Bay 12 Games Forum

So, I started a new fort recently and set up a catch-all stockpile to bring the stuff inside as soon as possible.  The first thing the dwarves decided to grab was the anvil.  I have a feeling I know what they want to be doing.   

What every-day-type things have your dwarves done that are noteworthy or interesting, depending on the circumstances?

I've been thinking about crossbow use in melee combat, among other things, and came up with an idea.  Currently there is no use for daggers other than as a metal or trade source, depending on personal preference.  So what if daggers were implemented as a civilian/secondary weapon?  So marksdwarves could carry them in case of melee combat, and untrained civilians could carry them either as a matter of course, or in times of danger.  I.e. for fisherdwarves insisting on going to carp-infested waters, or dwarves who absolutely MUST get that ONE piece of heaven-knows-what lying in the direct path of the oncoming siege/megabeast/what-have-you, etc.  Thoughts?

I have no experience modding, so I hope someone here'll be able to point me in the right direction.  I want to make creatures such as cows and camels, etc, milkable.  
1) What do I have to change in the raws?
and
2) Do I have to gen a new world for the changes to take effect?
Thanks.

Hey all, I've found a site that I'd like to try as a community fortress, and am looking for brave (crazy?) dwarfs to join in the hunt for fame and fortune.  The site has sand/mountain tiles, no trees, no shrubs, no water.  There is also an open-to-the-surface chasm.  Any other features will be revealed as/if they are discovered.  I will be claiming the Leader/Broker for myself, and the first six volunteers/victims to sign up will get a say in what is brought.  Each founding dwarf will get 290 points to spend on equipment and abilities.  I'm not planning on bringing an anvil, as we can trade for one later, but if several people want to pool their points for one, that's fine.
My Dwarf:
Skills:Novice Persuader, Novice Negotiator, Novice Appraiser, Novice Judge of Intent, Competent Consoler, Competent Pacifier
Name: Surath
I will spend the rest of my points once the others have signed up and decided what they want.

[ January 24, 2008: Message edited by: Dame de la Licorne ]

If the magma source is above the end of the magma channel, will it overflow and flood the room the same way water does?  Diagram:

code:

---

 
bottom level of vent:
MMMM
MMMMCC>
MMMM
1 z-level below:
....            FFF
......<>........_FF
....            FFF
2 z-levels below:
....
.......<CCCCCCCCC
.... 
Key:
M = magma
. = unmined ground
> = downstairs
< = upstairs
C = channel
F = magma fueled workshop
_ = access to magma 

---