It was morning on the surface palisade
The mechanic Cerol was supposed to set the second trap on the walkway of agile doom (or gravitational demise, it really wasn't settled yet) when goblins appeared right beneath the stairway. Initially the goblins appeared in pieces and showers of viscera, so Cerol was unconcerned as she approached. However when she reached the walkway the ambush became apparent.
Cerol ran, dodging a mace goblin's first strike, but catching a morningstar on the arm.
Her fat saved her. She sprinted to a safe distance, while her pursuer turned to meet the militia.
The militia, though unskilled, was lead by brave Asen Lashlobsters. Her skill as a miner was well known and she fought wearing three shields, a silver hammer and an iron pick. Limbs flew. Teeth gnashed. the Spike of Veiling decimated the remaining goblins. Asen came to be known as the Spike of Veiling for her ferocity.
Lulled by the success of our brave troops, I gave the order to break into the cavern. I wanted the bones of the scorpion spirit guide. I had realized that the signs relating to our fortresses destiny were revealing themselves earlier in the year, as our first, most hated enemy--a giant toad, was harnessed and bound by a possessed mason who wove a chain from her bones and the bones of other creatures.
Perhaps it was that success that lead to the greatest tragedy to strike our fort in my term. I should have listened to Loud, known as the Possessed dwarf. Surely he of all dwarves would know of the ways of dwarven art and madness. A leatherworker wouldnt begin. Wouldn't start. He had stopped speaking in early winter or later fall. He drew and sketched. Rock bars--he had metal bars--iron! He had blocks too, rock blocks just in case that was what he meant. He wanted bones--he had bones! All animals that could, went under the knife! He wanted gems, I cut onyx and chrysoberyl. Nothing. In the end he just began screaming in a kind of animal rage. Most ran. Loud, the Possessed Dwarf rushed to fight him, but suffered a quick broken bone. When the militia came upon the leather worker (may his name be striken from our records, though he be buried near you Loud), his hands had crushed the Possessed Dwarf's skull.
R.I.P. Possessed Dwarf
This tragedy shook my resolve, and I decided to pass leadership when spring time came. However problems are cowards: they travel in packs.
Checking last reports, I realized even as the winter months closed, that iron production had slowed once more. To my horror I realized I was not cautious enough (or perhaps I'd smoked a bit too much rat weed, prior) with my mining designations. I flooded our surface mine. All that nice iron ore is currently filling up with water. Fortunately the main fort is in no way threatened at the moment. Future overseers will be well advised to exploit the "new reservoir" as a ready made source for a drowning trap. Or just pump it out and get that ore!
The tree farm is very small, i meant to make it more of a statue garden
The shrines are very basic, but at least we honor the gods somewhat. The putrid drool's platform is incidentally made of iron, in case you need it in a hurry:
Finally, the well and the hospital are my proudest achievements. Watching a miner strapped into a traction bench to fix a multiple fracture, ignored for over 2 years, it just warms your beard.
Finally, myself: I ask for nothing other than my room (its on the level with the demonic fortress), my tomb (its the one with the different gods), and my favorite food:
I keep waiting for the scorpion to come for me, but that shall be in the hands of another overseer.
Seriously though, mind the harmless surface mine flood doesn't accidentally become a whole fort flood and kill the f.b, it should be a pushover. The trap on the surface needs finishing. The militia is training in the room right by the trading post, I drafted a few more newbs to fill it out and set the train to 7/10, they'll be badass by next year. Once the archers have backpacks they should train too, we just always need arrows, ore and wood. I also highly recommend removing the floors over the river outside our wall--as archers become more useful, the stream should prove to be a great strategic resource.