Quickling
n quickling 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 1d2, Claw steal item |
| Base level | 3 |
| Base experience | 59 |
| Speed | 30 |
| Base AC | 10 |
| Base MR | 20 |
| Alignment | −10 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 60 |
| Nutritional value | 30 |
| Size | Tiny |
| Resistances | None |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
A quickling:
| |
| Reference | SLASH'EM_0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line1122 |
Quicklings are nymph-like monster introduced in SLASH'EM. True to their name they are extremely fast, having a speed of 30, exceeded only by the air elemental. They are also able to attack with weapons, although not for very much damage. They only appear in Gehennom and the Lawful Quest.
Strategy
It can be something of a dizzying experience to fight a quickling, as they may move as many as 3 times before you can even get one hit in. They do not have many hit points and only have one seduction attack, as opposed to nymphs' two. Thus they are not a huge threat, although they can be annoying when they flee after stealing an item; even if you find them they can still be very difficult to catch, even with a ranged weapon. They are best attacked when they are approaching you to attack again, preferably with a good volley of projectiles.
Be careful not to mistake them for water nymphs, whose glyph they share. If you see a n in Gehennom, it is likely a quickling.
As a polymorph form
The intrinsic speed and relatively low level of a quickling makes them an attractive polymorph form for a starting doppelganger. They are able to carry 1000 units of weight, and unlike air elementals, can see. A doppelganger will be able to infallibly polymorph into one upon reaching experience level 3, as opposed to 8 for an air elemental. Unfortunately, they do have very few hitpoints, and they are too small to wield weapons, wear armor, or use doors. Still, they are useful forms for escaping or traveling through the Mines.
