Bay 12 Games Forum

I can play without LNP but I can't play without Dwarf Therapist.  I wish I could get it to work with the new version.  Or I wish someone smarter than me could do it for me   Love LNP for that reason.

I believe we are naturally creative beings.  DF allows our creativity some room to play.  This is fun.

Basically I'm fairly new to the game.  I've watched a few streams, youtube tutorial guides and read some forums.  The wiki has been helpful as well.  I usually get a step further with each new fort.

My last disaster was losing 3 miners (2 of which were my best miners and original dudes) to lava.  I was poking around semi-molten rock trying to find the actual magma.  When the message popped up saying that I discovered it, my dwarfs were on fire already and died.

Main question:
1) Is there a safer way to find lava?

Other noob questions:
2) Can I put all animal types into the same pasture?  I had trouble with this.  Do turkeys not like dogs?
3) What are items I should get from the traders?  I was buying random weapons and armor.  Is there something that you always try to buy?
4) Why is this game so addictive?

Thanks for any help.