In Nethack, a figurine of a monster can be applied to create that monster. The resulting monster will be tame, peaceful or hostile with a probability determined by the blessed/cursed status of the figurine:

           Blessed  Uncursed  Cursed

Tame         80%       10%      10%
Peaceful     10%       80%      10%
Hostile      10%       10%      80%

Many players like to wish for a blessed figurine of an Archon so as to have a very powerful pet which can fly, is resistant to everything and doesn't need to eat.