Difference between revisions of "Vlad's Tower"

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'''Vlad's Tower''' is the home of [[Vlad the Impaler]], the entrance of which is a second "up" stair, located between the 9th and 13th levels of [[Gehennom]] (somewhere between dungeon levels 34 and 42). It consists of three levels connected by runged ladders. All levels in the branch are no-teleport. Only the middle level is eligible to leave [[bones]] files. It is not part of Gehennom, and [[prayer]] is permitted in the tower.
+
{{level|Vlad's Tower|
 +
|branch=Gehennom
 +
|from=9|to=13
 +
|bones=middle level only
 +
|teleport=no
 +
|mapping=yes
 +
|digfloor=no
 +
|digwalls=no
 +
}}
  
−
Vlad is located at the top level. All three levels contain many [[secret door]]s, [[trap]]s, and several guaranteed [[item]]s. The walls and floor of each level are undiggable.
+
'''Vlad's Tower''' is a dungeon [[branch]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is accessed in [[Gehennom]] and is the home of [[Vlad the Impaler]] - because it is not part of Gehennom, [[prayer]] is permitted in the Tower. Vlad's Tower consists of three levels connected by ladders, all of which are [[no-teleport]] and [[undiggable]].  
  
−
You can directly [[level teleport]] from the tower to each of its three levels, to the [[Gehennom]] levels above it, and to the [[Dungeons of Doom]], but not to levels below the tower. However, quaffing a cursed [[potion of gain level]] on the uppermost floor will only result in an "uneasy feeling".
+
==Generation==
 +
The entrance appears as a a second up stair, located on any floor between the 9th and 13th levels of Gehennom; counting the Valley of the Dead as 1, this places it roughly between dungeon levels 34 and 42 (inclusive). Only the middle level is eligible to leave [[bones]] files.
  
−
Monster generation is biased toward [[chaotic]] monsters in this branch.
+
Monster generation is biased toward [[chaotic]] [[monster]]s in this branch.
  
−
== Bottom level ==
+
==Description==
 +
Each level contains many [[secret door]]s, [[trap]]s, and several guaranteed [[item]]s, and Vlad the Impaler is located at the top level. You can directly [[level teleport]] from the [[tower]] to each of its three levels, to the [[Gehennom]] levels above it, and to the [[Dungeons of Doom]], but not to levels below the tower. However, quaffing a cursed [[potion of gain level]] on the uppermost floor will only result in an "uneasy feeling".
  
−
    --- --- --- 
+
===Bottom level===
−
    |x| |x| |x|   
+
<div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
−
  ---S---S---S---
+
<=[[Ladder|{{brown|<}}]]
−
  |xS.........Sx| 
 
−
----|.........|----
 
−
|.>.|.........+...|
 
−
|.--|.........|--.|
 
−
|.|xS<........Sx|.|
 
−
|.---S---S---S---.|
 
−
|...|x|.|x|.|x|...|
 
−
---.---.---.---.---
 
−
  |.............| 
 
−
  --------------- 
 
  
−
There is a random [[dragon]] immediately inside the main door of the courtyard, and eight other random [[monster]]s on the level. Four of the ten niches marked 'x' will contain the following:
+
    --- --- ---   
 +
    |x| |x| |x|   
 +
  ---S---S---S--- 
 +
  |xS.........Sx| 
 +
----|.........|----
 +
|.>.|.........+...|
 +
|.--|.........|--.|
 +
|.|xS<........Sx|.|
 +
|.---S---S---S---.|
 +
|...|x|.|x|.|x|...|
 +
---.---.---.---.---
 +
  |.............| 
 +
  --------------- 
 +
</replacecharsblock></div>
 +
There is a random [[dragon]] immediately inside the main door of the courtyard, and eight other random monsters are placed on the level. Four of the ten niches marked 'x' will contain the following:
 
* [[long sword]]
 
* [[long sword]]
 
* [[lock pick]]
 
* [[lock pick]]
 
* [[elven cloak]]
 
* [[elven cloak]]
 
* [[blindfold]]
 
* [[blindfold]]
−
These niches will also contain random traps.
+
These niches may also contain random traps.
  
−
== Middle level ==
+
===Middle level===
 +
<div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 +
<=[[Ladder|{{brown|<}}]]
 +
>=[[Ladder|{{brown|>}}]]
  
−
  --- --- ---   
+
  --- --- ---   
−
  |x| |x| |x|   
+
  |x| |x| |x|   
−
---S---S---S---
+
---S---S---S---
−
|xS.........Sx|
+
|xS.........Sx|
−
--|.------+----
+
--|.------+----
−
  |......|.<|   
+
  |......|.<|   
−
--------.|-----
+
--------.|-----
−
|xS>.....+..Sx|
+
|xS>.....+..Sx|
−
---S---S---S---
+
---S---S---S---
−
  |x| |x| |x|   
+
  |x| |x| |x|   
−
  --- --- ---   
+
  --- --- ---   
−
 
+
</replacecharsblock></div>
−
The ten niches marked 'x' contain (one randomly assigned to each): two [[hell hound pup]]s, a [[winter wolf]], two random [[demon]]s, and the following items:
+
The ten niches marked 'x' each contain the following, with one monster or item per niche:
−
* [[amulet of life saving]] inside a chest
+
* two [[hell hound pup]]s
 +
* a [[winter wolf]]
 +
* two random [[Demon (monster class)|demons]]
 +
* [[amulet of life saving]] inside a [[chest]]
 
* [[amulet of strangulation]] inside a chest
 
* [[amulet of strangulation]] inside a chest
 
* [[water walking boots]]
 
* [[water walking boots]]
Line 51: Line 71:
 
* [[spellbook of invisibility]]
 
* [[spellbook of invisibility]]
  
−
== Top level ==
+
===Top level===
 +
<div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 +
x=[[Vampire|{{white|V}}]]
 +
>=[[Ladder|{{brown|>}}]]
 +
(=[[Chest|{{brown|(}}]]
 +
 
 +
  --- --- --- 
 +
  |x| |x| |x| 
 +
---S---S---S---
 +
|.......+.+...|
 +
---+----|.|----
 +
  |...\(|.+>| 
 +
---+----|.|----
 +
|.......+.+...|
 +
---S---S---S---
 +
  |x| |x| |x| 
 +
  --- --- --- 
 +
</replacecharsblock></div>
 +
Vlad the Impaler occupies the [[throne]] in the center of the top floor, carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]]; a chest sits behind the throne. Each of the six marked niches contains a random [[Vampire (monster class)|vampire]] and a chest; if vampires are [[extinct]] or [[genocide]]d, they will be replaced with random monsters. Two of the six chests in the closets are guaranteed to contain stacks of 4–8 candles: one chest contains [[wax candle]]s and the other contains [[tallow candle]]s.{{refsrc|src/tower.des|48|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/tower.des|51|nethack=3.6.7}}
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
Vlad's Tower first appears in [[NetHack 3.1.0]].
 +
 
 +
As early as [[NetHack 3.0.0]], a different form of special levels for Vlad the Impaler appeared embedded in [[Hell]]: Each of the three levels appeared embedded in a maze, much as the modern [[Wizard's Tower]] is, except that the lower level was directly accessible from the maze. The [[Candelabrum of Invocation]] did not yet exist, and the [[Wizard of Yendor]] still carried the [[Amulet of Yendor]], meaning that Vlad was strictly optional until [[Gehennom]] replaced Hell in 3.1.0.
 +
 
 +
The guaranteed candles of the top level are added in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] to ensure that a player will have more than enough candles to perform the invocation without resorting to [[wish]]ing or [[polypiling]].
 +
 
 +
==Variants==
 +
===SLASH'EM===
 +
<div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 +
x=[[Vampire|{{white|V}}]]
 +
>=[[Ladder|{{brown|>}}]]
 +
i=[[door|{{orange|+}}]]
 +
D=[[Vlad the Impaler|{{monsym|vlad_the_impaler}}]]
 +
 
 +
  --- --- --- 
 +
  |x| |x| |x| 
 +
---S---S---S---
 +
|.......i.+...|
 +
---i-i--|.|----
 +
  |....D|.+>| 
 +
---i-i--|.|----
 +
|.......i.+...|
 +
---S---S---S---
 +
  |x| |x| |x| 
 +
  --- --- --- 
 +
</replacecharsblock></div>
 +
 
 +
In [[SLASH'EM]], Vlad's tower is even more complicated: his room is now locked behind six indestructible doors that must be opened using at least two of the three [[alignment key]]s. These doors are marked orange on the map above - there are some methods available to [[Alignment quest#Necessity|circumvent them]].
  
−
  --- --- --- 
+
[[Vlad the Impaler|Vlad]], the [[throne]] and the [[chest]] occupy the same square now. There are no guaranteed candles in the chests here.
−
  |x| |x| |x| 
 
−
---S---S---S---
 
−
|.......+.+...|
 
−
---+----|.|----
 
−
  |...\.|.+>| 
 
−
---+----|.|----
 
−
|.......+.+...|
 
−
---S---S---S---
 
−
  |x| |x| |x| 
 
−
  --- --- --- 
 
  
−
Vlad the Impaler, with the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]], occupies the [[throne]]; a chest is behind it. Each of the six niches marked 'x' contains a random [[vampire]] (or a replacement random monster if extinct/genocided), and a chest.
+
===UnNetHack===
 +
In [[UnNetHack]], there is a [[magic portal]] from the Valley of the Dead that leads directly into the courtyard of the tower; the down stair leading out into Gehennom is still present. The chests on the top floor are now [[large box]]es that double as coffins, with each containing a vampiric monster that will awaken when you open them.
  
−
{{DOD}}
+
===dNetHack===
 +
{{main|Windowless Tower}}
 +
In [[dNetHack]], Vlad's Tower is redesigned: it is now known as the [[Windowless Tower]], and is located above the Gnomish Mines, which extend upward for another level. The base floor to the tower itself is set in a desolate field, with a moat and drawbridge surrounding the actual tower entrance.
  
−
== History ==
+
While a low-level character can attempt to get the Candelabrum early and use the candles provided in and around Minetown, actually facing Vlad and his cronies may prove a [[bad idea]] for the unprepared. Even so, players capable of defeating the formidable [[Cerberus]] can access the tower, including a hidden section in the third floor (corresponding to the middle level in ''NetHack'') that contains an extremely useful stash of [[holy water]], especially for [[atheist]]s or [[Anachrononaut]]s. Cerberus can be repelled with the Circle of Acheron [[ward]], and fire resistance provides a defense against its breath attack.
  
−
The modern form of Vlad's Tower first appeared in [[NetHack 3.1.0]].
+
===xNetHack===
 +
{{main|Vlad's Tower (xNetHack)}}
 +
In [[xNetHack]], Vlad's Tower is heavily redesigned.
  
−
As early as [[NetHack 3.0.0]], a different form of Vlad's Tower appeared embedded in [[Hell]] (which was quite different from [[Gehennom]]).  Each of the three levels appeared embedded in a maze, much as the modern [[Wizard's Tower]] is, except that the lower level was directly accessible from the maze.  The [[Candelabrum of Invocation]] did not yet exist, and the [[Wizard of Yendor|Wizard]] still carried the [[Amulet of Yendor]].  Consequently, taking on Vlad was strictly optional.
+
===SpliceHack===
 +
{{main|Vlad's Castle (SpliceHack)}}
 +
In [[SpliceHack]], the bottom floor of Vlad's Tower has been replaced with a castle surrounded by a large courtyard.
  
−
Back when the guaranteed items were added, crystal plate mail was the best armor in the game. Presumably, the other ones were much more useful, too.
+
===EvilHack===
 +
{{main|Vlad's Tower (EvilHack)}}
 +
In [[EvilHack]], Vlad's Tower is heavily redesigned.
  
−
In [[SLASH'EM]], Vlad's tower became even more complicated, when his room was locked behind six indestructible doors, that would have to be opened using keys from Alignment quests. At least two of the keys would have to be acquired before battling Vlad would be possible.
+
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Dungeon branches]]
 
[[Category:Dungeon branches]]

Latest revision as of 14:09, 11 February 2024

Vlad's Tower
Location Level 9–13 of
Gehennom
Bones middle level only
Mappable Yes
Teleportable No
Diggable floor No
Diggable walls No

Vlad's Tower is a dungeon branch that appears in NetHack. It is accessed in Gehennom and is the home of Vlad the Impaler - because it is not part of Gehennom, prayer is permitted in the Tower. Vlad's Tower consists of three levels connected by ladders, all of which are no-teleport and undiggable.

Generation

The entrance appears as a a second up stair, located on any floor between the 9th and 13th levels of Gehennom; counting the Valley of the Dead as 1, this places it roughly between dungeon levels 34 and 42 (inclusive). Only the middle level is eligible to leave bones files.

Monster generation is biased toward chaotic monsters in this branch.

Description

Each level contains many secret doors, traps, and several guaranteed items, and Vlad the Impaler is located at the top level. You can directly level teleport from the tower to each of its three levels, to the Gehennom levels above it, and to the Dungeons of Doom, but not to levels below the tower. However, quaffing a cursed potion of gain level on the uppermost floor will only result in an "uneasy feeling".

Bottom level

    --- --- ---    
    |x| |x| |x|    
  ---S---S---S---  
  |xS.........Sx|  
----|.........|----
|.>.|.........+...|
|.--|.........|--.|
|.|xS<........Sx|.|
|.---S---S---S---.|
|...|x|.|x|.|x|...|
---.---.---.---.---
  |.............|  
  ---------------  

There is a random dragon immediately inside the main door of the courtyard, and eight other random monsters are placed on the level. Four of the ten niches marked 'x' will contain the following:

These niches may also contain random traps.

Middle level

  --- --- ---  
  |x| |x| |x|  
---S---S---S---
|xS.........Sx|
--|.------+----
  |......|.<|  
--------.|-----
|xS>.....+..Sx|
---S---S---S---
  |x| |x| |x|  
  --- --- ---  

The ten niches marked 'x' each contain the following, with one monster or item per niche:

Top level

  --- --- ---  
  |V| |V| |V|  
---S---S---S---
|.......+.+...|
---+----|.|----
  |...\(|.+>|  
---+----|.|----
|.......+.+...|
---S---S---S---
  |V| |V| |V|  
  --- --- ---  

Vlad the Impaler occupies the throne in the center of the top floor, carrying the Candelabrum of Invocation; a chest sits behind the throne. Each of the six marked niches contains a random vampire and a chest; if vampires are extinct or genocided, they will be replaced with random monsters. Two of the six chests in the closets are guaranteed to contain stacks of 4–8 candles: one chest contains wax candles and the other contains tallow candles.[1][2]

History

Vlad's Tower first appears in NetHack 3.1.0.

As early as NetHack 3.0.0, a different form of special levels for Vlad the Impaler appeared embedded in Hell: Each of the three levels appeared embedded in a maze, much as the modern Wizard's Tower is, except that the lower level was directly accessible from the maze. The Candelabrum of Invocation did not yet exist, and the Wizard of Yendor still carried the Amulet of Yendor, meaning that Vlad was strictly optional until Gehennom replaced Hell in 3.1.0.

The guaranteed candles of the top level are added in NetHack 3.6.0 to ensure that a player will have more than enough candles to perform the invocation without resorting to wishing or polypiling.

Variants

SLASH'EM

  --- --- ---  
  |V| |V| |V|  
---S---S---S---
|.......+.+...|
---+-+--|.|----
  |....V|.+>|  
---+-+--|.|----
|.......+.+...|
---S---S---S---
  |V| |V| |V|  
  --- --- ---  

In SLASH'EM, Vlad's tower is even more complicated: his room is now locked behind six indestructible doors that must be opened using at least two of the three alignment keys. These doors are marked orange on the map above - there are some methods available to circumvent them.

Vlad, the throne and the chest occupy the same square now. There are no guaranteed candles in the chests here.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, there is a magic portal from the Valley of the Dead that leads directly into the courtyard of the tower; the down stair leading out into Gehennom is still present. The chests on the top floor are now large boxes that double as coffins, with each containing a vampiric monster that will awaken when you open them.

dNetHack

Main article: Windowless Tower

In dNetHack, Vlad's Tower is redesigned: it is now known as the Windowless Tower, and is located above the Gnomish Mines, which extend upward for another level. The base floor to the tower itself is set in a desolate field, with a moat and drawbridge surrounding the actual tower entrance.

While a low-level character can attempt to get the Candelabrum early and use the candles provided in and around Minetown, actually facing Vlad and his cronies may prove a bad idea for the unprepared. Even so, players capable of defeating the formidable Cerberus can access the tower, including a hidden section in the third floor (corresponding to the middle level in NetHack) that contains an extremely useful stash of holy water, especially for atheists or Anachrononauts. Cerberus can be repelled with the Circle of Acheron ward, and fire resistance provides a defense against its breath attack.

xNetHack

Main article: Vlad's Tower (xNetHack)

In xNetHack, Vlad's Tower is heavily redesigned.

SpliceHack

Main article: Vlad's Castle (SpliceHack)

In SpliceHack, the bottom floor of Vlad's Tower has been replaced with a castle surrounded by a large courtyard.

EvilHack

Main article: Vlad's Tower (EvilHack)

In EvilHack, Vlad's Tower is heavily redesigned.

References

  1. ↑ src/tower.des in NetHack 3.6.7, line 48
  2. ↑ src/tower.des in NetHack 3.6.7, line 51
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