Alright, now that I have built up enough tension (and been able to finish writing) I present to you the next chapter of
The Founders!
The journal of Don, Mechanic Year 210
1st of Granite- It is, once again, my time to lead our settlement. The world is changing about me. Today, as it is the first of a new year, we held the naming celebration for Talakin and Keyan’s boy. They chose the name Mcwiggles, a very conservative choice, but appropriate for the first of a new generation. The baby didn’t even cry when he was dunked into the booze barrel as tradition dictates for a firstborn. He just giggled in that adorable way babies do. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Keyan’s chest so full with pride. I’m very happy for them.
Still, it pains me to know that I will have no descendants for a long while, and any I do gain will be the grandchildren of my good friends. Any sons I receive will be buried in their grandfather’s tomb, not mine. It’s a sobering thought. Yet, I am fortunate to be one of the founders of Deepearth, and that itself is enough for me.
As for what I am planning to do during my term as leader, that waterfall should be finished. I’m afraid Magua has lost the old plans, so I’ll just have to draw up a set of new ones. I’m going to have it fall to the north, and the shaft on the west side will become an access shaft, with a similar one built on the east side. Hopefully, the whole thing will be done by the end of the year.
12th of Granite- Elves arrived, willing to trade. In a somewhat unusual turn of events, no ambush was detected, and the merchants made it safely to the trade depot. I plan on selling them the old clothing that their dearly departed comrades have left, as it currently does nothing but needlessly fill up our depot. Really, I wouldn’t mind just giving it to them, but I’m hoping to get some sun berry seeds for sunshine production, and it looks like they’ve brought a tame grizzly bear with them!
Speaking of animals, I’ve ordered Navi to jump into the cougar pit along with a cage to put all the beasts in. We have far too many, and I certainly don’t mind a pause in breeding. We can also install that cage in the main dining room as a sort of zoo. I also plan on having another cage for the rest of the animals currently milling about, especially the cows and donkeys. Every animal we have seems to have be blessed with ultra-fertility. I don’t mind if they breed, so long as they’re contained so I don’t keep tripping over them.
10th of Slate- Well, even though we had difficulties, most of our animal problems are solved. Talakin traded with the elves today. Actually, she
tried to trade, but apparently the elves found a chestnut boot in with all the rope reed cloth. They immediately turned their noses up, saying that it was a bauble fit only for “our kind,” even though they were the ones who gave it to us! Well, gave might be the wrong word, considering we probably got it after their caravan was wiped out by a goblin ambush, but still, to reject it on the basis of us “hurting the trees” is nonsense. There are very few things I hate in this world, but elves are working their way towards that list. We ended up seizing the Grizzly bear and the sun berries.
11th of Felsite- More migrants have started to arrive. As usual, they are in a long train, tired from their journey. Why they still make their way to this accursed death-trap, I know not. If only they would leave us alone, and we could all live in peace. The others have begun to regard all migrants as simply border patrol units; I personally believe that they enjoy watching the migrants being torn apart by undead. I pled ill, and retired to my room. The others will have their way, but I refuse to participate in this barbaric practice.
19th of Felsite- At last, the line of migrants has stopped. No children with this group, thank Alil. Perhaps the mountainhomes are learning that immigrants do not survive at Deepearth, and those with families are thinking twice about coming here. Though I’m still not entirely happy about senseless slaughter, I console myself with the fact that they die as dwarves, fighting to the last.
One of them, a bone carver, appears to be possessed by forces unknown. Of course, we don’t have any workshops outside, so he has done nothing as of yet. I wish the spirits would infect some of us inside the fortress. I certainly would not mind being the creator of an artifact mechanism. But alas, it seems that they are more favorable to those poor souls who die outside our gates, rather than those of us who watch them perish. I wonder if they are consoled by the fact that the gods favor them over us? Small consolation for those who are about to die, but any consolation from Alil should be received with thanks.
25th of Felsite- The group of migrants was killed today, wiped out in a fierce battle with skeletal muskoxen. They had proved themselves capable against some skeletal mountain goats, but the muskoxen proved too much. Their death was quick, and honorable. I suppose that’s the best I can hope for.
13th of Hematite- We’ve had no less than three thieves get away today, though grave robbers would be a more accurate term, as they simply loot the dead bodies of our fallen. There’s so much junk out there, all the worldly possessions of every migrant to have come in sight of this place. Not to mention all the merchant caravans that have been slaughtered by goblin ambushes. It looks like a battlefield out there. It
is a battlefield out there. The countless battles of goblins and undead against the migrants who come seeking shelter in our home stain the land red with blood. Bones of the recently departed litter the forest, and old clothes can be found hanging from every tree, thrust there by the wind. It is a scene out of a nightmare, and yet we eight call it home. Within our walls, things are clean and bright. The drowning chamber looks like just another building from outside, telling nothing of the horrors wrought within.
I’m sorry, I’ve been ranting, haven’t I? It’s just that, today I looked into my old room. It was filled with skeletons. I saw no less than twelve dwarf skulls lying about. Why were they there? I’m not sure, though I’m fairly certain that the others likely lured these poor, unsuspecting dwarves into my old room, and then locked the door and waited for them to starve. I see how their bodies are sprawled along the ground, the positions they lay in as the emptiness of their stomachs slowly drained the last vestiges of life from their bodies. I can imagine their faces contorted with agony as hunger gave its slow death. What was once a refuge for the living is now a hall for the dead. I’ll never, ever go back into that room again.
16th of Hematite- Humans have arrived, with quite a few wagons, it seems. No sign of a liaison to talk with, so the inner gates remain shut as the traders march towards the depot. We don’t really need anything, but we need to get rid of the stuff the elves wouldn’t take, and large profits never turn away traders.
Also today, another group of migrants has arrived, and have been sent to patrol the perimeter for undead. This one is small; a mere ten dwarves. Still, it’s too many for my liking. Why, when danger abounds, do dwarves feel the need to abandon their homes and come to this accursed death trap? Perhaps we have not heard all the news of the mountain homes. A more chilling thought is that the merchants are deliberately keeping us in the dark. I don’t know what to think of that…
9th of Malachite- Two thieves were discovered by the patrolling migrants, who quickly dispatched them. The fact that more kobold grave robbers come to our door is ominous, to say the least. We also traded with the merchants today, who gave us a fair amount of food and metal bars in exchange for a good portion of the junk we were able to collect.
14th of Malachite- Migrants were taken out by a group of skeletal elk. No dwarven survivors. No elk casualties.
13th of Limestone- The dwarven caravan arrived today. There must be at least six wagons, followed by a like number of pack mules. We’ve also spotted a goblin ambush to the north. A little late for the first ambush of the year, but by no means surprising. Luckily, there’s no way the goblins will be able to get to the caravan before they can take shelter in the fortified depot, so we’re safe on that front. The dwarven caravan will hopefully take all the stuff that we couldn’t get to the humans in time. Honestly, having only fourteen hands to help haul goods to the trade depot is mildly annoying. Just another twelve years till Mcwilggles is ready to work. I can hardly wait.
17th of Sandstone- Merchants have begun preparing for the journey home. We bought a fair amount of cooking supplies, some metal bars, a few pieces of armor, steel ammunition, and two gems that just happened to catch my eye. We were able to get rid of all of the clothes that could be brought to the depot, and we used some of the best meals as gifts for our leaders back home. I have no doubt that they will keep, and Gord’s cooking is worth more than anything else in our home (quite literally, Talakin appraised its value at well over 20,000).
It is also worth noting here that another group of ambushers were spotted today, fighting the skeletal elk along the southern border. The ambushers should be no problem, however a single skeletal elk was propelled over our moat by a powerful hammergoblin and is now in the woodcutting area. It appears to be intrigued by the battle still raging on the other side, but it won’t be long before move across the bridge and into the main fortress area. I’ve asked Navi to begin preparations for battle. I have full confidence in her abilities.
19th of Sandstone- Today was a day of battle, as Navi clashed with the skeletal elk. She charged out, wielding her pick like an axe or hammer. The elk was the first to strike, landing a small bruise against Navi’s foot, but that was of no consequence to Navi. Honestly, she is unbelievably tough. She brought her pick to bear, and slashed off the beast’s front leg. The skeleton made no sound as it struggled to stand. It tried to bite Navi’s left arm, but the blow merely glanced off her armor. That was the horror’s last action, as Navi proceeded to mine through bone quicker than stone. With the skeleton broken into tiny pieces the magic animating it ceased to exist. Another threat to our continued existence destroyed in mere moments. I really do not fear for our safety; nothing can reach us here.
Also, it appears the goblins have sent some of their oldest converts to attack us. Today’s newest ambush is led by one of the legendary elves of history. He is extremely strong, agile, and tough, made so by decades of adventuring for his goblin masters. I’m glad we don’t need to open the gates for the rest of the year. It does make me worry for the safety of our own children, though. No telling when the goblins will stop sending ambushers and start sending baby-snatchers.
4th of Timber- Talakin has given birth to yet another boy! This is a time for celebration. As is the custom, they have not named him yet, calling him Udil until the New Year’s naming celebration. With a baby on each arm, I’m surprised Talakin can still haul around all the food that Gord’s putting together in the kitchen. Still, it should only be another month or two before Mcwiggles starts walking on his own.
That reminds me, we need to furnish quarters for Mcwiggles, and dig out some tombs for both boys branching off their father’s. Not to mention, if Magua has any free time, we should probably finish up smoothing the tomb’s entrance. No harm in making everything look neat. Mind you, there’s a lot of unused granite and mica down there, but all in good time. First, we need something to make out of excess stone.
7th of Timber- More migrants arrived today. They were killed as soon as they moved in sight of the fortress. Though I rarely notice the numerous goblins that surround our home any more, they are very effective fighters out in the open. Today was a good example of that. Alas, I would have hoped that this month would have been one of life rather than death, but it seems the fates have other plans. Fortune does not smile upon those poor souls who come here seeking shelter, only to find death.
15th of Timber- Today is a glorious day for dwarven engineering. The waterfall is working! The pumps are aligned perfectly, and the water is flowing. There is a small problem with a missing floor, which has filled the western access staircase partially with water. However, we have stopped the pumps, and it should not be a problem to patch the hole and drain the stairwell from the bottom. Even with this setback, we have a proof of concept. I foresee the waterfall running without problems within the week. I’ve also ordered the deconstruction of the scaffolding stairways, as the inner access staircases will work better for that maintenance.
4th of Moonstone- The waterfall works all too well, I’m afraid. I took a stroll out to the area, only to find myself knee deep in water, with a veritable
wall of water flowing down from the top. Going upstairs, I think I see the problem. Our pumps work so well that water actually is hauled upwards faster than it can fall downwards. This, along with the extraordinary rate at which the stream refills, leads to the interesting situation in which there is too much water falling at once for the stream to soak it all back up again. I’m not entirely sure what to do about this; I’ll have to sleep on it.
8th of Moonstone- Tragedy has struck, and death has come back to haunt us. It began with a simple mistake. The scheduled deconstruction of the outer scaffolding had not been canceled. Talakin had been going to help take down the stairways when the lever to shut off the waterfall was pulled. It was meant to make the area safer to work in. It had the opposite effect.
When the pumps stopped, all the water that was being taken out of the brook suddenly had nowhere to go. The wall of water crashed down, and with no room left in the brook, overflowed in a tidal wave onto the banks. Talakin was caught in the middle of it all. The water smashed into her, going over her head, and swirling all about her. Luckily, Magua was also there, going to work on the other scaffolding. The walls kept the water contained, and the two found themselves in a miniature lake, with water at neck height, and waves far over that. The current was pulling them towards the brook as the water tried to drain. This would be certain death, as neither could swim. Magua grabbed Talakin, and together, they pulled their way against the current to the waterfall’s tower. Getting into the stairwell, they were able to reach relative safety. I looked on from the watchtower.
Mcwiggles, who is now able to walk, was following close behind his mother when the wave hit. They were separated by the current, but the one-year-old lad tried his best to get out of the danger. He had to swim against the current to the relative safety of the tower. Wave after wave battered him, and as he was crossing the bridge, over the old brook, a giant wave came crashing down off the sides. With the undertow threatening to pull him down and into the moat, Mcwiggles grabbed onto the nearby axle, which was connected to the waterwheels. There he stayed; clutching the wood for dear life with all the strength a child can muster. Then, as the water lessoned momentarily, he made a break for the tower. The shallower water was the preface for a huge wave, which bounced off the back wall, and rumbled towards the poor boy. Mcwiggles struggled to reach the tower. Ten feet…Five feet…Two feet…The wave was right behind him. As the mist started to spray down about him, Mcwiggles ran into the open door and slammed it behind him. He was in the tower; safe at last.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was safe. Suddenly, a great noise issued from the tower. It sounded like Talakin screaming. I wondered what could be the source of such a cry. Then I saw him; Talakin’s babe, who didn’t even have a proper name yet. He was crawling on the bridge which leads to the main area. Somehow, the water whirling to the sides of him didn’t seem to bother the baby. He just smiled and splashed about, thinking it all a great game. Then a small wave obscured my vision, and the child was gone. Immediately, I rushed over to the area, but by the time I got there, it was too late. The child had fallen into our moat. What was meant to be our greatest means of safety was the source of our first death.
Talakin came rushing up beside me, and seemed ready to throw herself in the water to try to find her baby. I grabbed her, as she would have surely died. Magua came up and grabbed her other side. Together, we restrained her until her screams of fury had dissolved into tears and weeping. Keyan and Mcwiggles came from different directions soon after, and together, we all headed back to our home.
I can’t say I know of the gods’ grand designs, but it seems a sad irony that, after all the ones we have drowned in our chamber of death, it should be a drowning that takes the first of our loved ones from us. Alas, thus is our life. We searched the banks for the body, but found none. Like all those nameless migrants, the nameless son of Keyan will have no proper resting place. His unfinished tomb shall remain empty as the turtles gnaw on his bones. It is a sad fate when a dwarf cannot be laid to rest among his family and friends. I have asked Keyan if it would be possible for him to make a statue of his child, as a memorial to place by the spot where he fell. Keyan agreed, though the grief on his face seemed harder than anything to bear.
10th of Obsidian- The traditional end of the year party has begun, though there is little celebration. The death of Udil, as he will be known forevermore, has cast a shadow upon this year, one which is not easily moved aside. Though it has been more than a month, Talakin seems like she will never cheer up. I only hope that next year will bring us more hope and less sorrow.
And that's the end of my turn. I held back on naming the child so we could continue with the whole naming-ceremony-at-the-beginning-of-the-new-year thing. Luckily, that also means that the Fred isn't a dead dwarf (yet)! So, really, no major losses this year, save that the waterfall is unfit for operation. Seriously though, I was rather surprised when the whole area started flooding. I suppose that's what 14 z-levels of 7/7 water will do, eh?
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Topic: The Founders. [Succession & Community] (Read 12798 times)