7th Malachite, 770
With the immediate danger dealt with I can now properly review the documentation, or rather lack of, of Deathgate and decide where we can cut back. All our resources should be devoted to the underworld. Therefore I have ordered unused parts of the upper fortress to be sealed off. These include the old magma forges and the eccentric monuments erected by previous rulers. While the Temple above ground is impressive we cannot spend precious resourses defending it. The BATTERY, as my mechanical advisors dub it, is overgrown with cavern growth and clearly inoperable. Adding to the confusion someone mentioned that the leg and arm of one Rith Kuduzol remains at the bottom of a pond of water several stories deep. How it arrived there is a mystery because the pool is closed off completely closed off... No, apparently it is open at the well in the upper fort. After ordering the floor hatch open my stomach dropped at the sight of the drop and retched at the smell. There is also a throne room with a massive water feature through its length. However the presence of the water appears unintentional and from what scribbles I can find from the earliest rulers I can only assume it was an accident. Due to the disuse and infrequency of traffic to such a remote area I have claimed it as my own. While the idea of having the room as the seat of my power is appealing, it is too far removed from the rest of the fortress to be of any practical use, not the mention that some dwarves speak of the curse of the platinum throne. Before I took up my role as Military Commander of Deathgate I would have dismissed such things as superstition and the work of idle minds. However fighting demons in the underworld does change one’s perspective on what is possible. To be on the safe side I ordered the chamber sealed. However I still retain the right to sit on the throne.
8th of Malachite, 770
I have received word of an Oppossem Brute harassing the teams I sent to collect the fallen and wounded. Only Onuk Koganshis, I am told that he is a doctor of sorts, was able to engage. With nothing but a black bear leather hood and a masterwork adamantine spear I can only hope for the best. While the Brute is distracted by the fallen the Doctor of Sorts stabs it from behind, chipping bone and spilling its guts.
The fallen soldier appears to be none other than Tholtig Amalerush the Murderer. I do not find the use of prisoners as fodder repulsive in a military scenario. The fact that he is missing his entire right leg doesn’t truly concern me either.
The Doctor of Sorts managed to wound the Brute and forced it to retreat. Meanwhile Deduk Noramnish sucms to infection. No matter. I give the order for the squads staging inside the Hell fort to charge. After causing great injury to the Brute Doctor of Sorts collapsed, apparently unable to stand and bleeding. Shem Egenasob, a swordsdwarf, arrived on the scene and charges the Brute. Derm, the Mayor of Deathgate and one of the nobles I allowed to remain in power in return for support of my coup, appeared on the scene and had his legs broken. Shem also had his leg broken. Bealor the Third also arrived and engaged the enemy. Shem has been killed.
A second Oppossem Brute arrived on the scene and I gave the order to retreat. Amist the chaos Baelor the Third was slain. Although his service was quick he shall be missed. I ordered the mechanics to operate the levers that worked the spike traps in the Hell fort but they seemed confused by the order. They could not find the relevant documentation.
Tacobell has been struck down and Thob Udarfeb leapt into a deep chasm to avoid the two Brutes.
In response to the situation developing in the underworld I have ordered the Hell base sealed. Several dwarves were trapped outside but due to the lack of organisation there was no other choice. They will be missed, their equipment more so. In an effort to destroy the Brutes I have decided to engage myself. In the confusion of the assault the recruit Eral Fikodushrir retreated, a Brute pursued and I managed to behead the monster. Now only one remains. With my trusty adamantine short sword I shall slay this Brute and finally earn the total respect of the people of Deathgate. After this they shall accept my leadership and we can finally claim the underworld was our own!
I managed to remove the left arm of the Brute. I continued my attack and rained blow after blow onto the beast.
11th Malachite, 770
Now there only remain two more beasts in the underworld brave enough to challenge us. I gave the order to fall back to the Hell fort. We need to reorganise. We need to prepare.
And Derm the Mayor and Doctor of Sorts perished after no one bothered to help them. I think that this is the perfect time for a rearrangement of the ruling class...
13th Malachite, 770
I got lost again while heading down to the Hell fort. I need to employ a cartographer to map this place. Although the others don’t seem to think that this is a good idea. Why would rendering this place on paper or stone be a bad idea?
15th Malachite, 770
I have condensed the military into a few large squads. Because of the time wasted by squad members trying to find equipment the last attack was a mess. Therefore the two largest squads have been ordered to employ whatever they wish. This shall reduce the time wasted and it might make things more effective. Hopefully.
Another Oppossum Brute was spotted and the military deployed. A few members were on hand at the time and they engaged. I can only hope for the best. Bomrek Cogusen engaged. I can only hope that he knows what he’s doing with no equipment. Although the sock and trousers employed by the Brute seems even more ineffectual. Several dwarves have arrived to watch the fight, cheering poor Bomrek on. I feel only bravery for that poor dwarf. I hope he doesn’t leave too much of a mess.
I have also received reports of Boiling Banshees on the outer limits of the Hell colony. I do not like our prospects at the moment.
Ast was strangled to death by the Brute and Bembul Keskalmezum was killed by a blow to the head by a sock. A sock!
I need to find a drink. Bomrek, the naked wrestler, fled after suffering minor injuries, I over estimated his stupidity for bravery. The crowd that had gathered quickly dispersed, their moral shattered. I might have to put this Brute down myself.
Bomrek was slaughtered by that damn sock. And our new mayor, little more than a pawn in my plans, was also attacked. The Brute moved with an unnatural speed and thrust the sock into his throat. The poor guy fell into the endless pits below.
I retrieved my sword and took off in pursuit. This madness ends now!
The fight was short. The Brute was too strong and I was injured too much to continue the fight. With blood pouring from open wounds I staggered out of the Hell fort, trying to lure the demon out. It followed. I do not think I shall remain long on this plane.
The Brute slaughtered another soldier and returned to the assault of the Hell fort. Several civilians and some fresh recruits were killed. The mechanics managed to seal the Hell fort, unfortunately I and several others remain outside. I can only hope that the Brute doesn’t find me.
Oh, please Armok! I don’t want to die like this!
But I must end this. Finding the strength I attempted to engage. The Brute charged and took me off guard. It rained blows on me but each blow is stopped my armour. Praise adamantine! Its strength is unrivalled. Now to end this!
I fade in and out of conscious. Everything is darkness. My head hurts for some reason.
22nd Malachite, 770
Journal of Acting Ruler of Deathgate
The actual Ruler is suffering from repetitive blunt force trauma to the face in the underworld; therefore I have stepped up to command the fort in his absence. I can actually see him from the Hell fort... so much blood.
Besides continuing the building of the Hell fort we have had a recent wave of migrants arrive. Apparently they have not received any updated news of the recent months.
23rd Malachite, 770
Journal of Acting Ruler of Deathgate
Our esteemed Military Commander has been killed defending the Mountainhomes. He was murdered by Shadmaloggez Damid Sikel, or Confusedholes the Witch of Hoods in the common tongue, the Opossum Brute. We shall avenge his death!
The Hell fort has been sealed. The Brute has managed to break into the lowest level through a hole in the wall made in an attempt to seal the nearly walled off courtyard. We will attempt to close it when the Brute is distracted.