So, I've been working on this fortress for quite a while, but I'm more or less done now. I want to revisit the place in Adventure mode to steal the precious artifacts that I've made, but I know that I'm going to get the scatter if I abandon the place. What can I do to minimize scatter? Is there anything I can modify NOW that would save me, or would I have had to change values before my fortress started?
Lead or platinum bins stay almost exactly where they were when you abandon. Another option is to simply leave the items in their workshop, forge, or Trade Depot as they'll stay there. Don't sleep on the site though or they will move around.
That's not an option for artifacts though. Artifacts can only be permanently removed from a site if they're in a bin and will only remain in your possession if the bin is as well. Otherwise, they'll simply vanish the minute that they're dropped. Because of this, artifact furniture cannot be moved from the fortress it was created in.
Finished Goods, Weapons, and Armor most certainly can be though and can be duplicated as many times as you wish by removing the item from the bin while it is in your backpack. The original will stay in the bin, but the duplicates will appear in your hands. They disappear if dropped or if the bin is dropped though so you can't permanently create more artifacts by doing this. Because of this, you're actually better off placing artifacts that can be worn or used within a really light bin, Adamantine or Featherwood, and hunting for it since it won't burden your adventurer to carry it.