Difference between revisions of "Pixie"

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A '''pixie''', {{monsym|pixie}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]], and [[Hack'EM]]. The pixie is a member of the [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]] [[monster class]] that has only one item-stealing attack, but is faster and has better [[AC]] than the standard [[nymph]].
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A '''pixie''', {{monsym|pixie}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]] and [[Hack'EM]]. The pixie is a member of the [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]] [[monster class]] that has only one item-stealing attack, but is faster and has better [[AC]] than the standard [[nymph]].
  
 
Unlike most nymph monsters, eating a pixie's [[corpse]] or [[tin]] does not convey [[teleportitis]].
 
Unlike most nymph monsters, eating a pixie's [[corpse]] or [[tin]] does not convey [[teleportitis]].
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
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Four to eight pixies are generated in the [[Lawful Quest]] within the forest where [[Nightmare]] dwells. Pixies may be among the nymphs that are generated on the [[nymph level]], and are also among the nymphs that can generate in the [[Rogue quest]].
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Pixies are generated asleep {{frac|4|5}} of the time unless you have the [[Amulet of Yendor]]; they will always be generated hostile, and are always generated [[invisible]]. Pixies will not be randomly generated in [[Gehennom]].
 
Pixies are generated asleep {{frac|4|5}} of the time unless you have the [[Amulet of Yendor]]; they will always be generated hostile, and are always generated [[invisible]]. Pixies will not be randomly generated in [[Gehennom]].
  
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==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Pixies are a major nuisance once awakened, as they are quite likely to steal an item and [[teleport]] away before you can respond, and appear early enough that most characters will generally lack a means to [[see invisible]] or otherwise detect sleeping pixies beforehand. Thankfully, they only have a single theft attack. Intrinsic [[telepathy]] combined with a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] is a viable method of spotting pixies. Once you can see them, pixies are no more of a threat than the usual nymphs - at most they are slightly more difficult to hit, but are weak enough that you can usually bring them down quickly.
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Pixies are a major nuisance once awakened, as they are quite likely to steal an item and [[teleport]] away before you can respond, and appear early enough that most characters will generally lack a means to [[see invisible]] or otherwise detect sleeping pixies beforehand. Intrinsic [[telepathy]] combined with a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] is a viable method of spotting pixies. Once you can see them, pixies are no more of a threat than the usual nymphs - they cannot steal as many items as often and are weak enough that you can usually bring them down quickly, being slightly more difficult to hit at most.
  
 
===As a polyform===
 
===As a polyform===
Pixies are a decent early polyform for [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]] characters: while too small to wear armor or wield weapons and unable to open [[door]]s, their invisibility and speed makes escapes from hostile monsters much easier, and can be useful to line yourself up with a distant monster for attack. If you are willing to take the risk, you can also attack and steal especially nasty weapons, armor and/or wands from monsters.
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Pixies can be a decent early polyform for [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]] characters: while too small to wear armor or wield weapons and unable to open [[door]]s, their invisibility and speed makes escapes from hostile monsters much easier, and can be useful to line yourself up with a distant monster for attack. If you are willing to take the risk, you can also attack and steal especially nasty weapons, armor and/or wands from monsters.
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==History==
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The pixie first appears in [[SLASH 6]].
  
 
==Origin==
 
==Origin==

Revision as of 04:12, 29 July 2023

A pixie, n, is a type of monster that appears in SLASH'EM, SlashTHEM and Hack'EM. The pixie is a member of the nymph monster class that has only one item-stealing attack, but is faster and has better AC than the standard nymph.

Unlike most nymph monsters, eating a pixie's corpse or tin does not convey teleportitis.

Generation

Four to eight pixies are generated in the Lawful Quest within the forest where Nightmare dwells. Pixies may be among the nymphs that are generated on the nymph level, and are also among the nymphs that can generate in the Rogue quest.

Pixies are generated asleep 45 of the time unless you have the Amulet of Yendor; they will always be generated hostile, and are always generated invisible. Pixies will not be randomly generated in Gehennom.

Like other nymph monsters, pixies have a 12 chance of being generated with a mirror, and an independent 12 chance of generating with a potion of object detection.

Strategy

Pixies are a major nuisance once awakened, as they are quite likely to steal an item and teleport away before you can respond, and appear early enough that most characters will generally lack a means to see invisible or otherwise detect sleeping pixies beforehand. Intrinsic telepathy combined with a blindfold or towel is a viable method of spotting pixies. Once you can see them, pixies are no more of a threat than the usual nymphs - they cannot steal as many items as often and are weak enough that you can usually bring them down quickly, being slightly more difficult to hit at most.

As a polyform

Pixies can be a decent early polyform for doppelganger characters: while too small to wear armor or wield weapons and unable to open doors, their invisibility and speed makes escapes from hostile monsters much easier, and can be useful to line yourself up with a distant monster for attack. If you are willing to take the risk, you can also attack and steal especially nasty weapons, armor and/or wands from monsters.

History

The pixie first appears in SLASH 6.

Origin

A pixie is a mythical creature of British folklore, speculated to be particularly concentrated in the high moorland areas around Devon and Cornwall (which suggests some Celtic origins). Similar to the Irish and Scottish Aos Sí (or "Aos Sidhe"), pixies are believed to inhabit ancient underground sites such as stone circles and barrows.

In traditional regional lore, pixies are generally benign if mischievous, and are short of stature; they are typically childlike and fond of dancing and wrestling outdoors throughout the night. Traditional stories describe them as wearing dirty, ragged bundles of rags, which they discard for gifts containing new clothes; in the modern era, they are usually depicted with pointed ears, often wearing a green outfit and pointed hat.

Encyclopedia entry

Do fairies live in the hedge by the lawn?
With pale, violet eyes and wings that shimmer?
Not in my garden of thistle and thorn,
Well, not since I tidied it up with my strimmer.

[ Learning to Live with Orcs by Richard A. Bartle ]