Goblin King
The Goblin King was a unique monster that previously appeared in NetHack, and also appears in EvilHack.
Contents
History
The Goblin King, o, was introduced in NetHack 3.1.0, and last appeared in NetHack 3.2.3 - he served as the Elf quest nemesis and guarded the the Bell of Opening and the Elf's quest artifact, The Palantir of Westernesse. He possessed two weapon attacks and a claw attack that could steal the quest artifact back if you were able to obtain it without killing him.
The Goblin King was rendered defunct along with the Elf role in NetHack 3.3.0, which introduced the ability to choose a starting race, including elves. The role itself was given a spiritual successor in the Ranger, whose quest branch has Scorpius as the role's nemesis guarding a different quest artifact. The data for the Goblin King can still be found within monst.c in the code of 3.3.0 and later versions.[1]
EvilHack
The Goblin King, o, is introduced in EvilHack version 0.8.0 and serves an entirely different role closer to that of his source material: he rules over the branch known as Goblin Town, and controls access to Mine Town and Mines' End, requiring you to defeat him in order to gain physical access to those locations.
Generation
The Goblin King is always generated seated atop his throne in the northeastern corner up the map. He is always hostile and will be generated with a bone quarterstaff.
Strategy
Despite being a very early encounter, the Goblin King has two decently strong weapon attacks and can quickly bring death to those who are unwary or else take him too lightly. A decently-armored and well-equipped player should be able to handle him with care, and bow-proficient roles can make use of the spare arrows from the various arrow traps around the level. Taking on the orcish hordes scattered around the level can also provide a decent source of armor and even the odd wand or two to tip odds in your favor.
Messages
The Goblin King often speaks in rhyme, and will randomly use one of the following lines:
- Bones will be shattered, necks will be wrung! You'll be beaten and battered, from racks you'll be hung!
- You will die down here and never be found, down in the deep of Goblin Town!
- With a swish and a smack, and a whip and a crack! Everybody talks when they're on my rack!
- Mine Town is under my control! No one is allowed to visit!
- So you want to explore Mines' End, eh? Over my dead body!
The Goblin King also has unique messages if the player character is wielding Orcrist or Glamdring, respectively:
- I know that sword! It is the Goblin Cleaver! The Biter! The blade that sliced a thousand necks!
- <He/She> wields the Foe-Hammer! The Beater! Bright as daylight!
Monster stats by game
o Goblin King 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 15 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 1d8, weapon 1d8, claw quest-artifact-stealing 1d6 |
| Base level | 15
|
| Speed | 10 |
| Base AC | 0 |
| Base MR | 0 |
| Alignment | -15 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | Unique |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 750 |
| Nutritional value | 350 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | None |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
The Goblin King:
| |
| o Goblin King
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 10 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 2d6, Weapon 2d6 |
| Base level | 8 |
| Base experience | 22 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 7 |
| Base MR | 10 |
| Alignment | -15 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | Unique |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1500 |
| Nutritional value | 500 |
| Size | Large |
| Resistances | poison |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
The Goblin King:
| |
| Reference | EvilHack 0.8.0 - monst.c, line 924 |
Origin
In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, the Great Goblin was the ruler of a kingdom that lay under the Misty Mountains, which Goblin Town is modeled after. During their journey to Lonely Mountain, Thorin and company rested in a cave and were captured by the orcs, who brought them before the Great Goblin. He accused Thorin's group of spying, and was enraged to find that Thorin was carrying Orcrist: the goblins knew the sword well as the "Biter" that had felled many of their number during the orcs' attack on Gondolin. As the Great Goblin neared Thorin, a great fire that lit the large cavern went out - the Great Goblin was then quickly slain through the intervention of Gandalf, who wielded Orcrist's "sibling" sword Glamdring, allowing the group to escape.
Encyclopedia entry
Now goblins are cruel, wicked, and bad-hearted. They make
no beautiful things, but they make many clever ones. They
can tunnel and mine as well as any but the most skilled
dwarves, when they take the trouble, though they are usually
untidy and dirty. Hammers, axes, swords, daggers, pickaxes,
tongs, and also instruments of torture, they make very well,
or get other people to make to their design, prisoners and
slaves that have to work till they die for want of air and
light.
[ The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]
