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[HraTaika]

So I have a vague memory of seeing a topic, which discussed the best traits for an engraver..

.. but seeing that I can't find that topic, the next best idea is to ask what they were, any ideas?

[brainfreez]

creativity and a good engraver skill will make the best engravings.

[Loud Whispers]

creativity and a good engraver skill will make the best engravings.

This and being friends with everyone helps. A Dwarf with a grudge on someone will engrave pictures of vermin in their rooms.

[Scruffy]

The unhappier and grumpier the better. A few Fun events can also improve your chances of deranged and dwarfy engravings. As Loud Whispers said, having grudges leads to many interesting engravings. (ie: a terrified mayor being surrounded by mosquitos)

I don't remember which personalities cause which kind of engravings. (Is anyone actually certain of these?)

[celem]

I have it on 2nd hand info that traditionalists depict events from worldgen most often.  mb slayings and such, anything is nice to avoid the stream of your own noble appointments engraved all over the fort

[wuphonsreach]

I try to do engravings in small batches.  A row of tiles in this room, then go down the hall and do another row of tiles.  That tends to mix it up a bit as hopefully your engraver(s) will hear about more interesting things as the years pass.  They can easily smooth/engrave under already placed furniture (tables / beds / chairs / coffers / cabinets).

Now I'll have to scour my dwarves to see who is creative.  I've heard the bit about "traditionalists" depicting world events.

[Rince Wind]

Yes, and it sucks to get engravings of elfs taming camels all over the place. 

[Valtam]

Civilization wide-events might help too, either the ones you can provoke and those that happen in world-gen. Already haven't tested it (the fort is still alive) but my almost-extinct civilization is at war with elves, actually the only one in five to do so. My fort, that hasn't seen much fun in a few years, has a few remarkable engravings probably made by the aforementioned "traditionalists" in which several elves are slain by various Voracious Cave Crawlers. Curiously enough, those depicted murders happen only in the Steppes of Racing, which I assume (haven't checked yet) is nearby. There's also the appointment of kings and the usual stuff, plus rats and dimple cups made by really unexperienced engravers.

I'll try to embark pretty close with a different civilization at different stakes with the elves, and use some science to see if that happens again.