1. Change gold to whole numbers.
The xxx.xx system feels a bit unpolished to me. Simply multiplying gold by 100 could work, so 1.60 gold becomes 160 gold, 45.03 gold becomes 4,503 gold, etc.
2. Different uses for the top message bar.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but with the amount of messages generated by combat I rarely look at the top message bar at all. Perhaps it could be used for something different?
Just Chat Messages
Self-explanatory, although it would need to be able to be turned on and off, for people who don't want to put up with other people's nonsense while playing online.
Critical HP / Resource Messages
Use the top message bar for big, red, easily-seen 'LOW HP!' messages, or even 'low mana!' or 'low stamina!', which is just as deadly in the right circumstances.
Flavour Messages
Ranging from pure fluff ("pools of stagnant water dot the stony corridor", etc.) to potential clues about what enemies are on the level ("you hear a distant howling" for wolves, etc.) The current level feelings would fit in with this too.
Boss Banter
"I will destroy you!" "I am invincible!" "I'm going to give you such a pinch!" Let the various bosses (and maybe some regular enemies) hurl a few threats/insults at you without clogging up the main message log. Could also be used to draw your attention to friendly NPCs with quests - the shady cornac man in Derth, for instance.
Remove It Entirely
*shrug* Maybe worth an extra row of tiles for 16x16 ASCII users? Another status effect on the left panel?
Any other uses you can think of?