[Let's Play] Sorcery Warrior 4 - The Crown of Kings

[deaddmwalking]

I think we are food, so I don't like the first option. And asking about their families is too polite - that'll give us away for sure. Telling them that we've traveled a great distance is true and doesn't automatically imply that we don't belong. So I vote the middle option.

[Dogopolis]

Just to note, I'm dropping out of this thread as I have pretty much perfect recall of all optimal decisions from here on.

[JourneymanN00b]

I think politeness is the way to go when encountering strangers, barring any additional information. I vote to ask about them and their families.

[Beroli]

Okay I need a tiebreaker.

[deaddmwalking]

In the interest of moving it forward, I'm fine with asking about the families. Maybe it'll suggest some small talk that will be helpful to me in the future, perhaps when trying to avoid getting killed by an emu.

[Beroli]

They look at each other strangely. The situation is puzzling. A human comes bursting into the room as if being chased by a Spectre, then starts asking about their families! They cannot make sense of it. Confused, one of them steps forward and, in a twittering voice, says, 'Our blessed mothers are well. But what business is this of yours?'

Apologize for the intrusion and ask permission to leave while they are confused?
Apologize for offending them and continue the conversation?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 19/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword (-1 Skill), bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 43
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to apologize for offending them and continue the conversation. Better not to risk running into the birdmen outside the door.

[deaddmwalking]

Might as well.

[Beroli]

In a soft voice you add that you are glad to hear about their mothers and ask whether their fathers are also well. The three scowl at you, menacingly. 'Do not ask. Our mothers are well. That is all that need concern you. And what of you? Where is your home?' They are, in their own way, continuing the pleasantries. What is your answer?

Analand?
Khare?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 19/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword (-1 Skill), bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 43
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[deaddmwalking]

Half vote for Analand. I don't know why we'd say we're from Khare, or what's there. The truth may make us an enemy, though, so if someone else feels that Khare is definitely the right answer I'm not going to force a tie.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote for Analand as well.

[Beroli]

The three look at one another. 'From Analand, eh?' asks one, and they make little chirping noises quietly to one another. 'If you are from Analand, then you no doubt will have heard of the Crown of Kings. Have you any interest in this treasure?'

Say no and ask for any information they have about the Archmage and his henchmen?
Say yes and ask why they want to know?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 19/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword (-1 Skill), bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 43
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[deaddmwalking]

Half vote for yes.

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote yes and to ask why they want to know. I see no reason not to be honest here.

Also, I would like to make a second call for any Let’s Play requests. With Black Friday around the corner, this will probably be the best time for me to purchase any titles that you want to see run.

[Beroli]

'Friend,' chirps the first Birdman, keeping his voice down, 'I can tell that you are concealing from us the real reason why you are here. But that is wise. Caution is wisdom in Mampang. But whether or not you came upon us by accident, you have made a lucky discovery. For we can help you more than you think with your mission. My name is Peewit Croo. We three are known as the Samaritans of Schinn and our goal is the overthrow of the Archmage. He is a power-crazed madman and his ambitions must be stopped! Find the Crown of Kings. If you do, we will all have our wishes. If we can help you, we will. If you need our help, blow on this. We will come to our aid if we can.' Peewit Croo hands you a small silver whistle which you place safely in your pack. You thank him and the other Samaritans and leave the room. They offer their best wishes as you do so. Regain 2 Luck points for this encounter.

You leave the room carefully, checking to make sure no one else is about. The way is clear. You creep quietly along the passageway until you reach a T-junction. To the left, the passage ends in a solid metal door. Over the door, almost as a trophy, is a rope tied in a noose. To the right, there are two doors to choose from. In the left-hand wall of the passage is a wooden door, while at the end of the passage is a half-open door with a bell-pull hanging next to it.

Try the door with the noose?
Try the wooden door?
Try the door with the bell-pull?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 19/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword (-1 Skill), bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 43
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

I vote to say no to fascism, turn left, and try the door with the noose.

[deaddmwalking]

I like the bell pull; but I'm fine with the noose since it seems like there are only the two of us. My thinking being opening an already open door would attract the least amout of attention. Call it a half vote.

[Thaluikhain]

(Huh, that was lucky to meet those Birdmen)

I'm still here, just sorta blind options tend to end up with me leaving voting to others.

[Beroli]

You did hear about the Samaritans of Schinn twice before meeting them. If you had asked Javinne about her friends from Schinn, and convinced her she could trust you, she would have told you that they're Birdmen opposed to the Archmage and that you could identify them by the fact that good-aligned Birdmen adore their mothers and don't talk about their fathers, and evil-aligned Birdmen are the opposite.

Going to the door with the noose wins 1 to 0.5.

The heavy door is locked. Being solid metal, you do not fancy your chances at breaking it down.

You have no key that might fit.

You knock on the door.

Your knock is heard by someone inside the room. A voice bids you 'Come in!' and the tumblers in the lock turn. You open the door and step inside. As you do so, you fling yourself backwards instinctively! For above the door hangs a morning star, a vicious weapon consisting of a solid metal spiked ball hanging from a handle by a length of chain. As you opened the door, it took the ball outwards to swing back at your face! Test your Luck; a 7 is Lucky.

Just in time you managed to avoid the full impact of the morning star. It swings past your ear and catches you across the temple. Deduct 1 STAMINA point for the graze and enter the room.

The room inside is a fearful sight. The walls are black and festooned with chains; what it lacks in furniture it makes up for in traps, cages, racks and innumerable other amusements designed for the torture of hapless victims. In one corner of the room stands a brutally ugly OGRE, with a patch over one eye and a whip in his hand. As you step into the room, a smile curls across his face.

Naggamanteh has not been informed that an Analander is coming to steal back the Crown of Kings.

'A visitor!' exclaims the torture-master as you enter the room. 'And, I feel, one with a sense of fun! No one comes into this room unless they wish something from Naggamanteh. I will offer you a bargain. Ask of me what you require. If I can help I may. Then I will ask you a question. If you cannot answer, then you shall be my amusement for the rest of the day. What say you?'

Accept?
Refuse?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 18/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword (-1 Skill), bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 43
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[deaddmwalking]

Half vote for refuse.

[deaddmwalking]

For Let's Play Titles, I'm interested but don't know specific titles that you don't have. Are there a lot?

[Thaluikhain]

Quarter vote for accept.

(First quarter vote in one of these? Or one of the first?)

[JourneymanN00b]

For Let's Play Titles, I'm interested but don't know specific titles that you don't have. Are there a lot?

I already ran every title that I have. The request can be any book at a reasonable price. If one gets three votes, I will look into getting it tomorrow when Black Friday deals are here.

I vote to accept.

[Beroli]

Accepting Naggamanteh's offer wins 1.25 to 0.5.

You agree to his terms.

Ask him casually about some of the tortures he has enjoyed in the past, and ask where you may find the Archmage?
Ask him about his favorite weapon, and ask whether he knows anything of the Crown of Kings?
Compliment him on his torture chamber, and ask whether he knows anything of the Throben Doors?

Name: Jason Beckett Mordred
Sex: Male
Skill: 13/13
Stamina: 18/19
Luck: 13/13
Weapon: Sword
Inventory: Large Backpack (need not leave behind an item to take another item), Blimberry Juice (+3 Stamina), silver key, Borrinskin boots, Ragnar's Armband of Swordmastery (+2 Attack Strength when using a sword), backup sword, torch, tinderbox, Lucky Talisman (+1 bonus to all Luck tests), Lucky Talisman (do not deduct a Luck point after Testing Luck), bow and quiver of 3 silver arrows, Serpent Ring, Galehorn, Chakram (Test Skill with -1 penalty at the start of a fight to do 2 damage, once), Yellow Powder, pearl ring, Hewing Axe (-2 Attack Strength weapon, cuts down trees), chainmail (+1 Attack Strength, 1/3 chance to reduce wounds), brass pendulum, small glass vial of gas, Serpent Staff (-2 Skill to each of Seven Serpents), 6 pebbles, leaves with six lobes, yellow feathers, calling-whistle, cure disease potion, 4 healing fruits (+4 Stamina), genie bottle, stone dust, blessed hardwood spear, medicinal potion, holy water, cloth skullcap, horn, key to first Throben Doors, vial of sand, vial of glue, ring of green metal, lucky pendant (when put on, increase Initial Luck by 1 and restore current Luck to Initial value), flask of holy water, rusty sword (-1 Skill), bone bracelet, 2 Goblin Teeth, silver whistle, 9 Meals
Gold Pieces: 43
Libra's Favor: Used
Deaths: Unable to reach the North Gate of Kharé

[JourneymanN00b]

The snakes said to pay him respect, so I will vote to compliment him and ask about the Throben doors.