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Post by evilwizard on Jul 11, 2024 17:56:51 GMT
More submissions of particular cunning that could be said to be worthy of an EVIL WIZARD received
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 13, 2024 23:41:49 GMT
More answers received. Just over one week remaining to submit suitable responses.
A quick reminder for anyone submitting answers that they need to ensure that they are meeting every requirement for each question, otherwise answers will be rejected! I am not going to be reading almost 100 books looking for the reference 123 where Lyftyztluhn is described as converting you to become EVIL via twattir to give you a unique answer if you don't provide the correct information.
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Wildy
Squire
Posts: 35
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by Wildy on Jul 15, 2024 10:53:44 GMT
Well, I finally submitted my answers after reading Eye of the Dragon for the first time. It wasn't such a bad book and enjoyed it quite a lot! Thanks EVIL WIZARD for the opportunity!
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 20, 2024 13:59:42 GMT
Just under a day and a half left to submit suitably EVIL responses
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 24, 2024 21:28:00 GMT
Unique Answers Game - EVIL WIZARD edition - The ResultsNine foolish adventurers dared challenge ME, the EVIL WIZARD in a game of cunning and deviousness. As forewarned, accepted answers will be arbitrary, ambiguous and ultimately EVIL!
One further frequent dungeoneer was unable to commit to submitting a full set, missing out on a unique answer while a further set was obliterated in a fireball for failing to provide book names and references for the checking.
1) Provide a reference number in Eye of the Dragon which mentions ME, the EVIL WIZARD.
Petch - Reference 52 - 1 Gabe Fandango - Reference 397 - 2 Adrius - Reference 397 - 2 kieran - Reference 113 - 2 Peters Wife - Reference 113 - 2 Trialmaster - Reference 333 - 4 Wildy - Reference 333 - 4 vastariner - Reference 333 - 4 Per - Reference 333 - 4
With 13 possible options, only Petch managed a unique answer. No-one plumped for the masterful demonstration of EVIL that was Reference 96 for example. Were the 4 drawn to Reference 333 attracted to the erotically charged moment between YOU and Littlebig?
2) Name an EVIL WIZARD and identify a book name they appear in. Include a reference number or section that justifies your choice
A question for which the answers are suitably EVIL
kieran - Zeverin, Tower of Destruction, Reference 231 - 1 Wildy - Grimslade, Scorpion Swamp, Reference 222 - 1
Incorrect answers: vastariner - Feior, Black Vein Prophecy, Reference 29 - described as devilspawn, not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Per - Lord Mortis, Keep of the Lich-Lord, title. - not described as an EVIL WIZARD anywhere - 10 Adrius - Portal of Evil, Horfak, Reference 47 - describes the Portal as EVIL, Horfak is not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Petch - Orayan, Magehunter, Reference 12 - described as a Mage, not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Gabe - Kanestin, Master of Chaos, Reference 339 - not mentioned on 339, is mentioned on 338, described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Peters Wife - Doktor Verruckte, Revenge of the Vampire, 278 & 395 - not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Trialmaster - Volgera Darkstorm, Creature of Havoc, intro - described as a teacher and mentor, not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10
The key to this question was the exact words "EVIL WIZARD" - not mage, sorcerer, priest, warlock or any other description - it is the EVIL WIZARD round after all! While I was expecting one or two, to trip up, this question resulted in a whopping 7 incorrect answers. There were at least 5 other options for adversaries clearly described as an EVIL WIZARD in at least one section of text: Jaxarles - Fangs of Fury, Shanzikuul - Master of Chaos, Mencius - Magehunter, Master of Spiders - Scorpion Swamp and of course ME, the EVIL WIZARD - Eye of the Dragon
Scores after 2 rounds:
kieran 3 Wildy 5 Petch 11 Gabe Fandago 12 Peters Wife 12 Adrius 12 Trialmaster 14 vastariner 14 Per 14
3) Provide the book title and paragraph number where an EVIL WIZARD casts, or is implied to target you with, a magic spell (such as, but not limited to: a Fireball, Bolt of Lightning or Magic Dart,) that causes you STAMINA loss or instant DEATH
Petch Fangs of Fury, Reference 34 - 1 Trialmaster - Eye of the Dragon, Reference 397 - 1 Wildy - Tower of Destruction, Reference 149 - 1 vastariner - Black Vein Prophecy, Reference 140 - 1 Per Talisman of Death, Reference 171 - 1 Adrius - Creature of Havoc, Reference 402 - 1 kieran - Stealer of Souls, Reference 66 - 1 Gabe - Moonrunner, Reference 257 - 2 Peters Wife - Moonrunner, Reference 257 - 2
In true Taskmaster style, a bit more open to loophole abuse of the exact words. The initial question was strictly when an EVIL WIZARD cast a spell that causes you damage. However, as this may have been too restrictive, the implication of the casting was added - and it meant me having to do less digging through books to check if the spellcaster was indeed an EVIL WIZARD. Possibly too lenient - yet still led to a double up. Untouched answers from confirmed EVIL WIZARDS can be found in Fangs of Fury, Master of Chaos and further instances in Tower of Destruction and Eye of the Dragon. No-one went for the ambiguous lightning blast in Crypt which may appear in a later question...
Scores after 3 rounds: kieran 4 Wildy 6 Petch 12 Adrius 13 Gabe Fandago 14 Peters Wife 14 Trialmaster 15 vastariner 15 Per 15
4) Give the title of a book in which an EVIL WIZARD is illustrated inside the book, accompanying the main text. Provide the reference number that this illustration relates to.
Petch - Fangs of Fury, Reference 156 (EVIL WIZARD description on Reference 61) - 1 Gabe - Magehunter, Reference 87 (EVIL WIZARD description on Reference 108) - 1 Wildy - Tower of Destruction, Reference 79 (EVIL WIZARD description on Reference 66) - 1
Incorrect answers: vastariner - Masks of Mayhem, Reference 295 - Described as a fell sorceress, not an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Per - Black Vein Prophecy, Reference 20 - Not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Adrius - Black Vein Prophecy, Reference 276 - Not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 kieran - Stealer of Souls, Reference 216 - Not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Peters Wife - Spellbreaker, Reference 150 - Described as an evil Warlock, not an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Trialmaster - Temple of Terror, Reference 288 - Described as EVIL and an acolyte, but not an EVIL WIZARD - 10
Another question where the "EVIL WIZARD" wording was the key to a correct answer. Everyone avoided the possible pile-up of giving ME as the answer - but there was a very near miss of double dipping on an incorrect answer. There were at least another 2 correct answers, both from the same book.
Scores after 4 rounds: Wildy 7 Petch 13 kieran 14 Gabe Fandago 15 Adrius 23 Peters Wife 24 Trialmaster 25 vastariner 25 Per 25
5) Name an EVIL spell, power or artefact you can get in a Fighting Fantasy book, and in which book – provide the relevant reference number or book section to justify your choice.
Gabe - Diamond, Return to Firetop Mountain, Reference 12 - 1 Peters Wife - Sceptre of Oset, Curse of the Mummy, Reference 38 - 1 vastariner - Withering Spell Gem, Scorpion Swamp, intro / Reference 206 - 1 Wildy - Fear Spell Gem, Scorpion Swamp, rules / Reference 206 - 2 Per - Fear Spell Gem, Scorpion Swamp, rules / Reference 206 - 2 Trialmaster - Dark Veil, Dead of Night, Talents section of rules - 2 kieran - Dark Veil, Dead of Night, Talents section of rules - 2
Incorrect answers: Petch - Demon Mask, The Crimson Tide, Reference 72 - not described as EVIL - 10 Adrius - Mencius's Book of Craft, Magehunter, Reference 320 - not described as EVIL - 10
Another question where some fell into my EVIL traps. There were 3 undiscovered EVIL artifacts in Master of Chaos.
Scores after 5 rounds: Wildy 9 kieran 16 Gabe Fandago 16 Petch 23 Peters Wife 25 vastariner 26 Per 27 Trialmaster 27 Adrius 33
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Post by Gabe Fandango on Jul 25, 2024 6:12:42 GMT
And just like that, a new record for most number of invalid answers in a round have been set...perhaps for a long time to come! Appropriately for the most EVIL edition.
For Qn 5, I remember a section in Stealer of Souls where you can enter a bedchamber containing what the text describes as "evil-smelling dirty socks". I would have been very tempted to try and hunt down that section for submission...except I also remember that it's not an actual artefact you can acquire, sadly.
Oh, and I actually meant to submit section 330 as my reference for Qn 2. Still, Kanestin wasn't described as an evil wizard in that section's text, just evil man, so I guess it would have been wrong anyway. with or without my typo.
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Post by CharlesX on Jul 25, 2024 6:52:32 GMT
2) Name an EVIL WIZARD and identify a book name they appear in. Include a reference number or section that justifies your choice
A question for which the answers are suitably EVIL
kieran - Zeverin, Tower of Destruction, Reference 231 - 1 Wildy - Grimslade, Scorpion Swamp, Reference 222 - 1
Incorrect answers: vastariner - Feior, Black Vein Prophecy, Reference 29 - described as devilspawn, not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Per - Lord Mortis, Keep of the Lich-Lord, title. - not described as an EVIL WIZARD anywhere - 10 Adrius - Portal of Evil, Horfak, Reference 47 - describes the Portal as EVIL, Horfak is not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Petch - Orayan, Magehunter, Reference 12 - described as a Mage, not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Gabe - Kanestin, Master of Chaos, Reference 339 - not mentioned on 339, is mentioned on 338, described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Peters Wife - Doktor Verruckte, Revenge of the Vampire, 278 & 395 - not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10 Trialmaster - Volgera Darkstorm, Creature of Havoc, intro - described as a teacher and mentor, not described as an EVIL WIZARD - 10
The key to this question was the exact words "EVIL WIZARD" - not mage, sorcerer, priest, warlock or any other description - it is the EVIL WIZARD round after all! While I was expecting one or two, to trip up, this question resulted in a whopping 7 incorrect answers. There were at least 5 other options for adversaries clearly described as an EVIL WIZARD in at least one section of text: Jaxarles - Fangs of Fury, Shanzikuul - Master of Chaos, Mencius - Magehunter, Master of Spiders - Scorpion Swamp and of course ME, the EVIL WIZARD - Eye of the Dragon
Hi
Though I didn't participate (because I don't have enough FF, such as Eye Of The Dragon) that description is more specific than I'd expected. For example, would Balthus Dire have counted? Does both the words "WIZARD" and "EVIL" literally have to occur as the sole means of distinction? I would have hated being the host for this and other questions - even though I thought the concept and questions themselves were great!
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Post by Gabe Fandango on Jul 25, 2024 7:21:40 GMT
What I'm curious about is, if a character is described as "evil" in one section and as a "wizard" in another section, but those 2 words never appeared together, would that character still have qualified?
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Wildy
Squire
Posts: 35
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by Wildy on Jul 25, 2024 9:31:03 GMT
Hi
Though I didn't participate (because I don't have enough FF, such as Eye Of The Dragon) that description is more specific than I'd expected. For example, would Balthus Dire have counted? Does both the words "WIZARD" and "EVIL" literally have to occur as the sole means of distinction? I would have hated being the host for this and other questions - even though I thought the concept and questions themselves were great!
This was exactly the question I asked/edited out. Balthus is described more of a sorcerer. I was going to ask if "wizard" refer to any magic using person or really had to be that specific Dungeons and Dragons class (so no Warlock/Sorcerer/Druid/Cleric/Bard and instead has to have 1 level in Wizard class or pure Wizard build). Basically if it was an EVIL MAGIC-USER quizz or EVIL PURE 100% AUTHENTIC WIZARD quizz... Then i read the words " EXACT WORDING" and thought, ok, I'm not going to be snarky, will follow the Evil Taskmaster's request and check (for most of the answers) that it really says those exact words in the paragraph provided as source for each answer.
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sylas
Baron
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_black.png)
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,720
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
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Post by sylas on Jul 25, 2024 16:19:11 GMT
I didn't participate this round because I could foresee a lot of scenarios where the question would create a lot of ambiguity. Q3 is also odd in its scoring as Q2 is very specific as to what an Evil Wizard is, Q3 largely ignores this rule, and Q4 goes back to being super specific. I would choose one or the other but not both or allow more leniency due to lack of clarity resulting in many expected invalid answers.
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Post by CharlesX on Jul 27, 2024 7:26:44 GMT
Hi
I'd like to shotgun\bagsi the next round as I have 10 questions written up around Creature Of Havoc, if no one has objections?
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Post by Per on Jul 27, 2024 11:16:56 GMT
Hi I'd like to shotgun\bagsi the next round as I have 10 questions written up around Creature Of Havoc, if no one has objections? Super fine with me, but just in case other single-book rounds are brewing, I want to dibsify Sword and/or Seas.
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Post by Gabe Fandango on Jul 27, 2024 11:20:31 GMT
Hi
I'd like to shotgun\bagsi the next round as I have 10 questions written up around Creature Of Havoc, if no one has objections?
I'm all for it...on the condition that you don't intend to write your questions in code, or make the players submit coded answers. Or give the results in them.
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Post by CharlesX on Jul 27, 2024 11:36:26 GMT
Hi
I'd like to shotgun\bagsi the next round as I have 10 questions written up around Creature Of Havoc, if no one has objections?
I'm all for it...on the condition that you don't intend to write your questions in code, or make the players submit coded answers. Or give the results in them. Be assured that if I receive answers in code I would not see the funny side!
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Post by CharlesX on Jul 27, 2024 12:05:46 GMT
Hi
I'd like to shotgun\bagsi the next round as I have 10 questions written up around Creature Of Havoc, if no one has objections?
I'm all for it...on the condition that you don't intend to write your questions in code, or make the players submit coded answers. Or give the results in them. Is this 'sneak peek' of a question acceptable?
Name a reference in Creature Of Havoc in which you read or are spoken to in untranslated Human.
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 27, 2024 13:02:23 GMT
Hi
Though I didn't participate (because I don't have enough FF, such as Eye Of The Dragon) that description is more specific than I'd expected. For example, would Balthus Dire have counted? Does both the words "WIZARD" and "EVIL" literally have to occur as the sole means of distinction? I would have hated being the host for this and other questions - even though I thought the concept and questions themselves were great!
This was exactly the question I asked/edited out. Balthus is described more of a sorcerer. I was going to ask if "wizard" refer to any magic using person or really had to be that specific Dungeons and Dragons class (so no Warlock/Sorcerer/Druid/Cleric/Bard and instead has to have 1 level in Wizard class or pure Wizard build). Basically if it was an EVIL MAGIC-USER quizz or EVIL PURE 100% AUTHENTIC WIZARD quizz... Then i read the words " EXACT WORDING" and thought, ok, I'm not going to be snarky, will follow the Evil Taskmaster's request and check (for most of the answers) that it really says those exact words in the paragraph provided as source for each answer. The reason there were so many incorrect answers was due to people trying to justify their answer with florid descriptions, despite there being a good number of characters being clearly described as an EVIL WIZARD. I personally don't think Q2 or 4 could be any clearer on what was required, and if you have identified a correct answer for Q2, if they are illustrated elsewhere in the same book you have the answer for Q4, plus any of the answers for Q1 gave you an answer for Q2 and Q4 - which no-one picked up on.
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 27, 2024 13:08:05 GMT
6) Identify a creature or monster, that is NOT a human, elf or dwarf, that is described as EVIL. Provide the book name and paragraph number as evidence. Petch - Otus the half-giant, Deathmoor, Reference sequence 137-394 - 1 Gabe Fandago - Raven, Dead of Night, Reference 14 - 1 Peters Wife - Xen Viper, Moonrunner, Reference 184 - 1 Per - Lady Lotmora, Keep of the Lich-Lord, Reference 149 - 1 Wildy - Eagle, Siege of Sardath, Reference 141 - 1 vastariner - The Night Dragon, Night Dragon, Reference 388 - 2 Trialmaster - The Night Dragon, Night Dragon, Reference 388 - 2
Incorrect answers Adrius Graalsch the Toad Demon, Sword of the Samurai Reference 138 - Not described as EVIL - 10 kieran Dai-Oni, Sword of the Samurai Reference 150 - Not described as EVIL, only the smile is - 10
Another question with possibly too generous a selection of answers which still leads to 2 submitting the same answer, and a further 2 incorrect answers. The Raven in Dead of Night was what inspired this question so I was glad that it was selected as a unique answer - though I was disappointment that the EVIL parrot in Master of Chaos was missed. Completing the trilogy of EVIL birds was the Eagle from Siege of Sardath which was described as EVIL by the Dark Elves. Wildy 10 Gabe Fandago 17 Petch 24 kieran 26 Peters Wife 26 vastariner 28 Per 28 Trialmaster 29 Adrius 43
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 27, 2024 13:20:03 GMT
7) Describe or demonstrate an event or a sequence of events in a named book where you undertake an EVIL act – justify your choice with the relevant reference number(s). Please note that the text does not explicitly need to state that you have committed EVIL.
Petch - Committing genocide by wiping out the last Prefecta, Sky Lord, Reference 187 - 1
Gabe Fandago - Casting the Curse spell on the Mistress of Birds and turning her EVIL, Scorpion Swamp, Reference 260 - 1
Peters Wife - Abandoned a group of helpless, innocent young monks to a very unpleasant fate, Revenge of the Vampire, Reference 354 - 1
Trialmaster - Destroying the settlement of Kish, Seas of Blood, reference 141 - 1
Wildy - When I stab the dwarven prisoner "while laughing evilly", The Warlock of Firetop Moutain, Reference sequence 104 to 68 - 1
vastariner - Killing the Red Wizard in cold blood, Night Dragon Reference sequence 316-283 - 1
Per - Waylay and attack a caravan of Lizard Men with no cause or provocation, killing many, seize their meagre goods and take one of the survivors as a slave, Seas of Blood, References 194 & 329 - 1
Adrius - Pushing Reinhardt off the flying carpet, Magehunter, Reference 21/72 - 1
kieran - Abandoning the frail goblin to be eaten by a giant spider - Portal of Evil Reference sequence 196 - 399 - 1
This question may be why there were so many incorrect answers earlier as there were potentially a lot of ambiguous situations which may or may not have been EVIL. Ones I was expecting: Torturing the Dwarf in Warlock, Killing the Urchins in Beneath Nightmare Castle and using Dark Veil in Dead of Night. In hindsight, while there were some great answers submitted, the question was too generous and may have benefitted from there being some negative consequence to your actions, such as the loss of LUCK when murdering the Bonekeeper in Crypt.
Scores after Round 7 Wildy 11
Gabe Fandago 18
Petch 25
Peters Wife 27
kieran 27
vastariner 29
Per 29
Trialmaster 30
Adrius 44
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 27, 2024 13:26:24 GMT
8) Name one spell caster who is NOT an EVIL WIZARD. Identify the book name and relevant section that demonstrates this.
Petch - Icaricus, Daggers of Darkness, Reference 397 - 1
Gabe Fandago - Eldenurin, Phantoms of Fear, rules - 1
Peters Wife - Savant, Knights of Doom, Reference 6 - 1
Trialmaster - Alsander, Stealer of Souls, Reference 289 - 1
Wildy - Selator, Scorpion Swamp, Reference 335 - 1
vastariner - Healer, Caverns of the Snow Witch, Reference 217 - 1
Per - Hegmar, Legend of the Shadow Warriors, Reference 105 - 1
Adrius - Aletheia, Slaves of the Abyss, Reference 372 - 1
kieran - Master of Gardens, Scorpion Swamp, Reference 379 - 1
The question with the most correct answers, and only because the question should have been name one EVIL spell caster who is not an EVIL WIZARD. Regardless, all but one of the incorrect answers for Q2 would have been accepted here, yet no-one tried to submit such answer.
Scores after 8 rounds: Wildy 12
Gabe Fandago 19
Petch 26 Peters Wife 28
kieran 28
vastariner 30
Per 30
Trialmaster 31
Adrius 45
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 27, 2024 13:34:14 GMT
9) Name an EVIL character who is NOT an EVIL WIZARD, provide a book name and identify the section that justifies your choice.
Gabe Fandago - Kelnor / Earl of Drumer, House of Hell, Reference 288 - 1
Peters Wife - Lishek, Moonrunner, References 297 & 184 - 1
Wildy - Orghuz, Chasm of Malice, Background - 1
vastariner - Naas, Master of Chaos, Reference 245 - 1
Incorrect answers: Per - Syzuk the Devastator, Spectral Stalkers, Reference 21 / 384 - Not described as EVIL - 10
Adrius - Leesha, Temple of Terror, Reference 282 - Not described as EVIL - 10
kieran - The teacher beating the little girl, Fangs of Fury, Reference 182 - Not described as EVIL - 10
Trialmaster - Titanium Cyborg, Appointment with F.E.A.R., Reference 440 - Not described as EVIL - 10
Petch - Murgrim the Cruel, Knights of Doom , Reference 110 - Described as cruel. Not described as EVIL - 10
After a few rounds of clean sweeps, 5 adventurers fall into the trap of providing characters who are not described as being EVIL. In the case of the teacher, given the bad manners and insolence of the spoiled, pampered youth of today, he was probably trying to get the brat to stop cyberbullying which should be praised. Had the answer been the girl who was late therefore holding up the rest of the class, then that might have been accepted.
Scores after 9 rounds: Wildy 13
Gabe Fandago 20
Peters Wife 29
Petch 36
kieran 38
vastariner 31
Per 40
Trialmaster 41
Adrius 55
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Post by Gabe Fandango on Jul 27, 2024 14:12:57 GMT
Looks like Wildy has the winner's spot cynched by this point, given how careful he's been at avoiding wrong answers, which is the only way he can possibly lose now. Perfect vindication for his initial performances in the game! Or is it Evil minds think alike? ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png)
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Post by evilwizard on Jul 27, 2024 14:21:03 GMT
10) Identify a reference or chain of references in a book that makes you suspect the author had EVIL intent.
The question that I suspected would cause the most difficulty, and that I thought people would have the most fun with. Each answer will be judged on the merit of the situation and justification. Some very creative responses to this one.
Petch - Freeway Fighter 3-354-27-139: Ian is EVILLY encouraging poor driving habits to his impressionable young readership including driving with an unsafe load, aggressive driving, recklessly endangering other road users, driving without a seat belt, and speeding - 1
Initially, this was going to be deemed as an incorrect answer. However, it was accepted as encouraging further bad behaviour in our ill-disciplined youth is yet more evidence of the EVIL intent to corrupt our society! Not to mention the utter lack of common sense in which in order to win fuel, you waste a lot more fuel with a silly race...
Gabe Fandago - Talisman of Death section 279 --> 262 As to the answer I submitted...Smith and Thomson are evil for having a book with evil effect beckon you to read it, the author of the Tome of Misfortune also clearly has evil intent for its readers (hey, you never specified which author in the question), and the book being stated to be read by Necromancer is something to make me suspect of said intentions....oh, and the word 'evil' is there in section 262.) - 1
A very well reasoned and clever answer worthy of an EVIL WIZARD!
Trialmaster - Creature of Havoc - fatal loop in Yellowstone Mines refs starting from 425 to 275 to 256 to 39 to 397 to 46 back to 39- 1
Infinite loops in games are frustrating, and if added deliberately are EVIL! Had this been the secret passage, it would not have been accepted.
Per - Masks of Mayhem, you can be given the clue to "always take the middle way" in section 353. Then after you enter Marsh Vile, you are in sections 345 and 165 offered the options to go left, right or straight ahead, in that order, with each non-straight direction being instantly fatal. Then in the third marsh section in 193, you are instead asked if you want to go left, "half-left" or straight ahead, in that order. My belief is that author Robin Waterfield here intended to confuse, trick and kill characters (or readers, he may not have been able to tell them apart by this stage) by making them think they were reading a third section with options in the same format, which is EVIL, and if any further evidence should be needed, "Marsh Vile" is an anagram of "EVIL harms" - 1
This is saved from being an incorrect answer by the last 8 words
Adrius - House of Hell, 208, Man in White revealing a way to kill the Master (but reference is part of doomed chain and leads inevitably to failure) - 1
Giving you the solution when you are unable to use it is indeed EVIL. The kitchen from the same book would also have been an acceptable answer.
kieran Return to Firetop Mountain - 360->181->172. Allows you to successfully use garlic to escape the vampire only to kill you off anyway - 1
While debatable, the false hope of escape being snatched away can be considered EVIL!
Incorrect answers: Wildy - Eye of the Dragon - paragraph 76 & 5 - Rest ye well chair that deals you damage after healing you in two previous books by the same author! He added back that chair only to HURT "you". - 10 Lazy adventurers should not be sitting down on my furniture! There are plenty of examples of unrelated but similar items (eg: helmets, chests, swords) in unrelated books being beneficial in one, but not the other. If it had been the exact same item, then this would be another matter
vastariner - Crimson Tide, 107 - 400; "winn- oh..." - 10 The convention of Reference 400 being the most successful ending lasted up until book 4, and other books also have instant deaths at 400 - so while this is quite mean, it is not EVIL.
Peters Wife - In Revenge of the Vampire you can fail before turning to reference 1 which I think shows the author had evil intent (Background; take gold 51; unlucky 105, tell the truth 160 - arrested for murder - your adventure ends). - 10 This is an interesting innovation, and your death is caused by your greed, not by the authors EVIL intent.
Some acceptable answers for this round that I had thought at least one of might be submitted: Needing to have Skill 11 or 12 in order to win, yet also being expected to fail a Skill roll / lose against a weak enemy in the same book - Trial of Champions / Spellbreaker / Knights of Doom Writing the Crypt of the Sorcerer / Spellbreaker Creating a Skill 12 opponent that instantly kills you if it hits you twice - Crypt The Clock Puzzle from Tower of Destruction Impossible to reach sections due to poor writing, incorrect puzzles and / or bugs - Revenge of the Vampire / Tower of Destruction / Legend of Zagor Not bothering to finish your book before publication - Starship Traveller
Final Scores: Gabe Fandago 21
Wildy 23
Petch 37
Peters Wife 39
kieran 39
vastariner 41
Per 41
Trialmaster 42
Adrius 56
Congratulations to Gabe Fandango for demonstrating the devious cunning worthy of an EVIL WIZARD! A very close second for Wildy. and nobody seems to have spotted the blatantly obvious (to me) exception to the rules - which I will save for a future round. Bwahahahahah!
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Post by Gabe Fandango on Jul 27, 2024 14:33:17 GMT
Okay, I did not expect this at all! That was hell if a roller coaster ride!
I was right about one thing at least: Evil minds DO think alike! MUAH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH!
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Post by Gabe Fandango on Jul 27, 2024 14:57:21 GMT
Writing the Crypt of the Sorcerer Wait, this is actually an acceptable answer? I could have saved a lot of time!
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Post by Per on Jul 27, 2024 16:06:20 GMT
I'm sorry, but this was more than just a tad disappointing. I loved the premise and it seemed the questions were varied and offered unusual room for creativity in some cases. I spent some time and had some fun looking for and choosing my answers, taking care to (as I thought) justify them, not knowing that the contest had already decided only some specific form of justification would be allowed for several questions. If a sufficient clarification had been given (just saying the words "evil wizard" were key would not have helped; we already thought we were answering with evil wizards), either from the outset or once lots of incorrect answers started to be received, I would also have sat this one out, as I think I'm familiar with some of FF's rich gallery of malicious spellcasters, but would not have wanted to sit and read the books to find out which ones are or aren't specifically called "evil wizard" in section 137 or in a Twattir post from 1992 or something. Thanks anyway for running the round. I did really like the basic concept and I enjoyed seeing what people had written up for Q7 and Q10 in particular. I just can't find any meaningful payoff in the results. They seem to a large degree arbitrary because clearly most of us were submitting answers for a different contest than the one we ended up being scored in. Some particularly confusing specifics:
Q2 clearly asked us to identify a character referenced in a book name. The FF catalogue offers plenty of such instances, starting with The Warlock of Firetop Mountain; I thought the question seemed well-measured, creative and on theme. But neither of the two (!) answers that were approved - Scorpion Swamp and Tower of Destruction - is in that set. Apparently "exact wording" was not important for this question. I'm completely in the dark as to why the word "implied" means the words "evil wizard" don't have to appear for answers to count in Q3 while they do in Q2 and Q4. Is the idea that it could be hypothesized that someone else was actually casting the spell... and that for some unknown reason then it doesn't matter whether either of them is to the letter an "evil wizard"? If so, would it have been OK to respond with any random magical floor trap, since whether or not it's the trap or some dungeon janitor in a hidden compartment actually casting the spell, it's just another instance of a thing what does not need to be an "evil wizard"? I'm guessing probably not though? I'm utterly baffled. If there was a goal to leave the contestants baffled even after the rules reveal, chalk this down as a success. Q5 is another question where exact wording wasn't in force, or most of us should have been disqualified for not providing a named item or power. I have absolutely no idea why my answer for Q10 minus the final random embellishment would have been disallowed, when, well, pretty much any of the other allowed answers were. Were the 4 drawn to Reference 333 attracted to the erotically charged moment between YOU and Littlebig? For me, it was the fact that the words "evil wizard" also appear in 332 (though it could refer to another one), so I thought that if people made lists of sections where the words appear, they might not pick one with another next to it. Reverses... Regardless, all but one of the incorrect answers for Q2 would have been accepted here, yet no-one tried to submit such answer. I think this can be entirely explained by the conjecture that all or nearly all of us thought that our incorrect answers for Q2 did reference evil wizards.
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kieran
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Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by kieran on Jul 27, 2024 17:52:43 GMT
Looks like Wildy has the winner's spot cynched by this point, given how careful he's been at avoiding wrong answers, which is the only way he can possibly lose now. Perfect vindication for his initial performances in the game! Or is it Evil minds think alike? ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) Aw, poor Wildy, you jinxed him then seized the winner's crown yourself! You are truly worthy of the Evil Wizard title. Well done, and thanks to evilwizard for running this one.
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sylas
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Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
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Post by sylas on Jul 27, 2024 21:32:50 GMT
I think Q10 is especially mean. One could argue whether something represented the author having Evil intent OR not. It really depends how the judge feels rather than the answer being right or wrong.
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Post by CharlesX on Jul 28, 2024 7:34:31 GMT
Creature Of Havoc Tribute RoundAnswers for this round will mainly come from Creature Of Havoc, always at or after reference 1 on a playthrough (that is, Tales Of Trolltooth Pass is inadmissable). Those questions that do not come from Creature Of Havoc must come from the traditional run of 77 Fighting Fantasy gamebooks. Note that a wrong answer will not incur a penalty of 10 points, but instead a penalty of the worst (highest-scoring) answer +2, +1 for every other wrong answer. However, there are no "back-up" answers - if asked that if one answer is acceptable, may I accept another choice, I will always assume the worst answer is the one chosen. Neither will I offer clarification unless I deem the original question somehow unclear or flawed. Remember that "changing your mind" is always an option before the deadline (Friday 9th Midnight). I'd rather respondents defend any possibly controversial answer via PM before the outcomes than in a big fight afterwards.
Q1 Cite a reference in Creature Of Havoc in which you are spoken to or read untranslated Human.
Q2 One of the great mysteries in Creature Of Havoc is Stittle Woad (actually just a dye) or Eren Durdinath in Elvish. Using only the letters in 'Stittle Woad' (disregarding the space and those quotation marks) make a valid word of three or more letters. This must appear in a recent standard Oxford dictionary of English (no Scrabble Dictionary words that don't tend to actually be used). You do not need to cite the dictionary reference but it should be in English, can be informal but not an abbreviation, and no place names. If in doubt, like a Scrabble game but with an Oxford dictionary not a Scrabble one. You may only use the letters that appear in Stittle Woad once each time they appear in 'Stittle Woad'.
Q3 Some of the most terrifying creatures in Creature Of Havoc are never given Skill and Stamina statistics. Cite a live and named\identified creature or group of creatures in Creature Of Havoc that can personally directly kill you outright (or enslave you), but actually is not given such statistics. A reference is strongly preferable.
Q4 Name a Fighting Fantasy gamebook that, like Creature Of Havoc, does not have the standard 400 references.
Q5 From Creature Of Havoc, name a Steve Jackson-style fight (with reference as well as an enemy's Skill and Stamina statistics) from where you must either die or be enslaved in the next 5 references or in an inevitable loop.
Q6 Cite one of the 'instant bad ending' references in Creature Of Havoc where your adventure abruptly ends, not through Stamina loss but outright then and there, before the author's seemingly preferred ending of reference 460. If the reference is sadistic enough to include the word 'death' as a bonus you may -2 from your score. If the reference has the word 'life', regardless of whether it also includes the word 'death' you may -1 from score (not cumulatively). Otherwise normal scoring rules entirely apply.
Q7 Identify or name an undead or wholly chaotic creature in Creature Of Havoc that is given Skill and Stamina statistics. A reference is fundamental.
Q8 Cite a named\identified object or cluster of objects in a Creature Of Havoc reference that you may pick up or otherwise add to your inventory.
Q9 Name a Fighting Fantasy gamebook that is definitely not credited to Ian Livingstone or US's Steve Jackson. Should you risk a Fighting Fantasy credited to UK Steve Jackson alone there is a -1 bonus, but otherwise normal scoring rules apply.
Q10 Name a Creature Of Havoc reference either with the word "Hobbit" or that you can reach on the same playthrough at or after the endgame reference 329.
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Post by petch on Jul 28, 2024 8:05:33 GMT
Q2: Can you use each letter as many times as you want, or just the number of times it appears in 'Stittle Woad' (ie S once, T up to 3 times etc)?
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Post by CharlesX on Jul 28, 2024 8:10:54 GMT
Q2: Can you use each letter as many times as you want, or just the number of times it appears in 'Stittle Woad' (ie S once, T up to 3 times etc)? The number of times it appears in Stittle Woad (I'll clarify).
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