Towel - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ missed the towel wetness stuff somehow

2026-05-02T10:39:11Z

‎Messages: missed the towel wetness stuff somehow

Tomsod: /* dNetHack */ typo

2026-03-19T01:04:13Z

‎dNetHack: typo

Umbire the Phantom: hack'em gun store + cite fix

2026-03-11T03:03:11Z

hack'em gun store + cite fix

Umbire the Phantom: missed a spot!

2026-03-11T02:36:35Z

missed a spot!

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ typo

2026-03-11T02:21:15Z

‎dNetHack: typo

Umbire the Phantom: one last *dnh thing

2026-03-11T02:11:41Z

one last *dnh thing

Umbire the Phantom: detailing + variants

2026-03-11T01:44:41Z

detailing + variants

Umbire the Phantom: few more messages

2026-03-10T03:00:14Z

few more messages

Umbire the Phantom: /* Wet towels */ upcoming re: iron golem

2026-03-10T00:47:47Z

‎Wet towels: upcoming re: iron golem

Umbire the Phantom: messages and detailing

2026-03-10T00:35:08Z

messages and detailing

@@ Line 88: / Line 88: @@
 {{message|You push your <facewear> off.|You pushed off a worn towel, blindfold or pair of lenses by applying a cursed towel.}}
 {{message|You push your <facewear> <cock-eyed/crooked>.|As above, but the item worn on your face is also cursed and does not come off&mdash;there is an equal probability for each descriptor.}}
 {{message|Your towel gets dusty.|You 'engraved' with a towel while there was no message to wipe off the floor.}}

@@ Line 115: / Line 115: @@
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], towels function as they do in NetHack 3.4.3, and [[Tourist/dNetHack|Tourists]] will always start with a towel.
-Spa shops in [[Elshava]] can stock potions towels.
+Spa shops in [[Elshava]] can stock towels.
 Four towels are generated on the [[Anachrononaut quest]] home level at level creation, where they are placed in the left-most [[chest]] within the lower right room of the home base. In the [[Android quest]], this chest contains a single towel.

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 ** Applying a cursed towel instead has a {{frac|3}} chance of making the hero's hands slippery and a {{frac|3}} chance of applying gunk to their face if they are not wearing anything on their face, with both effects lasting for {{rn1|10|3}} (more) turns.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|103-L106|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|107-L114|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|115-L121|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|142|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero wiping their face with a cursed towel while wearing a [[blindfold]], [[pair of lenses]] or another towel on their face will push it off their face and onto the ground, unless the worn item is also cursed.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|122-L141|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * The hero can "[[engrave]]" with a towel to fully erase any current engraving on their [[square]] if the engraving is written in the dust, or if it is written with blood or [[magic marker]] ink.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|841-L861|nethack=3.6.7}}
-* The hero can [[put on]] a towel to render themselves [[blind]] similar to a blindfold, and [[removing]] the towel will let them see again if it was the only thing blinding them.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1865|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1877|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero cannot wear a towel if they already have a blindfold, pair of lenses or another towel on their face.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1965-L1984|nethack=3.6.7}} A [[worn]] cursed towel cannot be removed manually, and is considered a [[major trouble]] the same way a cursed blindfold is{{refsrc|src/pray.c|227|nethack=3.6.7|comment=checks for <tt>blindfolded</tt>}}{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|86|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>blindfolded</tt> define}}&mdash;successful [[prayer]] that solves this trouble will uncurse the worn towel.{{refsrc|src/pray.c|463-465|nethack=3.6.7}}
+* The hero can [[put on]] a towel to render themselves [[blind]] similar to a blindfold, and [[removing]] the towel will let them see again if it was the only thing blinding them.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1865|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1877|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero cannot wear a towel if they already have a blindfold, pair of lenses or another towel on their face.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1965-L1984|nethack=3.6.7}} A [[worn]] cursed towel cannot be removed manually, and is considered a [[major trouble]] the same way a cursed blindfold is{{refsrc|src/pray.c|227|nethack=3.6.7|comment=checks for <tt>blindfolded</tt>}}{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|86|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>blindfolded</tt> define}}&mdash;successful [[prayer]] that solves this trouble will uncurse the worn towel.{{refsrc|src/pray.c|463-:465|nethack=3.6.7}}
 [[Monster]]s will not use this item, though some monsters will still pick them up.
@@ Line 129: / Line 129: @@
 ===Hack'EM===
 In [[Hack'EM]], towels function as they do in NetHack 3.6.7.
 Upgrading a towel successfully will produce a blindfold and vice versa, as in SLASH'EM.

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 A [[hero]] can utilize towels for multiple purposes:
-* [[Applying]] a non-cursed towel while the hero either has [[slippery fingers]] or else has gunk on their face (e.g. from a [[cream pie]] or [[blinding venom]]) will wipe their hands or face clean{{refsrc|src/apply.c|92|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>use_towel()</tt> function}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|147-L153|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;if both their hands and face are dirty, the hero will always wipe their hands off first. Unlike the #[[wipe]] [[extended command]], this action will always succeed if possible and takes one turn to clean the hero's face. A hero cannot use a towel this way if their hands are both welded to a cursed item, or if are [[polymorph]]ed into a form that lacks hands.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|97|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero cannot wipe their hands or face with a towel they are currently wearing.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|100|nethack=3.6.7}}
+* [[Applying]] a non-cursed towel while the hero either has [[slippery fingers]] or else has gunk on their face (e.g. from a [[cream pie]] or [[blinding venom]]) will wipe their hands or face clean{{refsrc|src/apply.c|92|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>use_towel()</tt> function}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|147-L153|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;if both their hands and face are dirty, the hero will always wipe their hands off first. Unlike the #[[wipe]] [[extended command]], this action will always succeed if possible and takes one turn to clean the hero's face. A hero cannot use a towel this way if their hands are both welded to a cursed item, or if are [[polymorph]]ed into a form that lacks hands.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|97|nethack=3.6.7|comment=checks against <tt>freehand()</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|431|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>freehand()</tt> function}} A hero cannot wipe their hands or face with a towel they are currently wearing.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|100|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ** Applying a cursed towel instead has a {{frac|3}} chance of making the hero's hands slippery and a {{frac|3}} chance of applying gunk to their face if they are not wearing anything on their face, with both effects lasting for {{rn1|10|3}} (more) turns.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|103-L106|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|107-L114|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|115-L121|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|142|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero wiping their face with a cursed towel while wearing a [[blindfold]], [[pair of lenses]] or another towel on their face will push it off their face and onto the ground, unless the worn item is also cursed.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|122-L141|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * The hero can "[[engrave]]" with a towel to fully erase any current engraving on their [[square]] if the engraving is written in the dust, or if it is written with blood or [[magic marker]] ink.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|841-L861|nethack=3.6.7}}

@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 Four towels are generated on the [[Anachrononaut quest]] home level at level creation, where they are placed in the left-most [[chest]] within the lower right room of the home base. In the [[Android quest]], this chest contains a single towel.
-A worn towel can prevent attacks that spread [[gray mold spores]] from affecting the hero's respiratory system, and can disguise the marks of bound [[Spirit (dNetHack)|spirits]] such as [[Astaroth]].
+A worn towel can prevent attacks that spread [[gray mold spores]] from affecting the hero's respiratory system, and can disguise the marks of bound [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirits]] such as [[Astaroth]].
 ===SpliceHack===

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:11, 11 March 2026
Line 118:		Line 118:

	Four towels are generated on the [[Anachrononaut quest]] home level at level creation, where they are placed in the left-most [[chest]] within the lower right room of the home base. In the [[Android quest]], this chest contains a single towel.		Four towels are generated on the [[Anachrononaut quest]] home level at level creation, where they are placed in the left-most [[chest]] within the lower right room of the home base. In the [[Android quest]], this chest contains a single towel.
		+
		+	A worn towel can prevent attacks that spread [[gray mold spores]] from affecting the hero's respiratory system, and can disguise the marks of bound [[Spirit (dNetHack)\|spirits]] such as [[Astaroth]].

	===SpliceHack===		===SpliceHack===

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 ** Applying a cursed towel instead has a {{frac|3}} chance of making the hero's hands slippery and a {{frac|3}} chance of applying gunk to their face if they are not wearing anything on their face, with both effects lasting for {{rn1|10|3}} (more) turns.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|103-L106|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|107-L114|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|115-L121|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|142|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero wiping their face with a cursed towel while wearing a [[blindfold]], [[pair of lenses]] or another towel on their face will push it off their face and onto the ground, unless the worn item is also cursed.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|122-L141|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * The hero can "[[engrave]]" with a towel to fully erase any current engraving on their [[square]] if the engraving is written in the dust, or if it is written with blood or [[magic marker]] ink.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|841-L861|nethack=3.6.7}}
-* The hero can [[put on]] a towel to render themselves [[blind]] similar to a blindfold, and [[removing]] the towel will let them see again if it was the only thing blinding them.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1865|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1877|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero cannot wear a towel if they already have a blindfold, pair of lenses or another towel on their face.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1965-L1984|nethack=3.6.7}} A [[worn]] cursed towel cannot be removed manually.
+* The hero can [[put on]] a towel to render themselves [[blind]] similar to a blindfold, and [[removing]] the towel will let them see again if it was the only thing blinding them.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1865|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1877|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero cannot wear a towel if they already have a blindfold, pair of lenses or another towel on their face.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1965-L1984|nethack=3.6.7}} A [[worn]] cursed towel cannot be removed manually, and is considered a [[major trouble]] the same way a cursed blindfold is{{refsrc|src/pray.c|227|nethack=3.6.7|comment=checks for <tt>blindfolded</tt>}}{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|86|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>blindfolded</tt> define}}&mdash;successful [[prayer]] that solves this trouble will uncurse the worn towel.{{refsrc|src/pray.c|463-465|nethack=3.6.7}}
 [[Monster]]s will not use this item, though some monsters will still pick them up.
@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 {{message|You are now wearing a towel around your head.|You put on a towel.}}
 {{message|You were wearing a towel.|You removed a worn towel.}}
-{{message|You <are/were> deliberately blind because of your towel.|You are wearing a towel on your face, as noted in your [[base attributes]] screen, e.g. from [[enlightenment]].}}
+{{message|You <are/were> deliberately blind because of your towel.|You are wearing a towel on your face, as noted in your [[base attributes]] screen, e.g. from [[enlightenment]]&mdash;the past tense is used for end-of-game reporting.}}
 ==Variants==
 ===UnNetHack===
-In [[UnNetHack]], all characters start with a towel on Towel Day (25th of May).{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|898|unnethack=1554}} [[Tourist/UnNetHack|Tourists]] that start with a towel this way will not be given a second towel.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|786|unnethack=1554}}
+In [[UnNetHack]], every game started on Towel Day (25th of May) will add a towel to the hero's starting inventory. [[Tourist/UnNetHack|Tourists]] that start with a towel this way will not be given a second towel.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 The Turkish towel began as a flat, woven piece of cotton or linen called a ''[[Wikipedia:Peshtamel|peshtamal]]'' that was often hand-embroidered, and they were  used in Turkish baths as they were very absorbent and stayed light when wet. Long enough to wrap around the body, ''peshtamal'' were originally fairly narrow, but are now wider and commonly measure 90 by 170 centimetres (35 in × 67 in). As the Ottoman Empire grew, so did towel usage: weavers were asked to embroider more elaborate designs, and by the 18th century, towels began to feature loops sticking up from the pile of the material. These looped towels became known as ''havly'', a word which over time changed to ''havlu'', the Turkish word for a towel that means "with loops". Towels did not become affordable until the cotton trade and industrialization of the the 19th century, and with mechanization, toweling became available pre-made and by the yard. Today, towels come in a variety of sizes, materials and designs.
-In Douglas Adams' ''[[Wikipedia:Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' series, there is an in-world emphasis on towels and their importance to hitchhikers as usable in practically any situation or environment: if a hitchhiker has a towel, it can be inferred by a non-hitchhiker that they also have a toothbrush, soap, washcloth, raincoat, and related things, and non-hitchhikers would also be happy to lend the hitchhiker any of those items if they have "lost" them. This is the basis for most of the towel's uses in ''NetHack'' and its [[encyclopedia]] entry (which is an excerpt from [[Wikipedia:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (novel)|the 1979 series-naming novel]]).
+In [[Douglas Adams]]' ''[[Wikipedia:Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' series, there is an in-world emphasis on towels and their importance to hitchhikers as usable in practically any situation or environment: if a hitchhiker has a towel, it can be inferred by a non-hitchhiker that they also have a toothbrush, soap, washcloth, raincoat, and related things, and non-hitchhikers would also be happy to lend the hitchhiker any of those items if they have "lost" them. This is the basis for most of the towel's uses in ''NetHack'' and its [[encyclopedia]] entry (which is an excerpt from [[Wikipedia:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (novel)|the 1979 series-naming novel]]).
 ==Messages==
@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 {{message|Your towel gets dusty.|You 'engraved' with a towel while there was no message to wipe off the floor.}}
 {{message|Your towel gets frosty.|As above, but you were standing on [[ice]].}}
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 A wet or moist towel can be [[wielded]] and used as an improvised "weapon" that deals base damage between 1 and its current wetness value, which is capped at 6 base damage like other non-weapon objects.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1064-L1077|nethack=3.6.7}} Each hit with a wet or moist towel has a {{sfrac|''x''|''x''+1}} chance of the towel losing one level of wetness (where ''x'' represents its current wetness).{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1069-L1070|nethack=3.6.7}}
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|3e18804371413d9da397bacdd317dd06fe285998}}, wearing a wet towel halves damage from [[poison cloud]]s and poison gas [[breath]], and blocks the effects of [[potion]] [[vapors]].}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|3e18804371413d9da397bacdd317dd06fe285998}}, wearing a wet towel halves damage from [[poison cloud]]s and poison gas [[breath]], and blocks the effects of [[potion]] [[vapors]].
 ==Strategy==