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

[angelfromanotherpin]

Jonathan Green wrote a bunch of the later FF books, and as far as I can tell ACE Gamebooks appears to be his imprint for publishing designer-imposter FF content using public domain IPs. As a person interested in producing my own designer-imposter FF content, I checked them out, and was pleasantly surprised to see his innovations.

Most of the series unfortunately leans into the 'famous children's story, but edgelord, man' content that very few people can make interesting. But one of them is pretty much a straight take on the Beowulf myth, which fits very well into FF-style heroic adventure fantasy. And that's also the one he got Russ Nicholson to do the art for, for maximum FF brand synergy.

[angelfromanotherpin]

This gamebook explicitly endorses ignoring the game rules and just assuming you win every fight and pass every test, which is great, but in the interests of including actual gameplay and showcasing the design, I'm going to run this book by the mechanics.

The three stats are Agility, Combat, and Endurance. Agility and Combat each start at 6, and Endurance at 20, and our first choice is how to divide 10 further points between them, with no more than 5 going to any one stat. There is no Initial distinction, but each stat has a hard cap: 12 for Agility and Combat, 30 for Endurance.

We also start with 4 Hero Points, the narrative currency. You get more by being heroic, and you can lose them by being unheroic. These can be spent to automatically overcome certain challenges, including some fights.

Tests of Agility and Combat vs 2d6 are pretty familiar, but there are also tests of Endurance vs 4d6 and tests of Hero points vs 1d6. Hero point tests inherit the FF LUCK trope of deducting 1 from the score after such a test. We don't start with any Meals, but they do exist and by default raise one's Endurance by 4.

Combat has a few tweaks. The simplest is that ties now deal 1 damage to each side rather than doing nothing. There is also an initiative mechanic; at the start of a combat, one side will have the initiative, which is worth +1 to their combat totals. In the following rounds, the winner of the previous round will have the initiative. Finally, in multi-enemy combats, you don't have to pick a single target, you can wound each opponent whose combat total you beat.

Anyway, we can get started once stat-points are spent.

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow


Agility: 6+
Combat: 6+
Endurance: 20+

Hero Points: 4
Crew: 14

Equipment:
• Sword
• Spear
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm

[Omegonthesane]

Split the 10 stat points between Agility and Combat setting them to 11 each and just hope we don't lose any Endurance before having to Test it.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Agreed with Omegon’s stat spread.

[angelfromanotherpin]

Hwæt!

King Hrothgar's
Curse

Hear, and listen well, my friends, and I shall tell you a tale that has been told a thousand thousand times before, for a thousand years and more.

This saga begins when Hrothgar – son of Healfdane, son of Beow, son of Scyld – was king of the Spear-Danes. Indeed, he was the mightiest warrior-chieftain that land had seen since Scyld Scefing; he who had raised Denmark out of darkness, uniting its noble lords.

Fierce in battle, Hrothgar brought home more treasure from his conquests than any ring-giver before him. And he decreed that a mead-hall should be raised, the like of which had never been seen under heaven, and named it Heorot.

But in the borderlands that bound the lands of the Danes there dwelt a hell-fiend, a hater of mirth, to whom the song of the skald was as the shrieking of the night-owl, or the scream of the vixen, a ghastly grinder of bones, the marsh-monster Grendel. And in his fen-fell fastness, this spawn of evil devised all manner of blood-thirsty atrocities that he would bring down upon the Dane-folk to exact his revenge against them.

When night fell on Hrothgar’s high house, the dark-dweller crept from his cave and came to gold-gabled Heorot, and there found the noble company slumbering after the feast. Those proud warriors did not know sorrow until that damned troll-born demon-progeny, grim and greedy, savage and cruel, burst into the hall and seized in their sleep thirty thanes. With his perditious plunder in his gory grasp, the monster slunk back to the hole whence he had crawled, and there banqueted upon the bodies.

As the fair jewel of heaven banished the darkness once more, the next morning Grendel’s grievous maiming-might was revealed to Hrothgar and his company, and proud feast-boasts gave way to wailing lamentations.

The very next night, the grisly ghoul came to the high-antlered hall, and there perpetrated savage slaughter against the host of Heorot once more, stealing away another twenty souls to sate his gluttonous greed.

The mighty chieftain sat in sorrow, suffering the anguish of his thanes’ deaths.

Consumed now by viciousness and violence, the night-stalker would not be appeased. And so the greatest of feast-halls fell silent and stood empty, no longer a monument to mirth and merriment, but a memorial to murder and misery.

For twelve long years the bitter blood-feud continued until one day, from across the sea, came the one called Beowulf.

The Bee-Wolf. The Bear. The Beastslayer.

Now turn to 1.

1

Urged by the wind, Sea-Wolf, the well-braced wave-cutter, skims over the swan’s riding. Wind-whetted and white-throated, the curved prow ploughs the sea hard, while the harnessed warriors of the Geats – the Storm-folk, resplendent in their bright mail-coats, their war-gear well-wrought – pull hard on the oars, at your command.

A day out from home, the sky grows night-black and with storm-wrought waves rising like dark mountains about the ship, your men begin to tire and falter in their stroke.

“Good men of Geatland, proud subjects of King Hygelac,” you exhort your warrior-band, “you fourteen are the fiercest warriors of the fiercest warrior-folk in this middle-earth! Row hard for today is not your decreed death-day!”

“Stroke! Stroke!” you shout, the shout becoming a chant as you seek to help your men row in time with one another. But do you have the skill to keep the rowers together?

• If you want to ensure that your rhythmic chanting keeps your men in time, deduct 1 Hero Point and turn to 31.
• If not, Take an Agility test; if you pass the test, turn to 31, but if you fail the test, turn to 61.

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow

Agility: 11
Combat: 11
Endurance: 20

Hero Points: 4
Crew: 14

Equipment:
• Sword
• Spear
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm

[Omegonthesane]

Agility test and hope we don't roll boxcars.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Agility test and hope we don't roll boxcars.

This.

[angelfromanotherpin]

The test is [2d6:4+4=8] < 11, success!

31

You keep the rowers’ rhythm strong and the Sea-Wolf’s course straight and true, until wind and waves relent.

On only the second day out from Geatland, you catch sight of land looming on the skyline. You see the shimmer of cliffs, and sheer fells behind, while your men cheer for “Brave Beowulf!” and “Noble Beowulf!” and “Sea-wise Beowulf!”

Your voyage is at an end.

Turn to 60.

60

Your Geatish storm-warriors bound up the beach, a rope going with them, ring-mail clashing as they drag the Sea-Wolf ashore.

Beyond the grey beach rise the black sea-carved cliffs. As you survey the coast a spear-shaft of sunlight breaks through the clouds and you see the flash of armour.

A watchman! Sea guard. Coast warden.

From where he stands on sentry duty, posted there at the regal command of Scyld Scefing’s heir, the hawk-sharp watchman witnesses your arrival at the limit of King Hrothgar’s domain.

He sees the polished shields of your men as they make their way ashore, and, curious as a cat, he guides his steed down to the shingle. Galloping through the surf, he greets you, holding out his spear at arm’s length, and issues his challenge.

“Strangers, you have steered this proud craft through the sea-ways, and come clad as warriors. In all my years as look-out at land’s end, I have never known shield-bearers come ashore more brazenly.

“King Hrothgar has had no word of your coming, so tell me your names and your purpose, or you’ll go no further!”

How will you react to the Coast Warden’s challenge?

• If you want to draw your sword, turn to 260.
• If you leave your sword sheathed and explain to Hrothgar’s look-out the reason for you voyaging to the land of the Danes, turn to 339.

[pragma]

Explain

[Thaluikhain]

Explain.

Oh, and I like that they keep the thirty thanes bit, that number was included in the original poem because it fit, or so my OE teacher at uni said.

Written by Jonathan Green? Would not be surprised if a giant mech turned up.

[Omegonthesane]

Talk our way out of this. We're here on legitimate stabby business instead of illicit stabby business after all.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Explain. I see no reason not to.

[angelfromanotherpin]

339

“We have come from the storm-lands beyond the sea,” you tell the Coast Warden. “We are hearth-companions of the great King Hygelac and we have travelled the sail-road to seek your lord. It is with intentions loyal and true that we come seeking that glorious Shepherd of the Danes, for in our country the skalds sing of his feud with the marauding monster that makes vile spectacle of murderous massacres.”

The watcher of the waves looks you up and down from his seat high in the saddle.

“I have not in my life set eyes upon a man with more might in his frame than you. You are no mere hall-servant, decked out with another’s weapons and armour. Unless my eyes deceive me, you are a prince among men. You have the look of a hero about you.”

“I am Beowulf,” you go on, “son of Edgetheow, a noble sword-thane who knew your king of old.”

“Then, if your sire knew King Hrothgar, tell me: who was Hrothgar’s grandfather?”

How will you answer?

• "Scyld." Turn to 352.
• "Beow." Turn to 397.
• "Healfdane." Turn to 374.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Hrothgar is "Scyld Scefing’s heir," so Scyld?

[Omegonthesane]

I think it's Beow, actually.

[JourneymanN00b]

Hmmm. This is an interesting story. It has been fifteen years since I consulted any part of Beowulf, but I believe Hrothgar's grandfather is Beow, since he was the father to Healfdene, who in turn was the father of Hrothgar.

[pragma]

I need to abstain from this one. I think Darth's Scyld guess reads the text best, but if the Watcher of Waves was placed by Scyld Scefing's heir, then wouldn't Scyld be Hrothgar's father? I haven't read Beowulf myself, so can't weigh in on Beow.

[angelfromanotherpin]

397

“King Hrothgar’s grandsire was Beow, son of Scyld Scefing,” you tell the watchman. “I seek audience with the great Hrothgar to tell him that I plan to kill his curse-monster, so take us to his golden hall at once! Lead us to Heorot!”

“You know of Heorot?” the Coast Warden challenges you. “Then if you are a true friend of the Spear-Danes, answer me this: what does the name ‘Heorot’ mean?”

How will you reply this time?

• "Hall of the Bear." Turn to 415.
• "Hall of the Wolf." Turn to 434.
• "Hall of the Stag." Turn to 453.

[Darth Rabbitt]

I think it’s “hall of the stag” but my Old English isn’t good so take that with a grain of salt.

[Omegonthesane]

Out of those options I think it's Hall of the Stag.

[angelfromanotherpin]

453

“It means ‘Hall of the Stag’, you tell the watchman. “Now lead us there so we might rid King Hrothgar of his curse.”

“You speak of the curse,” the Coast Warden replies, not moving the spear still pointing at your heart, “but do you know for how long the troll-born bone-grinder has tormented us?”

• If you do know the answer, turn to the section that has the same number as the number of years Grendel has vexed the Danes.
• If you do not know the answer, or the section you turn to makes no sense, turn to 313 instead.

I have to say that I don't think a pop quiz is the best way to start off an adventure gamebook, but here we are.

[Omegonthesane]

Especially a pop quiz that was answered in the intro text before it became edited out...

Cliff notes of the original poem say twelve years.

[pragma]

I'm glad I didn't hallucinate the intro text! 12 years seems fine, so section 12.

[angelfromanotherpin]

12

“Twelve years that demon-monster has tormented your people, if the skalds have it right,” you reply.

“I regret to report that the song-weavers do indeed speak the truth,” says the other sorrowfully. “But it warms my heart to know that an ally of old has come to save us.”

Gain 1 Hero Point, add the kenning Dane-Friend to your Adventure Sheet, and then turn to 34.

34

“I believe you are a man of your word,” the look-out says, “so I will bring you to Heorot and Hrothgar, Protector of the Scyldings.”

And so you set off, your warriors – clad in their chainmail shirts, with long ashen spears in their hands, as well as their mighty war-shields – briskly marching together as you follow the Coast Warden, their boar-helms gleaming in the sunlight, now that the storm has passed.

Turn to 232.

232

Striding along together, you and your men come within sight of Hrothgar’s Hall at last. It is the most splendid hall under heaven you have ever seen, gold-adorned, its radiance shining out over the land. And it is to that shining retreat of kings you come, along a path paved with stone.

• If you have the kenning Dane-Friend written on your Adventure Sheet, turn to 146. √
• If not, but you have the kenning Corpse-Maker written on your Adventure Sheet, turn to 46.
If you have neither of these kennings written down, turn to 273.

146

A man, dressed in the fine garb of one of the King’s thanes stands watch over the gates of Heorot, alongside the guards on sentry duty there.

“My lord!” the Coast Warden calls from the front of your party. “I bring travellers from beyond the sea, who seek audience with King Hrothgar.”

He turns to you then and says, “Here I must leave you, for I must return to the cliffs to watch for sea-raiders. May the gods smile on you in your great undertaking and Njord bring you safely back to your brave ship once more.”

With that he turns his horse about and departs.

(Record Njord’s Favour on your Adventure Sheet.)

“I am Wulfgar, Hrothgar’s herald,” calls the karl from atop the gatehouse. “Who shall I say seeks audience with the King?”

You step up to the gate, spear in hand, and your shield on your arm.

“I am Beowulf, prince of the Geats, kin of King Hygelac, and if you will permit us an audience with your gracious King Hrothgar, we will explain in full the reason why we have braved the storm-tossed seas to journey to the land of the Danes.”

Turn to 363.

363

“Then lay aside your spears and shields,” says Wulfgar. “You will have no need of them here, for you will find only friends within King Hrothgar’s hall.” And so the gates are opened and you are brought before the King.

His beard might be long, and the hairs upon his head may be white as frost, from the sorrow he has had to endure at the cruel claws of the monster Grendel, but there is still a sparkle in his eyes, and he still wears the circlet of gold about his head with the assurance of an honoured chieftain.

“Master of Battles, Lord of the North Danes!” Wulfgar announces. “King Hrothgar!”

The herald then addresses his lord. “These battle-companions have come from the country of the Storm-folk, borne from afar on the back of the sea, and the one who leads them names himself Beowulf.”

“Beowulf?” says the King. “Beowulf is come here?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I knew him when he was a child! His father Edgetheow and I fought together. But I have heard the skald sing that now he is grown, he holds the strength of thirty men in each hand!

“Beowulf? Where are you? Come forward. Be welcome here.”

Turn to 470.

470

You and your fellow Geats are made welcome within Heorot.

Mighty in your ring-meshed hauberk, your silver helm still upon your head, you stand tall before Hrothgar and his karls, your men arrayed in a thick throng behind you.

“So tell us, Beowulf,” says King Hrothgar, “what brings you across the whale-road to our shores?”

“I have come to serve you, noble lord,” you begin, “for the skalds sing of King Hrothgar’s Curse from the ice-locked north to the rain-lashed south, and from the lands of the Frisians in the west to the untamed forests of the Rus to the east.”

At your mention of his curse, a shadow passes over the old king’s face.

“Travellers speak of great Heorot standing silent, as soon as the night’s shadow falls. All Geats have heard of your plight, how the monster Grendel – the flesh-grinder – prowls this pillared hall and preys upon your people, eating of their flesh and drinking of their blood.”

A murmur passes among the gathered thanes.

“I am Beowulf Giant-killer, Beowulf the Serpent-slayer, and I am here to test my mettle against this fear of the fells, this monster of the moors, this Grendel! I will rid you of your troll-born demon and lift the curse that lies upon Heorot.”

An expectant hush falls over the hall and all assembled within, and then Hrothgar speaks.

“The gods have blessed us in sending you to our shores, friend Beowulf, and if you can indeed rid us of our tormentor, you shall be richly rewarded for this kindness. My company is diminished, and my ranks of warriors too, wyrd-doomed to fall into the clutches of that ogre Grendel. And it pains me to tell you that many war-bright champions have made the same promise as you have this day, when deep in their cups. Emboldened by ale they have waited in this wassailing-place, with weapons bone-sharp, ready to meet the horror Grendel with the terror of their own blades. But always it was the same; when morning came their blood painted the benches, walls and floor of Heorot, making a slaughterhouse of my shining hall.

“But maybe this time it will be different. Come, Beowulf, we shall hold a feast in your honour, and hope that the fare of this hero’s banquet does not coldly furnish forth your funeral feast.”

Turn to 492.

492

And so the mead-hall is swept, fresh rushes are laid upon the floor, while a hero’s feast is prepared. Once again the Hall of the Stag will ring to the rafters with music and merry-making.

A bench is cleared for your company of Geats, the food is served, the mead is poured, and the song of the skald is heard in Heorot once more, while you make your way among your men.

• If you want to take a moment to listen to the skald, turn to 441.
• If you would prefer to sit and eat with your men, turn to 406.

That's about 1000 words between choices, which is approaching Legion of Shadow proportions and, even worse, most of it is just repetition of info we already know. Still, it's clear Mr. Green is having fun with this faux-saga prose style, and so am I.

Character Sheet

Beowulf, son of Edgetheow

Agility: 11
Combat: 11
Endurance: 20

Hero Points: 5
Crew: 14

Equipment:
• Sword
• Spear
• Shirt of mail
• War-helm

Kennings:
Dane-Friend

Other
Njord's Favour

[Darth Rabbitt]

Listen to the skald. We're literally the hero of an epic poem, after all.