Anyone remember the "deep dwarves" Toady talked about a while back? The idea of them becoming so cave adapted that they form a breakaway civilization and develop fleshy tentacle beards and such? I think they might work nicely as an underground civ for Masterwork. Possibly even as an extra feature for dwarves themselves (either transformed at a workshop, or a natural transformation effect that can occur if a dwarf remains underground for a long enough time.)
I have a functional prototype here. They are much more powerful than a regular dwarf while underground (about twice the regular skill level, plus various status immunities and extravision) but if exposed to the sun they fare even worse than a regular cave-adapted dwarf.
[CREATURE:DEEP_DWARF]
[CREATURE_CLASS:ALL_CREATURES][DESCRIPTION:A distant relative of the dwarven civilization. Cut off from the surface world for unnumbered generations, this short, stocky creature has grown fully adapted to a subterranean life. Its keen eyes glow with a pale light, and its beard has been replaced by a fleshy network of writhing tentacles that gives it a near-total awareness of the world around it, provided it remains deep underground. Due to its extreme level of cave adaptation, exposure to the sun will sear its sensitive retinas and burn its pale skin, leaving it in helpless agony. Despite their unearthly appearance, the deep dwarves retain the intelligence of their distant cousins, and might even be willing to share a few drinks - as long as you don't get them angry.]
[NAME:deep dwarf:deep dwarves:deep dwarven]
[CASTE_NAME:deep dwarf:deep dwarves:deep dwarven]
[CREATURE_TILE:1][COLOR:7:0:1]
[CREATURE_SOLDIER_TILE:2]
[GLOWTILE:164][GLOWCOLOR:7:0:1]
[INTELLIGENT]
[VIEWRANGE:20]
[BENIGN]
[CANOPENDOORS]
[PREFSTRING:fleshy beards]
[BIOME:SUBTERRANEAN_CHASM][UNDERGROUND_DEPTH:3:3]
[FREQUENCY:100]13]
[POPULATION_NUMBER:30000:30000]-UBIQUITOUS-1:4]
[CLUSTER_NUMBER:3:3]
[BODY:HUMANOID:2EYES:2EARS:NOSE:2LUNGS:HEART:GUTS:ORGANS:HUMANOID_JOINTS:THROAT:NECK:SPINE:OUTERBRAIN:BRAIN:SKULL:5FINGERS:5TOES:MOUTH:TONGUE:FACIAL_FEATURES:TEETH:TENTACLE_BEARD:RIBCAGE][EXTRA_BUTCHER_OBJECT:BY_TYPE:THOUGHT][EBO_ITEM:PLANT:NONE:PLANT_MAT:SOUL_DWARF:STRUCTURAL]
[EXTRA_BUTCHER_OBJECT:BY_TYPE:THOUGHT][EBO_ITEM:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:SCALP_DWARF:MUSCLE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_MATERIALS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_TISSUES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:VERTEBRATE_TISSUE_LAYERS:SKIN:FAT:MUSCLE:BONE:CARTILAGE]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:NAIL:NAIL_TEMPLATE]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:NAIL:NAIL_TEMPLATE]
[TISSUE_LAYER:BY_CATEGORY:FINGER:NAIL:FRONT]
[TISSUE_LAYER:BY_CATEGORY:TOE:NAIL:FRONT]
[SELECT_TISSUE_LAYER:HEART:BY_CATEGORY:HEART]
[PLUS_TISSUE_LAYER:SKIN:BY_CATEGORY:THROAT]
[TL_MAJOR_ARTERIES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RIBCAGE_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RELSIZES]
[RELSIZE:BY_CATEGORY:LIVER:300]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SINEW:SINEW_TEMPLATE]
[TENDONS:CREATURE_MAT:ANIMAL:SINEW:200]
[LIGAMENTS:CREATURE_MAT:ANIMAL:SINEW:200]
[HAS_NERVES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:BLOOD:BLOOD_TEMPLATE]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:BLOOD:LIQUID]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:MUSK:CREATURE_EXTRACT_TEMPLATE]
[STATE_NAME:ALL_SOLID:frozen deep dwarven musk]
[STATE_ADJ:ALL_SOLID:frozen deep dwarven musk]
[STATE_NAME:LIQUID:deep dwarven musk]
[STATE_ADJ:LIQUID:deep dwarven musk]
[STATE_NAME:GAS:boiling deep dwarven musk]
[STATE_ADJ:GAS:boiling deep dwarven musk]
[DISPLAY_COLOR:0:0:1]
[PREFIX:NONE]
[SYNDROME]
[SYN_NAME:extreme cave adaptation]
[SYN_AFFECTED_CREATURE:DEEP_DWARF:ALL]
[SYN_CONTACT]
[CE_FEVER:SEV:200:PROB:100:START:0]
[CE_PAIN:SEV:100:PROB:100:START:0]
[CE_DIZZINESS:SEV:200:PROB:100:START:0]
[CE_NAUSEA:SEV:200:PROB:100:START:0]
[CE_SKILL_ROLL_ADJUST:PERC:10:PERC_ON:100:START:0]
[CE_ADD_TAG:EXTRAVISION:NONAUSEA:NOPAIN:NO_FEVERS:NO_DIZZINESS;START:0]
[CE:COUNTER_TRIGGER:CAVE_ADAPT:0:NO_END:REQUIRED]
[CE_SKILL_ROLL_ADJUST:PERC:2000:PERC_ON:100:START:0]
[CE:COUNTER_TRIGGER:CAVE_ADAPT:0:NO_END:REQUIRED]
[SECRETION:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:MUSK:LIQUID:BY_TOKEN:BEARD:ALL]
[CREATURE_CLASS:GENERAL_POISON]
[GETS_WOUND_INFECTIONS]
[GETS_INFECTIONS_FROM_ROT]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:PUS:PUS_TEMPLATE]
[PUS:CREATURE_MAT:ANIMAL:PUS:LIQUID]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SILK:SILK_TEMPLATE]
[PHYS_ATT_RATES:STRENGTH:500:NONE:NONE:NONE] --no decay of attributes
[PHYS_ATT_RATES:AGILITY:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[PHYS_ATT_RATES:ENDURANCE:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[PHYS_ATT_RATES:TOUGHNESS:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[PHYS_ATT_RATES:RECUPERATION:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[PHYS_ATT_RATES:DISEASE_RESISTANCE:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:ANALYTICAL_ABILITY:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:CREATIVITY:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:EMPATHY:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:FOCUS:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:INTUITION:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:KINESTHETIC_SENSE:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:LINGUISTIC_ABILITY:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:MEMORY:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:MUSICALITY:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:PATIENCE:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:SOCIAL_AWARENESS:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:SPATIAL_SENSE:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[MENT_ATT_RATES:WILLPOWER:500:NONE:NONE:NONE]
[BENIGN]
[CANOPENDOORS]
[PROFESSION_NAME:HAMMERMAN:hammerdwarf:hammerdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:SPEARMAN:speardwarf:speardwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:CROSSBOWMAN:crossbowdwarf:crossbowdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:AXEMAN:axedwarf:axedwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:SWORDSMAN:swordsdwarf:swordsdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MACEMAN:macedwarf:macedwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:PIKEMAN:pikedwarf:pikedwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:BOWMAN:bowdwarf:bowdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_CROSSBOWMAN:elite crossbowdwarf:elite crossbowdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_BOWMAN:elite bowdwarf:elite bowdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_HAMMERMAN:hammerlord:hammerlords]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_SPEARMAN:spearlord:spearlords]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_AXEMAN:axelord:axelords]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_SWORDSMAN:swordslord:swordslords]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_MACEMAN:macelord:macelords]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_PIKEMAN:pikelord:pikelords]
[PROFESSION_NAME:LASHER:lasherdwarf:lasherdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_LASHER:elite lasherdwarf:elite lasherdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:BLOWGUNMAN:rifledwarf:rifledwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_BLOWGUNMAN:veteran rifledwarf:veteran rifledwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:FARMER:farmworker:farmworkers]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MILLER:archeologist:archeologists]
[PROFESSION_NAME:TANNER:tanner:tanners]
[PROFESSION_NAME:PRESSER:researcher & inventor:researchers & inventors]
[PROFESSION_NAME:POTTER:scribe:scribes]
[PROFESSION_NAME:WAX_WORKER:chandler:chandlers]
[PROFESSION_NAME:STRAND_EXTRACTOR:apostle of armok:apostles of armok]
[PROFESSION_NAME:GLAZER:toolmaker:toolmakers]
[PROFESSION_NAME:HERBALIST:herbalist:herbalists]
[PROFESSION_NAME:SOAP_MAKER:ambassador:ambassadors]
[PROFESSION_NAME:WOOD_BURNER:oven operator:oven operators]
[PROFESSION_NAME:LYE_MAKER:chemist:chemists]
[PROFESSION_NAME:POTASH_MAKER:alchemist:alchemists]
[PROFESSION_NAME:PUMP_OPERATOR:machine operator:machine operators]
[PROFESSION_NAME:FISH_DISSECTOR:fishfarmer:fishfarmers]
[PROFESSION_NAME:ARCHITECT:architect:architects]
[PROFESSION_NAME:PLANTER:farmer:famers]
[PROFESSION_NAME:BEEKEEPER:hivekeeper:hivekeepers]
[PROFESSION_NAME:CLOTHIER:tailor:tailors]
[PROFESSION_NAME:WOODCUTTER:lumberjack:lumberjacks]
[PROFESSION_NAME:THRESHER:miller:millers]
[PROFESSION_NAME:HUNTER:hunter:hunters]
[PROFESSION_NAME:ALCHEMIST:sorcerer:sorcerers]
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:3000]
[BODY_SIZE:1:168:15000]
[BODY_SIZE:12:0:60000]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:STRENGTH:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:AGILITY:150:600:800:900:1000:1100:1500] -
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:TOUGHNESS:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:ANALYTICAL_ABILITY:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:FOCUS:700:1200:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500] ++
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:CREATIVITY:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:PATIENCE:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MEMORY:450:950:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250] +
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:SPATIAL_SENSE:700:1200:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500] ++
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:75:95:98:100:102:105:125]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:500]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:75:95:98:100:102:105:125]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:500]
[SET_BP_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EYE]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:CLOSE_SET:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:DEEP_SET:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:ROUND_VS_NARROW:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:LARGE_IRIS:25:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:30:60:90:110:150:190]
[SET_BP_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:LIP]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:THICKNESS:50:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:lips:PLURAL]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:55:70:90:110:150:190]
[SET_BP_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:NOSE]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:25:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:30:60:90:110:150:190]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:LENGTH:25:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:30:60:90:110:150:190]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:UPTURNED:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:CONVEX:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:nose bridge:SINGULAR]
[SET_BP_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EAR]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:SPLAYED_OUT:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:ears:PLURAL]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HANGING_LOBES:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:ears:PLURAL]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:700]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:ears:PLURAL]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:91:94:98:102:106:109]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:700]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:ears:PLURAL]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:91:94:98:102:106:109]
[SET_BP_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:TOOTH]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:GAPS:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:teeth:PLURAL]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:LENGTH:100:100:100:100:100:100:100] for vampires
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:1000]
[APP_MOD_NOUN:teeth:PLURAL]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:30:60:90:110:150:190]
[SET_BP_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:SKULL]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HIGH_CHEEKBONES:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROAD_CHIN:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:JUTTING_CHIN:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:SQUARE_CHIN:0:70:90:100:110:130:200]
[SET_BP_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:HEAD]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:700]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:91:94:98:102:106:109]
[BP_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[APP_MOD_IMPORTANCE:700]
[APP_MOD_DESC_RANGE:91:94:98:102:106:109]
[MAXAGE:90:110]
[BABY:1]
[GENERAL_BABY_NAME:deep dwarven baby:deep dwarven babies]
[BABYNAME:deep dwarven baby:deep dwarven babies]
[CHILD:5]
[GENERAL_CHILD_NAME:deep dwarven child:deep dwarven children]
[CHILDNAME:deep dwarven child:deep dwarven children]
[EQUIPS]
[CAVE_ADAPT]
[ALL_ACTIVE]
[PROFESSION_NAME:CRAFTSMAN:craftsdwarf:craftsdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:FISHERMAN:fisherdwarf:fisherdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:HAMMERMAN:hammerdwarf:hammerdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:SPEARMAN:speardwarf:speardwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:CROSSBOWMAN:marksdwarf:marksdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:AXEMAN:axedwarf:axedwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:SWORDSMAN:swordsdwarf:swordsdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MACEMAN:macedwarf:macedwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:PIKEMAN:pikedwarf:pikedwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:BOWMAN:bowdwarf:bowdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_CROSSBOWMAN:Elite Marksdwarf:Elite Marksdwarves]
[PROFESSION_NAME:MASTER_BOWMAN:Elite Bowdwarf:Elite Bowdwarves]
[SPEECH:dwarf.txt]
[HOMEOTHERM:10067]
[ALCOHOL_DEPENDENT]
[SWIMS_LEARNED][SWIM_SPEED:2500]
[PERSONALITY:IMMODERATION:0:55:100]
[PERSONALITY:VULNERABILITY:0:45:100]
[PERSONALITY:STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS:0:55:100]
[MANNERISM_FINGERS:finger:fingers]
[MANNERISM_NOSE:nose]
[MANNERISM_EAR:ear]
[MANNERISM_HEAD:head]
[MANNERISM_EYES:eyes]
[MANNERISM_MOUTH:mouth]
[MANNERISM_HAIR:hair]
[MANNERISM_KNUCKLES:knuckles]
[MANNERISM_LIPS:lips]
[MANNERISM_CHEEK:cheek]
[MANNERISM_NAILS:nails]
[MANNERISM_FEET:feet]
[MANNERISM_ARMS:arms]
[MANNERISM_HANDS:hands]
[MANNERISM_TONGUE:tongue]
[MANNERISM_LEG:leg]
[MANNERISM_LAUGH]
[MANNERISM_SMILE]
[MANNERISM_WALK]
[MANNERISM_SIT]
[MANNERISM_BREATH]
[MANNERISM_POSTURE]
[MANNERISM_STRETCH]
[MANNERISM_EYELIDS]
[SPOUSE_CONVERSION_TARGET]
[ATTACK:PUNCH:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:GRASP]
[ATTACK_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:punch:punches]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK:KICK:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:STANCE]
[ATTACK_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:kick:kicks]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:SECOND]
[ATTACK:SCRATCH:CHILD_TISSUE_LAYER_GROUP:BY_TYPE:GRASP:BY_CATEGORY:FINGER:NAIL]
[ATTACK_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:scratch:scratches]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:SECOND]
[ATTACK:BITE:CHILD_BODYPART_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:HEAD:BY_CATEGORY:TOOTH]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:bite:bites]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_CANLATCH]
[CASTE:MALE]
[MALE]
[CASTE:FEMALE]
[FEMALE][MULTIPLE_LITTER_RARE]
[SELECT_CASTE:ALL]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:SKIN]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:WHITE:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:skin:SINGULAR]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EYE:EYE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:IRIS_EYE_RED:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:eyes:PLURAL]
They also require this body part for the beard. They can use it for basic wrestling holds. I considered giving it GRASP as well, but that seemed to be pushing it a bit.
[BODY:TENTACLE_BEARD]
[BP:BEARD:beard:STP][CONTYPE:HEAD][LIMB][CATEGORY:LIP]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:300]