Righto, here's the Council Chamber. Come here to announce your actions, discuss events and alliances with other Council members, and do whatever else council chambers are for, I suppose...
The State of the GuildsUpdated every meeting.
Remember, this is information that is either public, or uncoverable with some digging. Keep an eye on your inbox, because that's where private information will go.
Things are looking up for the Mason's Guild. With the recent construction commission of the Northwest Arboritum, jobs have become more plentiful. Even for the large number of masons, it appears things will be going smoothly for some time.
The Metalworker's Guild is as dismally quiet as always. What few orders go through so far this year consist of the Countess Consort's mandated Copper items, and the minting of the year's commemorative treasury coins. Many metalworkers are putting in part-time shifts at the Mason's Guild stonecutting hall, and the situation as a whole is becoming rather dismal. The only spot of hope left for many is the chance a military order for new armor and weapons. The recent imports of junk Iron have been smelted into mostly usable bars... It's just a matter of getting the contract.
The Woodsdwarf's Guild has been suffering from the usual work drought that comes after a fresh clear-cutting. While the woodworking's hazard pay has left most guild dwarves with fat wallets, some worry if it will be enough to last to the next cutting, or more importantly, if the fort will be consuming enough wood to justify a clearcutting when the time comes... The fort has reached what many consider to be it's peak population, putting the Guild's work supplying barrels and beds at risk. While there is some hope in the expanding crafting business, the demand for bins may eventually run out, given the reuse of bins from the fort's many leather imports.
Recently, the guild has seen a deal of wood consumption coming from the creation of clear glass to place in the Royal Palace's chess set. Some guild members have voiced the idea that encouraging their glassworkers would be a good idea, though it's hard to think much up on what you could offer them.
Mining is slow lately. With the population peaking out, and little business for the metalworkers, there is no real demand for new areas to be mined out. The apprentices are more worried about this, as their status does not allow them to appropriate whatever they need, and they suggest you find or create some sort of work for them as Guildmaster.
Business is good. The Glassworkers have appropriated a second Glass Furnace to produce blocks for the Northwest Arboritum, and the income is starting to make itself felt. Zuglar the Master Leatherworker has run the fortress out of leather, providing the place with high-quality leather goods throughout, and making the Crafter's Guild a guild to be respected.
The engraving of the main halls is reaching completion, now that the fiasco with one of the apprentice engravers is over. However, this has put your guild into the spotlight, and your allegiences into question. While your defense of the rogue engraver has no doubt angered the Nobility, they seem to still find you too valuable to take direct action. However, the engraver has come out of his imprisonment much the worse for wear, and you fear it may only be a matter of time until he drags your guild into another confrontation...
With the recent death of Mistem the farmer, you've been under no small amount of stress to produce a solution, or at least some progress to investigate the incident. The public is somewhat fearful, and the Duke is assuring great things from his Royal Guard... Given the rivalry between the two Guard divisions, there is little doubt your subordinates will want to beat them to the punch.
Your dwarves are mostly content. The best of the best, your highly trained dwarves have fought off the goblin threat time and time again without incident. However, the soldiers under your command are expressing some discontent with their weapons. Mostly copper, they get the job done, but at the same time, they feel as though dwarves of their skill deserve weaponry more befitting their rank.
Also of note are the Guardians, champions of their religious sects, and traditionally the standing military guardsdwarves, keeping watch over the entrances and taking care of scouts and ambushes set by the goblins. The various other factions of the fort are beginning to wonder exactly what the relations are between the Guardians and the standing military...
Recently formed, the Farmer's Alliance has only just gained a Council seat. Celebreation has been intense and widespread, save for the usual disdain from the Nobility. The harvests have been doing well, and overall, it's a good time to be a farmer... With the notable exception that one of your better planters has been killed. Still, production is keeping pace for now, though with the growing population, it seems you'll need to step up work for the remaining farmers to compensate.
The Royal Guard has recently been through rather a rough spot, after the unpopular detaining of 'Hate's Engraver' Inethbim, and his subsequent removal has left the Royal Guard as something of a joke lately. The common dwarves deride them, the Founders are openly distrustful of them, and the Nobility doubt their abilities. However, with the recent death of Mistem on their minds, all three are looking for solutions. The Mayor has announced his intent for the Fortress Guard to handle it, and your subordinates are eager to prove their worth to the fort as a whole. Solving this issue could put the Nobles' worries to rest... And more importantly, ignoring it could be the last nail in the coffin for the short-lived Royal Guard.
The Council is in Session from Feb 5th to 7th Please be aware that you may post here at any time, however, Council Meetings are the best time to actually get your policy implemented quickly.