Population Boom

Pop. 154, Summer of 332 (Fort Year 81)

Almost a decade ago, a tantrum spiral toppled the Mountainhome's population of 134 down to 74. Relicshield has finally made a full recovery due to a massive baby boom and renewed migration. This year also marked the birth of Edem IV, the grandson of Edem II, the tiny hammerdwarf who helped uncover the plague of dwarven dwarfism afflicting all fortress-born dwarves.

Fallen Heroes

Pop. 130, Autumn of 313 (Year 62)

Shock and dismay spread throughout the fortress when three of its mightiest soldiers fell in battle: Commander Sphalerite of the Original Seven, Tirist Earthennourishes the legendary marksdwarf, and Edem II, once the Unluckiest Hammerdwarf and the first dragon battlemaster of Relicshield.

The Forgotten Beast Engror Uktangstosbub has come! An enormous pterosaur composed of green glass. It has a pair of squat antennae and it has a gaunt appearance. Beware its webs!

Far stronger than any previous Forgotten Beast fought before, Engror rampaged through the defending squad. Somehow an iron spear was kicked up by the thundering charge, fatally cutting Tirist, while Edem II and Sphalerite were trampled (NOOOOOOOOOOO)! Istrath the dragon rushed at the pterosaur, his fury boundless at the death of his dwarven companion!

The cavern shook with the clash of the two titanic beasts while crossbow bolts flew into the fray. The battle was tense, with the pterosaur breathing webs and slamming its wings and feet into the dragon. However, Istrath rallied and with a final blast of dragon fire, the glass monster was melted down.



Duke Phyllite has commissioned a memorial to be built in honor of the three fallen soldiers, all true heroes of Relicshield :'(.

Dragon Age

Pop. 133, Spring of 313 (Year 62)

Right at the close of the previous year, the enemies of the fortress attacked both above and below. While the Evils of Spray laid siege on the surface, a frigid horror entered the second cavern.

The Forgotten Beast Uthgur has come! An enormous quadruped composed of snow. It has wings and it squirms and fidgets.

Goden II Claspletter, Relicshield's first forgotten beast slayer, kept the monster busy while her captain readied the perfect blow. With a mighty shield slam, Dishmab Vesselbrain the Holy Winnower of Fortresses broke the creature apart!





Near the surface, Commander Sphalerite led the charge against the goblin siege, with Edem II and his dragon Istrath close behind.

http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-2556-istrathswrath



With the rise of Relicshield's dragons, a new age has dawned.

Taste of Fire

Late Autumn of 312 (Year 61)

After much debate between Duke Phyllite and Meng Roughwhips the Dragon Trainer, Relicshield fielded a dragon in battle for the first time! Edem II volunteered to be the dragon's battlemaster and led mighty Istrath forth. The Evils of Spray received their first taste of dragon fire and soon fled!

Watch Istrath in action!

New Year's Eve

Pop. 141, Spring of 306 (Year 55)

After the famine of 304, food production was overhauled. Rock nut paste, usually processed into oil and press cake, was used as a quick stop gap measure to fill the larders once the food from the elf caravan ran out. The duchy's cooks also began to experiment with other seeds as ingredients for lavish meals. Tallow, once used primarily for soap, found a place in the kitchen again, as well. Before long, a healthy surplus was regained. On New Year's Eve 305, Solon II and Edem II Claspletter welcomed Edem III into the world :D.



(Actually 1 day old, but since he was born in 305, DF states 1 year)

Famine

Pop. 137, Spring of 305 (Year 54)

A population boom caught the fortress by surprise. While babies were being born left and right, food supplies dwindled in the Winter of 304 due to poor preparation (stepped away for a LONG time and didn't adjust workflow). Edem II Claspletter and Solon II Anguishedpages-Claspletter had been trying for years to have a baby. Unfortunately, the food shortage caused Solon II to have a miscarriage :(. The dwarves of Relicshield were never as overjoyed to see the elves as they were this Spring. The timely caravan brought much needed food, preventing starvation and the widespread riots which could have resulted.

Wedding Bells

Pop. 120, Autumn of 301 (Year 50)

The dwarven vacation lodges have been a success! With fine statues, an artifact bed, and haute cuisine, marriage was just a burrow away! After dating for over 20 years, Edem II Claspletter FINALLY married his childhood sweetheart, Solon II Anguishedpages.

Combo Squads

Pop. 121, Spring of 299 (Year 48)

After considerable equipment allocation and scheduling issues, the duchy's melee and ranged squads have now been combined to impressive effect. While the melee troops create an advancing shield wall, blocking enemy bolts and arrows, the ranged soldiers quickly incapacitate foes if not outright killing them. The combined barracks and archery ranges have also greatly increased training frequency, with two marksdwarves just shy of legendary status and others well on their way.



The increased mobility of ranged troops has been a great boon. For decades, wagons were barred from Relicshield due to security concerns. While those from the humans are still under consideration, this year marked the return of the full Mountainhome caravan.

Ibmat the Dragon's training has progressed well, reaching expertly trained status. Her trainer, Meng Roughwhips, happened to be the most naturally inclined to such work (thank you Dwarf Therapist attribute-occupation calculator). Even before becoming a dragon trainer, he already had the title "The Planes of Taming."

Meanwhile, Edem II, after years of stunted growth, has been making up for lost time, with 92 kills to his name :D.

Growth Spurt

Pop. 125, Autumn of 293 (Year 42)

The duchy's marksdwarves have been training with a zeal never seen before, all thanks to new training techniques from the Mountainhome.



Meanwhile, Edem II and his tiny peers have all FINALLY hit puberty, growing rapidly in size and strength. Once known as the Unluckiest Hammerdwarf, he's is now shattering limbs and crushing skulls like he always wanted.

Dwarven Geneology

Thanks to innovations in genealogy, Relicshield is currently undergoing a massive renaming* project to better track the proud lineages of its citizens. The Claspletter family was one of the first to get a standardized surname, having several of the most prominent dwarves of the fortress, including Edem II, the legendary pick-wielder and Goden II, the Forgotten Beast Slayer.



* Previous posts have been edited to reflect this change in dwarven surnames.

Goblinite Filtration & Combat Drops

Pop. 122, Spring of 291 (Year 40)

Now in its 4th decade, the fortress has undergone major changes to its military configuration and hauling infrastructure. Additional troop stations were created in the trade tunnels, with the squads closer to the hub focused on training, and the ones further out tasked with escorting visitors and providing the first line of defense.

The increase in goblin hostilities necessitated quicker handling of the spoils of war, which often took more than a season to fully clear. To that end, a new 2-route, 1-track minecart system was constructed to filter the goblinite, with pure ore deposited near the trade depot and impurities sent to the particle accelerator on the surface. The new track was Relicshield's first multilevel one and confounded the builders for quite some time. Everything came together once it was finally realized that every track ramp required a supporting wall behind it on the lower level.

While effective, word has come from the Mountainhome of a far more efficient magma-powered goblinite filtration system. Duke Phyllite has considered another mining expedition to uncover the lower caverns and magma sea, but ever since the mining-related death of his wife Cinnabar, much greater oversight has been a firm requirement. For the time being, all mining below the first cavern has been postponed, as much of the fortress's attention is on a prototype tower-to-tunnel combat drop system.

A dwarven scholar by the name of Di remarked on the ability of smaller creatures to fall from great heights with only minor injuries. Preliminary testing is now underway in Relicshield on a tower above the southwest trade tunnel, where Edem II and other tiny soldiers will enter battle by falling directly onto foes. Currently, the biggest issue is soldiers being momentarily stunned from the fall. Thus this method will not be used when facing goblins wielding blunt weapons due to the risk of fatal head strikes. However, the dwarves are cautiously optimistic on the efficacy versus other enemy types.

Ballistae & Picks

Pop. 113, Winter of 288 (Year 37)

After years of training, Relicshield's siege engineers were ready to bring the pain! 3 legendaries and 1 grandmaster rotated duties on the 3-ballista battery, giving the goblins quite a surprise :D.



Meanwhile, Edem II completed his personal quest and is now legendary in all dwarven weapons. The tiny dwarf has settled on the pick as his weapon of choice, the first soldier of the fortress to do so. When testing it out, he discovered that he could deliver a serious wound with every strike, a first for him!

Mystery Solved!

Pop. 113, Spring of 284 (Year 33)

The mystery of Edem II's combat performance has finally been solved. It was never noticed that all of the children born in Relicshield were quite a bit shorter than dwarves from the Mountainhome. Despite his initial preference for war hammers, Edem II tried out short swords and discovered that he was far more effective with them.



Sadly, soon after Edem II gained renewed respect from his brothers and sisters in arms, tragedy struck his family and the fortress at large. His father, Edem Claspletter, a renowned carpenter and wood cutter, was caught outside during a goblin siege along with Nish Twinkledurns the clothier.





Relicshield lost two of its most beloved citizens, but the dwarves made sure the goblins paid most dearly.

The deaths had worked the dwarven soldiers into a fever pitch. Woe to the next foe to assault the fortress! Perhaps the news of Relicshield's heightened war lust made its way to the elves, who wisely returned with words of peace, rather than beasts of battle. And so ended the Stormy Eviscerated War.

The Assault of Claws

Pop. 114, Late Summer of 283 (Year 32)

The human merchants who arrived at the fortress this year narrowly missed an elven ambush. And what an ambush it was. First, a group of war grizzlies emerged from the forest. One of the beasts gave Commander Sphalerite quite a fight! The bear's ferocious offense kept the commander off-balance far longer than any previous opponent, despite the inevitable end.



While the last of the grizzlies were struck down, the rest of the elven forces revealed themselves. No longer an ambush, it was a full-scale siege! With spear-wielding moose and camel riders, war leopards and lions, over a hundred enemies entered the fray! The battle was intense, but the dwarves remembered their training and stood their ground. Despite numerical superiority, the odds were still solidly in the dwarves' favor.



(Legends mode doesn't track mounts apparently, since the moose and camels aren't listed. The true enemy count was probably over 150. Also, the elves arrived in Late Spring, but waited out of sight until the Summer. Dastardly!)

Edem II's combat performance has remained an enigma. The weapon prowess, shield technique, and dodging ability are all there, as he proved again during this elven assault, and yet he always shies away from the killing blow. Still, he's able to engage multiple opponents and keep them occupied, so thus far, his particular quirk has mostly raised eyebrows. Stronger objections have also been stymied due to his older sister Goden II, wielder of the legendary axe known as Drencheddragons. To slander Edem II is to slander the entire Claspletter family, and among the dwarves of Relicshield, Goden II holds the singular distinction of slaying a forgotten beast.



In the meantime, the most pressing problem for Relicshield is what to do with all of the beast carcasses left after the battle. The fortress has had a food surplus for decades, so collection isn't a necessity, though the Mountainhome might appreciate a gift of exotic edibles if they can be preserved in time.

The Unluckiest Hammerdwarf

Pop. 115, Late Autumn of 281 (Year 30)

Edem II Claspletter, once the youngest member of the army, quickly rose to the status of legendary hammerdwarf. However, his propensity for only bruising his opponents has come into question. It's been noted that he is easily moved to pity. Perhaps he never would have joined the military had it not been for the abduction of his younger brother, Mosus.

Meanwhile, it seems that the elves are not the only ones filling the recent void left by the goblin withdrawal. The kobolds of Chomin (no translation known) led a surprising assault deep into the trade tunnels, but they had the misfortune of coming across Commander Sphalerite and his squad of legendaries.

Nuwetha and the First Cavern

Pop. 76, Mid-Spring of 275 (Year 24)

The past few years were quite eventful. Adil Craftswarded, the best swordsdwarf of Relicshield, celebrated the military enlistment of his son, Adil II. The elder Adil reminded many of the tales of Adil Bootmirrors, the legendary hero of the lost fortress of Greatestbodice. Adil Craftswarded shared the same affinity for swords as Adil Bootmirrors, and became a legend in his own right along with his sword, Spatteredcolumns the Responsibilities of Calamities. Adil Craftswarded bestowed the sword on Adil II as he and his son became the second family with members serving concurrently in the military, along with Edem II and Goden II Claspletter.

Selenite Ivyrope, one of the Original Seven, and the armorer of the fortress, fell to a goblin snatcher. The fiend stabbed him in the throat and he bled to death before he could be taken to the hospital :(. His one true love was the legendary hammerdwarf and fortress 2nd-in-command Olivine. Though they never married or had children, Selenite's legacy lives on in the fine armor he crafted.

In happier news, Olon II Treerooms & Ingiz II Watchbolted were married, giving Relicshield the very first marriage between dwarves born there.

Finally, after over a year of digging, the first of the legendary caverns was breached! The bizarre bioluminescent flora and even odder fauna had a strange beauty, but the dangers of the depths have been passed down in tales for generations. Soon enough, one of the monstrosities from ages past made itself known!

The Forgotten Beast Nuwetha has come! An enormous one-eyed pterosaur. It has a long, spiral horn and it undulates rhythmically. Its pine green scales are jagged and overlapping. Beware its deadly blood!

Choosing caution over a head-on assault, Commander Sphalerite made a tactical retreat to lure the beast to its doom. It gave chase, then came upon a room with over a dozen dwarf statues. Thinking it had found its prey, Nuwetha entered. The lone pillar in the room gave way while the creature attacked silent rock replicas. Mighty are the forgotten beasts, but stone is mightier still.

Cubs Underfoot

Pop. 78, Mid-Summer of 269 (Year 18)

Relicshields's warbear breeding program was scaled back after far too many cubs were getting in the way and slowing everything down. Correspondence with Slothen, a renowned scholar from the Mountainhome, yielded a far more efficient plan.

Disturbing rumors of titans who still walk the lands have led to the construction of a cave-in trap within the underground trade network. However, testing was postponed due to a spate of goblin ambushes at the eastern outpost.

Meanwhile, Edem II, the young recruit who suffered grievous injuries a year ago, is now back on his feet and fully healed!

Relicshield ER

Pop. 75, Mid-Autumn of 268 (Year 17)

Trade with the humans had barely had a chance to recover before the goblins conducted a massive, coordinated ambush. Even though the defenders of Relicshield did their best, one of the wagons was destroyed and the humans fled for the hills rather than the safety of the fortress. The melee troops had the support of several new marksdwarves shooting from recently constructed ramparts. Edem II, eager for revenge, was right in the middle of the battle when he came up against a particularly fearsome goblin armed with a silver mace. The fourteen year old member of Relicshield's army did his best, but he found himself outclassed.



His sister, Goden II, watched over him while help was on the way, but things looked grim.



This was by far the toughest challenge yet for Dr. Dolomite and the medical staff of Relicshield. To make matters even worse, the soap supplies had dwindled to nothing without anyone noticing! Edem II's wounds were cleaned with fresh well water, but he still got several infections. All four medics of the fortress tended to him night and day, with help from the medically experienced metalsmith who carried him from the field of battle.



After a month and a half, Edem II was released from the hospital, a little worse for wear, but still ready for combat training, cast & crutches be d@mned!

Oath Fulfilled

Pop. 58, Late Summer of 266 (Year 15)

Edem II has fulfilled his oath to join the military in memory of his abducted brother Mosus. Along with his older sister, the axedwarf Goden II, the goblins will pay in blood! Unfortunately, as Relicshield gains one soldier, it loses another - Dodok Calmedbust, née Clawsack, the eagle-eyed marksdwarf from last year's siege :(.



As Dodok was laid to rest, the humans returned... but bearing gifts, rather than swords (or giant snails).



Peace was granted and trade returned to normal. As a nod to widower Ushrir Calmedbust, the minecart route where Dodok struck first blood was named after her.

Snatchers!

Pop. 59, Early Spring of 261 (Year 10)

The fortress celebrated its 10th year, longer than any other fort in the region.  The underground trade network has allowed non-stop commerce.  With coal from the Mountainhome and wood from the humans and elves, the forges of Relicshield have been burning nonstop.  Recruits were handpicked from the hauler force, bringing the number of fully steelclad warriors up to 15.  A weredeer and minotaur were no match for the defenders.  There was much to celebrate.  However, the festivities are tempered with tragedy due to the first abduction of a child by enemy forces in the previous winter.

SIX snatchers were discovered during the largest assault against Relicshield to date.  3 were slain immediately, 2 were chased off, but somehow 1 kidnapper was able to slip by.  Mosus, son of Goden the broker and Edem the carpenter, was only 2 years old when he was snatched away.  His 18-year-old sister Goden II, the youngest member of Relicshield's militia, was in the battle, but she had no idea Mosus was anywhere nearby before he was snatched.  His 8-year-old brother, Edem II, has sworn to join the militia in five years, when he is of age.