Editing User:CalmBit/Slab


{{furniture|name=Slab
|tile=∩
|stone=y
|metal=n
|glass=n
|rooms=
* [[Memorial hall]]
}}

'''Slabs''' are decorative buildings, which can either be used similarly to a statue, or engraved into a [[#Memorial|memorial]] at a [[craftsdwarf's workshop]] by an [[Engraver]]. Slabs must be constructed at a [[mason's workshop]] ({{k|Alt}}+{{k|s}}lab) and require one [[stone]].

Slabs can be used to increase a [[fortress]]'s or [[room]]'s [[value]]. They can be considerably more useful for this than [[statue]]s, since poor layout decisions will not trap dwarves. 

You can create a [[memorial hall]] (functionally identical to a [[sculpture garden]]) from any slab's {{k|q}}uery menu. Memorial halls appear to serve as additional [[meeting hall]]s: free dwarves will congregate in the area and receive happy [[thought]]s from the decorations. Unlike [[statue]]s, slabs do not block movement.

== Memorial ==

{{furniture|name=Memorial
|tile=∩
|stone=n
|metal=n
|glass=n
|slab=y
|rooms=
* [[memorial hall|Memorial Hall]]
}}

'''Memorials''' are a type of slab that memorialize a dead creature. Once engraved, they can be built as an alternative to [[coffin]]s when you're unable to bury their corpse properly. Failure to memorialize or entomb a deceased dwarf may lead to [[ghost|unexpected consequences]]. To create one, you must first have a blank slab available, then order an [[engraver]] to turn it into a memorial at a [[craftsdwarf's workshop]] (using {{k|Alt}}+{{k|s}}: Engrave memorial slab). You'll then be able to pick the particular creature you're memorializing.

When placing the memorial (listed under 'slab' in the build menu), pressing {{k|x}} in the materials menu will e{{k|x}}pand the list and let you pick the specific memorial you want to use. 

An engraved slab can be read in fortress mode using {{k|t|Enter|v}} and contains information on the arrival and death of the creature it's dedicated to. If it slew any important figures or fortress dwarves, it may be noted on the slab as well.

If you're not sure how a dwarf or creature died, engraving and placing a slab may reveal it. In the case of military action, the killer is listed at the end of the entry. If, for example, a drawbridge atom smasher squashed your dwarf, that will be the engraved folly.

Like blank slabs, you can create a [[memorial hall]] from a memorial's {{k|q}}uery menu.

Oddly, it is also possible to engrave memorials to [[goblin|invaders]], [[forgotten beast]]s, and even ''merchant [[wagon]]s'' (not just the merchants, but the wagon itself!). This can be used to create trophy halls full of goblin skeletons and weapons, or to memorialize a deceased warrior's [[kill list]] inside of his tomb.

Memorials work inconsistently for merchants' escorts--some deceased caravan guards are not included in the list of potential memorial subjects. This behavior is presumably a bug, but you can avoid problems by placing dead caravan guards into coffins whenever possible.

== Adventurer mode ==
{{minorspoiler}}

In [[adventurer mode]], slabs may be used as signs, or be engraved with the secrets of life and death in [[necromancer]] [[Tower (necromancy)|tower]]s, guarded by an [[undead]] army. To read them, you need to pick them up with {{k|g}}, enter advanced interaction menu with {{k|Shift}}+{{k|I}}, select the slab, select {{k|a}} to read it and voila! You can raise the dead too. Basic [[reader|reading]] [[skill]]s are required to do this, so make sure to start your adventurer with some reading skill.

A slab is also found in the bottom of sealed [[vault]]s, which contains a different kind of secret.

{{Buildings}}
{{Category|Furniture}}