How to learn to read

I like this set of tutorials. It's based on the old version but it goes through the steps of building a fortress pretty well.

Unfortunately, there is no way to currently arm companions -- they're stuck with whatever they're generated with.

The sole exception is if they wrestle in combat, and manage to gain possession of an enemy weapon, either from reclaiming a weapon lodged in one of their wounds, or by grabbing the enemy's weapon directly.

However, both situations occur rarely, and cannot be relied upon because your companions don't use any kind of strategy in their attacks, or at least, not a strategy that you can suggest them to use.