Ogre lord

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An ogre lord, O, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is a stronger type of ogre with 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.

Ogre lords are now known as ogre leaders, with "lord" and "lady" being gendered titles.

Generation

Randomly-generated ogre lords may be peaceful towards chaotic characters. An ogre can grow up into an ogre lord, and ogre lords can grow up into ogre kings.

Ogre lords may appear among the random O that make up 14% of randomly generated monsters on the Barbarian quest and are placed at level creation on floors below the home level.

They are generated with some gold and either a club (56 chance) or a battle-axe (16 chance), and are eligible for offensive, defensive and miscellaneous items.[1]

Strategy

By themselves, ogre lords are not much more threatening than standard ogres, butt may appear among a group of them if one of the ogres generates with a potion of gain level. They are somewhat faster than normal ogres and move at the same speed as an unhasted player character, and their MR score of 30 is enough to potentially resist effects from spells and wands.

Ogre lords are usually not too much trouble for a prepared player that can handle themselves in combat, although they do have a small chance of generating with a wand of death among their starting inventory.

History

The ogre lord is introduced in NetHack 3.0.0.

From NetHack 3.1.0 to NetHack 3.2.3, ogre lords could appear among the random O that composed 3% of randomly generated monsters in the Elf quest and were generated on the locate and goal floors at level creation.

Origin

An ogre (feminine: ogress) is a legendary monster depicted as a large, hideous humanoid being that eats ordinary humans, especially infants and children. Ogres frequently feature in mythology, folklore, literature, and fiction throughout the world, and are most often associated with fairy tales and legend. Ogres are also sometimes depicted with disproportionately large heads, abundant hair, unusually-colored skin, a voracious appetite, and a strong body. Tales featuring well-known ogres include in "Puss in Boots" and "Hop-o'-My-Thumb".

Ogres are closely linked with giants and with human cannibals in mythology; giants in both folklore and fiction are often given ogrish traits (e.g. the giants in "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Jack the Giant Killer", the Giant Despair in The Pilgrim's Progress, and the Jötunn of Norse mythology), while ogres may be given giant-like traits. Ogres also appear in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game as large, powerful humanoids with slightly below average intelligence, and have occasionally featured as playable characters.

The ogres of NetHack derive their stats from the 1st Edition Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, which describes ogres as ugly-tempered, voracious and fond of treasure. They can be found in virtually any terrain, including subterranean areas, and usually serve as mercenaries for orcs, gnolls and/or evil clerics. Ogres also freely dwell near the territories of trolls and some giants, and are sometimes enslaved by demons. Ogres range from "dull blackish-brawn to dead yellow" in color, and wear any sort of skins or furs; they are said to care well for their weapons and armor, despite the slovenly traits associated with them and other folkloric ogres.

Variants

Some variants adjust monster names so that female counterparts to the ogre lord are properly named and generated.

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, an ogre lord appears in the throne room of Grund's Stronghold.

In older versions, ogre lords could appear among the random O that composed 3% of randomly generated monsters on the Gnome quest, including the ones generated on the levels between the home and goal floors at level creation.

GruntHack

In GruntHack, ogre lords are replaced by racial monster lords, which ogres are eligible to generate as.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, ogre lords may appear in the court of a throne room ruled by an ogre king.

Encyclopedia entry

Anyone who has met a gluttonous, nude, angry ogre, will not easily forget this encounter -- if he survives it at all. Both male and female ogres can easily grow as tall as three metres. Build and facial expressions would remind one of a Neanderthal. Its small, pointy, keen teeth are striking. Since ogres avoid direct sunlight, their ragged, unfurry skin is as white as a sheet. They enjoy coating their body with lard and usually wear nothing but a loin-cloth. An elf would smell its rancid stench at ten metres distance.
Ogres are solitary creatures: very rarely one may encounter a female with two or three young. They are the only real carnivores among the humanoids, and its favourite meal is -- not surprisingly -- human flesh. They sometimes ally with orcs or goblins, but only when they anticipate a good meaty meal.

[ The Book of Rules; The Eye of the Master]

References