[Let's Play] Rider of the Black Sun

[pragma]

I think the one behind us because the sun is shining on it.

Also, whew, tense fight. Good that we didn't burn any karma on the deadslaughterer.

[Darth Rabbitt]

I was going to say the one in front because it looks like it's the only one that casts a shadow.

[Omegonthesane]

Behind is showing up in a reflection, which is a classic "that's the real one" tell in other media, so attack behind.

I can't remember any diegetic hint regarding why we should do that though.

[pragma]

I'm not changing my vote yet, just discussing: I like Darth's theory because of all of Calderal's shadow-based special attacks. Also, I think the one in front is the one being reflected in our mask because the protagonist is facing forward.

[pragma]

Alright, I have meditated enough, changing my vote to attack the front.

[angelfromanotherpin]

F68     You leap first toward the shadow on the left. Feigning an attack, you spin around and with the Moon Sickle slash the chest of the shadow in front of you. The wound bursts open like an over-ripe tomato, and blood gushes out, forming undulating droplets in the weightless void.

The three phantoms around you fade to nothing, and the Shadow Master's skin begins to slough off, accompanied by roars of agony. The power of the Sun Mask, always reflecting truth back at those who look at it, has not failed you.

> I cannot believe that I have defeated him. <

You are eagerly looking for a way to leave the underworld, when you hear a bloodcurdling snarl and hiss behind you. Your confrontation with the Shadow Master has not gone unnoticed.

Turn to F53.

F53     You know this evil snarl! Nergal, lord of the underworld, is approaching, lured by the blood of the Shadow Master. Sickened by his abominable body, you turn away and see that it is not you the dragon is interested in. His attention is focused solely on the Shadow Master whose mortal remains are beginning to move again!

"Good, Keșra! You have weakened him in my domain. Now end it in yours!" growls Nergal. "But beware; you will not be able to destroy him here. In the meantime too many souls have flocked to him."

With an iron grip, he snatches up the squirming Calderal and opens a portal to the mortal world with his other paw. You recognize the sunny uppermost platform of the Ningal Tower.

"Understand the true shape of the creature you call the Shadow Master!" With these words, Nergal hurls your arch-enemy from his realm.

Turn to F40.

F40     No sooner has Calderal flown through the portal of worlds than a huge grotesque shape manifests itself around his body. The creature howls like a mangy dog as it slides over the stone. It is a Riujem! An outcast child of the gods, deprived of its power and doomed to serve the rulers of the underworld! This creature, however, appears to be weary of obeying commands and has been seeking a way to escape into the mortal realm.

Thrashing about, the hunchbacked monster, who resembles a bull with a shark's head, stands up erect and stomps across the court on his hind hooves.

> This demon has hidden in the body of the Shadow Master all this time... But the Moon Sickle has revealed the truth. <

Now you realize why you always liked Calderal. The nature of the Riujem is not dissimilar from yours. You too are a misguided child of the gods, and very nearly became a Riujem yourself! The lord of the underworld, Nergal, snarls at you. You understand the snarl's underlying ultimatum: leave his realm immediately!

If you want to leave the underworld at once and
leap through the portal, turn to F94.
If you want to demand tribute from Nergal, turn to F127.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 12, DEXTERITY: 9, VITALITY: Dead* (0/5)
KARMA: 0, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Benthos +5 (special: uncombinable)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +5 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Head: Sun Mask of the Keșra +2 (Spend 1-2 Karma for autodefend/+1 VITALITY)
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon
5: Pyramid Neckband
6: Kathum's Soul

Utensils (max 6):
1:
2: Damaged Eyepiece

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11: Power of Xorox
12: Keșrani

Money:
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Battered (3/4)
Rank: Familiar (3/5)
Saddlebags (Empty)

[pragma]

Though it may be an insta kill, I feel like demanding terrible might get us a bonus prize somehow. It's such a weird option that I'm leaning towards it.

[Darth Rabbitt]

I'm curious to see the result of demanding Nergal's tribute, but I think it's going to be a game over.

[angelfromanotherpin]

F127     "You actually dare to demand a price for your deeds, Keșra?"

"Yes, I do! After all, it is one of your servants who plunged the world into chaos!" You reinforce your demand with a strong argument.

Nergal's angry snarl fills the endless expanses of the underworld: "I am surprised at your audacity, children of the gods. Immortality appears to have made you foolish." The undead lord of the underworld pauses for a moment before raging on again: "So be it, then! What do you demand for straightening the world river?"

While you ponder, there is a rumble in Nergal's body. Finally, he lowers his rotten skull to your level: "Give me your demand and I promise not to spurn it. But be warned — the consequences may spell your dooms!"

If you want to ask Nergal to give you your memory back, turn to F169.
If you want to ask for Nergal's assistance in the
coming combat against the Riujem, turn to F23.
If you would rather not make any demand, turn to F94.

Did he always refer to us in the plural?

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 12, DEXTERITY: 9, VITALITY: Dead* (0/5)
KARMA: 0, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Benthos +5 (special: uncombinable)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +5 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Head: Sun Mask of the Keșra +2 (Spend 1-2 Karma for autodefend/+1 VITALITY)
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon
5: Pyramid Neckband
6: Kathum's Soul

Utensils (max 6):
1:
2: Damaged Eyepiece

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11: Power of Xorox
12: Keșrani

Money:
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Battered (3/4)
Rank: Familiar (3/5)
Saddlebags (Empty)

[Omegonthesane]

I think the safest bet now that it isn't just literal instant death is assistance against the Riujem.

That and I thought we had as much of our memory back as we really need for the time being.

[Thaluikhain]

I think the safest bet now that it isn't just literal instant death is assistance against the Riujem.

That and I thought we had as much of our memory back as we really need for the time being.

Second that.

[pragma]

I'd go with memory. I think we want to keep Nergal in the Underworld. But no issue with me being outvoted.

[Darth Rabbitt]

I'd also vote in favor of memory, for the reason that pragma suggested, but go with assistance if there's a tie.

[angelfromanotherpin]

F23     "Well, you have earned my respect and thus also an appropriate tribute," Nergal murmurs, breaking off one of the countless spines in his crest. He tosses the smeared, razor-sharp spine before your feet. "Take it and go before I reconsider your fate!"

Write down Nergal's Spine (weapon, Hit Bonus +2, Special: You can wield it as an additional weapon in your left hand! When you do so, however, you must decide each round whether you want to add the Spine's Hit Bonus to your ATTACK or carry out an additional ATTACK with the Spine as its own weapon.

Turn to F94.

Knowing what awaits you, you follow the demon, jumping first into a group of confused Gartaks holding their position here and then through the portal at the top of the Ningal Tower. The first of the simple warriors are driven to madness as they lose themselves in Nergal's blood eyes behind the rift to the underworld.

The Riujem is, on the other hand, completely disoriented. Blinded by the bright midday sun, it sumbles over the hot tiles on its crooked stilt-like hind legs. Its thick swollen neck is steaming in the spot where Nergal grabbed the Riujem and threw it out of the underworld.

> How much power can it possibly have left? <

The guards, who failed to see Nergal, grab their weapons but hold back in your presence.

If you wield Benthos in this fight, turn to F147.
If not, turn to F123.

So, two questions. Which weapon do we ditch for the Spine, and are we using Benthos (if we still have it) in this battle or dual-wielding the Moon Sickle and Nergal's Spine?

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 12, DEXTERITY: 9, VITALITY: Dead* (0/5)
KARMA: 0, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
2: Benthos +5 (special: uncombinable)
3: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +5 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)

Clothing:
Head: Sun Mask of the Keșra +2 (Spend 1-2 Karma for autodefend/+1 VITALITY)
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon
5: Pyramid Neckband
6: Kathum's Soul

Utensils (max 6):
1:
2: Damaged Eyepiece

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11: Power of Xorox
12: Keșrani

Money:
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Battered (3/4)
Rank: Familiar (3/5)
Saddlebags (Empty)

[Darth Rabbitt]

Ditch Benthos, I think. Nergal's Spine + Captain's Sword or Nergal's Spine + Moon Sickle both give better bonuses. In any case, use our two artifact weapons.

[pragma]

Yeah, moon sickle + spine (though I'm curious what the benthos prompt gets us)

[Omegonthesane]

Can't be much of the book left for the moon phase to change again. So on that basis I'm actually voting we ditch the Captain's Sword and wield Benthos in this fight. Y'know, 'cause blue option.

[angelfromanotherpin]

F123     You realize that the divine powers of the Heavens have been seriously disrupted by the Shadow Master during the last few hours. You search the sky. Does not only your mother, but alos your father aid you in this monumental battle?
Look at the MOON CALENDAR in section 600 and accept your fate based on the moon phase.

If it's Full Moon, turn to F103.
If it's Gibbous Moon, turn to F41.
If it's Half Moon, turn to F47.
If it's Crescent Moon, turn to F98.
If it's New Moon, turn to F9.

F41     Ugar devotes to you his almost complete attention in this so very important battle.

Turn to F120.

F120     The fiery sun-disc of Kar has reached its zenith, burning down on the rubble and rocks strewn across the battlefield. While you have already picked yourself up off the ground, the demon is obviously suffering from the blazing rays. It tries desperately to protect its peeling skin with bits of flesh torn off its victims. Turning away, you pay tribute to your mother, ecstatically drawing small circles in the air with the Moon Sickle.

RIUJEM (STRICKEN)	ATTACK	30		(28)		(26)
	DEFENSE	27
	RESISTANCE	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)	(10)
	ROUND		(2)		(4)		(6)		(8)		(10)

Because of the burning power of Kar, the demon loses a RESISTANCE point in each second combat round in addition to whatever injury you have caused.

If you lose VITALITY for the second time in this fight against the
Riujem and have a number noted under Special Notes with the term
Assistance, then add 66 and continue with the calculated F-section!
If your VITALITY sinks to critical or already is there and you have been blessed, turn to F163.
If the demon's RESISTANCE is spent, turn to F71.

Well, that's obviously unwinnable in our condition. Also feels like bullshit that an entity whose ass was already kicked and then retreated into a hostile environment is somehow stronger than before the kicking. I would also like an explanation for why we can't just sit back and watch it fry.

So, I can go back and look for some path that might give us a fighting chance here, or we can skip that and take the invisible option to watch the DOT finish our enemy off and claim the win that way.

Character Sheet

Stats:
STRENGTH: 12, DEXTERITY: 9, VITALITY: Dead* (0/5)
KARMA: 0, RAGE 2/5

Weapons (max 3):
1: Moon Sickle of the Keșra +5 (Add 20 to a reference to use its power and reveal yourself. Spend Karma for autohit/+1 damage)
2: Captain's Sword +4 (+1 Defense if Strength 10+)
3: Nergal's Spine +2 (special: can be combined with another weapon for combined bonus or a second attack.)

Clothing:
Head: Sun Mask of the Keșra +2 (Spend 1-2 Karma for autodefend/+1 VITALITY)
Body: Empire Uniform +1
Legs: Soldier Boots +1
Disguise: Fisher Coat

Special Items (max 12):
1: Figurine of the Ancients
2: Signet Ring
3: Lump of Gold
4: Captain's Doubloon
5: Pyramid Neckband
6: Kathum's Soul

Utensils (max 6):
1:
2: Damaged Eyepiece

Abilities:
2: Sharpened Senses
3: Free Breath
4: Mental Focus
5: Magical Lore
6: History Knowledge
7: Good Fighter (+2 Melee Attack)
8: Power of the Full Moon
9: Immune to Sunlight
10: Shadow Walk
11: Power of Xorox
12: Keșrani

Money:
13 Shekels

Kyrna
Vitality: Battered (3/4)
Rank: Familiar (3/5)
Saddlebags (Empty)

[Darth Rabbitt]

Assume we discarded the Captain's Sword and used Benthos for the fight? I'm not sure if that's just a different death sentence, but it's worth a shot.

[pragma]

Yeah, benthos the blue option is the nearest decision point.

And have we been blessed?

[Omegonthesane]

I voted for Benthos the first time so yeah.

[angelfromanotherpin]

Okay, the Benthos branch. First, we're told that if we know the secret of the sword to turn to the relevant section; otherwise the fight proceeds as normal. The secret is in the little superscript numbers that have shown up in connection with the sword, one of which is in the name's entry in the glossary appendix. Assembling those reveals that the sword belonged to a long-ago tyrant so depraved that the Kesra was sent to stop him, and was the reward he received for bartering his soul to deep-sea demons. Trying to wield it costs 1 KARMA, and auto-wins the fight, but you forget who you are and join the deep-sea demons. (This is set up as an actual ending, not a mere game over.)

However, you can also hurl the blade back into the sea to undo the bargain and gain 2 KARMA points. That helps, but it's not enough.

[Omegonthesane]

Feels like we'd have to rewind pretty far to win "fairly". Unless demanding our memory comes with stat regen or some shit.

Toss Benthos into the sea anyway.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Yeah, without reverse engineering the book I think next would be to check what getting our memories back gets us.

[angelfromanotherpin]

F169     "So you doubt Kathum's wisdom?" Nergal asks you dismissively. "Well, so be it! But it remains to be seen whether the Ugarith, in whose body both of your souls are enclosed, will be able to withstand the revelation."

Scarcely have Nergal's words faded, when the mental barrier that separated your mind from that of the young Ugarith collapses. You are engulfed in the memories, suffering, and fears of the Ugarith, and you barely manage with the last of your strength to avoid being washed away in the maelstrom of negative feelings. The tiny mind of the young Ugarith, however, is completely overwhelmed by the unexpected deluge of another life from a different world. Pressing his claws to his temples, he rears up, desperatel trying to drive you out of his body. You try to escape as well, but you cannot detach yourself from him. You are forever a prisoner in the madness of the underworld and in a shared mind.

Your life's meaning ends here. •

Baffling and unhelpful.