Difference between revisions of "Athame"

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{{languages}}
 
{{languages}}
{{Wikipedia|Athame}}
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{{weapon
{{weapon|tile=[[image:athame.png]]|name=athame|smalldmg=1d4|largedmg=1d3|tohit=<nowiki>+2</nowiki>|skill=dagger|cost=4|weight=10|material=iron}}
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|tile=[[image:athame.png]]
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|name=athame
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|smalldmg=1d4
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|largedmg=1d3
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|tohit=<nowiki>+2</nowiki>
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|skill=dagger
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|cost=4
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|weight=10
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|material=iron
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}}
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An '''athame''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a one-handed non-stackable [[weapon]] that uses the [[dagger]] [[skill]], and is made of [[iron]].
  
'''Athames''' are almost completely identical to [[dagger]]s, even using the dagger weapon skill. However, athames are exceptionally suited for [[engraving]]. Any ''[[BUC#Noncursed|non-cursed]]'' athame will not dull from engraving,  and will engrave at up to 19 letters per turn (or up to 9 letters [[Engraving#Speed|instantaneously]]) rather than 1 letter per turn. (Any athame that has an enchantment of -3 or lower is too dull to engrave with, regardless of [[BUC|blessed/uncursed/cursed status]].) They are useful for writing messages and engraving "[[Elbereth]]".
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The athame is the [[base item]] for the [[artifact]] [[Magicbane]].
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
Athames are extremely rare.  They are never randomly generated on the dungeon floor, in [[shop]]s, or as ordinary [[death drop]]s.{{refsrc|src/objects.c|166|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}  Apart from the [[artifact weapon|artifact]] [[Magicbane]], which may be received as a [[sacrifice gift]] (especially for [[Wizard]]s, as their guaranteed first gift), athames are only generated on [[master lich]]es (with a 6 in 91, or about 6% chance), [[arch lich]]es (with a 2 in 9 or about 22% chance),{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|663|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=liches generated with athames}} and [[Wizard (player monster)|wizard player monster]]s,{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|246|version=NetHack 3.6.0}} including Newt, a prisoner on the [[Wizard quest]] (with 37.5% chance).  A player monster's athame will be [[erodeproof]] or [[greased]] (but not both) with a 1 in 3 probability of each, and have a random [[enchantment]] between +0 and +3, or between +4 and +8 on the [[Astral Plane]].
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Athames are not randomly generated.
  
If it has not already been generated, Magicbane may appear as the athame of an arch-lich (not a master lich{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|665|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=master lich athames are generated by {{function|makemon.c|mongets|x}}}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1773|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=mongets always passes <tt>FALSE</tt> as the <tt>artif</tt> parameter to {{function|mkobj.c|mksobj|x}}}}), with a 1 in 260 chance,{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|668|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=1/13 chance of <tt>TRUE</tt> being passed as <tt>artif</tt> parameter}}{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|762|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=1/20 chance of a possibly-artifact athame being Magicbane}} or a player monster on the Astral Plane, with a 50% chance.
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A [[master lich]] has an effective {{frac|6|91}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] an athame.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|728|nethack=3.6.7}} An [[arch-lich]] has an effective {{frac|2|9}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] an athame, which has a {{frac|4}} chance of being [[erosion]]-proofed and will have its enchantment raised by 1-3 points if it is below +2{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|730|nethack=3.6.7}} - there is a {{frac|13}} chance to call the function for making the weapon into an [[artifact]] if possible, meaning an arch-lich has a {{frac|1170}} chance (less than ~0.086%) of generating with Magicbane, the only artifact that can be generated in this manner.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|732|nethack=3.6.7}}
  
You might also find an athame on a [[bones level]], especially if the decedent owned Magicbane and the artifact has already been generated in your game.
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[[Player monster]] [[Wizard (player monster)|wizards]], including Newt from the [[Wizard quest]] and those on the [[Astral Plane]], have a {{frac|3|8}} chance to force an athame as their initial weapon.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|188|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|245|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
Notwithstanding these possibilities, non-[[atheist]] Wizards are likely to receive Magicbane long before they ever see a non-artifact athame.
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==Description==
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[[Engraving]] with a non-cursed athame will not dull the weapon - an athame can engrave up to 19 letters per turn, with up to 9 letters possible in one action. As with other weapons, an athame cannot engrave if its enchantment is -3 or lower.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
 
{{main|Engraving}}
 
{{main|Engraving}}
You should formally identify your athame's BUC status as soon as possible so that the game will show when it gets cursed, e.g. by a spellcasting monster.
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Athames are very weak as weapons, but are exceptionally suited for engraving [[Elbereth]]. Magicbane is considered valuable for this as well as its curse resistance and other valuable effects, and the item's rarity typically means that a mass majority of characters, especially non-[[atheist]] Wizards, will encounter the artifact long before they ever see a non-artifact athame - an athame found in a [[bones]] file is usually one that would be Magicbane if the character that found it had ''not'' already obtained Magicbane themselves; it is also likely to be cursed). Be sure to mind the beatitude of ''any'' athame you attempt to engrave with in order to avoid being [[occupied]] (and helpless) for more turns than intended.
 
 
Beware: an athame found in [[bones]] or dropped by a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]] might be [[cursed]]. If it is, attempting to engrave [[Elbereth]] in a dangerous situation will [[Paralysis#Helplessness|immobilize]] you for a few turns and probably kill you. If you can't spare identify to check, you could dip it in a [[potion of holy water]] to make sure it's at least uncursed, or try engraving a single letter with it&mdash;if you get "Your athame gets dull. You finish engraving.", be sure to uncurse it before you use it any more!
 
 
 
==Origin==
 
The encyclopedia entry gives a brief description of the athame's origin as a tool used by practitioners of Wicca, though the blade is not required to be double-edged.  It is not specifically used as a utility tool for cutting, much less as a weapon (in fact, athames might have blunted tips to prevent accidental wounds), but as a ritual object used to trace pentagrams and circles in preparation for rituals.  In NetHack, this translates into a blade suitable for making ([[Elbereth|protective]]) engravings.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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This patch was merged completely into mainline NetHack in version [[NetHack 3.3.0|3.3.0]],{{refsrc|u_init.c|161|version=NetHack 3.3.0}} and wizards have begun their journey with staves ever since.
 
This patch was merged completely into mainline NetHack in version [[NetHack 3.3.0|3.3.0]],{{refsrc|u_init.c|161|version=NetHack 3.3.0}} and wizards have begun their journey with staves ever since.
 +
 +
==Origin==
 +
{{Wikipedia|Athame}}
 +
The encyclopedia entry gives a brief description of the athame's origin as a tool used by practitioners of Wicca, though the blade is not required to be double-edged.  It is not specifically used as a utility tool for cutting, much less as a weapon (in fact, athames might have blunted tips to prevent accidental wounds), but as a ritual object used to trace pentagrams and circles in preparation for rituals.  In NetHack, this translates into a blade suitable for making ([[Elbereth|protective]]) engravings.
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
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[[The Pen of the Void]] is the combined first gift and [[quest artifact]] of the [[Binder (role in dNethack)|Binder]] role, an athame useful for engraving the seals used to bind [[Binder (role in dNethack)#Abilities|spirits of the Void]].  The Pen deals [[double damage]] after the [[Quest]] is completed, and has additional effects if spirits are bound into the weapon itself.
 
[[The Pen of the Void]] is the combined first gift and [[quest artifact]] of the [[Binder (role in dNethack)|Binder]] role, an athame useful for engraving the seals used to bind [[Binder (role in dNethack)#Abilities|spirits of the Void]].  The Pen deals [[double damage]] after the [[Quest]] is completed, and has additional effects if spirits are bound into the weapon itself.
  
==Encyclopaedia entry==
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|The consecrated ritual knife of a Wiccan initiate (one of
 
{{encyclopedia|The consecrated ritual knife of a Wiccan initiate (one of
 
four basic tools, together with the wand, chalice and
 
four basic tools, together with the wand, chalice and
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eighteen inches length.
 
eighteen inches length.
 
}}
 
}}
 
==See also==
 
* [[Magicbane]], the artifact athame
 
* Engraving [[Elbereth]] and its effects
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
{{nethack-360}}
 

Revision as of 08:06, 19 February 2024

) Athame.png
Name athame
Appearance athame
Damage vs. small 1d4
Damage vs. large 1d3
To-hit bonus +2
Weapon skill dagger
Size one-handed
Base price 4 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 10
Material iron

An athame is a type of weapon that appears in NetHack. It is a one-handed non-stackable weapon that uses the dagger skill, and is made of iron.

The athame is the base item for the artifact Magicbane.

Generation

Athames are not randomly generated.

A master lich has an effective 691 chance of being generated with an athame.[1] An arch-lich has an effective 29 chance of being generated with an athame, which has a 14 chance of being erosion-proofed and will have its enchantment raised by 1-3 points if it is below +2[2] - there is a 113 chance to call the function for making the weapon into an artifact if possible, meaning an arch-lich has a 11170 chance (less than ~0.086%) of generating with Magicbane, the only artifact that can be generated in this manner.[3]

Player monster wizards, including Newt from the Wizard quest and those on the Astral Plane, have a 38 chance to force an athame as their initial weapon.[4][5]

Description

Engraving with a non-cursed athame will not dull the weapon - an athame can engrave up to 19 letters per turn, with up to 9 letters possible in one action. As with other weapons, an athame cannot engrave if its enchantment is -3 or lower.

Strategy

Main article: Engraving

Athames are very weak as weapons, but are exceptionally suited for engraving Elbereth. Magicbane is considered valuable for this as well as its curse resistance and other valuable effects, and the item's rarity typically means that a mass majority of characters, especially non-atheist Wizards, will encounter the artifact long before they ever see a non-artifact athame - an athame found in a bones file is usually one that would be Magicbane if the character that found it had not already obtained Magicbane themselves; it is also likely to be cursed). Be sure to mind the beatitude of any athame you attempt to engrave with in order to avoid being occupied (and helpless) for more turns than intended.

History

Until NetHack 3.2.3, a +1 athame was the starting weapon for Wizards.[6] The influential Wizard Patch changed the starting weapon to the stronger but less utilitarian quarterstaff. This may have been to compensate for the Wizard's increased power from the redesigned spellcasting system, which allowed virtually unlimited casting of spells.

This patch was merged completely into mainline NetHack in version 3.3.0,[7] and wizards have begun their journey with staves ever since.

Origin

The encyclopedia entry gives a brief description of the athame's origin as a tool used by practitioners of Wicca, though the blade is not required to be double-edged. It is not specifically used as a utility tool for cutting, much less as a weapon (in fact, athames might have blunted tips to prevent accidental wounds), but as a ritual object used to trace pentagrams and circles in preparation for rituals. In NetHack, this translates into a blade suitable for making (protective) engravings.

Variants

SLASH'EM

SLASH'EM adds two specialist spellcaster roles, the Flame Mage and Ice Mage, with their own respective artifact athames, Firewall and Deep Freeze. Their player monsters, as well as the Necromancer player monster, have the same 37.5% chance of getting an athame as the wizard.[8]

Two of each of these player monsters, along with two wizards, are members of the Guild of Disgruntled Adventurers, if it is created, so non-artifact athames are more likely to appear.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, athames are most useful for inscribing wards. Wizards in dNetHack begin with a -1 athame, perhaps secondhand.

The Pen of the Void is the combined first gift and quest artifact of the Binder role, an athame useful for engraving the seals used to bind spirits of the Void. The Pen deals double damage after the Quest is completed, and has additional effects if spirits are bound into the weapon itself.

Encyclopedia entry

The consecrated ritual knife of a Wiccan initiate (one of
four basic tools, together with the wand, chalice and
pentacle). Traditionally, the athame is a double-edged,
black-handled, cross-hilted dagger of between six and
eighteen inches length.

References