Editing Embark

{{Quality|Masterwork}}

[[File:embark_prev.jpg|301px|right]]'''Embark''' is the time at the very beginning of [[Fortress mode]] before actual gameplay begins (but after [[World generation|generating a world]]), when you and your initial [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Dwarfs 7 dwarves]:

# Arrive at the site with your wagonful of supplies.

 

The main considerations to keep in mind when choosing a site are: the presence of aquifers, the availability of wood, ores, and soil, the climate, and your neighbors. There is just ONE BIG RULE: when your home civilization is too small or inaccessible, after the second winter you won't get any more [[Immigration|immigrants]], which can be [[Fun|extremely fun]]. To avoid this situation, select a home civilization with ''at least'' two dwarven sites on the map on the same land mass as your embark location.

The Choose Fortress Location screen has two different zoom levels: Region and Local. In the region view, you can [[Site finder|search for an embark location]], [[Reclaim fortress mode|reclaim or unretire a site]], and choose your origin civilization. Each tile on the region view encompasses a 16×16 grid of local view tiles. In the local view, you can select your embark location and view the elevation and grade of the terrain. Additionally, you will see the location of other sites in red, or white (magenta in ASCII mode) for the currently selected dwarven civilization if that menu is open.

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|caption=Local View screen (v50.09)

Once you select embark, the embark area is shown at the mouse cursor. It can be resized by clicking the arrows in the top-left corner. The size of the embark location directly affects how much data about a map the game will have to store in your computer's memory and the size of your save files. This may [[Frames per second|slow your game down]], and have an effect on the save and load times for your map. As such, smaller maps are recommended, especially for less powerful computers, though 1×1 is not since it is too restricting. Each embark tile on the local view is 48×48 tiles large once you embark.

Before you confirm your embark you will be presented with any notable dangers present in that location. Once you confirm, you'll setup your settlers and equipment.

Selecting '''Choose origin civilization''' will show all dwarven civilizations in the world. When you select a civilization in the region view, it shows the civilization's population, the number of sites, your [[monarch]] and scrolls the map to highlight which sites belong to that civilization. Zooming to the local view will show you exactly which tiles are claimed by that civilization. Civilization choice will affect who is at war with you and what goods are available for trade and at embark. If your civilization is dying or dead (low population, low number of sites), you will receive few [[immigration]] waves and may eventually stop getting [[Trading#Caravans|trade caravans]]. If this is the case, it is recommended you change to a still-existent civilization unless you want the challenge of having no support from the Mountainhome.

A '''biome''' is a biotic area with homogeneous features, characterized by distinctive [[plant]]s, [[creature|animal species]] and [[climate]].

In the example map, the biome is a "Tropical Shrubland". The [[region]] that contains the biome is named "The Hill of Breeds", and it is part of the continent "The Continent of Hushing".

It's important to check the different tiles when choosing a fortress location, in order to understand your [[surroundings]]. Each tile on the local view may have its own biome, which you can check by hovering the mouse over each tile.

Climate determines the temperature range of the region, which in turn impacts the severity of exposure to the outside, whether water will freeze in winter, and how quickly water evaporates.  

The climate is displayed as "Temperature: Hot" in the example map.

Very hot and very cold biomes bring their own challenges, which may be further compounded with overlapping features, such as a glacier being frozen for half the year, being devoid of trees, and lacking a river. Very hot climates may see all their surface water quickly evaporate, making finding a water supply more dangerous, as underground caves filled with hostile creatures may be the only supply of water.

Seen in the example map as "Trees: Woodland" and "Other Vegetation: Moderate".

Trees are useful for the [[wood]] they provide, and wood is a basic building material, important for being the only material that can be used to create beds. Also, because creating bins and barrels from metal is an involved process involving more steps, less common resources, and fuel, wood is often preferred for making these items as well. Wood is also a source of [[fuel|charcoal]], one possible [[fuel]] used to make metal products in standard smelters and forges and required for making steel even when you have magma forges. Wood is also useful in making [[lye]] for soap or [[potash]] for fertilizing farms.

Shrubs can provide some quick food through the [[herbalist]] skill, [[still|brewable materials]], and [[seed]]s for some very helpful above-ground [[crops]] which are generally only available through [[trading]] with Elves.

The surroundings of the example map are listed as "Surroundings: Wilderness".

There are two components for surroundings: savagery and spirit. Savagery is notated as Benign, Neutral, or Savage. Spirit is notated as Good, Normal, and Evil. These components overlap to form the nine different surroundings. Any biome can have any set of surroundings; for example a glacier could be haunted, wilderness or mirthful. However, a named region (which is a contiguous area of one category of biomes, such as forests or wetlands) will be either good, normal, or evil.

Benign and neutral savagery are functionally identical. Savage lands are like neutral lands, except they will frequently have [[giant animal|giant]] or [[animal person|humanoid]] versions of normal animals. In a savage jungle, for example, you might have a [[tiger man]] instead of a mere [[tiger]].

Surroundings with good spirit are generally no more dangerous than their normal spirit counterparts, and have more fanciful (and generally benign) creatures like [[pixie]]s, [[fluffy wambler]]s, or [[unicorn]]s. Evil spirit, however, is far more dangerous to settle. The surface is often scarred with dead vegetation, and rain can inflict [[syndrome|disease]] on your dwarves. It also hosts dangerous creatures, including [[undead]] animals, and many evil surroundings will reanimate ''anything'' that dies in it. These factors make for a much more hostile environment, specifically for players who want to face a greater challenge.

At the bottom of the information box, some of the main features of the site are reported. You will be told if the biome has soil, whether that soil includes [[clay]], [[sand]], or both, and the depth of the soil layers. Deep soil layers make underground farming extremely quick to set up, as no [[irrigation]] will be needed. However, unfertilized topsoil farms are not as productive as farms made on muddy stone. Additionally, any metal ores available underground are directly named. [[Flux]] stone layers are also reported if present; you can now guarantee yourself the raw materials for a [[steel]] industry if you embark on an area with both flux and [[iron]].  

An aquifer is a layer of soil or stone saturated with water, and an area may contain up to 3 aquifer layers (theoretically more are possible, but extremely rare). These aquifers come in light and heavy varieties, both behaving slightly differently. Both can raise the difficulty of starting a fort, but heavy aquifers are much harder to deal with. For specific tactics on managing aquifers, see ''[[Aquifer]]''.

===Neighbors===

Neighbors lists other civilizations that are close to your current location. Proximity increases the chance of interaction, but any civilization listed is close enough to interact with you. If any race is not represented on this page, it means that race cannot reach you. Embarking on an [[island]], or a location completely surrounded by mountains will make it impossible for any civilization but your own dwarven civilization to reach you, as world map travel across oceans or mountains is impossible. Races that are hostile to you are noted as either "Hostile" or "War". The latter means you will get [[siege]]d by that race, but "hostile" stands only for diplomatic hostility (usually from baby snatching in worldgen). They'll still siege (eventually), and the first time they do will constitute a declaration of war{{verify}}. In vanilla DF, goblins are always hostile, but humans or elves may also be at war with particular dwarven civilizations.

It is important to note that [[necromancer tower]]s are not listed as neighbors. The [[undead]] sieges sent by a tower are many times more dangerous than those sent by other civilizations, so be careful. The embark confirmation will warn you if you are too close to a tower.

<!--Note: the profession data below was Last checked for v50.09-->

* [[Miner]]: Proficient Miner, Skilled Appraiser, and Novice Judge of Intent

* [[Woodworker]]: Proficient Carpenter, Competent Woodcutter, Novice Bowyer, and Novice Wood Burner

* [[Stoneworker]]: Proficient Mason, Adequate Stonecutter, Adequate Stone Carver, and Novice Engraver

* [[Metalcrafter]]: Proficient Metal Crafter, and either Proficient Stone Crafter or Competent Gem Cutter and Adequate Gem Setter

* [[Fisherdwarf]]: Proficient Fisherdwarf, and Proficient Fighter

* [[Planter]]: Proficient Planter, and Proficient Record Keeper

* [[Expedition leader|Expedition Leader]]: Adequate Organizer, Adequate Persuader, Adequate Negotiator, Adequate Conversationalist, Novice Liar, and Novice Intimidator

<!--Note: the point data below was last updated for v50.09-->

The default embark value for a custom embark is 1504 embark points. Usually, 1040 points are spent in [[#Supplies|pre-chosen goods]] (although more can be spent if your civilization lacks iron or copper), 54 points in [[dog]]s and [[cat]]s, and the remainder is allocated towards assorted animals and copper weaponry. The Play Now! embark can even run over the default 1504 points. Generally though, it is better to Prepare Carefully once you know what you're doing with the set up of an early fort.

[[File:embark_list_preview.png|thumb|200px|right|Small list of custom-chosen embark items.]]

Preparing allows the player to customize their embarking party and supplies by applying 10 skill picks to each dwarf and spending points on items and animals. The total value of embarking is set at 1,504 points, though all but 544 of these are pre-spent on an array of [[#Supplies|basic equipment]] (mostly the same equipment that Play Now! uses). It stands to reason that one should try to maximize the value of their embark by spending all available points. Remember that raw materials cost less embark points than their pre-made counterparts. By preparing carefully it is also possible to [[Fortress name|name]] your fortress and your embark group, as well as choose a custom [[group symbol]].

It is possible to change the amount of available embark points when playing via [[advanced world generation]], where presets can be created and/or customized. The maximum amount of embark points a generation setting can have is 10,000.

At embark, all seven settlers begin without ranks in any skill except [[performance]] skills. Each dwarf can be assigned 10 additional ranks to be allocated however you please among the entire Dwarven skill list &ndash; including military &ndash; with the restriction that no skill can be increased more than 5 ranks. Therefore, you can trade off specialisation against versatility: each dwarf may be 'proficient' in two skills, or minimally skilled (rank 1, 'Novice') across 10 skills, or anything in between. Not all ranks need be allocated. The current skill rank is shown to the left of the skill (e.g. Novice). Skills do not cost embark points, so all 1504 embark points can be allocated to items and animals.

The value of a rank is subject to further scrutiny given the early-game value, or lack thereof, of certain skills as well as the relative ease or difficulty of training ranks in a given skill. Many skills are performed just as well by a Novice (skill level 1) or even a Dabbler (level 0) as they are by a Legendary (level 15+). A Novice Furnace Operator won't produce Coke as fast as a Legendary Furnace Operator, but they will produce it fast enough to keep their neighbor smelting hematite until the cows come home. Additionally, embarking with Novice or higher skill will automatically enable the corresponding labor, avoiding manual labor assignments upon arrival.

:* 2(3)^† Copper [[pick]]s (or bronze picks if your home civilization has no access to copper)

:* 2 Copper [[battle axe]]s (or bronze battle axes if your home civilization has no access to copper)

:* 15 units of [[meat]] (one random type, 3 stacks of 5 units in 1 barrel)

:* 15 units of [[fish]] (one random type, 3 stacks of 5 units in 1 barrel)  

:* 15(30)^† units of [[plump helmet]]s (in stacks of 5 units in 1 barrel)

:* 2 female [[dog]]s^†

:* 2 female [[cat]]s^†

:* up to 5 assorted [[domestic animal]]s^†

:* copper [[battle axe]]s, [[mace]]s, [[short sword]]s, [[spear]]s, and [[war hammer]]s^† (or bronze if your home civilization has no access to copper)

:* 2 random domesticated [[Creature_token#PACK_ANIMAL|pack animals]] (These 2 pack animals are always given and don't cost embark points for players "preparing carefully".)

† These are only included by default in the Play Now! package. To start with them when you "Prepare Carefully", you will need to add them in.

* If your civilization lacks copper or iron (or both), the increased costs for standard-issue metal equipment can eat up the embark point advantage that Prepare Carefully has over Play Now!, but the option to customise point allocation still gives careful preparation an edge.

* If your home civilization does not have access to copper, you will start with bronze picks and bronze battle axes instead.

* When settling on a site with few trees, one should definitely consider bringing extra logs to cover the early demand for beds and such.

*Pre-made items (weapons, armor, furniture, etc.) cost more embark points than their constituent raw materials, consider this when maximizing embark efficiency.

* Do not overlook the value of bringing animals. Dogs in particular can provide an excellent early warning system, good fighters against [[kobold]]s and other thieves, and a healthy supply of meat and bones. Cats are useful for controlling the vermin population, but beware the [[Fun|dangers]] of a [[catsplosion]].

* All the items (not animals or dwarves) that you are bringing with you from embark will appear with between [[Item_designations#Provenance_.2F_Ownership|parentheses]]. Example: {{dftext|(copper pick)|7:1}}

* Items you manufacture (or obtain by mining/farming/foraging/scavenging) will not have the parentheses.

Once you have the mix of items and skills that you like, you can save it to a template with a custom name. In a later game, you can pick that profile when you embark. If your selected civilization does not have some of the desired items in your template, this is announced clearly, and a different civilization can be tried as described above, or you can continue and change your mix.

If you find additional items that you wish to add (perhaps another type of cheap meat, or an ore not previously available), you can overwrite your old template by using the same name. You can also go into the [[embark_profiles.txt]] and edit in the SKILLS or ITEMS as you want - the syntax is fairly straightforward. [[Embark profile repository]] contains examples of different profiles you can experiment with.

The strategies below are suggestions. They are not universal, and many are even contradictory. This is because there is no one true way to play ''Dwarf Fortress''. Some may not work for you because of unstated assumptions about priority, value, fun, or procedure. However, since Losing is Fun, it's always worth it to try something out, even if it doesn't go well.

'''Flowing Water (and its inverse)''' - Flowing water (river or stream) is a must-have for the infinite power it supplies for working machinery, and because underground water supplies are too dangerous to tap into. There is no guarantee of infinite water underground, you could embark on a map with completely dry caverns. However, rainier climates will always have murky pools, which, with careful management, can be refilled from the rain. Infinite power for working machinery can be created using a limited amount of water in a perpetual motion machine, although, being limited in quantity, murky pools simply do not have the capacity to permanently flood your fortress, while a single mistake with an infinite source can easily do so.

'''FPS''' - often overlooked, this is perhaps the most consequential decision you will make during embark. FPS drops slowly as fortresses get more people, and create more stuff (the game has to simulate all of these people and the stuff they are making). Having a site that takes little resources to simulate can go a long way to mitigating this problem. The major FPS-eaters to look out for are trees (deciduous trees especially, as they shed their leaves annually), and flowing and/or falling water (the latter being worse on FPS). See the article on [[Maximizing framerate]] for considerations. Of all the things you can ignore to help with FPS, picking a new site is not one of them. Planning for this early on will save you a lot of headaches if you manage to keep a fort alive for more than a decade.

'''Free Barrels''' - many products are stored in bins, barrels, or bags and do not stack with other items even if they're in the same broad classification. Plump Helmets and Horse Meat come in separate barrels even though they're both food. Purchasing a single item of food will also produce a free barrel for it to be stored in. As barrels have a cost of 10 to buy empty, buying a single unit of cost 2 foodstuffs gets you a value of 5. Anything above cost 2 bought for the express purpose of getting barrels would be better off just buying barrels empty or raw logs. This concept can be extended to many different goods, and for any stored good you were "going to buy anyway". [[Alcohol]] will come in a new barrel after every 5th unit.

'''REALLY Don't Need That''' - For players more familiar with the game. Bring no pre-constructed goods (weapons, buckets, etc.), just the materials to make them with. This requires several (3-10, though you're likely to bring way more) logs, some fire-safe stone (ores are fine if you don't mind some micromanagement), a few nuggets of copper ore, and an anvil. Upon arrival, build a Wood Furnace and a Forge, make charcoal, then picks for the [[miner]]s and an axe for [[wood cutter]]s.

 

Medical supplies should be unnecessary to start with, because if you need them <s>you're screwed</s> you'll have [[Fun]]. You may want to bring some [[rope]] (or just [[thread]]) along though.

 

'''Yes, I Do Need That''' - DON'T EVER leave without alcohol unless you have a [[brewer]] and a way to gather plants early (untrained [[herbalist]]s designated after embarking are enough) or a safe water source (preferably flowing). Be sure to bring multiple types of alcohol, as your dwarves will be happier this way, because the different types will encompass their numerous preferences.

 

'''More Means Better... Right?''' - Perhaps you once thought that the default amount of embark points aren't enough for you, and that you could give your fortress a serious leg up in getting started if you embark with ''much'' more animals and supplies. This can be done in a few ways: The first way is entering the "advanced world generation" screen and creating a custom world generation preset with higher embark points. Note that only a maximum of 10,000 points can be entered without cheating or hacking. The second way is to repeat the first step, but modify the world_gen.txt file found in the [game dir]\data\init\ directory - modifying the [EMBARK_POINTS:#] line with any custom number and saving, which '''can''' be set above 10,000. The third way is to simply use the "points" command if using [[DFHack]], once a world is generated.

Back to the original question, does more mean "better"? The answer: yes and no. Starting with way more supplies and animals can give you a huge starting advantage in already having the materials and then some to get your fortress going, and having the extra animals can be useful for early breeding and butchering. The extra supplies/animals can also provide a huge advantage in trading. However, having extra supplies can also hurt gameplay, as having too much of something can hamper the chance for a dwarf to make something themselves, giving them less opportunities to increase their skill levels. And having too many animals can be a pain to manage, especially once they start breeding and make this task harder. However, this can be rectified by butchering some of them. Also, bringing too many supplies with you can have dwarves putting things away from the wagon for a much longer time than normal. This can be a massive nuisance if starting out in harder embark locations where early attacks are likely, or if thieving creatures come by.

==Trivia==

*It is possible for animals to be stuck up in trees at the moment of embarking. This will cause them to starve to death after a while as they have no means of getting down. So the player should check higher z-levels above the wagon once the playing area is generated, and immediately cutting down any trees animals are stuck in.