This fort is a
mess. And I'm not just talking about the layout. There's engravers doing woodcutting, farmers doing mining.. It'll take a whole day just to get every Dwarf's work orders fixed.
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24th of Limestone, 108Now that the raiders are dealt with the real work can begin. The first thing to take care of is that ungodly half-constructed wall next to the road leading to the gates.
I don’t know what the builder had in mind for that, but it must come down to make room for proper fortifications.
The next thing to do is organize the stockspiles; specifically taking stock of all weapons and armour available, and melting down unsuitable or ill-fitting items. The current stocks indicate a severe lack of ammunition for our Marskdwarves with barely over 100 bolts in the armory. As such, I’ve ordered full time production of bolts. The new defenses will rely heavily on our markdwarves.
And speaking of stockpiles, the ones we have are a complete mess! I am simply stunned at the sheer bureaucratic mess the stockpiles are. There are no less than 6 armour stockpiles all situated in the same room, yet are not counted as a single one, causing 6 times the amount of forms to be filled and signed for; one for every possible stockpile. I think just organizing the stockpiles alone will take a full year to do. I have no idea how I’ll be able to get this fort in working order and build siege fortifications on top of that.
1st of Sandstone, 108A cave crocodile from the river managed to swim up the channel a previous ruler had dug for a garden of sorts and cause quite a stir. Several Dwarves were nearby and Melbil Rigithvetram, a siege engineer, was attacked. The crocodile tore a chunk out of her lower left arm before retreating back into the water.
There is a series of traps lining the walkway next to the channel, but it seems they have been neglected. Over half of the traps are sitting unloaded. I believe the problem stems from a severe lack of mechanics to tend to the traps; if the census is correct, there are only 3 registered mechanics in this entire Fortress. That simply will not do.
3rd of Sandstone, 108 To make way for the new fortifications, and to allow faster access to the outside world, I’ve ordered the dismantling of the walls that flank the main gates. It simply created a bottleneck and increased travel times. The children seemed to enjoy taking it down, and it gave a lot of work for the peasants.
Additionally, I’ve ordered the jail to be expanded. The Hammerer mentioned the lack of a good jail. Who am I to deny the Hammerer that? Some one who wants the use of all of his limbs, that’s who.
10th of Sandstone, 108The Countess mandated that 3 nickel items were to be made. She didn’t specify what items she wanted though.
To clear the way for the eventual siege-works, I’ve ordered the entire western forest to be cut down. I’m sure I’ll have an ear-full from the Elves when spring rolls around, but the trees will block the path of the ballista. There’s also a large clear-glass structure that presents a problem. Undoubtedly it is the monument of some previous ruler, and as such deserves to stand, but it will undoubtedly interfere with my plans.
14th of Sandstone, 108The Count Consorts constant tantrums have finally gotten on my nerves. As such, he’s going to get everything he ever wanted; a grand bedroom, dining hall, office, and tomb. All engraved and appointed with the finest furniture available. It will be some time before its all ready, however, and I only hope he doesn’t end up killing some poor Dwarf before then.
The last of the stray cats have been butchered today as well. The fort is starting to smell less like a litterbox every day. Now if I could only talk to mayor into giving up a couple of his 12 cats.
The deforestation project is also coming along nicely. A full 1 third of all the trees designated for cutting have been felled, and the woodworkers continue to work tirelessly on the rest. After this, we’ll never run out of wood.
The ammunition situation is also looking up. From barely over 100 bolts 2 weeks ago, we now boast over 440 bolts.
25th of Sandstone, 108Construction on the gate fortifications is well underway. The perimeter walls are under construction and the air-lock gate is almost ready to be put in place. However, construction is not going nearly as quickly as I would like. The stonemasons are complaining of rocks being in the way of construction. When I told them to just move them out of the way, they said they couldn’t move objects already assigned to another job. I don’t think the world is going to end if they move the bloody rock 5 feet off to the side…