Dwarf Fortress Wiki - User contributions [en]

v0.31:Trading

2010-04-14T20:23:51Z

Theory: /* Wagons */ removed in DF2010, it would seem

{{av}}
{{human}}
{{Building|name=Trade depot|key=D
|job=
* {{L|Broker}} noble (optional)
|construction=
3 of
* {{L|Block}}
* {{L|Metal bar}}
* {{L|Stone}}
* {{L|Wood}}
|construction_job=
* {{L|Architecture}}
* and 1 of:
** {{L|Metalsmithing}}
** {{L|Masonry}}
** {{L|Carpentry}}
|purpose=
Trade goods with merchants.
}}

'''Trading''' in Dwarf Fortress first occurs in the first {{L|Calendar|autumn}}{{Verify}} after establishing your fortress, with the arrival of the {{L|dwarf|Dwarven}} {{L|Trading#Caravans|caravan}}. Trading is a good way to acquire resources that are not available or are rare in the local area. It also allows for more freedom in selecting starting gear, because items can always be obtained through trade later, e.g. one can drop the expensive {{L|anvil}} to bring 50 extra units of {{L|alcohol|booze}} or purchase additional skills for the expedition party.{{version|0.31.1}} 

A '''Trader''' is the term used at your Trade Depot to refer to your fortress Broker when dealing with merchants in a visiting caravan ({{key|r}} - "''Trader requested at Depot"''). As a {{L|profession}}, the term usually only applies to those merchants, and to a dwarf whose highest {{L|skill}} is {{L|Appraiser}}.

== Trade Depot ==
Building a '''Trade Depot''' ({{K|b}} - {{K|D}}) will allow you the opportunity to trade with caravans that arrive at your fortress. Trade depots can be created from almost any material, and construction requires the {{L|Architecture}} skill along with the appropriate craft labor ({{L|Carpentry}}, {{L|Masonry}}, or {{L|Metalsmithing}}). There must be at least 10 spaces between the Depot and the edge of the map.{{version|0.31.2010}}

While it may be convenient to build a Trade Depot outside first, it is usually a good idea to move it inside or build fortifications around it to protect caravans and your goods from {{L|thief|thieves}} and {{L|goblin}}s.

Hit {{K|q}} to bring up the building interaction mode, and then move your cursor over the Trade Depot to gain access to the following options.
<s>
Do not build two Trade Depots however, as then neither will work properly.</s>{{Verify}}Assuming false. Depot accessibility screen now features information about multiple depots (all depots accessible vs deopt accessible)

Everything that is on your map belongs to you, except:

* the items of non-fortress members (only if they are alive, when they are dead they belong to you if you claim the items),{{Verify}}
* the items that are in trade wagons or on merchant animals{{Verify}}
* the items that are on the trade depot (they belong to nobody until they are moved out of it){{Cn}
So, merchant goods that ''were'' on the trade depot belong to you if they are not on trade wagons/merchant animals. So a {{L|Cheating|little hint}}: when the merchants have finished unloading, remove the depot...{{Cn}

=== Move Goods to/from Depot ===
{{K|g}}: This command becomes active when a caravan arrives on your map. This screen menu is similar to the {{L|stock}}s menu ({{K|z}} - Stocks). This is where you select what items you want to trade with the caravan. If you have particular items you want to sell to the caravan, you can {{K|s}}earch for it. This is convenient if you want to export all your prepared meals or finished goods. Also shown is the culling on {{K|m}}andate option. The move to depot screen will not show things that violate an export {{L|mandate}}. By pressing {{K|m}}, it will change to Ignoring {{K|m}}andates, and you can select banned items for export. For example, if your {{L|mayor}} has a mandate banning the export of iron, this screen will hide bins that contain iron items. By changing this option, all iron items will be shown.{{Verify}}<br\> <br\>After selecting items and exiting the screen, {{L|job}}s will be queued to move the items to the depot. All dwarves, regardless of {{L|labor}} settings, can move goods to the depot.{{version|0.31.2010}} Items that have not been moved will show [PENDING], while those that have been brought to the depot and are ready for trade and will be marked as [TRADING]. <br\><br\>Items selected for trading will remain at the depot until the caravan leaves. Alternatively you can select the item again. Once no longer required at the depot, items will be available for use or hauling to stockpiles as normal.{{version|0.31.2010}} If you don't want all the items to be returned to their stockpiles, you can optionally {{K|f}}orbid them by looking at the {{L|Controls_guide#View_items_in_buildings.2C_t|i{{K|t}}ems}} in the depot.{{version|0.31.2010}}

=== No trader needed at depot or Trader requested at depot ===
{{K|r}}: This requests a dwarf to come to the depot. To conduct trades with caravans, a trader must be present at the Trade Depot. Once requested, a dwarf will make their way to the depot, and remain there until released with this setting, or the dwarf decides to drink, sleep, or eat.{{version|0.31.2010}}

=== Only broker may trade or Anyone may trade ===
{{K|b}}: This setting determines who will perform the trade. If '''Only broker may trade''' is active, then only the {{L|Broker}} {{L|noble}} will respond to the trader request. This can become a problem when the broker is sleeping or otherwise occupied, but dwarves with low {{L|Broker skills}} will receive poorer deals when trading. If anyone may trade is selected, and someone other than the broker becomes a better {{L|appraiser}} than the broker, the broker's appraisal skill is still used.

=== Trade ===
{{K|t}}: This option becomes available once the caravan and your trader are both at the depot. It begins trading.{{version|0.31.2010}}

==Trading==
{{:Trading/Flowchart}}
After entering the trade menu, select the items to offer from the right, and the desired items from the left. All caravans have a weight limit which cannot be exceeded, and the allowed additional weight is displayed in the lower right corner. If the acting broker has at least Novice or better {{L|Appraisal}} skill, the value of all items will be displayed. Once the proposal is ready, press {{K|t}} to make an offer, but merchants will not agree unless they make adequate profit. Be sure to use '''trade''', not '''offer''' {{K|o}}, as this will make a gift of the selected items.{{version|0.31.2010}} The amount of acceptable profit is determined by the broker's {{L|Broker skills|skills}} and the merchant's mood, described below. Merchants may attempt to propose counteroffers if they do not accept the proposal, which can then be accepted, rejected, or further amended by the broker.{{version|0.31.2010}}

<s>A good rule of thumb for inexperienced brokers is to give merchants a 50% or better profit. For example, if the desired goods are worth 500☼, make sure their profit is at least 250☼ (which would make the total worth of the offered goods 750☼). This should ensure that the merchants are happy with the trading and that they accept the trade immediately without making ridiculous counteroffers.</s> With more experienced brokers or pleased merchants, even marginally profitable trades can be successful, and counteroffers can be rejected safely, offering the same trade again. Note however that a low profit margin for the traders may not be desirable - it has been suggested that both export and profit numbers influence the size of next years caravan and, in the case of the dwarven caravan, immigration numbers.{{Verify}}

Goods brought from caravans do not have base quality higher than superior, but decorations on a good may be of any quality.{{Verify}}

=== Trading cue colors ===

* Items in brown have been created (or modified) by your fortress. They can be traded away or offered as a gift.{{version|0.31.2010}}
* Items in white were created by another source. They can be traded, but if one of these items has been selected, the entire selection cannot be offered as a gift.{{version|0.31.2010}}
* Items in purple are under a no-export mandate and should not be traded away unless exceptional circumstances (or masochism) push you to do this.{{Verify}}
* Items in green have just been gifted to the caravan and they will not trade it back.{{version|0.31.2010}}
* Items in red have been seized from another caravan and cannot be traded as is; you will need to decorate them or turn them into other items for them to become "valid" trading items. However, usually a caravan from a different civilization will accept stolen goods without changing them first.{{Verify}}

=== Merchant mood ===
If your broker has Novice or better {{L|Judge of Intent}} skill, there will be a line added below the merchant's dialogue describing the caravan's attitude. Their attitude rises with successful trades (especially if they get lots of profit) and falls when you propose deals they don't like. {{version|0.31.2010}}

* (trader) seems ecstatic with the trading
* (trader) seems very happy about the trading
* (trader) seems pleased with the trading
* (trader) seems willing to trade (Default, at least for humans)
* (trader) seems to be rapidly losing patience
* (trader) is not going to take much more of this
* (trader) is unwilling to trade

The happier you make a merchant, the less profit margin he will demand in a trade. If merchants reach the lowest level, no further trade will be possible, and they will immediately pack up and leave your depot. Since annoyed traders are more likely to reject deals, you should be generous in initial negotiations. Skilled negotiators seem less likely to offend traders with unsuccessful deals. {{version|0.31.2010}}

An easy way to capitalize on this mood system is to perform several partial trades. First trade for a few items, offering goods twice the value of the items you ask for (eg, offer 2000☼ for 1000☼ of his stuff). This will likely make the merchant ecstatic about trading with you. Exit the trade screen, unpause briefly, and then return to trading with a vengeance. With the merchant in such a good mood, he is more likely to counteroffer than reject a trade outright.{{version|0.31.2010}}

=== Seizing items ===

Pressing {{K|s}} from the trade menu will seize the selected items of the merchant's. If you seize goods from a caravan, the merchant will respond "Take what you want. I can't stop you." and then leave immediately without the seized goods. Items cannot be seized from the dwarven caravan, and other races will not buy goods stolen from one of their caravans (then marked in red) unless they are tricked into asking for them via counteroffer, or the items are "laundered" by decoration or used to create other goods. Seizing goods will hurt diplomatic relations, but is not grounds for an automatic {{L|siege}}.{{Verify}}

Pressing the seize button while no goods are selected will result in the merchant interpreting your seizure as a joke. This apparently does nothing to benefit or hinder your trading.{{Verify}}

As a side note, if you deconstruct your trade depot with a caravan in it, the wagons will be killed and all the caravan's items will drop to the ground, to be readily hauled away by your Dwarves. This does not mark the items as stolen, and the caravan will leave. However, ''next'' year's caravan is partly based on the profits from the previous year - so if you are relying on that race's caravans for needed items, you're hurting yourself in the long run.{{Verify}}

Another way to steal without marking as stolen is to forbid the trade depot just before they leave, causing them to leave their goods at the depot.{{Verify}}

Note that the civilization attached to a particular caravan will keep track of the value of items the caravan was carrying when they set out to trade, and they will compare this value with the value of items they return home with. Regardless of what method you use to confiscate items from a caravan, even if you came to possess the goods through no fault of your own (an {{L|ambush}} killed the caravaners, for example) the parent civilization may decide that you stole from them and send a {{L|siege}} instead of a caravan the following year. It is prudent to take measures to protect caravans visiting your lands!{{Verify}}

===Offering items===

{{key|o}} You can also give away items, as gifts to the leaders of the {{L|civilization}} you are trading with. This presumably helps relations between yourself and the other faction. The exact effects are unknown but it is believed that offering goods increases the quantity and variety of trade goods brought by next year's caravan. Also the {{L|King}} usually requires offerings to be made before his arrival.{{Verify}}

'''''Note:''' There are currently{{v|0.28.181.DF2010}} no benefits to offering goods to your king; the game developers have stated that this is to be changed in future versions.'' ("''Req174, REASON FOR OFFERING, (Future): There's no point of offering goods to your own king right now.)"''

=== Miscellaneous Trading Advice ===

* Several small trades, exiting the trade window each time, will increase the Broker's relevant skills during the early game.{{version|0.31.2010}}
* Food inside the Trade Depot can go bad. Have a food stockpile nearby so you can quickly haul goods inside.{{version|0.31.2010}}
* Thieves and thieving critters tend to follow caravans. Expect assaults and intruders.{{version|0.31.2010}}
* Be careful about asking traders to bring lots of individual lightweight items (such as meat and fish) as it can result in traders taking a very long time to unload their goods. Unless the path to your depot is extremely long, though, this is unlikely to cause significant problems.{{Verify}}

== Caravans ==
Each friendly race will send a caravan each season that they are active, which is once per year for humans, elves, and dwarves. Caravans will only show up if that race considers the fortress site accessible (as denoted on the embark screen), with the exception of dwarves, who always arrive unless they are extinct. Caravans appear to enter the map from a random direction which does not coincide with the relative direction of the originating {{L|civilization}}, and they may appear from different directions or z-levels each year. Caravans may leave without trading if it takes too long to reach the trade depot, and they cannot use stairs. Caravans will embark on their journey back exactly one month after their arrival, whether they have succeeded in reaching the depot or not.{{Verify}}

Note that if traders or their animals are prevented from leaving, they will eventually go {{L|insane}}. {{Verify}}

=== Wagons ===

:'''''Note:''' Wagons appear to have been removed since DF 31.02. They may or may not reappear in the future.''

[[Image:Depot alley.png|thumb|right|A depot in the fortress, with a narrow, trapped accessway.]]
[[Image:Depot accessible.png|thumb|right|Composite image of depot access screen. Strategically arranged walls and natural obstacles (boulders) force wagons to enter and exit the map immediately to the east of the depot.]]

All races except elves and goblins will send {{L|wagon}}s with their caravans, which have a much greater capacity for bringing foreign imports and accepting dwarven exports. Unfortunately, wagons require paths that are three tiles wide to pass. If wagons are unable to find an open path to your trade depot (or if you have not built a depot at all), they will bypass your site and you will only be able to trade for what is available on the pack animals. {{version|0.31.2010}}

Wagons '''cannot''' cross {{L|stair}}s or {{L|door}}s (even if the doors span an area ordinarily wide enough for the wagon to pass). Obstructing {{L|boulder}}s must be smoothed ( {{K|d}} - {{K|s}} ), and {{L|tree}}s must be cut down ( {{K|d}} - {{K|t}} ). {{L|Shrub}}s do not obstruct wagons, and neither do {{L|ramp}}s, {{L|bridge}}s, {{L|road}}s, or {{L|floor}} tiles. (However, ramps covered by a {{L|hatch}} do obstruct.) The impassable tiles of {{L|workshop}}s and other buildings will obstruct, but the passable tiles of those buildings will not. Any buildings which are normally passable, including {{L|restraint}}s and {{L|trap}}s, will not obstruct wagons either, nor will creatures, whether restrained or free.{{version|0.31.2010}}

To keep trees from growing and blocking a path, you should build roads, bridges, or floor tiles over any {{L|soil}} tiles that make up part of the path. Ramps must be used to adjust {{L|z-level}} elevation. A wagon can't go directly from a ramp to a bridge, there must be floor tiles in between.{{Verify}}

After a trade depot is built, you can use {{K|D}} to check wagon accessibility. The decisive element is that you see the 'depot accessible' message on the right. Accessibility is calculated from your depot, not the edge of the map. Even though you see a green area around your depot, it may not be accessible. You need to make sure the path extends all the way to some edge of the map. The display is somewhat misleading in that a one tile wide green path is sufficient for the 3 tile wide wagons; the green {{Raw Tile|W|{{COLOR:2:0:1}}|{{COLOR:2:0:0}}}}s represent only the ''center'' of a wagon although the whole 3x3 can fit around it - so a three-tile wide path, which can fit a wagon, will only show up as one-tile wide line of {{Raw Tile|W|{{COLOR:2:0:1}}|{{COLOR:2:0:0}}}}s. When the route they would take goes over hills (ramps), it's hard to eye whether it is continuous all the way to the edge of the map, so be sure you see the words "depot accessible" on the depot access screen.{{version|0.31.2010}}

As long as you have a three-tile wide path to the depot that reaches ''any'' edge of the map, wagons will be able to reach the depot. If there is only one path they can take, they will take that path. You can force them to enter and exit the map in an exact spot -- preferably very near your depot -- by erecting walls or digging channels so that all paths but the one you want them to take are blocked.{{version|0.31.2010}}

{{Game_Data|[CREATURE:EQUIPMENT_WAGON]
[NAME:wagon:wagons:wagon]
[TILE:'W'][COLOR:6:0:0]
[EQUIPMENT_WAGON][COMMON_DOMESTIC]
[NOT_BUTCHERABLE]
[HAS_RACEGLOSS:WOOD]
[ITEMCORPSE:WOOD:NO_SUBTYPE:WOOD:USE_RACEGLOSS]
[NOSMELLYROT]
[BODY:WAGON]
[SIZE:12]
[ALL_ACTIVE]
[NO_GENDER]
[MATERIAL:WOOD:USE_RACEGLOSS]
[TRADE_CAPACITY:15000]
[MUNDANE]
}}

=== Liaisons ===
{{L|Liaison}}s may be sent with caravans to speak to important dwarves. They will allow you to choose the type of items that your fortress is interested in, and will focus on bringing more of that kind of item on the next caravan (however those items will also be more expensive). They will also present you with a list of the items they're willing to pay more for, which will be effective upon their next arrival.{{version|0.31.2010}}

Trade agreements can be viewed at a later time through the Civilization menu ({{k|c}}). These trade agreements are cleared when a liason of the corresponding civilization enters the screen, so they are generally not accessible after the caravan has arrived.{{version|0.31.2010}}

Note that if a liaison is prevented from leaving, they will eventually go {{L|insane}}. {{Verify}}

=== Races ===
The following races send caravans.

==== {{L|Dwarves}}{{version|0.31.2010}} ====
The dwarven caravan:
* arrives in {{L|Calendar|autumn}}.
* employs wagons to bring more goods.
* typically carries {{L|food}}, {{L|alcohol|booze}}, {{L|leather}} and more. Dwarves alone may carry {{L|steel}} and steel goods.
* tends to be well guarded.
* sends a liaison who will speak with the {{L|Expedition leader}} (or {{L|Mayor}}) to negotiate prices.
* influences the number of immigrants received (if the caravan leaves intact).{{verify}}
* will not cause sieges when repeatedly destroyed or lost.
* is the only caravan to arrive during a fortress' first year.
* always arrives regardless of embark location.
* cannot have its goods seized from the trade menu.

==== {{L|elf|Elves}}{{version|0.31.2010}} ====
[[Image:Evil_elves.png|thumb|400px|A typical elven caravan.]]

The elven caravan:
* arrives in {{L|Calendar|spring}}.
* does not send wagons.
* typically carries {{L|cloth}}, {{L|Restraint|rope}}, various above ground {{L|plant}}s and their byproducts, {{L|log}}s, {{L|wood}}en {{L|craft}}s & {{L|weapon}}s, large-sized clothing and {{L|armor}}, and may carry tame {{L|creature}}s (may arrive dead; a freezing biome, either at your fort or during travel, is suspected to be the cause).
* tends to be unguarded.
* does not accept some items in trade:

Elven traders do not like to be offered any tree byproducts. Forbidden items include{{ver|0.28.181.DF2010}}:

* {{L|Wood}}en items, and items derived from wood (including {{L|tower-cap}} logs), such as {{L|charcoal}} and {{L|pearlash}}
* Items made from clear and crystal {{L|glass}} (because {{L|pearlash}} is used in their creation) - green glass appears to be perfectly acceptable
* Items {{L|decoration|decorated}} with any of the above materials
* {{L|Obsidian}} shortswords (since they have wooden handles)
* {{L|Soap}} (made with {{L|ash}})

Offering or trading forbidden items will cause the mood of the trader to drop rapidly, quickly (possible after first offer) causing him to refuse to trade any more that season and leave immediately. Additionally you will be called uncouth, crude, and barbaric for suggesting it. Tragic incidents can befall name callers which if repeated can lead to {{L|siege|interesting times}} and even great {{L|fun}}!

However, {{L|stone}} and {{L|metal}} items, even when {{L|charcoal}} is used in production, are acceptable. Items made from {{L|silk}} are acceptable, as are all non-wooden plant-derived products such as {{L|cloth}} and {{L|thread}}. Different from previous versions, items made of bone and shell are acceptable. You can also transport your goods to the {{L|trade depot}} in a wooden {{L|bin}}, as long as you do not try to sell the bin. Living animals are acceptable, as long as the {{L|cage}} or {{L|trap}} is not made of {{L|wood}}.

Be especially careful with reselling decorated items from other caravans, as non-wood/glass items may have decorations of wood or clear/crystal glass. All items that elven caravans sell are also unacceptable to sell back to elves, as the dwarves have no means of proving that they were made in an "elf kosher" way — and all dwarves know that elves have terrible memory.

==== {{L|Human}}s{{version|0.31.2010}} ====
The human caravan:
* arrives in {{L|Calendar|summer}}.
* employs wagons to bring more goods.
* typically carries a very large quantity and variety of goods.
* tends to be moderately guarded.
* sends a liaison who will speak with the broker to negotiate prices.

==== {{L|Goblin}}s{{Verify}} ====
A goblin caravan may arrive if your civilization is at peace with the goblins.

The goblin caravan:
*will arrive every season, four times per year
*does not send wagons
*tends to be unguarded
*brings mostly food and cloth
*does not send a liaison or a guild representative
*does not make import/export agreements

----

* All caravans (goblins too?{{verify}}) carry the more wood logs the smaller a fort's wood stockpile, independent of whether you requested them. This does not apply when the weight limit is exceded by (other) items you requested.

=== Destruction ===
If caravans are destroyed (intentionally or unintentionally), the items may remain for use. Traders caught in a {{L|cave-in}} will flee as if they were attacked but will leave all the items dropped by the caravan behind. Pack animals carrying items are affected just like a normal tamed {{L|mule}} and must be killed in the cave-in for them to drop items on the ground. It is however much more likely that the pack animal(s) will only be stunned or rendered unconscious and flee shortly after recovering from the hit. Wagons will collapse if caught in a cave-in, leaving all that it was carrying on the ground as a result. Wagons can also be destroyed by {{L|ocean}} waves coming up onto the shore if you have settled in the appropriate area. The only difference between collapsing under waves or a cave-in is a higher probably of recovering items if the wagon is destroyed by a wave.{{Verify}}

While caravans can defend themselves, they don't like being ambushed. An encounter with unfriendly creatures may cause them to retreat and forget about trading with you for the season. Repeated caravan destruction (intentional or unintentional) will strain diplomatic relations and may result in a {{L|siege}}.{{Verify}}

=== Caravan Delay ===
If a caravan has arrived at your trade depot and is unable to leave for about six months after they arrived, the merchants and animals will go insane. This can result in a bunch of merchants attacking your dwarves, or just standing around moping until they starve to death. It is not known for certain if this hurts diplomatic relations, but most likely it's the same as any case where the entire caravan fails to return home.{{Verify}}

If you have locked the caravan into your fortress to hold out against a siege, it's a good idea to station a squad of soldiers near the trade depot in case the merchants {{L|Insanity#Types|go berserk}}. You may also want to make the depot a restricted area to encourage civilians to go around it. Alternatively, you can design the trade depot using drawbridges so that it can be sealed off from the rest of the fortress during a siege.

If you want the merchants to leave safely, you can build four or more tunnels to each corner of the map, connected to your fortress only by drawbridges. As long as there is no other way to enter and exit your fortress, invaders and merchants will both go towards any tunnel that you activate. You can lock the merchants into the trade depot, and then open a tunnel entrance on one side of the map to make the invaders head towards that tunnel. When they get close to it, you can close it, and then open the entrance on the other side of the map, and let the traders out of the depot. If your fortress and depot are in the middle of the map, this will give the traders quite a head-start to get away.{{Verify}}

v0.31:Obsidian

2010-04-09T15:45:30Z

Theory: cat

{{av}}

:'''''Bug:''' Obsidian is not currently listed as an economic stone ({{key|z}} > stone). It cannot be used for masonry or construction tasks until this is resolved.''

{{Stone_layer|name=Obsidian|tile=▒|color=#888|basic_color=#888|color2=#CCC
|uses=
* [[Sword]]s? [http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/mantisbt/view.php?id=256]
|properties=
* [[Economic stone]]
* [[Igneous extrusive layer]]
* [[Material value]] 3
|contains=
{{list|igneous extrusive stone}}
}}

[[Image:Obsidian.jpg|left|thumb|Obsidian]]

'''Obsidian''' is one of the types of [[stone]] that forms entire [[Stone#Stones forming entire layers|layer]]s. Obsidian is typically present in large quantities on maps with [[magma pool]]s or [[magma pipe]]s. It is always found surrounding these features, varying between 2-5 tiles thick, on every layer of the magma plus often above and below.

"Obsidian" is the also name of the twelfth month of the dwarven [[calendar]], covering late Winter.

{{Rocks}}

[[Category:Stone|O]]
[[Category:Igneous Extrusive Stone Layers|O]]

v0.31:Obsidian

2010-04-09T14:25:34Z

Theory: brought forward to list 2010 bug

40d:Clothing industry

2009-03-08T13:09:35Z

Theory: see also Leather industry

This article is a quick guide to running a self-sufficient '''clothing industry'''.

First grow and harvest the plants, then process the plants to thread, next weave the thread into cloth, and finally turn the cloth into clothes.

==Plants==
''Requires: A [[farm]], a [[farmer]], and the appropriate [[seeds]]''

There are six [[crops]] that you can [[Farming|grow]] that are used in the clothing industry. Note that if you don't want to grow them you can [[Trading|trade]] for them or, if they are an above ground crop, you can [[herbalist|gather]] them.

=====Under ground=====
*[[Pig tail]]s are used to make [[#Thread|thread]], and can be grown in Summer and Autumn.
*[[Dimple cup]]s are used to make [[#Dyeing|dye]], and can be grown all year round.

=====Above ground=====
*[[Rope reed]] is used to make [[#Thread|thread]], and can be grown all year round.
*[[Hide root]], [[Sliver barb]] and [[Blade weed]] can be used to make [[#Dyeing|dye]], and can be grown all year round.

==Thread==
''Requires: A [[farmer's workshop]], a [[thresher]], and the appropriate [[#plants|plant]]''

Once you have harvested the plants you must process the pig tails and/or rope weed at the [[farmer's workshop]]. Alternatively you can [[trade]] for thread directly.

In the farmer's workshop there are several options for processing plants: either to [[bag]], [[barrel]], [[vial]], or normal. To create thread you want to select normal. The other options produce different products, such as [[#Dyeing|dye]] and [[flour]].

==Cloth==
''Requires: A [[loom]], a [[weaver]], and some [[#Thread|thread]]''

By default any thread produced will be automatically woven at the loom. You may want to Set Workshop Orders only weave [[#Dyeing|dyed]] thread.

==Clothes==
''Requires: A [[clothier's shop]], a [[clothier]], and some [[#Cloth|cloth]]''

Once the cloth is ready you can sew it into [[clothes]], either for [[trading]] or for your own [[dwarves]] to wear.

==Dyeing==
Dyeing is very useful because it adds to the [[value]] of the finished clothes. You can dye either thread or cloth to increase its value. Cloth created from dyed thread cannot be dyed.
=====Creating dye=====
''Requires: A [[mill]] or [[quern]], a [[miller]], an empty [[bag]], and the appropriate [[#Plants|plant]]''

Once you have harvested or bought the plants, you can mill them into dye.

=====Using dye=====
''Requires: A [[dyer's shop]], a [[dyer]], and some dye''

Having the dye, you can dip the clothes or thread into it to increase its value.

==Summary==
=====Required worker / labor=====
*[[Grower]] / Field working
*[[Thresher]] / Plant processor
*[[Weaver]] / Weaving
*[[Clothier]] / Clothes making
*[[Miller]] / [[Milling]]
*[[Dyer]] / Dyeing

=====Required buildings=====
*[[Farm]]
*[[Farmer's workshop]]
*[[Loom]]
*[[Clothier's shop]]
*Either a [[Millstone]] or a [[Quern]]
**A Millstone requires a millstone item and a power connection. A Quern only requires a quern item.
*[[Dyer's shop]] which also requires
**[[Barrel]]
**[[Bucket]]

==See Also==
*[[Clothing]]
*[[Leather industry]]
*[[Farming]]
*[[Industry]]

{{Farming FAQ}}
{{Workshops FAQ}}
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Industry]]

40d Talk:Mining

2008-08-17T11:40:29Z

Theory: Digging upward

It'd be nice if someone could reformat this following the format of [[Farming]] -- that format should be the standard. --[[User:Infinity|Infinity]] 05:33, 31 October 2007 (EDT)

== Forcing stones to be hauled ==

Even with one dwarf set to having [[stone hauling]] as his only active job, I still have problems getting my stones hauled out of the way... any hints?[[User:GarrieIrons|GarrieIrons]] 01:26, 4 January 2008 (EST)
:Yes. For heavy-duty stone clearance, I prefer to use dumps. Set up a dump (any size). Mark the stones you want to shift as "dump" (use either the object display screen or the stockpiles interface). Order a bunch of dwarves to haul refuse. HTH. [[User:Fedor|Fedor]] 01:46, 4 January 2008 (EST)

== Talk page from Digging ==

I think this should be merged with [[mining]]. --[[User:Mizipzor|Mizipzor]] 07:20, 1 November 2007 (EDT)

:Move the 3D map stuff from [[Design strategies]] here and integrate. I feel it explains better how the floor/wall system works. -- [[User:Zaratustra|Zaratustra]] 10:49, 4 November 2007 (EST)

::Markavian explained the 3d system far better then i ever could - i vote it be the only way it's explained on this page for clarity. [[User:dethb0y|dethb0y]] 7:04, 5 November 2007 (EST)

Has anyone else noticed that the 'dig priority' holds true also for constructed items? 
i.e. You tell a dwarf to build a windmill, he'll TRY to be on the west side first? --[[User:CrushU|CrushU]] 22:13, 14 March 2008 (EDT)

----

Whoa. We have [[Digging]] AND [[Mining]]? Major R violation. *merges* --[[User:Savok|Savok]] 11:45, 28 March 2008 (EDT)

== One-way corridor? ==

Is it possible to create a one-way corridor? It's annoying trying to lead invaders into my traps, without all my stupid workers rushing to collect their friends' dead bodies. --[[User:AlexFili]], unsigned

:Nay. I, personally, keep all civilians in a giant squad. When danger comes, they are drafted and stationed in safety.
:Well, all but a few key ones (siege operators, The Lever Puller in the Control Room, etc). --[[User:Savok|Savok]] 11:31, 4 June 2008 (EDT)

Well, I am a noob at this game (it was highly recommended to me) and I can't even figure out how to mine. I followed the exact directions given below, but when I hit ENTER a second time to designate an area to mine, all that happens is the flashing green cross disappears. What should I do?

:Are you sure you're really on "Mine" and not "Chop down trees" ? Things like that can happen when you're outside. [[User:Timst|Timst]] 04:26, 14 July 2008 (EDT)

::You need a wall or face to mine into. If you are trying to designate ground that dwarves are standing on then you need to be telling them to [[channel]] not [[mine]] but that isn't the way to go for most uses. If you're really stuck look at some tutorial vids on you-tube maybe (it worked for me!)[[User:GarrieIrons|GarrieIrons]] 04:43, 14 July 2008 (EDT)

:::Try digging a downward staircase, then build an upward staircase on the level below. Then experiment with the digging tools. That's how I learned. --[[User:AlexFili|AlexFili]] 06:37, 14 July 2008 (EDT)

== Ramp action change? ==

Call me crazy but I just sat here watching my dwarves dig out a series of ramps from the bottom. Ramp up; then above and next to it a ramp up; for a number of tiles. I had intended it to be dug from the top down; but they got to the ramps from the bottom first and just went to school. Anyone confirm that its not just a bad file on my machine? --[[User:Silver|Silver]] 22:40, 22 July 2008 (EDT)

== Digging upward ==

Any tips on digging out the level above from below? It gets more than a little fiddly with staircases all over the place, and it's also tricky to avoid dwarves getting stranded on disconnected outcrops of floor. --[[User:Theory|Theory]] 07:40, 17 August 2008 (EDT)

40d Talk:Farming

2008-08-13T17:50:20Z

Theory: /* Red crops */

== Farming in Winter ==

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

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

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

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

== Farming aboveground issue ==

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

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

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

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

== Mixed Plots ==

The following paragraph contradicts itself a couple times, which is the correct behavior? <blockquote>
The farm plot should be either entirely above ground or entirely subterranean. A mixed-class farm plot will allow you to choose any crop for planting, but the chosen crop will be planted only on tiles capable of growing it. Worse, planters will not skip over the infertile tiles, leaving the rest of the plot fallow whether it can support the crop or not.</blockquote>[[User:Amstrad|Amstrad]] 17:07, 10 November 2007 (EST)

:I think what it means is that the planter will plant until he reaches a tile incapable of growing, the stop completely. Let's say you have a 1x8 plot, and tile 3 is not capable of growing the crop. Tiles 1 and 2 will be planted, but the farmer will stop at 3. He will not skip over it and continue planting tiles 4-8. It is not contradictory, but should be reworded. --[[User:Valdemar|Valdemar]] 13:48, 18 November 2007 (EST)

::What the writer mean by "mixed plot" is if you build a plot underground and open the roof in some place. The area(s) where you don't have roofing anymore will be considered as above ground, and the rest will still be considered by the game to be underground. --[[User:Eagle of Fire|Eagle of Fire]] 18:09, 18 November 2007 (EST)

== Food Hauling caveat ==

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

== Flowchart ==

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

:You say it like Dwarf Fortress itself is not horribly intimidating. No offense taken, but, then again, farming is one of the most complicated aspects of the game and I spent quite some time trying to wrap my mind around it's quirks.

:I made this illustration to help me plan workshops chaining, optimize hauling and quickly evaluate gathered shrubs. Tabular data on the [[Crops]] page serves great as a reference, but not so much as an aid in designing processes. Besides, some people like me comprehend such visual form of information easier.
:This diagram is already linked on [[Crops]] page, and if people deem that image describing in detail farming workflow doesn't belong to [[Farming]] page, so be it. [[User:Nophotoavailable|Nophotoavailable]] 02:49, 29 November 2007 (EST)

:It's seems a great flowchart to me, especially the way it's linked in the corner so it doesn't dominate the page. Well done for creating it. [[User:Djp|Djp]] 05:46, 29 November 2007 (EST)

::I appreciate the flowchart, and find it more useful for contemplating the system-as-a-whole than the table on Crops. Table's good for detail, bad for seeing relationships & alternatives, like "What are all the crops that I can use to make fabric?". [[User:Kidinnu|Kidinnu]] 08:54, 29 November 2007 (EST)

::Hah, I seem to be in the minority, if indeed there's even one other person who agrees with me. Fair enough. [[User:Mzbundifund|Mzbundifund]] 15:38, 28 November 2007 (CST)

== Re-Irrigation ==

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

:Ooh, that happens? That's really important. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least two important things that need revision.
:However, I use soil for farming (so far), so I shouldn't be the one to fix them. --[[User:Savok|Savok]] 14:37, 29 May 2008 (EDT)

== Red crops ==

We should try to figure out once and for all what the reddened crops mean. The two most popular explanations I see floating around are either that there are not enough days left in the season to grow it and that the farm is not fertile enough. My testing has shown that it is neither. In late autumn (13 Timber, not enough time to grow anything) cave wheat and pig tails red out, while quarry bushes do not. Quarry bushes can't be grown in winter either, so something weird is going on. It's not fertility either, because the plots that have had nothing grown on them redden out at exactly the same time as the ones constantly used. --[[User:Valdemar|Valdemar]] 20:05, 27 December 2007 (EST)

:I remember reading somewhere that farmers have to have experience with a crop dying from being planted too late in a season before they know when it's too late to plant it. Sounds implausible, but I wouldn't put it past Toady to implement it that way. Had your farmers ever planted quarry bushes "too late" before your test?--[[User:Maximus|Maximus]] 01:28, 28 December 2007 (EST)

:I've never planted quarry bushes at that fortress. Now that I think of it, I don't think I had any rock nuts at all. That's probably it. Crops only redden out if you have the seeds for them. I'll start a test fortress with no pig tails or something and see if I can confirm this. --[[User:Valdemar|Valdemar]] 09:21, 28 December 2007 (EST)

::I've confirmed this. Crops red out if there are not enough days left in the season, but do NOT red out if you have no seeds. In my test, I brought rock nuts and plump helmet spawn only. In late summer, sweet pods did not redden out. In late autumn, only quarry bushes reddened out. However, I noticed another oddity. Quarry bushed reddened out when there were less than 25 days left until winter, even though they take 41 days to grow! I need to test whether they will wilt when planted between 41 and 25 days left. --[[User:Valdemar|Valdemar]] 10:28, 28 December 2007 (EST)

::This is strange. It reddened out after I selected it and let it run for a game day (there were 39 days left in the season). Maybe the trigger for reddening is trying to plant it, not having seeds. This definitely needs more testing. --[[User:Valdemar|Valdemar]] 10:41, 28 December 2007 (EST)

:::Plants will red out if there is not enough time for them to grow in this season ''and'' they can't be grown in the next season (Otherwise they are just transferred to the next season). ''Dark'' red means there are still seeds on the plot of that plant. --[[User:Koltom|Koltom]] 22:38, 4 March 2008 (EST)

::::I've experienced something completely wierd. My pump helmets have red out. I am in a Scorching environment and the field had just been made. It always happens towards the end of Winter as well. Currently in-game it's the 17th obsidian. It turned back to normal the first day of spring.[[User:Mission0|Mission0]] 03:29, 4 August 2008 (EDT)

I've a farm plot where Plump Helmets are red - and you can grow them all year round! --[[User:Theory|Theory]] 13:50, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

== Fertilization ==

So you can choose to fertilise your plots with potash. How long does this last? How much more crop does a fertilised plot produce and if I fertilise more than once in short succesion, does it produce even more? [[User:Robje|Robje]] 17:33, 21 January 2008 (EST)
And what does ''seas fert'' option mean?--[[User:Dorten|Dorten]] 07:48, 7 February 2008 (EST)

:seas fert - seasonal fertilization? - auto fertilize every season?
:: It seems so. The first time I saw it, I thought it meant fertilize with seaweeds (LOL).--[[User:Aykavil|Aykavil]] 10:08, 4 July 2008 (EDT)

I cant fertilize my indoor clay loam plot (probably not needed) - will now check silt. Muddy rock seems to work? --[[User:Koltom|Koltom]] 23:03, 20 February 2008 (EST)

:IIRC, adds +3 to crop yield. I may be wrong. [[User:VengefulDonut|VengefulDonut]] 00:06, 21 February 2008 (EST)

Ow. The Ghost of the English Language has been offended once more. --[[User:Savok|Savok]] 14:37, 29 May 2008 (EDT)

== Greenhouse ==

To my experience, the ceiling on a "greenhouse" can be made out of anything, my rock salt greenhouses work just fine. [[User:Eurytus|Eurytus]] 20:03, 21 April 2008 (EDT)

:This is accurate. Floors of any variety let in light, even though dozens of levels of flooring. You can have an 'above ground' farm hundreds of feet underground.--[[User:Dadamh|Dadamh]] 13:36, 29 May 2008 (EDT)

::IIRC, most (all?) floors do not let in light, but they do let in abovegroundness. --[[User:Savok|Savok]] 14:37, 29 May 2008 (EDT)

The paragraph on chanelling+roof to build a greenhouse seems off base. If you're going to build a roof, you may as well build walls around your field on high ground. --[[User:Aykavil|Aykavil]] 10:08, 4 July 2008 (EDT)

40d Talk:Trading

2008-08-13T13:36:54Z

Theory: 50% profit rule

== Consolidation of Trading, Trade Depot, Caravans, and Wagon ==

This needs wikification with some amounts of rewriting. I will give it a go. --[[User:Maska|Maska]] 06:51, 27 January 2008 (EST)

Yea thanks, this is my first try at a wiki-page. sorry if it was crappy... --[[User:CombatWombat|CombatWombat]] 06:42, 28 January 2008 (EST)

Nah, there's no such thing as a crappy wiki edit, when its got content in it. Just remember to be bold, otherwise there would be nothing here. --[[User:Maska|Maska]] 07:29, 28 January 2008 (EST)

Well this thread's a little old, but I re-wrote and consolidated some more information on this page. There was also some discussion of this on [[Talk:Caravan#Merge_this_into_Trading]]. If you don't approve, please don't just revert it, I organized and cleaned up a lot of the scattered info, so at the very least it should be split from where it is now on the Trading page to where it should ultimately go. --[[User:Marble Dice|Marble Dice]] 02:48, 2 May 2008 (EDT)

== Extraction from different articles ==

All the information on trading seems quite scattered now (Trade depot, Caravan, Dwarf, Elf, Human etc), and as most stuff is well written I think we should merge the trade sections to this one page and leave behind only refecences. --[[User:Maska|Maska]] 08:29, 27 January 2008 (EST)
:Looking good, is there a 'your first caravan'-type tutorial anywhere we could link to? Something with advice on the sort of goods to prepare and what to buy for the first winter, with new players in mind. I'll try and find one somewhere. --[[User:TangoThree|TangoThree]] 09:07, 27 January 2008 (EST)

: Done, linked to the trade section in the new player guide. --[[User:TangoThree|TangoThree]] 09:11, 27 January 2008 (EST)
::Done++ Someone else finish merging the information from Caravans into the page. Make sure to get that awesome Elf trader image. --[[User:Ikkonoishi|Ikkonoishi]] 12:10, 28 January 2008 (EST)

== Haulers? ==
In my experience the "bring item to depot" tasks were performed by any dwarf, even without any hauling labors enabled. Can also be my imagination. I cannot check it for now, so, anyone, please verify.--[[User:Dorten|Dorten]] 23:49, 27 January 2008 (EST)
:That's correct, as many times my pure crafters will stop crafting to haul goods to the depot, despite having only one or two production labors enabled. --[[User:N9103|Edward]] 03:41, 28 January 2008 (EST)
::Is this similar to plant gathering where even non-working nobles and children will do it, or is it limted to any regular dwarf regardless of labour? --[[User:TangoThree|TangoThree]] 19:04, 31 January 2008 (EST)
:::Yes, nobles and children will haul stuff to the depot. --[[User:Janus|Janus]] 00:19, 1 February 2008 (EST)

== Moving goods on afterwards ==

To get things ''out'' of the depot.... do I have to order them removed while the caravan is still around?
I have starving dwarves... and food going rotten in the depot![[User:GarrieIrons|GarrieIrons]] 06:36, 5 February 2008 (EST)
:AFAIK, no. in my experience, anything bought is treated as like it's just lying there, not being traded.
Well, yes and no. Once trading is finished dwarves will start bringing the bought goods in while the caravan still is there. But you cant 'order' them to per se ;) Your own stuff that wasnt sold however will remain in depot till the caravan leaves. --[[User:Koltom|Koltom]] 18:45, 13 February 2008 (EST)
::Unless you go back into the {{k|g}}oods menu at the Depot and unmark them for trading. --[[User:N9103|Edward]] 04:25, 14 February 2008 (EST)
I've a question in the same vein: I just traded for a truckload of goods, but the traders didn't even leave them in the depot! They just carried my goods out with them. Were my dwarves supposed to carry all of the goods back earlier? --[[User:Gh3yz0r|Gh3yz0r]] 14:08, 16 February 2008 (EST)

==Duplicate Page?==
The page "Caravan" has very similar information, though this "trading" page seems more complete.[Samyotix]

== culling on mandates ==

what's that? in the trade screen? me no be native speaker...--[[User:Koltom|Koltom]] 21:56, 20 February 2008 (EST)
:I think it means that it will hide things that are not allowed to be traded: "Mayor has put bans on certain exports". But I don't know if it hides an entire bin if one item in it is banned. [[User:Hex Decimal|Hex Decimal]] 14:29, 27 February 2008 (EST)

== "everything is ruined now" ==
I just accidentally tried to trade the elves a wooden bin full of stone goods. Now ALL my stone goods, including ones not actually in that bin, are unacceptable. I ended up just seizing the rope I needed, but I'd like to know if this is a glitch, or if I just made them too angry to trade. —Preceding [[template:unsigned|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Shadow archmagi|Shadow archmagi]] ([[User talk:Shadow archmagi|talk]]•[[Special:Contributions/Shadow archmagi|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}
:It's not a glitch. Elves refuse to trade at all after you give them even a single wood or animal product. After you do that the trade option is locked until they come back to trade next year. [[User:Hex Decimal|Hex Decimal]] 14:52, 27 February 2008 (EST)
:The wooden bin told the elves you hate trees. Elves don't trade with people who hate trees. Elves don't trade with people who hate animals. Don't trade dead trees or dead animal parts to elves. [[User:Rkyeun|Rkyeun]] 13:18, 22 March 2008 (EDT)

==Depot Access==
Not a single square on my map is accessible by the caravan. What should i do? --[[User:Noctune9|Noctune9]] 11:16, 19 March 2008 (EDT)

EDIT: My bad. It seems that it shows every square as inaccessible if the depot is not fully constructed--[[User:Noctune9|Noctune9]] 11:16, 19 March 2008 (EDT)

== Trading Margins ==
In regards to this submission:
"If you have a somewhat experienced broker or you already raised the traiders mood to pleased or above you can usually trade with marginal profit for them and you can also safely ignore their counteroffers, offering the same trade a second time, successfully."

You do realize that when they make a counteroffer they automatically add those counteroffer goods to the pot, right? Just making sure. Are you saying you go back through and remove each item their counteroffer added to your side of the deal? Seems much simpler to just stick to the ~50% rule of thumb, especially at the beginning with low skills and again once you reach the point of having so many trade goods that you can easily buy everything you need from each caravan with plenty of goods left over. --[[User:Janus|Janus]] 14:55, 22 March 2008 (EDT)
: Yes, exactly. Whenever i get a counteroffer I remove all items from the list they added until their profit is back to what i deem fit, sometimes leaving a low value item, say, 50☼, they chose, if I wanted to trade it anyway. Since this is not a beginners guide page, I think it's wrong to advise people to a 50% profit margin that is much higher than necessary. Once the traders are happy, they will even agree to trading an anvil for an anvil. I tested this extensively because usually i want them to leave early and thus try to make them angry. Almost impossible. We could however add smth about the (suspected) advantages of having high export totals like bigger caravans, more immigrants, arrival of king. --[[User:Koltom|Koltom]] 06:39, 23 March 2008 (EDT)
::The 50% rule of thumb is a good starting point either way. "Advanced" page or not, before I posted that, there was no guidance on what profit margin the visiting traders would generally accept, so that people were left to find out the hard way.
::Going back through a long list of your trade goods to hunt down and remove the items which the visiting trader added to the offer seems like a bit of a waste of time to me, unless you just have very few trade goods or a really tight budget at your fortress.
::As for being able to get away with lower margins once the trader is happy, that is definitely useful knowledge and could be expanded upon. --[[User:Janus|Janus]] 12:52, 23 March 2008 (EDT)

There is no way to refuse a counter-offer, is there? The only option is to hit {{k|Enter}}, and the "goods are added to the pot" as you say ... correct? --[[User:Juckto|Juckto]] 09:07, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

:Correct, however, you're free to simply remove the additionally requested items and re-offer. In the case of a new trader in his first few trade sessions, this will likely work, as he gained experience (probably a LOT) just by offering. Even if it doesn't, as long as you don't repeat it many times (4+ I'd say) then there's no real risk of driving them off. --[[User:N9103|Edward]] 13:16, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

::I find it easiest to commence one dwarf with novice valuer that way you already know prices... within the first trading I can usually get some items at straight trade (0% profit) maybe it depends on civilisation demands.[[User:GarrieIrons|GarrieIrons]] 01:14, 13 July 2008 (EDT)

:::If you want a trade to succeed just make sure the trader gets 100-1000* profit. Almost every trade I made with this method was accepted. --[[User:AlexFili|AlexFili]] 06:09, 15 July 2008 (EDT)

== Goblins butchering my caravans. ==

Every time I trade with the caravans, a goblin ambush comes and the merchants are all killed. Ive taken new measures to prevent this, but will merchants come back to trade? and what effect does their death have? —Preceding [[template:unsigned|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Wafl|Wafl]] ([[User talk:Wafl|talk]]•[[Special:Contributions/Wafl|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}

My caravans get shot up by goblins all the time. Then you get to loot their stuff. The caravans always seem to come back next year. [[User:Ripheus|Ripheus]] 22:49, 24 March 2008 (EDT)

== Trading flowchart ==

Given a number of questions on the forums, it may be a good idea to put together a flowchart of the steps involved in trading. I will draft something up here (at least partially so I can safely screw up my first attempt on this wiki)

Tasks are sequential top-to-bottom, but can be done in parallel left-to-right
{|cellpadding="2" border="1"
|-
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| Make or obtain goods to trade || Build Depot ({{K|b}} - {{K|D}})
|-
| Ensure Depot is accessible ({{K|D}})
Check green area reaches edge of map
|-
| colspan=3 | Wait until a caravan arrives on the map
"A--- caravan from --- has arrived."
|-
| Set goods to be traded ({{K|q}} - {{K|g}}) || Request a trader ({{K|q}} - {{K|r}}) || Wait for caravan to reach the depot
"Merchants have arrived and are unloading their goods"
|-
| Wait for goods to be hauled || Wait for the trader to finish their other tasks and go to the depot || Wait for the rest of the caravan to reach the depot and be unloaded
|-
| colspan=3 | Begin actual trading ({{K|q}} - {{K|t}})
|}

Hmm. Is there a better way to show this? It may not help much as is... [[User:Kaypy|Kaypy]]

:Ask and ye shall receive
{|cellspacing=0 align=center
|-
|width=50|
|width=1|
|width=50|
|width=50|
|width=1|
|width=50|
|width=50|
|width=1|
|width=50|
|-
|colspan=3|
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Arrive at fortress location
|-
|colspan=4 height=20 width=3|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|-
|
|colspan=7 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|colspan=5|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|colspan=3 rowspan=5 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Create Goods
|colspan=3|
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Build Depot
|-
|colspan=4|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|colspan=3|
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Check Depot is accessible
|-
|colspan=4|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|colspan=3|
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Wait for caravan
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|colspan=5|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|colspan=2|
|colspan=4 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|colspan=2|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|colspan=2|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|-
|
|colspan=4 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|colspan=2|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|colspan=5|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Set goods to be traded
|colspan=3|
|colspan=3 rowspan=5 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Wait for caravan to arrive at depot and merchants to finish unloading
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Wait for goods to be hauled
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Request the trader at the depot and turn off his other labours
|-
|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|colspan=5|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" height=20|
|-
|
|colspan=7 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|-
|colspan=4 height=20 width=3|
|style="border: 1px solid #aaa;"|
|-
|colspan=3|
|colspan=3 style="border: 1px solid #aaa;" align=center|Trade
|}
You'll note I shifted the location of requesting trader --[[User:Juckto|Juckto]] 08:46, 6 May 2008 (EDT)

== Offerings ==

Can anyone expound on the function of {{K|o}}ffering goods as gifts to traders? I tried giving the elves about 1000 worth of tchotchkes, and the next year they showed up with more goods than I've ever seen -- lots of caged animals, whereas I usually get very few, and so on. However, other times I gave them more and it seemed nothing changed. [[User:Anydwarf|Anydwarf]] 12:01, 7 May 2008 (EDT)

Gifts to the traders (and large trading profits) should increase the number of traders / wagons you get the following year, so they'll bring more stuff to trade. AFAIK no-one knows about the numbers for sure though. [[User:Samyotix|Samyotix]] 14:51, 9 June 2008 (EDT)

== Add hint: "Buy everything ... in case you get a strange mood"? ==

Personally I've found it very useful to do this:

When traders arrive,
a) optionally check stocks.
b) Buy everything you can't make or harvest in your own fort.
c) In the diplomat meeting, order everything you can't make or harvest.

To be specific: Thread, Silk, cloth, metal bars (anything else?).

The reason:
a) Dwarves sometimes demand items out of some metal or alloy they like.
b) Dwarves who are possessed or get a strange mood will sometimes demand silk or cloth.

Players who proactively (harr!) seek to stock materials for possible moods will IMO have much less of a problem with dwarves going insane from moods. However I couldn't figure out where (or if) I should insert that, so I'll just add this idea (adding a hint: buy everything you don't have) to the discussion.

Also, as far as I know, possessed/moody dwarves in the current version (27.176.38c) do not demand specific items. Rather, they want a) any metal bar b) any metal ore c) Silk d) Cloth e) wood f) raw gem g) any stone ... that was it, right?. So probably such a hint could read something like:

"NOTE: If your fortress cannot harvest silk, it would be useful to order some from the caravans. If you do not have a cloth industry yet, maybe order some cloth as well. Having a small stock of materials which you are not actively using in your economy - e.g. GCS silk - will increase the likelihood of your fortress gaining an artifact from any mood or possession."
[[User:Samyotix|Samyotix]] 14:49, 9 June 2008 (EDT)

== Clear the perimeter? ==

Is clearing the entire perimeter of the map really necessary? While my depot has been accessible at all, the caravan has '''always''' appeared at a point with access to the depot. --[[User:Raumkraut|Raumkraut]] 13:13, 12 July 2008 (EDT)
:What the article says is:
:#Caravans enter the map from a random direction which does not coincide with the relative direction of the originating civilization,
:#they may appear from different directions or z-levels each year
:#they cannot use stairs
:#they may leave without trading if it takes too long to reach the trade depot
:With the above points in mind:
:#In order to guarantee perfect, permanent wagon accessibility, a three tile path must be cleared around the entire perimeter of the map, with at least one joining path from the border to the trade depot. Any parts of this path system which have grass must be paved with floor tiles, bridges, or roads to prevent trees from growing. Ramps must be used to adjust z-level elevation.

I have certainly had a depot accessible to the southern border, then had the human merchants only turn up with mules because they were approaching from a different direction.

The recommendations are how to ensure the human wagons turn up every summer (it also helps to remember to have your drawbridge down as soon as summer commences!) If you are not so concerned about human merchants then ignore the advice. If you don't have enough dwarf-power then ignore the advice. Some of it only needs to be done once (ie: adjusting slopes), and some of it just gives you more territory to consider for defending from invaders (being open to merchants also opens you to invaders).[[User:GarrieIrons|GarrieIrons]] 00:33, 13 July 2008 (EDT)

==Seizing goods==
"It is worth noting that in the Mac port (untested for other ports), you can simply remove the depot that the merchants are camped out on to recieve all their goods."

I can confirm that this also works in the PC version.[[User:Moonman|Moonman]] 14:07, 13 July 2008 (EDT)

== Empty caravans ==

human, elf, and dwarf caravans bringing me nothing.
is it possible to have a depot too full? --[[User:Eerr|Eerr]] 07:30, 28 July 2008 (EDT)

:In recent versions of the game I've noticed that traders, after their initial visit, will only bring what was mentioned in your previous trade agreement with them. In earlier versions they'd bring all sorts of tat along too. Did you perhaps not request any goods for import? I don't imagine this could affect the Elves as well though. --[[User:Raumkraut|Raumkraut]] 08:02, 28 July 2008 (EDT)

::Prior to the latest group of releases, I'd been getting empty caravans for a LONG time, Elves and Humans alike, and occasionally even the Dwarves. Hasn't happened to me in the e release yet though (hadn't spent too much time on the other releases). --[[User:N9103|Edward]] 13:13, 28 July 2008 (EDT)

== starvation ==

it must be because they brought food to my starving settlement
(dwarves will run out and get food straight from the caravan)

== Added a small bit. ==

I quickly changed the section about the possible exploit of deleting a trade depot from Mac-only-bug to an across the board phenomenon.

== Caravan at Inaccessible Depot ==

I assume it is related to the 3 wide path only showing as 1 green square, but the caravan has stopped at a trade depot that is listed as inaccessible. Does this mean that some trade depots will show bad with SHIFT-D but are actually okay? --[[User:Aristoi|Aristoi]] 21:15, 8 August 2008 (EDT)

:The three-wide path showing only one green square is, to my knowledge, correct. That green is the center of the path, along which the center of the wagon must align with to fit within the three-wide path. --[[User:Mattmoss|Mattmoss]] 23:14, 8 August 2008 (EDT)

::Thanks. It'd be nice then if the Shift-D showed that as a caravan accessible depot then. --[[User:Aristoi|Aristoi]] 01:21, 9 August 2008 (EDT)

:::Correction: It does, there was a boulder in the way that I did not see. --[[User:Aristoi|Aristoi]] 22:10, 10 August 2008 (EDT)

== 50% profit rule ==

This really, REALLY needs to be made clearer in the game. There's nothing wrong with the trader telling us how much profit he'd expect from our goods! I've got tens of thousands worth of goods that I haven't sold for two years straight because the bloody traders wouldn't tell me how much they want, and I didn't find the 50% rule buried in this article until just now! --[[User:Theory|Theory]] 09:36, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

Rope reeds

2008-08-11T17:23:35Z

Theory: redir

#redirect [[Rope reed]]

40d Talk:Starting location

2008-08-10T20:46:15Z

Theory: Fun starting locations

Trees do not only grow on the lowest Z-Level. I have trees growing on multiple Z-Levels. --[[User:Tracker|Tracker]] 02:46, 1 November 2007 (EDT)

Hmm. Maybe only up to a certain height? My first map--while initially pretty decent (sand, water, trees, rock, variety of minerals) had trees only in the most lower left hand corner (one screen's worth), which also happened to be the lowest surface level I had. But you are right, my current fort (nice entrance, there was a pocket by a river tributary that I turned into my entrance gateway, but no sand) has trees on two levels, the lowest surface, and the second lowest. Still, it's something to be aware of.
--[[User:Draco18s|Draco18s]] 03:26, 1 November 2007 (EDT)

Absolutely - that's why I changed it to say "lower" instead of lowest. --[[User:Tracker|Tracker]] 03:35, 1 November 2007 (EDT)

So I noticed. :)
--[[User:Draco18s|Draco18s]] 03:26, 1 November 2007 (EDT)

== Towns ==

Any benefit of building in towns? Other than mining under the elves and dropping them into pits? --[[User:Ikkonoishi|Ikkonoishi]] 19:35, 3 November 2007 (EDT)
:Yes there is. Humans are more than happy to share their stuff with you, and won't be at all upset if you rob them blind it seems. --[[User:Ikkonoishi|Ikkonoishi]] 22:11, 3 November 2007 (EDT)
::Think this'll ever get changed? Seems kind of unrealistic to me...--[[User:Tarsier|Tarsier]] 19:56, 5 November 2007 (EST)

== Mountain tiles guarantee certain features. ==

As per my addition, for each mountain square in the 2nd zoom view, you're guaranteed pits, a chasm, and an underground river. I have confirmed this myself using the reveal tool, and Today has confirmed at least part of it: http://www.bay12games.com/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=001176 - [[User:Kjoery|Kjoery]] 16:49, 6 November 2007 (EST)

:Confirmed this too.--[[User:Richards|Richards]] 03:20, 21 April 2008 (EDT)

== Towns Revert ==

Any reason why that edit was unacceptable to you Savok? I'm not going to revert, but I would like an explanation. --[[User:Ikkonoishi|Ikkonoishi]] 12:06, 12 November 2007 (EST)

== Errors in PNG? ==

Contrary to the text in the attached PNG, I've had fortresses with pockets of sand sufficient for glassworking even when sand doesn't show up in the embark screen. [[User:Kidinnu|Kidinnu]] 09:25, 28 November 2007 (EST)

Yes, all maps I've ever had have had at least a few squares of sand. Is it guaranteed? --[[User:Penguinofhonor|Penguinofhonor]] 22:18, 30 November 2007 (EST)
:I have never seen any pockets of sand. --[[User:Strangething|Strangething]] 16:27, 11 July 2008 (EDT)

Another error is that magma and volcanoes now appear on the map [[User:MikeWulf|MikeWulf]] 23:41, 6 March 2008 (EST)
:Note that underground magma is hidden. Only lava on the surface is shown on the map --[[User:Strangething|Strangething]] 16:27, 11 July 2008 (EDT)

== Layers ==

The paragraph about layers is not explicit enough for newbies. For instance, 'igneous intrusive' never shows up on the embark screen. What I would like to see is something like
* red sand - useful for glass making
* gabbro - in this layer you may find chalk, a flux
* felsite - in this layer you may find copper ore
etc. (Caveat: the data I gave as example is most likely false and/or incomplete).

This way, by comparing the embark screen to this page, the reader would immediately find out what (s)he may find in the site.
--[[User:Aykavil|Aykavil]] 09:51, 10 July 2008 (EDT)

:I added a link to [[stone layers]]. There's a lot more in-depth info there. --[[User:Strangething|Strangething]] 16:32, 11 July 2008 (EDT)

== Fun starting locations ==

A starting location that looks pretty good from the readouts can turn out to be as boring as hell once you arrive at it. Are there any tips for finding ''interesting'' locations? --[[User:Theory|Theory]] 16:46, 10 August 2008 (EDT)

40d:Trading

2008-08-10T18:14:22Z

Theory: /* Elves */ not any more, see Elf

{{Building|name=Trade depot|key=D
|job=
1 of:
* [[Broker]] noble
* None (See description)
|construction=
3 of
* [[Block]]
* [[Metal bar]]
* [[Stone]]
* [[Wood]]
|construction_job=
* [[Architecture]]
* and 1 of:
** [[Carpentry]]
** [[Masonry]]
** [[Metalsmithing]]
|purpose=
Trade goods with other races.
}}
'''Trading''' in Dwarf Fortress first occurs in the first [[autumn]] after establishing your fortress, with the arrival of the [[dwarf|Dwarven]] [[Trading#Caravans|caravan]]. Trading is a good way to acquire resources that are not available or are rare in the local area. It also allows for more freedom in selecting starting gear, because items can always be obtained through trade later, e.g. one can drop the expensive [[anvil]] to bring 500 extra units of [[alcohol|booze]] or purchase additional skills for the expedition party. New players can [[Your_first_fortress#Trading|look here]] for advice on trading with the first caravan.

== Trade Depot ==
Building a '''Trade Depot''' ({{K|b}} - {{K|D}}) will allow you the opportunity to trade with caravans that arrive at your fortress. Trade depots can be created from almost any material, and construction requires the [[Architecture]] skill along with the appropriate craft labor ([[Carpentry]], [[Masonry]], or [[Metalsmithing]]). While it may be convenient to build a Trade Depot outside first, it is usually a good idea to move it inside or build fortifications around it to protect caravans and your goods from [[thief|thieves]] and [[goblin]]s.

Hit {{K|q}} to bring up the building interaction menu, and then move your cursor over the Trade Depot to gain access to the following options.

=== Move Goods to/from Depot ===
{{:Trading/Flowchart}}

{{K|g}}: This command becomes active when a caravan arrives on your map. Choosing items from this menu will mark them as [PENDING] and [[dwarves]] will begin moving them to the depot (all dwarves regardless of labor settings will move goods to the depot when necessary). Items that have been brought to the depot are ready for trade and will be marked as [TRADING]. Items nominated for trading will remain at the depot until the caravan leaves, or the [PENDING] / [TRADING] flag is cleared by choosing the item again. Once no longer required at the depot, items will be available for use or hauling to stockpiles as normal.

=== No trader needed at depot or Trader requested at depot ===
{{K|r}}: To conduct trades with caravans, a trader must be present at the Trade Depot. Once requested, a dwarf will make their way to the depot, and remain there until released with this setting, or the dwarf decides to drink, sleep, or eat.

=== Only broker may trade or Anyone may trade ===
{{K|b}}: This setting determines who will perform the trade. If "Only broker may trade" is active, then only the [[Broker]] [[noble]] will respond to the trader request. This can become a problem when the broker is sleeping or otherwise occupied, however dwarves with low [[Broker skills]] will receive poorer deals when trading.

=== Trade ===
{{K|t}}: Once the goods have been hauled, a broker is waiting, and the caravan has made its way to the depot and unloaded its goods, it's time to trade. After entering the trade menu, select the items to offer from the right, and the desired items from the left. All caravans have a weight limit which cannot be exceeded, and the allowed additional weight is displayed in the lower right corner. If the acting broker has at least Novice or better [[Appraisal]] skill, the value of all items will be displayed. Once the proposal is ready, press {{K|t}} to make an offer, but merchants will not agree unless they make adequate profit. Also, be careful of pressing {{K|o}}, as this will make a gift of the selected items. The amount of acceptable profit is determined by the broker's [[Broker skills|skills]] and the merchant's mood, described below. Merchants may attempt to propose counteroffers if they do not accept the proposal, which can then be accepted, rejected, or further amended by the broker.

A good rule of thumb for inexperienced brokers is to give merchants a 50% or better profit. For example, if the desired goods are worth 500☼, make sure their profit is at least 250☼ (which would make the total worth of the offered goods 750☼). This should ensure that the merchants are happy with the trading and that they accept the trade immediately without making ridiculous counteroffers. With more experienced brokers or pleased merchants, even marginally profitable trades can be successful, and counteroffers can be rejected safely, offering the same trade again.

==== Merchant mood ====
If your broker has Novice or better [[Judge of Intent]] skill, there will be a line added below the merchant's dialogue describing the caravan's attitude. Their attitude rises with successful trades (especially if they get lots of profit) and falls when you propose deals they don't like. The happier you make a merchant the less profit margin he will require to accept a trade.

* (trader) seems ecstatic with the trading
* (trader) seems very happy about the trading
* (trader) seems pleased with the trading
* (trader) seems willing to trade (Default, at least for humans)
* (trader) seems to be rapidly losing patience
* (trader) is not going to take much more of this
* (trader) is unwilling to trade

If merchants reach the lowest level (unwilling to trade) as a result of repeated failed deals, they will immediately pack up and no further trade will be possible. Since annoyed traders are more likely to reject deals, you should tread cautiously in initial negotiations as the more times you fail to make a deal, the less happy they'll be and the less inclined they'll be to accept further offers. Skilled negotiators seem less likely to offend traders with unsuccessful deals.

==== Seizing items ====
Pressing {{K|s}} from the trade menu will seize the selected items of the merchant's. If you seize goods from a caravan, the merchant will respond "Take what you want. I can't stop you." and then leave immediately without the seized goods. Items cannot be seized from the dwarven caravan, and other races will not buy stolen goods (marked in red) unless they are tricked into asking for them via counteroffer, or the items are "naturalized" by decoration or used to create other goods. Seizing goods will hurt diplomatic relations, but is not grounds for an automatic [[siege]].

As a side note (this may be considered an exploit) one can simply remove his or her trade depot, causing all the items that the caravan unloaded to be strewn about and be readily hauled by dwarves. At this point, this does not seem to effect the caravan's disposition towards you, they will simply leave. (As of v0.28.181.39e)

== Caravans ==
Each friendly race will send a caravan once per year, but only if that race considers the fortress site accessible (as denoted on the embark screen). The exception is dwarves, who always arrive. Caravans appear to enter the map from a random direction which does not coincide with the relative direction of the originating [[civilization]], and they may appear from different directions or z-levels each year. Caravans may leave without trading if it takes too long to reach the trade depot, and they cannot use stairs.

=== Wagons ===
Some races send [[wagon]]s with their caravans, which have a much greater capacity for bringing foreign imports and accepting dwarven exports. Unfortunately, wagons require paths that are 3 tiles wide to pass. A wagon may enter from a location different than the merchant, if the point the merchant entered was inaccessible to it. If a wagon is unable to find an open path to the trade depot, it will leave and the dwarves will only be able to trade with the merchants and pack [[animals]].

Wagons cannot cross [[stair]]s or [[door]]s (even if the doors span an area ordinarily wide enough for the wagon to pass). Obstructing [[boulder]]s must be smoothed ( {{K|d}} - {{K|s}} ), and [[tree]]s must be cut down ( {{K|d}} - {{K|t}} ). [[Shrub]]s do not obstruct wagons, and neither do [[ramp]]s (ramps covered by a [[hatch]] do obstruct), [[bridge]]s, [[road]]s, or natural or constructed [[floor]] tiles. Building roads, bridges and floor tiles can help keep paths clear by preventing trees from growing, but caravans may enter the map at a location from which they cannot reach an existing road (even if that road connects to the edge of the map), and if alternate unpaved paths exist, they may take those instead.

After a trade depot is built, you can use {{K|D}} to check wagon accessibility. Any tile marked in green is accessible to a wagon. Note that a three-tile wide path will only show up as one tile wide in accessibility view, since the tiles next to the walls are not themselves accessible to wagons.

In order to guarantee perfect, permanent wagon accessibility, a three tile path must be cleared around the entire perimeter of the map, with at least one joining path from the border to the trade depot. Any parts of this path system which have grass must be paved with floor tiles, bridges, or roads to prevent trees from growing. Ramps must be used to adjust [[z-level]] elevation.

=== Liaisons ===
[[Liaison]]s may be sent with caravans to speak to important dwarves. They will allow you to choose the type of items that your fortress is interested in, and will focus on bringing more of that kind of item on the next caravan (however those items will also be more expensive). They will also present you with a list of the items they're willing to pay more for, which will be effective upon their next arrival.

=== Races ===
The following races send caravans.

==== [[Dwarves]] ====
The dwarven caravan:
* arrives in [[Calendar|autumn]].
* employs wagons to bring more goods.
* typically carries [[food]], [[alcohol|booze]], [[leather]], and supplies. Dwarves alone may carry [[steel]] and steel goods.
* tends to be well guarded.
* sends a liaison who will speak with the [[Expedition leader]] (or [[Mayor]]) to negotiate prices.
* is responsible for the number of immigrants received (when the caravan escapes alive).
* will not cause sieges when repeatedly destroyed or lost.
* is the only caravan to arrive during a fortress' first year.
* always arrives regardless of embark location.
* cannot have its goods seized from the trade menu.

==== [[elf|Elves]] ====
[[Image:Evil_elves.png|thumb|400px|A typical elven caravan.]]

The elven caravan:
* arrives in [[Calendar|spring]].
* does not send wagons.
* typically carries [[cloth]], [[rope]], various [[plants]] and wooden items, and may carry tame [[creatures]].
* tends to be unguarded.
* may send a diplomat who imposes a tree cutting quota.
* is very picky about what items they will accept in trade.

Elven traders do not like to be offered any animal or tree byproducts. Forbidden items include{{ver|0.23.130.23a}}:

* [[Bone]], [[shell]], [[leather]], or [[chitin]] items
* [[Wood]]en items, and items derived from wood (including [[tower-cap]] logs), such as [[charcoal]] and [[pearlash]]
* Clear and crystal [[glass]] (because [[pearlash]] is used in their creation)
* Items [[decoration|decorated]] with any of the above materials
* [[Obsidian]] shortswords (since they have wooden handles)
* [[Soap]]
* [[Cheese]]
* Any item they normally would accept that has [[vomit]] on it.

[[Metal]] items are acceptable, even when [[charcoal]] is used in their production. Items made from [[silk]] are acceptable, as are all non-wooden plant-derived products such as [[cloth]] and [[thread]]. You can also transport your goods to the [[trade depot]] in a wooden [[bin]], as long as you do not try to sell the bin. Living animals are acceptable, as long as the [[cage]] or [[trap]] is not made of [[wood]].

Be especially careful with reselling items from other caravans, as decorated items made out of a non-living material may include decorative materials that were made of living materials. All items that elven caravans sell are also unacceptable to sell back to elves, as the dwarves have no means of proving that they were made in an "elf kosher" way — and all dwarves know that elves have terrible memory.

==== [[Human]]s ====
The human caravan:
* arrives in [[Calendar|summer]].
* employs wagons to bring more goods.
* typically carries a very large quantity and variety of goods.
* tends to be moderately guarded.
* sends a liaison who will speak with the broker to negotiate prices.

=== Destruction ===
If caravans are destroyed (intentionally or unintentionally), the items may remain for use. Traders caught in a [[cave-in]] will flee as if they were attacked but will leave all the items dropped by the caravan behind. Pack animals carrying items are affected just like a normal tamed [[mule]] and must be killed in the cave-in for them to drop items on the ground. It is however much more likely that the pack animal(s) will only be stunned or rendered unconscious and flee shortly after recovering from the hit. Wagons will collapse if caught in a cave-in, leaving all that it was carrying on the ground as a result. Wagons can also be destroyed by [[ocean]] waves coming up onto the shore if you have settled in the appropriate area. The only difference between collapsing under waves or a cave-in is a higher probably of recovering items if the wagon is destroyed by a wave.

Repeated caravan destruction (intentional or unintentional) will strain diplomatic relations and may result in a [[siege]].

40d Talk:Elf

2008-08-10T18:12:43Z

Theory: /* Trading */

==Trading==
I have successfuly traded them Silk items in 0.27.169.32a--[[User:Draco18s|Draco18s]] 00:01, 4 November 2007 (EDT)

:Thanks for testing it, I removed the verify tag. --[[User:Turgid Bolk|Turgid Bolk]] 20:43, 4 November 2007 (EST)

I have to wonder why elves wouldn't accept anything made out of wood, when all they want to trade me is animals in wooden cages, and alcohol in wooden barrels and bows and bolts made out of wood...you know what, almost everything they wanted to trade me was made from wood... --[[User:UltimaGecko|UltimaGecko]] 01:32, 4 November 2007 (EDT)

:It's because the elves ask nicely when they take wood from a tree. Dwarves go out and TAKE IT!--[[User:Xazak|Xazak]] 14:38, 4 November 2007 (EST)

I accidentally tried to trade a wooden bucket with them. The elves scolded me, but still allowed me to trade my stone mugs and scepters. They don't leave straight away anymore.--[[User:Mechturk|Mechturk]] 01:44, 5 November 2007 (EST)

:Ah, I'm glad they're more forgiving now. Fixed. --[[User:Turgid Bolk|Turgid Bolk]] 02:14, 5 November 2007 (EST)

::They may rather be bugged now. There is a bug report that offering them something they don't like will make their mood maximally happy. --[[User:Geekwad|Geekwad]] 14:14, 19 November 2007 (EST)

:::Elfs are stupid. I traded some stone crafts for some of their wooden cages, and then i tryed to trade those same wooden cages back and they get angry at me for killing trees! [[User:Diabl0658|Diabl0658]] 12:09, 1 December 2007 (EST)

What about flours, syrups and the like? Food? The DO buy prepared meals.--[[User:Dorten|Dorten]] 00:32, 3 April 2008 (EDT)

I've noticed something new which may just be a coincidence - As I scale back my harvesting of wood from local sources (outside) the elves bring me a larger quantity of wood to trade. If I start chopping trees down for roads, etc. then they bring me less. Anyone else notice this? --[[User:Termitehead|Termitehead]] 08:49, 6 May 2008 (CST)

I accidentally offered an elf some wooden items, and after that the Trade option was disabled even after exiting out of the interface and starting a new trading session. Is that supposed to happen? Seems a little harsh to me... --[[User:Theory|Theory]] 14:12, 10 August 2008 (EDT)

== Fortress in Elf Territory ==

I set one up for fun, and so far (1st winter) there's been no effect. The weirdest part is the large number of named trees; I've avoided cutting them down, and the elves haven't bothered me. I've had hunters chase and kill deer right in their midst with no ill effect as well -- it remains to be seen what happens if he misses the deer and hits an elf, though. Will report back when I find something interesting. [[User:Dolohov|Dolohov]] 10:53, 12 November 2007 (EST)

==Pissed-off the elves...==
They seem to be kinda wussy, considering that I confiscated all of their trade caravan's goods (3k in rope reed cloth of various colors and a little bit of alcohol and seeds) and I expected a siege (my fort is in a boring area, and losing is fun) but they won't attack me. I took their junk a season or two ago. When and how will they attack? --[[User:Penguinofhonor|Penguinofhonor]] 19:22, 27 November 2007 (EST)

:Elves are wusses now. It's not even known if non-evil races still siege, much less treehugging wusses like elves. -[[User:Kefkakrazy|Kefkakrazy]] 01:09, 28 November 2007 (EST)

::[[Siege]]s from non-evil races have been disabled for now. They'll be back once the war arc is complete. --[[User:Strangething|Strangething]] 15:10, 17 June 2008 (EDT)

:::I was sieged by humans in I think 39c after a merchant's guild representative was slaughtered by a goblin ambush. [[User:Mingebag|Mingebag]] 01:07, 26 July 2008 (EDT)

==Elves bringing corpses==
The elves usually bring an animal or two in cages to trade, but many times that bring cages full of corpses... It's either all alive, or all corpses. Maybe the animals died in transit? Anybody else have this happen to them?--[[User:Valdemar|Valdemar]] 22:11, 25 December 2007 (EST)

: "It's not dead, it's resting". Er, the humans do this to me too. Pretty sure it's on the known bug list. [[User:Acama|Acama]] 02:17, 30 December 2007 (EST)

:I'm rather certain that if you're in a climate that you can die from exposure, that this is what happens. Have you gotten a shipment of live animals and a shipment of dead ones while at the same site? If not, then this is almost certainly the case. If so, it's possibly a function of a random number and perhaps the extremeness of the climate. --[[User:N9103|Edward]] 04:11, 30 December 2007 (EST)

::I seem to recall it being stated that this was due to the caravan passing THROUGH climates where you can die of exposure on the way to your fortress. If the path a civ needs to take runs through freezing or scorching climates, the elves don't give the animals proper temperature care and they die. In contrast, the elves seem to make it through just fine--who knows, maybe the code is slightly different for caravan entities and separate creatures that happen to be carried along with the caravan. --[[User:Alfador|Alfador]] 12:03, 10 January 2008 (EST)

:I actually prefer this method. I like to trap stuff myself so it makes the cages much cheaper, and the corpse can still be butchered for meat, bones, fat, and skulls. Your butcher will grab the entire cage and take it to the butcher's shop to empty it. --[[User:Ikkonoishi|Ikkonoishi]] 11:20, 30 December 2007 (EST)

== Elves and Animals ==

Doing some testing with using Elves in fortress mode, it seems that they will NOT be attacked by animals. Do you think we might go as far as to write in this page that [NATURAL]creatures will not attack elves? [[User:Zonk|Zonk]] 11:57, 9 January 2008 (EST)

== Elven warnings ==

The elves just warned me about cutting too many trees... I didn't realize that was still in. --[[User:Bobson|Bobson]] 17:23, 27 February 2008 (EST)

== Elven traders ==

I have read that if the human caravans are attacked too many times, that the humans will wage war on you. I have also read that if you cut down too many trees, the elves will wage war on you. But if you let the elven traders die, will they also wage war on you? --[[User:Wafl|Wafl]] 22:14, 13 April 2008 (EDT)

:Don't think so, elves got ambushed by gobbies one year and I did nothing to help them. Accidentally saved one of the traders, though, but he starved to death. --[[User:Gh3yz0r|Gh3yz0r]] 19:17, 8 July 2008 (EDT)

==Blood Covering?==

I have sold some items with blood covering with no negative effects... can anyone confirm if it's true or not? [[User:AlexFili|AlexFili]] 04:55, 8 May 2008 (EDT)

I cannot say firsthand, but I've heard in the forums and, I think, elsewhere in the Wiki that blood covering angers the elves.--[[User:RustyMcloon|Rusty Mcloon]] 23:24, 16 July 2008 (EDT)

== Speaking with Halfmen ==

What exactly is the tag that lets you speak with snakemen, ratmen, etcetera? I haven't been able to figure it out as of yet, and I want to add it to a creature I'm making.

In addition, adding the [AT_PEACE_WITH_WILDLIFE] tag didn't stop wolves and bears from ambushing and attacking me; so judging from this that is not the tag that makes them 'immune' to attacks; either that, or the wolves/bears and other large predators ignore that tag. ~ [[User:Midna|Midna]] 15:59, 14 May 2008 (EDT) (Edited later due to forgetting to add nametag)

Animalmen are no longer wildlife in 39e, so they're hostile to elves. Someone should edit the article to express this. --[[User:Neoskel|Neoskel]] 21:40, 8 August 2008 (EDT)

== Elves as of .39c ==

I feel the Elves went under a pretty big overhaul in the latest version. They've turned into tree huggers who do little else but complain, to zerging cannibals who dominate worlds when given enough time. Also little things, like Elves regrowing trees around captured sites, in addition to the aforementioned personality changes, may warrant it's own section, and/or editing.

== Elven Ambushes ==

While they may not seige, They do preform Ambushes.

And I noticed something quite strange...

They ambushed with Mounts. I saw a swarm of Unicorns heading torwards my location. There where no unicorns on my map, so I sent my military to meet them, and when battle was engaged, it said "An Ambush!" And, for each Unicorn, there was also an elf (on the same square)

I'm not sure where to put this in the article though. I've been ambushed by non-mounted elves several times as well. Maybe a new section "Amubsh/Seige habits?"

:I've seen Elves ambush on unicorns too (version 0.28.181.39e), and they had no qualms about slaughtering the puppies I had tied to chains outside -[[User:Namako|Namako]] 14:09, 25 July 2008 (EDT)

== Elven Trading as of Latest Version ==

It seems to me that the elves are much, much more tolerant than before as to what items they will accept. So far I've successfully given them leather, bone, and shell crafts just fine. I have also tried offering them the same branch of items, and they will happily accept them. They even accept items that have blood on them. They will still reject pure wooden goods.
I haven't fully tested skulls, soap, or other animal byproducts yet. But if I were to hazard a guess, I would say they still will reject any item that has wood involved in it's creation, or any item with decorations of wood.
[[User:Lightning4|Lightning4]] 09:37, 31 July 2008 (EDT)

== How do I kill elves? ==

I don't like elves in my fortress and I would like to kill them with my thirty axedwarfs, how would I go about doing this? – [[template:unsigned|unsigned]] comment by [[User:TheLastBarber|TheLastBarber]]

:You can only attack people who have come to your fortress with ill intent. Anger them enough (cut down trees, take their stuff, involve their merchants in unfortunate "accidents", etc.) and they should send forces to attack you, whereupon you can finally take joy in the slaughter. --[[User:Raumkraut|Raumkraut]] 15:39, 5 August 2008 (EDT)

40d Talk:Seed

2008-03-10T21:53:52Z

Theory: Seed stockpiles

====Waste?====
What happens to seeds that are planted, but the season changes before they're harvested? Are the seeds collected? Do they remain until the next growing season?[[User:Runspotrun|Runspotrun]] 19:42, 7 November 2007 (EST)
:In the old version they would not be planted if there was not enough time for them to grow. It might still be that way in the new version. [[User:Diabl0658|Diabl0658]] 20:54, 7 November 2007 (EST)
::Ah, excellent. Thanks. [[User:Runspotrun|Runspotrun]] 15:34, 8 November 2007 (EST)
::a definite no to that. they stay planted, block their tiles, but not the whole plot. They will even grow if the plot is set to the same crop in that new season.(38a) Maybe grow time of last season is even memorized, resulting in early harvest. --[[User:Koltom|Koltom]]

== redundance ==
please avoid repeating info - check the whole article. Also mind that quite a bit of information is given at [[Farming]]. --[[User:Koltom|Koltom]] 12:52, 21 February 2008 (EST)

== Seed stockpiles ==

I have a small seed stockpile next to my farming village, but it's never used even though it's taking from my main food stockpiles. If I allow other types of resource onto it, there's no problem. What's going on? I've got a tonne of seeds elsewhere on the map - they just aren't being moved! --[[User:Theory|Theory]] 17:53, 10 March 2008 (EDT)

40d:Trading

2008-03-10T18:55:29Z

Theory: /* Trading */ needn't be humans

Trading in Dwarf Fortress first occurs in the first autumn of building your fort, with the arrival of the [[dwarf|Dwarven]] [[caravan]]. Trading is a good way to acquire resources that are not available or are rare in the local area. It also improves your freedom of choice on what item to [[embark]] with because you can always trade for them later, e.g. dropping the expensive [[anvil]] to bring 500 extra units of booze. New players can look [[Your_first_fortress#Trading|here]] for advice on trading with your first caravan.

== Trade Depot ==
Building a [[trade depot]] will allow you the opportunity to trade with caravans that arrive at your [[fortress]]. Trade depots require three [[stone]]s or [[log]]s to build, and the [[architecture]] [[skill]] along with either [[masonry]] or [[carpentry]]. While it may be convenient to build a Trade Depot outside first, it is usually a good idea to move it inside as soon as possible to protect caravans and your goods from thieves and goblins.

== Using Trade Depot ==
Hit {{key|q}} to bring up the building interaction menu, and then move your cursor over the trade depot to gain access to the following options.

=== Move Goods to/from Depot ===
When a caravan arrives, it is time to move local goods ready for trade. Selecting items in the categorized view will mark them [PENDING] and they will be moved to the depot. (Note: any dwarf can move goods to depot, even if his hauling labors are disabled) When ready for trade, an item is marked [TRADE]. The depot can be emptied in the same manner.

=== Trader requested at depot/No trader needed at depot ===
Hit {{key|r}} to toggle between these two options. If a trader is requested then someone will come to the depot on behalf of your dwarves to trade with the the merchants. Who exactly comes is dependent on the option you have selected for who is allowed to trade (see below).

=== Only broker may trade/Anyone may trade ===
A [[broker]] is not required but is preferable for getting better deals. To toggle whether anyone can trade or just the broker is done with {{K|b}}.
{{K|r}}equesting a trader at the trade depot will queue a job on the traders list. A higher level of brokerage will give you greater returns, so if you're dependent on trade it's recommended to keep one dwarf as broker and level up his appraisal skill as high as possible. It is advised to deactivate all labors from the broker during trading (including "all dwarves harvest" in the options menu). However, eating drinking and sleeping are always at a higher priority than trading.

== Trading ==
When merchants have arrived and unloaded their goods, it's time to trade. Access trading view by selecting building options for the Trade Depot with {{key|q}} and then pressing {{key|t}}. ({{key|t}}rade will be disabled until a trader from your fortress arrives.) In the trading view, merchants' goods are displayed on the left and player's on the right. Items from each side are selected for trade with {{key|enter}} and then traded with {{key|t}}. '''Don't make the mistake of pressing {{key|o}}. This gives the trader your goods for free as offer to their leader.'''

There are two factors to consider in making a balanced trade: weight and [[item value]]. Caravans have weight limits and the allowed additional weight is shown in the bottom right corner. The merchants must also profit from the deal. The amount of profit depends on the broker skill of the trader. It is strongly advised to use an allocated broker to do the transaction with the merchants. Having one person being a broker means that only he gains experience in [[social skills]] from successful trades, thus being able to negotiate more favorable deals in the future.

=== Caravans ===
Each of the three friendly races will send a caravan once per year, however they will not arrive unless your region is marked as accessible by them. Dwarves will always arrive regardless of location, however. Since trading caravans arrive from the direction of their civilization, it is currently preferable to build the depot as close to the middle of the map as possible if the civilizations are in different directions. This reduces the chance of the caravan traveling across the whole map then turning around because it is time to leave.

Dwarves and humans also send a [[liaison]] with whom the local broker has a meeting. Import and export requests are made, adjusting the prices for the next year. Desired items become more valuable.

==== Dwarves ====
Dwarves arrive every year in the [[Calendar|fall]], typically bringing [[food]], [[alcohol|booze]], [[leather]] and miscellaneous supplies. They are the only caravan that can bring [[steel]] in any form, either as equipment, crafts or unworked metal bars. The caravan will have wagons 3 tiles wide that require an adequate path.

Unlike other races, the dwarven civilization will never attack you even if their traders don't make it home.

==== Elves ====
Elves send small caravans of only muskoxen or mules, no wagons, in [[Calendar|spring]], loaded with [[cloth]], [[rope]], various [[plants]], and [[wood]]en items. The may also bring some [[tame]] [[animal]]s. They are very picky about what they will accept in return.

Elven traders do not like to be offered any dead animal or tree byproducts. Forbidden items include{{ver|0.23.130.23a}}:

* [[Bone]], [[shell]], [[leather]], or [[chitin]] items
* [[Wood]]en items, and items derived from wood, such as [[charcoal]] and [[pearlash]]
* Clear and crystal [[glass]] (because [[pearlash]] is used in their creation)
* Items [[decoration|decorated]] with any of the above materials
* [[Obsidian]] shortswords (since they have wooden handles)
* [[Soap]]
* [[Cheese]]
* Any item they normally would accept that has [[Blood|blood]] on it, for instance from a slain enemy.

[[Metal]] items are acceptable, even when [[charcoal]] is used in their production. Items made from [[silk]] are acceptable, as are all non-wooden plant-derived products. You can also transport your goods to the [[trade depot]] in a wooden [[bin]], as long as you do not try to sell the bin. Living animals are acceptable, as long as the cage or trap is not made of [[wood]].

Although [[tower-cap]]s are giant mushrooms, they are considered trees by the elves.

==== Humans ====
The first human caravan will arrive in the summer of your second year, provided a human [[civilization]] has access to your site. The caravan will have wagons 3 tiles wide like the dwarven one, but which some players believe to be especially slow or having trouble finding a route, although there is no evidence of this in the current version(38a).

There must be a path at least three tiles wide from the edge of the map where humans enter. You do not need to have an actual road, but you will usually need to {{K|d}}esignate {{K|s}}moothing of some boulders (outside) and {{K|t}}ree-cutting to clear the path. Use {{K|D}} to verify that there is a wagon accessible path to the depot. If there is not a wide enough path then the humans will only send pack mules greatly reducing the amount of stuff you can trade for.

If the caravan must take a very long path to reach the depot, this is reduced from the time to trade. If the time is up while they are still moving, they will turn back and leave. To prevent this make it so that the depot is only accessible from one spot on the map which is close to the depot.

Humans may also send a Representative, and having more skilled trading nobles will upgrade him to a Merchant Baron or Merchant Prince, who have larger caravans. The Representative will set up [[Trade agreement]]s with your trading noble, which lets you order the goods you want the next caravan to bring. Humans value weapons, and will usually negotiate to pay more for them in their trade agreements.

=== Pack Creatures ===
Races that trade will use pack creatures to carry their goods. Mules are the most common ones chosen but there are a number of other options. The best creatures are [[wagon|wagons]] which are only used by the humans and dwarves. Wagons can carry much more than the smaller mules, but they are larger and can not navigate tight and twisty paths. Wagons need a path that is at least three tiles wide, and that is unobstructed by trees, boulders, doors, ect...

You can see what tiles are wagon accessible by hitting the {{k|D}} key once you have built a depot.

=== Trader Mood ===
If your trader has Novice or better [[Judge of Intent]] skill, there will be a line added below the traders' dialogue describing the traders' attitude. Their attitude rises with successful trades (especially if they get lots of profit) and falls when you propose deals they don't like.

* (trader) seems ecstatic with the trading
* (trader) seems very happy about the trading
* (trader) seems pleased with the trading
* (trader) seems willing to trade (Default, at least for humans)
* (trader) seems to be rapidly losing patience
* (trader) is not going to take much more of this
* (trader) is unwilling to trade

Happy merchants seem more likely to take your deals, although the exact mechanics of trader happiness and negotiation are unknown. If the traders reach the lowest level (unwilling to trade) as a result of repeated failed deals, they will immediately pack up and no further trade will be possible. Since traders who are annoyed with you are more likely to reject deals, you should tread cautiously in initial negotiations; the more times you fail to make a deal, the less happy they'll be and the less inclined they'll be to accept further deals. Skilled negotiators seem to be more likely to get traders to accept offers that include little or no profit for them, and less likely to offend traders with unsuccessful deals.

=== Seizing Goods ===
When trading with Elves and Humans, it is possible to {{K|s}}eize goods from the caravan. This will cause them to respond with the message "Take what you want. I can't stop you." and they will leave immediately, leaving you with the seized goods.
*You cannot seize goods from the Dwarven caravan.
*Other caravans will not buy stolen goods from you (marked red) unless you trick them into picking stolen goods in a counteroffer or "naturalize" them, for example by encrusting them.

Template:Key

2008-03-10T18:54:43Z

Theory: fixed using template in a passage of bold text

<includeonly>{{{1}}}</includeonly><noinclude>
==Example of Appearance==

E{{key|x}}ample.

==Usage==

<pre><nowiki>E{{key|x}}ample.</nowiki></pre>

[[Category:Formatting Templates]]</noinclude>

40d Talk:Flux

2008-03-10T18:53:06Z

Theory: Maps without flux?

== Maps without flux? ==

Where might I find flux? I've been digging quite extensive shafts but have yet to hit on any at all - instead it's all shale, granite, magnetite and mica. --[[User:Theory|Theory]] 14:53, 10 March 2008 (EDT)

40d:Trading

2008-03-09T18:13:17Z

Theory: /* Trading */ I had wondered why I couldn't find the goods I wanted in return...

Trading in Dwarf Fortress first occurs in the first autumn of building your fort, with the arrival of the [[dwarf|Dwarven]] [[caravan]]. Trading is a good way to acquire resources that are not available or are rare in the local area. It also improves your freedom of choice on what item to [[embark]] with because you can always trade for them later, e.g. dropping the expensive [[anvil]] to bring 500 extra units of booze. New players can look [[Your_first_fortress#Trading|here]] for advice on trading with your first caravan.

== Requirements ==
Building a [[trade depot]] will allow you the opportunity to trade with caravans that arrive at your [[fortress]]. Trade depots require three [[stone]]s or [[log]]s to build, and the [[architecture]] [[skill]] along with either [[masonry]] or [[carpentry]].

== Using Trade Depot ==
Hit {{key|q}} to bring up the building interaction menu, and then move your cursor over the trade depot to gain access to the following options.

=== Move Goods to/from Depot ===
When a caravan arrives, it is time to move local goods ready for trade. Selecting items in the categorized view will mark them [PENDING] and they will be moved to the depot. (Note: any dwarf can move goods to depot, even if his hauling labors are disabled) When ready for trade, an item is marked [TRADE]. The depot can be emptied in the same manner.

=== Trader requested at depot/No trader needed at depot ===
Hit {{key|r}} to toggle between these two options. If a trader is requested then someone will come to the depot on behalf of your dwarves to trade with the the merchants. Who exactly comes is dependent on the option you have selected for who is allowed to trade (see below).

=== Only broker may trade/Anyone may trade ===
A [[broker]] is not required but is preferable for getting better deals. To toggle whether anyone can trade or just the broker is done with {{K|b}}.
{{K|r}}equesting a trader at the trade depot will queue a job on the traders list. A higher level of brokerage will give you greater returns, so if you're dependent on trade it's recommended to keep one dwarf as broker and level up his appraisal skill as high as possible. It is advised to deactivate all labors from the broker during trading (including "all dwarves harvest" in the options menu). However, eating drinking and sleeping are always at a higher priority than trading.

== Trading ==
When merchants have arrived and unloaded their goods, it's time to trade. Access trading view by selecting building options for the Trade Depot with {{key|q}} and then pressing {{key|t}}. ({{key|t}}rade will be disabled until a trader from your fortress arrives.) In the trading view, merchants' goods are displayed on the left and player's on the right. Items from each side are selected for trade with {{key|enter}} and then traded with {{key|t}}. '''''Don't'' make the mistake of pressing '''{{key|o}}'''. This gives the trader your goods for free!'''

There are two factors to consider in making a balanced trade: weight and [[item value]]. Caravans have weight limits and the allowed additional weight is shown in the bottom right corner. The merchants must also profit from the deal. The amount of profit depends on the broker skill of the trader. It is strongly advised to use an allocated broker to do the transaction with the merchants. Having one person being a broker means that only he gains experience in [[social skills]] from successful trades, thus being able to negotiate more favorable deals in the future.

=== Caravans ===
Each of the three friendly races will send a caravan once per year, however they will not arrive unless your region is marked as accessible by them. Dwarves will always arrive regardless of location, however. Since trading caravans arrive from the direction of their civilization, it is currently preferable to build the depot as close to the middle of the map as possible if the civilizations are in different directions. This reduces the chance of the caravan traveling across the whole map then turning around because it is time to leave.

Dwarves and humans also send a [[liaison]] with whom the local broker has a meeting. Import and export requests are made, adjusting the prices for the next year. Desired items become more valuable.

==== Dwarves ====
Dwarves arrive every year in the [[Calendar|fall]], typically bringing [[food]], [[alcohol|booze]], [[leather]] and miscellaneous supplies. They are the only caravan that can bring [[steel]] in any form, either as equipment, crafts or unworked metal bars. The caravan will have wagons 3 tiles wide that require an adequate path.

Unlike other races, the dwarven civilization will never attack you even if their traders don't make it home.

==== Elves ====
Elves send small caravans of only muskoxen or mules, no wagons, in [[Calendar|spring]], loaded with [[cloth]], [[rope]], various [[plants]], and [[wood]]en items. The may also bring some [[tame]] [[animal]]s. They are very picky about what they will accept in return.

Elven traders do not like to be offered any dead animal or tree byproducts. Forbidden items include{{ver|0.23.130.23a}}:

* [[Bone]], [[shell]], [[leather]], or [[chitin]] items
* [[Wood]]en items, and items derived from wood, such as [[charcoal]] and [[pearlash]]
* Clear and crystal [[glass]] (because [[pearlash]] is used in their creation)
* Items [[decoration|decorated]] with any of the above materials
* [[Obsidian]] shortswords (since they have wooden handles)
* [[Soap]]
* [[Cheese]]
* Any item they normally would accept that has [[Blood|blood]] on it, for instance from a slain enemy.

[[Metal]] items are acceptable, even when [[charcoal]] is used in their production. Items made from [[silk]] are acceptable, as are all non-wooden plant-derived products. You can also transport your goods to the [[trade depot]] in a wooden [[bin]], as long as you do not try to sell the bin. Living animals are acceptable, as long as the cage or trap is not made of [[wood]].

Although [[tower-cap]]s are giant mushrooms, they are considered trees by the elves.

==== Humans ====
The first human caravan will arrive in the summer of your second year, provided a human [[civilization]] has access to your site. The caravan will have wagons 3 tiles wide like the dwarven one, but which some players believe to be especially slow or having trouble finding a route, although there is no evidence of this in the current version(38a).

There must be a path at least three tiles wide from the edge of the map where humans enter. You do not need to have an actual road, but you will usually need to {{K|d}}esignate {{K|s}}moothing of some boulders (outside) and {{K|t}}ree-cutting to clear the path. Use {{K|D}} to verify that there is a wagon accessible path to the depot. If there is not a wide enough path then the humans will only send pack mules greatly reducing the amount of stuff you can trade for.

If the caravan must take a very long path to reach the depot, this is reduced from the time to trade. If the time is up while they are still moving, they will turn back and leave. To prevent this make it so that the depot is only accessible from one spot on the map which is close to the depot.

Humans may also send a Representative, and having more skilled trading nobles will upgrade him to a Merchant Baron or Merchant Prince, who have larger caravans. The Representative will set up [[Trade agreement]]s with your trading noble, which lets you order the goods you want the next caravan to bring. Humans value weapons, and will usually negotiate to pay more for them in their trade agreements.

=== Pack Creatures ===
Races that trade will use pack creatures to carry their goods. Mules are the most common ones chosen but there are a number of other options. The best creatures are [[wagon|wagons]] which are only used by the humans and dwarves. Wagons can carry much more than the smaller mules, but they are larger and can not navigate tight and twisty paths. Wagons need a path that is at least three tiles wide, and that is unobstructed by trees, boulders, doors, ect...

You can see what tiles are wagon accessible by hitting the {{k|D}} key once you have built a depot.

=== Trader Mood ===
If your trader has Novice or better [[Judge of Intent]] skill, there will be a line added below the traders' dialogue describing the traders' attitude. Their attitude rises with successful trades (especially if they get lots of profit) and falls when you propose deals they don't like.

* (trader) seems ecstatic with the trading
* (trader) seems very happy about the trading
* (trader) seems pleased with the trading
* (trader) seems willing to trade (Default, at least for humans)
* (trader) seems to be rapidly losing patience
* (trader) is not going to take much more of this
* (trader) is unwilling to trade

Happy merchants seem more likely to take your deals, although the exact mechanics of trader happiness and negotiation are unknown. If the traders reach the lowest level (unwilling to trade) as a result of repeated failed deals, they will immediately pack up and no further trade will be possible. Since traders who are annoyed with you are more likely to reject deals, you should tread cautiously in initial negotiations; the more times you fail to make a deal, the less happy they'll be and the less inclined they'll be to accept further deals. Skilled negotiators seem to be more likely to get traders to accept offers that include little or no profit for them, and less likely to offend traders with unsuccessful deals.

=== Seizing Goods ===
When trading with Elves and Humans, it is possible to {{K|s}}eize goods from the caravan. This will cause them to respond with the message "Take what you want. I can't stop you." and they will leave immediately, leaving you with the seized goods. You cannot seize goods from the Dwarven caravan.