Hey, Narhiril, perhaps you could make alchemical researches give a slab of accredition? So it can also contribute to the tech tree advancement?
I have not done this because it would effectively allow you to skip the first tier of the tech tree without unlocking advanced mechanisms and precision tools. From a lore standpoint, it doesn't make sense for the dwarves to be able to create things like the experimental materials workshop without first developing the technologies that it uses, even though these technologies are, for simplicity's sake, not always individually required for each workshop's construction.
You are free to make this modification on your own by tacking the product lines from training workshops onto the alchemical reactions. This should not require a new world to take effect. However, after giving it much thought, I have no plans to officially include this as a feature of the mod - though I appreciate any and all suggestions.
Also, I sort of miss the early bog troll sieges from 0.12 something, where they come at year 2. It adds more challenge to the game. How can I tweak them to attack earlier?
Within the entity_bog.txt file, locate the lines...
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_POPULATION:3]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_PRODUCTION:4]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_TRADE:4]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_POP_SIEGE:3]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_PROD_SIEGE:4]
[PROGRESS_TRIGGER_TRADE_SIEGE:4]
These numbers correspond to in-game values, which you can look up on the wiki under "entity tokens." Lowering the numbers (particularly population) will make them appear earlier. You do not need to gen a new world for these changes to take effect, provided you remember to also modify the save raws.