[Let's Play] Fighting Fantasy 53 – Spellbreaker

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes acknowledged; Ariel Faust Constantine will provide 7 as the answer.

7
‘That is correct,’ says the High Priest. ‘You are worthy.’ He commands the druids to release you. If you have the Pilgrim’s Staff, turn to 196. Otherwise, turn to 271.

Ariel Faust Constantine does not have the Pilgrim’s Staff.

271
Filled with foreboding, you enter the mound under the grey sky. Having passed between the two stones that mark the way into the barrow, you light your lantern and follow the tunnel into the mound. Test your Luck. If you are Lucky, turn to 170; if you are Unlucky, turn to 104.

Rolling the dice yielded a 7, meaning that Ariel Faust Constantine was Lucky

170
In the flickering lantern-light you spot the narrow pit that cuts across the passageway just in time to avoid the trap. Turn to 267.

267
[spoiler][/spoiler]

The corridor ends in a circular room, the walls of which are decorated with scenes from the Protector’s life. On the opposite side of the room is an open archway. Standing here is a warrior wearing the ancient armour of a tribal chief and carrying a double-headed battle-axe. You see that under the armour the warrior’s flesh is rotting and is covered in savage sword cuts. If you are to proceed any further, you must fight the Barrow Guard.

BARROW GUARD       SKILL 9       STAMINA 8

Each time you are hit by the warrior, roll one die. If you roll a 6, the huge battle-axe does 3 STAMINA points of damage rather than the usual 2. If you defeat the Barrow Guard, turn to 58.

The fight:
[spoiler]Round 1: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 14, Player Attack Strength: 19;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 6, Player Stamina: 20
Round 2: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 17, Player Attack Strength: 19;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 4, Player Stamina: 20
Round 3: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 15, Player Attack Strength: 19;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 2, Player Stamina: 20
Round 4: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 16, Player Attack Strength: 16;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 2, Player Stamina: 20
Round 5: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 15, Player Attack Strength: 20;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 0, Player Stamina: 20[/spoiler]

Ariel Faust Constantine flawlessly destroys the Barrow Guard.

58
Beyond the archway is an alcove in which lies a stone coffin. On its lid a sword is etched in high relief. This could be the burial casket of the warrior-priest Gwythain, or it could hold another guardian of the tomb. Do you want to open the coffin (turn to 210) or will you leave it and go on down the tunnel (turn to 134)?

Please make your votes before 9:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to ensure that they will be counted.

Adventure Sheet
[spoiler]Ariel Faust Constantine
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 20 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 10 Initial Luck = 12
FAITH: 8
GOLD PIECES: 6
PROVISIONS: 9
INFECTION: 0
Turn to 13 if INFECTION is 15 or more
EQUIPMENT AND TREASURE:
Sword
Lantern
Tinderbox
Backpack
Silver Key With ‘252’ Engraved
Shroud
Falcon
Protective Leather Gauntlet
Scarlet Lady
Drake Nettle
Ilithorn Rose
Phoenix Grass
Charmed Pipes
Jar of Powder
Notes:
Knows Demonic Word of Command
Say ‘One, two, away’ to send a falcon with SKILL 7 STAMINA 5 against an opponent
Reduce any additions to INFECTION by 1 point
RESURRECTIONS: 4[/spoiler]

[Queen of Swords]

Open the coffin.

[Thaluikhain]

Open the box!

[SGamerz]

Open coffin.

****

Though I'm not sure what's up with the blank squares in that case.

BTW, regarding this, it's actually quite possible for the player to overthink this and come up with a more complicated (but wrong) answer.

I think numbers displayed are the results of the numbers 1-9 multiplied by 7. So if you remove the 7 factor from them, it should look like this:

8, 3, (blank)
(blank, 5, 9
6, (blank), 2

If you fill in the remaining missing numbers a certain way, you'd find that each of the rows and columns add up to 15:

8, 3, 4
1, 5, 9
6, 7, 2

So, as I said, there may be players who probably overthink this and try 15 as an answer. But in this case the simpler answer (7) is the right one, and I think at least in this case, Jonathan Green made the right choice.

[JourneymanN00b]

Opening the coffin received 3 votes, so Ariel Faust Constantine will do that.

210
Lifting the lid, you find that the sarcophagus is empty except for a pile of mouldering grave clothes. Rummaging through the rags, you discover a sickle with a golden blade and a bunch of dried herbs which you recognize as Skullsgrig – often used as part of the embalming process. You can take the Golden Sickle or the herbs, or both before continuing on your way. Turn to 134.

134
At last you enter the burial chamber of Gwythain the Protector, the warrior-priest Servant of the Swordbearer. Murals covering the walls show the hero in battle and at prayer. Lying on a plinth in the middle of the room is a decayed skeleton, encased in tarnished silver armour and wearing a fabulous silver helmet. But where is the Protector’s sword? Someone has got here before you. Cursing your misfortune, you now have to decide what to do next. The corpse is holding a shield with a rampant golden lion motif emblazoned on it and a carved inscription runs round the plinth. Will you:

Take the shield? Turn to 147
Read the inscription? Turn to 165
Take the silver helmet? Turn to 87
Leave the burial chamber? Turn to 343

Please make your votes on whether to take the Golden Sickle or Skullsgrig and what to do next before 9:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to ensure that they will be counted.

[Thaluikhain]

Read inscription, and take the stuff from the previous section.

[Queen of Swords]

Take the Golden Sickle and the Skullsgrig, read the inscription.

[SGamerz]

Take sickle and herbs, read inscription.

[Darth Rabbitt]

Open coffin.

****

Though I'm not sure what's up with the blank squares in that case.

BTW, regarding this, it's actually quite possible for the player to overthink this and come up with a more complicated (but wrong) answer.

I think numbers displayed are the results of the numbers 1-9 multiplied by 7. So if you remove the 7 factor from them, it should look like this:

8, 3, (blank)
(blank, 5, 9
6, (blank), 2

If you fill in the remaining missing numbers a certain way, you'd find that each of the rows and columns add up to 15:

8, 3, 4
1, 5, 9
6, 7, 2

So, as I said, there may be players who probably overthink this and try 15 as an answer. But in this case the simpler answer (7) is the right one, and I think at least in this case, Jonathan Green made the right choice.

Huh. Neat.

Anyways, read the inscription and take all the things.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; Ariel Faust Constantine will take the Golden Sickle and the Skullsgrig, and also read the inscription.

165
By the feeble light of your lantern you are just able to make out the words carved into the plinth. The inscription reads: Here rests the mortal body of Gwythain the Protector. My weapons of truth shall serve the noble-hearted – but leave my armour intact to defend against the forces of Eternal Night. What will you do next? Will you take the shield (turn to 147), take the silver helmet (turn to 87) or leave the chamber (turn to 343)?

Please make your votes before 6:00 PM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to ensure that they will be counted.

Adventure Sheet
[spoiler]Ariel Faust Constantine
SKILL: 12 Initial Skill = 12
STAMINA: 20 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 10 Initial Luck = 12
FAITH: 8
GOLD PIECES: 6
PROVISIONS: 9
INFECTION: 0
Turn to 13 if INFECTION is 15 or more
EQUIPMENT AND TREASURE:
Sword
Lantern
Tinderbox
Backpack
Silver Key With ‘252’ Engraved
Shroud
Falcon
Protective Leather Gauntlet
Scarlet Lady
Drake Nettle
Ilithorn Rose
Phoenix Grass
Charmed Pipes
Jar of Powder
Golden Sickle
Skullsgrig
Notes:
Knows Demonic Word of Command
Say ‘One, two, away’ to send a falcon with SKILL 7 STAMINA 5 against an opponent
Reduce any additions to INFECTION by 1 point
RESURRECTIONS: 4[/spoiler]

[Queen of Swords]

I don’t think the shield counts as armour, so take that.

[Beroli]

Whether the shield counts as armor is indeed the question here...

...and after rereading the description, I'm going to second that it does not and vote to take it.

[SGamerz]

Take shield.

[Thaluikhain]

Given that there is an option to take something which is definitely armour, I think it's implying that the shield isn't, so take it I guess.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; Ariel Faust Constantine will take the shield.

147
The shield feels light on your arm and you are filled with courage (add 1 to your current and Initial SKILL score and 1 to your FAITH for this new acquisition). Now will you read the inscription (turn to 165), take the silver helmet (turn to 87) or leave the chamber (turn to 343)?

Ariel Faust Constantine has already read the inscription. Please make your votes on whether to take the silver helmet or leave the chamber before 9:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to ensure that they will be counted.

Adventure Sheet
[spoiler]Ariel Faust Constantine
SKILL: 13 Initial Skill = 13
STAMINA: 20 Initial Stamina = 24
LUCK: 10 Initial Luck = 12
FAITH: 9
GOLD PIECES: 6
PROVISIONS: 9
INFECTION: 0
Turn to 13 if INFECTION is 15 or more
EQUIPMENT AND TREASURE:
Sword
Lantern
Tinderbox
Backpack
Silver Key With ‘252’ Engraved
Shroud
Falcon
Protective Leather Gauntlet
Scarlet Lady
Drake Nettle
Ilithorn Rose
Phoenix Grass
Charmed Pipes
Jar of Powder
Golden Sickle
Skullsgrig
Shield
Notes:
Knows Demonic Word of Command
Say ‘One, two, away’ to send a falcon with SKILL 7 STAMINA 5 against an opponent
Reduce any additions to INFECTION by 1 point
RESURRECTIONS: 4[/spoiler]

[Thaluikhain]

Leave the helmet and leave the chamber.

[Queen of Swords]

Agreed, leave.

[Darth Rabbitt]

The inscription said to leave his armor alone; between that and getting this very nice shield I see no reason to tempt fate by taking the helmet. Leave the helmet alone.

[Beroli]

Leave.

[JourneymanN00b]

Votes registered; Ariel Faust Constantine will leave the chamber.

343
Passing back through the alcove, you reach the archway just as the crumpled body of the undead guardian rises to its feet. You must engage the warrior in combat once again.

BARROW GUARD       SKILL 8       STAMINA 7

If the warrior wins an Attack Round against you, roll one die. If you roll a 6, the battle-axe strikes you, causing 3 STAMINA points of damage rather than the usual 2. If you defeat the Barrow Guard for a second time, turn to 306.

The fight:
[spoiler]Round 1: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 11, Player Attack Strength: 17;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 5, Player Stamina: 20
Round 2: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 12, Player Attack Strength: 23;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 3, Player Stamina: 20
Round 3: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 14, Player Attack Strength: 18;
Barrow Guard Stamina: 1, Player Stamina: 20
Round 4: Barrow Guard Attack Strength: 16, Player Attack Strength: 20;
Barrow Guard Stamina: -1, Player Stamina: 20[/spoiler]

Once again, Ariel Faust Constantine flawlessly destroys the Barrow Guard.

306
[spoiler][/spoiler]

Being careful to avoid the pit, you hurry out of the barrow, discouraged at not finding the Protector’s sword. There is no sign of the druids and, as time is pressing, you decide not to return to Aryll but to set off north-westwards through the hills, in the hope of joining the road again, west of the village. Your mind begins to wander as you stride over the rugged terrain, so it is with some surprise that you round a rocky outcrop and come face to face with a huge, grotesque humanoid dressed in animal skins. Dropping the deer carcass it was carrying across its shoulders, the brutish Ogre steps towards you, swinging its hefty club and grunting: ‘Ah, now that’s more what I ‘ad in mind for me supper! Yooman!’

OGRE       SKILL 8       STAMINA 10

If you win, turn to 273.

The fight:
[spoiler]Round 1: Ogre Attack Strength: 13, Player Attack Strength: 18;
Ogre Stamina: 8, Player Stamina: 20
Round 2: Ogre Attack Strength: 15, Player Attack Strength: 20;
Ogre Stamina: 6, Player Stamina: 20
Round 3: Ogre Attack Strength: 15, Player Attack Strength: 18;
Ogre Stamina: 4, Player Stamina: 20
Round 4: Ogre Attack Strength: 12, Player Attack Strength: 16;
Ogre Stamina: 2, Player Stamina: 20
Round 5: Ogre Attack Strength: 12, Player Attack Strength: 24;
Ogre Stamina: 0, Player Stamina: 20[/spoiler]

As expected, Ariel Faust Constantine flawlessly slaughters the Ogre.

273
Inspecting the body of the Ogre, you find a necklace of animal teeth, a maggot-ridden loaf of bread and a crude flint knife – none of any use to you. You could try to find the Ogre’s lair, but this would be a diversion that you do not have time for. Leaving the scene of your battle, you soon reach the road going westwards. It is not long, however, before you come to a fork in the road. You can either carry on towards the west (turn to 145) or take the new branch north-westwards (turn to 114).

Please make your votes before 6:00 PM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to ensure that they will be counted.

[SGamerz]

North-west. This is clearly the kind of the book where you need to take every single side-track.

[JourneymanN00b]

Vote registered; Ariel Faust Constantine will take the new branch north-westwards.

114
The road leads you towards the dark, brooding forest but, before entering the forest, you cross the Grimiry River once more. You are not much further along the road when you hear a rustling coming from the tress and a woman’s voice calls you: ‘Halt!’ Looking up, you see a figure swathed in dark robes, standing on a branch that juts out over the road. ‘Drop your weapon and throw me your gold,’ she commands. ‘Oh, and don’t try anything clever because you’re surrounded.’ Looking around, you can see an assortment of rogues and outlaws, dressed like the woman and armed with bows and staves. Will you:

Do as the outlaw says but with the intention of tricking her? Turn to 232
Stand your ground? Turn to 45
Make a run for it? Turn to 128

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Please make your votes before 9:00 AM PST or a 3-vote majority is reached to ensure that they will be counted.

[SGamerz]

Try to trick her.

[Queen of Swords]

Agreed, try to trick her.

[Omegonthesane]

I am amused that "just actually get mugged" is not even offered as an option.

Try to trick her.