[Let's Play] Fighting Fantasy 21 - Trial of Champions

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered, Ben Richards will open the door.

59
The door is locked. If you wish to charge it open with your shoulder, turn to 91. If you would rather save yourself the effort and walk on up the tunnel, turn to 150.

Please make your votes before 6:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

[JourneymanN00b]

Since nobody voted, Ben Richards will charge the door open with his shoulder.

91
Roll two dice. If the total is the same as or less than your SKILL, turn to 332. If the total is greater than your SKILL, turn to 357.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Rolling the dice yielded a 7, which is less than Ben Richards’ skill, to nobody’s surprise.

332
You stand back before throwing your full weight against the door. It bursts open and you draw your sword and step into the darkness before you. Turn to 219.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

219
[spoiler][/spoiler]

The temperature inside the derelict room is much lower than in the tunnel. You begin to shiver as soon as you step into the room, and you can see your breath hanging in clouds in the cold air. In the far wall of the room you see a large tunnel entrance from which you can hear the sound of slow footsteps coming towards you and a long, low hissing sound. You stand your ground, sword in hand, as a hideous beast enters the room. It has a bloated green stomach, like that of a huge toad, and a grotesque, misshapen head supported by a blubbery neck. It has a circular, extended mouth, whose fat purple lips surround rows of sharp teeth: the beast slices its prey and then sucks the innards out. Fresh intestines are the delicacy of the Coldclaw, and it intends to eat yours as punishment for entering its lair.

COLDCLAW SKILL 10 STAMINA 11

As the vile beast lumbers towards you, the temperature appears to drop even further. Reduce your SKILL score by 1 for this combat only. If you win, turn to 252.

The fight:
[spoiler]Round 1: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 17, Player Attack Strength: 18;
Coldclaw Stamina: 9, Player Stamina: 12
Round 2: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 14, Player Attack Strength: 15;
Coldclaw Stamina: 7, Player Stamina: 12
Round 3: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 19, Player Attack Strength: 17;
Coldclaw Stamina: 7, Player Stamina: 10
Round 4: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 18, Player Attack Strength: 18;
Coldclaw Stamina: 7, Player Stamina: 10
Round 5: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 13, Player Attack Strength: 14;
Coldclaw Stamina: 5, Player Stamina: 10
Round 6: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 18, Player Attack Strength: 14;
Coldclaw Stamina: 5, Player Stamina: 8
Round 7: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 21, Player Attack Strength: 20;
Coldclaw Stamina: 5, Player Stamina: 6[/spoiler]

Due to some poor luck, Ben Richards’ Stamina is now reduced to 6, while the Coldclaw is at 5 Stamina. Should Luck should be used to improve our hero’s chances of surviving the rest of the fight? If so, should we use it to reduce the damage that Ben Richards takes or to inflict additional damage?

The first choice to receive a 2-vote majority will be used to resolve the rest of the battle. If no choice has a winning margin before 9:00 AM PDT, I will make the choice based on which votes are cast.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Ben Richards
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 6 Initial Stamina = 21
LUCK: 7 Initial Luck = 11
NOTES AND ITEMS:
Sword
Leather Pouch
1 Gold Ring
Bone Medallion
Phial of Red Dust (turn to paragraph 238 to use)
BOONS:
2 Rewinds
2 Restorations
2 Extra Gold Rings[/spoiler]

[Darth Rabbitt]

Whoops, thought I voted, though my vote would have been to break down the door.

As for the here and now, I'd advise using Luck once, probably to increase damage since we can tank a couple more hits from this guy. But if we're hit twice before hitting once, I'd use Luck to reduce damage for the second hit instead.

[Thaluikhain]

That sounds reasonable.

(Also, I get a broom on the witch's door, not so much a bird on the ice monster's door)

[JourneymanN00b]

Thank you for your votes. Luck will be used either once to increase damage, or reduce damage from a second hit we take.

The fight, continued:
[spoiler]Round 8: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 15, Player Attack Strength: 19;
Luck Roll: 5, Player is Lucky and deals 2 additional damage
Coldclaw Stamina: 1, Player Stamina: 6, Player Luck: 6
Round 9: Coldclaw Attack Strength: 18, Player Attack Strength: 19;
Coldclaw Stamina: -1, Player Stamina: 6[/spoiler]

252
The room has long been abandoned to the Coldclaw, whose cave opens into it. The few pieces of furniture that are left are broken and scattered about the room, and a thick layer of grey dust covers everything. In a pile of rubble in a corner of the room, you find an old clay pot with a wax-sealed top. Will you:

Break open the pot? Turn to 115
Walk into the cave? Turn to 307
Leave the room and walk on up the tunnel? Turn to 150

Please make your votes before 6:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Ben Richards
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 6 Initial Stamina = 21
LUCK: 6 Initial Luck = 11
NOTES AND ITEMS:
Sword
Leather Pouch
1 Gold Ring
Bone Medallion
Phial of Red Dust (turn to paragraph 238 to use)
BOONS:
2 Rewinds
2 Restorations
2 Extra Gold Rings[/spoiler]

That sounds reasonable.

(Also, I get a broom on the witch's door, not so much a bird on the ice monster's door)

I believe the shriveled bird is to represent one of the Coldclaw's victims, since the bird obviously had its intestines sucked out from the Coldclaw as a snack.

[Queen of Swords]

Smash the pot like an egg.

[JourneymanN00b]

Vote registered, Ben Richards will break open the pot.

115
Something rattles inside the pot, but when you throw it on to the floor, it does not break open, but merely cracks, and a green gas starts to escape from it and fill the room. Will you:

Stay in the room? Turn to 173
Run into the cave? Turn to 307
Run back into the tunnel? Turn to 150

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please make your votes before 9:00 AM PDT or a choice gets a 3-vote majority to guarantee that it will be counted.

[Queen of Swords]

Stay in the room.

[Thaluikhain]

I believe the shriveled bird is to represent one of the Coldclaw's victims, since the bird obviously had its intestines sucked out from the Coldclaw as a snack.

That makes sense.

Also, yell "Gas gas gas!" and run away into the cave.

[Darth Rabbitt]

I think we should stay in the room; the gas hasn’t hurt us so far and it might just be there to scare us off from loot.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes counted, Ben Richards will stay in the room, as that option won over running into the cave by a 2-1 vote.

173
The gas is not toxic and soon drifts harmlessly away. You pick up the clay pot and throw it against the wall. This time it shatters and something shiny falls on to the floor among the fragments of clay. You look down and see a gold ring, which you pick up and drop into your belt pouch. Finding nothing else of interest in the cold room, you decide which way to head. If you wish to go into the cave, turn to 307. If you would rather return to the tunnel, turn to 150.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please make your votes before 11:00 AM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Ben Richards
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 6 Initial Stamina = 21
LUCK: 6 Initial Luck = 11
NOTES AND ITEMS:
Sword
Leather Pouch
2 Gold Rings
Bone Medallion
Phial of Red Dust (turn to paragraph 238 to use)
BOONS:
2 Rewinds
2 Restorations
2 Extra Gold Rings[/spoiler]

[Darth Rabbitt]

It's possible the cave is a trap, but since this is Ian Livingstone there still might be a vital plot coupon there. So check it out.

[JourneymanN00b]

Vote registered, Ben Richards will go into the cave.

307
The Coldclaw’s cave is enormous. Bones litter the floor, and it is evident that the beast never went hungry. You look up and see a shaft of light shining through a hole in the ceiling high above. But there does not appear to be any way of climbing up to the hole. Perhaps the enemies of Fang were simply dropped into the cave to be taken care of by the Coldclaw. There are some rags and remnants of clothing on the floor and a few old boots. You find one pair which are well made and about your size. Will you:

Try on the boots? Turn to 233
Look for something else? Turn to 272
Walk back to the tunnel? Turn to 150

Please make your votes before 1:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

[Queen of Swords]

I wonder if it's possible to try on the boots and then look for something else? If so, I'd like to do this. If it's only possible to select one option, I vote to look for something else.

[JourneymanN00b]

It is possible to try on the boots and look for something else, so Ben Richards will try on the boots.

233
The boots fit perfectly, and when you walk about the cave in them, you feel nimble and sure-footed. You are wearing elven Boots of Speed. Add 1 SKILL point. If you wish to rummage around for something else, turn to 272. If you wish to walk back to the tunnel, turn to 150.

Please make your votes before 3:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Ben Richards
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 6 Initial Stamina = 21
LUCK: 6 Initial Luck = 11
NOTES AND ITEMS:
Sword
Leather Pouch
2 Gold Rings
Bone Medallion
Phial of Red Dust (turn to paragraph 238 to use)
Boots of Speed
BOONS:
2 Rewinds
2 Restorations
2 Extra Gold Rings[/spoiler]

[Queen of Swords]

Look for something else.

[JourneymanN00b]

Vote registered, Ben Richards will rummage around for something else.

272
In a dark recess in the cave, you find a large skull which has been painted gold. The eye-sockets and nose-holes have been sealed, as has the mouth. A section of the top of the skull has been cut off, replaced and painted over. If you wish to lift the top of the skull, turn to 205. If you would rather leave the cave and continue your walk along the tunnel, turn to 150.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please make your votes before 5:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

[Queen of Swords]

Yes, lift the top of the skull.

[JourneymanN00b]

Vote registered, Ben Richards will lift the top of the skull.

205
[spoiler][/spoiler]
The instant you lift off the top of the skull, you are thrown back by a blast of cold air. The air has a misty trail to it and begins to circle the cave at high speed. Suddenly all the bones in the cave start to rattle. Some start to move across the floor and group together. They begin to rise off the floor and take the rough shape of a skeleton. You watch transfixed as the small whirlwind shoots inside the eye-sockets of the skull. With horror you realize that you have released the undead spirit of a Bone Devil. If you are wearing a medallion, turn to 63. If you are not wearing a medallion, turn to 384.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Ben Richards is wearing a medallion.

63
You are fortunate to be wearing a talisman which protects you against the mental attack of a Bone Devil, which paralyses its opponents with fear. Add 1 LUCK point. Gripping your sword tightly, you step forward to fight your adversary.

BONE DEVIL SKILL 10 STAMINA 8

If you win, turn to 326.

Should Luck should be used to improve our hero’s chances of surviving the fight? If so, should we use it to reduce the damage that Ben Richards takes or to inflict additional damage?

The first choice to receive a 2-vote majority will be used to resolve the battle. If no choice has a winning margin before 8:00 PM PDT, I will make the choice based on which votes are cast.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Ben Richards
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 6 Initial Stamina = 21
LUCK: 7 Initial Luck = 11
NOTES AND ITEMS:
Sword
Leather Pouch
2 Gold Rings
Bone Medallion
Phial of Red Dust (turn to paragraph 238 to use)
Boots of Speed
BOONS:
2 Rewinds
2 Restorations
2 Extra Gold Rings[/spoiler]

[Queen of Swords]

Given that our Stamina is 6, use Luck to reduce the damage we take. Though our Luck is only 7, so... honestly, why did Lord Carnuss send us in here without Provisions?

[JourneymanN00b]

The lone vote was to use Luck to reduce any damage he takes, so that is what Ben Richards will do.

The fight:
[spoiler]Round 1: Bone Devil Attack Strength: 19, Player Attack Strength: 20
Bone Devil Stamina: 6, Player Stamina: 6
Round 2: Bone Devil Attack Strength: 14, Player Attack Strength: 19
Bone Devil Stamina: 4, Player Stamina: 6
Round 3: Bone Devil Attack Strength: 18, Player Attack Strength: 21
Bone Devil Stamina: 2, Player Stamina: 6
Round 4: Bone Devil Attack Strength: 17, Player Attack Strength: 15
Luck Roll: 9, Player is Unlucky and gets dealt 1 additional damage
Bone Devil Stamina: 2, Player Stamina: 3, Player Luck: 6
Round 5: Bone Devil Attack Strength: 15, Player Attack Strength: 24
Bone Devil Stamina: 0, Player Stamina: 3[/spoiler]

326
The Bone Devil’s skeletal host body is smashed to pieces by your onslaught. But its undead spirit rises out of the skull and disappears through the hole in the roof. You bend down and examine the broken fragments of bone and suddenly notice a gold ring on one of the fingers of the Bone Devil’s hand. You slip it off the cold bone and drop it into your pouch. There is no other exit from the cave, so you return to the tunnel and continue along it. Turn to 150.

150
The tunnel continues another thirty metres before turning sharply to the left. On rounding the corner you see that there is a new branch in the right-hand wall. You are surprised to see a small humanoid suddenly pop his head out from the new branch, but when he sees you, he quickly retracts it. You call out and give chase, but by the time you reach the corner, he is nowhere to be seen. You decide to walk quickly down the new branch of the tunnel in the hope of seeing him again. Turn to 287.

287
You soon reach a door in the left-hand wall of the tunnel. You listen at the door, but hear nothing. If you wish to open the door, turn to 156. If you wish to keep walking, turn to 222.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please make your votes before 9:00 AM PDT or a choice gets a 3-vote majority to guarantee that it will be counted.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Ben Richards
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 3 Initial Stamina = 21
LUCK: 6 Initial Luck = 11
NOTES AND ITEMS:
Sword
Leather Pouch
3 Gold Rings
Bone Medallion
Phial of Red Dust (turn to paragraph 238 to use)
Boots of Speed
BOONS:
2 Rewinds
2 Restorations
2 Extra Gold Rings[/spoiler]

[Queen of Swords]

Damn, down to three stamina points.

Open the door.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Yeah, open the door.

[Thaluikhain]

Open the door.

3 pages in and 3 gold rings, doing well on that front.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered, Ben Richards will open the door.

156
[spoiler][/spoiler]

The door opens into a narrow, gloomy corridor at the end of which you see a stone plinth with a large glass dome resting on top of it. Four black candles are burning on each of the corners of the plinth, illuminating the dome with an eerie glow. As you approach, you see that there is a tiny man trapped inside the dome, jumping up and down, trying to attract your attention. The man is no more than half a metre tall and is wearing tight-fitting black hose. You notice that his ears are pointed and that he has a wispy grey beard. He gestures to you to lift the glass dome. If you decide to do as the man bids you, turn to 199. If you would rather walk back down the corridor and return to the tunnel, turn to 222.

Please make your votes before 6:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.