The secret project progresses apace. Those bridges you see on three sides are each linked to a single lever - when one goes up, the other goes down - thus the chamber will be accessible from one side only at any given time. Inside each chamber is a single rope, so an animal can be left as bait. The purpose of this will become clear in time. The central chamber is the control chamber - being filled with food, booze and other survival materials - as well as where the lever controls are being installed. The outer hallway winds slowly down into the earth.
Hitting the damn aquifer, though, is a frustration I would have preferred not to deal with, better engineers than I have left notes on how to proceed, and after a few abortive attempts, I think I am making progress.
I am not alone in this endeavor - the Overseers who have come before me have left their guidance as well, even if not written on paper blueprints, their designs and ambitions still resonate in these halls. I will see them brought to fruition... Oh my yes. I dare say the very purpose of Hellcannon itself will be fulfilled soon...
Lest you think I have been neglecting the fortress as a whole, I will have you know that in addition to correcting the hospital situation by assigning our resident doctors + two dedicated helpers to the best-equipped hospital space we have, I have also been implementing a minor project to keep our militia in fighting shape. As you can see from the diagram below...
The Fun Pits can be used to provide
superb training opportunities right in the comfort of the fortress! Of course... there seem to be a few kinks in the system. I'm honestly not quite sure what happened but when I sent for a skelk or two for our first trial...
I never thought I'd say this, but Failcannon really had better occupational safety standards.
Anyway, the military got their training, one way or another.
Now, what on earth is this thing that seems to have joined in the fight?
Where on earth did we get this menagerie, anyway? In any case, the militia did their job admirably.
Shortly thereafter, however, panic resumed. One fighter was on the scene... but sadly was quickly overwhelmed.
When the others arrived, the threat was again quelled, but not before the forts most venerable cheesemaker, Strategia, was cornered and gored to death. Training was cancelled for the rest of the day.
Deathsword left some delightful artwork in my chambers. It leads me to believe the former mayor may not have been entirely popular... It's flattering to know I'm welcome, but seriously guys, I need to SLEEP here.
We had a couple of new arrivals, who miraculously managed to make it inside the fort in one piece no less. That, and one birth, minus the two deaths, puts the total current population at 34. (Is anyone in need of re-dorfing?)
A while later, some elves showed up to trade. They were not nearly so lucky as the migrants, and were ambushed by goblins from no less than three directions. There is something deeply ironic about an elf being filled with arrows by a goblin.
Now, in order to delve deeper and complete our new projects, I had told the population to ignore previous burrows orders. This had worked out marvelously until pointy-eared tree lovers showed up to get perforated and drop baskets full of their flowery hippy socks. Before I knew what was happening, everybody was
outside the bloody fort for some reason trying to gather the dropped goods!I don't need to tell you, this was a bad thing.
However, by some small miracle I don't understand, everyone listened when I forbade them to touch the dropped goods, and ordered them to again retreat to burrows. Every soul in the fort rushed back inside - and the goblins were far enough behind that we didn't take so much as an injury. I never would have dreamed it could go so well.
I return my attention now to the project - the broadest strokes are beginning to take shape. I only hope I can settle the more intricate details before this opportunity is wrested from me by force or misfortune, by the machinations of mortals, Gods, or Led... or by the jealousies, or fear, of lesser minds. Already I hear them mutter amongst themselves - some may suspect my true purpose. I may need to take matters into my own hands - or if it comes to it - silence a few dissenting voices along the way.
Whatever else, it must be completed.
Catalyst out.
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Topic: Hellcannon (Succession: Battlefailed 3) (0.31.25) (DEAD) (Read 827847 times)