The Logs of Expedition Leader Chancebond, in the year of 242
22nd of Granite, Early Spring:
Another feline for the collection. I name this one Dumat Kathilvutok, Son of Catten.
My aqueduct nears completion. The tunnels have been dug, all that remains is to excavate anything of value from the tunnels before we inundate them, and to install the floodgates and control systems. I do hope the Outpost Liaison shall be impressed upon their return!
Oh, right, before I forget… Some goblin from gods-know-where arrived at our fort some days ago, seeking to hunt down the monsters below our feet. I've allowed them to stay, for a time, though I expect certain death awaits them in the darkness below. They brought with them no arms and claim to be a "wrestler". Which is odd, because he looks to be the flimsy sort who'd be snapped in two when it comes to fisticuffs.
4th of Slate, Mid Spring:
At long last, new migrants have arrived at our humble fortress! The horn announcing their arrival blew from the east, and I see them fording the river as I write this. Coincidentally, we had just finished digging out a new set of personal-quarters in anticipation of fresh-blood.
7th of Slate:
Our headcount now stands at 40 dwarves. The initial expansion of the personal-quarters is… Inadequate. All hands have been directed towards establishing accommodation for the many newcomers who have arrived.
Also a bridge for the eastern ravine is in-order.
26th of Slate:
One of the tall folk, one Utdar Komoihhi, has arrived seeking to slay the monsters in the caverns below. Naturally, I accepted them. This one might actually be of use unlike the Goblin, as they come bearing an impressive cast-silver warhammer. Perhaps I should unseal the caverns we accidentally cracked-into after all.
16th of Hematite, Early Summer:
Monster hunters continue to flow in. The aqueduct's completion continues to be put on hold as we prepare to unseal the caverns below for these brave adventurers to seek glory. On an aside note, we have made a separate private dining-room for ourselves across from the tavern, and established a hostel for adventurers seeking the bounty of the earth below us.
25th of Hematite:
Once again the horn of arriving migrants has been blown. I believe my tenure as Expedition Leader will be coming to an end soon as the masses seek to divvy power among themselves and elect a mayor. At the very least my leadership over these past three years should have left its mark. Perhaps it's time I start thinking about future endeavors…
5th of Malachite, Mid-Summer:
It is done, the caverns have been unsealed and the adventurers have made their descent into the lands-below. So long and… Nevermind.
I suppose our next order of business, and possibly my last, is to get the aqueduct into service and establish a hospital before the casualties begin.
I do have my concerns about the lack of iron found thus far. The survey we commissioned prior to our arrival here was insistent iron could be found here, and yet… I would advise my successor to greatly consider requesting Arms from the next caravan. The adventurers so far report great wealth in the walls of the depths, yet I fear that what they've yet to report may yet outweigh it.
12th of Malachite:
It has begun - That is to say, the agitation for political power among the masses. The miners have organized into a guild, and before long I expect they will be pressuring me for concessions. I suppose it would be prudent to get-ahead of this and order the excavation of an area suitable for a guild-hall before problems arise.
16th of Malachite:
Oh dear.
One of the weaponsmiths who arrived this year seems to have fallen under the influence of an outworlder; And we've not the facilities nor resources to accommodate the obsession that has taken hold of them. All other labors can wait, we require all hands at work to save this dwarf. I have commissioned the creation of a metalsmithing hall and have ordered the miners to scour the caverns for any source of metal they can find.
4th of Galena, Late Summer:
As if the fates conspire against us!
A giant has arrived outside our fortress, and I have ordered the sealing of the drawbridge. I can only pray that the two mercenaries will be enough to hold the beast off should it get inside… Otherwise…
11th of Galena:
We did a headcount and it would seem that the tavern keeper Meng is among the missing. No one is quite sure what they were doing outside of the confines of the fortress but it is certain they are no longer among the living. As much as I would desire to slay the giant outside, I fear that our two speardwarves alone may not be enough to accomplish the job, and should they fall we will be left defenseless.
In better news, Astesh's affliction has been placated, for now. "Oeboth Noam", he mutters now as he works on… Whatever the demon taking hold of desires. Once this episode is concluded we shall begin production of arms to equip a full militia to vanquish the beast entombing us within our fortress, if it has not left yet.
17th of Galena:
Today is an auspicious day! Astesh's affliction has concluded, and it would appear that another monster slayer has arrived at our gates claiming to have left the giant gravely wounded at the base of the hill. I will order our two speardwarves to mobilize and finish off the foul beast and reclaim the surface for us once again!
20th of Galena:
The beast is dead. Stabbed through the brain by MysTerry in a brief battle. It is done.
16th of Limestone, Early Autumn:
Given the deposits of Hematite we uncovered, the need for imported arms and armor is no longer. Once more this year I have requested staple-goods from the caravan, in light of our resilience in the face of crisis.
Unfortunately to my embarrassment, one of the newcomer hunters left their trophy in the foyer and now miasma is spreading all over the room.
5th of Timber, Late Autumn:
Kuru has been struck by a falling tree once again. I have no further comment.
2nd of Moonstone, Early Winter:
An itinerant leatherworker by the name of Cero Ushatiekthag has created a quite impressive turban from dog leather - Gimurdim - Commemorating the foundation of our fortress! May the dwarves of Uristumid recognize him as legend, far and wide for this artwork!
28th of Moonstone:
Militia Commander MysTerry reports that the militia had an encounter with yet another giant. I'm concerned as to the pattern here. At the very least they've all been felled thus far, but what could be agitating all these giants to assault Uristumid?
15th of Obsidian, Later Winter:
…What could the weaver Catten want with… Mudstone? They cut off socialization with everyone else and seized control over the clothier's workshop. Well, we can only wait and see what it is they're working on…
20th of Obsidian:
A cape, I hear it is?
Inspecting this "Ustuthnokgol" it is quite impressive. Not sure how practical it is to wear with the mudstone decoration adorning it but… Well, who am I to judge.
