(2nd win) Rms, drakeling paladin, gate closer

[jongman]

Second overall win, two years since my first one. Also, my first win with the post-crowdfunding release.

R50 was the first time I was playing the prereleases - and I liked it a lot. I realized I like graphical mode much better than console mode. There is much more information (it's tiring to look at each tree in the animated forest to see which one is hostile to you), and w> and w< alleviate a lot of problems from the small screen.

Regarding the change in gameplay, I like that a lot of scumming strategies have been nuffed - ID stairhopping, banshee @ animated forest, stomafilla crowning, gremlin bombing etc. At first I was skeptical because I thought scumming was also a part of the game. But since all scummings entail some sort of grinding - disabling those made me do less grinding, and have more fun playing the game.

On to the game - I was fiddling with wizards again with the prereleases, but that got boring, so wanted to do some melee classes. Barbarian seemed too challenging for me without any spells, so I chose a drakeling paladin. I started the game going down to HMV. I forgot to make the first kill in Holeinthewall, and made it in SMC without noting what it was. So there goes the ultra attempt.

UD was useful, had a potion shop and a couple altars. I (as usual) tried livesaccing some creatures to get a precrown, but when you are a neutral this is too boring+painful - so I gave up. (In retrospect, I might have converted to Chaotic and get a precrown, only to convert to neutral later?)

In UD I got a battle axe of devastation from a gnoll tension room or something, which I used until much later in the game. Got detect traps, killed Hotz to get 'order, and went to CoC. In CoC, D:1 had a book shop - which didn't have any powerful spells but good for everyday ones (slow monster etc). Waldenbrook had a tower adamantium shield in stock so that was useful. D:11 gave me a 7LB and a phase dagger, which I used until endgame.

My first dwarf quest got me a potion of literacy. While that was definitely useful, I was more used to getting my inventory identified to see which scroll is the scroll of identify. Later I had to exhaust the scrolls one by one until I got the right one. Is there any better way than this?

After clearing the pyramid and griffyard, came back, sold the loot and got crowned.. and got hammer of the gods. Ah, bummer. Decided to try draining pools in DF - maybe I can find an amulet to save Khelly. I was level 15, but felt pretty buff with my axe - and it was easy. I did get a wish for the amulet, Wyrmlance (was very useful in ToEF and BDC) and red dragon scale mail; later got RoTHK and decended to save Khelly and do water temple.

Water temple was very easy; ToEF was pretty hard.. I didn't have any useful potions so I had to rely on acid spitting and meleeing AKW. However, he now didn't follow me to the lower level - that gave me plenty of time to heal and get ready for fighting again.

Casino shop was meh. Started descending more. At this point, accessing altars became a big problem - I didn't take notes on where I saw altars because I went to dwarftown almost always. But midgame and later, I wasted a lot of time coming back and forth to dwarftown.

After Casino, Cat lord proved to be a bigger problem than I imagined. I was only at level 19 or something at the moment, and he was really fast and strong. (Why is a cat lord infinitely more strong than werewolf lords? Damn.) Teleported away, and started looking for ways to level up.

I ended up clearing the new dungeons (R4 and R6). R6:4 had a dragon vault with a great red wyrm - because of the red dragon scale mail, they went down easily under Wyrmlance. After that, I wasn't still sure, so I decided to go and tackle the Minotaur Maze - and it wasn't too hard once you have the layout of the fake levels in the guidebook. (Antennae corruption and lots of luck also helped) So ended up clearing only a handful of fake levels until I got to the final level. And minotaur emperror gave me bracers of war and 6 PoGAs!!!!! Yay!!! I would do it every game if the reward was this good.. I spent some good time swinging around that badass axe.

Went deeper into CoC, passing the temples. D:45 had a greater vault of giants, which gave me Executor (which made a nice replacement to my axe of devastation). I think I got the crown of leadership here as well, but not sure. At this point I was level 29, and I dove into BDC.

Killed hundreds of ancient blue dragons with Wyrmlance and collect loots until I was bored and went to kill the ancient blue wyrm. He actually was pretty easy, not any harder than the other wyrms.

Since I got Needle I had to try out Sting now(even I'm not going for an ultra). So I ascended to the assassin guild (doing earth temple and air temple on the side, where both was easy) I also found a random RoDS lying next to the stairs of NDC. Haha.

After swinging the two daggers around a bit, went down to mana temple and the final dive. I was at level 40. While I was going to the nearest altar, a great black wyrm gave me a WoW with 0 charges - so I thought I was pretty well prepared.

D:49 useless gift was Alyas Holy Scarf. I chose to wear an amulet of saving instead for the D:50 though.

When I got to D:50, my speed was at 10 (never made it this far with a drakeling).. and I couldn't fire bolt myself but only with a wand. I only had 1 charge and a couple of booze.. seriously considered wishing for scrolls of charging. :-)

Instead, I read a SoFS to summon a greater earth elemental, and hid behind him until I got my speed back. The greater earth elemental made it so much easier; he was able to take down 5 balors when I accidently magic missiled him. :-(

I had 8-9 blessed scrolls of corruption removal at the time, and still had the unicorn corruption removal chance, so I felt comfortable meleeing the balors. Although I think I could have taken them down with just acid spitting and magic missiling while running away on boosted speed.

So cleared the level (without using the amulet nor the wishes), handled the levers, and goodbye CoC. Ah, also used one of the two wishes to get a cute dog for the girl..

[jongman]

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                                 Screenshot
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Rms           St:53  Le:38  Wi:39  Dx:41  To:37  Ch:53  Ap:25  Ma:31  Pe:33 N+
DV/PV: 84/56   H: 801(801)    P: 452(452)    Exp: 46/20921643   DrCh  Sp: 130
Blessed Invisible Bloated Burdened
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Background Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Rms                 Race: male Drakeling      Class: Paladin
Eye color: blue           Hair color: bald          Complexion: green
Height: 5'8"              Weight: 163 pounds
Age: 25 (grown-up, 3 years of unnatural aging added in)
Star sign: Raven          Birthday: 8/Raven (day 8 of the year)

YOUR HISTORY:
        Your parents were poor people. They loved you and cared for you,
 although you had to hunger more than once.
        As a child your parents cared a lot for you. Despite all
 circumstances you enjoyed a happy and fine childhood.
        As a kid you often watched the adult adventurers preparing for new
 exciting journeys. They sparked your imagination.
        Your path was always clearly lying before you. You knew about your
 destiny since your earliest years and fortunately your grandfather
 supported your wishes. You managed to find a competent trainer and began
 your studies.
        You decided to become a Paladin.


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                                  Inventory
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Total weight: 8988 stones                Carrying capacity: 11775 stones

He: uncursed crown of leadership [+2, +7] {Ch+18} // giant greater vault
Ne: uncursed amulet of free action  // mostly wore amulet of life saving instead
Bo: uncursed eternium plate mail (-1, -2) [+1, +15]                  [240s]
Gi: uncursed girdle of giant strength [+2, +4] {St+12} // generic loot
Cl: blessed cloak of protection [+0, +3]                              [20s]
RH: blessed jet-black battle axe (named) (+2, 5d6+6) // giant greater vault
LH: uncursed tower eternium shield (+1) [+13, +4] // had only one of those 
RR: blessed ring of ice                                                [1s]
LR: uncursed ring of invisibility                                      [1s]
Br: blessed bracers of war [+8, +4] {Dx+8} // minotaur emperror
Ga: uncursed elemental gauntlets (-1, +0) [+0, +3]                    [10s]
Bo: blessed seven league boots [+3, +3]                               [30s]
MW: uncursed light crossbow (+4, +3)                                  [70s]
Mi: uncursed quarrel (+4, 2d6+1)                                       [2s]
Tl: blessed pick axe of mayhem (+0, 3d6+7)                            [75s]


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                                    Stuff
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Total weight: 8271 stones   Carrying capacity: 11775 stones

*snip*
Boots ('[')
   blessed seven league boots [+1, +0] // had a backup too!
Necklaces (''')
   blessed rustproof amulet of life saving // wore this for lategame
   blessed Aylas Holy Scarf [+10, +10] {Ch+6} // uselessness gift
One-handed weapons ('(')
   blessed rustproof battle axe of devastation (+1, 5d6+6) // before Executor
   uncursed phase dagger (+2, 1d4+3)                                   [5s]
   uncursed scorched spear (+2, 3d8+1) [+2, +0] // Shador-Waador gave me this
   blessed black rune-covered dagger "Needle" (+8, 3d4) [+4, +1]      [10s]
   blessed black rune-covered dagger "Sting" (+8, 3d4) [+4, +1]       [10s]
Two-handed weapons ('(')
   blessed hammer of the gods (+1, 7d6+8) [-6, +0] // crowning gift :(
   uncursed rune-covered halberd "Wyrmlance" (+15, 4d8+10) [-2, +0] // darkforge
   blessed rune-covered trident (+6, 3d12+6) [+4, +4] {Dx+12}         [80s]
   uncursed axe of the minotaur emperor (+12, 4d20+16) [-6, +4]     [1200s]
   uncursed staff of the Wanderer (+2, 3d8+2) [+6, +3] {To+6} // don't know where

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                                Weapon Skills
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Melee weapon           Lvl   Hit   Dam   DV   Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---   ---   --   -------------  --------------
Unarmed fighting         2    +2    +0   +0   basic                28
Daggers & knives         2    +2    +0   +0   basic                1
Clubs & hammers          1    +1    +0   +0   basic                22
Maces & flails           1    +1    +0   +0   basic                25
Swords                   3    +2    +1   +0   basic                65
Axes                    12   +12   +10   +3   Mastery              3190
Whips                    1    +1    +0   +1   basic                25
Pole arms                8    +8    +4   +8   excellent            625
Twohanded weapons        9    +8   +12   +3   excellent            1102
Staves                   1    +1    +0   +1   basic                25

Missile weapon         Lvl   Hit   Dam   Ra   Level          Required marks

---------------------  ---   ---   ---   --   -------------  --------------
Slings                   0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            7
Bows                     7   +14   +10   +2   skilled              138
Crossbows                4    +8    +6   +1   skilled              31
Thrown axes & hammers    0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            7
Thrown daggers           0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            7
Thrown rocks & clubs     0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            7
Thrown spears            0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            7
Boomerangs & scurgari    0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            7

Shields                Lvl   DV               Level          Required marks

---------------------  ---   ---              -------------  --------------
Shields                 10   +20              excellent            894

Damage caused with your melee weapons:
--------------------------------------
Right hand: +93 bonus to hit, 5d6+40 damage

Damage caused with your missile weapons:
----------------------------------------
Ammunition: 1, base range: 7, +79 bonus to hit, 2d6+29 damage




----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Skills
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  Alertness .................100    (superb)       [+1d5]
  Appraising ................ 44    (fair)         [+1d5]
  Athletics .................100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Backstabbing ..............100    (superb)       [+1d5]
  Climbing ..................100    (superb)       [+1d5]
  Concentration .............100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Detect item status ........ 47    (fair)         [+1d3]
  Detect traps ..............100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Disarm traps .............. 79    (great)        [+2d4]
  Dodge ..................... 81    (great)        [+1d3]
  First aid .................100    (superb)       [+1d5]
  Food preservation .........100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Haggling .................. 72    (great)        [+1d3]
  Healing ...................100    (superb)       [+1d5]
  Listening .................100    (superb)       [+3d5]
  Literacy ..................100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Music ..................... 68    (good)         [+1d5]
  Pick pockets ..............100    (superb)       [+3d4]
  Stealth ...................100    (superb)       [+1]
  Swimming ..................100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Tactics ...................100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Two weapon combat .........100    (superb)       [+1d3]


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                                   Spells
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   Cure Light Wounds        :   154,   5pp     (Effectivity: +3)
   Darkness                 :   346,   4pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Divine Key               :   270,  12pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Divine Wrath             :   449,  12pp     (Effectivity: +2)
   Ethereal Bridge          :   282,  25pp     (Effectivity: +5)
   Heavenly Fury            :    38,  48pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Hellish Flames           :   134,   8pp     (Effectivity: +11)
   Holy Awe                 :   244,  12pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Knowledge of the Ancients:   147,  40pp     (Effectivity: +3)
   Lesser Divine Touch      :   262,   8pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Light                    :   269,   3pp     (Effectivity: +4)
   Minor Punishment         :   131,   7pp     (Effectivity: +9)
   Nether Bolt              :   241,  11pp     (Effectivity: +7)
   Seal of the Spheres      :   526,   8pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Slow Monster             :   359,   7pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Veil of the Gods         :   806,  10pp     (Effectivity: +2)




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                              His further life:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

After he leaves the Drakalor Chain he is welcomed by his people with great
honors. They acknowledge his noble deeds, his valor, his cunning and his
great skills that helped to prevent the complete destruction of the world he
knows. He returns to his lands victorious and is hailed as a great leader.
Eventually he becomes king and rules his subjects with an iron fist for a
long and peaceful time, allowing his people to prosper and grow.

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              His achievements during his battles:
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Rms, the drakish paladin, saved the world with his brave efforts and became
a great ruler while saving himself 18 times.
He scored 16671300 points and advanced to level 46.
He survived for 0 years, 66 days, 18 hours, 1 minute and 5 seconds (134053
turns).
Rms visited 145 places.
His strength score was modified by +19 during his career.
His learning score was modified by +28 during his career.
His willpower score was modified by +25 during his career.
His dexterity score was modified by +23 during his career.
His toughness score was modified by +16 during his career.
His charisma score was modified by +21 during his career.
His appearance score was modified by +14 during his career.
His mana score was modified by +18 during his career.
His perception score was modified by +20 during his career.
He was unnaturally aged by 3 years.
He was the champion of the arena.
He was the head of the thieves guild.
He made a little water dragon very happy.
He brought back joy into the life of a tiny girl.
He killed the emperor of the ancient minotaur race.
He defeated the arch enemy of a mighty karmic wyrm.
He saved Khelavaster from certain death.
He left the Drakalor Chain after completing his quest and became a great
leader and famous hero.
6692 monsters perished under his attacks.
The following 31 artifacts were generated during his adventure:
  the si
  the scythe of corruption "Moon Sickle"
  the potion of literacy
  the golden gladius "Death's Sting"
  the Aylas Holy Scarf
  the Chaos Orb of Elemental Water
  the Chaos Orb of Elemental Air
  the Chaos Orb of Elemental Fire
  the Chaos Orb of Elemental Earth
  the staff of the Wanderer
  the lead-filled mace "Big Punch"
  the scorched spear
  the rune-covered trident
  the sword of Nonnak
  the elemental gauntlets
  the ring of the High Kings
  the phial of Caladriel
  the crown of science
  the ancient mummy wrapping
  the ankh
  the hammer of the gods
  Perion's mithril plate mail // missed this
  the intricate wooden shield "Nature's Friend" // missed this
  the bracers of war
  the Chaos Orb of Elemental Mana
  the black rune-covered dagger "Needle"
  the black rune-covered dagger "Sting"
  the jet-black battle axe "Executor"
  the crown of leadership
  the rune-covered halberd "Wyrmlance"
  the axe of the minotaur emperor
He possessed the following intrinsics:
  He was fire resistant (also through an item).
  He was poison resistant (also through an item).
  He was cold resistant (also through an item).
  He was acid resistant.
  He was lucky (also through an item).
  Fate smiled upon him.
  He was cursed (gained through an item).
  He was sleep resistant (gained through an item).
  He was petrification resistant.
  He was able to control teleportation.
  He was invisible (gained through an item).
  He was stun resistant (gained through items).
  He was paralyzation resistant (gained through an item).
  He was resistant to death rays (gained through an item).
  He was shock resistant (also through items).
  He was able to see invisible things (also through an item).
  He was immune to acidic attacks.
  He was able to resist confusion attacks (gained through items).
He had the following talents: Affinity with Axes, Affinity with Bows, Alert,
Ambidextrous, Basher, Careful, Good Learner, Good Shot, Great Learner, Keen
Shot, Miser, Shield Expert, Shield Master, Shield Specialist, Treasure
Hunter, Very Careful.
He had a final speed score of 130 (final base speed: 142).
He was a messiah of Issrecht.
He asked for 20 divine interventions.
He was a holy champion of Balance.

The following monsters were vanquished:
    106 ancient blue dragons // oops, it wasn't hundreds - just a hundred ;)
      1 ancient karmic wyrm // gave me only 1 level even I slowed myself
      4 balors // rest of them taken down by earth elemental
      1 cat lord // surprisingly hard
      1 Chaos Archmage // blindness potion worked here
     21 chaos wizards // didn't suffer any stat drains from those guys
      2 emperor liches // after level 40, no stat drains!
      1 greater balor // meleed him to death!

// bosses!
Dispatched the legendary lizard man Grakkus.
Dispatched the legendary hill giant Kevin Gillese.
Dispatched the legendary chaos sister Le-yala-a.


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                               Playing Time
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You played for 48 hours, 28 minutes and 19 seconds.
// holy crap.

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                             Version Information
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Ancient Domains Of Mystery
Release 50
OSX Build: Aug 1 2014 10:48:57