Strange cat behavior...

[Snock]

So I killed my first cat by accidentally triggering a door trap. The fireball consumed it, and he died. However, I didn't get that "cat's spirit rising from its body" message. I figured i had blown it and went about killing cats when they were in my way. Didn't get that message with any of them.

I just killed like my sixth one, and I did get that message. Anyone know what exactly happened here? Could I have got the ring if I hadn't killed that last cat? Has this happened to you before? I am so confused

[JellySlayer]

The message requires a perception check. If your Pe is below about 10, you won't ever see it. If you're above, maybe 18, you should always see it--it's unreliable. Press :k and if you see a cat on the list, then you've lost the ring.

[Pumpernickel]

I didn't get that "cat's spirit rising from its body" message. I figured i had blown it and went about killing cats when they were in my way.

I just killed like my sixth one, and I did get that message. Anyone know what exactly happened here? Could I have got the ring if I hadn't killed that last cat?

No, the chance was gone with the first cat that went on your ':k'ills list. As the other poster said, there's a Pe-dependent chance for getting the message - for every cat you kill, until the message has been delivered.

[Molach]

I had a troll (char, not me) who had 8 Pe. Killed 4-5 cats. Found a carrot room, and had athletics, so Pe raised to 15. Next cat gave message.'

And seriously, why bother. HEheh. Kill 'em all.