Dwarf Fortress Wiki - User contributions [en]

Kobold

2014-07-15T06:27:20Z

Matues: Added kobold entity values.

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'''Kobolds''' are small creatures adept at thieving that try to infiltrate your fortress and steal valuable items. They will run away once discovered. Kobolds arrive at your fortress in sneak mode, preventing you from seeing them. Spotting a sneaking creature is based on how high a dwarf's [[observer]] skill is; the higher it is, the farther away it will be spotted. But if a kobold is passing next to a dwarf or animal it will be revealed, too. They can swim in from rivers, <s>go through</s> sprint straight through locked [[door]]s and they are not affected by [[trap]]s.

If the kobolds are successful in multiple thieving attempts, they will grow kobolder and send squads of armed kobolds to attack your apparently defenseless fort.

Kobolds are very weak in battle however as they are much smaller than dwarves and most hits will likely cause severe injuries to them, even basic punches will often cave in their heads. They tend to wield knives as they are often too small to wield larger weapons, so they have a hard time piercing even rudimentary armour.

These squads also arrive in sneak mode and will ambush any dwarves and traders on the map. Kobolds are observed to have access to '''all''' metals, including [[steel]] (seemingly, a fallback triggered due to them not being given access to any metals at all). This doesn't seem to manifest itself in fortress mode however and they are almost always seen with only copper equipment.

Kobolds are commonly known to congregate in small to medium sized groups, primarily inside [[cave]]s. Studies [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=74802.0] have shown, though, that they may also camp outdoors, living exactly as they do in caves, in a large group with piles of random jewelry and gems around them. Assuming you can get past the kobolds, their wealth is all for the taking. It has been reported that it is possible to embark within these encampments, resulting in remarkably quick [[fun]]. They can and will attack kobold thieves that wander onto the map, sparking a civil war.

If you start the adventure mode on a world where Human, Dwarf, or Elf civilizations do not exist, you will have the opportunity to play as a human outcast (as usual) or a kobold civilization. If you have a [[goblin]] settlement you will also have the possibility of choosing them for an adventure too. Kobold start off with less than standard equipment (backpack, loincloth, weapon)

==Ethics==

The [[ethics]] of kobolds can be considered the most primitive besides those of [[goblin]]s (which are basically non-existent). Generally, kobold morals are based on a tribal system of loyalty with some exceptions such as an opposition to the devouring, butchering or consuming of intelligent beings, slavery, possession of trophies and to most forms of torture (except torture for sport). The moral focus on loyalty makes treason unthinkable among kobolds. Kobolds do not offer much in the form of punishment for crimes: assault is considered a personal matter, while a kobold found to have killed one of their own is forced into exile.

Interestingly enough, kobolds are unique in main races in that they apparently lay eggs, as evidenced by the option for kobold eggs in the food stockpile. This leads to the conclusion that they either are not mammals, or are monotremes, and related to the platypus and echidna, the only mammals known to lay eggs.

Kobolds consider cunning to be incredibly important, and also value nature, cooperation and perseverance.

<s>Kobolds are also widely regarded to be the best race in all of Dwarf Fortress.</s>

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Goblin

2014-07-15T06:23:16Z

Matues: Added goblin entity values.

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Goblins are intelligent, evil, aggressive humanoid creatures that live in mountains, and are the main opponent in [[fortress mode]]. They often establish settlements in Dark Fortresses (currently these do not exist) within regions touched by evil, though it may be hard for some to imagine that goblins are capable of building those obsidian monoliths. They are also playable as adventurers. They quickly become a threat to the great majority of fortresses - except some island or mountain forts.

Goblins will start harassing a fortress early in its life, first with babysnatchers and ambushes, and later with [[siege]]s. Goblin babysnatchers carry a bag for their purpose. Their soldiers are commonly armed with [[copper]] and [[iron]] [[armor]], as well copper, iron and silver [[weapon]]s, generally with no quality levels unless on weaponmasters. These items can be a valuable source of metals for fortresses that embarked on metal-scarce areas (leading some players to refer to the plunder from a defeated goblin attack as [[Goblinite]]). Defeating a majority of an attacking force usually sends the rest of them running.

==Ethics==

Goblins show the least concern for [[ethics]] out of any race in the game, with the sole exception being that treason is punishable by death. It appears that goblins do not enforce punishment, but instead simply ignore crimes and leave any punishment to be determined by the parties involved. It is because of their acceptance of controversial acts that goblins become enemies with nearly every other race. For example, goblins find the torture of animals, the butchering and consuming of sapient beings, oath breaking, and general malice acceptable or consider it a personal matter. Invading goblins are even willing to attack other goblins lounging around at your fortress{{Verify}}.

Goblins tend to inevitably receive a visit from the [[HFS|circus]] during worldgen, their new ringleader taking over after dealing with the prior ruler. This could imply the reason behind their particular (lack of) ethics, except for the obvious fact that goblins in younger worlds will act the same.

Goblins consider power to be of the utmost importance. They also value cunning, independence and martial prowess. Goblins dislike peace, perseverance, hard work, tranquility, cooperation, tradition, decorum and friendship. They don't at all value loyalty, introspection, eloquence, harmony or nature. Goblins abhor law, truth, self-control, fairness and sacrifice.

==Behavior==

In [[Adventurer mode]], "goblin" settlements will sometimes be completely goblin-free, having been displaced by the descendants of children that were captured in ages past. In this respect, whilst they're a goblin ''faction'', they're populated purely by prisoners and brainwashed humanoids.

While aggressive, goblins are notably cowardly. Although they're brutal and sadistic, they will not hold the line against a superior force and are more than willing to sacrifice their wounded comrades in a badly organized retreat. Their strength generally comes from pure numbers, as they're usually weaker than a dwarf one on one (a notable exception is their weapon lords and masters, who can be VERY talented in warfare.)

If a goblin siege attacks you with mounts and with a flashing goblin "General", it will be the last time they come on mounts. Since generals train all the mounts, there will be no more mounts when they die in an attack {{bug|3442}} or disappear off the map {{bug|2892}}. (As of v0.34.11 this appears to have been partially fixed: the general will disappear from the goblin civilization leader list even if they were not killed; however, that goblin civilization will continue to use mounts afterwards.)

Interestingly enough, Goblins are effectively immortal, dying only from starvation or conflict. <sup>What about dehydration?</sup>

Some <s>traitors</s> dwarves like goblins for their terrifying features.

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Despite their bloodthirsty, selfish, unsympathetic and cruel nature, goblins are also recognized as a benevolent and merciful race in some aspects. Goblin Baby-Snatchers claim moral superiority by rescuing innocent lives from the slavery of making [[finished goods|rock trumpets]] until they are eaten by a [[giant cave spider]]. Atrocities such as the so-called [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=91093.0 dwarven day care] institution also spur snatchers to rescue the children from constant abuse. Goblin [[Siege]]s are considered to be a form of mass mercy killings, as a fort can die in the most horrific of ways, such as [[tantrum spiral|social disagreement]]s, an infestation of [[Noble|parasitic organisms masquerading as dwarve]]s, or worst of all: a visit from the [[HFS|circus]].

In addition, dwarven science has proven that the violence between Goblins and Dwarves does, in fact, start on a purely instinctual level. Leaving a goblin and dwarven child locked in a room together will result in them kicking, punching, and biting each other to death the moment they notice each other. Whether this natural animosity stems from centuries of war or opposing viewpoints on the treatment of children has yet to be determined.

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Human

2014-07-15T06:16:35Z

Matues: Added human entity values.

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'''Humans''' are intelligent {{Catlink|Humanoids|humanoid}} [[creatures]] that live in cities on the [[biome#Plains|plains]]. They are one of the races playable in [[adventurer mode]]. Their buildings are made entirely of [[wood]] (or in the case of towers and castles, [[stone]]), and usually include several houses and [[shop]]s, and a [[tavern]]. Their metal-working technology specializes in [[bronze]], though they also make use of [[copper]], [[iron]], and [[silver]]. The typical lifespan of a human ranges between 60 and 120 years.

In [[fortress mode]], they are primarily interested in [[trade]], and generally send large [[caravan]]s in [[Calendar|summer]]. Humans usually bring overworld food stuffs, [[cloth]], [[leather]], extra-large clothing and bronze items. If their caravans are destroyed or if their [[diplomat]] is killed, regardless of cause, they will eventually send a [[siege]] force to your fortress.

In [[Adventurer mode]], they are the dominant civilization - their nobles can be found living in castles, and after earning sufficient fame, they can give out challenging quests.

===Ethics===

In-game humans have a system of [[ethics]] similar to real-life humans of past times. Through world generation, humans will almost always become friendly with [[dwarf|dwarves]], most likely become enemies with [[goblin|goblins]] and [[elf|elves]], and may possibly become enemies with [[kobold|kobolds]] and animal-people.

The devouring of sapient beings and of dead enemy combatants are the two most horrific crimes to humans, who see them as unthinkable acts; this puts them at odds with both elves and goblins, who are more lenient. Humans routinely use torture to extract information and to set an example, but find torture for sport appalling and shun the torture of animals.

In stark contrast to the ethics of elves, kobolds and animal-people, humans find keeping trophies of animals, sapient beings and of other humans perfectly acceptable. Like dwarves, humans find killing animals, enemies and plants acceptable. However, humans can avoid punishment for killing other humans if the killing had been done for good reason, unlike dwarves who sentence murderers to death regardless of whether they can provide justification. Humans find the killing of neutral beings acceptable so long as there are no repercussions.

Human ethics regarding crime are the same as dwarven ethics (where assault, theft, trespassing and vandalism are seriously punished while some crimes such as breaking oaths and treason are punishable by death) with the one exception being that slavery is considered acceptable.

Humans [[Personality_trait|value]] martial prowess, stoicism, friendship and family. They place a certain degree of value on self-control, power, loyalty, fairness, merriment, skill, craftsmanship, skill and commerce. They slightly respect law, leisure time, independence, hard work, perseverance and romance.

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Dwarf

2014-07-15T06:11:30Z

Matues: Added dwarven entity values.

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[[Image:Dwarf.jpg|206px|thumb|This is a masterfully-designed engraving of a Dwarf and a battle axe.]]

'''Dwarves''' are [[Stupid dwarf trick|"intelligent"]], [[alcohol|alcohol-dependent]], {{Catlink|Humanoids|humanoid}} [[creature]]s that are the featured [[civilization|race]] of [[fortress mode]], as well as being playable in [[adventure mode]]. They are well known for their stout physique and prominent [[beard]]s (on the males), which begin to grow from birth; dwarves are stronger, shorter, stockier, and hairier than the average [[human]], and have a heightened sense of their surroundings. Dwarves live in elaborate underground [[fortress]]es carved from the [[mountain|mountainside]], are naturally gifted [[miner|miners]], [[metalsmith]]s, and [[stone crafter]]s, and value the acquisition of [[wealth]] and [[value|rare]] [[metal]]s above all else.

Dwarven civilizations typically form (mostly) peaceful, trade-based relationships with [[human]]s and <s>hippies</s> [[elves]], but are bitter enemies with [[goblin]]s. Dwarven babies become [[children]] one year after birth, grow up to become adults at their twelfth birthday, and live to be around 150-170 years of age.

Well-trained dwarves are a menace in combat; they are the only race that can enter a [[martial trance]] when beset by multiple foes, granting them a major combat bonus, and their emphasis on mining and metalworking ensures access to the best [[weapon|arms]] and [[armor]]. They are incapable, however, of riding [[mount]]s, and will always fight on foot. Note however this is only applicable to player controlled dwarves in fortress mode, as they have been observed riding the same cavern mounts as goblins (such as giant olms and toads) when assailing modded races.

== Fortress mode ==
Dwarves are the default race in fortress mode, as in, the only one that can be played without [[modding]]. As a [[trading]] race, Dwarves will send a [[caravan]] every year in [[Calendar|Autumn]]. These merchants will bring back tales of a fortress's [[wealth]] and goods, which will attract [[immigrant]]s, and the outpost liaison will bring news about the goings on of the world centered mainly on the player's civilization, including results of mayoral elections, flight of various refugee groups from their forts and hilllocks during wars, and replacement of monarchs if the previous dies with or without an heir.

Dwarves may occasionally be struck by divine inspiration and desire to create a [[legendary artifact]], an item of masterful crafting and great value. A dwarf who is successful in this quest will likely become a [[skill|legendary]] worker in that profession; however, if the appropriate materials are not available, the dwarf will instead go [[insane]]. Dwarves with the dream of creating a great work of art long for a strange mood to strike them.

Dwarves react to stress violently and any sort of death with intense horror unless they've become sufficiently disciplined/numbed to such things. When pushed to unhappiness by unfortunate events, dwarves are more likely to [[tantrum]] than to talk things out. It is not uncommon to find them overturning furniture, injuring others, and generally being rowdy. Paradoxically, they also have a strong sense of [[justice]], and those who damage property or other dwarves may find themselves incarcerated, or -- in extreme cases -- on the receiving end of the [[Hammerer]]'s corporal punishment, though unintentionally fatal beatings from the fortress guard are not unusual.

== Adventure mode ==
Dwarven fortresses currently exist in Adventurer mode, although player-made fortresses that have been abandoned can attract dwarven NPCs that will settle down in them. Unfortunately, [[human]]-made armor is too large for them to wear, and humans are the only race with [[shop]]s, so all armor upgrades will have to come from looting elves, goblins, and other dwarves. Most human weapons must be wielded two-handed by dwarves, due to their size, except of course weapons dwarves can also make.

== Ethics ==
Morally speaking, dwarven [[ethics]] most closely resemble human and elven ethics, agree somewhat with [[kobold]] and animal-people ethics, and disagree strongly with goblin ethics. Unlike elves, dwarves find the devouring of dead enemies unthinkable, and will not butcher or consume intelligent beings (goblins see this as a personal matter). They are entirely opposed to torture of any sort for any reason, unlike elves, humans, kobolds and animal-people (who find certain forms of torture acceptable) and especially goblins, who find all torture acceptable. Dwarves tolerate animal trophies but shun those who keep trophies of sapient beings, and find those who keep trophies of other dwarves appalling. Dwarves find the killing of animals, enemies and plants completely acceptable, unlike elves, kobolds and animal-people. An exception to this is the killing of neutral beings, which is sanctioned as long as the killing had been officially ordered. A dwarf found to have participated in assault, theft, trespassing or vandalism will be seriously punished; some crimes such as killing other dwarves, breaking oaths, slavery and treason are punishable by death. On the other hand, lying is considered a personal matter.

Dwarves highly [[Personality_trait|value]] craftsmanship, and deeply respect law, loyalty, family, friendship, truth, artwork, skill and hard work. They place a certain degree of value on martial prowess, cooperation, fairness, independence, stoicism, commerce, merriment, leisure time and perseverance. They have no respect for nature.

== Mythology ==
In real-life mythology, dwarves are much like humans, but generally prefer to live underground and/or in mountainous areas. In their fortresses they have accumulated treasures of [[gold]], [[silver]], and [[gem|precious stones]], and pass their time fabricating costly weapons and armor. They are famed [[miner]]s and [[Metalsmith|smiths]], although, like humans, they can specialize in any number of trades. Generally shorter than humans, they are on average stockier and hairier, and usually sport full beards. Though slow runners and poor riders, dwarves are excellent warriors and defenders of their strongholds. Dwarves have the ability to forge magical items, which shows off their culture's and species natural craftsmanship. For instance, dwarven smiths created some of the greatest and most powerful items of mythology, which inspired the in-game [[strange mood]]s and [[Legendary artifact]]s.

== Community outlook ==
Dwarves have accumulated a reputation among players for being slow-witted, although to be fair, this is more a function of the game itself (and certain consequences thereof) than it is the fault of the dwarves. The instances of dwarven stupidity are numerous; examples include [[dodging]] into thin air (off of cliffs and into [[river]]s), never accounting for [[water]] [[flow]] (and being swept off of [[waterfall]]s to a watery grave several [[z-level]]s below), always taking the easy [[path]]s (even through a pond [[syndrome|poisoned]] with toxic [[forgotten beast]] blood), climbing across tree branches and falling into the lakes or ponds the branches hang over, building [[construction]]s from the wrong side (trapping themselves within), [[channel]]ing the floor one <s>is</s> was standing on, wandering off to do dangerous things ([[web|collecting webs]] when a [[giant cave spider]] is visibly lurking), and generally disregarding dangerous circumstances (carrying back friendly [[corpse]]s even when the goblins that have rendered them horizontal are a mere two feet away).

The problem is further compounded by dwarven touchiness; they easily become depressed, throwing [[tantrum]]s that spiral out of control for what seem like minor reasons (e.g. a temporary lack of [[wear|unworn]] [[clothing#The_great_sock_obsession|socks]]). This inevitably leads to players' emphasis of the "dwarfy": failsafe design, machinery in place of dwarfpower, fun with [[magma]], seizing control of the environment, killing all the cute fuzzy animals, strip mining the whole place hollow, etc. It is a great insult to be called an [[elf]], implying that the player is apt to sit around and gaze at trees, living in the world rather than bending it to their will.

In accounts of exploits or [[fun]], the generic name [[main:Urist|Urist]] is often used in place of any specific dwarf name, often because the default dwarf names are complex, random, and hard to remember. Several other nicknames for dwarves also exist; some are less polite than others.

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Elf

2014-07-15T06:02:46Z

Matues: Added elven entity values.

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Elves are <s>smelly, stuck-up, arrogant [[tree]]-fondling hippies</s> humanoids dedicated to the protection of ''their'' concept of nature (focused on trees).

Elven caravans arrive in late spring. During [[trade]], elves will '''not''' accept [[wood]], wooden items or any goods [[Decoration|decorated]] with wood. This includes ''clear'' and ''crystal'' [[glass]] items and [[soap]], because wood-derived [[lye]] and [[pearlash]] are used in their production, however, ash-[[glaze]]d items are acceptable. Elves bring their own "grown" wooden items. Those were presumably produced without cutting down trees. Elves will accept elf-made wooden items in trade, but not wooden items made by anyone else. Be careful not to offer them your wooden [[bin]]s or [[barrel]]s, or [[quiver]]s containing wooden [[bolt]]s/[[arrow]]s. If the contents of bins are marked for trade individually, and are not wooden themselves, the elves will not care that you used wooden bins to haul the goods to the depot. You may also steal from them or even kill/torture them without fear of repercussion: merchants will not resist if you seize their goods and will not competently fight back if attacked.

Offending elves by attempting to trade wooden items normally causes them to refuse further trade this year and leave early. Repeatedly offending elves by attempting to trade wooden items may cause them to attack your fortress with an [[ambush]].

Elves will generally '''accept''' items made of green glass, stone, metal, bone and other refuse, silk, leather, plant fiber cloth, meat and fish, totems, and even plants. They will accept animals in trade, as long as those are not held in dwarf-made wooden [[Cage|cages]].

They also accept ''raw'' clear glass and ''raw'' crystal glass, even though they are made using [[pearlash]]. Despite the name, petrified wood is a kind of stone and therefore acceptable.

Elves bring only plant-related and wood-related items, caged animals, various types of clay and sand.

They have no facial hair but rarely they have at least stubble.

Some <s>stupid, useless, treefondling traitors</s> dwarves will like elves for their ''grace''.

=== Trading ===

List of what you can expect in an average elven caravan:
*Wooden bins of [[rope reed]] raw [[cloth]] (depending on how many bins of these you have already). Buy a few for [[mood]]s, but leather is generally less expensive and more dwarven. You may want to buy a few more if you haven't started producing your own cloth.
*Wood logs (quantity depending on how many logs you have already: lower means more). Always useful.
*Various aboveground plants, with sometimes [[whip vine]] and [[sun berry]] or their byproducts.
*Aboveground plant byproducts : [[golden salve]], [[gnomeblight]], [[alcohol]], [[flour]], [[dye]], [[seeds]]. Some, such as [[gnomeblight]] are useless, while some, such as [[sun berry]] or [[whip vine]] seeds, are quite useful and valuable.
*Wooden containers : [[chest]]s, [[cage]]s, [[bucket]]s, and [[barrel]]s. They all are useful.
*Soil types: [[sand]] in bags, various types of [[clay]]. Can be useful if you are lacking of either.
*[[Bag]]s and [[rope]]s made from plant cloth. You already should have those, but a few extra bags never hurt, although plant cloth bags are a bit expensive.
*A few exotic aboveground tame animals in cages. May be [[opossum|a]] [[stoat|disappointingly]] [[fox|useless]] [[hoary marmot|animal]] or [[Giant badger|an]] [[Giant tiger|incredibly]] [[Giant desert scorpion|awesome]] [[Giant eagle|one]].
*Caged tame [[vermin]], which has no real use aside from putting in a [[zoo]].
*Rope reed [[clothing]], mildly useful if you are in lack of clothing and haven't bothered setting up a clothing industry.
*Wooden [[crutch]]es and [[splint]]s, which are pretty handy for [[health care]] if you didn't make any.
*Wooden [[armor]] and [[weapon]]s, which are generally useless unless you are [[trap]]-happy, lack metal, or don't have enough wood to build spears for [[danger room]]s.
*And finally, plenty of useless crap which has no use at all (apart from being traded to the next caravan for actually useful stuff, but even then you can make crafts out of more valuable stuff than wood) and should be dumped into [[magma]] as soon as possible (along with the entire caravan if you desire). They include cloth [[craft]]s, wooden crafts, wooden [[toy]]s, and wooden [[instrument]]s.

==Ethics==

Elven [[ethics]] often differ from those of other races. Their position on moral philosophy will likely put them at odds with [[human]]s, [[goblin]]s, and sometimes [[kobold]]s and animal-people. They are likely to be friendly with [[dwarf|dwarves]], unless provoked, although a dwarven civilisation ''may'' be at war with elves in world-gen.

Elves are the only race which wholeheartedly accepts the devouring of enemy combatants. Looking in legends mode shows that an elven combatant will sometimes devour the other person they were fighting when they win. In spite of this, elves refuse to butcher and consume intelligent beings. Elves find torturing as an example acceptable, but condemn other forms of torture and consider torturing for information misguided. To elves, keeping any trophy of any kind is an unthinkable act. Elves begrudgingly allow for killing animals when done in self-defense, and the killing of other elves by an elf is justified if there is an extremely good reason for doing so. For elves, the killing of plants, ''especially'' trees, is unthinkable. On the other hand, the killing of neutral beings and enemies is acceptable. Elven society seems to be regulated by shame from the community, rather than by threat of punishment. As such, elves never offer serious or capital punishment to criminals; instead, elves found to have committed vandalism, trespassing or theft are reprimanded, while those convicted of treason, lying, breaking oaths, assault or participating in slavery are forced into exile.

Elves [[Personality_trait|value]] nature incredibly highly, and they also place a degree of value on family, eloquence, cunning, artwork, fairness, merriment, competition and romance. Elves do not especially respect commerce and have a dislike for self-control.

===Bugs===
*Elven diplomats do not arrive in Fortress mode.{{bug|3295}} They can be restored by manually adding a "diplomat" position in the elven entity object in the raws, then generating a new world. If this bug is fixed in this way, the elven diplomat will arrive approximately half way through the first month in Spring. If the player agrees to a treecutting quota, it will be visible after selecting the elves in the Civilizations screen and pressing Tab a few times.

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