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[Michael]

Idea: If the Elves propose a tree quota, and you tell them to buzz off, then they will send "spiking teams".

The spiking team is cloaked, like kobold thieves and goblin ambushers.  It is much less likely to be revealed, because it will not approach your dwarves.  Instead, it will go to trees and do ... something ... to them that sets a flag.

If a dwarf attempts to cut a flagged tree, the tree will explode.  You get no log, and there is a small chance your woodcutter will be seriously hurt, needing to rest for a season or more.

To defend against this, you'll need to wall in any forests you want to use, and have guards or traps to keep the spikers out.

(In real life, ecoterrorists can do this by driving metal or ceramic spikes into trees.  But that probably only works on chainsaws, not the medieval logging technology dwarves use.  But we can say that the elves have some kind of magic that does the job on axe wielders...)

[Silverionmox]

Trees don't explode. They just don't.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Warlord255]

Chainsaws only, mate.

Works better if we just have elven death squads, as usual.

[Lord Shonus]

Elves don't use metal. I don't think that driving a *Larch Spike* into a tree is going to bother a dwarven axe in the least.

[Michael]

Elves don't use metal. I don't think that driving a *Larch Spike* into a tree is going to bother a dwarven axe in the least.

I already stipulated that these aren't literal spikes, as it is doubtful that even adamantine spikes would do anything to a hand axe.  Rather, it's some form of magical curse that is analogous to tree spiking in the modern world.

[Grimlocke]

I dont think giving just any race the use of magic is a good idea, especialy not before the magic arc. Magic should be something obscure, rare and difficult to master. Not something any random gaggle of tree huggers could use.

Though enemies leaving traps around your fortress might be a decent idea in general, goblins could use something like caltrops while elves would use something like hole-traps with -Larch spikes-. That could do with some more consideration before making it an actual suggestion though...

[Granite26]

Elves don't use metal. I don't think that driving a *Larch Spike* into a tree is going to bother a dwarven axe in the least.

I already stipulated that these aren't literal spikes, as it is doubtful that even adamantine spikes would do anything to a hand axe.  Rather, it's some form of magical curse that is analogous to tree spiking in the modern world.

I'm not sure if it'd make the game more fun, but it's definitely a neat idea... Sorry more people don't understand what you actually said.

[Qloos]

It would make more sense if the Elf climbed the tree and lived in it, if a dwarf comes near the tree, the elf assumes he's come to harvest the forest and jumps down screaming bloody murder.

[QuakeIV]

It would make more sense if the Elf climbed the tree and lived in it, if a dwarf comes near the tree, the elf assumes he's come to harvest the forest and jumps down screaming bloody murder.

lol

[Shima]

IRL, tree spiking can cause harm or death, but, of course, it's designed to combat automatic tools.

In the case of a hand tool, you quite easily just cut around it.  Indeed, it's entirely possible to cut around it with a chainsaw, you just have to be careful in identifying each spike and where they are - because of the risk, it's deemed impractical in industry logging.

'Course, these are Dwarves we're talking about.  Even if they used chainsaws, they would laugh and do it anyway, because it puts hair on the face and booze in the mug.

I'd say, Elves just start milling around in thickets and fire arrows at incoming loggers.

Of course, being Elves, they could always have some kind of vicious worm or bug creature that they put into the trees and get unleashed when the tree is felled.  I know I remember an old X-Files episode with glowing ticks from out of old trees that sucked the blood from their victims at night and cocooned them.  Obviously, the creature will need to be a beast and not vermin, so that it can be combated.

[Vester]

IRL, tree spiking can cause harm or death, but, of course, it's designed to combat automatic tools.

In the case of a hand tool, you quite easily just cut around it.  Indeed, it's entirely possible to cut around it with a chainsaw, you just have to be careful in identifying each spike and where they are - because of the risk, it's deemed impractical in industry logging.

'Course, these are Dwarves we're talking about.  Even if they used chainsaws, they would laugh and do it anyway, because it puts hair on the face and booze in the mug.

I'd say, Elves just start milling around in thickets and fire arrows at incoming loggers.

Of course, being Elves, they could always have some kind of vicious worm or bug creature that they put into the trees and get unleashed when the tree is felled.  I know I remember an old X-Files episode with glowing ticks from out of old trees that sucked the blood from their victims at night and cocooned them.  Obviously, the creature will need to be a beast and not vermin, so that it can be combated.

I was about seven when I watched that episode. It scared the hell out of me.

How about dwarf spiking? Like, when you start cutting over the quota you agreed on with the elves, an elf ambush stations itself near the trees designated for cutting/closest available trees. Then they ambush your woodcutters/haulers.

[Vattic]

I see what your saying but it might be more fitting if the elves came and woke the trees so that if a dwarf comes along with an axe he leaves with less limbs than he started with.

[JohnieRWilkins]

I see what your saying but it might be more fitting if the elves came and woke the trees so that if a dwarf comes along with an axe he leaves with less limbs than he started with.

... Or more trophies for the trophy room in the case of legendary woodcutters.

Just wait until fortress dwarves gain the ability to set fire to trees. Elves will be completely balled in dense woodlands. (it's like a magma flood, but with less effort)

[Shad0wyone]

I'm just waiting for treants...

[Michael]

I'm just waiting for treants...

They are already in the game.  From raw/objects/creature_standard.txt in 40d:

Code: [Select]

[CREATURE:TREANT]
        [NAME:treant:treants:treantish]
        [TILE:6][COLOR:2:0:0]
        [REMAINS:pulp:pulp][REMAINS_UNDETERMINED][REMAINS_COLOR:6:0:0]
        [GENPOWER:5]
        [GRASSTRAMPLE:0]
        [FREQUENCY:5]
        [NOT_BUTCHERABLE][VEGETATION]
        [NOPAIN][EXTRAVISION][NOBREATHE][NOBLEED][NOSTUN][NONAUSEA][NOEMOTION]
                [NOSTUCKINS][SEVERONBREAKS][NOSKULL][NOSKIN][NOBONES][NOMEAT][NOTHOUGHT][NOEXERT]
        [BUILDINGDESTROYER:2]
        [NOFEAR]
        [PREFSTRING:beauty]
        [HAS_RACEGLOSS:WOOD]
        [ITEMCORPSE:WOOD:NO_SUBTYPE:WOOD:USE_RACEGLOSS]
        [NOSMELLYROT]
        [BODY:HUMANOID_SIMPLE]
        [BODYGLOSS:CLAW_HAND:TRUNK:BRANCH_ARM:LEG_STUMP:ROOTS_FOOT]
        [NO_DRINK][NO_EAT][NO_SLEEP]
        [SIZE:11]
        [ATTACK:MAIN:BYTYPE:GRASP:punch:punches:1:2:BLUDGEON][ATTACKFLAG_WITH]
        [ALL_ACTIVE]
        [STANDARD_FLESH]