Most pathetic first vitory, High Elven Barbarian Shali

[Katerchen]

Hello everybody. Judging from reading around this forum and seeing lots of ultra-endings or [metal]-man modes my victory is nothing special in the whole, but its still special to me, so I am going to tell the story to anyone who is interested.

Maybe the most ridiciolus part about the whole thing is, that I wanted to play a meele-emphasizing character which could also cast spells. My sign got me improved gain from tactic-settings so I went for a high elven (literacy) barbarian (berserk)...

I had a very good start. Not only the puppycave had living herb patterns of marellion and morgia on level 2, but the keethrax dungeon also had an L-Altar, so I was able to quickly bring my attributes to 25 and always have holy water through out the game for any purpose since the very beginning.

I then went through the CoC, made the thrundarr quest (large kobold, yay), and tried to go through the ancient dwarven halls. On level 2 the only passage to the stairs was through a tension room with Frostgiants. So I went through the forest using up most of my nerves and 2 pots of invis in order to survive it. Returned, finished the arenaquest, sacrificed the greater demon, got tactics ... nothing special. Another lucky thing: Teleportation control and attuned to the astral planes as first corruption :)

Not only that, I also found an amulet of live saving in the dwarven graveyard, so you see, I had a pretty lucky game until ...

I was back at dwarven city, bothered by having neither rings of ice, nor a fireproof blanket. I was around level 22 and had just maxed literacy.

With Literacy 100 and Learning 24 I finally wanted to read all my books and started with the easiest one.
The Book of "Slow Poison" exploded in my hands and killed a dwarven child >.<

I ran out of the city and was frustrated to no end :) especially when I found out that my character would not be able to read ANY book. Confusion, Blind, Explosion, Crumbling was all I git from reading books. I guess it was because my class was barbarian. If I had known that before I would not have even started the character.

Thinking that the game was pretty much over I went to ToEF with only one Ring of Ice and no fireproof Blanket in order to kill my character. Needed a prayer and 4 potions of extra healing in order to kill the guardian in meele with 2 spears. Quickly ran out. Since then I had the Orb in my Toolslot until the very end. Having found a RoDS in the ID I unknowingly (another mistake) wished for a specific type of eternium spears. I got 2 normal one and one murderous ... *sigh*. I leveled up a bit and then ran around between the TotHK and the forest to build this freaking bridge (cost a lot of game time) and when I finally had the ring I just wanted to see below level 30 in the CoC at least ONCE (yes, this was my first character to ever have come so far). Before that I got crowned and got the vanquisher (yay, pretty sword ^.^).

I lost my AoLS to the catlord which was incredibly fast, strong and tough. Teleportation corruption saved me, else I would have died there :) maybe I killed a little too many cats

Found a big tension room full of titans, which nearly killed me too. I threw a scroll of darkness in panic ... and then saw all titans being "vanquished" by me in that darkness without even fighting ^O.o^ ... 5 levels for me

I went deeper and got my wands of digging made more or less useless by "mana battery", Lacking a pickaxe I decided to go to the ID once more in order to get some. I was only level 25 back then. I made a level in the ID and returned with one(! *cry*) pickaxe. Went to the water temple, killed off everything. then had my pickaxe broken while entering the airtemple. I had no scrolls of repair ...

By that time I already had 12 corruptions. I went to the ID got another 3 corruptions (carrying around 2 orbs all the time xD) while gathering 3 more pickaxes, blessed them and after hitting level 30 immediatly made the clear corruption quest.

I once more gathered all I had and went for the showdown :)

Cleared air and earth temple ... Went into the mana temple Without ANY means of trap detection (*laughs*), triggered all 30-50 traps and spammed my wand of light while dualwielding my spears with dv80 against the chaos arch mage. Escaped with 2-3 more corruptions and 2 more prayers used. Having gathered up to 8 corruption (AGAIN), I decided not to clear the ancient red dragon vault. I didnt have the ammunition, I had no possibility of healing myself beside my healing skill (almost no potions and my god got angry), so meeleing 35 ancient red dragons would have killed me off. I just went past and tried to finally have at least ONE time won adom. Went to the metaplane (9 corruptions), digged to the levers and had to run away and fire with my bow almost all monsters due to my lack of healing capabilites.

Then it happened. Shortly before having cleared the second lever, I got a teleport, chose the wrong place and stood right before the portal in the main room, Scroll of teleport got me out. Me and all of the balors >.<

I ported again to the already clear lever (2. scroll), handled id, zapped my wand of destruction and ported back into the other lever room, got hit by a balor, prayed on 9 hp, got healed and ALL of my items cursed. moved away, saw a chaoswizard leaving the lever-tile, used my last scroll, handled the lever and fired another wand of destruction. While trying to squeeze my wand of teleportation, I got down to 100 hp again, until my attunement to the astral planes saved me again, and brought me to the exit.

I then ran out the dungeon as fast as I could avoiding any fights with waiting for teleport in closed rooms and when I got out, I immediatly left the drakalor chain. I didnt want anything WRONG to happen. This is my first victory, pathetic, full of mistakes, and still one of my most precious achievements :)

Never playing a Barbarian again. The inability to use spellsbooks proved to be hard in many situations and horrible when it came to healing myself after battles. I will also never again level up my missile weapons so late. No matter the DV and PV, there are monsters you dont want to engage in meele :)

One more nice thing. I one-hitted an Ancient black dragon with a tremendous blow of the vanquisher ^.^ That had a nice feeling to it.

Thank you for listening to the probably boring story. Still. Finally I have seen a lot and learned a lot. Next will be an ultra ending with a class able of casting spells.

[Katerchen]

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Screenshot
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Shali St:34 Le:35 Wi:35 Dx:32 To:24 Ch:18 Ap: 1 Ma:24 Pe:26 L+
DV/PV:122/25 H:432(583) P:247(247) Exp: 36/11082053 DrCh Sp: 146
Blessed Invisible Coward
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Shali Race: female High Elf Class: Barbarian
Eye color: purple Hair color: black Complexion: pale
Height: 5'8" Weight: 11 pounds Scars: 37
Age: 246 (grown-up, 37 years of unnatural aging added in)
Star sign: Sword Birthday: 18/Sword (day 198 of the year)

YOUR HISTORY:
Your mother was a wise shaman and healer. You didn't know your
father and his origins seem to be very mysterious.
As a child you were very active and imitated the hunters and
warriors of your tribe at all opportunities.
During your youth you traveled to nearby tribes and traded with
them. You met many strangers and learned a lot about the outside world.
As a young adult your family was killed in a raid. You became
embittered and filled with the desire for revenge.
At the age of 208 you left your tribe.


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Inventory
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Total weight: 2156 stones Carrying capacity: 6682 stones

Head : cursed crown of leadership [+2, +7] {Ch+18} [65s]
Neck : cursed ankh [3s]
Body : cursed ancient mummy wrapping [+1, +5] {Ap-8} [60s]
Girdle : cursed adamantium girdle [+0, +3] [18s]
Cloak : cursed cloak of invisibility (-1, +0) [+1, +0] [30s]
Right Hand : cursed rustproof spear of devastation (-2, 5d8-2) [50s]
Left Hand : cursed murderous eternium spear (+3, 2d8+6) [25s]
Right Ring : cursed ring of the High Kings [+2, +3] [1s]
Left Ring : cursed ring of slaying (+6 melee damage, +6 missile damage)
Bracers : cursed bracers of defense [+2, +0] [10s]
Gauntlets : cursed thick gauntlets (-1, -2) [+2, +1] [15s]
Boots : cursed seven league boots [-2, +0] [30s]
Missile weapon: cursed short bow of accuracy (+3, +3) [20s]
Missiles : bundle of 4 cursed arrows of targeting (+6, 1d6) [8s]
Tool : -

[Katerchen]

The overfilled inventory part 1


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Stuff
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Total weight: 1820 stones Carrying capacity: 6682 stones

Helmets ('[')
cursed crown of fire [+1, +2] [65s]
Armor ('[')
uncursed mummy wrapping [-1, +0] {Ap-6} [50s]
Gauntlets ('[')
cursed archery gloves (+1, +5) [+0, +0] [6s]
cursed archery gloves (+0, +4) [+3, +2] [6s]
Cloaks ('[')
cursed cloak of protection [+0, +3] [20s]
Girdles ('[')
cursed adamantium girdle [+0, +2] [18s]
Necklaces (''')
heap of 2 cursed amulets of petrification resistance [6s]
cursed amulet of light [3s]
cursed amulet of protection from constructs [3s]
cursed amulet of protection from undead [3s]
cursed amulet of death ray resistance [7s]
cursed rusty necklace of the eye [3s]
One-handed weapons ('(')
cursed eternium spear (+2, 2d8+8) [25s]
cursed broken pick axe (+0, 1d6+1) [75s]
cursed broken pick axe (-1, 1d6+1) [75s]
Two-handed weapons ('(')
cursed silvery two-handed sword "Vanquisher" (+3, 6d5+3) [-3, +0] [300s]
Missile weapons ('}')
cursed sling (+2, +4) [3s]
Missiles ('/')
cursed quarrel (+1, 2d6) [2s]
bundle of 2 cursed eternium quarrels (+1, 4d6+12) [2s]
cursed black hurthling quarrel (+1, 1d3+2) [2s]
cursed arrow of dragon slaying (+6, 1d6+3) [2s]
cursed arrow of thunder (-2, 1d6) [2s]
bundle of 10 cursed eternium quarrels (+1, 4d6+8) [10s]
bundle of 3 cursed eternium quarrels (-2, 4d6+9) [3s]
cursed eternium quarrel (+2, 4d6+11) [1s]
cursed eternium quarrel (+4, 4d6+8) [1s]
bundle of 3 cursed eternium quarrels (+1, 4d6+10) [3s]
cursed eternium quarrel (+4, 4d6+11) [1s]
cursed winged eternium quarrel (+1, 4d6+8) [1s]
bundle of 3 cursed eternium quarrels of hunting (+4, 4d6+8) [3s]
cursed quarrel of undead slaying (+3, 2d6+3) [4s]
bundle of 7 cursed arrows of dragon slaying (+3, 1d6+3) [14s]
bundle of 3 cursed arrows of humanoid slaying (+3, 1d6+3) [6s]
bundle of 6 cursed eternium quarrels (+2, 4d6+8) [6s]
cursed eternium quarrel (+3, 4d6+10) [1s]
cursed eternium quarrel of darkness (+1, 4d6+7) [1s]
bundle of 4 cursed delicate adamantium arrows (+1, 1d6+9) [4s]
bundle of 2 cursed adamantium arrows (+3, 1d6+6) [2s]
bundle of 12 cursed arrows (+0, 1d6) [24s]
cursed arrow (-3, 1d6+3) [2s]
bundle of 2 cursed arrows (+1, 1d6) [4s]
cursed arrow (+0, 1d6+3) [2s]
cursed arrow (+1, 1d6+1) [2s]
cursed arrow (+1, 1d6+3) [2s]
bundle of 5 cursed adamantium quarrels (+4, 2d6+6) [5s]
bundle of 14 cursed arrows of undead slaying (+3, 2d4+4) [28s]
cursed arrow of thunder (+2, 1d6+3) [2s]
cursed arrow (+0, 1d6-2) [2s]
bundle of 2 cursed arrows of dragon slaying (+3, 1d6+4) [4s]
bundle of 11 cursed arrows (+2, 1d6+2) [22s]
bundle of 8 cursed arrows of jelly slaying (+3, 2d4+2) [16s]
heap of 7 cursed rocks (+0, 1d4) [35s]

[Katerchen]

the overfilled inventory part 2


Tools (']')
cursed waterproof blanket [10s]
heap of 4 cursed triangular keys [4s]
heap of 2 cursed tiny keys [2s]
heap of 5 cursed hexagonal keys [5s]
heap of 3 cursed round keys [3s]
cursed magical writing set (3) [5s]
heap of 2 cursed fireproof blankets [20s]
cursed torch [10s]
heap of 3 cursed square keys [3s]
cursed broken small key [1s]
cursed thieves picks [5s]
cursed plain blanket [10s]
cursed holy symbol [5s]
Wands ('\')
cursed wand of light (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of fireballs (12 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of fireballs (2 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of monster creation (1 charge) [3s]
cursed wand of magic missiles (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of fireballs (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of lightning (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of trap detection (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of monster creation (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of knocking (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of fire (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of teleportation (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of lightning (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of far slaying (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of light (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of fire (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of destruction (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of lightning (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of paralyzation (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of fire (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of door creation (0 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of light (0 charges) [4s]
cursed wand of item detection (4 charges) [3s]
cursed wand of destruction (1 charge) [3s]
cursed wand of far slaying (9 charges) [3s]
Potions ('!')
heap of 11 cursed potions of carrot juice [44s]
heap of 12 potions of unholy water [48s]
heap of 3 cursed berzio potions [6s]
heap of 4 cursed potions of exchange [16s]
heap of 4 cursed potions of balance [16s]
heap of 3 cursed potions of boost willpower [6s]
heap of 7 cursed potions of invisibility [28s]
heap of 4 cursed potions of cure poison [8s]
cursed potion of stun recovery [2s]
heap of 2 cursed potions of poison [8s]
cursed potion of boost dexterity [2s]
heap of 2 cursed potions of booze [8s]
cursed oil of rust removal [2s]
cursed potion of charisma [4s]
cursed potion of beauty [4s]
cursed potion of potential dexterity [4s]
cursed potion of education [2s]
cursed potion of oil [2s]
cursed potion of training [2s]
cursed potion of potential beauty [4s]
Scrolls ('?')
heap of 2 cursed scrolls of uncursing [4s]
heap of 9 cursed blank scrolls [18s]
heap of 3 cursed scrolls of treasure creation [6s]
heap of 3 cursed scrolls of identify [6s]
heap of 8 blessed scrolls of identify [16s]
heap of 3 cursed scrolls of increase melee damage [6s]
heap of 2 cursed scrolls of great identify [4s]
cursed scroll of familiar summoning [2s]
heap of 2 cursed scrolls of monster aggravation [4s]
heap of 9 cursed scrolls of power [18s]
cursed scroll of cure blindness [2s]
heap of 2 cursed scrolls of item detection [4s]
heap of 3 cursed scrolls of balance [6s]
heap of 6 cursed scrolls of satiation [12s]
cursed scroll of peace [2s]
cursed scroll of defense [2s]
heap of 2 cursed scrolls of protection [4s]
heap of 3 cursed scrolls of magic mapping [6s]
cursed scroll of chaos resistance [2s]
heap of 2 cursed scrolls of monster detection [4s]
cursed scroll of increase melee accuracy [2s]
cursed scroll of darkness [2s]
cursed scroll of luck [2s]
Food ('%')
heap of 15 cursed curaria mancox herbs [30s]
heap of 12 cursed stomacemptia herbs [24s]
heap of 42 cursed stomafillia herbs [84s]
heap of 15 cursed alraunia antidotes [30s]
heap of 43 cursed morgia roots [86s]
heap of 8 cursed spenseweeds [16s]
heap of 2 cursed pieces of fresh meat [40s]
heap of 42 cursed moss patches of mareilon [84s]
cursed plant seed [2s]
heap of 4 cursed pepper petals [8s]
heap of 2 cursed burb roots [4s]
Valuables ('$')
39 gold pieces [0s]
Gems ('*')
heap of 3 cursed crystals of knowledge [3s]
cursed amber [1s]
cursed turquoise [1s]

[Katerchen]

Character statistics


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Weapon Skills
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Melee weapon Lvl Hit Dam DV Level Required marks
--------------------- --- --- --- -- ------------- --------------
Unarmed fighting 1 +1 +0 +0 basic 20
Daggers & knives 1 +1 +0 +0 basic 20
Clubs & hammers 1 +1 +0 +0 basic 20
Maces & flails 1 +1 +0 +0 basic 20
Swords 5 +3 +2 +1 skilled 136
Axes 1 +1 +0 +0 basic 20
Whips 1 +1 +0 +1 basic 20
Pole arms 14 +18 +11 +20 Mastery 1452
Twohanded weapons 11 +12 +16 +4 Mastery 218
Staves 1 +1 +0 +1 basic 20

Missile weapon Lvl Hit Dam Ra Level Required marks
--------------------- --- --- --- -- ------------- --------------
Slings 0 +0 +0 +0 unskilled 7
Bows 10 +20 +15 +3 excellent 781
Crossbows 0 +0 +0 +0 unskilled 7
Thrown axes & hammers 0 +0 +0 +0 unskilled 7
Thrown daggers 1 +2 +1 +0 basic 8
Thrown rocks & clubs 0 +0 +0 +0 unskilled 7
Thrown spears 0 +0 +0 +0 unskilled 7
Boomerangs & scurgari 7 +14 +10 +2 skilled 162

Shields Lvl DV Level Required marks
--------------------- --- --- ------------- --------------
Shields 1 +2 basic 7


Damage caused with your melee weapons:
--------------------------------------
?Right hand: ?+55? bonus to hit, ?5d8+28? damage
?Left hand: ?+59? bonus to hit, ?2d8+34? damage


Damage caused with your missile weapons:
----------------------------------------
?Ammunition: ?4?, base range: ?16?, ?+66? bonus to hit, ?1d6+34? damage




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Skills
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Athletics ................100 (superb) [+2d4]
Backstabbing .............100 (superb) [+3d4]
Bridge building .......... 62 (good) [+1d3] (mr)
Climbing .................100 (superb) [+2d4]
Courage ..................100 (superb) [+1d5]
Dodge ....................100 (superb) [+2d4]
First aid ................100 (superb) [+1d5]
Haggling ................. 67 (good) [+1d5]
Healing ..................100 (superb) [+1d3]
Herbalism ................100 (superb) [+3d3]
Listening ................100 (superb) [+3d3]
Literacy .................100 (superb) [+1]
Stealth ..................100 (superb) [+1d5]
Survival .................100 (superb) [+2d4]
Swimming .................100 (superb) [+2d4]
Tactics ..................100 (superb) [+1]
Two weapon combat ........100 (superb) [+1d5]
Woodcraft ................100 (superb) [+2d4]


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Spells
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Cure Critical Wounds: 9, 28pp (Effectivity: +0)
Invisibility : 14, 18pp (Effectivity: +0)


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Effects of Corruption
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You exhale sulphur (Ch: -4).
You have become very light (1/10 weight, St: -6, Dx: +4, To: -6, Ap: -6, +20
speed).
You have grown horns (+3 melee damage, Ap: -4).
Poison drips from your hands.
You have grown a bulging cranium (Le: +6, Wi: +4, Ap: -6, PV: -4, To: -3).
You are surrounded by an unholy aura (Ch: -10, DV: +6).
Your close attunement to corrupted astral space allows teleportation.
You rage (DV: -9, +6 melee damage)!
Your muscles have stiffened slowing you down (base action cost: 1500 energy
points; PV: +4, St: +2).
Your feet have been transformed into hooves (+8 kicking damage, Dx: -6).
You have grown thorns (3d3 melee damage, Dx: -2, Ap: -3).
You have grown a total of 12 eyes (Ap: -6, Pe: +6).
You look somewhat apish (St: +3, Le: -1, Wi: -1, Ch: -2, Ap: -3).


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Her further life:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

After she leaves the Drakalor Chain she is welcomed by her people with great
honors. They acknowledge her noble deeds, her valor, her cunning and her
great skills that helped to prevent the complete destruction of the world
she knows. Her severe taint by the forces of Chaos prevents her from ever
leading a normal life. She always remembers the glorious deeds that took her
life away. Her sacrifice is remembered in the stories of her people, but not
in their hearts. She ends her life in loneliness and isolation.

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Her achievements during her adventures:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shali, the high elven barbarian, saved the world with her brave efforts
while saving herself 10 times.
She scored 7116328 points and advanced to level 36.
She survived for 0 years, 124 days, 11 hours, 23 minutes and 42 seconds
(189403 turns).
Shali visited 100 places.
Her strength score was modified by +18 during her career.
Her learning score was modified by +13 during her career.
Her willpower score was modified by +19 during her career.
Her dexterity score was modified by +19 during her career.
Her toughness score was modified by +16 during her career.
Her charisma score was modified by +9 during her career.
Her mana score was modified by +14 during her career.
Her perception score was modified by +3 during her career.
She was unnaturally aged by 37 years.
She was the champion of the arena.
She made a little water dragon very happy.
She left the Drakalor Chain after completing her quest and became a famous
heroine.
8723 monsters perished under her attacks.
The following 17 artifacts were generated during her adventure:
the si
the dwarven rune axe "Rolf's Companion"
the scythe of corruption "Moon Sickle"
the golden gladius "Death's Sting"
the silvery two-handed sword "Vanquisher"
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 lead-filled mace "Big Punch"
the elemental gauntlets
the ring of the High Kings
the crown of science
the ancient mummy wrapping
the ankh
the Chaos Orb of Elemental Mana
the crown of leadership
She possessed the following intrinsics:
She was fire resistant (enhanced through an item).
She was poison resistant (enhanced through items).
She was cold resistant (gained through an item).
She was lucky (enhanced through an item).
Fate smiled upon her (enhanced through an item).
She was sleep resistant (enhanced through an item).
She was able to teleport.
She was able to control teleportation.
She was invisible (gained through an item).
She was stun resistant (gained through an item).
She was paralyzation resistant.
She was resistant to death rays (enhanced through an item).
She was shock resistant (enhanced through an item).
She was able to see invisible things (gained through items).
She was immune to acidic attacks.
She was immune to ice attacks (gained through an item).
She was able to resist confusion attacks (gained through an item).
She had the following talents: Affinity with Polemarms, Alert, Ambidextrous,
Careful, Defensive Fighter, Dodger, Greased Lightning, Healthy, Miser,
Porter, Quick, Treasure Hunter, Very Quick.
She had a final speed score of 146 (final base speed: 146).
She cheated Death twice.
She was a fervent follower of Corellius.
She asked for 26 divine interventions.
She was a holy champion of Order.
She was severely tainted by Chaos.

[Silfir]

Are you kidding me? That story is awesome! Much more exciting than all those "I acid balled all of them to death" gray elven wizard first victories. Scraping by, alive only by a shred of luck, fighting against ones' own mistakes and desparation as much as against the obstacles of victory themselves, and still saving the world... You are perfectly justified in feeling proud of this. It might not have been extremely good play, but you saved the goddamn world, and that is worthy of praise enough.

[F50]

Well done. Also, I think you are more lucky than you think. Most of my best characters could've pwnt just about anything but get killed by doppleganger kings and mimics...Or mercilessly slaughtered when the try to fight GMs before they should...

However...

Try paladins next time, I believe they are exactly what you are looking for (melee char with magic as backup). The other option is Priests (Magic char with a nice melee capabillity).

[JellySlayer]

Very entertaining story, and definitely a daring win. Congratulations!

A few quick thoughts:

-In order to read most spellbooks successfully, you need both the literacy and concentration skills. Even with really buffed learning and 100 literacy, non-concentration characters will be unable to read all but the simplest spellbooks. The slow poison book was just bad luck, but it is safer to read in the ogre cave if you can. As was suggested, a good hybrid caster would be a paladin or archer, or, weirdly, a weaponsmith (archers are AWESOME, for the record).

-Contrary to your intuition, neither carrying no equipping the orbs gives corruption (there are a few other items that do, however). Only (U)sing them does. This is nice, because the orbs give +10 to some attribute while in the tool slot. If you are wearing the elemental gauntlets, (U)sing them does not result in a very terrible penalty, and the water orb in particular (full healing) is considered quite worthwhile.

-Most people consider dual wielding to be a bad idea. Even if you are a ranger, the dual weilding specialist, it is probably not worth using. The benefits of having a shield (or in your case, Vanquisher--arguably the best weapon in the game!) far exceed what you get from dual wield. If you like it for stylistic reasons, go for it, but you will be much safer with a weapon+shield combo.

-Since dwarftown was hostile, you could have just killed a bunch of the dwarves there for pickaxes. It might have messed up your alignment a bit, but if you were careful (wearing an amulet of balance), you should have been able to find one pretty easily. If your piety is (very) good, you can also pray for a pickaxe on temple floors.

[F50]

-In order to read most spellbooks successfully, you need both the literacy and concentration skills.

Unfortunately, barbarians have more serious problems reading spellbooks. The only way for them to really effectively use spells is to bookcast them after having learned them from a wand/potion of wonder.

[mike]

A little bit off-topic, but: why do people have trouble with the animated forest? It's far safer than even setting foot in DH.

[Ars]

This was cool story, much more than a pickpocketing acidballing wizard wimp! Tough fights are great, and stuff like discovering that you can darkness the titans just on the spot. Good attitude about just fighting till the end really.

Oh and Vanquisher is much much better than 2 spears, but that's not important...

You didn't take time to visit the nice little village after closing the gate did you? Chatting with the druid most importantly...

[Maul]

A little bit off-topic, but: why do people have trouble with the animated forest? It's far safer than even setting foot in DH.

With a source of invisibility, on-demand teleport and teleport control, and optionally, a means of monster detection, DH is quite safe. The only thing that could kill me quick enough is an emperor lich standing next to the stairs casting death ray to me, and that probably happens once in a lifetime (depending on your luck, of course, really lucky characters are more likely to get this). Just be careful if you suddenly get a "Some kind of force seems to attack your mind" message, and don't ever screw up your teleport by teleing on a monster and getting jumped by anything nasty. (I.E. Kill any monsters standing near the stairs. I had a situation when I killed a werewolf near the stairs, but left some wolves alone. Next time, I blindly tele'd into a wolf. At this point, you've got no guarantee you can make it after the teleport... anything can happen.)

[Silfir]

Animated Forest does require decent DV and PV or the Darkness spell - and will always be boring as hell. I check out the DH anytime, prepared for emergencies, but if I see danger rear its ugly head I'll bravely turn my tail and flee.

[QuickDraw]

*Small tip*

Dark forge is the best source of pickaxes. Just kill all the golems and wait until chaos dwarven knights show up - they drop pickaxes very often.

[JellySlayer]

This was cool story, much more than a pickpocketing acidballing wizard wimp! Tough fights are great, and stuff like discovering that you can darkness the titans just on the spot. Good attitude about just fighting till the end really.

Oh and Vanquisher is much much better than 2 spears, but that's not important...

You didn't take time to visit the nice little village after closing the gate did you? Chatting with the druid most importantly...

I think he mentioned that he already did that quest.

[mike]

Worst-case scenario in DH is probably something like a quickling queen in the entrance room, as they just have to be generated nearby to kill you. While I've died in DH once or twice, I've never had problems in AF, even as a newb... just don't hit anything and keep moving.

[Sadface]

It's actually a pretty cool story. Winning against what feels like all odds is, at least in my opinion, far from a "most pathetic" victory :)

[Epythic]

(I usually skip YAVP's, but the comments of the others made me curious, so I finally read it.)

Wow, amazing story! This is incredibly cool; surviving all those mistakes...

Congratulations.

[Ars]

Worst-case scenario in DH is probably something like a quickling queen in the entrance room, as they just have to be generated nearby to kill you. While I've died in DH once or twice, I've never had problems in AF, even as a newb... just don't hit anything and keep moving.

I remember the first time (or at least one of the first times, don't remember) I went to the DH, a balor was in the first room. Then he instantly summoned... I feared the DH after that for quite a long time, not knowing that it's not always just that tough.

[Katerchen]

Thanks a lot for all of your comments. I must say, that I am seriously surprised as how many people find the story to their liking, but it's a very kind surprise to say the least :)

Thank you as well for the tips given, I am not sure what to play next. I got a crash after getting a nice high DV paladin up to level 21, so this game is lost. And though he could read books fine, he didnt get many charges, even with literacy and concentration 100, so I am thinking about playing a full caster. Maybe a necromancer for a change of alignment, pace (and survivability ^.^)

Ill make sure to tell the tale at least as enterntaining as the last one. Provided that I ever win again ^.~

[Silfir]

Necromancer? Survivability?

...

I think what you're looking for right there is a druid. :)

[LuciusKain]

I got a crash after getting a nice high DV paladin up to level 21, so this game is lost.

I'll give the same advice I was given... use the server if you can. I've had no problems with it.

[Maul]

I'll give the same advice I was given... use the server if you can. I've had no problems with it.

Actually, the first time I played on the server, I walked into the SMC, trying to figure out the controls (not yet having set some settings). I walk a few steps, then crash! "Damn, we can't recover the game! Oh well, go again and be grateful that you didn't lose a really good level 50." I won't trust the recover feature that much if I were you.

[Sadface]

Necromancer? Survivability?

...

I think what you're looking for right there is a druid. :)

Edit: Was thinking backwards, please excuse my earlier comment ;). Yar, druid is great at the beginning. It's the middle and the end that felt tough for me whenever I played one. Necromancer was tough in the beginning, moderate at the middle, and easier at the end, with all that magic.

[LuciusKain]

Actually, the first time I played on the server, I walked into the SMC, trying to figure out the controls (not yet having set some settings). I walk a few steps, then crash! "Damn, we can't recover the game! Oh well, go again and be grateful that you didn't lose a really good level 50." I won't trust the recover feature that much if I were you.

It does have a recover feature, though, so if you do crash there's at least a chance. Although I've never even crashed since using the server, let alone not had it recovered. Maybe I'm just lucky.

[BenMathiesen]

Unfortunately, barbarians have more serious problems reading spellbooks. The only way for them to really effectively use spells is to bookcast them after having learned them from a wand/potion of wonder.

I once managed to learn Light and Darkness from blessed books as a barbarian (without Concentration) but never any other spells.

Cool game!
Ben

[JellySlayer]

Necromancer? Survivability?

...

I think what you're looking for right there is a druid. :)

I'm assuming when you say druid, you mean priest, right?

[Soirana]

first victories ar never pathetic they are most glorious by default. Trust me i do remember my first one while i forgot dozen of others...