Tin whistle
( 
| |
|---|---|
| Name | tin whistle |
| Appearance | whistle |
| Base price | 10 zm |
| Weight | 3 |
| Material | metal |
| Monster use | Will not be used by monsters. |
A tin whistle is a type of non-magical tool that appears in NetHack. It is a non-tonal instrument made of metal, and appears as a whistle when unidentified.
Contents
Generation
Tin whistles make up 1⁄10 (10%) of all tools randomly generated on the ground, in general shops or as death drops. Hardware stores can also stock tin whistles.
Watchmen have a 2⁄3 chance of generating with a tin whistle.[1] Vault guards will always generate with cursed tin whistles, providing a source for the shrill whistling sound referenced while escaping them.[2][3]
Description
A hero applying a tin whistle of any beatitude creates noise that attracts the attention of pets which are close enough to the hero, causing them to follow more closely for about five turns[4][5][6][7][8]—the noise will also awaken all sleeping monsters in a roughly-circular area with a radius less than the square root of (20*XL), which gives a radius of about 4 squares at experience level 1, 16 squares at XL 14, and 24 squares at XL 30.[9][10] Applying a cursed tin whistle while inside a vault will also summon a guard to that vault.[11]
Unlike most other instruments, a hero can apply a tin whistle while underwater, though it will have no effect beyond printing a message.[12] Monsters will not use this item.
A hero cannot apply a magic whistle if they are subjected to strangulation, if they are in the form of a sea monster, or if they are in the form of any monster that is tiny in size, unbreathing, cannot speak, lacks a head, or can only buzz.[13][14]
Strategy
The tin whistle is incredibly easy to identify from its distinct messages, which is usually done by applying any unidentified whistle: if you produce a "strange sound" or "humming noise", then you have a magic whistle, and your pet appearing next to you will auto-identify that whistle.[15][16][17] If a watchman or guard is killed, you can also type-name the whistle they leave behind.
The best use of tin whistles is for attracting pets by applying one repeatedly until they come to you; this can sometimes help you take pets through stairs or out of shops. Once you find a magic whistle, you can safely stash or drop your tin whistle elsewhere. Knights can also apply tin whistles to wake sleeping monsters before attacking them in order to avoid scaring them and violating their code of conduct, and a eucalyptus leaf that is not blessed can also be applied to the same effect[18]—for most situations where you wish to wake up monsters, instruments such as bugles are often superior choices.
History
The tin whistle first appears in Hack 1.0, where it is simply known as a whistle.
The effect of cursed tin whistles in vaults is introduced in NetHack 3.6.1, and NetHack 3.6.2 gives the vault guards their own cursed whistles.
Origin
A tin whistle, or penny whistle, is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is a type of fipple flute, named for the duct that directs air across an opening toward a sharp edge when blown into; the flute plays notes in a single key with a range of two octaves. Most 'tin' whistles are usually made of nickel-plated brass, and can even be made from wood or plastic. The tin whistle is closely associated with Irish traditional music and Celtic music.
The "tin whistle" of NetHack is more of a 'pea' whistle, as indicated by its tile and characteristics: this is a very small type of whistle containing a pea (or similar object) to make its sound discordant. Pea whistles produce a single sound and are generally used to gain people's attention; they are commonly associated with sports referees and British policemen.
Messages
- You produce a high whistling sound.
- You applied a non-cursed or blessed tin whistle.
- You produce a shrill whistling sound.
- You applied a cursed tin whistle.
- You feel rushing air tickle your nose.
- You applied a tin whistle while deaf.
- You hear the shrill sound of a guard's whistle.
- You fled from a guard without dropping your carried gold, and they blew the whistle in their inventory.
Variants
In NetHack variants using an object materials system, the tin whistle can be made of varying materials, and the base item is referred to as either a pea whistle or simply a "whistle".
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, pet stores can sell tin whistles and have a 1⁄10 chance (10%) of placing one on each square during room creation.[19]
Upgrading a tin whistle successfully will produce a magic whistle, and vice versa.[20][21] Dipping a magic whistle into a potion of amnesia will "downgrade" it to a tin whistle.[22]
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, pet stores and rare instruments shops can sell tin whistles, and both have a 1⁄10 chance (10%) of placing one on each square during room creation.
Tin whistles will auto-identify upon applying one.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, the Troubadour has a 17⁄20 chance of starting the game with a whistle.
Dipping a magic whistle into a potion of amnesia will "downgrade" it to a tin whistle, as in SLASH'EM.
EvilHack
In EvilHack, applying a pea whistle will auto-identify it, as in UnNetHack.
SlashTHEM
In SlashTHEM, in addition to SLASH'EM details, the Bard has a 17⁄20 chance of starting the game with a whistle, as in dNetHack.
Hack'EM
In Hack'EM, upgrading a pea whistle successfully will produce a magic whistle and vice versa, as in Slash'EM. Similarly, dipping a magic whistle into a potion of amnesia will "downgrade" it to a tin whistle.
Applying a pea whistle will auto-identify it, as in UnNetHack.
Encyclopedia entry
Both magic whistles and tin whistles share the same entry:
There were legends both on the front and on the back of the
whistle. The one read thus:
FLA FUR BIS FLE The other: QUIS EST ISTE QUI VENIT
'I ought to be able to make it out,' he thought;
'but I suppose I am a little rusty in my Latin.
When I come to think of it, I don't believe I even
know the word for a whistle. The long one does seem
simple enough. It ought to mean, "Who is this who is coming?"
Well, the best way to find out is evidently to whistle
for him.'
'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You My Lad']
References
- ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 655
- ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 658
- ↑ src/vault.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 838
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 456
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 468
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3656
- ↑ src/dogmove.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 564
- ↑ src/dogmove.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 920
- ↑ src/mon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3046-L3048
- ↑ src/mon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3053
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 469
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 461
- ↑ src/music.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 693
- ↑ src/mondata.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 336: MS_BUZZ covers killer bees, queen bees, grid bugs, and xans
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 482-L485
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 486
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 523
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3673
- ↑ shknam.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 262
- ↑ potion.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 2434
- ↑ potion.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 2437
- ↑ potion.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 2070
