There are messages generated when the PC enters the Gremlin Cave: "You feel watched. You shiver. You shiver really bad! It's dark here!". The Gremlin Cave is dark and filled with water traps, which, when triggered by the gremlins I, cause them to multiply. Things can get out of control quickly in this cave due to the rapid replication of the gremlins. The Disarm Traps spell or skill can be very valuable here – if the traps are taken out, the gremlin hordes can be dealt with eventually.
The cave is also a source of fluff balls ], and a climbing set ]. Zapping a wand of item detection or reading a scroll of item detection immediately upon arriving is generally a good idea, especially if controlled teleportation is available.
The fluff balls found here are portable "gremlin bombs". On exposure to water (water traps, rivers, potions of water, the entire Water Dragon Lair, rain), they turn into a gremlin, which then multiplies from the same water source. So bringing them underwater is interesting. ;-)
Note that it is in no way necessary to enter this cave to complete the game. It is simply a source of an expendable artifact which can be sacrificed, given to the Demented Ratling or sold. The climbing set is also useful of course, especially if the PC has missed the opportunity to enter the Pyramid.
| Level: 1, DV: 18, PV: 0, Hits: 8, Attacks: 2, Damage: 1d3+1, Speed 100. |
Since there are a potentially endless number of gremlins available, it is also possible to use the Pick Pockets skill indefinitely. This will both train the skill and satisfy Yergius regarding the PC's proficiency as a thief. Bear in mind also the always-present possibilty of pickpocketing a truly outstanding item. While it is very rare, artifacts have been pickpocketed this way.In R+, gremlins do not offer any items when they are killed or pickpocketed.
The cave contains the Phial of Caladriel, which is an artifact potion, and is located in farthest possible corner from the entrance. It appears as "crystal phial" when unidentified.
Though it is classified as a potion, it cannot be drunk or used for Alchemy; rather, it can be Used to light up the area around the PC. Doing so drains all PP; the
effect radius depends on the amount of PP used.Perhaps the most notable use for the phial of Caladriel is throwing it at a humanoid opponent, which sets off a flash that blinds the target for a few turns. Blindness usually lasts for about five or six turns.
---------------------------- phial of Caladriel ---------------------------- Weight: 2s When used in melee combat it grants a +0 bonus to hit and causes 1d2 points of damage. When used as a missile it grants a +0 bonus to hit and causes 1d2 points of damage. (uses up PP to generate light, and blinds monsters when thrown except undead and constructs) |