[LP] DestinyQuest: The Legion of Shadow

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 1:46 pm

Loot for the loot god!

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 2:14 pm

You search through the backpack. There is little of interest, except for some dog-eared notes, scribbled hastily onto parchment, and a red leather-bound book.

• Look through the notes?
• Examine the book?
• Return your attention to the stones?

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 2:37 pm

Check the notes, in case he figured out something about the stones before touching them.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Thu Nov 10, 2016 11:28 am

Notes for exposition.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Thu Nov 10, 2016 3:11 pm

You flick through the parchment. Most of the spidery writing is indecipherable, however, a hastily-scrawled drawing of the stone circle grabs your attention. Four words have been written next to it Malachi, Talos, Allura, and Voldring. Each name is ringed in red ink and a single word scribed underneath them: 'Dangerous.'

• Examine the book?
• Return your attention to the stones?

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Thu Nov 10, 2016 5:02 pm

Read the book next. Get as much info as possible before touching any stones.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 3:15 am

Do some more reading.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 3:42 pm

The book contains a history of Tithebury and the adjoining regions of Black Marsh and Mistwood. The corner of one page has been turned down. Flicking straight to it, you discover a page entry describing the stone circle. You quickly scan the text for any clues as to the purpose of the circle. You discover that it dates back over a thousand years and was built by a sect of druids to commune with 'rune spirits.'

Something has been written in the margin of the book. Turning the page around, you read the spidery writing. It says: 'Dwarf runes. Much older. Possibly dark age. Hill burial ground for king.'

• Look through the notes?
• Return your attention to the stones?

Looks like the exposition's exhausted, time to stone it up.

Large tablet-shaped stones mark the noth, south, east, and west points of the circle. On each of the stones is a rune, carved into the grey rock. The north stone has a circular rune, the south stone has a crescent moon. To the east, the stone is marked with a flame symbol, and to the west the stone is marked with three horizontal wavy lines. You feel as though you are drawn to touch each of the runes.

'Careful,' squawks the bird. 'My master touched those stones - and then a door appeared. Then he never came back!'

• Touch the north stone?
• Touch the south stone?
• Touch the east stone?
• Touch the west stone?

If you have touched all four stones...

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 8:46 pm

This looks rather like a blind choice. South stone.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 9:47 pm

Yeah, I'm not seeing anything in the notes or book that are helpful. So South is as good as any.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Sun Nov 13, 2016 3:54 pm

The moment you touch the stone, there is a bright flash of light, followed by a dizzying sensation of movement. When the light fades, you find yourself on a narrow rock bridge, spanning a cloud-filled gorge. Warily, you advance along it, trying to ignore the vertiginous drop to either side.

You halt when you see a man approaching you from the opposite direction. All but his eyes are hidden behind swathes of blue cloth that swirl and dance in the wind.

'You trespass in the halls of ancient kingss,' booms a deep voice, from somewhere above you. 'Many have come here. All have failed. Fight my champions and prove your worth.'

The man shows no signs of stopping. In a blur of motion, he draws two steel blades from his belt and leaps into combat:
Speed Brawn Armor Health
Talos of air 4 4 2 20

Special Abilities:
- Wind-dancer: Talos moves like the wind. You cannot use any potions or special abilities during this combat.

No items, no abilities, raw stats only, final destination!
Round 1: Us 8+7, Him 3+4; 4+4-2 damage, he's at 14.
Round 2: Us 7+7, Him 10+4; draw.
Round 3: Us 12+7, Him 8+4; 6+4-2 damage, he's at 6.
Round 4: Us 6+7, Him 7+4; 2+4-2 damage, he's at 2.
Round 5: Us 8+7, Him 6+4; 4+4-2 damage, Talos defeated!

• If you are defeated, you find yourself back on the hiilltop...
If you defeat Talos, his body turns to dust. All that is left is a stone rune with the mark of a crescent moon on it. If you take the Rune of Talos, make a note of it on your hero sheet. There is a sudden flash of light and you find yourself back on the hilltop.

Large tablet-shaped stones mark the noth, south, east, and west points of the circle. On each of the stones is a rune, carved into the grey rock. The north stone has a circular rune, the south stone has a crescent moon. To the east, the stone is marked with a flame symbol, and to the west the stone is marked with three horizontal wavy lines. You feel as though you are drawn to touch each of the runes.

'Careful,' squawks the bird. 'My master touched those stones - and then a door appeared. Then he never came back!'

• Touch the north stone?
• Touch the south stone?
• Touch the east stone?
• Touch the west stone?

If you have touched all four stones...

So, did we take the Rune of Talos, and which stone is next?

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Sun Nov 13, 2016 5:29 pm

GRAB ALL THE THINGS and go east.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 12:28 am

Agreed on the rune and east is as good as any.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 1:48 pm

Yep, loot and east.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 1:17 am

The moment you touch the stone there is a bright flash of light, followed by a dizzying sensation of movement. When the light fades, you find yourself in a large stone chamber, its walls lined with blazing torches. In the center of the room stands a man, wreathed in flames. He watches you intently, the fire licking around his ember-red eyes.

'You trespass in the halls of ancient kings,' booms a voice, from somewhere above. 'Many have come here. All have failed. Fight my champions and prove your worth.'

The man points at you, then curls his finger, beckoning you to attack. Seeing you hesitate, he laughs to himself - then rushes forward, jets of flame springing from the palms of his hands.

Speed Magic Armor Health
Malachi of fire 4 4 2 20

Special Abilities:
- Fiery Aura: You automatically take 3 damage at the end of each combat round. This ability ignores armor.

We're on a clock!
Round 1: Us 10+7, Him 10+4; 3+4-2 damage, he's at 15. *burn* We're at 27.
Round 2: Us 10+7, Him 2+4; 5+4-2 damage, he's at 8. *burn* We're at 24.
Round 3: Us 6+7, Him 7+4; 3+4-2 damage, he's at 3. *burn* We're at 21.
Round 4: Us 9+7, Him 5+4; 1+4-2 damage, Malachi of fire defeated! *burn* We're at 18.

• If you are defeated, you find yourself back on the hiilltop...
If you defeat Malachi, his body turns to dust. All that is left is a stone rune, its glowing surface marked with the symbol of a flame. If you take the Rune of Malachi, make a note of it on your hero sheet. There is a sudden flash of light and you find yourself back on the hilltop.

I assume we take this rune, since we took the last one. These guys have had some pretty serious special abilities, but nothing that can overcome a 3 Speed advantage.

Large tablet-shaped stones mark the noth, south, east, and west points of the circle. On each of the stones is a rune, carved into the grey rock. The north stone has a circular rune, the south stone has a crescent moon. To the east, the stone is marked with a flame symbol, and to the west the stone is marked with three horizontal wavy lines. You feel as though you are drawn to touch each of the runes.

'Careful,' squawks the bird. 'My master touched those stones - and then a door appeared. Then he never came back!'

• Touch the north stone?
• Touch the south stone?
• Touch the east stone?
• Touch the west stone?

If you have touched all four stones...

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 12:34 pm

Loot and north.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 7:33 am

The moment you touch the stone there is a bright flash of light, followed by a dizzying sensation of movement. When the light fades, you find yourself on a rocky island, bobbing on a sea of bubbling hot lava. At the far side of the island is a man dressed in black plate armor, his face hidden beind the visor of his helmet.

'You trespass in the halls of ancient kings,' booms a voice, from somewhere above. 'Many have come here. All have failed. Fight my champions and prove your worth.'

The knight suddenly lurches into life, drawing an elegant sword from the scabbard at his side. Raising the sword to his chest, the silent knight marches towards you, his armor creaking and clanking in an eerie menacing manner. You prepare to defend yourself:
Speed Brawn Armor Health
Voldring of earth 4 3 5 20

Special Abilities:
- Mighty Blows: Voldring rolls 2 dice for damage.

Hits hard, but only if he hits.
Round 1: Us 11+7, Him 9+4; 6+4-5 damage, he's at 15.
Round 2: Us 6+7, Him 7+4; 2+4-5 damage, he's at 14.
Round 3: Us 2+7, Him 9+4; 12+3-3 damage, we're at 18.
Round 4: Us 7+7, Him 3+4; 3+4-5 damage, he's at 12.
Round 5: Us 5+7, Him 5+4; 4+4-5 damage, he's at 9.
Round 6: Us 11+7, Him 10+4; 3+4-5 damage, he's at 7.
Round 7: Us 8+7, Him 5+4; 4+4-5 damage, he's at 4.
Round 8: Us 7+7, Him 7+4; 5+4-5 damage, Voldring defeated!

• If you are defeated, you find yourself back on the hiilltop...
If you defeat Voldring, the knight's body turns to ash. All that is left is a stone rune with a circle carved into it. If you take the Rune of Voldring, make a note of it on your hero sheet. There is a sudden flash of light and you find yourself back on the hilltop.

Large tablet-shaped stones mark the noth, south, east, and west points of the circle. On each of the stones is a rune, carved into the grey rock. The north stone has a circular rune, the south stone has a crescent moon. To the east, the stone is marked with a flame symbol, and to the west the stone is marked with three horizontal wavy lines. You feel as though you are drawn to touch each of the runes.

'Careful,' squawks the bird. 'My master touched those stones - and then a door appeared. Then he never came back!'

• Touch the north stone?
• Touch the south stone?
• Touch the east stone?
• Touch the west stone?

If you have touched all four stones...

Only west to go...

The moment you touch the stone there is a bright flash of light, followed by a dizzying sensation of movement. When the light fades, you find yourself in a flooded cave, its oily black waters lapping around your waist. At the center of the cave is an island, illuminated by a shaft of pale green light. Its radiance outlines the figure of a woman dressed in a trailing gown of weeds and lilies. Her emerald eyes watch you intently.

'You trespass in the halls of ancient kings,' booms a deep voice, from somewhere above. 'Many have come here. All have failed. Fight my champions and prove your worth.'

The woman draws a leaf-shaped sword from her belt, its blade flickering with magic. Patiently, she waits for you. With few other options, you wade through the water and drag yourself up onto the island. The woman smiles and nods, then rushes to attack:
Speed Brawn Armor Health
Allura of water 5 4 1 25

Special Abilities:
- Healing touch: At the end of each combat round, Allura heals 2 health. Once her health has been reduced to zero, she cannot heal.

Her special ability isn't great but her Speed is more competitive.
Round 1: *web* Us 5+7, Her 6+5; 2+4-1 damage, she's at 20. *heal* She's at 22.
Round 2: Us 6+7, Her 8+5; draw. *heal* She's at 24.
Round 3: Us 7+7 (charm) 10+7, Her 11+5; 3+4-1 damage, she's at 18. *heal* She's at 20.
Round 4: Us 5+7, Her 5+5; 5+4-1 damage, she's at 12. *heal* She's at 14.
Round 5: Us 11+7, Her 8+5; 3+4-1 damage, she's at 8. *heal* She's at 10.
Round 6: Us 6+7, Her 8+5; draw. *heal* She's at 12.
Round 7: Us 10+7, Her 4+5; 1+4-1 damage, she's at 8. *heal* She's at 10.
Round 8: Us 8+7, Her 9+5; 6+4-1 damage, she's at 1. *heal* She's at 3.
Round 9: Us 6+7, Her 11+5; 2+4-3 damage, we're at 27. *heal* She's at 5.
Round 10: Us 8+7, Her 4+5; 2+4-1 damage, Allura defeated!

• If you are defeated, you find yourself back on the hiilltop...
If you defeat Allura, her body turns to water vapor, which drifts away across the cavern. On the spot where she was standing, you find a small stone rune with three wavy lines cut into its surface. If you take the Rune of Allura, make a note of it on your hero sheet. There is a sudden flash of light and you find yourself back on the hilltop.

That was the actual challenge, because while you can retry the first three, once you've attempted the fourth direction, you've 'touched all four stones,' triggering what comes next.

Large tablet-shaped stones mark the noth, south, east, and west points of the circle. On each of the stones is a rune, carved into the grey rock. The north stone has a circular rune, the south stone has a crescent moon. To the east, the stone is marked with a flame symbol, and to the west the stone is marked with three horizontal wavy lines. You feel as though you are drawn to touch each of the runes.

'Careful,' squawks the bird. 'My master touched those stones - and then a door appeared. Then he never came back!'

• Touch the north stone?
• Touch the south stone?
• Touch the east stone?
• Touch the west stone?

If you have touched all four stones...

A glowing white portal has appeared at the center of the circle. The bird is flapping around it excitedly. 'This is it! This is it! It's just like the magic doorway that my master entered! Quick – get in before it closes again!'

You take a deep breath before stepping into the bright glowing light.

You step through the glowing doorway, to find yourself in a long pillared hall. Torches flicker in sconces along the wall, casting dancing shadows across the cracked stone tiles. There is the musty smell of earth here – and things long dead. At the end of the hall stands a dark figure, shrouded in a ghostly fog.

'So you dare challenge me!' Booms the now-familiar voice. The veil of fog lifts briefly to reveal a rugged warrior clad in fur and leather. 'Puny maggot! You come lookig for this worthless fool?' The warrior's narrowed eyes flick to a body lying sprawled beside one of the pillars – a pot-bellied man dressed in fine-looking robes. At first you assume he is dead, but then you notice that the man's chest is rising and falling with shallow breaths. He is still alive... for now.

'I will not waste my time with his kind,' growls the mist-cloaked warrior, his booming voice echoing in the vaulted chamber. 'I am Noldor. The First King. These are my hallowed halls and only death is welcome here.' The ghost strides down the hall towards you. As he nears, you see a black sword materializing in one of is gloved fists. With maddened laughter, the spectral warrior raises his black blade and charges. 'I am Noldor and I will carve my name on your soul!'
Speed Brawn Armor Health
Noldor 7 5 4 60

Special Abilities:
You may use your runes to help you against this powerful ancient king. The runes (if you have them) do the following:
- Rune of Voldring: Increase your armor by 3 for the duration of this combat.
- Rune of Allura: Use once, any time in combat, to instantly replenish your health.
- Rune of Malachi: Use once, instead of rolling for a damage score, to instantly reduce Noldor's health by 30.
- Rune of Talos: Increase your Speed by 2 for the duration of this combat.

• If you defeat Noldor...
• (Special Achievement) If you defeat Noldor without using a single rune...

Do we try for the special achievement, using the runes as a safety net? Or just blow him away with our collected powers?

Name: Trellis
Speed: +7, Brawn: +3, Magic: +4, Armor: +3
Health: 30


Slot	Item	Speed	Brawn	Magic	Armor	Ability
Head	All-weather Hat	+1
Necklace	Granny's Locket			+1
Cloak	Bat Cape	+1			+1
Main Hand	Leader's Edge	+1	+1
Left Hand	Spider's Spinneret	+1		+1		Webbed
Gloves	Embroidered Gloves	+1		+1
Chest	Studded Leather				+2
Feet	Buckled Boots	+1	+1
Talisman	Spindle's Eye	+1				Charm
Ring 1	Traveler's Ring		+1	+1		Charm


Backpack	Item
1
2	Goblin Grog (1 use) Use any time in combat to restore 4 health.
3	Spider's Leg
4
5	Ragged Boots

Money Pouch: 31 Crowns

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 8:17 am

Our speeds are matched. He's doing 1d6+2 to us when he hits, we're only doing 1d6 back. He has twice as much health. We have two Charms, a Web, and Goblin Grog.

If it wasn't for the health he'd only have a slight edge. As it is, strategy depends on whether we can use all the runes at once.

If we can, then fight normally until we drop to 8 health or below, then throw the boat out (including Malachi instead of attacking).

If we cannot, then just use the runes from the get-go. Presumably we can use Malachi and one other rune even if we can't use them all at once, since Malachi specifically takes up our attack and the others don't. Open with Voldrung and Malachi, then pop Talos for our first actual attack roll and Allura when we drop to 5 health or below.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:57 am

^This.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:31 am

There's no that the runes have any particular per-turn limit, so we'll go with emergency-nova plan.

Round 1: Us 7+7, Him 9+7; 4+5-3 damage, we're at 24.
Round 2: *web* Us 7+7, Him 5+7; 2+4-4 damage, he's at 58.
Round 3: Us 11+7, Him 8+7; 2+4-4 damage, he's at 56.
Round 4: Us 5+7 (charm) 10+7, Him 7+7; 5+4-4 damage, he's at 51.
Round 5: Us 8+7, Him 6+7; 2+4-4 damage, he's at 49.
Round 6: Us 10+7, Him 9+7; 4+4-4 damage, he's at 45.
Round 7: Us 6+7 (charm) 10+7, Him 8+7; 6+4-4 damage, he's at 39.
Round 8: Us 9+7, Him 12+7; 1+5-3 damage, we're at 21.
Round 9: Us 3+7, Him 4+7; 6+5-3 damage, we're at 13.
Round 10: Us 10+7, Him 3+7; 4+4-4 damage, he's at 35.
Round 11: Us 9+7, Him 7+7; 3+4-4 damage, he's at 32.
Round 12: Us 8+7, Him 8+7; draw.
Round 13: Us 11+7, Him 6+7; 2+4-4 damage, he's at 30.
Round 14: Us 8+7, Him 6+7; 6+4-4 damage, he's at 24.
Round 15: Us 8+7, Him 7+7; 5+4-4 damage, he's at 19.
Round 16: Us 11+7, Him 8+7; 1+4-4 damage, he's at 18.
Round 17: Us 4+7, Him 7+7; 6+5-3 damage, we're at 5.
*RUNIC LIMIT BREAK* +2 Speed, +3 Armor, we're at 30, (achievement disabled).
Round 18: Us 4+9, Him 11+7; 4+5-6 damage, we're at 27.
Round 19: Us 5+9, Him 7+7; draw.
Round 20: Us 9+9, Him 10+7; 30 damage, Noldor defeated!

Shame about the achievement, I think it's mostly for replayers who know it's there and do this quest later in the sequence with a more optimized build.

The king falls to his knees, his head bowed. 'I yield... now begone from this cursed place.' There is a faint serpentine hiss from somewhere in the darkness, then the spectral body of the king vanishes, leaving behind a golden casket, engraved with runes. As you watch, the lid creaks open of its own accord, revealing a series of magical treasures inside. You may now take one of the following before the chest closes and disappears:
Stone collar (necklace) +1 armor, Ability: charm.
Stone shield (left hand: shield) +1 speed, +2 armor, Ability: slam.
Stone ward (talisman) Ability: might of stone.
Might of Stone (mo): Once per combat, increase your armor by 3 for one round.
Slam (co): Once per combat, stop your opponent rolling for damage after they win a round; that opponent has -1 speed on the next round.
When you have made your choice...

Which loot?

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 12:33 pm

Shield

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:42 pm

Yeah. If we'd kept the traveler's cloak I'd have suggested the collar for 4 charms/combat but with the batman cape I think that charm stacking shenanigans aren't quite as good as actually having a decent armor score. Shame we can't take both; Armor +6 and 3 charms would be really nice.

Out of curiosity, what was the achievement?

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 7:01 pm

Shield.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 1:28 pm

If you manage to beat the guy, runeless, your loot is different: choice from a couple of main hand weapons, each +1 Speed, +4 Brawn or Magic, Might of Stone. Very nice for this stage of the game.

There is a bright flash - then you find yourself back on the hillside.

'Master! Master!' The bird is hopping around the body of the scholar, who is now lying on the grass, right next to his backpack. With a groan, he sits up and rubs his head.

'Wha... what happened?' he asks.

The bird gives a warbling cry of joy. 'Look! He's alive!'

The man pushes himself onto his feet, swaying for a moment as he regains his balance. 'By the heavens, I don't know what happened. I just touched a stone and...' He notices you and scratches his brow. 'Do... do I know you? I'm Perinold, I think. Yes... Perrinold.'

'The magnificent!' injects the bird, strutting around proudly. 'Now, master, you should thank this adventurer for saving your life. You were a goner there - of that I am sure.'

Still a little befuddled by his experience, Perinold puts a hand to his belt and unfastens a pouch of money. 'If my faithful bird speaks the truth, then I owe you a debt of gratitude. Please take this.' He hands you the pouch. You accept it gratefully, before bidding the scholar (and his bird) farewell. You have gained 20 gold crowns and the following rewards:
Perinold's hipflask (backpack) 1 use, use any time in combat to boost your magic score by 2 for one combat round.
Scholar's circle (ring) Ability: Eureka (mo) - Once per combat at any time, boost your speed, brawn, or magic by 1 for one round.
Return to the map to continue your adventure.

• Shopping again?
• Hard Quest: Church?
• Hardest Quest: House in Woods?
• Boss Monster?
• Legendary Monster: Mountain Road?
• Legendary Monster: Ruins?

Name: Trellis
Speed: +7, Brawn: +3, Magic: +3, Armor: +5
Health: 30


Slot	Item	Speed	Brawn	Magic	Armor	Ability
Head	All-weather Hat	+1
Necklace	Granny's Locket			+1
Cloak	Bat Cape	+1			+1
Main Hand	Leader's Edge	+1	+1
Left Hand	Stone Shield	+1			+2	Slam
Gloves	Embroidered Gloves	+1		+1
Chest	Studded Leather				+2
Feet	Buckled Boots	+1	+1
Talisman	Spindle's Eye	+1				Charm
Ring 1	Traveler's Ring		+1	+1		Charm
Ring 2	Scholar's Circle					Eureka


Backpack	Item
1	Perinold's Hipflask (1 use) Use any time in combat for +2 magic for 1 round.
2	Goblin Grog (1 use) Use any time in combat to restore 4 health.
3	Spider's Leg
4
5	Ragged Boots

Money Pouch: 51 Crowns

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 9:54 pm

There doesn't seem to be anything useful to spend money on here. Maybe after we progress. But first, level loot grinding - to the church!