Let's Play Fighting Fantasy #8: Scorpion Swamp

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu May 23, 2013 11:43 pm

Pop Friendship, we're close enough to Whateverthefuckistan that if another one's likely to be necessary we can buy one.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri May 24, 2013 12:50 am

(The guy who sells spells only sells Neutral spells. There's a tongue twister for you. But this is probably a good place to use Friendship.)

"Maybe they can help me," you think, and cast the Friendship spell on their leader. Then you step out and greet them. A couple of the Brigands want to rob you, but their leader stops them, saying that he likes your looks. He asks if there is any way in which he can help you.

(I think Friendship has made him a little too friendly, if you know what I mean.)

Now that the Brigands are well-disposed towards you, you ask them where you are. They tell you that the town of Willowbend is only a little way to the north. They add that, of the three inns in town, the Bent Spear is by far the best, and that you can trust the innkeeper. You say goodbye to the Brigands and leave.

There are two paths leading out of the clearing. The northern one is much wider and more distinct, as though many had traveled along it. Will you go:

North?
East?

(We go North to fucking Willowbend.)

You follow the path northward. Gradually, it becomes wider and the swamp less dismal. The marsh slowly turns into forest, and before long you see a sign ahead of you. "THIS WAY TO WILLOWBEND." (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has not been to Willowbend before.) A few minutes later you hear human voices and meet a party of Foresters. You walk with them to the town of Willowbend. After your adventures you only want to find an inn and get a good night's sleep. The Foresters tell you that there are three inns in Willowbend. Will you go to:

The Black Bear?
The Bent Spear?
Tancred's Flying Horse?

(I assume we go to the Bent Spear.)

The Bent Spear is a pleasant, roomy inn. You pay the innkeeper a Gold Piece and go to your room. As soon as your head hits the pillow, you fall asleep. You wake up the next morning feeling refreshed; regain 2 STAMINA points. When you are about to leave, the innkeeper hails you. He knows that you came through Scorpion Swamp, and that you intend to return the same way. "You must be a mighty fighter to have come through the swamp," he says, "and perhaps this is none of my business . . . but there is a wizard in the next street who might be able to sell you some spells to help you get back." Thanking the innkeeper for his kind suggestion, you ask for directions to the wizard and leave.

Do you want to visit the wizard or strike off south across the swamp again?

(We visit the wizard, of course. It's why we fucking came here.)

The street leading to the edge of town is full of little shops, and one sign catches your eye instantly" "HALICAR DEALER IN POTIONS AND SPELLS". You go in. Halicar proves to be a pleasant young man. He is a Neutral wizard, and can sell only Neutral spells. You do not have enough Gold Pieces to deal with him, but some of the items you picked up in the swamp will interest him. You lay them on his table. Each of the following, if you have it, can be exchanged for one magical gem containing a Neutral spell: a Violet Jewel; a Gold Chain; any of the silver Amulets from the Masters; a Golden Magnet or the Horn of a Unicorn. Halicar can sell you no more than three spells. Decide which spells you want, list them on your Adventure Sheet, and mark off the items you traded for them. Then you leave the shop, going south, back into Scorpion Swamp.

(We have the Gold Chain and a single silver Spider Amulet. What two Neutral spells do we want? I would imagine at least one is Stamina, but maybe I'm wrong. And even if not, what's the other?)

You see that you are approaching the spot where you first met the Brigands.

(I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies parted from them in friendship.)

There are two Brigands resting in the clearing, which seems to be their meeting-place. Recognizing you, they smile and wave. You call a greeting and pass by.

There are two paths leading out of the clearing. The northern one is much wider and more distinct, as though many had traveled along it.

(I assume we go East.)

This is the place where you met the Slime. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies killed it.)

You leave the clearing as quickly as possible.

Do you go north or go west?

(Obviously, we go North.)

The path widens into another clearing. You are in Clearing 15. You see that there is one other path leading out. Then, off to the side, you see a dim glow. It is a ball of dancing light, or WILL-O'-THE-WISP. It hovers at the western edge of the clearing, and then hovers back a few meters. You can now see what may be another path, somewhat murky and overgrown, where the Will-o'-the-wisp is dancing. It seems to want to show you something. Will you follow it, or go on?

Follow it to the west
Ignore it and go south
Ignore it and go east

(I imagine we ignore them again and go east.)

You find yourself at a crossing of paths. Which way will you go?

North?
South?
East?
West?

(So where do we go now? All signs point to the Plant being somewhere northeast, but do we start by heading north or heading east?)

I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies
SKILL 9/10
STAMINA 18/20
LUCK 7/11
Equipment: Sword, Chainmail, Brass Ring
Backpack: Red Cloak
Amulets: None
Spells: Skill x 1, Luck x 1, [two other Neutral spells]
Map:
[W]....[15]<-[X]
..^........v......^
[10]<-[28]...[32]<-[16]
..............................^
..........[33]->[20]..[35]
............^.......v.......^
..........FOG....[9]->[13]
............^......^
..........[29]->[5]->[24]->[26]
............^...............v.........v
..........[18]...........[17].....[8]
............^...............v
..........[34].............v
............^...............v
...........[4]<-[1]<-[12]->[25]
(Key: Ignore ellipses.)

1: Crossroads and entrance/exit to/from Scorpion Swamp.
4: The now-friendly Master of Wolves' house, where he yiffs lives with his two Wolves.
5: A former battleground. Contents unknown, and now gone.
8: The home of the Master of Frogs. He likes Violet Jewels.
9: A dead Thief's former picnic site. The Thief carried a Red Cloak, which is now ours.
10: An encampment of surprisingly friendly Brigands.
12: A tree hollow that is the home of a now dead Bear. It has no loot.
13: A clearing filled with Scorpions. Fire repels them but does not kill them.
15: Home of some Will-o'-the-wisps.
16: The former nest of a dead Eagle, with a perfectly lootable Gold Chain that is now ours.
17: The abode of the now-dead Master of Spiders, and his Spider Amulet.
18: Home of the dreaded Sword Trees. Fire is not very effective against them.
20: A cliff overlooking a river.
24: A patch of freshly cut Crab Grass.
25: The home of the recently slain Pool Beast. It had a Violet Jewel embedded in its forehead that has been looted.
26: The home of some recently killed Swamp Orcs, whose bows cost you a SKILL point if you don't have a Golden Magnet Charm.
28: A pool of dead Slime.
29: Home of a healed Unicorn, which gives out two Spell Gems (Luck and Friendship) as a reward.
32: The home of a dead Giant Scorpion that had been eating an equally dead Dwarf, carrying a Potion to make Dwarves Handsome (that is detrimental to humans.)
33: A riverbank.
34. A stream, which can be frozen.
35: A bridge which is safe to cross.
W: The town of Willowbend. The Bent Spear is a good place to stay, restoring 2 STAMINA.
X: A crossroads.
FOG: Poisonous fog that deals 2 STAMINA damage when walked through.

EDIT: fixed a typo.

Korgan0 · Post by **Korgan0** » Fri May 24, 2013 3:23 am

North.

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Fri May 24, 2013 4:28 am

East. We're trying to end up due North of the frog pond, and we're too far West.

-Username17

Korgan0 · Post by **Korgan0** » Fri May 24, 2013 5:09 am

you're right. East.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri May 24, 2013 10:16 am

(Hagrid looks pissed.)

As you walk along, you stumble over a dip in the ground. Looking down, you see that it is actually the half-meter footprint of a huge hobnailed boot! You are entering Clearing 7. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has not been here before.) Rounding the bend, you see a tremendous GIANT! He looks angry, and he brandishes a great spiked club. Your ring is not warning you of evil . . . but, although the giant may not be an evil creature, he is obviously dangerous. He bellows at you "YOU MAY NOT PASS!" Will you:

Attack him?
Try to reason with him?
Try a Curse spell?
Try a Friendship spell?
Try a Fire spell? (might actually be available to us)
Try an Ice spell? (ditto)

(The Master of Frogs suggested we be nice to this guy... do we trust him? Also, what two Neutral spells did we buy?)

I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies
SKILL 9/10
STAMINA 18/20
LUCK 7/11
Equipment: Sword, Chainmail, Brass Ring
Backpack: Red Cloak
Amulets: None
Spells: Skill x 1, Luck x 1, [two other Neutral spells]
Map:
[W]....[15]<-[X]->[7]
..^........v......^
[10]<-[28]...[32]<-[16]
..............................^
..........[33]->[20]..[35]
............^.......v.......^
..........FOG....[9]->[13]
............^......^
..........[29]->[5]->[24]->[26]
............^...............v.........v
..........[18]...........[17].....[8]
............^...............v
..........[34].............v
............^...............v
...........[4]<-[1]<-[12]->[25]
(Key: Ignore ellipses.)

1: Crossroads and entrance/exit to/from Scorpion Swamp.
4: The now-friendly Master of Wolves' house, where he yiffs lives with his two Wolves.
5: A former battleground. Contents unknown, and now gone.
7: A clearing occupied by an angry, but non-evil Giant.
8: The home of the Master of Frogs. He likes Violet Jewels.
9: A dead Thief's former picnic site. The Thief carried a Red Cloak, which is now ours.
10: An encampment of surprisingly friendly Brigands.
12: A tree hollow that is the home of a now dead Bear. It has no loot.
13: A clearing filled with Scorpions. Fire repels them but does not kill them.
15: Home of some Will-o'-the-wisps.
16: The former nest of a dead Eagle, with a perfectly lootable Gold Chain that is now ours.
17: The abode of the now-dead Master of Spiders, and his Spider Amulet.
18: Home of the dreaded Sword Trees. Fire is not very effective against them.
20: A cliff overlooking a river.
24: A patch of freshly cut Crab Grass.
25: The home of the recently slain Pool Beast. It had a Violet Jewel embedded in its forehead that has been looted.
26: The home of some recently killed Swamp Orcs, whose bows cost you a SKILL point if you don't have a Golden Magnet Charm.
28: A pool of dead Slime.
29: Home of a healed Unicorn, which gives out two Spell Gems (Luck and Friendship) as a reward.
32: The home of a dead Giant Scorpion that had been eating an equally dead Dwarf, carrying a Potion to make Dwarves Handsome (that is detrimental to humans.)
33: A riverbank.
34. A stream, which can be frozen.
35: A bridge which is safe to cross.
W: The town of Willowbend. The Bent Spear is a good place to stay, restoring 2 STAMINA.
X: A crossroads.
FOG: Poisonous fog that deals 2 STAMINA damage when walked through.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Fri May 24, 2013 11:04 am

The Master of Frogs is not an enemy, so this is not a mutual enemy. Try to reason with him.

Dr_Noface · Post by **Dr_Noface** » Fri May 24, 2013 12:21 pm

Reason is also not one of our mutual enemies.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri May 24, 2013 4:04 pm

"I am sorry, Sir Giant," you say. "I did not know I was trespassing. Please tell me, what is the matter?" Abruptly, the fight goes out of him. He sits down and sniffles. Finding nothing to wipe his eyes with, he rubs his hand across his face. You feel sorry for him . . . he is so big and so sad. "Somebody stole my new handkerchief!" he says. "My wife made it for me, and I've lost it, and she'll be so upset! I can't find it anywhere, and I can't go home without it!" You ask him what it looks like, and he tells you that it was bright red, and very beautiful. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has a Red Cloak in his backpack.)

Suddenly, you get an idea. You almost laugh out loud, but you don't want to offend the poor Giant. You reach into your pack and pull out the Red Cloak. "Is this your handkerchief?" you say, offering it to him. The Giant seizes it joyfully. "Where did you get it?" he asks. You tell him about your meeting with the Thief. He must have been the one who stole it from the Giant! The Giant is crying again, but now with tears of happiness. He swears he will be your friend for ever. "Why have you come here?" he asks. "Is there any way I can help you?" You tell him about your quest.

(I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies is serving Selator.)

You describe your quest. The Giant laughs merrily. He tells you that he saw a bush like that not long ago, in a little clearing to the north. "But look out for Wolves!" he warns. You thank him and bid him good day.

You leave the Giant's clearing and continue your journey. Which way will you travel?

North?
South?
West?

(I assume we go North.)

The path leads you northward, and gradually upward. The ground around you is somewhat drier now, and the swamp trees have been replaced by deep forest. The trees thin out ahead of you, and you see a large clearing dotted with low bushes. This is Clearing 11. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has not been here before.) You stop and listen, but hear nothing. You step out into the clearing to search for more paths, suddenly you realize that you are being watched by two huge WOLVES. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies does not have the Wolf Amulet.)

(I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies knows a secret word taught to him by the Master of Wolves.)

You pronounce the mystic word taught to you by the Master of Wolves. The great beasts fawn upon you, their tongues lolling out. You scratch them behind the ears and command them to lie down.

You search carefully and find nothing of interest except one unusual bush, growing near the center of the clearing. It has dense dark-green leaves and white flowers. Near the top of the bush you see one large purple berry. Will you:

Eat the berry?
Pick the berry and save it?
Ignore it and go back south?

(This is obviously the berry we're looking for. So I assume we pick it and save it.)

Carefully you remove the berry from the bush and put it in your pack. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies is serving Selator.)

You have no doubt, from Selator's description, that you have found the Antherica plant. Half your mission is completed. Now you must return to the village with the precious berry. The only path leads back to the south.

You recognize the clearing where you met the Giant. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies did not kill the Giant.)

There is no sign of the huge Giant; he must have left. You continue your journey.

(For a BFF he certainly left quickly. IDK, maybe he wants to make love to his wife now that he has her handkerchief back?)

You leave the Giant's clearing and continue your journey. Which way will you travel?

North?
South?
West?

(So, which way do we want to head back? I think either South or West will eventually lead us back to the entrance.)

I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies
SKILL 9/10
STAMINA 18/20
LUCK 7/11
Equipment: Sword, Chainmail, Brass Ring
Backpack: Antherica Berry
Amulets: None
Spells: Skill x 1, Luck x 1, [two other Neutral spells]
Map:
.............................[11]
...............................^
[W]....[15]<--[X]-->[7]
..^........v.......^
[10]<-[28]...[32]<-[16]
..............................^
..........[33]->[20]..[35]
............^.......v.......^
..........FOG....[9]->[13]
............^......^
..........[29]->[5]->[24]->[26]
............^...............v.........v
..........[18]...........[17].....[8]
............^...............v
..........[34].............v
............^...............v
...........[4]<-[1]<-[12]->[25]
(Key: Ignore ellipses.)

1: Crossroads and entrance/exit to/from Scorpion Swamp.
4: The now-friendly Master of Wolves' house, where he yiffs lives with his two Wolves.
5: A former battleground. Contents unknown, and now gone.
7: A clearing occupied by a now friendly Giant. He was upset because he lost his handkerchief, which is the Red Cloak that the Thief carried, but we gave it back to him and now he's our BFF.
8: The home of the Master of Frogs. He likes Violet Jewels.
9: A dead Thief's former picnic site. The Thief carried a Red Cloak, which is now ours.
10: An encampment of surprisingly friendly Brigands.
11: The last Antherica plant, guarded by two Wolves.
12: A tree hollow that is the home of a now dead Bear. It has no loot.
13: A clearing filled with Scorpions. Fire repels them but does not kill them.
15: Home of some Will-o'-the-wisps.
16: The former nest of a dead Eagle, with a perfectly lootable Gold Chain that is now ours.
17: The abode of the now-dead Master of Spiders, and his Spider Amulet.
18: Home of the dreaded Sword Trees. Fire is not very effective against them.
20: A cliff overlooking a river.
24: A patch of freshly cut Crab Grass.
25: The home of the recently slain Pool Beast. It had a Violet Jewel embedded in its forehead that has been looted.
26: The home of some recently killed Swamp Orcs, whose bows cost you a SKILL point if you don't have a Golden Magnet Charm.
28: A pool of dead Slime.
29: Home of a healed Unicorn, which gives out two Spell Gems (Luck and Friendship) as a reward.
32: The home of a dead Giant Scorpion that had been eating an equally dead Dwarf, carrying a Potion to make Dwarves Handsome (that is detrimental to humans.)
33: A riverbank.
34. A stream, which can be frozen.
35: A bridge which is safe to cross.
W: The town of Willowbend. The Bent Spear is a good place to stay, restoring 2 STAMINA.
X: A crossroads.
FOG: Poisonous fog that deals 2 STAMINA damage when walked through.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Fri May 24, 2013 4:37 pm

Code: Select all

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             &#9553;11&#9553;
             &#9562;&#9559;&#9556;&#9565;
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 &#9553;WW&#9553;&#9553;15&#9562;&#9565;XX&#9562;&#9565;07&#9553;
 &#9562;&#9559;&#9556;&#9565;&#9562;&#9559;&#9556;&#9552;&#9552;&#9559;&#9556;&#9552;&#9552;&#9552;&#9552;&#9565;
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     &#9556;&#9552;&#9552;&#9559;&#9556;&#9552;&#9552;&#9559;&#9556;&#9565;&#9562;&#9559;
     &#9553;33&#9562;&#9565;05&#9553;&#9553;35&#9553;
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     &#9556;&#9565;&#9562;&#9559;&#9556;&#9565;&#9562;&#9559;&#9556;&#9565;&#9562;&#9559;
     &#9553;FG&#9553;&#9553;09&#9562;&#9565;13&#9553;
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     &#9553;18&#9553;    &#9553;17&#9553;&#9553;08&#9553;
     &#9562;&#9559;&#9556;&#9565;    &#9562;&#9559;&#9556;&#9565;&#9562;&#9552;&#9552;&#9565;     
     &#9556;&#9565;&#9562;&#9559;     &#9553;&#9553;
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     &#9553;04&#9562;&#9565;01&#9562;&#9565;12&#9562;&#9565;25&#9553;
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Yes, yes, this is pointless. I was bored at work. Sue me.

I'm for South

Shrapnel · Post by **Shrapnel** » Fri May 24, 2013 5:07 pm

Cool map, AH.

I, too, am up for boogying on down South to Funkymojocalifragilisticexpialidocious Town.

Dr_Noface · Post by **Dr_Noface** » Fri May 24, 2013 6:37 pm

that thief is insane. who the fudge hangs out in a swamp and steals a giant's handkerchief. it was probably full of giant mucous

Shrapnel · Post by **Shrapnel** » Fri May 24, 2013 7:22 pm

A thief who has very bizarre fetishes and probably has a neck that is comprised entirely out of beard.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri May 24, 2013 8:09 pm

(Your map kicks my map's sorry ass, Ancient. If I didn't think there might be more places on the map, I'd totally use it; as it is I suck too much to edit it.)

You enter a flat clearing surrounded by trees covered in ivy. This is Clearing 30. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has not been here before.) There seems to be nothing of interest here, so you walk towards the other exit - when you realize you are sinking into Quicksand! Test your Luck. (3,1=4; Lucky!) Lose 2 STAMINA points.

(I assume we cast our Luck spell now.)

There are two exits.

Do you travel north or go west?

(I assume west, since we came from the north.)

You are back in the clearing where the great Eagle nested. All you see is the old tree and the nest. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies fought the Eagle.)

You have no reason to linger. You have a choice of three paths. Will you travel:

South?
East?
West?

(I assume south.)

Ahead of you there is an opening in the trees. You investigate. You are in Clearing 35. You can see the wide Foulbrood River, running east and west. A great stone bridge crosses the river. It looks totally deserted.

Do you go on to the bridge or do you distrust the bridge and rather turn around?

(I assume we cross, since we know it's safe.)

The bridge is old but in good repair. (I'm assuming we choose to go south, as once more going in the direction we came from would be identical to not having crossed the bridge at all.)

You can see that ahead of you two other paths join yours in a small clearing. You are in Clearing 13. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has been here before.)

You have returned to the clearing where you met the horde of Scorpions. You look around to see whether they are still about. Yes . . . there they are, coming towards you from all sides! You are ready for them this time.

Your reactions are quick. You have time to decide how to deal with the Scorpions. Will you:

Stamp on them and strike with your sword?
Cast a Fire Spell?
Leap over them to safety?

(I assume jump, since we know we can't fail with our current STAMINA score.)

Roll two dice. (5,2=7.) If the total is less than or equal to your STAMINA (it is), you jump over them. If the total is greater than your STAMINA, you do not leap quite far enough, and you are stung. Lose 3 points of STAMINA.

Hurriedly, you choose an exit. Will you go:

North?
East?
West?

(Do we want to take the East path back or the West path back?)

I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies
SKILL 9/10
STAMINA 16/20
LUCK 11/11
Equipment: Sword, Chainmail, Brass Ring
Backpack: Antherica Berry
Amulets: None
Spells: Skill x 1, [two other Neutral spells]
Map:
......................................[11]
........................................^
[W]....[15]<-[X]->->->->[07]
..^........v......^..................v
[10]<-[28]...[32]<-[16]<-[30]
...............................^
..........[33]->[20]...[35]
............^.......v........^
..........FOG....[09]->[13]
............^.......^
..........[29]->[05]->[24]->[26]
............^................v.........v
..........[18]............[17].....[08]
............^.................v
..........[34]...............v
............^.................v
..........[04]<-[01]<-[12]->[25]
(Key: Ignore ellipses.)

1: Crossroads and entrance/exit to/from Scorpion Swamp.
4: The now-friendly Master of Wolves' house, where he yiffs lives with his two Wolves.
5: A former battleground. Contents unknown, and now gone.
7: A clearing occupied by a now friendly Giant. He was upset because he lost his handkerchief, which is the Red Cloak that the Thief carried, but we gave it back to him and now he's our BFF.
8: The home of the Master of Frogs. He likes Violet Jewels.
9: A dead Thief's former picnic site. The Thief carried a Red Cloak, which is now ours.
10: An encampment of surprisingly friendly Brigands.
11: The last Antherica plant, guarded by two Wolves.
12: A tree hollow that is the home of a now dead Bear. It has no loot.
13: A clearing filled with Scorpions. Fire repels them but does not kill them.
15: Home of some Will-o'-the-wisps.
16: The former nest of a dead Eagle, with a perfectly lootable Gold Chain that is now ours.
17: The abode of the now-dead Master of Spiders, and his Spider Amulet.
18: Home of the dreaded Sword Trees. Fire is not very effective against them.
20: A cliff overlooking a river.
24: A patch of freshly cut Crab Grass.
25: The home of the recently slain Pool Beast. It had a Violet Jewel embedded in its forehead that has been looted.
26: The home of some recently killed Swamp Orcs, whose bows cost you a SKILL point if you don't have a Golden Magnet Charm.
28: A pool of dead Slime.
29: Home of a healed Unicorn, which gives out two Spell Gems (Luck and Friendship) as a reward.
30. A patch of quicksand. Avoid.
32: The home of a dead Giant Scorpion that had been eating an equally dead Dwarf, carrying a Potion to make Dwarves Handsome (that is detrimental to humans.)
33: A riverbank.
34. A stream, which can be frozen.
35: A bridge which is safe to cross.
W: The town of Willowbend. The Bent Spear is a good place to stay, restoring 2 STAMINA.
X: A crossroads.
FOG: Poisonous fog that deals 2 STAMINA damage when walked through.

Shrapnel · Post by **Shrapnel** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:41 am

Looked at the wrong part of the post.

South. NORTH. WEST. Just 'cause.

Dr_Noface · Post by **Dr_Noface** » Sat May 25, 2013 1:08 am

i vote we explore the unexplored, we got stamina to burn

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Sat May 25, 2013 4:49 am

Dr_Noface wrote:i vote we explore the unexplored, we got stamina to burn

Yeah this. We could have gone West from the Unicorn glen, right? There's nothing there we need obviously, because we got to Willow Bend and the magic berry without having to go there. But there are various swamp treasures in this swamp that we haven't gotten yet, and we might as well check out what horrible parts of the wilderness there are so we can better plan our evil adventure.

-Username17

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat May 25, 2013 5:20 am

You are back in the clearing where you met the Thief. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies killed the Thief.)

There are three paths leading away from the clearing. The northern one seems to slope downwards. Will you go:

North?
South?
East?

(I imagine south, to the clearing then to the crossroads.)

The knotted trees give way before you and you enter another clearing. This is Clearing 5. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has been here before.)

You see few signs of the earlier battle. The bodies of the Orcs have gone. A foot-long Scorpion glares at you from a pool as you hurry through the clearing.

There are three paths leading out of the clearing. The one that leads east is somewhat narrower and darker than the others. Will you go:

North?
East?
West?

(West is best for getting to the Unicorn's crossroads.)

The path dips slightly downwards and leads into a grassy clearing. This is Clearing 29. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has been here before.) This is the glade where you met the Unicorn, but there is nothing here now.

There are four exits. Will you go:

North?
South?
East?
West?

(West is the only direction we haven't been.)

The path becomes wider by degrees, and you see flowers growing here and there. This is Clearing 23. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has not been here before.) But you feel the hairs on the back of your neck begin to stand up. Something is wrong! Your Brass Ring is warning you of evil. You look around and see nothing but the pretty flowers, growing thickly along the path. Then you remember the old stories of the FEAR FLOWERS. You know that the Flowers themselves are frightening you. Their pollen induces terror. You are shaking now; lose 1 SKILL point. Will you:

Try to run past the flowers?
Attack them with your sword?
Cast a Fire spell? (might actually have this)
Cast a Wither spell?

(Fear Flowers. Fucking seriously. And I thought Sword Trees would be the stupidest thing in the book. US Steve Jackson, I love your FF books, but I don't think you should be allowed to write up fictional plants for them. Or anything, just to be safe. So, anyways, what spells did we buy back in Willowbend? We might be able to burninate these. Also, waiting until we get through this clearing before casting SKILL, in case these flowers do more stupid things.)

I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies
SKILL 8/10
STAMINA 16/20
LUCK 11/11
Equipment: Sword, Chainmail, Brass Ring
Backpack: Antherica Berry
Amulets: None
Spells: Skill x 1, [two other Neutral spells]
Map:
......................................[11]
........................................^
[W]....[15]<-[X]->->->->[07]
..^........v......^..................v
[10]<-[28]...[32]<-[16]<-[30]
...............................^
..........[33]->[20]...[35]
............^.......v........^
..........FOG....[09]->[13]
............^.......^
[23]<-[29]->[05]->[24]->[26]
............^.................v.........v
..........[18].............[17]....[08]
............^.................v
..........[34]...............v
............^.................v
..........[04]<-[01]<-[12]->[25]
(Key: Ignore ellipses.)

1: Crossroads and entrance/exit to/from Scorpion Swamp.
4: The now-friendly Master of Wolves' house, where he yiffs lives with his two Wolves.
5: A former battleground. Contents unknown, and now gone.
7: A clearing occupied by a now friendly Giant. He was upset because he lost his handkerchief, which is the Red Cloak that the Thief carried, but we gave it back to him and now he's our BFF.
8: The home of the Master of Frogs. He likes Violet Jewels.
9: A dead Thief's former picnic site. The Thief carried a Red Cloak, which is now ours.
10: An encampment of surprisingly friendly Brigands.
11: The last Antherica plant, guarded by two Wolves.
12: A tree hollow that is the home of a now dead Bear. It has no loot.
13: A clearing filled with Scorpions. Fire repels them but does not kill them.
15: Home of some Will-o'-the-wisps.
16: The former nest of a dead Eagle, with a perfectly lootable Gold Chain that is now ours.
17: The abode of the now-dead Master of Spiders, and his Spider Amulet.
18: Home of the dreaded Sword Trees. Fire is not very effective against them.
20: A cliff overlooking a river.
23: The legendary Fear Flowers, which damage the SKILL of any soul unfortunate enough to come across them.
24: A patch of freshly cut Crab Grass.
25: The home of the recently slain Pool Beast. It had a Violet Jewel embedded in its forehead that has been looted.
26: The home of some recently killed Swamp Orcs, whose bows cost you a SKILL point if you don't have a Golden Magnet Charm.
28: A pool of dead Slime.
29: Home of a healed Unicorn, which gives out two Spell Gems (Luck and Friendship) as a reward.
30. A patch of quicksand. Avoid.
32: The home of a dead Giant Scorpion that had been eating an equally dead Dwarf, carrying a Potion to make Dwarves Handsome (that is detrimental to humans.)
33: A riverbank.
34. A stream, which can be frozen.
35: A bridge which is safe to cross.
W: The town of Willowbend. The Bent Spear is a good place to stay, restoring 2 STAMINA.
X: A crossroads.
FOG: Poisonous fog that deals 2 STAMINA damage when walked through.

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Sat May 25, 2013 5:31 am

We should probably just run through, and then not cast skill because we'll have to run back through these things coming the other way. We'll skill up when it's time to fight the Sword Trees. In the meantime, our Skill is probably going to drop to 7 or less.

-Username17

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:20 pm

The fear intensifies as you run away from the Fear Flowers; lose another SKILL point. When you are past the bulk of the flowers, the fear subsides a little.

There are two exits from the clearing.

Do you want to go north or go east?

(I assume north, since we came from the east.)

As you continue north, the swamp seems to change in character. It becomes less gloomy, and more like a tropical jungle. Brightly colored birds flit through the trees. This is Clearing 14. (I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies has not been here before. Ahead of you, on a low branch, sits a huge red and yellow Parrot. As you come nearer, it speaks to you! "Who are you, and what is your business with the Mistress of Birds?" it asks. Will you:

Attack the Parrot?
Ask to meet its mistress?

I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies
SKILL 7/10
STAMINA 16/20
LUCK 11/11
Equipment: Sword, Chainmail, Brass Ring
Backpack: Antherica Berry
Amulets: None
Spells: Skill x 1, [two other Neutral spells]
Map:
......................................[11]
........................................^
[W]....[15]<-[X]->->->->[07]
..^........v......^..................v
[10]<-[28]...[32]<-[16]<-[30]
...............................^
..........[33]->[20]...[35]
............^.......v........^
[14]...FOG....[09]->[13]
..^........^.......^
[23]<-[29]->[05]->[24]->[26]
............^.................v.........v
..........[18].............[17]....[08]
............^.................v
..........[34]...............v
............^.................v
..........[04]<-[01]<-[12]->[25]
(Key: Ignore ellipses.)

1: Crossroads and entrance/exit to/from Scorpion Swamp.
4: The now-friendly Master of Wolves' house, where he yiffs lives with his two Wolves.
5: A former battleground. Contents unknown, and now gone.
7: A clearing occupied by a now friendly Giant. He was upset because he lost his handkerchief, which is the Red Cloak that the Thief carried, but we gave it back to him and now he's our BFF.
8: The home of the Master of Frogs. He likes Violet Jewels.
9: A dead Thief's former picnic site. The Thief carried a Red Cloak, which is now ours.
10: An encampment of surprisingly friendly Brigands.
11: The last Antherica plant, guarded by two Wolves.
12: A tree hollow that is the home of a now dead Bear. It has no loot.
13: A clearing filled with Scorpions. Fire repels them but does not kill them.
14: A tropical clearing inhabited by a Parrot that serves the Mistress of Birds.
15: Home of some Will-o'-the-wisps.
16: The former nest of a dead Eagle, with a perfectly lootable Gold Chain that is now ours.
17: The abode of the now-dead Master of Spiders, and his Spider Amulet.
18: Home of the dreaded Sword Trees. Fire is not very effective against them.
20: A cliff overlooking a river.
23: The legendary Fear Flowers, which damage the SKILL of any soul unfortunate enough to come across them.
24: A patch of freshly cut Crab Grass.
25: The home of the recently slain Pool Beast. It had a Violet Jewel embedded in its forehead that has been looted.
26: The home of some recently killed Swamp Orcs, whose bows cost you a SKILL point if you don't have a Golden Magnet Charm.
28: A pool of dead Slime.
29: Home of a healed Unicorn, which gives out two Spell Gems (Luck and Friendship) as a reward.
30. A patch of quicksand. Avoid.
32: The home of a dead Giant Scorpion that had been eating an equally dead Dwarf, carrying a Potion to make Dwarves Handsome (that is detrimental to humans.)
33: A riverbank.
34. A stream, which can be frozen.
35: A bridge which is safe to cross.
W: The town of Willowbend. The Bent Spear is a good place to stay, restoring 2 STAMINA.
X: A crossroads.
FOG: Poisonous fog that deals 2 STAMINA damage when walked through.

Korgan0 · Post by **Korgan0** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:28 pm

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:50 pm

Things that speak are not automatically mutual enemies. Ask.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat May 25, 2013 2:44 pm

The Parrot fixes you with a beady eye. "Just walk forward. She knows that you are coming." You go through a screen of low palm trees, and find yourself in a beautiful glade. Thousands of colored birds fill the air and the surrounding trees. Great Herons and Eagles stalk about. Seated on a low pedestal in the midst of this splendor is a lovely woman, who you know must be the Mistress of Birds. She greets you by name, and asks your business. Your reply, of course, depends on your patron. (It is Selator.)

The Brass Ring is cold; you know that the Mistress of Birds is a good wizard. You explain your quest and ask her for help. She claps her hands in glee, and for a moment she looks like a young girl. "Is there really an Antherica bush left?" She is overjoyed. She knows that your quest, if it succeeds, will help the cause of Good everywhere. She gives you a magic potion which restores any one of your scores (you choose which one) to its Initial level. Then she motions you to be silent. She holds out her hands and several small birds fly to her. Then she tells you "Selator was right! There is, indeed, a bush of Antherica to the northeast. If you like, I can help you get there. You accept gratefully.

(Whoops, looks like they forgot to account for the possibility you came here on a return trip. Anyways, what potion do we want? I'd assume Skill, but we already have a spell that will do that for us. However, a Stamina potion would only restore 4 points of STAMINA and a Luck potion would be useless to us right now. Also, spells. Need to know the spells.)

(I was wrong. This image also didn't exist on the interwebs. Now every illustration from this book does.)

She gives a strange, piercing cry. It seems to echo among the trees. "I have just summoned a great Eagle, whom I ride when I travel. He will not carry you like a common steed, but if I command it, he will take you back to his nest, which is on the other side of the Foulbrood River. It will save you many hours of dangerous travelling." When she finishes speaking, you hear a beating of wings, and an enormous Eagle lands beside you. You cannot understand what she says to it, but abruptly it springs into the air. Its talons clutch you firmly around the waist, and its wings beat thunderously. In an instant the clearing is far below you. The Eagle flies north-east. Below, you see other clearings, and then the wide, greenish expanse of the Foulbrood River. Great crocodiles are visible, and other monsters. Then the Eagle flies down, into a clearing where there is a single tall tree containing a huge nest made out of branches. The Eagle deposits you on the ground and flies away. You are in Clearing 16.

(Good thing the Giant Eagle didn't stay, or he'd see that we killed his mate and looted their nest. Oh, well, at least we don't need to go through the Fear Flowers again now. Being Evil is going to kick ass, we get Wither which should make us be able to tell Fear Flowers and Sword Trees to fuck off.)

You have no reason to linger. You have a choice of three paths. Will you travel:

South?
East?
West?

(So do we want to do some more exploring, or just head back?)

I Live Only to Destroy our Mutual Enemies
SKILL 7/10
STAMINA 16/20
LUCK 11/11
Equipment: Sword, Chainmail, Brass Ring
Backpack: Antherica Berry
Amulets: None
Spells: Skill x 1, [two other Neutral spells]
Map:
......................................[11]
........................................^
[W]....[15]<-[X]->->->->[07]
..^........v......^..................v
[10]<-[28]...[32]<-[16]<-[30]
...............................^
..........[33]->[20]...[35]
............^.......v........^
[14]...FOG....[09]->[13]
..^........^.......^
[23]<-[29]->[05]->[24]->[26]
............^.................v.........v
..........[18].............[17]....[08]
............^.................v
..........[34]...............v
............^.................v
..........[04]<-[01]<-[12]->[25]
(Key: Ignore ellipses.)

1: Crossroads and entrance/exit to/from Scorpion Swamp.
4: The now-friendly Master of Wolves' house, where he yiffs lives with his two Wolves.
5: A former battleground. Contents unknown, and now gone.
7: A clearing occupied by a now friendly Giant. He was upset because he lost his handkerchief, which is the Red Cloak that the Thief carried, but we gave it back to him and now he's our BFF.
8: The home of the Master of Frogs. He likes Violet Jewels.
9: A dead Thief's former picnic site. The Thief carried a Red Cloak, which is now ours.
10: An encampment of surprisingly friendly Brigands.
11: The last Antherica plant, guarded by two Wolves.
12: A tree hollow that is the home of a now dead Bear. It has no loot.
13: A clearing filled with Scorpions. Fire repels them but does not kill them.
14: A tropical clearing inhabited by the Mistress of Birds and her Parrot. If you serve Good she will give you a potion and a ride to Clearing 16.
15: Home of some Will-o'-the-wisps.
16: The former nest of a dead Eagle, with a perfectly lootable Gold Chain that is now ours.
17: The abode of the now-dead Master of Spiders, and his Spider Amulet.
18: Home of the dreaded Sword Trees. Fire is not very effective against them.
20: A cliff overlooking a river.
23: The legendary Fear Flowers, which damage the SKILL of any soul unfortunate enough to come across them.
24: A patch of freshly cut Crab Grass.
25: The home of the recently slain Pool Beast. It had a Violet Jewel embedded in its forehead that has been looted.
26: The home of some recently killed Swamp Orcs, whose bows cost you a SKILL point if you don't have a Golden Magnet Charm.
28: A pool of dead Slime.
29: Home of a healed Unicorn, which gives out two Spell Gems (Luck and Friendship) as a reward.
30. A patch of quicksand. Avoid.
32: The home of a dead Giant Scorpion that had been eating an equally dead Dwarf, carrying a Potion to make Dwarves Handsome (that is detrimental to humans.)
33: A riverbank.
34. A stream, which can be frozen.
35: A bridge which is safe to cross.
W: The town of Willowbend. The Bent Spear is a good place to stay, restoring 2 STAMINA.
X: A crossroads.
FOG: Poisonous fog that deals 2 STAMINA damage when walked through.

EDIT: fixed typo.

Dr_Noface · Post by **Dr_Noface** » Sat May 25, 2013 3:20 pm

More exploring. Is there one more master?

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Sat May 25, 2013 5:33 pm

Dr_Noface wrote:More exploring. Is there one more master?

I don't think they said how many masters there were. The intro just says that there are masters, and that they are all wizards and they've taken over the swamp. Also it specifies that the Master of Wolves exists, but we've already met him as both characters.

We have found two Neutral masters, one Evil master, and one Good master. That sounds like it could be it, but it also sounds like there might be two more masters (one more Evil and Good). I think the only places we haven't been are North from area X and West from the Sword Trees. So, north from X?

-Username17

The Gaming Den

Let's Play Fighting Fantasy #8: Scorpion Swamp

Once we finish our quest in this book, what should we do?