Dragonfire-soaked artifact sparks mercenary combustion in Dwarf Fortress

On the Dwarf Fortress subreddit, user waffle569 reported a strange bug: each time they load their save, a returning squad of human mercenaries bursts into flames as they reenter the map. Their arrival also coincides with the yearly elven trade caravan, which is incinerated along with the produce waffle569 needs for beer: "I need those crops for my beer." The squad had been sent to salvage items from the ruins of a fortress destroyed by a dragon's fiery rampage 10 in-game years earlier.

waffle569 suggested, "My theory is that the items picked up by 'Josh' (or whatever the long folk call themselves) is still technically on fire from the first save. And once the item enters a live game, the fire resumes. Or maybe I'm cursed." Replies pointed to artifact items—named masterworks that are nearly indestructible but can remain on fire.

The game saves item characteristics, including temperature, when a region stops simulating, and only applies their effects again when the item returns to an active region.

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