Difference between revisions of "Nightgaunt (SLASH'EM)"

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A '''nightgaunt''' is a monster in [[SLASH'EM]] and [[dNetHack]].
 
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== SLASH'EM ==
 
 
{{monster
 
{{monster
−
  |name = nightgaunt
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  |name=nightgaunt
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  |difficulty = 19
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  |difficulty=19
−
  |level = 15
+
  |level=15
−
  |experience = unknown
+
  |experience=unknown
−
  |speed = 20
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  |speed=20
−
  |AC = −2
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  |AC=−2
−
  |MR = 50
+
  |MR=50
−
  |align = −6
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  |align=−6
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  |attacks = Claw tickle 1d6, Claw tickle 1d6
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  |attacks=Claw tickle 1d6, Claw tickle 1d6
−
  |frequency = 2
+
  |frequency=2
−
  |genocidable = Yes
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  |genocidable=Yes
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  |weight = 1300
+
  |weight=1300
−
  |nutr = 100
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  |nutr=100
−
  |size = Medium
+
  |size=Medium
−
  |resistances = [[sleep]], [[poison]], [[cold]]
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  |resistances=[[sleep]], [[poison]], [[cold]]
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  |resistances conveyed = [[cold]] (100%)
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  |resistances conveyed=[[cold]] (100%)
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  |attributes = {{attributes|A nightgaunt|=
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  |attributes={{attributes|A nightgaunt|fly=1|breathless=1|pois=1|regen=1|thick=1|seeinvis=1|omnivore=1|noeyes=1|hostile=1|wander=1|stalk=1|strong=1|collect=1|magic=1|infravisible=1|infravision=1|traitor=1|sgroup=1}}
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|fly=1|breathless=1|pois=1|regen=1|thick=1|seeinvis=1
+
  |reference=[[SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line2101]]
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|omnivore=1|noeyes=1|hostile=1|wander=1|stalk=1
 
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|strong=1|collect=1|magic=1|infravisible=1
 
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|infravision=1|traitor=1|sgroup=1
 
−
}}
 
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  |reference = [[SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line2101]]
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{for|the monster in other variants|nightgaunt}}
 +
A '''nightgaunt''', {{monsym|nightgaunt}}, is a type of monster that appears in [[SLASH'EM]] and [[SlashTHEM]]; it also appears in [[SpliceHack]], where it instead uses the {{blue|B}} glyph.
  
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Small groups of nightgaunts are commonly seen in later levels of both the [[Dungeons of Doom]] and [[Gehennom]].  They possess a unique attack, AD_TCKL,{{refsrc|mhitu.c|1416|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} which behaves exactly the same as a [[paralysis]] attack except for having a different message, and abusing constitution in addition to dexterity.
+
The nightgaunt is a [[strong]], [[eyeless]] and [[thick-skinned]] [[omnivore]] that is [[breathless]], capable of [[flight]], can [[see invisible]], has [[infravision]], and can be seen via infravision. Nightgaunts possesses enhanced [[regeneration]], have a tendency to wander while moving, will seek out and pick up [[magical item]]s and other objects, and can follow the [[hero]] to other levels if they are adjacent. [[Tame]] nightgaunts may turn [[traitor]].
−
 
 
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===Strategy===
 
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The paralysis attack is no particular threat, as it is affected by [[magic cancellation]], and one is highly unlikely to encounter these monsters before having MC 3.  They are mostly a threat for being hard to kill; having a base level of 15, even with your best weapon they will take quite a few hits.  Since they are generated in groups and are quite fast, like the [[bat|bats]] with whom they share a glyph, they can be quite a nuisance.  The amount of physical damage they do is not particularly high, but from two or three of them over the period of time it will take to destroy them, can wear you down.  Note that they are capable of picking up and using [[wand|wands]] and other magic items.
 
  
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Chatting with a nightgaunt will produce the message "The nightgaunt squeaks." This is likely a holdover from bats.
+
A nightgaunt has two "tickling" claw attacks, which inflict [[paralysis]] while abusing [[constitution]] and [[dexterity]].{{refsrc|mhitu.c|1416|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} Nightgaunts possess [[cold resistance]], [[sleep resistance]] and [[poison resistance]].
  
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===Appearance===
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Nightgaunts are [[poisonous]] to consume, and [[eating]] a nightgaunt's [[corpse]] or [[tin]] always grants cold resistance.
  
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Nightgaunts come from the works of [[H.P. Lovecraft]]. They are humanoid, thin, black, and faceless. Their skin is slick and rubbery. They have a pair of inward-facing horns on their heads, clawed hands and a long barbed tail. They can fly using a set of membranous wings. They make no sound.
+
In SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM, a nightgaunt squeaks if [[chatting]] to one, which is likely a leftover from the bat's monster data; in SpliceHack, nightgaunts are silent.
  
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===References===
+
==Generation==
−
<references/>
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Randomly generated nightgaunts are always created [[hostile]], and may appear in small [[group]]s.
  
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== dNetHack ==
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==Strategy==
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{{monster
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Nightgaunts are quite fast at 20 [[speed]], and their paralysis attack can be very threatening on paper when combined with their base -2 [[AC]] and [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 50 - in practice, a SLASH'EM or SlashTHEM character typically has a source of [[free action]] or [[Magic cancellation (3.4.3)|MC3]] to completely block the paralysis by the time they first encounter nightgaunts, though they will still take a few hits to defeat and can wear down inattentive fighters. It is wise not to mistake nightgaunts for the [[bat]]s they share a glyph with, especially if a character is not prepared to take them on; nightgaunts are intelligent enough to use the items they pick up, including potentially dangerous [[wand]]s.
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|symbol = {{blue|g}}
 
−
|name = nightgaunt
 
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|difficulty = 17
 
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|level = 15
 
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|speed = 13
 
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|AC = &minus;2
 
−
|MR = 50
 
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|align = 0
 
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|experience = 650
 
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|attacks = Claw tickle 1d6
 
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|frequency = 1
 
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|genocidable = Yes
 
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|weight = 1450
 
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|nutr = 400
 
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|size = Medium
 
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|resistances = [[sleep]], [[poison]], [[cold]]
 
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|resistances conveyed = [[cold]]
 
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|attributes = {{attributes|A nightgaunt|=
 
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|fly=1|breathless=1|pois=1|regen=1
 
−
|seeinvis=1|omnivore=1|noeyes=1|hostile=1|wander=1
 
−
|stalk=1|strong=1|collect=1|magic=1|infravisible=1
 
−
|traitor=1|sgroup=1
 
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}}
 
−
}}
 
  
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Small groups of nightgaunts are found in later levels of both the [[Dungeons of Doom]] and [[Gehennom]]. They possess a unique tickling attack, with which they can strip you of your secondary weapon, your cloak, and your armor, as well as immobilizing you. In dNetHack, nightgaunts are a {{blue|g}} rather than a {{brown|B}} like SLASH'EM.
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==Origin==
 +
{{wikipedia|Nightgaunt}}
 +
The nightgaunt is a creature that originates from [[H.P. Lovecraft]] novella "[[Wikipedia:The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath|The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath]]", which was completed on January 22, 1927 and left unrevised and unpublished until the story was published posthumously by Arkham House in 1943. In the story, nightgaunts (or "night-gaunts") are thin, black and faceless humanoid creatures that have smooth and rubbery skin, a pair of inward-facing horns on their heads, clawed hands, long barbed tails, and bat-like wings that they use to fly soundlessly. Nightgaunts are described as doing nothing else besides clutching, flying and tickling; they are silent due to lacking facial features, and are often believed to be servants of the malevolent god [[Wikipedia:Nyarlathotep|Nyarlathotep]].
  
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===Strategy===
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When Randolph Carter sees a majestic city known as Kadath in his dreams, but is unable to approach it, he braves the [[wikipedia:Dreamlands|Dreamlands]] in search of the city - the journey takes him to a mountainside carving that is said to display the gods' features, and recognizes their visage in the traders seen around Celephaïs, surmising that Kadath must be nearby. Before Carter can act on this knowledge, however, nightgaunts capture him and leave him to die in the underworld; fortunately, he is rescued by friendly ghouls, including his friend Richard Pickman. Later, when Carter manages to sneak onto the island of Inganok, but is captured there by a merchant he had previously encountered and brought to a monastery inhabited by the dreaded High Priest Not to Be Described.
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The tickling attack is highly dangerous. It is affected by MC, but is only partially mitigated. If the tickling attack is not resisted by your MC, you will be paralyzed for a short period and may drop your wielded weapon(s). If the tickling attack is ''blocked'' by your MC, the nightgaunt will instead attempt to remove some of your equipment, or failing that paralyze you. Note that free action will prevent the paralysis but will not affect the removal of any armor.
 
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*If you are wearing a cloak, they will attempt to remove it and drop it in your square.
 
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*If you aren't wearing a cloak, but have an alternate weapon readied, they will remove it from your inventory and drop it in your square.  
 
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*If you aren't wearing a cloak and don't have an alternate weapon readied, they will attempt to remove any body armor you are wearing and drop it in your square.
 
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*If you aren't wearing any body armor, you will be paralyzed for a short amount of time unless you have free action. This can happen even if you are wielding weapons, and has an additional chance of making you drop your weapons. You have a 2/3 chance of being paralyzed for one turn, and a 1/3 chance of being paralyzed for d10 turns.
 
  
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Only one piece of equipment can be removed per attack.
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Within the monastery, Carter learns among other things that the nightgaunts do not serve Nyarlathotep, as is commonly supposed, but the deity known as [[Wikipedia:Nodens (Cthulhu Mythos)|Nodens]], and that even Earth's gods fear them - Carter deciphers the masked high-priest's true identity from this and recoils in horror, eventually fleeing into the maze-like corridors of the monastery and wandering until he chances on the exit. He eventually rescues several ghouls from the Men of Leng, and obtains the services of a flock of nightgaunts to transport himself and the ghouls to the gods' castle on Kadath.
  
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They are somewhat hard to kill; having a base level of 15, even with your best weapon they may take quite a few hits. Since they are generated in groups and are quite fast, they can be a serious threat. They are vulnerable to death rays and are a valid genocide target. They can also be [[Ward (dNetHack)|warded]] off by the Elder Sign, Elbereth (elves only), or a Heptagram.
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 +
The following entry only appears in SpliceHack:
 +
{{encyclopedia|
 +
But Carter preferred to look at them than at his captors, which
 +
were indeed shocking and uncouth black things with smooth, oily,
 +
whale-like surfaces, unpleasant horns that curved inward toward
 +
each other, bat wings whose beating made no sound, ugly prehensile
 +
paws, and barbed tails that lashed needlessly and disquietingly.
 +
And worst of all, they never spoke or laughed, and never smiled
 +
because they had no faces at all to smile with, but only a suggestive
 +
blankness where a face ought to be. All they ever did was clutch
 +
and fly and tickle; that was the way of night-gaunts.
 +
[ The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, by H.P. Lovecraft]
 +
}}
  
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[[Category:dNetHack monsters]]
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==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
{{slashem-7E7|offset=1}}
 +
{{variant-343}}<!--{{variant-37X}}-->
 
[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
 
[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
 +
[[Category:SpliceHack monsters]]
 +
[[Category:SlashTHEM monsters]]
 
[[Category:Cthulhu Mythos]]
 
[[Category:Cthulhu Mythos]]

Latest revision as of 09:56, 21 June 2024

B nightgaunt Nightgaunt.png
Difficulty 19
Attacks

Claw tickle 1d6, Claw tickle 1d6

Base level 15
Base experience unknown
Speed 20
Base AC −2
Base MR 50
Alignment −6 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means) 2 (Quite rare)
Genocidable Yes
Weight 1300
Nutritional value 100
Size Medium
Resistances sleep, poison, cold
Resistances conveyed

cold (100%)

A nightgaunt:

Reference SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line2101
For the monster in other variants, see nightgaunt.

A nightgaunt, B, is a type of monster that appears in SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM; it also appears in SpliceHack, where it instead uses the B glyph.

The nightgaunt is a strong, eyeless and thick-skinned omnivore that is breathless, capable of flight, can see invisible, has infravision, and can be seen via infravision. Nightgaunts possesses enhanced regeneration, have a tendency to wander while moving, will seek out and pick up magical items and other objects, and can follow the hero to other levels if they are adjacent. Tame nightgaunts may turn traitor.

A nightgaunt has two "tickling" claw attacks, which inflict paralysis while abusing constitution and dexterity.[1] Nightgaunts possess cold resistance, sleep resistance and poison resistance.

Nightgaunts are poisonous to consume, and eating a nightgaunt's corpse or tin always grants cold resistance.

In SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM, a nightgaunt squeaks if chatting to one, which is likely a leftover from the bat's monster data; in SpliceHack, nightgaunts are silent.

Generation

Randomly generated nightgaunts are always created hostile, and may appear in small groups.

Strategy

Nightgaunts are quite fast at 20 speed, and their paralysis attack can be very threatening on paper when combined with their base -2 AC and MR score of 50 - in practice, a SLASH'EM or SlashTHEM character typically has a source of free action or MC3 to completely block the paralysis by the time they first encounter nightgaunts, though they will still take a few hits to defeat and can wear down inattentive fighters. It is wise not to mistake nightgaunts for the bats they share a glyph with, especially if a character is not prepared to take them on; nightgaunts are intelligent enough to use the items they pick up, including potentially dangerous wands.

Origin

Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:

The nightgaunt is a creature that originates from H.P. Lovecraft novella "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath", which was completed on January 22, 1927 and left unrevised and unpublished until the story was published posthumously by Arkham House in 1943. In the story, nightgaunts (or "night-gaunts") are thin, black and faceless humanoid creatures that have smooth and rubbery skin, a pair of inward-facing horns on their heads, clawed hands, long barbed tails, and bat-like wings that they use to fly soundlessly. Nightgaunts are described as doing nothing else besides clutching, flying and tickling; they are silent due to lacking facial features, and are often believed to be servants of the malevolent god Nyarlathotep.

When Randolph Carter sees a majestic city known as Kadath in his dreams, but is unable to approach it, he braves the Dreamlands in search of the city - the journey takes him to a mountainside carving that is said to display the gods' features, and recognizes their visage in the traders seen around Celephaïs, surmising that Kadath must be nearby. Before Carter can act on this knowledge, however, nightgaunts capture him and leave him to die in the underworld; fortunately, he is rescued by friendly ghouls, including his friend Richard Pickman. Later, when Carter manages to sneak onto the island of Inganok, but is captured there by a merchant he had previously encountered and brought to a monastery inhabited by the dreaded High Priest Not to Be Described.

Within the monastery, Carter learns among other things that the nightgaunts do not serve Nyarlathotep, as is commonly supposed, but the deity known as Nodens, and that even Earth's gods fear them - Carter deciphers the masked high-priest's true identity from this and recoils in horror, eventually fleeing into the maze-like corridors of the monastery and wandering until he chances on the exit. He eventually rescues several ghouls from the Men of Leng, and obtains the services of a flock of nightgaunts to transport himself and the ghouls to the gods' castle on Kadath.

Encyclopedia entry

The following entry only appears in SpliceHack:

But Carter preferred to look at them than at his captors, which
were indeed shocking and uncouth black things with smooth, oily,
whale-like surfaces, unpleasant horns that curved inward toward
each other, bat wings whose beating made no sound, ugly prehensile
paws, and barbed tails that lashed needlessly and disquietingly.
And worst of all, they never spoke or laughed, and never smiled
because they had no faces at all to smile with, but only a suggestive
blankness where a face ought to be. All they ever did was clutch
and fly and tickle; that was the way of night-gaunts.
[ The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, by H.P. Lovecraft]

References

  1. ↑ mhitu.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 1416
Retrieved from "https://nethackwiki.com/index.php?title=Nightgaunt_(SLASH%27EM)&oldid=171416"