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Difference between revisions of "Bone"

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'''Bones''' are obtained when butchering [[animals]] or taking apart skeletons. Some severed body parts also decay into usable bones, the same way a corpse rots into a skeleton.
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[[File:bones_icon_preview.png|right]]'''Bones''' are internal (or less commonly, external) rigid organs that make up the skeletal structure of most living creatures. Therefore, they're a common form of [[animal]] remains, as well as a handy [[craft]]ing material.
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==Fortress mode==
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===Acquiring bones===
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[[File:skull_icon_v50.png|right]]Any time you [[butcher]] an animal with a skeleton at a [[butcher's shop]], you will produce bones along with several other products. This applies to full corpses, severed body parts, and even fully [[wear|decomposed]] skeletons. Alternatively, if a severed body part is allowed to fully rot, it may leave behind a stack of usable bones without ever needing to be butchered. Note that many civilizations (like dwarves) consider it [[ethics|unethical]] to butcher certain skeletons {{bug|1180}}.
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While unmodded dwarves are unwilling to butcher sapient creatures, severed limbs will rot to bone stacks even without butchering. These bones cannot typically be used for crafting, however the bones of undead invaders are sometimes usable by dwarves. This is presumably a bug.
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Bones are never imported in [[caravan]]s, and must be acquired locally.
  
Skeletons are the last step of the [[wear|rotting]] procedure. After a [[corpse]] begins to rot, no [[food]] can be created from it, and it will eventually rot into a skeleton. The skeleton has to be taken to the [[butcher's shop]] and "butchered" to be torn apart into [[skull]]s and bones afterwards. Bone does not rot further or produce [[miasma]]. Note that many civilizations (like dwarves) consider it unethical to butcher certain skeletons {{bug|1180}}. An exception is the stack of bone that can form after a severed part decays. This appears to happen when the part in question has bone as its only non-rotting material.
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===Uses for bone===
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[[File:bone_icon.png|right]]The majority of the uses for bone are handled at a [[craftsdwarf's workshop]] using the [[bone carving]] [[labor]]:
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*Bone [[craft]]s, for sale to visiting merchants. Although low [[value]], their only input is easy to acquire in vast amounts for most forts.
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*Bone [[leggings]], [[greaves]], [[gauntlet]]s, and [[helm]]s. These [[armor]] pieces are far less effective in serious combat than [[metal]] armor, but better than nothing. Dwarves treat bone armor as "metal" when equipping their [[military]] [[uniform]]s. When crafting bone armor that requires more than one unit of bone, the crafter may take single bones from multiple bone stacks. The first stack selected determines the material of the resulting armor.
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*Bone [[decoration]]s. Any decoratable item can be decorated with bone, adding to the item's [[value]].
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*Bone [[bolt]]s for use in [[crossbow]]s. Each work order will consume one unit of bone to produce a stack of five bolts, as opposed to stacks of 25 from metal or wood. Bone bolts are better than their wooden counterparts, and while not as effective as metal bolts, are [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=116151.0 still able to pierce metal armors]. Bone bolts are a renewable resource for [[hunting]] animals, as animals are a source of bone.
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*Some [[instruments]] and instrument parts may be made from bone, though this depends entirely on your specific [[world gen]] results.
  
While bones are counted as "[[body parts]]" in the [[stocks]] menu, they have their own subcategory in the [[stockpile|refuse stockpile]] menu. It is a good idea to create an internal refuse stockpile to handle bones near one's [[craftsdwarf's workshop]] for easy access. Dwarves in a [[strange mood]] may require several stacks of bones as ingredients, making it important to stockpile a few bones in a safe place.  
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At a [[bowyer's workshop]], using the [[crossbow-making]] labor:
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*Bone [[crossbow]]s. These are one of the few weapons available without access to [[wood]] or [[metal]]. Although they are nearly useless when used in melee, they are just as deadly as a metal crossbow when firing bolts and weigh significantly less.
  
Be aware, stockpiles with refuse enabled automatically degrade some items (clothes and armor) quite quickly; refuse should not be enabled in a multi-purpose stockpile. Refuse stockpiles also cause the degradation of stored body parts (such as bones and shells), though at a much slower pace. Even bones not stored in a refuse stockpile may eventually disappear due to [[vermin]] such as [[rat]]s.
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Apart from the manufacture of leggings and greaves, each bone-using job consumes only one bone from a stack. Greaves consume three bones per job, making it ideal to craft greaves from lower-value bones and everything else out of higher-value bones if you plan to export the non-masterwork items. The difference is only about 25% in value, but it adds up after making hundreds of items.
  
==Uses for Bone==
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Bone greaves are among the best items to make because metal gauntlets and high boots give a positive return for melting while greaves do not. Metal greaves are also very heavy. Bone greaves can be combined with a metal helm, gauntlets, high boots, and [[leather]] armor (with optional mail shirt) to make a relatively light-weight, full-coverage uniform for an all-civilian military.
  
Bones are processed as follows:
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====Moods====
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Dwarves in [[strange mood]]s will occasionally require bones, sometimes even multiple stacks of them. These dwarves will always take an entire stack independent of the number of bones in it.
  
At a [[craftsdwarf's workshop]], using the [[bone carving]] labor:
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As the number of bones per stack has no influence on the value of the resulting [[artifact]], it may be worth ''guiding'' your moody dwarf to use smaller stacks. This may be achieved by creating stacks of single bones '''before''' a strange mood happens and forbidding all other stacks of bones when you get the notice of the dwarf having claimed a workshop.
  
* Bone [[craft]]s, for sale to visiting merchants.
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(Note that while it is not directly possible to ''unstack'' bones, it is possible to use bigger stacks to craft goods until only one bone remains.)
* Bone [[armor]], namely [[leggings]], [[greaves]], [[gauntlet]]s, and [[helm]]. Bone armor uses bones individually, but may require one bone from several stacks. The first stack determines the material of the resulting armor. Note that [[armor]] made out of bone can be used by dwarves assigned a [[uniform]] of [[metal]] armor.
 
* Bone [[decoration]]s. Any decoratable item can be decorated with bone, which adds to the items' value. Due to a [[#Bugs|bug]], dwarves may refuse to use sentient creatures' bones for decoration (with an unhelpful "needs improvable item" error), while still freely using them for bone crafts.
 
* Bone [[bolt]]s. These bolts are fired from crossbows. Each bone will produce 5 bolts. Each bone must be crafted individually (a stack of Yak Cow bone [7] becomes a stack of Yak Cow bone [6] plus a stack of yak bone bolts [5]). This renders the process for carving bone bolts very slow. Despite this, some players still use bone bolts for hunting animals for a long time, mainly because the remnants of animals killed become bones, allowing more bone bolts to be made. Bone bolts are an excellent substitute for wood bolts if there is a shortage of wood; in most cases this is the best use for bone.
 
  
At a [[bowyer's workshop]], using the [[crossbow-making]] labor:
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===Storing bones===
* Bone [[crossbow]]s. They are one of the few weapons available without access to [[wood]] or [[metal]]. Making a crossbow from bone takes only one bone off a stack, yet, due to a [[#Bugs|bug]], large stacks do not produce the expected number of crossbows.
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While bones are counted as "[[body parts]]" in the [[stocks]] menu, they have their own subcategory in the [[stockpile|refuse stockpile]] menu. Be aware that stockpiles with "refuse" enabled automatically degrade some items (clothes and armor) quite quickly; refuse should not be enabled in a multi-purpose stockpile. Refuse stockpiles also cause the degradation of stored body parts (such as bones and shells), though at a much slower pace. Bones stored in a refuse stockpile will decompose even more quickly if subjected to [[vermin]] such as [[rat]]s; consider [[pasture|pasturing]] a [[cat]] over the stockpile to minimize decay.
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* Dwarves looking at bones may, in the short term, have a negative mood impact. In the medium term, this can lead to them better dealing with death. However, in the long term, it can turn to apathy. Best practice is to have your bone depot behind a door to make it less obvious to non-users.
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==Adventure mode==
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Adventurers will come across bones every time they butcher the corpse of a creature with a skeletal structure, and can use them to create wearable jewelry and salable trade goods. To do so, equip an item with a sharp edge, stand over a stack of bones on the ground, press {{k|x}}, choose "Create," choose "Carve Bone," choose the item you wish to make, and finally select the bone type you wish to use. You will produce the item instantly, no [[workshop]] required.
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So long as you're successfully hunting animals, this will net you a significant amount of wealth to trade, especially once your [[bone carving]] skill rises and you start producing higher-quality items. If you have enough strength to handle a little extra weight, the jewelry is also worthwhile, acting as a very minor form of armor and potentially deflecting enemy attacks. It is not currently possible to produce ''actual'' bone armor in adventure mode, however.
  
== Bugs ==
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{{Translation
* Dwarves refuse to take usable bones from skeletons of sentient creatures {{bug|1180}}
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| dwarven = osod
* Dwarves may refuse to use the bones of a sentient creature for decoration, returning an incorrect "needs improvable item" error.{{bug|2540}}
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| elvish = one
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| goblin = mudo
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| human = sut
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}}
  
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{{gamedata}}
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{{materials}}
  
 
{{Category|Materials}}
 
{{Category|Materials}}
 
{{Category|Body parts}}
 
{{Category|Body parts}}
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[[ru:Bone]]
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{{D for Dwarf}}
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Actually, bones do get transported, but the stupid bodies they're transported in need to be removed first.
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[[File:bones_pile.jpg|thumb|290px|center|New bracelets, crafts and earrings are only a death away.]]

Latest revision as of 12:03, 22 February 2023

This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.

Bones icon preview.png

Bones are internal (or less commonly, external) rigid organs that make up the skeletal structure of most living creatures. Therefore, they're a common form of animal remains, as well as a handy crafting material.

Fortress mode[edit]

Acquiring bones[edit]

Skull icon v50.png

Any time you butcher an animal with a skeleton at a butcher's shop, you will produce bones along with several other products. This applies to full corpses, severed body parts, and even fully decomposed skeletons. Alternatively, if a severed body part is allowed to fully rot, it may leave behind a stack of usable bones without ever needing to be butchered. Note that many civilizations (like dwarves) consider it unethical to butcher certain skeletons Bug:1180.

While unmodded dwarves are unwilling to butcher sapient creatures, severed limbs will rot to bone stacks even without butchering. These bones cannot typically be used for crafting, however the bones of undead invaders are sometimes usable by dwarves. This is presumably a bug.

Bones are never imported in caravans, and must be acquired locally.

Uses for bone[edit]

Bone icon.png

The majority of the uses for bone are handled at a craftsdwarf's workshop using the bone carving labor:

  • Bone crafts, for sale to visiting merchants. Although low value, their only input is easy to acquire in vast amounts for most forts.
  • Bone leggings, greaves, gauntlets, and helms. These armor pieces are far less effective in serious combat than metal armor, but better than nothing. Dwarves treat bone armor as "metal" when equipping their military uniforms. When crafting bone armor that requires more than one unit of bone, the crafter may take single bones from multiple bone stacks. The first stack selected determines the material of the resulting armor.
  • Bone decorations. Any decoratable item can be decorated with bone, adding to the item's value.
  • Bone bolts for use in crossbows. Each work order will consume one unit of bone to produce a stack of five bolts, as opposed to stacks of 25 from metal or wood. Bone bolts are better than their wooden counterparts, and while not as effective as metal bolts, are still able to pierce metal armors. Bone bolts are a renewable resource for hunting animals, as animals are a source of bone.
  • Some instruments and instrument parts may be made from bone, though this depends entirely on your specific world gen results.

At a bowyer's workshop, using the crossbow-making labor:

  • Bone crossbows. These are one of the few weapons available without access to wood or metal. Although they are nearly useless when used in melee, they are just as deadly as a metal crossbow when firing bolts and weigh significantly less.

Apart from the manufacture of leggings and greaves, each bone-using job consumes only one bone from a stack. Greaves consume three bones per job, making it ideal to craft greaves from lower-value bones and everything else out of higher-value bones if you plan to export the non-masterwork items. The difference is only about 25% in value, but it adds up after making hundreds of items.

Bone greaves are among the best items to make because metal gauntlets and high boots give a positive return for melting while greaves do not. Metal greaves are also very heavy. Bone greaves can be combined with a metal helm, gauntlets, high boots, and leather armor (with optional mail shirt) to make a relatively light-weight, full-coverage uniform for an all-civilian military.

Moods[edit]

Dwarves in strange moods will occasionally require bones, sometimes even multiple stacks of them. These dwarves will always take an entire stack independent of the number of bones in it.

As the number of bones per stack has no influence on the value of the resulting artifact, it may be worth guiding your moody dwarf to use smaller stacks. This may be achieved by creating stacks of single bones before a strange mood happens and forbidding all other stacks of bones when you get the notice of the dwarf having claimed a workshop.

(Note that while it is not directly possible to unstack bones, it is possible to use bigger stacks to craft goods until only one bone remains.)

Storing bones[edit]

While bones are counted as "body parts" in the stocks menu, they have their own subcategory in the refuse stockpile menu. Be aware that stockpiles with "refuse" enabled automatically degrade some items (clothes and armor) quite quickly; refuse should not be enabled in a multi-purpose stockpile. Refuse stockpiles also cause the degradation of stored body parts (such as bones and shells), though at a much slower pace. Bones stored in a refuse stockpile will decompose even more quickly if subjected to vermin such as rats; consider pasturing a cat over the stockpile to minimize decay.

  • Dwarves looking at bones may, in the short term, have a negative mood impact. In the medium term, this can lead to them better dealing with death. However, in the long term, it can turn to apathy. Best practice is to have your bone depot behind a door to make it less obvious to non-users.

Adventure mode[edit]

Adventurers will come across bones every time they butcher the corpse of a creature with a skeletal structure, and can use them to create wearable jewelry and salable trade goods. To do so, equip an item with a sharp edge, stand over a stack of bones on the ground, press x, choose "Create," choose "Carve Bone," choose the item you wish to make, and finally select the bone type you wish to use. You will produce the item instantly, no workshop required.

So long as you're successfully hunting animals, this will net you a significant amount of wealth to trade, especially once your bone carving skill rises and you start producing higher-quality items. If you have enough strength to handle a little extra weight, the jewelry is also worthwhile, acting as a very minor form of armor and potentially deflecting enemy attacks. It is not currently possible to produce actual bone armor in adventure mode, however.

"Bone" in other Languages Books-aj.svg aj ashton 01.svg
Dwarven: osod
Elvish: one
Goblin: mudo
Human: sut
More: GemsMetalsStones
Creature
BloodBoneCartilageCheeseChitinEggFatFeatherHair (WoolYarn) • HoofHornIchorLeatherMilkMeatNailNervous tissueOrgansParchmentPearlScaleShellSilkSkinSpitSweatTallowTearsToothWax
Plant
Fiber (PaperSlurry) • FlowerFruitLeafOil • Plant powders (DyeFlourSugar) • Seed (Press cake) • Wood
Creature/Plant
Inorganic
Hardcoded
AmberAshCoralFilthFuelGlassGrimeIceLyeMagmaMudPearlashPotashSaltUnknown substanceVomitWater
See also: Material science
D4Dwarf.png This article or section has been rated D for Dwarf. It may include witty humour, not-so-witty humour, bad humour, in-jokes, pop culture references, and references to the Bay12 forums. Don't believe everything you read, and if you miss some of the references, don't worry. It was inevitable.


Actually, bones do get transported, but the stupid bodies they're transported in need to be removed first.

New bracelets, crafts and earrings are only a death away.