[Let's Play] Sorcery Warrior 4 - The Crown of Kings

[Beroli]

You both sit down on a hard wooden bench and he composes himself. 'I have no wish for all this violence and treachery,' he starts, 'for I am a man of peace. It's this god-cursed Mampang that causes all these problems. I cannot even trust visitors any more.' You assure him that you will do him no harm and he tells you his story.

'I can assure you,' he says, 'that I am not a native of Mampang. Nor am I from anywhere in Kakhabad. My name is Farren Whyde and my kingdom is Ruddlestone, way to the west, beyond the Zanzunus. My profession is the art of science and my specialty is weaponry. In my own kingdom I was renowned for my discoveries. My most important discovery was a flash powder which would propel a missile further than any arrow could be fired. It was this cursed discovery which attracted the attentions of the Archmage. His allies, the hook-billed Birdmen, were sent after me. I was captured as I slept and brought to this hell-pit in these very clothes. Since that time his threats have kept me working on my project. But I fear that his ambitions will see its use only for conquest, not for the defence of peace.'

You tell him a little of your own story, but only that the Archmage has similarly wronged your kingdom by stealing the Crown of Kings. The old man nods. 'I have heard of your Crown. The Archmage is said to keep it with him at all times.' You ask him where you can find the Archmage. 'Ah, now that is a secret I can help you with. Come with me!' He leads you over to a window and points out. 'The Archmage does not often visit the Mampang Fortress.' Your jaw drops. Has this journey been wasted. Farren Whyde continues: 'He considers this place unsafe from his enemies. He leads the world to believe that this is his home, but in fact it is there!' You follow his finger. It points out to the peaks of High Xamen-–at nothing in particular.

You groan. Must you find your way safely out of the Fortress and start another journey? 'Do not despair, my friend. Let me show you another trick I have learned!' Farren Whyde cups his hands round his mouth and calls three words in a language you have never heard before. You watch dumbfounded as the enchanted words cast their spell.

Outside the tower you are in, a shimmering haze disturbs the air. As it rises slowly, the old man's story makes more sense. Another tower, concealed under its spell of invisibility, forms before your eyes! Farren Whyde looks at you proudly. 'There is the Archmage's tower. That is where he stays!' You realize you must now reach this tower-–and quickly, before the light fades.

You ask for his advice.

'I can offer you a little help,' he says, 'but whether or not you will be able to make use of it I do not know. Outside of this door, to the left, is a solid wall. A secret doorway is hidden in the wall. It is released by a password, but it is well protected against all unauthorized people. The passageway behind the door runs down stairs to the outside of the Fortress. When the Archmage did live here, this was his private escape-route. I know what you are thinking. Does he know the password? Alas, I do not. For if I did, I would certainly have escaped long ago. Your only other alternative is to work your way back through the Fortress and find your own way outside.' You thank him for his information and hurry outside.

Turn left and investigate the stone wall?
Head downstairs to make your way back through the Fortress?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 18/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword +1, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-1 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword, bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, rusty cutlass, self-lighting blood candle, nest with golden egg, key to fourth Throben Doors, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 32
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to turn left and investigate the stone wall, as I *think* this is where Libra's password can be used.

[Thaluikhain]

That makes sense, try left.

[deaddmwalking]

Might as well try it. Hopefully not having the password won't be instant death. If the worst case is we have to try the other option, might as well try the secret door first.

[Beroli]

You feel around the bare stonework, looking for a clue as to where the secret doorway is. You can find nothing. You may try a password.

You use the password Libra gave you.

You speak the password and wait. A creak in the rock is followed by the appearance of a crack which splits along the rock-face. A door is opening! Your heart beats quickly as it swings open to allow you through. And, judging by the commotion you can hear at the bottom of the stairs, this was not a moment too soon! You step through the door and close it behind you.

You find yourself in a narrow tunnel. Stairs lead downwards. You follow them down and down, zigzagging until you reach the bottom. At the bottom is a door. It squeaks on hinges as you open it. This door cannot have been used for many years; the dust and debris that have built up around it make it very difficult to open. Your spirits rise again when you find the door leads, as Farren Whyde had told you, outside the Fortress! But what of the hidden tower? Has it now resumed its aura of invisibility? You look out and breathe a sigh of relief. It is still visible. Perhaps the old man's words render the invisibility spell ineffective to anyone who once sees the tower. You step across towards it.

A heavy door leads into the tower. You try it and find it firmly locked. Test your Skill with a -1 penalty (this door is particularly strong) and take 1 damage. If you succeed, the door opens. If you do not, retry the test (taking damage each time) until you succeed or die.

You cannot fail.

The door bursts open and you fall headlong into the chamber inside. You roll over on the straw-covered floor and take in your surroundings. The room is not at all elegant, as you would have expected. It is simply a bare room. Two doors lead from it and you must now choose which to take.

The left door?
The right door?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword +1, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-1 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword, bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, rusty cutlass, self-lighting blood candle, nest with golden egg, key to fourth Throben Doors, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 32
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to say no to fascism and go left.

[deaddmwalking]

Left is fine.

[Thaluikhain]

May as well.

[Beroli]

The door is not locked. It opens to reveal an odd-shaped room, forming a rough crescent. It is dark and lit only from a lancet window in the left-hand wall. The floor is rough stone and scattered with straw. A doorway is set towards the far end of the right-hand wall. But what really catches your attention is a festering smell of decay which hangs in the room.

Enter and look around?
Try the other door?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword +1, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-1 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword, bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, rusty cutlass, self-lighting blood candle, nest with golden egg, key to fourth Throben Doors, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 32
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[Thaluikhain]

Enter and look around, even if it's bad, is more interesting than not looking around.

[deaddmwalking]

Could be an unescapable trap, and the rotting body is a warning. Half vote for going back.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to take a look around.

[Beroli]

Looking around wins 2 to 0.5.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, you step into the room. You glance around at the floor for any signs either of creatures or of objects, but find none. You quicken your steps, heading toward the door. Half-way there, you stop. A shape at the far end of the room has caught your attention. It is a large, bulky shape and it is making no movements.

Step over to investigate?
Ignore it and continue toward the door?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword +1, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-1 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword, bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, rusty cutlass, self-lighting blood candle, nest with golden egg, key to fourth Throben Doors, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 32
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to step over to investigate.

[deaddmwalking]

If we're in the room to find interesting things, might as well investigate.

[Thaluikhain]

Investigate.

[Beroli]

The shape remains a mystery as you walk up to it. As you get nearer you notice certain things about it. It appears to be inanimate--at least, it remains motionless. Perhaps it is a bundle of rubbish in a huge sack? The sack is slightly shiny, resembling a hide of some kind, perhaps like a reptile's skin? You stop in your tracks as the realization dawns on you. At the same time, the shape rises...

God-Headed Hydra.JPG (147.4 KiB) Viewed 3628 times

Slowly, the shape comes alive. Its scaly skin ripples and flexes as muscles crank it off the ground. You can do nothing but watch, your mouth agape, as the formidable shape takes form. It is a form that you recognize from legend rather than experience. For before your eyes, a great HYDRA is taking shape!

But its reptilian features are incomplete. Seven stumpy necks are flexing themselves, but its heads are missing! How can the creature live without heads? In the next instant, your question is answered. Materializing slowly on the creature's necks are seven heads. But these are not the snake-like heads you were expecting! Instead they are sinister human-like heads with grotesque faces. One bearded, stark-white face has great puffy cheeks. You swallow hard, for you recognize this face. It is Pangara, god of the air! A woman's face has sharp features and a shock of bright orange hair which glows in its own light. Burning red fireballs in her eyes confirm her identity: Glantanka, goddess of the sun! Other faces are beginning to form as the gods of Mampang appear before you on snake necks. If these are the gods, then you will have little chance against their powers unless you act quickly.

Pull out your weapon and attack?
Wait for the other heads to materialize?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 17/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword +1, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-1 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword, bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, rusty cutlass, self-lighting blood candle, nest with golden egg, key to fourth Throben Doors, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 32
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to attack before the hydra reaches full power.

[deaddmwalking]

This situation doesn't seem ideal, but I think attacking immediately is better than waiting.

[Beroli]

Courageously, you advance against the Hydra. Perhaps, if you can attack it before its heads have fully materialized, it will not be at its full strength. But deep down you are not optimistic. For how can you fight against the gods themselves? Another head appears. This one is green and scaly with gills in its neck. It is Hydana, god of the waters. His mouth opens and a torrent of water bursts out at you, knocking you backwards to land painfully on your ankle. Take 1 damage and let the battle commence.

GOD-HEADED HYDRA Skill 17 Stamina 24

(If you had started with this book this would be the "you don't have a chance" moment. But as it is, your Attack Strength is actually equal to this creature's.)

If you win the first round something will happen. If it wins the first round something else will happen.

Round One: Jason Beckett Mordred Attack Strength 26, God-Headed Hydra Attack Strength 25.

Your weapon strikes true. It shears one of the creature's necks! The Hydra rears up and roars, its other heads glaring angrily down at you. You watch the severed head drop to the ground. But then your heart sinks. For two more heads are growing where the first dropped! The legend of the Hydra was true. The sun goddess Glantanka fixes her vision on you and two fine jets of light flash from her eyes at your wrist. You scream as they find them mark and your weapon drops to the ground. Take 2 damage and fight the next Attack Round. If you win something will happen. If it wins something else will happen.

Round Two: Jason Beckett Mordred Attack Strength 23, God-Headed Hydra Attack Strength 19.

Again your weapon finds its target as you avoid the Hydra's strike. Another head drops to the ground, this time that of Hydana, god of the water. But, as before, two new heads grow rapidly to replace it. It is now the turn of Pangara to use his powers on you. With a great puff of breath, a gale force breaks from his lips, sending you flying back into the wall, crashing against your shoulder. Take 2 damage. But you are still determined and you advance again. Resolve the next Attack Round. If you win something will happen. If it wins something else will happen.

Round Three: Jason Beckett Mordred Attack Strength 25, God-Headed Hydra Attack Strength 23.

Your skill is worth of the Battlemasters of the Academy at Chawberry, having fought so well against such a powerful beast. Again your weapon flashes and a head drops, but again two more heads grow to replace it. The effect is demoralizing and your concentration lapses momentarily. The creature strikes forward at you.

The Hydra's great tail flashes round like a whip and catches you across the chest. You prepare for the impact, expecting to be sent flying across the room, but the blow never touches you. Instead, the tail passes right through you! But how can this be? That blow would have been enough to fell a mighty champion, but you felt nothing. Then the implications dawn on you. This Hydra is no living creature--it is merely an illusion! The pieces fit. The smell of decay as you entered. No sign of life from the creature as you approached. You close your eyes and look again. Sure enough, the scene in the room is at is was when you entered. The dead Hydra's carcass lies harmlessly in the corner of the room.

Its spell broken, the creature will do you no harm. You are free to try the door in the wall. But if this is a room of magic, will the door also be protected?

Gingerly you reach forward and grasp the handle. Expecting the worst, you are relieved to find that the handle, at least, is not trapped. You turn it. The click from within sounds normal. The door is not locked. With a nervous gulp, you swing the door open, releasing the handle. No spikes or explosions or shocks! The door is perfectly normal. Beyond the door is a spiral staircase leading upwards. You step through the doorway and peer up the stairs. At the top is a wide door which is heavy-set and edged with brass. This seems to be your only way through, so you set off up the stairs. The upper door is a grand affair, and is presumably the entrance to some sort of important room. Could this lead to the confrontation you have been waiting for?

The door opens into an office of some kind. Straw again lines the floor, but charts and maps are pinned to the walls. Some of these are charts of the heavens, and there is a strange contraption pointing out of the window at the sky. Sitting behind the table across the room is a scrawny-looking fellow with spiky black hair. He looks up at you over half-moon glasses and smiles a sinister smile. Could this be the Archmage himself?

'And who do we have here, then?' he asks. 'As if I did not know. The Analander! I wondered whether you would make it this far. My congratulations on your skill and courage. You are indeed a worthy enemy. But here is where your luck runs to an end. For now you face no cowardly Black Elf, no brainless Klattaman.' You state defiantly that your journey will not end until the Crown of Kings has been returned to its rightful guardians in Analand. 'Ah yes,' he says. 'The Crown of Kings. What say I give it to you now and you be gone? I for one am anxious to remove the cursed thing from here.' This is a strange offer.

Accept and ask him for the Crown?
Draw your sword and attack him?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 12/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword +1, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-1 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword, bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, rusty cutlass, self-lighting blood candle, nest with golden egg, key to fourth Throben Doors, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 32
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to eat a healing fruit and attack the Archmage, as i do not believe that such an offer he makes can be trusted.

[Thaluikhain]

I second the above.

[deaddmwalking]

Might as well eat TWO healing fruits. We have 4 and that'll get us to full.

[Thaluikhain]

Actually, yeah, I second the new above, because endgamey so may as well.

[JourneymanN00b]

I will change part of my vote to eat two healing fruits instead of one.