Apologies for the length, I was just really enjoying the opportunity to write some slopping wet prose. I'll organize the journal entries by month and link them here.
State of the fortress in brief
Everything’s going pretty much fine in the fortress. I reorganized the military and have the squads patrolling between the two cavern entrances in shifts. At any point the bridges could be raised, but I left them open to encourage fun.
One thing that I didn’t mention in the journal is that there are some warm walls in the lower caverns, which should indicate there’s a source of magma for future efficient industry and mischief.
There were only two dwarf deaths that I can recall, as well as a birth or two. There was one moderate wave of migrants. I mostly let the upper fortress run itself, save for a little shuffling and building of guildhalls. The Countess either has all her needs met or only needs a little more in her bedroom. I had thought about reorganizing some of the offices, but I didn’t really get around to that.
A number of rose gold coins have been minted. A small amount of bismuth bronze was made, I used some to decorate The Rose Chamber, which I intend to serve as a reliquary and landmark. It would also serve as a very fine temple complex for the local Stigilite sect, but it didn’t seem quite right for the roleplay and I didn’t want dwarves to be pulled up and down the fortress to visit it too much.
So far the military has been able to tackle pretty much everything the caves have thrown up and probably won’t struggle against anything that isn’t made of very hard materials or producing toxic gas. The elves might get pissed if tree-cutting picks back up, probably not a huge concern unless someone wants to maintain peace for whatever reason.
Suggestions for future players are to keep digging down, gain access to magma, and set up new industries like glass (if sand can be procured) or dyeworks.
Diary of ~~Likut~~ Regolith Togalkulet, Militia Commander
Moonstone - Obsidian
9th Moonstone,
The Rose Chamber, the work I have been tasked with, is complete. Five stories of smooth stone, gem windows stretch between the cavern floor and ceiling, allowing the gloam of the deep underearth to ripple across polished rose gold within.
A statue of Stigil, god of chaos, war, and fortresses, flanked by depictions of myself and Valentina as I surrendered the position of captain of the guard to her, watch over this hall. It is a place for reflection upon our position in the course of things. The underearth’s blood flows slowly, but it does yet flow. We see the shifting metal of the relicboots and know there was a time long before us. The brilliance of gold and rose tells us that there is a new age just dawned.
The Choir hums in me, softly, and it tells me to rest. I have moved my quarters to the rooms adjoining the chamber and look forward to what dreams will come now.
20th Opal,
It has been some time since I have received a message from the deep. The Chthonic Choir, though not silent to me, merely resounds softly in the walls.
Unith Muthkatmamot, engraver, has fallen into a secretive and strange comportment, I wonder if something still speaks to him?
2nd Obsidian,
Unith has completed an exquisite granite mug, I shall place it in the reliquary of The Rose Chamber.
Still no dreams.
I have taken to building idle construction above the surface training yard.
5th Obsidian,
Chittering in the deep! Antmen ascend into the lower cavern. I must hurry to the front with my warriors and prove again that we are worthy of our claims in the underearth!
10th Obsidian,
It was scarcely even sporting. I clove through two of the ants and looked about to see that we had dispatched the whole party with ruthless efficiency.
Have I not proved myself to you, O Deep? Why do you throw me trifles now? Surely my task is not complete.
1st Granite 106,
It has been nearly three months since I was last granted a vision. For a long time, I simply waited, growing despondent. Had I misunderstood the task given to me? With time, even the comforting hum of the Chthonic Choir faded and I could find no order in the dripping of the caves or the shifting of the mountain.
I retreated to The Rose Chamber and spent a fortnight in reflection. It began there to dawn on me slowly, that I had been the instrument necessary. In the clamor of steelclad patrols and the faint play of light through the windows, I could see that I had played the midwife and the hangman, ushering in a new chapter and closing the books on old giants beyond their purpose.
I will not pretend that I am not grieving still the loss of what possessed and inspired me still, but I take comfort in listening to our militia march between the caverns, keeping the way safe for future industry and discovery. The way to The Deep is Open and I will preserve it so as the next leader of Roomtheaters and The Square Gates takes them ever-downward.