I hate this game. (As he starts a new session...)

[gridlore]

More specifically, I hate Nethack's Random Number Generator. Earlier today, I started an orc barbarian named Smash. I was going to try for a speed ascension, just barrel my way through as fast as possible.

Early on, I began finding bones piles; a lot of them. Soon, I was Burdened (with an 18/24 strength!) and desperate for an altar. I finally found one on level 14, converted it, dropped 16 waters on it, and prayed.

Set was angry with me.

Say what? I hadn't killed my own pet, had prayed in the previous 500 turns, or attacked an innocent! What gives? Bowing to the inevitable, I start sacrificing anything I can find.

*ZOT* "You have a feeling of inadequacy."

*ZOT* "You have a feeling of inadequacy."

*ZOT* "You have a feeling of inadequacy."

*ZOT* "You have a feeling of inadequacy."

and so on for several hundred turns and almost 100 sacrifices. Out of food, I went back up, cleared the mines, came back down, explored as far as Medusa's Lair (no shops and no other altars) before feeling that by now I must be in the clear. Just to be sure, I sacrificed a newt.

*ZOT* "You have a feeling of inadequacy."

In the end, my "speed run" ended up with me spending close to 10,000 turns trying to mollify my god. Never did happen.

I hate this game.