Cave adaptation

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v50.14 · v0.47.05 This article is about the current version of DF. Note that some content may still need to be updated. More Info · V

Cave adaptation is a mechanic that causes dwarves who spend too much time underground with insufficient exposure to outdoor sunlight to grow sick when finally exposed to it. It is controlled by the [CAVE_ADAPT] token.

Exposure of cave-adapted dwarves to outdoor sunlight can cause two negative thoughts: "irritated by the sun" and "nauseated by the sun". The latter results from more severe cave adaptation and triggers profuse vomiting, which can leave an otherwise capable soldier momentarily defenseless. Cave adaptation causes no problems if the affected dwarves simply remain underground.

Prevention

Cave adaptation can be prevented by regular exposure to outdoor sunlight, which can be achieved by having an outdoor meeting area or high-traffic areas above ground. Note that Inside (roofed) Light tiles will neither increase nor reduce cave adaptation. Any tiles that have ever been exposed to sunlight remain sunlit; however actual vertical access to the sun is necessary to reduce cave adaptation.

• If a dwarf is in a Dark tile, cave adaptation increases by 1 every tick to a maximum of 800,000 (403,200 ticks is one year, so the maximum is just short of 2 years).
• If a dwarf is in an Outside tile, cave adaptation decreases by 10 every tick.
• If a dwarf is in an Outside tile while the sun is out (i.e. not raining or snowing), the following happens:
  • If cave adaptation is between 403,200 and 604,800 (between 1 and 1.5 years), the dwarf will become dizzy and experience reduced amounts of pain and fatigue. The dwarf will also receive the unhappy thought "was irritated by the sun recently".
  • If cave adaptation is at 604,800 or higher (1.5 years), the dwarf will experience nausea, dizziness, pain, and fatigue. The dwarf will start vomiting profusely and will also receive the unhappy thought "was nauseated by the sun recently".
  • Otherwise, nothing bad happens.

Treatment

Cave adaptation can be treated by exposing dwarves to outdoor tiles. However, due to the negative thoughts brought about by exposure to light in cave-adaptated dwarves, these outdoor areas should be well decorated with statues or the like. This should provide enough positive thoughts to negate those caused by cave adaptation. The progress of treating severe cave adaptation can be observed through Thoughts and Preferences, as limited exposure to sunlight will first convert severe cave adaptation into mild cave adaptation; see personality traits for details.

A dwarf who is completely adapted to life underground can be cured in a little over nine weeks of constant exposure to outdoors light.

Note that only dwarves suffer from cave adaptation. Consider accepting a few non-dwarven mercenaries for outdoor combat, since the penalties for suffering from exposure to sunlight can seriously impair a dwarf's fighting ability.^v0.42.01

Explanation

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A scientific explanation of cave adaptation by Deus Machina.

Underground has low levels of light and very little air circulation.

Dwarves develop low-light vision (plump helmets are packed with beta carotene!) and their facial follicles become sensitive to the motions that a breeze produces against their beards, which allows them to tell where tunnels turn.

As they go deeper, their eyes become less relied upon, and they adapt further to rely on their whisker-based follication.

These eventually become so sensitive that, should a dwarf venture outside, the wind is the equivalent of multicolored and varying strobe lights. This is as aggravating to a dwarf's follication as a Pink Floyd show seen while sober is to our sight, up to the point of causing nausea.

While some have proposed beard shaving as a method of treating hyperfollication, these people are believed to be elf spies, and drafted to cavern exploring instead.