[Let's Play] Fighting Fantasy 20 - Sword of the Samurai

[Beroli]

If Beroli would prefer to keep playing, I'm willing to run.

I would appreciate that, yes.

[JourneymanN00b]

I’m fine with that if JourneymanN00b is.

I am okay with Beroli, angelfromanotherpin, or anyone else continuing this adventure from Gogo Yubari's death. In order to keep things fair, though, I will not be making any votes from this point forward. The one thing that I would like to say is that the adventure is perfectly winnable if we simply rewinded the adventure to the point before our hero entered the Swamps of Primordial Mire. Good luck.

[angelfromanotherpin]

Okay, I'm going to retcon that Gogo had a merely sub-par fight with the Great Serpent (costing her two provisions) and send her to the last remaining choice of destination.

138

You have decided you are ready to face the Dai-Oni and his allies, so you open the door marked 'The Place of Battle' and step through. You find yourself in a huge arena, but all the tiered seats are empty — it appears they have been that way for millennia. But as you appear, ghostly figures seem to materialize in the seats, men and women of a bygone age, talking, gesticulating, laying bets on the outcome of the battle, as if they had been waiting for this moment for aeons, even in death.

As you stand on the sandy arena floor, those allies you had noted on your Adventure Sheet appear behind you, each saying or silently imparting a message of reassurance and support. If you have not managed to win any allies, then you stand alone.

Before you stands the Dai-Oni; it is wondrous to look upon, save for its face which is radiant with evil. Behind it are ranged three monsters, its allies. Thefirst is an enormous giant toad being, slimy and warty, with a mouth almost as large as its head. The second is a giant insect, not unlike a grotesquely huge praying mantis, in plated armor of chitin, its mandibles working horribly. The third is a huge fifteen foot man of bronze, with the legs of a goat. Its bronze skin is green and pitted with age. However, its eyes are two orbs of red flame, glowing with power.

The Dai-Oni laughs maniacally and says, 'At least you managed to reach the Place of Battle, mortal — but you will not leave it alive! These,' and it gestures at its followers, 'are my demon friends. Graalsch, devour!" it says. The enormous toad-thing hops forward. The ghostly crowd seems to roar in anticipation.

If you have no allies, turn to 254. If you do, they wait expectantly for your command. Somehow you seem to know that the rules of the Arena dictate that battles can only be between single entities. Who will you send against the toad-being? (Obviously you may send only those beings you have recorded as allies.)

• The Ki-Rin? Turn to 146
• The Sabre-toothed Tiger? Turn to 172
• Eleanor the Enchantress? Turn to 162
• The Golden Company? Turn to 184
• The Phoenix? Turn to 194
• The Tatsu? Turn to 208
• The wooden rod engraved with a serpent shape? Turn to 228

Gogo Yubari
SKILL: 12/12
STAMINA: 17/20
LUCK: 6/8
HONOUR: 7
SPECIAL SKILL: Kyujutsu
GEAR: Katana and Wakizashi, Battle Armour, Backpack, Bow, 3 Willow-leaf Arrows (2 STAMINA damage), 1 Bowel-raker (3 STAMINA damage), 1 Armour-piercer (2 STAMINA damage, required for use against certain opponents), 3 Humming Bulbs (1 STAMINA damage, makes a frightening noise), Headband of Shinmen, 115 Gold Pieces, Suit of Samurai Armour, Talisman of Fortuitous Circumstance (jade talisman shaped like a dragon), Ivory Horn
PROVISIONS: 4
OTHER: Won over Tatsu, Tiger, Ki-Rin, and the Golden Company.

[Darth Rabbitt]

For now send out the tiger to fight their Pokémon. If battles are between single entities then we can’t send out the golden company and I’d save our two (presumably) more powerful allies for what I assume are stronger opponents.

[Beroli]

The tiger. Our beast should fight their beast.

Also, our fiery companion should fight the insect, our group of warriors should fight their titan, and the Ki-Rin should fight the Dai-Oni himself.

[Queen of Swords]

Agreed, tiger first, save the heavier hitters for later.

[Thaluikhain]

Don't see why not, send the tiger.

[angelfromanotherpin]

172

The tiger races forward and roars menacingly; the toad-thing hops back uncertainly. Graalsch, the Toad Demon, snaps its head forward to strike, its great maw snapping, but the huge tiger dodges aside, moving with incredible swiftness and lays open the toad's side with a sweep of one of its great taloned claws. Then it proceeds to rip and tear the wailing Graalsch into shreds. After its task is completed, the tiger leaps into the air and then fades out of existence as if it had jumped to another plane. Remove it from the list of allies on your Adventure Sheet.

The Dai-Oni bellows in rage and shouts, 'K'rllk, slay the man-thing!' and the Mantis Demon scuttles forward.

• If you are alone now, turn to 266.
Otherwise, which ally will you send against it (use only those still noted on your Adventure Sheet.)

• The Ki-Rin? Turn to 146
• The Golden Company? Turn to 184
• The Tatsu? Turn to 208

Gogo Yubari
SKILL: 12/12
STAMINA: 17/20
LUCK: 6/8
HONOUR: 7
SPECIAL SKILL: Kyujutsu
GEAR: Katana and Wakizashi, Battle Armour, Backpack, Bow, 3 Willow-leaf Arrows (2 STAMINA damage), 1 Bowel-raker (3 STAMINA damage), 1 Armour-piercer (2 STAMINA damage, required for use against certain opponents), 3 Humming Bulbs (1 STAMINA damage, makes a frightening noise), Headband of Shinmen, 115 Gold Pieces, Suit of Samurai Armour, Talisman of Fortuitous Circumstance (jade talisman shaped like a dragon), Ivory Horn
PROVISIONS: 4
OTHER: Won over Tatsu, Ki-Rin, and the Golden Company.

[Omegonthesane]

Throw the Golden Company at the problem, see what the rules say about how many companions they count as.

[Beroli]

The Tatsu should deal with the mantis.

The Golden Company should be saved for the titan.

[Queen of Swords]

Agree with Beroli, keep the Golden Company for the bigger threat.

[Darth Rabbitt]

The Tatsu is clearly Dragon/Flying, and thus should be super effective against the Bug type we're currently fighting.

[angelfromanotherpin]

278

The Tatsu gallops into the air and dives straight at K'rllk. Just as the Mantis Demon rears back to strike, the Tatsu breathes a stream of flame from its mouth that engulfs the Mantis Demon, which burns like straw and is reduced to ashes within seconds. The Tatsu turns to you, "Farewell, manling, and good fortune: I must leave you now.' With that it rides away into the skies. The ghostly crowd seems to applaud as if from a great distance.

The Dai-Oni is almost apoplectic with rage. "Kill, Gargantus, kill!" he screams, and the huge bronze goat-man lumbers forward.

• If you are now without allies, turn to 364.
Otherwise, which ally will you commit now (use only those still noted on your Adventure Sheet.)
• The Ki-Rin? Turn to 382
• The Golden Company? Turn to 198

Gogo Yubari
SKILL: 12/12
STAMINA: 17/20
LUCK: 6/8
HONOUR: 7
SPECIAL SKILL: Kyujutsu
GEAR: Katana and Wakizashi, Battle Armour, Backpack, Bow, 3 Willow-leaf Arrows (2 STAMINA damage), 1 Bowel-raker (3 STAMINA damage), 1 Armour-piercer (2 STAMINA damage, required for use against certain opponents), 3 Humming Bulbs (1 STAMINA damage, makes a frightening noise), Headband of Shinmen, 115 Gold Pieces, Suit of Samurai Armour, Talisman of Fortuitous Circumstance (jade talisman shaped like a dragon), Ivory Horn
PROVISIONS: 4
OTHER: Won over Tatsu, Ki-Rin, and the Golden Company.

[Beroli]

The Golden Company.

The Ki-rin, the one which joins us because of our Honour rather than because we had an item, should fight the Dai-Oni itself.

[Omegonthesane]

Sure, throw out the Golden Company now.

Weren't we meant to say some shit over the Dai-Oni's corpse when the time comes?

[JourneymanN00b]

Here is some appropriate music for the battle against the Dai-Oni and his allies.

[angelfromanotherpin]

198

The knights run forward with military precision. Twin bolts of ruby fire leap from the eyes of Gargantus and strike one of the knights, who is hurled forty feet through the air and killed. The other knights are not using their swords and maces, instead they are wielding lengths of rope. They run around Gargantus' legs, dodging and weaving and casting their lassoed ropes at Gargantus. Soon they have his arms enmeshed, and one of his legs, but two men lie dead. Then the remaining knights all pull on the ropes and Gargantus slowly begins to topple. He gives a great cry of despair, like the roar of a huge waterfall, before crashing to the ground. As soon as he touches the earth, the light fades from his eyes and he lies inert, nothing but a massive bronze statue. The leader of the Golden Company says to you, "Our duty has been discharged, bearer of the war-fan. Farewell." Then they literally step away into nothingness.

The Dai-Oni speaks, "You have done well, mortal, but now I shall kill you." It advances, wielding a massive spiked iron club, a Tetsubo.

• If you still have the Ki-Rin as an ally, you may sent it against the Dai-Oni (turn to 394).
• Otherwise, you will have to fight the Dai-Oni alone (turn to 292).

I'm going to assume that no-one will choose not to unleash our magical friend. Also, congratulations on not seeing any of the horribly brutal defeats of any of your magical friends.

394

The Ki-Rin flies up and circles the Dai-Oni. The Dai-Oni swings the club at it, but the Ki-Rin dodges aside. Then the Ki-Rin utters a single word and the Dai-Oni screams in pain. "You have stripped me of my magic, cursed beast!' he screams.

The Ki-Rin flies up, saying, "That is all I can do, mortal: the rest is in your hands. Good luck." Then it fades from view. The Dai-Oni advances, club in hand, but this time you can see fear in its eyes. You must fight it.

DAI-ONI     SKILL 10     STAMINA 10

If you win, turn to 54.

Round 1: Us 12+[2d6:8]=20, Him 10+[2d6:4]=14; he's at 8.
Round 2: Us 12+[2d6:8]=20, Him 10+[2d6:4]=14; he's at 6.
Round 3: Us 12+[2d6:8]=20, Him 10+[2d6:11]=21; we're at 15.
Round 4: Us 12+[2d6:7]=19, Him 10+[2d6:7]=17; he's at 4.
Round 5: Us 12+[2d6:4]=16, Him 10+[2d6:8]=18; we're at 13.
Round 6: Us 12+[2d6:5]=17, Him 10+[2d6:7]=17; draw.
Round 7: Us 12+[2d6:11]=23, Him 10+[2d6:7]=17; he's at 2.
Round 8: Us 12+[2d6:7]=19, Him 10+[2d6:8]=18; he's defeated!

54

You have finally defeated the Dai-Oni and it lies at your feet in the sand of the Arena, breathing its last. The ghostly crowd fades away and the Arena is empty. The Dai-Oni whispers painfully to you, "You have won, mortal. The laws of the Tourney of the Planes, set by the gods, bind me like fetters of steel. Now I must grant you one request."

What will you ask:
• "What is the Secret of Singing Death?", turn to 206
• "How do I slay Ikiru, Master of Shadows?", turn to 188
• "Help me in my quest to slay Ikiru.", turn to 150

Gogo Yubari
SKILL: 12/12
STAMINA: 13/20
LUCK: 6/8
HONOUR: 7
SPECIAL SKILL: Kyujutsu
GEAR: Katana and Wakizashi, Battle Armour, Backpack, Bow, 3 Willow-leaf Arrows (2 STAMINA damage), 1 Bowel-raker (3 STAMINA damage), 1 Armour-piercer (2 STAMINA damage, required for use against certain opponents), 3 Humming Bulbs (1 STAMINA damage, makes a frightening noise), Headband of Shinmen, 115 Gold Pieces, Suit of Samurai Armour, Talisman of Fortuitous Circumstance (jade talisman shaped like a dragon), Ivory Horn
PROVISIONS: 4
OTHER: Won over Tatsu, Ki-Rin, and the Golden Company.

[Beroli]

He doesn't want to help us, so offering him an open-ended request would be a bad idea. We need the Secret of Singing Death. "What is the Secret of Singing Death?"

[Thaluikhain]

That sounds reasonable, ask for that. Also, glad we got to fight something after cheerleading for monster fights.

[Beroli]

Since we're past the arena part and I don't have to worry about spoilering people, now seems like a good time to explain why I disagree with JourneymanN00b's argument that we should have known when to quit.

This section is perfectly linear, perfectly fair in that on either path you have a chance to gain enough items to have four allies (if you didn't guess, the path we didn't take at the start leads to the Phoenix Ruby which will recruit the phoenix, the water which will restore Eleanor's memory, and the antler which will recruit the snake)--and perfectly unforgiving. If we had gone to the Plane of Battle without either the tiger or the snake, we would have been treated to the Dai-Oni's first minion slaughtering each of the companions we did have one by one, followed by, "Are you alone against all four enemies you started with? Yes? Oh dear, you auto-lose and die." If we had gone, "We have a Golden Company, a Ki-Rin, and a Tatsu on our side, looking for more would be greedy," we would have lost the gamebook that way.

[JourneymanN00b]

Since we're past the arena part and I don't have to worry about spoilering people, now seems like a good time to explain why I disagree with JourneymanN00b's argument that we should have known when to quit.

This section is perfectly linear, perfectly fair in that on either path you have a chance to gain enough items to have four allies (if you didn't guess, the path we didn't take at the start leads to the Phoenix Ruby which will recruit the phoenix, the water which will restore Eleanor's memory, and the antler which will recruit the snake)--and perfectly unforgiving. If we had gone to the Plane of Battle without either the tiger or the snake, we would have been treated to the Dai-Oni's first minion slaughtering each of the companions we did have one by one, followed by, "Are you alone against all four enemies you started with? Yes? Oh dear, you auto-lose and die." If we had gone, "We have a Golden Company, a Ki-Rin, and a Tatsu on our side, looking for more would be greedy," we would have lost the gamebook that way.

Fair enough. I was trying to fit in a cringeworthy life lesson to Gogo Yubari's death. Obviously I swung and missed.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Yeah, ask for the secret of singing death.

[SGamerz]

This section is perfectly linear, perfectly fair in that on either path you have a chance to gain enough items to have four allies (if you didn't guess, the path we didn't take at the start leads to the Phoenix Ruby which will recruit the phoenix, the water which will restore Eleanor's memory, and the antler which will recruit the snake)--and perfectly unforgiving. If we had gone to the Plane of Battle without either the tiger or the snake, we would have been treated to the Dai-Oni's first minion slaughtering each of the companions we did have one by one, followed by, "Are you alone against all four enemies you started with? Yes? Oh dear, you auto-lose and die." If we had gone, "We have a Golden Company, a Ki-Rin, and a Tatsu on our side, looking for more would be greedy," we would have lost the gamebook that way.

Yeah, for the most part I like the design of this book, but my main objection is the how the PC never have the choice to fight any of Dai-Oni's creatures himself until all his own allies are dead. You're not allowed to fight the Toad yourself, and then step back and let your allies deal with the others. That especially doesn't quite square with the character of the honourable samurai warrior, choosing to let everyone else do the fighting for him unless he has no choice in the matter.

[angelfromanotherpin]

206

The Dai-Oni screws up its face in pain and rage. "Curse you, mortal. The secret is 'Harmony.' Utter that word and Singing Death will come to life and fly into your hands, but only for those of noble heart — which is why Ikiru has been unable to use it yet,' he adds with a laugh of malicious glee. Then his body dies.

• If you have a jade amulet fashioned in the shape of a Tatsu, turn to 220
• If not, turn to 270

220

A terrible thing happens. Out of the body of the Dai-Oni, a spectral shape coalesces, a ghostly form of the demon, with insubstantial taloned hands. It is a Shura, or warrior ghost, the spirit of the Dai-Oni come to avenge its death. But you remember the words of the Tatsu and invoke the Jizo of Demons, saying, "A Shura is here, O Jizo. Come and execute your purpose."

As you finish the word 'purpose,' a being appears before you. He is dressed as a warrior monk and bears a staff inscribed with glowing runes. You are filled with awe at the sight of it. The Jizo of Demons ignores you and merely strikes the ghostly spectre. The apparition promptly disappears with an echoing wail of dread. The Jizo, without even acknowledging your presence, also departs. Turn to 76.

76

The walls of the Arena begin to shimmer, fade, and dissolve away. Something else appears in its stead, a black dark place. You are at the end of a long pillared hall of black marble. Braziers of glowing coal give off an eerie glow and shadows flicker and weave, chasing one another across the floor. At the end of the hall is a huge pit, from which noxious fumes spiral upward. Beyond the pit is a grotesquely carved throne of dull stone. The workmanship is extraordinary; peaks, pinnacles, gargoyles, and strange twisted shapes adorn it. The effect is to wreathe the throne in shadows. You can just make out a cowled figure sitting upon it. It seems to be staring at something in front of the throne. On a stand before the throne rests a magnificent no-dachi, a two-handed sword, in a scabbard of bright filigreed gold. It seems completely out of place in this hall of shadowy gloom and brooding evil. You recognize Singing Death, the Sword of the Samurai, and your heart is uplifted.

Then the cowled head jerks up in surprise. beneath the cowl there is nothing but blackness. A sibilant whisper hisses forth, a quiet exhalation of breath. "Who dares to visit Onikaru, the Pit of Demons, and incur the wrath of Ikiru, Master of Shadows?"

• If you know the secret of Singing Death, turn to 152.
• If you do not, turn to 94.

152

Without hesitating, you shout 'Harmony,' as loud as you can. The sound echoes like a trumpet blast through the quiet gloom of this hall of shadows. Ikiru recoils in horror on his throne. 'No!' he rasps, a sound like chalk screeching on a blackboard.

A blaze of light erupts from the sword, dispelling the shadows and causing Ikiru to cover his cowled face even further. The flare dies sown as quickly as it came. Singing Death rises majestically into the air and then hurtles towards you with fantastic speed, straight into your outstretched hands, where it seems to nestle as if welcoming you.

The effect is instantaneous; you are filled with strength and well-being. Gain 2 LUCK points, 2 SKILL points, and 4 STAMINA points, even if any of these bonuses takes you beyond your Initial status. You stand for a moment unable to act, as raw vitality courses through you. The cowled figure gestures hurriedly and a shadow form floats up out of the pit. It begins to take shape before you. It is vaguely man-like, but with a horned head and massive taloned claws. It is a Shadow Demon, only semi-corporeal, a creature from the nether regions.

• If your honor is 5 or more, turn to 274.
• If it is less than 5, turn to 174.

274

The Shadow Demon lunges at you. You swing Singing Death in a great two-handed cut. As the sword connects, it gives a single pulse of blazing white light. The Demon howls in agony — a distant faint wail — and its shadowy substance is burst asunder, shards of blackness flying apart until nothing is left. Turn to 212.

212

The Shadow Demon is dead and Ikiru hisses in rage and fear. Hurriedly he raises his hands high and utters a strange cry. Shapes begin to rise up out of the pit and form around him, a phalanx of guardian shadows. A score surround him in moments.

• Will you step forward and throw Singing Death into the pit (turn to 312)?
• Will you wait to see what happens (turn to 51)?
• Will you walk around the pit and try to stride boldly through the shadowy forms (turn to 298)?
• Or will you throw Singing Death like a spear at Ikiru (turn to 63)?

Gogo Yubari
SKILL: 14/12
STAMINA: 17/20
LUCK: 8/8
HONOUR: 7
SPECIAL SKILL: Kyujutsu
GEAR: Katana and Wakizashi, Battle Armour, Backpack, Bow, 3 Willow-leaf Arrows (2 STAMINA damage), 1 Bowel-raker (3 STAMINA damage), 1 Armour-piercer (2 STAMINA damage, required for use against certain opponents), 3 Humming Bulbs (1 STAMINA damage, makes a frightening noise), Headband of Shinmen, 115 Gold Pieces, Suit of Samurai Armour, Talisman of Fortuitous Circumstance (jade talisman shaped like a dragon), Ivory Horn
PROVISIONS: 4
OTHER: Won over Tatsu, Ki-Rin, and the Golden Company.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Them being "guardian shadows" makes me think they're not going to eat him for us, so waiting's out. And I don't think we want Singing Death out of our hands so I think we're supposed to just be pure of heart and walk through the shadows.