[Let's Play] Blood Sword I - The Battlepits of Krarth

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:30 am

I assume that the code of honour that Dame Caecilia is required to abide by (despite not actually knowing what it is) opposes the act of theft, and that she would speak against any such act if she were aware it was being contemplated.

But I say: do the theft. It's probably a good opportunity to see how judgy-preachy the book is while the stakes are still pretty low.

Shiritai · Post by **Shiritai** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:32 am

SGamerz wrote:
Shiritai wrote:
Starmaker wrote:Let's see what I can do.
I second this. I can't think of any downsides of using ESP.
Unfortunately, Starmaker isn't the Sage, he's the Trickster. The Sage (Darth) voted for him, too.

Well, that's what I get for posting while exhausted. Though to be fair, Pepito and Benedict are both wrapped in leather and cloth, so I'd think some confusion would be understandable.

And I agree with Darth about trying ESP, and also vote for Reed casting Prediction.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 7:11 am

The Trickster hasn't made his decision yet, but in the meantime I'll post something that I'd forgotten to do previously: the "Glossary" that gives some info/background to the world in this series.

GLOSSARY:

the Battlepits
The name of a large underground complex of tunnels and chambers, located beneath the plains of Krarth. Also used as the name of the contest staged by the Magi of Krarth every thirteen lunar months, wherein a group of champions are sent down into the Battlepits to vie with each other. The aim of the contest is to get through a succession of magical opponents and problems to the Emblem of Victory. The magi bet among themselves on the outcome, of course, and sometimes a Magus will intervene covertly to assist his champions or hinder the progress of those sponsored by a rival.

the Blasting
The demon-spawned disaster in which Spyte (qv) was laid to ruin and the True Magi were killed. After this holocaust, which lasted for three days and nights, Spyte was left isolated by a deep chasm which many believe goes right down to the fires of Hell.

the Cauldron
The name by which peasants and travellers know the deep gorge surrounding the ruins of Spyte. Steam rises in sulphurous clouds from this, thickening in the chill air so that the ruins are rarely visible. The only way across is by flying, as the Cauldron is too wide even for spells such as Immediate Deliverance.

the Coradian
The sea around whose shores are located the richest ports and cities of the world. Also used as a collective adjective for the countries of the True Faith - Algandy, Chaubrette, Kurland, the New Selentine Empire, Asmuly and Emphidor - surrounding this sea.

Krarth
A large country in the far north of Legend, divided into several dozen separate states each of which is ruled over by a Magus. It is divided from the civilised lands around the Coradian Sea by a deep rift valley which cuts through the Coradian continent from eastern to western shore. A cold, inhospitable country full of ancient and xenophobic traditions, Krarth is avoided by most merchants from the southern lands.

Legend
The mortal world; Midgard, or Middle-Earth.

the Magi
The lords of Krarth. There are some thirty magi, each essentially a local despot with absolute dominion over his territories. Since the country cannot support a standing army of any size, disputes are settled by means of the Battlepits contest (qv) - and sometimes by assassination.

Selentium
The capital of the Old Selentine Empire which once took in most of the western world. After the fall of the Old Empire seven hundred years ago, Selentium has risen to a new importance as the centre of the True Faith.

Spyte
The "holy city" of the True Magi, who convened there every seven years in order to commune with the gods of Krarth. Today it stands in ruin, atop a pinnacle of rock in the middle of a vast rift in the earth ("the Cauldron").

the True Faith
The principal religion of modern Legend.

the True Magi
The original rulers of Krarth, wizards of unimaginable power, who were all slain in the Blasting of Spyte centuries ago. The present magi are for the most part the descendants of seneschals or apprentices who seized power in the ensuing confusion.

Starmaker · Post by **Starmaker** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:35 am

Benedict regards the merchant's money pouch wistfully. "Nope, too risky. I'd prefer to stay out of trouble until we find a sponsor."

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:49 am

The Trickster manages to restrain his criminal tendencies. I believe the next-popular decision is for the Sage to act (although the book never stated that he'll be suing ESP):

SAGE:

You have spent years studying a hundred tomes and crumbling parchments full of ancient knowledge. Surely somewhere you must have read something concerning the magi of Krarth? You clear your mind of all distractions, and gradually the din of the crowds fades away. You see countless old documents with your inner eye, and mentally sift them until you have found what you seek.

[The olive-green pennant represents Magus Kalugen, who is overlord of this citadel. A man of notorious cruelty, he has already won so many concessions this year from his fellow magi that he stands to gain very little from winning the contest. Magus Balhazar, whose pennant is a brilliant scarlet, is in quite the opposite position. He desperately needs to win the contest or he will have to cede much of his land - including thousands of acres of valuable pine forest - to his rivals. Magus Vyl is perhaps rather appropriately represented by a pennant of sombre black and purple. He is widely reputed to be one of the undead - a vampire who shuns the day and stalks the night in search of blood.]

Now return to 1 and select another choice.

The Sage is like a walking encyclopedia of general lore.

Next, the Enchanter has also expressed his wish to try something:

ENCHANTER:

You consider your various spells. Two non-combat spells might be of use to you now. But which? Make your choice (you will not need to roll Dice to cast the spell, because you are not in a combat situation). If you cast the Prediction spell, turn to 442. If you opt for the Summon Faltyn spell, turn to 242.

Since Shiritai already stated his intention to use the Prediction spell:

ENCHANTER:

You use your magic power to peer into the future - or rather, one of the many possible futures that await you depending on your decisions and actions.

[For an instant you see yourself holding aloft the Emblem of Victory, cheered by the crowds as you emerge triumphant from the Battlepits. But no - you are looking too far forward into the future, to a fate that depends upon countless variables. You attune your perception, concentrating on the next few hours. You glimpse a pallid man in black and purple standing over you with blood on his lips. The scene flickers and you glimpse another possible future. You now see yourself at a masquerade, searching for someone among the disguised guests: you approach a figure in a domino cape, and he removes his mask and claps you on the shoulder. You strive to see yet another version of events, but you cannot maintain the spell any longer.]

Drained by your massive effort, you cannot attempt another spell immediately. Return to 1 and make another choice.

Back to square one. Do you guys think you have enough information to go pick a pennant? Or do you still want to talk to the merchant?

Darth and Shiritai may decide whether or not they wish to share their knowledge.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 1:44 pm

"I'm not sure about you guys," Pepito whispers to the rest of the party, "but my sources suggest that Magus Balthazar will be the best sponsor, and therefore I suggest that we enter under his banner. The stakes are highest for him, so he's likely to offer us a lot of help to make sure we win."
(As I am sharing my knowledge you can read the spoilered block.)

Starmaker · Post by **Starmaker** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:38 pm

"And Kalugen stands a lot to lose. And that Vyl guy probably won't be missed if he disappears after a victory celebration -- certainly no one would suspect his champions. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.

"On the other hand, Balthazar sounds desperate. Therefore, it behooves us, as noble and just adventurers, to assist him in restoring the balance of power and crown ourselves with undying fame and glory." Ben tries his best to finish the phrase with a straight face. "Plus, his pennant color-coordinates with my outfit."

Shiritai · Post by **Shiritai** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:13 pm

Reed's eyes snap back into focus. "I agree, and Balthazar is a trustworthy name. Vyl is either a vampire or a sleepwalker with consumption, so let's avoid him. Also, if we find ourselves at a masquerade, the man in the mask and domino cape is probably the one we're looking for!" Reed beams with pride at this last statement.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 4:12 pm

"All else being equal, defending the one in the weakest position is most often the right thing to do. And red is, of course, the best color. Let it be Balthazar."

I move that the Trickster talk to the merchant before we move on. I have 10 moneys burning a hole in my pocket.

Starmaker · Post by **Starmaker** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:23 pm

I'll be doing what I do best, which is to say, ride around in winter acquiring health problems for Frank to fix later. I'll try to be back in 24 hours.

Meanwhile, let's talk to the merchant and spend money. Pepito, please ESP the guy if given the chance in case he's planning a scam.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:36 am

Two of you want to talk to the merchant, so I guess we'll take a look at what he says....

He lurches from side to side, struggling to focus on you. Giving vent to an enormous belch, he says, 'Lookin' fer employ with a magus, you'll be, I don' wonder. There's three still wantin' champions fer the contest - that's their pennants over by that booth . . .

'Magus Vyl is the worst o' the lot, but then 'e's a vampire an' I shouldn't speak ill o' the dead. Kalugen - lord o' this city, as you'll know - well, 'e ain't much better, an' he's not in the contest to win, I've 'eard. But the third - Magus Balhazar - is the best of a bad bunch, 'cause 'e's got most to lose in the contest, an' 'e'll be rewardin' 'is champions the best on account o' that.'

Any hopes you might have of questioning the merchant further are soon dashed. Exhausted by the effort of speaking, he favours you with a broad grin and then falls like a plank on the cobblestones. A boot in the ribs does nothing to rouse him from his drunken stupor, so you decide to approach the booth.

He basically just confirms what the Sage already knows. At least the info is free. The best merchant is a drunk merchant it seems.

You saunter up to the booth. The three pennants flutter forlornly in the evening breeze. You return the cold stares of the magi's stewards with a scowl.

If you want to take the olive-green pennant, turn to 52. If you want to take the scarlet pennant, turn to 28. If you select the black and purple pennant, turn to 381. If you try talking to the stewards first, turn to 227.

Since most of you already agree that Balthazar is the guy you want, I'd just go ahead and pick the scarlet pennant.

You snatch up the red pennant and hold it aloft. Two of the stewards look at each other barely concealing their frustration, and stomp off to the booth. The third rushes up to you excitedly. 'You have chosen the pennant of the esteemed and generous Magus Balhazar!' he cries.

Just at this moment a tall man dressed in scarlet robes sweeps majestically across the square towards you. The steward bows abjectly to him.

It's time to meet your new Boss:

'I am Balhazar,' says the man in red, stroking his moustache. 'I will be pleased to engage you to represent me in tomorrow's contest. First, however, I must test your worthiness. Regardless of your strength and courage, you will require great cunning if you are to win for me tomorrow, and several promising candidates have already been rejected because they lacked the necessary intelligence. Therefore, come to my mansion tonight. When you arrive there, you will know the nature of the test...'

You arrive at Balhazar's mansion as the temple gongs of the citadel sound out the hour of midnight. A long avenue flanked by cedar trees and decorated with gaily covered lanterns and embroidered banners on poles stretches to the white marble portico of the main entrance. Guards patrol up and down the avenue, but they seem to ignore most of the guests. However, they stare long and hard at you and are just about to step up and challenge you when Balhazar's usher rushes from the doorway of the house to greet you. He gestures you towards the doorway, behind which you can see a party in full swing. All the revellers wear masks concealing their identities. They are entertained by jugglers and musicians.

The usher offers you a tray with drinks and sweetmeats laid out on it. 'My master will speak to you of employment,' he says. 'That is' - he gestures at the dozens of revellers - 'if you have the ability to find him ...'

You stare in bewilderment at the masked party-goers. How are you to locate your prospective employer among them?

If there is a Trickster who wishes to bribe the usher, turn to 53. If there is a Sage who intends using ESP, turn to 309. If there is an Enchanter who thinks it is worth summoning a Faltyn, turn to 232. If you just want to use your powers of deduction to work out which of the revellers is Balhazar, turn to 458.

Once again, the Warrior is the only one who gets left out. We'll be getting used to this soon enough.

Anyone wants to show off their own stuff?

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:59 am

Pepito is going to make up for not being able to use ESP on the merchant. It's mind-reading time!

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 3:00 am

As it's been confirmed that our patron has the slightly exoticized name of Balhazar (no 't'), my mind now refuses to pronounce it any way other than 'Ball-has-er.' Like Gunhaver, but even less grammatical and concerning a single testicle.

More on topic, I think it might be best not to mind-read in a crowd of high-level unwholesome sorcerers lest you wind up with a carnivorous duck fetish or something. I think we can probs just use our wits on this one.

Shiritai · Post by **Shiritai** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 3:59 am

I agree with angel; let's use our powers of knowing the future deduction.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:25 pm

Good point. Changing my vote to deduction.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 2:18 am

Nobody wants to try their own special abilities here, so moving on:

How will you identify Balhazar? By his height, by his mannerisms, by the colour he is wearing or by his clothing?

Well, Sherlock, what do you observe?

Shiritai · Post by **Shiritai** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 5:39 am

Lets go for clothing, since that's what Reed saw.

Starmaker · Post by **Starmaker** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:58 am

A boot in the ribs does nothing to rouse him from his drunken stupor, so you decide to approach the booth.

Wait, wait, why couldn't have I robbed him then?
Man, that book.

I trust Reed on this one. (And scew bribing the usher, I won't pay money to take up a potentially deadly job.)

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 7:17 am

There is a profusion of different costumes all around you. A man in a sequined mask capers about the room in jester's motley. A blond-wigged man dressed like a Mercanian reaver enters from the garden with a slim young lady on his arm. You notice two men standing beside a fountain in earnest conversation: one is dressed like a torturer, the other like a perfumed dandy. On a chaiselongue, you notice a fellow in a domino cape romancing a girl in black velvet.

Whom will you approach? The jester (turn to 527), the reaver, the torturer, the dandy or the domino?

Since the Enchanter already revealed his hint to the whole party, I think it's safe to go ahead and pick the domino guy that he saw from his Prediction.

Balhazar is unmistakable. You approach him and bow. 'My lord Magus,' you say confidently, 'you should devise a more difficult test in future.'

He looks up, smiling. 'Few have passed this one as you have. Now, let us dispense with the charade. . .' With a wave of his hand he dispels the illusion of party goers. You stand beside him in an empty ballroom.

Balhazar is about to accept you formally to champion him in the Battlepits. Suddenly he looks around, startled. A figure in a dark blue cloak lurks in the shadows behind a pillar. He is creeping towards you with a long steel dagger in his hand.

'An Assassin!' bellows Balhazar as the mysterious figure jumps towards him.

The Assassin sees that you are blocking his route to Balhazar. He stops short and raises the dagger as though he is about to throw it. Balhazar is frantically preparing a spell.

What about you? If you charge to attack the Assassin, turn to 366. If you hang back and see what Balhazar does, turn to 149.

Do you wish to attack?

Starmaker · Post by **Starmaker** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:30 am

It's ether a legit attack or Balhazar testing us. We've signed up to fight for him; since he's clearly communicating alarm, we should attack. If he goes "hur hur that was a test and you should've known", screw him.

I'll have to note I'm rather suspicious of a guy whose solution to imminent bankruptcy is throwing a party.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 1:06 pm

Starmaker wrote:I'll have to note I'm rather suspicious of a guy whose solution to imminent bankruptcy is throwing a party.

Why? You enjoy what you have while you have, and the repo men get to haul away less.

Fight the assassin!

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 1:42 pm

Let's fight the assassin.

Shiritai · Post by **Shiritai** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 3:08 pm

Starmaker wrote:I'll have to note I'm rather suspicious of a guy whose solution to imminent bankruptcy is throwing a party.

To be fair, we were his only guests, and it did delay that assassination attempt.

Fight the assassin, and Reed prepares White Fire.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:43 pm

Pepito will whip out the bow and shoot the assassin in the face if possible.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 11:58 am

Deploy yourself (or selves) as shown. The Assassin curses; he cannot hurl his poisoned knife now that you are attacking him.

Assassin

Fighting Prowess: 7 Damage per blow: 1 Die+1
Psychic Ability: 7 Awareness: 7
Endurance: 15

Note: His dagger is poisoned. If he wounds a character, that character will die at once. Nothing can prevent this.

Fight him for two Rounds. If you have not slain him by then, Balhazar manages to prepare and hurl a Nemesis Bolt spell that strikes him dead.

Now, I know that a couple of you have already posted what you want to do, but you didn't know abut the lethal poison at the time (and also the fact that you only need to last 2 rounds), so I'm going to leave this for another day to see if you want to change your strategies.