Just an update to those of you who suggested I try an evil biome again...

(Link to previous post)

Apparently I am a glutton for punishment.

I get what I think is a good setup. Decent location, as much as an evil biome can be. Items arranged, skills sorted, animals in order. Embark, wait for save, designate where I want my miners to start digging.

Unpause.

A pack of twelve or so beak dog corpses appears on the edge of the screen, swarms my dwarves, everyone dies.

I think it lasted.... maybe thirty seconds, if that. A record for me.

I'm gonna try again, since apparently I don't recognize a sign from Armok when I see one.