Thought I'd take this chance to give some background on one of the fort's most important dwarves: the queen, Domas Tickcities.
Domas Tickcities is one of the most long-lived dwarves in the fortress, and currently the reigning monarch of the last remnant of the Merchant of Echoing. In the early spring of 126, Domas and six other dwarves (founding a group known as the Diamond Cloisters) embarked upon the volcano known as the Fire of Channels. They struck the earth and founded
Nugrethshorast, Weatherwires in the dwarven tongue. Among the seven were also Kogsak Murdershot (carpenter/woodcutter) and Logem Buriedboard (cook/brewer, currently the only other surviving member of the founding seven). Domas herself was the mason of the group, as well as possessing a skill at appraisal. That very spring, she and Kogsak became romantically involved.
In the summer of the first year the first group of dwarves immigrated to the fortress. Among them was Udil Bandwires, a dwarf with some skill with a battleaxe, and Tun Towerhollow, of no real repute. Due to poor living conditions in the winter of 127 (and the death of a pet, if I remember correctly - this happened sometime early this past summer, 2011, so it's been a while), Udil threw a tantrum and slew Tun with her copper battle axe. To prevent further deaths, Domas Tickcities was appointed to the position of sheriff. In a brutal beating, she slew Udil with only her fists. Shortly thereafter, she was removed from the position. To this date, this has been Domas' only kill.
Domas and Kogsak married in the autumn of 131. In the early winter of 132, Kogsak became the baron of the Diamond Cloisters. Due to the lack of any other royalty in the Merchant of Echoing, this made Kogsak the
only ruler of dwarves. In 133 he rose to the rank of count, and in 134 the rank of duke. Domas bore him 5 children:
Èrith Futuredagger, eldest daughter, b. 132 d. 150
Cog Archwayward, second eldest daughter, b. 133
Avus Prestigecrafted, youngest daughter, b. 134 d. 136
Asmel Deathchannels, eldest son, b. 135
Olon Stakeesteemed, youngest son, b. 136 d. 151
In early 135, the massive dome project was designated - layer by layer, the outline of the dome was calculated and drawn. Due to a despondency amongst the citizens of Weatherwires, massive parties were thrown, and idleness became the norm. Friendships formed, and lovers multiplied. It was during this year that the old dining hall was graven with images by the master engravers. Various masterwork crafts and equipment were made by the dwarves. Unknown to the dwarves, this year would be the last of an era for the Merchant of Echoing.
In the late autumn of 135, the goblin civilization known as the Scorpion of Recreations attacked the Diamond Cloisters at Weatherwires. The goblin Stozu Nobleticks led the attack. Though the siege was broken quickly, seven dwarves who were outside the fortress perished in the attack. Later that season, the dwarf Stukos Girderopen was struck down by the dwarf Udil Rimlulls the Purged Contingency with Fallengrasp the Poetic Illnesses. This was the only dwarven kill made with the Purged Consistency (a silver warhammer), but it makred the beginning of a legendary tantrum spiral which resulted in the death of the majority of the population at that time.
Due to the death of many of his friends, in the midwinter of 135, Kogsak Murdershot went insane. He refused drink, and died of thirst later that winter.
Domas Tickcities endured the tantrum spiral, and has survived so far, being the last remnant of the dwarven monarchy.