Carcosan courtier - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-07-06T12:46:56Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ correction

2026-07-06T11:36:23Z

‎Generation: correction

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-05-14T22:17:56Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: dnh temp

2026-05-04T00:17:44Z

dnh temp

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ snip

2026-05-01T12:37:26Z

‎Origin: snip

Umbire the Phantom: how the hell did the encyclopedia entry fragment... anyway, organize info, mention madpeople, copyedit

2026-05-01T10:13:04Z

how the hell did the encyclopedia entry fragment... anyway, organize info, mention madpeople, copyedit

Klepto: updated strategy to reflect current version.

2026-05-01T09:07:39Z

updated strategy to reflect current version.

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ word choice

2026-04-29T04:34:30Z

‎Origin: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: in the vein of making generation stuff more readable

2026-04-29T04:33:28Z

in the vein of making generation stuff more readable

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ word choice

2026-04-28T23:13:23Z

‎Origin: word choice

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 *# A {{frac|5}} chance of a +5 set of armor: a [[Crystal helm (dNetHack)|crystal helm]], [[Plasteel armor (dNetHack)|plasteel armor]], a [[bodyglove]], [[Plasteel gauntlets (dNetHack)|plasteel gauntlets]], and [[Plasteel boots (dNetHack)|plasteel boots]].
 *# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of [[boots]] that are either a [[pair of shoes]] or a [[pair of stilettos]], a [[suit]] that is either a [[noble's dress]] or a [[consort's suit]], and [[gloves]] that are either a pair of [[Gauntlets (dNetHack)|gauntlets]] or a pair of [[long gloves]] (each with roughly equal probability)
-*# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of a suit that is either a [[waistcloth]] or an [[elven toga]], a pair of [[elven boots]], a [[Band (dNetHack)|band]] that will be [[veggy]] in [[Object materials (dNetHack)|object material]] and colored either yellow ({{frac|4|5}} chance) or brown ({{frac|5}} chance), and a torso item that will either be a [[T-shirt]] or an [[elven cloak]]
+*# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of a suit that is either a [[waistcloth]] or an [[elven toga]], a pair of [[elven boots]], a [[Band (helm)|band]] that will be [[veggy]] in [[Object materials (dNetHack)|object material]] and colored either yellow ({{frac|4|5}} chance) or brown ({{frac|5}} chance), and a torso item that will either be a [[T-shirt]] or an [[elven cloak]]
 *# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of boots that are either a pair of shoes or a pair of stilettos with roughly equal probability, a suit that is either a [[gentleman's suit]] or a [[gentlewoman's dress]] with roughly equal probability, a [[shirt]] item that will either be a [[ruffled shirt]] or [[Victorian underwear (dNetHack)|Victorian underwear]] with roughly equal probability, and a helm that will be either a [[top hat]] or a [[hennin]] with roughly equal probability
 * A carcosan courtier generated outside of the future will have a chance of being given the following equipment.

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 *# A {{frac|5}} chance of a +5 set of armor: a [[Crystal helm (dNetHack)|crystal helm]], [[Plasteel armor (dNetHack)|plasteel armor]], a [[bodyglove]], [[Plasteel gauntlets (dNetHack)|plasteel gauntlets]], and [[Plasteel boots (dNetHack)|plasteel boots]].
 *# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of [[boots]] that are either a [[pair of shoes]] or a [[pair of stilettos]], a [[suit]] that is either a [[noble's dress]] or a [[consort's suit]], and [[gloves]] that are either a pair of [[Gauntlets (dNetHack)|gauntlets]] or a pair of [[long gloves]] (each with roughly equal probability)
-*# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of a suit that is either a [[waistcloth]] or an [[elven toga]], a pair of [[elven boots]], a [[helm]] with the randomized appearance of a [[circlet]] that will be [[veggy]] in [[Object materials (dNetHack)|object material]] and colored either yellow ({{frac|4|5}} chance) or brown ({{frac|5}} chance), and a torso item that will either be a [[T-shirt]] or an [[elven cloak]]
+*# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of a suit that is either a [[waistcloth]] or an [[elven toga]], a pair of [[elven boots]], a [[Band (dNetHack)|band]] that will be [[veggy]] in [[Object materials (dNetHack)|object material]] and colored either yellow ({{frac|4|5}} chance) or brown ({{frac|5}} chance), and a torso item that will either be a [[T-shirt]] or an [[elven cloak]]
 *# A {{frac|4}} chance of a set of armor consisting of boots that are either a pair of shoes or a pair of stilettos with roughly equal probability, a suit that is either a [[gentleman's suit]] or a [[gentlewoman's dress]] with roughly equal probability, a [[shirt]] item that will either be a [[ruffled shirt]] or [[Victorian underwear (dNetHack)|Victorian underwear]] with roughly equal probability, and a helm that will be either a [[top hat]] or a [[hennin]] with roughly equal probability
 * A carcosan courtier generated outside of the future will have a chance of being given the following equipment.

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 *** A {{frac|40}} chance of an [[isamusei]]
 *** A {{frac|3|40}} chance of a [[broadsword]]
-*** A {{frac|3|20}} chance of a [[rapier]]
+*** A {{frac|3|20}} chance of a [[Rapier (dNetHack)|rapier]]
 *** A {{frac|3|4}} chance of a [[stiletto]]
 ** For their armor, they can be given one of the following equipment sets:

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 |[ SCP-2264, by Metaphysician ]
 }}
-{{variant-343}}
+{{dNetHack-325}}
 [[Category:dNetHack monsters]]
 [[Category:notdNetHack monsters]]
 [[Category:notnotdNetHack monsters]]

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 Many of the carcosan courtier's abilities in dNetHack and its derivatives reflect those of the spawn of Hastur in ''Call of Cthulhu'': the spawn of Hastur are an amphibious species of octopoid creatures with hideous faces that are well versed in the art of magic, and have a limited ability to fly. They are sometimes seen with Hastur in the Lake of Hali, which is known to be near the city of [[wikipedia:Carcosa|Carcosa]]&mdash;this is the city for which the carcosan courtier monsters are named, and is one of many elements mentioned alongside Hastur in the short story collection of ''The King In Yellow'' (specifically within the tale "The Yellow Sign"). The spawn of Hastur can crush victims with their tentacles and/or draw them to their bodies in order to swallow them whole.
-Still another major inspiration for the carcosan courtier is the entry for [[SCP:SCP-2264|SCP-2264]] on the SCP Wiki, a collaborative speculative fiction website that is styled as the in-universe database of the titular SCP Foundation. SCP-2264 itself is one of many entries that is heavily inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos, and collectively designates several locations and people of interest:
+Still another major inspiration for the carcosan courtier is the entry for [[SCP:SCP-2264|SCP-2264]] on the SCP Wiki, which is one of many entries that is heavily inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos and collectively designates several locations and people of interest:
 * SCP-2264-A is an iron door located within a hidden chamber beneath the Martin Tower of the Tower of London, which requires a highly ritualized process that is all but stated to be the methods used to create a [[Wikipedia:Philosopher's stone|philosopher's stone]] (even including a direct mention of the ''[[Wikipedia:Magnum opus (alchemy)|magnum opus]]''.

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 A '''carcosan courtier''', {{yellow|n}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]]. The carcosan courtier is a type of eyeless and mouthless [[humanoid]] [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]] that is genderless rather than always-female, and is [[fey]], [[insectoid]], [[aquatic]], and [[extra-terrestrial]] in nature: carcosan courtiers can be seen via [[infravision]], possess normal sight despite their face being mostly (if not completely) featureless, are [[amphibious]] and capable of [[flight]] via floating, and will seek out [[gold]] and [[magical item]]s among other objects to pick up. They cannot wear [[shield]]s.
-A carcosan courtier can reach [[Monster level|level 30]], and has behaviors influenced by the [[hero]]'s [[insight]]: carcosan courtiers have 5 points of [[AC]] in the 'special' category, and gain up to 5 points of natural AC and [[DR]] as the hero's insight increases&mdash;below 25 insight, they will always flee from the hero when possible, while at 25 or more insight they will only flee half the time.
+A carcosan courtier can reach [[Monster level|level 30]], and has behaviors influenced by the [[hero]]'s [[insight]]: carcosan courtiers have 5 points of [[AC]] in the 'special' category, and gain up to 5 points of natural AC and [[DR]] as the hero's insight increases&mdash;below 25 insight, they will always [[flee]] from the hero when possible, while at 25 or more insight they will only flee half the time.
 Carcosan courtiers have a weapon attack, a pair of [[claw attack]]s that can [[charm]] targets, and two [[insight]]-gated attacks: one is a [[tentacle attack]] that inflicts [[dexterity]]-draining [[poison]] and is used at a threshold of at least 5 insight, and gains extra damage dice per 5 points of insight up to a maximum of 5d5 at 25 insight; the other attack is a [[drowning]] [[bearhug]] that is used at 25+ insight. Carcosan courtiers boast skilled prowess in martial combat.
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 Carcosan courtiers are not randomly generated normally, and are usually created hostile&mdash;they can occur in big [[group]]s of {{rn1|5|5}}. They are not a valid polymorph form or genocide target, and figurines and statues of them cannot be wished for.
-A carcosan courtier is one of the "yellow nasties" that can be summoned by the harassment of the [[Stranger]] and the [[Suzerain]].
+A carcosan courtier is one of the "yellow nasties" that can be summoned by the harassment of the [[Stranger]] and the [[Suzerain]]&mdash;these courtiers are summoned individually and will have the [[fulvous]] [[monster template]].
 Carcosan courtiers make up {{frac|2|189}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Anachrononaut quest]] and [[Android quest]].
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 ==Strategy==
-Groups of carcosan courtiers mainly generate as large groups in the Anachrononaut Quest and often end up kiting slower heroes with their 18 speed, taking potshots with their [[carcosan sting]]s without ever entering melee range, slowly draining [[HP]] unless taken care of swiftly. Being hit also has a chance of accruing [[byakhee]] larvae in armor pieces, hampering natural HP regeneration as they sting the wearer while they mature. They will almost exclusively flee when faced in melee but can be taken out by a good ranged backup weapon. A [[hand blaster]] or other [[firearm]] will cut down on time spent cornering them, and [[android]]s can make use of their emergency speed to bridge the distance without falling under fire. Their [[seduction]] attacks are a consideration when engaging in melee and may warrant switching to an [[engagement ring]] for the fight to prevent having an important item stolen.
+[[Hand blaster]]s and other [[firearms]] can cut down fleeing courtiers quickly, and [[Android]]s can make use of their emergency speed ability to close the distance without falling under fire. Melee-based approaches will require high damage per round along with speed and possibly a means of immobilizing the courtiers, and [[engagement ring]]s are highly recommended in order to avoid losing important items.
-Carcosan courtiers summoned by the [[Stranger]] and [[Suzerain]] do not spawn in groups and are given the [[fulvous]] template and do not flee.
+Carcosan courtiers are also highly dangerous to [[Madpeople]] that encounter them on [[Madman quest|their quest]], during or after they retrieve [[The Star of Hypernotus]]: fulvous courtiers summoned by the Stranger or Suzerain will not flee as they do in other instances, and the loss of armor to larva infection may leave them vulnerable to other monsters, such as the Stranger's [[straitjacket]]-conjuring "incarcerate" ability.
 ==Origin==
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 humanoid because we're human. Something from another world
 would see us more like them. But some... especially the
-natives... I got the feeling
+natives... I got the feeling that behind those masks,
 |[ SCP-2264, by Metaphysician ]
 }}

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 * SCP-2264-B is an extra-dimensional city that lies beyond the iron door and is clearly modeled after Carcosa itself&mdash;the city is described explicitly and implicitly as following "a sort of dream logic" throughout the whole of the entry and its associated reports.
-The [[encyclopedia]] entry for the carcosan courtier is a quote from one of the reports that describes the inhabitants (classified as SCP-2264-1) as having porcelain-like skin and being somewhat humanoid, seeming less human the more the observed watched&mdash;the speaker describes feeling "that behind those masks, beyond their illusions, was something inconceivable." The entry for SCP-2264 also contains allusions to other SCP entries, including one concerning a fictitious play called "The Hanged King's Tragedy" that is clearly analogous to "The King in Yellow", with the Hanged King himself also mentioned as a similarly analogous being to the avatar of Hastur that the latter fictitious play is named for. Thus, carcosan courtiers are implied to be the spawn of Hastur in humanoid disguises: this is the basis for their several abilities, including shifting to much more dangerous behavior if the hero gains enough insight to see their true forms underneath, and the recurrence of the number 5 in various forms is also intended to hint at their connection to Hastur.
+The [[encyclopedia]] entry for the carcosan courtier is a quote from one of the reports that describes the inhabitants (classified as SCP-2264-1) as having porcelain-like skin and being somewhat humanoid, seeming less human the more the observed watched&mdash;the speaker describes feeling "that behind those masks, beyond their illusions, was something inconceivable." The entry for SCP-2264 also contains allusions to other SCP entries, including one concerning a fictitious play called "The Hanged King's Tragedy" that is clearly analogous to "The King in Yellow", with the Hanged King himself also mentioned as a similarly analogous being to the avatar of Hastur that the latter fictitious play is named for. Thus, carcosan courtiers are implied to be the spawn of Hastur in humanoid disguises: this is the basis for their several abilities, including shifting to much more dangerous behavior if the hero gains enough insight to see their true forms underneath, and the recurrence of the color yellow and the number 5 in various forms also hints at their connection to Hastur.
 Yet another inspiration for the carcosan courtier is the Dominion of the Black from ''Pathfinder'': the Dominion are a malevolent, galaxy-spanning conglomerate of aliens known for eating memories, stealing thoughts, inhabiting bodies and destroying numerous planets over the aeons within the setting.

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 *** A {{frac|3|20}} chance of a [[rapier]]
 *** A {{frac|3|4}} chance of a [[stiletto]]
-** For their armor, they can be given the following equipment sets:
+** For their armor, they can be given one of the following equipment sets:
-*** A {{frac|20}} chance of [[archaic boots]], [[archaic gauntlets]] and [[archaic plate mail]]
+*# A {{frac|20}} chance of [[archaic boots]], [[archaic gauntlets]] and [[archaic plate mail]]
-*** A {{frac|5}} chance of a set of armor identical to the third numbered set used for carcosan courtiers in the future
+*# A {{frac|5}} chance of a set of armor identical to the third set used for carcosan courtiers in the future
-*** A {{frac|4}} chance of an elven toga
+*# A {{frac|4}} chance of an elven toga
-*** A {{frac|2}} chance of a set of armor identical to the fifth numbered set used for carcosan courtiers in the future
+*# A {{frac|2}} chance of a set of armor identical to the fifth set used for carcosan courtiers in the future
 All of a carcosan courtier's equipment will be colored yellow, and items that are generated as being made of [[shadowsteel]] or any [[metallic]] material will also be converted to gold.