Chunk of fossil dark
A chunk of fossil dark, also simply known as fossil dark, is a type of gem that appears in dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack. It appears as a black gem when unidentified.
Contents
Generation
Drow Nobles of both genders start with an uncursed chunk of fossil dark.
Chunks of fossil dark are very rarely generated in the solid rock walls of the dungeon.
The lower filler level(s) of the Dwarf Noble quest has a 1⁄5 chance (20%) of generating one chunk of fossil dark embedded within the wall of one of the pillars at level creation, while the goal level has a 1⁄5 chance each (20%) of generating up to 3 chunks of fossil dark embedded in the outcroppings to the left and right of the bridge at level creation.
Several chunks of fossil dark may be found within the Drow Healer quest:
- The locate level always generates a chunk of fossil dark within a chest in the middle of the floor at level creation, located between both sets of stairs and the 2 secret doors.
- The lower filler level(s) always generate a chunk of fossil dark in the room full of edderkops.
- The second-to-last lower filler level before the goal level always generates a chunk of fossil dark in a narrow corridor at level creation, which is located within the northwestern section of the maze surrounding various towers. Past this corridor is a sack with an additional 1⁄2 chance (50%) of a second chunk and a 1⁄10 chance (10%) of a third chunk.
- The goal level has a small chance of chunks of fossil dark being embedded in the walls at level creation.
Description
While out in the open, a chunk of fossil dark acts as a dark source that emits a 2-square radius of darkness around it:
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Chunks of fossil dark can be used as focus gems for lightsabers. Shadowsmiths can be given chunks of fossil dark to forge items with.
In notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack, Cavepeople can use fossil dark as spearheads that inflict doubled level drain damage.
Strategy
A chunk of fossil dark is an invaluable asset to heroes that start out with darkvision, acting similarly to a magic lamp for them. Unlike the shadowlander's torch, which grants a larger-but-temporary radius of darkness, the darkness from a chunk of fossil dark will not expire, and may be worth a wish for drow heroes and other darkness-favoring builds that cannot obtain one normally. Heroes in search of a long-term darkness source may also consider searching in the Law Quest.
Alternatives to chunks of fossil dark include amassing a pile of shadowlander's torches, binding the spirit Amon after learning his seal from The Necronomicon (major spoilers!!!), reading the The Book of Lost Names or reading an aphanactonan record (which requires insight), or obtaining the Apotheosis Veil. The wand of darkness can act as a limited-use source of darkness, while the light spell when cast by a drow hero will create darkness instead and costs 5 energy, which is half the required power for the drow's ability to spread darkness via the #monster extended command.
Origin
In the 2006 supplement for Dungeons & Dragons 3.5e Tome of magic a gem of night is magical gem made of solid shadow that possesses the capability of transforming into a shadow elemental. It is a item made with shadow magic, although the function of chunks of fossil dark more closely imitate the functions of a dark lantern — an item presented in the same book as a magical item capable of dimming lights out to 60 ft.
