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[Dwarf4Explosives]

I couldn't find a topic for this, so I made one. Feel free to discuss your various goals and projects for DF here, both those for adventure mode and those for fort mode, whether they're realistic or not.

Reverse Mordor:
My own project. Using the DF from Scratch mod, I plan to have a bunch of halflings build a vast artificial mountain, therein containing a lava lake, with the center featuring a massive tower, topped by a massive, monocle'd eye. A massive pumpstack shall be contained within this center tower, pumping magma two z-levels higher than the magma contained within the volcano's dam (intended to be Z-level 80 or so), using the magma landmine effect and a randomization system to create periodic "bubbles" within the lava. To allow overconfident adventurers access to the central tower, a single (wooden, if possible) bridge will be constructed, together with a set of access stairs cut into the dam preventing the magma from flooding the tower. Preferably, these stairs will have glass walls. Within the central tower, a plain, water-filled moat (which, for safety reasons, is a z-level or two below the bridge) with cephalopods and other such creatures needs to be crossed to get to the stairs leading to the upper (and subterranean) floors. Along the way, several traps, opening rooms full of Flying Screamers (that can also be released by the Overseer, but only to the outside of the tower), must be passed to get to the top room, containing an artifact monocle*. Underground, below the massive group of workshops and cavern-farms, some gratuitous exploitation of bugs is used to carve out a hall below hell. Of course, artifact floodgates (building destroyers can't destroy artifacts, right?) will be used to allow the volcano to be tapped into from the side as well.

I also hope to build four towers to surround this volcano, each separated from the outside world by a sheer drop on all sides, the only method of access being the now-exposed routes via the cavern. Beyond that, closer to the center of each tower, a moat of magma (with drains, allowing the moat to be emptied into the cliff). The routes that wagons can take will be separated from those for besiegers (which activate magma curtains, using pressure plates) leading to airlocks. To prevent charring of caravans, their route is covered up with lava-safe material. Each of the four towers will use a specific motif. The first two have already been decided upon: a dragon and the Yggdrasil tree.

The first is merely a dragon's head, carved out of rock, facing upwards, containing yet another pumpstack, with several release routes to release this magma, concealing the exits used by the fort's inhabitants. These release routes comprise both lava landmines and vertical "guns" of lava.

The Yggdrasil (made of either stone or lava-proof wood) is also centered around a magma pumpstack, but this one releases the lava from the leaves of the tree.

Animal-wise, the Eye will feature the afore-mentioned Flying Screamers and various aquatic monsters, the Dragon's Head will have dragons (obviously) and the Yggdrasil will have a specimen of Jormungandr.

Spoiler: Side view of the volcano and tower (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

. . . . . . . . E
. . . .  __ . . T
. . . . VMD | . T
. . . V MMD | . T
. . V M MMD | . T
. V M M MMD G G G
. = open space
E = Eye
T = tower
V = volcano's solid component
M = magma/lava
D = dam to hold the magma/lava back
G = ground
| = access tower
_ = bridge

I would appreciate suggestions for other themes for the towers. Arthropods, perhaps?

*Planepacking will be used. Halflings incapable of producing monocle artifacts will killed, so as to provide more space for those who can.

I also hope to make a disco ball-shaped lava sprinkler and a glass disco floor, so as to entertain those who siege a fortress, but that's another matter.

[MDFification]

This isn't really impressive, but right now I'm building myself a surface fortification.
I had to level mountains to make flat terrain for the wall. The wall is 1 z-level high. On the 2nd level is a (partially constructed) fortification/corridor for archers, allowing me to position my marksdwarves anywhere on the fortification. After that's completed, I'm going to go back to the first level and upgrade it. I haven't decided on whether I should make pressurized magma cannons (adding a water cannon higher up for obsidianizing on the go would be cool), automatic minecart magma throwers or just simple ballista batteries, but I'd like to continue with the theme of omni-directional fire.

The whole idea is that I'd like to savage enemy forces before they reach my gate. All of this of course is total overkill, as my militia has 47 dwarves who I use to break up sieges on the field before they reach the aforementioned gate. If all goes well the fortress should become essentially immune to sieges without resorting to traps, exploits or turtling.
I've also got an idea for what to do after all this is done. I'd make bridges over my fortifications so they can be sealed when required, then transform my roof into a giant obsidian dome. Several pumpstacks would lead to the top of the dome, and I'd be able to coat my fortress in magma/flood the map with magma on demand. I call this project The Shroud. I have no idea why it'd be necessary since we're already overkill, but it'd be a good exercise.

[Dwarf4Explosives]

I like your ideas, but if I were you, I'd simply use a water cannon, rather than a magma one, for your first floor. Easier to automate, just as deadly, and, if you hook it up to an aquifer, you'll never run out of ammo (otherwise, you may unintentionally deplete the magma sea). Also, accidents are easier to fix. And, if you create a deep enough cliff, you can use water for The Shroud, allowing you to safely harvest the remains of your enemies. You'd need to set up some pumps to bring the water back to the aquifer, though, but as a bonus, it would clean your map of possibly dangerous or merely lag-inducing contaminants.