I'm in the last month of second year and I have to stop playing for today, so I will post the save tomorrow, but I can post my report today, since the dwarf from whose perspective I'm writing will be... unable to write anything of value from now on. Details in the report.
The fort is still alive and... not exactly well, but it shouldn't be a big problem to get out of this mess. We just need some new beds, make some weapons and armour and pray for the best.
Oh, and I have a feeling I was VERY detailed and verbose with the report. I hope it's a good read. I'd like to hear what you think; whether I should continue like this when my turn comes next or be more brief. Here's the story, including what was posted earlier:
The Chaosfortunes Chronicle
by
Klearol Rulolon
1st Granite, 202
Even though I still count as one of the newcomers here in Chaosfortunes, having arrived in the early autumn, it already feels like home, despite it being little more than a cursed frozen hellhole. I spoke with Erib, the leader of this expedition, about the terrible state of records, and her reaction was a simple "take care of it". And just like that I became the first chronicler of this small outpost. Strangely enough, my new responsibilities include those of a manager, which means I will have to "take care" of pretty much everything from now on. Well, why not? But first of all I need a private office. I'm writing this sitting on the floor of what will once be our great meeting hall.
5th Granite, 202
I can't stand those damn zombified cows we keep in a pit near the entrance and nobody is brave enough to build doors that would close the pit. I tried to wall the pit off myself while waiting for my meager office to be build, but the doors that were to be placed there are in the way and I'm NOT going so close to the edge to remove them. At least I managed to erect one part of the wall.
Now that my office is done, I am finally able to see the state of our records, and the state is utter chaos. I have no idea if we even have enough to drink. Somebody just scribbled "290?" there. Looks like I have a lot of work in front of me, and so I declared that from now on I won't be hauling rocks and other things around and to my surprise everybody accepted it. Maybe it was a mistake to say that I need only a meager office...
9th Granite, 202
I still have to figure out the exact value of all we have accomplished here so far (not much, I imagine), but for the first time we have exact knowledge of our stockpiles and there's not a whole lot to eat or drink. The numbers aren't dangerously low, but we'll need a whole lot more booze and maybe some food as well.
Construction of our drawbridge keeps getting suspended, since the other mason we have here, while clearly my superior in terms of craft, insists on checking the state of the zombies with each trip to the workplace which invariably results in him abandoning work in horror. I've ordered the pit walled off, even if it means a nasty wall protruding from an otherwise smooth and straight hallway.
25th Granite, 202
Exactly one week ago, our cook Inod Deleretes started a party that is still going on. The reason for the party revealed itself right now, when she suddenly gave birth to little Adil, the first dwarf to be born in Chaosfortunes! The father is our armorer, Ustuth, who I count as a friend, though I may reconsider this friendship, since nobody bothered to invite me to the party.
25th Granite, continued
As if it wasn't enough news for one day, some migrants arrived just now, just as I was thinking that maybe we could afford to build a bedroom for everyone. The problem is, this migration wave has more than doubled our population! There's no way we can get enough beds, so the old dormitory will have to suffice for everybody. Except me. Oh, and none of the migrants seem to be particularly good at anything. At least it's enough bodies to form a militia, when the time comes. Some of the migrants brought animals with them. Too bad. Into the crusher with them.
13th Slate, 202
Nothing much is happening. Anticipating the completion of our front door, which still hasn't been finished for some reason, I've ordered the dwarves to dig out a control room near our great empty and cold meeting hall. A reminder - let all levers be clearly labeled at all times! We don't want any accidents happening. I've also ordered all of our skilled craftsdwarfs... who am I kidding... it was just a couple of random guys, since nobody here knows anything about crafting... anyway, they are to make some use of all the rock that we're tripping on here, to make sure we have stuff to sell when merchants arrive.
26th Slate, 202
One of the children just claimed one of our new craftdrawf's workshops for herself. I should be angry that her child's fancy is blocking the workshop, but whatever she makes will probably by the stuff of legends compared to all that rubbish the craftdwarves managed to create so far.
1st Felsite, 202
The drawbridge is finished! I should feel safe at last, except it still isn't hooked up to a lever. Now why is that? That damn mechanic still haven't made any new mechanisms. Why? Let's see... Oh, I seem to have forgotten to approve the order for new mechanisms, with all the work sorting through our stockpiles... Such things happen, I guess.
3rd Felsite, 202
The child is finally done with her little project. She calls it "Gloomymoon" and it's an ugly fungiwood bracelet full of spikes. We might be able to sell it for novelty value, though that wooden log the kid wasted had a much bigger practical value. The other dwarves try to be supportive, calling the child "legendary woodcrafter", as if that was something to be proud of. If that kid starts to exhibit any other elven traits, I'll chase her out of the fortress myself. If only they paid as much attention to that emo kid that keeps moping about how his pet was accidentally crushed.
4th Felsite
We have another baby! He is the son of our two Bomreks - the farmer and the doctor - who arrived together before my time. Decent fellows. The fortress is definitely richer with every new member. Too bad I'll never be blessed with a child myself, but at least it gives me more time to focus on my writing, which is slowly but surely becoming a passion of mine.
13th Felsite, 202
Elven caravan arrived! As much as I hate to admit it, I'm glad to see them, since we are in a dire need of wood and cloth. And some more provisions wouldn't hurt either. In any case, I'm equally glad I won't have to speak with the tree-huggers myself. Our "expedition leader" will do the trading, which is great, since I have a feeling all the leadership she's supposed to take care of is my work. I can't remember when was the last time I left my quarters.
21st Felsite, 202
We were barely able to pay for all the wood and cloth with our unremarkable crafts, but at last we have enough wood to build a couple of much needed beds, new barrels and especially some bins. It was such a chore to mark every single craft for transport to the depot, I can't imagine how much work it was for those actually doing the hauling. I certainly don't miss doing such menial tasks. Some cage traps are being erected in the fortress entrance right now and once the elves leave, we'll be able to shut our main gate for the first time.
12th Hematite, 202
Goden, one of our great miners, discovered an extensive cavern deep under our outpost. I was hoping to find some magma, but liquid water isn't such a bad find either. While we all wish that it won't come to drinking that stuff, but it might be a good thing to have some reserves for emergencies. For now I will order the cavern sealed and have the exploratory shaft continue around it.
16the Hematite, 202
Our miners have discovered some gems and a native gold vein. That is all well and all, but it appears there is no coal to be found on this site, nor have we discovered any flux stone yet. These worries are, of course, still premature, as we don't even have an anvil yet.
24th Hematite, 202
Another birth, this time belonging to Zefron and Doren, the former fisherdwarfs. They named him "Tooldistant". I sure hope that doesn't mean he won't want to work.
27th Hematite, 202
The fortress is at last completely sealed. Any intruders have to get past our cage traps, only to remain trapped behind a moat and a raised bridge. The moat is sadly empty, which makes it all the more important to find a source of magma.
13th Malachite, 202
I've begun building some private bedrooms, but with so little wood to go around, only seven of them are furnished so far. They are open on a first come, first served basis. I see that most of them are already claimed. Good thing I made one for myself when I had the chance.
19th Malachite, 202
Was my last entry about the lack of beds? Of course it was. Well, it's going to be much worse now, since ten more migrants arrived just now. I see that most of them have some slight experience in military, and all of them know something about dodging. Well, I'd like to see them try dodge the draft.
Ber Kadôltölún became our militia commander. He seems an adventurous, but cautious fellow, and says he can handle stress well, so I guess he's a good dwarf for the job. And he killed a goblin once, which is something nobody except Uvash the stonecrafter can boast about. I don't like his habit of cracking his knuckles all the time, but that's just a personal remark, nothing that would disqualify him. Let us hope he and his militia can keep us safe if things start to get messy. They decided to call their squad The Axes of Wielding, which is probably a thinly veiled quip about our weapons shortage.
Today we also discovered a second cavern system. No luck with magma yet, so we just keep digging. I can't help but think of all the stories of great underground complexes full of zombie dwarfs, demons, imps and even worse creatures. It's just tales, but they still make you a little afraid.
2nd Galena, 202
Another girl was born today, she was named Meng Savotmedtob.
9th Galena, 202
It appears three dwarves have become trapped in the exploratory mine shaft for quite some time. They are hungry and thirsty, but otherwise in good spirits. Nobody knows how it happened, but the important thing is that no tragedy came from it. One of the three dwarves has been acting secretively since then. It will be best to keep an eye on him.
11th Galena, 202
Our miners have at last located a warm stone - sure indication that magma is nearby. Unfortunately, it seems it is more than a hundred levels beneath our lowest rooms. It will take considerable effort to bring that magma up where it will be of any use.
17th Galena, 202
After an obligatory booze break, our miners finally struck the warm stone and discovered not only a great magma sea, but also the most precious substance known to dwarvenkind - the fabled adamantine, and it's not just one cache either, but two! I immediately ordered additional tunnels to be dug so we can reach this precious metal. Once we can secure it, it will become all the more imperative to buy an anvil from the eagerly awaited caravan. With any luck, our militia will be equipped with finest weapons and armour and no invaders will pose a thread to us. Oh, and it seems there are indeed imp-like creatures living in the depths. I wonder if anything else is true...
23rd Limestone, 202
Dastot Sobírber just went insane. He's running around the dining room, babbling. He was one of the three dwarves who got accidentally trapped underground. Ever since then, we was in a strange, secretive mood, and today he finally snapped. I've seen this before, and I'm afraid he won't last long in this state. I've already ordered the creation of cemetery. Now we must pray that if he doesn't make it, we will be able to give him a proper burial, before the evil of this place claims his body and his soul.
13th Sandstone, 202
Thirteen new migrants arrived today, unskilled peasants the lot of them. Poor Dastot is still raving, and at this point running around completely naked. His clothes are all over the dining hall, since nobody wants to touch them. I don't think he will be with us much longer.
I've had a talk with Erib and she suggested that a cemetery directly under our meeting hall is not the best idea, since she's convinced that the dead will rise against us even if properly buried. I didn't like her telling me what to do, but I conceded after she pointed out that the mad armorer's name translates to "Releseearths" in the common tongue, which is frankly a little unnerving. I hope that the name's significance relates only to the unfortunate accident that happened to him, but should he succumb to his insanity, his body will be disposed of and only a memorial slab erected in his honour. I've also noticed that his wife has been drafted into our militia, which has so far kept her from noticing her spouse's suffering. I'll make her a civilian once again and assign her to one of the new private bedrooms, so ease her pain, which will doubtlessly come to her very soon. Other than her, Dastot, the mad armorer, only has a single friend, owing to his nonexistent social skills, so hopefully there won't be much mourning when he passes.
11th Timber, 202
It has finally come, Dastot Sobítber, the mad armorer, is dead. After almost two years it is the first death in this fortress. Let us hope that it will be the last one for a very long time. His body will be disposed in accordance with necrohazard precautions and Udil Megiddoren, our legendary miner and soon to be legendary engraver will engrave a memorial slab so that we can all remember him in time to come. There is also some good news, however. The adamantium caches are already partially uncovered and our craftsdwarves have already extracted no less than 13 adamantine strands. Once the traders arrive, we will hopefully be able to buy an anvil at last and make begin working on this wondrous metal.
15th Timber, 202
The memorial slab has been erected in our dining hall:
In memory of Dastot Sobríber
Born 168
Died of thirst in the year 202
Creator of Oilmountain the Meandering Urge
Devoted father and husband
The color fuchsia made him happy
May he rest in peace.
16th Timber, 202
A strange thing happened today. Zefon Kirkel has suddenly risen from sleep and immediately claimed the very craftsdwarf's workshop, where mad Dastot's memorial slab was carved yesterday. I've never seen him with such a look in his eyes and he acts as if he was possessed. Some say maybe the soul of mad Dastot took possession of his body, so he could finish that, which he himself could not, and which has eventually driven him insane. I've known Zefon since our voyage here to Chaosfortunes, and he never had any artistic inclinations.
18th Timber, 202
The situation grows dire. After getting some random stones and a log of highly precious wood, he now refuses to leave the workshop and just keeps muttering "bars... metal..." again and again. I fear that unless a caravan, which is expected any day now, brings some metal bars with them, Zefon is doomed to the same fate that has taken Dastot.
19th Timber, 202
The outpost liaison has arrived today, and with him a caravan with much needed supplies! I just hope they bring all that we need to save Zefon from madness and death.
24th Timber, 202
We've had some luck at last! The traders brought some electrum bars, which were immediately seized by Zefon. Without a word, he began some mysterious construction. With any luck the spirit of Dastot will by appeased when it is finished and leave our fortress forever. Besides this, the caravan brought four steel anvils, sixty logs of wood and enough badly needed booze to last for a long time. Everybody is already tired of drinking the same old booze all the time, so some variety is a nice bonus. They were happy to take all of our crafts, which may be lacking in quality, but more than make that up in volume. Erib is still supposed to talk with the liaison, but politics and trade never interested me much, so I'm glad to leave it to her. Besides, I need to update all records which will take ages even to skilled record keeper as myself.
28th Timber, 202
Zefon, or rather, the spirit of mad Dastot wearing his body, just finished its project and it is the most beautiful artifact I've ever laid my eyes on! Bearing the name Lêganlerteth, The Mirthful Tangles, it is an adamantine crown, encrusted with raw adamantine and oval hematite cabochons, menacing with spikes of willow and nickel silver! It's value, as I estimate it, would be enough to buy our whole fortress with everything in it three times over! Obviously, its true value cannot be expressed. I can hardly imagine a dwarf worthy of wearing such a treasure. Zefon himself is as much awestruck as everybody else and claims there is no way he could have created such a masterpiece. He apparently remembers nothing of his possession and immediately after creating one of the greatest artifact dwarvenkind has ever known, he went back to his work - hauling stuff the traders brought to our storerooms.
19th Moonstone, 202
The traders left us and the winter is upon us, but everything is going well. I've ordered Lêganlerteth taken to the empty room below our dining hall and try to create some kind of display there. It will be also safe from thieves in the heart of our fort. Zefon seems to have realized the sudden gain of popularity (completely deserved, I should add) and organized a party, which I look forward to attending just as I finish this paragraph. We have enough supplies and at least some wood, though our overzealous cooks seem to have used almost half of our newly found stock of alcohol in their cooking before I forbade it. Still, the future at last seems bright for Chaosfortunes.
25 Moonstone, 202
A daughter was just born to clothier Vutok Idlahon and gem cutter Udib Oddomenkos. I don't know them very well, and I believe the couple has not made any friends here yet, but every birth is a blessing to whole fortress.
6th Opal, 202
And another birth, this time the happy mother is a gem setter, Ingish.
8th Opal, 202
It seems we will be soon swimming in infants. Úshrir Bimstukón the stonecrafter gave birth to her second son, Kel Elbelkonos. Seeing all these babies makes me think of my poor wife Kadol, who was killed by goblins on the very year we were married over thirty two years ago. I've since vowed that I will remain forever faithful to her.
20th Opal, 202
Another girl was born, this time to Cerol the mason, which is a good thing, since she was still shaken by the death of mad Dastot. A newborn child is bound to take her mind off the tragedy. Since birth are so abundant lately and no longer an uncommon occurrence, I will stop recording them in this chronicle from now on.
25th Opal, 202
I am writing this locked in my bedroom. I was just on my way to my study just across the hallway, when I saw the most terrible sight... dead bodies lay in their beds, where they were murdered in their sleep. And standing above one of the victims is... that thing. I have no idea what it is, but I do know who it was. Udil Megiddoren! One of the best among us! Legendary miner, who carved most of the halls we live in... master engraver, who was supposed to decorate our walls is now decorating them with the blood of innocent dwarves.
I think she... it... whatever it is, it didn't see me. I locked the door behind me, though I doubt it will pose much threat to the thing should it decide to break it down. I have little hope to escape with my life, though perhaps the fortress is not lost yet. But the worst thing is that this happened without any warning. Indeed, I wanted to order Udil... or whatever fiend is wearing that body, to continue engraving the fortress and little did I know that it is meanwhile murdering just a few steps away from my study. My only hope now is that somebody else noticed her rampage and will have the sense not to engage this foul creature, but to wall off this whole area and leave it... and.. the horror! leave me with it forever sealed underground.
Our militia has no weapons and cannot hope to defeat this demonic form, but if it can be contained, then perhaps Chaosfortunes can still be saved. And maybe some day a hero will come here, destroy the evil that is my doom, and then this manuscript will be recovered. My best hope now, is that when they do, they find me dead from hunger and thirst, and not an undead abomination as the thing that is killing behind my door.
26th Opal, 202
I'm still alive, helpless, forced to listen to screams of my fellow dwarves for many hours. Now it's quiet, except the shuffling of the undead. I have a faint feeling that I heard the noise of masons building something from above. Unless it's been my imagination, some of the dwarves may still be alive and the monsters are trapped here. It's a small consolation, but it's better than nothing. I pray to Astis, Luskal Sarlebes and the almighty Armok for quick death.