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[Kipi]

10th of Malachite, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

I have finally decided to start my own personal log here in Craftwaters. It has been many years since I have kept one, I think the last time was when I was still in school.

We got attacked by creature called hungry head today. Apparently it sneaked inside through the draining tunnel. And here I thought I ordered that floodgate closed to prevent this kind of events. But no, I think nobody understood the situation even after we got attacked by those things called crundles.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Well, what's the best way to deal with the hungry head? Military of course! So, when the first panicked farmers ran upstairs I ordered Strike Team to go down there and investigate. When they reached the farms they saw one of the farmers chased by the foul creature.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Well, as they were ordered to do, the squad attacked the creature. It had no chance, so the battle was over quickly. Goldrouted was the one who dealt the killing blow, and for that the farmers are thankful to him. Hah, basing on the reports of Goldrouted the farmers couldhave killed the creature by themselves, there was no need to send soldiers down there. Well, I have always thought that inside every farmer there lives small coward. But, the problem has been dealt, and we should leave it to that.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

12th of Malachite, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

I went to hospital today to see the poor bastard who has been there as long as I remember. Phantomclasped was her name I think.

According to medical records she has been bedridden two years now, and hasn't moved since. She had her right foot and nose broken and she has been unconscious most of the time since she was wounded.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I can't believe we are feeding her, it's apparent that she will never get out from the hospital alive again. But apparently she has become some kind of symbol to military, so I can't just get rid of her, like I did with the three preachers. But still I think it as a waste of food, especially since those times she actually comes around she is just babbling. I think the broken nose was force than the doctors believe, perhaps her brain was damaged as well. I've heard such things to happen, nose being struct to brain, causing the victim to become simpleton. I think the case applies here as well, though nobody agrees with me.

[Kipi]

18th of Galena, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

Finally we have figured out what to do with the goblin prisoners. We should use them as live targets for training! Yup, that's what we are going to do.

So, I ordered small room built just south from barracks. The room is separated in two sections with small channel, and bridge was built to connect these two sections. If archers want to train their aiming the channel will separate them from the goblins, allowing safe training. If it's Strike Team which does the training, then the bridge shall be kept down, leaving more space to maneuver.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

When the room was ready it was time to test this chamber. I ordered five goblins to be hauled there and archers to prepare themselves for training. When everything was ready the archers stationed inside, and the lever controlling the bridge was pulled.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

When everything was ready to go the goblins were set free, and the training begun. The training went well until one of the goblins fell down to the channel. For safety reasons there was stairs leading to the entrance of the chamber, and the goblin was able to get past the archers.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The goblin tried to escape, and I ordered the Strike Team to chase it down. They never caught it, as it was trapped by our cage traps near the ramps leading outside. There was lots of blood inside the entrance tunnel, so Goldrouted suspected that the goblin was hit by the traps numerous times. Well, if it doesn't die due the wounds then it shall be placed inside the training chamber again. But we have to place some traps down there before more training can take place. After all, we can not allow anything to escape.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

19th of Galena, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

As the testing of training chamber was finished it was to me to deal with the human caravan waiting in trading depot. I bought some food, alcohol, metal bars, bolts, sand and glass from them, and in exchange I gave them some of our crafts. The traders were happy with the deal.

Now, while I was leaving from the depot one of the peasant came to talk with me. Apparently the citizens of this Fortress want proper housing, so the dwarf requested if we could build bedrooms for everybody. I promised only take the request to next council meeting, where the decision will be made.


21st of Galena, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

The council gathered today, our main topic of discussion was the housing of the citizens. As there was no clear consensus I called a vote.

The result of voting was seven for the housing, three against. So, we are going to build bedrooms for everybody. The council decided to first make the rooms for soldiers, then work with other rooms. I'm satisfied by the decision, so I gave the order to start the work.

[Kipi]

23rd of Limestone, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

I went through the reports of the goblin siege today, and I noticed that one of our soldiers has been excelled in battle. After I made some deeper research I noticed that the dwarf in question has made five notable kills, in addition of two other kills. Now, how come this has got past my notice?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Well, it's time to fix my mistake now. And thus I gave Zasit Squashedmetals the title of "the Quill of Busters". I hope he respect this notion of bravery, and I sure hope he keeps on showing his skills in battles to come.


23rd of Limestone, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

Goldrouted reminded me about one law I had totally forgotten: "When soldier is given a title, the dwarf in question must fight against as many creatures as he has notable kills to earn the title. The battle must take place as soon as possible."
Well, unfortunate to Squashedmetals. Well, he must defeat five creatures in single combat now, and it happens we have just enough trolls and goblins in cages, so the battle chamber was readied for him.

When everything was ready Squashedmetals was stationed inside the chamber, door was locked and the prisoners were set free.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

First he killed the two trolls, which was wise decision as those can do some great damage. I was surprised how fast he killed those. From there Squashedmetals begun charging towards the goblins.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Leaving the master thief be for now he rushed towards the two healthy goblins. Apparently he considered the master thief as no threat due the wounds it had suffered earlier. Well, that was unwise decision, as the thief stabbed him behind, damaging his left leg.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

It took some moments before Squashedmetal recovered from being stunned by the wound. He rushed towards the goblins, this time he was wounded in arm.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

As the law states, we can not open the door before either the prisoners or Sqaushedmetal are dead. So, we could not do anything else than observe.
He was able to mortally wound one of the goblins, but he wasn't able to evade the counterstrike, which landed the spot where his neck and head connects. Due the contact he also lost his grip from the axe.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Squashedmetals staggered around the room while the goblins were watching and laughing. Few moments later he died, apparently the damage in neck had made him unable to breathe.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The door to chamber and the rest of the Strike Team was sent inside to revenge the death of their comrade.
Two of the goblins were able to escape, heading upstairs and towards the entrance. Fortunately the traps near the entrance took care of them. The last goblin was slaughtered by furious squad, pieces flying all over the barracks.

So, Squashedmetal was not able to survive the title test, which I find unfortunate. On the other hands, I only followed the laws, so there is no way I can be made guilty of what happened today. Still, perhaps using the goblins as targets was not that good idea after all...

[Kipi]

Interlude - The Laws of Craftwaters

Crimes

• Dealing with either goblins or elves in peaceful manner, without intention of slaying or driving them away, is considered as treason
• Producing useless object, including toys and crafts, from adamantine is considered as treason due the rarity of the material in question.
• Undermining the authority of any member of High Council is considered treason, regardless if it was intentional or not.
• Disobeying the order of any member of High Council is crime, and the punishment shall be decided by the offended party.

Punishments

• Dwarf or dwarves committing crime that is considered treason will be sentenced to death. The method of execution shall be decided by the current leader of the fortress.
• Offending member of High Council should result a punishment decided by the offended party, approved by the current leader of the fortress.
• The punishment for disobeying orders of higher rank dwarf is considered individually, basing to the situation in question. The punishment can range between official warning to death sentence.

Miscellaneous laws

• The danger room is only allowed to be used by Strike Team, and nobody else.
• Only male dwarves can join military. The female dwarves who have already joined are allowed to keep their rank.
• Excluding the possible nobles appointed by the queen, the size of High Council is ten members. No more, no less.
• If a soldier is given a title, the soldier in question must defeat certain number of enemies in one combat to earn the title. The number of enemies required to kill is the same as the number of notable kills the soldier in question has made.
  
  During the battle no other soldiers can interfere, not until either the soldiers or all enemies are dead. If the soldier survives the battle, the title is given.
• If there is no consensus among the members of High Council, the debate is solved by voting. If the voting results draw, the leader of council vote decides.

[fatherjimbo]

Just out of curiosity...
How many is actually reading this story?

The number under the views is a bit screwed and I don't trust it as at times I can easily add over ten views in few hours myself.

Also, if anybody has any suggestions on how to make the story/thread more attractive so that more members begin reading this and even participate, please tell. I'm open for ideas and constructive criticism.

I'm defninitly reading and enjoying it.

[Kipi]

Nice to hear that. This fortress does provide lots of stuff to write about. Of course, some of it comes from the invented things I have come up with, like the probably alliance between goblins and elves, or the preachers, but mostly often not. Though have to admit, I'm perhaps a bit too cautious, trying to protect every dwarf unless the story requires somebody to die... 

[Kipi]

10th of Timber, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

The first housing floor is finally ready, and all the soldiers have already moved there. The project proceed as planned and miners have already begun working with the second floor, just above the first. I think it will be somewhere around next spring when everybody has own personal bedroom


15th of Timber, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

We have reports that the caravan is coming, though it may still take few days before they reach us. Excellent! I hope they bring something nice and perhaps even good news.


17th of Timber, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

Crap! The liaison is here any day now and our fortress is one big mess. There is clouds of miasma everywhere due the rotting corpses and such, we have dirty clothes and other equipment laying everywhere god knows why and portion of our plants are rotting in farms.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

This is not what I want to show to the liaison! Craftwaters is big, self-sufficient fortress which has endured several sieges, and no such fortress should look so messy like this one! What will she say when she sees this place? And we have no time to clean up! This is catastrophe!


22nd of Timber, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

The traders came here today. And the tale they told me about their journey was peculiar one.

When they first reached this area they were ambushed by squad of goblins. The guards charged towards the goblins, and were able to drive them away. Unfortunately one axedwarf fell, and his corpse is already being moved to our graveyard.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

After the goblins were driven away the traders regrouped, and continued heading towards our entrance. Near the bridge they spotted another goblin ambush, heading towards our fortress. The goblins had wounded one of us by bolts, and so the guards ran towards the goblins, trying to get their attention to safe the poor dwarf.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Now, from this point on the tale was known to me as well, as our Strike Team was able to chase the goblins away with the help of caravan guards. Nobody else was harmed, and the wounded dwarf, Keyearthen, was carried to hospital. I sure hope the doctors will attend him soon, the wounds were pretty bad.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

After the tale was told it was time to do some trading. We gave them some crafts we have had stored, and in return we got some more metal, wood, glass and alcohol. Pretty decent trade as far as I see it.


21st of Moonstone, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

I went to see the chief doctor today, to get status update of the dwarf Keyearthen. Apparently his wounds are very serious, and there is high chance he will never leave the hospital alive. Nevertheless, the doctor promised that everything will be done to save the poor dwarf.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I finally managed to met the liaison. She was surprised about how things have changed here, though she did not mention anything about the chaos we have inside due all the miasma, rotting corpses and stuff. But she was delighted that we had been able to defend our fortress against the sieges.

After the regular trading discussion the liaison gave me a letter from the queen. She said that I was ordered to not open it before she had left the fortress, goods know why. But, since we had nothing else to discuss, I escorted her outside.

When we came outside we were surprised about what we saw; there was huge minotaur sitting inside the walls, apparently wounded by the weapon traps!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I ordered the Strike Team to kill it, but it decided to flee instead, rushing towards the bridge. When it reached the traps it passed out and was killed by one trap. As the soldiers had nothing to do, I cancelled the order and the liaison left.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

22nd of Moonstone, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

This is an outrage! The queen can not do this to me!

The letter from queen stated that, as our fortress has been grown quite much, we are officially promoted as barony. Now, in other circumstances I would be delighted about it, but the bitch decided to go an appoint someone else to be the baroness, not me!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

According to the letter the new baroness, Soapalope Conjureswords, is from noble blood and thus she was the best candidate for leading this fortress. I can't believe this! Some parvenu lass, with no merits of leading anything in her live, is now ruling this fortress! And here I, who have been running this fortress since the beginning, am thrown aside. Yes, I'm still mayor and manager of this fortress, but all diplomatic situations go to this bastard, not to me!

I must take this to High Council! Lets see what they think of it!

[Taricus]

Log of councilman Anklelabours

Today marks the day that craftwaters is a barony, however Knifeled is quite angry at not receiving the title and has called a convening of the council,
I'm going to ask Ber what she thinks of all this, As this may also get ugly.

I have a few issues with how Knifeled is handling the dissidents, locking them in a room and starving them to death is not good for morale and we may have an uprising soon, Especially with Bookbulwark's death we lose another smith

I'm going to see If I can convince Knifleled to just dump the refuse (and cats) straight into the magma, cats being the reason for there being so many vermin remains.

Ber is calling for me again diary, so I'll see you soon.

[Kipi]

Heh, dumbing wouldn't be a bad idea, though that does require me to turn TEMPERATURE:YES from init, right?
The fortress is curently running on mighty 35-41 FPS, so I kinda fear I'll just fry my laptop if I turn that setting on... 

[Taricus]

Yeah, but you could just quantum-dump it in a room with only diagonal paths

[Kipi]

25th of Moonstone, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

I can't believe this! The High Council accepted the new baroness as their leader without hesitation!

When I asked the reasons behind this decision the only answer I got was that it was the will of the queen, and we should not disobey her. From now on I'm not the one who calls the shots around here anymore, the bastard Soapalope is! But there is nothing I can do about it, so I must try to win her trust so that I still can regain some of my old power.

I have also some good news; Keyearthen has been healed and he has left the hospital and is working again! None of the doctors actually believed it would be possible, but apparently it was. And for the record, there was no sign of infection, so he should be able to live happy and long life. Well, that's relief.


11th of Opal, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

The housing for commoners is ready, but baroness decided that the project should be halted until she has got her own quarters and tomb. Why? Why she thinks she can suddenly boss everybody around just because she happens to be bastard of one of the nobles in mountainhome? Yes, that's right, I have finally figured it all out. She came here because she was not able to live as a bastard of one of the respected counselor in the mountainhome. And now, as she has some noble blood running in her veins, the queen has decided that she is the best person to lead this fortress.

Well, there is nothing I can do about the overriding of my orders, so I must just sit back and watch how things goes. Let her have those damned quarters of hers.


14th of Obsidian, year 161
Personal log of Knifeled

The bastard's personal quarters are finally ready. And does she order the resume of the housing project? No! She decides we need to make new storages for food and refuses. And since she had noticed two empty storage rooms, she decided that those should made bigger! I don't know, it really looks like she doesn't even want to give the commoners their own bedrooms!



2nd of Granite, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

I noticed that our miners had disappeared, so I went to investigate. Turned out they were working inside small tower constructed above the outer walls! When was that thing made?

I went and asked one of the miners who had given the order to build it, and I was replied that it was the order of baroness. So, she just passes me when giving orders? I have to discuss this with her, this can not continue!


3rd of Granite, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

So, I went to see the baroness. I stated my irritation about the fact that she has disregarded the chain of command, and gives all the orders directly to the workers. I'm the manager here! I'm the one who gives the orders, not some bloody noble who can't make a difference between axe and pick!

Well, she just stared me, then asked if I was contesting her decisions? Hell yes I was! Why else would I have bothered dragging myself in her office? When I gave my reply, which unfortunately was more or less like the one above, she kept staring me for a long moment, confused and angry. The she told me that I was given official warning and that next time I question her decisions she would consider me as criminal. And what was done to such criminals was well known to me, so I just kept my mouth shut.

When I asked what was the purpose of the tower I was explained that two archers would be stationed in there all the time, keeping watch of the entrance. We have had too many sieges and ambushes coming that we just can not let the entrance be unguarded, even though there are traps in there. Well, at least there was a good explanation for it. But still I feel offended by how she treats me, like I was just some kind of puppet she can play with and throw away when not needed.


10th of Granite, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

We were attacked by blind cave ogre today. It tried to enter the fortress from small hole in the old farming area, the same hole we have been using to allow the access to the cavern. Fortunately we had our military guarding the entrance, and so the ogre had no chances to wreak havoc.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Unfortunately, not everybody survived the attack unharmed. The baby Bluenessmines, a youngest son of Icesilvers and Releasedmansions was killed by the ogre. Shocked by the death Icesilvers begun mauling the ogre, forgetting to defend herself. The ogre was able to hit her hard, wounding her ankle.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

After the examination the doctors said that, even though her ankle was pretty badly crushed, she should be able to walk again and join the military sooner or later. That's relief, though I wonder if she is willing to do so. After all, she has lost two children due the service already. Well, time will tell.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

4th of Slate, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

Finally the new storages are ready! Perhaps we can move on more important things now, like the housing of commoners.

[Kipi]

New map has been uploaded, link in the OP.

[Taricus]

Log of councilman Anklelabours

Knifeled is getting consistently stonewalled and my fears confirmed, The baroness cares for nobody but herself, halting the construction of the workers rooms and Demanded some opulent quarters for herself.

I'm going to Knifleled to propose a course of action. We MUST curtail the noble's power, for if it does not, the mountainhome may find itself lacking in Adamantine equipment.

I will see If i can get approval from both Knifeled and the milita to organize a smiths strike.

I hope that if I die, these memoirs get released.

[Kipi]

5th of Slate, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

I met Taricus today as he wanted to discuss the current state of affairs. Apparently he is also fed up with Soapalope, and he went even as far as to suggest smiths strike.

While the idea of the strike was interesting, we should not resort to such thing yet. After all, if Soapalope dies, then the queen just promotes new dwarf in her place, and we have worsened our situation in her eyes. In my opinion we should try to take the charge in a way that she doesn't notice it, not immediately at least. If we can control her we do not need to fear the wrath of the queen, and life can return to normal here.

For that we must obey her commands for now, and try to create an illusion that she is in charge even though she is not. And to accomplish that we need her trust. Also, we must convince the rest of the council that what we are doing is for the good of Craftwaters and that we need their support in this.


17th of Slate, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

The fool elves sent another caravan here. Apparently they still don't get it that they are not tolerated here and killed on sight.

Goldrouted ordered his squad to wait the pointy-ears in the entrance tunnel, and when all five traders were inside the bridge was raised. After that the slaughter begun.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Three of the elves were killed immediately inside the tunnel, and rest two were heading downstairs and from there to caverns. It seems like the two survivors tried to escape their fate through the cavern complex, but fortunately our militia was ready and waiting for them. The two elves were killed inside the long hallway running through the industrial sector.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

]

While the military was busy slaughtering the elves, our archers spotted several goblin ambushes heading towards our fortress.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Apparently their forces were in mutiny of some kind, as there was some bloody fight between the goblins, several of them dying on their battle.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

18th of Slate, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

Looks like the fight between goblins were about attempting to assault our fortress; as soon as they had stopped fighting they turned around and left, leaving few corpses of their own kind behind. Stupid goblins.

[Kipi]

5th of Hematite, year 162
Personal log of Knifeled

On of the queen's messengers came here yesterday. He said he had some urgent messages to take to Soapalope, and the message should be given only to her.

Well, the messenger has come and gone, but the message he brought is more than disturbing; the queen was asking why we haven't produced any adamantine weapons or armors for caravan to take back to mountainhome? I know this because Soapalope came to my office today, demanding for answers. She was furious. I said that we have not mined enough adamantine to actually ship back to mountainhome, and she replied that then we should mine some more. I tried to convince her that it could be dangerous to dig too deep too fast but she didn't listen.

Me: "Bu milady, we are not prepared to deal with anything we find down there! Haven't you heard the tales about other fortresses which have tried to mine all the adamantine, then suddenly all contact has been lost to them?"

Soapalope: "Just tales, nothing more. Now, I want all the adamantine we can get mined, turned into usable form and the shipped to mountainhome."

Me: "But, shouldn't we at least prepare ourselves?"

Soapalope: "What are you suggesting then?"

Me: "Well, we should build a place to where all the children, members of council and the fortress guards to live, sealed of from rest of the fortress. Then we must arm every civilian living in this fortress."

Soapalope: "Aren't you taking this a bit too far? Sealing up part of the population? Arming everybody? Nah, there is nothing to fear about."

Me: "But, milady, I beg you! We can't just leave the possibility of something happening behind! We must be prepared!"

Soapalope: "Oh well, fine, do what you see must. But I warn you, if all this preparation has been for nothing, then I'll see you executed personally!"

Me: "Fine to me, I'll rather take that risk."

She left my office, and so the preparations begun. We need to build the panic room, produce enough food and alcohol to be stockpiled there, and we need lots of steel to produce all the weapons and armor. Lots of things to do.


OOC: As the fortress is suffering from very low FPS (now lingering somewhere between 20-28, I just need to do this before the fortress becomes unplayable. If we survive, then this is going to be epic, if we do not, well, at least Craftwaters fell dwarfly.