Bloodline:Girdertrampled/Chapter 3:

Chapter 3: In which an uninvited guest appears late to the party
From the Bloodline game Girdertrampled.
Map
Below are excerpts from the diary of 'Aluminus' Zasdarod the Consultant, who arrived at Gridertrampled in 1053.

1st Granite, 1053

As I crest the hill, I can see the valley and the river. Looks like the right place. I’ve been commissioned as a consultant to come here from ‘Swordrose’. Apparently these dwarfs need my help. A ditch bars entry into the fortress which I can see is buried several furlongs into the mountain. I cross the bridge, I pass the trade depot. Empty. Not a good sign. Then it’s down four flights of stairs (four!) to meet with the dwarfs. It’s time to turn this place around.

2nd Granite, 1053

I forgot to mention yesterday the magnetite I saw sticking out of the mountain north of the fortress. Look like it’s worth investigating.

11th Granite, 1053

I wonder whose idea it was to put those stairs there. The dwarfs avoid me when I mention it.

12th Granite, 1053

Platinum!
File:Girdertrampled 1053 platinum.PNG

21st Granite, 1053

The Elves have arrived and the cats are chasing vermin. Finally, one of these two groups is good for something it seems. The Dungeon Master has arrived.

1st Slate, 1053

I have begun training war dogs in anticipation of combat. The kobolds are bound to show up soon. The hydro power engineering project has stalled due to a lack of water pressure from the tiny brook. I am investigating this with the mechanics.

14th Slate, 1053

This water project boggles me. The floodgate that is preventing the river from flooding the basement cannot be reached by any dwarf, so it can be connected to a lever. That means that the cistern cannot be filled because the floodgate is stuck closed. The bridge works fine, thankfully. Also, our population has almost doubled with the recent immigration wave.

14th Felsite, 1053

A dwarf has gone fey and we are without tanned hides. Armok have mercy.

19th Hematite, 1053

The humans brought two wagons. They also helped to kill a few goblins in the area. Standard Trade agreement.

25th Malachite, 1053

Even though a dwarf was killed by one of the goblins, the rest of the dwarfs are ecstatic because of our legendary dinging room. The stock records are being updated, and the work orders are flowing smoothly, though the layout of the fortress is seriously hurting efficiency.

2nd Galena, 1053

And the fortress has become a Village! This should attract more immigrants. The dwarfs are working full time smelting ore and making rock crafts. At last the waterfall has engaged. I checked the water levels on all floors and it appears that it is working smoothly. The dwarfs are holding a party in honour of the new exhibit; never mind the random goblin corpse in the middle of the room.

16th Limestone, 1053

The dwarven caravan brought five wagons. This is a sign that Girdertrampled is looking more attractive as a trading post. This particular engraving could be a bad sign.
I’ve set up a room for milling plants. A windmill above the gears supplies power.

17th Sandstone, 1053

Girdertrampled is officially suffering from a catsplosion. A few back of the envelope calculations show the number of cats increasing exponentially. I order the detainment of all stray cats. The Dungeon Master is pleased.

1st Moonstone, 1053

These hunting tactics do not look very kosher.

27th Moonstone, 1053

A HYDRA!
A limestone crown has jammed the door open! Holy Hell a snatcher inside the fortress!

I order a dwarf to pull the drawbridge lever immediately.

13th Obsidian, 1053

Our liaison from the Mountainhomes is stuck inside here with us. The administrator was arranging a trade deal when the hydra arrived. He seems melancholy…wait… don’t go outside!

24th Obsidian, 1053

Now the dwarfs are going fey.

I can still hear the hydra growling outside. I walk up to a random dwarf. I hand him my contract.
“I’m officially out of the consulting business” I say.
“I don’t blame you” he replies.

I return to my room, and hope for the best. -‘Aluminus’ Zasdarod, Consultant