While tantrum spirals are awesome, they are also unrealistic. Instead of fort denizens to be happy that they survived life threatening situation, they go all emo, depressed and tantruming instead of just being happy that that gigantic three eyed duck twisted to humanoid shape did not kill them all.
I hereby suggest following thoughts:
* Survived encounter with $megabeast.
* Survived battle with $megabeast.
- civilian and military dwarves shall get this when megabeast is slain and got into combat situation with it. Should be enough to get from miserable to extatic, but not last long time. Civilian version (encounter) last a bit longer. Much more effective for adventurous dwarves.
* Is happy that fortress repelled $megabeast attack.
* Is glad that siege was broken.
* Is satisfied that ambush was repelled.
* Is satisfied that thief was taken care of.
- mild mood boost for everyone else in fort that lasts a bit longer, a bit weaker for ambush and very weak for thieves. Dwarves with high anxienty will get lower effect or even none.
* Is outraged that child was kidnapped.
* Is annoyed that item was stolen.
- penalties for failing basic protection.
* Is glad that fortress is prospering.
- positive thought for high volume trade, enhanced if dwarves favorite things were imported (Is glad that fort secured some Mahogany and Socks).
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Thoughts are not suposed to be too global - dwarves with unsuitable personality traits should not gain them or be too affected, for example, dwarf that is not interested in wealth will not care about good trades...