[LP] DestinyQuest 2: The Heart of Fire

angelfromanotherpin · Fri Jul 27, 2018 11:01 pm

Check the shop.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sat Jul 28, 2018 12:59 am

Time to go shopping

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Jul 28, 2018 1:15 am

Warily, you step between the guards, who both shoot you a mean glare from beneath their leather helms. You offer a thin smile by way of greeting, trying not to choke on the odor of ale and sweat emanating from their dirt-stained armor.
'Behave yerself or yer'll see the point of ma blade,' mutters one, his scowl revealing black-stained teeth.
'A point well made.' You smile thinly, glancing down at the man's rusty sword.
Ignoring his bemused frown, you push on the door and enter the shop. Inside, you find a dark, dingy room, devoid of furnishings save for a row of hunting trophies along one wall and a bear-skin rug spread across the slatted floor. Behind a counter, a grizzled man slouches in a high-backed chair, idly picking at his teeth with a dagger. His matted black hair and tangled beard give him a wild appearance, perfectly in keeping with his choice of decor.

Will you:
Ask to see the man's wares?
Admire the hunting trophies?
Leave the shop?

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Sat Jul 28, 2018 3:03 am

Trophies first.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:09 am

Trophies then shopping.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sun Jul 29, 2018 1:24 am

Yeah, trophies first. Maybe he'll offer to buy trophies from any future quests too.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Jul 30, 2018 6:26 pm

Trophies:
You find your eyes drawn to the grisly trophies that adorn the wall. The centerpiece is a stag's head, with enormous spiked antlers stretching across the ceiling. There is also a grey wolf, a brown bear and a ghost lynx's head. Each one has its mouth agape, teeth bared—their twisted visages s menacing in death as they must have been in life.
'It's an impressive collection,' you remark, leaning closer to the brown bear. You could almost fit your head inside its fanged jaws. 'Are you a hunter?'
'I am, yeah,' sniffs the shopkeeper. 'I sold a few of my best, but those are for keeps.
'You sold this one?' you ask, tapping your finger on an empty plaque where you assume a head had once rested.
'That space is reserved,' growls the hunter. 'For the black shuck. A hellhound that stalks the western fens. I seen it only once—a terrible thing it was, the biggest hound you ever saw, with eyes of fire and a hide as black as midnight. I'd give my right hand to get close to that one again.' He slams the point of his dagger into the counter, twisting it round with a cruel sneer.
(Mr. Patio doesn't have the hound's head.)

Shopping:
'So you must be Edgar,' you state, approaching the counter. The man gives you a fierce look, his thick brows knitting together with annoyance.
'Change of management,' he growls. 'Me name's Kam. Last owner squealed and ran.' He flips the dagger into the air, catching it deftly. 'I'm waiting on fresh supplies, so not got much in that would interest the likes of you, sell-sword. I guess you didn't come here for a fresh pair of boots or a rain hat, eh?'
You shrug your shoulders, staring past him to the empty shelves. 'Do you have anything at all?' you ask, in all seriousness.
With a grunt, the man turns in his chair. 'Margrit! Margrit!'
'Yes dear!' calls a woman's voice from a back room.
'Bring out the special deals, whatever we got left.'
You hear some banging and scraping, then the sound of creaking floorboards. A few moments later a short woman appears, carrying a jumble of objects in her arms. Unlike Kam, she is well turned out, her silver-grey hair tied back in a bun. She drops the items onto the counter, nods her head quickly in greeting, and then scuttles away into the backroom.
'So,' smiles Kam, his dirty fingers rummaging through the goods as if they were a pirate's treasure hoard. 'Do any of these beauties take your fancy?'
You may purchase any of the following for 80 gold crowns each:

Pilgrim's progress (feet) +1 speed +1 armor ability: surefooted (1/combat, reroll all of your hero's attack speed dice)
Walking stick (main hand: staff) +1 speed +1 magic ability: safe path (1/combat, +2 speed for one round)
Wolf's paw (talisman) +1 speed

(Pick one to buy if you want and then we've done everything that we currently can in Raven's Rest, so pick another destination.)

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Mon Jul 30, 2018 8:58 pm

Pilgrim's Progress is a strict upgrade compared to our current stiletto heels.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Mon Jul 30, 2018 9:03 pm

I wouldn't buy anything in Act 1 unless it was egregiously above the curve. The previous book liked to have plot things cost money early on.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:25 am

Wait till we've finish everything in Act 1, and then but if we can't find something better.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:29 pm

So we’re not buying anything for now. Where to next?

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Tue Jul 31, 2018 2:00 pm

Blue-roofed house quest at 60.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Tue Jul 31, 2018 6:52 pm

Sure, that.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 4:05 am

Quest: Menace from the deep

Through the veil of falling snow, you finally catch sight of the logging camp—four stone cabins, arranged within a clearing. Behind them the forested hills give rise to the impressive Valhalla mountain range, the lofty peaks lost to the clouds.
'Be on your guard!' snaps the gruff voice of the captain as he marches to the front of the group, his boots crunching through the snow. He is a heavily-built veteran, muscles bulging beneath his leather tunic. He turns to look back at your rag-tag band, his eyes squinting in the bright light. With a grimace, he works a roll of tobacco around his mouth before spitting juice into the snow. 'Goblins are dangerous. Let's not have any foolish heroics...I'm looking at you, Vas.'
A shaven-headed woman, her features as hard and sharp as the mountains, gives a snort. She whispers something to her companion, a tall skinny man with a rat-like face. He sniggers, drawing out his broadsword with a ring of steel.
'Just another gobbo hunt,' he grins, patting the blade. 'When we get to see some real action, Cap'n?'
'Shut that greasy mouth of yours, Surl or I'll shut it for yer,' growls the captain, stabbing a fat finger in the air. 'I'm not having any talk back on this mission. You got that? Same goes for the rest of you noobs.'
You glance around at the gathering—a dozen mercenaries and adventurers, recruited from Carvel for what was described as a 'simple' mission. There have been reports of goblin raids from the north. The logging camp was attacked recently and, seeing a chance for some local fame and fortune, Captain Sanders has put together a group to investigate.
'Right, now move it,' he growls, turning and staring down the slope. 'And stay frosty, people. Surl, go scout. Vas, I want you out on that left flank.'
His two regulars move quickly and efficiently; the rat-faced man scuttling towards the camp while the woman hurries into the trees, a knife in each hand. They are soon lost from sight.
Shoving through branches, you arrive at the edge of the camp. Surl is already waiting there, crouched beside an overturned cart. The camp is clearly deserted, its contents ransacked. You see boxes and crates smashed open, doors banging to and fro in the wind, sheets and clothing poking out of the snow.
'Don't smell no stinking gobboes,' says Surl, snorting and then spitting over his shoulder.
'I think we're too late,' sighs one of the group.
The captain turns and grabs the person who spoke, a boyish-looking mage in grey-woolen robes. 'Then you can join Surl and go search those cabins. Rest of us will stay 'ere. Now get moving.'
(Mr. Patio has the word sure blade written on his hero sheet.)

You remember the story you overheard in 'The Pilgrim's Rest' about the valuable sword that had been left behind. Seeing your chance to acquire this treasure, you quickly raise your hand, offering to join Surl and the mage. The captain nods then gives you a hearty shove, sending you staggering forward into the camp. 'Get to it then, runt!'
With weapons at the ready, the three of you search the cabins. It appears that everything—cupboards, shelves, chests—has already been rifled through and anything of value taken, including food. There are a few signs that a fight took place—sword nicks in a wall, a scorched area of floor and arrows protruding from a makeshift shield.
From outside, you hear the captain bellowing orders.
'Time to go,' growls Surl, sheathing his blade and hurrying out of the cabin. You are about to follow, when you notice one of the beds at the end of the barracks has not been vandalized. It was probably missed by the goblins. You walk over to investigate, wondering if you might still have a chance to find the woodman's sword.
Above the bed hangs a painting of a brown-haired girl, holding a posy of flowers to her nose. As you step closer to inspect it, your eyes are caught by a leather strap protruding from underneath one of the pillows.

Will you:
Investigate the painting?
Look under the pillow?

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:07 am

Look under the pillow. Physical loot > plot.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:39 am

I'm just worried that the strap is too obvious and might end up being a red herring and the sword might actually be behind the painting. Hopefully this is not one of those books.

Pillow.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:41 am

SGamerz wrote:I'm just worried that the strap is too obvious and might end up being a red herring and the sword might actually be behind the painting. Hopefully this is not one of those books.

Pillow.

Are you implying we aren't going to also search the painting if the game lets us?

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:53 am

Omegonthesane wrote:
SGamerz wrote:I'm just worried that the strap is too obvious and might end up being a red herring and the sword might actually be behind the painting. Hopefully this is not one of those books.

Pillow.
Are you implying we aren't going to also search the painting if the game lets us?

I'm under the impression that we may only have time to check 1 of the 2 because Surl is waiting for us. I may be wrong, of course.

Given the book usual style we probably can check everything, but there's been the occasional rare exception. Especially since this option was triggered by a codeword so it might be different.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:53 pm

You push aside the pillow, only to discover that the strap is actually a leather cord, attached to a small silver whistle. If you wish, you may now take the following item:

Silver whistle
(necklace)
Ability: faithful friend (1/combat summon a faithful hound to your side, increasing your damage score by 2 for one round)

Outside, you hear the captain's gruff voice, barking orders once again. Not wishing to be on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing, you quickly leave the cabin.

SGamerz was right on both fronts. Do we want to take the whistle?

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Thu Aug 02, 2018 4:29 pm

Seems ungood compared to current necklace, abandon.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:29 am

The captain chews thoughtfully on his roll of tobacco. 'I expected the goblins to have holed up here; that's what they normally do.'
Vas, the shaven-headed warrior, returns to the group. 'Snow's making it difficult but I found goblin tracks coming down from the mountains. An equal number of tracks are headed away south. They didn't stay here; must have moved on.' The woman thrusts her knives back into her belt. 'We gonna follow 'em? I didn't come all this way just to eyeball the scenery.'
The captain is silent for a moment, peering at the mountains through the thickening snow. 'We go north.'
There are gasps of surprise from the party. Surl voices what everyone is thinking. 'But the gobboes went south...' he says.
The captain leans forward, spitting a stream of juice into the muddy snow. 'They were in a hurry, fleeing from something—perhaps just a raiding party. Either way, our problem lies in that direction. He lifts his burly arm, pointing a finger towards the grey mountains. 'I ain't running after a few goblins. There's gotta be more of 'em up there. You want to stop a flood, you go straight to the source.'
The captain trudges off through the camp. Surl and Vas exchange looks, then grudgingly fall into step behind him, leaving the rest of you to bring up the rear.

Your legs soon ache from your ascent into the mountains. After what seems like a lifetime you finally reach a ledge, banked with snow. Here the goblin tracks are clearly visible, leading into and out of a cave.
The captain slides his shield from his back and tugs his axe loose from his belt. You see the others similarly drawing their weapons, tensed and ready for combat. Surl, the party's tracker, creeps forward into the cave. The rest of you follow, unsure what you will find inside.

You emerge in a huge cavern, brightly lit by luminous mushrooms growing along the walls. It is hard to get a sense of scale, even with the light—the ceiling is lost from view, somewhere in the chill darkness above. The wind provides the only sound in this vast space, making an eerie moaning sound as it whistles between the rocks and channels.
Warily, the party progresses across the cavern. After a hundred meters you hear Surl making a disgusted grunt. His foot is caught in something green and sticky. As he tugs his foot loose, he pokes at the slime with his sword.
'What's this?' he sniffs. 'Hey, we got some goblin snot!'
'Shut it,' growls the captain, eying his surroundings warily. 'I heard something...'
Everyone is silent, turning slowly on the spot. For a moment all you can hear is the murmur of the wind, then you hear something else—a skittering, metallic sound. It is hard to make out where it is coming from. Slowly, your eyes are drawn upwards, towards the dark ceiling...
Then you hear a cry from behind you. Spinning around, you manage to catch sight of the young mage being dragged into the air, kicking and flailing. He is lost from sight in seconds.
'What is it?' shouts Vas, falling into a crouch. 'I don't see—'
There is another scream, as one of the party is hit by something—it looks like a stream of green sticky goo. They are slammed back onto the ground. Then another streaks out of the dark, hitting the unfortunate mercenary and yanking them off their feet. You are about to run to their aid...then all hell breaks loose.
From above you, more gooey threads rain down from the dark. Several hit members of the group, who barely have time to register their shock before being tugged upwards by some powerful force.
'Move it!' bellows the captain. He raises his shield just in time to block one of the sticky strands. It splats across the face of the shield, which is ripped from his grasp and goes hurtling back up into the darkness. 'Give us some covering fire. Artillery!'
He races forward, the others following, while one of the remaining mages hurls a blazing ball of fire across the cavern. As the flames arch overhead, they illuminate the ceiling of the cave for the briefest of moments—and there, scuttling over the dark rock, is a swarm of giant insects.
'Ants!' shouts Surl. 'Bloomin' ants! Run!'
To dodge the gooey missiles you will need to take a speed challenge:

Outrun the slime (Speed 10)

(6+4=10; successful!)

You dodge through the bombardment of gooey strands, following the others as they race across the cavern. Up ahead you see a flash of magic and the glint of steel. The captain and several of the others are fighting off a giant creature, which has appeared out of a side tunnel. It has the head and torso of a man, but the lower body and legs of a black ant. Both of its human-like arms end in serrated blades, which the creature is using to slash and hack at its attackers.
The captain lands a lucky blow, felling the ant-man. He puts a boot to its squirming body as he extracts his axe blade.
'Get moving!' he bellows. 'Into the tunnel!'
Within seconds you are all huddled in the tight space, breathing hard. Even the captain looks momentarily shaken.
'What was that?' gasps Vas, grimacing at the corpse of the ant-man.
'A massacre was what it was,' cries Surl, sounding panicked. 'That weren't no greenheads.'
You look around at the party. Of the original dozen, only half remain.
'Come on,' growls the captain. 'Keep it together, people.' He grabs your arm and pushes you forwards. 'You're tracker now. Get moving!'
Feeling more like bait than a valued member of the team, you find yourself leading the group deeper into the cave. After several hundred meters the tunnel widens, joining a much larger passageway which cuts left to right. A chill wind blows from the west, carrying with it a salty, stagnant odor. To the east the passage ascends steeply, heading deeper into the mountain.

Will you:
Take the east passage?
Take the west passage?

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:41 am

Blind choices eh? West.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 2:19 am

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 3:25 am

The tunnel eventually becomes a ledge, overlooking a vast subterranean lagoon. Its banks are littered with the bodies of dead ant-men—most of them little more than charred husks. From across the waters you see torches flickering on the deck of a pirate galleon, its black masts rippling in the chill wind.
'Well, would you look at that,' grins the captain, scratching his stubbly chin. 'How'd that end up here? Must have drifted in from the sea.'
'At least they look like they're on our side,' says Surl, skidding down the slope to investigate. 'Woah, this is a lot of bugs!'
Suddenly there is a flash of light from the ship, accompanied by a loud bang. Something is hurtling towards you, whistling through the air.
'Cover!' shouts the captain, dropping to the ground. Everyone scatters as an iron cannonball slams down onto the muddy bank, throwing up a thick plume of dirt and sand.
'They fired at us!' shouts Surl, staggering back to his feet. 'Why'd they do—'
'Goblins,' growls the captain angrily. 'Can't you smell 'em?'
'But the waters,' pleads one of the party, a young warrior who looks dwarfed in his ill-fitting heavy armor. 'I can't swim. I'll sink like a stone.'
'We don't need to! Follow me!' To everyone's surprise the captain starts running, following the ledge around the far side of the cavern. You scan ahead, to see that the ledge ends in a jumble of rocks that jut out into the dark waters. It is there that the pirate ship has run aground, its stern raised up on the docks.
Another cannonball hums through the air, landing in the water with a thunderous splash. Its aim may have been off but it provides all the incentive you need to throw yourself into a sprint, following the captain. The others take your lead, hurrying towards the outcropping.
At last, after scrambling over the sharp rocks, you see the deck of the ship only meters ahead of you. The captain was right; it is crawling with goblins. One of their number, wearing a pirate's tricorn hat, is trying to issue orders to the chaotic rabble. Archers are scrabbling up the rigging, whilst another group are struggling to turn a cannon, to aim it towards the rocks.
The captain doesn't slow, flinging himself through the air to land on the deck. He then quickly sets to work with his axe, battering away the defenders. You hastily consider your options.

Will you:
Use your magic to blast away at the archers?
Jump onto the deck and fight the cannon team?

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 4:14 am

Cannon, since that sounds more deadly. And more helpful if we can gain control of it.

EDIT: If there's no way to pick up that sword again, can I know how good it would have been if we found it behind the picture (I'm presuming it actually IS behind the pic)?

The Gaming Den

[LP] DestinyQuest 2: The Heart of Fire

What should we name our character?