Grimlock (dNetHack) - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ word choice

2026-03-19T10:30:25Z

‎Generation: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: tweaks

2026-01-22T00:38:08Z

tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: potholes et. al.

2026-01-07T14:01:05Z

potholes et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: prisoners, drow noble quest

2025-05-20T11:51:36Z

prisoners, drow noble quest

Umbire the Phantom: establish this and finish split of original barebones page

2025-05-20T11:46:03Z

establish this and finish split of original barebones page

New page

{{monster
|name=grimlock
|symbol={{gray|g}}
|tile=
|difficulty=7
|level=5
|experience=76
|speed=9
|AC=5
|MR=15
|align=0
|frequency=1
|genocidable=Yes
|attacks=Claw 1d6 physical, Claw 1d6 [[steal item]]
|weight=500
|nutr=200
|size=small
|resistances=
|resistances conveyed=
|attributes={{attributes|A grimlock|noeyes=1|humanoid=1|pois=1|carnivore=1|orc=1|hostile=1|wander=1|collect=1|infravisible=1|sgroup=1|traitor=1}}
|reference=
}}
{{otheruses|the monster in dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack|the monster in other variants|grimlock}}
A '''grimlock''', {{gray|g}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]]. The grimlock is an [[eyeless]] [[Gremlin (monster class)|gremlin-like]] [[humanoid]] that is [[neutral]] and [[Orc (monster attribute)|orcish]]. Grimlocks are [[carnivorous]], can be seen via [[infravision]], have a tendency to wander while moving, and can pick up [[weapon]]s, [[food]] and other items that they come across. [[Tame]] grimlocks can turn [[traitor]].

Grimlocks have two claw attacks, with the second capable of [[Steal item|stealing items]].

Grimlocks are [[poisonous]] to consume.

==Generation==
Randomly generated grimlocks are always hostile, and can appear in small [[group]]s.

==Origin==
{{wikipedia|Morlock}}
The grimlocks of dNetHack and its derivatives are based on [[dnd:Grimlock|the grimlock]] of ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'', which in turn derives them from the Morlocks, the antagonists of the [[wikipedia:H.G. Wells|H.G. Wells]] story [[wikipedia:The Time Machine|"The Time Machine"]]. Unlike the grimlocks of SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM, they are portrayed as closer to gremlins than [[Human (monster attribute)|humans]].

The grimlocks of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' are primitive and savage humanoids that primarily dwell in the Underdark, akin to Wells's Morlocks—they have gray, thick and slightly scaled and gray, usually scarred from hunts through their constricted underground passageways, and those with a special status often had decorative designs scarred into their skin. Grimlocks have sharp teeth and typically-black hair that often grew to be long and unkempt, as well as long claw-like nails—most grimlocks have no eyes whatsoever as a result of centuries underground, and the few that do had completely milky-white eyes, hence their portrayal as eyeless in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. They typically wear little clothing or armor, though some are known to sport tanned leather belts and harnesses along with decorative bracers.

While grimlocks are prone to evil acts, they very rarely acted out of malice and their behavior is rooted in a deep sense of self-preservation and struggle for survival. Regardless, they are very blunt and suspicious of other creatures, and those who wandered away from their kin often experienced culture shock, but felt some sense of gratification at how strange things were. Wandering grimlocks could even overcome their xenophobic leanings, viewing each individual they meet as a potential pack member, though this mindset would need to be reinforced through daily meditation. Having lost their sight over the course of living within the Underdark for centuries, grimlocks are vulnerable to light, but have developed an acute sense of smell and echolocation.

Grimlocks are well-adapted for combat thanks to their naturally hardy bodies and high sensory awareness; however, they are very unorganized, and their fear of outsiders makes them hard to subjugate and organize into an enthralled fighting force. They generally attack their enemies under the cover of darkness, hoping to disorient their foes and take advantage of their natural blind-senses. Grimlocks prefer to fight up close with crude stone battleaxes or weapons made of bone. Their diets consist of any raw flesh they can find, especially human flesh, to the point their populations were often decimated from diseased meat.

==Encyclopedia entry==
{{encyclopedia|
Grimlocks have thick, scaly, grey skin and long, black,
filthy hair. Their teeth are white and extremely sharp.
Their eyes are blank white orbs.

Grimlocks are totally blind, but have highly developed
senses of smell and hearing. Their sensitive ears and noses
combine to allow them to distinguish objects and creatures
just as well as if they were able to see. Those same ears
render them extremely vulnerable to loud noises, however.
|[ Adapted from Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition
Complete Monstrous Manual ]}}
{{variant-343}}
[[Category:dNetHack monsters]]
[[Category:notdNetHack monsters]]
[[Category:notnotdNetHack monsters]]

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 Grimlocks can appear as random [[Prisoner (dNetHack)|prisoners]] in [[Throne room#dNetHack|throne rooms]].
-grimlocks are generated on the goal level of the [[Drow Noble quest]] at level creation.
+grimlocks are generated on the goal level of the [[Drow Noble quest]] during level creation.
 ==Origin==

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 Grimlocks have two claw attacks, with the second capable of [[Item theft|stealing items]].
-Grimlocks are [[poisonous]] to consume.
+A grimlock is [[poisonous]] to consume.
 ==Generation==
 Randomly generated grimlocks are always hostile, and can appear in small [[group]]s.
-Grimlocks can appear as [[Prisoner (dNetHack)|prisoners]] in [[Throne room#dNetHack|throne rooms]].
+Grimlocks can appear as random [[Prisoner (dNetHack)|prisoners]] in [[Throne room#dNetHack|throne rooms]].
 grimlocks are generated on the goal level of the [[Drow Noble quest]] at level creation.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
   |frequency=1
   |genocidable=Yes
-  |attacks=Claw 1d6 physical, Claw 1d6 [[steal item]]
+  |attacks=[[Claw attack|Claw]] 1d6 [[Physical damage|physical]], claw 1d6 [[item theft]]
   |weight=500
   |nutr=200
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 A '''grimlock''', {{gray|g}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]]. The grimlock is an [[eyeless]] [[Gremlin (monster class)|gremlin-like]] [[humanoid]] that is [[neutral]] and [[Orc (monster attribute)|orcish]]. Grimlocks are [[carnivorous]], can be seen via [[infravision]], have a tendency to wander while moving, and can pick up [[weapon]]s, [[food]] and other items that they come across. [[Tame]] grimlocks can turn [[traitor]].
-Grimlocks have two claw attacks, with the second capable of [[Steal item|stealing items]].
+Grimlocks have two claw attacks, with the second capable of [[Item theft|stealing items]].
 Grimlocks are [[poisonous]] to consume.
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 render them extremely vulnerable to loud noises, however.
 |[ Adapted from Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition
-	Complete Monstrous Manual ]}}
+Complete Monstrous Manual ]}}
 {{variant-343}}
 [[Category:dNetHack monsters]]
 [[Category:notdNetHack monsters]]
 [[Category:notnotdNetHack monsters]]

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 ==Generation==
 Randomly generated grimlocks are always hostile, and can appear in small [[group]]s.
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 39: / Line 43: @@
 While grimlocks are prone to evil acts, they very rarely acted out of malice and their behavior is rooted in a deep sense of self-preservation and struggle for survival. Regardless, they are very blunt and suspicious of other creatures, and those who wandered away from their kin often experienced culture shock, but felt some sense of gratification at how strange things were. Wandering grimlocks could even overcome their xenophobic leanings, viewing each individual they meet as a potential pack member, though this mindset would need to be reinforced through daily meditation. Having lost their sight over the course of living within the Underdark for centuries, grimlocks are vulnerable to light, but have developed an acute sense of smell and echolocation.
-Grimlocks are well-adapted for combat thanks to their naturally hardy bodies and high sensory awareness; however, they are very unorganized, and their fear of outsiders makes them hard to subjugate and organize into an enthralled fighting force. They generally attack their enemies under the cover of darkness, hoping to disorient their foes and take advantage of their natural blind-senses. Grimlocks prefer to fight up close with crude stone battleaxes or weapons made of bone. Their diets consist of any raw flesh they can find, especially human flesh, to the point their populations were often decimated from diseased meat.
+Grimlocks are well-adapted for combat thanks to their naturally hardy bodies and high sensory awareness; however, they are very unorganized, and their fear of outsiders makes them hard to subjugate and organize into an enthralled fighting force. They generally attack their enemies under the cover of darkness, hoping to disorient their foes and take advantage of their natural blind-senses. Grimlocks prefer to fight up close with crude stone battleaxes or weapons made of bone. Their diets consist of any raw flesh they can find, especially human flesh, to the point their populations were often decimated from diseased meat. Some grimlocks are known to worship illithids, hence their association with the mind flayer colony in the Drow Noble quest.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==