I exist! I've been busy, but managed to get some playtime in. ^^ I feel sorry for the dwarves having to haul things from level 20 to level 150...finally worked out some of the military bugs, but there's clothes everywhere that no one will pick up and which will stick the owners in 'pickup equipment' cycles infinitely until you forbid them...Log of Shorost Ômònul, Mayor of Isakäs, "Spatteredcave"13th Hematite, 1058A marksdwarf has returned from the battlefield, reporting that Quothest has been vanquished, with one dwarven life lost. We will honour Nomal as a warrior who gave his life while defending his home. The runner also requested medical dwarves as there are various other injuries - Ral is apparently unconscious and has several broken bones.
I am thankful that our home is safe again. Things could have been much worse - the fight against the giant cave spider some time ago is evidence of that.
15th Hematite, 1058The militia are mostly back to their everyday routines. I have received a report from the Captain of the guard and will attach it to this log.
***
The battle against Quothest, Forgotten Beast, 12th-13th Hematite 1058.
Written report - Id Kdôlbd, Captain of the Guard
We grouped together by the stairs, hearing the sound of the beast as it rampaged through the living quarters, destroying doors, beds and any other furniture it could find. I felt my hand tighten around my sword hilt, aware that it was barely above training standards in quality. Beside me, I could see the other members of the three squads - my own squad The Helmed Ones, with The Thorns of Bronze beside us and our ranged unit The Perfect Earths behind.
The others waited as I crept around the corner of a bedroom wall, watching for my signal to attack. I guess that the tension was too much for Nomal - one of the newest recruits - as he broke away from the squad and rushed past me to attack Quothest. Quothest easily spotted him and the glow in his eyes intensified as he rushed the impatient recruit, knocking him to the ground. I signalled the others to go to his aid and they closed in on the stony beast - Ral fracturing the creature's left hindmost leg and Udib scoring a solid strike on its lower body as the beast advanced on the prone recruit. Quothest was focused on Nomal, however, and a series of swift kicks from the many legs broke his left hand and then shattered his skull. By the strength of the impact I knew he was beyond immediate help, that all I could do was try and stop Quothest from critically injuring any more of my friends. I rushed into the fray and brought my sword down on its left foreleg. It glanced off the stone, but I saw a fracture line craze across the surface. This beast was not invulnerable! Ral (the other swordsdwarf) managed to fracture part of the upper body and I struck again at the smaller of his rear right legs. The beast did not appear to feel any pain from this as it paid us no notice and still had its attention on Nomal, charging him yet again. We tried to intervene - to do anything - and I managed to block his first vicicous blow. There were too many legs to keep at bay, and Quothest kicked savagely at Nomal again, crushing his skull and striking him down.
As our comrade fell, we surround the beast, grimly determined to avenge his death. Ral fractured a leg and Lorbam swung his axe in a wide arc, chipping some stone from another. Our marksdwarves moved around to get a better shot - the tangle of bodies made it hard for them to safely fire. With a ghastly cry, Quothest enraged, striking left and right just as the first bolts flew from the crossbows. One bolt shattered the rear left leg but this did not stop the beast from striking Ral in the left shin, shattering the bone. Udib's mace returned the favour and Lorbam and I attacked the upper body as Quothest stumbled. Further kicks were mostly dodged and those that connected only caused bruises as we pressed for any advantage. With a masterful swing of the axe Lorbam severed one of its feet, which flew into the air and hit the ground some distance away. Still enraged, Quothest turned on the already-injured Ral, breaking his left foot. The marksdwarves fired to try and distract Quothest - one skillful shot lodging a bolt in the remains of its right 'third' foot. A howl of pain tore from the creature's maw and poor Ral received more kicks to the torso. The future was not looking good for the Swordsdwarf as he took strike after strike. I jumped at Quothest and a lucky angle of attack both shattered one of its feet and lodged the blade firmly in the wound. The beast's balance was ruined and he fell to the ground, allowing us to press the attack. We struck at the stony creature again and again, attempting to disable it before it could rise. Finally, with a mighty blow of the axe, Lorbam severed its head from its body. The head fell to the side, red eyes fading to darkness. Quothest had been struck down!
For several long moments after beast fell, there was silence, save for the ragged breathing of the warriors. Then we loosened our grip on our weapons and relaxed our stances. The battle was over, and the caverns were safe for now.
We sent one of the marksdwarves up to get urgent medical assistance for Ral and to inform the Mayor of the battle's outcome.
***
Ral remains critical, I have been told our doctors are doing what they can. Quothest was the largest and most dangerous foe that Spatteredcave has faced and our military have acted bravely and with great courage.
24th Hematite, 1058Another beast has arrived! We have not had time to recover from the last attack, and our military have to be called into action again! Nökor Stibmerbothon, a great hairy sauropod with large mandibles. As tired as our military are, we must defend ourselves.
28th Hematite, 1058...Okay, Nökor was definitely not in the same league as Quothest. The Captain of the Guard and a Marksdwarf took him out by themselves, while the rest of the military was trying to catch up to them. They had gone ahead trying to save Ushrir, a gem cutter, who was unfortunately struck down before help arrived. Melbil, the Marksdwarf, is not in the best condition but Id managed to remain unscathed throughout the battle. Id has not deemed this battle important enough to write an official report on, simply that the creature bled out after a sword strike opened an artery.
More work for our doctors. It's a good thing we have more than one now.
10th Galena, 1058The doctors continue to monitor our injured, while the other dwarves repair the damage caused by Quothest and continues with preparations for moving. Several more bedrooms have been outlined and are waiting for masons to build the walls. In clearing out the lower caverns, we have stocked up an enormous amount of wood - I don't think we have to worry about running out for years.