[Let's Play] Fighting Fantazine Adventure 5: Bones of the Banished

[Thaluikhain]

Might not be the best idea, but only way to find out what it is, yeah, so I vote we try.

[JourneymanN00b]

Sure, I also vote to drink the liquid.

[Beroli]

The green liquid burns as it slides down your throat, but almost instantly you are filled with energy, as if you have just woken up from a long and restful sleep. Restore your Stamina score to its Initial level. Buzzing with newfound vigour, you leave the tomb. Gain 1 Delays.

Open the door on the right?
Leave the chamber and explore the empty doorways at the end of the passage?

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 10/11
Stamina: 15/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Charm of Endurance, Meal, Torch, Torch, _________, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Paru (+2 Attack Strength), Sefu (+2 Attack Strength)
Delays: 2
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis, lit torch
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men

[Queen of Swords]

Whew, it didn't kill us.

Open the door on the right, reason with the ghost and continue listening to him.

[JourneymanN00b]

I also vote for this plan.

[Beroli]

It takes all your strength to open the door, but eventually it loosens and swings open. Behind it is a small, plain room with a small, plain sarcophagus, and little else.

Suddenly an apparition blinks into life beside you, glowing a pale, icy blue. It is the ghost of a tall man with a long black beard, clad in the flowing robes of a wizard. The spirit sweeps towards you, eyes blazing with cold fire!

‘So!’ croaks the spectral sorcerer, ‘another has come, and so soon.’ You keep your distance from the ethereal vision, ready to fight or flee at a split second’s notice.

‘Do not fear me,’ intones the ghost, ‘I mean you no harm. I am Vendictus, the court sorcerer of that abominable tyrant, Thrandeus. This whole valley was once the empire of Celenasia, the jewel of southern Allansia. For centuries it was a paragon of civilisation, unrivalled in its advances of science, magic and learning. That was until Thrandeus ascended to the throne. Petty and small-minded, he sought personal wealth and power above all else. The people suffered patiently under his cruel reign, for he was the emperor, descended of the divine. That was until he discovered the Portal.

Thrandeus delved deep into the earth in his pursuit of precious metals and stones, but no diamond or emerald could rival the value of the Slaver Gem, found at the foot of a mysterious gateway many leagues below ground. He quickly discovered that the Gem is possessed of incredible magic that can be used to dominate the wills of others, effectively enslaving their minds under his control.

Corrupted by its dark power, Thrandeus turned the Slaver Gem against his own people, forcing the citizens of the empire to live and die according to his whims and wants. Some resisted, and so began the Celenasian War. After much bloodshed, Thrandeus was overthrown and entombed with his cursed gem in this very crypt. Tragically, the damage that had been done was too great, and Celenasia was devoured by the earth for its sins.’

Vendictus trails off into silence, his ghostly features consumed with sadness. Gain 1 Delays.

Vendictus continues his tale.

‘Peace returned to the land, but Celenasia was no more. Those who had witnessed the horrors of the war, such as I, remain trapped here, unable to find eternal rest. The centuries have passed slowly and painfully, with only tragic memories to keep me company.'

‘That was until a week or so ago, when a peculiar fellow found his way into this tomb. He was very similar in appearance to you, but lanky and possessed of an unwholesome air.’

You realise that Vendictus can only be talking about Ogmil, Valgrek’s despicable apprentice!

‘He seemed to know exactly what he was doing, for he went straight for the Slaver Gem and removed it from the sarcophagus of Thrandeus. The old emperor was not too pleased about that, as you can imagine!’ The wizard chuckles quietly to himself.

You tell Vendictus a tale of your own, about the Rite of Banishment and of how Valgrek used the Slaver Gem, for that is undoubtedly what it was, to enslave your tribe and spirit them away. The spirit ponders your story for a moment. Suddenly his eyes light up and he raises an ethereal finger. ‘Aha!’ he exclaims, ‘You have come to the right ghost! Being versed in the arts of magic as I am, I sought a mystic solution to the power of the Slaver Gem. I came up with this.’

Vendictus floats over to the far wall and plunges his incorporeal hands through the stone. When he pulls them back out they are clutching a magnificent crystal, shining with a golden glow.

‘The Halcyon Crystal,’ he proclaims proudly, ‘infused with all the powers of harmony, cooperation and empathy that humanity can muster. It is not as powerful as the Slaver Gem, but it was enough to give us a chance. Yes, it was enough.’

The wizard is lost in thought once more. Eventually he realizes that you are still in the room and drops the crystal into your hands. Immediately you are filled with an inner peace, the likes of which you have never experienced before-–restore 1 Skill point, 6 Stamina points and 2 Luck points!

‘The Halcyon Crystal was created for only one purpose – to combat the evil of the Slaver Gem. I can sense the Gem now, far to the east of the Cauldron and moving farther away with each passing moment. You must pursue it with all haste! Go in peace, brave warrior...’

With that, the spirit of Vendictus fades away. You leave the wizard’s tomb, armed with the location of Valgrek and your people; gain 1 Delays.

Back in the crypt of Thrandeus, you can only leave the chamber and explore the empty doorways at the end of the passage.

A chill runs through your body as you approach the empty doorways at the end of the passage. You peer into the first one; inside is a bare stone chamber. The second one is the same. You are about to look through the next doorway when a hulking figure emerges from it, reeking of death.

Once upon a time it may have been a human, but now it is a vile, rotting creature trailing strips of putrid flesh. Lank white hair hangs from its diseased scalp and bony jaw. Luminous green slime oozes out of the many ragged tears in the thing’s bulk, dripping down and sticking to the floor and walls in gelatinous strands.

‘Where is it?’ the corpse rumbles with a voice as cold as the grave, ‘Where is my precious gem?’

The towering being shambles towards you, ready to suck the life from your body. You face no ordinary undead-–this is a fiend possessed of elemental malice and fueled by its hatred for all living things!

THRANDEUS Skill 13 Stamina 18

You have the Halcyon Crystal.

As the rotting giant advances, the gloomy corridor is suddenly bathed in golden light. You realise it is coming from the Halcyon Crystal, which you brandish at your undead foe. Thrandeus howls in agony as the goodness instilled in the crystal burns away at his necrotic flesh. The unholy emperor crumples to the ground, his body hissing and popping, until all that is left is a foul-smelling pool of green slime.

Now that you know the secret of the crystal, you can attempt to use its power against any opponents you may face in the future.

You flee from the claustrophobic crypts, up the stairs and back into the blinding daylight. The warmth of the afternoon sun fills you with joy. You have faced the corrupt ruler of this fallen empire – now it is time to find your people. You head for the eastern rim of the Cauldron; with any luck there will be a way back up to the plains. You are so consumed with thoughts of what may lay ahead that you do not notice the snare that has been laid directly in your path. Test your Luck; a 6 succeeds.

Fortunately, your foot misses the vine snare, but Kuwi’s does not. It tightens about her ankle and hoists her off her feet and up into the air. At the same time, a humanoid figure bursts out of the bushes, plastered with mud and wielding a fearsome battle-axe. With horror you realise that the wild-looking figure is Wanushu, your tribe’s greatest warrior, second-in-command to your fallen chieftain and father of Kuwi!

She cries with happiness at the sight of her father, but they soon turn to screams when she sees his expressionless face and glowing red eyes. Wanushu stalks silently towards you, enthralled by the power of the Slaver Gem. You must defend yourself, but Kuwi cannot help you.

WANUSHU Skill 10 Stamina 10

Use the Halcyon Crystal?
Fight Wanushu (vote on how to use Luck if you choose this one)?

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 15/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Charm of Endurance, Meal, Torch, Torch, Halcyon Crystal, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Paru (+2 Attack Strength), Sefu (+2 Attack Strength)
Delays: 4
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men

[Queen of Swords]

Use the crystal.

[Thaluikhain]

Use the crystal

[Beroli]

You produce the Halcyon Crystal and hold it before the enslaved Wanushu. It pulses with golden light, its shining rays blasting away the crimson glow that infects the warrior’s eyes. He shakes his head in confusion and then looks upon you with eyes that truly see you.

You quickly cut down Kuwi from the trap. She runs into her father’s embrace, tears streaming down her face. Wanushu explains that he ventured to the Cauldron to hunt the beasts that lurk in the nearby swamps. He had just finished setting his last snare when he blacked out. His face darkens with anger when you explain Valgrek’s treachery.

‘Then we have no time to waste. Follow me!’ With that he bounds off into the bushes. From now on, Wanushu will fight by your side, and you may add 2 to your Attack Strength while he accompanies you.

Your path is soon blocked by a vast swampland that stretches all the way to the rim of the Cauldron. The most direct route is straight through the reed-choked fens, but it is also the path most fraught with danger. The alternative is to backtrack and take the longer, but safer path through the woods to the north-east.

Cut through the swamp?
Take the longer path through the forest?

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 15/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Charm of Endurance, Meal, Torch, Torch, Halcyon Crystal, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Paru (+2 Attack Strength), Sefu (+2 Attack Strength), Wanushu (+2 Attack Strength)
Delays: 4
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men

[Queen of Swords]

Try the swamp route, see if fewer delays make a difference.

[JourneymanN00b]

Sure, I also vote to cut through the swamp.

[Beroli]

You forge directly into the swamp, carefully navigating your way across the thin strips of dry land that criss-cross the murky pools.

You do not have Lung Rot.

Rolling a die determines...

You find yourself battling through a huge bed of reeds that tower up over your head. They are packed densely together, and it is tiring work hacking a path through them. Eventually you reach a small clearing and stop to rest. Take 2 damage from exertion. As you are enjoying your break, a squat, green-skinned monster bursts out of the reeds. The beast is almost four metres in length, and has a spectacular sail running down its back to a large tail. Attracted by your scent, the creature scuttles towards you on four side-sprawling legs and attacks.

DIMETRODON Skill 10 Stamina 10

George Dragonslayer Attack Strength: 20, DIMETRODON Attack Strength: 14. DIMETRODON's Stamina is 8
George Dragonslayer Attack Strength: 28, DIMETRODON Attack Strength: 16. DIMETRODON's Stamina is 6
George Dragonslayer Attack Strength: 25, DIMETRODON Attack Strength: 18. DIMETRODON's Stamina is 4
George Dragonslayer Attack Strength: 29, DIMETRODON Attack Strength: 18. DIMETRODON's Stamina is 2
George Dragonslayer Attack Strength: 23, DIMETRODON Attack Strength: 17. DIMETRODON is dead.

Brontosaurus.PNG (130.07 KiB) Viewed 871 times

Before you is a vast expanse of water, stretching for many hundreds of metres to the very cliffs of the Cauldron. Wading slowly through it is the largest creature you have ever seen in your life. The colossal beast is well over twenty metres in length from its relatively small head, which sits on a long, thick neck, to its whip-like tail that stretches out far behind it. It plods ponderously through the marsh on four stocky limbs, solemnly chewing on swamp plants that trail down from its jaws like vines.

Your companions include Kuwi, Sefu, and Wanushu.

Wanushu’s eyes gleam as he beholds the titanic beast. ‘The great Thunder Lizard, thought to be only a legend amongst our people. It is said that his very footsteps shake the rain and lightning from the sky. We must hunt it!’

The rest of you are appalled at Wanushu’s suggestion, but the warrior will not be swayed. ‘This is a sign from our ancestors, I am sure of it. They have gifted us with the greatest quarry of all; we would be fools to ignore it!’ Wanushu suggests you try using the Halycon Crystal on the beast. ‘It broke the hold that Valgrek had over me; perhaps it has other powers?’

The others remain unconvinced, but will follow any decision you make.

Agree to Wanushu's wild request that you try and capture the mighty beast?
Stick to your mission and press onward?

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 13/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Charm of Endurance, Meal, Torch, Torch, Halcyon Crystal, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Paru (+2 Attack Strength), Sefu (+2 Attack Strength), Wanushu (+2 Attack Strength)
Delays: 4
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to try and capture the beast.

[Thaluikhain]

Trying to randomly capture a dinosaur for no good reason is too stupidly awesome not to do.

[Queen of Swords]

I would have said stick to our mission, but now I’m wondering if this might be the only way to take on that T. Rex, given that we’re not likely to encounter Longspike on this route. So yeah, try to capture a brontosaurus.

[Beroli]

Wanushu squats on the ground and outlines his plan in the damp dirt. ‘The lake narrows as it flows through a ravine to the south. Sefu and I will chase the beast into the ravine; Kuwi will prevent it from escaping out the other end.’ The veteran hunter stabs a finger and you and smiles wryly, ‘You have the easiest task of all. Simply climb to the top of ravine, leap on to the creature’s back as it passes, and then hope the Crystal works!’

You are not comforted by Wanushu’s cheerful attitude. Nevertheless, you head for the ravine with Kuwi as the two hunters wade into the shallow lake and circle behind the Thunder Lizard, weapons at the ready. Suddenly Wanushu charges the enormous beast, screaming at the top of his lungs and swinging his battle-axe above his head. The Thunder Lizard gives a startled grunt and begins to amble away from the noisy little creature at its feet.

Sefu joins in, and soon both of them are running along behind the long-necked titan, whooping wildly and herding the beast towards the ravine. The surprised beast picks up speed as it thunders across the lake, each massive footstep throwing up an explosion of water. You have yet to reach the ravine, and it is with some panic that you realise your prey is catching up to you! You quickly launch into a sprint and hope to reach the pass before the colossal beast. Gain 1 Delays.

Test your Stamina on three dice.

Roll?
Use the Charm of Endurance to auto-succeed?

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 13/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Charm of Endurance, Meal, Torch, Torch, Halcyon Crystal, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Paru (+2 Attack Strength), Sefu (+2 Attack Strength), Wanushu (+2 Attack Strength)
Delays: 5
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men

[Queen of Swords]

Yes, use the Charm of Endurance.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to use the Charm of Endurance as well.

[Beroli]

Your legs ache in protest, but the burst of speed has preserved your lead over the charging giant. Without pause you leap onto the rocks and clamber your way up the face of the ravine. You reach the top of the pass just as the Thunder Lizard barrels into the canyon, trumpeting in distress. With your last ounce of energy, you leap off the edge towards the beast’s mountainous bulk... Test your Skill. A 9 succeeds.

You land lightly on the vast back of the beast, immediately dropping flat on your stomach and hugging tightly to its rubbery hide. The Thunder Lizard, sensing your presence, halts its flight in the ravine and swings its head around on its massive neck to face you. This will either be the greatest hunt in the history of your tribe or the very end of it!

BRONTOSAURUS Skill 16 Stamina 30

Fight the Thunder Lizard (vote on how to use Luck if you choose this one)?
Use the Halcyon Crystal?

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 13/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Meal, Torch, Torch, Halcyon Crystal, _________, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Paru (+2 Attack Strength), Sefu (+2 Attack Strength), Wanushu (+2 Attack Strength)
Delays: 5
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men

[Queen of Swords]

Use the crystal. If nothing happens, point the brontosaurus in Wanushu's direction and hope it stomps him.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to use the crystal.

[Beroli]

You withdraw the Halcyon Crystal as the Thunder Lizard cranes its neck towards you. Immediately the crystal blazes with the familiar golden light; tendrils of the of the magical energy flow out from it, extending up to meet the beast’s descending head.

The instant the golden energy connects, you feel an intimate bond with the animal, suddenly empathising with the hurt and panic that it feels. Conversely, you are sure that the Thunder Lizard understands your plight and your intentions towards it. Wordlessly you communicate back and forth with the gentle giant, pure thoughts and emotions flowing along the link that the Halcyon Crystal has created.

The great beast bows its head as an understanding is reached: the Thunder Lizard will accompany you on your journey and help to put an end to the evil of the Slaver Gem, an evil that it too has witnessed. You call down to your friends and relay to them the amazing event that has transpired. It takes some coaxing, but when they see how calm and friendly the Thunder Lizard has become they hesitantly climb up to join you on the creature’s back.

The ancestors are most pleased with your performance in the hunt. Restore up to 2 Skill points, 6 Stamina points and 4 Luck points. If you were suffering from Lung Rot, it has now been cured. Buoyed by the success of your hunt, you and your team continue on your way to the east, sitting astride your new ally.

Lose 2 Delays.

At last you have reached the eastern rim of the Cauldron. Thankfully there is a narrow pass that ascends to the lip of the valley through which you can reach the plains. Before you can proceed, however, there is one last obstacle to overcome.

Standing before you is a large beast with a bulky body, standing on four short legs. A short tail hangs behind it. A neck frill that is crowned with six long spikes surrounds the head of the animal. A smaller horn extends from each of its cheeks, and a single long horn protrudes from above its beaked nose. The beast is familiar to you, for it is Longspike, the lifelong companion of your former chieftain, that threw him to his death in a fit of madness. It must have wandered down to the Cauldron after the death of its master, seekng a place where your hunters would not follow.

Longspike stamps the ground with its clawed feet, snorting angrily and tossing about its spiked head. Its hooded eyes radiate a sinister red glow, suggesting that Valgrek has played some part in the beast’s enraged state. Longspike is blocking the pass; if you wish to proceed, you will have to defeat it!

STYRACOSAURUS Skill 12 Stamina 14

Use the Halcyon Crystal?
Fight Longspike (vote on how to use Luck if you choose this one)?
Have the Thunder Lizard fight Longspike?

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 15/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Meal, Torch, Torch, Halcyon Crystal, _________, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Paru (+2 Attack Strength), Sefu (+2 Attack Strength), Wanushu (+2 Attack Strength), Thunder Lizard (Skill 16, Stamina 30)
Delays: 3
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men

[Queen of Swords]

Oh good, we found the styracosaurus again.

Use the crystal.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to use the crystal again.

[Beroli]

You point the Halcyon Crystal at Longspike; immediately it flares with golden light. The crimson glow slowly fades from the beast’s eyes as the magic of the crystal undoes the evil of the Slaver Gem. Calm falls over Longspike, and it lowers its great head in subservience.

Longspike will now accompany you in your journey. He has a Skill of 12 and a Stamina of 14. Riding atop the beast will allow you to proceed with great speed, but there is only room atop him for yourself and Kuwi. Paru, Sefu, and Wanushu will follow along behind you on the slower Thunder Lizard. Reduce your Delays by 4.

Leaving the steaming jungles of the Cauldron behind at last, you race across the Plain of Bones, hot on the heels of the traitors Valgrek and Ogil, and your enslaved tribe. The hours fly by as the sweat pours off your brow in the scorching sun. Then you see it, a huge plume of dust kicked up by the passage of Valgrek’s convoy. As you get closer, you can see the bone-barred cages that hold your people, dragged along behind enormous scaled beasts. At the head of the convoy rides Valgrek, mounted atop the most feared predator of all time–-the Tyrant King. The conclusion of your quest is within sight, but how long has it taken you to get here?

Your Delays is less than 4 (and less than 0, which the gamebook writer does not appear to have considered possible, but there are multiple ways to get to it as the only Delays points which are actually unavoidable if you get Longspike are the two from listening to Vendictus).

Valgrek glares at you from the harness affixed to his monstrous mount. ‘Wretched hunter, you are no different to the rest of those muscle-bound fools. Real strength lies in magic, not physical strength! It is I that should have led the tribe, not some dim-witted warrior-chieftain. Now you will all pay the price for your ignorance!’

You close in on the evil shaman and his monstrous mount. Before you can reach him however, a great flying reptile intercepts you. It descends from the clear sky and lands in front of you; its beady eyes burn with the red flame of the Slaver Gem’s influence. Sitting astride the broad-winged beast is Ogmil. ‘I told you I would looks after things,’ he grins slyly.

You move forward to end his pitiful life once and for all. You must fight Ogmil and his flying mount at the same time.

OGMIL Skill 7 Stamina 7
PTERANODON Skill 8 Stamina 9

Under the circumstances, I feel confident you will use the Halcyon Crystal.

Once more you reveal the Halcyon Crystal. The golden light flows from it towards Ogmil, softening his hate-filled face. ‘I didn’t know what the Gem could do,’ he moans, ‘Valgrek sent me to the Cauldron to search for it, but I had no idea what he had planned. You have to believe me.’

His expression hardens. ‘Still, what’s done is done. Master has promised me Kuwi as my bride. We shall be together at long last!’

A dry chuckle, like the rustling of dry parchment, echoes across the plains. ‘Fool!’ cries Valgrek, seated in his harness atop the terrible Tyrant King, ‘The girl will be sold to the Lizard-folk, same as the others. Her unmarked hide will fetch a high price!’

Ogmil stares at the shaman in shocked silence. ‘But… you promised me!’ he sputters, his features contorting in anger. The apprentice strikes at his winged mount, forcing it up into the air. ‘You promised me!’ Ogmil screams as he directs the flying reptile towards Valgrek. Before the old shaman can react, the creature swoops down and plucks him from his seat. The beast, master and apprentice ascend into the sky, higher and higher, until there is a blinding flash. All three then plummet from the sky, spiralling through the air before crashing into the hard dirt of the plains. The smoking bodies of Ogmil and his mount lie still, but there is life in Valgrek still!

The Tyrant King, supreme lord of all carnivores in the Plain of Bones, now stands before you. The monster stands some five metres high on two large and powerful hind limbs. A long, heavy tail swings behind it. Two tiny forelimbs extend from his chest; above these, a short, muscular neck connects to the creature’s massive head, the jaws of which are lined with curved, dagger-like teeth.

The killing machine steps towards you, ready to tear you limb from limb.

Valgrek has been knocked off his mount.

Valgrek may have been dismounted from the Tyrant King, but the fearsome carnivore remains under the malign influence of the Slaver Gem. Then you see it, fastened into a harness that sits about the monster’s head. The evil artefact pulses with the same fell light that emanates from the creature’s eyes. If you were to get your hands on the Gem you may be able to undo its magic. Armed with this knowledge, you prepare to fight for your life!

TYRANNOSAURUS REX Skill 13 Stamina 25

I would pause to ask if you want to use the Halcyon Crystal, but doing so merely tells you that the Halcyon Crystal won't work this close to the Slaver Gem.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex fights you and Longspike together. Each time it wins an Attack Round, roll one die; on a 1-2 it does 4 damage to Longspike, on a 3-6 it does 4 damage to you. If you (or Longspike) wins two consecutive Attack Rounds you can attempt to strike a blow at the Slaver Gem. If the fight is still going after six rounds something will happen.

Bearing all of that in mind, vote on how to use Luck here.

Name: George Dragonslayer
Sex: Male
Skill: 11/11
Stamina: 15/15
Luck: 10/10
Weapon: Shining Sword
Rucksack contents: Rope, Meal, Torch, Torch, Halcyon Crystal, _________, _________, _________, _________, _________
Companions: Kuwi, Longspike (Skill 12, Stamina 14)
Delays: -1
Special Notes: Circlet of Hamaskis
Deaths: Mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, eaten by a dragon, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, driven insane by a creature from nightmare, mercilessly crushed by Thrandeus, blown up by igniting natural gas, torn to shreds by Lizard Men