From 6de59927a2c8e979d6b08cfe4245a9583620f569 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Alex Smith <ais523@nethack4.org>
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:12:35 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Vlad's throne rebalance

This removes the container-cursing effect (which is too specific
and too easy to work around) and replaces it with an effect that
greases everything (largely but not entirely positive).
---
 src/apply.c |  2 ++
 src/sit.c   | 31 +++++++++++++++----------------
 2 files changed, 17 insertions(+), 16 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index e8f1a339b..c33b5d929 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -2583,6 +2583,8 @@ grease_ok(struct obj *obj)
     if (!obj)
         return GETOBJ_SUGGEST;
 
+    /* note: if changing the list of ungreasable objects, also change
+       special_throne_effect in sit.c */
     if (obj->oclass == COIN_CLASS)
         return GETOBJ_EXCLUDE;
 
diff --git a/src/sit.c b/src/sit.c
index 62fc1f017..6ae51fdec 100644
--- a/src/sit.c
+++ b/src/sit.c
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 #include "artifact.h"
 
 staticfn void throne_sit_effect(void);
-staticfn void rndcurse_inner(boolean);
 staticfn int lay_an_egg(void);
 
 /* take away the hero's money */
@@ -265,9 +264,20 @@ special_throne_effect(int effect) {
         }
         break;
     case 6:
-        /* containers become cursed */
-        rndcurse_inner(TRUE);
+    {
+        /* grease hands and inventory
+
+           Same rules for which items can be affected as grease_ok in apply.c */
+        struct obj *otmp;
+
+        pline("A greasy liquid sprays all over you!");
+        for (otmp = gi.invent; otmp; otmp = otmp->nobj)
+            if (otmp->oclass != COIN_CLASS)
+                otmp->greased = 1;
+        make_glib(rn1(101, 100));
+        update_inventory();
         break;
+    }
     case 7:
         /* lose an intrinsic */
         attrcurse();
@@ -313,7 +323,8 @@ special_throne_effect(int effect) {
         break;
     }
     case 11:
-        /* polymorph effect (not blocked by magic resistance) */
+        /* polymorph effect (not blocked by magic resistance, but other things
+           that protect from polymorphs work) */
         pline("This throne was not meant for those such as you!");
         You_feel("a change coming over you.");
         polyself(POLY_NOFLAGS);
@@ -552,12 +563,6 @@ dosit(void)
 /* curse a few inventory items at random! */
 void
 rndcurse(void)
-{
-    rndcurse_inner(FALSE);
-}
-
-staticfn void
-rndcurse_inner(boolean prefer_containers)
 {
     int nobj = 0;
     int cnt, onum;
@@ -579,13 +584,9 @@ rndcurse_inner(boolean prefer_containers)
         /* gold isn't subject to being cursed or blessed */
         if (otmp->oclass == COIN_CLASS)
             continue;
-        if (prefer_containers && !otmp->cobj)
-            continue;
         nobj++;
     }
     cnt = rnd(6 / ((!!Antimagic) + (!!Half_spell_damage) + 1));
-    if (prefer_containers)
-        cnt = nobj * 2;
     if (nobj) {
         for (; cnt > 0; cnt--) {
             onum = rnd(nobj);
@@ -593,8 +594,6 @@ rndcurse_inner(boolean prefer_containers)
                 /* as above */
                 if (otmp->oclass == COIN_CLASS)
                     continue;
-                if (prefer_containers && !otmp->cobj)
-                    continue;
                 if (--onum == 0)
                     break; /* found the target */
             }