Ascension

I'd been exposed to Nethack by avk a decade ago, and like many, couldn't get my head around it. It's like looking at the Matrix from the outside -- you have to learn to read the code encrypted. But eventually you just see blonde, brunette, redhead...

I can't remember precisely when I dove in headfirst, but it was sometime n the last year. I've played other games in that time, but in the grand scheme, relatively few. And kept coming back to Nethack.

The turning point was my discovery of of the iPhone/iPad implementations. The ability to knock out a level or two waiting in line, on the toilet, or at a boring event (cough...ice dancing... cough) was critical to bending my learning curve. Another recommendation from avk was crucial: stop playing random characters until you know what the hell you're doing. Once I focused on my Lawful Valkyrie, it allowed me to learn the language from a single teacher, instead of from a cacophony of voices and accents shouting in my face. And of course, spoilers help...

The end result (or is it just the beginning?) was my first ascension approximately one hour ago, at 9:51 CST on March 9, 2011. No simple way to obtain proof outside a server-based game, so I had to resort to screen shots.

So, hearken all ye unto me! See below the final glory of Wolf the Swashbuckler, Level 19 Lawful Female Human Valkyrie, Slayer of Death, wielder of Excalibur, vanquisher of the Wizard of Yendor (and 2946 additional creatures).