Not sure if anyone cares, but I am still working on this (actually fleshed most of it out for a D&D campaign, then started creating my own D&D like game based in this universe). With the start of the new version I have decided to write everything from scratch (not really scratch since there is a lot of copying and pasting, but I am going through each creature line by line).
To give an example, here is the ancient dragon in my newest incarnation. Note that these things are absolute killers. For reference, putting one of these up against 10 vanilla dragons is not even a contest. Unless you have at least Adamantine weapons and armor, with powerful spell casters, you're entire fortress is going to be destroyed. But I don't feel they are cheesy hard, if you plan your attack, train your spell casters, and outfit your warriors properly, they will die just like any other creature.
[CREATURE:FANTASY_DRAGON_ANCIENT]
[NAME:ancient dragon:ancient dragons:ancient dragon]
[CREATURE_TILE:255][COLOR:7:0:1]
===== BIOME AND NUMBERS
[BIOME:ANY_LAND]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:POP_NUMBERS:1:3:1:1:5]
===== MEGABEAST INFO
[MEGABEAST]
[DIFFICULTY:11]
[ATTACK_TRIGGER:120:50000:1000000]
[SPHERE:FIRE]
[SPHERE:EARTH]
[SPHERE:SKY]
[SPHERE:MOUNTAINS]
[SPHERE:LIGHTNING]
[SPHERE:STORMS]
[SPHERE:RULERSHIP]
===== IMMUNITIES
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:IMMUNITIES_MEGABEAST]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:IMMUNITIES_DRAGON]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:IMMUNITIES_ELDER_RACE]
===== TRAITS
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:TRAITS_MEGABEAST]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:TRAITS_COLOSSAL]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:TRAITS_DRAGON]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:TRAITS_ELDER_RACE]
[PETVALUE:15000]
[CHILD:0]
[PREFSTRING:unfathomable power]
===== SIZE, AGE, AND SPEED
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:2000000]
[BODY_SIZE:1000:0:2000000000]
[BODY_SIZE:10000:0:2100000000]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:STANDARD_FLYING_GAITS:900:528:352:176:1900:2900] 50 kph
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:STANDARD_QUADRUPED_GAITS:900:711:521:293:1900:2900] 30 kph
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:STANDARD_SWIMMING_GAITS:2206:1692:1178:585:3400:4900] 15 kph
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:STANDARD_CLIMBING_GAITS:2206:1692:1178:585:3400:4900] 15 kph
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:STANDARD_CRAWLING_GAITS:2206:1692:1178:585:3400:4900] 15 kph
===== CREATURE CLASSES
[CREATURE_CLASS:ELEMENTAL_WARD]
[CREATURE_CLASS:MAGIC_RESIST]
[CREATURE_CLASS:MEGABEAST]
[CREATURE_CLASS:DRAGON]
[CREATURE_CLASS:COLOSSAL]
===== LAIR AND HABIT
[LAIR:SHRINE:100]
[LAIR_HUNTER]
[HABIT_NUM:TEST_ALL]
[HABIT:GIANT_NEST:100]
===== BODY
[BODY:DRAGON:ATTACHMENT_HEAD_4HORNS:ATTACHMENT_LIMBS_SPIKESLEG:ATTACHMENT_MISC_SPIKESTAIL]
[BODYGLOSS:CLAW_FOOT]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:MATERIALS_LEVEL_9]
[REMOVE_MATERIAL:HAIR]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SCALE:SCALE_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_9]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:TALON:NAIL_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_5]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:HORN:HORN_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_5]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SPIKE:SPIKE_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_5]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:TISSUES_LEVEL_9]
[REMOVE_TISSUE:HAIR]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:SCALE:SCALE_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_9]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:TALON:CLAW_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_5]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:HORN:HORN_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_5]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:SPIKE:SPIKE_TEMPLATE_LEVEL_5]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:VERTEBRATE_TISSUE_LAYERS:SCALE:FAT:MUSCLE:BONE:CARTILAGE]
[TISSUE_LAYER:BY_CATEGORY:TOE:TALON:FRONT]
[SELECT_TISSUE_LAYER:HEART:BY_CATEGORY:HEART]
[PLUS_TISSUE_LAYER:SCALE:BY_CATEGORY:THROAT]
[TL_MAJOR_ARTERIES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RIBCAGE_POSITIONS]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SINEW:SINEW_TEMPLATE]
[TENDONS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[LIGAMENTS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:BLOOD:BLOOD_TEMPLATE]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:BLOOD:LIQUID]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:PUS:PUS_TEMPLATE]
[PUS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:PUS:LIQUID]
[HAS_NERVES]
[GETS_WOUND_INFECTIONS]
[GETS_INFECTIONS_FROM_ROT]
[SELECT_TISSUE:SCALE]
[RELATIVE_THICKNESS:8]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:LENGTH:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
===== ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:STRENGTH:4000:4100:4200:4500:4800:4900:5000]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:AGILITY:3000:3100:3200:3500:3800:3900:4000]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:TOUGHNESS:3500:3600:3700:4000:4300:4400:4500]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:ENDURANCE:3500:3600:3700:4000:4300:4400:4500]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:DISEASE_RESISTANCE:4000:4100:4200:4500:4800:4900:5000]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:RECUPERATION:3000:3100:3200:3500:3800:3900:4000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:WILLPOWER:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:SPATIAL_SENSE:3500:3600:3700:4000:4300:4400:4500]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:KINESTHETIC_SENSE:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:FOCUS:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000:5000]
[NATURAL_SKILL:BITE:12]
[NATURAL_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE:12]
[NATURAL_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE:12]
[NATURAL_SKILL:MELEE_COMBAT:12]
[NATURAL_SKILL:SITUATIONAL_AWARENESS:12]
[NATURAL_SKILL:DISCIPLINE:12]
===== ATTACKS
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:ATTACK_BITE]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:ATTACK_TAIL_SWIPE]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:ATTACK_CLAW]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:ATTACK_HORN]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:ATTACK_SPIKE]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPECIAL_ATTACK_WING_BUFFET_COLOSSAL]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPECIAL_ATTACK_STOMP_COLOSSAL]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPECIAL_ATTACK_TAIL_SWEEP_COLOSSAL]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPECIAL_ATTACK_CLEAVE_CLAW_COLOSSAL]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARTIAION:SPECIAL_ATTACK_IMPALE_HORN_COLOSSAL]
===== CASTES
[CASTE:FEMALE_RED]
[FEMALE]
[LAYS_EGGS]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGGSHELL:SOLID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_WHITE:LIQUID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_YOLK:LIQUID]
[EGG_SIZE:400000]
[CLUTCH_SIZE:1:2]
[CASTE:MALE_RED]
[MALE]
[CASTE:FEMALE_BLUE]
[FEMALE]
[LAYS_EGGS]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGGSHELL:SOLID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_WHITE:LIQUID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_YOLK:LIQUID]
[EGG_SIZE:400000]
[CLUTCH_SIZE:1:2]
[CASTE:MALE_BLUE]
[MALE]
[CASTE:FEMALE_WHITE]
[FEMALE]
[LAYS_EGGS]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGGSHELL:SOLID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_WHITE:LIQUID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_YOLK:LIQUID]
[EGG_SIZE:400000]
[CLUTCH_SIZE:1:2]
[CASTE:MALE_WHITE]
[MALE]
[CASTE:FEMALE_BROWN]
[FEMALE]
[LAYS_EGGS]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGGSHELL:SOLID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_WHITE:LIQUID]
[EGG_MATERIAL:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:EGG_YOLK:LIQUID]
[EGG_SIZE:400000]
[CLUTCH_SIZE:1:2]
[CASTE:MALE_BROWN]
[MALE]
===== CASTE DETAILS
[SELECT_CASTE:FEMALE_RED]
[SELECT_ADDITIONAL_CASTE:MALE_RED]
[DESCRIPTION:These are the last remnants of the once mighty Elder Civilization of Dragons. They were the ones that were too injured or unfit to assault the rift, and, as a result, lack the strength that their predecessors had. In addition, with the weakening of magic, these dragons have suffered greatly and command only a fraction of their previous master over the Elemental Sphere. It is unknown if their fading intelligence is also a byproduct of the Breaking, or simply a result of the collapse of their civilization. Ancient Dragons are colossal creatures, the size of small mountains, and older than all other living creatures. They are quadruped creatures, with a giant tail, and enormous wings. Their head is adorned with for large horns, and their body, including the tail, is covered in sharp spikes of bone. Red - Red dragons are able to cast spells from the Fire school of the Elemental Sphere]
[CASTE_NAME:ancient red dragon:ancient red dragons:ancient red dragon]
[FIREIMMUNE_SUPER]
===== CASTE CLASSES
[CREATURE_CLASS:FIRE4]
===== CASTE INTERACTIONS
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_FIRE_FIRE_JET]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_FIRE_FIREBALL]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_FIRE_FLAME_BLAST]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_FIRE_INCINERATE]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_FIRE_DRAGON_FIRE]
===== CASTE TISSUE LAYER GROUPS
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:SCALE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:RED:1:CRIMSON:1:CARMINE:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:scales:PLURAL]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EYE:EYE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:BLACK:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
===== CASTE DETAILS
[SELECT_CASTE:FEMALE_BLUE]
[SELECT_ADDITIONAL_CASTE:MALE_BLUE]
[DESCRIPTION:These are the last remnants of the once mighty Elder Civilization of Dragons. They were the ones that were too injured or unfit to assault the rift, and, as a result, lack the strength that their predecessors had. In addition, with the weakening of magic, these dragons have suffered greatly and command only a fraction of their previous master over the Elemental Sphere. It is unknown if their fading intelligence is also a byproduct of the Breaking, or simply a result of the collapse of their civilization. Ancient Dragons are colossal creatures, the size of small mountains, and older than all other living creatures. They are quadruped creatures, with a giant tail, and enormous wings. Their head is adorned with for large horns, and their body, including the tail, is covered in sharp spikes of bone. Blue - Blue dragons are able to cast spells from the Ice school of the Elemental Sphere]
[CASTE_NAME:ancient blue dragon:ancient blue dragons:ancient blue dragon]
===== CASTE CLASSES
[CREATURE_CLASS:ICE4]
===== CASTE INTERACTIONS
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_ICE_ICICLE]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_ICE_COLD_SNAP]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_ICE_RAY_OF_FROST]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_ICE_FREEZE]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_ICE_FROST_NOVA]
===== CASTE TISSUE LAYER GROUPS
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:SCALE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:AZURE:1:AQUA:1:COBALT:1:CERULEAN:1:MIDNIGHT_BLUE:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:scales:PLURAL]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EYE:EYE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:BLACK:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
===== CASTE DETAILS
[SELECT_CASTE:FEMALE_WHITE]
[SELECT_ADDITIONAL_CASTE:MALE_WHITE]
[DESCRIPTION:These are the last remnants of the once mighty Elder Civilization of Dragons. They were the ones that were too injured or unfit to assault the rift, and, as a result, lack the strength that their predecessors had. In addition, with the weakening of magic, these dragons have suffered greatly and command only a fraction of their previous master over the Elemental Sphere. It is unknown if their fading intelligence is also a byproduct of the Breaking, or simply a result of the collapse of their civilization. Ancient Dragons are colossal creatures, the size of small mountains, and older than all other living creatures. They are quadruped creatures, with a giant tail, and enormous wings. Their head is adorned with for large horns, and their body, including the tail, is covered in sharp spikes of bone. White - White dragons are able to cast spells from the Air school of the Elemental Sphere]
[CASTE_NAME:ancient white dragon:ancient white dragons:ancient white dragon]
===== CASTE CLASSES
[CREATURE_CLASS:AIR4]
===== CASTE INTERACTIONS
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_AIR_LIGHTNING]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_AIR_CHAIN_LIGHTNING]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_AIR_SHOCK]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_AIR_GUST]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_AIR_CYCLONE]
===== CASTE TISSUE LAYER GROUPS
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:SCALE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:WHITE:1:IVORY:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:scales:PLURAL]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EYE:EYE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:BLACK:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
===== CASTE DETAILS
[SELECT_CASTE:FEMALE_BROWN]
[SELECT_ADDITIONAL_CASTE:MALE_BROWN]
[DESCRIPTION:These are the last remnants of the once mighty Elder Civilization of Dragons. They were the ones that were too injured or unfit to assault the rift, and, as a result, lack the strength that their predecessors had. In addition, with the weakening of magic, these dragons have suffered greatly and command only a fraction of their previous master over the Elemental Sphere. It is unknown if their fading intelligence is also a byproduct of the Breaking, or simply a result of the collapse of their civilization. Ancient Dragons are colossal creatures, the size of small mountains, and older than all other living creatures. They are quadruped creatures, with a giant tail, and enormous wings. Their head is adorned with for large horns, and their body, including the tail, is covered in sharp spikes of bone. Brown - Brown dragons are able to cast spells from the Earth school of the Elemental Sphere]
[CASTE_NAME:ancient brown dragon:ancient brown dragons:ancient brown dragon]
===== CASTE CLASSES
[CREATURE_CLASS:EARTH4]
===== CASTE INTERACTIONS
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_EARTH_BOULDER]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_EARTH_STALAGMITE]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_EARTH_SAND_STORM]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_EARTH_PETRIFY]
[APPLY_CREATURE_VARIATION:SPELL_ELEMENTAL_EARTH_EARTHQUAKE]
===== CASTE TISSUE LAYER GROUPS
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:SCALE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:BROWN:1:DARK_BROWN:1:LIGHT_BROWN:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:scales:PLURAL]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EYE:EYE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:BLACK:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
===== MISC
[SELECT_CASTE:ALL]
[SELECT_MATERIAL:ALL]
[MULTIPLY_VALUE:25]
[COLDDAM_POINT:NONE]
[HEATDAM_POINT:NONE]
[IGNITE_POINT:NONE]
[IF_EXISTS_SET_MELTING_POINT:55000]
[IF_EXISTS_SET_BOILING_POINT:57000]
[SPEC_HEAT:30000]
[SELECT_MATERIAL:BLOOD]
[PLUS_MATERIAL:PUS]
[MELTING_POINT:10000]
[EXTRA_BUTCHER_OBJECT:BY_TOKEN:HEART]
[EBO_ITEM:TOOL:ITEM_TOOL_CREATURE_HEART_DRAGON_ANCIENT:NONE:NONE]
[EXTRA_BUTCHER_OBJECT:BY_TOKEN:BRAIN]
[EBO_ITEM:SMALLGEM:NONE:INORGANIC:SOUL_GEM_DRAGON_ANCIENT]
Now sense I am translating this all from a different game base (my game obviously doesn't use all the same systems as DF does) I have had to make some adjustments, but I feel like they are all reasonable so far. The largest constraint so far is the limit of 5000 for attributes and 15 for skills, but I think I have adjusted the numbers properly. There is still a lot of balancing to be done, but it is moving along steadily.
I currently have done
8/15 Megabeasts
11/19 Semi-Megabeasts
22/38 Special
1000+ Mundane creatures (random generation script)
Luckily many of the reactions from the previous version will be the same, so that will largely be copying and pasting, but since DFHack is moving to a new system for certain things I will need to make sure that all those reactions/syndromes/interactions/items are moved correctly.
Unfortunately I have no ETA as my RL ebbs and flows a ludicrous amount, but I am trying to devote at least an hour of modding time a day to DF, which generally results in finishing up two or three creatures. At this rate it might only take me another year or two to finish what I have planned
Truthfully, with some vacation time coming to me soon I am hoping to have a working version of this mod released by the end of the month. My external game is already much advanced from what I have implemented in DF, so I still have plenty of ideas to expand upon. And I have an entire expansion already up on the drawing board, so I shouldn't be running out of ideas any time soon.