Randomized appearance - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: word choice, potholes, etc.

2026-07-20T06:55:32Z

word choice, potholes, etc.

Umbire the Phantom: detail I forgot from 3.6

2026-07-17T20:15:38Z

detail I forgot from 3.6

Umbire the Phantom: /* Helms */ cite randomization

2026-07-08T04:02:48Z

‎Helms: cite randomization

Umbire the Phantom: /* Rings */ word choice

2026-07-05T13:27:35Z

‎Rings: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-07-05T13:21:01Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: missed word

2026-07-05T13:19:50Z

missed word

Umbire the Phantom: /* Spellbooks */ tweak

2026-07-05T12:29:58Z

‎Spellbooks: tweak

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2026-07-05T12:12:01Z

word choice

Ray Chason: "Aluminium" isn't wrong, just Rightpondian

2026-07-05T11:36:29Z

"Aluminium" isn't wrong, just Rightpondian

Umbire the Phantom: can't forget this

2026-07-05T07:21:13Z

can't forget this

@@ Line 106: / Line 106: @@
 Each wand's randomized appearance determines their [[material]] as well as their additional effects in a given game, and also influences golem creation when polypiling. While the appearance of a wand also determines what monsters can eat them (and thus what polymorph forms the hero can use to do the same), eating a wand has no effect for the hero besides granting a small amount of [[nutrition]].
-* The "glass wand" and "crystal wand" are both made of [[fragile]] [[glass]] that can break&mdash;this is significant in cases such as the [[wand of wishing]] within the [[chest]] in one of the turrets of the [[Castle]], where [[kicking]] to open the chest can shatter it.
+* The "glass wand" and "crystal wand" are both made of [[fragile]] [[glass]] that can break&mdash;this is significant in cases such as the [[wand of wishing]] within the [[chest]] in one of the turrets of the [[Castle]], where [[Kick (command)|kicking]] to open the chest can shatter it.
 * The "balsa wand", "maple wand", "pine wand", "redwood wand", "oak wand", "ebony wand", and "forked wand" are all made of wood.
 * The "marble wand" is made of mineral, and the [[stone to flesh]] spell will turn marble wands into [[meat stick]]s.
@@ Line 145: / Line 145: @@
      old gloves      padded gloves      riding gloves      fencing gloves
-The gauntlets of power will always be made of iron, while all other gloves are made of leather.
+The gauntlets of power are always made of iron, while all other gloves are made of leather.
 A worn pair of '''riding gloves''' will increase the chance of successfully applying a [[saddle]] to a steed by 10 in addition to its other effects, ''unless'' they are the randomized appearance for gauntlets of fumbling.{{refsrc|src/steed.c|114-L121|nethack=5.0.0|name="ridingbonus"|comment=<tt>else</tt> means that bonus will not apply while the hero is fumbling and will not stack if both item types are worn}}
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
      hiking boots   combat boots    jungle boots
-[[Kicking boots]] will always be made of iron, while all other boots are made of leather.
+[[Kicking boots]] are always made of iron, while all other boots are made of leather.
 A worn pair of "snow boots" prevents the hero from fumbling while walking across [[ice]] in addition to its other effects (meaning that snow boots will not prevent their ''own'' fumbling effects if they are [[fumble boots]]).{{refsrc|src/hack.c|2402|nethack=5.0.0}}

@@ Line 179: / Line 179: @@
 [[NetHack 2.3e]] adopts the American spelling for the aluminum wand, and adds "hematite" and "brass" to the randomized appearances for rings.
-[[NetHack 3.0.0]] introduces the amulet object class and all amulets other than the Amulet of Yendor and its cheap imitation, as well as expanding upon the types of armor that can be worn in each slot&mdash;this includes a majority of the appearances used for randomized armor that are retained all the way to current versions of ''NetHack''. Potions of unholy water and regular water are introduced, and alongside holy water they are given their current fixed appearance of "clear potions". This version also adds the following randomized appearances for objects:
+[[NetHack 3.0.0]] introduces the amulet object class and all amulets other than the Amulet of Yendor and its cheap imitation, as well as defining [[material]]s for objects and expanding upon the types of armor that can be worn in each slot&mdash;this includes a majority of the appearances used for randomized armor that are retained all the way to current versions of ''NetHack''. Potions of unholy water and regular water are introduced, and alongside holy water they are given their current fixed appearance of "clear potions". This version also adds the following randomized appearances for objects:
 * '''Amulets''': circular, spherical, oval, triangular, pyramidal, square, concave, hexagonal
@@ Line 215: / Line 215: @@
 * '''Boots''': buckled
-[[NetHack 3.6.0]] changes the "leather spellbook" appearance to "leather''y'' spellbook", and  introduces the possible chance of the hero falling asleep when attempting to read a dull spellbook via {{commit|ef3f75856919597e7366f0dc22c50f9fb49cd194}}&mdash;in this version, the effect ignores [[sleep resistance]], which is bug [[Bugs in NetHack 3.6.0#360-15|C360-15]] and is fixed for [[NetHack 3.6.1]] via {{commit|c843f56897289746cb1b7c5b9a4e66878679d5fd}}. It also adds several scroll labels:
+[[NetHack 3.6.0]] changes the material of the pearl ring from iron to bone, changes "leather spellbook" appearance to "leather''y'' spellbook", and introduces the possible chance of the hero falling asleep when attempting to read a dull spellbook via {{commit|ef3f75856919597e7366f0dc22c50f9fb49cd194}}&mdash;in this version, the effect ignores [[sleep resistance]], which is bug [[Bugs in NetHack 3.6.0#360-15|C360-15]] and is fixed for [[NetHack 3.6.1]] via {{commit|c843f56897289746cb1b7c5b9a4e66878679d5fd}}. Furthermore, NetHack 3.6.0 adds several scroll labels:
      ETAOIN SHRDLU    LOREM IPSUM        FNORD                    KO BATE
@@ Line 224: / Line 224: @@
 [[NetHack 3.6.1]] introduces the message for eating a scroll labeled YUM YUM via {{commit|1cad5efe1715cb98a8a51308f9d44932f2d0fd6b}}.
-[[NetHack 3.6.2]] introduces the change to the material of vellum and parchment spellbooks from paper via {{commit|95b920516801678fef6e7503270a1ec05bf4a454}}.
+[[NetHack 3.6.2]] changes the material of vellum and parchment spellbooks from paper to leather via {{commit|95b920516801678fef6e7503270a1ec05bf4a454}}.
 [[NetHack 5.0.0]] gives the helm of brilliance its fixed appearance of a "crystal helm" and adds the helm of caution, which uses the helm of brilliance's former randomized appearance.<ref name="brilliance"/> It also adds the following object appearances:

@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 ===Helms===
-The [[helmet]], [[helm of caution]], [[helm of opposite alignment]], and [[helm of telepathy]] each have one of the following randomized appearances:{{refsrc|include/objects.h|475-L487|nethack=5.0.0}}
+The [[helmet]], [[helm of caution]], [[helm of opposite alignment]], and [[helm of telepathy]] each have one of the following randomized appearances:{{refsrc|include/objects.h|475-L487|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/o_init.c|280-L281|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/o_init.c|331|nethack=5.0.0}}
      plumed helmet      etched helmet      crested helmet      visored helmet

@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 * The "gold ring" is naturally made of [[Gold (material)|gold]].
 * The following groups of ring appearances also share a common trait:
-** The "topaz ring", "sapphire ring", "ruby ring", "steel ring", "diamond ring", or an "emerald ring" can be used to semi-permanently engrave something on the floor.
+** The "topaz ring", "sapphire ring", "ruby ring", "steel ring", "diamond ring", "emerald ring" can each be used to semi-permanently engrave something on the floor.
-** The "bronze ring", "brass ring", "copper ring", "silver ring", or "gold ring" can be eaten by any metallivore that is not restricted to rustable metals, which consists of the rock mole and xorn (and any hero polymorphed into either monster).
+** The "bronze ring", "brass ring", "copper ring", "silver ring", and "gold ring" can be eaten by any metallivore that is not restricted to rustable metals, which consists of the rock mole and xorn (and any hero polymorphed into either monster).
 Remember that a [[ring of slow digestion]] cannot be eaten by any monster or hero, even if it has a randomized appearance that is normally edible for them.

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 * The "wooden ring" is naturally made of [[wood]], and can be eaten by a gelatinous cube or a hero polymorphed into one.
 * The "granite ring", "opal ring", "clay ring", "coral ring", "black onyx ring", and "moonstone ring" are all made of [[mineral]], and the [[stone to flesh]] spell will turn these rings into [[meat ring]]s.
-* The "bronze ring", "brass ring" and "copper ring" are all made of [[bronze]].
+* The "bronze ring", "brass ring" and "copper ring" are all made of [[copper]].
 * The "pearl ring" and "ivory ring" are made of [[bone]].
 * The "tiger eye ring", "jade ring", "agate ring", "topaz ring", "sapphire ring", "ruby ring", "diamond ring", and "emerald ring" are all made of gemstone.

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 * The "pearl ring" and "ivory ring" are made of [[bone]].
 * The "tiger eye ring", "jade ring", "agate ring", "topaz ring", "sapphire ring", "ruby ring", "diamond ring", and "emerald ring" are all made of gemstone.
-* The "iron ring", "twisted ring", "steel ring", "wire ring", "engagement ring", or "shiny ring" are all made of [[iron]], which makes them both [[rust]]-prone and edible for [[metallivore]]s&mdash;[[rock mole]]s, [[xorn]]s, [[rust monster]]s, and any hero polymorphed into one of those three monsters.
+* The "iron ring", "twisted ring", "steel ring", "wire ring", "engagement ring", and "shiny ring" are all made of [[iron]], which makes them both [[rust]]-prone and edible for [[metallivore]]s&mdash;[[rock mole]]s, [[xorn]]s, [[rust monster]]s, and any hero polymorphed into one of those three monsters.
 * The "silver ring" is naturally made of [[silver]], and a hero that attacks with their hands (e.g. [[bare hands]], [[martial arts]], monster-form [[claw attack]]s) while [[wearing]] a silver ring without [[gloves]] will deal extra silver damage to silver-hating monsters.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|861-L881|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|5607-L5613|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|5657-L5663|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|5695-L5700|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|5720-L5727|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|5743-L5745|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|5755-L5757|nethack=5.0.0}} Heroes that have [[lycanthropy]] or are in the form of a silver-hating monster cannot [[put on]] silver rings.
 * The "gold ring" is naturally made of [[Gold (material)|gold]].

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 * The "vellum spellbook" and "parchment spellbook" are made of [[leather]] (specifically animal skin), rather than [[paper]] as all the others are, and will break [[vegetarian]] [[conduct]] if eaten by a hero in the form of a gelatinous cube.{{refsrc|include/objects.h|1282-L1299|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|2709-L2723|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|2772-L2779|nethack=5.0.0}} This also influences [[golem]] creation when [[polypiling]]. Despite its name, the "leathery spellbook" is ''not'' made of leather, with the description instead referring to the appearance of its cover.
-The source code also contains appearances for the [[deferred feature|deferred]] spellbooks of {{+ of|flame sphere}} and {{+ of|freeze sphere}}, which are ''canvas spellbooks'' and ''hardcover spellbooks'' (respectively) and will go unused in normal gameplay if the spellbooks are not enabled.{{refsrc|include/objects.h|1413-L1422|nethack=5.0.0}}
+The source code also contains appearances for the [[deferred feature|deferred]] spellbooks of {{+ of|flame sphere}} and {{+ of|freeze sphere}}, which are "canvas spellbooks" and "hardcover spellbooks" (respectively) and will go unused in normal gameplay if their spellbooks are not enabled.{{refsrc|include/objects.h|1413-L1422|nethack=5.0.0}}
 ==Rings==

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ==Scrolls==
-For scrolls, [[scrolls of mail]] and {{? of|blank paper}} are the only ones to always have fixed appearances ("stamped scroll" and "unlabeled scroll", respectively).{{refsrc|include/objects.h|1260-L1265|nethack=5.0.0}} All other scrolls may appear with one of the following labels that can be shuffled into use at the start of a game:{{refsrc|include/objects.h|1187-L1259|nethack=5.0.0}}
+For scrolls, [[scrolls of mail]] and {{? of|blank paper}} are the only ones to always have fixed appearances ("stamped scroll" and "unlabeled scroll", respectively).{{refsrc|include/objects.h|1260-L1265|nethack=5.0.0}} All other scrolls may appear with one of the following labels that are shuffled into use at the start of a game:{{refsrc|include/objects.h|1187-L1259|nethack=5.0.0}}
      ZELGO MER       JUYED AWK YACC   NR 9               XIXAXA XOXAXA XUXAXA

@@ Line 177: / Line 177: @@
 From NetHack 1.3d to NetHack 2.3e, the "clear potion" is not a fixed appearance for the potion of holy water, and the scroll of blank paper also does not have a fixed appearance, meaning that both can occur as the appearance of any potion or scroll.
-[[NetHack 2.3e]] corrects the spelling for the aluminum wand, and adds "hematite" and "brass" to the randomized appearances for rings.
+[[NetHack 2.3e]] adopts the American spelling for the aluminum wand, and adds "hematite" and "brass" to the randomized appearances for rings.
 [[NetHack 3.0.0]] introduces the amulet object class and all amulets other than the Amulet of Yendor and its cheap imitation, as well as expanding upon the types of armor that can be worn in each slot&mdash;this includes a majority of the appearances used for randomized armor that are retained all the way to current versions of ''NetHack''. Potions of unholy water and regular water are introduced, and alongside holy water they are given their current fixed appearance of "clear potions". This version also adds the following randomized appearances for objects:

@@ Line 221: / Line 221: @@
      HAPAX LEGOMENON  EIRIS SAZUN IDISI  PHOL ENDE WODAN          GHOTI
      ZLORFIK          VAS CORP BET MANI  STRC PRST SKRZ KRK       XOR OTA
 [[NetHack 3.6.2]] introduces the change to the material of vellum and parchment spellbooks from paper via {{commit|95b920516801678fef6e7503270a1ec05bf4a454}}.