Let's Play Dwarf Fortress: Syndrome Conundrum

[Internet Kraken]

edit: Why is there so much blood in the [del]drowning[/del] swimming chamber!?

Because it apparently doubles as a bathing chamber, washing every bit of blood and grime off the dwarves inside. Being the military, they have a lot on them. Water doesn't actually destroy these substances though, just removes them from the dwarf. Hence why the room looks like someone exploded inside of it.

Oh, that makes a lot of sense. I tend to embark in calmer climates, the most danger my military has ever been in was fighting a kobold with a steel dagger with only training weapons (this was before I was taught training weapons were horrible at training. Sooner or later, my military all had metal weapons. But that didn't really do much against my real enemy: hard drive failure).

Well the military wouldn't have been covered in so much blood if I actually gave them time offduty to bathe.

Or socialize.

Or do anything other than stab kobolds in the face/train to do so.

 

[Engarde]

edit: Why is there so much blood in the [del]drowning[/del] swimming chamber!?

Because it apparently doubles as a bathing chamber, washing every bit of blood and grime off the dwarves inside. Being the military, they have a lot on them. Water doesn't actually destroy these substances though, just removes them from the dwarf. Hence why the room looks like someone exploded inside of it.

Oh, that makes a lot of sense. I tend to embark in calmer climates, the most danger my military has ever been in was fighting a kobold with a steel dagger with only training weapons (this was before I was taught training weapons were horrible at training. Sooner or later, my military all had metal weapons. But that didn't really do much against my real enemy: hard drive failure).

Well the military wouldn't have been covered in so much blood if I actually gave them time offduty to bathe.

Or socialize.

Or do anything other than stab kobolds in the face/train to do so.

You mean there are things the military can do other than stab kobolds in the face? Wow, you learn something new every day....

 

[Internet Kraken]

You mean there are things the military can do other than stab kobolds in the face? Wow, you learn something new every day....

If you're talking about training, then yes. In order to get a decent military, you have to have them train at a barracks. You can use the schedule system to give them breaks, but I just make them train year round.

 

[gonzo20]

wish this game had mouse control instead, then i could get properly into it, im crap with key bindings so it would be awesome if their were mods for mouse control

 

[Internet Kraken]

wish this game had mouse control instead, then i could get properly into it, im crap with key bindings so it would be awesome if their were mods for mouse control

There actually are mods [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=62301.msg1427431#msg1427431] for mouse control. I don't see why you would prefer mouse control though. Seems like it would make everything harder. Maybe that's just me though.

 

[gonzo20]

wish this game had mouse control instead, then i could get properly into it, im crap with key bindings so it would be awesome if their were mods for mouse control

There actually are mods [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=62301.msg1427431#msg1427431] for mouse control. I don't see why you would prefer mouse control though. Seems like it would make everything harder. Maybe that's just me though.

well im just awkward and are there any easy to understand tilesets? the graphics dont put me off its just they are hard to understand

 

[Internet Kraken]

wish this game had mouse control instead, then i could get properly into it, im crap with key bindings so it would be awesome if their were mods for mouse control

There actually are mods [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=62301.msg1427431#msg1427431] for mouse control. I don't see why you would prefer mouse control though. Seems like it would make everything harder. Maybe that's just me though.

well im just awkward and are there any easy to understand tilesets? the graphics dont put me off its just they are hard to understand

Well I personally think all tilesets are just as hard to understand as the vanilla graphics. Hence why I don't use them. But if I had to recommend one, it would be phobeus [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=57557.0] since it's the easiest on the eyes. Not a cluttered mess like Mayday.

 

[Double A]

All the tilesets are ugly and make every tile look like it's engraved. Seriously, I can't tell the floors from the walls in those things. Ze goggles, zey do nothing.

You mean there are things the military can do other than stab kobolds in the face? Wow, you learn something new every day....

If you're talking about training, then yes. In order to get a decent military, you have to have them train at a barracks. You can use the schedule system to give them breaks, but I just make them train year round.

Yeah, try to give them every third or fourth month off. That way, when your dwarves start going crazy, the first ones won't be the guys who are trained to use sharp and pointy metal objects. Or are able to Falcon Punch various forms of wildlife to death.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Chapter 33: From the journal of Stinthad Kekimtobul

__________________________________________________

2nd Granite, 1053, Early Spring

Oh things have just been coming along wonderfully lately! I'm quite pleased with how much Reveredtour has grown. It's becoming a truly grand fort!

Map of Reveredtour [http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/9545/reveredtour.png]
Stonesense Version [http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/2966/reveredtoursenseg.png]

Sure, a lot of people have died to get us here....

Spoiler: Death toll

Dishmab Ingishlerteth, Farmer: Was attacked by the cave kraken Lokumbelal whilst tending to the underground farms. She was pinned down and had her neck snapped before the military could save her.

Kosoth Gamilkol, Soldier: Killed by the cave kraken Gatinnum whilst patrolling the caverns. She was separated from her squad and tried engaging to beast on her own, only to be killed by it.

Mosus Mengatek, Hauler: Was attacked by a troglodyte that somehow managed to make it past the forts defenses. Though she survived, she was later attacked by another troglodyte that shattered her head.

Asen Ilromsodel, Woodcarpenter: Ambushed by the deep kraken Kalalgasol whilst cutting down tunnel tubes in the crypt. Said deep kraken tore off his flesh until he bleed out on the cavern floor.

Sodel Zonurem, Farmer: Decided to tend to the farms whilst Kalalgasol the deep kraken tore Ilromsodel the woodcarpenter apart just a few feet away. Unsurpisingly, the deep kraken attacked him when it was finished with Ilromsodel. Lived as an idiot and died like one.

Medtob Erithidok, Soldier: Was used as bait to lure the local hippo population into a series of cage traps. Was unable to complete this task, as the giant leopard Volalbomrek tore her throat open.

Monom Zonunal, Digger: Received several injuries due to a cave in that occurred whilst digging the moat. She later died of an infection as a result of these injuries.

Bim Eturtat, Secondary Soldier: Dove into the ocean to fight zombie bluefish and drowned in the process. Fucking idiot.

Tosid Kontulon, Secondary Soldier: Dove into the ocean to fight zombie bluefish and drowned in the process. Fucking idiot.

Unib Teskomiden, Commander: Dove into the ocean to fight zombie bluefish and drowned in the process. Fucking idiot.

But....well, you can't stop progress! Besides, look how wealthy we have become!

I'd say I'm doing a pretty good job.

4th Granite, 1053, Early Spring

I figure the Immortal Rags have spent enough time swimming for now. I'll have someone go drain the chamber and then let them out. Hopefully they won't feel bitter about missing the New Year's party. We kind of forgot about them, so while they were floating in a pool of murky brine, we were drinking and celebrating. My bad, I guess.

9th Granite, 1053, Early Spring

Teehee, I noticed that Zuntir has been spending a lot of time with one of the diggers recently. He says there's nothing going on, but it's pretty obvious that they've become more than just friends!

I hope it works out for them. I'm not really interested in anyone in Reveredtour at the moment, and I still haven't gotten over what that foul Urist did to me back in the capital. Kind of makes me avoid serious relationships now. Besides I imagine any, um, "intimate" moments would be awkward with Lorbam and Ingiz always standing 3 feet away from me.

I asked Goden if she had anyone special in her life, but she just said that all her passion was dedicated to the Relieved Craft and her "gods". I'd ask Momuz and Alath, but I'm pretty sure they would both have similar answers. I've never met an experienced solider who valued love over killing.

12th Granite, 1053, Early Spring

Argh, there's always someone screaming about something around here. How am I supposed to focus on surgery with all this shouting? At least Atir didn't need that vein. I think. Doesn't matter now, since Ingiz ate it as soon as I cut it out.

What is causing all that racket-

Oh. That is a problem. Well, not one the application of several soldiers can't solve. I just hope the dwarf down there can run fast enough to keep away from the cave kraken.

12th Granite, 1053, Early Spring

Well, there was a lot of screaming coming from the caverns. This did not bode well for us.

Then there was a loud snap, and the screaming just stopped.

I guess I have another name to add to the obituaries. Couldn't even go half a month...

13th Granite, 1052, Early Spring

Well that went about as expected. Man, Alath has been butchering everything. If only there was some way to keep him everywhere at once. Then nobody would ever die again!

Oh well. As a reward for vanquishing the cave kraken, it's time for more swimming!

17th Granite, 1052, Early Spring

Another dwarf stumbled into the hospital today. It was a woodcarpenter, named Ineth Atiskovest. I hadn't seen him before, so I assumed he was here for some kind of help rather than a pleasant conversation.

Atiskovest: "Hello, you're the doctor around here, right?"
Stinthad: "I sure am! It's nice to see a new face! I'm guessing you need some help?"
Atiskovest: "Yes, you see I sustained a rather nasty wound on my right hand recently, and it's been difficult to work with it since then."
Stinthad: "How awful! What happened?"
Atiskovest: "That damn cave kraken attacked me to. I was lucky though, as Alath drove it off before it could inflict a fatal wound. All it managed to do was cut up my hand."
Stinthad: "Well, I can fix that! Just lie down on that bed over there and I'll take a look at your hand as soon as I can."
Atiskovest: "Ah, thank you."

He sure is nice. Most people in Reveredtour are pretty impatient, but he's quite calm and collected. It's a refreshing change.

Atir: "Help me...please."
Atiskovest: "Uh, beg your pardon?"
Stinthad: "Oh don't mind Atir! He's been a bit loopy since his last surgery. I tried injecting him with alcohol as an anesthetic."
Atiskovest: "Is that a proper medical procedure?"
Stinthad: "It is now! Tell me, which do you prefer? Tuber beer or strawberry wine?"

He said he likes strawberry wine, but didn't want any injected into him. Oh well, his loss.

18th Granite, 1053 Early Spring

Whoa, I just got another one of those creepy chills again. I wonder what causes them. Maybe it's something in the water.

20th Granite, 1052, Early Spring

I noticed that one dwarf is still holed up in the crafting workshop, throwing random sketchings at dwarves passing by. It seems she still doesn't have what she needs. I can only assume it is something Reveredtour is incapable of producing if she hasn't gotten it by now. I was starting to wonder if she would just stay in there forever so I asked Goden, who seems to know the most about these strange moods, what that dwarf would do.

Stinthad: "Say Goden, I was wondering, what happens to a dwarf that can't complete their artifact?"
Goden: "In the event that an artifact cannot be completed, the gods will stop whispering in the mind of the puppet dwarf."
Stinthad: "So you're saying the dwarf will stop trying to make the artifact?"
Goden: "Yes"
Stinthad: "Oh, well that's okay-"
Goden: "Though in a fit of rage, the gods will often snap the failed puppets mind like a new born kitten's legs. This of course leads to several delightful varieties of insanity. All of which are quite fatal."
Stinthad: "That's horrible!"
Goden: "That's what happens to those that fail the gods. You should learn from it."

I still don't get who these "gods" are. Maybe Goden is just making stuff up. I really hope that dwarf doesn't go crazy...

23rd Granite, 1052, Early Spring

Whoa journal, today was incredibly awesome. Did you know that Earth Golems can talk? I mean, not just make those weird moans, I mean say actual....stuff. That's what Lorbam did, and guess what? He wanted to PARTY!

That's totally cool! Incredible! Amazing! I was right there with him, and it was awesome. Of course, Goden had to be miss negative as usual. She can't have fun.

Stinthad: "Hey Goden, come on! We're having a party!"
Goden: "What the hell are you talking about?"
Stinthad: "A party! With like, fun stuff. Lorbam organized it!"
Goden: "Isn't Lorbam your hideous earth golem?"
Stinthad: "Heh, yeah!"
Goden: "How did her organize a party?"
Stinthad: "Because he can talk! Did you know that? I didn't."
Goden: "......are you drunk?"
Stinthad: "Better! I was looking through some of the stuff the elves left last year, and I found this weird herb and-"
Goden: "Oh by the gods, you should be ashamed. I can't believe this. Please tell me you didn't try operating on anyone today."
Stinthad: "No, I let Lorbam try instead!"
Goden: "Oh gods help me, this our leader. What the fuck is wrong with this fort?"

She needs to calm down. This is really cool!

24th Granite, 1053, Early Spring

What the heck did I do last night? I can't remember anything. But from what I wrote in this journal....oh dear, I think I need to check on the hospital-

Wait, who's that out there?

__________________________________________________

I don't even know anymore.

 

[(name here)]

Party golems: Even better than party ghosts!

Also, how many and what kinds of ghost do you have?

The obituaries are longer than I'm used to, but then again my caverns have been fairly safe so far, with enough open room that I generally manage to send down my military to clear out the foul beasts before an actual fight happens.

 

[Engarde]

You mean there are things the military can do other than stab kobolds in the face? Wow, you learn something new every day....

If you're talking about training, then yes. In order to get a decent military, you have to have them train at a barracks. You can use the schedule system to give them breaks, but I just make them train year round.

Hahah, it was a joke, but it is good to know about military training anyway.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Also, how many and what kinds of ghost do you have?

There's also one ghostly hauler but she keeps phasing in and out existence so fuck trying to get a screenshot of her.

 

[Strangething]

Bentgirder is saved as a .7z file. For some reason I assumed everyone used 7-zip now. Remind me to change that.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Bentgirder is saved as a .7z file. For some reason I assumed everyone used 7-zip now. Remind me to change that.

Is that why someone was having so much trouble with it earlier in the thread?

 

[Internet Kraken]

Since I doubt this will be fully explained in the LP, I suppose I should mention something about how ghosts work. Ghosts are the result of a dead dwarf not being properly buried or not having a memorial made for them. However, just because a ghost is not buried does not mean they will become a ghost. The current mood of a dwarf upon dead influences the chance of them rising from the dead. An unhappy dwarf is far more likely to become a restless haunt than a happy one.

You may also have noticed there are different types of ghosts. The circumstances surrounding a dwarves death will also influence the type of ghost they become. Different ghosts do different things, ranging from minor annoyances (spooking) to incredibly dangerous (murdering the living). Also, ghosts are not restricted to residents of your fort. Foreign dwarves, such as merchants, can also become ghosts upon death.

If the body of a dwarf isn't available to be buried (fell in magma), you can use a memorial slab instead. Memorial slabs are engraved with the dwarves name, along with some info about them based on their personality ("Here lies Urist, lover of oysters"). However, the names of nondwarves can be engraved as well. Even legendary creatures can be receive engraved slabs, suggesting that Toady planned for ghosts to go beyond dwarves at one point.

 

[Aidinthel]

Can the murderous ghosts be defeated? 'Cause it seems to me that having an unstoppable killer roaming around would have pretty disastrous consequences.

 

[(name here)]

You just need to memoralize the ghost and they'll dissipate. Also, the murderous ghosts don't tend to attack often; I think they hang out near the site of their death most of the time and occasionally go to wreak havoc in the fort.

 

[Double A]

Since I doubt this will be fully explained in the LP, I suppose I should mention something about how ghosts work. Ghosts are the result of a dead dwarf not being properly buried or not having a memorial made for them. However, just because a ghost is not buried does not mean they will become a ghost. The current mood of a dwarf upon dead influences the chance of them rising from the dead. An unhappy dwarf is far more likely to become a restless haunt than a happy one.

You may also have noticed there are different types of ghosts. The circumstances surrounding a dwarves death will also influence the type of ghost they become. Different ghosts do different things, ranging from minor annoyances (spooking) to incredibly dangerous (murdering the living). Also, ghosts are not restricted to residents of your fort. Foreign dwarves, such as merchants, can also become ghosts upon death.

If the body of a dwarf isn't available to be buried (fell in magma), you can use a memorial slab instead. Memorial slabs are engraved with the dwarves name, along with some info about them based on their personality ("Here lies Urist, lover of oysters"). However, the names of nondwarves can be engraved as well. Even legendary creatures can be receive engraved slabs, suggesting that Toady planned for ghosts to go beyond dwarves at one point.

Irretrievable? So, like if, and this is just an example, a dwarf jumped into an ocean to fight a pair of zombie bluefish?

(Maybe you should memorialize someone before you get a murderous ghost. Those are very Fun in my experience, and I kind of like this LP. Fun of that magnitude would crush it.)

 

[Internet Kraken]

Irretrievable? So, like if, and this is just an example, a dwarf jumped into an ocean to fight a pair of zombie bluefish?

(Maybe you should memorialize someone before you get a murderous ghost. Those are very Fun in my experience, and I kind of like this LP. Fun of that magnitude would crush it.)

I'm going to be getting rid of all the ghosts soon as a proper graveyard has almost been made. However, if any of the current ghosts were more than minor annoyances, I would have buried them long ago.

Unfortunately I wasn't really into my writing today so I decided to call off the update. Quality would have suffered ever more than the previous episodes if I hadn't.

 

[Double A]

Irretrievable? So, like if, and this is just an example, a dwarf jumped into an ocean to fight a pair of zombie bluefish?

(Maybe you should memorialize someone before you get a murderous ghost. Those are very Fun in my experience, and I kind of like this LP. Fun of that magnitude would crush it.)

I'm going to be getting rid of all the ghosts soon as a proper graveyard has almost been made. However, if any of the current ghosts were more than minor annoyances, I would have buried them long ago.

Unfortunately I wasn't really into my writing today so I decided to call off the update. Quality would have suffered ever more than the previous episodes if I hadn't.

Oh, well, I was just bringing it up because all you need is 3 memorials and 7 coffins and a small room, but hey, that's fine.

Also... you embarked at an ocean. Did you mod aquifers out or just get lucky?