Bay 12 Games Forum

While paused:

Create zone for training.
Select animal trainer
Select animals for training (usually war dogs, but depending on whether I have a hunter, maybe a hunting dog or two)
Create gathering zone
Select herbalist
Select carpenter
Deconstruct wagon
Select miner (preferably 2)
Channel 1x3 one side of the wagon
Select woodcutter
Designate several non-booze trees for harvest
If I've brought opening stone, designate mason and build mason workshop
Resume until one channel opens

If I have a mason, queue up blocks
Dig 6x3 outside where channel forms to use for carpenter workshop and kitchen
Designate channel of 5x5 around wagon
Roof over as wagon contents sink into z-1 level
Build carpenter workshop and kitchen as space opens
If applicable, move mason underground as space opens (probably already used up all stone brought with embark anyway. Just deconstruct until I find a place with stone.)

Designate cook
Start making meals, create pile as necessary
Start making stuff for dorms and dining rooms
Mark 5x5 on z-1 where wagon settles as stockpile storing everything, so no one moves any of it

That's about as far as I can say is consistent. Usually I can (and do) construct an invader hatch  |__|  left side stairs to surface, right side hatch to deny entry to invaders. Usually try to dig down, but lately I have no more than 2 levels before aquifer starts.

Do all the crap to dig through aquifer, since it's always on z-2 or z-3.