diff --git a/DEVEL/Developer.txt b/DEVEL/Developer.txt
index ce78965ea..202778c7b 100644
--- a/DEVEL/Developer.txt
+++ b/DEVEL/Developer.txt
@@ -34,12 +34,21 @@ things.
 2. git repositories
 The public NetHack git repository is available (read-only) on SourceForge at:
   git://git.code.sf.net/p/nethack/NHsource
+
+XXX need to discuss what branches are available
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. bug reporting
 Please use the form at http://www.nethack.org/common/contact.html (or send
 us an email if that's more appropriate).
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. git configuration
+
+NOTE: These instructions assume you are on the default branch ("master");
+      this _is_ where you want to be for setting things up.  This may or may
+      not be the branch you want to use for your changes; see the appropriate
+      project private documentation for more information (if you are working
+      alone we suggest using branch names starting with "LOCAL-").
+
 A. If you have never set up git on this machine before:
    (This assumes you will only be using git for NetHack.  If you are going to
    use it for other projects as well, think before you type.)
diff --git a/dat/endgame.des b/dat/endgame.des
index 83441e58c..4f2cbd9de 100644
--- a/dat/endgame.des
+++ b/dat/endgame.des
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ MONSTER:('E',"water elemental"),random,hostile
 
 
 MAZE:"astral",' '
-FLAGS: noteleport,hardfloor,nommap,shortsighted
+FLAGS: noteleport,hardfloor,nommap,shortsighted,solidify
 MESSAGE: "You arrive on the Astral Plane!"
 MESSAGE: "Here the High Temple of %d is located."
 MESSAGE: "You sense alarm, hostility, and excitement in the air!"
diff --git a/include/patchlevel.h b/include/patchlevel.h
index ec56f36e1..90ebed301 100644
--- a/include/patchlevel.h
+++ b/include/patchlevel.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 3.5	patchlevel.h	$NHDT-Date$  $NHDT-Branch$:$NHDT-Revision$ */
+/* NetHack 3.5	patchlevel.h	$NHDT-Date: 1429513493 2015/04/20 07:04:53 $  $NHDT-Branch: master $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.102 $ */
 /* NetHack 3.5	patchlevel.h	$Date: 2012/04/14 08:31:03 $  $Revision: 1.93 $ */
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * Incrementing EDITLEVEL can be used to force invalidation of old bones
  * and save files.
  */
-#define EDITLEVEL	62
+#define EDITLEVEL	63
 
 #define COPYRIGHT_BANNER_A \
 "NetHack, Copyright 1985-2015"
diff --git a/include/you.h b/include/you.h
index 87291479c..a13bd108c 100644
--- a/include/you.h
+++ b/include/you.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 3.5	you.h	$NHDT-Date$  $NHDT-Branch$:$NHDT-Revision$ */
+/* NetHack 3.5	you.h	$NHDT-Date: 1429513494 2015/04/20 07:04:54 $  $NHDT-Branch: master $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.25 $ */
 /* NetHack 3.5	you.h	$Date: 2012/04/14 08:31:03 $  $Revision: 1.13 $ */
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
@@ -39,12 +39,13 @@ struct u_have {
 struct u_event {
 	Bitfield(minor_oracle,1);	/* received at least 1 cheap oracle */
 	Bitfield(major_oracle,1);	/*  "  expensive oracle */
+	Bitfield(read_tribute,1);	/* read a passage from a novel */
 	Bitfield(qcalled,1);		/* called by Quest leader to do task */
 	Bitfield(qexpelled,1);		/* expelled from the Quest dungeon */
 	Bitfield(qcompleted,1);		/* successfully completed Quest task */
 	Bitfield(uheard_tune,2);	/* 1=know about, 2=heard passtune */
-	Bitfield(uopened_dbridge,1);	/* opened the drawbridge */
 
+	Bitfield(uopened_dbridge,1);	/* opened the drawbridge */
 	Bitfield(invoked,1);		/* invoked Gate to the Sanctum level */
 	Bitfield(gehennom_entered,1);	/* entered Gehennom via Valley */
 	Bitfield(uhand_of_elbereth,2);	/* became Hand of Elbereth */
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index 19b6333f1..1ecbfd88e 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 3.5	mon.c	$NHDT-Date: 1426470347 2015/03/16 01:45:47 $  $NHDT-Branch: derek-farming $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.140 $ */
+/* NetHack 3.5	mon.c	$NHDT-Date: 1429584308 2015/04/21 02:45:08 $  $NHDT-Branch: master $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.164 $ */
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
 
@@ -1255,15 +1255,13 @@ dmonsfree()
     int count = 0;
 
     for (mtmp = &fmon; *mtmp;) {
-    freetmp = *mtmp;
-    if (freetmp->mhp <= 0 && !freetmp->isgd) {
-	    if (freetmp == context.polearm.hitmon)
-		context.polearm.hitmon = NULL;
-        *mtmp = freetmp->nmon;
-        dealloc_monst(freetmp);
-        count++;
-    } else
-        mtmp = &(freetmp->nmon);
+	freetmp = *mtmp;
+	if (freetmp->mhp <= 0 && !freetmp->isgd) {
+	    *mtmp = freetmp->nmon;
+	    dealloc_monst(freetmp);
+	    count++;
+	} else
+	    mtmp = &(freetmp->nmon);
     }
 
     if (count != iflags.purge_monsters)
@@ -1432,6 +1430,8 @@ m_detach(mtmp, mptr)
 struct monst *mtmp;
 struct permonst *mptr;	/* reflects mtmp->data _prior_ to mtmp's death */
 {
+    if (mtmp == context.polearm.hitmon)
+	context.polearm.hitmon = 0;
     if (mtmp->mleashed) m_unleash(mtmp, FALSE);
         /* to prevent an infinite relobj-flooreffects-hmon-killed loop */
     mtmp->mtrapped = 0;
@@ -1719,7 +1719,11 @@ mongone(mdef)
 register struct monst *mdef;
 {
     mdef->mhp = 0;	/* can skip some inventory bookkeeping */
-    /* Player is thrown from his steed when it disappears */
+
+    /* dead vault guard is actually kept at coordinate <0,0> until
+       his temporary corridor to/from the vault has been removed */
+    if (mdef->isgd && !grddead(mdef)) return;
+    /* hero is thrown from his steed when it disappears */
     if (mdef == u.usteed)
         dismount_steed(DISMOUNT_GENERIC);
 
diff --git a/src/sounds.c b/src/sounds.c
index f1dec986f..84883eab8 100644
--- a/src/sounds.c
+++ b/src/sounds.c
@@ -1001,6 +1001,9 @@ dochat()
     }
 
     tx = u.ux+u.dx; ty = u.uy+u.dy;
+
+    if (!isok(tx,ty)) return (0);
+
     mtmp = m_at(tx, ty);
 
     if ((!mtmp || mtmp->mundetected) && 
diff --git a/src/spell.c b/src/spell.c
index fe0741d2f..3de41b5ec 100644
--- a/src/spell.c
+++ b/src/spell.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 3.5	spell.c	$NHDT-Date$  $NHDT-Branch$:$NHDT-Revision$ */
+/* NetHack 3.5	spell.c	$NHDT-Date: 1429513494 2015/04/20 07:04:54 $  $NHDT-Branch: master $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.57 $ */
 /* NetHack 3.5	spell.c	$Date: 2011/12/29 22:01:25 $  $Revision: 1.44 $ */
 /*	Copyright (c) M. Stephenson 1988			  */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
@@ -457,6 +457,12 @@ register struct obj *spellbook;
 		    if (read_tribute("books", tribtitle, 0)) {
 		    	u.uconduct.literate++;
 		    	check_unpaid(spellbook);
+			if (!u.uevent.read_tribute) {
+			    /* give bonus of 20 xp and 4*20+0 pts */
+			    more_experienced(20, 0);
+			    newexplevel();
+			    u.uevent.read_tribute = 1;	/* only once */
+			}
 		    }
 		    return(1);
 		}
diff --git a/src/vault.c b/src/vault.c
index 87c13b31a..9a3fc0ef4 100644
--- a/src/vault.c
+++ b/src/vault.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 3.5	vault.c	$NHDT-Date$  $NHDT-Branch$:$NHDT-Revision$ */
+/* NetHack 3.5	vault.c	$NHDT-Date: 1429584309 2015/04/21 02:45:09 $  $NHDT-Branch: master $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.33 $ */
 /* NetHack 3.5	vault.c	$Date: 2011/10/13 00:31:10 $  $Revision: 1.28 $ */
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ register struct monst *grd;
 		relobj(grd, 0, FALSE);
 		/* guard is dead; monster traversal loops should skip it */
 		grd->mhp = 0;
+		if (grd == context.polearm.hitmon)
+		    context.polearm.hitmon = 0;
 		/* see comment by newpos in gd_move() */
 		remove_monster(grd->mx, grd->my);
 		newsym(grd->mx, grd->my);
diff --git a/win/share/tiletext.c b/win/share/tiletext.c
index fe61eee75..ea78eb02f 100644
--- a/win/share/tiletext.c
+++ b/win/share/tiletext.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 3.5	tiletext.c	$NHDT-Date$  $NHDT-Branch$:$NHDT-Revision$ */
+/* NetHack 3.5	tiletext.c	$NHDT-Date: 1429484196 2015/04/19 22:56:36 $  $NHDT-Branch: master $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.6 $ */
 /* NetHack 3.5	tiletext.c	$Date: 2009/05/06 10:59:03 $  $Revision: 1.4 $ */
 /*	SCCS Id: @(#)tiletext.c	3.5	1999/10/24	*/
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ static void FDECL(write_txttile, (FILE *, pixel(*)[TILE_X]));
 
 /* Ugh.  DICE doesn't like %[A-Z], so we have to spell it out... */
 #define FORMAT_STRING \
-"%[ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789\.] = (%d, %d, %d) "
+"%[ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789.] = (%d, %d, %d) "
 
 static void
 read_text_colormap(txtfile)