The ancient dwarves where expanding. The year was 6 (common) and the mountain homes where fit to burst. Copper skinned, and hardy, they traveled to the site of Lancetin. Lancetin was founded in the center of a powerful river, and to facilitate dwarven expansion, a bridge (The Old bridge) was built to span the river east to west. The dwarves, whom most where poor, dug into the side of a cliff on the eastern side of the area, and struck gold.
Lots of gold
Upon discovering this massive deposit of potential riches, the dwarves took to building a permanent shelter into the side of the cliff. This period of Lancetin is credited with the name "Cave-years" as production was slow, and works not started.
In the late times of the cave years, once gold smithing had reached its peak, the dwarves where infested by goblin thieves and snatchers. This time in known as "The panicking year" as great calamity and confusion struck the populace.
The dwarves set to the task of building a great fortress on TOP of the land. This was a practice unheard of in these ancient times, and several migrants stood in shock once the great walls were seen.
Lancetin entered its construction phase, and the first trial was presented to the fort. The great beast "the roc" (no kidding) arrived in a maddened rage. It was a great white feathered bird, which was the size of "many dragons". The dwarves assembled a force of untrained crossbow men (later known as conscripts) and took the fight to the enemy. Three where killed before the bird was shot in the left wing, fracturing it. The bird plummeted to earth where it was promptly shot to death (the champion who felled the the roc would later die in battle). The times of construction after the roc was killed was named "The busy times"
Trade was in full swing, earning Lancetin a monopoly on gold goods. Dwarf, Elf, and human alike came to trade in great numbers. This grew the attention of the goblin races, who where jealous of the dwarves’ success so close to their lands. Lucky, the fort's outer walls where completed and Lancetin was secure by a single drawbridge as a choke point. The goblins eventually came to claim what they believed where theirs (suffering and pain apparently) but were repulsed by the conscripts enjoying the advantage of walls and fortifications. These times where known as "the victory times".
Although, things could not stay this way for ever.
The goblins, learning their lesson of ranged warfare, returned with a massive force of bowmen and crossbowmen. They were much better equipped and prepared for the fight, and the legions of conscripts where decimated on the south wall, now coined the "bleeding wall".
The goblins eventually left after being pelted by the odd hunter braving the rain of arrows and bolts. The fortress was saved, though it would never completely recover from the loss. These times where known as "the sad times" (creative eh?)
The fort still stands today, although it is in a slight decline. The population is set at 147, and with every wave of migrants the fort losses more of its former life.
The expedition leader is still alive assuming the role of mayor. Now coined "The fort mother".
----Anyways. I really love this fort. Its not very successful. but it has a rich history and its still growing. some day i might go through the history and attach dates to all these events. The history still continues as the fort is still growing. I may post a update that is more focused if anyone is interested.