harmon_c@h-sc1.UUCP (david harmon) (03/15/85)
Rumors file from hack. This is a somewhat abridged list of the rumors from which are drawn the sayings and hints found in fortune cookies. The appearance of any given rumor is comp- letely random. Some of these rumors are true, many are false or misleading. General notes: comments on individual rumors will be in [square brackets] comments: U=useless, M=misleading, F=False, T=True S=Sort of true In the original rumors file, there are many rumors about different colored potions, various wands, and so on. All statements about magic items that use their "found names" are worthless, since these are determined randomly for each game. Accordingly, and in the interest of space, they have all been deleted from this file, exepting those which have some special aspect to them that requires individual explanation. Similarly, 'hints' about the current or upcoming levels appear as randomly as any other rumors, and have no relation to what might really be there. So, those have also been deleted. Ignore those types of rumors when you find them in the game. The thing to remember is that all of these come up randomly. starred rumors are still unknown. ------------------------------------------------ "Quit" is a four letter word. [U] A fading corridor enlightens your insight. [M a wand of light zapped in a cor- ridor will always cause the corridor to light breifly, then fade.] A long worm hits with all of its length. [S A long worm can only hit with it's head, not with body segments. However, it gets one hit for each segment] A monstrous mind is a toy for ever. [U] A ring of adornment protects against Nymphs. [T] A rumour has it that rumours are just rumours. [S] A spear will hit an ettin. [F] A spear might hit a nurse. [F] A tin of smoked eel is a wonderful find. [M- no smoked eels in dungeon] A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn. [T] A two-handed sword usually misses.[F] *A unicorn can be tamed only by a fair maiden. A visit to the Zoo is very educational; you meet interesting animals.[U] A wand of vibration might bring the whole cave crashing about your ears. [M-- no such wand] Afraid of falling piercers? Wear a helmet! [T -- the blow glances off] All monsters are created evil, but some are more evil than others. [F-- a few monsters are actually helpful.] An elven cloak is always the height of fashion. [U] An elven cloak protects against magic. [M - protects against acid blobs, but not destroy armor] Any small object that is accidentally dropped will hide under a larger object. [F] Attack long worms from the rear - that is so much safer! [T] Be careful when eating salmon - your fingers might become greasy. [T] *Be careful when throwing a boomerang - you might hit the back of your head. Better go home and hit your kids. They are just little monsters![U] Better go home and play with your kids. They are just little monsters![U] Better leave the dungeon, otherwise you might get hurt badly.[M] Beware of dark rooms - they may be the Morgue. [M--no such room, but dark rooms are dangerous] Beware of falling rocks, wear a helmet! [T- helmets protect against falling rocks in the maze. But, that's the only place there are falling rocks] Beware of wands of instant disaster. [M--no such, but wands can be dangerous to test out] Beyond the 23-rd level lies a happy retirement in a room of your own. [F] Blank scrolls make more interesting reading. [F] Booksellers never read scrolls; it might carry them to far away. [S shopkeepers never sample thier goods] Booksellers never read scrolls; it might leave their shop unguarded. [S- see ^] Dead lizards protect against a cockatrice. [F, tragically so] Death is life's way of telling you you've been fired. [U] Descend in order to meet more decent monsters. [F!] Direct a direct hit on your direct opponent, directing in the right direction. [U] Don't bother about money: only Leprechauns and shopkeepers are interested. [F! gold is a large part of your score!] Don't forget! Large dogs are MUCH harder to kill than little dogs. [T] Don't tell a soul you found a secret door, otherwise it isn't secret anymore. [U] Don't throw gems. They are so precious! Besides, you might hit a roommate.[M -- Throwing gems at a unicorn is beneficial.] Drinking might affect your health.[U] Drop your vanity and get rid of your jewels! Pickpockets about! [S Nymphs can steal jewels like anything else.] Dungeon expects every monster to do his duty. [U] Dust is an armor of poor quality. [U--refers to the scroll of destroy armor] Eventually all wands of striking do strike. [F] Eventually you will come to admire the swift elegance of a retreating nymph. [F--you never learn to like them] Ever tried to catch a flying boomerang? [U] Every dog should be a domesticated one. [M--should be. Unfortunately, they aren't aways] Every hand has only one finger to put a ring on. You've got only two hands. So? [U] Everybody should have tasted a scorpion at least once in his life. [T gives poison resistance. Actually, k's are easier to find] Fiery letters might deter monsters. [T you can write Elbereth with a wand of fire as well as your bare hands] First Law of Hacking: leaving is much more difficult than entering.[U not really, anyway.] For any remedy there is a misery. [U] Fourth Law of Hacking: you will find the exit at the entrance. [U] Gems are the droppings of other inmates. [U] Gems do get a burden.[T-leave caches at staircases] Genocide on shopkeepers is punishable. [T by death. you, too are human] Giving head to a long worm is like a long lasting reception.[U] Good day for overcoming obstacles. Try a steeplechase.[U] Gossip is the opiate of the depressed.[U] Hackers do it with bugs.[U] Half Moon tonight. (At least it's better than no Moon at all.)[U] Hitting is the lingua franca in these regions.[U] Hungry dogs are unreliable.[T he can even go berserk with hunger and attack you] I doubt whether nurses are virgins.[U] I once knew a hacker who ate too fast and choked to death.....[T not too fast, but too much is dangerous.] If a shopkeeper kicks you out of his shop, he'll kick you out of the dungeon. [T shopkeepers are mean mother-*******s] If you are too cute some monsters might be tempted to embrace you.[U] If you can't learn to do it well, learn to enjoy doing it badly.[T] If you need a wand of digging, kindly ask the minotaur. [T don't ask, kill!] If you see nurses you better start looking somewhere for a doctor.[S see mons- ter description] If you turn blind: don't expect your dog to be turned into a seeing-eye dog. [T] If you want to hit, use a dagger. [F no more chance than other weapons] If you want to rob a shop, train your dog. [S it can be done but there are easier ways] *If you're afraid of trapdoors, just cover the floor with all you've got. Improve your environment, using a wand of rearrangement. [M--no such] In a hurry? Try a ride on a fast moving quasit! [F] In need of a rest? Quaff a potion of sickness! [F!] Inside a shop you better take a look at the price tags before buying anything. [M you can't] It is bad manners to use a wand in a shop. [S can anger the shopkepper, if you zap him!] It is not always a good idea to whistle for your dog. [T- it wakes up monsters] It might be a good idea to offer the unicorn a ruby. [T] It seems you keep overlooking a sign reading "No trespassing"! [U] It's all a matter of life and death, so beware of the undead. [U] It's not safe to Save.[not on our system it's not!] Just below any trapdoor there may be another one. Just keep falling![T] Keep your armours away from rust.[T rust monsters, that is!] Keep your weaponry away from acids. [T acid blobs] Kill a unicorn and you kill your luck. [T - it's as bad as killing a shopkeeper] Latest news? Put newsgroup 'netUNX.indoor.hackers-scroll' in your .newsrc! Somebody want to try it? *Leprechauns hide their gold in a secret room. Liquor sellers do not drink; they hate to see you twice. [U] *M.M.Vault cashiers teleport any amount of gold to the next local branch. Many monsters make a murdering mob. [U] Money is the root of all evil.[U] Money to invest? Take it to the local branch of the Magic Memory Vault![M] Monsters come from nowhere to hit you everywhere.[T sometimes] Monsters sleep because you are boring, not because they ever get tired.[U] Most monsters prefer minced meat. That's why they are hitting you![U] Most rumors are just as misleading as this one.[U] Much ado Nothing Happens.[U] Murder complaint? Mail to 'netnix!devil!gamble!freak!trap!lastwill!rip'. [Try it!] Never ask a shopkeeper for a price list.[T--you won't get it.] Never attack a guard.[T--every bit as bad as shopkeepers] Never fight a monster: you might get killed.[U] Never kick a sleeping dog.[T--dogs are nasty too] Never map the labyrinth.[F--scroll of magic mapping is very useful] Never mind the monsters hitting you: they just replace the charwomen.[U] Never ride a long worm.[M--you can't] Never trust a random generator in magic fields.[U] Never use your best weapon to engrave a curse.[T] Never vomit on a door mat.[U] No weapon is better than a crysknife.[F--see net.files/weapons] Not all rumors are as misleading as this one.[U] Not even a spear will hit a Xorn.[F--usual chances] One has to leave shops before closing time.[F nosuch thing] One level further down somebody is getting killed, right now.[F] One wand of concentration equals eight scrolls of create monster. [M-the wand of create monster occasionally (and randomly) has octuple effect.] *Only a wizard can use a magic whistle. Only david can find the zoo! [F, in most versions. zoos are rare.] Only real trappers escape traps.[U,M] Only wizards are able to zap a wand. [F] Opening a tin is difficult, especially when you are not so strong![T] Opening a tin is difficult, especially when you attempt this bare handed![T] Operation coded OVERKILL has started now.[M--scare tactic] PLEASE ignore previous rumour.[U] Plain nymphs are harmless.[T] Playing billiards pays when you are in a shop.[T--almost the only way to kill a shopkeeper is with by starting with a wan on a ricochet.] Pursue the monsters and you will be had indeed.[U] Put on a ring of teleportation: it will take you away from onslaught.[T] Reading Tolkien might help you.[T--a little] Reading Herbert will disgust you, but in one case it might be enlightening. [Second part is true, first part is a matter of opinion] Reading might change your vision. [F] Reading might improve your scope. [T-detect scrolls] Relying on a dog might turn you in a dog addict.[Unlikely] *Savings do include amnesia. Scorpions often hide under tripe rations.[T or anything else around] Screw up your courage! You've screwed up everything else.[F] Second Law of Hacking: first in, first out.[U] Shopkeepers accept creditcards, as long as you pay cash.[T] Snakes are often found under worthless objects. [T or any other object] Some monsters can be tamed. I once saw a hacker with a tame Dragon! [M not without a wand of polymorph or scroll of taming!] *Speed Kills (The Doors) Spinach, carrot, and a melon - a meal fit for a nurse! [S - spinach increases your strength and carrots cure blindness. Melons????] Stay clear of the level of no return. [M--no such. Some levels might be hard to return to, tho] Suddenly the dungeon will collapse ...[F] Take a long worm from the rear, according to its mate it's a lot more fun. [T and a lt safer] Teleportation lessens your orientation.[T, but worth it.] The Jackal only eats bad food. [F] *The Leprechaun Gold Tru$t is no division of the Magic Memory Vault. *The Leprechauns hide their treasure in a small hidden room. The air is positively magic in here. Better wear a negative armor.[F] The best equipment for your work is, of course, the most expensive.[T] The emptiness of a ghost is too heavy to bear.[U] The longer the wand the better. [F] The secret of wands of Nothing Happens: try again! [F: a wand for which Nothing Happens is out of charges] The use of dynamite is dangerous. [U] *There are monsters of softening penetration. There are monsters of striking charity.[T nurses] There have been people like you in here; their ghosts seek revenge on you.[T] There is a big treasure hidden in the zoo![T--lotsa gold in a zoo] There is a message concealed in each fortune cookie. [T] There is no business like throw business.[U] There is no harm in praising a large dog.[T or feeding it] There seem to be monsters of touching benevolence. [Y--nurses] They say that a dagger hits. [M--usual chances] They say that a dog avoids traps. [F] They say that a dog can be trained to fetch objects. [T - throw (more) food at him] They say that a dog never steps on a cursed object. [S - he will, but rarely] They say that a spear will hit a Dragon. [M--usual chances] They say that a spear will hit a Xorn. [M--usual chances] They say that a spear will hit a neo-otyugh. (Do YOU know what that is?) [Yes, but it's not in this game! (Thank God!)] They say that a spear will hit an ettin. [M--usual chances] They say that a two-handed sword misses. [M--usual chances] They say that a unicorn might bring you luck. [T--throw gems at it] They say that an elven cloak may be worn over your armor. [T] They say that an elven cloak protects against magic. [S - protects against acid blobs, but not destroy armor] They say that dead lizards protect against a cockatrice. [F--tragically so] They say that killing a shopkeeper brings bad luck. [T] They say that monsters never step on a scare monster scroll.[But see how to use it] They say that only david can find the zoo! [F - but zoos ar rare] They say that the use of dynamite is dangerous. [U] They say that there is a big treasure hidden in the zoo![T] They say that there is a message concealed in each fortune cookie.[T] They say that throwing food at a wild dog might tame him.[T--it does] They say that you cannot trust scrolls of rumour.[T] *They say that you need a key in order to open locked doors. Third Law of Hacking: the last blow counts most.[U] This is the Leprechaun Law: every purse has a price.[U] Throwing food at a wild dog might tame him.[T] Tin openers are rare indeed.[T--very rare; there aren't any] To hit or not to hit, that is the question.[U] Travel fast, use some magic speed![T ala potion] Tripe on its own is revolting, but with onions it's delicious! [M--no onions] Try hacking in the wee hours: you will have more room.[T on our system] Vampires hate garlic.[T] Visitors are requested not to apply genocide to shopkeepers.[T!] WARNING from H.M. Govt: Quaffing may be dangerous to your health.[S] Watch your steps on staircases.[T--if heavily loaded, you will fall down] Wear armor, going naked seems to offend public decency in here.[T] What do you think would be the use of a sword called "Orcrist" ?[To smash orcs] When a piercer drops in on you, you will be tempted to hit the ceiling![T] When in a shop, do as shopkeepers do.[U,M] When punished, watch your steps on the stairs![T] Why would anybody in his sane mind engrave "Elbereth" ?[To keep the peace] You are heading for head-stone for sure.[F--scare tactics] You are just the kind of bad food some monsters like to digest.[T] You can always wear an elven cloak.[F not over another elven cloak] You can't leave a shop through the back door: there ain't one![T unless you make one!] You cannot trust scrolls of rumour.[T] You feel greedy and want more gold? Why don't you try digging?[S it's a lousy way to find a Magic memory vault] You feel like someone is pulling your leg.[Ha Ha Ha] You may have a kick from kicking a little dog.[U] You might cut yourself on a long sword.[F] *You need a key in order to open locked doors. You want to regain strength? Two levels ahead is a guesthouse![F] *You offend Shai-Hulud by sheathing your crysknife without having drawn blood. You'll need a spear if you want to attack a Dragon.[F--usual chances with any weapon] You've got to know how to put out a yellow light.[F easier to put up with them] Zapping a wand of Nothing Happens doesn't harm you a bit. [T] ------------------------------------------------