Difference between revisions of "Pixie"

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A pixie is a one of several nymph-based monsters introduced in [[SLASH'EM]]. While it has only one seduction attack to the nymph's two, it is slightly faster, has a significantly lower armor class, and is always generated [[Invisibility|invisible]].
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A '''pixie''', {{monsym|pixie}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]] and [[Hack'EM]]. The pixie is a [[tiny]] [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]] that is [[inediate]] and can [[see invisible]], and will seek out [[gold]] and other items to pick up.
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A pixie has a single damaging item theft attack.
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Unlike most nymph monsters, eating a pixie's [[corpse]] or [[tin]] does not convey [[teleportitis]].
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==Generation==
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Randomly generated pixies are always created [[invisible]] and hostile, and are not randomly generated in [[Gehennom]].
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Pixies are generated asleep {{frac|4|5}} of the time unless you have the [[Amulet of Yendor]], in which case they will always be generated awake.
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Four to eight pixies are generated in the [[Lawful Quest]] within the forest where [[Nightmare]] dwells, and may be among the nymphs that are generated on the [[nymph level]]. Pixies appear among the random {{white|n}} that art part of the first [[quest]] [[monster class]] for [[Rogue]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Rogue quest]].
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Pixies have a {{frac|2}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a [[mirror]], and an independent {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a [[potion of object detection]].{{refsrc|makemon.c|1080|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Like [[nymph|nymphs]] in vanilla NetHack, pixies are always generated asleep. Unfortunately, this is not so useful, as it is quite easy to blunder into them if you can't see them. Once they are awake, they are a major threat, as they are quite likely to steal an item and [[teleport]] away before you can respond. Fortunately, they have only one theft attack. To fight them, you need a means to see them. The best way is to have [[see invisible]], either through the [[ring of see invisible|ring]], [[potion of see invisible|potion]], or intrinsically. Failing that, a somewhat easier option for a low-level character is to have [[telepathy]] and a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]]. Once you have a means of detecting them, they are no more threat than a usual nymph; their lack of a second seduction attack more than makes up for their slightly increased speed and better AC as compared to normal nymphs.
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A pixie has only one item-stealing attack, but has 15 speed and better based [[AC]] than the standard nymph. This makes them a major nuisance once awakened: they are quite likely to steal an item and [[teleport]] away before you can respond, and appear early enough that most characters will generally lack a means to see invisible monsters or otherwise detect them beforehand. Intrinsic [[telepathy]] combined with a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] is one method of spotting pixies.
==Encyclopedia Entry==
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Once you can see them, pixies are no more of a threat than the usual nymphs - they cannot steal as many items as often and are weak enough that you can usually bring them down quickly, being slightly more difficult to hit at most.
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===As a polyform===
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Pixies can be a decent early polyform for [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]] characters: while too small to wear armor or wield weapons and unable to open [[door]]s, their speed makes escapes from hostile monsters much easier, and can be useful to line yourself up with a distant monster for an attack. A pixie's size can also be used to shrink yourself out of any cursed armor you may be wearing. If you are willing to take the risk, you can use their attack to steal especially nasty weapons, armor and/or wands from monsters.
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==History==
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The pixie first appears in [[SLASH 6]].
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==Origin==
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{{wikipedia}}
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A pixie is a mythical creature of British folklore, speculated to be particularly concentrated in the high moorland areas around Devon and Cornwall (which suggests some Celtic origins). Similar to the Irish and Scottish Aos Sí (or "Aos Sidhe"), pixies are believed to inhabit ancient underground sites such as stone circles and barrows.
  
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In traditional regional lore, pixies are generally benign if mischievous, and are short of stature; they are typically childlike and fond of dancing and wrestling outdoors throughout the night. Traditional stories describe them as wearing dirty, ragged bundles of rags, which they discard for gifts containing new clothes; in the modern era, they are usually depicted with pointed ears, often wearing a green outfit and pointed hat.
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia| Do fairies live in the hedge by the lawn?
 
{{encyclopedia| Do fairies live in the hedge by the lawn?
 
With pale, violet eyes and wings that shimmer?
 
With pale, violet eyes and wings that shimmer?
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{{right-align|[ Learning to Live with Orcs by Richard A. Bartle ]}}
 
{{right-align|[ Learning to Live with Orcs by Richard A. Bartle ]}}
 
}}
 
}}
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==References==
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<references/>
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{{slashem-7E7|offset=1}}
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{{variant-343}}<!--{{variant-36X}}-->
 
[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
 
[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
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[[Category:SlashTHEM monsters]]
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[[Category:Hack'EM monsters]]

Latest revision as of 21:24, 6 March 2024

A pixie, n, is a type of monster that appears in SLASH'EM, SlashTHEM and Hack'EM. The pixie is a tiny nymph that is inediate and can see invisible, and will seek out gold and other items to pick up.

A pixie has a single damaging item theft attack.

Unlike most nymph monsters, eating a pixie's corpse or tin does not convey teleportitis.

Generation

Randomly generated pixies are always created invisible and hostile, and are not randomly generated in Gehennom.

Pixies are generated asleep 45 of the time unless you have the Amulet of Yendor, in which case they will always be generated awake.

Four to eight pixies are generated in the Lawful Quest within the forest where Nightmare dwells, and may be among the nymphs that are generated on the nymph level. Pixies appear among the random n that art part of the first quest monster class for Rogues and make up 24175 of the monsters randomly generated on the Rogue quest.

Pixies have a 12 chance of being generated with a mirror, and an independent 12 chance of generating with a potion of object detection.[1]

Strategy

A pixie has only one item-stealing attack, but has 15 speed and better based AC than the standard nymph. This makes them a major nuisance once awakened: they are quite likely to steal an item and teleport away before you can respond, and appear early enough that most characters will generally lack a means to see invisible monsters or otherwise detect them beforehand. Intrinsic telepathy combined with a blindfold or towel is one method of spotting pixies.

Once you can see them, pixies are no more of a threat than the usual nymphs - they cannot steal as many items as often and are weak enough that you can usually bring them down quickly, being slightly more difficult to hit at most.

As a polyform

Pixies can be a decent early polyform for doppelganger characters: while too small to wear armor or wield weapons and unable to open doors, their speed makes escapes from hostile monsters much easier, and can be useful to line yourself up with a distant monster for an attack. A pixie's size can also be used to shrink yourself out of any cursed armor you may be wearing. If you are willing to take the risk, you can use their attack to steal especially nasty weapons, armor and/or wands from monsters.

History

The pixie first appears in SLASH 6.

Origin

A pixie is a mythical creature of British folklore, speculated to be particularly concentrated in the high moorland areas around Devon and Cornwall (which suggests some Celtic origins). Similar to the Irish and Scottish Aos Sí (or "Aos Sidhe"), pixies are believed to inhabit ancient underground sites such as stone circles and barrows.

In traditional regional lore, pixies are generally benign if mischievous, and are short of stature; they are typically childlike and fond of dancing and wrestling outdoors throughout the night. Traditional stories describe them as wearing dirty, ragged bundles of rags, which they discard for gifts containing new clothes; in the modern era, they are usually depicted with pointed ears, often wearing a green outfit and pointed hat.

Encyclopedia entry

Do fairies live in the hedge by the lawn?
With pale, violet eyes and wings that shimmer?
Not in my garden of thistle and thorn,
Well, not since I tidied it up with my strimmer.

[ Learning to Live with Orcs by Richard A. Bartle ]

References