[Let's Play] Lone Wolf - Kai Series

[SGamerz]

Stay and search. It almost always pays to stay/detour for loot in LW books.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes counted; searching the fascist captain’s body wins by a 2-1 vote.

309

A quick search of the dead Giak Captain’s body yields the following items:
• Sword (Weapon)
• Dagger (Weapon)
• Enough Food for 1 Meal
• Laumspur (This will restore 4 ENDURANCE points when swallowed after combat. There is enough for one dose.)

     Mindful of the gathering Kraan overhead, you do not have time to spare for a more thorough search. Just as the first of the Kraan begin to swoop down, you leave the Giak’s foul-smelling corpse and hurry away towards the open trapdoor.
     Turn to 503.



Silent Wolf gained 1 ENDURANCE from the non-combat section. I assume that the Meal and Laumspur are taken. I assume that he keeps his +1 Sword, but should he replace his Axe with another Sword or a Dagger? Please make your votes on whether to make any weapon switches before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

ACTION CHART
KAI DISCIPLINES:
1. Sixth Sense
2. Healing: +1 ENDURANCE point for each section without combat
3. Hunting: no need for a Meal when instructed to eat
4. Mindblast: +2 COMBAT SKILL points
5. Mindshield: no points lost when attacked by Mindblast
WEAPONS:
1. Sword (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
2. Axe
BACKPACK:
1. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
2. Kai Battle Crystal
3. Meal
4. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
5.
6.
7.
8.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
• Kai Shield (+2 COMBAT SKILL when used in combat)
• Kai Gold Key
BELT POUCH: 13 Gold Crowns
COMBAT SKILL: 15
ENDURANCE POINTS: 11/22
RULES:
• When in combat, stop to ask whether to use any items or abilities if ENDURANCE is less than 11 or Combat Ratio is less than -4
FASCIST KILL COUNT: 11
RESURRECTIONS USED: 0

[Beroli]

Don't switch weapons.

[SGamerz]

Keep our current weapons.

[Thaluikhain]

Keep axe in case we need to greel someone.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; no weapons will be switched.

503

Hurriedly you descend the ladder to the gallery located below the tower roof and raise the lever to seal off the trapdoor above. You breathe a sigh of relief that you are still alive, and feel a glowing sense of pride and satisfaction that you have fulfilled your mission despite all the odds. You are preparing to climb over the gallery rail and leap down to the chamber floor below, when suddenly you sense that something has changed since you were last in the Grand Master’s chamber. You feel a draught of cold air coming from the direction of the south wall, and you can detect the faint odor of battle-smoke on this chill breeze.
     You move along the gallery and look down to see that one of the south-facing windows is now open. Perched on the ledge is a black hawk. Your gaze is drawn to the hawk’s eye; it is glimmering like a pool of fathomless black water. The eye blinks, and a swirl of images begin to invade your mind. You see glimpses of the deadly battle raging in the training park below. The devastation is shocking to behold, and only a few of your Masters and Kai comrades remain alive. The images swirl once more, making you feel dizzy and light-headed, and you are forced to grip the rail tightly to prevent yourself from collapsing to the gallery floor. Once more the swirling shapes come back into focus, and now your mind is filled with the sights and sounds of the battle raging on the ground. Your pulse races and you gasp for breath when suddenly you realize what these images are; they are a view of the battle as seen through the eyes of your Grand Master. Brave Blade is surrounded now by a closing circle of Drakkarim and Giaks, several ranks deep. You see his sword blades flashing in slow motion, striking at the advancing enemy with devastating effect, killing several with each blow he cuts through the relentless press of their bodies. But you sense also that he is greatly outnumbered, and his strength is finally waning in the face of such impossible odds.
     “Go to the vault, Silent Wolf.”
     Brave Blade’s words are like a soft whisper in your ear.
     “Escape from here. All is lost... save yourself... Reach Holmgard and tell King Ulnar. May Kai and Ishir preserve you.”


503. Grand Master Brave Blade is surrounded now by a closing circle of Drakkarim and Giaks.

     The images fade and your head begins to clear as if you are awaking from a nightmare. The black hawk screeches loudly. It leaves its perch on the narrow window ledge and flies away towards the southeast, on a bearing running parallel to the crystal beacon’s orange beam of light. Then you hear the sound of a triumphant enemy cheer rising up from the training park below, and your heart sinks with a chilling realization that, at last, they have defeated Brave Blade and the courageous few who fought by his side to the bitter end.



     A feeling of outrage wells up from deep within you. With cat-like grace, you vault the gallery’s rail and land easily on the tiled floor below. Then you rush to the open window and look down. The battle is finally over. The grounds of the monastery are littered with the bodies of the dead and the dying, and teaming with the cheering ranks of the now victorious enemy. Then suddenly their cheering fades, and an angry cry echoes around the monastery’s breached and burning walls. From the center of the training park battleground, a hooded figure unleashes from its outstretched palm a ball of scarlet fire that arcs upwards towards your window. There is a sudden flash, and a wave of scorched air flings you backwards to the floor.
     Pick a number from the Random Number Table.
     If the number you have chosen is 0-4, turn to 234.
     If the number is 5-9, turn to 64.

Rolling the die gives us a 7, so we will go to 64.

64

You manage to throw your hands up in front of you just moments before the fiery missile explodes. This saves your face from the searing blast, but leaves the palms of your hands badly blistered (lose 1 ENDURANCE point).
     The books and manuscripts on the shelves nearest to the window are immediately ignited by the heat. They burst into flame, and give off thick clouds of black smoke that will quickly fill this chamber. Cursing your enemies for the death and destruction they have wrought, you pull yourself to your feet and make a hurried escape by way of the chamber’s staircase.
     Turn to 453.

453

Trembling with shock, you run headlong down the stairs and make your way back to the Grand Hall of the Kai on the ground floor level. Its formidable great door is being pounded by the enemy who are trying to batter their way into the tower. The great timbers are creaking and splintering under the determined blows. Mindful of the psychic message that Grand Master Brave Blade conveyed to you just moments before his death, you approach the small door located beneath the wide stone staircase. You are sure that this must be the way down to the vault. Once more you twist the door’s polished gold handle and push against it, but to no avail. The door is still firmly locked.
     If you possess a Kai Gold Key, turn to 104.
     If you do not possess this item, turn to 401.

Silent Wolf possesses a Kai Gold Key.

104

You take the small gold key from your pack and insert it into the keyhole located just below the door handle. A twist to the right and the lock clicks open. Quickly you push open the door and see a narrow stone staircase leading down. You enter, close and lock the door behind you, then hurry down the steps into the darkness below.
     Turn to 381.

381

As your eyes grow accustomed to the darkness, you are able to see a faint golden light seeping from an archway at the bottom of this steep staircase. It guides you down safely to the bottom steps. From here you can see the source of the light, glowing at the end of a cold stone passageway. It is a small shimmering globe that is attached to the bare stone wall, and it illuminates a heavy door banded with strips of pure gold. You make your way closer and, with trembling fingers, you reach out and push open this grand portal.
     Effortlessly, the door swings open on its well-oiled hinges. Revealed beyond is a chamber that, until now, only the Grand Master himself was ever permitted to enter. This is the Vault of the Sun, the deepest chamber in the monastery, Grand Master Brave Blade’s personal sanctuary.
     The grey granite walls of the Vault of the Sun are richly embellished with gemstones, golden runes, Kai insignia, and elaborate carvings. Upon one of its walls hangs a collection of the finest art you have ever seen, a cluster of paintings depicting moments of glory in the Order’s proud history. You look upon these pictures with wonderment and awe. Scenes of Kai battle-victories hang side-by-side with depictions of events that have a great religious significance: the rare and legendary occasions when the noble god Kai has manifested Himself to the Order and bestowed upon it His divine sapience. Your skin tingles at the sight of these holy paintings, and you feel your strength and energy renewed. (You may restore up to 5 ENDURANCE points due to the healing power that these artworks transmit when looked upon by a member of the Order.) Lying on a grand table before the wall of paintings are some other items that catch your eye.
• Laumspur (This will restore 4 ENDURANCE POINTS when swallowed after combat. There is enough for one dose.)
• Alether (Potion of Strength. This will increase your COMBAT SKILL by 2 points for the duration of one fight only if swallowed before that fight. There is enough for one dose.)
• Dagger
• Double-bladed Axe
• Broadsword
• War Hammer
• Short Sword
• Spear

     These weapons are beautifully made and perfect weighted. You may choose to take and use a maximum of two. Each weapon will add +1 point to your COMBAT SKILL when used in combat. Make a note of this special bonus on your Action Chart, and remember to erase any Weapons you may already be carrying if you decide to swap them now.
     Set into the east wall of the vault is a grey granite door, veined with gold. Instinct alone makes you reach out and pull a lever protruding from the wall nearby. Immediately, the door swings open to reveal a tunnel. It is long and straight and illuminated by a line of oil lamps fixed in brackets to the gray stone walls. Judging by its length, its depth, and its direction, you are confident that this passage passes beneath the monastery’s curtain wall and emerges somewhere in the forest beyond.
     With a heavy heart, you turn and take one last look at the sacred vault of your fallen leader. With tears welling in your eyes, you gaze upon the wondrous face of the god Kai that is depicted in the largest of the paintings. The vision of your noble god fills you with a renewed determination and the will to survive. Before His likeness, you vow to avenge the deaths of your comrades and masters who have fallen this day. And in a sudden flash of realization you know that, from this day hence, things will never be the same. You are no longer the quiet Kai Initiate they called Silent Wolf; you are now the only surviving member of this proud and noble Order. You are the last of the Kai. You are now Lone Wolf.
     Blinking away the tears, you turn and leave the vault. Your assessment of the passageway proves to be correct. After several hundred yards, the granite floor gradually ascends until you arrive at another stone door, but one that is rough-hewn, like the surface of a boulder.
     You press a lever and the boulder-like door slides aside to reveal a tangle of pine trees and bushes. Dawn has now fully broken and the weak sunlight is streaming through the canopy of branches overhead. You leave the tunnel and the door glides back into position. You look around and make a careful mental note of this location, for the secret entrance is perfectly camouflaged and very hard to detect.
     You know that you must make haste, for it is not safe to linger so close to the burning monastery. Kraan and Zlaanbeast are circling overhead, and you can sense that Giak patrols are searching nearby. You resolve to set out for Holmgard. King Ulnar, alerted by the beacon, will be mustering the army in readiness to halt the enemy’s invasion. But he is unaware that the whole elite of the Kai, save yourself, have been slaughtered. Without the Kai to lead the regiments of the Sommlending army, your country is now at the mercy of its ancient enemies – the Darklords of Helgedad.
     Silently you bid a final farewell to your fallen kin and renew your vow that their deaths will be avenged. Then you leave the tunnel entrance and follow a narrow track away into the forest. After a few hundred yards, this track splits in two.



     If you possess the Kai Discipline of Sixth Sense, and wish to use it, turn to 198.
     If you do not possess this Kai Discipline, or if you choose not to use it, you may follow the left fork of the forest track by turning to 121.
     Or you can take the right fork, by turning to 419.

Our hero has the Kai Discipline of Sixth Sense. To recap, our hero healed a net of 8 ENDURANCE points, with a loss of 1 point from being slightly damaged from the ball of scarlet fire, a gain of 4 points from the other noncombat sections, and an additional gain of 5 points coming from the Vault of the Sun’s paintings. I will assume that he takes the Laumspur and Alether potion from the Vault of the Sun’s grand table. However, he can also choose six +1 COMBAT SKILL weapons to take. Please make your votes before 9:00 AM PDT on whether to swap any of his current weapons for these six options and what his first action under his new name, Lone Wolf, will be to guarantee that they will be counted.

ACTION CHART
KAI DISCIPLINES:
1. Sixth Sense
2. Healing: +1 ENDURANCE point for each section without combat
3. Hunting: no need for a Meal when instructed to eat
4. Mindblast: +2 COMBAT SKILL points
5. Mindshield: no points lost when attacked by Mindblast
WEAPONS:
1. Sword (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
2. Axe
BACKPACK:
1. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
2. Kai Battle Crystal
3. Meal
4. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
5. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
6. Alether (+2 COMBAT SKILL for one fight)
7.
8.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
• Kai Shield (+2 COMBAT SKILL when used in combat)
• Kai Gold Key
BELT POUCH: 13 Gold Crowns
COMBAT SKILL: 15
ENDURANCE POINTS: 19/22
RULES:
• When in combat, stop to ask whether to use any items or abilities if ENDURANCE is less than 11 or Combat Ratio is less than -4
FASCIST KILL COUNT: 11
RESURRECTIONS USED: 0

[Beroli]

Don't switch weapons. Do use Sixth Sense.

Question: Is there a restriction on how many doses of Laumspur we can drink and when? (The Storms of Tea--sorry, Chai, a book whose title I have never been able to take seriously for a just-illustrated reason--indicates that the intention is only one only after battle, and as far as I know nothing spells it out anywhere near as explicitly before then.)

[SGamerz]

Use Sixth Sense, drop normal Axe for +1 Double-bladed Axe

[Thaluikhain]

Use Sixth Sense, drop normal Axe for +1 Double-bladed Axe

Second that.

[JourneymanN00b]

Beroli, there are no restrictions for using Laumspur for this adventure, as I am designating this as the newbie adventure so that players who are not familar with Lone Wolf can ease into the gameplay. Restrictions on using Laumspur will be considered for future books, however.

I have counted the votes, and it looks like that Lone Wolf will exchange his Axe for the Double-Bladed Axe with +1 COMBAT SKILL, since that won by a 2-1 vote. Lone Wolf will also use Sixth Sense.

198

Your Kai Sixth Sense warns you that some of the Kraan and Giaks that attacked the monastery are now searching the two forest paths, looking for anyone who may have survived their attack. Now you are aware of the danger, make your decision which way to go.
     If you want to go along the left fork of the forest track under the cover of the surrounding trees, turn to 80.
     If you prefer to walk through the undergrowth alongside the right fork of the forest track, turn instead to 24.



Lone Wolf gained 1 ENDURANCE point from the non-combat section, and is now faced with his first choice on whether to turn away from fascism or head towards it. Please make your votes on what direction Lone Wolf should take before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

ACTION CHART
KAI DISCIPLINES:
1. Sixth Sense
2. Healing: +1 ENDURANCE point for each section without combat
3. Hunting: no need for a Meal when instructed to eat
4. Mindblast: +2 COMBAT SKILL points
5. Mindshield: no points lost when attacked by Mindblast
WEAPONS:
1. Sword (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
2. Double-bladed Axe (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
BACKPACK:
1. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
2. Kai Battle Crystal
3. Meal
4. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
5. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
6. Alether (+2 COMBAT SKILL for one fight)
7.
8.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
• Kai Shield (+2 COMBAT SKILL when used in combat)
• Kai Gold Key
BELT POUCH: 13 Gold Crowns
COMBAT SKILL: 15
ENDURANCE POINTS: 20/22
RULES:
• When in combat, stop to ask whether to use any items or abilities if ENDURANCE is less than 11 or Combat Ratio is less than -4
FASCIST KILL COUNT: 11
RESURRECTIONS USED: 0

[Beroli]

Follow the left track.

[SGamerz]

Left. Joe Dever might be the one gamebook author who really adheres by the "left is always right" rule.

[Thaluikhain]

May as well go left.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; Lone Wolf will turn away from fascism by going along the left fork under the cover of the surrounding trees.

80

You hear the sudden shriek of a Kraan high above the trees. The ghastly sound sends a shiver coursing down your spine. Quickly you take cover among the thick fronds of fern at the side of the track until the horrible shrieks of the creature have passed away.
     To continue, turn to 332.

332

You press on through the forest until you come to a point where the path divides in two.
     If you possess the Kai Discipline of Tracking, turn to 96.
     If you do not have this Kai skill, you can turn towards the south and follow the path that way by turning to 197.
     Or you can turn towards the east and go that way. Go to 380.



Lone Wolf does not have the Tracking Kai Discipline. With the two non-combat sections, his Healing Discipline at last brings Lone Wolf back to full ENDURANCE levels. Please make your votes on whether to take the southerner or fascist approach before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

ACTION CHART
KAI DISCIPLINES:
1. Sixth Sense
2. Healing: +1 ENDURANCE point for each section without combat
3. Hunting: no need for a Meal when instructed to eat
4. Mindblast: +2 COMBAT SKILL points
5. Mindshield: no points lost when attacked by Mindblast
WEAPONS:
1. Sword (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
2. Double-bladed Axe (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
BACKPACK:
1. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
2. Kai Battle Crystal
3. Meal
4. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
5. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
6. Alether (+2 COMBAT SKILL for one fight)
7.
8.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
• Kai Shield (+2 COMBAT SKILL when used in combat)
• Kai Gold Key
BELT POUCH: 13 Gold Crowns
COMBAT SKILL: 15
ENDURANCE POINTS: 22/22
RULES:
• When in combat, stop to ask whether to use any items or abilities if ENDURANCE is less than 11 or Combat Ratio is less than -4
FASCIST KILL COUNT: 11
RESURRECTIONS USED: 0

[Beroli]

Head south.

[SGamerz]

While the text isn't that clear on which direction we're coming from, it has to be roughly from the northwest towards the southeast, according to the map. So east would be to our left. Therefore I vote east.

[Thaluikhain]

I guess east, then.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes counted; taking the fascist approach wins by a 2-1 vote. Hopefully this will allow Lone Wolf to know its ideals better so that he can more thoroughly wipe all trace of it from his homeland.

380

You come to a small clearing where a group of humans are talking excitedly and gesturing wildly with their hands. There are two children, three men and a woman. Their belongings are wrapped in bundles which they carry slung over their shoulders. Their clothes look well-made and expensive, but they are dirty and torn.
     If you wish to approach them and ask who they are, turn to 218.
     If you wish to avoid them, you can skirt around this clearing and continue onwards by turning to 99.



Please make your votes on whether to say “What’s up folks?” to the group before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

[Thaluikhain]

Approach random humans

[Beroli]

Approach them.

[SGamerz]

Approach so that we can talk to the cool pirate kid with the eyepatch.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; approaching them, saying “What’s up folks?”, and asking who they are.

218

At your approach, the group of people stops talking. You can see by their expressions that they recognize your green Kai cloak. Slowly, one of the men extends his hand in friendship and says, “My liege, we saw smoke in the foothills of the Durncrags and feared for the safety of your monastery. We heard rumor that a vast horde of the enemy from the West had descended upon the Kai, and that none of your Order had been allowed to escape. But clearly this is not so. May Ishir and Kai be praised! We feared all was lost.”
     You do not tell them of the destruction of the monastery and the massacre of your comrades. These people are refugees from Toran and have lost everything they owned. Their only hope now is that the Kai will lead the Sommlending army to victory over the invaders. You learn from them that the northern port of Toran was attacked from both the air and from the sea, and that the forces of the Darklords far outnumbered the King’s brave garrison there. Even the Magicians’ Guild of Toran was unable to repel the enemy that was led by a hunchbacked sorcerer wielding tremendous power. You reassure them that Sommerlund will not fall to Darklord Zagarna and his fell minions, and you wish them luck on their difficult journey ahead.
     To continue on through the forest, turn to 148.

148

You make your way hurriedly through the trees until you come to the edge of a fast-flowing stream. The icy clear water cascades over the mossy rocks and disappears away into the forest towards the east.
     If you wish to follow this stream to the east, turn to 399.
     If you decide instead to explore further upstream, turn to 519.

Please make your votes on what direction to try along the river before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

[Beroli]

Follow the stream east.

[SGamerz]

Follow the stream.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; following the stream to the east.

399

Carefully, you follow the stream as it makes its way through the forest towards the east. You make steady progress, until you notice something in the middle distance that brings you to a halt. Lying in the rushing water, like a great black dam, is the body of a dead Kraan. You creep closer, using the cover of the foliage that lines the bank of the stream. When you are within a few yards of the carcass, you see three arrows sunk deep in the beast’s chest. Trapped underneath the Kraan is another body, that of its rider – a Giak.



     You recall what you were taught about these creatures by Master Storm Hawk, your old Kai Tutor. Many centuries ago, their ancestors were created and used by the Darklords to build their infernal city of Helgedad, which lies in the volcanic wastelands far beyond the Durncrag Mountains. The construction of the city was a long and torturous nightmare, and only the strongest Giaks survived the furnace-like heat and poisonous atmospheres of Helgedad.
     This Giak has drowned after having been trapped in the stream under the body of its Kraan mount. You retrieve a pouch from its sword belt and find that it contains 3 Gold Crowns. (You may add these to your Belt Pouch.)
     You may now continue your journey downstream, by turning to 99.
     Or you may leave the stream and make your way on foot through the wooded hills to the south, by turning to 221.

I assume that the 3 Gold Crowns from looting the drowned fascist’s body are taken. Please make your votes on whether to stay along the stream or not before 9:00 AM PDT to guarantee that they will be counted.

ACTION CHART
KAI DISCIPLINES:
1. Sixth Sense
2. Healing: +1 ENDURANCE point for each section without combat
3. Hunting: no need for a Meal when instructed to eat
4. Mindblast: +2 COMBAT SKILL points
5. Mindshield: no points lost when attacked by Mindblast
WEAPONS:
1. Sword (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
2. Double-bladed Axe (+1 COMBAT SKILL)
BACKPACK:
1. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
2. Kai Battle Crystal
3. Meal
4. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
5. Laumspur (+4 ENDURANCE)
6. Alether (+2 COMBAT SKILL for one fight)
7.
8.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
• Kai Shield (+2 COMBAT SKILL when used in combat)
• Kai Gold Key
BELT POUCH: 16 Gold Crowns
COMBAT SKILL: 15
ENDURANCE POINTS: 22/22
RULES:
• When in combat, stop to ask whether to use any items or abilities if ENDURANCE is less than 11 or Combat Ratio is less than -4
FASCIST KILL COUNT: 11
RESURRECTIONS USED: 0