Guidebook update: artifacts

Add "objects" subsections for Artifacts and for Relics (invocation
tools).  They aren't very detailed but fill a gap.

I did this a while back but couldn't preview the outcome (aside from
the plain text version).  I used to be able to execute the command
'open Guidebook.ps' to display it with the Preview program.  That
program is still there but Apple has dropped support for Postscript,
presumably to stop paying royalties to Adobe or whoever owns it.
I've used ghostview for this before but encountered unexplained
trouble this time.  It eventually worked; I don't know what changed.

I haven't attempted to update the LaTeX version of the Guidebook, in
order to avoid merge issues with the pending Pull Request in case
anyone decides to incorporate that.  (I won't; I still don't have
tools to test it.)
This commit is contained in:
PatR
2026-01-24 00:20:24 -08:00
parent b5dd0eb894
commit 595e4720cc

View File

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.\" A note on some special characters:
.\" \(lq = left double quote
@@ -2582,6 +2582,54 @@ Sometimes the bless or curse state of objects is referred to as their
or \(lq\f(CRBUCX\fP\(rq for Blessed, Uncursed, Cursed, or unknown.
(The term \fIbeatitude\fP is occasionally used as well.)
.hn 2
Artifacts
.pg
Some objects have been imbued with special powers and are known as
\fBArtifacts\fP.
They have specific types (such as long sword or orcish dagger) and distinct
names such as \fIGiantslayer\fP or \fIGrimtooth\fP.
Artifact weapons typically do more damage than their ordinary counterparts.
Some do extra damage against all monsters, others only against specific
types of monsters so aren't better than regular weapons against other types.
Some confer defensive capabilities when wielded or have other powers that
aren't listed here.
.pg
You might find them simply lying on the floor, including but not limited
to inside shops, or be granted as a reward for \(lq#offer\(rq on an altar
to your patron deity.
A few might be dropped by monsters, or might be converted from an ordinary
object of the same type via assigning the right name.
.\" should we mention dipping for Excalibur here?
Or you might wish for them, if you happen to be granted a wish, but such
wishes can fail.
.pg
Some artifacts have a specific alignment, others don't.
You won't obtain aligned ones that have a different alignment from yours
via offering and might get a shock if you attempt to wish for any of those
or find one and attempt to use it.
.pg
Each role has a distinct artifact that is contained in the \fIQuest\fP
dungeon branch.
These are commonly known as quest artifacts.
All are aligned and most are non-weapons.
They won't be found randomly.
.pg
The \(oq\f(CR\\\fP\(cq and \(oq\f(CR\`a\fP\(cq commands will list
artifacts that you have fully identified (knowing the name and item type
isn't sufficient).
.hn 2
Relics
.pg
There are three unique items that are named and have limited special
powers but aren't classified as artifacts.
Each is guarded by a particular monster and you'll need to collect all
three for use late in the game.
They are \fIthe Bell of Opening\fP,
\fIthe Candelabrum of Invocation\fP, and
\fIthe Book of the Dead\fP.
Their corresponding descriptions when not yet identified are
silver bell, candelabrum, and papyrus spellbook.
.hn 2
Weapons (\(oq)\(cq)
.pg
Given a chance, most monsters in the Mazes of Menace will gratuitously try to