diff --git a/dat/opthelp b/dat/opthelp
index a5c7d9111..68eb53215 100644
--- a/dat/opthelp
+++ b/dat/opthelp
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ nudist         start your character without armor                 [False]
 null           allow nulls to be sent to your terminal             [True]
                try turning this option off (forcing NetHack to use its own
                delay code) if moving objects seem to teleport across rooms
+pauper         start your character with no possessions           [False]
 perm_invent    keep inventory in a permanent window               [False]
 pickup_stolen  override pickup_types for stolen objects            [True]
 pickup_thrown  override pickup_types for thrown objects            [True]
diff --git a/doc/Guidebook.mn b/doc/Guidebook.mn
index 2ba4aafd1..03aefb6f9 100644
--- a/doc/Guidebook.mn
+++ b/doc/Guidebook.mn
@@ -3399,6 +3399,14 @@ not penalized for being spoken to by an angry god, priest(ess), or
 other religious figure; a true atheist would hear the words but
 attach no special meaning to them.
 .pg
+A pauper starts the game with no possessions, no spells, and no weapon or
+spell skills (and if playing as a knight, your pony will not have a saddle).
+Can only be initiated by starting a new game with \f(CROPTIONS=pauper\fP
+set in your run-time configurtion file or \f(CRNETHACKOPTIONS\fP environment
+variable.
+Once the game is underway, you can acquire and use items, spells, and skills
+in the usual way.
+.pg
 Most players fight with a wielded weapon (or tool intended to be
 wielded as a weapon).  Another challenge is to win the game without
 using such a wielded weapon.  You are still permitted to throw,
@@ -3555,7 +3563,8 @@ the Castle level's drawbridge or can be given to you via prayer boon.
 and \fIPauper\fP are also conducts, and they can only be
 enabled by setting the correspondingly named option in NETHACKOPTIONS
 or run-time configuration file prior to game start.
-In the case of \fIBlind\fP and \fIDeaf\fP, the option also enforces the conduct.
+In the case of \fIBlind\fP and \fIDeaf\fP, the option also enforces the
+conduct.
 They aren't really significant accomplishments unless/until you make
 substantial progress into the dungeon.
 .
@@ -4488,6 +4497,10 @@ The positive (no \(oq!\(cq) and negative (with \(oq!\(cq) entries
 can be intermixed.
 .lp pauper
 Start the character with no possessions (default false).  Persistent.
+.lp ""
+Also start with no spells or skills, which are tied to starting equipment.
+Does not inhibit acquiring and using items, spells, and skills once play
+has started.
 .lp perm_invent
 If true, always display your current inventory in a window (default false).
 .lp ""
diff --git a/doc/Guidebook.tex b/doc/Guidebook.tex
index d5b6c72a1..ec7c5d80e 100644
--- a/doc/Guidebook.tex
+++ b/doc/Guidebook.tex
@@ -3654,6 +3654,15 @@ not penalized for being spoken to by an angry god, priest(ess), or
 other religious figure; a true atheist would hear the words but
 attach no special meaning to them.
 
+%.pg
+A pauper starts the game with no possessions, no spells, and no weapon or
+spell skills (and if playing as a knight, your pony will not have a saddle).
+Can only be initiated by starting a new game with \texttt{OPTIONS=pauper}
+set in your run-time configurtion file or \texttt{NETHACKOPTIONS} environment
+variable.
+Once the game is underway, you can acquire and use items, spells, and skills
+in the usual way.
+
 %.pg
 Most players fight with a wielded weapon (or tool intended to be
 wielded as a weapon).  Another challenge is to win the game without
@@ -3842,7 +3851,8 @@ the Castle level's drawbridge or can be given to you via prayer boon.
 \textit{Blind}, \textit{Deaf}, \textit{Nudist}, and \textit{Pauper} are also conducts, and they can only be
 enabled by setting the correspondingly named option in \texttt{NETHACKOPTIONS}
 or run-time configuration file prior to game start.
-In the case of \textit{Blind} and \textit{Deaf}, the option also enforces the conduct.
+In the case of \textit{Blind} and \textit{Deaf}, the option also enforces the
+conduct.
 They aren't really significant accomplishments unless/until you make
 substantial progress into the dungeon.
 
@@ -4900,6 +4910,11 @@ can be intermixed.
 %.lp
 \item[pauper]
 Start the character with no possessions (default false).  Persistent.
+%.lp ""
+\\
+Also start with no spells or skills, which are tied to starting equipment.
+Does not inhibit acquiring and using items, spells, and skills once play
+has started.
 %.lp
 \item[perm\textunderscore invent]
 If true, always display your current inventory in a window (default is false).