Excerpts from the journal of Lotu Sizzlediron, expedition leader.01 Granite 88The new year ushers in death, as it often does. We’ve lost our only remaining giant weasel and giant squirrel, and our very first giant mole. Fortunately, the mole produced a litter of pups before she died, so we still have our breeding group. But the others…Sigun has a point about actively trapping trainable critters.
03 Granite 88We’ve finished building out floors for the upper stockpiles associated with the first minecart system.
All that’s left is to replace the remaining temporary clay loam walls with permanent cobaltite block ones.
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07 Granite 88Kifino walked through the jungle, studying the walls of the safe haven they had traveled so far to find. While he mourned the trees that had sacrificed their lives to build the walls, there were clear signs that the Trampled Rampart was in the process of replacing them with stone.
At least they’re trying to minimize their wood use. That’s a good sign.He turned to run an eye over the straggling group following on his heels.
But in the end, it doesn’t matter. We’ve traveled half the world, and this seems to be the only place free of demonic influence.Reaching the bridge, he greeted the axedwarf on guard duty.
“H’lo.” The dwarf responded. “Wha’cha doin’ ‘ere?”
“We’ve come to perform our songs, stories, and dances. We’d like to stay a while, it’s been a long road.”
Rigòth shrugged. “Th’ tavern’s on th’ second floor of the stone tower. Jus’ after ye pass th’ depot.”
Kifino nodded. “And the…expedition leader?”
“Prob’bly diggin’ somewheres. Try th’ pasture areas firs’. Down th’ ramps un’er th’ tavern. Sand level, head north. If'n ye get los', ask fer Lotu.”
“My thanks.” With a slight bow, Kifino waved his troupe along.
Reaching the central stone tower Rigòth had indicated, Kifino paused a moment to look around. There was a variety of animals, all mingling peacefully together, and several dwarves working madly.
This group is quite…industrious. How different.“Wait for me here. I shouldn’t be long.” As he spoke, he stepped on the first downward ramp. Walking briskly, he reached the sand level. Fortunately, the Trampled Rampart also believed in wide, straight avenues, and one stretched in each of the cardinal directions. Remembering Rigòth’s instructions, Kifino took the northern passageway, but had to stop for directions once it dead-ended at an empty room with a few beds scattered about. Eventually he found his objective, wielding a pick against the sand walls, as predicted.
“Yeah?” Lotu asked absent-mindedly.
“My traveling companions and I would like to stay, if we may.”
Traveling companions? As in…plural? “How many of you are there?”
Kifino swallowed. This was often the problematic point. “Eleven total. Myself, four other elves, four humans, a dwarf from the Corridor of Mastery, and…a goblin.”
The last word came out very quietly. There weren’t very many settlements that welcomed goblins.
Lotu didn’t seem to notice. “And you all want to reside
here?” His index finger jabbed downward.
Kifino nodded. At least they hadn’t been turned down flat. Yet.
Lotu’s mind was racing.
Eleven of them. In two years…that’ll be a lot of extra hands that we can use… He started nodding. “Yeah, sure. Stick around.”
Kifino strode quickly away, eager to share the good news with his troupe. “We can stay!”
No sooner were the words out of his mouth, than the most raggedly-dressed raced full tilt down the Central Spire to the stockpiles. Diving into the bins they started pulling out very-well-made dwarven clothing, and rapidly discarded their tattered rags to don dresses, trousers, gloves, socks and hoods instead.
One of the dwarves swooped down on the discarded pieces of fabric, tut-tutting as he tossed them willy-nilly into one of the bins, saying something that sounded like “Bomrek will appreciate this.”
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Excerpts from the journal of Lotu Sizzlediron, expedition leader.10 Granite 88Sahthet is ready to get to work.
Since her only useful skill is hammering, I’ve sent her over to the military, to join Sky’s squad.
13 Granite 88I’ve ordered all of the worn silk clothes discarded by our recent petitioners sent over, as well as some more of the glass windows that have been lying around ever since Dastot’s final over-hasty departure.
15 Granite 88We are now the proud owners of a giant wombat, a couple of female snapping turtles, another koala and another spider monkey. Unfortunately, none of the new animals have completed any breeding pairs, but the snapping turtles and wombat are brand-new additions to the menagerie.
Before Trade: After Trade:
19 Granite 88I’ve assigned Id to metal-crafting and started her on chains and buckets. Tobul has been given job of training as a swordsdwarf with Geño, but his first job will be to forge his very own short sword out of iron, since we have no steel at the moment. He has asked to be called Neo now.
02 Slate 88He claims to be a pretty decent clothier, so he’s been sent to give Sodel a hand harvesting and weaving silk webs.
05 Slate 88Both Oda and Sath came to ask for citizenship
Oda’s been assigned to making quires for the library, using Tun’s paper, while Sath was put to work helping Nil engrave all of the stone floors Ingish and I have dug out.
06 Slate 88His only skill is military, so I’ve asked Imic to give him a speardwarf squad. He’s currently training with Rigòth Dikepages and the lasher Gel.
12 Slate 88His highest skill is animal caretaker…and his second is spearman. I sent him over to Imic, too, to join the speardwarf squad.
And I hope that’s the last one for a while. I have better things to do than to keep meeting with petitioners!
13 Slate 88Up on the ramparts, Ustuth saw them first. The trio moved purposefully toward Tayldis Bridge. A ranger accompanied by two civilians. I thought that was odd. Most visitors don’t arrive with an escort.
It turns out, they weren’t visitors. The civilians are cousins of Erib and Rith, from Clan B. The ranger is actually Mafol’s wife, Kol. They’ve been separated for years, as they each wandered the world. There were some tears when the reunion took place. And Mafol now can’t stop smiling as he trains with the rest of the Helmed Anvils.
With Kol’s arrival, we have seven marksdwarves, enough for two squads, according to Mooney. He’s named the new squad “The Oracular Golds”, and placed Besmar in command, as the most senior member of the original squad.
Atîs is an experienced potter, so that will open up another avenue of production. Solon has no real experience with anything useful, so she’s been assigned to shear so that Sarvesh can focus on spinning all of the hair littering Erib’s butchery.
And they’ve also brought news from the south.
Why hasn’t Echoworked said anything? At any rate, I’ve updated our southern map with their estimates of the goblins’ positions.
Hmm…judging from the spread, we may actually start getting refugees. Fortunately, we have plenty of bedrooms dug out, they just need to be smoothed.
15 Slate 88Neo has had a trial by fire. While on guard duty in the caverns, he had spied seemingly easy prey, and charged the troglodyte. But the latter slipped back, and back, and back, until Neo had been drawn out of support range of Geño. Then, the hidden trio attacked.
Fortunately, Geño heard his cries of shock and fear, and came charging to her young captain’s rescue, Us hard on her heals.
Together, the two humans fought off the creatures, saving Neo’s life, but not before Neo suffered serious injuries that have forced his withdrawal to Dr. Urist’s new-and-improved hospital room.
18 Slate 88We’re about to add a giant bat to the growing zoo. The cage traps have also caught two gorlaks. Wonderful, another kind of untameable creature. That prison pit idea is gaining ground.
22 Slate 88The new pasture now has enough cave growth to support a herd. Since the water buffalo herd is the biggest of the three, we’re moving it into the new space.
04 Felsite 88Progress on the second corner of the moat continues.
09 Felsite 88But Sodel’s youngest is still years away from being useful.
16 Felsite 88A cave crocodile importuned Rith and Idur this afternoon. They were really punching away at it when Ino arrived and dispatched it with a couple of well-placed blows of her war hammer to its head. But while they were dealing with the creature, Catten managed to run afoul of its teeth. It bit her in the right foot, tearing it through her leather shoe. Lorbam is currently helping her back to the hospital, for Dr. Urist to attend to.
And in the midst of all of the excitement, Zefon’s name-day passed almost unnoticed.
20 Feliste 88By the time Dr. Urist got around to treating Catten, the wounds had gotten infected. And Neo appears to be walking around with an infection, too.
Infections. The one thing doctors are incapable of treating. Great. Where am I going to put the graveyard?
24 Felsite 88Catten’s other injuries were less serious than we feared.
Once she received a crutch, Catten was back up and hobbling straight for the nearest keg.
26 Feliste 88And now we’ve caught a helmet snake. Slowly, slowly we make progress on our various quotas.
28 Felsite 88We’ll be able to make up the fish numbers from the humans, but Akrul discovered our “perfidy” in refusing to make iron anvils. I’ve had to promise her that we’ll send the bars for Swordgangs to make any for which we come up short. I still refuse to make them ourselves, however. There are other, better things we can spend our time and iron on. And the humans always bring some anvils, which will cut into the number of bars we’ll need to send.
Current character list:
Catten Fencedlearned (bowyer) (alive)
Olon Worshipglazed (leatherworker) (alive)
Logem Laborgirders (gem cutter/woodcrafter) (alive)
Zutthan Paddledact (thresher/spinner/shearer) (alive)
Udil Lockedringed (planter/poet) (alive)
+4 unclaimed kids
Sodel Stockadecharmed (weaver/clothier) (alive)
Erib Razordrinkers (butcher) (alive)
Atîs Burialpick (potter) (alive)
Solon Golddearth (shearer) (alive)
+2 unclaimed kids
Aban Ransackedmansions (carpenter) (alive)
Another (mason) -> ☼Another☼ (alive)
Rith Vesselglaze (bone carver) (alive)
Sarvesh Mirrorsling (spinner) (alive)
Spriggans (wood burner) -> Spriggans (alive)
Ingish Blockadesound (miner) (alive)
Id Craftcrabs (metalcrafter) (alive)
+4 unclaimed kids
Mebzuth Cudgelleaves (glassmaker) (alive)
Minkot Bannerthrone (planter) (alive)
+1 unclaimed kid
Uvash Toolsport (carpenter) (alive)
Mestthos Stafftown (furnace operator/blacksmith) (alive)
+4 unclaimed kids
Ral Scalemerchant (brewer/cook) (alive)
Nil Goldenname (engraver) (alive)
+1 unclaimed kid
Lorbam Clawdike (bookkeeper/manager/woodcrafter) (alive)
Edzul Lanternnotched (potash maker) (alive)
Vucar Labordrinker (mason/poet) (alive)
Feb Blockadeunion (tanner) (alive)
Sigun Pulledroof (animal trainer) (alive)
+1 unclaimed kid
Dr. Urist (doctor/engineer) -> Gwolfski (alive)
Tun Staffpacked (fish cleaner) (alive)
Lotu (miner)-> Dame de la Licorne (alive)
Airith (architect/mason) -> TheImmortalRyukan (alive)
Ryukan (child) -> TheImmortalRyukan (alive)
NCommander (woodcrafter/animal trainer/weaponsmith) -> NCommander (alive)
Bob (child) -> Timeless Bob (alive)
+2 unclaimed kids
Lyra (carpenter) -> Lyra (alive)
+1 unclaimed kid
Imic (axedwarf/woodcutter/Clan Y) -> Imic (alive)
Udil Roomrouts (axedwarf/woodcutter/Clan C) (alive)
Rigòth Tinchant (axedwarf/woodcutter/ Clan C) (alive)
Cawcul Polishedautumns (human axeman/woodcutter) (alive)
Xetan Anguishedgarnished (human axeman/mercenary) (alive)
Mooney (marksdwarf/herbalist/Clan Z) -> MoonyTheHuman (alive)
Ustuth Shieldfences (marksdwarf/herbalist/Clan G) (alive)
Orda Sizzledbulbs (marksman/herbalist) (alive)
Kol Cheerfulgates (marksdwarf/herbalist/Clan F) (alive)
Sky (hammerdwarf/Clan C) -> Skyclimber (alive)
Ino Talllistens (hammerwoman/mercenary) (alive)
Mafol Appearedrocks (hammerdwarf/Clan F) (alive)
Sahthet Helpedcages (hammerwoman) (alive)
Neo (swordsdwarf/Clan B) -> Neo1096 (alive)
Geño Oracleclimax (human swordswoman/mercenary) (alive)
Masami Fangbases (spearelf) (alive)
Rigòth Dikepage (speardwarf/mercenary/Clan C) (alive)
Cequova Glimmeredfield (spearelf) (alive)
Gel Hoofshower (human lasher/mercenary) (alive)
Besmar Minepink (marksdwarf/herbalist/Clan F) (alive)
Towhot Wavyhollow (marksman/herbalist) (alive)
Medtob Boatsmessiah (marksdwarf/herbalist/Clan F) (alive)
Akrul Glazeletter (manager) (alive)
Us Authoredglazed (human fish cleaner) (alive)
Idur Skunkpartners (human fisherman) (alive)
Rith Castlemoistness (fisherdwarf) (alive)
Ciko Clangorges (human milker/cheesemaker) (alive)
Idla Rhymedfathers (human fish cleaner) (allive)
Sath Violentcrescent (human engraver) (alive)
Lulo Breachbeaches (elf weaver) (alive)
Oda Praiselake (elf bookbinder) (alive)
Momuz Tradevault (dwarf poet) (alive)
Perad Faithrumor (human poet) (alive)
Kivish Bentglazes (dwarf bard/Clan K) (alive)
Limul Dangledtorch (dwarf bard/Clan E) (alive)
Cata Owlpears (elf poet) (alive)
Ithithí Seedseared (elf poet) (alive)
Iru Naturecried (elf dancer) (alive)
Arstruk Hexlength (goblin dancer) (alive)
Cuthroz Factioncobalt (human dancer) (alive)
Kifino Boarvales (elf poet) (alive)
Lolama Momentdeer (elf poet) (alive)
Someg Churchglimmers (human poet) (alive)
Ustres Judgebreakfast (human poet) (alive)
Ral Tongsspire (dwarf poet) (alive)
Gido Beachdoctrine (human poet) (alive)
Tayldis (kobold thief) (dead, cause of death: elf, d.81)
Logem Echoworked (outpost liaison) (alive)
Dodók Charmedmirror (king) (alive)
Doren Geniusnet (queen consort) (alive)
Bomrek Whiptrailed (Swordgangs leader) (alive)
Meng Baldarrow (Swordgangs trader/Bomrek’s assistant) (alive)
Dastot Brimsrelics (dwarven caravan lead trader) (dead, cause of death: dwarven hammering, d. 83)
Atîs Lashedround (dwarven caravan lead trader) (alive)
The Master (alive)
All of our deities and their spheres (counting only those from long-term residents & citizens, not visitors):
Dwarven:
útost Inkygray (útost Likotbel) -> minerals & jewels; 20 worshippers (including Neo)
Urdim the Barricade of Fortresses (Urdim Tholtig Geshud) -> fortresses (duh?); 6 worshippers (including Lotu & Ryukan)
The Barricaded Silks (Tholtignesteth) -> mountains, volcanoes, fire, metals, crafts; 11 worshippers
Legon Gildvault (Legon Oltarubbul) -> wealth & trade; 6 worshippers (including NCommander & Bob)
Gorroth the Ferocious Avalanche (Gorroth Nidòstmoldath) -> chaos; 5 worshippers (including Dr. Urist)
The Tenebrous Glosses (Golastigest) -> inspiration & painting; 5 worshippers (including Airith & Ryukan)
Robek -> nightmares & the night; 27 worshippers (including Neo)
Usen the Good of Trust (Usen Eshon Gamil) -> truth; 6 worshippers (including Lyra)
Lisig -> the seasons; 6 worshippers (including Neo)
The Book of Insight (Thîkut Lûk) -> wisdom; 19 worshippers (including Imic, Mooney & Neo)
Ral -> wealth; 1 worshipper
Human:
Luth -> music, food, agriculture, the rain, nature; 1 worshipper
Upur Vinewasps (Upur Giligadoc) -> fish & rivers; 1 worshipper
Gili -> fishing & hunting; 1 worshipper
Acath -> writing & scholarship; 1 worshipper
Radir Thimblemuffins the Abyss of Snuggling -> festivals, music, the moon; 1 worshipper
Kas -> order & disease; 1 worshipper
Rakbin Glimmeredwisps the Intricacy of Wonder (Rakbin Enerulet Naspa Ashi) -> beauty, fishing, fish, lakes; 1 worshipper
Gogol Cankerfroths -> deformity & disease; 1 worshipper
Upu -> birth, pregnancy, family; 1 worshipper
Athrab -> dance; 1 worshipper
Dana the Blameless Worth -> charity; 1 worshipper
Lekla the Patterened Law -> order; 1 worshipper
The Lustful Fist (Slekac) -> valor & muck; 1 worshipper
Vicu -> lust; 1 worshipper
Eno -> metals & crafts; 1 worshipper
Kenom -> creation; 1 worshipper
Xiza the Euphoric Sheen -> dance; 1 worshipper
Mata -> strength; 1 worshipper
Elven:
Aríle -> nature & rivers; 1 worshipper
Tise -> nature & rivers; 2 worshippers
Claimed Nonreligious: Sky, Another, Spriggans
Following are updated profiles for all claimed characters in the order in which they appear on the units list: