Difference between revisions of "Bell"

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(reconstructing from NH code and old source; someone who actually played this version may want to correct me, but I think I got it right)
(History: thanks for that, detailing external link)
 
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A '''bell''' is a [[musical instrument]]. It does not play notes; its function is to ring.
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A '''bell''' is a type of [[tool]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is an atonal [[musical instrument]] that is made of copper.
  
== Generation ==
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The [[Bell of Opening]] appears as a "silver bell" when [[Identification|unidentified]], but both the item and its base type are distinct from a regular bell.
  
Bells are often found on [[grave]]s reading "Saved by the bell!"{{refsrc|mklev.c|1394}} All bells are generated uncursed.
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==Generation==
 +
[[Elf (starting race)|Elven]] [[Priest]]s and [[Wizard]]s have a {{frac|6}} change of starting with a bell as their non-[[Magical item|magical]] instrument.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|816|nethack=3.6.7}}
  
Unlike [[horn]]s, [[harp]]s, and [[flute]]s, there are no randomly-generated magical bells. The only magical bell in the game is the [[Bell of Opening]], which has the distinct appearance of "a silver bell".
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All bells are generated uncursed with the exception of [[bones]] levels and [[trap]] "bones".
  
== Effects ==
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In addition to random generation, general [[store]]s and hardware stores can sell bells.
  
Ringing a blessed or uncursed bell makes [[noise]] (waking nearby monsters) and calls [[pet]]s. A cursed bell, however, has a {{frac|4}} chance of summoning a [[nymph]] (she won't be carrying any items), assuming none of the nymphs are [[genocide]]d or [[extinct]]. If a nymph is summoned, the bell has a 7% chance of breaking (the [[Bell of Opening]] never breaks). If the bell doesn't break, then with equal probability:
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{{frac|10}} of randomly generated [[headstone]]s will read "Saved by the bell!" and have a bell placed on its square.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|1646|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|1659|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|1685|nethack=3.6.7}}
  
* there may be no effect;
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==Description==
* the summoned nymph may be fast; or
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[[Apply]]ing a non-cursed bell makes [[noise]] that wakes nearby [[sleeping]] monsters and calls [[pet]]s. A cursed bell has the same effect, but also has a {{frac|4}} chance (25%) of summoning a random [[nymph]] without their [[Monster starting inventory|starting inventory]] provided none of them are [[extinct]] or [[genocided]].{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1039|nethack=3.6.7}} There is a {{frac|7|100}} chance (7%) of the bell breaking after generating the monster, and otherwise there is a {{frac|3}} chance of the summoned nymph being [[fast]] and a {{frac|3}} chance of the character being paralyzed for 2 turns.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1047|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1052|nethack=3.6.7}}
* the player may be paralyzed for 2 turns.{{refsrc|apply.c|771}}
 
  
== Strategy ==
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[[Covetous]] monsters attempting to steal the Bell of Opening specifically from a character's inventory may instead steal a bell in open inventory.{{refsrc|src/steal.c|556|nethack=3.6.7}}
  
Bells have very little use in most games, and they are quite heavy, so they are rarely worth keeping.
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==Strategy==
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Bells tend to have very little use in most games. A [[tin whistle]] is often sufficient for calling pets while being much lighter in [[weight]]; a cursed bell may be viable in some cases where a character wants to get rid of a cursed piece of armor or other item stuck to their person, with the other valuable items stashed nearby. There are also corner cases where a character may carry a bell to deter covetous thieves while bringing the Bell of Opening to the [[vibrating square]]. Otherwise, bells are usually either ignored or carried to sell at a shop.
  
== History ==
+
==History==
 +
The bell first appears in [[NetHack 3.1.0]].
  
Before NetHack 3.2.0, a cursed bell could be exploited to summon nymphs indefinitely{{refsrc|apply.c|1315|version=NetHack 3.1.0}} without respecting [[extinction]].  The nymphs would generate with their usual [[monster starting inventory|selection of items]]<ref>See [http://www.nicolaas.net/erebus/nhcode/v11/nhcode.txt NetHack Code version 1.1], under the section "cursed bell".</ref>, allowing the player to accumulate large numbers of [[mirror]]s for [[polypiling]] as well as many [[potion of object detection|potions of object detection]] for [[dilution]], [[alchemy]], or polypiling.  Notably, if potions of object detection were [[smoky potion]]s, this provided a very easy way to generate a large number of [[wish]]es.
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From NetHack 3.1.0 to [[NetHack 3.1.3]], a cursed bell can be exploited to summon nymphs indefinitely without respecting [[extinction]], risking paralysis or generating a fast nymph, and the nymph would generate with their usual [[Monster starting inventory|starting inventory]].{{refsrc|apply.c|1315|version=NetHack 3.1.0}} This is commonly used to accumulate large numbers of [[mirror]]s for [[polypiling]], as well as many [[potion of object detection|potions of object detection]] for [[dilution]], [[alchemy]], polypiling, or even [[wish]]es if potions of object detection were [[smoky potion]]s.<ref>[https://www.nicolaas.net/erebus/nhcode/v11/nhcode.txt The NetHack Code 1.1], a resource used by players to communicate their precise playstyle for NetHack 3.1.3 and variants of the time</ref> [[NetHack 3.2.0]] fixes this by ensuring that the summoned nymph has no starting inventory.
  
== See also ==
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==Messages==
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{{message|You ring the bell.|You applied a bell.}}
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{{message|But the sound is muffled.|As above, but you are [[underwater]] or [[engulfed]].{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1028|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
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{{message|You summon a nymph!|You summoned a nymph by applying a cursed bell.}}
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{{message|The bell has shattered!|A cursed bell broke after summoning a nymph.}}
  
* [[Tin whistle]] – an item that can also wake monsters and call pets
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==Variants==
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===dNetHack===
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In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the female [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] [[Noble]] always starts with a blessed bell.
  
== References ==
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[[Kukeri]] are always generated with a bell made of the [[Object materials (dNetHack)|default material]].
<references />
 
  
{{nethack-343}}
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[[Andromalius]] is a [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] whose binding ritual can use a bell as one of the two items placed in his seal, and using two non-bell items in the binding ritual may generate a bell as the third item the character receives if they successfully bind him.
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Characters can wield bells as a form of [[spellcasting focus]] that improves the success rate of [[clerical spells]] and [[healing spells]], and Priests wielding a bell improve the success rate of all spells they cast.
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===SpliceHack===
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In [[SpliceHack]], attempting to use a [[scroll of cloning]] on the Bell of Opening will always produce a normal bell. This also applies to [[Hack'EM]].
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==References==
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<references/>
 +
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Musical instruments]]
 
[[Category:Musical instruments]]

Latest revision as of 01:00, 13 June 2024

( Bell.png
Name bell
Appearance bell
Base price 50 zm
Weight 30
Material copper
Monster use Will not be used by monsters.

A bell is a type of tool that appears in NetHack. It is an atonal musical instrument that is made of copper.

The Bell of Opening appears as a "silver bell" when unidentified, but both the item and its base type are distinct from a regular bell.

Generation

Elven Priests and Wizards have a 16 change of starting with a bell as their non-magical instrument.[1]

All bells are generated uncursed with the exception of bones levels and trap "bones".

In addition to random generation, general stores and hardware stores can sell bells.

110 of randomly generated headstones will read "Saved by the bell!" and have a bell placed on its square.[2][3][4]

Description

Applying a non-cursed bell makes noise that wakes nearby sleeping monsters and calls pets. A cursed bell has the same effect, but also has a 14 chance (25%) of summoning a random nymph without their starting inventory provided none of them are extinct or genocided.[5] There is a 7100 chance (7%) of the bell breaking after generating the monster, and otherwise there is a 13 chance of the summoned nymph being fast and a 13 chance of the character being paralyzed for 2 turns.[6][7]

Covetous monsters attempting to steal the Bell of Opening specifically from a character's inventory may instead steal a bell in open inventory.[8]

Strategy

Bells tend to have very little use in most games. A tin whistle is often sufficient for calling pets while being much lighter in weight; a cursed bell may be viable in some cases where a character wants to get rid of a cursed piece of armor or other item stuck to their person, with the other valuable items stashed nearby. There are also corner cases where a character may carry a bell to deter covetous thieves while bringing the Bell of Opening to the vibrating square. Otherwise, bells are usually either ignored or carried to sell at a shop.

History

The bell first appears in NetHack 3.1.0.

From NetHack 3.1.0 to NetHack 3.1.3, a cursed bell can be exploited to summon nymphs indefinitely without respecting extinction, risking paralysis or generating a fast nymph, and the nymph would generate with their usual starting inventory.[9] This is commonly used to accumulate large numbers of mirrors for polypiling, as well as many potions of object detection for dilution, alchemy, polypiling, or even wishes if potions of object detection were smoky potions.[10] NetHack 3.2.0 fixes this by ensuring that the summoned nymph has no starting inventory.

Messages

You ring the bell.
You applied a bell.
But the sound is muffled.
As above, but you are underwater or engulfed.[11]
You summon a nymph!
You summoned a nymph by applying a cursed bell.
The bell has shattered!
A cursed bell broke after summoning a nymph.

Variants

dNetHack

In dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack, the female half-dragon Noble always starts with a blessed bell.

Kukeri are always generated with a bell made of the default material.

Andromalius is a spirit whose binding ritual can use a bell as one of the two items placed in his seal, and using two non-bell items in the binding ritual may generate a bell as the third item the character receives if they successfully bind him.

Characters can wield bells as a form of spellcasting focus that improves the success rate of clerical spells and healing spells, and Priests wielding a bell improve the success rate of all spells they cast.

SpliceHack

In SpliceHack, attempting to use a scroll of cloning on the Bell of Opening will always produce a normal bell. This also applies to Hack'EM.

References