Since we are besieged, I spent the majority of spring under lockdown. the first priorities were to train up the militiadwarfs in lieu of any breaches, and build serrated steel blades to line the entrances. second priority was to get Sir Hatty's insane mechanisms to function, which we spent all of spring reverse-engineering and fixing.
All of this was in vain however as shortly after spring ended the siege was lifted, and was followed by an elven caravan. although i have no love for the elves and thier fancy tree-hugging ways, i stayed my blade as the Fortress had more pressing matters to attend to.
We begun work on a more fitting burial area. the upper area has several columns, each corner adorned with a statue beneath which a dwarf has been laid to rest. there is a grand foyer in the center, to which any overseer can lay a mosaic of their choosing. I selected a sword drawn in microcline to simulate the look of adamintine, but it pales in comparison to the real metal. i have half a mind to tear it up and start again.
the human caravan came in the summer, but was again followed by a siege. this time the Fortress was prepared. We funneled the majority of the goblin regiments through the new front entrance, the first such regiment which routed completely on a single steel weapon trap that was laid at the beginning of the bridge path. Those that pushed forward were met with a deluge of water, washing them into the pit.
The result was less than satisfactory. Some of the goblins landed on ledges used to carve out the pit; others fell into the pit, but failed to die on impact, instead simply shattering every bone in their body. if I'm going to throw a goblin down a pit, i want them to EXPLODE when they hit the bottom.
The remaining squads ended up routing except for a few crossbowgoblins, who were dispatched by the militia with moderate casualties. Militiadwarves lost and those unfit to fight were removed from active duty and replaced by new recruits for training.
As Autumn arrived we saw to it that the fort's vital necessities were addressed. the Dwarven reactor saw some water evaporation and plant growth issues jamming the wheels, which were fixed once the river froze over and access into the reactor was reached. the pit itself was dug deeper, but the ledges remain to be carved out a Z level at a time. Also it was decided to increase the width of the grate bridge to 3 tiles worth, in order to prevent any further falling mishaps.
a Dwarven Caravan came along with our country's liaison, who has offered to make our fort a Barony. I graciously accepted, and nominated a militia dwarf who had lost both arms in battle to be our baron. I feel he has lost enough for the fort to deserve this station.
After the caravan had left, another siege befell the fortress. as the water trap was drained in order to fix the reactor, minimal defenses prevent invasion, and as such I ordered a full lock down of the fortress until it is ready. the Grate bridge additions have yet to be linked to the lever, and our trash compactor is still incomplete on the left side. our new militiadwarves are hardly fit for fighting, but I've done all I can in the name of Copper Market. as spring dawns i resign my post and offer good luck and condolences to the next overseer.
