[Let's Play] Lone Wolf - Kai Series

[SGamerz]

I'm leaning towards taking the Silver Helmet, but are we allowed to see what's on offer in the Equipment list for the next book first? Just in case the new edition offers some starting equipment more valuable (although I doubt it). If we can't, then I vote for the Silver Helmet.

[JourneymanN00b]

The answer is unfortunately a no, to keep things fair for those who have not read the books before. I do want *some* sort of uncertainty for these types of decisions in order to keep veterans on their toes.

[SGamerz]

In that case, full vote for taking the Silver Helm.

[Thaluikhain]

So, i the Akraa’Neonor is undead, are there live versions of it around?

[Beroli]

In the same way wights being undead implies the existence of live wights.

Take the Silver Helm.

[JourneymanN00b]

I have registered the decision to take the Silver Helm instead of having the opportunity to restock at the Royal Armory like Lone Wolf normally would.

So, i the Akraa’Neonor is undead, are there live versions of it around?

I do not think so, no. Below is the encyclopedic entry for the Akraa’Neonor:

Akraa’Neonor

After constructing the ice-fortress of Ikaya the corrupted Shianti of Kalte hid many traps to defend their stronghold. They also raised terrible undead monsters, like the Akraa’Neonor, which they controlled through the use of magical effigies. The Akraa’Neonor lingered in Ikaya long after the exodus of the Shianti.
     This creature is a large, green-skinned, four-legged Undead with a head that has a mass of tentacles and suckers, and a maw of sharp teeth distending from beneath a single bulbous yellow eye. It exudes a dark slimy substance that is mildly corrosive to flesh and metal. Parts of its hideous body have been ravaged by decay, but it still retains enough strength to burrow through ice, frozen earth, and even solid stone. It radiates an aura of evil magic and reeks of sickly-sweet rotting flesh.

Anyway, I will have Book 4 ready soon. I hope everyone will be interested enough to participate in it when it begins.

[Thaluikhain]

In the same way wights being undead implies the existence of live wights

Well, in the original Tolkien, it kinda did, they were specifically "barrow wights" and "wights" just meant a creature of some kind. But I take your point.

I wonder if these undead are Frankensteined together out of other creatures or something.

[JourneymanN00b]

The time has now come to start the fourth Lone Wolf book, The Chasm of Doom. Below is the cover art of Book 4, created by Alberto Dal Lago, for your reference.



The Story so Far…

In the northern land of Sommerlund, for centuries it had been customary for its people to send gifted children to the monastery of the Kai. There they developed their special talents under the tutelage of the Kai and were taught the disciplines of their noble ancestors.
     You are Lone Wolf, and you are now the last of the Kai of Sommerlund. Four years ago, your beloved homeland was invaded by the ancient enemy of your people – the Darklords of Helgedad. Their initial attack devastated the Kai Monastery. All of your brave warrior order were in attendance for the feast of Fehmarn – the celebration of the first day of Spring. You were the sole survivor.
     You made a perilous journey to Holmgard, the capital of Sommerlund, where King Ulnar sent you upon a desperate quest for help. Your mission was fraught with great dangers and great urgency, for Sommerlund was being swiftly overrun. Darklord agents were abroad, seeking to kill you at every opportunity, but your skill and determination crushed their evil aims. You returned to Holmgard at the head of a great fleet of allies and you destroyed Darklord Zagarna, the enemy leader, before the gates of Holmgard itself.
     Much of Sommerlund was ruined during the invasion. The rich farmlands were laid waste and many towns and villages were razed to the ground, but the Sommlending are a tough and resilient people. They were undaunted by the enormity of the task that lay before them. They set about the rebuilding of Sommerlund with such vigor and determination that now the scars inflicted by Darklord Zagarna and his mighty army are few and barely noticeable.
     For the crucial part that you played in the great victory, the King bestowed upon you the rank and title of ‘Fryearl of Sommerlund’. It is a rare honor for one so young. The ruins of the Kai Monastery, and much of the surrounding lands are now ‘Fryelund’ under your protection.

*

     Ruanon is a remote mining province far to the south of Sommerlund. Nestling between the sullen peaks of the Durncrag and Maaken mountains, the people of this region have long prospered from their toil in the ore-rich mines, living and enjoying their wealth under the protection of their liege-lord Baron Vanalund.
     The gold and gems that are mined at Ruanon provide an important source of revenue for Sommerlund. The heavily guarded convoy of wagons that leaves the province and makes the difficult journey north to the capital are a regular monthly occurrence. This routine has rarely been broken in living memory; however, it has now been over a month since all contact with Ruanon ceased. King Ulnar dispatched a troop of one hundred of his elite Guard Cavalry to investigate the unusual silence and to locate the whereabouts of the missing convoy. Their commanding officer, Captain D’Val, was ordered personally to report to the King as soon as contact was made, but he and his soldiers have not returned. They too have disappeared without trace.
     Fearful of the fate which may have befallen the convoy, the province and the captain’s troopers, King Ulnar has summoned you, Lone Wolf, to his citadel at Holmgard. Your quest is to find Captain D’Val and his guards, discover what has happened to the missing convoy and to lift the veil of mystery that now hangs over the remote province Ruanon.
     The King has also summoned a company of fifty Border Rangers, all of whom are skilled in horsemanship and outdoor survival. He has ordered these soldiers to accompany you in the hope that, with your leadership, they may succeed where D’Val’s larger and more visible force has failed.
     As you and your rangers enter the Royal Armory to equip yourselves for the long ride south, you glimpse a black crow perched on a window ledge high above. It flies away, but not before a shiver has run down your spine. In Holmgard, the crow is a bird of ill omen.

The recap: The monthly convoy of gold and gems bound for Sommerlund from Ruanon has gone missing, as well as the hundred soldiers that King Ulnar sent to find it. With no better options, the King sends Lone Wolf and a group of fifty Border Rangers to find the convoy and the soldiers.

The THE GAME RULES section is the same as that of Book 3, except for the last paragraph, which is replaced with the following text:

If you have successfully completed any of the previous adventures in the Lone Wolf series, you will already have your COMBAT SKILL, ENDURANCE points, and Kai Disciplines which you may now carry over with you to Book 4. However, if you deem it necessary, all lost ENDURANCE points may be recovered before starting Book 4. You may also carry over any Weapons, Backpack Items and Special Items that you held at the end of your last adventure and these should be entered on your new Action Chart. You are still limited to 2 Weapons, 8 Backpack Items and 12 Special Items. Through the experience you have gained in your last adventure you have learned a new skill, and you may now choose one extra Kai Discipline to add to your Action Chart.

The KAI DISCIPLINES section is the same as that in Book 1, except for the following changes:
• The second sentence of the introductory paragraph removes the phrase “and they are taught to all Kai Lords”, probably in order to make the section more gender neutral and to avoid confusion.
• The third sentence in the Camouflage section now reads “In a town or city, it enables them to blend in amongst the inhabitants, and it can help them to find shelter or a safe hiding place.” It is dubious why the extra “to” between “them” and “find” was added, as this edit does not make the sentence more grammatically correct.
• The second sentence in the Hunting section now reads “They will always be able to hunt for food, except in areas of wasteland and desert (such as the Wildlands bordering southern Sommerlund).” The addition of the phrase in parentheses is was obviously made to provide a concrete example on when the Hunting Discipline cannot be used to fulfill meal requirements.
• The fourth sentence in the Weaponskill section now reads “When you enter combat using this weapon, you add 2 points to your COMBAT SKILL rating.” This rewording is probably meant to clear any confusion on when to apply the Weaponskill bonus.
• Different numbers are assigned for each of the weapons under the Weaponskill list.
• The first two sentences of the Animal Kinship paragraph now read “This skill enables a Kai Lord to communicate with some animals and predict the behavior of others. In some cases, it can permit a Kai Lord control over an animal’s instincts or actions.” This was probably to improve inconsistency when describing the player between each of the Kai Discipline descriptions.
• The first sentence of the Mind over Matter paragraph now reads “Mastery of this Discipline enables a Kai Lord to move small objects by focusing their concentration.” This is probably for the same consistency issues that the above edit was made for.
• The last paragraph is replaced with the following text:

If you successfully complete the mission as set in Lone Wolf Book 4, you may add a further Kai Discipline of your choice to your Action Chart at the start of Book 5. This additional skill, together with your other skills and any equipment, including Special Items that you have picked up in Books 1-4, may then be used in the next adventure of the Lone Wolf series.

As with the first 3 books, The Play Option for the Healing Kai Discipline referenced in the opening post will not be used when running Book 4, since I feel that this adventure’s difficulty level is high enough without limiting the number of ENDURANCE points that can be restored using Healing.

Lone Wolf has the following Kai Disciplines to choose as his extra Kai Discipline to add to his Action Chart:

• Camouflage
• Tracking
• Weaponskill

The details of these Kai Disciplines can be found in the opening post.

As agreed, the EQUIPMENT section will be skipped. King Ulnar will instead give our hero a Silver Helm, a Map of Southern Sommerlund, and a Badge of Rank that he wears upon the sleeve of his tunic. In addition to feeling very light and comfortable, the Silver Helm will increase Lone Wolf’s COMBAT SKILL by 2 when worn during combat and is registered as a Special Item in the Action Chart. In order to wear this special helmet, Lone Wolf is forced to discard his old Helmet. The Map of Southern Sommerlund shows the location of Sommerlund, Holmgard, and the southern territories of Summerlund which border upon The Wildlands and the desert of the Dry Main.

The HOW TO CARRY AND USE YOUR EQUIPMENT section is the same as that in Book 2, only with the following changes:

• The introductory two sentences “Any item that may be of use and can be picked up on your adventure and entered on your Action Chart is given capital letters in the text. Unless you are told it is a Special Item or a Weapon, carry it in your Backpack.” are removed.
• In the Special Items section, the last sentence is replaced with the following text: “The maximum number of Special Items that a Kai Lord can carry during an adventure is twelve.”
• The last sentence in the Food section is replaced with the following text, “If you have chosen the Kai Discipline of Hunting as one of your five skills, you will not need to tick off a Meal when instructed to eat (unless you are in a desert or a wasteland where the opportunity to forage for food is limited).”

The RULES FOR COMBAT is the same as that in Book 1, except for the following changes:
• The Action Chart phrase was omitted in the second paragraph, and was obviously a mistake on the editors’ part.
• The text on the last sentence of Step 4 now reads, “(E represents points lost by the enemy; PC represents points lost by you – Lone Wolf.)”
• The second to last sentence of the second example now reads “You (Lone Wolf) lose 3 ENDURANCE points.”

The LEVELS OF KAI TRAINING section is the same as that in Book 1.

KAI WISDOM

Your mission will be fraught with danger, for you are about to venture into a bleak and inhospitable territory located to the south of your homeland, on the fringes of the infamous Wildlands. Use the map at the front of the book to help you plot your course to Ruanon and make notes as you progress through the story, for they will be of help to you in this and future adventures.
     Many things you find will aid you during your mission. Some items will be of use in future Lone Wolf adventures and others may be red herrings of no real use at all, so try to be selective in what you decide to keep.
     There are several routes to Ruanon, but only one will enable you to reach the mining town and discover the fate of Captain D’Val with the minimum of danger. A wise choice of Kai Disciplines and a great deal of courage should enable any player to complete the mission, no matter how weak their initial COMBAT SKILL and ENDURANCE points score. Successful completion of previous Lone Wolf adventures is not essential for the success of this quest.

For Sommerlund and the Kai!

Southern Sommerlund Map


Closing Remarks
For this adventure, Lone Wolf will be given two resurrections. Upon death, each resurrection will send our hero back to the point where the first critical mistake was made in order to make the adventure winnable once more. The Action Chart will also be reverted to what it was at that point in the story. If Lone Wolf dies after these two resurrections are used, he goes back to the beginning of Book 4. So please make your decisions responsibly. I also would like to remind everyone not to post any spoilers to respect the wishes of anyone who wants to have a blind experience while playing this adventure.

Before we begin Book 4 in earnest, please vote for the following choices:
Which additional Kai Discipline should our hero get?
Should we modify or create any rules for Lone Wolf to follow under certain scenarios to streamline the experience of playing this adventure?

All votes should be made before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

[SGamerz]

Take Tracking as new discipline. Our mission is literally to track down the missing convoy.

[Thaluikhain]

That makes sense.

[JourneymanN00b]

After reading all the votes, it looks like that Lone Wolf will be learning Tracking as his new Kai Discipline.

1

For three days you lead your brave company of Border Rangers across the lush plains of the Southlund Marches on the first stage of your urgent mission. The flat, treeless fields surround you with a seemingly endless expanse of wheat, so high that even though you are in the saddle it reaches well above your knees. Your horses seem to be swimming through a vast yellow sea that is only interrupted by an occasional track or group of isolated farmhouses.
     The southerners welcome your sudden appearance, but you only make the briefest stops for food and rest, wishing neither to impose a burden on these good people nor alarm them with the purpose of your mission.
     At noon on the fourth day you reach the Pass of Moytura. Here, the plains give way to the broken foothills of the Durncrag Mountains. You soon reach a highway heading off towards the south, its surface cracked and full of potholes. This is the notorious Ruanon Pike. South of the pass, the Ruanon Pike crosses a hundred miles of open territory known as ‘Raider’s Road’. Bandit tribes from the Wildlands and Giak war-bands from the mountains of the west frequently ambush those who travel along the Pike. The regular shipments of gold and gems from the mines at Ruanon have sometimes yielded rich pickings to these merciless robbers.
     ‘Point and flankers,’ you shout, and immediately three groups of rangers peel away from the column and spur their horses to a gallop. You watch with pride as the expert riders take up their scouting positions to the front and sides of the company.
     It is late afternoon when a ranger scout approaches the company from the west. He points towards a distant craggy outcrop where a thin spiral of wood smoke betrays a hut hidden beneath an overhanging rock.



     If you wish to leave the highway and investigate the hut, turn to 160.
     If you decide to ignore the hut and continue on your ride along the Ruanon Pike, turn to 273.

Please make your votes on whether to check out the hut or not before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

ACTION CHART
KAI DISCIPLINES:
1. Sixth Sense
2. Healing: +1 ENDURANCE point for each section without combat
3. Hunting: no need for a Meal when instructed to eat
4. Mindblast: +2 COMBAT SKILL points
5. Mindshield: no points lost when attacked by Mindblast
6. Animal Kinship
7. Mind Over Matter
8. Tracking
WEAPONS:
1. Broadsword
2. Sommerswerd (In sections where it is specifically mentioned, +8 COMBAT SKILL and double damage against undead)
BACKPACK:
1. Laumspur Potion (+4 ENDURANCE)
2. Alether Concentrate (+4 COMBAT SKILL for one fight)
3. Meal
4. Long Rope (Slot 1)
5. Long Rope (Slot 2)
6. Concentrated Laumspur Potion (+5 ENDURANCE)
7. Laumspur Potion (+4 ENDURANCE)
8.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
• Kai Shield (+2 COMBAT SKILL when used in combat)
• Kai Gold Key
• Crystal Star Pendant (Reroll one number per adventure, unused)
• Silver Helm (+2 COMBAT SKILL)
• Ticket
• Red Pass
• Padded Leather Waistcoat (+2 ENDURANCE)
• Firesphere
• Blue Stone Triangle
BELT POUCH: 17 Gold Crowns
COMBAT SKILL: 15
ENDURANCE POINTS: 24/24
RULES:
• When in combat, stop to ask whether to use any items or abilities if ENDURANCE is less than 11 or Combat Ratio is less than -4
FASCIST KILL COUNT: 37
RESURRECTIONS USED: 1
NOTES:
• Visited the Ruins of Raumas
• Survived the perils of the Graveyard of the Ancients
• Visited Gorn Cove
• Bridge password is ‘sunset’
• Applied Baknar oil

[Thaluikhain]

Investigate

[SGamerz]

Investigate.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; investigating the hut.

160

An escort of five rangers accompanies you along the twisting narrow track that leads to the hut. The rough stone walls are covered with a damp moss into which is set a curious oval door. There are no windows. You have dismounted and are approaching the door when suddenly a man’s voice calls from inside the hut:
     ‘Come in, Lone Wolf, I’ve been expecting you.’
     If you wish to open the door and enter the hut, turn to 84.
     If you choose to draw your weapon and kick open the door, turn to 205.
     If you decide to send your rangers into the hut ahead of you, turn to 306.

Please make your votes on how to respond to the voice before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

[Beroli]

Open the door and enter the hut.

[SGamerz]

Enter the hut.

[Thaluikhain]

Open the box...er, enter the hut.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; opening the door and entering the hut.

84
(Illustration overleaf)

In the dim light of the interior you see an old man seated at a table. The flickering glow of a log fire is all that illuminates this foul-smelling hovel, yet it sheds enough light for you to see the clutter of charts and strange instruments that crowd the hut. The man slowly raises his gaze from a large crystal sphere and bids you sit opposite him.
     ‘You know my name… how?’ you ask warily.
     ‘The stars foretold our meeting long ago, Lone Wolf,’ he replies, slowly passing his withered old hands around the sphere.
     ‘Be not alarmed by my knowledge for I wish only to aid you.’
     He produces a small scroll of parchment from within his robe, and he hands it to you.
     Upon the scroll is written the following verse:

When the full moon shines o’er the temple deep,
A sacrifice will stir from sleep
The legions of a long-forgotten lord.
When a fair royal maid on the altar dies,
The dead of Maakengorge shall rise
To claim their long-awaited reward.

     You ask the meaning of the curious verse, but the old man does not answer you. He seems to have fallen into a deep trance. You lean across the cluttered table to awaken him and are shocked when you see your hand pass straight through his body. Gradually his image begins to fade until it disappears completely.
     You place the Scroll in your pocket (mark this as a Special Item on your Action Chart.)
     Unnerved by this strange encounter, quickly you leave the hut, pausing briefly to wipe away the cold sweat that has formed on your furrowed brow. You may wish to make a note that you have visited a hut on ‘Raider’s Road’ for future reference.
     To continue, turn to 273.


84. ‘The stars foretold our meeting long ago, Lone Wolf.’

273
(Illustration overleaf)

You have ridden less than five miles when you see a group of wagons on the highway ahead. They are painted in a gaudy mix of bright colors and drawn by harnessed teams of oxen. A huge tasseled banner flies above the leading wagon, which bears the following proclamation:

The Famous Asajir Players
Troubadours to the Imperial Courts of Magnamund

     If you choose to stop to question these traveling minstrels, turn to 37.
     If you decide to ignore them and let them pass, turn to 126.


273. You see a group of wagons on the highway ahead.

Please make your votes on what to do with the group of bards before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

ACTION CHART
KAI DISCIPLINES:
1. Sixth Sense
2. Healing: +1 ENDURANCE point for each section without combat
3. Hunting: no need for a Meal when instructed to eat
4. Mindblast: +2 COMBAT SKILL points
5. Mindshield: no points lost when attacked by Mindblast
6. Animal Kinship
7. Mind Over Matter
8. Tracking
WEAPONS:
1. Broadsword
2. Sommerswerd (In sections where it is specifically mentioned, +8 COMBAT SKILL and double damage against undead)
BACKPACK:
1. Laumspur Potion (+4 ENDURANCE)
2. Alether Concentrate (+4 COMBAT SKILL for one fight)
3. Meal
4. Long Rope (Slot 1)
5. Long Rope (Slot 2)
6. Concentrated Laumspur Potion (+5 ENDURANCE)
7. Laumspur Potion (+4 ENDURANCE)
8.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
• Kai Shield (+2 COMBAT SKILL when used in combat)
• Kai Gold Key
• Crystal Star Pendant (Reroll one number per adventure, unused)
• Silver Helm (+2 COMBAT SKILL)
• Ticket
• Red Pass
• Padded Leather Waistcoat (+2 ENDURANCE)
• Firesphere
• Blue Stone Triangle
• Scroll
BELT POUCH: 17 Gold Crowns
COMBAT SKILL: 15
ENDURANCE POINTS: 24/24
RULES:
• When in combat, stop to ask whether to use any items or abilities if ENDURANCE is less than 11 or Combat Ratio is less than -4
FASCIST KILL COUNT: 37
RESURRECTIONS USED: 1
NOTES:
• Visited the Ruins of Raumas
• Survived the perils of the Graveyard of the Ancients
• Visited Gorn Cove
• Bridge password is ‘sunset’
• Applied Baknar oil
• Visited a hut on ‘Raider’s Road’

[Thaluikhain]

Talk to randoms

[Beroli]

Question the minstrels.

[SGamerz]

Ask questions.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; questioning the traveling minstrels.

37

You signal to the driver to stop. The wagons halt and a small, moon-faced man dressed in a bright pink tunic throws open the rear door of the leading carriage. He shouts and curses at the driver as awkwardly he descends the ladder, pausing only to adjust the cummerbund that barely covers his huge stomach. Upon seeing your rangers, he lets out a strangled shriek and fumbles for a short sword hanging at his side.


37. The little fat man spins around and tumbles to the ground.

     ‘Bandits! Robbers!’ he cries, as he wrestles uselessly to free his sword from its ornate scabbard. A row of anxious faces appears at the wagon windows, but the looks of anxiety give way to expressions of delight when they recognize your Sommlending uniforms.
     ‘Calm yourself, Yesu!’ shouts an elderly woman. ‘They are Sommlending rangers. They’ll not steal your gold.’
     Laughter ripples along the carriages as the little fat man suddenly unsheathes his sword with such force that he spins around and falls clumsily to the ground.
     ‘You must forgive Yesu,’ says the old woman. ‘He means you no harm. It’s just that travelin’ “Raider’s Road” has made him a nervous wreck.’
     You question the old woman, asking her where the group has come from, and to where they are destined. You learn that they are a troupe of players and have journeyed many miles from their native land of Cloeasia, far away in the east. They last played for the people of Eshnar but it was a disappointing show. It seems that the town was as quiet as the grave; the few who did come to see them were a sad and sorry bunch. They are now bound for Holmgard, where they expect to find a bigger and more appreciative audience.
     ‘Light is fast fading,’ remarks the old woman. ‘Perhaps you and your company will camp with us tonight? We would deem it an honor and would be happy to entertain you with songs and dancing.’ You notice a hopeful look in the eyes of your soldiers as they await your decision.
     If you choose to set up camp with the troubadours, turn to 182.
     If you decide instead to press on towards Ruanon, turn to 247.

Please make your votes on whether to accept the troubadours’ invitation before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

[SGamerz]

Press on.

[Beroli]

Yeah, there are limits to how much I want to trust these people. Press on.

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, either they are evil, or that guy is going to be bad comic relief. Onwards!