So, although I haven't tried out every basic technique yet in "safe" embarks, I got interested in the minimalist/survivalist build listed on the wiki. I decided to try out a slightly modified version, still very do-it-yourself, but not as extreme: two copper, one anvil, but animals, food, booze, and seeds are also allowed. To make up for relaxing the equipment restrictions, I only gave craft skills to one dwarf; the others are a medic, trader, administrator, clerk, and two Chatty Cathys.
Embark wasn't too difficult, although it's a lot slower than I'm used to. Some damned kea women stole several chunks of charcoal I made, but not until after I made my pick and ax. No other metals yet, haven't really set up the industries other than stonecrafting.
First dwarven caravan arrives on the map, so I start moving rock mugs to the depot, since that's all I have to sell. Except for some reason the caravan doesn't show up. Turns out the kea men attacked them and "killed" one wagon (it was listed as Deceased.) The other wagons, if any, and the merchants all fled. Only the diplomat shows up at my fortress.
On the plus side, the kea men didn't hang around, and the "dead" wagon was only 10-15 tiles from my entryway, so I was able to safely claim all the caravan goods. Of course, that makes survival even less of a challenge...