56) Knights of Doom Solution

[champskees]

When I was a kid, I thought Knights of Doom was amazing. It had enemies practically ripped from Warhammer (Chaos Knight Champion anyone?), lots of cool places to explore and many paths to choose from. After reading this book recently, I must admit my rose tinted memories pertaining to this book have been all but destroyed.

This book suffers from the same issues that broke Spellbreaker. Only an adventurer with very high Skill will have a chance against the overpowered monsters, but then you need to fail a Skill Test to receive a vital clue....grrrr. The other thing I hate is that you have to read almost every single paragraph to complete the adventure. I get it; you want me to read all of your great set pieces (some are blatantly copied from Hand, others are actually quite good), but this reads like a Hand adventure modified by Livingstone. The result: almost unplayable. A more balanced version of the book would have made this a great addition to the series.

For this adventure, I recommend 11 Skill, 20+ Stamina & 11+ Luck. As with Spellbreaker, I also recommend loaded dice, a couple that always roll 1s and a couple that always roll 6s.

You start with:

- Magic Sword.
- Warrior Skills: Ride, Weapon (Spear)
- Priest Skills: Banish Spirit, Holy Strike

- Test Luck. Fail = 3 Damage.
- Use the Banish Spirit special skill.
- Take Dwarven Breastplate (-1 Attack Strength, -1 Damage taken in battle).
- Take Paladin’s Lance (Test Skill+2 when used; 2 Damage to enemy if successful).
- Take 5 Food.
- Take Lantern & Tinderbox.
- Take 20 Gold Pieces.
- Take 2 Tots of Aranandus’s Restorative Potion (Restore Stamina to Initial Level when used).
- Try to talk your way out.
- Test Skill+1. Fail = 2 Damage & Lose 1 Honour.
- You do not have the Commune special skill.
- Test Luck. Fail = 2 Damage.
- Use the Banish Spirit special skill.
- Take Assassin’s Dagger.
- Add 1 to Time Elapsed (+1 Luck, +2 Stamina).
- Ride straight through.
- You are happy to meet this rider.
- Go with the messenger to Cleeve Manor.
- Listen to the minstrels.
- Add note: Ballad of the Crusader Part One: ‘Three’.
- Give the old soothsayer 3 Gold Pieces to have your future revealed to you (-3 Gold Pieces, +1 Luck).
- Add 1 to Time Elapsed (+4 Stamina).
- You do not have the Tracking special skill.
- Take the left fork.
- You do not have the Arcane Lore special skill.
- Test Luck. Fail = Start again (you have missed a crucial quest item).
- Try to gather some of the Ironbane fungus.
- Test Skill. Fail = Start again (you have missed a crucial quest item).
- Take Ironbane.
- Test Luck. Fail = 3 Damage, -1 Skill.
- Test Skill+1 (-1 if you have the Tracking special skill, -1 if you have a Boar Charm). If you succeed, restart (you have missed a crucial quest item). Note that you must fail this roll in order to learn the runic code which allows you to get a crucial quest item.
- This walkthrough assumes you failed the above roll.
- Investigate the source of the glinting.
- Add note: Rune Code on Para 112.
- Try to take the shield.
- Take Dragon Shield (-1 Enemy Attack Strength).
- You have the Ride special skill.
- You may use a Crossbow or Lance here.
- Fight Sk 8 St 8 Great Boar.
- Take Boar Tusks.
- Investigate the chanting.
- Burst into the clearing & interrupt the man.
- Fight Sk 8 St 10 Thornbeast.
- Add word: Nroht.
- Test Luck.
        o If successful:
                o Fight Sk 6 St 6 Cleric.
                o Take Cleric’s Talisman.
        o Fail: 1 Damage.
- Add 1 Honour.
- Ask him if you can recruit some of his soldiers to fight against Belgaroth’s forces.
- Add word: Ecrof.
- Take 3 Food.
- Test Luck.
        o If successful: +1 Attack Strength in next fight.
        o If fail: 2 Damage.
- Fight Sk 7 St 6 Murderer & Sk 6 St 8 Murderer & Sk 7 St 7 Murderer together.
        o You only need to kill two of the murderers.
- You do not have a crossbow.
- You have the Ride special skill.
- Take Raven Charm.
- Take 3 Gold Pieces.
- Add 1 to Time Elapsed (-3 Gold Pieces, +2 Stamina).
- You want to visit the markets.
- Go to the market.
- Take Ziridian Charm (auto pass next 2 luck tests, -4 Gold Pieces).
- Enter this building.
- Take Witherwell (-4 Gold Pieces).
- Take Revelation (-6 Gold Pieces).
- Take Antitoxin (-3 Gold Pieces).
- Help the alchemist.
- Puzzle:
        o Volcanic Ash = 4
        o Sulphur Rock = 6
        o Forest Dew = 5
        o Ether Mist = 2
        o Missing element is forest dew.
        o Column three = 5+6+6+4=21.
        o Column four = 4+2+2+5=13.
- 13+21=34. Turn to Para 34.
- Add note: Ballad of the Crusader Part Two: ‘Seven’.
- Take 13 Gold Pieces (amount paid for the potions).
- Try to recruit a small army.
- Agree to these terms & fight.
- Fight Sk 10 St 11 Mercenary Champion.
        o If hit, Roll D6. 4-6 = 3 Damage.
        o If you roll a double 6 when calculating attack strength or you reduce enemy stamina to 4 or less: Add word: Ecrof.
        o If enemy rolls a double 6 when calculating attack strength or your stamina is reduced to 4 or less, you lose & combat ends immediately.
- Pause for a moment to watch the mummers.
- Test Luck. Fail = 4 Damage.
- Fight Sk 8 St 7 Mummers’ Dragon.
- Test Skill.
        o If successful:
                o Fight Sk 7 St 6 Knight.
                o Fight Sk 6 St 6 Witch.
                o Fight Sk 6 St 7 Horsehead.
                o Fight Sk 6 St 5 Pickpocket.
                o Fight Sk 7 St 7 Oddfellow.
                        • Fight two at a time.
                        • -1 Attack Strength & 1 Damage per hit for duration of combat.
                        • Enemies are defeated once you have hit them twice.
                        • Combat will also end after 16 attack rounds.
                o Take 8 Gold Pieces.
                o Add 1 Honour.
        o If fail:
                o 3 Damage (-1Luck).
- You have ‘Nroht’ written on your adventure sheet.
- Investigate further.
- Knock on the door.
- You are not wearing a green cloak & hood.
- 4D6 Test Stamina. Fail = Death.
- Use the potion Witherwell (4 Damage, +1 Luck).
- Roll D6. 1-4 = Fight Sk 7 St 6 Initiate. If fight is longer than 6 rounds, death.
- Fight Sk 9 St 9 Bryar.
        o If you do not have a Cleric’s Talisman, -2 to your attack strength for duration of combat.
- Roll D6.
        o 1-2: Fear of Spiders.
        o 3-4: Fear of Snakes.
        o 5-6: Fear of Heights.
- Add 1 Honour.
- Take Twisted Staff.
- You were not captured by Master Graye the Miller.
- You want to visit Torrin (1 Damage).
- You have the Holy Strike special skill & wish to use it (D6 Damage to enemy).
- Fight Sk 8 St 9 Lich.
        o After three attack rounds, -1 Attack Strength for duration of combat.
- Push on in hope of reaching your desired destination (+4 Stamina).
- Take Magical Chainmail (-1 Damage taken in battle, replaces Dwarven Breastplate, +1 Luck).
- Wait & see what happens.
- Test Luck. Fail = -1 Skill & 2 Damage.
- Fight Sk 7 St 6 Hellhound.
        o After each round, Roll D6. 1-2 = 1 Damage.
- Fight D6+1 Sk 7 St 6 Hellhound’s (one at a time).
        o Use Holy Strike once per fight (2 Damage to each enemy).
        o +1 Attack Strength for duration of combat.
        o After each round, Roll D6. 1-2 = 1 Damage.
- Add 1 to Time Elapsed (+1 Luck)
- Take 3 Food.
- If Honour is 9:
        o Ride through & leave them in peace.
- If Honour is less than 9:
        o Stop & argue in defence of your order.
        o Agree to help these people.
        o Go to the right.
        o If Fear of Snakes:
                o Test Skill+2.
                        • Success:
                                o -2 Attack Strength next fight.
                                o Fight Sk 8 St 11 Snakes.
                                        o Use Antivenom here otherwise 4 Damage if hit by enemy.
                                o You have not read about this monster and you do not have the Arcane Lore special skill.
                                o Fight Sk 7 St 7 Cockatrice.
                                        o If hit by enemy, 2 Damage & Roll D6.
                                                • 1-2: No effect.
                                                • 3: -1 Skill.
                                                • 4: -2 Skill.
                                                • 5: -3 Skill.
                                                • 6: Death.
                                o You do not have the word ‘Enorc’ written on your adventure sheet.
                                o Add 1 Honour.
                                o Take 2 Food.
                                o Stay on the road heading south.
                        • Fail:
                                o Lose 1 Honour & -1 Luck.
        o If you do not have a fear of snakes:
                o Fight Sk 8 St 11 Snakes.
                        • Use Antivenom here otherwise 4 Damage if hit by enemy.
                o You have not read about this monster and you do not have the Arcane Lore special skill.
                o Fight Sk 7 St 7 Cockatrice.
                        • If hit by enemy, 2 Damage & Roll D6.
                                o 1-2: No effect.
                                o 3: -1 Skill.
                                o 4: -2 Skill.
                                o 5: -3 Skill.
                                o 6: Death.
                o You do not have the word ‘Enorc’ written on your adventure sheet.
                o Add 1 Honour.
                o Take 2 Food.
                o Stay on the road heading south.
- Help the people of Assart.
- You do not have the Battle Tactics special skill.
- 2D6*2 Damage.
        o -2 to roll if you possess Holy Strike special skill.
        o -2 to roll if you possess a Lance.
- Search the meeting house.
- Add note: Necromage’s name is Cadaver.
- Search the bell-tower.
- Try to stop the bell tolling.
- Add note: While in Myrton, -1 Skill to undead enemies (+1 Luck).
- Fight Sk 7 St 6 Vampire Bat.
- Take Lantern (you may only carry one).
- Search the graveyard.
- You possess a lantern.
- Enter the sepulchre right away.
- You have the Banish Spirit special skill & wish to use it.
- You do not have the Commune special skill.
- Test Luck. Fail = Add note: -1 Skill while in the sepulchre.
- You do not have the Arcane Lore special skill.
- Go north.
- Do not use your Banish Spirit special skill.
- Prepare to fight.
- Add note: 5*Necromage’s name when at the Door of Skulls.
- Look for the knight’s tomb by going south.
- Open & search the last coffin.
- You do not have the word ‘Eugalp’ written on you adventure sheet (3 Damage).
- Use the code from Para 112 to translate runes on coffin lid.
- Translation:
        o Ever onward through the land
        o In the shrine the spear to find
        o Great was his hope when he espie
        o High upon a barren peak
        o The templar shrine that he did seek
- Add note: Ballad of the Crusader Part Three: ‘Eight’.
- Take the ring at the risk of releasing another cloud of spores from the asphyxiating mould.
- Test Skill. Fail = 2 Damage (You do not have ‘Eugalp’ written down).
- Take Shield Ring.
- Go west.
- You have a Shield Ring.
- Add note: -1 Enemy Attack Strength while wearing the Shield Ring (+1 Luck).
- Fight Sk 7 St 6 Skeletal Dog.
        o Use Holy Strike special skill (-1 Skill & 2 Damage to enemy).
        o Swords only inflict 1 Damage per hit on this enemy.
- You know how to pass the Door of Skulls.
- Cadaver = 3+1+4+1+22+5+18=54. 54*5=270. Turn to Para 270.
- Fight Sk 9 St 5 Deathshead.
        o Use Holy Strike special skill (-1 Skill & 2 Damage to enemy).
- Fight Sk 10 St 12 Cadaver.
        o If you have Fear of Spiders, -1 Attack Strength for duration of battle.
        o If enemy hits you twice in a row, D6+1 Damage.
- Add 1 Honour (+2 Luck).
- You do not have ‘Reggad’ written down on your adventure sheet.
- Take 5 Gold Pieces.
- Take 3 Food.
- Restore Stamina by 1/2 Initial Level (round fractions down).
- Add word: Ecrof.
- Set off in search of Aelfgar, the legendary Elf-Spear.
- Three clues: 378. Turn to Para 378.
- You would not like to give your dying friend a healing potion.
- Add word: Ronnoc.
- Test Skill. Fail = Start again (you have missed a vital quest item).
- D6/2*2 Damage (round fractions down).
- Fight Sk 7 St 6 Orc Wolf-Rider.
- Fight Sk 6 St 6 Orc Wolf-Rider.
- Fight Sk 7 St 5 Orc Wolf-Rider.
        o You have the Ride special skill.
- Add 1 Honour.
- You have a Twisted Staff.
- Take Lein Sap.
- Take Elven Amulet.
- Ignore it & continue on your present path.
- Wait for these strange humanoids to make the first move.
- Go with these strange creatures.
- Points scored: 3-4.
        o Trespassing in the forest: +3 Points.
        o Hunting a wild boar in the forest: +2 Points.
        o Having some of the fungus Ironbane: +2 Points.
        o If you have a Cleric’s Talisman: -1 Point.
        o Having a twisted staff: -1 Point.
        o Having an Elven Amulet: -1 Point.
        o Fighting Orc Wolf-Riders: -1 Point.
- Roll 2D6. If less than or equal to points scored, death.
- Fight Sk 12 St 12 Knight of the Flame.
        o Enemy deals 3 Damage per hit.
- Add 1 to Time Elapsed (+2 Stamina).
- If you suffer from Fear of Heights:
        o Test Skill+2. Fail = Death.
- If Honour is less than 11: start again (you have missed an important quest item).
- If your Honour is 11+:
        o If you suffer from Fear of Spiders:
                o Fight Sk 9 St 10 Veracna.
                        • -2 Attack Strength for duration of combat.
        o If you suffer from Fear of Snakes:
                o Fight Sk 8 St 13 Horned Serpent.
                        • -2 Attack Strength for duration of combat.
        o If you suffer from Fear of Heights:
                o Fight Sk 9 St 4 Fire Imp & Sk 8 St 4 Fire Imp & Sk 7 St 5 Fire Imp together.
                        • -2 Attack Strength for duration of combat.
- Wait to see what happens.
- Stay as you are.
- Restore any lost stamina as a result of any battles fought in this shrine thus far.
- Take Aelfgar.
        o Add note: 11 Bands of Elven Runes.
        o You have the Spear Weapon special skill (+1 Attack Strength).
- Remove any fear you have (+1 Luck).
- You have a shield.
- It has a Golden Dragon design.
- Restore Skill, Stamina & Luck to Initial Levels.
- Add 1 Honour Point.
- You have the Ride special skill.
- Test Skill-2 four times.
        o Success:
                o Fight Sk 9 St 11 Hill Giant.
        o Fail any roll:
                o 2 Damage.
                o Fight Sk 9 St 11 Hill Giant.
                        • If hit by enemy, Roll D6.
                                o 5: 3 Damage.
                                o 6: 4 Damage.
- You have the word ‘Ecrof’ written down on your adventure sheet.
- Total Battle Strength: 7-12.
        o Lord Varen of Cleeve Manor’s soldiers: 4 points.
        o If Nasra Stronn’s Mercenaries from Havalok: 5 points.
        o Villagers of Assart: 3 points.
        o You do not have the Battle Tactics special skill.
- You have taken six days or less.
- Battle against Strength 10 Beast Men.
        o If you force has the disadvantage:
                o Fight Sk 9 St 12 Chaos Steed.
                o -1 to enemy’s Battle Strength.
                o Battle against Beast Men again.
                        • If you have the disadvantage:
                                o Fight Sk 8 St 9 Gorehorn.
                                        o If enemy wins two consecutive rounds, Roll D6. Odd = 4 Damage.
                                o -1 to enemy’s Battle Strength.
                                o Battle against Beast Men again.
                                        o If you have the disadvantage:
                                                • Death.
- Fight Sk 12 St 14 Beast Man Champion.
        o Enemy deals 3 Damage per hit.
- You have Lord Varen’s soldiers among your force.
- You have other allies.
- Fight Sk 7 St 7 Soldier.
        o If fight lasts longer than four rounds, death.
- Command your men to retreat so you can break through the lines with Firemane to continue your mission.
- Tether Firemane here & sneak into the Beast Men’s camp for further investigation now that the night has fallen.
- Test Luck. Fail = Fight Sk 5 St 6 Rat Man & Sk 6 St 5 Rat Man together.
- Try to distract it & sneak past.
- Test Skill.
        o If fail:
                o Fight Sk 8 St 8 Chaos Beast Man.
                        • If fight lasts longer than six rounds, death.
- Throw the animal some food (-2 Food).
- Fight Sk 10 St 11 Murgrim.
- Take Celastrix’s Feather.
- Add note: Burn feather & call name three times (+1 Luck).
- Add 1 Honour.
- Add 1 to Time Elapsed (+2 Stamina).
- Fight Sk 12 St 12 Chaos Knight Champion.
        o You do not have the Lance Weapon special skill (-1 Attack Strength).
        o You possess the Ride special skill.
        o If enemy wins two attack rounds, you are unhorsed (4 Damage & -2 Attack Strength for duration of combat).
        o If you win two attack rounds before the enemy, your enemy is unhorsed (+2 Attack Strength for duration of combat).
- Look for another way in (+1 Luck).
- Explore the passageway further.
- Use your edged weapon to get past the gate (1 Damage).
- Fight the monster (do not Test your Luck here).
- Fight Sk 10 St 15 Reptilian.
- Fight Sk 4 St 5 Iron Eater.
        o If enemy wins an attack round: Lose one piece of armour.
        o If you win an attack round: enemy is automatically defeated.
- You do not have the Commune special skill.
- Test Skill. Fail = Death.
- You have the Banish Spirit special skill & wish to use it.
- Turn left & make a thorough investigation of the dead-end.
- You do not have the Tracking special skill.
- Test Skill. Fail = Start again (you have missed essential quest information).
- Puzzle: Answer is 6.
        o Six numbers.
        o Six points on the star.
        o Opposite numbers are divisible by six.
- Turn to Para 6.
- You do not have the Arcane Lore special skill.
- Test Luck. Fail = Start again (you have missed essential quest information).
- Add note: Words of Power ‘Xi Syte Nind Naderd Nuhero’.
- Use Ironbane on it.
- Test Luck. Fail = Death.
- Test Luck. Fail = Death.
- You have the word ‘Ronnoc’ written on your adventure sheet.
- You do not have the Commune special skill.
- Use the Revelation potion.
- Add word: Rotiart (+1 Luck).
- You do not wish to use the Banish Spirit special skill here.
- You have a magical weapon.
- Fight Sk 9 St 9 Morgwyn.
        o Use Holy Strike special skill (-1 Skill & 2 Damage to enemy).
        o If enemy wins first round of combat: 4 Damage.
        o If enemy wins second round of combat: 6 Damage.
- If hit by enemy at least once, Roll D6. 1-5 = -1 Skill.
- Use Forest of Lein Sap.
- You know five words of power. Backwards: One hundred and ninety six. Turn to Para 196.
- 3D6 Test Stamina. Fail = Death.
- You have the Holy Strike special skill.
- Fight 0-5 Sk 10 St 12 Chaos Knights.
        o Your attacks only deal 1 Damage per hit.
        o If an enemy hits you, Roll D6. Odd = 3 Damage instead of 2.
- D6+7 Test Honour. Fail = Death.
- Use the Holy Strike special skill (2 Damage).
- Fight Sk 12 St 17 Belgaroth.
        o Enemy deals 3 Damage and -1 Honour per hit. 0 Honour = Death.
        o Your attacks deal 1 Damage per hit to enemy.
        o Only fight until enemy is reduced to 7 or less Stamina.
        o You do not have the word ‘Reggad’ written down.
- You have the word ‘Rotiart’ written down on your adventure sheet.
- Taris Varen = 20+1+18+9+19+22+1+18+5+14=127. Turn to Para 127.
- Fight Sk 7 St 8 Raven.
- Fight Sk 10 St 11 Night-mare.
        o Use Holy Strike special skill (-1 Skill & 2 Damage to enemy).
        o Only fight until enemy is reduced to 6 or less Stamina.
- You have a Golden Feather. Celastrix = 3+5+12+1+19+20+18+9+24=111. 111*3=333. Turn to Para 333.
- You have the Ride special skill.
- Test Skill-2. Fail = Death.
- You possess Aelfgar. Turn to Para 11.
- You do not have the Target special skill.
- Test Skill. Fail = Death.
- Riding on your winged mount towards the Citadel you know that, thanks to your bravery, your homeland has been saved for a second time from the tyranny of Belgaroth, the Dread Lord, and his Knights of Doom.

[sylas]

A few things I'm not sure of in Champskees' solution so here's an alternative. Forgive the messiness, I have a different format.


Another KNIGHTS OF DOOM solution


This adventure can be completed with Attributes of: SK 10, ST 17, LK 11

Special Skills: Ride, Banish Spirit, Arcane Lore, Weapon-Spear.

All Tests will be assumed successful and combats victorious.

Your effective Attack Strength will be shown in brackets after your opponent’s.
E.g. Your fight against a Chaos Knight SK 10, ST 12 vs your Attack Strength of 11 will be shown as:
Chaos Knight 10/12 (11).

KEY
AS: Attack Strength
PR: Provisions
GP: Gold Pieces
HON: Honour
~ encounter has a special attack
* indicates a good time to risk Testing your Luck once.
# indicates a good time to eat 1-2 Provisions.
[ ] code word or important name.


Test LK. Banish Spirit. Choose Shield (-1AS enemy) and Helmet. Add equipment (Healing Potion 2 doses). Talk your way out. Test SK+1. Test LK. Banish Spirit. +1LK, +2ST, +1 Time, and leave the Dagger. Find out more. Find Herluin. Follow directions. Enter cell. Test LK. Make a thorough search. You need to roll a 3 after three rolls (about 42% chance). Look for the miller. Enter. -1ST. Fight Hooded Attacker 7/8~ (10). Finish him. +6GP, +2PR, Green Hooded Cloak (wear it). [Rellim]. Read letter. [Wolfsbane]. Drink liquid. +4ST. Leave.

Meet rider. Go to Cleeve Manor. Listen to minstrels. Clue 1: (THREE). Consult the soothsayer. +1LK, -3GP. +4ST, +1 Time. Go left. Arcane Lore. Gather. Test SK. Ironbane Fungus. Test LK. Test SK+1 (success or failure irrelevant). Ride. Fight Great Boar 7/8 (10). Investigate chanting. Interrupt. Fight Thornbeast 7/10 (10). [Nroht]. Test LK. Fight Cleric 5/6 (10). Cleric’s Talisman. +1HON. Recruit soldiers. [Ecrof]. +3PR. Test LK. Fight Murderers together until two are dead 6/6, 5/8, 6/7 (11). Pursue. Ride. +3GP. Eat provisions if wounded.

-3GP, +2ST, +1 Time. Markets. Keep going. Buy Ziridian Charm, Holy Oil (2 doses), +2PR (spent 13GP). Enter Alchemist’s. Buy Witherwell and Revelation (-10GP). Help. Answer takes you to 34. Clue 2: (SEVEN). Reclaim your now useless 10GP. Recruit army. Fight Mercenary Champion 9/11~ (10). South Gate #. Investigate clerics. You are wearing a green cloak. Password takes you to 97. Use Witherwell. -4ST, +1LK. May not have to fight Initiate 6/6 (10). Fight Bryar 8/9 (10). Gain Fear of Snakes, Spiders, or Heights. +1HON, Twisted Staff. Visit Torrin #.

-1ST. Fight Lich 7/9~ (10). Push on. +4ST, Magic Chainmail (-1 damage taken), +1LK. Wait. Charm makes you Lucky. Fight Hellhound 6/6~ (10). Then Fight 1d6+1 Hellhounds 6/6~ (11). +1 Time, +1LK, +3PR. Eat if wounded. Defend your order. Help them. Right. (Fear of Snakes, Test SK+2). Fight Snakes 7/11~ (10/8 if you fear snakes)*. Fight Cockatrice 6/7~ (10). +1HON, +2PR. Go south. Eat PR to full ST.

Help Assart. Run undead gauntlet. Roll 2d6 (need to roll 10 or less). Use Holy Oil, first dose. -0 to -20 ST. Eat PR to full ST. Meeting house. [Cadaver]. Bell tower. Stop tolling (-1SK of undead in Myrton). +1LK. Fight Vampire Bat 6/6 (10). Graveyard. Enter. Banish Spirit. Charm makes you Lucky but is now expended. Arcane Lore. South. Open coffin. -3ST. Decipher runes. Clues 3: (EIGHT). Take ring. Test SK. Shield Ring. North. Prepare. Learn way through door. West. Learn ring’s power (-1AS enemy) +1LK. Fight Skeletal Dog 4/6~ (10). Eat one PR. Speak name to get to 270. Fight Death’s Head 6/5 (10). Fight Cadaver 7/12~ (10/9 if you fear spiders)*. +2LK, +1HON, +5GP, +3PR, +1 Time, +9ST. Recruit villagers #. Search for spear. Clues take you to 378. Attributes should be at maximum at this point.

Bit harsh but save your potion. [Ronnoc]. Test SK. Lose ½d6 x2ST. Fight Orc Wolfriders 5/6, 4/6, 5/5 (10). # +1HON. Sap from Forest of Lein, Elven Amulet. Ignore voice. Wait. Go with them. Need to roll 4 or more on 2d6. Fight Knight of the Flame 10/12~ (10)*. +2ST, +1 Time. Take Flame Shield #. (Fear of Heights, Test SK+2). Enter. (Fear of Spiders, Fight Veracna 7/10 (8)*). (Fear of Snakes, Fight Horned Serpent 6/13 (8)*). (Fear of Heights, Fight Fire Imps together 7/4, 6/4, 5/5 (8)*). Wait. Stay. Regain ST lost in fight. You have Aelfgar (11 bands, +1AS)! Erase Fear, +1LK. You have the Flame Shield. (+4ST, +1SK, +1LK, Fireball inflicts 4ST damage once). Leave.

Test SK-2 four times. Fight Hill Giant 7/11 (11). Your Battle Strength total is 12. Fight one battle round 10 (12). You should gain the advantage. Fight Beast Man Champion 10/14~ (11). Fight Soldier 5/7~ (11). Retreat. Drink Healing Potion, first dose. Investigate. Test LK. Distract and sneak. Test SK. Fight Rabid Chaos Hound 5/7~ (11). Fight Murgrim 8/11 (11). Celastrix Feather (burn and call 3 times), +1LK, +1HON.

+2ST, +1 Time. Throw Khrizat’s Fire. Fight Chaos Knight Champion 10/8~ (10)*. +1LK. Eat PR to full ST. Another way in. Explore. Break lock with spear. -1ST. Fight Reptilian 8/15 (11). Fight Iron-Eater one round. Test SK. Banish Spirit. Investigate dead end. Answer takes you to 6. Arcane Lore. Learn Words of Power. Use Ironbane. Test LK twice. Use Revelation Potion. +1LK, [Rotriart]. Fight Morgwyn 7/9~ (11). Eat PR to full ST. Use Sap. Speaking Words of Power takes you to 196. Roll three dice vs ST. Use Holy Oil second dose. Roll 1d6+6. Fight 0-5 Chaos Knights 8/12~ (11). Drink Healing Potion, second dose. Roll 1d6+7 vs HON (your HON is 12). Use spear. -5ST #. Fight Belgaroth 10/17~ (11)*. Break off combat when he is reduced to 7ST. Speaking traitor’s name takes you to 127. If you have any PR left, eat them all now. Fight Raven 5/8 (11). Fight Night-Mare 8/11 (11). Break off combat when it is reduced to 6ST. Burning feather takes you to 333. Test SK-2. Hurling Aelfgar takes you to 11. Test SK. You win!


NOTES
* The shield and helmet are important starting pieces equipment. The shield means you are less likely to get hit and therefore save provisions for later when they become more essential. The helmet negates the possibility of being knocked out by the miller.

* The Mercenary Champion can't ever score 22 since your shield lowers his AS by 1.

* It was established a while ago that the runes on the sarcophagus could be deciphered using the formula: Most frequently used letter is E then apply that to the most frequently used rune. E at the end of a three letter word is commonly THE. This in itself should fill in many of the runes. The line 'Ever onward through the land' is repeated again, enabling you to decipher more letters. Even if you can't work out the rest of the poem, the initial letters already spell E_ _HT so you can correctly assume that the hidden number is EIGHT.

* Your fight with the Chaos Knight Champion is the toughest so it is best that you use Khrizat's Fire on him. Personally, I think it is also worth Testing your Luck twice against him for increased damage to finish him quickly since the fight will only get tougher if he unhorses you, and that is more than likely.

* The double Luck Test near the end is why I opted for Arcane Lore and gives you the best chance of succeeding on both rolls which are equally important.

[daredevil123]

champskees , sylas :

Why are the chances of completing the book so much higher with sylas's solution? Is it because it is a far superior solution or because it assumes tests and combats are successful?

[johnbrawn1972]

Oct 20, 2020 11:42:38 GMT daredevil123 said:

champskees , sylas :

Why are the chances of completing the book so much higher with sylas's solution? Is it because it is a far superior solution or because it assumes tests and combats are successful?

Sylas very cleverly pushed the rules to breaking point.

I would suggest using both solutions and making your own mind up.

[Peter]

So, what was the author's intention? Was it just a mistake, or was he being clever?

You can only win by:
a) defying the odds by failing the crucial skill test to learn the code, while winning all the tough battles and other critical skill tests;
b) learning the code during a playthrough with low stats, then using that metaknowledge ("make notes and draw a map as you explore; these will prove invaluable in future adventures") in a subsequent playthrough with higher stats, when you have a chance of succeeding with all the other dice rolls;
c) using your own intelligence and logically deducing the code, without receiving specific instructions.

Option B seems to be within the spirit of the FF rules. Combined with all the other necessary items, this makes it a book in which you need to piece together the winning path, bit by bit, in multiple attempts. It is a challenging puzzle that is not quickly solved. That gives the book some replayability. In this sense, I think it is a success.

I observe that option C has been required in previous books in the series, so it can't be ruled out as an valid method of victory.

[CharlesX]

Nov 20, 2022 8:25:23 GMT Peter said:

So, what was the author's intention? Was it just a mistake, or was he being clever?

You can only win by:
a) defying the odds by failing the crucial skill test to learn the code, while winning all the tough battles and other critical skill tests;
b) learning the code during a playthrough with low stats, then using that metaknowledge ("make notes and draw a map as you explore; these will prove invaluable in future adventures") in a subsequent playthrough with higher stats, when you have a chance of succeeding with all the other dice rolls;
c) using your own intelligence and logically deducing the code, without receiving specific instructions.

Option B seems to be within the spirit of the FF rules. Combined with all the other necessary items, this makes it a book in which you need to piece together the winning path, bit by bit, in multiple attempts. It is a challenging puzzle that is not quickly solved. That gives the book some replayability. In this sense, I think it is a success.

I observe that option C has been required in previous books in the series, so it can't be ruled out as an valid method of victory.

Good analysis. I personally wonder whether option B is comparable to learning the combination code in Citadel Of Chaos and then using that on subsequent playthroughs, but you make a heavily persuasive case it isn't. I believe it's already been mentioned elsewhere in this forum Jonathan Green made clear in a social media post having to fail the test was a mistake (there is a link to this with proof, unfortunately I don't know just where it is, I'm afraid). Presumably what he meant to write was that if you pass the tracking test you come across the helpful information (and shield), not if you fail.

[Peter]

Nov 20, 2022 11:21:17 GMT CharlesX said:

I believe it's already been mentioned elsewhere in this forum Jonathan Green made clear in a social media post having to fail the test was a mistake (there is a link to this with proof, unfortunately I don't know just where it is, I'm afraid). Presumably what he meant to write was that if you pass the tracking test you come across the helpful information (and shield), not if you fail.

Ah. I was not aware of this.

That would make the book simply difficult, one that requires high stats to stand any chance.

[fingersonthepages]

Im gonna be frank, this book might have some of the best writing, art and atmosphere in the series, but gameplay wise its complete bullshit. If you value your sanity, cheat.

[sylas]

Nov 29, 2022 18:28:17 GMT fingersonthepages said:

Im gonna be frank, this book might have some of the best writing, art and atmosphere in the series, but gameplay wise its complete bullshit. If you value your sanity, cheat.

Or send me a message if you want an unofficial revised version.

[banananinja]

Dec 1, 2022 13:53:40 GMT sylas said:

Nov 29, 2022 18:28:17 GMT fingersonthepages said:

Im gonna be frank, this book might have some of the best writing, art and atmosphere in the series, but gameplay wise its complete bullshit. If you value your sanity, cheat.

Or send me a message if you want an unofficial revised version.

or course sylas can decipher every mystery, his character has arcane law. anyway, is the unofficial version still open?

[sylas]

Jul 26, 2023 8:17:14 GMT banananinja said:

Dec 1, 2022 13:53:40 GMT sylas said:

Or send me a message if you want an unofficial revised version.

or course sylas can decipher every mystery, his character has arcane law. anyway, is the unofficial version still open?

The link seems to work for some and not for others so best to send me a PM so that I can email it to you.

[jazz]

Jul 26, 2023 15:43:46 GMT sylas said:

Jul 26, 2023 8:17:14 GMT banananinja said:

or course sylas can decipher every mystery, his character has arcane law. anyway, is the unofficial version still open?

The link seems to work for some and not for others so best to send me a PM so that I can email it to you.

Hi sylas,

I am not sure how can I send you a PM. Can you help me, I am interested in the "revised edition"

[thealmightymudworm]

Dec 29, 2023 0:32:45 GMT jazz said:

Jul 26, 2023 15:43:46 GMT sylas said:

The link seems to work for some and not for others so best to send me a PM so that I can email it to you.

Hi sylas,

I am not sure how can I send you a PM. Can you help me, I am interested in the "revised edition"

If you click on 'sylas' to get to his profile, there should be a 'Send Message' button on there.

[CharlesX]

Aug 9, 2014 19:51:31 GMT sylas said:

A few things I'm not sure of in Champskees' solution so here's an alternative. Forgive the messiness, I have a different format.


Another KNIGHTS OF DOOM solution


This adventure can be completed with Attributes of: SK 10, ST 17, LK 11

I appreciate and am grateful for Sylas 's solution, but may as well point out Champskees table would seem to suggest a Skill 10 Luck 11 Stamina 17 Hero has chances of success somewhere below 1.2%. A 'maxed out' Skill 10 hero would have chances of success of just 3.9%.

   I'd suggest at least Skill 11 hero rather than a Skill 10 one, even then your odds of success are merely 10.5% with the Luck and Stamina Sylas suggests (which seem right).

[sylas]

Jan 12, 2024 12:50:32 GMT CharlesX said:

Aug 9, 2014 19:51:31 GMT sylas said:

A few things I'm not sure of in Champskees' solution so here's an alternative. Forgive the messiness, I have a different format.


Another KNIGHTS OF DOOM solution


This adventure can be completed with Attributes of: SK 10, ST 17, LK 11

I appreciate and am grateful for Sylas 's solution, but may as well point out Champskees table would seem to suggest a Skill 10 Luck 11 Stamina 17 Hero has chances of success somewhere below 1.2%. A 'maxed out' Skill 10 hero would have chances of success of just 3.9%.

   I'd suggest at least Skill 11 hero rather than a Skill 10 one, even then your odds of success are merely 10.5% with the Luck and Stamina Sylas suggests (which seem right).

Well, I never said it was ideal. It can be completed with those attributes and I have done so before but it was tough and you need to be lucky with some of your rolls rather than running equations through a machine for a predicted outcome. But if we're gonna nitpick 11s over 10s from a post nearly ten years old, the best solution would simply be to max out your stats for the greatest chance of success.

[sylas]

Jan 12, 2024 12:50:32 GMT CharlesX said:

Aug 9, 2014 19:51:31 GMT sylas said:

A few things I'm not sure of in Champskees' solution so here's an alternative. Forgive the messiness, I have a different format.


Another KNIGHTS OF DOOM solution


This adventure can be completed with Attributes of: SK 10, ST 17, LK 11

I appreciate and am grateful for Sylas 's solution, but may as well point out Champskees table would seem to suggest a Skill 10 Luck 11 Stamina 17 Hero has chances of success somewhere below 1.2%. A 'maxed out' Skill 10 hero would have chances of success of just 3.9%.

   I'd suggest at least Skill 11 hero rather than a Skill 10 one, even then your odds of success are merely 10.5% with the Luck and Stamina Sylas suggests (which seem right).

There does exist a secret 'cheat' mode for an even greater chance of success that is perfectly legal but is incredibly tedious and vexatious if utilized. Which is why it is not utilized or mentioned in these solutions.

[CharlesX]

A very rough % chance of completing an FF worked out by extrapolating Champskees Table Skill, 3 permutations for Stamina and Luck.

Champskees solution Odds of Victory 0.53%

Technically 0.53(09recurring)%. One reason to go for Champskees solution would be if you roll up a Skill 9 adventurer with max or near-max Stamina Luck; with either table they are as hard as Crypt Of The Sorceror but Champskees solution easily has the edge.

Sylas Solution 3.4%

Technically 3.40(09recurring%). The combination of many, many tough fights and rolls you have to make is why - the 42% chance success rate alone at the start is rather ridiculous.

Like Spellbreaker this should have been 'fixed', in this instance with the outcomes to take the Dragon Shield reversed (i.e. you have to pass the roll, not fail) as J. Green mentioned in a social media post.