[Let's Play] Fighting Fantasy 26 - Crypt of the Sorcerer

[Beroli]

Vs bar bs gur cvrprf bs vasbezngvba vf gur ivgny cvrpr jr zvffrq nyernql, gura V ibgr sbe lrf. Vs abg, ab, nf jr arrq nyy bhe erfheerpgvbaf.

[JourneymanN00b]

Vs bar bs gur cvrprf bs vasbezngvba vf gur ivgny cvrpr jr zvffrq nyernql, gura V ibgr sbe lrf. Vs abg, ab, nf jr arrq nyy bhe erfheerpgvbaf.

Obgu bs gurfr cvrprf bs vasbezngvba ner ivgny naq jrer zvffrq qhr gb gjb pevgvpny zvfgnxrf gung jr znqr rneyvre va guvf eha. Riraghnyyl, jr jvyy arrq gb hfr n erfheerpgvba gb erghea gb gur cbvag jurer jr whfg erfphrq Lnmgebzb sebz gur Qrzbafcnja va beqre gb vzzrqvngryl frg bss sebz uvf gbjre engure guna jnvgvat hagvy zbeavat.

V znqr guvf cnegvphyne bssre fb gung gur nqiragher orpbzrf jvaanoyr ntnva jvgubhg gur arrq gb erjvaq.

[JourneymanN00b]

Since nobody voted on where to sleep next, I will have Dirk the Impaler walk to the edge of the hills to sleep. I will also have the proposed Suma edit stand, and there is soft support to trade in two resurrections for the bronze key and the information about Razaak, so the Suma will appear one final time after Dirk the Impaler dismounts from the Red Dragon as follows:

After the Suma’s human form takes shape once again, it hands a bronze key, and says, “Take it. You will know the right time to use this.” You take the key and put it in your backpack. The Suma then lets out a tired sigh and laments the utter evil of Razaak. ‘Tamal really cursed the world by siring that vile creature. 108 years of life was far too long for Tamal, and yet the world is still paying for his wickedness though Razaak. It is a shame that Razaak’s zombies cannot abandon him. Like the figure ‘5’ that is tattooed on all of their arms, their devotion to Razaak is absolute. A pity, as we would see a big revolt against Razaak if they could only think for themselves.” With a strong conviction, the Suma utters its final sentence, “Farewell, Dirk the Impaler. May your journey be successful!” The Suma then disappears into thin air.

Now, we are back to regular storytelling:

28
You reach the hills in less than twenty minutes, and soon find a small cave in which to shelter. You fall asleep, and wake not long after sunrise (add 2 STAMINA points). The sky is dull and grey as ever and as you step outside the cave, you notice that all the grass around is dead, and the trees looked charred and blackened. ‘It can’t be far to the fissure,’ says Borri as he steps outside to join you. ‘Just follow your nose.’ ‘I can smell the stinking vapour from here,’ agrees Symm as he emerges from the cave. ‘Come on, follow me.’ As Symm strides off uphill, Borri calls out that he can see a robed figure walking towards the cave. If you wish to wait to meet whoever is approaching, turn to 167. If you would rather follow Symm, turn to 313.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please vote before 9:00 AM PDT or a 3-vote majority is reached to guarantee that it will be counted.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Dirk the Impaler
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 16 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 5 Initial Luck = 12
NOTES:
Dabbed self with Chameleonite blood
Memorized the rhyme: To go beyond A granite door, Press the numbers One eight four.
A Gargantis purportedly dwells in the Howling Tunnels of the Western Flatlands
Immune to any fire attacks
Call out “Suma 11” to summon Suma for aid
Record for the number of Hobbits’ ears eaten by a Troll in a competition is 119
It costs 35 Gold Pieces for a war-hammer
Razaak’s father, Tamal, died at age 108
Razaak’s zombies are all tattooed with the number 5
TREASURE:
7 Gold Pieces
EQUIPMENT:
Leather Armour
Backpack
Healing Potion (five tots, +6 STAMINA per tot)
Skull Ring
Cracked Silver Mirror
Silver Rod with the Inscription “37”
Candle
Crystal of Sanity
Gargantis Scroll
Defender Shield (+1 Attack Strength)
Gold Ring with Iridescent Jewel
Razaak’s Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Piece of Faded Parchment with the Number “66”
Polished Stones
Helmet of Cowardice (Roll two dice before combat, player dies if total is greater than Skill)
Gargantis Horn
Bronze Key
RESURRECTIONS: 1[/spoiler]

[Beroli]

Meet the robed figure.

[Thaluikhain]

Meet the figure

(And, yep, for some reason I remember a hammer in Blacksand costing 35, which seems very odd given the prices in the adventures where you go to Blacksand)

[Queen of Swords]

Yes, meet the robed figure.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Meet the robed figure.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered, Dirk the Impaler will wait to meet whoever is approaching.

167
[spoiler][/spoiler]

You soon see that it is a little old man dressed in yellow robes. He is completely bald and appears to be blind, although he makes his way towards the cave quite nimbly, tapping the ground in front of him with a crooked stick. When he gets close, you see that his robes are covered with strange symbols. He suddenly stops walking and stands upright, but says nothing. If you wish to talk to him, turn to 96. If you would rather walk on up the hill, turn to 313.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please vote before 6:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

[Queen of Swords]

Talk to him, and lets hope this doesn't end the same way the other little old man encounter did.

[Thaluikhain]

Talk to him.

[Beroli]

Talk to him. Which other little old man encounter?

[Queen of Swords]

Which other little old man encounter?

The guy whom we murdered for his rings.

[Beroli]

Ah right. Well we don't even have the option to mug this guy.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered, Dirk the Impaler will talk to him.

96
Not trusting anybody in this dangerous land, blind or not, you keep your distance from the old man and ask him where he is going. ‘To see my old friend the Healer,’ he replies in a soft voice. ‘He lives in Moonstone Hills. But what brings you here?’ If you wish to reply that you intend to slay Razaak, turn to 179. If you wish to reply that you are a servant of Razaak, turn to 76.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please vote before 9:00 AM PDT or a 3-vote majority is reached to guarantee that it will be counted.

[Beroli]

To slay Razaak.

[Queen of Swords]

Slay Razaak.

[Thaluikhain]

To serve Razaak a good impaling and slay 'em in the face.

[JourneymanN00b]

Replying that he intends to slay Razaak received 3 votes, so Dirk the Impaler will respond in that manner.

179
The old man smiles and nods his head with satisfaction. ‘This is indeed a monumental task that you have set yourselves. And I would like to help you if I can. I used to have great skills as a reader of symbols and languages, but the cursed Lord Azzur had my eyes put out in his dungeons under Port Blacksand. The wizard Nicodemus managed to secure my release, but now, of course, my skills are greatly diminished. But if you have anything written that you cannot understand but can read out to me, then I’ll gladly help you.’ If you have a piece of parchment with strange writing on it, turn to 336. If you do not possess a piece of parchment, turn to 195.

Dirk the Impaler has a piece of parchment with strange writing on it.

336
[spoiler][/spoiler]

You read out the words on the parchment, but the old man soon becomes irritated by your poor pronunciation. ‘Read out the words letter by letter,’ he says sharply. You do as instructed, but when you finish, the old man remains silent. Finally he grunts in satisfaction and says, ‘Well, you have found yourselves quite a useful item. The language is Hamakeian. The Hamakei, in case you are interested, are the last remnants of a more sorcerous age. A few of them still live in desert wastelands. They are very strange creatures with withered bodies and vulture-like heads, and are kept alive well beyond their normal lifespan by arcane spells. They see themselves as scholars and are rarely drawn into conflict, so they concern themselves with protective magic. And what you have here is a magic screen against conjured animals or insects. Quite useful, really. To activate the spell, just say “Hamakei” and call out the number on the bottom of the parchment. Well, I must be going now, and so I’ll say goodbye and wish you luck.’ You watch the old man for a few minutes as he sets off again, walking nimbly. Then you turn and follow Symm who, as ever, is eager to press on. Turn to 313.

313
About half an hour later, you hear the battle-cry of a warrior and the clash of steel coming from over the brow of the hill. If you wish to investigate, turn to 7. If you would rather walk by, turn to 162.

Please vote before 9:00 AM PDT or a 3-vote majority is reached to guarantee that it will be counted.

Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Dirk the Impaler
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 16 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 5 Initial Luck = 12
NOTES:
Dabbed self with Chameleonite blood
Memorized the rhyme: To go beyond A granite door, Press the numbers One eight four.
A Gargantis purportedly dwells in the Howling Tunnels of the Western Flatlands
Immune to any fire attacks
Call out “Suma 11” to summon Suma for aid
Record for the number of Hobbits’ ears eaten by a Troll in a competition is 119
It costs 35 Gold Pieces for a war-hammer
Razaak’s father, Tamal, died at age 108
Razaak’s zombies are all tattooed with the number 5
To activate magic screen against conjured animals or insects, say “Hamakei” and call out 66
TREASURE:
7 Gold Pieces
EQUIPMENT:
Leather Armour
Backpack
Healing Potion (five tots, +6 STAMINA per tot)
Skull Ring
Cracked Silver Mirror
Silver Rod with the Inscription “37”
Candle
Crystal of Sanity
Gargantis Scroll
Defender Shield (+1 Attack Strength)
Gold Ring with Iridescent Jewel
Razaak’s Sword (+1 Attack Strength)
Piece of Faded Parchment with the Number “66”
Polished Stones
Helmet of Cowardice (Roll two dice before combat, player dies if total is greater than Skill)
Gargantis Horn
Bronze Key
RESURRECTIONS: 1[/spoiler]

[Thaluikhain]

Investigate.

[Queen of Swords]

Yes, investigate.

[Beroli]

Investigate.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered, Dirk the Impaler will investigate.

7
[spoiler][/spoiler]

When you reach the brow of the hill, you are surprised at what you see. Three Wild Elf women are attacking an adventurer who is wounded and on his knees, defending himself desperately with his sword. The Elf women have filed teeth and long, sharp nails, and are adorned with body paint. They wield flint clubs and knives, and are attacking the man ferociously. If you wish to help the adventurer, turn to 44. If you would rather leave him to his fate, turn to 162.

Please vote before 6:00 PM PDT to guarantee that it will be counted.

[Beroli]

Help the elves.

Oh that's not an option?

Help the adventurer then.

[Thaluikhain]

Help the adventurer.

I like that these are not Tolkien style elves, but something slightly different.

[Queen of Swords]

This guy will definitely not live to join the expedition, but help him anyway.