Yeah... we seemed to have a bit of a problem. Upon temporarily shutting off the turbines so we can repair the boilers and reactivating them immediately after, all the propellors have been so unstable they all of a sudden shattered into many pieces, and the ship crashed into the dock. Fortunately for the spirits of the past, we have gone too far to have everything fall apart on us. We have been spared. With the remaining effort of the spirits of the land, burdened by the curse of this project, we have been supported, and I remastered and reinstalled the props one last time. It took a month, but we have done it.
The boilers are fully functional, the gears are rolling, the blades are spinning, and we have maximum output, and the glass windows are crystal clear. We are officially airborne. I have issued orders to finalize it by fixing the starboard docking ramp properly and while doing so, before and after, stock this bastard with all the food and booze and supplies we could ever ask for. A fortress-load, enough to feed for a fortnight minimum. I officially mark the day the Nazushdur Anrizgeshud Nom's completion Obsidian 22nd, 213 AD.
I set the christening and embarking date Mid-Spring of 214. By then our cargo shall be fully loaded, and I have my crew established. I am open to volunteeers, but we must have crew that either have a full understanding of the mechanics of the airship, how to sail one, and how to navigate one. Psychic powers are also necessary in order to operate Chenjesus "Vrroww" and "Zzmzmm". I have no translation as to what those implied names mean, I'll just call them Epoch and Silver. Something tells me these things are so ahead of time, they'll transcend it. Won't that be something?
I have decided to take the ship for a test drive going a lap around the site. My gods, this thing is amazing. Fortunately for me, I know how this works inside out, so I can fly this thing solo if I must. It'll give me a headache operating all positions at the same time, but I at least know it can be flown by a single dwarf if need be.
...Uh oh. No... No, it can't be possible... It seems that when one of the temps for test driving the ship went to close the docking doors 2 other dwarves were still loading the ship. Amongst them was our dungeon master, and my dear friend 'Luccia'. Damn it all. And she wanted to fly amongst the heavens too. I was going to give her a homecoming to our hometown. Show our success. If I heard reports correctly from a survivor of the long drop; it seems 'Luccia' fell the furthest, but didn't die immediately. She landed on her head and broke her neck and tore her insides up, suffocating in moments in shocking pain as the shadow the ship casted suddenly vanished, and the sun glimmered her a path into the heavens. Amazingly, she died with a smile; as if we'll meet again in another life.
Anyway, no additional help has arrived, no soldiers for hire, nothing. The tomb is still essentially a stone cage, but it seems to be suiting it's purpose enough. BTW, we have a more reliable way of making sacrifices anyway. BTW, with what limited mental/psychic skill I have been given from all the trauma, I have etched the memories of all the, what feels like 350 lives that were spent on the project. I felt Epoch and Silver communicate with each other sharing the information amongst each other. I don't think a tomb will be necessary anymore. These unsung heroes have a song, and this ship will play it.
By the will of Armok, these lives will not be wasted. We will have our revenge on the goblins and the elements. But first, we must visit our home, and tell them they no longer need to waste any more lives on an endeavor such as this again, for it has finished. If I learned anything from Master 'Cid', if the nobility will just abuse and flaunt this gallant ship, we will not allow it; we will take it. If they won't honor our friends and family that have spent their lives crafting this massive artifact, we will. In all the glory that is of Armok, this boat will live up to it's name. It it's Armok's Gauntlet.
Casualties: 3 dwarves
Key loss: Kubuk 'Luccia' Nazomiteb (Dreampost)
A Fey Mood FulfilledEmbedded "Visions" within the Chenjesu memory cells viewable even to non-psychics (or Sans-psi):
The First (Actual) Activation of the Boiler SystemFlying a Lap Around the Project Site (Deck IV)Flying a Lap Around the Project Site (Deck III)--Chief (Pyro)Technician, Weaponsmith, Captain Kel "Lucca" Stigazkadol