[Let's Play] Legendary Kingdoms: The Valley of Bones

[Thaluikhain]

Pay the ogre.

[SGamerz]

Hell yeah, hire him!

[angelfromanotherpin]

245

The ogre seems stunned that such thin and puny creatures could possess so much money. “Beats me why you wander ‘round dungeons when you have that kind of dosh lining your pockets, but well’a’day.”
     The ogre rises to his feet. “Skullcracker’s the name,” he says. “I don’t do cities, and I don’t do boats. Other than that, I’ll hang around with you for a bit.”
     Skullcracker can be treated just like an ordinary party member. He possesses the following skills:

SKULLCRACKER
(Ogre of the Savage Lands)

Fighting 8	Survival 3
Stealth 1	Charisma 2
Lore 1	Health 12

Skullcracker has a number of special rules as a party member:
     • He is lazy and he will not carry any equipment for you, even items that boost his skills. Skullcracker wields a club, but it is nothing special. Should the party ever lose their equipment he will be able to replace the club instantly with a bit of large bone, table leg or other such item. Effectively, Skullcracker is never disarmed.
     • He won’t enter a city, which includes the following locations: Chalice, Clifftop, Cursus, Lhasbreath, Luutanesh or Saltdad. If you go to these places, Skullcracker will wait outside until you leave. Ogres aren’t very popular in civilised places.
     • Even though he can’t stay in human inns, Skullcracker will recover Health points at the same rate as your other party members when you pay to stay at an inn.
     • He won’t board a ship. He had a queasy tummy on the orc boat and won’t tolerate going aboard another. If you insist on going sailing, he will leave the party.
     • His contract with you ends when you travel to another land – i.e. you begin to explore another book. At this point, Skullcracker with take his leave and wander into the desert.
     Skullcracker hands you a rusty key. “This is the key to the room I’m supposed to be guarding,” he says. “Why don’t we loot it, instead? Just go north, then east a bit, and you’ll find it.” Thanking your new companion, you return to the crossroads. Gain the code A76, then turn to 310.

It's not clear whether SC's 'treated as an ordinary party member' is meant to allow us to exceed the four member limit, but since there's no faq or anything, I'm going to say that he can, at least for now. Sure, he might trivialize some combats, but 800 is a lot of moneys.

310

You have reached a crossroads, with the corridor splitting off into four directions. To the north you make out a door in the eastern wall. The western branch of
the corridor has a door in the north wall. The tunnels lead off into darkness to the south and east.
     Go through the door in the north tunnel (turn to 361)?
     Go north, past the door, down the tunnel (turn to 634)?
     Go through the door in the west tunnel (turn to 247)?
     Go south (turn to 196)?
     Go east (turn to 23)?

Name	Fighting	Survival	Stealth	Charisma	Lore	Health	Caster?	Gear	Notes
Sar Jessica Dayne	6(8)	2	2	4(6)	3(5)	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Tome of Knowledge (Lore +2), Iron Sceptre, Talisman of St Elias, Seal of House Ross	x3 for Tasha, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Lord Ti'quon	3(4)	2	2	2(3)	6(7)	5/6	√	Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Reference Book (Lore +1), Fairbrother Family Crest, Magical Weave, Ring of the Patriarch, Scroll of Rage	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Tasha	4(6)	5(6)	6(7)	4(6)	1	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Amulet of Defense (Armour +1), Warm Cloak (Survival +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Bar of Gold Bullion, Rusty Key	x3 for Jessica, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Akihiro	6(9)	6	4(6)	1(2)	2	8/9	x	Steel Greatsword (Fighting +3)*, Steel Longsword (Fighting +2), Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Hide Armor (Armor +1), Fine Boots (Stealth +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Potion of Invulnerability x2	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Skullcracker	8	3	1	2	1	12/12	x	Club (Fighting +0)	No carrying, no cities, no boats

Money: 2394 silver coins.
Spellbook (Ti'quon): Armor of Heaven, Clinging Dread (50), Ice Bolt (50), Magic Cabinet, Soothing Touch, Unfailing Strike
Codes: A1, A2, A8, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A30, A32, A34, A35, A36, A41, A42, A43, A44, A51, A54, A55, A56, A57, A58, A59, A62, A64, A65, A66, A67, A71, A72, A74, A75, A76, A82, A85, A86, A87, A90, A91, A92, A93
Your Armies: Luutanesh Spears (Strength 3, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Faithful Irregulars (Strength 1, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Kensai Warriors (Strength 4, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Chalice Archers (Strength 2, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Lhasbreath Berserkers (Strength 5, Morale 2, Saltdad Barracks).

[SGamerz]

Follow the ogre's direction and loot that place. North down the tunnel (past the door).

[Thaluikhain]

Cools, ogre hireling for a while.

And yeah, north down tunnel.

[angelfromanotherpin]

634

You are in a long corridor that runs west to east, with a passage that branches off to the south somewhat in the middle. To the west the corridor ends in a set of stairs that lead downwards. To the east the corridor abruptly turns north. To the south lie the crossroads.
     Go west, down the stairs (turn to 439)?
     Go east, and then north around the bend of the corridor (turn to 749)?
     Go south, to the crossroads (turn to 310)?

Name	Fighting	Survival	Stealth	Charisma	Lore	Health	Caster?	Gear	Notes
Sar Jessica Dayne	6(8)	2	2	4(6)	3(5)	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Tome of Knowledge (Lore +2), Iron Sceptre, Talisman of St Elias, Seal of House Ross	x3 for Tasha, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Lord Ti'quon	3(4)	2	2	2(3)	6(7)	5/6	√	Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Reference Book (Lore +1), Fairbrother Family Crest, Magical Weave, Ring of the Patriarch, Scroll of Rage	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Tasha	4(6)	5(6)	6(7)	4(6)	1	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Amulet of Defense (Armour +1), Warm Cloak (Survival +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Bar of Gold Bullion, Rusty Key	x3 for Jessica, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Akihiro	6(9)	6	4(6)	1(2)	2	8/9	x	Steel Greatsword (Fighting +3)*, Steel Longsword (Fighting +2), Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Hide Armor (Armor +1), Fine Boots (Stealth +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Potion of Invulnerability x2	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Skullcracker	8	3	1	2	1	12/12	x	Club (Fighting +0)	No carrying, no cities, no boats

Money: 2394 silver coins.
Spellbook (Ti'quon): Armor of Heaven, Clinging Dread (50), Ice Bolt (50), Magic Cabinet, Soothing Touch, Unfailing Strike
Codes: A1, A2, A8, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A30, A32, A34, A35, A36, A41, A42, A43, A44, A51, A54, A55, A56, A57, A58, A59, A62, A64, A65, A66, A67, A71, A72, A74, A75, A76, A82, A85, A86, A87, A90, A91, A92, A93
Your Armies: Luutanesh Spears (Strength 3, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Faithful Irregulars (Strength 1, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Kensai Warriors (Strength 4, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Chalice Archers (Strength 2, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Lhasbreath Berserkers (Strength 5, Morale 2, Saltdad Barracks).

[Thaluikhain]

East

(Good thing this is as far north as we can go before going east, otherwise the directions may have been ambiguous)

[JourneymanN00b]

Sure, I vote to go the fascist way since we know there's loot to be taken in that direction. East we go.

[angelfromanotherpin]

634

If you have Skullcracker in your party, turn to 269. If you have the code A76, turn to 165. If not, read on.
     As you round the corner of the corridor you come face to face with a hideous female ogre. She hefts her club to attack. Unknown to you, the ogre’s mate is in a room not far away. At the end of the second round of combat he will join the attack.

Opponent	Attack	Def	Health
Daisy	9(4+)	4+	13
Skullcracker	8(4+)	4+	12

If you win, turn to 431.

269

As you round the corner of the corridor you come face to face with a hideous female ogre. She hefts her club to attack, when she suddenly sees Skullcracker lollop into view.
     “Oi! What’s going on ‘ere then?” she asks, confused.
     “I’ve ganged up with this lot,” growls Skullcracker. “Can’t be bothered to work for the orcs anymore.”
     “What am I supposed to do, then?” snaps the female ogre.
     “What ‘yer like,” shrugs Skullcracker. “It would be impertinent of me to suggest a course of action that influences your sense of agency one way or the other. And you smell.”
     “Git,” snaps the lady ogre. “I suppose I’ll sod off myself then.”
     “Good idea,” grumbles Skullcracker.
     You are almost teary at this sad parting, but eventually Daisy the ogre shambles away. Now turn to 165.

165

You are in a short corridor that twists to the west. A locked door is set in the nearby western wall. Around the bend the corridor terminates at another door with a large red ‘x’ painted across it. You try the nearby door but find it securely locked.
     Unlock the nearby door (only if you have a rusty key, turn to 896)?
     Go through the door with the ‘x’ on it (turn to 793)?
     Go back to the long corridor (turn to 634)?

Name	Fighting	Survival	Stealth	Charisma	Lore	Health	Caster?	Gear	Notes
Sar Jessica Dayne	6(8)	2	2	4(6)	3(5)	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Tome of Knowledge (Lore +2), Iron Sceptre, Talisman of St Elias, Seal of House Ross	x3 for Tasha, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Lord Ti'quon	3(4)	2	2	2(3)	6(7)	5/6	√	Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Reference Book (Lore +1), Fairbrother Family Crest, Magical Weave, Ring of the Patriarch, Scroll of Rage	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Tasha	4(6)	5(6)	6(7)	4(6)	1	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Amulet of Defense (Armour +1), Warm Cloak (Survival +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Bar of Gold Bullion, Rusty Key	x3 for Jessica, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Akihiro	6(9)	6	4(6)	1(2)	2	8/9	x	Steel Greatsword (Fighting +3)*, Steel Longsword (Fighting +2), Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Hide Armor (Armor +1), Fine Boots (Stealth +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Potion of Invulnerability x2	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Skullcracker	8	3	1	2	1	12/12	x	Club (Fighting +0)	No carrying, no cities, no boats

Money: 2394 silver coins.
Spellbook (Ti'quon): Armor of Heaven, Clinging Dread (50), Ice Bolt (50), Magic Cabinet, Soothing Touch, Unfailing Strike
Codes: A1, A2, A8, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A30, A32, A34, A35, A36, A41, A42, A43, A44, A51, A54, A55, A56, A57, A58, A59, A62, A64, A65, A66, A67, A71, A72, A74, A75, A76, A82, A85, A86, A87, A90, A91, A92, A93
Your Armies: Luutanesh Spears (Strength 3, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Faithful Irregulars (Strength 1, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Kensai Warriors (Strength 4, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Chalice Archers (Strength 2, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Lhasbreath Berserkers (Strength 5, Morale 2, Saltdad Barracks).

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to unlock the door of course.

[SGamerz]

What, we can't recruit the female ogre and advance relationship points between her and Skullcracker? Disappointing.

Use our new shinyrusty quest token to open the door.

[angelfromanotherpin]

896

     If you have the code A78, turn to 289.
     If not, read on.
You enter a room which has been so crammed with statuary, ancient urns and other artefacts that it is difficult to even open the door. A small walkway through the packed objects lets you navigate the cluttered room. It seems clear that this tiny room contains much of the furniture and decorations missing from the empty chambers elsewhere in the ruins.
     Finding treasure in this pile of trash won’t be easy, but a dedicated search does produce some items. Make a Team Stealth check, DC4+. For every success you can claim one of the following items:

     200 silver coins
     Iron Greataxe (Fighting +2)
     Bone Armour (Armour +2)
     Soft Boots (Stealth +1)
     Reference Book (Lore +1)
     150 silver coins
     Vial of Quicksilver
     Grey Talisman
     Incense
     Dragonyak Horn

After you have selected your items, gain the code A78. Turn to 165 to continue your adventure.

Stealth team rolls 13d v 4+:4,4,5,2,6,4,2,6,1,4,6,1,2=8 hits, so select two things on the list that we don't find. Right now we only have three spare item slots, assuming that we discard the key that's probably useless after this point anyway. Although we could ditch our filler Crude Blades to free up another four slots.

165

You are in a short corridor that twists to the west. A locked door is set in the nearby western wall. Around the bend the corridor terminates at another door with a large red ‘x’ painted across it. You try the nearby door but find it securely locked.
     Unlock the nearby door (only if you have a rusty key, turn to 896)?
     Go through the door with the ‘x’ on it (turn to 793)?
     Go back to the long corridor (turn to 634)?

Name	Fighting	Survival	Stealth	Charisma	Lore	Health	Caster?	Gear	Notes
Sar Jessica Dayne	6(8)	2	2	4(6)	3(5)	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Tome of Knowledge (Lore +2), Iron Sceptre, Talisman of St Elias, Seal of House Ross	x3 for Tasha, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Lord Ti'quon	3(4)	2	2	2(3)	6(7)	5/6	√	Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Reference Book (Lore +1), Fairbrother Family Crest, Magical Weave, Ring of the Patriarch, Scroll of Rage	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Tasha	4(6)	5(6)	6(7)	4(6)	1	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Amulet of Defense (Armour +1), Warm Cloak (Survival +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Bar of Gold Bullion, Rusty Key	x3 for Jessica, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Akihiro	6(9)	6	4(6)	1(2)	2	8/9	x	Steel Greatsword (Fighting +3)*, Steel Longsword (Fighting +2), Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1), Crude Blade, Shield (Armour +2), Hide Armor (Armor +1), Fine Boots (Stealth +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Potion of Invulnerability x2	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Skullcracker	8	3	1	2	1	12/12	x	Club (Fighting +0)	No carrying, no cities, no boats

Money: 2394 silver coins.
Spellbook (Ti'quon): Armor of Heaven, Clinging Dread (50), Ice Bolt (50), Magic Cabinet, Soothing Touch, Unfailing Strike
Codes: A1, A2, A8, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A30, A32, A34, A35, A36, A41, A42, A43, A44, A51, A54, A55, A56, A57, A58, A59, A62, A64, A65, A66, A67, A71, A72, A74, A75, A76, A82, A85, A86, A87, A90, A91, A92, A93
Your Armies: Luutanesh Spears (Strength 3, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Faithful Irregulars (Strength 1, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Kensai Warriors (Strength 4, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Chalice Archers (Strength 2, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Lhasbreath Berserkers (Strength 5, Morale 2, Saltdad Barracks).
[/quote]

[SGamerz]

So if we drop the Crude Blades, we have 7 free slots? Well, then we should take at least one pile of the silver coins, since they don't take up inventory space, and we'd only need 7 then?

Akihiro take the new bone armour and give his hide one to Ti'quon.

I vote to leave the Iron Greataxe, since only Ti'quon doesn't have a better weapon, and our team really isn't desperate for a +1 combat boost at the moment.

We definitely should take the bone armour, quicksilver, horn and 200 coins (saves item space), but I don't have a preference to which of the others to leave behind since they all give +1 boost (either now or later) to the weaker stats of party members that'd we'd not be using too often (and the book and boots both sell for about 150 coins in the market if we don't want them, so they're equivalent in value to the smaller coin pile). I think we should take the smaller money pile too, because we may still need more item space before we leave.

If no one else suggest anything better to leave behind, I vote for the Soft boots, since we're slightly better in the Stealth department overall than Lore (and the incense block is 'used' up once we trade it for stat point, which frees up an inventory space while the boots will keep occupying it).

EDIT: Oh, and open the 'x' door after that.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to drop the four crude blades, and get the Bone Armour, Soft Boots, Reference Book, Vial of Quicksilver, Grey Talisman, Incense, and Dragonyak Horn. I then vote to open the x door.

[angelfromanotherpin]

793

If you have the code A79, turn to 568. If not, read on.
You have entered a large chamber that appears to be roughly carved out of the rock. Seawater rests in deep puddles across the floor, and ruined banners are hung high across the room. A noise of grinding stone alerts you to the back of the room, where a rocky coffin lid is pushed roughly aside. A skeletal figure, clad in ancient, black plate armour, emerges from his tomb. In his hands he grips a dreadful runeblade. Balefire burns in his eyes. From the briny pools rise skeletons, green slime dripping from their bodies, gargling cries emerging from their throats.
     If you have the talisman of St Elias, turn to 447.
     If not, read on.
     “Run, mortals,” hisses the armoured skeleton. “For you face Skallos, the dark knight.” Quite an impressive entry!
     Run back to the corridor, as Skallos suggests (turn to 165)?
     Or face this undead horror (turn to 16)?

447

Realising your peril, you raise the talisman high in front of you. The green skeletons let out a terrible screech as blue light burns away the scummy slime from their bones, causing them to collapse in a heap. Skallos roars with hatred, unleashing a great blast of energy from his mouth. The light from the amulet dims for a moment, before shining back into pure radiance. The undead knight cannot stand against its power, igniting into white flames. Soon his body and possessions have turned to dust, all that is left is his sword and a whispered cry for vengeance.
     You may take the Skallos runeblade (Fighting +3, Lore +2) if you wish. Whatever else the black knight might have possessed is now naught but ash. Gain the code A79. There are no additional exits from this room, so you return to the corridor outside. Turn to 165.

Well, that was an unexpected silver bullet. Always nice when that happens, and I'll tell you that Skallos and his boys were a rough stretch of road. I assume we will want the runeblade, but who'll wield it is up to you.

165

You are in a short corridor that twists to the west. A locked door is set in the nearby western wall. Around the bend the corridor terminates at another door with a large red ‘x’ painted across it. You try the nearby door but find it securely locked.
     Unlock the nearby door (only if you have a rusty key, turn to 896)?
     Go through the door with the ‘x’ on it (turn to 793)?
     Go back to the long corridor (turn to 634)?

634

You are in a long corridor that runs west to east, with a passage that branches off to the south somewhat in the middle. To the west the corridor ends in a set of stairs that lead downwards. To the east the corridor abruptly turns north. To the south lie the crossroads.
     Go west, down the stairs (turn to 439)?
     Go east, and then north around the bend of the corridor (turn to 749)?
     Go south, to the crossroads (turn to 310)?

Name	Fighting	Survival	Stealth	Charisma	Lore	Health	Caster?	Gear	Notes
Sar Jessica Dayne	6(8)	2	2	4(6)	3(5)	8/9	x	Steel Longsword (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Tome of Knowledge (Lore +2), Fairbrother Family Crest, Iron Sceptre, Ring of the Patriarch, Seal of House Ross, Talisman of St. Elias	x3 for Tasha, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Lord Ti'quon	3(5)	2	2	2(3)	6(7)	5/6	√	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Hide Armour (Armour +1), Handsome Brooch, Reference Book, Grey Talisman, Incense, Magical Weave, Scroll of Rage, Vial of Quicksilver	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Tasha	4(6)	5(6)	6(7)	4(6)	1	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Amulet of Defense (Armour +1), Warm Cloak (Survival +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Bar of Gold Bullion, Dragonyak Horn, Potion of Invulnerability	x3 for Jessica, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Akihiro	6(9)	6	4(6)	1(2)	2	8/9	x	Steel Greatsword (Fighting +3)*, Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1) x2, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armor (Armor +2), Fine Boots (Stealth +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Potion of Invulnerability	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Skullcracker	8	3	1	2	1	12/12	x	Club (Fighting +0)	No carrying, no cities, no boats

Money: 2744 silver coins.
Spellbook (Ti'quon): Armor of Heaven, Clinging Dread (50), Ice Bolt (50), Magic Cabinet, Soothing Touch, Unfailing Strike
Codes: A1, A2, A8, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A30, A32, A34, A35, A36, A41, A42, A43, A44, A51, A54, A55, A56, A57, A58, A59, A62, A64, A65, A66, A67, A71, A72, A74, A75, A76, A78, A79, A82, A85, A86, A87, A90, A91, A92, A93
Your Armies: Luutanesh Spears (Strength 3, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Faithful Irregulars (Strength 1, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Kensai Warriors (Strength 4, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Chalice Archers (Strength 2, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Lhasbreath Berserkers (Strength 5, Morale 2, Saltdad Barracks).

[SGamerz]

Sar Jessica Dayne gets the rune blade because she's good at both Fighting and Lore. She can then pass her tome to Ti'quon, who in turn pass his reference book to Akihiro.

Go west down the stairs.

[JourneymanN00b]

I also vote to give the runeblade to Sar Jessica Dayne and to go west.

[Thaluikhain]

Cor, we insta kill the monster and get a right fancy magic blade (I'm guessing sword)? Not bad.

Down stairs, though if it looks like there's a whole level down there, might want to reconsider.

[angelfromanotherpin]

439

If you have the code A69, turn to 209. If not, read on.
The steps lead down until you arrive at a huge cavern, ringing with the sounds of picks on rocks. Half the chamber is filled with rock detritus, chiselled from the walls by dozens of human slaves. The slaves themselves seem to be locals from the valley, a combination of slim-bodied Cursites and heavy-set men and women from Lhasbreath. Around them, half a dozen orcs whip and cajole the slaves, ordering them to work faster. One orc is dressed in heavy chainmail armour and looks to be the leader. He is roaring loudly at a terrified young woman, putting his great-tusked jaws less than an inch from her face. In the corner, several dead humans lie rotting, presumably dead from their injuries.
     You are able to dive behind the rock detritus before the orcs see you. How will you proceed?
     Draw your weapons and charge to the attack (turn to 213)?
     Wait until the work stops and then attempt to rescue the prisoners (turn to 783)?
     Sneak out of the chamber (turn to 11)?

Name	Fighting	Survival	Stealth	Charisma	Lore	Health	Caster?	Gear	Notes
Sar Jessica Dayne	6(9)	2	2	4(6)	3(5)	8/9	x	Skallos Runeblade (Fighting +3, Lore +2), Steel Longsword (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Fairbrother Family Crest, Iron Sceptre, Ring of the Patriarch, Seal of House Ross, Talisman of St. Elias	x3 for Tasha, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Lord Ti'quon	3(5)	2	2	2(3)	6(8)	5/6	√	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Hide Armour (Armour +1), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Tome of Knowledge (Lore +2), Grey Talisman, Incense, Magical Weave, Scroll of Rage, Vial of Quicksilver	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Tasha	4(6)	5(6)	6(7)	4(6)	1	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Amulet of Defense (Armour +1), Warm Cloak (Survival +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Bar of Gold Bullion, Dragonyak Horn, Potion of Invulnerability	x3 for Jessica, Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Akihiro	6(9)	6	4(6)	1(2)	2(3)	8/9	x	Steel Greatsword (Fighting +3)*, Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1) x2, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armor (Armor +2), Fine Boots (Stealth +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Reference Book (Lore +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Potion of Invulnerability	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Skullcracker	8	3	1	2	1	12/12	x	Club (Fighting +0)	No carrying, no cities, no boats

Money: 2744 silver coins.
Spellbook (Ti'quon): Armor of Heaven, Clinging Dread (50), Ice Bolt (50), Magic Cabinet, Soothing Touch, Unfailing Strike
Codes: A1, A2, A8, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A30, A32, A34, A35, A36, A41, A42, A43, A44, A51, A54, A55, A56, A57, A58, A59, A62, A64, A65, A66, A67, A71, A72, A74, A75, A76, A78, A79, A82, A85, A86, A87, A90, A91, A92, A93
Your Armies: Luutanesh Spears (Strength 3, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Faithful Irregulars (Strength 1, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Kensai Warriors (Strength 4, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Chalice Archers (Strength 2, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Lhasbreath Berserkers (Strength 5, Morale 2, Saltdad Barracks).

[Thaluikhain]

6 of them, 5 of us but we're hard, the orc might be about to kill someone, better attack now.

[SGamerz]

Yeah, normally I'd wait, but we've got an undead army that we hadn't had the chance to use and won't be able to use once we leave this place, might as well fight.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to attack.

[angelfromanotherpin]

213

You draw your weapons and prepare for a mighty battle. You are pleased to see the slaves, who realise that this is their best chance of escape, turn on their masters with their picks and shovels.

Opponent	Attack	Def	Health
1st Orc	4(4+)	4+	9
2nd Orc	5(4+)	4+	11
3rd Orc	4(4+)	4+	10
4th Orc	3(4+)	4+	10
5th Orc	4(4+)	4+	6
Orc Leader	7(4+)	4+	14

Notes: The slaves will assist you in this battle. After all your party members have attacked, the slaves will inflict 1 point of Health damage on each orc, except the orc leader – they are too terrified to strike him!
     If you win, turn to 707.

Round 1:
Sar Jessica attacks 5th Orc, 11d v 4+:6,6,5,1,2,6,3,1,5,1,1=5, O5 at 1/6, is doomed.
Akihiro attacks Orc Leader, 11d v 4+:2,3,4,4,6,3,5,1,4,2,3=5, OL at 9/14.
Skullcracker attacks Orc Leader, 8d v 4+:4,3,2,3,4,5,3,2=3, OL at 6/14.
Tasha attacks Orc Leader, 8d v 4+:1,3,5,4,5,1,2,5=4, OL at 2/14.
Ti'quon attacks Orc Leader, 7d v 4+:5,4,6,5,6,4,3=6, OL defeated!
Slaves attack, harming O1-O4 and defeating O5.
1st Orc attacks, 4d v 4+:6,1,3,5=2, assigned to Sar Jessica, taken by skelebro, now at 4/6.
2nd Orc attacks, 5d v 4+:5,1,3,6,4=3 assigned to Tasha, taken by skelebro, now at 3/6.
3rd Orc attacks, 4d v 4+:2,2,2,2=0
4th Orc attacks, 3d v 4+:6,3,1=1 assigned to Akihiro, taken by skelebro, now at 5/6.

Round 2:
Sar Jessica attacks 2nd Orc, 11d v 4+:5,5,3,1,6,3,4,6,5,6,4=8, O2 at 2/11.
Akihiro attacks 1st Orc, 11d v 4+:5,5,2,1,5,4,5,3,1,3,2=5, O1 at 3/9.
Tasha attacks 1st Orc, 8d v 4+:1,1,2,3,5,4,3,2=2, O1 at 1/9, is doomed.
Tiquon attacks 2nd Orc, 7d v 4+:3,4,4,1,5,3,6=4, O2 defeated.
Skullcracker attacks 3rd Orc, 8d v 4+:6,2,1,5,6,6,2,1=4, O3 at 5/10.
Slaves attack, harming O3+O4 and defeating O1.
3rd Orc attacks, 4d v 4+:4,4,3,2=2 assigned to Tasha, taken by skelebro, now at 1/6.
4th Orc attacks, 3d v 4+:5,1,3=1, assigned to Sar Jessica, taken by skelebro, now at 3/6.

The two remaining orcs are dispatched in short order with no further chance to strike back.

707

The slaves give a mighty cheer as the last orc falls dead. They quickly take up the orcs' weapons, though you may seize the chain armour (Armour +2) from the orc leader, if you wish.
     The slaves heap glory upon you. Choose a party member and raise their Charisma by 1 point. Also, gain the code A69.
     You ask the slaves what the orcs were digging for, but they can tell you little. The orcs would not reveal the object of their search, but they seemed frantic to find it, whatever it was. It is certainly unusual for orcs to travel so far, with so many supplies, and with such stealth into an enemy nation. You wonder what to make of it all.
     The slaves thank you again, and let you know that they intend to find their own way out of the dungeon and to find a new life for themselves. You wish them luck, and then turn your attention back to the cavern. Turn to 371.

We're full up, so if you want the chain armour, let me know what we're ditching for it. Also, pick who gets the Charisma advancement.

371

You look around the chamber, attempting to puzzle out what the orcs were doing here. The tunnels they have cut lead in all directions, but end in disappointing dead ends. It has the feel of an expedition that was sure it was in the right place but didn’t know exactly which way to go once they got here. Shrugging your shoulders, you make your way out of the cavern and back up the stairs. Turn to 634.

634

You are in a long corridor that runs west to east, with a passage that branches off to the south somewhat in the middle. To the west the corridor ends in a set of stairs that lead downwards. To the east the corridor abruptly turns north. To the south lie the crossroads.
     Go west, down the stairs (turn to 439)?
     Go east, and then north around the bend of the corridor (turn to 749)?
     Go south, to the crossroads (turn to 310)?

We've exhausted these options, so back to the crossroads.

310

You have reached a crossroads, with the corridor splitting off into four directions. To the north you make out a door in the eastern wall. The western branch of the corridor has a door in the north wall. The tunnels lead off into darkness to the south and east.
     Go through the door in the north tunnel (turn to 361)?
     Go north, past the door, down the tunnel (turn to 634)?
     Go through the door in the west tunnel (turn to 247)?
     Go south (turn to 196)?
     Go east (turn to 23)?

We've explored all these options except going south, so I'm just going to assume that's next.

196

The tunnel ends in a door with a black triangle painted on it. Blood leaks from the gap under the door.
Open the door carefully (turn to 578)?
Return to the crossroads (turn to 310)?

I also assume we're not intimidated by a little claret.

196

If you have the code A80, turn to 729. If not, read on.
The door opens into a room out of your worst nightmares. Bright silver sawblades are suspended on long, mechanical arms which jut from the side of the walls. Spear holes cover the floor at uneven intervals. You can see the dismembered bodies of orcs, literally chopped to pieces, scattered across the ground.

One orc has been impaled from his seat to his neck, and is still suspended in the air, dripping blood. At the far end of the room you can see a pedestal, on which sits a black prism of some kind.
     Close the door on this room of horrors (turn to 310)?
     Have someone attempt to navigate the room (turn to 44)?

Name	Fighting	Survival	Stealth	Charisma	Lore	Health	Caster?	Gear	Notes
Sar Jessica Dayne	6(9)	2	2	4(6)	3(5)	8/9	x	Skallos Runeblade (Fighting +3, Lore +2), Steel Longsword (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Fairbrother Family Crest, Iron Sceptre, Ring of the Patriarch, Seal of House Ross, Talisman of St. Elias	x3 for Tasha, Skeleton (+2F, 3/6)
Lord Ti'quon	3(5)	2	2	2(3)	6(8)	5/6	√	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Hide Armour (Armour +1), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Tome of Knowledge (Lore +2), Grey Talisman, Incense, Magical Weave, Scroll of Rage, Vial of Quicksilver	Skeleton (+2F, 6/6)
Tasha	4(6)	5(6)	6(7)	4(6)	1	8/9	x	Steel Scimitar (Fighting +2), Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armour (Armour +2), Amulet of Defense (Armour +1), Warm Cloak (Survival +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Glittering Necklace (Charisma +2), Bar of Gold Bullion, Dragonyak Horn, Potion of Invulnerability	x3 for Jessica, Skeleton (+2F, 1/6)
Akihiro	6(9)	6	4(6)	1(2)	2(3)	8/9	x	Steel Greatsword (Fighting +3)*, Iron Shortsword (Fighting +1) x2, Shield (Armour +2), Bone Armor (Armor +2), Fine Boots (Stealth +2), Handsome Brooch (Charisma +1), Reference Book (Lore +1), Soft Boots (Stealth +1), Potion of Invulnerability	Skeleton (+2F, 5/6)
Skullcracker	8	3	1	2	1	12/12	x	Club (Fighting +0)	No carrying, no cities, no boats

Money: 2744 silver coins.
Spellbook (Ti'quon): Armor of Heaven, Clinging Dread (50), Ice Bolt (50), Magic Cabinet, Soothing Touch, Unfailing Strike
Codes: A1, A2, A8, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A20, A21, A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A30, A32, A34, A35, A36, A41, A42, A43, A44, A51, A54, A55, A56, A57, A58, A59, A62, A64, A65, A66, A67, A69, A71, A72, A74, A75, A76, A78, A79, A82, A85, A86, A87, A90, A91, A92, A93
Your Armies: Luutanesh Spears (Strength 3, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Faithful Irregulars (Strength 1, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Kensai Warriors (Strength 4, Morale 4, Saltdad Barracks), Chalice Archers (Strength 2, Morale 3, Saltdad Barracks), Lhasbreath Berserkers (Strength 5, Morale 2, Saltdad Barracks).

[SGamerz]

Ti'quon ditch his hide armour for the chain mail. Tasha gets the Charisma boost.

And attempt to navigate the room, since the prism is clearly the quest item we came to find.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote for Tasha to get the Charisma boost, Lord Ti'quon to trade his hide armor for the chain armor, and attempt to navigate the room with Tasha, if the book asks for a single person.