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Author Topic: Why is the tile for humans "U"?  (Read 3417 times)

Asin

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Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« on: July 09, 2019, 05:59:38 pm »

Simply curious.

PlumpHelmetMan

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2019, 06:11:37 pm »

Considering how ubiquitous horses are around human settlements (which already use the "H" tile), it might be for easy distinction. My best guess, anyway.
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Knight Otu

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2019, 03:24:06 am »

A byproduct of an earlier age, where Dwarf Fortress didn't have as many creatures. But yes, Humans and Horses.

A human is you.

Actually, that wasn't the reason.  It was horses vs. humans.  We thought O was definitely going to be ogres or something, and also that U is traditionally taken by a DND monster (umber hulk) that were never going to be put in.  So the horse won the first letter race, and the human was stuck with U as a consolation prize.  There are no doubt many superior choices.
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Moddan

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2019, 03:35:59 am »

Well, at least he didn't @ us.
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DerMeister

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2019, 02:44:45 pm »

Because hUmans.
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Fleeting Frames

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2019, 06:20:08 pm »

It might have been nice if goblins had used o. Then you could mirror humans and elves with civilian/military split by o/ö - and if they'd have Ogres in addition to Trolls and Beak Dogs, you'd have more easily pronounced TOöOBööBOöT instead of TogoBggBogT.

PlumpHelmetMan

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2019, 07:41:47 pm »

According to the wiki, goblins actually do use ogres, they're just not nearly as common as trolls.
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PatrikLundell

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2019, 04:46:54 am »

I can confirm goblins get Ogres and Blizzard Men in addition to Trolls and Beak Dogs when their civ starting locations allow for it (Ogres happen occasionally naturally, while I've only gotten Blizzard Men by modding goblins to start on glaciers).
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Superdorf

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2019, 07:57:02 am »

'Cus we're 'uuuumans. We're 'uuuuge.
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Soadreqm

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2019, 10:26:13 am »

'e' is for elves, under the sky
smiley face for the dwarf-lords in their halls of stone
'U' for mortal men, doomed to die
'&' for the dark lord on his dark throne
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Imic

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2019, 03:13:39 am »

I, personally, like the use of U for Humans.
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Caldfir

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2019, 01:52:00 am »

Because U are a human.
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Lomax

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2019, 03:35:57 pm »

Perhaps as a tribute, to the great Dr Sagan?
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voliol

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Re: Why is the tile for humans "U"?
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2019, 05:50:28 pm »

For those reading the thread now, the question has already been answered, by none less than Toady One (and also Knight Otu who found/linked the quote).

A byproduct of an earlier age, where Dwarf Fortress didn't have as many creatures. But yes, Humans and Horses.

A human is you.

Actually, that wasn't the reason.  It was horses vs. humans.  We thought O was definitely going to be ogres or something, and also that U is traditionally taken by a DND monster (umber hulk) that were never going to be put in.  So the horse won the first letter race, and the human was stuck with U as a consolation prize.  There are no doubt many superior choices.