Dwarf Fortress Wiki - User contributions [en]

40d:Elf

2009-10-07T18:26:59Z

Akel Desyn: Minor fix (added a missing parenthesis)

{{CreatureInfo|name=Elf|symbol=E|color={{COLOR:3:0:0}}|butcher=no|
bones=7|chunks=N/A|meat=N/A|fat=N/A|skulls=1|skin=N/A|
biome=
* In their retreats, usually in [[forest]]s
}}
'''Elves''' are intelligent [[humanoid]] [[creature]]s who live in [[Map_legend#Sites|forest retreat]]s. They are one of the races playable in [[Adventure Mode]]. Their retreats have no buildings, but the [[tree]]s in the area were named, before 3-d happened. You can just make up names for the trees. They love nature and are ready to defend it, typically with [[bow]]s. They may invade a fortress which violates their tree-cutting limit.

== Elves in Fortress Mode ==

Elves are a [[trading]] race and send small [[caravan]]s without [[wagon]]s in [[Calendar|spring]]. They usually bring [[Thread]], [[cloth]], [[Restraint|rope]], various [[plants]] and [[seed]]s, [[wood]]en items, and some [[wood]]. They may also bring some [[tame]] [[animal]]s, often even exotic ones like [[giant eagle]]s or [[jaguar]]s, which are good to build up a [[zoo]], [[arena]] or [[defense]]s. Be aware that these animals often arrive with injuries. Note that if your fort is set in a freezing biome, the animals will most likely arrive dead. Possibly, the animals will also be dead if the elves had to cross a freezing biome traveling to you, which might also explain the injuries, but this is impossible to prove.

Elves also bring a crapload of tradables of questionable or no worth to dwarves: [[armor]] and clothes that are too large for dwarves to wear, inferior wooden [[weapons]] (that could, admittedly, be used for [[sparring]]), a spectrum of [[alcohol|booze]] both [[Prickle berry wine|inferior]] and [[sun berry|superior]], inferior value redroot [[dye]], and [[bow]]s and [[arrow]]s ''(which at least can be used for weapon traps, as long as the arrows last)''.

They are very picky about what they will accept in return: Elves will accept anything except items made out of or decorated with any wood. This includes [[glass]] items ''(due to the [[pearlash]] which comes from [[ash]] which comes from [[Wood burner|burning wood]])''. Even offering them something wood-related will cause them to immediately end the trading, pack up and leave.

[[Metal]] items are acceptable, even when [[charcoal]] is used in their production. Items made from [[silk]] are acceptable, as are all non-wooden plant-based products such as [[plump helmet]]s, seeds, and ☼Dwarven syrup biscuits[45]☼. Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, are currently acceptable. You can also transport your goods to the [[trade depot]] in a wooden [[bin]], as long as you do not try to sell the bin. This also applies to goods in [[barrel]]s. Living [[animals]] are acceptable, as long as the [[cage]] or [[trap]] is not made of [[wood]]. They also no longer mind purchasing blood-soaked items.

Although [[tower-cap]]s are giant mushrooms, they are considered [[trees]] by the elves and thus are not acceptable.

Elves are also known to completely ignore "menaces with spikes" [[decoration]]s when considering the value of your trade goods - such goods should be traded to other races instead.

Elves may send [[diplomat]]s, independent of their [[caravan]]s, to warn you when they feel you are cutting down too many trees. <small>please add details</small>

=== Living among them ===
Living with Elves is pretty much the same as living among [[Humans]], but they don't build houses, [[furniture]], or anything else that uses wood. So basically, it's just like living anywhere else, but with guards.

== Elven society ==
The ethics of elven society are substantially divergent from other races; [[liar|Lying]] is punishable by exile, the killing of plants is an unthinkable crime, and eating the corpse of one's opponent in battle is socially acceptable, even if the opponent was also an elf (and would otherwise be considered cannibalism). The elven leaders are referred to as druids, not kings.

== Elves in Adventure Mode ==

Elven forest retreats are represented by yellow symbols in [[forest]]s on the world map. They do not have any [[shop]]s, but they seem to have a great amount of elite marksmen to recruit. The leader and quest giver of a retreat is called the "druid", who can be found wandering the forest floor with the other elves.

Elven characters start with a wooden [[weapon]] and a set of basic wooden [[armor]] that lacks protection for the torso. This limitation often leads to a quick death. They do have some advantages, however: they're one [[size]] larger than [[dwarves]], which makes them hit harder and absorb more damage, though they also have a natural armor penalty which causes them to take slightly more damage than normal. Their main redeeming quality is their speed, being roughly 20% faster than the other playable races.

Those that live among other races may have metal or leather armor fitted for a narrow frame, though elven shopkeepers in human towns will still only sell human equipment. These Elven shopkeepers will also not accept coins, you must trade actual goods with them. Elven adventurers may equip any metal weapons or [[shield]]s they come across, just like any other.

Elves are at peace with wildlife, which means they won't be attacked by most animals (verify if most or all). In addition, they can talk to the animal-man races (such as [[snakeman|snakemen]] and [[batman|batmen]]) and even get the most excitement-seeking ones to join their party.

{{Game_Data|[CREATURE:ELF]
[NAME:elf:elves:elven]
[TILE:'E'][COLOR:3:0:0]
[SPEED:700][GRASSTRAMPLE:0]
[GENPOWER:3]
[INTELLIGENT]
[CANOPENDOORS]
[PREFSTRING:grace]
[BODY:HUMANOID:2EYES:2EARS:NOSE:2LUNGS:HEART:GUTS:ORGANS:HUMANOID_JOINTS:THROAT:NECK:SPINE:BRAIN:5FINGERS:5TOES:MOUTH]
[NARROW]
[DAMBLOCK:-1]
[SIZE:7]
[ATTACK:MAIN:BYTYPE:GRASP:punch:punches:1:2:BLUDGEON][ATTACKFLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK:SECOND:BYTYPE:MOUTH:bite:bites:1:1:GORE][ATTACKFLAG_CANLATCH]
[CHILD:12][BABY:1][MULTIPLE_LITTER_RARE]
[FAT:1]
[EQUIPS]
[DIURNAL]
[SPEECH:elf.txt]
[STANDARD_FLESH]
[HOMEOTHERM:10067]
[SWIMS_LEARNED][SWIM_SPEED:2500]
[PERSONALITY:IMAGINATION:0:55:100]
[PERSONALITY:ARTISTIC_INTEREST:0:60:100]
[PERSONALITY:INTELLECTUAL_CURIOSITY:0:55:100]
[PERSONALITY:SELF_DISCIPLINE:0:45:100]
[PERSONALITY:ACTIVITY_LEVEL:0:40:100]
}}
{{creatures}}
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Humanoids]]

40d:Trap

2009-10-06T11:42:23Z

Akel Desyn: Fixed a minor grammar mistake

:''For traps used to catch [[vermin]], see [[animal trap]].''

'''Traps''' are a reliable and cost-effective method for defending any fortress. Unlike [[soldier]]s, they're always on duty, and don't need to be carefully managed. On the other hand, they are immobile and can only lie in wait for foes to walk over them. To build a trap, go to the {{k|b}}uild->Traps/Levers menu. You'll generally need one [[mechanism]], a dwarf with the [[mechanic]] labour designated (ranks in this [[skill]] reduce the time to place a trap), and at least one other component depending on the type of trap - a stone, a cage, or one or more weapons. They can be built indoors or outdoors, and require a level ground square with no other constructions in them.

Stone-fall, weapon and cage traps will be triggered by (most) any hostile entity entering their tile, with the exception of [[kobold]] [[thief|thieves]]. Additionally, '''any''' [[unconscious]] creature, including your own [[dwarves]], [[pet]]s and [[war dog]]s, will also set off such a trap. (Kobold [[thief|thieves]] have the ability to avoid traps, though it seems to have a small amount of randomness built in.)

Note that, in combat situations, [[Mechanic]]s (and others) have a nasty habit of wanting to reload (or clean) traps when they are triggered, regardless of who or what might be out there as well. [[Forbid]]ding traps after they are built will keep [[Urist|Urist McGoblinBait]] from deciding to reload a stone trap in the middle of a [[siege]]. Just remember to unforbid them when things calm down, so the traps are all ready for next time.

==Stone-fall Trap==
The simplest trap to construct, a stone-fall trap is essentially a [[stone]] suspended up in the air which is dropped on intruders when the trap is triggered. These are a popular defensive measure early on, as the components needed are readily available as soon as you start mining. A single stone trap will kill or severely maim most [[humanoid]] enemies although [[troll]]s, [[magma_man|magmamen]] and hardier creatures may take two or three to drop. Mythical creatures such as [[dragon]]s, [[hydra]]s and [[titan]]s will take upwards of five or six. After being used they need to be reloaded with another stone by any [[dwarf]] with [[mechanic]] [[skill]] enabled, a task which your dwarves will see to automatically. Being that stonefall traps do <em>not</em> alert you of ambushes when triggered by hidden invaders, this can frequently lead your mechanics into peril.
:Shortcut {{k|s}}
:Components used: [[mechanism]] and an ordinary [[stone]]

==Weapon Trap==
Weapon traps consist of any number of deadly instruments rigged to a mechanism. When an intruder sets off the trap, the [[weapons]] spring out and strike the poor sap. You can add up to 10 weapons to a weapon trap, and they will all attack together when set off. This gives the potential for dealing significant amounts of damage at once. There are also special giant weapons such as the [[large, serrated disc]] that are specially designed for use in weapon traps. Unlike stone-fall traps, weapon traps automatically reset after being triggered, ready to splatter the intruder's friends. But there is a (20%?)chance that the trap will become jammed with a corpse each time it kills a creature. A nearby dwarf will automatically clean a jammed trap; this does not require the [[cleaning]] labor or the [[mechanics]] labor.

If there are weapons that require ammunition ([[crossbow]]s, [[bow]]s, etc) in the trap, each such weapon requires appropriate ammo ([[arrow]]s for bows, [[dart]]s for [[blowgun]]s, etc), and will have to be reloaded occasionally. Weapon traps using ''only'' ranged weapons will not require cleaning, but once all the ammo runs out, that weapon is done until reloaded. If a ranged weapon runs out of ammo, other trap weapons will still trigger. If non-ranged weapons are included in the same trap and jam, the entire trap jams until cleared. Ranged weapons in traps only target the creature triggering the trap, just as any other weapon - if the creature steps onto that trap, the trap targets that creature, once per triggering, until all ammo is gone. ''(This means "Range = 0".)''

Unlike other traps, weapon traps benefit from being constructed with high quality mechanisms. Weapon traps are more accurate the better their mechanism. Since weapon traps can be constructed with multiple weapons, and each weapon's attack is calculated separately, traps with multiple weapons benefit more from high-quality mechanisms than do traps with only one weapon. If you manage to get an artifact [[mechanism]], stuff it with as many weapons as possible!

Weapon traps are a nice way of getting rid of any cheap, mediocre captured weapons, [[wood]]en weapons you don't need for sparring and weapons your dwarves can't use. Due to the bundling of weapons you don't have to worry much about the minor damage they would cause separately. There is no difference between low quality crossbows (wood, bone, copper) and high quality steel and adamantine crossbows—the metal only changes their effectiveness in melee. Thus wooden crossbows at the bowyer make for easy-to-produce trap weapons.

:Shortcut {{k|w}}
:Components used: [[mechanism]] and whatever [[weapon]]s you want, up to ten.

==Cage Trap==
Cage traps capture creatures that set them off in [[cage]]s. After a creature is captured, it's stored, cage and all, in an animal [[stockpile]]. Then the trap is reloaded with another cage. You can do all sorts of fun things with [[captured creatures]]. Creatures in cages will not be fed, they will survive indefinitely without nourishment. Cage traps will alert you to ambushes when triggered by hidden invaders, making a useful forward defense mechanism.

It is possible that dwarves bring [[water]] to cages, but that means that you have someone friendly also locked in the cage - like a dwarf [[child|kid]] snatched by a [[goblin]] babysnatcher. In this case remove the poor fellow using the goblin's inventory screen.
A cage trap is one of the most effective ways to defeat powerful beasts, as even a [[glass]] cage (aquarium/terrarium) can imprison a [[Bronze Colossus]]. This is expected to be changed. Also, the creature captured in the cage will have no effect on the cage itself (a caged [[fire imp]] will not burn down a wooden cage, for example).

Cage traps are also useful for catching animals for use in the [[meat industry]].

:*Shortcut {{k|b}} {{k|T}} {{k|c}}
:*Components used: [[mechanism]] and a [[cage]].
:*If the trap is a Dark Green, then it does not have a cage in it.
:*If the trap is a Light Green, Then it does have a cage in it.

:'''NOTE:''' This trap will not catch [[vermin]]. For that, you need an [[animal trap]].

===Berserk dwarves===
Cage traps will capture berserk dwarves, so it might be wise to keep them stored instead of killing them (for happiness purposes). Captured dwarves, like any creature, will not die as long as they are stored in a cage, and relationships others have with these dwarves are maintained.

==Upright Spear/Spike==

These traps can only be utilized by attaching them to [[lever]]s or [[pressure plate]]s, which when triggered will cause the [[spike]]s to extend from the ground and, when triggered again, to retract back into the ground. They don't slow or hurt any creature walking through them if they are not currently triggered by a lever/plate, neither when up nor when retracted.

The lever task can be set to repeat which makes the spikes go up and down, but there is a high chance a creature will pass the spike trap before or after they shoot up, so you may want to build a row of at least 5 traps.

The damage done depends, like with weapon traps, on the number and quality of the [[spear]]s and spikes used. One trap can be loaded with up to 10 spikes or spears. The fact that they do piercing damage makes them useful against more powerful foes which are most easily killed by damaging their organs. Using a single, no-[[quality]] spike made from [[Damage#Material_damage_modifiers|low-damage material]] can be useful in attempting to cripple [[noble]]s when killing them outright is not desired, but much luck in involved in the outcome.

Spikes will, when triggered, damage creatures unaffected by other traps (kobold thieves and demons, but also dwarves, [[pet]]s and allied creatures). The traps' friendly fire means they make effective anti-[[immigrant]] traps. There are also reports that the spikes are effective against [[demons]], although spikes which are not made of [[steel]] may melt.

Contrary to what one might think, the spikes appear to do no (additional) damage if a creature falls on them. There is therefore no advantage to putting the spikes at the bottom of a pit trap and you still have to connect them to a lever or pressure plate to cause injury.

Stuff does get stuck in spikes when they are triggered. Any [[corpse]]s will appear as an item inside a spike's 'building' when they are out (the same way [[mug]]s and whatnot appear inside [[workshop]]s when you first make them). Retracting the spikes lets the corpse out. If a corpse is in a square when the trap is triggered, it will be skewered again on the spike.

Testing has shown that there is no limit to the number of creatures a single spike can strike and impale-testing with recruits ordered to stand on a retracted spike resulted in all six recruits getting killed instantaneously and stuck on the spike. Use with extreme caution.

:Shortcut {{k|S}} (capitalized)
:Components used: A [[mechanism]] for the [[lever]] or [[pressure plate]] and [[spear]]s or [[spike]]s.

==Other Traps==
You can create even more elaborate traps with imaginative use of pits, [[pressure plate]]s, [[lever]]s, [[repeater]]s, [[grate]]s, [[support]]s, [[water]], and/or [[magma]], creating sacrificial altars (blood for the blood God!) and whatever else you can think of. Watching those goblins try to find a way out of your drowning chamber as it begins to fill is really quite satisfying. These are best made in a large, repeatable mass killing, way. If you make a trap that kills 10 or so goblins, that only works once and you have to rebuild it, wasting time you don't have during a [[siege]], you're not trying hard enough.

See [[Trap design]]

{{Buildings}}
[[Category:Traps| ]]
[[Category:Fortress defense]]

40d Talk:Farming

2007-12-03T15:24:50Z

Akel Desyn: /* Re-Irrigation */

== Farming in Winter ==

It appears that farm plots now have a menu for farming in the winter. Has anyone done this yet? --[[User:Karlito|Karlito]] 00:42, 30 October 2007 (EDT)

:Sounds like winter farming works fine. It's probably part of the general streamlining of temperature and whatnot (why would a tropical winter be worse than a glacial summer, underground?) --Doomclown

::Spider Webs do not seem to depend on being near the water or farms now. Most I have seen appeared in a narrow valley on the outside of the mountain. --Silveron

:::Winter farming is working fine, I've farmed Plump helmets whole winter. No starved dwarves for me! --[[User:UltimaPhantom|UltimaPhantom]] 15:25, 8 November 2007 (EST)

== Farming aboveground issue ==

You're allowed to build aboveground farm plots on areas where you can't actually plant seeds, but it doesn't tell you this. Basically you have to make sure farm plots outdoors are built on biomes that have at least some vegetation (shrubs, grass doesn't count) in order for your dwarves to actually plant the seeds you set. Trying to farm on a mountain biome or any other that is listed with "Other Vegetation: None" will end up with the plot just being ignored. And there are now often multiple biomes in any given fortress map, as seen on the site selection menu when you start a fort. --[[User:BahamutZERO|BahamutZERO]] 21:23, 30 October 2007 (EDT)

:Farming in the winter is handy now, but does any one know what it means when the plant type in the farm (when you pick out what your going to grow) is red? It won't let me grow it! --Comment by [[User:Rock n Rat|Rock n Rat]] and copy-edited by [[User:Savok|Savok]] due to its high level of unreadability

::When the name is red, that means that, for whatever reason, that crop cannot be planted at that time. --[[User:Savok|Savok]] 20:53, 2 November 2007 (EDT)

::This is most likely because it is late winter, and any seeds planted at that point won't have time to grow by the end of the year. It doesn't take into account the fact that the crops may still be growable in the spring as it does with the other seasons; something about the new year throws it off. --[[User:Hesitris|Hesitris]] 10:06, 18 November 2007 (EST)

== Mixed Plots ==

The following paragraph contradicts itself a couple times, which is the correct behavior? <blockquote>
The farm plot should be either entirely above ground or entirely subterranean. A mixed-class farm plot will allow you to choose any crop for planting, but the chosen crop will be planted only on tiles capable of growing it. Worse, planters will not skip over the infertile tiles, leaving the rest of the plot fallow whether it can support the crop or not.</blockquote>[[User:Amstrad|Amstrad]] 17:07, 10 November 2007 (EST)
:I think what it means is that the planter will plant until he reaches a tile incapable of growing, the stop completely. Let's say you have a 1x8 plot, and tile 3 is not capable of growing the crop. Tiles 1 and 2 will be planted, but the farmer will stop at 3. He will not skip over it and continue planting tiles 4-8. It is not contradictory, but should be reworded. --[[User:Valdemar|Valdemar]] 13:48, 18 November 2007 (EST)
:What the writer mean by "mixed plot" is if you build a plot underground and open the roof in some place. The area(s) where you don't have roofing anymore will be considered as above ground, and the rest will still be considered by the game to be underground. --[[User:Eagle of Fire|Eagle of Fire]] 18:09, 18 November 2007 (EST)

== Food Hauling caveat ==

It was suggested that stone and wood hauling be turned off during planting season to prevent starvation. It seems more prudent to me that in case of eminent starvation to turn off FOOD HAULING so all the hungry dwarves can swarm the previously tasked foods. Then turn it back on and let them continue taking their time getting it to where it needs to be. Is this a bad idea? ~~

== Flowchart ==

That's got to be the most complicated possible way to present that information, which is already covered in a much clearer table on the [[crops]] page. It would also be horribly intimidating to the newbies. No offense to whoever took the time to make this monstrosity, but I think it should be axed, or at the least moved to the more relevant crops page. [[User:Mzbundifund|Mzbundifund]] 23:25, 28 November 2007 (CST)

:You say it like Dwarf Fortress itself is not horribly intimidating. No offense taken, but, then again, farming is one of the most complicated aspects of the game and I spent quite some time trying to wrap my mind around it's quirks.
:I made this illustration to help me plan workshops chaining, optimize hauling and quickly evaluate gathered shrubs. Tabular data on the [[Crops]] page serves great as a reference, but not so much as an aid in designing processes. Besides, some people like me comprehend such visual form of information easier.
:This diagram is already linked on [[Crops]] page, and if people deem that image describing in detail farming workflow doesn't belong to [[Farming]] page, so be it. [[User:Nophotoavailable|Nophotoavailable]] 02:49, 29 November 2007 (EST)
:It's seems a great flowchart to me, especially the way it's linked in the corner so it doesn't dominate the page. Well done for creating it. [[User:Djp|Djp]] 05:46, 29 November 2007 (EST)
:: I appreciate the flowchart, and find it more useful for contemplating the system-as-a-whole than the table on Crops. Table's good for detail, bad for seeing relationships & alternatives, like "What are all the crops that I can use to make fabric?". [[User:Kidinnu|Kidinnu]] 08:54, 29 November 2007 (EST)
:: Hah, I seem to be in the minority, if indeed there's even one other person who agrees with me. Fair enough. [[User:Mzbundifund|Mzbundifund]] 15:38, 28 November 2007 (CST)

== Re-Irrigation ==

I noticed that my unused farms, after a time, will show "No seeds available for this location". There doesn't seem to be anything on this wiki to talk about this. I later found out (by loo{{K|k}ing around}) that this is because the tiles underneath the plot were no longer muddy. Shouldn't there be a section to warn players that even active farms have some de-muddified tiles (farmers no longer walk on them, to muddify them), that should periodically be irrigated? --[[User:Akel Desyn|Akel Desyn]] 10:24, 3 December 2007 (EST)

40d Talk:Farming

2007-12-03T15:23:56Z

Akel Desyn: Re-Irrigation