Totem

The totem is used to mark the area which is intended to become a shelter. A new totem will be gifted to the player at level 2, 7, 12 and 17. It can also be bought from the shop, and can be crafted once you have researched master furnishing.

The totem will periodically drive away ghosts, preventing them from trashing your stockpile, and is required to build a shelter.

Shelter

 * See the main article: Shelter.

Tiles will count as lying within a shelter if they meet both conditions below:


 * 1) The tile is in an enclosed area containing a totem. Enclosed areas must have back walls or windows, and not be exposed to open air. Solid blocks, doors, or hatches, can all help enclose an area even if they are physically distant.
 * 2) The tile is within range of the totem. The range of the totem appears to vary between 10 and 20 squares depending on the comfort level of the shelter.

A streak of stars will outline the area the totem has made a shelter. If the shelter is incomplete, the totem will try and mark broken walls with stars but won't mark things like a stockpile or misplaced structures.

Totem's mood
The totem's orb color and mood (facial expression) vary depending on the overall comfort level of the shelter. This affects a dwarf's recovery rate when sleeping on beds.