Silent spectre

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silent spectre pSilent spectre.png
HP 30-58
HD 8
XP 313
Speed 10
AC 5
EV 15
Will 42
Attack1 15 (hit: plain)


Resistances rC+++, rPois+++,
rN+++, rTorm,
rRot+++, rSticky,
rConstr, rDrown,
rWater
Vulnerabilities Holy, Holy wrath
Habitat Land
Intelligence Normal
Uses Open doors
Holiness Undead
Size Medium
Type wraith, silent spectre
Flags Evil
Insubstantial
Levitate
No stairs
See invisible
Speaks
The bane of wizards, these terrible spirits bring an unearthly silence to the area around them, making it impossible to recite the magical incantations involved with casting spells or reading scrolls.

“There is a silence where hath been no sound,
There is a silence where no sound may be,—
In the cold grave, under the deep, deep sea,
Or in the wide desert where no life is found.”
-Thomas Hood, “Silence”. Early 19th cent.



Useful Info

Silent spectres are weak insubstantial undead that would be no real threat except for the permanent 12-tile aura of Silence they radiate. A character with even moderate weapon skills should be able to defeat them easily, but pure casters will find themselves suddenly incapable of casting spells, using abilities, or commanding allies. Fortunately it's easy to avoid them, as their large aura can be seen long before they enter your line of sight. Silent spectres cannot use stairs. They can be randomly found in the Crypt, the Abyss, Tartarus, and Ziggurats, and elsewhere as part of predefined vaults.

Tips & Tricks

  • For magic users, spectres are deadly when found in concert with other substantial or unique monsters. Thus, if you come upon a spectre's aura, don't engage him until you know the level is relatively cleared out.
  • Silence disables magic and scrolls, but not wands or potions. A wand of fire can take a spectre out easily, while a wand of teleportation can help you escape if he has friends.
  • Remember that silence affects enemies as well! A heavily armoured melee fighter could conceivably keep a silent spectre alive as a pet for dealing with liches and spellcasting uniques on the level. This is most likely to be useful on Crypt:5, where many of the ending vaults contain dangerous spellcasters, up to and including ancient liches.

History

Silent spectres were added to the game in 0.8.