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Magma

2023-01-26T22:01:54Z

Dudecon: /* Minecarts */ Method 5

{{migrated article}}
{{av}}{{Quality|Unrated}}
[[File:magma_spill_anim.gif|thumb|185px|right|Magma spilling in, setting workshops ablaze.]]
'''Magma''' is red-hot [[fluid|molten rock]] that wells up from deep within the earth (but not so deep that it cannot be found by dwarves), entering the map either by the edges or by the area beneath a [[magma pool]]. Magma that emerges aboveground is called '''Lava'''; however, the substance itself remains the same. Magma is very [[Fun]].

Magma serves as a heat source, replacing [[fuel]] in [[magma smelter]]s, [[magma forge]]s, [[magma glass furnace]]s, and [[magma kiln]]s. Magma is ''extremely'' hot, which can lead to even more [[Fun]]. Materials that can withstand the temperature of magma are called '''[[magma-safe]]''', and the list is rather extensive.

Magma never cools, but can [[Water#Evaporation|evaporate]] if left at a depth of 1/7 for long enough, much like water. When magma is mixed with water, it forms [[obsidian]] (and [[steam]]). Note that magma located above [[semi-molten rock]] will be listed as a Magma Flow; magma in magma flow tiles will disappear when mixed with water (instead of cooling into obsidian).

Without [[screw pump]]s to impart [[pressure]], magma flows rather slowly (though no more slowly than unpressurized water). A pipe to bring magma across the full map can take as much as a year to fill. This, combined with the fact that it will evaporate, can make filling a reservoir difficult and tedious. As a rule of thumb, the area coming out of a 1-wide-pipe shouldn't be more than three squares wide and 20 squares long, or else it will evaporate as fast as you fill it.

Some fire-based [[creature]]s make magma their home, or are just simply immune to it.

==Magma sources==

Magma occurs in several different geological formations:
===[[Magma pool]]s===
[[File:magma_preview.png|frame|120px|right|Not-so-lucky 7s.]]Despite the name, magma pools are more like pipes. They can be found underground, but they rarely reach the upper z-levels (40+). Most end a few z-levels above the magma sea, though some may span more than 100 z-levels.

Magma pools seem to always be connected to a magma sea, and the sea and pipe can occasionally reach up to the same level, making them hard to separate. However, magma pools can be identified by the obsidian walls which surround them.
Magma pools will slowly refill themselves, giving the player an infinite source of magma. The entire embark tile containing the pool will produce sporadic bursts of magma until the magma within it is at its natural level (i.e. the magma level at embark) or until it is halted by a bridge, floor, or bottom of a wall.

===[[Volcano]]es===
Volcanoes are magma pools that extend all the way to the surface. Volcanoes are an endless source of magma as they will always refill themselves. They never erupt, unlike their real-life counterparts. Volcanoes are geographical features visible on the [[location]] screen, making them much easier to find when choosing a site for your fortress.

===[[Magma sea]]===
The magma sea is a large body of magma deep under the earth. Nearly all maps will include a magma sea at the lowest z-levels, though its inconvenient placement may inspire your dwarves to [[#Bringing magma up|bring the magma up]] to the fortress proper.

== Finding magma ==

Nearly all maps will have magma available at the lowest z-levels, but it can be advantageous to select a site with a more easily accessible source, particularly when starting out.

Volcanoes are visible on the "local" screen in the starting location chooser as a red ≈ – essentially, red water – and on the "region" screen as a red ^. Note that a red ≈ on the "region" screen means something different entirely (red sand).

After you have chosen to embark in a place that has a volcano, and once your dwarves have arrived at their target destination, you should see a large red pool of lava on your map. If you don't, you should expect your volcano to be somewhere underground. You then have to use [[exploratory mining]] to find it. If you can find a large patch of obsidian on the surface that is devoid of boulders, chances are there is a magma vent below, so that would be a good place to start your mining.

Much harder than simply finding a volcano is finding a volcano that is also near suitable terrain for building. Depending on your requirements - you may be looking for a source of running [[water]], or a [[mountain]] for minerals, or a healthy [[tree]] population, a layer of [[flux]] for [[steel]] production or even all four - suitable building sites can be extremely scarce.

==Working with magma==

Although magma is a liquid, it does not move via [[pressure]] unless it has been pumped. This reduced rate of flow can allow miners to survive digging into a magma reservoir, ''if'' they are lucky enough. There are ways to minimize this risk however:

'''Digging From Above:'''
If you can find a suitable position above the magma, your miner can dig a [[channel]] while remaining above the level of the magma. Be warned, however, that your dwarves might take the ramp down into the magma channel as a shortcut; preemptively designating the channel for restricted [[traffic]] is recommended.

'''Diagonal Digging:'''
Magma moves more slowly diagonally than orthogonally, giving the miner more time to escape. However, slower flow means you must keep in mind the evaporation. You should dig a smaller channel, wait for it to fill up, and extends the channel by Digging From Above. Workers that dig into a magma reservoir are not instantly killed as the magma touches them, but they are set on fire, which will kill them very quickly. For this reason, taking steps to ensure there is adequate water available to extinguish flaming dwarves running in random directions is advised before digging into any magma pools from the side. Channeling a single square wide pit across the planned magma pipe one tile away from the wall to breach and filling it with 2/7 water using the [[Activity zone#Pit/Pond|pond zone]] tool is recommended, so the panicking dwarves have no choice but to run through the water, and the water itself turns into an obsidian wall as soon as the magma flows into it.

'''Busy To Leave:'''
{{F|111883|(see forum)}}
Dwarves who dig into magma often die not because they are unable to flee but because they choose not to. By ensuring a dwarf has another task waiting (ideally far away) they will immediately move away from the ensuing magma flow.

Simply mine up to the corner of a lava tube and then smooth the last tile. Dig a staircase within a few tiles of the place where you will be breaching that leads up and back into your fortress, this will allow your dwarf to get out before the magma gets him. Now designate the smoothed corner to be carved into a fortification. Now immediately when the dwarf begins to carve the fortification, (and this is the most important part!), designate a bunch of other tiles to be smoothed/carved. It's not important that your dwarves actually smooth, carve, or engrave those tiles, what is important is that your dwarf immediately takes another smooth/carve/engrave task elsewhere in the fortress when they finish the current one. If they do not then they will pause for the briefest of instants as they pick a new task, resulting in their death. If they have the job though, they will instantly turn and head up the staircase, stopping the magma from catching and killing them."

'''Exploit From Below:'''
{{F|110724|(see forum)}}
Miners are able to mine out tiles diagonally above them '''even if there is a bridge over their heads''', but only if there is a [[ramp]] or up stair for them to stand on. First you dig out your magma tunnel to feed magma to wherever in your fort you need it and dig it right up against the volcano pipe. Then you channel a trench against the pipe that can be the width of the tunnel if you wish, being sure to leave the ramp that results from channeling. If there is no ramp left after channeling for any reason, build one in the tile that will be below the bridge. Build a magma-safe bridge over the trench, making sure to cover it completely, and then seal off access to the magma tunnel. Dig a new separate path to access the now bridged-over trench. Finally, designate the magma wall '''on the Z level of the magma tunnel''' for mining. Your dwarves will stand on the ramp/stairs in the trench beneath the bridge but will somehow still mine out the squares diagonally above them, causing the magma to flow safely onto the bridge, leaving your dwarves unscathed.

Example (use {{k|<}}{{k|>}} to navigate):
<diagram>
<frame type="level" level="0">
Z=0
[%205][%205][%205][%205][%205]╗[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
....[#080]╥[#000][@880][%186][@][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
....[#080][%186][#000][@880][%186][@][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
....[#080]╨[#000][@880][%186][@][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[%205][%205][%205][%203][%205][%185][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[%186]X[%186][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[%200][%205][%188][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
</frame>
<frame type=level level=1>
Z=1
[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[%205][%205][%205][%205][%205][%187][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
....X[%186][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[%205][%205][%205][%205][%205][%188][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
</frame>
<frame type="level" level="-1">
Z=-1
[%201][%205][%187][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
║▲║[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
║▲║[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
║▲║[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
║.║[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
║X║[#F00]≈≈≈[#]
[%200][%205][%188][#F00]≈≈≈[#]
</frame>
</diagram>

Make sure the top z-level is sealed off from miners and '''[[Mining|Mine]]''' ({{k|d}}-{{k|d}}) the highlighted tiles on the upper z-level.

== Bringing magma up ==

Magma can be brought to the surface by three different methods: pump stacks, magma pistons, and minecarts. Pump stacks are conceptually the simplest, but require an enormous amount of in-game time to make. Magma pistons tend to be faster to make, but require more time to understand how to build them. Minecarts are a simple solution, but require more management than pump stacks because they can overfill a reservoir.

=== Pump stacks ===
Pumping magma up from the [[magma sea]] via a conventional [[screw pump#Example layouts#pump stack|pump stack]] is a lot of work, requiring dozens of pumps and significant amounts of power. Making all of the pumps [[magma safe]] also requires a lot of precious materials like iron, or a functioning glass industry.

=== Magma pistons ===
[[Magma piston]]s are another way to move magma near the surface. Magma pistons require less time and fewer precious materials to construct than pump stacks. However, magma pistons are a bit more complicated than pump stacks, so it takes more time to understand how to operate and build them.

=== Minecarts ===
[[Minecart]]s submerged in 7/7 magma (or possibly less, but 2/7 is not enough) will fill with magma. Each minecart holds 2/7 worth of magma, which is subtracted from the amount of magma in the tile. The minecart is then shown as containing magma [833]. Minecarts used for this must be made of [[magma-safe]] material.

Minecarts full of magma can be tipped at a track stop, which will pour the magma in a specified direction from the stop. Therefore, the challenge is to get the minecart full of magma to the track stop. There are two logistical hurdles, and several ways to approach them.

The first decision is how to separate the minecart from the tile of magma. The "obvious" way is to build [[roller]]s in magma to pull the minecarts out; such rollers would also need to be magma-safe. Another way is to drain the magma, and then wait for evaporation. A third way is to pump the magma out of the minecart filling area.

The second task is how to move the liberated magma-laden minecart(s) to the track stop where your smelters/forges will be built. There are, again, multiple valid approaches to this. The "obvious" way is to build tracks from the magma sea to the surface. A minecart track can be operated by dwarves or fully automatic, using powered rollers or [[Minecart#Impulse ramps|impulse ramps]]. Depending on the placement of the track stop, dangerous overflow can be prevented by making the track stop of a material that will melt/burn once the reservoir begins to overflow.

A less obvious way to move the minecarts up is to simply ''carry'' them. Dwarves can safely haul a minecart full of magma (albeit slowly, due to its weight). [[Wheelbarrow]]s may be used to speed the hauling enormously; however, if the wheelbarrows are not [[magma-safe]]* (i.e. if they are [[wood]]en), they will [[wear]] quickly, most likely disintegrating in the middle of the hauling job. If a minecart is left stranded (either because the hauler got tired, or the wheelbarrow burned up), another hauling task is assigned to move it, either back to its origin stockpile, or farther along to its destination. Be sure your stockpile settings account for these possibilities, so you don't waste a lot of time moving a minecart halfway up, then back down, in a loop.

: (* The cheapest magma-safe metal for a wheelbarrow is [[nickel]], which has few other special uses. [[Nether-cap]] is a magma-safe wood (the only one), and only grows underground. You probably [[Cavern|passed some]] on your way to the magma.)

==== Design 1 ====
In {{F|125679/4217863|one design}} posted to the forums by gchristopher, a pump can provide power to the [[roller]], making the ramp eligible for building the roller, and keeping the trench at 7 magma so the carts fill instantly.

{{diagram|spaces=yes|\
▒▒▒
▒#▒ # {{=}} floor grate
▒%▒ % {{=}} south facing pump
▒%▒▒
▒▲▲▒ Left ramp ▲ has a left-pushing roller
▒▒▒▒ Right ramp ▲ has a retracting bridge
}}

If you drop minecarts in directly from at least 2 z-levels above onto the right ramp, this setup has the magical property that it can handle an arbitrary number of minecarts, and dispense them at a constant controlled rate. Carts are pushed up the left ramp by the roller.

If you extend the right bridge, that tile ceases to be a ramp. Exactly one minecart will fall onto the tile and stay there, and all other minecarts dropped from above will form a quantum pile 1 z-level up.

The last time I [gchristopher] built one, I timed the cart dispensing rate at 1 per 8 ticks. This is slow enough that carts can be brought to the surface using an impulse ramp spiral, but fast enough that you can still quickly cover a large area with magma.

The same design works with water, for giving you a lot of flexibility creating tall waterfalls without pump stacks, quickly and cheaply.

==== Design 2 ====
Rafal99 posted {{F|109460/3374816|another design}} using dwarf-powered [[wheelbarrow]]s to transport the magma-filled minecarts from one minecart stockpile to another.

<pre>
▒ddddd=====S==<<Zccccc Near the surface (top view)
U

▒bbbbb== ==<<Xaaaaa Near the magma (side view)
\7777/

\7777/ - Magma reservoir, with tracks in it and rollers to bring minecart up
the ramp
U - Here we want magma
aabbccdd - Stockpiles accepting minecarts
===<< - Track and rollers
S - Track stop, set to lowest friction (so it doesn't stop the minecart),
set to dump the contents into the U
XZ - Track stops set to dump their contents to the left
▒ - Wall to stop minecarts
</pre>

# Empty minecarts are put into stockpile aaaaa.
# There is a hauling route with one stop on X, with assigned vehicle, set to take furniture->minecarts from stockpile aaaaa.
# Empty minecarts are put into the minecart on track stop X, the track stop dumps them to the left, placing them on the rollers.
# Rollers move the empty minecarts into the magma reservoir, they get filled with magma, then the roller on ramp moves them up. They follow the track, then go out of it and stop at the wall; effectively the minecart with magma is being placed in stockpile bbbbb.
# Stockpile ccccc is set to take from stockpile bbbbb and has assigned 3 wheelbarrows. Dwarves safely transport the minecarts with magma inside wheelbarrows up to the surface into stockpile ccccc.
# There is a hauling route with one stop on Z, with assigned vehicle, set to take furniture->minecarts from stockpile ccccc.
# Magma minecarts are put into the minecart on track stop Z, and the track stop dumps them to the left, placing them on the rollers. (Same as in 3.)
# Rollers move the magma minecarts along the track. They pass through the track stop S and dump the magma in the destination point U, then they follow the track, go out of it and stop at the wall; effectively the emptied minecart is being placed in stockpile ddddd.
# Stockpile aaaaa is set to take from stockpile ddddd. Dwarves haul the empty minecarts back underground near the magma into stockpile aaaaa.
Then we go back to start and the whole thing repeats.

==== Design 3: Minimalist magma moving ====

You'll need two magma-safe pumps, a magma-safe wheelbarrow, and at least one magma-safe minecart.
<diagram>
sideview
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░ %% ░░░░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░▲%%_░░░░░░░░░
░░░░░░░░░░░░░[#c00]7777777[#]░░░
</diagram>

# Dig down to the magma sea and channel a tile above the magma
# Optionally build a floor grate (_) over the hole to keep magma critters out
# Build the first pump to pull magma up into a 1x1 room with a ramp (▲)
# Build the second pump to pull the magma out of the 1x1 room and dispose of it (a 3x3 evaporation chamber works fine)
# Designate a garbage dump zone in the 1x1 room and dump all your magma-safe minecarts
# Wait for all the minecarts to be carried down to the dump zone
# Operate pump 1 briefly, then stop it and activate pump 2 briefly (the minecarts should now contain magma)
# Designate a minecart stockpile near your desired magma workshops, and set it to use your magma-safe wheelbarrow
# Unforbid your minecarts and wait for your dwarves to wheelbarrow them up to the stockpile
# Build a dumping track stop to place the magma where you want it
# Create a new hauling route, specify a new stop on the constructed track stop, and assign one of the magma minecarts to the route
# Unassign the cart, and mark it for dumping; once you've emptied all the carts return to step 6

This design is only useful for moving small amounts of magma, but it is simple and flexible. With any luck you can have your topside magma workshops up and running in the first year.

WARNING: do not attempt to over-fill multi-tile magma pits to full (i.e., a 3x1 pit at 6 depth on each tile) there is a high chance of the magma flowing outwards instead of into the other magma tile resulting in burnt dwarves and FUN.
Note: If necessary, use hatches to control pump operation.

==== Design 4: Urist's Cradle ====
This design works fairly reliable while requiring no powered rollers. It works using [[Minecart#Impulse ramps|impulse ramps]] and is thus considered an exploit.

As seen from the side (south):
<pre>
0: ██
-1: ██▲▲▲▲██
Legend:
▲: impulse ramp (south-east or north-east oriented) , 7/7 magma
█: solid wall / ground
</pre>
The minecarts arrive from the left with high speed, bump into the walls, drop into the 7/7 magma and get accelerated by the impulse ramps. Because of *physics*, the minecarts get stuck at the last impulse ramp on the right. A second minecart, also coming from the left, will push the first minecart out, filled with magma.

==== Design 5: Fill Station ====
100% reliable with no danger of minecart strikes or magma exposure. No power required, as there are no rollers or pumps. Compatible with wheelbarrow stockpile hauling, though it works without it as well. The disadvantage is that it is not readily automatable.
Essentially, 0 is the fill level where the minecarts are placed on a retracting magma-safe drawbridge using the Minecart Hauling menu (or by dumping from +Z levels). You can load magma in with a floodgate, or a screw pump, just as long as the source is controllable so you can retrieve the minecarts later. Level -1 has magma-safe bars to catch the minecarts, but let the excess magma through. Level -2 is an evaporation chamber for disposing of the extra magma.
See [https://youtu.be/KjdcOYHdZjQ this video] for an example of this method.

==Using magma==
The primary use for magma is to <s>flood your fortress</s> power [[magma smelter]]s, [[magma glass furnace]]s, [[magma kiln]]s, and [[magma forge]]s. To power a building with magma at least one of the external eight squares must be a hole above a square of magma on the level below.
As workshops no longer have [[impassable tile]]s, care must be taken to prevent clumsy dwarves from falling out or magma critters from pathing in. Magma used this way is not consumed; a single tile of magma can operate the furnace indefinitely.

Other uses for magma include [[obsidian farming]], [[DF2012:Trap_design#Magma_and_fire_traps|trap design]], melting [[ice]], igniting [[fire]]s, and even [[garbage disposal]]. It's unknown whether flow push bug {{Bug|5458}} can be a problem with magma, so if you want to be sure, protect the intake with floor grate - like water, except it won't get back up on its own.

Magma saves all the work for fuel (but not flux for steel), so "dig down to magma" is a reasonable strategy for starting metal/glass/ceramics industry. As to the other magma uses - if you get lucky, the first dwarven caravan will bring all the tools you need. If not, you can forge your own by melting down the surplus of anvils that caravans carry, or just embark with a couple chunks of iron [[ore]] or ready bars of [[nickel]] (cheaper, but have few other uses). If you are in a hurry, you usually can take a nickel minecart on embark (at the same price as iron anvil), but to have magma-safe rollers you'll need a forge either way: metal chains seem to ''never'' be available on embark {{verify}}.

==Properties of magma==
Magma behaves the same way as water with the exception of not being affected by [[pressure]] (except when being moved by a [[screw pump]]) and apparently not showing [[flow]]. Magma will turn into [[obsidian]]1 if it touches [[water]]. In the game, magma's temperature is {{ct|12000}}. See the list of '''[[magma-safe]]''' materials for more information on what can (or cannot) be safely submerged in magma.

Tiles directly adjacent to magma will be heated to a temperature of {{ct|10075}}, causing revealed unmined tiles to flash with {{Tile|☼|6:4:1}} when placing digging designations and causing unrevealed mining-designated tiles to [[Digging designation canceled|cancel their designation with a "warm stone" warning]] once they are revealed.

Magma can melt ice beyond the "warm" wall, but this happens ''only when magma moves in'': {{F|72296/1795893|later the same reservoir may freeze just like when magma was not there}}. Whether magma needs to be moved out and in, or depth recalculation is enough is unknown {{verify}}.

Implication of the two above effects is that when magma appears or disappears somewhere, that one and several adjacent tiles start or stop being {{Tile|☼|6:4:1}} "warm" - and there are likely to be temperature recalculations for the tiles adjacent to ''them'' - in addition to processing that happens when moving water. This means that having streams of magma changed or pumped (since a pump can drain its source) tend to cause major FPS drop, which can be prevented by keeping the affected tiles continuously "warm" with small buffer reservoirs (see [[Screw_pump#Improved_Magma_Pump_Stack|Improved Magma Pump Stack]] design by NecroRebel).

[[Construction]]s ([[wall]]s, [[floor]]s, etc.) of any material can safely contain magma. Non-construction [[building]]s ([[door]]s, [[bridge]]s, [[Screw pump|pump]]s, etc.) that come into contact with magma should be built entirely of [[magma-safe]] materials. Non-magma-safe components will eventually melt and the building will deconstruct. Any [[mechanism]]s likely to come into contact with magma should also be made of magma-safe materials.

1 - specifically, one of the inorganic materials having the [LAVA] tag, selected randomly ''per biome'' during worldgen.

==Dangers of magma==
Any contact with magma results in nearly-instant immolation, followed by death if water is not close at hand. Additionally, dropping large items into magma will generate clouds of [[magma mist]] which can set your haulers on fire if you aren't careful. Magma is also home to various fiery creatures which can present a significant threat to unprepared fortresses.

{{D for Dwarf}}

Magma is very well known for being the perfect solution to any problem encountered by dwarves. Giant badger invasion? Pour magma on it. Noble being their usual snotty, useless, arrogant self? Pour magma on it. Door locked due to invaders? Pour magma on it! Flooded your fortress with magma? [[Fun|Congratulations, you just won the game!]]

Magma is often referred to as the blood of the earth. Some dwarves interpret this literally, expressing concerns that the earth is capable of bleeding to death. This has led dwarven [[elf|conservationists]] to declare magma a finite resource, advocating stricter regulations on the use of magma-powered workshops.

However, this hypothesis is flawed. The larger a creature, the more blood it has. The world is at least twice as large as a [[giant sperm whale]], the largest creature known to dwarfkind. Therefore, any [[Bloodline:Boatmurdered|pumping operation]] capable of bleeding the world dry would flood the surface and caverns to such a degree as to render the world uninhabitable. On the other hand, this would usher in the [[calendar|age of death]], and thus the earth would indeed be considered dead.
[[File:magma_preview2.jpg|thumb|290px|center|Dwarves can swim in magma, but only once. 🌋]]
{{gamedata|{{raw|DF2014:hardcoded_materials.txt|MATERIAL|INORGANIC}}}}
{{materials}}

{{Category|Physics}}
[[Ru:Magma]]

ASCII art reward/A-F

2018-09-13T20:31:05Z

Dudecon: /* (11 April 2011) */ Fixed some Formatting

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
! colspan=4 | [[ASCII Art Reward]]s (alphabetically by contributor)
|-
| [[ASCII Art Reward/A-F|A – F]]
| [[ASCII Art Reward/G-L|G – L]]
| [[ASCII Art Reward/M-S|M – S]]
| [[ASCII Art Reward/T-Z|T – Z]]
|}

[[Category:Humor and stories]]

==[[User:Abby Ratso Lee|Abby Ratso Lee]]==
===(03 March 2013)===
<pre>|ggJggJgdggdd+g@|</pre>

“No dingo men or goblins allowed.”

The sign hung haphazardly across the tavern door. Samser took another
puff on his pipe and spit. As a goblin, there wasn’t much in the way
of opportunity in Steelguard Fortress, but it sure beat slaving in the
mines of the demon lords. Haughty dwarves passed by him with hatred
in their eyes. It was about time he was headed home.

Samser’s neighborhood was on the wrong side of the mine cart tracks.
It was a place you wouldn’t show your face after the evening bell, at
least if you didn’t want someone to rearrange it for you. Samser
tapped the crundles on the head as he passed them by. A pair of
jaguar women looked at him from a back alley. It was hard-living in
the lower mines.

“Where have you been?” shouted Samser’s woman.

She was a hill dwarf from a fortress down the river. Hilga was her
name, and she too had come to Steelguard looking for a future. She
had three children from a previous marriage and Samser looked at them
without sympathy, though they were clearly suffering. But though he
had no heart to speak of, he knew something had to give.

Animal people now outnumbered all dwarves and goblins combined in the
underclass. Samser thought it must be because the dwarves had chopped
down most of their forests. The dwarves liked to think that none of
this mattered. What was another food riot when the adamantine kept
flowing?

“You need to find a job,” said Hilga. “Right now you are just another
mouth to feed.”

Smirking, Samser thought it must have been half a year since he had
had any solid food, but he could use a drink. Slamming the door, he
followed the tracks down to the goblin bar. When he could get in,
Samser preferred to drink with the dwarves. Down at Effie’s it seemed
like there was a murder every other night.

Big Effie was a walking contradiction, a fat, jolly, good-natured
goblin. That didn’t stop Effie’s establishment from being the most
violent place this side of Steelguard. As Samser bellied up to the
bar, he couldn’t help noticing a dwarf sitting by himself in the
corner. Samser tried to back away, but it was too late. The dwarf
noticed him.

“Do you know what time it is?” asked the dwarf.

“It is time for you to get out of this neighborhood,” said Samser.

“It is time,” said the dwarf, “for revolution.”

==[[User:AbuDhabi|AbuDhabi]]==
===(5 February 2009)===
<pre>CCCCCCC,.,.,.|||@+@+></pre>

Fires burned at the edge of the vast grassland, holding back the
darkness before the dwarf fortress. All night baleful howls could be
heard on the plain, undead cows brought back to life by the evil
wizard Maxelman. He had allowed the dwarves to live in his domain of
evil, if they but bestowed on him one artifact a year. Nothing,
however, could measure the greed of a dwarf. Nothing, that is, save
his thirst for strong whiskey.

A dwarf stood atop the battlement, laughing drunkenly. "Get down
Twan," whispered his fellow guardsman. "The night-wings will snatch
you off the wall!" Twan threw his stein off the wall in defiance.
Such was his vanity that he thought that they only need live through
the night. Little did he know, the dawn would never come.

===(24 February 2009)===
<pre>DgDgg%@@%@~~++++++>>>>^+^+^+^+^%%%%%@</pre>

Twan held his helmet over his eyes and screamed. Fireballs smashed
into the walls, shot from the gullets of a dozen dragons circling in
the smoke-choked sky. Marksdwarves dove from the walls and smashed
into the courtyard below. "Stand and fight!" shouted Captain Krandle.
"Fear no devil!" Twan reached the courtyard just as the gate broken
open wide. Pike-wielding goblins poured through the opening. Captain
Krandle threw his great braided beard over his shoulder and called
forth his squad of elite axe-lords, The Chosen.

Pike and axe clashed again and again as Twan crawled between the legs
of the combatants. A head dropped onto the ground before him. It was
the head of Captain Krandle. Twan pressed on. He would not be
paralyzed with fear. It seemed that the power of Maxelman knew no
bounds, but not even he could breach the inner mines. Dodging the
deadly weapons, and slithering over the bodies, Twan made his way the
center of the fortress.

A dark tunnel lay beyond the entrance to the keep. Twan danced down
the corridor in the intricate steps that avoided the complex mass of
triggers and tripwires that guarded the entrance. Inside were the
mines, stocked with enough dwarven wine to keep them in the cups for
ten years. Twan reflected for a moment on those above who had died.
It wasn't important. He was alive, and would remain so, so long as he
avoided the king and any quests he might have in store.

===(13 May 2009)===
<pre>%@/%+++@+@@@</pre>

"That blasted wizard Maxelman," came a booming voice. "He shall not
have my artifact staff!"

Curses, thought Twan from his hiding in the cellar, the king! The
dwarf lord paced back and forth, followed by a pleading train of
aristocrats, tears of rage streaming from his eyes. The staff, the
cause of all the suffering the dwarves now endured, was only ten short
steps away. In near berserker rage, the king threw the staff down,
startling the nobles. Twan saw his chance. He shot between the
nobles and snatched up the artifact.

"Scoundrel," roared the king, "unhand the magic staff!"

Twan leapt onto a keg, holding the staff high.

"Maxelman will burn this fortress to the ground to gain this staff,"
said the rude dwarf. "I will have this power for myself!"

The king growled, plucking the gold rings from his fingers. He hurled
them at Twan, one striking the dwarf in the teeth. "Seize him!"
shouted the besieged ruler. Twan jumped from barrel to barrel as the
purple clad nobles chased him. As he ran from the cellar he heard
king's cry, "Guards, guards!"

In the enemy camp, the vile wizard Maxelman puzzled over his battle
plans. A dwarf fortress is always a hard nut to crack. One of his
generals, a skeletal shade from the netherworld, summoned him from his
tent. The wizard straightened his aching back, brushed his long black
beard, and stepped to the door. There, standing between two fierce
goblin guards, was Twan, holding the king's staff.

===(29 Aug 2009)===
<pre>+U+G-@+GG+</pre>

"You bring me the staff," said the evil sorcerer, "as a traitor to your people?"

The dwarven rogue took a step back and leveled the staff at his arch-nemesis.

"You will have the staff," said Twan. "Have it through your black
shriveled heart!"

The dwarf pressed a secret button and a blade emerged from the end of
the staff. The wizard called on his generals. The skeletal ghoul
drew his saber and charged. Twan spun with expert skill and took out
the phantom's knees, such was the power that the staff bestowed. Two
more undead warlords entered the tent. Twan thrust the staff at
Maxelman but a undead general threw himself in front of the blade,
impaling himself and collapsed into dust.

The legless fiend below snatched Twan's ankles and pulled Twan to the
floor. The staff spilled onto the ground. The dwarf felt his courage
suddenly fading. The wizard snatched up the artifact and cried out
with joy. The long campaign was finally at an end. The skeleton put
its bony arm around Twan's neck and pulled him upright. The wizard
noticed the dwarf and walked toward him, pointing the staff.

"Nice try, dwarf," said Maxelman. "Now feel the true power of the
artifact staff!"

Twan caught the thrust between his palms. As the wizard snarled, Twan
took the staff in one hand and with several quick motions, activated
the secret switches along its length. The dwarf released the staff as
saw blades swept out of the shaft and sliced off the wizard's hands.
Twan jammed his helmet into the skull of the phantom general and
smashed all the bones in its face.

The dwarf picked up the blood covered staff and chased the wizard from
the tent. Dozens of goblins blocked his way, but he dispatched them
with mighty slashes of his weapon. Just as he came within a spear's
throw of his enemy, a huge dust cloud blocked his way. Wind blew down
as a giant dragon landed before the dwarf. At last, thought Twan, a
worthy opponent.

==Alluvian_Est-Endrati==
===(19th December, 2010)===
<pre>~~~~..pppp.,.,@,..,.,.</pre>

In the frozen wastes far to the south, the dwarves toiled to construct
a mighty fortress out of glacial ice. Beyond the frozen walls, at the
edge of the snowy island, penguin men watched with fascination. At
the center of the iceberg, an underwater volcano rooted the floating
ice in place. It had not erupted in a hundred years, but the dwarves
tested the mountain's patience with their constant digging. Arud the
penguin man leaned toward his friend and whispered.

"I think these creatures may be more trouble than a pack of leopard
seal," he said.

The wind blew harsh, clouding their view. A small man appeared
through the blizzard. His beard was frozen and his skin was blue with
cold. In his hand he held an iron pick. The penguin men looked at
each other and clucked. The dwarf reached them, leaned on his pick
and spoke.

"You must help us," he said.

===(20th February, 2011)===
<pre>~~~~ppp,,,.,.,p,.!@!,.,.</pre>

A red light shone from further up the iceberg. Seconds later the trio was rocked by a wave of hot gas. The penguins fell to their bellies and slid toward the relative safety of the sea. At the last minute, Arud turned to see the dwarf thrashing on the icy slope, his coat on fire. Arud turned and jumped to his feet, leaving his puzzled friend behind.

"Come friend," said the penguin man, slapping the flames from the dwarf's coat, "we must leave this island."

"You don't understand," said the dwarf. "This island was chosen. At the heart of the mountain is the Fire Star, a jewel so powerful it could turn night to day. Please, Forge Father, forgive our tampering. We sought to take it for our own and it became misaligned. Look there!"

A ray of light shot up from the volcano. Arud felt the heat on his face. The jewel's power caused clouds to burst into flame and burned its signature into the blue vault of the sky. The penguin man did not understand, but he knew he must act. He pulled the dwarf to his feet with his flipper and together they ran into the smoking ruin.

===(10th August, 2011)===
<pre>UW||UUUUUUUU,.\U,..UUUUUU</pre>

The hanging bodies twitched against the wall of the evil castle.
Thalfor had heard of the witch's power. That was why he allowed
himself to be taken prisoner. The others around him looked far worse
off. They trembled as they passed under the menacing gate.
Everywhere were the sounds of screaming men. Behind, zombies with
whips drove the crowd into the blood-soaked courtyard.

Before the prisoners, at the top window of the keep, stood Camestra
the Wicked. One could say she may have been beautiful once, but now
she was sickly and pale. Behind her stood a brawny zombie, tall and
menacing.

"Now you shall all die," said the witch. "But one of you shall be my
new body servant. Old Donus is beginning to give off a nasty odor."

The prisoners began to panic. Armed zombies closed in for kill.
Thalfor reached to his inner thigh and pulled out a hidden blade. One
by one he cut down the zombies. Camestra brought her hand to her
mouth and Donus let out a low groan.

"No one will die today," said Thafor, "that hasn't died before."

==Amuys==
===(July, 2014)===
<pre>gggggggg,~.\@.%,gggggggg</pre>

"It is in metal you trust," said Ustran, "not skill in martial arts."

"But master," said Kogan, "they must outnumber us five to one!"

"The goblins have no answer to our steel and adamantine," said Ustran.
"The dwarven knights, though untested, will be unstoppable. It is
inevitable."

Swallowing his fear, Kogan closed his eyes as the squires placed the
helmet on his head and strapped on the last of his steel armor. At
last, Ustran handed him an adamantine battle axe. It was new, an
untested weapon for an untested knight. Kogan stepped out of the
barracks and joined the other knights in the main hall of the dwarf
fortress.

Slowly, the main drawbridge began to lower. Out beyond the moat,
Kogan could see the forces arrayed against them. The goblins from the
Apagan mountains were a battle-hardened bunch. They had sacked many
villages in the past few months. They had even burned a fledgling
dwarf fortress. If they were not stopped now, nowhere in the world
would be safe. Kogan lowered his helmet's visor and stepped onto the
bridge with the dwarven vanguard.

The adamantine axe sliced through the goblins like a hot knife through
plump helmet roast. Arms, necks and heads were tossed into the clear
air. Kogan laughed with the joy of the slaughter, his fear vanishing.
Soon he found himself surrounded by enemies. He swung his axe in a
circle, driving the enemy back. He was now cut off from the other
dwarves, but he didn't care. He was unstoppable.

==Angry Licker==
===(15th January, 2010)===
<pre>@@@@@@+++@/++@@@@@@@@@</pre>

The mad dwarf spun this way and that to confront his pursuers. He
held a knife, given to him by his father on his first day at the
carpentry shop. He could hear the sheriff shouting, the crowd closing
in. Tears rolled down his face. It felt good that it was over, but
all that was left was shame. Pike dwarves were filling into the room.
Soon they would subdue him, and bring him to the hammerer, to be
forged anew. He didn't really believe that. He doubted any dwarf
did. When he went out, he wouldn't go out like a dwarf. He would die
like an animal. A new fire glowed in his eyes. With a savage howl,
the dwarf charged.

==[[User:Beefx|Beefx]]==
===(25 June 2007)===
<pre>"++@k@++"</pre>

Zolon and Morul stood near the steel cage. The brown humanoid inside sat with its hands on its knees, rocking back and forth.

"Clearly, the kobold was molded from stone." Zolon stroked his black beard. He then glanced at Morul, raising an eyebrow.

"Not so fast... the yellow eyes glow. Fire was involved." Morul was a slow thinker, but he was not easily moved.

"Stagis! Bacabadabis!" The kobold began to screech in its low tongue. Zolon and Morul observed in silence until the creature quieted down.

"Was that the wind then?" Zolon asked.

"It seems the interplay of the elements is nuanced in this one, even if the final realization is... lacking."

Morul did not disdain the beast so much that he did not feed it, now that the trapper had entrusted it into his keeping. The philosopher had left a few pieces of old venison in the cage and the creature now lifted one and inspected it. After a few sniffs, the kobold pitched it through the steel bars. The dwarves watched as the meat spun through the air and landed a few yards from the cage. When they turned back around, the kobold was inches away from them, its face pressed against the bars.

"Augis," it moaned. "Augis!" Louder and louder it wailed.

Zolon and Morul covered their ears. "And this is a tempest?" Zolon said facetiously.

"Let's adjourn until the storm passes. Perhaps we can find a meal the thing will accept." Morul turned and walked down a nearby corridor, toward the kitchen. Zolon followed close behind.

After they had left, the kobold stopped moaning and sat back on its haunches. Opening its small clawed fingers, the creature smiled. On its palm rested an iron key.

==[[User:Bombcar|Bombcar]]==
===(30 December 2007)===
<pre>++g~~U~~C+++</pre>

Goblins in tattered rags pulled the chains with speed as the whips
cracked. Slowly the gate rose revealing a grotesque creature bent on
destruction. Its three eyes bounced on their stalks as the monster
pulled itself forward on two huge, muscular arms. It came to a sudden
halt as Ameltoss the wizard stepped into its path. Though he had
raised it from a stinking poisonous egg, the wizard knew not whether
he still commanded the beast. This was the final test. He raised his
staff and commanded the monster to return to its lair. The creature's
lips peeled back to reveal ten rows of razor sharp teeth. Ameltoss
swallowed hard and shouted his command once more. Now was the moment
of truth.

===(13 April 2009)===
<pre>c+||@++c+cc+@@||,.,,.U,ggCgggT</pre>

The dwarf Frankle ran through the corridors, chasing after the many
cats that infested the fortress. He stopped when the alarm was
sounded. The captain of the guard shouted orders. The dwarves rushed
to their stations. Frankle, a reserve marks-dwarf, grabbed up a
crossbow from the arsenal and trotted up the stairs to man the
battlements. When he reached the top he saw the other marks-dwarves
standing, shocked by what they saw. Taking a deep breath, he looked
over the side.

At the fortress gate stood an enormous monster, dragging itself upon
its vicious, clawed arms. Goblins stood around it, jeering, and
hurling curses. A feeling of terror gripped Frankle's chest. In all
his years in the service he had never fired his bow in anger, but no
bolt could take this beast down. The captain put a hand on Frankle's
shoulder. Below, a robed man stepped out before the creature. A
fresh scar transected his missing left eye. It was the evil wizard
Ameltoss.

"Lay down your weapons and accept a swift death," shouted the wizard.
A bolt thudded down between his feet. "Somehow I thought you'd
refuse. Release the beast!"

A troll stepped forward wielding a huge axe. With several violent
chops, the chain binding the monster's wrist was broken. The creature
surged forward. Frankle screamed in fright and fired his crossbow.
His bolt, along with a dozen others, bounced harmlessly from the
creatures hide. As the monster beat down the gate. It seemed their
was no hope. That was when champion dwarf Rokwan emerged from the
keep within the castle.

==[[User:Bordum|Bordum]]==
=== (10 April 2010) ===

<pre>~%@@%@%~~,.,..,,.?</pre>

The sickening thud of club and bone echoed through the cavern as the
dwarf explorers were set upon by a troop of trogs. Expedition leader
Fidon showed his prowess, wielding his axe like a true champion,
hewing through flesh and sinew. The creatures of the underworld could
never be allowed to win. The dwarves rested, the enemies vanquished.
The only casualty was Fidon’s boot, ruined where a trog had gnawed
through. The dwarves laughed, then became silent when a growl could
be heard deep within the cave.

===(04 March 2012)===

<pre>.,J@,.@@@.,@</pre>

Torchlight reflected in the creature's eyes, looming high above the
ground. The beak scraped as it opened and closed. The great tongue
probed, waiting for the next morsel. The dwarves stood still,
standing their ground, but this was of no use. This was a predatory
attack. Fidon knew their only chance was to fight back vigorously.

“Fire!” cried Fidon. “Lay it in there!”

The bolts bounced harmlessly off the violet feathers. The beak came
down and plucked up a marksdwarf. It flipped the dwarf into the air
and opened its throat wide, swallowing the victim whole. Fidon lost
hold of his dwarves and they fled. The monster saw the little things
run and was compelled to chase, driven by its killer instinct.

Fidon had stood his ground, but it was all over. The creature was
gone, and so were his friends. He looked back in the direction of the
fortress. He couldn’t return there now. He lifted his crossbow off
the ground and slung it over his shoulder. He would win back his
honor.

===(01 January 2014)===

<pre>.,J,..,.,.,@(O).,</pre>

Time as a cycle of night and day is meaningless in the caverns of
eternal darkness. Civilizations such as the dwarves dare to dip their
toes into the land of perpetual night. The dwarven mine shafts break
through the rocky ceiling and shatter the only barrier between the
underworld and a place where it makes sense not to be afraid at all
times.

Trotting as fast as his short legs could carry him, Fidon followed the
tracks of the jabberer. The prehistoric monster was a throwback to a
time when the underworld was full of horrors. The dwarves like to
think they had tamed the world below, but the truth was there was no
end to the terrors of the dark. How many more there were did not
matter to Fidon. His business was with the jabberer before him.

“Squawk your last,” shouted Fidon, stepping out from behind a giant
mushroom. “For tonight you die.”

===(11 June 2014)===

<pre>@@%@@,.,.,..,?O?</pre>

The jabberer was taken completely by surprise. A bolt from Fidon's
bow passed through its ribcage and lodged in its lung. The beast
flared its feathers in a grotesque display. It no longer viewed Fidon
as its prey, but instead as another male invading its territory and
challenging its right to mate with other giant underground birds. Its
confusion was enough to give Fidon the upper hand. He dropped the
monster with a shot between the eyes.

"I'm coming, boys!" shouted Fidon.

The dwarf hero used his battle axe to tear open the dead monster's
belly. Out fell three of Fidon's companions that the creature had
swallowed whole. They were very grateful to be alive. Now, instead
of being the monster's dinner, the dwarves dined on jabberer that
night. One of the craftier dwarves fashioned Fidon a headdress out of
the monster's feathers.

"Master," said Atrak, "when will we return the dwarf fortress?"

"That monster came from the Underworld," said Fidon. "We must find
the portal to the world of eternal night and close it forever."

==[[User:Bott Maggot|Bott Maggot]]==
===(03 August 2007)===
<pre>+&=o=@+</pre>

"You've come, Kogan. The Lordaxe. It is said you have a mighty constitution, but can you hold your own at my table?" The demon slammed the great flagon down on to the center of the table. A few dark drops splattered on the stone and smouldered.

"I can take whatever you offer, fiend, and I'll count you a poor host if that brew there on the table doesn't move me half as much as the whiskey of my homeland."

"Ah, your homeland. It will make a fine gateway to the Underworld someday."

"I wish I could say the dwarves would enjoy making a mine of this palace, but alas, your halls reek of filth. It would be difficult to persuade them."

"Less talk, more drink. You call yourself a dwarf?"

Without another word, Kogan seized the flagon with his scarred fist. He could feel the infernal heat emanating from the brew, and the smell was appalling. Even so, he hefted the drink to his open mouth and downed it completely, setting the empty flagon on the table in triumph.

==[[User:Brownie210|Brownie210]]==
===(22 December 2008)===
<pre>+&@\O+||~~~~~~~~~</pre>
Sweat glistened on the hairy dwarf's body as he wrestled the dark lord
Slandar. Above them lay the steel orifice holding back the sea of
lava that was the last defense against the evil army, if only a dwarf
could pull the lever. The dwarf held the evil general's arm in both
hands as the fiend tried to drive his dagger through the hero's heart.

"Slandar," asked the dwarf, "when did you become so hot-headed?"

The dwarf let go of the villain's arm and pulled the lever. As the
fiend drove his blade through the laughing dwarf's heart, the gates
opened above and a torrent of lava fell from the ceiling, incinerating
them both in a cloud of steam.

==[[User:Burgi|Burgi]]==
===(27 March 2014)===
<pre>?OOO?..,,.,.@|+++++@@@@</pre>
Outside the dwarf fortress, life was cheap. Petty warlords squabbled
over acres of dirt where peasants slaved away with no promise for the
future. Once in a great while the dwarves would sally forth to bring
order to the chaos. It was times like these when heroism was called
for. Those that answered the call were mightier than the rest.

"Where do you hail from, hero dwarf?" asked the dwarven king.

"I have come far," said Ulrich, "from deep under the mountain."

"Danger comes from above," said the king. "How long has in been since
you have seen the light of day?"

"I do not recall," said Ulrich. "But I can tell you, there is no ball
of light that can stand between me and glory."

Latter that day, the gates opened, flooding the entrance of the
fortress with light. If it had any effect on Ulrich, he did not show
it. He had been tasked with killing a family of ogres that had moved
onto the caravan track. He waited until the dwarves shut the gate
behind him and vomited.

==[[User:Caeonosphere|Caeonosphere]]==
===(07 January 2008)===
<pre>,.U-.,.GT.</pre>
The mighty barbarian clenched his teeth as he snapped the arrow
protruding from his chest. He laughed as he bounded through the brush
after the cowardly ambusher. Just another scar among many, proving
his manhood like all the rest. The foolish goblin archer tried to
scale a tree to lose him. Smiling with anticipation of the kill, the
barbarian took a throwing axe from his belt and hurled it at his
enemy. The blade struck the goblin in the helmet, splitting it in
two. As the stunned goblin sank to the base of the tree, the
barbarian approached him, grabbing him by the throat.

"Well, my friend," said the barbarian. "It looks as if this game has
come to an end."

==[[User:CharlesPeter|CharlesPeter]]==
===(6 January 2011)===
<pre>UU,.~U~,.\b,.</pre>

The adventurers made their way into the hive. Long had the bee women
tormented the people of Bodarga. Bram would put an end to this
nonsense. The adventurers entered the huge structure through a large
hexagonal door. The tunnel turned and twisted at strange angles.
Everywhere was the ever-present buzzing of the enemy. Suddenly a bee
woman appeared, wielding a stinger spear. Bram let out a warrior cry
and charged at her, brandishing a sword. Suddenly his feet sank into
the floor. A honey trap!

==[[User:Chaz GELF|Chaz GELF]]==
===(25 October 2009)===
<pre>,.E@UU,.,</pre>

Mighty knight Dron looked on his companions with a measuring stare.
To his right was Glome, a marksdwarf most renowned, cleaning his
weapon, a blindfold across his eyes. Across from him stood the elven
warrior princess and summoner of animals, Tigotha. At his left was
Alvin, his squire. These chosen few were destined to quest across the
land in search of the evil wizard Zandore.

"The vile villain is not far off now," said Dron. "I can smell his
evil magic."

"It could be another one of his tricks," said Tigotha. "It wouldn't
be the first time you were fooled."

"Put me anywhere up to league away from evil wizard Zandore," said
marksdwarf Glome, "and the war will be over." The dwarf pulled the
trigger and his crossbow snapped with sudden force.

"Master," cried Alvin, "I see something!"

===(09 January 2013)===
<pre>UUE@,.,.,..,S,.\@P\@P</pre>

It was a tiny speck on the horizon Dron could barely make out.

“Tell me Glome,” said the hero, “what do you see with your marks-dwarf’s eyes?”

“Two riders are approaching, maybe more,” said the dwarf.

“I will call on a great seagull,” said Tigotha, “that it might peck
out their eyes.”

Alvin flinched. He didn’t like it when she talked that way. Was her
violence really any better than the schemes of the evil one? He could
almost see the horsemen now. They wore dark clothing and bore the
standard of Zandore.

“Take them out,” said Dron.

Tigotha called on the forces of nature as Glome took aim. Alvin
jumped as a shadow passed overhead. It was the giant seagull, just as
the dread princess promised. The riders wheeled their steeds around
and drew their weapons of shining adamantine. The seagull dove at
them but they fought it back. Dron looked to his sniper.

“Glome,” said Dron, “why aren’t those villains dead?”

“They are dwarves, master,” said Glome. “I cannot fire on my brothers.”

“Enough,” shouted Dron. “Alvin, my spear!”

Taking to his great black stallion, Dron took up his weapon and
charged across the field to meet the dwarves in combat.

==[[User:Chobeat|Chobeat]]==
===(25 December 2011)===
Context: I've asked for a story about the ring i gave to my girlfriend. This ring was designed with the help of DF's community and had engraved symbols narrating our story, in a dwarven style.

<pre>c,..,,.U=U....,.,,.R</pre>

The great warrior looked over what the dwarves had constructed. It
was modest, sure, but without a doubt a home built for a true hero.
The foundation was as sturdy as the root of a mountain. Its walls and
roof shed all elements like shields in the heat of battle. The man
smiled and looked down at the ring in his palm. It was inscribed with
runes dedicated to this very day.

"Chobeat," said the girl, "can I open my eyes yet?"

Slowly, Chobeat stepped to his woman and took her hand. He slid the
ring on her finger and kissed her hand. She opened her eyes and
blushed, startled by the beauty of the ring.

"It is beautiful," she said.

Sadly, she wasn't the only one to see the sparkly thing. High above,
Ethbesh the roc circled. Since the dawn of time, the evil bird had
haunted the valley below from her nest high in the mountain. Hate and
jealously drove the monster to new acts of cruelty.

Just as Chobeat was about to carry his woman across the threshold of
his new dwarven house, a shadow fell upon him. With one mighty rush
of talon and wing, his wife was gone. Chobeat cried out and drew his
sword. It was too late.

Then he saw something glowing on the ground. The ring! He picked it
up and looked at the strange pictograms. It had dwarf magic. Maybe
he could yet find her. He slid the ring onto his little finger.
Suddenly he heard voices all around him.

"You can hear me," said a voice from behind.

Chobeat turned around to see a smiling cat.

"I can help you get her back," said the creature. "My name is Tao."

==[[User:ckwolek|ckwolek]]==
===(26 December 2011)===

<pre>@@@+++=\g+@+</pre>

Tsmuaka lifted his head from over the anvil and ran a hand over his
bald green head. He looked back at the dwarf woman standing behind
him, then cast his gaze around at the many dwarf miners trying to
ignore him. They all want her, thought Tsmuaka, but I will be dog
meat before they lay a stubby finger on her.

The goblin had been a weapon-smith in the dwarf fortress longer than
anyone could remember. The dwarves tolerated his grumpy, vindictive
ways because he created the finest swords in Allsphere. But when he
married Oril, things changed.

The king had to pardon Tsmuaka for two murders within the first year.
Why would a dwarf dare tangle with the woman of the hardest goblin
alive? You just had to lay eyes on Oril. Her beauty had blinded man,
elf, and animal person. It was so bad that the dwarves looked on
Tsmuaka with fear and pity.

"They say Oril with be at the dance tonight," said Aliz

"What about Tsmuaka?" asked Sudir.

"Forget that old goblin," said Aliz.

==[[User:clank201|clank201]]==
===(31 August 2014)===
<pre>++~~~~~~!.U,.U</pre>

The volcanic island of Euecana was home to the last dwarven expedition
from the mountain homes. Giant beasts and goblin armies had destroyed
everything else. Still, the dwarves of Euecana depended on shipments
of fruit from the mainland. The chaos seemed to subside in the outside
world, and fleets of traders arrived every spring and autumn. That
was until the bad times. Until now.

"Sea monster!" shouted a dwarf from the look-out tower.

The dwarves in the sea-side fortress watched in horror as the
tentacles rose up from the water and grappled the wooden trading
vessel. It was only a matter of minutes before it was broken up and
dragged underwater. It was a horror that was repeated time and time
again until no one dared sail toward Euecana again.

--

"What do you have there?" asked Balis.

"It's a message in a bottle," said Alcor. "It bears the seal of the
dwarven king of Euecana."

"That cursed place?" said Balis. "Throw it back in the water."

"The dwarves promise the hero his weight in gold if he can slay the
monster," said Alcor.

"You are too skinny to make the venture worth it," said Balis.

"I will slay the monster," said Alcor. "You will see! And I will be
worshiped as a hero!"

==[[User:crash2455|crash2455]]==
===(22 June 2009)===
<pre>"@++@>>>+++@gggggggggggg"</pre>

Torin felt the prick of blade in his spine. It was his curse to guard
the gate to the lower reaches. He had been chosen because of his
great size. The dwarf's expansive belly was enough to block the
portal by itself. You were wrong, thought Torin. Someone braver must
protect us, not a fat waste of flesh like me. Sharp claws reached out
from the gate and pulled the heavy dwarf back inside. With a whimper,
Torin disappeared into the darkness.

"Where is that ogre of a dwarf?" asked Malak the guards-dwarf.
"Captain, Torin's late again!"

The captain set his shiny metal cap forward on his head as he
descended the stairs. Another day begins in the fortress, and with
it, another failure in discipline. The captain brought his rod down
onto the table where Malak had been munching on a chicken leg. "See
to it, dwarf!" shouted the captain. "Are you a member of the castle
guard, or aren't you?"

Malak descended the stairs to the dungeon, axe in hand. It wasn't
like Torin to miss a meal. Below, in the darkness, were a dozen
shining red eyes. Goblins! The guard knocked a flying blade out of
the air with the hilt of his weapon. He reached for his whistle, but
before he could put it to his lips, they were on him, clawing, biting,
evil!

==[[User:CVanEseltine|CVanEseltine]]==
===(25 April 2012)===

<pre><<<<TT+~~@\U~+++>>>></pre>

Lightning bolts struck all around the black pyramid. Atop stood dread
queen Cirne, preparing for another dwarf sacrifice. The trolls
shrugged as the captive dwarf struggled. Dragged kicking and
screaming toward the sacrificial slab, he could see the entrails where
Cirne had been trying to divine the secrets of life and death. Seeing
his only chance, the dwarf made a desperate gamble.

"I know where you can find the secrets you seek," said the dwarf.

Cirne snarled, baring four long canine teeth.

"What is your name, wise ass?" growled the queen.

"I am Kastol," said the dwarf. "Blacksmith, fourth class."

"Then by all means lead on, Blacksmith Kastol," said the queen. "For
you will be richly rewarded."

Dwarf fortress Snowsmear was little more than a tower library in the
icy wastes. Other than the occasional blizzard man attack, nothing
ever happened there. It was just a place to store books. But these
were dangerous books, not to be opened except by those willing to risk
their very souls.

It was there that old Aliz worked with his novice Ibruk. Aliz had
just dozed off when he heard someone stomping down the stairs. He
awoke to see Ibruk standing there, snow all over his boots. Aliz made
ready to scold him when the young dwarf spoke.

"An army of trolls is coming," he said. "They bear the standard of
Cirne the Evil."

==[[User:Dagny|Dagny]]==
===(17 September 2010)===

<pre>gggggggggg,.,.~~~~~~&~~~~~</pre>

Fires burned in the heart of the mountain as the demon god Yaknor
called for the death of the entire dwarf race. Legions of goblins
poured up through the cracks of the earth. It was bad news for the
dwarves on guard duty that night, destroyed by a thunder of a hundred
creatures of the night. Those remaining fought with passion. Sword
and axe clashed again and again as the forces of good and evil danced
Death's dance. True heroism would be awoken that day, a shaft of
light into the heart of darkness.

==[[User:Darksaiyan|Darkie]]==
===(14 September 2008)===
<pre>,.,.O@T,...</pre>

Surrounded by a troll on one side and an ogre on the other, dwarf
master Alrin knew these could be the last seconds of his life. As he
gripped the handle of his axe he recalled the teachings of Azrom, god
of war. Matters of great importance should be given the slightest
thought. It was only the minor matters that must be given the most
delicate care. So, without conscious thought, Alrin slammed his axe
handle into the ogre's toe. Swiftly, the dwarf ran between the
monster's legs and delivered a swift kick to its backside. As the
ogre toppled over, the hairy troll launched over the fallen monster
and leaped toward Alrin. As time slowed in an adrenalin rush, Alrin
readied his axe.

==[[User:Davion|Davion]]==
===(28 July 2008)===
<pre>bBbBbBbB####HU*########||+UU+||</pre>

The master thief leapt from the tower, the royal jewels still in his
hands. The pursuing guard ran to the side to watch in wonder as the
burglar plunged to his death. But lo, a giant hawk flew down and
plucked him out of the sky. The aging king stormed out onto the roof
of the tower, still in his bed clothes.

"Curse you Faltrix!" screamed the king as the bird flew toward the horizon.

The rogue had known the hawk since it was a hatchling. It was then he
had pulled an arrow from its wing. Thus began the most famous
partnership of the age. The hawk rider and his steed were known
throughout the land as heroes of the people, stealing from the rich
and giving to the poor.

A dark cloud rose on the horizon. The smile fell from Faltrix's lips
as the evil creatures sprung their ambush. Bat men! How had these
creatures strayed so far from the mountains? The evil beings rode
giant bats and shot poison darts from their blow guns. Faltrix
commanded his mount to dive low. Perhaps he could lose them in the
trees of the forest below.

===(28 September 2008)===
<pre>kbkkbkb,..,..HU,..*.@,...</pre>

Down, down into the forest canopy they flew. Faltrix's heart raced as
they wove through the trees, the bat men close behind. Just when he
thought he lost them, the hawk called out with a piercing cry. A net
of vines dropped from the treetops above, fouling the bird's wings.
They crashed to the forest floor with a thud and slid forward in the
dirt. Faltrix drew his sword and cut through the web. High-pitched
cackling echoed from above. Kobolds! The rogue set about cutting his
avian steed free, but the hawk did not stir from unconsciousness.

"Agron!" screamed Faltrix. "Agron!"

Black shadows dropped from vines above. The kobolds drew their jagged
blades. As they surrounded him the batmen caught up just it time to
finish him off. A dozen poison darts landed at his feet. Why didn't
they kill him?

"Agron," said the rogue, "if we get out of this, you can eat all the
giant rats you want."

The kobolds parted to reveal a short wizard in a glowing red robe, a
long hood covering his face. Faltrix lowered his blade as the
menacing figure approached. The wizard threw back his hood to reveal
the face of an evil dwarf. Faltrix threw the stolen Eye of Atheria at
his feet.

"Take the jewel," said Faltrix, "just let Agron live."

"Touching," said the dwarf, "but fear not, I will have need of the
rider and his hawk to complete the ultimate quest."

"Quest?" asked Faltrix.

==[[User:DaWarMage|DaWarMage]]==
===(8 February 2009)===
<pre>@@@@||~3--~~U~gUGUUG~~~</pre>

Dwarves howled as the gladiators fought and bled. They were men and
goblins, imprisoned since the great siege. Now, with the promise of
freedom, they fought. Hanson knew the goblins could not be trusted,
but he had included them in an escape plan with his fellow humans out
of necessity. The dwarves had been foolish to wait so long to condemn
them. It had allowed them to organize.

Once out onto the sand, the gladiators fell in behind Hanson. The
dwarves grew quiet. The Baron stepped to edge of his platform. "What
is the meaning of this?" cried the dwarven noble. Hanson took his
trident up and ran toward the platform, hurling the weapon with all
his might.

==[[User:Dinjoralo|Dinjoralo]]==
===(16 February 2014)===
<pre>.,.,|UU++U|>??</pre>

It was rumored that the city of Assura was built on top of an ancient
dwarf fortress. The barbarians that lived there were not interested
in the marvels beneath their feet. The treasures had been looted long
ago. All that was left were walls covered with strange pictures and
carved runes. The only people interested in that kind of thing were
Dulchari wizards, and King Banatar had outlawed wizardry years ago.

"Tell me again," said young Thirby. "How do wizards work magic?"

"It is all song and dance," said Banesa. "You must merely learn the
steps, the lyrics, and the tune."

As the pair passed under the city archway they felt the cold stares of
the Akkarites. King Banatar had built an empire on superstition and
the hatred of all things magical. It seemed unfair to Thirby that the
Akkarite capital of Assura was built on top of the greatest reservoir
of magical knowledge ever collected.

A strange woman in an orange robe nodded to Banesa and a group of
priests appeared and hustled her and Thirby off the street. They
moved from alley to alley, avoiding the patrols of Akkarite knights.
All of this did little to ease Thirby's mind. He didn't trust the
priests of Cenaster any more than Banatar's knights, but he had total
faith in his master.

"Fear not," said Banesa. "The secrets of the dwarves will soon be ours."

The temple of Cenaster was built across the street from a neglected
graveyard. Thirby couldn't help from feeling his doubts return. The
priestess performed the secret knock and the wizards were allowed
inside. Waiting for them was the high priest.

"Not since the Great Disaster have the signs be so apparent," said the
old man. "The old gods shall return and set the world on the right
course at last."

"To cast the Spell of Summoning," said Banesa, "one must read from the
dwarven tablet. I alone can do this."

"Name your price," said the priest.

"You must take us to the library," said Banesa.

==[[User:Dudecon|Dudecon]]==
===(11 April 2011)===
<pre>+&=+++@++</pre>

Long after the battle was over, and the scavengers had done their
work, Biban remained. The drunken dwarf could not understand total
victory. The banner of the mountain homes flew from every castle in
the land. What was left to conquer? Biban picked up a rock and
hurled it against the bare skull of a goblin, shattering it. The
tears came again. The dwarf took another swig to drive away the
blues.

All Biban had ever known was the art of combat. All his brothers had
become blacksmiths and his father had become greatly disappointed when
Biban pledged his oath to the king. He remembered his first battle.
It was the defense of Blackthorn Fortress. He had shot down many
goblins from the castle walls. Victory after victory followed and
Biban was given command of the Royal Expeditionary Force.

Biban’s army rolled over field and town, burning all in its path.
None of the great kingdoms put up much resistance. It was the goblins
that fought back the hardest. Biban could not understand what force
had moved the cowardly murderers. After a series of bloody battles,
Biban pushed the goblins back to their hole. The entire goblin army
had been waiting for him outside.

The dwarf general now looked over the field of rotting bones. Someone
was there, a man wearing a strange white tunic. Biban tried to stand
but found he could not. He looked down to see a goblin spear struck
through his gut. The man drew closer. Biban reached for his sword,
but found its scabbard empty. Angered, he picked up a rock.

“Put down your stone,” said the man. “I am but a messenger.”

“Where is my army?” cried Biban. “How long have I been here?”

“Face facts,” said the man in a bored tone. “You are dead, struck
down on the field of battle.”

“If I am dead,” shouted Biban, “where is the Eternal Forge?”

“Oh, you will be judged,” said the man. “If we can find a goblin
brave enough to drag you to the Underworld. You have killed too many
of them, you see.”

“What is your name, demon?” asked Biban.

“I am a servant of Osmnog,” said the spirit, “and my master would ask
you to join him, before you are cast down forever into the magma.”

The goblin fortress stood above them. Biban looked up to see the
goblins patrolling its walls. The last battle had not been a victory. Anger filled the dwarf’s heart at the conquest denied him. A low growl filled Biban’s chest, building into a booming howl. The spirit
reached out its hand, and Biban took it.

Together, they walked through the gates of the evil citadel. The
goblin guards quailed and quivered as Biban walked by, afraid of him
in death as they were of him in life. They passed horror after horror
until they reached the inner sanctum. There, behind a dark, wood
writing desk, was Osmnog.

The demon king was unremarkable, save for having but one eye in the
center of his forehead. A great window looked out of the high tower
over the bleak land of goblin country. Biban had once longed to stand
here, but as vanquisher, not prisoner. Osmnog smiled, revealing a
mouth full of pointed teeth.

“You come here freely to hear my offer,” said the demon king. “Hear
it now! I offer you the world, license to conquer, maim and kill.
More than that, I offer you revenge.”

“Revenge?” asked Biban.

“You think you were given the task of conquering the wastes for your
own glory?” said Osmnog. “They wanted to be rid of you! They feared
what you would become.”

Osmnog put his arm around the dwarf’s shoulder. “You can still become
that thing. The thing that they fear.”

===(21 January 2016)===
<pre>ggggggggggM@.,.,|@++</pre>
The tiny bird landed on the dwarf king's shoulder and whispered in his ear. The king's reaction was one of great joy considering that his expeditionary force had been completely wiped out. Biban had been struck down, the royal spies had seen it. The king called for his diplomat, he would sue for peace with the goblins immediately. Osmnog seemed like a reasonable leader, as goblins go. With Biban gone there would be nothing to challenge the king's authority.

“I'm afraid that's impossible, your highness,” said the diplomat. “Osmnog's army is marching on the fortress as we speak. I'd say we have three days before he lays siege to the castle.”

“This makes no sense,” said the king. “With Biban dead, the stain on Osmnog's honor has been erased.”

“It is Biban that leads the goblin vanguard,” said the diplomat.

Riding high on the back of a giant mammoth, Biban raised his axe and ordered the goblins to charge. The dwarves were caught completely by surprise. The goblins swept the field and drove the dwarves back to the walls of the fortress. The king appeared in the window of the high tower.

“Biban,” cried the king, “I will have you hammered to death for this!”

===(24 July 2018)===
<pre>###b##|+++@+|</pre>
Word spread quickly that the king was dead. In the place of another king, the dwarves elected an emperor from their ranks. It would be Biban that ruled the world. When Osmnog learned that his puppet was now the ruler of the dwarves he giggled uncontrollably. It was more than he could have wished for. He had a messenger bird take a note of congratulations to the new king of the dwarves.

“What is it?” asked Biban as he heard the knock on his chamber door.

A letter was slipped under the door. It bore the seal of the king of the goblins. When Biban read it, he despaired. There was no escape from the situation. The kingship was a horrible, tedious position to hold. There were assassins hiding among the loathsome strivers that followed him around constantly. Most of the time he locked himself in his office and shuffled paperwork, bills that his stamp would turn into law.

“You will now wage war against the Kingdom of Man,” wrote Osmnog, “Or I will put you back in the ditch where I found you.”

==[[User:Draeath|draeath]]==
===(18 June 2014)===
<pre>++UcU++++@|</pre>

You and I have lived through the hard times. Back then the world was
in chaos and no one really expected to live very long. It was then
that the dwarves of Dulchari drove the forces of darkness back
underground and sealed them away with stakes of adamantine. None of
the young men and women who rule the city states of the Slusian Plains
remember how great the threat was to the human race. It is only old
dwarves like you and I that can recall the black days before the
council delivered us from evil.

Then, as now, the dwarf fortress of Etwersbrot was the most impressive
building still standing. The spires and domes of the fortress city
could be seen from leagues away. The chambers and halls extended deep
into the mountain from which the fortress was carved. Greatest of
this halls was the the council chamber. Here sat the dwarven wizards
of the Dulchari Council.

"Great Magoveer," said the dwarven page. "The emissaries from the
barbarian provinces have arrived."

"Show them inside," said Magoveer.

The fighters from Kivik were still in awe of all the dwarves had
created. As they entered the council chamber their jaws hung open in
disbelief. Just one of the golden statues lining the entryway would
have paid a king's randoms in Slusia. The thrones the council dwarves
sat upon were also made of gold, and they towered over the poor,
frightened diplomats.

"Why have you come here?" asked Magoveer, brushing aside his long
dwarven mustache.

"There is a great evil in the marshland of Kivik," shouted a brave
woman of the plains. "It is not of this world. Many think it is a
remnant of the Time Before."

"You have proof of this wild claim?"

The bearers brought forth what looked like a great birdcage covered
with a brightly colored tarp. The dwarves of the council leaned
forward on their thrones with interest. With a dramatic flare, the
woman took hold of the tarp and pulled it away. Inside the cage was a
large swamp rodent, a capybara.

"Behold," said the woman. "Here lies Lord Bulra of Kivik!"

==[[User:Draigh|Draigh]]==
===(13 Augustus 2008)===
<pre>.@@|,-.-.kk,k,.k,.</pre>

Malgar, warrior dwarf woman, fought on against the onslaught of
kobolds, her newborn baby still strapped to her back. She lifted her
shield to block another volley of poison darts. She had been hunting,
far from the entrance of the fortress, when she stumbled upon the
skulking trash, no doubt planning a cowardly raid on the fortress
vault. She had to warn the others. With one hand she held the bugle
to her lips, while with the other she parried another deadly strike.

==DreamThorn==
===(11 August 2011)===
<pre>"aaaaaa,.,..,@|@@,.,.aaaaaaa"</pre>

"This is it," said Thash. "This is where it happened."

The other dwarves looked around the cavern. They had followed an
ancient map through the bowels of the earth, crisscrossing through
leagues of twisting tunnels. They had fought crundles, run from
jabberers, and followed ridiculous advice from well-meaning gorlaks.
All for this. All to reach this point.

"That's it?" asked Aliz. "That sword sticking in the floor is all
that's holding back the tentacled ones?"

"Yes," said Thash, "and that is why we must protect it."

Somewhere above there was a chittering sound.

"Ant men!" cried Aliz.

==[[User:Dutchling|Dutchling]]==
===(3 March 2011)===
<pre>||@@@@+@+++<||@||####/##/###/#####</pre>

Lightning bolts rained down from the sky as the storm god Domin
released his fury upon the world. Hardest it fell on the dwarf
fortress, but no meteor, no matter how powerful, could keep the little
ones down. King Ibruk stood upon the wall of the dwarven castle,
drunk, daring the sky god to strike him down. The other dwarves
cowered behind the battlements, none brave enough to pull the king
down.

"Lord Ibruk," shouted a voice from lower in the courtyard, "throw not
your life away."
===(17 February 2014)===
<pre>eU.,|+++++++@@?M?</pre>

"Who goes there?" shouted Ibruk.

The wind cleared the clouds of dust from the battered courtyard.
Standing there were a trio of brave looking heroes. The elf looked
tough, and so did the woman wearing furs of the south people, but most
impressive was the dwarf. He was tall for one of his kind, a full
span taller than the king at least. He took two steps forward and
stared the king in the face, showing no deference to the royal blood.

"The sky god has no interest in taking your life," said the dwarf
champion. "Nor does he seek to pound your fortress into rubble. He
merely seeks the stolen egg you foolishly bought from the goblins."

"The egg?" asked the king. "What is your name, dwarf?"

"I am Kognar," said the hero, "servant of the sacred forge."

"You are brave indeed to point out folly in your king," said Ibruk.
"I will take you to what you seek."

The meteor storm seemed to lessen slightly as the king showed Kognar
inside. The elf and woman were forced to wait outside as only dwarves
were allowed in the fortress proper. The king led Kognar through a
series of winding passages until they reached a small room with a hole
in the floor. Heavy breathing could be heard below as if some great
monster was kept there.

"The egg hatched the night after it was brought here," said the king
to Kognar. "It has devoured every dwarf that has challenged it."

===(18 March 2014)===
<pre>@+++.%%,.,.@/J,..%,%%</pre>

"If Domon wants a sacrifice to end the fire storm," said Ibruk, "you
seem as good a candidate as any."

With the crank of a hidden lever, the floor fell away from beneath
Kognar's feet. Hitting the stone floor hard, the hero managed to roll
and recover before the monster could strike. The monster's lair was
filled with skeletons and rotting dwarven meat. The creature seemed
to have become the king's favorite pet.

"Come and get him, Beaky!" cried King Ibruk.

The monster did resemble an enormous, featherless bird. It was twice
the size of the jabberers Kognar knew from the caverns back home. The
hero had a soft spot in his heart for animal life, but this monster
had developed a taste for dwarven flesh. It had to be put down, and
that was something Kognar could not forgive the mad king.

The giant jabberer moved its head from side to side, judging the
distance to strike. Kognar took the time to draw his secret knife.
When the attack came, it was sudden and vicious. The bird monster
meant to snap Kognar in half with its razor-like beak. It was a split
second too late. The hero ducked under the striking head and slashed
the creature's throat.

The gurgling bellow of the dying bird mingled with the king's scream
of denial. Kognar climbed on top of the twitching monster corpse and
jumped up, grasping the lip of the pit. The king called for the
guards, but there was only silence. The fire storm had ceased. Even
the gods knew it was over. King Ibruk had to pay.

===(21 July 2014)===
<pre><@,,..|++eU++@+@@@|</pre>

The elf and woman joined Kognar and Ibruk in the main feast hall. Not
only had the heroes stopped the firestorm, but they had also slain the
king's monster. It was clear and obvious that the king must be
punished. It was also clear if the king was to be punished he could
not be the god-king that he claimed. Before Ibruk was dragged before
the crowd, his high priests had already been executed.

"King Ibruk," said the mysterious woman, "you have stolen Domon's pet
and caused its death."

"I didn't kill it!" shouted Ibruk. "Your champion did!"

"What did you say?" asked the elf. "Would you mind repeating that?"

The king was so angry with the presumptuous elf that all that came out
of his mouth was a loud chirp. He tried to speak again, but his teeth
and jaw were changing. He lifted is hand and felt the new beak that
had grown in place of a mouth. The elf and woman laughed as the king
fled out of the room. Kognar addressed the crowd.

"King Ibruk has been punished for insulting the gods," said Kognar, "I
will take his place at the throne until a new leader can be chosen."

Most of the dwarves thought this was reasonable, though there were
some that thought it was an abomination to allow an elf to curse their
king. Chief among the king's defenders was Administrator Sciok, an
evil and scheming dwarf. In the days that followed, Sciok's
representatives made the rounds assuring Sciok's coronation.

"You had better take your magic friends out of the fortress," said
Sciok to Kognar, "for when I am king, this time tomorrow, they will be
enemies of the state."

==Eagleon==
===(17 August 2007)===
<pre>,o.o@,.P.</pre>

Doran rolled the gray-green schist around slowly in his fingers, examining it closely. A deep red almandine garnet stared back at him from one side of the stone. Truly a fine specimen, he thought. Perhaps this mine isn't a total loss.

The dwarf stood, brushing the dust from his trousers. Now was as good a time as any for some whiskey. Upon turning to the south corridor, he found himself face to face with a sleek velvet figure, terrible and beautiful. A pantherman, here in the mines?! The dwarf stood completely still. The creature could kill him at will. Doran's only hope was that it did not wish to eat him. Its yellow hunter's eyes gazed into his, unblinking, betraying no intention. The finely toned muscles of its body rippled as it positioned itself. To pounce? To bound away? Doran was at the mercy of the beast.

===(23 November 2008)===
<pre>"TW"."".EEEE</pre>

The only sound that the wizard heard was the breathing of the beast.
The trees of the forest rushed by as the giant tiger bounded over rock
and branch, the wizard clinging to its back. Muscles rippled through
the great cat's shoulders as they thundered on. Soon they would reach
the place of magic, the home of the forest spirit. The wizard leapt
from the creatures back and turned, throwing his staff. The tiger
stretched back onto its hind legs and caught the staff in its claw,
now the shape of a hand. The creature snarled and spoke in an animal
language few, save the wizard, understood.

"Alavaster," it said, "we near the sacred grove. Know that is
swarming with treacherous elves. We must use caution."

The wizard looked down at the thick hair bristling on the back on his
hand. Nothing save the spring of the forest spirit could cure his
lycanthropy. No elf would stand in his way. Together, the companions
walked along the natural path, carved by a hundred animals seeking an
audience with the spirit. The tiger's tail began to wag from side to
side. "Do you smell them?" it said.

The wizard took a deep breath through his wolf's muzzle. There was
the odor of the enemy, those who would bar him from his only chance to
return to human form. Elves. Shadows across the trail. They came
on, one after another in a single file line. Their animal instincts
proved true. The lead elf stopped when he saw the creatures.
Alavaster and the tiger stood firm.

"Animal people!" cried the elf. "Shoot them down!"

==[[User:Edras|Edras]]==
===(21 July 2014)===
<pre>"U""U""""""""""""?E?</pre>

You and I remember that fateful day, when the planets were aligned.
Every dwarf fortress lit the torches to welcome the new world that
would follow the passing of Earth. Everyone seemed to think the end
would be quick and painless. We remember the time that came after as
the Apocalypse.

Our heroes have just now begun to slay the last of the monsters born
during that horrid time. Bram was chief of these great men and women.
It was said that he ripped the throat out of a dragon with his bare
hands. Others remember him with more kindness.

"You must stay here," said Bram, "the Garum is no place for a squire."

"But master," said squire Ketran, "the ettin has two heads! You need
me to help you outsmart it."

The squire seemed to have a point, so Bram allowed him to join him as
he traveled into the marshland. The pair of heroes looked out across
the plain of reeds, wondering what kind of monsters could be hiding
out there. The was only one monster than really mattered and that was
the ettin.

The ettin was known to the people of the marsh as Death and Darkness,
named after the monster's two heads. They were known to ambush
caravans headed across the raised highway. Their home was the ruins
of an ancient dwarf fortress set a ways off from the road. Bram and
Ketran had just discovered the place, marked outside by a pile of
skulls.

"Keep this rope tied to your waist," said Bram as the were about to
pass into the pitch darkness. "Don't cry out, no matter what you
see."

==[[User:Ergot|Ergot]]==
===(14 June 2007)===
<pre>""w"w@%"w"w</pre>

Doran shifted from foot to foot as he looked from side to side. Eventually the dwarf's head dropped and he clutched his beard, his wide eyes wild, staring at the dirt. They were everywhere.

"Cave weevils. Cave weevils on my crops. My pig tails, all of my pig tails are gone. But this season will be different, mark my words, by the Lordaxe it will." The dwarf pulled a bulky glove from his belt. The knuckles were studded with iron. Doran slid the glove over his hand, his mouth twisting into a cruel smile. The farmer's eyes grew dark.

One of the foot-long insects crawled in front of the dwarf, and he hammered it into the earth with his fist, smashing the weevil until it was well-ground. "Flat. I'll pound 'em all flat. We might not have cloth this year, but we'll have plenty of meal."

==Flying Olm==
===(30th January, 2010)===
<pre>TTT,.""".,@@@@@,"".TTTPETTT</pre>

The elf watched from above as the dwarves passed below. One by one,
the saplings fell to the dwarven machetes. Let them come in a little
further, he thought. The bush would close in behind them, sealing
them in, away from their kins-dwarves. Then the forest would claim
them, lost forever beneath the green of the treetops. The black
panther woman drew back her teeth in a snarl. She turned her body on
the high branch to address the elf.

"Master Elekain," it said, "we should kill them now and gnaw on their bones."

The elf felt the hunger in his teeth. His temples pulsed with rage.
His eyes traced the dwarves' path back to the edge of the forest. A
troop of warriors gathered there, bidding their country-dwarves
farewell. Elekain drew his blade, a dagger of hardened wood,
magically sharpened by the river pebbles of the Forest Spirit. He
pricked his fingertip and let the blood fall.

The dwarf slapped his neck with a gauntlet and pulled it back to see a
small smear of blood. He stepped out of line and scanned the
treetops, pointing his pike. Grimacing, he trotted to the front of
the column. Captain Dumple didn't like to be bothered with useless
reports, but he had a feeling about this. He stepped up behind the
head dwarf.

"Speak, Lt. Garndel."

Captain Dumple was twice as tall as the greatest dwarf warrior. It
was rumored that he was sired by a man. His beard was dark and thick,
his eyes fierce and flashing. He had seen a dozen battles and had
come out without a scratch. He was a harsh master but was respected
for he brought victory. Garndel swallowed his fear.

"Captain," said Garndel, "the elves are upon us."

==[[User:freeformschooler|freeformschooler]]==
===(3 July 2011)===
<pre>@@@@||g??????????????</pre>

A fierce dry wind blew up from the valley. Wandros and his dwarves
lay behind cacti and sharpened their knives. After a time the goblin
came. The dwarves were dead quiet as it passed them by, oblivious.
As the creature moved toward the rocks, Wandros stood and beckoned his
dwarves to follow.

The Valley of Gold was a real place. Wandros knew it was, and the
goblin would show him where it was. Right, then left, then right
again the goblin made its way around the canyon walls. There at last
was the door. The goblin bent and walked inside, closing the door
after him. Wandros took the doorknob in his hand.

"What's the password?" said a voice from inside.

==[[User:Furiousfish|Furiousfish]]==
===(14 July 2007)===
<pre>++@g####</pre>
"Tell me where the child is being taken and I'll let you live!" Kogan yelled down at the goblin, desperation marking his voice. Mul had shot this wretch in the leg, but the kidnapper had escaped. The goblin hanging by Kogan's hand over the chasm was just a bodyguard. The goblin smiled wickedly, taking delight in Kogan's distress. "Even now, your child is approaching the prison where he'll live out the next decade of his miserable life," it spat. "And then, well..." The fiend began to chuckle. "Where is the child?" Kogan asked with finality. The goblin closed its eyes and was silent. Kogan let the creature drop away into the darkness.

===(27 February 2008)===
<pre>","".g%@.",""."..</pre>
Dorol struggled against the coarse sackcloth. The darkness was total,and it smelled even more foul than his uncle's rotten-toothed whiskeybreath. He had been playing with his miniforge by the cave river when everything had gone black. Dorol had heard a commotion shortly after, followed by terrible undwarven screaming, but afterward just the soft footfalls of somebody running quickly along with the rustling of the sack. At once, whoever was carrying him stopped and let the sack drop hard on the ground. There was a rustling, and the sack opened. It was nighttime, and Dorol could see the face of his captor looking down at him. A goblin! The fiend pulled the cloth down far enough that Dorol's head stuck up out of the opening. The dwarf held tightly onto his toy, uncertain and afraid. "Here, eat this," the goblin said, holding out something. Dorol worked one of his hands out of the sack and took the offering. It wasa piece of spoiled meat, crawling with diseased larvae. The child dropped it on the ground by the sack. "Hey, that's good meat," the goblin complained, reaching down to pick it up. "The master gave it to me just for you." The goblin lowered its voice and mumbled. "I'd eat it, but he is always watching me, and he knows when I've been bad. "Now eat up," the goblin drew closer and pushed the meat into the dwarf's face. Like a true smith, the dwarven child struck, smashing the hammer of his miniforge into the goblin's eye! The goblin cringed, clutching his face. After a moment he shook his head and looked up at the sack, but the dwarf was nowhere to be seen. Filling with rage, driven by fear of his master's torments, the goblin shouted, "You can't run, you hairy snot! I'll hunt you, and I'll find you!" Snatching up the sack, the goblin ran off into the wilds.

==[[User:Fuzzy|Fuzzy]]==
===(31 October 2008)===
<pre>.,G,@,,.</pre>

The dwarves buried Administrator Zarhan face down, so that when evil
spirits animated his soulless corpse, as surely they would, he would
dig straight down into the Underworld and away from the land of the
living. For a season after, the fortress was beset by a horrible
howling that filled the corridors. The dwarves of the fortress were
driven to near madness. Eventually the sounds faded.

It was not long after that a young engraver found a floor hatch, which
had not been there the previous night. He opened the hatch and put
his head through. Phantom arms grabbed him and pulled him inside.

"You fools didn't think I'd forget up from down did you?" hissed the ghost of Zarhan.

==[[User:FFLaguna|FFLaguna]]==
===(5 May 2008)===

<pre>===UHH,...===UHH,........[===].//+//````</pre>

Merchant Prince Gramlin snorted while batting away acorn flies with
his monkey hair swatter. 'Realm of Artifice,' ha! 'Dirt Fortress,'
he named it. These pathetic dwarves scratched a hole in the earth and
produced nothing but rock toys to offer the human caravans. The
journey was long and the profits few. At last the trees cleared
revealing a low hill with a single door, the trade platform lying
before it. Gramlin looked around him. Not a dwarf was to be seen.
They were probably sleeping off a night of unrestrained debauchery.
He ordered his men to lay the goods onto the platform.

A sudden pain rocked the merchant. He looked down at his great gut
and saw a crossbow bolt protruding from his chest. As he sank to the
earth, he cursed. The dwarves had gone feral, maddened by their
pathetic conditions. The caravan was routed and fled into the woods,
leaving their precious cargo on the platform. The last thing Gramlin
saw was the face of a mad dwarf, foaming at the mouth and snarling
before it took his scalp.

==[[User:ANormalUsername1|Frango Nicolbidok]]==
'''"Skullinator"'''
===(20 February 2013)===
<pre>++@+/o\++@+</pre>

Deep under the mountain, where magma pounded like blood through a rocky body, the crazed dwarf Malthis worked his dread craft. In a fortress the size of Ironside, no one really noticed when a nameless dwarf went missing. In fact, it seemed like the hill dwarves came and went like the breath of the forge. So who really cared when they disappeared?

“What is that?” asked Krang.

“I called it the Skullinator,” said Malthis.

The thing resembled a dwarf’s skull with the boney legs of a spider. Krang thought he could almost see the remains of flesh still sticking to the bone.

“What does it do?” asked Krang.

“Come closer,” said Malthis, “and I will show you.”

===(31 December 2013)===

<pre>@oO( * * )</pre>

Invisible gears began to whir. The monster artifact reared back on
its hind legs and took a step toward Krang, who stood still, paralyzed
with fear. The skull stared, its jeweled eyes fixed to Krang's face,
and began to speak. It was a dark and mysterious language of the
past, but somehow Krang was able to understand.

“You must bring me the beating heart of Prince Hablock,” said the
skull. “You have three days.”

Clearly shaken, Krang began muttering to himself. Malthis knew
nothing of the mission. All he heard was the hum of machinery and the
clicking of the ivory teeth. He questioned Krang briefly, but when it
was clear there would be no answer, Malthis retrieved the dwarf's coat
and showed him to the door.

The dwarf fortress was half a day's travel from Malthis's forge. That
gave Krang two days to kidnap the prince in time to bring him back.
Krang was on the move before he could think of a plan. It was hard to
scheme when all he saw in his mind's eye were the dead jewel eyes of
the Skullinator.

===(19 April 2013)===

<pre>+@+@+++++.,.,.,,.,=...,.,.,?g?</pre>

“All he keeps talking about is this Skull-o-tron,” said the castle guard.

“Skullinator!” cried Krang.

“Listen, friend,” said Prince Hablock. “I don't know what this
Malthis fellow has against me, but I'm sure the Guard are more than a
match for a mad blacksmith and his toys.”

It was true, the mission did seem impossible, especially after having
failed with such a direct appeal. The guard took Krang by the
shoulder and guided the desperate dwarf out of the audience chamber.
Normally, Krang would have considered himself lucky to escape without
being sent to the dungeon, but now he was on an evil quest. He
immediately left the royal suites and made his way to the fortress
tavern to clear his head and come up with another wicked plot.

“You want to kidnap who?” asked the barkeep.

“The prince,” hollered Krang, slurring his speech and seeing double.
“I must deliver him to my master, the Skullinator.”

“I'd talk to Spernak if I were you,” said the barkeep. “He's snatched
a princeling or two in his time.”

“Where can I find this wicked dwarf?” asked Krang.

“Spernak is no dwarf,” said the barkeep. “He is a goblin. You can
find him across the mine cart tracks. He's probably shoveling
beak-dog dung for a living.”

Krang slid off of his stool and made his way out the door. With only
one day left to collect the prince, the goblin Spernak had better live
up to his reputation. The mine cart tracks were quiet that time of
day and Krang didn't have much trouble sneaking into the goblin
neighborhood. The entire quest now depended on the skill of an
unknown villain.

ASCII art reward/A-F

2018-09-13T20:28:39Z

Dudecon: Uploaded my stories

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
! colspan=4 | [[ASCII Art Reward]]s (alphabetically by contributor)
|-
| [[ASCII Art Reward/A-F|A – F]]
| [[ASCII Art Reward/G-L|G – L]]
| [[ASCII Art Reward/M-S|M – S]]
| [[ASCII Art Reward/T-Z|T – Z]]
|}

[[Category:Humor and stories]]

==[[User:Abby Ratso Lee|Abby Ratso Lee]]==
===(03 March 2013)===
<pre>|ggJggJgdggdd+g@|</pre>

“No dingo men or goblins allowed.”

The sign hung haphazardly across the tavern door. Samser took another
puff on his pipe and spit. As a goblin, there wasn’t much in the way
of opportunity in Steelguard Fortress, but it sure beat slaving in the
mines of the demon lords. Haughty dwarves passed by him with hatred
in their eyes. It was about time he was headed home.

Samser’s neighborhood was on the wrong side of the mine cart tracks.
It was a place you wouldn’t show your face after the evening bell, at
least if you didn’t want someone to rearrange it for you. Samser
tapped the crundles on the head as he passed them by. A pair of
jaguar women looked at him from a back alley. It was hard-living in
the lower mines.

“Where have you been?” shouted Samser’s woman.

She was a hill dwarf from a fortress down the river. Hilga was her
name, and she too had come to Steelguard looking for a future. She
had three children from a previous marriage and Samser looked at them
without sympathy, though they were clearly suffering. But though he
had no heart to speak of, he knew something had to give.

Animal people now outnumbered all dwarves and goblins combined in the
underclass. Samser thought it must be because the dwarves had chopped
down most of their forests. The dwarves liked to think that none of
this mattered. What was another food riot when the adamantine kept
flowing?

“You need to find a job,” said Hilga. “Right now you are just another
mouth to feed.”

Smirking, Samser thought it must have been half a year since he had
had any solid food, but he could use a drink. Slamming the door, he
followed the tracks down to the goblin bar. When he could get in,
Samser preferred to drink with the dwarves. Down at Effie’s it seemed
like there was a murder every other night.

Big Effie was a walking contradiction, a fat, jolly, good-natured
goblin. That didn’t stop Effie’s establishment from being the most
violent place this side of Steelguard. As Samser bellied up to the
bar, he couldn’t help noticing a dwarf sitting by himself in the
corner. Samser tried to back away, but it was too late. The dwarf
noticed him.

“Do you know what time it is?” asked the dwarf.

“It is time for you to get out of this neighborhood,” said Samser.

“It is time,” said the dwarf, “for revolution.”

==[[User:AbuDhabi|AbuDhabi]]==
===(5 February 2009)===
<pre>CCCCCCC,.,.,.|||@+@+></pre>

Fires burned at the edge of the vast grassland, holding back the
darkness before the dwarf fortress. All night baleful howls could be
heard on the plain, undead cows brought back to life by the evil
wizard Maxelman. He had allowed the dwarves to live in his domain of
evil, if they but bestowed on him one artifact a year. Nothing,
however, could measure the greed of a dwarf. Nothing, that is, save
his thirst for strong whiskey.

A dwarf stood atop the battlement, laughing drunkenly. "Get down
Twan," whispered his fellow guardsman. "The night-wings will snatch
you off the wall!" Twan threw his stein off the wall in defiance.
Such was his vanity that he thought that they only need live through
the night. Little did he know, the dawn would never come.

===(24 February 2009)===
<pre>DgDgg%@@%@~~++++++>>>>^+^+^+^+^%%%%%@</pre>

Twan held his helmet over his eyes and screamed. Fireballs smashed
into the walls, shot from the gullets of a dozen dragons circling in
the smoke-choked sky. Marksdwarves dove from the walls and smashed
into the courtyard below. "Stand and fight!" shouted Captain Krandle.
"Fear no devil!" Twan reached the courtyard just as the gate broken
open wide. Pike-wielding goblins poured through the opening. Captain
Krandle threw his great braided beard over his shoulder and called
forth his squad of elite axe-lords, The Chosen.

Pike and axe clashed again and again as Twan crawled between the legs
of the combatants. A head dropped onto the ground before him. It was
the head of Captain Krandle. Twan pressed on. He would not be
paralyzed with fear. It seemed that the power of Maxelman knew no
bounds, but not even he could breach the inner mines. Dodging the
deadly weapons, and slithering over the bodies, Twan made his way the
center of the fortress.

A dark tunnel lay beyond the entrance to the keep. Twan danced down
the corridor in the intricate steps that avoided the complex mass of
triggers and tripwires that guarded the entrance. Inside were the
mines, stocked with enough dwarven wine to keep them in the cups for
ten years. Twan reflected for a moment on those above who had died.
It wasn't important. He was alive, and would remain so, so long as he
avoided the king and any quests he might have in store.

===(13 May 2009)===
<pre>%@/%+++@+@@@</pre>

"That blasted wizard Maxelman," came a booming voice. "He shall not
have my artifact staff!"

Curses, thought Twan from his hiding in the cellar, the king! The
dwarf lord paced back and forth, followed by a pleading train of
aristocrats, tears of rage streaming from his eyes. The staff, the
cause of all the suffering the dwarves now endured, was only ten short
steps away. In near berserker rage, the king threw the staff down,
startling the nobles. Twan saw his chance. He shot between the
nobles and snatched up the artifact.

"Scoundrel," roared the king, "unhand the magic staff!"

Twan leapt onto a keg, holding the staff high.

"Maxelman will burn this fortress to the ground to gain this staff,"
said the rude dwarf. "I will have this power for myself!"

The king growled, plucking the gold rings from his fingers. He hurled
them at Twan, one striking the dwarf in the teeth. "Seize him!"
shouted the besieged ruler. Twan jumped from barrel to barrel as the
purple clad nobles chased him. As he ran from the cellar he heard
king's cry, "Guards, guards!"

In the enemy camp, the vile wizard Maxelman puzzled over his battle
plans. A dwarf fortress is always a hard nut to crack. One of his
generals, a skeletal shade from the netherworld, summoned him from his
tent. The wizard straightened his aching back, brushed his long black
beard, and stepped to the door. There, standing between two fierce
goblin guards, was Twan, holding the king's staff.

===(29 Aug 2009)===
<pre>+U+G-@+GG+</pre>

"You bring me the staff," said the evil sorcerer, "as a traitor to your people?"

The dwarven rogue took a step back and leveled the staff at his arch-nemesis.

"You will have the staff," said Twan. "Have it through your black
shriveled heart!"

The dwarf pressed a secret button and a blade emerged from the end of
the staff. The wizard called on his generals. The skeletal ghoul
drew his saber and charged. Twan spun with expert skill and took out
the phantom's knees, such was the power that the staff bestowed. Two
more undead warlords entered the tent. Twan thrust the staff at
Maxelman but a undead general threw himself in front of the blade,
impaling himself and collapsed into dust.

The legless fiend below snatched Twan's ankles and pulled Twan to the
floor. The staff spilled onto the ground. The dwarf felt his courage
suddenly fading. The wizard snatched up the artifact and cried out
with joy. The long campaign was finally at an end. The skeleton put
its bony arm around Twan's neck and pulled him upright. The wizard
noticed the dwarf and walked toward him, pointing the staff.

"Nice try, dwarf," said Maxelman. "Now feel the true power of the
artifact staff!"

Twan caught the thrust between his palms. As the wizard snarled, Twan
took the staff in one hand and with several quick motions, activated
the secret switches along its length. The dwarf released the staff as
saw blades swept out of the shaft and sliced off the wizard's hands.
Twan jammed his helmet into the skull of the phantom general and
smashed all the bones in its face.

The dwarf picked up the blood covered staff and chased the wizard from
the tent. Dozens of goblins blocked his way, but he dispatched them
with mighty slashes of his weapon. Just as he came within a spear's
throw of his enemy, a huge dust cloud blocked his way. Wind blew down
as a giant dragon landed before the dwarf. At last, thought Twan, a
worthy opponent.

==Alluvian_Est-Endrati==
===(19th December, 2010)===
<pre>~~~~..pppp.,.,@,..,.,.</pre>

In the frozen wastes far to the south, the dwarves toiled to construct
a mighty fortress out of glacial ice. Beyond the frozen walls, at the
edge of the snowy island, penguin men watched with fascination. At
the center of the iceberg, an underwater volcano rooted the floating
ice in place. It had not erupted in a hundred years, but the dwarves
tested the mountain's patience with their constant digging. Arud the
penguin man leaned toward his friend and whispered.

"I think these creatures may be more trouble than a pack of leopard
seal," he said.

The wind blew harsh, clouding their view. A small man appeared
through the blizzard. His beard was frozen and his skin was blue with
cold. In his hand he held an iron pick. The penguin men looked at
each other and clucked. The dwarf reached them, leaned on his pick
and spoke.

"You must help us," he said.

===(20th February, 2011)===
<pre>~~~~ppp,,,.,.,p,.!@!,.,.</pre>

A red light shone from further up the iceberg. Seconds later the trio was rocked by a wave of hot gas. The penguins fell to their bellies and slid toward the relative safety of the sea. At the last minute, Arud turned to see the dwarf thrashing on the icy slope, his coat on fire. Arud turned and jumped to his feet, leaving his puzzled friend behind.

"Come friend," said the penguin man, slapping the flames from the dwarf's coat, "we must leave this island."

"You don't understand," said the dwarf. "This island was chosen. At the heart of the mountain is the Fire Star, a jewel so powerful it could turn night to day. Please, Forge Father, forgive our tampering. We sought to take it for our own and it became misaligned. Look there!"

A ray of light shot up from the volcano. Arud felt the heat on his face. The jewel's power caused clouds to burst into flame and burned its signature into the blue vault of the sky. The penguin man did not understand, but he knew he must act. He pulled the dwarf to his feet with his flipper and together they ran into the smoking ruin.

===(10th August, 2011)===
<pre>UW||UUUUUUUU,.\U,..UUUUUU</pre>

The hanging bodies twitched against the wall of the evil castle.
Thalfor had heard of the witch's power. That was why he allowed
himself to be taken prisoner. The others around him looked far worse
off. They trembled as they passed under the menacing gate.
Everywhere were the sounds of screaming men. Behind, zombies with
whips drove the crowd into the blood-soaked courtyard.

Before the prisoners, at the top window of the keep, stood Camestra
the Wicked. One could say she may have been beautiful once, but now
she was sickly and pale. Behind her stood a brawny zombie, tall and
menacing.

"Now you shall all die," said the witch. "But one of you shall be my
new body servant. Old Donus is beginning to give off a nasty odor."

The prisoners began to panic. Armed zombies closed in for kill.
Thalfor reached to his inner thigh and pulled out a hidden blade. One
by one he cut down the zombies. Camestra brought her hand to her
mouth and Donus let out a low groan.

"No one will die today," said Thafor, "that hasn't died before."

==Amuys==
===(July, 2014)===
<pre>gggggggg,~.\@.%,gggggggg</pre>

"It is in metal you trust," said Ustran, "not skill in martial arts."

"But master," said Kogan, "they must outnumber us five to one!"

"The goblins have no answer to our steel and adamantine," said Ustran.
"The dwarven knights, though untested, will be unstoppable. It is
inevitable."

Swallowing his fear, Kogan closed his eyes as the squires placed the
helmet on his head and strapped on the last of his steel armor. At
last, Ustran handed him an adamantine battle axe. It was new, an
untested weapon for an untested knight. Kogan stepped out of the
barracks and joined the other knights in the main hall of the dwarf
fortress.

Slowly, the main drawbridge began to lower. Out beyond the moat,
Kogan could see the forces arrayed against them. The goblins from the
Apagan mountains were a battle-hardened bunch. They had sacked many
villages in the past few months. They had even burned a fledgling
dwarf fortress. If they were not stopped now, nowhere in the world
would be safe. Kogan lowered his helmet's visor and stepped onto the
bridge with the dwarven vanguard.

The adamantine axe sliced through the goblins like a hot knife through
plump helmet roast. Arms, necks and heads were tossed into the clear
air. Kogan laughed with the joy of the slaughter, his fear vanishing.
Soon he found himself surrounded by enemies. He swung his axe in a
circle, driving the enemy back. He was now cut off from the other
dwarves, but he didn't care. He was unstoppable.

==Angry Licker==
===(15th January, 2010)===
<pre>@@@@@@+++@/++@@@@@@@@@</pre>

The mad dwarf spun this way and that to confront his pursuers. He
held a knife, given to him by his father on his first day at the
carpentry shop. He could hear the sheriff shouting, the crowd closing
in. Tears rolled down his face. It felt good that it was over, but
all that was left was shame. Pike dwarves were filling into the room.
Soon they would subdue him, and bring him to the hammerer, to be
forged anew. He didn't really believe that. He doubted any dwarf
did. When he went out, he wouldn't go out like a dwarf. He would die
like an animal. A new fire glowed in his eyes. With a savage howl,
the dwarf charged.

==[[User:Beefx|Beefx]]==
===(25 June 2007)===
<pre>"++@k@++"</pre>

Zolon and Morul stood near the steel cage. The brown humanoid inside sat with its hands on its knees, rocking back and forth.

"Clearly, the kobold was molded from stone." Zolon stroked his black beard. He then glanced at Morul, raising an eyebrow.

"Not so fast... the yellow eyes glow. Fire was involved." Morul was a slow thinker, but he was not easily moved.

"Stagis! Bacabadabis!" The kobold began to screech in its low tongue. Zolon and Morul observed in silence until the creature quieted down.

"Was that the wind then?" Zolon asked.

"It seems the interplay of the elements is nuanced in this one, even if the final realization is... lacking."

Morul did not disdain the beast so much that he did not feed it, now that the trapper had entrusted it into his keeping. The philosopher had left a few pieces of old venison in the cage and the creature now lifted one and inspected it. After a few sniffs, the kobold pitched it through the steel bars. The dwarves watched as the meat spun through the air and landed a few yards from the cage. When they turned back around, the kobold was inches away from them, its face pressed against the bars.

"Augis," it moaned. "Augis!" Louder and louder it wailed.

Zolon and Morul covered their ears. "And this is a tempest?" Zolon said facetiously.

"Let's adjourn until the storm passes. Perhaps we can find a meal the thing will accept." Morul turned and walked down a nearby corridor, toward the kitchen. Zolon followed close behind.

After they had left, the kobold stopped moaning and sat back on its haunches. Opening its small clawed fingers, the creature smiled. On its palm rested an iron key.

==[[User:Bombcar|Bombcar]]==
===(30 December 2007)===
<pre>++g~~U~~C+++</pre>

Goblins in tattered rags pulled the chains with speed as the whips
cracked. Slowly the gate rose revealing a grotesque creature bent on
destruction. Its three eyes bounced on their stalks as the monster
pulled itself forward on two huge, muscular arms. It came to a sudden
halt as Ameltoss the wizard stepped into its path. Though he had
raised it from a stinking poisonous egg, the wizard knew not whether
he still commanded the beast. This was the final test. He raised his
staff and commanded the monster to return to its lair. The creature's
lips peeled back to reveal ten rows of razor sharp teeth. Ameltoss
swallowed hard and shouted his command once more. Now was the moment
of truth.

===(13 April 2009)===
<pre>c+||@++c+cc+@@||,.,,.U,ggCgggT</pre>

The dwarf Frankle ran through the corridors, chasing after the many
cats that infested the fortress. He stopped when the alarm was
sounded. The captain of the guard shouted orders. The dwarves rushed
to their stations. Frankle, a reserve marks-dwarf, grabbed up a
crossbow from the arsenal and trotted up the stairs to man the
battlements. When he reached the top he saw the other marks-dwarves
standing, shocked by what they saw. Taking a deep breath, he looked
over the side.

At the fortress gate stood an enormous monster, dragging itself upon
its vicious, clawed arms. Goblins stood around it, jeering, and
hurling curses. A feeling of terror gripped Frankle's chest. In all
his years in the service he had never fired his bow in anger, but no
bolt could take this beast down. The captain put a hand on Frankle's
shoulder. Below, a robed man stepped out before the creature. A
fresh scar transected his missing left eye. It was the evil wizard
Ameltoss.

"Lay down your weapons and accept a swift death," shouted the wizard.
A bolt thudded down between his feet. "Somehow I thought you'd
refuse. Release the beast!"

A troll stepped forward wielding a huge axe. With several violent
chops, the chain binding the monster's wrist was broken. The creature
surged forward. Frankle screamed in fright and fired his crossbow.
His bolt, along with a dozen others, bounced harmlessly from the
creatures hide. As the monster beat down the gate. It seemed their
was no hope. That was when champion dwarf Rokwan emerged from the
keep within the castle.

==[[User:Bordum|Bordum]]==
=== (10 April 2010) ===

<pre>~%@@%@%~~,.,..,,.?</pre>

The sickening thud of club and bone echoed through the cavern as the
dwarf explorers were set upon by a troop of trogs. Expedition leader
Fidon showed his prowess, wielding his axe like a true champion,
hewing through flesh and sinew. The creatures of the underworld could
never be allowed to win. The dwarves rested, the enemies vanquished.
The only casualty was Fidon’s boot, ruined where a trog had gnawed
through. The dwarves laughed, then became silent when a growl could
be heard deep within the cave.

===(04 March 2012)===

<pre>.,J@,.@@@.,@</pre>

Torchlight reflected in the creature's eyes, looming high above the
ground. The beak scraped as it opened and closed. The great tongue
probed, waiting for the next morsel. The dwarves stood still,
standing their ground, but this was of no use. This was a predatory
attack. Fidon knew their only chance was to fight back vigorously.

“Fire!” cried Fidon. “Lay it in there!”

The bolts bounced harmlessly off the violet feathers. The beak came
down and plucked up a marksdwarf. It flipped the dwarf into the air
and opened its throat wide, swallowing the victim whole. Fidon lost
hold of his dwarves and they fled. The monster saw the little things
run and was compelled to chase, driven by its killer instinct.

Fidon had stood his ground, but it was all over. The creature was
gone, and so were his friends. He looked back in the direction of the
fortress. He couldn’t return there now. He lifted his crossbow off
the ground and slung it over his shoulder. He would win back his
honor.

===(01 January 2014)===

<pre>.,J,..,.,.,@(O).,</pre>

Time as a cycle of night and day is meaningless in the caverns of
eternal darkness. Civilizations such as the dwarves dare to dip their
toes into the land of perpetual night. The dwarven mine shafts break
through the rocky ceiling and shatter the only barrier between the
underworld and a place where it makes sense not to be afraid at all
times.

Trotting as fast as his short legs could carry him, Fidon followed the
tracks of the jabberer. The prehistoric monster was a throwback to a
time when the underworld was full of horrors. The dwarves like to
think they had tamed the world below, but the truth was there was no
end to the terrors of the dark. How many more there were did not
matter to Fidon. His business was with the jabberer before him.

“Squawk your last,” shouted Fidon, stepping out from behind a giant
mushroom. “For tonight you die.”

===(11 June 2014)===

<pre>@@%@@,.,.,..,?O?</pre>

The jabberer was taken completely by surprise. A bolt from Fidon's
bow passed through its ribcage and lodged in its lung. The beast
flared its feathers in a grotesque display. It no longer viewed Fidon
as its prey, but instead as another male invading its territory and
challenging its right to mate with other giant underground birds. Its
confusion was enough to give Fidon the upper hand. He dropped the
monster with a shot between the eyes.

"I'm coming, boys!" shouted Fidon.

The dwarf hero used his battle axe to tear open the dead monster's
belly. Out fell three of Fidon's companions that the creature had
swallowed whole. They were very grateful to be alive. Now, instead
of being the monster's dinner, the dwarves dined on jabberer that
night. One of the craftier dwarves fashioned Fidon a headdress out of
the monster's feathers.

"Master," said Atrak, "when will we return the dwarf fortress?"

"That monster came from the Underworld," said Fidon. "We must find
the portal to the world of eternal night and close it forever."

==[[User:Bott Maggot|Bott Maggot]]==
===(03 August 2007)===
<pre>+&=o=@+</pre>

"You've come, Kogan. The Lordaxe. It is said you have a mighty constitution, but can you hold your own at my table?" The demon slammed the great flagon down on to the center of the table. A few dark drops splattered on the stone and smouldered.

"I can take whatever you offer, fiend, and I'll count you a poor host if that brew there on the table doesn't move me half as much as the whiskey of my homeland."

"Ah, your homeland. It will make a fine gateway to the Underworld someday."

"I wish I could say the dwarves would enjoy making a mine of this palace, but alas, your halls reek of filth. It would be difficult to persuade them."

"Less talk, more drink. You call yourself a dwarf?"

Without another word, Kogan seized the flagon with his scarred fist. He could feel the infernal heat emanating from the brew, and the smell was appalling. Even so, he hefted the drink to his open mouth and downed it completely, setting the empty flagon on the table in triumph.

==[[User:Brownie210|Brownie210]]==
===(22 December 2008)===
<pre>+&@\O+||~~~~~~~~~</pre>
Sweat glistened on the hairy dwarf's body as he wrestled the dark lord
Slandar. Above them lay the steel orifice holding back the sea of
lava that was the last defense against the evil army, if only a dwarf
could pull the lever. The dwarf held the evil general's arm in both
hands as the fiend tried to drive his dagger through the hero's heart.

"Slandar," asked the dwarf, "when did you become so hot-headed?"

The dwarf let go of the villain's arm and pulled the lever. As the
fiend drove his blade through the laughing dwarf's heart, the gates
opened above and a torrent of lava fell from the ceiling, incinerating
them both in a cloud of steam.

==[[User:Burgi|Burgi]]==
===(27 March 2014)===
<pre>?OOO?..,,.,.@|+++++@@@@</pre>
Outside the dwarf fortress, life was cheap. Petty warlords squabbled
over acres of dirt where peasants slaved away with no promise for the
future. Once in a great while the dwarves would sally forth to bring
order to the chaos. It was times like these when heroism was called
for. Those that answered the call were mightier than the rest.

"Where do you hail from, hero dwarf?" asked the dwarven king.

"I have come far," said Ulrich, "from deep under the mountain."

"Danger comes from above," said the king. "How long has in been since
you have seen the light of day?"

"I do not recall," said Ulrich. "But I can tell you, there is no ball
of light that can stand between me and glory."

Latter that day, the gates opened, flooding the entrance of the
fortress with light. If it had any effect on Ulrich, he did not show
it. He had been tasked with killing a family of ogres that had moved
onto the caravan track. He waited until the dwarves shut the gate
behind him and vomited.

==[[User:Caeonosphere|Caeonosphere]]==
===(07 January 2008)===
<pre>,.U-.,.GT.</pre>
The mighty barbarian clenched his teeth as he snapped the arrow
protruding from his chest. He laughed as he bounded through the brush
after the cowardly ambusher. Just another scar among many, proving
his manhood like all the rest. The foolish goblin archer tried to
scale a tree to lose him. Smiling with anticipation of the kill, the
barbarian took a throwing axe from his belt and hurled it at his
enemy. The blade struck the goblin in the helmet, splitting it in
two. As the stunned goblin sank to the base of the tree, the
barbarian approached him, grabbing him by the throat.

"Well, my friend," said the barbarian. "It looks as if this game has
come to an end."

==[[User:CharlesPeter|CharlesPeter]]==
===(6 January 2011)===
<pre>UU,.~U~,.\b,.</pre>

The adventurers made their way into the hive. Long had the bee women
tormented the people of Bodarga. Bram would put an end to this
nonsense. The adventurers entered the huge structure through a large
hexagonal door. The tunnel turned and twisted at strange angles.
Everywhere was the ever-present buzzing of the enemy. Suddenly a bee
woman appeared, wielding a stinger spear. Bram let out a warrior cry
and charged at her, brandishing a sword. Suddenly his feet sank into
the floor. A honey trap!

==[[User:Chaz GELF|Chaz GELF]]==
===(25 October 2009)===
<pre>,.E@UU,.,</pre>

Mighty knight Dron looked on his companions with a measuring stare.
To his right was Glome, a marksdwarf most renowned, cleaning his
weapon, a blindfold across his eyes. Across from him stood the elven
warrior princess and summoner of animals, Tigotha. At his left was
Alvin, his squire. These chosen few were destined to quest across the
land in search of the evil wizard Zandore.

"The vile villain is not far off now," said Dron. "I can smell his
evil magic."

"It could be another one of his tricks," said Tigotha. "It wouldn't
be the first time you were fooled."

"Put me anywhere up to league away from evil wizard Zandore," said
marksdwarf Glome, "and the war will be over." The dwarf pulled the
trigger and his crossbow snapped with sudden force.

"Master," cried Alvin, "I see something!"

===(09 January 2013)===
<pre>UUE@,.,.,..,S,.\@P\@P</pre>

It was a tiny speck on the horizon Dron could barely make out.

“Tell me Glome,” said the hero, “what do you see with your marks-dwarf’s eyes?”

“Two riders are approaching, maybe more,” said the dwarf.

“I will call on a great seagull,” said Tigotha, “that it might peck
out their eyes.”

Alvin flinched. He didn’t like it when she talked that way. Was her
violence really any better than the schemes of the evil one? He could
almost see the horsemen now. They wore dark clothing and bore the
standard of Zandore.

“Take them out,” said Dron.

Tigotha called on the forces of nature as Glome took aim. Alvin
jumped as a shadow passed overhead. It was the giant seagull, just as
the dread princess promised. The riders wheeled their steeds around
and drew their weapons of shining adamantine. The seagull dove at
them but they fought it back. Dron looked to his sniper.

“Glome,” said Dron, “why aren’t those villains dead?”

“They are dwarves, master,” said Glome. “I cannot fire on my brothers.”

“Enough,” shouted Dron. “Alvin, my spear!”

Taking to his great black stallion, Dron took up his weapon and
charged across the field to meet the dwarves in combat.

==[[User:Chobeat|Chobeat]]==
===(25 December 2011)===
Context: I've asked for a story about the ring i gave to my girlfriend. This ring was designed with the help of DF's community and had engraved symbols narrating our story, in a dwarven style.

<pre>c,..,,.U=U....,.,,.R</pre>

The great warrior looked over what the dwarves had constructed. It
was modest, sure, but without a doubt a home built for a true hero.
The foundation was as sturdy as the root of a mountain. Its walls and
roof shed all elements like shields in the heat of battle. The man
smiled and looked down at the ring in his palm. It was inscribed with
runes dedicated to this very day.

"Chobeat," said the girl, "can I open my eyes yet?"

Slowly, Chobeat stepped to his woman and took her hand. He slid the
ring on her finger and kissed her hand. She opened her eyes and
blushed, startled by the beauty of the ring.

"It is beautiful," she said.

Sadly, she wasn't the only one to see the sparkly thing. High above,
Ethbesh the roc circled. Since the dawn of time, the evil bird had
haunted the valley below from her nest high in the mountain. Hate and
jealously drove the monster to new acts of cruelty.

Just as Chobeat was about to carry his woman across the threshold of
his new dwarven house, a shadow fell upon him. With one mighty rush
of talon and wing, his wife was gone. Chobeat cried out and drew his
sword. It was too late.

Then he saw something glowing on the ground. The ring! He picked it
up and looked at the strange pictograms. It had dwarf magic. Maybe
he could yet find her. He slid the ring onto his little finger.
Suddenly he heard voices all around him.

"You can hear me," said a voice from behind.

Chobeat turned around to see a smiling cat.

"I can help you get her back," said the creature. "My name is Tao."

==[[User:ckwolek|ckwolek]]==
===(26 December 2011)===

<pre>@@@+++=\g+@+</pre>

Tsmuaka lifted his head from over the anvil and ran a hand over his
bald green head. He looked back at the dwarf woman standing behind
him, then cast his gaze around at the many dwarf miners trying to
ignore him. They all want her, thought Tsmuaka, but I will be dog
meat before they lay a stubby finger on her.

The goblin had been a weapon-smith in the dwarf fortress longer than
anyone could remember. The dwarves tolerated his grumpy, vindictive
ways because he created the finest swords in Allsphere. But when he
married Oril, things changed.

The king had to pardon Tsmuaka for two murders within the first year.
Why would a dwarf dare tangle with the woman of the hardest goblin
alive? You just had to lay eyes on Oril. Her beauty had blinded man,
elf, and animal person. It was so bad that the dwarves looked on
Tsmuaka with fear and pity.

"They say Oril with be at the dance tonight," said Aliz

"What about Tsmuaka?" asked Sudir.

"Forget that old goblin," said Aliz.

==[[User:clank201|clank201]]==
===(31 August 2014)===
<pre>++~~~~~~!.U,.U</pre>

The volcanic island of Euecana was home to the last dwarven expedition
from the mountain homes. Giant beasts and goblin armies had destroyed
everything else. Still, the dwarves of Euecana depended on shipments
of fruit from the mainland. The chaos seemed to subside in the outside
world, and fleets of traders arrived every spring and autumn. That
was until the bad times. Until now.

"Sea monster!" shouted a dwarf from the look-out tower.

The dwarves in the sea-side fortress watched in horror as the
tentacles rose up from the water and grappled the wooden trading
vessel. It was only a matter of minutes before it was broken up and
dragged underwater. It was a horror that was repeated time and time
again until no one dared sail toward Euecana again.

--

"What do you have there?" asked Balis.

"It's a message in a bottle," said Alcor. "It bears the seal of the
dwarven king of Euecana."

"That cursed place?" said Balis. "Throw it back in the water."

"The dwarves promise the hero his weight in gold if he can slay the
monster," said Alcor.

"You are too skinny to make the venture worth it," said Balis.

"I will slay the monster," said Alcor. "You will see! And I will be
worshiped as a hero!"

==[[User:crash2455|crash2455]]==
===(22 June 2009)===
<pre>"@++@>>>+++@gggggggggggg"</pre>

Torin felt the prick of blade in his spine. It was his curse to guard
the gate to the lower reaches. He had been chosen because of his
great size. The dwarf's expansive belly was enough to block the
portal by itself. You were wrong, thought Torin. Someone braver must
protect us, not a fat waste of flesh like me. Sharp claws reached out
from the gate and pulled the heavy dwarf back inside. With a whimper,
Torin disappeared into the darkness.

"Where is that ogre of a dwarf?" asked Malak the guards-dwarf.
"Captain, Torin's late again!"

The captain set his shiny metal cap forward on his head as he
descended the stairs. Another day begins in the fortress, and with
it, another failure in discipline. The captain brought his rod down
onto the table where Malak had been munching on a chicken leg. "See
to it, dwarf!" shouted the captain. "Are you a member of the castle
guard, or aren't you?"

Malak descended the stairs to the dungeon, axe in hand. It wasn't
like Torin to miss a meal. Below, in the darkness, were a dozen
shining red eyes. Goblins! The guard knocked a flying blade out of
the air with the hilt of his weapon. He reached for his whistle, but
before he could put it to his lips, they were on him, clawing, biting,
evil!

==[[User:CVanEseltine|CVanEseltine]]==
===(25 April 2012)===

<pre><<<<TT+~~@\U~+++>>>></pre>

Lightning bolts struck all around the black pyramid. Atop stood dread
queen Cirne, preparing for another dwarf sacrifice. The trolls
shrugged as the captive dwarf struggled. Dragged kicking and
screaming toward the sacrificial slab, he could see the entrails where
Cirne had been trying to divine the secrets of life and death. Seeing
his only chance, the dwarf made a desperate gamble.

"I know where you can find the secrets you seek," said the dwarf.

Cirne snarled, baring four long canine teeth.

"What is your name, wise ass?" growled the queen.

"I am Kastol," said the dwarf. "Blacksmith, fourth class."

"Then by all means lead on, Blacksmith Kastol," said the queen. "For
you will be richly rewarded."

Dwarf fortress Snowsmear was little more than a tower library in the
icy wastes. Other than the occasional blizzard man attack, nothing
ever happened there. It was just a place to store books. But these
were dangerous books, not to be opened except by those willing to risk
their very souls.

It was there that old Aliz worked with his novice Ibruk. Aliz had
just dozed off when he heard someone stomping down the stairs. He
awoke to see Ibruk standing there, snow all over his boots. Aliz made
ready to scold him when the young dwarf spoke.

"An army of trolls is coming," he said. "They bear the standard of
Cirne the Evil."

==[[User:Dagny|Dagny]]==
===(17 September 2010)===

<pre>gggggggggg,.,.~~~~~~&~~~~~</pre>

Fires burned in the heart of the mountain as the demon god Yaknor
called for the death of the entire dwarf race. Legions of goblins
poured up through the cracks of the earth. It was bad news for the
dwarves on guard duty that night, destroyed by a thunder of a hundred
creatures of the night. Those remaining fought with passion. Sword
and axe clashed again and again as the forces of good and evil danced
Death's dance. True heroism would be awoken that day, a shaft of
light into the heart of darkness.

==[[User:Darksaiyan|Darkie]]==
===(14 September 2008)===
<pre>,.,.O@T,...</pre>

Surrounded by a troll on one side and an ogre on the other, dwarf
master Alrin knew these could be the last seconds of his life. As he
gripped the handle of his axe he recalled the teachings of Azrom, god
of war. Matters of great importance should be given the slightest
thought. It was only the minor matters that must be given the most
delicate care. So, without conscious thought, Alrin slammed his axe
handle into the ogre's toe. Swiftly, the dwarf ran between the
monster's legs and delivered a swift kick to its backside. As the
ogre toppled over, the hairy troll launched over the fallen monster
and leaped toward Alrin. As time slowed in an adrenalin rush, Alrin
readied his axe.

==[[User:Davion|Davion]]==
===(28 July 2008)===
<pre>bBbBbBbB####HU*########||+UU+||</pre>

The master thief leapt from the tower, the royal jewels still in his
hands. The pursuing guard ran to the side to watch in wonder as the
burglar plunged to his death. But lo, a giant hawk flew down and
plucked him out of the sky. The aging king stormed out onto the roof
of the tower, still in his bed clothes.

"Curse you Faltrix!" screamed the king as the bird flew toward the horizon.

The rogue had known the hawk since it was a hatchling. It was then he
had pulled an arrow from its wing. Thus began the most famous
partnership of the age. The hawk rider and his steed were known
throughout the land as heroes of the people, stealing from the rich
and giving to the poor.

A dark cloud rose on the horizon. The smile fell from Faltrix's lips
as the evil creatures sprung their ambush. Bat men! How had these
creatures strayed so far from the mountains? The evil beings rode
giant bats and shot poison darts from their blow guns. Faltrix
commanded his mount to dive low. Perhaps he could lose them in the
trees of the forest below.

===(28 September 2008)===
<pre>kbkkbkb,..,..HU,..*.@,...</pre>

Down, down into the forest canopy they flew. Faltrix's heart raced as
they wove through the trees, the bat men close behind. Just when he
thought he lost them, the hawk called out with a piercing cry. A net
of vines dropped from the treetops above, fouling the bird's wings.
They crashed to the forest floor with a thud and slid forward in the
dirt. Faltrix drew his sword and cut through the web. High-pitched
cackling echoed from above. Kobolds! The rogue set about cutting his
avian steed free, but the hawk did not stir from unconsciousness.

"Agron!" screamed Faltrix. "Agron!"

Black shadows dropped from vines above. The kobolds drew their jagged
blades. As they surrounded him the batmen caught up just it time to
finish him off. A dozen poison darts landed at his feet. Why didn't
they kill him?

"Agron," said the rogue, "if we get out of this, you can eat all the
giant rats you want."

The kobolds parted to reveal a short wizard in a glowing red robe, a
long hood covering his face. Faltrix lowered his blade as the
menacing figure approached. The wizard threw back his hood to reveal
the face of an evil dwarf. Faltrix threw the stolen Eye of Atheria at
his feet.

"Take the jewel," said Faltrix, "just let Agron live."

"Touching," said the dwarf, "but fear not, I will have need of the
rider and his hawk to complete the ultimate quest."

"Quest?" asked Faltrix.

==[[User:DaWarMage|DaWarMage]]==
===(8 February 2009)===
<pre>@@@@||~3--~~U~gUGUUG~~~</pre>

Dwarves howled as the gladiators fought and bled. They were men and
goblins, imprisoned since the great siege. Now, with the promise of
freedom, they fought. Hanson knew the goblins could not be trusted,
but he had included them in an escape plan with his fellow humans out
of necessity. The dwarves had been foolish to wait so long to condemn
them. It had allowed them to organize.

Once out onto the sand, the gladiators fell in behind Hanson. The
dwarves grew quiet. The Baron stepped to edge of his platform. "What
is the meaning of this?" cried the dwarven noble. Hanson took his
trident up and ran toward the platform, hurling the weapon with all
his might.

==[[User:Dinjoralo|Dinjoralo]]==
===(16 February 2014)===
<pre>.,.,|UU++U|>??</pre>

It was rumored that the city of Assura was built on top of an ancient
dwarf fortress. The barbarians that lived there were not interested
in the marvels beneath their feet. The treasures had been looted long
ago. All that was left were walls covered with strange pictures and
carved runes. The only people interested in that kind of thing were
Dulchari wizards, and King Banatar had outlawed wizardry years ago.

"Tell me again," said young Thirby. "How do wizards work magic?"

"It is all song and dance," said Banesa. "You must merely learn the
steps, the lyrics, and the tune."

As the pair passed under the city archway they felt the cold stares of
the Akkarites. King Banatar had built an empire on superstition and
the hatred of all things magical. It seemed unfair to Thirby that the
Akkarite capital of Assura was built on top of the greatest reservoir
of magical knowledge ever collected.

A strange woman in an orange robe nodded to Banesa and a group of
priests appeared and hustled her and Thirby off the street. They
moved from alley to alley, avoiding the patrols of Akkarite knights.
All of this did little to ease Thirby's mind. He didn't trust the
priests of Cenaster any more than Banatar's knights, but he had total
faith in his master.

"Fear not," said Banesa. "The secrets of the dwarves will soon be ours."

The temple of Cenaster was built across the street from a neglected
graveyard. Thirby couldn't help from feeling his doubts return. The
priestess performed the secret knock and the wizards were allowed
inside. Waiting for them was the high priest.

"Not since the Great Disaster have the signs be so apparent," said the
old man. "The old gods shall return and set the world on the right
course at last."

"To cast the Spell of Summoning," said Banesa, "one must read from the
dwarven tablet. I alone can do this."

"Name your price," said the priest.

"You must take us to the library," said Banesa.

==[[User:Dudecon|Dudecon]]==
===(11 April 2011)===
<pre>+&=+++@++</pre>

Long after the battle was over, and the scavengers had done their
work, Biban remained. The drunken dwarf could not understand total
victory. The banner of the mountain homes flew from every castle in
the land. What was left to conquer? Biban picked up a rock and
hurled it against the bare skull of a goblin, shattering it. The
tears came again. The dwarf took another swig to drive away the
blues.

All Biban had ever known was the art of combat. All his brothers had
become blacksmiths and his father had become greatly disappointed when
Biban pledged his oath to the king. He remembered his first battle.
It was the defense of Blackthorn Fortress. He had shot down many
goblins from the castle walls. Victory after victory followed and
Biban was given command of the Royal Expeditionary Force.

Biban’s army rolled over field and town, burning all in its path.
None of the great kingdoms put up much resistance. It was the goblins
that fought back the hardest. Biban could not understand what force
had moved the cowardly murderers. After a series of bloody battles,
Biban pushed the goblins back to their hole. The entire goblin army
had been waiting for him outside.

The dwarf general now looked over the field of rotting bones. Someone
was there, a man wearing a strange white tunic. Biban tried to stand
but found he could not. He looked down to see a goblin spear struck
through his gut. The man drew closer. Biban reached for his sword,
but found its scabbard empty. Angered, he picked up a rock.

“Put down your stone,” said the man. “I am but a messenger.”

“Where is my army?” cried Biban. “How long have I been here?”

“Face facts,” said the man in a bored tone. “You are dead, struck
down on the field of battle.”

“If I am dead,” shouted Biban, “where is the Eternal Forge?”

“Oh, you will be judged,” said the man. “If we can find a goblin
brave enough to drag you to the Underworld. You have killed too many
of them, you see.”

“What is your name, demon?” asked Biban.

“I am a servant of Osmnog,” said the spirit, “and my master would ask
you to join him, before you are cast down forever into the magma.”

The goblin fortress stood above them. Biban looked up to see the
goblins patrolling its walls. The last battle had not been a victory.
Anger filled the dwarf’s heart at the conquest denied him. A low
growl filled Biban’s chest, building into a booming howl. The spirit
reached out its hand, and Biban took it.

Together, they walked through the gates of the evil citadel. The
goblin guards quailed and quivered as Biban walked by, afraid of him
in death as they were of him in life. They passed horror after horror
until they reached the inner sanctum. There, behind a dark, wood
writing desk, was Osmnog.

The demon king was unremarkable, save for having but one eye in the
center of his forehead. A great window looked out of the high tower
over the bleak land of goblin country. Biban had once longed to stand
here, but as vanquisher, not prisoner. Osmnog smiled, revealing a
mouth full of pointed teeth.

“You come here freely to hear my offer,” said the demon king. “Hear
it now! I offer you the world, license to conquer, maim and kill.
More than that, I offer you revenge.”

“Revenge?” asked Biban.

“You think you were given the task of conquering the wastes for your
own glory?” said Osmnog. “They wanted to be rid of you! They feared
what you would become.”

Osmnog put his arm around the dwarf’s shoulder. “You can still become
that thing. The thing that they fear.”

===(21 January 2016)===
<pre>ggggggggggM@.,.,|@++</pre>
The tiny bird landed on the dwarf king's shoulder and whispered in his ear. The king's reaction was one of great joy considering that his expeditionary force had been completely wiped out. Biban had been struck down, the royal spies had seen it. The king called for his diplomat, he would sue for peace with the goblins immediately. Osmnog seemed like a reasonable leader, as goblins go. With Biban gone there would be nothing to challenge the king's authority.

“I'm afraid that's impossible, your highness,” said the diplomat. “Osmnog's army is marching on the fortress as we speak. I'd say we have three days before he lays siege to the castle.”

“This makes no sense,” said the king. “With Biban dead, the stain on Osmnog's honor has been erased.”

“It is Biban that leads the goblin vanguard,” said the diplomat.

Riding high on the back of a giant mammoth, Biban raised his axe and ordered the goblins to charge. The dwarves were caught completely by surprise. The goblins swept the field and drove the dwarves back to the walls of the fortress. The king appeared in the window of the high tower.

“Biban,” cried the king, “I will have you hammered to death for this!”

===(24 July 2018)===
<pre>###b##|+++@+|</pre>
Word spread quickly that the king was dead. In the place of another king, the dwarves elected an emperor from their ranks. It would be Biban that ruled the world. When Osmnog learned that his puppet was now the ruler of the dwarves he giggled uncontrollably. It was more than he could have wished for. He had a messenger bird take a note of congratulations to the new king of the dwarves.

“What is it?” asked Biban as he heard the knock on his chamber door.

A letter was slipped under the door. It bore the seal of the king of the goblins. When Biban read it, he despaired. There was no escape from the situation. The kingship was a horrible, tedious position to hold. There were assassins hiding among the loathsome strivers that followed him around constantly. Most of the time he locked himself in his office and shuffled paperwork, bills that his stamp would turn into law.

“You will now wage war against the Kingdom of Man,” wrote Osmnog, “Or I will put you back in the ditch where I found you.”

==[[User:Draeath|draeath]]==
===(18 June 2014)===
<pre>++UcU++++@|</pre>

You and I have lived through the hard times. Back then the world was
in chaos and no one really expected to live very long. It was then
that the dwarves of Dulchari drove the forces of darkness back
underground and sealed them away with stakes of adamantine. None of
the young men and women who rule the city states of the Slusian Plains
remember how great the threat was to the human race. It is only old
dwarves like you and I that can recall the black days before the
council delivered us from evil.

Then, as now, the dwarf fortress of Etwersbrot was the most impressive
building still standing. The spires and domes of the fortress city
could be seen from leagues away. The chambers and halls extended deep
into the mountain from which the fortress was carved. Greatest of
this halls was the the council chamber. Here sat the dwarven wizards
of the Dulchari Council.

"Great Magoveer," said the dwarven page. "The emissaries from the
barbarian provinces have arrived."

"Show them inside," said Magoveer.

The fighters from Kivik were still in awe of all the dwarves had
created. As they entered the council chamber their jaws hung open in
disbelief. Just one of the golden statues lining the entryway would
have paid a king's randoms in Slusia. The thrones the council dwarves
sat upon were also made of gold, and they towered over the poor,
frightened diplomats.

"Why have you come here?" asked Magoveer, brushing aside his long
dwarven mustache.

"There is a great evil in the marshland of Kivik," shouted a brave
woman of the plains. "It is not of this world. Many think it is a
remnant of the Time Before."

"You have proof of this wild claim?"

The bearers brought forth what looked like a great birdcage covered
with a brightly colored tarp. The dwarves of the council leaned
forward on their thrones with interest. With a dramatic flare, the
woman took hold of the tarp and pulled it away. Inside the cage was a
large swamp rodent, a capybara.

"Behold," said the woman. "Here lies Lord Bulra of Kivik!"

==[[User:Draigh|Draigh]]==
===(13 Augustus 2008)===
<pre>.@@|,-.-.kk,k,.k,.</pre>

Malgar, warrior dwarf woman, fought on against the onslaught of
kobolds, her newborn baby still strapped to her back. She lifted her
shield to block another volley of poison darts. She had been hunting,
far from the entrance of the fortress, when she stumbled upon the
skulking trash, no doubt planning a cowardly raid on the fortress
vault. She had to warn the others. With one hand she held the bugle
to her lips, while with the other she parried another deadly strike.

==DreamThorn==
===(11 August 2011)===
<pre>"aaaaaa,.,..,@|@@,.,.aaaaaaa"</pre>

"This is it," said Thash. "This is where it happened."

The other dwarves looked around the cavern. They had followed an
ancient map through the bowels of the earth, crisscrossing through
leagues of twisting tunnels. They had fought crundles, run from
jabberers, and followed ridiculous advice from well-meaning gorlaks.
All for this. All to reach this point.

"That's it?" asked Aliz. "That sword sticking in the floor is all
that's holding back the tentacled ones?"

"Yes," said Thash, "and that is why we must protect it."

Somewhere above there was a chittering sound.

"Ant men!" cried Aliz.

==[[User:Dutchling|Dutchling]]==
===(3 March 2011)===
<pre>||@@@@+@+++<||@||####/##/###/#####</pre>

Lightning bolts rained down from the sky as the storm god Domin
released his fury upon the world. Hardest it fell on the dwarf
fortress, but no meteor, no matter how powerful, could keep the little
ones down. King Ibruk stood upon the wall of the dwarven castle,
drunk, daring the sky god to strike him down. The other dwarves
cowered behind the battlements, none brave enough to pull the king
down.

"Lord Ibruk," shouted a voice from lower in the courtyard, "throw not
your life away."
===(17 February 2014)===
<pre>eU.,|+++++++@@?M?</pre>

"Who goes there?" shouted Ibruk.

The wind cleared the clouds of dust from the battered courtyard.
Standing there were a trio of brave looking heroes. The elf looked
tough, and so did the woman wearing furs of the south people, but most
impressive was the dwarf. He was tall for one of his kind, a full
span taller than the king at least. He took two steps forward and
stared the king in the face, showing no deference to the royal blood.

"The sky god has no interest in taking your life," said the dwarf
champion. "Nor does he seek to pound your fortress into rubble. He
merely seeks the stolen egg you foolishly bought from the goblins."

"The egg?" asked the king. "What is your name, dwarf?"

"I am Kognar," said the hero, "servant of the sacred forge."

"You are brave indeed to point out folly in your king," said Ibruk.
"I will take you to what you seek."

The meteor storm seemed to lessen slightly as the king showed Kognar
inside. The elf and woman were forced to wait outside as only dwarves
were allowed in the fortress proper. The king led Kognar through a
series of winding passages until they reached a small room with a hole
in the floor. Heavy breathing could be heard below as if some great
monster was kept there.

"The egg hatched the night after it was brought here," said the king
to Kognar. "It has devoured every dwarf that has challenged it."

===(18 March 2014)===
<pre>@+++.%%,.,.@/J,..%,%%</pre>

"If Domon wants a sacrifice to end the fire storm," said Ibruk, "you
seem as good a candidate as any."

With the crank of a hidden lever, the floor fell away from beneath
Kognar's feet. Hitting the stone floor hard, the hero managed to roll
and recover before the monster could strike. The monster's lair was
filled with skeletons and rotting dwarven meat. The creature seemed
to have become the king's favorite pet.

"Come and get him, Beaky!" cried King Ibruk.

The monster did resemble an enormous, featherless bird. It was twice
the size of the jabberers Kognar knew from the caverns back home. The
hero had a soft spot in his heart for animal life, but this monster
had developed a taste for dwarven flesh. It had to be put down, and
that was something Kognar could not forgive the mad king.

The giant jabberer moved its head from side to side, judging the
distance to strike. Kognar took the time to draw his secret knife.
When the attack came, it was sudden and vicious. The bird monster
meant to snap Kognar in half with its razor-like beak. It was a split
second too late. The hero ducked under the striking head and slashed
the creature's throat.

The gurgling bellow of the dying bird mingled with the king's scream
of denial. Kognar climbed on top of the twitching monster corpse and
jumped up, grasping the lip of the pit. The king called for the
guards, but there was only silence. The fire storm had ceased. Even
the gods knew it was over. King Ibruk had to pay.

===(21 July 2014)===
<pre><@,,..|++eU++@+@@@|</pre>

The elf and woman joined Kognar and Ibruk in the main feast hall. Not
only had the heroes stopped the firestorm, but they had also slain the
king's monster. It was clear and obvious that the king must be
punished. It was also clear if the king was to be punished he could
not be the god-king that he claimed. Before Ibruk was dragged before
the crowd, his high priests had already been executed.

"King Ibruk," said the mysterious woman, "you have stolen Domon's pet
and caused its death."

"I didn't kill it!" shouted Ibruk. "Your champion did!"

"What did you say?" asked the elf. "Would you mind repeating that?"

The king was so angry with the presumptuous elf that all that came out
of his mouth was a loud chirp. He tried to speak again, but his teeth
and jaw were changing. He lifted is hand and felt the new beak that
had grown in place of a mouth. The elf and woman laughed as the king
fled out of the room. Kognar addressed the crowd.

"King Ibruk has been punished for insulting the gods," said Kognar, "I
will take his place at the throne until a new leader can be chosen."

Most of the dwarves thought this was reasonable, though there were
some that thought it was an abomination to allow an elf to curse their
king. Chief among the king's defenders was Administrator Sciok, an
evil and scheming dwarf. In the days that followed, Sciok's
representatives made the rounds assuring Sciok's coronation.

"You had better take your magic friends out of the fortress," said
Sciok to Kognar, "for when I am king, this time tomorrow, they will be
enemies of the state."

==Eagleon==
===(17 August 2007)===
<pre>,o.o@,.P.</pre>

Doran rolled the gray-green schist around slowly in his fingers, examining it closely. A deep red almandine garnet stared back at him from one side of the stone. Truly a fine specimen, he thought. Perhaps this mine isn't a total loss.

The dwarf stood, brushing the dust from his trousers. Now was as good a time as any for some whiskey. Upon turning to the south corridor, he found himself face to face with a sleek velvet figure, terrible and beautiful. A pantherman, here in the mines?! The dwarf stood completely still. The creature could kill him at will. Doran's only hope was that it did not wish to eat him. Its yellow hunter's eyes gazed into his, unblinking, betraying no intention. The finely toned muscles of its body rippled as it positioned itself. To pounce? To bound away? Doran was at the mercy of the beast.

===(23 November 2008)===
<pre>"TW"."".EEEE</pre>

The only sound that the wizard heard was the breathing of the beast.
The trees of the forest rushed by as the giant tiger bounded over rock
and branch, the wizard clinging to its back. Muscles rippled through
the great cat's shoulders as they thundered on. Soon they would reach
the place of magic, the home of the forest spirit. The wizard leapt
from the creatures back and turned, throwing his staff. The tiger
stretched back onto its hind legs and caught the staff in its claw,
now the shape of a hand. The creature snarled and spoke in an animal
language few, save the wizard, understood.

"Alavaster," it said, "we near the sacred grove. Know that is
swarming with treacherous elves. We must use caution."

The wizard looked down at the thick hair bristling on the back on his
hand. Nothing save the spring of the forest spirit could cure his
lycanthropy. No elf would stand in his way. Together, the companions
walked along the natural path, carved by a hundred animals seeking an
audience with the spirit. The tiger's tail began to wag from side to
side. "Do you smell them?" it said.

The wizard took a deep breath through his wolf's muzzle. There was
the odor of the enemy, those who would bar him from his only chance to
return to human form. Elves. Shadows across the trail. They came
on, one after another in a single file line. Their animal instincts
proved true. The lead elf stopped when he saw the creatures.
Alavaster and the tiger stood firm.

"Animal people!" cried the elf. "Shoot them down!"

==[[User:Edras|Edras]]==
===(21 July 2014)===
<pre>"U""U""""""""""""?E?</pre>

You and I remember that fateful day, when the planets were aligned.
Every dwarf fortress lit the torches to welcome the new world that
would follow the passing of Earth. Everyone seemed to think the end
would be quick and painless. We remember the time that came after as
the Apocalypse.

Our heroes have just now begun to slay the last of the monsters born
during that horrid time. Bram was chief of these great men and women.
It was said that he ripped the throat out of a dragon with his bare
hands. Others remember him with more kindness.

"You must stay here," said Bram, "the Garum is no place for a squire."

"But master," said squire Ketran, "the ettin has two heads! You need
me to help you outsmart it."

The squire seemed to have a point, so Bram allowed him to join him as
he traveled into the marshland. The pair of heroes looked out across
the plain of reeds, wondering what kind of monsters could be hiding
out there. The was only one monster than really mattered and that was
the ettin.

The ettin was known to the people of the marsh as Death and Darkness,
named after the monster's two heads. They were known to ambush
caravans headed across the raised highway. Their home was the ruins
of an ancient dwarf fortress set a ways off from the road. Bram and
Ketran had just discovered the place, marked outside by a pile of
skulls.

"Keep this rope tied to your waist," said Bram as the were about to
pass into the pitch darkness. "Don't cry out, no matter what you
see."

==[[User:Ergot|Ergot]]==
===(14 June 2007)===
<pre>""w"w@%"w"w</pre>

Doran shifted from foot to foot as he looked from side to side. Eventually the dwarf's head dropped and he clutched his beard, his wide eyes wild, staring at the dirt. They were everywhere.

"Cave weevils. Cave weevils on my crops. My pig tails, all of my pig tails are gone. But this season will be different, mark my words, by the Lordaxe it will." The dwarf pulled a bulky glove from his belt. The knuckles were studded with iron. Doran slid the glove over his hand, his mouth twisting into a cruel smile. The farmer's eyes grew dark.

One of the foot-long insects crawled in front of the dwarf, and he hammered it into the earth with his fist, smashing the weevil until it was well-ground. "Flat. I'll pound 'em all flat. We might not have cloth this year, but we'll have plenty of meal."

==Flying Olm==
===(30th January, 2010)===
<pre>TTT,.""".,@@@@@,"".TTTPETTT</pre>

The elf watched from above as the dwarves passed below. One by one,
the saplings fell to the dwarven machetes. Let them come in a little
further, he thought. The bush would close in behind them, sealing
them in, away from their kins-dwarves. Then the forest would claim
them, lost forever beneath the green of the treetops. The black
panther woman drew back her teeth in a snarl. She turned her body on
the high branch to address the elf.

"Master Elekain," it said, "we should kill them now and gnaw on their bones."

The elf felt the hunger in his teeth. His temples pulsed with rage.
His eyes traced the dwarves' path back to the edge of the forest. A
troop of warriors gathered there, bidding their country-dwarves
farewell. Elekain drew his blade, a dagger of hardened wood,
magically sharpened by the river pebbles of the Forest Spirit. He
pricked his fingertip and let the blood fall.

The dwarf slapped his neck with a gauntlet and pulled it back to see a
small smear of blood. He stepped out of line and scanned the
treetops, pointing his pike. Grimacing, he trotted to the front of
the column. Captain Dumple didn't like to be bothered with useless
reports, but he had a feeling about this. He stepped up behind the
head dwarf.

"Speak, Lt. Garndel."

Captain Dumple was twice as tall as the greatest dwarf warrior. It
was rumored that he was sired by a man. His beard was dark and thick,
his eyes fierce and flashing. He had seen a dozen battles and had
come out without a scratch. He was a harsh master but was respected
for he brought victory. Garndel swallowed his fear.

"Captain," said Garndel, "the elves are upon us."

==[[User:freeformschooler|freeformschooler]]==
===(3 July 2011)===
<pre>@@@@||g??????????????</pre>

A fierce dry wind blew up from the valley. Wandros and his dwarves
lay behind cacti and sharpened their knives. After a time the goblin
came. The dwarves were dead quiet as it passed them by, oblivious.
As the creature moved toward the rocks, Wandros stood and beckoned his
dwarves to follow.

The Valley of Gold was a real place. Wandros knew it was, and the
goblin would show him where it was. Right, then left, then right
again the goblin made its way around the canyon walls. There at last
was the door. The goblin bent and walked inside, closing the door
after him. Wandros took the doorknob in his hand.

"What's the password?" said a voice from inside.

==[[User:Furiousfish|Furiousfish]]==
===(14 July 2007)===
<pre>++@g####</pre>
"Tell me where the child is being taken and I'll let you live!" Kogan yelled down at the goblin, desperation marking his voice. Mul had shot this wretch in the leg, but the kidnapper had escaped. The goblin hanging by Kogan's hand over the chasm was just a bodyguard. The goblin smiled wickedly, taking delight in Kogan's distress. "Even now, your child is approaching the prison where he'll live out the next decade of his miserable life," it spat. "And then, well..." The fiend began to chuckle. "Where is the child?" Kogan asked with finality. The goblin closed its eyes and was silent. Kogan let the creature drop away into the darkness.

===(27 February 2008)===
<pre>","".g%@.",""."..</pre>
Dorol struggled against the coarse sackcloth. The darkness was total,and it smelled even more foul than his uncle's rotten-toothed whiskeybreath. He had been playing with his miniforge by the cave river when everything had gone black. Dorol had heard a commotion shortly after, followed by terrible undwarven screaming, but afterward just the soft footfalls of somebody running quickly along with the rustling of the sack. At once, whoever was carrying him stopped and let the sack drop hard on the ground. There was a rustling, and the sack opened. It was nighttime, and Dorol could see the face of his captor looking down at him. A goblin! The fiend pulled the cloth down far enough that Dorol's head stuck up out of the opening. The dwarf held tightly onto his toy, uncertain and afraid. "Here, eat this," the goblin said, holding out something. Dorol worked one of his hands out of the sack and took the offering. It wasa piece of spoiled meat, crawling with diseased larvae. The child dropped it on the ground by the sack. "Hey, that's good meat," the goblin complained, reaching down to pick it up. "The master gave it to me just for you." The goblin lowered its voice and mumbled. "I'd eat it, but he is always watching me, and he knows when I've been bad. "Now eat up," the goblin drew closer and pushed the meat into the dwarf's face. Like a true smith, the dwarven child struck, smashing the hammer of his miniforge into the goblin's eye! The goblin cringed, clutching his face. After a moment he shook his head and looked up at the sack, but the dwarf was nowhere to be seen. Filling with rage, driven by fear of his master's torments, the goblin shouted, "You can't run, you hairy snot! I'll hunt you, and I'll find you!" Snatching up the sack, the goblin ran off into the wilds.

==[[User:Fuzzy|Fuzzy]]==
===(31 October 2008)===
<pre>.,G,@,,.</pre>

The dwarves buried Administrator Zarhan face down, so that when evil
spirits animated his soulless corpse, as surely they would, he would
dig straight down into the Underworld and away from the land of the
living. For a season after, the fortress was beset by a horrible
howling that filled the corridors. The dwarves of the fortress were
driven to near madness. Eventually the sounds faded.

It was not long after that a young engraver found a floor hatch, which
had not been there the previous night. He opened the hatch and put
his head through. Phantom arms grabbed him and pulled him inside.

"You fools didn't think I'd forget up from down did you?" hissed the ghost of Zarhan.

==[[User:FFLaguna|FFLaguna]]==
===(5 May 2008)===

<pre>===UHH,...===UHH,........[===].//+//````</pre>

Merchant Prince Gramlin snorted while batting away acorn flies with
his monkey hair swatter. 'Realm of Artifice,' ha! 'Dirt Fortress,'
he named it. These pathetic dwarves scratched a hole in the earth and
produced nothing but rock toys to offer the human caravans. The
journey was long and the profits few. At last the trees cleared
revealing a low hill with a single door, the trade platform lying
before it. Gramlin looked around him. Not a dwarf was to be seen.
They were probably sleeping off a night of unrestrained debauchery.
He ordered his men to lay the goods onto the platform.

A sudden pain rocked the merchant. He looked down at his great gut
and saw a crossbow bolt protruding from his chest. As he sank to the
earth, he cursed. The dwarves had gone feral, maddened by their
pathetic conditions. The caravan was routed and fled into the woods,
leaving their precious cargo on the platform. The last thing Gramlin
saw was the face of a mad dwarf, foaming at the mouth and snarling
before it took his scalp.

==[[User:ANormalUsername1|Frango Nicolbidok]]==
'''"Skullinator"'''
===(20 February 2013)===
<pre>++@+/o\++@+</pre>

Deep under the mountain, where magma pounded like blood through a rocky body, the crazed dwarf Malthis worked his dread craft. In a fortress the size of Ironside, no one really noticed when a nameless dwarf went missing. In fact, it seemed like the hill dwarves came and went like the breath of the forge. So who really cared when they disappeared?

“What is that?” asked Krang.

“I called it the Skullinator,” said Malthis.

The thing resembled a dwarf’s skull with the boney legs of a spider. Krang thought he could almost see the remains of flesh still sticking to the bone.

“What does it do?” asked Krang.

“Come closer,” said Malthis, “and I will show you.”

===(31 December 2013)===

<pre>@oO( * * )</pre>

Invisible gears began to whir. The monster artifact reared back on
its hind legs and took a step toward Krang, who stood still, paralyzed
with fear. The skull stared, its jeweled eyes fixed to Krang's face,
and began to speak. It was a dark and mysterious language of the
past, but somehow Krang was able to understand.

“You must bring me the beating heart of Prince Hablock,” said the
skull. “You have three days.”

Clearly shaken, Krang began muttering to himself. Malthis knew
nothing of the mission. All he heard was the hum of machinery and the
clicking of the ivory teeth. He questioned Krang briefly, but when it
was clear there would be no answer, Malthis retrieved the dwarf's coat
and showed him to the door.

The dwarf fortress was half a day's travel from Malthis's forge. That
gave Krang two days to kidnap the prince in time to bring him back.
Krang was on the move before he could think of a plan. It was hard to
scheme when all he saw in his mind's eye were the dead jewel eyes of
the Skullinator.

===(19 April 2013)===

<pre>+@+@+++++.,.,.,,.,=...,.,.,?g?</pre>

“All he keeps talking about is this Skull-o-tron,” said the castle guard.

“Skullinator!” cried Krang.

“Listen, friend,” said Prince Hablock. “I don't know what this
Malthis fellow has against me, but I'm sure the Guard are more than a
match for a mad blacksmith and his toys.”

It was true, the mission did seem impossible, especially after having
failed with such a direct appeal. The guard took Krang by the
shoulder and guided the desperate dwarf out of the audience chamber.
Normally, Krang would have considered himself lucky to escape without
being sent to the dungeon, but now he was on an evil quest. He
immediately left the royal suites and made his way to the fortress
tavern to clear his head and come up with another wicked plot.

“You want to kidnap who?” asked the barkeep.

“The prince,” hollered Krang, slurring his speech and seeing double.
“I must deliver him to my master, the Skullinator.”

“I'd talk to Spernak if I were you,” said the barkeep. “He's snatched
a princeling or two in his time.”

“Where can I find this wicked dwarf?” asked Krang.

“Spernak is no dwarf,” said the barkeep. “He is a goblin. You can
find him across the mine cart tracks. He's probably shoveling
beak-dog dung for a living.”

Krang slid off of his stool and made his way out the door. With only
one day left to collect the prince, the goblin Spernak had better live
up to his reputation. The mine cart tracks were quiet that time of
day and Krang didn't have much trouble sneaking into the goblin
neighborhood. The entire quest now depended on the skill of an
unknown villain.

Adventurer mode

2016-01-21T11:51:46Z

Dudecon: /* Local Movement */ race agnostic

{{old}}
{{Quality|Unknown|Dec 2015}}
{{av}}

:''This is a detailed reference guide for Adventurer Mode. For a tutorial see the [[Adventure mode quick start|Adventure Mode Quickstart Guide]].
:''See [[Adventure Mode quick reference]] to quickly look up key commands.

In '''Adventurer Mode''' (also called "adventure mode") you create a single adventurer ([[dwarf]], [[human]], [[elf]], [[goblin]], or one of the varieties of [[animal people]]) who starts out somewhere in one of your generated worlds. You can learn about what ails the world and go on [[quest|quests]] to end those troubles (or get brutally murdered trying), and you can venture into the wilderness to find [[cave|caves]], shrines, lairs, abandoned towers, and other [[Site|towns and settlements]]. You can even visit your previously abandoned and retired [[fortress|fortresses]] and take all the precious items you yourself once created.

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 procedurally generated worlds used for Fortress Mode. Whereas in fortress mode you are in charge of a large group of people in real-time restricted to a small parcel, in adventurer mode you control a single character in a turn-based manner, roaming the entire world freely.

=World Selection=

You can play Adventurer mode in any world that has a civilization with the [[Entity_token#Gameplay|ADVENTURE_TIER]] token (which are elf, dwarf, humans, goblins, as well as animal people{{version|0.42.01}}). Humans inhabit cities, towns, and the occasional above-ground fortress. Elves inhabit forest retreats. Dwarves are spread between "deep sites" which sometimes do not contain a direct connection to the surface, and "hill dwarves" which inhabit a loose collection of mounds built into hillsides. Goblins typically live in Dark Fortresses. Lastly, Animal People can live with any civilization, in virtually any location. Human cities and towns are currently the only sites with shops and other places to officially buy goods.

If you have previously built a fort in the world that you select, your adventurer will be able to go visit it. If you have selected to "retire" the fortress rather than abandon it, you will likely be able to encounter all of the inhabitants from fortress mode. However, they will likely not have the same level of activity as they would in a bustling fortress-mode fort.

=Character Creation=

==Race and Civilization==
Any race with the [[Entity_token#Gameplay|ADVENTURE_TIER]] token is playable in adventure mode. In an unmodded game, this means [[Dwarves]], [[Elves]], and [[Human|Humans]]. All three races can complete the same quests.

*'''Humans''' Always originate from one of the villages in the world, begin with bronze, copper, or iron weapons, and can use any of the items sold by shopkeepers (who, for the time being, are only found in human towns and only sell human-sized clothing/armor). They also start with the widest variety of weapon skills.

*'''Human Outsiders''' Human Outsiders are humans that aren't from that world or any of its villages. They simply appear in the wilderness, a stranger to all. You may always play as an outsider, even if the world is otherwise completely uninhabited. Outsiders can only start with Spear User and Knife User as weapon skills, and they cannot start with Armor User or Shield User. They also start out literally naked with no clothing, but can wear any human-sized armor that they trade for, steal, or loot. "Outsiders" of other races can be played if you add the [[Entity_token#Gameplay|INDIV_CONTROLLABLE]] token to the race's entity definition.

*'''Dwarves''' have the advantage of being able to go into a [[Martial trance|martial trance]] when fighting multiple foes at once. This gives them many combat bonuses, which aids their survival greatly. They are the only race which can start with steel weapons, but they wear "small" sized clothing (like goblins and elves) which means that they're unable to wear human clothing and armour found in shops. Goblin armor fits them, making Dark Fortresses (if your computer can handle them) and bandits a viable source of armor; if you're up for it, you could also just rob some dwarves. They can start with almost all of the same weapon skills as civilized humans. Many larger weapons must be wielded two-handed by dwarves, due to their size.

*'''Elves''' start with very weak wooden weapons and have a more limited list of weapon skills during character creation. They have the advantage that they have higher natural speed. Elves also have the AT_PEACE_WITH_NATURE tag. This makes all wildlife passive towards them. Like dwarves they wear small sized clothing and will have the same problem finding suitable armour.

*'''Kobolds''' can be played only if there are no other civilizations and there are kobolds. They are very small and weak in combat and a huge challenge compared to the other races. They wear even smaller armour than the other races and armour will be impossible to find for them, unless you are absurdly lucky and run into armoured kobolds.

*'''Intelligent Wilderness Creatures'''{{version|0.42.01}} can be played not only in varying conditions as above, but also as part of another parent civilization such as elves, humans, and dwarves. They come in various sizes, shapes and abilities, and as such a short description cannot be given.

If no civilization for a given race exists in a world you can only play as an outsider.

== Status ==

Determines the number of starting skill and attribute points, which does not change based on race:
*'''Peasant:''' 15 attribute, 35 skill
*'''Hero:''' 35 attribute, 95 skill
*'''Demigod:''' 105 attribute, 161 skill
The number of skill points is less significant than the number of attribute points because the time it takes to go from Peasant to Demigod in skill terms is much less than what it would take to go from Peasant to Demigod in attribute terms.

== Starting Attributes ==

[[Attribute|Attributes]] are divided into Body and Soul attributes. This section provides some guidance for allocating attributes as it relates to adventurer mode.

=== Body ===

*'''Strength''': Alters the damage you inflict in melee regardless of weapon used. Increases muscle size. This increased muscular layer helps prevent damage, although this is a pretty minor effect. Increasing strength, at least in adventurers, increases movement speed (albeit not as much as agility) due to better carrying capacity.
*'''Agility''': This attribute is directly related to a character's Speed and is also used in combat skills. Agility is really, really important as being faster than the enemies allows you to get more hits in before they can fight back and lets you run away more easily.
*'''Toughness''': Reduces physical damage inflicted on you. Also relates to defensive combat skills.
*'''Endurance''': Reduces the rate at which the adventurer becomes exhausted. Becoming exhausted causes you to collapse, helpless and immobile and can cause you to pass out.
*'''Recuperation''': Increases the rate of wound healing. Not as important as Toughness. Recuperation isn't that useful in adventurer mode since you usually have as much time to rest as you need assuming you can escape a situation alive.
*'''Disease Resistance''': Seems to have some effect on vampirism infectivity; may have to do with infected wounds.

=== Soul ===

Some of these are useful for adventure-mode-applicable skills, but some are totally useless except as dump stats.

*'''Analytical Ability''': Useful for Tracker, Knapping and Student. Analytical Ability seems to have an influence on the quality of written creations, such as Poems, as well as ability to speak about ideals.{{version|0.42.01}}

*'''Focus''': Affects Archer, Ambusher, Observer.

*'''Willpower''': Affects Fighter, Crutch Walker and Swimmer. Willpower is really important as it governs how easily you'll pass out from extreme pain. Low willpower is a death sentence if you are seriously wounded, as you'll pass out and have your head caved in. Broken bones currently cause enough pain that even very high willpower usually won't keep you conscious. For non bone injuries however willpower can keep you going long enough to kill enemies, or at least get away from them.

*'''Creativity''': Unknown at the moment what Creativity does in 42.01, early !Science! seems to have found that this influences quality of poems, songs, and dances. It may also influence "make believe", now able to be performed by children.{{version|0.42.01}}

*'''Intuition''': Helps with Observer, which aids in spotting concealed enemies, ambushes, and identifying attacks from opponents.

*'''Patience''': May have some effect on dealings with others as a result of the new conversation system.{{Verify}}

*'''Memory''': Memory is applied to the Student and Reading skills. Higher Student improves the ability to learn from demonstrations in fortress mode, but it isn't certain whether it has any application in adventurer mode. It's also unknown what benefits come from of higher Reading capability.

*'''Linguistic Ability''': Affects any speaking and writing ability, improves the ability to communication both thoughts and feelings to listeners. Likely also required for 'eloquent speech'. {{Verify}}

*'''Spatial Sense''': Important. Affects combat skills, Ambusher, Crutch Walker, Swimmer, Observer, Knapping. Also, prevents/reduces the chance of stumbling during a dance.{{version|0.42.01}}

*'''Musicality''': Influences the Adventurers ability to perform music and song well. This, so far works for all instruments, one can play a flute, guitar, any other instrument equally well, given that the adventurer has equal skills in all instrument fields.{{version|0.42.01}}

*'''Kinesthetic Sense''': Affects most combat skills, walking with crutches, swimming and dancing

*'''Empathy''': Affects social skills such as Persuader, Flatterer, Judge of Intent, and other Social skills that may not be applied in adventurer mode.

*'''Social Awareness''': Increases the number of followers you can have at a given "fame" level. Normally you start with a limit of two. Increasing this stat by one level raises that to three. Your fame still plays a big part in whenever you can recruit followers or not. This attribute also helps with Persuader and Judge of Intent.

=== Attribute Advancement Cap ===

Adventure mode attributes are capped at double the starting value or the starting value plus the racial average, whichever is greater. Humans, for example, have a racial average strength of 1,000. If a human adventurer starts with an ''above average'' strength of 1,100, then his strength will ultimately be capped at 2,200. Had this human started with a ''below average'' strength of 900, then his strength would be capped at 1,900 instead. For the purpose of maximizing final attributes, this makes it important to start with as many attributes in the ''superior'' range as possible (more attributes per point allocated), while avoiding taking any penalties to even remotely important attributes (big attribute deductions per point recovered). As a consequence of the attribute cap, demigod adventurers will always have a much higher potential for advancement than mere peasants and heroes.

== Starting Skills ==

Not all races have the same sets of skills available at character creation time, but keep in mind that all starting [[skill]]s, as well as ones not available at character creation, can be improved through use in game. [[Reader]] is an exception to this.

This section will specifically address starting skills as they relate to adventure mode. For a full description of combat skills see [[Combat skill]]. Other skills that you can't start with, but which can be increased in game (such as Butchery) are described elsewhere.

=== Weapon ===

The weapon you start out with will be based on which of these, plus the unarmed combat skills, is the highest. In other words, even if Swordsman is your highest weapon skill, you won't start with a sword if your Wrestler or Striker skills are better. Usually the best choice anyway is to specialize in just one melee weapon skill. Regardless of weapon skills, a '''large copper dagger''' will always be included in the starting equipment, which is handy for throwing at enemies that are just a step away or finishing off a foe pinned down by a stuck weapon. If you don't select any offensive skills, you will also start with a spear, just as an outsider would.

Not all races/civilizations can start with all of these skills. Dwarves can't start with Bowman, Pikeman, or Lasher. Elves can only use Swordsman, Bowman, and Spearman. Of the playable races, only humans have access to Pikeman and Lasher. Strangely, only outsiders can start with Knife User.

Note that different races have different names for their weapon skills. Axegoblin, Axedwarf etc.

Crossbowman is an exception. Dwarves call this skill Marksdwarf, although bow skill is referred to as Bow Dwarf as you'd expect. Elite Axe and Hammer dwarves are referred to as Lords.

*'''Axeman''': allows characters to use axes, great axes, and halberds more effectively. Useful for cleaving off limbs.
*'''Bowman''': skill allows characters to use bows more effectively. Useful for taking down enemies at a distance.
*'''Crossbowman''': allows characters to use crossbows more effectively. Useful for taking down enemies at a distance.
*'''Hammerman''': allows characters to use crossbows in melee, mauls, and war hammers more effectively. Useful for breaking limbs.
*'''Knife User''' - allows characters to use large daggers and knives more effectively. Useful for stabbing things.
*'''Lasher''' - allows characters to use whips and scourges more effectively. Very deadly weapons.
*'''Maceman''' - allows characters to use flails, maces, and morningstars more effectively. Similar to hammers.
*'''Pikeman''' - allows characters to use pikes more effectively. Like spears, but much bigger.
*'''Spearman''' - allows characters to use spears more effectively. Useful for stabbing things.
*'''Swordsman''' - allows characters to use blowguns and bows in melee, long swords, scimitars, short swords, and two-handed swords more effectively. Useful for cutting, stabbing, and whacking, but less effective than more dedicated weapons.

=== General Combat ===

These two skills can be raised rather quickly in game and so you probably want to skip spending any points on them at the start.

*'''Fighter''' - This increases with, and contributes to, melee combat whether armed or unarmed. It appears that the purpose of it is to allow melee experience to contribute to melee combat in general regardless of weapon. Repeatedly wrestling (grabbing and releasing) even a small creature will raise this skill.
*'''Archer''' - This increases with, and contributes to, ranged combat including throwing. It works similarly to Fighter except for ranged attacks. It can be easily raised by repeatedly throwing rocks, making it advisable for archers to practice their marksmanship with rock throwing before using up the more finite and expensive forms of ammunition. Shooting at a wall with adjacent upward ramp one level below and picking back projectiles is also a good idea (such places often happen to be in keeps and fortresses). See the FAQ section on [[#How do I increase my skills and attributes?|increasing your skills and attributes]] for information on raising bowman/marksman skills.

=== Defensive ===

These skills are critical for survival. Starting out with good ability in one (especially Shield User or Armor User) if not all is strongly advised.

*'''Shield User''' - Ability to block attacks with shields. Starting with even novice skill in this means that the adventurer will start with a shield. This is a no-brainer unless you're creating a two handed weapon user, and lack a broadness or height modifier on your character - necessary for one-handing any two-handed weapon, without penalty.
*'''Armor User''': A higher level of this skill reduces the encumbrance penalties of armour, allowing you to move faster when wearing it. It also affects how well armour protects you and this makes a huge difference. Unskilled armour users gain little protection. This is noticeable as you'll begin seeing far more combat reports about hits either striking you though armour, (you managed to use your armour to lessen the force of the blow) or being deflected by your armour (you used your armour to avoid the hit entirety) as your skill rises and you learn to actually use your armour to deflect hits. It is highly advised to train your armour skill before entering battle with it as the speed penalties of lower levels can be a serious handicap.
*'''Dodger''' - Ability to dodge out of the way of attacks. Dodger is incredibly important and will allow you to avoid many, many hits that would have otherwise injured you. Especially important when you are fighting unarmoured and can't afford a battle axe in the chest. Boost this to talented or at least close to it.

=== Unarmed Combat and Improvised Weapons ===

While some of them come in handy at times, they can generally be raised fairly easily in game, especially Wrestler and Thrower.

*'''Wrestler''' - Ability to grapple, restrain, take-down, throw opponents, etc. Higher skill means all of these moves succeed more often. See [[#Wrestling and Unarmed Attacks]] for details. Can be raised very easily in game.
*'''Striker''' - Punching ability. Turns handy when weapons get stuck and there is no time to wrest them back.
*'''Kicker''' - Kicking ability. Same as Striker. Kicks are slower but more deadly than punches; heavy kicks are particularly good at crushing and exploding heads.
*'''Biter''' - Biting ability. Biting is surprisingly effective even with non animal races as after biting you can shake opponents around by your teeth, causing great damage and possibly ripping off body parts, although with sapient races this tends to lean more towards fingers or toes, perhaps the occasional hand or foot.
*'''Thrower''' - Throwing any miscellaneous object including rocks, knives, axes, swords, heads, etc. Skill affects accuracy and damage caused.
*'''Misc. Object User''' - Ability to beat things to death with anything that comes at hand, from bags to coins to their own severed body parts. Also somewhat more commonly used for shield bashing. This skill affects combat with any object, from a rock to a beehive. There are no separate skills for different items. Items actually intended to be weapons, like swords or axes, are unaffected by this skill.

=== Movement and Awareness ===

*'''[[Observer]]''' - Helps one to notice things like ambushes, enemies who are "sneaking" (stealth movement), and traps. Detection range increases with skill, but up to a maximum of 3 tiles away. Higher levels give more information regarding opponents. Hard to train. Adding some points here is advisable.
*'''[[Swimmer]]''' - Allows movement through water without drowning. A Novice swimmer can swim but will revert to being unable to swim if stunned, which happens when falling even 1 z-level into the water, or possibly after an unfriendly encounter with a creature in the water. An Adequate swimmer can swim normally (not drown) while stunned. For this reason, ''starting out as an Adequate swimmer is advisable.'' If you don't, at least start as Novice and go get some swimming practice right away.
*'''[[Ambusher]]''' - The skill of {{K|S}}neaking around unobserved. This can be raised fairly easily by sneaking around while traveling from place to place when speed is not important. Enemies will have "sight ranges" from where they can detect a sneaking adventurer. The red zone of sight is where they will see you immediately and begin chasing you; the yellow is where they might see you. Staying out of sight will allow you to silently assassinate your foes, as they rarely seem to notice a knife in their back in time.
*'''[[Climber]]''' - The skill of climbing up walls, into trees, and around the edges of gorges. Higher levels reduce the chance of falling and increase the speed of a climbing character.
*'''[[Tracker]]''' - The skill of tracking your quarry, whether it be animals or goblins. Higher levels will let you spot more tracks and help you distinguish different tracks.
*'''[[Crutch-walker]]''' - The skill of standing and walking with a crutch for support. This skill only becomes available when attempting to move with a crutch in inventory, and can be developed with or without legs. At Legendary levels, a crutch walker walks with no speed reduction, and simply keeping it in hand will continue to increase attributes.

=== Crafting ===

These allow your character to create things. There is only one skill currently available in an unmodified game.

*'''[[Knapper]]''' - The fine art of sharpening rocks by banging them together in a clever manner. The resulting rocks become sharp rocks which do more damage when thrown and can be used for things requiring a sharp edge like butchering. Easy to raise in game and doing so helps with Kinesthetic and Spatial Sense.

=== Other ===

*'''[[Reader]]''' - Allows you to read books, signs, and writing in Adventurer mode. Novice level is required in order to become a [[Necromancer]]. There is no way to increase this skill. Adding more points is a waste, as novice allows you to read anything.
*'''[[Butcher]]''' - The art of turning corpses into piles of delicious prepared brains and meat for food. Butchering also makes corpses and body parts less useful to enemy necromancers. You cannot allocate points here during character creation, but that's OK since skill doesn't really affect anything anyway. Except the taste, of course.

= Gameplay =

== Common UI Concepts ==
{{KeyConventions|3}}

== Moving Around ==

=== Local Movement ===
[[File:Advmode_normaltravel_DF2014.png|thumb|400px|An image of normal travel mode. A list of the closest (but not necessarily close) sites is in the top-left corner. On the right side are minimaps of the next two levels down, relative to the player. Along the bottom is information about the player.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|8}} {{k|2}} {{k|4}} {{k|6}} {{k|7}} {{k|9}} {{k|1}} {{k|3}}
| Move
|-
| {{k|↑}} {{k|↓}} {{k|←}} {{k|→}}
| Move
|-
| {{k|Alt}} and a direction key
| Move carefully / Deliberately enter dangerous terrain
|-
| {{k|<}} or {{k|Shift}}+{{key|5}} (num lock off)
| Ascend
|-
| {{k|>}} or {{k|Ctrl}}+{{key|5}} (num lock off)
| Descend
|-
| {{k|.}}
| Wait for 10 instants
|-
| {{k|,}}
| Wait for 1 instant
|-
| {{k|s}}
| Stand or lie down
|-
| {{k|S}}
| Open Movement Speed/Sneak Menu
|}

Unless your character is an outsider, you will start out in a race-appropriate town or hamlet; in the standard tileset the @ sign is your character.

The directional keys allow movement. Diagonal movement is particularly important especially when chasing or running away from things.

Use {{k|Alt}}+direction to enter water, jump off of cliffs, or otherwise attempt to enter anything that you can't enter using normal movement commands. Note that when entering water it's best to enter the actual water and not the open space over the water as, in the later case, you will fall in causing you to become stunned which may lead to drowning.

If you hit {{k|j}}, you can jump. This is mostly useful for crossing gorges and crevices, where you have to get to the other side. Occasionally, you can manage to jump onto an opponent and tackle them, which typically causes them to go flying a short distance.

Hitting {{k|.}} allows you to stay in one place and wait for other things to move. {{k|,}} does the same but with a tenth of the time it takes for {{k|.}}.

Use {{k|s}} to sit/lie down. Moving while laying down (crawling) will let you move past NPCs which are standing in your way. Also note that you will frequently get knocked to the ground in combat, and if you don't hit {{k|s}} to stand back up then you will crawl slowly along the ground, giving your opponent a lot of opportunity to attack you.

{{k|S}}neak will allow you to move around invisibly, limited by your Ambusher skill and the Observer skill of nearby creatures. Enemies will have sight cones indicating where they can detect a sneaking adventurer. The central zone of sight (red, violet, or cyan) is where they will see you immediately and begin chasing you; their peripheral vision (yellow) is where they might see you. Violet and cyan central zones indicate the enemy is on a different level than yours, while red means they are on the same level. Staying out of sight will allow you to silently assassinate your foes, as they rarely seem to notice a knife in their back in time. Note that sneak is also affected by a variety of other factors detailed on the {{k|S}}neak screen, such as light level and weather.

If you {{k|h}}old onto a wall or tree, you can climb the wall or tree by using the movement keys. In towns and tamer parts of the countryside, this isn't particularly useful. However, in a combat situation, climbing a tree or wall can give you a height advantage, possibly allowing you to dive-tackle your opponents. Sometimes, mountains will be too steep to walk up the edge, or you will find a deep drop into a ravine. In these cases, you will have to climb up to reach the top, or perhaps jump or climb down one face, then climb up the other.

=== Fast Travel ===
[[File:Advmode_fasttravel_DF2014.png|thumb|400px|Fast Travel screen. The player is in a hamlet, between the houses to the right and the mead hall in the top-left area of the map. The asterisk represents a group of creatures (in this case unfriendly goblins). The world map (in sepia) is on the far right.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|T}}
| Fast Travel
|-
| {{k|d}}
| Exit fast travel mode
|-
| {{k|K}}
| Display detected tracks and odors
|-
| {{k|c}}
| Toggle display of clouds on region map
|-
| {{k|s}}
| Walk around in sneak mode. Exiting fast travel starts you in sneak mode.
|-
| {{k|m}}
| Cycle through maps and significant structures
|-
| {{k|Q}}
| View Quest Log
|-
| {{k|Z}}
| Bring up sleep menu
|-
| {{k|h}}
| Hide parts of the bottom bar
|-
| {{k|>}} and {{k|<}}
| Enter/exit tunnel
|-
|}

Entering Fast Travel mode will allow you to move large distances in a single keypress. Of course, the same amount of time will go by and you can also be interrupted (ambushed) while moving in fast travel mode.

Along the top of the map is a line showing the sky, and the position of the sun and/or moon from west to east. This primarily helps you determine how long you have before it gets dark, at which point you won't be able to see very far, will risk getting attacked by bogeymen, and will be more vulnerable to attack in general.

If you are not near any sites, the {{k|m}} key will toggle a world map, colored in sepia tone (matching the map you see in the quest log). If you are near a site, then {{k|m}} cycles between a list of significant structures where your player is, a regional map (matching what you travel on when away from any site), and the aforementioned world map.

The {{k|c}} key will only show clouds on the region map (the one you travel on outside of sites). Some clouds will be visible regardless of the state of this option.

The {{k|h}} key will cycle through various amounts of the bottom bar of content hidden. The effects of each press are:

* 1 press: hide key reference. Allows you to see status effects on your character if obscured by the key list.
* 2 presses: hide most local name, reducing the bar to one line of text.
* 3 presses: hide less local name, eliminating the bar entirely.
* 4 presses: shows all information

== Status and Information ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|l}}
| Look around
|-
| {{k|Space}}
| Advance/Clear Messages
|-
| {{k|a}}
| View Announcements
|-
| {{k|z}}
| Status
|}

=== Looking Around ===

If you're not sure what a tile is, the {{k|l}}ook command will tell you. In addition to being useful for identifying tiles and creatures, you can also view creatures' equipment and what items are sitting on the ground in a given tile. If in doubt, try the look command.

Move the cursor to the tile you want to look at using direction keys and {{k|Shift}}+direction. It's possible to look up and down z-levels (assuming you have line of sight) using the {{k|<}} and {{k|>}} keys. This, for example, allows you to find out if any flying creatures are above you. Hit {{k|Esc}} to exit look mode and go back to movement mode.

=== Messages ===

The game makes frequent use of messages on the screen to tell you what is going on. If there are a lot of these you may need to use {{k|Space}} to display the rest of the messages that won't fit on the screen. You can always go back and view old messages by pressing {{k|a}}.

=== Status Screen ===

This screen shows your skills, attributes, wounded body parts, health (along with more detailed descriptions of your wounds), lets you view your description, and change your nickname if you want.

=== Saving the Game ===

Hit the {{k|Esc}} key at any time and select {{DFtext|Save Game}} to save your game. You can then come back to it later by using the {{DFtext|Continue Playing}} option in the main menu.

== Searching and Manipulating ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|u}}
| Interact with building, furniture, or mechanism
|-
| {{k|L}}
| Search the nearby area very carefully
|}

The {{k|u}} key can be used to do stuff like pull levers in your abandoned forts. It is also used to lower and raise the bucket when standing right next to a well so you can get water to refill your waterskin with.

{{k|L}} will perform a thorough search of the area that you're standing in, possibly revealing some small creatures.

== Managing Equipment ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|i}}
| Show Inventory
|-
| {{k|d}}
| Drop an item
|-
| {{k|g}}
| Get (pickup) an item off the ground
|-
| {{k|p}}
| Put an item into a container
|-
| {{k|r}}
| Remove an item you are wearing or from a container
|-
| {{k|w}}
| Wear an item
|-
| {{k|I}}
| Interact with an object in an advanced way. (unstick a weapon, refill waterskin etc.)
|-
| {{k|q}}
| Sheath your weapons and shield. (Frees your hands for tasks such as climbing or grabbing)
|}

=== Inventory ===

Press {{k|i}} to display a list of what you are currently carrying. Press {{k|-}} {{k|+}} {{k|*}} {{k|/}} to scroll the list. This list will show you if items are being worn, held in hands, stuck on your body, or are inside a container. Detailed information about an object can be viewed by pressing the key associated with the item.

=== Getting/Dropping Things ===

You can {{k|d}}rop items in your inventory, as well as {{k|g}}et items on the ground on the same tile that you are standing on. If there is more than one item a menu will be listed. Press {{k|-}} {{k|+}} {{k|*}} {{k|/}} to scroll the list if the list is too long to fit on the screen. Note that getting something makes your adventurer pick something up with his or her hands. This often means that you have to use {{k|q}} to sheathe whatever you have in your hands before you pick something up. If you do not (and you do not have a backpack or some other way of storing the object, your adventurer will not pick the item up.

{{k|g}} will also allow you to ignite foliage/any flammable objects adjacent to you. Fires aren't as devastating as one might imagine, but they will cause (most) enemies to path around them, making your crowd control slightly more effective when taking on multiple enemies. As an added bonus, it will also surely piss off the elves.

=== Containers ===

Items can be placed into containers with {{k|p}} and removed with {{k|r}}.

=== Wearing ===

Items can be worn using {{k|w}} and removed using {{k|r}} (the same command used for removing from containers). If an item you want to wear does not show up as an option, then it means you are already wearing too many items in the location used by that item. Try {{K|r}}emoving items in that location and then wear them again in order of priority. You also must put on equipment in an order that makes sense,. for example a shirt first ''then'' the armor, not the other way around. Armour must also be put on in a sensible manner with flexible layers such as chainmail first then rigid plate armour second. After all, who, in real life, would wear chainmail over a hard plate?

''Note that "large" or "small" clothing items are too big / small for your race'' (e.g. a '''large''' giant cave spider silk sock). If you have that problem, try getting clothing from a different source.

After acquiring [[armor]] from one source or another, you'll most likely want to equip it. To do this, first make sure it is in your possession--not on the ground. You can then {{key|w}}ear it, granted you don't already have too much on that equipment slot already. You can {{key|r}}emove or {{key|d}}rop inferior equipment as necessary.

See [[Armor]] for more information on wearing things. One thing to note in particular, DF allows you to wear more than one item in the same location in many situations, for example a copper mail shirt and a copper breastplate. The thin, flexible chain can be worn under the breastplate, but not the other way around.

=== Wielding ===

There is no command for wielding items such as [[weapon]]s in specific hands. Instead, they are automatically equipped when you either {{k|g}}et them from the ground or {{k|r}}emove them from your [[backpack]] - provided the hand that would wield them is free. So in order to change [[weapon]]s or [[shield]]s you should drop items or place them into containers (such as your backpack) until your hands are free, then get items from the floor or remove them from containers which will place them in your hands. For example, put all items into backpack, remove sword from backpack, remove shield from backpack. The items will end up in the right and left hand. Simply remember the {{k|r}}emove command and the {{k|p}}ut into container command.

While normally one would only be able to equip one item in each hand, removing items from your inventory results in them being wielded regardless of whether one's hands are full. This is especially useful with shields, as every shield will contribute a block chance to each incoming attack.

Once equipped, weapons and shields can be quickly drawn and sheathed with {{k|q}}, instantly preparing for attack or freeing your hands. Any number of weapons can be strapped, but only one for each hand will be drawn. Others can be manually {{k|r}}emoved for use, and stowed again without occupying other inventory containers.

It should be noted that Dwarf Fortress does not enforce one particular hand as dominant for everyone, so do not be surprised if your character holds the weapon and [[Armor#Shields and Bucklers|shield]] in hands you yourself would not hold them in.

=== Advanced Interaction ===

The {{k|I}} key allows "complex interaction" with objects in your inventory.

This is used for removing arrows and weapons stuck in wounds which will appear in your inventory when they become stuck in you. Removing stuck arrows can cause bleeding so it is not always a good idea mid combat, but stuck objects will slow you down as you are encumbered by their weight. It s best to remove them as soon as possible when it is safe and you are not in danger of bleeding to death.

Advanced interaction can also be used to steal enemy equipment. Use [[wrestling]] to grab hold of a piece of enemy equipment, such as their weapon, or a helmet protecting their squishy brain and it will appear in the advanced interaction menu. Simply grab the item with a free hand and pull away. If successful, you will now be holding that item in your hands.

This command is particularly useful for getting water. When standing next to a well you press the {{k|u}} key to lower, then raise the bucket, yielding 10 units of water in the bucket. Then you can press the {{k|I}} key to fill your waterskin from the full bucket (alternatively you can press the {{k|e}} key to drink directly from the bucket).

Advanced interactions can be used next to a campfire to heat things, such as any frozen liquids you have in your inventory (or snow lying on the ground) and need to drink. You can refill waterskins from a nearby liquid source as well

===Sheathing===
The {{k|q}} key lets you strap your weapons to your back.

This is useful because you can't climb or wrestle with your hands unless your hands are free.

People will also be less likely to be scared of you on first sight if you don't appear to be ready to attack.

== Time and Weather ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|D}}
| Date
|-
| {{k|P}}
| Temperature
|-
| {{k|W}}
| Weather/Time
|}

The game has a day/night cycle with time passing as various actions take place.

When using quick travel mode, the top line of the screen will indicate the position of the sun in the sky with a yellow "☼"; further to the right of the screen is earlier in the day and further to the left is later in the day.

In local travel mode you'll have to use the {{k|W}} command to learn the position of the sun, when you're in a place where the sun is visible.

At night you won't be able to see nearly as well and you will be more vulnerable to ambush.

The game also has weather and temperature. The most common weather you'll experience is rain. Rain is shown as blue moving dots on the local travel screen and will unsurprisingly cause everything outside to become wet. Temperature is important because if it happens to drop below freezing while you're swimming through water, you'll instantly die from being encased in the ice.

Therefore you might want to keep an eye on the temperature while swimming, especially if it's getting cold.

Also, unlike fortress mode, rivers/other bodies of water can be liquid during the day, and freeze at night. The cycles of freezing can also be erratic from day to day.

Freezing weather can also freeze liquids in your inventory solid, making them undrinkable. If your water freezes and you are thirsty, make a campfire and {{k|I}}nteract with your waterskin to heat it over the fire and melt the ice.

== Sleep ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|Z}}
| Sleep
|}

Eventually your character will become {{DFtext|Drowsy|1:0}} and this will get worse until you get sufficient sleep.

Sleep does not necessarily have to coincide with night, but if you're traveling alone when night comes you'll be in danger of being attacked by [[Bogeyman|Bogeymen]]. To avoid this while traveling solo you need to make it to shelter before nightfall and sleep the night away inside a building or abandoned lair. Enter a building, use {{K|k}} to talk to a human, and ask for permission to stay the night. Next press {{K|Z}} to sleep, {{K|d}} to sleep until dawn, then {{K|Enter}} to confirm. ('''NOTE''': If you stay the night in a castle, you have to sleep in the keep which houses the lord/lady of the castle. Sleeping inside the castle but outside the keep still leaves you vulnerable to attack.) Sleeping on an ocean beach also prevents bogeymen from attacking. (If you'd rather not deal with bogeymen, you can disable them by generating a world using [[advanced world generation]] and setting "Number of Night creatures" to 0)

Though sleeping inside can be safe, it's also limiting: any quest site you want to go to has to be within a daytime's round-trip time of a safe habitation, and you have to make your way to there by hopping from one habitation to the next, sleeping at each along the way. A way to avoid this is to travel with companions. If you have any companions with you then Bogeymen won't attack you. You'll still have to sleep at night, though, both to avoid sleep deprivation and because there's no visibility at night. You can still be ambushed at night by wildlife, but that's much less likely than being ambushed by Bogeymen when traveling alone. If you find yourself alone at night with nowhere safe to sleep, the safest bet is to keep traveling until dawn, even if that means running around in circles. You will eventually feel unwell from sleep deprivation, but this can take a considerable amount of time. You can make up for lost sleep once you've found your way to safety.

Note that sleeping in lairs, shrines, and labyrinths makes you safe from ambush, assuming that you or someone else has killed whatever was living there. If you have sufficient shrines/lairs/etc between you and your goal and they are either uninhabited or inhabited by things you are capable of killing then you can travel from lair to lair using each lair as a safe lodging. This is much safer than sleeping out in the open, day or night, even with companions.

If no other options are available, completely surrounding yourself with campfires will keep night marauders at bay as they cannot pass through the fires; the fires will go out after several hours and enable you to move on (you may also be able to jump over the fires). The bogeymen or other enemies may be outside your line of sight, which will prevent you from firing arrows or throwing things at them. In this case, you will have to stand up and lie down {{K|s}} repeatedly until the enemies wander into your range, the fires go out and the enemies can path to you, or dawn breaks.

It should be noted that, as of DF2014, climbing trees and sleeping on them will prevent Bogeyman attacks, as well. This is especially useful if you prefer to play solo, and do not wish to have an army of followers in your employ. This is also useful if you prefer to engage enemies at your own pace (such as via stealth), rather than having your entire follower party immediately charge at anything that is hostile to you.

== Food and Drink ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|e}}
| Eat or drink something
|}

To find water, you must find a river, stream, or well in a town and fill your waterskin from it, or drink from it directly. Water that may be covering you or your items will not be able to satisfy your thirst.

Note that drinking vampire blood will turn you into a vampire instantly.

Make sure to eat or drink regularly even if you're not hungry or thirsty, as you can only eat or drink thrice at a time: after that you'll need to rest, or wait until you can consume another meal. If you find yourself in need of both food and hydration, make sure to take care of the most urgent problem first, as if you are moderately hungry but severely dehydrated and eat three times, you may die before you have another chance to drink.

If the temperature is low enough you might have trouble finding liquid water. Snow and ice can be heated into water by first making a campfire with {{k|g}} and then performing an advanced interaction with {{k|I}} on the ice or snow in your inventory to heat it. Advanced interactions with your waterskin can also be used to gather water from water sources, or snow from the ground.

== Combat ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|8}} {{k|2}} {{k|4}} {{k|6}} {{k|7}} {{k|9}} {{k|1}} {{k|3}}
| Attack adjacent hostile creature
|-
| {{k|↑}} {{k|↓}} {{k|←}} {{k|→}}
| Attack adjacent hostile creature
|-
| {{k|A}}
| Attack an adjacent creature.
|-
| {{k|f}}
| Fire a projectile
|-
| {{k|t}}
| Throw an item
|-
| {{k|C}}
| Open combat preferences interface
|}

[[Combat]] is the fine art of using physical force to cause injury and death, and it is particularly fun in Dwarf Fortress.

=== Melee Attacks ===

Hostile creatures can be attacked using a non-aimed attack by simply advancing towards your enemy using the arrow keys. Doing a non-aimed attack will also have a chance of freeing up any stuck weapon, though you are more likely to accomplish this by moving away from the enemy, or complexly interacting with the weapon.

Any creature can be attacked by standing next to it and pressing {{k|A}}. Attacking a friendly or unconscious creature (which includes wild animals for elves) will further require a confirmation, given using {{k|alt}}+{{k|y}}.

After selecting (and maybe confirming) which creature you want to attack, {{k|a}} will allow you to make an '''aimed attack'''. You must first select the body part that you want to attack. Look at the difficulty rating for various possible attacks. Impossible attacks will be impossible to land and Easier attacks will be very easy to land. The difficulty rating for an attack does not change depending on your weapon skill. Based on player experiences, a Grand Master weapon user can almost always land a "Tricky" strike, while a Novice generally cannot. Attacks on various locations will also have limits on how "squarely" they can land (due to being out of reach, for example). Square and very square attacks will deal more damage.{{Verify}} Attacks which "can't land squarely" are generally still effective.

Attacks aimed at the head are the most effective; a single attack to the cranium with a weapon will usually put an end to the fight. Aimed attacks are especially useful for dismembering opponents. Opponents who are missing a foot will fall over, thereby greatly lowering their speed, and giving you an immediate edge in the fight. Cutting off both hands also highly recommended for obvious reasons. After all, a field full of armless, one-legged enemies can be a big experience booster for your companions.

Aimed attacks are also especially helpful when fighting giant beasts. Some enemies like giant desert scorpions have lots of redundant body parts, and random attacks waste valuable time on low priority areas while the scorpion is busy injecting venom into the whole party. Lastly, aimed attacks allow you to grab trophies that are not available via butchering. For example, a minotaur's horns can be cut off during a fight, but since its a humanoid, most adventurers will refuse to butcher its corpse after the fight. However, in Dwarf Fortress 2014, all butcherable corpses are able to be butchered, as long as the corpse isn't too mangled.

There are several options below the hitting menu. Quick attacks are faster than regular attacks but weaker. Heavy attacks are slower but attack harder. Wild attacks are faster and hit harder but are inaccurate. Precise attacks are very slow but are much more likely to hit. Multi-attacks allow you to attack several times in a row at a great cost to the effectiveness of any one of the chosen attacks.

=== Ranged Attacks ===

To attack with a ranged weapon press the {{k|f}} key with a ranged weapon (bow, crossbow, etc.) equipped on one hand and select the square where you want to attack. Note that you need to have some sort of ammo, corresponding to the type of ranged weapon you are using (for example, bows use arrows, crossbows use bolts). Otherwise, a message stating "You have nothing left to fire." is displayed in brown. Similarly use the {{k|t}} key to throw any random object in the same manner. Random objects appear to make a random attack if they happen to have more than one possible type.{{Verify}} For example, if you throw a sword it may hit with a blunt impact, a stabbing impact, or a slicing impact. Throwing crossbow bolts with sufficient throwing skill and strength seems to have an effect similar to firing them, although less powerful. On the plus side, you will never lose ammo if you throw it.

It is not possible to aim for specific body parts with ranged or thrown attacks.

Throwing is generally a good skill to have for any adventurer, as it allows you to slow down fleeing foes, both on the ground and in the air without the need of equipping a (cross)bow. Just like {{k|l}}ooking, you can use throwing to view and hit enemies multiple Z levels away from you. If you're lucky, you can simply land a hit that causes the flying enemy to give in to pain, and then let gravity do the rest of the work. Even if the fall doesn't kill them, they will most likely be stunned long enough for you to run up and slaughter them.

=== Wrestling and Unarmed Attacks ===

:''Main article: [[Wrestling]]''

'''[[Wrestling]]''' (grappling) can be performed by selecting an enemy via {{k|A}} followed by {{k|b}} to wrestle. You can wrestle any enemy. Wrestling works somewhat like a targeted attack. Once you grab a creature by some body part, you may be able to make another wrestling attempt that will allow you to perform a throw or takedown.

For a detailed list of moves such as takedowns, throws, choke holds, etc., see [[Wrestling]].

It's also possible to punch, kick, and bite. These are not in the wrestling menu but are performed like normal targeted attacks with {{k|A}}.

=== Weapons ===

[[Weapon]]s are basically divided into axe, sword, spear, pike, mace, whip, bow and hammer, with various versions of these taking up the gray area.

=== Wounds ===

If you get wounded during combat, there's not much that you can do except perhaps run before you get more wounded. Your wounds will heal over time, so just travel around or sleep in a safe place. Some wounds however may never heal, leaving you permanently crippled. Obtaining a crutch may help with this. Or if you are not already a vampire, then you can get bitten by a werebeast during full moon, which will heal all injuries once per month.

If you have some bolts or arrows stuck in your body, they can be removed by using the complex interaction menu {{k|I}}. Select the stuck bolt or arrow from the list and then pull it out with {{k|a}} You'll probably start bleeding after you pull it out, but the bleeding is rarely anything to worry about.

=== Combat Preferences ===

At any time during gameplay (Except fast travel mode), you can press {{k|C}} to open the Combat Preferences menu. There are three different preferences you can set: Attack, Dodge and Charge Defense. These have a few different preferences each:

*'''{{k|a}}ttack'''
**'''According to Opponent''' - The default setting. When set to this, charging happens more or less frequently, depending on the difference in size between you and the opponent. Bigger opponents get charged less, smaller more often. Can be very risky, since a random charge against a huge opponent is likely to get you knocked down and stunned. In the same vein, charging when close to obstacles or other environmental hazards is very dangerous, potentially fatal, if the enemy dodges you.
**'''Strike''' - This setting ensures that you never charge an opponent, but rather just swing your weapon at them. This carries less risk than the above, but you're never going to knock anyone down without hitting their legs or spine. Very preferable against large opponents.
**'''Charge''' - When set to this, you ALWAYS charge. When faced with numerous small enemies (Bogeymen in particular), this can be extremely useful, but remember to switch back when facing something bigger. Charging a large dragon is almost a certain death sentence.
**'''Close Combat''' - With this setting, all your auto-attacks are grapples. Generally not very useful, since the random nature of it tends to prevent you from actually doing any damage with it, but if you continually auto-attack a harmless creature with it your wrestling-skill will be legendary in no time.

*'''{{k|d}}odge'''
**'''Move Around''' - This means you can jump away from attacks, physically moving in a random direction. While this lets you dodge attacks more often, it can also result in you jumping into a wall or down a lake. If you're fighting in really tight spaces, or areas with large pits, you might want to switch to the other option.
**'''Stand Ground''' - As can be expected, you stand your ground. No jumping around, which is useful in the above situation, but risky in the open. If you have room for jumping around, go with Move Around, but otherwise this could be a good idea.

*'''{{k|c}}harge Defense'''
**'''According to Opponent''' - Again, the default setting. You're more likely to stand still against small enemies charging, but will probably prefer moving away from larger ones. Somewhat risky, in that even a somewhat small enemy can stun you by charging.
**'''Dodge Away''' - With this, you'll dodge away from charging enemies, if you can. It's not a sure bet, but it's very much worth it against enemies who like to charge. This is probably the most preferable mode, since you're not losing a whole lot by dodging a small foe charging, but dodging an angry night beast can save you from a world of pain.
**'''Stand Ground''' - If you're certain of your physical superiority to the opponent, you can safely choose this. Standing your ground like a real man/woman might feel hardcore, but getting knocked down in a fight can be extremely dangerous. It probably has some use against bogeymen though, since they're quite small. If you really are much bigger than the enemy, you'll end up knocking THEM down. Most of the time though, charges heavily favor the attacker, so dodging away is probably preferable.

Using Combat Preferences properly can actually save your hide, so it's worth fiddling with. Just don't forget that you've fiddled with them, since a misplaced charge or dodge could end up killing you.

== Talking ==
[[File:Advmode_conversation_DF2014.png|thumb|400px|Talking to someone in Adventurer mode.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|k}}
| Talk to somebody
|}

Now that you know how to kill people, you may also want to know how to talk to and otherwise interact with them in a less violent manner. While this is less entertaining, it can sometimes be useful.

To begin a conversation, press {{k|k}}. Unless someone else has already started a conversation with you (see below if someone has), you will get a cyan X that can be positioned over people you want to talk to with the normal directional keys. Use {{k|-}} and {{k|+}} to select who you want to talk to. Aside from individuals, you can also {{DFtext|Shout out to everybody}}, which will have you talking with everyone in earshot, or you can talk to your deity.

Whenever you want to advance the conversation, you have to press {{k|k}} again and choose the ongoing conversation you wish to continue. You will also see ongoing conversations from people who have started a conversation with you. If you want to talk to someone else during this time, simply {{DFtext|Start a new conversation}}.

* {{DFtext|Greet listener}} — Has you offering a greeting to someone, when you're initiating the conversation.
* {{DFtext|Bypass greeting (new menu)}} — Skips the greeting, taking you straight to the normal conversation menus.
* {{DFtext|Reply to greeting}} — If you aren't the one who started the conversation, this option will let you reply to someone's greeting. They will then talk about some trouble.
* {{DFtext|Refuse conversation}} — Causes you to explicitly refuse to talk to someone who started a conversation with you. Unknown if this has a different effect from simply not doing anything.{{Verify}}
* {{DFtext|Reply to greeting (impersonation)}} — Like {{DFtext|Reply to greeting}}, except you're impersonating a deity.
* {{DFtext|Nevermind}} — This has you back out of having a conversation.

When you start talking to someone, you are presented with a wide array of things to talk about. (If the person you are talking to started the conversation and told you about some trouble, you'll first get a menu related to that trouble. Just press {{k|-}}-{{k|Enter}} to {{DFtext|Change the subject (new menu)}} and get to this first menu.) Your choices are as follows:

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
| style="text-align:right;width:30%;" | {{DFtext|Return to current topic (new menu)}}
| You'll see this option only if you chose to change the subject in another menu. This will, predictably, take you back to that subject.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Bring up specific incident or rumor (new menu)}}
| Allows you to spread rumors or summarize conflicts you've been a part of. The next step of the conversation will bring up a menu of choices that allow you to ask for directions to places or state your opinion on the incident/rumor.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask to become a hearthperson}}
| Only appears when talking to a leader who you aren't under the command of. Allows to become one the leader's guards.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Invite listener to become a hearthperson}}
| Only appears when you are a leader. Allows to become one the leader's guards.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Request duty or advice pertaining to service as a hearthperson}}
| Only appears when talking to a leader who are under the command of. You will receive some task to accomplish for the group, if there is anything that needs doing.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Bring up the journey together}}
| Only appears when talking to a companion. The next step of the conversation will allow you to cancel the agreement you made with that person, if you so choose.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Inquire about any troubles}}
| Asks the listener what things in the world are bothering them and their people.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask for directions (new menu)}}
| Allows you to ask for the location of a specific creature or site. People aren't guaranteed to know, and may instead direct you to someone who does.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask about the local ruler}}
| As you might imagine, this gets you some information on who controls this particular area.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Trade}}
| Allows you to trade with a merchant. Note that you have to be right next to them for this to work.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Exchange, give, or take personal items}}
| Like {{DFtext|Trade}}, only that it works with non-merchants.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask favor, place request, make demand or issue order (new menu)}}
| Takes to a menu of various request you can make, including asking the listener to yield, stay put, or pay homage to your group. The options available depends on who you're talking to.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask listener to join you (new menu)}}
| This is how you get companions. You can either ask them to join you on an adventure, or to lead you to some location.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Claim this site for yourself (group naming menu)}}
| This option allows you to stake a claim on the site you are in.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask for permission to stay a day}}
| Allows you to sleep in the listener's building for the night.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask about the structure you are in}}
| Tells you about whatever structure you are standing in, if you are standing in one.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask about this site's neighbors and trade partners}}
| Lets you learn what sites this site is neighboring and/or trading with.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask about the surrounding area}}
| Choosing this will tell you about some location nearby, and why it's significant.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Comment on weather}}
| Small talk about the weather. Really.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Comment on natural surroundings}}
| Same as the weather, only about the nature around you.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Accuse listener of being a night creature}}
| If chosen against a night creature, such as a vampire, it will expose them. Normal individuals will just think you're losing it.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Inquire about listener's profession}}
| Learn what it is the listener does. Useful for lords and ladies and anyone else whose profession isn't listed next to them.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Ask about listener's family}}
| Discover what family the listener has, as expected.
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Brag about your past violent acts}}
| Causes you to brag about whatever last violent act you did. Doesn't seem to have an effect, or at least severely less impactful than summarizing the conflict.{{Verify}}
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{DFtext|Say goodbye}}
| Ends the conversation.
|}

Note that you can press {{k|Esc}} to not choose anything. The conversation is still ongoing, you have to explicitly say goodbye to end it. Pressing {{k|Esc}} is useful if you need to double-check something before talking.

== Companions ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|c}}
| View companion interface
|}

Companions are the guys who follow you around after you've asked them to join you and they've accepted. Your character will have a limit on the maximum number of companions that is based on fame/reputation level and the ''Social Awareness'' attribute. With average social awareness and the maximum level of fame, the limit is 19 companions.

You can use the {{k|c}} key to open up a list showing your companions and their relative position to you. This can be useful if one of them runs off somewhere and you want to find them. You can select specific companions who are in visual range in order to view them. This is the same as viewing them with {{k|l}}ook.

You can give or take equipment with a companion by choosing to talk to them and selecting {{DFtext|Exchange, give or take personal items}}. An evil and arguably inefficient way to get equipment is to intentionally get your companions killed and then take their stuff. If you are trying to help your companions, it is important to note that they prefer to store exchanged items in a personal container rather than to equip said items. You must convince your companions to trade away any containers (pouches, quivers, backpacks, etc.) as well as the equipment that you are attempting to replace. Once you have given your companions almost no choice in the matter, they will equip the new items and a message like {{DFtext|The Swordsman reorganizes his possessions.|6:1}} will be displayed.

If they survive long enough/are trained well enough then companions are capable of leveling stats and skills. Thus they are susceptible to gaining a title or having a job title change as well.

Your companions will continue to follow you and fight hostile creatures around you until they die (if you asked them to join you on an adventure) or get you to the proper location (if you asked them to guide you some place). If you want to get rid of your companions at any time, the safe way is to talk to each one of them, ask them about their journey with you, and then cancel the agreement.

If your companions are too far away from you when you enter fast travel, they will become an asterisk on the map where you started fast travel from. This asterisk may try to join up with you during travel. If you keep losing your companions while traveling through rivers, try going to a spot where the river becomes a "minor river" (shown by a single dark blue line). Brooks are obviously also safe to cross.

== Personal Finance ==

=== Trading (barter) ===

In human towns (not hamlets or castles), you can find shops,in Elven Trading trees you can find markets and at depots in dwarven fortresses you can encounter brokers. Once you're inside of a [[shop]] and right next to any of the NPCs, you can use {{K|k}} to {{DFtext|Trade}} with them. Use {{K|Enter}} to select which items to trade, left/right arrow keys to switch between the list of shop items and your items, and up/down arrow keys to scroll through the lists. You can also either {{k|a}}sk for or {{k|o}}ffer currency as part of the process. Once done, press {{K|t}} to trade. The shopkeeper won't get angry if you're not offering enough in trade, so you can start offering just a few items, keep trying again with a little more until the trade is accepted. Once the trade is accepted all of the items you offered will be on the floor underneath you.

After trading, you will find the stuff you gave on the floor at your feet, and the stuff you got in your inventory.

=== Theft ===

You may also pick up the item before buying it, but you should never walk out of a shop carrying an unbought item, as that is theft. It is punishable by death if you are caught, and excommunication if you are not. On any occasion when you have stolen goods from a store (indicated by dollar signs on either side of the item in your inventory), the game requires you to exit the site ''and'' move a considerable distance before allowing you to quick travel. This may make a getaway more difficult if your adventurer is not already faster than anyone else. This only applies to goods in stores; killing townsfolk and taking their personal things, including those of the shopkeep still only requires exiting the site. The moment you are out of sight, you will be able to warp out as usual. Theft and murder remain within entities; even depopulating one country and stealing all its things will not generate ill response in another country.

In some cases, the shop will be abandoned. This will be made clear by the presence of unbought items and the lack of any merchants in the area. You will not be considered a thief by the relevant entity for taking stuff from an abandoned shop.

If the item name is not surrounded by dollar signs, it is never considered stealing, even in situations where it would be in real life.

=== Managing coins ===

You will find that coins from one civilization are nearly worthless in other civilizations. This will typically result in adventurers carrying around lots of now useless coins. Coins can and will encumber your adventurer, eventually reducing your speed. To reduce that effect you can try to exchange your copper and silver coins for gold ones as well as sell all of your loot directly for gold coins. Remember, merchants will always try to pay you in higher denomination currency first but will resort to lower value coins if they run out of anything higher. First, check the merchant's chest to see how much of each type of coins they have.

Coin values are as follows:
* Copper Coin = 1☼
* Silver Coin = 5☼
* Gold Coin = 15☼

To receive the maximum amount of gold coins from that merchant, make sure the amount "they owe you" during the trade is equal to (total amount of gold coins the shop has)*15☼ . If you are selling loot, simply make sure you only trade this worth of goods, and move on to other merchants for the rest. If you wish to exchange copper and silver coins for gold, buy random goods from the merchant until their price is around this value and then sell back all of the goods for their original value but in gold.

Alternatively, you can take your excess coinage and use it to purchase [[Gem|large gems]] at a trinket shop. Large gems make good investments because they are 1) light, 2) variably priced, and 3) equally valuable between different civilizations.

A few goods are strictly superior to all forms of coinage as a store of value, most notably giant cave spider silk items. A suitably sneaky (or powerful) adventurer can murder a few dwarves or goblins for such items for trade and sale for human goods. Giant cave spider silk is a non-renewable resource in a given world - please harvest responsibly.

=== Where to get items to sell ===

The best place to get items to sell is at bandit camps, after you've slaughtered all the bandits. You can loot the clothes and equipment off of the corpses of the bandits (and off your fallen companions, too), plus at the very center of camp there'll be a few scattered weapons and a few bags/chests containing various goods.

The next best way to get items to sell is to kill a creature, butcher their corpse (see below for how), and pick up the edible bits. Butchered bits from the corpses of people (dwarves, elves, humans, etc.) can sometimes be found in monster lairs and these seem to be just as desired by shopkeepers as the products you gain from your own butchering.

Another good early source of income can be bags left in houses and shops, which usually contain plants and food. No one will complain, and the plants inside can be sold at about 2☼ each plus the value of the bag.

At the bottom of the list comes {{k|L}}ooking carefully and selling any small creatures you might find. However, shops will not accept live creatures unless they are in cages. Some rocks, piles of sand, and other things found on the ground nearly everywhere can also be sold for 1☼ each.

You can also try filling your backpack from river - it can hold up to 100 units of water which is worth 100☼ total. After your sell it, water will drop to the floor as a pool, and backpack can be refilled instantly and for free from there. In fact, you can infinitely fill any container from any pool/pile of any liquid/powder, so if you happen to find some precious substance like [[sunshine]] or [[dwarven sugar]], money won't be a problem for you anymore. This is of course an [[exploit]], liable to be fixed at any time. It may be useful in a pinch, but don't rely on it.

Another devious method is to go outside the shop, {{k|g}}rab handfuls of mud and throw it into your backpack, then sell them for 1☼ each. The merchants will gladly buy your rare and valuable mud despite the unlimited free mud just outside their shop.

== Quest Log ==

{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|Q}}
| Open quest log
|-
| {{k|Esc}}
| Exit quest log
|-
| {{k|e}} {{k|p}} {{k|s}} {{k|r}} {{k|b}}
| Access various lists
|-
| {{k|m}}
| Switch between the world map and additional info
|-
| {{k|z}}
| Center cursor on location of selected list item, if known
|-
| {{k|c}}
| Center cursor on your location
|-
| {{k|l}}
| Toggle the visibility of the line between you and some other point on the map.
|-
| {{k|f}}
| Filter the list
|-
| {{k|+}} {{k|-}} {{k|*}} {{k|/}}
| Navigate the list
|}

The quest log contains everything you know about the world, such as various events going on, people you know, and various sites. The {{k|m}} key will alternate between a world map that you can navigate, and information on whatever item is highlighted in the list to the right.

There are various kinds of lists you can check on the quest log:

* '''Events''' — A list of events that are happening or have happened. Formatting of the list is {{DFtext|(type)/(description)}}. You can center on the location of the event if you know this. This list is the closest you'll get to some formal quest system.
* '''People''' — A list of people you know. At the start of the game, this list will contain people in your site.
* '''Sites''' — A list of various sites around the world.
* '''Groups''' — A list of groups you know of and your relation to them. Note that you have to press {{k|e}} when you're on the events list in order to reach this list, requiring you to press {{k|e}} at most twice.
* '''Regions''' — A list of regions. The additional information will list the biomes a region possesses.
* '''Bestiary''' — A list of creatures, their characteristics, and where you could find them.

==Crafting==
{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
| {{k|x}}
| Perform action (butcher, create item...)
|}

Adventurers can perform limited crafting, (also known as "reactions"). To access the crafting menu, press {{k|x}}.

* '''[[Knapper|Knapping]]''' allows an adventurer to sharpen a rock. Knapping only works on stones on the ground or in your hands. Choose the {{k|c}}reate option and then select "Make sharp stone". You will be prompted to choose a rock to sharpen ("tool stone"), and then the rock that is to be the hammerstone. The tool stone will be replaced in your hand by a sharp version.

* '''Butchering''' acts similarly to Fortress Mode's [[Butchery]] by converting a corpse into edible products, bones, and skin. A corpse must be on the ground or in your hand. With a sharp object (such as a dagger or knapped stone or even a bolt/arrow) in your hand or on the same tile of the corpse, select the {{k|b}}utcher option, and then you can select the corpse and the sharp tool to butcher with. The corpse will be replaced by its butchering returns.

* '''Spitting''' gives you spit, which can be aimed at someone in much the same way as any projectile. To get this, choose natural ability and then spit in the reactions menu.

You may also gain acquired abilities when you become a creature of the night, such as a necromancer.

= Sites =

More information on each type of site can be found in the site's specific article.

== Civilization ==

[[Civilization]]s are organized groups of creatures (generally of the same race) which build sites such as towns.

=== Human Sites ===

==== Towns {{Raw Tile|+|7:0:0}} {{Raw Tile|*|7:0:0}} {{Raw Tile|#|7:0:0}} {{Raw Tile|☼|7:0:0}} ====
Humans live in towns comprised of buildings and often a paved road. Human towns are highly modular, and are usually near some source of water, either the coast or a river.

Towns appear on the fast travel map (when outside a site) as {{Tile|■|7:0:1}} or {{Tile|■|6:0:1}} symbols which are small collections of buildings. When you are near a human site, large yellow blocks indicate where various houses and shops are found (though not all houses and shops can be found in these blocks; sometimes you'll find a house or two out in a site's fields). You usually have to follow the roads in a yellow block on the fast travel map.

Towns usually have lots of interesting structures which are described fully in the [[town]] article.

==== Hamlets {{Raw Tile|æ|7:0:0}} {{Raw Tile|Æ|7:0:0}} {{Raw Tile|{{=}}|7:0:0}} {{Raw Tile|≡|7:0:0}} ====
Most of the time, the majority of a human civilization's population will live in small [[hamlet]]s, which tend to be sprawled out along coastlines and through river valleys. Like other sites, they can be invaded, and you'll sometimes find them captured by other civilizations, [[necromancer]]s, or criminal syndicates. Human adventurers usually spawn in hamlets.

Note that hamlets are similar in structure to towns, only they have mead halls instead of keeps, and don't have any defensive walls.

=== Dwarven Sites ===

==== Dwarf Fortresses {{Raw Tile|Ω|7:0:1}} ====
These are the randomly generated equivalent of the sites you build in [[dwarf fortress mode]]. [[Fortress]]es are described in detail in the own article. Their main function for adventurers is that they have a central, spiraling ramp that connects the underground and above-ground worlds, particularly in that they connect the subterranean tunnel networks to the rest of the dwarf civilization. They are located at the edges of mountain ranges.

Player-made fortresses are considered dwarf fortresses by the game, in addition to the randomly-generated ones.

==== Mountain Halls {{Raw Tile|Ω|0:0:1}} ====
[[Mountain halls]] are the sites of the "deep dwarves," located far beneath the mountains. They can be accessed via down-stairs found in underground tunnels, and are comprised of a couple of levels that contain bedrooms and large halls filled with smelters or forges.

==== Hillocks {{Raw Tile|Ω|7:0:0}} ====
[[Hillock]]s are the dwarf equivalent to human hamlets. They consist of a few circular mounds filled with dwarf citizens. There doesn't seem to be any settlement pattern for them; they are equally likely to be found in any land [[biome]].

=== Elven Sites ===

==== Forest Retreats {{Raw Tile|î|6:0:1}} {{Raw Tile|¶|6:0:1}} ====
Elves live in [[forest retreat]]s located, unsurprisingly, in [[forest]] biomes. They are essentially clusters of huge [[tree]]s with elves standing in and around them.

=== Goblin Sites ===

==== Dark Fortresses {{Raw Tile|π|0:0:1}} {{Raw Tile|π|5:0:0}} {{Raw Tile|π|5:0:1}} ====
These are the main goblin sites. Some [[dark fortress]]es may contain a [[Underworld spire|certain spoiler]].

==== Dark Pits {{Raw Tile|º|5:0:0}}====
These are the goblin equivalent of hamlets and hillocks. [[Dark Pit]]s are essentially canyons lined with wooden guard towers. They tend to be built in huge clusters around the dark fortresses, such that large chunks of the map may be covered with them.

=== Kobold Sites ===
==== Caves {{Raw Tile|•|#808080|#00DD00}}====
[[Cave]]s are sometimes home to [[kobold]] groups. They are mounds filled with narrow tunnels leading to the [[caverns]] and usually contain piles of random loot resulting from kobold [[Thief|thieving]] incursions.

=== Night Creature Sites ===

==== Necromancer's Towers {{Raw Tile|I|5:0:0}} ====
[[Necromancer]]'s Towers are built by necromancers who have at least 50 followers; younger necromancers may take over towns or camps instead. Usually you can find [[book]]s written by the necromancer, some of which contain [[Necromancer#Adventurer_Mode|the secret to life and death]]. Towers require abundant human populations (low savagery, large tracts of neutral land) and a high number of secrets to be generated in world generation, as necromancers cannot be elf or goblin.

==== Lairs ====
Lairs are the homes of [[night troll]]s. Lairs are mounds or holes in the ground with doors or hatch covers. Most night troll lairs are inhabited by a single creature, but sometimes you'll encounter entire families of five or even ten.

=== Megabeast Sites ===
==== Minotaur's Labyrinths {{Raw Tile|#|0:7:1}}====
A Labyrinth is an intricate network of tunnels often filled with the bodies of previous adventurers slain in [[World generation|worldgen]] by its resident [[minotaur]]. As you explore the labyrinth, you will hear the minotaur taunting you.

==== Bronze Colossus' Shrine {{Raw Tile|Å|7:0:0}} ====
Shrines are huge stone structures surrounded by pillars that are the homes of [[bronze colossi]] and [[titan]]s. Several of them can be found on a single site, making its exploration particularly hazardous. [[Demons]] have also been reported to inhabit them.

= FAQ =

== How do I find an entrance to the underworld? ==
Method 1: Most [[Cave|caves]] lead directly into the first [[cavern]] layer. Although it may be possible to learn of some trouble which originates from a cave{{verify}}, your best bet is to ask people about the surroundings, and hope that they mention a cave at some point. If they don't, travel to another site a fair bit away from where you are and ask someone else.

Method 2: Dwarf [[Fortress|fortresses]] are connected to the [[tunnel]] system, which usually connects to the caverns.

Method 3: You can start a [[dwarf fortress mode]] game, dig to the first cavern layer, retire or abandon the fortress, and then return with your adventurer.

The three cavern layers are connected to each other in [[Deep pit|various]] [[Passage|places]], although they are rather spread out and extremely difficult to find with an adventurer.

Additionally, [[Underworld spire|a certain spoiler]] can be found which leads to [[Hell|another spoiler]], deep underground.

== I keep getting maimed! How can I fight without getting seriously hurt? ==
The best defense is a good offense. If you let your enemies attack you, you're (unsurprisingly) likely to get hurt eventually.
* Try to '''avoid fighting difficult enemies until you get some armor'''. Don't fight enemies at all unless you're sure you can beat them. If you're unsure, you're probably going to get hurt.
* If you have good speed, try to '''fight enemies one-by-one''' — keep moving backwards and only attack when you're within range of just one enemy.
* If you have a slashing weapon, try to '''chop body parts off of your enemy''' — it makes them stop fighting for a turn, allowing you to keep attacking them without being attacked in exchange. Chopping off limbs will also weaken your enemies - taking their arms can prevent them from using weapons, taking their legs can make them slow and knock them down. Chopping off their heads will instantly kill them, but it may take a few (or, with larger enemies such as [[troll]]s, it may take more than fifteen) slashes before the head is severed.
* Remember that '''it's better to let your enemy come to you, than to go to your enemy'''. You have to either move or attack. If you move, you can't attack, so if you move within range to attack your enemy, you allow them to have the first strike (unless you're much faster than them). On the other hand, if you let them move within range of you, then you get to have the first strike. If your enemy is one space away from you, use that as an opportunity to throw a knife or a rock at them; worst case, they will get a bruise or a cut; best case, they will start the melee severely crippled. If you're fast enough, then you can simply step back after getting in that first hit, and they'll have to spend their turn approaching you again. Lather, rinse, repeat.
* Follow the advice under [[#Combat Preferences|Combat Preferences]].

== How can I obtain armor as quickly as possible? ==
* The best way would be to rummage through mead halls, keeps, and fortresses, or whatever other strongholds your race makes use of. Not all places will be stocked with equipment, but usually they have something.
** There are also underground locations, such as the dungeons underneath keeps, or the catacombs under temples, that contain plenty of equipment. These underground places are liable to be populated with unfriendly creatures, so beware.
* You can also take along companions and have them killed, or just plainly murder people and loot their corpses for stuff.
* You can earn some money by exchanging some loot with the local populace for coins, and then buy equipment off of soldiers you might meet in towns. Remember that coins only have nominal value in the civilization they've been minted, but gems are equally valuable anywhere.

== How do I increase my skills and attributes? ==

Here are some techniques for raising your skills; very rapidly in some cases.

Most of these skill-raising techniques involve repeatedly entering the same keystrokes. To assist with this you can use a [[DF2014:Macro|macro]] to make entering the same sequence of keystrokes over and over again much easier.

Increasing skills increases associated attributes which may in turn benefit other skills. For example, sharpening rocks using {{k|x}} will increase Knapping which will increase a number of attributes that help with combat skills. See [[Attribute#Skills_by_Associated_Attributes|Skills and Associated Attributes]] for a mostly complete list.

*'''Fighting and Wrestling''' — A good way to raise your Fighting and Wrestling skills and related attributes is to go find a small, relatively harmless animal and wrestle with it repeatedly. You can wrestle hitting {{k|b}} for the wrestling option after selecting the creature to fight. Continually grabbing and releasing a creature is sufficient to raise your skill, and you can do it indefinitely with the same animal as it won't be injured (unless you auto-wrestle it). Wrestling will increase Kinesthetic Sense, Spatial Sense, and to a lesser extent, Endurance. You may also somewhat increase Dodging and Shield User this way as the creature takes swipes at you.It's possible to change your {{k|C}}ombat preferences for attacking and dodging to ''Close Combat'' and ''Stand Ground'', respectively, allowing you to simply walk into the helpless critter to wrestle it. (Standing your ground prevents you from moving to dodge attacks, so your wrestling can continue almost uninterrupted.) You will, however, perform occasional throws and take-downs as long as the creature remains standing, which may result in their eventual bleeding to death. Strangulation is also a repeated concern, as it will render the victim unconscious, thus making you have to wait until it regains consciousness before you can continue auto-wrestling it (though you may still raise your Wrestler and Fighter skills by 10 points for every time you ''release'' a limb - though this must be done manually and must be repeatedly confirmed, once the creature is rendered unconscious). Another concern with auto-wrestling some animals is that you will perform joint locks, and break hips, knees, and ankles in the process, which can cause the creature to bleed to death. If you can wrangle a creature incapable of blood-loss and strangulation in a high-FPS area (such as a crab on a frozen beach), you can easily raise all associated skills and attributes to Legendary and Superhuman in the course of a few minutes.
*'''Shield User, Armor User, and Dodging''' - In addition to wrestling the creature, you can also sit back and let it attack you to raise your defensive skills. If you have metal armor, then a small animal like a gopher can't do any real damage to you when it hits. Also, to place emphasis more heavily on shield blocking, you can change your attack {{K|C}}ombat preference to ''Stand Ground''. The wrestling-a-crab-on-a-frozen-beach method also works fantastically for this.
*'''Weapon Skills and Fighting''' — Once your defensive skills are getting up there and your agility is high enough, you might want to try fighting [[bogeyman|bogeymen]] to increase your weapon skill. Just make sure to fight them one at a time while running away. If you don't know what a bogeyman is yet then you are probably not ready to try this. Also, doing difficult targeted shots will gain more experience and keep the training dummy alive longer.
*'''Throwing and Archery''' — Throwing rocks with {{k|t}} will raise your Throwing and Archery skills. Throwing objects at creatures, while not terribly effective, can still be a quite handy skill. Although throwing is a way to raise Archery without wasting ammunition, there is a non-wasteful method that additionally increases bow/crossbow skills.The most efficient way to level via throwing is to forgo using a macro and separate training into two phases: {{k|g}}etting and {{k|t}}hrowing. First, find a tile with an indefinite amount of throwable objects (e.g., snow, rocks, mud, etc.). Then, sequentially mash {{k|g}} and whatever key the rocks are assigned to until both your forearms explode. Rest. Then, sequentially mash {{k|t}}, followed by some consistent key assigned to your rocks, then {{k|Enter}}, until you've emptied your inventory. Rest. Rinse and repeat. (You may wish to empty your inventory beforehand such that the rocks are assigned to a key close to {{k|t}}, allowing you to keep one hand on {{k|Enter}} and another on {{k|t}}.)
*'''Marksman, Bowman, and Archery''' — Raising the bow and crossbow weapon-specific skills is best done by shooting at a wall or cliff with no floor directly beneath it. If bolts or arrows hit a wall that has floor/ground on the same z-level, then the ammunition will be destroyed. ''However'', ammunition that falls at least one z-level after hitting a wall will remain intact. So, simply find something like a hill inside a castle, stand on it, then shoot at a wall which is on the same z-level you are. The arrows will hit the wall and fall one z-level to the ground, remaining intact. You can then {{k|g}}et the arrows and {{k|f}}ire them at the wall again from the hill, ad infinitum. You can also stand next to a wall that's two or more z-levels high, aiming at the wall one z-level up by hitting {{k|<}} after hitting {{k|f}}. Whatever method you employ, the key is that the arrow needs to fall at least one z-level after hitting a wall to remain intact. Using a macro will speed this up greatly.An alternative and much easier way to train any ranged attack is to simply shoot one or more z-levels straight above into the air , by using {{k|f}} than {{k|<}} , any ammunition used seems incapable of causing harm to the one launching it and lands undamaged under their feet for easy retrieval , however this may be considered a bug and/or exploit.
*'''Ambushing and Swimming''' — An efficient way to raise Ambushing is to sneak over large stretches of land. Sneaking on the fast travel screen may work as well.{{Verify}} Ideally, this would be done in a biome containing sparse vegetation and few threatening creatures to blunder into and reduce FPS (e.g., a frozen beach).Although less efficient for raising only Ambushing, it's also possible to sneak and swim at the same time, thus combining their training. '''Just make sure you start with at least Novice in swimming''', or you'll find swimming practically impossible to train. Swimming can very quickly improve your Strength, Agility, and Endurance. Additionally, if you can safely drown and then recover (e.g., by moving under a bridge and then back before suffocating), this will raise both Toughness and Endurance at a ''ridiculous'' pace— a single step spent drowning will raise both attributes by a fifth of a point apiece.
*'''Observer''' — You can't really power-level this skill as it is slow and difficult to train, which is why you're advised to sink some points into it during character creation. However, one way to train it appears to be sleeping or walking around in the wilderness, allowing yourself to be repeatedly ambushed. This is, however, inherently dangerous. Running away from these encounters would probably be faster than slaying your assailants, if not generally safer for your character (but not for your companions, hoh boy).Successfully detecting traps found in tombs and catacombs (performed automatically) will also raise Observer. However, without decent skill to begin with, you'll be torn to pieces by the many traps you'll fail to see. Otherwise, once you've found one or more traps, it's possible to grind experience by sleeping/waiting an hour, thus resetting the traps. Rinse and repeat.As of version 40_23 one seem to aquire Observer skill from regular combat.
*'''Spatial and Kinesthetic Sense''' - While sharpening rocks with {{k|x}} will improve your Knapping skill, it more importantly increases your Spatial Sense and Kinesthetic Sense attributes, which affect a number of other skills. Knapping can be combined with throwing via a macro to keep your inventory from filling up.
*'''Other Stats''' - Other useful stats like Strength, Agility, and Toughness will increase significantly as the fighting and defense skills increase, so you don't need to do anything other than what you'd normally be doing to increase these.

== I managed to escape but my limbs are chopped off. Now what? ==

'Tis but a scratch!

Unfortunately, there is only one way to get them back, and that is by being bitten by a [[werebeast]] and surviving until the next full moon. But as long as you have at least one leg and one arm left you can actually do pretty well. First, get a crutch from somewhere, such as a general store, and make sure it's in one of your hands. Once you do that you should be able to {{k|s}}tand back up again. (However, if spinal nervous tissue damage is what has disabled your ability to stand, crutches ''will not'' help you in that regard.) You will notice that your speed is now much slower than before.

Now go find someplace reasonably safe and walk back and forth until your Crutch Walking skill gets up to Legendary or above. You will notice your speed increasing as your skill levels up until your speed is completely back to normal. As a bonus you'll probably see some stat increases as well. You can continue to dodge with a crutch just as well as before.

You can wield a sword, shield, and crutch all in one hand, so even if you are missing an arm then you're all set. If you are missing both arms but still have both legs then unfortunately you'll be limited to biting, dodging, and wrestling with legs. If you're missing both arms and one leg then your movement will be limited and you'll be limited to biting and wrestling with your one remaining leg. And if all limbs are missing then you'll be limited to rolling around on the ground biting things.

Though you might actually be able to do surprisingly well as a Legendary Biter, especially if you powerlevel your strength to the point where you can shake things around by the teeth ripping limbs off, if you lose both legs then your character is going to be severely limited just due to the poor movement rate, so at that point it's probably best to opt for retirement or a glorious death in battle.

== What creatures of night can I become? ==

You basically have four different choices.

Firstly, you can become a [[necromancer|'''necromancer''']].
* That gives you some traits of an undead. Namely, you don't need to eat, sleep or drink, don't tire or age, zombies or mummies don't attack you and your physical stats are permanently fixed.
* The last one means it's wise to train them beforehand.
* You also can raise dead from the {{K|x}} menu. Depending on the flavor of your spell, zombies can be slow, very slow or not slow at all. They will be listed as companions.
* To become a necromancer, find a necromancer tower and obtain a book or slab containing secrets of life and death from there, then read it. Note that most of the books are useless. In younger worlds necromancers may not have built their towers yet, in which case they'll be hanging at a zombie bandit camp, slab under the arm.

Secondly, you can become a [[vampire|'''vampire''']].
* That gives you most traits of an undead. In addition to the listed above, you don't feel pain, don't breathe and immune to most syndromes.
* Your strength, agility and toughness are doubled.
* They're still fixed forever, so, again, be prepared.
* Despite not needing to drink water, you have a hunger for warm blood. To satisfy it, beat someone or something unconscious and {{K|e}}at their blood.
* To become a vampire, defeat one in combat and drink his blood.
* In version 0.42.01, it is now possible to be "cursed" by a god into becoming a vampire by desecrating statues\totems\altars dedicated to them. {{version|0.42.01}}

Thirdly, you can become a [[werebeast|'''werebeast''']].
* This gives you the (uncontrolled) ability to transform into a powerful half-man, half-beast on a full moon.
* There's a fixed list of animals on which the werebeast is based, including goat, llama, lizard, horse, monitor, buffalo, moose, tortoise, camel, kangaroo, ape, gecko, bear, hyena, warthog, iguana, skink, shrew, elk, skunk, pig, raccoon, panda, mole, badger, armadillo, mammoth and more.
* Most importantly, upon transformation (both ways) all your wounds, including missing limbs, are instantly healed.
* You don't show any abnormalcy outside of beast form. You are still mortal.
* When in beast form, everything is hostile to you, you don't need to drink, eat, sleep or breathe, don't feel pain, don't tire and are immune to some syndromes.
* One randomly chosen metal is ten times as deadly to you than usual. All other materials deal you half damage.
* Werebeast's size is several times their base animal size, but no less than 80000. This means all armor will be too small for you while in beast form. But you can still use a shield.
* Also, some werebeasts are truly gigantic — weremammoth has a size of 9000000, on par with demons.
* To become a werebeast, make one bite you. It has to be in the beast form.
* In version 0.42.01, it is now possible to be "cursed" by a god into becoming a werebeast by desecrating statues\totems\altars dedicated to them. {{version|0.42.01}}
* You cannot be a werebeast and a vampire at the same time.

And finally, you can become a mist [[zombie|'''zombie''']].
* This makes you undead. In addition to vampire traits, you can see without eyes and can't die via blood loss or beheading. Note that you don't have health point limit raised zombies have.
* You become permanently hostile to everyone except other undead.
* Your strength and toughness are tripled and fixed. Train beforehand.
* Depending on the flavor of zombie virus, your speed may or may not drop to 20% or 60% of its normal value.
* To become a mist zombie, find a mist/fog cloud that zombifies creatures and run into it.
* You cannot become a vampire or a werebeast if you are already a zombie. The other way, however, is fine.

=See Also=
*[[Main:Adventure Mode quick reference|Adventure Mode Quick Reference]]
*[[Main:Adventure mode quick start|Adventure Mode Quickstart Guide]]

=A glimpse into the Future=
{{D for dwarf}}

* Passage from "Shooting <s>for</s> the sky" , the giant toad bone bound book by Nefil Blackbone the human necromancer :

{{Quote|align=left|
... While seemingly absurd , the practice of ones abilities with a ranged weapon can be furthered by directing said weapon towards the sky .
After all , during day time the sky has one giant target that might even seem so large that it's impossible to miss , and the night sky has many smaller ones .
It has been well documented that hitting the target may not be necessary to achieve improvement in ones skill with said arms , thus it is reasonable to expect every subsequent shot after the first will hit a tad closer to it's intended target , this has further lead me to believe in the possibility of sky exploration , for with this logic at some point the projectile will actually hit it's target and could subsequently be replaced with a test [[goblin|dummy]] to further resolve survival issues and empty ones [[invader|guest]] [[stockpile|accommodations]] in one go .
Finally with said preparations accomplished it would be possible to explore whatever is beyond that great blue/black border above .
However some skeptical dwarven scholars suggest this to be impossible and rather place their bets on the tried and tested dwarven [[bridge|launch system]] , while notable human scholars propose using bigger [[catapult|armaments]] to accomplish the goal .
This is how the great space race between the Elves , Dwarves and Humans began , which would later on lead to massive intergalactic conflicts , space goblin invasions , immortal human emperors , elven space gates , interplanetary clown-storms all under the name of the humble dwarven hammer of war ...}}

{{Getting Started}}
{{Category|Adventurer mode}}
{{Category|Interface}}

40d:Macros and keymaps

2008-05-05T02:10:05Z

Dudecon: /* 'First Fortress' setup */ Re-wrote some so it properly deals with items (by name instead of location)

Playing Dwarf Fortress means lots of typing. Although the game (as of version v0.27.176.38c) has no internal macro/keymap system, using an external program can save you a great deal of time when dumping, rewalling, designating, and so forth.

# Go to [[Utilities#AutoHotKey]] and download AutoHotKey. Installation is simple and the program uses few system resources.
# Write macro scripts (file type .ahk), which may contain any number of commands. You activate scripts by double-clicking .ahk files and deactivate them by right-clicking the AutoHotKey icon on the task bar. Both of these can be done at any time - even right in the middle of a game. AutoHotKey also allows for automated activation of scripts.

== AutoHotKey Examples ==

===Dumping===
====Stock Screen Dump====
Taken from an old version of [[User:Jackard|Jackard's user page]].

To use, first have your bookeeper do enough desk work so you can view individual items in the stocks listing. Then bring it up and press del to quickly mark stuff. To adjust the key repeat rate, edit the KEY_HOLD_MS value in \data\init\init.txt.

<pre>
del::
IfWinActive Dwarf Fortress
{
send d{down}
return
}
else
{
send {del}
return
}
</pre>

====Designation Dump====
A dumping script by [[User:Dukederek|Dukederek]]:

This script uses a system similar the commands in the designations menu to mark most of the contents of a large area for dumping. [[User:Dukederek|My talk page]] has more detailed instruction.

Essentially you need to create two text files with the following titles and content. When playing DF it is safe to have blockdumpinit running constantly as long as you dont plan on using the ctrl-d combination for something else.

'''blockdumpinit.ahk'''
<pre>
^d::
RunWait, "blockdumpmain.ahk"
Return
</pre>

'''blockdumpmain.ahk'''
<pre>
SetKeyDelay 25
return::
Send k
return
up::
Send w
return
left::
Send a
return
down::
Send s
return
right::
Send d
return
q::
ExitApp
return
shift::
x := 0
y := 1
Loop{
Input, keypress, B, {esc} , w,a,s,d,k,q
if keypress = w
{
y := --y
Send {up}
continue
}else if keypress = s
{
y := ++y
Send {down}
continue
}else if keypress = a
{
x := --x
Send {left}
continue
}else if keypress = d
{
x := ++x
Send {right}
continue
}else if keypress = k
{
break
}else if keypress = q
{
ExitApp
}
}
y := y / 2
z := y
z := Floor(z)
z := y/z
Send d{NumpadAdd}d
If z = 0
{
If x = 0
ExitApp
Else{
Loop %x%{
Send {left}d
}ExitApp
}
}If z <> 1
{
Loop %y%{
Loop %x%{
Send {left}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d
Loop %x%{
Send {right}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Loop %x%{
Send {left}d{NumpadAdd}d
}
}Else If z = 1
{
y := y + 0.5
Loop %y%{
Loop %x%{
Send {left}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d
Loop %x%{
Send {right}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send d{NumpadSub}d
}ExitApp
</pre>

===Rewalling ===
Taken from [[User:Valdemar|Valdemar's user page]].

This is a macro to aid with rewalling. To use, copy-paste the script into a new .ahk file and run the script with AutoHotkey. Then, in Dwarf Fortress, press b-C-w, move the cursor to where you want to start the wall, and hold Ctrl-Shift-Arrowkey, using the direction you want to rewall in. To build floors, press b-C-f instead, and use Ctrl-Alt-Arrowkey. To stop, just release the keys.

The script will use the first material in the list. I suggest you create a stockpile near the construction site that only accepts the item you wish to build with and temporarily forbid any nearby materials you don't want to build with.

<pre>
$^+Left:: ProcessEvent("Left","w")
$^+Right:: ProcessEvent("Right","w")
$^+Up:: ProcessEvent("Up","w")
$^+Down:: ProcessEvent("Down","w")

$^!Left:: ProcessEvent("Left","f")
$^!Right:: ProcessEvent("Right","f")
$^!Up:: ProcessEvent("Up","f")
$^!Down:: ProcessEvent("Down","f")

ProcessEvent(direction, type)
{
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send %type%
Sleep 100
Send {%direction%}
Loop
{
if not GetKeyState(direction, "P")
break
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send %type%
Sleep 100
Send {%direction%}
}
}
</pre>

===Grid-by-grid designation===
For easier diagonal and fancy mining. Assumes that DF is active. "^!" means ctrl-alt-direction.

<pre>
^!NumpadEnd::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadEnd}
return
^!NumpadDown::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadDown}
return
^!NumpadPgDn::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadPgDn}
return
^!NumpadLeft::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadLeft}
return
^!NumpadRight::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadRight}
return
^!NumpadHome::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadHome}
return
^!NumpadUp::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadUp}
return
^!NumpadPgUp::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadPgUp}
return
</pre>

===Embark Settings macros===
These macros are used to ease the setup of skills and supplies before you embark.
====Food-buying macro====
This macro buys all the 2 cost meat items available at the start screen. Simply go to the item screen, erase the random food items the game starts you with, and press F2. By [[User:Napsterbater|Napsterbater]].

<pre>
F2::
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Enter}
return
</pre>

Useless, becuse the types of meat you can take with you varies with each world/civ. It will work with the civ you wrote it for, but not for the overwhelming majority of others--[[User:Dorten|Dorten]] 05:08, 2 April 2008 (EDT)

Just realized this. Whoops - Napsterbater

I'll go ahead and delete this soon.

====Improved Food/Alcohol buying macro====
This macro buys all the cost-2 food (that I have seen), as well as the four types of alcohol. Just press ctrl+f on the Items screen.
It can deal with meat or drink that you already have, or is not currently featured. By [[User:Redfenix|Redfenix]].

<pre>
^f::

send ndwarven{SPACE}ale{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndwarven{SPACE}rum{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndwarven{SPACE}beer{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndwarven{SPACE}wine{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndonkey{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nchimpanzee{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ngazelle{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nbonobo{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nmule{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndeer{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nraccoon{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nfox{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nrhesus{SPACE}macaque{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nhorse{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ngroundhog{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nmountain{SPACE}goat{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nhoary{SPACE}marmot{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ngorilla{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send norangutan{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nsiamang{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nbilou{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send npileated{SPACE}gibbon{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nmandrill{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nturtle{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
</pre>

===='First Fortress' setup====
This macro works with the default setup of DF, and starts you with (almost) the setup suggested in the "Your first fortress" tutorial. The amounts are adjustable with the variables at the top of the macro.
<pre>;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
; materialplanner.ahk ;
; this is a ahk script to set up the embark settings roughly as ;
;suggested in the "your first fortress" tutorial. Inventory ;
;can be customized slightly. ;
; use ctrl+shift+e to run ;
; ;
; NOTEs: ;
; change variables to suit your desires ;
; the fourth guy is a Stonecrafter instead of Herbalist ;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;VARIABLES;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;

PICKS = 2 ;number of picks to pack
AXES = 1 ;number of axes to pack
ANVILS = 0 ;number of anvils to pack
MEATS = 7 ;how much meat to take, each buys one of each cheap type (total number depends on locale)
DRINKS = 26 ;how many drinks to take, each one buys 4 drinks, one of each type
SEEDS = 5 ;each increment buys 5 plump helmet spawn, 2 pig tail, and 2 rock nuts

SetKeyDelay, 12 ;Key delay, to keep Dwarf Fortress from being overwhelmed.
:Set higher if you get weird results, or lower to get the
:script to run faster
SLEEPTIME = 12 ;same thing, only used in the repeated key press loops though

;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;The code;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;

^+e::
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;remove all of the items
Send {Tab}

loop 105{
Send {NumpadSub}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}

Send {Tab}

;place the skills
;first guy
;Proficient Miner
Send {right}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;novice appraiser
Send {PgUp}
loop 7{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
Send {NumpadAdd}
;novice Judge of Intent
Send {Up}
Send {NumpadAdd}
;competent gem setter
Send {PgUp}
Send {PgUp}
loop 7{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 3{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;second guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
Send {PgUp}
;Proficient Miner
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Mason
loop 3{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;third guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Carpenter
Send {UP}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Wood Cutter
Send {UP}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;fourth guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Grower
Send {PgDn}
Send {Down}
Send {Down}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Stone Crafter
loop 9{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;fifth guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Mechanic
loop 5{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Building Designer
Send {PgUp}
loop 5{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;sixth guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Weaponsmith
loop 1{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Armorsmith
loop 2{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;seventh guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Cook
Send {PgDn}
loop 2{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Brewer
loop 1{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;do the inventory
Send {Tab}

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;Meat

if MEATS > 0
{
tmp := MEATS - 1
send ndonkey{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nchimpanzee{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send ngazelle{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nbonobo{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nmule{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send ndeer{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nraccoon{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nfox{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nrhesus{SPACE}macaque{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nhorse{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send ngroundhog{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nmountain{SPACE}goat{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nhoary{SPACE}marmot{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send ngorilla{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send norangutan{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nsiamang{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nbilou{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send npileated{SPACE}gibbon{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nmandrill{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}
send nturtle{RIGHT}{ENTER}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {F9}

}

;copper picks
if PICKS > 0
{
Send {n}copper picks{Right}{Enter}
tmp := PICKS - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
}
;Axes
if AXES > 0
{
Send {n}steel axes{Right}{Enter}
tmp := AXES - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
}
;Seeds
if SEEDS > 0
{
send {n}Rock nuts{Right}{Enter}
Send {NumpadAdd}
send {n}plump helmet spawn{Right}{Enter}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
send {n}Pig tail Seeds{Right}{Enter}
Send {NumpadAdd}

tmp := SEEDS - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {up}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {up}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
}

;Anvils
if ANVILS > 0
{
Send {n}iron anvils{Right}{Enter}
tmp := ANVILS - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
}
;Drinks
if DRINKS > 0{
send {n}Dwarven ale{Right}{Enter}
send {n}Dwarven beer{Right}{Enter}
send {n}Dwarven wine{Right}{Enter}
send {n}Dwarven rum{Right}{Enter}

tmp := DRINKS - 1
loop 4{
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {up}
}

return
</pre>

===Bed Assigning macro===
This will assign bedrooms to your dwarfs. Press F3 followed by a single digit indicating how many beds to assign. Can repeat the action, as the number of beds assigned is stored in a counter. Room size is default, but easily edited into the script. By [[User:Napsterbater|Napsterbater]].

<pre>
bedcounter = 0
F3::
Input, counter, L1
SetKeyDelay, 100
loop %counter% {
loop %bedcounter%
send {Down}
loop % A_Index - 1
send {Down}
send {q}{r}{Enter}{a}
loop %bedcounter%
send {NumPadAdd}
loop % A_Index - 1
send {NumPadAdd}
send {NumPadAdd}{Enter}
send {space}{r}
}
bedcounter += counter
return
</pre>

===Room-designation macros===

====Valdemar's Designator Macro====
This macro can read a spreadsheet and designate rooms according to it. [http://www.bay12games.com/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=001507 Forum Thread/Download]

====Fedor's chambered circle====
A circular room with eight equal-sized chambers, suitable for everything from housing to workshops to a mausoleum. 
[http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-216-room-designationmacro01 See this macro in action] 
[[Macros_and_Keymaps_Examples#Room-designation Macro 01|Macro text]]

====Valdemar's bedroom complex====
A large fractal bedroom/dining complex, with 56 bedrooms and room for 24 tables.

You can press Alt-B to create a bedroom block, or Alt-C to create a full complex with 4 bedroom blocks and a dining block in the center.

Note - the macro is much faster than the demo movie shows, it is done in under a minute.

[http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-252 Demo Movie]

[http://www.pindi.us/files/fractalbr.zip Download]

====Tulip's room macros====
Based on [[Bedroom_design|the bedroom designs.]]

^g means alt+g, !g means ctrl+g, and so on.
Open up the designations window before using these:
<pre>
; This will make a basic 'x' pattern workshop/room layout
; and will 'land' back on the same tile it starts on each time,
; which happens to be the center.
; It is modified so that you will have 3 staircases, and an extra tile
; because many workshops do not have corner access.
!r::
Send di2{enter}88{enter}4d{enter}4{enter}67{enter}77{enter}66666666
Send {enter}11{enter}1{enter}6{enter}114{enter}4{enter}2{enter}11{enter}
Send 66666666{enter}77{enter}7{enter}6{enter}74
return

; This makes GnomeChomsky's Tessellated Apartments, bedrooms only.
; Your cursor will be over the left staircase.
!g::
Send i999866{enter}{enter}33332{enter}{enter}11114{enter}{enter}
Send d3{enter}22{enter}4{enter}{enter}
Send 78{enter}44{enter}8{enter}{enter}
Send 96{enter}88{enter}6{enter}{enter}
Send 32{enter}66{enter}2{enter}{enter}
Send 96{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}
Send 96{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 1444{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 88{enter}88{enter}6{enter}{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 66{enter}22{enter}4{enter}{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 32{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}7i{enter}{enter}
return

; This makes GnomeChomsky's Tessellated Apartments, bedrooms plus dining.
; Everything above applies.
^g::
Send i{enter}{enter}999866{enter}{enter}33332{enter}{enter}11114{enter}{enter}d
Send 444{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 32{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}
Send 9966{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}
Send 96{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 7788{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 1144{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 36{enter}8886666666{enter}
Send 9{enter}4444444{enter}
Send 8{enter}6666{enter}744{enter}{enter}
Send 222222441{enter}6666666{enter}
Send {enter}22{enter}8{enter}4444{enter}
Send 7778
return

; This makes THLawrence's Living Pods (the A is for Arabia).
; Put your cursor where you want the upper left staircase to be.
; Like my other scripts, it recenters on that tile.
; Also, thank you THLawrence, this one was really easy write!
!a::
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 96666666
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 33222
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 7444
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 9988888
return

; This makes the lobby for THLawrence's Living pods.
^a::
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}66{enter}9{enter}66{enter}3{enter}41i{enter}{enter}
Send 36d{enter}1444444{enter}
Send 74{enter}1{enter}22{enter}3{enter}3i{enter}{enter}d1{enter}1{enter}666{enter}9{enter}
Send 66{enter}3{enter}66{enter}9{enter}88{enter}7{enter}74{enter}1144{enter}
Send 36666i{enter}{enter}777777
return
</pre>
===The MOUSE control===
For unrivaled mouse control in DF try [http://www.dwarffortresswiki.net/index.php/User:Digger this DF Mouse script]

{{Game_Interface FAQ}}
[[Category:ahk scripts]]

40d:Macros and keymaps

2008-05-04T04:41:55Z

Dudecon: Added a "first fortress" script, very useful for basic skills and materials setup.

Playing Dwarf Fortress means lots of typing. Although the game (as of version v0.27.176.38c) has no internal macro/keymap system, using an external program can save you a great deal of time when dumping, rewalling, designating, and so forth.

# Go to [[Utilities#AutoHotKey]] and download AutoHotKey. Installation is simple and the program uses few system resources.
# Write macro scripts (file type .ahk), which may contain any number of commands. You activate scripts by double-clicking .ahk files and deactivate them by right-clicking the AutoHotKey icon on the task bar. Both of these can be done at any time - even right in the middle of a game. AutoHotKey also allows for automated activation of scripts.

== AutoHotKey Examples ==

===Dumping===
====Stock Screen Dump====
Taken from an old version of [[User:Jackard|Jackard's user page]].

To use, first have your bookeeper do enough desk work so you can view individual items in the stocks listing. Then bring it up and press del to quickly mark stuff. To adjust the key repeat rate, edit the KEY_HOLD_MS value in \data\init\init.txt.

<pre>
del::
IfWinActive Dwarf Fortress
{
send d{down}
return
}
else
{
send {del}
return
}
</pre>

====Designation Dump====
A dumping script by [[User:Dukederek|Dukederek]]:

This script uses a system similar the commands in the designations menu to mark most of the contents of a large area for dumping. [[User:Dukederek|My talk page]] has more detailed instruction.

Essentially you need to create two text files with the following titles and content. When playing DF it is safe to have blockdumpinit running constantly as long as you dont plan on using the ctrl-d combination for something else.

'''blockdumpinit.ahk'''
<pre>
^d::
RunWait, "blockdumpmain.ahk"
Return
</pre>

'''blockdumpmain.ahk'''
<pre>
SetKeyDelay 25
return::
Send k
return
up::
Send w
return
left::
Send a
return
down::
Send s
return
right::
Send d
return
q::
ExitApp
return
shift::
x := 0
y := 1
Loop{
Input, keypress, B, {esc} , w,a,s,d,k,q
if keypress = w
{
y := --y
Send {up}
continue
}else if keypress = s
{
y := ++y
Send {down}
continue
}else if keypress = a
{
x := --x
Send {left}
continue
}else if keypress = d
{
x := ++x
Send {right}
continue
}else if keypress = k
{
break
}else if keypress = q
{
ExitApp
}
}
y := y / 2
z := y
z := Floor(z)
z := y/z
Send d{NumpadAdd}d
If z = 0
{
If x = 0
ExitApp
Else{
Loop %x%{
Send {left}d
}ExitApp
}
}If z <> 1
{
Loop %y%{
Loop %x%{
Send {left}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d
Loop %x%{
Send {right}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Loop %x%{
Send {left}d{NumpadAdd}d
}
}Else If z = 1
{
y := y + 0.5
Loop %y%{
Loop %x%{
Send {left}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d
Loop %x%{
Send {right}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send {up}d{NumpadAdd}d
}Send d{NumpadSub}d
}ExitApp
</pre>

===Rewalling ===
Taken from [[User:Valdemar|Valdemar's user page]].

This is a macro to aid with rewalling. To use, copy-paste the script into a new .ahk file and run the script with AutoHotkey. Then, in Dwarf Fortress, press b-C-w, move the cursor to where you want to start the wall, and hold Ctrl-Shift-Arrowkey, using the direction you want to rewall in. To build floors, press b-C-f instead, and use Ctrl-Alt-Arrowkey. To stop, just release the keys.

The script will use the first material in the list. I suggest you create a stockpile near the construction site that only accepts the item you wish to build with and temporarily forbid any nearby materials you don't want to build with.

<pre>
$^+Left:: ProcessEvent("Left","w")
$^+Right:: ProcessEvent("Right","w")
$^+Up:: ProcessEvent("Up","w")
$^+Down:: ProcessEvent("Down","w")

$^!Left:: ProcessEvent("Left","f")
$^!Right:: ProcessEvent("Right","f")
$^!Up:: ProcessEvent("Up","f")
$^!Down:: ProcessEvent("Down","f")

ProcessEvent(direction, type)
{
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send %type%
Sleep 100
Send {%direction%}
Loop
{
if not GetKeyState(direction, "P")
break
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send {Enter}
Sleep 100
Send %type%
Sleep 100
Send {%direction%}
}
}
</pre>

===Grid-by-grid designation===
For easier diagonal and fancy mining. Assumes that DF is active. "^!" means ctrl-alt-direction.

<pre>
^!NumpadEnd::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadEnd}
return
^!NumpadDown::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadDown}
return
^!NumpadPgDn::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadPgDn}
return
^!NumpadLeft::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadLeft}
return
^!NumpadRight::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadRight}
return
^!NumpadHome::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadHome}
return
^!NumpadUp::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadUp}
return
^!NumpadPgUp::
send {Enter}{Enter}{NumpadPgUp}
return
</pre>

===Embark Settings macros===
These macros are used to ease the setup of skills and supplies before you embark.
====Food-buying macro====
This macro buys all the 2 cost meat items available at the start screen. Simply go to the item screen, erase the random food items the game starts you with, and press F2. By [[User:Napsterbater|Napsterbater]].

<pre>
F2::
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Enter}
return
</pre>

Useless, becuse the types of meat you can take with you varies with each world/civ. It will work with the civ you wrote it for, but not for the overwhelming majority of others--[[User:Dorten|Dorten]] 05:08, 2 April 2008 (EDT)

Just realized this. Whoops - Napsterbater

I'll go ahead and delete this soon.

====Improved Food/Alcohol buying macro====
This macro buys all the cost-2 food (that I have seen), as well as the four types of alcohol. Just press ctrl+f on the Items screen.
It can deal with meat or drink that you already have, or is not currently featured. By [[User:Redfenix|Redfenix]].

<pre>
^f::

send ndwarven{SPACE}ale{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndwarven{SPACE}rum{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndwarven{SPACE}beer{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndwarven{SPACE}wine{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndonkey{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nchimpanzee{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ngazelle{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nbonobo{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nmule{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ndeer{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nraccoon{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nfox{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nrhesus{SPACE}macaque{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nhorse{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ngroundhog{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nmountain{SPACE}goat{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nhoary{SPACE}marmot{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send ngorilla{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send norangutan{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nsiamang{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nbilou{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send npileated{SPACE}gibbon{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nmandrill{SPACE}meat{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
send nturtle{RIGHT}{ENTER}{F9}
</pre>

===='First Fortress' setup====
This macro works with the default setup of DF, and starts you with (almost) the setup suggested in the "Your first fortress" tutorial. The amounts are adjustable with the variables at the top of the macro.
<pre>;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
; materialplanner.ahk ;
; this is a ahk script to set up the embark settings roughly as ;
;suggested in the "your first fortress" tutorial. Inventory ;
;can be customized slightly. ;
; use ctrl+shift+e to run ;
; ;
; NOTEs: ;
; change variables to suit your desires ;
; the fourth guy is a Stonecrafter instead of Herbalist ;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;VARIABLES;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;

PICKS = 2 ;number of picks to pack
AXES = 1 ;number of axes to pack
ANVILS = 0 ;number of anvils to pack
MEATS = 7 ;how much meat to take, each one buys 14 meat, one of each cheap type
DRINKS = 26 ;how many drinks to take, each one buys 4 drinks, one of each type
SEEDS = 5 ;each increment buys 5 plump helmet spawn, 2 pig tail, and 2 rock nuts

SetKeyDelay, 12 ;Key delay, to keep Dwarf Fortress from being overwhelmed.
:Set higher if you get weird results, or lower to get the
:script to run faster
SLEEPTIME = 12 ;same thing, only used in the repeated key press loops though

;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;The code;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;

^+e::
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;remove all of the items
Send {Tab}

loop 105{
Send {NumpadSub}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}

Send {Tab}

;place the skills
;first guy
;Proficient Miner
Send {right}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;novice appraiser
Send {PgUp}
loop 7{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
Send {NumpadAdd}
;novice Judge of Intent
Send {Up}
Send {NumpadAdd}
;competent gem setter
Send {PgUp}
Send {PgUp}
loop 7{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 3{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;second guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
Send {PgUp}
;Proficient Miner
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Mason
loop 3{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;third guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Carpenter
Send {UP}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Wood Cutter
Send {UP}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;fourth guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Grower
Send {PgDn}
Send {Down}
Send {Down}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Stone Crafter
loop 9{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;fifth guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Mechanic
loop 5{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Building Designer
Send {PgUp}
loop 5{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;sixth guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Weaponsmith
loop 1{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Armorsmith
loop 2{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;seventh guy
Send {Left}
Send {Down}
Send {Right}
;Proficient Cook
Send {PgDn}
loop 2{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
;Proficient Brewer
loop 1{
Send {Up}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
loop 5{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;do the inventory
Send {Tab}

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;Meat

if MEATS > 0{
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Pgdn}{up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Pgdn}{up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Pgdn}{up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Pgdn}{up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Pgdn}{up}{up}{up}{Enter}
send {n}{Right}{Pgdn}{Pgdn}{up}{up}{up}{Enter}

tmp := MEATS - 1
loop 14{
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {down}
}

;copper picks
if PICKS > 0
{
Send {n}
loop 4{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
Send {Right}
Send {NumpadEnter}
tmp := PICKS - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
}
;Axes
if AXES > 0
{
Send {n}
loop 5{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
Send {Right}
loop 4{
Send {Down}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
Send {NumpadEnter}
tmp := AXES - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
}
;Seeds
if SEEDS > 0
{
send {n}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
Send {NumpadAdd}
send {n}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
send {n}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Enter}
Send {NumpadAdd}

tmp := SEEDS - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {up}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {up}
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
}

;Anvils
if ANVILS > 0
{
Send {n}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Enter}
tmp := ANVILS - 1
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
Sleep %SLEEPTIME%
}
}
;Drinks
if DRINKS > 0{
send {n}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Enter}
send {n}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Enter}
send {n}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Enter}
send {n}{Down}{Down}{Down}{Right}{Enter}

tmp := DRINKS - 1
loop 4{
loop %tmp%{
Send {NumpadAdd}
}
Send {up}
}

return
</pre>

===Bed Assigning macro===
This will assign bedrooms to your dwarfs. Press F3 followed by a single digit indicating how many beds to assign. Can repeat the action, as the number of beds assigned is stored in a counter. Room size is default, but easily edited into the script. By [[User:Napsterbater|Napsterbater]].

<pre>
bedcounter = 0
F3::
Input, counter, L1
SetKeyDelay, 100
loop %counter% {
loop %bedcounter%
send {Down}
loop % A_Index - 1
send {Down}
send {q}{r}{Enter}{a}
loop %bedcounter%
send {NumPadAdd}
loop % A_Index - 1
send {NumPadAdd}
send {NumPadAdd}{Enter}
send {space}{r}
}
bedcounter += counter
return
</pre>

===Room-designation macros===

====Valdemar's Designator Macro====
This macro can read a spreadsheet and designate rooms according to it. [http://www.bay12games.com/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=001507 Forum Thread/Download]

====Fedor's chambered circle====
A circular room with eight equal-sized chambers, suitable for everything from housing to workshops to a mausoleum. 
[http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-216-room-designationmacro01 See this macro in action] 
[[Macros_and_Keymaps_Examples#Room-designation Macro 01|Macro text]]

====Valdemar's bedroom complex====
A large fractal bedroom/dining complex, with 56 bedrooms and room for 24 tables.

You can press Alt-B to create a bedroom block, or Alt-C to create a full complex with 4 bedroom blocks and a dining block in the center.

Note - the macro is much faster than the demo movie shows, it is done in under a minute.

[http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-252 Demo Movie]

[http://www.pindi.us/files/fractalbr.zip Download]

====Tulip's room macros====
Based on [[Bedroom_design|the bedroom designs.]]

^g means alt+g, !g means ctrl+g, and so on.
Open up the designations window before using these:
<pre>
; This will make a basic 'x' pattern workshop/room layout
; and will 'land' back on the same tile it starts on each time,
; which happens to be the center.
; It is modified so that you will have 3 staircases, and an extra tile
; because many workshops do not have corner access.
!r::
Send di2{enter}88{enter}4d{enter}4{enter}67{enter}77{enter}66666666
Send {enter}11{enter}1{enter}6{enter}114{enter}4{enter}2{enter}11{enter}
Send 66666666{enter}77{enter}7{enter}6{enter}74
return

; This makes GnomeChomsky's Tessellated Apartments, bedrooms only.
; Your cursor will be over the left staircase.
!g::
Send i999866{enter}{enter}33332{enter}{enter}11114{enter}{enter}
Send d3{enter}22{enter}4{enter}{enter}
Send 78{enter}44{enter}8{enter}{enter}
Send 96{enter}88{enter}6{enter}{enter}
Send 32{enter}66{enter}2{enter}{enter}
Send 96{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}
Send 96{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 1444{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 88{enter}88{enter}6{enter}{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 66{enter}22{enter}4{enter}{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 32{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}7i{enter}{enter}
return

; This makes GnomeChomsky's Tessellated Apartments, bedrooms plus dining.
; Everything above applies.
^g::
Send i{enter}{enter}999866{enter}{enter}33332{enter}{enter}11114{enter}{enter}d
Send 444{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 32{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}
Send 9966{enter}{enter}6{enter}88{enter}
Send 96{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 7788{enter}{enter}8{enter}44{enter}
Send 78{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 1144{enter}{enter}4{enter}22{enter}
Send 14{enter}{enter}2{enter}66{enter}
Send 36{enter}8886666666{enter}
Send 9{enter}4444444{enter}
Send 8{enter}6666{enter}744{enter}{enter}
Send 222222441{enter}6666666{enter}
Send {enter}22{enter}8{enter}4444{enter}
Send 7778
return

; This makes THLawrence's Living Pods (the A is for Arabia).
; Put your cursor where you want the upper left staircase to be.
; Like my other scripts, it recenters on that tile.
; Also, thank you THLawrence, this one was really easy write!
!a::
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 96666666
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 33222
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 7444
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}22{enter}1{enter}44{enter}7{enter}
Send 9988888
return

; This makes the lobby for THLawrence's Living pods.
^a::
Send i{enter}{enter}d7{enter}7{enter}666{enter}3{enter}66{enter}9{enter}66{enter}3{enter}41i{enter}{enter}
Send 36d{enter}1444444{enter}
Send 74{enter}1{enter}22{enter}3{enter}3i{enter}{enter}d1{enter}1{enter}666{enter}9{enter}
Send 66{enter}3{enter}66{enter}9{enter}88{enter}7{enter}74{enter}1144{enter}
Send 36666i{enter}{enter}777777
return
</pre>
===The MOUSE control===
For unrivaled mouse control in DF try [http://www.dwarffortresswiki.net/index.php/User:Digger this DF Mouse script]

{{Game_Interface FAQ}}
[[Category:ahk scripts]]