Does anybody remember a time when you treated your dwarves as if they were more than just pieces of meat? Think back to your very first fort. Now think about your current fort.
My first fort had barely even a shred of comprehension of my Dwarves - I was overwhelmed by DF and didn't know what to do. And I can safely say now my Dwarves have grown to fulfill the complete opposite of what you described.
Everyone gets expensive Grand Bedrooms, Dwarves have access to meat, plants, LOTS of types of booze, clothes and even a working hospital. Even in military engagements it seems my Dwarves refuse to die. A lot of the time most barely even get grazed or bruised!
I mean it's gotten to the point where I've had to start making FTW devices
inside my fort just to ensure it doesn't last forever.
Though maybe it still will even through all that. I mean, just a Dwarf month ago 4 Dwarves got caught in a cave in.
Not a single one was injured.
I keep feeling this success is just the precursor of some great cataclysm - but it never happens.
I'm onto 364 dead creatures, and only 8 of those are Dwarves.
My Dwarves just keep calm and pull the levers.
Is this what happens when Dwarves live above ground?!!
IS THIS NOT SANITY?!!