Make sure you embark somewhere with a lasting supply of water.
Aquifers are a bitch to get through, though.
The dwarf fortress wiki is useful to figure stuff out.

Strike the earth!

with the newest version you only really need surface water. then it's just a matter of getting your farm up and running really well.

Dig to the bottom. If you find any adamantine, get ALL OF IT. Ignore the demons, they're just there to congratulate you.

I managed to find a tutorial for 40d, so I've been digging through that. I like Obsidian, and rivers.

Then I started digging down.
and down.
and through three different caverns.
and down.

The mythical metal rock was mine in massive quantities, enough for any tower or Fortress...
then...

I dug too deep.
HFS, Indeed.
Why is this game so addictive?

[CREATURE:SERGAL]
[DESCRIPTION:A murry purry creature with fur and a teeth and a fondness for rape.]
[NAME:sergal:sergals:sergal]
[CASTE_NAME:sergal:sergals:sergal]
[CREATURE_TILE:'S'][COLOR:7:0:1]
[INTELLIGENT]
[TRANCES]
[CANOPENDOORS]
[PREFSTRING:corrupt intentions]
[PREFSTRING:prehensile clitoral hoods]
[PREFSTRING:warm furs]
[BODY:HUMANOID:TAIL:2EYES:2EARS:NOSE:2LUNGS:HEART:GUTS:ORGANS:THROAT:NECK:SPINE:BRAIN:SKULL:5FINGERS:5TOES:MOUTH:FACIA
L_FEATURES:GENERIC_TEETH:RIBCAGE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_MATERIALS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_TISSUES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:VERTEBRATE_TISSUE_LAYERS:SKIN:FAT:MUSCLE:BONE:CARTILAGE]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:EYELASH:EYELASH_TEMPLATE]
[TISSUE_LAYER:BY_CATEGORY:EYELID:EYELASH:FRONT]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:VERTEBRATE_TISSUE_LAYERS:SKIN:FAT:MUSCLE:BONE:CARTILAGE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:BODY_HAIR_TISSUE_LAYERS:HAIR]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:CLAW:CLAW_TEMPLATE]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:CLAW:CLAW_TEMPLATE]
[TISSUE_LAYER:BY_CATEGORY:FINGER:CLAW:FRONT]
[TISSUE_LAYER:BY_CATEGORY:TOE:CLAW:FRONT]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RIBCAGE_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RELSIZES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SINEW:SINEW_TEMPLATE]
[TENDONS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:150]
[LIGAMENTS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:150]
[HAS_NERVES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:BLOOD:BLOOD_TEMPLATE]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:BLOOD:LIQUID]
[CREATURE_CLASS:GENERAL_POISON]
[GETS_WOUND_INFECTIONS]
[GETS_INFECTIONS_FROM_ROT]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:PUS:PUS_TEMPLATE]
[PUS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:PUS:LIQUID]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:STRENGTH:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:AGILITY:450:950:1150:1250:1400:1700:2500] +
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:TOUGHNESS:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:ANALYTICAL_ABILITY:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:FOCUS:700:1200:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500] ++
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:CREATIVITY:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:PATIENCE:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MEMORY:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:SPATIAL_SENSE:700:1200:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500] ++
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:3000]
[BODY_SIZE:1:168:20000]
[BODY_SIZE:8:0:80000]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:75:95:98:100:102:105:125]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:500]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:75:95:98:100:102:105:125]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:500]
[MAXAGE:40:60]
[ATTACK:PUNCH:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:GRASP]
[ATTACK_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:punch:punches]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY_SECOND]
[ATTACK:KICK:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:STANCE]
[ATTACK_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:kick:kicks]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY_SECOND]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK:BITE:CHILD_BODYPART_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:HEAD:BY_CATEGORY:TOOTH]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:bite:bites]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_CANLATCH]
[BABY:1]
[GENERAL_BABY_NAME:sergal whelp:sergal whelps]
[BABYNAME:sergal whelp:sergal whelps]
[CHILD:12][GENERAL_CHILD_NAME:sergling:serglings]
[CHILDNAME:sergling:serglings]
[EQUIPS]
[DIURNAL]
[PROFESSION_NAME:CRAFTSMAN:craftsergal:craftsergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:FISHERMAN:fishersergal:fishersergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:HAMMERMAN:hammersergal:hammersergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:SPEARMAN:spearsergal:spearsergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:CROSSBOWMAN:markssergal:markssergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:AXEMAN:axesergal:axesergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:SWORDSMAN:swordsergal:swordsergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MACEMAN:macesergal:macesergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:PIKEMAN:pikesergal:pikesergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:BOWMAN:bowsergal:bowsergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_CROSSBOWMAN:Elite Markssergal:Elite Markssergals]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_BOWMAN:Elite Bowsergal:Elite Bowsergals]
[SPEECH:goblin.txt]
[HOMEOTHERM:10067]
[SWIMS_LEARNED][SWIM_SPEED:2500]
[PERSONALITY:IMMODERATION:0:55:100]
[PERSONALITY:STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS:0:55:100]
[SPOUSE_CONVERSION_TARGET]
[CASTE:FEMALE]
[FEMALE]
[CASTE:MALE]
[MALE]
[SELECT_CASTE:ALL]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:HAIR]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:GREY:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:fur:SINGULAR]
[SELECT_MATERIAL:ALL]
[MULTIPLY_VALUE:3]

[OBJECT:ENTITY]

[ENTITY:WOLFSHARK]
[CREATURE:SERGAL]
[TRANSLATION:GOBLIN]
[DIGGER:ITEM_WEAPON_PICK]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_SWORD_SHORT]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_SPEAR]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_CROSSBOW]
[AMMO:ITEM_AMMO_BOLTS]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_BOW]
[AMMO:ITEM_AMMO_ARROWS]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_PIKE]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_HALBERD]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_SWORD_2H]
[WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_SWORD_LONG]
[ARMOR:ITEM_ARMOR_BREASTPLATE:COMMON]
[ARMOR:ITEM_ARMOR_MAIL_SHIRT:COMMON]
[HELM:ITEM_HELM_HELM:COMMON]
[HELM:ITEM_HELM_CAP:COMMON]
[SHIELD:ITEM_SHIELD_SHIELD]
[SHIELD:ITEM_SHIELD_BUCKLER]
[SIEGEAMMO:ITEM_SIEGEAMMO_BALLISTA]
[TOY:ITEM_TOY_AXE]
[TRAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_GIANTAXEBLADE]
[TRAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_ENORMOUSCORKSCREW]
[TRAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_SPIKEDBALL]
[TRAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_LARGESERRATEDDISC]
[TRAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_MENACINGSPIKE]
[INSTRUMENT:ITEM_INSTRUMENT_DRUM]
[CLOTHING]
[CURRENCY:COPPER:1]
[CURRENCY:SILVER:5]
[CURRENCY:GOLD:15]
[SELECT_SYMBOL:WAR:NAME_WAR]
[SUBSELECT_SYMBOL:WAR:VIOLENT]
[SELECT_SYMBOL:BATTLE:NAME_BATTLE]
[SUBSELECT_SYMBOL:BATTLE:VIOLENT]
[CULL_SYMBOL:ALL:DOMESTIC]
[CULL_SYMBOL:ALL:FLOWERY]
[CULL_SYMBOL:ALL:HOLY]
[CULL_SYMBOL:ALL:PEACE]
[CULL_SYMBOL:ALL:NEGATOR]
[CULL_SYMBOL:ALL:GOOD]
[STONE_PREF]
[METAL_PREF]
[USE_ANIMAL_PRODUCTS]
[USE_MISC_PROCESSED_WOOD_PRODUCTS]
[EQUIPMENT_IMPROVEMENTS]
[ABUSE_BODIES]
[SPHERE_ALIGNMENT:WAR:512]
[OUTDOOR_WOOD]
[DEFAULT_SITE_TYPE:CITY]
[LIKES_SITE:CITY]
[TOLERATES_SITE:CITY]
[TOLERATES_SITE:TREE_CITY]
[TOLERATES_SITE:CAVE_DETAILED]
[START_BIOME:ANY_GRASSLAND]
[START_BIOME:ANY_SAVANNA]
[START_BIOME:ANY_SHRUBLAND]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_WETLAND:1]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_DESERT:1]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_FOREST:2]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_OCEAN:12]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_LAKE:3]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_GRASSLAND:3]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_SAVANNA:2]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_SHRUBLAND:2]
[BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_RIVER:4]
[MERCHANT_NOBILITY]
[DIPLOMAT_BODYGUARDS]
[MERCHANT_BODYGUARDS]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_TRADE:1]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_POP_SIEGE:3]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_PROD_SIEGE:0]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_TRADE_SIEGE:0]
[ACTIVE_SEASON:SUMMER]
[MAX_STARTING_CIV_NUMBER:100]
[MAX_POP_NUMBER:10000]
[MAX_SITE_POP_NUMBER:120]
[RELIGION:PANTHEON]
[WANDERER]
[BEAST_HUNTER]
[SCOUT]
[PERMITTED_JOB:MINER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:CARPENTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:BOWYER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:WOODCUTTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:ENGRAVER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:MASON]
[PERMITTED_JOB:ANIMAL_CARETAKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:ANIMAL_TRAINER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:HUNTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:TRAPPER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:ANIMAL_DISSECTOR]
[PERMITTED_JOB:FURNACE_OPERATOR]
[PERMITTED_JOB:WEAPONSMITH]
[PERMITTED_JOB:ARMORER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:BLACKSMITH]
[PERMITTED_JOB:METALCRAFTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:GEM_CUTTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:GEM_SETTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:WOODCRAFTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:STONECRAFTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:LEATHERWORKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:BONE_CARVER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:WEAVER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:CLOTHIER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:GLASSMAKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:FISHERMAN]
[PERMITTED_JOB:FISH_DISSECTOR]
[PERMITTED_JOB:FISH_CLEANER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:CHEESE_MAKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:MILKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:COOK]
[PERMITTED_JOB:THRESHER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:MILLER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:BUTCHER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:TANNER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:DYER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:PLANTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:HERBALIST]
[PERMITTED_JOB:BREWER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:SOAP_MAKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:POTASH_MAKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:LYE_MAKER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:WOOD_BURNER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:MECHANIC]
[PERMITTED_JOB:SIEGE_ENGINEER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:SIEGE_OPERATOR]
[PERMITTED_JOB:PUMP_OPERATOR]
[PERMITTED_JOB:CLERK]
[PERMITTED_JOB:ADMINISTRATOR]
[PERMITTED_JOB:TRADER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:ARCHITECT]
[PERMITTED_JOB:DIAGNOSER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:BONE_SETTER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:SUTURER]
[PERMITTED_JOB:SURGEON]
[PERMITTED_BUILDING:SOAP_MAKER]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:TAN_A_HIDE]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:RENDER_FAT]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:MAKE_SOAP]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:BRASS_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:BRASS_MAKING2]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:BRONZE_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:BRONZE_MAKING2]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:ELECTRUM_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:ELECTRUM_MAKING2]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:BILLON_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:BILLON_MAKING2]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:PEWTER_FINE_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:PEWTER_FINE_MAKING2]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:PEWTER_TRIFLE_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:PEWTER_TRIFLE_MAKING2]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:PEWTER_LAY_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:BLACK_BRONZE_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:STERLING_SILVER_MAKING]
[PERMITTED_REACTION:ROSE_GOLD_MAKING]
[WORLD_CONSTRUCTION:WALL]
[WORLD_CONSTRUCTION:BRIDGE]
[WORLD_CONSTRUCTION:ROAD]
[ETHIC:KILL_ENTITY_MEMBER:PERSONAL_MATTER]
[ETHIC:KILL_NEUTRAL:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:KILL_ENEMY:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:KILL_ANIMAL:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:KILL_PLANT:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:TORTURE_AS_EXAMPLE:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:TORTURE_FOR_INFORMATION:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:TORTURE_FOR_FUN:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:TORTURE_ANIMALS:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:TREASON:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
[ETHIC:OATH_BREAKING:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
[ETHIC:LYING:PERSONAL_MATTER]
[ETHIC:VANDALISM:PERSONAL_MATTER]
[ETHIC:TRESPASSING:PERSONAL_MATTER]
[ETHIC:THEFT:PERSONAL_MATTER]
[ETHIC:ASSAULT:PERSONAL_MATTER]
[ETHIC:SLAVERY:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:EAT_SAPIENT_OTHER:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:EAT_SAPIENT_KILL:ACCETABLE]
[ETHIC:MAKE_TROPHY_SAME_RACE:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:MAKE_TROPHY_SAPIENT:ACCEPTABLE]
[ETHIC:MAKE_TROPHY_ANIMAL:ACCEPTABLE]
[VARIABLE_POSITIONS:ALL]
[BANDITRY:50]
[LOCAL_BANDITRY]

You first game will end in tragedy. They always do, but this one will happen extremely quickly.

>>315722
Pshaw, my first game was badass.

All my people were depressed and threw tantrums every few minutes, but noone died and we repelled all invaders.

It was amazing.

Then I got bored and I learned true despair in my second fort.

>>315720
>>315719

Where do I dump this text to make it work?

Things to remember about this version:
-Elephants have been nerfed and are now wimps.
-Carp are still somewhat dangerous, but are not the killing machines they were at one point.
-Stonefall traps are almost entire useless.
-Because of the way the wound system works, no number of hammer blows will ever kill a bronze colossus.

General tips:
-Spike traps can hit anyting (including your guys, so remember to turn them off) and never jam but need to be linked to a trigger.
-Magma normally does not pressurize (pressurizing can force it upwards through bends), but if it has gone through a screw pump it does, allowing for some lovely multi-z-level magma fountains.
-Enemies' habit of dodging traps can cause them to dodge of strategically placed cliffs.
-If a humanoid is dismembered (by falling extreme distances, for example), you can butcher the pieces which are not the main 'corpse'.
-A direct hit from a cave-in can kill anything (except maybe ghosts).
-Magma is the answer. Always.

I am not playing DF at the moment, but I am thinking about coming back to it at some point when the zombie invasion update is out.

>>317673
in text files in the "objects" folder within the "raws" folder of your DF install.

First one: Any file that starts out "creature_" and ends ".txt", but "creature_standard.txt" would be the conventional choice.
Second one: "entity_default.txt"