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The forgotten beast Oszit Genlathgakit has come! A great skinless dimetrodon. It has a pair of fan-like antennae, and it squirms and fidgets. Beware its deadly spittle.
~ A possible form of a randomly generated megabeast.

The Megabeasts are major antagonists in the indie management simulation game Dwarf Fortress. They are extremely powerful and massive procedurally generated boss creatures.

Due to the procedural generation of the world in the game, coupled with the fact that many elements can be customized by the player, the strength and placement of megabeasts vary greatly.

Megabeasts come in various forms that differ on each playthrough, including variants known as semi-megabeasts. The forgotten beasts and titans can take literally any form imaginable, as they are completely customizable by the game's generation code.

History[]

Depending on the size of the generated world, as well as how many megabeasts are allowed in the game at once, the history generated for megabeasts shows a long kill list and acquire a near god-like reputation for how dangerous they are. It is not entirely clear as to how megabeasts are formed, but given that they can be attached to the spheres of deities, it is possible they were once spawned by deities for an unknown purpose.

All megabeasts claim a lair that act as a nexus for their hunting grounds, killing anyone that is remotely close to their lair. This even includes entire civilizations. It is possible for two megabeasts to reproduce, but the odds of this happening naturally are excruciatingly rare, due to the low likelihood of two megabeasts coming across each other.

The nearly unmatched power of megabeasts will almost always have them winning any encounter throughout history, but they will eventually be killed off due to how chance is calculated in the game. The longer the generated history of a playthrough, the more beasts will exist within it, including how many are defeated.

Gameplay[]

Players do not encounter megabeasts right away, as their dwarf fortress must accumulate a wealth value of 100,000☼ with a population of at least 80 dwarves. Even then, there is a chance that no megabeast will appear at all. Due to the "dice-roll" mechanic of deciding when megabeasts show up, quitting the game and reloading a save from days before a megabeast shows up can cause a completely different megabeast to appear.

After a megabeast attacks a fortress, dwarves may start to worship it in an attempt to appease it. Sadly, this never dissuades the megabeast from doing any damage. It is possible for an undead megabeast to appear, which can happen if the megabeast died in an evil location that resurrects the dead within its area, or if someone with powers of necromancy has something to do with them. This can make megabeasts far more dangerous (depending on what form they have), as undead have increased strength, resilience, feel no pain or exhaustion, but have less speed and virtually no intelligence.

Semi-megabeasts[]

Semi-megabeasts are smaller and less powerful versions of megabeasts, and are generated in the same procedural way as their larger counterparts. The requirements of semi-megabeasts showing up to a fortress is slightly different, as the wealth of a fortress must be 50,000☼, exported wealth also being 50,000☼ and the dwarf population must be at least 50.

Appearance[]

Megabeast sprites

Four possible sprites (out of many) for megabeasts.

With the release of the premium version of the game, it is possible for megabeasts to have an assigned sprite. Unlike most creatures in the game having just one dedicated sprite, megabeasts can have one out of many sprites that is closest to the appearance details the game pre-generated for it. There are 19 possible sprites megabeasts can have. This also includes extra detail sprites, such as feathers, wings, stingers, spikes, etc.

For semi-megabeasts, the concept for having sprites is exactly the same as megabeasts, with the only difference being that the sprites are smaller.

Megabeasts are connected to the spheres of deities, usually evil ones. Their appearance will more or less relate to the aspects and spheres connected to deities said megabeasts they're attached to, which is randomly chosen by the game. For example, a megabeast connected to the spheres of "earth", "jewels" and "dance" may appear as a massive creature made of jet stone embedded with all kinds of gems, with the movement of the beast constantly jumping and dancing around in an odd rhythm.

A megabeast could even be connected to seemingly positive and benevolent spheres, which might even give the beast the look of beauty and/or give off a positive aura, but the beast will still be hostile. If a randomly-generated megabeast is undead, their sprite will appear the same, as there are no unique set of sprites that would visually indiciate that a megabeast is undead. In other words, they will still appear as mysteriously black and shadowy creatures.

Spheres[]

All the spheres in the game - and by extension - possible appearances and mannerisms of megabeasts, can be seen here:

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

Variants[]

In the premium version of the game, every creature listed below has its own graphic sprite, except for the forgotten beast and titan, which will have - as mentioned before - one of 19 sprites given to it based on the pre-generated appearance. If playing the original version of the game (without a graphics set), or if the player has turned on the "classic ASCII" graphics in their options in the premium version, creatures will be represented by a colored letter.

Megabeasts[]

  • Dragon sprite
    Dragon - Represented by a dark green "D" in ASCII/classic mode. Dragons are gigantic, wingless reptiles capable of breathing fire. They are capable of theft and being immune to all types of fire and magma. They also have a strong connection to wealth, as they show up to a fortress when one has accumulated enough of it. The fire they breathe is the hottest thing in the entire game.
  • Hydra sprite
    Hydra - Represented by a red "H" in ASCII/classic mode. Hydras are massive reptilian creatures with seven heads. They possess healing capabilities a hundred times faster than any other creature, and on top of this, never feel pain nor exhaustion, making them painfully difficult to kill.
  • Roc sprite
    Roc - Represented by a white "R" in ASCII/classic mode. Rocs are gigantic birds that steal from and harass entire civilizations. Compared to the four megabeasts that have a non-randomized form, rocs are the least threatening, but are still a great danger to fortresses given their ability to fly and their horrific size.
  • Bronze colossus sprite
    Bronze Colossus - Represented by a dark yellow "C" in ASCII/classic mode. Bronze colossi are gigantic humanoid bronze statues made entirely of metal. Because of this, the damage they take comes from wearing down their metal bodies, rather than hurting them, as they feel no pain. They can only be damaged by steel or adamantine weapons, or by weapons with a low contact-area such as crossbow bolts and whips. Can be smelted or used as a statue once defeated.
  • Forgotten beast - Represented by a randomized letter of any color in ASCII/classic mode, or a randomized black sprite in the premium version; these beasts can take on literally any shape of any kind depending on what the game generates for them. Their attacks and threat level depend on the form they take. They always live underground.
  • Titan - Represented by a randomized letter of any color in ASCII/classic mode, or a randomized black sprite in the premium version; titans are gigantic creatures that take the form of an animal or a generic shape with extra body parts. Their attacks and threat level depend on the form they take. Unlike forgotten beasts, they always live above ground.

Semi-megabeasts[]

  • Cyclops semi
    Cyclops - Represented by a red "C" in gameplay, cyclopes are large, single-eyed humanoids. They can destroy buildings and flatten creatures with ease, but possess no combat skills or tactics.
  • Ettin semi
    Ettin - Represented by a yellow "E" in gameplay, ettins are two-headed humanoids. They are essentially a stronger version of a cyclops and cannot be stunned.
  • Giant df semi
    Giant - Represented by a dark cyan "G" in gameplay, giants are massive, oversized humans capable of destroying buildings. Although they are the largest of the semi-megabeasts, they are not as much of a threat as ettins or minotaurs, as they possess the ability to be stunned and do not have proficient combat skills.
  • Minotaur semi
    Minotaur - Represented by a dark yellow "M" in gameplay, minotaurs are horned, half-man-half-bull humanoids. Like the other semi-megabeasts, they can destroy buildings and have moderately good combat skills. They are found in labyrinths in "Adventure Mode", and appear in "Fortress Mode" under the same circumstances of wealth and population as other semi-megabeasts.

Trivia[]

  • Though excruciatingly rare, a morally-balanced and intelligent megabeast or semi-megabeast can visit a player's fortress under friendly circumstances.
  • Despite being horrifying, randomly procedurally-generated hostile creatures, they are not part of the night creatures.

Gallery[]

Gameplay[]

Artwork[]

These images are example pre-generated forgotten beasts from the playthroughs of other players.

External Links[]

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