n00b tips:
1. roll a character with at least 250 gold (AU), unless yer a kobold who can never start with more than 100. if yer a warrior type, get yer AC up to 10ish by buying leather armor (3-4 AC), a leather helm (2-3 AC), leather boots (2 AC), leather gloves (2 AC), and a cloak (1 AC, sold in supply store). buy 5-10 torches and 5-10 rations, as AU permits.
2. easiest starting classes are warrior, priest, and paladin. mages, rangers, and rogues are for the hardcore. best race class combos for nubs are: dwarf priest, human paladin, dwarf paladin, and kobold warrior.
3. do NOT leave the first level of the dungeon until you are at LEAST level 3.
4. "R" (capital r) rests. "o" opens. "g" gets items on your square. "w" equips an item (wear/wield). "C" is yer character screen, "e" is your equipment, and "i" is your inventory. "T" tunnels through rubble, weak walls, and walls with gold. "s" searches for hidden doors. "S" turns on search mode (and turns it off).
5. worms and mice spawn rapidly. nubs will probably wake them up. leave the floor if they spawn out of control, or jam/spike a door to trap them in a room.
6. the game hates your guts. it wants to hurt you. you win by being prepared and observant.