Dwarf Fortress may be incredibly realistic, with stones and rocks and gems appearing in their geographically accurate locations, however it is not without the supernatural. Strangely, a dwarf of yours may become possessed, as will be relayed to your via an alert. Do not panic, however, as possessed dwarves can be dealt with. Here is what to do if a dwarf becomes possessed.
How to deal with possession in Dwarf Fortress
Why do dwarves become possessed?
There are many strange moods in Dwarf Fortress, one of which is when a dwarf becomes possessed. An alert will tell you when this happens, and you can recentre the camera to locate the possessed dwarf. Like some of the other strange moods, dwarves becoming possessed is a matter of RNG. A dwarf may become possessed at any time.
Related: How to Break Walls and Remove Structures in Dwarf Fortress
What possessed dwarves do
Possessed dwarves will stop interacting with other dwarves and will stop eating and drinking. They will immediately claim a workshop for themselves, and they will remain there to complete an artifact. You cannot remove them from the workshop and no other dwarf will be able to use it, so if they take your only workshop, you’ll have to build another.
Possessed dwarves will need certain materials to create their artifact, which they will ask for in cryptic messages. It is up to you to make sure the materials are available, and if they are, then they’ll start muttering nonsense.
When they start muttering nonsense, then that is your cue to leave them for a while to finish their artifact. If they do not start completion within a few months, they’ll go insane and die.
The artifact will be a legendary one, and they will name it themselves. This will alleviate the possession.
So, you can either wait for the dwarf to go insane and die, or help the possessed dwarf accomplish its task. You’ll get a sweet mythical artifact after the ordeal if you help them.
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