Editing v0.31:Dwarf fortress mode

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:''This is a comprehensive reference guide for Fortress Mode.<br/>'''If you are looking for a fortress mode tutorial see the [[Tutorials]] or [[Quickstart guide]].'''''

'''Fortress mode''' is the most popular mode of gameplay in Dwarf Fortress and what most people are thinking of when they talk about the game. In fortress mode, you pick a [[location]], then assign your seven initial [[dwarves]] some starting [[skills]], equipment, provisions, and [[animals]] to bring along.  After preparations are complete and your hardy explorers [[embark]], they'll be faced with the fortress site you picked down to every detail, from geologically appropriate stone types to roaring waterfalls to ornery hippopotami. Rather than control individual dwarves, you design everything and your dwarves go about implementing your designs on their own.

Unlike fortress mode, [[Adventurer mode]] is a sort of advanced [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_game open world] version of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_%28computer_game%29 rogue] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nethack  nethack] taking place in the same worlds used for fortress mode. In adventure mode you control a single adventurer (character) who travels around, takes on quests, fights, dies, possibly visits your abandoned forts, etc, in a turn-based (rather than real-time) manner. See [[Adventurer mode]] for more information.

== Goals ==

The main goal, if any, is to take your seven initial dwarves and expand them into a thriving community with skilled [[Labor|workers]], [[military|battle veterans]] and [[nobles]].  Make your dwarves [[wealth|rich]] with fine [[finished goods|crafts]], valuable [[currency#Coins|coins]], precious [[gem]]s and protect them from [[siege|foes]] with deadly [[trap]]s.  Make sure they have plenty of [[food]] and [[alcohol]], by way of [[farming|farms]] above and below ground and keep them [[clothing|clothed]] in [[leather]] and [[cloth]].

Of course, every dwarf loves precious [[metal]]s, but the only way to find them is [[dig]] down, down, far down.  Make sure you don't dig too greedily, or too deep, for many creatures dwell in the [[caverns]] below and not all are friendly to dwarves....

Some more specific [[challenges]] are available here, compiled by fun-loving players from all around.  There are also a wide variety of player-created [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=28829.0 game mods] which can add new creatures/crops/items/etc, or increase the difficulty of the game.

== The World ==

To play dwarf fortress in fortress mode you must generate a world that includes a dwarven civilization. See [[World generation]] for detailed instructions on generating a world. After at least one world has been generated you will be able to start the game. Only one game may be going on in a world at the same time.

Non-dwarven civilizations can be played in fortress mode if you modify the raws to add the '''<nowiki>[CIV_CONTROLLABLE]</nowiki>''' token to other entity definitions. This is not recommended for new players. See the [[modding guide]] for information on how to do this.

=== Geographic Features ===

The main features of a world are [[Biome]]s on the surface and [[Stone layers]] under the surface, some of which may contain [[Aquifer]]s. Other surface features that are significant, but which aren't biomes strictly speaking, are [[River]]s, [[Volcano]]es, and [[Cave]]s.

There are also [[Cavern]]s and magma seas everywhere underground which your dwarves will most likely encounter, but you can't see these on the world map and won't see them on the local map until you dig into them. There may also be other Fun things underground that you can't see. You will have to find these on your own, if they exist.

=== Inhabitants ===

Every playable world will be inhabited by various [[Creature]]s, [[Civilization]]s, and [[Megabeast]]s (including [[Titan]]s and [[Forgotten beast]]s) in addition to your dwarves. Even if your dwarves are minding their own business they are practically guaranteed to encounter all of these types of inhabitants at some point in the form of wildlife, invaders, or rampaging forces of nature.

=== History ===

Given that your world includes creatures and civilizations capable of independent action, it also has a '''History''' that is viewable in [[Legends]] mode. Historical events will show up in [[Engravings]] and other artwork created by your dwarves. Historical '''dates''' are expressed in terms of the Dwarven [[Calendar]].

You will also be making history as events occur in your fortress and these events will be recorded for all time in the annals of your world, even if you'd rather that they not be. These events may later become the subject of various [[Engraving]]s and [[Decoration]]s created by your dwarves or those in a later fortress.

== Embarking ==

:''Main article: [[Embark]]''

:''Also see: [[Reclaim fortress mode]]''

Before starting to build a fortress you must pick a site, assign skill points to dwarves, and buy starting equipment. This is known as '''Embarking''' and is a major subject in and of itself. See the [[Embark]] guide for all of the details. Also see [[Starting build]] for more information on outfitting your expedition.

Your main view of the in-game world is that of a multi-layered environment which you can move in the four main cardinal directions as well as up and down [[Z-level]]s in elevation. The generated worlds are made of tiles, each representing anything in the world. There is also a command menu that lets you set commands that your dutiful dwarves will attempt to follow.

=== Common UI Concepts ===

{{KeyConventions|3}}

==== Pausing and Resuming ====

=== Main Screen ===

=== Options Screen ===

*{{DFtext|Key Bindings}} - A UI for changing the [[Key bindings]]

*{{DFtext|Music and Sound}} - Options related to the [[Music]]

*{{DFtext|Abandon the Fortress}} (or Succumb to Invasion) - This [[abandon]]s the fortress and then saves the map to the world's data files for later use. Once you abandon a fort, all of your dwarves cease to exist, all of your livestock dies, and all items including corpses will be scattered around the map before it is saved. This is how you "give up" on a fortress. You might later [[Reclaim fortress mode|reclaim]] the fortress with a new group of dwarves or visit it with an adventurer in [[Adventurer mode]].

=== Main Map ===

| Move one [[Z-level]] up or down.

While the play area itself is three-dimensional, the window is not; you can only view one [[Z-level]] at a time. You can change which Z-Level is currently displayed using {{k|<}} and {{k|>}}.

On the far right side of the screen is the '''depth bar''' showing you the approximate depth, below or above ground, of the current [[Z-level]] that the map is displaying. This indicator is relative to the surface, so it will change if you move the map around a map with a non-flat surface, even if you don't press {{K|<}} or {{K|>}}.

==== Map Cursor ====

==== Examining Map Tiles ====

===== Look Around =====

Hit {{K|k}} and use the directional keys to move the cursor onto the tile you want information about. The command window will display information about what the tile is along with what objects are present on that tile and whether the tile is Inside or Outside, Dark or Light, and Above Ground or Subterranean (See [[Tile attributes]].)

===== View Units =====

To get information on a creature beyond what the look command gives you, use the {{K|v}}iew units command. This works the same way as loo{{K|k}} around except that more information will be displayed especially if the creature you select is one of your dwarves. In this case you will be able to examine what [[Labor]]s are enabled and examine/manipulate their inventory in addition to viewing more detailed information about them.

===== Items in Buildings =====

==== Hotkeys ====

:''Main article: [[Hotkeys]]''

Once you have a lot of activities going on in vastly separated areas of the map, you may find it rather cumbersome to move the map view around to all of these areas using only the directional keys. [[Hotkeys]] will make your life much easier by "bookmarking" specific map areas allowing you to instantly jump to those areas at the press of a button. See the full documentation on [[Hotkeys]] for more details.

==== Points/Routes/Notes ====

:''Main article: [[Note]]''

The Points/Routes/{{K|N}}otes command allows you to set notes on individual tiles, set up waypoints, and set up patrol routes for your [[Squads]]. This is an advanced feature that you're not likely to want to use at first. See the full documentation on [[Note]]s for more information.

=== Overview Map ===

=== Status Indicators ===

In the upper left corner of the screen you may see some '''report flags''' indicating that new combat-related [[Reports]] have been generated. The flags are:

:{{Tile|C|4:7:1}}: new [[combat]] report available

:{{Tile|H|2:7:1}}: new [[Ambusher#Hunting|hunting]] report available

:{{Tile|S|3:7:1}}: new [[sparring]] report available

You may also see a '''[[Frames per second|FPS]] (Frames Per Second) counter''' on the screen if it has been enabled. It is disabled by default. See [[Frames per second]] for more information on what this counter means, as well as how to enable/disable it.

=== Command Window ===

[[File:MainMenu.png|The command window.|frame]]

==== Building ====

This submenu allows you to place various dwarf-constructed features on the map including furniture, doors, workshops, farm plots, roads, and other buildings. The [[Building]] menu includes the commands for placing almost any artifice that your dwarves might place on the map, whether it's furniture constructed in a workshop and installed somewhere, or a workshop built in place from raw materials.

*[[#Rooms.2C_Furniture.2C_and_Portals|Furniture, Doors, Windows, and Bars]]

==== Define Burrows ====

==== Designations ====

*[[#Setting_Item_Properties|Item properties to be set]] (en masse)

==== Orders ====

==== Set Building Tasks/Prefs ====

==== Squads ====

Once you have created at least one [[Squad]] in the [[Military|military]] screen, you can give them [[Squads#Direct_Commands|direct commands]] to move to certain locations and attack certain creatures. See [[Squad]] for more details.

==== Stockpiles ====

==== Zones ====

=== Other Screens ===

==== Announcements ====

:''Main article: [[Announcement]]''

An '''announcement''' is a message displayed at the bottom of the game screen used to indicate something important. The {{k|a}}nnouncement screen lets you go back through the log of messages to look at ones you may have missed. See the main article on [[Announcement]]s for full details. Some announcements may automatically pause the game, requiring it to manually be resumed.

==== Artifacts ====

At various points your dwarves will go into [[Strange mood]]s which will cause them to create [[Legendary artifact]]s if they have the necessary materials. You can use this screen to view all of the artifacts that dwarves have created, as well as [[Weapon#Weapon-Dwarf_Relationships|named weapons]], which aren't artifacts per se.

==== Civilizations ====

This screen allows you to view information about [[Civilization]]s that are either near your fortress or that you have come into contact with in some manner, be it peaceful or otherwise. You can use directional keys, {{K|Enter}}, {{K|Tab}}, and {{K|Esc}} to navigate through the information, including viewing diplomatic relations and trade agreements you have negotiated with your [[Liaison]].

==== Combat Reports ====

:''Main article: [[Reports]]''

The {{k|r}}eports window is similar to the {{K|a}}nnouncements window except that it displays detailed messages about what is going on during [[Combat]] either with your dwarves or between other creatures. This is where all of the fun messages about "jamming the skull through the brain, tearing the brain" appear. See [[Reports]] for more information.

==== Jobs ====

More importantly though, the job screen is one way to access [[Manager#The_manager_screen|the manager screen]]. While not strictly required, learning to use the work orders interface is highly recommended as it can save you a tremendous amount of time and trouble. To use this you will need a [[Manager]] "noble" who has been assigned an [[Office]]. See [[#Introduction to Work Orders|introduction to work orders]] for more details on how to use work orders.

==== Military Configuration ====

:''Main article: [[Military]]''

The [[Military]] screen is almost as difficult to learn as the rest of the game put together. The main function of this interface is creating [[Squad]]s, setting up their equipment, and scheduling their activities. This document won't even attempt to get into how this all works. See [[Military]] for how to set up your military.

==== Movies ====

You can use this to record what's happening on the screen. See [[CMV]] for more information.

==== Nobles and Administrators ====

| View [[Nobles]] screen

This screen allows you to manage your [[Nobles]], as much as they can be managed anyway. "Noble" refers to certain positions you can appoint yourself such as manager and bookkeeper as well as positions that are forced on you such as [[Mayor]].

If you can appoint someone to a given position you can use this screen to do it. You can also change the accounting precision {{K|s}}ettings on your bookkeeper. Whether appointed or foisted upon you, you can also use this screen to view information about any of your nobles as well as their [[Mandate|annoying demands]].

==== Status Screen ====

:''Main article: [[Status]]''

Use the {{K|z}} ([[Status]]) screen to get information on various things in your fortress. The main status screen contains the current date in the upper right, and a count of your dwarves and provisions prepared by your [[Bookkeeper]] (who may have done an imprecise job). Along the top of the status screen are various choices for sub-menus.  Each can be highlighted with {{k|4}} and {{k|6}} (or {{k|←}} and {{k|→}}), and then selected with {{k|Enter}}.  The menu bar consists of the following options which allow you to:

* [[Animals]] - manipulate animals belonging to your dwarves.

* [[Kitchen]] - set cooking preferences.

* [[Stone]] - alter permissions on various types of stones that may be reserved for specific uses by default.

* [[Stocks]] - examine the number of various items that your fortress and its residents possess.

* [[Health screen|Health]] - get an overview of the current health status of your dwarves. See [[Healthcare]].

* [[Justice]] - examine any criminal dwarves as well as their crimes and sentences.

==== Units ====

==== View Rooms/Buildings ====

| View list of [[Room]]s and [[Building]]s

This will give you a detailed inventory of all of the [[Room]]s and [[Building]]s on your map, along with their location on an overview map at the right. The inventory includes an adjective for each defined room indicating the approximate value and luxuriousness of the room. Other items such as furniture which have not actually been defined as rooms will also appear.

== Your Dwarves ==

Your [[Dwarf|dwarves]] are the creatures who implement your designs in between periods of drinking, eating, partying, drinking again, sleeping, and entertaining themselves. While you do not have full control of your dwarves, you have more control over them than any other creatures.

=== Eating, Drinking, and Sleeping ===

Dwarves need [[food]] to eat, [[alcohol]] to drink (water is a poor substitute), and time to [[sleep]]. If only one of these is available, it better be [[alcohol]]; while water will keep dwarves alive, they will actually work more slowly and get unhappy thoughts (see below) if they don't get alcohol to drink.

=== Happiness ===

While going about their day, dwarves will get happy and unhappy [[thought]]s depending on what sorts of things happen to them. This will nudge their happiness levels up or down each time one occurs to them. If they become too unhappy they may throw [[tantrum]]s or go completely [[Insanity|berserk]], killing and destroying things. This is why you want them to be happy.

=== Children and Immigration ===

Periodically new dwarves will [[Immigration|migrate]] to your fortress, drawn by tales of, and looking to share in, your wealth and success. Female dwarves will also get pregnant and have [[children]] if they are [[Marriage|married]].

=== Jobs and Labors===

Which jobs a dwarf will try to do depend on which [[Labor]]s are enabled for that dwarf. To change a dwarf's labor preferences, access the labor screen by {{k|v}}iewing the dwarf, then select {{k|p}}references and {{k|l}}abor. Using {{K|u}} can help you locate dwarves. Select a dwarf, hit {{K|c}} for "zoom to creature" and you'll automatically be placed in view mode on that dwarf, then use {{K|p}}-{{K|l}} to get to the labor configuration menu.

=== Nobles ===

[[Noble]]s are dwarves who have special positions within your organization. Some of these are appointed such as your broker and bookkeeper, but others such as [[Mayor]] are essentially forced on you by conditions in the game. See the main article on [[Nobles]] for more information.

=== Death ===

Dwarves will inevitably [[Death|die]] from [[Wound|wounds]] or old age (usually the former). Unfortunately they are a bit picky about how they are [[Coffin|buried]] or otherwise [[Memorial|memorialized]], and they will [[Ghost|cause trouble]] if they are unsatisfied with their remembrance.

[[Healthcare]] might help wounded dwarves avoid death.

:''Main article: [[Mining]]''

All of the '''digging''' operations are considered [[Mining]]. Even if your goal is simply to dig out a passage and you don't care about extracting ore, your miners will be generating [[stone]] as a byproduct unless they are digging through [[soil]]. See [[Stone management]] for ways to deal with all the unwanted stone.

=== Digging Out Tunnels and Spaces ===

| [[Mining#Designating_the_area_to_be_mined|Designate area to mine]]

This is what you use to dig out tunnels and larger spaces underground. See [[Mining#Designating_the_area_to_be_mined|designating an area to be mined]]. Note that you can not mine constructions. Instead you must remove them with {{K|d}}-{{K|n}}. (See below.)

=== Channeling ===

| Dig out a [[Channel]]

A [[Channel]] is a hole dug in the floor which will mine out the [[z-level]] below too. Channeling an area will dig out the designated tile (if it hasn't been dug out already), the floor of that tile, and the tile below, possibly leaving a [[Ramp]] on the tile below. See [[Channel]] for more information.

=== Stairways and Ramps ===

See [[Stair]] and [[Ramp]]. Note that digging a stairway will not automatically create a stairway on the z-level above and/or below, but it will make it possible to dig another stairway immediately above and/or below.

=== Removing Things ===

These allow you to dig away upward ramps and stairs, and demolish constructed walls and floors. See [[Remove]] for full details.

=== Warning! Water and Magma ===

While digging around you may encounter [[Water]] or [[Magma]], so be on the lookout for '''damp stone''' and '''warm stone'''. Digging into water or magma in the wrong place can completely flood your fort to the point where it is unrecoverable, so be careful where you dig.

== Stone Detailing ==

[[Stone detailing]] is the term for '''[[Smoothing]]''' out the rough walls and floors created by mining, making them look nicer while increasing their value. It basically allows you to create nice looking walls from natural rock without having to build them from scratch.

Once walls and floors have been smoothed they can then be '''Engraved''' with whatever [[Engraving]]s the responsible craftsdwarf feels like. Often these engravings will be based on historical events including events that have taken place in and around the fortress itself. Sometimes they will simply be based on what sort of things the engraving dwarf likes.

Smooth walls can also be carved into '''Fortifications'''. A [[Fortification]] is something like a wall full of arrow slits. Creatures can not move through a fortification but missile weapons can. Fortifications can also be built as [[#Constructions]], but carving fortifications into the rock may save some time and trouble.

== Stockpiles ==

:''Main article: [[Stockpile]]''

'''Stockpiles''' are where [[dwarf|dwarves]] will store items of various types. Dwarves with the corresponding "[[hauling]]" job on will seek out items that aren't already on a stockpile that accepts them and carry them to the appropriate stockpile. See the main [[Stockpile]] article for detailed information on setting up stockpiles.

== Rooms, Furniture, and Portals ==

To remove one of these, use the {{K|q}} command, place the cursor on the item to remove, and hit {{K|x}}. This will mark the item for removal and a hauling job will be queued. Eventually a dwarf will show up and haul the item off to a [[stockpile]] if one exists.

=== Furniture ===

Assuming that dwarves have already made a piece of [[Furniture]], they can install it somewhere using one of these commands.

=== Defining Rooms ===

:''Main article: [[Room]]''

Certain types of furniture placed in an area can allow the area to be defined as a [[Room]] using {{K|q}}. The {{K|q}} command can also be used to undefine rooms, with or without removing the associated furniture.

=== Doors and Hatches ===

These commands allow you to place already created [[Door]]s and [[Hatch cover]]s assuming that you have an adjacent wall.

=== Windows, Grates, and Bars ===

These commands allow you to install [[Window]]s, [[Grate]]s, and [[Bars]] over openings, assuming that you have already created them.

== Constructions ==

=== Walls, Floors, and Stairs ===

| build Constructed [[Wall]]

| build Constructed [[Floor]]

| build Constructed upward [[Ramp]]

| build Constructed Up [[Stair]]

| build Constructed Down [[Stair]]

| build Constructed up and down [[Stair]]

| build Constructed [[Fortification]]

:''Main article: [[Construction]]''

[[Construction]]s are features that are built in place rather than created in a workshop and installed or carved out of existing rock. Constructions are how you build above-ground structures or structures in any other place where there's no rock or soil to carve them out of.

Constructions are usually built out of, and thus require, [[Stone]] or [[Wood]], but you can also use a variety of materials (such as metal) to build them. Possible constructions include [[Floor]]s, [[Wall]]s, [[Stair]]s, [[Ramp]]s, and [[Fortification]]s.

=== Bridges ===

A [[Bridge]] is not only used to cross rivers or chasms, but can also be used as a large door when built as a drawbridge. Such use requires that a [[#Levers|Lever]] be linked to it in order for dwarves to control its open or closed state.

=== Roads ===

[[Road]]s are most commonly used to give [[caravan|caravans]] a reliable path to your fortress from the map's edge, though they don't really require one. A paved road is much like a [[floor]] except that it requires fewer raw materials per tile to build. A dirt road requires no materials to build, but deteriorates over time.

== Buildings ==

While things like doors and furniture are technically considered buildings, the [[Building]]s described in this section are primarily the ones that are 3x3 or 5x5 tiles in size and built in place (rather than at a workshop). Most of these buildings are used for the production of various goods.

=== Workshops ===

| build [[Leather works]] - for making leather clothing

| build [[Quern]] - a manually operated grindstone

| build [[Millstone]] - a mechanically operated grindstone

| build [[Loom]] - for weaving thread into cloth

| build [[Clothier's shop]] - for making clothing from cloth

| build [[Bowyer's workshop]] - for making crossbows

| build [[Carpenter's workshop]] - for making most wood items

| build [[Metalsmith's forge]] - for making most metal items using metal and fuel

| build