Amulet of Yendor - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Carrying the Amulet */ cite upcoming, etc.

2026-01-11T17:06:51Z

‎Carrying the Amulet: cite upcoming, etc.

Umbire the Phantom: /* UnNetHack */ copyedit

2025-12-28T19:29:00Z

‎UnNetHack: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ copyedit

2025-12-28T19:17:17Z

‎History: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ tidy this up too

2025-07-06T02:44:15Z

‎Generation: tidy this up too

Umbire the Phantom: some copyedit

2025-07-06T02:34:05Z

some copyedit

CamelCasedSnivy: added nh37 changes

2025-07-05T23:40:54Z

added nh37 changes

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-01-16T12:01:51Z

copyedit

Furey: Link directly to new page TNNT (the game).

2024-06-18T04:51:40Z

Link directly to new page TNNT (the game).

Furey: /* TNNT (the game) */ internal tweak (so i can track which TNNT pages I have visited)

2024-06-14T20:47:17Z

‎TNNT (the game): internal tweak (so i can track which TNNT pages I have visited)

Furey: "The November NetHack Tournament" -> "TNNT (the game)"

2024-06-07T14:21:14Z

"The November NetHack Tournament" -> "TNNT (the game)"

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 Finally, carrying the Amulet and climbing the up [[stair]] or quaffing a cursed potion of gain level while on dungeon level 1 grants you entrance to the [[Elemental Planes]], taking you to the [[Plane of Earth]].{{refsrc|src/dungeon.c|1176|nethack=3.6.7}} From there, you can also make use of the one-way [[magic portal]]s that lead to each of the Planes, culminating in the [[Astral Plane]].
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The stairs up from level 1 will be described as leading "to the Elemental Planes" if you have the real Amulet, or "[[Escaping the dungeon|out of the dungeon]]" otherwise.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|8a6c48034f739573a48eb06873fbf229dd7847b7}}, the stairs up from level 1 will be described as leading "to the Elemental Planes" if you have the real Amulet, or "[[Escaping the dungeon|out of the dungeon]]" otherwise.
-Per {{commit|308c5ab237ee3c7925e77fee299e48f8b1414203}}, the Amulet of Yendor confers a [[wish]] upon initial pickup.}}
+Per {{commit|308c5ab237ee3c7925e77fee299e48f8b1414203}}, the Amulet of Yendor grants a [[wish]] upon initial pickup.}}
 ===Wearing or wielding the Amulet===

@@ Line 120: / Line 120: @@
 In [[UnNetHack]], the Amulet is found in the possession of [[Cthulhu (UnNetHack)|Cthulhu]].
-The Amulet has a chance of randomly [[teleport]]ing within the level when dropped by the hero or a monster; this is in many ways balanced by the removal of the [[mysterious force]]. The probability depends on the Amulet's [[beatitude]]: the Amulet teleports half of the time if [[cursed]], {{frac|4}} of the time if uncursed, and {{frac|16}} of the time if blessed.
+The Amulet has a chance of randomly [[teleporting]] elsewhere on the current level when dropped by the hero or a monster, which is intended to balance the removal of the [[mysterious force]]. The probability depends on the Amulet's [[beatitude]]: the Amulet teleports half of the time if cursed, {{frac|4}} of the time if uncursed, and {{frac|16}} of the time if blessed.
-Sacrificing the Amulet of Yendor breaks atheist conduct in [[UnNetHack]], unlike in ''NetHack'' - the player is warned if the conduct would be broken this way, and completing the game while maintaining atheist conduct requires the hero to #[[invoke]] the Amulet on the corresponding altar instead.
+Sacrificing the Amulet of Yendor breaks atheist conduct in [[UnNetHack]], unlike in ''NetHack''&mdash;the player is warned if the conduct would be broken this way, and completing the game while maintaining atheist conduct requires the hero to [[invoke]] the Amulet on the corresponding altar instead.
 ===TNNT (the game)===

@@ Line 107: / Line 107: @@
 ==History==
-The Amulet of Yendor first appears in [[Hack 1.0]] - in this version and [[Hack 1.0.1]], it is found under an [[enormous rock]] in a maze level. In [[Hack 1.0.2]], the Wizard of Yendor is introduced, and from this version to [[NetHack 3.0.10]] the Amulet is found directly in his dwelling, within a small room enclosed by a [[moat]] at the center of a maze level.
+The Amulet of Yendor first appears in [[Hack 1.0]], and in this version and [[Hack 1.0.1]] it is found under an [[enormous rock]] in a maze level. In [[Hack 1.0.2]], the Wizard of Yendor is introduced, and from this version to [[NetHack 3.0.10]] the Amulet is found directly in his dwelling, within a small room enclosed by a [[moat]] at the center of a maze level. [[NetHack 3.1.0]] established the current mythology for the setting of ''NetHack'', including the introduction of Moloch, and the Amulet of Yendor is placed in the possession of his high priest, with the Wizard of Yendor guarding the [[Book of the Dead]].
-In these earliest versions, it was possible to find the real Amulet left behind in the bones of a player's character - [[Hack 1.0.3]] adds the cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor to the game and ensures this is no longer possible.
+From Hack 1.0 to Hack 1.0.2, it is possible to find the real Amulet left behind in the bones of a player's character&mdash;[[Hack 1.0.3]] adds the cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor to the game and ensures this is no longer possible.
 ==Origin==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Generation==
-The Amulet of Yendor is always held by the [[high priest of Moloch]] in [[Moloch's Sanctum]] within [[Gehennom]]. If the Amulet would be left in the [[bones]] of a dead [[hero]], it is replaced with a [[cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor]].
+The Amulet of Yendor is located in [[Moloch's Sanctum]] within [[Gehennom]], where it is [[Monster starting inventory|always generated in the possession of]] the [[high priest]] of Moloch. If the Amulet would be left in the [[bones]] of a dead [[hero]], it is replaced with a [[cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor]].
-Cheap plastic imitations of the Amulet of Yendor will also appear as "the Amulet of Yendor" rather than being [[auto-identified]] as duplicates, with the exception of the one found on the [[Rogue level]]. A [[wish]] for the real Amulet outside of [[wizard mode]] will simply generate a cheap plastic imitation instead.
+Cheap plastic imitations of the Amulet of Yendor will also appear as "the Amulet of Yendor" rather than being [[auto-identified]] as duplicates, with the exception of the plastic imitation that has a {{frac|2}} chance of being generated on the [[Rogue level]]. A [[wish]] for the real Amulet outside of [[wizard mode]] will simply generate a cheap plastic imitation instead.
 ==Description==

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 }}
-The '''Amulet of Yendor''', sometimes [[Abbreviations|abbreviated]] as '''AoY''', is a [[Unique item|unique]] [[amulet]] made of [[mithril]], and the primary objective of every game of ''[[NetHack]]'' - as stated in the [[introduction|introductory text]] at the beginning of each game, [[Moloch]] has stolen the Amulet of Yendor from [[Marduk]] the Creator, gaining dominion over the other gods, and has hidden it within the depths of [[Gehennom]], where he lurks and bides his time. [[You]] are tasked to find the Amulet, bring it to the [[Astral Plane]] and [[offer]]ing it to your [[god]], resulting in [[ascension]] to immortality and demigod-hood.
+The '''Amulet of Yendor''', sometimes [[Abbreviations|abbreviated]] as '''AoY''', is a [[Unique item|unique]] [[amulet]] made of [[mithril]], and the primary objective of every game of ''[[NetHack]]'': as stated in the [[Introduction|introductory text]] at the beginning of each game, [[Moloch]] has stolen the Amulet of Yendor from [[Marduk]] the Creator, gaining dominion over the other [[god]]s, and has hidden it within the depths of [[Gehennom]], where he lurks and bides his time.
 ==Generation==
-The Amulet of Yendor is always held by the [[high priest of Moloch]] in [[Moloch's Sanctum]] within [[Gehennom]]. If the Amulet would be left in the [[bones]] of a dead player character, it is replaced with a [[cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor|cheap plastic imitation]].
+The Amulet of Yendor is always held by the [[high priest of Moloch]] in [[Moloch's Sanctum]] within [[Gehennom]]. If the Amulet would be left in the [[bones]] of a dead [[hero]], it is replaced with a [[cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor]].
 Cheap plastic imitations of the Amulet of Yendor will also appear as "the Amulet of Yendor" rather than being [[auto-identified]] as duplicates, with the exception of the one found on the [[Rogue level]]. A [[wish]] for the real Amulet outside of [[wizard mode]] will simply generate a cheap plastic imitation instead.
 ==Description==
-As with the items used for the [[Invocation]], the Amulet is required to win the game and is thus completely indestructible: it will resist being put into any type of [[container]], and will not be eaten by [[metallivore]]s (who are capable of consuming other mithril items). However, it ''can'' be left in an area that is later rendered inaccessible - if the Amulet is in the [[Quest]] branch if you are expelled by your [[quest leader]], your game will become [[unwinnable]], though this is very unlikely to occur by accident.
+As with the items used for the [[invocation]], the Amulet is required to win the game and is thus completely indestructible: it will resist being put into any type of [[container]], and will not be eaten by [[metallivore]]s (who are capable of consuming other mithril items). However, it ''can'' be left in an area that is later rendered inaccessible&mdash;if the Amulet is in the [[Quest]] branch when the [[hero]] is expelled by their [[quest leader]], the game will become [[unwinnable]], though this is very unlikely to occur by accident.
-The Amulet of Yendor has various effects on both you and the [[Mazes of Menace]]'s denizens while carried or worn, and wielding or wearing it confers additional effects.
+The Amulet of Yendor has various effects on both the hero and the [[Mazes of Menace]]'s denizens while carried or worn, and wielding or wearing it confers additional effects.
 ===Carrying the Amulet===
@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 Finally, carrying the Amulet and climbing the up [[stair]] or quaffing a cursed potion of gain level while on dungeon level 1 grants you entrance to the [[Elemental Planes]], taking you to the [[Plane of Earth]].{{refsrc|src/dungeon.c|1176|nethack=3.6.7}} From there, you can also make use of the one-way [[magic portal]]s that lead to each of the Planes, culminating in the [[Astral Plane]].
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The stairs up from level 1 will be described as leading "to the [[Elemental Planes]]" if you have the real Amulet, or "[[escaping the dungeon|out of the dungeon]]" otherwise.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The stairs up from level 1 will be described as leading "to the Elemental Planes" if you have the real Amulet, or "[[Escaping the dungeon|out of the dungeon]]" otherwise.
-As per {{commit|308c5ab237ee3c7925e77fee299e48f8b1414203}}, the Amulet of Yendor confers a [[wish]] upon initial pickup.}}
+Per {{commit|308c5ab237ee3c7925e77fee299e48f8b1414203}}, the Amulet of Yendor confers a [[wish]] upon initial pickup.}}
 ===Wearing or wielding the Amulet===
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 ==Offering the Amulet==
-If you offer the Amulet of Yendor on the correct [[high altar]] on the Astral Plane, you ascend and win the game; this will not violate [[atheist]] [[conduct]]. Offering the Amulet on another god's high altar will also end the game; your current god is angered, but the altar's god allows you to escape in celestial disgrace. This is effectively an ascension, but is less prestigious because it removes the need to find the correct altar.
+The game ends in a win when the hero reaches the Astral Plane and [[offer]]s the Amulet of Yendor on the [[high altar]] corresponding to their god, which results in [[ascension]] to immortality and demigod-hood (and does ''not'' violate [[atheist]] [[conduct]], as might be expected).
-Attempting to offer the Amulet on a non-high altar will give one of the following messages:
+Offering the Amulet on another god's high altar will still end the game in a much less prestigious manner: the hero's deity is angered, but the altar's deity allows them to escape in '''celestial disgrace'''.
 {{message|You feel an urge to return to the surface.|The altar is coaligned.}}
@@ Line 74: / Line 76: @@
 ===Offering to Moloch===
-You may also offer the Amulet of Yendor to [[Moloch]] on the unaligned high altar in his Sanctum. This leads to [[instadeath]], with the cause livelogged as "'''Moloch's indifference'''":
+The hero may also offer the Amulet of Yendor to [[Moloch]] on the unaligned high altar in his Sanctum. This is a [[bad idea]] and leads to [[instadeath]], with the cause livelogged as "'''Moloch's indifference'''":
 {{message|Moloch shrugs and retains dominion over <your god>, then mercilessly snuffs out your life.}}
-If you survive by wearing an [[amulet of life saving]], you are revived, but the messages continue:
+If the hero survives by wearing an [[amulet of life saving]], they are revived, but will be killed again:
-{{message|Moloch snarls and tries again...<br>You disintegrate into a pile of dust!}}
+{{message|Moloch snarls and tries again...}}
-This happens even if you have [[disintegration]] resistance; the cause of death is livelogged as ''"the wrath of Moloch"''.
+This cannot be blocked by [[disintegration resistance]], and the cause of death is livelogged as "the wrath of Moloch".
-The only way to survive this is in [[explore mode|explore]] or [[wizard mode]], where you can decline to die&ndash;this results in the following message, and is treated as [[escaping the dungeon]]:
+The only way to survive this is in [[explore mode]] or [[wizard mode]], where a player can decline to die&ndash;this results in the following message, and is treated as [[escaping the dungeon]]:
 {{message|A cloud of black smoke surrounds you...}}
@@ Line 93: / Line 96: @@
 ===Identifying the Amulet===
 {{main|Cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor}}
-Cheap plastic imitations of the Amulet of Yendor occur at several places in the dungeon, and with one exception appear to the player as "the Amulet of Yendor". Offering a cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor on a [[high altar]] carries a -1 [[Luck]] penalty ''unless'' it was identified as a fake{{refsrc|src/pray.c|1574|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="oops"}} - offering a known fake Amulet results in a -3 Luck penalty, a -1 [[Alignment record|alignment]] penalty, and that god's [[anger]] increasing by 3.{{refsrc|src/pray.c|1580|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="big oops"}} Offering a fake Amulet on a regular [[altar]] will print a message with no other effect.{{refsrc|src/pray.c|1573|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="lil oops"}}
+Cheap plastic imitations of the Amulet of Yendor occur at several places in the dungeon, and with one exception appear to the player as "the Amulet of Yendor". Offering a cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor on a [[high altar]] carries a -1 [[Luck]] penalty ''unless'' it was identified as a fake{{refsrc|src/pray.c|1574|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="oops"}}&mdash;offering a known fake Amulet results in a -3 Luck penalty, a -1 [[Alignment record|alignment]] penalty, and that god's [[anger]] increasing by 3.{{refsrc|src/pray.c|1580|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="big oops"}} Offering a fake Amulet on a regular [[altar]] will print a message with no other effect.{{refsrc|src/pray.c|1573|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="lil oops"}}
 The primary danger of the fake Amulets is having the real one snatched from you without realizing it, which most often occurs if the Wizard of Yendor successfully steals it from you: his [[Double Trouble]] spell can create a clone of himself that has a {{frac|2}} chance of being created with an unidentified cheap plastic  imitation of the Amulet of Yendor.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|504|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} This will never occur if you have the real Amulet, which introduces the danger of him stealing said Amulet from you before casting Double Trouble.

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 * Monster difficulty will depend on your deepest level reached, not your current dungeon level.{{refsrc|src/dungeon.c|1596|nethack=3.6.7}}
-* [[Nymph]]s, [[demon lords and princes]], [[wumpus]]es, [[long worm]]s, [[jabberwock]]s, and [[eel]]s are always generated awake.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1264|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1321|nethack=3.6.7}}
+* [[Nymph (monster class)|nymphs]], [[demon lords and princes]], [[wumpus]]es, [[long worm]]s, [[jabberwock]]s, and [[eel]]s are always generated awake.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1264|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1321|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * All [[giant spider]]s generated on level creation will have a [[web]] placed underneath them, as opposed to {{frac|3}} of giant spiders normally.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|810|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * If a demon prince is carrying the Amulet of Yendor when they demand a [[bribe]] from you, they will ask for more gold than you have, ensuring they will not disappear from the game with the Amulet.{{refsrc|minion.c|183}}{{reffunc|mon.c|mongone}}
@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 ==Variants==
-The base gameplay goal of retrieving the Amulet of Yendor and offering it to your god on the Astral Plane remains a constant in variants of ''NetHack'' - there are variants that make additional changes ''around'' that goal, with some based on either a [[conduct]] or a newly-added [[role]](s).
+The base gameplay goal of retrieving the Amulet of Yendor and offering it to your god on the Astral Plane remains a constant in [[variant]]s of ''NetHack'' - there are variants that make additional changes ''around'' that goal, with some based on either a [[conduct]] or a newly-added [[role]](s).
 ===UnNetHack===
-In [[UnNetHack]], the Amulet is instead in the possession of [[Cthulhu]].
+In [[UnNetHack]], the Amulet is found in the possession of [[Cthulhu (UnNetHack)|Cthulhu]].
-Additionally, the Amulet has a chance of randomly [[teleport]]ing within the level when dropped by you or a monster for any reason; this is in many ways balanced by the removal of the [[mysterious force]]. The probability depends on the Amulet's [[beatitude]]: the Amulet teleports half of the time if [[cursed]], {{frac|4}} of the time if uncursed, and {{frac|16}} of the time if blessed.
+The Amulet has a chance of randomly [[teleport]]ing within the level when dropped by the hero or a monster; this is in many ways balanced by the removal of the [[mysterious force]]. The probability depends on the Amulet's [[beatitude]]: the Amulet teleports half of the time if [[cursed]], {{frac|4}} of the time if uncursed, and {{frac|16}} of the time if blessed.
-Sacrificing the Amulet of Yendor breaks atheist conduct in [[UnNetHack]], unlike in ''NetHack'' - the player is warned if the conduct would be broken this way, and completing the game while maintaining atheist conduct requires you to #[[invoke]] the Amulet on the corresponding altar instead.
+Sacrificing the Amulet of Yendor breaks atheist conduct in [[UnNetHack]], unlike in ''NetHack'' - the player is warned if the conduct would be broken this way, and completing the game while maintaining atheist conduct requires the hero to #[[invoke]] the Amulet on the corresponding altar instead.
 ===TNNT (the game)===
@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 ===SpliceHack===
-In [[SpliceHack]] and [[SpliceHack-Rewrite]], the Amulet of Yendor blocks normal teleportation as well while carried.
+In [[SpliceHack]], the Amulet of Yendor blocks normal teleportation while carried.
 ===EvilHack===
@@ Line 131: / Line 131: @@
 * The [[psionic wave]] abilities of [[illithid]]s do not count as a spell for purposes of the Amulet's energy drain effect.
-* Lucifer will appear in the Sanctum after you obtain the Amulet of Yendor, and must be defeated to gain access to [[Purgatory]] and escape the Sanctum - from there, leaving Purgatory will allow you to begin the ascension run.
+* [[Lucifer (EvilHack)|Lucifer]] will appear in the Sanctum after you obtain the Amulet of Yendor, and must be defeated to gain access to [[Purgatory]] and escape the Sanctum - from there, leaving Purgatory will allow you to begin the ascension run.
-* The monster generation rate increases to 8× that of normal. While making your way back out of the dungeon, hostile monsters will also generate on and near each level's up stair.
+* The monster generation rate increases to 8× that of normal upon obtaining the Amulet. While carrying the Amulet, hostile monsters will also generate on and near each level's up stair.
 * Similar to UnNetHack, the Amulet of Yendor may teleport to another location on the current level if dropped anywhere outside of the Sanctum. How often this occurs depends on its beatitude: a {{frac|2|3}} chance if cursed, a {{frac|4}} chance if uncursed, and a {{frac|16}} chance if blessed. This behavior is suppressed only in the Sanctum. If the Amulet is dropped on a level with open air and gravity is in effect, the Amulet may teleport to a square of open air and fall away - it will re-appear somewhere on the third demon ruler level in Gehennom.
-* Player monsters all covet the Amulet of Yendor and can steal it with a {{frac|20}} chance when attacking you in melee.
+* [[Player monster (EvilHack)|Player monsters]] covet the Amulet of Yendor, and can steal it with a {{frac|20}} chance when attacking the hero in melee.
 * If any monster on the Astral Plane obtains the Amulet, they will try to sacrifice it on the high altar of their corresponding god, ending your game if they succeed.
 * Attempting to offer the Amulet to a different deity while using a [[helm of opposite alignment]] has a {{frac|3}} chance of your original god noticing the deception, incurring many severe penalties: your original god is angered, you take a &minus;5 penalty to alignment and [[Luck]], and the helm is destroyed.<ref>[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/blob/0.7.1/src/pray.c#L1848 EvilHack 0.7.1 src/pray.c, line 1848]</ref><ref>[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/commit/0401bf272be28787b10ab6dc12359e5b363b695a EvilHack commit 0401bf2 - "Offering the Amulet of Yendor while wearing a helm of opposite alignment"]</ref>

@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 ===TNNT (the game)===
-In [[TNNT|TNNT (the game)]], you cannot enter the [[deathmatch]] portal while carrying the Amulet of Yendor.
+In [[TNNT (the game)]], you cannot enter the [[deathmatch]] portal while carrying the Amulet of Yendor.
 ===SpliceHack===

@@ Line 121: / Line 121: @@
 Sacrificing the Amulet of Yendor breaks atheist conduct in [[UnNetHack]], unlike in ''NetHack'' - the player is warned if the conduct would be broken this way, and completing the game while maintaining atheist conduct requires you to #[[invoke]] the Amulet on the corresponding altar instead.
-===The November NetHack Tournament===
+===TNNT (the game)===
-In [[The November NetHack Tournament]], you cannot enter the [[deathmatch]] portal while carrying the Amulet of Yendor.
+In [[The November NetHack Tournament|TNNT (the game)]], you cannot enter the [[deathmatch]] portal while carrying the Amulet of Yendor.
 ===SpliceHack===