[Let's Play] Fighting Fantasy 53 – Spellbreaker

[Queen of Swords]

Agreed, investigate.

[Thaluikhain]

Investigate random thingy.

[JourneymanN00b]

Stopping already got 3 votes, so Ariel Faust Constantine will do that.

153
It was wise to stop. There is a sharp twang and a crossbow bolt flies past you into a tree on the other side of the road. Your group is swiftly surrounded by men swathed in dark robes. One of them runs from the trees beside you with his short sword drawn.

BRIGAND SKILL 7 STAMINA 7

If you win, turn to 298.

The fight:
[spoiler]Round 1: Brigand Attack Strength: 13, Player Attack Strength: 17;
Brigand Stamina: 5, Player Stamina: 24
Round 2: Brigand Attack Strength: 15, Player Attack Strength: 21;
Brigand Stamina: 3, Player Stamina: 24
Round 3: Brigand Attack Strength: 17, Player Attack Strength: 19;
Brigand Stamina: 1, Player Stamina: 24
Round 4: Brigand Attack Strength: 14, Player Attack Strength: 21;
Brigand Stamina: -1, Player Stamina: 24[/spoiler]

As expected, Ariel Faust Constantine flawlessly kills the brigand.

298
Having dispatched your opponent, you are confronted by a tall man on horseback wearing a long, black cloak. You are startled to see that under his hood his face is covered by an iron mask. A gauntlet-clad hand pulls a fine sword from its scabbard. The sword glows with a faint blue light as it cuts through the air towards you.

MASKED BRIGAND SKILL 11 STAMINA 12

After two Attack Rounds, turn to 94.

Important Note: The Wizard publication has reduced the Masked Brigand’s Skill from 11 to 10, and this change will be applied in Ariel Faust Constantine’s battle with the Masked Brigand.

The fight:
[spoiler]Round 1: Masked Brigand Attack Strength: 19, Player Attack Strength: 21;
Masked Brigand Stamina: 10, Player Stamina: 24
Round 2: Masked Brigand Attack Strength: 18, Player Attack Strength: 21;
Masked Brigand Stamina: 8, Player Stamina: 24[/spoiler]

Ariel Faust Constantine wins the two Attack Rounds against the Masked Brigand.

94
The men who attacked you suddenly give up the fight and flee back into the trees, the masked stranger galloping after them. If you want to give chase into the undergrowth, turn to 23; if not, turn to 191.

Please make your votes before 8:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to be sure that they will be counted.

[Queen of Swords]

I think we might run into a trap if we chase them, so I vote not to.

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, let them go.

[Darth Rabbitt]

The brigands probably have another trap ready in the brush, so let them go.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; Ariel Faust Constantine will not give chase into the undergrowth.

191
Fortunately, no one in the party is badly hurt, the worst injuries being a knock on the head and a large sword-gash among the bodyguards. Lady Attana cannot thank you enough: ‘We are all indebted to you for saving our lives. You were so brave and dealt with those robbers as they deserved. Sadly, they managed to get away with my jewellery box. They shouldn’t be able to open it, as it was carved from wood from the magically protected forest of Lein, but it was given to me by my late husband on our wedding day. If you should ever, by chance, recover it, its contents are yours. It is the least I can give you for saving my life, but if you could return the box I would be most grateful.’ Lady Attana takes from round her neck a chain which hangs a silver key. She hands both the key and the chain to you and you see that the number ‘252’ is engraved on the key; Lady Attana tells you that this was the year of her wedding. You thank her and, when all is ready, continue your journey.

By late afternoon the road is descending out of the wood towards the River Sanct. On the other side, the shrine town of Hallow’s Well is clearly visible, a mixture of timber and stone houses competing for space within the confines of the old town wall. Your party crosses the wide stone bridge that spans the Sanct and enters the town by the eastern Pilgrim’s Gate. The narrow street leads into the Market Square, which is packed with people. Lady Attana tells you that she is heading for the Pilgrim’s Rest, where she and her entourage are to stay for the night; you are welcome to go with them if you so desire. If you want to do this, turn to 85. If you prefer now to press on again by yourself, turn to 341.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please make your votes before 6:00 PM PST to be sure that they will be counted.

Adventure Sheet
[spoiler]Ariel Faust Constantine
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 24 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 12 Initial Luck = 12
FAITH: 3
GOLD PIECES: 10
PROVISIONS: 5
EQUIPMENT AND TREASURE:
Sword
Lantern
Tinderbox
Backpack
Aramance
Silver Key With ‘252’ Engraved
Notes:
Knows Demonic Word of Command
RESURRECTIONS: 6[/spoiler]

[Darth Rabbitt]

I think we want to press on.

[Queen of Swords]

Does "press on again by yourself" mean going to the Market Square to buy items? If so, I vote for this. If it means traveling through the night alone, I vote for spending the night at the inn.

[Beroli]

Go with Lady Attana.

[SGamerz]

Go with them.

[JourneymanN00b]

Since the choice involves deciding where to spend the night, with no option of buying items at this point, and pressing on again by himself does not involve traveling through the night alone at this point, it is currently hard what Queen of Swords’s vote represents. Based on the circumstances, I will have Ariel Faust Constantine go with Lady Attana, since that received 2 votes, and I would have broken any existing tie in favor of that option.

85
[spoiler][/spoiler]

Dusk falls and, turning down a crowded back-street, you come to a three-storey stone building with a painted sign hanging outside declaring that this is indeed the Pilgrim’s Rest. The sign itself is an excellent work of art. It shows a pilgrim carrying a scrip and leaning on a staff, passing a milestone pointing to Hallow’s Well. You pass underneath it into the courtyard of the hostelry. There, ostlers lead your horses to the stables while your party make their way into the inn.

The interior of the inn is one of traditional oak beams and whitewashed walls. Tables are set out round the bar-room, with a large fireplace in the far wall. A few customers are dotted about, sitting by themselves, and a large group of well-to-do pilgrims is huddled together in front of the fireplace. Lady Attana thanks you again and hands you a purse containing your fee of 10 Gold Pieces. She goes over to the group, inviting you to join them, while her entourage go upstairs to prepare her quarters and your room. Do you want to join the group of pilgrims (turn to 10), buy yourself a tankard of ale at the bar (turn to 309), or leave the bar and retire to your room for the night (turn to 179)?

Please make your votes before 9:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to be sure that they will be counted.

Adventure Sheet
[spoiler]Ariel Faust Constantine
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 24 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 12 Initial Luck = 12
FAITH: 3
GOLD PIECES: 20
PROVISIONS: 5
EQUIPMENT AND TREASURE:
Sword
Lantern
Tinderbox
Backpack
Aramance
Silver Key With ‘252’ Engraved
Notes:
Knows Demonic Word of Command
RESURRECTIONS: 6[/spoiler]

[Queen of Swords]

I was leaning towards staying at the inn as well, just for the record.

Join the group of pilgrims.

[SGamerz]

Join the pilgrims.

[Thaluikhain]

Pilgrims.

[JourneymanN00b]

Joining the pilgrims received 3 votes, so Ariel Faust Constantine will do this.

10
The pilgrims are having a story-telling competition and at the moment are in fits of laughter as a rather gaunt-looking man is just concluding a lewd tale about a blacksmith. His story over, the group invites you to join in the competition. If you can win it, there are 6 Gold Pieces for the taking. Do you want to enter their competition (turn to 118), or will you retire to your room (turn to 179)?

Please make your votes before 8:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to be sure that they will be counted.

[SGamerz]

Enter the compeitition.

[Queen of Swords]

Sure, join in.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; Ariel Faust Constantine will enter their competition.

118
Before it is your turn, a grey-haired pilgrim recites his tale. He relates the legend of Gwythain the Warrior-Priest, servant of the Swordbearer, telling how the Protector slew the Demon Akragog with his Blessed Blade, Deliverer, and how he cut out the canker growing in Aryn’s Hill. He recounts the legend with such expertise that you will have to draw on all your reserves to surpass him. Test your Skill, adding 2 to the dice roll. If you succeed, turn to 357; if you fail, turn to 284.

Rolling the dice and applying the modification yielded a 9, meaning that Ariel Faust Constantine was successful in surpassing him.

357
You narrate a tale of heroic knights and a quest for honour and kingly treasures. You have your audience enthralled and, when you finish, you are given a great round of applause. Everyone agrees that your story was the best and the prize-money is handed to you (add the 6 Gold Pieces to your Adventure Sheet). In a jovial mood you retire to your room (turn to 179).

179
The landlord gives you the key to your room and following his directions, you make your way upstairs. The room is sparsely furnished, but a roaring fire has already been lite in the grate and on a table in front of it a roast chicken stands ready for consumption, all courtesy of Lady Attana. When you have eaten your fill, you settle down for the night. The inn-sign below your window swings gently in the breeze, its faint creaking lulling you to sleep. Roll one die. If the result is less then, or equal to, your FAITH score, turn to 144. Otherwise, turn to 393.

Rolling the die yielded a 4, which is greater than Ariel Faust Constantine’s Faith score.

393
The night passes peacefully and you wake up, refreshed (restore up to 2 STAMINA points). Leaving the inn, you proceed on your way. Turn to 131.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

131
The Market Square is full of stalls, with traders selling everything from needle and thread to a saddle and harness. It is likely that you will find something useful for sale here. Several ale-houses are also situated at the edges of the square. The healing well is at the top of the hill to the north, and streets lead out of the square to the south and west. Do you want to:

Look round the stalls? Turn to 29
Make your way to the healing well? Turn to 261
Visit one of the taverns? Turn to 332
Leave the Market Square by going west? Turn to 98
Leave the Market Square by going south? Turn to 272

Please make your votes before 6:00 PM PST to be sure that they will be counted.

Adventure Sheet
[spoiler]Ariel Faust Constantine
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 24 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 12 Initial Luck = 12
FAITH: 3
GOLD PIECES: 26
PROVISIONS: 5
EQUIPMENT AND TREASURE:
Sword
Lantern
Tinderbox
Backpack
Aramance
Silver Key With ‘252’ Engraved
Notes:
Knows Demonic Word of Command
RESURRECTIONS: 6[/spoiler]

[Darth Rabbitt]

Look round the stalls.

[Queen of Swords]

Yes, look around the market stalls.

[SGamerz]

Go to the healing well first.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes tallied; Ariel Faust Constantine will look round the stalls, since this option won by a 2-1 vote over making her way to the healing well.

29
All the stalls you would expect to find in a market are here, but your attention is drawn to one displaying the sign ‘Relics for Sale’. If you want to take a closer look at this stall, turn to 80. If you would rather keep looking round the market, turn to 218.

Please make your votes before 9:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to be sure that they will be counted.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Check out the relics stall.

[Queen of Swords]

Yes, relics.