Yeah, that's right Cole.
Digging a bit into dfhack, I did find out where the embark rectangle is kept (df.global.gview.child) and could resize it and discover I was embarking on werebeast lair before embarking. However, it's limited to standard 48x48 squares, it seems.
Post-embark, attempted to delete the five outmost block columns, all their entries, and edit all map edge x,y values to 32. (I expect this would cause issues with animals entering the map, granted).
But I did successfully resize embark to 32x32:
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Sadly the team lost pick and axe somehow or other, but they could gather plants, place them to food stockpile, and southern and eastern edge map building restrictions worked as expected. Tiercel peregrine (exterminate), Kingsnake (exterminate), Unicorn (exterminate), Deer (exterminate), Raven, barn owl, weasel, kiwi, red panda, opossum (etc) could all enter the map, though all came through north or west borders, suggesting I was correct about placing the things improperly. Visitors, both scholars and mercenaries, could come as well, and although due cutoff the weretortoise had map edge exit they didn't use it.
Then I noticed everyone was thristy and remembered I could simply cheat in axes and picks.
Then designated digging designation southwards, and the missing 5 blocks columns reappearred! Kinda. Three consecutive layers with digging breakpoint:
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The previously dug tunnel here got filled in again!
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Then I discovered I had a loyalty catcascade on my hands due woodcutter hurting the cat, and the cat then interrupting the woodcutter from eating (exterminate)
Then I discovered raven corpses hanging in midair outside the map
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building a floor to retrieve them had them fall down upon reaching the raven (ew)
Then the caravan arrived and complained I had no depot.
Conclusion: Definitely possible, but I forgot to modify some values. (Also, make sure to not leave your dwarves outside the area you resize.)
E: I imagine increasing embark area post-embark ought to be possible as well.