15 TimberThe sunlight may be hindering our masons more than previously thought. We had a minor construction accident this morning.
On the plus side, salvaging it for a small roast led me to assess our animal count. The grazers are on the verge of completing destroying their modest pasture, with half of the area reduced to gravel and clay. Looks like lamb chops & fat goose roasts will be on the menu for the next month.
Finally, after nearly 5 years, we have secured grazing animals that the Ravens can't touch. Although I am pleased with the progress of our sand castle, I fear the absence of surface creatures is due in large part to the accumulation of Evil deep within the Caverns. The latest scouting report estimates their numbers have doubled since Summer of last year.
I just hope our militia is ready, when the time comes.
5 MoonstoneThe start of the Winter Solstice is marked with several portents.
From my vantage point atop the nearly-complete greenhouse, I can see The Mist (or more precisely, The Evil which drives it) has enough strength to launch 2 simultaneous attacks. Although we must be wary, I am confident that it will never gain sufficient power to traverse the cliffs which separate the beach from the upper plains. On a more positive note, Glass Master PsychoAngel finally has a tribute fitting of her skill.
Lastly, I feel inclined to celebrate when our King begins construction of his own Artifact. No need to tell him that I am simply happy because it means he won't be demanding Anvils for at least a month.
18 OpalThe first test of our waterfall system reveals a flaw in the design. Though in defense of the engineering team, no Dwarf has ever had to design a water transport system for a source as massive as the entire ocean.
The water actually reached the bottom of our beards in a few places before it was shut off. At least now we'll have a use for the massive piles of Cassiterite laying around. Many nickel grates will be required to create a drainage system that allows safe waterflow. A simple, if time-consuming task. We're going to need magma forges soon, for although I have no love of trees, slaying them has simply become too inefficient for the scale of our ever-growing industry. Oh, and I've just been informed that Magma Crabs from the core of the Earth have learned how to use stairs. I suppose if we create a central channel 3 levels down, we can focus.... wait what was that last part?
20 ObsidianWork progresses on the initial set of magma pumps, using orthoclase block housing and green glass components. Unlike the thin & weak sheets created by Humans, Dwarven glass is packed in many layers, creating blocks strong enough to build a road and dense enough to withstand the incredible heat & pressure of molten rock. My last update of our stocks reveals a mere 20 pieces of charcoal remaining. Work on the waterfall system will have to be put on hold, we simply don't have the fuel needed to churn out both grates & glass. I have ordered more trees brought down, as far out as I dare.
1 GraniteTradition dictates that every 5 years, a comprehensive overview of the Fortress be assembled.
As you can see, there is much left to do, even if we weren't about to grapple a chunk of cavern space away from the zombies or prepare for war with the Arrogant Ones. The balconies still need furnishing, all tables & thrones in the Grand Feasting Hall must be replaced with glass & gold, the second floor of the sand castle is barely started, the farms must be flooded after several collapsed floors rendered large portions unusable, a basic minecart track will be needed to efficiently transport sand & sunberries to their respective workshops, and the only reason the Nobles quarters are up to the standards of
Tradition is due to every square Urist being covered with Engravings. *Sigh* Has it really been 5 years already?
I admit, I am both intimidated and exhausted at the sheer amount of work yet to be done. Armok help me, we will carry on. We owe to our kin at the Mountainhome. I figure we have a couple years before The Barbarity of Ivy finds their way down here. The Elven caravan is due to arrive in a month, that should be an entertaining conversation. The Sculpted Caves is well and truly established now. Everything we have accomplished has simply been leading up to this point; major engineering in the name of Dwarfiness, revenge against the Hippies, and reclaiming the Caverns. It is the year of Armok 125, and we're in for quite a show.
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That wasn't just artistic flare, I really am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer scope of stuff going on all at once
I have not heard back from NCommander, so the Fortress remains solely under my Overseership. There are 30 sets of glass pump components ready to go, though obviously a lot more will be needed if the magma is going to be at a useable distance. I figure if we can get a magma pool secured in the first Cavern layer, that will be good enough to move the ore stockpiles and construct some minecart transportation.
Once fuel is no longer an issue, we can properly furnish the Fortress with all manner of glass and precious metals. Also the wood stockpiles can then be dedicated to building floors & pillars in the sand castle. No matter how many Axe Dwarves or Wood Furnances are added, hauling the logs remains woefully inefficient. It is time wasted that we simply don't have. Depending on how things go, we can likely expect to see our first reports from the Caverns next time
No context, no summary. Just a perfectly normal day in the life of Dwarf Fortress.
I'll just... show myself out then.
