The Life and Death of Aialdar

[buzzkill]

FA 3.5
I'm just going to chronicle the adventures of Aialdar Easterling Ent Paladin.

Started in Taur-Im-Duinath, bought CLW and Phase Door.

On to Taur-Im-Duinath DL1. Killed a couple of minor inconveniences. I found 4 daggers (into the throwing belt, apparently not cursed) and a 2nd CLW.

On to Taur-Im-Duinath DL2 CL1. I nearly lost it all to a Giant White Centipede (how embarrassing). Used both CLW during the battle. Killed my 1st Novice Mage. He tried to flee on 2 separate occasions, how typical. Killed a Blubbering Icky Thing by throwing lead shots at it, then picked up the robe it dropped. Quaffed a Potion of Blindness for the first and last time. Learned the spell Detect Evil.

On to East Beleriand DL3 CL3 55HP. Killed a Novice Warrior, a Kobold and 2 Priests, one of which gave up a wand. Tunneled treasure veins for about 100GP of copper.

On to East Beleriand DL4 CL3. Forgot to wield my Mace after the tunneling on DL3 so I beat the Novice Priest I encountered with my bare hands after putting him to sleep with that Wand of Wonder I found on DL3. Learned the spell Bless. Pseudo ID'd the robe, daggers and lead shots as 'average'.

ATTN NICK: Wands of Wonder should not be correctly ID'd after a single use.

On to East Beleriand DL5 CL4 58HP. The sun had set on DL4 so I cast Detect Evil upon entering the level and detected nothing. After advancing about 100' I was struck and grazed by an arrow from a Novice Ranger. Without any potions of healing I started a strategic retreat toward the stairs and ended up killing both him and his buddy with the aid of the Potion of Heroism I started with. The first gave up a Pair of Leather Sandals. Tunneled for my first silver pieces. Learned the spell Remove Fear. I'm assuming, due to my INT 5 I sill only have 3 mana.

On to East Beleriand DL6 CL5 68HP. Still dark outside 10:10 PM. Encountered and destroyed my first breeders together, several Blue Worm Masses and Giant White Rats. Used the WoW to take out a Black Harpy and a Wild Cat. Found a Short Bow and a Rapier, my first 2 real weapon finds.

On to Andram DL7 CL6 78HP. Still dark 1:26 AM and I'm in the mountains now.
Terribly equipped, with my ONLY defence being a Phase Door, and thinking of turning back.

To be continued...

[buzzkill]

On to Andram 7 DL7 CL6 HP78. About 100' in I encountered my first unique, The Thief of the Mountains. Just 20' away from me, I couldn't run so I aimed the WoW and The Thief of The Mountains cried out in pain. He took 40% damage (woo hoo). He then closed in, hitting me once and touching me twice before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Luckily, nothing was stolen.

ATTN NICK: This guy's a thief. Why isn't he considered evil?

A short time later he came at me again, this time without warning. A hit, 2 touches and a puff of smoke later I was 41GP poorer. Minutes passed and he came yet again, but healthier now. This time I was ready but failed to use the WoW properly. He stole my Scroll of Phase Door. I'm heading back to town now as I can foresee this scenario repeating itself many more times.

Back to Andram 6 DL6 CL6 2:30 AM. Upon entering the level, Taster II, a player ghost skeleton challenged me to a duel. Sticking to the path, I found a Staff of Detect ???. Then I came across a sleeping Rattlesnake and decided to take it on as the XP would gain me CL7. Just as I finished off the snake a poisoned dart was whipped at me out of the darkness, narrowly missing. I cast Detect Evil and found a lone Kobold Dart Thrower 40' away (and a Large Kobold much further south). He attacked again and this time I was struck by the poisoned dart. I aimed the WoW at the recently detected kobold. Moments later he was dead and the poison quickly wore off. I reached the exit while still wounded and decided to waste a little time exploring. All I found was a Blue Yeek, now dead. Learned the spell Call Light.

Back to East Beleriand DL5 CL7 95 HP 4:36 AM. Killed a Novice Ranger. Pseudo ID'd my Leather Sandals and Short Bow as 'good'. The sun has finally risen. Novice Priest, now dead. Found a Scroll of Identify. ID'd my staff from DL6 as Detect Invisible. Finally, a 'very good' level feeling, and it's daylight, and I'm in the plains. I'll explore this whole level. During the exploration I stumbled on a Murder Hole, and the Rapier I was carrying Pseudo ID'd as 'excellent' so it currently replaces my Mace (+0,+0) as my primary weapon despite my 'uncomfortable feeling' toward it. All together I found 2 Spell books (Magic for Beginners), 3 un-ID'd Mushrooms (1 remaining), a Scroll of Enchant Armour (which I used on my 'good' Leather Sandals), a Scroll of Word of Recall (now I can proceed deeper once again), a Scroll of Enchant Weapon Deadliness (which I'll hold onto for right now), an un-ID'd scroll (which I read and has now been 'tried'), Wands of Sleep Monster, Stinking Cloud, Magic Missile, Wonder, Confuse Monster, a Main Gauche (1d5), a Broad Sword (2d5), a Cloak [1] (average), a Hard Leather Cap [2], a Small Leather Shield [3] and an un-ID'd ring. The following creatures died along the way a Black Harpy, a Large Grey Snake, 2 Green Oozes, a Salamander, a Soldier Ant, a Spotted Mushroom Patch, a Giant White Mouse, a Green Glutton Ghost (which ate 2 of my mushrooms before he died, but dropped a un-ID'd ring), 2 Giant White Louses. About the only thing I left alive was a Scruffy Looking Hobbit who stole 50GP from me. Nearly 12 hours on this level.

Forward to East Beleriand DL6 CL8 106HP Day 2, 4:07 PM.

to be continued...

[Nick]

ATTN NICK: Wands of Wonder should not be correctly ID'd after a single use.

I see your point, but I think this is probably still the best way. The alternatives are

1. Not identify at all;
2. Identify only after a second observed effect, or
3. Identify as the wrong thing first and then correct on seeing a second effect.

The tradition in *bands is never to identify anything wrongly, and I'm happy with that, so that rules out the third option. The second would be possible, but a bit silly, because if you saw the wand produce a stinking cloud (say) and not identify, you'd know it was wonder. And the first option is even sillier for the same reason.

On to Andram 7 DL7 CL6 HP78. About 100' in I encountered my first unique, The Thief of the Mountains. Just 20' away from me, I couldn't run so I aimed the WoW and The Thief of The Mountains cried out in pain. He took 40% damage (woo hoo). He then closed in, hitting me once and touching me twice before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Luckily, nothing was stolen.

ATTN NICK: This guy's a thief. Why isn't he considered evil?

My view on this one is that only actual servants of Morgoth are evil. The Thief is just very very naughty.

[andrewdoull]

I see your point, but I think this is probably still the best way. The alternatives are

1. Not identify at all;
2. Identify only after a second observed effect, or
3. Identify as the wrong thing first and then correct on seeing a second effect.

The tradition in *bands is never to identify anything wrongly, and I'm happy with that, so that rules out the third option.

Ah. I knew I was breaking with another tradition.

You should:
1. Identify every wand with the effect, followed by a question mark (as in (Stinking Cloud?) - until wand of wonder is identified.
2. Identify wand of wonder only after a second observed effect.

This should be quite easily handled with a 'guess' variable. I've got that in Unangband, just not done the first part... (adds to to do list).

Andrew

[Nick]

Ah. I knew I was breaking with another tradition.

You should:
1. Identify every wand with the effect, followed by a question mark (as in (Stinking Cloud?) - until wand of wonder is identified.
2. Identify wand of wonder only after a second observed effect.

This should be quite easily handled with a 'guess' variable. I've got that in Unangband, just not done the first part... (adds to to do list).

Yes, OK. That would be possible - I just feel it would aggravate most players and the maintainer...

[buzzkill]

Forward to East Beleriand DL6 CL8 106HP Day 2, 4:07 PM. Stayed on path and found a 'tried' scroll. Killed a Skeleton Kobold, White Harpy, Cave Lizard, Novice Paladin, 2 Rattlesnakes (1 spawned into 2 via my WoW) and a Giant Red Centipede. Found Hard Leather Armour [6], an un-ID'd ring, a scroll of Enchant Armour (which I used on my sandals again), Soft Leather Armour [4], and another Mace (+0,+0). After sunset I spent a couple of hours tunneling for treasure. Learned the spell Cure Light Wounds.

Forward to Andram DL7 CL8 106HP Day 2, 8:35 PM. It's dark outside. I like the look of this place. Detected and avoided a horde of 15 Manes. Killed a Skeleton Kolbold and a Rattlesnake for CL9. Found an un-ID'd wand and potion. Learned the spell Slow Poison.

On to Andram DL8 CL9 110HP Day 2, 12:23 AM. Encountered Ulfast, Son of Ulfang sleeping about 150' into the mountains. I retreated to a safe distance and aimed my trusty WoW. He cried out in pain and advanced. I aimed, he advanced. I aimed, he advanced. I failed to use the wand. The wand is out of charges. He was soon within my torchlight and then he 'drained power from my muscles', slowing me. I retreated. He touched me, stole a few coins and disappeared. I recalled back to town since my pack was full anyhow.

Back in Taur-Im-Duinath. Sold both my maces and the Lead Shots. Bought a CCW and 5 ID's. ID'd my Rapier of Burning (+8,+10) (54% resistance), a Ring of Teleportation and Feather Falling, Leather Sandals [1,+3], and a Short Bow (+5,+5). No arrows or lamp available at the traveling merchant. Stuffed everything in my home except for the Wand of Stinking Cloud and Staff of Detect Invisible. I'm going to head toward Belgost so I can move my home and sell this crap for a reasonable price.

On to Ent Path DL1 CL9 110HP Day 2, 2:33 AM. Found an Identify. Pseudo ID'd my Hard Leather Armour and Cap as 'good', the Small Leather Shield as 'average'.

On to Ent Path DL2 CL9 110HP Day 2, 4:59 AM.

On to Ent Path DL3 CL9 110HP Day 3, 7:29 AM. The sun has risen. Found 41 arrows (woo hoo).

On to Ent Path DL4 CL9 110HP Day 3, 8:24 AM.

On to Ent Path DL5 CL9 110HP Day 3, 10:28 AM. Killed 2 Novice Rangers and a Novice Fighter. Found 2 Scrolls of Magic Mapping and a Mace.

On to Ent Path DL6 CL9 110HP Day 3, 12:58 PM. Found 2 more maces and a sling.

In Ossiriand. Moved my home here and dropped all unused weapons and amours. Sold all 3 maces. Bought 2 Scrolls of Phase Doors, a Teleportation, and 1 Identify. ID'd my Hard Leather Armour [6,+1], and my Hard Leather Cap [2,+5].

On to Ossiriand DL7 CL9 110HP Day 3, 5:56 PM.

[buzzkill]

On to Ossiriand DL7 CL9 110HP Day 3, 5:56 PM. The sun has set. Found a Saber (1d7).

On to Ossiriand DL8 CL9 110HP Day 3, 7:00 PM.

On to Ossiriand DL9 CL9 110HP Day 3, 7:46 PM. I like the look as this place and since I'm 'hidden' in this forest level, and it's the last level before entering the mountains, I'm going to look around for a while. Found a pair of Leather Sandals and Ulfast, son of Ulfang. With my new Rapier of Burning and some arrows, I decided to have another crack at him. I hacked at him a few times before he touched me and disappeared. I detected him and quickly, and closed in. Being hidden in the forest is an incredible advantage. He just wandered aimlessly while I hacked away at him. I think that because he couldn't locate me, he didn't cast any spells. Upon death he surrendered a Lamp (of Gwindor???) and a Beaked Axe (2d6), what a great find for an Ent. Before I could even pick up the items, I was attacked by a Crow of Durthang, who soon died. I made tracks for the exit, as I expected to be swarmed by crows at any moment. I did slay a few along the way, but no swarming. Tunneled for treasure, and decided to look around a little more. Killed a Blue Yeek for another Staff of Detect Invisible. Found more arrows 'average', a scroll of ???. Ran into a pack of Snaga and decided to slice them up so I could rummage through their items. They dropped a shield, a mushroom, a rapier, a ring and 2 spears. It's nearly sunrise, time to move on. Learned the spells Resist Fire and Cold, and Scare Monster. That polishes off the first spell book.

A QUESTION: Do monsters drop items dependent upon their commonly found danger level (CL?) or is it dependent upon the dungeon level (DL)? Would these Snaga have better items because they were slain on DL9 rather than on DL6?

ATTN NICK: Ents ability to blend in on forest levels is, quite possibly, too good. Ulfast would have kicked my ass anywhere else, but here in the forest he only hit me once or twice in about 30 rounds of battle. And, although we were fighting in the thick of the forest, experience tells me that he would have had just as much trouble landing blows in a clearing or on the path. Perhaps an Ents ability to hide should be dependent upon the number of trees immediately surrounding him rather than on the type of level he is on. Maybe a 12% chance of being hidden per tree in each adjacent square, regardless of level type. Fully surrounded by tress = 96% hidden. Adds a little more reality and make Ents more versatile.

On to Erid Luin DL10 CL11 148HP Day 3, 4:39 AM. Almost to Belgost. The sun will be rising soon.

[buzzkill]

Since I made it this far, I figured I'd post a dump so you can see what I working with (see attachment, Aialdar.txt). At this point, I should probably mention that I use the 'random' selection and standard roller (with no re-rolls) for character creation. Sometimes I ened up with pretty pathethic characters. I don't mind the additional difficulty and figure that, eventually, this will make me a better player.

[Nick]

A QUESTION: Do monsters drop items dependent upon their commonly found danger level (CL?) or is it dependent upon the dungeon level (DL)? Would these Snaga have better items because they were slain on DL9 rather than on DL6?

Both - the effective level for drops is the average of the two. This is standard for *bands.

ATTN NICK: Ents ability to blend in on forest levels is, quite possibly, too good. Ulfast would have kicked my ass anywhere else, but here in the forest he only hit me once or twice in about 30 rounds of battle. And, although we were fighting in the thick of the forest, experience tells me that he would have had just as much trouble landing blows in a clearing or on the path. Perhaps an Ents ability to hide should be dependent upon the number of trees immediately surrounding him rather than on the type of level he is on. Maybe a 12% chance of being hidden per tree in each adjacent square, regardless of level type. Fully surrounded by tress = 96% hidden. Adds a little more reality and make Ents more versatile.

I agree - I just haven't got around to implementing that yet.

[buzzkill]

On to Erid Luin DL10 CL11 148HP Day 3, 4:39 AM. Almost to Belgost. The sun will be rising soon. I got lucky and wandered straight through the mountains to the northern exit, even discovering a trap along the way.

In Belgost. I moved my home, then ducked back into the mountains for a second (while I waited for it to arrive) where I found a Staff of ???. Back in Belgost. Entered the Magic Shop and they were having one hell of a sale, almost everything was 50% off. I picked up a 2 Staffs of Perception and an Amulet of Resist Acid. ID'd a Ring of Stupidity, the Lamp of Gwindor, Ulfast's Beaked Axe of Anthithmo (2d6)(+8,+12) slays undead and dragons and resists elec(55%), induces fearlessness, slows metabolism, and provides permanent light (my new primary weapon, despite all the other Ents making fun of me). Sold 2 Well Balanced Spears, and a load of average armours and weapons as well as quite a few wands. Bought my 2nd spell book and learned the spell Chant. At this point I ducked back into the mountains again in order to get The Complainer off my back and found and sold a Wand of Stone to Mud. Bought a Potion of Heroism, and 4 more CCW (on sale), as well as a WoR and some more Phase Door at the Temple.

Recalled to Andram DL8 CL11 Day 4, 11:20 AM. Killed a Night Lizard, and was then set upon by Novice Mages and Warriors, and even a Paladin, all coming at me from different directions. It took me a little while to slay the masses, during which time I picked up a several wands (haste monster, teleport away), staffs, (perception, object location) potions (speed ‘quaffed’), scrolls (detect invisible, WoR, enchant weapon), weapons (thrusting spear(+2,+4)[2,+0], dagger ‘cursed’, short bow ‘average’), and armour (leather gloves[1,+0]).

On to Andram DL9 CL11 Day 4, 4:14 PM. Killed a Black Harpy, Green Glutton Ghost. Had a little trouble with a King Cobra, being blinded and poisoned several times. Killed a Kobold Dart Thrower and avoided 3 more. Found a Magestaff (1d3), Leather Sandals ‘average’ and a Mace (+0,+0). It took forever to find the exit to this ‘boring’ level.

On to Andram DL10 CL12 155HP Day 4, 2:02 AM. With the lamp and holy light specialty (not to mention the light from my weapon), day and night are nearly identical in the mountains, so I may not mention it again. Attacked by a horde of Lemures about 120’ into the level. I fought valiantly, killing many, but was eventually beaten back and had to retreat to DL9 to rest.

Re-entering Andram DL10 CL12 155HP Day 4, 4:01 AM. Killed an Elven Thrall and got a ‘good’ feeling. I’ll look around here for a more ‘priestly’ weapon. Found a Rod of Door/Stair Location. Killed a King Cobra, and a Tengu. Encountered Brodda, the Easterling. I fired a dozen arrows, all of which missed. Tried the Wand of Confusion 3 times with no effect. Traded one round of melee in which I took 40 damage, then read Phase Door. I landed in an entirely enclosed area, where I was able to rest before tunneling out and running into Brodda again. Tried confusion and 1 round of melee again, and again found myself down to 100HP. Phase Door, again. I’m beginning to think that I might not be able to crack this nut yet, which is sad. A giant Salamander found me before Brodda could. Killed it and achieved CL13. Learned the spells Resist Acid and Lightening, and Blink. Was able to fully rest (174HP). After more melee with Brodda, and dropping down to 100HP again, I read Phase Door and retreated towards the entrance. At one point during my retreat I had a good line on Brodda so I attempted confusion again. After 5 charges from the wand, Brodda was finally confused. I quaffed Heroism and moved in on him. I hit him several times and confused him further with a shield bash. A short time later he fled, still confused. Soon he was dead. He dropped a Spear (+6,+4). I can see now that I need a more suitable weapon before going much farther. Got into a tight spot with 3 Giant White Ticks and a Giant Salamander. It burnt up one of my Staffs of Perception and a WoR (luckily a have an extra) before it died. I slayed a pack of Wolves. A Purple Mushroom Patch drained a point of CON, lowering my max HP to 167. Achieved CL14. I finally managed to detect some objects. Found another Rod of Door/Stair, another Wand of Confuse, and a Pair of Leather Boots[2,+2].Quaffed an un-ID’d Potion of Clumsiness. Killed a Giant Salamander and found another Wand of Teleport Away. Discovered a Metal Cap, a Potion of Detect Invisible (quaffed) and a Staff of Door/Stair (dropped). That should just about do it for this level. I ran into a Trickster near the exit. He slowed me, but I managed to hit him with a arrow and send him running. My Staff of Perception is empty and I’ve spent over 2 days wandering this level for, apparently, nothing useful.

On to West Beleriand DL11 CL14 169HP Day 6, 11:44 AM. Swamp. Detected Hill Orcs off to the east. Detected objects and moved to the middle of the map when a Trickster appeared and slowed me. He was quite far away so I continued to close on him when I was attacked my Novice Rangers. I slew the first 3 before I sped up again. Nailed the Trickster with an arrow, killing him. He dropped a Scroll of Teleportation. Finally finished off the Rangers, all the while retreating. Found 3 mushrooms ‘tried’ and a Staff of Detect Traps. Finished off a pack of Hobgoblins and picked up various objects. I’ve been dropping/destroying my ‘average’ item to make room in my pack for better ones. Killed a Flesh Golem and discovered Slime Mold Juice.

to be continued...

[Nick]

Encountered Brodda, the Easterling. I fired a dozen arrows, all of which missed. Tried the Wand of Confusion 3 times with no effect. Traded one round of melee in which I took 40 damage, then read Phase Door. I landed in an entirely enclosed area, where I was able to rest before tunneling out and running into Brodda again. Tried confusion and 1 round of melee again, and again found myself down to 100HP. Phase Door, again. I’m beginning to think that I might not be able to crack this nut yet, which is sad. A giant Salamander found me before Brodda could. Killed it and achieved CL13. Learned the spells Resist Acid and Lightening, and Blink. Was able to fully rest (174HP). After more melee with Brodda, and dropping down to 100HP again, I read Phase Door and retreated towards the entrance. At one point during my retreat I had a good line on Brodda so I attempted confusion again. After 5 charges from the wand, Brodda was finally confused. I quaffed Heroism and moved in on him. I hit him several times and confused him further with a shield bash. A short time later he fled, still confused. Soon he was dead. He dropped a Spear (+6,+4). I can see now that I need a more suitable weapon before going much farther.

As a paladin, it is a good idea to Bless (and later Chant or Prayer) before any melee - the extra + to Skill can make a big difference.

[buzzkill]

That would be nice but my mana is terrible (8, for a 15th level char.) and spell failure rates are high; Bless (11%), Chant (49%). I'm guessing all the Paladin spellcasting is based on INT?

[Nick]

That would be nice but my mana is terrible (8, for a 15th level char.) and spell failure rates are high; Bless (11%), Chant (49%). I'm guessing all the Paladin spellcasting is based on INT?

No, WIS. Bless is still worth it at this point, especially against tough opponents - I would probably only be using mana for Bless and Detect Traps.

[buzzkill]

On to West Beleriand DL12 CL14 169HP Day 6, 4:28 PM. Due to my heavy load I am slowed (-1). Detected some Lemures and a large pack of Cave Orcs, including Balcmeg, and an Air Spirit to the north. I detected no objects in the vicinity of those nasties, so I walked to the west along the bottom of the map until I found a different escape point. Pesudo ID’d and destroyed some ‘average’ weapons that were in my pack, but am still slow (-1). The sun has set on this ‘plains’ level. Ran into a Swordsman and a Pink Naga, both of whom successfully fled. Quaffed a Potion of Ugliness and found a Mace(2d6). The sissy Pink Naga returned, and died. Damaged a Hippogriff, who then got away. Still no level feeling, and not detecting any objects so I’m leaving.

On to West Beleriand DL13 CL14 169HP Day 6, 9:19 PM. Found a Potion of Heroism (at last, something mildly useful), and an un-ID’d ring. A Druid punched me as I picked up the ring. After 2 rounds, the Druid fled, then blinked away. I can’t help but think that he’ll be summoning at some point in the near future. I detected objects and found what must be a vault or encampment (complete with chest) nearby, but no evil detected, so I have no idea what I’ll be up against. The Druid returned, and died, leaving behind a Dagger. Then something odd happened. I snuck up to the camp as best I could and found it abandoned. I guess it was just the druid camped there. Picked up a Mace, 4 Darts, Leather Gloves, a Small Chest, and a Main Gauche. Rested for several days, trying to get as many items pseudo ID’d as possible. Upon heading for the exit I encountered a Beastmaster who immediately summoned a Giant Yellow Scorpion. Eventually I killed them both along with a Hippogriff. Put on the un-ID’d ring. It turns out it is cursed. Ran into a Stegocentipede and fled to DL14 after nearly dying.

On to West Beleriand DL14 CL15 179HP Day 8, 1:31 AM. Picked up a Rod of Illumination and another Rod of Door/Stair before fleeing from a Black Mamba via Teleportation and WoR. I think the cursed ring is affecting my skill.

Recalled to Belgost. Sold Leather Sandals [1,+3], 2 Leather Sandals [1,+0], a Thrusting Spear (+2,+4), a Spear (+6,+4), a Well Balanced Dagger (+3,+1), 4 Darts (+4,+6), 2 Rods of Door/Stair, and 2 Wand of Confuse Monster. Bought 5 Scrolls of Identify, 2 WoR, 2 Phase Door, 2 Teleport, a Remove Curse (removed the cursed ring, still un-ID’d), and Recharging (used on my Staff of Perception). There was nothing much to buy in town, so I bought 10 Potions of Speed (leaving 9 at home). ID’d and sold a Main Gauche (+5,+1), a Mace (+4,+5). At some point I stepped outside, into the wilderness, in order to lose The Complainer and open the druid’s Small Chest. Discovered summing runes on the chest, so I bless myself and attempt to disarm it, and fail. Another Druid, a Black Mamba, and a Pseudo Dragon suddenly appear. The Black Mamba bites and poisons me, and again, I am more poisoned. The Druid punches and kicks me. The Pseudo Dragon breathes darkness and blinds me. I’m (more) poisoned, blind and less than 50% HP, but now it’s my turn. Luckily I’m standing on the stairway back into town, and I take it. That’s actually progress for me. I can remember a time, not very long ago, when I’d try to take on the group with my wand of Teleport Away. I have no idea what was in the chest because I was blinded.

Recalled to West Beleriand DL14 CL15 179HP Day 9, 9:48 AM. Detected evil and found Musgash, The Kobold Lord and his minions. After some miserable melee, I quaffed Herosim and Sped and Blessed myself. That did the trick. Musgash gave up a Cutlass (+5,+3) and a Short Sword (+2,+7), and I got a few items from his cohorts. A King Cobra gave me a little trouble with the blinding and the poisoning. Found a Ring of Resist Fire (42%), a Pair of Leather Gloves, another Wand of Detect Objects and a Wand of Door Destruction. Learned (and failed to cast) the spell Neutralize Poison after tangling and eventually slaying a Giant Tarantula. I’m having no success with my Wand of Teleport Away.

On to Amon Ruth DL15 CL15 179HP Day 9, 5:56 PM. The sun has set. Detected evil, traps, objects and doors/stairs, detected nothing. It’s a boring place. Ran into another frickin’ Druid. He attempted to slow me, and when that failed, he sped himself. We clashed, then he fled and blinked away. I found him pretty quickly and he dropped a CCW upon his death. Killed a Black Mamba (finally) and my first Drider. Found a Mushroom of Cure Blindness, a Wand of Scare Monster, a Ring of Resist Cold (34%), Ran into a Ochre Jelly and being low on HP and having no acid resistance (EDIT: oops, I forgot I had that amulet) I decided to teleport. Killed a Wererat and gained CL16. Found a Wand of Stinking Cloud and the stairs down. Into the dungeon we go.

to be continued...character dump attached...
I feel a may be getting in a little over my head here, any advice appriciated.

[Psi]

If I were you, I'd be heading towards Menegroth at this point and making use of the Ent's forest advantages to kit myself up a little better.