- 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:Chasm
Chasms are a feature that appear infrequently in mountainous biomes. They are a cave system identified by not having a floor on the lowest level (which is instead marked # Chasm). They are similar to the DFv0.23 chasms except that they are not guaranteed to occur.
They seem to have two forms: tributary chasms, with a similar appearance to a brook or river (a bottomless "Grand Canyon"), and vent chasms, which are like a volcano vent without the magma (a bottomless chamber).
Chasms may either be open to the sky or be enclosed underground.
Chasms are not visible on the Local/Region/World maps. Chasms are much more common on named mountains and volcanoes, along with other special features such as cave rivers.
The presence of Extreme Cliffs (20+) on the Local Map may be, but is not necessarily, indicative of a chasm.
Forms
Tributary
A tributary chasm appears similar to the fringed tributary section of a brook sometimes seen in mountain areas.
Vent
A vent chasm has a similar appearance to a volcano vent, except it does not contain magma.
Uses
Garbage dump
Chasming refuse refers to disposing of items marked for dumping into the chasm. This is still possible as it was in earlier versions. Designate a garbage dump activity zone over the chasm and adjacent walkable tile.
Monsters may spring from the chasm, and were provoked by the chasming of refuse in previous versions. It is unknown if these events still occur. Given that this technique still works, you can dump anything in your fortress by selecting k and marking items for dumping. Also you can use standing orders to dump particular types of refuse.
Dwarves may cancel the dump task due to creatures in the chasm below, even if those creatures can't reach them v0.27.176.38c
Platform-chasming
A technique of dumping by building a platform over the chasm, and then severing the platform from the wall, to permanently dispose of garbage, excess stone or nobles set on top. The severed platform will disappear into the darkness below, never to be seen again.
Resources
Often cave spiders are present near chasms, creating spider silk webs that can be collected. As the chasm exposes every layer to view they provide access to easily identified resources such as ore deposits.
Hazards
Dwarves fighting near the edges of cliffs have a propensity to dodge right off the precipice, falling to their deaths.
The chasm is also home to many types of hostile creatures, including iron men, troglodytes, giant cave swallows, antmen, giant cave spiders, ratmen, batmen, trolls and gremlins.
Worlds | |
|---|---|
Badlands · Desert · Flatland · Forest · Glacier · Lake · Marsh · Mountain · Murky pool · Ocean · River · Rocky wasteland · Sand desert · Swamp · Tundra |