Basically when you make a task in dwarf fortress that requires a character in the game to do something, it gets added to a global jobs list. Dwarves will, assu

Basically when you make a task in dwarf fortress that requires a character in the game to do something, it gets added to a global jobs list. Dwarves will, assuming they don't have other jobs at the time, pick a job from that list as long as they're allowed to do so by their labor selections + workshop availability (if that is possible). Do note that this doesn't actually account for pathfinding or if the job is even possible. The game will gladly tell you over and over that a job is being cancelled if for whatever reason the items needed for it are inaccessible/don't exist. Just a small note. If the dwarf in question has no current jobs, the first priority will be for them to check their needs and try to fulfill them. Needs more or less are in two categories - "essential" and "non-essential". Non-essential needs used to be more obvious - it was the On Break part of a dwarfs schedule. Basically every once in a while, a dwarf goes "On Break", effectively making them unable to do anything except take care of their essential needs. Nowadays it's a set of activities derived from the unique identity of the dwarf (On Break doesn't exist anymore) - religious dwarves will want to play, while dwarves that seek musical entertainment will try to do so with a musical instrument. Essential needs on the other hand are things like drinking/eating and sleeping. These pretty much come in two degrees, "want" to do and "need" to do. Want to do means the dwarf will immediately get a job to fulfill the need once the criteria are hit - if a dwarf gets hungry while hauling a rock, they'll grab a bite to eat after. When a need progresses to "need to do", it just will straight up interrupt any non-need job they're currently doing[0] (the game even tells you this) and create a new job to do it. Its how a dwarf will fall asleep on the spot if they're extremely tired. Mental breakdown and tantrums are similarly "essential" needs, just with their own triggers that can't be interrupted by the player. [0]: With the notable exception of military duties, which is one of the reasons militias in Dwarf Fortress have to be on a rotating schedule - dwarves will not eat or drink if they're on active duty, no matter what. They will sleep in a barracks though.