I've been modding DF for personal use for since about the time the Z-level update was released and I've always looked for new ways to make use of the raws to improve on DF. Both in practical terms, like adding all stones into a reaction to make them selectable in the Z menu stones list, which by the way I did already a little while after the Z level revolution before I encountered a mod with a similar effect, but I've also looked for creative ways to add new content, the example to give in this regard is my "aquari" mineral, which is a mineral found in all layers that at a certain depth starts to behave like a localized aquifer, giving the player both an unlimited source of water, but also a way to dispose of said water since aquifers "suck" surplus water in, a great way to add those waterfalls you've been dreaming about to your fortress.
Another thing I've done is increase the growth duration([GROWDUR:X]) tag's value on plants to create a more realistic agriculture. Toady One has said that a season is about 300-400 what-ever-growthdur-is-calculated-in, so a year would be 1200-1500. Note that, though plants can grow several seasons, they must be harvested within the season they matured or they'll be destroyed IIRC. I've given my plants a growthdur of 900 and made the planting season spring for most plants. Together with a cluster value of 1, its no longer that easy to get a z-level full of food and alcohol.
So, what have
you created in the raws that's worth mentioning for its creativity?
Raws entries for the aquari mineral:
mineral matgloss:
[MATGLOSS_STONE:AQUARI]
[NAME:aquari][STONE_NAME:aquari shards][COLOR:3:1:1][TILE:240] easily differentiated from the surroundings
[ENVIRONMENT:SEDIMENTARY:CLUSTER_SMALL:50]
[ENVIRONMENT:METAMORPHIC:CLUSTER_SMALL:50]
[ENVIRONMENT:IGNEOUS_ALL:CLUSTER_SMALL:50]
[ITEM_SYMBOL:'#']
[METAL_ORE:AQUARI_GLASS:100]
[SOLID_DENSITY:2320]
[AQUIFER] the essential tag, works anywhere, except above the average ground level
[VALUE:5]
metal matgloss:
[MATGLOSS_METAL:AQUARI_SILVER]
[NAME:aquari silver][ADJ:aquari silver][COLOR:3:1:0]
[VALUE:40] difficulty should mean greater rewards
[WEAPON][WEAPON_RANGED][AMMO][DIGGER][ARMOR]
[SPEC_HEAT:230]
[DAMAGE_PERC:150]
[BLOCK_PERC:125]
[MELTING_POINT:11731]
[BOILING_POINT:13892]
[SOLID_DENSITY:11590]
[DEEP]
[MATGLOSS_METAL:AQUARI_GLASS]
[NAME:aquari glass][ADJ:aquari glass][COLOR:3:1:0]
[VALUE:7]
[SPEC_HEAT:230]
[BRITTLE]
[MELTING_POINT:11731]
[BOILING_POINT:13892]
[SOLID_DENSITY:2320]
Reaction entry(don't add this and the aquari silver metal entry if you don't want the extra alloy):
[REACTION:AUQARI_SILVER_MAKING]
[NAME:make aquari silver bars]
[SMELTER]
[REAGENT:2:BAR:NO_SUBTYPE:METAL:SILVER]
[REAGENT:1:BAR:NO_SUBTYPE:METAL:AQUARI_GLASS]
[PRODUCT:100:1:BAR:NO_SUBTYPE:METAL:AQUARI_SILVER]
[FUEL]