Acid Mage quest

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The Acid Mage quest ses you fighting the Lightningrod for Slow Blade. For more information on the quest branch in general, see the quest article.

Home level Slime Pit
Locate level Electric Power Station
Goal level The Lightningrod's Domain
Leader Acidsnort
Guardians Attendants
Nemesis Lightningrod
Quest Artifact Slow Blade

Levels

Random monsters on this Quest are generated with the following frequencies:

  • 96/175 (55%) drow matron
  • 24/175 (14%) random A
  • 24/175 (14%) titan
  • 6/175 (3%) random H
  • 1/7 (14%) normal random monster

Slime Pit

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The magic portal is at the marked point. Acidsnort is at the point marked @, where there is also a chest and a chaotic altar, surrounded by eight attendants. There is a pit at each entrance to the circle. The level also contains 16 random monsters and two random traps.

The entire level is no-teleport, and has undiggable walls.

Upper filler level

This is a cavernous level, with seven random monsters; seven random objects; and four random traps.

Electric Power Station

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The stairs are at the marked positions. The marked traps are a pit, a spiked pit, a squeaky board, and a magic trap; the level also has 23 random monsters, two random traps, and fifteen random items. The entire level has undiggable walls and floor. Teleportation is permitted. Note that due to the lack of actual walls, magic mapping the level will only show you the location of the down stairs.

Lower filler level(s)

These are cavern levels, with seven random monsters; eleven random objects; and four random traps.

The Lightningrod's Domain

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The Lightningrod, with the Bell of Opening and Slow Blade, occupies the throne, where there is also a chest; surrounding him are eight shocking spheres and eight other random monsters, marked with X. There are also six arch-titans embedded in the walls, from where they can freely cast spells and summon monsters while protected from the player. The points in the corner rooms marked with X each indicate a random monster. Each of the shocking spheres in the Lightningrod's room is standing on a random object; there are five further random objects located randomly around the level, as well as six traps.

The entire level has undiggable walls. Teleportation is permitted.

Messages

Transporter level

On descending to the level where the transporter is located:

You receive a faint telepathic message from Acidsnort:
Your help is urgently needed at Slime Pit!
Look for a ...ic transporter.
Ye kouldn't quite make out that last message.

Entry

First time:

You are at Slime Pit, and since Acidsnort is calling for you, something obviously
has to be wrong. There are weird creatures around here, too...
Could it be that Slime Pit has been defiled by some evil force?

Next time:

Once again, you are back at Slime Pit.

If already rejected twice due to bad alignment:

You are back at Slime Pit.
You have an odd feeling this may be the last time you ever come here.

Quest guardians

If #chatting before the quest is complete:

"Greetings, fellow Mage."
"We're being overrun by fierce creatures!"
"Help us fight the infestation!"
"Some sinister force is spawning bad things here!"
"Better look for Acidsnort quick, he may need your help!"

If #chatting after the quest is complete:

"Good luck, <currentrank>!"
"Go on and use your powers!"
"You're quite skilled, <playername>."
"Thanks for putting the Lightningrod out of his misery."
"You did a good job, <playername>."

Quest leader

When you first meet your quest leader:

"<playername>, grave times have befallen us. We will need four (sic) help.
Do you think you're ready?"

When you return, having been rejected due to lack of experience:

"Welcome back, <playername>. Are you ready to help us now?"

This message is not currently used:

"<playername>! Time is running out! We need you to help us right now!"

When you are expelled from the quest for having failed the alignment test seven times:

"You're too late, <playername>! All hope is lost. We will never be able to
fight the infestation now.
Please go away and let me and my fellows die in peace."

When being rejected due to lack of experience:

"<playername>, you aren't yet ready to fight the Lightningrod. Train your skills until
you are a Corroder, and then come back at once."

When being rejected due to having worse than pious alignment:

"Sorry <playername>, but we can't trust you yet. Try to prove your valor
and then come back to me at once."

When finally assigned the quest:

"<playername>, we're being overrun by evil creatures. This must be the work of
the Lightningrod, a terrible being that can control minds!
You will need to go to Electric Power Station and get back Slow Blade, and also defeat the Lightningrod.
Now go!"

Encouragement

If you subsequently chat to your quest leader, you are encouraged:

"Don't underestimate the power of the Lightningrod."
"Journey forth to Electric Power Station and put the Lightningrod out of his misery."
"You must get back Slow Blade!"
"Slow Blade is a powerful artifact. If you find it, get it back to me."
"Please be quick on your quest, <playername>."
"You're a <currentrank>, you should be able to help us."
"<deity> may protect you on your path."
"Beware, the Lightningrod may resist some of your attacks."
"Good luck on your quest! Now go!"
"If you don't defeat the Lightningrod soon, the creatures will overrun our Slime Pit!"

Locate and goal levels

When first entering the locate level:

The entrance to Electric Power Station must be somewhere around here.
You feel you're getting closer to the source of all these creatures.

When returning:

Once again, you are near the entrance to Electric Power Station.

When first entering the goal level:

This must be the place where the Lightningrod lurks. It's Electric Power Station, obviously.
Now you must find Slow Blade somewhere around here.

When returning:

Once again, you enter the Lightningrod's domain.

Quest nemesis

When first encountering the quest nemesis:

the Lightningrod notices you and gets ready to battle you.
You know you have to fight him for Slow Blade and the Bell of Opening.

Upon further meetings:

the Lightningrod's presence haunts you.

And on the 4th and subsequent meetings:

You are stricken with fear as the Lightningrod comes closer to you.

When you have the Slow Blade, but the Lightningrod has not been destroyed:

You still need to fight the Lightningrod if you ever want to get Slow Blade back.

Discouragement

The Lightningrod does not speak, but will occasionally make its presence known:

the Lightningrod screams eerily.
The presence of the Lightningrod lets the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
Your visions are blurring...
You suddenly remember some dreadful happenings from your past.
Did something just move?
The air around Electric Power Station seems icy cold.
This place is giving you the creeps.
You seem to see a white rabbit jumping around.
The walls seem to be closing in on you.
You still have time to flee with your life...

Victory

When picking up your quest artifact:

Finally! Slow Blade is yours. Now you need to bring it back to Acidsnort.
Maybe he'll reward you.

When destroying the nemesis:

You destroy the Lightningrod, making sure it cannot haunt you any more.

When returning to your quest leader:

Acidsnort speaks:
 "Welcome, <playername>! I see you have been successful in your quest!
 the Lightningrod is no more, and Slime Pit is in good shape again.
 Thanks a lot, <playername>! By the way, I've decided to allow you
 to keep Slow Blade; may it be of good use to you.
 Goodbye!"

When subsequently throwing the Slow Blade to Acidsnort:

"Well done, <playername>! May there be light on your path!"

Post-Quest

When talking to Acidsnort after the quest:

"You're always welcome, <playername>!"

When talking to Acidsnort after getting the Amulet:

"That amulet... Can it be? <playername>, you actually got the Amulet of Yendor?
Unbelievable! You might actually ascend and become a demigod!
I'll be praying for your success, <playername>. Best of luck to you!"