Ashenzari followers detect spellbooks of spellcasters

[Dracunos]

When Lichs were given spellbooks, I had the idea that followers of ash, in addition to all their other detection abilities, could also detect the spellbook of a spell caster (I believe normally the caster has to cast a few spells first before the book is identified in examine?).

I don't use Ash much myself, but I know he isn't exactly in need of any buffs. Additionally, I have the impression that most people don't even pay attention to enemy spellbooks at all. I'm also not really sure how powyrful a buff it could potentially be. My gut says not really all that powyrful, but I'm not a very experienced crawler.

A couple people did seem to like the idea in chat, so I thought I'd bring it forward for discussion.

[ion_frigate]

What would be nice would be if, in addition to letting you see the spellbook on x-v, Ash also directly warned you of its most dangerous spell, like:

  Code:

A lich comes into view.  Ashenzari cautions you: "It can summon greater demons."

Since there are only five lich spellbooks now anyway, this could be easily (if not prettily) hard-coded. A more general option would to make a list of "dangerous" spells, and have Ashenzari warn you of the first one on said list that the monster possesses. That would make the ability useful for monsters like ogre mages and deep elf mages.

Also, this message definitely shouldn't have a force-more, since in places like Elf or Zot:5 it could get somewhat spammy.

[Xion350]

What would be nice would be if, in addition to letting you see the spellbook on x-v, Ash also directly warned you of its most dangerous spell, like:

  Code:

A lich comes into view.  Ashenzari cautions you: "It can summon greater demons."

Since there are only five lich spellbooks now anyway, this could be easily (if not prettily) hard-coded. A more general option would to make a list of "dangerous" spells, and have Ashenzari warn you of the first one on said list that the monster possesses. That would make the ability useful for monsters like ogre mages and deep elf mages.

Also, this message definitely shouldn't have a force-more, since in places like Elf or Zot:5 it could get somewhat spammy.

  Code:

An ogre mage comes into view.  Ashenzari cautions you: "It can banish you."

Would be a nice thing to have.

[dowan]

That does seem pretty appropriate for Ash.

[removeelyvilon]

This is an excellent idea.

Tbh, the passive "identification" abilties (not passive mapping, see invis and clarity!) of Ash were mostly made obsolete since now everyone can detect brands on sight (correct me if I'm wrong) and shadow traps are gone too.
Also, the identification game is now merely a formality, too. These are a mildy convenient passives at best.

This suggestion would give ash identification something useful to do and it flies with the fluff. Good fluff + good crunch = ship it.

[dpeg]

A patch would be welcome.

[dowan]

A patch would be welcome.

Well... how about two?

Spoiler: show