[LP] Virtual Reality Adventure Book: Down Among the Dead Men
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:05 pm
For my second non-FF Let's Play, I've decided to try one of my personal favourites. Virtual Reality is a series of gamebooks that can be played without dice - to use the book's own terms (inside the front covers), "Virtual Reality Adventure Books are solo adventures with a big difference. They are not random. Whether you live or die doesn't depend on a dice roll - it's up to you!"
Yet the book's mechanisms are still more complex than a simple CYOA. To start though, all the player needs to do is to choose 4 'Skills' out of a Glossary of them listed in the book (there are 12 in total for this book) that they wish to specialize in!
There are 6 books published for this series. Unfortunately, I only own 3 of them. Out of them, 4 were written by Dave Morris, 2 by Mark Smith. I own the 2 written by Mark Smith (Green Blood and Coils of Hate), plus this one that I'm now trying to host an LP of. It's a pity that I haven't been able to get my hands of the other 3, since I've always been a fan of Dave Morris' writing (he's better at breathing "life" and colour into his creations than most of the FF writers, IMO), and his books (in this series, at least) in general seems to have gotten better reviews online (especially the 5th book , Heart of Ice, considered by some to be one of the best gamebooks ever). Down Among the Dead Men is definitely my favourite out of the 3 books I own.
Here's the back cover summary:
The book also provides 8 pre-created characters, but we are not required to choose one of them.....it's just for convenience's sake. Take a look to see if you like any of the character descriptions or Skill combinations:
So, yeah, that's it, basically, just choose your 4 Skills (and a Name, of course), and we're ready to go!
Anyone signing up?![Smile :)](./images/smilies/smileyellow.gif)
Yet the book's mechanisms are still more complex than a simple CYOA. To start though, all the player needs to do is to choose 4 'Skills' out of a Glossary of them listed in the book (there are 12 in total for this book) that they wish to specialize in!
There are 6 books published for this series. Unfortunately, I only own 3 of them. Out of them, 4 were written by Dave Morris, 2 by Mark Smith. I own the 2 written by Mark Smith (Green Blood and Coils of Hate), plus this one that I'm now trying to host an LP of. It's a pity that I haven't been able to get my hands of the other 3, since I've always been a fan of Dave Morris' writing (he's better at breathing "life" and colour into his creations than most of the FF writers, IMO), and his books (in this series, at least) in general seems to have gotten better reviews online (especially the 5th book , Heart of Ice, considered by some to be one of the best gamebooks ever). Down Among the Dead Men is definitely my favourite out of the 3 books I own.
Here's the back cover summary:
Anyway, to begin with, we need to choose a character. Here are the Skills we can choose 4 out of:Adrift at sea in an open boat, you make your desperate bid to escape from the evil pirate Skarvench. The odds are stacked against, for, even if you do not die of thirst, there are still formidable dangers to overcome. And if you do survive to reach civilization, your adventure is only just beginning since you must round up a crew and sail in search of Skarvench and avenge his tyranny. But will you be able to thwart his most evil and blackguardedly scheme ever: to kidnap the beautiful young Queen Glorianne?
Not Luck but judgement!
Most of the Skills are pretty standard in every Virtual Reality boo, but a few are unique to only 1 particular book. MARKSMANSHIP (the ability to shoot with a pistol) for example, is only in this book, not in Book 1 or 3 (Book 1 does have Archer, though, which is lacking here).GLOSSARY OF SKILLS
AGILITY
The ability to perform acrobatic feats, run, climb, balance and leap. A character with this skill is nimble and dexterous.
BRAWLING
Fisticuffs, wrestling holds, jabs and kicks, and the tricks of infighting. Not as effective as SWORDPLAY, but you do not need weapons - your own body is the weapon!
CHARMS
The expert use of magical protections and wards to protect you from danger. Also includes that most elusive of qualities: luck. You must possess a magic amulet to use this skill.
CUNNING
The ability to think on your feet and devise clever schemes for getting out of trouble. Useful in countless situations.
FOLKLORE
Knowledge of myth and legend, and how best to deal with supernatural menaces such as garlic against vampires, silver bullets against a werewolf, and so on.
MARKSMANSHIP
A long-range attack skill for both hunting and combat. You must possess a pistol to use this skill.
ROGUERY
The traditional repertoire of a thief's tricks: picking pockets, opening locks, and skulking unseen in the shadows.
SEAFARING
Knowing all about life at sea, including the ability to handle anything from a rowboat right up to a large sailing ship.
SPELLS
A range of magical effects encompassing illusions, elemental effects, commands, and summonings. You must
possess a magic wand to use this skill.
STREETWISE
With this skill you are never at a loss in towns and cities. What others see as the squalor and menace of narrow cobbled streets is home to you.
SWORDPLAY
The best fighting skill. You must possess a sword to use this skill.
WILDERNESS LORE
A talent for survival in the wild- whether it be forest, desert, swamp or mountain peak.
The book also provides 8 pre-created characters, but we are not required to choose one of them.....it's just for convenience's sake. Take a look to see if you like any of the character descriptions or Skill combinations:
You would have notice that the pre-created characters have some slight differences in their stats, some are richer, others are tougher, etc. If we choose to create our own character, we automatically start with any possessions needed for the skills chosen (e.g. a sword if you choose SWORDPLAY), and we will start with 10 doubloons. Initial Life Points score will be 10.The Adventurer
Skills: FOLKLORE, ROGUERY, SEAFARING and SWORDPLAY
Profile: You have explored haunted castles, ruined cities, dank crypts and desolate forests in your constant search for gold and glory. Now try your luck on the high seas.
Life Points: 10
Possessions: Sword
Money: 10 doubloons
The Buccaneer
Skills: CUNNING, MARKSMANSHIP, SEAFARING and SWORDPLAY
Profile: You're a clever and resourceful pirate, loyal to your comrades and a deadly foe to anyone who crosses you.
Life Points: 10
Possessions: Pistol, sword
Money: 12 doubloons
The Changeling
Skills: AGILITY, CUNNING, SPELLS and WILDERNESS LORE
Profile: Your origins are shrouded in mystery. A misfit in your own homeland, you wander far and wide in search of the truth.
Life Points: 10
Possessions: Magic wand
Money: 10 doubloons
The Gipsy
Skills: BRAWLING, CHARMS, FOLKLORE and ROGUERY
Profile: Fleeing persecution in the Old World, you have come to the colonies of the New World to carve a new life of fame and fortune.
Life Points: 11
Possessions: Magic amulet
Money: 10 doubloons
The Mariner
Skills: AGILITY, SEAFARING, STREETWISE and WILDERNESS LORE
Profile: Born on the deck of a ship and raised with the salt breeze in your face, you have been toughened by the experience of a hundred ports and desert islands. No one can match your knowledge of the seven seas.
Life Points: 11
Money: 15 doubloons
The Swashbuckler
Skills: AGILITY, CUNNING, STREETWISE and SWORDPLAY
Profile: With your dashing good looks, gallant wit, aristocratic manners and flair for stylish derring-do, you're a hero to your friends and a real pain in the neck to your enemies!
Life Points: 10
Possessions: Sword
Money: 10 doubloons
The Warlock
Skills: CHARMS, MARKSMANSHIP, SPELLS and STREETWISE
Profile: Your scholarly appearance disguises the fact that you are one of the most powerful opponents a pirate captain could ever fear to face.
Life Points: 10
Possessions: Magic amulet, pistol, magic wand
Money: 10 doubloons
So, yeah, that's it, basically, just choose your 4 Skills (and a Name, of course), and we're ready to go!
Anyone signing up?
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/smileyellow.gif)