Mace vs. Mace

Pop. 185, Late Winter of 361 (Year 110)

The Evils of Spray tried to ambush the North Watch with a mace goblin squad. They came face to face with Commander Dishmab, Daughter of King Urist Shootwondered and wielder of the artifact lead mace, Drumseer the Contemptible Loot. The outcome was a foregone conclusion, as Dishmab increased her kill count to 360.

The New Captain

Pop. 139, Mid-Spring of 355 (Year 104)

Catten Workmyth, Urdim's deputy for many decades, was the first choice for taking the reins of the Fortress Guard. However, at 163 years of age, Catten politely declined. Zan II Socketinked was on the short list of other potentials. Her calm, professional demeanor during the four-way courtship of Edem IV Claspletter didn't win any hearts, but it did impress those looking for an impartial, unemotional upholder of the law. She accepted the nomination and was bequeathed Urdim Channeltree's treasured artifacts, Stretchedwarnings, a tower-cap crossbow, and Bitetrotted the Dimpled Mine, a suit of alpaca leather armor.

317

Pop. 163, Late Autumn of 346 (Year 95)

Former Commander Sphalerite, one of the Original Seven, killed 316 foes before he met his untimely end in 313. Still, his record remained unbroken for 33 years. It was finally surpassed by Dishmab Shootwondered-Vesselbrain during a goblin siege.



Normally stationed at the northern trade gate, Dishmab and half of her squad were keeping watch near the southern wall due to clean-up from a previous siege. A squad of trolls tried to enter the trade tunnels, but Dishmab, wielding the artifact lead mace, Drumseer the Contemptible Loot, quickly showed them the error of their ways. Utes the troll provided the record-breaking kill as the dwarves beat back the siege just in time for the arrival of the dwarven caravan.

Love of Lead

Apparently the dwarves of Relicshield have a thing for lead maces. Another was created, despite the relative scarcity of lead compared to steel.

Innoketol, "The Creepy Pass", a lead mace
This is a lead mace. All craftsdwarfship is of the highest quality. It is encircled with bands of lead, llama wool and round dolomite cabochons. This object menaces with spikes of oak, clear glass, dolomite, alpaca bone and brown zircon.

Good Drumming

Pop. 131, Autumn of 316 (Year 65)

The dragon hatchlings have continued to guard the second cavern effectively, burning all forgotten beasts that dare to approach. The cavern's magma pool has been tapped and construction is underway for the outpost that will house the workers of the Deep Forge.

Up on the surface, the Evils of Spray attacked again. Not content to wait for the invaders to enter the trade tunnels, the dwarves of Relicshield took the fight to them. Dishmab Shootwondered-Vesselbrain, wielder of Drumseer the artifact lead mace, led the charge, smashing goblins left and right. One of the recruit squads got separated from the main force and were quickly surrounded by triple their number. They fought valiantly, holding the goblins off until Commander Olivine arrived with reinforcements, rolling over the invaders in a tidal wave of dwarven fury.

Contemptible Loot

Pop. 131, Winter of 315 (Year 64)

Mosus II Anguishedpages was blessed by Armok, producing Drumseer the Contemptible Loot, a lead mace! Duke Phyllite bestowed the weapon upon Dishmab Vesselbrain, the first legendary macedwarf of the fortress and current 2nd place in notable kills.



Meanwhile, another forgotten beast received a warm welcome from the dragon hatchlings guarding the second cavern's entrance :D.

The Forgotten Trio

Pop. 132, Summer of 315 (Year 64)

Several children came of age this year, including Nish Roughwhips, daughter of Meng the dragon trainer. It was no surprise that she decided to follow her father's footsteps. Surely a blessing from Armok, another dragon emerged from the wilds soon after!

The Dragon Slusa Ongongxosna has come! A gigantic reptilian creature. It is magical and can breath fire. These monsters can live for thousands of years.

The dragon was lured into the trade tunnels, but a meddling goblin snatcher distracted it. The snatcher was caught in a cage trap, while the dragon stopped directly in front of another trap. The beast just stared at the captured goblin and refused to come further. The newly promoted Commander, Olivine Scalygranite tried to lure the beast closer, but the beast paid her no heed. Finally, the marksdwarf Litast Twinkledurns volunteered. Armed with the artifact chestnut crossbow, "Mountaindeclined the Heroic Evaporation," he took up position then shot a single bolt at the dragon. Slusa immediately turned from the caged goblin to attack, immediately setting off the next cage trap.

The youngest adult dragon in the fortress at 76 years of age, Slusa took easily to dragon trainer Meng's instructions, becoming expertly trained in a single session. With the initial training out of the way, Nish took over as trainer for the Mountainhome's newest dragon. With a second male in the dragon pit, the fortress could breath easier when committing the 500 year old Istrath to battle.

Meanwhile, in the caverns three forgotten beasts arrived in quick succession. After the terrible losses inflicted by Engror, the fortress was on alert.

The Forgotten Beast Oson Tostrasmaspest has come! A gigantic beakless swan. It has a pair of spindly antennae and it has a gaunt appearance. Its pale pink feathers are patchy. Beware its deadly spittle!

The Forgotten Beast Leto has come! A huge one-eyed swift. It has two short horns and it squirms and fidgets. Its teal feathers are long and sparse. Beware its poisonous vapors!

The Forgotten Beast Utes has come! A towering three-eyed ankylosaurid. It has thin wings of stretched skin and it belches and croaks. Its indigo scales are large and close-set. Beware its webs!

Oson slipped past the cave-in trap due to a terrible oversight with hatches :-[. Luckily the beast was far weaker than Engror. Oson was quickly surrounded by the squad on cavern duty and slain by the axedwarf Mosus Graniteright.

Leto was more of a challenge. By this point, several dragon hatchlings had been brought to the cavern entrance and placed behind fortifications. However, the forgotten beast's poisonous vapors seemed to confound the dragons. They refused to breathe fire and did their best to keep their distance. Perhaps Leto understood the potential for dragonfire, so it kept its distance, too. Luckily the stare-off had Leto positioned directly under the cave-in trap and the creature's fate was sealed.

The little dragons of Relicshield had no such qualms when facing Utes. Once the winged ankylosaurid came within range, the hatchlings let loose with jets of flame. Not even a corpse was left when the smoke dissipated.

http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-2557-forgottenbeastvsdragonhatchlings

This is a well-crafted gabbro memorial to Utes.
The slab reads "In memory of Utes / Melted in The Rampage of the forgotten beast Utes in Relicshield in the year 315".

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.

Subtlegloomy

Pop. 82, Early Winter of 275 (Year 24)

Solon Basincloistered was a migrant who came to the fortress in 268. After years of writing to his mother and father, he finally convinced the elder Basincloistereds to migrate to Relicshield. Unfortunately, Solon's parents and two traveling companions were ambushed by goblin bowmen on the outskirts of the fortress. Olivine's elite squad raced to save them, but the hail of arrows quickly cut down three of the dwarves, including As, Solon's father. Id, Solon's mother, was being pelted with arrows when Olivine and crew descended on the goblins. A cyclone of blood and gore enveloped the goblin party, ending their assault. Id was taken to the hospital, though few thought she would survive. Her injuries made even those suffered by Edem II pale in comparison. However, Solon's mother beat the odds and joined the military immediately after her medical care was complete.

Meanwhile, Kogan Dashedbasment-Rakedclasps the speardwarf was forgotten after she fell into a strange mood. It was assumed she had found all she needed, but that was proven a deadly mistake when she went on a rampage. She slew a war grizzly then went after Mafol Peakedfurnace the dyer with her fell spear known to all as Ozorvumshar, aptly translated as "Subtlegloomy." An off-duty marksdwarf, Nil Orbgroup, was at the nearby quern. He shot Kogan in the right shoulder hard enough to knock Subtlegloomy from her grasp, but the crazed dwarf was undeterred. She pounced on the poor Mafol, biting, punching, and bludgeoning with her shield :(.

Captain Olivine's elite squad, which Kogan was a member of, stormed through the fortress to put an end to the carnage. Asmel Fissuretour was the first on the scene, wielding his legendary spear Lirvesh, "The Climactic Dusts." Though the two speardwarves were battle comrades, Asmel did not hesitate. He went straight for her head, stabbing her twice and ending the chaos. Though Kogan had been disarmed before she slew Mafol, Subtlegloomy was still seen as cursed. As a legendary weapon, none could bear to destroy it, but the fell spear was left to gather dust.

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.

The Exalted Delight

Early Autumn of 258 (Year 7)

Two goblin raiding parties attempted to waylay a human caravan. Led by traitorous dwarves, they were still no match for the forces of Relicshield.  Dishmab Vesselbrain quickly lived up to her name.

The caravan and diplomat were protected from all hostilities and departed from the fortress safely. Commander Sphalerite took a moment to commemorate the occasion.

Translation: The Exalted Delight