[Let's Play] Rider of the Black Sun

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sun Dec 27, 2020 10:55 pm

Agreed.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:15 am

225 No sooner have you walked through the magical door than the dragon's mouth snaps shut. The head doesn't glow anymore. You push and pull but you can't escape in this direction.

Curious, you investigate your new surroundings. You're standing in a huge library, extending across the entire floor. Dozens of shelves stuffed with thick tomes and folios, papyrus sheaves and parchment scrolls create a small labyrinth of narrow aisles. Numerous oil lanterns illuminate the room. Some distance away, wood is crackling in a fireplace.

If you want to move towards the fireplace, turn to 242.
If you want to examine the book shelves, turn to 258.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:14 am

Examine the bookshelves first.

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:19 am

Agree: bookshelves.

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 7:15 am

I wouldn't have considered the fireplace if it was mentioned, so bookshelves

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 9:21 am

Books.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:47 pm

258 Randomly, you take books from the shelves and open them. They're all written in a language unknown to you. Though you cannot read the writing, its angular lettering seems strangely familiar. You look at the many colorful illustrations decorating most of the parchment pages.

"Are you looking for something?"

Feeling caught, you jump back. Standing next to you, the old librarian takes the book from your cramped claws. He puts it back in its place and gazes at you out of the corner of his eye.
ITurn to 133.

His face wrinkles up as he grumbles, "I really should report your weird behavior, but I think it is all right for you to wait for the master here."

For a moment you think about attacking the frail human, but something stays your hand.

"You look confused. You don't know who I am, do you?" he asks calmly.

> This face, this voice – these books, this room. I know all of it! I have been here before... <

"Tarus." Behind his grey whiskers, the librarian's expression is serious as he realizes that you cannot remember. Slowly and clearly, the old man repeats his name, just as if he were trying to teach language to an infant.

If you want to tell him that several hours have passed since you've awakened, turn to 122.
If you want to tell the old man that you can't remember your past life, turn to 156.
If you want to leave the library without a word, turn to 263.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:40 pm

Claim we woke up a while back. I suspect we'll be fed a very convenient spin on things if we admit we're amnesiacs.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Dec 28, 2020 11:14 pm

^ This.

Zaranthan · Post by **Zaranthan** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 4:08 am

Agreed

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 8:56 am

^Thirded.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 1:20 pm

122 "I know that. But do you not think that the whole tower would be up in arms if the Master distrusted you?" Pensively, Tarus rubs his temples beneath the locks of his tousled hair before speaking again. "It's rare for a young Ugarith to be so far along in its development. That aroused his curiosity, I guess."

He falls silent after that. A few moments later, you address Tarus concerning your lost memory.
Turn to 156.

Turns out that not admitting to amnesia is just a pit stop on the way to admitting amnesia, which I'm sure we would have known if it weren't for the amnesia.

156 "Obviously... I'm surprised you're asking." Pensively, the old man breaks off in his explanations and then, after a brief pause, continues. "I should not tell you too much – I don't want to get ahead of the Master."

After a moment's thought, laying his hand on your shoulder, Tarus says curtly, "I think it is better if you leave now."
Turn to 263.

I don't think I've ever seen a cascading false choice before. Not sure it's a worthwhile space to explore in CYOA, but there it is.

263 "Wait!" Tarus calls quickly after you. "I have something of yours!" There is a ring lying in his right palm. "Please wear it. It will bring you luck."
If you are female*, turn to 112.
If you are male*, turn to 239.

*) This question relates solely to your gender, dear reader!
It's not about the gender the hero of this story has.
The Ugarith is definitely male.

Well that's interesting, if overly binary for the current times.

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 2:55 pm

I don't care which option we choose here, but I'd really like to see them side-by-side when we're done with the book.

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 3:03 pm

Whatever wrote:I don't care which option we choose here, but I'd really like to see them side-by-side when we're done with the book.

Second that, this just seems bizarre.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 5:08 pm

Thirded.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Tue Dec 29, 2020 5:22 pm

Obviously we're genderfluid. (Take both options and hope they converge.)

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 3:14 am

As a dude personally, I'm going with male.

239 It is a massive signet ring of brushed silver. You feel the positive magical power of the talisman as you put it on the ring finger of your left hand. For a fleeting moment it is as if you feel the spirit of another person. Once again glancing admiringly at the jewel, which fits asthhough made for you, you give Tarus your claw-like hand in farewell.
Write down the Signet Ring (Special Item) on your adventure sheet.
Turn to 250.

Picking 'female' gets you a different ring, but the paths immediately meet up again.

250 You walk past the shelves on the library walls until you finally come to the massive exit door. The wooden door with its large silver dragon head knocker is locked.
If you have a Dragon Key, turn to 202.
If not, turn to 164.

164 "Obviously you are not authorized to step through that portal any longer!" As if from nowhere the charismatic librarian appears behind you. "I should take you to Calderal."

In his voice you hear the wisdom of decades and you dare not refuse him. Willingly you follow Tarus through a door hidden between the shelves. You climb up a narrow spiral staircase and enter a warm tastefully-furnished reception hall. Then the librarian takes his leave. You are alone again.
Turn to 260.

260 You pass a table decorated with fruit and flowers and take a curious look around. The living rooms on this floor are separated not by doors but by wide arches, allowing you to easily peek from the entrance hall into the other neighboring rooms. Each chamber is decorated with splendid furniture, works of arts, and precious objects from countries on both continents. In keeping with the style, thick carpets cover the floor, while the walls are draped with exotic furs. All the rooms are uniformly illuminated by a pale soft light, despite you not being able to see any torches or lanterns.

In one corner, laid with glazed tiles, there is an exquisite collection of weapons. You hesitate when you see them because these are the masterful blades of the Menokians. The gifted blacksmiths of this legendary warrior tribe always mark their perfect blades with the heraldic sign of their empire – a fallen star amid a sea of darkness.

Awed, you take the largest two-handed sword from its stand. The polished flawless shaft glitters a cold blue, like the Eternal Ice of the Frost Desert – the hostile home of the Menokians. The masterful blade shimmers in irregular waves created by the many folds in the strong steel. In the reflection of the metal, you see there is a dark figure standing behind you.

"An impressive piece, isn't it?"

You spin around and stare into the blazing pupil-less eyes of an old Ugarith, his bald head marked with scars and wrinkles, his skin black as night. In your surprise, you let the sword slip from your hands.

"It is good that you have come to me. As I've heard, there has been a slight misunderstanding."

Unsure of how to react, you gaze at the smiling, thin-lipped, and disfigured but strangely charismatic man. As he begins to speak again, you realize that his words do not travel the air but enter your mind directly instead.

"I am Calderal, emissary of Ugar. Leader of the Empire." He pauses and waits for a reaction. Yet you can only stare in awe and surprise at the old man. His aura almost engulfs you. "If you have questions, I will answer them," he continues with the unbroken self-assurance of a ruler, picking up the sword and putting it back.

"But first take a look around. Perhaps that will help you to find yourself."

Turn to 160.

160 As Calderal leads you silently through his chambers, you notice a piece of furniture, as tall as a man, covered with a large cloth made of black silk. The attentive ruler notices your curiosity.

"This is the Mirror of Revelation. No spell, no disguise can deceive this unique artifact! It also reveals what is hidden. Perhaps even things you yourself know nothing about!" Calderal whispers in your thoughts. "Do you dare to take a look?"
If you want to look in the mirror, turn to 252.
If you don't want to, turn to[/i] 284.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 9:49 am

Look in the mirror.

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:40 am

Look in the mirror and hope this is going somewhere.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 4:36 pm

Look in the mirror. I’m hoping that this will give us some memories.

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 4:49 pm

Look in the mirror. This book has a habit of asking us 5 or 6 times if we want to do an interesting thing, this seems like a setup for that.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Thu Dec 31, 2020 6:12 am

252 Calderal positions you directly in front of the mirror; standing next to it, he gazes deep into your eyes. Then he tears away the cloth, revealing the surface of the mirror to you both. Before you can see anything, however, you are blinded by an intense ray of light.
If you are wearing a Signet Ring, turn to 288.
If you are wearing a Serpent Ring, turn to 265.
If you have neither of these special items, turn to 299.

288 It takes a moment before you can see the reflection clearly. But then the shock. Standing before you is not the person you expected! You gaze deeply into unfamiliar eyes and approach the mirror. Incredulous, you trace your face with your fingers.

It is bewildering to you, but behind the distinctive features of a strong young Ugarith, you catch glimpses of distant memories.
Turn to 147.

147 Calderal moves to your side and gently rests his hand on your shoulder. "It's not what you had expected, is it?"

Fascinated, you stare into his abysmal eyes as he continues. "A prophet's birth affects not only the mind, but also the mortal coil." He points to the artifact. With its golden frame and the artful sun ornaments it differs from the other furnishings in the Shadow Master's chamber. It is conspicuously out of place. "Be watchful, my child! Only a short moment and the mirror will reveal all to you!"

Beads of sweat appear on your brow as the image changes. Calderal appears to be just as tense.

Your silhouette blurs to a dense black fog. You feel a power coming from the ring Tarus gave you, a power protecting you from the magic of the mirror, but also from Calderal's spell. You are sure that because of that protection the mirror will reveal neither to you nor, more importantly, to the Emissary of Ugar, everything it might.

After seveal billowing black moments, the fog recedes. The sight makes you catch your breath. Before you stands a petrified shadow. And it stares at you with your own eyes! At this moment you realize a horrible truth... You are an Ugarith as well, a creature of the night! Humans are afraid of your kind.

Turn to 300.

As from the primal source of your mind, you hear Calderal ask: "Do you feel the power of Ugar flowing through you?" You give a stunned nod. You cannot and will not deny yourself any longer!

"Very good!" For the first time, Calderal croaks audibly from his wrinkled throat, cloaking the mirror again with the black silk cloth. At once the golden light fades.

You can raise your STRENGTH or DEXTERITY by 1 point!

You find it difficult to form a clear thought again. You do not know what has happened to you, but one thing is certain – onlya few hours ago you were cursing the ruler of this rock of death; now he is your lord and master! You are convinced that he knows the answer to all of your questions and that he will help you to fulfill your destiny.

As if Calderal had heard your thoughts, he embraces you with his bony arms. "I will help you to find your true destiny, my child!"

Continue with CHAPTER 2: "THE MASTER OF SHADOWS".

•••

Have you found the three FATE POINTS in this chapter? If not, you haven't found all the secrets of the Ningal Tower from the cliffs below to the pinnacle above.[/i]

So, do we move forward, accepting the results of our own choices? Or do we restart the chapter and try some new path to find these Fate Points and their associated secrets?

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 1:07 am

I suspect the consensus will be to move forward, but I'm a bit curious what would have happened if we waited to jump the guard. I think that was the only point of disagreement among posters and also the only place I imagine our choice mattering. (unless we were supposed to run randomly from super guard or inspect the fireplace instead of the books.)

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 1:57 am

Forward.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:19 am

pragma wrote:I suspect the consensus will be to move forward, but I'm a bit curious what would have happened if we waited to jump the guard. I think that was the only point of disagreement among posters and also the only place I imagine our choice mattering. (unless we were supposed to run randomly from super guard or inspect the fireplace instead of the books.)

This, basically.