#df stories

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[bobbigmac]

The Real Horror of Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is an incredible game, but it's obtuse, hard to understand much of anything really, but it will absolutely suck you into the mountainhome if you let it…

Once I built a dungeon to keep captured goblins, deep in the basement, but I ended up turning it into a safe room where all my dwarves could hide from the passing hordes.

That worked fine until I failed to notice one of my citizens was a were-beast, so when I locked the whole fortress away during a siege, I didn’t realise the were-beast found their moment… The walls and floors were soaked in blood, like that scene from 28 Weeks Later, completely wiping out my fortress.

I had accidentally created a horror, but it still wasn’t as horrific as the more mundane systems that quietly eat away at a fortress…

The real horror of Dwarf Fortress is found in its Sims-like systems that let the player create either a paradise or a hellscape, but the limitations of the graphics mean it looks more or less the same in either case, because there’s no real visual cue for dystopia in DF, there’s just who you are, and how you treat your dwarves. They all still look basically the same, no matter what.

They have systems for education that can support the mental health of your population, or drive division and even hatred, or turn everyone into undead minions. There are systems for immigration that can be a blessing or a burden, or you can build a beautiful Tavern, and host singers and actors, to entertain your citizens in the mists, or your tavern can turn to brawls and arguments, and still all these things look more or less the same unless you really dig deeper.

It’s the same with hospitals that either heal the wounded or quietly turn into haunted waiting rooms for the dead, justice systems that enforce fairness or spiral into beatings and executions for petty crimes, temples that hold communities together or fracture them into secret cults, military units who defend your home or drain it into endless wars chasing the dream of saving your lost warriors, or dining halls that host feasts or become the rich cultural centre of mass starvation.

The true horror of Dwarf Fortress isn’t in the game, it’s in how your mind can see these same incentives out of balance in the real world.

[zanetaya]

He felt empathy seeing the dwarf Catten Joinwind die.

Dying in line of duty defending the fortress from a rampaging hill titan is a fitting way to sacrifice oneself, I have to agree with him on that.

[yourbelovedissy]

Spepip Resmidether, the Wicked Ogre Vampire Wife

At long last, I post another engraving-style DF fanart And boy does this one come with a story...

In the world of Xah Thran, The Dimension of Dawning, there lived a human. She was born before time, and by the dawn of the first year, she had grown to be a woman. Her name was Spepip Beardeddresses. She lived a simple life in the hamlet of Copperreins before gaining the attention of Ero Handledcombats. The two had married the next year, and set to make their lives in the town of Searedracks. After moving, she began work in The Harvest of Garnish, and whether it was with charming words or skilled brewing, she had earned ownership of the tavern. She and Ero had 12 children, but with how she treated every regular to the bar, she made a family of everyone. The following year after, word had spread of her ability to bring unity to others, and of her warmth. These rumors flew towards the ears of The Soapy Chapel, home of The Sugary Coven. As if by fate, she had attracted the attention of the ears of Rafeb Hopbuckled, goddess of families. The priests had come with a proposal: a well-deserved spot amongst their council. She graciously accepted, being an ardent believer of Rafeb herself. Her devotion had, in truth, been underestimated at the time. Later that year, she had been given the highest title of Sacred Mule to The Soapy Chapel. She was now a person of great renown to The Nation of Waves. She wouldn't have been the only one, either. Five years passed, and with a push of popular support, her husband Ero had been given the title of general. The both of them became well-loved across all of their people. However, the story yet unfolds.

In the Year 13, The Nation of Waves had decreed that an annual winter festival would befit their prosperity. The celebration was named The Soapy Festivals, headed by The Sugary Coven themselves each year. The festivals would include the throwing of war hammers and foot races, or one of the two if both were not possible. Being a sporty woman who loves good competition, Spepip volunteered to participate in these games each year. The first two festivals, she saw loss, but it was the third that would mean much to her. With the third Soapy Festival arrived a man named An Beginoutrage. When Spepip first became acquainted with him, she kept her warmth and good sportsmanship. However, An proved to be gifted by the gods for his athleticism, and would win each competition, every year. It would turn to the Year 25, and disheartened by constant loss, Spepip would pray to Rafeb for her blessing. Afterwards, she saw victory in the games that year. In high spirits, she failed to pray the following year, and An once again took the championship. She made sure to pray again in the following year, and though she won again, Rafeb had grown disappointed in Spepip's gradual loss of devotion. As such, she would bless her disciple no longer.

This would show, as Spepip continued to compete in The Soapy Festivals each year, and An continued to win the championship with few exceptions. Seeing her rival win each and every year, Spepip grew bitter and jealous. In the Year 38, following another loss, Spepip lashed out with resentment. She was growing older and weaker, while it seemed An had not. In her rage, she only wished that age would weaken her no longer. Then she began to blame Rafeb for turning her away, and in her tantrum had committed blasphemy within her Soapy Chapel. Rightly offended at this conduct, Rafeb had granted Spepip's wish in the form of a curse. She commanded Spepip's teeth to grow sharp, her skin to pale, and her throat to thirst for blood. Spepip became a creature of the night for her insolence. However, she would not allow this to discourage her from competing further.

Spepip would continue participating in the games each year, with no one the wiser to her curse. However, she would continue losing to An. She saw him grow older as she stayed static, but he was nonetheless a prime athlete. She realized now, even in her state, she could never best him. The next best thing for her was to watch him wither away. She would relish to see the day that he grew too weak for sports. With each passing year, she continued to hope, and had all the time in the world to wait. But even in her immortal state, there were things to happen she would yet be blind to. It was now the Year 50, and An continued to live. Spepip remained patient for approaching festival, and for An's health to fail. However, unpredicted by anyone in Searedracks, the town was attacked by the loathsome Rufithi Bonefates; a wicked ogre known across the land as The Skull of Dusk. In his assault, he laid eyes on our Spepip the vampire, and took an intimate interest. He effortlessly kidnapped her, with guards and family helpless to stop him. This would be the last that anyone would see or hear from Spepip since.

Many years passed, until the world cycled to its 121st year. One day in early spring, a dwarf by the name of Ingish Greatgem, had traveled the wilderness for a treasure hunt. He had heard rumors of Cavernskull, the lair of the wicked ogre Rufithi Bonefates, and grew curious to the riches that may await there. He awaited until Rufithi departed for his next hunt, and searched within the crude lair. To his surprise, a creature lunged forth from the darkness within, even more ugly and terrible than Rufithi. She appeared alike Rufithi, and yet was different; particularly with long, dagger-sharp fangs. Ingish had fortunately not come unprepared, and proved a match for the wicked ogre. He would rip her arm apart, and manage to escape from Cavernskull with his life. He returned to his hillock to recount the story. From the listening ears of dwarf, human, and elf, it is largely agreed to the identity of this new monster: Spepip Beardeddresses, the wicked ogre vampire.

Some would gather from this tale that it is what she deserves, allowing her heart to blacken with envy, resentment, and bitterness. Her form now befits her nature, if not worse. But there is only one truth yet that all can take from this story: Now we know why we fear the night.

[callali1y]

This is Tholtig.

About 10 minutes ago, Tholtig had her left arm bitten off by a cave dragon.

She proceeded to bleed for about 5 minutes, and then just stopped. Never went to the hospital. Just continued about her business.

"somewhat impaired"

She is also the happiest dwarf in my fortress. Literally the only citizen on max happiness. She is apparently only mildly inconvenienced by the loss of her arm.

(she also has two lovers and a wife, none of whom are actually in my fortress. i guess lesbians are just built like this)

[callali1y]

Made a new fortress today in a new world. Was going pretty well. There were a lot of goblins and a tower nearby but the caravan hadn't arrived yet so, while there was a bridge built at the entrance of the fort there was no lever to raise it. And it should have been fine! No one knew we were here yet!

And then I got ambushed by an army of night creatures. I have never seen this before. Usually when necromancers attack it's undead, but this was an army of fucking squid people! I've never even seen two night creatures the same!

Needless to say my "militia" armed with two copper weapons for 7 dwarves didn't have a great time. But the expedition leader escaped. And we will return.

[callali1y]

noticed this weird mound on a new embark

didn't think much of it, until i sent my military in to investigate, thinking it would just lead to the caverns.

no

i didn't build this. it was just there - a labyrinth of traps and pitfalls and insane stairs.

i explored further.

oh shit.

turns out this is a BURROW? (the sort that monsters hide in, not the organizational tool). i did not know you could embark on these.

im just gonna leave her to chill. this is a halfling (mod) fortress (fortress is a VERY generous term) so if she decides to leave we are fucked.

[callali1y]

today in my fortress:

- had to reload a save because a single kelpie almost wiped the fort

- put fluffy the war warg, bane of kelpies in front of the mines entrance. he is my entire military

- i witnessed a chain of wombat people trying to eat my goat while an oblivious dwarf was dragging it to a pasture

- accidentally released a demon from a geode

- built an elaborate trap to capture and contain said demon

- demon was eaten by a kelpie