-1- [Ringfed] (2) ...better than zombies.

Fortress #1 -- Ringfed

The journal of ClogGear Rithvathsith - Mason

27th of Obsidian, 181

14 industrial Dwarves and me at the helm. It seems just yesterday I was leading 60, 70! I can see them still... donkeys, Dwarven miners and children, all shambling and contorted-- back from the dead. And the door! Lock the doors, I shouted! The hunters are lost to us, I shouted! (what, between the goblins and a couple of pesky human necromancers) And we'd've been safe, too; would've waited them out, if not for that damn shoe in the doorway.

But Armok! that was yesterday, and I've apparently been seen fit to take the helm of another fortress, if only for a year. Well, a year isn't so short a time. I'll make my mark yet.

Bees, eh? I've no knowledge of such things-- just swords myself, mostly, and a keen interest in masonry-- but I'll leave the beekeeper to it. Some farms are up and going, which isn't so bad. The dining hall is filthy, crawling with mutts! This won't do. No, not one bit. And some beds seem to have been accidentally allocated to storage closets off the dining room hallway. I ordered some 'Dormitory' signs slapped outside the doors to add what decency I can, for the time being.

The entryway is short, and unfit for traps. And traders couldn't fit their wagons through these cozy dwarven doors we've in the entrance.

I need a tall mug of mead.

16th of Granite, 182

After some efficiency issues are dealt with, weapons must be made. I'll not lose this fortress to undead freaks. Or, as it would seem, Giant Sponges. The workers were initially spooked by it in the river, but I imagine they've seen that's relatively harmless so long as they themselves don't try and tussle with it. And certainly don't try to eat it.

I've expanded the farms to variate our crops and I'm clear-cutting to expand our above-grounds. These dogs must go. While we're at it may as well expand the original pasture, too. The animals are gettin' rowdy.

My predecessor didn't bring an anvil from the mountainhome, Armok help me. Let's hope we can trade for it. No anvil means no picks or weapons, no more miners, no blades for me to get my hands on.

I've also begun excavation of a grand stockpile area. Damp stone aside it's coming well; the soil is soft for our solitary miner. On we toil.

11th of Slate, 182

The storeroom is complete, at least for now. I told the stockdwarves to make it all neat and pretty. Furthermore I've commissioned bedrooms be built (hopefully far enough away from the shoutin' and partyin' of the dining hall). I haven't had a good night's sleep since I arrived.

Speaking of, the dogs are out of the dining room! You could practically hear a beer spill. They're all topside, outdoors where the only one to hear their howls at night is that damned sponge. If it has ears, the abomination. Walling-in is nearly complete, too. Next will be the other animals' pasture.

Damn but I could use a trading caravan.

1st of Felsite, 182

Migrants! 26 of them! They best be useful. I suppose we'll just needs make room.

6th of Felsite, 182'

Ol' Deler's been taken by a funny mood. I'll ramp up production of workshops, see what he makes.

Looks like he's taken to a Craftsdwarf's workshop.

--Follow-up: Leshalminbaz, "The Mournful Enchantments," a kaolinite scepter, graces our fortress.

16th of Felsite, 182

Elven traders. I doubt they'll have any anvils but I'll take what I can get and have them on their way, what with their upturned noses and tacit disdain.

6th of Galena, 182

53 Dwarves, all immigrants accounted for. Bedrooms are being extended, and the main staircase has been extended in the search for metal.

Sitting upon the walls surrounding the dog pasture, I witnessed two Hamstermen. Hamstermen, Grasshoppermen, Louse Women, Giant Sponges? Would that I had a militia. Maybe a squad of crossbowdwarves will suffice for now. All things told, I'll take grotesque animal men over zombie goblins, dwarves, wildlife and creeping, animated limbs.

Before I forget-- a basic hospital has been established, with traction benches on the way and a Chief Medical Dwarf selected.

20th of Sandstone, 182

Another dwarf possessed by a mood. Craftsdwarf workshop.

Good news from our miner! We've struck tetrahedrite. It's no magnetite but I'll take it. If I have time I'll start up a small metal industry. I've also just been informed that we've struck galena; those among us with a keenness for hammering will take the news well.

The mood is complete and what have we but a highwood ring. I don't much see the use in it but the craftsdwarfship is undeniable. "The Blazes of Rhyming," he's called it.

14th of Opal, 182

My time draws near to close. I successfully traded from the mountainhome for an anvil, another pick and plenty of wood. The metal industry is starting up, the storage area is being expanded.

In light of our pick development I myself have decided to take up the sacred art of mining. I hope to delve deep.

19th of Opal, 192

Immediately after finishing my previous entry, an inspiration struck me. The only craft known to me is masonry so as if in a dream I snatched up what I could find on hand. Days later, I am proud to say that I've made the best damn armor stand you've laid eyes on. Upon admiring the engraved image of a slab and the inlaid palm wood image of an animal trap, the name came to me-- "Wearsizzle." It shall adorn my room.

27th of Obsidian, 182

It has been an industrious year, and I'm proud of our progress. But a year's been enough, and I plan to retire into my Masonry and continue to lend a hand in expanding the fortress by mining.

I've begun producing silver war hammers and copper helms. War and hunting dogs have been trained and by Armok we'll never run out of the mutts. A giant slug and a kobold thief are locked up somewhere. A second level of rooms is being carved out by yours truly (they make it look so easy!). A burial chamber and hospital have been established. A barracks had been established earlier but it sits idle, awaiting a brave militia.

At the close of this year, I have called a meeting of the dwarves of Ringfed. We have decided to appoint katringa as the second judge and decision maker of all Ringfed. May the fortress grow ever wealthier and stronger under his supervision.

---

Here is the full album of pictures

Note: my named character made an artifact! How cool. I named him the first day with the fortress so I didn't retcon it or anything. This was fun! Good luck, katringa