So what I had in mind was definitely your point #1 (silly me!
), and definitely your point #4 (I miscalculated *twice*, skipping a level each time!
). What I would've put as third mistake was doing a Gnome run Parched; but to be honest I blame this on the early Zot I stumbled upon; which I blame on having full preps on a Hard map; I had half the mind to go with the VT at prep screen, but then I didn't, though with hindsight I should've.
(Luckily I didn't mess up any of my conversions, and I outright refuse to even acknowledge #5!
And I picked the sword because that helps me munch corrosive/weakening popcorn without getting status afflicted, ofc the Mace does more damage, but I didn't want to get myself dirty...
)
"Thinker", just without the "ache".