kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,458
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Jul 5, 2021 10:38:21 GMT
Even with magic and the help of this blond warrior, I'm not sure we're any match for a gargantis. I vote for running away (sorry Blondie!)
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 5, 2021 16:41:21 GMT
I say attack!
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Jul 6, 2021 6:08:54 GMT
I think we could attack. It might be already wounded, and we can always run away if we have to. We have spells - would Friendship work on this creature? Or would Fire be helpful?
Let's attack, and see how it goes.
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 6, 2021 7:12:15 GMT
Votes are what they are, but you should have followed Kieran's judgement. It's a Gargantis !
533 You decide to go and help the adventurer. The clearing has the topography of a small bowl, in the centre of which are the two protagonists. They are fighting fiercely and have not yet noticed your presence. Unfortunately for him, the Adventurer seems to be in a bad way, knocked down by a fierce burst of hatred from the Gargantis. As you rush to attack, your mind suddenly becomes blurred... Do you have a Talisman Engraved with Runic Signs? If so, turn to 362. If not, turn to 819.
819 You advance towards the Gargantis with the firm intention of fighting it as quickly as possible despite the imposing stature of the beast. But the further you advance, the more you wonder why you should harm this cute lizard. After all, he's not so bad... and it's actually quite friendly! That Adventurer was stupid to attack it when it meant no harm. You are going to punish him right now. Panic shows on his face as you rush at him under the sneering eye of the monster. No mercy! You strike the fatal blow. He was running out of time anyway. You don't have time to turn around when you feel a horrible pain in your back: the Gargantis! Having taken control of your mind with its psychic powers, it has just struck you with its huge clawed paw. Spitting blood, you don't have time to get out of the Gargantis' control when it finishes you off with a second paw. Your adventure will surely end in the monster's stomach, happy to have added a second victim to its meal.
Feel happy to have helped the lizard, philsadler ?
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,458
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Jul 6, 2021 8:28:36 GMT
Ah well, we had a good run. Thanks for doing this Linflas, it was a lot of fun.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 6, 2021 11:12:14 GMT
That was fun, though I don't think we got very far.
Would be good to have another go, remembering to make a map though.
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 7, 2021 11:54:07 GMT
We didn't go very far, indeed. If I remember the making off, there were about 50 clearings to be written (30 in Scorpion Swamp I). Start again? Why not, but I'd like to translate other sections than the ones I've already done. Maybe try the neutral or evil quest ?
Here's the cover btw..
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Jul 9, 2021 7:55:10 GMT
Oops. You're right, Kieran's judgement is often wise.
That's a beautiful cover. If it gets translated into English, I'll buy it.
Thanks Linflas, that was enjoyable.
Definitely try again, there is a lot more to discover.
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 9, 2021 10:09:12 GMT
No problem for a new attempt. Shall we continue on this topic (then turn to 1, first post) or start a new one ?
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,458
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Jul 9, 2021 11:07:29 GMT
May as well just keep it in the same topic
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 9, 2021 13:43:02 GMT
Then, turn to 1 !
(...)
You are very interested in what the owner has to say, as it holds the promise of an exciting adventure. If you want to know more: About the Masters, turn to 861. (already translated) About the things that happen in the Swamp, turn to 563. About your father's past achievements, turn to 657.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 10, 2021 0:46:43 GMT
Things that happened in the swamp
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Jul 10, 2021 3:39:06 GMT
Agree.
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 12, 2021 6:33:04 GMT
563 The innkeeper hesitates, thinks for a while, gathers his thoughts and then says: "You have to understand, nobody really knows what is going on. For the last thirty days or so, there have been reports of people disappearing. First it was robbers and thieves, so honest people washed their hands of it, but then patrolmen vanished... And then there were the last three or four adventurers, who were not seen again... If you go into the Swamp, there's a pretty good chance that you won't come back either. If I were you, I'd be careful. Indeed, I'd give up completely at the thought of getting lost in the Scorpion Swamp." You are not overly anxious about the innkeeper's words. There are similar stories in all the outlying villages, where the quite normal leaving of one person or another is often considered a strange disappearance. You then ask him, with a bit of scorn, if some local personalities would hire an adventuress to clean up the mess... Turn to 195.
Copying already translated 195.
195 The tavernkeeper ponders, then nods: "I see three. First, Captain Goldeagle. A good man. You can't be bearded like him and be evil. He commands a squad of Patrollers, of whom two have disappeared in the Swamp, and I know he's doing everything he can to find out what happened to them. If you go and see him, he will certainly put you in charge of this mission. However, I don't know if you can expect a big reward. The Patrollers are like the army... first the duty, then the payment, if you see what I mean. Then you might visit the Mistress of Serpents. " When the innkeeper says these words, you slightly shudder. He notices your surprise and smiles: "Yes... One of the Masters of the Swamp no longer lives into, but here, in Fenmarge. This poor girl doesn't dare to go back to the bog anymore. I don't know why, but to you, she might tell you if you agree to solve her problem. Don't worry, the Mistress of Serpents is a neutral witch. But then again, I don't know if she will be able to pay you cash." You then ask him who the third man is. The landlord remains silent, obviously troubled. "It's just that... that third man is not particularly recommendable..." If you wish to insist, turn to 516. If you prefer to follow the innkeeper's advice and choose between the two people he mentioned, you can visit Captain Goldeagle on 726, or the Mistress of Serpents on 117.
726 already translated.
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Jul 12, 2021 7:55:11 GMT
I'm interested in the snake lady, as I was before. I'm not ready to accept an evil-doer's bidding in the Swamp - it seems too murky at this stage.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 12, 2021 9:58:04 GMT
Mistress of Serpents sounds like a good choice. I hope she is secretly evil...
|
|
|
Post by vastariner on Jul 12, 2021 19:08:46 GMT
Yeah, let's adder to the schedule.
|
|
|
Post by philsadler on Jul 12, 2021 21:39:18 GMT
I don't know, she might snake out of it.
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 13, 2021 6:28:41 GMT
117 If you have visited the Mistress of Serpents before, turn to 1049. The innkeeper explains that the Mistress sleeps at the inn and that she makes a living by doing various odd jobs. When she has free time, she sits on top of a hill overlooking the swamp north of the town, seemingly waiting for someone or something. Following directions he gaves you, you soon reach the relevant hill. From there you can see the whole swamp. Its main outline and the river that runs through it are easy to identify, but but for the rest you mainly see only a deep fog. It's impossible to guess what is really hidden under the foggy cover. "Are you looking for something?"
You turn around in a rush. The sibilant, sweet voice was very close to you. And indeed, the woman it belongs to is standing less than a metre away. At first glance, you notice that she is extremely beautiful. Long raven-black hair, ivory skin, a fine, well-defined face, a very short nose and thin lips. What strikes you most are her eyes : they are very cold, but absolutely beautiful, very large, of an indefinable green colour. She is wearing a dress of the same green as her eyes, which seems to have that seems to have seen better days. She looks down on you, which is not difficult since she is a head taller than you (and yet you are far from short). The fateful question crosses your lips : "Are you the Mistress of Serpents?" - That's what they call me, but I'm not really a mistress of something anymore since that 'incident'," she replies in her distinctive voice.
- An incident?
- While I was sleeping, and the gods know I'm a light sleeper, someone stole my amulet. In case you don't know, little one, a Master without his amulet loses most of his powers. Her haughty tone is starting to annoy you. Of course you know all of this, your father told you so much about the Swamp. Although he never mentioned a Mistress of Serpents... well, things must have changed in twenty years! The Mistress suddenly seems to understand why you've come. "Wait, you're an adventurer? One of those people who travel the world in search for glory, fame and fortune? I prefer male adventurers, but a bit of change doesn't harm. (She curls up her lips, revealing white teeth and a toothy grin). I might as well say it right away, I don't have the money to pay you. I can give you a little help if you promise to bring my amulet back, but that's all. For the remaining, help yourself to the swamp. So, are you interested or not?"
If you want to go and look for this woman's amulet, turn to 396. If you prefer to go on another quest (more honourable, more lucrative, or simply for a less unbearable person), turn to 134.
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Jul 13, 2021 9:52:10 GMT
Yes, we will do this. We didn't learn anything about snakes in our first attempt, did we? So we will be starting from scratch.
At least I learned something about the Gargantis beast. Now that I have looked it up (something I should have done before, really), I find that it doesn't even appear in my ageing copy of Out of the Pit. Where was this first creature first mentioned?
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 13, 2021 13:26:16 GMT
This sounds like a fun quest! At least I learned something about the Gargantis beast. Now that I have looked it up (something I should have done before, really), I find that it doesn't even appear in my ageing copy of Out of the Pit. Where was this first creature first mentioned? Crypt of the Sorcerer. Its like the boss monster of the first half, and you should avoid combat with it - though you can fight it if you really need to.
|
|
|
Post by vastariner on Jul 15, 2021 10:36:50 GMT
Yeah, let's do the snake thing, with a bit of luck the snake charms will be useful in a snaky swamp.
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 19, 2021 15:29:32 GMT
396 "Splendid! There are still almost selfless young women in this world, that's encouraging. I don't have many clues to help you. I was sleeping quietly in my clearing, don't ask me where it is, I don't know. The powers of my amulet allowed me to find my way, but not by the four cardinal points. Anyway, I was fast asleep, and when I woke up, I was shocked to discover that my amulet, which was in a cup on my bedside table, was gone. I slipped out of the clearing as quietly as possible, for I had lost most of the powers. Oh yes, there are more than fifty snakes in my clearing, and some of them are very dangerous... Anyway, I started wandering around the swamp, without any equipment or luggage, until I came across a friendly merchant who brought me back here. Since then, I've been managing to live as best as I can." - What is the merchant's name?
- Q'Thyd. He lives around here, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding him. He doesn't know any more than I do, but if you want to buy anything... Speaking of equipment..." The Mistress of Serpents brings her hand to her lips and makes a strange hissing sound. You don't immediately see the effect, when you suddenly notice something moving in the high grass. The head of a huge snake suddenly juts out. You instinctively back away, but the Mistress kneels down and strokes its head: "Here is Stiv. The only one who has who has remained faithful to me. I've known him since he was hatched. His companionship was more than useful to me in the swamp. Hold still for two seconds, Stiv." With a quick gesture, the Mistress detaches a small scale from the snake's skin, which stirs for a moment in pain. "He is so steeped in my magic that any scale on him should help you find the amulet. Poor boy, if I keep giving a scale to every adventurer who passes by, he'll end up naked." She hands you the Snake Scale. Write it down on your Adventure Sheet. She then unties a small bag hanging from Stiv's tail, dips her hand in and pulls out some stones. Your father has already told you about them: Magic Gems! "These are Neutral Magic Gems. Choose the ones you think are most suitable. Take some... go on, ten! I'm not usually this generous, but there are strange things happening in the swamp. An evil power is sleeping somewhere. People are disappearing. Anyway, it's even worse than when I arrived." Choose your desired gems quickly before this witch changes her mind. "Very few adventurers came back to tell me that they had failed. Some did not dare, others never really intended to deal with my request... and many others died in the swamp. In our common interest, beware of everything in this swamp, men, beasts, plants and creatures. - All right, ma'ame. - Is the word Mistress stuck in your throat? In that case, just call me Ophidiane. You could start your investigation in my clearing, you might find some clues there. The powers of the scale will give you protection against snakes, but it will only be superficial, so be careful not to dwell on it too much. You could also move on to Willowbend, its inhabitants may know more than the locals. But above all, beware of the other Masters. I don't know who else but a Master would be foolish enough to steal from another Master and risk his wrath. Finally, if you avoid them too much, you'll have trouble finishing your investigation. In short, let your instincts guide you. See you soon, young lady." Then she goes quietly away, down the hill without making a sound, her snake following her like a shadow. like a shadow. She is soon out of sight and you would think you were dreaming if your hand was not still holding the scale. If you want to enter the Swamp straight away, turn to 13. If you prefer to find the merchant with the unpronounceable name, turn to 578.
Before going further, let's roll... and here are our lady's stats. SKILL: 10 STAMINA: 20 LUCK: 11 HEALTH: 10
Now you may choose 10 gems : NEUTRAL SPELLS: SKILL (restores half of initial skill score, rounded up), STAMINA (same as skill but for stamina), LUCK (same as skill but for luck), FIRE (set medium-sized object on fire), ICE (freezes water or vapour water), ILLUSION (creates a small, short-lived illusion)
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Jul 20, 2021 8:54:33 GMT
Ophidiane is a suitably serpentine name. I'm a little concerned by her "advice". Start your investigation in my clearing, but I don't know where that is. The scale will protect you, but don't rely on it. Stay clear of the Masters, but don't avoid them. Above all, do what you feel like doing. Certainly the epitome of a neutral character, not committing one way or the other!
Those are pretty good stats though.
I suggest 1 of each, an extra Fire and Ice, and 2 extra Stamina gems.
Perhaps we should check what the merchant has to offer. How much money do we have?
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 20, 2021 8:58:00 GMT
20 Gold.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 20, 2021 10:21:50 GMT
I agree with visiting the merchant
|
|
|
Post by linflas on Jul 20, 2021 16:14:28 GMT
578 You head back to the city. Questioning the passers-by, you soon find him. He has a small stall selling various everyday products (mainly kitchen utensils), some of which come from Willowbend. Q'Thyd is a robust, bearded man, closer to a lumberjack than to the average merchant. By the way, he carries a fine axe with him. You ask him about Ophidiane. "I certainly remember her. A beautiful woman, but I was a little too busy surviving in the swamp to worry about those kinds of details. I helped her to get back to civilization. Note especially that she needed a guide, her snake zaps goblins faster than me! She asked me about her amulet, like almost all the regulars of the swamp. But apparently, nobody knows about it. Anyway, if you're interested in visiting the swamp, I don't have much that would be useful, unless you want to eat your snack with a proper knife. Although, I suppose I have a little tinker left over that can always be used." He pulls a small box from under his counter and pops it. It contains only two small blue pills. "They allow you to breathe underwater. I only have two left, three gold coins each, or five for both. If you don't have gold, I'll trade you both for a Magic Gem of any kind, it's a good deal. One pill gives you one hour of runtime. I'd also get you a map of the swamp, but I'm not a hustler. I haven't been back there in a month. And in a month, the damn swamp changes like crazy! Every time we go back, we have to do it all over again!" After your possible purchases or trades, you thank him and enter the swamp by turning to 13.
Please tell if you buy/trade for the pills.
13 You move away from Fenmarge and head towards Scorpion Swamp. As you go along, the well-trodden dirt track turns into a small, dark path. Despite its poor condition, it seems to be very busy: you remember that the innkeeper said that the Swamp attracts many adventurers in search of fortune and glory. However, according to your father's stories, very few come out alive. You hope that you will not suffer their fate, but rather that you will emerge as triumphant as your father did at the time. Lost in thought, you turn to find that you have reached the southern edge of the Swamp. The path you follow goes straight north into the swamp, which receives clear water from a small stream.
On your right, marked on a rock, is this final warning: BEWARE! SCORPION SWAMP! TURN BACK! Two crossed tibias surmounted by a skull overhang the warning. For a second, you are almost tempted to follow this advice. But at the thought of your brave father, you push away this foolish idea. A stench coming from the Swamp reaches you and you sigh thinking that you will have to endure it for the rest of your journey. As rumour has it, a dark fog darkens the sky over the Swamp. According to your father, it blurs the compasses, hides the stars and turns any means of finding your way around futile. All but one, you think as you look proudly at your brass ring. Your father has told you that it has saved his life dozens of times: not only does the ring always point north, it also heats up whenever you are in the presence of an evil being. It is therefore an invaluable object that you must be careful not to lose. You banish all thoughts, focusing your mind solely on your mission. You take a last breath of fresh air while making a final prayer to all the gods of Khul that you know. Then you walk with determination into the Scorpion Swamp. Turn to 15.
15 You are in clearing 1. The ground is spongy but does not yet hinder your progress. The brightness coming from the south makes the air more peaceful. You really feel like you're in a forest, and not in the cursed place that rumours have it... Damn peasants! The north of the clearing is a bit darker, a path seems to run under the trees. The south, east and west are more sparsely vegetated, and perhaps more suitable for a 'gentle' exploration of this supposedly terrible swamp. Where will you continue this amazing adventure?
North? Turn to 748. East? Turn to 863. West? Turn to 61. (already translated) South? Turn to 220. (back to Fenmarge)
|
|
|
Post by vastariner on Jul 20, 2021 17:43:58 GMT
I'd buy both pills. What are the chances of needing an extra 2GP in a swamp?
And I reckon go east.
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Jul 20, 2021 20:17:03 GMT
I agree
|
|
|
Post by a moderator on Jul 20, 2021 22:30:36 GMT
Is it not possible to actually buy the 'good knife'?
|
|