Where are Bomrek’s spies? Dodok’s informers? And Lotu keeps pushing off my armor. It’s more important than some maces, dagnabbit!A sudden rustling in the bushes jerked him from his thoughts, just in time to hear a howling shriek as a monitor lizard came trundling down toward him.
Imic dodged left, hacking with his battle axe as he went. The sharp blade struck the lizard’s right rear leg with a spurt of blood. Swinging the axe around in an arc, he struck the belly. Pulling back, he realized the axe had gotten stuck.
Screaming in pain, the lizard struck out, but missed the twisting dwarf. Punching the lizard’s snout, Imic wrestled the axe blade out of the deep gash.
As the lizard twisted in renewed fury, Imic swung the axe again, and this time the blade bit deep into the tail, only to get stuck a second time as the lizard writhed. A second vicious punch to the head freed the axe once again.
Ducking and dodging the lizard’s increasingly erratic attacks, Imic proceeded to methodically remove each of the four legs with some well-placed strikes, then chopped off the tongue, causing it to fly off into the distance in an arc. With the monitor lizard finally incapacitated, the dwarf aimed a neat, precise strike to the neck, ending the battle.
Imic didn’t have so much as a bruise.
Hah, take that, Mooney! Who has the most impressive kill list now, huh?______________________________________________________________________________
Excerpts from the journal of Lotu Sizzlediron, expedition leader.11 Timber 81I knocked down that last wall today. This aquifer level is done! Only another god-knows-how-many to go. But it looks like Airith’s plans for the next ones will go much more quickly, with much less drowning.
Well, I might as well get set up, starting with the rest of the retaining walls.
18 Timber 81Now to start channeling.
23 Timber 81Time to set up the first pumps.
25 Timber 81It’s going to take Airith a while to build the pumps, so I’m going to go work on my poetry.
NCommander really shows promise as a poet. Everyone in the common room listened with interest and seemed to enjoy it. I can learn something from her.
28 Timber 81Winter is around the corner, and our production numbers look good.
Except for the maces. Does Bomrek always
have to choose
one thing that’s virtually impossible to produce?
Current character list:
Olin (Lyra) Coppertargets (carpenter) -> Lyra (alive)
Catten Fencedlearned (bowyer) (alive)
Zutthan Paddledact (thresher/spinner/shearer) (alive)
Lorbam Clawdike (bookkeeper/manager/woodcrafter) (alive)
Minkot Bannerthrone (planter) (alive)
Mebzuth Cudgelleaves (glassmaker) (alive)
Ast (Lotu) Sizzlediron (miner)-> Dame de la Licorne (alive)
Kadol (Airith) Helmflashed (architect/mason) -> TheImmortalRyukan (alive)
Sodel Stockadecharmed (weaver/clothier) (alive)
Erib Razordrinkers (butcher/tanner/planter) (alive)
Logem Laborgirders (gem cutter/woodcrafter) (alive)
Olon Worshipglazed (leatherworker) (alive)
Ushrir (NCommander) Anvildimples (woodcrafter/animal trainer) -> NCommander (alive)
Vutok (Spriggans) Pleatsteels (wood burner) -> Spriggans (alive)
Ral Scalemerchant (brewer) (alive)
Uvash Toolsport (carpenter) (alive)
Mestthos Stafftown (furnace operator/papermaker) (alive)
Edzul Lanternnotched (cook) (alive)
Kogsak (Imic) Stokerblocked (axedwarf/woodcutter) -> Imic (alive)
Lokum Weaksilvers (hammer->axedwarf/woodcutter) (alive)
Udil Roomrouts (axedwarf/woodcutter) (alive)
Likot (Mooney) Tongsgirder (marksdwarf/herbalist) -> MoonyTheHuman (alive)
Besmar Minepink (marksdwarf/herbalist) (alive)
Ustuth Shieldfences (marksdwarf/herbalist) (alive)
Urist (Dr. Urist) Drilledhatchet (doctor/engineer) -> Gwolfski (alive)
Nil Goldenname (child) (alive)
Medtob Boatsmessiah (child) (alive)
Id Craftcrabs (child) (alive)
Tobul Cloisteredmoistened (child) (alive)
Litast Citystorm (child) (alive)
Solon Pageletter (child) (alive)
Stodir Hallesteems (child) (alive)
Endok Boltprairies (child) (alive)
Datan Paddledclutches (child) (alive)
Thikut Doorpattern (child) (alive)
Endok Glacierpaddle (child) (alive)
Rovod Claspedlearns (child) (alive)
Goden Keytooth (baby) (alive)
Litast Factionmountains (baby) (alive)
Avuz Loverknife (baby) (alive)
Lokum Tangledattics (baby) (alive)
Tayldis (kobold thief)
Logem Echoworked (outpost liaison)
Dodok Charmedmirror (king)
Bomrek Whiptrailed (Swordgangs leader)
Meng Baldarrow (Swordgangs trader/Bomrek’s assistant)
Dastot Brimsrelics (dwarven caravan lead trader)
The Unknown (Dastot’s boss?)
Edits: Gah, typos!
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