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Dark fortress

2025-08-07T01:30:07Z

Parborway:

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{{Quality|Exceptional}}
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<div style='margin: 1em 2em'>''You may be looking for [[Dwarf fortress mode]].''</div>
[[File:dark_fortress_preview.png|thumb|300px|right|A mountain not worth climbing.]]
[[File:Dark_fortress_map_43.png|thumb|300px|A map of a well-developed dark fortress, exported from legends mode. 
Places of interest: 
█ Main tower 
█ Watch tower 
█ Subterranean work pits 
█ Subterranean living pits]]

'''Dark fortresses''' ([[File:icon_site_dark_fortress_1.png]]) are [[site]]s created by [[goblin]] civilizations. They, along with [[dark pits]], take the form of simple towers surrounded by sprawling networks of trenches. In ASCII mode, the starting dark fortresses are marked as {{Raw Tile|Π|5:0:1}}, while subsequent ones are marked as {{Raw Tile|Π|0:0:1}} on the world map.

Most of the population of a dark fortress is found at the top of the towers. The towers also have downward stairs, which lead to the underground part of the fortress, consisting of so-called "pits" (not to be confused with [[dark pits]]). These pits come in two variants: "living pits" consisting of corridors and small rooms, and "work pits" consisting of large halls which may contain [[troll]]s, goods and goblin skeletons. Supposedly, the living pits are used as [[bedroom|dwellings]], while the work pits are used as [[industry|industrial]] areas and [[tomb|burial grounds]].

The main difference between dark fortresses and dark pits is the presence of a fortress structure in the middle of the site. Dark fortresses tend to be more developed and populated sites than dark pits, leading to more trenches, watchtowers and more interconnections between the towers through underground areas. Dark fortresses may also be built around a [[underworld spire|certain structure]] of foreign origin.

The central dark fortress structure contains a throne room on the top, a few maze-like floors leading up to the throne, the ground floor and 2-4+ subterranean maze-like prison floors that may contain [[children]] who were [[thief|snatched]]. It has been observed that prisoners who find themselves outside of their cell will path back to it of their own volition. Often, some of the up/down stairs between prison floors are hidden under switches. Like dark pits, the structure and the areas near the entrances may be host to a number of [[troll|trolls]] and [[beak dog|beak dogs]].

Visiting well-developed dark fortresses and pits in adventure mode can result in extreme lag because of the masses of denizens that can rank in the thousands. The lag and impact on FPS can be drastically reduced by sleeping in the fortress (or outside) until it's nighttime and most of the creatures are asleep. Changing to a faster gait or being on a fast mount will also help because it reduces the amount of calculations other creatures make before it's your turn again.

<gallery>
Dark pit 1.png|Trenches surrounding the watchtowers
Dark pit 2.png|The top of a watchtower
Dark pit 3.png|Main tower ground level
Dark pit 5.png|Small living pit area
Dark pit 6.png|Work pits
Dark pit 7.png|Below work pits
Dark pit 8.png|Living pits
</gallery>

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== Potentially connected sites ==
{{spoiler}}

The initial dark fortresses {{Raw Tile|Π|5:0:1}} have an [[underworld spire]] below them, connecting the tower to the underworld itself. These fortresses were created in a time before time and are constructed out of [[slade]] instead of a common stone type.

A huge open circular stairway makes up most of the spire. This stairway is generally split into two or three multi-level floors, but sometimes up to six or seven. Sometimes these glitch open to the caverns or magma sea. Below the stairway are the underworld entryway levels. If there is an underworld gate it will be here. Sometimes it is glitched into a wall of slade. After the underworld gate come the very lowest series of rooms, which eventually open up directly into the [[underworld]]. There are lots of up/down stair mazes before you reach the actual exit to the underworld.

<gallery>
Dark_Fortress_guide.png|A short guide describing the parts of a dark fortress with underworld spire.
Dark pit 4.png|The underworld gate
</gallery>

{{Translation| dwarven = umom geshud | elvish = mari abeco | goblin = ustro snusp | human = tuth thrathdad}}

{{World}}

Mythical substance

2024-12-05T03:47:11Z

Parborway: /* Healing potion */

{{minorspoiler}}
'''Mythical substances''' are procedurally-generated [[liquid]]s and [[glob]]s with [[Magic|magical]] properties. Each world has a number of differently-named substances, such as "odd jelly" or "peculiar broth," though currently all of them carry the same [[syndrome]].

==Healing potion==
A [[mysterious dungeon]]'s [[Dungeon guardian|guardian]] carries a [[waterskin]] filled with a restorative substance that they can consume in combat. Ingesting it grants a powerful [[syndrome]] that cures nearly all [[wound]]s, even [[Syndrome#CE_REGROW_PARTS|regrowing limbs]] and [[Syndrome#CE_HEAL_NERVES|healing nerve damage]]. It does not heal blood loss.

Creatures that are [[Construct creature|immune to poison]] (not ``GENERAL_POISON``) do not benefit from this substance.

==See also==
*[[Weather#Evil_weather]]
{{Scriptdata}}
{{V50 materials}}
[[Category:Globs]]
[[Category:Adventurer mode]]
[[Category:Myth]]

Civilization

2024-01-15T03:44:18Z

Parborway: /* Subterranean animal people */ Remove falsehood

{{Quality|Superior}}
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[[File:civs.jpg|thumb|330px|right|A Chinese civilization from centuries ago.]]A '''civilization''' (also known as an '''entity''') is an organized society formed by a group of distinct, [[Learning|intelligent]] [[creature]]s. Civilizations are characterized by recognizable [[names and symbols]], [[Performer|art forms]], and [[language]]s, communities possessing common [[ethic]]s and [[Personality trait#Beliefs|value]]s, the development of advanced [[site]]s and [[structure]]s, the use of defined resources, governing systems with individuals or groups exercising authority, interactions with the [[surroundings|environment]], and the creation of complex relationships and [[diplomacy]] between other entities, which can result in global networks of [[trade]], the sharing of [[knowledge]], and conflicts due to disagreements, which may break out into [[war]].

[[World generation]] controls the number of civilizations in each world. All civilizations will initially be one of the five main [[race]]s, although over time, individuals of other races can join them. In [[dwarf fortress mode]], only [[dwarven]] civilizations are currently playable by default; to play as others requires [[modding]]. [[Adventurer mode|Adventurer]]s can be from dwarven, [[elven]], or [[human]] civilizations, or they can be human outsiders from no civilization.

To start an (''unmodded'') game in fortress mode, there must be one or more dwarven civilizations; by default, the [[Advanced_world_generation#Playable_Civilization_Required|Playable Civilization Required]] option ensures this is true. You can select your civilization at the [[location|site selection]] screen, and each will have some different items available for you to [[embark]] with.

Civilizations also determine what types of items a particular civilization can craft, that is why sometimes in a game, for example, your dwarven civilization might not know how to make a specific item, such as low boots.

==Types of civilizations==
===Mountain===
The '''mountain civilization''' is established by the [[dwarf|dwarves]] [[File:Dwarf sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|☺|3:0}}. Mountain civilizations centralize in [[industry]], [[alcohol]], [[mining]] deep, producing ☼masterful [[craft]]s☼, and creating pretty epic [[stories]]. Mountain civilizations build great [[fortress]]es on the edge of mountain ranges, smaller [[hillock]]s in the hill-lands, and [[mountain halls]] deep in the mountain. Fortresses and mountain halls are connected by roads and underground [[tunnel]]s.

===Plains===
The '''plains civilization''' is established by the [[human]]s [[File:Human sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|U|3:0}}. Humans are the most variable out of all the civilizations. Plains civilizations build vast [[town]]s and rural [[hamlet]]s in low plains near bodies of water. Broad roads connect nearby towns together.

===Forest===
The '''forest civilization''' is established by the [[elf|elves]] [[File:Elf sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|e|3:0}}. Forest civilizations are firmly devoted to the protection and well-being of nature, including [[tree]]s. ''Especially'' trees. Harming plants (most importantly, trees) is considered an unspeakable crime. Forest civilizations build [[forest retreat]]s made of large, outdoor structures of living trees in wooded areas.

===Evil===
The '''evil civilization''' is established by the [[goblin]]s [[File:Goblin sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|g|7:0}}. Evil civilizations are keen on going to war and <s>rescuing</s> [[snatcher|kidnapping]] innocent children. They are undoubtedly the most cruel of all the civilizations. Evil civilizations construct sinister [[dark fortress]]es and blot the land with [[dark pit]]s.

Evil civilizations are formed by certain supernatural [[demon|beings]] from an [[hidden fun stuff|eerie place]].

===Skulking===
The '''skulking civilization''' is established by the [[kobold]]s [[File:Kobold sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|k|6:0}}. Skulking civilizations [[thief|steal]] items from nearby civilizations and stay distant from other affairs, populating the natural [[cave]]s. Cave residents do not show as neighbors on the embark screen, and in default [[advanced world generation|world-gen settings]], the caves themselves are hidden from the map.

===Subterranean animal people===
Unnamed tribes spawn in deep [[cavern]]s underground, and are populated by various [[animal people|humanoids resembling animals]], forming small, crude camps. Creatures that form underground civilizations are as follows:

* [[File:amphibian_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|a|6:0}} [[Amphibian man]]
* [[File:ant_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|a|0:1}} [[Antman]]
* [[File:bat_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|b|0:1}} [[Bat man]]
* [[File:cave_fish_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|f|7:1}} [[Cave fish man]]
* [[File:cave_swallow_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|s|0:1}} [[Cave swallow man]]
* [[File:olm_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|o|7:1}} [[Olm man]]
* [[File:reptile_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|r|2:0}} [[Reptile man]]
* [[File:rodent_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|r|0:1}} [[Rodent man]]
* [[File:serpent_man_sprite.png|20px]] / {{Tile|s|7:1}} [[Serpent man]]

==Dead and struggling civilizations==
When a civilization is destroyed by war or other calamities, it becomes a dead civilization. A civilization that is quite close to being dead is said to be struggling or dying.

In fortress mode, a player may embark while part of a struggling civilization – sometimes even as part of a dead civilization.
If you are embarking as a dead or struggling civilization, you are warned about that at embark. It can be tricky to determine if your civilization is struggling or dead, but here are some indicators:

===Struggling===
*The dwarven caravan may appear, but may also be absent for one or several years at a time.
*The outpost liaison may also appear with the caravan, but could also be absent (even if the caravan comes) for several years.
*Migrants should arrive as normal.
*Your (struggling) civilization will show on the Civilization screen right after embark, though it may be said to have no important leaders.
*A monarch might be appointed: most likely triggered by some unknown event, at which one of your dwarves become monarch after a polite discussion with its peers, but at the latest at the turn of the second year of your fortress (and frequently it's the expedition leader). Note that a monarch can be elected in your fortress even when the civilization was healthy at embark, in which case the election was triggered by the death of the previous monarch and nobody was elected at the other sites.

===Dead===
*All dwarven civilizations in existence are dead. If at least one is not, the dead ones will not be available for embark.
*Only two migrant waves, no more.
*No dwarven caravans, ever.
*No monarch in the fortress or out in the world, ever.
*Right after embark, the Civilization screen is completely empty. Your (dead) dwarven civilization will show up once you make contact with any other civilization, including kobolds.

If your dying civilization has no sites, but isn’t being treated as dead, it may be because remaining historical populations (often nobles/monarchs) remain behind at a ruined site, possibly because their status as nobles prevents their migration. If having trouble creating a dead civilization, going to some ruins in Dwarf or Adventure mode, then killing the site’s residents, may kill the civilization.

==Fortress Mode==
There exist 7 information screens in the [[Civilization and World Info]] screen: World, Missions, News and Rumors, People, Artifacts, Holdings and Tribute, and Civilizations.

===World===
The world map can be accessed by pressing {{k|w}} from the [[Civilization and World Info]] menu. Use the cursor keys to navigate around the map and view other lands.

===Missions===
[[DF2014:Mission|Missions]] are commands that send one or more of your squads to visit sites outside of your fortress. They are created in the [[Civilization and World Info]] screen (accessed by pressing {{k|c}}-{{k|m}} in the main fortress view). There are multiple types of missions, such as raids, explorations, artifact recovery, and citizen recovery. ([[DF2014:Mission|Mission Page]])

===News and Rumors===
News and rumors can be accessed from the [[Civilization and World Info]] menu by pressing {{k|n}}. Display items include:
* Armies and settlers on the move as moving dots (The dots start at one location and move to a destination)
* O - Towns that were conquered
* A - Red: Towns that were attacked
* A - Yellow: An artifact's last known location
* R - Refugees fleeing an army
* P - Political event

===People and Artifacts===
The People view can be accessed by pressing {{k|p}} from the [[Civilization and World Info]] menu. It lists the recoverable missing citizens, as well as prisoners in other [[site]]s that you may rescue yourself, and the Artifacts view can be accessed by pressing {{k|a}}, listing all known artifacts. Artifact recovery missions can be launched by selecting an artifact and pressing {{k|r}}

===Civilizations===
Civilizations that you have been in contact with (either by trade or war) can be viewed by pressing {{k|c}} to go to the [[Civilization and World Info]] and then {{k|c}}. Once you've selected a civilization to view, you can switch between viewing figureheads, export/import tallies, and trade agreements for that civilization with {{k|Tab}}. Friendly civilizations will generally report positive import/export values, while hostile civilizations generally trade in [[death]] and [[fun]]. You can peruse trade agreements with the arrow keys and {{k|Enter}}. [More information is needed about the other screens.

The {{Tile|P|2:1}} or {{Tile|W|6:4:1}} to the right of the civilization screen indicates the current relationships between the selected civilization with other civilizations on the list. {{Tile|P|2:1}} indicates peace (note for goblins, you will still get sieges even if you are at "peace" with them) and {{Tile|W|6:4:1}} indicates war. As an example, if you select the dwarven civilization, and next to a goblin civilization is {{Tile|W|6:4:1}} (which is not uncommon) it means that—congratulations—your civilization is at war with the goblins. If you view your trade agreements with a civilization you are at war with the imports will be terror and the offerings will be vengeance. Do note that it is possible to be at war with your own civ, this is often caused by [[Mission|raids]].

Be aware that "neighbors" on the screen are not necessarily ''close'' neighbors, they are merely civilizations that have been contacted by yours. Your civilization may have connections with another civilization that is found on the far side of the world.

===Holdings and Tribute===
Pressing {{k|h}} will change the world tab to a map-like version. You can press {{k|l}} for the legend. Each civilization will have its own symbol surrounded by a certain color of tile. If those tiles are red, you are at war with that civilization. If the tiles are light green, you are at peace. If they are dark blue, it is your civilization. Your site will be surrounded in light blue and your occupied holdings will be surrounded by magenta. Your vassal holdings will be surrounded by a grayish-blue color, and your tributaries will be a {{Tile|T|0:7:0}} surrounded by gray, while occupied tributaries will be an {{Tile|O|0:5:0}} surrounded by purple. If you are economically linked to a settlement, the settlement will show up as an {{Tile|E|0:2:0}} surrounded by green.
[[File:HoldingsandTribute.png|thumb|right|A world on the Holdings and Tribute tab]]

{{D for dwarf}}
===Concerning Orcs===
The orc is a civilization that has been widely popular in the past, but has never been worthy of being in dwarf fortress. However, if one would like an orc in their game, he must only overfeed a goblin.

== See also ==
* [[Entity token]]

== Bugs ==
* Civilizations can be struggling, even though they should by normal logic be dead, such as having had no living members or sites for over 1,000 years.{{bug|9503}}
* Dead civilizations' missions never complete. {{bug|10891}}

{{World}}
{{Category|World}}