I don't dare do this, but...

[Tregonsee]

What would happen if I were to read a scroll of Deep Descent if I was on level 98 and had not yet defeated Sauron or on level 99 without defeating M?

[Magnate]

What would happen if I were to read a scroll of Deep Descent if I was on level 98 and had not yet defeated Sauron or on level 99 without defeating M?

Nothing. I hope.

[Tregonsee]

Not even a message? (It whines, glows, and fades...) or some such?

[Derakon]

Deep Descent won't take you past quest levels. If you're on a quest level, it'll just get silently used up; otherwise it'll take you down to the next quest level or 2 levels, whichever is closer.

(It also won't take you past max depth)

[Magnate]

Not even a message? (It whines, glows, and fades...) or some such?

Interesting point. If I've read the code correctly, it will say "Effect not handled", which isn't particularly flavourful. I've changed this to "You have nowhere to go." ...

[Tregonsee]

Interesting point. If I've read the code correctly, it will say "Effect not handled", which isn't particularly flavourful. I've changed this to "You have nowhere to go." ...

Could a newbie conceivably be confused? What about "You have something to do before going lower", which at least gives a hint...

[Timo Pietilä]

Interesting point. If I've read the code correctly, it will say "Effect not handled", which isn't particularly flavourful. I've changed this to "You have nowhere to go." ...

How about "something in here doesn't allow you to go deeper"?

[Max Stats]

How about "something in here doesn't allow you to go deeper"?

Or "A huge green fierce snake bars the way!"

[Nomad]

Could a newbie conceivably be confused? What about "You have something to do before going lower", which at least gives a hint...

How about "Powerful magical seals prevent you from descending further", or, "You sense a malevolent presence blocking passage to the levels below."

[Nick]

or "a huge green fierce snake bars the way!"

release bird

[Magnate]

How about "Powerful magical seals prevent you from descending further", or, "You sense a malevolent presence blocking passage to the levels below."

This one.

Done.

[Chud]

Aww, I really like the green snake, and "release bird" gets you a pass. (Not quite sure how you pass that command to the system - maybe inscribe it on something - but still.)

Of course if you sneak through and succeed in killing Morgoth, you still have to come back and kill Sauron too in order to win.

Someone commented on the possibility of newbies being confused by one of the message options... how much of a newbie are you though, if you're sill alive at dl98?

[Tregonsee]

That was me. I think that one can win the game by not reading all of the spoilers, and one might miss this fact and get discouraged...

[dos350]

change it to, u hav died , dont bother trying again

[gudjkrist]

How about "Powerful magical seals prevent you from descending further", or, "You sense a malevolent presence blocking passage to the levels below."

This. Well crafted sir.