Excerpts from the Journals of Atir Sibrekam, as transcribed by Urist McJulian
1st of Hematite-
The beginning of summer, and it's time to start worrying again. That's what I do here, I worry and I answer questions, but I knew that's what I was getting into when I accepted the position of Mayor in a newly formed Dwarven outpost. First order of business for the season is to get a new well dug, the last thing we need is to run out of water. Also did my monthly walk through of all the new construction and found a strange little closet with a single duck locked inside. I questioned our animal trainer, but he looked embarrassed and changed the subject. One shouldn't question methods that work, I suppose.
11th of Hematite-
Miasma has broken out in the stairwell, but we all know how to contain this. Doors. We shall build plenty of doors. That shall keep our builders busy for a few days, and a busy Dwarf is a happy Dwarf, I always say!
1st of Malachite-
Our brewer, Logan Aknunerush has been possessed! Curses, this was terrible news. Others were brought in to take over his position while he acted so strangely. He created a toy boat from magnitite for little Edduduleng Notlith Talul. No one knew he had such talents, but we still worry over his sudden personality change. With any hope this too shall pass in a few days with some rest and he won't become some simpleton making toys for the children while we train new brewers.
21st of Malachite-
Bomrek Godenilrom Ordirthebil, our esteemed military commander and self imposed co-leader, claimed we didn't have a proper gate switch and promptly installed one in the tower with his men. Well of course they immediately opened it and a slew of badgermen appeared. They were taken care of and no one was hurt, thank the gods, but what was Ordithebil thinking? He's ordered the gate to be kept closed under his watch.
21st of Galena-
Gates have been closed for one month now, but it's not doing any harm. I'll let Ord have his little power trip, our supplies are fine and we're talking about getting our furnaces powered by magma to save on charcoal. Self sufficient, I like it!
18th of Limestone
We discovered some beautiful Adamantite. In the middle of the Magma, of course. The trenches are starting, and we're on our way to having magma furnaces. Still reliant on our old ones for now, which is a shame since the gate is still down. I've been keeping everyone busy with updating our living quarters, since you never know when the next wave of wide-eyed immigrants will appear at our doorstep.
19th of Limestone
A group of wide-eyed immigrants have appeared at our doorstep. And by doorstep, I mean closed gate. I think their eyes widened when I told them I couldn't have the gate opened right then, and that I'm sure Ord would let them in soon. They acknowledged how dangerous the area can be and agreed to camp out front until we got things sorted out. Ord has ignored all requests to see him all day.
12th of Timber
My patience is wearing thin, as we've had to destroy all of our charcoal furnaces to preserve resources, moving on to using our new magma powered ones. This is our 4th month into this insane lockdown, and supplies are looking a little low. There's a rumor of an unspeakable evil being held at bay by the gate, but all I see are the confused faces of the immigrants when I come to speak to them each day and tell them of the lack of news. If this gate isn't open by winter, this is coming out of Ordithebel's hide. He's still acting as though nothing strange is going on, just repeating that “We're keeping out what needs kept out”.
It's beginning to feel more like he's keeping us in.
But we're a hearty group, everyone's spirits are still up. I watched the children play with some of the animals we've caught and tamed for slaughter, a cave alligator actually. They're about the only thing that's keeping my spirits up these days, other than the spirits I'd stored away for myself now that we all have our own personal keeps. Building them was just busy work, we've had so much of it recently. A busy Dwarf is a Happy Dwarf...and happy dwarves don't ask me questions.
7th of Obsidian
Oh gods, what have we done? What have I done?? I've slowly watched our migrant friends starve over the winter, trying to turn a blind eye to their suffering with promises of “Maybe tomorrow, surely you can come in tomorrow”. Specialships has suffered too, while trapped underground our crops are down to only some scant cave wheat and we've barely the seeds to produce a basic ale. Fear is what happened, and I'm damned no matter what I do now. I'm going to confront Ord one last time tonight. I've already told my dear Ushat what might happen, and she's prepared. She's a strong dwarven woman, that's why I married her. (Ah, could you just scrap that part McJulian? I don't want her mentioned by name if anything does go badly tomorrow. )
8th of Obsidian
I confronted Ordithebel. I yelled. I screamed. I hurt someone that didn't deserve it and I made a horrible mistake that has cost lives. We opened the gate for the first time in nearly 7 months. The unfamiliar sound echoed through the halls, and all but the infants rushed to the surface in a frantic gathering. The migrants simply stood aside as the entire settlement poured out, their faces hollow and vacant. My people scattered far to gather wood, plants, and seeds, while Ordithebel looked on from the gate with a black eye but a knowing expression. Soon a scream was heard, as a nameless force of vile darkness descended on us. Everyone was so caught up in the excitement of being outside that Ord's warning cries and orders to get back inside were ignored. But the sounds of slaughter soon drove them all together, and I corralled everyone inside and said the phrase I'd come to believe I never would utter: “Shut the gate!”. Ord knew, somehow he knew. He couldn't put it into words, but something was out there waiting for us, and we let our guard down. I let it down and others have paid.
1st of Granite
Things have gotten near enough to normal. Our gate is now used sparingly, just to let a few gatherers come and go. I've had the fallen be memorialized in the most appropriate manner I could find; doors in the dormitory have been built in their name. More dwarves than ever are preferring the feeling of being enclosed and safe, the trauma that I allowed is still felt though not spoken of.
5th of Slate
News has come from The MountainHome, and I'm truly taken aback. I've been promoted to Baron of Specialships due to “my brave actions in holding down your township during trying times”. This is an honor that I can't turn down, but I know I do not deserve. Ordithebel should have been honored for holding fast to his beliefs, but what else could I have done?
13th of Felsite
Spring has been our season, so far. Everything is going smoothly, we're prospering and my people are proud to have me as our leader. Ordithebel and I have not spoken to each other since the incident. I cannot even bear to look him in the eye, even when he came today to tell me that the forgotten Beast Tharama Sofipuopeya has appeared in the caves. I just looked at my desk as he coldly described the poison gas it exudes and cautioned that while it currently seems to be stuck in the caves that we should be guarded about it. He excused himself after handing me the paperwork, and I don't know where to go from here. All I know is that we need to do the following:
Designate some military units, membership has waned since The Incident
We need more non plant-based food, we've had some complaints. I guess we've all lost our taste for them during The Lockdown
We need more steel, I know you've mentioned that Urist McJulian and I haven't forgotten about you. You've been a fine Armorsmith and a faithful friend to deal with me during this past year.
