Difference between revisions of "Vault"

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''Not to be confused with the dungeon branch [[the Vaults]].''
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''Not to be confused with the dungeon branch [[The Vaults]].''
 
 
  
 
The term '''vault''' refers to any [[Dungeon features|dungeon feature]] that is not part of the dungeon's normal layout.  Vaults generally have a fixed layout, though many include random items or monsters, and some (notably [[Xom]]'s altar vault) randomize the terrain as well.
 
The term '''vault''' refers to any [[Dungeon features|dungeon feature]] that is not part of the dungeon's normal layout.  Vaults generally have a fixed layout, though many include random items or monsters, and some (notably [[Xom]]'s altar vault) randomize the terrain as well.
  
 
==How do I recognize a vault?==
 
==How do I recognize a vault?==
 +
Vaults are created by humans, so often clash with the randomly generated dungeon. They will often be symmetric or have other form of "structure", though note that the dungeon may generate rooms, hallways, etc. randomly. Vaults may spawn with stone or green crystal walls in a level made of rock, while [[door|runed doors]] and [[transporter]]s are only created by vaults.
  
Vaults can often be spotted as areas on a level that don't match the level's theme, like finding green crystal walls in a level made of rock.  Particularly devious vaults may not be obvious at first glance... until you open a door and find yourself face-to-face with a room full of [[big kobold]]s or worse.
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Particularly devious vaults may not be obvious at first glance... until you open a door and find yourself face-to-face with a room full of [[kobold brigand]]s or worse. Out-of-branch or very out-of-depth monsters can also be a sign of a vault: if you find a [[red devil]] in the main [[Dungeon]], or a [[fire crab]] on D:9, it's probably as a result of a vault.
  
Out-of-branch or very out-of-branch monsters can also be a sign of a vault: if you find a [[red devil]] in the main dungeon, or a [[lich]] on D:11, it's probably as a result of a vault.
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Most [[branch]]es will always have one of a couple possible vaults on its final floor, protecting treasure and/or a [[rune of Zot]]. For example, 24 [[vault guard]]s will surround the entrance to [[Vaults]]:5, and the rest of the floor has vaults. The infamous orb chamber will always guard the [[Orb of Zot]] on [[Zot:5]]. Meanwhile, almost all temporary [[portal]] areas are defined entirely by vault structure.
  
 
==How big are vaults?==
 
==How big are vaults?==
 
 
A vault can be very small, like the 3x4 "elevator" vault.  This vault is nothing more than two staircases, one up and one down, enclosed in a ring of walls.  Very small vaults may be referred to as '''minivaults'''.
 
A vault can be very small, like the 3x4 "elevator" vault.  This vault is nothing more than two staircases, one up and one down, enclosed in a ring of walls.  Very small vaults may be referred to as '''minivaults'''.
  
On the other end, a vault can encompass an entire level.  The final levels of many [[dungeon branches]], including [[Zot:5|the big one]], are guaranteed to be whole-level vaults. Other such vaults may appear as a floor of the main dungeon.
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On the other end, a vault can encompass an entire level, such as with [[Vaults]]:5, or [[Crypt]]:3. Other such vaults may appear as a floor of [[Depths]] or the deeper parts of the main [[Dungeon]].
  
 
==Where do I find vaults?==
 
==Where do I find vaults?==
 
 
Vaults can appear anywhere in the dungeon, though most (if not all) of them are restricted to specific parts.  Some vaults are tied to specific branches, while others will only appear if you're deep (or shallow) enough in the main dungeon.
 
Vaults can appear anywhere in the dungeon, though most (if not all) of them are restricted to specific parts.  Some vaults are tied to specific branches, while others will only appear if you're deep (or shallow) enough in the main dungeon.
  
 
==What kinds of vaults are there?==
 
==What kinds of vaults are there?==
 +
The easiest kind of vault to find is an entrance vault.  Entrance vaults are generated on D:1 as something interesting for the player to look at or interact with when they first enter the game.  A few can be dangerous if handled badly--some have a large number of monsters behind a warning-scrawled door in a clear wall--but they're generally just eye candy.
  
The easiest kind of vault to find is an entrance vault.  Entrance vaults are generated on D:1 as something interesting for the player to look at or interact with when they first enter the game.  A few can be dangerous if handled badly--one has a large number of monsters behind a warning-scrawled door in a clear wall--but they're generally just eye candy.
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Vaults are used to place [[altar]]s in the main dungeon, sometimes thematically appropriate (like a "yin-yang" symbol for a good and evil god). [[Ghost vault]]s are used to trap [[player ghost|ghosts of past players]] in a neat container, as of [[0.22]].
 
 
Altar vaults are also common in the first few levels, giving the player a chance to join a religion before the [[Ecumenical Temple]] or for a god who's missing from it.
 
  
 
Deeper in the dungeon, however, you can find vaults with good treasure or dangerous monsters, and often both.  One vault is nothing more than a pair of angled corridors with hostile [[statue]]s at the end and a bit of treasure behind them.
 
Deeper in the dungeon, however, you can find vaults with good treasure or dangerous monsters, and often both.  One vault is nothing more than a pair of angled corridors with hostile [[statue]]s at the end and a bit of treasure behind them.
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==How many vaults are there?==
 
==How many vaults are there?==
  
Though it's difficult to read, the full list of vaults can be viewed [http://gitorious.org/crawl/crawl/trees/master/crawl-ref/source/dat/des here] as part of the game's source.  A quick search of that directory reveals that there are over 1,000 vaults in the game as of 0.10 and more than twice as many in master (the development version).  Do note, however, that these counts include the tutorials, [[the Hive]], and presumably other vaults that aren't seen in the game proper.
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Though it's difficult to read, the full list of vaults can be viewed [https://github.com/crawl/crawl/tree/master/crawl-ref/source/dat/des here] as part of the game's source.  A quick search of that directory reveals that there are over 1,000 vaults in the game as of 0.10 and more than twice as many in master (the development version).  Do note, however, that these counts include the tutorials, and presumably other vaults that aren't seen in the game proper.
  
 
==Oooh, shiny!==
 
==Oooh, shiny!==
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* [[Example Vaults]]
 
* [[Example Vaults]]
* [[Level_design.txt]]
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* [[:Category:Vault monsters|List of vault-defined monsters]]
  
 
[[Category:Dungeon_Features]]
 
[[Category:Dungeon_Features]]

Latest revision as of 03:10, 21 July 2023

Not to be confused with the dungeon branch The Vaults.

The term vault refers to any dungeon feature that is not part of the dungeon's normal layout. Vaults generally have a fixed layout, though many include random items or monsters, and some (notably Xom's altar vault) randomize the terrain as well.

How do I recognize a vault?

Vaults are created by humans, so often clash with the randomly generated dungeon. They will often be symmetric or have other form of "structure", though note that the dungeon may generate rooms, hallways, etc. randomly. Vaults may spawn with stone or green crystal walls in a level made of rock, while runed doors and transporters are only created by vaults.

Particularly devious vaults may not be obvious at first glance... until you open a door and find yourself face-to-face with a room full of kobold brigands or worse. Out-of-branch or very out-of-depth monsters can also be a sign of a vault: if you find a red devil in the main Dungeon, or a fire crab on D:9, it's probably as a result of a vault.

Most branches will always have one of a couple possible vaults on its final floor, protecting treasure and/or a rune of Zot. For example, 24 vault guards will surround the entrance to Vaults:5, and the rest of the floor has vaults. The infamous orb chamber will always guard the Orb of Zot on Zot:5. Meanwhile, almost all temporary portal areas are defined entirely by vault structure.

How big are vaults?

A vault can be very small, like the 3x4 "elevator" vault. This vault is nothing more than two staircases, one up and one down, enclosed in a ring of walls. Very small vaults may be referred to as minivaults.

On the other end, a vault can encompass an entire level, such as with Vaults:5, or Crypt:3. Other such vaults may appear as a floor of Depths or the deeper parts of the main Dungeon.

Where do I find vaults?

Vaults can appear anywhere in the dungeon, though most (if not all) of them are restricted to specific parts. Some vaults are tied to specific branches, while others will only appear if you're deep (or shallow) enough in the main dungeon.

What kinds of vaults are there?

The easiest kind of vault to find is an entrance vault. Entrance vaults are generated on D:1 as something interesting for the player to look at or interact with when they first enter the game. A few can be dangerous if handled badly--some have a large number of monsters behind a warning-scrawled door in a clear wall--but they're generally just eye candy.

Vaults are used to place altars in the main dungeon, sometimes thematically appropriate (like a "yin-yang" symbol for a good and evil god). Ghost vaults are used to trap ghosts of past players in a neat container, as of 0.22.

Deeper in the dungeon, however, you can find vaults with good treasure or dangerous monsters, and often both. One vault is nothing more than a pair of angled corridors with hostile statues at the end and a bit of treasure behind them.

The entrances to new branches are often contained in a vault that reflects their nature. Orcish Mines is often surrounded by many orcs, natural monsters surround The Lair, and The Vaults may have some treasure just outside.

How many vaults are there?

Though it's difficult to read, the full list of vaults can be viewed here as part of the game's source. A quick search of that directory reveals that there are over 1,000 vaults in the game as of 0.10 and more than twice as many in master (the development version). Do note, however, that these counts include the tutorials, and presumably other vaults that aren't seen in the game proper.

Oooh, shiny!

Be careful! While vaults can contain very good items, they may also spawn with out-of-depth monsters, like a golden dragon on D:14. When approaching a vault, remember that it may have loose monsters, devious traps, or intelligent denizens who will come out to investigate if you make too much noise. If you actually open a door, be prepared to run if you don't like what's on the other side.

See Also