Gone from the game since v43, back again. I've had a string of failed adventurers this version while getting used to the new threats, experiments and revenants ("intelligent dead" has too many syllables for such a lame term, so I'll just call them "revs" for now on.) I've finally got a successful character, an elf from a human civ, which I haven't done in a long time, and a female character, also haven't done in a long time.
Background: Like most human civs this world, it's actually dominated by centuries old elven and goblin expatriates from elven and goblin civs with centuries old grudges and a lot of bloodlust. These lands have been at constant war for the millennia since time began, with many settlements changing hands in conquests, and many settlements abandoned for no clear reason by their latest occupiers. Outlaws have filled in the voids they leave, providing more security and decency than the major civs did. The nearest dwarven civ is eating itself alive, leaving their many fortresses in blissfully lag-free ruins for me to plunder. There are two goblin civs divided by many intervening nations, yet still war on each other. Also, their demon lord's binding artifacts were conveniently located close to the other's.
My journey so far: I was a faithful and appreciated hearthie for my goblin baron, until I kicked off a loyalty spiral by apprehending a murderer among the keep's staff. When the clergy seized control and the taverns went dry, I headed off to the next largest city I could find. It was a prosperous settlement with >800 years of stability, and after making my name by slaying the local night troll consorts, I was accepted as hearthie by the elven baron there.
War was probably inevitable after I brought back so many artifacts and stored them in the keep. While I was away subverting and slaying goblin forces, one war began and ended, taking the life of my baron. I retired briefly to put a competent puppet on the throne of the capital, but as smooth as he was at interpersonal relations, a self-proclaimed lord just isn't the same as a civ-appointed baron. And forces against my new civ begin amassing for a greater onslaught.
So now I'm taking the fight to them. With me are my companions Xosun "totally not the Gray Fiend Master of the Flies of Slaughter" and Zatthud the Massive Eggplant Master of The Witch of Clasps. Though they were at war, they get along rather well now, probably united in their distrust and loathing of this elven woman who has bent their wills. If I decide to raise hell in the Ardent Roars lands, they would be the best weapons of mass destruction.
EDIT: Lest I forget: the last war took out a lot of ruling council, so I was promoted to Judge. I don't know what they do, I just know that they don't get any cool missions, they don't get a salary, and they don't get any of the cool houses now left vacant by deceased owners. It's what a judge needs -- a tower with all the furniture crowded into one room and no beds.