Find a world with a human or elf civ taking a beating (from goblins generally) and a relatively well-off dwarf civ. Make a fortress in the dwarf civ. Preferably some distance from the other civ.
Now start your Adventure as a big animal person (elephant, rhino, etc) from the civ which is taking a battering. Then you've got a multiple part adventure to enjoy to save your adopted family.
First things first, a journey to visit the dwarves to win yourself a suit of steel (or better armour). The only armoured animal person in the land. Gobbos won't know what hit them.
You'll need to build your reputation as a fighter as you travel. When you arrive at the fort you made earlier, request they make you a suit of elephant-man armour. But, cunning dorfs aren't going to give up their secrets that easily. 5 years military service in exchange for a full suit of steel (with hints of something possibly better). They'll only take you on in the militia if your reputation is good enough by that point, so you'll probably need to sort out some of their troubles.
Fortress mode for 5 years. If your adventurer survives he'll be a hardened warrior (possibly insane from stress, um..Dfhack that out...).
Finally you've got your candy suit, a big steel/platinum maul and you're ready to go home and save your friends (if there's anyone left, and so much the better story if they're all dead).
(Might require removing [MEANDERER] tag from your animal person of choice, or he'll be fairly useless in fortress mode).