Let's Play Dwarf Fortress!

I have grown tired of all the distractions, everyone coming to me every time they have something to complain about. I have started to tell them to go to Oddom Domaslitast instead, one of the first dwarves to settle here. He was upset at first but when I told him I'd let him be "mayor", he agreed.

I let the doors be opened so that the human summer caravan could get in, but suddenly everyone is in a hurry to run outside and be eaten by crocodiles. I ordered everyone to stay indoors, lest someone actually useful dies, but they don't quite seem to grasp the danger presented to their skin and bones by the crocodiles.

In any case, the "trading" went well. I had been informed however, that after flooding the entrance, the water would drain itself through the soil naturally, so I seized the useful goods and flooded the exit when the merchants were making their way out.

Construction is going awefully slow, and that magnetite vein could practically form a mountain of its own.

To add insult to injury, Oddom is liking his new position a little too well and is trying to wrest control of the fortress away from me. Today he announced that he had "mandated" the production of a number of crystal glass items. What's next? Oh, yes. He also requested to be given an office, a personal dining room, an additional chest, a cabinet and personal weapon and armor racks! Well, that'll have to wait. I've been thinking of a few glass pieces for my own place though, so I suppose I could spare a few. If I can find enough rock crystal.

Great, another update! Thanks for labeling the screens, very helpful for beginners and the uninitiated.

Ahh... Feels good to know a fellow dwarf who can truly appreciate
and understand the beauty of the flushing system

If I knew that they would leave behind stinking clouds of miasma for a almost a month, I would probably have let those hooman merchants and their camels out of here. Oh, and that cooked out woodcrafter who locked herself up in her bedroom reportedly died of thirst today.

Otherwise, things are starting to shape up. I have doors, bedroom, dining room, throne room a statue garden all set up. I just need to collect a large amount of seeds and start up a farm, link up the lever to the outer door and I'll be set, almost. I need a few more statues.

I'm beginning to think the fortress cursed. Maybe it's something in the water? (I jest, I jest, there's still alcohol in the fortress) Nevertheless, now the weaver Rogòth Alåthzes is said to be possessed and requesting materials for her work - but she refuses to say what materials as apparently we "would steal her secrets".

The dwarven autumn caravan reached us today. I bought everything they had of logs, food, alcohol and seeds. Thanks to the stuff left lying about after the hooman and elven caravans, we didn't even need to sell any crafts.

I knew she was strange in the head, but after spending a lot of time in the meeting hall spouting nonsense and demanding materials that weaver, Rogòth Alåthzes went berserk and tried to stab everyone around her with a rusty spoon, including a nearby cow, but the cow bit back so now we are one weaver less.

Oddom, the mayor, didn't get the crystal glass that he asked for and now he's out for my scalp. He hasn't gone and done it just yet, but he's planning to overthrow me. I'm sure of it. Instead of the crystal glass, he is now demanding aluminum! I have decided to preceed him, and lock myself up in my chambers - I hope there's enough plump helmet and spawn in the plantation to sustain me, because I'd rather die than get out of here. I have a small stock of alcohol, and a well is installed on the floor above, by the plantation.

And with that, it's time to toss this book out the door and seal the entrance.

Former Overseer Kazik Lenodurdim, signing off.



I'm sorry I had to cut this short, but I'm going away over easter and I won't have internet access until late on Monday.

I PM:ed Masenteja the save.

I think Masentaja was busy during the easter, too.
Let's hope he'll be able to pick-up gatelightning soon.

Yeah, he said he'd pick things up after easter in a PM response.

Masentaja's log, part 1

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Masentaja's log: 14th Sandstone, 1503, Mid-Autumn

I've been a resident of this fine "establishment" for some time now. Come to think of it, it's been many years already since we came here. Anyway, long story short, as the fortress grows larger and larger, so does the dangers and restlessness. I was confronted by former overseer Zakhary, that I must seek the first dwarves of 'Gatelightning' and see what they have on their minds.

I dumped the barrel on ground, what I was carrying, and thought to seek out the mayor. Last time I heard, Oddom was running somewhere around the fortress, carrying items to proper stockpiles. Can't blame him, we all have been hauling items like ants last couple days, some rumours say that we had a "slight" increase of wealth after the (accidental?) flood at the trade depot. Anyway, who am I to doubt the decisions of the overseers, I just like the good beer and company at the dining hall.

I bumped to the mayor at one of the tunnels near the farm plots. He was all sweaty from the item hauling, and when I introduced myself properly, he gave me a wide smile.

He laid down the plump helmet seed(must be heavy one), and said:

"Lad, this comes fast I know, but the current state of the fortress is a bit alerting. I've consulted many of my closest fellow dwarves, and we have come to conclusion, that we must set up an guard force. And the captain of the guard were nominated... you. Your task in a nutshell will be this. You act as an peace keeper unit, as well as an upholder of laws. It includes arresting any dwarf who shall commit crimes amongst our community around here, and arresting any dwarf who won't accept the mandates of our fine noble community. "

The last part gave me a shivers, I knew something odd was coming up, and never I knew that I will become a barking dog on a leash for nobles. But if I look the bright side, I always wanted to be an knight in a shiny armor, this peasant life would be over with a single word. I humbly accepted the proposition by mumling the word "Aye.." while pondering the last line the mayor said to me... little I knew back then, what he truly meant.

I had to leave back my reserve squad, so I signed the contract, what resigned me from my squad "Impervious Manors". It kinda made me chuckle, since I never understood who the bummer invented that name anyway for a MILITARY squad.

The saga of Gatelightning lives on! Thanks, Masentaja. Keep up the good work.

Captain's log part 2

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Captain's log: 14th Sandstone, 1503, Mid-Autumn

After accepting my position, I was ordered to overseer the new construction of captain's office, which will locate next to the barracks. Someone has already dug couple of rooms there, so all I need to do is to order some furniture hauling. I'll draw the sketch on paper, and tell someone to haul the furniture according to my will. The idea of ordering someone else haul something for me made me chuckle, and the idea of my own office, which will be my living quarters at the same time, made me chuckle even more.


The next thing on my "to-do list" is... I nearly dropped my jaw to floor as I noticed the next part on the order list. "Prison" Guess these things are the part of the job I will not like, but since orders are orders, I have to follow them.

Luckily there is space below the barracks, and by some minor digging and planning, I'm gonna plan a secured prison cells for the poor souls who won't follow the mandates of nobles. At the moment, I think we only need 5-6 cell blocks, with secured stone doors and a ropes where we can tie up the prisoners. I'll draw a sketch from that too. The stairway to this area comes directly from barracks. I think this will be sufficent by its security and its size. Let's just hope we won't bump to larger group of restless mob.


Guess this starts my life as a captain of the guard. I truly hope that I will be good leader to my men, which reminds me my next task... recruiting.

Sorry for the late replying, eastern kept me busy

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Captain's log: 23rd Timber, 1053, Late Autumn

It's been just a couple of weeks, and already first trouble has been spotted. It seems that Ilrar, the local armorer has been acting weird couple days. Latest eyesight of the subject was around somewhere near his room.


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Captain's log: 23rd Timber, 1053,Late Autumn

It seems like they won't make my new job easy, I had an report of strange behaviour earlier by some armorsmith. It seems like that person has hijacked a metalsmith forge right now, and I'm heading there to check things out.

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Captain's log: 23rd Timber, 1053,Late Autumn

I arrived to scene, and the sight weren't pretty. It seems like our beloved Ilrar has been struck by some kind of mood altering disease or something. Let's just hope things won't get out of hands, or I have to get violent.


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Captain's log: 23rd Timber, 1053,Late Autumn

Few minutes later, I spotted Ilrar fetching some supplies, I tried to reason with him, and asked what he was doing, but all I got was a strange mumbling. I'll just follow him around and make sure he won't be doing any mischief.

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Captain's log: 23rd Timber, 1053,Late Autumn

It seems like Ilrar had an some sort of enlightment. After he fetched some supplies, don't remember what they were, he headed back to forge and started hammering like berserk. This was the result:


As the strange mood faded away, second by second, I grabbed Ilral and took him with me to the offices, where I shall question him. Let's hope things settle down for a bit.

Captain's log part 4

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Captain's log: 6th Moonstone, 1503, Early winter

Troubles continue. It seems like nobles weren't happy with their mandates, since five minutes ago mayor rushed to my offices, with furious look on his face. I first thought I have been busted from stealing some rum from the food stockpiles, but when the mayor started to yell something about mandates, I sighed from relief.

"-Blasted them lazy asses! I curse 'em to deepest pits of abyss! This be the perfect example of your work Captain, I DEMAND JUSTICE!" Shouted the mayor.

I tried to catch the idea of this conversation, and moments later it began to come clear to me. It seems like local mechanic Onol Sarveshidos hasn't done his job properly. A mandate has been made to construct some items, and the mechanic hasn't answered to the needs of nobles.

The mayor handed me the arrest order, with documents:


Poor fellow, guess just somebody forgot to tell him that you need to do mandates for nobles. Oh well... it ain't my job to critisise the laws of 'Gatelightning'. I nodded to mayor, and walked out of my office. Now... where is Onol Sarveshidos I wonder...

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Captain's log: 8th Opal, 1503, Mid-winter

After talking with mayor and the mechanic worker, we concluded that no action is taken this time, even though law was broken. This kind of event won't make any reason to me, law is a law, but yet Onol Sarveshidos walks freely amongst the tunnels of 'Gatelightning' like nothing have happened. Oh well.. who am I to question anything...

wow, this is really amazing

Sorry guys for taking so long, I'll finish the year today so next one can get their hands on it. This evening or so.

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Captain's log 27th Granite, 1504, Early spring

We had some reports of slight disturbance near the living quarters. It seems like our beloved ex-overseers have been enjoying couple of pints of beer too much. Some local elder female dwarfs complained about the noise.




Anyhow, I'll let 'em enjoy theirselfs some time, and unless the noise calms down by next night, I'll just tell boys to drag 'em to their rooms.

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Captain's log 27th Granite, 1504, Early spring

I was returning from the overseer party to my office, and when I was opening the office door, I heard slight ruckus from upstairs. I knew something bad had happened... but now that I think of it, I couldn't even realise how big problem this was gonna be...

I'll just keep this short, since this whole matter is quite delicate on certain aspects. It seems like our beloved ex-overseer 'Zakhary' has punched mayor in the face, ripping couple of mayor's fine mouth assembly parts with his fist... yes, teeths. Let's hope things calm down and nothing serious happens other than this.

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Captain's log 28th Granite, 1504, Early spring

Oh brother... this came just in:


Product order, guess that's one way to call your teeths.
Anyway, this is fine example of the bad sides of my job. I sended one of my boys to collect Zakhary, and escort him to prison cell. What I didn't tell to others was the couple of "orders" to zakhary's cell. If I'm gonna keep him under custody 51 days, I'll make sure he has darn good conditions down there.

Luckily Zakhary co-operated, and the arrest went well. Seems like the poor bugger doesn't remember the last night very well. Can't wonder, he drank quite much of that ale.

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Captain's log, x day, 1054

Elfs! Elfs have been spotted... in our trade depot. Blasted, how the hell lets those pointy ears in. One moment you just do your daily patrolling, and next thing you bump into ELF in our beloved fortress. I reported this incident to higher authorities, and actions have been taken... I'll put this into nut shell.

This is how they came


This is how they left


That'll teach 'em. And on to next subject...

Migrants! Lots of 'em! Nobles! Dungeon Keepers!

This'll be a busy day. We've had an massive migrant wave. Our population has reached to size 65, and all of the migrants have survived from alligator holocaust. It seems like the larger organised group can develop an surviving instinct, how to avoid deadly creatures of nature.


I've ordered most of them to hit the farm plots and start earn your place by farming food. I wish that we would have just enough barrels to start the brewing operation. We have tons of thirsty dwarfs, and couple of barrels filled with tower caps. Luckily the elfs left behind some logs.

Couple of the migrants were quite eager to join the militia, so I forwarded them to right authorities, and last time I heard about those boys, that they were recruited as marksmen. Well... we gonna need all those snipers against the alligators.

I asked around about those sniper dwarfs, and I was told they were assigned to special team, who's purpose is only to kill aggressive wild life, in this particular story, alligators. This is good news, since some masons have begun to plan massive lines of walls outside our fortress entrance. That would secure our wood stockpiles, plus we could deploy trade depot outside aswell, to welcome those juicy human caravans. I'm sure some intelligent fellow plans somekind of flooding system to there too. I'm gonna visit our fortress entrance, and check up what kind of walls they are planning...
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Captain's journal, the ODD LOG
8th Felsite , 1054 , Late spring

I bumped to one of the alligator-terminator squad member. He just ... glanced to me when I greeted him. Nothing else... Usually when I greet a fellow dwarven brother around here, I get a warm smile back and jolly greeting. This time the experience was totally diffrent. I decided to leave the odd fellow alone, and ask some information about him from the head of his squad. I heard a disturbing story from his childhood, and seems like this dwarf is a nutcase. Cold blooded and without emotions.


And the latest odd thing I heard, was that our one of the marksdwarf gave birth... marksdwarf...gave birth.. gained experience... hmmm... you can be the judge.


I'm gonna end this "The journal of oddness" to this, and get back to more important things.

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Captain's journal, 9th Felsite, 1054, Late spring

Ambush!

We've been ambushed by goblin party. An deadly one. Our scouts reported the entrance area is crawling with goblin bowmen, and they already butchered poor Rakust Shamebdumat, cow calf. Few of the goblins luckily ran to couple of the stone-fall traps outside the entrance, which reduced their numbers. Guess they were shocked to notice their brothers-in-arms squashed to bulp.


It seems like the ambush squad is too afraid to come in. Damn shame, all those stone-fall traps inside the fortress are quite deadly when used against goblin armada. We'll have to see and watch what they are going to do. If they decide to camp the entrance, next caravan will have quite unpleasant welcome...
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Captain's log, 22nd Galate, 1054 Late Summer

Ambush within!

We've had an alert of an dwarf who has gone raving mad. Some of the local workers escaped their workshops to avoid the foaming madman, who has destroyed every small property in his way.


They also said that the madman has already slain a fellow dwarf. The casualty's name was


We deployed several squads to the area, and the fight was furious. We encountered the berserk near the main staircase, luckily the barracks were next to it, so it didn't take long to get there.
In the end, we managed to take down the madman with fatal blow to limbs. First, one of our swordsmen chopped the madman's leg off, but still the madman continued to spread havoc. Next we noticed our marksmansquad made the poor nutjob to porcupine. The sight weren't pretty... more I pity the poor fellows who has to recycle those bolts.

Masentaja, if possible, please keep playing until next spring.
This way you would've played the part that Kazik left and a your "own" DF year.
Also, it would mean that we would get back on schedule.

I believe after Masentaja it's V7's turn, you up for it? I know you're a real dwarf

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Captain's log, odd log part II

I'm... letting you fellow readers to be the judge...


This accident happened at same time when the poor madmand died...