And now I think I've recognized a problem. Ostrich-men seem like they would rather immediately lose the traits that made them an ostrich. At almost any degree (other than the surreal) they wouldn't have anything different that a chicken-man and that's an awfully large variation to go losing.
Maybe I'm just not seeing enough ways to do it...
Anthropomorphzed creatures carry traits from both humans and the creature they were generated from. In this context, ostrich-men could be built bipedal (since ostrich are bipedal anyway) with stronger legs. The long neck could be shortened a bit, and beak could be kept intact. The eyes should face forward a little and the body should be more elongated and more erect. The hands should be vestigial (like the ostrich's wings), only capable of performing simple tasks and holding simple objects (no comlex weapon usage, maybe rudimentary ones like clubs). They should be able to run very fast and attack with their beak or kick with their strong legs. Feathers could be kept in places, like arms and back, and the legs should be covered with scales. Their intelligence should be faily low, a little more than instinctual, maybe capable of living in tribes.
This is my speculation, and I'm not good with drawing so it's only a description. Also, the level of anthropomorphization could vary, so the resemblance to humans may be greater or lower.
That could be an interesting way of "starting" the world actually.
The Stand: Dwarf Fortress Edition.
I did not mean epidemics in the way of zombie infestation, I meant illnesses like cold, flu or other diseases. I'm maybe partial, but I think the healthcare arc should be expanded a little in the future with quarantines and simple ointments, healing balms or potions made in the alchemist's workshop from various plants, minerals or even bones n stuff. An outbreak of Da Plague could decimate your fortress if you are not careful. Diseases that attack nerves, the blood, even cause blindness or whatever, it could be implemented I guess. Waterborne, airborne via mist or miasma clouds...etc. Even other creatures should be susceptible to them like goblins or even dragons. So if a rickety, off-color dragon drags itself to the gates of your fortress, covered in blisters, collapses and dies, then your dwarfs should think twice before touching the carcass, however valuable it might be.
But now that you mention it, zombification could be caused by a virus in DF, so it's a transmittable disease. Any dwarf or creature coming in contact with a zombie should have a chance of being infected, it's transmitted by blood. Maybe not like 28 Days Later or Zombieland, but that also could be a nice touch: The infected first become nauseated, depressed, express simple flu symptoms, then they flip, go batshit insane filled with rage and start to kill every living thing. They lose all their intelligence, so they no longer able to wield weapons, use tools or anything, only instinct. In turn they get heightened reflexes, speed and strength, they feel no pain and can shrug off injuries, even loss of limbs, and can only be killed by decapitation.
It does not go against the mythology of the game, it provides a nice explanation IMHO. I wonder if these zombies, when caught in traps, could be tamed as warbeasts or for hauling stuff, but I think their volatile nature can cause problems.
Can I breed death ponies?
You mean
pwnies? That could be fun
Author
Topic: Future of the Fortress: List of Remaining Items (Read 3670669 times)