[Let's Play] Fighting Fantasy 61 - Bloodbones

[Thaluikhain]

Second that.

[Queen of Swords]

Agreed, save luck and globes for more serious fights.

[Beroli]

Bonnie Blood Attack Strength: 21, Crivens Attack Strength: 18. Crivens's Stamina is 5
Bonnie Blood Attack Strength: 14, Crivens Attack Strength: 11. Crivens's Stamina is 3
Bonnie Blood Attack Strength: 22, Crivens Attack Strength: 19. Crivens's Stamina is 1
Bonnie Blood Attack Strength: 17, Crivens Attack Strength: 10. Crivens is dead.

And the monkey actually never bit you.

As Crivens' monkey scampers away, you make a quick search of the bodies of your assailants, each of which has the mark of the Black Skull on their right hand. The Devotees carry no possessions but the old pirate is a different case entirely. About his person Crivens has a purse containing 6 Gold Pieces and a very unusual coin indeed. Almost twice the size of a Gold Piece, its face bears the image of a crab - it is a doubloon. Turning it over, you are surprised to discover that the other side has also been stamped with the picture of a crab. Doubloons have not been minted in the Port of Crabs for two centuries and as a consequence are rare and of great value. The coin you hold in your hand however is obviously a counterfeit as it has two heads. From this you can only surmise that someone has been trying to mint their own doubloons, no doubt as a way to raise some money. You may also take Crivens' Throwing Dagger if you wish; it functions identically to the one you just didn't buy. Dregg told you that Crivens was one of Cinnabar's old crew so they obviously know that you are on to them. You will have to be careful not to attract their attentions further. Hurriedly, if somewhat cautiously, you set off again, away from the markets.

You have heard that the Virago sails for Bone Island at midnight.

You are passing a shop window containing a display of old maps and scrolls when you suddenly remember the cryptic message you overheard in the Gambling Pits, referring to Bone Island. Pausing, you take a closer look at the shop. Above the decorative window is a sign painted with the words: 'Mundi Pelago- Cartographer. Accurate and Attractive Maps and Charts.' Surely a mapmaker would be as good a person as any to ask about an island.

Enter the shop?
Go on your way?

Name: Bonnie Blood
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Skill: 12/12
Stamina: 16/20
Luck: 9/10
Weapon: Sword
Backpack contents: Lantern, Tinderbox, Shark's Teeth Bracelet, Magic Compass, Rope, 3 Gas Globes (when you choose to smash one before an enemy at the start of a battle, that enemy fights the battle with a -2 Attack Strength, provided they are not immune; Undead, Demons, and magical creatures are immune), Throwing Dagger (Test Skill before a fight to do 2 damage), Crab Doubloon, 3 Meals
Gold Pieces: 6
Time Elapsed: 4 Hours

[Queen of Swords]

Enter the shop.

[JourneymanN00b]

I also vote to enter the shop.

[Thaluikhain]

Enter the shop, (and take the throwing dagger, nice)

[Beroli]

A bell above the door rings as you enter what looks like nothing more than a quaint, tidy workroom. Framed maps are hung on the walls and a bespectacled Dwarf is poring over a chart as his work-desk. As you enter, he looks up and asks if he can help you. You inquire as to whether he has heard of Bone Island. 'Hmm, I'm not sure. My memory's not what it was, you know,' says the Dwarf with a twinkle in his eye.

Try to prompt his memory with a couple of Gold Pieces?
Leave the shop?

Name: Bonnie Blood
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Skill: 12/12
Stamina: 16/20
Luck: 9/10
Weapon: Sword
Backpack contents: Lantern, Tinderbox, Shark's Teeth Bracelet, Magic Compass, Rope, 3 Gas Globes (when you choose to smash one before an enemy at the start of a battle, that enemy fights the battle with a -2 Attack Strength, provided they are not immune; Undead, Demons, and magical creatures are immune), Throwing Dagger (Test Skill before a fight to do 2 damage), Crab Doubloon, 3 Meals
Gold Pieces: 6
Time Elapsed: 4 Hours

[Queen of Swords]

Prompt his memory.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to prompt his memory.

[Thaluikhain]

We have extra monies now, so prompt.

[Beroli]

Pocketing your 2 Gold Pieces, Mundi takes a leather-bound tome from a bookcase and quickly thumbs through it. "Ah, yes. Here we are," he says, stopping at a particular page. "This is a copy of the legendary Captain Marlin's log from his exploring days with the Prancing Porpoise. On one of his many voyages recorded in this journal, he mentions, in passing, a tropical island inhabited by cannibals, which he named Bone Island. There is no map but he does say it lies 370 leagues east of the Port of Crabs. That's all I can tell you, I'm afraid," says the Dwarf. "If you ever go there, maybe you could make a few sketches that I could use to draw up a map of the place myself." Thanking Mundi Pelago for his help, you go on your way.

Look for the help of the authorities against Cinnabar, though Governor Montargo has certainly allowed the port to remain a safe haven for buccaneers and freebooters?
Since the cult of Quezkari is involved, go to the Temple of Vinar and look for help from the Overpriest?
Look for the pirates' hidden base?

Name: Bonnie Blood
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Skill: 12/12
Stamina: 16/20
Luck: 9/10
Weapon: Sword
Backpack contents: Lantern, Tinderbox, Shark's Teeth Bracelet, Magic Compass, Rope, 3 Gas Globes (when you choose to smash one before an enemy at the start of a battle, that enemy fights the battle with a -2 Attack Strength, provided they are not immune; Undead, Demons, and magical creatures are immune), Throwing Dagger (Test Skill before a fight to do 2 damage), Crab Doubloon, 3 Meals
Gold Pieces: 4
Time Elapsed: 4 Hours

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to look for the pirates’ hidden base, as neither alternative option sounds good.

[Queen of Swords]

Agreed. If the governor has allowed criminals to flourish in the port, there's no point in going to him. And we haven't seen any indication that the religious authorities will be of use either. This isn't like Beneath Nightmare Castle where Oiden actively helps us. So look for the base.

[Thaluikhain]

The regular authorities aren't going to help, but I vote to check the religious lot out, so to the Temple.

[Beroli]

Looking for the pirate base wins 2-1.

Night has already fallen by the time you start to look for the pirates' hidden base. At least that should make your activities more covert and less conspicuous. Where will you look first for the pirates?

Around the docks?
At the ruined lighthouse on the promontory to the south-east end of the port?
In the sewers beneath the port?
In the taverns and inns of the city?
At the cemetery outside the city walls?
In the Temple Quarter?

Name: Bonnie Blood
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Skill: 12/12
Stamina: 16/20
Luck: 9/10
Weapon: Sword
Backpack contents: Lantern, Tinderbox, Shark's Teeth Bracelet, Magic Compass, Rope, 3 Gas Globes (when you choose to smash one before an enemy at the start of a battle, that enemy fights the battle with a -2 Attack Strength, provided they are not immune; Undead, Demons, and magical creatures are immune), Throwing Dagger (Test Skill before a fight to do 2 damage), Crab Doubloon, 3 Meals
Gold Pieces: 4
Time Elapsed: 4 Hours

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to check out the lighthouse, since the lighthouse in the Island of the Undead was essential for that adventure and thus serves as a good precedent.

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, and it's a ruined lighthouse, that sounds interesting.

[Queen of Swords]

Agreed, ruined lighthouse.

[Beroli]

Leaving the city, unnoticed, by the Kakhabad Gate you make your way through the darkness to Mallan's Point. The moon shines down from a cloudless sky, illuminating the crumbling tower that was once the port's lighthouse in more prosperous and peaceful times. But the moon is not the only light visible. Close to the edge of the cliff beyond the ruin you can see a flickering light.

Investigate the light?
Approach the lighthouse?

Name: Bonnie Blood
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Skill: 12/12
Stamina: 16/20
Luck: 9/10
Weapon: Sword
Backpack contents: Lantern, Tinderbox, Shark's Teeth Bracelet, Magic Compass, Rope, 3 Gas Globes (when you choose to smash one before an enemy at the start of a battle, that enemy fights the battle with a -2 Attack Strength, provided they are not immune; Undead, Demons, and magical creatures are immune), Throwing Dagger (Test Skill before a fight to do 2 damage), Crab Doubloon, 3 Meals
Gold Pieces: 4
Time Elapsed: 4 Hours

[Queen of Swords]

Investigate the light.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to investigate the light as well.

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, investigate the light.

[Beroli]

Creeping cautiously towards the cliff edge you see that the light is actually that from a lantern, held by a woman who is looking out to sea with her two companions, a man and a pug-faced Man-Orc. Following the direction of their gazes, you make out a stout ship sailing towards the treacherous, jagged rocks which Iine this stretch of coast. The light is guiding the ship to its doom! These three must be Wreckers, felons who deliberately cause shipwrecks for their own gain, scavenging the booty washed up from the sunken vessels. You must stop them or another ship will fall prey to their cruel intentions! Fortunately they are still unaware of your presence here. Running at the nearest scoundrel, sword drawn, you wound him before he has a chance to defend himself. Fight the Wreckers all together.

First WRECKER Skill 7 Stamina 5
Second WRECKER Skill 6 Stamina 7
Third WRECKER Skill 8 Stamina 7

Vote on whether and how to use Luck, whether to use a Gas Globe, and which order to target them in, as there is a case to be made for either the first or the third.

Name: Bonnie Blood
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Skill: 12/12
Stamina: 16/20
Luck: 9/10
Weapon: Sword
Backpack contents: Lantern, Tinderbox, Shark's Teeth Bracelet, Magic Compass, Rope, 3 Gas Globes (when you choose to smash one before an enemy at the start of a battle, that enemy fights the battle with a -2 Attack Strength, provided they are not immune; Undead, Demons, and magical creatures are immune), Throwing Dagger (Test Skill before a fight to do 2 damage), Crab Doubloon, 3 Meals
Gold Pieces: 4
Time Elapsed: 4 Hours

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to target the third, then the first wrecker. I also vote to use the dagger, since our hero can pick it up afterwards (and to do this at the start of any future fights). Finally, I vote not to use any other items or luck.

[Thaluikhain]

If a gas glob affects all of them, I'd recommend using it, not if it just affects one. Use the dagger, of course, but half vote for targeting first wrecker.