From the log book of Robin Urvadgasol
Spring
25th Slate
I don't know if I kept previous log books, but since I can't remember much of anything I thought it would be good to start, in case I lose my memory again. I don't know who I am or what's going on, but apparently there is a group of seven of us in the desert. I wasn't sure who the leader was, but the other dwarves kept asking me what to do, so I quickly figured out I am. First I assessed the state of the fortress.
PictureIt seems there's a partial moat, a small entrance dug out, a small well room off of the entrance, and then the fortress proper. Sort of.
PictureThere's a VERY large and long tunnel at the entrance. I think I'm going to get to work redesigning this now.
15th Felsite
Two of our group drowned in the river. I don't know if the lamprey attacked and pulled them in or if they just fell in. Luckily, a bridge over the incomplete moat was finished today, so that will hopefully reduce the need to walk past the river in the future. Unfortunately, the death of two of our number has demotivated the rest of us. Hopefully we can complete some quick projects to be proud of and raise motivation again.
Summer
2nd Hematite
Whew. Apparently a depressed mood doesn't affect the other dwarves as much as it does me. There is little need for my farming yet, so I've mainly been helping move things around. I've planned a dining room that is about half dug out and there are tables and chairs made of the schist stone found beneath the sands. Hopefully with this dining room completed and engraved, we can raise our spirits.
PictureAlso, the well is nearing completion. Finally, a more central tunnel design has been created and the old, half finished portion have been (at least temporarily) abandoned.
4th Galena
The dining room seems to be doing the trick. It seems all we really need is a tangible result that shows how competent we are. Also, we have bedrooms dug out and we're moving the furniture in.
Picture Hopefully a place to call our own will help the mood as well. Finally, plans have been made to set up a trade depot. Hopefully we'll have time to make some goods to trade, although we don't really need much, since apparently I thought well ahead and brought more wood, food, and drink than we'll use for a while.
Autumn
5th Sandstone
The caravan from the mountainhomes arrived a little while ago. Unfortunately we haven't set up any craftsdwarf shops yet. I set one up and got to work carving mugs from the vast excess of stone we now have. As the merchants were getting ready to pack up, we rushed out three bins of mugs that I had made and traded for some plants, gems, and rope (for the well). I think I'll keep carving goods for trade so we can get all we want from the merchants that make their way through the desert to us. I got a record of the trade agreement, for future reference.
PictureWinter
2nd Moonstone
Today I decided that we were ready to flood the area under the well (and the moat, since they draw from the same place). Grates were placed between the moat and the river to prevent dangerous animals from entering the dwarf-frequented area. As the final walls were channeled through, I followed the path of the water in my head and realized the the well was going to be at the same level as the water source, and I had forgotten the key part! The floodgate that I had intended to install before I breached the walls never got built and I realized it almost too late. I hurriedly asked our mason to install a floor over the spot where the well was to be installed and blocked the water from flooding our entire underground endeavor. We'll have to rework the well system and try again later.
4th Opal
Three kobolds were spotted sneaking into the fortress today and were chased off as they were spotted. None of the three were killed, but they didn't seem to have taken anything either, so it's hard to predict the ramifications. In order to prevent further incursions I had a lever installed, linked to the bridge, and withdrew the bridge. We will have to lower it to allow others in in the future, but the defense will be worth it. Also, since no food or drink production has been done yet, I decided to set up a still and some farms. As I was tilling the sand and setting up the farm plots, I realized that mugs were becoming a bit boring and, when I returned to my workshop, I decided that instruments would be a good way to develop my skill. They also tend to be worth more, although fewer can be produced.
Spring!
As spring arrived I got a notice that my year as leader had ended. I was thorough confused, especially since everyone seemed happy with my leadership. Then I realized that there must have been some strange condition put in place that I forgot when my memory was lost. I will be more than happy to step down and devote myself to my carving and, when we need, farming.