Hm, I notice OP says "Unable to aquire something. <- oops, don't turn on the economy."
While I'm amused at the idea, in the middle of truthful statements probably should say "they need to obtain a craft; try having them haul some". You noted it later down, but I'm assuming newbies might read the thread.
Extravagant is the clothes one, iirc (easy to fulfil with military).
On a similar note, "Lack of decent meals. <- cooking seeds is something I need to stop." - should probably say "they need to eat their favourite food/booze, positioning matters"
Iirc reading either unable to fight need was filled by merely seeing a wild non-benign animal, but haven't tested myself.
Ditto with "Being away from friends. <- the downside of making friends, they still need time off." should have "dwarves need to see friends and family, even if they don't have any".
@"Unknown if merry making requires a tavern, or if a regular dining hall will suffice.": Regular meeting zones will fulfil most, but not all related needs; some will be only fulfilled by proper group activities. I don't recall off the top of my head which were which (no longer few months into DF, can start forgetting things now).
Excellent, yes, those were mine and I have learned much since.
Away from people. <- dwarfs need company, tavern works, military will sort this eventually with
Socialise! if off duty.
Unoccupied. <- dorfs need work, or a barracks for training, or probably anything to do.
Unexciting life. <- many dorfs like trouble, get them in the military.
Unable to aquire something. <- stockpiling goods lets them do this, either monthly production or some dump/reclaims.
Kept from alcohol. <- obviously, dorfs like booze, there's a lot of happy thoughts for booze and mugs.
Lack of decent meals. <- ARGH! Dorfs need specific body part from specific liked creature, will seek out if available, very hard to fill.
Unable to fight. <- angry dorfs get happy thoughts from starting fights, but military action should work too.
Lack of trouble-making. <- seriously, this guy, exporting determined criminals can help ...
Unable to argue. <- that's another possible happy thought for a couple angry dorfs.
Not learning anything. <- LIBRARIES! And scholars to produce new things to learn in the long term.
Unable to help anybody. <- everyone bringing him water and food avoids this one, most dorfs don't care.
Unable to make merry. <- any time spent at a meeting place or tavern, maybe with a group activity.
Unable to admire art. <- come on, it's a lovely cage. Engrave stuff, just beware hated creatures.
Unable to practice a craft. <- lots of dorfs need a craft job, over a few years this one gets bad.
Being away from friends. <- they need this even if they have no friends with which to satisfy it! Making friends needs close contact at least.
Unable to practice a martial art. <- lots and lots of dorfs want to be in the military, others hate the draft.
Unable to practice a skill. <- skill rust, they all hate rust.
Unable to take it easy. <- no time off, dorfs must have time off, busy industries must have an excess in workers.
Unable to pray to Kikrost. <- temples, just so important. Not at all optional, it's a big happy thought and they hate not getting it.
The friends one, I'm still finding it difficult. It's like that acquaintance step, and the one above it, they're just decaying a bit quicker than they grow for most dorfs. And military seem doomed for so many needs once they hit legend and stop doing anything but training. Can't haul for acquire, won't spend time with friends and family unless I kick the squad out of the barracks, they never practice a craft again but still need to.
But outside military legends (who hold up OK with the willpower pumped up) and long term prisoners (who are doomed, they will get angry and go straight back inside
) they're all pretty happy these days. The survivors, that is. Oh, right, survivor bias. Yes, the dead ones aren't alright, are they.