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[kontako]

Hi All,

I think semi-megabeasts should be snatchers.
It makes sense to me that a critter like a giant or ettin that grows envious of dwarven wealth would think something along the lines of:

"Grrr, I've gotta get me one of dem dwarves to make ME shiny artifacts".

I don't think it should replace their current behavior of arrive-n-smash the small'ns, especially in the case of those particularly disposed to this avenue of action.
I think that particularly keen and crafty beasts should create plots to lure out and grab dwarves, or send agents to sneak in and capture the dwarves.

I'd like to imagine sneaking back into the beasts abode to free our comrade, seeing them caged or chained in a workshop, surrounded by lumps of random materials.
It might even require the beast to embark on other plots to steal and gather resources to provide the dwarf in the event they do achieve their strange mood, perhaps producing particularly cursed items in an attempt to fell the beast that contains them.

Thanks for reading.

[PlumpHelmetMan]

+1, this sounds like it would be interesting.

In the meantime I suppose you could just mod in a giant/ettin/cyclops civ and make them snatchers, but it would generous to even call that a half implementation.

It would also be cool to see this becoming a gateway for further implementations down the line (such as, on the slightly more diplomatic side, an intelligent dragon striking a deal not to burninate your fort if your dwarves craft and supply it with a certain quota of treasures each season).

[mikekchar]

Certain night creatures *do* kidnap full grown dwarfs, but I don't think it happens yet in fortress mode.  I'm quite sure it's on the development list and I've been waiting for it :-)  It would be better than were beast attacks IMHO.

[kontako]

I do like the abductions that the night creatures perform. I think it's quite a compelling concept for a narrative.
I'd argue that's a distinct idea from the suggestion, but I think think it could be expanded to the preexisting behaviour of the night creatures.
Actually, I think it could be expanded to any intelligent creature, beyond the semi-mega beasts and night creatures.
In essence, this was more of a 'more reasons for more actors to perform more abductions' suggestion, which indeed is quite general and doubtlessly will eventuate.
Despite that, I still think it's fun to suggest.

On that note, it would be interesting to see night creatures abduct for reasons other than producing a mate. They could definitely do with a few housekeepers to sweep up and keep the cauldron boiling. Maybe a few plump children caged up for supper.

I'm uncertain if necromancers currently abduct people. I vaguely recall something about experimentation and minions. Maybe that was corpses only. I don't know if that means they abduct a single person, experiment once, and then gain the ability to summon these minions, or if it's a 1:1 conversion. I'd hope it was the latter as it'd mean more interaction with the environment.

Of course, cultists, demons and vampires should perhaps abduct for sacrifice and torture and the like, but that seems far more sinister than the fairy tale-esque motives above. Especially as it doesn't leave much room for follow-up, such as a rescue, etc.