This is not a fortress
To: Baron Persephone Ironfist
From: Lester
Subject: Diverse Mechanisms of Siege
Priority: Utmost Urgency
Classification: Ultra Secret
1) This Document (hereafter "this document") concerns the construction and installation of siege equipment in the dwarven settlement known as "Denpaged".
2) Both the writer (hereafter "the writer") and Baron Persephone Ironfist (hereafter "the Baron") have lived for a period of no less than a year in this settlement, and are of rational mind.
2a) Statuary is held to have no import on the assessed sanity of a dwarf, under Law 745.1 of the Mountaincode.
3) This document should be considered a formal request to the Baron that facilities be immediately erected for the construction of siege engine parts, and for the assembly of said parts into a whole, to whit, an engine of death.
4) Considerations. The writer is aware of several considerations which must be taken in to account in the daily running of the settlement. These are addressed herein.
4a) The Cavern has been walled off, and no longer presents the same threat of troglodyte warbands as it has done until recently. Many dwarves have sacrificed their lives, or even their fingers to this menace, but it is spent.
4b) The walled off section already has farms set up to produce plump helmets and the like. Our population will not go hungry.
4c) New barrels are being created in the three (3) carpenters workshops which have been custom built in the new tunnels. These are available for our Keziath Brauer and her staff to address the parlous state of our alchohol stores, working in the still which has been installed in the new tunnels.
4d) The mood of Tigerpixie, our military leader is still worrisome. Several dwarves have reported her muttering and looking at her reflection in her sword blade. It is therefore essential that skilled dwarven professions such as siege engineers, and perhaps smiths, are located in the new fort as much as is dwarvenly possible, to reduce the risk of collateral damage to important assets if we are unable to repair her mood.
4e) A deep channel has been dug between the near-surface and the new fort to carry water to a cistern. This project complete would be a marvel of dwarven engineering, but it is unprotected by siege engines and no doubt attractive to multitudinous (6) creatures of the night and darkness.
4e, addendum) The rumoured risk of catastrophic flooding and death is certainly unnerving, but the writer holds it to be fantasy. No such fate could possibly await us.
5) Proposal
In order for Denpaged to be considered a proper fortress, the construction and installation of siege engines is the foremost priority. To this end the writer proposes
5a) That a lavish siege workshop be immediately mandated for construction
5b) That siege engineers be immediately removed from menial duties
5c) That material stockpiles be constructed adjacent to the workshop, such that any workdwarf is permitted conveniant access to wood, stone, ballista heads, rope.
5d) That all smithys immediately halt production of "weapons" and instead be mandated to construct large steel arrowheads, such as may be utilised by skilled dwarves to create 6 ft long arrows of death.
6) Conclusion
The writer congratulates the Baron on her recent elevation, and acknowledges her superior decision making which he trusts will be put to good use in the matter of siege engine requirements.