diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 7df8e2530..1d3e5ade1 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ extern char *build_english_list(char *) NONNULLARG1;
 extern char *random_engraving(char *, char *) NONNULLARG12;
 extern void wipeout_text(char *, int, unsigned) NONNULLARG1;
 extern boolean can_reach_floor(boolean);
-extern void cant_reach_floor(coordxy, coordxy, boolean, boolean);
+extern void cant_reach_floor(coordxy, coordxy, boolean, boolean, boolean);
 extern struct engr *engr_at(coordxy, coordxy);
 extern struct engr *sengr_at(const char *, coordxy, coordxy, boolean) NONNULLARG1;
 extern void u_wipe_engr(int);
diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index 61219a716..3e7370c4a 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ use_stethoscope(struct obj *obj)
             Soundeffect(se_faint_splashing, 35);
             You_hear("faint splashing.");
         } else if (u.dz < 0 || !can_reach_floor(TRUE)) {
-            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, (u.dz < 0), TRUE);
+            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, (u.dz < 0), TRUE, FALSE);
         } else if (its_dead(u.ux, u.uy, &res)) {
             ; /* message already given */
         } else if (Is_stronghold(&u.uz)) {
diff --git a/src/dig.c b/src/dig.c
index e8a89888f..579a97013 100644
--- a/src/dig.c
+++ b/src/dig.c
@@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@ use_pick_axe2(struct obj *obj)
         /* it must be air -- water checked above */
         You("swing %s through thin air.", yobjnam(obj, (char *) 0));
     } else if (!can_reach_floor(FALSE)) {
-        cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, FALSE);
+        cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE);
     } else if (is_pool_or_lava(u.ux, u.uy)) {
         /* Monsters which swim also happen not to be able to dig */
         You("cannot stay under%s long enough.",
@@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@ use_pick_axe2(struct obj *obj)
         dotrap(trap, FORCEBUNGLE);
         /* might escape trap and still be teetering at brink */
         if (!u.utrap)
-            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE);
+            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE, FALSE);
     } else if (!ispick
                /* can only dig down with an axe when doing so will
                   trigger or disarm a trap here */
diff --git a/src/engrave.c b/src/engrave.c
index 226f6b30b..e029e87dc 100644
--- a/src/engrave.c
+++ b/src/engrave.c
@@ -215,13 +215,16 @@ can_reach_floor(boolean check_pit)
 
 /* give a message after caller has determined that hero can't reach */
 void
-cant_reach_floor(coordxy x, coordxy y, boolean up, boolean check_pit)
+cant_reach_floor(coordxy x, coordxy y, boolean up,
+                 boolean check_pit, boolean wand_engraving)
 {
-    You("can't reach the %s.",
-        up ? ceiling(x, y)
-           : (check_pit && can_reach_floor(FALSE))
-               ? "bottom of the pit"
-               : surface(x, y));
+    pline("%s can't reach the %s.",
+          wand_engraving
+              ? "The wand does nothing more, and the tip of the wand"
+              : "You",
+          up  ? ceiling(x, y)
+              : (check_pit && can_reach_floor(FALSE)) ? "bottom of the pit"
+                                                      : surface(x, y));
 }
 
 struct engr *
@@ -493,7 +496,7 @@ u_can_engrave(void)
             pline("What would you write?  \"Jonah was here\"?");
             return FALSE;
         } else if (is_whirly(u.ustuck->data)) {
-            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, FALSE);
+            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE);
             return FALSE;
         }
         /* Note: for amorphous engulfers, writing attempt is allowed here
@@ -941,6 +944,7 @@ doengrave(void)
     char *sp;         /* Place holder for space count of engr text */
     struct _doengrave_ctx *de;
     int retval;
+    boolean initial_msg_given = FALSE;
 
     /* Can the adventurer engrave at all? */
     if (!u_can_engrave())
@@ -982,12 +986,19 @@ doengrave(void)
         Your("message dissolves...");
         goto doengr_exit;
     }
-    if (de->otmp->oclass != WAND_CLASS && !can_reach_floor(TRUE)) {
-        cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE);
-        goto doengr_exit;
+    if (!can_reach_floor(TRUE)) {
+        if (de->otmp->oclass != WAND_CLASS) {
+            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE, FALSE);
+            goto doengr_exit;
+        } else {
+            You("gesture, with your wand, towards the %s below you.",
+                surface(u.ux, u.uy));
+            initial_msg_given = TRUE;
+        }
     }
     if (IS_ALTAR(levl[u.ux][u.uy].typ)) {
-        You("make a motion towards the altar with %s.", de->writer);
+        if (!initial_msg_given)
+            You("make a motion towards the altar with %s.", de->writer);
         altar_wrath(u.ux, u.uy);
         goto doengr_exit;
     }
@@ -1074,7 +1085,7 @@ doengrave(void)
     if (!de->ptext) {
         if (de->otmp && de->otmp->oclass == WAND_CLASS
             && !can_reach_floor(TRUE))
-            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE);
+            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE, TRUE);
         de->ret = ECMD_TIME;
         goto doengr_exit;
     }
diff --git a/src/lock.c b/src/lock.c
index 2fe2a198a..2e8851754 100644
--- a/src/lock.c
+++ b/src/lock.c
@@ -700,7 +700,7 @@ doforce(void)
         return ECMD_OK;
     }
     if (!can_reach_floor(TRUE)) {
-        cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE);
+        cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, TRUE, FALSE);
         return ECMD_OK;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/pickup.c b/src/pickup.c
index a01283cde..b74119402 100644
--- a/src/pickup.c
+++ b/src/pickup.c
@@ -2051,7 +2051,7 @@ able_to_loot(
         if (u.usteed && P_SKILL(P_RIDING) < P_BASIC)
             rider_cant_reach(); /* not skilled enough to reach */
         else
-            cant_reach_floor(x, y, FALSE, TRUE);
+            cant_reach_floor(x, y, FALSE, TRUE, FALSE);
         return FALSE;
     } else if ((is_pool(x, y) && (looting || !Underwater)) || is_lava(x, y)) {
         /* at present, can't loot in water even when Underwater;