Gnome lord

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A gnome lord, G, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. A gnome lord is a slightly stronger type of gnome, and is a lord to his kind.

Like standard gnomes, a gnome lord has infravision and can be seen with infravision, and hostile gnome lords will collect items that they can use. A gnome lord has a single weapon attack.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Gnome lords are known as gnome leaders, with "lord" and "lady" being gendered titles.

Generation

Randomly generated gnome lords are always peaceful towards gnomish and dwarvish characters, and will be hostile towards the other playable races. A gnome can grow up into a gnome lord, and a gnome lord can grow up into a gnome king.

A gnome lord is generated on each of the filler levels in the Gnomish Mines at level creation, and three each are generated in The Gnome King's Wine Cellar and The Mimic of the Mines maps of Mines' End. For a dwarvish or gnomish character, two-thirds of the gnomes and other peaceful monsters will instead be replaced with random monsters.

Gnome lords may appear among the hostile G that generate in throne rooms, as well the monsters randomly generated by looting a throne while confused and carrying gold (provided there is no chest on the level).[1]

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

A gnome will grow up into a gnome leader of the appropriate gender, rather than always becoming a male gnome lord regardless of gender.

Starting inventory

Gnome lords are eligible for offensive items, defensive items, and miscellaneous items.

A gnome lord placed at level creation has a chance of being generated with a single candle: the chance is 120 if he is in the Gnomish Mines, and 160 otherwise.[2] The candle has a 34 chance of being tallow and a 14 chance of being wax, and will be lit if the gnome is generated in a dark area.

Gnome lords that are not generated on the Rogue level have a 512 chance of being generated with one of the five default weapon sets: 3-14 darts, a crossbow and 3-14 crossbow bolts, a bow and 3-14 arrows, a stack of 3-5 daggers, or an aklys.[3]

Strategy

Gnome lords are faster and deal slightly more damage than their lesser counterparts, but are otherwise similar: they are still strong enough that an early character may not be able to reliably kill them in one hit, and prolonged fights in open areas like the Gnomish Mines can become perilous as a result. The ranged weapons gnomes often generate with also makes fighting in the open ill-advised, especially if there are other gnomes around to shoot at you or pelt you with projectiles; they can also use wands, scrolls and other items against you.

Escape items or ranged attacks of your own can help defend against oncoming gnome lords - the terrain of the Gnomish Mines allows for strategic baiting of monsters into melee range, and leading gnome lords into corridors or around corners can help you isolate them from their allies. Gnome lords respect Elbereth, but will still use any ranged attacks at their disposal when fleeing. Magic resistance and reflection are not remotely required, but characters that happen upon a source early are protected from worst-case scenarios involving gnomes and certain surprise wands or tools.

History

The gnome lord first appears in NetHack 3.0.0.

Variants

Some variants make adjustments so that female counterparts to the gnome lord are properly named and generated.

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, if the player is a gnome or a dwarf, most peaceful gnome lords in the Gnomish Mines are replaced with hostile gnome mummies at level creation with the exception of bones, ensuring that they will have to deal with hostile monsters like other races.[4]

dNetHack

In dNetHack, female gnomes will become gnome ladies, which are distinct monsters from gnome lords rather than simple female counterparts.

xNetHack

In xNetHack, the monster is known as a gnome leader.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, the monster is referred to as a gnome noble.

Hack'EM

In Hack'EM, the monster is also known as a gnome noble as in EvilHack.

Encyclopedia entry

... And then a gnome came by, carrying a bundle, an old fellow three times as large as an imp and wearing clothes of a sort, especially a hat. And he was clearly just as frightened as the imps though he could not go so fast. Ramon Alonzo saw that there must be some great trouble that was vexing magical things; and, since gnomes speak the language of men, and will answer if spoken to gently, he raised his hat, and asked of the gnome his name. The gnome did not stop his hasty shuffle a moment as he answered 'Alaraba' and grabbed the rim of his hat but forgot to doff it.
'What is the trouble, Alaraba?' said Ramon Alonzo.
'White magic. Run!' said the gnome ..
                        [ The Charwoman's Shadow, by Lord Dunsany ]
 
"Muggles have garden gnomes, too, you know," Harry told Ron as they crossed the lawn.
"Yeah, I've seen those things they think are gnomes," said Ron, bent double with his head in a peony bush, "like fat little Santa Clauses with fishing rods..."
There was a violent scuffling noise, the peony bush shuddered, and Ron straightened up. "This is a gnome," he said grimly.
"Geroff me! Gerroff me!" squealed the gnome.
It was certainly nothing like Santa Claus. It was small and leathery looking, with a large, knobby, bald head exactly like a potato. Ron held it at arm's length as it kicked out at him with its horny little feet; he grasped it around the ankles and turned it upside down.

[ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling ]

References