Potion of Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster
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| Name | Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster |
| Appearance | random |
| Base price | 300 zm |
| Weight | 20 |
| Monster use | Will not be used by monsters. |
The potion of Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is a type of potion that appears in NetHack: The Next Generation and SlashTHEM.
Description
Quaffing a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster of any beatitude will leave you confused for 6d7 (more) turns.
If the potion is cursed, it has a 1⁄4 chance of additionally lowering your intelligence by one point. If the potion is blessed, it has a 1⁄4 chance of additionally restoring your health to its maximum, as well as curing lycanthropy and returning you to your normal form if possible (i.e. unless you are a Lunatic or have unchanging).
Messages
- You feel like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick.
- You quaffed a cursed or uncursed potion of Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.
- You feel remembered of very, very strong liquor.
- You quaffed a blessed potion.
- You feel remembered of Zaphod Beeblebrox.
- As above, while hallucinating.
Origin
The Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster is a notorious cocktail from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series of works by Douglas Adams. Invented by Zaphod Beeblebrox, former President of the Galaxy, the drink's recipe uses multiple, incredibly specific ingredients from various planets, including the tooth of an algolian suntiger. In an interview, Douglas Adams stated that there are a number of environmental and weapons treaties, as well as laws of physics, which prevent the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster from being mixed on Earth. The Guide also implies that there are multiple voluntary organisations available to rehabilitate those who would try the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster.
The Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster is described in the series as "the alcoholic equivalent of a mugging" whose effect "is like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick" (as helpfully quoted when quaffing one in either NetHack: The Next Generation or SlashTHEM); in the film, its potency is such that even the Guide simply explaining the drink and its effects causes Ford Prefect and Zaphod to yell in pain after. In the television series, two Gargle Blaster drinkers collapse in open-eyed unconsciousness after drinking, and the spilled drink then burns a hole in the floor.
