[Let's Play] Fighting Fantasy 49 - Siege of Sardath

[Thaluikhain]

Long answer.

(What would have happened if we failed the skill test?)

[SGamerz]

(What would have happened if we failed the skill test?)

2 STAMINA damage. So I guess it's "slightly harmful" to humans like it does to surface Elves, although the Encyclopedia made no mention of that.

You introduce yourself in the most Dwarf-like manner you know. Lokimur smiles. "You are a very courteous and unhasty human," he says, "but these are hasty times, so I think we should discuss the situation without delay." You agree, and explain to him the nature of your mission and what has befallen you so far. In his turn, Lokimur explains how he gathered together all the mining folk into this one mine for their mutual protection. You congratulate him on his work and ask him if they have suffered any attacks from the Black Flyers. "Yes," he replies, "but only by night, of course. By day they send packs of Toa-Suo." You were going to ask him for his help, but now you realize that he has other concerns. You ask him instead if he can give you any information that might be of help to you. "Of course," he says, "but sadly there is very little time for proper counsel. What do you need to know? Will you as him about:

Thyra Migurn (if you know of her)?
What's happened to Sardath?
Corianthus (if you know of him)?
The Black Flyers?
The Toa-Suo?

Don't recall this 'Dwarf-like manner' being mentioned other FF books featuring Dwarfs. In fact, they tend to be pretty "hasty" folk themselves in some of them. There are no real equivalent of Tolkien's Ents in FF in terms of mannerism that I know of.

Toa-Suo are shaggy predatory humanoids living in ice-cold climates. Individually not as big, powerful or menacing as the likes of Yeti, but they dwell in large communities and packs, and this makes them more dangerous (it is mentioned that they sometimes hunt Yetis). Although I don't recall any other mention of them working for/with Dark Elves besides this book.

What do we ask about?

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to ask him about the Black Flyers. Specifically, on how to kill them.

[Beroli]

Ask about Corianthus.

[Thaluikhain]

Corianthus.

[Queen of Swords]

Yes, Corianthus.

[SGamerz]

"Legends have it that Corianthus has a store of knowledge more vast, and more ancient, than anything in northern Allansia. It is said that he lives in a castle on the top of a mountain called Harn Cloud, but I know of no one who has ever climbed the mountain, let alone seen the castle."

You ask him how to get to this mountain.

"When you leave here, go down the north-western side of the pass into a large corrie with a lake. Go around the south side of the lake and across the bridge, then follow the river southwards. Eventually you will come to a runnel going up the side of a huge, isolated mountain to the west. That is Harn Cloud." You're not quite sure about some of his technical terms, but you think you can follow what he means.

If this is the second question that you have asked Lokimur, turn to 274. If it is only the first, you may ask another What will it be about:

Thyra Migurn (if you know of her)?
What's happened to Sardath?
The Black Flyers?
The Toa-Suo?

Looks like we only get 1 more question, so choose carefully!

[Queen of Swords]

Ask about the Black Flyers.

[Beroli]

Ask about what's happened to Sardath.

[JourneymanN00b]

I again vote to ask him about the Black Flyers, as I want to know how to kill them in an efficient manner.

[SGamerz]

"As you probably know, the Black Flyers are, in fact, mutated Dark Elves. It is my belief that they are building an underground city somewhere in these mountains. I have no idea how to find it, but I do know that some Dark Elf architecture can drive you insane if you look at it too closely." He reaches into a leather belt-pouch and takes out a small crystal ball. "My great-grandfather was an expert on Dark Elf architecture. He said this would protect the mind of anyone looking at it, though only from a distance. Just hold it in front of your eyes." He hands thus family heirloom to you with great ceremony, saying that he will expect you to return it to him if you survive. Make a note on your Adventure Sheet that, if you ever take the option to look at the Dark Elf lair and are asked to Test your Luck, you don't have to: just follow the Lucky option, without deducting any points from your LUCK score.

If this is the second question that you have asked Lokimur, turn to 274...

He didn't give information on how to kill them, as JourneymanN00b was hoping for, but it's a good question to ask, because we might have gotten something even more useful for it.

(Anyway, while they're mutated, they don't seem to have gained any extra immunity from it, and we know they can be killed by any normal means like a sword to the gut, like the Morn Preeler imposter. And we know of at least 3 other ways to kill/harm them already - lightning sphere, Elf bane, and Lokimur also mentioned that they don't come out in the day time, which implies fear of the sunlight).

At that moment, a Dwarf guard comes into the room and hurries over to Lokimur. "Begging your pardon, Leader, I realize that you are giving counsel, but I believe your presence is urgently required. We are again under attack from the Toa-Suo."

Lokimur tells the Dwarf that he will be there in a moment and then turns to you. "Will you stay and help us? If you reply that you would be honoured, turn to 74.

If you say that your mission is too urgent, Lokimur says that he quite understands and he wishe yo good luck. Once he has left to attend to the Toa-Suo attack, the Dwarf guard escorts you out of the mine, warning you to hold your breath before you go through the fungus tunnel. When you arrive back at the surfact, he leads you to the south-east side of the pass. "Go down this way," he says, "for the Toa-Suo army are on the north side of the mountain." You thank him for his advice and begin the descent. You soon reach the bottom of the slope and find yourself back on the main path. Will you now go north-east towards the spire-shaped mountain or south-west towards the river?

Do we stay and help the Dwarfs? If not, which way to continue?

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Name: Quincey Stridemoore
SKILL 12/12
STAMINA 10/15
LUCK 9/10
Equipment: Sword, leather armour, bow, quiver, Council Signet Ring, 1: Dried Chameleonite Blood, 2: Condensed Mist from the Mithrir Forest, 7: Pickled Whole Shapechanger Brain, Four-leaf Clover, Sleeping Draught, Potion of Fortune, Seven-coiled Snake Ring, Brain Slayer Amulet (symbol 'IX' carved on its back, -2 SKILL when worn, currently not worn), Climbing rope, Brass Key, Fangnir's Encyclopedia of Subterranean Flora, Lightning Sphere, Red Gem, Small Crystal Ball (when looking at Dark Elf architecture, automatically Lucky from resulting Luck test, and does not need to spend LUCK point)
Arrows: 6
Bundles of Herbs: 10
Gold: 6 GP
Companions: Istu (SKILL 12, STAMINA 12, can fight alongside us in combat, does not take damage from opponents, but lose 3 STAMINA per use)
Day of the Week:
Stormsday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Moonsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Fireday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Earthday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Windsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Seaday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Highday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
[/spoiler]

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to reply that Quincey Stridemoore would be honoured, as I do think the Dwarves are worthy of his help.

[Queen of Swords]

He's helped us, so we should return the favor.

[SGamerz]

Lokimur thanks you and assures you that your special skills will be greatly appreciated. He leads you through several tunnels bustling with Dwarfs running to their battle stations. "Ah," says Lokimur as you encounter an older, battle-worn Dwarf, "Roxsir, take care of our newest recruit." Before Roxsir, take care of our newest recruit." Before Roxsir has a chance to reply, Lokimur has gone striding off down the tunnel.

"Right then, youngster," says Roxsir, "I understand that you're quite a warrior." You reply that you have seen plenty of action in your time. Roxsir smiles. "Dwarf and human have fought together on many occasion - always on the side of Good, and often on the side of victory. We shall make some tales today." You agree and add that you hope they will have a happy ending. "There's no doubt about it," he says. "Now, where can we fit you in?" Will you join the few archers on the highest rampart, the boulder throwers on the lower rampart, of the rampart axe warriors?

Presumably, we'd still be using our own sword even if we join the axe warriors.

Which group do we join?

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to join the few archers on the highest rampart, as the fact that they are small in number means that we will have the greatest impact out of the three potions available.

[Thaluikhain]

If there's few archers, we'd be of more use there.

(Also, our clothes are presumably covered in fungus spores, which seems cool. Wonder if you can cultivate them on cloth?)

[SGamerz]

Roxsir leads you through many tunnels and out on to a ledge above a north-facing cliff. You lean over the parapet and see the huge army of Toa-Suo. You can also see another ledge below you, where many Dwarfs are throwing boulders down as the Toa-Suo climb up. Some of the enemy are able to didge the boulders and get up to the ledge, but the axe warriors are there to fend them off. You step back from the edge and prepare to join the fight. There are plenty of arrows but only a few archers' with your superior skill, you are more than welcome. If you don't have your own bow, the Dwarfs give you one. It is smaller than your own and of inferior craftsmanship (deduct 1 SKILL point when you use it). With it, you fare little better than any of the others. If you do have your own bow, you have an excellent day, slaying many Toa-Suo (regain 1 LUCK point). As the day draws to an end, the Toa-Suo retreat. Hellura, the leader of the archers, tells you to refill your quiver and follow her back into the tunnels.

We still have our own bow, so LUCK is now back to max.

On the way down into the mine, you bump into Roxsir, who is coming up to meet you. "Lokimur told me to convey his apologies for not meeting you personally. My orders are to find you decent quarters and to show you some good old-fashioned Dwarf hospitality." Some time later you are sat at a long table, replete with a large meal and a quantity of Dwarfish ale. Despite a feeling of deep relaxation, you tell your new friends that your mission is pressing and that you must leave.

"I don't think that would be very wise," says one of them. "Black Flyers rule the mountains at night. There are patrols in the air continuously, and they usually send a force to attack the mine - although they are conducting a terror campaign rather than a proper military assault."

But this time everybody is getting ready to sleep, to recover from the day's fighting. You, too, are exhausted, and the Dwarf's advice is good, so you find yourself and empty pallet to sleep on. Will you go up to the duty officer and volunteer to take a watch during the night or settle down to sleep?

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Name: Quincey Stridemoore
SKILL 12/12
STAMINA 10/15
LUCK 10/10
Equipment: Sword, leather armour, bow, quiver, Council Signet Ring, 1: Dried Chameleonite Blood, 2: Condensed Mist from the Mithrir Forest, 7: Pickled Whole Shapechanger Brain, Four-leaf Clover, Sleeping Draught, Potion of Fortune, Seven-coiled Snake Ring, Brain Slayer Amulet (symbol 'IX' carved on its back, -2 SKILL when worn, currently not worn), Climbing rope, Brass Key, Fangnir's Encyclopedia of Subterranean Flora, Lightning Sphere, Red Gem, Small Crystal Ball (when looking at Dark Elf architecture, automatically Lucky from resulting Luck test, and does not need to spend LUCK point)
Arrows: 6
Bundles of Herbs: 10
Gold: 6 GP
Companions: Istu (SKILL 12, STAMINA 12, can fight alongside us in combat, does not take damage from opponents, but lose 3 STAMINA per use)
Day of the Week:
Stormsday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Moonsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Fireday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Earthday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Windsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Seaday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Highday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
[/spoiler]

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to go up to the duty officer and volunteer to take a watch during the night, as there might be an important item or piece of information in store for us there.

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, might be a stamina loss for lack of sleep, but we can take it, might be something we miss (such as someone coming to cut our throat) if we go to sleep.

Stand watch.

[SGamerz]

The officer thanks you and explains that he operates an overlapping rota. "Go to sleep now," he says, "and the Dwarf you are to relieve will wake you when it is your turn." You wish him a good night, and go back to your pallet. Some time during the night, you are woken by a very tired-looking Dwarf. Even though it is not yet morning, you are fairly refreshed (regain 1 STAMINA point). "You are to replace me on the lower ledge of the north cliff." he says. "Everything should be quiet now, We were attacked by a small flight of Black Flyers earlier on but were able to fight them off."

When you get to the ledge, you find the other guards hauling someone up on a rope. "A refugee," one of them says/ "He's almost dead from exhaustion."

When the Dwarf is finally brought on to the ledge, he collapses. "I thought I'd never find sanctuary." he gasps. Two of the guards drape his arms over their shoulders and walk with him back into the mine. You are suddenly struck by recollections of Morn Preeler and other imposters you have seen or heard of: this could s easily be a trap. Will you challenge the Dwarf or whisper your suspicions to the guard nearest you?

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Name: Quincey Stridemoore
SKILL 12/12
STAMINA 11/15
LUCK 10/10
Equipment: Sword, leather armour, bow, quiver, Council Signet Ring, 1: Dried Chameleonite Blood, 2: Condensed Mist from the Mithrir Forest, 7: Pickled Whole Shapechanger Brain, Four-leaf Clover, Sleeping Draught, Potion of Fortune, Seven-coiled Snake Ring, Brain Slayer Amulet (symbol 'IX' carved on its back, -2 SKILL when worn, currently not worn), Climbing rope, Brass Key, Fangnir's Encyclopedia of Subterranean Flora, Lightning Sphere, Red Gem, Small Crystal Ball (when looking at Dark Elf architecture, automatically Lucky from resulting Luck test, and does not need to spend LUCK point)
Arrows: 6
Bundles of Herbs: 10
Gold: 6 GP
Companions: Istu (SKILL 12, STAMINA 12, can fight alongside us in combat, does not take damage from opponents, but lose 3 STAMINA per use)
Day of the Week:
Stormsday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Moonsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Fireday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Earthday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Windsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Seaday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Highday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
[/spoiler]

[Beroli]

Whisper suspicions.

[Thaluikhain]

Whisper suspicions.

[SGamerz]

The Dwarf nods his head very slightly and stands up. He walks over to the newcomer quite casually and asks the guards to wait a moment. He asks the Dwarf a few questions and then turns away, apparently satisfied. Suddenly, he swings around, drawing a heavy war-hammer. The imposter Dwarf, realizing that he has been discovered, tried to defend himself, but he is on his own and is armed with only a dagger. Once it is all over, the Dwarfs come over to you. "We owe you a great debt, adventurer in addition to what you have already done." You tell them that you fight on behalf of all the good people of the Forest and the mountains. "Well said, I am sure that you will become known as a great Dwarf-friend, even as far as Fangthane - if we survive."

For a while you all fall quiet as you watch the black sky slowly turn to the pale blue of the pre-dawn (tick off the next day on your Adventure Sheet). If today is Highday, turn to 50. If it is not, 4.

We're on Seaday, still 1 more day away from that.

As you watch comes to an end, Roxsir appears from below. The others tell him about the imposter, and he thanks you profusely (regain 1 LUCK point). "Lokimur is sleeping, but I will make sure that he knows how brave you have been. Now I will escort you through the tunnels back to the surface."

"Goodbye, then," he says when you get to the bottom of the mine shaft. "and many thanks for what you have done for our people." You wish him good luck, then get into the cage and haul yourself back to the surface. Once there, you leave the cave and soon you are standing once again on the top of the mountain pass. If you go down the north-west side, turn to 51. If you go down the south-east side, you eventually get back to the mountain path. Will you now go north-east towards the spiral-shaped mountain or south-west towards the river.

There's been a lot of LUCK bonus in this book that we don't even need. We don't even have many combats to spend them on outside regular Luck tests!

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Name: Quincey Stridemoore
SKILL 12/12
STAMINA 11/15
LUCK 10/10
Equipment: Sword, leather armour, bow, quiver, Council Signet Ring, 1: Dried Chameleonite Blood, 2: Condensed Mist from the Mithrir Forest, 7: Pickled Whole Shapechanger Brain, Four-leaf Clover, Sleeping Draught, Potion of Fortune, Seven-coiled Snake Ring, Brain Slayer Amulet (symbol 'IX' carved on its back, -2 SKILL when worn, currently not worn), Climbing rope, Brass Key, Fangnir's Encyclopedia of Subterranean Flora, Lightning Sphere, Red Gem, Small Crystal Ball (when looking at Dark Elf architecture, automatically Lucky from resulting Luck test, and does not need to spend LUCK point)
Arrows: 6
Bundles of Herbs: 10
Gold: 6 GP
Companions: Istu (SKILL 12, STAMINA 12, can fight alongside us in combat, does not take damage from opponents, but lose 3 STAMINA per use)
Day of the Week:
Stormsday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Moonsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Fireday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Earthday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
Windsday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Seaday (2/3 extra lives remaining)
Highday (3/3 extra lives remaining)
[/spoiler]

[Queen of Swords]

Go down the north-west side.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to go down the north-west side.