Distantcity: A Dwarf Fortress Succession Game

[Demaster]

Looks like raycaster has signed me up for the next candidate for distantcity. So, i registered for the forums, and ray sent me the save. Ill start playing it either later tonight or tomorrow. (hopefully we wont all die =/)

[Raycaster]

Pickleworm skipped.

However, there will be someone new added to the end of the list, one of my friends who has been following the thread.

He'll post about an intro soon enough.

[Plasma]

*cough*cough*

Also, I propose a time rule: anyone who doesn't start their first update within a certain period after their turn starts (say, two weeks), or who doesn't follow up an update within the same time period gets automatically skipped. That'll stop anyone who has the "I'll do it later; I'll do it later; I'll do it later" mentality of playing and holds up the thing.

Oh, and also a rule that if someone starts a game but can't finish it, that year can be given to someone else who wants to do it, and won't affect that second person's order in turn.

[Paul.Power]

Hey so I've been looking at the Tallabored thread over in SomethingAwful's Let's Play! forum, and they're taking a different approach to the whole succession game thing. Instead of each person doing a full in-game year, they're giving each person a real-time day and just saying "do what you can in that time". Some people are doing a season or less, some a year or more, some in between.

I just feel it would help get this thread moving again if we switched to that system. Part of the problem seems to be that for some of us (me especially), taking charge for a whole year is quite daunting (in about 21 days of game time I had a visit from an elven caravan, two goblin ambushes and a wave of migrants. All this on top of having to deal with the craziness Sup had left behind. I stopped because a whole year of this, together with organising my screenshots, might well have driven me mad). If we just said "do as much as you can", then the people who are having trouble can end their turns early and get it passed on to the next person, while the people who are actually making progress can have longer reigns.

[Plasma]

That sounds like a good idea. The only problem is that we don't have enough forumers here to have an every-day approach.
I nominate that it works like this:
Each forumer gets three days per turn, starting from when they claim their go. Any forumer that doesn't post the savefile by the end of the 72 hours (3 days) gets their go automaticlly skipped. When either a turn has ended or skipped, the next person in line has until 96 hours (4 days) after the turn started to claim it. If they don't within that 24 hours, then anybody can claim it after that, going to whoever posted their claim first, and it counts as their turn coming early and at the end of the go, they go back to the bottom.
Oh, except after the 72 hours, they can still end their go if the next person has yet to claim it.

To simplify:
1: Person #1 claims game. Person #1 goes to back of the list.
2: Person #1 has within 3 days of starting to upload.
3: After either upload or 3 days, Person #2 has within four days of Person #1 starting to claim the game. If so, Person #2 goes to back of the list.
4: If not, any other person other than #1 may claim the game, fist-come-first-served. That person goes to back of the list.


All in favour, say Aye.

[Raycaster]

Sounds like absolute chaos!

I vote yes.

But it is implemented, let's begin that after Demaster's turn is complete. He's basically the last on the list currently right now and when he takes his turn, everyone will have equal time except the ones that skipped.

[Plasma]

But it is implemented, let's begin that after Demaster's turn is complete. He's basically the last on the list currently right now and when he takes his turn, everyone will have equal time except the ones that skipped.
Sure. Presuming he has actually started it.

[Metal Alex]

I'm still up for a run without ANY knowledge of the game. If I make it too bad, you can simply think of it as a separate time line in the story, and continue before me.

[Demaster]

So.... DistantCity.

Note: For whatever reason the screenshots have a black box in the bottom right, ignore it... it's not blocking anything important.

Seems to me distantcity needs some... minor rebuilding. I'll start with the dwarven government, or rather, lack there of.

I found a lucky trader (http://h.photos.cx/capture_10252008_194647-dbb.png) who has the appraisal skill, looks like he got a promotion.

Next order of business... let's just say I had a "dream" there there may be a goblin siege anyday now. So, I'm going to buff up the
defenses (http://h.photos.cx/traps-3f7.png) a bit.

A couple of new jobs. (http://h.photos.cx/jobs-987.png)

A few furry defenders. (http://h.photos.cx/dawgs-6e2.png)

That should be enough for now. I may recruit some useless extremely helpful soap and lye makers later.

Looking through our stats, I noticed a little problem. (http://h.photos.cx/drink-223.PNG) You savages have forced these poor... poor dwarves to drink water? No wonder they are throwing all these tantrums. (http://h.photos.cx/dead-a40.png) Well, nothing a little booze (http://h.photos.cx/booze-a5a.png) won't fix.

Well, thats all I was able to get done on the first day. I don't have too much time to play, but when I get a chance I will. Expect updates on weekends tho.

[Raycaster]

I don't think you'd destroy it up too much Metal Alex, I think after Demaster has his go, you can be the first in the 3-day turn system. It will survive, I am sure.

[Metal Alex]

I don't think you'd destroy it up too much Metal Alex, I think after Demaster has his go, you can be the first in the 3-day turn system. It will survive, I am sure.

Ok then... Where can I download the game then? D:

[Plasma]

I'm still up for a run without ANY knowledge of the game. If I make it too bad, you can simply think of it as a separate time line in the story, and continue before me.
I must say, you'd have to be exceptionally bad to be able to screw up the game in three days!

[robowurmz]

I must say, you'd have to be exceptionally bad to be able to screw up the game in three days!

To screw up a game in Dwarf Fortress, you need to be skilled to bring about a death of the fortress that isn't tantrum-related, it's true.

[Paul.Power]

To screw up a game in Dwarf Fortress, you need to be skilled to bring about a death of the fortress that isn't tantrum-related, it's true.
Unless a giant cave spider parks itself outside a la Sup's game.

[Plasma]

Unless a giant cave spider parks itself outside a la Sup's game.
In that case, it was really more of a case of Sup's game parking itself on the foot of the giant cave spider.

[Demaster]

btw i updated, just didn't get through because it needed mod approval. i think its up by now

[Raycaster]

Demaster has decided to skip his turn due to everyone seeming to be uninterested in his updates and even though I think that's a seriously superficial reason to quit, fine by me. Whatever.
METAL ALEX, YOU HAVE THREE DAYS.
From uhh, whenever you start, of course, not from now.
Be sure to send me the save when you are done, too!

[Metal Alex]

Demaster has decided to skip his turn due to everyone seeming to be uninterested in his updates and even though I think that's a seriously superficial reason to quit, fine by me. Whatever.
METAL ALEX, YOU HAVE THREE DAYS.
From uhh, whenever you start, of course, not from now.
Be sure to send me the save when you are done, too!

OK THEN. I'm a bit filled with work this weekend, though D:

I'll try my best.

...In my circumstances :p

[Plasma]

When we said YOU HAVE THREE DAYS, we did not mean You have six ad more days, take as much time as you want.

Just because of the benefit of doubt that you didn't know you were supposed to start there, we'll make it that you have three days left starting now.
Strict.

[*Splinter*]

we'll make it that you have three days left starting now.
Strict.

Fun fun fun

[SupSuper]

Let's face it, nobody in this forum actually has time to play games, no matter how much they think they do.

[Metal Alex]

Let's face it, nobody in this forum actually has time to play games, no matter how much they think they do.

I'm really sorry for this... really... The only free time I had was the day after I didn't sleep to end some work I had to do... I only managed to draw some badly drawn chronicles, and get some sleep. (yes, actually forgot, but the idea for BDC starting was that I was starting to draw awfully without sleep... so there)

These days are hell... I'd prefer to have my 3 days later... You all can skip my turn, I was in here for a laugh, anyways... BUT I'LL DO IT SOONER OR LATER.

[Plasma]

And FINALLY it goes back to Raycaster!

[*Splinter*]

Sleep is for pussies :cool:

[Paul.Power]

It's certainly true that cats like to sleep a lot.

Come to think of it, has Toady One added sleep for animals yet? (that was the obligatory on-topic bit :p)

[Raycaster]

I would like to start Monday. Heh, I might be able to powerhouse and get a year out of the way.
Gotta make a note for myself now...

[Raycaster]

This is the journal of Raycaster. Though I may not be the original Raycaster, I have aparently been said to be his reincarnation, according to a church that follows a god representing life and rebirth. I question how this is possible, considering that we both lived at the same time. Doesn't matter. I got promoted to fortress overseer, and damn does that feel good. This is one of the highest honored positions! Well, then there's that whole 'everyone blames you' part. That isn't too fun. but no matter! I'm in charge of all that I see! Just over this hill!

MY GOD, IT'S FULL OF GARBAGE!

But okay, it's not all that bad. Just a little fixer-upper. I sent someone out to do some geological survey and found an exposed Onyx cluster and the edge of a patch of Lignite, which I am told can make coke. I also am taking stock of everything, and we have massive amounts of food, weapons, armor (some of it is too narrow for any dwarf, though.) plus a rather peculiar layout for just about everything, which although space saving, isn't all that impressive. I shall restart mining efforts by re-classing a portion of our citizens into miners, we have the spare picks and only 3 miners to nearly 100 dwarves! Ridiculous! How could anything ever get done around here?!

Added 5 miners. Began building traps. Began mining projects.

I have aparently angered the elves by having too many trees cut down. Which is totally not my fault since that was previous overseer's responsibilities. But they didn't really care about that. Whatever. I suppose I should be concerned about the environment more but it's not like one dwarven outpost could set the world on fire or ruin that many trees, right? I'll cut back on the cutting.

Found some Bituminous coal! Cool. My father gave me a piece of this when I was younger.

I am at a loss as to what to actually do around here. It seems that although there is much that could be done, it would take far too long to set in motion. What needs to be done?

Oh, of course. A fey mood.

Well hey, an Elven Caravan. Neat! I thought they were incredibly ****ed at us for some reason.

Mr. Fey mood over there is pretty industrious.
He's using this pretty good sized list of stuff to make an object. Of some kind. I have no idea how it will all fit together, but hey, it's his project.
Alder logs (X2)
Oak logs
Silver bars
Cave spider silk cloth
Slate
Rock salt blocks
Turtle shell
Dog bones [3]
Hoary Marmot leather

I will certainly look forward to seeing what is produced.

If I live that long. We are under attack!

Luckily, we had enough time to let the merchants arrive at the depot before raising the bridge. I noticed that there are also two doors, one of which I immediately had locked. The other was propped open with a large mound of garbage that quite simply would have taken too long to clear away. I have pulled as many of our lads and lasses inside as I can. Alas, I have had to block off the fortress with a few dwarves exposed to the assault... But it is all I can do.

Oh! The Slaughter! Several goblins were turned into a fine red mist by the traps set out, thankfully, but those jammed and yet still they are coming! At least the majority of our population is safe.

As I turn my mind away from the sounds coming from above the hatch as drops of blood seep down from the space in the frame, I am told that the one who began his work only a short time ago... or was it a day? I don't know, But I am told that he has finished his masterpiece. Such a sad fate that he had chosen this time of tragedy of all times to be struck with inspiration. Its story shall forever be passed down, I am sure, with this story told along side it.

But, I suppose its story will begin here.
http://i33.tinypic.com/20rvais.png
http://i37.tinypic.com/2rhw6zp.png

Such a beautiful craft, though. I am sure it brings its creator much joy.

But Journal, I grow tired. I have decided I will turn in my overseer insignia to someone who has been here for a very long time, and seems to have some experience with the operation of a fortress, from what little I spoke of with him during my time here. I was not prepared. I will wait until I am needed again to lead this place forward. I will do better next time.

Zero, it is the dawn of the first day for you once again.
---end log---


GOOD LORD. I wasn't expecting the fortress to run at a blazing 5 FPS the whole way. I didn't take a lot of screenshots. Whoops. Actually, alot of this post was written while it was paused. I think I made it out of the month of granite, at least. Sorry Zero, I am leaving you in charge of a fortress that is under seige. At least we are making progress! Wish my computer was faster so it would be more progress! But the parts haven't all arrived yet!

Edit: OK Where is a frigging uploader for zips anyway? I suppose I could just send zero the save on MSN Messenger but that isn't really the best suitable idea since... we are rarely on at the same time anyway.

[Plasma]

Edit: OK Where is a frigging uploader for zips anyway? I suppose I could just send zero the save on MSN Messenger but that isn't really the best suitable idea since... we are rarely on at the same time anyway.
Try www.host-a.net

[Raycaster]

Try www.host-a.net

Thanks. (http://host-a.net/bugmenot/region5.zip) Woohoo bugmenot! Boo character limit!

[Zero72]

My turn again, huh? Noted. I only get 3 days, right?

[Raycaster]

Yes, 3 days from when you say "Lets-a go!" and then you're done.

[Pickleworm]

Thanks. (http://host-a.net/bugmenot/region5.zip) Woohoo bugmenot! Boo character limit!

Can't you use mediafire.com or something? I really don't like that you're bugmenot-ing that.

[Zero72]

Dear Journal:

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5183/crapoa9.gif

I wasn't aware that this was part of my contract, as it were, but Raycaster 2 -- which is what I call the guy, I mean, I like him, but there's obviously no way he's the first Raycaster reincarnate, and I don't like the idea of just recycling the nickname... wait a minute... ANYway. Ray 2 comes up to me as I'm in the middle of hacking a bunch of coal out of the wall, hands me a big stack of papers, mumbles something about a goblin siege, and quickly leaves. I went to ask somebody why they couldn't just skip over me and go to some other, more qualified, overseer, but oh yeah -- they're all DEAD. As if by some sort of twisted joke on the part of Solon, all of this fortress' overseers, except me, have met gruesome fates since the sun set on my reign. I can't decide what this means -- either I'm extremely lucky, extremely unlucky, or am simply just plain cursed in such a fashion that everybody around me ends up either miserable or dead. Remember that Plasma guy, who made me knock out the wall standing between me and the river? I'm fine. Look at HIM.

At any rate, deciding I had better start actually doing something, I realize how unbelievably unprepared I am for a second term. Somehow, I feel even less qualified for the job than the first time. Hard to say why. Well, for starters, it's been a few years. Secondly, I'm looking at some of the records left by our departed previous overseers, turning over pages upon pages of records of other dead dwarves, and oh Solon there are so many and oh yeah there is a GOBLIN SIEGE GOING ON journal I am breaking out in a cold sweat right now Solon help me oh Solon why [indistinct scribbling].

Hoo... Alright. I'm okay. I can do this. I'm Zero. NO I'M NOT yes I am. Tick-tock.

The records indicate that 78 of us are left alive. Iiiii'm kind of an invtrovert, so I don't know these things, but I'm pretty sure that should be, like, way higher. Well, even I know this isn't exactly our first siege. That said, I have no idea how to deal with one. ...Or with all these things like economy or justice. I have a feeling the next overseer will be displeased. I will make a note to suck up to him.

Ray 2 has reacted to the siege with a fortress lockdown, although some of the dwarves were still outside. Sucks to be them, I'm afraid. Since I'm not presently having my lungs ripped out, I'd better start by getting a better grip on exactly what has passed since my term. Half of the fortress is different, and I've no idea how to run any of it. My disjointed mind reminds me that I do at least get to stay in that really nice overseer suite for a while. I tried to assign a nice room to Ray 2, since he's a good guy and all, but sure enough, I couldn't find the dude. Must have gone incognito like the first one... ...Come to think of it, I should make sure my tomb is intact and undefiled. I have a feeling I will be occupying it soon. OH MY GOOD SOLON LORD.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9592/deadim0.png

Struggling... to keep... lunch... downholdon

I... don't know who to blame for this, but our cemetery is just a refuse heap! It seems our previous overseers had no respect whatsoever for the dead, and have left them all to rot in the center of the room. I seem to recall designing this enclosure myself -- and it was not intended to store a shameful heap of our dead brothers! I will immediately order the masons to begin work on new coffins, and begin enlarging the enclosure. Well, there goes any chance of sleeping during my term. Oi.

While the goblins either are securely locked out or haven't gotten around to climbing over the wall yet or jumping down into our wide-the-hell-open farm plot, a lot of our pets are being messily killed out there, which is bad news for the already-swayed sanity of our 70-some dwarven survivors. I haven't made any such commitment, myself, which I guess is a good thing.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7343/retardedwallsdf7.png
Speaking of the onslaught, it looks like the elven gentlemen who showed up to trade with us have all been shot dead by the goblins, because the genius who built the enclosure around the entrance to our fort has riddled the entire thing with battlements, making it basically a HERE YOU GO SHOOT THE DWARVES cage for their amusement. The more I assess the situation, the more overwhelmed I am, and the more I basically just want to get drunk and resume mining as if I didn't notice anything. ...Evidently, however, I'm not quite as distraught as Nomal Plankblood, the legendary engraver, who is bedridden with some major injuries and is on the brink of snapping from the looks of it. We don't want any legends going berzerk in here.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2624/menacesz6.png
The riotous siege seems to have become a very organized stand-around-a-thon. It looks like none of them can get through our transparent walls, none are brave enough to try to jump down through the huge farm pit, and they've killed everything in their zone of perception outdoors, so the only evil thing they have left to do is hang around next to the pit and spook the dwarves below, who are still trying to farm or whatever else. Survivors number 73 at the moment, but I think a couple are still on the surface.

Some snooty looking lady came up to me shortly ago and informed me of her personal MANDATE that exactly one crossbow be manufactured. I told her she could manufacture her own damn crossbow. She took this pretty personally, and informed me in her very snootiest manner that she's the, er, Countess Consort, a member of nobility, blah blah blah and I'm just a puny overseer, the in-between who has to get his hands dirty. I'm... quite ready for my situation to start sucking less now. Since this is so important, I'll see what I can do... Sheesh. Speaking of which, I caught up with the mayor, who seems like a pretty cool guy. He informed me that his mayoral office requirements were also unfulfilled. I'll see what I can do about that too. Aside from this and the cemetery, I'm kind of at a loss... And distracted by all of the maimed cats gimping around the place and passing out periodically. Let me guess, we have six soap makers, but no veterinarians.

I was wondering why neither of the other surviving miners were helping me with the cemetery. I discovered that they are both wounded. ...That's it, I'm cursed. Seriously, how could this get worse?

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/8638/awjeeznp5.png

Oh.

[Zero72]

Um... Best I can tell from here, it looks like the titan is entertaining itself by chasing a stray cow. Good for him. ...Excuse me. Her. ...Ugh, I wish I hadn't watched that. At least it was fairly swift.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9189/titansplatzc9.png
...I can hardly believe what I just saw. Well, I guess it kind of makes a little sense. The arrival of the titan at the same time as the goblin horde is coincidence, and the two are not in league. A wounded goblin just crawled up to it, only to have his skull bashed in, his corpse sent flying a significant distance. ...And this, apparently, has signaled the goblin army to disband and call off the siege. I... I think that titan is our hero. Who knew?

As if to mark the end of an age of horrors, I hear a kitten has "adopted" a baby dwarf. Aaaaaaaawwwwwwww.

I think I'll keep the fortress under lockdown until the titan departs, at least. I don't think that was an act of benevolence and love for dwarfkind.

I went to check on the lead miner, who's really become a good friend of mine, spurred by our continuing mining rivalry. He's pretty bad. He must have taken a pretty savage blow across the head, as his neck is in rough shape, and I've heard his brain is slightly damaged. His legs, however, are the worst of it, and it looks likely that he'll never walk again, much less mine. ...And sprawled next to his bed, sharing the spell of unconsciousness, is his dog, also with a critically wounded leg. This particularly pains me because I already recently lost a jeweler friend... Alas. I can't help but wish I had never brought my curse to DistantCity.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4675/hooraycemeterysp4.png
On the subject of the deceased, however, my effort to convert the dead heap into a respectable cemetery has gone well. Many coffins were installed and/or produced, and they are being used. Used rather quickly, in fact. Many are still vacant, but I may end up enlarging it further.

I note, to considerable amusment, that the previous overseers saw fit to equip our entrances with cage traps. One has captured a pikeman -- the other, a mace lord. Imagine that. A goblin warrior of legendary caliber, pent up in a cage like common vermin. Ho ho! I will try to figure out how to make my workers move the cage indoors, as there seems to be a sort of jail constructed specifically for them... Or maybe it's a zoo. Either way, we already have a goblin in a cage. At least he'll have company now. Muahaha. Also, memo to self: reload cage traps.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9237/blatchln4.png
...Speaking of the traps, those less docile traps out by our main entrance... Are a rather gnarly sight. I pity whoever's stuck cleaning that up. There are rotten goblin bits strewn gruesomely everywhere, even on top of the walls.

I've informed a couple of engravers that, since I am currently the only active miner, that they are to take up a pickaxe and join in whenever they can. I suppose we really don't need to do an awful lot of mining right now, but seriously, I can't do all of it by myself. I've got overseeing to do. Production of crafts has also drawn to a rather stagnant state, it would seem, so I have reinstated that, in particular, ordering the jewelers to start cutting the piles of crude jewels we have hanging around.

On that note, I'm quite tired, so I think I'll turn in for the night. Supposing I can sleep after what I've seen today. ...Wow. Man. Have I mentioned that this room is really nice?!
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/790/happyroomgl0.png

[Raycaster]

I must have put at least 7 weapons in each of those weapon traps.

[Zero72]

I was gonna get more done today but I ended up getting my new XPS laptop, so... yeah.

I'll be sure to get at least something else done before my time runs out.

[Plasma]

You may as well take tomorrow as well if you want. I have exams, so I can't start until Friday.

[Zero72]

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1673/tombsyc2.png
Oh, Journal. I heard that dungeon master (mistress?) griping about one of the overseers' tombs earlier. Hell with her. We're the ones doing all the work around here. Hell, I don't remember for sure, but I think I heard that Plasma actually died from working too hard. Oughta show a little respect for the dead, that lady.

More importantly, the farmers are going ape because we're out of some kind of seed or another. Fisher berries, that was it. I haven't even heard of the things, so I hope they aren't too important. I've also recieved a bunch of grumbling about the booze situation. I found the still unattended. Chances are, somebody got scared off it by the goblins and all the cow heads falling into the farm pit, and hasn't bothered to get back to it. I'll nag somebody about it and keep an eye on it.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1573/waterhelptg2.png
Despite the stay in my room, it's hard to keep a cheery attitude around here. We still have 73 survivors, but it's hard to tell how many of them aren't friggin' maimed. Half the bedrooms are full of the wounded, like my friend the ace miner. We all know that bedridden dwarves spell trouble, particularly those who are ultra-mighty and have implements of iron or steel destruction within arm's reach. Fortunately, I think most of them will probably recover. We just might have a little less dwarfpower for a while.

The titan is still there, standing around out in the middle of nowhere. I ttthhhink there are still dwarves outside the walls, so it's looking like the titan doesn't have any particularly aggressive plans. I might withdraw the lockdown status soon. Carefully. ...In fact, I think I'm going to do it now, because some of the dead out there are starting to go bad. With my luck, an elvish caravan is gonna show up and find all their dead buddies smeared accross the dirt with their mouths full of rocks and vultures making strafing runs on their eyeballs.

...Okay, so the lockdown has been off for a little while now. One of the doors was already open for some reason or another, but anyway, now the other doors are open and the drawbridge is down, soooo something I dunno. Maybe somebody will start shovelling up the goblin bits before we get another caravan. ...They're complaining about rhesus macaques. Why does this sound familiar? I'll see if there are any able-bodied soldiers left. OH SOLON NO ONE OF THE MACAQUES HAS STOLEN A GOBLIN SOCK WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME.

---

Well, the macaques keep stealing worthless goblin armor, uninhibited by the only wrestler still able to stand on his own feet, nobody's making any booze yet, somebody just informed me that the mayor has mandated the construction of two shields -- yeah, that'll help -- and here I stand in my room, Journal... Kind of at a loss. Maybe I'll see if I can brew something up myself but... Oigh. And here I thought overseeing was hard the first time. What am I supposed to do?! Ah, well, one thing at a time. I'll look around and see whose ass I should be kicking about the beer situation. No way everybody in the whole fortress responsible for brewing is bedridden or dead. As for the shields... I don't know if we have suitable metal. Shoot. I'll have to try to smelt something.

Finally, I am informed that we have no booze because we have no barrels. Should have guessed. I'd better get on that. The drunker everyone is right now, the better. I've ordered all three carpenters' workshops to start churning them out.

(Since Plasma can't start until Friday anyway, I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume you guys wouldn't mind too much if I took an extra day, since I skipped one earlier. I'll wrap my term up tomorrow.)

[Zero72]

Journal, I... Just remembered to unlock the floor hatches so we can go outside.

I just slapped my forehead SO HARD... I... I think I'm bleeding a little.

You may be wondering how I knew about what the titan was doing while the fort was under lockdown. I really have no idea. Sometimes it's best not to question the will of Solon.

So, now everybody's going outside to collect and inter the dead, and oh solon the titan is on the move why. EVERYBODY BACK INSIDE

It has passed over the fortress' entrance without maiming anything, but now it seems to be chasing a few stragglers. I may have to try to piece a ragtag military together. One wrestler, needless to say, will probably not be sufficient.

It seems to be chasing a woodcutter or someone, fancied around here as something of a legend, off into wherever. The guy is pretty quick, so this is actually fairly fortunate, as the titan is being drawn away from everything else.

The wood guy managed to elude the titan's attention by diving into some sort of recess in the ground where ore was being mined -- I hadn't noticed it -- and the titan has taken to chasing a cat. I'm hoping it might eventually just lose interest and go away. That might happen, right? Right?

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6830/deadcattreejn7.png
The savage titan caught up to the poor cat and cast its corpse off a cliff, where it landed in a tree. My blood boils! I have instructed the wrestler to pick up an axe. We seem to have a few other weapons around, so I miiight decide to arm our strongest dwarves and try to give that titan some hell. If only there were somebody there right now to push it off the cliff.

I've an idea. We have spare cages -- while it's off in the middle of nowhere, I will attempt to reload the cage traps. I think all the dwarves are back indoors, so right here should be its only place of interest. It's just crazy enough to work.

...Or not.

Brave Azmel, the only active member of the military, is preparing to affront the creature with a steel axe! Hell! I had better start drafting some more dwarves. I have a feeling he is doomed.

Yeah, he's dead. This is a problem. Our military is basically two and a half sacks of dwarf meat. I've relocked the hatches. It's looking like I don't have much of a choice but to try and fight back with whoever is still able-bodied...

A voice rings through the halls. Meng Cogok, Captain of the Guard, has become a legendary champion! Well GOOD FOR HIM MAYBE HE CAN GET OFF HIS LEGENDARY ASS AND HAVE A LOOK AT THIS TITAN CHASING THE BLACKSMITH THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OUTSIDE THE FORT. I guess it isn't the fortress guards' problem unless they're actually stoving in dwarf skulls within the confines of the fort.

I cannot see this being a popular move, but I've structured an impromptu military out of the strongest-looking dwarves I could find. They're stationed just outside the fort now, all armed. ...The titan has noticed this, and is closing in! Here goes nothing!

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/959/kolg0.png
I don't believe it, Journal! That speardwarf, who I think was a carpenter a half-hour ago, has struck the foe out cold! The other recruits close in with their tools of iron and steel -- I think we may be saved!

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6391/killvu8.png
It is done! Distantcity is saved! Long live Thikut Tobulsigun, woodworker turned speardwarf! I may now finally remove the lockdown without fear. We may finally collect the dead, some of which are now just piles of bones. I will also deactivate that military squad so that they may resume their usual duties.

Hah! Man, am I relieved. Glad to know I sort of accomplished SOMEthing during my second term here...

On a more grim note, I do believe I will begin expanding the cemetery pre-emptively. And maybe see about getting all those rocks out of the way. ...Why, I just struck Microcline! I hope this is still a good omen. ...And now moonstone! Whee!

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3240/whewgi7.png

-----------------

Summer has finally returned to Distantcity, Journal. I have received word that a new overseer has been dispatched, and should be arriving very soon. I suppose I'll have one last stay in the luxurious overseer suite before they kick me out. Hm, and here I was just starting to get back into the swing of this. Ah well. I still prefer the simple work. As optimistic as my outlook is, having dealt with that titan and all, the fortress is still in rough shape, and I still feel ill-equipped to handle it. I hear the new guy is pretty good, too. Here's hoping the dawn of summer brings the promise of a brighter Distantcity.

I suppose my interest in maintaining a neat cemetery is a little... morbid. Hey, SOMEbody's gotta take care of the dead, I guess. The new coffins along the left side are ready to go; the right ones haven't yet been installed, so I'll have to jot down a note for the next overseer to make sure these new coffins are marked for use. We also have a healthy supply of leftover coffins, so I've asked the masons to stop producing them for now.

I would say the biggest priority is the booze. We still have 77 units, but that isn't a lot for 72 dwarves. ...Wait a second. 72? Why does that number strike a certain chord in my mind...? Regardless, that. I have reinstated the order to produce whatever beverage is feasible, hoping that there are now barrels in which to put it. I suppose I'll make a copy of the record as it stands, for posterity...

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6167/endtermad4.png

...Whoops! Guess our broker bought the farm somewhere along the line, and I failed to appoint a replacement. Gads, I'm a terrible overseer. I can only apologize to whoever's stuck cleaning up after me this time.

Well, I suppose I'll skitter back into my old microcline room and try to keep a low profile for a little while, on the off chance that, you know, I really am a curse of some sort. I wouldn't doubt it, to be honest. First, the real Zero, then Raycaster dies at the end of my term, then all of the other overseers die before my next one, then all of the other miners are incapacitated, then I attract a titan, and... Well, at least I dealt with the titan. Man, I have a lot on my mind. ou know, maybe I'll try my hand at stone engraving some time... Perhaps I could use an artistic outlet.

Speaking of... You know, I wonder something about myself. I am, as we all well know, a simple miner at heart. How did I end up so literate?

Whatever. Goodnight, Journal.

-------------------------------------------
Edit: Here's the save, yo. (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CLYHRSWB)

[Plasma]

Just so you know, I started today, but I haven't had a chance to upload pics yet. Let's just say that it took a long time to clean up the mess outside after Zero was done with it...

[Zero72]

Let's just say that it took a long time to clean up the mess outside after Zero was done with it...Hey, most of that was already there. I just forgot to unlock the fortress until the last half-hour I played. :p

[Plasma]

Well, I'm finished my go. I'll upload screenies when I get the chance, but for now, let's just say:
We're in the Demonic Age.
I got attacked by a goblin siege three times.
Zero got hit by two consecutive cave-ins.
Oh, and I accidentally knocked a cat unconcious.

The save:
http://host-a.net/Plasma/region17.zip

[Zero72]

Zero got hit by two consecutive cave-ins.
Solon! Am I so cursed not only to have survived the horror of a first, but then to be hit by another?! I suppose it's about time the curse got around to hurting me for a change. :p