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well thats a big fortress indeed. and we need more dwarfs. i wonder how long does it takes to dig that thing entirely. ALso how can we know that there is no water or lava all those levels below
If our miners dig too deep and fall down to a glorious death, then we'll know there is lava underneath.
But worry not! In case of such a scenario, I will make adjustments to the current layout and find more miners for replacements. Nothing will stop the construction of Redlabored.
Glorious Angerith shall be indeed! Although my mind reels at the inefficiency of a single floor layout, at least it brings forth joyous memories of the miseries of open plan office layouts. The workers shall know their place!
True story. Fell asleep while tinkering with the layout. Couldn't remember anything when I woke up.
Made some adjustments and decided to post a mini-update, no RP this time. Explaining fortress layout in RP fashion makes a boring read.
Remember the entrance area?
Moved it one level below the fortress to gain some space and improve logistics. So now it looks like this:
Red square on the top is a staircase room, leading up to Redlabored (more specifically, to the Stone Garden). The fortress itself was slightly changed as well.
I'm not gonna make the same mistake again. This time I'll leave schematics for my future reference:
And also details on the more convoluted parts:
And stuff to plan out on later stages:
1. Wells, water pipes, water reservoirs, floodgates, maintenance tunnels (around Winter)
2. Marksdwarves barracks and access to the Tower of Smells (around Spring)
3. Power generation (around next Summer)
4. Soaper, glassmaker (when it becomes relevant)
5. Grimlin (when time comes)
Nah, this isn't Rimworld. Dwarves dig and build extremely fast. Kalin and Tindrli (2 miners) dug out the Passage of Memories in two weeks. They are now starting to dig Redlabored itself.
Most of the essential facilities will be ready around Autumn. Notice the blue color on the layout - it means "marker mode". So it's currently schematics and plans, not an actual "dig this entire fortress" order.
We shall not build or even dig facilities that we don't need right now. For example, there is no point in building temples to the Gods that none of us worships. But these Gods are still in the pantheon of our civilization. New migrants will come and demand a place to honor these gods. Eventually.
Another example is awarded quarters. You can all live in Kommunalka for now, it's perfectly suitable for komrades. It has rooms. And beds.
So we'll take it step by step, facility by facility.
So here's the thing about farms. If you want to create a farm plot, you have to assign it to a soiled tile. Dirt, mud, sand, clay - everything "earthy" works. But we're digging Angèrith 8 levels below ground. There is a whole layer of basalt down here - you can't make farms on solid stone.
There is a way to "create" soil anywhere you want, but this method requires stupid amounts of water. Making an upwards stairway leading to the soil layer is a faster solution. I left some space right here
in case we decide to use artificial soil at some point in the future.
As for the crypt, it has to be big. Enormous even. Placing it some levels below only makes sense. Besides, if when you die in KKK, wouldn't you want to have your eternal rest in a quiet place, away from bustling activity?
I rather like Lizzurd's idea of digging the mines shaped as metro. Something like this
What's the point? I'll tell you. The streets of Redlabored are winding and zig-zaggin', following the shape of buildings and other structures. If you cut your finger while sewing clothes (NW corner of the fortress), making it to the hospital (SE corner of the fortress) won't be easy.
By using the metro you can take the straight path and be there in no time. It will also have railways and minecarts for quick transportation of raw resources.
So here's the thing about farms. If you want to create a farm plot, you have to assign it to a soiled tile. Dirt, mud, sand, clay - everything "earthy" works. But we're digging Angèrith 8 levels below ground. There is a whole layer of basalt down here - you can't make farms on solid stone.
There is a way to "create" soil anywhere you want, but this method requires stupid amounts of water. Making an upwards stairway leading to the soil layer is a faster solution. I left some space right here
in case we decide to use artificial soil at some point in the future.
As for the crypt, it has to be big. Enormous even. Placing it some levels below only makes sense. Besides, if when you die in KKK, wouldn't you want to have your eternal rest in a quiet place, away from bustling activity?
I rather like Lizzurd's idea of digging the mines shaped as metro. Something like this
What's the point? I'll tell you. The streets of Redlabored are winding and zig-zaggin', following the shape of buildings and other structures. If you cut your finger while sewing clothes (NW corner of the fortress), making it to the hospital (SE corner of the fortress) won't be easy.
By using the metro you can take the straight path and be there in no time. It will also have railways and minecarts for quick transportation of raw resources.
I demand to be enlisted in the Kolony. I require having a dick, a beard, a beer, a true faith in Shoduk, God of Depravity and office dwellers and getting either of/both occupations:
1. Orekh-kin (or Nut-kin), a mediocre liar and record-keeper whose only desire in life is to become a bookkeeper. Should he become one he would endlessly fiddle with statistics to persuade everyone that their life in Kolony has already become better yesterday. He would require a bunch of ugly whores, one of them a cat-lady. Stories about barrel deflators are possible.
2. So Byakhee, a greedy drunkard building designer who would spend all his life making and remaking metro, paving the map in golden tiles, trying to expand Tower of Smells by another 50 layers, etc.
*grumbles* How could I end up here of all places, building this joke of a fortress together with assorted dwarven criminals, led by, well, him.
DIG THOSE TUNNELS, I SAID! And watch out for the deers! Sneaky bastards excel at creeping up behind you. They can be very rapey this time of year.
*panting* Kommissar! Kommissar!!
Hrm? Where have you been, Squishy?
Err, scouting? That's not relevant! DWARVES are coming our way!
Are you sure these are dwarves?
I've spotted a group of short, sturdy creatures. I mean, what else could it be?
Do they have antlers?
... No, Kommissar.
Are you sure?
Later that day.
Here they come!
Hrmpf. Four dwarves. No wagons. Suspicious.
And they have a dog with them! Look at that cute little rascal, awwww.
Is that their leader in front of the group? Dwarf with no beard? By Olon's pubic hair, it's a she-dwarf!
Dat's one yuge dorf!
Greetings, friends! *her voice is low and thunderous*
*mumbles to himself* Is it gay to be aroused rite now?
We are looking for Angèrith.
Well, you've found it!
Ahhh, wonderful. May we speak to your leader then?
Grand Kommissar Grimgaze Wolfmonger, Destroyer of Currency, Bane of Deers, Dwarven Equalizer. I speak on behalf of the Voices of Kommunism.
"The importance of first impression," he said.
Sounds GLORIOUS, Kommissar! I am Resen Twistwhip, no fancy titles to my name, and these are my companions--
Don't bother. Grimwulf won't remember your names. Not now, not ever.
That is not true, Sukkah Vatnik.
Su. Kha. Va. Ti.
Many pleasures, mine lady.
What?
Who's da scrawny guy?
I LOATHE YOUR PARDON!
My husband, Zan Copperguard. We call him Wayward Son.
Wayward Son? I bet there is a story behind this name.
Our former leader used to call him "Backward Son of a Bitch," until I, let's say, adjusted his ability to speak. Wayward Son is more appropriate.
Proudest member of dwarvish members, as your servant!
That is quite enough, dear.
Yer husband? DAT DORF is yer husband?
Adorable little creature, isn't he? Always trying to be polite, but never quite manages to pick the right words. It's a mental condition.
Must be dwarven aphasia.
Despite being retarded, your husband speaks more cohesive than Kalin. But why are you here?
We've heard there is a fortress in need of extra dwarven hands.
Your will. Our limbs.
Then what are you waiting for? Kalin, the fuck-faced dwarf over here, will assign tasks for all of you. He's the manager of Redlabored, sadly. Report to him at once and start working!
Are you going to offer us a drink for a start?
Honey, maybe it's enough for tod--
Be quiet, woman. Your voice only makes me more thirsty.
Hi, I'm Sqeecoo! And you are?
Tirist Keygoal, better known as Mustawd. And this is my wife, Urist Scrapedbolted. Stupid name, I know. So I call her Reinhardt instead.
You are so mean.
*sigh* Lost in a game of dice to her parents. Had to marry her. Can I have a drink now?
4th Malachite, 125, Mid-Summer
We've decided to spend a day celebrating our first migrant wave! Grimwulf objected, to no one's surprise, but some occasions just have to be celebrated.
Have to admit, I've asked so many questions, they all probably hate me by now. Okay, not all of them - Helly is very open and friendly. That's how I call Resen. Want to know why? Of course you do! You are my diary, after all.
When Resen's mother first saw the baby right after giving birth, she screamed, "HELDóTTIR!!" Can't blame the poor mother. If my daughter looked like Helly, I would be screaming too!
She came back to her senses after a few days and gave Resen a proper name. However, Heldóttir kinda stuck with her since the day she was born.
I swear she must be the most cheerful dwarf I've ever seen! Always smiling, always has a joke or funny tale ready to tell. However, something is disturbing, malevolent even, in the way she looks at the others. When I asked if I can call her Helly, she said no. I called her Helly regardless! We had a good laugh. But the way she was looking at me... brr.
Overall, Helly is a massive, ever-laughing, and kind-of-kind (?) dwarf. I'm glad to have her around.
Her husband Zan, or should I say, Wayward Son (Gods, what a weird way to address your husband) is funny. So fixed on being polite and acting dignified, and the way he does it is just... Is it rude to laugh at a mentally impaired dwarf? I guess not.
I asked Wayward Son how did he meet Helly. His answer was, "As a throbbing young dwarf, my resolve to be paired was uncontested." He went on, but I couldn't listen due to uncontrollable bursts of laughter.
Helly and Wayson left early. They must have been exhausted after the trip and needed rest.
Strange thing, when Helly said, "Let's go to bed," the look on Wayson's face was of genuine terror. And I'm pretty sure I could hear something violent happening in the dormitory, as well as Wayward Son... weeping? Maybe it's just my imagination.
Anyway, after Helly and Wayson left, I made it my goal to learn everything about Mustawd and Reinhardt. And I mean everything. If Mustawd likes yaks for some reason (spoiler: he does), I want to know why (spoiler: for their shaggy hair).
I feel for Reinhardt. She is a suffering dwarf, but she endures. I can respect that. And yet seeing her love for Mustawd met with nothing but cold hatred is making me sad.
Can't say anything about Mustawd. Not very talkative this one. He is stubborn, that much is certain. And he is calm, disturbingly so. I don't feel comfortable near this dwarf.
5th Malachite, 125, Mid-Summer
Communal Dormitory
Early Morning
WAKE UP YER DICKS AND PUSSIES! Time ta WERK! *kicks Tindrli*
That was uncalled for.
*yawns with the sound of volcanic eruption*
All ya new arrivuls, I AM DA MANAGER, OK? Ye listen ta what I say.
You are the manager, huh?
Got a problem with that, new boi? Wanna shake sum BALLZ, show yer VIZUN of how to do my job? *spits*
Just mildly surprised is all. I would expect Azira or maybe Merc managing this place, not someone like... you.
Shhh! Don't be so rude to our new friends, sweetheart.
Don't interrupt me when I'm talking, woman.
Kalin was elected as the manager, believe it or not.
Calling that "election" is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?
He might not be the manager we need, but maybe he's the one we deserve.
How often do you have elections here?
DAT'S IT, motherfucker! You wanna play, let's play! Wot are u gud at?
Me? I'm a potash maker.
Putarsh?
Potash.
But I also have some fisherdwarf experience.
You're a miner now. Take mah pick before I make you TAKE MAH DICK!
I've never held a pickaxe in my l--
DON'T CARE! That'll teach ya.
If you're sending Mustawd to the mines, I'm going too.
Not enuff picks for both of ya. Wot can you do other than whining?
Umm, you know. This and that...
DO I HAFTA BEAT IT OUT OF YER BLABBERIN' FUCKIN' FACE?!
I used to be a farmhand.
Yeah, for a whole week. She can't do anything, Kalin. My wife is useless.
Farkin' perfect. *spits*
I'm a quick learner.
When will you learn to stay quiet?
I can teach Reinhardt how to grow crops!
Ye ye, fukkit, don't care. Do watchya want.
Got anything for me, manager?
Can you KUK?
Hey! I am Redlabored's cook!
Rite. Can you BRU?
A can brew. And cook. And, as you would put it, "KUT WUD," A HAR HAR HAR, aaaahhh. I have a lot of talents.
A'rite, you're da BREUE *retches, spits* BRUEUWUE *coughs*
Brewer?
YE.
You got it, boss.
A decent compatriot such as me be, I announce the full preparation of my body and entrust it to your gnawing, gnarly hands.
Wot?
He is ready to do whatever you want him to do.
What CAN he do?
Wrapping.
Paper. Wayward Son is a papermaker.
W-- Dat's it?
No, but you don't want to know the rest of his... skills. *winks at Wayward Son*
*sweating profusely*
Dat's wot I have to deal with every day. Buncha useless farkin' morons, piece of sh--
6th Malachite, 125, Mid-Summer
The Outpost
So what's the little guy's name?
That's Kel. Kel Ushatedan.
Aww, so adorable! Is he a hunting dog? A guard dog, maybe? Any special abilities?
He can smell trouble and stay away from it, A HAR HAR HAR, haaaa. That's about the only thing he can do. No offence, Kel.
Why do you keep him around?
I have a soft spot for weak and mishappen creatures.
But why?
Why indeed... Wayward Son! Would you come here for a moment, deary?
*walks towards Sqeecoo and Helly*
How do you like it here in Redlabored?
Been eternally craving the period of my tormented living when the finale plays out, a spot of things to come.
He says he's been searching his entire life for a place like this. Somewhere to build a future. See, Wayward son is not a dumb dwarf, far from it. He is simply misunderstood.
So you help others understand him better? Like a translator?
A... translator. Yes, you could say that. But I prefer to look at this in a bit more poetic way. I find beauty where no one else would even look, and then I reveal this beauty to the world.
14th Malachite, 125, Mid-Summer
Dining Room
What do you think of the newcomers?
We are in no position to be picky about recruits. But I'm not calling them friends anytime soon.
What about you, Kalin?
Don't gib two shits 'bout them. Or YOU for dat matter.
The Kommissar is not happy about excavation progress. You shouldn't have assigned Mustawd as a miner.
Fuck you and yer opinuns, Merc! I know what I'm doin', OK? Tender boi is liek two miners in one dorf.
Tindrli spends entire days in the Muddy Chapel, praying to Uzol and meditating on metals.
Ye. And den he goes down to dem tunnels and NAILS dat shit! KUTs thru stone as if it was elven pussy!
That is no longer the case. First, Tindrli doesn't visit the Muddy Chapel anymore. Like most religious dwarves, he wants to see a temple dedicated to his God alone. Second, with all our current troubles and overall living conditions, he's just not focused on the task.
It's not only Tindrli's focus that suffers. We could all use some damn comfort down here.
And that should be the manager's headache.
*scratches his ass*
Kalin?
Wo?
Can you talk to Grimwulf? Maybe we could turn this dining room into a tavern? This way the dwarves would be able to socialize and have some downtime. More time for stories, jokes, and drinks.
Yeah... About that. We are running out of drinks. Rapidly.
Ye ye, solved dat. We 'ave a bruwe-- burow-- BUUEER naw.
Good job. You make organizing labor look easy.
DAS RITE! Kalin, manager for life!
Except it's not easy, Kalin! We have nothing to brew!
Wait, this can't be right. What about plump helmets?
Only two mushrooms left.
But we had a whole harvest of those!
We did. Until it went straight into Sqeecoo's cooking pot. Now we have a whooole lot of mushroom balls and mushroom lasagna.
By the Gods, WHY did she cook plump helmets? We should have left them for brewing!
Don't blame Sqeecoo. She was ordered to "KUK evdathing ye see until dere's nuthin' left to KUK".
Fuck. You.
Azira, can I have another look at your food list? What is... "prepared horse eye lasagna?"
As always, post your own avatars, and I'll make ninja-edits to previous updates. Bonus points if your avatars match the in-game description.
Also, that's what you get for signing up blindly Just in case it wasn't clear, I have no impact on what kind of dwarves join us at Redlabored. Everything is RNG. It might be better to wait until we grow up to 60-80 dwarves and then choose from the unassigned ones.
Most migrant waves arrive in families. Husbands and wives, parents and children. Keep that in mind when signing up as a she-dwarf.
Ziss dwarf would love to join a kodekss kasstle. Name iss Citissen. Very good at sstalking, ssneaking and sstrangling... Ssorry, ziss dwarf meant digging of coursse, good at digging holess
*Later, in the calm of the subterranean buildings*
What is wrong with this place? Who'd ever build a fortress in the middle of the mud? I guess beggars can't be choosers, but still...
That little manager, with his small narrow head... He seems to be their second in command... I must learn what it would cost to get him to owe me a favour...
In any case, let's help them for now, they desperately need our guidance.
Our time *shall* come...
Also why...why does this table bring me so much pleasure?...
Great work Grimwulf, I had a blast reading last update