[Let's Play] Rider of the Black Sun

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:16 pm

I am very skeptical of consecration!

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Mon Jan 18, 2021 11:36 am

Moar doubt.

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Mon Jan 18, 2021 12:47 pm

I'm skeptical, but refusing doesn't sound great either. Half vote for saying ready.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Mon Jan 18, 2021 3:59 pm

310 Without a furhter word, you leave the Master's chambers and go back to your room. Your sobering thoughts revolve solely around the coming night. The Consecration of Ugar may well be as much an honor as a burden to you.

> Am I ready to receive the ordination? What if I really have been cursed by Kathum as everybody says? Will Ugar punish me? Will I lose my own will and become a mere marionette of the faith? <

While you are lost in your thoughts, Teacher Tarus pays you an unexpected visit. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, the old man starts to speak as if he already knew what is troubling you. "It is difficult for you to accept your own role in this game, is it not?" He glances at the desk with its countless books. "You may have read through all the histories, studied all the philosophers and listened to all of the priests; the question that moves you now would make all of them despair as well."

You both remain silent a while. Then Tarus gives you an encouraging pat on the leg. "Well, I know neither your goals nor those of the honorable Master. But one thing I do know. Should Ugar the Almighty deem you unworthy, he will not grant you the consecration." Getting up to leave, Tarus adds, "However you decide to use the divine power given to you, that decision lies in your hands alone."

Left to yourself in the room again, you come to a decision. Despite all your doubts and fears, you will receive the consecration.

Turn to 347.

347 You have spent the hours before the ritual of consecration pondering and brooding. Boredom and tension make the time move unbearably slowly. Finally, there is a knock at your door. The seven young acolytes of the Order of Ugar present you with a robe. The ceremony begins!

Framed by servants of the god, you enter the magnificent Ningal Hall clad in the pitch-black robe of the Child of Shadows. All inhabitants of the Night Tower, from the highest Ugarith warrior to the lowliest slave, have come to the temple of Ugar to witness the ordination of the Child of Shadows.

Hundreds of spectators are crowded into the narrowest of spaces, but when the guests notice you at the entry portal, a lane soon opens up leading to the front of the temple with its impressive marble statue of the god of death. Waiting before the oversized statue of an inky black man bearing a bull's head stands Calderal. He is wearing the awe-inspiring robe of a priest, its black cloth embroidered in lunar symbols and glyphs of power. "Come, Child of Shadows, receive the blessing of Ugar!" he welcomes you effusively.

Murmuring spreads throughout the hall until a metal gong is sounded. Hesitantly, you approach the dark priest, who welcomes you at the altar, a massive square block of basalt.

If you want to receive the blessing of Ugar, turn to 341.
If not, turn to 344.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Jan 18, 2021 6:08 pm

Receive blessing.

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Mon Jan 18, 2021 7:07 pm

0.5 vote for receive.

I think refusing at this point is kind of dangerous, but am still pretty leery about being blessed by evil gods. Tarus' assurance that Ugar will reject us if need be calms me down a bit.

Zaranthan · Post by **Zaranthan** » Mon Jan 18, 2021 8:12 pm

Tarus's warning that what we do with the power is out responsibility assuages my doubt that this was a ploy to gain control of us. Calderal was worried about our loyalty, which means we can still betray him.

I accept the power of darkness.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:35 am

Take the blessing.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 3:25 pm

347 It is time at last. Your head bowed, you step before Calderal and fall to your knees to receive the benediction.

A deathly silence fills the temple when, appearing as if from nowhere, a nebulous shape rises from the shadow of the statue of Ugar. The wavering black smoke thickens, becoming a giant figure whose somber aura displaces even that of the venerable master's. Two eyes like gleaming diamonds stare at you. It is a divine spirit, a Halret! Wordlessly, this messenger from the Underworld hands Calderal the star stone intended for you.

You open your mouth and, as he places the holy pearl upon your tongue, you reverently receive the ordination of a priest of Ugar. Pure power seizes you as Calderal grasps your left hand with his rough claw. You swallow the stone. Your body quivers. For a short fateful moment an icy feeling of immortality comes over you, spreading from the hand on your heart to your mind.

Write down the ability Immunity to Sunlight in line 9 on your adventure sheet. In addition, mark the number 342 there, the number of this section, so that you can look up something if necessary.

In the awareness that from now on you possess an extraordinary power, you gaze into the faces of the guests and your companions – and find admiration, fascination, and deep respect reflected there. In the audience you notice a older looking man – probably a human from the South – skillfully wending his way from the entrance through the crowd. For a single moment youe eyes meet and his pupils light up, yellow as the morning sun.

> Eyes of Gold! I know that light... is it a servant of Kar from Kyphi? <

Unnoticed, he pushes forward, moving along the wall, in the direction of the altar and the honored guests. Once again his eyes are unremarkably black. Emotions are seething in you, too many to name or even clearly feel.

If you want to unmask the man, turn to 304.
If you want to stop him yourself, turn to 321.
If you want to do nothing and simply observe, turn to 339.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 3:31 pm

what's a Kar from Kyphi?

anyway to be consistent with our noncommital and unsure play style so far, let what will happen happen.

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 7:46 pm

Do nothing and observe.

I think Kar is the god of the sun, we assassinated his high priest recently. I'm hoping this new Kar servant assassinates someone important. The only other tempting option is to stop him ourself for more plaudits with Calderal, but we're already pretty well regarded. (Though maybe stopping him ourself would be a way to talk to him alone. Hard to say.)

I'm amused by the snakes growing out of the demon's codpiece in the last image.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:16 am

Observe.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:50 pm

339 Within a few heartbeats the priest of Kar reaches the front row of guests and reaches into his cloak. He is only a few steps away from you and Calderal. Suddenly there is a deafening explosion! The shock wave hurls you backwards against the altar. Your ears buzz and sparks dance before your eyes. Stones, burning splinters, and charred flesh rain down on you. People are screaming. You struggle to remain conscious.

Your VITALITY falls to critical!

It is only with difficulty that the guards manage to prevent a panic. Two of the mighty marble pillars flanking the holy hall have been reduced to rubble and stumps on the floor and ceiling. At least two dozen guests are dead. Many are severely injured.

(( Randomly, you stumble through smoke and dust until you reach an alcove where you find the remains of the assassin under a sharp-edged block of marble. The explosion has torn his body asunder, but you recognize the distinctive golden eyes. They are not those of a man at all: they are those of the young priestess from Kyphi! Her gleaming blond locks stick to her blood-smeared cheeks. Your heart almost breaks to see her distorted body lying in front of you. An illusion allowed her to look like a man.

"Nephatari!" Calderal's croaking voice wakens you from your mourning. "The girl wanted to avenge her father's death." ))

As the Master of Shadows turns away with hoarse laughter, you discover a hot lump of gold lying next to Nephatari's corpse, the remains of her Kar amulet. Bitterly, you pocket the artefact. It takes several hours to take care of all the wounded and recover the dead. The chaos has been overcome.

Write down the Lump of Gold (Special Item) and under Special Notes record that Nephatari has been killed by crossing off the box on your adventure sheet.

Your RAGE rises by a level!

Write down the number of this Section 339 in the box next to the Rage scale on your adventure sheet.

Turn to 350.

350 Master Calderal is enraged at the amateurish safety precautions taken during the ceremony. The Empire was shaken to its core, but Ugar's priesthood survives! The Alliance tried to land its ultimate blow, but the assassination attempt initiated by the Templars of Kyphi was simply not precise enough.

A mere four hours later there is another meeting of the Empire's general staff. It takes only a few minutes to decide – all the forces allied with the Empire will mobilize for the final attack! In the very next night all the armed forces will be dispatched to raze to the ground Leenhaven, the Alliance's last coastal city.
Continue with CHAPTER 3: "BROTHERS IN ARMS".

•

Have you found the FATE POINT (#5) in this chapter? If not, then you should continue your conversations with Master Calderal or pursue a different direction in your education.

A dramatic ending, at least. I'll put up the interchapter rules update and chapter 3 start a bit later.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:44 pm

The new rules include the possibilities for a round clock that counts down to one or more special events, multiple enemies, and changing weapons. The first is straightforward. The second tells us that additional enemies give stat bonuses to the base profile until they are defeated, but combat remains functionally a duel. Changing weapons in combat means missing an attack round and is therefore quite harsh.

Proceeding...

CHAPTER 3
BROTHERS IN ARMS

Your VITALITY rises two levels, but not above normal. Fill in the Save Points on your adventure sheet. The renewal of your suppressed knowledge and your incarnation as Shadow Child give you your first divine favor: 2 points of KARMA. Write them down on your adventure sheet.

"The path of war is stony and treacherous. Only the one who recognizes resistance both open and hidden and can distinguish friend from foe will be able to follow it safely."
– THE ORACLE OF KABETH

351 You are lying on your bed, leafing impatiently through a book. For hours now, the noises from cleaning work going on outside can be heard in your room. You simply cannot concentrate.

The anointment as religious savior and hope of the Ugarith would be enough reason for an identity crisis. Then there is the Alliance assassination attempt that you barely escaped. And finally, you will be a part of the Empire's invasion army tomorrow!

> Will my new life come to an end before it has even started? <

Lost in thought, you massage the back of your left hand to ease the burning pain of the scar. These surges of agony have only grown stronger since yesterday. But you're worried about something else, namely the statement Calderal made when you last met him.

"Through the star stone's ordination you are able to exist in the light of day. You're our strongest weapon now! None in the Alliance will guess that you are among them when Kar is in the sky!"

If you have the ability History Knowledge, turn to 511.
If not, turn to 519.

351 The fact that you can live under the dangerous rays of the sun fills your mind with thoughts of power. Even so, you know that there are many more Ugarith like Aonus who also have this ability.

Turn to 519.

519 In the afternoon you are commanded to come into the council hall. There the great officers of the Empire have gathered to make plans for the coming battle. Representatives of all the allies take part in the discussion – Zarlik, Baronyaks, Dvorak, and Menokians.

Calderal has excused himself. In his stead Aonus, who already wears his impressive riding gear, leads the talks. Tired, you try to follow the strategists' words as they gather around a magical map of the coastal region of Leenhaven and tensely discuss the coming battles. In truth, the three-dimensional map – a realistic representation of the region from a dragon's perspective – commands more of your attention than do Aonus' explanations.

If you want to follow the tactical discussion, use this map of Western Pakonia!

The attack force consists of three primary units. The main fleet is made up of two fleets, from the Ningal Tower and from Port Enlil. Twenty-six ships altogether will gather around Votracht, the southernmost naval base of the Empire, passing Beentracht in the east and west at sunrise.

The Menokians will form the north flank with their nine ships and will rejoin the main fleet between Obtracht and the coast. According to the battle plan the force will reach Leenhaven at sunset. At the same time, they will be supported by the ground force, which has for weeks been gathering around Fort Sin. Over 1600 men from all the allied peoples will fight for the Empire at Leenhaven.

An hour before sunset, Aonus will lead the small number of Dragon Riders from the Windy Mountains to Leenhaven and support the ground forces from the air. In addition, about 60 Ugarith elite soldiers are to attack embattled positions at sunset. The battle groups around Seraph will hold their weapons for the time being. But the soldiers will remain in position before Rhenus' westernmost settlement to prevent Kyphis' Golden Army from coming to the assistance of Leenhaven.

If you have the ability Warfare, turn to 472.
If not, turn to 454.

454 The brief month of your education was over in a flash, and you doubt if you know enough to prepare yourself for the coming challenges. Nevertheless, you have become a respected member of the Empire, even though that may mostly be due to Calderal's encouragement. It fits your Master's design that you are not standing with the simple fighters at the pier, but instead shoulder to shoulder with five dozen pitch-black Ugarith elite soldiers. You wait for the arrival of the Mexes, a nimble corvette that will bring you to Votracht as quickly as possible.

Contemplating the coming battle, you stare at the moonlit sea spray at the base of the Tower of Night. There is the sudden murmur in the crowd below and when you glance down, you see the reason why. Calderal strides down the wet steps towards the pier, supported by two priests. His shimmering Ugar robes flutter grandly in the wind as he raises his voice and with great pathos predicts a glorious return to all honorable fighters. A pleasurable chill runs down your spine. At this moment you feel the power of faith filling everyone present.

By the time the last words sung by the Master of Shadows have faded, all your ills have been forgotten. And, as if foreordained, at this moment the Mexez appears behind the rugged cliffs and heads for the giant cave at the base of the Ningal Tower, accompanied by the rising cheers of the soldiers.

Your VITALITY rises to fit!
If you want to jump on the deck of the Mexez at once and assist the sailors, turn to 419.
If you want to wait in orderly formation, turn to 503.

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:56 am

Orderly formation, breaking ranks would make us look foolish.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:35 am

We don't seem to be in a position to create new traditions, so remain where we are instead of assuming we can be anything but a hindrance to the sailors.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 9:24 am

Stay in formation.

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 9:42 am

Nobody likes an obnoxious show off that doesn't know what they are doing. Or at least nobody should, so wait.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:52 pm

503 In the time it takes to load the impressive ship, the Shadow Master bids farewell to each of his Ugarith. When it's your turn, he extends his wrinkled hand to see you off.

"My child, even though you can't foresee it yourself, with Ugar's help you will change the face of the world!" Calderal's prophecy reverberates in your mind.

Distracted by the weight of these words, you return his handshake somewhat absentmindedly. Suddenly Calderal's grip intensifies and he pulls you close. "Here, take this," whispers the ruler of the Empire with paternal concern. "Eat it when the need is great, will you?" He has given you a small dried fruit.

If you want to take the Fig from Rohja (Utensil), write it down on your adventure sheet. You should write down that if you eat it, the magical fruit will immediately increase your VITALITY to fit!

Turn to 476.

476 No sooner has the Mexez been moored than the Ugarith detail march out onto the narrow deck, standing tall as they wait for further commands. At the same time some sailors have been stowing away nine wooden crates the size of wardrobes, brought from the catacombs of the Ningal Tower. From inside them you can hear bestial snarls and angry muffled thuds that make the heavy crates dance over the deck. You are surprised that all the seams and knotholes in these containers have been smeared with large amounts of sticky tar.

The time has now come! The sails of the Mexez billow in the rising wind. The voyage begins! Captain Towak, a brawny sea-dog with thinning grey hair sends the Ugarith down inside the ship after a short inspection. He does not want them to risk the rays of the sun for no reason. As the Shadow Warriors march below deck, the sailors steer clear of them as much as possible.

If you want to go below deck with them, turn to 396.
If you want to remain topside, turn to 496.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:16 pm

We have sunscreen, we'll be fine. Stay topside.

pragma · Post by **pragma** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:27 pm

Stay topside.

I think the game will reward us for testing out our new sunlight powers, and the only thing we could do below deck is listen to Aonus yammer.

Thaluikhain · Post by **Thaluikhain** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:57 am

Yeah, find out how sunlight affects us before it really matters.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:43 pm

Omegonthesane wrote:We have sunscreen, we'll be fine. Stay topside.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:57 pm

496 While the sailors are preparing the versatile two-master for the long voyage to Votracht, you stare motionless from astern at the Ningal Tower slowly receding into the distance. Gradually the giant rock spire shrinks to a thin index finger pointed in warning out of the roaring sea. Captain Towak generously ignores your lack ofreadiness for duty – he knows well that he's bringing a very special passenger to the mainland.

The night passes, but with each passing hour you feel a growing restlessness taking hold of you. You cannot help but imagine what will happen if the rising disc of Kar pours out its fiery rays over you.

If you want to go below deck, turn to 396.
If you want to resist your fear and wait for sunrise, turn to 390.

Based on the previous responses, I'm going to assume that we'd prefer to test our sunlight immunity.

390 Fascinated, you admire the red of the clouds on the horizon and watch them from the protection of your hiding place. Already you feel the divine might of the disc of Kar, even though it has not yet shown its face.

It is then that the first rays of light pierce the morning mist, shining on your face. You flinch out of instinct, but before you can protect yourself, a blissful warmth suffuses your skin. You close your eyes – what a feeling! A torrent of light washes over you. All your worries and fears dissolve, leaving sheer wonder.

> The power of Kar... so... beautiful. <

You bask in emotion as you watch the sun rise, climbing like a flaming promise. You are startled when you realize that some of the sailors are staring at you with envy and irritation. They cannot believe that an Ugarith can resist the mighty Kar. Without a word, you retreat below deck to escape their suspicious scrutiny.

Your STRENGTH rises by a point!

Turn to[/i] 396.

I'm just going to summarize the next section because it's real long for no good reason.

After a few days, Captain Towak brings us into his cabin where a crystal projects a hologram of the Shadow Master who tells us there are agents from Kyphi in Leenhaven. They are the probable organizers of last chapter's bombing and he tasks us to find and eliminate them. We are given a fist-sized alchemical bomb with a two minute fuse, which we can take or leave. (It is a Utensil.)

416 With the last rays of the sun on the fourth day, the Mexez reaches Port Blaylock, the largest settlement on Votracht. It has been only a few weeks since the harbor and trading town on the northern coast with its barely 500 souls, formerly known as Reedhaven, has been under the control of the Empire. Great efforts are now being made to develop it as a military base. But the occupiers are hated, and not just since the bloody battles fought to claim the town.

According to a curt Captain Towak, your journey will continue the next day, not on the Mexez, but on the admiral's ship, the Nargus. "Present yourself to Admiral Grobrig tomorrow morning. Orders from the top!" You had already noticed the Empire's flagship while entering the harbor. The impressive five-master with its imposing deck and raised bridge is truly a showpiece.

The night is still young and until the ship leaves you have enough tie for an extended short leave. For even though the passage has been demanding and interesting, you're happy to have firm ground beneath your feet again.

If you want to hit the inns and taverns along the waterside, turn to 502.
If you want to simply stroll alone through the night along the water's edge, turn to 491.
If you want to go to the Nargus at once and introduce yourself to Admiral Grobrig, turn to 377.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:33 am

No reason not to take the bomb now, is there?

Hit the inns.