Initial Report
So one day I thought I was tired of the life in the mountain homes. It was overcrowded, ruled by a baron and his overeager hammerer. But despite the constant dealing out of ‘justice’ there were still too many dwarves going for the same jobs. I wasn’t getting any work at all and was in horrendous debt. Then the tax collector came and gave me two options: sign up to establish a new fortress worthy of dwarf-kind, or have a chat with the hammerer. It was obvious where I was going then… So to my surprise when after a whole year of being here I was told I was in charge of the fort.
This has to be one of the more dire ‘forts’ I’ve ever been residence to. For a start, it is all above ground. For any self-respecting dwarf this is an abomination! We are creature of the earth and that is where we shall stay. How ever, there is a good reason that we are on the Armok forsaken surface; there is an aquifer below our feet that has been impenetrable to our efforts to break through it so far. This is the only problem I need to solve during the year. Other than the failure to get us all where we belong, the previous ruler has done good job of looking after the fort’s food supply. The estimates are around 100 units of booze and around 440 units of food. While I would prefer more accurate numbers, these numbers will have to do. I’m sure we will manage, for we are dwarves, blessed by armok himself.
Right, let’s get to work then.
1st Granite
First things first, this fort needs to be more organised. I always try to be as organised as possible in my life and running forts is no exception. So I henceforth am the fortress’ manager and decree that 16 wooden pipe sections, blocks and enormous corkscrews be made. Hehe, look at them go. Being in power is fun!
But wait, why is no-body working? You aren’t a carpenter? Pfft, well you are now, get to your workshop. Wait, there only is one? Well make some more. Armok dam these dwarves…
9th Slate
It is the happiest day of my life today! Since she arrived here Bëmbul the broker and I have been madly in love and today we finally got married! Seeing as there is no proper room for parties (which I have noted down on my to-to list) we decided that the well was as good as any other place to have the obligatory party afterwards! Anyway, no point writing anything more down today, off to party!
19th Slate
An important event occurred today. Udil the miner who died in the first attempt to breach the aquifer has finally been put to rest. This is a moment to stop and think of how our next plan will pan out and to make sure it is perfect so as to avoid a repeat of last year’s tragedy.
However, my plan is deferent to !!Crundle!!’s. It involves pumping the water from the aquifer out faster that it refills again to allow carpenters to wall up the earth and then continue from there. This method should help prevent any casualties. But we wont know what will happen until the day comes I suppose…
26th Slate
Migrants have arrived!
1 Stonecrafter
2 Clothiers
1 Weaver
1 Miner
1 Gem Setter (who went off to hunt…)
1 Trapper (I mean mason)
1 Tanner
1 Lye maker (at least he knows record keeping)
2 Animal trainers (who both are part time mace dwarves)
1 Wood burner (I mean mechanic)
1 ‘farmer’ (He does it all. Terribly)
1 Weaponsmith
1 Fisherdwarf
And all of them brought along at least one animal… fuck.
20th Hematite
Dam. Today we made our attempt to breach the aquifer, which has met failure. As soon as the pumps were started the whole area was completely submerged in water. I underestimated how quickly the water would re-fill…
The Aquifer fail.
I have revised my plans.
The revised plan.
In happier news my wife had great fun stealing from the elves. You see, they think that cloth is their most valuable resource. So encouraging trade with them encourages them to bring more cloth. Until it gets to the point where they bring nothing but cloth. Leaving their more interesting products like their exotic animals behind at home. So when we saw that they had a live Jaguar we didn’t hesitate to claim it. Screw your economy elves we take what we want.
So yeah, that's the first part of my turn. I pissed off the elves and failed at breaching the aquifer. Mainly because I didn't dig out a big enough space. So just the usual then.
Also, it seems that the parrots can learn as they are getting social skills. I guess being round all those dwarves are making the parrots good at mimicking those little midgets.