Captain Mana, Gnomish Wizard

[Siriah]

While a wizard was not my first win, it is my second one. I gave this gnomish cup-born wizard a horrible punny name hoping it would bring luck. It worked.

The early game was rough for Captain Mana. He failed to save the Cute Puppy, and had to swim across a 4-space river in the UD without the swimming skill (turning back was an option too, but SMC was already getting dangerous and spell knowledge was low). Once the river was crossed (thanks to some divine help from Captain Mana's good friend Berwyn) he soon found a very nice weapon: a mithril sword of devastation. This was used for the rest of the game, except for those times when a willpower boost was needed for ball spells.

In my last win, Thrundarr had been merciful on a poor illiterate beastfighter by telling him to kill something common. This time, he asked for a Shadow Troll, which then failed to turn up for the entire game. To make up for this, the RNG granted Captain Mana three surges of power quite early on, all three of which were extremely useful, and two of which were on the same level (You climb down the stairs. You feel a surge of power. You feel a surge of power). These were Hammerhead (unbreakable pickaxe + gemology = profit, even if you're lazy!) and Protector. The third one, the Robes of Resistance, was in the fire temple, by which I mean inside the actual temple part, right next to the Ancient Chaos Wyrm. The guardian, a master assassin, apparently didn't mind the heat.

An altar was generated in the level above Darkforge. I saw this as a sign that Captain Mana had to empty the pools. The second one gave a wish, which was used to save Khelavaster's life. Captain Mana didn't have any teleport control rings yet, and things almost got hairy when he got teleportitis and then lost teleport control, but the second-to-last pool gave it back to him.

Captain Mana got crowned before the Tower, but I stupidly forgot to equip the Ancient Mummy Wrapping or one of his two white dragon scale mails. He got cold immunity and Brannalbin's Cloak of Defense. It would have been a nice gift if he didn't already have over a thousand castings of Invisibility at that point. He still used it in the Tower though, because it was an artifact and thus indestructible, unlike his other cloaks.

No cats were harmed in the saving of Ancardia. The Master Cat gave Captain Mana his shiny ring and it was worn for the rest of the game.

One greater vault was generated. It contained undead. Captain Mana fought it for a bit but the stat drains were kind of annoying, so he stopped after getting the Bracers of War.

The mana temple was surprisingly easy this time around. Offensive alchemy was used to take out most of the eyes from outside the temple, and magic missile and melee combat were used to kill the rest of the creatures in there until Nuurag-Vaarn decided to wake up. He stayed in the back of the temple until almost everyone else was died. Captain Mana barged in, read a few blessed scrolls of power and acid balled him to death. Then he munched on his corpse. That lone chaos warrior that was still huddled in a corner must've been terrified.

On the frictionless ice of D:49, Captain Mana took out a potion of Uselessness and tossed it to slide across. His good friend Berwyn was so impressed, that he gave him a gift, the mighty: Obsidian Quarrel. This was even more useless than the potion had been, as Captain Mana didn't even have a crossbow. Gee, thanks, Berwyn.

D:50 was completely slaughtered with a combination of Magic Missile and Acid Ball. PP was still low from the mana rift and quickly dropped to zero, but being a gnome Captain Mana had a few crystals of power left. This made things a lot less boring.

After bringing corruption down to zero, Captain Mana read swirling runes on the scrolls the Mad Minstrel had provided him with and felt cleansed. He went home, where he became a great and awesome ruler. And that's the end of that.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              His achievements during his adventures:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Captain Mana, the gnomish wizard, saved the world with his brave efforts and
became a great ruler while saving himself 15 times.
He scored 41800644 points and advanced to level 50.
He survived for 0 years, 66 days, 0 hours, 41 minutes and 9 seconds (61867
turns).
Captain Mana visited 107 places.
His strength score was modified by +19 during his career.
His learning score was modified by +17 during his career.
His willpower score was modified by +22 during his career.
His dexterity score was modified by +10 during his career.
His toughness score was modified by +22 during his career.
His charisma score was modified by +8 during his career.
His appearance score was modified by +9 during his career.
His mana score was modified by +15 during his career.
His perception score was modified by +8 during his career.
He was unnaturally aged by 107 years.
He was a member of the thieves guild.
He made a little water dragon very happy.
He adhered to the principles of the Cat Lord and thus rose to great fame.
He saved Khelavaster from certain death.
He left the Drakalor Chain after completing his quest and became a great
leader and famous hero.
5653 monsters perished under his attacks.
The following 23 artifacts were generated during his adventure:
  the si
  the scythe of corruption "Moon Sickle"
  the ring of the master cat
  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 obsidian quarrel "Thunderstroke"
  the Brannalbin's Cloak of Defense
  the rune-covered trident
  the sword of Nonnak
  the elemental gauntlets
  the ring of the High Kings
  the crown of science
  the ancient mummy wrapping
  the ankh
  the bracers of war
  the Chaos Orb of Elemental Mana
  the robes of resistance
  the staff of the archmagi
  the medium obsidian shield "Protector"
  the dwarven pick axe "Hammerhead"
  the weird tome
He possessed the following intrinsics:
  He was fire resistant (enhanced through an item).
  He was poison resistant.
  He was cold resistant (gained through an item).
  He was lucky (enhanced through an item).
  Fate smiled upon him (enhanced through an item).
  He was sleep resistant (gained through an item).
  He was able to teleport.
  He was able to control teleportation.
  He was stun resistant (enhanced through items).
  He was resistant to death rays (enhanced through an item).
  He was shock resistant (enhanced through an item).
  He was able to see invisible things (gained through an item).
  He was immune to fire attacks (gained through an item).
  He was immune to ice attacks.
  He was able to resist confusion attacks (gained through items).
He had the following talents: Alert, Beast of Burden, Careful, Defensive
Fighter, Good Learner, Greased Lightning, Healthy, Long Stride, Master
Packager, Miser, Porter, Quick, Shield Expert, Shield Master, Shield
Specialist, Treasure Hunter, Very Careful, Very Quick.
He had a final speed score of 138 (final base speed: 122).
He was a messiah of Berwyn.
He asked for 3 divine interventions.
He was a holy champion of Balance.

[Siriah]

Inventory isn't really interesting. Because I had Strength of Atlas, it was full of junk. I've left it out.

The tactics setting is 'Very Aggressive', DV was over 150 on Coward.

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                                 Screenshot
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Captain Mana  St:29  Le:33  Wi:44  Dx:47  To:36  Ch:21  Ap:17  Ma:31  Pe:20 N=
DV/PV: 76/44   H: 661(661)    P: 780(780)    Exp: 50/30051932   DrCh  M: 61867
Blessed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Inventory
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total weight: 22711 stones                Carrying capacity: 61045 stones

Head          : uncursed eternium cap [+0, +4]                        [28s]
Neck          : uncursed amulet of perseverance {Wi+6}                 [3s]
Body          : uncursed red dragon scale mail (-1, -4) [-1, +8]     [220s]
Girdle        : uncursed adamantium girdle [+0, +6]                   [18s]
Cloak         : uncursed cloak of defense [+6, +0]                    [20s]
Right Hand    : uncursed mithril long sword of devastation (+0, 5d8+9)[32s]
Left Hand     : blessed medium obsidian shield "Protector" [+20, +4] {To+2}
Right Ring    : blessed ring of slaying (+6 melee damage, +6 missile damage)
Left Ring     : uncursed ring of the master cat [+0, +5] {Dx+16} (+16 spd)
Bracers       : uncursed bracers of war [+8, +4] {Dx+8}               [10s]
Gauntlets     : blessed elemental gauntlets (-1, +0) [+0, +3]         [10s]
Boots         : blessed seven league boots (-1, +1) [+4, +0]          [30s]
Missile weapon: -
Missiles      : heap of 29 uncursed sis                              [290s]
Tool          : -


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Weapon Skills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Melee weapon           Lvl   Hit   Dam   DV   Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---   ---   --   -------------  --------------
Unarmed fighting         0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            23
Daggers & knives         1    +1    +0   +0   basic                30
Clubs & hammers          0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            30
Maces & flails           0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            30
Swords                  10    +9    +6   +3   excellent            2826
Axes                     0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            30
Whips                    0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            30
Pole arms                3    +3    +1   +2   basic                103
Twohanded weapons        0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            30
Staves                   0    +0    +0   +0   unskilled            30

No missile weapon levels.

Shields                Lvl   DV               Level          Required marks
---------------------  ---   ---              -------------  --------------
Shields                 11   +22              Mastery              5702


Damage caused with your melee weapons:
--------------------------------------
Right hand: +86 bonus to hit, 5d8+37 damage


Damage caused with your missile weapons:
----------------------------------------
Ammunition: 29, base range: 2, +43 bonus to hit, 1d4+20 damage




----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Skills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Alchemy ..............100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Climbing .............100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Concentration ........100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Courage ..............100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Detect traps ......... 77    (great)        [+1d3]
  First aid ............100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Gemology .............100    (superb)       [+1d5]
  Haggling ............. 67    (good)         [+1d3]
  Healing ..............100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Herbalism ............100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Listening ............100    (superb)       [+4d4]
  Literacy .............100    (superb)       [+2d4]
  Mining ...............100    (superb)       [+1]
  Pick pockets .........100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Stealth ..............100    (superb)       [+1d3]
  Ventriloquism ........ 81    (great)        [+1d3]


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Spells
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Acid Ball           :   122,  18pp     (Effectivity: +15)
   Acid Bolt           :   785,   7pp     (Effectivity: +14)
   Bless               :   352,   5pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Burning Hands       :   200,   4pp     (Effectivity: +29)
   Calm Monster        :   831,   4pp     (Effectivity: +8)
   Create Item         :    96, 156pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Cure Critical Wounds:   329,   9pp     (Effectivity: +2)
   Cure Disease        :  1235,   5pp     (Effectivity: +1)
   Cure Light Wounds   :  1062,   2pp     (Effectivity: +10)
   Cure Serious Wounds :   569,   6pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Darkness            :  2752,   3pp     (Effectivity: +2)
   Death Ray           :   341,  60pp     (Effectivity: +1)
   Destroy Undead      :  1054,   4pp     (Effectivity: +7)
   Disarm Trap         :   989,   6pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Earthquake          :   619,  48pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Farsight            :  1224,  10pp     (Effectivity: +7)
   Fire Bolt           :   317,   5pp     (Effectivity: +7)
   Fireball            :   266,  10pp     (Effectivity: +11)
   Frost Bolt          :   620,   6pp     (Effectivity: +13)
   Greater Identify    :   286,  60pp     (Effectivity: +3)
   Heal                :   314,  24pp     (Effectivity: +3)
   Ice Ball            :   269,  13pp     (Effectivity: +10)
   Identify            :    92,  49pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Improved Fireball   :   604,  18pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Invisibility        :  1888,   5pp     (Effectivity: +7)
   Knock               :   616,   8pp     (Effectivity: +4)
   Know Alignment      :   723,   6pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Light               :  2308,   1pp     (Effectivity: +9)
   Lightning Ball      :   364,  17pp     (Effectivity: +6)
   Lightning Bolt      :    96,   8pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Magic Lock          :   707,   5pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Magic Map           :   367,  24pp     (Effectivity: +4)
   Magic Missile       :   175,   4pp     (Effectivity: +45)
//I spammed this for the entire game.
   Mystic Shovel       :    98,  62pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Neutralize Poison   :    94,   6pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Petrification       :   361,  72pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Remove Curse        :   610,  30pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Revelation          :   752,  20pp     (Effectivity: +2)
   Scare Monster       :    96,   8pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Slow Monster        :   506,   5pp     (Effectivity: +1)
   Slow Poison         :  1275,   4pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Strength of Atlas   :   607,   5pp     (Effectivity: +10)
   Stun Ray            :  1007,   5pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Summon Monsters     :   692,  18pp     (Effectivity: +0)
   Teleportation       :   855,  12pp     (Effectivity: +12)
   Web                 :   563,   8pp     (Effectivity: +2)

[Grey]

2 surges of power on the same level? And one in the fire temple?! Unprecedented! This really is quite amazing...

Well done on the victory. I note you finished in just 62k turns, which explains the very high score. Surprised you didn't do the Rift, and also surprised that your char is wearing damaged RDSM instead of the awesome RoR. And no crossbows with a gnome? Disgraceful :P But then magic missile and acid ball really do take care of everything...

What next then? Thoughts of ultra on the horizon after your second, and rather easy looking victory?

[FantomFang]

That's what I've actually been thinking for myself, considering i got my 2nd just a week ago. Any quick advice on that front? I know what to do, thanks to reading various stuff like the guidebook, but is there anything i should keep in mind?

[Grey]

I don't think ultras are that hard - there's only been 2 games I've finished where I didn't gather the trinity (and that was not out of inability) and only once where I didn't save Khelly. Personally I think a normal game is a little more boring without all the side quests. The big things to be mindful of are corruption, alignment and the extra bosses.

Corruption:
-get all SoCRs available (Khelly, library, bug temple, mystic), and keep wishes on hand for more
-get as many PoCC from Guth'Alak as you can, and use the unicorn quest wisely
-don't spend too long in the deep dungeons - do you job quick and get the hell out. Teleport a lot (non-wizards may need to book-cast).
-spend the minimum amount of time with the chaos artifacts anywhere near you

Alignment:
-you must be chaotic to feed the ratling and get Gaab'Baay's quest
-you must be lawful or neutral to get the trident from Khelly
-ULE and UNE aspirers can't get crowned before the chaotic quests are done
-those going for UCG can't get crowned till after exchanging the crumpled scroll with Khelly
-be careful with praying when on high piety and extreme alignment
-getting to L+ at high levels can be hard, usually best done with whips or pet-healing

Bosses:
-all are best taken down with missiles, so train them up well (swamp hydras are great for this) and get all the slaying ammo you can find
-dragon slaying takes down Keriax easy, but stay the hell out of line of his breath attack
-use magic map + monster detection + teleportation to find emperor moloch quickly (his level is stupidly corrupting) and take him down with blessed demon/humanoid slaying ammo
-same tactics on Andy, but stay out of line of him and you need a hell of a lot more ammo (I suggest at least 50). If meleeing him with the trident be sure to have all the necessary resistances and plenty of corruption removal. You'll also want high speed - quickling tree helps, and a wish for speed before going through the gate is well spent.

[Siriah]

I did do the rift, that's why I had so much corruption removal I didn't need the unicorn I actually wore the Robes of Resistance for most of the game after I got them, but I put on the Red Dragon Scale Mail when I found a vault of red dragons on D:47 and forgot to change back. My plan was to try a win with a mindcrafter next because those always seem to die horribly, but an ultra would be fun too. I like the idea of an ultimate chaos god ending.

[Silfir]

I just today lost an aspiring ultra. Wizard, first kill bandit, was planning on getting a precrown, figuring that if you want to do an ultra it's worth it because even the bad artifacts can still be fed to the ratling. Spent ages gathering stomafillia. Sacrificed loads of it at a neutral altar and prayed.

Oh well. Another regular victory for me.

[vogonpoet]

Damn Silfir, thats kinda careless and like, upsetting... Did you at least get a nice crowning gift to make up for it?

[Silfir]

Robes of resistance. Not complaining! I forgot the immunity (I think it was fire), but with the robes and eventually the elemental gauntlets and the Ring of the High Kings, who needs immunity?

I guess this happened to me because I so rarely ever precrown. I think I've done it four or five times in my entire ADOM career. I even read the "absolutely close" message and thought "Hmm, that should be right, I think" and then prayed.

[FantomFang]

Yeah, I've only ever precrowned with Lawful characters, mainly because thats what I end up wanting to get anyways, for w/e reason. Thanks for the advice btw, Gray.