Bloodline:Rampageterror Chapter 2

Year 2 - Diggs

1st Granite, Early Spring:

When I heard of the opportunity to manage a frontier colony I was greatly excited. Arriving at the aptly named, "Rampageterror" I discovered that while my predecessor has done a good job of preparing the settlement, we have nonetheless already lost 2 of the initial dwarves sent out to develop the area. No matter, once the world hears of the riches flowing forth from this place migrants shall be flooding in to replenish our dwindling population.

Work has begun to expand the living areas, and to build a dining room fit for the populace.

14th Granite, Early Spring:

An elven caravan has arrived. They have arrived from the north, and I have great concerns for their safety as they move towards the more secure southern lands of the area. To my great surprise the elves pass right by a group of rat men with the least bit of hassle. It seems our woodcutter has scared that particular group into submission, at least for the times being.

Unfortunately with the majority of our trade goods being formed from wood, I fear we shall have very little to trade with them.

4th Slate, Mid-Spring:

My fears were confirmed, whilst the elves had a number of goods I was interested in, our lack of trade goods made it impossible to come up with any deal for them. This must be rectified for their next visit, or we may lose a valuable trade partner.

On another note, I was distressed to find a roach in my soup this morning. Sanitary conditions are not at their best.

16th Slate, Mid-Spring:

All 5 of our dwarves now have the luxury of private abodes. More rooms are being fitted out for the expected migrants.

26th Slate, Mid-Spring:

Migrants have arrived! 15 in all, much more than expected. The apartments shall have to be expanded!

2nd Felsite, Late Spring:

Our first projections of the migrant size were way off. The final count for migrants is in fact 21. No matter, the leeches will die off quickly. I don't know what the King was thinking when he allowed dwarves to take up the profession of Fish Dissecting.

5th Felsite, Late Spring:

One of our peasants decided to go off hunting, and has run into the mighty Arrositat. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. "Throwerchills" dispatched the poor dwarf without suffering so much as a scratch. Hunting shall be extremely dangerous until this beast is killed.

15th Felsite, Late Spring:

Another day, another casualty to Arrositat. Thank Armok it was just a fish dissector. I'm sure "Throwerchills" taught him a thing or two about dissecting before it was through with him. Ha ha. On a serious note, Arrositat is becoming quite a nuisance, so I've drafted our buff woodcutter back into the army and sent him after the dread spider.

16th Felsite, Late Spring:

Great tragedy this day! Our veteran woodcutter failed dismally against Arrositat, not even managing to lay a single blow. The dwarves heard of this defeat, and as such have taken to calling the spider Arrositat Tetothvukcas Nitig, "Throwerchills the Lone Crescent of Biting". I shan't underestimate it again.

5th Hematite, Early Summer:

Our craftsdwarf has gone into a possessed trance. He took over the workshop and is asking for rocks and cloth. We currently have no cloth, but I've put our farmers to task on producing some. Preferably before he loses his mind.

25th Hematite, Early Summer:

I have begun to notice that all the cats in this place have taken a particular liking to Dante, the former ruler of this place. I'm not a superstitious dwarf, but it still feels damn odd.

26th Hematite, Early Summer:

More migrants have arrived. Only 7 of them this time. They brought 2 hunters with them. I don't expect them to last long.

1st Malachite, Mid Summer:

The first hunter has fallen to Arrositat. He managed to leave a mark on the beast however, a feat no other dwarf has accomplished so far. It gives us hope.

3rd Malachite, Mid Summer:

Our 2nd hunter has taken advantage of the beast's weakness and has gone out to try and finish it off. A brilliant shot with his crossbow manage to slam a steel bolt into Arrositat's right leg. Suddenly armed with the prospect that the beast may die, our two brawny miners ran from the fort to help out the brave hunter. Arrositat spewed forth a spray of webs in defiance as the 3 warriors surrounded him. Dante, our former ruler, roared out in defiance and in a true show of courage took the brunt of the spider's attacks. Before the paralytic poison managed to stop him, he slammed into the mighty beast, killing it and forever ending its reign of terror on the colony. His leg was badly wounded in the fight by the spiders fangs, and he had to be carried back to his room as his body had become completely paralysed. He's resting now though, and should make a full recovery.

10th Malachite, Mid-Summer:

Bim Asteshasmel has crafted Gamilugosh, "Trusthollows", a legendary scepter made from Rhyolite.

1st Limestone, Early Autumn:

Autumn has arrived, but the state of our former ruler and champion is still poor. I'm concerned the pain from his leg is preventing him from resting.

9th Limestone, Early Autumn:

Our resident Bowyer has been possessed by a strange mood.

13th Limestone, Early Autumn:

The rhesus macques have returned, but our hunter is making quick work of them. Our fisherman was briefly drafted in to the army to speed up the process.

17th Limestone, Early Autumn:

The Dwarven caravan has arrived! We have lots to trade this time, and should get a lot of sought after items.

26th Limestone, Early Autumn:

The traders took all our tacky stone made instruments and other crafts, and in return we got a large stock of meat and leather. Unfortunately they didn't bring any dogs with them to trade, which would have been most useful.

28th Limestone, Early Autumn:

The dried up holes where once there were lakes have begun to depress me. I've ordered the dwarves to divert some of the river to refill them.

1st Sandstone, Mid-Autumn:

Our bowyer has crafted Okirusur, Eldersspoils, an Ashen crossbow.

4th Timber, Late Autumn:

Work has begun on a great monument to my prosperous rule over the dwarves. All their idea of course.

22nd Timber, Late Autumn:

Met with the liaison from the city to discuss what trade goods we need. I felt the most important thing we needed was dogs to start a breeding population, and gave that the upmost priority, above all else.

26th Timber, Late Autumn:

The capital is currently interested in windows, fish, armor, large gems, toys, cheese, earrings and cut gems.

1st Moonstone, Early Winter:

Dante's wound still shows no signs of improvement. His once happy demeanor is slowly starting to sour as the months wind on, and his rest remains troubled.

6th Moonstone, Early Winter:

A number of our workshops are currently occupying the main hallway. I figure this is more ideal than leaving them out in the cold, but additional rooming will be necessary in the future. On a happy note, nearly all the raw stone has been processed from the floor of this place.

10th Moonstone, Early Winter:

I've become concerned with all the clutter being created by the stream of trade goods we are producing. I have ordered the carpenter to make bins to get everything in a bit more order.

22nd Moonstone, Early Winter:

The monument is complete! I have decided in my graciousness to allow the dwarves to relax around it whenever they wish.

26th Moonstone, Early Winter:

Dante has gone into a berserk rage. The pain has made him go completely insane. I've locked him in his room, the end can't be far for him.

8th Opal, Mid-Winter:

Bomrek Egdothavuz, an engraver has entered a strange, peculiarly secretive mood.

18th Opal, Mid-Winter:

Bomrek has created Zilirdurad Iklist, a Native gold puzzlebox, and as a result has gained a great deal of skill at engraving. Even as I write this he is frantically rushing around the fortress smoothing off surfaces to prepare for his expert engravings.

4th Obsidian, Late Winter:

I was alarmed to awake this morning, reach for my morning mug of ale to find it was empty. Apparently these dwarves are more thirsty than even I expected, and they've worked there way through all our alcohol. I'm putting the brewer onto overtime, but the next ruler should be prepared for the shortage. As a temporary stopgap I've banned all drinking games from the fort. I was particularly distressed when I found out the dwarves were swilling drinks whenever Arrositat killed, back at the start of the year. No wonder we've run out.

12th Obsidian, Late Winter:

Dante has starved to death. His fault for going insane clearly. I am working on building him a coffin to honour the sacrifice he made for the fortress.

25th Obsidian, Late Winter:

Dante was entombed on the island of my monument. There are spaces for 3 more coffins upon the island, perhaps all of the rulers of this place shall be united after their death.

1st Granite, Early Spring:

Spring has arrived, and with it the end of my rule of this place. The capital is sending a new overseer, and I've decided to return to my first love. Engraving. I never knew I was so good at it!

Next Chapter

• Chapter III: The Diary of Gabs