Scrolls and their effects in NetHack 3.4

scrl-340.html Last edited 2002-12-05 for NetHack 3.4.0
Compiled for 3.2.2 by Kevin Hugo.
Updated for 3.4.0 by Dylan O'Donnell <psmith@spod-central.org>.
Converted to HTML by Kate Nepveu <knepveu@steelypips.org>.

Contents

SCROLL COST WGT PROB MRKR APPEARANCE
mail $0 5 0 2 stamped
identify 20 5 180 14  
light 50 5 90 8  
blank paper 60 5 28 0 unlabeled
enchant weapon 60 5 80 16  
enchant armor 80 5 63 16  
remove curse 80 5 65 16  
confuse monster 100 5 53 12  
destroy armor 100 5 45 10  
fire 100 5 30 8  
food detection 100 5 25 8  
gold detection 100 5 33 8  
magic mapping 100 5 45 8  
scare monster 100 5 35 20  
teleportation 100 5 55 20  
amnesia 200 5 35 8  
create monster 200 5 45 10  
earth 200 5 18 8  
taming 200 5 15 20  
charging 300 5 15 16  
genocide 300 5 15 30  
punishment 300 5 15 10  
stinking cloud 300 5 15 20  

Scrolls are listed above by increasing price, then alphabetically. The COST field denotes the base price of each item. WGT specifies the weight (100 zorkmids weighs 1).

Scrolls comprise 16% of all randomly-generated items in the main dungeon, 18% in containers, 22% on the Rogue level, and 1% in hell. PROB is the relative probability of each subtype. Scrolls appear 1/8 cursed, 3/4 uncursed, and 1/8 blessed.

Scrolls of mail exist only if this ability was compiled into your copy of the game, and if you have the "mail" option enabled. When new email arrives (or every 1999+d(3000) turns if playing on an Amiga or DOS platform), the "mail daemon" will deliver a scroll of mail. All of these scrolls are considered uncursed, and they cannot be changed into another object in any way.

MRKR specifies the value used to determine the number of magic marker charges needed to write a scroll of that type, or zero if it cannot be written. The actual number of charges used will be a random amount from MRKR/2 to MRKR-1; if your marker has fewer than MRKR/2 charges, you will be unable to attempt to write the scroll.

Wizards have a base 1/3 chance of writing an unknown scroll, and all other classes have a base 1/15 chance; your chance generally improves with higher luck, to a maximum of about 98% for Wizards and 32% for other classes. You can only write scrolls on blank paper, which can be made by getting any scroll wet (except mail) or cancelling any scroll (except mail). Failure to write the scroll will cause the blank scroll to be used up. You can select non-blank scrolls to write on, but this will abuse your wisdom and you will be told, "That scroll is not blank!"

Some types of scrolls have the same APPEARANCE when unidentified. The appearance of the remaining scrolls are are randomized from the following descriptions:

ZELGO MER JUYED AWK YACC NR 9 XIXAXA XOXAXA XUXAXA
PRATYAVAYAH DAIYEN FOOELS LEP GEX VEN ZEA PRIRUTSENIE
ELBIB YLOH VERR YED HORRE VENZAR BORGAVVE THARR
YUM YUM KERNOD WEL ELAM EBOW DUAM XNAHT
ANDOVA BEGARIN KIRJE VE FORBRYDERNE HACKEM MUCHE
VELOX NEB FOOBIE BLETCH TEMOV GARVEN DEH
READ ME

Scroll messages and effects

(Adapted from the spoiler "scrolls", by Ian Burrell.)

In order to read a scroll, you must either be unblind or know the APPEARANCE of the scroll. When a scroll is read, it will be used up and disappear (except blank paper). The effects depend on the blessing of the scroll. Non-cursed means either blessed or uncursed. If you are confused while reading the scroll, "you mispronounce the magic words" and may obtain a different effect. Some scrolls have a different message for "beginners"; a character is considered a beginner until accumulating 2000 score points (1000 for Wizards).

amnesia

All Sokoban maps are immune from the effects of amnesia.

cursed or you are NOT confused
You forget all of the current level.

non-cursed and confused
You forget 6/7 of the current level.

In addition, if uncursed or cursed
You forget any number of spells.

In every case,
You have a 1/3 chance of forgetting up to 25% of all known level maps and a separate 1/3 chance of forgetting up to 25% of object identities.
You forget all traps on your current level, forget whether you are punished, and abuse your wisdom.

"Your mind releases itself from mundane concerns." (hallucinating)
"As your mind turns inward on itself, you forget everything else." (your character's name is Maud);
"Who was that Maud person anyway?" (otherwise, 50%)
"Thinking of Maud you forget everything else." (otherwise, 50%)

The scroll is (re-)identified.

blank paper

You identify the scroll; it will not be used up.

"This scroll seems to be blank." (unblind)
"You don't remember there being any magic words on this scroll." (blind)

charging

blessed
You identify the scroll and select an item.

"This is a charging scroll."

If the item can't be charged,

"You have a feeling of loss."

Otherwise, the item is charged by a larger amount.

"Your <ring> spins clockwise for a moment."
"Your <item> glows blue for a moment." (unblind)
"Your <item> vibrates for a moment." (blind)

uncursed
You identify the scroll and select an item.

"This is a charging scroll."

If the item can't be charged,

"You have a feeling of loss."

Otherwise, the item is charged by a smaller amount.

"Your <ring> spins clockwise for a moment."
"Your <tool> glows white for a moment." (unblind)
"Your <wand of wishing> glows blue for a moment." (unblind)
"Your <item> glows briefly." (unblind)
"Your <item> vibrates briefly." (blind)

cursed
You identify the scroll and select an item.

"This is a charging scroll."

If the item is blessed or has no charges,

"Nothing happens."

If it is a ring, it loses 1 to 2 enchantments.

"Your <ring> spins counterclockwise for a moment."

Otherwise, it gets zero charges.

"Your <item> vibrates briefly."

confused
If your energy is at maximum, you gain 5d4 maximum energy.
Your energy is increased to maximum.

"You feel charged up!"

Previously-recharged wands have a chance of exploding if made a target of an unconfused scroll; wands of wishing will always explode, others have a chance depending on the number of times (x) recharged: (x^3)/(7^3).

PREV RCHG %EXPLODE %CUMULATIVE
0 0.00 0.00
1 0.29 0.29
2 2.33 2.62
3 7.87 10.28
4 18.66 27.02
5 36.44 53.62
6 62.97 82.83
7 100.00 100.00

confuse monster

blessed
You will confuse the next 2 to 9 (more) monsters you hit. (Once this number reaches 40, each blessed scroll will only allow confusion of one additional monster.)

"Your <hands> glow a brilliant red." (unblind)
"Your <hands> glow an even more brilliant red." (unblind, more)
"Your <hands> tingle very sharply." (blind)
"Your <hands> tingle even more sharply." (blind, more)

uncursed
You will confuse the next (one more) monster you hit.

"Your <hands> begin to glow red." (unblind)
"Your <hands> begin to glow red even more." (unblind, more)
"Your <hands> begin to tingle." (blind)
"Your <hands> begin to tingle even more." (blind, more)

cursed or polymorphed into non-@
You are confused for 1 to 100 (more) turns.

"You feel confused."

blessed and confused
You are no longer confused.

"A faint glow surrounds your <head>." (unblind)
"A faint buzz surrounds your <head>." (blind)

uncursed and confused
You are confused for 1 to 100 (more) turns.

"Your <hands> begin to glow purple." (unblind)
"Your <hands> begin to tingle." (blind)

create monster

blessed
Creates one monster beside you.

uncursed
Creates one (72/73 chance) or 2 to 5 (1/73 chance) monsters around you.

cursed
Creates 13 (72/73 chance) or 14 to 17 (1/73 chance) monsters around you.

confused
Creates 13 (72/73 chance) or 14 to 17 (1/73 chance) acid blobs around you.

No messages. The scroll is identified if the new monsters are seen.

destroy armor

not wearing armor
Abuses your strength and constitution.

"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your bones itch." (confused)
"Your skin itches." (not confused)

blessed or uncursed
Destroys one random worn piece of armor.

"Your cloak crumbles and turns to dust!"
"Your armor turns to dust and falls to the <floor>!"
"Your shirt crumbles into tiny threads and falls apart!"
"Your helmet turns to dust and is blown away!"
"Your gloves vanish!"
"Your boots disintegrate!"
"Your shield crumbles away!"

cursed
Selects one random worn piece of armor. If the armor is not cursed, then same effect as an uncursed scroll. Otherwise, you are stunned for 10 to 19 (more) turns and your armor loses one enchantment if it is -6 or greater.

"Your <armor> vibrates."

non-cursed and confused
Removes (rust|fire)proofing from one random worn piece of armor.

"Your <armor> glows purple for a moment." (unblind)
"Your <armor> vibrates for a moment." (blind)

cursed and confused
Makes one random worn armor (rust|fire)proof.

"Your <armor> glows purple for a moment." (unblind)
"Your <armor> vibrates for a moment." (blind)

Does NOT repair damage.

earth

blessed
Creates a boulder on each open square around you.

"The ceiling rumbles around you!"

uncursed
Creates a boulder on the same square as you and on each open square around you.

"The ceiling rumbles above you!"

cursed
Creates a boulder on the same square as you.

"The ceiling rumbles above you!"

blessed and confused
Creates 2-6 rocks on each open square around you.

"The ceiling rumbles around you!"

uncursed and confused
Creates 2-6 rocks on the same square as you and each open square around you.

"The ceiling rumbles above you!"

cursed and confused
Creates 2-6 rocks on the same square as you.

"The ceiling rumbles above you!"

No effect on the Rogue level or in the endgame outside the Plane of Earth. In Sokoban, there is a -1 penalty to Luck. Boulders do d20 damage, rocks d3 each; damage is capped at 2 if the monster/player underneath is wearing a metal helmet. Only solid, non-amorphous, non-phasing creatures are damaged.

enchant armor

not wearing armor
Exercises (abuses if cursed) strength and constitution.

"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your skin glows then fades." (unblind)
"Your skin feels warm for a moment." (blind)

blessed
One random worn armor is selected.
If enchantment already above +3 (+5 for elven armor or a wizard's cornuthaum), there is a 1 in (current enchantment) chance that it WON'T be vaporized. If it is vaporized:

"Your <armor> violently glows silver for a while, then evaporates." (no "silver" if shield of reflection or silver dragon scales or scale mail)

Dragon scales become dragon scale mail, gain one enchantment, and are blessed.

"Your <scales> merges and hardens!"

Other armor can gain several enchantments:

Current enchantment -3 to -1 +0 to +2 +3 to +5 +6 to +8 +9 or more
Additional possible 1 to 4 1 to 3 1 to 2 1 0 to 1

"Your <armor> glows silver for a moment." (+1)
"Your <armor> glows silver for a while." (more than +1)
"Your <armor> violently glows silver for a moment." (+0) (no "silver" if shield of reflection or silver dragon scales or scale mail)

The armor is blessed.

If your armor is enchanted beyond the safe limit, it may vibrate:

"Your <armor> suddenly vibrates unexpectedly." (unblind)
"Your <armor> suddenly vibrates again." (blind)

NOTE: If you were blind, then "glows silver" is replaced by "vibrates".

uncursed
One random worn armor is selected.

If enchantment already above +3 (+5 for elven armor or a wizard's cornuthaum), there is a 1 in (current enchantment) that it WON'T be vaporized. If it is vaporized:

"Your <armor> violently glows silver for a while, then evaporates." (no "silver" if shield of reflection or silver dragon scales or scale mail)

Dragon scales become dragon scale mail.

"Your <scales> merges and hardens!"

Other armor gains +1 enchantment (only a chance if already +9 or more).

"Your <armor> glows silver for a moment." (+1)
"Your <armor> violently glows silver for a moment." (+0) (no "silver" if shield of reflection or silver dragon scales or scale mail)

If cursed, the armour is uncursed.

If your armor is enchanted beyond the safe limit, it may vibrate:

"Your <armor> suddenly vibrates unexpectedly." (unblind)
"Your <armor> suddenly vibrates again." (blind)

NOTE: If you were blind, then "glows silver" is replaced by "vibrates".

cursed
One random worn armor is selected.
If enchantment already below -3 (-5 for elven armor or a wizard's cornuthaum), there is a 1 in (current absolute enchantment) that it WON'T be vaporized. If it is vaporized:

"Your <armor> violently glows black for a while, then evaporates." (no "black" if black dragon scales or scale mail)

Otherwise armor loses one enchantment and is cursed.

"Your <armor> glows black for a moment." (unblind) (no "black" if black dragon scales or scale mail)
"Your <armor> vibrates for a moment." (blind)

non-cursed and confused
Makes one random worn armor (rust|fire)proof.

"Your <armor> is covered by a shimmering golden shield/layer!" (unblind)
"Your <armor> feels warm for a moment." (blind)

If that armor had damage, it is repaired.

"Your <armor> looks as good as new!" (unblind)
"Your <armor> feels as good as new!" (blind)

cursed and confused
Removes (rust|fire)proofing from one random worn piece of armor.

"Your <armor> is covered by a mottled black glow!" (unblind)
"Your <armor> feels warm for a moment." (blind)

If the armor's enchantment was affected, then you identify the scroll as well.

enchant weapon

not wielding a weapon
Exercises (abuses if cursed) dexterity.

"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your <hands> twitch." (non-cursed)
"Your <hands> itch." (cursed)

blessed
If your weapon was cursed, it is made uncursed.
If your weapon is a worm tooth, it becomes an unfixed crysknife.

"Your weapon seems sharper now."

Otherwise, weapons currently enchanted above +5 have a 2/3 chance of being destroyed.

"Your <weapon> violently glows blue for a while and then evaporates." (unblind)
"Your <weapon> evaporates." (blind)

Other weapons can gain several enchantments:

Current enchantment -3 to -1 +0 to +2 +3 to +5 +6 to +8 +9 or more
Additional possible 1 to 4 1 to 3 1 to 2 1 0 to 1

"Your <weapon> glows blue for a moment." (+1 unblind)
"Your <weapon> glows blue for a while." (more than +1 unblind)
"Your <weapon> violently glows blue for a while." (+0 unblind)

Magicbane warns you if it is enchanted to +0 or above.

"Your right <hand> flinches!" (2 or more added and now at +2 or more)
"Your right <hand> itches!" (otherwise)

Elven weapons, artifacts, and sometimes other weapons vibrate when they are enchanted above +5.

"Your <weapon> suddenly vibrates unexpectedly."

uncursed
If your weapon was cursed, it is made uncursed.
If your weapon is a worm tooth, it becomes an unfixed crysknife.

"Your weapon seems sharper now."

Otherwise, weapons currently enchanted above +5 have a 2/3 chance of being destroyed.

"Your <weapon> violently glows blue for a while and then evaporates." (unblind)
"Your <weapon> evaporates." (blind)

Other weapons gain +1 enchantment (only a chance if already +9 or more).

"Your <weapon> glows blue for a moment." (+1 unblind)
"Your <weapon> violently glows blue for a while." (+0 unblind)

Magicbane warns you if it is enchanted to +0 or above.

"Your right <hand> itches!"

Elven weapons, artifacts, and sometimes other weapons vibrate when they are enchanted above +5.

"Your <weapon> suddenly vibrates unexpectedly."

cursed
If your weapon is a crysknife, it becomes a worm tooth.

"Your weapon seems duller now."

Artifacts (except Sting and Orcrist) will resist.

"Your <weapon> faintly glows black." (unblind)

Otherwise, weapons currently enchanted below -5 have a 2/3 chance of being destroyed.

"Your <weapon> violently glows blue for a while and then evaporates." (unblind)
"Your <weapon> evaporates." (blind)

Other weapons lose one enchantment.

"Your <weapon> glows black for a moment." (unblind)

Elven weapons, artifacts, and sometimes other weapons vibrate if they are still enchanted above +5.

"Your <weapon> suddenly vibrates unexpectedly."

non-cursed and confused
(Rust|Fire)proofs your weapon. If it is a crysknife, it becomes fixed.

"Your <weapon> is covered by a shimmering golden shield!" (unblind)
"Your weapon feels warm for a moment." (blind)

If it had damage, it is repaired.

"Your <weapon> looks as good as new!" (unblind)
"Your <weapon> feels as good as new!" (blind)

cursed and confused
Removes (rust|fire)proofing from your weapon.

"Your <weapon> is covered by a mottled purple glow!" (unblind)
"Your weapon feels warm for a moment." (blind)

NOTE: The grammar of the above messages is changed if more than one item is wielded.

fire

blessed
An explosion of fire occurs, causing 3 to 5 hit points of damage to you and surrounding monsters if not fire resistant. Armor, scrolls, and spellbooks may burn; potions may explode; slime is burnt away.

"The water around you vaporizes violently!" (under water)
"The scroll erupts in a tower of flame!" (otherwise)

uncursed
An explosion of fire occurs, causing 2 to 3 hit points of damage to you and surrounding monsters if not fire resistant. Armor, scrolls, and spellbooks may burn; potions may explode; slime is burnt away.

"The water around you vaporizes violently!" (under water)
"The scroll erupts in a tower of flame!" (otherwise)

cursed
An explosion of fire occurs. causing 1 to 2 hit points of damage to you and surrounding monsters if not fire resistant. Armor, scrolls, and spellbooks may burn; potions may explode; slime is burnt away.

"The water around you vaporizes violently!" (under water)
"The scroll erupts in a tower of flame!" (otherwise)

confused
If fire-resistant,

"Oh, look, what a pretty fire in your <hands>." (unblind)
"You feel a pleasant warmth in your <hands>." (blind)

Otherwise, you lose 1 hit point.

"The scroll catches fire and you burn your <hands>."

You always identify the scroll.

food detection

blessed
You acquire the food appraisal intrinsic, which will warn you when you next (only) eat food that could be dangerous or would break a currently-unbroken conduct.

If no food on that level,

"You sense a lack of food nearby." (saw some before, already have food appraisal.)
"You sense a lack of food nearby. Your <nose> starts to tingle." (saw some before, no food appraisal.)
"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your <nose> twitches then starts to tingle." (non-beginner, no current food appraisal)
"Your <nose> twitches." (non-beginner with food appraisal already)

Otherwise, you detect comestibles on that level.

"You smell food nearby. Your <nose> starts to tingle." (just on your square, no current food appraisal)
"You smell food nearby." (just on your square, already have food appraisal)
"Your <nose> starts to tingle and you smell food." (elsewhere, no current food appraisal)
"Your <nose> continues to tingle and you smell food." (elsewhere, already have food appraisal)

uncursed
If no food on that level,

"You sense a lack of food nearby." (saw some before)
"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your nose twitches." (otherwise)

Otherwise, you detect comestibles on that level.

"You smell food nearby." (if just on your square)
"Your nose tingles and you smell food." (if elsewhere)

cursed
If no potions on that level,

"You sense a lack of food nearby." (saw some before)
"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your nose twitches." (otherwise)

Otherwise, you detect potions on that level.

"You smell food nearby." (if just on your square)
"Your nose tingles and you smell food." (if elsewhere)

confused
If no potions on that level,

"You sense a lack of something nearby." (saw some before)
"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your nose twitches." (otherwise)

Otherwise, you detect potions on that level.

"You smell something nearby." (if just on your square)
"Your nose tingles and you smell something." (if elsewhere)

genocide

Always identified when read.

"You have found a scroll of genocide!"

blessed (even if confused)
You can genocide an entire class of monsters (all species with the same symbol); or you can choose 'none'.

"What class of monsters do you wish to genocide?"
"Wiped out all <monster>."

NOTE: Not all species can be genocided.

uncursed
You can genocide one species; or you can choose 'none'.

"What monster do you want to genocide? [type the name]"
"Wiped out all <monster>."
If hallucinating, "Wiped out all <your role>" but you are unharmed.

NOTE: Not all species can be genocided.

cursed
You are surrounded by 4 to 6 monsters of one species, if they are not already genocided or extinct (more than 9 Nazgul, 3 erinyes, or 120 other already created). If you choose 'none', a monster species will be selected at random. The monsters will carry nothing.

"What monster do you want to genocide? [type the name]"
"Sent in some <monster>."

confused and uncursed
You genocide your own role.

"Wiped out all <role>."
"You feel dead inside." (while polymorphed)

confused and cursed
You are surrounded by 4 to 6 monsters of your own role. The monsters will carry nothing.

"Sent in some <role>."

gold detection

blessed or uncursed
If no gold, gold objects (if scroll blessed), or gold golems on that level outside your inventory, no effect.

"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"You feel like a million zorkmids!" (polymorphed into gold golem)
"You feel worried about your future financial situation." (carrying gold coins)
"You feel materially poor." (not carrying gold coins)

Otherwise, you detect gold (and, if scroll blessed, gold objects), even buried or in containers, and gold golems on that level.

"You notice some gold between your <feet>." (if just on your square)
"You feel very greedy, and sense gold!" (if elsewhere)

cursed or confused
If no traps on that level, no effect.

"You have a strange feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner not hallucinating)
"You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes." (beginner hallucinating)
"Your <toes> stop itching." (otherwise)

Otherwise, you detect traps (spaces with the ^ symbol) on that level.
If the scroll is cursed, the traps are shown as gold ($ symbol); if you are hallucinating, they will appear as random objects; otherwise, they appear as known traps. The vibrating square is NOT shown.

"Your <toes> itch." (if just on your square)
"You feel very greedy" (cursed)
"You feel entrapped." (otherwise)

identify

Always identified when read.

blessed
You can identify items from your inventory:

# items: 1 2 3 4 all
chance: 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5

If your luck is positive, then 1 item becomes 2 items.

"This is an identify scroll."

uncursed
You can identify items from your inventory:

# items: 1 2 3 4 all
chance: 21/25 1/25 1/25 1/25 1/25

"This is an identify scroll."

cursed
You can identify one item from your inventory.

"This is an identify scroll."

confused
You merely identify the scroll.

"You identify this as an identify scroll."

light

Swallowed, engulfed, or underwater
No area is actually lit or darkened.

"It seems even darker in here than before." (cursed or confused)
"<monster>'s <stomach> is lit. " (animal)
"<monster> shines briefly." (whirly monster)
"<monster> glistens." (other swallowed)

blessed
An area of radius 9 is lit.

"A lit field surrounds you!"

uncursed
An area of radius 5 is lit.

"A lit field surrounds you!"

cursed or confused
An area of radius 5 (9 if blessed) is darkened.
Light sources in your inventory (other than Sunsword) are snuffed out.

"Suddenly, the only light left comes from Sunsword!" (if wielding it)
"You are surrounded by darkness!" (otherwise)

If unblind, you identify the scroll.

If on the Rogue level, rooms are lit/darkened instead of areas.

magic mapping

non-mappable level
You become confused for 1 to 30 (more) turns.

"Your mind is filled with crazy lines!"
"Wow! Modern art." (hallucinating)
"Your <head> spins in bewilderment." (not hallucinating)

blessed or uncursed
You identify the scroll and map the entire level.

"A map coalesces in your mind!"

Blessed scrolls also reveal secret doors.

cursed or confused
You identify the scroll and map 1/7 of the squares of the level.

"A map coalesces in your mind!"
"Unfortunately, you can't grasp the details." (cursed but not confused)

mail

Note: You must have the MAIL option compiled into your program and the 'mail' option enabled. The scroll is identified when read.

If found in a bones pile:

"This seems to be junk mail addressed to the finder of the Eye of Larn."

On a system capable of checking new mail, is only generated when mail is received:

You read your new mail with the program specified in the MAILREADER environment variable.

On an Amiga or DOS platform, is generated every 1999+d(3000) turns (the first time, after 99+d(2000) turns. The message is randomly chosen:

"It reads: "Please disregard previous letter.""
"It reads: "Welcome to NetHack.""
"It reads: "Report bugs to <devteam@nethack.org>.""
"It reads: "Only Amiga makes it possible."" (Amiga)
"It reads: "CATS have all the answers."" (Amiga)
"Unfortunately you cannot see what it says." (blind)

The scroll cannot be converted to another type by any means.

punishment

Always identified when read.

blessed or confused
No effect.

"You feel guilty."

uncursed

"You are being punished for your misbehavior!"

If you were already being punished, the ball's weight increases by 160. Else if polymorphed into an amorphous, swirly, or non-solid creature, a heavy iron ball drops to the floor.

"A ball and chain appears, then falls away."

Otherwise, you are chained to a heavy iron ball and chain.

cursed

"You are being punished for your misbehavior!"

If you were already being punished, the ball's weight increases by 320. Else if polymorphed into an amorphous, swirly, or non-solid creature, a heavy iron ball drops to the floor.

"A ball and chain appears, then falls away."

Otherwise, you are chained to a heavy iron ball and chain.

remove curse

blessed
All cursed items in your main inventory become uncursed.
Removes a ball and chain (punishment).

"You feel like someone is helping you." (not hallucinating)
"You feel in touch with the Universal Oneness." (hallucinating)

uncursed
All cursed worn or wielded items (weapons, armor, amulets, rings, and eyewear), quivered items, applied leashes, and loadstones in main inventory are uncursed.
Removes a ball and chain (punishment); if the ball is cursed and being carried, it is uncursed.

"You feel like someone is helping you." (not hallucinating)
"You feel in touch with the Universal Oneness." (hallucinating)

cursed
Removes a ball and chain (punishment).

"You feel like someone is helping you." (not hallucinating)
"You feel in touch with the Universal Oneness." (hallucinating)
"The scroll disintegrates."

blessed and confused
All UNCURSED items have a 25% chance of being blessed and a 25% chance of being cursed.
You are NOT unpunished.

"You feel like you need some help." (not hallucinating)
"You feel the power of the Force against you!" (hallucinating)

uncursed and confused
All UNCURSED worn or wielded items (weapons, armor, amulets, rings, and eyewear), quivered items, applied leashes, and loadstones in main inventory have a 25% chance of being blessed and a 25% chance of being cursed.
You are NOT unpunished; however, an uncursed carried ball will have the same chance of being blessed or cursed as above.

"You feel like you need some help." (not hallucinating)
"You feel the power of the Force against you!" (hallucinating)

cursed and confused
No effect.

"The scroll disintegrates."
"You feel like you need some help." (not hallucinating) "You feel the power of the Force against you!" (hallucinating)

scare monster

dropped
Most monsters will become frightened when adjacent to the square, just like engraving Elbereth. Blind or peaceful creatures, minotaurs, shopkeepers, guards, the Wizard, the endgame Riders, and all A and @ are unaffected.

picked up
If blessed, becomes uncursed. Otherwise, if cursed or dropped before, the scroll(s) disintegrate.

"The scroll turns to dust as you pick it up." (one)
"The scrolls turn to dust as you pick them up." (several)

blessed or uncursed
You will cause monsters within your visual range to flee. Some monsters can resist the effect.

"You hear maniacal laughter close by." (something was affected)
"You hear maniacal laughter in the distance." (no creature affected)

cursed or confused
You will wake up, unparalyze, and unscare monsters within your visual range.

"You hear sad wailing close by." (something was affected)
"You hear sad wailing in the distance." (no creature affected)

stinking cloud

Always identified when read.

"You have found a scroll of stinking cloud!"

Creates a gas cloud around a centre square you specify. This square must be visible to you and within the following range:

      .....
     .......
    .........
   ...........
   ...........
   .....@.....
   ...........
   ...........
    .........
     .......
      .....

or there will be no effect ("You smell rotten eggs.").

blessed
The cloud has a radius of 4 around the centre square, and will dissipate after d3+7 turns; any living, breathing, non-poison-resistant creature within it is blinded and takes d12+5 damage before the last four turns of the cloud's life, d6+5 in the penultimate two turns, and d3+5 in the last two.

uncursed
The cloud has a radius of 3 around the centre square, and will dissipate after d3+5 turns; any living, breathing, non-poison-resistant creature within it is blinded and takes d8+5 damage before the last two turns of the cloud's life, after which d4+5.

cursed
The cloud has a radius of 2 around the centre square, and will dissipate after d3+3 turns; any living, breathing, non-poison-resistant creature within it is blinded and takes d4+5 damage before the last two turns of the cloud's life.

taming

blessed or uncursed
Tames monsters within a one square radius. Also calms shopkeepers.
Some monsters can resist.
No messages.

cursed
Angers monsters within a one square radius.

"<Monster> gets angry!"

non-cursed and confused
Tames monsters within an 11x11 square area. Also calms shopkeepers.
Some monsters can resist.
No messages.

cursed and confused
Angers monsters within an 11x11 square area.

"<Monster> gets angry!"

teleportation

blessed
If you don't have teleport control, you can choose whether to teleport.

"Do you wish to teleport?"

If you are on a non-teleport level, no effect.

"A mysterious force prevents you from teleporting!"

Otherwise, one-third of the time if you are carrying the Amulet of Yendor, no effect.

"You feel disoriented for a moment."

Otherwise, you teleport to a random or controlled position on the same level.

You will identify the scroll.

uncursed
If you are on a non-teleport level, no effect.

"A mysterious force prevents you from teleporting!"

Otherwise, one-third of the time if you are carrying the Amulet of Yendor, no effect.

"You feel disoriented for a moment."

Otherwise, you teleport to a random or controlled position on the same level.

You identify the scroll if you have teleport control, don't see your old position, or are radius 4 or more from your old position.

cursed or confused
If you are not carrying the Amulet of Yendor, you teleport to another level. If you have teleport control, you can choose which level (with limits).

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Bruce Cox for proofreading the original version of this file.
Furher corrections and clarifications provided by Christian Cooper, Andreas Dorn, Josh Giesbrecht, Alon Lischinsky, Kate Nepveu, Pat Rankin, Irina Rempt, and Jason Short.


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