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[Urist_McUrist]

My headcanon is that dwarves carry a specialized microbiota in their beards, some of which produces a dim light (maybe as strong as a kid's glow-in-the-dark toy), and some of which respires oxygen. As dwarves create their dwellings, the microbiota spread from the beards and grow on the walls, taking care of both light and air.

This makes me desperately want dwarves in sealed suits, they make their own air! Space dwarves, undersea dwarves, biohazard suits!

[AzyWng]

Like several before me have said, nightvision may be an innate supernatural ability. Martial trances are available for dwarves, but it hasn't yet been explained.

Edit: I'm so, so sorry.

I had already made this mistake earlier that day, too....

[Salmeuk]

I like to think that dwarves can see in the dark but still enjoy the warmth and light from hearthfires. So when they host a party, they always have a few metal braziers burning coal or wood, perhaps incense. Warming cider?

Also, it would only make sense that dwarves put up torches or light-shafts (via complex mirror engineering for the most jnaccesable parts of the dungeon) for the traders and visitors. It wouldn't do to have some inept human stumbling through the pitch-black major corridors, clogging traffic for the rest. Some sections might remain blackened, both for defensive purposes (a blind goblin is a dead goblin) as well as lack of time/resources.

[Bumber]

Like several before me have said, nightvision may be an innate supernatural ability. Marital trances are available for dwarves, but it hasn't yet been explained.

Again with the marital trances. *shudder*

[Splint]

I'm of the boring "abstracted torches/lanterns" crowd. I just always imagined my dorfs either mounting candles on their hats or lugging around small lamps/torches to do their jobs, while others have wall sconces, light from smelters at work, etc.

 Assuming there isn't some pleasing red light provided by magma channels, that is.

[FrisianDude]

Like several before me have said, nightvision may be an innate supernatural ability. Marital trances are available for dwarves, but it hasn't yet been explained.

Again with the marital trances. *shudder*

Urist dreams of raising a family

[Trappington]

When I think about how dwarves are able to see in the deep tunnels of their fortress, I generally picture torches lining the long mine-shafts, giving off faint, greasy trails of soot that coat the faces of the miners.  Sure dwarfs have better night vision than humans, elves, or goblins, but that doesn't remove their need for some light.  And who, after months of seclusion in a dim, dank fortress wouldn't vomit after stepping out into the blindingly powerful sunlight.

Besides, a need for lighting might give beekeepers a use in the future (for harvesting wax), and that makes it good in my book.

[Crab]

Given humans can also navigate your mines fine, I think the answer can pretty much only be 'abstracted-away light'. Maybe in the future we'll actually need to make sure our fortresses are adequately lit.

[TheHossofMoss]

I thought they just carried lanterns that run on cat tallow wherever they go.

[jontiben]

I used to think that Dwarves had infravision or something, but recently by fortress was visited by a pair of human bards, and they can see fine.

[Shûl-nak]

Magma sunglasses.

[Kneenibble]

When I think about how dwarves are able to see in the deep tunnels of their fortress, I generally picture torches lining the long mine-shafts, giving off faint, greasy trails of soot that coat the faces of the miners.  Sure dwarfs have better night vision than humans, elves, or goblins, but that doesn't remove their need for some light.  And who, after months of seclusion in a dim, dank fortress wouldn't vomit after stepping out into the blindingly powerful sunlight.

Speaking of soot and smoke, I was reading about metallurgy the other day, and trying to imagine what kind of thick horrifying fumes coke smelting would emit... especially in a small unventilated underground room.  Meanwhile, a dead cat is in the hallway for a few days too long and they're all retching over the smell.

[TheHossofMoss]

Magma sunglasses.

Heh.. imagine dwarfs flirting at the Tavern: "Hey baby, you're looking quite... *puts on Magma Sunglasses* ... HOT today."

[Trappington]

When I think about how dwarves are able to see in the deep tunnels of their fortress, I generally picture torches lining the long mine-shafts, giving off faint, greasy trails of soot that coat the faces of the miners.  Sure dwarfs have better night vision than humans, elves, or goblins, but that doesn't remove their need for some light.  And who, after months of seclusion in a dim, dank fortress wouldn't vomit after stepping out into the blindingly powerful sunlight.

Speaking of soot and smoke, I was reading about metallurgy the other day, and trying to imagine what kind of thick horrifying fumes coke smelting would emit... especially in a small unventilated underground room.  Meanwhile, a dead cat is in the hallway for a few days too long and they're all retching over the smell.

So there is someone else who thinks it strange that dwarfs can burn wood or coal without producing smoke of any kind....

Urist McTrappington has been possessed!
Urist McTrappington has claimed a thread on the suggestions page!

[steel jackal]

 Assuming there isn't some pleasing red light provided by magma channels, that is.

thank you for the amazing decoration idea