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[dojango]

Interesting concept for a fort.  Looks like you're suffering from that common problem, too many overseers, not enough slaves.

I'll take one of them, a slave:
Male
Dojango
Any profession (like we get a choice)

[Vactor]

~Excerpt from the journal of Silu Threecanyons~

28th Moonstone, 1051

This fellow Vactor Castlemerchant is a fool, and he leads us on a fool's errand.  He has refused to dig a proper dwelling into stone, and instead has us living in the fresh open air, it is disgusting and intolerable.  

I said nothing when he sent me into the quarry with a pick, stuck working for months with the incessant babbler Ricemastah.  I said nothing when he left me to excavate the footings myself.  But now, 2 dwarves dead, one injured?  I will do the labor, but the frivolity with which he treats our lives, does he think that this is simply a game?!

(the writing becomes furious scribbles, completely illegible)

...is a stiff drink. Yes, a stiff drink should calm my nerves.  Hopefully tommorow I'll be my usual cheerful self again.  I'm suprised I've weathered this expedition as well as I have, half of these dwarves are lunatics.

(here is a drawing of a green glass cabinet and a dwarf, the green glass cabinet is striking a menacing pose, the dwarf is melting)

[ April 23, 2008: Message edited by: Vactor ]

[Vactor]

Elfchopper stood over the dwarf's corpse, her axe hanging limply at her side.  She had been resting under an elf, enjoying the sunset when she heard two owls call from nearby.  Elfchopper had hopes of catching one of the owls as she moved towards the patch of brush.

"...all speed to Pucim Balledoated in Elvenhummers," a dwarven voice carried through the air, barely audible.  Elfchopper halted, noticing the two dwarves within the brush.  One of them, filthy from head to toe, took something from the other, which was robed and hooded, and set off through the grass.

Elvenhammers... Elfchopper did not fancy herself a thinking dwarf, but she knew nothing good could come from a place called Elvenhummers, and obviously nothing good would ever be bound there.

She trailed the dwarf for sometime, doubling back a few times to make sure the other dwarf was not following her.  When she thought it safe she made her move.   The axe had stopped his scream short, a slight gurgle came from his head as it thudded to the ground.

A few hours later the body had been neatly tossed into the magma pit.  She would have to investigate this Elvenhummers business herself, she knew not which of the other dwarves had met with this stranger, but she would have to take great care not to reveal she knew anything of the meeting.

[ April 24, 2008: Message edited by: Vactor ]

[Vactor]

dojango i'll try to get you into the mix soon, once i get a few plot things set up i'll be back to fort progression.

[Jusal]

Ahh... Intrigue!

[Vactor]

The Steelfang Project Annals
-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
18th Opal, 1051
Wealth: 26900?
Drinks: 300?

I have noted a significant change in Elfchopper lately, she seems to look at me and the other dwarves strangely.  I can only assume her battle with the fire imps has changed her outlook on life.  We can only hope she feels better with time, despite her eccentric nature I do enjoy her dutiful good will.

I have spoken with Strife about the events of last month briefly, it is hard to hold a conversation with him, as he is constantly passing in and out of consciousness.  He seems to think he was lured into a trap, as it had all happened while he was retrieving a barrel of rum that had found its way some distance outside our compound.

I had seen Strife and Dwarfaholic nearly come to blows several times, but I know not why.  

Strife's injuries are not healing, and he is quickly fading from this world, I have prepared for the worst.  

[Vactor]

The Steelfang Project Annals
-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
13th Obsidian, 1051
Wealth: 28790?
Drinks: 330?

Strife has passed away today, the project goes ahead as planned.  We have interred him in a clear glass coffin in a tomb aside the massive footing we are building.  This project will be built upon the sacrifices of many more dwarves like strife I fear.  

I have nearly completed updating our stocks, my office is meager, but sufficient, I should be able to keep tabs on our compound much more easily now.

[Vactor]

The Steelfang Project Annals
-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
16th Granite, 1052
Wealth: 29925
Drinks: 335

This month marks a full year that we have worked on this project, the 4 footings around the magma vent have been dug, and the magma workshop annex is walled.

While I was balancing the books today Elfchopper stormed into my office, her face as red as a beet, "THERE ARE ELVES IN THE COMPOUND!"

I did not look up from my books, "Now Elfchopper there is no need to be upset, just cut them down and add them to the stockpile."  I glanced up to see a grin spread across her face as she bounded out of my office.

A few moments later Ricemastah's head popped in through the door.

"Uh, boss, you might want to come do something about this..."

In the courtyard was a pile of dwarves, I could hear Elfchopper's muffled yells coming from within.  Just beyond the pile I saw several startled Elves milling about the Trade Depot, wide eyes staring at the mound of Dwarves.

"Miss Paintpants was about to take an axe to those tall drakes of water over there." Ricemastah chipped in over my shoulder.

I had the dwarves seal the drawbridges until I could sort this all out.  Elfchopper was eventually calmed down,  It seems the elves were traders who had happened upon our location.  I didn't entirely believe their story, but noticed they were all armed with bows.  Despite Elfchopper's success against the fire imps, she was not a warrior. I could only see one outcome if the elves drew arrow on us.

So I traded with them, let us hope their story is true, and they are not enemy scouts.

We traded a handful of mechanisms for a bin of cloth, some barrels of alcohol, and a pet alligator.  The alligator had quite a fierce appearance, I'm sure we can use it to deter any would be thieves.

[Vactor]

The Steelfang Project Annals
-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
18th Slate, 1052
Wealth: 30265
Drinks: 371

Reinforcements have arrived today.  A pair of military dwarves have trekked across the savanna with a large complement of slaves.  They were accompanied by 3 metalworkers that Silu had sent for without my knowing.  They were each of them journeymen in the Metalworkers Guild under Silu in the mountainholmes.  I am irritated to no end that he did not have me send for them, and instead went around my back.  He shruged off my disapproval saying "I am in charge of building those footings, I'll do what I have to make sure they get done."  If he had any idea what it takes to keep this compound running I doubt he would think me so inept.  

Silu and his dwarves have set up shop in the magma annex.  They are so busy amongst themselves that I have given up trying to manage them.  They know what they are doing well enough, and I tire of trying to butt into their squabbles over proper smelting procedures.

One of the new slaves stood out amongst the rest.  While the others seemed terrified of what was happening, a fire burned in his eyes.  I asked him his name and he answered strongly, "Dojango."

I will watch this one, it is a dwarven heart like his that could prove our undoing.  He claimed to be a remarkable stonecrafter, I have sent him to haul stone from the quarry.

Our population rests at 28.

[Vactor]

I'm going to be out of town for the next few days for my sister's wedding, updates will resume in 2 or 3 days.

We're getting a lot of immigrants, right now we've got a bunch of slaves available, 3 squabbling metalworkers, a marksdwarf, a siege engineer/mechanic, and  a leatherworker/animal trainer available.

Also work is about to begin on another stage of the project, I'm looking for ornate patterns that could serve as room layouts, designs that tile well are a plus, or bigger designs that can serve as central hubs.  I've been designing with circles in mind, but I'm open to suggestions.

[dojango]

"assertive" "Finds rules confining".  not good qualities in a slave.  but "nervous" and "married" are good handles on one, I suppose.  The two go hand in hand, I reckon.

[Vactor]

quote:Originally posted by dojango:
<STRONG>"assertive" "Finds rules confining".  not good qualities in a slave.  but "nervous" and "married" are good handles on one, I suppose.  The two go hand in hand, I reckon.</STRONG>

My thoughts exactly.

[Vactor]

The Steelfang Project Annals
-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
23rd Hematite, 1052
Wealth: 35110
Drinks: 495

A caravan from our human allies of Icgilmon has arrived today, they have brought us some fine mining picks, as well as food and drink.  They also brought us several bins full of cloth and leather to do with what we will.  We gave them a wagonload of mechanisms for their troubles.  Humans seem to always be amazed at the versatility of dwarven mechanizations.

I met with their representative who indicated their need for dwarven quivers and legware for their campaigns against the goblins, as well as blocks and windows for the ongoing construction of the Icgilmon Grand Cathedral.  We will give them what we can spare.  He has promised a shipment of various iron bars in return, as well as various provisions.

[Vactor]

The Steelfang Project Annals
-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
20th Malachite, 1052
Wealth: 38568
Drinks: 463

Our population is up to 35 today with the arrival of an army trapper and siege operator with 5 slaves in tow.  They were also the remnants of a larger force that was harassed by goblins.  I have sent a dispatch to the mountainholmes alerting them of the continued raids.  It is my hope we will be reinforced as it is clear our location is now known.  

Pingles seemed rather sour when I informed her that she will be making clear glass blocks out of the pearlash she has been preparing.  While her decorative creations are certainly pleasing to the eye, I have to wonder why she would think our outpost would have use for them.

Silu and his dwarves have set to work casting the steel footings.  Silu thought it wasteful to make them entirely out of steel, so they will have iron cores.  He assures me they will still exceed the load requirements of the designs.

Many of the dwarves have taken to calling me Boss of late, I think it started with Ricemastah, and i am unsure if it is in respect or spite.  Regardless most of the Slaves working in the quarry know me only as Boss.

[Vactor]

The Steelfang Project Annals
-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
16th Galena, 1052
Wealth: 43089
Drinks: 426

Our leatherworker was seen slinking about the compound early this morning, we found him this afternoon in one of our satellite mason's workshop caressing a limestone boulder and whispering to it.  He seemed only interested in that single boulder and did not even acknowledge any of the other dwarves that tried to speak to him.

-Entry by: Vactor Castlemerchant, Expedition Leader
20th Galena, 1052
Wealth: 48972
Drinks: 419

Our leatherworker returned to the compound today, bedraggled, but looking refreshed.  Four days he had laboured without stopping.  He presented us with a Millstone...with spikes on it.  

He began,"I'm calling it Tangathfikod Mishakav-"

"Its just a millstone with spikes on it" someone from the crowd shouted out.

He seemed a little flustered, "er it means 'Trampleglazes the Speechless Lyri-"

"Those spikes make the millstone completely useless!" another shouted.

He glanced around the crowd looking for support "um see I was thinking that if the millstone looked scary enough the wheat would grind itself out of fear"

He quickly lost the attention of the crowd who went back to their tasks.  I assured him the compound was most appreciative of his efforts.  I am debating throwing the pile of junk into the magma vent: