Sandstone
2 Sandstone 263
TyrantSabre came to discuss plants. The Lore is that some plants must be ground by stone to be useful, and others may be ground to be more useful. Therefore I carved a quern and he built it in the farm room. He then returned and said ground plants must be stored in bags and we have no bags.
I told him grow pig tails faster and we will have bags faster.
Later I inspected that the pig tail plot is not sown.
4 Sandstone 263
I went into the lava chamber to work on the constructions but I encountered menace!
A leather bird screeched about, lit blood red by the seething magma. Immediately I summoned the militia. Also I suspended construction within the chamber.
An armed dwarf arrived but it was Perfect Potato, come to work the sluice (I neglected to suspend mining). He was trailed by his dog.
I called him to halt mining but he saw the creature and then disregarded saying It is only a bird. I did not think it so but Perfect Potato mines very quickly and after removing one tile of earth withdrew so I did not endeavor to argue.
Shortly came Apocadall and Slaan who took position on the edge of the magma and also saw the threat.
Moments later came Enzer and Minty and also Star Guarded who was also there to dig. I adjudged the militia sufficient so did not interrupt Star Guarded who likewise digs legendarily fast.
After his task completed I pointed the creature and he called it a Bat. I inquired its size and he said normal bats are thus but they have small cousins called Small Bats which dwell above and consume blood. I inquired what Normal Bats consume and he claimed fruits and vermin.
The Bat explored dark crevices of the magma chamber so I left the militia to guard the fortress entrance which still lacks one door (a stone long blocked it but I moved it for building walls.)
6 Sandstone
I returned below but the Bat still lurked so I again suspended masonry work. Slaan, Enzer, Minty, and goatface now guarded. I judged if Bats eat fruits and vermin these four could likely smite it so I ordered attack.
But due to walls I had built the militia-dwarves could find no path to engage the Bat. I left them to guard and returned above.
8 Sandstone 263
Markus reminded me it is my 73rd birthday and gifted me a checkers board. All craftsdwarfship is of poor quality but I am still moved. Markus said a birthday gift is Traditional but it was not the tradition of my family when I was young. This is my first birthday present.
Later I consulted the records and Markus was born on the 10th day of Galena in the year 174. I have never given Markus a present.
11 Sandstone 263
Another puppy was birthed which I ordered caged before some dwarf adopted that future meal.
I began work on a Project without telling Markus. The miners dig directly behind our offices and Markus inquired, so I proposed checkers with my birthday present and he was thus distracted.
Below, Atomikus, Minty and Apocadall relieved Minty and Enzer so those dwarves could sleep. The Bat emerged from hiding to flap above.
The sluice is finished and today I ordered floodgates connected to a lever.
13 Sandstone 263
The Bat again lurks inaccessibly. I ordered the squads alternate watches so three are always relieved.
22 Sandstone 263
The breaching of the cavern lake will be from above. Too much water is there and if pushed by it a dwarf would end in magma. I ordered walls built to seal in the completed floodgate which Markus has connected to the lever.
The Project also requires masonry so I suspended it that the sluice works take priority. Then I again remembered that I am the only mason at Gemclod. It is still good that the records are correct. The Overseer should not be exempt from correct procedure.
The dyer's workshop is not built. I consulted the records and there is no dwarf at Gemclod with any skill in dying.
Dying is of cloth but is not like weaving. Dying uses extracts of plants but it is not like farming.
I determined dying is most like soap making. Atomikus is most skilled in soap making but she must guard or train. Nombres Idashdumat also has novice soapmaking skill. He crafts of wood and metal but these tasks are not constant so I located Nombres where he hauled goods to the new stockpiles.
I informed Nombres he would be tasked with Dying and he was shocked until I explained staining cloth and not Mondol-worship nor combat. Nombres asked when he should make soap but I explained without fat nor lye no soap order could be filled. Nombres was agreeable but immediately misplaced his hauled item which was not auspicious.
26 Sandstone 263
Still the Bat lurks.
Dwarves call it a Giant Bat. There is confusion as to which bats feed on blood and which on fruit and vermin. Some insist Bats found above ground are not Small Bats but only Bats while others claim they are obviously small being no larger than rats. I remember the Jaguar which is a Large Cat and lives above ground but this does not bring clarity.
Regardless the Bat in the magma chamber shows cowardice so I discontinued the guard.
28 Sandstone 263
While I ate in my office K0npeito mined behind me and Markus drank in the Great Hall.
The floor of the Great Hall is half smoothed. I think he is pleased.
Mehuyael has become Skilled at stone detailing. His muscles bulge from the labors and he sleeps soundly and is cheerful. I am gladdened that was a good selection. By end of winter he will be ready for proper engraving.
The Bat absconded. Another enlargened animal lacking taste for honored combat with armed dwarves of Gemclod only lurked and finally fled. Perhaps the Lore regarding cavern denizens is exaggerated?
Burgomaster wrote :-
