[Let's Play] Rider of the Black Sun

[pragma]

Pay up

[Omegonthesane]

Insert coin to continue.

[angelfromanotherpin]

Paying the ferryman is unfortunately a game over.

658     You turn towards the mast again and notice a hammer and nails at its base – you could swear that the tools were not there a moment ago. The ferryman nods in agreement when you nail the doubloon to the mast. Then he changes his course.

Hours and hours pass without the journey ending. Annoyed, you want to confront the ferryman, but no sound comes from your throat, only a green fog. Suddenly you realize that six more ghostly passengers are sitting here around you. Their dead eyes and empty faces make you shudder. Together with yours, their souls will drift for all eternity on the lava lake of Varoon.

Your life ends here. •

Moving on...

693     You sit down with your back against the mast. The soft rocking of the lava and the slow maneuvering of the ferryman make you tired. You have not slept for days. Exhausted, you cannot keep your eyes open.

You jolt upright! A gush of icy water and a loud roar have awakened you. The raft – just a moment ago a place of calm – is being tossed about like a nutshell on the rushing waters of an icy stream/

> Where is the ferryman? <

Inexorably, the raft is now rushing through fierce rapids and past narrow cliffs. The cave is narrowing. Even the ceiling is looming closer! You have no choice but to take a deep breath and jump into the rushing waters of the subterranean stream. Instantaneously, you are swallowed up in the torrent and dragged away. Your spark of life fades.

Turn to 700.

700     Cold meltwater is running over your brow as you awaken. You are lying in a snowdrift some yards beneath a hole at the end of a natural stone trough. The holy Varoon has spit you out again!

Numb, but happy to be alive, you stand up. About a mile away, at the foot of the glacier, Kyrna is dutifully crouching in the snow. Tears of joy run down your cheeks for she has waited for you in the cold all this time. You can see, however, that she has stomped many circles of impatience into the snow.

Shivering with cold, you seize the dragon horn and blow into it. As the signal rolls over the Tamoloka Massive, Kyrna raises her serpent-like head, looks excitedly in your direction, and rises into the air with a long scream of relief. Within a few seconds, she is gliding over your head, greeting you with a joyful cry that can be heard all across the white landscape of the High Arcades. Ice crystals sparkle in the whirlwind of her powerful beating wings.

> Yes, Kyrna, I am glad to see you too! <

As you pack your belongings into the saddle bags, you notice that your old weapons and riding coat have been tied to the saddle. Ugar-Vin was here.

You can take back all the weapons you handed to the monk (if they are marked with a cross in Save Point). If you want to throw away a weapon, remove it from your adventure sheet. Additionally, you find a small Star Stone (Utensil). If you swallow it, your Vitality is raised immediately by three levels, even to fit.

Kyrna is nervous. Her heart is racing audibly as she constantly looks around, wary of surprise attack. You know quite well how much she prefers the sky to the ground. Influenced by her agitation, you swing up onto her back and command her to rise again. "Gash, gash!"

Your destiny lies far from here now...

Turn to CHAPTER 5: "FIRE IN THE SKY.

Have you found the 2 FATE POINTS (#8 and #9) in this chapter? If not, you should listen more closely and not be confused by the obvious.

Chapter 5 coming soon, but I don't have time just now.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 10, DEXTERITY: 7, VITALITY: Fit (5/5)
KARMA: 0, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Epee +3 (+1 Defense)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +3 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon

Utensils (max 6):
1: Prayer Book
2: Star Stone (+3 Vitality)
3: Heavy Bomb
4: Bull's-Eye Lantern
5: Rope
6: Bottle of Brandy

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11. Power of Xorox

Money:
24 Dinars
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Normal (4/4)
Rank: Companion (1/5)
Saddlebags
1: Strong Obsidian Potion (Utensil)
2: Wicker Basket (Utensil)
3: Bolt Cutters (Utensil)

[angelfromanotherpin]

CHAPTER 5

FIRE IN THE SKY

It is a decisive turning point in your life; you have discovered your destiny. You receive 2 KARMA points. Use your VITALITY from the last chapter and set the Save Point for all your information on your adventure sheet. The moon has moved one phase clockwise. Note this in the MOON CALENDAR at section 600.

NOTE: As in the past chapter, there are unusual section references in this chapter. They pre-empt the choice of the next section number. For example, a reference could look like as follows: "Turn to 720, option (B)." This means that you continue reading at section 720 as usual, but at its end you must use the section reference marked with (B). It could happen that you forget the optional letter, so as a reminder you should keep your finger in the page you visited last. Odds are you have been doing that anyway.

THE BELIEFS OF THE SHADOW CHILD
> So it is true... I am the envoy of the divine will. Myths and legends surround my existence. But why can I not remember my past life? Calderal! He wants my soul, my mind — wants to use me for his own ends. But I will resist!

The Shadow Master may be powerful. He may rule a mighty empire. But I carry the spark of the divine moon within me!

How many innocents must die in this war? Is it my task to end all this suffering and death? After all the years of persecution and violence, both sides are consumed by hostility and hatred. There is no going back for them. They need hope and mental guidance. They need me! <

The moon's progress boosts our moon weapon to +4. Of course, it's been a while since we didn't autohit our enemies...
Also, this book has had lack-of-direction problems for a while, but it's starting to reach terminal levels. Our character clearly has some context for what our new status means, but we don't, and he won't share for some reason. Also, what's the plan? What's our next intermediate goal? Where are we going and how does it help us?

701     It is bitterly cold. The icy flight wind bites at your face and covers your clothing with hoar frost. You can do nothing more than draw your fur hood tight so that only a narrow eye slit remains. Exhausted, you lie down on your stomach and listen to the strong beat of Kyrna's heart. Trusting that your dragon will carry you safely away from the Varoon, you fall asleep.

Your VITALITY rises by two levels, but at most to normal.

Startled, you awake with a queasy feeling in your stomach — Kyrna is pulling nervously at her reins. Out of the corner of your eye, finally you see the reason for her restlessness. Baronyaks on nimble flying lizards are pursuing you! Usually the cunning mercenaries work in groups of four, but in these dense clouds you see only two of the aerial hunters.

Turn to 755.

755     It was to be expected that Calderal would want to avenge his warden's death. Now he has people looking for you, all the hunters he can spare for a traitor like you during this war. Luckily, there is not much he can spare in the middle of the day.

The Baronyaks with their slight but swift flying lizards would make tasty playmates for Kyrna. Of course, the cunning Baronyak scouts know that too. They do not want to fight; they are scouts. They have only to find, observe, and follow the enemy — you. The rest, the Shadows will attend to.

> There is hardly any time. I must shake them off! <

In barely an hour, the golden disc of Kar will have sunk behind the mountains of the Tamaloka Massive. Then Calderal's merciless Shadows will lie over the land.

If you want to command Kyrna to fly west, turn to 706.
If you want to go east, turn to 728.

Also, let me know if you want to rearrange our equipment at all.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 10, DEXTERITY: 7, VITALITY: Fit (5/5)
KARMA: 2, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Epee +3 (+1 Defense)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +4 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon

Utensils (max 6):
1: Prayer Book
2: Star Stone (+3 Vitality)
3: Heavy Bomb
4: Bull's-Eye Lantern
5: Rope
6: Bottle of Brandy

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11. Power of Xorox

Money:
24 Dinars
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Normal (4/4)
Rank: Companion (1/5)
Saddlebags
1: Strong Obsidian Potion (Utensil)
2: Wicker Basket (Utensil)
3: Bolt Cutters (Utensil)

[pragma]

West is left. Also maybe buys us more sun. (Be nice to know which way we're headed to see us we can look around and ambush the scouts)

[Darth Rabbitt]

Go west, and swap out the prayer book for the obsidian potion.

[angelfromanotherpin]

706     Slowly pulling on the right rein, you give your black dragon the signal to fly a sharp right curve. Carried by her beating wings, you are soon flying towards the sun. You look back quickly to check on your enemies. Over and over again, red points of light can be seen in the clouds. These must be your four pursuers, highlighted by the setting sun. The Baronyaks are bound to have trouble finding you, blinded as they are by bright Kar!

If you want to tell Kyrna to climb, turn to 769.
If you want her to drop down, turn to 745.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 10, DEXTERITY: 7, VITALITY: Fit (5/5)
KARMA: 2, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Epee +3 (+1 Defense)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +4 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon

Utensils (max 6):
1: Strong Obsidian Potion
2: Star Stone (+3 Vitality)
3: Heavy Bomb
4: Bull's-Eye Lantern
5: Rope
6: Bottle of Brandy

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11. Power of Xorox

Money:
24 Dinars
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Normal (4/4)
Rank: Companion (1/5)
Saddlebags
1: Prayer Book (Utensil)
2: Wicker Basket (Utensil)
3: Bolt Cutters (Utensil)

[pragma]

Dive, maybe they overshoot us while they are blinded

[Darth Rabbitt]

Drop down.

[Thaluikhain]

Setting sun, we don't want to climb above it and be seen, so:

[angelfromanotherpin]

745     Kyrna lowers her head and flattens her ears as you lose altitude. At her wing tips, covered with countless thorns of horn, the blood-red clouds are swirling in the light of the setting sun. On the one hand, the clouds offer impenetrable protection against your pursuers, but on the other, an opponent could appear any moment without you having time to react.

Only now do you realize how fast you are flying. The clouds whoosh by. At first you flinch before what looks like a solid wall, only to see it swirling behind you as a firey whirlwind moments later. Out of nowhere, a Baronyak rider appears. He has not noticed you yet, but he could turn around at any moment and raised an alarm.

If you want to use your Rider's Bow, turn to 764.
If you want to follow the Baronyak, turn to 714.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 10, DEXTERITY: 7, VITALITY: Fit (5/5)
KARMA: 2, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Epee +3 (+1 Defense)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +4 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon

Utensils (max 6):
1: Strong Obsidian Potion
2: Star Stone (+3 Vitality)
3: Heavy Bomb
4: Bull's-Eye Lantern
5: Rope
6: Bottle of Brandy

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11. Power of Xorox

Money:
24 Dinars
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Normal (4/4)
Rank: Companion (1/5)
Saddlebags
1: Prayer Book (Utensil)
2: Wicker Basket (Utensil)
3: Bolt Cutters (Utensil)

[Omegonthesane]

Follow. There were four Baronyaks, so rushing to shoot one might cause the others to notice.

[Darth Rabbitt]

^This.

[angelfromanotherpin]

714     The mercenary huntsthe sky for several moments before spotting you. For a short moment of terror, you can see blood-red war paint on his pale face. Then, with a daring maneuver, he turns away into the dense fog.

A shrill horn resounds. Even before you can grasp what this signal means, you are surrounded by four Baronyaks. The four aim their bows and arrows at you and your dragon. Missiles shoot from their strings towards you. Without wasting a thought, you yank at the reigns and throw yourself onto her back.

Turn to 710, option (B).

710     Holding fast to both reins, you first pull them hard to catch Kyrna's attention. Then you lean back and shot, "Hagoon, hagoon!" Spontaneously, Kyrna beats her wings forcefully three times, goes into a glide, and tumbles into a somersault. It is a good thing that you are tied to your saddle, because when Kyrna reaches the apex of her vault, with the whole world standing on its head, you would otherwise fall off.

Now the feeling of lightness gives way to a growing pressure on your stomach and head. Like a swooping eagle hurtling down, you complete the second part of the somersault.
Depeding on the option designated in the last section, turn to (A)746, (B)767, or (C)725.

767     Relieved, you notice that no arrow has hit you during your somersault. You do, however, feel a slight burning pain in your shoulder. You gaze into the thick clouds, but there is not a trace of your enemies.

You are just about to change direction when you notice that Kyrna is reacting reluctantly. Then you realize what the problem must be. An arrow is lodged in her right wing. Meanwhile, it has dug so deep between the base of her wing and shoulder that flying must be agony for her.
KYRNA"S VITALITY is lowered by a level!

If you want to free yourself from the saddle to pull out the arrow, turn to 737.
If you want to leave the arrow in the wound, turn to 754.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 10, DEXTERITY: 7, VITALITY: Fit (5/5)
KARMA: 2, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Epee +3 (+1 Defense)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +4 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon

Utensils (max 6):
1: Strong Obsidian Potion
2: Star Stone (+3 Vitality)
3: Heavy Bomb
4: Bull's-Eye Lantern
5: Rope
6: Bottle of Brandy

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11. Power of Xorox

Money:
24 Dinars
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Battered (3/4)
Rank: Companion (1/5)
Saddlebags
1: Prayer Book (Utensil)
2: Wicker Basket (Utensil)
3: Bolt Cutters (Utensil)

[pragma]

I think leave the arrow in, since we just got a warning about not untying ourselves from the saddle.

[Thaluikhain]

I second that logic.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Thirded.

[angelfromanotherpin]

754     Your face twists with compassion as you see the arrow moving between the muscles until its shaft breaks. Despite the deep wound, Kyrna no longer seems hampered in any way.

Turn to 718.

718     Your current situation is anything but fortunate. Three Baronyaks have taken up the chase, and they are within shooting distance! As you look back once more, one of the cloud hunters grins at you and pulls an arrow from his quiver. Its metal tip glitters in the sun as he draws his bow.

If you want to pull both reins and lean backwards, turn to 710, option (C).
If you want to pull on the right rein and lean to the right, turn to 720, option (C).
If you want to loosen the reins and lean forward, turn to 750, option (C).
Use the flying maneuver card at C20 before you decide.

Here's the card, to save you guys the long lookback:

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 10, DEXTERITY: 7, VITALITY: Fit (5/5)
KARMA: 2, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Epee +3 (+1 Defense)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +4 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon

Utensils (max 6):
1: Strong Obsidian Potion
2: Star Stone (+3 Vitality)
3: Heavy Bomb
4: Bull's-Eye Lantern
5: Rope
6: Bottle of Brandy

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11. Power of Xorox

Money:
24 Dinars
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Battered (3/4)
Rank: Companion (1/5)
Saddlebags
1: Prayer Book (Utensil)
2: Wicker Basket (Utensil)
3: Bolt Cutters (Utensil)

[pragma]

Do a barrel roll! Right rein and lean to the right.

Would also accept loop de loop, but worry about getting silhouetted.

[Omegonthesane]

Going along with barrel roll.

[angelfromanotherpin]

720     With a jerk, you pull on the right rein, shout "Limrah! Limrah!" and lean to the side. Kyrna reacts as commanded; she folds up her left wing and drops the right one. You immediately start to spin around the dragon's long axis — around and around, faster and faster. You become dizzy.

Depending on the option designated in the last section,
turn to (A)732, (B)705, or (C)744.

744     Hoping that yourtwisting maneuver has confused your enemy, you discover that he nevertheless got off a shot at you. An arrow is sticking in the saddlebags, a hand's breadth away from your thigh! During the intense turns the fastening straps have torn loose on the right.

Remove the item that was fastened to the right side of Kyrna's saddlebag (slot 8).
Turn to 772.

Luckily, we don't have enough stuff stowed on Kyrna to have anything in that slot.

772     You manage to maneuver Kyrna so that for a few moments you are sailing only a few yards behind one of the Baronyak riders. The fighter, clad in black robes, looks around hurriedly and pulls wildly at the reins of his deep-green flying lizard, wildly, knowing that he is defenseless. As your eyes meet, you are overcome by hunting fever.

If you want to pull the left rein and lean forward, turn to 730, option (A).
If you want to pull the left rein and lean forward, turn to 730, option (A).
If you want to pull on the reins alternately, leaning from one side to the other, turn to 760, option (A).
If you want to pull both reins and lean backwards, turn to 710, option (A).
If you want to beat Kyrna's back with your fists, turn to 740, option (A).
Use the flying maneuver card at C20 before you decide.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 10, DEXTERITY: 7, VITALITY: Fit (5/5)
KARMA: 2, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Epee +3 (+1 Defense)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +4 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon

Utensils (max 6):
1: Strong Obsidian Potion
2: Star Stone (+3 Vitality)
3: Heavy Bomb
4: Bull's-Eye Lantern
5: Rope
6: Bottle of Brandy

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11. Power of Xorox

Money:
24 Dinars
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Battered (3/4)
Rank: Companion (1/5)
Saddlebags
1: Prayer Book (Utensil)
2: Wicker Basket (Utensil)
3: Bolt Cutters (Utensil)

[Omegonthesane]

Refraining from murder got us punished last time. Press flamethrower button (beat Kyrna's back with fist)

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, that seems reasonable.

Though, I think we should have the option for letting the dragon do the flying, since they are intelligent and have lots more experience.

[pragma]

Yup, beat back with fists.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Have our Charizard use Flamethrower (aka beat Kyrna’s back with fists.)