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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Jan 3, 2021 22:23:04 GMT
Having to shoehorn in a genie to supply a way out for a warrior shows the problem of trying to be all things to all men. The genie uses up at most 4 sections, less than 1% of the book. How drastically do you think the book would have been improved by freeing those 4 sections up for additional spell use? The first line states the general premise and that was an example. Do you really expect every example to be explicated?
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Post by Law on Jan 4, 2021 0:37:57 GMT
Reminder, everyone, that this thread is here to extol the great moments in 'Sorcery!' not lambast its many eccentricities!
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jan 4, 2021 19:26:04 GMT
Being a massive fan of the film Jason and the Argonauts I spotted it at the time and really enjoyed this - fighting the harpies tormenting the blind man. It's one of at least a couple of other ideas found in the Sorcery! books which are most likely inspired by the film.
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Post by Law on Jan 4, 2021 19:54:18 GMT
Being a massive fan of the film Jason and the Argonauts I spotted it at the time and really enjoyed this - fighting the harpies tormenting the blind man. It's one of at least a couple of other ideas found in the Sorcery! books which are most likely inspired by the film. Steve had loads of references in 'Citadel' as well.
But within 'Sorcery!' you have: the teeth into giants spell from the written legend,
an expy of Talos with his weak point on the left knee instead of his ankle,
another hydra, though this time an illusion, even the invincible Sleepless Ram could be another cheeky wink to the Golden Fleece.
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Post by vastariner on Jan 4, 2021 20:34:13 GMT
Being a massive fan of the film Jason and the Argonauts I spotted it at the time and really enjoyed this - fighting the harpies tormenting the blind man. It's one of at least a couple of other ideas found in the Sorcery! books which are most likely inspired by the film. View AttachmentThe film copies Apollonios of Rhodes' epic Argonautika, which has the blind king Phineus tortured by having the Harpies (from a Greek word meaning to seize or snatch) pinching his food.
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kieran
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Post by kieran on Jan 4, 2021 22:03:53 GMT
Curse of the Mummy also has a Harryhausen reference - the scene in the ruined amphitheatre is near identical to one in Clash of the Titans.
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Post by Ed on Jan 7, 2021 16:22:59 GMT
Not quite ' epic ' but surely one of the greatest moments in SORCERY is when you are re-united with Jann in the Archmage's prison tower.
Steve's wit, humour, imagination and ingenuity are all fully evident here.
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Post by Ksym77 on Jan 8, 2021 19:09:26 GMT
Some suitably epic moments:
Saving the Svinn girl from the manticore
Opening the East gate of Khare
Fighting the Earth serpent
Fighting the god-hydra
Casting the ZED spell
Though my favourite moment in the series is when Shadrack’s spirit comes to talk to you in Crown of Kings and you find out he can only do it because he’s been tortured to death.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Jan 8, 2021 20:16:55 GMT
I always loved the murderer who gives you an antidote if you call for Vik.
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Post by Ed on Jan 9, 2021 15:50:32 GMT
Agreed about the Shadrack moment. Its both creepy and poignant all at once
plus he divulges some crucial information about the Archmage's tower.
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Post by vastariner on Jan 9, 2021 19:41:06 GMT
The annoying thing is the most epic way of casting ZED is if you don't know what it does. It's just there in the spell options; if you've been playing throughout waiting for it to turn up, it's almost an Easter egg, like "at last!". But I doubt any player would get to that point, anyone with the gamebook experience to get that far would find out the ZED secret first.
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Post by Law on Jan 14, 2021 19:55:37 GMT
Rereading the Sorcery! Spell Book when I come across this doozy...
DUM, DIM and SAP are all de-buffing spells but the most scary and OP of them all is undoubtedly DOZ. The spell: "reduces a creature's movements and reactions to about a sixth of its usual speed."
And unlike 'The Big Six' spells, of which DUM is one, costing 4 Stamina to cast, this one only costs 2!
Considering that would reduce a Skill 12 monster to a Skill of 2! It's no wonder I can't find a section where this spell is used anywhere in the first book!
Its description even has the unique caveat of beginning by saying: "It may be cast upon any creature"!
That's some epic unlimited power right there. The five spell random selection raffle is the only thing keeping the Analander from ruling the Old World.
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Post by Law on Jan 26, 2021 1:38:26 GMT
Granted, creating the "Yhuge" fireball like I imagine you're doing a great fiery spirit bomb over your head and chucking it into the beast is rather gratifying. But then, it's anticlimax-cubed in illusion form.
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Post by Law on Jan 26, 2021 16:05:10 GMT
In lieu of that scene there's a great instance of John Wick "focus, commitment and sheer f***in' will" from a Sorcerer character using the underrated TEL Spell on the courtyard Red-Eyes. You bait one into using his heat vision, then combat roll behind his friends so he sears their throats and carotid arteries closed as his eyeline follows you! The guy is then so broken up about accidentally murking his friends, that he allows you to dispatch him without resistance!
(makes you wonder how the Sorcerer kept his skull cap on while performing acrobatics though...)
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Post by Peter on Jan 27, 2021 8:44:22 GMT
Two epic moments for me:
Page 1, where you prepare for the mission, you pass through the gate into unknown territory, whereupon "Your journey has begun..." The whole thing just gives me the impression of an epic adventure to come, through strange lands containing unimaginable encounters. The illustration of the Sightmaster, with the foreign lands stretching into the distance behind him, adds to this concept.
And page 800, that ends "Your journey is over. You have earned your rest". No treasure, no celebration, not even a handshake, just "finally, a chance to have a proper rest. I've earned this". A fitting end for an epic quest.
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Post by Law on Jan 27, 2021 14:50:43 GMT
Two epic moments for me: Page 1, where you prepare for the mission, you pass through the gate into unknown territory, whereupon "Your journey has begun..." The whole thing just gives me the impression of an epic adventure to come, through strange lands containing unimaginable encounters. The illustration of the Sightmaster, with the foreign lands stretching into the distance behind him, adds to this concept. And page 800, that ends "Your journey is over. You have earned your rest". No treasure, no celebration, not even a handshake, just "finally, a chance to have a proper rest. I've earned this". A fitting end for an epic quest. Very nice bookends I never took notice of! But as the best sandwiches go; it's the fillings that make it ultimately and truly great!
I love the understated surviving of your one night from hell in Kharé. Wish you could have got some payback against the innkeeper though.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jan 27, 2021 19:10:47 GMT
I love the understated surviving of your one night from hell in Kharé. Wish you could have got some payback against the innkeeper though. Too true. 'We'll feed yer to the gills for another 4 [gold pieces]' he says. If you had anything to eat there he probably made a cannibal of you (albeit involuntarily), the blighter! As a business venture I suppose there's something to be said for the little operation he's running. Guest pays 4GPs for the night, perhaps 4GPs for dinner. Guest b ecomes [the next day's] dinner. Guest feeds the next few guests as 4GPs a head... and so it goes on. I might go on Dragon's Den with this one.
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Post by Law on Jan 27, 2021 20:27:24 GMT
I love the understated surviving of your one night from hell in Kharé. Wish you could have got some payback against the innkeeper though. Too true. 'We'll feed yer to the gills for another 4 [gold pieces]' he says. If you had anything to eat there he probably made a cannibal of you (albeit involuntarily), the blighter! As a business venture I suppose there's something to be said for the little operation he's running. Guest pays 4GPs for the night, perhaps 4GPs for dinner. Guest b ecomes [the next day's] dinner. Guest feeds the next few guests as 4GPs a head... and so it goes on. I might go on Dragon's Den with this one.
"It's going to be a no, from me, Borklop. I just can't see your long-range business plans bearing fruit when you're eating into your own consumer-base. And for that reason, I'm out."
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jan 30, 2021 9:11:15 GMT
I never thought about the name Analand in that context either. Gives new meaning to traveling the hills of Analand. I hope you dont come across any (wood) piles! More amusing to me is Captain Shagrot of FF41, a man who sounds like he's picked up a dose of the clap on his many travels. I suppose that's sailors for you, though! And laugh out loud when I first heard it was Jack Vance's book Servants of the Wankh, which conjures up images and ideas in my mind perhaps best not elaborated upon here on this forum.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jan 30, 2021 9:17:09 GMT
Again not necessarily 'epic' but more horrific or weird is the encounter with the ferryman who begins as a jolly sort of fellow then goes out of your sight and comes back having clearly been 'got at' by something unpleasant. Then he deflates in front of you like a balloon, his face collapsing in on itself, and out comes one of the serpents. Good stuff!
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Post by Ed on Feb 4, 2021 14:52:52 GMT
For the record, his name was Tek Kramin and alas I knew him not very well.
Gives new meaning to the song ' Dont pay the ferryman ' !
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Post by The Count on Feb 4, 2021 15:06:43 GMT
Jack Vance's book Servants of the Wankh, which conjures up images and ideas in my mind perhaps best not elaborated upon here on this forum. Is that another of those dodgy "erotic" CYOA books?
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Post by Ed on Feb 26, 2021 13:56:14 GMT
In this new post from the FF blog - officialfightingfantasy.blogspot.com/2021/02/steve-jacksons-sorcery-is-coming-to.htmlMampang is referred to as ' The Fortress of Sorcerers '. This would reinforce the theory that the wizard on the cover of Crown Of Kings is not actually the Archmage. In the campaign book, he is referred to as one of the court sorcerers who dwell within Mampang. So exactly how many of these guys exist and what abilities do they have ?
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Mar 2, 2021 12:23:28 GMT
Is that another of those dodgy "erotic" CYOA books? If so, I wonder what a failed SKILL roll would result in? And what would STAMINA and LUCK represent? Please, no-one feel free to answer those questions or expand on them.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Mar 2, 2021 12:27:34 GMT
In this new post from the FF blog - officialfightingfantasy.blogspot.com/2021/02/steve-jacksons-sorcery-is-coming-to.htmlMampang is referred to as ' The Fortress of Sorcerers '. This would reinforce the theory that the wizard on the cover of Crown Of Kings is not actually the Archmage. In the campaign book, he is referred to as one of the court sorcerers who dwell within Mampang. So exactly how many of these guys exist and what abilities do they have ? The wizard on the front of Book 4 is the Archmage. Just as he is on the back of You are the Hero.
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kieran
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Post by kieran on Mar 2, 2021 14:05:37 GMT
The wizard on the front of Book 4 is the Archmage. It seems to be a mater of debate. It could be the Archmage somehow teleports to the prison tower to wait for you or it could be the guy in the tower is a decoy. But then why go to all the trouble of having a decoy in the prison tower where people are unlikely to expect the Archmage?
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Post by vastariner on Mar 2, 2021 14:58:46 GMT
The wizard on the front of Book 4 is the Archmage. It seems to be a mater of debate. It could be the Archmage somehow teleports to the prison tower to wait for you or it could be the guy in the tower is a decoy. But then why go to all the trouble of having a decoy in the prison tower where people are unlikely to expect the Archmage? I took it as the Archmage being the Netherworld Demon, possibly Myurr. So it occupies the body of the innocent Farren Whyde - probably having used magic to "persuade" Whyde to end up in Mampang - and disapparates back to the prison tower in the human form it has adopted for its latest plan.
The ultimate idea being that the whole Crown of Kings idea is a Myurr plot. Develop an artifact that the kingdoms prove is something powerful, then retrieve it and use it to control the lands of Chaos. Once you have everything together, you are able to squish everyone else, just using psychological warfare in having the artifact.
The whole premise being that the Demon Princes cannot act directly on Titan - it all has to be mental rather than physical. The "Archmage" being someone using their infernal magic to dominate Mampang and the Crown being the McGuffin with which to dominate the Old World.
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Post by The Count on Mar 3, 2021 1:28:42 GMT
It seems to be a mater of debate. It could be the Archmage somehow teleports to the prison tower to wait for you or it could be the guy in the tower is a decoy. But then why go to all the trouble of having a decoy in the prison tower where people are unlikely to expect the Archmage? I took it as the Archmage being the Netherworld Demon, possibly Myurr. So it occupies the body of the innocent Farren Whyde - probably having used magic to "persuade" Whyde to end up in Mampang - and disapparates back to the prison tower in the human form it has adopted for its latest plan.
The ultimate idea being that the whole Crown of Kings idea is a Myurr plot. Develop an artifact that the kingdoms prove is something powerful, then retrieve it and use it to control the lands of Chaos. Once you have everything together, you are able to squish everyone else, just using psychological warfare in having the artifact.
The whole premise being that the Demon Princes cannot act directly on Titan - it all has to be mental rather than physical. The "Archmage" being someone using their infernal magic to dominate Mampang and the Crown being the McGuffin with which to dominate the Old World.
This is the reader having to do all the heavy lifting as Steve couldn't explain the plot climax and big bad properly.
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Post by sleepyscholar on Mar 3, 2021 4:33:07 GMT
And page 800, that ends "Your journey is over. You have earned your rest". No treasure, no celebration, not even a handshake, just "finally, a chance to have a proper rest. I've earned this". A fitting end for an epic quest. I rather think that after all the epic effort you have gone to in order to reach that paragraph, Lord God Almighty should show up, give you a high-five and shower you with treasure! I'm amazed that Steve could not see the simple truth of this proposition, and learn from the (yet to be written) final paragraph of Slaves of the Abyss.
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Post by vastariner on Mar 4, 2021 16:23:55 GMT
I took it as the Archmage being the Netherworld Demon, possibly Myurr. So it occupies the body of the innocent Farren Whyde - probably having used magic to "persuade" Whyde to end up in Mampang - and disapparates back to the prison tower in the human form it has adopted for its latest plan.
The ultimate idea being that the whole Crown of Kings idea is a Myurr plot. Develop an artifact that the kingdoms prove is something powerful, then retrieve it and use it to control the lands of Chaos. Once you have everything together, you are able to squish everyone else, just using psychological warfare in having the artifact.
The whole premise being that the Demon Princes cannot act directly on Titan - it all has to be mental rather than physical. The "Archmage" being someone using their infernal magic to dominate Mampang and the Crown being the McGuffin with which to dominate the Old World.
This is the reader having to do all the heavy lifting as Steve couldn't explain the plot climax and big bad properly. But nobody would know, would they? That's the thing with Myurr's subtle plotting.
And I think we've established that the people of Analand are dim. They try to build an unbuildable wall, they have the RES spell which would be an absolute game-changer but seem to have no idea what to do with it, uniquely they allow the CoK to be stolen, and they send ONE man after it on a route that's a dead-end without some nifty investigative work and without any of the equipment that makes the spells work.
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