Raven
B raven 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 6 |
| Attacks |
Bite 1d6, claw 1d6 blinding (no damage) |
| Base level | 4 |
| Base experience | 46 |
| Speed | 20 |
| Base AC | 6 |
| Base MR | 0 |
| Alignment | 0 (neutral) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 2 (Quite rare) |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 40 |
| Nutritional value | 20 |
| Size | Small |
| Resistances | None |
| Resistances conveyed |
None |
|
A raven:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line1134 |
A raven, B, is a type monster that appears in NetHack. It is a bird that is capable of flight and has two attacks: a bite and a relatively unique claw attack that can blind you for d6 (more) turns.
Ravens move in an erratic pattern similar to the other monsters of the bat or bird monster class - there is a 1⁄3 chance of a raven moving in a random direction during each of its turns, rather than approaching you.[1] Polymorphing into a raven will leave you intrinsically stunned for the duration of the form.[2]
Chatting to a raven will cause it to reply "Nevermore!"[3]
Contents
Generation
Randomly-generated ravens are always hostile.
Ravens are among the B that can be randomly generated while within the Wizard quest. Thirty ravens are generated in the third version of Medusa's Island on level creation.
Strategy
Ravens are quite fast at 20 speed and can prove annoying to an early character, especially if you lack telepathy to detect other monsters and move safely around them; being blinded can also prevent you reliably engraving Elbereth if the situation is dire.
You can protect against a raven's blinding talons by actively blinding yourself using a blindfold or towel, though you will need telepathy or warning to follow the raven's erratic movement and avoid attacking peaceful monsters. A pair of lenses or a visored helmet can also protect against the attack, though lenses can be hard to find and a visored helmet may be the randomzied appearance for a helm of opposite alignment. Being polymorphed into an eyeless form will also render you blind and keep you safe.
Beyond blinding you, ravens are not too threatening and can be picked off with most ranged attacks or a pet before they get within range.
History
The raven first appears in NetHack 3.3.0.
Origin
A raven is any of several larger-bodied bird species with the genus Corvus. There is no singular taxonomic group within the genus, as well as no common distinction between "crows" and "ravens", which usually are assigned to the different species based on their size. Ravens are omnivorous and have a reputation alongside various other birds for seeking out a wide variety of nutrition sources: carrion, insects, berries, fruit, small animals, and even food waste. The common raven (Corvus corax) is among the more well known members of the species, and often shows signs of unusual intelligence.
Ravens have enough of a reputation for gouging out the eyes of prey or other animals that they are the subject of at least a few proverbial sayings, up to and including its use as a metaphor in Proverbs 30:17 of The Bible. The raven also has a myriad of symbolisms and other mythic associations due to its black plumage, croaking call and carrion diet - it is both associated with loss and ill omen and considered a symbol of prophecy and insight, as well as a psychopomp or other similar "mediator" that bridges the worlds of the dead and the living. "The Raven", a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, is a popular example of many of these aspects and the source of the response given to NetHack players that chat with one in-game.
Messages
- You peck the eyeball with delight.
- You ate the corpse or tin of a floating eye while polymorphed into a raven.
Variants
In variants that incorporate a grudge system, ravens will often target eye-based monsters such as the floating eye.
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, ravens will attack floating eyes and evil eyes. Kicking a dead tree also has a 1⁄5 chance to produce a hostile raven.
FIQHack
In FIQHack, ravens will also attack floating eyes.
notdNetHack
In notdNetHack, ravens are likely to appear within the Dismal Swamp.
SlashTHEM
In SlashTHEM, four ravens are generated in the village level of the Town branch at level creation.
Encyclopedia entry
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered -- not a feather then he fluttered--
Till I scarcely more than muttered, 'other friends have flown before--
On the morrow *he* will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'
Then the bird said, 'Nevermore.'
