- v50 information can now be added to pages in the main namespace. v0.47 information can still be found in the DF2014 namespace. See here for more details on the new versioning policy.
- Use this page to report any issues related to the migration.
40d:Restraint
Chains are created at the Metalsmith's Forge with one metal bar, using the metal craft skill. Ropes are created at the clothier's shop with one cloth, using the clothier skill. Both are used in building wells and restraints and are interchangeable. Chains and ropes both have a base value of 10, modified by material, quality and any decorations. Both are stored in finished goods stockpiles. However, either can made into a restraint by placing them as furniture using the q + v keys.
A restraint is furniture, a chain or rope which is used to restrain a dwarf or other creature to a certain very limited area of movement. Unlike a cage, a restraint can only hold one creature, and the creature can move within a range of one tile from the location of the restraint itself, including up and down if stairs or slopes are in this area. This gives them, at most, a 3x3x3 cube of movement, limited as normal by walls, doors & etc. Restraints do not block movement, including movement of wagons.
Restraints can be used to keep a war dog or other animal near areas where you need constant vigilance and defense. Chained animals placed near the entrance to your fort will spot kobold thieves that can bypass traps and other passive defenses, pausing the game and announcing their presence.
Unlike caged animals, restrained animals can breed, so restraints are often used for controlling domestic animals when you're running a meat industry.
Either chains or ropes are equally useful for jailing dwarfs for your justice system.
Removal
When removing restraints, first un-assign any attached animal (via q + a and selecting "Nobody"). Then, once the animal has been released from the restraint (q to verify), you can remove the restraint as you would any constructed furniture ( q + x, and wait for a furniture hauler to respond). Once they're free, you can then re-place the restraint and/or re-assign the animal, respectively.
If you remove the restraint before unassigning the creature, the restraint itself (chain or rope) will remain as the animal's collar (inventory). If that happens, view its inventory and order to dump it. Make sure you have an accessible garbage zone and a dwarf with refuse hauling enabled. A chain or rope around an animal's neck cannot be re-built as a restraint until it is dumped and re-claimed. (Altho', the image of wardogs wandering around with useless, expensive metal chains around their necks is rather butch.)
Restraints as decoration
If your fortress is above ground or you otherwise have inadequate natural rock walls to engrave, ropes or chains (or bags) decorated with images can be a way of recording your fortress' history instead of stone detailing. When built as restraints (or, for bags, as containers), dwarves can admire them, so they can function as makeshift tapestries.
See also:
| Rooms | |
|---|---|
| Furniture |
Animal trap • Anvil • Armor stand • Bed • Bin • Bucket • Cabinet • Cage • Coffin • Container • Restraint • Seat • Statue • Table • Weapon rack |
| Access | |
| Constructions | |
| Machine & Trap parts |
Axle • Gear assembly • Millstone • Screw pump • Water wheel • Windmill • Lever • Pressure plate • Trap • Support |
| Other Buildings | |
| Related Articles | |