svw (09/05/82)
Think about this: While playing Rogue a few days ago I was attacked by an ASK. That is a giant ant, a snake, and a kobold, all next to each other in a room. This brings to mind an interesting problem: Given that there is one monster for each letter of the alphabet, and that some are more dangerous than others, what words represent the worst combinations of monsters to be set upon by? Just as a reminder, here they are again, in groups of approximate overall dangerosity (totally subjective): B-bat G-gnome H-hobgoblin J-jackal K-kobold O-orc S-snake Z-zombie A-giant ant E-floating eye L-leprechaun N-nymph R-rust monster C-centaur F-violet fungus I-invisible stalker M-mimic Q-quasit W-wraith Y-yeti D-dragon P-purple worm T-troll U-umber hulk V-vampire X-xorn Which is worse, a HOT or a COLD? A HARD or a SOFT? An UP does a lot of damage, but a DOWN will steal your healing potion and a level or two. Obviously there is hazard in numbers, so assume that ANY word over five letters long is defined to be bad. In other words, don't clutter the net with tales of being chased by a THERMODYNAMICIST. And try to make them reasonably common words. I don't think my site recieves messages well, so please send your answers out over the net; in fairness to others, make them brief. (fewer than five lines, okay?) (PS: I know it would be bad form to break my own five-letter rule at the start, but in a few days I will post what I consider to be one of THE worst words. It has six letters, but is a legitimate word which is probably scarier than some with eight letters. Hint: It is something you wear. Any guesses?) --Shawn Vincent Wilson aka physics!mitccc!svw