v50 Steam/Premium information for editors
  • v50 information can now be added to pages in the main namespace. v0.47 information can still be found in the DF2014 namespace. See here for more details on the new versioning policy.
  • Use this page to report any issues related to the migration.
This notice may be cached—the current version can be found here.

Difference between revisions of "Sphere"

From Dwarf Fortress Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Reorganized information, added {{clear}} to make sphere token table wider.)
m (→‎Sphere tokens: Linking to prior research on sphere-symbol relationships.)
Line 34: Line 34:
 
According to Toady: "''Spheres have a parent/child list, a friend list, and a preclude list. A deity has either one or two base spheres, and then they pick friends of those spheres, while never choosing a precluded or parent/child sphere of any of the spheres they already have. I tried to be pretty lax with the preclude list so that interesting relationships could pop up.''"
 
According to Toady: "''Spheres have a parent/child list, a friend list, and a preclude list. A deity has either one or two base spheres, and then they pick friends of those spheres, while never choosing a precluded or parent/child sphere of any of the spheres they already have. I tried to be pretty lax with the preclude list so that interesting relationships could pop up.''"
  
As extracted from the [[string dump]], the spheres available are [[40d:sphere|unchanged from 40d]]; their relationships with each other may also be unchanged.
+
As extracted from the [[string dump]], the spheres available are [[40d:sphere|unchanged from 40d]]; their relationships with each other as well as their [[40d Talk:Sphere|associated]] naming [[Language#language_SYM.txt|symbols]] may also be unchanged.
  
 
[[Creature token#SPHERE|Creatures]] and [[Inorganic material definition token#SPHERE|inorganic materials]] can be assigned spheres with the [SPHERE:] token.
 
[[Creature token#SPHERE|Creatures]] and [[Inorganic material definition token#SPHERE|inorganic materials]] can be assigned spheres with the [SPHERE:] token.

Revision as of 20:02, 13 April 2024

This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.

A graph showing the connections between all the spheres. A thin line represents a friendship, a thick line a parent/child-relationship, and a red line preclusion.

A sphere is an aspect where a being has influence. Deities, forces, angels, demons, megabeasts, semi-megabeasts, forgotten beasts and titans may be associated with one or more spheres, and civilizations may prefer certain spheres when selecting creatures to worship. There are currently a total of 130 spheres.

Understanding spheres

A being such as a deity, demon or megabeast may come to represent or epitomize certain things like emotions, qualities, terrain types, and items, which are called "spheres". As an example from real-world mythology, the Greek goddess Athena is goddess in the "spheres" of wisdom, warfare, handicrafts and reason.

Gods and adored megabeasts can grant secrets related to their spheres. In unmodded Dwarf Fortress, this means that death gods can teach the secret of life and death to their worshipers, turning them into necromancers.

Dwarves and other creatures will come to worship certain "powerful beings" and, as such, will follow the "religion", and have a relationship with its "deity".

A historical figure with associated spheres that generates in the wild or as a god will be named after its spheres. The symbols associated with the sphere will be used to generate first names, compound names, and titles. If an interaction from a deity creates an artifact, then that artifact will be named using the spheres of the god who gave the blessing.

Creatures with pre-determined spheres

While many procedurally generated creatures in Dwarf Fortress are given random spheres upon creation, there are others who have static spheres, which remain constant across all save files:

Sphere tokens


According to Toady: "Spheres have a parent/child list, a friend list, and a preclude list. A deity has either one or two base spheres, and then they pick friends of those spheres, while never choosing a precluded or parent/child sphere of any of the spheres they already have. I tried to be pretty lax with the preclude list so that interesting relationships could pop up."

As extracted from the string dump, the spheres available are unchanged from 40d; their relationships with each other as well as their associated naming symbols may also be unchanged.

Creatures and inorganic materials can be assigned spheres with the [SPHERE:] token.

Secrets use any number of [IS_SPHERE] tokens to determine what spheres it is available to.

Available sphere tokens are:

Sphere Parent spheres Child spheres Friend spheres Precluded spheres Associated string and properties Symbols
AGRICULTURE FOOD, FERTILITY, RAIN it looks constantly to the sky for rain FOOD, NATURE
ANIMALS NATURE FISH PLANTS it growls, buzzes, clicks and generally makes a varied racket NATURE, PRIMITIVE
ART DANCE, MUSIC, PAINTING,
POETRY, SONG
INSPIRATION, BEAUTY it is decorated with intricate patterns FLOWERY, THOUGHT
BALANCE it is perfectly symmetric BALANCE
BEAUTY ART BLIGHT, DEFORMITY, DISEASE, MUCK it is strikingly beautiful FLOWERY
BIRTH CHILDREN, CREATION, FAMILY, MARRIAGE,
PREGNANCY, REBIRTH, YOUTH
it is covered with a filmy sac NEW
BLIGHT DISEASE, DEATH BEAUTY, FOOD, FERTILITY, HEALING nearby vegetation seem(sic) to shrink away from it DEATH, UGLY
BOUNDARIES COASTS the pieces of its body are carefully separated by markings BOUNDARY
CAVERNS MOUNTAINS, EARTH its moans seem to echo no matter where it resides NAME_CAVE
CHAOS WAR DISCIPLINE, ORDER, LAWS it spins wildly, lurching and howling VIOLENT, WILD
CHARITY GENEROSITY, SACRIFICE JEALOUSY it seems very pleasant GOOD
CHILDREN BIRTH, FAMILY, YOUTH, PREGNANCY it never misses an opportunity to jump in puddles NEW
COASTS BOUNDARIES LAKES, OCEANS it appears to be covered with rocky crags AQUATIC
CONSOLATION MISERY it radiates a sad kindness GOOD, PEACE
COURAGE VALOR it makes those around it feel brave ASSERTIVE
CRAFTS CREATION, LABOR, METALS it appears constructed ARTIFICE
CREATION CRAFTS, BIRTH, PREGNANCY, REBIRTH small objects seem to pop into existence around it NEW
DANCE ART FESTIVALS, MUSIC, REVELRY it whirls, skips and jumps whenever it moves DANCE, FLOWERY
DARKNESS NIGHT DAWN, DAY, LIGHT, TWILIGHT, SUN it is difficult to see clearly even in bright light DARKNESS, MYSTERY
DAWN SUN, TWILIGHT NIGHT, DAY, DARKNESS it always turns to welcome the rise of the sun COLOR, LIGHT
DAY LIGHT, SUN DARKNESS, NIGHT, DAWN, DUSK
DREAMS, NIGHTMARES, TWILIGHT
it hums pleasantly when the sun is high in the sky LIGHT
DEATH BLIGHT, DISEASE, MURDER,
REBIRTH, SUICIDE, WAR
HEALING, LONGEVITY, YOUTH it has a rattling exhale DEATH
DEFORMITY DISEASE BEAUTY its body is bent and misshapen UGLY
DEPRAVITY LUST LAWS it slavers uncontrollably EVIL, WILD
DISCIPLINE LAWS, ORDER CHAOS it moves with great focus ORDER
DISEASE BLIGHT, DEATH, DEFORMITY BEAUTY, HEALING it bears malodorous pustules
[ODOR_STRING:death][ODOR_LEVEL:100]
DEATH, UGLY
DREAMS NIGHT, NIGHTMARES DAY the details of its form are easily forgotten without deliberate concentration MYSTERY
DUSK TWILIGHT NIGHT, DAY it never looks toward the sun DARKNESS, MYSTERY
DUTY ORDER it is utterly still when not taking deliberate action LEADER
EARTH METALS, MINERALS, SALT CAVERNS, MOUNTAINS, VOLCANOS it looks very solid and stocky EARTH
FAMILY BIRTH, CHILDREN, MARRIAGE, PREGNANCY it appears to be closely related to every other of its kind DOMESTIC, FAMILY
FAME RUMORS SILENCE Fanfare follows it wherever it goes ASSERTIVE, LEADER
FATE LUCK it never appears to be perturbed or surprised by any happening MYSTERY, MYTHIC
FERTILITY AGRICULTURE, FOOD, RAIN BLIGHT it appears to be very healthy NEW
FESTIVALS DANCE, MUSIC, REVELRY, SONG MISERY it skips and twirls as it moves DOMESTIC, FESTIVAL
FIRE METALS, SUN, VOLCANOS WATER, OCEANS, LAKES, RIVERS a sheen around it always seems to rise upward FIRE
FISH ANIMALS OCEANS, LAKES, RIVERS, WATER, FISHING it only looks comfortable when it is in the water AQUATIC, NATURE
FISHING FISH, HUNTING it always moves carefully around water AQUATIC, NATURE
FOOD AGRICULTURE, FERTILITY BLIGHT it has the delicious smell of freshly-baked goods
[ODOR_STRING:freshly-baked goods][ODOR_LEVEL:100]
FOOD
FORGIVENESS MERCY REVENGE it is impossible to hold a grudge near it GOOD, PROTECT
FORTRESSES WAR it is very sturdy-looking PROTECT
FREEDOM ORDER it eagerly moves from place to place FREEDOM
GAMBLING GAMES, LUCK it changes between two colors intermittently GAMES, LUCK, WEALTH
GAMES GAMBLING, LUCK it giggles at random GAMES
GENEROSITY CHARITY, SACRIFICE it makes those around it want to give up their possessions GOOD
HAPPINESS REVELRY MISERY it seems to smile constantly GOOD
HEALING DISEASE, BLIGHT, DEATH it is surrounded by a gentle atmosphere GOOD, PEACE
HOSPITALITY it radiates an aura of welcoming DOMESTIC, GOOD, PEACE
HUNTING FISHING it inspects the ground intently as it moves PRIMITIVE, WILD
INSPIRATION ART, PAINTING, POETRY flashes of energy pulse across its surface intermittently THOUGHT
JEALOUSY CHARITY it appears to be a very bitter creature EVIL, SUBORDINATE
JEWELS MINERALS, WEALTH its whole body appears to be faceted in a symmetric fashion COLOR, EARTH
JUSTICE LAWS it seems eager to pronounce judgment on others GOOD, PROTECT
LABOR CRAFTS it appears very deliberate in its actions ARTIFICE, DOMESTIC
LAKES WATER COASTS, FISH, OCEANS, RIVERS FIRE it moves ponderously AQUATIC, NAME_LAKE
LAWS DISCIPLINE, JUSTICE, OATHS, ORDER CHAOS, DEPRAVITY, MURDER, THEFT it has a very stark look about it ORDER, PROTECT, RESTRAIN
LIES TREACHERY, TRICKERY TRUTH it seems unerringly honest if one does not concentrate EVIL, MYSTERY
LIGHT DAY, RAINBOWS, SUN DARKNESS, TWILIGHT it returns surrounding light with a new vibrance and intensity COLOR, LIGHT
LIGHTNING WEATHER RAIN, STORMS, THUNDER it crackles with energy ASSERTIVE, LIGHT, WILD
LONGEVITY YOUTH DEATH it always seems to be looking far into the distance OLD
LOVE it stares longingly at those nearby ROMANTIC
LOYALTY OATHS TREACHERY it never abandons its companions GOOD, PROTECT
LUCK GAMBLING, GAMES FATE it changes direction suddenly at times LUCK
LUST DEPRAVITY it has an unnerving stare PRIMITIVE, ROMANTIC
MARRIAGE BIRTH, FAMILY, OATHS, PREGNANCY it heckles those it meets that are not married FLOWERY, ROMANTIC
MERCY FORGIVENESS REVENGE it always seems like it is on the verge of crying GOOD, PROTECT
METALS EARTH CRAFTS, FIRE, MINERALS it appears to have sharp shimmering edges on many parts of its body EARTH
MINERALS EARTH JEWELS, METALS it has an angular appearance EARTH
MISERY TORTURE CONSOLATION, FESTIVALS, REVELRY, HAPPINESS it has a distinctly depressing moan NEGATIVE
MIST it is difficult to see clearly MYSTERY
MOON NIGHT, SKY it changes color with the phases of the moon DARKNESS, LIGHT, MYSTERY
MOUNTAINS CAVERNS, EARTH, VOLCANOS it is very solidly built EARTH, NAME_MOUNTAINS
MUCK BEAUTY there is a foul reek about it PRIMITIVE, UGLY
MURDER DEATH LAWS it cannot abide anything that lives DEATH, EVIL
MUSIC ART DANCE, FESTIVALS, REVELRY, SONG SILENCE it sounds clear tones as its body moves in time FLOWERY, MUSIC
NATURE ANIMALS, PLANTS RAIN, SUN, WATER, WEATHER it seems most at ease when it is outdoors NATURE
NIGHT DARKNESS, DREAMS, MOON, NIGHTMARES, STARS DAY, DAWN, DUSK, TWILIGHT it eerily reflects the light of the stars and moon DARKNESS
NIGHTMARES DREAMS, NIGHT DAY it reminds those that look upon it of their most unpleasant memories DEATH, EVIL, MYSTERY, UGLY, VIOLENT
OATHS LAWS, LOYALTY, MARRIAGE TREACHERY it cannot look directly at somebody that has broken an oath ORDER, PROTECT
OCEANS WATER COASTS, FISH, LAKES, RIVERS, SALT FIRE it always raises a part of its body toward the moon AQUATIC, NAME_OCEAN
ORDER DISCIPLINE, DUTY, LAWS CHAOS, FREEDOM it moves very stiffly ORDER
PAINTING ART INSPIRATION its surface is always enlivened with a refreshing play of color COLOR, FLOWERY
PEACE it has an incredibly calm demeanor PEACE
PERSUASION POETRY, SPEECH it rocks back and forth whenever somebody changes their mind in its presence ASSERTIVE
PLANTS NATURE TREES ANIMALS, RAIN it always seems to point toward the sun when it is in the sky NATURE
POETRY ART INSPIRATION, PERSUASION, SONG, WRITING it recites verses in a strange language on occasion FLOWERY, THOUGHT
PREGNANCY BIRTH, CHILDREN, CREATION, FAMILY, MARRIAGE it appears to be expecting NEW, ROMANTIC
RAIN WATER, WEATHER AGRICULTURE, FERTILITY, LIGHTNING,
NATURE, PLANTS, RAINBOWS,
STORMS, THUNDER, TREES
it leaves water wherever it goes AQUATIC, SKY
RAINBOWS WEATHER LIGHT, RAIN, SKY it is strikingly colored COLOR, SKY
REBIRTH BIRTH, CREATION, DEATH it alternates from instant to instant between sluggishness and extreme vibrancy NEW
REVELRY DANCE, FESTIVALS, HAPPINESS, MUSIC, SONG MISERY it moves with a bouncing rhythm FESTIVAL, GOOD, WILD
REVENGE FORGIVENESS, MERCY it has a fixed and unblinking gaze when interacting VIOLENT
RIVERS WATER FISH, LAKES, OCEANS FIRE its outer surface seems to flow about its body AQUATIC
RULERSHIP it is hard to disobey LEADER
RUMORS FAME it always nods eagerly when somebody is speaking MYSTERY
SACRIFICE CHARITY, GENEROSITY WEALTH it inspires those around it to acts of great sacrifice PROTECT
SALT EARTH OCEANS it makes nearby water undrinkable NAME_OCEAN
SCHOLARSHIP WISDOM, WRITING it always seems to be deep in thought THOUGHT
SEASONS its form is ever-changing NATURE
SILENCE FAME, MUSIC it makes absolutely no sound SILENCE, PEACE
SKY MOON, RAINBOWS, SUN, STARS, WEATHER, WIND it has a slowly shifting pattern on its surface SKY
SONG ART FESTIVALS, MUSIC, POETRY, REVELRY it sings beautiful songs endlessly FLOWERY, MUSIC
SPEECH PERSUASION it pays attention carefully to anybody that is speaking FLOWERY, THOUGHT
STARS NIGHT, SKY it appears to sparkle after night falls SKY, MYSTERY
STORMS WEATHER LIGHTNING, RAIN, THUNDER its movement is the sound of wind and rain ASSERTIVE, SKY, WILD,
STRENGTH it looks solidly built ASSERTIVE, LEADER
SUICIDE DEATH it mutters to itself about death DEATH
SUN DAWN, DAY, FIRE, LIGHT, NATURE, SKY DARKNESS it is difficult to look at directly ASSERTIVE, LIGHT, SKY
THEFT LAWS, TRADE it always seems to have its attention on the most valuable object in the area EVIL, MYSTERY
THRALLDOM its movements sound like the rattling of chains LEADER, SUBORDINATE
THUNDER WEATHER LIGHTNING, RAIN, STORMS it is incredibly noisy SKY, WILD
TORTURE MISERY it appears to be covered with sharp hooks and barbs EVIL
TRADE WEALTH THEFT it seems most content when a fair wind is blowing TRADE, TRAVEL
TRAVELERS it never stops moving completely TRADE, TRAVEL
TREACHERY LIES, TRICKERY LOYALTY, OATHS it is unsettling to be around EVIL, MYSTERY
TREES PLANTS RAIN it is top-heavy NATURE, NAME_FOREST
TRICKERY LIES, TREACHERY TRUTH it has a tendency to laugh quietly to itself every so often MYSTERY
TRUTH LIES, TRICKERY it tenses up throughout its entire body whenever somebody tells a falsehood in its presence GOOD, TRUTH
TWILIGHT DAWN, DUSK LIGHT, DARKNESS, DAY, NIGHT it chitters briefly before sunrise and just after nightfall DARKNESS, MYSTERY
VALOR COURAGE WAR it always tries to embolden any fighting in its presence with exhortations of bravery, even its foes ASSERTIVE, VIOLENT
VICTORY WAR it looks very proud of itself ASSERTIVE, LEADER
VOLCANOS EARTH, FIRE, MOUNTAINS it seems to glow brightly from within FIRE, NAME_VOLCANO
WAR CHAOS, DEATH, FORTRESSES, VALOR, VICTORY it bellows and cheers without pause ASSERTIVE, VIOLENT
WATER LAKES, OCEANS, RIVERS, RAIN FISH, NATURE FIRE it seems to flow as it moves AQUATIC
WEALTH JEWELS, TRADE SACRIFICE it always seems to be counting something WEALTH
WEATHER LIGHTNING, RAIN, RAINBOWS,
STORMS, THUNDER, WIND
NATURE, SKY it changes appearance based on the clouds and precipitation above SKY
WIND WEATHER SKY it is surrounded by an everpresent rush of wind ASSERTIVE, SKY, WILD
WISDOM SCHOLARSHIP it acts with unwavering calm THOUGHT
WRITING POETRY, SCHOLARSHIP it is covered with divine writing THOUGHT
YOUTH BIRTH, CHILDREN, LONGEVITY DEATH it appears spry and vigorous ASSERTIVE, NEW