In the old days, my first couple of artifacts would normally be pretty poor (a maple idol, with an image of a maple idol on it in maple), but after that I'd start to get better stuff.
I'm playing my first 0.31.12 fortress, and the exact opposite is happening.
My first artifact:
Lim Akir, The Wisps of Rewarding, a native gold statue of Utdar Beersbeak
Basic value 133200¤
This is a native gold statue of Utdar Beersbeak. All craftsdwarfship is of the highest quality.
The item is a masterfully designed image of Udtar Beersbeak the human and Athel Shieldtactic the dwarf in native gold by 'Statue' Lorbammistem. Athel Shieldtactic is striking down Utdar Beersbeak. The artwork relates to the killing of the human Udtar Beersbeak by the dwarf Athel Shieldtactic in Taughtroads in the Spine of Hames in 201 during Utu Gan, "The Onslaught of Clubs".
It is decorated with giant olm leather and encircled with bands of native gold.
On the item is an image of Sarvesh Tinwires the dwarf in giant cave swallow leather.
Artifact 2:
Leromusil, Pantedcopper, a gold anvil
Basic Value: 73200¤
This is a gold anvil. All craftsdwarfship is of the highest quality. It is studded with gold.
On the item is an image of Dakas, the deity of jewels, depicted as a male dwarf in groundhog leather. Dakas is striking a triumphant pose.
Artifact 3:
Omshit Insél, The Suffering of Gangs, a cow leather boot
Basic value: 27480¤
This is a cow leather boot. All craftsdwarfship is of the highest quality. It is encircled with cow leather, morganite and cat bone.
Artifact 4:
Umshadrithlut, The Ponderous Wax, a cow bone cap
Basic value: 600¤
This is a cow bone cap. All craftsdwarfship is of the highest quality.
What?!
Worst. Artifact. Ever.
Is this a 0.31.12 thing, or have I just been incredibly unlucky?
And has anyone else had such a shit artifact?
(To make matters worse, this last artifact was produced at the same time that the miner who had made my awesome first artifact got killed in a cave-in, when he undermined a single soil tile and got knocked through the floor.)