Partly due to distractions and trying to keep track of Armok-knows-how-many different things, there's nowhere near as many pictures as I'd like.
The Dwarf knelt before his superiors, eyes cast to the floor. He dared not look up to them, those mighty figures of adamantine robe and deathless flesh and bone. A single finger, dipped in rare pigments and blood, raised itself to him, drawing mystical marks upon his unworthy flesh. When they spoke, they spoke with the voice of Armok Himself: glorious and savage, mighty and terrible, beautiful and monstrous and unaccountably ancient all at once.
“By the Nine Blades of Armok, may you bring death to our foes. By the Eight Mines of Avuz, may your caverns be stable. By the Seven Seas of Mishos, may your water run freely. By the Six Crops of Ňs, may your farms bear fruit.”
The High Priestess’s followers repeated her words in a low chant as she moved from member to member, blessing each one with her holy presence and arcane symbols. Each one had been chosen by the priesthood for the foundation of a new fortress. The wagons had already been loaded with all the tools of the standard expeditions, and only the ritual blessings remained.
As the chants and blessings came to an end, the High Priestess stepped forwards and laid one cold, ancient hand upon his forehead. Her hooded face peered down at him, and he bent lower under the divine weight of her gaze. Through her, Armok looked, scrutinising his every move, his every breath, his every thought.
“Goblins have overrun many of our oldest fortresses, and taint our ancestral lands with their presence. The blasphemy of their existence can be tolerated no longer – go, found a fortress of flesh and steel, that we may drive their foul kind from our true homelands. In Armok’s Name, Strike the Earth!”
Her blessings complete, the High Priestess turned and marched back towards the altar. Her part in this endeavour was at an end, and she had to resume her duties as Armok’s mouthpiece to the Dwarves of the Mountainhome.
The Dwarves arose as one, about-facing and marching towards their wagon. None spoke; none needed to, for Armok alone would decide their success or their failure. Words would be meaningless before His will.
The wagon departed Shaligbesmar swiftly, passing between the great Statues of Armok and Ňs. The great carved faces of the two highest gods stared down upon the departing Dwarves, each aboard the wagon feeling the weight of divine purpose upon them.
The wagon pulled to a halt before atop the hill. The sacred sigils upon it were now naught but scratches, and the blessed food they had been given almost completely gone. They had reached their destination, nonetheless, pulling their wagon through the great forests before them and praying to Armok and Ňs to judge them kindly.
Ral Shodukgoden, Chosen of the Priesthood and leader of the expedition, leapt down from the wagon. His boots impacted the ground with a dulled thud, and his eyes flicked about as they took in the new terrain. The slopes were gentle, nothing like the near-vertical cliffs of the Mountainhome, and patches of ice and water dotted the ground.
It was here that a new fortress would begin. A name came to his mind: Eshtânezar. Smithsoldier. A good name, appropriate for its purpose.
Ral placed his hands into the mystical configuration the priests had taught him, and began to pray. “Holy Armok, great Ňs, abyssal Mishos, depthless Avuz, grant us your favour in this endeavour. May our works be yours, and may we prosper in your name.”
He turned, facing his fellows. With a roar, he cast his hands upwards. “Brothers! Sisters! In Armok’s Name, Strike the Earth!”
23rd GraniteWe have begun digging out our bedrooms – small cells, just like the Mountainhome’s. I have no doubt that the weaker Dwarves will grumble over it, but the Gods do not make us easy through kindness or comfort.
Farming is currently our greatest priority. If Ňs and Avuz favour us this day, we should have the farms up and running in short order. Their products will be used for drinks and meals, though it disgusts me to force such sustenance down my throat – it is impure, tainted by the vile reek of the Goblins that comes on every breeze. The sooner we are able to form a branch of the Priesthood to bless it, the better.
29th GraniteThe bedrooms and farm are complete. Mishos smiled upon us this day: there was no damp stone or soil as we dug into the earth, letting us set up our operations far more quickly than otherwise. I have commanded that plump helmets be the first crops we plant, to appease Ňs and provide us with a stable supply of food.
4th SlateTwo Carpenters workshops and two Mason’s Workshops are being dug out.
10th SlateTrade depot and finished goods stockpile under construction, mining has finished. Dining Hall, food stockpile, and Kitchens under construction, one level below the farm.
14th SlateRecalling the suggestions of our Mechanic, I have given the order to construct a garbage dump and accompanying bridge on the upper levels of the fortress. According to his rantings, this will allow us to perfectly destroy much of the Mudstone we have lying around, as well as the corpses the inevitable Goblin invasions shall leave behind. I have ordered him to prepare to mass-produce mechanisms in his workshop to aid us in this goal. One or two will be used for the bridge’s lever, and the rest are to be used for cage and stone fall traps. I can hear his deranged cackles from here, interspersed with prayers to the Machine God. Screwball.
19th SlateOur workshops have finished construction: two Masons, two Carpenters, and one Mechanic’s. Our Mason has been commanded to begin turning the mudstone into doors for our bedrooms, if only for the sake of privacy, while the Carpenter is at work building beds for us to sleep in. A tired Dwarf will be in no shape to worship, after all.
My compatriots have shown no signs of discontent thus far, but I believe it would be prudent to construct at least one Temple in the foreseeable future. The blessings of the Priesthood, or even the mere satiation of the Gods’ demands will help us mightily in the long years to come.
26th SlateAfter some effort by the Masons and other workers, our bedrooms have been fitted with their doors. Only a few beds so far, but the hard ground is enough of a bed for the truly faithful.
A kitchen, and accompanying food stockpile have been set up just below the farms, linked by a set of up-down stairs. These have in turn been linked to our soon-to-be dining room, though the sheer volume of work to be done seems to be slowing expansion down.
1st – 7th FelsiteThe bedrooms are finally complete! The Mason and Carpenter alike have finished their work, and both the doors and beds have been fitted to all extant rooms. I have immediately ordered the Mason (and their apprentice) to begin production of rock tables and thrones for the dining hall.
17th FelsiteOne of our Masons has created a masterwork mudstone table, claiming that our goddess of crafts guided his hand. Either way, I have commanded that it be placed in the main dining hall, along with the rest of those produced thus far. A still has also been put into construction, after I was informed of our booze supply beginning to falter.
The Mechanic informs me that he will have to suspend work on his ‘Dwarven Atom Smasher’, due to boulders blocking the construction site. He claims his mad construction can’t be completed until they are cleared from the site – to this end, I have ordered some of the offending stones to be unforbidden and removed from the site.
24th FelsiteI have given the command for four temples to be dug out and sanctified, down on the level with the bedrooms. While they are little more than shrines at the moment, the plans to smooth and engrave the stones of the temples, followed by the addition of statues and similar decorations honouring the Gods will soon solve that.
1st -7th HematiteSummer has arrived.
The Trade Depot has finally been constructed, in preparation for the first trade caravan from the Mountainhomes. Similarly, a manager and bookkeeper are to be appointed – in accordance with tradition, the same dwarf shall hold both positions. As it stands, we merely await the arrival of a suitable candidate, assuming the caravan does not outrun them.
The dining hall has been outfitted to a degree necessary to service our current Dwarves, though the smoothing and engravings are likely to be delayed for now. In a more military view, the command has been sent for traps to be produced. Fifteen, to be exact, all cage traps, all put in a solid line near the outer regions of our entrance.
9th HematiteWood, Gems, and Economic Stone stockpile designated on the crafts floor.
14th HematiteFood, Drink, Barrels stockpile designated near still and kitchens.
3rd – 6th MalachiteOur first wave of Migrants have arrived! A band of six, led by a Weaponsmith of some renown. According to this craftsdwarf, they consist of a Fisherdwarf, Fish Dissector, Butcher, Shearer, and Peasant – and allegedly, they were chosen and blessed in the same manner as us.
I have given the order to construct and outfit six new bedrooms, to accommodate these new brothers. The fisherdwarf and his assistant, having seen the lack of seas or fishable areas, have volunteered to focus their talents upon crafts and stonework, something I welcome with open arms. The butcher and shearer remain in their current roles, until the Gods give me a sign as to what I should do, or until some task crops up that requires many an unskilled body.
14th – 24nd MalachiteTwo Jewellers workshops constructed. Dining room has finished expansion, with the tables and chairs soon to be installed. Furnace construction has finally begun; the weaponsmith intends to forge iron weaponry from Hematite, to which I have given my blessing.
Orders for multiple easy meals and some booze made. Metalsmith’s forge and two wood burners under construction, plus the necessary smelter.
4th Galena “Are we all ready? Have the test items been loaded?”
“Yes, sir.”
The Mechanic half-cackled and rubbed his hands with glee, staring through the open doorway with undisguised relish. It was time to test his wondrous creation, the Dwarven Atom Smasher! Those fools back at the Mountainhome called it sacrilege, claimed that he was destroying parts of Avuz – Bah! They knew nothing of the benefits it could provide!
The Dwarves drew back, moving away from the soon-to-fall bridge. The minute the last one had returned and locked the door, the Mechanic sized the lever and yanked it down.
There was a great, low rumble, a sudden crash of a bridge’s fall, then silence. A second yank of the lever produced the low growl of mechanisms, the bridge raising back to its proper position. He flung the door to the test area open and openly cackled with delight at the sight that greeted him – the mudstone placed beneath the bridge was gone entirely, not even dust or pebbles remaining. He had succeeded!
11th-15th GalenaOrders given to engrave the walls of the quarters, to boost morale. 20 charcoal ordered to be produced, for purpose of smelting into Iron and preparing Military forces. Smoothing and engraving of shrines begins.
21st GalenaTwo new workshops designated for digging. Order sent for the Weaponsmith only to work in the smelter, smelting hematite for iron. He will soon be put to use creating weapons and armour. Metal stockpile begins to be dug out.
1st Limestone
Autumn has come.
13th -14th Limestone
Shaligbesmar’s caravans creaked down the slope into the fortress, the military dwarves escorting it marching in perfect lockstep. Armed heavily and bearing runic designs, they made for a fearsome sight as they marched into Smithsoldier’s Depot. Cramped and low-ceillinged though it may have been, it was no impediment to their charges.
The Dwarves of the fortress were at work in moments, swarming towards the finished goods stockpile just across the hall. Rings, sceptres, small statues – everything in the stockpile was swiftly lifted up and ferried over to the Depot, placed to the side in a neat little pile in preparation for trading.
The Broker emerged from his office nearby, marching towards the Trade Depot at speed. Despite his noble features and rich clothing, the Broker’s low origins still showed: his frame was hunched slightly, the result of long years of hauling, and his pallid face begrimed with rock and dust. The stiffness of his nod to the traders, the lack of formality in his posture - all of it spoke of a Peasant’s past.
“Where is the Outpost Liaison?” Ast Kilrudbarnum demanded. He was in no mood for pleasantries this day, and the response came swiftly.
“Dead, I am afraid. Some strange malady caused by tainted wine,” The lead trader shook his head, grim-faced beneath his rain-hood. “The Priesthood are already attempting to divine his successor.”
Ast nodded shortly. He had never met the Liaison, but had heard enough rumours of him – a semi-heretical, self-indulgent fool, more concerned with lining his own pockets than the health of their civilisation. Either his excesses had finally caught up with him, or someone had finally had enough of his wretched ways. “Very well, then. Let us trade.”
21st Limestone50 Plump helmets, five units of cloth, a full bin of cloth, iron anvil and around 25-odd bronze bolts, in exchange for most of our crafts and all remaining, not-in-use mechanisms. Ast reports this to be the full extent of his trading so far, though he has made it clear the merchants are open to further trading should be make enough goods in time.
Migrants have arrived: weaver, farmer, weaponsmith, peasant, two children. Weaponsmith authorised to work on forge, farmer left as he is. Order given to expand the farms slightly – one will deal with Plump helms, the other with pig tails.
27th LimestoneThe barracks has been designated for digging; we should have the necessary beds and weapon racks ready for when the miners are done. The Hospital has also been designated, and work has begun on the necessary furniture and textiles to outfit it. Both are located so that they connect to the main access tunnel of the fortress, so the militia will be able to respond to any ambushes or strikes in moments.
5th-7th SandstoneNoting the high demand for charcoal (and our rapidly dwindling supplies of logs) I have ordered our woodcutter to enact a one-dwarf clearance campaign upon the trees near the west of our fort. The lumber supplies should be ample, when they finish their actions.
Similarly, due to the influx of immigrants, I have ordered several new bedrooms to be constructed. It will take some time to outfit them, and we will be waiting upon the carpenters. Due to the blockage in charcoal production, I have been forced to cancel military production for the time being.
(Multiple pages blank or unintelligible, entries resume near the start of Timber)
6th Timber
Large amounts of Hematite are undergoing smelting in preparation for arming the military. Avuz has shown us great favour here, with much of the Hematite easy to access and dig out, though we will need to add walls to re-create some of the bedrooms afterwards…
11th Timber
Noticing our relative vulnerability, I have given the order to construct a moat via channelling. Assuming the miners do their jobs properly, the moat should be three Urists wide and two deep, with the intent to remove the slopes and build walls around our entrance to help with defence. A drawbridge, or a raising bridge, will be constructed, in order to allow wagons and Dwarves passage.
1st Moonstone.Winter is upon us.
When I find the beard-gnawing, drooling fool that allowed us to run out of booze, I am going to sacrifice them to Armok for their incompetence. I’ve ordered a peasant to begin immediate and rapid production of booze at one of the stills, with the intent of bringing our supplies back up to tolerable levels – it tastes poor, yes, but poor is better than nothing.
7th OpalCreated first military squad - five dwarves, in full iron armour with spears. The forges run hot, and continue the production of our first squad’s arms and armour; that said, the charcoal production seems to be the bottleneck. I have ordered it to be set to high importance, despite protests from the more short-sighted of my fellows.
21st OpalHospital has been fully dug out - now to furnish and sanctify it. 20 chests have been put into production, for the hospital and regular rooms.
3rd – 9th ObsidianMinor scare when prepared meals almost ran out – quickly rectified, by re-assigning some Dwarves for cooking duties. Orders sent to produce fine meals, as we should be able to produce enough Plump Helmets to sustain such actions.
Our first squad has also begun training, consisting of five speardwarves in full iron armour. With luck and time, they will be the ones to lead our holy crusade to purge the Goblin filth from our ancestral homes.
22nd ObsidianMonotony broken by visit of a human poet. No other major events, though I would advise that we monitor food production more carefully.
29th ObsidianNo, no, no, no! Bloody incompetent fools, Armok damn them all!
It would appear, in something of an oversight, that the Dwarf responsible for the moat-bridge’s construction and design made it two blocks wide, rather than three. With the walls already mostly complete, this will require either radical re-designing of the entrance or the removal, widening, and general re-construction of the bridge. Curses!
1st GraniteWhile the year has been relatively uneventful, and the blasphemous Goblin hordes have so far ignored us, my term is at an end. My successor will soon be appointed, either by the Priesthood of the Mountainhome, or by the denizens of this fortress.
To whoever proves my successor: continue our work. Drive the abominable Goblins from our ancestral lands with fire and iron, raze their dark pits to the ground, and prove to Armok and his pantheon that we are worthy. Should you seek me for advice or guidance, seek me in the temples and shrines.
May Armok give you strength.
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Topic: Smithsoldier, Year 12: Clothes, Madness, and Beasts (And Candy) [47.04] (Read 63600 times)