Difference between revisions of "Byakhee"

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A '''byakhee''' is a monster added in [[SLASH'EM]]. It moves like a bat, but is far stronger. One of its melee attacks has the ability to [[stun]] you, an ability unaffected by [[Magic cancellation]].
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The '''byakhee''' is a type of [[monster]] introduced in [[SLASH'EM]], and it also appears in [[dNetHack]] and [[SlashTHEM]]. Byakhees are much stronger members of the {{monclass|B}} [[monster class]], and move erratically like the other monsters in that class.
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A byakhee has [[sleep resistance]], [[poison resistance]] and [[cold resistance]]; they possess [[regeneration]], [[flight]], are [[breathless]], and can [[follow]] you to other levels. Byakhees have four melee attacks, including a sting that can [[stun]] you and is unaffected by [[magic cancellation]].
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==Generation==
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Byakhees are always generated hostile, and may appear in small [[group]]s.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
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Byakhees represent a threat primarily in the mid-game but can even trouble late-game character in SLASH'EM.  They hit hard and fast enough to eventually wear you down, and their stunning makes them able to get in more hits as you try to cure it. Additionally, their regeneration makes them difficult to kill with multiple weak attacks from an Elbereth square, as they will retreat and heal before coming back. They are not on the level of the [[Golem (SLASH'EM)|greater golems]] as a threat, but one should exterminate them with prejudice still.
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From the mid-game on, byakhees represent a troubling threat due to their 20 [[speed]] and stun-inducing melee sting, making it possible for them to wear you down while you either whiff attacks from being stunned or spend turns trying to cure it. Additionally, their regeneration makes killing them difficult if you cannot deal enough damage consistently, even when using [[Elbereth]]. While not on par with the [[Golem (SLASH'EM)|greater golems]], they can remain nuisances well into the late game.
  
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Note that the same attributes that make them formidable foes (powerful attacks, high speed, regeneration, stunning) also make for great pets. Given that byakhees do not have particularly high [[magic resistance]], they are easily [[charm monster|charmed]] or [[scroll of taming|tamed]].
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Strong and consistent forms of offense, such as well-enchanted weapons, are best for dealing with byakhees; funneling them down halls may be ideal due to their scattered movement and tendency to appear in groups. Their [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 25 also leaves them fairly vulnerable to magic and other effects - in particular, [[spellbook of charm monster|charming]] or [[scroll of taming|taming]] them may work in your favor, as byakhees are decent options for pets due to the speed, regeneration and stun attacks that make them such a danger.
  
 
==Origin==
 
==Origin==
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{{wikipedia|Byakhee}}
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The byakhees (or byakhee birds) originate from the [[H.P. Lovecraft]] short story "The Festival", and were later featured in August Derleth's tale "The House on Curwen Street". They are servants of the Great Old One Hastur, and their description in "The Festival" paints them as four-limbed eldritch monsters with bat-like wings, possessing visual traits of various animals such as vampire bats, crows and buzzards, as well as somewhat resembling human corpses. The text specifically describes them as "not altogether crows, nor" any of the other descriptors used, and their otherworldly, eldritch nature is emphasized by the speaker's difficulty in fully recalling their appearance.
  
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Byakhees come from the works of [[H.P. Lovecraft]]. They are supposed to live in space and be able to travel faster then the speed of light. They have four limbs and also bat like wings, that they use when they go down on a planet to feed.
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==Encyclopedia entry==
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==Encyclopedia Entry==
 
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{{encyclopedia| A creature of the stars, this bat like being can be summoned
 
{{encyclopedia| A creature of the stars, this bat like being can be summoned
 
across the vast interstellar gulfs to serve magicians and
 
across the vast interstellar gulfs to serve magicians and
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}}
 
}}
 
[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
 
[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
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[[Category:dNetHack monsters]]
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[[Category:SlashTHEM monsters]]
 
[[Category:Cthulhu Mythos]]
 
[[Category:Cthulhu Mythos]]

Latest revision as of 21:30, 3 December 2022

B byakhee Byakhee.png
Difficulty 15
Attacks

Bite 1d6, Claw 2d4, Claw 2d4, Sting 1d3 stun

Base level 11
Base experience 252
Speed 20
Base AC 1
Base MR 25
Alignment −4 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means) 2 (Quite rare)
Genocidable Yes
Weight 1600
Nutritional value 100
Size Medium
Resistances sleep, poison, cold
Resistances conveyed

None

A byakhee:

Reference SLASH'EM_0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line2093

The byakhee is a type of monster introduced in SLASH'EM, and it also appears in dNetHack and SlashTHEM. Byakhees are much stronger members of the ​B bat or bird monster class, and move erratically like the other monsters in that class.

A byakhee has sleep resistance, poison resistance and cold resistance; they possess regeneration, flight, are breathless, and can follow you to other levels. Byakhees have four melee attacks, including a sting that can stun you and is unaffected by magic cancellation.

Generation

Byakhees are always generated hostile, and may appear in small groups.

Strategy

From the mid-game on, byakhees represent a troubling threat due to their 20 speed and stun-inducing melee sting, making it possible for them to wear you down while you either whiff attacks from being stunned or spend turns trying to cure it. Additionally, their regeneration makes killing them difficult if you cannot deal enough damage consistently, even when using Elbereth. While not on par with the greater golems, they can remain nuisances well into the late game.

Strong and consistent forms of offense, such as well-enchanted weapons, are best for dealing with byakhees; funneling them down halls may be ideal due to their scattered movement and tendency to appear in groups. Their MR score of 25 also leaves them fairly vulnerable to magic and other effects - in particular, charming or taming them may work in your favor, as byakhees are decent options for pets due to the speed, regeneration and stun attacks that make them such a danger.

Origin

Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:

The byakhees (or byakhee birds) originate from the H.P. Lovecraft short story "The Festival", and were later featured in August Derleth's tale "The House on Curwen Street". They are servants of the Great Old One Hastur, and their description in "The Festival" paints them as four-limbed eldritch monsters with bat-like wings, possessing visual traits of various animals such as vampire bats, crows and buzzards, as well as somewhat resembling human corpses. The text specifically describes them as "not altogether crows, nor" any of the other descriptors used, and their otherworldly, eldritch nature is emphasized by the speaker's difficulty in fully recalling their appearance.

Encyclopedia entry

A creature of the stars, this bat like being can be summoned
across the vast interstellar gulfs to serve magicians and
dark powers. It is said that they will seize those who
summon them and cannot best them and carry them off to whatever
terrible fate awaits them on other worlds.

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