Author's Note: I may try to trim these chapters a bit going forward and make them more seasonal (covering 1-2 seasons at a go) rather than annual. Also, you're getting to see some of the other members of the town. I hope to be able to get better at writing them as I go. I definitely welcome thoughts and comments, if anyone is reading this.

Chapter 3: Tales of Goblins and Magma (127-128)

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

9 Granite 127

10 Granite

12 Granite

16 Granite

17 Granite

23 Granite

15 Slate

From the Journal of Endok Plankoak, Mayor

21 Felsite

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

21 Felsite

11 Hematite

15 Hematite

17 Hematite

18 Hematite

24 Hematite

Authors Note: For those who may not remember the name, Lorbam Climaxletter was the previous General of the Books before he was killed in 80.

27 Hematite

From the Journal of Tulon Orbraked, Mayor

28 Hematite

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

28 Hematite

From the Journal of Tulon Orbraked, Mayor

11 Malachite

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

11 Malachite

From the Journal of Tulon Orbraked, Mayor

9 Galena

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

9 Galena

1 Limestone

SOUND THE ALARM!

4 Limestone

17 Limestone

From the Journal of Tulon Orbraked, Mayor

17 Limestone

From the Journal of Tun Crystalbattles, Chief Medical Dwarf

17 Limestone

From the Journal of Edem Whipcall, Broker

1 Sandstone

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

1 Sandstone

From the Journal of Edem Whipcall, Broker

6 Sandstone

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

14 Sandstone

13 Timber

19 Timber

24 Timber

7 Opal

16 Opal

From the Journal of Tulon Orbraked, Mayor

22 Opal

From the Journal of Iton Polishedmines, Manager

22 Opal

7 Obsidian

8 Obsidian

24 Obsidian

1 Granite 128

Goblins

Dwarves

Armok/Nature - Kills: 1 - Snodub Bigsteal (drowned)

Like clockwork the elves from Ale Thili have arrived. Weve cleaned up a lot of the fallen trees since their last visit - and have some nice rock walls up now where the trees were - so they shouldnt be quite as unhappy as they were before.Olin (Catchgates, the militia commander/woodworker) has been acting odd lately. At first we thought it was due to the military planning hes been working on lately, but he claimed one of the Craftdwarfs workshops and began gathering materials including hazel wood logs, jute plant fiber cloth, and giant mole leather. No one knows what hes working onMedtob Flickeredurns (Animal caretaker, arrived 8 Malachite 125, had a child in 126) has had her second child in as many years. Logem Subtledoor makes the seventh child that Medtob and Melbil Spreadcastle have had.The elves have more goods this time than last. Edem traded several of our totems and shell crafts (and a couple large gems) for some wooden furniture (chests, barrels, buckets) and some fruit and crutches/splints. Oh, and a caged tiger. You cant go wrong with a tiger.He reported afterwards that the elves seemed particularly happy with the trading.Olin has completed whatever it was he was working on. It is called Thadteling Kezatgikut - Crowdedcoastal the Dangers Dbblr, and is a hazel wood trumpet.It is encircled with bands of hazel wood and menaces with spikes of hazel wood and giant mole leather. On it is an image of sole in jute plant fiber.Edem values it at around 8400 urists. Impressive for a wooden horn.Avuz Slinghall (Carpenter, arrived 8 Malachite 125) has had her second child. Fath Bellsallied, a boy, joins their other child.Weve walled off a couple sections above-ground. Both will be accessed by bridges. One will be a pasture for our animals, the other is going to be used as farmland for above-ground crops.Additional migrants arrived today. One large family - with two children - was among them. There was one other married couple and the rest were single. At least 23 came in this wave - the largest single wave weve had so far.Of note - three put down their occupation as Trader when asked on the questionnaire. I dont think we need that many traders in the town but I think we have some extra picks lying around.Our town now numbers 87. We might reach 100 before the years end.Ive ordered a second kitchen built. We want to keep at least 1-3 prepared biscuits per person on hand at all times, so the kitchens will keep our supply of biscuits at between 90 and 270, our supply of stews at between 90 and 180, and our supply of roasts at between 15 and 45.The stills are also going into high production as I want to keep at least 2 drinks on hand per person at all times - so theyll be shooting for 180 - 270. Right now we have 148.New residences are going up on level 11. Were adding 48 rooms to the 48 we already have - doubling our size. That should give us enough space for an additional wave or two.The craftsmen are building additional beds, cabinets, and doors.Our military now has 10 in the Diamond Bridges and 9 in the Released Machines.In order to ensure that we have adequate weapons, I am mandating the construction of one crossbow to be completed as soon as is possible. Failure to follow this mandate may result in punishment being meted as necessary.The mayor handed me a note today. It was particularly formal and demanded we construct a crossbow. I tried to inform the mayor that we had just finished making 10 iron crossbows for the military, but she was adamant that we have another one prepared just in case. Ive ordered another one be made, but Im not happy about it.Our human neighbors from Dur Mothec have arrived with a fresh trading caravan. Their last caravan was pretty well supplied - hopefully they have as many goods this time as they did the last.Have you ever seen a broker salivate before? Edem took one look at the goods that the humans brought and the drool was running down his beard in no time. He estimates their caravan is valued at over 60,000 urists. The best we have is about 20,000.Granted, though, a lot of what the humans have is unsuited for dwarves. Their armor, for example, is far too big for any dwarf to wear. But they brought 11 bins of cloth and 5 bins of leather with them which we can use to make our own clothing.We went ahead and traded for the bins of cloth and leather, as well as a silver pike (one of our recent additions is a pike-wielder), and some other items. The total traded came to about 8,000 urists when all was said and done.A new election was held. Tulon Orbraked (trader, arrived 15 Slate 127) was named as the new mayor. I am not familiar with her, so I cannot say how she will handle her position.Iton Moonclasp (thresher, arrived 20 Slate 126) started acting odd during a recent party. She began mumbling about something and stumbling around. Those there presumed she was drunk, but she left the party on her own and was last seen at a craftdwarfs workshop. She began sketching images of stacked cloth, a forest, and stacked leather, then went off to gather items. No one knows what she is working on.I received word that Iton has completed her project. She created Lashed Alil - the Prophet of Glee - a willow scepter.It is encircled with bands of willow and menaces with spikes of cedar and turkey leather. On it is an image of dwarves in persimmon wood. The dwarves are traveling. The artwork relates to the foundation of Swordtombs by The Admired Pick of The Crazy Books in the early spring of 125. On the item is an image of Lorbam Climaxletter the dwarf in cave spider silk.I asked Edem for an assessment of the scepter - he said it would be worth about 8,400 urists if sold.Clearly word of our progress is spreading around the Mountainhome. Another wave of migrants has arrived - most of them, again, single. Yes, there was yet *another* trader in this wave. That makes six traders. I should ask Edem if there is a Traders Guild at the Mountainhome - and if there is, ask Edem to tell them to STOP SENDING US TRADERS!One dwarf put down Clerk as his occupation. I asked Vutok (the bookkeeper) what she thought and she just laughed. If he wants to handle the books, let him. Hell go mad in a week.Because our lovely town is located in a climate that gets cold in the winters, we must ensure that the populace is not cold. I am hereby ordering that one coat be produced for the publics use. Failure to comply will result in punishment.Ridiculous. Ive dealt with stubborn and pompous individuals, but Tulon is asking for a coat IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER. Ill ask the leather works to start on one right away. At least its not another crossbow.As mayor of Swordtombs I am entrusted with the defense of the city. Our armies must have sufficient protection in the form of armor. I am hereby ordering one buckler be produced forthwith or punishment will be meted out.No sooner did we get the coat done then Tulon went and ordered us to make a buckler! Were still in the process of expanding the forges and the metalworking, but Tulon just wouldnt take no for an answer! Ive asked the metalworkers to make an iron buckler to satisfy her for now.In happier news, the Diamond Bridges now have a proper barracks. Weve constructed it on the surface right near the trading depot so they have easy access to anything coming from the surface.Next we need to build a barracks for the Released Machines.It has come to my attention that our military lacks sufficient bolts. I am hereby mandating that two sets of bolts be constructed forthwith. Failure to comply will result in punishment.I really need a drink. Or several. This is what happens when you put a pompous ass in as mayor. I sent the order along for more bone bolts, even though we have a total of 782 bolts currently lying around the stocks already.Remember those goblins I didnt think were ever going to be a problem? Theyre a problem. Our sentries report seeing a force of goblins approaching from the southeast.We have three bridges but only one of them actually works and no real fortifications to speak of. At least the military has been training. Theyve been deployed forward - the archers across the river and the militia in the fortress proper. The hope is that our archers can take some targets out at distance and then, when the enemy closes, the militia engages them in close combat.Everyone is armed and at least partially armored - the armor is still being constructed on the forges as we speak.It will take a couple days for the goblins to get in close enough. Pray to Armok for us.The siege is broken.Casualties were quite high. At least ten dwarves were killed by the ten goblins. Included in those ten were the captains of both of our squads, half of our marksdwarves, and half of our militia.Minkot Whimsbridged (milker, arrived 19 Malachite 126) killed five of the goblins herself. She has earned the title Ad Aval, the Sun of Loving, for her performance in the fight. She has also become the militia commander.Udil Postslipped (trader, arrived 25 Sandstone 126) was responsible for three kills but was grievously wounded in the fight. His right foot was cut open, right upper arm broken, and he suffered multiple bruises.Tun (our chief medical dwarf) has set up an emergency hospital on the second level. Besides Udil, Imush Crypttested (bone carver) was also injured in the fight.We cant say for sure what happened - it was a whirlwind of activity. Witnesses tell me that the goblins charged the archers who were unable to fall back, and the militia was slow to move forward to engage the goblins. Several archers died immediately from the onslaught of a lasher - including Mafol Tongssculptures (who killed the giantess last year). The lasher was eventually brought down by Minkot Whimsbridged the Sun of Loving.At some point Olin Akuminod and one of the goblins fell through into the water and both are presumed drowned.Additional coffins have been ordered sent to the crypts. Once they are in place we will bury our dead.Among the dead was Zas Martyrpainted, who arrived with her son and daughter on 19 Malachite. I wouldnt know what to say to them - thats what Tulon is for.I swear after this Im taking the goblins seriously now.Right on time, the outpost liason has arrived. Im sure hell be interested to know what has just transpired before his arrival.Zuntil Lolokgidthur, the liason from the Mountainhomes has arrived for his yearly conversation. In the past this would have been handled by the manager, but Iton has her hands full dealing with the aftermath of the goblin assault.According to Zuntil things have been quiet in the world. He had seen the corpses as he was arriving and asked if this had been the work of the Icy Plague. Were not certain yet, but I think its safe to say that they were probably involved.He asked for our requests for next years caravan and I told him that we were looking for clothing, leather, and cloth.In return the Mountainhome is seeking figurines, backpacks, and bracelets primarily. Given the recent attack, they also were looking for ammunition and spears if possible. I told him wed do what we could but we needed to rebuild our military and prepare our defenses - the goblins will certainly not be happy that their assault was repelled.He went on his way and I went back to my desk to contemplate what we will do next.Udil Postslipped and Imush Crypttested have been released from the hospital.Udil had sutures on his right upper arm, was given a cast and a crutch, and released. The arm is expected to eventually heal. He has lost a motor nerve in his right foot, however, and I doubt that he will ever be able to walk again without a crutch.Imush was given sutures on his left foot, a plaster cast, and a crutch before being released. His left foot was smashed but should eventually heal. However a sensory nerve in the left foot was severed and I am not sure he will be able to fully walk again without the aid of a crutch. All in all, these two were extremely lucky.Our first negotiations with the caravan were held today. I was able to procure several bins of leather and cloth for the clothing we retrieved from the dead goblin invaders as well as some crafts. A majority of our crafts right now, for reasons beyond me, are currently unavailable for trading - they are being encrusted with gems.I had some words for Iton, but she told me that they were trying to get as many crafts ready for trade as possible in the aftermath of the attack. I wish she understood that it makes us look bad to the Mountainhome if we are not prompt and ready when their caravans arrive. They do not stay for very long and the delays only mean that we dont have as good a chance of getting what we want before they leave. The caravan only comes once a year!Edem came to give me a piece of his mind today because not all of our finished goods were available for trade. I tried to patiently explain to him why this was - because we had found the gem setters encrusting SOCKS with precious gems. Socks are meant to be worn, not meant to be decorated to look at!We created a separate stockpile for our finished shell crafts, and the gem setters were instructed to only use that stockpile for their encrusting. There was some grumbling from them initially but they seem to be getting the hang of it.As for Edem if the windbag doesnt shut up and let me worry about operations of the town, Im going to have him drafted into the militia and put on the front lines when the next goblins show up!Now that Iton has finally sent the crafts up for trading we could get to work in earnest. The caravan is worth an estimated 115,000 urists. We have goods worth about 11,000. Obviously we arent going to buy out the whole caravan, but I wish I had more to work with. I know, I know, the goblin attacks cost us some of our workmen - these are, after all, citizen militia.I was able to trade two bins full of finished goods for thread, more leather, a silver war hammer, and a few other odds and ends - including two more alpaca. Hopefully this will keep Iton happy for awhile and shell be more willing to listen to me when I tell her we need more finished goods to sell.Seven more migrants arrived today to join us. One of them is the older sister of Mafol Tongssculptures. She came straight to my office and told me that she wanted to join the military to avenge her brother. Her name is Ezum Bannerdream and she has working knowledge of how to use a spear. I directed her to see Minkot and hed sign her up.There were two others who indicated theyd been in the military, so we went ahead and added them to the militia lists as well. That brings the militia back up to 8, while we only have 5 marksdwarves.Iton Moonclasp has had her second child - a baby girl named Tulon Spikecudgel.Nomal Honormountains (tanner, joined us 25 Sandstone 126) has started acting odd. Hes been talking to someone or something that isnt there. We suspect a ghost, but no one else has seen or heard of anything. He claimed a leather works and was muttering under his breath that Kadolnabreth needs leather skin  over and over. He grabbed some pond leather and went to work.The work at the leather works is complete. Nomal created Kadolnabreth - Hatchetskirt - a frilly pond grabber leather head veil. It is decorated with pond grabber leather and adorned with hanging rings of pond grabber leather.Edem estimates it is worth about 3,000 urists. Nomal, meanwhile, remembers absolutely nothing of what just happened.While resuming expansion of the central staircase down to level 50, the miners reported the presence of warm stone. They tell me that the rock on level 48 is semi-molten, and that the first traces of warm stone began showing up around level 44. In short - we probably have an underground lava sea nearby but if were not careful well flood the whole staircase with molten rock.Stakud Ropefills (Armorer, arrived 15 Slate 127) has given birth to a baby boy today. The boy, Meng Wealthworks, is the first child that Stakud and Astesh Boatsouls - the father - have had.In order to ensure that I am able to conduct the work required of me, I am hereby ordering production of a tin armor stand to occupy my office. Failure to comply in a timely manner will result in punishment.An exceptional dolomite armor stand already sits in Tulons office. I want to hit her over the head with it until she starts to show some sense.Dolomite is a material that has far better value than tin. Tin is a cheap metal hardly even suitable for trading goods! I understand that Tulon has some insane love of the stuff, but why she needs an armor stand that's gaudy and hardly worth being crafted remains beyond me.Ive put in the production order to the forges - theyll get to it once they make the five iron doors were going to need for possible magma control.Medtob Flickeredurns (Animal caretaker, arrived 8 Malachite 125) has had her eighth child - and the third shes had since she came to us with her husband, Melbil Spreadcastle. Ezum Yawnedbell, a girl, seems quite happy and healthy.SUCCESS! We have found a great magma sea and, along with it, adamantine. Unfortunately, the miners got overzealous and broke the wall of the sea meaning that magma is now flooding part of one of the tunnels. Dakost Knightbasement, one of the miners, is presumed to have been boiled alive by the magma.Fortunately our plans worked and we have the magma contained where it can be used by our forges and smelters. We need to hollow out a chamber on level 44 for the forges and the smiths.We are going to try an expedition to see if we can get to some of the adamantine. Its risky but hopefully we can do it without any fatalities.We have adamantine. I personally mined the first strands myself. It is absolutely beautiful and remarkably lightweight. This is the sort of thing that could keep us alive for years to come if we can make armor and bladed weapons out of it. But getting to it is going to be tricky and a challenge.A new year dawns, and with it comes both threats of trouble and hope. Our community is now at 96 but we have lost many in the past year. Will we be able to survive through the next year? Only time will tell.In 127, early autumn, The Assault of Troopers occurred as part of The Searing War waged by the Icy Plague on the Crazy Books at Swordtombs. The goblin Dakost Stakeconjures led the attack.Dakost Stakeconjures (Kills: 0)Aslot Scorpionsweat (Kills: 0)Gozru Doomstroke (Kills: 0)Snodub Bigsteal (Kills: 4 - Kib Woodchambers, Sigun Lashedwheel, Zas Martyrpainted, Olin Catchgates)Olngo Malignedcolored (Kills: 0)Snodub Malignowls the Immoral Keeper of Rasps (Kills: 5 - Iden Inkhood, Imush Oarpull, Cerol Foldedodoors, Doren Sackglory, Ezum Boltclobbers)Stozu Tickfind (Kills: 0)Atu Talljackal (Kills: 0)Strodno Thiefnightmare (Kills: 1 - Mafol Tongssculptures)Amxu Evilwretched (Kills: 1 - Dumat Wheelstar)Udil Postslipped (Kills: 3 - Aslot Scorpionsweat, Dakost Stakeconjures, Atu Talljackal)Ezum Boltclobbers (Kills: 1 - Olngo Malignedcolored)Minkot Whimsbridged the Sun of Loving (Kills: 5 - Snodub Malignowls, Amxu Evilwretched, Gozru Doomstroke, Strodno Thiefnightmare, Stozu Tickfind)