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Post by CharlesX on Mar 26, 2022 17:27:46 GMT
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Post by linflas on Mar 30, 2022 6:30:54 GMT
299 If you have already visited clearing 29, turn to 426. Otherwise, read on. === It had been two days since Aryoth had entered the Scorpion Swamp, a place with a sordid reputation. He had fought valiantly against all the creatures that stood in his way: Orcs, Goblins, Swamp Trolls... Two of his wolves had even died in these terrible confrontations. He had finally discovered this imposing abandoned building, but unfortunately it was not the one he was looking for. He inspected it anyway, and as he suspected, it belonged to one of the Masters of the Swamp: the Master of Worms. A quick search revealed some interesting finds, in particular a huge book that reported on Necromancy experiments, during which he sought to invoke certain spirits of the Underworld. A bad Master, indeed. Aryoth rested here for a few hours before setting out again to fulfil his destiny. He could count on his precious allies, the Wolves, to protect him. They had become his only family since a cowardly villain had murdered his father. Aryoth still remembered the day he had heard his father, hidden under his sheets, order a stranger to leave... Then the fight that followed... His cries of pain... The howling of the wolves... He was five years old. Ging, who had been watching over him, had been standing in front of the door, ready to fight the murderer. But your father had taken care to lock it with a spell so that it could not be opened from the outside. After a few hours, he and Ging ventured out, and were joined by other wolves. His mother having died when he was born, there was no need to think about help from that side: he had to learn to live like a beast... A wolf among others. All of them left the Swamp, towards northern Khul and other more welcoming forests. Until Aryoth had this revelation. One night he dreamt of his father, who asked him to succeed him as Master of Wolves. A sign from the gods, surely. For a long time, a nagging resentment had clouded his eyes, but he had learned to control his instincts and turn to the obvious: only Libra knows where the wretched assassin is now. No, his only goal now is to get his hands on the amulet his father once held. It may still be in the clearing where he spent his first five years, here in the Swamp. He has no memory of his father's corpse, which he had not looked at for fear of confirming the unbearable truth. So it's impossible to know whether he was wearing it or not. In any case, wherever it was, he had vowed to find it, at the risk of his life and that of his Wolves. Aryoth is then pulled out of his dreams by good old Ging, who starts licking his cheek as usual. It's time to leave. The young man gets up, dusts off his belongings, and peeks in one of the windows of the Master's house to see if there is an enemy outside. Rather than a foul creature, he sees a lovely young woman, who has just entered the clearing. She is pretty, but looks exhausted and a bit lost. The poor girl has probably had to face a thousand dangers to get here. Perhaps she has found what he is looking for? Aryoth calls his wolves with a whistle, and they all head for the front door of the Master's house. === Turn to 939.
939 You have been walking along this muddy path to the west for some time now. The vegetation here is very thick and spills over onto the track you are following. The air is still nauseating, but you are used to it by now. Eventually you come to a small clearing at the bottom of which is an imposing stone building. It seems to have been abandoned for some time, as vines have invaded the façade. Your ring remains cold, so you think that no hostile creatures are there. The ground here is very loose. Hundreds of earthworms are swarming around it, which fills you with an intense feeling of disgust such as no sight in this rather unappetising swamp had caused you before. You leave the worms behind to study the building: it is built of grey stone, and must belong to a merchant or a Master... You walk towards it, taking care to avoid the worms. Your legs sink into the mud up to your knees, which makes you particularly anxious: you are at the mercy of some underground creature. You arrive at the building without any trouble, however, when, to your surprise, the door slowly opens. An old wolf with grey fur comes out, accompanied by a young man who must not be far from your age, perhaps a little older. He has very long blond hair and his face, which expresses a sort of weariness, looks at you kindly. Your eyes linger on the beautiful golden highlights of his hair, which fall over his broad shoulders. He wears a tattered leather tunic with holes in many places and a sturdy sword hangs from his belt. An adventurer, no doubt. A dozen wolves follow him, and stand calmly beside him. They seem to obey him, although these animals are not known to be very docile. The situation is clearly not to your advantage, but your ring remains cold, which is highly comforting. The young man smiles at you and says: "I am Aryoth, son of the Master of Wolves. Do not fear me. I mean you no harm. I am looking for my father's house. Have you seen it on your journey? It is a wooden log hut. " If you have seen this house and wish to say so, turn to 499. If you have not seen it but wish to lie, turn to 948. If you have seen it but wish to lie, turn to 130. If you prefer to say that you did not see it, turn to 701. If you want to attack this man immediately, turn to 353.
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Post by vastariner on Mar 30, 2022 13:25:24 GMT
If you prefer to say that you did not see her, turn to 701. It, not her - one of the things with French only having 2 genders.
Well, the ring is not burning, so I'm all for telling the truth.
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Post by CharlesX on Mar 30, 2022 14:39:08 GMT
Agree Wi Vastariner above.
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Post by The Count on Mar 30, 2022 14:40:33 GMT
I would have said attack, but others got in first, so tell the truth
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Post by linflas on Mar 31, 2022 12:36:53 GMT
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Post by vastariner on Mar 31, 2022 13:06:05 GMT
Can't remember what we did last time, I assume we explored the house, and as I do not remember dying there, maybe try again.
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Post by CharlesX on Mar 31, 2022 13:15:30 GMT
I would've suggested going to the Master of Worms house, not only because it's new and interesting but also because it's a big, Master house. A barely legal look at Team Goldeagle's experience suggests we should 100% go there. We fight a few weak Skill 7 enemies, and gain a +1 attack strength magic sword!
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Post by linflas on Mar 31, 2022 13:39:51 GMT
834You enter the Master of Worms' building, and the first impression is not very appealing: the interior is very dirty. Remains of food eaten by Aryoth and his wolves litter the floor of the first room, which is a sort of living room, if you consider the table and chairs there. He must have spent a few hours, or even days, there. There is also a bookcase with some books with inscriptions in a language unknown to you. You open a door to a room with a bed. But you quickly jump back to find that the room is overrun with long white worms, and other glowing insects. These are the pets of someone who must have deserted the place some time ago, as most are motionless and lifeless. This swarming show makes you gag and is enough to make you leave. But as soon as you step outside the door, your ring suddenly starts to heat up... What enemy will you have to face again? Your doubts quickly fade when you see two SWAMP ORCS coming out of the bushes on either side of you. An ambush! They have an impressive build, and look very grim (covered in pustules, like any self-respecting Orc). Drawing short swords, they exchange a knowing look before attacking you. You step back into the doorway to gain an advantage. Defeat them one by one: First SWAMP ORC SKILL: 7 STAMINA: 8 Second SWAMP ORC SKILL: 8 STAMINA: 6 If you win, you inspect the corpses of the two humanoids with the tip of your sword, and you discover that the sword of the second Orc is very light... No doubt a magic sword gleaned from the corpse of an adventurer who was less lucky than you. This sword will allow you to add 1 extra point to your Attack Strength, unless your SKILL is already 12. You can now leave the clearing by the east (turn to 475) or south (turn to 963).
Won fight. No Stamina lost. Orc's Light Sword replaces Sword in inventory.
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 1, 2022 19:03:37 GMT
East?
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Post by vastariner on Apr 1, 2022 22:48:09 GMT
We came from the south, didn't we? Ergo east.
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Post by Peter on Apr 2, 2022 5:20:14 GMT
Yes. East.
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Post by linflas on Apr 6, 2022 13:41:57 GMT
475 You walk along the path for a few minutes and soon reach a new clearing. This is clearing 39. If you have been here before, turn to 709. If not, read on. This clearing is medium-sized and very similar to the one you walked through before: muddy ground, a few reeds and pools here and there. However, to your surprise, the place is not empty: indeed, a few metres away from you, you can vaguely make out a human figure. The man (or woman) is staggering in the middle of the clearing and does not seem to have seen you yet. You are unsure of what to do: how do you know if this being is friendly or not? Your ring warm-up prompts you to keep your eyes on the stranger. If you serve Goldeagle, turn to 513. If you serve Ophidiane, turn to 601. Finally, if your employer is Morgalux, turn to 641.
641 The man then steps forward so that you can see his face. You can't identify him of course, but his green cloak tells you immediately who he is: a PATROLLER, one of the guards who watch the edge of the Swamp. You don't know how he got so deep into the quagmire, but at least it wasn't easy: his clothes are in tatters and his face is covered in blood. The man still hasn't noticed you. But listening to his heavy, thirsty breathing, you fear that he may collapse at any moment. Your ring keeps heating up. If you wish to reveal yourself, turn to 528. If you prefer to leave this clearing without further ado, turn to 405.
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 6, 2022 15:25:43 GMT
The multiple options might be because he would not like to know someone who serves Morgalux is in the swamp, and I suspect if we spoke to him he would know somehow if we were to lie to him. If this is a trap and he is a shapechanger or something it seems a touch elaborate. It could well put us in danger, but I don't want to abandon someone, even if they might be an enemy. I say reveal ourselves!
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Post by vastariner on Apr 6, 2022 19:29:28 GMT
100% smacks of being a trap, and shapechanger came to my mind as well, but we're hale and hearty enough to take the mofo on.
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 7, 2022 16:00:10 GMT
I say after we reveal ourselves, we could turn around if our ring continues to heat up. I woulldn't be surprised if this became an instant death.
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Post by Peter on Apr 11, 2022 7:24:17 GMT
Possibly it's not the Patroller who is causing the ring to heat up. What caused his injuries? How did he get here? Is he carrying a parasite, or is he possessed?
Then again, we have been given plenty of warning that there is danger here, so maybe he is just dangerous and should be avoided.
A dilemma. I don't know what to do.
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Post by linflas on Apr 11, 2022 7:46:00 GMT
Cheat code: page 3 of this topic.
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 11, 2022 9:13:11 GMT
Well, based on the cheat code it would definitely be best to leave asap instead.
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Post by Peter on Apr 12, 2022 7:14:17 GMT
Yes, easy decision. Let's leave.
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Post by linflas on Apr 13, 2022 11:19:02 GMT
405 You cautiously make your way towards one of the exits. The figure does not even seem to notice your presence. No less than four paths lead to the clearing. Choose the direction you wish to take:
If it is south, turn to 237.
If it is north, turn to 175.
If west, turn to 299.
If you prefer east, turn to 163.
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 13, 2022 11:37:57 GMT
We could go East in an effort to make it to the ridiculously helpful Pulush, or alternatively North in a direct effort to explore new areas, whatever, fine with what others decide.
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Post by vastariner on Apr 13, 2022 20:04:24 GMT
Can we go East, then come back and go North?
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 14, 2022 22:18:01 GMT
Can we go East, then come back and go North? I don't know how dangerous the encounters are east of where we are, but the ones on the southernmost part don't seem too dangerous, so certainly, we could do that. I'm thinking we haven't explored to the West of the sword trees & scorpion so we could do that at some point, too.
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Post by vastariner on Apr 15, 2022 8:27:55 GMT
Can we go East, then come back and go North? I don't know how dangerous the encounters are east of where we are, but the ones on the southernmost part don't seem too dangerous, so certainly, we could do that. I'm thinking we haven't explored to the West of the sword trees & scorpion so we could do that at some point, too. I was thinking that if we "know" there is help to the east, we could go to get it, and then explore fresh areas.
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Post by linflas on Apr 15, 2022 11:32:55 GMT
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 15, 2022 12:38:07 GMT
So, shall we therefore go explore the clearing to the West of the sword trees, go north from here where we haven't been before, or to East where we can explore around the giant tree? Thinking about it, i'm keen to explore the clearing to the West of the sword trees, just because we'd have to go through several cleàrings to get there if we don't here and now. If other people don't think so, going East seems best, we can always head back this way or something.
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Post by Peter on Apr 16, 2022 0:41:12 GMT
I'm a little lost. Let me look at the map.
OK. I think east and then return and go north. In the original Scorpion Swamp, the sword trees re-grew, so I am wary of going through that clearing again. Maybe try it, but definitely east first.
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 16, 2022 9:39:20 GMT
Agreed, go east, we can always explore West of the sword trees later maybe on our way back if we pick up a second wither spell or something.
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Post by linflas on Apr 16, 2022 9:44:19 GMT
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