Orc of the ages of stars

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An orc of the ages of stars, o, is a type of monster that appears in dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack. Orcs of the ages of stars are the strongest type of orc that can be encountered randomly in those variants, and are far stronger than even Angband orcs. The orc of the ages of stars has 15 points of AC: 2 in the natural category, 3 in the dodge category, and 10 in the protection category.

An orc of the ages of stars is both elven as well as orcish, is an overlord to orckind, and acts as a commander to allied monsters. Orcs of the ages of stars can see invisible, possess lowlight vision that extends 3 squares, can be seen via infravision, and will collect gold, gems and other items that they come across. A tame orc of the ages of stars may turn traitor.

An orc of the ages of stars has three weapon attacks and an offhand weapon attack. Orcs of the ages of starts are considered to have expert martial prowess, and have a full base attack bonus of +1 to-hit per level.

Generation

Randomly generated orcs of the ages of stars are always created alongside a group of 3-12 Angband orcs.

An orc of the ages of stars may appear as the ruler of a randomly-generated throne room—their court can contain deep dragons, red dragons, white dragons, black dragons, blue dragons, Angband orcs, hedrow blademasters, foocubi, Olog-hai, siege ogres, and hell hounds. The prisoners within their throne room may be any of the following monsters:

Strategy

While it is possible to not encounter any of them until the ascension run, orcs of the ages of stars are easily the most dangerous orcish monsters in the game, and possibly the most dangerous monster to encounter presiding over a throne room.

As a polyform

The fearsome power of an orc of the ages of stars also makes them a stellar form for polymorph: their 18 speed and ability to twoweapon, combined with their solid base defenses and ability to use all medium-sized armor and weapons effectively, make them a highly recommended choice of polyform.

Origin

The orcs of the ages of stars are based on the orcs from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth setting, and are specifically flavored as survivors from before the First Age and the original stock from which all orcs descended.

Encyclopedia entry

But of those hapless who were snared by Melkor little is known
of a certainty. [...] Yet this is held true by the wise of Eressëa:
that all those of the Quendi that came into the hands of Melkor,
ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts
of cruelty and wickedness were corrupted and enslaved. Thus
did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orkor in envy and mockery
of the Eldar, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. For
the Orkor had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children
of Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance
thereof, could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the Ainulindalë
before the Beginning: so say the wise. And deep in their dark hearts
the Orkor loathed the Master whom they served in fear, the maker only
of their misery. This maybe was the vilest deed of Melkor and the most
hateful to Eru.
[ Morgoth's Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien,
edited by Christopher Tolkien ]