Grimlock (SLASH'EM)
@ grimlock 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 11 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 1d6 physical |
| Base level | 8 |
| Base experience | 118 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 5 |
| Base MR | 0 |
| Alignment | −2 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | None |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
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A grimlock:
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| Reference | SLASH'EM_0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line3693 |
- This article is about the monster in SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM. For the monster in other variants, see grimlock.
A grimlock, @, is a type of monster that appears in SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM. The grimlock is an eyeless human creature that is chaotic and omnivorous, can be seen via infravision, and can pick up weapons, food and other items that they come across. As humans, grimlocks cannot be made tame normally, and they can also turn traitor even if tamed through other means.[1]
Grimlocks have a single weapon attack.
Generation
Grimlocks are only generated in Gehennom, and may be created as peaceful towards chaotic heroes that are not orcs. They are one of two monsters in SLASH'EM that can appear in very large groups, a distinction shared with the gibberling; in SlashTHEM, they also share this distinction with the jermlaine. Grimlocks are not a valid polymorph form.
Origin
The grimlocks of SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM are based on the grimlock of Dungeons and Dragons, which in turn derives them from the Morlocks, the antagonists of the H.G. Wells story "The Time Machine".
The grimlocks of Dungeons & Dragons are primitive and savage humanoids that primarily dwell in the Underdark, akin to Wells's Morlocks—they have gray, thick and slightly scaled and gray, usually scarred from hunts through their constricted underground passageways, and those with a special status often had decorative designs scarred into their skin. Grimlocks have sharp teeth and typically-black hair that often grew to be long and unkempt, as well as long claw-like nails—most grimlocks have no eyes whatsoever as a result of centuries underground, and the few that do had completely milky-white eyes, hence their portrayal as eyeless in variants of NetHack. They typically wear little clothing or armor, though some are known to sport tanned leather belts and harnesses along with decorative bracers.
While grimlocks are prone to evil acts, they very rarely acted out of malice and their behavior is rooted in a deep sense of self-preservation and struggle for survival. Regardless, they are very blunt and suspicious of other creatures, and those who wandered away from their kin often experienced culture shock, but felt some sense of gratification at how strange things were. Wandering grimlocks could even overcome their xenophobic leanings, viewing each individual they meet as a potential pack member, though this mindset would need to be reinforced through daily meditation. Having lost their sight over the course of living within the Underdark for centuries, grimlocks are vulnerable to light, but have developed an acute sense of smell and echolocation.
Grimlocks are well-adapted for combat thanks to their naturally hardy bodies and high sensory awareness; however, they are very unorganized, and their fear of outsiders makes them hard to subjugate and organize into an enthralled fighting force. They generally attack their enemies under the cover of darkness, hoping to disorient their foes and take advantage of their natural blind-senses. Grimlocks prefer to fight up close with crude stone battleaxes or weapons made of bone. Their diets consist of any raw flesh they can find, especially human flesh, to the point their populations were often decimated from diseased meat.
