From the desk of Maximum Spin Gateboarded, United Action Leader252 GR 1
Fatcat has insisted that I keep a journal of my thoughts as overseer of Goldsilver, though I have never been a wordsmith. She says that these records will aid the King in determining whether our experiment should be deemed successful. Personally, I still do not understand the value of the whole thing, of allowing dwarves to argue and compete for some agenda rather than simply making decisions and giving orders, but it is little concern of mine, and, besides, I can hardly complain about being the one in power now.
It was only natural that, after seeing the successes fatcat made with my loyal assistance, the dwarves of Goldsilver would see sense and elect me for the subsequent term. In those long days I spent convalescing from the wounds I sustained in the battle against the
foul beasts from the depths, I dreamed often of the triumph I knew was inevitable. For how could anyone object to my incisive and clear-eyed plans to protect the fortress from the twin menaces of surface and cavern, nurtured as they are under those dreadful boughs and suckled on the venomous sap of destruction?
Fatcat brought me up to speed on our ongoing projects. I have made an appointment to speak with the bookkeeper immediately.
...The fool bookkeeper does not know how many unprocessed loose stones we possess. "More than a thousand, probably?", she hazards! Inadequate. I have ordered her to count them personally. Three times, to be sure. I understand she is an aunt of that soldier who died in the caves during Nephilim's disastrous forays. Truthfully, she seems an odd sort with suspicious interests, but I shall have to try to get along.
In the meantime, if it is indeed the case that we have at least a thousand stones to be cut, I feel that it is more important to have all hands manufacturing blocks than carving away the mountainside, for the moment. I have ordered the channelling project suspended and more workshops built. As this project was my own suggestion, I do not expect dissent from its postponement, though I may have to explain my reasoning to fatcat tonight.
252 GR 4
Much construction effort and material is being diverted to the large structure upon the hill, which I am given to understand belongs to the strange bird woman. Though fatcat has counseled me to be respectful of her deficiencies, and I am making an effort to show understanding, I nevertheless felt it necessary to place all work beyond the immediate outer façade of the structure on hold. We must all sacrifice. Likewise, I have deputised every dwarf a mason, except the stonecounter, who must count stones. Work proceeds with more aplomb thereafter.
Unrelatedly, the massive remains of the hideous cyclops in our gatehouse comfort no one. Fatcat had already ordered the nauseous heap thrown athwart the wall, yet nobody seems willing to touch it. I have not volunteered.
252 GR 11
Luck countermands us. Yung Boujee falls into a fey mood while cutting blocks. Whatever treasure she makes will be less useful to me than blocks. At least she has deigned not to use a masonry shop.
252 GR 15
Yung Boujee's work comprises kingsnake bone, jelly opals, and... lime wood. I seethe. Fatcat forbids me from having the room walled over while she works. I will at least arrange that the awful thing be placed well out of my sight when it is complete.
252 GR 20
It is a shield. I am somewhat, but not very, mollified. It will be displayed in the farmers' guild hall, I decide; I place an order for a pedestal, a small and insignificant misallocation of stone.
252 GR 23
A party of travellers arrives from overbrook. I counted some 26 head and an assortment of beasts. They are all masons now. I ordered additional work stations. A new rangers' guild is also declared; since Yung Boujee is a ranger, her shield will be displayed in their guildhall instead of the farmers'. Luckily I did not yet announce my previous plan to the farmers. The new guildhall will be placed on the floor above the previous one to minimise expenditures.