Smithbridges, year 180Part 2 - The buzzard massacre
I have dug an exploratory shaft from the surface down to what appears to be the first layer of the caverns that span this world. I can see several ores below, bearing copper, silver, and lead. Still, we should first create a safe entrance to the caverns before attempting to reach the cavern floor.
The caravan from the mountainhomes has arrived. I've put in a request for several kinds of leather, drinks, picks, and rare ores. I also put in an order for some brimstone as a request by our architect Salmeuk, although I don't know what she wants to use it for.
The mountainhomes have several requests for next year, with headwear having the highest increase in price. The fashion must have changed in the mountainhomes, but unfortunately we do not currently have any clothiers, and as such are unable to benefit from it.
Obsidian Short Sword buys some leather, beer, food, and a book titled "Rainfall and Rivers and Other Topics". If we're going to be living next to a river, it seems fitting that we should try to learn about them.
For absolutely no reason the marksdwarves guarding the caravan have decided to use a group of buzzards flying overhead as target practice, resulting in a great deal of confusion on the surface.
Some more brave souls have arrived at our doors. Four more dwarves in total, three have been assigned to get the forges ready.
In other news, it seems the first cavern layer is mostly filled with water. This will at least make it easy to secure against land-bound creatures.
It appears that the climate is cold enough here for the Sinboils to freeze over during midwinter.
This may have ramifications for security in the future. However, it also means we may be able to work on the riverbed where it would not normally be possible. It is also worth noting that the merchants from the mountainhomes still have not left since the incident on the surface.
On the 19th of Opal the river thaws. We learnt this when we were standing on the river trying to retrieve some dead fish. We eventually made it back to shore, and Bralbaard even seemed to enjoy the ordeal.
As winter comes to an end, so does my term as overseer. The merchants still have not left the trade depot.
Our workshop level is ready to begin smithing, and we have a decent amount of fuel. There is also plenty of room to expand this area.
The area where the most time has been spent during these months is our new mine entrance level. This area connects to a downward stairway to the south, which should be used by future overseers to reach the depths.
This area is also meant to contain an underground reservoir, but the year ended before I could fill it. To complete the project:
- Connect the four levers I have designated to be built. One is for the gate in this area. The other three link to bridges meant to control the flow of water, one on the surface and two down here. All levers should ideally be labeled.
- Channel away this wall separating the river from the channel I have dug on the surface.
- Close the drainage gate to the caverns.
Our food situation is stable, with a plump helmet farm and a good stockpile of drinks. The current order is to brew drinks until we have at least 150 Urists on hand, but if future overseers want to increase this amount they can adjust the managerial order accordingly.
The status of the fortress:
Finally, I have designated a section of the river to build our bridge.
As the construction of the bridge will no doubt require the work of several overseers, I have also devised some guidelines for future overseers to follow:
- There should be a gap between the surface of the river and the bottom of the bridge of at least 1 z-level. Overseers can decide how many levels above this the bridge will consist of.
- The material used for the main structure should be slate blocks. Other materials, such as gold or bauxite, can be used for decoration as overseers see fit.
- The bridge should at least be wide enough to accommodate wagons crossing.
- Steps should be taken to make the bridge somewhat defensible so that our enemies cannot cross unhindered. This may involve including traps and retracting drawbridges at points in the construction to drop foes into the river below.
I look forward to seeing what great things future overseers are able to accomplish!
Thus ends the first year of our fortress. Most of the second half of this turn was spent carving out that underground area, which has rooms for barracks later on.
I'm not sure how to get the merchants to leave, but they might (hopefully) do so by themselves before they go insane.
It's unfortunate that I was unable to complete my final project, but it shouldn't be too hard for someone else to complete it.
My dwarf is currently militia commander, but doesn't carry around his iron pick and copper buckler unless you take him off mining duty. Ordering him might work too.
I probably won't be taking any turns but I could post some art (of questionable quality) from time to time if you enjoy it
That would be great Ulfarr.
AvolitionBrit, it's your turn. So good luck!
Here is the
save file.
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Topic: Smithbridges riverside succession fortress - Overseers needed! (Read 15056 times)