Dwarft Fortress V: The Ageless Realms, Part IV

4th Hematite, 1051, Early Summer: In Memoriam

Let us take this moment to remember two of this fortress' finest dwarves, Mariko Thalallogem and Roxy Kelingul. The two of them had made the long journey here with the rest of us, knowing just as well as anyone that there would be dangers awaiting us all, but did not shy away. They showed strength and passion in everything they did and they will not soon be forgotten.

In their honor, tombs have been erected with statues. We will continue to improve the quality of their final resting place as time allows, for it would be a disservice to their memory if we put our survival aside.

(Statues not pictured)

The loss of Roxy was a staggering blow. It was a wake-up call that made us realize just how desperate our situation was. In our attempts at finding a food and water source, we were forced to cut corners where safety was concerned, and she was the first to pay the price.

While her demise was sudden, she went down fighting, bruising and bludgeoning the Troglodyte that atacked her to the point where it had to run away. Her wounds were too severe, however, and she didn't quite make it.

Let us take a moment to remember her:

Around her tomb are statues of dwarves and Lizardmen.

The loss or Mariko hurt just as much, but she too went down fighting. In fact, it was in defense of Roxy that she bravely sacrificed her life, running to her rescue without hesitation. Had the odds been in her favor, she might still be with us today, but alas, the Troglodytes were many and she was but one.

Her courage is exemplary and she will go down in legend. However, we will not remember her for her end, but for her life. She was a stoneworker, proud and content, and the proof of her work can be seen in the quality of the stone doors that protect the fortress from the deadly caverns below. She was in the midst of smoothing stone to further improve our lot when fate came calling, and none of us doubt that the fortress is worse off for having lost her.

Goodbye, Mariko. There will be none to replace you in our stout little alcohol-drenched hearts.

Adorning her tomb are statues of the Tummy of Gatis, deity of hospitality.

And as one season in the fortress passes, a new one inevitably starts. With the loss of two of our best dwarves, the work has piled up, and survival does not wait. To avoid depression, I made good use of the Giant Olm and butchered it for food. We moved the stores of food inside, where it should be safe, and we're slowly moving the workshops below as well. Soon, we'll build a well and hopefully catch enough fish to survive next winter.

Farms will have to wait for now. We are few enough dwarves that our supplies are now in abundance. A small comfort, but then, we must take what we can.