Illiterate

The illiterate conduct means going without reading, writing or engraving during the game. The main effect of this is the lack of reading scrolls, no engraving Elbereth to protect yourself, and spellcasters being unable to learn from spellbooks

Literate actions

The following all break illiterate conduct.

• Reading scrolls, spellbooks, T-shirts, and fortune cookies.
• Writing a scroll or a spellbook.
• Engraving anything other than "x" or "X".

Accepted actions

The following are all accepted, and do not break conduct:

• Reading gravestones or engravings - that would be a bit too harsh.
• Naming or calling items names.
• Reading the Book of the Dead, which is necessary to ascend.
• Casting spells you already know at the start of the game (Wizard, Priest)

Tips

• If you must eat a fortune cookie, do it blind, so you don't read the message.
• Turn off the mail option if playing online, lest someone decide to have a chat with you.
• The book of the dead can be used as defense against liches and other undead.