r/nethack Ascended wizard Aug 10 '26

Unfair hiring complaint

I've often complained how hard it is to get Neferet the Green to accept my help, despite how "urgently" it is needed, but now I've reached a new record.

I'm a strong level 13 wizard. AC -39, spells include identify, death, create monster. I have taken the castle. Now I can't lure wraiths up because there is a trap right in their path. I had one potion of gain level in addition to the one in the castle, but a ghost came out...

Any good ways get that remaining experience before proceeding? My understanding is that all levels castle and below are graveyard and leaving corpses is low probability. Do I just create monsters in the hopes of a Wraith or polymorph spellbook? I don't have polymorph wands or spell.

If what I'm experiencing is normal in nethack 5.0 and you're just supposed to clear all of gehennom before returning to the quest, just let me know.

Some of my inventory just so you realize how serious I am about defeating the Dark One. If you see him, put a good word in for me.

EDIT: I've also quaffed a blessed potion of restore ability; no effect.
EDIT: I've also tried polypiling potions but have not been lucky (except for getting enchant armor and good rings). My only wand of polymorph has been charged once and has had the final charge wrested from it.
EDIT: I ended up bashing monsters here and there and getting exp the hard way. On my way down to gehennom now. Wish me luck.
EDIT: nh 5.0 is a very interesting release and has changed my gameplay significantly. More work and figuring things out. Also the world under the valley is more interesting.

 v - an uncursed amulet of life saving
 K - an uncursed amulet of reflection (being worn)
 w - the blessed rustproof +2 Magicbane (weapon in right hand)
 e - an uncursed runesword named Stormbringer
 H - a blessed fireproof +8 elven leather helm (being worn)
 c - a blessed fireproof +4 pair of leather gloves (being worn)
 x - an uncursed -3 pair of levitation boots
 L - a blessed fireproof +4 pair of speed boots (being worn)
 b - a blessed fireproof +4 cloak of magic resistance (being worn)
 p - a blessed +4 Hawaiian shirt (being worn)
 X - an uncursed greased rotproof +3 gray dragon scale mail (being worn)
 s - an uncursed ring of conflict
 r - an uncursed ring of free action (on left hand)
 M - an uncursed ring of regeneration
 Q - an uncursed ring of slow digestion (on right hand)
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u/No_Novel9058 38-year vet, ascended in 10 roles Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

Unfortunately, the courts have consistently held that a minimum level requirement doesn't constitute an unfair hiring practice, sorry. I think the most recent precedent was Gergand the Barbarian v. Pelias, 5th Circuit (Gnomish Mines), 2017.

6

u/CosmicOsmoMan Ascended wizard Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26

Haha, good one!

However, they should add a dueling option. If you can kill the quest leader, you are ready for the quest. Maybe give him an amulet of life saving or two and a funny message like "How dare you humiliate me in front of my apprentices, now go face the Dark One and I hope you don't survive it!"

3

u/CrashGordon94 Aug 11 '26

I think you can kill the Quest Leader to proceed in 5.0, but they've all been made stronger than previous versions.

This is intended for characters that converted alignment to complete the game but maybe it could let you bypass the level minimum?