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

[angelfromanotherpin]

I can think of a way order could matter significantly, and even though it probably won't, we should play it cagey. I propose that either the honorable duelist or the warrior proceed first.

[Starmaker]

ATTN SHIRITAI

I'll see if Pepito tries to get another heal off (I totally understand if it's for a low amount so I won't get any, given the risk involved), and I give my quest items to Reed in exchange for 2 food (so they've got one slot free) for safekeeping.

Sure, Reed will go first. Doesn't seem like order will matter.

Wait, wait, take my stuff, please.

[Shiritai]

I'll see if Pepito tries to get another heal off (I totally understand if it's for a low amount so I won't get any, given the risk involved), and I give my quest items to Reed in exchange for 2 food (so they've got one slot free) for safekeeping.

Sure, I'll hand over the food for those crystals.

Edit:

I can think of a way order could matter significantly, and even though it probably won't, we should play it cagey. I propose that either the honorable duelist or the warrior proceed first.

I'm hoping some sort of info-gathering option will pop up for me, since I haven't even made the decision of which bridge to go for yet.

[Starmaker]

Going through that waterfall sounds like a Fighting Prowess check against getting washed off the platform by gargoyle vomit.

[angelfromanotherpin]

I'm hoping some sort of info-gathering option will pop up for me, since I haven't even made the decision of which bridge to go for yet.

I think Pepito is general info guy. Although, given his martial arts theme, balancing on narrow bridges and standing under waterfalls is totally his thing. I change my vote to Pepito goes first.

[Shiritai]

You know, that sounds like an excellent idea. Let's have Pepito check things out.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Sure, Pepito will go across first. But before that he'll spend 4 EP on healing, focusing on himself and then Dame Kiki.

[SGamerz]

The Sage spends 4 END on Healing:

Dice roll = (1-2) x4

Negative results equate to 0 unless otherwise stated, so the Sage doesn't get back any END (and has wasted 4).

The Trickster passes the glass prisms to the Enchanter in exchange for some food.

Adventure Sheets:

WARRIOR:

NAME: Dame Caecilia Wither-Stoat
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 1

Fighting Prowess: 10
Psychic Ability: 6
Awareness: 6
Endurance: 6
Damage: 1 Die+1

Items:
1 Sword
2 Chainmail armour (Armour Rating three)
3 Money pouch (30 gold pieces)
4 Opal Medallion
5- 9 Food (eat one for +1 EN after combat)
10 Empty slot.

TRICKSTER:

NAME: Benedict of the Crimson Spires, Honourable Duelist
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 2

Fighting Prowess: 7
Psychic Ability: 6
Awareness: 8
Endurance: 8
Damage: 1 Die

Items:
1 Battleaxe
2 Breastplate (Armour Rating one)
3-4 Food (eat one for +1 EN after combat)
5 -10 Empty slot

SAGE:

NAME: "Pepito" Cascadero, Master of the Mystic Way
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 3

Fighting Prowess: 7
Psychic Ability: 7
Awareness: 6
Endurance: 5
Damage: 1 Die

Items:
1 Quarterstaff
2 Ringmail armour (Armour Rating two)
3 Money pouch (30 gold pieces)
4 Bow
5 Quiver (2 arrows)
6 Opal Medallion
7-9 Food (eat one for +1 EN after combat)
10 Empty slot

ENCHANTER:

NAME: Enchanter Reed, Ninth of the Inverted Tower
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 4

Fighting Prowess: 0
Psychic Ability: 14
Awareness: 6
Endurance: 10
Damage: 1 Die-1

Items:
1 Sword
2 Silver armour (Armour Rating two)
3 Opal Medallion
4 Golden Snuffbox
5 Octagonal glass prism
6 Octagonal glass prism
7-9 Food (eat one for +1 EN after combat)
10 Empty slot

Now the Sage crosses the bridge:

SAGE:

To reach the further of the two bridges you must first pass through the waterfall.

If you wish to do this, turn to 373. If you would rather cross via the nearer bridge, turn to 157.

Part of the difficulty is that the players have no way to find out which bridge is the one that makes them face "that which they fear most" and which one leads to the "lesser foe" until one of them tries the paths, so the choice is pretty much completely random for the first volunteer.

So which path does the party's guinea pig Sage choose?

[Darth Rabbitt]

Well, that sucks. Going to try to heal next time it's reasonable to do so.

Anyhow, go through the waterfall. Pepito's about to invent Crystal Waterfall Style.

[SGamerz]

SAGE:

You make up your mind to risk passing under the waterfall. It is cold, but refreshingly so. However, it is obviously imbued with baneful sorcery because when you emerge on the far side you find you have lost all your possessions except for your staff and armour (if you still had them).

At the same time that you. advance on to the bridge, a portly figure steps on to it at the far end and, hitching up his long tunic, plods quickly along the slender walkway to confront you. 'Greetings,' he says breathlessly. 'I am Theodoric, an Initiate of the Mystic Way of the Eye Unveiled. I am here to establish the superiority and innate truth of my own mystic order above all others by defeating you.'

'Nothing is true, everything is permitted,' you tell him, quoting the southern Ta'ashim texts. 'Therefore, if you will permit me to pass, nothing will happen that you might truly regret . . .'

'Why, this is heresy!' blusters the portly Initiate. 'Blasphemy! Sacrilege! Your words offend my inner soul, and thus - prepare yourself for death.'

'I am prepared for death,' you reply softly. 'But I do not think she will come for me just yet. . .' You easily evade his first clumsy blow.

If you wish, you could try using your power of Levitation, to avoid this crazy foe. If you do that, turn to 282. If not, you must give him the fight he desires:

Initiate
Fighting Prowess: 6 Damage per blow: 1 Die+1
Psychic Ability: 6 Awareness: 6
Endurance: 5

If you defeat him, turn to 88.

There's no map required, since this is 1-on-1.

Well, the waterfall clearly leads to the "lesser foe", since he's certainly a weak opponent. However, the penalty for picking this is that the Sage just lost his bow and arrows, his money pouch, his medallion and all his food.

The Sage must now decide whether or not to use Levitation here to avoid the fight. The rest of you don't have to be idle. Now that you have some clue as to what happens after the waterfall, you guys can decide which bridge you prefer to cross, and let me know the order by which the party will cross, to save time (I can immediately go to the second person once Pepito is successfully across without stopping for vote).

[Darth Rabbitt]

Pepito will fight. I'm hoping I get something cool for beating this guy since getting to him took all of my stuff.

[angelfromanotherpin]

Take heart! You may yet get your stuff back.

[Shiritai]

Ugh, that's only half of what I was expecting. I'll ready another Sheet Lightning and take the bridge before the waterfall.

[angelfromanotherpin]

Careful, Enchanter. We should make sure we know which is 'worst fear' and which is 'lesser foe,' because your 'fear' may very well be magic-immune, eh? I move that our nimble duelist take the dry bridge next.

[SGamerz]

The Sage opts to fight. Both combatants act simultaneously due to their similar Awareness.

COMBAT LOG:

Round 1 ... FIGHT!

Sage fights Initiate. Roll = 9. (Miss)

Initiate fights Sage. Roll = 7 (Miss).

Round 2:

Sage fights Initiate. Roll = 9. (Miss)

Initiate fights Sage. Roll = 7 (Miss).

(Yes, exact same rolls)

Round 3:

Sage fights Initiate. Roll = 6 (Hit)! Damage = 2. Initiate has 3 END left.

Initiate fights Sage. Roll = 6 (Hit)! Damage = 4-2=2. Sagee has 4 END left.

Round 4:

Sage fights Initiate. Roll = 7 (Hit)! Damage = 3. Initiate is killed.

Initiate fights Sage (he's striking at the Sage simultaneously while the Sage got his killing blow). Roll = 9. (Miss)

You reach the other side of the bridge and step on to the terrace. The Hags glare at you but keep their distance. If any other players are still on the other side of the gorge, they must decide who will cross next and turn to the appropriate entry.

Unfortunately, he does not get his loot back.

Who's next? (and which bridge to cross?)

[Starmaker]

I don't mind going next, across the dry bridge. I hope I hadn't stolen a soul from Death or anything of the sort.

[SGamerz]

I hope I hadn't stolen a soul from Death or anything of the sort.

Funny you should say that.

There's actually a path that involves us possibly resurrecting a guy and "stealing a soul from Death". He may actually be present here at the bridge too, if we took that route. Luckily for the party, the resurrected guy would be the one who ends up having to face Death as his greatest fear, not one of the guys who did the resurrection.

TRICKSTER:

You have to decide which of the two bridges to use. They appear identical, but in order to reach the further of the two you must first pass through the waterfall issuing from the gargoyle's mouth.

If you cross via the nearer bridge, turn to 267. If you go through the waterfall to the other bridge, turn to 464.

Benedict decides to face his "fear".

TRICKSTER:

You saunter out onto the bridge. It is a long drop to either side, but this doesn't prevent you from dancing a precarious jig to excite the ghoulish Hags. They expect to see you fall, and you give a mock-terrified whirl of your arms that has them clustering eagerly at the edge of the gorge. But then you recover your balance and stroll effortlessly on, laughing when you see them spit with disappointment.

Suddenly, a rumbling voice lowers your high spirits. 'Come from death,' commands the gargoyle head. In answer to its summons, a shadowy figure materialises on the bridge ahead of you. It steps forwards, and the ruddy light of the volcanic jets shows you a man in a brocade gown. He has a jewelled patch over one eye, and the other is milky and sightless. It is Hurondus the Blind, a mad sorcerer whom you killed in a duel several years ago. You know that his lack of sight is deceptive - his other senses more than compensate for this disability.

'Hurondus,' booms the gargoyle head. 'Your dearest foe wishes to cross the bridge. Prevent this, and you shall be restored to life.'

'My dearest foe,' says Hurondus venomously. 'This is where we conclude our vendetta at last ...'

If you want to fight him, turn to 171. If you would prefer to rely on your wits, turn to 222.

Another one of those annoying options that doesn't tell you exactly what the alternative option actually involves.

Fight or wits?

[Starmaker]

a mad sorcerer whom you killed in a duel several years ago.

Neat. And wits, of course.

"Dude, your fly is unzipped."
"Oops... wait, I'm wearing a gown. Damn it, foiled again!"

[SGamerz]

TRICKSTER:

'"Dearest foe?"' you reply, feigning astonishment. 'This may be your understanding of our relationship, Hurondus, but it is not mine. Candidly, I slew you only by accident and have no recollection of our ever having met before that time ... Certainly, Wenneba the Prophetess was a far deadlier enemy of mine than you were. Also Guthar Redbeard, and Laktan of Crescentium. And then there was -'

Hurondus has heard enough. He gives a furious bellow and charges down the bridge towards you, thrusting his sword forwards like a lance.

You must time your next action perfectly. Roll two Dice, trying to score less than or equal to your Awareness. If you succeed, turn to 337. If you fail, turn to 449.

Roll = 6. (Success!)

TRICKSTER:

You twist to one side at the last moment, deftly evading the point of Hurondus's sword. Even before he has time to realise what you are doing, you've put your hand on his shoulder and vaulted over his head. He gives a wail of despair as you race to the end of the bridge and, staggering blindly, he topples over into the gorge.

'So much for Hurondus,' you say to one of the goggling Hags.

Good thing too, because failure results in the Trickster getting caught and dragged off the bridge to his death (Horondus taking the plunge along with him - he cares more about killing his foe than about being restored to life).

2 across, 2 more to go. (In hindsight, maybe the other 2 guys should have passed their non-weapon/armour items to Benedict before he passed, but I guess none of you could be sure whether the other bridge contains a similar trap.)

Reed, Kiki, decide which one of you is to go next, and which bridge to take!

(I also want to pause here in case either of you want to pass your stuff to the other guy and take the waterfall route....that only works if the other guy takes the nearer bridge, of course.)

[Starmaker]

Neat x2.

(In hindsight, maybe the other 2 guys should have passed their non-weapon/armour items to Benedict before he passed, but I guess none of you could be sure whether the other bridge contains a similar trap.)

I didn't really put much faith in my chance to survive the crossing, which is why I gave away the quest items for safekeeping. It's not like you would've allowed the party to loot Benedict's body if it was at the bottom of the chasm.

HEY, I BROUGHT MUNCHIES. (Benedict gives Pepito one Food.)

[angelfromanotherpin]

Well, I'll go the fear route; it would be cowardly to do otherwise. So if Reed wants to hand me stuff, I'll take it.

[Shiritai]

Benedict got an awereness test, despite facing the greater fear, so I'm a lot more confident about choosing the dry bridge now. I'll give you one of the glass prisms just in case one of us bites it though.

Edit: I'll also drop my Sheet Lightnings and call Nemesis Bolt to mind instead.

[SGamerz]

Reed passes one of the glass prisms to the Warrior before the latter goes out to the bridge.

WARRIOR:

You are about to cross one of the bridges spanning the gorge. What you must now decide is whether to cross the bridge nearer to you or whether to step through the waterfall to take the other bridge. The bridges seem identical.

She has already chosen to face "that which she fears most"...

WARRIOR:

You advance across the first bridge. A shimmering energy-barrier springs up behind you, preventing you from going back until whatever drama you must face has run its course. So be it - you stride on determinedly.

The gargoyle head speaks again: 'Arise from ashes.'

You look around, perplexed, but soon see that its words were not addressed to you. A figure gradually takes shape ahead of you on the bridge - a hulking Berserker in a rotting chainmail vest. He lifts his warhammer with arms that look bloodless and dead. A flicker of red fire from a spurting gey illuminates his face, and you know him at once. It is Beorn Smith-hammer, your most hated foe.

But - you slew him three years past!

The winner shall have life,' groans the stone head.

Beorn grins and steps forwards. The skin of his face is just a tattered cobweb of decay. He says thickly: 'Ja, old foe. Here's where we change places.' And with that he swings his hammer in a bone-breaking arc towards you . . .

Beorn has the same Fighting Prowess, Psychic Ability and Awareness that you started with. His Endurance is six less than your initial Endurance, but each blow of his inflicts 1 Die damage more than one of yours (so if you normally hit for 2 Dice+2, he hits for 3 Dice+2, and so on). His Armour Rating is one.

Your companions, if any, can do nothing to aid you in this fight. You cannot flee. If you win, turn to 88.

This can be dangerous. His END is only 6 (6 less than Kiki's initial score), which puts them at the same level, but he hits a lot harder. Kiki has higher FP now thanks to the ADJUST scrolls, but Beorn still has a good chance of hitting her at 8 FP. And they hit simultaneously. The only bright side is that Kiki still has better armour.

The Warrior probably has the hardest time on this bridge since he has no alternative strategies like the Trickster or the Sage.

COMBAT LOG:

Round 1 ... FIGHT!

Warrior fights Beorn. Roll = 10. (Hit - would have missed without the ADJUST) Damage = 5+1-1= 5 (Damn, almost finished him off). Beorn has 1 END left.

Beorn fights Warrior. Roll = 7 (Hit!). Damage = 4+1-3 =2. Warrior has 4 END left!

Round 2:

Warrior fights Beorn. Roll = 5. (Hit) Beorn is killed.

Beorn fights Warrior (simultaneous action). Roll = 10 (Miss!)

With some luck, the Warrior is safely across. Now, the Enchanter finally takes his turn:

ENCHANTER:

You may cross the gorge by either of the two bridges. To reach the further bridge, however, you would have to step through the waterfall.

If you decide to use the nearer of the bridges, turn to 128. If you step through the waterfall to use the other bridge, turn to 494.

You step out on to the bridge. As you do, the rumbling voice of the gargoyle's head echoes across the cave: 'Return from darkness.'

In answer to this summons, a figure appears at the far end of the bridge. The Hags mutter excitedly as he steps rapidly forwards to confront you. A wall of force arises behind you, cutting off your retreat. You must face this foe alone. As he draws near, you recognise the coat-of-arms on his shield: a three-horned dragon in gold on an azure field. It is the insignia of Sir Guillarme le Cauchemar, an evil knight who was your deadliest foe - until you slew him, months ago . . .

Guillarme speaks, his voice sounding cold and tinny within his black helm. 'We meet again for one final encounter, you spell-tossing churl. This time it is I, Guillarme le Cauchemar, who shall send you down into the icy embrace of Lady Death.' He gives a curt, contemptuous salute and then closes for the kill.

Guillarme's Endurance and Awareness are the same as yours were at the start of the adventure. His Fighting Prowess is one point greater than your
initial Fighting Prowess, while his Psychic Ability is two points lower. He inflicts the same damage as you do with each blow, and his Armour Rating is three.

You cannot flee, and your companions (if any) cannot intervene in any way. If you kill Guillarme, turn to 88.

In comparison, Reed should have a relatively easy time with this (as he probably would be against any foe that isn't magic-immune at this point). There's absolutely no way this evil knight can kill Reed in one blow (what kind of knight is so weak that he only hits as hard as an Enchanter??), while Reed can probably 1-shot him with the Nemesis Bolt he already has in mind.

COMBAT LOG:

Round 1 ... FIGHT!

Enchanter attempts to cast Nemesis Bolt. Roll = 8+5 = 13 (same as Reed's PA with one spell in his mind). Success! Since Nemesis Bolt does a minimum of 14 damage, Guillarme is fried instantly.

Guillarme fights Enchanter. Roll = 4 (Hit!). Damage = 6-1-2 =3. Enchanter has 7 END left.

"That which he fears most?" Phaw, not even close!

You reach the other side of the bridge and step on to the terrace. The Hags glare at you but keep their distance. If any other players are still on the other side of the gorge, they must decide who will cross next and turn to the appropriate entry.

If no one remains on the other side, turn to 98. If you have been travelling with Imragarn and he is now alone on the other side, turn to 519.

Yes, we missed the chance to pick up a classic doomed-to-die-horribly gamebook companion.

He only shows up on the path where we choose Kalugen as our employer.

Now that the show is over, the disgusting Hags lope back to their cauldrons. You move across the terrace, feeling their rheumy eyes on you. Their repulsive familiars rush about under your feet - rotting crows with eyes dangling from sockets, yellow-fanged rats, warty malformed toads with human faces, scuttling objects that suggest entrails on legs ... They clutch at your heels as you walk past, and you feel you would prefer to be back on the bridge fighting than endure this horror. The Hags themselves crouch on the temple steps, gabbling to one another and shrieking with insane laughter.

If you want to talk to the Hags, turn to 212. If you want to go up the steps into the temple, turn to 298. If you want to take the path around to the right of the temple, turn to 56. If you want to walk around it to the left, turn to 357.

Benedict passes a portion of food to Pepito. Everyone besides Benedict eat a portion of food to regain 1 END (Benedict didn't go through a combat, so by the strict rue of the book he shouldn't bee able to make use of the food...although it doesn't altogether make sense).

I know Darth said he wanted to heal at the next opportunity, but please note that the Sage's END is dangerously low at this point.

Everyone's injured (to varying degrees) now. Anyone fancy risking the Snuffbox (may kill the Sage or the Warrior, though)?

Adventure Sheet:

WARRIOR:

NAME: Dame Caecilia Wither-Stoat
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 1

Fighting Prowess: 10
Psychic Ability: 6
Awareness: 6
Endurance: 5
Damage: 1 Die+1

Items:
1 Sword
2 Chainmail armour (Armour Rating three)
3 Money pouch (30 gold pieces)
4 Opal Medallion
5- 8 Food (eat one for +1 EN after combat)
9 Octagonal glass prism
10 Empty slot.

TRICKSTER:

NAME: Benedict of the Crimson Spires, Honourable Duelist
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 2

Fighting Prowess: 7
Psychic Ability: 6
Awareness: 8
Endurance: 8
Damage: 1 Die

Items:
1 Battleaxe
2 Breastplate (Armour Rating one)
3 Food (eat one for +1 EN after combat)
4 -10 Empty slot

SAGE:

NAME: "Pepito" Cascadero, Master of the Mystic Way
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 3

Fighting Prowess: 7
Psychic Ability: 7
Awareness: 6
Endurance: 4
Damage: 1 Die

Items:
1 Quarterstaff
2 Ringmail armour (Armour Rating two)
3-10 Empty slot

ENCHANTER:

NAME: Enchanter Reed, Ninth of the Inverted Tower
RANK: 2nd

Battle Order: 4

Fighting Prowess: 0
Psychic Ability: 14
Awareness: 6
Endurance: 8
Damage: 1 Die-1

Items:
1 Sword
2 Silver armour (Armour Rating two)
3 Opal Medallion
4 Golden Snuffbox
5 Octagonal glass prism
6-7 Food (eat one for +1 EN after combat)
8-10 Empty slot

[Starmaker]

Why on earth isn't attacking an option? I guess we talk.

[Shiritai]

Yeah, talk to the hags; otherwise it's just a blind choice.