1 Obsidian, 211 - by Asob Momuzzokun
=============
Unib Dodókimsal, Gem setter, kills a snatcher. The increase in goblin activity is causing me to worry. Years ago, I'd used that rune to ward this place from trouble, but I don't know... there's a chill in the air, one that cuts a bit deeper than the late winter air. The winds are changing.
I don't just mean that in a macabre sense, either. There are other things mentioned in Unib's scrolls that confound me. Mention of guilds, of temples, opening ourselves up with something of a public tavern, mention of great libraries filled with tomes, some of which concerning the secrets of life and death... My heart flutters as I try to comprehend. It seems that... the world outside of Severedcoils has been growing without us. New advancements to social activities, workshops, military tactics, architecture, and even faith itself are being discovered all over the world. But we, here at Severedcoils... we are, it seems, fated to be kept in the dark of such advancements. All the better... Our grim task here, feeding a bottomless chasm the blood of nobles, is probably best left forgotten to the annals of history, and yet here we remain, our task yet incomplete.
But... what task, exactly? Are we still doing this whole 'noble dunking' thing? Is this how we are to spend eternity? No... Damn it, Zon, your idea was crazy, but you're right. We either die a secret to all of history, or we find a way to escape this place. And I think I know how...
But first... Mmm... Was there a duration on that ward, or not? I'm getting worried by the fact that I'm worrying so much about it all of a sudden. All the same, whether I'm worrying too much or not, it would be nice to be able to carry out our business without so many interruptions from thieves and ambushers.
The idea here is to route a 3-urist wide road between our ponds, which will be converted to defensive terrain. The three furthest out will be merged together to form a moat, while the one closest to the gate will be sealed in so we can fish while under siege. Perhaps we'll line the inner hall with bars to leave them vulnerable to our crossbow fire, or build a catwalk overhead...
Oh, let's see, what else... oh! It looks like a solid 80% of our crossbow bolts have been sitting in a stockpile on top of the tower way, way up on the southern peaks. And we don't have many marksmen, either... Let's divvy up this stockpile, and while we're at it, send some crossbows to each of our battlements. We might have to throw random Recruits up there, but if there's a crossbow ready, they can be put to work immediately.
Speaking of stockpiles... Sorry, Zon, but I'm sick of walking through refuse and dead bodies every time I step outside the north face of our gate. I've moved those waste piles down by the southern towers where they'll be out of our way... oh, but there's a lot of space underneath the front bridge! What if we stash all our bones and other such things there? That'll add a certain intimidating ambience to our entrance... maybe that'll help me negotiate some better prices!
Wait, what? What's going on?
Ohh. Right. I also asked for more ramps to be dug out around the ponds, covering others that posed a strategic vulnerability. Looks like they took the orders to make a new bone pile a little too seriously and are diving into the pond after some kobold bones. I think about forbidding them, but... y'know, those ramps are working really well, and everyone going after that bone is getting valuable swimming experience - not to mention, they're finally washing off some of that blood, mud, and vom that's been caked on for how many years.
Speaking of underwater treasure... That stuff in the ponds out further west? PRICELESS. It seems some poor macedwarf fell in and drowned here many years ago, but no traces remain that could be used to identify this warrior. Among the remains are a (≡«Steel helm»≡), X(giant cave spider silk dress)X (my word, what a loss deteriorating down there, all the more reason to get it out), (*«-Steel plate mail-»*), and... oh my, that's +giant bat leather armor+, from none other than Azinodos itself. Looks like Zon's already started construction above on some sort of contraption for fishing it out of there...
I notice the mandates slipping a bit. Apart from the two beds I commissioned, Kib Therlethzaneg wanted an idol, and Reg Erushtirist ordered three gold items and two shields. Geez, why are all these orders stacking up--
Oh, no you don't! "Zon!!"
"Hang on, gonna bring his head back real quick! Right after I attend this meeting."
"Wait-- okay, yeah, yes, go right ahead, Clerk-turned-Axedwarf Zon, find this meeting first.
Then you can go kill the sasquatch."
"My meeting is with you, Mayor Asob."
"Mmm... I'm pretty sure I don't have any meetings scheduled with an
Axedwarf named Zon. I'm expecting a
Clerk named Zon."
Zon stared at me, as still as if she'd died standing. "Asob. It's me. We don't have to do this--"
"Sorry, Zon, I have important
Clerk matters to discuss, which need not be made privy to standing military."
"Fine. I'm a Clerk again."
"Mmmmnope. You agreed, you no longer hold that authority! You can't simply change your job at will."
"Okay, then I never made myself an Axedwarf!"
"You did, when you went and put on all that armor. Now, go kill the sasquatch."
"But I have a meeting with you!"
"Yes, you don't! Guess you'll just have to follow me until I decide you're a Clerk again."
"Whhat... Asob, come on! This isn't funny. It could turn out like Azinodos, the Connection of Combating! Besides, I'd really like a sasquatch on my kill list."
"Relax, Zon! Back then, we didn't have a military to deal with that giant bat. This thing should be no match for us! Besides... I've already got a plan."
With Zon in tow seeking a meeting I won't grant her, I whirl into action. I set up two new puppy cage traps, and I call for the nearest marksdwarf. 'Tirin' is first to respond.
"Oi, wot?"
"Tirin! Perfect. Here, stand in front of this dog and shoot at that sasquatch. Just once to get its attention, then get ready to run!"
Zon raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were mad at
me for getting someone killed!"
"I said just once! Cease fire!"
"...It'll live, right? Can someone hurry and go build a cage next to it? See if it maybe rolls over into it?
"Oi! 'At's a 'squatch for my kill list 'ere, 'i'nt it?"
"Yeah, Tirin. It is. Good for you." Zon drops her axe and goes back to being a Clerk.