[Let's Play] ACE Gamebook 04 - Beowulf Beastslayer

[Darth Rabbitt]

Go by land. A boat seems like an easier target for a dragon.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to approach by land, as the sea is just asking for us to be sitting ducks.

[angelfromanotherpin]

175

Now it is you – Beowulf Beastslayer – whose heart burns with the desire for revenge.

You and your men ride northwards, towards the dominion of the Dragon, the desolation birthed by its burning breath. And there upon the snow-clad moors you come upon a shrine to the newest god to claim possession of the souls of the people of this land – the Roman god, known to those who venerate Him as the Lord – the cross atop the chapel’s wooden roof free of snow.

The servants of the Lord believe the dragon to be an incarnation of the Devil, a demon that now lays claim to Hel’s dominions.

• If you want to stop and pray at the shrine, turn to 156.
• If you would prefer to keep riding for the dragon’s lair, turn to 14.

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 12
Combat: 12
Endurance: 26

Hero Points: 14
Crew: 12

Equipment:
• Naegling
• Sword
• Spear
• Axe (decorated with the etched heads of four wild boar)
• Dragon Shield
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm
• Golden Brooch (decorated with twelve freshwater pearls)
• Golden Arm-Ring
• Golden Goblet

Kennings:
Dane-Friend
Dark-Mere
Shadow-Fast
True-Sight
War-Rage
Hero's-Promise
Wound-Serpent
Desire's-Slave
Ditch-Digger
Wyrm’s-Weakness


Other
Njord's Favour
Slew seven sea-monsters
Wealhtheow’s Blessing
Odin's Favour
Slew five giants
Loki's Favour
+1 CR vs Dragons/Wyrms
Sea-hag's curse
Four birds helped save my life

[JourneymanN00b]

I think this is the Christian god. I am not sure whether the first commandment of “thou shalt have no other gods before me” applies here, but I would rather not risk losing all of the other gods, as many of them have pulled though for us.

I vote to keep riding for the dragon’s lair.

[Omegonthesane]

Let us not pray to the monotheistic god.

[angelfromanotherpin]

14

Leaving the chapel behind, you and your brave warriors ride on.

Crossing the moors, where the gorse and bilberry bushes have been burnt by the serpent’s rage, you come to a place that was once a forest, before the Dragon’s ire stripped the trees of their leaves and left them as stark black monuments to their former glory.

And then the dragon takes flight once again, sensing your presence within the bounds of its dominions, and seeking to rid itself of such an irritation. At its coming, your band of hand-picked companions, faint of heart in the presence of the monster-serpent, do not stand as battle-usage expects, but escape to the withered wood. All but one.

Faithful Wiglaf remains at your side as the dragon hunts those that have fled from you through the burnt forest. The cowardly oath-breakers dead, roasted by the serpent’s tongues of flame before being devoured by the creature, the worm returns to its cave to sleep.

The only ones among your hunting party left alive, you and Wiglaf make your way to the mound of earth wherein the guardian and its hoard have lain for so many generations, unmolested.

The bonds of kinship are strong between you, for Wiglaf is Weoxstan’s son, well-loved shieldsman and Scylfing prince, but it is for this reason that you cannot bear to see him, another of your kinsmen, fall to the wrath of this Ravager.

“The burden of this battle lies upon my shoulders,” you tell Wiglaf. “It is only my mind’s-worth that needs be tested this day.”

“As a Geatish prince of your hall, I have sworn blood-oaths to you, King Beowulf. My life is yours to do with as you will,” is Wiglaf’s response.

“I do not fear for my own life,” you impress upon him. “Battles aplenty have I survived, and valiant in all dangers have I come through many clashes since the cleansing of bright Heorot. But I would not have another risk himself in battle against this fell hall-burner.”

“Forgive me, my lord, but I see how this worm torments you, and recalling the many favours you have bestowed upon me – the rich dwelling-place of the Waymundings, confirming me as holder of the land-rights my father once held – I would be nothing without you. To stand by your side now, at the time of your greatest need, would be as sweet to me as the mead served in your royal hall.”

• Will you give in, and let Wiglaf accompany you into the barrow (turn to 40), or
• Will you stand firm and deny him his wish (turn to 74)?

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 12
Combat: 12
Endurance: 26

Hero Points: 14
Crew: 12

Equipment:
• Naegling
• Sword
• Spear
• Axe (decorated with the etched heads of four wild boar)
• Dragon Shield
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm
• Golden Brooch (decorated with twelve freshwater pearls)
• Golden Arm-Ring
• Golden Goblet

Kennings:
Dane-Friend
Dark-Mere
Shadow-Fast
True-Sight
War-Rage
Hero's-Promise
Wound-Serpent
Desire's-Slave
Ditch-Digger
Wyrm’s-Weakness


Other
Njord's Favour
Slew seven sea-monsters
Wealhtheow’s Blessing
Odin's Favour
Slew five giants
Loki's Favour
+1 CR vs Dragons/Wyrms
Sea-hag's curse
Four birds helped save my life

[Omegonthesane]

Wiglaf has given his informed consent and he's old enough to know the stakes of an obvious suicide mission. Though I feel like whether he already has an adult in line to succeed him should inform our decision... but since we just aren't told, I go with accepting his help.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Let Wiglaf come along.

[JourneymanN00b]

Let Wiglaf accompany Beowulf.

[angelfromanotherpin]

40

Relenting at last, you give Wiglaf permission to join you in entering the Dragon’s earthen hall.

“Beloved Beowulf,” the young prince says, “bear all things well! You gave it out long ago that, living, you would not allow your glory to ever abate. Bold-tempered chieftain, you who are famed for your deeds, you must defend now your own life with all your strength. And I shall aid you.”

Write the kenning Shield-Prince on your Adventure Sheet and make a note that if you should ever come across a section number with the symbol of a helmet beneath it, rather than read that section, add 20 and turn to this new section instead, before proceeding.

Now turn to 74.

74

The barrow looms before you, big as a hill, a monument to a king long since dead, his name forgotten. Skirting the perimeter of the mound, you find an entrance to the cairn, a stone archway half hidden where part of the hill has crumbled, and overgrown with long grass.

However, a well-worn goat-track leads from the barrow down towards the edge of the headland where the pagan burial-hall stands. Following the track, you crane you neck to peer over the edge of the cliff and see the entrance to a cave in the sea-washed wall below. It would appear that there is more than one way to enter the Dragon’s lair.

• Will you return to the entrance to the cairn and gain access to the barrow that way (turn to 114), or
• Will you risk climbing down the cliff-face to the cave-mouth (turn to 94)?

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 12
Combat: 12
Endurance: 26

Hero Points: 14
Crew: 12

Equipment:
• Naegling
• Sword
• Spear
• Axe (decorated with the etched heads of four wild boar)
• Dragon Shield
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm
• Golden Brooch (decorated with twelve freshwater pearls)
• Golden Arm-Ring
• Golden Goblet

Kennings:
Dane-Friend
Dark-Mere
Shadow-Fast
True-Sight
War-Rage
Hero's-Promise
Wound-Serpent
Desire's-Slave
Ditch-Digger
Wyrm’s-Weakness
Shield-Prince (Helmet +20)


Other
Njord's Favour
Slew seven sea-monsters
Wealhtheow’s Blessing
Odin's Favour
Slew five giants
Loki's Favour
+1 CR vs Dragons/Wyrms
Sea-hag's curse
Four birds helped save my life

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to climb down the cliff face to the cave mouth, as back doors generally tend to be easier.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Climb down and hope Wiglaf’s a good climber

[angelfromanotherpin]

94

Ensuring that your sword and shield are slung securely across your back, you begin your descent, buffeted by the wind and drenched by showers of sea-spray.

Take an Endurance test. If you pass the test, turn to 22. If you fail the test, turn to 62.
Alternatively, to avoid having to take the test at all, you may spend 1 Hero Point and turn to 22 straightaway.

Not a failable test for us.

22

Seeing this helmet means we read the +20 entry instead of this one.

42

Against all the odds, you make it to the cave-mouth in the cliff-face. Wiglaf makes the descent as well and joins you there, at the entrance to the cave.

Swords in hand, you pass from the icy wind and freezing sea-spray into the chill darkness of the Dragon’s lair, together.

Turn to 388.

388[/align]
The cave becomes a tunnel, a tunnel large enough to admit an ancient, fire-breathing worm. But as you head further along the natural passageway, surrounded by walls of stratified rock, you find your way blocked by a cascading stream. Water pours from an opening in the roof and rushes along a channel that cuts across the floor of the cave, to disappear into a yawning fissure on the other side.

• To proceed any further, you are either going to have to leap across the fast-flowing stream (turn to 208),
• or wade through it (turn to 266).

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 12
Combat: 12
Endurance: 26

Hero Points: 14
Crew: 12

Equipment:
• Naegling
• Sword
• Spear
• Axe (decorated with the etched heads of four wild boar)
• Dragon Shield
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm
• Golden Brooch (decorated with twelve freshwater pearls)
• Golden Arm-Ring
• Golden Goblet

Kennings:
Dane-Friend
Dark-Mere
Shadow-Fast
True-Sight
War-Rage
Hero's-Promise
Wound-Serpent
Desire's-Slave
Ditch-Digger
Wyrm’s-Weakness
Shield-Prince (Helmet +20)


Other
Njord's Favour
Slew seven sea-monsters
Wealhtheow’s Blessing
Odin's Favour
Slew five giants
Loki's Favour
+1 CR vs Dragons/Wyrms
Sea-hag's curse
Four birds helped save my life

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to leap across the fast-flowing stream.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Yeah, let’s leap.

[angelfromanotherpin]

208

Muscles tensing, you attempt to leap over the cascade-stream.

• Take an Agility test; if you pass the test, turn to 248, but if you fail the test, turn to 222.
• If you wish, you may spend 1 Hero Point and turn to 248 straightaway instead.

Not a failable test for us.

248

Performing a mighty salmon-leap, you cross the stream.

Turn to 32.

32

52

Wiglaf joins you, safe on the other side.

“We cannot be far from the hoard-hall of that murder-glutton serpent-king,” he says, his hushed voice still seeming uncomfortably loud as it echoes from the walls of the cave-tunnel.

“Then we must prepare ourselves for the battle to come,” you reply.

Now would be a good time to eat some provisions. Wiglaf has a flask of Ypocras, a spiced wine infused with herbs, which acts as a powerful restorative, which he shares with you. (Gain 3 Endurance points, 1 Combat point, 1 Agility point, and 1 Hero Point.)

You must also decide which sword you want to use to challenge the dragon, as you will not be able to change weapons during the battle.

Once you have made your choice and readied yourself, turn to 411.

Naegling, or no-name?

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 12
Combat: 12
Endurance: 29

Hero Points: 15
Crew: 12

Equipment:
• Naegling
• Sword
• Spear
• Axe (decorated with the etched heads of four wild boar)
• Dragon Shield
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm
• Golden Brooch (decorated with twelve freshwater pearls)
• Golden Arm-Ring
• Golden Goblet

Kennings:
Dane-Friend
Dark-Mere
Shadow-Fast
True-Sight
War-Rage
Hero's-Promise
Wound-Serpent
Desire's-Slave
Ditch-Digger
Wyrm’s-Weakness
Shield-Prince (Helmet +20)


Other
Njord's Favour
Slew seven sea-monsters
Wealhtheow’s Blessing
Odin's Favour
Slew five giants
Loki's Favour
+1 CR vs Dragons/Wyrms
Sea-hag's curse
Four birds helped save my life

[Omegonthesane]

Named shivs are better shivs. Not sure why the other sword becomes unusable during the fight but oh well.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to go with Naegling.

[angelfromanotherpin]

411

Which sword have you chosen to wield in battle?

• If it is your trusted sword Naegling, turn to 351.
• If you have chosen a dragon-slaying sword, you will know its name; turn the name into numbers using the code A=1, B=2… Z=26, add them together, double the total, and turn to the section with the same number as this final total.
• If you have chosen another sword, turn to 17.

Oop, looks like something we missed.

351

When you come to fight the tormentor-worm, the Dragon, you may add 1 point when calculating your Combat Rating, and you may add 1 point to any damage done by your mighty battle-blade.

Gain 1 Hero Point and then turn to 17.

17

You find yourself within a great grey vault beneath the earth, its roof supported by stone arches anchored on pillars, and you lay eyes upon that underground hall heaped with a dead king’s glory, that ancient wealth, that golden inheritance, that serpent-geld.

• Take an Agility test. If you pass the test, turn to 121, but if you fail the test, turn to 193.
• Alternatively, you may spend 1 Hero Point to avoid having to take the test at all, and turn to 121 straightaway.

We don't fail tests of our agility.

121

141

And there, coiled about the treasure-mound, is the worm-serpent you have come here to kill. The smooth scales of its armoured hide gleam gold with the reflected light of the hoard-heap that it clutches to itself like a lover.

It is a terrible creature – all wings, and fangs and tearing talons – but you are King Beowulf – the Bee-Wolf, the Bear, the Berserker – and your vengeful fury will not be denied. Taking up your sword you attack the creature as it lies drowsing, drawing blood before it even knows you are there. (In this battle you have the initiative.)

DRAGON     COMBAT 10     ENDURANCE 48

Wiglaf will aid you in battling the Dragon. Each Combat Round you will have two attacks rather than just one; if you win either you will injure the Dragon, but if you win both, you do double damage for that Combat Round. However, the Dragon is focusing its attacks against you, so if it wins a Combat Round, you will be the one who comes to harm.

• If you reduce the Dragon’s Endurance score to 42 points or fewer, or after 4 Combat Rounds (whichever is sooner), turn to 403.
• Alternatively, you may spend 1 Hero Point and turn to 403 straightaway.

I think there's no good reason not to roll it out.
Round 1.1: Us [2d6:3]+12+1+1+1=18 VS It [2d6:7]+10 = 17
Round 1.2: Us [2d6:7]+12+1+1+1=22 VS It [2d6:5]+10 = 15; double-win, it takes (2+1)*2 damage and is at 42.

403

The Dragon suddenly breaks off from the fight, rearing up on its hind-legs, spreading its wings wide. Its great horned head scrapes the roof of the chamber sending blocks of stone crashing to the floor. You start to wonder if the worm might bring the entire barrow down on top of you.

• Do you want to continue to battle the Dragon inside the hoard-hall (turn to 419), or
• Do you want to try to lure the worm outside (turn to 452)?

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 12
Combat: 12
Endurance: 29

Hero Points: 15
Crew: 12

Equipment:
• Naegling (+1 CR vs dragon, +1 damage vs dragon)
• Sword
• Spear
• Axe (decorated with the etched heads of four wild boar)
• Dragon Shield
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm
• Golden Brooch (decorated with twelve freshwater pearls)
• Golden Arm-Ring
• Golden Goblet

Kennings:
Dane-Friend
Dark-Mere
Shadow-Fast
True-Sight
War-Rage
Hero's-Promise
Wound-Serpent
Desire's-Slave
Ditch-Digger
Wyrm’s-Weakness
Shield-Prince (Helmet +20)


Other
Njord's Favour
Slew seven sea-monsters
Wealhtheow’s Blessing
Odin's Favour
Slew five giants
Loki's Favour
+1 CR vs Dragons/Wyrms
Sea-hag's curse
Four birds helped save my life

[JourneymanN00b]

I feel the dragon will just escape if we try to lure it outside. I vote to continue the battle inside the hoard-hall.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Honestly we have the advantage by not letting it make use of its flight; outdoors, it can just fly out of melee and fry us with its breath. Continue the battle indoors.

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, fight indoors, it if collapses the cave and kills us we probably still kill it.

[angelfromanotherpin]

419

Continue your battle with the Dragon, using the stats you already have recorded for the worm on your Adventure Sheet.

• As soon as you have reduced its Endurance score by 12 points or more, or after another four Combat Rounds (whichever is sooner), turn to 299.
• If you wish, you may spend 1 Hero Point and turn to 299 straightaway.

Round 1.1: Us [2d6:7]+12+1+1+1=22 vs It [2d6:5]+10=15
Round 1.2: Us [2d6:7]+12+1+1+1=22 vs It [2d6:9]+10=19; double-win, it's at 36
Round 2.1: Us [2d6:4]+12+1+1+1=19 vs It [2d6:9]+10=19
Round 2.2: Us [2d6:11]+12+1+1+1=26 vs It [2d6:7]+10=17; single-win, it's at 33.
Round 3.1: Us [2d6:8]+12+1+1+1=23 vs It [2d6:9]+10=19
Round 3.2: Us [2d6:7]+12+1+1+1=22 vs It [2d6:6]+10=16; double-win, it's at 27

299

319

As you lay another vicious blow against it, the worm rears up once more, screaming its fury and pain. In response, the roof of the ancient chamber crumbles, and the earth that was heaped up on the headland so many generations ago by the men of that death-rapt race, comes down in a great flood of turf and stone, half burying the raging Ravager.

As the landslide comes down upon the Dragon, Wiglaf also disappears from view. But there’s no time to search for him. The earth-flood will not hold your foe for long, as it twists its sinuous body and beats its wings to be free. And you cannot see yourself defeating the Dragon, trapped in a half-buried hoard-hold, and so while the serpent is distracted, you make for the surface, scrambling up the ramp of slumped earth.

But with every step you take, the twisted thing untangles itself until you feel the terrible heat of a fearsome fire-blast chase you up the incline. Do you have the strength to outrun it?

• If you have Tyr’s Favour, turn to 366.
• If not, Take an Endurance test. If you pass the test, turn to 366, but if you fail the test, turn to 341.
• Alternatively, if you want to ensure that fatigue does not slow you down, you may deduct 1 Hero Point and turn to 366 anyway.

Not failable.

366

The flames lick at your heels, but you make it out of the hole onto the top of the barrow without coming to further harm. At least, not yet.

Make a note that you have the initiative in the battle, and turn to 456.

456

Blood-smoke fills the air around you and, with a terrible roar, its beating wings parting the spark-shot cloud, the Dragon is there before you once more, jaws yawning wide as it gives voice to its fiery-roar.

• If you have The Lord’s Favour, turn to 491.
• If not, turn to 235.

235

Alone, you make your stand against the ancient serpent.

And the terrible fire-drake has not forgotten your feud, as it comes for you, roaring its fiery fury to the heavens, its advance shaking the very ground at your feet.

Continue your battle with the Dragon, using the stats you already have recorded for the worm on your Adventure Sheet.

• As soon as you have reduced its Endurance score by another 12 points or more, or after another four Combat Rounds (whichever happens first), turn to 212.
• If you wish, you may spend 1 Hero Point and turn to 212 straightaway instead.

While I haven't specifically been told to stop using the Wiglaf-help mechanics, it seems pretty obvious that he's out.
Round 1: Us [2d6:8]+12+1+1+1=23 vs It [2d6:7]+10=17; it's is at 24
Round 2: Us [2d6:3]+12+1+1+1=18 vs It [2d6:3]+10=13; it's is at 21
Round 3: Us [2d6:7]+12+1+1+1=22 vs It [2d6:8]+10=18; it's is at 18
Round 4: Us [2d6:6]+12+1+1+1=21 vs It [2d6:7]+10=17; it's is at 15

212

And then, in your own berserk rage, you lay a mighty blow against the Dragon, the like of which only a hero such as Beowulf Beastslayer could muster.

• If you have Thor’s Favour, turn to 147.
• If not, turn to 185.

185

Which sword are you using to fight the Dragon?

• Angurvadal? Turn to 147.
• Naegling? Turn to 127.
• Neither of these? Turn to 95.

127

Take a Hero test.
• If you pass the test, turn to 95.
• If you fail the test, turn to 147.

1d6 <= 15 is not failable.

95

Your bloodied war-plough comes down on the Dragon’s skull with such force that it delivers the worm a baleful blow.

Deduct 4 points from the Dragon’s Endurance score and then turn to 50.

50

It is time to finish the serpent-scaled fire-breather!

• If you have Odin’s Favour recorded on your Adventure Sheet, turn to 176.
• If not, turn to 33.

176

The beast is beaten back by your berserker blows, until it rallies, determined to meet its end fighting, sensing that its life-force is almost spent.

As you prepare to deliver the fatal stroke, the Dragon’s head darts forward on its long neck. The sly serpent catches you in its mouth and bites down hard.

Your armour protects you from the worst of what injuries you might have sustained, but one of the Dragon’s fore-fangs pierces your neck, injecting its fiery venom. Gore gushes in waves, and you are drenched in your own life’s-blood.

• If you are wearing a Serpent Amulet, you will have a number associated with that particular artefact; turn to the section with the same number now.
• If you are not wearing a Serpent Amulet, turn to 380.

380

400

As the blood pours from the fatal wound, in your hour of need, your faithful shield-prince is suddenly there again, at your side, and with a scream of grief-born rage he thrusts the tip of his blade between the Dragon’s scales, and the flames rising in its throat slacken and die.

In that moment’s respite you take command of your wits once more. Your grip on your sword like steel again, but still trapped in the monster’s mouth, you thrust the blade into the Dragon’s skull, driving the spark of life from it.

And so, you, King Beowulf Beastslayer, and Wiglaf, Prince of the Scylfings, make an end of the Ravager.

But this great accomplishment is to be the last victory in a long life of daring deeds. For the wound the fire-drake inflicted upon you begins to burn and swell, as the foul worm’s fiery venom takes effect and burns you up from inside. You feel the bane begin to boil in your chest and know that you have come, at last, to the end of the allotted days of your earthly happiness.

Your most excellent thane washes your bloodied body and, sated with battle, you unfasten your helmet.

Through the pain, sensing that death is near, you speak: “I have guarded the Geats for half a century, and in all that time not a single ruler of all the neighbouring nations has dared affront me with his friends in war. But, wise Wiglaf, you must attend to our people’s needs from henceforth. My time on this earth is done.

“Bid my men of battle build me a tomb, like this ancient barrow, on the foreland by the sea, that shall stand as a memorial to me, so that those ocean travellers who approach our Geatish shores shall afterwards know it as the barrow of Beowulf the Bear. Beowulf the Battle-king. Beowulf Beastslayer.”

Removing the items of your office, you pass your gold-plated helmet, harness and arm-rings to the young prince, saying, “You are the last of our kindred. Fate has lured each member of my family to his predestined end, and now I must follow them.”

And those are the final words you speak, before the choosers of the slain descend on their cloud-pounding sky-steeds to carry your soul to Valhalla.

In due course, your body is sacrificed to the flames of the funeral-pyre, and there is much mourning and misery among the people of your kingdom.

But your name lives on, passing into legend, as the mighty deeds you performed in life become myth, and part of a tale that will be told a thousand thousand times for a thousand years and more. The saga of Beowulf Beastslayer!

THE END

I'll be back to do a wrap-up, but I would really like to hear your thoughts on the book.

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 12
Combat: 12
Endurance: 29

Hero Points: 15
Crew: 12

Equipment:
• Naegling (+1 CR vs dragon, +1 damage vs dragon)
• Sword
• Spear
• Axe (decorated with the etched heads of four wild boar)
• Dragon Shield
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm
• Golden Brooch (decorated with twelve freshwater pearls)
• Golden Arm-Ring
• Golden Goblet

Kennings:
Dane-Friend
Dark-Mere
Shadow-Fast
True-Sight
War-Rage
Hero's-Promise
Wound-Serpent
Desire's-Slave
Ditch-Digger
Wyrm’s-Weakness
Shield-Prince (Helmet +20)


Other
Njord's Favour
Slew seven sea-monsters
Wealhtheow’s Blessing
Odin's Favour
Slew five giants
Loki's Favour
+1 CR vs Dragons/Wyrms
Sea-hag's curse
Four birds helped save my life

[Thaluikhain]

The writing style isn't great, though Jonathan Green was never a great writer. Seems to have a lot of infallible tests in there, and rather easy.

Seems to be lacking something, but can't put my finger on what.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Do kind of agree that it feels like it’s missing something. But honestly after the reminder of how bullshit hard UK Steve and Ian Livingstone’s books were, the easy difficulty doesn’t bother me as much. We’re Beowulf, we should probably kick monster ass.

Questions:
What does the Lord’s blessing do?
How would we have picked up the extra good dragon slaying sword, and would it have made our fight easier?
What does the Serpent Amulet do, and how would we get it?
Is it possible to survive the dragon fight?