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« on: February 10, 2010, 01:26:59 pm »
Zushtasharkoth, The Ancient Prophecy
Spring, Year 315
With the advancement of Basementcraze, we at The Long Nets have been inspired to set out and make our mark on the world as well. Maybe I should introduce myself first. I am Cog Zasudil, leader of The Long Nets and citizen of The Clasp of Onslaught. I have led 6 of my most promising protégés out here to erect a great Fortress.
After months of travel, we arrived here, at the handpicked region for the future Zustasharkoth, The Ancient Prophecy. The day before settling down, we made a survey of the landscape. To our direct West there is a river, bustling with carp and milkfish. My team was happy to find a healthy river, but I had to pull them away from the edge when I noticed both up and downstream, there were herds of hippos. I’ve heard horror stories back home at The Clasp of Onslaught about the wrath these seemingly gentle creatures have brought on any creature that ventures too close to the water. I would not want to see my team cut down in their prime so early. If it will please them, I will map out a site for a swimming pool in the fortress, safe from the dangers of the river.
The elves told us that this is a blessed biome, where Sun Berries can be grown, a legend among dwarves. It is the catalyst for Sunshine, the greatest beer known to dwarf, but only a few dwarves ever get to drink it, much less grow it. If we can get our hands on Sun Berries, our fortress will become legend, and we, too, can sample the ambrosia of Armok.
When we arrived, I noticed fine grains of white sand seeping through the grass. The sand will be useful if we decide to make grass. The abundance of trees around here will ensure a healthy charcoal supply, if at the expense of the elves’ approval.
Andesite encompasses much of the region. It could be a sign that magma is nearby, an indispensible commodity for the dwarves. If this is true, and magma is close to the surface, our tree consumption will be dramatically reduced, which will suit both ours and the elves’ needs quite nicely.
Elephants also exist in this region. These could be a problem for us in the future, but I think if we can capture and domesticate them, they will become very invaluable for breeding for supplies.
Living Quarters
The ho-hum designs we used to use have been rejected for Zushtasharkoth in favor of Fractal Designs. Basing mine off of designs I found back at The Clasp of Onslaught, I’ve stylized the rooms on a standard 3x5 size with one unit wide branches and 2 unit wide arteries. I’m not an expert at these, but it’s a start. Break rooms will be placed in this zone as well, 15x15 that connects the paths together. Statues, tables, chairs, and terrariums will decorate these rooms for the residents’ enjoyment. Once we have a thriving glass industry, I will see to it that each room is decorated with clear glass of the highest quality.
Summer
The first season passed without issue quickly. We have set up temporary shops while Kogan mines out the mountain. There is good news. We have found a magma pool in the mountains only a short distance from the entrance hall. I’ve set up a magma workshop locale for when we start our steel and glass industries.
The entrance is being carved out of the mountain by Kogan and smoothed by Fath. The entrance will be trapped with cage traps in case of invaders. I will be in charge of constructing the mechanisms. Fire snakes have entered the fortress, which could be used to extract liquid fire, a valuable resource, but I’m not sure what it’s used for. I’ve made an order for thrones and tables to create the dining hall. It’s a big hall, so I’ve made a huge order. With the limited manpower we have, I don’t expect it to be done the next day, but I’m running out of ideas as to how to get rid of all these Armok-damn rocks.
I stepped on a fucking rock when getting out of bed this morning, and I’m still feeling the sting in my big toe. Fath was laughing at me about it during lunch. I had half a mind to throw him into the river.
Autumn
We’ve made further progress. The dining room is still being constructed, but at least we have tables. Rocks are still everywhere, and I’ve taken it upon myself to make the siege engines to practice advanced defense. The firing chamber will be stationed in the entrance hall aiming down at the trade depot and the outside world beyond. Fortifications will separate us from approaching forces while allowing us to pummel them with stones as they try to infiltrate the fortress. Kogan and Fath have become lovers. It’s only natural. I’ve seen many relationships spark between Masons and Miners, and this is no different.
The first caravan from the Mountainhome has arrived. I purchased an Iron Anvil for us. The magma forge will be open soon, and my anticipation is quite palpable.
Umm… ok, I have to make a confession here. Upon setting up the catapults, I fired a test shot just to make sure it was operating correctly, and I… kinda got carried away. I got a little too much into it and started launching more and more rocks out of the entrance hall and into the open air. On a positive note, I have gotten quite adept at firing the damn thing, and we’ve rid ourselves of quite a few stones. I just hope I didn’t wing any hippos out there. Last thing I need to see are those bastards storming into the Fortress with a lump on their heads.
End of winter 315
Once residents from the Mountainhome arrive and my term as leader ends, I think I will resign myself to become the fortress’s Smithy and Siege operator. The magma workshops have been set up, and the red gold heats up the floor below me as I write this chapter in the completed workshop. When Kogan dug out the residencies, we found a nice cluster of Aluminum, which I used to break in the new magma smelter. It makes me want to cry, it works so beautifully. But there is no time for crying. There is much work to be done around the fortress, and SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THESE FUCKING ROCKS!
I think they’re breeding. I got all the rocks out of my room last night only to wake up and find MORE ROCKS! I think I’ve become legendary at firing the damn things out of the catapults now. Anything to get rid of them. Let the hippos deal with them; I don’t care, as long as they’re out of the way for more productive things.
